RACE 1

4 DEE DEE’S DELIGHT   11 CALI  BULLET   8 MS GALORE   2 SKIPPER O’MALLY

   Summary: DEE DEE’S DELIGHT (4) has improved with each outing. If she stays the trip should should go close again. CALI BULLET (11) has also improved with each outing. She was run out of it late last run and the step up in trip should suit. MS GALORE (8) has patchy form but on her day will go close. The extra may suit. There should not be much between SKIPPER O’MALLEY (2) and CALL ME HARRIET (9) a neck separating them on the poly last time out. (Andrew Harrison: 4-11-8-2).

RACE 2

1 THE NILE BOSS   2 MOVING IN   7 AMAFORT  5 GOLDEN ANGEL

Summary: THE NILE BOSS (1) was not far back first up for her new stable. She has some fair Cape form over the distance and with a light weight and a good draw could go all the way. MOVING IN (2) is down in class with a big weight but a useful claiming apprentice will make it easier. 7 AMAFORT (7) has been knocking on the door for some time now and should be up there once again. GOLDEN ANGEL (5) was a beaten favourite first run out of the maidens. That was her first run for a new stable and she can come on from that showing. BLIND SPEED (3) has improved at her last two on the poly. Her recent turf form has not been great. (Andrew Harrison: 1-2-7-5).

RACE 3

8 PLUM PUDDING   5 JP’S PALACE   4 FRENCH TRIP   6 TROIS TROIS QUATRE

Summary: PLUM PUDDING (8) goes well this trip and has solid recent form to commend her. She has started favourite at her last three. JP’S PALACE (5) steps up to what looks to be a more suitable trip. He is never far back and the stable is in good form. FRENCH TRIP (4) had his consistency rewarded last run with an easy win however, he did get a six-point raise in the handicap. TROIS TROIS QUATRE (6) has been a little off form at his last two but if finding his best he will be competitive. (Andrew Harrison: 8-5-4-6).

RACE 4

3 CONTINENTAL EXPRESS   8 COUNCILLOR   12 HIGH QUEUE  5 RODRIQUEZ

Summary: Competitive. CONTINENTAL EXPRESS (3) is back over what looks to be his optimum trip and should make a bold bid. COUNCILLOR (8) was not far back first run out of the maidens in first time blinkers. She only has 48.5kg to shoulder and she will be a big runner if she stays the extra. RODRIQUEZ (5) is one-for-one over course and distance and wit a 4kg claimer up he should be competitive. HODGEPODGE (7) is never far off them. She stays the trip and can be concerned. (Andrew Harrison: 3-8-5-7).

RACE 5

5 GOTTA GO EDDIE   4 INDISTRIALSTRENGTH   3 NUMZAAN   1 JAZZ FESTIVAL

Summary: GOTTA GO EDDIE (5) has started favourite at his last five outings, his last win coming over course and distance. He has been consistent and has only once finished out of the money that when tried over further last time out. INDISTRIALSTRENTH (4) disappointed when starting favourite first up on the poly. He had useful Cape form prior to that and at best should be involved. NUMZAAN (3) has his second run after a break. He should come on from that effort although all of his recent form has been on the poly. JAZZ FESTIVAL (1) disappointed on the poly last run after two promising turf efforts. He has the best of the draw. (Andrew Harrison: 5-4-3-1).

RACE 6

8 MISS MUNROE   3 CALL ME JANE   5 CRAFTY CROFTY   4 JANES VISION

Summary: Competitive. MISS MUNROE (8) has her first run for her new stable and comes off a Highveld double. She is lightly raced but goes well over this trip. CALL ME JANE (3) has come good with a tongue-tie since arriving in KZN from the Cape. Her last win was over course and distance and she only got a three-point raise in the handicap. CRAFTY CROFTY (5) is slightly down in class but has two smart recent efforts over course and distance to her name. JANE’S VISION (4) is seldom far off the winner and has a money chance. (Andrew Harrison: 8-3-5-4).

