Master Magician to pull one out of the hat
PUBLISHED: April 28, 2026
Andrew Harrison Things are hotting up on the feature race front as the country approaches the start of Champions Season next weekend. Hollywoodbets Scottsville plays host to minor features on Wednesday but the outcome of each could have a strong bearing on what could unfold in the next three months. With the Gr1 Gold Medallion […]
Andrew Harrison
Things are hotting up on the feature race front as the country approaches the start of Champions Season next weekend. Hollywoodbets Scottsville plays host to minor features on Wednesday but the outcome of each could have a strong bearing on what could unfold in the next three months.
With the Gr1 Gold Medallion on the horizon, the expected clash between the two unbeaten colts Rich Man’s World and Master Magician in the Gr3 Tote Godolphin Barb Stakes could give a pointer as to what to expect on the last weekend of May when the province’s Capital hosts the biggest day of their Champions Season.
Vaughan Marshall has an exceptional record in the Gold Medallion and Rich Man’s World comes with stellar Cape Town form, hardly pressed in winning his two Hollywoodbets Kenilworth starts. After winning on debut, he appeared to have chased away most of the opposition as he took on a six-horse field at his next outing and demolished them by an ever extending five lengths at prohibitive odds in a performance that stamped him as a high-class two-year-old.
The connections of Master Magician apparently turned down a substantial offer after the son of Querari made short work of stable companion Japura at his second start after romping home on debut. Mike Miller has a stable-full of juveniles and Master Magician is obviously way better than all of them.
He has the added benefit of having won on what can be a tricky Hollywoodbets Scottsville course and has recorded exceptional times on a track that on both occasions was officially carded as yielding.
The pair are drawn alongside each other and Miller’s stable rider Tristan Godden will be keeping a close eye on Richard Fourie who is back in the irons for Marshall.
It could be a fascination tactical battle as this pair stand out head and shoulders above the balance of the opposition.
Two that could spoil the party are Tommy Greaney, who improved lengths to win his second outing for Dom Zaki after finishing behind Flamethrower on debut, while Flamethrower also made the expected improvement for Yogas Govender after a promising debut behind the Miller-trained Steamy Window.
Andrew Fortune made an early recovery from injury when scoring a double in his comeback to the saddle and he should add another to his winning list when he partners Querari Dancer in the Gr3 Tote Strelitzia Stakes. Fortune has built up a winning relationship with Justin Snaith and Querari Dancer should take a power of beating. After winning on debut, she ran the colt Red Spice close on her two subsequent starts in feature races and Red Spice has since franked that form in strong male company. Given that she takes to the Scottsville track she should take a lot of beating.
Doug Campbell’s filly Lady Godiva has yet to finish out of the money in four starts and followed up her maiden win with good second behind Erik Dubois in the Race Coast Sales Slipper. If she can build on that she could trouble the likely favourite.
Lady Jean was not expected to show much when starting at 100-1 in the Race Coast Sales Slipper and looks safely held by Lady Godiva but she did have the widest draw in a 14-horse field at Hollywoodbets Greyville. She is likely to put in a better showing this time around.
Narrow maiden winner Flower Tryst and Menagerie who was well fancied on debut could be factors but they will all need to get past Querari Dancer.
Hollywoodbets Scottsville Wednesday 29 April 2026 -Comments by David Thiselton
PUBLISHED: April 28, 2026
RACE 1 4 ROSKILDE 6 WAR EMPEROR 2 QUARTER MASTER 1 SIMONIS Preview: 4 ROSKILDE ran a cracker in the Gr 3 Cape Of Good Hope Nursery and will go close here with a repeat. 6 WAR EMPEROR knocking on the door and has a shout. 2 QUARTER MASTER has the form to be in […]
RACE 1
4 ROSKILDE 6 WAR EMPEROR 2 QUARTER MASTER 1 SIMONIS
Preview: 4 ROSKILDE ran a cracker in the Gr 3 Cape Of Good Hope Nursery and will go close here with a repeat. 6 WAR EMPEROR knocking on the door and has a shout. 2 QUARTER MASTER has the form to be in the shake up from a good draw. 1 SIMONIS is a first-timer by Malmoos out of a Gimmethegreenlight mare. (David Thiselton 4-6-2-1)
RACE 2
1 ONE PEPPER 2 BRIGHT BLUE 11 VIBE CHECK 8 ANATOLY
