RACE 1

A very open first race. Hopefully we are back on the turf again. TURBULENT has been consistent of late and should like it back on the grass. ALESIAN BEAU is clearly better than a moderate last performance. STORM BURST, DOUBLE DISTILLED and MRS SHACKLETON all make their local debuts and could be threats. LOVELY DANCER and JORDI have also done enough of late to suggest they can make the frame.

RACE 2

It is good to see the Western Cape trainers at this meeting and they could strike with NOBODY’S PERFECT. She was slowly away on local debut and should like it back on the grass. REMIND ME OF YOU proved in need of her Polytrack debut and should improve and contest the finish. DANCING AMBER was not disgraced in both her starts and is a threat. BLAZING FLAME showed improvement last time out and could have more to offer. HOWZIT BEAUT and SILVER ARROW make their debuts and could be ready to strike.

RACE 3

GIMMETHATWORLDCUP was not disgraced on Polytrack debut and is likely to improve. MAESTRO AZUL is probably looking for a lot further but might play a minor role. SILVA STREAKER was well beaten on debut when on the grass but has made significant improvement on the Polytrack since then and must be respected. QUEEN’S AWAY is improving and might earn some more money.

RACE 4

Trainer Alan Greeff must be well pleased with what KLEINZEE has done for him since joining his yard. The filly is unbeaten in three starts on the Polytrack for him. She would not be a surprise winner. TENJIKU makes a local debut and could improve. PORFIRIO is unreliable but quite capable of scoring. LAGUNA VERDE, ABOVE THE HORIZON and GLOBAL STATE are all in good form and can earn some more money.

RACE 5

PERFECT IMPACT is unbeaten in two starts for trainer Dean Smith. They were impressive victories but were on the Polytrack and he will need to show he is as good on turf. WORLD CHOICE is in good form but does have a tricky draw. DYNALLEY and ACTION AMERICA both arrive for this after good wins and may have more to offer. TRAIL RUNNER makes his local debut and has won a couple of times this season so must be respected for that. CORAL CREEK is better on the grass so the last run is safely ignored. RIP WHEELER won nicely last time out on the Polytrack and could be better than rated.

RACE 6

A good race with some in form runners. GENTLEMAN JOE steps up in distance but has consistent Western Cape form and his trainer has a good record when raiding the Eastern Cape. BOURNEMOUTH does well for jockey Richard Fourie and has no problems with this course and distance so will be a threat. BAD MEDICINE has won all five of his starts for trainer Kelly Mitchley and has every chance of scoring again. HOME REEF won this race last year and was not beaten far by BAD MEDICINE over 2800m not so long ago so can contest the finish. ANATOLIAN SILVER is consistent and can earn some more money.

RACE 7

A very good edition of the East Cape Paddock Stakes (Listed). Local star ANOTHERDANCEFORME has won 9 of her 10 starts, with two of those wins coming over this course and distance. She is not well drawn and has to give weight to all her rivals but may well win again. The Western Cape trainers are here to take her on and all of ROCCAPINA and ICY RAIN are capable of contesting the finish. SPLITTHEMAINBRACE, ENCHANTING CHOICE, FAMILY POWER and SILVA CITY are all in good form and will be hoping to earn some money.

RACE 8

A competitive end to what looks a decent card. SLASH ‘N BURN has run well in both local starts and with stable jockey Richard Fourie aboard could be the right one for this. Stable companion COASTAL PATH is consistent over this course and distance and is not out of it. CIAN THE CONQUEROR got close to scoring when last seen on the grass at this track and deserves respect for that. RHYTHM is consistent and has a chance. ALWAYS SHINING and DIABLO both seem better than their last runs and could play minor roles. EUGENIUS could be the surprise package of the race.

Fairview change of surface from the Turf to Poly track – 10 July 2026

Please note: Fairview’s Turf meeting on Friday, 10 July 2026 has been moved to the Poly.
Pen readings are still high, now ranging between 40 and 45.
Fairview had a further 7ml of rain overnight and more predicted for tomorrow.
Distance changes : Race 6 will jump at the 1400. Distance will then become 3150 for the Gold Cup. All other races remain as is.

