Do not miss the Summer Challenge at Scottsville

Dennis Drier-trained Cosmic Burst has a bright chance to claim top honours in the first of three R200,000 Non-Black-Type contests at Scottsville on Sunday when teamed up with Sean Veale in Race 6, the KZN Summer Challenge 1200 Final over 1200m.

This five-year-old posted a gutsy third career win five runs back at Scottsville over 1200m and was placed in her subsequent runs – the last of which saw the mare stay on gamely and finish a 0.85-length fourth in a tough Pinnacle Stakes over the course and distance with Veale aboard. She will, however, have most to fear in three-time winner Di Mazzio out of Louis Goosen’s stable with Gavin Lerena up.

The Australian-bred four-year-old must be respected in attempting a course and distance hat-trick. Veale could also come to light in Race 7 when aboard Paul Gadsbytrained Techno Captain who contests the KZN Summer Challenge 2000 Final over 1950m.

Veale was up in the gelding’s three wins, the last of which was three runs back when a close winner over 2400m at Scottsville. He held form in his two subsequent runs when a close second and then a creditable third in a minor feature event. Stepping down in class and having the best of draw, the freestriding four-year-old could be in the winner’s enclosure this time.

This is a tricky contest, so do not hastily dismiss the chances of Liquid Rainbow, One Man Show, Viento and Fangia. Goosen-trained Zen Arcade (Gavin Lerena) looks the one to follow in Race 8, the KZN Summer Challenge 1600 Final over 1600m.

This gelding was a shock runnerup on debut in the R1-million BSA August Million for three-year-old colts and geldings over 1400m at Scottsville and  proved that run no fluke by racking up three wins in row. The pick of the others are Ryker, Gingerbread Man and Admiral’s Guest.