Andrew Harrison

Cymric was one of the better juveniles of his year and although only a three-time winner from 15 starts he has been something of an under achiever.

That said, he has his third outing for Mike and Mathew de Kock when he lines up in a Conditions Plate on the turf at Hollywoodbets Greyville today.

This will be his third run after a break for his new yard and is well weighted. If anywhere near his best he will be hard to beat. Stable companion Icy Blast was not far back over course and distance last time out and meets Golden Rule on 1.5kg better terms. Peter Muscutt’s runner is banking on a winning hattrick, the last over course and distance beating Icy Blast by nearly two lengths. Wild At War was touched off on the poly last run and has come down in the ratings. He can prove dangerous.

In the first, Hammerhead has improved with each outing and the step up to a trip that will suit but he will face stiff opposition from the likes of Bourbon’s Beast who has been making steady improvement and ran a cracker over course and distance last time out in soft ground. He has the best of the draw and has plenty in his favour. Flag Champ has run two smart races over the distance but was beaten just over a length by Bourbon’s Beast when last they met. Flag Champ has a better draw this time around. Red Cardinal was a close-up second on the poly last run and can feature while the filly Harpa been close-up at recent outings but a wide draw against males is against her.

The first leg of the Pick 6 is a tricky maiden but Psyche was well supported on debut over course and distance and finished a close-up third. She should have come on from the experience. Siyabambelela was friendless in the market on debut but was beaten just over a length in an Open Maiden. That run should have brought her on. Thought Control has finished runner-up in both starts but well beaten. She should however, feature prominently while Spirit Of Shimla tried a mile last time out after two good efforts on the poly. The drop back in trip could suit and she cannot be written off lightly.

It doesn’t get any easier from here on. Arverni Princess has won three of her last four over the trip and is in good form. She is up in class but only has 49.5kg to shoulder which should make her a big runner. Queen Braganza disappointed when favourite after winning her first two. Back on turf over a shorter trip she can make amends. Duncan Howells has two runners. Based on jockey bookings, Celestial Diamond would be the preferred choice but she has been rested and her last run was over a mile. Stable companion Perfume Power ran a smart race first time out of the maidens. She goes well this trip and the betting could tell a story.

The fifth is a competitive handicap but veteran Fate Of Fortune has been in cracking form over course and distance and did not get a penalty for his runner-up berth when favourite last time out. Given his good form he can go in again. Tam’s Delight is lightly raced but has won both starts for Robbie Hill since arriving from the Cape. However, he has not been out since May last year. He obviously has issues so Hill is unlikely to run the gelding if not close to peak fitness. Blazing Fury has a wide draw to contend with and looks held by stable companion Smorgasbord on their last meeting but he has only had three runs and should have scope for improvement. City Of Love was not far behind the promising Exocet last run although on the face of it his current form does not inspire any confidence. But he gets first time blinkers and from a good draw he could surprise.

Safe Travel looks to be one of the safer bets on the card. He has been close-up in two races since arriving in KZN and with the best of the draw and a 4kg claimer aboard he can give Adam Azzie his first winner since relocating from the Highveld. Danger could be Mark Dixon’s runner Jazz Festival. He is back on his favourite surface and was running on late behind Numzaan when beaten two lengths. He is now 4 kg better off and should be able to turn the tables on his front-running rival. Eric’s Legacy was not far back first up out of the maidens in soft ground. The step up in trip will suit and he shed his maiden with authority even though it was against moderate opposition.

The grey, The Ghost is well named and has come down dramatically in the ratings. Although shouldering a hefty 62kg she improved over course and distance last time out and could provide some value for punters in the seventh. Fate Decreed has come on nicely in her last two and looks primed for this race while Lilac In Winter shed her maiden first up on this course. She has improved in blinkers and the step up in trip could see her go in again. Mountainsofthemoon is never far back. She has also dropped in the handicap and could now be off a more competitive mark.

The last is another tricky handicap. Happy Fortune has been holding form well and meets Prom Queen at the same weights. However, the drop in trip could see the tables turned. Prom Queen’s win was not out of turn and there should not be much between the pair. Blue Poppy has the widest draw but has made steady improvement leading to her maiden win. She does appear to have some scope and has a chance again in this line-up. Sneeuwitjie has caused major boil-overs in both of her wins but she did appear to get on well with visiting French rider Mickaelle Michel and can feature again with a light weight.

