Andrew Harrison

Master Josh proved to be the bookmakers friend in the B Stakes that headed the card at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday. Paying R17 a win on the tote, Yadav Singh’s gelding held on just long enough under leading Mauritian apprentice Girish Samo-Burthia to hold off a late-charging Major Tommie, Garth Puller’s runner a touch unlucky as Calvin Habib had to delay vital seconds for a gap to open as he took the inside line.

Samo-Burthia is leading the national apprentice standings and had no hesitation in sending Master Josh to the front.. The gelding kicked smartly at the top of the straight and went a long way clear. However, he was treading water the last furlong with the pack closing fast, but not fast enough as Major Tommie ran out of runway, a winner two jumps past the post.

Finishes don’t come much tighter than the first where Austrian Beauty and Queen Fenn were separated by little more than the width of a piece of paper. In a tough stretch duel, Austrian Beauty finally wore down pacemaker Captain Ventura and just when it looked to be all over, Queen Fenn arrived with a telling late run and had the race in the bag one stride past the post. Since arriving in the Duncan Howells yard, Austrian Beauty had never finished further back than second in three starts but it was tough luck for Darryl Moore who saddled both Queen Fenn and Captain Ventura.

The poly track may be a slightly quicker surface than the turf but it will find a horse out if the rider presses for home too early. Xiphos looked to be the ‘right’ one in the second after two runners-up placings and was sent to make all the running. 300m from home he looked to have the race in the bag as he pulled clear but all the while the first timer Military Force was making up ground fast from well back at the top of the straight. Nirvan Nastili, who still claims 2.5kg in spite of his obvious ability, got his mount into stride and edging through a tight gap, Louis Goosen’s runner rocketed past Xiphos to win going away and pay a healthy R38 a win on the tote.

Dean Kannemeyer has a blue print for his horses from which he rarely deviates – leave them alone early and letting them find their feet then charge for home. Craig Zackey stuck to the plan, letting debutante Bella Valentina find her feet and then sending for home. Favourite Blue Poppy shot out of the pack, going clear at the top of the straight, but Bella Valentina closed relentlessly and got the better of exchanges over the last 100m.

The first favourite to arrive and kicking off the Pick 6, Spaarne Rivier won a straight forward race, Callan Murray taking Mike and Mathew de Kock’s galloper up handy before quickening away to win rather comfortably. Tickalox stayed on for second while Susurrando was disappointing but was all at sea and a horse that could be looking for a lot further than yesterday’s 1400m.

Green Mile has taken time to shed his maiden but has never been too far off in a dozen starts. Serino Moodley made the best of his inside draw, taking Andre Nel’s charge to the lead, one that he never relinquished. Call Me Wild tried hard to cut back the deficit but to no avail with Drielandenpunt running on for third.

Blazing Light earned himself a reprieve from the retirement list with a comfortable win in the Apprentice D Stakes. Last year’s Champion Apprentice Brevan Plaatjies was never in a hurry on the strapping son of Rafeef and sat comfortably tracking the pace. When asked for an effort, Stuart Ferries charge sped clear and was never for the catching with Banzai Pipeline trailing in second.

The seventh turned into a race of dodgem cars as a slow early pace saw Roy Taking Off nearly unseating apprentice Bavish Soodoo as his keen mount pecked after running into the back of Light Of Gabriel. He did well to stay aboard and was quick to regain his irons but Copacabana was forced to ease.

But the drama was not over. In a blanket finish, pacemaker She’s A Machine, kept hard to her task by Muzi Yeni, shifted out under pressure inconveniencing Rahhabba with Serino Moodley having to ease out of the race. That said, One Path, Light Of Gabriel and Copacabana were all in the scrum come the line. Speed Machine’s win gave  Stuart Ferrie a quick double.

Samo-Burthia increased his lead on the national apprentice log as he rode a quick double, also leading all the way on the Kom Naidoo-trained Rainbow Reward. Skipping clear at the top of the straight, he was not for the catching with Pinetti making a belated effort to close the gap.

David Thiselton

The two highest rated races at the Vaal meeting today are a MR 97 handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m and a Graduation Plate over 1200m.

