David Thiselton

See It Again proved himself the best middle distance horse in the land on Saturday at Turffontein Standside when adding the Gr 1 HKJC World Pool Premier’s Champions Challenge to his Gr 1 WSB Met victory.

Justin Snaith, who was holidaying in Mauritius, was elated on Saturday night on the island as he also won the Gr 1 TAB Empress Club Stakes with the best older female in the land, Double Grand Slam.

Snaith said, “See It Again was always travelling like the winner, he never really looked in danger and didn’t give us any anxious moments as he was perfectly handled by Craig Zackey. He cruised into the race with plenty in hand and, when asked, asserted himself decisively over his stablemate Okavango.

This victory is the culmination of three months of meticulous planning, and finally conquering the altitude is incredibly satisfying. It’s been a long-standing challenge for us, one we’ve worked at through years of trial and error, so to see it all come together like this is immensely rewarding.

Thanks to 4Racing and in particular, Joe Soma for being so accommodating.”

The Snaith participants on the day stayed at Joe Soma’s yard upon arriving at Turffontein on Friday morning after traveling up from their Summerveld base.

Snaith continued, “I watched the race with my brother and family in Mauritius, and it was a moment of real pride and joy. More than anything, it’s a testament to the team behind the horse. Nick Jonsson’s support has been unwavering – his loyalty and passion for the game are second to none, and success like this is thoroughly deserved. He’s not just an owner, but a true friend.

A huge effort from the team on course – Gokhan Terzi and Jenna Le Roux had everything spot on, with valuable support from Frank Robinson, who brought his experience from Summerveld. Andrew Fortune was also instrumental behind the scenes, always willing to lend a hand – even down to feeding the horses when he wasn’t in the saddle. There are many others who played their part – thank you!

And, as always, credit to Drakenstein Stud – phenomenal breeders year in and year out. Their horses are tough, resilient, and full of class.

I hope the punters capitalised on the day!

Both See it Again and Okavango will be aimed at the Hollywoodbets Durban July.”

See It Again’s task was made easier on Saturday by the scratching of the three-year-old pair Grand Empire and Trust, which is somewhat ironic because they were officially 10kg and 9,5kg under sufferance respectively according to their lowly merit ratings of 111 and 110, the ratings they ended up on after a merit rating appeal adjusted them down from the 120 and 119 merit ratings given to them by the professional handicappers after they had finished one-two in the Gr 1 SA Classic. The bookmakers seemed to agree with the professional handicappers as they had Grand Empire and Trust as joint second favourites for the Champions Challenge before their scratchings.

It seems Grand Empire and Trust’s merit ratings will both be protected for the R10 million Hollywoodbets Durban July. See It Again will thus have an ultra tough task in the July. As things stand he will have to give both Grand Empire and Trust, as well as the Gr 2 Wilgerbosdift Gauteng Guineas winner and SA Classic third-placed Splittheeights, 10kg apiece.

Justin Snaith said about Double Grand Slam, “There’s not much more I can ask of Double Grand Slam – she’s the standout filly of her generation and continues to prove it every time she steps onto the track. She’s been an absolute joy to train, and on the strength of today’s sensational performance, she’s far from finished on the racetrack.

Craig Zackey gave her a superb ride. The instructions were simple: sit on her for as long as possible, and he executed it perfectly. He barely moved a muscle, and when he finally asked, she showed an incredible turn of foot, quickening through the gears to win with authority and plenty in hand. She displayed her sheer brilliance.

It’s a privilege to train for owners like Gaynor Rupert, Gary Player and Dave Maclean. They never apply pressure and handle defeat with as much grace as they celebrate success – that’s the mark of true racing people.

A huge thank you to the entire team – Jenna Le Roux, Gokhan Terzi, Frank Robinson, Andrew Fortune, Robbie Miller, and many others behind the scenes. This result is the product of months of planning and collective effort. New Turf Carriers get our horses to their races swiftly and safely.

We were also very well looked after by 4Racing and Joe Soma – their hospitality was outstanding, and we are extremely grateful.

Hopefully punters were able to capitalise on the double, and we appreciate the continued support on the Highveld.

Congratulations to Varsfontein Stud on breeding yet another Gr1 champion.

Looking ahead, Double Grand Slam will target the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint and the Gr1 Garden Province. There’s unfinished business in the sprint after her luckless run last year, and and we’re eager to set the record straight.”