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Lingfield and Southwell (UK) – 17 January 2026

David Thiselton

The Listed Swallow Stakes over 1200m is the main race at the Vaal straight course meeting today.

One Fine Winter has class and speed and is a reliable sort. In her last five races she has only been beaten in respective Gr 1s over 1200m  and 1600m and by the Equus Champion filly Golden Palm in the Gr 2 SA Fillies Nursery. In her last start, she beat the boys in a Graduation Plate, despite returning from a layoff of over four months. She does have to carry a 2kg penalty in the Betway Swallow Stakes, but she should be up to it. The chief danger could be Anchorage who is quick and has class. She would certainly have finished better than third last time had she not attempted to savage the winner close to home. Hopefully her quirks will not hamper her run this time. The unbeaten Rifle Queen has impressed in both starts and returns from a five month layoff. It would be no surprise if she won the race as the Peter yard have them fit coming back from layoffs. Elegantrix has been disappointing considered that at one stage she looked to have a lot of class. She will have to bounce back if she is to win this race. Calantha beat Elegantrix by half-a-length last time but is now 2kg worse off.  Malibu has talent but was well beaten by Calantha the last time they met.

The second is an intriguing Graduation Plate over 1200m. Umzingeli Wenyathi won on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly on Wednesday having shown decent form in Cape Town, so can be a contender if lining up here as he looks capable of riding above his merit rating. The Last Duke is also a three-year-old who looks to have the ability to rise higher in the merit ratings. Chapbook is 1,5kg under sufferance with the two best weighted horses and made a good Highveld debut. Zalatoris is the joint best weighted but has been a touch disappointing. Kaalvoet is the other best weighted but is held by Chapbook on their last meeting.

In the first leg of the P6 over 1700m Buddy Boy improved last time and went close and with a repeat he is the one to beat. Zip Code finished strongly over 1475 meters in his penultimate start to make the frame but he is none too reliable and this longer trip is not certain to suit. Guerrilla Warfare has run two fine races in his last two starts, but those were both from good draws and he now has a wide draw. Force Publique gave the impression he would see out this trip in his last start over 1500m and if he does do so he should be in the shake up. Robert Browning can never be ignored, especially if he is able to get to the front and dictate.

In the fifth race over 2000m Crepuscolo ran a fine race last time to win and can handle a four point increase considering he sneaks into the handicap here with the minimum weight. Bellerophon has come down in the merit ratings slightly and has a 1,5kg claimer up, so can be competitive. Repetition went close over this trip last time, but does have a three point raise to contend with. Real Stunner s 1,5kg better off with Repetition for a 1,30 length beating. Gavin Lerena rides Romeo’s Magic and has a chance from a good draw on his home course.

The sixth over 1400m is a tricky race, but Commander Of All could be the one to side with over a step down in trip, because if bouncing back he has the ability to go close and this is his home course. Bloomington also has enough ability to be a threat and has the advantage of in-form Rachel Venniker’s 1,5kg gender claim. Carnelo is distance suited and can be in the shake up if repeating either of his last two starts. Golden Aspen has been enjoying running off his current merit rating and can be right there again. Northern Kitten can be in the shake up if repeating his last start.

In the eighth over 1000m Xenophon and Vanakkam will both enjoy the trip and both look to have plenty of upside. Plus Four won well when stepped down to this trip last time and Rafa Bay is 1kg better off with Plus Four for a 0,25kg beating if claims are ignored, so should be right there too. Kia Kaha is capable of being in the shake up if reproducing her best.

In the ninth over 1200m Play With The Eind looks to have plenty of ability and scope for improvement and can beat Captain Selvie and  Maverick Queen both of whom look to be capable of rising to higher merit ratings.

In the third race over 1700m Taegan’s Champ should take care of this field if producing his best. Hotarubi is the best weighted but is quirky and unreliable.

In the first over 1000m Catfish can come on from his decent debut and can confirm the form with Buffalo King Cody.

In the tenth race over 1200m Tiger Storm can beat Hathighwaytothesky.