7

1 I’M A FIREBALL   3 CURCUMBENDIBUS   2 CAPTAIN’S CHRISTY   4 FIRST ORIGIN

Summary: I’M A FIREBALL (1) returns from a lengthy break. He had been contesting features after his maiden win but could possibly need this run. If he can repeat his maiden effort he will be hard to beat. CIRCUMBENDIBUS (3) cruised to a comfortable win last time out. He drops back in trip but he should be competitive again. CAPTAIN’S CHRISTY (2) has always been smart and comes off back-to-back wins. She got four points in the handicap which could see her battle for another consecutive victory. FIRST ORIGIN (4) has taken on useful fields at recent outings. He has a fair weight here but the drop in class with a 4kg claimer up could see him home. (Andrew Harrison: 1-3-2-4).

8

2 MUSIC IS LIFE   8 NOW I GOT YOU   10 ONE ARMED BANDIT   6 THE MASK

Summary: MUSIC IS LIFE (2) is holding form well and his last two wins have come over course and distance. He has a fair weight but should be competitive. NOW I GOT YOU (8) has been knocking on the door for some time now. He tried further at his last two and can be more effective over this shorter trip. ONE ARMED BANDIT (10) has had one run back after a lengthy break. He showed promise early in his career and although drawn widest, he is one to watch in the betting. THE MASK (6) was rested after his last win but has come to hand nicely of late and can follow up. (Andrew Harrison: 2-8-10-6).

Andrew Harrison

I’m A Fireball makes a long awaited return with Mike and Mathew de Kock’s charge being off the course since contesting the Gr2 Golden Horseshoe back in July. Now gelded, the son of Vercingetorix was deemed good enough to contest a string of feature races after an eye-catching debut win.

Things didn’t work out as planned as all three of those run were in soft ground and his Golden Horseshoe was particularly disappointing.

So he will be out to make amends when he lines up in the Lucky Fish Power Pick B Stakes over 1000m that heads the card on the turf at Hollywoodbets Greyville this evening.

He could possibly need this run but if he can repeat his maiden effort he will be hard to beat. Should I’m A Fireball not run up to expectations, Circumbendibus will be there to pick up the pieces. Glen Kotzen charge cruised to a comfortable win last time out although he had plenty in his favour that day. He drops back in trip but he should be competitive again. Mark Dixon’s mare Captain’s Christy has always been smart and comes off back-to-back wins. However, she got four points in the handicap for her most recent effort which could see her battle for another consecutive victory. First Origin could be the surprise package. He has taken on useful fields at recent outings and although he has a fair weight he drops in class and Louis Goosen had engaged a 4kg claimer to ease the gelding’s burden.

It is an eight-raced card so the Bi-pot kicks off in the first where Dee Dee’s Delight has improved with each outing and if she stays the trip she should go close again. Cali Bullet has also improved with each outing and was run out of it late last start and the step up in trip should suit. Ms Galore has patchy form but on her day will go close as she has a good turn of foot. The extra may suit. There should not be much between Skipper O’Malley and Call Me Harriet with a neck separating them on the poly last time out.

The Nile Boss has her second run for MJ Odendaal and may just have needed her last outing. She has some fair Cape form over the distance and with a light weight and a good draw she could go all the way. Moving In is down in class with a big weight but a useful claiming apprentice will make it easier while Amafort has been knocking on the door for some time now and should be up there once again. Golden Angel was a beaten favourite first run out of the maidens but that was her first run for a new stable and she can come on from that showing.

Plum Pudding could get the Pick 6 off to a winning start but she does face competitive opposition. Andre Nel’s mare goes well this trip and has solid recent form to commend her and has started favourite at her last three. JP’s Palace steps up to what looks to be a more suitable trip and is never far back. Darryl Moore’s stable is in good form. French Trip had his consistency rewarded last run with an easy win however, he did get a six-point raise in the handicap.

The fourth is a C Stakes over 2400m and Continental Express is back over what looks to be his optimum trip and should make a bold bid. Councillor could be the biggest threat as she was not far back first run out of the maidens in first time blinkers. She only has 48.5kg to shoulder and will be a big runner if she stays the extra. Rodriquez is one-for-one over course and distance and with a 4kg claimer up he should be competitive along with Hodgepodge who is never far off them and stays the trip.

