Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Pontefract (UK) – 27 July 2025

The Dean Kannemeyer-trained THE REAL PRINCE runs in Race 8 – the Grade 1 HKJC Champions Cup at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday.

Picture: Race Coast/Candiese Lenferna

 

Andrew Harrison

The racing season comes to an end next week when all thoroughbreds turn a year older but a fitting finale plays out at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday on World Pool Gold Cup day.

The meeting boasts four Gr1 features plus the Gr3 World Pool Gold Cup with the added bonus of the meeting being supported by the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s World Pools that allows tote punters to bet into hugely inflated pools with a Pick 6 pool estimated to reach R10 million.

The World Pool Gold Cup underpins the meeting but most interest will center on the Gr1 HKJC Champions Cup to be run over 1800m where Hollywoodbets Durban July winner The Real Prince will be out to confirm that his July win was no flash-in-the-pan.

Dean Kannemeyer’s charge stayed the 2200m of the July to get the better of star colt Eight On Eighteen with the balance of a useful field strung out behind. The big question before the race was would he stay and only having one preparation run.

Kannemeyer said that The Real Prince had taken his July run well and ‘cleaned his manger’ the next morning. The July is always a testing race but considering that it was only the gelding’s second start after a break he should still be relatively fresh and the step down in trip is a bonus.

 He takes on last year’s winner Dave The King with Mike and Mathew de Kock following  exactly the same route into the race. However, last year he had it all his own way in the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge but this year was hard-pressed to get the better of Oriental Charm. He has had nearly two months to recover so will strip fresh and ready. See It Again has a third go at winning; third last year and second before that. He was scratched after a setback before the July but Michael Roberts is quietly confident that he has his charge in peak condition.

Nathan Kotzen saddles Summer Cup and Champions Challenge  victor Royal Victory. He seems best on the Turffontein standside track with its long straight, however, he was finishing strongly in the July and Piere Strydom, who this week announced his retirement from riding after winning 5620 races, is a bonus.

Piet Botha made the trip up to KZN with this race specifically in mind for Montien but admitted that things had not worked out as planned. However, Montien finished second to One Stripe in the Gr1 King’s Plate and third behind Eight On Eighteen, beaten less than a length, in the Gr1 WSB Cape Met so if one takes those races into account, a win would not be out of turn.

Gareth van Zyl has all along prepared King Pelles for the Gr3 World Pool Gold Cup and it appears that the gelding is on track. He has done very little wrong in his last two, stays the trip well and has a smart turn of foot. However, he has jumped in the handicap that could be telling.

Frank Robinson is two-handed with Madison Valley, who ran an excellent race in the recent Hollywoodbets Durban July, running on stoutly in the finish, and Shoot The Rapids. Madison Valley won the 3000m Gold Vase beating Shoot The Rapids last season, the latter turning the tables in the Gold Cup, beaten a short head by Master Redoute. Both Robinson runners have more weight to carry this year. Alan Greeff sends out Bournemouth who boasts strong Fairview form over ground and has Richard Fourie up. Holding Thumbs is 1kg better off with King Pelles on their last meeting but that may not be enough while Weiho Marwing could saddle the joker in Navajo Nation who ran a cracker at long odds last time out and will be a threat if he stays the trip.

The Mercury Sprint is a highly competitive contest but Gr2 Golden Horse Sprint winner Tenango will have many supporters after a sparkling victory at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. Racing off the early pace, jockey Andrew Fortune let the gelding build up into his stride and finish with relentless speed to win rather comfortably. Fortune is suspended and currently holidaying in Australia and his place in the saddle has been taken by his son Aldo Domeyer who knows the gelding well from his Cape Town exploits. Tenango does have a wide draw to contend with but came from well back to win last time out and his Cape sprint form is top drawer.

There are a number of fillies in the race including Mia Moo and Asiye Phambili, first and second in the recent Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint. Sean Tarry’s filly was a game winner that afternoon, just holding off a late-charging Asiye Phambili. The Duncan Howells-trained filly was a touch unlucky that day and subsequently ran a fair race in the Gr1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes over 1600m. She is back over what looks to be her best trip although a wide draw is a concern.

Hollywood Racing’s retained rider Sean Veale has chosen recent Gr2 Post Merchants winner I Am Giant ahead of Asiye Phambili. Stuart Ferrie’s runner found market support at long odds when surprising in the Merchants but that was his second run for the stable and he could possibly make further improvement.

