David Thiselton

The Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent years and Candice Bass will have one of the leading lights in Viva’s Liberte.

The yard have revealed that their other highly promising three-year-old colt, All The Rage, will be going a sprint route.

Viva’s Liberte looks to be a classic horse whose two wins to date have come over 1250m and 1400m.

He will relish the step up to a mile and will likely relish 2000m, being by Vercingetorix out of Jet Master mare Viva Maria.

Vercingetorix imparts more precocity and speed than his sire Silvano, but he did win the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 and the Gr 1 Jebel Hatta over 1800m in Dubai. Viva Maria won the Gr 1 Woolavington 2000.

The Bass yard said Viva’s Liberte would take the traditional route for a classic horse i.e. he will start off with the Gr2 Punter’s Cup over 1600m on November 22 at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and then go for the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas three weeks later. Those two races will dictate his future, but it would be no surprise to see him in races like the Gr1 SplashOut Cape Derby, the Gr1 Daily News 2000 an the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July as to date he has not shown an instantaneous turn of foot like one of his likely Guineas rivals, Gimme Rules, but he looks to have plenty of class and builds a finish. He looks to be one who will stay a trip.

It will be interesting to see who Craig Zackey chooses to ride in the Cape Guineas.

The Kannmeyer/Khaya Stables combination also have Gallic Victor, a Vercingetorix colt who caught the eye running on from last over 1600m on Saturday, although the bird had flown out in front and he had to settle for second. He had won easily and impressively on debut over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.

Viva’s Liberte has the Silvano/Jet Master cross and another one who brings that cross, albeit on his dam side, is the Stuart Ferrie-trained Cognac. He is by Rafeef out of the mare Tiffindell, who is by Silvano out of the Gr1-winning Jet Master mare Gluwein.

Cognac also possesses a terrific turn of foot and Ferrie believes he will enjoy a mile as he switches off well, but on the other hand his “speed gene” blood test shows him to be a sprinter.

The Mike de Kock-trained Master Of My Fate colt Jan van Goyen was enormously impressive when winning the Gr1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Champions Stakes over 1600m and is held in high regard, so will be another raider the Cape stalwarts will be wary of.

There is also the Sean Tarry-trained The United States gelding Tin Pan Alley, who was a 3,70 length second to Jan van Goyen in the Champion Stakes, but then franked the form by winning the Gr2 Joburg Spring Challenge over 1450m.

The Candice Dawson-trained Chronicle King has the same cross as Gallic Victor, being by Vercingetorix out of a Western Winter mare. He was third in the Champion Stakes was another to frank the form when winning a good race in his reappearance over 1450m.

The Justin Snaith-trained Happy Verse appears to be full of class and is another Vercingetorix colt who looks to be an exciting Guinea prospect.

The Snaith yard have a plethora of potential candidates for the Guineas, including Absolutely Yes (Danon Platina), Note To Self (Futura), Delta Pride (Hawwaam), Future Free (Futura), Malmesbury Missile (Lancaster Bomber), Primal Instinct (Vercingetorix), Randolph Hearst (Gimmethegreenlight), Roland Garros (Vercingetorix) and Pomp It Up (Danon Platina).

The Glen Kotzen-trained Gr1 Gold Medallion winner Good For You has a lot of speed, but this Legislate looks likely to take a tilt at the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas.

The Vaughan Marshall-trained Vapour Trail, a 101-rated Erik The Red half-brother to One Stripe, disappointed last time but could still step up to the plate.

The Marshall-trained 94-rated Saudi Cat (Hurricane Cat) has won two out of three and will have to prove he stays further than sprints.

The James Crawford-trained Star Major (Querari) looks to have scope for plenty of improvement.

There are probably more than those mentioned such is the wealth of talent in his crop.

Suffice to say this season’s Gr1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas could be a race for the ages.

RACE 1

3 AUSTRIAN BEAUTY   2 PRIORY TERRACE   8 QUEEN FENN   9 CAPTAIN VENTURA

Summary: AUSTIAN BEAUTY (3) has come well for her new stable. She was caught late over course and distance last time out and can go one better. PRIORY TERRACE (2) had two starts at the back end of last season and has finished second in both. She does appear to have issues and has been rested but does look capable especially if she takes to the poly. Darryl Moore sends out two runners with the rides switching mounts. Stable elect would appear to be QUEEN FENN (8) who is seldom far back and Athandiwe Mgudlwa works closely with the yard. CAPTAIN VENTURA (9) found some market support on debut and Callan Murray switches mounts. (Andrew Harrison: 3-2-8-9).

