Race 1     

1 SPIRITRIX 3 ANCHORAGE 4 EIGHT HATS 2 TINA LOVELACE

Preview: 1 SPIRITRIX won well on debut and the form has been franked. 3 ANCHORAGE is by Vercingetorix out of a Trippi mare and has some high profile owners. 4 EIGHT HATS ran a good race second time out and could be involved. 2 TINA LOVELACE was not disgraced last time in a feature. (David Thiselton 1-3-4-2)

Race 2     

1 CHARMING CHEETAH 4 ZALATORIS 3 TIN PAN ALLEY 8 BLUSHING BLOOM

Preview: 1 CHARMING CHEETAH finished third in the SA Nursery and looks the one to beat. 4 ZALATORIS made a fine winning debut, but does have the unfavourable number one draw. 3 TIN PAN ALLEY won well on debut and was not disgraced in a feature next time out. 8 BLUSHING BLOOM is by Flower Alley out of a useful sprinter by Kildonan and is drawn on the right side. (David Thiselton 1-4-3-8)

Race 3     

8 SOHO HEARTTHROB 6 LAVA COUNTY 5 XENOPHON 3 OLD FASHIONED

Preview: 8 SOHO HEARTTHROB made a fine debut and the form has been franked, so he should go close from the right side of the track. 6 LAVA COUNTY ran well second time out and should be in the shake-up. 5 XENOPHON is by Vercingetorix out of an Oasis Dream mare called Dream De Ra and Richard Fourie is up. 3 OLD FASHIONED has some useful form and should be in the shake-up. (David Thiselton 8-6-5-3)

Race 4     

2 TAMARISK TREE 1 PARISIAN WALKWAY 3 NAVAJO NATION 6 MISS SCALETTA

Preview: 2 TAMARISK TREE is in devastating form and can make it another win, although he does have a tricky draw. 1 PARISIAN WALKWAY is a front-running type who disappointed in the SA Derby, but from pole position draw over this shorter trip, he should be right there. 3 NAVAJO NATION has been facing strong fields without being disgraced, and he could earn a cheque here. 6 MISS SCALETTA has drawn well, and has the form to earn. (David Thiselton 2-1-3-6)

Race 5     

3 PRETTY ANALIA 1 THE ULTIMATE KING 7 COPPOLA 5 FUTUREWOLFF

Preview: 3 PRETTY ANALIA packs a good finish and is in fine form, so can score the hat-trick here from a good draw over an ideal trip. 1 THE ULTIMATE KING won well in the Maidens and should be in the shake-up. 7 COPPOLA ran well last time, and from a good draw should be in the shake-up. 5 FUTUREWOLFF  has been in fair form and should enjoy the trip, but he does have a tricky draw. (David Thiselton 3-1-7-5)

Race 6     

1 MAIN DEFENDER 5 TRUTH 9 MUSICAL SCORE 11 RADICCHIO

Preview: 1 MAIN DEFENDER is full of class and is ideally distance suited here, so a wide draw should not bother him. 5 TRUTH s distance suited and has speed and class, so will be will be dangerous from a good draw. 9 MUSICAL SCORE has some class and is drawn well over a trip which should suit. 11 RADICCHIO is in good form and seems to be quite a versatile type, so could earn again over a step-down in trip. (David Thiselton 1-5-9-11)

Race 7     

1 ROYAL FORCE 3 POTBERRIE 2 IMMEDIATE EDGE 5 KEY NEWS

Preview: 1 ROYAL FORCE won well last time out over this trip and has a good draw here. 3 POTBERRIE has turned the corner and from a good draw could be in the shake-up. 2 IMMEDIATE EDGE disappointed in the SA Derby, but showed some class before that and although this might be on the sharp side he should be finishing strongly. 5 KEY NEWS has a wide draw, but has enough ability to earn here. (David Thiselton 1-3-2-5)