RACE 1

2 CATFISH 1 BUFFALO KING CODY 6 FLOWER ISLAND 5 SHERLOCK HOLMES

Preview: 2 CATFISH made a good debut behind a top class prospect and should improve. 1 BUFFALO KING CODY was narrowly beaten by Catfish but that was his second run. 6 FLOWER ISLAND is by Rafeef out of Gr 1 SA Fillies Classic winner Orchid Island (Silvano). 5 SHERLOCK HOLMES is by What A Winter out of a twice-winning Black Minnaloushe mare. (David Thiselton 2-1-6-5)

RACE 2

6 UMZINGELI WENYATHI 3 THE LAST DUKE 2 CHAPBOOK 1 ZALATORIS

Preview: 6 UMZINGELI WENYATHI has good Cape Town form and looks the one to beat. 3 THE LAST DUKE is in fine form and should go close. 2 CHAPBOOK has a good win first time out on the Highveld and should be right there. 1 ZALATORIS won a Gr 2 over 1200m as a juvenile but has been a touch disappointing this season although the step back in trip should help. (David Thiselton 6-3-2-1)

RACE 3

1 TAEGAN’S CHAMP 2 HOTARUBI 3 BRISTOL HERCULES 6 MY LUCKY CHARM

Preview: 1 TAEGAN’S CHAMP disappointed last time but his previous two races suggest he has a fine chance here. 2 HOTARUBI has some class and is best in at the weights but is enigmatic and continually disappoints. 3 BRISTOL HERCULES has talent and could be in the shake up in this lne up. 6 MY LUCKY CHARM has some ability and still has scope for improvement (David Thiselton 1-2-3-6)

RACE 4

7 BUDDY BOY 6 ZIP CODE 8 GUERILLA WARFARE 9 FORCE PUBLIQUE

Preview: 7 BUDDY BOY went close last time and is the one to beat with a repeat. 6 ZIP CODE finished strongly for a place last time over shorter but should stay this trip from a good draw. 8 GUERILLA WARFARE has run two fine races in last two from good draws and now has a wide draw. 9 FORCE PUBLIQUE should be in the shake up if reproducing his last run over 1500m where he gave the impression he would see this out. (David Thiselton 7-6-8-9)

RACE 5

10 CREPUSCOLO 4 BELLEROPHON 3 REPETITION 2 REAL STUNNER

Preview: 10 CREPUSCOLO ran a fine race last time to win and can handle a four point increase considering he sneaks into the handicap here with the minimum weight. 4 BELLEROPHON has come down in the merit ratings slightly and has a 1,5kg claimer up, so can be competitive here. 3 REPETITION went close over this trip last time but does have a three point raise to contend with. 2 REAL STUNNER is 1,5kg better off with Repetition for a 1,30 length beating. (David Thiselton 10-4-3-2)

RACE 6

8 COMMANDER OF ALL 1 BLOOMINGTON 5 CARNELO 6 GOLDEN ASPEN

Preview: 8 COMMANDER OF ALL is capable of better than recent and doesn’t face an inspiring bunch over a step down in trip which should suit. 1 BLOOMINGTON can never be discounted in this sort of field especially with in form Venniker on who has the advantage of a 1,5kg claim. 5 CARNELO is distance suited and can be in the shake up if repeating either of his last two starts. 6 GOLDEN ASPEN has been thereabouts off her current mark and can be again. (David Thiselton 8-1-5-6)

RACE 7

1 ONE FINE WINTER 3 ANCHORAGE 4 RIFLE QUEEN 2 ELEGANTRIX

Preview: 1 ONE FINE WINTER won in fine style last time and is a reliable sort. 3 ANCHORAGE would have got closer last time if she had not tried to bite the winner so is a contender if behaving. 4 RIFLE QUEEN has impressed in both starts and this unbeaten filly returns from a five month layoff. 2 ELEGANTRIX has class and this might well be her best trip. (David Thiselton1-3-4-2)

RACE 8

4 XENOPHON 5 VANAKKAM 3 PLUS FOUR 2 RAFA BAY

Preview: 4 XENOPHON is talented and could get it right here. 5 VANAKKAM is on the up and should go close. 3 PLUS FOUR won well last time and has a chance with a repeat. 2 RAFA BAY is in good form and has a chance. (David Thiselton 4-5-3-2)

