Grade 1 Speed Day at Scottsville and major pools are expected so get studying. WINNING SINGLE had things go wrong on local debut. He choked up in running so put a line through it. His previous form is good and he can make amends. But there are plenty with potential and newcomers in the hunt – follow betting action closely. DONQUERARI was fancied but finished fatigued on debut and is clearly better than the run suggests. MR HENLEY has run two good races in a row and now has blinkers fitted. He could get into the fight for honours. CAPTAIN CATMAN has done little wrong on the Polytrack.

GRINKOV has shown class throughout and on pedigree should be looking for this longer distance. He can follow up on a promising local debut win. But there looks to be stiff competition from Highveld raiders. Both NATIONAL STAR and GOOD COUNCIL are coming along nicely. The former has run second in her last two and again lost her last (finishing 1.60 lengths ahead of GOOD COUNCIL) in a close call. GOOD COUNCIL is getting the hang of things and has drawn better. IN WITH A CHANCE ran on strongly to win his maiden. He should actually prefer racing on turf now.

Tough race. THUNDER MASALA won well enough to suggest he has more to come. He has more to do in this wide open handicap but has drawn well. NAPOLEON has been knocking at the door on the poly but was an easy winner the last time he raced here and can maintain an unbeaten record over the track and trip. Highveld raider ASTROCYTE has won two of his last four and did have a wide draw in his last start. He can make further improvement. RODRIGUEZ was given a chance in the Grade 2 World Sports Betting Guineas but didn’t make an impression. He could show up even if drawn wide today.

Another difficult race-fillies and mares handicap. BELLA SWAN ran a much improved race but may have enjoyed the poly. If she holds that form she will still need to overcome a wide draw to win it. ELECTRIC SURGE can score an overdue win at this venue as she is taking quite a drop in class. The value option on the day. NAME OF THE GAME is overdue and should relish being away from the poly surface. However she will need a testing pace. ROCKIE REEF moved up well before becoming one paced in her last race. She could prefer the longer distance. LIVERPOOL LEGEND and ISLA MORADA can’t be ignored.

Paul Peter’s MISS COOL beat a smart field to win the Grade 2 SA Nursery. She has been amazing but she is not the only one from the yard oozing talent. GLITTERING GIRL was heavily backed and drifted from the inside draw to the outside and still slammed her field. She could be anything. However, Warren Kennedy rides RIVER QUERARESS who has beaten MISS COOL and now trying blinkers could show who is boss. SWEET PEPPER is another Highveld filly with promise. AMEENA is also unbeaten and importantly romped home on track debut. Eastern Cape filly EKORIA made her two wins look easy. More in it.

Interesting renewal of the Grade 1 with Highveld champ KARANGETANG out to make amends for a below-par Nursery run when favourite. Maiden runners IMPOSING and CAPTAIN BOMBSHELL-bred to fly, add to the mystique with both unlucky in losing their debut runs. However, PROPHET could maintain his unbeaten record. He followed up on his eye-catching debut win with a sparkling effort to win a Grade 3 on track debut. THUNDERSTRUCK could be anything. He found his debut too short but made his field look ordinary, ducking and still winning easily. CLIFF TOP, like PROPHET, has won in two provinces so far.

Superstar filly CAPTAIN’S RANSOM has an unbelievable record coming back from a break and impressed in sprints as a youngster. She is best weighted, could be clear of scrimmaging from an outside gate, and may mow them down. The one to beat if ready. This must be BIG BURN’s mission. She only found one better in the Computaform Sprint in star colt Master Archie and did well to fend off other top-level males. UNDER YOUR SPELL has hit top form and could turn around a beating by BIG BURN at these weights. She did win a Grade 1 at this venue as a youngster. Many more can score with a bit of luck.

Great race – three-year-olds versus the older brigade. The last time youngster COSMIC HIGHWAY sprinted after running well in a Graded race over 1600m he won and he beat top individuals. He could do so again. Four-year-old REAL GONE KID disappointed a bit but has the headgear taken off and could resume winning ways. He is talented. CHIMICHURI RUN won this in 2019 and ran well in subsequent years but along with 2020 winner, stablemate WARRIOR’S REST, could have a chance again at these weights. BARTHOLDI, GOOD TRAVELLER, SMORGASBORD, GLOBAL DRUMMER and ALESIAN CHIEF are dangerous. More in it!

Open race to end. LADY SERENA has been only just winning her races and as such has not gone up all that much in merit ratings. She has gone from the best draw to a slightly wide one but may just complete a hat trick of wins. LADY TIPTREE returns to the track where she scored her win and may relish it after racing on the poly. She was not disgraced in running close up to males last time out. If MVULAZANA doesn’t need it after a 167 day rest she could add to her tally. She has shown promise and could prefer the trip having matured. Ignore BURMESE TIARA’s last run – she looks better on grass.