Graeme Hawkins

Sugar Mountain returned to his very best form to win yesterdays headliner at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, the R165 000 Perfectly Placed A Stakes over 1400m. Friendless in the market following several below par efforts, Sugar Mountain (20/1) stormed home from off the pace to beat Gallic Dream and Seeking The Stars by nearly two lengths going away. The 6yo son of Silvano was ridden by Aldo Domeyer for trainer Candice Bass-Robinson and Sugar Mountain has now won nine races, seven of which have been recorded over 1400m.

Fourth-placed Let It Be Said was given every chance by Richard Fourie but the 3yo son of Vercingetorix failed to quicken when called for his effort and it may be that he now needs a mile and further to be most effective.

Churchillian, a full brother to Grade 1 winner Master Archie, got followers of favourites off to a flying start with a comfortable pillar-to-post victory in the opening event, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1000m. Churchillian’s previous three starts were all against winners, including a promising 1,50 length third to Nursery winner Dreamworld, and reverting to maiden company here the Candice Bass-Robinson-trained son of Rafeef proved too strong for his market rivals Three Tigers and Gold Giboski.

The second race, an Open Maiden over 1400m, appeared wide open but MJ Byleveld – a valuable member of the on-course presenting team – was singing the praises of Father Christmas in the parade ring and the well bred 3yo son of Gimmethegreenlight did him proud at long odds. A chance ride for Gavin Lerena, Father Christmas (14/1) came from some way off the pace with a sustained run to win going away from Dricus (5/1) who looked the likely winner approaching the final 200m. Signor Dante also made late progress to finish a creditable third and is one to follow over further.

Supreme Fate brought the best form into the third race, a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1400m, but was allowed to drift in the market to 8/1 as race time approached. All the support was for Wild Applause (3/1 into 16/10) but Supreme Fate finished off her race well from a handy position to score by a length over the favourite with Ocotillo a head away in third spot. Supreme Fate looks progressive and could follow up next time out.

Punters were on the mark in the fourth race, a C Stakes over 1600m, in which the exceptionally good-looking Landoftherisingsun shortened from 11/2 to 28/10. With Dalmeny Factor setting a strong early gallop, the race was run well inside standard time for this class and Landoftherisingsun relished the pace, swooping through from the back half of the field to score impressively by a wide margin under 64kgs.

Pinot Grigio was sent out tote favourite for the fifth race, a Class 3 Handicap over 1600m, and the 3yo son of The United States duly delivered under Ashton Arries for the Ricky Maingard stable. Bel Canto Dream (66/1) threatened to cause a major shock when emerging from the chasing pack, but Pinot Grigio rallied well over the final 50m to get the verdict by almost a length.

Maingard was back in the winner’s enclosure after the previously unplaced maiden, Count William (16/1), made all the running under apprentice Brevan Plaatjies to win the sixth race, a D Stakes over 1600m. Wehaveasituation tried gamely to complete her hattrick and was only half-a-length in arrears at the line with Midway staying on for third.

Craig Bantam gets a really good tune out of the Adam Marcus-trained Dream Searcher and the pair teamed up to win the seventh race, a Class 5 Handicap (F&M) over 1400m. Dream Searcher has now won four races, and Bantam has been aboard on each occasion. Saint Brigid ran on nicely for second and her second career victory is not too far away.

David Thiselton

The most interesting entry in the Hollywoodbets Durban July was the imported former Aidan O’Brien-trained Galileo colt, The Equator, but the Tony Peter yard are not sure whether they can get him ready in time for the big race.

Paul Peter said, “The quarantine was longer than we expected. He’s doing very well, but I’m not sure Tony will have him ready in time. He’s going to need two runs to qualify, but he is a big burly horse and this bloke can eat. He just wants to eat and he eats and gets big and chunky so quickly. So Tony doesn’t want to push him and damage him. But he is going to try and have him ready. He has an excellent temperament, you would never think he’s a colt, and he’s doing whatever we ask of him. We didn’t know anything about him, so we’re just learning every day. He’s a nice sound horse and we had to nominate him in case he gets there quicker than we think.”

