RACE 1

5 OMKHULU BOSS    1 NAUTICAL FIRE   4 MOLTEN ROCK   8 FREE ROAMING

Preview: OMKHULU BOSS (5) takes to the poly for the first time but has been improving all the while. MOLTEN ROCK (4) is a filly taking on males. She has been consistently placed in her last three starts and the switch to poly could bring out the best. NAUTICAL FIRE (1) made a smart debut at lengthy odds. He gets 1.5kg relief from the saddle and any improvement can see him close. FREE ROAMING (8) found some market support first up on the poly but was a well beaten fourth. The stable has come to hand. (Andrew Harrison: 5-1-4-8).

RACE 2

4 THE SWAN SONG   7 OWNER OF CREATION   8 DONMAGOO   2 QUEEN OF DENMARK

Preview: THE SWAN SONG (4) showed up well on debut first up on the poly. He is likely to come on from that effort. DONMAGOO (8) has been knocking on the door of late and although he has the widest draw he should feature in this line-up. OWNER OF CREATION (7) is a battling maiden but his best recent form has been on the poly track. With a 4kg claimer up he can finally break his duck. QUEEN OF DENMARK (2) was not too far back on debut starting at long odds and can run into the money. (Andrew Harrison: 4-7-8-2).

RACE 3

4 AYZAL   2 GOLDEN DIOGO   1 GREEN COMMANDER   6 FORT USHER

Preview: The filly AYZAL (4) steps up to a mile at just her third start and makes her poly debut. The trip should suit and she only has 49kg to shoulder. GOLDEN DIOGO (2) was not far back at just his second start and he can still improve on that effort. GREEN COMMANDER (1) has been a beaten favourite at his last two on the poly. He was just behind Golden Diogo when last they met but the latter should have some improvement to come. FORT USHER (6) steps up in trip after making a fair debut behind the promising Benny And Paul. He is one to watch in the betting. (Andrew Harrison: 4-2-1-6).

RACE 4

7 CITY OF LOVE   5 POWERANDTHEGLORY   6 MAPHAKA   10 GOLDEN RULE

Preview: CITY OF LOVE (7) makes his poly debut but has been consistent over shorter and the step up in trip could see him home. POWERANDTHEGLORY (5) has a big weight but was narrowly beaten over course and distance last time out. He will be a big runner. MAPHAKA (6) also steps up in trip but he form on the poly is cause for concern. However, he has a handy weight and cannot be written off. GOLDEN RULE (10) has the widest draw to contend with but his best recent effort has been over course and distance although well beaten. (Andrew Harrison: 7-5-6-10).

RACE 5

2 LAST MARGARITA   4 MYSTIC DANCER   6 LA LANDONNE   1 MISS LADYATERIX

Preview: LAST MARGARITA (2) has won her last two on the poly and only has 49.5kg to shoulder. A third win is on the cards although she does take on much stronger. MUSTIC DANCER (4) was touched off in a tight finish last time out. She goes well on the poly and the extra furlong should not trouble her. MISS LADYATERIX (1) takes a big drop in class and although she has a fair weight to shoulder she does have the best of the draw. LA LANDONNE (6) was a beaten favourite over course and distance last time out.  She is never far off and should feature prominently. (Andrew Harrison: 2-4-6-1).

RACE 6

6 HOODIA   5 BLUE STEEL   2 THE GLIDING FISH   9 STATUS

Preview: HOODIA (6) has been dropping in the ratings and it has been some time since his maiden win. However, he made marked improvement when tried in a tongue-tie and is 1kg better off with BLUE STEEL (5) who was a game winner last time out. Candice Bass’ gelding is talented but not the easiest ride. Athandiwe Mgudlwa got the best out of him and he can follow up. THE GLIDING FISH (2) has been close-up at his last two on the poly.  He does take on stronger but only has 51.5kg to shoulder and a top rider. STATUS (9) has been rested and changed stables. He is lightly raced but does appear to be useful. (Andrew Harrison: 6-5-2-9).

RACE 7

9 CONNERY   10 INSIDE VOICE   1 BLAZING FURY   2 POSITION OF POWER

Preview: Wide open. CONNERY (9) gets the benefit of a useful 4kg claimer aboard but is seldom far back and can prevail from his wide gate. INSIDE VOICE (10) takes on males but was not far back first up on the poly and has only once finished out of the money in six starts. BLAZING FURY (1) has the best of the draw and has shown up well over course and distance. He has a handy galloping weight and should be competitive. POSITION OF POWER (2) is lightly raced but seldom out of the money. His last win was on the poly and he cannot be left out of anything. (Andrew Harrison: 9-10-1-2).

