Sundance Kid is ready to fire
PUBLISHED: May 14, 2024
Andrew Harrison Punters face a competitive card on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville today but most interest will center around the first two races. There are a number of debutantes in the card opener where the exposed form is seemingly not too strong and given the trainers comments on the unraced runners, the winner could […]
Andrew Harrison
Punters face a competitive card on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville today but most interest will center around the first two races. There are a number of debutantes in the card opener where the exposed form is seemingly not too strong and given the trainers comments on the unraced runners, the winner could come from their ranks.
Glen Kotzen is on record that he has arrived in KZN with a strong string of juveniles and Spirit Of Levana makes her debut. The two-year-old daughter of the promising sire Fire Away got the thumbs-up from Kotzen and with Richard Fourie aboard she will start near the top of the boards. Gimmie’s Countess also makes her debut for Dean Kannemeyer. She has a cracking pedigree being by champion sire Gimmethegreenlight out of a former Kannemeyer-trained star Real Princess. Word from the yard is ‘include in all exotics’. Of those that have run, Madame Pompadour is back to a sprint but has let the side down on a number of occasions. Frosted Green was much improved second time out in a work riders Maiden Plate. She has the widest draw but does look progressive.
The second is a tricky maiden but Mc Dazzler was much improved when making his poly debut at only his third start. A repeat should see Kannemeyer’s colt in the firing line. Dennis Bosch and jockey Rachel Venniker have struck up winning bond of late and they team up with Always Shining. The colt was a neck behind Mc Dazzler when last they met and given the stable’s form expect a good run. Run To Rio has been knocking on the door for some time now and his worst recent effort has been over the distance in soft ground. The switch to poly should suit. Red Mountain had shown promise before a lengthy lay-off but made a smart return to the track last time out.
In the opening leg of the jackpot, Michael Roberts has jumped Noble Warrior up in trip but the gelding did find some market support last run when tried in blinkers. He should be fit after racing once every month since January and the opposition is not strong. Ubukhwebenzana showed up well first run for her new stable but also steps up in trip. She is lightly raced and takes on males but looks set to improve. Ibiza Night is the form horse having been run out of it late in his last two. The blinkers go on and he should make another bold bid.
The balance of the card is made up of tricky handicaps starting off in the fourth. Roy’s Rocker steps up in class but has been close-up in recent outings. She only has 52kg to shoulder and has Muzi Yeni in the saddle. Barend Botes has three runners in the race. Light Of Day won well at Turffontein last time out and has been improving all the while she may prove the pick but stable companion Kind Judy was narrowly beaten when trying further last time out but has been consistent and can go one better.
In the fifth, Sundance Kid comes from a very much in form Wendy Whitehead stable. He was beaten two lengths in a Pinnacle Stakes last run by Formagear but his last three wins have been on the poly so he can return to winning ways. Bowie found one too good for him last run but he did have the widest draw to contend with. He goes well on the poly and should be competitive. Syx Hotfix has the widest draw to contend with but has been consistent leading up to his last win with Rachel Venniker retaining the ride while Lady Heist takes on males and is back on the poly. She shoulders a fair weight but is another with consistent recent form.
Tienie Prinsloo only has one runner on the day and Rugger Lover goes well over course and distance. She was only run out of it late when taking on males last start and can go one better. Enchanting Lady had consistent maiden form over the distance before winning. She was not far back in her handicap debut and the switch to the poly could bring out the best in her. Arverni Princess returns from a short break but goes well over course and distance and also has the best of the draw.
Paul Lafferty could provide one of the better bets on the card when he saddles Sleek As Silk in the seventh. She was not far back in a feature last time out and her two best recent efforts have been over course and distance. She is a strong contender. Zinikele has found her best form since Gareth van Zyl removed the blinkers. She has a fair weight but has a plum draw and is in fine form. Blue Horizon has been in the money in her last five outings including two wins for Weiho Marwing. She has a handy galloping weight and should be in the money again. Wonderful shed her maiden on the poly and was not far behind the useful Celtic Beauty last time out. The drop in trip on the poly should suit.