Paul went over to a Tattersalls Sale with Willem Ackerman and Advocate Nigel Riley of Heversham Park stud last October and bought the Galileo colt for 55,000 Gns. His value increased significantly a month later when his three-parts sister by Frankel, Lake Victoria, won the Gr 1 Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf.

Lake Victoria started 9/4 for the 1000 Guineas on Saturday and finished a 2,50 length sixth.

The Equator himself has only won one race in six starts but has two seconds to his name and has performed well against some good opposition. He seems to need plenty of ground, despite being out of the European champion three-year-old sprinter Quiet Reflection (Showcasing), who won two Gr 1s.

The South African handicappers accorded The Equator a merit rating of 109, which will mean, as Paul Peter said, to do well in his next two races to qualify for the July.

Meanwhile, the yard were pleased with VJ’s Angel’s 2,35 length eighth in the Gr 2 WSB Fillies Guineas at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.

Paul said, “She had a nice run. She came a little bit wide, but she stopped the antics. She didn’t really get left and she tried right to the line, so we were happy with the run.”

The Gr 1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes is on the agenda for VJ’s Angel, who won the Gr 1 Douglas Whyte Thekwini Stakes last season over the same course and distance.

VJ’s Angel was part of an intended sales package together with crack sprinter Golden Sickle. However, a price could not be agreed upon with her, although Golden Sickle was sold so is no longer in the yard.

Stable star Main Defender was scratched from the Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes only due to the wide draw he had landed.

He runs on Sunday in a Pinnacle Stakes event at Turffontein in preparation for the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge, where he will hopefully crack a decent draw.

Pistol Pete is a possibility for the Gr 2 Golden Horse Sprint, but they will be avoiding that race with Buffalo Storm Cody, because they believe the latter is best around the turn. They said they might look at races around the turn for Buffalo Storm Cody like the Gr 2 Post Merchants and Gr 1 Mercury Sprint.

RACE 1

2 CHERRY OH BABY   3 LONG STREET   7 DOIN’ TIME   1 FANTASY LEAGUE

Summary: CHERRY OH BABY (2) has been camped in the second box for her last four starts and can make the step up in a modest field. LONG STREET (3) has a handy galloping weight but has had 18 bites at the cherry. FANTASY LEAGUE (1) has a light weight and has shown some ability. DOIN’ TIME (7) is a long-time battler but her best recent form has been on the poly. (Andrew Harrison: 2-3-7-1).

RACE 2

2 SILVER PLATTER   12 MASTER BOMBER   3 BLACK PLATINA   5 PARLIAMENT SQUARE

Summary: SILVER PLATTER (2) makes his poly debut but has been close-up in his last three. He stays the trip and should feature. MASTER BOMBER (12) steps up in trip on the poly but was narrowly beaten over a mile last run at Durbanville. He will be a big threat. BLACK PLATINA (3) has not been far back of late and has a money chance. PARLIAMENT SQUARE (5) was much improved over a sprint last run and needs to carry that improvement over this trip. (Andrew Harrison: 2-12-3-5).

RACE 3

8 JULIET TANGO   6 ONE PATH   1 WOZA NAWE   10 FLYING HAFLA

Summary: JULIET TANGO (8) drops in class and has improved at recent outings. She should take to the poly.  ONE PATH (6) took on much stronger in feature company first up out of the maidens. One to watch. WOZA NAWE (1) has useful form in blinkers. Should run well. FLYING HAFLA (10) has shown up well in two starts since her maiden win but still got a rating drop. (Andrew Harrison: 8-6-1-10).

