David Thiselton

The big question before the R10 million Hollywoodbets Durban July Final Field Announcement and Draw Ceremony at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday morning was whether the fancied entry Regulation, who had been single figures in the betting markets, would make the top 18 and connections and supporters were left on tenterhooks until the last minute as 17 horses were on the board without his name appearing.

The Justin Snaith-trained horse’s name then appeared, although the connections of the Erico Verdonese-trained Choisaanada must have feared the worst as the horses are revealed in weight order and when they went past the 58,5kg weight without his name appearing the writing was on the wall.

Choisaanada is merit rated 121, while Regulation is merit rated 106 and the latter is thus 1kg under sufferance.

However, considering Regulation beat Zeitz by 3,20 lengths when winning the Gr 3 Ownpay Peninsula Handicap over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and faces the latter on the same terms in the July he looks to have a chance of winning the race.

Choisaanada on the other hand, finished a neck ahead of The Ultimate King at level weights in the Gr 2 Colorado King Stakes and Regulation beat the latter in the WSB 1900 by just over a neck when receiving 6kg. Regulation will only receive 4,5kg from The Ultimate King in the July, but would have received 6,5kg from Choisaanada, so that collateral formline would justify Regulation’s position in the final field.

Nevertheless, Choisaanada’s connections are likely to feel aggrieved as he was three positions ahead of Regulation on the final log.

On a brighter note the Australian-based sensation Zac Lloyd will be aboard Regulation. He will attempt to break the trend of his legendary father, the former Durban-based Jeff Lloyd, who finished third in this race no fewer than nine times without ever winning, although he did finish second in his last July ride in 2018. Regulation landed a plum draw of two.

There were no other contentious issues in the Final Field Announcement.

The race favourite is the James Crawford-trained Star Major who is part of a fairy tale story as the Querari colt will be ridden by French woman Mickaelle Michel, who travelled out here with the hope of riding winners and enjoying the experience but never in her wildest dreams would she have believed that she would be riding the favourite in South Africa’s greatest race just seven months after arriving.

James Crawford was assistant to his father Brett when they landed the July in successive years, 2023 and 2024, and will be out to win a first July under his own license.

Three-year-old Gr 1 Daily News 2000 winner Star Major jumps from a well nigh perfect draw of four and will realise a long held dream for Durban-born part-owner Ravi Naidoo if he were to win the race. Ravi went close two years ago with Cousin Casey and will be hoping to go one better.

That 2024 race was of course won by Oriental Charm, who was part-owned by Greg and Gina Bortz and this year the couple part-own the Snaith-trained Native Ruler and they are sole owners of Regulation.

Greg was also Durban-born and another Durban-born owner who will be out to realise a long held dream will be Ravi Padayachee, the chief owner of the Gareth van Zyl-trained King Pelles. Ravi pulled a draw of 17 for King Pelles.

Preshalin and Jayson Murugasa, owners of the Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained Aladdin’s Lamp, are also passionate Durban-born owners.

Mike de Kock has won five Julys before and will be out to win a first together with son Mathew and they will have to do it from the widest draw of all as Aladdin’s Lamp drew 18.

An interesting fact of the field is that following on from no female runners in the race in 2024 and only one last year, there are no fewer than five female runners this year and one reserve.

The two most fancied of them, Wish List and Mocha Blend, drew seven and 13 respectively.

Wish List will be one of five horses representing Justin Snaith, who will be out to win a sixth July. She will be out to give a first July win to Andrew Fortune, who will become the oldest jockey to win the race at the age of 59 if she does it. Fortune pulled his own draw of seven and was thrilled with it.

Among the Snaith-trained horses is the topweight Legal Counsel, who only just failed to become a Gr 1 wfa winner when pipped in the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge over 1600m last time and he also came second in Cape Town’s greatest race The Gr 1 wfa WSB Met over 2000m. He will be ridden by Callan Murray and is drawn well in five.

The locally-trained horses in the field are the Stuart Ferrie-trained Gladatorian, the Frank Robinson-trained Mocha Blend, the Gareth van Zyl-trained King Pelles and the Peter Muscutt-trained pair I Salute You and Isivivane.

There are eight Cape-trained horses in the top 18 and five Highveld-trained horses and the two reserves are both Highveld-trained horses.

Tammy and Candice Dawson will be out to become the third female trainers to win the July and have the mare Minogue involved. She will be ridden by Gavin Lerena.

