RACE 1

3 DANCING PARTY    1 MEKONG   4 PACIFIC MOOD   2 SEQUENTIAL

Preview: Of those that have run, DANCING PARTY (3) has made steady improvement and was close-up on this course last time out. MEKONG (1) has seldom been far back and gets first time blinkers which could see her improve.  PACIFIC MOOD (4) found some market support last run when trying further in the soft and can improve. SEQUENTIAL (2) took on males last run off a light weight and can improve. Of the unraced runners Mike and Mathew de Kock’s filly IBHOLA LOMLILO (6) could be worth watching in the betting. (Andrew Harrison: 3-1-4-2).

RACE 2

8 STEAMY WINDOWS   2 KID FROM THE SOUTH   6 OMKULU BOSS   3 THYME TO TALK

Preview: STEAMY WINDOWS (8) has been trying further but his two post maiden runs have been in feature company. He looks the part here. KID FROM THE SOUTH (2) shed his maiden last run but does look progressive and should be a factor. The filly THYME TO TALK (3) took on males on the poly last time out and has run two smart races.  She shed her maiden on debut on this course at lengthy odds. OMKULU BOSS (6) is a maiden but has found betting support at his last two and can go close. (Andrew Harrison: 8-2-6-3).

RACE 3

10 THELEIA    3 LOVECOMESKNOCKING   2 INDIGNATION   9 GIMME THE POWER

Preview: THELEIA (10) has had a short break and makes her local debut from a wide draw. However, she boasts some smart Cape form and should make a bold bid. LOVECOMESKNOCKING (3) has made steady improvement and was a close-up second over course and distance last time out. A favourable draw adds to her appeal. INDIGNATION (2) has made recent improvement and was not far back over course and distance last time out. She gets a useful 4kg claimer aboard from a good draw. GIMME THE POWER (9) has been knocking at the door for some time now. He last two starts have been on the poly and she can run into the money again. (Andrew Harrison: 10-3-2-9).

RACE 4

3 GIVE ME A CHANCE   6 OLD HARRY ROCKS   8 BAI YULU   7 HADRIAN’S WALL

Preview: GIVE ME A CHANCE (3) found some market support in his last Highveld sprint. He has champion elect Craig Zackey aboard and can pay his way for Paul Matchett. OLD HARRY ROCKS (6) showed up well on debut although starting at long odds. The run should have brought him on a few lengths. The filly BAI YULU (8) made marked improvement on first time blinkers over course and distance but does have a fair weight in this Open Maiden. HADRIAN’S WALL (7) was run out of it late last start. His best two have been over course and distance and he gets a 1.5kg allowance from the saddle but still has a big weight. (Andrew Harrison: 3-6-8-7).

RACE 5

8 TULIP FIELDS   7 LADYOFDISTINCTION   3 DE VLUGGE   4 MISS WORLD

Preview:  TULIP FIELDS (8) has a big weight but has been in good form of late and her last win came over the distance. A wide draw does not help but horses from this yard are generally dropped out to run on. LADYOFDISTINCTION (7) is back over what might be a more suitable trip. She is seldom out of the money. DE VLUGGE (3) has been rocketing up the ratings as she bids for her fifth successive win. However, all have bene on the poly which is a concern. MISS WORLD (4) has run two smart races for her new stable and now steps up in trip. (Andrew Harrison: 8-7-3-4).

RACE 6

2 HOP HOP SPINNEKOP   1 TAYLOR’S VERSION   5 LILAC IN WINTER   9 MISSISSIPPI SPICE

Preview: Open. HOP HOP SPINNEKOP (2) came from a mile back when touched off over course and distance last time out. Her apprentice does not claim but is riding with confidence. TAYLOR’S VERSON (1) has been much improved back in blinkers and her last three runs have been on this course. She has the best of the draw and should feature. Stable companion LILAC IN WINTER (5) had her latest win on this course and since has put in two fair efforts on the poly. She has a more than capable claiming apprentice aboard. MISSISSIPPI SPICE (9) has the widest draw but is seldom far back recently and has a handy weight. (Andrew Harrison: 2-1-5-9).

