David Thiselton

The Hollywoodbets Scottsville Festival Of Speed meeting has a new anchor leg for the Jackpot, the Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint.

The Golden Horse Sprint has always previously been the last leg of the Jackpot, but with that race now being a Gr 2 for the second year running it seems that the SA Fillies Sprint has now replaced it as the most important of the two open events as it is forms the last leg of the always much looked forward to Jackpot of Graded races for the first time this year.

It has the same stake as the Golden Horse, R1 million, and is hence not the most expensive race of the day with the stake for the Gr 1 Gold Medallion now upped from R1.5 million last year to 1.75 million this year.

The Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint is certainly going to be a humdinger this year, although many Jackpot and Pick 6 players will likely be going thin in this leg.

Double Grand Slam and Asiye Phambili are the form horses of the race and reigning champion Mia Moo can be considered too as she did beat both of those horses last year and she also has another important fact on her side i.e. she is trained by Sean Tarry, otherwise known as The King of Pietermaritzburg, having plundered a record 21 Gr 1 victories at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.

Double Grand Slam’s defeat in last year’s SA Fillies Sprint is one of the reasons trainer Justin Snaith has entered her this year, because she was enormously unlucky in that race and Snaith would like to set the record straight.

Double Grand Slam had the number one draw, which was problematic on the day, if not always at this meeting, because the horses tend to drift over from the outside towards the perceived better going towards the inside.

Richard Fourie decided to stick to his stations and it almost worked out because a gap opened just after the 400m mark and she still looked to have plenty in  hand. Unfortunately, it closed as quickly as it opened and after being switched outward the crack filly had nowhere to go and she could only coast home behind a forest of horses to take sixth place, beaten 1,45 lengths.

So it is good news she is drawn ten out of 15 this year, not to mention being in the form of her life.

Her new regular partner Andrew Fortune is back aboard with her rider from her 5,40 length Gr 1 Empress Club Stakes victory, Craig Zackey, now aboard the contender from his guv’nor Dean Kannemeyer’s yard.

Asiye Phambili has also been plagued by bad luck in this race. Trainer Duncan Howells was ultra confident a couple of years ago only to see Rachel Venniker dislodged at the start after the filly pecked badly. Then last year her run came just a fraction too late and she went down a shorthead. If she had stayed straight instead of drifting inward she might have won too.

Asiye Phambili has drawn eight and regular rider Sean Veale is aboard.

Mia Moo came into the race last year on the back of a 2,10 length victory in the Gr 2 Camellia Stakes, whereas this year she comes in off a 2,90 length third in the Gr 1 Computaform Sprint.

Interestingly Mia Moo beat Almond Sea by 4,80 lengths in the Camellia Stakes race and beat her by 3,35 lengths in the Computaform, so her form coming in is not actually much worse than it was last year.

However,  it is her who has to contend with draw one this year and ironically Richard Fourie is up.

In an another coincidental twist Mia Moo was drawn 8 last year, which is Asiye Phambili’s draw this year, and Asiye Phambili was drawn ten last year, Double Grand Slam’s draw this year.

Princess Of All should be considered by the risk averse as she has a Gr 2 win over this trip as well as a Gr 2 and a Gr 3 over 1400m.

Perfect Miracle is an interesting runner too as she is by Hawwaam, whose progeny seem to improve continuously, just like his father Silvano’s progeny.

Perfect Miracle is proof of that. She has won a Gr 3 and a Gr 2 in her last two starts and the latter was the Camellia Stakes, which produced last year’s SA Fillies Sprint winner.

In this year’s Camellia Perfect Miracle faced Rodeo Drive on terms 1kg better than weight for age and beat her by 0,75 lengths, so on paper there should not be much between them now on wfa terms.

She was on wfa terms with all of Rachel Wall, Whistle The Tune, One Fine Winter and Almond Sea, whom she beat by 1,15 lengths, 2.05 lengths, 2,30 lengths and 3,80 lengths respectively, so has their beating on paper.

Symphony In White is a previous Gr 1 Allan Robertson third-placed achiever, but was beaten 4,55 lengths in this race last year and is well held by Asiye Phambili this year from their previous meeting.

