David Thiselton

The Glen Kotzen-trained Gr 1 Gold Medallion winner Good For You passed his stamina acid test at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday by winning the Gr 2 Race Coast Cape Punters Cup over 1600m despite giving 2kg to the rest of the field, although he had to survive an objection from runner up Randolph Hearst’s trainer and he also caused interference to eventual fourth-placed Happy Verse.

Good For You is now third favourite for the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas at 8/1 with the sponsor behind Gimmie Rules at 5/2 and Jan Van Goyen at 5/1.

Good For You broke well on Saturday and used his natural speed to claim the rail from draw two and he then dictated the pace. He switched towards the centre in the straight off a narrow 1,5m false rail and kept on going well. The challengers on the inside, Star Major, Absolutely Yes and Fox On The Run, made little impression, while Happy Verse had been caught wide throughout which blunted his finish on the outside. Pay The Palace, who had sat behind Happy Verse out wide in the running, came through the centre with a strong finish, although none were finishing stronger than Randolph Hearst, who had come from last.

Good For You shifted inward after taking the lead and this caused Chad Little to change whiphands, because he was not clear of Pay The Palace, who had a rails run.

After he had changed whiphands, and used the whip, Good For You began to hang outwards.

This caused Happy Verse to be squeezed out between Good For You and the fast-finishing Randolph Hearst, who was on the outside of runners.

Happy Verse was just behind Pay The Palace at the time of the incident but was plugging on, so was still in contention for third place.

Thereafter, Good For made contact with Randolph Hearst, who had looked the winner as he was sweeping past runners with big strides.

Good For You just held on by the shortest of short-heads, but Justin Snaith lodged an objection on behalf of Randolph Hearst.

Before going into the details of the objection it should be said that Star Major held on for fifth place, beaten 2,45 lengths, with his possible excuse being that he had to be used up early to overcome a wide draw before slotting into second place in the running behind Good For You.

Better Man stayed on from the back for a 2,85 length sixth, but he could not match Randolph Hearst’s acceleration and looks to be more of a Derby type.

Aristocratic got the rail from draw six which was unfortunate in the end because he was stuck behind the slowing horses on the inside. It looked as if he was never able to fully unwind, so he should not be written off for the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas, which will presumably have a wider false rail in place.

The stipendiary report gives insight into the decision to overrule the objection, with one crucial point being that he severe bump happened after the line according to their judgement.

It is a decision that will be debated, but one thing that is without doubt is that Good For You was the deserved winner, because he was carrying 2kg more than the rest of the field and still crossed the line first.

The stipendiary steward reports on the objection said, “In the latter stages, GOOD FOR YOU (C Little) shifted out away from the crop which resulted in HAPPY VERSE (A Domeyer) having to check and losing position. Thereafter, GOOD FOR YOU (C Little) continued to shift out and made contact with RANDOLPH HEARST (JP van der Merwe) shortly before the finish. GOOD FOR YOU (C Little) and RANDOLPH HEARST (JP van der Merwe) then came together and bumped heavily after the finish line. The Stewards called for a race review after which Trainer SJ Snaith lodged an objection on behalf of the 2nd placed horse RANDOLPH HEARST (JP van der Merwe) against the 1st-placed horse GOOD FOR YOU (C Little) on behalf of interference in the latter stages. The Objection Board, after giving regard to the evidence put forward, reviewing the patrol films and taking into account the proximity to the finish line, could not be satisfied that RANDOLPH HEARST (JP van der Merwe) would have finished ahead of GOOD FOR YOU (C Little) had this incident not occurred and therefore overruled the Objection. Trainer SJ Snaith’s deposit was refunded. Jockey C Little was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.7 in that as the rider of GOOD FOR YOU, he failed to ensure that he did not cause interference to HAPPY VERSE in the latter stages. Jockey C Little signed an Admission of Guilt and is suspended from riding in races for a period of 10 days. (Dates: 30 November 2025 to 10 December 2025, excluding 6 December 2025)”

Bred by Oldlands Stud, Good For You is by Legislate (Dynasty), who won this race eleven years, out of the Indigo Magic two-time winner, Slightly Blonde.

