David Thiselton

The highlights of the weekend racing, besides the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge meeting, were the outstanding performance of One Stripe in the Resorts World Casino Gr1 Manhattan Stakes, a traditional Gr 1 on the turf at the Belmont Stakes meeting, which took place this year at Saratoga racecourse, and some Hollywoodbets Durban July entries running at Turffontein yesterday, including the traditional pointer race, the Gr 3 Jubilee Stakes.

Gavin Lerena relaxed One Stripe from the off in the Gr 1 WFA Manhattan Stakes over a mile-and-a-quarter (1900m) and he had him beautifully switched off at the back of the field. He sent him for home just before the final turn and the Drakenstein Stud-bred One World colt swept past a number of horses rounding the turn on the outside. When straightening he still had plenty of work to do and ran on well to pip the favourite and pacemaker Rhetorical for third. He was just a length behind the winner Deterministic with Test Score beaten half-a-length in second. The winner broke the course record which is enough to stamp the Hollywood Racing and Rikesh Sewgoolam-owned One Stripe as a world class turf thoroughbred, especially considering his Gr 1 runner up finishes in two previous starts.

In the Jubilee Stakes over 1800m on the Turffontein Standside yesterday the consistent James Crawford-trained Master Of My Fate five-year-old gelding Aladdin’s Lamp, who is not a July entry, was backed into 28/10 favourite. He carried 54kg off a 106 merit rating and relaxed well from the off from draw two under Callan Murray, as did the three-drawn July entry Copper Eagle, a three-year-old carrying 54,5kg off a 110 rating. Pressonregardless led but was passed late by the running on Aladdin’s Lamp who came from midfield. Aladdin’s Lamp went to the line half-a-length ahead of Copper Eagle who ran on well from just behind the winner in the running. Pressonregardless was third and the second favourite Olivia’s Way, carrying 55,5kg off a 114 rating, was more handy than usual and stayed on well late, as usual, for a 1,80 length fourth. Olivia’s Way was 19^th on the first Hollywoodbets Durban July log and she is unlikely to have enhanced her standing in the eyes of the final field panellists, but might maintain her position due to the like of Eight On Eighteen being scratched and some other below par runs from some of the 20 on the log incumbents.

Copper Eagle put his hand up for consideration whilst Atticus Finch ran a 4,20 length seventh, so might come under pressure as the 18^th horse on the first log. July entries Aristotle, Wild Intent and Buster Barnes were further back in the Jubilee and their chances of making the final field look remote.

Later, the Gr 1 SA Classic winner, the Sean Tarry-trained Grand Empire, ran in a Pinnacle over 1400m and ran a well below par 5,10 length eighth. His Gr 1 winner status might save him from being demoted from the 20th position on the first July log. However, the run will now keep the connections on tenterhooks.

The most impressive performance of the day was by the Joe Soma-trained Master Of My Fate gelding Errol Flynn, who won the TAB Egoli Mile by 2,60 lengths in effortless fashion under Keagan de Melo. He is already a July scratching and is Summer Cup bound, but this run might tempt the connections to supplement him for the R10 million Hollywoodbets Durban July, although he was rated just 102 going in to the Egoli Mile.

Andrew Harrison

Questioning has come a long way in his career. Always among the top echelons he earned a label of almost but not quite there. That has changed dramatically in the past four months as he has rattled off five consecutive victories culmination in a tremendous but nail-biting finish to the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday where he showed guts and ability to get the better of Legal Counsel in a no quarters asked finish with little more than a nose separating the pair at the line.

Gladatorian produced his usual strong finish to take third ahead of The Real Prince who was also running at them late.

It was a masterful training feat by Vaughan Marshall who is closing on the 40^th Gr1 success of his career. When asked about the recent improvement in Question’s form, he put it down to the horse having finally matured.

Tristan Godden rode a canny race on the rank outsider of Justin Snaith’s trio that consisted of See It Again and Eight On Eighteen. From a good draw, he sent Legal Counsel to the lead tracked by two-time Challenge winner Dave The King and Tin Pan Alley and most expected the son of Legislate to call it a day in the chase for home.

However, he kept finding and Richard Fourie on Questioning was forced to show his hand a little earlier than he would have liked. Fourie sat for a long way before making his challenge but still admitted that he had gone too early. “I came into the straight and fired him up a little too soon. I know that he’s not an ideal miler and it was a great ride from Tristan who set nice, good fractions and at one stage I thought that he was going a bit fast. But he knew what he had underneath him and I drew past him at the 300 a good half a length and then it became hard work.  I knew the line was coming and we both had our doubts. Tristan said did you get there or did I get there? Normally I’m good at splitting them but I just said I can’t tell you, it was that close.”

