David Thiselton

 

Saturday’s racing at Turffontein Standside saw an amazing victory by Miami Mountain in the Gr 3 TAB National Currency Sprint over 1100m as nobody would have given him much chance before the halfway mark of the contest.

 

In other big racing news the world’s best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising, made history at Sha Tin in Hong Kong when bettering the legendary Silent Witness’s sequence of 17 successive wins by easily winning the Gr 1 The Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup over 1400m to make it eighteen wins in a row.

 

Both of the features on the day at Turffontein Standside proved that the course’s perceived bias towards the higher drawn horses appears to have now been ironed out as both winners made their runs on the inside of the field and both came from low draws.

 

In the National Currency Sprint the Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained Hollywood Racing-owned Canford Cliffs colt Miami Mountain was drawn one out of 12 with Jeffery Syster retaining the ride.

 

The race is for three-year-olds and has merit-rated band conditions with a benchmark of 60kg equalling a 110 rating and more, and there was a spread of five points for every 2kgs below that i.e. 58kg = 105 to 109, 56kg = 100 to 104 etc.

 

Miami Mountain was near the top of the 95 to 99 band off a 98 merit rating, but carrying 54kg made him officially 1kg under sufferance with the favourite Wild Justice, a Gareth van Zyl-trained KZN raider, who had been impressive in compiling a record of four wins from five starts.

 

Miami Mountain was wearing blinkers for the first time and started at 25/2 odds as Wild Justice shortened from 33/10 into 18/10 as the two other initial market leaders Zalatoris and One Fine Winter drifted out from 7/2 to 7/1 and 6/1 to 8/1 respectively.

 

Miami Mountain did not get the best of breaks and was soon tailed off by  few lengths in last place, although in his favour was that there was a blistering pace up front being set by Vanakkam.

 

By the 500m mark Miami Mountain had overtaken One Fine Winter, whose rider felt something amiss, but he was still probably about eight lengths off the pace and about five lengths behind Wild Justice, who was moving in well on the outside.

 

As the horses up front wilted as a result of the fast pace, Miami Mountain’s resolute finish with a nice big action saw him suddenly appearing as a big contender right on the inside.

 

Wild Justice was under pressure to keep going and he could not keep Miami Mountain at bay.

 

Miami Mountain won by 0,80 lengths from Wild Justice with Pop Chart third, beaten 1,40 lengths.

 

The Louis Goosen-trained KZN raider Blazing Fury stayed on well from a handy position for a two length fourth and in fifth place was the Last Duke, with topweight Charming Cheetah just behind him.

 

If there was sectional timing on the race, Syster would have been shown to have ridden a fine race as most of the rest of the field went too fast, including Wild Justice, whose second place finish might just have been earned in the end by him stopping less than the other prominent runners.

 

Miami Mountain is interestingly out of the first ever Gr 1 winner that prolific Durban-based owner Nick Jonsson ever owned, the Gr 1 Allan Robertson-winning Captain Al filly Miss Florida.

 

He was a R275,000 purchase and should win more races.

 

Considering he was 1kg under sufferance with the 104-rated Wild Justice, who looks to be the likely line horse, Miami Mountain looks set to be raised to a merit rating of 102.

 

In the Non-Black Type Bidvest Bauhinia Stakes over 1000m, the Sean Tarry-trained Green Diamond was not the only Highveld horse who did not seem to enjoy Cape Town this Summer as both her runs were way below par.

 

However, she bounced back with a fine win on Saturday.

 

She sat behind the seven horse field after Craig Zackey had taken a hold after jumping from draw three and dropped her out.

 

The seven-horse field congregated towards the outside and Zackey had to ease her slightly and switch her inward for a run, but she then found a strong finish to beat the number one draw Poblano by 1,80 lengths with a yawning 2,90 lengths back to third-placed Chasing Happiness, who was the 60kg topweight.

 

The race was also a merit rated band race with a benchmark of 118 = 62kg and more, with each 2kg decrease from there having a five point spread.

 

Green Diamond, a three-year-old Drakenstein Stud-bred homebred daughter of Gimmethgreenlight, carried 54,5 off her 105 rating and started at odds of 6/1.

