David Thiselton

The Nathan Kotzen-trained KZN-based horse Royal Victory walked away with two awards at the Highveld Feature Season Awards held on Saturday night, the Champion Older Horse and the Champion Middle Distance Horse.
He was unlucky to have run there in the same season as the outstanding unbeaten Mike de Kock-trained Gimme A Nother, because in any other year he would have walked away with the Horse Of The Season award too.
He not only won the Highveld’s two biggest races by tradition, the Gr 1 Betway Summer Cup and the Gr 1 weight for age Premier’s Champions Challenge, both over 2000m on Turffontein Standside, but he made history in the process.
He became the first out of province horse to ever win the Premier’s.
He was only the second out of province horse to win the Summer Cup this millennium, the first being the Dylan Cunha-trained Strategic News in 2007.  
Going off the subject for a moment Cunha has built himsf up from scratch to prominence in no time in the tough racing climate of the UK and on Friday was part of a South African double. A Gaynor Rupert homebred three-year-old colt by Blue Point out of SA-bred Trippi mare Shingwedzi was the first leg of the double and Cunha then won with Dark Angel three-year-old gelding Mart, who joined his yard as a maiden last September and has won four races and got five places since. 
Going back to the Highveld awards another prominent Hollywoodbets Durban July entry beside Royal Victory who won an award was Main Defender, who was named Champion three-year-old male. 
Royal Victory will be carrying 56.5kg off his 125 merit rating in the July as things stand. 
The weight structure at present is very dependent on either See It Again or Main Defender being among the entries at time of the publication of the weights. 
They are merit rated 132 and 131 respectively and the next highest rated is Dave The King on 126.
To look at what a difference they will make it is worth looking at the weights of the prominent horses with See It Again as topweight and with Dave The King as topweight. 
With See It Again in the race Royal Victory carries 56.5kg, Royal Aussie 56kg, Winchester Mansion 56kg, Cousin Casey 55,5kg, Green With Envy carries 53,5kg as things stand and Lucky Lad carries 53kg, Purple Pitcher carries 53kg, Snow Pilot 53kg, Pure Predator 53kg, Frances Ethel 52kg, Oriental Charm 53kg, Hluhluwe 53kg, William Iron Arm 53kg, Hotarubi 53kg, Mid Winter Wind 53kg, Silver Sanctuary 52kg, My Soul Mate 52kg, while all of the other older males and females will carry their new minimum weight of 54kg and 53kg respectively. 

Without See It Again then Dave The King off 126 becomes the topweight and in that case Royal Victory will carry 59,5kg, Royal Aussie 59kg, Winchester Mansion 59kg, Cousin Casey 58,5kg, Without Question 57kg, Son Of Raj 56,5kg, Green With Envy will carry 56,5kg, Aragosta 56kg, Lucky Lad will carry 55,5kg, Future Pearl 55kg, Purple Pitcher 55kg, Snow Pilot 55kg, Master Redoute 54,5kg, Pure Predator 54,5kg, Frances Ethel 54kg, Oriental Charm 54kg, Hluhluwe 53,5kg, William Iron Arm 53,5kg, Hotarubi 53kg, Mid Winter Wind 53kg, Silver Sanctuary 53kg, My Soul Mate 52,5kg, while all of the other older males and females will carry their new minimum weight of 54kg and 53kg respectively. 

Main Defender is unlikely to run in the race as one with a stamina doubt.

However, in the case of See It Again being scratched before the publishing of the weights his mere presence at weight publication time will become vital to the weight structure. 
Last year there was a scenario where Zapatillas was the highest rated but was unlikely to run and he might well have been kept in the field until after the weights had it not been for the supplementary entry of the higher rated Trip Of Fortune. 
Both Royal Victory and Dave The King ran at Hollywoodbets Scottsville yesterday and the latter won the 1500m Pinnacle Stakes race in fine style with Royal Victory running on well for third. They both carried 62kg and Dave The King beat Royal Victory by 3,50 lengths, but it would be a surprise if the winner’s merit rating changes considering 1500m trip is short of Royal Victory’s optimum trip and it was also a comeback run. 

Graeme Hawkins

Café Culture ran a career best at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday when taking out the R165 000 Taking The Reins Cape A Stakes over 1400m. Riding his 299^th winner for the Season, Richard Fourie initially made his move down the inside of the field but then gradually angled Café Culture towards the outside, taking dead aim on the pace-setter San Pedro.