RACE 9

10 PLAY WITH THE WIND 7 CAPTAIN SELVIE 4 MAVERICK QUEEN 8 QUIET WINTER

Preview: 10 PLAY WITH THE WIND looks to have plenty of ability and now has Lerena up so should go close. 7 CAPTAIN SELVIE has been reliable to date and can still improve. 4 MAVERICK QUEEN ran cracker last time over course and distance, beating Play With The Wind, and should be in the shake up. 8 QUIET WINTER has the form to earn here. (David Thiselton 10-7-4-8)

RACE 10

5 TIGER STORM 1 HATHIGHWAYTOTHESKY 8 UNIVERSAL GIRL 9 TIME FOR CHARITY

Preview: 5 TIGER STORM has a form chance for an in form yard. 1 HATHIGHWAYTOTHESKY comes form some decent formlines and has a chance. 8 UNIVERSAL GIRL returns to the trip of her maiden win and can earn. 9 TIME FOR CHARITY can earn in this line up if reproducing best. (5-1-8-9)

Alistair Cohen

A rare twilight meeting will be held in Cape Town today at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. The late-afternoon vibe should allow for some excitement amongst racegoers just a week after the cream of the crop went around on L’Ormarins Kings Plate Day.

My Only Weakness is regally-bred. She is a half-sister to Grade 1 winning or placed fillies. Bless My Stars and Let’s Go Now are her siblings. She has showed signs of a return to form for a while before taking a backwards step. She comes from perhaps the most in-form yard in Cape Town, Adam Marcus. If she decides to bring her best, she could make this opposition look ordinary but it has been a while since she has been reliable and strung together some consistent performances. Keep an eye on her. She can threaten Carriacou.

In A Timely Manner and Primal Instinct have promised a lot but delivered little. They both have awkward draws to overcome but they could be dangerous and they are both horses to keep in mind. With luck in running, they could get into the action. Both are trained by Justin Snaith and both could use the confidence boost of a smart run.

Cardinal Point caught the eye on debut when doing best work late to finish 1,6 lengths behind Rockanrollin over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. There is any amount of progress to come and from a kind draw of No 4, he has every chance to exit the maidens in race 1 over 1250m.

Meet The King has had his fair share of chances and he has flattered to deceive. He might have found his best opportunity in race 2 over 1400m. His last run might look like his worst when he finished ninth, nearly five lengths behind Foudre. The form has produced a few winners with Give It Laldy, Gale Warning and Foudre himself becoming subsequent winners. There are also a few in and around the places from that run. Andrew Fortune is aboard for Justin Snaith.

Gqeberha ran a pleasing debut on Christmas Eve when finishing second behind Malibu Blitz. Friendless in the market, she drifted from 33/10 to 25/1 but she acquitted herself nicely to finish 1,75 lengths behind over 1200m. She tries an extra 200m which she is bred for being by Twice Over and she does not face the strongest field. She should take all the beating in race 3. Iona Castle is taken seriously for her consistency but she is an exposed maiden with a rough draw to overcome. If Gqeberha ran a fluke race on debut, Iona Castle could get it right.

The last progeny of the great Captain Al in circulation, All About Al could get it right in race 4 over 1000m. He loves it around Hollywoodbets Durbanville with a string of places. Craig Zackey takes the ride for Adam Marcus and both are in terrific form. Recent near misses to Demanding Dave, The Us Of A, Gold Giboski, Sardinia Bay and Palace Gift. He should get a due reward for consistency.

Hunga Tonga has reasonable form and she must be included in race 5 over 1600m. The imposing Ricky Maingard-filly was off colour in her last run when she failed to fire up behind the progressive Girl Magic but her penultimate run makes a ton of appeal. She finished second, 2,25 lengths behind subsequent two-time Grade 1 placegetter Reet Petite. That run came over this trip at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. Andrew Fortune believes this girl has more to come so she could scoop her third career victory.

Money Extractor ran a close-up second in her last run behind Astronomical Boy a month ago over 1400m. She has been on an upward trajectory in this lowly level of competition and she seems like a win is just around the corner. She was a short head away last time. She has every chance of going a place better when she runs in race 6 over 1600m under Grant van Niekerk.