Sparrow Man to take flight at Scottsville

Jack Milner

There was a lot to like about the manner in which Sparrow Man won his maiden last time, and he could well double up when he lines up in Race 4 at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Monday, a Class 4 Handicap over 1600m.

The meeting was originally planned to be run on Sunday but with all the rain late last week, which already resulted in Friday’s HWB Greyville meeting being moved to Sunday, the decision was taken to run this meeting on Monday.

Although there might not have been any further rain, the track conditions are still being rated as soft.

Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained Sparrow Man, who is by Gimmethegreenlight, has only raced twice, and both of those starts have been at this course. He not only lost ground at the start in his debut run but clearly found 1100m too short. He still managed to finish fifth, running on nicely to end up 3.05 lengths behind Omkhulu Boss.

His next run was over 1600m and the longer trip, coupled with the that last experience under his belt, we saw a different Sparrow Man. He settled up with the pace and when Gavin Lerena let him go 400m out, he accelerated smartly to beat Judiciary by 2.10 lengths.

He is a half-brother to filly Drumnadrochit who was a runaway winner at Turffontein on Saturday, taking on the boys and running out a 11.25-length winner over King’s Express. Sparrow Man can follow in the footsteps of his stable companion and show the expected improvement.

He is well drawn in gate No 2, carries just 53.5kg and will have Sean Veale aboard.

Commenting on their website, Dekockracing.com, they said: “Sparrow Man is doing well after his Maiden win, we’re very happy with him.

“This is his first step up, but he is a progressive sort that has shown us his ability. He should be in the firing line off a handy 53.5kg.”