Alistair Cohen

Smatterings of fair form throughout his career but possibly not delivered on promise. He has not been the easiest horse to read but when he decides to ramp up, he can mix with some far better than who he meets in race 7 over 1250m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville today.

Do not be underwhelmed or put off by his last run. Challenging a horse over an extended distance is always worth the experiment. If it does not work, the trainer can always revert to basics. That is exactly the story with his last start over 1600m. He did not stay so back to his happy place is where Nordic Chief heads.

Prior form reads consistently and he has kept good company. His penultimate run came over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth when he ran 1,75 lengths behind subsequent Grade 2 Splashout Prix Du Cap winner, Stormwatch. He gave the well weighted filly a good challenge when he ultimately finished third. Close-up behind the likes of Voorloopertjie and One Liner also reads in his formlines. Those horses are always worth their salt in strong handicaps placed just below group form.

He has not won since March 2025 when he turned over the well performed Elusive Winter. Perhaps the cycle of late summer works for him. Sean Veale does not get many rides for Andre Nel but he steps aboard here.

Scottish Kiss enjoys this course and his rapid rise up the ranks necessitated him racing against some strong opposition without any disgrace. He is down in class which should make him a threat to Nordic Chief.

He has won with a slipped saddle before and his versatility took him through the divisions. Quirky at the start of his career, Justin Snaith has been able to assist him reaching a level that looked out of reach a year ago. His last run came behind former Grade 1 winner Snow Pilot in late January when he received 7,5kg to a far superior horse but finished 1,25 lengths behind. These calmer waters must give him a winning shot. Tristan Godden makes a rare visit to Cape Town which is great to see after doing duty on Okavango for Snaith at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last Sunday in the Listed Kings Cup.

What A Fortune punches above his weight and always warrants consideration especially at this course. He should not be far away from the action. He too looked short of this class a year ago but he has climbed the ladder quietly to look competitive against some useful rivals.

To the start of the card, race 1 over 1400m sees Captain’s Angel plumet in class. From the Listed JC Le Roux Summer Juvenile Stakes in late January to this class must give him an outstanding chance. He finished 4,4 lengths behind Red Spice who subsequently won the Grade 3 Ridgemont Cape Of Good Hope Nursery. The level of that form sticks out.

Fortune One gave his career best when last seen. He should back that performance up in race 2 over 1250m. He finished second behind Trois Sept Huit over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. Had the winner stayed straight he would have won easier but at least Fortune One stepped up from some moderate form. That was his first run after a three-month rest so that effort must have done him some good. Aldo Domeyer is up for Candice Bass.

There is some good maiden form to work with in race 3 over 1600m and a few look to have chances. Mercenary is given the narrow verdict over Spanish Verse and Trip To Camelot.

Mercenary has not had the most luck in running finding traffic and not unwinding in time. Sometimes he just did his best work too late in the race. The track should still be running fast so hopefully he is not left with too much to do but expect him to hit the line with plenty in hand. JP van der Merwe rides for Lucinda Woodruff.

Vixens War is a 10-start maiden who is banging at the door. She probably has her best chance to date in race 4 over 1600m. Back against her own sex and not carrying top weight despite her compelling form, everything looks set to stack up well for her under Chad Little. She has been placed in her last two runs to take her tally to six places. Despite being costly to follow, this must be the day she visits the winners’ box.

King’s Quest has always reportedly shown good work but hardly delivered that on course. He scraped a narrow win over It Is My Time in his most recent start at this course over 1400m. He is back over the same trip in race 5. If he has gained any confidence from that victory, he could show that he is ahead of this class, something he has always hinted. The bravery he showed last time was a rarity so hopefully he is coaxed into being a little more genuine. If he is, he could go on a streak.