The 18 incumbent runners include five three-year-olds, nine four-year-olds, three five-year-olds and one six-year-old and the two reserves consist of a four-year-old and a three-year-old.

Three jockeys have been flown in to ride in the race, Zac Llloyd, Chad Schofield, who rides King Pelles, and Mark Du Plessis, who rides I Salute You.

Only five jockeys in the race have won a July before, with Richard Fourie having three wins to his name, while each of Gavin Lerena, Kabelo Matsunyane, JP van der Merwe and last year’s winning rider Craig Zackey have won the big race once apiece.

 The weight structure this year has topweight at 62kg and bottom weight at 52kg and for the first time in many years it is just a straight handicap without any allowances or limitations.

There is only one horse in the top 18 who is officially under sufferance and that is Regulation, who is 1kg under sufferance, although the second reserve runner Curious Girl will be 4kg under sufferance if she gets in.

With a stake that doubles from last year to R10 million it is going to be a humdinger!

RACE 1

NEW DAY made good late progress on debut. That experience should have done her the world of good and she is the one to beat. ETERNAL SPIRIT is knocking on the door and should be right there at the finish. AMERICAN PETAL fell on debut but was not disgraced when fourth last time out so could earn. KITANA’S JOY showed some improvement last time out and has a place chance. PROSPER’S GIRL and SKIP THE LINE are capable of improvement.

RACE 2

A very open looking race. GIMMETHEGOLD is in good shape and could be ready for a winning turn. KALEESH CYBORG returns from a break and a change of trainer. He tries the Polytrack and could be a real threat. LOVE FROM AFAR makes his local debut after changing trainers and would not be a surprise winner. WALK RIGHT IN ran well on local debut and should have more to offer. RIP WHEELER, GREEN POINT and JAZZ AWAY are all capable of getting into the mix as well.

RACE 3

An interesting and open leg of the Pick 6. LOTUS SILK is probably the best horse in the race but her best form has been on the grass. She may still win this. LADY BOMBER returns on the surface of her best form and has claims. HAZE AND SMOKE is better than her last run and could make all the running. NORTH STAR and DUPONT EMERALD have ability and should be included in all Pick 6 permutations. TOO LATE MY MATE was not disgraced on local debut and has a winning chance. DESERT CLOUD is a lot better than what she showed last time out and is another to consider.

RACE 4

MADE TO MEASURE had seven starts without winning on the Highveld. She has been consistent of late and perhaps the change to the Polytrack will get a victory out of her. MATTER OF TRUST makes her local debut and improvement should be forthcoming. SALAGADOOLA is not reliable but can contest the finish. FLEUR DE VILLE seems better than a modest last run and could improve. GUTSY BABY and CAUGHTUBYSURPRISE have improved and could earn. EXPLOSIVE GIFT looked a very unlucky loser last time out and could go one better.

RACE 5

THIS OR THAT was an impressive debut winner. The second that day is a more than useful yardstick so this filly cold have races in hand. DANCING IN WINTER has a place chance this course and distance. MIDNIGHT MUSIC has struggled of late but might earn minor money. MY AMI BEACH showed improvement last time out and could place. POWER OF TIGER quickened nicely to win on local debut and could have more to offer. BENEATH THE MOON has a difficult draw to overcome but might play a role. VOORSMAAKIE is yet another that can get involved.

RACE 6

FRENCH FLAME was a very easy winner on this surface last time out. From a good draw he may follow up. RAVILIOUS has had a very good season and could contest the finish yet again. CHERRY OH BABY likes the Polytrack and is clearly not out of it. DAS GUTE and EL ROMIACHI are not reliable but are capable of scoring. CHARLIE MALONE is often in the placings and can earn. BLAME IT ON ME is better than his last run and can bounce back to win. PALANCAR and HOSPICES DE BEAUNE are two others that are worth considering for large Pick 6 perms.

RACE 7

ONCIDIUM is not reliable but she has been in good form of late and could score. CAPTAIN’S JET needed her local debut. She is capable of winning at this low level. ARABIAN RED has won four times on this surface and does have Richard Fourie in the irons. ALEX MILLER is consistent but is battling to win. That can also be said of FLOWER FESTIVAL. SAY A WISH makes her local debut and tries the Polytrack. NAUTICAL LANDING, RED LHASA and CHRONICLESOFNANIA are all capable of earning.

