David Thiselton

Summerveld trainer Louis Goosen has a couple of runners on World Pool Gold Cup day on Sunday at Hollywoodbets Greyville as well as a reserve and he is bullish about all three of them.

In the Gr 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Champion Stakes over 1600m he runs the giant horse Erik Dubois who ran on well last time out in the Gr 2 Durban Golden Horseshoe over 1400m and is improving all the time.

Goosen said, “He is a big, solid sort, you are talking about a 600kg two-year-old and he is still growing in the hindquarters, so I don’t know if he will even fit into the starting stalls – they might have to extend the back or something! He is a magnificent horse. You will see the best of him at three, but I think he is a huge, huge runner in the Champion Stakes on Sunday. He is still a soft, big boy, but he is coming on all the time. He is at the top of his game.”

As opposed to the Golden Horseshoe when drawn widest of all in 14 and dropped in near the back before running on for a 2,95 length sixth, the Laurence Wernars family-owned horse is now drawn three and he has the bonus of three-time SA Champion jockey Lyle Hewitson aboard.

Earlier in the Gr 2 World Pool With Race Coast Debutante over 1200m he runs Ferrari Flair. This Vercingetorix two-year-old filly might still be a maiden, but she has shown class against the best.

In the Gr 3 Tote Strelitzia Stakes over 1100m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville she finished a 0,35 length third in her career third start.

She followed that with a 6,25 length seventh in the Gr 2 Allan Robertson Championship over 1200m in which she ran on very well from last after being squeezed out at the start.

Next time out she ran a fine 2,30 length third to Alice B Toklas in the Listed Devon Air Stakes over 1400m from a pole position draw.

In her last start she didn’t find much extra late when handy and running a 3,25 length eighth in the Gr 2 Amusnet Golden Slipper over 1400m.

She now reverts to a 1200m trip.

Goosen said, “We have got her absolutely spot on and I think she is definitely a runner. We had to decide whether to go up to the mile or back to the 12 and as she has run some crackers over sprints we decided to come down in trip. We managed to get Richard Fourie for the ride.”

Ferrari Flair has landed a plum draw of three and as a non-winner gets 2,5kg from the Gr 2 Amusnet Golden Slipper winner Palace Of Arvernia. Interestingly the latter beat her by 1,40 lengths in the Allan Robertson over this trip, so that puts them just about together at the weights here.

Ferrari Flair should be staying on strongly and has a chance.

The yard’s reserve runner is Blazing Fury, who is second reserve for the Listed HKIR In December Umngeni Handicap over 1000m.

Louis said, “Blazing Fury will be one of the nicest place bets in a long time if he gets in as he has been set 52kg and I will have claimer Blaine Marx-Jacobson up. He will be out at the weights still but it won’t matter he will be a huge runner if there are two scratchings.”

Race 1

MASTER’S LADY has been costly to follow but deserves a reward for her consistency. She wouldn’t be winning out of turn and is unlikely to get a better opportunity to open her account. ELEGANT EDGE and 2yo CALADRIUS have shown enough to trouble the selection, while returning CHARLESTON DAWN need only build on the improvement of her last starts to make her presence felt too. Newcomers SHIRAZ GLOW and WINDRUSH RUN are worth a market check on debut and don’t need to be special to play leading roles either. (Brendan Gaillard 1-5-2-9)

Race 2

ASTROPHILE was well backed on debut and justified that support with a close-up second over track and trip. She would’ve benefitted from that experience and, with any improvement, should go one better. ECHOES OF WAR and TIGER’S CAPTAIN have the form and experience to be competitive, along with WILLOW CHARM whose latest outing is best ignored. (Brendan Gaillard 9-1-3-2)

Race 3

EPIDAURUS has found only one better in each of his last 3 starts and a repeat of any of those efforts should suffice. He finished ahead of EVENING NEWS, HEROIC ACT and COMIC ARTIST over this trip last month and should have the measure of those rivals again. Youngsters SUTTER’S MILL and FOREST ACT are open to any amount of improvement stretching out to this distance so could get into the picture. (Brendan Gaillard 1-2-3-4)

Race 4

LOLLY WILLOWES made eye-catching late headway when finishing fourth over 1400m on this course last time, suggesting the step up to this trip will be more to her liking. LIFE AND LETTERS and GLOBAL ROYALTY have the means to make their presence felt but have more of a place chance than a winning one. BRIGHT COMET and LAZER LIGHT could be anything stretching beyond a sprint trip for the first time. (Brendan Gaillard 1-3-2-5)

