RACE 1

11 KINDA WONDERFUL was an impressive winner in her last start despite having her saddle slip early in the race. She has 60kgs to shoulder but she should be hard to beat with scope for more improvement. 3 BE MERRY found one better in her last start and she’ll be receiving 3kgs from the winners in this field which should make a difference in the closing stages. 9 SYMPHONY IN WHITE ran in the G3 Nursery last start and with the drop in class and distance, she’ll be competitive despite top weight. Watch the betting for support for any of the first timers. (11-3-9-2)

RACE 2

A small but quality field in the G3 Winter Nursery but the the eye catching runner has to be 3 ONE STRIPE. A winner by 6 lengths in his penultimate start and then followed that up with a win in the G3 Cape Of Good Hope Nursery, certainly holds him as the leading light in this years Winter Nursery. Based on that Cape of Good Hope Nursery run, he holds both 4 LION RAMPART and 2 ROMAN AGENT and there should be no reason for that form to change. Respect for the filly 5 FURIOUS QUEEN who won on debut and claims a 2,5kgs sex allowance (Devon Pretorius: 3-4-2-5)

RACE 3

A chance is taken on 6 STATED who ran a great race over track and trip in his last start and was running on really well from a bit far back. He is held by 7 SOUND OF THE SEA from that run but if he can sit a little closer to the pace, he should be a huge runner can could be the value bet on the day. 1 ARISTOTLE is bound to improve over 1400m after a disappointing run in his last start. 8 ALL OUT FOR SIX completes the shortlist (Devon Pretorius: 6-7-1-8)

RACE 4

6 BAGATELLE FLASH flew up in his last start behind a smart sort Kaiboy. If Craig Zackey can get the timing right, he should take a power of beating despite taking on older opposition. 2 MANEKI NEKO found one better in his last start over this distance and it seems to be his preferred trip. 8 APPROACH SHOT has the blinkers removed but is held by Maneki Neko on his last start. 5 UN BEL DI has been gelded and brings consistent juvenile form to the race. He should fight out the minor placings (Devon Pretorius: 6-2-8-5)

RACE 5

5 SANSA STARK is overdue a win after finishing 2nd in her last two starts. She isn’t well weighted on collateral form with both of 2 ENGLISH MISTRESS and 4 LUCKY THIRTEEN who are better off than the first selection and should be involved in the finish. However, Fourie retains the ride on Sansa Stark and the stable has been in good form of late and she is a narrow first selection. 8 PRINCESS OF BAYEUX should be good enough to complete the quartet (Devon Pretorius: 5-2-4-8)

RACE 6

Everything points in favour of the winner of the G3 Variety Club Mile, 5 Rascallion, to follow up and win here. He holds all of his rivals from that run and could be the best bet on the card. 4 PACAYA has been disappointing in recent starts but is bound to bounce back to his best at some stage and this could be the perfect race for him. 1 FUTURE PRINCE finished 4th in the Variety Club Mile and should be in the quartet once again. 3 PROMETTERE could be the lurker in the field and is definitely better than his current rating. Respect 6 NAVY STRENGTH who is having his third run after a rest (Devon Pretorius: 5-4-1-3)

RACE 7

A big and competitive field for the listed Ladies Mile and punters will have to go wide to survive. Trainer Candice Bass Robinson has a strong hand with both 11 RED PALACE and 13 GOLD POKER GAME who both ran over a distance short of their best against sprinters in the Champagne Stakes over 1200m. Now up in trip to 1600m, they’re both distance suited and must be big runners. 4 RAINBOW LORIKEET is loving her racing at the moment and won the listed Cape Fillies Classic over two months ago. She might need this run but can’t be left out. 2 PRINCESS IZZY won the Sweet Chestnut Stakes in a comfortable manner and looks like there is still more to come from her. She is versatile and the mile shouldn’t be a problem from barrier 2. All of 9 MONASHADA; 10 SUMMER LILY and 15 ENEMY TERRITORY can’t be ignored (Devon Pretorius: 11-13-4-2)

RACE 8

5 ALLEZ MORIS ran well above his rating in his last start when finishing second to Love Is A Rose by 0,2 lengths. He never received a penalty for that run and would have run close to a rating of 100. He is well in here to win and should take a power of beating. His biggest danger is 2 KATSU. They met on the 23rd of March where the former won comfortably but on revised weight terms, Katsu is 3kgs better off and was doing his best work late. 8 TWO A PENNY is well weighted and claims a sex allowance. She’s won three in a row and should be involved in the quartet along with 6 GIMME MORE TIME (Devon Pretorius: 5-2-8-6)

