ALISTAIR COHEN

Hollywoodbets Durbanville hosts its marquee meeting today with the Grade 3 Race Coast Matchem Stakes over 1400m taking centre stage. Many great horses such as Captain Al, Variety Club, Charles Dickens and Rainbow Bridge have won this race. Although it is fitted into the calendar very early in the season and generally treated as a race to prepare top horses for the future, brilliance often prevails.

Evergreen seven-year-old Sugar Mountain finds himself in the form of his life having completed three wins on the spin. This is his happy place as far as his best distance is concerned and he could claim his biggest scalp to date.

He is a yard favourite of Candice Bass. He is placed in box No 1 and Sugar Mountain is the first to be greeted every morning. He has run in some serious races like the Grade 1 World Sports Betting Cape Town Met, the Grade 1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes and the Grade 2 World Sports Betting Greenpoint Stakes. Even though he has shown to be just below the best of the best, he has not been disgraced at the highest or next best level.

Bass might have been swayed towards retiring Sugar Mountain just less than a year ago when he lost his way. He suddenly rocked up at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in May over this distance and the longest odds he has started at for a while and he took out a comprehensive 1,75-length win over Gallic Dream. He confirmed that twice since with encouraging wins over Magic Verse and Promettere. All of those wins were hands and heels. Aldo Domeyer did not move a muscle and he is back aboard Sugar Mountain to tie the same combination that Charles Dickens was successful with in this race.

Last year’s winner, Questioning, has to be respected. He won this race last year having stayed in Cape Town for winter and he came into this race well prepared. This winter he went to Durban for some lucrative races and although never disgraced, he failed to bring home a big prize. He has an excellent turn of foot and the sprinkle of rain might take away from favouring front-runners and help Questioning who is likely to come from off the pace. Richard Fourie interestingly, takes the ride. JP van der Merwe is the regular rider and he hops aboard Underworld.

Absolutely Yes is the most interesting and unique horse in the race. He is a newly turned three-year-old with applaudable form. He has a light weight of 51kg and he has Muzi Yeni aboard which all points towards a dangerous contender. He won the Grade 3 Langerman over 1500m in June and that race traditionally produces a champion. Eight On Eighteen won in 2024. If he is ready to face this opposition, he could be the right horse. Three-year-olds generally struggle in this race though.

The fillies’ equivalent, the Grade 3 Schweppes Diana Stakes over 1400m could favour three-year-olds who look fairly promising. Princess Of Gaul looks to be above average. She is unbeaten in two runs with a feature at her last start. She beat Elegantrix by 0,2 lengths in the Grade 3 Debutante over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville in July. This is evidently a run to bring her to grips in Cape Town, her home city but where she is yet to race. She is likely going to target the Grade 2 Western Cape Fillies Championship in early November. Sean Veale is aboard for Dean Kannemeyer. Stable jockey Craig Zackey could not see the weight of 53,5kg.

Stormwatch is going about her business in promising fashion. She might have got lucky in her last run when she beat Wish List by a head. She got first run and that positive move made the difference at the line. Unlike Princess Of Gaul she is untested at feature race level but she has the goods to be of the required ability. Watch for a good effort.

The third and final feature is the Listed Settlers Trophy over 2000m. Congressman is heading in the right direction and his form has remained consistent for a while. He could be set for a breakthrough season at the age of five years old, and the fact that he is unexposed at this level could be a blessing in that he has to shoulder only 52kg. Serino Moodley is carded to take the ride for Andre Nel. Ardabil, Voorloopertjie and Landoftherisingsun are all progressive horses who could have bright days ahead and they are respected.

Calanque ran a super race on debut and she is heavily favoured in race 1 over 1250m. She was popped on the rail and lost her position but regathered herself to finish third, 1,65 lengths behind Playful Joules. She must have learned plenty from her debut effort and taking on a fairly shallow field, she might have found the perfect opening.

Eisteddfod is hinting that a win is just around the corner and her improvement could be rewarded in race 2 over 1250m. Her last run came over this course and distance after a three-month rest and she went close, running second behind Queen Regent, 0,2 lengths in arrears. Craig Zackey is carded to take the ride for Greg Ennion who hardly seems to leave a meeting without a winner since the turn of the season.

Primal Instinct was beaten by inexperience on his part on debut and he should make amends in race 3 over 1400m. It might be a concern that, Typically French, a 20-run maiden edged him out but he should pick up from his first run to his second. There looks to be a few dangers that bring winning credentials into the picture but natural improvement should give Primal Instinct the edge.

Delta Pride is considered as the best bet of the day in race 4 over 1400m. Two runs and two runner-up finishes look compelling in this field. He tries this trip for the first time. His finishing burst has been eye-catching. He has pulled draw No 1. Everything looks to be in his favour. Richard Fourie is carded to take the ride.

Rockanrollin is among the few winning chances in race 5 over 1800m. He seems like he is building into himself and becoming more reliable in the maiden ranks, finishing closer all the time. This is his first foray over this trip which should suit being by Wootton Bassett. This race could show a clear direction for the rest of his three-year-old campaign. Lomu, Wonderful Tonight, City Of Port Louis and Signor Dante could make up the dangers.

