Andrew Harrison

Punters face a competitive card on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville this evening where a close eye on the betting market could prove to be your best guide with a number of lowly handicap races on a programme that sees Glen Kotzen loaded for bear.

However, one of the better bets could come in the eighth and last where Tienie Prinsloo saddles the Argentinian import Saragossa Cat. She won two of her five starts on the Highveld although there were lapses sandwiched in between those wins. Prinsloo is a master at preparing horses that have issues and a change of environment and a switch to the poly could bring out the best. Gary Rich has two lively runners in Dawn Surprise and De Vlugge. Dawn Surprise has the best of the draw and whose last win was over course and distance. She also has a useful claimer aboard. Stable companion De Vlugge has won her last two on the poly but has jumped in the ratings. However, she gets 1.5kg relief from the saddle in the form of top class Mickaelle Michel. Wengi Masawi saddles the consistent Qhawekazi and although he has drawn wide he goes well over course and distance and should be a contender.

 The meeting kicks off with two maidens. In the first the lightly raced Prins Jaspar steps out for Andre Nel. He was much improved at just his third start at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and looks the part. Kom Naidoo’s gelding Donmagoo looks the most likely threat as he was much improved in first time blinkers and first up on the poly. He has a light weight and gets 10kg from Prins Jaspar.

Glen Kotzen looks set for an eventful night that can start with Vixen’s War in the first leg of the PA. The filly was a beaten favourite last time out at Hollywoodbets Durbanville and has shown consistent form. She rates the one to beat in this field. Should she not run up to expectations Vaan Spirit should be a threat as she was outpaced over a sprint last run but is back over what looks to be a more suitable trip. Of the balance, Chaos Queen showed some improvement second time out while AMC Rose only had her first run as a four-year-old and was not too far back.

Kotzen could hold the keys with three runners in the opening leg of the Pick 6. Stable rider Chad Little partners Gimme The Truth who has been making steady improvement in cheek pieces but stable companion Wonderful Tonight is also improving and has a useful 2.5kg claimer aboard. The betting could be your best guide here. Devil’s Peak is another that appears to be coming to hand and his best recent effort has been on the poly. Fire Force is a battling maiden but has shown some recent improvement and can earn.

Kotzen saddles the filly Sesame in the fourth who was running on strongly behind the useful Master Du Rouvray last time out and has run two smart races on the poly. She can go one better. Fine Wine makes her way onto the poly but is in smart form and narrowly beaten at her last two. Prom Queen was well fancied to win her last outing but was a narrowly beaten. A repeat showing could see her home. Psyche showed up well first run out of the maidens but was a length back to Fine Wine when last they met so does look held. In an open affair, the Duncan Howells pair of Zena Rose and Ms Galore are others to consider.

The fifth is another competitive handicap but the grey Professor Lupin goes well over course and distance and has the best of the draw. Sweeper Keeper is likely to start at decent odds as he has his third run after a break for Wendy Whitehead. He has improved with each outing and has a chance. Lou The Legend has been consistent of late and goes well over course and distance while Sail To The Moon is down in class and was not far back last time out. The sixth is a tricky handicap but Ultra Quick seldom runs a bad race and is 3.5kg better off with Indecent Proposal on their last meeting. Gorgeous Dude has a light weight and goes well over course and distance while Quinn’s Time is showing signs of returning to form after a close-up third last run and has a 4kg claimer aboard.

To round off in the seventh, Masterofthedesert was a close-up second at Hollywoodbets Durbanville last time out. He makes his poly debut but drops in class with a useful 2.5kg claimer aboard. Ibutho is over his best course and distance and tries for his 11^th win. He has been in the money in 50% of his races. Super Fast was not far behind the ultra-consistent Good Traveller on the poly last time out. He drops in class although he does go a furlong further. Freedom Fighter ran no race first up out of the maidens but he got a hefty rating for his maiden win and so has a big weight to shoulder. He does have the best of the draw and is another Kotzen runner to watch in the market.