RACE 9

Based on the 6th of April formline, 7 SILVER CROWN holds the majority of this field after finishing runner up to the progressive Meu Capitano. Not far behind him was the fast finishing 5 GIMMELIGHTNING and there is almost nothing that separates the two and they should be involved in the finish once again. 12 DUMBLEDORE is rated as next best ahead of 6 SUN DAZED who wasn’t far off in his last start either and has a strong turn of foot. Respect for 2 PARATROOPER as well as 3 ALL ABOUT AL (Devon Pretorius: 7-5-12-6)

Graeme Hawkins

Having won the first leg of the Winter Series over 1600m last month, the Vaughan Marshall-trained Rascallion should prove difficult to beat in the second leg at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday, the R350 000 Legal Eagle Stakes (Gr 3) over 1800m. The 6yo son of Vercingetorix has taken on a new lease on life and was a narrow second in the WSB Cape Town Met back in January before taking out the Variety Club Mile at the beginning of April.

He will be much more comfortable over the added 200m of the Legal Eagle Stakes but will have to produce his best form to hold out the Justin Snaith’s charge Pacaya. Something went seriously amiss with Pacaya in the “Met” and he was pulled out of the race, but he showed signs of life on his return in the Variety Club Mile. Although finishing more than three lengths behind Rascallion, the 5yo Trippi gelding was doing his best work at the finish from off the pace and if he can reproduce the form he showed last season when beating Winchester Mansion in the WSB Greyville 1900, then he would be a serious contender here. Red-hot Richard Fourie has been booked to ride Pacaya while Morne Winnaar retains the ride on Rascallion.

The younger generation is represented by Greeting My Master and Gold Rush winner Rapidash, stable companion to Pacaya. Greeting My Master was only three lengths behind Rascallion last time and is now 2,5kgs better off, which in theory should bring them much closer together. It remains to be seen whether Greeting My Master will appreciate the extra distance whereas we know for certain that Rascallion is more at home over the extended trips. Rapidash has also shown his best form to date over slightly less ground and was never a factor in the SplashOut Cape Derby over 2000m in February. Beating the highly talented Coastal Commander in the Gold Rush was a commendable effort and Rapidash is clearly well above average, but this will be a serious test for the 3yo son of Danon Platina.

Snaith also saddles Sachdev and Navy Strength, either of which could spring a surprise on best efforts, but their stable companions are preferred. Future Prince is holding form well but seems held by Rascallion while the latter’s stable companion, Promettere, is as honest as the day is long and could sneak into the frame.

To summarise, Rascallion’s stated mission has been to take out the Winter Series in Cape Town, rather than head for Champions Season in KwaZulu Natal, and he could take another step forward to realising his trainer’s belief at Kenilworth on Sunday.

The second leg of the Winter Series for Fillies and Mares, the R200 000 Ladies Mile over 1600m, and here Princess Izzy will be looking to build on her victory in the first leg, the 1400m Sweet Chestnut Stakes, which was run a month ago. Her record over the mile is good but she faces stern competition here from the likes of Red Palace, Gold Poker Game and the much-improved Rainbow Lorikeet. In her favour is that Princess Izzy has cracked a nice draw whereas Red Palace and Gold Poker Game are drawn wide in a large field and will need their fair share of luck in running.

Red Palace has Grade 1 form to her credit and need only reproduce her run in the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas, when runner-up to Snow Pilot, to wrest the laurels here. She followed that by finishing fourth in the Paddock Stakes (Gr 1) over 1800m and then slightly disappointed when a lack-lustre fifth in the Majorca Stakes (Gr 1) back in January. Most recently she was given a pipe-opener in the Cape Merchants over 1200m last month and if anywhere near her peak will prove the one they all have to beat.

That said, Gold Poker Game is no slouch and loves to run at them late. From her wide draw, Aldo Domeyer will probably ride her for luck from well off the pace but she possesses a fine turn of acceleration and can mow them down in the latter stages. If Red Palace does not bring her “A-game”, Gold Poker Game could arrive on time to pick up the pieces. Enemy Territory was runner-up behind Princess Izzy in the Sweet Chestnut Stakes but is now 1,5kgs worse off and also has the worst of the draw to overcome. Looks a tough task!

Rainbow Lorikeet races from a handy barrier position and is still very much on an upward curve. She could certainly trouble the best of them here but preference lies with Red Palace to come ahead of Gold Poker Game.

