Alistair Cohen

There was little wrong with the way Gimmie Rules ran in the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas in mid-December. He took a huge leap in class from impressing in good handicaps to the highest level in quick time, not necessarily the way trainer Dean Kannemeyer generally prepares his top horses. He takes on a good field in race 7 over 1500m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday.

Gimmie Rules hold an entry for the L’Ormarins Kings Plate and for the World Sports Betting Cape Town Met, both Grade 1 showpiece events. This entry suggests that Kannemeyer is going to play the long game with him and either seek out the Lucky Fish Cape Derby or KwaZulu-Natal’s Champions Season. 

His last effort was also against the Kannemeyer blueprint. Untested at feature race level, he went straight from a good level against older horses to Grade 1 level. There is no disgrace beating quality like Handsome Prince in the manner he did in his penultimate run. Behind them was now 120-rated Jet Force. He finished a 3,35-length fourth behind runaway winner, Jan Van Goyen. Craig Zackey reported that he feels “a bit thick in the wind” in the feedback video filed on Race Coast’s YouTube page. Perhaps everything came a little too soon for him. There is no doubting his class. He should have a bright future. Even this result will not define him but it will give a short-term plan some clarity.

Captain West is such a frustrating horse. There is limitless ability but he has failed to deliver. From excellent runs at a high level to similar finishes against weaker. His last run was a good effort when he was forced to make the running after an initial slow pace. He stuck around to finish less than a length behind Ardabil over this course and distance. He is 2kg better off for 0,4 lengths. That should turn the form around.

Kinda Wonderful is also worth considering even though winning comes at a premium. Her last effort was a good run behind an underdone superstar in the form of Double Grand Slam in the Summer Bowl. She finished ahead of fine rivals like Rainbow Lorikeet. With 55,5kg on her back, Kinda Wonderful should be in the mix.

Treetops put up a neat debut last month and with likely improvement, he could win race 1 over 1200m. From an in-form yard of Lucinda Woodruff, he finished 6,55 lengths behind Loving Prague over this course and distance. Woodruff is not known to get stuck into them for their debuts. Chad Little is carded to take the ride. Protector Of Peace is hinting that a win is around the corner and he must be the main danger although he seems to be exposed as a maiden.

Whirlwind has a lot of improvement to follow, and with her third career start, she could be ahead of rivals struck at their low levels. She returned from a three-month break in her last run and she never looked out of first gear when beating her stable companion, Panjandrum over 1000m at this course. James Crawford has resisted the temptation of taking on a higher grade and kept her in calm waters. She looks the horse to beat in race 2 over the same track and trip.

Sugar Daddy and Mercenary look set to fight out race 3 over 1600m. Sugar Daddy ran close-up to Give It Laldy who runs later in the card last time out and his progress from his debut to his second start is exactly what a winner would look like at their third runs. While Mercenary has slightly less impressive numbers from three runs but he did run into traffic in his last run over this course and distance behind Chance Encounter. He still finished fifth, 3,9 lengths behind. That form will be under the spotlight in the next two races.

If the race that Chance Encounter won comes up trumps, Frequent Traveller becomes hugely interesting in race 4 over 2000m. He finished second from a poor draw of No 12. That was his career best, and he made good ground over 1600m, suggesting that this extra trip will suit him ideally. He finished marginally ahead of his stable companion Fort Liam last time. They meet again. It is hard to run away from Eric Lidell who had zero luck last time when left with too much to do and flying home to finish second behind Fast And Free. All three have good winning chances.

Fast And Free has his post-maiden run in race 5 over 2500m. He could become a good prospect if all those pieces of the puzzle fit in the two preceding races. He won like a horse who will appreciate all the distance trainer Glen Kotzen can throw at him. Craig Zackey takes the ride. If he is ready straight out of the maidens, he can double the dose.

Blind Date gets the services of German rider, Rene Piecheluk in race 6 over 1600m. He has taken his time to fill out and mature, hence he might have been slightly underwhelming by not winning races since exiting the maidens. He might have found his opening to hit his groove. His last two runs have come against progressive three-year-olds Viva’s Liberte and Ireland Forever. If he does not win, he should be right in the money. Red Dawn is a useful horse but he seems held by Blind Date while Give It Laldy will be tested out of the maidens but he could be up to the task.

