Andrew Harrison

Legendary jockey and trainer Garth Puller is not easily pleased when it comes to the riders that he puts on his horses but he has stayed loyal and mentored former SAJA Head Boy Siphesihle Hlengwa, known affectionally to all at Summerveld as ‘Spare’.

Unassuming and polite, Hlengwa got two home for Puller at Hollywoodbets Scottsville yesterday.

Kanaal Skater looked to be home and dry in the third to add to Dean Kannemeyer’s Hollywoodbets Durban July victory last Saturday but was treading water late as Cardinal Chief pedaled past under Hlengwa to run him out of it with early leader Xenophon staying on for third.

Celestial Diamond found plenty of support in the market for the Gallop Form Maiden Plate, next up on the card, but Hlengwa went one better after being run out of it late last time out, to keep the favourite at bay.

Paul Matchett was not on course to lead in the well fancied Opera Fan in the card opener but may well have suffered a few heart palpitations as Calvin Habib managed to keep his charge going just long enough to hod off a rather unlucky Cassandra who came from well off the pace to be denied on the line.

It was a fine ride from Habib who had a difficult time getting his charge to the post as she stuck up at the entrance to the parade ring and had to be led past the entrance before deciding to head on to the start.

In the first leg of the PA, former Mike de Kock right-hand man Wengesai Masawi sent out his first runner from his Ashburton base and Pied Piper was far from disgraced after showing pace before tiring late. The well-backed Bruh came from off the pace, having Paul Lafferty muttering under his breath in the running, but Muzi Yeni got the well-fancied runner home ahead of Sean Tarry’s runner Master Spy, both horses held in high regard.

Royal Victory was not disgraced in defeat in last Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Durban July, coming from off the pace to finish a creditable fourth behind The Real Prince, and still the best horse in the country, Eight On Eighteen.

World Of Royalty racing in the same Pieter Victor colours yesterday and stepped up to a mile by Nathan Kotzen, the One World gelding, starting tote favourite, produced the required result under July winning rider Craig Zackey to get past 40-1 chance Carnival Park and stave off a Pick 6 ‘bomb’.

Lucinda Woodruff has paid her way with her small Champions Season raiding party and Another Dream paid her ticket when running on stoutly to hold off all challengers in the sixth. A big-striding filly, Chad Little made a winning move two furlongs out and the daughter of Futura kept rolling to hold of the late challenges from Ideal Gift and Elembee.

Well-backed Lock And Key took on male rivals in the Gallop TV B Stakes and turned in a courageous performance to hold all at bay. Under pressure from a long way out, Chad Little kept Glen Kotzen’s filly hard to her task and she responded gallantly to hold off Trois Quatre and French Trip to give Kotzen’s the 2000^th winner of his training career.

Lady Of Vix, having her second run after a four-month break, took no prisoners in rounding off the meeting. Sean Veale bounced her out of the gate and Tony Rivalland’s charge was not for the catching and never seriously in danger with Rafa’s Boy, hunting a third straight victory, never got close.

Race 1     

1 DONDOYAKI 10 WAR TALK 3 JAPANESE GARDEN 2 FIRE ON FIRE

Preview: 1 DONDOYAKI can go close if repeating her last start over 1000m, although she does have a tricky draw. 10 WAR TALK has a plum draw and has run two fair races, so should be in the shake-up. 3 JAPANESE GARDEN is usually thereabouts and should be again from a good draw. 2 FIRE ON FIRE has shown some ability and could earn in this line-up. (David Thiselton 1-10-3-2)

Race 2     

6 UMZINGELI WENYATHI 5 ROMILLY 8 BLUSHING BLOOM 9 CONCORDIA

Preview: 6 UMZINGELI WENYATHI is drawn in pole and can build on his first two good efforts. 5 ROMILLY is by What A Winter out of a Trippi mare and with Gavin Lerena aboard from a plum draw he should make his presence felt. 8 BLUSHING BLOOM improved second time out and could build on that performance over a step-up in trip which should suit. 9 CONCORDIA ran well last time over 1400m and should be able to earn in this line up. (David Thiselton 6-5-8-9)

Race 3     

5 MIDNIGHT MIRACLE 1 EMPRESS WU 4 LAZER LIGHT 8 WINTER BELLE

Preview: 5 MIDNIGHT MIRACLE went close last time over 1160m metres and looks to be the one to beat.1 EMPRESS WU has been knocking on the door but does have a tricky draw to overcome. 4 LAZER LIGHT is by Eric the Red out of a Listed-winning Go Deputy mare over 2000m. 8 WINTER BELLE improved last time but does have 2,25 lengths to make up on Midnight Miracle. (David Thiselton 5-1-4-8)

