If Dennis Bosch’s Oratorio gelding Chantyman could breathe in running he would probably have been a top 1400m horse.
Today the five-time winner lines up in the 1000m African Holly Handicap at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and despite giving away as much as 10kgs to the progressive Coldhardcash – looking for his personal fourth on the trot – he stands out as the horse to beat, with some top-class course and distance form.
The 5yo is most lethal at this course with a win, two close-up seconds and double thirds from his six outings. Interestingly, breathing problems also trouble the Australian-bred mare Effortless Reward and Coldhardcash, who steps up in class here and returns from a ten week break.
But Chantyman could hold them all on heart and courage. His previous run over the Scottsville 1200m was a decent 3,25 length third behind Ultra Magnus.
Anton Marcus and Warren Kennedy, fresh off his hard fought success in the Gr3 London News Stakes at Turffontein yesterday, dominate the standings in the Hollywoodbets KZN Sizzling Summer Challenge – see the leaderboard here – and both should be the men to follow again.
Ashton Arries and Donovan Dillon won’t be riding today.
The Bipot starts in the first at 12h25 where Marcus should get Brilliant Disguise home. Conservative players may want to cover with the Garth Puller gelding Avro Lancaster who goes the 1400m for the first time and should enjoy the test.