RACE 8

1 BILLY COOL   2 SUMMER WINTER   7 MOJO MAN   4 CHARA SANDS

Preview: BILLY COOL (1) has been rested since November last year but horses from this stable has been in red hot form since arriving in KZN and has a master trainer at the helm. SUMMER WINTER (2) has run two smart races on the poly and goes well this trip. MOJO MAN (7) is back on his preferred surface and although shouldering a big weight he should be competitive. CHARA SANDS (4) looks held at the weights by Summer Winter but goes well this course and distance and has found his best form of late. (Andrew Harrison: 1-2-7-4).

RACE 9

9 YOUR LADYSHIP   7 INNERBLOOM   2 WINTER BLESSING   8 SAUDI SWEEP

Preview: Wide open. YOUR LADYSHIP (9) has been dropping in the ratings but has been consistent of late. The trip suits and she should go close. INNERBLOOM (7) is lightly raced but won well first run on the poly and although she has a big weight she can follow up from an in form stable. SAUDI SWEEP (8) found her best form when winning comfortably last time out and a repeat performance should see her in the mix again. WINTER BLESSING (2) meets Saudi Sweep on equal terms and is 1.5kg better off in the handicap. There should be little between them again. (Andrew Harrison: 9-7-2-8).

Andrew Harrison

Punters face a competitive card on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville today and punters will need to do their homework with no standout runners on the card.

The first is a tricky maiden where Omkhulu Boss takes to the poly for the first time but has been improving all the while. Molten Rock is a filly taking on males but she has been consistently placed in her last three starts and the switch to poly could bring out the best. Nautical Fire made a smart debut at lengthy odds and now gets 1.5kg relief from the saddle. Any improvement can see him close.

Justin Snaith had a red letter day last Saturday and saddles the two-year-old The Swan Song in the first leg of the Bi-Pot. The colt showed up well on debut first up on the poly and is likely to come on from that effort. Donmagoo has been knocking on the door of late and although he has the widest draw he should feature in this line-up while Owner Of Creation is winless after 31 stars but his best recent form has been on the poly track. With a 4kg claimer up he can finally break his duck.

In the first leg of the PA the filly Ayzal steps up to a mile at just her third start and makes her poly debut for Glen Kotzen. The trip should suit and she only has 49kg to shoulder. Golden Diogo was not far back at just his second start and he can still improve on that effort. Green Commander has been a beaten favourite at his last two on the poly and was just behind Golden Diogo when last they met. However, the latter should have some improvement to come. Fort Usher is another that steps up in trip after making a fair debut behind the promising Benny And Paul. He is one to watch in the betting.

The first leg of the Pick 6 could rest between the trio of City Of Love, Powerandtheglory and Maphaka. City Of Love makes his poly debut but has been consistent over shorter and the step up in trip could see him home. Powerandtheglory has a big weight but was narrowly beaten over course and distance last time out while Maphaka also steps up in trip but his form on the poly is cause for concern. However, he has a handy weight and cannot be written off.

In the fifth, Last Margarita has won her last two on the poly and only has 49.5kg to shoulder. A third win is on the cards although she does take on much stronger. Mystic Dancer was touched off in a tight finish last time out. She goes well on the poly and the extra furlong should not trouble her. Miss Laydaterix takes a big drop in class and although she has a fair weight to shoulder she does have the best of the draw. La Landonne was a beaten favourite over course and distance last time out but is never far off and should feature prominently.

In the sixth, Hoodia  has been dropping in the ratings and it has been some time since his maiden win. However, he made marked improvement when tried in a tongue-tie and is 1kg better off with Blue Steel who was a game winner last time out. Candice Bass’ gelding is talented but not the easiest ride but Athandiwe Mgudlwa got the best out of him and he can follow up. The Gliding Fish has been close-up at his last two on the poly and although he does take on stronger he only has 51.5kg to shoulder and a top rider. Status is a dark horse. He has been rested, changed stables and is lightly raced but does appear to be useful.

