Warren Lenferna

Preacher Man was given an excellent ride in the opening race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville yesterday by replacement rider Callan Murray for Candice Bass. Murray set off to the front, skipped at the top of the lane and that was the last they saw of this daughter of Real Gone Kid. The second race saw Little Nimbus (another replacement ride, this time for Sean Veale) switch in, in the closing stages, pinned her ears back and set out after the leader Theleia denying her victory in the shadow of the post under a strong ride from Veale and giving the Bass yard a quick double. Klein Karoo was well backed to win the third and, win he did for Ricky Maingard and Craig Zackey who is riding winners everywhere and every day! He is a joy to watch!

Talking of quick doubles, the Maingard yard were in the winners enclosure again in the very next race, this time with Apprentice Varun Jodhee with another well backed horse, Red State. The promising young rider acquitted himself professionally and got this daughter of The United States to respond swiftly to his urgings. An impressive victory. The fifth race saw another apprentice rider in the winners box. This time it was Eduan Muller who steered Double Dash to victory from the front and with just 49kg’s on her back, they simply could not peg her back. She found a second wind close to home and won well for trainer Des Mclachlan and owners Denis Le Breton and Miss Daniel. The penultimate race, race six saw another pick up ride successful and another young apprentice rider victorious. Given To Fly won despite running around and ducking in the closing stages. Her finish was just too lethal for the opposition and hit the line with authority scoring the Bass team a treble on the card. The Snaith yard had only a few runners and it was clear for all to see that their best chance of victory was in the last race with Prairie Dawn and many bankered this gelding and he was crunched in the market too. Stable companion Meet The King set off to the front and ended up deadheating for third. He ran a good race but the finish that the favourite put in was too good and Prairie Dawn won in the manner of a progressive sort.

Racing will go back to Hollywoodbets Kenilworth for a while now as Hollywoodbets Durbanville will take a light break but there is certain to be plenty more exciting racing action to come out of the Western Cape.

David Thiselton

 

The Vaal Classic track has an eight race meeting today and Kissing Machine should be in the shake up in the highest rated race of the day, a MR 98 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1800m.

 

Calvin Habib has been aboard for all three of her career wins and she is drawn in pole, which will help her considering she set the pace last time when winning over 2000m. She was headed by Future Date in that last race but fought back well in the straight to win by 0,75 lengths. She would probably prefer 2000m and she is also four points higher in the merit ratings for that last win, so can’t be considered a good thing. However, she has not missed a cheque this season in eight starts from 1800m up to 2400m and should make a bold bid. Warning Sound will be a big threat as she ran a cracker last time in a Listed race over 1600m. She is three points higher, but should relish the step up in trip on pedigree and her draw of five out of ten is not bad. Free In Seattle just needs to repeat her last start, in which she was second to the smart Duchess Of Paloma over this course and distance, to have a fine chance from a good draw. Bakwena was beaten 2,20 lengths by Warning Sound last time, but is only half-a-kilogram better off and she has a tricky draw. Future Date probably hit the front too early last time over 2000m and will likely enjoy this step down to 1800m, plus she is 1kg better off for that 0,75 length defeat by Kissing Machine.

 

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1450m The Reason looks cherry ripe to deliver. He is knocking hard and has a fair draw over a suitable trip. Furthermore, he looked the type who would need a few runs for the penny to drop and he should be ready now. Onceinabluemoon has a length to make up on The Reason and is well drawn so should be in the shake up. Lanteri beat The Reason over this trip in  her penultimate start before running a moderate place next time out and she has a tricky draw. Baby Red could earn if producing her best. Savara’s Princess could earn a cheque in this line up.

 

In the second leg of the Pick 6 over 1450m Night Skizzle made a good debut and can go close with improvement over the same course and distance but the wide draw is a big concern, although Keagan de Melo will likely make a plan. Shoreybomba was a length behind Night Skizzle in that race but there is now a reversal in draw fortunes in his favour so he has a chance. Lookout Mountain has four lengths to find on Night Skizzle, but he has a good draw and Zackey is up, so with expected improvement he is not out of it. Beach Walker has run some good races but is none too consistent and has a tricky draw. Arizona Magic has the form to earn.

