Rock Of Africa to make his mark

THE closure of the N3 highway on Sunday accompanied by some welcome winter rain were probably a blessing in disguise for the Scottsville turf that has since endured its worst frost in many a year.

In the days of yore, reams of nappy liner were spread across the track in an effort to ensure a green surface for the Gilbey’s Stakes, now the Tsogo Sun Sprint, then run the weekend before the Vodacom Durban July.

This drastic measure in an effort to ensure aesthetics has not been necessary in recent years with mostly mild winters and the Tsogo Sun Sprint day run earlier in the season.

But some forward thinking has resulted in Sunday’s meeting moved to today and today’s scheduled Greyville poly meeting moved to Friday night.

Handicaps are always tricky races but one of the pointers that can often lead to a winner is taking note of which horses have recently come down in the merit ratings.

Another is when a horse drops in class.

Combine the two and you have a fair chance of finding a winner, often at a decent price because at face value, the current form doesn’t look all that impressive until one drills down a little. Two horses that fall into the above categories at Scottsville today are Rock Of Africa in the fourth and Cat’s Legacy in the sixth.

Rock Of Africa has taken a rating drop while Cat’s Legacy has a rating drop and also takes a significant drop in class.

Rock Of Africa has been competing in top company since arriving in KZN for Champions Season and has paid his way with a couple of placed efforts in useful company. Most recently he was just under five lengths back to Sniper Shot in the Post Merchants.

That form has obviously not impressed the handicappers as he has been dropped four points in the handicap, the equivalent of 2kg.

On Sunday he lines up in a handicap lacking in big names and he can round of his Champions Season with a win.

The diminutive Hashtag Strat is one casualty of the moved meeting so stable companion Gratuity with apprentice Khanya Sakayi claiming 4kg will do service for Louis Goosen and with her light weight will make this small field pick up its feet.

Cat’s Legacy lines up in the sixth, with an injured Luke Ferraris scheduled to ride, but Alyson Wright is sure to looked for a similar four-claiming apprentice. Cat’s Legacy has dropped from a career high of 87 in the merit ratings to Sunday’s 73.

If Wright stays with a four-claimer, that will be another 8 pounds off his back.

Cat’s Legacy has been a touch disappointing after showing some promise early in his career against stronger than what he meets on Sunday so he could prove to be a solid bet on the day.

Internet Kid will be a popular banker in the opening leg of the Pick 6.

The fifth race looks to be a difficult affair where punters would do well to load up in the exotics but Je Suis Silver and Geographe Bay could prove the pick.

Duncan Howells hit form at Scottsville last Wednesday with a brace of winners and his pair of Barinois and Queen’s Plain could see you through in the seventh.

Copper Pot and Stand By Me should be right there in a competitive last race but beware of Don Pierro.

The gelding has a hot temperament but is talented and he looks to be over his right course and distance.