David Thiselton

There is a nine race meeting at the Vaal Classic track today and it should provide punters with some opportunities.

Duchess Of Paloma is a progressive sort who followed up on her maiden win over 1600m with a fluent win over 1800m and she can follow up again in a MR76 Handicap for fillies and mares over 2000m. The James Crawford-trained Royal Mo filly is out of a mare by stamina influence Black Minnaloushe and should enjoy the further step up in trip to 2000m and she has not only landed a good draw of two, but the five point raise she was given is alleviated by 4kg claimer Savanna Valjalo being aboard. Sigrid Swing is by William Longsword out of a Trippi mare whose two wins were from 1400m to 1600m, but she was not disgraced in the Listed East Cape Oaks over 2000m, so the hard-knocking Sigrid Swing should enjoy the step up in trip. Annewithan E is distance suited and has the form to be right there. She has 2,25 lengths to make up on Duchess Of Paloma and is 2,5kg better off if the apprentice claim is ignored. Gavin Lerena stays aboard and they now jump from draw three compared to draw ten last time. Scarlett Heart is also 2,5kg better off if apprentice claims are ignored and that is for just a 1,90 length beating by Duchess Of Paloma, but she has another wide draw to overcome, although Muzi Yeni stays aboard and is an expert at overcoming wide draws. Ethical goes for a hattrick and is distance suited and only three points higher for her last win. Furthermore, Callan Murray, who was aboard Duchess Of Paloma last time, now takes the ride. However, she has a tricky draw of six and is held by Duchess Of Paloma on a line through Surprise Party.

The highest rated race at the meeting is the second, a MR 93 Handicap over 2000m for fillies and mares, and the progressive Nkwenkwezi looks the one to beat. She comes off a hattrick and relished the step up in trip to 2000m last time, so she can overcome a five point raise and looks capable of rising above her current merit rating of 78. She sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight of 52kg and Muzi Yeni takes over from Calvin Habib. Boom Boom also looks to be on the up and can be a threat from draw two in the small field over a suitable trip. Artic Silver will enjoy the step back up in trip and Savanna Valjalo, who rides 1kg overweight, will ensure she gets an effective 3kg claim. Habib switches to Free In Seattle who is better than her last run and can bounce back. Woman’s World is 1kg better off with Boom Boom for a 0,70 length beating, so has a chance too.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1000m Inspector James has not raced since early August, but has the form to be a big runner and he has a favourable high draw. Monkey’s Wedding ran well second time out and should improve, so looks to be the chief threat. Of the first-timers Sabrage is by Canford Cliffs and is a half-brother to Old Fashioned, who has won his last two starts, so he should run well.

In the fifth race over 2400m,Asiah’s Tiara is knocking on the door and should be right there over a trip she could well enjoy. Euphrates is proven over this trip and has a chance.  Emerald City ran a cracker when stepped up to this trip last time. Cuzzie has shown some ability and being by Futura he might enjoy this trip. Future Success is also by Futura and could improve.

In the seventh over 1200m Xenophon is a promising sort who should progress. Antonio Gaudi won two days ago and has a good draw over an ideal trip off a three point higher mark. Mister Wilson should beat Antonio Gaudi on form lines but has a tough draw. Bright And Brazen is in with a chance from a fair draw. Fully Loaded is consistent and has a chance.

In the eighth over 1700m Palace Attack has a form chance in this line up and has a good draw. Olympian Gold is capable of being in the shake up and is drawn in pole with 4kg claimer Savanna Valjalo up. Mocha Frappe has a lot of talent but is not straightforward, so his improved comeback run after a long layoff was encouraging. Bellerephon ran well over 1800m last time and has a chance here from a good draw. Jabari Thimba won his maiden easily when stepped up to 1500 and will enjoy this trip to so can do well from a good draw off a reasonable mark of 84.

In the ninth over 1500m Actuary improved last time and will relish the step up in trip. Stokesy disappointed last time but if reproducing his penultimate start he has a chance. Red Sunrise has a good form chance here. Codeword is capable of improvement and will be staying on. Hurricane Power is drawn in pole and was third at long odds over 1000m last time, so is an interesting runner here because this Vercingetorix filly is out of an Encosta de Lago mare whose only win was over 1600m.

In the first leg of the PA over 1000m the hard-knocking Master’s Lady looks hard to beat.

In the first race over 1500m Flying World can win this if reproducing her run over 1450m in August and she gets a fair draw for a change.

Warren Lenferna

There was an additional Gallop TV presenter at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth yesterday, one who appeared to be holding onto the microphone for dear life! Some thought it was MJ Byleveld, but this presenter was considerably smaller, wore only red and white, and sported no glasses. On closer inspection, it turned out to be a Christmas Elf, who joined Vicky Minott in studio and spread Christmas cheer in abundance.

The day produced several thrilling and tight finishes, starting in Race 1 between La Patrona and Woman In Gold. Woman In Gold, trained by Glen Kotzen and ridden by Chad Little, went straight to the front and dictated proceedings on her own terms, although she showed clear signs of greenness. La Patrona lay in wait, poised to pounce, and duly did so late on to deny Woman In Gold victory. The winning filly is trained by Candice Bass and was superbly ridden by Aldo Domeyer. It marked the start of a fabulous day for Maine Chance Farms, both as breeders and owners.