RACE 7

2 BUDDY BOY   1 FAST AND FREE   7 I AM INVICTUS   3 WICCAN WARRIOR

Preview: BUDDY BOY (2) was a fair third behind the useful Fortress Of Fire in a poly sprint last time out. He will enjoy the switch to turf back over what looks to be a more suitable trip. FAST AND FREE (1) has been trying much further but has not been far back. He could do better this shorter trip. I AM INVICTUS (7) was narrowly beaten over course and distance last time out. He is lightly raced and can go one better. Stable companion WICCAN WARRIOR (3) started at long odds when second last time out. Second recent run in blinkers and back on turf. (Andrew Harrison: 2-1-7-3).

RACE 8

4 FLAMETHROWER   3 IRON WILL   5 LUNCH MONEY   8 DIAMOND MAKER

Preview: FLAMETHROWER (4) has a big weight in spite of a claiming apprentice but he took on a strong feature race field first time out of the maidens and could prove too classy for this line-up. IRON WILL (3) lives up to his name and bids for his eighth win from 51 starts. He is quick and with a 4kg claimer aboard he must have a strong chance. LUNCH MONEY (5) has smart poly form and should make a bold bid in spite of switching to turf. DIAMOND MAKER (8) showed up well first run out of the maidens and has a chance in this line-up. (Andrew Harrison: 4-3-5-2).

RACE 9

4 ARVENI PRINCESS   8 FLEUR DE LING   6 CAPTAIN VENTURA   5 RUBY RISING

Preview: ARVERNI PRINCESS (4) has won her last three over course and distance and can follow up. However, she has an apprentice hunting his first winner aboard while biggest danger FLEUR DE LING (8) a length behind her when last they met, has Rachel Venniker riding. The latter is 1kg better off in the handicap which could make the difference but it should be close. CAPTAIN VENTURA (6) is quick and should be right there while RUBY RISING (5) is way better than her last run and is a must inclusion in all calculations. (Andrew Harrison: 4-8-6-5).

Andrew Harrison

Buddy Boy could be the punters friend at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday when he lines up in the seventh, a Class 4 handicap over 1600 m.

Out of the Mike and Mathew de Kock’s yard, Buddy Boy was a fair third behind the useful Fortress Of Fire in a poly sprint last time out. He will enjoy the switch to turf back over what may be a more suitable trip and looks to be the horse to beat and a possible exotic bet banker.

He will face stiff opposition from Glen Kotzen’s runner Fast And Free who has been trying much further but has not been far back. He could do better over this shorter trip.

Gareth van Zyl saddles two contenders in I Am Invictus and Wiccan Warrior. I Am Invictus was narrowly beaten over course and distance last time out and is lightly raced. He can go one better. Stable companion Wiccan Warrior started at long odds when second last time out and a second recent run in blinkers back on turf.

The De Kock’s could have a say in the card opener where they have two first  timers in Ibhola Lomlilo and Sparrow Man ridden by their retained riders. Both fillies have exceptional pedigrees but they will first have to get by some experienced runners. Of those that have run, Dancing Party has made steady improvement and was close-up on this course last time out while Mekong has seldom been far back and gets first time blinkers which could see her improve.  Pacific Mood found some market support last run when trying further in the soft and can improve.

Mike Miller’s charge Steamy Windows could get the Bi-pot off to a winning start. He has been trying further but his two post maiden runs have been in feature company and looks the part although he is not short of opposition. Kid From The South shed his maiden last run but does look progressive and should be a factor along with the filly Tyme To Talk who took on males on the poly last time out and has run two smart races.  Omkulu Boss is a maiden, who was scratched from his recent intended start,  but has found betting support at his last two and could surprise.

Andre Nel gave Theleia a short break and makes her local debut from a wide draw in the first leg of the PA. However, she boasts some smart Cape form and should make a bold bid. Lovecomesknocking has made steady improvement for Tony Rivalland and was a close-up second over course and distance last time out. A favourable draw adds to her appeal. Indignation has made recent improvement and was not far back over course and distance last time out and gets a useful 4kg claimer aboard from a good draw. Gimme The Power has been knocking at the door for some time now but her last two starts have been on the poly and she can run into the money again. (

Highveld visitor Paul Matchett only has one runner on the card and Give Me A Chance found some market support in his last Highveld sprint. He has champion elect Craig Zackey aboard and can pay his way. Old Harry Rocks showed up well on debut although starting at long odds. The run should have brought him on a few lengths along with the filly Bai Yulu who made marked improvement in first time blinkers over course and distance but does have a fair weight in this Open Maiden. Hadrian’s Wall was run out of it late last start after contesting a suicidal pace and his best two runs have been over course and distance and he gets a 1.5kg allowance from the saddle but still has a big weight.

