David Thiselton

The Hollywoodbets Greyville poly meeting yesterday got off to a cracking start for punters with the two favourites winning the first two races and a fancied horse winning the third at an attractive price.

In the first over 1000m, an Open Maiden, the Candice and Tammy Dawson-trained three-year-old Pathfork filly Power Of Pearls brought hard-knocking Highveld form in which she had run ten times for three seconds, six thirds and a fourth. She was set to carry 58,5kg off a 73 merit rating as she was given a 2,5kg gender allowance, but in reality she only carried 54,5kg as 4kg claimer Divesh Ramkhalawon was aboard. She bunny hopped as the stalls opened and lost a length or more but then showed fine pace and ended up in a battle for the lead between herself, Highveld Storm and Catrien. She was between that pair but in the straight she kept on finding and, under pressure, she did well to forge ahead  in the final 100m under a cool Ramkhalawon to covert 7/10 odds by one length from a staying on Captain T, with Catrien, Donmagoo and Winter Miracle next best.

In the second, a Maiden over 1400m, the Andre Nel-trained Gimmethegreenlight gelding Prins Jaspar started 2/1 favourite having run a good third in his first start in KZN having had some fair form in Cape Town. Prins Jaspar pinged the gates and never looked back, cruising to a three length win under Serino Moodley with the rest of the field spread out like the washing.

In the third the 93 merit-rated Vaughan Marshall-trained Act Of War filly Victory In Orleans looked an absolute picture in the preliminaries, but against her was the weights in this Middle Stakes event over 1400m for fillies and mares, because she was officially 3kg under sufferance with the best-weighted Infinity Edge. However, she is progressive and won from start to finish in fine style by 1,70 lengths under Callan Murray. Infinity Edge did not settle well and was well beaten in sixth place.

In the next race over 1400m, a Class 4 handicap, the Gareth van Zyl-trained Dubai Dude relished his first outing on the poly and gave Athandiwe a welcome first victory since returning from  injury on March 27, so hopefully this will buoy his confidence. Starting at 8/1, the Declarationofpeace gelding ended up sitting on he quarters of the leader Johnny Boy. He had no cover but settled well. He has plenty of substance and responded well when asked to fetch Grand Appeal who was charging down the inside rail. He got up by a shorthead. He looks like one to follow as he looks to have plenty of scope for further improvement.

In the fifth race over 1000m, a C Stakes event over 1000m, the Kumaran Naidoo-trained six-year-old Rafeef gelding Rainbow Reward relished running over this course and distance since going close over it on December 9 and as he had come down two points since then and was one of the best weighted males here he was fair value at 33/10. He pinged the gates from pole position and found the box seat and in the straight pulled away from them with ease to win by 1,70 lengths under 4kg claimer Anaas Mosaheb.

In the sixth race over 1200m Hollywood Racing claimed their 146th win of the season when the Vengi Masawi-trained William Longsword mare won the Class 4 handicap over 1200m by 0,80 lengths under Sean Veale. She also pinged the gate from pole position and was also in the box seat. She ran on well down the inside to beat the consistent Dawn Surprise by 0,80 lengths.

The seventh race over 1200, a B Stakes event, saw a third victory from he pole position-drawn horse in succession as the Alyson Wright-trained Vercingetorix gelding won by 0,70 lengths under Keagan de Melo from the favourite Black Eagle. He jumped well and from a midfield position on the rail switched out to come home full of running to convert 4/1 odds. He will pay to follow as he was 1kg under sufferance with the favourite under the conditions.

In the last race over 1200, a Class 5 event, Definitely Yes scored a deserved win having gone close at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last time over the same trip. She came from a handy position and ran on well under Chad Little to beat L’Ultimo by 0,30 lengths and thus deny yet another win for a pole position-drawn runner.

David Thiselton

The Vaal Classic track has an eight race meeting today and the highest rated race is a Mr 97 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1800m which could be won by Doitwithdiamonds.

