David Thiselton

See It Again proved himself the best middle distance horse in the land on Saturday at Turffontein Standside when adding the Gr 1 HKJC World Pool Premier’s Champions Challenge to his Gr 1 WSB Met victory.

Justin Snaith, who was holidaying in Mauritius, was elated on Saturday night on the island as he also won the Gr 1 TAB Empress Club Stakes with the best older female in the land, Double Grand Slam.

Snaith said, “See It Again was always travelling like the winner, he never really looked in danger and didn’t give us any anxious moments as he was perfectly handled by Craig Zackey. He cruised into the race with plenty in hand and, when asked, asserted himself decisively over his stablemate Okavango.

This victory is the culmination of three months of meticulous planning, and finally conquering the altitude is incredibly satisfying. It’s been a long-standing challenge for us, one we’ve worked at through years of trial and error, so to see it all come together like this is immensely rewarding.

Thanks to 4Racing and in particular, Joe Soma for being so accommodating.”

The Snaith participants on the day stayed at Joe Soma’s yard upon arriving at Turffontein on Friday morning after traveling up from their Summerveld base.

Snaith continued, “I watched the race with my brother and family in Mauritius, and it was a moment of real pride and joy. More than anything, it’s a testament to the team behind the horse. Nick Jonsson’s support has been unwavering – his loyalty and passion for the game are second to none, and success like this is thoroughly deserved. He’s not just an owner, but a true friend.

A huge effort from the team on course – Gokhan Terzi and Jenna Le Roux had everything spot on, with valuable support from Frank Robinson, who brought his experience from Summerveld. Andrew Fortune was also instrumental behind the scenes, always willing to lend a hand – even down to feeding the horses when he wasn’t in the saddle. There are many others who played their part – thank you!

And, as always, credit to Drakenstein Stud – phenomenal breeders year in and year out. Their horses are tough, resilient, and full of class.

I hope the punters capitalised on the day!

Both See it Again and Okavango will be aimed at the Hollywoodbets Durban July.”

See It Again’s task was made easier on Saturday by the scratching of the three-year-old pair Grand Empire and Trust, which is somewhat ironic because they were officially 10kg and 9,5kg under sufferance respectively according to their lowly merit ratings of 111 and 110, the ratings they ended up on after a merit rating appeal adjusted them down from the 120 and 119 merit ratings given to them by the professional handicappers after they had finished one-two in the Gr 1 SA Classic. The bookmakers seemed to agree with the professional handicappers as they had Grand Empire and Trust as joint second favourites for the Champions Challenge before their scratchings.

It seems Grand Empire and Trust’s merit ratings will both be protected for the R10 million Hollywoodbets Durban July. See It Again will thus have an ultra tough task in the July. As things stand he will have to give both Grand Empire and Trust, as well as the Gr 2 Wilgerbosdift Gauteng Guineas winner and SA Classic third-placed Splittheeights, 10kg apiece.

Justin Snaith said about Double Grand Slam, “There’s not much more I can ask of Double Grand Slam – she’s the standout filly of her generation and continues to prove it every time she steps onto the track. She’s been an absolute joy to train, and on the strength of today’s sensational performance, she’s far from finished on the racetrack.

Craig Zackey gave her a superb ride. The instructions were simple: sit on her for as long as possible, and he executed it perfectly. He barely moved a muscle, and when he finally asked, she showed an incredible turn of foot, quickening through the gears to win with authority and plenty in hand. She displayed her sheer brilliance.

It’s a privilege to train for owners like Gaynor Rupert, Gary Player and Dave Maclean. They never apply pressure and handle defeat with as much grace as they celebrate success – that’s the mark of true racing people.

A huge thank you to the entire team – Jenna Le Roux, Gokhan Terzi, Frank Robinson, Andrew Fortune, Robbie Miller, and many others behind the scenes. This result is the product of months of planning and collective effort. New Turf Carriers get our horses to their races swiftly and safely.

We were also very well looked after by 4Racing and Joe Soma – their hospitality was outstanding, and we are extremely grateful.

Hopefully punters were able to capitalise on the double, and we appreciate the continued support on the Highveld.

Congratulations to Varsfontein Stud on breeding yet another Gr1 champion.

Looking ahead, Double Grand Slam will target the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint and the Gr1 Garden Province. There’s unfinished business in the sprint after her luckless run last year, and and we’re eager to set the record straight.”

Snaith was full of praise for groom Sokhe Mwelase, who is known to the yard as “Isaac”.

He said, “Isaac is the trusted handler behind both Double Grand Slam and See It Again. He spends more time with them than anyone else, and his natural feel, patience, and understanding of horses make him truly exceptional at what he does.”

