Andrew Harrison

On the face of it, handicapping is always a punters best guide. It doesn’t always work out, given the vagaries of the sport, but the filly Regeneration looked to be the ‘right’ horse in the Progress Plate that headed the turf card at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday.

Rated way better than her opposition after showing smart form in group company, it was just a matter of Robbie Hill having got her fit enough to win first up in her seasonal debut over 1400m after not having been out since May when contesting the Gr1 Wollavington 2000.

In the event, it was never a contest as Tristan Godden rode a confident race. Tracking the early pace, he gave his mount a clear run and she responded with a romp to the line.

Hill has never been the easiest in a post-race interview, but it was a fitting win as Hill and Sean Veale, once first call riders for now retired trainer Dennis Drier, scored on his birthday.

Often there is a fine line of judgement between pulling the trigger too early and pulling it too late, especially when it comes to a tight finish. That was the case in the first as Deryl Daniels did it all right on Sun In My Pocket, only to be denied in the last few strides by Treasure Island with Tristan Godden timing his run to perfection on Mike Miller’s filly.

Daniels was quick to send Sun My Pocket to lead  and was clear of the pack for most of the race. Heading for home he sat for as long as he dared, only ‘pulling the trigger’ past the 400m mark.

Once Daniels committed, it was just a matter of how long the filly would last; just not long enough as Godden got Treasure Island to finish off her race smartly to get up close home – a finely judged ride by both riders.

 Favourite Light Of Gabriel laboured into third, giving the impression that a furlong or two further would be more to her liking, while Blue Poppy in fourth made an eye-catching debut and is one for the notebook.

Hollywood are never shy to give chances to those that deserve and they look to have backed another winner in Vengi Masawi. Working out of Ashburton, Masawi saddled his second winner as a fully fledged trainer as Spinmyangelspin racing in the Hollywood Racing silks got the better of favourite Celestial Diamond in a tight finish to the second.

Kabelo Matsunyani took Celestial Diamond to the front early and looked to have the race in the bag some way out. However, Sean Veale kept hard at the blinkered Spinmyangelspin who appeared to be doing all she could to shirk the fight with tail spinning and ducking the issue but she did just enough to edge out Celestial Diamond with the balance well beaten.

Those looking for a little ‘cheer’ in the opening leg of the Pick 6 will have been resigned to their fate a long way out as Veale was hard at work to hold position on favourite Cheerscheerscheers even before the home turn. Given his position at the head of the pack, it was smart riding from Veale because if his mount had dropped the bit entirely there would have been mayhem behind.

S’Manga Khumalo was watching all unfold on his inside aboard the well-supported King Celtillus who glided to the front on the turn and although running on empty the last bit, still had enough in hand as Call Me Wild edged out Cheerscheerscheers who remarkably kept on to earn at the shallow end of the purse.

Frikkie Greyling was one of Mile de Kock’s righthand men in the time of Horse Chestnut so has learnt from the best. There has been a torrent of water under that bridge but he is back at the helm of his own yard. Go Grayson Go has been knocking at the door for some time now for Greyling but the gelding has not been the easiest of rides. However, sent over 2000m for the first time, he appears to have found his nice and cruised to a comfortable win under Calvin Habib in the fourth. Go Grayson Go has always appeared to be useful and with the step up in trip he could pay to follow.

Move over Andrew Fortune; In his absence MJ Odendaal has taken over the reins of the post-race interview. MJ was a rider in the same era before a horrific fall at Clairwood Park ended his career in the saddle. But he comes from farming stock in the backwaters of Mphumalanga and knows his way around livestock.

The diminutive filly Ubukhwebezana has never been the easiest but Sean Veale, at the top of his game for his retained stable, Hollywood Racing, timed the mare’s run to perfection to land the sixth win of her career and confirm her superiority over second-placed Happy Fortune, unable to turn the tables.