Race 5

ROYALE JACKET is better than his last start over a sprint trip suggests. This distance will be more to his liking so a more competitive effort can be expected. ECHO OF THE WILD, MEGA AWESOME and SILVER COMET have scope for improvement and have shown enough to make their presence felt. STEEL PIER has stronger form in open company and was a game-in-defeat second over 1600m last time. A similar performance will make him hard to beat. (Brendan Gaillard 10-1-8-7)

Race 6

MEGHAN’S DIAMOND made an encouraging Highveld introduction and would have tightened up with the benefit of that reappearance. She will be hard to beat with any improvement over this extended trip. BE ALL YOU CAN BE and WINIKA are lightly raced fillies with scope to improve but have shown enough to be competitive. GIMMESUMLUV and MISS RIVER DANCER have the form and experience to make their presence felt too. (Brendan Gaillard 1-2-3-4)

Race 7

GLASTONBURY FIRE and A ROMAN TWIST made encouraging sprint debuts and are bred to improve over this extended trip with that experience to count on. BEACH WALKER and WISH YOU WERE HERE have shown enough to play leading roles. SECOND TO NUNN and CAPTAIN’S EXPRESS have earning potential too. (Brendan Gaillard 5-6-1-3)

David Thiselton

There is a seven race meeting at the Vaal today and all seven races are work riders maidens.

The outside rail is in by just two metres and this setup usually leads to high draws being favourable in the races down the straight, but often the jockeys go to the side where the winners come from and with a lot of the fancied horses drawn low it might lead to them seeking inside ground.

In the first race over 1000m, Master’s Lady has the best form but has drawn the potentially tricky number one draw. However, she has the accomplished rider Tobias Mango up. Caladrius has shown some ability and could be a threat from a nice high draw with the good rider Phenisile Mongqawa aboard.

In the second over 1000m the two-year-old filly Astrophile makes most appeal on form, having made a good debut, but she is another one with a low draw, although Mongqawa will aid her cause. Echoes Of War’s potentially favourable high draw could see him going close as he has shown ability and has the accomplished Savannah Valjalo up. The latter’s 1,5kg gender claim is a bonus.

In the third over 2000m, Epidaurus has drawn pole position and can go in as he has run three seconds in three starts between 1800m and 2000m.

In the fourth over 1500m Lolly Willowes has a low draw, but does not have much to beat and is the first choice. Global Royalty could be the biggest threat.

In the fifth over 1500m, Sam Mosia can help Steel Pier overcome a low draw. This colt by The United States has run well in his last two starts and they have shown him to have the ability to beat this field.

In the sixth over 1300m, Meghan’s Diamond ran well on her Highveld debut and can win this with Chamu Mabaya up.

The last race could go to A Roman Twist who looks capable of improvement and has Mongqawa up. Wish You Were Here and Glastonbury Fire should be in the shake up too.

Andrew Harrison

When world respected and multiple champion trainer Mike de Kock labels a Progress Plate winner capable of taking its place in races like the Gr1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate, and also hinting that it may be added to a stallion roster,  then it is best to sit up and take note.

The Rafeef colt Esteemed has obviously had some serious issues in his short career before returning from a 69 weeks lay-off, with De Kock intimating that it has taken some large vets bills to get him back on track.

That patience has paid dividends for his owners and Esteemed came through his first race back with flying colours, destroying the opposition in a 1200m sprint in his comeback. “Just an exercise canter” was how jockey Richard Fourie described the win.

Sitting off the early pace, Fourie got a dream run up the inside fence and the result was a formality a long way out. A long-striding colt with a pedigree that suggests that a mile and even further would be right up his alley, his progress will now be under the microscope.

It appeared to be an ordinary day of racing at Hollywoodbets Scottsville yesterday but the black books will have been scribbled in. Esteemed stamped himself as a horse to follow, as did Dean Kannemeyer’s gelding Hah Lah Lah.

Taking on a small field with only eight in opposition, Hah Lah Lah made short work of his rivals, winning the Hollywoodbets Bright Future Handicap in commanding fashion. His fourth win from just five starts, Kannemeyer said he would give his charge a break and line him up for the Cape Summer. He is a horse that should comfortably go a mile so may well clash with Esteemed in the Gr1 L’Ormarins Kings Plate.

With a world connected by AI and technology, landing an old fashioned betting coup is never easy, but the punt on Cowboy Country landed with a thud in the Class 4. Gelding does not always have the desired effect but the operation certainly got Cowboy Country concentrating on what he was bred for and backed in from an ante-post call of 20-1 to start around 4-1 was a coup well landed. With Jabu Jacobs calm in the saddle and pressing on when it mattered, the result was never in doubt.