Pleas note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Newbury and Newmarket(UK) – 9 July 2026.

David Thiselton

 

The Dean Kannemeyer-trained Vercingetorix filly Palace Of Arvernia produced a fine performance on Hollywoodbets Durban July day to win the Gr 2 Amusnet Golden Slipper over 1400m from a tough draw of 13 under Craig Zackey.

 

Kannemeyer had spoken about the toughness of the draw in the build up saying going up there is not wise because the others in front have got there for free, while dropping out left one with too much ground to make up.

 

He said the only way was to attempt to slot in and hope one got lucky, but admitted there would be no luck “nine out of ten times.”

 

However he is fortunate to have the national champion jockey elect riding for him and it was a combination of skill and luck that did the trick.

 

Palace Of Arvernia jumped well and Zackey eased her as she reached midfield and shifted inward.

 

Fortunately, Too Fast To Fiesta just ahead of her was forced to shift outward at the same time and provided Palace Of Arvernia with cover, albeit in a three wide position.

 

Zackey had her nice and relaxed in the running and switched her to the outside in the straight. She accelerated smartly, although she did shift inward slightly.

 

This might have contributed to the unlucky horse of the race, Alice B Toklas, being squeezed out as she was moving through threateningly inward of Palace Of Arvernia.

 

The stipendiary steward report on the incident said:

 

“ At the 350m TOO FAST TO FIESTA, which commenced to hang in, brushed ALICE B TOKLAS inwards, onto LADY HARLEQUIN, which had to be steadied when awkwardly placed on the heels of FERRARI FLAIR, which was directed outwards when insufficiently clear. As a consequence VIKING LASS was directed inwards away from LADY HARLEQUIN, which was thereafter not persevered with. Jockey S Moodley was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.7, in that as the rider of FERRARI FLAIR, he failed to ensure that he did not cause interference to LADY HARLEQUIN (Z Lloyd) at the 300m. Jockey S Moodley signed an Admission of Guilt and is suspended for 7 days (Dates to be advised) “

 

The stipes have a better view than the public video footage but from the angle provided with the latter it looked as if Palace Of Arvernia inward shift had caused Too Fast To Fiesta to hang inward.

 

Alice B. Toklas was completely squeezed out and had to re-gather, so did extremely well to eventually run a 1,10 length second.

 

Meanwhile, Palace Of Arvernia, who continued to shift in until Zackey changed whiphands to his right hand, had swept to the front and won comfortably.

 

The rematch between her and Alice B Toklas in the Gr 2 Thekwini Stakes will be interesting, although Palace Of Arvernia has unfortunately draw wide again at 20 out of 20, while Alice B. Toklas has drawn three.

 

Dean Kannemeyer revealed after the race he and Jehan Malherbe of Form Bloodstock had spotted this filly at the National Yearling Sale and said, “We thought she was a well balanced rangy filly and was going for the right price. Sandy Irvine was on the phone and we were very fortunate to get her at the right price … well when they win they are always the right price! We are very excited about her.”

 

The Al Adiyaat-bred filly is out of the Gr 3 Pretty Polly Stakes winner (1100m) Palace Of Dreams and is from the family of the like of champion filly Kiss Of Peace (Fordham) and the Gr 1 Cape Guineas winner Kilindini (Silvano).

 

She was bought for R575,000 and has earned R415,625 for owners Sandy Irvine and Peter Moor courtesy of two wins and a fourth place finish in the Gr 2 Allan Robertson Championship over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.

Andrew Harrison

SA Derby runner-up Salani Kahle drifted alarmingly in the betting for the Tote For The Win B Stakes that headed the card at Hollywoodbets Scottsville yesterday and the drift proved prophetic as he battled into fourth behind market rival Master Du Rouvray.

Mark Dixon’s gelding was looking for a third win on the bounce but as Dixon alluded to post race, Master de Rouvray was up ten pounds in the handicap and taking on stronger opposition so he could not be over confident of his horses chances.

Former champion jockey Keagan de Melo is in fourth place on the National log in spite of giving his rivals four months start and if things continue in this vein he will no doubt be contesting for another championship next season.

