David Thiselton

There was more success for South African horseracing abroad over the weekend as Gaynor Rupert led in a homebred winner at Royal Ascot and the Narrow Creek Stud-bred Hollywood Racing-owned What A Winter gelding Isivunguvungu came back from a ten month layoff to win in the USA.

Gaynor Rupert’s UK operation Cayton Park Stud bred the St. Mark’s Basilica colt Thesecretadversary together with Coolmore and she part-owns this three-year-old together with Mrs John Magnier.

Running in Drakenstein Stud’s familiar blue colours with a white  square the Ireland-based James Stack-trained colt converted 20/1 odds in a field of 14 to win the Gr 3 Jersey Stakes for three-year-olds over seven furlongs on Saturday under Seamie Hefferman.

The Secretadversary jumped well from draw two in the straight race and the solidly built horse with the unmistakeable white face travelled well just off the leading line.

At the three furlong mark he moved up to join the leaders still traveling with plenty in hand.

Hefferman got to work at the two furlong mark and gave him his first backhander a few strides later.

He kept at the horse in rhythmical style and The Secretadversary kept going resolutely to hold off his fellow Irish-bred contemporary Take Charge Star (Starspangledbanner), who jumped from draw one and helped ensure a boil over result as he jumped at 50/1 odds. This pair were a convincing 4,5 lengths clear of the third-placed 25/1 shot Morris Dancer (Palace Pier), while 80/1 shot Green Sense (Starman) was beaten 6,5 lengths into fourth. There was then a shorthead back to fifth-placed Neolithic (Sioux Nation) and the 11/10 favourite Saber Strike (Night Of Thunder) was next best.

Thesecretadversary won a Listed race as a two-year-old over seven-and-a-half furlongs at Tipperary and was placed fifth in the Gr 1 Summer Stakes over a mile on dirt at Woodbine under Frankie Dettori in his next start.

He won his three-year-old debut in the Gr 3 Ballylinch Stud Red Rock Stakes over seven furlongs and 42 yards by 2,5 lengths under Hefferman at Leopardstown.

He followed that with a 12,25 length fifth in the Gr 1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and then finished a five length sixth in the Gr 1 Irish 2000 Guineas at The Curragh.

Considering his seven furlong form he was good value at 20/1 on Saturday and it might have been his low draw which was off putting in a week in which the high draws looked to have a distinct advantage in the races down the straight.

The fact that Thesecretadversary broke this trend and won in commanding style shows just what a fine performance it was.

Hopefully he can go on to bigger things and perhaps stand at stud at Drakenstein one day.

His sire St. Mark’s Basillica, who is by Siyouni out of a Gr 3-winning Galileo mare, is making waves.

As a racehorse he won the Gr.1 Dewhurst Stakes, the Gr.1 French 2000 Guineas, the Gr.1 French Derby. the Gr.1 Eclipse Stakes and the Gr.1 Irish Champion Stakes and he was a European Champion two-year-old and World Champion three-year-old.

Thesecretadversary is from St. Mark’s Basilica’s first crop and so is the Aidan O’Brien-trained Diamond Necklace, who is unbeaten in five starts including three Gr 1s and those Gr 1s include the French 1000 Guineas and French Oaks.

Meanwhile, a layoff of ten months seems to have done a world of good for Isivunguvungu, who had gone off the boil in a tough campaign between September 2024 and August last year, which included a trip to Dubai.

The What A Winter gelding recorded his second win in the USA on Friday when landing an Allowance Optional Claiming contest over 5.5 furlongs (about 1100m) on the turf worth $57,000 and a first prize of $33,600.

It was the Narrow Creek Stud-bred and Hollywood Racing-owned gelding’s first victory since winning the Da Hoss Stakes at Colonial Downs on his USA debut in September 2024.

Jumping from a draw of seven, Isivunguvungu settled well and took up what the Americans call a stalking position, He was produced on the outside with a sustained effort to get on terms before asserting close to home and winning in impressive style by half-a-length.

All seven of the runners carried 123 pounds and Isivunguvungu started 7/5 favourite.

