The Professor can deliver

A gelding operation to a racehorse often can make a dramatic change to the animal and it certainly was the case with Professor Brian as he turned around a record that read one win in nine starts to now read six wins in 14 starts as pulled of five wins in row in the Western Cape and is clearly the one to beat in Race 7 a 1200m Handicap at Scottsville today.

This Australian import celebrated his first run in KwaZulu-Natal with a win but faded somewhat in his second race, albeit in stronger company.

Now he journeys to Scottsville and Anon Marcus gets aboard the four-year-old for the first time.  There are some good reasons to advance his cause – notably that the 1200m Scottsville trip is down the straight and not around the turn; something he has shown an aversion to.

Also he drops in class but still has some talented rivals to contend with.

Chief of these are Redcarpet Captain and Amazon King.

Redcarpet Captain does not always show his best side but when does he is talented and this course and distance suits him. It could be worth noting that while this Captain Al gelding was well behind Professor Brian last time he suffered interference.

Amazon King is an improving three-year-old who quickened nicely to win his latest start. He takes a jump in class and may now be looking for further than this distance but his future looks rosy.

There are a few questions marks to be asked of both Kimberley Club and Judgemental but they could fight out the finish of the lucky last race.

Kimberley Club is returning from a break and his fitness has to be taken on trust but is track and trip suited. Marcus has been carded to ride Kimberley Star which could be the sign needed that he is ready for this race.

Judgemental showed promise when scoring on debut over this distance and there was a lot of money for him. That win was on the Polytrack though and he steps up in grade.

Two other runners on this card who look likely winners are Texas Sky in Race 3 and Champenois in Race 4 and they look to be bankers for the exotics.