PREVIEW:SCOTTSVILLE - 10 JULY 2012

Scratchings up to date as at 14h00 Monday 9 July 2012.

RACE 1:Maiden Juvenile Plate  1200m Straight

I like the look of the first timer, RASHEED (Mike De Kock/Kevin Shea). FLYFIRSTCLASS made a very good debut last time when fading late to finish a half a length second to SHIMMER AND SHINE. Anton Marcus has the ride again. GITIANO (Alec Laird/Stuart Randolph) stayed on when making his debut last time. Should improve. JAMAL (Mike De Kock/Anthony Delpech) did not show over further last time. Claim back over the shorter trip. The first timer CAGE FIGHTER (Sean Tarry) could also be worth considering. The betting could be your best guide.

SELECTIONS: 1st - RASHEED * (12); 2nd - FLYFIRSTCLASS (5); 3rd - GITIANO (6); 4th - JAMAL (8); 5th - CAGE FIGHTER (3)

RACE 2:Maiden Juvenile Plate (F) 1000m Straight

This race begins the PA. Unfortunately the Place Accumulators are proving to be hard to catch as some of the results have not been running to form. Currently I find the UK PA's far easier to catch, or at least giving me a far better run for my money. VIA AFRICA (Duncan Howells/MJ Byleveld) raced green on debut but still ran on strongly to finish a two length second. Must to be the one to beat on that run. The first timer, ILISABETTA (Alec Laird/Anton Marcus) is a daughter of TRIPPI. Watch the betting. MELANCHETE made a moderate debut. Looks set to improve. ICEONIC (Joey Ramsden) ran well when running on nicely to finish a good second on debut two runs back. Did not follow up over 1200m last time. Back over the 1000m could see an improvement. CAVIAR makes her debut. Keep a watchful eye on the betting.

SELECTIONS: 1st - VIA AFRICA * (13); 2nd - ILISABETTA (6); 3rd - MELANCHETE (7); 4th - ICEONIC (5); 5th - CAVIAR (2)

RACE 3:Maiden Plate (F & M) 1000m Straight

Another first timer who could make a winning debut on this afternoon's card is LITTLE WHITE LIE (Mike De Kock/Anton Marcus). Also a daughter of TRIPPI. Watch the betting. ROSIE THE REBEL (Duncan Howells/MJ Byleveld) has the best form of those who have run. Has placed third over the distance but fades. WARDANDI GIRL (Pat Lunn/Karis Teetan) made a fair enough debut last time and should improve. The balance do not impress. Keep an eye on the first timer, POLE DANCE (Dennis Drier/Sean Cormack). FLAMING PRINCESS has steady form and could improve with Anthony Delpech aboard.

SELECTIONS: 1st - LITTLE WHITE LIE * (11); 2nd - ROSIE THE REBEL (8); 3rd - WARDANDI GIRL (12); 4th - POLE DANCE (7); 5th - FLAMING PRINCESS (1)

RACE 4:Maiden Plate (F & M) 1400m Bend

HIPPY HIPPY SHAKE has been showing good improvement and even though she was slow away in her last start she did run on late. DAWN ECLIPSE runs for the thirteenth time as a maiden. Has been a consistent earner. SECOND EDITION (Dennis Drier/Sean Cormack) does not have the best of form but has given a hint that she could improve. Finished fourth to RUMYA last time and we all know how well RUMYA ran on Durban July Day. OPEN THE BANK (Duncan Howells) is never far back. Has been lightly raced. Watch the betting on the first timer, EMPYREAL SONG (Alec Laird).

SELECTIONS: 1st - HIPPY HIPPY SHAKE * (2); 2nd - DAWN ECLIPSE (1); 3rd - SECOND EDITION (4); 4th - OPEN THE BANK (12); 5th - EMPYREAL SONG (11)

RACE 5:MR 90 Hcp (F & M) 1000m Straight

FLOWERS OF SPRING (Ivan Moore) has excellent form this C & D. From six starts this C & D she has won twice and placed second on no fewer than four occasions. Has faced some stronger fields and should be the one to follow. MISS OCTOBER (Dennis Drier/Sean Cormack) faded late over 1200m last time. Unbeaten (2 from 2) over 1000m. A big runner this afternoon. BIG ON BROADWAY (Ivan Moore/Stuart Randolph) has been racing well in PE. Consider for places perhaps in this field. SHARE THE SILVER runs well this C & D and must not be ignored with Anton Marcus aboard. TWO TONE ROCKA may be improving. Apprentice claim of 4kg will assist.

SELECTIONS: 1st - FLOWERS OF SPRING ** (3); 2nd - MISS OCTOBER (5); 3rd - BIG ON BROADWAY (2); 4th - SHARE THE SILVER (1); 5th - TWO TONE ROCKA (8)

RACE 6:Novice Plate 1600m Bend

HEAVY METAL (Sean Tarry/Anton Marcus) has faced far stronger than he is set to face this afternoon. Looks hard to oppose and is sure to be on offer at restricted odds. STORM ALTERNO (Dennis Drier/Sean Cormack) ran well in the KZN 1600 and could go close in this field. Has won this C & D. DYNAMIC STAR will benefit from an apprentice claim of 4kg. ran on well last time. WHITER THAN WHITE ran a moderate post maiden last time. Must have a chance with Anthony Delpech aboard. LORD HAWKE is badly out at the weights but has apprentice Donovan Dillon aboard.

SELECTIONS: 1st - HEAVY METAL * (1); 2nd - STORM ALTERNO (7); 3rd - DYNAMIC STAR (2); 4th - WHITER THAN WHITE (6); 5th - LORD HAWKE (9)

RACE 7:Maiden Plate 1600m Bend

SCHWARZWALD showed good improvement last time. Donovan Dillon has the ride and the blinkers go on. He is widely drawn but is one that could surprise. KITE SURFER (Mike De Kock/Anton Marcus) improved by eleven lengths last time when running on strongly. Will more than likely start the race as favourite. MIESQUES BALLOT made a good debut last time and is worth consideration. STORM DANCER is never far off them and must have a very good chance as well. HURRICANE HUNTER (Duncan Howells) could be best of the balance.

SELECTIONS: 1st - SCHWARZWALD * (1); 2nd - KITE SURFER (10); 3rd - MIESQUES BALLOT (8); 4th - STORM DANCER (11); 5th - HURRICANE HUNTER (2)

RACE 8:Maiden Plate 1600m Bend

SADHU has only been out of the first three once in six starts with four seconds. On that form he looks hard to beat. FIRM APPROACH has certainly improved in his last two starts. The blinkers go on this afternoon. KRUGER MILLIONS (Charles Laird/Anton Marcus) has poor form but Marcus rides for the first time and the blinkers will be fitted. Watch. MAHABALI  has steady form and would not be out of it in this race. MALUTI has improved in his last two but he is still racing moderately.

SELECTIONS: 1st - SADHU * (1); 2nd - FIRM APPROACH (3); 3rd - KRUGER MILLIONS (11); 4th - MAHABALI (2); 5th - MALUTI (5)

BEST BET:                    RACE 5 - NUMBER 3 FLOWERS OF SPRING (4/1)

VALUE BET:                RACE 7 - NUMBER 1 SCHWARZWALD (12/1)

BEST OUTSIDER:      RACE 8 - NUMBER 1 SADHU (9/4)

PLACE ACCUMULATOR: RACES 2 - 8

PICK SIX: RACES 3 - 8 (Couplings taken into account)

JACKPOT: RACES 4 - 7 (Couplings have NOT been taken into account)