It was not a strong field, but it should be remembered that the SA-bred Hollywood Racing and Rikesh Sewgoolam-owned One Stripe came into his own in the USA after getting his confidence back by winning an Allowance Optional Claiming event.

Isivunguvungu is an eight-year-old by American breeding times, but the big Graham Motion-trained speedster looks to have a lot of racing still left in him.

Speaking to SAHorseracing.COM after the victory, winning jockey Jorge Ruiz paid tribute to the team behind the talented sprinter.

“I would like to thank the Graham Motion team and everyone involved with Isivunguvungu. I am truly grateful to Hollywood Racing for the opportunities they have given me,” said Ruiz.

“I hope to continue winning many important races with them and, of course, to win Group 1 races. That is my dream, especially while carrying the colours of Hollywood Racing from South Africa.

“Congratulations to the entire team, the owners, and everyone involved in this great organization in South Africa. Thank you for your support and confidence.”

Motion has done exceptionally well with South African-breds and this was his second win with an SA-bred in the space of six days as Gimme A Nother won at Monmouth Park the previous Saturday.

Andrew Harrison

Final declarations for this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July are due at 11 this morning but the name of Curious Girl may not be in the field of 18 plus two reserves after going down to Jazz Café in the Lucky Fish Winter Fillies Stakes over 2400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.

It was a close call at the line but Robbie Hill’s mare got up in the shadow of the post to make things even more difficult for those responsible for choosing the final July field as Curious Girl does boast five wins plus victory over males in the Gr2 SA Derby.

Jazz Café was the lowest rated horse in the nine-horse field and going on the official July weights Curious Girl was at the bottom of the handicap with 46kg, 6kg below the minimum July weight of 52kg so on Saturday’s evidence she is unlikely to be raised the required amount to make her competitive in the July or even make the final line-up. As Hill pointed out, it is difficult for three-year-olds at this time of the year especially over 2400m.

For Hill it was a plan come together and perfectly executed by Rachel Venniker. Curious Girl was always well placed in a race run at no great pace while Venniker was content to sit watching all unfold in front of her.

Approaching the final turn, Venniker gently asked for more as Jazz Café crept closer and was within striking distance crossing the subway. It was a sprint for home with many in contention but Jazz Café and Curious Girl gradually shook them off and had the race to themselves over the final 100m with Jazz Café just making it home with Woman’s World staying on for third.

It was KZN Breeder’s day with the Breeders’ Mile heading the card made up of KZN-bred horses. Tinus Gericke is an integral part of Blue Sky Thoroughbreds along with Bruce le Roux but Go Grayson Go was bred for his own account and races in the Gericke family colours.

It was straight forward for Richard Fourie who track the hot early pace set by replacement rider Tristan Godden on Wild At War The field concertinaed at the top of the straight but Furie had Daylight n front of him and Go Grayson Go delivered the coup de grace.

It was the second winner for Frikkie Greyling as the regally bred Queen Of The Air final got the maiden monkey off her back after two disappointing recent runs, and the third winner of Serino Moodley who rode a patient on the filly. With only one behind her turning for home, she gradually built up under hands before Moodley asked for an effort over the final 200m. Racing in a cornel collar, Queen Of The Air obvious has breathing issues but she had enough in the tank to hold off a determined challenge from Chef’s Kiss.

Fortress Of Fire was a game winner of the Non-Black Type Declarationofpeace 1200, getting home narrowly ahead of a fast-finishing Kalahari Roller. Andrew Fortune had pinched an early break in the straight up the inside rail on Magic Surprise but was quickly swallowed up by Fortress Of Fire. However, after a quick glance over her shoulder, it was all hands to the pump for Venniker as Kalahari Roller came flying  but Fortress Of Fire held on just long enough to deny Siphesihle Hlengwa.

Andrew Harrison

Punters face another competitive card on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville today.

The card opener is  a competitive maiden where Sierra Foxtrot has run two promising efforts on the poly and from the best of the draw should go well again. Midnight Hour is lightly raced and needed her last run and with a claiming apprentice aboard she should come on lengths from that run. Come Together has come on nicely since arriving in her new stable and taking to the poly. She should be competitive. Anniversary raced green on debut but was not far back and should come on lengths from that effort.

