David Thiselton

The highest rated race at the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly meeting on Sunday is a Conditions Plate over 1000m and King Of The Gauls could claim his first win since winning over this distance on the Hollywoodbets Greyville turf tack 16 months ago.

King Of The Gauls is officially 5kg under sufferance with Luhamba Pambili as he has to give the latter 3,5kg.  A look back at the last time they met in the Listed In Full Flight Handicap over 1100m in April makes them just about inseparable on merit, so it will be tough for King Of The Gauls to give that amount of weight away. However, King Of The Gauls followed that In Full Flight Handicap run with an excellent third in the Gr 1 Golden Horse Sprint over 1200m, where he showed his speed and class, opening up a lead before hanging on for a 2,70 length third. He now has his third run after a layoff over his favourite 1000m trip and he is drawn in pole, whereas Luhamba Phambili’s last run was a bit disappointing and followed a three month layoff and he now comes back from a 70 day layoff. King Of The Gauls has the in form Serino Moodley up and will not be easy to catch. Luhamba Phambili jumps from draw two so will get a tow and he will likely be the favourite, but will he be able to fetch King Of The Gauls over this fast course and distance? It will be an intriguing contest. In these sort of contests the next most fancied horse should never be ignored, because the battling pair can tire themselves out and the other one can just sit off them and pounce late. Vihaan’s Web has the speed to be right there and the top class S’Manga Khumalo can deliver him with a late challenge. However, King Of The Gauls is taken to beat Luhamba Pambili with Vihaan’s Web third.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 What A Passion ran with first time blinkers last time over this 1200m trip on the turf and finished 2,20 lengths behind the smart Showgirl, who followed that win with a 2,25 length victory in the strong centre of Cape Town. What A Passion will be hard to beat from draw five under Khumalo and can beat Priory Terrace, who should enjoy the step back up in trip, and Warrior Rose, who was not disgraced on debut in quite a strong form race back in May and has not been seen since.

In the next race over 1400m Strutting was beaten 6,40 lengths on debut over 1200m and has drawn widest of all, but this Hawwam filly will appreciate the step up in trip and might have the ability to win this uninspiring contest. Roy’s Blossom will be a threat if recapturing the form of her debut effort over this course and distance. It must be remembered that this is an “Open Maiden”, meaning it is a handicap and so all runners must be considered and the field might be an idea for the Pick 6.

In the fifth race over 1000m Moscow Miss can reverse form with the more exposed Vision To Achieve and she should make a bold bid from a plum draw of two under a 2,5kg claimer. Her penultimate start can be ignored as she had no luck throughout. Prankster and Call Me Jane are also contenders.

In the sixth over 1100m Dawn Surprise won well on the poly last time and as she is not over exposed on this surface she could follow up off a five point higher mark. Nile The Boss  brings some decent Cape Town form and is a big runner too.

In the seventh over 1200m Professor Lupin went close during the week over 1400m and will have a chance over this drop in trip from a good draw. Firelighter has come down to a competitive mark and should enjoy the trip. Bank Street has a form chance in this line up.

In the last race over 1200m Navajo Dancer has been knocking hard and has a fine chance here. Ndaka is an honest sort who is capable of popping up. Willow Gem gets a handy decrease in merit rating and could earn.

The first race sees Grand Force having a fine opportunity from pole position and he will be hard to beat.

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Newbury and Wolverhampton (UK) – 29 November 2025.

David Thiselton

The finish of the Gr 1 Betway Summer Cup could well see a prominent showing for KZN raiders and the Gareth van Zyl-trained King Pelles could be the one to prevent the Alec Laird-trained Atticus Finch from retaining his crown.

