Andrew Harrison

Mike and Mathew de Kock have plotted the same course for last season’s Equus Horse of the Year Dave The King and goes into the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge as likely favourite at Hollywoodbets Greyville today.

After a dismal Highveld season, where De Kock commented that his charge was better at the coast, Dave The King made all to show that he was back to best when winning last time out at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and he is out to defend his crown. 

As a solid front-runner with a huge stride has the ideal draw at two and all should be chasing him come the final furlong. However, there are a number of runners who also like to be up with the speed and Callan Murray will need to be aware of what he is up against. 

Montien is a top class front runner who will probably have no option but to seek the lead from a wide draw and he might give Dave The King a nice tow. However, he stays on resolutely and is ideally distance suited so is a player.

Oriental Charm also likes to race handy and although he is at his best over middle distances he won a Gr 2 over this trip earlier in the season. His wide draw might make it difficult for him to find a good position but has not been out since running second to Eight On Eighteen in the WSB Cape Met back in January. However, he does come from a stable that knows who to get them ready first time out.

Sean Tarry sends out Cosmic Speed beat older horses in the Gr 1 WFA HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over this trip at Turffontein and has the class to go close. He finished less than a length behind Eight On Eighteen in the Gr2 WSB Guineas over course and distance. This season’s three-year-olds appears to be a vintage crop so Dave The King should be tested. 

See It Again showed signs of his best when touched off by Gladatorian in the Drill Hall Stakes and will prefer the extra furlong. Of late he has always been threatening but not quite up to the task but now appears to have got over the gelding and back to his best. Gladatorian came from well back to snatch victory in the Drill Hall Stakes and must certainly have a chance. 

 William Robertson is an interesting runner. He has tremendous form over sprints but packs a devastating finishing kick and has gone close over this trip at the tougher Turffontein track, although not in this class. He has won a Gr 2 over 1450m though, so is the dark horse. 

 The Gr3 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial is a tough handicap with many looking to book a berth in the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July. Pomodoro’s Jet steps up in trip but is unbeaten since being fitted with cheek pieces.  He has a fair weight on his back but comes from a top stable. On My Honour was just over three lengths off Eight On Eighteen in the Gr1 WSB Guineas. He got a hefty eight-point hit in the handicap but has been taking on top company in the Western Cape. Zeitz ran well below par in the Gr1 Splashout Cape Derby and has not been out since. He is a July entry and will need to win or run up close to have a chance on a run in the big race so is one to watch. Wild Intent has come well since his below par trip to the Cape. He got a 17-point jump in the handicap for his second to Legend Of Arthur in the Gr1 SA Derby which could hinder his chances here.

The Hollywoodbets Sharks Gatecrasher Stakes is wide open but Whispering Death finished runner-up on debut and is unbeaten in two since, starting at cramped odds on both occasions. He looks progressive and can go in again. Tenjiku beat Whispering death when shedding his maiden over a sprint and followed up with another comfortable victory. He has the best of the draw in his favour. Vikings Revenge surprised on debut, winning well at long odds but he is sure to have come on from that ran. Aversator has the widest draw to contend with but won well enough over course and distance when shedding his maiden to suggest that he has a winning chance with natural improvement.

The Ridgemont Devon Air Stakes can go the way of Dean Kannemeyer’s filly Educator. She was well supported in the market on debut and won comfortably. She stays the trip and from the best of the draw has plenty in her favour. Captains Envy was touched off by Quickstepgal  in the Strelitzia Stakes and Mike Miller’s charge is now 2kg better off which should be enough to turn the tables although both go this trip for the first time. Littlemisssplendid went close when stepping up in trip and comes with some useful Highveld form. 

The HKJC World Pool Stakes has attracted a competitive field with many in with chances. However, Be Merry was staying on gamely in the Gr2 WSB Fillies Guineas and this shorter trip should suit although she does have a wide draw to contend with. Callmegeterix has finished runner-up at her last three and meets Be Merry on similar weight terms as to when last they met. Green Sapphire did not get the rub of the green in the WSB Fillies Guineas, caught wide for most of the race, and was never in the hunt from her wide draw. She was a comfortable winner over course and distance at her penultimate start. Lucrative is the likely favourite as she has shown steady improvement of late and although up in class she has the best of the draw. 