RACE 2

5 XIPHOS   6 TASK FORCE   4 GRAND FORCE   2 OUTRUN THE RAIN

Summary: XIPHOS (5) has improved in blinkers but found one too good for him last time out, being caught late. He is down in trip and can go one better. TASK FORCE (6) raced green on debut and should come on a lot with that run under his girth. GRAND FORCE (4) has shown consistent form over the trip and should be thereabouts again. OUTRUN THE RAIN (2) makes his debut for Stuart Ferrie and has the champion apprentice aboard. One to watch in the market. (Andrew Harrison: 5-6-4-2).

RACE 3

7 BLUE POPPY   4 AMERICAN GEM   1 OLIVE GROVE   2 MRS STORMIATRIX

Summary: Tricky Open Maiden. BLUE POPPY (7) made a smart debut at long odds. The extra will suit. AMERICAN GEM (4) made a smart start to her career when second at long odds. She was ahead of Olive Grove that day. OLIVE GROVE (1) has been coming to hand slowly and showed up well over course and distance last time out. She looks about ready. MRS STORMIATRIX (2) made marked improvement in blinkers last run and a repeat will see her close again. BELLA VALENTINA (5) makes her debut from a strong stable and is one to watch in the market. (Andrew Harrison: 7-4-1-2).

RACE 4

3 SPAARNE RIVIER   5 SUSURRANDO   8 TASTE THE RAINBOW   2 TICKALOX

Summary: SPAARNE RIVIER (3) found market support on debut and finished a close-up third. The step up in trip will suit. SUSURRANDO (5) was running on stoutly over course and distance last time out from the widest draw. He has a better gate here. TASTE THE RAINBOW (8) has not been far back in two outings and although drawn a touch wide the extra will suit. TICKALOX (2) is a battling maiden but has not been too far back at his last two and has another money chance. (Andrew Harrison: 3-5-8-2).

RACE 5

6 DRIELANDENPUNT    10 TAKEYOURBESTSHOT   1 GREEN MILE   2 CALL ME WILD

Summary: DRIELANDENPUNT (6) disappointed when well supported at his second start of making a promising debut. He should much prefer the step up in trip and likely to improve on his last showing. TAKEYOURBESTSHOT (10) has drawn ten out of ten over course and distance for the third time in a row. He has finished runner-up in his last four and must be due a change of fortune. GREEN MILE (1) is relatively lightly raced but has come on at his last two on the poly over course and distance and with the best of the draw he must rate a winning chance. CALL ME WILD (2) has been consistent over further and is another to consider in all wagers. (Andrew Harrison: 6-10-1-2).

RACE 6

6 KING BAVARIAN   9 BLAZING LIGHT   4 SILVER PLATTER   8 THAMBI

Summary: Tricky Apprentice Handicap. KING BAVARIAN (6) has taken a new lease on life of late. He goes well on the poly is distance suited and has a useful 4kg claimer aboard. BLAZING LIGHT (9) looks to be back down to a more suitable rating and has shown some improvement with the blinkers removed. SILVER PLATTER (4) finally had his consistency rewarded when shedding his maiden last run and can follow up in this line-up. THAMBI (8) is way better than his last run which is best ignored and he gets blinkers. (Andrew Harrison: 6-9-4-8).

RACE 7

8 OVATION STAR   6 RAHHABBA   7 ONE PATH   2 LIGHT OF GABRIEL

Summary: OVATION STAR (8) won with a lot in hand on debut and appears to be well above average. She takes on much more seasoned opposition this time around but does look capable. RAHHABBA (6) makes her local debut and comes with some fair Cape form which is often stronger than local. She could be the main threat. ONE PATH (7) has not been out since June but is lightly raced and goes well on the poly. The stable is showing signs of turning. LIGHT OF GABRIEL (2) shed her maiden over course and distance last run but does show some promise and should feature. (Andrew Harrison: 8-6-7-2).

RACE 8

3 MAJOR TOMMIE   4 PRINCESS HANNAH   8 FUTURE FLO   6 CONNERY

Summary: Competitive handicap. MAJOR TOMMIE (3) is lightly raced and did well to run down the smart filly Hierarchy last time out with the Duncan Howells-trained filly complementing that form at her next outing. Serino Moodley has deserted to stay with CONNERY (6) trying for the eight win of his career but does have to give Major Tommie 5kg. FUTURE FLO (8) is a model of consistency but does appear to find the 1000m on the poly a touch too sharp for him. PRINCESS HANNAH (4) is a course and distance specialist and should be right there again. (Andrew Harrison: 3-4-8-6).