Race 8     

8 BOB’S YOUR UNCLE 1 DREAMLAND 2 QUANTUM THEORY 4 COSMIC STAR

Preview: 8 BOB’S YOUR UNCLE will enjoy the course and distance, and is drawn towards the right side. 1 DREAMLAND loves this course and distance and if starting well should be involved in the finish under Richard Fourie. 2 QUANTUM THEORY is also in fine form and should be in the shake-up. 4 COSMIC STAR is knocking on the door, and should be right there again. (David Thiselton 8-1-2-4)

Race 9     

1 WHISTLE THE TUNE 6 VIRGIN RIVER 5 KIA KAHA 2 NIGHT VIGIL

Preview: 1 WHISTLE THE TUNE is capable of a lot better than last time and could bounce back. 6 VIRGIN RIVER is very quick, and should make a bold bid. 5 KIA KAHA has a potentially strong finish and has done well under Muzi Yeni before, so should do well from a nice high draw.  2 NIGHT VIGIL has some fair form, and will enjoy the step-down and trip. (David Thiselton 1-6-5-2)

Race 10    

13 CAPTAIN SELVIE 4 PHANTOM EXPRESS 9 HAPPY WIVES 1 OMNIPOTENT

Preview: 13 CAPTAIN SELVIE’s form has worked out well and he is drawn on the right side. 4 PHANTOM EXPRESS has been knocking on the door, and should be in the shake-up. 9 HAPPY WIVES has the ability to be involved here. 1 OMNIPOTENT won well last time, and could be a runner if repeating. (David Thiselton 13-4-9-1)

David Thiselton

The Non-Black Type Secretariat Stakes over 1400m is the headliner at Turffontein Standside today and it could be won by the Alec Laird-trained topweight Royal Force.

This Heavenly Blue gelding has a good draw of two and Piere Strydom stays aboard after a good win aboard him last time in a Graduation Plate over this course and distance, where he beat the useful Aristotle by a comfortable 1,80 lengths, despite being 7,5kg under sufferance with him according to official merit ratings. He was raised the maximum six points for the win, but that is likely a capped merit rating as he ran to a higher mark so he can win here despite having to carry 62kg. Potberrie is turning into a useful horse despite having taken ten runs to exit the maidens and from a good draw of four over an ideal trip this Potala Palace gelding can make his presence felt. Immediate Edge disappointed in the SA Derby and although seeming to be one who needs further, he is capable of a building up a strong finish with his big stride. Those are the trio who make most appeal. 

In the previous race Main Defender appears in his preparation race for the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge. The 1400m distance of this Pinnacle Stakes event is ideal for the son of Pathfork and a wide draw should not stop him. However, Truth is going to be very dangerous from draw four out of the 14 runners as he has been seen before to go out fast over this trip and maintain a strong gallop all the way to the line. He is receiving 6kg from Main Defender and will make a bold bid. Musical Score has a plum draw and is a three-year-old on the up, so he is an interesting runner. Radicchio has some class and beat the useful Cymric the last time he went over this course and distance, but he is considerably under sufferance with the like of Main Defender and he has a wide draw too. Savannah Storm is one who can never be ignored, despite generally finishing unplaced, because on his day he can put in top performances over this trip and he has a fair draw of six. The same can be said of Fire ‘N Flames, who is ideally distance suited. Legend Of Arthur, Atticus Finch and Purple Pitcher are all class acts who would prefer further, but their class could pull them through.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 Tamarisk Tree goes for four in a row as he does not face inspiring opposition and off his five point higher merit rating he is the joint best in at the weights under the Pinnacle Stakes conditions. He does have a tricky draw over the suitable 1800m trip but Muzi Yeni is an expert at overcoming such draws. The classy Parisian Walkway is only half-a-kilogram under sufferance and will likely make a bold bid from the front and in good weather conditions the faster ground should suit him better than when last going over course and distance in testing conditions. Navajo Nation is joint best in at the weights and this will be an easier task than usual for this highly tried individual.