Connery gets the benefit of a useful 4kg claimer in the seventh but is seldom far back and can prevail from his wide gate. Inside Voice takes on males but was not far back first up on the poly and has only once finished out of the money in six starts. Blazing Fury has the best of the draw and has shown up well over course and distance. He has a handy galloping weight and should be competitive. Position Of Power is lightly raced but seldom out of the money. His last win was on the poly and he cannot be left out of anything.

Veteran trainer Ricky Maingard had no stars in the string that he brought up to KZN but they have all paid their way. Billy Cool has been rested since November last year but horses from this stable have been red hot have a master trainer at the helm. Summer Winter has run two smart races on the poly and goes well this trip. Mojo Man is back on his preferred surface and although shouldering a big weight he should be competitive. Chara Sands looks held at the weights by Summer Winter but goes well this course and distance and has found his best form of late.

The last is another wide open handicap Your Ladyship has been dropping in the ratings but has been consistent of late. The trip suits and she should go close. Innerbloom is lightly raced but won well first run on the poly and although she has a big weight she can follow up from an in form stable. Saudi Sweep found her best form when winning comfortably last time out and a repeat performance should see her in the mix again while Winter Blessing meets Saudi Sweep on equal terms and is 1.5kg better off in the handicap. There should be little between them again.

Please note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Hamilton and Newmarket(World Pool) (UK) – 11 July 2026.

David Thiselton

The Turffontein Standside meeting today is headlined by a MR 100 Handicap and Max The Magician could be the one to side with presuming his number one draw is not disadvantageous.

The straight course used to favour high draws but seems to have ironed out lately and the five-year-old What A Winter gelding was unlucky in his last start when full of running and having nowhere to go. He eventually switched in for a run and was beaten 0,90 lengths into fourth. Gavin Lerena keeps the ride and the horse is 1,5kg better off with the winner of that race Vibe SA for the 0,90 length beating.

 Vibe SA was held up that day and ran on very well and Kyle Strydom is back aboard. He should make a bold bid although considering Max The Magician was unlucky and has a weight turnaround the latter is preferred.

Antonio Gaudi is tipped to finish second ahead of Vibe SA, because he looks to be coming into his own, although he does have a five point raise to overcome and he also won’t have the 1,5kg allowance of Mickaelle Michel that he had last time. Echo Check looked promising at one stage before going off the boil, but headgear has helped and a drop in merit rating should help him too, so he will be a threat.

Pumpkin Pie has some class and ran a good second on debut over this trip, so returning from a seven month layoff he could be effective running fresh over this trip. Dante’s Bond ran on well over course and distance last time and meets Vibe SA on the same terms for a neck beating but he is officially 1,5kg under sufferance, although Mickaelle Michel ‘s 1.5kg claim will help.

In the first leg of the Pick 6, Boundless Love has a better draw than last time when caught wide early and maybe wasting some energy. He will also prefer this slight step down in trip. The Playboy Bomber is in  fine form and has a chance off a three point higher mark for a good win last time, although he has a tricky draw. Best Candidate was game in victory last time and the form has been franked, although the concern is he did make a respiratory noise and he was also raised seven points. He sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight and has a plum draw of two.

In the fifth race over 1800m, Heal And Soul had some decent middle distance form in Cape Town and should have come on from his Highveld debut when running on well for third over a too sharp 1450m. In December he finished just a neck behind Note To Self over this distance and he has got pole position. Dr Strangelove won well when stepped up to 2000m third time out and he starts off on a reasonable 78 merit rating, so will be a threat from a fair draw. Page Boy has always looked to be a promising sort, so now that he won nicely last time, his second career win, he could have a chance of following up. However, he does have a tough draw.

In the sixth over 1600m, Brave Waam looks to be a progressive sort and can do well from a good draw off an opening handicap mark of 79 in his fifth career start.  Knowmore stayed on resolutely to win his maiden over this trip and he should be staying on from a wide draw off an opening mark of 74, because the form has worked out well. Redlightgreenlight is a nice sort who is beginning to mature and his last run looks worse on paper because he ended up right at the back from a wide draw. If he breaks better than in his penultimate start, when third over this course and distance, then he could go close from a plum draw of two under Rachel Venniker, whose 1,5kg claim will be handy.

In the eighth over 1160m, Gunboat has a fine chance as he beat Ready Set Fire in his penultimate start giving the latter 4,5kg and now gets half-a-kilogram from him. He didn’t have much room last time when fifth and is better than that form appears and the winner was the decent Catfish, so he has a good chance in this field. Geostorm is a full-brother to champion sprinter Buffalo Storm Cody and has his third run after a layoff here so should go close off an 80 rating as he has scope for improvement. Evening Parade came through to win comfortably second time out and this two-year-old can do well under Gavin Lerena off an 84 merit rating.