Preview: 1 ONE PEPPER went close on debut and with expected improvement could win this. 2 BRIGHT BLUE has run two fine races and has a big chance here. 11 VIBE CHECK has some fine Cape Town form over shorter and should enjoy this trip but has a tough draw. 8 ANATOLY looks capable of improving. (David Thiselton 1-2-11-8)
RACE 3
2 LADY NANCY 3 GIMME THE POWER 1 GREEK HERITAGE 5 VALLI GAL
Preview: 2 LADY NANCY has proven form at feature race level and is the one to beat. 3 GIMME THE POWER has been knocking hard in the like of open maidens carrying low weights, so this is tougher but KZN is not as strong a centre as Cape Town, so she could be thereabouts. 1 GREEK HERITAGE went close on debut and can still improve. 5 VALLI GAL is knocking hard and has a chance. (David Thiselton 2-3-1-5)
RACE 4
9 EDUCATOR 1 AMELIA’S LEGACY 3 TOMYRIS 2 CONVOCATION
Preview: 9 EDUCATOR has plenty of class and is capable of running on after being dropped out from a wide draw. 1 AMELIA’S LEGACY is a hard knocker and from pole position should be right there. 3 TOMYRIS is not ultra reliable but on her day would be in the shake up here. 2 CONVOCATION has good form and tries a step up trip. (David Thiselton 9-1-3-2)
RACE 5
4 MISSISSIPPI SPICE 1 SACRED LILY 2 TAYLOR’S VERSION 5 RADU
Preview: 4 MISSISSIPPI SPICE is in fine form and is the one to beat over a suitable course and distance from a fair draw. 1 SACRED LILY can earn if repeating her last start, although that run was on the poly. 2 TAYLOR’S VERSION won well second time out in KZN and can progress again. 5 RADU is usually thereabouts and is currently off a nice merit rating. (David Thiselton 4-1-2-5)
RACE 6
5 QUERARI DANCER 1 LADY JEAN 6 LADY GODIVA 7 FERRARI FLAIR
Preview: 5 QUERARI DANCER has a lot of promise and is the one to beat. 1 LADY JEAN faced a top sort last time without being disgraced and on previous form has a chance. 6 LADY GODIVA ran a cracker last time and should be in the shake up. 7 FERRARI FLAIR should improve again and can earn. (David Thiselton 5-1-6-7)
RACE 7
7 RICH MAN’S WORLD 8 MASTER MAGICIAN 2 THUNDER STAR 1 FLAMETHROWER
Preview: 7 RICH MAN’S WORLD has won both starts in Cape Town easily and is an exciting prospect. 8 MASTER MAGICIAN has won both starts easily in KZN and is also full of promise. 2 THUNDER STAR went close on debut and with improvement could earn. 1 FLAMETHROWER won well second time out and could earn here. (David Thiselton 7-8-2-1)
RACE 8
1 PARATROOPER 6 NAVAJO DANCER 4 YANNAKIS 5 DEFINITELY YES
Preview: 1 PARATROOPER disappointed last time but on best Cape Town form should go close here. 6 NAVAJO DANCER is knocking on the door and should be right there. 4 YANNAKIS won well last time and can be involved off a four point higher mark. 5 DEFINITELY YES has come down to a competitive mark and should be involved in the finish. (David Thiselton 1-6-4-5)
RACE 9
4 IRELAND FOREVER 8 LITTLE BOY BLUE 2 THE MARQUEE 1 PHUTULICIOUS
Preview: 4 IRELAND FOREVER was not disgraced in last two starts in Cape Town and could go close here. 8 LITTLE BOY BLUE has run fair races over shorter in last couple and might enjoy this step up in trip. 2 THE MARQUEE has been in good form and from a good draw should go close. 1 PHUTULICIOUS should be in the shake up from pole position. (David Thiselton 4-8-2-1)
RACE 10
3 ACT OF GRACE 5 SPIRIT OF SHIMLA 4 IZIBULO 8 ZENA’S ACT
Preview: 3 ACT OF GRACE went close over this trip last time in the strong centre of Cape Town and has a good draw, although she does return from a three month layoff. 5 SPIRIT OF SHIMLA has done well in two runs out of the maidens and has a chance. 4 IZIBULO has the form to be in the shake up from a good draw. 8 ZENA’S ACT returns from a lay off after not being disgraced in some decent races in Cape Town. (David Thiselton 3-5-4-8)
‘Rain’ comes early for Tarry
PUBLISHED: April 28, 2026
David Thiselton There was an upset in the Gr 2 TAB Senor Santa Stakes over 1160m at Turffontein Standside yesterday when the Sean Tarry-trained 14/1 shot Jerusalema Rain led from start to finish under a fine ride by Mickaelle Michel and managed to fend off the Tony Peter-trained 5/10 favourite Buffalo Storm Cody by […]
David Thiselton
There was an upset in the Gr 2 TAB Senor Santa Stakes over 1160m at Turffontein Standside yesterday when the Sean Tarry-trained 14/1 shot Jerusalema Rain led from start to finish under a fine ride by Mickaelle Michel and managed to fend off the Tony Peter-trained 5/10 favourite Buffalo Storm Cody by a neck, with the Tarry-trained Cosmic Speed proving his suitability to sprints by running a head further back in third.
