David Thiselton

 

The Andre Nel-trained Vercingetorix gelding Zeitz won the Gr 3 Betgames Cup Trial over 1800m on Saturday at Hollywoodbets Greyville and has been supplemented for the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

The Vercingetorix gelding ran off a 107 merit rating on Saturday  and carried 56,5kg to a cosy 0,70 length victory over two July entries, I Salute You and JP’s Palace.

Summerveld assistant to the Nel yard, Byron Forster said, “He is a horse you have to give a lot of TLC to but I am very happy with the way he has pulled up.

“He said about his stamina capacity, considering the July is run over 2200m, “There are some questions marks but he is laid back and he has shown in his work that he settles beautifully. Obviously we will consider taking the blinkers off. In the second dam there is a lot of staying pedigree there and I think he will stay. The furthest he has run over was in last year’s Cape Derby over 2000m and he was well beaten (12.25 lengths behind Equus Horse Of The Year Eight On Eighteen), but he pulled up sore after that run, I believe, so I think a line can be drawn through that run. He is two from three over 1800m. He won last year’s Politician Stakes and he was running on strongly in last year’s Cup Trial but had a wall of horses in front of him and had nowhere to go. He has now backed up the potential of that run with his win in the Cup Trial on Saturday.”

Byron believes he has the class to be a contender in the July too. A precedent was set for him by a Nel-trained horse last year, Selukwe, who finished third in the big race.

Selukwe, like Zeitz, had won a traditional July pointer, the Gr 3 WSB 1900, running off a 103 merit rating and carrying 54kg and had followed up with a strong-finishing 2,65 length third in the Hollywoodbets Durban July off a 111 merit rating. Under last year’s conditions Selukwe was actually 2kg under sufferance.

The interesting point there is Zeitz might not be as badly in as Selukwe was with the new weight structures and yet Byron does not think there is much between them.

He said, “I don’t think there was much between them last season. He just gave us that hint that he could be on a par with a horse like Selukwe and we know what the latter went and did.  He has obviously got to prove it at Gr 1 level now, but he has got all the makings to be a nice horse. He has shown it in his form. If you go and look closely at his form he has run with some quality horses and he hasn’t been far off them or has been in front of them.

“The ideal merit rating for a four- year-old July runner to have is 110, which means coming in with bottom weight of 52kg and not being under sufferance. Zeitz should be close to that mark after the handicappers have assessed the race.

The Maine Chance Farms-bred gelding entered the Hollywoodbets Durban July betting with the sponsor at 25/1 and has already shortened to 20/1.

Alistair Cohen

For an out of season raceday, on what is likely to be a soft track, Hollywoodbets Kenilworth hosts a hot card today. With two minor features to headline the action, racing fans should be treated to some fun as the dust settles after the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge and the TAB Jubilee Stakes over the weekend. Just a reminder, minor races that were carded for 1200m down the straight will be run over 1250m around the turn. This could literally produce anything.

Please Be True is rated 30 points lower than the highest mark of Sugar Mountain off 122. He should carry 15kg less than the well-proven Sugar Mountain according to strict handicapping. He carries 10,5kg less but his runs since a break have been revealing that he must be close to breaking into the winners’ box. Plus, Sugar Mountain has not been at the peak of his powers of late. Please Be True could be the horse to side with in race 7, the Winter Mile.

Please Be True returned from a three-month rest in late April. He was run in a sprint and gave a pleasing reintroduction over a trip short of his best. He stayed on beautifully behind Give It Laldy beaten by only two lengths. His next start was the adequate step forward when he finished second behind Chasingtherainbow over 1400m at this course. He is 2kg better off with Chasingtherainbow who was so ready. That should give Please Be True enough hope to potentially turn the deficit. Muzi Yeni takes the ride. There are few riders worldwide as effective as him at 51kg.

Major Master is undoubtably on the up. He beat the super-consistent Boogiefied last time when the runner-up had close to the perfect setup on a soft track and fit. Major Master has always hinted that there was something in the locker and eventual progress to come. He may have arrived slower than ideal but he is not out of place at feature race level especially here. He comes from the in-form yard of Candice Bass. Aldo Domeyer takes the ride.

Chasingtherainbow wrote his trainer and owner one of the stories of the year when he won last time. He recently transferred to the yard of Rob Barrett who took out his license a few months ago. He was Barrett’s first runner and he won with ease, possibly delivering his career best in the process. He is owned by Barrett’s grandfather. There was not a dry eye in the house. Richard Fourie retains the ride. Life is a little harder at the weights but there is no reason to suggest that he cannot win.

The Us Of A could be in the right place at the right time in the supporting feature, the Winter Sprint over 1200m. Being a feature, this will be down the straight. He has a blistering turn of foot. He has showed his effectiveness at this level and Richard Fourie gets the most out of him. His main rivals have their claims but valid reasons why they might be vulnerable for now.

