Andrew Harrison

Buddy Boy could be the punters friend at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday when he lines up in the seventh, a Class 4 handicap over 1600 m.

Out of the Mike and Mathew de Kock’s yard, Buddy Boy was a fair third behind the useful Fortress Of Fire in a poly sprint last time out. He will enjoy the switch to turf back over what may be a more suitable trip and looks to be the horse to beat and a possible exotic bet banker.

He will face stiff opposition from Glen Kotzen’s runner Fast And Free who has been trying much further but has not been far back. He could do better over this shorter trip.

Gareth van Zyl saddles two contenders in I Am Invictus and Wiccan Warrior. I Am Invictus was narrowly beaten over course and distance last time out and is lightly raced. He can go one better. Stable companion Wiccan Warrior started at long odds when second last time out and a second recent run in blinkers back on turf.

The De Kock’s could have a say in the card opener where they have two first  timers in Ibhola Lomlilo and Sparrow Man ridden by their retained riders. Both fillies have exceptional pedigrees but they will first have to get by some experienced runners. Of those that have run, Dancing Party has made steady improvement and was close-up on this course last time out while Mekong has seldom been far back and gets first time blinkers which could see her improve.  Pacific Mood found some market support last run when trying further in the soft and can improve.

Mike Miller’s charge Steamy Windows could get the Bi-pot off to a winning start. He has been trying further but his two post maiden runs have been in feature company and looks the part although he is not short of opposition. Kid From The South shed his maiden last run but does look progressive and should be a factor along with the filly Tyme To Talk who took on males on the poly last time out and has run two smart races.  Omkulu Boss is a maiden, who was scratched from his recent intended start,  but has found betting support at his last two and could surprise.

Andre Nel gave Theleia a short break and makes her local debut from a wide draw in the first leg of the PA. However, she boasts some smart Cape form and should make a bold bid. Lovecomesknocking has made steady improvement for Tony Rivalland and was a close-up second over course and distance last time out. A favourable draw adds to her appeal. Indignation has made recent improvement and was not far back over course and distance last time out and gets a useful 4kg claimer aboard from a good draw. Gimme The Power has been knocking at the door for some time now but her last two starts have been on the poly and she can run into the money again. (

Highveld visitor Paul Matchett only has one runner on the card and Give Me A Chance found some market support in his last Highveld sprint. He has champion elect Craig Zackey aboard and can pay his way. Old Harry Rocks showed up well on debut although starting at long odds. The run should have brought him on a few lengths along with the filly Bai Yulu who made marked improvement in first time blinkers over course and distance but does have a fair weight in this Open Maiden. Hadrian’s Wall was run out of it late last start after contesting a suicidal pace and his best two runs have been over course and distance and he gets a 1.5kg allowance from the saddle but still has a big weight.

The Middle Stakes for the fairer sex is wide open. Dean Kannemeyer sends out Tulip Fields who has a big weight but has been in good form of late and her last win came over the distance. A wide draw does not help but horses from this yard are generally dropped out to run on. Ladyofdestinction is back over what might be a more suitable trip and she is seldom out of the money. De Vlugge is interesting and she has been rocketing up the ratings as she bids for her fifth successive win. However, all have bene on the poly which is a concern. Miss World has run two smart races for her new stable and now steps up in trip.

Lucinda Woodruff has had a fine winter season and sends out Hop Hop Spinnekop who came from a mile back when touched off over course and distance last time out. Her apprentice does not claim but is riding with confidence. The Candice Bass stable saddles Taylor’s Version who has been much improved back in blinkers and her last three runs have been on this course. She has the best of the draw and should feature along with stable companion Lilac In Winter whose latest win was on this course and has since put in two fair efforts on the poly. She has a more than capable claiming apprentice aboard.

Yogas Govender sends out Flamethrower in the eighth. The two-year-old has a big weight in spite of a claiming apprentice but he took on a strong feature race field first time out of the maidens and could prove too classy for this line-up. Iron Will lives up to his name as he bids for his eighth win from 51 starts. He is quick and with a 4kg claimer aboard he must have a strong chance. Lunch Money has smart poly form and should make a bold bid in spite of switching to turf while Diamond Maker  showed up well first run out of the maidens and has a chance in this line-up

In the last, Arverni Princess has won her last three over course and distance for Louis Goosen and can follow up, however, she has an apprentice hunting his first winner aboard while biggest danger Fleu De Ling, a length behind when last they met, has Rachel Venniker riding. The latter is 1kg better off in the handicap which could make the difference. Captain Ventura is quick and should be right there while Ruby Rising is way better than her last run and is a must inclusion in all calculations.

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Doncaster and Newbury (UK) – 18 July 2026

Alistair Cohen

Flying Finley is in the form of his life. He has sailed through the divisions and showed himself to be capable every time he takes another step into good company. He does not look out of place against a good field in race 8 over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday.