In the fifth, a Class 4 Handicap over 1600m, Gotta Go Eddie has started favourite in his last five outings, his last win coming over course and distance. He has been consistent and has only once finished out of the money, that when tried over further last time out. Industrialstrength disappointed when starting favourite first up on the poly. He had useful Cape form prior to that and at best should be involved. Numzaan has his second run after a break and should come on from that effort although all of his recent form has been on the poly. Jazz Festival disappointed on the poly last run after two promising turf efforts. Back on the turf he has the best of the draw.

Tienie Prinsloo is still on cloud nine after Quickstepgal’s recent Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas win and he saddles Miss Munroe in the sixth. In a competitive field Miss Munroe has her first run for her new stable and comes off a Highveld double. She is lightly raced but goes well over this trip. Call Me Jane has come good with a tongue-tie since arriving in KZN from the Cape. Her last win was over course and distance and she only got a three-point raise in the handicap. Crafty Crofty is slightly down in class but has two smart recent efforts over course and distance to her name.

Music Is Life can round off the evening for Gareth van Zyl. The gelding is holding form well and his last two wins have come over course and distance. He has a fair weight but should be competitive. Now I Got You has been knocking on the door for some time now. He tried further at his last two but could be more effective over this shorter trip. One Armed Bandit has had one run back after a lengthy break but he showed promise early in his career and although drawn widest, he is one to watch in the betting.

RACE 1

The entire field make their debuts respectively, hence the betting will be the guide together with trainer comments. (1) FIRST OFFICER will be the narrowly first selection based on the stables excellent record with unraced runners and the same can be said for (3) JUST CARTER from the Dean Smith yard.

RACE 2

(5) PRICELESS TREASURE is holding solid form and will have a big winning chance here. (2) LAYDELAY represents Cape form which stands up well here, she has been fancied in the betting in her last three starts and should be respected. (4) OCEAN FLAME is another who is in good form and is knocking on the door, big danger to the top selection. (3) WITCHING HOUR wasn’t far in her last start and should be in the firing line. (Devonne Govender 5-2-4-3).

RACE 3

(1) TERMINAL VELOCITY is holding solid form and will be hard to beat here. (3) OH MANDY ran a cracker at big odds in her last start and needs to repeat that performance here, if she does she will be a big challenger. (4) RED LHASA is capable of running into the back end of quartets. (6) CELTIQUE is capable of much better and can pop up but is unreliable. (Devonne Govender 1-3-4-6).

RACE 4

(6) FLASH LIGHTNING ran a cracker in the last start and with the claimer up will have a big chance here. (3) BLACKBERRY BREEZE is holding solid form and will be a serious contender here, include in all bets. (5) HENRY’S HEDGE is another who ran extremely well in the last start and cannot be ignored. (9) CANFORD QUEEN is holding her form well and is another that must go into all bets. (Devonne Govender 6-3-5-9).

RACE 5

(3) EAST COAST GIRL has been running consistently and looks progressive, she will be hard to beat here. (2) BACK FOR MORE ran a cracker in the last start and another big run is expected. (7) LADY BOMBER has been racing consistently and is expected to go well here, include in all bets. (9) BLIND FAITH is capable of running into the quartets so include into the placings. (Devonne Govender 3-2-7-9).

RACE 6

(10) KINGDOM OF HEAVEN ran extremely well in the last start and should run another good race but has a tough draw to negotiate. (4) WALKONTHEWILDSIDE is holding her form well, she is capable of a big finish on her day and will be right there. (9) DYNALLEY is knocking on the door having finished second in his last two starts so include in everything. (7) GLOBAL STATE is capable of running into the placings so include in quartets. (Devonne Govender 10-4-9-7).

RACE 7

(5) KING’S SAILOR is knocking on the door for that next career win, he has been running extremely well and will be the firm first choice. (2) OUTBACK EXPRESS was an impressive maiden winner and can go well here. (1) ABOVE THE HORIZON is never far back and is capable of running a big race. (4) PROLIFIC STAR is another who has scope to go well after winning his maiden and is one to keep an eye on. (Devonne Govender 5-2-1-4).

