Andrew Harrison

The new poly surface at Hollywoodbets Greyville was under scrutiny yesterday but by all accounts passed with flying colours.  After winning the first race run on the new surface, apprentice Mxolisi Mbuto commented that he was sat in behind runners and there was very little kick-back which was music to the ears of jockeys that had suffered the kick-back of the former aging surface, year’s past it’s sell-by date. 

Looking to be one of the better bets on the programme in the card opener, the Mathew and Mike de Kock-trained Cherry Oh Baby touched 1-5 in the market but took an ominous drift in the betting just prior to the start with plenty of 11-10 available as some money came for long-time battler Longstreet.

Halfway up the straight, Longstreet supporters looked to have done their money as Andrew Fortune appeared to be sitting with a handful on the favourite.

However, apprentice Mbuto extricated Longstreet from behind horses and produced a telling late run up the outside of the field. Cherry Oh Baby rallied to Fortune’s urgings but Longstreet had the momentum and an 8kg weight advantage, getting home by a short head.

Given the market drift and Fortune’s ride, the stipendiary stewards have opened an inquiry.  

When Cape Town trainers are in town for Champion Season it always pays to take note and include their horses in any plays. Glen Kotzen’s charge Master Bomber pulled the widest gate in the second but Chad Little had no hesitation as Master Bomber pinged the gate and was in front shortly after the start. He appeared to be a keen in the early exchanges with first time blinkers but once settled he had an easy lead.

Little got him to kick early in the straight and he pinched a winning break. Silver Platter was closing but was confined to the second box for the fourth time in succession. He is a horse with a huge, loping stride and a mile-and-a-half may be more to his liking.

Woza Nawe built on her comeback run behind One Smart Cookie to land the odds in the third. The judges were faced by a wall of horses approaching the final furlong but Sean Veale got his filly to kick out of the pack and hold off Faizah, this pair pulling clear. Green Valkyrie refused to jump.

The Middle Stakes over 2000m produced a thrilling finish with a short head separating the winner Trois Trois Quatre and Blackberry Malt with third placed Afropolitan a well beaten third. Crossing the subway the pair slowly pulled clear of the pack and they joined battle about a furlong out. Blackberry Malt was game in defeat with Cole Dicken hard at work but it was back-to-back wins for Hollywood Racing’s retained rider Sean Veale and Hollywood Racing after Woza Nawe.

It was three on the bounce for Hollywood Racing as Eventidor came with a telling late run to win the D Stakes over 1600m for trainer ‘Bo’ Ngcobo. It was not all easy going for the young apprentice Jacey Botes as he took the scenic route around the 1400 m mark and was in danger of running off the course. However, he managed to get it all under control and set off up the outside of the field, giving Eventidor a clear run at the line. The gelding responded with a sustained finish to win rather comfortably. Young Botes was brutally honest post-race, “I thought I had stuffed it up.” But if he ever gives up race-riding he can always get a job in a bakery as he ‘stirred’ up his mount using his reins rather than the stick.

 Front running tactics on the new poly surface paid dividends yesterday as Calvin Habib followed the script taking the Wendy Whitehead-trained Sundance Kid into an early lead, kicking for home at the top of the straight and holding on to his advantage. It was a close-run thing as Muzi Yeni drove hard on Bristol Hercules up the inside fence but Sundance Kid had just enough left to hold on by a diminishing head in the sixth.

Mxolisi Mbuto is not your usual apprentice being a lot older than the usual SAJA intake. From serving tables in a restaurant to riding winners on a big stage has been a dream as he rode his second winner of the afternoon on the Darryl Moore-trained Quentasia. Sitting in just off the pace, Quentasia made use of her light weight and a balanced ride to scythe through her field to win comfortably.

Avernian Goddess has been costly to follow but she got it all together in the eighth as she got a dream run. The field bunched up the inside rail but stable rider to the Dean Kannemeyer yard picked a gap and his filly responded with a fine turn of foot to win well. With this confidence booster under her girth she can go on to win a few more. Not so lucky was stable companion Getoffofmycloud, who was the chief sufferer in the inside bunching, and is definitely a horse to follow.