Elegantrix was second in last year’s Allan Robertson, but ran a shocker last time out although she did win a Listed race well two runs before that over 1200m, so she could be a dark horse.

None of the others make much appeal.

Alistair Cohen

Although there is nothing that punters can bang their chests about at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Tuesday afternoon, a few wildly exciting races await. So many cases are to be made which should allow for good finishes. There is some quality on the midweek card with the added spice of a likely wet track after the deluge of rain in Cape Town last week.

Boogiefied heads the shortlist in race 5 over 1400m which is an intriguing event. He has compelling form but more than that, his form on a soft track sways opinion towards him. He could oblige under Keagan de Melo for the in-form Andre Nel yard.

From eight runs on a soft or yielding course he has two wins and six places to his name. Those six places have a few near misses so he has proven to be reliable in the expected underfoot conditions. His last run came a month ago when he finished 1,75 lengths behind Major Master in second over 1600m at this course.

It is not to claim that he is a mudlark. Nel has developed this horse into a consistent horse in all conditions but he has always given the impression that he is a step better in the soft. Added to that, although he has won and featured over 1600m, he also runs his absolute best over this trip. De Melo is also one-from-one on the son of Justify.

Soho Heartthrob is respected and he must have a shout at the weights. Dean Kannemeyer has taken his time since his arrival from Lucky Houdalakis’ yard at the Vaal and his form has stepped up with every start. He finished 0,7 lengths behind Boogiefied when they met in March but he is 1,5kg worse off but his improvement from every run sine relocation is worth noting. He has always hinted at ability before losing his way. Craig Zackey is up for his boss.

Pay The Palace has run with the best of his generation and shown that he is not far off them. He should be competitive taking on the slight drop in class.

Please Be True makes up the list of winning chances. His return from a three-month break last time was full of merit over 1200m behind Give It Laldy. This run might come too soon before he is back to his best which is easily good enough to win a race of this nature, but he is expected to run better and make his presence felt.

Race 8 over 1000m sees some of the same old suspects try and knock each other off. Elusive Winter and North Point will ensure there will be a good speed on. They are among the fastest in the country. They might also feel the heavy course when it matters most but they are gutsy. Preference is for Demanding Dave who reunites with Andrew Fortune. He has stepped into the plate three times and won on all three occasions. Trainer Mike Stewart has managed Demanding Dave’s career very well and there are ambitions to get him into high level races during summer. He was a touch unlucky in his last run, the Easter Sprint when he ran into traffic problems in a messy race. There is no blame onto Grant van Niekerk who deputized for Fortune who was injured at the time. He was a victim of circumstance. He just should have finished closer.

Snowbird and In Hot Water should fight out race 1 over 1200m. Snowbird has a high cruising speed and the experience of two runs could help her exit the maidens and make amends for being a beaten favourite last time. In Hot Water has scope to improve. She ran a pleasing debut when second behind Mystic Inferno. The level of that form is still under the spotlight but she could step forward enough.

Rubee King was all the rage on debut when he found sustained betting support but greenness beat him when just over a length behind Earn The Weekend over 1200m at this course. He has his second career look in race 2 and judging by the expectations on debut, he could step up enough. Redford is considered as his biggest danger with two pleasing runner-up finishes to date behind Rich Man’s World and Tag And Release, two names worth remembering.

Rabdan could lead them home in race 3 over 1000m. He too has found some good opposition to date. He ran in the Summer Juvenile Stakes in January which he found too hot when the very promising Red Spice won. Last time might have been disappointing race-time when he finished fourth behind Tag And Release. But, Tag And Release has now won at Listed level so there is no reason to be disheartened.

There are a few ready to win in race 4 over 1400m. Redlight Lane could get her reward but Scandalize, Giddy Up Grace, Nicci’s Law and Before Sunrise are all in the same boat. Redlight Lane was touched off in the boardroom in her last run when the Steward’s Board upheld an objection and awarded the race to Mon Papillon. Fortune takes over for Justin Snaith. All those mentioned would be deserving winners but one feels Redlight Lane is just a step closer.

