Graeme Hawkins

The R200 000 Settler’s Trophy (Listed) over 2000m heads a competitive 10-race programme at Hollywoodbets Durbanville tomorrow and being a handicap, the race has a wide-open appearance with chances to many in the 9-horse line-up.

Rapidash was a good winner of his last start at the country course when getting up in the last stride to deny Pacaya over 1800m by the narrowest of margins. His 5-point penalty seems a little harsh given the margin of victory, but the son of Danon Platina could have more to offer and the extra 200m should be right up his alley. But can he give 7,5kgs to Pas De Nom and Call To Unite? Only the race will provide the answer to that key question, but I am of the view that Rapidash faces an uphill battle at the weights and for that reason I am tempted to look elsewhere for the winner.

Pas De Nom makes plenty of appeal. He absolutely loves racing at Durbanville and was an eye-catching winner just 11 days ago when coming from off the pace over 1600m to win going away. He has previously won over 1900m and should have no problem going the trip here, but does this run come too soon after his last win? That’s anybody’s guess but with only 52kgs to shoulder, Dean Kannemeyer’s runner should be very much alive, and it would come as no surprise to see him return to the winner’s enclosure.

Call To Unite steps up in class following his course win three weeks ago but like Pas De Nom comes into the race with only 52kgs on his back. The lightly raced 4yo son of Vercingetorix is clearly progressive with plenty of upside and Rachel Venniker jets into town to partner Nick Jonsson’s gelding. Despite being 1kg under sufferance, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that Call To Unite may be equal to the task.

Sachdev could be the surprise package in the race. He is 3kgs better off with Rapidash from their most recent encounter and if you go back to May as much as 4kgs better off for less than a length between the pair when finishing behind Pacaya in the Legal Eagle Stakes. Sachdev was a good winner at the course in November last year and his recent form suggests his fifth career victory could be imminent. Navy Strength completes Justin Snaith’s four-way coupling, and he is not without winning claims either, having won his only previous over the distance.

Kannemeyer also saddles Ponte Pietra who ran a blinder when a close third in the World Pool Gold Cup over 3200m at the end of July. He is equally adept over this sort of trip, but he may just be found wanting under top weight of 60kgs. 

In-form Brett Crawford sends out Solar Power (55kgs) and Allez Moris (52kgs) and preference is for the latter who has won both his previous starts at Durbanville. Allez Moris has Greg Ennion’s mare Love Is A Rose stone cold at the weights and but is nonetheless 2kgs under sufferance here and I think there is every chance that fellow bottom-weights Pas De Nom and Call To Unite will finish ahead of him, despite his impressive record at the country course.

The 2024 renewal of the Settler’s Trophy is an intriguing affair. Without much confidence I am siding with course specialist Pas De Nom to follow up on his recent success, but exotic bet punters may need to cast their nets a little wider.

There are no standout bankers at Durbanville tomorrow but, on the subject of course specialists, Blue Holly could be the value bet on the card. She lines up in the tenth race, a Middle Stakes (F&M) over 1000m and her last victory came at the country course when beating the progressive Captain Arrow, an impressive winner last weekend. Blue Holly is a three-time course and distance winner, but she will need to be at her sharpest to lower the colours of ante-post odds-on favourite Nordic Quest who brings terrific form into the race.

RACE 1

12 WATER DRAGON ran a lovely race last time when finishing second, he will need all the luck in the world from a tricky draw here, if he can get some luck, he will have a big winning chance. 2 LEGAL COUNSEL should improve nicely from his debut run when finishing just over three lengths behind a smart horse, from a good draw here and stepping up in trip, he should go very close. 4 PALACE GIFT has been very consistent of late, he steps up in trip and should be amongst the places again from a decent draw at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. 5 GOLDEN DESTINY comes back to the races from a rest and gelding, he was far from disgraced as a two-year-old behind the very talented One Stripe, if he doesn’t need the run badly, he could be a major player at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 12 – 2 – 4 – 5)

