Andrew Harrison

The start of South Africa’s three-month Champion Season is just a week away with the Independent on Saturday raceday kicking off the season. But there is still business at hand and punters face a testing card on the turf at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday which could provide some valuable pointers to the months ahead but it will be with one eye on the weather as there is a prediction of significant rain starting today but a clear Sunday.

The card is headed by three Gr3 races, two for juveniles and the G3 Dennis Drier Poinsettia Stakes for fillies and mares, the race named in honour of Drier who was regarded as the ‘King of Scottsville’ before he retired.

The opening feature is the Gr3 TABGold Strelitzia Stakes over 1100m where Mike Miller sends out Just Reckless who ran a cracker behind the highly rated Little Ballerina in the Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery in a strong field. Both her wins have come over this course which is always a plus and Miller has stayed with Kabelo Matsunyane who rode her in the Nursery. Justin Snaith sends out Dark Winter who was never comfortable around the Hollywoodbets Greyville turn when favourite and making her local debut. She should have benefitted from that outing and her Cape form is useful. Siberian Winter was well-fancied in the market on debut and duly obliged for Michael Roberts. The run should have brought her on a little more while Prom Queen made good improvement on her feature race debut to shed her maiden next time out. She looks to be on the up. 

In the males equivalent, the Gr3 TABGold Godolphin Barb Stakes Snaith holds a strong hand in with Impact Investor and Makazole. The former made good improvement on his debut effort and won well. He looks to be the stable elect and likely to start favourite. Miller sends out Fine One who ran a disappointing race in the Gr1 SA Nursery in soft ground but his form before that over course and distance is difficult to fault. He should be in the firing line. Louis Goosen saddles Ibhele who is well acquainted with this course and was narrowly beaten last time out. He should make a bold bid while Cymric was a runaway maiden winner last start after two forward showings. He looks to be more than useful. 

Snaith could well be in line for a feature race treble when he sends out Kwinta’s Light in the Gr3 Dennis Drier Poinsettia Stakes. Kwinta’s Light was up against some of the finest sprinters in the country in the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship at her last start and she was not disgraced behind top sprinter Dyce. Her form before that to slightly weaker is hard to fault and if at her best she rates the one to beat. Asiye Phambili is back on home turf with Duncan Howells after a spell in the Cape season. Narrowly beaten in the Sceptre Stakes over 1200m, her step up in trip did not yield any rewards. She appears to race fresh and this trip on this course will suit her well. Snaith has a second string to his bow in Baltic Secret who was less than two lengths back to Kwinta’s Light in the Southern Cross Stakes at her penultimate start. She was all at sea around the Hollywoodbets Greyville turn when making her local debut and that run coupled with a straight course will make her dangerous. 

In the Listed In Full Flight Handicap, a race named after one of South Africa’s champions, King Of The Gauls will be looking to build on his recent success. Tony Rivalland holds his charge in high regard and gelding appears to have had the desired effect. He has a wide draw to contend with but only has 52.5kg to shoulder. Cliff Hanger will be a threat as he has some smart Highveld form in good company and Johan Janse van Vuuren has declared first time blinkers. Raven Black is unbeaten since shedding his maiden but returns from a lengthy break. Kabelo Matsunyane has made the trip from the Highveld to stay with the ride and any betting support for Brett Crawford’s runner must be respected. Quasiforsure is a class act and has been up against stronger in the Cape. Peter Muscutt’s runner has a big weight but is effective over this trip and if not short of a gallop he will make his presence felt. 

The first is a tricky maiden. Hurricane Cat started favourite on debut but finished six lengths behind the winner. Close -up in third in the race was Izbulo that started a lengthy odds along with Cape Capri who was only a length further back. All three runners should come on from their debut efforts. Disting has shown up well in two runs in the Cape. With Richard Fourie aboard she is likely to start favourite. Add Diyarani to the mix who also put up a promising showing on debut. Judging by trainer’s comments, not much is expected of the first timers. The betting may well prove your best guide. 

The opening leg of the Place Accumulator is another competitive maiden. Flyingcool and Field Marshal met last time out with the older runner finishing a length ahead after the benefit of one outing. Well drawn, both go the turn for the first time and should be competitive. The grey Professor Lupin has been a touch disappointing but has not been far back in all five of his starts. He stays the trip and the stable is in mustard form at present which is in his favour. 

Dean Kannemeyer could hold the key to the first leg of the Pick 6. Spelling Bee was well supported in the market when making his local debut and shed his maiden in good fashion. That form has worked out quite well although he does take on a useful field in his handicap debut. Stable rider Craig Zackey puts up over-weight when he will have had the choice of the well performed stable companion Mister Master Starter who was a close-up third on the poly last time out. Nelson Bay has the best of the draw but Richard Fourie has deserted to ride stable companion The Shepherd. Nelson Bay is 2kg better off with Master Josh on the last meeting. Alyson Wrights gelding is holding form well but got a six-point hit in the handicap for his last win. 