In the first leg of the PA, Skipper Zip was not far back over further when returning from a break. He has a light weight and gets first time blinkers. Ubuntu Of Peace will be a threat. He has been a late starter but close-up in both outings on the poly. He should now be cherry-ripe as he takes on some modest opposition but this is a handicap maiden. Levitator is a battling maiden but his form has improved on the poly. He only has 49kg to shoulder, 11 kg less than Ubuntu Of Peace, which is a big factor in his favour. Tiger Cody will have his supporters after finishing a narrow second behind the filly Meeksha last time out but like fellow two-year-old The Bidder they give weight to older runners.

The start of the Pick 6 is tricky. Summer Winter has good form over course and distance and was close-up second last run so should be competitive. Magical Sky is a poly specialist over course and distance but does have a big weight in spite of the 4kg claimer aboard. There should be very little between her and Catch A Penny, both having smart poly form. Emerald Forge made a winning local debut beating the luckless but consistent Tipperary to shed her maiden. She takes to the poly for the first time and could follow up.

Green Commander may be one of the better bets. He ran a cracker when runner-up in an Open Maiden giving the winner 7kg. Level weights here and can go one better. Let It Roll made promising improvement at his second outing and has a handy galloping weight. He should feature in this company.  Black Platina is a battler but never far back. He gets blinkers and Andrew Fortune that could make the difference.

The sixth is open but Gallic Victor has improved on the poly and showed up well first run in blinkers. This trip will suit. Island Forever has his third run since arriving in KZN and although behind Gallic Victor when last they met, he too will enjoy the extra. Red Bomber has useful form on the poly and was a beaten favourite at his last two. The step up in trip could suit while Blue Steel has been consistent and shed his maiden over course and distance in emphatic fashion.

Lunch Money has a big weight but also takes a drop in class in what looks to be modest company in the sixth. He has smart form on the poly from the best of the draw. Green Mile has excellent poly form and should run another competitive race along with Global Movement  who has shown improved form on the poly. He is also down in class with a 1.5kg allowance that should make him competitive. The filly Meeksha steps up in trip against older runners but has been making steady improvement.

In the seventh, Lady Jean has been racing in feature company and does appear to be better than her last two. She makes her poly debut from the best of the draw and should feature. Saudi Sweep is way better than her last run. She goes well on the poly and should go close in this line-up. Veteran Mystique Rouge has smart recent form on the poly and with a red-hot apprentice who has ridden her in her last two starts claiming 4kg she must have a strong chance.

The last is a competitive handicap but Poetic Princess has won her last two, last time over course and distance. She got a four-point rise in the handicap for her last win but can follow up in modest company. Veteran Arilena was much improved when tried on the poly and rates a strong chance. Quentasia has a light weight and goes well on the poly. Take Your Place has not been far back in recent outings and from the best of the draw should be competitive.

RACE 1

1 SIERRA FOXTROT   4 MIDNIGHT HOUR   3 COME TOGETHER   5 ANNIVERSARY

Preview: Competitive maiden. SIERRA FOXTROT (1) has run two promising efforts on the poly and from the best of the draw she should go well again. MIDNIGHT HOUR (4) is lightly raced. She needed her last run with a claiming apprentice aboard and should come on lengths from that run. COME TOGETHER (3) has come on nicely since arriving in her new stable and taking to the poly. She should be competitive. ANNIVERSARY (5) raced green on debut but was not far back. She should come on lengths from that effort. (Andrew Harrison: 1-4-3-5).

RACE 2

6 SKIPPER ZIP   3 UBUNTU OF PEACE   5 LEVITATOR   1 TIGER CODY

Preview: SKIPPER ZIP (6) was not far back over further when returning from a break. He has a light weight and gets first time blinkers. UBUNTU OF PEACE (3) has been a late starter but close-up in both outings on the poly. He should now be cherry-ripe as he takes on some modest opposition but this is a handicap maiden. LEVITATOR (5) is a battling maiden but his form has improved on the poly. He only has 49kg to shoulder, 11 kg less than Ubuntu Of Peace, which is a big factor in his favour. TIGER CODY (1) will have his supporters after finishing a narrow second behind the filly Meeksha last time out but like fellow two-year-old THE BIDDER (4) they give weight to older runners. (Andrew Harrison: 6-3-5-1).

