Andrew Harrison

Mike and Mathew de Kock puts Queen Braganza to the test on the turf at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday. Unbeaten in two, she lines up in a Class 4 Handicap over 1400m and just how she fares will give some indication of whether she is worthy of a crack at the Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas to be run at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on 6 December.

The De Kock’s already have one runner in the Guineas with Ovation Star, touched off in the Gr3 Starling Stakes at Turffontein last weekend at only her second start, with the smart performers Elegantrix and the hither to unbeaten Stormy Day  behind her.

Queen Braganza held off a challenge from Fascination to keep her clean sheet at her second start and was giving the runner-up 7kg that highlighted the merit of that win.

However, she only got a four-point raise in the handicap that suggests that the handicappers where not unduly impressed with her win.

That said, given her pedigree, Sunday’s trip should be more to her liking and the stretch to a mile in the Gunieas even more inviting.

Dean Kannemeyer has four entries penciled in for the Cape Fillies Guineas headed by last Saturday’s impressive Gr2 Western Cape Fillies Championship winner Princess Of Gaul that suggests that Bella Valentina is down in the stable pecking order.

That may change. Bella Valentina won comfortably on the poly over the distance on debut and runner-up Blue Poppy runs in the card opener so one could get a line on her chances. She is well bred, the stable is in mustard form and a win could see her  supplemented into the Guineas.

But the race does not rest between these two obvious runners. The year older Spinmyangelspin has the best of the draw, has come good in blinkers and both recent starts have been on this course. Mrsglitterthatsparkles has shown up well in two starts since her maiden win for Wendy Whitehead and can feature in the money.

The first is a competitive maiden. Eastern Highlands has the widest draw but is the best weighted by far. If he can build on his last effort he could be hard to beat. Amber Alert has run two smart races in blinkers and was close-up over course and distance last time out. He rates a big chance on a repeat showing. Darryl Moores filly Captain Ventura was narrowly beaten over course and distance last run at only her second start. That form has been franked. Blazing Fury was a well beaten third on debut but is sure to come on from that effort while first timer Rock Me Baby is one to watch in the betting.

In the first leg of the PA, Blue Poppy was a beaten favourite last run and has shown some promise in her two starts to date. She was beaten by Bella Valentina so her run here will be closely scrutinized. Trail Runner is down from the Highveld for Sean Tarry. She is lightly raced and appears to have come to hand after a narrow second last start and the extra furlong should suit. Chooks Kiss raced green on debut and was not far back. The experience and step up in trip is in her favour. Watch the market on this one.

Councilor could open the Pick 6. The De Kock’s filly takes on males but comes off two smart Highveld efforts. She has a light weight and a good draw which is all in her favour. Qhude Manikiniki was much improved at his second start when tried over a bit of ground where he started at long odds. He should come on lengths from that effort while Windo To My Soul appears to be coming to hand and Serino Moodley stays aboard.

The fourth is wide open but Magic Maverick has been in good form for Gary Rich and goes well this trip. She has a handy galloping weight and could finally get her second win. Global Movement got a hefty five-point raise in the ratings for his comfortable last win but has come to hand at his last two and gets 4kg relief from the saddle to negate the penalty. Mohandas beat Global Movement when last they met. They meet at the same weights again so there should not be much between them.  King Bavarian is in good form and has a useful 4kg claimer aboard so cannot be discounted lightly.

Red Mountain has pulled a wide gate in the fifth but was touched off last run over course and distance and appears to have improved back in blinkers. He could be worth a punt a good odds. The form behind Kanaal Skater will be fully examined with a number of runners up close last run. Jazz Festival was the best of them, finishing second. He has come to hand of late and can go one better in a competitive handicap. Turbo Twenty was only a length behind Kanaal Skater from the widest draw and should be in the firing line. El Dante has the widest gate which is not in his favour but he was close-up from a similar gate over 1400m last start and the extra furlong will help his chances.

The filly Regeneration is the best weighted in the sixth and did not get a penalty for her easy last win. The form has been franked with Treaty Of Paris winning next time out. Regeneration is way better off at these weights and should confirm the placings. Bristol Hercules has been consistent without winning but did enjoy the drop in trip last time out and from the best of the draw should be a big runner. Amor Fati gets a stronger rider aboard and has gone close at his last two over course and distance.