The Middle Stakes for the fairer sex is wide open. Dean Kannemeyer sends out Tulip Fields who has a big weight but has been in good form of late and her last win came over the distance. A wide draw does not help but horses from this yard are generally dropped out to run on. Ladyofdestinction is back over what might be a more suitable trip and she is seldom out of the money. De Vlugge is interesting and she has been rocketing up the ratings as she bids for her fifth successive win. However, all have bene on the poly which is a concern. Miss World has run two smart races for her new stable and now steps up in trip.

Lucinda Woodruff has had a fine winter season and sends out Hop Hop Spinnekop who came from a mile back when touched off over course and distance last time out. Her apprentice does not claim but is riding with confidence. The Candice Bass stable saddles Taylor’s Version who has been much improved back in blinkers and her last three runs have been on this course. She has the best of the draw and should feature along with stable companion Lilac In Winter whose latest win was on this course and has since put in two fair efforts on the poly. She has a more than capable claiming apprentice aboard.

Yogas Govender sends out Flamethrower in the eighth. The two-year-old has a big weight in spite of a claiming apprentice but he took on a strong feature race field first time out of the maidens and could prove too classy for this line-up. Iron Will lives up to his name as he bids for his eighth win from 51 starts. He is quick and with a 4kg claimer aboard he must have a strong chance. Lunch Money has smart poly form and should make a bold bid in spite of switching to turf while Diamond Maker  showed up well first run out of the maidens and has a chance in this line-up

In the last, Arverni Princess has won her last three over course and distance for Louis Goosen and can follow up, however, she has an apprentice hunting his first winner aboard while biggest danger Fleu De Ling, a length behind when last they met, has Rachel Venniker riding. The latter is 1kg better off in the handicap which could make the difference. Captain Ventura is quick and should be right there while Ruby Rising is way better than her last run and is a must inclusion in all calculations.

In exciting news for the South African horseracing industry it has been announced the UK have opened a direct equine export route from South Africa, which cements two-way trade for the SA Equine Industry.

SA Equine Health & Protocols NPC (SAEHP) sent out the following press release:

UK Opens Direct Equine Export Route from South Africa, Cementing Two-Way Trade for SA Equine Industry

Cape Town, 15 July 2026 — SA Equine Health & Protocols NPC (SAEHP) is pleased to announce that the British Government has confirmed a decision permitting direct import of live horses from South Africa to Great Britain. Following a positive assessment of South Africa’s disease control measures, imports will be permitted from the approved vector-protected quarantine station in Cape Town, for registered equines complying with UK import conditions.

This milestone reflects sustained collaboration between SAEHP, the South African Department of Agriculture, and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture — a powerful demonstration of this public-private partnership’s success in maintaining South Africa’s equine disease control measures to the highest international standard and translating that credibility into real market access.

The announcement follows closely on South Africa’s opening of imports from Dubai, New Zealand, and Australia earlier this year -making genuine two-way trade a reality for the South African equine industry.

Adrian Todd, Managing Director of SAEHP, thanked the Hong Kong Jockey Club for its funding, technical support, and vision in opening South Africa to the world, noting that the growing number of trade partners now opens a world of opportunity for South Africa across all equestrian disciplines.

About SAEHP:SA Equine Health & Protocols NPC is a South African public-private partnership established to ensure the sustainability and security of the African Horse Sickness control zones through risk mitigation measures and controls, operating under the authority of the South African National Director of Animal Health in partnership with the National Department of Agriculture and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture.

David Thiselton

One of the intriguing questions that will be answered on World Pool Gold Cup day is whether the champion sire Vercingetorix can break his own South African record of 23 individual stakes winners in a season.

He is currently on 21 individual stakes winners and it will hinge on the big turf meeting on the last Sunday of the month as to whether he can break the record or not, because he does not have a runner in the only other stakes race still to be run this season, the Listed Champion Juvenile Cup at Fairview.

Vercingetorix will have many runners representing him on Gold Cup day such is his phenomenal influence on big races in the country.

However, the only ones that will count for this particular record will be the ones who have not previously won a stakes race this season.

A defending champion of one of the big races on the day actually falls into that category i.e. Gladatorian.

It is often said that horses coming fresh into the Gr 1 wfa HKJC Champions Cup have an advantage over those who have run in the July, but Gladatorian ran in the July last year and still managed to win the Champions Cup.