In the second leg of the Pick 6 over 1600m Pretty Analia goes for a hat-trick off an eight point higher mark after a comfortable win over this trip last time. However, the form has been franked and she is well drawn so she can use her strong finish to go in again. She will have to beat the boys, but did do that in her penultimate start. The Ultimate King and Coppola look to be the dangers as improving sorts.

In the eighth race, a MR 106 Handicap over 1000m, the versatile and much improved Bob’s Your Uncle can do it. He went close from an unfavourable draw the last time he ran down the Turffontein Standside straight and now has a nice standside draw, although he is off a three point higher mark after a win over 1400m last time. Stablemate Dreamland loves the course and distance, but has to carry topweight, albeit under Richard Fourie. Quantum Theory, Cosmic Star and Mount Pinatubo should make bold bids too.

In the last leg of the Pick 6 Whistle The Tune reared and missed the break last time and can make amends. Virgin River and Kia Kaha look to be the dangers.

In the first leg of the Bipot, Charming Cheetah has speed and class and can get punters through. Zalatoris made a good winning debut and can also be included. 

In the first leg of the PA Soho Heartthrob made a fine debut and is drawn on the right side in this 1160m contest so should get punters through.

Andrew Harrison

The hunt for a berth in the 18-horse field for the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July starts in earnest today with the Gr3 WSB 1900, a race that has proved to be a good pointer to the outcome of Africa’s greatest horserace.

Justin Snaith is on record that he has brought all of his best horses up from the Cape for Champions Season and he holds a strong hand with four competitive runners. Best could be Okavango who has won three of his seven starts and won well on this course last time out. Although out at the weights, he has a light weight and if he wins here he should get into the July with close to bottom weight for his age group. Stable companion Future Swing was just two lengths off stable star Eight On Eighteen in the Gr1 WSB Cape Met and is hardly out of the money of late. He won this race last year beating Winchester Mansion who went on to win the July although he may possibly need to win this to cement a July berth this time around.

Progressive three-year-old and recent Sledgehammer winner I Salute You has the deepest draw but Peter Muscutt will still have hopes of qualifying his charge for a crack at the July. However, Mike Miller’s consistent gelding Narina Trogon and Selukwe from the Andre Nel yard are both significantly better off in the handicap given their meeting in The Sledgehammer which could prove telling.

Supporting feature is the KRA Cup where Milnerton-based Candice Bass-Robinson can get off the mark with Future Variety who boasts useful Cape form in Gr1 company. He goes well this trip and should go close to winning in this company. Ziyasha has his first run for Clinton Binda and she comes with smart Cape form over the distance. He has a fairly deep draw and a big weight but looks more than capable. Luhamba Phambili ran a cracker last time out behind the heavily supported O’Tenikwa starting at long odds. He has run two smart races since arriving from the Cape and from a plum draw should be competitive. Garth Puller has declared first time blinkers for veteran African Skyline who was caught late by Teflon Man last start and drops back to 1000m. The blinkers could make him a lot sharper.

The PA kicks off in the third on the nine-race card and Promise Of Fire and Shesha Inombi should get punters through safely. Promise Of Fire had been up against males in soft ground until her improved last run. She gets first time blinkers and can make the required improvement in modest company. Shesha Intombi has shown signs of coming to hand and has the measure of Promise Of Fire on a line through their last meeting but blinkers could be the key.

In the first leg of the Pick 6, Lemon Thyme was narrowly beaten over course and distance last time out and has made steady improvement. She looks primed for this. Biggest danger is likely to be Greenlight Skye who has been showing good form over further in the Cape. That form should hold up and she will go close over this shorter trip.

The fifth is a wide open handicap but Captain Peg makes the trip from the Highveld for Stuart Pettigrew. She has useful form in strong company and will have benefitted from her last effort after a lengthy break. Khethiwe’s Destiny has been knocking at the door for Mike and Mathew de Kock and the step up in trip could suit. She is 1.5kg better off with recent winner Bevies Delight and can turn the tables. Corrie Lensley is a rare Highveld visitor and he saddles Sonic Jet has useful Highveld form over the trip and has a plum draw. Sohot Sowhat  has won two of her four Cape starts and Gavin Lerena stays with the ride. She was beaten by the weights last time out.