Ignore the last run from Prince Of Tibet. Returning to Hollywoodbets Durbanville, where he runs his best races, could be the catalyst to return to form. He runs in race 6 over 1250m. His last run at this course was his last win in October when he defeated the useful Delta Pride over 1500m. He runs more places and less wins than one would like but expect better from him. Piet and Elbert Steyn train him and JP van der Merwe takes the ride.

Race 8 over 1600m is not a hot event by any stretch. Who Is She seems to be finding some life so she could be the horse to side with in a shallow race. Luyolo Mxothwa is carded to ride for James Crawford. Her penultimate run was her best and it came over this course and distance when he finished third behind subsequent winner, Amayah. Her biggest dangers are stamina queries too.

RACE 1

2 CAPTAIN’S ANGEL must have a big winning chance in this field, he was doing some good work late behind Red Spice on debut, with natural improvement expected from this good-looking colt, he will be hard to beat from a neat draw. 1 LE CONCIERGE has been rested for 105 days, he ran a lovely race on debut behind Catwalk King at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, he will love the step up in trip to 1400m on Saturday, he should be right there in the finish from a good draw. 6 FROM THE ISLAND has run two nice races in succession, he was still green in his last start behind Lady Jean, if he gets some luck in running from a tricky draw, he should finish amongst the places, watch him closely. 5 HERO’S JOURNEY was a touch disappointing behind his stable companion on the 4th of February, if he brings his debut run to the track, he will have a massive winning chance here. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 1 – 6 – 5)

RACE 2

1 RHYTHM KING could be serious value in this tricky race, the blinkers have been removed, the apprentice takes off 4kgs on Saturday, and he has a good draw of one, he will be hard to fetch late, include him into all bets. 3 FORTUNE ONE stayed on beautifully for second in his last start behind Trois Sept Huit, he is definitely improving with every start, there is no doubt that he will be very competitive. 6 WEDDING VOW finished like a rocket behind Winter In Auckland on the 11th of February, she has a low weight on her back, if she brings her last run to the track again on Saturday, she can trouble them all in the finish. 8 CRAZY LITTLE THING has run two excellent races in succession, if she gets some luck in running from a tricky draw, she will run a big race. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 3 – 6 – 8)

RACE 3

4 MERCENARY was gelded on the 23rd of January 2026, he stayed on nicely for third behind Prairie Dawn on the 21st of January at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, even though he carries top weight for this Open Maiden event on Saturday, he has some strong form, and he will go close to winning. 5 TRIP TO CAMELOT would have needed his last run when finishing second behind Money Extractor, he is exceptionally well-bred, there is no doubt that he will be much fitter on Saturday, include him into all bets, he can win a race like this quite easily. 8 SPANISH VERSE only found Tunguska too good in his last start at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, the drop in trip to 1600m will be no problem for this gelding, he will be running on strongly late. 7 MASTERONTHEMOON ran a much better race behind Fast Train last time, that was his first run back after a long break, he will love the step up in trip to 1600m, watch him closely at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 5 – 8 – 7)

RACE 4

4 VIXENS WAR has run two lovely races in succession, this looks to be the right race for her to exit the maiden ranks, her form is consistent, and she has a good draw, she will be tough to beat in this Open Maiden event. 2 KITUBA will love the step up in trip to 1600m on Saturday, she was still green in running when finishing just under three lengths behind Alessia Asheville on the 25th of February, from a neat draw, she will run a big race. 9 PACIFIC WATERS will need some luck from a tricky draw, her form is consistent, if the gaps open at the right time for this filly, she will be amongst the places. 7 FATE OF PACE ran a much better race behind her stable companion on the 4th of March, if she brings that run to the track again on Saturday, she will be competitive. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 2 – 9 – 7)

