David Thiselton

Isivivane has been raised four points to 108 for his win in the Gr 3 WSB 1900, while the second and third-place horses, Regulation and Trust, have both been raised one point apiece to 106 and 111 respectively.

Fourth-placed The Ultimate King was the line horse and remains on 117.

The Ultimate King faced Isivivane on half-a-kilogram terms better than he would have in a handicap and was beaten 0,85 lengths.

Regulation and Trust faced The Ultimate King on the same terms as they would have in a handicap and beat him by a quarter of a length and a neck respectively.

The only other change from the race was made to last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July sixth-placed Native Ruler, who was dropped two point from 123 to 121.

He faced The Ultimate King on 1kg better terms than he would have in a handicap and he was beaten by him by 1,10 lengths.

In the other relevant race on Sunday, a conditions plate over 1600m won by Okavango with July entries Eight On Eighteen, Note To Self and Mocha Blend running behind him in that order, the merit ratings of the runners were all untouched.

In Johannesburg Jan Van Goyen’s merit rating of 118 remained untouched after his second placed finish in a Pinnacle event over 1800m, but the winner of that race Pressonregardless, who is not a July entry, was raised two points from 113 to 115, and the last-placed runner in that six-horse field, Wild Intent, was dropped one point from 110 to 109.

The favourite for the Hollywoodbets Durban July is still See It Again which is somewhat surprising considering the big weight of 62kg he will carry as things stand and he will thus be giving the bottom weights 10kg.

Isivivane will be one of the bottom weights on 52kg and in fact as things stand he will be 1kg under sufferance.

Trust will also carry 52kg and will actually be 1,5kg under sufferance as things stand, considering the 2kg weight for age allowance there is for three-year-olds running over 2200m at the beginning of July.

Considering he was a narrow runner up in the Gr 1 HKJC World Pool SA Classic over 1800m, it won’t be easy for See It Again to give 10kg to a horse of that calibre or to the SA Classic winner Grand Empire, who is also rated 111.

Eight On Eighteen is rated 129, so will get half-a-kilogram from See It Again.

An interesting comparison will be to compare the weight turnaround from last year of Eight On Eighteen and Native Ruler.

Eight On Eighteen carried 3kg more than Native Ruler last year and beat him by 3,70 lengths.

This year Eight On Eighteen will be giving Native Ruler only 4kg and considering he had a weight for age allowance of 2kg last year as a three-year-old, it means Eight On Eighteen is actually effectively 1kg better off than he was last year with Native Ruler. So considering Eight On Eighteen beat Native Ruler easily in last year’s race, the latter has very little chance of beating Eight On Eighteen in this year’s big race.

On the other hand Native Ruler did beat Eight On Eighteen in this year’s WSB Met, but the latter had an interrupted preparation into that race.

Star Major impressed when winning the Gr 2 WSB Guineas and was raised to 118, the same mark as both Jan Van Goyen and Note To Self.

They will all be carrying 54kg as things stand which should be manageable.

Wish List will also have a nice galloping weight of 53,5kg and she only looks to be getting better. She could be the fifth filly to win the big race this millennium.

RACE 1

5 POWER OF PEARLS   6 HIGHVELD STORM  4 DONMAGOO   1 CAPTAIN T

Preview: POWER OF PEARLS (5) makes her poly debut but comes off some solid Highveld form. With a 4kg claimer aboard she could prove difficult to beat in spite of taking on males. HIGHVELD STORM (6) was a beaten favourite last run. He has had two starts for his new stable and the switch to poly could be the answer. DONMAGOO (4) has improved in blinkers and should feature in this line-up. CAPTAIN T (1) has improved on the poly and has the best of the draw. SIERRA FOXTROT (3) comes from a strong Cape Town stable and makes her debut. Definitely on to watch in the market. (Andrew Harrison: 5-4-1-3).

RACE 2

3 PRINS JASPAR   2 WINTER CIRCLE   9 OWNER OF CREATION   1 DIAMOND MAKER

Preview: PRINS JASPAR (3) was a beaten favourite first up on the poly in his KZN debut. The trip should suit. WINTER CIRCLE (2) was short in the betting when making his debut but finished well back. The betting and step up in trip could tell a story. OWNER OF CREATION (9) is a long-time maiden but has been paying his way. He should not be far off them again but has a wide gate. DIAMOND MAKER (1) has only had two starts and showed some improvement second run and he has the best of the draw. (Andrew Harrison: 3-2-9-1).

RACE 3

1 INFINITY EDGE   6 VICTORY IN ORLEANS   4 BACK AT THE GEORGE   7 SOHOT SOWHAT

Preview: Competitive field. INFINITY EDGE (1) has been taking on top class company of late. She makes her poly debut under a big weight but gets first timer blinkers and she can run up to her rating. VICTORY IN ORLEANS (6) made a good start for her new stable when winning first time out. This trip should suit and she can go in again. BACK AT THE GEORGE (4) is in good form and goes well on the poly. Her last win was over course and distance. SOHOT SOWHAT (7) has consistent Cape form over shorter but the stable is in red-hot form. (Andrew Harrison: 1-6-4-7).

