A Wander-ful filly to take note of
PUBLISHED: August 15, 2025
Warren Lenferna There are eight races coming out of Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday which are sure to get the adrenaline flowing. The opening event is set to go off at 1:00 PM, a Maiden Plate for Fillies and Mares over 1000m. When looking at the breeding of some of the debutantes here, Xtines Princess has […]
Warren Lenferna
There are eight races coming out of Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday which are sure to get the adrenaline flowing. The opening event is set to go off at 1:00 PM, a Maiden Plate for Fillies and Mares over 1000m.
When looking at the breeding of some of the debutantes here, Xtines Princess has to catch the eye. She is by Kingman out of a Rip Van Winkle mare that could be anything. Keep an eye on the market trends as race time approaches. Pennys Choice from the Marshall yard will be the one to beat. She is making great strides of progression every time she comes to the races and is clearly paying more attention to the task at hand. Trainer Greg Ennion has his string in a good space and he has opted to take valuable weight off the back of Marketa, who is screaming for the win.
In Race 2, the Place Accumulator opener, Beach Verse looks to be a confident banker. She is out of the champ Beach Beauty and this daughter of Vercingetorix looks cherry-ripe for the victory. She has improved with each run and should relish every inch of the extra 200 metres she gets this afternoon.
The first leg of the Pick 6 is competitive, as it should be, being an A Stakes event. Sugar Mountain is on an incredible winning streak and looks set to continue, but it is nowhere near as easy as that. A case can be made for most here.
The Fourth on the program is the Winter Country Championship 2000 Final, and conditioner Piet Botha holds a strong hand with Baton Rouge and Ariovistus. Richard Fourie clearly gets a tune out of Baton Rouge and will be looking to win another with him. It must be noted that Fourie also rode stablemate Ariovistus for his last two victories but if he was given the choice, he’s elected to go with Baton Rouge.
The Fifth is the Winter Country Championship 1400 Final where Apprentice Brevan Plaatjies will be looking to go one better with Nile The Boss. The ace gate will aid his chances. KZN rider Cole Dicken makes the trip to Cape Town and partners Golden Angel, who is never far from the winners and can serve up some cheek. Interesting runners are Dive Bomber and Happy Verse. Huge efforts can be expected from this pair.
The Sixth is the 1000 Final, and October Storm could be hard to beat. He is a handsome colt that looks to have plenty more to offer. His debut win was breath-taking and his second run was attractive when he finished 5th, only 2.20 lengths behind Escarpment. He can be followed with confidence. She’s My World from the Snaith barn gets Muzi Yeni up, and this filly is ultra-consistent and can go very close. A must for all bets.
Race 7 is the penultimate race on the program and it’s the Winter Country Championship Final over 1200m. Sun Dazed went very close to recording his fifth career success last time, but was only beaten a short head into third place. It was a great run. Kelp Forest could be the lurker for the minor cash positions.
The last race is at 5:05 PM over 1200m and it is a Class 4, where the suggested best bet on the card is, Wander Dune. This regally bred daughter of Zoustar won as she like on debut over 1200m despite showing signs of weakness. She looked an absolute beast in the mounting barn on parade and took one’s breath away when going to the start like a consummate professional. Corne Orffer must have been smiling from ear to ear while sitting in behind the pace with a few hundred meters to go, and it was evident for all to see that the moment he asked her to go, she would win. She could be very well treated, having been given an official mark of 88. She appears to be a filly to follow for the future and this race will tell us a lot more. She is a confident selection to close off the meeting.
Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Saturday 16 August – Comments by Brandon Bailey
PUBLISHED: August 15, 2025
Race 1 3 MARKETA easily brings in the best form into this race, she has been very consistent, the drop in trip to 1000m will definitely help her chances, she will be very hard to beat in this race. 1 WHATASTAR ran a fair race on the 17th of June behind Between The Lines, […]
Race 1
3 MARKETA easily brings in the best form into this race, she has been very consistent, the drop in trip to 1000m will definitely help her chances, she will be very hard to beat in this race. 1 WHATASTAR ran a fair race on the 17th of June behind Between The Lines, if she can build on that performance, she will be amongst the places. 6 PENNYS CHOICE ran a cracker with the blinkers fitted last time, she is still improving with racing, on her best form, she can certainly trouble them in the finish. 2 ALESSIA ASHEVILLE needed her last run badly, she could sneak into the places at best here. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 1 – 6 – 2)
Race 2
6 BEACH VERSE has run two lovely races in succession, she will love the step up in trip to 1400m, there is no doubt that she will go very close to winning here. 3 LOVE HER MADLY really enjoyed the 1400m trip on the 21st of June, she ran a great race behind Oncidium, if she can build on that performance from a good draw on Saturday, she will be right there in the money. 1 CLOUDS CLEARING must have a good each way chance in this race from a nice draw, she is improving with every start, include her into all bets. 8 WAIT FOR ME finished really well for third behind Wander Dune on the 26th of July, jockey Richard Fourie sticks with her, if she can beat the tricky draw, she will be competitive. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 3 – 1 – 8)
Race 3
4 SUGAR MOUNTAIN is absolutely loving life at the moment, he quickened up in devastating fashion to win a terrific race on the 15th of July, even though he has gone up in the ratings, he will be very hard to beat again from a neat draw. 8 PROMETTERE finished like a train last time behind Sugar Mountain, he is very honest and he tries hard, if he gets some luck in running from a tricky draw, he will be super competitive. 9 BOUNDLESS ENERGY has been rested for 65 days, he ran a great race behind Arctic Wizard on the 12th of June up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, he should appreciate the step up in trip to 1500m on Saturday, if he doesn’t need the run badly, he could finish amongst the places. 3 ARDABIL has been rested for 99 days, he is very consistent, and he is still improving with racing, watch him closely here. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 8 – 9 – 3)
Race 4
7 ELEGANT NOBLE won really well on the 15th of July, he was given a great ride by Brevan Plaatjies, if he has made further improvement back at home, he can certainly win again. 4 BATON ROUGE won a gutsy race with a big weight on his back last time, he stays all day, jockey Richard Fourie knows him well, even though he was given five points for his last win, he should be competitive. 9 ARIOVISTUS won impressively on the 21st of June, he found plenty betting support in the market, and he quickened up nicely to beat a decent field, if he brings that performance to the track again on Saturday, he will have a good winning chance. 11 KWITE A KING never runs a bad race, unfortunately the bad draw will make life tough for him, but he will be switched off early, and he will come with a big run late, watch him closely. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 4 – 9 – 11)
Race 5
9 HAPPY VERSE looks to be a smart colt in the making, he stayed on nicely for fifth behind his stable companion in the Grade 3 Langerman on the 21st of June, he is a beautiful colt with lots of ability, if he can beat the draw here, he will be tough to beat. 2 GOLDEN ANGEL continues to slide in the ratings, she has no weight on her back, she has a good draw, and she drops in trip, there is no doubt she will be right there in the finish at a decent price. 1 NILE THE BOSS has run two great races in succession, she really enjoys this trip of 1400m, from a neat draw, she must have a good place chance again. 8 DIVE BOMBER ran a fair race in a big field on the 24th of June, the form of that race has worked out well, he could sneak into the Quartet. (Brandon Bailey: 9 – 2 – 1 – 8)
Race 6
8 SHE’S MY WORLD stayed on strongly for second behind her stable companion on the 26th of July, she is a decent filly, on her best form, she will have a good winning chance in this field. 1 OCTOBER STORM ran a decent race in a competitive field last time, he was still very green early, and he caught the eye late behind Escarpment on the 15th of July, the yard thinks highly of this colt, he is still improving, include him into all bets. 3 TRIPPI’S SILK is much better than his recent form, he can be a tricky customer and a difficult ride, he drops in trip to 1000m on Saturday, if the race works out for him, he will be storming home at a nice price. 4 ALL ABOUT AL ran a fair race behind The Us Of A on the 17th of June, he was only beaten just over five lengths by the winner, the blinkers have now been fitted, he could pop up and earn some stake money. (Brandon Bailey: 8 – 1 – 3 – 4)
Race 7
2 SUN DAZED has been rested for 65 days, he moved up like a winner in his last start behind Firingonallengines, he needs everything to go right for him on the day, he will be switched off early, and he will come with a big run late, include him into all bets. 5 KELP FOREST has dropped in the ratings, and the blinkers have been fitted, he is much better than his recent form, the drop in trip should be no problem for this individual, if he bounces back to his best form, he will be hard to beat in a race like this. 10 AZZURRI must have a good each way chance, he stayed on well for fourth last time behind What A Fortune over 1400m, he could appreciate the drop in trip to 1200m where he won a good race on the 24th of June, his form is good, he should be competitive. 9 AFRICAN PRINCE finished strongly for second in a driving finish on the 22nd of July, if the conditions turn up on the softer side for this race on Saturday, he will be a massive runner. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 5 – 10 – 9)
Race 8
3 WANDER DUNE quickened up like a very smart filly on debut, she was just off the speed early, and she finished well to win going away at the line, there is no doubt that she will continue to improve with racing, even though this race will be tougher for her, she can definitely win again and remain unbeaten. 4 WILD APPLAUSE finished like a rocket to win a great race on the 26th of July, she settled beautifully in running, and stormed home to beat her stable companion by just under two lengths, her form is rock solid, she will be a massive danger to Wander Dune. 2 MUSIC OF THE NIGHT finished third last time behind Wild Applause, she is a lovely filly, if she can build on her last performance, she will be right there in the money again. 5 OCTOBER FEST never runs a bad race, she hasn’t been beaten too far in her recent races, she could sneak into the Quartet here. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 4 – 2 – 5)
Important Notice To All Customers: Malaysia (Selangor) – Change In Minimum Increment Amounts
PUBLISHED: August 15, 2025
Please note: As of the next Malaysia (Selangor) meeting, which is scheduled for Sunday, 17th August 2025, the minimum bet increments for Trifecta will change from a R1-00 minimum to a R10-00 minimum.