Race 2 saw the well-bred daughter of Declarationofpeace out of Wysiwyg, Wyze Declaration, post an attractive and promising maiden win. She is trained by Candice Bass, who ended the day with an excellent tally, and was again ridden by Aldo Domeyer, who also enjoyed a stellar afternoon. Wyze Declaration was bred by Bloomhill Stud of Mooi River in KZN and is owned by Wilgerbosdrift (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mrs M Slack).

Kubu, from the Justin Snaith stable, won the third race on the card, a Maiden Plate over 1400m, under Callan Murray. The rider is in such hot form at present that, if you look closely, you might see steam rising from his racing silks. Kubu showed marked improvement from her first run to her second and appears to have a bright future.

Ocean Sky, for Keagan de Melo and Eric Sands, took the honours in the fourth race, beating Blizzardboy and District Master. It was Ocean Sky’s eighth attempt to get it right, and this time he delivered, shouldering 61.5kg in the process.

Race 5 produced a James Crawford-trained exacta for Ridgemont Highlands, with Whirlwind victorious ahead of stablemate Panjandrum. The pair race in the colours of Ridgemont (Nom: Mr Craig Kieswetter and Devin Heffer). Richard Fourie rode the winner, while Gareth Wright partnered the runner-up, who surely cannot be far from a breakthrough victory.

Girl Magic went down to the start for Race 7 looking an absolute picture and returned looking even better winning after a determined ride from Luyolo Mxothwa. The Jay Peg filly is trained by Shane Humby, who is currently enjoying a purple patch.

The eighth race on the card provided a ding-dong tussle to the line between Astronomical Boy and Money Extraction. Aldo Domeyer was able to coax just a touch more from Astronomical Boy to edge out Money Extraction by the width of a piece of paper. Candice Bass trained the winner, with Des McLachlan responsible for the runner-up. Astronomical Boy appears to be a progressive type and can be followed with confidence.

The final race was won by Diamond Bomber, rounding off an outstanding day for the Bass-Domeyer combination, who secured their fourth victory of the afternoon.

It was a great day’s racing all round — even the Christmas Elf loved it!

RACE 1

2 FLYING WORLD 3 NOTHING COMPARES 9 SAY A WISH

Preview: 2 FLYING WORLD can win this if reproducing her run over 1450m in August and she gets a fair draw for a change. 3 NOTHING COMPARES has a chance on her last run over this distance category.  9 SAY A WISH should improve over this trip. (David Thiselton 2-3-9)

RACE 2

6 NKWENKWEZI 4 BOOM BOOM 5 ARCTIC SILVER 3 FREE IN SEATTLE

Preview: 6 NKWENKWEZI has come into her own and can win again over a trip she relished last time. 4 BOOM BOOM is also coming into her own and has a chance  over a suitable trip. 5 ARCTIC SILVER is 1kg better off with Boom Boom for a 1,10 length beating. 3 FREE IN SEATTLE could earn if at her best. (David Thiselton 6-4-5-3)

RACE 3

1 MASTER’S LADY 9 VARACHINO’S CHAMP 5 DUCHESS ZAHRA 2 GASLIGHT DANCER

Preview: 1 MASTER’S LADY has run two crackers in her last three over this trip. 9 VARACHINO’S CHAMP has just 1,80 length to find on Master’s Lady. 5 DUCHESS ZAHRA is by Rafeef out of a Dynasty mare and gets a 4kg claimer up on debut. 2 GASLIGHT DANCER has shown glimpses of ability. (David Thiselton 1-9-5-2)

RACE 4

1 INSPECTOR JAMES 7 MONKEY’S WEDDING 4 UNDERDOG 8 SABRAGE

Preview: 1 INSPECTOR JAMES has a fine form chance but has not raced since early August. 7 MONKEY’S WEDDING ran well second time out and should improve. 4 UNDERDOG could earn if producing his best over a step down in trip which might suit. 8 SABRAGE is by Canford Cliffs and is a half-brother to Old Fashioned, who has won his last two starts. (1-7-4-8)

 

RACE 5

8 ASIAH’S TIARA 1 EUPHRATES 4 EMERALD CITY 3 CUZZIE

Preview: 8 ASIAH’S TIARA knocking on the door and should be right there over a trip she could well enjoy. 1 EUPHRATES  is proven over this trip and has a chance.  4 EMERALD CITY ran a cracker when stepped up to this trip last time. 3 CUZZIE has showed some ability and being by Futura he might enjoy this trip. (David Thiselton 8-1-4-3)

RACE 6

2 DUCHESS OF PALOMA 3 SIGFRID SWING 1 ANNWITHANE 6 ROSY LEMON

Preview: 2 DUCHESS OF PALOMA is progressive and ca make it a hattrick. 3 SIGFRID SWING knocking on the door over shorter, should stay but has a wide draw. 1 ANNWITHANE is distance suited and should be right there. 6 ROSY LEMON was not disgraced last time and lowered by a point. (David Thiselton 2-3-1-6)