In the fillies and mares MR 97 handicap Chrome Tourmaline has some excellent form against the best female sprinters around including finishing close up to the subsequent Gr 1-winning Mia Moo down the Turffontein straight. She has a nice draw of six out of nine here over a course and distance where high draws are favourable by trends. She has been allotted 64,5 kg but the 2,5kg claim of in-form Girish Samo-Burthia will help her cause. She was last seen in the Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint and was not disgraced, finishing less than five lengths back. Kia Kaha has struck as one who is better than her form suggests and she might have benefited from a rest. However, her low draw of three might be against her. Mystical Miss was not disgraced in the Gr 2 Debutante over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville and she had a tough task in her seasonal reappearance. This will be much easier and the Tarry yard is in form, so she could be a contender. although her low draw could be a concern. Jazz Pianist is under sufferance and has a tough task, but she could improve, although she is another one with a low draw. Just The Two Of Us lost her jockey last time and disappointed in her previous two starts, but she might well relish the return to 1000m and if bouncing back she will be a big runner from a draw of four out of nine.

In the Graduation Plate Stormy Day is a very promising sort and should have come on from her last run. She has a lot of scope for improvement and although officially a whopping 12,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted World Of Alice, this unbeaten filly might prove up to the task from a nice draw of three.   Tina Lovelace was second to a top class filly in a Group 1 last time out so should be involved in the finish, despite a tricky draw of even. World Of Alice will find it too sharp but has class and could finish thereabouts running fresh.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1600m Unsolved Riddle has good hard knocking form and has a good draw, so should be right there. After Hours has been in fine form and should run well for an in-form yard. Bellerophon has a chance if repeating the form of his maiden win, although he does not have an easy merit rating of 88 and he has to overcome a wide draw. The Playboy Bomber is capable of being involved if able to overcome a wide draw. Coppola could do well from a fair draw of five.

In the fifth race over 1450m Never Never Land won well in the maidens and if overcoming a wide draw has a big chance. Bloomington can never be ignored and has a fair draw. Father Christmas brings some fair form from Cape Town and should be in the shake up. Strewn Sky should be right there if able to repeat his last start and if able to overcome a wide draw. Deception Pass is unreliable but is capable and has gone close at this course over 1500m with Yeni up so a repeat off a one point lower mark will see him right there.

In the sixth over 1200m Mister Wilson has the form to be involved in the finish and has the advantage of pole position. Banyan won well on debut before running third off a 90 merit rating second time out. Louis Nhlapo, who rode the Flower Alley gelding to his debut win, is back aboard and if able to overcome a wide draw over a step up in trip he should relish then he could be a threat. Spy Story has hard knocking form and is well drawn over and ideal draw so he should be a big runner.

In the last race over 1000m She’s All Mine won well in both starts on the Highveld and should be right there if able to overcome a low draw.  Miss Munroe has the ability to be right there, but is also drawn on the low side. Queen’s Pact has a form chance, but a low draw might be against her. Paradise Way could be in the shake up if the low draws are not disadvantageous. Time For Charity has a nice high draw and a 2,5kg claimer up so could be thereabouts.

In the first race over 2400m Heroic Act gets the nod as he is proven over the trip and has a fair draw in an uninspiring field. Itsnowornever improved when stepped up to 1800m and has a chance of doing well over this trip too. Euphrates did well with a step up in trip when the blinkers were removed and is interesting with a further step up in trip. Emerald City has run two better races with blinkers on and is interesting now stepped up in trip. Elusive Charm did better when stepped up to 1800m and from a good draw could earn over another step up in trip.

In the second over 2000m Instant Attraction has a fine form chance if able to overcome a wide draw. Vava Vegas is drawn well with Zackey up and if able to repeat his last start, which was over 200m shorter, he can go close. Majalun was not disgraced first time out the maidens over further and should be in the shake up. Crepuscolo has shown ability and has dropped down to a competitive mark and this is a suitable trip. Hat Furious should be capable of earning.