The Tony Peter-trained Silvano mare has not run in an ordinary race since early December when finishing a close second over this course and distance in a fillies and mares handicap. Furthermore, she was rated 100 for that race and is now rated 99. In her last three runs, the distance of 1450m was too sharp and she was out at the weights in a Conditions event in February, she was under sufferance and not well drawn in the Listed Acacia Stakes over 1600m in March and last time out in April she did well to be beaten just 2,90 lengths in the Gr 2 TAB Igugu Stakes over 2000m, because she was way under sufferance. She cracks a pole position draw in today’s race, although at time of writing the jockey was unknown. Avoontoast has won over this distance before and should have come on from her last run which followed a rest. Keagan de Melo rides from a good draw off a merit rating which is eight points higher than her highest winning mark, but she did finish a close second off a one point lower mark in her penultimate start. Juliet Tango is 3kg better off with Doitwithdiamonds for a 1,60 length beating just over a year ago over this distance, but Juliet Tango’s form has not been great since. However, she might have benefited from a layoff having not run for about five months. Mount Etna is in good form but has to overcome a five point raise for her last win. Free In Seattle has the form to be a contender if able to overcome a wide draw.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1000m Master’s Lady should make a bold bid from a draw which is towards the right side i.e. a relatively high number. Princess Of All has just as good form but has the number one draw which is usually tricky.  Two-year-old Energia could be dangerous as she has faced top fields in her last two starts and hasn’t been disgraced.

In the second leg of the Pick 6 over 1000m Zoombomber could make a bold bid from draw seven of eleven. Tiger Storm should finish close to Zoombomber considering the form of when they last met. Sergeant Soqrat has not fared well in three starts in succession in KZN, but he has come down three points and has a 2,5kg claimer up too, while this is also the course and distance of his best recent run.

In the fifth, a MR 93 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m Mystical Miss is drawn on the right side and has the form to go close under in form Mickaelle Michel.  Executrix might relish the step down in trip and can’t be ignored. Vanakkam has plenty of speed and ability and should make a bold bid despite being drawn on the low side. Russian Nobility is drawn on the standside and has Craig Zackey up and she could bounce back from her disappointing  second career start having won nicely on debut. Just The Two Of Us beat Vanakkam when they last met, but she is now four points higher and has the potentially unfavourable number one draw.

In the sixth over 1000m Lovable should appreciate the step down in trip and should make a bold bid. Eight Hats ran a cracker last time and should be right there. Blindfire enjoys this course and distance and is drawn in the middle. Jazz Pianist has come down to a competitive merit rating and could be in the shake up. Wings Of Kildra should finish on top of Jazz Pianist on form.

In the eighth race over 1800m Rosy Lemon usually does well in fillies and mares handicaps and can go close here from a good draw over an ideal trip under Serino Moodley. Craig Zackey is aboard Arctic Silver who has a wide draw to overcome but has the form to go close. Kortvandraad is interesting stepped up in trip being by Erupt and she can do well from a plum draw under Mickaelle Michel. Apostrophe is also capable of doing well if able to overcome a wide draw. Play With Fire is always capable of popping up.

In the second over 1600m What A Warrior is well regarded and should make a bold bid over a suitable trip from pole position. Doesyourmotherknow won a fine race last time and should also enjoy this trip, although she does have a tricky draw. Dear Doc should also be in the shake up.

In the first over 1000m Periodic Table should be hard to beat and the good work rider Phenisile Mongqawa rides.

RACE 1

PERIODIC TABLE drifted alarmingly in the betting on debut but still finished an encouraging second and could confirm that promise by going one better with natural improvement expected, though HAMMER BLOW does have the form and experience to fight out the finish. Newcomer SPIRIT OF THE SEA won’t have to be special to pose a threat, especially if the market speaks in his favour.

RACE 2

Improving SHERIFF BILL BROWN relished the step up in distance when opening his account last time over 1400m and the extended 200m should unlock further improvement. However, he could find conceding 3kg to filly DOESYOURMOTHERKNOW a bridge too far. The latter wasn’t winning out of turn when shedding her maiden tag over 1400m and this trip could also be more to her liking. WHAT A WARRIOR and DEAR DOC have the form experience to make their presence felt. LONE HORIZON, capable of better than a disappointing last run suggests, and THE NAME OF DLADLA (engaged to run earlier) complete the shortlist.

RACE 3

PRINCESS OF ALL was returning from almost 4 months off when tiring late to finish second over course and distance recently. She would’ve tightened up with the benefit of that comeback run and will not have to improve much – if at all – to go one better. MASTER’S LADY has been costly to follow but has the form and experience to pose a threat. Stablemate SECRET LIFE and ELEGANT EDGE remain open to improvement so could fill the minor positions.

