Royal Victory to get back on winning track

Royal Victory has used minor features like the Michael Roberts Stakes as preps for upcoming Graded events.

But the Pathfork gelding not paid a visit to the winners’ enclosure for 645 days and trainer Nathan Kotzen will want nothing more but for the dual Grade 1 winner to get his head down first at the finishing line.

He could add this 1750m race to his tally at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday where there is

10-race programme for horseplayers to enjoy.

Last season, Royal Victory finished second to fellow stars such as See It Again, Fire Attack and Dave The King and while those runs were out of the top drawer it may have dulled the powerful finisher’s shine. But on Sunday he has the chance to show his class against competition from a division lower.

As was the case in last year’s race he is best weighted by some margin. He is 6kg better off on official merit ratings with next best weighted runner, last year’s winner Imilenzeyokududuma. Royal Victory finished third beaten, 1.30 lengths by the Gareth Van Zyl-trained gelding, but things may turn out different now. Imilenzeyokududuma carries 1.5kg more than he did last year, lumping joint top weight with Royal Victory, and this time round he must jump from out wide.

It is also significant that Royal Victory wears blinkers which should sharpen him up and while he rates as one of the better bets on the day, he could nevertheless be something of a value proposition.

Chad :ittle takes the ride.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 6 Ode To The Sea, 9 Smart Choice, 10 Green Energy, 7 Amc Roy's Fantasy

Race 2: 10 Lady Godiva, 1 Japura, 2 Kiki U Beauty, 8 Better Never Ends

Race 3: 4 Camogie, 12 Good Omen, 11 Levitator, 7 Etzebeth

Race 4: 12 Saudi Sweep, 8 Coccolina, 4 Scarlet Starlet, 16 Belligerent

Race 5: 9 Past And Present, 5 Dee Dee's Delight, 7 Black Platina, 8 Wander Skitt

Race 6: 8 Saint Brigid, 4 De Vlugge, 6 Overnight, 7 Golden Angel

Race 7: 11 Royal Victory, 3 Cape Eagle, 2 Johnny The Thief, 10 Imilenzeyokududuma

Race 8: 3 Cowdray Park, 1 Plaza Accord, 9 Cleartherunway, 11 Tobacconist

Race 9: 2 Cowboy Country, 7 Captain's Christy, 5 Hithemhardsunshine, 9 Connery

Race 10: 13 Counter Attack, 8 Lunch Money, 3 Now I Got You, 7 The Mask

BEST BET

Race 9: 2 Cowboy Country

VALUE BET

Race 3: 4 Camogie

BEST SWINGER

Race 2 1x10

BIPOT 

R324

Leg 1: 1, 10

Leg 2: 4, 11, 12

Leg 3: 4, 8, 12

Leg 4: 5, 7, 9

Leg 5: 4, 6, 8

Leg 6: 1, 3

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R324

Leg 1: 4, 12

Leg 2: 4, 8, 12

Leg 3: 5, 7, 9

Leg 4: 4, 6, 8

Leg 5: 1, 3

Leg 6: 1, 2, 3

Leg 7: 2

PICK 6

R1280

Leg 1: 4, 8, 10, 12, 16

Leg 2: 5, 7, 8, 9

Leg 3: 4, 6, 7, 8

Leg 4: 1, 3, 9, 11

Leg 5: 1, 2, 3, 9

Leg 6: 2

JACKPOT 1

R320

Leg 1: 5, 7, 8, 9

Leg 2: 4, 6, 7, 8

Leg 3: 1, 3, 9, 11

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 9

JACKPOT 2

R96

Leg 1: 1, 3, 9, 11

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 9

Leg 3: 2

Leg 4: 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13