RACE 4

7 TAM’S KNIGHT   1 GRAND APPEAL   2 SPAANE RIVER   8 IBUTHO

Preview: TAM’S KNIGHT (7) is lightly raced and made steady improvement leading into his last win. He has won on the poly and can follow up. GRAND APPEAL (1) has been consistent over the distance and has the best of the draw. He has run well on the poly and should be right there. SPAANE RIVIER (2) may just have needed his last run after a short break. He does appear to be useful and must rate a winning chance. IBUTHO (8) is always game over course and distance and tries for his 11^th win. (Andrew Harrison: 7-1-2-8).

RACE 5

8 WINGS OF JOSEPHINE   6 BLAST FROM THE PAST   3 INTREPID   1 RAINBOW REWARD

Preview: Competitive handicap. WINGS OF JOSEPHINE (8) has a wide gate but goes well on the poly and has taken on stronger in recent starts. BLAST FROM THE PAST (6) made no show after winning on the poly on debut. He has been rested since  and any market support will be telling. INTREPID (3) is a solid galloper and the switch to the poly with blinkers removed can see him go close. RAINBOW REWARD (1) is seldom far back and his last win came over course and distance. He has a 4kg claimer aboard that should help his chances. (Andrew Harrison: 8-6-3-1).

RACE 6

2 QHAWEKAZI    5 FLYING FATE   7 DECEMBER DAWN   1 CALL ME JANE

Preview: Wide open. QHAWEKAZI (2) was a close-up second to the much improved De Vlugge last time out jumping from a wide draw. She has a better gate here. DECEMBER DAWN (7) may just have needed a pipe-opener when making her local debut. Her Cape form was useful and a claiming apprentice will help her chances. FLYING FATE (5) won well on the poly last time out at only her second start. She is in modest company and can follow up. CALL ME JANE (1) may be the second string judged by jockey bookings but she does have the slightly better form than TEQUILA SKY (1) and also a better draw. (Andrew Harrison: 2-5-7-1).

RACE 7

3 UNITED NATION   2 BLACK EAGLE   8 MAJOR TOMMIE   4 FORTRESS OF FIRE

Preview: UNITED NATION (3) has exceptional form on the poly and has won over the trip. He faces a smart field but should be right there again. BLACK EAGLE (2) is progressive and comes with excellent Cape form. He takes to the poly for the first time and will be a big runner if he does. MAJOR TOMMIE (8) has only twice been out of the money in 12 starts. His last win was over course and distance and he cannot be left out of any calculations. FORTRESS OF FIRE (4) is smart on his day but is 3kg worse off with United Nation given their last encounter on the poly. (Andrew Harrison: 3-2-8-4).

RACE 8

7 LIONS EYE   6 GORGEOUS DUDE   11 DEFINITELY YES   10 KALI BWANA

Preview: LIONS EYE (7) took on much stronger last run and was not far back. He is back to a competitive mark. GORGEOUS DUDE (6) has his peak run after a break. He loves the surface and with only 51kg to shoulder he will be a big runner. DEFINITELY YES (11) has a tricky draw to negotiate but is holding form well and due a change of fortune. KALI BWANA (10) has shown up well in two outings since her maiden win and has a money chance again. (Andrew Harrison: 7-6-11-10).

Andrew Harrison

A competitive card faces punters on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville today in spite of the relatively small fields. Exotic bet bankers are not easy to find and it could pay to add something to the wallet in the first where Candice and Tammy Dawson saddle Power Of Pearls.

The filly makes her poly debut but comes off some solid Highveld form and with a 4kg claimer aboard she could prove difficult to beat in spite of taking on males. Of those Highveld Storm was a beaten favourite last run and has had two starts for his new stable. The switch to poly could be the answer. Donmagoo has improved in blinkers and should feature in this line-up. First timer Sierra Foxtrot comes from a strong Cape Town stable and is definitely one to watch in the market.

Prins Jaspar could prove the pick of the second after being a beaten favourite first up on the poly in his KZN debut. This trip should suit. Winter Circle was short in the betting when making his debut but finished well back. The betting and step up in trip could tell a story. Owner Of Creation is a long-time maiden but has been paying his way and should not be far off them again but he does have a wide gate.

The first leg of the Pick 6 is a competitive handicap but Mike Miller’s charge Infinity Edge has been taking on top class company of late. Although she makes her poly debut under a big weight she does get first timer blinkers and can run up to her rating. Victory In Orleans made a good start for her new stable when winning first time out. This trip should suit and she can go in again. Back At The George is in good form and goes well on the poly and her last win was over course and distance. Sohot Sowhat has consistent Cape form over shorter but the Lucinda Woodruff stable is in red-hot form.

Robbie Hill sends out one runner on the day in Tam’s Knight. The gelding is lightly raced and made steady improvement leading into his last win. He has won on the poly and can follow up. Grand Appeal has been consistent over the distance and has the best of the draw. He has run well on the poly and should be a threat. Spaane Rivier may just have needed his last run after a short break and does appear to be useful. He must rate a winning chance. Ibutho is always game over course and distance and tries for his 11^th win.