RACE 5

4 KING’S QUEST quickened up smartly to win a good race last time, he was given four points for that victory on the 4th of March, the yard thinks highly of this gelding, he can definitely win again. 3 CARRIACOU never runs a bad race, he was doing some good work late for third behind Boogiefied on the 14th of February, he loves this track and trip, he will go close from a good draw. 6 CLARK GRISWOLD won his maiden impressively on the 10th of November at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, he has been rested and gelded, if he doesn’t need the run back from a small break, he will be right there in the finish. 5 KLIPTOWN finished like a rocket in his last start behind Spirit on the 22nd of February, he is a beautiful horse with a great action, he will be doing some good work late, watch him closely from a nice draw. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 3 – 6 – 5)

RACE 6

3 WINTER PEARL looks to be one of the better bets on the day, the drop in trip and the good draw is key for this gelding on Saturday, he has dropped one point in the ratings from his last run on the 22nd of February, he will be very hard to beat in this field. 8 GRAVITY always has a money chance at this level, he will be switched off early from a wide draw, and he will be storming home late, watch him closely, Trainer Piet Botha has done a good job with this gelding. 4 PRINCE OF TIBET is much better than his last start on the 28th of February, ignore that run completely, the drop in trip to 1250m will be no problem for this individual, on his best form, he will be super competitive. 5 JET A ONE ran a cracker behind Sooty on the 11th of February, if he brings that run to the track again, he could surprise them all. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 8 – 4 – 5)

RACE 7

2 ABSOLUTELY YES ran a big race in the Winchester Sprint Cup on the 31st of January, he is very talented this gelding, if he relaxes early, he will be hard to beat from a good draw on Saturday. 5 NORDIC CHIEF didn’t stay 1600m in his last start on the 22nd of February, the blinkers have been fitted, and he drops in trip to 1250m, he could be dangerous, watch him closely. 6 SCOTTISH KISS was only beaten just over one length by Snow Pilot on the 31st of January, he will enjoy the drop in trip on Saturday, he has lots of ability this gelding, if the race works out for him from a tricky draw, he can definitely win a race like this. 4 OBJET D’ART was a touch unlucky in his last start behind Spirit, he is a young horse that is improving with every start, he is nowhere near the finished article just yet, keep a close eye on him. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 5 – 6 – 4)

RACE 8

6 WHO IS SHE must have a massive winning chance in this field, her form is good, the drop in trip to 1600m will help her chances, this looks to be the right race for her to exit the maiden ranks. 7 AUTUMN RUSH finished just over four lengths behind Vivo Per Lei on the 4th of March, she was drawn badly on that occasion, the step up in trip to 1600m on Saturday could unlock further improvement, include her into all bets. 8 EPERNAY has run two fair races in succession, she could be the value play in this tough race, there is no doubt that she will love the step up in trip, if she gets some luck in running from a tricky draw, she will be competitive. 5 WOMAN IN GOLD will need to improve to win a race like this, her form of late has been disappointing, she now drops in trip, and the tongue tie has been fitted, watch for sharp improvement from this filly at a big price. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 7 – 8 – 5)

David Thiselton

The Gr 3 WSB Sycamore Sprint for fillies and mares over 1160m is the headliner at Turffontein Standside today and could see a victory for the East Cape raider Song Of Myself.

The Dean Smith-trained Canford Cliffs mare was beaten a length by Symphony In White last time out in the Listed Lady’s Pendant over 1200m at Fairview. Symphony In White ran a 0,40 length third in the Gr 1 Allan Robertson Championship as a two-year-old and her best result this season has been a 0,75 length second in the Gr 3 WSB Southern Cross Stakes over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, although she was receiving 8kg from the winner Asiye Phambili. She carries 58kg on Saturday off a 100 merit rating in the handicap event and champion jockey Gavin Lerena is up. She does have to jump from a low draw of three, but the trend whereby high draws were favourable at Turffontein Standside seems to have been ironed out lately. She should make a bold bid as she is still quite unexposed, having had just eleven career starts, despite being a five-year-old. Five of those starts have been wins and her winning distance range is 1000m to 1250m.

