Devonne Govender

Hollywoodbets Greyville hosts a ten-race programme this Friday, 1st August, kicking off the new racing season. The first race jumps at 15:10, with the final race scheduled for 20:25.

The Stuart Ferrie-trained Bank Street appears to have an outstanding chance of winning, with Serino Moodley aboard in race nine. The stable will be riding high after winning the HKJC Champions Cup (Grade 1) with Gladatorian last Sunday.

Bank Street ran on strongly to finish third from a wide gate and should be right in the mix again from a slightly better draw.

Teerex, from Wendy Whitehead’s stable, offers good value in this contest. Although he drew the widest barrier, he is capable of making an impact if he overcomes the draw. He travelled well in his last start and only lacked clear running at a crucial stage, so he must be included in all bets. With a bit of luck, he could very well win.

In race one, Emoyeni will be the firm first selection. The M J Odendaal-trained son of Rabada has been holding form well and finished strongly behind City Of Love last time out. A bold showing is expected.

Other horses to watch include Captain Clever, who is likely to improve after a decent provincial debut, as well as El Capitan, who is never far back, along with the consistent performer Carnarvon.

In race five, Record High impressed when winning his last start from a wide draw, he showed plenty of determination when powering home under Cole Dicken. Trained by Wendy Whitehead, this son of Gimmethegreenlight has every chance from the ace gate.

However, the race doesn’t end there. The Siboniso Ngcobo trained Eventidor will attempt to secure his fourth consecutive victory. Despite a challenging draw of 11, his recent form has been outstanding, so he must be included in all bets.

In the lucky last, ISIKWISHIKWISHI finished second in his previous outing, travelling smoothly into the straight before being edged out by Rollo The Viking late. He now gets the ace draw as well as the drop to 1200m so will be a major contender.

The main danger could come from She’s A Machine, from Stuart Ferrie’s yard. She ran a decent race last time and, from a good draw, will have a big say.

Overall, it looks to be a highly competitive card throughout and the Pick 6 could return a healthy dividend as there looks to be plenty of value available.

RACE 1

7 CARNARVON      5 EMOYENI       1 LITTLE CRACKER      9 PHUTHI

Preview: CARNARVON (7) brings solid Highveld form into the race and rates the one to fear the most. EMOYENI (5) is improving and running well – good last run and can go one more. LITTLE CRACKER (1) has a strong place chance and PHUTI (9) is not far off a winning run – respect and include. (Warren Lenferna 7-5-1-9)

RACE 2

4 GOTTA GO EDDIE      6 GREEN MILE      10 TAKEYOURBESTSHOT      1 FINE WINE

Preview: GOTTA GO EDDIE (4) is knocking loudly at the door and rates tough to oppose. GREEN MILE (6) is well tried and consistent – strong each way claims. TAKEYOURBESTSHOT (10) should get it all right soon but is a must for all bets – strong place chance. FINE WINE (1) can finish in the first four. (Warren Lenferna 4-6-10-1)

RACE 3

4 GIMMEANOTHERCHANCE      8 TWO MILES WEST      2 ROLLO THE VIKING      7 IMPERIAL POWER

Preview: GIMMEANOTHERCHANCE (4) ran an absolute cracker in Gauteng last time and is confidently selected to go one more here. TWO MILES WEST (8) is holding form, gets Gavin Lerena and can go very close – big chance. ROLLO THE VIKING (2) has to be respected again due to the manner in which he got the job done last time and IMPERIAL POWER (7) has a serious place chance. (Warren Lenferna 4-8-2-7)

RACE 4

2 BRAVE VOYAGER      1 PHAKA IMALI      4 PORFIRIO      8 CONNOISSEUR

Preview: BRAVE VOYAGER (2) bounced back to better form last time and has strong each way claims in a competitive line up. PHAKA IMALI (1) from gate 1 is the value suggestion in the race and can go close. PORFIRIO (4) caught the eye last time and can be expected to get way closer now. CONNOISSEUR (8) on his day, can win a race of this nature but has become hard to predict – chance, nevertheless. (Warren Lenferna 2-1-4-8)

