Warren Lenferna

There are eight races carded at Hollywoodbets Durbanville tomorrow, with the opener off at 13:05 and the lucky last at 17:10. As is usually the case, the meeting promises competitive and interesting racing — with the standout contest appearing to be Race 3, a B Stakes over 1250m, which also serves as the start of the Pick 6.

Only six runners will face the starter, and a case can be made for all of them. Punters will need to take a stance when structuring the first leg of the “big one” — either by banking or including most of the field.

Let’s start with Wing Walker from the Lucinda Woodruff yard, to be ridden by Callan Murray from the inside draw. This son of Rafeef returns from a 12-week break, having just completed a successful KZN campaign where he reeled off an impressive hat-trick. If not in too much need of the run, he could make a winning return to racing.

It has been exactly 54 weeks since Oliver last was victorious, but he remains ultra-consistent and continues to earn for his connections. He has won five races, three of them at this venue. While he has yet to score over this course and distance, he’s knocking on the door and could easily notch up another victory here. He’s a big runner and a must for all betting permutations. Currently trading at around 3/1, he’s worth close attention. Trainer Adam Marcus and jockey Richard Fourie team up again — and the fact that Fourie has opted to stay aboard is an encouraging sign.

Surge Of Power, from the Greg Ennion stable, will be ridden by talented non-claiming apprentice Brevan Plaatjies. Ennion’s yard is in fine form, and this gelding is having his second run after a rest. He’s surely better than his last two performances suggest and offers both upset and value potential at current odds of around 12/1.

The most exciting runner in the field is undoubtedly Black Eagle, trained by Vaughan Marshall for Hollywood Racing, with Sean Veale aboard. This handsome, well-bred grey colt is clearly above average. Although stepping up in class, he drops nicely in weight to 52.5kg and looks ready for the challenge. He’s unbeaten over this course and distance and appears to be a quality sort in the making. He’ll take all the beating here — and if you’re considering a banker in the first leg of the Pick Six, he could well be the one.

La Pulga, from the Bass stable, returns from a 25-week layoff. His last run was in a Grade 3 behind the talented Garrix, and he certainly has the ability to feature. He may race fresh and could be doing his best work late. Powerandtheglory likely needed his comeback run and can be expected to improve significantly this time around.

In closing, Black Eagle is expected to soar above this field and complete the hat-trick. He’s an exciting prospect for the upcoming feature season in the Western Cape.

RACE 1

4 MEET THE KING must have a big winning chance in this field, he ran a great race last time when finishing fast for third behind his stable companion Gold Giboski on the 22nd of September, he will love the step up in trip to 1400m, and he has a good draw, he will be hard to beat. 7 EUGENIUS ran on well for fourth behind Marcus Aurelius on the 8th of October, it was only his second start, he should really enjoy the step up in trip on Wednesday, watch him closely, he will be right there in the finish. 6 IGNITE THE FIRE ran a much better race in his second start at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 8th of October, he ran fifth and was only beaten four lengths at the line, he is certainly improving, he should be amongst the places in this field. 5 DANCE TO THE SUN ran a fair race behind United Front on the 9th of September, he was staying on nicely for fourth at the line, with further improvement expected, he could sneak into the Quartet. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 7 – 6 – 5)

RACE 2

7 MIAMI SUMMER ran a lovely race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 22nd of September, he was drawn poorly on that occasion and he absolutely flew home from a long way back to finish second behind Siriano, he will love the step up in trip to 1400m on Wednesday, with the right run in transit, he will be difficult to beat. 1 JOUEUR DE FLUTE is as honest as they come, he got pipped on the line last time in a driving finish on the 8th of October, he will go close to winning from a neat draw, include him into all bets. 3 KLEIN KAROO was well supported in the market on the 8th of October, he finished third behind Beware and was only beaten two lengths at the line, he tries hard and he gets a good draw again, there should be no excuses for this individual, watch him closely. 8 CEDAR POINT ran a much better race on the 22nd of September, he finished third in the same race as Miami Summer, even though he has a tricky draw to beat, he looks progressive and he will be running on strongly late. (Brandon Bailey: 7 -1 – 3 – 8)

