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HISTORY OF SCOTTSVILLE RACECOURSE
Scottsville Racecourse is situated in Pietermaritzburg, the capital of KwaZulu-Natal, which lies 80kms north of Durban. The company that controls racing at Scottsville is Gold Circle.
The track is tight and has a circumference of 2300m, a run-in of 550m and a straight course of 1200m. It also has a separate starting chute for races run over 1800m. Scottsville is one of the more challenging tracks around the country with a steep climb for the horses approaching the final 500m. There is also an inside course for races around the bend. For races run over sprint distances there is a downhill section for the first 400m before hitting the incline towards the end, making it a true test for all horses. The ability for horses to race from off the pace is a major advantage at the track, but also if you are too far back, you will find yourself in trouble.
There is very little in terms of advantage with regard to the barrier draw at the track, although when there has been rain outside draws are favourable down the straight.
Scottsville is unique in being the only course in Africa with a casino on the premises. The Golden Horse Casino provides plenty of entertainment after the races and will accommodate you if you’ve had a little too much to drink. Rockafellas is a very smart restaurant looking over the finish that you can attend and enjoy a brilliant 3-course meal and enjoy the racing.
Scottsville has a knack of providing a big upset. The term “horses for courses” applies here, as there are specialists who run much better at Scottsville than anywhere else, while others completely fail to handle the undulating straight.
On the last Saturday in May the track stages its festival of speed, which is by far the biggest day at the track with the headliner being the Group 1 Golden Horse Casino Sprint. There are three other Group 1 races - the Allan Robertson Fillies Sprint for two-year-old fillies, the Gold Medallion for two-year-olds and the SA Fillies Sprint. All the races are run over 1200m.
Some of the famous horses to have run and won at Scottsville are Musir, Sledgehammer and the famous Model Man and more recently JJ The Jet Plane, who won the Golden Horse Casino sprint in 2008 and then, after a stint in Dubai and Britain, came back to South Africa to win it again in 2010.
Race Preview
Scottsville, 10.07.2019, Race 1, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R102.375, 6:25PM
Race Summary: INFORMATIVE brings form from the Highveld that looks hard to beat. He is speedy and honest but does try Scottsville today. ON THE BAYOU showed talent in his trial coming clear by more than 7 lengths and could be anything. MR MINISTER has decent form but races after a layoff and may just need it. Follow the betting moves closely here.
Scottsville, 10.07.2019, Race 2, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R102.375, 7:00PM
Race Summary: Trainer Garth Puller holds all the aces and should dominate this race. While DOUBLE ESPRESSO and older horse KRISHNIES JET have decent form and rate fair chances it is WINTER CHILL who could be the one. This What A Winter colt was eye catching in his Barrier Trial and may attract the betting support. CANDLE COVE can improve for a stable in good form.
Scottsville, 10.07.2019, Race 3, Gallops, 1500m, Turf, R110.000, 7:35PM
Race Summary: RAINBOW UNICORN, CASTELLANO and TRIP TO FREEDOM meet again and it could still go the former's way. But she was reserve in a feature on 'July' day - check if she ran there. CASTELLANO has improved over distance and could get closer but has drawn equally wide. TRIP TO FREEDOM receives weight and may prefer this track. ANIKA THE ANGEL is one of many that can prove dangerous.
Scottsville, 10.07.2019, Race 4, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R105.000, 8:10PM
Race Summary: SHANGO was slow out and green on his local debut. It was nevertheless a decent effort and he could be on the up so deserves respect even though having drawn wide over further. FAVOUR on the other hand has drawn perfectly and if the track and trip doesn't come too soon he could land it. JALAPENO has fair form and makes the switch to turf. Respect stablemate GIBRAL DE ROCHE.
Scottsville, 10.07.2019, Race 5, Gallops, 2400m, Turf, R105.000, 8:50PM
Race Summary: WORLD CRUISE would be scoring an overdue maiden win were he to win here. He has all the experience and more in his favour needed to win. WHAT A BLAST and JUST PRIME both have shown some potential over shorter and could be anything if staying this marathon trip. Past those it is wide open. JER has the potential to stay well and may prefer the turf she tries here.
Scottsville, 10.07.2019, Race 6, Gallops, 1950m, Turf, R88.000, 9:25PM
Race Summary: BEFORE NOON was a bit unlucky not to win the first time he raced here as he flew and was then not disgraced on the Greyville poly. Stable mate THRONG was finishing even faster in that last race but is back on turf - still one to respect. WALTERTHEPENNILESS jumped slow last time. He ran on in that stronger race and he was knocking hard prior. DON PIERRO showed true form last.
Scottsville, 10.07.2019, Race 7, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R88.000, 10:00PM
Race Summary: CELEBRATION ROCK last won with Anton Marcus in the saddle and he is back aboard. The gelding showed good pace on the poly last time and he could be heading back to best. BLACKBURN ROC will be at a peak and is back over the trip he won over. Could get close. HARMONICA won well when tried with blinkers and can improve further. FIVES WILD and DALLAS should be there too.
Scottsville, 10.07.2019, Race 8, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R105.000, 10:35PM
Race Summary: WISHFUL GIRL LINN is back at Scottsville and can open her account. All her runs have been decent. INNOGEN is feature raced and may prefer racing down the straight. She has shown good pace and is still learning. RAMPANCY was beaten as favourite on debut. She should relish the longer trip. WINTER SUN is improving and has all the experience here. More in it.
Races to be simulcasted are as follows:
Race 1 at 6:25pm
Race 2 at 7:00pm
Race 3 at 7:35pm
Race 4 at 8:10pm
Race 5 at 8:50pm
Race 6 at 9:25pm
Race 7 at 10:00pm
Race 8 at 10:35pm
Starter(South Africa)
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