RACE 9

6 PERFUME  POWER   4 KINSHIN SHA   7 LOVE MY STYLE   8 PINETTI

Summary: PERFUME POWER (6) takes on males. However, she was a comfortable maiden winner last time out beating stable companion Austrian Beauty who has since backed up that form. She take to the poly for the first time with a 4kg claimer aboard and should have a strong chance in this line-up. KINSHIN SHA (4) has been improving slowly for his new stable and was not far off over course and distance last run. LOVE MY STYLE (7) surprised when shedding his maiden send time of asking  If he has come on from that run he should be a contender. PINETTI (8) was a comfortable maiden winner last run over course and distance. He had consistent form before that and can feature. (Andrew Harrison: 6-4-7-8).

Andrew Harrison

Ovation Star will have been one of the better bets on card where she was down to contest the Class 4 Handicap over 1400m, seventh race on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville today.

However, Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained filly has been withdrawn with stipes permission which will leave punters re-jigging their exotic wagers.

Ovation Star would not have been short of opposition with the Candice Bass-trained, read Terry Fripp, Rahhabba  making her local debut and she comes with some fair Cape form which is often stronger than local. She may have been the main threat to Ovation Star but there are others that make appeal. Frank Robinson has a useful filly in One Parth although she has not been out since June. She is lightly raced and goes well on the poly and the stable is showing signs of turning for the good. Dean Kannemeyer’s filly Light Of Gabriel shed her maiden over course and distance last run but does show some promise and should feature.

The eighth is the highest rated race on the card, a B Stakes sprint over 1000m, and it is a competitive handicap. Likely to start at tempting odds is Garth Puller’s charge Major Tommie. Lightly raced, he did well to run down the smart Hierarchy last time out with the Duncan Howells-trained filly complementing that form with a facile victory at her next outing. Serino Moodley has deserted Major Tommie to stay with Glen Kotzen’s runner Connery who is trying for the eighth win of his career. However, he does have to give Major Tommie 5kg which is a fair amount of pudding. Future Flo has been a model of consistency for Michael Roberts but does appear to find 1000m on the poly a touch on the sharp side. Expect another forward run but he faces the likes of Princess Hannah  who is a course and distance specialist and Paul Gadsby’s mare should be right there again.

It is a nine-race card and Xiphos should be good enough to anchor the first leg of the bi-pot. Frikkie Geryling’s charge has improved in blinkers but found one too good for him last time out, being caught late. He is down in trip and can go one better. Danger could come in the form of Task Force who raced green on debut and should come on a lot with that run under his girth. Outrun The Rain  makes his debut for Stuart Ferrie and has the champion apprentice aboard so is one to watch in the market.

The first leg of the PA is a tricky Open Maiden but Blue Poppy made a  smart debut at long odds for Wendy Whitehead and the extra will suit. American Gem made a promising start to her career when second at long odds. She was ahead of Olive Grove that day who has been coming to hand slowly and showed up well over course and distance last time out. She looks about ready. Mrs Stormiatrix made marked improvement in blinkers last run and a repeat will see her close again while Bella Valentia  is from a strong stable and makes her debut makes her debut so is one to watch in the market.

On a lighter note, prolific owner Henk Leyenaar, a man of Dutch origin, is rather touchy about the pronunciation of the names of his runners. He has two on the day,  Spaarne Rivier in the first leg of the Pick 6 and a race later, Drielandendpunt, and the presenters will get an ear-full if they get them wrong.

That said, Mike and Mathew de Kock’s Spaarne Rivier found market support on debut and finished a close-up third. The step up in trip will suit. Danger could come in the form of Susurrando who was running on stoutly over course and distance last time out from the widest draw. He has a better gate here.

In the next, Drielandendpunt disappointed when well supported at his second start after making a promising debut. He should much prefer the step up in trip and likely to improve on his last showing. Takeyourbestshot has drawn ten out of ten over course and distance for the third time in a row for MJ Odendaal and has finished runner-up in his last four. He must be due a change of fortune. Green Mile is relatively lightly raced but has come on at his last two on the poly over course and distance and with the best of the draw he must rate a winning chance. Call Me Wild has been consistent over further and is another to consider in all wagers.

A tricky Apprentice Handicap will give food for thought in the sixth. King Bavarian taken a new lease on life for Alyson Wright. He goes well on the poly is distance suited and has a useful 4kg claimer aboard. The imposing gelding Blazing Light looks to be back down to a more suitable rating and has shown some improvement with the blinkers removed while Silver Platter finally had his consistency rewarded when shedding his maiden last run and can follow up in this line-up. Thambi is way better than his last run which is best ignored and he gets blinkers.

The last is another tricky handicap Perfume Power takes on males but was a comfortable maiden winner last time out beating stable companion Austrian Beauty who has since backed up that form. She takes to the poly for the first time with a 4kg claimer aboard and should have a strong chance in this line-up. Louise Goosen saddles Kinshin Sha who has been improving slowly for his new stable and was not far off over course and distance last run. Love My Style surprised when shedding his maiden second time of asking  If he has come on from that run he should be a contender along with Pinetti who was a comfortable maiden winner last run over course and distance and had consistent form before that.

