Muscutt duo look good at HWB Scottsville

Trainer Peter Muscutt had a good start to the new season winning the first feature, the Off To Stud Stakes, with progressive filly Mascherina and he could bag a double on Sunday at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.

Both Safari Lodge and Plaza Accord look to have big chances in their respective heats.

Safari Lodge was expected to just about win her last start after finishing strongly but too late to win her previous race. She is from a high-class family and was well backed. But rider S’manga Khumalo decided to get her across from a wide draw and she raced too freely and used herself up in the process, she had no finish when the challenges came.

Another top rider, Gavin Lerena, has been booked to ride her in Race 2, a Maiden Plate over 1600m. From a half decent barrier position there is a big chance the Fire Away filly, who cost R1 million, won’t be ridden up with the speed but instead be allowed to build up at the finish. She is a half-sister to Hoedspruit who has won from 1400m to 2000m including some features, among them the Grade 2 Premier Trophy over 1800m.

Plaza Accord is overdue to add to his tally and could grab the winner’s cheque in Race 5, a MR 82 Handicap over 1400m. A highly regarded three-year-old, he was taken to the Western Cape after solid second-place finish on debut he was sent to the Western Cape where he scored his maiden win with a start-to-finish run over 1250m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville under Richard Fourie.

He didn’t build on that and even though showing speed in his comeback to KwaZulu-Natal, he has given the impression he is looking for a bit more ground.

In his last start, his first over 1400m, he was given a difficult task from a wide barrier in what was a competitive field featuring the likes of winner Shampompo Shampizi, highly regarded Spelling Bee and more, but Plaza Accord was seen to be doing some low flying as he got within 1.95 lengths to finish fifth.

That was 11 days ago and he has drawn widest again, but he has more to time to get into top gear down Scottsville’s longer straight and he is dropping from a MR 96 to a MR 82 Handicap.

It could pay to include Lord Wylie in exotic bets, he is a notorious upset specialist, and he could pop up again.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 2 Hurricane Cat, 8 Ayuwi Yuwi, 4 Blowin In The Wind, 1 Tothestarsandback

Race 2: 5 Safari Lodge, 7 Umzolozolo, 1 Laugh Till I Cry, 3 Tuscan Star

Race 3: 9 Quantum, 5 Tomyris, 4 Faizah, 6 Firecracker

Race 4: 3 Officer In Command, 6 New Mexico, 4 Command Pilot, 9 French Flame

Race 5: 9 Plaza Accord, 1 Voldemort, 2 Mr Henley, 7 Imposing

Race 6: 1 Sunset Riot, 2 Bugalugs, 4 Phutulicious, 6 United Nation

Race 7: 2 Happy Wanderer, 5 Buster Keaton, 1 Cotton Ron, 8 Fire Tonic

Race 8: 10 Emerald Green, 8 She's A Machine, 3 Rafeef's Choice, 4 Spirited Flight

BEST BET

Race 1: 2 Hurricane Cat

VALUE BET

Race 5: 9 Plaza Accord

BEST SWINGER

Race 1 2x8

BIPOT

R81

Leg 1: 2

Leg 2: 1, 5, 7

Leg 3: 4, 5, 9

Leg 4: 3

Leg 5: 1, 2, 9

Leg 6: 1, 2, 4

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R324

Leg 1: 5, 7

Leg 2: 5, 9

Leg 3: 3

Leg 4: 1, 2, 9

Leg 5: 1, 2, 4

Leg 6: 1, 2, 5

Leg 7: 3, 8, 10

PICK 6

R1200

Leg 1: 4, 5, 9

Leg 2: 3

Leg 3: 1, 2, 7, 9

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6

Leg 5: 1, 2, 5, 8

Leg 6: 2, 3, 4, 8, 10

JACKPOT 1

R80

Leg 1: 3

Leg 2: 1, 2, 7, 9

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6

Leg 4: 1, 2, 5, 8

JACKPOT 2

R400

Leg 1: 1, 2, 7, 9

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6

Leg 3: 1, 2, 5, 8

Leg 4: 2, 3, 4, 8, 10