RACE 3

2 OLIVER has run three excellent races in succession, he stayed on really well last time for second behind Scottish Kiss on the 5th of October at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, top jockey Richard Fourie sticks with this gelding, from a neat draw, he will go very close to winning. 4 BLACK EAGLE looks to be a smart colt in the making, he won a super race on the 3rd of September, he travelled well in his race, and he quickened up smartly to beat a decent field, the yard thinks highly of this individual, he will be right there in the finish again. 6 POWERANDTHEGLORY needed his run back from a long break on the 8th of October, he ran a great race behind All The Rage, he should be much fitter on Wednesday, even though he wants more ground, he could be doing some good work late and sneak into the places. 5 LA PULGA has been off the track for 178 days, he is a nice horse to follow for the Cape Summer Season, this will be on the short side for him, but he has lots of ability, watch him closely. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 4 – 6 – 5)

RACE 4

1 CALANQUE won a terrific race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 27th of September, she is a lovely looking filly with a great action, there is no doubt that she will get better with more experience, from a neat draw on Wednesday, she could easily win again. 5 GIRL LIKE US certainly enjoys Hollywoodbets Durbanville, she didn’t have much luck in running last time when finishing quickly for fifth behind Garden Of Eden on the 8th of October, she has a wonderful turn of foot late, from a neat draw, she will be just off the speed early, and she will be low flying late, include her into all bets. 8 GARDEN OF EDEN won well at a big price last time, she bounced back to her best form in a big way, if she can bring that performance to the track again on Wednesday, she will be competitive. 10 MISS WILLIAM stayed on strongly for third in the same race as Girl Like Us and Garden Of Eden on the 8th of October, again she has a poor draw to beat, with some luck in running, she will make them all work for victory. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 5 – 8 – 10)

RACE 5

3 CARIBBEAN GOLD won with absolute ease at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 5th of October, she looks progressive, from a neat draw on Wednesday, she could certainly win again now that she steps up in trip. 5 PUSHING LIMITS quickened up smartly to win going away at the line on the 27th of September, she was given four points for that impressive win, again she gets a good draw, if she can build on that last performance, she will have a big winning chance in this field. 4 SIRIANO was given a great ride by jockey Richard Fourie to win extremely well on the 22nd of September, he has improved with every start, there is no doubt that he will be competitive again, include him into all bets. 8 OZARK ran a much better race on the 13th of September, he stayed on well for third behind Worldly, he has dropped even further in the ratings, if he can beat the tricky draw, he could sneak into the Quartet at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 5 – 4 – 8)

RACE 6

5 BEACH VERSE stayed on powerfully late from a bad draw at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 8th of October, she ran fourth and was beaten just under three lengths by Reet Petite, she is progressive, and the blinkers have been fitted to this well-bred filly, with some luck in running, she will be hard to beat. 2 ELUSIVE GIFT had to fight hard to exit the maiden ranks on the 22nd of September, she managed to get her head down at the right time to beat Hazel Green in a tight finish, she is doing everything right at the moment, from a neat draw, she will be competitive again. 4 BLACK PATH tries really hard in her races, she ran well behind Reet Petite on the 8th of October, she was only beaten just under five lengths at the line in a strong field, with no weight on her back here, she will be doing some good work late, watch her closely at a decent price. 3 ONCIDIUM must have a good place chance in this field, she ran a good race behind Hunga Tonga on the 22nd of September, she ran fifth and was beaten just over three lengths at the line, the drop in trip to 1400m, and the good draw will help her chances. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 2 – 4 – 3)

RACE 7

1 EISTEDDFOD won impressively at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 27th of September, she was well supported in the market, and she quickened away from her field like a smart filly in the making, she gets a good draw on Wednesday, and she steps up in trip to 1400m, she could easily follow up and win again. 2 RED BERYL certainly enjoyed the step up in trip last time, she was just off the speed early, and she powered home late to win a good race, she is a young filly with lots of ability, she will go close to winning from a neat draw. 5 DIAMOND BOMBER never runs a bad race, she caught the eye late for fifth in a strong field on the 15th of October, even though she has a big weight of 62.5kgs to shoulder on Wednesday, she will be right there in the finish, her chances must be respected at this level. 9 CATCH A PENNY ran a fair race at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on the 31st of August, she ran fifth and was only beaten just under one length in a close finish, she can be a tricky ride, if she gets some luck in running from a bad draw, she could finish in the Quartet. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 2 – 5 – 9)