Trainer Piet Botha had a miserable 2025 but his yard has sparked of late and his runners could be worth siding with in races 6 and 7. Baton Rouge nearly stole his last run when he was collared late over the same 1800m trip. Eric Lidell ran away with purpose and they will probably not parade again together. There is nothing with as much upside as Eric Lidell here so Baton Rouge could get the job done.

Shifting Path is picked to complete a double for Botha a race later. He is consistent in all going but he runs his best races in the soft. There are always hints that another win is close. This is not a strong race but his main dangers are better at Hollywoodbets Durbanville so his fans will be hoping that he takes advantage.

Anything can win race 9 over 1000m. A golden oldie in the form of Fort Red would be a popular winner. The eight-year-old is an eight-time winner having his 84^th start. He has as much chance as anything. Mpumi Mjoka rides for Mike Stewart who could have a good afternoon.

RACE 1

5 SNOWBIRD has run two excellent races in succession, the yard thinks highly of this filly, she will be hard to beat with more improvement to come. 4 IN HOT WATER ran a great race on debut, she caught the eye late behind Mystic Inferno on the 1st of April, she has a big winning chance in this field. 12 EL COHETE showed tremendous speed in her last start behind Fog In Finland, even though she was a touch disappointing on that occasion, the conditions turned up very soft and that didn’t help her, in hope that we get firmer conditions for this meeting on Tuesday, she can easily bounce back to her best form and be competitive. 7 JULIET OF VERONA ran well on debut, she will appreciate the extra 200m, watch her closely at a decent price.

RACE 2

11 REDFORD must have a big winning chance in this field, he has run two excellent races behind two smart horses, there is no doubt he will be super competitive with more improvement to come. 5 RUBEE KING travelled like a winner on debut when finishing just over one length behind Earn The Weekend, he will improve tremendously going into his second run on Tuesday, include him into all bets. 10 BLACKBIRD ran a fair race on debut, he will love the step up in trip to 1200m. 1 ROYAL LIGHT was beaten just under nine lengths by his stable companion (Kalahari King) up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 30th of March, even though he wants further, he will be doing some good work late, watch him closely.

RACE 3

9 RABDAN just needed his run back after a lengthy break on the 18th of April, he was only beaten just over six lengths by the very smart Tag And Release, this race lacks consistent and strong form, with natural improvement still to come from this young horse, he will be hard to beat. 7 PITERAQ never runs a bad race, she has been frustrating to follow from a win aspect, but she tries hard and her form is consistent, she will be right there amongst the places again. 3 RACHETTU ran a much better race behind Hedrivesmecrazy last time, if he brings that performance to the track again, he will be competitive. 6 GIMME MORE APACHE wouldn’t need to be special to win on debut in this field, watch the market closely.

RACE 4

7 REDLIGHT LANE unfortunately lost her race last time in the boardroom, she drops in trip to 1400m on Tuesday, with some luck in running from a tricky draw, she will run a big race here. 2 NICCI’S LAW finished just behind Redlight Lane on the 27th of April, she is better off at the weights here, even though she is well tried in the maiden ranks, this looks an ideal opportunity for her to finally get it right from a neat draw. 6 SCANDALIZE has run two nice races with the blinkers fitted, she could improve even further now that she steps up in trip to 1400m, watch her closely. 8 AUTUMN RUSH will need a patient ride from a tough draw, if she settles early and she finds herself in a good rhythm turning for home, she will be right there in the finish at a decent price.

RACE 5

1 KING’S QUEST won impressively at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 21st of March, he was given four points for that smart victory, even though he steps up in class now, he looks extremely progressive, include him into all bets from a neat draw. 2 MENTE ET MANU is a beautiful gelding with a great action, he has no weight on his back, and he drops in trip for this race on Tuesday, he has a big winning chance on his current form. 9 CHASINGTHERAINBOW has been rested and he has changed stables, top jockey Richard Fourie gets the ride on this smart gelding, he will be switched off early, and he will be storming home late, there is no doubt he can win a race like this quite easily. 3 IN A TIMELY MANNER was far from disgraced in the Listed East Cape Guineas at Fairview Racecourse on the 20th of March, his chances must be respected from a good draw.