Please note: As of the next Malaysia (Selangor) meeting, which is scheduled for Sunday, 17th August 2025, the minimum bet
increments for Trifecta will change from a R1-00 minimum to a R10-00 minimum.
Equus ’25 – Celebrating Our Stars
PUBLISHED: August 15, 2025
Justin Snaith was crowned SA Champion trainer for the sixth time and enjoyed the honour of celebrating his seventh SA Horse Of The Year title, courtesy of the outstanding Eight On Eighteen, as South African horseracing and breeding personalities gathered to celebrate the past season’s stars at the Equus Awards held at Hollywoodbets Greyville in […]
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Justin Snaith was crowned SA Champion trainer for the sixth time and enjoyed the honour of celebrating his seventh SA Horse Of The Year title, courtesy of the outstanding Eight On Eighteen, as South African horseracing and breeding personalities gathered to celebrate the past season’s stars at the Equus Awards held at Hollywoodbets Greyville in Durban on Thursday evening.
The sport is about horses and people and an evening of glitz and glamour in the beautifully appointed The Silver Ring formed the backdrop as opponents on the track, and in the breeding paddocks, mingled and shared the golden thread of a love and passion for the horse, while celebrating the equine stars and human champions of a glorious season.
There was no surprise as polished MC Alistair Cohen announced the Drakenstein Stud-bred Eight On Eighteen as the winner of the prestigious SA Horse Of The Year award. The treble Grade 1-winner was the standout sophomore last season, and lost no credit when going down narrowly to the year older The Real Prince in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, his final start as a 3yo.
Raced by Nick Jonsson and Johann Rupert, Eight On Eighteen was also crowned Champion 3yo Male and Middle Distance Horse, and he remains an exciting prospect with the 2026 Gr1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate and Gr1 Cape Town Met his targets, with an overseas campaign a possibility thereafter.
A special award was presented to Eight On Eighteen’s Groom Philip Sengeza, who drew rousing applause after a moving speech that demonstrated his passion and love of his champion charge.
After another outstanding season, Drakenstein Stud was named Champion Breeders for the second time, and in addition to Eight On Eighteen’s three trophies, the Rupert’s nursery of champions also drank a celebratory toast to the exported One Stripe’s Champion Miler award.
The son of One World is now based at trainer Graham Motion’s Fair Hill Training Centre in Maryland. One Stripe won six races in the care of trainer Vaughan Marshall, with his CV including sensational victories in the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas and the L’Ormarins Gr1 King’s Plate from only nine starts, for career earnings of close on R4,2-million. The $2 million FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile on 1 November at Del Mar will be One Stripe’s main target this year.
The stirring reception for the Special Achievement Awards handed to two champion sons of the Eastern Cape, endorsed the popularity and enormous esteem and respect which Piere Strydom and Alan Greeffcommand in their respective disciplines.
An international competitor, Piere Strydom bowed out of an illustrious career in the saddle at the age of 59 on the last day of the 2024/25 season.
A gentleman of the game, ‘Striker’ Strydom closed the chapter on an extraordinary riding career that spanned 43 years, six national championship titles, over 5600 winners, including 97 Grade 1 successes. The living legend said that he had so many people to thank and added emotionally that he was grateful and appreciative of having been able to choose to step down, a choice many riders have not had the privilege, in what is a dangerous profession.