The last is a wide open handicap but Political Party has run two cracking races over a furlong shorter and the step up in trip should suit. Mr Molony has a tough draw to contend with but has been in good form of late and can go one better. With cheek pieces back on, Jazz Festival was running on late from a tough draw last time out. Fourie picks up the ride from a much better gate. 

RACE 1

9 DISTING   2 IZBULO   6 CAPE CAPRI   12 DIYARANI

Summary: Tricky maiden. HURRICANE CAT (11) started favourite on debut but finished six lengths behind the winner. Close -up in third was IZBULO (2) that started a lengthy odds with CAPE CAPRI (6) only a length further back. All three runners should come on from their debut efforts. DISTING (9) has shown up well in two runs in the Cape. With Richard Fourie aboard she is likely to start favourite. Add DIYARANI (12) to the mix who also put up a promising showing on debut. Judging by trainer’s comments, not much is expected of the first timers. The betting may well prove your best guide. (Andrew Harrison: 9-2-6-11).

RACE 2

2 FLYING COOL   1 FIELD MARSHAL   10 PROFESSOR LUPIN   12 SUR LA LUNE

Summary: Competitive maiden. FLYINGCOOL (2) and FIELD MARSHAL (1) met last time out with the older runner finishing a length ahead after the benefit of one outing. Well drawn, both go the turn for the first time and should be competitive. PROFESSOR LUPIN (10) has been a touch disappointing but has not been far back in all five of his starts. He stays the trip and the stable is in mustard form at present which is in his favour. Michael Roberts has three runners with stable rider Rachel Venniker aboard SUR LA LUNE (12) the one with the worst form. The betting could tell a tale. (Andrew Harrison: 2-1-10-12).

RACE 3

3 SPELLING BEE   1 NELSON BAY   8 MASTER JOSH   7 THE SHEPHERD

Summary: SPELLING BEE (3) was well supported in the market when making his local debut and shed his maiden in good fashion. That form has worked out quite well although he does take on a useful field in his handicap debut. Craig Zackey puts up over-weight when he will have had the choice of the well performed stable companion MR MASTER STARTER (2) who was a close-up third on the poly last time out. NELSON BAY (1) has the best of the draw but Richard Fourie has deserted to ride stable companion THE SHEPHERD (7). Nelson Bay is 2kg better off with MASTER JOSH (8) on the last meeting. Alyson Wrights gelding is holding form well but got a six-point hit in the handicap for his last win. (Andrew Harrison: 3-1-8-7).

RACE 4

12 KING OF THE GAULS   13 CLIFF HANGER   6 RAVEN BLACK   1 QUASIFORSURE

Summary: Tony Rivalland holds KING OF THE GAULS (12) is high regard and gelding appears to have had the desired effect. He has a wide draw to contend with but only has 52.5kg to shoulder. CLIFF HANGER (13) has some smart Highveld form in good company and Johan Janse van Vuuren has declared first time blinkers. RAVEN BLACK (6) is unbeaten since shedding his maiden but returns from a lengthy break. Kabelo Matsunyane has made the trip from the Highveld to stay with the ride and any betting support must be respected. QUASIFORSURE (1) is a class act and has been up against stronger in the Cape. He has a big weight but is effective over this trip and if not short of a gallop he will make his presence felt. (Andrew Harrison: 12-13-6-1).

RACE 5

3 JUST RECKLESS   5 DARK WINTER   2 PROM QUEEN   4 SIBERIAN WINTER

Summary: JUST RECKLESS (3) ran a cracker behind the highly rated Little Ballerina in the Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery in a strong field. Both wins have come over this course which is always a plus and Michael Miller has stayed with Kabelo Matsunyane who rode her in the Nursery. DARK WINTER (5) was never comfortable around the Greyville turn when favourite and making her local debut. She should have benefitted from that outing and her Cape form is useful. SIBERIAN WINTER (4) was well-fancied in the market on debut and duly obliged for Michael Roberts. The run should have brought her on a little more. PROM QUEEN (2) made good improvement on her feature race debut to shed her maiden next time out. She looks to be on the up. A lot more was expected from GREY FANTASY (8) in a Highveld feature and she could surprise. (Andrew Harrison: 3-5-2-4).