In the last, Fascination pushed Queen Braganza all the way to the line last time out although she was getting 7kg from the winner. She has a handy weight and a repeat can see her home. Thingamabob was three lengths back to Queen Braganza but she is a lightly raced older filly and although shouldering top weight she has yet to run a bad race. Izibulo showed up well first run back from a break. She has drawn well and can feature again. Mystique Rouge has been in good form of late. She drops back to a sprint but has a handy weight and can make the frame.

RACE 1

9 EASTERN HIGHLANDS   6 AMBER ALERT   8 CAPTAIN VENTURA   4 BLAZING FURY

Summary: Competitive maiden. EASTERN HIGHLANDS (9) has the widest draw but it the best weighted by far. If he can build on his last effort he could be hard to beat. AMBER ALERT (6) has run two smart races in blinkers and was close-up over course and distance last time out. Big chance on a repeat showing. CAPTAIN VENTURA (8) was narrowly beaten over course and distance last run at only her second start. Tat form has been franked. BLAZING FURY (4) was a well beaten third on debut but is sure to come on from that effort. First timer ROCK ME BABY (7) could be one to watch. (Andrew Harrison: 9-6-8-4).

RACE 2

3 BLUE POPPY   8 TRAIL RUNNER   9 CHOOKS KISS   10 DANCING IN DENMARK

Summary: BLUE POPY (3) was a beaten favourite last run and has shown some promise in her two starts to date. TRAIL RUNNER (8) is down from the Highveld. She is lightly raced and appears to have come to hand after a narrow second last start. The extra furlong should suit. CHOOKS KISS (9) raced green on debut and was not far back. The experience and step up in trip is in her favour. Watch the market on this one. DANCING IN DENMARK (10) steps onto the turf after two poly starts where she was not far behind. Can feature prominently. (Andrew Harrison: 3-8-9-10).

RACE 3

2 COUNCILLOR    10 QHUDE MANIKINIKI    9 WINDOW TO MY SOUL   6 IRISH ANTHEM

Summary: COUNCILLOR (2) takes on males but comes off two smart Highveld efforts. She has a light weight and a good draw which is all in her favour. QHUDE MANIKINIKI (10) was much improved at his second start when tried over a bit of ground where he started at long odds. He should come on lengths from that effort. WINDOW TO MY SOUL (9) appears to be coming to hand and Serino Moodley stays aboard. IRISH ANTHEM (6) went down narrowly last run. He switches to the turf and has a good chance if repeating that effort. (Andrew Harrison: 2-10-9-6).

RACE 4

4 MAGIC MAVERICK   3 GLOBAL MOVEMENT   2 MOHANDAS   8 KING BAVARIAN

Summary: MAGIC MAVERICK (4) has been in good form of late and goes well this trip. She has a handy galloping weight and could finally get her second win. GLOBAL MOVEMENT (3) got a hefty five-point raise in the ratings for his comfortable last win. He has come to hand at his last two and gets 4kg relief from the saddle to negate his penalty. MOHANDAS (2) beat Global Movement when last they met. They meet at the same weights again so there should not be much between them again.  KING BAVARIAN (8) is in good form and has a useful 4kg claimer aboard and cannot be discounted lightly. (Andrew Harrison: 4-3-2-8).

RACE 5

10 RED MOUNTAIN   6 JAZZ FESTIVAL   7 TURBO TWENTY   12 EL DANTER

Summary: RED MOUNTAIN (10) has pulled a wide gate but was touched off last run over course and distance and appears to have improved back in blinkers. The form behind Kanaal Skater will be fully examined with a number of runners up close last run. JAZZ FESTIVAL (6) was the best of them, finishing second. He has come to hand of late and can go one better in a competitive handicap. TURBO TWENTY (7) was only a length behind Kanaal Skater from the widest draw and should be in the firing line. EL DANTE (12) has the widest gate which is not in his favour but he was close-up from a similar gate over 1400m last start and the extra furlong will help his chances. (Andrew Harrison: 10-6-7-12).