Mr Molony can round off the card as he took on stronger last start from a tough draw so it could be wise to put a line through that effort. He had consistent form prior to that and this race looks tailor made. One Irish Rover is back in the right division and was a close-up second behind Bally Magic when they last met. Bally Magic is better off at the weights but Richard Fourie replaces the 4kg apprentice who was aboard One Irish Rover last time out. L’Ultimo has his third run after a lengthy break and showed signs of coming to hand last time out. He could surprise.
Hollywoodbets Greyville Poly Wednesday 15 May 2024 – Comments by Andrew Harrison
PUBLISHED: May 14, 2024
RACE 1 5 SPIRIT OF LEVANA 7 GIMME’S COUNTESS 4 MADAME POMPADOUR 10 FROSTED GREEN Summary: SPIRIT OF LEVANA (5) makes her debut but got the thumbs-up from trainer Glen Kotzen who has a smart string of juveniles this year. GIMMIE’S COUNTESS (7) also makes her debut for Dean Kannemeyer. She has a cracking pedigree and word from […]
RACE 1
5 SPIRIT OF LEVANA 7 GIMME’S COUNTESS 4 MADAME POMPADOUR 10 FROSTED GREEN
Summary: SPIRIT OF LEVANA (5) makes her debut but got the thumbs-up from trainer Glen Kotzen who has a smart string of juveniles this year. GIMMIE’S COUNTESS (7) also makes her debut for Dean Kannemeyer. She has a cracking pedigree and word from the yard is include in all exotics. MADAME POMPADOUR (4) is back to a sprint but has let the side down on a number of occasions. FROSTED GREEN (10) was much improved second time out in a workriders Maiden Plate She has the widest draw but does look progressive. (Andrew Harrison: 5-7-4-10).
RACE 2
4 MC DAZZLER 5 ALWAYS SHINING 8 RUN TO RIO 9 RED MOUNTAIN
Summary: Open maiden. MC DAZZLER (4) was much improved when making his poly debut at only his third start. A repeat should see him in the firing line. ALWAYS SHINING (5) was not far behind Mc Dazzler when last they met and the stable is in good form. RUN TO RIO (8) has been knocking on the door for some time now. His worst recent effort has been over the distance in soft ground. RED MOUNTAIN (9) has shown some promise and made a smart return to the take last time out after a lengthy lay-off. (Andrew Harrison: 4-5-8-9).
RACE 3
9 NOBLE WARRIOR 5 UBUKHWEBENZANA 6 IBIZA NIGHT 10 CALLABURN
Summary: NOBLE WARRIOR (9) jumps in trip but did find some market support last run when tried in blinkers. He should be fit after racing once every month since January and the opposition is not strong. UBUKHWEBENZANA (5) showed up well first run for her new stable. She also steps up in trip but is lightly raced and looks set to improve. IBIZA NIGHT (6) has been run out of it late in his last two. The blinkers go on and he should make another bold bid. CALLABURN (10) has consistent Highveld form. He stays the trip and can run into the money on his poly debut. (Andrew Harrison: 9-5-6-10).
RACE 4
1 ROYS ROCKER 5 LIGHT OF DAY 6 KIND JUDY 7 DOCTOR’S ORDERS
Summary: ROYS ROCKER (1) steps up in class but has been close-up in recent outings. She only has 52kg to shoulder and has Muzi Yeni in the saddle. Barend Botes has three runners in the race. LIGHT OF DAY (5) won well at Turffontein last time out and has been improving all the while she may prove the pick but stable companion KIND JUDY (6) was narrowly beaten when trying further last time out but has been consistent and can go one better. DOCTOR’S ORDERS (7) also steps up in trip but did show some improvement in blinkers last run and that form has since been franked. (Andrew Harrison: 1-5-6-7).
