Scottsville race tips, form and preview for Sunday, August 30
Our Hollywoodbets Scottsville tips, form and preview focus on a competitive eight-race card on Sunday, with the lightly raced Exocet returning from a lengthy break as one of the most intriguing runners on the programme.
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Mike and Mathew de Kock could provide punters with some relief when they saddle EXOCET in the Middle Stakes over 1000m, the fifth race on the card. Now a lightly raced four-year-old, EXOCET has won two of his three starts and the yard has indicated that he is a horse with plenty of ability.
EXOCET has not been seen since winning on the poly in October last year, but the De Kocks are unlikely to send the colt out half-baked and it may be telling that he faces only six rivals on his return. Gareth van Zyl’s VIHAAN’S WEB has won over the course and distance and seldom runs a poor race, while veterans DONQUERARI and AFRICAN SKYLINE both receive 4kg relief from the saddle and have strong chances of finishing in the money.
Big fields make the opening races particularly testing. ONE PEPPER returns from a break and gelding in the first after taking on the likes of VIBE CHECK and KAZANOYONI last time, while FLEUR DELACOUR can go one better in Race 2 after flying home to narrowly miss over the course and distance on debut. The De Kocks could also hold the key to the opening leg of the Pick 6, where SCOTT’S BAR steps up to a mile and stablemate TARANAKI NOMAD should improve significantly on a luckless debut.
The fourth is a wide-open handicap, with ANOTHER DREAM, GOLD GOLD BABY and HEAVENLY MAFIA among the leading chances. The final three races are similarly competitive, with FLAMETHROWER taking on older rivals in Race 6, RUN FOREST RUN looking to make use of the inside draw in Race 7 and LADY GODIVA capable of bouncing back to her better turf form in the finale.
Below is our free form analysis and racing tips for all eight races at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday.
Race 1
Hollywoodbets Scottsville Welcomes You Mdn Plate
ONE PEPPER (16) returns from a break and gelding. He was up against VIBE CHECK and KAZANOYONI at his last start and, if racing fit, should go close. DIAVAL (2) was well supported on debut when starting favourite but raced green and the experience should have brought him on. BULLET CATCH (11) started at long odds behind stable companion OMKHULU BOSS but was not far back. This is his third run on the course and he should run a forward race. MAGGIANO (5) made a promising debut behind long-time maiden TIPPERARY and should come on from that effort.
Our tip: 16-2-11-5
Race 2
Gallop Tv Mdn Plate (F & M)
FLEUR DELACOUR (9) started at long odds on debut but finished with a flourish to fail narrowly over the course and distance. She can go one better on that showing. THELEIA (8) was disappointing in her first local run when starting favourite. However, that was her first run back from a break and she looks capable of making amends. ABBEY’S WORLD (5) made good improvement second time out over the course and distance and looks progressive. WILLOW VALLI (15) has shown up well in two starts under Rachel Venniker and was a beaten favourite last time out.
Our tip: 9-8-5-15
Race 3
Bet With Tote Www.tote.co.za Open Mdn
Mike and Mathew de Kock could hold the key. SCOTT’S BAR (9) was a beaten favourite over a sprint last time out and now steps up to a mile, a trip that should suit. Stable companion TARANAKI NOMAD (3) was green on debut on the poly. Slowly away and taking a hefty bump in the running, he should come on lengths from that effort. REIGN MAN (1) also steps up in trip after showing up well in a promising sprint debut. He has the best of the draw and should much prefer this distance. PEACE SIGN (2) has started at long odds in both starts and showed some promise last time out. He gets first-time blinkers and is one to watch in the betting.
Our tip: 9-3-1-2
Race 4
Bet With Colossus Pools Exclusive On Www.tote.co.za Class 4 (F & M)
This is an open handicap. ANOTHER DREAM (1) has joint top weight but has shown up well in two recent starts over the course and distance. Gavin Lerena rides from the best of the draw. Glen Kotzen saddles two runners with strong chances. GOLD GOLD BABY (8) is unbeaten in two starts in blinkers, the latest over the course and distance, and can go in again. HEAVENLY MAFIA (4) finished just under two lengths behind her stable companion but is now 2.5kg better off and lightweight rider Cole Dicken is aboard. PRETTY KARA (3) is lightly raced and has shown up well in two recent starts over the course and distance.
Our tip: 1-8-4-3
Race 5
Online Form Guide Www.galloptv.co.za Middle Stakes
EXOCET (7) returns from a lengthy break but has won two of his three starts and has a reputation for being highly promising. Fit and well, he may be the one to beat. VIHAAN’S WEB (3) has won over the course and distance and seldom runs a poor race. If EXOCET fails to fire, he could pick up the pieces. DONQUERARI (2) is always dangerous over this trip and has a 4kg claimer aboard. AFRICAN SKYLINE (4) gets first-time blinkers with a 4kg claimer aboard and has a money chance.
Our tip: 7-3-2-4
Race 6
Tote For The Win D Stakes
This is a wide-open contest. FLAMETHROWER (2) takes on older horses under a big weight but gets 4kg relief from the saddle, which could see him come up trumps against some solid handicappers. TWOCANTANGO (4) is lightly raced and has his third run after a lengthy break. He showed up well on this course last time out and gets the services of Gavin Lerena. GLOBAL MOVEMENT (5) is slowly coming down in the handicap and now looks to be off a more competitive mark. NAVAJO DANCER (7) has useful Qatari rider Saleh Salem Al-Marri aboard for Gareth van Zyl and is seldom too far back.
Our tip: 2-4-5-7
Race 7
Lucky Fish Fortune Cup C Stakes
RUN FOREST RUN (1) is lightly raced but has been knocking on the door for some time. He has the best of the draw and should run a forward race. KITCHAKAL (4) has been dropping in the ratings and now looks to be off a more competitive mark. He has a big weight but is down in class. TURBO TWENTY (8) has won over the course and distance and was narrowly beaten last time out on the poly. This is his third run after a break. MEERKAT MOON (7) won well on the poly last start but received a six-point jump in the ratings. He has improved in blinkers and has a strong money chance.
Our tip: 1-4-8-7
Race 8
Hollywoodbets Bright Future Class 4 (F & M)
This is another tough handicap. LADY GODIVA (10) was sent out favourite on the poly last time but, although beaten, she was not far back. She had excellent previous form in strong company on the turf and at her best should run well again. SHOWGIRL (9) has started favourite at her last three outings, the latest over the course and distance after returning from a lengthy break. She should have come on from that effort. LAST MARGARITA (2) has shown her best recent form on the poly but is still improving. DAWN SURPRISE (4) is a poly specialist having finished runner-up at her last three starts. She has run well enough on the turf in the past and should be thereabouts again.
Our tip: 10-9-2-4