His last run was a superb effort finishing second behind Café Culture over this course and distance in the Listed Champagne Stakes. Café Culture was narrowly beaten in the Grade 2 Golden Horse Sprint at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last month. That level is hard to run away from.

Dance Variety is wildly inconsistent. He was safely behind The Us Of A last time and his slight swing at the weights might not be enough to turn the form around. He is not the easiest to judge due to his issues. No result would be a surprise with him.

All The Rage could ultimately end up being the best horse in the field. The three-year-old had little chance at the weights in the Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes last time but he was not disgraced finishing sixth behind Questioning who has had an unreal 2026. He is back from a break and not being seen in nearly four months suggests he will step forward with the run. This is not his “cup final” and his bigger picture could be revealing.

Jewel Mule ran a fair debut that gives hope for progression. She finished third, five lengths behind Sparkling Star over 1000m at this course. She is back over the same course and distance in race 1 which she should win. Fourie is up for Vaughan Marshall. There are some potentially nice debutantes who could be worth monitoring.

Saratoga Sunrise might be a run from figuring it all out but he made enough of an impression on debut behind Bachata to expect good improvement and suggest a winning chance. He was nowhere at the start but he did well to run past most of the field to fill fifth place behind a horse deemed good enough to run at feature level this Saturday past. He runs in race 2 over 1250m under Champion Jockey elect, Craig Zackey.

Mente Et Manu and Handsome Prince look set to fight out race 3 over 1400m. Mente Et Manu could have a slight edge due to a favourable draw. His last run was a little flat but he had travelled between Cape Town and Gqeberha. They can run flat after a travel up the Garden Route. Keep an eye out for Miami Summer who is back from a break. He is reported to have a lot of class but returning from over six months off, he strikes as a better proposition next time.

Race 4 over 1400m will not supply something to Grade 1 level. Something will win. Miss Attitude for pure consistency could end up as the right one. Trainer Adam Marcus has had an excellent year thus far. Draw No 7 is not ideal but her biggest asset is versatility.

Black Cheetah has not run with the class he finds himself against in race 5 over 1250m. Who knows how draw No 9 is going to work with the ideal of the outside of the course possibly being exploited. Mickaelle Michel rides. This horse started his career with a bang. He went into the population of winners with a high rating which has taken a while to fall. His recent form suggests that he must be at a place of opportunity. Kelp Forest must be considered as his main danger from gate No 1. He likes a soft track.

Super Viking looks like he is ready to break out of this low level and salute in race 8 over 1600m. He was penalized for being a narrow loser in his last run when going down a nose to Trip To Camelot. He looks less exposed than his opposition and he could confirm his recent upward trajectory.

Apricity has been hinting at a win lately. She loves a soft track too. After winning about a year ago, she did not feature on a hard course but as winter struck, life has been found. She went down by half a length in her last run behind Raffish Trend over 1500m at this course. She runs over 100m further in race 9 and she stands out as the horse to beat under Keagan de Melo.

David Thiselton

 

Rising young jockey sensation Zac Lloyd has been booked to ride the Justin Snaith-trained Happy Verse in the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

 

The Vercingetorix gelding looks to be one of the most progressive horses in the country.

 

The three-year-old has always been packed with potential, but became a bit disappointing,

 

However, he is now clearly coming to hand with gelding and should be spot on for the July.

 

Zac will be hoping to break the famous July trend of his legendary father Jeff, who never won the big race but finished third on no fewer than nine occasions, although he did finish second on his final mount in 2018.

 

Zac Lloyd has ridden 6 Group 1 winners in his career already.

 

The 22-year-old secured three Group 1 victories within the span of a single month in early 2026.

 

The highlight of his career to date has been winning Australia’s biggest sire producing race, The Aus$5 million Golden Slipper this year on Guest House.

 

He is currently on a busman’s holiday in the UK and rode a double at Doncaster on Saturday in his first meeting in the country.

 

Happy Verse is set to carry 54,5kg in the Hollywoodbets Durban July as things stand and is at a price of 6/1 with the sponsor.

Race 1

3 JEWEL MULE ran a great race on debut behind Sparkling Star, with natural improvement expected from this filly, she will be very hard to beat. This doesn’t look a particularly strong race on paper, which brings the well-bred first-timers right into the equation, watch the market closely. (Brandon Bailey 3-6-7-4)

 

Race 2

12 ANOTHER HERO must have a big winning chance in this field, he has improved with every start, with some luck in running, he will be hard to beat. 4 BLACKBIRD has run two nice races in succession, he will love the step up in trip, watch him closely. 7 SARATOGA SUNRISE ran a fair race on debut, he can only improve, include him into all bets. 11 GUNNER GALACTICO needs to be watched closely, top jockey Richard Fourie gets the ride on this well-bred individual, the yard is in terrific form at the moment. (Brandon Bailey 12-4-7-11)