The eight is another open handicap but Regulation is another Justin Snaith July entry. He is lightly raced but comes with consistent Cape form although he does shoulder top weight. El Rey Viene has been knocking at the door for some time now. He has a handy weight and a good draw which should see him competitive. Vila Vicosa is seldom far back and was close up behind Okavango last time out although he was in receipt of 8.5kg from the winner. He only has 50kg to carry here. Bad Medicine has shown improved form with a change of stable and Lerena is back on board.

The last result can rest between Princess Palace and Sign Of Fate. Princess Palace has been in good form with blinkers and from a plum draw can be rewarded for her consistency. Sign Of Fate has been up against stronger of late and not too far back. The drop in class should see her closer. Rugger Lover steps up in trip but has been close-up in her last four and if staying the extra could be a strong contender while Buttercup Baby is lightly raced and way better than her last run. She is one to watch in the betting.

Justin Snaith is looking for a 3-year-old to represent his stable in the Hollywoodbets Durban July. The race will tell whether it could be the exciting Okavango or Native Ruler as they take on older horses in an open contest.

Trainer Comments in current market order :

8️⃣ Okavango :”A big jump in class. He’s got a low weight of 52kgs. He’s has an okay draw at 8 and over this distance it shouldn’t be a problem. He is fit”, Justin Snaith.

9️⃣ Native Ruler : “Very well weighted. If he gets the run of the race, he could be the horse they all have to beat”, Justin Snaith.

6️⃣ Future Swing : “He’s missed quite a bit of work. He’ll be wearing a tongue tie for the first time which I’m hoping will get a couple of lengths out of him”, Justin Snaith.

1️⃣0️⃣ Holding Thumbs : “He’s a serious horse and probably one of the best I’ve trained for a long time. We’ve nominated him for the July. If we can qualify him at bottom weight, he’ll be very dangerous”, Glen Kotzen.

5️⃣ Underworld : “He is extremely fit. He has come on all of a sudden. He is the dark horse in the race”, Justin Snaith.

1️⃣ Shoot The Rapids : “He’s got a good draw, but quite a bit of a weight though. He carried 61 ½ and won the other day, so 58 is a bit lighter than that. He’s in a good space,” Frank Robinson.

4️⃣Narina Trogon : “He’s in a very good space and we’re expecting a big run from him”, Lilli Christiansen.

7️⃣ Madison Valley : “I gave him two 1600’s to get him back into shape and now he is spot-on. Look for a big run from him”, Frank Robinson

1️⃣3️⃣ Selukwe : “He’s in the right space to take on a field like this. He’s drawn deep and needs a pace to settle off. Nicely weighted and he’ll run an honest race”, Byron Foster.

1️⃣1️⃣ Cape Eagle : “He needed his first run this year and in his last, he was very gutsy in the finish. He’s versatile as he can race forward or from off the pace. He’s a fitter horse now”, Byron Foster.

1️⃣4️⃣I Salute You : “It’s a big step up in class for him. He does come in with bottom weight of 52, which will assist his cause. He’s only ever run up to a mile, but I’ve always thought he wants ground. He does everything right in a race”, Peter Muscutt.

3️⃣ Infinite Wonder : “Third run after 18 months off the track. Finished 6 lengths off Let’s Go Now in the Gr2 TAB Colorado King Stakes last time out,” Racing News.

4️⃣ Thunee Playa : “A winner in January, but will need to find on his last 2 runs to be competitive here”,

Racing News. 🏇🏽Race 7 : 15:15 : Hollywoodbets Greyille : Saturday 10 May 2025 👍🏽

CLICK for racecard : https://m.hollywoodbets.net/betting/8…

🎥: Nkululeko Mbhele

🎤: Michele Wing Racing News Social TV

📷: Candiese Lenferna