Probably fitting with Hollywood having provided the means to revamp the poly track, Ibutho rounded off a fine day for Hollywood Racing with their fourth winner of the afternoon. In another close call, Alyson Wright’s veteran edged home ahead of Masterbling with Calvin Habib on the right end of another desperate finish.

RACE 1

(4) GULF OF AMERICA made a smart debut and is expected to go one better with Piere Striker Strydom aboard, she will relish the 1450m trip. (7) JAPANESE GARDEN wasn’t far on debut and is expected to get much closer. (2) BOLD ACTION has experience on her side and cannot be ruled out. (1) BACK FROM WAR Is another who is never far back and can make her presence felt. (Devonne Govender 4-7-2-1)

RACE 2

(1) CHRONICLE KING ran extremely well on debut and is the one to beat here. (8) SCARLETT HEART is making steady progress and will be in the firing line. (5) REDLIGHTGREENLIGHT is well bred and a close eye must be kept on the market, if he receives any betting support he should be taken seriously. (9) WINGS OF ICE Is capable of better and that last run is best ignored. (Devonne Govender 1-8-5-9)

RACE 3

(7) EIGHT HATS has made solid progress in her last start and will take some beating here. (10) RACHEL WALL comes from a yard who do very well with unraced runners and must be respected. (2) GENOVEFA is never far back and can make progress with experience on her side. (6) RENDEVOUS IN RIO returns after a long break, she is extremely well bred and a close eye must be kept on the market for any support. She comes from a yard who know how to get them ready and must be taken seriously. (Devonne Govender 7-10-2-6)

RACE 4

(9) ETHICAL has made good progress in her last start and will be a major contender with 56kgs on her back, firm first selection. (1) ART NOUVEAU is always consistent and another honest run is expected. (6) EXPLOSIVE GIFT was fancied on debut, she was given a break and wasn’t far back on her return, there should be more to come from her as she may have needed the last run. (8) REFLECTIVE wasn’t beaten far on debut and will get much closer. (Devonne Govender 9-1-6-8)

RACE 5

(9) CLAW ran well in the last start despite the fact that he needed the run. He will have a big say here. (8) KUDZU is very capable and should be respected. (1) LA MOOHAL is capable of much better and that last run is best ignored. (13) JORDAN has always shown ability and it would be no surprise to see him run a big race. (Devonne Govender 9-8-1-13)

RACE 6

Open race. (9) NORTHERN KITTEN is never far back and is capable of winning here. She does have a wide draw but gets on well with Jason Gates and should be respected. (5) CALL ME MASTER is a very honest type, he has been racing well and will have a big chance with Gavin Lerena up. (4) SAIL THE SKY won easily in his last start and must go in again. (2) CALIDA returns after a break but is better than that last run so should be thrown in. (Devonne Govender 9-5-4-2)

RACE 7

(12) PLUS FOUR won impressively in the province and will be the firm first choice in an open looking contest. Although returning from a slight break he will be a big factor. (9) PRESSONREGARDLESS is holding consistent form and another huge run is expected. (2) NIGHT BOMBER is always in the mix, he is another who is holding form and will be in the firing line. (11) DECEPTION PASS is very capable on his day and ran well in the last start, deserves huge respect here. (Devonne Govender 12-9-2-11).

RACE 8

(5) GREGARIOUS ran well enough in the last start and she looks to have plenty more to come hence she will be the first selection. (2) QUANTUM ran extremely well behind Princess Ilaria and warrants respect here. (1) WARNING SOUND has scope to go well in this field, although returning from a break she must be respected. (9) GHOSTBUSTER wasn’t beaten far in the last start and could make the quartets pay. (Devonne Govender 5-2-1-9)

RACE 9

(2) SATYAGRAHA was an impressive maiden winner and looks to have plenty scope to progress further hence she is the top choice. (8) CARS BIG AS BARS disappointed in the last start but will bounce back so must be respected. (1) WILLOW EXPRESS is a very honest type and is capable on his day so needs to be respected. (4) KING OF NUMBERS won well in the last start and can be included in larger perms. (Devonne Govender 2-8-1-4)

Durban – Following the acquisition of Gold Circle (Pty) Ltd by Hollywood Racing Enterprises (Pty) Ltd (Hollywood), a shareholders meeting was held on 2 May 2025 at which the following Directors were appointed to the Board of Gold Circle:

Suren Rampersadh

Zandile Maseko

Morgan Shandu

Greg Bortz

Sadha Naidoo

Subsequently, at a meeting of Directors held on 7 May 2025, Mr Sadha Naidoo was appointed Chairman of Gold Circle, an office that he will hold until the conclusion of the Champions Season on 31 July 2025.