RACE 5

11 EVENTIDOR       10 EL REY VIENE      5 MASTER BOMBER      8 GLOBAL IMPACT

Preview: EVENTIDOR (11) is on a winning spree which looks set to continue. EL REY VIENE (10) showed guts and determination to win last time and can follow up – could be a Hollywood one-two here. MASTER BOMBER (5) is showing enough post maiden to suggest another win is nearby. GLOBAL IMPACT (8) is a must for the quartet play. (Warren Lenferna 11-10-5-8)

RACE 6

12 CORRUPT      8 RICCARDO       2 PAPA C      1 TIN CUP

Preview: You have to be impressed in the manner that CORRUPT (12) finished his race of to win last time and he is selected to follow up. RICCARDO (8) the evergreen eight-year-old, went close last time and can never be ignored from any bets. PAPA C (2) is back in form and making loud threats for the next career win. If not today, then surely soon – respect and include. TIN CUP (1) should be right there at the finish. (Warren Lenferna 12-8-2-1)

RACE 7

10 VOLDEMORT      9 DAPPER      3 DANUBE      6 SPRING TRADITION

10 VOLDEMORT (10) gets valuable weight off from Apprentice Pillay but they will have to have their GPS’S set from the highest draw. Despite that, he is confidently selected to go one more. DAPPER (9) can give plenty cheek all the way home and is a danger and a bright chance. DANUBE (3) and SPRING TRADITION (6) look set to fight out the minor positions. (Warren Lenferna 10-9-3-6)

RACE 8

6 MR HENLEY      9 BOURBON WARRIOR      3 MEXICAN PETE      1 RAINBOW REWARD

Preview: MR HENLEY (6) ran a cracker last time, goes well this track and trip and might well be difficult to peg back. The weight off will also aid his chances. BOURBON WARRIOR (9) bounced back to better form last time and can place again. MEXICAN PETE (3) is the place value and RAINBOW REWARD (1) should be in the mix – quartet chance. (Warren Lenferna 6-9-3-1)

RACE 9

5 BANK STREET      8 XPLICIT CONTENT      2 BLUSH OF DAWN      4 DOUBLE OLYMPIC

Preview: BANK STREET (5) kicked on powerfully last time and caught the eye. He can go close to winning and is the firm first suggestion. XPLICIT CONTENT (8) ran a vastly improved race last time and can be expected to build on that – bright chance. BLUSH OF DAWN (2) is ultra-consistent and can finish in the top three and DOUBLE OLYMPIC (4) is bever far off and can threaten for the minor cash. (Warren Lenferna 5-8-2-4)

RACE 10

10 MASTERBLING      1 ISIKWISHIKWISHI      2 SHE’S A MACHINE       6 WISSA’S ON FIRE

Preview: MASTERBLING (10) nearly scored last time, has good overall form and rates the one to beat. ISIKWISHIKWISHI (1) has strong each way claims. SHE’S A MACHINE (2) caught the eye last time and can go one more. WISSA’S ON FIRE (6) was not far off last time and can threaten. (Warren Lenferna 10-1-2-6)

Ends

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Wolverhampton (UK) – 31 July 2025

David Thiselton

Piere “Striker Strydom has his last ever professional ride at the Vaal Classic track’s nine race meeting today and he could well go out with a bang as he will be aboard the hard-knocking favourite, the Mike and Adam Azzie-trained What A Winter filly Summer Winter.

The MR 72 Handicap race for fillies and mares over 1000m will be contested by nine horses and three-year-old Summer Winter has to carry topweight of 61kg off a 79 merit rating and also possibly against her will be a draw of four over a course and distance in which high draws are often favoured. A positive is that  as Piere is a heavyweight rider she will not be carrying much deadweight. Summer Winter won her maiden in her penultimate start over 1000m at Turffontein Standside by 6,50 lengths and in the three races over that same trip on the day hers was the fastest. Her first run out of the maidens was on Hollywoodbets Durban July day over 1000m on the poly, a day in which the fields are always strong, and she ran a cracking 1,40 length third. The form has worked out well with a winner and a second having come out of the race. The main danger could be the British-bred Deal Maker, who finished a 5,20 length second on debut and the form has not worked out badly. She should improve and she has a nice high draw too. Gaelic Dancer is in good form and should be thereabouts. Time For Charity is capable of popping up into the places. Predatrice could also be in the shake up if repeating her last start.