RACE 7

7 XENOPHON 9 ANTONIO GAUDI 2 MISTER WILSON 11 BRIGHT AND BRAZEN

Preview: 7 XENOPHON is a promising sort who should progress. 9 ANTONIO GAUDI is in fine form and has a good draw over an ideal trip. 2 MISTER WILSON should finish close to Antonio Gaudi on form lines but has a tough draw. 11 BRIGHT AND BRAZEN is in with a chance from a fair draw. (David Thiselton 7-9-2-11)

RACE 8

1 PALACE ATTACK 3 OLYMPIAN GOLD 4 MOCHA FRAPPE 2 BELLEROPHON

Preview: 1 PALACE ATTACK has a form chance in this line up. 3 OLYMPIAN GOLD is capable of being in the shake up. 4 MOCHA FRAPPE has a lot of talent but is not straightforward.so his improved comeback run after a long layoff was encouraging. 2 BELLEROPHON ran well over 180m last time and has a chance here. (David Thiselton 1-3-4-2)

RACE 9

3 ACTUARY 1 STOKESY  2 RED SUNRISE 6 CODEWORD

Preview: 3 ACTUARY improved last time and will relish the step up in trip. 1 STOKESY disappointed last time but if reproducing his penultimate start he has a chance.  2 RED SUNRISE has a good form chance here. f6 CODEWORD is capable of improvement and will be staying on. (David Thiselton 3-1-2-6)

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Kempton and Lingfield (UK) – 17 December 2025.

David Thiselton

Small horses are every now and then able to overcome their lack of size with other special attributes and the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner Jan Van Goyen appears to be such a horse.

His special attribute is his fine action in which he has a good length of stride and a very quick stride. It was actually stride-frequency which separated the great Winx from the rest as she was able to do 170 strides per minute compared to the average racehorse’s 130 to 140 per minute.

It will be interesting when the sectional timing data is out to check the number of strides statistic relating to Jan Van Goyen.

What is without question though is his ability to relax in the running and his ability to quicken seemingly effortlessly. He does not look to be under any stress whether just relaxing in the running, accelerating  or going at full tilt.

This points to a horse with a magnificent action i.e it covers plenty of ground in quick time while being uncomplicated and smooth. It can be described as a machine-like action with each stride the same as the other and it has a rhythmical frequency.

However, it is always easy to get carried away when a three-year-old wins an iconic, stallion-producing race like the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas convincingly.

The one man who is not getting carried away by the current three-year-old crop is one of the country’s most respected racing analysts, Karel Miedema.

Previous examples of Ability Ratings (AR) Karel has given Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winners are 109 for One Stripe last year, 97 for Snow Pilot in 2023, 110 for Charles Dickens in 2022, 113 for Double Superlative in 2021 and 99 for Russian Rock in 2020.

He has only awarded Jan Van Goyen an AR of 100 for Saturday’s run.

Jan Van Goyen ran a better time than Dave The King did in the Gr 2 Ridgemont Green Point Stakes with both carrying 60kg, but interestingly Karel awards Dave The King an AR of 110 for his win.

Jan Van Goyen is currently the 3/1 favourite for the Gr 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate and his fans will be snapping that up as he is potentially a special horse.

Aldo Domeyer’s comments after the Guineas were interesting as Happy Verse had moved up well and he confirmed,  “I had a great deal of confidence entering the final  two furlongs.” He concluded by saying, “He (Jan) won like a really good horse, I believe a decent horse beat us today.”

Mathew de Kock believes there is improvement to come from Jan Van Goyen, so was looking forward to seeing where he stood by taking on older horses.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating, but the three-year-old vs older horse debate in this year’s L’Ormarins King’s Plate will pivot around Jan Van Goyen and it is going to be a particularly fascinating race.

See It Again has burst right back into the picture after losing ground at the start and storming through to finish a 0,35 length third in the Gr2 Green Point Stakes. Every cloud has a silver lining and trainer Michael Roberts and owner Nick Jonsson might now be glad that See It Again’s loading shenanigans cost him participation in the Gr1 Betway Summer Cup as the humid conditions on the day seemed to take a lot out of a lot of the runners, not to mention the oft stated difficulty of traveling to Johannesburg and then down to Cape Town. Instead, they have a fresh horse who has two big races in Cape Town plus a R10 million carrot (the Hollywoodbets Durban July) to look forward to.

Garrix was a much talked about horse last season and he proved his supporters correct by producing a flying finish to be beaten by just a long neck in his second run of the season in the Green Point.

Eight On Eighteen makes his seasonal reappearance in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate and has drifted to 9/2 second favourite, which is not surprising considering it is on the sharp side for him, while See It Again and Garrix are 6/1 joint third-favourite. Dave The King is 7/1 along with Green Point fourth-placed Sail The Seas.

The best value is Gladatorian at 17/1. He can be forgiven for running slightly below par in his first run at Hollywoobets Kenilworth and this usually ultra consistent horse should bounce back. It seems a bit of a knee jerk reaction by the bookmakers to have written him off so quickly as his trainer, Stuart Ferrie, was more than happy with his first run in the Cape.