RACE 4

Veteran 10yo JET CAT was a good fourth at a higher level over this track and trip last time so a repeat of that effort off an unchanged mark could suffice. SERGEANT SOQRAT finished second in that race but subsequently lost his form in KZN so may enjoy being back on the Highveld. INAFIX and ORIENTAL BOUQUET are closely matched on that form so should be right in the mix. Class-dropper LILAC SNOW and hard-knocker ZOOMBOMBER also have the means to get involved. TIME WILL TELL and PALACE REVOLT have dropped in the ratings to a competitive mark so can make their presence felt too.

RACE 5

JUST THE TWO OF US bounced back to her best last time when winning over this trip at a higher level with cheekpieces fitted and a 4-point penalty may not be enough to prevent her from following up with the headgear retained. VANAKKAM, VERSACE ONTHETRACK and BOSUM BUDDY are held on that form but weighted to get closer. MYSTICAL MISS is consistent at this level and should be competitive too. RUSSIAN NOBILITY and EXECUTRIX return from lengthy absences but remain open to improvement so are others to consider.

RACE 6

LOVABLE has good recent form at this level and finished second over this trip off her current mark two starts back. She ought to play another leading role on current form and could emerge victorious with any improvement. BLINDFIRE, QUIET WINTER, WINGS OF KILDRA and returning CRYSTAL GROVE had excuses for disappointing last starts but could have a say if bouncing back to their earlier form. JAZZ PIANIST should strip fitter after a pleasing comeback run and must be respected off a reduced mark. TAKING A RISK finished ahead of that rival last time off her current rating so should have a role to play.

RACE 7

DIMAKO’S JET improved with blinkers fitted to win consecutive 1800m appearances, the latest over track and trip before a break. She carries a 4-point penalty on her return but remains competitive off a career-high mark. Stablemate PALACE DANCER fits a similar profile after bouncing back to her best with a last-start victory over course and distance with blinkers applied, and a 3-point penalty isn’t likely to halt her momentum. DOITWITHDIAMONDS and class-dropper SOLDIER’S EYE are closely matched on the form of a recent Grade 2 meeting and both should be more competitive at this level.

RACE 8

Progressive 3yo SCARLET O’HARA boasts solid form credentials at a higher level, albeit over 2000m. She races off a reduced mark in calmer waters so won’t need to improve to get back to winning ways. Consistent hard-knocker ROSY LEMON is competitive off her current mark and wouldn’t be winning out of turn after consecutive seconds. KORTVANDRAAD caught the eye when a fast-finishing third over 1400m last time and this extended trip could be more to her liking. Stablemate PALACE SCRIPT fits a similar profile so has to be respected. SURPRISE PARTY, PLAY WITH FIRE and APOSTROPHE aren’t taken lightly.

Please Note: Live Commentary is now available on Service Line 031 314 1555

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Bath and York (UK) – 13 May 2026

David Thiselton

Isivivane has been raised four points to 108 for his win in the Gr 3 WSB 1900, while the second and third-place horses, Regulation and Trust, have both been raised one point apiece to 106 and 111 respectively.

Fourth-placed The Ultimate King was the line horse and remains on 117.

The Ultimate King faced Isivivane on half-a-kilogram terms better than he would have in a handicap and was beaten 0,85 lengths.

Regulation and Trust faced The Ultimate King on the same terms as they would have in a handicap and beat him by a quarter of a length and a neck respectively.

The only other change from the race was made to last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July sixth-placed Native Ruler, who was dropped two point from 123 to 121.

He faced The Ultimate King on 1kg better terms than he would have in a handicap and he was beaten by him by 1,10 lengths.

In the other relevant race on Sunday, a conditions plate over 1600m won by Okavango with July entries Eight On Eighteen, Note To Self and Mocha Blend running behind him in that order, the merit ratings of the runners were all untouched.

In Johannesburg Jan Van Goyen’s merit rating of 118 remained untouched after his second placed finish in a Pinnacle event over 1800m, but the winner of that race Pressonregardless, who is not a July entry, was raised two points from 113 to 115, and the last-placed runner in that six-horse field, Wild Intent, was dropped one point from 110 to 109.

The favourite for the Hollywoodbets Durban July is still See It Again which is somewhat surprising considering the big weight of 62kg he will carry as things stand and he will thus be giving the bottom weights 10kg.

