Hellhot in KZN! by Leon Setaro

Hellhot in KZN! by Leon Setaro

It was a scorcher in KZN this past week with temperatures sizzling around the 37 degree mark without respite, but a cool breather we have been granted over the weekend. There were thunderstorms around last night and with more rain predicted today, we can only hope that the meeting is not in jeopardy. Scottsville does not hold up well under H2O so expect messy conditions and with racing on the outside track, the home straight is going to take a hammering.

Head to head at Scottsville
A well rounded card faces punters today with a bit of everything on offer and the (non black type) Natal Carbineers155th Anniversary Handicap over 2000m is the headliner, but it’s the 8th race that gets the vote as the most anticipated. Here we have two ultra promising KZN fillies going head-to-head in battle over 1200m - Purple Lake, unbeaten and aiming for the elusive 4 in a row, versus the year younger Onehundredacrewood, a superb looking 3 year old who has been campaigning at top level in JHB and promises more to come.


Purple Lake Friday morning

No.3 Purple Lake is the favourite at 18/10 (has since been claimed into 13/10 with 15/10 available on Interbet) which does appear generous considering her flawless record. She comes back from a short break following her successful JHB raid where she scooped a grade 3 feature, and trainer Kom Naidoo reports that she’s fit and well and expected to win.


Onehundredacrestunner!(pic Friday morning)

No.6 Onehundredacrewood (4/1) may not have the 3 from 3 unbeaten record but she did win her first two with consummate ease before finishing midfield in the grade1 Allan Robertson as a 2year old. Since then she has contested 3 features in JHB and picked up a stakes cheque on each occasion. She’s now back in KZN and her return to the racetrack last month was eye catching and impressive where she put in a sustained finish to get within a whisker of winning. Trainer Gavin Van Zyl reports that she’s doing well at home and a repeat of that last performance can be expected.

As for the competition, Frikkie Greyling saddles the two top weights for the Kotzen stable No.1 Mia Joshua (11/2) and No.2 In Camera (9/2) and both have strong claims on current form. Mia Joshua looks to be the better of the two but does have 63kgs to contend with. She’s a mean sprinter on her day though and at her best could cause all sorts of trouble for the fancied two. No.5 Datemedo (5/1) and No.7 Jewel of Winter (5/1) have been models of consistency in recent months but will have a tough task getting past the main contenders. For the pick 6, you should go safely through with 1,3,6 but this does look to be a case of Purple Lake and Onehundredacrewood fighting it out. At 18/10 and 4/1 you can back both and still come out with a profit! Or, back Onehundredacrewood to win with a cover exacta; Purple Lake to beat home Onehundredacrewood.


Onehundredacrewood on display at the Gavin Van Zyl yard

Morning Leon and thanks again to you and Bob for the post.
Its also been steaming hot the last few days but today windy and overcast.
Have a good Valentines Day

good pumping!

Cracking pics,onhundreadacrewood is a cracker and wins on looks...