RACE 8

WILD FIG is very consistent. He is, however, battling for a second win. From a good draw Richard Fourie will give him every chance. TRIP TO PEACE won on local debut and could have more to offer. ALADO’S PRIDE was unlucky last time out and can earn. GARDEN SUN and DONNY’S BOY are in good shape and can make the frame again. SAN QUINTIN and MONT TREMBLANT are recent winners that could trouble the judge. DARLING GIRL has won her last two starts and could complete a hat-trick.

Please note: Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Races 6, 7 and 8 have been abandoned.

Please Note :South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Beverley and Newbury (UK) – 23 June 2026

David Thiselton

The all important Hollywoodbets Durban July Final Field Announcement and Draw Ceremony will happen at Hollywoodbets Greyville today.

The final field panellists, consisting of chairman Raf Sheik (Race Coast), Lennon Maharaj (NHA Chief Handicapper), Aveen Sewpersad (Race Coast), Kurt Felix (Race Coast), Gabriel Soma (4Racing) and Luciano Passerini (4Racing), will have had the unenviable task yesterday (Monday) of choosing 18 runners plus two reserves from the 25 horses still standing their ground.

They would have been helped by the late scratching yesterday of the fancied Happy Verse as he was a top 18 on the log incumbent.

The scratchings of Tenpenny and Shoot The Rapids yesterday would not have been of much help as they were outside the top 20 on the last Hollywoodbets Durban July log and at most the only impact they would likely have had on the final field selection process would have been consideration for one of the two reserve positions.

The anomaly this year is that one of the most fancied runners in the betting market is the Justin Snaith-trained Regulation, despite him only having been 20^th on the final Hollywoodbets Durban July log and having a lowly merit rating of 106, which would mean he would be 1kg under sufferance carrying 52kg if he is a runner in the big race.

The Legislate gelding was fancied to book his place in the July by winning the Gr 3 WSB 1900, but he was caught wide from a wide draw and could only manage a 0,60 length second.

He was then fancied to make amends in the Gr 3 Betgames Cup Trial, but he was once again caught wide and he then reportedly choked up. His unplaced run there dented his chances of a place in the final field.

In his favour is that when winning the Gr 3 Ownpay Peninsula Handicap over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in December he beat top 18 on the July log incumbent Zeitz by 3,20 lengths when receiving only 1kg and then when finishing an unlucky third in the Gr 2 Anthonij Rupert Premier Trophy over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in January he beat Zeitz at level weights by 1,55 lengths and beat another top 18 July log incumbent, Native Ruler, by 2,35 lengths at level weights.

Furthermore, he beat top 18 incumbents The Ultimate King and Native Ruler in the WSB 1900, although he was receiving 6kg from The Ultimate King and 8kg from Native Ruler and only beat them by a quarter of a length and 1,35 lengths respectively.

Zeitz reversed form with Regulation when winning the Cup Trial and Regulation was also beaten by Listed Sledgehamnmer winner Field Marshal in the Cup Trial. The latter still stands his ground in the July.

The problem is which horse would Regulation leapfrog if it was decided to put him in?

The 19th position on the last log was the Gr 3 Jubilee winner Aladdin’s Lamp and he deserves a place as the winner of a traditional July pointer race and he is also in the handicap off his 110 rating carrying 53kg.

The next horse above Regulation on the log in 18th position was Minogue, who has placed a narrow second in her last two races, which were both Gr 2s over 2000m.

However, Regulation has won a stakes race this season, while Minogue has never won a black type race in her career, although she has many stakes places to her name including a Gr 1 runner up finish.

Other horses who have not had stakes wins this season despite some good placed efforts are Choisaanada (17th on the log), I Salute You (15th), Olivia’s Way (14th), Viva’s Liberte (11th), King Pelles (9th), Note To Self  (7th) and Gladatorian (6th).

If winning a stakes race is a key criteria then Regulation must have a chance.

It is always a tough decision for the final field panellists and there are always those who either feel disappointed or aggrieved.

However, the Hollywoodbets Durban July Final Field Announcement and Draw ceremony is when the famous “July Fever” really kicks into overdrive.

It is a hugely anticipated event by the South African racing community and trainers, owners, jockeys, breeders, grooms, punters and bookmakers will be on tenterhooks when the ceremony starts at 11 a.m. tomorrow morning, with the final field tension being followed by the barrier draw tension.

Gavin Lerena makes an appearance in Cape Town today when his main ride comes aboard Give It Laldy in race 8 over 1100m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. He has always been held in high regard and his last win shows the potential he holds.

