Andrew Harrison

Nathan Kotzen and apprentice Dezahn Louw pulled off a memorable double at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday. Twocantango was followed up a half-hour later by Rollo The Viking in the Middle Stakes that headed the card, both winners owned by prolific owner Sid Moodley.

Race caller Sheldon Peters had his work cut out sorting out the host of Hollywood Racing’s colours with five runners in the race including race favourite The Shepherd.

However, The Shepherd was the least of his worries as he surrendered tamely in the run for the line as Rollo The Viking quickened out of the pack chased hard on the outside by the smart filly Mocha Blend who had come from the tail of the field to make her challenge.

Rollo The Viking held on gamely with Mocha Blend hard on his heels and the Hollywood horse fighting for minor money.

It was an excellent seasonal debut by Mocha Blend who will enjoy a furlong or so further and the Highveld Spring Season beckons as Frank Robinson is never afraid to raid.

There are no certainties in racing and that point was clearly illustrated in the card opener as odds-on favourite Bombardier Boy got rolled in the Open Maiden as the two fillies, Capricious Miss and Austrian Beauty, fought out the finish with Bombardier  Boy caught late by Kingsboy to finish in the shallow end of the purse.

Capricious Miss is a big girl, 560kg according to Alyson Wright, and she made light of her 53.5kg as Athandiwe Mgudlwa sent her up the inside rail to join company with pacemaker Austrian Beauty who was giving her 4kg. Callan Murray tried for a closing gap between the two but was not going anywhere and was eventually forced to ease and switch, losing momentum and forfeiting third place.

In the following post-race interview after Ovation Star put her field to bed in no uncertain manner, Mike de Kock explained that at the weights (WFA) with the two fillies, Bombardier Boy had it all to do given that it was an Open Maiden. “We’ll do our homework better next time,” he quipped.

Ovation Star made short work of her option in the second, cruising home unchallenged in what was modest maiden company but none the less an impressive performance.

If one had paused the video of the third race at the 200m marker and posed the question; who was the winner? Ten out of ten would have said Xiphos who had pulled clear of the pack and looked home in spite of showing signs that he was running on empty.

At this stage Nathan Kotzen’s runner Twocantango was still weaving his way through traffic and an unlikely winner. However, he was closing fast under a confident hands ride from apprentice Dezahn Louw and he swallowed up Xiphos in a matter of strides over the final 50m to win going away.

Travelling around the country is not a cheap exercise which was probably the ‘office’ for punters with Philasande Mxoli making the trip from the Highveld for Rejuvenate, his only ride on the day. The daughter of Potala Palace had tried the poly once before when run out of it late by Ziyan’s Pride. There were no mistakes this time around as Mxoli made an early move at the top of the straight. Fine Wine came out of the pack to challenge and looked dangerous for a few strides but eventually had to hoist the white flag as Rejuvenate kept rolling.

Nicolette Roscoe has been in the game all of her life. She was Alistair Gordon’s right hand before he retired and she moved on to Dean Kannemeyer on Gordon’s recommendation with Barbra Kennedy first joining her brother before moving to New Zealand with husband Warren.

Roscoe holds the fort for Kannemeyer in Summerveld while he prepares for the Cape summer and she turned out Princess Goldie in fine fettle to win the sixth. Calvin Habib had no hesitation taking Mrsglittersparkles to make the pace and she held on gamely in the straight before Marco van Rensburg produced Princess Goldie with a telling late run to collar the pacemaker and win going away.

Wengesai Masawihas the sole use of the outstanding facilities at the old Ashburton Training Centre, now under the Hollywood banner, and is making good use. He saddled Qhawekazi to a fine victory in the seventh. The addition of blinkers has helped her cause as she went back-to-back as Callan Murray slipped the mare through on the inside rail to hold off Purple Flower and Are You sure.

Sent up from the Cape by Vaughan Marshall to Darryl Moore to take advantage of the poly track has proved to be a smart mover as United Nation went back-to-back on the synthetic surface. Given a confident ride by Athandiwe Mgudlwa, recording his second win on the day, he took the one World gelding to the front and was not for the catching.

