Scottsville Sunday racing tips, form and full preview
Our Hollywoodbets Scottsville tips, form and preview focus on Sunday’s eight-race card where the prospect of soft going could bring the mudlarks into play, while EXOCET can make amends in the finale – weather permitting.
EXOCET should strip much fitter for his comeback run when he lines up in Race 8. Returning from a lengthy break, the Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained colt showed up well for the first 800m before running out of condition, eventually finishing less than two lengths back in fourth. That outing should have been hugely beneficial and, barring a mud-bath, his class can carry him through. LICENCE TO THRILL is a major danger after being narrowly beaten over course and distance last time, while hard-knocking veteran DONQUERARI also boasts strong form over the track and trip.
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The weather forecast could have a major bearing on proceedings, with soft going expected for the final Scottsville meeting before the course undergoes its annual spring treatment. The opening two races contain a host of first timers, making the betting an important guide. ONE PEPPER improved significantly at his first start after being gelded and gets the nod in Race 1, while ONE FLIGHT showed encouraging improvement at her second outing over course and distance and could be the one to beat in Race 2.
JOY N HOPE can get the Pick 6 off to a winning start in Race 3 after improving with each outing over sprint trips and now steps up to what could be a more suitable distance. SPARROW MAN looks progressive after winning first-up over a mile and can follow up in Race 4. Veteran QUEUE WING has dropped in the handicap and gets further assistance from a 2.5kg claimer in an open Race 5, while FRENCH WAR LORD can build on his maiden victory in the sixth. ERIC’S LEGACY is taken to follow up his recent course-and-distance success in Race 7 before EXOCET gets his chance to make amends in the finale.
Below is our free form analysis and racing tips for all eight races at Scottsville on Sunday.
Race 1
Race 1
There are plenty of first timers in the opener, so the betting should provide an important guide. Of those with exposed form, ONE PEPPER (2) showed good improvement at his first start after being gelded and should run another forward race. AMC ROY ON FIRE (7) has produced two smart performances on this course and looks to be on the up, giving him every chance of making a bold bid. Hollywood Racing has a number of first timers engaged and, going on the jockey bookings, SENSEI OF SPIN (3) and ESCAPE VELOCITY (6) could be the pick of the newcomers.
Our tip: 2-7-3-6
Race 2
Race 2
Another race dominated by first timers, so a close eye on the betting is advised. ONE FLIGHT (6) improved nicely at her second outing over course and distance and should be a major factor with further progress expected. Gavin Lerena has stuck with FLEUR DELACOUR (12), which is encouraging after she produced two promising efforts over course and distance. NOTHING COOLER (14) is lightly raced and returns from a lengthy lay-off after showing promise before the break, making her worth following in the market. CELERITAS (10) is a well-bred Sean Tarry first timer who is another to watch closely.
Our tip: 6-12-14-10
Race 3
Race 3
JOY N HOPE (3) has improved with each outing over sprint distances and now steps up to what could prove a more suitable trip. With Keagan de Melo aboard, he gets a good opportunity to open his account. CLEVER KID (10) has the widest draw to overcome but showed plenty when second on debut and should be competitive with natural improvement. UNITED TIDES (6) was not far away when third over course and distance last time and remains open to further improvement. WO ZAI (5) made a promising debut over course and distance at long odds and should come on with that experience behind him.
Our tip: 3-10-6-5
Race 4
Race 4
SPARROW MAN (2) won well first-up over a mile to shed his maiden and looks capable of making further progress. He has a handy weight and can follow up despite taking on some useful opposition. WAR REPORTER (5) has taken a new lease on life at recent outings for Sean Tarry and brings useful Highveld form into the race, making him a serious threat. THE MARQUEE (7) finished close-up behind the very promising COAST OF THE SUN last time and is seldom far away. The extra furlong could suit. JAZZ FESTIVAL (3) had a difficult task from a wide draw at his latest start and could be dangerous with a light weight.
Our tip: 2-5-7-3
Race 5
Race 5
QUEUE WING (8) steps up in class but the veteran has been dropping in the handicap and now gets further assistance from a 2.5kg claimer. That combination could prove the right recipe in an open contest. DOWN BY THE RIVER (1) goes particularly well over course and distance and stayed on strongly for second at his latest outing. He also has the benefit of the best draw. PINOT GRIGIO (2) returns from a lengthy break and makes his local debut after showing fair Cape form, albeit mostly at long odds. LANDOFTHERISINGSUN (4) shoulders top weight but has not run a bad race since arriving in KZN and represents a stable in good form.
Our tip: 8-1-2-4
Race 6
Race 6
FRENCH WAR LORD (12) is a recent maiden winner but came into that victory with strong maiden form and beat the progressive ONE PEPPER. He looks capable of following up in a wide-open handicap. LUNCH MONEY (13) won well over course and distance last time after producing solid Polytrack form and could prove the biggest threat. CONNOISSEUR (1) is showing signs of returning to his best and, with a light weight, should be competitive. ONE IRISH ROVER (5) may be better suited to a furlong shorter, but with De Melo aboard he could see out the extra distance and get involved.
Our tip: 12-13-1-5
Race 7
Race 7
ERIC’S LEGACY (1) won well over course and distance last time and looks smart enough to follow up. FIRE CHIEF (10) finished second behind him that day when having his first run after a short break and is now much better off at the weights courtesy of a 4kg apprentice allowance. There should be very little between the pair this time. INTO RED SPACE (6) won first-up in PE before taking on feature company and gets a tongue-tie here, making him one to watch closely. YANNAKIS (5) received a six-point rise in the handicap after completing a hat-trick over course and distance and the handicapper may now have his measure, but he cannot be written off lightly.
Our tip: 1-10-6-5
Race 8
Race 8
EXOCET (2) was desperately in need of his comeback run after a lengthy absence, showing good pace before fading late to finish less than two lengths from the winner. He should strip significantly fitter and, barring extremely testing conditions, his class could see him through. LICENCE TO THRILL (9) has his third run back from a short break after being narrowly beaten over course and distance last time and rates a major danger. DONQUERARI (3) is a hard-knocking veteran who goes particularly well over course and distance and should again be competitive. MYSTICAL MISS (16) has drawn on the wide outside but carries a light weight and brings useful Highveld form. If the going is soft, the outside draw could work in her favour.
Our tip: 2-9-3-16