King Pelles is the Equus Champion Stayer, but has blossomed into a horse who is by no means a dour stayer. He showed a terrific turn of foot in his staying race wins, but this season has sharpened up and has produced eye-catching performances over 1200m and 1600m respectively. With the assets of both stamina and class he could be the one to beat and he has won in soft going before too. S’Manga Khumalo has won the Summer Cup before and should be able to make a plan from a tricky draw of eleven. Atticus Finch has blossomed this season and the six-year-old first caught the eye when running on strongly for a narrow second in the Gr 2 Betway Jopburg Spring Challenge over 1450m before treating the Gr 2 Allied-Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile opposition like horses a division below him when romping home to a three length victory. He has the same draw of two that he won from last year and Calvin Habib retains the ride. Madison Valley ran fourth last year and has improved since then with gelding, but he does have to overcome the same 18 draw he had last year. Craig Zackey has been in devastating form and will help him overcome the draw. Former winner Royal Victory is ultra consistent and has the same 125 rating he had last year when beaten three lengths and being a touch unlucky. He is drawn 14 whereas he won from draw 13 two years ago. On My Honour has shown signs of class and the best has likely not been seen of him yet. He is drawn well and sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight of 54kg, so has a chance with the flying Serino Moodley aboard.  The Equator is favourite but that is based on the reports of his ever improving homework, because his two wins in SA have been to far lesser opposition. He is drawn well and will relish the course and distance and the soft going, so could be a player, but he is little value at 5/2 with the sponsor. Olivia’s Way will relish the course and distance and the soft going, but she is 2kg under sufferance. Busstopinhounslow, who is also officially 2kg under sufferance, is capable of a strong finish from off the pace and is an unknown factor over this trip. This New Predator gelding is out of a Silvano mare whose only win was over 1200m so it is debateable whether he will see it out. My Best Shot sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight and stays the trip and possesses a good turn of foot. He is hard to fancy on Hollywoodbets Durban July form, but there were mitigating factors and Richard Fourie is bullish about his chances. Mocha Blend is way out at the weights but looks to have some class and could be better than her rating suggests. Legend Of Arthur was scoped with mucus last time but if this SA Derby winner is able to bounce back to his best he could be a runner. Wild Intent was a narrow second in the SA Derby, but hasn’t shone since. Son Of Raj is a former SA Derby winner, but he has never been a threat in any Gr 1 since then. Otto Luyken was the winner of the July consolation race and he should enjoy this course and distance and is in the handicap, but he would have to produce a career best to win here. Navajo Nation should also run well, but winning the race is a tough ask. Parisian Walkway is a potential pacemaker. On pedigree he should stay the trip, but he still has to prove it. The Ultimate King is a progressive sort who is drawn in pole, but he has a tough task at the weights. Solar Sail was third in the SA Derby, well clear of Olivia’s Way, but he has not shone since. Spumante Dolce has shown class before, but is under a bit of a cloud having not enjoyed a good preparation. Anfields Rocket did win the Gr 1 SA Classic as a three-year-old but has a tough task at the weights.

In the Gr 2 Betway Dingaans Jan Van Goyen looks to be something special and is taken to win despite it being his first run of the season. Tin Pan Alley is unbeaten in two starts this season, so will have a fitness advantage and there is a bit of reversal in draw fortunes from when he was beaten three lengths over this trip at Hollywoodbets Greyville by Jan Van Goyen at the end of last season. He has also improved with gelding since then. Chronicle King, Trust and Shadowfax have class and could upset the applecart.

In the Gr 3 Ducat Africa Fillies Mile, Hazy Dazy is better than her last start and is taken to bounce back, while Littlemissmillion has impressed in both of her starts and being small she should be able to run well first up.

In the Gr 3 New Turf Carrier Merchants Truth is sticking to sprints now and could come into his own, so he is taken to beat Quantum Theory and Rodeo Drive.

The Listed Carry On Alice Stakes could go to the smart Whistle The Tune.

RACE 1

11 TURN IT UP 16 NORTHERN EUROPEAN 4 HEATH HOUSE 2 DADS DREAM

Preview: 11 TURN IT UP is by Querari and is a half-brother to the Gr 1 Gold Medallion winner Proceed. 16 NORTHERN EUROPEAN is by Erik The Red out of  Gimmethegreenlight mare Europeana who won second time out in Cape Town and later won the Listed Breeders Guineas at Fairview. 4 HEATH HOUSE is by Erupt and is a half-brother to Buffalo Bill Cody filly Khetiwe’s Destiny, a speedster with a MR high of 102. 2 DADS DREAM is by New Predator and is a half-brother to twice winner in five starts Mister Wilson. (David Thiselton 11-16-4-2)

RACE 2

12 MAGIC CARPET RIDE 10 WITCH HAZEL 7 PROPER 1 TINTIN

Preview:  12 MAGIC CARPET RIDE ran a fine race second time out and the form has been franked so she should go close from a nice high draw under Gavin Lerena. 7 PROPER Richard Fourie has hopped off Witch Hazel to ride this Rafeef half-brother to Listed winner Bon Vivant. 10 WITCH HAZEL has run two good races and could reverse form with Tintin from a possibly slightly better draw. 1 TINTIN has shown ability and will be a threat. (David Thiselton 12-10-7-1)

RACE 3

7 CHOISAANADA 2 WILLIAM ROBERTSON 1 COSMIC SPEED 3 CATS PAJAMAS

Preview: 7 CHOISAANADA has plenty of class and has a plum draw for a change over a suitable trip. 2 WILLIAM ROBERTSON retains ability at seven years of age and should be finishing strongly from a fair draw over a suitable trip. 1 COSMIC SPEED was due to have run on November 20 so his second run after a long layoff comes quite quicky and he has a wide draw to overcome. 3 CATS PAJAMAS seems to prefer it around the turn and has won over 1400m before, so should be right there from a fair draw with Lerena up. (David Thiselton 7-2-1-3)

