Andrew Harrison

Those with abiding memories will remember the Terrance Millard-trained Illustrador. Rupert Ellis Brown over 1400m at Clairwood, the then Gr1 SA Guineas at Greyville, the Gr1 Daily News 2000 and then the Rothmans July followed by a third in the Gr1 Clairwood Winter before winning the then Gr1 Gold Cup.

Clairwood is sadly no longer but Green With Envy is certainly headed along the same track as he scored an emphatic victory in the Gr2 World Sports Betting Guineas at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday.

Many pundits thought the ‘mile’ would be on the short side and just a dress rehearsal for the Gr1 Daily News 2000, but as trainer Dean Kannemeyer illuded to post race, his charge has matured and after yesterday’s performance is likely to be at the top of the boards in the ante-post market for the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July.

The Guineas was a feature double for Craig Zackey after earlier scoring on Rascova and denying Richard Fourie a fourth winner on the day after a disappointing second on Double Grand Slam. 

Fourie set the pace on Snow Pilot but his mount appeared uncomfortable on the right-handed turn and drifted in badly when under pressure. Hot favourite Sandringham Summit only had Green With Envy behind him turning for home and looked the likely winner when Gavin Lerena made his move. However, Zackey had him firmly in his sights and Green With Envy whistled by inside the last 100m to win rather comfortably.

South Africa’s Champions Season is well titled and the dangers of labelling champions before Champions Season is done is always risky, and Green With Envy could well be the envy of all come the end of the season.

Double Grand Slam looked to be a solid exotic bet banker on the day in the Gr2 World Sports Betting Fillies Guineas but things didn’t work out as planned for the many punters that had placed their faith in her.

The Glen Kotzen-trained Rascova had matched Double Grand Slam on two previous occasions and many well have been lulled into a false sense of security after Double Grand Slam had put her rival to bed comfortably in their last meeting, not aware that Rascova had battled home under a slipped saddle.

The fortunes went the other way yesterday. Double Grand Slam was a tad slow out of the gate and Fourie found himself taking the scenic route for the first part of the race. 

In contrast, Craig Zackey had Rascova out in front and with a strong tailwind to help them home, he was always going to be difficult to peg back.

Double Grand Slam made a fist of it as she moved up alongside Rascova in the straight who had drifted to the outside fence and making things a little tight for Double Grand Slam. There was little in it at the line but Rascova held her advantage with the balance of the field headed by White Pearl a long way back.

Royal Aussie landed the odds in a tight finish to the Gr2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes, giving Fourie his third winner of the afternoon.

It was a game win by the son of Royal Mo as he clipped heels with tiring pacemaker Archimedes at the top of the straight and as Fourie commented post-race, it was stop start from there on. However, he took the shortest way home and managed to hold off a telling late challenge from Cousin Casey and Gladatorian.

Next stop for Justin Snaith’s charge will be the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge early next month.

Cousin Casey, back on his favourite track, was a touch unlucky as S’Manga Khumalo had to wait for a gap to open, a couple of seconds that may have cost him the race as he was eating up the ground. But Sean Tarry will no-doubt also have the Gold Challenge as Cousin Casey’s next target.

Gladatorian was always hand with the strong tailwind helping them home and was game in defeat.

Title-chasing Fourie is the jockey equivalent of a tidal wave as he added another four winners to his tally in his run at the record of 334. Given his number of mounts and that he flits from racecourse to racecourse, the fact that he has only picked up one suspension is remarkable. The suspension is for one strike over the 12 limit at Hollywoodbets Scottsville resulting in a ridiculously over-the-top two-week suspension and an R8k fine.

He will no doubt appeal the sanction and should he manage to ride every day until the end of the term, he could well threaten a total of 400 for the season.

RACE 1     

3 PARISIAN WALKWAY 6 SONIC JET  4 PEARL IN HER CROWN 2 MIZZEN SWORD

Preview: 3 PARISIAN WALKWAY made a good debut and should improve so is the one to beat from a high draw. 6 SONIC JET has been close to two fair sorts in last two runs. 4 PEARL IN HER CROWN was beaten a length by Sonic Jet on debut over 1200m and ran well next time out. 2 MIZZEN SWORD is by William Longsword and is a half-brother to a handful of multiple winners. (3-6-4-2)