RACE 3

2 SUMMER WINTER   7 MAGICAL SKY   4 CATCH A PENNY   5 EMERALD FORGE

Preview: SUMMER WINTER (2) has good form over course and distance. She was close-up second last run. MAGICAL SKY (7) is a poly specialist over course and distance but does have a big weight in spite of the 4kg claimer aboard. There should be very little between her and CATCH A PENNY (4), both having smart poly form. EMERALD FORGE (5) made a winning local debut beating the luckless but consistent Tipperary to shed her maiden. She takes to the poly for the first time and can follow up. (Andrew Harrison: 2-7-4-5).

RACE 4

7 GREEN COMMANDER   6 LET IT ROLL   9 BLACK PLATINA   8 CAPTAIN T

Summary: GREEN COMMANDER (7) ran a cracker when runner-up in an Open Maiden giving the winner 7kg. Level weights here and can go one better. LET IT ROLL (6) made promising improvement at his second outing. He has a handy galloping weight and should feature in this company.  BLACK PLATINA (9) is a battler but never far back. He gets blinkers and Andrew Fortune. CAPTAIN T (8) showed up well first run over course and distance. Looks held by Green Commander. (Andrew Harrison: 7-6-9-8).

RACE 5

9 GALLIC VICTOR   4 ISLAND FOREVER   2 RED BOMBER   7 BLUE STEEL

Summary: Open. GALLIC VICTOR (9) has improved on the poly and showed up well first run in blinkers. This trip will suit. ISLAND FOREVER (4) has his third run since arriving in KZN and although behind Gallic Victor when last they met, he too will enjoy the extra. RED BOMBER (2) has useful form on the poly and was a beaten favourite at his last two. The step up in trip could suit. BLUE STEEL (7) has been consistent and shed his maiden over course and distance in emphatic fashion. VIXENS WAR (8) showed up well first run out of the maidens. But drops back in trip. (Andrew Harrison: 9-4-2-7).

RACE 6

1 LUNCH MONEY   3 GREEN MILE   5 GLOBAL MOVEMENT   4 MEEKSHA

Preview: LUNCH MONEY (1) has a big weight but also takes a drop in class in what looks to be modest company. He has smart form on the poly from the best of the draw. GREEN MILE (3) has excellent poly form and should run another competitive race. GLOBAL MOVEMENT (5) has shown improved form on the poly. He is also down in class with a 1.5kg allowance that should make him competitive. The filly MEEKSHA (4) steps up in trip against older runners but has been making steady improvement. (Andrew Harrison: 1-3-5-4).

RACE 7

1 LADY JEAN   2 SAUDI SWEEP   5 MYSTIQUE ROUGE   8 QUEEN FENN

Preview: LADY JEAN (1) has been racing in feature company and does appear to be better than her last two. She makes her poly debut from the best of the draw and should feature. SAUDI SWEEP (2) is way better than her last run. She goes well on the poly and should go close in this line-up. Veteran MYSTIQUE ROUGE (5) has smart recent form on the poly and with a red-hot apprentice who has ridden her in her last two starts claiming 4kg she must have a strong chance. QUEEN FENN (8) has been consistent but takes another drop in the handicap which could see her feature prominently. (Andrew Harrison: 1-2-5-8).

RACE 8

8 POETIC PRINCESS   9 ARILENA   4 QUENTASIA   1 TAKE YOUR PLACE

Preview: Competitive handicap. POETIC PRINCESS (8) has won her last two, last time over course and distance. She got a four-point rise in the handicap for her last win but can follow up in modest company. Veteran ARILENA (9) was much improved when tried on the poly and rates a strong chance. QUENTASIA (4) has a light weight and goes well on the poly. TAKE YOUR PLACE (1) has not been far back in recent outings and from the best of the draw should be competitive. (Andrew Harrison: 8-9-4-1).