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Newcastle and Yarmouth (UK) – 21 October 2025.

David Thiselton

Trainer Frank Robinson was thrilled with the Betway Summer Cup preparation race victory of Madison Valley at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday and Nathan Kotzen was also pleased with the run of Royal Victory in the same race, but Michael Roberts was left fuming by what looked to be a premature scratching of the favourite for the race, See It Again.

See It Again went three-quarters of the way in and appeared to then back out. The handlers then moved him back towards the gate. When he did not immediately go in the hood was removed. He then circled a few times without the hood. Then, to the astonishment of the racing public, it was announced he had been scratched for refusing to load.

Roberts said, “I went into the inquiry room to watch the replay of the loading. I watched it numerous times and they just never gave the horse a chance. He goes more than three-quarters of the way in and the handler in the front then jumps up to get onto the side railing. They are big fellas and you can see when zooming in on the video that when going up the handler actually pushes against the horse’s head. He has a hood on, so he can’t see and he obviously resents being pushed in the head and half rears and then backs out. Shortly afterwards, Rachel (Venniker) was told the horse was delaying the start and he was scratched. The amazing thing is here you have a race the whole racing fraternity around the country and the punters are waiting to see, because they are hedging their bets for the richest race in the country (the R6 million Betway Summer Cup) and there are four fancied Summer Cup entries running in this race, so people want to see how they progress and the favourite in the race is just ignored by the starter!”

The inconsistency was another point Roberts raised.

He said, “The other day there was a horse who must have been given about five minutes and many chances to go in – we actually commented among ourselves when watching and said, ‘How long are they going to give this horse?’ It surely can’t go on how quietly the other horses are standing. Every horse should be given the same opportunity to load.”

Roberts said the response when pointing out it had appeared to be the fault of one of the handlers that See It Again backed out in the first place was that the starter had been unable to see what was happening in front of the horse.

 He added, “They can’t see it happening, but then they ignore what the jockey tells them!”

Roberts went on to say it had not only been a stepping stone race for the Summer Cup, but once again the punter had suffered because the favourite got taken out and the new favourite then ran unplaced, so it had put a lot of punters out of the exotics.

He continued, “See It Again has been jumping out of his skin and was 10kg over his racing weight and the race would have tightened him up nicely for his next start (a race over the same course and distance on November 7). Rachel galloped him back, but the stampers were already on the course, so she had to stop two furlongs from home, so he only got about a five or six furlong gallop.”

The stipendiary steward report said, “SEE IT AGAIN (R A Venniker) refused to load. Trainer M L Roberts will be advised to reschool this gelding.” Roberts pointed out that the last time this horse had had an issue at the starting stalls was way back in 2022.

He added that more than one of the jockeys had told him his horse had not been given a fair chance, which was unusual for a jockey to say about an opposition runner, and Craig Zackey had even mentioned it in the winner’s interview. Roberts said he also been inundated with messages and phonecalls from around the country from friends and colleagues who had disagreed with the decision made by the starter, who on the day was KZN’s official assistant starter, Sean Leslie.

Roberts concluded, “I might just take See It Again to Greyville for a gallop before November 7, but the horse is well and we will be back!”

Frank Robinson was particularly pleased with the manner of Madison Valley’s victory in which only two backhanders had been required.

He said an agreement to have Craig Zackey on for the Summer Cup and for the build-up races had been made about a month ago.

However, he is now in two minds whether to run him in the Gr 2 Allied-Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile at Turffontein Standside on November 1 or to just go for the Conditions Plate race over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on November 7.

Madison Valley was raised one point to 116 for his win on Sunday and Robinson is weary of getting more points for running well in the Charity Mile.

At present with See It Again and Royal Victory the highest rated entries on 125, Madison Valley will have a nice galloping weight of 55,5kg.

Nathan Kotzen was pleased with Royal Victory’s run despite him finishing a 3,75 length sixth.

He said all he had wanted to see was him running on well in his usual style after being dropped out from a tricky draw of seven. He had done just that under Chad Little, whom Nathan confirmed would be his rider for the Summer Cup.

Royal Victory will also run next in the Conditions Plate event over 1600m on November 7. He pointed out the Pathfork gelding had been in a better space than ever after six sessions with “horse whisperer” Glyn Redgrave.

The Glen Kotzen-trained Summer Cup entry On My Honour ran a fair 2,35 length fourth. He was well in at the weights and some would have expected better, but he should come on a lot for the run.