RACE 1

4 PRINS JASPAR   1 DONMAGOO   7 IMPERIAL VALOR   6 OWNER OF CREATION

Summary: PRINS JASPAR (4) is lightly raced and was much improved at just his third start at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. He looks the part. DONMAGOO (1) was much improved in first time blinkers and first up on the poly. He has a light weight and gets 10kg from Prins Jaspar. OWNER OF CREATION (6) is better than his recent form suggests. He is back over a sprint on the poly where he has done well. IMPERIAL VALOR (7) showed some improvement second time out in a competitive maiden. Makes his poly debut and likely to improve. (Andrew Harrison: 4-1-7-6).

RACE 2

6 VIXEN’S WAR   5 VAANS SPIRIT   3 CHAOS QUEEN   7 AMC ROSE

Summary:  VIXEN’S WAR (6) was a beaten favourite last time out at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. She has shown consistent form and should go close in this field. VAANS SPIRIT (5) was outpaced over a sprint last run. Back over what looks to be a more suitable trip. CHAOS QUEEN (3) showed some improvement second time out while AMC ROSE (7) only had her first run as a four-year-old and was not too far back. (Andrew Harrison: 6-5-3-7).

RACE 3

5 WONDERFUL TONIGHT   4 GIMME THE TRUTH   2 DEVIL’S PEAK   3 FIRE FORCE

Summary: Glen Kotzen could hold the keys with three runners. Stable rider Chad Little partners GIMME THE TRUTH (4) who has been making steady improvement in cheek pieces. Stable companion WONDERFUL TONIGHT (5) is also improving and has a useful 2.5kg claimer aboard. DEVIL’S PEAK (2) is another that appears to be coming to hand and his best recent effort has been on the poly. FIRE FORCE (3) is a battling maiden but has shown some recent improvement and can earn. (Andrew Harrison: 5-4-2-3).

RACE 4

5 SESAME   8 FINE WINE   10 PROM QUEEN   2 PSYCHE

Summary: Wide open. SESAME (5) was running on strongly behind the useful Master Du Rouvray last time out and has run two smart races on the poly. She can go one better. FINE WINE (8) makes her way onto the poly but is in smart form and narrowly beaten at her last two. PROM QUEEN (10) was a narrowly beaten favourite last start on the poly. A repeat showing could see her home. PSYCHE (2) showed up well first run out of the maidens but was a length back to Fine Wine when last they met so does look held. ZENA ROSE (3) and MS GALORE are others to consider. (Andrew Harrison: 5-8-10-2).

RACE 5

1 PROFESSOR LUPIN   5 SWEEPER KEEPER   4 LOU LOU THE LEGEND   10 SAIL TO THE MOON

Summary: Competitive handicap. PROFESSOR LUPIN (1) goes well over course and distance and has the best of the draw. SWEEPER KEEPER (5) has his third run after a break. He has improved with each outing and has a chance at possible long odds. LOU LOU THE LEGEND (4) has been consistent of late and goes well over course and distance. SAIL TO THE MOON (10) is down in class and was not far back last time out. (Andrew Harrison: 1-5-4-10).

RACE 6

3 ULTRA QUICK   8 GORGEOUS DUDE   11 QUINN’S TIME   1 INDECENT PROPOSAL

Summary: Difficult handicap. ULTRA QUICK (3) seldom runs a bad race and is 3.5kg better off with INDECENT PROPOSAL (1) on their last meeting. GOREOUS DUDE (8) has a light weight and goes well over course and distance. QUINN’S TIME (11) is showing signs of returning to form after a close-up third last run and has a 4kg claimer aboard. (Andrew Harrison: 3-8-11-1).

RACE 7

6 MASTER OF THE DESERT   7 SUPER FAST   1 FREEDOM FIGHTER   4 IBTHO

Summary: MASTEROFTHEDESERT (6) was a close-up second at Hollywoodbets Durbanville last time out. He makes his poly debut but drops in class with a useful 2.5kg claimer aboard. IBUTHO (4) is over his best course and distance. He tries for his 11^th win and has been in the money in 50% of his races. SUPER FAST (7) was not far behind the ultra-consistent Good Traveller on the poly last time out. He drops in class although he does go a furlong further. FREEDOM FIGHTER (1) ran no race first up out of the maidens. He got a hefty rating for his maiden win and has a big weight but he does have the best of the draw and one to watch in the market. (Andrew Harrison: 6-7-1-4).