RACE 2     

1 LITTLE BALLERINA 4 KINDRED HEART 5 GREEN SAPPHIRE 3 IT’S HER WAY 2 FORCE EIGHT

Preview: 1 LITTLE BALLERINA is the Gr 2 SA Fillies Nursery winner and will be using this as a prep but should be too good. 4 KINDRED HEART has run consistently well and could be the chief threat. 5 GREEN SAPPHIRE is by Gimmethegreenlight and is a half-brother to Gr 2 winner King Of Gems and to Gr 2 winner Pink Tourmaline. 3 IT’S HER WAY has some good form and should earn. 2 FORCE EIGHT should enjoy the step up in trip on pedigree. (1-4-5-2) 

RACE 3     

12 GRAND CRESCENDO 14 SHINTO SHRINE 9 ILHA DA ORANGE 1 ROLL OF THE DICE 10 MAGICAL STONES

Preview: 12 GRAND CRESCENDO ran two good unplaced runs in Cape Town and might be too strong here. 14 SHINTO SHRINE made a good debut and will be a threat. 9 ILHA DA ORANGE has shown some ability and should be in the frame. 1 ROLL OF THE DICE was unplaced in five starts in Cape Town but that is a strong centre and he could well place here. 10 MAGICAL STONES has also shown enough ability to earn here. (12-14-9-10)

RACE 4     

5 OFFICER IN COMMAND 4 MAJESTIC PALACE 7 SAGE KING 6 NORDIC REBEL

Preview: 5 OFFICER IN COMMAND is a consistent type and should be right there as the form of his last run over 1800m has worked out very well. 4 MAJESTIC PALACE has some fair formlines and can follow up on his win last time. 7 SAGE KING disappointed last time but if producing his best could be in the shake up. 6 NORDIC REBEL is ten years old but won his penultimate start and was a close up fifth next time out. (4-5-7-6)

RACE 5     

10 SUKHUMVIT 5 MILLAHUE 2 SUGAR BLAST 9 TOTAL SURRENDER 

Preview: 10 SUKHUMVIT is talented and should rise above her 91 merit rating so has a chance here being well weighted although it is never easy against the boys. 5 MILLAHUE is talented and made a good comeback from a layoff last time. 2 SUGAR BLAST was close to Total Surrender last time and there is now a slight weight turnaround and a reversal of draw fortunes in his favour. 9 TOTAL SURRENDER will enjoy this trip but does have a tough draw and a three point raise for his last win to overcome. (10-5-2-9)

RACE 6     

7 MIA MOO 3 BEAMONESQUE 2 MOUNT PILATUS 4 GLOBAL THUNDER

Preview: 7 MIA MOO is well weighted here and will take a power of beating. 3 BEAMONESQUE has plenty of ability, but he has only had two runs to date and returns from a layoff of over seven months. 2 MOUNT PILATUS is knocking hard and should be in the shake up. 4 GLOBAL THUNDER has disappointed in his last two but will appreciate the step up in trip. (7-3-2-4)

RACE 7     

6 RICHARD THE FIRST 4 BLACK EGRET 1 AUSSENKEHR 7 WINGS WITHIN ME 10 GIMMEFABULOUS

Preview: 6 RICHARD THE FIRST is knocking on the door and gets a good opportunity here.  4 BLACK EGRET 1 ran a cracker last time at Scottsville in a Listed event and has a chance. 1 AUSSENKEHR can never be ignored over this trip. 7 WINGS WITHIN ME is best weighted and is in fair form. 10 GIMMEFABULOUS made a good debut and followed it with a good win, both at Kenilworth, so should make her presence felt here, but she does have a tough task at the weights. (6-10-4-1)

RACE 8     

1 MOOLA MAN 2 WHORLY WHORLY 3 KING RAHUL 13 DANCING DORA 4 SHARAPOVA

Preview: 1 MOOLA MAN has dropped to a competitive merit rating and can start to deliver. 2 WHORLY WHORLY has some fair recent form and has a chance here. 3 KING RAHUL can go close if repeating his last start. 13 DANCING DORA is best weighted and is in good form, but has the potentially tough number one draw. 4 SHARAPOVA is only half-a-kilogram worse off than the latter and should be included.(1-2-3-13-4)

David Thiselton

The Vaal straight course has an intriguing eight race meeting today and high draws should be favourable down the straight with the outside rail set at zero.

In the first race the Alec Laird-trained Parisian Walkway made a good debut over 1160m after a tardy start and this scopey Ideal World colt will relish the step up in trip. He is drawn on the right side and is the one to beat. Sonic Jet will be a threat as has had three good runs, all behind decent sorts. Pearl In Her Crown has a chance too as she was beaten only a length behind Sonic Jet on debut and ran well second time out too. The Mark Khan-trained first-timer Mizzen Sword is by William Longsword and is a half-brother to a handful of multiple winners. Ultimissimo has produced some good runs and is interesting stepped up in trip being by Fire Away out of a Listed winning Western Winter mare who won from 1000m up to 1400m.