The highest rated race of the day is the 6th, a MR 97 handicap for fillies and mares over 1450m. Hong Kong has always been highly regarded and improved last time when stepped up to 1600m. She should also enjoy 1450m from draw two. Exceedingly Glam might have a slight stamina doubt, but she has gone close over this course and distance before and from a fair draw in the fast winter conditions she could make an impact. In The Beginning showed a lot of early promise and should be cherry ripe, so could bounce back over a suitable trip off  a reduced merit rating. Andi’s Girl has plenty of ability and could bounce back to form under Lerena, although she has a tricky draw of six. Destiny Of Fire has some class and might enjoy the step down in trip as he did have some decent form over this distance category last year.

In he first leg of the Pick 6 over 1600m Radio Star has been knocking on the door and finished 2,70 lengths behind Jan van Goyen last time and the latter franked the form by winning a two-year-old Gr 1 with ease on Sunday. Luwak made a fair debut and the form has been franked by the second-placed horse winning next time out, but Luwak was beaten five lengths by that horse so will need to improve. Matroosberg improved last time and could earn again with a repeat. Sergeant Soqrat has shown some ability and could earn here. Balerion is by Wings Of Desire and is a half-brother to the like of Herodotus (Trippi), who was a Gr 2 runner up over 1800m.

In the fifth race over 1600m Asiah’s Tiara has a good opportunity to get off the mark from a middle draw and just needs to repeat her penultimate start over 1500m. Nkwenkwezi is knocking hard and should be right there under Strydom, who will have to overcome a wide draw. Bella Boop Boop is capable of being involved in the finish here. Witching Hour has a good draw with Lerena up and should be in the shake up too. Mattiazo should be in the shake up from a good draw.

In the seventh over 1450m Way To Burn was right there last time and would have gone close had the apprentice jockey kept the whip in the correct hand under the circumstances  instead of the wrong hand which caused the horse to hang out. Off a one point lower mark she should make a bold bid. Too Late My Mate was close to a couple of fair sorts last time, Busstopinhounslow and Guy Gibson, and is also a big runner here. Messaline can earn if repeating her last start. Whirlybird is never far off and can earn again. Sunshine Day is capable of earning here if able to overcome a wide draw.

In the eighth race over 1450m Palace Prince has run two good races out the maidens and is the one to beat under Gavin Lerena, although a wide draw will make it tough. After Hours goes well for Striker and from pole position he should be charging late. Crescendo is a lot better than his last run and this is a suitable trip, so he could bounce back from a fair draw.

In the first leg of the Bipot over 1200m Blushing Bloom finished a 2,10 length second to the promising Romilly last time over this trip and he is drawn in pole under Lerena so can go close with a repeat.

In the first leg of the PA Xenophon is knocking on the door and gives Strydom a good chance although the draw is tricky. Power Of Pearls debut form has worked out well and if close to her peak after a six month layoff she should be right there. Silver Longword showed some improvement last time out and has a plum draw. Gavius Maximus looks capable of improvement on his moderate debut and has Lerena up, albeit from a tough draw. Parabellum has his third run after a rest and has the ability to earn.

In the first race over 1600m The Last Duke won easily second time out over 1160m and should prefer this trip but does have a tricky draw and Singleton Sam will be a big threat.

Soccer10 Friday 1 August 2025. ADD-IN R100 000. Estimated Pool: R1.8 Million. Pool Closes at 20h30.Sport 7 and Pool 1.

Soccer10 Saturday 2 August 2025. ADD-IN R100 000. Estimated Pool: R1.8 Million. Pool Closes at 15h00.Sport 8 and Pool 1.

Soccer13 Saturday 2 August 2025. R18 Million (If only One 13 of 13 Winner). Pool Closes at 15h30. Sport 10 Pool 1.
Soccer Any13X on Saturday 2 August 2025. ADD-IN R75 000. Estimated Pool: R 250 000. Pool Closes at 15h00. Sport 13 and Pool 1.