RACE 8

(1) ALEX MILLER is in good form and should be hard to beat here, she has been running close up in recent starts and she now has the 4kg claiming apprentice aboard which makes her a huge runner despite the tough draw. (4) QUEEN OF JAZZ has been racing well and another honest run can be expected. (9) CITY OF DREAMS is never far back and can get much closer here. (3) HAZE AND SMOKE is lightly raced and can run into the money so include in larger perms. (Devonne Govender 1-4-9-3).

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Chelmsford City and Southwell (UK) – 18 December 2025.

David Thiselton

Small horses are every now and then able to overcome their lack of size with other special attributes and the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner Jan Van Goyen appears to be such a horse.

His special attribute is his fine action in which he has a good length of stride and a very quick stride. It was actually stride-frequency which separated the great Winx from the rest as she was able to do 170 strides per minute compared to the average racehorse’s 130 to 140 per minute.

It will be interesting when the sectional timing data is out to check the number of strides statistic relating to Jan Van Goyen.

What is without question though is his ability to relax in the running and his ability to quicken seemingly effortlessly. He does not look to be under any stress whether just relaxing in the running, accelerating  or going at full tilt.

This points to a horse with a magnificent action i.e it covers plenty of ground in quick time while being uncomplicated and smooth. It can be described as a machine-like action with each stride the same as the other and it has a rhythmical frequency.

However, it is always easy to get carried away when a three-year-old wins an iconic, stallion-producing race like the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas convincingly.

The one man who is not getting carried away by the current three-year-old crop is one of the country’s most respected racing analysts, Karel Miedema.

Previous examples of Ability Ratings (AR) Karel has given Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winners are 109 for One Stripe last year, 97 for Snow Pilot in 2023, 110 for Charles Dickens in 2022, 113 for Double Superlative in 2021 and 99 for Russian Rock in 2020.

He has only awarded Jan Van Goyen an AR of 100 for Saturday’s run.

Jan Van Goyen ran a better time than Dave The King did in the Gr 2 Ridgemont Green Point Stakes with both carrying 60kg, but interestingly Karel awards Dave The King an AR of 110 for his win.

Jan Van Goyen is currently the 3/1 favourite for the Gr 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate and his fans will be snapping that up as he is potentially a special horse.

Aldo Domeyer’s comments after the Guineas were interesting as Happy Verse had moved up well and he confirmed,  “I had a great deal of confidence entering the final  two furlongs.” He concluded by saying, “He (Jan) won like a really good horse, I believe a decent horse beat us today.”

Mathew de Kock believes there is improvement to come from Jan Van Goyen, so was looking forward to seeing where he stood by taking on older horses.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating, but the three-year-old vs older horse debate in this year’s L’Ormarins King’s Plate will pivot around Jan Van Goyen and it is going to be a particularly fascinating race.

See It Again has burst right back into the picture after losing ground at the start and storming through to finish a 0,35 length third in the Gr2 Green Point Stakes. Every cloud has a silver lining and trainer Michael Roberts and owner Nick Jonsson might now be glad that See It Again’s loading shenanigans cost him participation in the Gr1 Betway Summer Cup as the humid conditions on the day seemed to take a lot out of a lot of the runners, not to mention the oft stated difficulty of traveling to Johannesburg and then down to Cape Town. Instead, they have a fresh horse who has two big races in Cape Town plus a R10 million carrot (the Hollywoodbets Durban July) to look forward to.

Garrix was a much talked about horse last season and he proved his supporters correct by producing a flying finish to be beaten by just a long neck in his second run of the season in the Green Point.

Eight On Eighteen makes his seasonal reappearance in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate and has drifted to 9/2 second favourite, which is not surprising considering it is on the sharp side for him, while See It Again and Garrix are 6/1 joint third-favourite. Dave The King is 7/1 along with Green Point fourth-placed Sail The Seas.

The best value is Gladatorian at 17/1. He can be forgiven for running slightly below par in his first run at Hollywoobets Kenilworth and this usually ultra consistent horse should bounce back. It seems a bit of a knee jerk reaction by the bookmakers to have written him off so quickly as his trainer, Stuart Ferrie, was more than happy with his first run in the Cape.