RACE 4

7 FIELD MARSHAL   8 TROIS TROIS QUATRE   1 JOHNNY THE THIEF   4 FORGIVENESS

Summary: Small field but plenty in with chances. FIELD MARSHAL (7) is a promising gelding who won well last time out. He is 1.5kg worse off with TROIS TROIS QUATRE (8) who was less than a length back. On paper the latter should have his measure but Field Marshal has won on the poly. JOHONNY THE THIEF (1) is also better off in the weights with Filed Marshall and the stable have high hopes for him this winter. FORGIVENESS (4) was a distant third in The Scarlet Lady but can feature in this line-up. (Andrew Harrison: 7-8-1-4).

RACE 5

 6 NUMZAAN   4 EVENTIDOR   5 COUNT MARSH   1 SHINY BOB

Summary: NUMZAAN (6) good form for new stable. Big weight but will be a big runner. PORFIRIO (10) is the best performed and loves the poly. EVENTIDOR (4) is holding form well. 4kg claimer will help. COUNT MARSH (5) is way better than his last run from a poor draw. SHINY BOB (1) has come to hand at recent starts and looks primed for this. (Andrew Harrison: 6-10-4-5).

RACE 6

9 GENTLEMAN JOE   1 BRISTOL HERCULES   4 PLAZA ACCORD   6 FRENCH FLAME

Summary: GENTLEMAN JOE (9) has a tricky draw but comes with solid Cape form. Much improved with cheek pieces. BRISTOL HERCULES (1) continued his consistent form for his new stable. He is a July entry and will need to step up. PLAZA ACCORD (4) is up in the handicap but is in good form. The step up in trip could see him in again. FRENCH FLAME (6) is coming to hand and he has gone well on the poly. (Andrew Harrison: 9-1-4-6).

RACE 7

1 QUENTASIA    7 HEAD GIRL   9 POURSOMESUGARONME   2 GLAMORZ

Summary: QUENTASIA (1) has a light weight from the best of the draw. Can go all the way. HEAD GIRL (7) ran no sort of race back from a break and on the turf. She took an age to shed her maiden but has smart poly form. POURSOMESUGARONME (9) is struggling for her next win but never far back. Further rating drop. GLAMORZ (2) is way better than her last effort and from a good draw should be a factor. (Andrew Harrison: 1-7-9-2).

RACE 8

2 GETOFFOFMYCLOUD   7 LINE IN THE SKY   1 MAMAS BABY   10 LADY BUG

Summary: GETOFFOFMYCLOUD (2) won well at just her second outing. She takes on stronger here but does look to be above average. LINE IN THE SKY (7) made sudden improvement last run. Blinkers on and a light weight. MAMAS BABY (1) is way better than her last effort on the turf. Useful poly form before that. LADYBUG (10) has the worst of the draw and has been rested. But she does have smart form on the poly. (Andrew Harrison: 2-7-1-10).

RACE 9

1 AFRICAN PRINCE   10 HOPE IS POWER   7 GRAND APPEAL   9 BENNI IN THE AREA

Summary: AFRICAN PRINCE (1) comes with solid Cape form. Well drawn and looks the part. HOPE IS POWER (10) has a wide draw but goes very well over course and distance. GRAND APPEAL (7) has had a long break since his maiden win at just the third time of asking. Watch the betting here. BENNI IN THE AREA (9) ran well below form last run but is quick and has a money chance. (Andrew Harrison: 1-10-7-9)

Andrew Harrison

After a long overdue refurbish, the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly will be back in use today and a number of trainers have delayed in the interim to get their poly specialists into action again. This could be a telling pointer to the performance of some runners but the revamped surface should be fair for all.

Punters may have to wait for the best bet on the card where Justin Snaith saddles  African Prince in the ninth who boasts solid Cape form. He is well drawn in pole and looks the part. A threat could be Hope Is Power who has a wide draw but goes very well over course and distance while MJ Odendaal brings back Grand Appeal after a lengthy break after his maiden win that came at just the third time of asking. Watch the betting on this one. 

Mike and Mathew de Kock can get the meeting off to a winning start with Cherry Oh Baby who has been camped in the second box for her last four starts. She meets a modest field and likely to start at cramped odds. The only danger appears to be the long-time maiden Long Street. She does get weight in this open maiden and has a handy galloping weight but she has had 18 bites at the cherry.