RACE 1

2 HEROIC ACT 3 ITSNOWORNEVER 1 EUPHRATES 5 EMERALD CITY

Preview: 2 HEROIC ACT is proven over this trip and should be in the shake up. 3 ITSNOWORNEVER improved when stepped up to 1800m and has a chance of doing well over this trip too. 1 EUPHRATES did well with a step up in trip when the blinkers were removed and is interesting with a further step up in trip. 5 EMERALD CITY has run two better races with blinkers on and is interesting now stepped up in trip. (David Thiselton 2-3-1-5)

RACE 2

4 INSTANT ATTRACTION 9 VAVA VEGAS 5 MAJALUN  13 CREPUSCOLO

Preview: 4 INSTANT ATTRACTION has a fine form chance if able to overcome a wide draw. 9 VAVA VEGAS is drawn well with Zackey up and if able to repeat his last start, which was over 200m shorter, he can go close. 5 MAJALUN was not disgraced first time out the maidens over further and should be in the shake up. 13 CREPUSCOLO has shown ability and has dropped down to a competitive mark and this is a suitable trip. (David Thiselton 4-9-5-13)

RACE 3

10 UNSOLVED RIDDLE 11 AFTER HOURS 13 BELLEROPHON 7 THE PLAYBOY BOMBER

Preview: 10 UNSOLVED RIDDLE has good hard knocking form and has a good draw, so should be right there. 11 AFTER HOURS has been in fine form and could register another good run. 13 BELLEROPHON has a chance if repeating the form of his win last time. 7 THE PLAYBOY BOMBER is capable of being involved in this race. (David Thiselton 10-11-13-7)

RACE 4

4 STORMY DAY 6 TINA LOVELACE 1 WORLD OF ALICE

Preview: 4 STORMY DAY is a very promising sort and should have come on from her last run so could be the one to beat. 6 TINA LOVELACE was second to a top class filly in a Group One last time out so should be involved in the finish. 1 WORLD OF ALICE has class and should be thereabouts running fresh over a trip too sharp. (David Thiselton 4-6-1)

RACE 5

9 NEVER NEVER LAND 4 BLOOMINGTON 6 FATHER CHRISTMAS 5 STREWN SKY

Preview: 9 NEVER NEVER LAND won well in the maidens and if overcoming a wide draw has a big chance. 4 BLOOMINGTON Can never be ignored and has a fair draw. 6 FATHER CHRISTMAS brings some fair form from Cape Town and should be in the shake up. 5 STREWN SKY Should be right there if able to repeat his last start and if able to overcome a wide draw. (David Thiselton 9-4-6-5)

RACE 6

3 MISTER WILSON 2 BANYAN 7 SPY STORY

Preview: 3 MISTER WILSON Has the form to be involved in the finish. 2 BANYAN can be involved if able to reproduce his debut win but he does have a tough draw. 7 SPY STORY has been knocking on the door and has a chance but does have a tricky draw. (David Thiselton 3-2-7)

RACE 7

1 CHROME TOURMALINE 6 KIA KAHA 4 MYSTICAL MISS 8 JAZZ PIANIST

Preview: 1 CHROME TOURMALINE has some top class form and with a 2,5kg claimer from a fair draw she should be thereabouts. 6 KIA KAHA Is capable of going close in this race, but might be drawn on the wrong side. 4 MYSTICAL MISS also has ability, but looks to be drawn on the wrong side. 8 JAZZ PIANIST is under sufferance but could improve. (David Thiselton 1-6-4-8)

RACE 8

6 SHE’S ALL MINE 7 MISS MUNROE 3 QUEEN’S PACT 2 PARADISE WAY

Preview: 6 SHE’S ALL MINE won well in both starts on the Highveld and should be right there if able to overcome a low draw.  7 MISS MUNROE Has the ability to be right there, but is also drawn on the low side. 3 QUEEN’S PACT Has a form chance, but a low draw might be against her. 2 PARADISE WAY Could be in the shake up if the low draws are not disadvantageous. (David Thiselton 6-7-3-2)

Soccer10 on Friday, 24 October 2025. ADD-IN R 100 000. Pool Closes at 20h000. Sport 15 and Pool 1 Estimated Pool: R 1.5 million

Soccer10 on Saturday, 25 October 2025. ADD-IN R 100 000.Pool Closes at 15h00. Sport 16 and Pool 1. Estimated Pool: R 1.5 million

Soccer ANY 13Xtra on Saturday, 25 October 2025. C/Over R 100 000. Pool Closes at 14h00. Sport 13 and Pool 1. Estimated Pool: R 400 000

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.