David Thiselton

The Andre Nel yard look to have booked a berth in the Hollywoodbets Durban July for the consistent five-year-old Pomodoro gelding Selukwe. A further development in the July build up over the weekend was the impressive win of the East Cape’s best three-year-old My Best Shot in the Listed East Cape Derby on Friday, begging the question of whether he will be supplemented for the big race, while up at Turffontein the well regarded Gr 2 Gauteng Guineas winner Parisian Walkway disappointed when only fourth in a Pinnacle event over 1800m that was won by July 100/1 shot Navajo Nation.

Selukwe carried 54kg off a 103 merit under Serino Moodley and after being dropped out from a wide draw ran on from the back in the straight to win by a comfortable 2,20 lengths. The consistent Mike Miller-trained Narina Trogon ran on well from a handy position for second, 0,30 lengths ahead of the Justin Snaith-trained Underworld, who drifted out to 25/1 before being backed in late to 7/1. Underworld also came from a handy position, while his 11/2 chance stablemate Okavango, who started Tote favourite, ran on well for a 3,20 length fourth. Thunee Playa stayed on for fifth place. The race did not pan out at all well for the bookmakers 9/2 favourite Native Ruler, who was hampered at the start and ended too far back and never really had fresh air to aim at in the straight.

Selukwe has shortened in to 25/1 for the July with the sponsor.

Narina Trogon remains a 75/1 shot for the July, while Underworld is not a July entry, but he might go for a race like the Cup Trial next and be supplemented if winning it.

Okavango has surprisingly stayed at 20/1 for the July, despite probably needing to now either win the Cup Trial or run a big race in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000.

The same can be said for Native Ruler, who remains on 40/1.

Their stablemate Future Swing was last year’s winner of the WSB 1900 but proved in need of the run on Saturday and ran a 6,30 length eighth. He remains on 50/1 for the July. He is highly regarded and could bounce back in the Cup Trial.  

The best weighted horse in the WSB 1900 was Indian Ocean who was sent to the front by Kabelo Matsunyane and did way too much trying to get there. Piere Strydom did go close on her from the front last time and has won on her from the front, but he has also won on her coming from last and in retrospect dropping her out from a wide draw would have been a better tactic. 

Indian Ocean finished last and remains a 75/1 shot for the July, while her stablemate Infinite Wonder was never in it and remains a July 150/1 shot. Their fifth-placed stablemate Thunee Playa remains a 100/1 shot for the July. 

Madison Valley was another major disappointment in the WSB 1900, finding nothing from a handy position, and he remains on 100/1 for the July. Madison Valley’s Frank Robinson-trained stablemate Shoot The Rapids ran sixth, but is viewed more as a Gold Cup horse and remains on 100/1 for the July too.

Selukwe’s stablemate Cape Eagle had too much use made of him early and faded out, so he also remains 100/1 for the July.

The Peter Muscutt-trained I Salute You ran a fair seventh from a wide draw in the WSB 1900, but remains on 75/1 for the July. 

The Glen Kotzen-trained Holding Thumbs was one of the most backed horses on the day of the WSB 1900 as Glen Kotzen has called him one of the best he’s trained for a long time. However, as a big staying type who was widely drawn he was always up against it and he duly faded after being taken to the front. He is a 50/1 shot for the July.

Meanwhile, the Alan Greeff-trained My Best Shot became the first horse to ever land the East Cape “Triple Crown”. He won all three legs of the Sophomore Series over 1400m, 1600m and 2400m respectively and earned a R250,000 bonus. 

The Varsfontein Stud-bred Fire Away three-year-old gelding has now won nine races from 15 starts and has won three Listed events.

My Best Shot was a bit head strong going down to the start for Friday’s Listed East Cape Derby, which raised some concerns because this was the first time he was going beyond 1600m and 800m further is a considerable step up.

However, he settled well at the back of the eleven horse field.

He then scythed through the field like a hot knife through butter in the straight to win by 5,25 lengths.

He is only rated 111 and he faced opposition that were all rated 95 or below, so thoughts of the Hollywoodbets Durban July would probably require a trip to KZN to run in a race like the Cup Trial.

He has such an exhilarating turn of foot that supplementing him for the Hollywoodbets Durban July would not be over optimistic.