Silver Platter makes his poly debut in the second and has been close-up in his last three. He stays the trip and should feature prominently. Visiting Master Bomber steps up in trip on the poly but was narrowly beaten over a mile last run at Durbanville. He will be a big threat.  These two look pick for the first leg of the Bi-Pot.

Veteran mare Juliet Tango drops in class and has improved at recent outings. She should take to the poly and can get the PA off to a winning start.  One Path took on much stronger in feature company first up out of the maidens and is one to watch. Woza Nawe has improved in blinkers and should run well while Flying Hafla has shown up well in two starts since her maiden win but still got a rating drop. 

The first leg of the Pick 6 has a small field but plenty in with chances. Frank Robinson looks to have a smart gelding in Field Marshal but will have to step up again if he is to beat the handicappers. He won well last time out but is 1.5kg worse off with Trois Trois Quatre who was less than a length back. On paper the latter should have his measure but Field Marshal has won on the poly. Johnny The Thief is also better off in the weights with Field Marshal and the stable have high hopes for him this winter while the filly Forgiveness, although a distant third in The Scarlet Lady, can feature in this line-up. 

Tricky handicaps round off the card. Frikkie Greyling sends out Numzaan in the fifth. The gelding has shown good form for his new stable and although he has to defy a big weight he should be a big runner. Kom Naidoo’s runner Porfirio is the best performed and loves the poly which puts him in with a strong chance. Eventidor is holding form well and his 4kg claimer will help. Count Marsh is way better than his last run from a poor draw and could be a threat along with Shiny Bob who has come to hand at recent starts and looks primed for this.

In the sixth, Gentleman Joe has a tricky draw but comes with solid Cape form and is much improved in cheek pieces. This stable does well on the poly. Bristol Hercules is a July entry and will need to step up if he is to make a bid for the July berth. Given that he is now with the Mike de Kock yard one must take note. Of the balance, Plaza Accord is up in the handicap but is in good form and the step up in trip could see him in again. French Flame is coming to hand and he has gone well on the poly and is another to consider.

Quentasia could solve a tricky problem in the seventh. She has a light weight from the best of the draw and can go all the way. Head Girl ran no sort of race back from a break and on the turf. She took an age to shed her maiden but has smart poly form. Poursomesugaronme is struggling for her next win but is never far back and gets a further rating drop. Glamorz is way better than her last effort and from a good draw should be a factor. 

Dean Kannemeyer has some really smart horses in his care and Getoffofmycloud won well at just her second outing. She takes on stronger here but does look to be above average. Line In The Sky made sudden improvement last run and gets first time blinkers with a light weight. Mamas Baby  is way better than her last effort on the turf and had useful poly form before that. Ladybug has the worst of the draw and has been rested but she does have useful form on the poly.

David Thiselton

It was a halcyon day for KZN racing on Saturday at Hollywoodbets Greyville as Hollywoodbets officially took over the province’s racing and it was thus fitting that the province’s trainers, owners and jockeys had fine days respectively, while Hollywood Racing fittingly had a winner as did their brands and communications manager Devin Heffer.

Summerveld trainers Stuart Ferrie and Michael Roberts ran one-two in one of the Gr 2 features, while Peter Muscutt won a Listed feature and both Nathan Kotzen and MJ Odendaal had doubles, while hometown jockeys Muzi Yeni and Sean Veale also had doubles and hometown owners Devin Heffer, Michel Nairac and Ravi Naidoo all had Gr 2 winners.