RACE 6

2 BACKINTHEFASTLANE quickened up smartly to win well with the blinkers fitted on the 18th of April, he was given six points for that impressive win, the form of that race has worked out well, he has a big winning chance again. 3 BATON ROUGE stayed on well for third in a tough on the 3rd of May, if he brings that run to the track again on Tuesday, he will go very close to winning. 8 LOUI’S STAR ran a lovely race straight out of the maiden ranks at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 25th of March, her form is good with the blinkers on, if she gets some luck in running from a tricky draw, she should be amongst the places. 7 HEAVENLY PRINCE did well to finish just under six lengths behind Backinthefastlane last time, on his best form, he can sneak into the Quartet.

RACE 7

10 AVIGNON won a good race on the 18th of April, he was gutsy in the finish, he absolutely loves the straight course at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, he should be competitive again. 11 OZARK is knocking on the door for his next career victory, top jockey Richard Fourie has been booked to ride this beautiful gelding on Tuesday, on his current form, he has a massive winning chance in this field. 7 VERCICAT was given a terrific ride by jockey Tristan Godden on the 27th of April, this young gelding looks progressive, he can win again, include him into all bets. 3 SHIFTING PATH might be the value play in this tricky race, he has dropped even further in the ratings, he will be doing some good work late, watch him closely at a fair price.

RACE 8

10 MAGICAL PLACE won like a smart sprinter in the making on the 15th of April, that was his first run back after a lengthy break and gelding, even though he was given six points for that good win last time, he could be absolutely anything, include him into all bets. 5 DEMANDING DAVE always comes to the track with a big reputation, he was a touch unlucky when finishing just over one length behind Dance Variety in the Easter Sprint on the 1st of April, he will be just off the speed early, and he will be flying at them late. 6 NORTH POINT is held in high regard, he loves this trip of 1000m, at the weights on his last run, he should finish much closer to Magical Place. 3 FLYING FINLEY has improved tremendously with every start, he has furnished into a nice sprinter, he should be right there in the finish on his current form.

RACE 9

3 ALL ABOUT AL is as honest as they come, he tries hard, Adam Marcus has done a superb job with this gelding, he will be competitive in this race on his current form. 4 LYRICAL GANGSTER is much better than his last run, if he bounces back to his best form, he can win a race like this quite easily. 6 TAKE THAT quickened up smartly to win impressively on the 3rd of May, that was her first run back after a long break, she has lots of scope for further improvement, include her into all bets, it would come as no shock if she were to win again. 10 FORT RED is tough, he has no weight on his back here, if he gets away from the field at the right time, he will be hard to peg back.

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Redcar, Windsor and Wolverhampton (UK) – 18 May 2026.

David Thiselton

 

The July build up of 60 years ago was like no other before it and It is fitting that this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July, carrying a record-breaking stake of R10 million, falls on such an auspicious anniversary date

In the month of May 60 years ago the great Sea Cottage began his July preparation by running in a race often used by Syd Laird as starting point for his best July contender, the Gr 1 Newbury Stakes over 1200m.

Sea Cottage beat another famous horse in the 1966 Newbury renewal, the previous year’s Gr 1 SA Guineas winner William Penn, whose story bears repeating.

Willaim Penn had won six Grade 1s up until being retired to stud in 1969 and was a July runner up by half-a-length in 1968, carrying topweight and giving the winner Chimboraa 24 pounds.

His wins included the 1968 J&B Met with topweight. He was two-one up in meetings between himself and his more celebrated half-brother Hawaii, who went on to become USA’s Champion Grass Horse as well as a successful sire, standing at Claiborne where he produced 25 stakes winners including Epsom Derby winner Henbit. William Penn proved infertile at stud, siring only nine foals, although they included three stakes winners. He was brought out of retirement as a ten-year-old and the first run of his comeback was in the J&B Met of January 1972. He flew up for second, three lengths behind the winner Force Ten to whom he gave 18 pounds. He went on to race successfully until he was eleven, the best performance of his final season being a 0,2 length second to the great In Full Flight in the Grade 1 Champions Stakes over 2000m at Greyville, beating another champion, Mazarin.