Parisian Walkway’s disappointing run at Turffontein yesterday opened the question whether he stays further than a mile, because it is the third time he has disappointed over further than a mile. However, he did carry topweight and if apprentice claims are ignored had to give Navajo Nation 8kg and only lost to him by four lengths.

Later, the fancied July entry Legend Of Arthur finished last in a Pinnacle race over 1400m, but it sound worse than the run actually was as he experienced traffic problem when staying on quite well over too sharp a trip.

Purple Pitcher and Atticus Finch also found the distance too sharp and needed it, but it would have been  important respective pipe opener on their route towards the July too.

Later, the July 14/1 shot Immediate Edge ran on superbly for second in the Secretariat Stakes over the too sharp 1400m despite carrying 60.5kg, while earlier in the day July 100/1 shot The Ultimate King won well first time out the maidens over 1600m. 

Andrew Harrison

Stable team efforts in racing, trainers, their assistants, stable jockeys and stable staff coupled with a loyal owner base go a long way to success on the racetrack. Difficult for the smaller yards with the top jockeys hunting the best rides from bigger stables but it all paid off at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday as the five-year-old Selukwe put a smart field to bed in the  Gr3 WSB 1900.

Emotional winning rider Serino Moodley heaped praise on Plattner Racing’s head trainer Andre Nel and his KZN assistant Byron Forster for keeping faith with him as stable rider as the home-bred turned in a stunning performance. Quickening out of the pack he put the race to bed in a matter of strides. He was chased home by Narina Trogon and stable companions Underworld and Okavango who was running on stoutly for fourth.

Moodley got a 14 day suspension for his ride on Selukwe when second to I Salute You in The Sledgehammer at Hollywoodbets Scottsville which made Saturday’s win all the sweeter.

“It was tough taking the suspension but luckily I have a man like Byron (Forster) behind me and if it wasn’t for Byron I wouldn’t be here today so all credit must go to Byron and his team.

“It’s very hard to get chances in this game and if it wasn’t for Byron and his team I promise you I wouldn’t have been standing here today.

“I have to give credit to Mrs Plattner and Mr Nel. They stick by me and they don’t take you off horses. I often come back and tell Byron that I made a mistake and I’m really sorry and he understand that.

“It was hard to let Cape Eagle go but this horse is on the up and perfectly placed.

Of his mount he said, “He really showed his class today and going forward he is really exciting.

“At the thousand he was climbing all over them. I had Okavango in front of me and saw that he was under pressure and I needed to get off his heels. I went to the outside and it was so easy, I don’t think he got to his top.”

Forster said, “It’s all fallen into place these last eight months. He’s been a little unlucky along the way too but to say that he was going to win a group race nine months ago you would probably have said we were off our head but it’s just the progression he’s made.”

Of the Hollywoodbets Durban July Forster said, “I’ll  just carry on training him and I will leave it up to Andre and Mrs Plattner and they can make a decision but he was impressive today.”

The Gr3 WSB 1900 has undergone a number of name changes over the years, starting off as the Gr2 Gordon’s Gin to the Gr2 Republic Day Handicap but lost its Gr2 status a few years back.

However, in recent editions the race has attracted high class fields with winners or placed runners going on to win or feature prominently in the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July and the race fully deserves an up-grade. 

Clinton Binda can be unconventional in his training methods as there are not many modern trainers that run their horses unshod. That does not faze Binda who has his own private training facilities  on the Highveld and is well supported by Hollywood Racing.

Ziyasha has not managed a feature race win in his 20 starts to date but has found the winner’s enclosure seven times in spite of a high merit rating garnered by running close-up to some smart opposition in feature races. 

The KRA Cup was a 1000m dash but he gave notice that the Gr2 Golden Horse Sprint to be run at Hollywoodbets Scottsville early next month, where he finished eighth last year four lengths behind winner Lucky Lad, could change all that. Winning at long odds at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth last time out, not a venue that Binda visits often, a hoof abscess  set his charge back and it has been six months between that win and Saturday’s victory.

“We put a lot of pressure on him (Ziyasha) and ourselves,” said Binda post-race but it was an exceptional win under joint top weight against some smart short-cut specialists.

Ziyasha quickened out of the pack off a decent gallop and although five furlongs appears to be his optimum trip he must surely go into the Golden Horse with a realistic chance of a feature race victory.