Snaith was full of praise for groom Sokhe Mwelase, who is known to the yard as “Isaac”.

He said, “Isaac is the trusted handler behind both Double Grand Slam and See It Again. He spends more time with them than anyone else, and his natural feel, patience, and understanding of horses make him truly exceptional at what he does.”

Andrew Harrison

The smaller the field the bigger the upset is an old racing adage that could apply to Hollywoodbets Greyville today where a myriad of scratchings has had a dramatic effect on the numbers in some races.

The meeting has been moved from Hollywoodbets Scottsville to the poly track after a major thunder storm hit the Capital’s track on Sunday night and while many of the fields on the nine-race card are short on numbers they are big on probabilities so punters will do well to keep tabs on the betting market and also the many withdrawals before placing bets.

Most interesting race may have been the card opener where Adam Azzie’s colt Green Energy was due to face smart maiden winner Kazenoyoni but Duncan Howells has scratched because of the change of surface. Green Energy is a quality colt who was a touch unlucky on debut and won well second time of asking. He looks progressive and is likely to start at cramped odds.

Of the balance, Pink Skies was not far behind smart stable companion Master Magician last run when taking on winners. She has a light weight and is not out of it.

The second is a moderate field with many first timers. Of those that have run, Royal Crest takes on older horses but looks progressive while Winter Blessing has seldom been far off and the blinkers are back on. She should go close.

The first leg of the PA sees two-year-olds taking on older horses for the first time. Quest Of Valor takes on older runners but has put in two smart efforts. Xiphos has been frustrating to follow but is consistent although he tends to lack extra when it counts. He may just have met the right field.

In the opening leg of the Pick 6, Roy’s Grace had a long break after her maiden win but has shown up well in her two runs back and with a useful 4kg claimer aboard she should put in a good showing. Greenlight Queen has been in good form of late and was a good second last run. She is now 2kg better off in the handicap with Lilac In Winter who was a comfortable winner last time out and there should not be much between the pair.

Peter Muscutt could hold the aces in the fifth with three runners. Touched By Angels comes off some useful Cape form and was narrowly beaten last time out. His best form is over this distance. Stable companion Dylan’s Champ has improved with blinkers and from the best of the draw and Muzi Yeni staying with the ride he must have a good chance. Rollo The Viking does seem to show his best on the poly but his recent turf form is good. This is his best distance and he should be in contention.

The sixth has cut down to five runners with four scratchings. Rock Music debuts for Gary Rich and he had some promising Highveld form. The alumites go on and with a 4kg claimer aboard he should be competitive. Caribbean Gold makes his local debut and comes of a comfortable win over the trip at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. Cape form is generally stronger than local so he should be a big runner. Garth Puller’s runner Axis Power was touched off last run in a tight finish and comes in off a light weight.

In the seventh, Louis Goosen’s soldier Donquerari seldom runs a bad race and goes well over course and distance. He takes a further rating drop and now looks competitive. Circumbendibus has come well since arriving in KZN and was an easy winner over course and distance last time out. He got a six-point hike in the ratings for that win but can still deny the handicapper. Both Position Of Power and Vision To Achieve have been scratched.

The eighth is a wide open handicap over 2400m with none of the runners having any convincing form. Star Of The Future has had two starts over shorter for his new stable and carries top weight but he should be ready for the step up in trip. Basie Raakvat is seldom too far back and should be competitive in this line-up along with Mary Read who improved in blinkers last outing and could prefer this trip while Intuitive Spirit took on stronger at his last start. He has shown some recent improvement and has a light weight.

Dean Kannemeyer can round off the meeting with Gallic Victor. The gelding is lightly raced and shows promise. Last outing was possibly too short and he can do better here. Next Of Kin appears to be the most likely threat as he has been in good form with the cheek pieces removed.

RACE 1

Summary: GREEN ENERGY (8) is a quality colt who was a touch unlucky on debut and won well second time of asking. Should go close. KAZENOYONI (6) came from the clouds to win on debut. The extra will suit and he can show further improvement. PINK SKIES (2) was not far back to smart stable companion Master Magician last run when taking on winners. She has a light weight and is not out of it. GREEK HERITAGE (3) takes on males but made a promising debut and the extra from a good draw should suit. (Andrew Harrison: 8-6-2-3).

RACE 2

Summary: Moderate field with many first timers. Of those that have run, ROYAL CREST (4) takes on older horses but looks progressive. WINTER BLESSING (5) has seldom been far off and the blinkers are back on. She should go close. JENNY DARLING  (9) is struggling but did show some improvement last outing. (Andrew Harrison: 5-4-9-6).