RACE 8

4 SARAGOSSA CAT   1 DAWN SURPRISE   9 DE VLUGGE   11 QHAWEKAZI

Summary: SARAGOSSA CAT (4) has her first run for a new stable. She has won two of her five starts but patchy form in between. The change of environment could bring out the best. Gary Rich has two lively runners in DAWN SURPRISE (1) who has the best of the draw and whose last win was over course and distance. She has a useful claimer aboard. Stable companion DE VLUGGE (9) has won her last two on the poly. She has jumped in the ratings but gets 1.5kg relief from the saddle. QHAWEKAZI (11) has drawn wide but goes well over course and distance and should be a contender. (Andrew Harrison: 4-1-9-11).

RACE 1

Watch betting on unraced runners. (5) RUNGSTEDLAND is knocking on the door and will have a massive winning chance with the experience under the belt. (2) CHATTERBOX was fancied on debut and ran well enough, she would have benefited from her debut effort and is sure to be sharper now, massive chance here. (4) KITANA’S JOY ran well at huge odds on debut and will be right there. (7) THIS OR THAT gets an eye catching jockey booking in the form of Kyle Strydom, she comes from a yard who do extremely well with juveniles and any betting support should be respected. (Devonne Govender 5-2-4-7)

RACE 2

(1) MONKEY’S WEDDING wasn’t far in his last start, he now goes over the 1600m trip which should be exactly what he’s looking for and possibly further in time. (7) MONT TREMBLANT has been well tried but is holding consistent form and another honest run is expected. (3) SIXTYZERO is holding good recent runs and should be in the mix once again. (4) BUGLE hasn’t been far in recent starts and can run into the money once again. (Devonne Govender 1-7-3-4)

RACE 3

(5) SATELLITE WORLD ran well in the last start and will be a massive contender here. (10) TOTAL ERUPTION ran a cracker in the last start at big odds. (2) PICK A POMODORO can do much better and should be included in all bets. (8) STRAIGHT RED is capable of running into the quartets. (Devonne Govender 5-10-2-8)

RACE 4

(1) INSTAWORTHY returns after a short break however has class on her side, she will be a serious contender here and needs to be respected. (2) DANISH DYNAMITE is on the up and has competed in strong company, it will be no surprise to see her go very well here. (4) HOT SAUCE gets Richard Fourie aboard which speaks volumes, she ran a cracker in the last start and will be in the firing line. (3) VIRGIN RIVER is holding solid form, her last win was very impressive and is another who can certainly challenge here. (Devonne Govender 1-2-4-3)

RACE 5

(4) MASTER MTOTO looks to be a very smart colt in the making and will be the firm first selection, he is expected to remain unbeaten here. (5) U S RANGER will be the obvious second selection based on collateral form. (1) FIRST OFFICER ran well in his last start and can be included for the placings. (2) INTO RED SPACE was very impressive on debut and could be anything here, it will be interesting to see how he goes in this contest. (Devonne Govender 4-5-1-2)

RACE 6

(6) PORFIRIO is holding solid form overall and will be the top selection here. He gets a decent enough draw and should go very close. (8) NEW MEXICO is very capable on his day and needs to be respected, he is capable of a big finish on his day and things could map out well for him. (4) NELSON BAY ran a cracker in the last start and repeat showing will see him in the firing line here. (3) BEYNAC is a horse that cannot be discounted based on his recent numerical form, he capable of much better and can pop up. (Devonne Govender 6-8-4-3)

RACE 7

(3) INGQWELE is holding excellent form and will be massive runner here. (6) GLOBETONIC was very impressive in his last win and is capable of repeating that, he will be a serious contender if things map out well for him. (7) PRINCE FLORIAN won a gutsy race in the last start and another bold run is expected. (2) TRIPPING THUNDER is capable of much better and can get involved. (Devonne Govender 3-6-7-2)

RACE 8

(5) KLEINZEE won a gutsy race in her last start and could take come beating here in this field respectfully. (11) AMANATTO hasn’t been far in recent runs and another honest run is expected. (10) SUN SPECTACULAR is capable on her day and can go into larger perms. (7) NIGHTJAR gets the claimer up but has a tough draw to negotiate, with some luck in running he can get closer. (Devonne Govender 5-11-10-7)

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Newmarket (UK) – 16 April 2026

Andrew Harrison

Andrew Fortune has been the subject of more headlines, good and not so good, than most jockeys in their entire careers and he added another chapter as he steered From The Island to a game victory in typical style in the third at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth yesterday and followed up with another tremendous ride on Super Free in the eighth, both for Justin Snaith.