For a long way it looked as if Ashton Arries had ridden the perfect race on the lightly-weighted San Pedro, but Fourie was not to be denied on the Lucinda Woodruff trained 4yo son of Var, and Café Culture responded well under a powerful drive to hit the front close home and forge ahead to score by a length. Café Culture began this season off a mark of 78, but five victories since August 2023 for the Fullard-Drew partnership has seen his rating now climb to above 100. 

San Pedro is holding form well and was well clear of the third-placed runner Wecangoallnight. The latter threatened briefly on the standside rail, but he failed to sustain his finishing effort and was nearly two lengths in arrears of San Pedro at the line. Making his return after a ten-month absence following knee surgery, Zapatillas enjoyed the run of the race but came up for air in the closing stages and was touched off for the minor placing by Sugar Mountain. He should improve significantly with the benefit of this race under the his belt.

Arries and Vaughan Marshall began the race meeting on the front foot when Bank Street just prevailed in the opener, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1200m. Bank Street was allowed to ease in the market to 9/2 as money came for the newcomer Express Yourself, but Bank Street kept on resolutely to narrowly hold out two other debutants, Sail The Seas and Captain West, with Late December under a length back in fourth. Express Yourself fluffed his lines at the start and was never in the hunt thereafter.

The second race saw a thrilling finish between the Snaith-trained odds-on favourite Eight On Eighteen and the diminutive Krim, who held a clear advantage approaching the final 200m. Fourie threw the kitchen sink at Eight On Eighteen over the last 200m and the pair only just got there in the very last stride to deny Louis Mxothwa by a nostril. But Mxothwa and Brett Crawford had their revenge two races later when Charlene (3/1) finally put her act together to hold out Fourie and Be Merry (13/10) by a neck. These two had the race pretty much to themselves and finished comfortably clear of the consistently-placed Ellorix.

Lucinda Woodruff sent out the first of her two winners in the fifth race, an Open Maiden over 1600m. Partnered by Aldo Domeyer, Azzuri (4/1) turned for home about four lengths off the pace, but the improving 3yo son of Pomodoro raced away in the closing stages to put daylight between himself and the runner-up Amancio. Long-time maiden, Greenland, was all the rage here, starting an unrealistic 11/10 favourite, but he never threatened and was relegated into fourth by Golden Grey who was doing his best work at the finish.

Consistency has never been Carriacou’s strong point, but he turned it on well for Sean Veale and trainer Eric Sands in the sixth race, a Class 4 Handicap over 1400m. The pace was solid and Carriacou came from some way back to beat Touchdown and In The Bag. This was Touchdown’s first run since returning from an epistaxis-enforced suspension and the half-brother to Grade 1 winner Linebacker could yet be one to follow.

Josh Solomons does not get too many opportunities but he made the most of a chance ride on Coulditbe (7/1) in the eighth race, a Class 4 (F&M) over 1800m. Leading all the way, Coulditbe found hidden reserves when challenged at the 200m pole and had more than enough in hand to ward off the challenge of race favourite, Plum Pudding, who made good late headway from the rear of the field.

The bomb landed in the final race, a Class 4 Handicap over 2000m, when 66/1 chance Baton Rouge led from pillar-to-post under Keanen Steyn, coming home lonely in the manner of an odds-on favourite. Although results through the day were generally favourable, Baton Rouge’s unexpected victory ensured a bumper Pick 6 return of R469 000. The warm-order favourite, Marshall Field, ran well below expectations and trailed in a long way down the field.

Andrew Harrison

Plotting a way into the Hollywoodbets Durban July can be a tricky road. For some the challenge is to make it into the field, for others it’s a case of ticking over without incurring any unwanted penalties that would affect their weight.

The Pinnacle Stakes that heads-up the card at Hollywoodbets Scottsville today has both elements and one that will keep punters guessing. Some of the big guns warm up for a crack at the South Africa’s ‘big one’ but with little to lose except the winner’s cheque is Glen Kotzen’s runner Grinkov. 

He has no July aspirations and was a close-up third to smart miler Royal Aussie over the Kenilworth 1400m last time out. If he can reproduce that form, he could be the horse to beat.  Justin Snaith has six runners included in the preliminary Hollywoodbets July log. Itsrainingwilliam is not one of them! The gelding has won his last two and comes into this race off some cracking Cape form so looks to be the most likely danger to the selection. 

