Runner comments, HWB Scottsville

Esteemed returns to racing for Lucky Fish ambassadors Mike and Mathew de Kock in Race 7 over 1200m at Hollywodbets Scottsville today. Richard Fourie takes the ride.

The son of Rafeef has not been seen in action since his second-placed finish in the Grade 2 2025 TAB SA Nursery at Turffontein, having been laid off due to a setback.

Mike de Kock explained: “Esteemed had an allergic reaction due to an intra articular procedure which could have cost him his life. He’s a gutsy young horse, he pulled through.

“We rate him highly, it’s good to have him back. He has some longer-term prospects and is not at his best yet, but we’ve done all we can at home and being the talent that he is, he should go close.”

Rested filly, A Good Heart, joins Esteemed in the race and she will need the outing.

The stable’s other runners are:

Race 3, 1400m: “Hot Blooded is not showing us much, and we’re trying him over further. He should improve on his debut.”

Race 4,1400m: “We have a strong contender here in Trombolines, who gave away a lot of weight to a fellow one-time winner last time and was unlucky in a narrow defeat. He is doing very well, expected to go close. Next Of Kin ran below his best in May after a spell of consistent efforts and we rested him since. He will need the run.”