Seven weeks ago he was laid up with six broken ribs, a punctured lung, a broken collarbone and a broken shoulder blade. Faith in his ability, a determination to make it back into the saddle and many session in the hyperbaric chamber has paid off and he may still reach his dream of winning the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

An inspiration, on the advice of Gaynor Rupert, was reading the exploits of many-times English champion jump jockey Tony McCoy, now Sir Tony, who broke every bone in his body in his 20-year career but was hardly ever sidelined for more than a few months.

An uncanny ability to bond with his mounts, a horseman and rider with an exceptional tactical brain, Justin Snaith has tapped into the 58-year-old Fortune’s talents and it is paying dividends.

Fortune candidly admitted that he had cherry-picked his two comeback mounts and his ride on From The Island was vintage Fortune.

He took no prisoners in the early exchanges, ‘coming over if you like it or not’ and riding with his typically long rein. In the straight he then played his fellow riders on the break and it was only inside the final furlong that he resorted to a couple of backhanders that were enough to hold off the challenges from It’Sgood It’Snice and Uncle Sam.

Many a seasoned jockey will tell you that it is criminal to let a horse through on the inside rail. There was no love lost in the eighth as Fortune’s son Aldo Domeyer aboard Marcus Aurelius, shut the door in his father’s face forcing Fortune to ease up and switch around. Super Free responded with a smart turn of foot to catch Marcus Aurelius and given this showing he is a horse to follow as he steps up in trip.

Magma Flow showed the benefit of experience as he put a small field to bed at the start of the first race. Piet Botha’s charge was out and running from the jump and Keagan de Melo had to do little more than a steering job as Magma Flow raced home on his own. Navasnine chase home in forlorn hope while the filly Nadia Nerina was slow out and although a long way back in third she does look capable of good improvement.

The cleverly named Black Nightshade impressed when making a winning debut for Vaughan Marshall in the first leg of the bi-pot. First time at the races is never easy but Sean Veale had no hesitation in taking his filly to the head of affairs and there she stayed. Pressed hard by the more experienced Virgina Bluebell, who had some fair form in feature race company, this was a showing full of merit.

Mauritian apprentices are more dedicated than most and Varun Jodhee made full use of his 4kg claim as Pacific Waters kept rolling in the fourth to snaffle long-time leader Theleia  on the line to deny De Melo a second win.

It took a little more than 30 minutes for De Melo to go one better for his second winner of the afternoon as he drove  Lucinda Woodruff’s gelding Sky Rocket to the line to hold off a late charging Pritti United who somehow got lost in the early exchanges but finished with a flourish – possibly an unlucky loser.

De Melo rounded off his day with a treble as he got Andre Nel’s Phantom Man home in a tight finish to the ninth.

Given a confident ride by Muzi Yeni, Magical Place made short work of his rivals in the sixth as Yeni slipped the recently gelded Eric Sands-trained striking chestnut up the inside rail for a comfortable win with Flying Finley doing the chasing for another De Melo second.

Unlike his father who has sweated down to the early fifties from a top that at one stage tipped the scales at 90kgs, Aldo Domeyer is happy to ride 60kg and above. After a testing ride on favourite South Of France in the seventh, he would probably have weighed in a few pounds lighter. Finding a gap at the top of the straight, Domeyer had to press hard on Candice Bass’s filly and she responded gamely to hold off Richard Fourie and Somebody Somewhere  in a tight finish. Domeyer intimated that the removal of the blinkers made his task a lot more testing so one can assume that the ‘scoops’ will be back on next time she races.