Andrew Harrison

The smaller the field the bigger the upset is an old racing adage that could apply to Hollywoodbets Greyville today where a myriad of scratchings has had a dramatic effect on the numbers in some races.

The meeting has been moved from Hollywoodbets Scottsville to the poly track after a major thunder storm hit the Capital’s track on Sunday night and while many of the fields on the nine-race card are short on numbers they are big on probabilities so punters will do well to keep tabs on the betting market and also the many withdrawals before placing bets.

Most interesting race may have been the card opener where Adam Azzie’s colt Green Energy was due to face smart maiden winner Kazenoyoni but Duncan Howells has scratched because of the change of surface. Green Energy is a quality colt who was a touch unlucky on debut and won well second time of asking. He looks progressive and is likely to start at cramped odds.

Of the balance, Pink Skies was not far behind smart stable companion Master Magician last run when taking on winners. She has a light weight and is not out of it.

The second is a moderate field with many first timers. Of those that have run, Royal Crest takes on older horses but looks progressive while Winter Blessing has seldom been far off and the blinkers are back on. She should go close.

The first leg of the PA sees two-year-olds taking on older horses for the first time. Quest Of Valor takes on older runners but has put in two smart efforts. Xiphos has been frustrating to follow but is consistent although he tends to lack extra when it counts. He may just have met the right field.

In the opening leg of the Pick 6, Roy’s Grace had a long break after her maiden win but has shown up well in her two runs back and with a useful 4kg claimer aboard she should put in a good showing. Greenlight Queen has been in good form of late and was a good second last run. She is now 2kg better off in the handicap with Lilac In Winter who was a comfortable winner last time out and there should not be much between the pair.

Peter Muscutt could hold the aces in the fifth with three runners. Touched By Angels comes off some useful Cape form and was narrowly beaten last time out. His best form is over this distance. Stable companion Dylan’s Champ has improved with blinkers and from the best of the draw and Muzi Yeni staying with the ride he must have a good chance. Rollo The Viking does seem to show his best on the poly but his recent turf form is good. This is his best distance and he should be in contention.

The sixth has cut down to five runners with four scratchings. Rock Music debuts for Gary Rich and he had some promising Highveld form. The alumites go on and with a 4kg claimer aboard he should be competitive. Caribbean Gold makes his local debut and comes of a comfortable win over the trip at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. Cape form is generally stronger than local so he should be a big runner. Garth Puller’s runner Axis Power was touched off last run in a tight finish and comes in off a light weight.

In the seventh, Louis Goosen’s soldier Donquerari seldom runs a bad race and goes well over course and distance. He takes a further rating drop and now looks competitive. Circumbendibus has come well since arriving in KZN and was an easy winner over course and distance last time out. He got a six-point hike in the ratings for that win but can still deny the handicapper. Both Position Of Power and Vision To Achieve have been scratched.

The eighth is a wide open handicap over 2400m with none of the runners having any convincing form. Star Of The Future has had two starts over shorter for his new stable and carries top weight but he should be ready for the step up in trip. Basie Raakvat is seldom too far back and should be competitive in this line-up along with Mary Read who improved in blinkers last outing and could prefer this trip while Intuitive Spirit took on stronger at his last start. He has shown some recent improvement and has a light weight.

Dean Kannemeyer can round off the meeting with Gallic Victor. The gelding is lightly raced and shows promise. Last outing was possibly too short and he can do better here. Next Of Kin appears to be the most likely threat as he has been in good form with the cheek pieces removed.

RACE 1

Summary: GREEN ENERGY (8) is a quality colt who was a touch unlucky on debut and won well second time of asking. Should go close. KAZENOYONI (6) came from the clouds to win on debut. The extra will suit and he can show further improvement. PINK SKIES (2) was not far back to smart stable companion Master Magician last run when taking on winners. She has a light weight and is not out of it. GREEK HERITAGE (3) takes on males but made a promising debut and the extra from a good draw should suit. (Andrew Harrison: 8-6-2-3).

RACE 2

Summary: Moderate field with many first timers. Of those that have run, ROYAL CREST (4) takes on older horses but looks progressive. WINTER BLESSING (5) has seldom been far off and the blinkers are back on. She should go close. JENNY DARLING  (9) is struggling but did show some improvement last outing. (Andrew Harrison: 5-4-9-6).

RACE 3

Summary: QUEST OF VALOR (2) takes on older runners but has put in two smart efforts to date. MASTERCRAFTER (11) found some market support on debut but raced green and was run out of it late. He is sure to come on from that effort. XIPHOS (12) has been frustrating to follow. He is consistent but tends to lack extra when it counts. He may just have met the right field. AMBER ALERT (3) has improved in blinkers and not far back at his last two. (Andrew Harrison: 2-11-12-3).

