Graeme Hawkins

Zapatillas returns to racing action at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in the seventh race today, the R165000 Cape A Stakes over 1400m, after a lengthy spell on the sidelines following knee surgery as a result of an injury sustained in the Champions Cup (Gr 1) on 30 July 2023.

“He is doing well at home but there is a chance he may be a little “ring-rusty”,” trainer Brett Crawford advised when I contacted him during the week. “He has had one grass gallop and has done a lot of work on the treadmill coming into the race tomorrow, and his vital signs are all positive,” he added. “But, there is always the possibility he could just need the run,” he warned. Clearly as a former winner of the WSB Guineas in 2022, Zapatillas is the class package in the race, is very well handicapped and has pole position as an added advantage. Stable jockey, Louis Mxothwa, has opted to partner the son of Master Of My Fate but Crawford suggested that both stable companions, Future Prince and Port Louis, are very much “alive” in a highly competitive event.

Port Louis has been runner-up in his last two starts behind the talented sorts, Rascallion and Coastal Commander. He is probably at his very best over this track and trip but does have a tricky draw to contend with. Future Prince has been knocking at the door but the three-time winner has been absent from the winner’s circle for 817 days, no doubt much to the frustration of his connections. That said, he must have a chance of breaking the drought tomorrow with just 54kgs to shoulder.

But while Crawford clearly holds a very strong hand, there are a number of others who could spoil his party. San Pedro rises in class but he has enjoyed a good season thus far and with the very low weight of 52,5kgs could lead them all a merry dance. That, coupled with the fact that Vaughan Marshall and Ashton Arries are in very good form, suggests that you cannot ignore San Pedro when it comes to formulating your exotic permutations.

Wecangoallnight is another who is capable of rising to the challenge over this track and trip. He does occasionally throw in a below-par effort, but on top form would have a chance of troubling the best of them here. Two runs back Wecangoallnight beat Café Culture by just over a length but is now 2kgs worse off and the swing in the weights should bring them closer together. Richard Fourie takes the ride on Café Culture and the combination warrant utmost respect, although both Wecangoallnight and Café Culture could be held by Port Louis.

Sugar Mountain is interesting. He is unbeaten four-from-four over the course and distance but returns from a disappointing raid on the Highveld. Chatting to Candice Bass-Robinson, she is concerned that, although he has recovered nicely from his foray to Turffontein, he may well just need this run. But if one is going to play wide in this leg then, given Sugar Mountain’s form over the track and the trip, it would be silly to leave him out of yourcalculations. Another with an outstanding record over the Kenilworth 1400m is Silver Operator. He has not been seen since January and will find it tough with 61,5kgs to shoulder from the worst of the draw but, as the only “millionaire” in the race, victory would not come as a complete surprise. We’re Jamming hinted at a return to form last time and rates an upset chance from a handy draw.

To summarise, the outcome of this very intriguing contest hinges on Zapatillas. He is weighted to win comfortably, but returning from a ten-month absence levels the playing field somewhat and it may be wise to hedge your bets.

Be Merry appeals as a potential banker in the opening leg of the Pick 6, a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1200m. The 2yo daughter of Lancaster Bomber has shown terrific promise in her first two starts and could have the edge over the well-tried Charlene and Ellorix, both of which bring consistent maiden form into the race. Stu’s Girl could be the improver in this line-up, but I am going to take my chances with Be Merry.

Hampstead Heath and Plum Pudding renew rivalry in the eighth race, a Class 4 Handicap over 1800m, and on past form hat-trick seeking Plum Pudding may once again have the measure of Adam Marcus’ runner. A bigger threat to Plum Pudding could be Summer Night City who brings good form into the race and is now 4kgs better off with Plum Pudding for a two-length beating last month. I am hoping this trio will prove sufficient to carry us through.

Marshall Field was penalised 3kgs for his last win but he could follow up in the ninth race, a Class 4 Handicap over 2000m. One has to respect the consistent Sudden Song, recent maiden winners Daimyo and Blue Bay and the ratings-dropper Diamond Rock, but Marshall Field may have more to come and is a fairly confident selection to win the final race on the programme.

David Thiselton

The headliner at the Turffontein Standside ten race meeting today is a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1000m, which forms the last leg of the Pick 6, and dual Gr 1-winning sprinter Thunderstruck is the obvious one to side with.

He won the Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Computaform Sprint over this course and distance in his last start and will be using this as a warm up for bigger things, but should be good enough to prevail despite a low draw being a concern on a track, which by trends, favours high draws. Rulership was a two length third in the Computaform and now not only gets 2kg , but he is also drawn on the right side, so he is going to be a threat. Sheldon is a useful and consistent sprinter who is 6kg better off with Mover And Shaker for a 3,80 length beating on the Inside course. Mover And Shaker has a lot of pace and can never be ignored over the minimum trip. Cosmic Star is in fine form and drawn on the right side so could be dangerous carrying just 52kg. Far Away Winter is ultra talented and will be interesting running fresh.

The first leg of the Pick 6 over 1400m will also form a warm up for some classy individuals. Don’t Cry For Me won a fine race over 1200m second time out and made the impression he would enjoy further. He should be seen in Champions Season features. Truth was a facile winner over 1160m on debut and the form has worked out well. The Heavenly Blue colt out of a Frankel mare is also bred to go this trip and further.  Tintamarre won well second time out and as a half-brother to the hard-knocking graded performer White Pearl can be involved here. First-timer One More Star is by One World and is a half-brother to Triple Crown winner Malmoos. Moonlight Trader could be involved if reproducing his maiden win over this trip.

