Andrew Harrison

Gareth van Zyl took a major step forward to defending his KZN Trainer’s Championship title winning the first four races and adding another two later in the day at Hollywoodbets Scottsville yesterday.

Last season he scraped home one winner ahead of Alyson Wright but although Wright has been chasing hard to turn the tables this season, yesterday’s results could have put paid to her chances of knocking Van Zyl off of his perch.

Van Zyl was three winner’s ahead going into yesterday’s meeting but his six-timer, four in the first and two in the last on the Hollywoodbets Scottsville card, may well have seen him uncatchable leading into the final two months of the season nine winners ahead.

Wild Justice started off an exceptional afternoon with the first of Van Zyl’s winners. Nicholas Patel, now part of the Van Zyl setup, tracked the pace for much of the race before unleashing his mount to sail past hot favourite Holy Star.

On record as saying that Serengetti Sun would be hard to beat in the second, Van Zyl came perilously close to having to eat his words as the more experienced Perfume Power, with promising 4kg claiming apprentice JC Botes aboard, pressed hard all the way to the line. “S’Manga (Khumalo) got us out of that one,” commented a relieved Van Zyl post-race.

But the combination of Van Zyl and Khumalo were far from done. Are You Sure got the better of the Wright-trained Priory Terrace in the third, the pair pulling lengths clear of the chasing pack with Are You Sure eventually getting the upper hand and pull away to a comfortable win.

In contrast to their three earlier winners who all came from off the pace, Khumalo took no prisoners in the small D Stakes field over 1000m as he sent Prankster to the lead from the jump opening up a big lead that was never going to be reeled in. Whereverilaymayhat was a well beaten second with Wright again in the second box.

The Khumalo/Van Zyl combination rounded off a memorable afternoon for the combination as Luhamba Phambili led most of the way in the seventh and was never for the catching.

Sean Veale, stable rider to Hollywood Racing, broke the Van Zyl/Khumalo boa trace with a second win for Hollywood Racing as Rafa’s Boy showed the field a clean pair of heels in the last race of the day, one that will live long in Gareth van Zyl’s memory.

Graeme Hawkins

A competitive B Stakes race over 1600m heads a 9-race programme on the Winter course at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth this afternoon and although only eight runners are carded, the outcome is no foregone conclusion, and a tight finish is on the cards. My preference lies with the Paddy Kruyer-trained Tenpenny who caught the eye when flashing home over the course and distance six weeks ago to finish third behind Pinot Grigio. Tenpenny is a good-looking 3yo son of What A Winter and appears to have plenty of scope for further improvement as he matures.

Bel Canto Dream was second in the same race behind Pinot Grigio, finishing less than a length ahead of Tenpenny. The latter is now 1kg better off at the weights which should bring the pair closer together, but it would come as no real surprise if Bel Canto Dream was to confirm the form, particularly as the Eric Sands-trained 3yo son of Oratorio has the benefit of pole position whereas Tenpenny is drawn one off the outside.

Captain West is the early market leader, but I am not yet completely convinced that 1600m is his optimum trip. His two career victories to date have been recorded over 1250m and 1400m and I am inclined to sit on the fence until the 3yo son of One World proves his mettle over a mile. Katsu returned from a lengthy absence on 16 April and ran a cracker when runner-up behind Song To The Moon over the trip. As a battle-hardened four-time winning 5yo gelding by Louis The King, Katsu brings solid credentials into the race, and he cannot be lightly dismissed in a competitive event.

Future Turn has not won for 724 days but always does enough to suggest his fifth career victory cannot be too far away. However, JP van der Merwe who would have had the choice of rides between Tenpenny and Future Turn has opted for the former and I am happy to back his judgement. The Grey King is talented but has been slightly below par in his last two starts. He is capable of better and it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that he could bounce back under Andrew Fortune. Call To Unite and Aspect make up the field and, given their lack of current form, are justifiably quoted at long odds in the ante-post market.

The first race, a Maiden Juvenile over 1000m, is due off at 12:05 and the newcomer Wait For Me, a 2yo son of Vercingetorix, has been priced up at the top of the betting boards. Trainer Vaughan Marshall reports that Wait For Me is showing good work at home but he faces stiff opposition from the likes of Nebulous and Pennys Choice who have both had the experience of a promising run under the belt. Another debutante with an eye-catching pedigree is Amayah from the Candice Bass-Robinson stable. By Vercingetorix out of the Grade 1 Cape Town Met-winning mare River Jetez, Amayah could well need further but is one to keep a close eye on.

