Smart punting is key
PUNTERS will need to dig deep into their formbooks and do some serious studying for today’s meeting at Scottsville as they are faced with a loaded card of mostly maximum fields.
However, the pickings will be profitable if they can find correct combinations.
The White Horse Function Room Handicap is a sample of what they are up against being a competitive handicap.
Dante’s Legacy was a beaten favourite last run and Gavin van Zyl’s charge is having his fourth run after a lengthy break.
He has raced handy in both of his last two starts before coming up short under pressure but the extra distance and a good draw should see him in the firing line.
Gareth van Zyl saddles the Australian-bred Handsome Harvey for the first time.
The colt shed his maiden for Mike Azzie at Turffontein and had shown steady improvement leading up to that win.
He has the worst of the draw but looks progressive.
Terabyte has his third run after a lay-off and gelding but still gave his rider a tough time last time out as he proved a touch headstrong.
He races with a tongue-tie for the first time and that could make all the difference.
Crystal Ball
Crystal Ball takes on males for the first time but there was a lot to like about the way she finished off her latest start.
She made up many lengths in the straight and with that run under her girth she cannot be written off lightly.
In the Rockafellas Restaurant Handicap, Cuvaramade good improvement to win at his second start and looks progressive. Tony Rivalland’s yard has come good over the past few weeks and it generally pays to follow form stables.
Talking of form stables, Paul Lafferty has been lining them up in recent weeks along with apprentice Ashton Arries who is back from suspension.
They team up with top weight Dark Moon Rising who won well on debut beating the luckless but subsequent winner Indian Tractor.
Of the balance, Rock Of Africa has some fair form to stronger in the Cape and can make the step up.
The final race on the card is a tough Fillies and Mare Handicap but Rainbowinthesky has shown up well in two starts against stronger since shedding her maiden.
An outside draw down the Scottsville straight does not appear to be an issue any longer so gate 16 should not be a disadvantage.
Russian Girl has been holding form and looks a live danger to the selection while Silk Trip was deemed good enough to try a trip to the Highveld and can improve on her last effort.
A possibly exotic bet banker may come in the form of Silent Obsession in the Racing It’s A Rush Maiden Plate.
The gelding only has one eye but has come to hand after making major improvement at his last start.
He was an expensive yearling buy and is a smart looking individual.
The filly Enticer looks his main threat and although she takes on males she has smart form over shorter.
If she stays the trip she will be competitive.
On The Bounce
On The Bounce will have many supporters in the card opener after finishing a useful third against winners last time out. That form has since been franked with second-placed Neptune’s Rain winning the Gr3 Strelitiza Stakes at her subsequent outing.
Both On The Bounce and Swift Dancer have had both their starts in soft ground and there was a length between the two when they met for the first time.
There is unlikely to be much between them again today and drawn alongside each other should make for an interesting tussle.
However, there are plenty of unraced fillies in the line-up and the betting may prove a better guide.