In the ninth over 1400m, Winston’s Wonder ran on well from the back in first-time blinkers last time after being dropped out from a wide draw and he is now well drawn. Life In Colour is 1kg under sufferance but this well related two-year-old, who is by Malmoos and is a half-sister to the high class Duke Of Marmalade sprinter True To Life, can do well here over a suitable trip from a fair draw. Drivelikeamaster hit the front too soon down the Vaal straight last time and can do better.

In the third race over 1000m Umizngeli Wenyathi is in fine form and with Rachel Venniker’s 1,5kg claim can go close. In the second over 1160m Rivera made a good debut and will be hard to beat. In the first over 1160m, Rising Eagle is the one to beat after making a good debut from this same number one draw over course and distance.

David Thiselton

 

The Dean Kannemeyer-trained Vercingetorix filly Palace Of Arvernia produced a fine performance on Hollywoodbets Durban July day to win the Gr 2 Amusnet Golden Slipper over 1400m from a tough draw of 13 under Craig Zackey.

 

Kannemeyer had spoken about the toughness of the draw in the build up saying going up there is not wise because the others in front have got there for free, while dropping out left one with too much ground to make up.

 

He said the only way was to attempt to slot in and hope one got lucky, but admitted there would be no luck “nine out of ten times.”

 

However he is fortunate to have the national champion jockey elect riding for him and it was a combination of skill and luck that did the trick.

 

Palace Of Arvernia jumped well and Zackey eased her as she reached midfield and shifted inward.

 

Fortunately, Too Fast To Fiesta just ahead of her was forced to shift outward at the same time and provided Palace Of Arvernia with cover, albeit in a three wide position.

 

Zackey had her nice and relaxed in the running and switched her to the outside in the straight. She accelerated smartly, although she did shift inward slightly.

 

This might have contributed to the unlucky horse of the race, Alice B Toklas, being squeezed out as she was moving through threateningly inward of Palace Of Arvernia.

 

The stipendiary steward report on the incident said:

 

“ At the 350m TOO FAST TO FIESTA, which commenced to hang in, brushed ALICE B TOKLAS inwards, onto LADY HARLEQUIN, which had to be steadied when awkwardly placed on the heels of FERRARI FLAIR, which was directed outwards when insufficiently clear. As a consequence VIKING LASS was directed inwards away from LADY HARLEQUIN, which was thereafter not persevered with. Jockey S Moodley was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.7, in that as the rider of FERRARI FLAIR, he failed to ensure that he did not cause interference to LADY HARLEQUIN (Z Lloyd) at the 300m. Jockey S Moodley signed an Admission of Guilt and is suspended for 7 days (Dates to be advised) “

 

The stipes have a better view than the public video footage but from the angle provided with the latter it looked as if Palace Of Arvernia inward shift had caused Too Fast To Fiesta to hang inward.

 

Alice B. Toklas was completely squeezed out and had to re-gather, so did extremely well to eventually run a 1,10 length second.

 

Meanwhile, Palace Of Arvernia, who continued to shift in until Zackey changed whiphands to his right hand, had swept to the front and won comfortably.

 

The rematch between her and Alice B Toklas in the Gr 2 Thekwini Stakes will be interesting, although Palace Of Arvernia has unfortunately draw wide again at 20 out of 20, while Alice B. Toklas has drawn three.

 

Dean Kannemeyer revealed after the race he and Jehan Malherbe of Form Bloodstock had spotted this filly at the National Yearling Sale and said, “We thought she was a well balanced rangy filly and was going for the right price. Sandy Irvine was on the phone and we were very fortunate to get her at the right price … well when they win they are always the right price! We are very excited about her.”

 

The Al Adiyaat-bred filly is out of the Gr 3 Pretty Polly Stakes winner (1100m) Palace Of Dreams and is from the family of the like of champion filly Kiss Of Peace (Fordham) and the Gr 1 Cape Guineas winner Kilindini (Silvano).

 

She was bought for R575,000 and has earned R415,625 for owners Sandy Irvine and Peter Moor courtesy of two wins and a fourth place finish in the Gr 2 Allan Robertson Championship over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.