Bankers are not easy to find on another trappy card but perhaps Midway can turn his recent consistent place-getting form into an overdue victory in the fifth race, a low-grade D Stakes over 1600m. The 4yo son of Pomodoro gets blinkers for the first time in his career and although it’s never easy to nail one’s colours to the mast in these types of races, I am hopeful that Midway will record his second career victory this afternoon. The value bet for today could be Country Time in the eighth race, a D Stakes over 1000m. Andrew Fortune takes the ride for trainer Paul Reeves, and I have a feeling that the 5yo daughter of Time Thief might finally end her nearly three-year absence from the winner’s enclosure.

RACE 1

3 PENNYS CHOICE must have a good winning chance in the opener, she ran a lovely race on debut behind Inside Voice, she was just off the speed early, and then caught the eye to stay on beautifully for fourth, if she has made the necessary improvement back at home, she will go very close here. 1 NEBULOUS did everything wrong on debut, and still managed to run a terrific race behind American Ultra, she was very slow out the gates, and she made up solid ground late to finish just over two lengths behind the winner, she should improve tons from that experience, watch her closely. 8 WHATASTAR has been rested for 62 days, she has been very disappointing in her last two runs, if she settles early, she will be right there in the finish. 6 SWIFT SERENITY ran a fair race on debut, she showed good speed early, and only started becoming one paced very late in the race, she clearly needed that run, with natural improvement on the cards, she could certainly run a place at a big price. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 1 – 8 – 6)

RACE 2

1 CHANCE ENCOUNTER was heavily supported in the market on debut, he was terribly green early, and then finished like a train late to run third behind In A Timely Manner, he is exceptionally well-bred, if he has made the improvement expected, he will be very hard to beat in this race. 8 BUGLE BOY ran a fair race last time behind Follow Your Heart, he stayed on nicely for fourth, he will get better and stronger with each race, include him into all bets. 2 MAN OF CONSEQUENCE ran well on debut, he finished fifth, and was only two lengths behind Chance Encounter, he should improve nicely from that run, watch him closely, he will be doing some good work late. 12 DIOGENES was only beaten just under five lengths on debut, he should make massive improvement from his first run into his second run, he could certainly finish amongst the places at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 8 – 2 – 12)

RACE 3

4 CAPE CAPTAIN ran a great race behind Sweet Conifer on the 21st of May, she stayed on nicely for second, from a good draw, with no weight on her back, she must have a massive winning chance in this field. 1 BOUNDLESS LOVE steps up in trip again to 1400m, he gets the perfect draw for this open maiden event, there should be absolutely no excuses for this gelding on Tuesday, include him into all bets, he will be right there in the finish. 8 SUPERHERO ran a nice race behind Vapour Trail on the 21st of May, he ran third, and was only beaten just over four lengths by the winner, he is still improving, if he can beat the tricky draw, he will have a good winning chance. 7 JOUEUR DE FLUTE has been well tried in the maiden ranks, champion jockey Richard Fourie has been booked to ride this gelding, he could earn some money for the connections on his best form. It’s a tricky race, you will need to go wide. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 1 – 8 – 7)

RACE 4

2 INDUSTRIALSTRENGTH comes back to the races from a rest and gelding, he is a lovely looking horse with tons of ability, his last run behind Boogiefied on the 16th of March was very good, if he doesn’t need the run badly on Tuesday, he will be very hard to beat from a good draw. 10 BOOGIEFIED won really well last time, he was given four points for that victory, he absolutely loves this distance of 1400m, he should run a huge race again, include him into all bets. 5 PILOT FLAME moved up like a winner in her last start on the 21st of May, she ran fourth behind Champagne Kisses, the step up in trip to 1400m on Tuesday will definitely help her chances. 8 DEVIL A SAINT never really runs a bad race, if he can get some luck in running from a tricky draw, he could sneak into the places. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 10 – 5 – 8)

RACE 5

3 MIDWAY ran a great race last time behind English Mistress, his last three runs have been very good, he should get the run of the race from a good draw on Tuesday, there is no doubt he will go very close to winning. 8 MELA STRENGTH ran a terrific race from a wide draw on the 25th of May, he was switched off early, and then flew home to run third behind Happy Verse, the blinkers stay on, and he steps up in trip to 1600m, he should go close. 12 COSMIC RHYTHM made up solid ground late behind English Mistress on the 25th of May, he can be a tricky ride, if the race works out for him, he will be flying at them late, watch him closely. 5 ISCHYRO finally gets a decent draw, he should be just off the speed early, and he will be doing some good work late, he must have a good place chance in this field. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 8 – 12 – 5)

RACE 6

5 KATSU has been rested for 62 days, he ran an absolute cracker behind Song To The Moon on the 16th of April, that was his first run back after a long break, his form is very good, if he doesn’t need the run badly on Tuesday, he will be hard to beat. 1 BEL CANTO DREAM ran well behind Pinot Grigio on the 6th of May, the blinkers stay on, the apprentice takes off 2.5kgs, and he gets a perfect draw, everything points to him running a huge race. 7 TENPENNY ran a much better race last time, he ran third, if he can build on that performance, he could certainly trouble them all in the finish. 6 CAPTAIN WEST is packed with tons of ability, he ran a decent race over 1400m last time behind Air Raid, if he stays the 1600m trip on Tuesday, he will have an obvious winning chance. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 1 – 7 – 6)

