While it’s a case of personal preference and horses for courses, today’s Scottsville Derby & Oaks meeting looks a more interesting card that its Kenilworth counterpart.
Reader Cecil Pienaar’s image of Scottsville – circa Feb 2019
With nine races carded and decent sized fields, the KZN venue is set for some nice dividends.
The false rail is set at 5m with jockey Stuart Randolph and apprentice Jabu Jacobs not riding.
There is an early start scheduled for 11h45.
Warren Lenferna – on duty today (Pic – Candiese Marnewick)
With the top on-course team of Warren Lenferna and Andrew Harrison anchoring the day’s previews, we could pick up some pearls of wisdom along the way.
We had a look at the Track & Ball Derby earlier in the week and that looks like a tricky contest to unravel, the Gr3 Track And Ball Oaks sets a real poser. A host of talented fairer sex stayers across the age divide clash in what could produce a humdinger of a finish.
They have come from near and far in numbers and this nationally representative line-up is set to deliver a vintage renewal of the open classic.
SP top-rated Roy’s Riviera (Pic – Candiese Marnewick)
East Coast Handicap winner Roy’s Riviera tops the SP ratings and this smart Australian bred galloper must go close on her best form. The Frank Robinson trained 4yo has matured into a decent feature level filly.
Topweight Sabina’s Dynasty has run two fair races since her Summer Cup no-show and stormed through late in the Scarlet Lady at this track behind the Snaith’s Myabi Gold. The Dynasty mare gets the services of Anton Marcus (who rode Roy’s Riviera last time) and is overdue to win again.
Topweighted Sabina’s Dynasty (Pic – JC Photos)
Flichity By Farr was third in this race last year and was not disgraced in mixed company in the Lonsdale behind Liege last time.
The well -related 3yo Blossom ran on stoutly without threatening Silvano’s Pride in the Woolavington at her last start and should be much better suited to this track. She has her second run for the De Kock stable.
Blossom – improving 3yo
Joey Ramsden’s yard has been in rude form nationally and the smart showing by Dynasty’s Blossom when running a creditable fourth behind Liege in the Lonsdale last time bodes well for a good effort here.
Geoff Woodruff’s Go Deputy 4yo Insignis won the Jacaranda Handicap beating subsequent Gr1 winner Camphoratus at her penultimate start. Her last run was another good effort when chasing the classy Return Flight in the Gr2 Gerald Rosenberg Stakes.
There are others who are capable of a big run, including the underrated longshot Snapscan, who looks better than her recent form.