Isivivane will be one of the bottom weights on 52kg and in fact as things stand he will be 1kg under sufferance.

Trust will also carry 52kg and will actually be 1,5kg under sufferance as things stand, considering the 2kg weight for age allowance there is for three-year-olds running over 2200m at the beginning of July.

Considering he was a narrow runner up in the Gr 1 HKJC World Pool SA Classic over 1800m, it won’t be easy for See It Again to give 10kg to a horse of that calibre or to the SA Classic winner Grand Empire, who is also rated 111.

Eight On Eighteen is rated 129, so will get half-a-kilogram from See It Again.

An interesting comparison will be to compare the weight turnaround from last year of Eight On Eighteen and Native Ruler.

Eight On Eighteen carried 3kg more than Native Ruler last year and beat him by 3,70 lengths.

This year Eight On Eighteen will be giving Native Ruler only 4kg and considering he had a weight for age allowance of 2kg last year as a three-year-old, it means Eight On Eighteen is actually effectively 1kg better off than he was last year with Native Ruler. So considering Eight On Eighteen beat Native Ruler easily in last year’s race, the latter has very little chance of beating Eight On Eighteen in this year’s big race.

On the other hand Native Ruler did beat Eight On Eighteen in this year’s WSB Met, but the latter had an interrupted preparation into that race.

Star Major impressed when winning the Gr 2 WSB Guineas and was raised to 118, the same mark as both Jan Van Goyen and Note To Self.

They will all be carrying 54kg as things stand which should be manageable.

Wish List will also have a nice galloping weight of 53,5kg and she only looks to be getting better. She could be the fifth filly to win the big race this millennium.

David Thiselton

The Hollywoodbets Durban July betting market had a it of a shake up with the Peter Muscutt-trained Isivivane being the biggest mover from 50/1 to 25/1 after winning the Gr 3 WSB 1900.

A win in the 1900 usually earns a place in the July final field, but competition will be stiff for a final field berth this year and Isivivane’s relatively lowly merit rating might work against him as things stand, although the handicapper has a few options.

Isivivane had a nett merit rating one point lower than both the second and third placed horses, Regulation and Trust, and carried the same weight as them under the merit rated band conditions and he beat them by 0,60 and 0,65 lengths respectively, so if either of them is used as the line horse he won’t go up by more than two points from his current 104 rating.

If The Ultimate King is used as a line horse Isivivane could get three points. The former was half-a-kg better off than Isivivane and was beaten 0,85 lengths.

Imilenzeyokududuma faced Isivivane on level terms and was beaten 1,95 lengths, so him as the line horse would mean 4 points for Isivivane and could mean one point for both Regulation and Trust.

Native Ruler was a tie 1,95 lengths fifth but was 1,5kg better off with Isivivane so him as the line horse could mean seven points for Isivivane as well as four points for both Regulation and Trust.

Native Ruler finished fifth in the WSB Met having finished sixth in last year’s July, so might be a suitable line horse.

On the other hand it was a comeback run, so he might have needed it, and The Ultimate King might in that case be a more appropriate line horse as he was fit from a 0,80 length third place finish in the Gr 2 Colorado King Stakes over 2000m having finished a 10,30 length six in the Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge.

If Isivivane gets seven points he will go up to 111, which will be interesting because last year’s WSB 1900 winner Selukwe ran in the July off a 111 and finished third. Furthermore, Selukwe was 2kg under sufferance carry 54kg, whereas, as things stand, Isivivane will be in the handicap carrying 52,5kg off a 111.

There was no pace in Saturday’s WSB 1900 and Trust was able to get over from the widest draw in the ten horse field to set a sedate pace.

However, he picked up the pace at the 800m mark, meaning he would have been used to some extent coming up the hill towards the straight, an underestimated energy sapper.

Trust stayed on gallantly in the straight under vigorous urgings from Serino Moodley, but Isivivane, who had sat it the box seat slowly wore him down to get up late.

Regulation ran on strongly from midfield and was unlucky as he was caught wide throughout. He looks underrated at 105 and is deserving of a place in the July field, but might now have to rely on the Gr 3 Cup Trial.

In a conditions plate over 1600m on the day involving a number of July horses Eight On Eighteen was the surprise early leader as Okavango was held up.

Okavango then moved around horses to take the lead while Note To Self was content to sit in fourth place in the six horse field while Mocha Blend was last.