Multiple Eastern Cape Champion trainer Alan Greeff enjoyed an extraordinary season of feature successes across South Africa.
While he put the cherry on the top with Golden Palm’s runaway victory in the Gr1 Douglas Whyte Stakes on the final major day of last term, Greeff’s away feature successes included the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and the Gr3 SplashOut Good Hope Nursery at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, both won by Direct Hit.
He also enjoyed his first Hollywoodbets Durban July day success when the unbeaten Anotherdanceforme won the SplashOut Gr2 Golden Slipper. Golden Palm’s victory in the Douglas Whyte crowned her Turffontein Gr2 Wilgerbosdrift SA Nursery victory, to bookend a glorious season for Halo Stables.
The Varsfontein Stud-bred Golden Palm was crowned Champion 2yo Filly on a special evening for owner Peter Moor and the Greeff family!
Varsfontein Stud celebrated a second champion on the evening when Double Grand Slam won the Champion Older Filly/Mare title. A winner of the Cartier Gr1 Paddock Stakes and Ridgemont Gr1 Garden Province Stakes, the daughter of Vercingetorix will stay on in training this season, with ‘unfinished business’ at hand, in the words of trainer Justin Snaith.
Father-and-son Mike and Mathew de Kock have only been training in partnership for six months, and were delighted to share their maiden Equus trophy courtesy of World Pool Moment Of The Day Gr1 Premier’s Champion Stakes winner Jan Van Goyen who was awarded Champion 2yo Male. The son of Master Of My Fate is raced by passionate life-long owner Henk Leyenaar in partnership with his daughters Daniela Erasmus and Louisa Huntingford.
Dean Kannemeyer enjoyed his fourth Hollywoodbets Durban July victory last month when Khaya Stables’ The Real Prince achieved a career peak success, but it was in the Champion Sprinter category that the Milnerton maestro and his loyal clients received their 2025 Equus moment via superstar speed demon, Gimme A Prince.
A full-brother to the younger The Real Prince, Gimme A Prince ran only five times last season, for a third in the L’Ormarins Gr1 King’s Plate and victories in the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship and Gr2 Diadem Stakes.
A dual Gr1 winner last term, New Predator’s daughter Fatal Flaw, bred by leading owner Laurence Wernars, was crowned Champion 3yo Filly, while Gareth van Zyl’s top notch Duke Of Marmalade gelding King Pelleswas a shoo-in for the Champion Stayer title!
In a glorious moment for a relatively small yard, Summerveld trainer Stuart Ferrie crowned only his second full season with the Erasmus Thoroughbreds-bred Gladatorian winning the Champion Older Colt/ Gelding award. The winner of the HKJC Gr1 Champions Cup is raced by a Mauritian partnership of the Late Agasthamuni Gujadhur, E G Hart de Keating, M L Jean Hardy and now retired Gold Circle CEO, Michel Nairac.
In a soaring rise from humble beginnings with a first winner at the Equus venue over 20 years ago, Hollywood Racing celebrated a maiden Champion Owner title after a stellar season under the management of former multiple champion jockey Anthony Delpech. The team enjoyed winners countrywide, and clearly have another exciting season, both locally and internationally, ahead of them.
A high work-rate, plenty of travelling and dedication to keeping his eye on the prize saw Gavin Lerena mark his second SA Champion Jockey title. Lerena rode 277 winners last term at a strike-rate of 24,8% and total stakes of R36 724 998 to beat reigning record-breaking champion Richard Fourie by 18 wins.
A rising star on the SA racing landscape, Brevan Plaatjies proudly received his Champion Apprentice title, crediting his move to the Cape in April as a major factor in his growth. One of five children, the former Ixopo schoolboy became a jockey when a family member suggested the career choice. The 20 year old admits that he has never looked back!
The competitive Media awards categories again provided some serious consideration and reflection for the judges.
But it was the well-travelled KZN-based Candiese Lenferna who came out tops in the Still Photography section for the third time, while veteran Gary Lemke’s feature on record-breaker Richard Fourie in the ‘378 Tribute’ magazine secured him the Print accolade.
The Broadcast Media award attracted a number of high-class submissions, and it was Emma Finney who accepted her first Equus trophy for her well-crafted production of ‘Charles Dickens’, which told the story of the champion racehorse.
As the final curtain came down on a glittering evening of spirited celebration and camaraderie, MC Alistair Cohen bid guests farewell with a message: “Keep loving the sport. It will love you back.”
We couldn’t have said it better. Thanks to the judges and congratulations to all the winners and nominees. Here’s to another superb season!
