Jack Milner
It’s Derby Day at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday and it takes on a whole different meaning on this occasion.
While traditionally the Derby is a Classic race for three-year-old colts and an Oaks is the same for three-year-old fillies, that has all been cast aside in KwaZulu-Natal who a few years back opened these races up to all ages.
So, the Grade 3 Track And Ball Derby (Race 6) and Grade 2 Track And Ball Oaks (Race 7), although still over 2400m, are now open to all ages at weight-for-age terms plus penalties.
While the change might demean the spirit of the tradition, it takes nothing away from what are two highly entertaining races that are strongly contested.
One stayer who will benefit from the move in the Derby is Tony Peter-trained Shangani, who was a revelation last year as he shot up the staying ranks by winning both the Listed Aquanaut Handicap and Listed Java Handicap before going on to win last season's Grade 3 Gold Cup at Hollywoodbets Greyville.
This five-year-old son of Soft Falling Rain is the best-weighted runner in the small seven-horse field and boasts four wins and a second to show from his six starts over 2400m. He was edged out by Nebraas, to whom he conceded 2kg, in the Grade 3 Caradoc Gold Cup and had legitimate excuses for his disappointing showing in the Gold Bowl last time when he returned not striding out after copping a bump at the start.
Shangani will be ridden for the first time by Denis Schwarz but that should not deter his followers as the rider has struck up a formidable partnership with the stable, riding winners at an impressive 33% strike-rate.
His main threat is likely to be Aragosta, who did win the Grade 1 World Sports Betting SA Derby over 2450m at Turffontein last year.
Mike de Kock’s runner looked a winner going into the closing stages of the Grade 3 Lonsdale Stirrup cup over 2400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville last month but was caught late to end up in third spot, beaten just 0.60 lengths.
He is likely to perform better at this course and with Richard Fourie up must be an obvious threat.
In the Oaks Glen Kotzen-trained Hold My Hand is the best weighted runner and the three-year-old daughter of Gold Standard ran on well to finish a 2.50-length fourth to Rain In Holland in the Grade 1 Woolavington 2000.
The additional 400m should not be a concern and once again it will be Fourie in the irons.
Two Highveld raiders, Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrfit Oaks winner None Other and four-year-old Futura filly Light Of The Moon look the main dangers.
Light Of The Moon finished second in this race last year and will be looking to go one better under Piere Strydom.
None Other is held by Hold My Hand on the Woolavington run but will also benefit by a move to a more galloping course and the additional distance. S’manga Khumalo takes the ride for Lucky Houdalakis.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 11 Knockout, 10 Arverni Princess, 9 Princess Arlowe, 13 Secret Winx
Race 2: 1 Question Of Faith, 10 Mar Del Plata, 2 Yannakis, 11 King's Island
Race 3: 11 Dreamland, 7 Galaxy Explorer, 1 King And Country, 13 Teatime Tipple
Race 4: 8 Lady Tiptree, 4 Alphabetty, 3 Southern Cape, 6 Aquae Sulis
Race 5: 9 USA's Hope, 7 Beechamwood Boy, 8 Aga Heat, 10 Go Man Go
Race 6: 4 Shangani, 2 Aragosta, 3 Salvator Mundi, 5 Runaway Song
Race 7: 2 Hold My Hand, 10 Light Of The Moon, 7 None Other, 5 Dawnofanewday
Race 8: 6 Isivunguvungu, 3 Iphiko, 8 Countdown, 9 Tempting Fate
Race 9: 2 Theappleofmyeye, 7 St Cloud, 8 Bitcoin Baby, 10 Miss Paget
BEST BET
Race 8 No 6 Isivunguvungu
VALUE BET
Race 4: No 8 Lady Tiptree
BEST SWINGER
Race 8 3x6
BIPOT
R216
Leg 1: 1, 10
Leg 2: 7, 11
Leg 3: 3, 4, 8
Leg 4: 7, 8, 9
Leg 5: 2, 4
Leg 6: 2, 7, 10
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R324
Leg 1: 7, 11
Leg 2: 3, 4, 8
Leg 3: 4, 8, 9
Leg 4: 2, 4
Leg 5: 2, 7, 10
Leg 6: 6
Leg 7: 2, 7, 8
PICK 6
R1280
Leg 1: 3, 4, 6, 8
Leg 2: 7, 8, 9, 10
Leg 3: 2, 3, 4, 5
Leg 4: 2, 5, 7, 10
Leg 5: 6
Leg 6: 2, 7, 8, 10, 11
JACKPOT 1
R64
Leg 1: 7, 8, 9, 10
Leg 2: 2, 3, 4, 5
Leg 3: 2, 5, 7, 10
Leg 4: 6
JACKPOT 2
R80
Leg 1: 2, 3, 4, 5
Leg 2: 2, 5, 7, 10
Leg 3: 6
Leg 4: 2, 7, 8, 10, 11