Back To Sea Cottage who was back at Greyville a week after the Newbury Stakes to win the Gr 1 SA Guineas by 3,5 lengths, his eleventh career victory in just 12 starts.

Six days later the country woke up to shocking news.

On that bright Friday morning Sea Cottage had been shot while walking under the Blue Lagoon bridge on the way to the Syd Laird ring on the beach.

The story is well documented with the shooter Johnny Nel being apprehended later the same day. The well-known gangster had foolishly used his easily recognisable yellow-coloured convertible to drive to the shelter on the south side of the bridge, which is still the same structure today as it was back then, to perform the dastardly deed.

He was allegedly acting on behalf of bookmaker Sonny Chislett, who had allegedly approached the owner of the Monaco Club, Monty Labuschagne, with the news that if Sea Cottage won the July he would have to close his business and therefore he demanded the debt he was owed by the latter be paid up.

Labuschagne’s alleged response was what would it be worth if they stopped Sea Cottage from winning the July and Chislett’s alleged response was that he would forego the debt.

It was Nel, a bouncer at the Monaco club, who hatched the plan.

If Nel can be forgiven to any extent it was in his later testimony that he had found it difficult to shoot an animal and had deliberately aimed for the soft flesh of the hindquarter in order to not kill him.

Syd Laird was still able to nurture Sea Cottage through the worst of the injury and he had him ready to run in the July three weeks after the shooting.

The big bay unfortunately suffered interference at a crucial stage and ended up running a four length fourth.

It was a bitter-sweet day for Laird because Sea Cottage’s six-year-old stablemate Java Head won the race.

However, the following year saw the July’s most celebrated renewal.

The 1967 SA Guineas winner Jollify, who was receiving 27 pounds from Sea Cottage, stole a march at the top of the straight under a fine ride by John Gorton.

Sea Cottage had a lot of ground to make up, but began eating up the ground.

He had to get around King Willow, who was going straight, before the natural instinct of shifting towards the leader, was able to happen.

A flying Sea Cottage with his enormous stride bore down on the three-year-old, despite the latter showing no signs of stopping.

The two Birch Brothers-bred horses flashed past the post together.

But had Sea Cottage got there in time?

Commentator Ernie Duffield thought not and said, “I think Jollify has held on.”

Minutes later the on course crowd let out a roar when the numbers were put up together to declare a dead-heat.

But the rest of the country apparently had to endure an agonising wait for news as the radio commentary ended and they went back to the  studio.

Craig Peters, who has by the way commentated 39 Julys, ten more than Ernie Duffield’s previous record of 29, recalled that day, at which time he was a young boy living with his parents in Mayfair, Johannesburg.

He said, “It was only sometime later on Pat Carr’s Forces Favourites program that we heard it was a dead-heat and I was absolutely elated (especially considering he had shed tears after Sea Cottage’s defeat the previous year). We saw the photo in the Stop Press and about two weeks later we watched the African Mirror footage of the race at the Drive-In. I remember also being at Sea Cottage’s last ever race, the Cutty Sark at Gosforth Park, which attracted a massive crowd. I watched by standing on the bonnet of my father’s car.”

“The immortal” Sea Cottage won twenty of his 24 races and there was still a reminder of him nearby at Hollywoodbets Greyville until recent years.

Syd Laird had always been terrified somebody would “get to” Sea Cottage and had metal plates fitted over the air vents on the road side of his stable.

His old stable served as a vendor stall in recent times at The Stables Lifestyle Market next to the Hollywoodbets KIng’s Park rugby stadium.

His stable was the third one down from the main entrance.

Those rusty metal plates were still in place across the air vents on the roadside of the stall until the closure of the market in March 2020.

Sadly, the building soon became completely dilapidated and an intriguing piece of Durban history went down with it.