William Robertson is way better than his last effort from a wide gate in the Merchants. Corne Spies’s gelding is a tough customer who seldom gives less than his best although his last two runs are a concern. He has won 15 races from 44 starts.

Chronicle King caused a major upset when winning the Gr2 Golden Horseshoe at long odds where he finished with a flourish and a win in the Gr1 World Pool Moment of the Day Champion Stakes will cement an Equus Award. Tin Pan Alley was staying on resolutely behind Chronicle King and has yet to run a poor race while Malmesbury Missile  was also finishing well in that race and this trip will suit.

Golden Palm looks to be one of the better bets on the card when she lines up in the Gr1 Douglas Whyte Stakes. She boasts cracking Fairview form and cruised to a 10-length win  when tried over 1400m. The extra furlong will hold no fears and she has the best of the draw. One Fine Winter could pose her biggest danger as she steps up to this trip for the first time. She has smart sprint form in strong company but finished second to Golden Palm in the Gr2 Fillies Nursery.

RACE 1

8 TEFLON MAN   1 I SALUTE YOU   7 BUSSTOPINONSLOW   5 CHERRY ANO

Summary: TEFLON MAN (8) was hard pressed to stay with the pace in his last start after a smart previous win where he came from well back. He steps up to a mile which could now be what he’s looking for. I SALUTE YOU (1) is a winner over course and distance and is in good form. He has the best of the draw and should be competitive. BUSSTOPINHOUNSLOW (7) was a comfortable winner last time out but did get a six-point raise in the handicap. Strydom stays aboard. CHERRY ANO (5) is better than his last effort and has a good chance on his two previous showings. (Andrew Harrison: 8-1-7-5).

RACE 2

6 ELEGANTRIX   1 PRINCESS OF GAUL   3 MYSTICAL MISS   5 SERENGETTI SUN

Summary: ELEGANTRIX (6) found her last start against Gr2 males out of her compass. She is back to a sprint against her own sex and can make amends. PRINCESS OF GAUL (1) hacked up on debut, easing up by nearly 10 lengths. She meets a lot stronger here but does have the best of the draw and could well start favourite. MYSTICAL MISS (3) landed the odds on debut with a comfortable win. Sean Tarry usually has all of his runners primed on the big days. SERENGETTI SUN (5) was a narrow winner on debut but sure to come on from that outing. (Andrew Harrison: 6-1-3-5).

RACE 3

5 ARISTOCRATIC    4 ZALATORIS   8 SHADOWFAX   1 RACHEL WALL

Summary: ARISTOCRATIC (5) was running on late in feature company last time out. He is back to a sprint, a distance that he won over on debut. ZALATORIS (4) was not disgraced when trying 1600m last time out. He was close-up in the Gr1 Gold Medallion and rates a strong chance on that showing. Tony Peter has three runners, best of which could be the filly RACHEL WALL (1)with Gavin Lerena up. She hacked up on debut and was a close-up third when trying further next time out. SHADOWFAX (8) was a beaten favourite last run but is progressive and cannot be ignored. (Andrew Harrison: 5-4-8-1).

RACE 4

1 GOLDEN PALM   3 ONE FINE WINTER   4 TINA LOVELACE   2 ALTA CAPITANA

Summary: GOLDEN PALM (1) has cracking Fairview form and cruised in by 10 lengths when tried over 1400m. The extra furlong will hold no fears and she has the best of the draw. ONE FINE WINTER (3) steps up to this trip for the first time. She has smart sprint form in strong company and will be a big threat if she stays. She finished second to Golden Palm in the Gr2 Fillies Nursery. Tarry has two others in the race. TINA LOVELACE (4) showed up well from a tough draw last start and can do better from this gate while ALTA CAPITANA (2) has put in two smart efforts since her debut win. (Andrew Harrison: 1-3-4-2).

RACE 5

4 CHRONICLE KING   7 TIN PAN ALLEY   1 SOLDIER BOY   10 MALMESBURY MISSILE

Summary: Tricky. CHRONICLE KING (4) caused a major upset when winning the Gr2 Golden Horseshoe at long odds. He finished with a flourish that day so the extra furlong should suit. TIN PAN ALLEY (7) was staying on resolutely behind Chronicle King and has yet to run a poor race. MALMESBURY MISSILE (10) was also finishing well in that race and this trip will suit. SOLDIER BOY (1) was just behind the placed horses in that race but had it tough from a wide gate. He has a plum draw this time around. (Andrew Harrison: 4-7-1-10).

