Andrew Harrison

Last season’s Equus Horse of the Year Dave The King makes his return to racing after a six-month break when he lines up in the Sir Theophilus St George A Stakes over 1500m that headlines the card at Hollywoodbets Scottsville today.

The race is a tricky affair with many warming up for the sharp end of Champions Season. Dave The King has been disappointing this season with two no-shows at Turffontein including the Charity Mile back in November last year. He has been rested since but won over course and distance exactly a year ago before going on the garner his Equus accolades.

Horses often show their best form in yearly cycles and if that holds true then Dave The King will be difficult to beat. Trained by Mike and Mathew de Kock one would expect Dave The King to be ready for this contest but his fitness must be taken on trust and a warm-up for another crack at the Gr1 Holllywoodbets Gold Challenge.

There are a  number of runners warming up for the season, with the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July in their sights but given that this 1500m should be on the short side for most of them it may prove prudent to side with a fit horse comfortable over the trip.

Garth Puller saddles African Skyline who finished a creditable sixth, beaten three lengths by Ziyasha in a strong field over 1000m last time out and he did find some support in the market for that race. The blinkers come off and he is back over a more favourable distance where he won three runs back. He is one to watch in the market.

Justin Snaith saddles Rapidash who may just have needed his last start in The Sledgehammer. He boasts some useful Cape form in strong company and gets first time blinkers which could prove significant.

Nathan Kotzen will be hunting the Hollywoodbets Durban July with Royal Victory who ran a cracking race in the Gr1 Champions Challenge at Turffontein, just failing to get to Fire Attack. This will be a warm-up to keep his engine ticking but he does have enough class to keep the opposition honest.

Pacaya showed signs in the Western Cape season that he is still capable at the top level and was just over a length behind stable companion Eight On Eighteen in the Gr1 WSB Cape Met. This race is an obvious warm-up so a better proposition for the exotics could be the Piet Botha-trained Baratheon. The six-year-old has pulled the widest gate but made a promising local debut when five lengths back to the more than useful Underworld. He should come on from that effort and is a definite runner for a place on the podium.

It’s a ten-race card with the PA starting off in the third where Tripping Thunder comes with some consistent Cape form. Glen Kotzen’s stable is in mustard form and Tripping Thunder should make a bold bid. Biggest threat could come from fellow Cape raider Victor Hugo. Lucinda Woodruff’s charge was a beaten favourite last run with first time blinkers. This shorter trip could suit. There are two well-bred first timers in Aristocratic and Light The Fire making their debuts against older horses but may be worth watching in the market.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 Catch A Penny from the Glen Kotzen yard has been a beaten favourite on a number of occasions but Cape form could be to the fore again. The blinkers come off but she goes well this trip. Michael Roberts sends out Miss Kansas who found some market support on debut and finished a close-up third on this course which is a benefit. Hazy Dazy started at long odds on debut over a furlong further but was not far off the winner. She must have a chance if she can improve on that effort. First timer Celestial Diamond is bred for speed and one to keep an eye on.

Snaith saddles Indigenous in the sixth who takes on older runners but was a good second from a wide draw last time out when starting favourite. He has a better draw here and can make amends. Older Green Mile is lightly raced but never far back. He bumped a good one in Dancing On A Cloud last run and can do better in this field. Ubermensch made marked improvement first time out for his new stable when moving to the Highveld. He can build on that effort.

In the seventh, Paul Lafferty could hold the key with Beach Palace who goes well on this course and was a close-up second behind Lake Como giving the winner 7.5kg. There is only 1.5kg this time around so the inference if obvious. L’Ultimo made a smart return last run after a lengthy break. His best form prior to that had been on the poly but a repeat of his last run can see him close again. Run To Rio is marginally better off at the weights with Beach Palace on their last meeting and does have the better draw.

The eighth is wide open. Plaza Accord was not far back when taking to the poly last run and has won over course and distance which is in his favour. Tyrconnell is 1.5kg better off with Plaza Accord on their last meeting and has a better draw this time around so can turn the tables. Famous Warrior took on stronger last run and was not far back. He has a handy weight and a favourable draw while Mr Hotstepper  was eased out of the race last run on the old poly when favourite and that effort is best ignored. He shows plenty of promise. He is right up there with Plaza Accord and Tyrconnell and there should not be much between them.