 

Race 3

4 MENTE ET MANU went way too fast in his last start at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 19th of May, ignore that run completely, he has dropped even further in the ratings, this looks to be the right field for him to be competitive, include him into all bets. 7 HANDSOME PRINCE has dropped a point in the ratings from his last run, he has a big winning chance in this field on his best form. 1 SCOTTISH KISS should have no excuses from a good draw, he will be in it for a long way, watch him closely at a decent price. 6 MIAMI SUMMER has been rested and gelded, the yard thinks highly of this individual, he might need this run back and he will prefer further in time, but his a nice horse with a great turn of foot late, he will be running on strongly. (Brandon Bailey 4-7-1-6)

 

Race 4

7 MISS ATTITUDE ran a lovely race behind South Of France on the 15th of April, she will be switched off early, and she will be running on strongly late, include her into all bets. 3 PEACHES AND CREAM never runs a bad race, her form with the blinkers fitted is very good, even though she has a big weight here, she will be competitive from a neat draw. 6 PUSHING LIMITS finished like an absolute train last time, in hope that she stays 1400m, she has a big winning chance. 2 LA PATRONA ran a great race from a bad draw on the 18th of April, the form of that race has worked out well, her chances must be respected. (Brandon Bailey 7-3-6-2)

 

Race 5

8 CORK BAY won well on the 3rd of May, he quickened up smartly to beat Blind Date by just under two lengths, the form of that race has worked out well, he will be tough to beat again. 1 KELP FOREST travelled like a winner in his last start when finishing second behind Fast Train, he was unfortunately given two points for that good run on the 24th of May, he again finds himself in a winnable race, if the gaps open at the right time, he will be right there in the finish. 7 WORLDLY was only beaten just under three lengths by Cork Bay on the 3rd of May, strictly on weights alone, he must have a good each way chance in this field. 9 BLACK CHEETAH needed his last run, his rating has dropped nicely, with some luck in running from a tricky draw, he will trouble them all in the finish. (Brandon Bailey 8-1-7-9)

 

Race 6

1 ALL THE RAGE has been rested for 101 days, he is extremely talented, his form is very good, the yard thinks highly of this colt, if he doesn’t need the run back after a long break, he will be hard to beat. 2 THE US OF A ran a great race behind Cafe Culture on the 27th of April, he is a smart sprinter, top jockey Richard Fourie knows this gelding well, he will be competitive from a good draw. 3 DUMBLEDORE bounced back to form with the blinkers fitted last time, he will be just off the speed early, and he will be storming home late, watch him closely at a decent price. 5 DEMANDING DAVE disappointed terribly on the 19th of May, he is much better than that poor performance, in hope that he gets back to himself on Tuesday, he has a good place chance in this field. (Brandon Bailey 1-2-3-5)

 

Race 7

10 CHASINGTHERAINBOW quickened up smartly to win a good race on the 19th of May, he was given six points for that impressive victory, he looks progressive, if the gaps open at the right time, he can win again. 9 MAJOR MASTER won with absolute ease on the 27th of April, he was given four points for that win last time, if he settles early from a bad draw, he will go close to winning again. 1 MAGIC VERSE drops a point in the ratings from his last run, he is honest, and he tries hard, there should be no excuses for this gelding from a good draw, include him into all bets. 5 GALLIC DREAM could be the value play in this tricky race, if the speed is on early, he will be finishing like a train, watch him late at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey 10-9-1-5)

 

Race 8

3 BOURBON KING won well at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 16th of May, the blinkers have certainly helped this gelding, even though he has a big weight on his back for this race on Tuesday, he has a massive winning chance again from a neat draw. 2 SUPER VIKING just got touched off last time, he ran a great race for second behind the improving Trip To Camelot on the 16th of May, the only negative is the big weight of 63kgs on his back, but his progressive, and he has a nice draw, he should be right there in the finish. 7 BALZI ROSSI stayed on well for third in the same race as Super Viking last time, if he brings that run to the track again, he will go close to winning. 4 SMART HORSE has a place chance on his best form. (Brandon Bailey 3-2-7-4)

 

Race 9

1 APRICITY is in cracking form at the moment, she was well supported in the market when finishing second behind Raffish Trend on the 16th of May, the drop in trip is key for this filly, she will go close to winning from a good draw. 4 MY ONLY WEAKNESS ran a fair race behind Cutie Patootie on the 31st of May, in hope that this run hasn’t come too soon, she will be competitive. 8 SOUTH OF FRANCE won a good race on the 15th of April, she was given two points for that victory, with some luck in running from a poor draw, she has a winning chance. 2 EISTEDDFOD will love the step up in trip, she has a good place chance from a nice draw. (Brandon Bailey 1-4-8-2)

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