Andrew Harrison

Racing returns to Hollywoodbets Scottsville after an extended break for its annual spring treatment. The intended return was a fortnight back but rain put paid to that and racing was moved to the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly track.

With the track sure to be in mint condition on Sunday, trainers are out to take advantage and punters are faced with near capacity fields that will make finding winners a lot more testing.

The first KZN juvenile race kicks off the card and has attracted a big field of first timers so the betting will be your best guide. Mike Miller has his usual compliment and saddles seven of the 12 runners. The Miller stable rider Tristan Godden generally has the choice of the rides so Master Magician could prove the pick but he is not infallible.

The first leg of the bi-pot sees a full field of 16 line up with a number of first timers in the mix. Of those that have run, Place Of Practice improved nicely on the poly second time out but can make the required improvement. However, Winter In London also improved at his second start behind the useful looking Cognac. He can also make the required improvement.

Mr Mcdonald caught the eye when running on late on debut. It was not the greatest maiden field but with some expected improvement he can go one better in the opening leg of the PA. Past And Present makes his local debut for his new stable. He has been rested but had some useful Cape form over further but the blinkers are back on and he has the best of the draw. Director has drawn wide but his last run in the soft is best ignored. He was consistent before that. Dubai Dude was well beaten on debut but that form has held up quite well. He gets the services of vastly experience French rider Mickaelle Michel who will relish the 1.5kg allowance.

Annie’s Song will need some luck in running from her wide draw in the first leg of the Pick 6 but she has improved with every outing and looks primed for this. Thought Control is Adam Azzie’s only runner on the day and made a promising debut over the distance and sure to come on with the experience. Heavenly Mafia makes her local debut and boasts steady Cape and PE form. The blinkers stay on with a claiming apprentice up.

Mark Dixon saddles Cleartherunway in the fifth. He has a tricky draw to contend with but he was an impressive winner of his maiden at just his second start. The form of that race had panned out with second placed Eric’s Legacy skating home by eight lengths next time out albeit in a shallow field. He is in receipt of 1.5kg from Cleartherunway and has a better draw which could swing the odds in his favour. Red Mountain has shown some recent improvement in blinkers and with a claiming apprentice up he comes into the race with a strong chance.

Mickaelle Michel can register her first winner on South African soil where she partner Magma Magic in a competitive handicap. The gelding has shown signs of form of late and may just have needed his last effort. This trip should suit. Bank Street switches to the turf but has been running consistently well on the poly. He got a two-point raise in the handicap for his runner-up placing last time out and is up in trip. Kimball O’Hara has a tricky draw but has dropped further in the ratings and is down in class. Definitely Yes has been making steady improvement with a tongue-tie and should be a contender along with In The Bag who is seldom far back of late and can go one better.

The seventh is another tricky handicap. Gimmeforsure has been consistent since her debut win. She makes her local debut and steps up to what could be a more suitable trip given her pedigree.  She only has 51.5kg to shoulder from a favourable draw. At the other end of the gate is Sascha’s Dream boasts solid current form and stays the trip well. She also gets some relief from the saddle. Grand Occasion was well fancied for a hattrick of wins last time out but found one too good. She has come good of late and steps up in trip. Miss Twinkle meets Sasha’s Dream on identical weight terms but does have the better draw. There should not be too much between them come the line.

In the eighth, Fortress Of Fire was disappointing in features last season but ended off in promising fashion. After nearly five months off the track, he caught the eye in is seasonal debut when running on stoutly from a wide draw on the poly behind the very much in form United Nation. He shed his maiden over course and distance and could be finally finding himself. Maphaka has been knocking on the door for some time now. He is dropping in the ratings and could be competitive again. Dapper is long overdue and seldom out of the money. One of his best recent showings has been over course and distance. Beamonesque finished just ahead of Fortress Of Fire when making his local debut. He had useful Highveld form before that and will be competitive.

The last is another competitive handicap but Arverni Princess has been in mustard form and has won over course and distance with this apprentice aboard. Whereverilaymyhat is 0.5kg better off with Arverni Princess on their last meeting so there should not be much between the pair. Ndaka is back over his preferred distance and has blinkers on. He is quick and could be the surprise package. Yannakis is down in class and has a 4kg claimer aboard which should help his cause.