RACE 4

Summary: ROY’S GRACE (7) had a long break after her maiden win. She has shown up well in her two runs back and with a useful 4kg claimer aboard she should punt in a good showing. GREENLIGHT QUEEN (4) has been in good form of late and was a good second last run. She is now 2kg better off in the handicap with LILAC IN WINTER (3) who was a comfortable winner last time out and there should not be much between the pair. FATE DECREED (2) is struggling for a second win but has shown recent improvement and has a light weight. (Andrew Harrison: 7-4-3-2).

RACE 5

Summary: Peter Muscutt holds the aces with three runners. TOUCHED BY ANGELS (6) comes off some useful Cape form and was narrowly beaten last time out. His best form is over this distance. Stable companion DYLAN’S CHAMP (1) has improved with blinkers and from the best of the draw and Muzi Yeni staying with the ride he must have a good chance. ROLLO THE VIKING (3) does seem to show his best on the poly but his recent turf form is good. This is his best distance and he should be in contention. The filly FORWARD MOTION (11)is hardly ever out if the money of late but does take on some useful male opposition. Has a definite money chance. (Andrew Harrison: 6-1-3-11).

RACE 6

Summary:  CAVALRY COMMANDER (9) made a smart debut for his new stable. He had patchy Cape form but a repeat of his last effort makes him capable in this line-up. COWBOY COUNTRY (7) has been a little disappointing since shedding his maiden but has shown useful ability. He gets a rating drop and first time blinkers which could bring out the best. ROCK MUSIC (1) debuts for Gary Rich. He had some promising Highveld form and alumites on and a 4kg claimer aboard should make him competitive. The filly CARIBBEAN GOLD (8) won well over Hollywoodbets Durbanville last run. She looks useful. (Andrew Harrison: 9-7-1-8).

RACE 7

Summary: DONQUERARI (4) seldom runs a bad race and goes well over course and distance. He takes a further rating drop and now looks competitive. CIRCUMBENDIBUS (5) has come well since arriving in KZN and was an easy winner over course and distance last time out. He got a six-point hike in the ratings for that win but can still deny the handicapper. POSITION OF POWER (2) is lightly raced and only once out of the money. He should be right there. VISION TO ACHIEVE (9) is quick and a game winner last time out. She jumps in class but has a handy weight and cannot be written off. (Andrew Harrison: 4-5-2-9).

RACE 8

Summary: Difficult race. STAR OF THE FUTURE (5) has had two starts over shorter for his new stable. He carries top weight but he should be ready for the step up in trip. BASIE RAAKVAT (4) is seldom too far back and should be competitive in this line-up. MARY READ (2) improved in blinkers last outing and could prefer this trip while INTUITIVE SPIRIT (1) took on stronger at his last start. He has shown some recent improvement and has a light weight. (Andrew Harrison: 5-4-2-1).

RACE 9

Summary: GALLIC VICTOR (6) is lightly raced and shows promise. Last outing was possibly too short and he can do better here. NEXT OF KIN (5) appears to be the most likely threat. He has been in good form with the cheek pieces removed. SERPENTINE FIRE (7) showed up well from a tough draw last time out and has been consistent of late. NUMZAAN (2) is way better than his last run and can finish in the money. (Andrew Harrison: 6-5-7-2).

Please note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Pontefract and Southwell (UK) – 7 April 2026.

Please note that following a heavy thunderstorm, Hollywoodbets Scottsville has received 38mm of rain and damages to the stabling area. Pen reading this morning is 34 with heavy going.

In view of these factors, the race meeting scheduled on Wednesday 8 April 2026 has been moved to Hollywoodbets Greyville Polytrack (Subject to the number of scratchings received).

Race 8 is now over 2000m. Voluntary scratchings close at 8:30 on Tuesday 7 April 2026. Times remain as carded.

Alistair Cohen

Jet Force emerged as an interesting horse to follow in the coming months because he came of age and mixed it with the very best Weight For Age horses around. His recent win was full of authority and he could turnover a good field that will assemble for the Grade 3 Variety Club Stakes over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth today.

His run in the Grade 2 Ridgemont Green Point Stakes in December truly put him on the radar. He finished less than two lengths behind Dave The King therefore just a shade behind subsequent Grade 1 World Sports Betting Cape Town Met winner, See It Again. Also in that race was the reigning Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July winner, The Real Prince who was behind him. His rating was given a severe hike from 93 to 120. He kept his head above water when he was tested in the Grade 1 L’Ormarins Kings Plate when he finished just over six lengths behind The Real Prince. From a wide gate of No 12, he was always going to be up against it.