In the second race over 1200m the smart Gr 2 SA Fillies Nursery winner Little Ballerina is drawn five out of six and is hard to oppose despite having to give weight to the rest of the field. Kindred Heart has run consistently and is drawn on the right side so could reverse an earlier one length defeat by It’s Her Way. First-timer Green Sapphire is interesting being a Drakenstein homebred by Gimmethegreenlight and a half-brother to Gr 2 winner King Of Gems and to Gr 2 winner Pink Tourmaline. It’s Her Way has the form to be in the top three.  Force Eight has shown some ability and should enjoy the step up in trip on pedigree. 

In the third over 1400m Grand Crescendo is unplaced in two starts but both of those were in Cape Town and he was under six lengths on each occasion behind the useful Roman Agent, with the second of those races having Listed status. He should be too good for this uninspiring field over a step up in trip which should suit. He jumps from draw five out of 12. Shinto Shrine made a good debut and could be a threat. He should enjoy the step up in trip but a draw of three out of 12 won’t make it easy. Roll Of The Dice was never disgraced in Cape Town and can place here. Ilha Da Orange has drawn on the right side and looks capable of placing. Magical Stones has some form and tries a step up in trip which on pedigree might suit. 

in the fourth race over 1600m Officer In Command is distance suited and comes off a close up fifth over 1800m from which the form has worked out very well. The progressive Judgement Day won that race and second-placed Jordan has come out and won a good race since then, beating some classy horses. Majestic Palace, who is a half-brother to Gr 1-winning sprinter and now sire Master Archie, is drawn on the right side and looks to be on the up, but he does have a five point raise to overcome.  Sage King could be in the shake up if producing his best. Nordic Rebel is a gallant ten-year-old who could make the frame. Bloomington is always hard to ignore.

In the fifth race over 2000m the talented Sukhumvit takes on the boys. She can rise above her current 91 merit rating having finished close up to the classy Frances Ethel last time over this trip at level weights. She does have a tricky draw of seven and was scratched before the SA Oaks when cast in her box, so might still need this outing. Millahue benefited from a layoff as this talented gelding came back to run a fine third last time over 1800m. He should have come on from that run but a draw of six out of ten will be tricky. Sugar Blast beat Millahue last time by a quarter of a length and although 1,5kg worse off he is now drawn in pole. Total Surrender beat that pair last time but has been raised three points and has to jump from draw nine. Home Of The Brave and Supreme Dance have good draws and should be included if the budget allows.

In the sixth race over 1200m Mia Moo has some good form against classy sorts and should enjoy the return to a sprint, because she won a race over 1160m in December by 4,25 lengths, although she does have to jump from draw two. She is comfortably best in at the weights. Beamonesque is interesting because he has speed and come class but returns from a layoff of close to seven months. Piere Strydom is an interesting booking, although draw three out of eight might make it a little bit tricky. Mount Pilatus has hard-knocking sprint form and should be in the shake up. Global Thunder should enjoy the step up to 1200m. Sunshine Day could bounce back in his second run back from Cape Town.

In the seventh race over 1200m Richard The First is knocking on the door and has a chance from a middle draw, despite being 1,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted.  Black Egret ran a cracker last time at Scottsville in a Listed event and has a chance. He is 1kg under sufferance with the best weighted. Aussenkehr can never be ignored over this trip. He is 1,5kg out with the best weighted. Wings Within Me has some fair form and is the best weighted so cannot be ignored. Gimmefabulous made a good debut and followed it with a good win, both at Kenilworth, so should make her presence felt here, although she has a tough task at the weights.

The last is a tricky Classified Stakes race. Moola Man is drawn on the right side and has been in fair form, so although 2kg under sufferance with the best weighted he can start to deliver having dropped to a competitive merit rating. Whorly Whorly, also 2kg under sufferance with the best weighted, has some fair recent form and has a chance here. King Rahul, also 2kg under sufferance can go close if repeating his last start. The best weighted is Dancing Dora, who is in good form but has the potentially tough number one draw. Sharapova is only half-a-kilogram worse off than the latter and should be included.

David Thiselton

Stuart Ferrie is bullish about the chances of Gladatorian in the postponed Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville today.

He pointed out the horse’s liking for the Hollywoodbets Greyville turf, on which he has raced four times for two wins, a second and one unplaced run.

His first win there was in the Gr 2 Post Merchants over 1200m on Hollywoodbets Durban July day last year, where he beat the twice Gr 1-winning sprinter Thunderstruck by a neck receiving only 2kg.