RACE 1

6 MASTER MAGICIAN   12 A BIT SPICEY   3 STEAMY WINDOWS   7 AMC ROY’S FANTASY

Summary: The first KZN juvenile race has attracted a big field of first timers so the betting will be your best guide. Mike Miller has his usual compliment and saddles seven of the 12 runners. Stable rider Tristan Godden generally has the pick of the rides so MASTER MAGICIAN (6) could prove the pick but he is not infallible. (Andrew Harrison: 6-12-3-7).

RACE 2

15 PLACE OF PRACTICE   1 WINTER IN LONDON   2 EASTERN HIGHLANDS   5 BEST OF ALL

Summary: A full field of 16 lines up here with a number of first timers in the mix. Of those that have run, PLACE OF PRACTICE (15) improved nicely on the poly second time out but can make the required improvement. WINTER IN LONDON (1) also improved at his second start behind the useful looking Cognac. He can also make the required improvement. EASTERN HIGHLANDS (2) looks held by Place Of Practice going on their last meeting but does have experience in his favour.  BEST OF ALL (5) has a blue-blood pedigree and one to keep an eye on in the betting given that regular stable rider S’Manga Khumalo rides. (Andrew Harrison: 15-1-2-10).

RACE 3

7 MR MCDONALD   1 PAST AND PRESENT   13 DIRECTOR   12 DUBAI DUDE

Summary: MR MCDONALD (7) caught the eye when running on late on debut. It was not the greatest maiden field but with some expected improvement he can go one better. PAST AND PRESENT (1) makes his local debut for his new stable. He has been rested but had some useful Cape form over further. The blinkers are back on and he has the best of the draw. DIRECTOR (13) has drawn wide but his last run in the soft is best ignored. He was consistent before that. DUBAI DUDE (12) was well beaten on debut but that form has held up quite well. He gets the services of vastly experience French rider Mickaelle Michel who will relish the 1.5kg allowance. (Andrew Harrison: 7-1-13-12).

RACE 4

13 ANNIE’S SONG   5 THOUGHT CONTROL   3 HEAVENLY MAFIA   1 SOVEREIGN GEM

Summary: ANNIE’S SONG (13) will need some luck in running from her wide draw but she has improved with every outing and looks primed for this. THOUGHT CONTROL (5) made a promising debut over the distance and sure to come on with the experience. HEAVENLY MAFIA (3) makes her local debut and shows steady Cape and PE form. The blinkers stay on with a claiming apprentice up. SOVEREIGN GEM (1) has the best of the draw and she did improve at her second outing in the soft. Can go close. (Andrew Harrison: 13-5-3-1).

RACE 5

5 ERIC’S LEGACY   11 CLEARTHERUNWAY   6 RED MOUNTAIN   3 SPAARNE RIVIER

Summary: CLEARTHERUNWAY (11) has a tricky draw to contend with but he was an impressive winner of his maiden at just his second start. The form of that race had panned out with second placed ERIC’S LEGACY (5) skating home by eight lengths next time out albeit in a shallow field. He is in receipt of 1.5kg from Cleartherunway and has a better draw which could swing the odds in his favourite. RED MOUNTAIN (6) has shown some recent improvement in blinkers and with a claiming apprentice up he comes into the race with a strong chance. SPAARNE RIVIER (3) was a little disappointing last time out but is down in class and cannot be written off lightly. (Andrew Harrison: 5-11-6-3).

RACE 6

3 MAGMA MAGIC   7 BANK STREET   12 KIMBALL O’HARA   11 DEFINITELY YES

Summary: Competitive handicap. MAGMA MAGIC (3) has shown signs of form of late and may just have needed his last effort. This trip should suit. BANK STREET (7) switches to the turf but has been running consistently well on the poly. He got a two-point raise in the handicap for his runner-up placing last time out and is up in trip. KIMBALL O’HARA (12) has a tricky draw but has dropped further in the ratings and is down in class. DEFINITELY YES (11) has been making steady improvement with a tongue-tie and should be a contender. IN THE BAG (5) is seldom far back of late and can go one better. (Andrew Harrison: 3-7-12-11-5).

RACE 7

1 GIMMEFORSURE   3 MISS TWINKLE   12 SASCHA’S DREAM   5 GRAND OCCASION

Summary: Tricky handicap. GIMMEFORSURE (1) has been consistent since her debut win. She makes her local debut and steps up to what could be a more suitable trip given her pedigree.  She only has 51.5kg to shoulder from a favourable draw. At the other end of the gate is SASCHA’S DREAM (12) who boasts solid current form. She stays the trip well and gets some relief from the saddle. GRAND OCCASION (5) was well fancied for a hattrick of wins last time out but found one too good. She has come good of late and steps up in trip. MISS TWINKLE (3) meets Sasha’s Dream on identical weight terms but does have the better draw. There should not be too much between them come the line. (Andrew Harrison: 1-3-12-5).

