Four Hollywood Syndicate runners head up to the KZN capital this Sunday, as we return to Hollywoodbets Scottsville after inclement weather forced the move to Hollywoodbets Greyville last weekend. All four of them appear to be Pick 6 inclusions on paper, but see here for more about what we are expecting from them.
Sunday 26th January 2020
Hollywoodbets Scottsville
Race 3 – 13:55
1400m – MR 90 Apprentice Handicap
5 – White Cedar
Trainer: Alyson Wright
Jockey: Jason Gates (-1.5kg)
Wgt: 52.0kg
Draw: 5 (15 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 16/1
He has improved in each of his last few starts since returning from a rest 3 runs back and he now steps up in class for his 10th career outing, his 8th over the 1400m. Having slipped 5 points in the ratings, he now looks quite well handicapped off his current mark of 74. Apprentice, Jason Gates, claims a further 1.5kg’s off his back and that leaves him with a very handy galloping weight to suite his front running tactics.
Drawn well, he should get to the front quite easily and he will no doubt be staying on well in the closing stages. It is a very competitive Apprentice Handicap, but he is fit and well and he will be worth including in this first leg of the Pick 6. Realistically, we expect him to finish in the first five places but if things fall into place for him, he could just pop up and win at decent odds.
Winning Form Comment: Fair latest when set the pace. May have finished closer if not for hanging. Respect.
Race 4 – 14:30
1600m – Track & Ball Gaming FM 90 Handicap (F&M)
9 – Purple Persuasion
Trainer: Alyson Wright
Jockey: Yuzae Ramzan (-4.0kg)
Wgt: 52.5kg
Draw: 9 (11 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 4/1
She has been competitive in all of her last three starts, since returning from a rest and despite the fact that she is untested over the mile, we feel that it is the right time to run her over this trip. She is certainly bred for it and the extra furlong should suit the way she runs. With that said, she does have a tricky draw to overcome and it might present a bit of a challenge for her to find her usual handy position. However, Yuzae Ramzan claims 4kg’s off her back, leaving her with just the 48.5kg’s to shoulder and that will bring her right into the equation if she does see out the trip.
Winning Form Comment: Three decent handicap efforts and should be able to handle this rise in class.
11 – Simply Russian (Pictured)
Trainer: Garth Puller
Jockey: Thabiso Gumede (-4.0kg)
Wgt: 53.5kg
Draw: 11 (11 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 10/1
She needed her last start, when returning from a 20 week absence from the racecourse. Overcoming gate 9 in that run, she was forced to settle about 10 lengths off the front of the pack as a result and quickened nicely to finish a mere 2,95 lengths off the winner. Drawn wide again, she returns to the course where she won her maiden and this will be just her second outing at the Hollywoodbets Scottsville Racecourse. The step up to the mile is going to suit her down to the ground and with just 49.5kg to shoulder, she has a nice each way chance.
Wining Form Comment: Drawn wide and up in class but won her maiden on this track.
Race 6 – 15:40
1200m – The Whitehorse Function Room MR 68 Apprentice Handicap
7 – Agent Murphy
Trainer: Alyson Wright
Jockey: Thabiso Gumede (-4.0kg)
Wgt: 61.0kg
Draw: 7 (17 runners)
Predicted Betting: 10/1
He returns to the Hollywoodbets Scottsville Racecourse where he has run first and second in both of his outings here and he looks well weighted to go close now. Drawn down the centre of the course, Thabiso Gumede claims the 4kg’s off his back and that gives him a much more forgiving 57kg’s to carry.
He has been a little disappointing in his last two outings, but the stable have been very pleased with the way he has bounced back to form and now that the handicapper has started to lower his rating, it won’t be too long before he lands up in the winners’ box once again. On what he is currently showing in his work, he is expected to finish in the first 4 places, with a small winning chance.
Winning Form Comment: Has put up two solid efforts on this track and is capable of finding a form return.