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Pontefract (UK) – 21 June 2026

ALISTAIR COHEN

The abandonment of racing in Cape Town last Tuesday due to a waterlogged track has necessitated the feature races to move to what would be an ordinary day at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth today. The card suddenly has a classy look and racing fans could have some fun with some individuals who decided to stay at home this winter rather than head to Durban where they would be capable of competing with the best.

The Winter Mile, race 6 over 1600m could be best suited to Please Be True with only 51kg on his back. Please Be True is rated 30 points lower than the highest mark of Sugar Mountain off 122. He should carry 15kg less than the well-proven Sugar Mountain according to strict handicapping. He carries 10,5kg less but his runs since a break have been revealing that he must be close to breaking into the winners’ box. Plus, Sugar Mountain has not been at the peak of his powers of late.

Please Be True returned from a three-month rest in late April. He was run in a sprint and gave a pleasing reintroduction over a trip short of his best. He stayed on beautifully behind Give It Laldy beaten by only two lengths. His next start was the adequate step forward when he finished second behind Chasingtherainbow over 1400m at this course. He is 2kg better off with Chasingtherainbow who was so ready. That should give Please Be True enough hope to potentially turn the deficit. Mickaelle Michel takes the ride.

Beware The Bomb has been whispered about lately. She could be a filly to follow in the coming months. She is stable companion to Please Be True out of Justin Snaith’s barn. She was rested for nearly a year between May 2025 and April 2026 so to suggest that she would have needed her last run would be an understatement. It was a neat effort when she ended up 4,5 lengths behind Café Culture in the Champagne Stakes over 1200m. Café Culture nearly won a Grade 2 at Hollywoodbets Scottsville a few weeks later while Beware The Bomb would have found that 1200m distance too short. She will come on further with this run under her belt but one can expect a good showing under Andrew Fortune.

Chasingtherainbow wrote his trainer and owner one of the stories of the year when he won last time. He recently transferred to the yard of Rob Barrett who took out his license a few months ago. He was Barrett’s first runner and he won with ease, possibly delivering his career best in the process. He is owned by Barrett’s grandfather. There was not a dry eye in the house. Richard Fourie retains the ride. Life is a little harder at the weights but there is no reason to suggest that he cannot win.

The Us Of A could be in the right place at the right time in the supporting feature, the Winter Sprint, race 7 over 1200m. Being a feature, this will be down the straight. He has a blistering turn of foot. He has showed his effectiveness at this level and Richard Fourie gets the most out of him. His main rivals have their claims but valid reasons why they might be vulnerable for now.

His last run was a superb effort finishing second behind Café Culture over this course and distance in the same Listed Champagne Stakes highlighted by Beware The Bomb. The Us Of A must be in good heart because there was a desperate plea from his connections to reschedule this race which was never up for debate.

All The Rage could ultimately end up being the best horse in the field. The three-year-old had little chance at the weights in the Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes last time but he was not disgraced finishing sixth behind Questioning who has had an unreal 2026. He is back from a break and not being seen in nearly four months suggests he will step forward with the run. This is not his “cup final” and his bigger picture could be revealing.

There are two apprentice races on the card which are always worth a watch. Race 1 over 1200m could point to Royal Clinton under Eduan Muller who is based in Cape Town. Muller rode him to nearly his career best last time over this course and distance when he finished 1,45 lengths behind Lava Strike. He finished nearly three lengths ahead of the lightly raced Coffee Crunch on that occasion who has a 4,5kg beneficial swing of the weights. Coffee Crunch will surely be most effective over further so despite his best run to date being on the cards, he might come into his own with another run under his belt.

The final apprentice event is race 8 over 1000m. Worldly is such a tricky horse to follow. He does his worst out of the stalls but his best work at the finish. If Dezahn Louw can get him somewhere close to the pace and in the mood for his late flourish at the end of the race, he must be considered. He is 5kg better off with Palace Gift for five lengths. Worldly was typically his own worst enemy on that occasion over this course and distance.

Heritage Ridge has run her socks off since moving to Michelle Rix. She is due her next career win and it could materialize in race 2 over 1200m. Her penultimate start came over this course and distance and it was her best run for a while when she was beaten by less than a length by Easy Money. Hampstead Heath must be regarded as her main danger.