RACE 5
5 SUNDANCE KID 6 BOWIE 9 SYX HOTFIX 2 LADY HEIST
Summary: SUNDANCE KID (5) comes from a very much in form stable. He was beaten two lengths in a Pinnacle Stakes last run by Formagear but his last three wins have been on the poly. BOWIE (6) found one too good for him last run but he did have the widest draw to contend with. He goes well on the poly and should be competitive. SYX HOTFIX (9) has the widest draw to contend with but has been consistent leading up to his last win. LADY HEIST (2) takes on males and is back on the poly. She shoulders a fair weight but is another with consistent recent form. (Andrew Harrison: 5-6-9-2).
RACE 6
10 RUGGER LOVER 7 ENCHANTING LADY 1 ARVERNI PRINCESS 2 VISION OF WILL
Summary: RUGGER LOVER (10) has drawn widest but goes well over course and distance. She was only run out of it late when taking on males last run. ENCHANTING LADY (7) had consistent maiden form over the distance before winning. She was not far back in her handicap debut and the switch to the poly could bring out the best in her. ARVERNI PRINCESS (1) returns from a short break but goes well over course and distance and also has the best of the draw. VISION OF WILL (2) seldom runs a bad race and has shown her best form over course and distance. She should be right there again. (Andrew Harrison: 10-7-1-2).
RACE 7
6 SLEEK AS SILK 1 ZINIKELE 7 BLUE HORIZON 10 WONDERFUL
Summary: SLEEK AS SILK (6) was not far back in a feature last time out and her two best recent efforts have been over course and distance. She is a strong contender. ZINIKELE (1) has found her best form since the blinkers were removed. She has a fair weight but has a plum draw and is in fine form. BLUE HORIZON (7) has been in the money in her last five outings including two wins. She has a handy galloping weight and should be in the money again. WONDERFUL (10) shed her maiden on the poly. She was not far behind the useful Celtic Beauty last time out and the drop in trip on the poly should suit. (Andrew Harrison: 6-1-7-10).
RACE 8
8 MR MOLONY 5 ONE IRISH ROVER 2 BALLY MAGIC 9 L’ULTIMO
Summary: MR MOLONY (8) took on stronger last start from a tough draw so it could be wise to put a line through that effort. He had consistent form prior to that and this race looks tailor made. ONE IRISH ROVER (5) is back in the right division and was a close-up second behind BALLY MAGIC (2) when they last met. Bally Magic is better off at the weights but Richard Fourie replaces the 4kg apprentice who was aboard One Irish Rover last time out. L’ULTIMO (9) has his third run after a lengthy break. He showed signs of coming to hand last time out and could surprise. (Andrew Harrison: 8-5-2-9).
SOCCER & RUGBY CARRYOVERS AND ADD-INS – 18 MAY 2024
PUBLISHED: May 14, 2024
Soccer Any13xtra on Saturday, 18 May 2024 Add-In R 100 000 Pool Closes at 15h00 Sport 13 and Pool 1 Estimated Pool: R 500 000 Rugby 8 Win Margin on Saturday, 18 May 2024 C/Over R 71 845 Sport 65 Pool 1Pool Closes at 14h00
Soccer Any13xtra on Saturday, 18 May 2024 Add-In R 100 000 Pool Closes at 15h00 Sport 13 and Pool 1 Estimated Pool: R 500 000
Rugby 8 Win Margin on Saturday, 18 May 2024 C/Over R 71 845 Sport 65 Pool 1Pool Closes at 14h00
The cream of the crop
PUBLISHED: May 13, 2024
Recent Gr2 WSB Guineas winner and ruling ante-post favourite for the R5million Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July, Green With Envy heads the list of a dozen high class nominations for the Gr1 Daily News 2000. Dean Kannemeyer’s colt has impressed with every race as he has matured winning the Gr1 Splashout Cape Derby and showing a […]
Recent Gr2 WSB Guineas winner and ruling ante-post favourite for the R5million Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July, Green With Envy heads the list of a dozen high class nominations for the Gr1 Daily News 2000.
