UPDATE: After a luckless run by Hollywood Thunder at Fairview on Friday, we will be looking to the next three runners this weekend. Binary Star took his run well on Tuesday and we have decided to let him run in the 4th race at Scottsville this Saturday 22 June 2019. Syx Shooter has one more shot at qualifying for the KZN Yearling Sale Million on Vodacom Durban July Day, when he lines up in the same race. On Sunday at Turffontein, Captain’s Legacy will be looking to make big improvement when she lines up in the 1st Race. See more about their chances here.
Friday 21 June 2019
Fairview Polytrack
Race 2 – 12:35
1300m – Maiden Juvenile Plate
3 – Hollywood Thunder
Trainer: Gavin Smith
Jockey: Sandile Khathi
Wgt: 60.0kg
Draw: 6(8)
Predicted Betting: 5/1
She was unlucky not to finish much closer to the winner than she did on debut. Turning for home she was held up for a number of strides at the top of the straight, when she lacked a clear run. Once she saw day light, she put her ears back and made steady headway and was only beaten 3,55 lengths. On pedigree, she will eventually get a mile and going on her debut effort she is going to thoroughly enjoy the extra furlong today. She has strengthened up very well since that run 9 weeks back and word from the stable at home is that her work has been worthy of the winners enclosure this time around. The stable companion (Set In Amber) will no doubt set a comfortable pace for her and she should be settling just off them in the early stages. With her turn of foot, she will be running on late and we give her a nice each way chance.
Winning Form Comment: Found traffic on debut. Has plenty of scope to improve over the extra. Watch.
Saturday 22 June 2019
Scottsville Racecourse
Race 4 – 13:30
1200m – Maiden Plate
6 – Binary Star
Trainer: Alyson Wright
Jockey: Ashton Arries
Wgt: 57.0kg
Draw: 2(11)
Current Betting: 10/1
He was still quite green in his run on Tuesday this week, finishing just three lengths off the winner. That was over the Scottsville 1000m and he now steps up to the 1200m. We have decided to run him here, as he seems to have taken his run very well and with his current well-being in mind, we are giving him one more chance as a two year old. Again, an open race but he has a good each-way chance and wouldn’t be a surprise winner.
11 – Syx Shooter
Trainer: Clinton Binda
Jockey: Jason Gates (-2.5kg)
Wgt: 57.0kg
Draw: 8(11)
Current Betting: 10/1
He ran a surprise 2nd from a wide draw on the poly last Friday and the key to that improved run appears to be the change of surface. We would’ve liked another run on the poly, but the priority is to try and qualify him for the Breeders race on July day and unfortunately time and available races for him are running out, so we have opted to take our chances on the turf this time. He is back down the straight, so the draw almost becomes irrelevant and he will no doubt take up the running from a handy position. As this is not an age restricted maiden, he comes into this race under the same weight conditions as last time, with the apprentice retaining the ride and a repeat of his last run should bring him into the equation. We give him a place chance.
Winning Form Comment: Good improvement on the poly last time. Back on turf. Watch.
Sunday 23 June 2019
Turffontein Inside Track
Race 1 – 12:10
1000m – Maiden Plate
5 – Captain’s Legacy
Trainer: Clinton Binda
Jockey: Jason Gates (-2.5kg)
Wgt: 60.0kg
Draw: 2(12)
Current Betting: 50/1
She has been disappointing so far and this may be her last start before we reconsider our options with her. She gets a decent draw, for this 1000m around the bend and with her early speed that may play nicely into her hands with the 2.5kg claimer up. On her current form, we can only hope for improvement.
Winning Form Comment: Poor form, others preferred. Trainers only runner today.