There is a lengthy list of chances in race 3 over 1600m. Blind Date appears to be on the up after his last win when he turned over Chance Encounter over this course and distance. It was a simple restart after summer with a sprint in his penultimate run where he was not disgraced. He followed up naturally and logically as far as procedure after a rest is concerned. Andrew Fortune takes the ride.

Baton Rouge has the widest gate of No 8 to overcome in race 4 over 1950m but his biggest threat is gatespeed which he could use to his advantage. He has been banging at the door of late and he would be deserving of his next career win. He is proven over this trip while some of his rivals need to answer any stamina doubts.

Speaking of overdue horses. My Only Weakness must count as a horse who must get the job done now. She runs in race 5 over 1500m under Mickaelle Michel. She has been very close to the winners of late. Potentially, all she needs is some confidence to finish the task. Her dangers include Vroom Vroom who needed her last run badly and she should come on and Apricity who loves this middle distance range on a soft track.

David Thiselton

Wendy Whitehead has three runners at the KwaZulu-Natal Breeders meeting on Saturday and she is also looking forward to the run of one of her stable stars, Buttercup Baby, on Hollywoodbets Durban July day.

Wendy has the best weighted runner in the eighth race on Saturday, the Captain Of Al Kwazulu-Natal Breeders 1600 on the poly. Her three-year-old filly Limitless Sky is 4kg better off than any other horse. She ran a shocker last time over 1400m on the poly in a Class 3 event over 1400m. However, the on course veterinarian could not find anything amiss. Before that she had run a 4,10 length fourth to Keukenhof in the Gr 3 uMzimkhulu Stakes over 1400m and followed that by not being disgraced when beaten 9.05 lengths by the dual Gr 1 winner Wish List in the Gr 2 WSB Fillies Guineas. She has drawn barrier ten out of ten on Saturday and regular rider Calvin Habib rides.

Wendy said, “Limitless Sky is very, very well. My only concerns are she doesn’t really like the poly track and she is drawn deep, but I am going to try and change her tactics and try and get her to race a bit more handy and maybe that will pay off because I think that is the right race, it is just a pity we are drawn so deep.”

The bookmakers have taken that last run into consideration and Hollywoodbets have her at 5/1, which could be good value if she does manage to produce her best.

First up for Wendy on Saturday is Tee Dog (Act Of War), who runs in the Blue Sky Thoroughbreds KZN Breeders 1900 on the poly. The small size of the field with just eight runners will suit this big gelding as he relishes being in front and will have the opportunity to dictate in a field where there are no other front-running sorts. He is a whopping 9,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted Hat’s Queen. However, the latter has not run since flopping in this race last year when well treated at the weights, only managing a 1,45 length fourth of six. Hat’s Queen will likely need the run after a year’s layoff. The second best weighted runner in the race is Fine Wine (Futura) who is in good form and she has a further advantage of being ridden by the very much in form Mickaelle Michel, whose 1,5kg gender claim is a bonus. However Tee Dog could get the run of the race and will offer good eachway value at 14/1.

Wendy said, “Tee Dog is very well. He just needed that last run of his and has come on from it.”

She runs Dog Soldier (Declarationofpeace) in the Double Superlative Maiden Plate over 1400m on the turf. Wendy reckoned the rider backed off him last time when hampered halfway down the straight, so that run can probably be ignored, Before that he ran a cracking 3,40 length fifth in a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1200m on the Hollywoodbets Greyville turf, despite jumping from a wide draw. Richard Fourie is an eyecatching booking and he jumps from draw six over a trip he should get being out of a Captain Al dam who won three times from 1000m to 1600m. This race will not take a lot of winning. Furthermore, the likely favourite Owner Of Creation is drawn wide. The 7/1 shot Dog Soldier has a chance.