In the second leg over 1400m Zip Code does have a wide draw but should be thereabouts after two good runs to date, including over this trip category last time. Top Seed is by Legislate out of a Trippi mare and is a homebred by Khaya Stables. Festival Of Magic was eased out of the race last time and had severe post race distress but on previous form is a contender. Ermitage has shown enough to be able to earn. Livebythesword has his third run after a layoff and if able to reproduce his second run, when well clear of Ermitage over 1600m, he could represent place value.

In the sixth race over 2000m Douglas Dragon ran well when stepped up to this trip last time and can go close if able to overcome a wide draw. Strewn Sky has some good form and looks likely to enjoy this step up in trip being by Potala Palace out of a Victory Moon mare. Master Tik Tok ran well over 1800m last time and should be in the shake up. Taxhaven finished a highly creditable fifth in the Gr 1 SA Derby and should romp home if able to reproduce that run, but he failed dismally when unplaced next time out in a maiden over this trip. Main Mission has a chance if returning to his best in his third run after a layoff.

In the seventh race over 2000m Dynamic Lass is the one to beat if able to reproduce her last run when close up to  Frances Ethel in the maidens last time inn January. However, she is six years old and has only had four runs so must have issues. Kiss Of Fire is by Erupt so she should enjoy the step up in trip after some fair form over shorter, but she does have a tricky draw. Angel Of Heart could earn if repeating her last start over 1600m, but she has to prove she stays the trip. Teo Torriatte has run on nicely in some of her runs, but has disappointed lately, so needs to bounce back. Perform is not a reliable sort and is widely drawn but is capable of placing.

In the eight over 2400m Weather Wizard won well in his first try at a staying trip and can build on it. Mambo Come Tesio has shown decent form over staying trips and has a chance again. Twenty Drachma’s looks to have the potential to develop into a useful stayer so has to be included. 

In the first leg of the Bipot What A Lucy looks to have the best form in this uninspiring line up but does have a low draw which could be a problem. Ice Cap is improving and should be thereabouts. First-timer One Party is by One World and is a half-sister to dual Gr 3-winning stayer Gimme One Night. Intro is drawn on the right side and has a form chance here. Follow The Sun has the tough number one draw but can earn on form and should be improving.

In the first leg of the PA Frozen Fantasy and Too Late My Mate should get punters through.

RUGBY 8 WIN MARGIN on Saturday, 18 May 2024, C/Over R71 845. Pool Closes at 14h00 Sport 65

Soccer 4 on Saturday, 18 May 2024, C/Over R25 000, Pool Closes at 15h00, Sport 19 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R 100 000.

Soccer 6 on Saturday, 18 May 2024, ADD-IN R50 000, Pool Closes at 15h00, Sport 5 and  Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R500 000

Soccer 10 on Saturday, 18 May 2024, ADD-IN R150 000, Pool Closes at 15h00, Sport 14 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R 2 Million.

Soccer ANY 13Xtra on Saturday, 18 May 2024, ADD-IN R100 000, Pool Closes at 15H00, Sport 13 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R 500 000.

Soccer 4 on Sunday, 19 May 2024, C/Over R25 000, Pool Closes at 17h00, Sport 17 and Pool 2, Estimated Pool: R100 000

Soccer 6 on Sunday, 19 May 2024, ADD-IN R50 000, Pool Closes at 17h00, Sport 2 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R500 000

Soccer 10 on Sunday, 19 May 2024, ADD-IN R150 000, Pool Closes at 17h00, Sport 16 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: 2 Million

Here’s good news for TabGold customers who take Trifecta bets on races in Australia, the UK, Ireland and France. 

Commingled Trifecta pools with Tote Ireland will be offered on all Irish races for the first time from this Friday and simultaneously the unit cost of commingled Trifecta bets on Australian, UK and French races will be reduced from R2 to R1. The unit cost of the Trio on French races also drops to R1. 

Commingled Trifecta bets on racing in Australia, France and the UK were introduced last month.
The benefits of commingling Trifecta pools with host totes (Tabcorp in Australia excluding thoroughbred venues in Victoria and South Australia; PMU in France, the UK Tote and Tote Ireland), as opposed to local pools, are many more Trifecta betting opportunities on races in those countries and bigger pools, which in turn afford TAB customers the chance to win bigger payouts.

Here’s good news for TabGold customers who take Trifecta bets on races in Australia, the UK, Ireland and France. Commingled Trifecta pools with Tote Ireland will be offered on all Irish races for the first time from this Friday and simultaneously the unit cost of commingled Trifecta bets on Australian, UK and French races will be reduced from R2 to R1. The unit cost of the Trio on French races also drops to R1.

ALL TRIFECTA AND TRIO bets will be set as R 1.00 units which will be effective from Friday, 17th November 2023.

The unit cost of a Trio on French races will now be R1 with no fractional betting. So a four-horse Trio will cost R4 (four combinations @ R1 each) and a five-horse Trio R10 (10 combinations @ R1).

An example of a multiple Trio is numbers 1, 2 and 3 for first; number 4 for second and numbers 5 and 6 for third. That’s six combinations @ R1 each for R6 (1-4-5; 1-4-6; 2-4-5; 2-4-6; 3-4-5; 3-4-6).
The standard R6 minimum bet will apply in all cases and all payouts displayed will be to a R1 unit.

The unit cost of commingled Trifectas on Australian, French and UK racing will now be R1 with no fractional betting. Thus a three-horse Trifecta Box will cost R6 (six combinations @ R1) and a five-horse box R60 (60 combinations @ R1).
The standard R6 minimum bet will apply in all cases and all payouts displayed will be to a R1 unit.