While there is no stakes feature race action, the weekend ahead offers a nice variety for racing fans – two different surfaces and a combination of right-handed and left-handed racing on vastly different racetracks.
This means we won’t lose any opportunity for some great entertainment, with the Rugby World Cup bound to prove a great distraction.
The Walmer Handicap is a non-black type feature on the Fairview Polytrack on Friday and heads an eight-race programme.
Recent Listed Jockey Club Stakes victress MERYL tops the weights and the daughter of Tiger Ridge must have an excellent chance of making it two on the trot. Winning Form rider Charles Ndlovu produced a gem of a cucumber cool ride to get her up in the final stride last time and has forged a happy partnership with the chestnut mare.
If there is to be any concern, it is the fact that this will be her first run on the Fairview poly and she is not the quickest starter. MERYL cannot afford to give the likes of her stablemate ONTENDERHOOKS too much start into the short home straight and the race has the makings of a thriller.
Turffontein and Durbanville are the two Saturday venues and both meetings look to be worth a second look.
While national log-leading trainer and jockey combination of Paul Peter and Warren Kennedy will be inclusions in all Turffontein exotic permutations, the best bet of the day looks to be in the opener – a Workriders Maiden Plate.
Here Paul Peter saddles the Bold Silvano colt BOLD RANSOM, who will be ridden by top workrider Joe Gwingwizha.
The three-year-old has produced two fair runs in his two starts and will enjoy the marginal step up in trip. He is drawn in midfield and faces a modest field – certainly of those that have raced.
While the betting will be the best guide on the first-timers, the Mike de Kock New Zealand-bred debutante WALLAA could be worth watching. The stable have suggested that she has an ‘each way chance’ and Chamu Mabaya is another very capable and competitive rider.
Durbanville saw a very decent turnout under sunny skies last Saturday and the local authority will be looking for more of the same support and vibe on Saturday with their eight-race programme.
The well-related Var filly POINT OF SALE could be the business in the third race.
Greg Cheyne rides the Drakenstein owned and bred three-year-old who has her first start in the Cape. She can’t be too much of a slouch as Glen Kotzen threw her in at the deep end on Super Saturday when contesting the Gr2 The Debutante. POINT OF SALE acquitted herself admirably when finishing under two lengths behind the highly regarded Montreal Mist in fifth.
Her year older, but well-tried, stablemate TRAP QUEEN could be her biggest danger – but she has had her fair share of chances!
Hollywoodbets Scottsville rounds off the weekend action on Sunday with a well-subscribed nine-race roster on the inside track.
There is no standout good thing on a very competitive card but the Hollywood-sponsored Garth Puller yard has been in red-hot form and JACK OF HEARTS could be worth considering in the seventh.
The son of Jackson enjoys a 4kg claim courtesy of apprentice Jabu Jacobs and could grab a break on a fair field, which includes the Van Zyl duo of JUST CRUISED IN and STREAM AHEAD.
A great weekend and we have to say a ‘Go Bokke’ shoutout as the pride of South Africa take on the All Blacks in what is expected to be a very wet Yokohama on Saturday.
Next week the Gr1 Gauteng Summer Cup takes early shape with the first entries due on Wednesday for the R2 million handicap.
Enjoy the racing and the rugby!
Till next time.
The highly-anticipated 2019 Rugby World Cup kicks off tomorrow! The tournament takes place in Japan and will see the best of the best contest for the greatest prize in world rugby!
Defending champions New Zealand are favourites to lift the cup at 14/10, followed by our beloved Springboks at 4/1 – prices are subject to change.
With the likes of Ireland, Scotland and hosts Japan among those in Pool A, expect some enthralling match-ups come kick-off time.
The blockbuster match of the opening round is undoubtedly the All Blacks vs the Springboks! New Zealand are favourites at 7/20, while Rassie Erasmus’ men offer excellent value at 21/10! It goes without saying that the winner of this highly-anticipated clash will win Pool B, which includes Italy, Canada and Namibia.
Pool C for the 2019 Rugby World Cup will be one of the most competitive with heavyweights England, France and Argentina pitted alongside minnows the United States and Tonga. While the three tier one nations will more than likely battle it out for top honours, the two minnow sides will play a crucial role as bonus points and points differential are likely to decide who claims the runners-up berth.
And last but not least, Pool D of the Rugby World Cup could prove to be far more exciting than it looks on paper with Fiji certain to give tier 1 nations, Australia and Wales, a run for their money.
The World Cup is almost upon us and a number of players will be eyeing the coveted top points scorer and the top try scorer accolade. Goal-kickers from around the globe will be honing their skills in a bid to kick their respective teams to World Cup glory and top the charts. Hollywoodbets have some cracking outright betting markets available! Be sure to check them out here.
To keep up to date with all the latest news and betting on the 2019 Rugby World Cup, visit blog.hollywoodbets.net
Sunday 22nd September 2019
Scottsville Racecourse
Race 9 – 17:10
1600m – Maiden Plate
4 – Mighty Smart
Trainer: Paul Lafferty
Jockey: Sean Veale
Wgt: 57.0kg
Draw: 12 ( Runners 12)
Predicted Betting: 3/1
Another close second last time out. He was caught a bit too far back coming into the straight and just lost it on the line. Had he been a bit handier, he probably would’ve put the race to bed a long way out. He had a tough draw to overcome on that occasion and has another tough one to negate here.
Sean Veale retains the ride and will bounce him out to try and find a much handier position this time. He is in a good place right now and should leave the maidens this time around. We think he should be tough to beat.
Winning Form Comment: Battling to crack a good draw. Just beaten in last two and merits respect.
Race 12 – 11:50
1000m – Barrier Trial
12 – Lady Boulogne
Trainer: Garth Puller
Jockey: Jarred Samuel
Wgt: 58.0kg
Draw: 9 (Runners 17)
As most Oratorio offspring do, she has taken a bit of time to get going and has finally arrived at the stage where she is ready to get going with her career. With that said, she isn’t entirely tuned up for this trial but it should bring her on nicely.
The 1000m is also going to be a touch too sharp for her, as she will be looking for a mile later on in her career. All things considered, this should be a nice learning curve for her.
PeTeBe’s Top Bet for Fairview (20/09)
Race 5: MASTERFUL (2)
Jockey: Warren KENNEDY – Trainer: Gavin SMITH
MASTERFUL had no luck in running in his last outing over seven furlongs where he had to be held up from the 150m mark. He won the last time he was seen over this c & d and with a clear passage on Friday, he should be right up there when they reach the wire.
PeTeBe’s Top Bet for Turffontein (21/09)
Race 5: VIRGINIA (5)
Jockey: S’manga KHUMALO – Trainer: Alec LAIRD
VIRGINIA goes for a hat-trick here. She set the pace in her last two starts over this distance and found extra to keep the challengers at bay. She starts from a handy draw and has posted all three of her wins to date over the mile.
PeTeBe’s Top Bet for Durbanville (21/09)
Race 1: KILINDINI (9)
Jockey: Corne ORFFER – Trainer: Brett CRAWFORD
KILINDINI ran on strongly on debut over six furlongs and is sure to appreciate the extra ground in Saturday’s contest. He would have learnt from the experience and given a mid-field draw, he should give a good account of himself.
PeTeBe’s Top Bet for Hollywoodbets Scottsville (22/09)
Race 8: NOBLE JOSHUA (1)
Jockey: Warren KENNEDY – Trainer: Gareth VAN ZYL
NOBLE JOSHUA goes for his hat-trick of wins here and from a handy draw with Warren Kennedy in the saddle again, this is very much on the cards.