 

The disappointment of the race was the 91/100 favourite Rifle Queen, who was prominent from a standside draw before fading tamely to finish last.

 

In Hong Kong on Sunday Ka Ying Rising got his usual good break in the Gr 1 over 1400m and sat in second place traveling comfortably throughout. Zac Purton switched him on to the quarters of the leader before the final turn and there was the familiar sight of him moving up under the hands as he passed the statue of Silent Witness, which is situated at a point on the public forecourt that is adjacent to the top of the straight. He then powered clear and won effortlessly by 3,50 lengths, exactly 7,629 days after Silent Witness had recorded his 17^th successive triumph.

Andrew Harrison

The so-called ‘off season’ generally gives the lessor lights a chance to earn their keep but at the same time the majority of the runners are close in the handicap, with very little separating most of the field. An example was at Hollywoobets Scottsville last Wednesday with most of the results separated by a few short-heads.

Punters face a similar card on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville today with the majority of races likely to result in tight finishes.

That said, MJ Odendaal has a smart gelding in Thisiswhatitmeanstome in the Middles Stakes that heads the nine-race card.

Thisiswhatitmeanstome has taken to the poly and is unbeaten in his last four on the surface. He got a further five-point raise in the handicap for his last win and has to shoulder the ‘grandstand’ but he has carried big weights at his last two so could stretch his winning streak to five. Gareth van Zyl saddles Good Traveller who has an iron constitution and lines up for the 52^nd time. He comes off a pair of victories on the poly and has crept up the handicap but still looks competitive off his new mark. Red Bomber has had one promising outing for his new stable and now takes to the poly while Tony Peter’s runner Gimmethegoodlife has consistent Highveld form and the switch to the poly could be what he’s looking for.

Peter could have a quick double with Hathighwaytothesky in the eighth. The filly has earned in four of her five starts that includes two wins. If she takes to the poly she should put in a big effort. Biggest threat could come from Wengi Masawi’s Tladi Mothwana who surprised on debut and then showed up well first run in a handicap on the poly. This is only her third start and she does look progressive. She’s A Machine has been trying further of late and has been in good form. In this small field the drop in trip could be in her favour. Poursomesugaronme is always dangerous and is back over course and distance where she won two runs back.

In the card opener, Saudi Sweep is overdue her maiden win and has only been out of the money three times in 14 outings. She goes well on the poly and if this trip is not too short, she should make a bold bid. Lou Lou was a well-beaten second last run over course and distance but meets some modest opposition and should be in the shake-up.

The first leg of the Bi-Pot sees a competitive maiden field. Blue Steel will be a contender after making a smart local debut over the distance. He takes to the poly for the first time. Xiphos has been costly to follow as he tends to lack extra when challenged but he comes back after a short break and goes well on the poly. Owner Of Creation is a struggling maiden but has some decent recent form and could finally get it right. Brigette Anne has been scratched.

In the first leg of the PA Lilting Song disappointed last run in the Cape but had some useful form before that. She goes well this trip and should make a bold bid in this field. She may be one of the better bets on a competitive card. Praise De Le Ray has drawn wide but has been running well of late and should put in a good effort

The start of the Pick 6 is a competitive handicap. Garth Puller’s charge Kumemori has started at long odds at his last two but has been narrowly beaten in both. The removal of blinkers appears to have done the trick and he should be competitive. Fair Advantage has a tricky draw to contend with but goes well on the poly and has been knocking on the door for some time now while El Rey Viene has the best of the draw and has been close up in all of his recent outings. Sean Veale will have had the choice of three runners in the race.

In the fifth, Saint Brigid makes her poly debut but has shown good form since her arrival from the Cape. She seems better than her last run but that form has worked out. Distance suited and if she takes to the poly she could be the horse to beat. La Maddalena was a beaten favourite last start on the turf but she showed up well at her previous outing on the poly. She meets weaker here and can make amends. Izibulo got a hefty seven-point raise in the handicap for her last win but she is in good form and enjoys the poly while Peggy Sue Shake jumped from a 58 to a 70 rating after her Open Maiden win and has come on with blinkers.