Surprise package was Hithemhardsunshine who tried hard  to make up the deficit starting at long odds with Future Variety coming from a long way back to snatch third in an eye-catching showing. He could be a better proposition for the Golden Horse should Candice Bass-Robinson elect to take that route.

RACE 1     

1 BAROLO 8 SILVAN MISTRESS 3 DREAM TEAM 5 GOLDEN CROC

Preview: 1 BAROLO has gone close in two starts and should get it right here over a suitable distance from a good draw. 8 SILVAN MISTRESS only has a quarter of a length to find on Barolo on their first meeting and 1.75 lengths to make up on their second meeting, so should be in the shake up. 3 DREAM TEAM has 3.75 lengths to make up on Barolo from their meeting over this trip. 5 GOLDEN CROC has run 2 fair races and could earn. (David Thiselton 1-8-3-5)

RACE 2     

2 WORLD SOPRANO 3 BROOKSIDER 1 GRAND ALLEGRO 7 ALADO’S HABIT

Preview: 2 WORLD SOPRANO made a good start to his East Cape career and after disappointing last time comes back to the trip over which he had previously gone close. 3 BROOKSIDER went close over course and distance last time and should make a bold bid. 1 GRAND ALLEGRO ran a good race over course and distance last time and should also be in the shake up. 7 ALADO’S HABIT has run 2 good races but does return from a layoff of more than four months. (David Thiselton 2-3-1-7)

RACE 3     

1 MR FOX 7 OPERA VERSE 2 CHEERFUL CHARLIE B 6 DUCHESS OF SEVILLE

Preview: 1 MR FOX has made a good start to his East Cape career and his Cape Town form suggests he will be effective over this trip. 7 OPERA VERSE is drawn in pole and is interesting stepped up in trip. 2 CHEERFUL CHARLIE B has some fair form and if able to overcome a wide draw should be in the shake up over a suitable trip. 6 DUCHESS OF SEVILLE s drawn well over a suitable trip and could earn. (David Thiselton 1-7-2-6)

RACE 4     

6 GREENLIGHT LEGEND 9 PISCES 1 LANCIAFIAMME 10 MISTER WHISTLE

Preview: 6 GREENLIGHT LEGEND goes for a hat trick and looks up to it as he arrived in the East Cape from Cape Town with some fair form and he is likely still ahead of the handicapper. 9 PISCES  ran a good race last time over this trip and is drawn well. 1 LANCIAFIAMME also ran a good race over course and distance last time and should be in the shake up. 10 MISTER WHISTLE is a capable sort and could earn although he is half a kilogram under sufferance and has a wide draw. (David Thiselton 6-9-1-10)

RACE 5     

5 POMODORO MAGIC 2 DRESSEDTOTHENINES 7 MEDITERANEANGODDES 8 SWISS PARADISE

Preview: 5 POMODORO MAGIC is in fine form and might enjoy the step down to 1000m. 2 DRESSEDTOTHENINES probably needed her first run in the East Cape and will enjoy the step down to a 1000m. 7 MEDITERANEANGODDES has the form to be involved. 8 SWISS PARADISE has an in-form jockey aboard and will enjoy the step down in trip. (David Thiselton 5-2-7-8)

RACE 6     

1 WHATEVER NEXT 4 DUBAI HILLS 5 MASKED VIGILANTE 9 SWISS WALT

Preview: 1 WHATEVER NEXT is course and distance suited and should be able to overcome a draw of seven under Richard Fourie. 4 DUBAI HILLS goes well for Charles Ndlovu and might upset her stable mate. 5 MASKED VIGILANTE is drawn well over a suitable trip and should make a bold bid. 9 SWISS WALT is in consistent form but does have a tricky draw to overcome. (David Thiselton 1-4-5-9)

RACE 7     

2 CHILI BOMB 3 CHAMPONELLE 7 CHARLIE MALONE 6 HOSPICES DE BEAUNE

Preview: 2 CHILI BOMB goes for a hat trick and having come from KZN she might still be ahead of the handicapper.3 CHAMPONELLE has some fine form and should make a bold bid too. 7 CHARLIE MALONE ran on well last time to win a Classified Stakes race over this course and distance and he runs off the same mark. 6 HOSPICES DE BEAUNE  can do better than last time from a good draw. (David Thiselton 2-3-7-9)

RACE 8     

5 FLIGHT DISPLAY 1 CALL TO GLORY 6 GET IT DONE 7 LADY ZULTANITE

Preview: 5 FLIGHT DISPLAY  is a hard knocking sort and Craig Zackey can help him overcome a wide draw over a suitable trip. 1 CALL TO GLORY  is in good form and should enjoy the step up in trip. 6 GET IT DONE has done well over this trip before and from a middle draw should be in the shake up. 7 LADY ZULTANITE could earn from a good draw. (David Thiselton 5-1-6-7)

Andrew Harrison

The hunt for a berth in the 18-horse field for the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July starts in earnest today with the Gr3 WSB 1900, a race that has proved to be a good pointer to the outcome of Africa’s greatest horserace.