THE FULL LIST OF WINNERS
TWO-YEAR-OLD FILLY:
Nominees: Anotherdanceforme; Direct Hit; Golden Palm Champion: GOLDEN PALM
TWO-YEAR-OLD MALE:
Nominees: Good For You; Jan Van Goyen Champion: JAN VAN GOYEN
THREE-YEAR-OLD FILLY:
Nominees: Fatal Flaw; Fiery Pegasus; Mom Petit Cherie; Quid Pro Quo; Spumante Dolce Champion: FATAL FLAW
THREE-YEAR-OLD MALE:
Nominees: Eight On Eighteen; One Stripe Champion: EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN
SPRINTER:
Nominees: Buffalo Storm Cody; Gimme A Prince; Mia Moo; Tenango; William Robertson Champion: GIMME A PRINCE
MILER:
Nominees: Cosmic Speed; Dave The King; Double Grand Slam; One Stripe Champion: ONE STRIPE
MIDDLE DISTANCE:
Nominees: Eight On Eighteen; Fire Attack; Gladatorian; The Real Prince Champion: EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN
STAYER:
Nominee: King Pelles Champion: KING PELLES
OLDER FEMALE:
Nominees: Asiye Phambili; Double Grand Slam; Mia Moo; Rascova Champion: DOUBLE GRAND SLAM
OLDER MALE:
Nominees: Dave The King; Gimme A Prince; Gladatorian, The Real Prince Champion: GLADATORIAN
CHAMPION STALLION:
Vercingetorix
CHAMPION BROODMARE:
Real Princess (Trippi-Pagan Princess by Fort Wood)
SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS:
Alan Greeff Piere Strydom
MEDIA AWARDS:
Print Media: Gary Lemke
Still Photography: Candiese Lenferna
Broadcast Media: Emma Finney
HUMAN AWARDS:
Champion Apprentice: Brevan Plaatjies
Champion Jockey: Gavin Lerena
Champion Trainer: Justin Snaith
Champion Owners: Hollywood Racing (Nom: Mr A Delpech)
Champion Breeders: Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert)
HORSE OF THE YEAR:
Eight On Eighteen Groom: Philip Thengeza Owners: Mr N Jonsson & Mr JP Rupert Breeders: Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert) |
My Best Shot ready to fire
PUBLISHED: August 14, 2025
Devonne Govender Alan Greeff’s star performer, My Best Shot, returns to his home track at Fairview this Friday and appears a clear standout in all bets. The talented gelding finished just 9.6 lengths behind The Real Prince in the Hollywoodbets Durban July (Grade 1) but was far from disgraced. Unbeaten over the track and trip, […]
Devonne Govender
Alan Greeff’s star performer, My Best Shot, returns to his home track at Fairview this Friday and appears a clear standout in all bets. The talented gelding finished just 9.6 lengths behind The Real Prince in the Hollywoodbets Durban July (Grade 1) but was far from disgraced. Unbeaten over the track and trip, My Best Shot is primed to dominate in the Listed Memorial Mile (1600m) with regular jockey Richard Fourie aboard.
FireAlley from Jacques Strydom’s yard has been in excellent form, most recently running a good-third behind Golden Peace. He looks poised to continue his consistent form and is expected to feature prominently.
Another horse to watch is Greenlight Legend in Race 4. Trained by Greeff, she is undefeated over the course and distance and looks a strong contender despite carrying a hefty weight of 62kg. Her explosive turn of speed makes her a serious threat in this line-up, even against the boys.
Red William, from Sharon Kotzen’s stable, looms as the main challenger. His last victory was gutsy, and with Luyolo Mxothwa aboard from the draw, he could make a bold showing.
Race 3 promises to be highly competitive, with several in-form runners. Among them are Got The Fever, trained by Zietsman Oosthuizen, and Winter Emeralds, trained by Alan Greeff.
Got The Fever produced an impressive effort last time, finishing third behind Umzolozolo. She lost a length at the start but closed strongly in the final 400m, making her one to watch. Her prior run on 27 June 2025 was equally eye-catching, coming from a wide gate to finish second, from a better draw she’s definitely a leading contender.
Winter Emeralds has faced tough draws recently but gets a much more favourable gate this time. He showed determination to win from gate 12 on 30 May 2025, and his last run, from barrier gate 11, was a strong effort, making up good ground. He’s expected to go very well here.
All in all, Friday’s meeting at Fairview promises exciting racing and all eyes are sure to be on My Best Shot. Don’t miss the action!