The sixth is another competitive handicap but Imperial Power is holding form well and loves the poly. The apprentice is replaced by Keagan de Melo which could make all the difference. Chill In The Air takes to the poly and tried much further last time out but has a handy weight. Isivivane is relatively lightly raced and has been in good form on the poly and showed up well behind the smart King Pelles last time out. Sundance Kid has come to hand since his switch to the poly and with a claiming apprentice up he must also have a strong chance.

Acacia’s Blossom can round off the day. Louis Goosen’s mare is always dangerous and has shown some recent improvement over course and distance. Jazz Diva made no show back on soft turf last time out. She showed up well in two poly runs over course and distance prior to that and both from tricky draws. She has a better gate now and should feature. Scarlet Starlet got home narrowly in the soft on debut but does look capable of improving. Darryl Moore had a double at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last Wednesday and he saddles Queen Fenn who is quick and showed up well in her handicap debut. There should be little between her and Jazz Diva on their last meeting.

Race 1

6 SAUDI SWEEP   1 LOU LOU   2 ROY’S BLOSSOM

Summary: SAUDI SWEEP (6) is over due her maiden win and has only been out of the money three times in 14 outings. She goes well on the poly and if this trip is not too short she should make a bold bid. LOU LOU (1) was a well-beaten second last run over course and distance but meets some modest opposition and should be in the shake-up. ROY’S BLOSSOM (2) showed some improvement in first time blinkers but does look held by Lou Lou on their last meeting. (Andrew Harrison: 6-1-2).

Race 2

3 BLUE STEEL  6 OWNER OF CREATION 2 XIPHOS

Summary: BLUE STEEL (3) will be a contender after making a smart local debut over the distance. He takes to the poly for the first time and has to give lumps of weight to the filly. XIPHOS (2) has been costly to follow as he tends to lack extra when challenged. He comes back after a short break and goes well on the poly. OWNER OF CREATION (6) is a struggling maiden but has some decent recent form. He could finally get it right. (Andrew Harrison: 3-2-5).

Race 3

2 LILTING SONG   10 PRAISE DE LA REY   8 CALI BULLET

Summary: LILTING SONG (2) disappointed last run in the Cape but had some useful form before that. She goes this trip well and should make a bold bid in this field. PRAISE DE LA REY (10) has drawn wide but has been running well of late and should put in a good effort. CALI BULLET (8) is lightly raced and was a beaten favourite last run. She has gone well over course and distance and if putting in her best she has a definite chance. (Andrew Harrison: 2-10-8).

Race 4

8 KUMEMORI   11 FAIR ADVANTAGE   1 EL REY VIENE   3 RECORD HIGH

Summary: KUMEMORI (8) has started at long odds at his last two but has been narrowly beaten in both. The removal of blinkers appear to have done the trick and he should be competitive. FAIR ADVANTAGE (11) has a tricky draw to contend with but goes well on the poly and has been knocking on the door for some time now. EL REY VIENE (1) has the best of the draw and has been close up in all of his recent outings. Sean Veale will have had the choice of three runners in the race. RECORD HIGH (4) was beaten by the progressive Salani Kahle last time out after a smart previous effort from a difficult draw. (Andrew Harrison: 8-11-1-3).

Race 5

9 SAINT BRIGID   8 LA MADDALENA   5 IZIBULO   3 PEGGY SUE SHAKE

Summary: Wide open. SAINT BRIGID (9) makes her poly debut but has shown good form since her arrival from the Cape. She seems better than her last run but that form has worked out. Distance suited and if she takes to the poly she could be the horse to beat. LA MADDALENA (8) was a beaten favourite last start on the turf but she showed up well at her previous outing on the poly. She meets weaker her and can make amends. IZIBULO (5) got a hefty seven-point raise in the handicap for her last win but she is in good form and enjoys the poly. PEGGY SUE SHAKE (3) jumped from a 58 to a 70 rating after her Open Maiden win and has come on with blinkers.  She could follow up. (Andrew Harrison: 9-8-5-3).