The last is another tricky handicap. Mojo Man won well last time out beating Jet Legacy and is now 1.5kg worse off at the weights. However, this will be his third run after a break and he could confirm that form. Twenty One May meets the pair on exactly the same terms but he goes very well over course and distance and could have their measure in spite of the result of their last meeting. Abaddon is lightly raced and unbeaten since returning from a beak of over a year. He has a handy weight and could follow up. Rainbow Reward has been rested and has his first run for a new stable. He gets first time blinkers and could surprise.

Race 1

1 TRAJANUS   5 AFRICAN PRIDE   3 JET BLACKFIRE   2 BUGLE

Summary: All first timers so watch the betting. Some to watch may be TRAJANUS (1), AFRICAN PRIDE (5) and JET BLACK FIRE (3). (Andrew Harrison: 1-5-3-2).

Race 2

10 HIERARCHY   12 FLYING SOUTH   7 WATER HYACINTH   4 FACINATION

Summary: Many first timers so watch the betting. Of those that have run, HIERARCHY (10) made a smart debut at long odds. She should go close with the benefit of the run. So too WATER HYACINTH (7) who showed up well behind stable companion Comic Relief in debut but has not been out since December last year. FLYING SOUTH (12) found some market support in her Hollywoodbets Durbanville debut. Cape form has stood up well. FACINATION (4) made a promising debut in soft ground and should come on from that. (Andrew Harrison: 10-12-7-4).

Race 3

1 TRIPPING THUNDER   5 VICTOR HUGO   2 ARISTOCRATIC   3 LIGHT THE FIRE

   Summary: TRIPPING THUNDER (1) comes with some consistent Cape form. The stable is in form and he should make a bold bid. Biggest threat could come from fellow Cape raider VICTOR HUGO (5) was a beaten favourite last run with first time blinkers. This shorter trip could suit. There are two well-bred first timers in ARISTOCRATIC (2) and LIGHT THE FIRE (3) making their debut’s against older horses. (Andrew Harrison: 1-5-2-3).

Race 4

13 CATCH PENNY   11 MISS KANSAS   5 HAZY DAZY   7 CELESTIAL DIAMOND

Summary: CATCH PENNY (13) has been a beaten favourite on a number of occasions but Cape form could be to the fore again. The blinkers come off but she goes well this trip. MISS KANSAS (11) found some market support on debut and finished a close-up third on this course which is a benefit. HAZY DAZY (5) started at long odds on debut over a furlong further and was not far off the winner. She must have a chance if she can improve on that effort. First timer CELESTIAL DIAMOND (7) is bred for speed and one to keep an eye on. (Andrew Harrison: 13-11-5-7).

Race 5

2 INDIGENOUS   9 GREEN MILE   4 UBERMENSCH   7 EL CAPITAN

Summary: INDIGENOUS (2) takes on older runners but was a good second from a wide draw last time out when starting favourite. He has a better draw here and can make amends. GREEN MILE (9) is lightly raced but never far back. He bumped a good one last run and can do better in this field. UBERMENSCH (4) made marked improvement first time out for his new stable when moving to the Highveld. He can build on that effort. EL CAPTITAN (7) is lightly raced but has been knocking at the door. He stays the trip and should feature prominently. (Andrew Harrison: 2-9-4-7).

Race 6

6 AFRICAN SKYLINE   3 DAVE THE KING   4 RAPIDASH   8 ROYAL VICTORY

 Summary: Tricky affair with many warming up for the rest of the season. AFRICAN SKYLINE (6) finished a creditable sixth, beaten three lengths by Ziyasha in a strong field last time out. The blinkers come off and he is back over a more favourable distance. DAVE THE KING (3) has been disappointing this season with two no-shows however he has been rested and has won over course and distance exactly a year ago. One to watch in the market. RAPIDASH (4) may just have needed his last start. He boasts some useful Cape form in strong company and gets first time blinkers. ROYAL VICTORY (8) will prefer it a lot further but he is class and he seldom finishes far off. (Andrew Harrison: 6-3-4-8).

Race 7

7 BEACH PALACE   8 L’ULTIMO   2 RUN TO RIO   1 RAFIKI

Summary: Open race. BEACH PALACE (7) goes well on this course and was a close-up second behind LAKE COMO (3) giving the winner 7.5kg. There is only 1.5kg this time around so the inference if obvious. L’ULTIMO (8) made a smart return last run after a lengthy break. His best form prior to that had been on the poly back a repeat of his last run can see him close again. RUN TO RIO (2) is marginally better off at the weights with Beach Palace on their last meeting but does have the better draw. RAFIKI (1) is always game. He has his second run after a break and should strip close to his peak. (Andrew Harrison: 7-8-2-1).