His last run came in late February when he kept I Salute You at bay in the Listed Jet Master Stakes over this course and distance. That race has produced some big names like See It Again over the years.

Des McLachlan has his yard in good heart and he is deliberating whether Jet Force and a couple of others are worthy to travel to Durban for Champions Season this winter. Grant van Niekerk is carded to take the ride.

Legal Counsel ran his career best in the World Sports Betting Cape Town when he pushed See It Again to 0,75 lengths in second. That trip was always touted to test his limitations. He proved himself of high quality. He will surely head to Durban after this because he won the KZN Breeders Mile last year and he would be an aimer if he went again if he does not aim higher. On the basis of his brilliant run in the Met, he has to be respected. Aldo Domeyer is back aboard after his faultless job last time.

Viva’s Liberte ran a ripper in the Grade 1 Lucky Fish Cape Derby over 2000m because he missed a fair chunk of his three-year-old campaign after gelding. He finished three lengths behind Wish List. Something had to set the pace and he did the donkey work. He could be well setup going forward and with a fair galloping weight of 54kg, he could be dangerous as the aged three-year-old versus older horses debate heats up. He could be a contender.

Stormwatch and Gavin Lerena are becoming good mates. He has ridden this Eric Sands-trained filly twice for a fluent win and a close-up second in the Grade 3 SplashOut Prix Du Cap over 1400m. She has always promised ability and she seems to be at the peak of her powers. She runs in the Listed Sweet Chestnut Stakes over 1400m and she could take all the beating. 

Roccapina is a good filly and she can mix with the best despite the odd indifferent performance thrown together. She is 1kg better off with Stormwatch for just over one-length between them in the Prix Du Cap. That should close the deficit between them so she is respected. 

Watch the betting on first timers who could be of interest in race 1 over 1200m. Rubee King, Earn The Weekend and Stealth Master all make appeal on pedigree. The best of the raced runners is easily One Spirit who ran admirably on debut when she finished fourth behind Lady Jean over this course and distance just over a month ago. Oswald Noach retains the ride for Vaughan Marshall who has his yard in good spirits.

Shesgotclass is on the up and she could follow up her last victory and win race 2 over 1100m. She also gets the services of van Niekerk for McLachlan. She was well backed in her last run into 14/10 favourite and she obliged in style. There is also a word of debate whether she will head to Durban this winter. This looks like the right place for her to enhance her confidence and her reputation.

Who Is She was desperately unlucky in her last run when she was caught out of her ground and ran out of runway to finish third behind Miss Attitude over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. Surely less will go wrong this time and she could confirm her profile that fits as a winner in waiting. She runs in race 3 over the same distance. Callan Murray is aboard for James Crawford.

La Pulga grinds away at a good level and runs honestly. His last effort was behind subsequent winner Tenpenny when beaten by 0,75 lengths over 2000m. He was not beaten by far when he lined up in the Premiers Trophy and the Peninsula Handicap during the Cape Summer Festival Of Racing. He had Regulation and I Salute You too good for him. He finds himself in calmer waters in race 4 over 1800m with Aldo Domeyer aboard for Candice Bass.

Van Niekerk and McLachlan are at it again in race 5 over 1800m with Noble Hero who has found a new lease of life. Winner of two from his last three runs over this trip, he has his confidence up and he seems to be getting more impressive as the runs and wins pass by. He has every chance of adding to his tally.

Rattlesnake has the perceived all important draw of No 1 over 1200m in race 8 and that could give him the winning advantage for Domeyer and Bass again. He is not the easiest on the eye when he moves to the start but he does enough in his races as demonstrated when he beat Peace Of Mind over this track and trip last time. His main danger is One Liner but he has pulled the extreme outside gate of No 10 but this little horse with a big heart has a propensity to punch above his weight and he should not be disgraced under Corne Orffer for Michelle Rix.

Andrew Harrison

A promising career once headed for the annals of what could have been, has enjoyed a resurrection. See It Again, prematurely consigned to the dustbin of history after repeated refusals to enter the starting stalls, is on track for another crack at the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July, a race that has eluded him in spite of his obvious talent.

Since his relocation to the Western Cape where renown horse behaviorist Malan de Toit and trainer Justin Snaith have got the gelding to refocus and bring out his ability, their efforts were rewarded with victory in the Gr1 WSB Cape Town Met.