 

In the fifth race over 2400m Military Moves was second to Pomozelous three runs ago over this trip and is now 3kg better off for a 0,70 length beating, but he does have to bounce back from two below par runs over 2600m and 2000m. Pomozealous won over this trip last time and was only raised three points and now has pole position. Arlington Action stays and is usually thereabouts and he is 2kg better off Pomozealous for a 1,50 length beating so has a chance.  Full Go is in fine form over middle distances and now tries a step up in trip. His sire Admiral Kitten won a Gr 1 over 2000m while his dam is by Captain Of All and is difficult to assess for stamina as she was a poor performer at whatever trip she tried.

 

In the seventh over 1800m World Of Royalty caught the eye in his first couple of runs  and was always going to be a horse who would appreciate the Highveld with its long straights. He ran on strongly last time in his first run on the Highveld and can be dopped out from a wide draw here under Muzi Yeni. Sky Pillar Rock has the ability to be in the shake up. Dark Silver should have come on from his last start, which followed a short layoff and he has a form chance.

 

In the eighth over 1800m Pearl In Her Crown is capable of a strong finish and should be right there. She can be dropped out from her wide draw and then mow them down. Azaleas For All is usually thereabouts and can earn again, although she has a tricky draw. Special Star is still capable of improvement and faces an easier field here than she has in her last wo starts.

 

In the first race over 1000m Red Viking is by Erik The Red out of a Var mare and he is a half-brother to three-time winner Magical Sky. Gimme Some Luck is by Gimmethegreenlight out of a Shamardal mare and he is a half-brother to seven-time winner Ululate and to five-time winner New Mexico. Expert Witness is by Hawwaam out of Albarahin mare Fakazi and he is a half-brother to the 105-rated seven-time winner Perfect Witness. Midnight Show made a fair debut and should improve .

 

In the second over 1000m Lanzarote has run two good races, including coming third in a Listed race and she is the one to beat. Verdandi is by Erik The Red and is a half-sister to Tenjiku, who reached a 104 rating after two wins and a close fourth in a Listed race. Lady Harlequin is by What A Winter out of Captain Al mare who won on debut. Ushouldbedancing is by Pathfork out of a Joshua Dancer mare and she is a half-sister to three-time winner Palace Dancer (Potala Palace). Spring Tide looks capable of improvement after a moderate debut.

Race 1

 

4 RED VIKING 2 GIMME SOME LUCK 1 EXPERT WITNESS 3 MIDNIGHT SHOW

 

4 RED VIKING is by Erik The Red out of a Var mare and he is a half-brother to three-time winner Magical Sky. 2 GIMME SOME LUCK is by Gimmethegreenlight out of a Shamardal mare and he is a half-brother to seven-time winner Ululate and to five-time winner New Mexico. 1 EXPERT WITNESS is by Hawwaam out of Albarahin mare Fakazi and he is a half-brother to the 105-rated seven-time winner Perfect Witness. 3 MIDNIGHT SHOW made a fair debut and should improve. (David Thiselton 4-2-1-3)

 

Race 2

 

4 LANZAROTE 9 VERDANDI 3 LADY HARLEQUIN 8 USHOULDBEDANCING

 

4 LANZAROTE has run two good races, including coming third in a Listed race and she is the one to beat. 9 VERDANDI is by Erik The Red and is a half-sister to Tenjiku, who reached a 104 rating after two wins and a close fourth in a Listed race. 3 LADY HARLEQUIN is by What A Winter out of Captain Al mare who won on debut. 8 USHOULDBEDANCING is by Pathfork out of a Joshua Dancer mare and she is a half-sister to three-time winner Palace Dancer (Potala Palace). (David Thiselton 4-9-3-8)

 

Race 3

 

1 THE REASON 2 ONCEINABLUEMOON  3 LANTERI 5 BABY RED

 

1 THE REASON is knocking hard and has a fair draw over a suitable trip. 2 ONCEINABLUEMOON has a length to make up on The Reason and is well drawn.  3 LANTERI beat The Reason over this trip in  her penultimate start before running a moderate place next time out and she has a tricky draw. 5 BABY RED could earn if producing her best. (David Thiselton 1-2-3-5)