RACE 2

1 MY ONLY WEAKNESS should take a power of beating in this race, she gets the perfect draw and should absolutely love the 1400m trip, everything points to her running a cracker. 7 POCKET DIAL ran a good race from a bad draw in her last start, there is absolutely no doubt she will be competitive again in this field, include her into all your bet types. 2 TIMELINE should appreciate the step up in trip , she has run behind some very decent sorts through her career, from a good draw, she will get the run of the race and should have a good place chance. 6 TIME IN PARIS is getting better and stronger with more racing, her recent form is good, she must have a good quartet chance in this field. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 7 – 2 – 6)

RACE 3

10 LAVENDER BAY must have a huge winning chance in this field, her recent run behind the improving Lady Springfield was very good, if she can beat the tricky draw, she will go very close to winning this competitive event. 11 LITTLE SUZIE will love the step up in trip, she is extremely well bred, her two runs to date have been super, if she can navigate a trouble-free passage throughout the race, she will give Lavender Bay plenty to think about. 1 SANSA STARK gets the perfect draw, watch her move down to the gates, if she moves down well, she will be right there at the finish. 5 FORGOTTEN SONG is still improving, her recent form is good enough to make her a nice each way prospect in a tough race. (Brandon Bailey: 10 – 11 – 1 – 5)

RACE 4

9 HAPPY DAYS improved beautifully in his last start when running a very good second, the blinkers have been removed, jockey Sean Veale sticks with him, he must have a huge winning chance. 4 COMMANDER GREEN would have needed his last start, he should improve quite a bit from that run, watch him closely, if he gets the right run in transit, he will be dangerous late. 3 CONGRESSMAN likes to race up on speed, in hope that he relaxes early, he should put up a bold performance again. 1 COURTLY improved dramatically from run one to run two, now that he steps up in trip from a good draw, he should continue to improve nicely, watch him closely at a good price. (Brandon Bailey: 9 – 4 – 3 – 1)

RACE 5

5 OLIVER comes back to the races from a small break, he travels so well in his races, he gets a good draw here, there is no doubt that he will be stalking the speed and working through the gears late, include him into all your bets, he is very consistent. 6 SAN PEDRO has been rested for 126 days, he likes to go out there and race up on speed, his recent form is excellent, and he must have a good winning chance here. 7 TYRION LANNISTER should be cherry ripe to run a cracker, his prep runs into this race have been decent, the yard think highly of this individual, watch him closely. 1 VOORLOOPERTJIE is far better than his last start, unfortunately the race did not work out for him, in a race where there could be some decent speed up in front, he will be attacking the line hard from a good draw. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 6 – 7 – 1)

RACE 6

2 KNOCKOUT finished like an absolute train to win going away last time, she was very impressive, she absolutely loved the step up in trip to 1400m, from a good draw here, she must have a huge winning chance again. 3 HAMPSTEAD HEATH needed her last run badly, the blinkers have been fitted, she must have a good each way chance here. 10 PHILOSOPHISE quickened up smartly to win well last time over a trip that is short of her best, she would have tightened up nicely from that run, she will be doing her best work late, watch her closely. 5 CALLMEGETRIX loves the 1400m trip, she has been rested for 88 days, if she doesn’t need the run badly, she could easily feature amongst the places. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 3 – 10 – 5)

RACE 7

3 RAPIDASH quickened up well to beat Pacaya last time, he likes to be held up in his races and then get produced very late, if the race works out for him, he will be right there in the finish again, he is a smart horse. 5 PONTE PIETRA ran his socks off in the Grade 3 World Pool Gold Cup, Jockey Sean Veale knows him well, he is extremely versatile, from a decent draw here, he will be right there where it matters most. 6 CALL TO UNITE bounced right back to his brilliant best last time, Trainer Justin Snaith has always referred to him being a smart horse, if he can build on that last performance, he will have a good each way chance in this competitive field. 8 ALLEZ MORIS dug down deep to win a good race last time, this will undoubtedly be his biggest test to date, watch him closely with no weight on his back. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 5 – 6 – 8)