Regulars on the racecourse who are keen observers of the paddock will know that when seasoned trainer Dennis Bosch arrives in a jacket and tie, it’s game on. It doesn’t always work out, but at least you know that you will get a run for you money. Serino Moodley is the regular pilot of the Bosch-trained Copacabana but must have been at least a little anxious as Nicholas Patel set sail for home aboard Mystique Rouge in the hunt for an Odendaal double. Moodley’s supporters may have been anxious, Bosch included, but  Copacabana sailed past late to win rather cozily.

Muzi Yeni is not one easily denied in a finish and he just got the better of Rache Venniker in the last as Icy Blast and Gorgeous Guy fought out a tight finish in a ding-dong battle for the line.

David Thiselton

The main race at the Vaal meeting today (Thursday) is a high class Pinnacle Stakes event over 1200m in which the merit ratings range from 124 to107.

The false rail report does not mention any rail structure down the straight so presumably that means the outside rail will be at zero metres and, if so, it will favour horses drawn high. However, the course layout should be checked on the day because it can change and another important factor is which side the stalls are positioned on, so tipping the meeting with the prediction of a draw bias can sometimes backfire.

In the Pinnacle event Chasing Happiness represents the in form yard of Johan Janse van Vuuren and is the second best in at the weights and has a nice high draw with Muzi Yeni up. She is only half-a-kilogram under sufferance with the best-weighted Minogue. She has good pace and is able to kick off it, so could be the one to beat. Minogue has good Highveld sprint form and can bounce back from her Gr 1 wfa Mercury Sprint run, when beaten 7,65 lengths. She has a middle draw of four in the seven horse field and should make a bold bid under in-form Serino Moodley. Lucky Lad is top class, but has not run since finishing a 1,90 length fifth in the Gr 1 wfa Computaform Sprint, where he had a difficult low draw of two. He has draw three here and if at his best will mow the field down with his devastating finish after hitting his usual flat spot when the others are beginning their runs. He has to be included. Pistol Pete is capable of a top class performance too, although he is officially 0,5kg under sufferance with Lucky Lad and 2kg under sufferance with Minogue and he has the potentially unfavourable low draw of one. Ready To Charge could earn a cheque if producing his best.

The seventh is a MR98 Handicap over 1200m and topweight Francine is an interesting runner from a high draw. Two of her three career wins have been over this course and distance and she went close the only previous time Raymond Danielson rode her. The concern is she is a touch high in the handicap as her last  win was off a 94 and she is now rated 100, but the return to this course and distance gives her a chance of defying the handicapper. Francilien made a fine comeback from a layoff to go close over 1200m at Turffontein Inside last time. She now has her second run after a six month layoff and she has landed draw one, but if able to repeat that effort she should go close. Valieva is in fine form with two wins in her last three starts and she is capable of earning again from draw four, but she does have to overcome an eight point raise for her 3,50 length win last time. Komati River could be a runner in this line-up if producing her best as she has a 4kg claimer up, meaning she is actually 6.5kg better off with Francilien for a 4,50 length beating. Bosum Buddy was found to be coughing after her disappointing last start, but if able to produce her best from a high draw she will be right there.

The fifth race is a Novice Handicap over 1400m. Echo Check by Master Of My Fate won easily on debut and over a suitable step-up in trip from a nice high draw and with Khumalo keeping the ride he can do well despite a 92-merit rating. Palace Attack won well in the maidens over this trip after some fair performances before that and he has a nice high draw and gets 2,5kg from Echo Check . Shinto Shrine went close last time over 1450 metres and if repeating that effort should be in the shake-up, but his low draw might be a concern. Page Boy has been disappointing but is a lot better than his last three starts and could bounce back over this drop in trip. Clairwood Rose has fine form in the two starts in which she was not up against top class opposition, so she should make her presence felt here from a fair draw.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1700m Frangipani has improved in two runs in the Robin Klaasen Yard and could be the one to beat here from pole position over an ideal trip. Ethical is always thereabouts, and over a suitable course and distance is a big runner, but she does have a tough draw. Nkwenkwezi disappointed in her last two starts, but if bouncing back to her hard-knocking ways, she should be a big runner in this uninspiring field. Sassy Lassie could get a place in this line-up. Blood Of Eden showed signs of improvement last time when stepped up to 1600m.