Unseen in two months should not be a concern. He has been shrewdly placed by trainer Paul Reeves. He seems to have no issue stepping out fresh. The engagement of Keagan de Melo is also a huge benefit. Not only is de Melo trading at a great percentage on his return but he gets the best tune out of this son of Oratorio.

His last three runs have come under de Melo and his tale of the tape reads two wins and an admirable second, all at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth over 1000m. Three runs back he beat Lyrical Gangster. It was tough to predict his rise on the evidence of that performance but that gave him so much confidence. Plus, his versatility is another tool at his disposal. He can race with the speed and he is just as effective coming from off them.

His second run under de Melo was a good runner-up finish behind Magical Place. He followed up with a commanding win over Gold Giboski. That win is made more appealing because Gold Giboski beat a good field at Hollywoodbets Durbanville nearly two weeks ago. He was given a five-point penalty for that win but if he is to keep feature race company this summer, he ought to handle the handicapper’s new rating.

Sardinia Bay suggests that he has lost some of his sparkle but he grows an extra leg at this course as opposed to down the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. The revision to this trip should give him further potency and the booking of Richard Fourie catches the eye. For that reason, he must be respected. He is three runs unbeaten at this course. Last time he was here was on a lightning fast running track and he beat the well performed Candy Town and had her beaten for speed. That is what he is capable of.

Elusive Winter is also a 1000m specialist and is not to be taken lightly. The lack of a deluge of rain in Cape Town this winter will help his cause because he battles to see it out when the going becomes soft. There is rain forecast from next week so this race looks to be coming in time. Sifiso Bungane takes 2,5kg off his back and that weight swing puts him into the picture. He does need things to go his way but he is capable. Michelle Rix has her runners in top shape which is another plus.

Un Bel Di was a fluent winner last time but he will need to confirm. He is the opposite to the runners mentioned. The likely steaming hot speed could play into his favour. He does have a good turn of foot.

Senorita Lolita made a pleasing debut when she finished second behind Dream Trip over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. From gate No 2 in race 1 over 1250m, she must have every chance to step forward and go one place better. She hails from the yard of Lucinda Woodruff.

Woodruff has a top chance in race 2 over the same trip. Winterworldoflove hails from a family that comes into their own with a few runs under the belt and time does them no harm either. She is related to Bunker Hunt, Salvator Mundi, My Soul Mate and Gimme What I Want who are all feature race performers. Winterworldoflove ran third on debut behind Supreme World in bottomless going. Callan Murray takes over. She could be the best bet on the card.

Ready For The Road and Masteronthemoon look set to fight out race 3 over 1600m. Ready For The Road has 0,5 lengths in hand over his main rival so it is hard to suggest that form will turnaround if all things are equal. They easily have the best form on offer and a Boxed Exacta is suggested for punters.

Mighty Mary gave a huge effort in her last run when she finished second behind Cutie Patootie over 1500m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. She should kick on and go close in race 4 over the same trip under Richard Fourie. That was in April so fitness is to be taken on trust but Vaughan Marshall knows how to keep them fit. Expect a good challenge from Vroom Vroom who has been coming to hand and has form that puts her a shade behind Mighty Mary.

The next two races are not easy. Race 5 over 1500m a slight persuasion is for Mon Papillon who stepped up in trip last time and she acquitted herself well to finish second at this course over 1600m behind Before Sunrise. She had the worst of the draws and that was a good step in the right direction. She does need to confirm the run but she could be up to the task. Fourie rides for Paul Reeves.

Race 6 over 1250m is a stronger event but with no less knots to untie. Lyrical Gangster has been runner-up in his last two efforts and looks set to be on the premises again. Runs to All About Al and the hugely progressive Witch Hazel should set him up with a good winning chance. Two-year-old Another Hero has no weight to shoulder and he is an interesting runner.

Heritage Ridge was one of the wins of the winter when she was shoved out deep and forced to cover extra ground when successful over 1000m at this course last month. She is back over the same track and trip in race 7 under Gareth Wright for Michelle Rix. She had no right to win but she overcame all angles for a gallant victory. The confidence boost should make her the horse to beat.

RACE 1

3 JULIET OF VERONA must have a big winning chance in this field, she stayed on really well for second behind Peace Garland on the 16th of June, she will be given every chance from a good draw. 2 SENORITA LOLITA ran second on debut behind Dream Trip on the 23rd of June, she can only improve, include her into all bets. 1 RED FLAG finished fourth in the same race as Senorita Lolita last time, in hope that she handles the track, she will be amongst the places from a neat draw. 13 MARY CASSATT has run two lovely races in succession, if she gets some luck in running from a bad draw, she will trouble them in the finish.

RACE 2

1 WINTERWORLDOFLOVE ran a great race on debut, she stayed on beautifully for third behind Supreme World on the 23rd of June, she will love the step up in trip here, in hope that she has made further improvement at home, she will be hard to beat from a good draw. 10 PEACH COBBLER finished second in the same race as Winterworldoflove last time, she has solid form, the only negative is the bad draw, with some luck in running, she will go close to winning. 5 SPURIOUS just needed her run back after a break on the 16th of June, she will be much fitter going into this race on Saturday, watch her closely. 2 LANA’S GAL showed good improvement from her first run into her second run, she will love the step up in trip, include her into all bets from a neat draw.