In the straight Okavango continued to lead while Eight On Eighteen was waited with.

Note To Self was not asked any serious questions until the 200m mark by which time the bird had flown.

Mocha Blend moved up from last and let down well when asked at the 200m mark, a fine run after a long layoff.

Eight On Eighteen put in a bold bid after moving up well, but Okavango fought back to win by 0,30 lengths, with Note To Self beaten 0,90 lengths in third.

Mocha Blend was beaten two lengths in fourth and 102 rated Ascalon Dancer and 95 rated Down By The River were beaten 2.05 and 4,35 lengths respectively.

It seems unlikely the handicapper will touch any of the merit ratings in this race although Note To Self, rated 118, did run above his merit rating compared to Eight On Eighteen (129) as he would have received 8kg from him in a handicap and only received 6kg.

At Turffontein on Sunday Jan Van Goyen made a cracking comeback in a Pinnacle Stakes race won by the useful Pressonregardless.

He had traffic problems in the straight and only went down by 0,80 lengths.

It was his first run as a gelding and he was a touch out at the weights on official merit ratings, so considering he will come on from the run it was a run that put him back on track after a couple of disappointing runs.

Please note:  Hollywoodbets Kenilworth has received 20mm of rain during the night.
There is rain forecast throughout the remainder of the day and tomorrow.
The decision has been made to postpone the race meeting of Tuesday 12 May 2026 to Saturday 16 May 2026.

Andrew Harrison

We are now at the sharp end of Champions Season and for all trainers that have hopes of landing the R10 million Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July, it is a case of plotting each of their runner’s into the race with a competitive weight.

So it is tricky trying to second guess trainer’s plans but is makes for some head-scratching puzzles especially as the July is now a true handicap. The Gr2 WSB 1900 has waxed and waned as a lead-up race into the July but in recent years it has proved to be good pointer and it could again prove to be come today at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

Peter Muscutt saddles July entry Isivivane who is still under the radar as far as a place in the July field is concerned but a win here will most likely earn him a gate.  Of concern is that his last two wins have come on the poly track but he has a handy galloping weight from a good draw. Justin Snaith is well on his way to another national Champions Trainer title and sends out three lively runners. Native Ruler has nothing to lose off his rating as he has top weight although contracted rider JP van der Merwe rides stable companion Regulation for Greg and Gina Bortz who gets 8kg from Native Ruler. The betting could tell a tail but Regulation will need a forward showing.

Candice and Tammy Dawson send out top class Trust, a winner of the Gr2 Dingaans. He has not been out of the money in six outings and his showing here will shed some light on what the current crop of three-year-olds are capable off. Given the conditions of the race, a victory will not come at any major cost to his handicap rating but would indeed almost cement his place in the July field.

Paul Peter gives The Ultimate King a look at Greyville and the gelding has solid Highveld form over the trip. He was narrowly beaten by Fire Attack last time out when racing in first time blinkers and has nothing to lose.

First leg of the Pick 6 is a Conditions Plate that has cut up from an original entry of 27 to just seven runners, dominated by Snaith who sends out four of the seven.

It is a high class field but Snaith’s intentions are not easy to decipher as most of the field is warming up for future features. All four of Snaith’s runners have the July penciled in behind their names and again the market could prove to be your best guide.

Likely pacemaker is Okavango who has run two cracking front-running races at his last two including a game second to stable companion See It Again in the Gr1 Premier’s Champions Cup at Turffontein. He gets the services of last Saturday’s Gr2 WSB Guineas winning rider Mickaella Michel – who incidentally came from last on Star Major – but gets the benefit of her 1.5kg allowance. The gelding is already among the top weights for the July so a win should not come at much cost in the handicap. Stable companion Legal Counsel will also not do his July weight much damage given his rating and was doing his best work late behind Questioning last time out and will strip a fit horse. Of bigger interest are Snaith’s other pair of Note To Self and Eight On Eighteen. Note To Self was runner-up to crack filly Wish List in the Gr1 Cape Derby and a forward showing will enhance his chances of making the July field but a jump in the handicap is a possibility. Eight On Eighteen, a game runner-up in last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July behind The Real Prince, makes his local debut after a disappointing Cape season. He may just need this to bring him on but he has more than enough class to pull this off. Craig Zackey is an interesting booking as the current log leading rider will surely be aboard The Real Prince in the July, all things going to plan.