In the second leg of the Pick 6 over 1700m My Lucky Charm ran a good race on debut and could go one better from a fair draw. He is out of a Seventh Rock mare whose wins were up to 1400m, but his sire Master Of My Fate could provide him with the necessary stamina to see out this trip. Trip To Peace has run some fair races and is capable of earning. All On Red looks capable of improving and has a good draw. Majalun improved in third time blinkers and can earn with a repeat. Cuzzie looks capable of earning.

In the last race over 1200m Versace Onthetrack goes for a hattrick. She looks capable of doing it despite a 91 merit rating as she does have a nice high draw and is not facing an inspiring field. Malibu made a fine debut and was not disgraced when beaten five lengths by One Fine Winter second time out, but she is returning from a five-month layoff and has a potentially tough low draw. Red Amber has been knocking on the door and is capable of being in the shake-up here. Blindfire ran well last time out and if able to step up to the 1200m trip she could be a runner here. Misty Metal looks capable of earning here after being raised four points for a win last time.

In the first race over 1200m the first-timers could dominate with not much form to go on. MME Huntress is by Vercingetorix out of a Dynasty mare, who is out of dual Group One Winner Happy Archer. Villarica is by Vercingetorix and is a half-sister to the like of Pacaya and Silver Hills. Red Secret is by Eric The Red, and is a half-brother to the promising four-time winner Willie Meet Again.

In the second race over 1200m Miami Mountain made a good debut after being backed and can make amends. Trajanus is knocking on the door and could get it right third time out from a nice high draw. Wayne is by Vercingetorix out of a Tiger Ridge mare and is a three-parts brother to Moraine, who won two of her first three starts, but he does have a low draw. Red Sunrise is by Eric The Red, out of a Trippi mare, and is a half-brother to a couple of winners, but he also has a low draw. Gold Platina improved second time out and could earn.

RACE 1

7 MME HUNTRESS 6 MASTER’S ROSE 4 VILLARRICA 8 RED SECRET

Preview: 7 MME HUNTRESS is by Vercingetorix out of a dynasty mare, who is out of dual Group One Winner Happy Archer. 4 VILLARRICA is by Vercingetorix and is a half-sister to the like of Pacaya and Silver Hills. 8 RED SECRET is by Eric The Red, and is a half-brother to the promising four-time winner Willie Meet Again. (David Thiselton 7-4-8)

RACE 2

5 MIAMI MOUNTAIN 10 TRAJANUS 11 WAYNE 8 RED SUNRISE

Preview: 5 MIAMI MOUNTAIN made a good debut after being backed and can make amends. 10 TRAJANUS is knocking on the door and could get it right third time out. 11 WAYNE is by Vercingetorix out of a Tiger Ridge mare and is a three-parts brother to Moraine, who won two of her first three starts. 8 RED SUNRISE is by Eric The Red, out of a Trippi mare, and is a half-brother to a couple of winners. (David Thiselton 5-10-11-8)

RACE 3

5 FRANGIPANI 4 ETHICAL 1 NKWENKWEZI 6 SASSY LASSIE

Preview: 5 FRANGIPANI has improved in two runs in the Robin Klaasen Yard and could be the one to beat here. 4 ETHICAL is always thereabouts, and over a suitable course and distance is a big runner, but she does have a tough draw. 1 NKWENKWEZI disappointed in her last two starts, but if bouncing back to her hard-knocking ways, she should be a big runner in this uninspiring field. 6 SASSY LASSIE could get a place in this line-up. (David Thiselton 5-4-1-6)