His other win was last time out over that same 1200m course and distance in a Pinnacle event and his only unplaced run was in the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint, also over 1200m, when finishing just 2,60 lengths behind the winner Isivunguvungu on weight for age terms.

The Vercingetorix four-year-old gelding has only had 15 starts and has only twice run over further than sprint distances. He finished second on the poly track over 1400m in his fifth career start and in his penultimate start over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville he carried topweight of 62kg in a Pinnacle Stakes event and won it despite the going being soft.

Stuart said, “He seems to want further now . He has come in to a decent draw as long as the 70 rated horse doesn’t get in the way!”

Ferrie was asked whether he gave Gladatoriaan a chance and replied, “Definitely. He has run against the best for a number of starts and he certainly wasn’t stopping when he won over 1400m. He’s bred to go a little bit further too.”

Gladatorian’s sire Vercingetorix produces more speed and precocity than his famous six-times national champion sire Silvano. However, Vercingetorix did win the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 and the Gr 1 Jebel Hatta over 1800m at Meydan, among other Graded race victories.

Gladatorian’s dam Harvard Crimson is by Dynasty, who won the Durban July among other races.

Harvard Crimson herself won from 1200m up to 2000m, including a Listed race over 2000m.

So to say Gladatorian is “bred to go a little bit further” is an understatement.

He could have an interesting career ahead of him if winning today.

The favourite with Hollywoodbets is Royal Aussie at 28/10, with Cousin Casey and Gladatorian next best, both  at 7/2.

Royal Aussie showed a tremendous turn of foot when running third in the Gr 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate behind Charles Dickens and See It Again and should enjoy this course and distance, considering he did not appear to see out the WSB Met trip.

Cousin Casey had a fantastic record at Hollywoodbets Greyville as a two-year-old, winning a Listed race and a Gr 2 over this trip and a Gr 1 over 1600m. He appears to need gelding and has not been settling well in some of his starts. However, a drop in trip from a plum draw of two could bring out the best in him. 

The Ricky Maingard-trained pair Al Muthana and Waterberry Lane are the longest-priced of the recognised runners and are draw seven and eight respectively in the eight horse field.

However, they can’t be ignored as they are both capable of producing performances out of the top drawer. Al Muthana has one the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville before, while Waterberry Lane has won his last three attempts at this course and distance, although the last of those in September last year was the last time he finished in the money in any race, so his recent form is uninspiring.

The Mike de Kock pair Humdinger and Gimmeanotherchance are both course and distance suited too  and not out of it.

Double Grand Slam will be very hard to beat in the Gr 2 WSB Fillies Guineas. She is at cramped odds of 3/10 with Hollywoodbets.

Rascova should enjoy the course and distance and could give some cheek and White Pearl should give another good account of herself.

The next race, the Gr 2 WSB Guineas, is a touch more open although the 12/10 favourite Sandringham Summit will have plenty of supporters.  

The Gimmethegreenlight colt has proved his liking for the WSB Guineas course and distance with a facile win in the Gr 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Champion Stakes last season, where he easily beat Main Defender. However, the latter has improved since then. Sandringham Summit jumps from a plum draw of two.

Green With Envy will prefer further, but is a highly progressive sort, so he could upset the applecart.

Mid Winter Wind is improving all the time too and represents the flying Tarry yard, although he does have a tricky draw of 6 out of 7.

Snow Pilot is the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner and will have come on from his Champions Season pipe opener. He will be dangerous in a small field as he can kick well from handy positions.

Hluhluwe is highly regarded and has been gelded so could be dangerous from pole position.

Navajo Nation has a wide draw and looks to have it all to do.

Andrew Harrison

The three feature races from the weekend have been rescheduled to Wednesday’s meeting, which now boasts an eleven-race card. The three features will be run on the turf track with the balance of the card on the poly.

The Gr2 Independent On Saturday Dill Hall Stakes, supported by the Gr2 World Sports Betting Guineas and Gr2 World Sports Betting Fillies Guineas, is the traditional start to South Africa’s three-month Champions Season where most of the country’s top horses are out to round off their season on a high.

The scratching of Main Defender from the Drill Hall has thrown the race wide open. Justin Snaith got his winter campaign off to a cracking start but the stable has had a few hiccups of late. However, Royal Aussie is useful on his day and the absence of Main Defender enhances his chances. 

Mike de Kock sends out the smart mare Humdinger who has finished runner-up in her last three in feature company. She is no stranger to this course and goes well this trip. Stuart Ferrie’s runs Gladatorian who is unbeaten since returning from a break but does take on top class opposition. 