Supreme Fate won with a degree of ease in her last run toppling over some three-year-old fillies held in high regard. She had age and an inside draw of No 1 on her side. She finds herself over the same 1400m course and distance as her last run and she must have a chance of going back-to-back. She takes a minor rise in class and as a result, she carries less weight than she did last time. Andrew Fortune is aboard for Justin Snaith.

Anything can win race 9 over 1200m. A chance is taken on True Horizon who gets Muzi Yeni aboard for Adam Marcus. She has gone down narrowly into third and second respectively in her last two starts over this course and distance.

RACE 1

8 PROTECTOR OF PEACE      2 TREETOPS      9 THESHOWMUSTGOON     10 PERFECT IMPACT 

Preview: PROTECTOR OF PEACE (8) went close last time and is confidently selected to get it all right this time. TREETOPS (2) ran a fair race on debut and with natural improvement can get a lot closer. THESHOWMUSTGOON (9) is never far adrift the action and should be very competitive. PERFECT IMPACT (10) can be forgiven for the last run and included in the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 8-2-9-10) 

RACE 2

7 PUSHING LIMITS      6 WHIRLWIND      5 CARIBBEAN GOLD      3 COUNTRY TIME 

Preview: PUSHING LIMITS (7) is in winning form having won two out of his last three races and there is no reason why she cannot follow up. Andrew Fortune sticks with the ride. WHIRLWIND (6) obliged at the second time of asking and could end up being way better than a MR 78 – respect and include. CARIBBEAN GOLD (5) is lightly raced and has each way claims. COUNTRY TIME (3) has solid form and as usual a lively chance. (Warren Lenferna 7-6-5-3) 

RACE 3

2 MERCENARY      5 SUGAR DADDY      8 WALOYO YAMONI      7 BLIZZARDBOY 

Preview: MERCENARY (2) is lightly tried and has not been far off and with any amount of  improvement to possibly come, could be the value here – win chance. SUGAR DADDY (5) has good form, caught the eye last time and should go close. WALOYO YAMONI (8) has a bright place chance and BLIZZARDBOY (7) is a must for the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 2-5-8-7) 

RACE 4

8 ERIC LIDDELL      7 PHANTOM MAN      1 FORT LIAM      5 FREQUENT TRAVELLER 

Preview: ERIC LIDDELL (8) ran an absolute cracker last time when nearly getting it all right and could be tough to beat today. PHANTOM MAN (7) has placed twice from four starts and should win soon, but for today, has more of a place chance than a winning one. FORT LIAM (1) and FREQUENT TRAVELLER (5) are natural inclusions for trifectas and quartets. (Warren Lenferna 8-7-1-5) 

RACE 5

1 SPIRIT OF LEVANA      10 TOTHEMOONANDBACK      3 GENTLEMAN JOE      6 FAST AND FREE 

Preview: SPIRIT OF LEVANA (1) is a tad off form currently but has shown ability and talent before. Her penultimate run was fair enough to warrant her as the each way value suggestion here. She has come down in the ratings a lot. TOTHEMOONANDBACK (10) caught the eye last time, Fortune now rides and can go one better. GENTLEMAN JOE (3) is taking time for the next win but showed last time that the time is near. Bright chance. FAST AND FREE (6) is one for the shortlist. (Warren Lenferna 1-10-3-6) 

RACE 6

6 FOUDRE      5 BLIND DATE      4 UNITED FRONT      3 GIVE IT LALDY 

Preview: FOUDRE (6) won his maiden well after a rest and could end up being anything. He can be followed. BLIND DATE (5) is holding form and has each way claims. UNITED FRONT (4) ran a better race last time and can pop up – respect and include. GIVE IT LALDY (3) might have more to offer – watch. (Warren Lenferna 6-5-4-3) 

RACE 7

2 GIMMIE RULES      9 ARDABIL      4 GALLIC DREAM      5 CAPTAIN WEST 

Preview: GIMMIE RULES (2) ran well behind Jan Van Goyen last time and has solid overall form – win choice and possible banker. ARDABIL (9) got up to win a gutsy race last time and needs to be taken seriously again. GALLIC DREAM (4) has solid form and a solid chance – one for the shortlist. CAPTAIN WEST (5) can finish in the first four. (Warren Lenferna 2-9-4-5) 