Justin Snaith is on record that he has brought all of his best horses up from the Cape for Champions Season and he holds a strong hand with four competitive runners. Best could be Okavango who has won three of his seven starts and won well on this course last time out. Although out at the weights, he has a light weight and if he wins here he should get into the July with close to bottom weight for his age group. Stable companion Future Swing was just two lengths off stable star Eight On Eighteen in the Gr1 WSB Cape Met and is hardly out of the money of late. He won this race last year beating Winchester Mansion who went on to win the July although he may possibly need to win this to cement a July berth this time around.

Progressive three-year-old and recent Sledgehammer winner I Salute You has the deepest draw but Peter Muscutt will still have hopes of qualifying his charge for a crack at the July. However, Mike Miller’s consistent gelding Narina Trogon and Selukwe from the Andre Nel yard are both significantly better off in the handicap given their meeting in The Sledgehammer which could prove telling.

Supporting feature is the KRA Cup where Milnerton-based Candice Bass-Robinson can get off the mark with Future Variety who boasts useful Cape form in Gr1 company. He goes well this trip and should go close to winning in this company. Ziyasha has his first run for Clinton Binda and she comes with smart Cape form over the distance. He has a fairly deep draw and a big weight but looks more than capable. Luhamba Phambili ran a cracker last time out behind the heavily supported O’Tenikwa starting at long odds. He has run two smart races since arriving from the Cape and from a plum draw should be competitive. Garth Puller has declared first time blinkers for veteran African Skyline who was caught late by Teflon Man last start and drops back to 1000m. The blinkers could make him a lot sharper.

The PA kicks off in the third on the nine-race card and Promise Of Fire and Shesha Inombi should get punters through safely. Promise Of Fire had been up against males in soft ground until her improved last run. She gets first time blinkers and can make the required improvement in modest company. Shesha Intombi has shown signs of coming to hand and has the measure of Promise Of Fire on a line through their last meeting but blinkers could be the key.

In the first leg of the Pick 6, Lemon Thyme was narrowly beaten over course and distance last time out and has made steady improvement. She looks primed for this. Biggest danger is likely to be Greenlight Skye who has been showing good form over further in the Cape. That form should hold up and she will go close over this shorter trip.

The fifth is a wide open handicap but Captain Peg makes the trip from the Highveld for Stuart Pettigrew. She has useful form in strong company and will have benefitted from her last effort after a lengthy break. Khethiwe’s Destiny has been knocking at the door for Mike and Mathew de Kock and the step up in trip could suit. She is 1.5kg better off with recent winner Bevies Delight and can turn the tables. Corrie Lensley is a rare Highveld visitor and he saddles Sonic Jet has useful Highveld form over the trip and has a plum draw. Sohot Sowhat  has won two of her four Cape starts and Gavin Lerena stays with the ride. She was beaten by the weights last time out.

The eight is another open handicap but Regulation is another Justin Snaith July entry. He is lightly raced but comes with consistent Cape form although he does shoulder top weight. El Rey Viene has been knocking at the door for some time now. He has a handy weight and a good draw which should see him competitive. Vila Vicosa is seldom far back and was close up behind Okavango last time out although he was in receipt of 8.5kg from the winner. He only has 50kg to carry here. Bad Medicine has shown improved form with a change of stable and Lerena is back on board.

The last result can rest between Princess Palace and Sign Of Fate. Princess Palace has been in good form with blinkers and from a plum draw can be rewarded for her consistency. Sign Of Fate has been up against stronger of late and not too far back. The drop in class should see her closer. Rugger Lover steps up in trip but has been close-up in her last four and if staying the extra could be a strong contender while Buttercup Baby is lightly raced and way better than her last run. She is one to watch in the betting.