It was a double for Tony Rivalland and owner Mary Liley whose racing roots trace back to the early 1970’s where her colours, with her late husband John Liley, were carried with distinction by many champions.

Who wants to be a stipendiary steward? They do if they don’t as there are plenty of amateur stipes with itchy fingers on line. Mike and Mathew de Kock’s gelding Trombolines came in for a lot of race-time money for the B Stakes over 1400m but the lead-in was delayed as Serino Moodley lodged an objection on the grounds of interference to his mount Nordic Chief in the closing stages.

There was no doubt that Trombolines shifted ground running into Nordic Chief. The question that would have been asked in the boardroom is ‘would Nordic Chief have won but for the interference?’

Any human athlete will tell you that if an opponent leans onto you, you will be inconvenienced, no matter what. However, if that runner comes from behind and likely to go past, that will have been what the stipes took into consideration. Obviously it was their opinion that Trombolines would have won regardless of the interference so the result stood. You Judge!

After making all the running to win the second on Sierra Foxtrot for the fledgling Paardeberg Stud, Glen Kotzen and Chad Little teamed up for a double as Takethegreenlight finally got the Maiden monkey off his back in the Open Maiden.

Giving weight all round, both Kotzen and Little were cautious in their pre-race comments, concerned about the weight but feeling that the gelding was in the right race. They need not have worried as Takethegreenlight was always handy, tracking pacemaker Noctamnulist and taking command shortly after turning for home. Noctamnulist raced very green under pressure but stayed on for second and definitely one for the notebook.

Soccer10 Friday 24 July 2026. ADD-IN: R125 000. Estimated Pool: R1.4 Million. Pool Closes at 20h45. Sport 17 Pool 1

Soccer10 Saturday 25 July 2026. ADD-IN: R125 000. Estimated Pool: R1.4 Million. Pool Closes at 23h30. Sport 20 Pool 1

Soccer Any 13Xtra Saturday 25 July 2026. Carryover R75 000. Estimated Pool: R200 000. Pool Closes at 17h30. Sport 13 and Pool 1.
Soccer13 Saturday 25 July 2026 Carryover R3 395 532 R8.5 Million (If only One 13 of 13 Winner). Pool Closes at 15h30. Sport 10 Pool 1.

Hollywoodbets Greyville Net Pick6 Carryover: R 1 Million. Estimated Pool: R 8 Million. Sunday, 26 July 2026 Race 4 off at 14h35.

Hollywoodbets Greyville Net Jackpot 3 Carryover: R 500 000. Estimated Pool: R 2 Million. Sunday, 26 July 2026 Race 7 off at 16h35.

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Catterick, Leicester (UK) and Naas (IRE) – 22 July 2026.

David Thiselton

The seven-year-old Querari gelding Master Redoute will be out to defy 59 years of history by regaining the Gr 3 World Pool Gold Cup over 3200m on Sunday at Hollywoodbets Greyville and trainer Andre Nel spoke about him as well as his other two runners on the day, O’Tenikwa and Zeitz, at Summerveld yesterday morning (Tuesday).

Nel agreed that Master Redoute, who won the race in 2024 off a 115 merit rating and runs off exactly the same mark this year, had enjoyed a good preparation and added, “He obviously stays very well. The hotter the pace the better for him. He’s an older horse now so is a bit out at the weights. He is having his last run. I am pretty sure he will be retired after this race.”

He added, “He is drawn wide, so he will be coming from off the pace. But that is fine, he is a horse who needs to be produced quite late anyway.”

Regarded as the country’s premier staying race, the Gold Cup had it’s inaugural running in 1920 and only two horses have regained the crown,  Humidor winning in 1933 at odds of 10/1 before being well beaten in 1934 at 25/1 odds and then winning at odds of  6/1 in 1935, while in 1965 Cuff Link won at odds of 12/1 before finishing 6^th at the same odds in 1966 and then winning it at odds of 9/1 in 1967.

Master Redoute came from midfield in 2024 in a stretched out field behind the good pace he relishes. He ran on resolutely in the straight to get up late by a neck from Shoot The Rapids, who was just a three-year-old at the time.

He is 5kg better off with Shoot The Rapids this year, although if weight for age improvement is considered he is effectively only 1,5kg better off as three-year-olds get a 3,5kg allowance over 3200m in July.

Master Redoute had a six month layoff after his Gold Cup win and went straight into the Gr 1 WSB Met, where he ran a fine 2,65 length ninth.

However, he then had a nine month layoff before his next run.

It then took him three runs to find his feet again and he then stayed on well to be a 4,05 length fourth to Ahead Of The Facts in the Gr 3 New Turf Carriers Western Cape Stayers over 2800m at odds of 33/1.