Race 4     

1 BUMPS LAST GRIND 2 INSPECTOR JAMES 4 RINGHO 3 JET QUERARI

Preview: 1 BUMPS LAST GRIND is knocking on the door and from a good draw could get it right here. 2 INSPECTOR JAMES  is usually thereabouts and can be again with Muzi Yeni up from a tricky draw. 4 RINGHO has shown enough ability to be able to earn here. 3 JET QUERARI has shown some ability and could earn a check here under a 4kg claimer. (David Thiselton 1-2-4-3)

Race 5     

5 NKWENKWEZI 8 SINGLETON SAM 2 PARABELLUM 1 GREENLIGHT RACER

Preview: 5 NKWENKWEZI has a tough draw here but has been knocking hard and is distance suited. 8 SINGLETON SAM made a fair debut against a strong winner and with improvement could be in the shake-up. 2 PARABELLUM has a good draw and after a good run over 1450 metres last time could take to the step-up in trip this time.1 GREENLIGHT RACER ran an improved race last time and should be running on after being dropped out from a wide draw. (David Thiselton 5-8-2-1)

Race 6     

13 STAMPEDE AHEAD 9 MERRYWEATHER 14 WITCHING HOUR 3 HOLLYWOOD MADAM

Preview: 13 STAMPEDE AHEAD made a good debut and with expected improvement could be the one to beat. 9 MERRYWEATHER has run two good races and is distance suited here and well drawn.14 WITCHING HOUR has run some fair races and on pedigree should enjoy the step-up in trip. 3 HOLLYWOOD MADAM  has run a couple of fair races and could earn here despite a wide draw. (David Thiselton 14-9-14-3)

Race 7     

4 NIGHT BOMBER 1 CHYAVANA 6 PENNSYLVANIA 8 FULLY LOADED

Preview: 4 NIGHT BOMBER has a tricky draw to overcome but is in good form and should be in the shake-up. 1 CHYAVANA has plenty of ability and is better than his last start so could bounce back albeit from a tricky draw. 6 PENNSYLVANIA also has a tricky draw but has the form to be involved. 8 FULLY LOADED is 1kg under sufferance but is drawn in pole and is in fine form so should earn. (David Thiselton 4-1-6-8)

Race 8     

3 PLUS FOUR 1 WINGS WITHIN ME 4 EXCEEDINGLY GLAM 8 ENSUING

Preview: 3 PLUS FOUR  is a talented sort who could run on after being dropped out from a wide draw. 1 WINGS WITHIN ME has a plum draw and over a suitable distance should be right there. 4 EXCEEDINGLY GLAM is in fine form but does have a tricky draw. 8 ENSUING won well last time and from pole position could overcome a 6 point raise to some extent. (David Thiselton 3-1-4-8)

RACE 1

8 ROCKANROLLIN made a pleasing debut up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 21st of May, he was very green early, and managed to stay on nicely late behind Follow Your Heart, he is exceptionally well-bred, watch for sharp improvement, he can certainly win a race like this. 11 BLACK EAGLE made massive improvement from his first run into his second run, he ran a lovely race behind his stable companion last time, he ran third and was only beaten just under three lengths by Saudi Cat, he is clearly getting better and better with racing, include him into all bets. 12 DAY IN DAY OUT ran a much better race behind Spirit on the 12th of June, he caught the eye late when staying on really well over 1000m, if he can build on that performance now stepping up in trip again to 1200m, he could finish amongst the places. 3 MARCUS AURELIUS ran a terrific race on debut, he was unfancied in the market, but he stayed on nicely to finish just under three lengths behind the winner, he should make the necessary improvement, watch him closely, he can definitely earn some money for the connections . (Brandon Bailey: 8 – 11 – 12 – 3)

RACE 2

4 WISH LIST ran a lovely race on debut behind Paralegal on the 12th of June, she ran third and was only beaten just under one length in a thrilling finish, if she has made the improvement back at home, she will be very difficult to beat in this race. 1 PRECOCIOUS drifted in the market last time, it was her first start over 1400m when she was beaten just over three lengths by Take It As Red, she is much better than that performance, watch for major improvement now that she drops back in trip. 10 QUEEN REGENT ran a much better race behind her stable companion on the 12th of June at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, she ran third and was beaten just under two lengths at the wire by Clair De Lune, if she can build on that performance, she will have a good winning chance. 7 PLAYFUL JOULES has been rested for 65 days, she has been well tried in the maiden ranks, on her best form, she could sneak into the places again with jockey Muzi Yeni. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 1 – 10 – 7)