The danger could be the progressive Vanakkam, a three-year-old who sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight of 52kg off her 93 merit rating. Vanakkam is very quick but clearly went too fast last time over 1000m in the Gr 3 TAB National Currency Sprint over 1000m as the winner was able to come from way off the pace and overtake all the handy horses in that race. If she is ridden more conservatively this time she could be dangerous, although all three of her career wins have been over 1000m, so she has to prove she sees this 1160m trip out.

Perfect Miracle is another three-year-old who sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight. She is by Hawwaam, whose progeny are probably going to improve as they get older, so she could still rise above her current mark.

Poblano has been in good form and despite her last three runs having been over 1000m, she did go close over this course and distance before that.

Rachel Wall has only had one run this season and that was in November, so she might have had issues, but she is quick and is capable of going close here.

Calantha beat Perfect Miracle a length when they met over 1200m on the Vaal Classic track in February and Perfect Miracle is only 1,5kg better off, but Perfect Miracle did have a wide draw that day.

Little Ballerina has proved up to her 104 merit rating, so can’t be ignored and Chrome Tourmaline is half-a-kilogram better off with Poblano, despite beating her narrowly when they last met, so she could be in the shake up.

The ninth race is an interesting Pinnacle Plate over 1160m which serves as a Computaform Sprint preparation opportunity for a number of the runners.  William Robertson is top class and evergreen, so can go in again even though this is a preparation outing for the Computaform Sprint. Busstopinhounslow is a versatile sort who should be finishing strongly as usual from off the pace. Rodeo Drive has a lot of pace and has a chance as she is best in at the weights. Minogue has class and speed and is only half-a-kilogram under sufferance with Rodeo Drive. Chasing Happiness can be involved too if bouncing back to her best. Karate Kid has talent and could be in the shake up.

In the first leg of the Pick 6, a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1600m, Capetown Noir filly Utsaah improved with blinkers last time over this trip and has pole position again and can  notch another victory for in-form Sean Tarry and leading rider Craig Zackey. Made To Measure looks the danger.

In the fifth race, a Maiden over 1600m, Gimmethespotlight has some fine form and should go close from a plum draw with Lerena up. Pompei Shield has some good form and enjoys this trip but does have a tricky draw. Millennium Warrior will be in the hunt if repeating his last start.

In the sixth over 2400m 4 One More Star ran a cracker over 2000m last time against a fair sort and from pole position this One World half-brother to Malmoos should relish the trip. Copper Plate won well last time and should be in the shake up again. Jordan will enjoy the course and distance and is well drawn.

In the eighth over 1600m Back From War ran well against a good sort last time in Duchess Paloma over 1800m and can go close here over a drop in trip she should handle. Teo Torriate was not far behind Back From War last time and now has pole position. Streisand is a scopey sort who should start coming into her own and she is a contender.

In the first leg of the Bipot Kavady carries a penalty in this Maiden Juvenile Plate, but should be too good.

In the second over 1160m Turn It Up has speed and class and will be hard to beat.

In the first race over 1160m Charming Cheetah is consistent over sprint trip and is the one to beat.

RACE 1

1 CHARMING CHEETAH 3 TRAJANUS 4 VICTORY IN ORLEANS 2 ZALATORIS

Preview: CHARMING CHEETAH has some class and looks the one to beat here. TRAJANUS is speedy and should make a cold bid. VICTORY IN ORLEANS has run a couple of good races and can be in the shake up. ZALATORIS is a Gr 2 winner who has overall been a touch disappointing this term and he has to bounce back from a below par run last time. (David Thiselton 1-3-4-2)

RACE 2

1 KAVADY 5 OCEAN MISTRESS 6 RUBY WHISPER 2 QUEEN LEILA

Preview: 1 KAVADY is a talented speedster whose form has been franked and he can win despite having to carry a penalty for being a wimner of one race. 5 OCEAN MISTRESS  made  a good debut and with expect improvement could go close. 6 RUBY WHISPER has run some good races against good fields and has a chance. 2 QUEEN LEILA carries a penalty for being a winner but could earn. (David Thiselton 1-5-6-2)