Beneath The Clouds has turned her career around and with a perfect draw of No 1, she could retain her excellent numbers in race 9 over 1800m. Callan Murray is carded to take the ride for Michelle Rix and Harold Crawford. She has been cursed with deep draws in her last few runs but she won twice in that period with solid runs when not winning. Everything looks to be in her favour now as she continues to climb the divisions.

Lyrical Gangster has some progress to come, being lightly raced. He escaped the maiden ranks in his last start when he beat Sicily by 2,25 lengths over 1000m. He is back to the same course and distance in race 10 under 4kg claiming apprentice Sifisokuhle Bungane. If he cannot be competitive in this race, he might be in a tough spot.

RACE 1

1 WILLIAM’S WOMAN really caught the eye late last time behind Magical Place, she was terribly green early, and she absolutely flew home to run third, from a neat draw, with natural improvement expected, she will go very close to winning. 4 EBISU ran a great race at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on the 30th of July, she stayed on strongly for second behind Fascination, she is a young filly that is improving with every start, if she handles the track of Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday, she will be right there in the finish. 5 LAYDELAY showed good improvement from her first run into her second run, she stayed on nicely for second behind Playful Joules on the 27th of August, she is certainly improving, watch her closely from a good draw in this race. 10 CALANQUE ran a cracker on debut behind Playful Joules here at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 27th of August, unfortunately the wide draw won’t make life easy for her, but she is a lovely filly and she will be running on strongly. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 4 – 5 – 10)

RACE 2

2 EISTEDDFOD will be very hard to beat in this race from a good draw, she would have just needed her last run after a small break, she went to the front and showed plenty heart to run a great second behind Queen Regent on the 9th of September, she is improving, and she will be much fitter for the run on Saturday. 1 SWIFT SERENITY never runs a bad race, she is so consistent, from a good draw, she will get the run of the race, include her into all bets. 8 PANJANDRUM improved beautifully from her first run into her second run, she stayed on nicely for third behind Marketa on the 3rd of September, if she can beat the tricky draw on Saturday, she will have a good each way chance in this race. 13 ONE DANCE has run two very good races in succession, she moved up well to run second behind Miss William last time, the bad draw is the only negative, if she gets some luck in running, she will be mighty competitive. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 1 – 8 – 13)

RACE 3

2 PRIMAL INSTINCT ran a super race on debut behind Typically French on the 9th of September, he jumped out the gates well, he travelled beautifully in his race, and just got touched off at the line to run second in a driving finish, he should love the step up in trip to 1400m on Saturday, from a good draw, he will take a power of beating. 5 SUPER VIKING could represent some value in this race, he ran well on debut behind Pomp It Up on the 13th of August, he was green early, and he stayed on strongly to finish just over eight lengths behind the winner, the further he goes, the better he will be, watch him closely now that he steps up in trip. 9 GREEK HEIRESS finished her race off well enough last time, she came from a long way back to run second behind Red Coral, she is a lovely filly that will keep improving with every start, include her into all bets. 6 THAT’LL B THE DAY brings in some solid form into this race, he is very consistent, the blinkers stay on, he should be amongst the places again. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 5 – 9 – 6)

RACE 4

1 DELTA PRIDE looks to be the best bet on the card, he has run two very good races in succession, the yard thinks highly of this individual, now that he steps up in trip from a good draw, he will take lots of beating. 3 ALESSIA ASHEVILLE was very disappointing in her last run behind Cape Captain on the 9th of September, she was extremely one paced up the lane, she has been well tried in the maiden ranks, hopefully she will improve now that she steps up in trip to 1400m again. 11 TIME HONORED disappointed in his last start behind Yamazaki, he is much better than that performance, if he can beat the draw on Saturday, he could certainly bounce back to his best form and finish amongst the places. 10 GALE WARNING ran a much improved race on the 9th of September, he ran fifth and was only beaten just over one length at the wire, if he can build on that run, he could sneak into the Quartet. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 3 – 11 – 10)

RACE 5

9 ROCKANROLLIN must have a serious winning chance in this field, he is extremely well-bred, he ran on powerfully for third last time behind Gallic Forge on the 9th of September, he should love the step up in trip to 1800m on Saturday, with some luck in running, he will be hard to beat. 12 FORT IMPREZA ran a great race behind Beautiful Side on the 9th of September, he had no luck early, and then stayed on well for third, the wide draw will make it tough for him, but he will be running on strongly late, watch him closely at a decent price. 7 WONDERFUL TONIGHT has run three fair races in KwaZulu-Natal at Hollywoodbets Greyville, if he can transfer that form to the Western Cape at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday, he will have a good money chance in this field. 4 LOMU ran a much better race behind Smart Horse on the 7th of September, he ran third and was beaten just over five lengths by the winner, the step up in trip should unlock further improvement. (Brandon Bailey: 9 – 12 – 7 – 4)