Wendy has entered the 102-rated What A Winter filly Buttercup Baby in the Middle Stakes race over 1200m for fillies and mares on the poly on Hollywoodbets Durban July day and she has everything in her favour. Firstly, she is at the top of the highest merit-rated band, the 99 to 102 band, which makes her the best weighted runner among the entries together with the 106-rated Precocious and the 104-rated Scarlet Macaw, who will get half-a-kilogram for each point they are above the benchmark rating of 102. Secondly she has landed a plum draw of five out of the 46 entries. She was tried over 1400m in the Tibouchina last time but it didn’t pan out at all well as she was caught wide without cover from a wide draw and duly faded after being squeezed out in the straight. Before that she ran a cracking four length third in the Gr 3 Poinsettia over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and followed that with a fine run in the Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint in which she was beaten just 5,40 lengths. She was raised five points to 103 for that Gr 1 effort, but came down a point after the Tibouchina. She should be a big runner in the Middle Stakes race over 1200m on Hollywoodbets July day.

David Thiselton

Peter Muscutt has engaged the Australian-based Zimbabwean Mark du Plessis to ride I Salute You in the Hollywoodbets Durban July and this will be a reunion of a partnership which has had success in both Zimbabwe and Singapore.

Peter has never had a runner under his own name in South Africa’s greatest race, but this year he looks a virtual certainty to have two runners as his pair of entries, Isivivane and I Salute You, were in 15^th and 16^th position on the last Hollywoodbets Durban July log.

Peter said about top jockey Mark du Plessis, who was Zimbabwe’s Apprentice Champion in the 1994/95 season and their overall champion in 1997/98, “He rode for me in Zimbabwe and in Singapore and in fact he rode my first winner in Singapore. He has been very successful in Asia and very successful in New Zealand. He actually had to forego the New Zealand championship the one season, because he landed a contract in Hong Kong. He would have won it, he was a long way clear. He did very well in Hong Kong (in two stints). He is a natural light weight and apart from his current residence (Australia) and all of those other places mentioned he has also ridden winners in Japan, very good rider.”

Mark has never ridden in the July before, but has ridden at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

Peter elaborated, “He did well in Hong Kong, whose two tracks are not unlike Greyville (both are tight, right-handed tracks), and he has got a lot of experience on tight-turning tracks in both New Zealand and Australia.”

Mark has ridden 36 wins in Queenland this season, which puts him in 32^nd place on the Queensland table. However, that gives a bit of a skewed picture, because in the statistics limited to the metro racetracks he is in 12^th position with 18 wins.

Although these are Peter’s first July runners under his name he has had a lot of experience in preparing July horses as the former Summerveld assistant to both Joey Ramsden and Brett Crawford.

As far as big race preparation goes, he has also learnt from one of the best trainers in the world, having spent seven years working with Australian legend Chris Waller.

The Hollywood Racing-owned four-year-old Erupt gelding Isivivane booked his berth in the July by winning the Gr 3 WSB 1900 on May 9, beating the fancied July entry Regulation by 0,60 lengths at level weights. Sean Veale rode him in the 1900 and will stay aboard for the July.

I Salute You, a four-year-old gelding by Soqrat, booked his place by finishing a 0,70 length second to Zeitz in the Gr 3 Betgames Cup Trial over 1800m on June 6.

Peter said, “Isivivane has a 2,5kg advantage over I Salute You, but I Salute You is a very good horse and I have no hesitation in suggesting that both horses are going to see out the trip very well, they are both very fit horses.”

I Salute You will be 1kg better off with Zeitz for a 0,70 length beating and Peter said, “I can’t see him beating us again.”

He added, “I Salute You was also a touch slowly away in the Cup Trial and if he hadn’t missed the break I think he would have taken a lot of beating. He was a fair way further back than I had wanted him and had he been in front of Zeitz turning in I don’t think he would have beaten us.”

He continued, “I Salute You has not jumped well in his last two starts, but we will do some work on that.”

He concluded, “They both came out of their races very well. They seem to be horses who are on the improve and they are both in really good form. Now we wait for the draws.”

Isivivane won’t have run for nearly two months by the time of the July, but Peter does not see that as a problem and reiterated that he was a very fit horse.

Both horses will work on their own at the official Hollywoodbets Durban July Gallops.