RACE 8

2 NAUSHON must have a big winning chance again. He needs a particular ride, Jockey Oswald Noach knows this six-year-old gelding really well, it looks to be the perfect race for him to strike again. 5 GOLDEN GREY comes back to the races from a small break, he is a very tricky ride, if the speed is on up in front and he can run in a straight line when they turn for home, he could absolutely shock them all. 6 OZARK should love the drop in trip, he comes into the race with a very handy weight, include him into all your bets. 9 UNSOLVED RIDDLE will need some luck from a tricky draw, he has been very busy over the last few weeks, if this race hasn’t come too soon, he could sneak into the Quartets with Jockey Richard Fourie. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 5 – 6 – 9)

RACE 9

9 NILE THE BOSS unfortunately pulls a tricky draw for this race, naturally life will be tough for her from a bad draw at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, but her recent form is excellent and the yard of Piet Botha is flying, if Jockey Tristan Godden can work his magic from the draw and get this filly into a good position turning for home, she will take all the beating. 1 TRES CHIC is far better than her recent run, she pulled going down to the start and then jumped slowly when the starter said go, from a good draw here, in hope that everything goes smoothly, she could be a big danger to the stable companion. 4 ISCHYRO ran a much better race last time, in fact he moved up like a winner before finding one too good on the day, if he can build on that run and keep improving, there is no doubt he could trouble them all. 8 LOVERS LANE never runs a bad race, his last run was excellent, if he can reproduce that performance again, he would have a big winning chance. Go wide. (Brandon Bailey: 9 – 1 – 4 – 8)

RACE 10          

4 NORDIC QUEST has been rested for 91 days, her recent form is very good, and she will take lots of beating in the lucky last. She easily brings in the best form to the race and she gets a good draw, she will be hard to beat here. 8 BLUE HOLLY ran a super race in the Speedsters Stakes last time behind a very good sprinter, she is extremely fast, if she gets the race to suit from a tough draw, she will be highly competitive. 10 MISS MARGUERITE had no luck in her last start, she unfortunately gets a bad draw in this race, she will be switched off early and come with a powerful run late, she must have a nice place chance now that she is slowly dropping in the ratings. 1 BONNE BOUCHE ran a terrific race last time on her local debut, she gets a good draw here and she will be much fitter, there is no doubt she could sneak into the Quartets. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 8 – 10 – 1)

RACE 1     

2 LEAD THE CHARGE 1 KINSHIN SHA 4 TAXI TO THE MOON 3 CYMRIC

Preview: 2 LEAD THE CHARGE won well first up for the season and can continue to progress. 1 KINSHIN SHA is in good form and is course and distance suited and a 2,5kg claimer up will help. 4 TAXI TO THE MOON has 4,5 lengths to make up on Lead The Charge and is 3kg better off. 3 CYMRIC has class but the Van Vuuren horses have tended to need their first outings of the season. (2-1-4-3)

RACE 2     

2 WEARINGOFTHEGREEN 3 WINTER IN PARIS 8 POPLAR PARK 4 SUNFIRE 

Preview: 2 WEARINGOFTHEGREEN is by Kingman out of a Galileo mare and would not have to be a star to win this race on debut. 3 WINTER IN PARIS by What A Winter is a half-sister to Gr 1 winner Trip Of Fortune and hasn’t been disgraced in either start. 8 POPLAR PARK ran a fair fifth on debut and could improve. 4 SUNFIRE has shown some ability and is well drawn.  (2-3-8-4)