RACE 6

9 REGENERATION   6 TREATY OF PARIS   1 BRISTOL HERCULES   3 AMOR FATI

Summary: The filly REGENERATION (9) is the best weighted and did not get a penalty for her easy last win. The form has been franked with TREATY OF PARIS (6) winning next time out. Regeneration is way better off at these weights and should confirm the placings. BRISTOL HERCULES (1) has been consistent without winning be did enjoy the drop in trip last time out and from the best of the draw should be a big runner. AMOR FATI (3) gets a stronger rider aboard and has gone close at his last two over course and distance. (Andrew Harrison: 9-6-1-3).

RACE 7

2 QUEEN BRAGANZA   4 BELLA VALENTINA   1 SPINMYANGELSPIN   9 MRSGLITTERSPARKLES

Summary: QUEEN BRAGANZA (2) is unbeaten in two and steps up in trip for the first time. She ius an entry for the Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas and we should know a bit more about her chances after this race. BELLA VALENTINA (4) won comfortably on the poly over the distance on debut. Runner-up Blue Poppy runs in the card opener so one could get a line on her chances here. She is well bred and the stable is in mustard form. SPINMYANGELSPIN (1) is a year older and has the best of the draw. She has come good in blinkers and both recent starts have been on this course. MRSGLITTERSPARKLES (9) has shown up well in two starts since her maiden win and can feature in the money. (Andrew Harrison: 2-4-1-9).

RACE 8

3 FACINATION   4 THINGAMABOB   1 IZIBULO   2 MYSTIQUE ROUGE

Summary: FASCINATION (3) pushed Queen Braganza all the way to the line last time out although she was getting 7kg from the winner. She has a handy weight and a repeat can see her home. THINGAMABOB (4) was three lengths back to Queen Braganza but she is a lightly raced older filly and although shouldering top weight she has yet to run a bad race. IZIBULO (1) showed up well first run back from a break. She has drawn well and can feature again. MYSTIQUE ROUGE (2) has been in good form of ate. She drops back to a sprint but has a handy weight and can make the frame. (Andrew Harrison: 3-4-1-2).

South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Cheltenham(UK) – 15 November 2025

Warren Lenferna

Nine races are carded for the Western Cape’s Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday, 15 November, with proceedings getting under way at 12:40pm. It’s an opportunity for the South African apprentices to strut their stuff, with the opener being an Apprentice Maiden Plate over 1000m.

There are, in fact, three races catering for the “Appies” on the day, which is brilliant to see — the more chances these young riders get, the better. The South African Jockey Academy continues to churn out talented riders.

There are only six runners in the first, and not too much good form to work with. That’ll B The Day looks ready to make today his winning day! He was beaten narrowly last time and is selected to go one better now. Apprentice Sifisokuhle Bungane gets the opportunity to add one more to his tally.

The second race is over 1000m at B Stakes level. It is a competitive race, as it should be, and four of the seven runners warrant inclusion. Black Cheetah is good but returns from a rest and has had a somewhat stop-start career so far. Still, he’s loaded with ability and can win. Winter Snap returns from a long 38-week layoff and, if fit and well, can go close — his form is encouraging. Little Boy Blue, from an in-form visiting stable, brings franked form from his last run and looks a huge runner who might be the one they all have to beat. Elusive Winter has won his last two, is going for the hat-trick, and might be hard to peg back — he is very, very fast!

The third race is also a B Stakes, but this time over 1400m. This looks to be an absolute “two horse race” between Gimmie Rules and Jet Force. The way Gimmie Rules quickened up from last to win at Hollywoodbets Durbanville last time was hugely impressive, and he will end up being much better than his current merit rating of 98. He looks super talented and special. Jet Force, who has won three of his four starts, clearly has ability and looks a quality sort in the making. Big chance.

Race four is an Apprentice D Stakes over 1400m — a competitive and tough event. Include the field if your budget allows, as an upset could easily be on the cards.

Race five is over 1950m, a Class 4 where the benchmark is 82, and it runs at 3:00pm. Only two horses are needed for the exotics here: Coco’s Hero and Gallic Victor, both owned by Khaya Stables but trained by different conditioners. Coco’s Hero is improving and seeking the hat-trick. He found extra and dug down deep to win last time, fending off the challenge from Baton Rouge. Gallic Victor took everyone’s breath away when making a winning debut at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. He then returned home to the Cape and caught the eye again when finishing second to a nice type. He could have improved so much off that run, that he proves hard to beat — another exciting three-year-old on the day.