Disappointingly, the R300 000 Winter Nursery (Gr 3) for 2yo’s over 1100m has attracted only five acceptances and Vaughan Marshall appears to hold all the aces. He sends out Lion Rampart and One Stripe, both impressive sons of leading freshman sire, One World, and Fourie will retain his partnership with Lion Rampart while Gavin Lerena has been flown in to partner One Stripe. The latter ran out a comfortable winner of the R1-million Cape Nursery on Derby Day at the end of February when Lion Rampart was a well beaten fourth, but I suspect they will finish a lot closer together this time around.

Roman Agent has been beaten by both One Stripe and Lion Rampart but the good-looking son of Vercingetorix clearly has loads of talent and plenty of scope for further improvement. He could certainly make his presence felt. Furious Queen, the only filly in the small but high quality line-up, was impressive when winning on debut and could be anything, while recent maiden winner Rama Forcesa appears to have a bit to find.

Following the abandonment of Saturday’s race meeting after the running of the fifth race, Gold Circle is pleased to announce that the R500 000 Independent on Saturday Drill Hall Stakes, the R500 000 World Sports Betting Guineas as well as the R500 000 WSB Fillies Guineas will be run at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday afternoon. This decision was reached following consultation with the Trainers involved and carries the support of our valued Sponsors.
The original programme for Wednesday’s race meeting has been recalled and a new race card will be issued in due course. “We believe this decision to be in the best interests of all concerned and Gold Circle regrets the events on Saturday which led to the race meeting being called off,” concluded Racing Executive Raf Sheik.

Race 1: #8 La Forza, #5 Santorini, #9 Run Yes Run, #4 Meaningful Dragon
Race 2: #7 Arthur’s Kingdom, #1 Colourful Baron, #3 Superb Daddy, #10 Green Laser 
Race 3: #8 Speedy Smartie, #3 Circuit Eleven, #1 Must Go, #10 Joyful Life 
Race 4: #1 Packing Hurricane, #4 Holy Lake, #6 Sunstrider, #3 Star Mac 
Race 5: #9 Yoda’s Choice, #5 Bottomuptogether, #2 Multisuper, #12 Ruby Sailing 
Race 6: #9 Joy Of Spring, #13 Chilli Baba, #2 Aestheticism, #1 Laugh Tale 
Race 7: #4 Ariel, #7 Call Me Supreme, #8 Storming Dragon, #12 Top Peak
Race 8: #4 Five G Patch, #9 Ka Ying Generation, #1 Russian Emperor, #11 Unbelievable 
Race 9: #2 Victory Moments, #9 Nebraskan, #6 Monta Frutta, #3 Capital Delight 
Race 10: #8 Ka Ying Rising, #11 Gorgeous Win, #3 Packing Treadmill, #2 Bundle Of Charm 
Race 11: #3 Superb Kid, #9 Super Goldi, #4 Golden Artie, #8 Magnificent Nine 

Race 1: The Argonaut Plate

#8 La Forza finished second on debut. He ran well that day and will have taken plenty of improvement from that effort. He’s the one to beat here, especially with Zac Purton retaining the ride. #5 Santorini finished third in the same race. He’ll roll forward once more and give this group something to worry about. #9 Run Yes Run is another with race experience on the board. #4 Meaningful Dragon is first-up. He comes from the right stable and is worth keeping safe. Next best. 

Race 2: Special Cargo Handicap

#7 Arthur’s Kingdom is still yet to win in Hong Kong. He’s done his best racing this season and the weekend’s course and distance could be exactly what he is after to finally win, especially if there’s rain around. Taking a chance on him. #1 Colourful Baron is in superb form and he returns after narrowly missing last start. #3 Superb Daddy knows what it’s all about and he steps away from a favourable draw. He goes about his racing well. #10 Green Laser mixes his form but the featherweight impost has him fancied.

Race 3: Manicou Handicap

#8 Speedy Smartie is only a one-time winner but he doesn’t know how to run a bad race. Expecting him to lead here and the return to his preferred course and distance is a big advantage. #3 Circuit Eleven floundered on debut, however, he can improve significantly by switching to the dirt course. He showed plenty of prowess in his trials on the surface and Zac Purton’s services are noteworthy. #1 Must Go is in sound form and his win two starts back was solid. #10 Joyful Life is next in line.