The Board requested Mr Naidoo to accept this position in recognition of the part that he has played throughout the transition.

At the same meeting, Mr Greg Bortz was appointed as the Chairman Designate, to take office on 1 August 2025. 

David Thiselton

The most interesting entry in the Hollywoodbets Durban July was the imported former Aidan O’Brien-trained Galileo colt, The Equator, but the Tony Peter yard are not sure whether they can get him ready in time for the big race.

Paul Peter said, “The quarantine was longer than we expected. He’s doing very well, but I’m not sure Tony will have him ready in time. He’s going to need two runs to qualify, but he is a big burly horse and this bloke can eat. He just wants to eat and he eats and gets big and chunky so quickly. So Tony doesn’t want to push him and damage him. But he is going to try and have him ready. He has an excellent temperament, you would never think he’s a colt, and he’s doing whatever we ask of him. We didn’t know anything about him, so we’re just learning every day. He’s a nice sound horse and we had to nominate him in case he gets there quicker than we think.”

Paul went over to a Tattersalls Sale with Willem Ackerman and Advocate Nigel Riley of Heversham Park stud last October and bought the Galileo colt for 55,000 Gns. His value increased significantly a month later when his three-parts sister by Frankel, Lake Victoria, won the Gr 1 Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf.

Lake Victoria started 9/4 for the 1000 Guineas on Saturday and finished a 2,50 length sixth.

The Equator himself has only won one race in six starts but has two seconds to his name and has performed well against some good opposition. He seems to need plenty of ground, despite being out of the European champion three-year-old sprinter Quiet Reflection (Showcasing), who won two Gr 1s.

The South African handicappers accorded The Equator a merit rating of 109, which will mean, as Paul Peter said, to do well in his next two races to qualify for the July.

Meanwhile, the yard were pleased with VJ’s Angel’s 2,35 length eighth in the Gr 2 WSB Fillies Guineas at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.

Paul said, “She had a nice run. She came a little bit wide, but she stopped the antics. She didn’t really get left and she tried right to the line, so we were happy with the run.”

The Gr 1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes is on the agenda for VJ’s Angel, who won the Gr 1 Douglas Whyte Thekwini Stakes last season over the same course and distance.

VJ’s Angel was part of an intended sales package together with crack sprinter Golden Sickle. However, a price could not be agreed upon with her, although Golden Sickle was sold so is no longer in the yard.

Stable star Main Defender was scratched from the Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes only due to the wide draw he had landed.

He runs on Sunday in a Pinnacle Stakes event at Turffontein in preparation for the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge, where he will hopefully crack a decent draw.

Pistol Pete is a possibility for the Gr 2 Golden Horse Sprint, but they will be avoiding that race with Buffalo Storm Cody, because they believe the latter is best around the turn. They said they might look at races around the turn for Buffalo Storm Cody like the Gr 2 Post Merchants and Gr 1 Mercury Sprint.

David Thiselton

It was a halcyon day for KZN racing on Saturday at Hollywoodbets Greyville as Hollywoodbets officially took over the province’s racing and it was thus fitting that the province’s trainers, owners and jockeys had fine days respectively, while Hollywood Racing fittingly had a winner as did their brands and communications manager Devin Heffer.

Summerveld trainers Stuart Ferrie and Michael Roberts ran one-two in one of the Gr 2 features, while Peter Muscutt won a Listed feature and both Nathan Kotzen and MJ Odendaal had doubles, while hometown jockeys Muzi Yeni and Sean Veale also had doubles and hometown owners Devin Heffer, Michel Nairac and Ravi Naidoo all had Gr 2 winners.