RACE 3

5 MASTERONTHEMOON ran a great race for third behind Master Coiner on the 16th of June, he finds himself in the right race here, top jockey Richard Fourie sticks with this gelding, he will be hard to beat. 6 READY FOR THE ROAD finished second in the same race as Masteronthemoon last time, on his current form, he has a big winning chance. 8 BIG DEAL ran a fair race behind Navasnine on the 2nd of June, he could sneak into the places on his best form, watch him closely. 2 FATE OF PACE ran a shocker behind Mutiny In Heaven on the 24th of May, she is much better than that, if she bounces back to her best form, she could make the Quartet pay from a nice draw.

RACE 4

6 MIGHTY MARY has been rested for 91 days, she was very unlucky in her last start behind Cutie Patootie on the 18th of April, in hope that she doesn’t need this run back after a small break, she will go close to winning from a good draw. 8 EISTEDDFOD ran a great race for second behind Beneath The Clouds on the 21st of June, her form is solid, and she gets 2.5kgs off her back, she will run a big race here, include her into all bets. 7 VROOM VROOM moved up to a point when finishing fifth in her last start, she will be cherry ripe for this race on Saturday, watch her closely at a decent price. 9 UNA THE UNICORN has been rested for 110 days, she is much better than her last run, ignore that performance on the 30th of March, she has dropped further in the ratings, on her best form, she will be competitive.

RACE 5

2 MON PAPILLON finished like a train for second behind Before Sunrise on the 27th of June, the blinkers stay on, and she has a good draw, she will be very hard to beat in this field. 11 GIVEN TO FLY finished third in the same race as Mon Papillon last time, her form with the blinkers fitted is very good, unfortunately she has a big weight to shoulder, and she is badly drawn, with some luck in running, she will be amongst the places. 4 ELUSIVE GIFT has dropped even further in the ratings, she will be competitive from a good draw, watch her closely at a decent price. 9 MEG’S LEGACY finished just over two lengths behind Raffish Trend on the 27th of June, she will be just off the speed early, and she will be flying at them late.

RACE 6

1 SOOTY has been rested for 76 days, he was beaten just over three lengths by Cork Bay on the 3rd of May, he absolutely loves this track and distance, he will go close to winning from a good draw. 2 CORK BAY was heavily supported in the market when finishing third behind Witch Hazel on the 27th of June, the yard thinks highly of this gelding, he has a big winning chance from a neat draw. 7 LYRICAL GANGSTER has run two nice races in succession, he will be right there in the finish, include him into all bets. 9 ANOTHER HERO won a good race on the 23rd of June, he will need lots of luck in running from a bad draw, watch him closely.

RACE 7

6 HERITAGE RIDGE won a good race on the 27th of June, she was given two points for that win last time, at this level, she will always be competitive, include her into all bets, she can win again. 11 HIAWATHA GOLDBERG finished second behind Heritage Ridge last time, with some luck in running from a bad draw, he will trouble them in the finish. 8 SHIFTING PATH might be the value play in this tricky race, he finished just over five lengths behind Gold Dust on the 16th of June, he has dropped even further in the ratings, and he gets 2.5kgs off his back, watch him closely at a decent price. 4 PEACE OF MIND changed stables on the 22nd of June, she is very fast, on her best form, she can win a race like this.

RACE 8

7 SARDINIA BAY is much better than his last run, he was well beaten by Un Bel Di on the 21st of June, now that he is back at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, he will be very hard to beat. 10 FLYING FINLEY is in great form at the moment, he won a super race on the 19th of May, the form of that race has worked out well, with some luck in running from a bad draw, he will go close to winning again. 9 UN BEL DI quickened up smartly to win impressively last time, he was given four points for that win, if he brings that run to the track again on Saturday, he will trouble them in the finish. 8 ELUSIVE WINTER is very fast, he has dropped a point in the ratings from his last run, and he gets 2,5kgs off his back, he could sneak into the places from a tricky draw.

Soccer10 Saturday 18 July 2026. ADD-IN R125 000. Estimated Pool: R1.5 Million. Pool Closes at 18h00.Sport 19 and Pool 1.

Soccer Any 13Xtra Saturday 18 July 2026. Carryover R75 000. Estimated Pool: R200 000. Pool Closes at 16h00. Sport 13 and Pool 1.

Soccer13 Saturday 18 July 2026. Carryover R3 202 288. R8.5 Million (If only One 13 of 13 Winner). Pool Closes at 15h30. Sport 10 Pool 1.

Soccer4 Sunday 19 July 2026.  Carryover R25 000. Estimated Pool: R 75 000. Pool Closes at 18h00. Sport 23 Pool 2.