RACE 6

7 LANDOFTHERISINGSUN has been rested for 63 days, he is a lovely looking gelding with tons of ability, he really caught the eye late last time behind Captain West on the 26th of July, he should love the step up in trip to 2000m on Saturday, if he doesn’t need the run badly from a small break, with no weight on his back, he will go very close to winning, watch him for the Cape Summer Season. 6 CONGRESSMAN has been rested for 95 days, he won a good race from the front at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 24th of June, he is very consistent, he could certainly lead this field from start to finish on Saturday with no weight on his back. 4 ARDABIL has been rested for 141 days, he ran a great race in the Listed East Cape Derby behind My Best Shot on the 9th of May at Fairview Racecourse, he is still improving and getting better with racing, there is no doubt he will be competitive on his best form. 1 VOORLOOPERTJIE quickened up in devastating fashion to win a good race on the 27th of August, if he brings that performance to the track again on Saturday, he could easily win again at a good price. You can make a case for Time For Love as well, it’s a tricky race, go wide. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 6 – 4 – 1)

RACE 7

Great race! 4 SWIATEK quickened up like a smart filly in the making to win a good race on the 7th of September at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, this is undoubtedly a tougher task for her, she has gone up significantly in the ratings as well, but she has improved with every run, and she has a striking turn of foot late, she will be right there in the finish again. 11 KINDA WONDERFUL returned to racing with a cracking run behind Dumbledore on the 27th of August, she would have needed that run from a small break, the bad draw in this race will make it tricky for her, but she has lots of ability and she will be finishing like a train late. 2 SCARLET MACAW could be the value horse in this race, she has been rested for 84 days, from a neat draw over this trip of 1400m, she will get the run of the race, on her best form, she will make them all work for victory, watch her closely at a decent price. 1 PRINCESS OF GAUL has been rested for 62 days, she is a young filly that remains unbeaten, she steps up in trip on Saturday to 1400m, and she gets the perfect draw, she could be absolutely anything, include her into all bets. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 11 – 2 – 1)

RACE 8

3 SUGAR MOUNTAIN has been rested for 74 days, he looks to be in a great space at the moment, he won so impressively last time, he will be stalking the speed early from a good draw, and he will be eating up the ground late, on his best form, he will be tough to beat. 9 ABSOLUTELY YES never runs a bad race, he is very consistent and he tries hard, he is definitely one of the better three year old’s in the country at the moment, if he gets to the front early with no weight on his back, he will certainly fight all the way to the line, include him into all bets. 6 UNDERWORLD has been rested for 84 days, he had a wonderful season in KwaZulu-Natal, he is gutsy, if he doesn’t need the run badly on Saturday, he will be competitive at a good price. 1 CAFE CULTURE has been rested for 62 days, he ran a great race in the Grade 1 Mercury Sprint from a wide draw on the 27th of July, he has tons of ability, he will be hitting the line hard, watch him closely from a good draw. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 9 – 6 – 1)

RACE 9

5 WEHAVEASITUATION had absolutely no luck in running last time, she was caught wide and unfortunately became very one paced up the lane on the 27th of August behind Tap Shoes, she has a good draw on Saturday, and she has no weight on her back because of the apprentice claim, if she gets the cover early and she settles in running, she will be storming home late, include her into all bets. 1 BENEATH THE CLOUDS has been rested for 63 days, she ran fourth behind Lavender Bay on the 26th of July, she can be very dangerous from the front, from a good draw, her chances must be respected. 8 STRAWBERRY THIEF has been rested for 107 days, she is much better than her last run behind Beneath The Clouds on the 12th of June, if the race works out for her, and she bounces back to her best form, she can win a race like this easily. 11 TWO A PENNY has been rested for 67 days, she quickened up well to win a terrific race on the 22nd of July, even though she carries a big weight on her back for this race, she has lots of ability, if she gets some luck in running from a wide draw, she will be amongst the places. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 1 – 8 – 11)

RACE 10

11 COUNTRY TIME finally got her head back in front on the 3rd of September, she won a good race last time, she was given five points for that victory, if champion apprentice Brevan Plaatjies can work some magic and get this mare into a good position from a wide draw on Saturday, she could certainly win again. 7 MELA STRENGTH drops in trip, he is very consistent, watch him closely moving down to the start, if he goes down well, he will be right there in the finish. 6 LYRICAL GANGSTER won his maiden impressively on the 13th of September, even though it wasn’t a strong race on paper, he won with lots in hand, and he is still improving, he will go very close to winning again. 10 FORT RED ran a fair race behind African Prince on the 30th of August, he was only beaten just over two lengths at the line, he has dropped in the ratings nicely, and he gets the services of top jockey Richard Fourie, he could be the value horse in this tough race. (Brandon Bailey: 11 – 7 – 6 – 10)

Soccer10 Saturday 27 September 2025. ADD-IN R 125 000. Estimated Pool: R 2 Million. Pool Closes at 15h00. Sport 14 and Pool 1.

Soccer ANY 13Xtra Saturday 27 September 2025. C/Over R 150 000. Estimated Pool: R 600 000. Pool Closes at 13h30.

Sport 13 and Pool 1. Soccer SCORES on Saturday, 27th September 2025. C/Over R 82 599. Pool Closes at 15h00

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