The Ferrie-trained five-year-old Vercingetorix gelding Gladatorian was offered at 20/1 by Hollywoodbets in the opening ante-post market for the Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m, but by race time in a field that had cut down to 12 the classy Vercingetorix gelding was the Tote favourite and was a bookmakers starting price of 9/2. Sean Veale did well to hold his position from draw five early on as Gladatorian was being pushed sideways on the hindquarters by the slower starting Great Plains, who was heading for the same gap. Veale settled Gladatorian in midfield with cover, while meanwhile the Roberts-trained second favourite See It Again had probably the best start of his career and was one of first away from draw two under his new rider Raymond Danielson, who then settled him in the running three back on the rail. Three-year-old Great Plains, who won the Listed Gatecrasher over this course and distance as a juvenile, was on the rail two positions behind See It Again right near the back. The leader Texas Red switched outward off the false rail while See It Again went inward and a dream gap opened for Gladatorian, who showed his usual fine turn of foot and had hit the front by about the 150m mark with See It Again a strong contender on the inside and Great Plains right on the rail next to See It Again also right in it. Gladatorian held on to beat See It Again by a short-head with Great Plains only 0,25 lengths further back. The Real Prince ran on exceptionally well from last to be beaten just 1,35 lengths. Questioning, Cafe Culture and Montien were next best.

Gladatorian had thus landed a second Gr 2 at Hollywoodbets Greyville. Having won the Post Merchants a couple of years back. He is owned by Messrs Late Agasthamuni Gujadhur, E G Hart de Keating, M L Jean Hardy and Gold Circle’s CEO Michel Nairac.

Veale, who praised Ferrie and his team for a fine training feat, said they had not been able to really gallop Gladatorian with the all the rain there had been at Summerveld, so said there was still plenty in the tank for him. His next mission will likely be the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge and thereafter it will either be the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July or the Gr 1 Champions Cup or both. Gladatorian has never raced beyond 1750m before, but won when sent for over the latter trio for the first time and his pedigree, with Vercingetorix having won the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 and his dam, who won over 2000m, being by stamina influence Dynasty, suggests he could get the 2200m of the July, despite the speed he possesses.

See It Again can also look forward to a fine Champions Season after an excellent pipe opener.

In the next race, the Gr 2 WSB Fillies Guineas, the Brett Crawford-trained Rafeef filly Mom Petit Cherie, bred by Ridgemont Highlands and owned by Ridgemont in partnership with Devin Heffer ran on strongly down the inside under Richard Fourie to beat the favourite Spumante Dolce with Be Merry next best. 

Earlier, Nathan Kotzen and his loyal owner Peter Victor started the day well when Warrior Of Royalty, whom they both have a share in, won the WSB Dash over 400m. Nathan told Jacey Botes to hold his mount together after the jump and get him balanced before riding him. This proved astute advice as he charged home to catch the Mike Miller pair Million Voices and Holds The Key and win by a shorthead, having been backed in from 20/1 to 25/2.

In the next race Kotzen and Victor combined to finish third on debut with the promising World Of Royalty, who is by One World. The winner of this race, The United States colt Intensity, gave both MJ Odendaal and Richard Fourie the first legs of individual doubles.   

Kotzen and Victor then combined to win over 1200m with Querari filly Royal Kailani, who was having her second start and Muzi Yeni extracted more from her in  a tight finish. It was a rewarding win as this filly is a half-sister to the yard stalwart, whom Peter also has a share in, Royal Victory. He revealed his recently late wife Belinda had signed for Royal Kailani after she had not reached her reserve of R500,000 and that persuaded him to splash out for her.

Peter said, “My wife would have been very, very proud.”

Royal Kailani’s immediate future will be played by ear.

Stalwart Durban owner Ravi Naidoo came to the course chiefly to watch Cousin Casey’s comeback run in the Drill Hall, but had a bonus when his part-owned Vercingetorix colt downed Gr 1 WSB Met winner and Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes winner Cosmic Speed to win the Gr 2 WSB Guineas under a fine ride by Yeni.

In the last race of the day over 1400m, the MJ Odendaal-trained Flower Alley gelding Tobacconist justified being backed i  from 20/1 to 11/2 by winning cosily under Sean Veale. He carried the colours of Hollywood Racing to conclude the fitting set of results on a momentous day in the province’s racing history.