Race 4: Insular Handicap

#1 Packing Hurricane is a nice horse and he gets a handy 10 pounds removed from his back here with Ellis Wong engaged. The inside gate suits and he was a winner in this grade three runs back. #4 Holy Lake is after back-to-back wins. He continues to improve and is usually underestimated. He gets his chance here. #6 Sunstrider is lightly raced but does appear to be coming to hand nicely. #3 Star Mac is racing well and he has a powerful finish on his day. He gets an opportunity.

Race 5: Isle Of Man Handicap

#9 Yoda’s Choice did incredibly well last time out and that sort of performance has him favoured this weekend. He can take another step forward and Vincent Ho’s retention is ideal. #5 Bottomuptogether makes his debut. His latest trial was super impressive and he appears well placed to contend first-up. Zac Purton takes the ride. #2 Multisuper scored a well-deserved victory last time out. He knows how to win now and gets his chance this weekend. #12 Ruby Sailing is next in line.

Race 6: Norman Conqueror Handicap

#9 Joy Of Spring is in superb form. He’s so close to a first win and once again he gets a great chance to score breakthrough victory. One to beat, even from the wide gate. #13 Chilli Baba slots in light. He tends to mix his form, although his runs this campaign have been solid. He closed off nicely last start and can make his presence felt here. #2 Aestheticism has the wide draw to overcome. He’s a two-time course and distance winner already this season. #1 Laugh Tale is lightly raced but does have the scope to improve.

Race 7: Monaveen Handicap

#4 Ariel gets the 10 pounds taken off his back. He’s racing well and should be able to roll forward with ease here from gate five. One to catch. #7 Call Me Supreme again draws awkwardly but his latest effort for fourth was solid. He can improve and the services of Hugh Bowman once again are worth consideration. #8 Storming Dragon grabbed third on debut. He’s another who can improve significantly with more experience. #12 Top Peak slots in light and should get a sweet run from gate three.

Race 8: G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup Handicap

#4 Five G Patch is on the quick back-up. He’s a nice horse and his run at Group 1 level last Sunday was very, very good. This is the sort of race he can make his presence felt in, especially over this sort of trip. #9 Ka Ying Generation was superb last start in the BMW Hong Kong Derby when finishing third. He’s an improving horse and he has run well over this trip before in Ireland. #1 Russian Emperor has the class to win. The hefty impost is the concern. #11 Unbelievable is improving and deserves respect.

Race 9: Game Spirit Handicap

#2 Victory Moments is a classy operator and he’s a winner already this season. He boasts some strong form behind Sing Dragon, enough so to suggest that he could win this weekend’s test. #9 Nebraskan returns for his second start. He trialled well on the dirt prior to his debut and has a suitable gate here. #6 Monta Frutta needs to overcome the barrier, although his recent form has been superb. #3 Capital Delight is next in line for an in-form Fownes/Ho combination.

Race 10: Brandy Snap Handicap

#8 Ka Ying Rising is a seriously smart horse. He’s won three times from five starts in Hong Kong and will make his Class 2 debut this weekend. The step up appears well within his grasp, especially from gate five under a low weight. #11 Gorgeous Win slots in light and continues to race well. He can test this group. #3 Packing Treadmill will get his shot on the speed or even in the leading position. He’ll get the right run from gate one. #2 Bundle Of Charm is in career-best form this season. Keep safe.

Race 11: Inch Arran Handicap

#3 Superb Kid is a talent and his last-start victory was superb. Zac Purton retains the ride and he should find a soft lead from gate one. He’ll take beating if can maintain his upward trajectory. #9 Super Goldi returned to his best in fine style last start. He has the gate to overcome, although he is open to improving again. #4 Golden Artie narrowly missed last start. He’s drawn poorly but this contest isn’t an overly strong one. #8 Magnificent Nine is progressing well and he can do the same again this weekend.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

David Thiselton

The first big event of this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July happens tomorrow i.e. the announcement of the entries which were closed on Monday.

Years ending with the number four have always seemed to attract dramatic or significant renewals of the great race.

The first renewal ending in four was 1904 and the race was won by the biggest outsider up until then, the 33/1 shot Nymagee (Splendour), who was the first of four Australian-bred horses to have won the July. The others are Chere Amie in 1905, the great Igugu in 2011 and The Conglomerate in 2016. Nymagee was trained by W. Meredith, owned by S Brooks and ridden by W Clements. The 1904 renewal was the first to be run with the Drill Hall present. The land had been given to the trustees of the Durban Light Infantry regiment by the Durban Town Council in appreciation of their services in the Anglo Boer War and the complex was officially opened on May 24, 1904.

