Runners at Hollywoodbets Scottsville

There is top-class action from Friday through to Sunday on a bumper weekend for racing fans, including Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Scottsville festival of Graded sprints. The four races comprise Jackpot One, which starts with a R250,000 carryover that should produce a bumper pool of R1 million or more.

Lucky Fish ambassadors Mike and Mathew de Kock saddle six runners at the meeting, with five competitive chances in the Jackpot legs.

The grey Next Of Kin could get the day going on a winning note in Race 3 over 1600m, with Gavin Lerena holding his reins for the first time. “He was an unlucky loser last time when he had to switch out and then wanted to hang in.  Hopefully he can get the job done this time. He's been racing in good form and staying in good form at home. We’re expecting a similar sort of performance,” said Mat.

The unbeaten Flower Island takes on fillies of her own high quality in Race 6, the Grade 2 Alan Robertson Championship. Mat commented: “She seems to have taken a good step forward out of the BSA Sales Race. She’s only had two weeks between runs and it's always a little concern, but from what we've seen at home, I think she's going to overcome that. She’s in a great space at the moment and has a chance.

“This is a super competitive race, but we're going to test ourselves. It's hard to know exactly how we will line up against fillies of this calibre until after the result, but I couldn't be happier with her. She travels down from Jo'burg this (Friday) morning.”

Grade 2 TAB SA Nursery winner, Good Day Sunshine, is the stable’s back-up in the race. Mat said that she was sent to Summerveld for a change of scenery after her disappointing run in the Grade 3 TAB Pretty Polly Stakes. He said: “She seems to have done well in Durban and her work's been excellent. Again, we'll be matching her against others in a really strong race . She should run well and we’ll be watching with interest.

Haute Cauture takes on Rich Man’s World for an eagerly anticipated clash in Race 6, the Grade 1 Gold Medallion. “Haute Couture came out of his maiden run, or gallop, shall I say, very well. We are really pleased with him and his work has been super. We're going up against what looks like a really tough force in Vaugan Marshall’s colt, so it will be nice to test Haute Couture and see how he shapes up against this top runner.

“We can’t fault our horse’s well-being. He is a bit of an unknown, really, but we do think he is one with lots of ability. We look forward to seeing where we are in relation to the favourite and others,” said Mat.

Three-year-olds One Eye In Vegas and Miami Mountain face the starter in Race 7, the Grade 2 Golden Horse Sprint.

Mat said he hoped that One Eye On Vegas’ inside draw would not be a disadvantage when the race develops. “We’re bringing him back in trip which won’t be a problem for him – he  ultimately looks like a 1200-1400m specialist. We’re putting blinkers on to keep him sharp and focused. His work has been good, we look forward to his run. Hoping he stays out of traffic problems.”

“Miami Mountain has the form and the credentials to win. He seems to always rise to the occasion in the group races, the feature sprints, but those have been among his own age group. Now, in this handicap against older horses, it’s going to be interesting to see how he goes. He seems to be a straight-track specialist and Hollywoodbets Scottsville should suit him down to the ground.”