Poet too eloquent in KZN

Bettors at Hollywoodbets Scottsville are confronted with a tricky card today but one might be able to cash in early.

Best bet on the card could come up in Race 3, a Maiden Plate over 2400m, where trainer Michael Miller sends out Only A Poet.

This Rafeef gelding has had a few chances but has not had the best of luck. He has only raced four times but after an unplaced debut over 1200m, he placed in his next three races and seems to run better the further he goes.

He had the worst luck last time when finishing third behind Shoot The Rapids over 2200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville. Not only did he have to come from well off the pace due to a wide draw, but he suffered an injury during the race and yet was the fastest finisher down the short straight.

The change of course and the additional 200m should suit him and he is expected to reverse his 0.70-length defeat by Iron Monger who finished second.

Trainer Gareth van Zyl's saddles Captain Marsala in Race 2, a Maiden Plate over 1200m, and the drop in distance should be right up his street.

Captain Marsala has plenty speed in his pedigree and so it was interesting that he started his racing over 1400m and moved on to 1600m in his third start. He has terrific gate speed, he jumped from the widest gates and was able to not only get to the front in big fields, but was also able to maintain a good lead, only getting caught in the final stages of those early races.

He returns from a break but Yannakis, rated 80, and Run To Rio (76) have been progressing but should not match Captain Marsala who races off a rating of 86.