RACE 1

11 PRINCE OF EGYPT ran a great race behind Typically French on the 9th of September at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, he ran third and was beaten just over half a length at the line, unfortunately the wide draw in this race will make it tough for him, but he is improving with every start, if he gets some luck in running, he will be competitive. 13 JOUEUR DE FLUTE is as honest as they come, he is so consistent, he ran a cracker last time behind Gallic Forge in a driving finish on the 9th of September, if he can beat the wide draw here, he will be right there in the finish. 7 MARCUS AURELIUS has been rested for 90 days, he was terribly disappointing in heavy conditions on the 10th of July, he is much better than that performance, if he doesn’t need the run badly on Wednesday, he should be amongst the places, include him into all bets. 10 GALLIC KING is well bred, watch this individual closely. (Brandon Bailey: 11 – 13 – 7 – 10)

RACE 2

3 VIXENINTHEVINEYARD ran a much better race on the 9th of September at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, she jumped out the gates well, and she stayed on nicely for third, if she can bring that performance to the track on Wednesday, with no weight on her back, she will go close to winning. 13 VIXENS WAR ran a lovely race behind Reet Petite on the 9th of September, she finished third and was only beaten just over one length at the line, it will be tough for her from a wide draw in this race, but she is clearly improving, with some luck in running, she will go close. 1 NANNIE GOLD has run two fair races in succession, she was doing some good work late behind Cape Captain on the 9th of September, from a neat draw, she must have a good each way chance in this field. 9 WHATASTAR had no luck in running on the 3rd of September, she was drawn badly and raced wide throughout, she still managed to finish just over five lengths behind the winner, even though she has a tricky draw again on Wednesday, she can definitely finish in the places with some luck in running. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 13 – 1 – 9)

RACE 3

8 ALL THE RAGE has been rested for 71 days, he won a super race last time, he sat just off the speed early, and then quickened away from the field in terrific fashion, he is very smart, even though he has a tricky draw to beat here, he will go close to winning. 5 GOOD FOR YOU has been rested for 130 days, he won the Grade 1 Gold Medallion very well at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on the 31st of May, there is no doubt that he is packed with ability, if he doesn’t need the run badly on Wednesday, he will make All The Rage work hard for victory. 1 MISS WORLD may find it difficult to win this race, but she is drawn well, and she has no weight on her back, she might be able to get into the places at a decent price. 4 POWERANDTHEGLORY has been rested for 200 days, he is a lovely looking gelding, this trip will be on the short side for him, but he will be doing some good work late, watch him closely going forward from this run. (Brandon Bailey: 8 – 5 – 1 – 4)

RACE 4

12 BEWARE finished like a train on debut behind Astronomical Boy on the 13th of September at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, he was green early, and really took off late to run just over one length behind the winner, even though he is drawn badly here, he will love the step up in trip, with some luck in running, he will be hard to beat. 3 IN MOTION has run two very nice races in succession, he stayed on well for second in the same race where Beware ran fifth, he is gutsy, he has a good draw, and he should enjoy the step up in trip to 1500m, include him into all bets, he will be right there in the finish. 5 KLEIN KAROO may find it difficult to win, he ran a fair race last time behind Gallic Forge on the 9th of September, he ran fourth and was only beaten just over two lengths at the line, he can certainly run into the places on his best form. 9 WATERFRONT will love the step up in trip to 1500m, he was terribly green on debut when finishing four lengths behind the winner, he can only improve. (Brandon Bailey: 12 – 3 – 5 – 9)

RACE 5

9 REET PETITE ran on strongly to win a great race on debut, she was a long way back turning for home, and she powered past the field to win a good race, even though she is drawn wide here, she will love the step up in trip to 1500m, she looks like a smart filly in the making, and she will go very close to winning again. 8 BEACH VERSE quickened up well to win her maiden impressively on the 27th of August, she is well related, and she is still improving, watch her closely late, she will be storming home at a decent price. 3 MIGHTY MARY had to dig deep to win her maiden on the 7th of September, she is a young filly that will keep improving with every run, from a neat draw on Wednesday, her chances must be respected. 4 GOLDEN ANGEL unfortunately had a terrible fall in running last time, she has dropped significantly in the ratings, if she bounces back to her best form, she can certainly trouble them all at a big price. (Brandon Bailey: 9 – 8 – 3 – 4)

RACE 6

7 SESAME finished her race off nicely to win well on the 13th of September at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, Jockey Chad Little knows this filly well, she will be just off the speed early, and she will be running on strongly late, if she has made any further improvement back at home, she will be competitive. 6 MIDWAY is much better than his recent performance behind Black Path on the 27th of August, he got very worked up behind the gates, he jumped out the machine well, and then became one paced up the lane, if he relaxes early, and he bounces back to his best form, he can definitely win a race like this. 9 PRINCE OF TIBET must have a good each way chance, he ran a good race last time behind Worldly on the 13th of September, he ran second and was only beaten just under two lengths, he should enjoy the step up in trip to 1600m, watch him closely, top jockey Richard Fourie sticks with him. 2 MELA STRENGTH never runs a bad race, if he goes down to the start well, he could sneak into the Quartet. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 6 – 9 – 2)

