Is Dave The King ready for battle?

LAST season's Equus Horse of the Year Dave The King makes his return to racing after a six-month break when he lines up in the Sir Theophilus St George A Stakes over 1500m that headlines the card at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday.

- ANDREW HARRISON

The race is a tricky affair with many warming up for the sharp end of Champions Season.

Dave The King has been disappointing this season with two no-shows at Turffontein including the Charity Mile back in November last year.

He has been rested since but won over course and distance exactly a year ago before going on the garner his Equus accolades.

Horses often show their best form in yearly cycles and if that holds true then Dave The King will be difficult to beat.

De Kock

Trained by Mike and Mathew de Kock one would expect Dave The King to be ready for this contest but his fitness must be taken on trust and a warm-up for another crack at the Gr1 Holllywoodbets Gold Challenge.

There are a number of runners warming up for the season, with the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July in their sights but given that this 1500m should be on the short side for most of them it may prove prudent to side with a fit horse comfortable over the trip.

Garth Puller saddles African Skyline who finished a creditable sixth, beaten three lengths by Ziyasha in a strong field over 1000m last time out and he did find some support in the market for that race.

The blinkers come off and he is back over a more favourable distance where he won three runs back.

He is one to watch in the market.

Justin Snaith saddles Rapidash who may just have needed his last start in The Sledgehammer.

He boasts some useful Cape form in strong company and gets first time blinkers which could prove significant.

Nathan Kotzen will be hunting the Hollywoodbets Durban July with Royal Victory who ran a cracking race in the Gr1 Champions Challenge at Turffontein, just failing to get to Fire Attack.