The feature races at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday are programmed as prep races for aspirant sprinters vying for a place on Scottsville’s speed day on 3 June when four top Grade 1 sprints will be contested.
Interestingly, this year the Western Cape’s best youngsters have accepted to run in the prep races (it has not usually been the case) and it could be a day to fill wallets.
The first of the pipe openers, the In Full Flight Stakes (Race 4) appears a minefield with 16 runners and two reserves and it could be a case of firmly holding on to that Quartet ticket if you catch a piece. The only Graded race winners namely Mercantour and Tempting Fate will likely be using this as a steppingstone for the Golden Horse sprint, but the former has been in exceptional form back home while the latter (a juvenile Grade 1 winner) loves racing fresh and may assert his authority regardless.
The race does, however, look tailor-made for Love In Winter who won four in a row before things went wrong at home. He has run two solid races since that unbeaten run but more importantly was shown the track last time out and could now be nearing his peak. He gets a full 10kg from Mercantour and 7.5kg from Tempting Fate.
Two other stars from the Cape namely Winter Cloud and Outlaw King should dominate affairs in the Grade 3 Strelitzia Stakes (Race 5) and Grade 3 Godolphin Barb Stakes (Race 6) respectively.
Winter Cloud is already a winner of a Grade 3. She won the Cape Of Good Hope Nursery in style even though appearing the second choice for the stable as Aldo Domeyer had chosen to ride Distant Winter in that race. But it appears he has learnt his lesson as he is now riding her, and the pair jump from a plum inside gate.
Stablemate The Charleston - with Winter Cloud’s previous pilot Grant Van Niekerk aboard - is a powerful sprinter in the making and may be the only threat to Winter Cloud. Stable exacta a possibility.
Outlaw King could be the best bet on the day. He appears to be a natural speed merchant that sees those around him fade away while he is only just getting into gear. He has won both starts to date with ease and while he tries the track (the same as with Winter Cloud and The Charleston) the opposition just doesn’t pop out as having an ominous member in the party.
The final feature, the Grade 3 Poinsettia Stakes (Race 7) could be fought out between half-sisters Maharanee and Marigold Hotel. The former has been a bit frustrating to train of late, but it does appear the right race for her while the latter who has never looked like a sprinter finds herself best weighted.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 7 The Africa House, 6 Mystery Cache, 2 Ermelo, 12 King Of Seville
Race 2: 3 La Prestissimo, 4 Pretty Analia, 5 Sea Of Tears, 9 I've Got Wings
Race 3: 7 Escapologist, 9 Maria Corolina, 1 Sleek As Silk, 10 Family Favourite
Race 4: 10 Love In Winter, 4 Coin Spinner, 6 Mercantour, 3 Amarandi
Race 5: 3 Winter Cloud, 2 Captain's Christy, 11 Calling All Angels, 1 Hot Pearl
Race 6: 4 Outlaw King, 6 The Abdicator, 9 Golden Tatjana, 7 Warrior Of Royalty
Race 7: 2 Marigold Hotel, 3 Ameena, 6 Alula's Star, 7 Im The Buzz
Race 8: 10 Ponte Pietra, 11 Noble City, 6 Southern Cape, 3 Camora
Race 9: 2 Shoefella, 1 Bronze Sword, 5 Kashkaval, 4 Space Cowboy
BEST BET
Race 6 No 4 Outlaw King
VALUE BET
Race 4 No 10 Love In Winter
BEST SWINGER
Race 1 6x7
BIPOT
256
Leg 1: 3, 4, 5, 9
Leg 2: 1, 7, 9, 10
Leg 3: 3, 4, 6, 10
Leg 4: 3
Leg 5: 4
Leg 6: 2, 3, 6, 7
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R216
Leg 1: 1, 7, 9, 10
Leg 2: 4, 6, 10
Leg 3: 3
Leg 4: 4
Leg 5: 2, 3, 6
Leg 6: 10, 11
Leg 7: 1, 2, 5
PICK 6
R750
Leg 1: 3, 4, 6, 10, 13
Leg 2: 3
Leg 3: 4
Leg 4: 2, 3, 4, 6, 7
Leg 5: 1, 2, 3, 6, 10, 11
Leg 6: 1, 2, 4, 5, 10
JACKPOT 1
R30
Leg 1: 3
Leg 2: 4
Leg 3: 2, 3, 4, 6, 7
Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 6, 10, 11
JACKPOT 2
R150
Leg 1: 4
Leg 2: 2, 3, 4, 6, 7
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 6, 10, 11
Leg 4: 1, 2, 4, 5, 10