Mr Fitz is set to sizzle
THE Hollywoodbets Scottsville turf has attracted big fields for tomorrow and was an obvious target for Shane Humby who saddles four competitive runners on the day, best of which should be the progressive Mr Fitz in the fifth.
The four-year-old has not been out of the money in five starts and that record should reflect three wins.
Mr Fitz was desperately unlucky on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly last time out after ducking and almost dislodging Donovan Dillon a furlong out. The rider thought his mount had broken down, but Mr Fitz quickly regathered his stride and was closing fast on eventual winner Drunken Sailor.
The seven furlongs of Sunday’s fifth race should be right up Mr Fitz’s alley and from a good draw he rates the one to beat and a possible exotic bet banker.
The biggest danger to Mr Fitz could come in the form of Marchetto out of the Gavin van Zyl yard.
Three runs back he was soundly beaten by Mr Fitz but is now 3.5kg better off.
He was a distant third behind the progressive Ultra Magnus last time out but that was his first outing in three months and like Mr Fitz, the extra furlong should suit.
Marchetto
Marchetto is obviously useful but draw 10 could find him out in spite of pilot Warren Kennedy riding a crest of a wave.
The opening leg of the PA will have punters guessing with more than half of the runners making their debut so keep an eye on the betting. However, first timer Two For Tea is the talk of the town but Paper Ballerina has put in two decent efforts and looks the pick of the exposed runners.
Celebration Rock was a tad unlucky behind Harmonia when last they met, the Qatarian apprentice proving to be an unguided missile.
But Paul Lafferty’s runner goes well over course and distance and should be right there. Both of Harmonica’s wins have come at long odds but he obviously has some ability.
Duncan Howells legs up 4kg claimer Thabiso Gumede and he has a chance of going in again.
Staying races, especially for maidens, are thinly populated and none of those in the fifth are likely to get their names on jam tins.
But Winter Wonderer has only had two starts this year and was much improved when tried over a trip last run. He meets little of note here. Dangers are Soulja Boy, who although a distant third last outing, the race was run at a muddling gallop. This is his first start on turf but should be a contender.
Wonderwall
Sean Tarry saddles two runners on the day, best of which could be Wonderwall in the sixth.
He has some useful Highveld form having won three of his last four starts and is distance suit.
Humby sends out Tribal Fusion who was close-up in the Post Merchants and has been rested since. He has a big weight but is still well in and if not short of an outing should be right there.
Northern Route and Techno Captain stand out as the more obvious choices in the seventh. Alyson Wright’s runner has come to hand since returning from a lay-off and was a close-up second last outing.
He does have a deep draw but this should be his peak run. Techno Captain and Arrow’s Mark give Paul Gadsby a strong handy while Stand By Me will start at long odds but as he has patchy form and his last two on the poly were poor.
But his best recent effort has been on the turf and he could surprise.