 

Race 4

 

10 NIGHT SKIZZLE 2 SHOREYBOMBA 5 LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN 1 BEACH WALKER

 

10 NIGHT SKIZZLE made a good debut and can go close with improvement over the same course and distance but the wide draw is a big concern. 2 SHOREYBOMBA was a length behind Night Skizzle in that race but there is now a reversal in draw fortunes in his favour so he has a chance. 5 LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN has four lengths to find on Night Skizzle but he has a good draw and Zackey is up. 1 BEACH WALKER has run some good races but is none to consistent and has a tricky draw. (David Thiselton 10-2-5-1)

 

Race 5

 

5 MILITARY MOVES 8 POMOZELOUS  1 ARLINGTON ACTION 10 FULL GO

 

5 MILITARY MOVES was second to Pomozelous three runs ago over this trip and is now 3kg better off for a 0,70 length beating, but he does have to bounce back from too below par runs over 2600m and 2000m. 8 POMOZELOUS won over this trip last time and was only raised three points and now has pole position. 1 ARLINGTON ACTION stays and is usually thereabouts. 10 FULL GO is in fine form over middle distances and now tries a step up in trip. (David Thiselton 5-8-1-10)

 

Race 6

 

9 KISSING MACHINE 8 WARNING SOUND 7 FREE IN SEATTLE 2 BAKWENA

 

9 KISSING MACHINE is a reliable sort and can do well from pole position over a suitable trip off a four point higher mar for her win last time. 8 WARNING SOUND ran a cracker last time in a Listed race over 1600m and although three points higher she should relish the step up in trip on pedigree. 7 FREE IN SEATTLE just needs to repeat her last start to have a fine chance from a good draw. 2 BAKWENA should finish on top of Warning Sound on form. (David Thiselton 9-8-7-2)

 

Race 7

 

13 WORLD OF ROYALTY 3 SKY PILLAR ROCK 1 DARK SILVER

 

13 WORLD OF ROYALTY proved last time he is going to love the long straights of the Highveld and he should be flying late again after being dropped out from a wide draw.  3 SKY PILLAR ROCK has the ability to be in the shake up. 1 DARK SILVER should have com on from his last start and has a form chance. (David Thiselton 13-3-1)

 

Race 8

 

5 PEARL IN HER CROWN 1 AZALEAS FOR ALL 3 SPECIAL STAR

 

5 PEARL IN HER CROWN is capable of a strong finish and should be right there. 1 AZALEAS FOR ALL is usually thereabouts and can earn again. 3 SPECIAL STAR is still capable of improvement. (David Thiselton 5-1-3)

Soccer13 GUARANTEED JACKPOT Thursday 26 March 2026. R7 Million (If only One 13 of 13 Winner). Pool Closes at 21h15. Sport 11 Pool 1.

Soccer4 Friday 27 March 2026. ADD-IN R25 000. Estimated Pool: R 100 000. Pool Closes at 21h00. Sport 19 Pool 2.

Soccer10 Friday 27 March 2026. ADD-IN: R200 000. Estimated Pool: R2 Million. Pool Closes at 19h00. Sport 8 Pool 1.

Soccer6 Saturday 28 March 2026. ADD-IN R75 000. Estimated Pool: R 400 000. Pool Closes at 17h00. Sport 1 Pool 2.

Soccer10 Saturday 28 March 2026. ADD-IN: R200 000. Estimated Pool: R2 Million. Pool Closes at 15h30. Sport 15 Pool 1.

Soccer Any 13Xtra Saturday 28 March 2026. Carryover R200 000. Estimated Pool: R600 000. Pool Closes at 14h00. Sport 13 and Pool 1.

Soccer CORNERS Carryover R 3 759. Saturday 28 March 2026. Pool Closes at 15h00.

Soccer SCORES Carryover R 2 096. Saturday 28 March 2026. Pool Closes at 15h30.

Soccer13 GUARANTEED JACKPOT Saturday 28 March 2026. R18 Million (If only One 13 of 13 Winner). Pool Closes at 16h30. Sport 10 Pool 1.

Please note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Kempton and Lingfield (UK) – 25 March 2026.