RACE 8

16 FORTRESS OF FIRE   7 MAPHAKA   10 BEAMONESQUE   9 DAPPER

Summary: FORTRESS OF FIRE (16) was disappointing in features last season but ended off in promising fashion. After nearly five months off the track, he caught the eye in is seasonal debut when running on stoutly from a wide draw on the poly behind the very much in form United Nations. He shed his maiden over course and distance and could be finally finding himself. MAPHAKA (7) has been knocking on the door for some time now. He is dropping in the ratings and could be competitive again. DAPPER (9) is long overdue and seldom out of the money. One of his best recent showings has been over course and distance. BEAMONESQUE (10) finished just ahead of Fortress Of Fire when making his local debut. He had useful Highveld form before that and will be competitive. (Andrew Harrison: 16-7-10-9).

RACE 9

6 ARVERNI PRINCESS   5 WHEREVERILAYMYHAT   13 NDAKA   9 YANNAKIS

Summary: ARVERNI PRINCESS (6) has been in mustard form and has won over course and distance with this apprentice aboard. WHEREVERILAYMYHAT (5) is 0.5kg better off with Arverni Princess on their last meeting so there should not be much between the pair. NDAKA (13) is back over his preferred distance and has blinkers on. He is quick and could be the surprise package. YANNAKIS (9) is down in class and has a 4kg claimer aboard which should help his cause. (Andrew Harrison: 6-5-13-9).

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Cheltenham and Newcastle (UK) – 13 December 2025.

Alistair Cohen

South Africa’s Champion Two-Year-Old Male of last season makes his first trip to Cape Town today to run in the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas. With a superb prep run under his belt two weeks earlier at Turffontein, he looks to be coming into this showpiece event ready to claim his second career scalp at the highest level. This card shapes up to be one of the most enticing in years regardless of the 1600m showpiece event.

Trainer Mike de Kock won this race, which is a stallion-maker, five times. Now teaming with his son Mathew, they will look to increase their footprint on this race which has been dominated by himself, Vaughan Marshall and Dean Kannemeyer over the last 30 years.

Jan Van Goyen won the Grade 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Premier’s Champion Stakes over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville in July. That was the race that stamped him as an elite quality talent. He was given a long rest and many questioned where he was hiding. He held a few nominations but Team De Kock picked their spots with this race in mind. He had a grass gallop at Turffontein nearly a month ago to brush off some cobwebs.

His real return came two weeks ago in the Grade 2 Jackpot City Dingaans over 1600m at Turffontein when he finished a superb second behind Trust. The Dingaans is traditionally a great pointer for the future. One must keep in mind that the winner and runner-up were nearly five lengths ahead of the third-placed horse. There were Grade 2 and Grade 3 winners who did not lay a glove on them. Jan Van Goyen was reported to not quite be 100% going into that race but close to peak. He should be in the pink of health for this race.

The big question is the travel aspect from Johannesburg to Cape Town but if anybody knows how to pull off the big trip, it is De Kock. Callan Murray is carded to take the ride.

Randolph Hearst has been unlucky in his two runs this summer. His return in the Grade 3 Cape Classic over 1400m he was asked to make up too much ground when he finished third behind Vapour Trail. It was still an encouraging run to have finished his race that strongly. Last time in the Grade 2 Cape Punters Cup over this track and trip he was impeded in the closing stages. He failed to win the race in the boardroom, a decision many think is debatable. Randolph Hearst has a brilliant turn of foot and there is evidence of a pace in the race. He should make a bold bid.

Happy Verse got the run from hell in his last run, the Cape Punters Cup when he found no position and he was forced to travel at the outside of the pack with no cover. He stuck it out and was not disgraced finishing fourth behind Good For You, who he meets again. Whatever happens, less will go wrong.

Gimmie Rules is at the top of the boards and he has taken a soft route into this Grade 1. He was impressive when beating the solid, well-performed Handsome Prince last time by 0,5 lengths. He was in receipt of 4,5kg. Whether that is good enough to win a Grade 1 remains to be seen. He is a full brother to Grade 1 hotshots Gimme A Prince and The Real Prince. For now, he is all reputation. If he lives up to the hype, he will excite many in the coming seasons.

