Dean’s charge could return fit from a break
Trainer Dean Kannemeyer has some nice runners at Scottsville today and The Slade could be ready to win again after a few unsuccessful attempts in some feature races.
This Philanthropist gelding clearly has ability and will appreciate dropping down in class in Race 8, a MR 86 Handicap over 1700m.
The Slade is distance-suited, well drawn and should go very close under jockey Warren Kennedy.
The best bet on this card, however, is River Garden in Race 9, a Maiden Plate over 1600m.
River Garden has looked unlucky not to win a race failing very narrowly in both his starts to date. This Windrush gelding was first touched off by Cuvara over 1200m at Scottsville and then by Sea King over 1400m, also at this course.
The step up in distance will suit the four-year-old gelding and the only real problem could be the terrible draw of stall No 16.
Jockey Bernard Fayd ’Herbe is entrusted with the ride and hopefully he can overcome that obstacle.
Punters could get off to a very good start at this meeting as both First Crusade in Race 1 and Kateecador in Race 2 are clearly the ones to beat.
First Crusade showed good pace on debut before finding no extra behind runaway winner Captain And Master over 1200m on debut so should be well suited to the 1000m of Race 1, a Maiden Plate.
Anthony Delpech retains the ride.
Most of the field though are first-timers so one will need to keep an eye on the market for dangers.
The Toreador filly Kateecador has been runner-up in both her starts to date and will be looking to go one better in her Maiden Plate over 1000m.
Both those runs were over this course and distance so jockey Kennedy will know when to press the button with her.
There are some nicely bred first-timers like Dame Commander and Red Enchantment who could prove dangerous but it is Shindeagen who could be the biggest danger.
This Brave Tin Soldier filly did not show much on debut at this track in April but then was unlucky not to win her second start on the Greyville Polytrack.