Reigning Champion Jockey of South Africa Lerena has found himself in a golden spot by sharing rides with Sean Veale for Hollywood Racing. Lerena has had a rough season through some injuries and serving a suspension for indiscretions last season but he still trading at a high win percentage this season of nearly 19%.

Give It Laldy has only one indifferent run in his career which came over 1600m. He was not ready for that. He did not see out the trip but every other run is good quality, signs of a promising sprinter in the making.

His last victory was visually impressive. Give It Laldy quickened smartly to run away from Objet D’Art who did not seem to be stopping. He ran the finish out of the useful rival who he meets on 2kg worse terms for less than a length deficit. One cannot shake off the feeling that Give It Laldy is so progressive and he has something left in the locker. He has only raced five times for two wins and two places. He is still very much low mileage. It has been two months since his last run so fitness could be an issue with Objet O’Art coming off the same break. Weather has not been rough in Cape Town since the start of May so there is no reason to be behind from a work perspective.

Trainer Lucinda Woodruff has been in sensational form across the coast over the past few weeks. That would enhance confidence around the chances of Give It Laldy as well as Katsu a few races earlier. He has an outstanding chance.

Objet D’Art must stand out as a big danger. He is in a similar profile to Give It Laldy in that he is lightly raced and he must have bright days ahead of him. There has been little to choose between them. Give It Laldy seems like more of a sprinter while Objet D’Art could have be more versatile. Regardless, one cannot be ignored over the other. Craig Zackey is carded to take the ride.

Flying Finley is in the pink of health His brilliant work has been over 1000m lately and it is hard to imagine that he will suddenly not have the legs to run over an extra 100m. He is adaptable to change his running style too while Keagan de Melo gets a tune out of him. With his recent wins, his rating rises and life becomes harder but while he is performing in this manner, he cannot be ignored.

Another Hero has improved with every start and he looks set to exit the maiden ranks in race 1 over 1200m. His sequence reads fourth, third and second including runs to the promising Magma Flow, The Cullinan and Aquae Calidae. Of the raced runners, he has the most compelling form to recommend despite some pleasing runs from the likes of Saratona Sunrise and Rust Never Sleeps.

A first timer looks well primed to win race 2 over 1200m unless Catch me continues to improve but he must be vulnerable because he has not sparked up much. His last start came to the progressive Witch Hazel over this course and distance and he was well beaten. He made his debut in a minor feature so he must have been showing something to kick off against Tag And Release. Waiting Game is from one of the most prolific families on the circuit. Rainbow Bridge, Hawwaam and Golden Ducat are half brothers to his mare, In Limbo. Bolero and Gentian are bred to be quick and they could have a touch of ability first up.

Jack A Dandy caught the eye on debut and he must stand a winning chance in race 3 over 1200m. He had no right to finish third behind Sing Forevermore but he found a late finish to end up nearly three lengths behind in third. If this run is not a performance premature from him really finding his feet, he could improve enough and win. Craig Zackey is up for Dean Kannemeyer.

Miss Smiley is no good thing in race 4 over 1000m but she is hinting that a win is around the corner. Her last start was a near miss in second behind Ruby Rex over this course and distance. She is a 10-start maiden which must be taken into account. With a field of unknowns and pedigrees perhaps not as strong as the earlier races, she might have found herself in the right race.

Superhero runs in race 5 over 1500m and he will take all the beating. After hitting the crossbar and finishing second in his last two runs, a win must be due. He gave red hot fancy Navasnine plenty to think about in his last run over 1400m at this course. Crucially, that was his first run after nearly a year off the track. He van only step forward from the run and strip a fitter horse.

Katsu has kept good company and that should serve him well off top weight of 62kg in race 6 over 1600m. Recent runs to Hollywoodbets Durban July entries Tenpenny and La Pulga and a recent run to the progressive Major Master indicates a sharp drop in class. He generally runs well above himself and he does not let the team down. Woodruff sends him out with Mickaelle Michel in the irons taking 1,5kg off his back.

Backinthefastlane and Trip To Camelot are both tree-year-olds starting at a low base after maiden wins but both look capable of scaling up from Class 5 company. They meet in race 7 over 1950m. Both have reasons to work with them. Backinthefastlane just needs to show that he can reach this trip. His form is solid and he must have a top chance while Trip To Camelot is taking the long route but he should love this trip being a relation to SA Derby winners Hero’s Honour and Legend Of Arthur.

Please note: Turffontein scheduled for Tuesday 30 June meeting has been moved to Monday 29 June 2026.

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.