Dean Kannemeyer’s colt has impressed with every race as he has matured winning the Gr1 Splashout Cape Derby and showing a tremendous turn of foot to collar star performer Sandringham Summit in the Gr2 WSB Guineas, a distance many thought was now on the sharp side for the Derby winner.
Nine of the 12 nominations are rated 109 and better, an indication of the class of opposition Green With Envy will face should they all stand their ground at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, May 25. Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner Snow Pilot may lead the charge ahead of Pure Predator and recent WSB 1900 runner-up, Oriental Charm.
The Gr1 Woolavington 2000 is open to older fillies and mares and the Andre Nel-trained Saartjie staked her claim with an emphatic victory in the Listed KRA East Coast Cup, coming from almost last to run down Brett Crawford’s filly Future Girl in the last few strides. Nel’s filly is among the 12 nominations and also holds an entry in the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July.
Leading the three-year-old entry is recent Gr2 SA Oaks winner Frances Ethel. Second over 1400m on debut, she has racked up four straight wins including The Oaks Trial and The Oaks for Brett Crawford. Barry Irwin, Astute principal of Team Valor, has bought into the filly and his judgement is rarely off the mark.
Race-6(Turf) R 1,500,000 2000m 0
TABGOLD WOOLAVINGTON 2000 (Grade 1)
For Fillies & Mares at Weight-For-Age
WFA: 2yrs-12.5kgs 3yrs-2.5kgs
No Apprentice / Female Sex Allowance
11 BELLEVARDE (5M) 60.0 110 AT Joe Soma
7 NONE OTHER (4F) 60.0 110 A Lucky Houdalakis
5 SAARTJIE (4F) 60.0 110 A Andre Nel
6 GILDED BUTTERFLY (5M) 60.0 108 CA Stuart Pettigrew
10 HOLD MY HAND (4F) 60.0 108 A Glen Kotzen
3 PERFECT WITNESS (5M) 60.0 105 A Candice Dawson
4 FUTURE GIRL (4F) 60.0 97 A e Brett Crawford
2 FRANCES ETHEL (3F) 57.5 118 A Brett Crawford
1 SILVER SANCTUARY (3F) 57.5 116 A Mike de Kock
8 MY SOUL MATE (3F) 57.5 115 CA Candice Dawson
9 BEATING WINGS (3F) 57.5 114 A Stuart Pettigrew
12 MINOGUE (3F) 57.5 102 A Wendy Whitehead
(12)
Race-7(Turf) R 2,000,000 2000m 0
DAILY NEWS 2000 (Grade 1)
For 3 year-olds
No Apprentice / Female Sex Allowance
7 GREEN WITH ENVY (3C) 60.0 123 A Dean Kannemeyer
12 SNOW PILOT (3C) 60.0 120 A Justin Snaith
4 PURE PREDATOR (3G) 60.0 119 A Fanie Bronkhorst
5 ORIENTAL CHARM (3C) 60.0 118 A Brett Crawford
8 HLUHLUWE (3G) 60.0 117 A Justin Snaith
1 WILLIAM IRON ARM (3C) 60.0 117 A Tony Peter
11 HOTARUBI (3G) 60.0 116 CAT Sean Tarry
6 MID WINTER WIND (3G) 60.0 116 A Sean Tarry
9 BARBARESCO (3G) 60.0 109 A J A Janse van Vuur
3 JORDAN (3G) 60.0 97 AT Sean Tarry
10 THE GREY KING (3G) 60.0 96 HA e Justin Snaith
2 FLAG MAN (3G) 60.0 92 A Gareth van Zyl
(12)
Snaith planning July
PUBLISHED: May 13, 2024
David Thiselton Justin Snaith had a strong hand in the Gr 2 WSB 1900 on Saturday at Hollywoodbets Greyville, and duly won it with the Drakenstein Stud- homebred Futura gelding Future Swing, and the yard have subsequently released the possible routes of their Hollywoodbets Durban July runners into the big race. Mucho Dinero gave the […]
David Thiselton
Justin Snaith had a strong hand in the Gr 2 WSB 1900 on Saturday at Hollywoodbets Greyville, and duly won it with the Drakenstein Stud- homebred Futura gelding Future Swing, and the yard have subsequently released the possible routes of their Hollywoodbets Durban July runners into the big race.
