Scottsville racing tips & form for Saturday, May 23
Scottsville will host a bumper day of racing on Saturday with several group 1s and some great supporting races on the card. The South African Fillies Sprint and The Gold Medallion are the group 1 events, while the Golden Horse Sprint and the Allan Robertson Championship also hold group status. The Scottsville track is rated good, but this might be downgraded during the day, with some light rain expected. Below are Andrew Harrison’s Scottsville racing tips for Saturday, May 23, 2026.
Race 1
Battle Force (2021) Maiden Juvenile Plate
LENOXX (9) found a mountain of trouble when making a forward move last time and, barring a first-time springer, he could be hard to beat, with the Dean Kannenmeyer-trained colt shortening into around 2.00 with HollywoodBets (HollywoodBets review). ENJOY THE RIDE (13) made a promising debut at long odds and should improve. SNOW WARRIOR (1) was rested after a modest debut but did find market support, while MFULATHELA (12) gets first-time blinkers and can do better.
Our tip: 9-13-1-12
Race 2
Alesian Chief (2022) Maiden Plate
WAR EMPEROR (9) has been knocking at the door, comes from an in-form stable and should enjoy the step up in trip. THE NAME OF DLADLA (3) has finished runner-up at his last three on the Highveld and gets first-time blinkers. DOG SOLDIER (6) has improved steadily and should also enjoy the extra ground, while SOUND OF FREEDOM (4) is another improver in a race where the betting could prove useful.
Our tip: 9-3-6-4
Race 3
Gimme A Prince (2023) Class 4
SIERRA SAGRANDA (8) had useful form in strong maiden company before winning well, and he can improve sharply after being all at sea first up on the poly. NEXT OF KIN (5) has found one better at his last three and has gone close over course and distance. SERPENTINE FIRE (2) may have found his last two too far and can be competitive back in trip, while MASTER BOMBER (10) has come well of late and goes well on this course.
Our tip: 8-5-2-10
Race 4
Lucky Lad (2024) Middle Stakes
TALK TO THE MASTER (10) has a big weight but has been holding form in useful company and should be right there. JP’S PALACE (8) has yet to miss the money since being fitted with cheek pieces and has gone close in stronger company. MOHAVE PRINCE (3) has come good in blinkers, drops in class and gets Andrew Fortune aboard, while GUY GIBSON (1) has consistent Fairview form and the best of the draw.
Our tip: 10-8-3-1
Race 5
Allan Robertson Championship 2YOF (G2)
QUERAI DANCER (1) was an impressive winner of the Grade 3 Strelitzia Stakes on this course and brings smart Cape form. FLOWER ISLAND (5) has won both starts comfortably, comes from a strong stable and has a favourable draw. PALACE OF ARVERNIA (15) was most impressive on debut and can follow up in stronger company, while VENTURA BOULEVARD (10) made short work of her opposition on her Fairview debut and could be anything.
Our tip: 1-5-15-10
Race 6
Gold Medallion 2YO (G1)
RICH MAN’S WORLD (6) has been ultra impressive in three starts and made short work of the highly rated MASTER MAGICIAN on this course last time. It has been backed heavily at South African betting sites, but has the ability to stick on. HAUTE COUTURE (8) trotted up by 10 lengths on debut and any market support must be respected. EGREMONT (9) landed a long-odds gamble on debut, while SA Nursery winner BETTER NEVER ENDS (3) has form that has worked out well.
Our tip: 6-8-9-3
Race 7
Golden Horse Sprint Hcp (G2)
Sean Tarry could hold the key in a competitive race. COSMIC SPEED (7) is coming back to himself and was a close third behind stable companion JERUSALEMA RAIN (14) last time. He is 0.5kg better off and the extra 100m should suit. TENANGO (4) won this race last year and can be competitive on his day, while O’TENIKWA (2) was second to him last year and remains well suited to this trip.
Our tip: 7-14-4-2
Race 8
South African Fillies Sprint F&M (G1)
ASIYE PHAMBILI (8) has twice been unlucky in this race and is in fine form after a comfortable course-and-distance win. DOUBLE GRAND SLAM (10) was unlucky not to finish closer last year after finding traffic and looks the major danger. Last year’s winner MIA MOO (1) comes from a prolific stable and has come right at the right time, while PRINCESS OF GAUL (13) is back over a more suitable trip and should feature.
Our tip: 8-10-1-13
Race 9
Tenango (2025) Middle Stakes
GREEN GATEWAY (5) is lightly raced but has useful form in good company and gets first-time blinkers over what looks his best trip. COGNAC (11) needed his last run after a disappointing Cape visit and should go close if back to his best. KAALVOET (15) has improved since being fitted with alumites and can follow up after winning the In Full Flight Handicap, while CITY OF LOVE (14) is down in class and has useful course-and-distance form.
Our tip: 5-11-15-14