RACE 6

 13 TENANGO   11 ASIYE PHAMBILI   1 MIA MOO   14 SURJAY

Summary: Wide open. Gr2 Golden Horse Sprint winner TENANGO (13) has a wide draw to contend with but came from well back to win last time out and his Cape sprint form is top drawer. MIA MOO (1) was a game winner of the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint, just holding off ASIYE PHAMBILI (11) who was a touch unlucky that day. She ran a fair race in the Gr1 Ridgemont Garden Province over 1600m but is back to what looks to be her best trip. The draw is a concern. Last year’s winner SURJAY (14) has been winless since but never far back and can improve on his last effort. (Andrew Harrison: 13-11-1-14).

RACE 7

4 KING PELLES   12 NAVAJO NATION   11 HOLDING THUMBS   10 BOURNEMOUTH

Summary: KING PELLES (4) has done very little wrong in his last two. He stays the trip well and has a smart turn of foot. However, he has jumped in the handicap that could be telling. MADISON VALLEY (2) ran an excellent race in the recent Hollywoodbets Durban July, running on stoutly in the finish. He won the 3000m Gold Vase beating stable companion SHOOT THE RAPIDS (1) last season, the latter turning the tables in the Gold Cup, beaten a short head by Master Redoute. Both Robinson runners have a lot more weight to carry this year. BOURNEMOUTH (10) comes with strong Fairview form over ground and has Richard Fourie up. HOLDING THUMBS (11) is 1kg better off with King Pelles but that may not be enough. NAVAJO NATION (12) ran a cracker at long odds last time out. He will be a threat if he stays the trip. (Andrew Harrison: 4-12-11-10).

RACE 8

1 THE REAL PRINCE   4 DAVE THE KING   5 SEE IT AGAIN   7 ROYAL VICTORY

Summary: THE REAL PRINCE (1) stayed the 2200m of the Hollywoodbets Durban July to get the better of star colt Eight On Eighteen with the balance of a useful field strung out behind. He will enjoy this shorter and if the July has not taken too much out of him he should feature strongly. Last year’s winner DAVE THE KING (4) has followed exactly the same route into this race as he did last year. He was pressed hard to get the better of Oriental Charm in the Gr1 Holldwoodbets Gold Challenge but has had nearly two months to recover. SEE IT AGAIN (5) has a third go at winning, third last year and second before that. He was scratched after a setback before the July but should be thereabouts again. ROYAL VICTORY (7) seems best over Turffontein with its long straight but was finishing strongly in the July. Piere Strydom up is a bonus. (Andrew Harrison:  1-4-5-7).

RACE 9

3 MY SOUL MATE   7 RAINBOW LORIKEET   10 MOCHA BLEND   11 LITTLE SUZIE

Summary: Candice Dawson has opted for the Gr2 Gold Bracelet opposed to the Gold Cup for MY SOUL MATE (3) and it looks to be a sound decision. She has been close-up second in her last two and is much better off at the weights with both the winners. She met LITTLE SUZIE (11) at WFA in the Gr1 Woolavington and is now 4.5kg better off and is 5.5kg better off with SHE’S A BOMBER on their Tote Oaks meeting. MOCHA BLEND (10) was a length back to My Soul Mate in the Woolavington. Lightly raced, she has a touch of class and can finish closer in spite of being 3kg worse off. RAINBOW LORIKEET (7) was outclassed in the July but was also in the mix behind Little Suzie and is now 1kg better off with My Soul Mate with Aldo Domeyer declaring 0.5kg over weight. (Andrew Harrison: 3-7-10-11).

RACE 10

11 KING OF THE GAULS   1 NO FILTER   6 RODEO DRIVE   7 OUTLAW KING

Summary: Wide open. KING OF THE GAULS (11) was most disappointing in the Gr2 Post Merchants and the run is best ignored. He had been showing improved form before that and the step down in trip could bring out the best. NO FILTER (1) has had two starts for her new stable and has come on nicely. She looks primed for this. RODEO DRIVE (6) takes on males but had a handy weight and should be in the shake-up. OUTLAW KING (7) is seldom too far back and has a strong money chance. (Andrew Harrison: 11-1-6-7).

We’re thrilled to announce that the Hollywoodbets Greyville Gold Cup, one of South Africa’s most prestigious horse racing events, is now officially a World Pool event on all races from 1 – 10.