The fifth is another competitive handicap but although Wings Of Josephine has a wide gate she goes well on the poly and has taken on stronger in recent starts. Danger could be Blast From The Past. He made no show after winning on the poly on debut and was rested. Any market support will be telling. Intrepid is a solid galloper and the switch to the poly with blinkers removed can see him go close while Rainbow Reward is seldom far back and his last win came over course and distance. He has a 4kg claimer aboard that should help his cause.

In the sixth, Qhawekazi was a close-up second to the much improved De Vlugge last time out when jumping from a wide draw. She has a better gate here. December dawn may just have needed a pipe-opener when making her local debut as her Cape form was useful and a claiming apprentice will help her chances. Flying Fate won well on the poly last time out at only her second start. She is in modest company and can follow up. Call Me Jane may be the second string from the Andre Nel stable judged by jockey bookings but she does have the slightly better form than Tequila Sky and also a better draw.

United Nation has been a revelation on the poly and Darryl Moores charge has only been beaten once on the synthetic surface. He has won over the trip and although he faces a smart field he should be right there again. Vaughen Marshall has started his Champions Season raid in fine form and saddles the progressive Black Eagle that comes with excellent Cape form. He takes to the poly for the first time and will be a big runner if he does. Major Tommie has only twice been out of the money in 12 starts and his last win was over course and distance and cannot be left out of any calculations. Fortress Of Fire is smart on his day but is 3kg worse off with United Nation given their last encounter on the poly.

In the last of the day, Lions Eye took on much stronger last run and was not far back and is back to a competitive mark. Gorgeous Dude has his peak run after a break and loves this surface. With only 51kg to shoulder he will be a big runner. Definitely Yes has a tricky draw to negotiate but is holding form well and due a change of fortune while Kali Bwana has shown up well in two outings since her maiden win and has a money chance again.

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Lingfield and Bath (UK) – 12 May 2026

David Thiselton

 

Snow Moon’s win was called a “bomb” result at Hollywoodbets Greyville on the meeting that opened the Champions Season as he had drifted out from about 7/1 to 33/1.

However, he should have gone the other way in the betting as he had been showing good form in the maidens and he was well treated under the conditions of the D Stakes race.

A “D Stakes” race is a merit rated band race and the highest band in D Stakes races is 64-66 and that band is set to carry 61,5kg.

Snow Moon was officially merit rated 68 and the rule if a horse is rated higher than the top band is an allocation of half-a-kilogram per point, meaning Snow Moon would have been set to carry 62,5kg had he not been a maiden.

However, there is a condition in a D Stakes race that a maiden gets an allowance of 1kg, meaning Snow Moon only had to carry 61,5kg.

It was surprising that Gorgeous Dude was the favourite, because he is merit rated 55, meaning he was at the bottom of his band, the 55-57 band, which were set to carry 57kg. That means he was automatically 1kg under sufferance with any horses who were at the top of their band and he was 2kg under sufferance with Snow Moon due to the latter’s 1kg allowance.

In a handicap the 68 rated Snow Moon would have given the 55 rated Gorgeous Dude 6,5kg, but in this race he only gave him 4,5kg.

Snow Moon won at odds of 33/1 and in second place was Sail To The Moon at odds of 25/2.

Sail to the Moon was merit rated 66, meaning he was at the top of the highest band, the 64-66 band, and therefore he was 1kg well in with the 9/4 shot Gorgeous Dude.

Gorgeous Dude finished a 1,10 length third ahead of the best weighted horse in the race, the 68 rated filly Saudi Sweep. She was rated 68 so was effectively on the top of her band, plus she received a 2,5kg gender allowance. Furthermore, she had 2,5kg claimer Blaine Marx-Jacobson aboard. Her run has to be considered disappointing at the weights, but it is never easy for female horses against males.

In fifth place was the horse who vied for favouritism, the 5/2 shot Send Me, and yet he was a horse rated 64 and thus on the bottom of his band.

Being at the top or bottom of the band doesn’t automatically enhance or scupper a horse’s chances respectively.

For example a horse could have run in one of these races in its previous start, being at the bottom of its band and gone close. Those cases are ones to watch if their next race is in a handicap, because they then won’t be at a weight disadvantage.

On the other hand, there could be a horse who had been at the top of its band last time and run unplaced. Such a horse, if there was nothing that hampered it in the running, could be off form or overrated.

Needless to say it is wise to check how the horse fared the last time it ran in such a merit rated band event.

There is an occasional dream scenario for punters that can happen in these Stakes races.

For example, the horse Boogiefied won a B Stakes race over 1600m in his penultimate start, despite being rated 87, which meant he was on the bottom of his 87-89 band.

He was raised to 90, which gives him the opportunity to run in a Middle Stakes race over 1600m and be on top of the 87-90 band.

He will thus be running in a race where he was effectively not penalised for a win.

Unfortunately, there don’t look to be any 1600m Middle Stakes races in the next few weeks in Cape Town.