RACE 3

Summary: QUEST OF VALOR (2) takes on older runners but has put in two smart efforts to date. MASTERCRAFTER (11) found some market support on debut but raced green and was run out of it late. He is sure to come on from that effort. XIPHOS (12) has been frustrating to follow. He is consistent but tends to lack extra when it counts. He may just have met the right field. AMBER ALERT (3) has improved in blinkers and not far back at his last two. (Andrew Harrison: 2-11-12-3).

RACE 4

Summary: ROY’S GRACE (7) had a long break after her maiden win. She has shown up well in her two runs back and with a useful 4kg claimer aboard she should punt in a good showing. GREENLIGHT QUEEN (4) has been in good form of late and was a good second last run. She is now 2kg better off in the handicap with LILAC IN WINTER (3) who was a comfortable winner last time out and there should not be much between the pair. FATE DECREED (2) is struggling for a second win but has shown recent improvement and has a light weight. (Andrew Harrison: 7-4-3-2).

RACE 5

Summary: Peter Muscutt holds the aces with three runners. TOUCHED BY ANGELS (6) comes off some useful Cape form and was narrowly beaten last time out. His best form is over this distance. Stable companion DYLAN’S CHAMP (1) has improved with blinkers and from the best of the draw and Muzi Yeni staying with the ride he must have a good chance. ROLLO THE VIKING (3) does seem to show his best on the poly but his recent turf form is good. This is his best distance and he should be in contention. The filly FORWARD MOTION (11)is hardly ever out if the money of late but does take on some useful male opposition. Has a definite money chance. (Andrew Harrison: 6-1-3-11).

RACE 6

Summary:  CAVALRY COMMANDER (9) made a smart debut for his new stable. He had patchy Cape form but a repeat of his last effort makes him capable in this line-up. COWBOY COUNTRY (7) has been a little disappointing since shedding his maiden but has shown useful ability. He gets a rating drop and first time blinkers which could bring out the best. ROCK MUSIC (1) debuts for Gary Rich. He had some promising Highveld form and alumites on and a 4kg claimer aboard should make him competitive. The filly CARIBBEAN GOLD (8) won well over Hollywoodbets Durbanville last run. She looks useful. (Andrew Harrison: 9-7-1-8).

RACE 7

Summary: DONQUERARI (4) seldom runs a bad race and goes well over course and distance. He takes a further rating drop and now looks competitive. CIRCUMBENDIBUS (5) has come well since arriving in KZN and was an easy winner over course and distance last time out. He got a six-point hike in the ratings for that win but can still deny the handicapper. POSITION OF POWER (2) is lightly raced and only once out of the money. He should be right there. VISION TO ACHIEVE (9) is quick and a game winner last time out. She jumps in class but has a handy weight and cannot be written off. (Andrew Harrison: 4-5-2-9).

RACE 8

Summary: Difficult race. STAR OF THE FUTURE (5) has had two starts over shorter for his new stable. He carries top weight but he should be ready for the step up in trip. BASIE RAAKVAT (4) is seldom too far back and should be competitive in this line-up. MARY READ (2) improved in blinkers last outing and could prefer this trip while INTUITIVE SPIRIT (1) took on stronger at his last start. He has shown some recent improvement and has a light weight. (Andrew Harrison: 5-4-2-1).

RACE 9

Summary: GALLIC VICTOR (6) is lightly raced and shows promise. Last outing was possibly too short and he can do better here. NEXT OF KIN (5) appears to be the most likely threat. He has been in good form with the cheek pieces removed. SERPENTINE FIRE (7) showed up well from a tough draw last time out and has been consistent of late. NUMZAAN (2) is way better than his last run and can finish in the money. (Andrew Harrison: 6-5-7-2).

Please note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Pontefract and Southwell (UK) – 7 April 2026.

Please note that following a heavy thunderstorm, Hollywoodbets Scottsville has received 38mm of rain and damages to the stabling area. Pen reading this morning is 34 with heavy going.

In view of these factors, the race meeting scheduled on Wednesday 8 April 2026 has been moved to Hollywoodbets Greyville Polytrack (Subject to the number of scratchings received).

Race 8 is now over 2000m. Voluntary scratchings close at 8:30 on Tuesday 7 April 2026. Times remain as carded.