Peter added, “According to their schedule they will probably both work from the 1400m and pick it up from the 1000m.”

I Salute You is owned by Messrs E C Abraham, Mayesh Chetty, T Herdon, K Nattar, Tony Zackey, Advocate W A J Nicholson & Miss Trinisha Pillay. It will be an exciting build up to the big day for all of them.

Peter said about the draws he would prefer, “Anything from 5 to 10 would be ideal.”

Isivivane is a half-brother to the Gr 1 SA Classic winner Red Saxon (Red Ray). He is out of Casey Tibbs mare Rodeo Sioux, whose three wins included a minor feature over 2600m, so that coupled with Erupt being by Dubawi and having won two Gr 1s over 2400m augurs well for his capacity to handle the testing July trip.

I Salute You’s sire Soqrat’s three Gr 1 wins were all over a mile, but he was a flying second with topweight in the Gr 1 Summer Cup over the tough Turffontein 2000m. I Salute You,  is out of a mare by speed influence Var, but that mare is in turn out of a mare by stamina influence Silvano.

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David Thiselton

Justin Snaith has six entries in the Hollywoodbets Durban July and one of them, the Vercingetorix gelding Native Ruler, put in a fine preparation run on Saturday by winning the Gr 3 Winter Stakes over 2400m in authoritative fashion.

The biggest irony with Snaith’s entries, which also includes Wish List, Note To Self, Happy Verse, Legal Counsel and Regulation, is that one of their most supported entries in the betting markets, Regulation, is not certain to make the final field.

Justin spoke yesterday (Monday) about Native Ruler and Regulation and said, “Native Ruler dominated a modest field, but did so with real authority, never giving the impression he was in any danger once turning for home.

He remains a progressive horse and, if you cast your mind back to his excellent run in last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July, there is every reason to be optimistic about his chances this time around. Keagan de Melo produced a faultless ride and will undoubtedly know the horse even better going into the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

Congratulations to Greg and Gina Bortz, Mukund Gujadhur and Rikesh Sewgoolam – a fantastic partnership enjoying a tremendous run of success.

Greg and Gina’s silks, in particular, have struck a rich vein of form of late and also hold a strong hand in the Hollywoodbets Durban July with Regulation. In my view, he is the best-weighted horse of our runners in this year’s race, and it is no surprise to see him prominently positioned in the betting markets (Currently trading at 8–1 and sitting fifth in the betting). JP Van Der Merwe has been booked to ride him at 52kg.

The best-weighted horse often wins this great race, not necessarily the best horse.

Things did not go his way last time when he choked up in the Cup Trial, but he has since scoped clear. Should he secure a place in the final field, I believe he is capable of running a massive race. His brother Belgarion won the Hollywoodbets Durban July in 2020. Both Belgarion and Regulation were bred by my one of our longest standing clients, Alec and Gillian Foster (who also bred Questioning).”

Regulation has had no luck at all in his last three starts but showed his class when having nowhere to go in the Gr 2 Anthonij Rupert Premier Trophy over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and running on powerfully for third when finally seeing daylight. He comfortably beat the like of Zeitz and Native Ruler in that race despite having been hampered. Before that he had won the Gr 3 Ownway Peninsula Handicap over 1800m and in that event he received only 1kg from Zeitz and beat him by 3,20 lengths. Furthermore, in the Gr 3 WSB 1900 in his penultimate start, Regulation was caught wide throughout, yet still managed to finish second.

However, Regulation was only in position 20 on the last Hollywoodbets Durban July log.

He might have to rely on a scratching or two to ensure a place in the final field of 18. If he is only made a reserve, he will have to rely on a late scratching or two. On the other hand, the log is just a guide and he might still get into the 18-strong final field without there being any scratchings.

Greg and Gina Bortz’s contracted rider is JP can der Merwe and as he is pencilled in to ride Regulation they might be viewing this Legislate gelding as their elect runner. They will be on tenterhooks in the build up to the Hollywoodbets Durban July Final Field And Draw ceremony.

The Bortz’s won the July in 2024 with the Brett Crawford-trained Vercingetorix colt Oriental Charm, who was ridden by JP van der Merwe.