The Stuart Ferrie-trained six-year-old gelding has not had the best of luck with draws in his career, but in last year’s Champions Cup he landed draw three and for once his well known late charge did not come too late. This year he has drawn three out of the 12 horses who are still standing their ground, so will have every chance of defending his title. The man who knows him best, Sean Veale, looks likely to take the ride again as he is contracted to Hollywood Racing and hence rode the Hollywood Racing-owned Isivivane in the July.

In the opening race of the meeting, the Listed Tote Stakes Darley Arabian over 1600m, the Alyson Wright-trained four-year-old Vercingetorix gelding Position Of Power is out of an unraced Horse Chestnut mare who was in turn out of an Elliodor mare who won four times from 1200m to 1600m, so he is interesting stepped up from sprints if taking his place here. His sprints record is six wins, three seconds and a third from 12 starts. He is drawn 18 out of the 35 entries still standing so his final barrier position all depends on how it cuts up.

In the Gr 2 World Pool Bet With Tote Umkhomazi Stakes over 1200m the Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained Vercingetorix two-year-old colt Rising Eagle won comfortably over 1160m on the Turffontein Standside track in his second career start on Saturday. His time did not compare favourably on the day but on the other hand he jumped from an unfavourable low draw and still won. He now has a very wide draw of 40 among the many entries and will need some luck in the running if he lines up in this race.

In the Gr 2 Douglas Whyte Thekwini Stakes over 1600m the Louis Goosen-trained Ferrari Flair is still a maiden but has been performing well in stakes races, including finishing a close third in the Gr 3 Strelitzia Stakes over 1100m and a 2,30 length third in the Listed Amusnet Devon Air Stakes over 1400m. She was not disgraced when a 3,25 length eighth in the Gr 2 Amusnet Golden Slipper over 1400m, but she does not have as good a draw here and she has a bit to find on those who beat her in the latter race.

In the Gr 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Premiers Champion Stakes over 1600m Rising Eagle is also an entry here and on pedigree should enjoy this 1600m trip as he is out of a New Approach mare who won up to 1800m. However, he has a draw of 23 among the many entries so has a tough task.

The Gr 1 wfa Mercury Sprint sees the hard-knocking Andre Nel-trained four-year-old Vercingetorix gelding O’Tenikwa having an outside chance if able to find a couple of extra lengths on his best form. He has a fair draw of seven.

In the Gr 3 World Pool Gold Cup over 3200m the Dean Kannemeyer-trained five-year-old Vercingetorix gelding Continentalexpress has some fair staying form and carries a lightweight from a plum draw, so he can’t be written off.

In the Gr 2 Bet With The World Gold Bracelet over 2000m the Candice and Tammy Dawson-trained Minogue will make a last ditch bid to win bold black type before being retired to stud and she will certainly deserve it. On the form of her run in the Gr 2 Woolavington 2000 she has a definite chance. She is sure to revert to the handy to front-running tactics that suit her best from a pole position draw, having not being suited to being dropped out to last in the July. The Candice Bass-trained four-year-old Vercingetorix filly Rahhabba won the non-Black type WSB Scarlet Lady over 1750m and was just touched off in the Listed IOS Insider East Coast Cup over 2000m. So carrying just 55kg from a plum draw in the Gold Bracelet she has an outside chance, although she officially has a tough task at the weights.

In the last feature of the season, the Listed HKIR In December Umngeni Handicap over 1000m, the Glen Kotzen-trained four-year-old Vercingetorix gelding Circumbendibus is a hard-knocking sort who has a definite chance. His draw is unknown at the time of writing, but he enjoys this course and distance. The James Crawford-trained Dame Of Trix is an interesting runner here as she won impressively over this trip at Turffontein last time and she could be better than her 98 merit rating suggests. She could land a fair draw when it cuts up as she is drawn 14 out of the 35 entries still standing. Position Of Power, mentioned earlier in the article, has hard-knocking sprint form and is also an entry here, although he is drawn 24, so will likely have a tough barrier position on the day. The Tony Rivalland-trained five-year-old Vercingetorix gelding King Of The Gauls is course and distance suited as he is very quick and he won this race from a wide draw two years ago, but the problem here is he has to do it from another wide draw off an eight point higher merit rating. The Louis Goosen-trained three-year-old Vercingetorix gelding Blazing Fury is a hard-knocking sort who has a two length fourth in a Gr 3 Sprint to his name, but he will officially have a tough task at the weights if he gets in here and he has a wide draw.