Maphaka looks an obvious choice
PUBLISHED: January 14, 2026
Andrew Harrison Hollywood Racing’s first call rider Sean Veale, out of action since the start of the New Year, will have had the choice of four runners in an eight-horse field when Maphaka starts in today’s Class 4 over 1200m, sixth race on a seven-race Hollywoodbets Greyville card on the poly. Dean Kannemeyer’s gelding was […]
Andrew Harrison
Hollywood Racing’s first call rider Sean Veale, out of action since the start of the New Year, will have had the choice of four runners in an eight-horse field when Maphaka starts in today’s Class 4 over 1200m, sixth race on a seven-race Hollywoodbets Greyville card on the poly.
Dean Kannemeyer’s gelding was the obvious choice after a close-up second behind the promising Fortress Of Fire but could face some fierce opposition from Umzingeli Wenyathi who races in the same silks. The gelding was deemed good enough for Clinton Binda to make a rare raid on the Cape and his charge did not disappoint, shedding his maiden and following up with a smart handicap debut. Binda has stayed with his 4kg claiming apprentice and it could be a close race. Another Hollywood Racing runner Clever Trevor has useful Highveld form and makes his poly debut over a trip that should suit while Kom Naidoo could spoil a Hollywood trifecta with Rainbow Reward who is a poly specialist and has not been out of the money in his last five starts and has a 2.5kg claimer aboard.
Wengesai Masawi has made the most of his opportunity for Hollywood Racing and he saddles recent maiden winner Tladi Mothwana in the Middle Stakes over 1400m. She got a hefty penalty for her debut win when starting at long odds over the Hollywoodbets Scottsville 1200m and faces some well exposed opposition. However, if the handicappers have got their sums right she will be a big contender. Back At The George may just have been short of a gallop in her local debut as she boasts some useful Cape form in good company. She is one to follow in the market. Mike Miller’s mare Sovereign Grant is always good value for a place but she is overdue another win. She was touched off at her last start over course and distance and should be close-up again. One Smart Cookie has been consistent in blinkers. She tried a lot further last run but her best form has been over this shorter trip.
The second is a tricky handicap but Dean Kannemeyer’s charge Kanaal Skater is a progressive three-year-old winning his last two narrowly when stepped up in trip. This shorter distance should suit and although he is also up in class, he looks capable of another big effort. Imposing won the Christmas Handicap last time out and that form has since been franked. Gareth van Zyl’s runner has come good of late and should be a big threat to his younger rival. Bourbon Warrior is back on his favourite surface and the step up in trip should be to his liking and he can upset. Icy Blast is seldom out of the money and has been consistent of late but Callan Murray has deserted to ride JP’s Palace which may be telling.
In the first, Skipper O’Malley made good improvement at her last two over the distance and has run well on the poly. She carries top weight but looks capable. Spanish Feud was just over a length back to Skipper O’Malley when they met last time out. She is 0.5kg worse off for that meeting but the blinkers come off and Keagan de Melo gets the leg up. Praise De La Rey has been showing signs of coming to hand as she goes up in trip. She has a handy weight and an extra furlong could be in her favour. Chasing Gold makes her local debut with some fair Cape form to her name and that form often holds up in KZN.
The fourth looks wide open. Dennis Bosch saddles Brave Voyager who has been sprinting of late but his last decent showing was over course and distance. He has dropped in class to a more competitive rating and with a 2.5kg claimer aboard from the best of the draw he makes some appeal. Blazing Light is back in trip but goes well on the poly and from a good draw should be competitive. No I Got You is back on his preferred surface and has a 4kg claimer aboard that will help his chances.
Sean Tarry has a number of raiders down from the Highveld and one of his better chances of taking home a win and Mystical Miss could the key to the fifth. She makes her poly debut but comes off some consistent Highveld form and gets 1.5kg relief from the saddle in the more than accomplished French rider Mickaelle Michel. Versace Onthetrack has been rested and has her first outing for Kom Naidoo. She has shown plenty of early promise and with first time blinkers and a smart claiming apprentice up her last run is probably best ignored. Mystic Dancer tries for the hattrick and only got a four-point rise in the handicap for her last win, both of which came on the poly.
The last is a wide open handicap with a full field of twelve. Gary Rich’s mare Dawn Surprise has been holding form and goes well on the poly. She gets some relief from the saddle in Rachel Venniker and from the best of the draw should be a big runner. Drawn on her outside is Darryl Moore’s mare Quentasia who only has 52kg to shoulder and should provide a good lead. The mare also goes well on the poly. Greenlight Queen is slightly down in class and has been consistent of late while Predatrice was much improved last run on the Highveld and the switch to the poly could suit.