Race 6

3 IMPERIAL POWER   4 CHILL IN THE AIR   8 SUNDANCE KID   5 ISIVIVANE

Summary: Competitive handicap. IMPERIAL POWER (3) is holding form well and loves the poly. The apprentice is replaced by Keagan de Melo which could make all the difference. CHILL IN THE AIR (4) takes to the poly and tried much further last time out. He has a handy weight. ISIVIVANE (5) is relatively lightly raced and has been in good form on the poly and showed up well behind the smart King Pelles last time out. SUNDANCE KID        (8) has come to hand since his switch to the poly and with a claiming apprentice up he must have a strong chance. (Andrew Harrison: 3-4-8-5).

Race 7

4 THISISWHATITMEANS    8 GOOD TRAVELLER   1 GIMMETHEGOODLIFE   6 RED BOMBER

Summary:  THISISWHATITMEANS (4) has taken to the poly and is unbeaten in his last four on the surface. He got a further five-point raise in the handicap for his last win and has to shoulder the ‘grandstand’  but he has carried big weights at his last two. GOOD TRAVELLER (8) has an iron constitution and lines up for the 52^nd time and comes off a pair of victories on the poly. He has crept up the handicap and still looks competitive off his new mark. RED BOMBER (6) has had one promising outing for his new stable and now takes to the poly. GIMMETHEGOODLIFE (1) has consistent Highveld form and the switch to the poly could be what he’s looking for. (Andrew Harrison: 4-8-1-6).

Race 8

4 HATHIGHWAYTOTHESKY    5 TLADI MOTHWANA   2 SHE’S A MACHINE   1 POURSOMESUGARONME

Summary:  HATHIGHWAYTOTHESKY (4) has earned in four of her five starts that includes two wins. If she takes to the poly she should put in a big effort. TLADI MOTHWANA (5) surprised on debut and then showed up well first run in a handicap on the poly. This is only her third start and she does look progressive. SHE’S A MACHINE (2) has been trying further of late and has been in good form. In this small field the drop in trip is not could be in her favour. POURSOMESUGARONME (1) is always dangerous and is back over course and distance where she won two runs back. (Andrew Harrison: 4-5-2-1).

Race 9

11 ACASIA’S BLOSSOM   3 JAZZ DIVA   5 SCARLET STARLET 8 QUEEN FENN

Summary: ACACIA’S BLOSSOM (11) is always dangerous and has shown some recent improvement over course and distance. JAZZ DIVA (3) made no show back on soft turf last time out. She showed up well in two poly runs over course and distance prior to that both from tricky draws. She has a better gate now and should feature. SCARLET STARLET (5) got home narrowly in the soft on debut but does look capable of improving. QUEEN FENN (8) is quick and showed up well in her handicap debut. There should be little between her and Jazz Diva on their last meeting. (Andrew Harrison: 11-3-5-8).

 

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Hereford (UK) – 22 February 2026

David Thiselton

 

The Hollywoodbets Durban July conditions have been finalised and the final field panellists might be in for an interesting evening before the Final Field And Barrier Draw Ceremony, whilst the three-year-olds look to be on the back foot at present.

 

There will be a longer handicap this year with a 10kg spread in the weights from a topweight of 62kg down to a bottom weight of 52kg.

 

Furthermore, it will just be a straight handicap, unlike recent July conditions in which there was a maximum and minimum weight for certain age groups and genders.

 

If the final field happens to have a spread that is less than 10kg, the topweight will still be 62kg. If, for example, there is a weight spread of 7kg among the entries, then the bottom weight will be 55kg.

 

If the topweights are scratched after the setting of the weights, then the new topweight will be dragged up to 62kg. For example if the topweight after scratchings is 60,5kg, it will be dragged up to 62kg and after the rest of the field have been dragged up the bottom weight will become 53,5kg.

 

The final field will not necessarily be chosen by merit rating order.

 

Justin Vermaak, Executive Racing and Bloodstock of Race Coast, said, “There will be a final field selection panel like before and merit rating will be a leading aspect, but the panel will also take current form and distance suitability into account etc.”

 

In recent years the final field panellists have not had it too tough as the field was cut up before the final field announcement, with a lot of horses being scratched due to the recognition by the connections they do not have much chance, either due to the weights not favouring them or due to them being off form – the final declaration fee could have, in those cases, been considered a waste of money.

 

However, with the longer handicap, there are going to be more horses who still have form chances on paper.