RACE 7

5 SANSA STARK quickened up in devastating fashion to win a great race on the 13th of May, she was only given two points for that impressive victory, if she can repeat that performance again on Tuesday, she will be very hard to beat. 1 BATON ROUGE has run two good races in succession, he stays well, jockey Richard Fourie sticks with him, and he gets the perfect draw, he should run a massive race. 6 TWICE THE MASTER is difficult to win with, but he tries hard, and he stays well, on his best form, he will be amongst the places. 3 BEER WITH THE BOYS has been really consistent through his career, he steps up in trip now to 2200m, if he stays, he could sneak into the places. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 1 – 6 – 3)

RACE 8

2 COUNTRY TIME must have a good each way chance in this race, she is racing off a dangerous rating of 53, she likes to be held up early, and then comes with a strong finish very late, if the race works out for her, she will go close to winning. 3 WINTERONTHEGREEN has been rested for 62 days, she ran a great race on the 16th of April behind Golden Ideal, she was slow out the gates, and then finished strongly for second, if she doesn’t need the run on Tuesday, she will have an obvious winning chance. 4 CHAMPAGNE MAC never runs a bad race, he is very consistent at this level, and the apprentice takes off 2.5kgs, he must be included into all bets. 6 ROSA OSIRIA will need to improve quite a bit to win, jockey Gavin Lerena has been booked to ride, she might be able to sneak into the Quartet at best. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 3 – 4 – 6)

RACE 9

10 THE US OF A was very disappointing last time, even though he ran fourth, and he was only beaten just under two lengths by the winner, he is much better than that performance, jockey Richard Fourie knows this gelding well, if he can bounce back to his best form, he will be hard to beat in the lucky last. 1 FLYING FINLEY led them from start to finish to win a super race on the 25th of May, he was given four points for that victory, with a similar performance again, he could be hard to fetch, include him into all bets. 4 BLUFF ON BLUFF is as honest as they come, he ran a cracker last time behind Flying Finley, he was just off the speed early, and then powered home to run second, he tries really hard, he will be right there in the finish again. 9 COUNTER ATTACK might be able to sneak into the places on his best form. (Brandon Bailey: 10 – 1 – 4 – 9)

Please be advised that the Royal Ascot (UK) festival next week will be a World Pool event.

World Pools will be offered on all races from Tuesday 17^th June to Saturday 21^st June.

World Pools will be on the Win, Place, Swinger, Quinella, Exacta and Trifecta.

Andrew Harrison

King Pelles flew the flag for Gareth van Zyl during his stint in the Western Cape winning three races including the Gr3 Chairmans Cup over 2500m. On Saturday at Hollywoodbets Scottsville he came in for a ton of market support in the Gr3 Tote Derby and landed the gamble in some style, beating home Holding Thumbs and Field Marshal with the odds-on favourite Future Swing ‘blowing up’ in the home straight.

King Pelles, a son of Duke Of Marmalade and a half-brother to the smart Legend Of Arthur, obviously stays well and Van Zyl intimated post-race that the gelding is being aimed at the Gr3 Gold Cup come the end of the season.

Future Swing was always at the top of the boards and a short-priced favourite but there were early warning signs as he carted Richard Fourie to the gate. Soon after the start he was out making the pace before folding tamely when challenged.

He is currently squeaking in at 18 on the latest Hollywoodbets July log but Saturday’s performance could see him watching the race from his stable.

King Pelles is not a July entry but Holding Thumbs is and his chances of making the gate for the big race must also be in the balance as he was receiving 1kg from King Pelles and was out-run inside the last furlong.

In contrast to last season where he hardly went a single meeting without a winner, Fourie was winless in three straight meetings until yesterday’s Turffontein meeting where he broke the ‘drought’ on Sean Tarry’s colt Shadowfax . 

However, Future Swing was a let-down and the closest he got to a winner on Saturday aboard Knockout in the Gr2 Tote Oaks. Indian Ocean, sporting first time blinkers, ran out of puff a long way out as Knockout, favourite My Should Mate and She’s A Bomber shook off the pack in a three-way battle for honours. Knockout was first to weaken, as She’s A Bomber refused to go away under Athandiwe Mgudlwa and eventually held off My Soul Mate to win by a neck with Knockout still in close attendance in third.

It was a timely win for Alyson Wright as she chases the KZN Champion Trainer title, still three wins adrift of Gareth van Zyl who currently leads on 39.