Sean Veale had no hesitation in taking Salani Kahle to the front and the son of Master Of My Fate simply floated along in the lead with a huge stride but De Melo keeping a close eye in second.

In the run for home, the 14-week break from the Derby caught up with Salani Kahle and although he stayed on, Master Du Rouvray always had his measure and going on to win comfortably. Uzwano came with a telling late run for second with Serpentine Fire edging Salani Kahle for the shallow end of the purse.

This was De Melo’s fourth win aboard the gelding who has come into his own as a late four-year-old.

Former head boy of the South African Jockey Academy, you will not meet a more polite person than Siphesihle Hlengwa. Garth Puller has taken him under his wing since coming out of his time and he will not get a better mentor. Known by most at Summerveld as ‘Spare’, he gave Anatoly the perfect ride in the first but it was not all easy going as the colt was always looking to hang in but Spare still managed to hold him off Trip To Venus and eventually win rather comfortably with favourite Putthelightsout having every chance in third.

There was plenty of opposition in the market for Glen Kotzen’s filly Christmas Rose in the second with both Soho Celebrity and Blenheim Palace attracting support, but come the race it was no race as Chad Little had the run of the race. Christmas Rose quickened up smartly to hold off both market rivals comfortably.

The first leg of the PA always looked to be a match race between Tiger Cody and Lenoxx as indicated by the betting and so it proved. Kom Naidoo made no secret that he was chasing the R100k Bloodstock South Africa bonus and Keagan de Melo delivered, bouncing Tiger Cody out of the gate with Lenoxx slightly slow tucking in behind. The pair pulled clear of the field but Lenoxx was not able to get onto terms with Tiger Cody and was a half-length behind at the line with stable companions Arkadin and African Ruby some way back in the minor money.

Paddy Kruyer, longtime assistant to the legendary Terrance Millard, arrived in KZN with high hopes for Ten Penny who has unfortunately injured a tendon. However, travelling companion Charlie Bucket paid some consolation with a smart win in the first leg of the Pick 6. The gelding is obviously something of a handful and raced in earmuffs and a compression mask to keep a lid on him, but all the planning looked to have gone pear-shaped as he was tardy out of the gate. Rachel Venniker was forced to look for the rails at the tail end of the field as Hadrian’s Wall set a searching gallop which was possibly in Charlie Bucket’s favour. Last in the straight and some way back, Charlie Bucket picked up his gallop as the pace took its toll on the opposition and he swept past to win comfortably.

Next up Venniker rode a similar race aboard Doug Campbell’s charge Peeping Tom to record a quick double. She was content to sit well off the pace along with Fire Force as two-year-old Action Thriller set a reasonably gallop. Taking the shortest way home up the inside of the field, Peeping Tom quickly reeled in the opposition to win comfortably ahead of a fast-finishing Fire Force and Mickaelle Michel, the girls finishing one-two.

Ricky Maingard is having a terrific run with the handful of horses that he brought up from the Cape for the winter season but favourite Tunguska came up just short as High Queue got the better of him in a tight finish to the seventh. Wengesai Masawi has been turning out the winners from his Ashburton base and Gavin Lerena provided the expertise from the saddle as he got High Queue to respond to his urgings and get up on the line.

The finish of the eighth was the proverbial cavalry charge with the big field spread across the track over the final furlong with the win up for grabs. The two Glen Kotzen runners Cassandra and Let It Roll were leading contenders inside the last 50 m before apprentice Damyan Pillay ran them all out of it as he slipped Gareth van Zyl’s runner Vencedor up of their inside to snatch victory with Red Coral arriving late for fourth.

Once a trainer gets a reputation for fixing up the lame, lazy and not so fast, it can count against you. The late Anne Upton lamented that her reputation of sorting out difficult horses saw her yard often filled with hospital cases. Gary Rich has done wonders with average horses and the gelding Yannakis, who had plenty of problems early in his career and was once on the list for PE has come good. Yannakis has teamed up with apprentice Divesh Ramkhalawon for the combinations third win on the bounce and the gelding showed pace throughout to close off the meeting in style.