 

Looking at last year’s July for example, third-placed Selukwe was rated 111 and had to carry 54kg due to the condition that the minimum weight for an older male was 54kg. He was thus 2kg under sufferance with the 127-rated topweights, both older horses, and he was 4kg under sufferance with the officially best weighted horse, the 129 rated (nett 125-rated) Eight On Eighteen, who was set to carry 57kg despite being the highest merit rated horse in the race due to a condition that three-year-old males could not carry more than 57kg.

 

In last year’s race Oriental Charm carried 60kg, Eight On Eighteen carried 57kg and Selukwe carried 54kg.

 

Under this year’s conditions the weights for those three horses would have been: Oriental Charm 62kg, Eight On Eighteen 61kg and Selukwe 54kg. Selukwe would have been 2kg and 4kg better off with Oriental Charm and Eight On Eighteen respectively under today’s conditions.

 

He would have been 2kg better off with the winner The Real Prince too and, on paper, would have been beaten 0,30 lengths instead of by 2,65 lengths.

 

There could theoretically have been a horse who would have been even more favoured by today’s conditions than the 111-rated Selukwe example.

 

Using last year’s race under today’s conditions, an older horse who had been rated 107 would sneak into the handicap under today’s conditions.

 

A 107-rated older horse last year would have had to carry 54kg, 6kg less than the topweight, but under today’s conditions it would have only had to carry 52kg, which would be 10kg less than the 62kg topweight.

 

Therefore, there are theoretically going be a lot more horses standing their ground at the time of the final field selection process this year, because a lot more of them will have chances of winning on paper than would have been the case under the old conditions.

 

Furthermore, with stakes of R10 million up for grabs there will be less cases of horses being scratched due to the  connections deeming them to be off form. They might still want to take their chances.

 

The difficulty for the panel will come in deciding whether a lower rated horse is deemed to have better recent form or better distance suitability than a higher rated horse.

 

For argument sakes let’s assume that we go back to last year and there are still many horses standing their ground until the bitter end. After the top 17 are selected, according to the last log and current form, let’s assume the next two horses are the 115-rated Madison Valley and the 120-rated The Real Prince.

 

The Real Prince is rated five points higher than Madison Valley, but he has never run a race beyond 1600m before.

 

Madison Valley on the other hand finished a close fourth in the Betway Summer Cup over 2000m and in his final run before the July he won the traditional July pointer, the Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial over 1800m.

 

Which one are they going to put in the all important 18th slot?

 

Such a scenario is going to have much more chance of happening this year.

 

Although it has been said that weight avoidance tactics are going to be used this year, those who do take that route are probably going to run a bigger risk of not qualifying than ever before.

 

Now on to the three-year-olds.

 

Eight On Eighteen was held in high regard last year and came into the race 2kg well-in, according to official merit ratings, and yet he was not able to win the race.

 

Under today’s conditions he would have had to carry 61kg, effectively 2kg more.

 

So it was tough last year for a top, top three-year-old who was favoured by the old conditions.

 

How tough will it be for good-but-not-great three-year-olds under the new conditions, considering there is no maximum weight for them and no minimum weight for older horses?

 

Likewise it will be tough for females.

 

Furthermore, this year’s three-year-old crop are arguably overrated off their current merit ratings.

 

For example, Gauteng Guineas runner up Grand Empire could not win the Wolf Power 1600 against older horses when 2kg under sufferance off a 102 merit rating (effectively a 106 merit rating), yet he is now rated 120. There will be cries of “but the handicapper is clueless” when looking at that, but those who do say that are clueless themselves, because the handicapper rates a race on that race, not on past races, and Tin Pan Alley had earned his 117 rating by beating older horses and Grand Empire had then beaten him. Furthermore, Grand Empire was likely not at his peak for the Wolf Power with the Triple crown series looming.

 

Nevertheless, the overall impression is the current three-year-old male crop is not shining and it is questionable whether any of them have properly earned a rating of 120 or above.

 

It could well be an older horse July, but on the other hand there is an impressive unexposed horse like Note To Self among the three-year-olds and more such types might emerge.

 

The build up to this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July is going to be more intriguing than ever!