Races six and seven both feature competitive fields, and cases can be made for many. Try to load up in the exotics, as these two look particularly tough to assess.

The penultimate race, the eighth, is over 1000m — a Class 4 where the benchmark is set at 82. Here, Churchilliansets the standard. The son of Rafeef out of La Volta is holding his form smartly and can notch up his next career victory. He’s having his second run as a gelding, and the third horse from his last start has since come out and won, giving the form a healthy boost. There are others with chances, but Candice Bass’s runner, partnered by Aldo Domeyer, looks to be the one they’ll all have to fear most.

The finale goes off at 5:20pm, another 1000m Class 4 event. Dame Of Trix, Inside Voice, Love Shack, October Fest, and Easy Money all have outstanding chances, but the first selection is Inside Voice. The Pathfork filly, from the Vaughan Marshall barn and ridden by her Hollywood owners’ retained jockey Sean Veale, impressed when winning her maiden — and even more so when following up straight out of it. She can be followed with huge interest and is another talented three-year-old to watch on the day.

RACE 1

5 THAT’LL B THE DAY ran a great race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 25th of October, he stayed on strongly for second behind William’s Woman, the blinkers stay on, and he gets 4kgs off the back with the apprentice claim, if he can build on his last performance, he will be very hard to beat in this field. 4 MOODY BLUE must have a big winning chance, he ran fourth in the same race as That’ll B The Day last time, he was only beaten just over three lengths by the winner, he will be right there in the finish on his best form. 6 ETERNAL DIAMOND has been rested for 67 days, he was disappointing behind Typically French on the 9th of September, ignore that run, he is much better than that performance, if he doesn’t need the run back from a small break, he could finish amongst the places. 1 PRETTY BOY can certainly win on debut, this is not a strong field, watch him closely. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 4 – 6 – 1)

RACE 2

7 ELUSIVE WINTER has been rested for 73 days, he won well at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 3rd of September, he was given four points for that impressive victory, he is very fast, on his best form, he can certainly win a race like this. 4 AIR RAID has dropped one point in the ratings, and the tongue tie has been fitted, he is much better than his recent form, watch him closely, he will go very close to winning at a decent price. 3 WINTER SNAP has been rested and gelded, he is a beautiful horse with a great action, the yard thinks highly of this individual, if he doesn’t need the run back after a long break, he will be tough to beat. 6 LITTLE BOY BLUE ran a terrific race at Hollywoodbets Greyville on the 3rd of October, he was drawn poorly on that occasion, and he still managed to run a good second behind Exocet, the cheek pieces have been fitted for his race on Saturday, he will be competitive. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 4 – 3 – 6)

RACE 3

2 GIMMIE RULES quickened up like a smart horse to win in great fashion on the 15th of October, he was given eight points for that win at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, there is no doubt that he will love the step up in trip to 1400m, from a good draw, he will be hard to beat. 1 JET FORCE has been rested for 73 days, he won a great race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 3rd of September, he is still improving, from a neat draw, he will go close, include him into all bets. 6 GOODNESSGRACIOUSME has been rested for 69 days, she stayed on well for second last time behind her stable companion (Swiatek), her form is solid, she is a big filly with lots of ability, watch her closely. 3 COASTAL COMMANDER has been rested for 63 days, the blinkers have been removed, and he has dropped even further in the ratings, on his best form, he could sneak into the Quartet. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 1 – 6 – 3)

RACE 4

8 MELA STRENGTH won a gutsy race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 8th of October, he was given two points for that win, the tricky draw here will make life tough for him, if he manages to get some luck in running, he can certainly win again. 3 FLYING SOUTH won her maiden well on the 18th of October, the form of that race has worked out well, she is a young filly that is still improving, the step up in trip to 1400m should be no problem at all, include her into all bets. 4 CEDAR POINT is still a maiden, he stayed on well for fourth behind Miami Summer on the 29th of October, from a neat draw on Saturday, he can be competitive at a decent price. 7 TRES CHIC never runs a bad race, she tries hard, with some luck in running, she can sneak into the places. (Brandon Bailey: 8 – 3 – 4 – 7)