A mention for Good For You. He is a very good horse. He has a habit of hanging from side to side when under pressure but he is a Grade 1 winner as a two-year-old when taking out the Gold Medallion at Hollywoodets Scottsville. He had to repass and gallop in a straight line before a racemeeting a few weeks back. He is either going to win or go completely missing.

The rest of the card is so appetizing. The Grade 2 Ridgemont Green Point Stakes over 1600m is a galaxy of stars except Eight On Eighteen who should step out withing a month. Gladatorian is an iron horse who runs massive races even when the chips are down. His versatility and desire are huge attributes and it is hard to expect him to be off colour. He looked the part when winning his prep run at Hollywoodbets Greyville over 1200m last month. His main aim will be the L’Ormarins Kings Plate and World Sports Betting Cape Town Met. Stuart Ferrie has his first string in Cape Town since replacing his legendary boss, Dennis Drier. He trains this brilliant son of Vercingetorix.

Sail The Seas has stuck himself among possible Weight For Age race winners. He also has a run under his belt this season when he returned from a six-month break and ran close to his stable companion and 1400m specialist Great Plains. He could be more of a Met or Kings Plate horse too but if good enough to win those races, he should be good enough to win this.

Fire Attack comes from Alec Laird’s Johannesburg-based yard and he has Grade 1 wins and places to his name. His seasonal debut at Turffontein last month was excellent when he ran South Africa’s most exciting sprinter, Buffalo Storm Cody close over 1160m. His deep draw of No 13 is a concern but he does not have his legs tied up.

Neither do Cosmic Speed and Snow Pilot who also have Grade 1 wins to their names. See It Again is in the race while The Real Prince and Dave The King are good enough to compete on any stage having won the Hollywoodbets Durban July and crowed former Horse Of The Year respectively.

The Grade 3 1Voucher Victress Stakes, race 4, over 1800m could be best setup for Rainbow Lorikeet who won this race last year. Her seasonal debut was pleasing when she finished 2,8 lengths behind Double Grand Slam. She generally needs her first run back on track before she gets into the swing of things.

Just about anything can win the Grade 2 SplashOut Cape Merchants over 1200m. Raven Black has a big reputation but soundness has compromised him of running regularly and staying in the swing of things. Since relocating to Cape Town he has got into a routine. He possibly needed a few runs on return from nearly a year off the track. His last effort was meritorious when he finished 0,4 lengths behind Mai Sensation over this course and distance. He is 1,5kg better off so he should turn that form around. There are chances for Quantum Theory, The Us Of A, I Am Giant and Outlaw King.

The Grade 3 Ownpay Peninsula Handicap over 1800m has an interesting complexion. The presence of Magic Verse has pushed most of the field under sufferance and some light-weight jockeys have a spin on horses they would not necessarily be familiar with. Landoftherisingsun and Muzi Yeni have combined and he could pay to follow. He won the Listed Settlers Trophy over 2000m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville when last seen in September. He gives the impression that he is ahead of the handicapper and developing only now. Regulation gets the services of regular rider JP van der Merwe and he is also coming to hand as a four-year-old. His last win was full of merit when he stretched away to beat Umfula by 4,5 lengths over this course and distance.

Champagne Castle has experience under the belt and she could score in race 1 over 1000m. On debut she finished 1,9 lengths behind Querari Dancer. That form was franked last weekend when Catwalk King made some significant improvement from debut to second start.

Rockanrollin could be the best bet on the card when he runs in race 2 over 1200m. Unless debutant, Cardinal Point is any great shakes, he should have no issues getting out of the maiden ranks after a string of solid, placed performances.

Race 3 over 1200m looks to be a three-cornered contest between Spirit, Churchillian and Nightrain. They are selected in that order. Spirit is far better than his recent runs suggests. Richard Fourie takes the ride for Piet and Elbert Steyn.

There are a few with chances in race 9 over 1600m. The free-striding Mente Et Manu could bounce back to winning ways. He ran in a very open race in his last start behind horses who are running in the Grade 3 Peninsula Handicap a race earlier. He has pulled his career together since a wind operation and he still seems upwardly mobile.

Please be advised that the Sha Tin event on Sunday 14^th December 2025 will be a partial World Pool event.

Races 4,5,7 and 9 are classified as World Pool races.

The Win, Place, Swinger, Quinella and Exacta pools, will World Pools.