Cosmic Light to shine brightly
SCOTTSVILLE stages an eight race meeting tomorrow and there look to be one or two opportunities for shrewd punters. The highlight of the day will be the seasonal reappearance of a star in the making, the unbeaten Duncan Howells-trained Querari filly Cosmic Light. She runs in the sixth, a MR 89 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m, and as she was climbing all over them around the turn when dropped out in the Gr 2 Debutante Stakes over 1400m at Greyville last time out. She should be suited to this step back in trip. She has a hard task for a young three-year-old running off a merit rating of 91 but does look up to it. Her stable companion Surefire is a decent sort and should be in the shake up. Mark My Card is unbeaten in two and runs off a merit rating of only 76 and could be involved again.
In the first race, a maiden for threeyear-olds over 1200m, Unbelievable Chad was unlucky on debut over course and distance and could make amends. The first-timer Ferrie is by Trippi and is a half-brother to Depardieu. Eternal Ice has run two fair races down the Scottsville straight and could improve further. Monte Cristo is an interesting first- timer being by Trippi out of a Danehill Dancer mare. Oracle Kingdom makes no appeal at first glance but comes from three fair form races and could improve being a halfbrother to the useful sprinter Tetelestai.
In the second, a maiden for fillies and mares over 1950m, Roy's Gold is having her first run for a new yard and having improved over 1600m last time she could improve further over this trip. Barcelona Babe made a fair debut from a wide draw over 1600m at Scottsville despite running green and she is now drawn well over a trip that should suit her on pedigree. Fly Away With Me has stayed on over this sort of trip before and is drawn well with a 4kg claimer up.
The third is a tough one to assess, being a fillies and mares MR 79 Handicap over 1950m. Injaazaat has been staying on in her last three over 1600m and is now only one point higher than when winning by 2,5 lengths over this course and distance in February last year.
Eva Tibbs has plenty of ability and might enjoy the return to turf. Mamasita has shown signs of class and should go close despite having to carry top weight from a tricky draw. National Chimes is officially 0,5kg under sufferance but showed good improvement when stepped up to this trip on the poly and is now drawn well. Leopard Lily has ability but has a tough draw and the fact that she finished mildly distressed last time over 1600m is a tad concerning.
The fourth is a weak Maiden over 2400m. Nishac is a battler but has always struck as a staying type and has finished second over this distance before. De La Rio, by the middle distance sire Lundy's Liability, has improved with blinkers and his halfbrother by Fanatic Dane has won over this trip. Year of the dragon has done well over this course and distance before. Dellavera is often backed and has placed from 1800m up to 2000m, but on pedigree there must be a question mark over this trip. Vintage Angel has bits and pieces of form and is stepped up to this trip. High Profile has poor form but is having his second run for the Joey Ramsden yard who often do well with stayers.
The fifth is a MR74 Handicap over 2400m.
Go Gold
Go Gold has caught the eye before on the Highveld over this trip so is tipped to win at this lower altitude off a lowered merit rating. Discourse has come down to a mark just three points higher than his last win and finished a close second the last time he tried this course and distance. Al Couture was considered good enough to take his place in the Gr 1 SA Derby. Newtons Spark won his maiden well over course and distance and has been lowered two points after a fair run over the same course and dis- tance. Consistent Battle Hammer did well in a staying race on Gold Cup day and has a nice galloping weight again. Flying Fellow gave the impression he could stay this trip when winning here over 1950m last time. Your Worship can never be ignored over course and distance.
The seventh, a fillies and mares MR 72 handicap over 1200m, could see You Bolt scoring as she could use her pace well from draw one over a strip she enjoys.
Barega is a well-bred sort who might appreciate dropping back to the distance of her facile maiden win on the Greyville poly. Lady Penrhyn doesn't have it easy off a merit rating of 80 for a young three-year-old but is well regarded.
Elephant Matriarch is also an up and coming young three-year-old merit rated 80 and she should enjoy the step up in trip after an easy win over 1000m on the poly. Umoyana would prefer further but should be running on strongly.
In race eight, a MR 70 Handicap over 1200m, Burra Boy appreciated the step down to this trip last time when showing pace and going close over course and distance from a high draw so he is the one to beat off the same mark from a more favourable draw. Rainier went well for this 4kg claimer over course and distance last time and will go close with a repeat. Risky Roscoe is off a competitive merit rating over a suitable course and distance.