 Marshall admitted post-race that he was not confident of Questioning seeing out the trip. “ I had my doubts over the 1600 I must be honest. He came so close in the King’s Plate. He confound the critics there and he’s done it here. So yes I’m a little surprised but very, very elated.”

“He’s just matured and turned into a really good horse. He enjoys his work and just looks magnificent. He’s a pleasure to train.”

Given that Questioning takes this race well, his next mission will be the Gr1 Mercury Sprint and victory there could elevate him into ‘just a good horse’ but into challenging for Equus Horse of the Year.

There were a number of Hollywoodbets Durban July hopefuls on display on Saturday and if anything they muddied the waters.

Best performance came from Legal Counsel and depending on which line-horse the handicappers use, he could find himself up there with See It Again on 62 kg.

See It Again ran a lacklustre race and showed little enthusiasm in the run for the line and stable companion Eight On Eighteen faded out with Just Snaith scratching him from the July entry list yesterday morning.

Gladatorian ran his usual game race and finished like a train for third. The Real Prince was also running on to the line and it remains to be seen whether Dean Kannemeyer and Khaya Stables and also Stuart Ferrie are  tempted by the R10 million stake of the July or take the more conservative route to the Gr1 HKJC Champion Stakes WFA.

The Gr3 Cup Trial is traditionally the last chance saloon for borderline July entries and it will be back to the drawing boards for most. The grey Zeitz, not a July entry, ran on stoutly to beat July hopeful I Salute You who was giving the winner 2.5kg. Before Saturday’s race I Salute You was set to carry 53kg in the July. JP’s Palace kicked on nicely for third but was getting 7kg from I Salute You while Field Marshal may have blown his chances of a July birth.

Regulation was most disappointing although he did not get the run of the race, being caught three wide for much of the trip but lacked a finishing effort.

The Gr2 HKJC World Pool Stakes saw another bruising finish with favourite Quickstepgal and Mon Petit Cherie fighting out a head-and-head duel to the line. Mon Petit Cherie ran her heart out from her 13 draw and headed Quickstepgal, but Tienie Prinsloo’s filly was not to be denied and Keagan de Melo got Quickstepgal to rally and get her nose in front and also survive an objection.

Behind them was July hopeful Mocha Blend who missed the break but was running on stoutly over a distance well short of her best in what was a smart piece of work on her July prep.

RACE 1

A competitive looking opening event. PRINCESS OF AJIAAL showed improvement when trying the Polytrack for the first time and can win a race of this nature. ON THE OUTSIDE is unreliable but is also not out of it. REMIND ME OF YOU makes her debut and has Richard Fourie in the irons for Alan Greeff and she could be ready to score.

RACE 2

WALK RIGHT IN makes her local debut and is trying the Polytrack but could score. AMERICAN GEM needed her last run and can be a real threat on best form. ENGELANDPARK has struggled of late but could earn some minor money over this course and distance. TRULY MAGICAL has shown improvement recently and can contest the finish once again. FOCAL POINT is in good shape and is not out of it. SKIP THE LINE makes her debut but would not be a surprise winner.

RACE 3

WOMAN IN GOLD was unreliable in the Western Cape and makes her Polytrack debut, but if she is to reproduce her best form she should win. SALAGADOOLA is not reliable but is also not out of it. CAN WE START was a disappointment when stepped up in distance and could bounce back to beat these rivals over this distance. EXPLOSIVE GIFT has been in good form of late and should be a real threat. AM STILL WINNING is unreliable but might earn some money.

RACE 4

A very open race and one should go very wide in all the exotics, especially the Pick 6. ANATOLIAN SILVER is not well drawn but has held form well and could be ready for a winning turn. MAKHACHEV is in good form and not out of it. RICHARDTHEFEARLESS likes the Polytrack and is a dangerous front-runner on his day. DAS GUTE and GREEN ISLE are both coming off solid wins and must be included. SUPREME JUDGE, PAST AND PRESENT, DISRUPTIVE and SAN QUINTIN are all in good form and capable of winning.

RACE 5

SPOIL YOURSELF is often caught way out of her ground but she is capable of a storming finish and can win over this course and distance. LANA VIEW has been at the top of her game lately and is now hat-trick seeking. This distance does stretch her, though. TERMINAL VELOCITY disappointed with blinkers on last time out and they are carded to be on again, but she can score if they are removed. WELSH STARLET won some nice races earlier this season and could be a threat at this level. CHRONICLESOFNANIA, PRESERVE FOREVER and DARLING GIRL are others to consider.