The Ferrie-trained five-year-old Vercingetorix gelding Gladatorian was offered at 20/1 by Hollywoodbets in the opening ante-post market for the Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m, but by race time in a field that had cut down to 12 the classy Vercingetorix gelding was the Tote favourite and was a bookmakers starting price of 9/2. Sean Veale did well to hold his position from draw five early on as Gladatorian was being pushed sideways on the hindquarters by the slower starting Great Plains, who was heading for the same gap. Veale settled Gladatorian in midfield with cover, while meanwhile the Roberts-trained second favourite See It Again had probably the best start of his career and was one of first away from draw two under his new rider Raymond Danielson, who then settled him in the running three back on the rail. Three-year-old Great Plains, who won the Listed Gatecrasher over this course and distance as a juvenile, was on the rail two positions behind See It Again right near the back. The leader Texas Red switched outward off the false rail while See It Again went inward and a dream gap opened for Gladatorian, who showed his usual fine turn of foot and had hit the front by about the 150m mark with See It Again a strong contender on the inside and Great Plains right on the rail next to See It Again also right in it. Gladatorian held on to beat See It Again by a short-head with Great Plains only 0,25 lengths further back. The Real Prince ran on exceptionally well from last to be beaten just 1,35 lengths. Questioning, Cafe Culture and Montien were next best.

Gladatorian had thus landed a second Gr 2 at Hollywoodbets Greyville. Having won the Post Merchants a couple of years back. He is owned by Messrs Late Agasthamuni Gujadhur, E G Hart de Keating, M L Jean Hardy and Gold Circle’s CEO Michel Nairac.

Veale, who praised Ferrie and his team for a fine training feat, said they had not been able to really gallop Gladatorian with the all the rain there had been at Summerveld, so said there was still plenty in the tank for him. His next mission will likely be the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge and thereafter it will either be the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July or the Gr 1 Champions Cup or both. Gladatorian has never raced beyond 1750m before, but won when sent for over the latter trio for the first time and his pedigree, with Vercingetorix having won the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 and his dam, who won over 2000m, being by stamina influence Dynasty, suggests he could get the 2200m of the July, despite the speed he possesses.

See It Again can also look forward to a fine Champions Season after an excellent pipe opener.

In the next race, the Gr 2 WSB Fillies Guineas, the Brett Crawford-trained Rafeef filly Mom Petit Cherie, bred by Ridgemont Highlands and owned by Ridgemont in partnership with Devin Heffer ran on strongly down the inside under Richard Fourie to beat the favourite Spumante Dolce with Be Merry next best. 

Earlier, Nathan Kotzen and his loyal owner Peter Victor started the day well when Warrior Of Royalty, whom they both have a share in, won the WSB Dash over 400m. Nathan told Jacey Botes to hold his mount together after the jump and get him balanced before riding him. This proved astute advice as he charged home to catch the Mike Miller pair Million Voices and Holds The Key and win by a shorthead, having been backed in from 20/1 to 25/2.

In the next race Kotzen and Victor combined to finish third on debut with the promising World Of Royalty, who is by One World. The winner of this race, The United States colt Intensity, gave both MJ Odendaal and Richard Fourie the first legs of individual doubles.   

Kotzen and Victor then combined to win over 1200m with Querari filly Royal Kailani, who was having her second start and Muzi Yeni extracted more from her in  a tight finish. It was a rewarding win as this filly is a half-sister to the yard stalwart, whom Peter also has a share in, Royal Victory. He revealed his recently late wife Belinda had signed for Royal Kailani after she had not reached her reserve of R500,000 and that persuaded him to splash out for her.

Peter said, “My wife would have been very, very proud.”

Royal Kailani’s immediate future will be played by ear.

Stalwart Durban owner Ravi Naidoo came to the course chiefly to watch Cousin Casey’s comeback run in the Drill Hall, but had a bonus when his part-owned Vercingetorix colt downed Gr 1 WSB Met winner and Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes winner Cosmic Speed to win the Gr 2 WSB Guineas under a fine ride by Yeni.

In the last race of the day over 1400m, the MJ Odendaal-trained Flower Alley gelding Tobacconist justified being backed i  from 20/1 to 11/2 by winning cosily under Sean Veale. He carried the colours of Hollywood Racing to conclude the fitting set of results on a momentous day in the province’s racing history.