RACE 5

9 GALLIC VICTOR flew past many to run a super race for second behind Mente Et Manu on the 18th of October, that was his first run back after a small break, there is no doubt that he will be much fitter on Saturday, with some luck in running, he can certainly win a race like this quite easily. 1 HEAL AND SOUL stayed on well for third behind Master Of Paris on the 5th of October, he is in good form at the moment, and he gets a good draw on Saturday, he will be competitive. 4 GENTLEMAN JOE ran a great race behind Western World on the 25th of October, it was a close finish, at this level he will always have a winning chance, include him into all bets. 6 WESTERN WORLD bounced back to his best form to win a lovely race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville last time, he was given three points for that win, if he can bring that run to the track again on Saturday, he will have a massive each way chance. (Brandon Bailey: 9 – 1 – 4 – 6)

RACE 6

4 TWO A PENNY stayed on strongly for fourth behind Western World at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 25th of October, she was given way too much to do on that occasion, hopefully she settles a lot closer to the speed on Saturday from a good draw, she is a lovely looking mare, on her best form, she will go close to winning. 9 LAVENDER BAY was touched off in the finish last time, she was doing some good work late behind Strawberry Thief on the 25th of October, unfortunately she has a bad draw here, and she was given two points for getting beat last time, but she is honest and she will run a good race again. 8 BENEATH THE CLOUDS ran a top race for third in the same race as Lavender Bay last time, she was in front, and she fought hard all the way to the line on that occasion, if she gets some cheap sectionals in front again, she will be hard to peg back late. 1 HELIOTROPE is as honest as they come, she has a good draw here, and she gets the apprentice claim, watch her closely, she can pop up at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 9 – 8 – 1)

RACE 7

2 BONNE BOUCHE could be some decent value in this tricky race, she is much better than her recent performance at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 8th of October, she is very fast, the drop in trip here will help her improve, and she will enjoy the straight track at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, watch her closely, she can win a race like this on her best form. 4 AVIGNON needed his last run back from a long break, he stayed on well for fourth behind Country Time on the 15th of October, he will be much fitter on Saturday, if he gets away from the field at the right time, he will be hard to beat. 5 BLACK PATH never runs a bad race, her form of late is good, even though she wants further, she will be doing some good work towards the end of the race. 9 WINTERONTHEGREEN has been in great form of late, she ran a good race last time behind Country Time, with some luck in running, she will be competitive. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 4 – 5 – 9)

RACE 8

2 CHURCHILLIAN needed his last run back after a long break, he ran a terrific race for fourth behind Gimmie Rules on the 15th of October at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, he will be much fitter on Saturday, the yard thinks highly of this gelding, on his best form, he can definitely win. 4 DEMANDING DAVE lost his race in the stipes room last time, it got very tight at the finish on that occasion, he is a young horse that is improving with every start, there is no doubt that he will be right there in the finish again. 7 BILLY COOL had absolutely no luck in running at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 22nd of September, he was finishing like a train for fourth behind Steadfast, he can be a tricky ride, if the race works out for him, he will be competitive. 1 ALL ABOUT AL finished second behind Sardinia Bay on the 5th of October, he is honest and he tries hard, include him into all bets. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 4 – 7 – 1)

RACE 9

1 DAME OF TRIX will go close to winning the lucky last, she ran a great race last time from a poor draw at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 25th of October, she is certainly enjoying her racing at the moment, she will be on speed early, include her into all bets. 6 LOVE SHACK has run two excellent races in succession, she caught the eye for third behind Sardinia Bay on the 5th of October, this race should work out perfectly for her, she will be just off the speed early, and she will be low flying late, watch her closely. 4 PEACE OF MIND is better than her recent form, she is much better up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, watch for sharp improvement. 9 OCTOBER FEST ran a great race for third behind Queen Regent on the 15th of October, she has dropped a point in the ratings, and she gets the services of top jockey Andrew Fortune, her chances must be respected. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 6 – 4 – 9)