Race 8

4 FAMOUS WARRIOR   7 TYRCONNELL   6 PLAZA ACCORD 2 MR HOTSTEPPER

Summary: Wide open. PLAZA ACCORD (6) was not far back when taking to the poly last run. Has won over course and distance which is in his favour. TYRCONNELL (7) is 1.5kg better off with Plaza Accord on their last meeting. Tyrconnell has a better draw this time around and can turn the tables. FAMOUS WARRIOR (4) took on stronger last run and was not far back. He has a handy weight and a favourable draw. MR HOTSTEPPER (2) was eased out of the race last run on the old poly when favourite and that effort is best ignored. He shows plenty of promise. He is right up there with Plaza Accord and Tyrconnell and there should not be much between them. (Andrew Harrison: 4-7-6-2).

Race 9

7 MOJO MAN   8 JET LEGACY   9 TWENTY ONE MAY   3 ABADDON

Summary: Tricky handicap. MOJO MAN (7) won well las time out beating JET LEGACY (8) and is now 1.5kg worse off at the weights. However, this will be his third run after a break and he could confirm that form. TWENTY ONE MAY (9) meets the pair on exactly the same weight given the WFA scale but he goes very well over course and distance and could have their measure in spite of the result of their last meeting. ABADDON (3) is lightly raced and unbeaten since returning from a beak of over a year. He has a handy weight and could follow up. RAINBOW REWARD (5) has been rested and has his first run for a new stable. He gets first time blinkers and could surprise. (Andrew Harrison: 7-8-9-5).

Race 10

4 IBHELE   9 CHARA SANDS   7 PHILISPIEL   5 ARVERNI PRONCESS

Summary: IBHELE (4) has been knocking on the door for some time now. He takes a drop in class and although he has a big weight he should be competitive. CHARA SANDS (9) has dropped two points in the handicap and now gets a 4kg claimer aboard. He could be the dark horse. Stable companion PHILISPIEL (7) is over his best course and distance and has shown recent improvement. ARVERNI PRINCESS (5) won well last run and only has 50kg to shoulder which should make her competitive. (Andrew Harrison: 4-9-7-5).

Please note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Newbury and Doncaster (UK) – 17 May 2025.

David Thiselton

There is an interesting ten race meeting at Turffontein Standside today and the action starts as early as 11h20.

The highest rated race is a fillies and mares MR 103 Handicap over 1160 meters. Just Be Lekker should be Cherry Ripe and can go one better than last time when she went close to the useful Oxalis Gold over 1400m.  She is equally suited to this trip and is capable of carrying top weight to victory under Serino Moodley.

Poblano also has speed and class, but on the downside she has a low number two draw. Fastnet Filly is in fine form and is highly regarded, so it would be no surprise to see her win from a nice high draw under Gavin Lerena. Stablemate Artiste disappointed last time, but she has useful form in Cape Town and if bringing that form she will be a big runner from a nice high draw. Ceuta has shown good ability and is interesting dropped in trip being by Gimmethegreenlight out of Gr 1-winner over both 1600m and 2000m, Europa Point. 

The previous race is a MR-96 Handicap and has some class acts involved. Bacchus has plenty of class and this will be his easiest task for some time as he ran in all three legs of the triple crown. Back in this company he should be thereabouts despite having to carry joint top weight from a tricky draw of seven. Artist’s Model is a classy and progressive sort who is distance suited, but he does have a wide draw to overcome. Claw is a progressive sort who should be cherry ripe having his third run after layoff. He looks to have class and should rise above his 85 merit rating so he can do well from a good draw. Don’t Cry For Me has disappointed in his last two starts, but they were both in Grade 1s and he won convincingly in an Ordinary Handicap before that, so he could also be involved with Piere Strydom back aboard. Command Pilot is drawn well over a suitable trip and this will be his easiest task since his last win three runs ago.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1400m Pretty Persuasive made a fine debut in the strong centre of Cape Town and if bringing that form to this race she can win from a good draw over a suitable step up in trip under Gavin Lerena. Tuscan Romance brings some useful Cape Town form and has a chance if able to overcome a wide draw. Vipingo has been quite close up to some fair types and she should be in the shake up over a suitable trip from a fair draw. Blue Quartz was not disgraced over this trip category last time and could earn with a repeat. Hopscotch showed some improvement second time out and with further improvement could earn. 

