Ashburton-based Louise Goosen has a handful of quick fillies in his yard and two of them will be up against each other in a hotly contested Pinnacles Stakes when racing returns to Scottsville today.
The course has had a two-month break for spring treatment and Goosen, ever professional, did an inspection on Tuesday and declared himself satisfied that the track is in top nick.
Louis Goosen – should go close
Of his two fillies, Captain’s Girl boasts the best recent form. She paid her way on a trip to Turffontein earlier this month, taking on a smart field of sprinters in the Golden Loom, beating all but Rivarine home.
That was a top effort and with apprentice Jabu Jacobs claiming his 4kg today, it may be enough to see her go one better.
But it will not be easy.
Many trainers have been waiting for the Scottsville turf and they have lined up in numbers. Included in their ranks is visiting Paul Peter who saddles Rebel’s Champ, a fast-finishing fourth in the Golden Loom.
He started 5-1 favourite for that race which is an indication of what punters were up against. He has a steadier of 62kg on his back but with Jacobs’s claim, it seems unlikely that he will be able to turn the tables on the filly.
Wynkelder is a course specialist, as is the smart London Call who finished two lengths behind him when last they met.
Tony Rivalland – Wynkelder enjoys the track
Effortless Reward is quick while Sunset Eyes and Procal Harum are the ‘class’ runners in the race but both have been pencilled in for the Merchants at Turffontein on December 1 so this is a likely warm-up run.
Lenny Taylor, who died recently, was a maverick trainer but one of the true characters of the sport and it is fitting that the fifth is named in his honour. The Lenny Taylor Memorial Handicap is a bit of a puzzle but Gavin van Zyl is sure to be looking for a better effort from Affranchi.
Gavin Van Zyl – looking for more out of Affranchi
Bought out of Tony Nassif’s yard after finishing a close-up second to Perfect Peter, he was well supported in the market for the KZN Guineas Trial. However, he ran no sort of race and was upstaged by lesser fancied stable companion Stream Ahead.
The blinkers go on and if Affranchi runs up to his previous form he could prove difficult to peg back.
The dangers could lurk among the bottom three in the handicap where the consistent Roy’s Magic makes most appeal.
Lowly handicaps over ground are often a recipe for an upset and with a maximum field of 12 lining up for the Rockafellas Restaurant Handicap over 2400m it looks right for baking. There are a number of seasoned handicappers in the race including multiple winners Rawedge, Hyaku and Storm Ruler but they may all have to get past recent maiden winner Banjo On My Knee. Before his last run there was little in his Cape Town form to recommend him. But he obviously revelled in the step up to 2400m and hacked home ahead of the luckless Belfry. He is lightly raced and an obvious improver taking on some well exposed opposition.
There is a quartet carryover of R47,289 in Race 9 which goes off at 17h25. He estimated pool is R500 000.
The first race is off at 12h45.
The Bipot starts at 13h20 (2nd).