The 1914 renewal was run with war looming. New buildings on course included a new grandstand and offices, a Tote, a dining room below the secretary’s office and a weighing room and jockeys room in a separate building. However, a record crowd attended and the buildings, spacious for normal meetings, were quite inadequate to accommodate the crush. The race was won by the SA-bred three-year-old Rhanleigh, trained by WL Randall, owned by Sir G Farrar and ridden by R Dine. Rhanleigh Wines, which is still flourishing today, is named after the July winner.

In 1924 the winner Oriel, a British-bred five-year-old, was intermittently lame throughout his career and his trainer Ernie Ryan could often be seen in the early mornings at the track massaging his legs. It was this one of the most romantic victory’s in the history of the race as it was only due to Ryan’s exceptional care that the horse even got to the start let alone won. He was ridden by J Lievaux and owned by Messrs Deane and Hollis.

In 1934 the winner Sun Tor came in off the back of a layoff of 161 days and no horse since has come off a longer layoff to win the race. The British-bred five-year-old was trained by J Angles, owned by P Sussman and ridden by A Rugg.

In 1944 the winning jockey Harry Berry had a bad fall a few days before the race in which he broke a rib and sprained both thumbs and a wrist. He had finished second in the race in 1931 and 1934 and finally broke his duck by riding Moneith to victory, despite being in great pain. The winner was a British-bred seven-year-old trained by CB Clutterbuck and owned by A Wayne. He gave the British-based sire Montrose the first of four wins in the July, two of them being by Milesia Pride.

In 1954 Dennis Labistour trained his second July winner, three-year-old colt C’Est Si Bon, who was by the 1941 July winner Sadri II. He spoilt the hopes of many that the great King’s Pact would win, but the three-year-old filly’s welter burden of 54,5kg proved too much. Both of Labistour’s July winners were part-owned, together with himself, by writer Molly Reynolds, who later wrote a book about the July. Labistour’s other July claim to fame is he flew the aeroplane in 1931 that flew July spectators in from east London, the first known instance of people flying in to watch the big race.

 In 1964 Numeral, trained by George Azzie and ridden by Raymond Rhodes, beat Top Gallant. The latter was a half-brother to the immortal Sea Cottage. Numeral was owned by the American businessman Charles Englehard, one of the world’s biggest owners whose horses included the great English Triple Crown winner Nijinsky and also the South African legend Hawaii.

The 1974 renewal was one of the most dramatic in history because the jockey of second favourite Jamaican Music, Tom Rattley, fell off between the start and the Drill Hall. The George Azzie-trained Riboville, despite odds of 20/1, remains the easiest winner in July history, winning by 4,5 lengths from rank outsider Pedlar. Riboville gave Dennis and Peggy Mosenthal an unexpected July winner at last after years of trying, including a controversial second by their horse Radlington in 1952. They had expected to win the 1974 July with the Azzie-trained favourite Elevation, who finished fourth.

In 1984 Terrance Millard had his second of six July winners with the English imported mare Devon Air, who was spotted by still active Durban bloodstock agent Andy Williams and purchased on behalf of the Scott Brothers Des and Robin. The powerful mare gave jockey Felix Coetzee the first of three July wins.

There was controversy in 1994 when Surfing Home veered across the likely winner Pas De Quoi twice in the straight. Surfing Home crossed the line first with Pas De Quoi only fifth, but the objection was upheld and the race was awarded to the Ricky Maingard-trained Space Walk, ridden by Robbie Fradd and owned by D Cohen and Sons. Maingard was the last KZN-based trainer to win the July.        

The 2004 renewal coincided with ten years of democracy in SA and the number ten horse, Greys Inn, thus carried the South African flag on his saddle cloth. He duly won, giving trainer Mike de Kock a second of five July wins and jockey Antony Delpech a second of four July wins. Greys Inn was owned and bred by Bridget Oppenheimer, one of six July wins she had as an owner and one of five as a breeder (she owned and bred together with husband Harry until his passing in 2000).

The 2014 July was the first renewal on the narrowed track and a controversial objection saw trainer Justin Snaith landing his second of five July wins and Richard Fourie landing the first of three July victories. Legislate was the son of the great 2003 winner Dynasty and he was owned by Jack Mitchell, Gaynor Rupert’s Drakenstein Stud and Gail and Dennis Evans of Newbury Racing.