Frank Robertson also has the July on the radar for his Gr1 Summer Cup winning filly Mocha Blend and she comes in with a realistic chance as she gets weight from all except the lightly raced and recent maiden winner Ascalon Dancer whose performance will be watched with more than just passing interest.

Andrew Harrison

Most jockeys will tell you that when their confidence is up, that confidence for some reason tends to transfer to their mounts. Some years back, Jeff Lloyd went through a three or four-month stint where he was almost invincible and attributed his winning streak to confidence in his ability.

Andrew Fortune is never short of confidence whether going through a lean patch or not, but he is currently in the prime of his life at 57 years old. “ I’m so confident that I think I’m the best jockey in the world,” he chimed after a typical Fortune display on Lucinda Woodruff’s filly Wedding Vow in the first.

Never in trouble as he navigated the early stages. At the top of the straight he was on the heels of favourite and pacemaker Siyabamelela who Sean Veale had pressed forward early for the lead, and he never broke his bridge as Wedding Vow sailed clear to win as she liked.

 Terry Fripp has been around the block more than once, from Summerveld to Dubai and back, and given the opportunity by Candice Bass he is doing a fine job in saddling winners for her KZN satellite yard. Whatastar added another to the stables growing list as Serino Moodley managed to keep his mount mostly clear of the pack in the charge for home. Whatastar hung badly towards the inside rail, momentarily forcing Craig Zackey to ease on the favourite De Gulden who held on for third as Futano slipped through on the inside rail for second.

Zackey said the check had not made any difference to the result but added that De Gulden will likely be avoiding the poly for the time being.

Young apprentice Damyan Pillay took a page out of the Andrew Fortune book of race riding as he got the promising Magical Sky home in the opening leg of the PA.

One could have thrown a blanket over the seven-horse field for most of the race and Alyson Wright admitted that she got a little anxious as Pillay sat motionless until the final furlong. “We told him to be patient  but I thought he was being a little too patient. But he knew what was under him.”

Poly specialist Magical Sky responded to Pillay’s late efforts and went on well to hold off Catch Penny and Kytheria.

The first leg of the Pick 6 developed into little more than an exercise canter for the Glen Kotzen-trained hot favourite Vixens War. She carted Craig Zackey to the front from the jump and extended in the straight to win easing up by nearly four lengths ahead of stable companion Takethegreenlight in a bloodless victory.

 Mohandas has seldom been far off the money in is 48 starts and added a fifth win to his credit when putting his best foot forward in the D Stakes over 200m. In a race run at no great pace, Tristan Godden time his assault on the finishing line to perfection and Yogas Govender’s charge responded to comfortably hold off a late challenge from Double Olympic and the grey Arctic Fury who battled home in third.

Master Du Rouvray has always been held in high regard by Mark Dixon although the gelding took some time to realise his potential. He shed his maiden back in September last year and yesterday racked up his fourth win as Keagan de Melo made light of the geldings 62.5kg, sweeping around the turn in an early move that paid off. The son of Master Of My Fate quickened past his rivals and then stayed on gamely to hold off a late-charging Syx Hotfix.

Serino Moodley was crowing from the roof tops as Stuart Ferrie’s charge Town Crier took advantage of a ‘long rein’ on Next Of Kin to win the seventh, a Class 4 over 1600m. Given a copybook ride from his inside gate, Town Crier accelerated out of the pack crossing the subway led by Pied Piper to win well. However, he may have been a tad lucky as Sean Veale appeared to have got his reins in a tangle and his left hand was ‘fishing a long line’ to prevent Next Of Kin hanging in under pressure. The grey closed in fast but not fast enough.

 With Mauritius racing seemingly back on an even keel after a couple of years of turmoil, the prospects of their apprentice riders taking advantage of the thoroughly professional grounding at the SA Jockey Academy is bright. Apprentices from the island granted the benefit of the SAJA generally take their opportunities seriously and Anaas Mosaheb rode his second winner when scooting home on ML Odendaal’s mare Mystique Rouge in the eighth. She burst clear of the pack two furlongs out and was not for the catching.

To press home the Mauritius point, Divesh Ramkhalawon and Iannish Taka fought out the last with Chara Sands getting the better of Yadav Singh’s Victor Rail. Ramkhalawon has burst onto the scene in the last four months and Michael Roberts has been quick to take advantage of his 4kg claim.