With his starting stall issues seemingly behind him, See It Again made the trip up to what was home ground in KZN before raiding Turffontein where he finished a good second in the Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m behind smart three-year-old Tin Pan Alley who saw his rating jump from 117 to 128 after the race much to the chagrin of Sean Tarry.

That said, See It Again faces another test on his journey into Champions Season in KZN when he lines up in the Gr1 HKJC Premier’s Champion Stakes over the testing Turffontein track on Saturday.

The Turffontein 2000m is not unfamiliar territory, See It Again finishing two lengths off winner Atticus Finch in last season’s Gr1 Betway Summer Cup giving the winner 6kg.

Saturday’s race is WFA which suggests that all being equal, Atticus Finch has it all to do at level weights.

Andrew Fortune rode a masterful race on See It Again to win the Met and he would dearly have loved to be aboard on Saturday but for a heavy fall at Fairview that saw him sidelined with broken ribs and collar bone. Speaking at Summerveld last Saturday he said things were on track for a return to the saddle in three weeks’ time.

Fortune has been replaced by Craig Zackey, an interesting call as Richard Fourie partnered See It Again in the Horse Chestnut and is now booked for stable companion Okavango while Zackey may well have had the choice of Grand Empire and Madison Valley. Okavango was game in a front-running display in the Listed Kings Cup when holding off the more than useful King Pelles at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and as both See It Again and Okavango are owned by Nic Jonsson, Okavango may be the sacrificial lamb with Fourie a master judge of pace.

Grand Empire and Trust fought a desperate duel in the Gr1 HKJC SA Classic, a nose separating the pair. Both go this trip for the first time but current crop of three-year-olds have yet to be solidly tested against top older horses and this race should give some indication of the depth. Both go this trip for the first time and both Tarry and Candice and Tammy Dawson have a knack for preparing their changes for the big days so it will be interesting.

In all, if See It Again puts in his best, he should be difficult to beat with the three-year-olds his most likely challengers.

It is a big day at Turffontein as their summer season draws to a close with a host of feature races on the 12-race card.

Main supporting feature is the Gr1 TAB Computaform Sprint that has attracted a big field of 17 runners where luck in running could play a pivotal role. The two most obvious contenders are Buffalo Storm Cody and last year’s winner, the ever game William Robertson, but they will be challenged by Fairview raider Kingdundee who comes off a four-race winning sequence and victory in the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship where he made a mockery of his 33-1 odds with favourite for the race Buffalo Storm Cody, well beaten, just over two lengths back.

Tony Peter’s charge has since made amends back on the Highveld where he got the better of William Robertson in a Pinnacle Stakes, the two meeting at level weights. Fourie replaces regular rider Gavin Lerena who will partner Clinton Binda’s gelding Ziyasha who goes into the contest of a recent victory. He is a horse who has had his ups-and-downs and although he looks safely held at the weights he could ride to the occasion. Lerena took a crashing fall at The Vaal midweek so his participation is uncertain at time of writing.

Buffalo Storm Cody is super quick and the Flying Championship was the only blemish in a five-race winning streak and goes for his 10^th success in 17 outings.

William Robertson on the other hand was won 17 races from 56 starts and Corne Spies is not shy to saddle up. He has had two further outings since finishing second to Buffalo Storm Cody, winning and then finishing two lengths off Ziyasha in a Pinnacle Stakes, giving the winner 4kg.

Last season’s Computaform victory was a deserved maiden Grade 1 success for William Robertson and if anything, he will strip fit.

Kingdundee is a 1000m specialist and runners from the Eastern Cape can never be ignored. Dean Smith’s runner comes with more than creditable form given his Flying Championship win and although Buffalo Storm Cody may have run below par on the day, form is form.

The SA Derby will be run as a Gr2 for the first time and has attracted a bigger than usual field. It is a highly competitive contest where Mike and Mathew de Kock’s filly Curious Girl will be out to become the first filly in over 100 years to put one over the colts. In her favour is that she has won over the distance and cruised home in the Oaks Trial. Lerena is penciled in to ride. Of the males, Texas Missile strikes as a progressive stayer and comes from the right stable as Alec Laird is a master of staying horses.

Spies has his hopes pinned on William Robertson for the Computaform and Hazy Dazy in the Wilgerbosdrift Bridget Oppenheimer SA Oaks. The daughter of Act Of War has the trophies for the first two legs of the Triple Tiara in the cabinet and the Oaks will see her follow in the footsteps of some of South Africa’s champion fillies. Spies has stayed loyal to apprentice Trent Mayhew who rode an exception front-running race in the SA Fillies Classic to hold off the smart Golden Palm. On that showing the extended trip should hold no fears.