RACE 6

7 FINE ONE   1 IMPACT INVESTOR   3 IBHELE   4 CYMRIC

Summary: Justin Snaith has a strong hand in this event with IMPACT INVESTOR (1) and MAKAZOLE (5). The former made good improvement on his debut effort and won well. He looks to be the stable elect and likely to start favourite. Mike Miller sends out FINE ONE (7) who ran a disappointing race in the Gr1 SA Nursery in soft ground but his form before that over course and distance is difficult to fault. He should be in the firing line. Louis Goosen saddles IBHELE (3) who is well acquainted with this course and was narrowly beaten last time out. He should make a bold bid. CYMRIC (4) was a runaway maiden winner last start after two forward showings. He looks to be more than useful. (Andrew Harrison: 7-1-3-4).

RACE 7

2 KWINTA’S LIGHT   8 ASIYE PHAMBILI   4 BALTIC SECRET   7 GET IN THE Q

Summary: Justin Snaith sent KWINTA’S LIGHT (2) up against some of the finest sprinters in the country in the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship and she was not disgraced behind top sprinter Dyce. Her form before that to slightly weaker is hard to fault and if at her best she rates the one to beat. ASIYE PHAMBILI (8) is back on home turf with Duncan Howells after a spell in the Cape season. Narrowly beaten in the Sceptre Stakes over 1200m, her step up in trip did not yield any rewards. She appears to race fresh and this trip on this course will suit her well. Snaith has a second string to his bow in BALTIC SECRET (4) who was less than two lengths back to Kwinta’s Light in the Southern Cross Stakes at her penultimate start. She was all at sea around the Greyville turn when making her local debut and that run coupled with a straight course will make her dangerous. GET IN THE Q (7) is up in class but her recent form over course and distance suggests that she can finish in the money for Mark Dixon. (Andrew Harrison: 2-8-4-7).

RACE 8

9 POLITICAL PARTY  14 MR MOLONY   5 JAZZ FESTIVAL   10 PONGOLA

Summary: Wide open handicap. POLITICAL PARTY (9) has run two cracking races over a furlong shorter and the step up in trip should suit. MR MOLONY (14) has a tough draw to contend with but has been in good form of late and can go one better. With cheek pieces back on, JAZZ FESTIVAL (5) was running on late from a tough draw last time out. Fourie picks up the ride from a much better gate. PONGOLA (10) is never far back and goes well over course and distance. He should give his supporters a run for their money. (Andrew Harrison: 9-14-5-10).

Paul Lally:

R1 4-9-12-6

R2 7-8-6-1

R3 3-1-11-2

R4 4-13-5-8

R5 1-2-3-5

R6 13-1-10-7

R7 8-1-2-9

R8 1-4-11-2

R9 13-5-8-12

R10 8-5-2-3

Best Bet R4 N4 Circuit Fiery

Longshot R7 N8 Elton Barows

Play Race2 QQP 6-7-8

Tom Wood:

R1: 7-12-6-11

R2: 3-7-2-1

R3: 1-3-2-14

R4: 4-5-2-1

R5: 1-3-6-5

R6: 1-10-13-3

R7: 1-9-2-5

R8: 1-11-4-2

R9:  6-2-3-8

R10: 7-3-2-6

BEST:                          R4 N4 CIRCUIT FIERY (WIN)

VALUE:                       R6 N1 BEAUTY CRESCENT (EW) 

PLAY:                          R10 – QQP 2,3,7

Mark McNamara:

R1 – 6.7.3.8

R2 – 7.3.2.1

R3 – 1.2.3.11

R4 – 11.4.5.1

R5 – 3.1.2.8

R6 – 13.5.1.11

R7– 1.2.9.5

R8 – 1.11.4.2

R9 – 8.6.5.3

R10 -8.2.7.5

Best Bet R6 N13 Sunlight Power

Longshot R4 N11 Mission Voice

Play All Up Win R7 1 Golden Sixty

                     Win R8 1 Romantic Warrior

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

The wave is building towards Saturday, 6 July! Winchester Mansion and See It Again, first and second in last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July, head the nominations for this year’s event. First entries closed on Monday and 58 of the cream of the county’s middle-distance gallopers have been entered for a crack at the R5 million stakes purse in what is Africa’s greatest horseracing event. 

The Michael Roberts-trained See It Again, touched off in last year’s race as a three-year-old, is the highest rated of the nominations and early ante-post favourite at 7/2 with the title sponsor, Hollywoodbets. All things going well, he will be back to go one better.

Brett Crawford has again entered Winchester Mansion (10/1) who was narrowly beaten in the recent Gr1 Champions Challenge and is likely to be up against his recent nemesis, Royal Victory (7/1). Nathan Kotzen’s gelding has been a revelation since being sent over ground and is sure to be among the fancied runners for this year’s event should he be in the final field. 

 Three trainers are responsible for nearly half of the entries headed by Sean Tarry with 10, Justin Snaith eight and Mike de Kock six. 