Earlier, the Alec Laird-trained Fire Attack proved his Hollywoodbets Durban July credentials by winning the Gr 2 TAB Colorado King Stakes over 2000m, despite carrying topweight, while The Sean Tarry-trained Callmegetrix won the Gr 2 TAB Igugu Stakes and later Tony Peter was able to make amends for Buffalo Storm Cody’s defeat by winning the Gr 2 TAB Camellia Stakes over 1160m.
The Senor Santa was not that much of an upset when considering Jerusalema Rain finished half-a-length behind the smart Questioning last time out over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville when receiving 7,5kg plus Michel’s 1,5kg gender claim (i.e. 9kg in all) and was now receiving 10kg from Buffalo Storm Cody with the gender claim not applying due to the race’s black type status. That is not to mention Jerusalema Rain’s smart juvenile form when trained by Ashley Fortune and mixing it with the like of Lucky Lad, Sandringham Summit and Main Defender.
Cosmic Speed only recceived 2kg from Buffalo Storm Cody, so proved himself capable of mixing it with the best over sprint trips, although Sean Tarry had said beforehand that this was a preparation race for the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge over 1600m.
Buffalo Storm Cody is the highest rated horse in the country on 132, so was officially 4kg better off than any other other runner.
However, the 100-rated Jerusalema Rain had found his form in Cape Town with Candice Bass at this time last year before moving up to the Tarry yard and he was clearly on the up again on the Highveld, so as he was once rated 109 he had plenty of room for improvement.
Cosmic Speed, rated 120, has had a high rating of 126 and his four previous sprints yielded two wins, a close second on debut to subsequent SA Nursery winner Fire Attack and a close second to stablemate Proceed in the Gr 1 Gold Medallion, so he too could have had a better chance in reality than his odds of 16/1 suggested.
Richard Fourie had actually stated before the race that he felt his chief threat was Jerusalema Rain.
The high draws appeared to be favourable on the day and Buffalo Storm Cody was drawn eleven out of 11.
Buffalo Storm Cody broke well, but none were better away than Jerusalema Rain from draw six.
He pinged the gate and with long strides he led but looked to be going within himself.
Buffalo Storm Cody was on the outside about three lengths back and Cosmic Speed was looking comfortable in the running just behind him on his inside.
Jerusalema Rain stretched further clear at the 500m mark but Buffalo Storm Cody got going at the 300m mark and ranged up looking the winner.
However, Cosmic Speed was also flying up on the inside of Jerusalema Rain.
Both challengers headed Jerusalema Rain, but the weight began to tell, while Jerusalema Rain stayed on to pip them.
Jerusalema Rain is by Captain Of All and was bred by Keivan Stud. This was his fourth career win and the first time he had earned bold black type.
In the Colorado King Stakes Fire Attack’s run in the Premier’s Champions Challenge could be ignored as he was caught wide and over-raced. The 124-rated Fire Away colt produced his usual strong finish from off the pace to beat Choisaanada, to whom he gave 3,5kg under the weight for age plus penalties conditions, by 0,60 lengths with The Ultimate King, Copper Eagle and Field Marshal next best, while Atticu Finch was a disappointing 5,75 length last.
Ealier in the Igugu Stakes the Vercingetorix filly Callmegetrix won her second Gr 2 of the seasson, having also prevailed in the Gr 2 Betway Jo’Burg Fillies And Mares Spring Challenge over 1450m. Yesterday she proved she gets a trip by staying on from a handy position to win the 2000m Igugu Stakes under Craig Zackey by a length from Minogue with the favourite Olivia’s Way staying on strongly late for a 1,10 length third.
In the Gr 2 Camellia Stakes the 96-rated three-year-old Perfect Miracle was Hawwaam’s second stakes winner and first Graded winner when landing the Gr 3 WSB Sycamore Sprint over 1160m last month and she followed up yesterday (Tuesday) under the same jockey Marco van Rensburg despite being officially the worst weight runner in the field. She was handy throughout and converted odds of 14/1, beating Rodeo Drive by 0,75 lengths with Rachel Wall next best.
It was a fine day for Craig Zackey and Sean Tarry, who both had four winners, three of them together.
Alec Laird scored a double on the day.
Soccer Updates and Carryovers – Thursday 30 April 2026
PUBLISHED: April 28, 2026
Soccer13 Carryover R 2 562 082 Thursday 30 April 2026. R 5 Million (All 13 Correct Jackpot Pool). Pool Closes at 20h30. Sport 11 Pool 1.(If only 13 of 13 Winner)
Soccer13 Carryover R 2 562 082 Thursday 30 April 2026. R 5 Million (All 13 Correct Jackpot Pool). Pool Closes at 20h30. Sport 11 Pool 1.(If only 13 of 13 Winner)
South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Lingfield and Southwell (UK) – 28 April 2026
PUBLISHED: April 28, 2026
Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Lingfield and Southwell (UK) – 28 April 2026
Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Lingfield and Southwell (UK) – 28 April 2026
