Winning Form: KZN Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge Tips

Race 1

KOLA TONIC showed good improvement when third in his last start with the tongue-tie fitted. He raced from just off the pace and stayed on at the finish. The son of What A Winter would have come on from the run and should strip much fitter. With a bit of luck from the widest draw, he should be the one to beat.

UNITED NATION finished 2.3 lengths behind the top choice on debut. He returns from a 15-week break, during which time he was gelded. Richard Fourie is booked to ride and he should make the natural improvement.

LAVA BURST stayed on when fourth on debut over this distance on the turf. The son of Erupt would have come on from the run and he should make the natural improvement if suited to the polytrack.

Race 2

PILOT FLAME is lightly raced with good form lines to her credit. She should have finished closer to the winner last time as she hung outwards from the 300m mark. The daughter of Master Of My Fate is a progressive type and if suited to the polytrack, she can go one better.

MOTHER INDIA showed speed when third on debut over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. She would have gained from the experience. She steps up to 1400m and if seeing out the extra distance on offer, she may be the one to fill the exacta spot.

NAUTICAL LANDING showed very good improvement when second in her last start over 1600m on this course. She set the pace, fought hard but found one too good in the form of Copacabana. The drop to 1400m should suit her well and she is one of the leading contenders.

Race 3

MISTER NIBBLES should have finished closer to the winner over 1400m last time as he had to be steadied at the 200m mark. The son of Horizon should love the rise to 1600m. He jumps from a good draw of three and if suited to the polytrack, he may find himself in the winner’s enclosure.

JAMES FITZJAMES ran a fair race in his last start over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. It must be noted that the horse that finished fourth that day has come out and won since. The son of Admiral Kitten is a progressive type and may have more to come.

RAINWATER showed good improvement when fourth in his last start over 1400m on this course. He tries the blinkers which should keep his mind on the task at hand. The son of Futura is a progressive type and can finish in the placings.

Race 4

OH SO SQUISHY was her own worst enemy over 1600m last time as she over raced in the early stages. However, the manner in which she stayed on at the finish that day was encouraging. It is encouraging that Richard Fourie retains the ride and if he is able to switch her off early, she can return to winning ways.

IDEAL GIFT was given a peach of a ride when winning her last start over 1750m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. It must be noted that the horse that finished second that day has come out and won since. Two of her three career victories have come on this course and she merits healthy respect.

ENGLISH PRIMROSE has fair recent form lines to her name. She is having her first run for the Gary Rich stable. The daughter of Flower Alley won her only attempt over this C&D. She carries a handy galloping mass of 52.5kgs and should give a good account of herself.

Race 5

ROYAL AUSSIE won a good race in his last start over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. He has won three times and finished third twice from six starts over this distance. He jumps from pole position and may be the one to side with.

COUSIN CASEY’S last start in the Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge must be ignored. He has won twice and finished second once from as many starts over this C&D. He has cracked a good draw of two and can find a form return.

GLADATORIAN is a winner of his last two starts, the latest of which was over 1200m on this course. He has won once and finished second once from as many starts over this distance. He is in a good space and cannot be ignored.

Race 6

DOUBLE GRAND SLAM has been ultra-impressive in her last two victories. She took the lead at the 250m mark in the Grade 3 Umzimkhulu Stakes last time, quickened up well and drew clear of the opposition. The daughter of Vercingetorix is the form horse in this contest and she should notch up the hat-trick.

RASCOVA finished 5.35 lengths behind the top choice last time. She is 1.5kgs better off at the weights today which is not enough for the tables to be turned. She is likely to race on the speed and should be hard to peg back.

WHITE PEARL was running on when third in the Grade 2 TAB Camellia Stakes last time. If this run has not come too soon, she should be competitive from her good draw of two.

Race 7

SANDRINGHAM SUMMIT produced a strong finish when winning the Grade 2 Hawaii Stakes last time. It must be noted that the horse that finished second that day has come out and won since. The son of Gimmethegreenlight is unbeaten from two starts on this course. He jumps from a good draw of two and should be the one to beat.

MID WINTER WIND is a winner of his last four starts, the latest of which was in the Grade 3 Byerley Turk. The son of What A Winter should have no issues with the rise to the mile and he is one of the leading contenders.

GREEN WITH ENVY was super-impressive when winning the Grade 1 SplashOut Cape Derby last time. He is ideally at his best over further and this outing will bring him on for future races. He is a class horse and merits healthy respect.

Race 8

PREEMPTIVE STRIKE was running on when second over 1400m on this course. He has won three times, finished second once and third twice from ten starts over this C&D. The Stuart Ferrie stable are in form and the 6yo gelding can return to winning ways.

GIMME A RAINBOW finished 1.1 lengths behind MAR DEL PLATA last time. He is 1kg better off at the weights today and there should not be much separating the pair at the finish. All six of his career victories have come over this C&D and he can upset.

PHAKA IMALI finished 3.2 lengths behind STEVIE GEE last time. He is 4.5kgs better off at the weights today and that should be enough for the tables to be turned. He is holding his form well and cannot be ignored.

Race 9

VOLDEMORT dead heated when winning his last start over this distance at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. It must be noted that multiple horses from that form line have come out and won since. He finished 2 lengths behind TIME TOGETHER in his penultimate run. He is 6kgs better off at the weights today and that should be enough for the tables to be turned. He is in a good space and can follow up.

TIME TOGETHER’S last two starts have been good. His last victory came over this C&D. Kobeli Lihaba returns to the saddle and he is one of the leading contenders.

TURBO POWER hails from the visiting Sean Tarry stable. He should have finished closer last time as he received a bump at the 200m mark. He won his only attempt on this course and must be included in all bets.

Race 10

MIDNIGHT CALLER set the pace over this distance on the turf last time and found more where it matters most to hold all challengers at bay. Four of his five career victories have come over this distance. He meets similar company this afternoon and with 4kgs claiming apprentice Brevan Plaatjies back in the saddle, he can follow up.

ARIVIDICIO showed good improvement in his last start over 1450m on the Turffontein Inside course. He takes a slight drop in class and if all went well with his travels, he should pose a threat.

WINTER WAVES finished 1.9 lengths behind the top choice last time. He is 2.5kgs worse off at the weights today and may battle to turn the form around.

Race 11

NELLIE MELBA stayed on nicely when fifth in her last start over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. The daughter of Oratorio will love the rise to 1400m and she jumps from a good draw of four. It is encouraging that S’manga Khumalo is booked to ride and she may be the one to side with in this field.

EPIC VIEW’S last three starts have been fair. She took on stronger in her last start over 1700m. The daughter of Red Ray takes on weaker this afternoon and should the top choice fluff her lines, she may be the one to pick up the pieces.

RANI OF JHANSI showed good speed when third in her last start over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. She tries the polytrack and against similar company, she may be hard to peg back in the run down to the line.