RACE 6

A tough card and another open race. PORFIRIO has had a tremendous season and is quite capable of scoring again. GLOBAL ALLY is right at home over this course and distance and should fight out the finish. BRENDEN JAMES is unreliable but can make the frame. SILVONIAN remains in good shape but is taking on tougher this time. LAGUNA VERDE returned to form with a solid win and can follow up. GEORGE HANDEL is up in class but capable of a strong finish when in the right mood.

RACE 7

MORFELIHA only found one better on the day last time. She was a game winner before that and the form has worked out well. FIERY COUNTESS ran in a decent field last time out and should do better this time around. KINGS AGAIN is very consistent and also capable of winning. GENOVEFA is hat-trick seeking but this does look a tougher bunch. PRISCILLA MAISEY is not reliable but she is capable of scoring in this division. STRANGE MAGIC is in good form and is another to consider.

RACE 8

CASPERITA tried her luck unsuccessfully in better fields than this and she could bounce back to beat these rivals. OCEAN FLAME has not been beaten far in her recent starts and could earn some money. MY AMI BEACH is capable of an upset if given a strong early gallop. RED LHASA showed what she is capable of with some success last time out and might have more to offer. FREE WORLD put up a decent run last time and is well drawn so must be respected. BLACK PATH and VOORSMAAKIE could pop up into the places.

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Goodwood (UK) – 7 June 2026.

Andrew Harrison

After a slow start to his riding career, apprentice Blaine Marx-Jacobson has burst onto the scene in recent months and currently heads the national Apprentice Championship. One of his early mentors was Louis Goosen and that combination came good with veteran galloper Donquerari in the B Stakes that headed the card on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday.

A touch unlucky at his previous start when checked at a crucial stage of the race, this win was a just reward for Donquerari as Marx-Jacobson rode a patient race. Content to take a hold in the early exchanges as Vanakkam and Pop Chart set a break-neck pace up front that saw both put up the white flag early in the straight. Marx-Jacobson slipped Donquerari up the inside of his field with Connery also in contention. It was left to the three apprentices in the race to fight out the finish with Jacey Botes, reunited with his favourite mount Connery, and Anaas Mosaheb chasing home for third aboard Kalahari Roller.

Hazel Green was sent out favourite for the second but after disputing the lead for much of the race with Magical Spring, both folded quickly as apprentice Dezahn Louw, who had sat in just off the pace on Wendy Whitehead’s filly, sent Dancing In Demark for home and she waltzed into the lead to win by and extended margin with the luckless Tipperary chasing home a well beaten second.

There was a desperate finish to the first leg of the Pick 6 with Nicholas Patel getting Last Ovation up in the shadow of the post for a dead-heat. Keagan de Melo made his move on Skipper O’Malley behind the Drill Hall to quicken up the pace and it looked to be a winning move as he pinched a lead in the straight. However, Gareth van Zyl’s filly gradually ate into the lead with Skipper O’Malley crying for the line and just managing to hang on to share the spoils, with Crimson Typhoon running on stoutly for the minor money.

Visiting Thoonsil won an excellent race in the Class 4 Handicap making all the running and holding off a strong challenge from Blizzard Boy in another tight finish.

Tristan Godden set a solid gallop aboard Mano Pandaram’s gelding and was in a race of his own until the last 200m as the field change places behind him every furlong or so. Serino Moodley made an early move on The Wolf but that came to nothing as Thoonsil kept galloping and it was Blizzard Boy that came out of the pack and looked to be going on by, but Thoonsil stuck to his guns as Blizzard Boy’s challenge faltered over the last 100m.

Apprentice Girish Dookhit took a leaf out of Tristan Godden’s book and made all the running on Alyson Wright’s seven-year-old Ultra Quick in the Class 5 Apprentice Handicap. Setting comfortable early fractions the gelding lasted just long enough to hold off challenges from Mountainsofthemoon and National Dream.

Godden employed the same tactics as he had earlier on Thoonsil, making all the running on outsider Little Cracker. Jumping from the widest draw, Godden had Tony Rivalland’s gelding out in a flash and was not for the catching. Challenges came from all sides but Little Cracker kept up a relentless gallop with Lunch Money and Paratrooper unable to get on terms.

Time In Paris looked set for a major upset in the last of the day as Anaas Mosaheb took Kom Naidoo’s mare to the lead, one she fought gamely to hold to. But it was in vain as Mxolisi Mbuto, hanging on to Marx-Jacobson’s tail in the Apprentice Championship, pulled one back as he got Lucinda Woodruff’s filly to respond gamely up the inside fence to eventually wear down the pacemaker with favourite Preacher Man a well-beaten third.