RACE 3

3 TURN IT UP 2 STATUS SYMBOL 4 GONE COLD 1 SPIRIT OF GABZ

Preview: 3 TURN IT UP is a half-brother to Gr 1 Gold Medallion winner Proceed and looks to be following in his footsteps. 2 GONE COLD made a fine debut and should be in the shake up. 4 STATUS SYMBOL was not far behind Turn It Up over 800m and could be a threat. 1 SPIRIT OF GABZ was just a length behind Status Symbol over 800m back in early December but disappointed last time. (David Thiselton 3-2-4-1)

RACE 4

1 UTSAAH 3 MADE TO MEASURE 5 BE MY FATE 2 NICOLSON LANDING

1 UTSAAH ran a fine race last time over this trip and is drawn in pole. 3 MADE TO MEASURE is well drawn and can go close if repeating her last start. 5 BE MY FATE made a fair debut and the form has been franked. 2 NICHOLSON LANDING is improving but has a wide draw to overcome. (David Thiselton 1-3-5-2)

RACE 5

1 GIMMETHESPOTLIGHT 5 POMPEII SHIELD 4 MILLENNIUM WARRIOR 6 SNOW MOON

1 GIMMETHESPOTLIGHT has some fine form and should go close from a plum draw with Lerena up. 5 POMPEI SHIELD has some good form and enjoys this trip but does have a tricky draw. 4 MILENNIUM WARRIOR will be in the hunt if repeating his last start. 6 SNOW MOON has shown enough to earn again in this line up, despite having a wide draw. (David Thiselton 1-5-4-6)

RACE 6

4 ONE MORE STAR 8 COPPER PLATE 1 JORDAN 7 CARTAGENA

Preview: 4 ONE MORE STAR ran a cracker over 200m last time against a fair sort and from pole position this One World half-brother to Malmoos should relish the trip. 8 COPPER PLATE won well last time and should be in the shake up again. 1 JORDAN will enjoy the course and distance and is well drawn. 7 CARTAGENA disappointed last time but is better than that and can do well if it pans out well from a middle draw. (David Thiselton 4–1-7)

RACE 7

6 SONG OF MYSELF 12 VANAKKAM 11 PERFECT MIRACLE 5 POBLANO

Preview: 6 SONG OF MYSELF has fine form in the East Cape and if repeating her last run can go close. 12 VANAKKAM looks to be talented and can bounce back from her disappointing last run. 11 PERFECT MIRACLE sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight, like Vanakkam, and looks ready to start coming into his own. 5 POBLANO has been in fine form but would probably prefer 1000m. (David Thiselton 6-12-11-5)

RACE 8

4 BACK FROM WAR 1 TEO TORRIATTE 2 STREISAND 3 ART NOUVEAU

Preview: 4 BACK FROM WAR ran well against a good sort last time and can go close. 1 TEO TORRIATTE was not far behind Back From War last time and can never be ignored. 2 STREISAND should start coming into her own and is a contender. 3 ART NOUVEAU has the form to earn here. (David Thiselton 4-1-2-3)

RACE 9

1 WILLIAM ROBERTSON 3 BUSSTOPINHOUNSLOW 4 RODEO DRIVE 5 MINOGUE

Preview: 1 WILLIAM ROBERTSON is top class and evergreen, so can go in again even though this is a preparation outing for the Computaform Sprint. 3 BUSSTOPINHOUNSLOW is a versatile sort who should be finishing strongly as usual. 4 RODEO DRIVE has a lot of pace and has a chance with a weight advantage. 5 MINOGUE has class and speed and is only half-a-kilogram under sufferance with Rodeo Drive. (David Thiselton 1-3-4-5)

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Lingfield and Wolverhampton (UK) – 20 March 2026.