RACE 3     

6 INSPECTOR JAMES 1 SUTHERLAND 4 ANTONIO GAUDI 3 TIGER STORM

Preview: 6 INSPECTOR JAMES should be cherry ripe after two runs and is well drawn over a suitable trip. 1 SUTHERLAND should have come on from his comeback run last time and has a chance. 4 ANTONIO GAUDI is well drawn and has the form to earn. 3 TIGER STORM ran well over 1000m last time and should enjoy this trip but has a tricky draw of five out of eight. (6-1-4-3) 

RACE 4     

1 ROMAN’S REVENGE 5 JAHAM 4 ROYAL MIRACLE 2 QUELIMANE

Preview: 1 ROMAN’S REVENGE went close last time when stepped up to this trip and can go one better. 5 JAHAM is by Kingman out of a teofilo mare and from a fair draw should relish the step up in trip. 4 ROYAL MIRACLE hasn’t been disgraced and can improve over this trip. 2 QUELIMANE has shown enough to earn here. (1-5-4-2)

RACE 5     

7 CORAL BLAZE 2 TOWERS OF GOLD 1 GAMER 5 CLIFFIE CLAVIN

Preview: 7 CORAL BLAZE can win this if reproducing her Cape Town form. 2 TOWERS OF GOLD is knocking on the door and has a chance. 1 GAMER has improved and is capable of better than last time. 5 CLIFFIE CLAVIN is capable of improvement. (7-2-1-5)

RACE 6     

5 SO SEDUCTIVE 2 CHASING HAPPINESS 3 HIERKOMMIEBOKKIE 1 VIX PRINCESS

Preview: 5 SO SEDUCTIVE won well last time and should have come on from the run too. 2 CHASING HAPPINESS is also in good form and can go close. 3 HIERKOMMIEBOKKIE has enjoyed it on the Highveld and from a good draw can go close. 1 VIX PRINCESS is trying a drop in trip which is interesting and she should be running on. (5-2-3-1)

RACE 7     

2 NETTLETON 1 LOVEGRASS 3 GOLDEN ASPEN 4 PHANTOM EXPRESS

Preview: 2 NETTLETON only faded late last time and should have come on well from that run. 1 LOVEGRASS should have also come on from her last start and should handle the step up 1200m. 3 GOLDEN ASPEN is capable of a strong finish and can never be ignored. 4 PHANTOM EXPRESS has the form to be thereabouts if bouncing back from a poor run last time. (2-1-3-4)

RACE 8     

1 BARBARESCO 4 GUY GIBSON 8 SUKHUMVIT 2 MASTERSHIP

Preview: 1 BARBARESCO might need it but his class can pull him though. 4 GUY GIBSON has a touch of class and is capable of being right there. 8 SUKHUMVIT is promising and should progress this season but she does return from a four month layoff. 2 MASTERSHIP should be on the up and will enjoy the return to 1600m. (1-4-8-2)

RACE 9     

2 CONFEDERATE 4 SHINTO SHRINE 5 GOLDEN PAVILION 6 COMING IN HOT

Preview: 2 CONFEDERATE won well second time out and off a 90 rating could be thereabouts. 4 SHINTO SHRINE has ability too and is another young horse who has to run off a 90. 5 GOLDEN PAVILION is usually thereabouts and is well drawn. 6 COMING IN HOT has a chance if able to reproduce his last eye-catching win. (2-4-5-6)

David Thiselton

The Turffontein Inside track stages a nine race meeting today and Barbaresco makes his reappearance in a Progress Plate over 1600m.

The Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained horses have tended to need their first starts this season, but according to official merit ratings the Gimmethegreenlight gelding is 4,5kg better off at the weights than any other horse and his class will help too. S’Manga Khumalo continues to be first choice rider for the yard at present and will not have an easy task from draw eight. The grey should relish the trip, considering he was regarded by the yard to have a bit of a stamina doubt over the 2200m of the Hollywoodbets Durban July and that belief appeared to be proven correct when he was unable to find extra from a dangerous position. Guy Gibson is second best in at the weights and has some class and could well progress this season. Gavin Lerena is up from a fair draw of five and the horse has had the benefit of one run this season, although that did come after a five month layoff. His comeback was a decent effort over 1200m and he will relish the step up to this more suitable trip. Sukhumvit is full of potential and this Silvano filly should also come into her own this season. She only has to carry 51,5kg and she is comfortably third best in at the weights, although she is 5kg out with Barbaresco and returns from a four month layoff which followed a well below par effort over 2000m where she pulled in the running and was blowing afterwards. Mastership looks to be capable of rising above his merit rating of 93 and could earn from a fair draw. United Council is another to consider for quartets for although it a step down in trip his two wins have both been over this trip.

The Progress plate forms the fifth leg of the Pick 6 and in the previous race, a handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m, the Van Vuuren-trained Khumalo-ridden Nettleton could be a banker. She looked like she needed it last time when looking the winner but then finding no extra late over this same 1200m course and distance. She has a fair draw of four out of eight and will strip fitter. Her stablemate Lovegrass interestingly has Piere Strydom up from draw five. She has won two out of five over 1000m and on pedigree, being by Gimmethegreenlight out of Captain Al mare Eros’s Girl, who won the Listed East Cape Oaks over 2000m, she should relish the step up to 1200m. Golden Aspen has a wide draw of seven but is capable of a strong finish. Phantom Express is better than her last start. Micke’s Bomb is capable and is drawn in pole.

The sixth is a MR94 Handicap over 1200m for fillies and mares and this could also go to Van Vuuren and Khumalo with So Seductive. This Vercingetorix filly only has to overcome a three point raise for her last win over course and distance and she now has a better draw of three out of six. Stablemate Chasing Happiness also comes off a win over course and distance, in a Graduation Plate,  and Strydom replaces Khumalo. She has only a one point higher mark and jumps from draw four. Hierkommiebokkie failed to make it a Highveld Hattrick last time but she now has a much better draw and will be dangerous. Vix Princess has a good turn of foot and is interesting stepped down in trip. Where’s The Party goes for a hattrick an is hard to ignore, although she has to overcome an eleven point raise after winning under sufferance last time.

The last leg of the Pick 6 is a tricky MR 74 Handicap over 1600m and Confederate could be the one to beat. The big son of Fire Away quickened well from the front to win second time out over this trip, but he has been given a 90 merit rating so it won’t be easy, although he has drawn well. Shinto Shrine has also shown good ability against horses who have been proven to be well above average and he also has a chance, although he also has to run off a 90 and has a tricky draw of six. Golden Pavilion is a solid older horse and from draw two with Khumalo up he should make his presence felt over a slight step up in trip he should handle. Coming In Hot caught the eye with an easy win over 1200m last time and has done well over this trip before but has a six point raise to contend with. Diwali Rocket won well when stepped up to this trip and is another three-year-old running off a 90 and Lerena is up from a fair draw.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1800m Roman’s Revenge is knocking on the door and will be hard to beat from draw four. Jaham by the top sire Kingman improved over 1600m second time out and could be dangerous with Lerena up over this suitable step up in trip.

In the second leg over 1500m Coral Blaze, Towers Of Gold and Gamer should fight it out.

In the first leg of the Bipot Wearingofthegreen is by Kingman out of a Galilelo mare who won over a mile third time out in Ireland. First-timer Wearingofthegreen is a half-sister to a Dubawi Gr 2 winner over a mile and three furlongs on the turf in the USA and she would not have to be that good to win this race. Of the others runners Winter In Paris by What A Winter is a half-sister to Gr 1 winner Trip Of Fortune and hasn’t been disgraced in either start. Poplar Park ran a fair fifth on debut and could improve. 

In the first leg of the PA, the Van Vuuren-trained Khumalo-ridden Inspector James is the suggestion to beat Tiger Storm and Sutherland.

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