RACE 4

10 MY LUCKY CHARM 5 OLYMPIAN GOLD 6 TRIP TO PEACE 7 ALL ON RED

Preview: 10 MY LUCKY CHARM ran a good race on debut and could go one better from a fair draw. 5 OLYMPIAN GOLD is knocking on the door and could get it right here despite a wide draw. 6 TRIP TO PEACE has run some fair races and is capable of earning. 7 ALL ON RED looks capable of improving and has a good draw. (David Thiselton 10-5-6-7)

RACE 5

6 ECHO CHECK 11 PALACE ATTACK 2 SHINTO SHRINE 7 PAGE BOY

Preview: 6 ECHO CHECK won easily on debut and over a suitable step-up in trip can do well despite a 92-merit rating as he has a nice high draw. 11 PALACE ATTACK won well in the maidens over this trip after some fair performances before that. 2 SHINTO SHRINE went close last time over 1450 metres and if repeating that effort should be in the shake-up, but he does have a potentially tricky low draw. 7 PAGE BOY has been disappointing but is a lot better than his last three starts. (David Thiselton 6-11-2-7)

RACE 6

3 CHASING HAPPINESS 6 MINOGUE 1 LUCKY LAD 2 PISTOL PETE  4 READY TO CHARGE

Preview: 3 CHASING HAPPINESS is a good sort who has a nice late kick and can produce it off a good pace, so as she is the second best in at the weights behind Minogue and has a nice high draw she should go close. 6 MINOGUE has good sprint form on the Highveld and is the best weighted runner, being half-a-kilogram well-in with Chasing Happiness, and she has a nice middle draw of four. 1 LUCKY LAD is top class and if bouncing back to his best is the one to beat here, although he might need it and has a tricky draw of three. 2 PISTOL PETE should be in the shake-up but does have the lowest draw of all. 4 READY TO CHARGE is also capable of earning here. (David Thiselton 3-6-1-2-4)

RACE 7

4 FRANCILIEN 1 FRANCINE 7 VALIEVA 6 KOMATI RIVER

Preview: 1 FRANCINE is interesting stepped down and trip because she does have some class. 4 FRANCILIEN is knocking on the door and over a suitable trip should go close. 7 VALIEVA is in fine form and is capable of earning again. 6 KOMATI RIVER could be a runner in this line-up if producing her best. (David Thiselton 4-1-7-6)

RACE 8

1 VERSACE ONTHETRACK 6 MALIBU 2 RED AMBER 11 BLINDFIRE

Preview: 1 VERSACE ONTHETRACK has won well in her last two starts and could make it three wins in four starts. 6 MALIBU made a fine debut and was not disgraced against a good sort second time out, but returns from a five-month layoff. 2 RED AMBER has been knocking on the door and is capable of being in the shake-up here.11 BLINDFIRE ran well last time out and if able to step up to the 1,200m trip could be a runner here. (David Thiselton 1-6-2-11)

The wait is over. The opening day of the Sydney Everest Carnival is finally here, and we’re launching in style with feature races that promise action, excitement, and elite thoroughbred talent.

First up: The 7 Stakes a 1600m weight-for-age showdown where some of the country’s top milers battle for a ticket to spring’s biggest prizes, including the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes on Everest Day.

Then it’s time for the Group 2 The Shorts, the ultimate sprint over 1100m where Everest contenders explode onto the scene. This is the race where Everest credentials are on the line, just ask past winners Nature Strip, Classique Legend, and Redzel, who all blazed a trail from The Shorts to The Everest, the world’s richest race on turf. And the tradition continues this Saturday, with confirmed Everest slot-holders and rising stars with Everest dreams lining up for their shot at glory.

One jockey that will be looking to continue his impact this Australian Spring is Tyler Schiller. He’s been partnered with Everest hopeful Briasa for Team Hawkes and after winning the Australian Autumn sprinting feature, the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes, the duo aspire of making their mark on the world by winning the Everest.

It’s a spectacular day of racing and the thrilling start of a world-class carnival. The Sydney Everest Carnival has arrived. Millions are on the line. The stars are out. This is racing at its finest, make sure you are part of it

 

 

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Kelso and Yarmouth (UK) – 17 September 2025.