Please note: Hollywoodbets Greyville Gold Cup Race 4 Net Pick 6 C/over: R1 Million
Estimated Pool: R10 Million

Please note: Hollywoodbets Greyville Gold Cup Race 7 Net Quartet C/over: R 500 000
Estimated Pool: R2 Million

Dean Kannemeyer runs The Real Prince in the Gr 1 HKJC Champions Cup at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday.   

Picture: Race Coast/ Candiese Lenferna

 

David Thiselton

 

Dean Kannemeyer felt the odds were against The Real Prince running in the Gr 1 HKJC Champions Cup shortly after he had won the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July and the fact he is lining up tells the story of how well he has pulled up from that toughest of races.

 

Kannemeyer also has a number of other runners with chances on World Pool Gold Cup day on Sunday.

 

He said about the July hero, The Real Prince, “He took his July run so well. The next morning we trotted him out and it didn’t look like he had had a run and he cleaned up his manger. So we nominated him and we have decided to give it a go.”

 

He continued, “We had to box smartly to come into the July with the correct weight, that’s why we didn’t race him in other races, because the next thing you  run fourth in the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge behind Dave the King and I’ll end up carrying 58kg in the July or something. So we prepared him from home to win in July, which he duly did. He is now drawn one in a Gr 1 weight for age race. It is a different type of race to the July, but it is a very competitive weight for age race, it could be even more competitive than the July and that is what weight for age races are all about. All went well for us in the running in the July. He was perfectly placed in midfield, a nice sedate pace and he turned it on, he has got a helluva turn of foot.”

 

He said about the opposition on Sunday, “Dave The King has earned his stripes, especially over the 1600m trip, I know this is 1800m. Gladatorian ran a great race in the Gold Challenge. I think Royal Victory ran a great race in the July and others can be mentioned.”

 

He added, “The Real Prince is not out of place in this race at all. He’s a 125, he’s got the turn of foot and maybe he’ll even be better over the 1800m trip than the 2200m.”

 

Dean concluded, “Everybody always says third run back after a rest must be the best run and this is his third run after a rest! I say that tongue in cheek of course, but all is good with him. He is in great shape and he took his run exceptionally well.”

 

Dean has the favourite Princess Of Gaul in the Gr 2 World Pool With Race Coast Debutante over 1200m and said, “Who did she beat on debut? Some of those horses I could have run faster than, but she won by ten lengths, so you can’t do more than that. She’s nicely drawn, but has never been to Hollywoodbets Greyville and they can get lost. These two-year-old races, anything can happen. You have to be cautious first run out of the maidens, but she is a nice type of filly and she’s doing well and she galloped well on Monday morning.”

 

Dean fancies his other runner in the Debutante, Keukenhof, as much as Princess Of Gaul, but she does have a wide draw of eight to contend with.

 

He said, “She ran a great race in the Golden Slipper over 1400m on July day from a wide draw, she was flying and another stride she finishes fourth. Before that she was only beaten 1,50 lengths into fourth on the Gr 1 Allan Robertson over this trip. I might have preferred this to be a 1400m, but all is good with her.”

 

In the Gr 2 Follow @World Pool On X Stake Dean runs the promising Danon Platina colt Aristocratic, whom he put down in trip rather than run from a wide draw in the Gr 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Champion Stakes over 1600m.

 

He said, “Last time he was bowled (in the Gr 2 Durban Golden Horseshoe over 1400m). He jumped, it was an awkward bounce, and then he got himself into a lovely position, but the bloke outside  of him just decided ‘I’m going there’. I don’t know if any action was taken against him but it was terrible riding, so Aristocratic actually clipped and was then suddenly third last. He flew up for fourth. I might have been a little bit more comfortable over 1400m, but he was still inexperienced last time and he’s doing well.”

 

Dean runs Teflon Man in the Listed Michel Nairac Appreciation Stakes over 1600m.

 

He said, “It’s the first time I have tried him over a mile, but in his 1200m wins he ran as if he would go 1400m to a mile. His last two runs have been a bit below his best, but his gallop on Monday was nice.”

 

He runs Outlaw King in the HKIR In December Umngeni Handicap over 1000m and said, “I had him in the Mercury, but he drew wide. He could be more comfortable over 1200 meters. However, he ran a very good race last time. He ran fifth in the Gr 2 Post Merchants. He should have been closer. It didn’t quite work out for him.”

 

From a fair draw of seven the Rafeef gelding could make amends.