Veteran trainer Ricky Maingard saddles former Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge winner Al Muthana and Waterberry Lane. Current form is not inspiring but both are capable of a big effort on their day and are worth keeping an eye on in the market.

In the Gr2 WSB Fillies Guineas Double Grand Slam will be a warm favourite after demolishing a useful field in the Gr3 Umzimkulu Stakes, her first look at Hollywoodbets Greyville. The opposition is a lot stronger here but Justin Snaith’s filly has come into her own of late and a repeat will see her difficult to beat. Tony Rivalland’s filly Celtic Beauty has the worst of the draw but shows plenty of promise. She may prefer it a touch further but should give a good account. A possible threat to Double Grand Slam could be Mike de Kock’s charge White Pearl. She boasts consistent Highveld feature form and was only three lengths back to the crack colt Sandringham Summit in the G2 Hawaii Stakes. She has drawn well and the step up in trip could now be what she is looking for. Rascova looks well held by Double Grand Slam on their recent meetings but she does appear to be capable of improving on those efforts. 

The Gr2 WSB Guineas has attracted a cracking line-up and the race should give an indication of what to expect over the next three months. The David Nieuwenhuizen-trained Sandringham Summit was a convincing winner of the Gr2 Hawaii Stakes beating Lucky Lad who has since franked that form. He is a top class galloper and the mile is right up his alley. Mid Winter Wind faces something of an acid test as Sean Tarry’s gelding comes off a string of four straight wins. His rating jumped from 96 to 114 after his most recent success and the extra furlong should suit. He could give Sandringham Summit a testing race. Green With Envy was a spectacular winner of the Gr1 SplashOut Cape Derby, coming from way off the pace to win going away. However, he faces a crack miler in Sandringham Summit and the Gr1 Daily News 2000 is a more likely target for Dean Kannemeyer’s charge. That said he boasts plenty of class. Gr1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner Snow Pilot was in need of his local debut effort and with that run under his girth he should strip a lot fitter tomorrow.

A competitive card faces punters on the poly. 

In the opening leg of the Pick 6, Ideal Gift only got a two-point raise in the handicap for her narrow recent win but looks capable of following up in this company. Summer Song was a recent maiden winner but that was her local debut and her first outing on the poly. Her Cape form was useful. English Primrose has her first outing for Gary Rich. She has not been far back of late and the step up in trip will suit. Natalia sees Rachel Venniker down to her absolute minimum weight of 52kg and from a good draw her filly must be a runner in a wide open contest. 

In the eighth, Benni In The Area took time to shed his maiden but showed up well when a close-up third behind stable companion Phaka Imali last time out. He is now 1.5kg better off in the handicap and can turn the tables and it could be a Gary Rich exacta. However, visiting Mescal has a pencil behind his ear as he hardly misses in a month. He has some useful form to stronger and as an obviously sound horse the poly will suit. Veteran Knight Warrior has a wide draw to contend with but is way better than his last effort and is reunited with Muzi Yeni. 

Rosh Kadesh has improved in blinkers and can make a winning local debut in the ninth with trainer Dean Kannemeyer back from the Cape to oversee the yard. The gelding has useful Cape form and will make a bold bid. Common Grounds did not fare well in his only start in the Cape but he had smart form prior to his departure. He has the best of the draw and Richard Fourie to help him home. Time Together goes well on the poly and has been holding form. He is back a furlong in trip but is down in class which puts him in with a strong chance. 

Duncan Howells sends out Purple Operator who has put in two smart efforts over a furlong shorter and has his third run after a break. The trip will suit and with Venniker riding at the top of her game with a 1.5kg allowance the gelding will be a big runner. Mike de Kock sends out Arividicio down to sample the poly track. He is well tried but improved last run and the synthetic surface could be what he is looking for. Jet Legacy has the plum draw and has his second run after a lengthy break. He has ability and is one to watch in the market. Joshua Hotsnake has the worst of the draw but is in hot form over the distance. With some luck in running he can finally earn his sixth victory. 

The last is another wide open fillies and mares handicap. Rani Of Jhansi was deemed good enough to be on the float for the Cape season but did not feature. However, she was much improved in her first run back. Conta Fiscum has put up two promising showings on the poly and although drawn a touch wide she is capable. Littleblackvelvet got a three-point raise in the handicap when beating Contra Fiscum last time out with the runner-up getting a point. Gareth van Zyl has penciled in 4kg claimer Brevan Plaatjies to balance out the weight. The combination of Dennis Bosch and Rachel Venniker has been to the fore in recent weeks. They again team up with Copacabana who was successful second time out when stepped up to a mile and the daughter of Querari can follow up.