RACE 3

4 MEU CAPITANO has been rested for 114 days, his form of late over ground has been very good, the 1100m trip is absolutely no concern at all, if he doesn’t need the run after a long break, he will be hard to beat in a race like this. 5 KAIBOY ran a great race behind Arctic Wizard on the 12th of June up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, he ran second and was only beaten one length in quite a competitive race, the yard thinks highly of this gelding, he will certainly be right there in the finish on his best form. 2 GEM KING ran a fair race over 1600m in the Winter Mile behind Sugar Mountain, this race looks to be a better trip for him, he can mix it up with some of the best sprinters in the land on his day, watch him closely at a decent price, he will run a cracker. 1 DEAN STREET caused a major upset on the 21st of June, he won really well at a big price, unfortunately he was given six points for that win, which will make life tougher for him now, but he is clearly in a good space at the moment and his chances must be respected. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 5 – 2 – 1)

RACE 4

5 RED STATE has run some fair races of late in competitive open maidens, her last run in particular behind Meg’s Legacy was very good, she was drawn poorly and still managed to stay on nicely to finish just over four lengths behind the winner, she should love the step up in trip to 1700m on Tuesday, include her into all bets, she must have a huge winning chance in a race like this. 8 RARE EARTH ran a much better race behind Ocotillo on the 12th of June, it was her first run over ground and she ran a decent race finishing just over two lengths behind the winner, she now steps up in trip to 1700m, watch for further improvement from this filly. 6 LUCKY THIRTEEN has been well tried in the maiden ranks, this doesn’t look to be the strongest race on paper, with some luck in running, she could sneak into the places. 7 NOT WANTED has taken a bit of time to mature, he was well placed in running by the apprentice last time when finishing just over six lengths behind Ariovistus, he is still learning to race this individual, if he can build on his last performance, he will be right there in the money. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 8 – 6 – 7)

RACE 5

9 FOLLOW YOUR HEART won impressively on the 21st of May, the form of that race has worked out well, he looks to be very talented this individual, and he will love the step up in trip, if he can beat the draw on Tuesday, he will be hard to beat. 7 FIRINGONALLENGINES won a gutsy race up the straight over 1200m on the 12th of June, he was given two points for that victory, he will race up on speed, and there is no doubt that he will keep fighting all the way to the line, include him into all bets. 10 IN A TIMELY MANNER quickened up to win his debut like a very smart horse, even though he drifted in the market, he won with absolute ease, he will love the step up in trip to 1400m on Tuesday, he could be anything, watch him closely, he will be running on strongly. 11 MELA STRENGTH unfortunately draws poorly again, he will be doing some good work late, on his best form and with some luck in running, he could sneak into the places at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 9 – 7 – 10 – 11)

RACE 6

1 GOLDEN ANGEL ran a fair race behind Strawberry Thief on the 21st of May, she ran fifth and was beaten just over three lengths by the winner, she has dropped even further in the ratings, she has dropped in trip, and she gets a good draw, this looks to be a golden opportunity for this filly to get back into the winners box. 11 LA DIVINA was given a great ride by jockey Pierre Corne Orffer on the 13th of May, she was gutsy and managed to fight them off to win a super race, she was given two points for that victory, if she can beat the draw without doing work early, she will have a good winning chance again. 9 SUPREME FATE finished like a train last time behind Swiatek, she really caught the eye late when finishing fourth, she is still improving with racing, with some luck in running, she will be right there in the finish. 10 ONI SAN has run some decent races of late, her last run on the 1st of June was very good behind Swiatek, she could certainly finish in the money, its a tricky race, you will need to go wide. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 11 – 9 – 10)

RACE 7

4 LOVERS LANE ran a cracker behind Firingonallengines last time, Trainer Paul Reeves and his team have done a wonderful job with this gelding, he looks to be in such a good space at the moment, this seems to be a nice race for him, if he can bring that last run to the track again on Tuesday, he will be hard to beat with jockey Gavin Lerena. 10 GRAVITY has run two great races in succession, he can be slow into stride early, and then he runs on powerfully late, include him into all bets, he certainly has a good each way chance in this race. 7 CHAMPAGNE MAC finished five lengths behind his stable companion on the 21st of May, he tries hard, at this level, he always has a money chance. 5 TAMBOURINE MAN has been rested for 83 days, ignore his last run completely, Craig Zackey knows this individual well, if he doesn’t need the run badly from a small break, he could easily win a race like this. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 10 – 7 – 5)