He followed that with a run over the too sharp 1900m trip in the Gr 3 WSB 1900 and he then ran a 2,60 length fourth in the Gr 3 Lucky Fish Winter Stakes over 2400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville before running an excellent half-a-length second in the Gr 3 Durban Gold Vase over 3000m to Ahead Of The Facts.

He will be 1,5kg better off with Ahead Of The Facts in the Gold Cup, so should beat him on paper. However, the latter was being eased at the line and is a progressive sort who should have come on from that run.

Master Redoute beat Shoot The Rapids in the Gold Vase by 0,80 lengths and he will be half-a-kilogram better off with him in the Gold Cup.

The question is whether he will get the good pace he needs?

There is not an obvious pacemaker in the race and it looks unlikely to be as fast as it was two years ago.

However, over 3200m there is an argument that stamina will come through in the end no matter the pace.

Master Redoute is a Sabine Plattner homebred and so is the yard’s other Gr 1 runner on the day, O’Tenikwa.

This four-year-old Vercingetorix gelding is known for his good gate-speed and early pace and with his big action and typical Vercingetorix courage he is sometimes able to free wheel out in front and find another kick at the end. This is what happened when he finished a 2,50 length second to the stalwart Questioning in the Gr 2 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes over the tough 1200m of the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth sprint course in late February.

Nel said, “I think he is doing well, I have been impressed since being here at Summerveld. He is a horse who thrives on prep runs and he has had two good prep runs. The draw is important for him and 1200m is his best  distance, so I think he has got a lot going for him and I think he will go well.”

Nel admitted that his excellent gate-speed is actually a bit problematic as it never allows him to switch off behind cover. However, from a plum draw of three around the bend this long-striding galloper is going to be dangerous.

The yard run the Vercingetorix gelding Zeitz in the Listed Tote Stakes over 1600m. This Maine Chance Farms-bred Plattner-owned grey won his only previous start over this course and distance on July day last year with blinkers on and jumping from draw four.

Nel said he believed Zeitz had run a good race in the Hollywoodbets Durban July considering his tricky draw of 12 and the slow pace. He reckoned he probably didn’t quite stay the 2200m and felt the 1600m trip would a better distance for him. The blinkers are back on. He said he had come out of the race well, but admitted it was not ideal dropping straight from a 2200m trip to 1600m. His wide draw of 13 also makes it tough.

David Thiselton

The highest rated race at the Hollywoodbets Scottsville meeting today a Progress Plate over 1200m.

 Esteemed looks promising and finished a two length second in the Gr 2 TAB SA Nursery. He now gets 3kg  despite officially being rated 14 points higher than him and Richard Fourie rides. He has not raced for 16 months, but the De Kock yard should have the horse fit enough to run a good race. Amelia’s Legacy is full of class and her last couple of disappointing starts are simply due to her having lost her confidence due to a starting stall incident. This drop in trip might be what is needed to spark her and she could go close with a feather weight. The Last Duke will be racing fit and hence could upset the applecart against the aforementioned trio, who all have question marks hanging over them, as he has good Highveld form. Good For You is a Gr 2 winner who has the class to go close and he could well enjoy the step down in trip as a horse who can take a hold.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1400m Trombolines is distance suited and should go close in his third run after a layoff over an ideal trip from pole position. El Dante has some class and will have come on from his last run so has a chance over an ideal course and distance. Next Of Kin is consistent and should be right there.

In the fifth race over 1750m Black Platina is a lot better than her last start and could bounce back over a suitable course and distance with Craig Zackey up. Chaos Queen could be in the shake up if repeating her last start. Takethegreenlight can be right there if able to overcome a tricky draw.

In the sixth race over 1200m the talented Showgirl returns from an eight month layoff but can get away with it over this trip and she could be well ahead of the handicapper off a 76 rating. Xenophon looked to be a fair sort in the making at one stage so has been disappointing in his last two starts but he can bounce back. Gorgeous Guy also has ability but needs to bounce back.

In the eighth race over 1200m Hah Lah Lah looks to be going places and can make it three wins from four starts. Best Of All and Kalahari Roller could be a threat. Masterofthedesert could be ahead of the handicapper having won on his KZN debut and being raised only three points and Military Command has plenty of ability.

In the ninth over 1200m Rags To Riches won well second time out and the form has worked out well and she can beat home Sovereign Gem and Lady Jean.

In the third race over 1400m Prized Possession look promising and can get off the mark.

In the second race over 1000m Cartel Queen is consistent and has the form to go close.

In the first race over 1200m Egolee made a fine debut and could go one better.