Mucho Dinero gave the winner 2kg in the 1900 and was beaten 2.30 lengths into fifth and Without Question gave the winner 6kg and was beaten three lengths into seventh.
Jonathan Snaith said, “Future Swing came through his race particularly well and he’ll most likely not run again before the Hollywoodbets Durban July where he will carry 54kg, most likely under sufferance. No jockey has yet to be confirmed.
Mucho Dinero improved dramatically (from his run and Kabelo said he was a little unlucky and the slower pace cost him. He is going straight into the Cup Trial as part of his final preparation for the HWB Durban July. This will be his third run after a rest, and he’s expected to produce a tremendous effort. He’s a monster runner in the Cup Trial!
Without Question was blowing heavily after his race and was clearly in desperate need of this run. The connections have not yet decided on his next mission before embarking on the HWB Durban July.”
Snaith has won four out of the five WSB 1900s run this decade (Belgarion (2020), Do It Again (2022), Pacaya (2023) and Future Swing (2024)).
Belgarion went on to win the July and dual July winner Do It Again was an ultra unlucky fourth in the big race in 2022.
Ravi Naidoo’s Kalinga is a part-owner of Future Swing, together with Drakenstein and Pam Isdell, and the horse runs in Naidoo’s French grey and violet cap colours. Naidoo might be double-handed in the July because he is the outright owner of the champion Cousin Casey.
Another Snaith July entry, The Grey King, also ran at Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Greyville meeting and with first-time cheekpieces on this three-year-old Vercingetorix gelding put up a good front-running display. He had to carry joint topweight of 61,5kg in the Middle Stakes event over 1900m and finished a 1,40 length second. The winning time of the race was 1,38 seconds slower than the WSB 1900, but The Grey King was carrying 7,5kg more than what Future Swing carried to victory in the 1900. Jonathan pointed out that he was arguably the most successful syndicated horse in the country, having had just eight starts for two wins, three seconds, including in a Gr 3, and one third. He runs for The King’s Club and has about 30 partners or syndicate members in all. Sean Veale will be riding him in the Daily News 2000.
Meanwhile, the Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes winner Royal Aussie will go for the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge and also the Gr 1 Champions Cup on the last day of the season. However, a run in the July has not been decided on yet. The four-year-old Royal Mo gelding’s below par 9,05 length eighth in the WSB Met was his only race to date beyond a mile, so there is a stamina question mark.
Jonathan said Triple Time Triple had had a minor setback and he would most likely be taking the Gr 3 Gold Circle Derby route into the July. This Twice Over gelding had been in fine form, finishing a 1,50 length second to Future Swing in the Gr 3 Glorious Goodwood Chairman’s Cup over 2500m when giving the latter 4kg, a shorthead second in the Gr 2 New Turf Western Cape Stayers over 2800m and then, in his KZN pipe opener, a 2,80 length second in a Progress Plate over 1750m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.
The Snaith’s Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner Snow Pilot comes off a decent 0,60 length third to July favourite Green With Envy in the Gr 2 WSB Guineas with the top class Sandringham Summit splitting them. He will either be going for the Gold Challenge or Daily News 2000. A decision will only be made one the connections have seen the nominations.
The highly regarded Trippi gelding Hluhluwe ran a decent two length fourth in the WSB Guineas in his first outing as a gelding. He will be going for the Daily News 2000 over a much more suitable trip and Grant van Niekerk will be up.