RACE 8

6 PEACE OF MIND went down narrowly last time behind Pink Pigeon, she is an absolute speed ball, unfortunately she was given two points for running second last time, but she is very fast and she really enjoys the 1000m trip, she will be hard to beat in the lucky last. 3 THE CHARLESTON ran a much better race on the 12th of June, she ran third in the same race as Peace Of Mind behind Pink Pigeon, at the weights with the apprentice taking off 1.5kgs, she must have a good winning chance, include her into all bets. 7 INSIDE VOICE won her maiden well on the 25th of May, she showed good speed and still managed to kick strongly off that, even though she will need to improve even further to win again, she definitely has ability and must be respected. 9 LHASA bounced back to form in a big way last time, she ran a lovely second behind Champagne Kisses, if she can bring that run to the track on Tuesday, she can certainly finish in the money. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 3 – 7 – 9)

Andrew Harrison

The original Hollywoodbets Kenilworth race meeting scheduled for Tuesday afternoon was moved to today due to the track not being suitable for racing.

That said, trainer Piet Steyn obviously has the dreaded virus in his yard with three of his runners on the day withdrawn due to coughing. He had two runners – Gem King and Meu Capitano – carded for the Hollywoodbets.net A Stakes over 1100m that heads the card reducing the field to just five runners. 

Richard Fourie stays with Vaughan Marshall’s gelding Dumbledore who has won two of his last four starts. He was a touch unlucky last run in the  Winter Sprint when continually baulked for a run and with only four runners to get past this time around he could notch the fifth win of his career.

Kaiboy finished a neck ahead of Dumbledore when last they met and meet on the same weight terms. However, given Dumbledore’s traffic issues the tables should be turned.

Time For Orchids makes his debut for Marshall. She has been rested but is way better than her last run, given her form in top Highveld company prior to that.

Global State has his third run after a break for visiting Gavin Smith and although the Global View gelding does look held on current showings as he steps up in class, he only has 51kg to shoulder. 

That leaves Dean Street who won well over the course last time out for Lucinda Woodruff as he showed good pace and stayed on for the victory. However, he does have and extra 100m to travel in heavy going which could find him out.

Log-leading rider Gavin Lerena teams up with Red State in the second leg of the Pick 6. The filly takes on males but is Ricky Maingard’s only runner on the afternoon. Maingard has stepped her up to this trip for the first time and if she stays she can add to Lerena’s tally.

Rare Earth, another filly in the race, took a hold when stepped up in trip but has been improving all the time and can feature if Louis Mxothwa can get her to settle.

Justin Snaith’s colt In A Timely Manner was relatively easy to back on debut but finished off his race in professional fashion and can follow up in the Race Cape Hollywoodbets Class 5 over 1400m. As a son of Legislate he should enjoy the extra furlong.

But like likely rival Follow You Heart, also a winner last time out, she has also drawn wide on the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth tight winter track and both could benefit from some luck in running. The older Ozark could pay to include in all exotics. Paul Reeves’s gelding does appear to have improved in blinkers and is back over his optimum trip from a handy draw.

Many of the runners in the Champagne Syndicate Class 4 finished behind Swiatek over course and distance last time out so a study of the video replay could pay dividends. However, Oni San is 1kg better off with possible rival Rahhabba and can turn the tables. La Divina will have her supporters after a narrow win at her last outing and only getting a two-point raise in the handicap. All three have tricky draws to contend with that could leave the way open for the consistent Golden Angel who is drawn in pole with a handy weight and Glen Kotzen has dropped her back to what may be a more suitable trip. Course and distance specialist Dream Searcher is another to consider in bigger perms.

The seventh is a competitive sprint as many are in with strong chances. Lerena teams up with Lovers Lane who he has partnered before and was touched off last time out when up against stronger opposition. True Horizon gets the benefit of young Brevan Plaatjies and his 1.5kg claim and is also way better than her last two outings would suggest. She will go close on her best form. Shane Humby seldom saddles a runner unless he deems it to have some sort of chance. Bonne Bouche started her career in his Ashburton yard at the time but has since done the rounds. She has her first run back for Humby, his only runner on the day, and Grant Behr only his second ride of the afternoon.

In the final race of the afternoon, Golden Tatjana and The Charleston both started their careers in promising fashion. It may just have been a case of preciosity triumphing over their rivals at the time as the form of both have tailed off since. Golden Tatjana’s merit rating has plummeted from a high of 97 to today’s 69 but with Hollywoodbets July winning jockey Craig Zackey aboard and a handy weight she could get back to winning ways. The Charleston has dropped from a 98 to 83 and with a forward showing last time out and Plaatjies taking an extra 1.5kg off her back, a third win could be on the cards.

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