RACE 8

4 FOX ON THE RUN could be absolutely anything, he was very impressive on the 15th of October, he was still green and he quickened up like a smart colt to win a super race, there is no doubt that he will love the step up in trip to 1400m on Wednesday, he will be hard to beat again from a good draw. 5 CARRIACOU has run two excellent races in succession, he stayed on well for second behind Viva’s Liberte on the 8th of October, he enjoys this track and trip, he will keep them all honest, watch him closely. 10 POMP IT UP has been rested for 77 days, he stretched away from the field to win in great fashion up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 13th of August, the yard thinks highly of this colt, if he doesn’t need the run badly from a small break, and he can beat the bad draw, he will be involved at the finish. 1 BOOGIEFIED is an absolute soldier, he tries hard and he is consistent, from a good draw on Wednesday, he should get the run of the race, include him into all bets, he will try and lead them from start to finish. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 5 – 10 – 1)

Andrew Harrison

Tienie Prinsloo is a fine judge of a racehorse dating back to where he was one of the ‘kings of the heap’ at the now defunct Flamingo Park. Had to patch up horses who were deemed past their sell by date, physically and mentally, and this experience has held him in good stead.

He picked the mare Convocation off an online sale and she duly won first time out for Prinsloo and owner George O’Brien giving Callan Murray a double on the day. Always in contention, Murray got first run on the opposition and Convocation kept finding to hold off the attentions of a late-charging Tomyris and Sovereign Grant.

Back in South Africa on a busman’s holiday, Warren Kennedy commented in an interview that riders in this country would face suspensions after nearly every race given their penchant for deviating from a straight course in their desperation for the line.

The first two races at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday was nothing short of dodgem cars with all the pushing and shoving that occurred.

In the first Sean Veale ran the gauntlet as he pressed for home on Cheerscheerscheers, fortunately the son of Hawwaam was not lacking in intestinal fortitude getting home narrowly from Irish Anthem who did the dirty on Skipper O’Malley, forcing Calvin Habib to snatch up his mount.

Favourite for the second, Kanaal Skater got a clear split at the top of the straight and then became the ham in the sandwich as Afropolitan shifted ground under pressure forcing Kanaal Skater onto Safe Travel who kept on gamely up his inside. It was a tremendous ride by stand-in Serino Moodley who got Kanaal Skater home in spite of all the unwanted attention.

It was Habib’s turn to dish out the medicine in the fourth as he allowed Joshua Hotsnake to drift out under pressure to hold off the late-charging Lou The Legend. It was to no avail as MJ Odendaal’s charge was in full flight but Moodley was on the receiving end as Joshua Hotsnake inconvenienced Sun Dazed who was forced to ease. It was a little of a hopeful objection on Moodley’s part as there was no clear evidence that he would have got past Joshua Hotsnake but it illustrated the point once again.

Lexican Point has always struck as a bit if an under achiever since arriving in KZN but Frikkie Greyling cleared it up pointing to his arrival with a high merit rating.  The gelding and Callan Murray took full advantage of a rating drop, leading all the way to come home smoking.

Mvelelo denied the handicapper’s three-point raise in the ratings for his previous win as he followed up with a courageous defeat of Kumemori and Rafa’s Boy. The two Hollywood Racing runners Mvelelo and Rafa’s Boy were at the sharp end of the race with Sean Veale extracting just that little bit extra out of Mvelelo as Rafa’s Boy weakened late in spite of some forceful urgings from S’Manga Khumalo who was enduring a frustrating afternoon.

Andrew Harrison

The Equator, on offer at odds as long at 150-1 at first nominations for the Gr1 BetwaY Summer Cup, could well start favourite for the country’s richest race to be run over 2000m on the Turffontein Standside track on Saturday, 29 November.

The regally bred son of super sire Galileo fluffed his lines in his local debut on Hollywoodbets Durban July Day but in truth he did not scrub up well in the paddock as a potential winner of the Gr3 SplashOut 2200m

Although a superb specimen of a racehorse, there was something about him that day that did not look quite right and in hindsight, he ran accordingly.

It may be that the race had come a little too soon after is arrival in the country as he showed in his next outing a few weeks later that he was every inch a racehorse.

In his Greyville debut he also gave the impression that he was a little at sea over the tight Greyville circuit did not suit being a typical, big galloping, Irish-bred. His subsequent win over the more galloping Turffontein Standside track with its 700m home straight was more to his liking and he showed that to good effect as he stormed home in a Graduation Plate over 1600m on Saturday, going early and pressing all the way to the line.