RACE 1

3 BLIZZARD QUEST   4 LUNAR DECENT   2 MATCHA MINT   1 BLACKJACK RANDALL

Summary: BLIZZARD QUEST (3) has found market support in both starts. He was a well-eaten second last time out but now steps up to what looks to be a more suitable trip. LUNAR DECENT (4) has improved with each outing and was close-up at long odds when going a mile for the first time. MATCHA MINT (2) comes with smart Highveld form having placed in all three outings to date. She takes on males but has a good draw and Richard Fourie rides. BLACKJACK RANDALL (1) has the best of the draw and could be the stable elect judged on jockey bookings. He goes this trip for the first time and took on what has panned out to be a fair field over a sprint last time out. (Andrew Harrison: 3-4-2-1).

RACE 2

7 RICH FOLKS HOAX   5 PLUS FOUR   1 TYRCONNELL   3 MASTER CHRISTMAS

Summary: RICH FOLKS HOAX (7) has started a beaten favourite at his first two KZN starts. Both were over sprints. He shed his maiden over a mile and gets first time blinkers. PLUS FOUR (5) has run two smart races for his new stable since moving up from the Cape.  He should feature. Hollywood Racing’s retained jockey Sean Veale had a tough choice between three runners and plumed for the well-drawn TYRCONNELL (1) who has been knocking at the door of late. Top weight MASTER CHRISTMAS (3) is way better than his last effort and makes the trip from the Highveld. (Andrew Harrison: 7-5-1-3).

RACE 3

11 AFROPOLITAN   6 BOMBER IN THE SKY   7 CHILL IN THE AIR   10 AFRICAN DUSK

Summary: AFROPOLITAN (11) has shown good recent form since returning from a lengthy break. He was staying on stoutly last run on the poly and although he has top weight to shoulder he should be competitive. BOMBER IN THE SKY (6) only recently shed his maiden but caught the eye was staying on well in his first local start over course and distance. He gets first time blinkers which could may be enough to see him turn the tables on CHILL IN THE AIR (7) who finished 0.5 lengths ahead of him last time out. AFRICAN DUSK (10) looks held by Afropolitan on their last meeting but he is also down in class. (Andrew Harrison: 11-6-7-10).

RACE 4

1 VIBE SA   3 POSITION OF POWER   7 AFRICAN PRINCE   6 HOPE IS POWER

Summary: Competitive handicap. VIBE SA (1) carries top weight and is way better than his last Highveld effort. That was his first run back after a three-month break so may have needed it. He has the best of the draw. POSITION OF POWER (3) won well on debut over this course. He looks useful and can follow up. AFRICAN PRINCE (7) was a beaten favourite in his poly debut but was not far back. The switch to the turf could bring out the best although he too has a heavy burden to shoulder. HOPE IS POWER (6) finished ahead of African Prince when last they met and from the widest draw. There should be little between these two. (Andrew Harrison: 1-3-7-6).

RACE 5

1 EDUCATOR   3 QUICKSTEPGAL   5 CAPTAINS ENVY   4 LITTLEMISSSPLENDID

Summary: EDUCATOR (1) was well supported in the market on debut and won comfortably. She stays the trip and from the best of the draw has plenty in her favour. CAPTAINS ENVY (5) was touched off by QUICKSTEPGAL (3) in the Strelitzia Stakes. Mike Miller’s charge is now 2kg better off which should be enough to turn the tables although both go this trip for the first time. LITTLEMISSSPLENDID (4) went close when stepping up in trip and comes with some useful Highveld form. (Andrew Harrison: 1-3-5-4).

RACE 6

8 WHISPERING DEATH   1 TENJIKU   9 VIKINGS REVENGE   11 AVERSATOR

Summary: WHISERING DEATH (8) finished runner-up on debut and is unbeaten in two since, starting at cramped odds. He looks progressive. TENJIKU (1) beat Whispering death when shedding his maiden and followed up with another comfortable victory. He has the best of the draw. VIKINGS REVENGE (9) surprised on debut, winning well at long odds. He is sure to have come on from that ran. AVERSATOR (11) has the widest draw to contend with but won well enough over course and distance when shedding his maiden to suggest that he has a winning chance with natural improvement. (Andrew Harrison: 8-1-9-11).