Second highest rated of the Tarry entries is Lucky Lad (33/1), recent runner-up to Sandringham Summit in the Gr2 Hawaii Stakes over the Turffontein mile but is yet to show that he stays the 2200m of the Hollywoodbets Durban July. Also among the Tarry entries is Mid Winter Wind (50/1), winner of his last four races but yet to race beyond 1400m and the R9 million yearling purchase, Celestial City (150/1), full brother to Hawwaam, who famously blew his chances by refusing to load when favourite for the July in 2019. The Tarry stable also has last year’s facile winner of the World Pool Gold Cup, Future Pearl (250/1) among his nominations. 

Justin Snaith is likely to have another strong hand in the field with the likes of Royal Aussie, Without Question (25/1) and the three-year-olds Hluhluwe (66/1) and the feisty grey The Grey King (66/1) among his nominations.

Mike de Kock is a master at getting fillies primed for the big race and the hitherto unbeaten Gimme A Nother (7/1) heads his list of nominations. De Kock opted not to try for the final leg of the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara, the Gr2 SA Oaks over 2450m, despite two comfortable victories in the first two legs.

The Oaks was won in commanding fashion by Frances Ethel (50/1) from My Soul Mate (66/1) and Silver Sanctuary (50/1), all three among the entries. Should both Frances Ethel and Winchester Mansion make the final field, last year’s winning jockey Kabelo Matsunyane, will need to choose between Brett Crawford’s runners.

Other standouts among the De Kock entries are Oaks third Silver Sanctuary and the promising sophomore Marauding Horde (66/1) who ran up a string of three consecutive victories before coming unstuck on the SA Derby although only beaten three lengths.

One of those heading the ante-post market on the sponsor’s book is Gr1 SplashOut Cape Derby winner Green With Envy (7/1). Dean Kannemeyer is no stranger to the July winner’s podium having won the race three times, his first coming with the superstar Dynasty in 2003. Green With Envy came from almost last to motor past a high-class field in the Derby and stable rider Craig Zackey will be looking forward to the ride. 

Robyn Klaasen will throw another curved ball the way of Matsunyane as he was aboard star three-year-old Purple Pitcher (16/1) who got the better of New Predator and the title chasing Richard Fourie in the Gr1 SA Derby and was also victorious in the Gr1 SA Classic where he beat hot favourite Sandringham Summit and William Iron Arm. Klaasen, who is a relatively new comer to the training ranks, has also entered Second Base (250/1) who did duty for her in last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July in her first year as a trainer.

Tony Peter is having a terrific season and has entered Main Defender (25/1) and William Iron Arm (33/1). Main Defender is the second highest rated horse among the nominations behind See It Again but has yet to race beyond 1600m. However, he was an eye-catching winner of the Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes beating the De Kock-trained Dave The King by over two lengths. Now with the Peters stable is former Gr1 SA Derby winner Son Of Raj (75/1) who was also a runner last year when trained by Weiho Marwing.

Fanie Bronkhorst will have his first runner in the race should SA Derby runner-up Pure Predator (33/1) make the line-up. 

See It Again and Royal Victory will no doubt head the local challenge but Michael Miller has entered recent Listed Stakes winner Narina Trogon (200/1) along with Ancient World (200/1). Gareth van Zyl has entered Imilenzeyokududuma (100/1) who races in the yellow and purple silks of the Hollywood Syndicate, and Robbie Hill, a former winner of the race as a jockey aboard El Picha for Geoff Woodruff, will have his first runner in the race should Navajo Nation (200/1) make the final field. Encouraged by his recent victory over The Grey King has prompted Peter Muscutt to add Formagear (100/1) to the entry list. 

Lorenzo Karriem has two entries in River Romeo (200/1) and Indian Ocean (250/1) with Tony Rivalland entering the filly Celtic Beauty (150/1) and MJ Odendaal the mare Danse Milord (250/1).

Soccer1 on Saturday, 27 April 2024, C/Over R5000, Pool Closes at 21h00, Sport 20 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R 15 000.

Soccer4 on Saturday, 27 April 2024, ADD-IN R 25 000, Pool Closes at 18h30, Sport 19 and Pool 3, Estimated Pool: R 100 000.

Soccer13 Guaranteed Pool: R8 Million 13 of 13 on Sunday 28 April 2024 – Pool Closes at 14h15, Sport 11 and Pool 1

Soccer10 on Sunday, 28 April 2024, C/Over R100 000, Pool Closes at 14h00, Sport 7 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R2 Million

Soccer1 on Sunday, 28 April 2024, C/Over R5000, Pool Closes at 15h00, Sport 21 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R 15 000.