Locally, The Shepherd is progressive and although he jumps in class, he only has 52kg to shoulder and with many of his rivals ‘practicing’ he could be the surprise package. Mike de Kock’s runner Shoemaker is a July entry but this trip could be more up his alley ahead of head-strong stable companion Dave The King and Summer Cup and Champions Cup winner Royal Victory who has the class but this should be far too short to show his best. That said, top horses are capable whatever the trip.

The first two races are difficult with many first timers in the line-ups and the betting should be your best guide. The first stable comments are mostly non-comital but that said, Mark Dixon gave a positive comment on Master Du Rouvray who could prove best of the debutantes. Those that have raced, Commanding comes off some smart feature race form in Cape Town including a close-up fourth to Little Ballerina. That form has been exceptional. Barring a springer, he looks the ‘right’ one for Glen Kotzen.  My Boy Lollipop disappointed when an odds-on favourite on the poly at his second outing. He made a smart debut over course and distance and experience could count for Frank Robinson’s gelding. Paul Lafferty’s runner Dapper has put in two smart efforts over course and distance and must have a decent chance. 

Kotzen looks primed for a lucrative afternoon as he has given positive comments about Laugh Till You Cry in the second. ‘Smart filly, will be in the shake-up,’ was his comment. Of those that have run, Hurricane Cat found some market support on debut and although well back, that was in the soft. Cape Capri disappointed in the soft after a promising debut and can do much better this time around.

Kotzen could possibly be in line for a treble as he sends out debutante Facile from a plum draw in the third. The comment, ‘nice filly, if not too green will be in the money’. But she faces a stiff test with Care Forgot running two close-up seconds since returning from a break after her debut and Tipperary who makes her way down from the Highveld for Paul Matchett.

The fourth is a trick handicap where Tony Rivalland’s charge Strathclyd makes most appeal. He was in need of the run behind stable companion King Of The Gauls when back on home soil after showing promise before making a trip to the Cape. With a run under his girth and an extra two furlongs to travel he can make the required improvement. El Rey Viene has been knocking at the door for some time now but Duncan Howells has dropped his charge down another furlong which could see him home. Licence To Thrill has been close-up at his last three. He should have strengthened up since he last tackled this trip and should be a big runner. Phutulicious has won twice over course and distance and is still improving so is a must inclusion in all exotic bets

The fifth is a difficult handicap. Shipholia appears to be something of a poly specialist, her last three wins coming on the synthetic surface. However, Gareth van Zyl has booked Richard Fourie for the ride and she should be a lively contender. Stormy Choice has had three starts for Tienie Prinsloo and is way better than her last tun over a mile. Back to a sprint with blinkers can see her surprise. Shanta’s Pride has her third run after a break. She is never far back and with a light weight Peter Muscutt’s charge should be in the firing line. Reefway got absolutely hammered in the ratings after her distant third in the Poinsettia Stakes, going up 14 points. Kom Naidoo has booked 4kg claimer Brevan Plaatjies but that may not be enough to see her home. 

Dean Kannemeyer sends out the progressive Teflon Man in the sixth. He started a warm favourite in a Pinnacle Stakes over course and distance last time out but takes on lessor company here and the colt may just have needed the outing. Donquerari stormed home last outing for Louis Goosen and is never far off them. 4kg claimer Brevan Plaatjies keeps the ride and a repeat showing could have the same result. Beechamwood Boy has been racing in the soft at his last three. This is his best course and distance and given firmer ground he could notch his eighth win. 

In the last, Trustova goes this trip for the first time and was a close-up second to the useful Wiccan Warrior last run in a stronger field. If he stays the trip he should be right there. Pongola has been consistent over shorter and did well from a wide draw last time out. This extended trip may now be what he is looking for. Querari’s Dream is lightly raced and showed up well first run out of the maidens when going this trip for the first time and is a big runner.

PLEASE NOTE!

Soccer 6: Sport 2 Pool 1 – 19 MAY 2024

Match 2 (M2): DEPORTIVO ALAVES vs GETAFE. New Match Date: 18 MAY 2024

The Match Will Be Played One Day Earlier Than Originally Scheduled.

Soccer 10: Sport 7 Pool 1 – 19 MAY 2024

Match 2 (M2): DEPORTIVO ALAVES vs GETAFE. New Match Date: 18 MAY 2024 The Match Will Be Played One Day Earlier Than Originally Scheduled