RACE 4

3 WHISTLE THE TUNE 2 MIA MOO 7 RODEO DRIVE 1 FATAL FLAW

Preview: 3 WHISTLE THE TUNE made a fine comeback and has a nice high draw. 2 MIA MOO is a Gr 1 winner over this distance and can get away with a return from a layoff over this trip. 7 RODEO DRIVE is in fine form and can overcome a weight disadvantage in which she is officially 5kg under sufferance with the best weighted Fatal Flaw. 1 FATAL FLAW is the best weighted runner and this Gr 1 winner’s class could pull her through over a trip on the sharp side for her and following a five month layoff. (David Thiselton 3-2-7-1)

RACE 5

2 TRUTH 6 QUANTUM THEORY 4 FUTURE VARIETY 5 PISTOL PETE

Preview: 2 TRUTH impressed last time and can progress further. 6 QUANTUM THEORY is in fine form over sprints and will appreciate the slight step up in trip.  4 FUTURE VARIETY is full of class and should be finishing strongly over a suitable trip. 5 PISTOL PETE has good course and distance form and should be in the shake up. (David Thiselton 2-6-4-5)

RACE 6

4 HAZY DAZY 3 LITTLEMISSMILLION  1 VALENTINA BALDUCCI 9 UNITED OFFER

Preview: 4 HAZY DAZY has plenty of scope so can continue to progress. 3 LITTLEMISSMILLION is small but has a big action and can turn it on impressively and she should not take much work so she can return from a layoff and resume winning ways. 1 VALENTINA BALDUCCI won the Gr 3 Starling Stakes in fine style but has to give the field 1kg and has a very wide draw. 9 UNITED OFFER has shown ability and should enjoy the step up in trip. (David Thiselton 4-3-1-9)

RACE 7

1 JAN VAN GOYEN 2 TIN PAN ALLEY 3 CHRONICLE KING 11 TRUST

Preview: 1 JAN VAN GOYEN is full of class and can make a winning reappearance, although he does return from a four month layoff and has a wide draw so there are some concerns. 2 TIN PAN ALLEY is racing fit and also has class and with a slight reversal i draw fortune with Jan van Goyen he can get closer than 3,70 lengths this time. 3 CHRONICLE KING caught the eye with his win last time and he could progress so will be runner, but he does have a tough draw. 11 TRUST caught the eye losing by just 0,60 lengths to Tin Pan Alley and he was a touch unlucky but he is now 2kg worse off although he does have a good draw. (David Thiselton 1-2-3-11)

RACE 8

3 KING PELLES 1 ATTICUS FINCH 7 MADISON VALLEY 2 ROYAL VICTORY

Preview: 3 KING PELLES  has stamina but plenty of class too and his fine tur of foot and resolute finish will make him a big runner here from a fair middle raw. 1 ATTICUS FINCH has blossomed this season and although he has a tough 7 MADISON VALLEY has progressed into a fine middle distance campaigner and if able to overcome a wide draw he will be a big runner. 2 ROYAL VICTORY s capable of a strong, resolute finish so should get himself into contention after being dropped out from a tricky draw. (David Thiselton 3-1-7-2)

RACE 9

5 FIELD MARSHALL 3 MONEY HEIST 10 CHESTNUT BOMBER  2 CAPE EAGLE

Preview: 5 FIELD MARSHALL caught the eye running on smartly in the Victory Moon Stakes and he is well drawn over a step up in trip he will relish. 3 MONEY HEIST was beaten 2,55 lengths by Field Marshall in the Victory Moon and is now half-a-kilogram worse off, but he had a wide draw there and is now drawn in pole. 10 CHESTNUT BOMBER  has returned to form and he sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight so can do well from a plum draw. 2 CAPE EAGLE should beat Field Marshall on the form of the Michaelmas over 1900m at Hollywoodbets Greyville and he wasn’t disgraced in last year’s Summer Cup, so he has a shout if able to overcome a wide draw. (5-3-10-2)

RACE 10

9 CORRUPT  7 MO MENT 6 DAIMYO 5 BREEZE OVER

Preview:  9 CORRUPT is progressive and is 2kg better off with Daimyo for a 3,60 length beating and has a better draw this time. 7 MO MENT stays all day and is dangerous from the front so a plum draw makes him a big runner. 6 DAIMYO proved himself a decent stayer last time and can make a bold bid. 5 BREEZE OVER has a problem starting on terms but if able to get to the front without expending too much energy he is always a threat. (David Thiselton 9-7-6-5)

RACE 11

4 THE PLAYBOY BOMBER 8 FUTUREWOLFF 11 NEVER NEVER LAND 6 PAGE BOY

Preview: 4 THE PLAYBOY BOMBER has ability and if able to overcome a wide draw will be right there under a 4kg claimer. 8 FUTUREWOLFF has a good draw and has the ability to earn. 11 NEVER NEVER LAND is still learning and with improvement could be involved here. 6 PAGE BOY has shown glimpses of good ability so will be a threat from pole position. (4-8-11-6)

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