It was not the strongest field in opposition that was down to a handful of runners, but he quickened up smartly and went to the wire hands and heels under Richard Fourie.

The testing 2000m of the Summer Cup should be right up his alley but he will also face a lot tougher come the day.

Olivia’s Way was well supported in the Pinnacle Stakes that followed over 2000m that boasted a host of Cup hopefuls but the filly was out-gunned over the final 50 m as Thunee Player finished with a wet sail to land the spoils. It was a good effort on both runners part but not one that would put them into the Cup ante-post market given that they were getting lumps of weight from their rivals. However, their showings could help their chances of making the final field.

Tony Peter will have been well satisfied with The Equator’s run but he also made Fourie’s trip to the Highveld  worth his while, winning on The Equator and then giving the supporters of hot favourite Buffalo Bill Cody in the Conditions Plate a heart attack in the headline race of the day. Trapped behind horses with seemingly little prospect of finding a way through 300 m out, Fourie switched his mount for a gap and Buffalo Bill Cody showed a blinding turn of foot to win in exceptional fashion. This augurs well for the Gr1 Computaform Sprint over the same course coming up later next month.

Last season’s Gr1 Champions Challenge winner Fire Attack ran a cracking seasonal debut over a distance well sort of his best for second while more was expected from the grey Greaterix who surrendered tamely.

Andrew Harrison

The Vaal hosts a low key meeting this afternoon where the card is headed by a Graduation Plate over 1200m. In fact, all races except a maiden over 2000m are down the straight. In the Graduation Plate, Shadowfax has fine form including going close to Zalatoris  in the Gr 2 Umkomazi Stakes last time out.

Sean Tarry’s runner returns as a gelding after a three-month break but he should be hard to beat.

Danger could be Paul Matchett’s charge The Last Duke who looks to have plenty of class and can build on his already decent record although he has to give Shadowfax 3kg. King Harald has done well against the best of his age group and cannot be written off lightly.

In the first race MM Huntress has her third run for Mike and Mathew de Kock with two promising showing behind her name. She looks the one to beat. Of the others, Underdog could be in the shake up if repeating either of his last two starts while Winter Wedding ran an improved race last time and if building on that could be in the shake up.

In the second, another 1200m sprint, Joey Soma’s filly Rendevous In Rio went close with first time blinkers and looks the one to beat although Vamanos with Muzi Yeni aboard for Roy Magner has run three good races and should be right there. Girl In Verdite ran a fine race on debut and with improvement can also go close.

The scratching of the unbeaten Rifle Queen has left the way open for stable companion Rachel Wall in the first leg of the Pick 6. She went close in a Gr 2 in her last race of last season and has a fine chance.  Frozen Fantasy and Miss Novax are capable of earning.

Tarry has stuck with smart apprentice Girish Samo-Burthia aboard Codeword in the fourth, a maiden over 2000m. The gelding should relish this trip and has a good draw. Future Success is progressive and should appreciate this distance and can also be in the shake up. Trip To Peace Should enjoy this step up and trip and has a chance along with Cuzzie  who has run some decent races and could earn.

The fifth is a 1000m dash that could go the way of Vanakkam. She was not disgraced in a couple of features before winning her maiden well and off an 83 merit rating she could be right there. Top Division has shown up well in his two post maiden starts and has been knocking on the door. He should be in the shake up. Nou Praat Jy won well on debut and looks to have a reasonable merit rating of 81. Twentytwentyvision is always right there and should be again.

Gimmethegoodlife has won three of his four starts since reverting to sprints and finished a head second in the other. He got a five point raise in the handicap for his last win but could defy the handicapper again. War Of The Kingdoms is a lightly raced four-year-old but has never been out of the first two. He has his second run after a break and should strip a little fitter. Constellation goes for a hat trick over this trip. He fought a tight finish when winning last time out but looks to have the ability to go close again. King Of Venus is in fine form and should be in the shake up.

In the last, Peregrine Falcon has disappointed at his last two when starting favourite. Fabian Habib’s gelding will appreciate the step down in trip and gets first time blinkers. Phala Millions seldom runs a bad race and his honest form should see him in the shake up. Golden Aspen has the ability to be involved along with Sahara Dawn who could earn if producing her best.