RACE 7

4 VIVA’S LIBERTE found lots of betting support on debut, he quickened up beautifully to win a good race on the 27th of August, there is absolutely no doubt that he will love the step up in trip to 1400m, he looks very exciting, from a neat draw, he will have a big winning chance again. 3 BLIND DATE stayed on strongly behind IT IS MY TIME last time, he was drawn poorly, and he still managed to finish just under two lengths behind the winner on that occasion, he is improving, he gets a good draw on Wednesday, and he gets the services of jockey Richard Fourie, he will go close here. 5 CARRIACOU always has a winning chance at this level, he ran a great race behind Happy Verse on the 30th of August, he finished second and he tried so hard all the way to the line, with the right run in transit, he can certainly win a race like this. 8 YAMAZAKI won his maiden impressively on the 30th of August, he is still improving, and he has a wonderful turn of foot, include him into all bets. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 3 – 5 – 8)

RACE 8

5 ELECTROMAGNETISM has been rested for 109 days, she ran a lovely race in the Listed Irridescence Stakes on the 21st of June at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, she made up many lengths in the straight, and got beaten on the line to finish second behind Ukuduma, she is a nice filly with lots of potential, if she doesn’t need the run badly on Wednesday, she will go close to winning. 3 UKUDUMA has been rested for 109 days, she beat Electromagnetism in a driving finish last time, she is a lovely filly with lots of ability, include her into all bets, she definitely has a winning chance. 11 GIRL LIKE US unfortunately has a bad draw to deal with in this competitive race, but she ran on strongly to win well on the 30th of August, she beat a decent field, if she gets some luck in running, she could sneak into the places at a big price. 6 DECEMBER DAWN could be the value in this race, she would have needed her run back from a break last time, she ran third behind She’s My World, the form of that race has worked out well, include her into the play. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 3 – 11 – 6)

RACE 9

3 CHAPBOOK has been rested for 101 days, he won his maiden in super fashion at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on the 29th of June, he is a young horse with lots of ability, it will be his first run in the Western Cape at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, if he handles the track, from a neat draw, he can win again. 6 SHIFTING PATH had no luck in the straight last time, it got very tight for him on a few occasions up the straight where he still managed to run just under two lengths behind the winner, he has dropped even further in the ratings, with some luck on his side, he could trouble them in the finish at a decent price. 4 GALLIC FORGE won a good race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 9th of September, he now drops in trip for this Class 5 Event, if he has made further improvement, he can finish in the places. 8 COMMANDING has been in good form of late, he ran fifth behind African Prince on the 30th of August, unfortunately the tricky draw here will make it tough for him, but on his best form, he can sneak into the Quartet. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 6 – 4 – 8)

Warren Lenferna

Wednesday, October 8th, marks a mid-week race meeting at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, and the action is heating up in the Western Cape. There are several horses to watch, but a quartet of standout contenders look ready to strut their stuff this afternoon.

The first of our Awesome Foursome gets the day off in Race 1 (12:20 PM), an Open Maiden over 1250m. With thirteen runners carded to face the starter, Prince Of Egypt from the Justin Snaith stable looks exceedingly tough to beat.

While he is drawn wide in gate 11, jockey JP Van Der Merwe is more than capable of navigating the tricky starting position. The son of Vercingetorix is clearly making strides with every run. His last outing saw him finish a close third, only half a length behind Typically French, a run that is strongly franked by the second-place finisher in that race having since come out to win. The opposition will have to go some to deny this colt.

The second leg of the quad comes up in Race 3, a Progress Plate over 1250m. Unfortunately, another highly-fancied horse must contend with an awkward draw. All The Rage from the Candice Bass string will be partnered by regular rider Aldo Domeyer, who knows this quality colt in the making extremely well.

His form is impeccable: four starts for two victories and two thirds. His debut win was authoritative, putting the race to bed at the 500m mark beating Star Major. He then stepped up into feature company, finishing a length and a half third to the highly rated Dreamworld. His third start resulted in another third-place cheque after finishing strongly. However, his most scintillating performance came ten weeks ago over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, where he won like a decent sort, beating Saudi Cat by 3.25 lengths—a margin that could have easily been wider. He is a truly exciting prospect for the coming season and could end up being anything.

Race 4 sees another Snaith-trained contender, In Motion. He was beaten by just a length last time out and has been making giant strides of improvement with each run. He gets a much kinder starting position this time, having been drawn eight of ten at this venue in his last start. He is the one they all have to fear the most, and with Callan Murray in the saddle, he looks set for a big run.

The final leg of our foursome is all the way in the penultimate event, Race 8 (4:30 PM), a sprint over 1250m. Here, Ukuduma makes her return from a rest dating back to June 21st. This exquisite filly by Vercingetorix from the Vaughan Marshall stable is unbeaten, two from two, and is confidently selected to maintain her perfect record.

She showed heart on debut, getting up in the shadow of the post to win, and then backed that up by beating Electromagnetism over 1500m in a competitive Listed race. She can race fresh, and from a good draw, with Richard Fourie aboard, can show them a clean pair of heels.

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