In race 5 over 1400m the first-timer Take No Prisoners is by Vercingetorix out of the useful Gr 1 winner TakingThePeace. Scarlett Heart has run some fair races and could earn here, but does have a tricky draw. Two For The Boys is on the up and should be in the shake-up here if able to overcome a wide draw. Greenlight Racer could improve on his fair debut. Stay Tuned is by Futura out of a Var mare whose only win was at Flamingo Park and she hasn’t produced a winner to date, but he represents the powerful Sean Tarry/Craig Zackey combination, is bred by Laurence Wernars and is owned by Gerald Kalil, owner and breeder of Quid Pro Quo.

In race 6 over 2400m Mo Ment always struck as one who would get better with age and over ground and he is now proving it so he could progress again. Arlington Action has hard knocking form and is distance suited. Star Coin has some class and has won up to 2000m so is interesting tried in a staying event from a good draw. To The Rescue has consistent staying form and from pole position could be in the shake-up. Vesuvio must have a chance over a suitable trip with Lerena up.

In race 7 over 1600m Aladdin’s Lamp has shown useful form in Cape Town and should go close, although the trip is on the sharp side. Pocket Watch has shown some ability and could earn from a good draw as he is currently off a competitive mark. Pumpkin Pie won well second time out and over a suitable trip could earn if able to overcome a wide draw. Ombudsman has some reasonable form, but is another one who has to overcome a wide draw. Crescendo will relish the step up in trip on pedigree and starts handicapping off a reasonable mark but does have a wide draw.

In the first leg of the Bipot there is not much between Raceway and Jazz Pianist, but the former has a more favourable draw. 

In the first leg of the PA Balule made a good debut and is the one to beat, but Carnarvon has form and a nice high draw, whilst Mr Bright Spark is by Erik The Red and is a half-brother to the speedy and useful Chocolate Soldier.

In the first race  Tempranillo is by Querari and is a half-sister to the like of Barbaresco, so is interesting.

In the last race Hong Kong has ability and can bounce back.

Three of the last Doomben 10,000 winners have gone on to claim the Everest, that’s the kind of elite company we’re talking about as the Queensland Racing Carnival hits full throttle this week with one of the planet’s premier sprint showdowns: the $1.5 million Group 1 Doomben 10,000.

This is no ordinary race. Its honour roll reads like a hall of fame: the explosive Apache Cat (twice), crowd favourite Hot Danish, international flyer Falvelon (twice), local legend Chief De Beers, and a name that still echoes through Australian racing folklore, the one and only Manikato. The Doomben 10,000 isn’t just the feature race of the world this week; it’s a true global benchmark for sprinters at this time of year.

And this year? The 2025 edition might just be the best yet.

Headlining the field is Overpass, a Group 1-winning gelding and previous Quokka champion for Bjorn Baker, a horse and stable who have made a habit of shining on the big stage. He’ll face off against Schwarz, the explosive winner of the Group 1 William Reid Stakes, with top jockey Craig Williams aboard. Mazu, the 2022 Doomben 10,000 champion and Everest placegetter, returns with Rachel King in the saddle. Add to that the 2024 George Ryder winner Veight, New Zealand’s Group 1 hero Desert Lightning, and Queensland’s homegrown superstar Rothfire, a King of the Mountain and former Group 1 champ.

But that’s just the start. Golden Mile, last year’s Golden Eagle placegetter and a Group 1 winner for global powerhouse Godolphin, is in the mix. And then there’s Sunshine In Paris, winner of the Group 1 Champions Sprint during the Melbourne Cup Carnival, teaming up again with none other than James McDonald, the best jockey in the world.

Stacked doesn’t even begin to describe this field.

The winner of Saturday’s Doomben 10,000 won’t just pocket a hefty cheque, they’ll be catapulted into sprinting superstardom, a serious contender for feature races across the remainder of the Queensland Carnival and indeed for races like The Everest, the Champions Sprint, and global recognition as one of the fastest on turf.

But that’s not all on offer at Doomben. The undercard is equally mouthwatering. The Group 2 Spirit of Boom Classic launches the QLD two-year-old Triple Crown, setting the stage for the stars of tomorrow. Then there’s the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate, a critical form guide for the Queensland Derby, now just two weeks away.

The quality is so high that once again, the World Pool will be in action in Queensland, for the first time at Doomben racetrack. Combining pools from participating jurisdictions across the globe into one mega-market, offering unparalleled liquidity and showcasing the world’s best racing to an international audience.