RACE 8

6 KATTEKWAADKWADRAAD        10 JOU LEKKER DING       11 MIGHTY MARY     8 LA LANDONNE 

Preview: KATTEKWAADKWADRAAD (6) was narrowly beaten last time, is lightly raced and must be taken seriously for the win position. JOU LEKKER DING (10) nearly caused an upset at 50/1 last time and if confirming that sudden improvement, could earn again. MIGHTY MARY (11) is way better that her last run suggests and can place. LA LANDONNE (8) has bright claims on her good penultimate effort. (Warren Lenferna 6-10-11-8) 

RACE 9

1 MORFELIHA      2 FLYING SOUTH       13 IM THE BUZZ       11 BLACK PATH 

Preview: MORFELIHA (1) showed ability when nearly winning out the maidens and has been selected as the first choice. FLYING SOUTH (2) has each way claims. IM THE BUZZ (13) is the place value and BLACK PATH (11) always has a chance and can never be dismissed from any bets. (Warren Lenferna 1-2-13-11) 

 

Please be advised that due to persistent lightning a decision has been made to abandon the remainder of today’s Turffontein Race Meeting

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Lingfield and Southwell (UK) – 3 January 2026

Andrew Harrison

 

Punters face a competitive card in the first KZN meeting of the New Year with some tricky maidens and competitive handicaps.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 Fortress Of Fire won well last start and is now running up to early promise. However he will need to keep Maphaka at bay who started favourite that afternoon and is now 2.5kg better off on that encounter. Beamonesque is way better than his last run behind Fortress Of Fire and Maphaka and can finish a lot closer while Music Is Life was beaten by the weight last run when starting favourite and can make amends.

The fourth sees plenty in with chances but Double Causeway shed his maiden at second time of asking and S’Manga Khumalo will need to waste to make the weight which may be an indication of the colt’s chances. Run To Rio has been consistent of late and has a handy galloping weight with a claiming apprentice up. He could oblige at good odds. Master Du Rouvray may prefer it a touch further but has useful recent form and should contest the finish. 

The fifth is wide open but Actor has consistent recent form and should be competitive from the best of the draw. Red Bomber was not far back in the 21-runner Grand Heritage. He is Johan Janse van Vuuren’s only runner on the day and the gelding should be a factor. Mohave Prince took on a useful field over shorter last run and can do better over this trip while Rooster Bradshaw has patchy form but shows pace and will be dangerous if allowed to get away.

Sonata Samaritan could be one of the better bets on the card but it will not be easy going but Paul Gadsby’s filly was touched off by the highly rated Ladyofdistinction last time out. The latter runs on Boxing Day so one can get another line of form. Princess Goldie is never far back and goes well this course and distance while Siberian Winter had her consistency rewarded last run and is 1kg better off with Ubukhwebezana on their last meeting with the latter carrying a big weight but going for her fourth win in her last five starts.

Grand Appeal has a big weight in the seventh but meets little of note and should go one better. Main danger could be Gorgeous Dude who has shown consistent recent form and has a handy weight. He should at least be in the firing line. Dricus found his best with the blinkers removed and gets some relief from the saddle.

In the last, Trippi’s Silk comes with some solid recent Cape form. He is up in trip but could prove too good in this line-up. Heaven’s Will is down in class and has a 2.5kg claimer aboard. He has drawn widest but can go close. Town Crier is lightly raced and gets first time blinkers and is one to watch in the betting. 

The first leg of the Bi-Pot is a tricky maiden field. Sargasso Sea made good improvement at her second start from a wide draw and should come on further. Captain Ventura shows good pace, her last two on the poly. She gets cheek pieces for the first time and is likely to improve. Sovereign Gem starts over shorter but has been steadily supported in the betting at each start and can still improve while Winter Blessing is seldom out of the money. She is distance suited she rates a winning chance. 

Punters face a similar dilemma in the first leg of the Place Accumulator where Hey Diddle Diddle takes on males and although well beaten on debut she did race green and is likely to improve. War Emperor was a well beaten third at just his second start but the winner won by a street. He can finish closer here. Cape form is generally stronger than local and although the form behind Nebulous is not strong, it could be strong enough to land the honours.