RACE 7

2 DAVE THE KING   5 COSMIC SPEED   3 SEE IT AGAIN   8 GLADATORIAN

Summary: DAVE THE KING (2) is taking the same route as he did last season, winning three on the bounce to garner Equus Horse of the Year. He made all to show that he was back to best when winning last time out and he will out to defend his crown. He has the ideal draw and all should be chasing him come the final furlong. COSMIC SPEED (5) finished less than a length behind Eight On Eighteen in the Gr2 WSB Guineas over course and distance. This season’s three-year-olds appears to be a vintage crop so Dave The King should be tested. SEE IT AGAIN (3) showed signs of his best when touched off by Gladatorian in the Drill Hall Stakes and will prefer the extra furlong. GLADATORIAN (8) came from well back to snatch victory in the Drill Hall and must certainly have a chance. 

RACE 8

9 BE MERRY   8 CALLMEGETRIX   5 GREEN SAPPHIRE   1 LUCRATIVE

Summary: Competitive race. BE MERRY (9) was staying on gamely in the WSB Fillies Guineas and this shorter trip should suit although she does have a wide draw to contend with. CALLMEGETRIX (8) has finished runner-up at her last three and meets Be Merry on similar terms as to when last they met. GREEN SAPPHIRE (5) did not get the rub of the green in the WSB Fillies Guineas and was never in the hunt from her wide draw. She was a comfortable winner over course and distance at her penultimate start. LUCRATIVE (1) has shown steady improvement of late and although up in class she has the best of the draw. MINOGUE (10) has a wide gate but was not far back to recent Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint winner Mia Moo last time out. She is comfortable over this trip. (Andrew Harrison: 9-8-5-1).

RACE 9

1 POMODORO’S JET   5 ON MY HONOUR   13 ZEITZ   10 WILD INTENT

Summary: Tough handicap with many looking to book a berth in the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July. POMODORO’S JET (1) steps up in trip but is unbeaten since being fitted with cheek pieces.  He has a fair weight on his back but comes from a top stable. ON MY HONOUR (5) was just over three lengths off Eight On Eighteen in the Gr1 WSB Guineas. He got a hefty eight-point hit in the handicap but has been taking on top company in the Western Cape. ZEITZ (13) ran well below par in the Gr1 Splashout Cape Derby and has not been out since. He is a July entry and will need to win or run up close to have a chance on a run in the big race. WILD INTENT (10) has come well since his below par trip to the Cape. He got a 17-point jump in the handicap for his second to Legend Of Arthur in the Gr1 SA Derby. (Andrew Harrison: 1-5-13-10).

RACE 10

7 AYUWI YUWI   4 TARA STAR   6 GOLDEN CHANDELIER   12 MILLION VOICES

Summary: AYUWI YUWI (7) was narrowly beaten by the veteran sprinter Trafalgar Square last time out and a repeat should see her close again. TARA STAR (4) has found form and the apprentice is replaced by Richard Fourie. GOLDEN CHANDELIER (6) has lost her way of late but has her second outing for a new stable and gets first time blinkers. If finding form she could surprise at lengthy odds. MILLION VOICES (12) has not been out since December last year but is the choice of stable rider Tristan Godden. She will go close on her best form. (Andrew Harrison: 7-4-6-12).

Please note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Doncaster and Epsom (UK) – 6 June 2025.

Please be advised of two World Pool events this Saturday 7^th June 2025.

Hollywoodbets Greyville (SA)

1. World Pools will be offered on races 7-10 on the Win, Place, Swinger, Quinella and Exacta.

2.Betting will open on Friday 6^th June 2025

Epsom (UK)

1.World Pools will be offered on all races (races 1-8) on the Win, Place, Swinger, Quinella, Exacta and Trifecta

Rugby8 Win Margin Friday, 6 June 2025. Carryover R63 010 Pool Closes at 09h05

Soccer10 Friday, 6 June 2025. ADD-IN R100 000. Pool Closes at 19h30. Sport 12 and Pool 1. Estimated Pool: R1,4 Million

Soccer10 Saturday, 7 June 2025. ADD-IN R100 000. Pool Closes at 15h00. Sport 14 and Pool 1. Estimated Pool: R1,4 Million

SoccerAny13 Xtra on Saturday 7 June 2025. ADD-IN R50 000. Pool Closes at 15h00. Sport 13 and Pool 1. Estimated Pool: R 200 00.

Soccer13 on Saturday, 7 June 2025. Pool closes at 15h30. Sport 10 and Pool 1. One-Winner Guaranteed JACKPOT. ALL 13 CORRECT JACKPOT POOL: R18 Million (If only 13 of 13 Winner)