The winner, a R300 000 National Yearling Sale purchase, has now won 3 races with 7 places from 10 starts and stakes of R1 523 163.

Earlier, Dean Kannemeyer, trainer of Equus Champion Sprinter Gimme A Prince, looks to have another top sprinter on his hands in the form of Gimmethegreenlight colt Green Gateway, who came from last under Craig Zackey in the Listed Sophomore Sprint over 1200m to win by a neck from Roland Garros. The favourite All The Rage moved up well but was beaten 1,20 lengths into third in the end, although he was giving 2kg to the winner.

The Justin Snaith-trained Double Grand Slam was the meeting banker and duly obliged under Andrew Fortune, winning the Non-Black Type Summer Bowl over 1600m by a head.

Snaith scored a five-timer, whilst JP van der Merwe had four winners.

Andrew Fortune an Vaughan Marshall both scored doubles.

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David Thiselton

A MR 96 Handicap over 1450m is the headliner on the Turffontein Inside today and the one to beat is Obsidian.

The Erupt gelding was used up to get to the front last time with a big weight of 62kg over 1600m and faded out. He is drawn in pole this time and will probably appreciate the step down to 1450m. Fully Loaded is effective over this trip and should also be thereabouts from a middle draw in the eight horse field. Max The Magician is in fine form and is distance suited but has to carry topweight and has a wide draw of seven. Skittle Skies won well last time over 1800m but has to overcome a nine point raise and will find it on the sharp side. Richard The First could make his presence felt over a suitable trip from a plum draw.

In the first leg of the PA over 2000m Military moves improved second time out when stepped up to this trip and can go one better here. Asiah’s Tiara is knocking hard and should be the main threat. The Silent Future is by Futura and is therefore not surprisingly on the up and could earn.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1000m Xenophon has been eye-catching and should continue to progress, so is the one to beat despite a tough draw. Constellation is in fine form and has pole position so will be dangerous. Top Division has a fair draw and has the ability to earn here. Banyan was not disgraced last time against a good sort and will appreciate this opportunity over the same trip. Ready Set Fire was only 1,25 lengths behind Banyan and could earn.

In the fifth race over 1000m Gimmethegoodlife was too handy last time down the straight and can be relaxed from a good draw around the turn this time and then kick on, so could bounce back under Gavi n Lerena. Rafa Bay goes for a hattrick and should be right there over a suitable trip from a middle draw with 4kg claimer Savannah Valjalo keeping the ride. Espinoza can be in the shake up if repeating his last start from a plum draw. Rondebosch has the ability to earn but it is his second run after a long layoff. Esquevelle could go close if repeating his last start.

In the sixth over 1600m Father Christmas should enjoy the step up in trip on pedigree but does have a tricky draw. Coppola has fine recent form but also has a wide draw. Frere Jacques stood little chance with the winner last time but is a lively candidate here over an ideal trip from the middle draw in the nine horse field. Unsolved Riddle is usually right there and has another chance from a plum draw. Gamer could be a threat from pole position.

In the seventh over 1450m Monkey Puzzle is a progressive sort and starts off handicapping off a reasonable 75 merit rating after a comfortable maiden win. Speedman won well on debut and can follow up off a reasonable 83 mark from a plum draw over a suitable step up in trip. Bay Empire has run well against some fair sorts recently and will be a threat from a middle draw under Lerena. Guerilla Warfare could earn here as a hard-knocking sort who has a 2,5kg claimer up albeit from a wide draw. Golden Aspen has pole position and is capable of popping up.

In the last race over 1450m Grand Empire won well on debut and has a reasonable 87 merit rating but he does have a tricky draw. Chieftain’s Shield is progressive and can run on after being dropped out from a wide draw. Longsword is also is capable of running on well from pole position. Coming In Hot could earn if producing his best. Romilly has disappointed in his last two starts but is interesting over further from a plum draw with Lerena up.

In the first race Rockabilly and Old Fashioned finished close together last time over this trip and look set to fight it out, although Rockabilly was making his debut then and should improve.

In the second over 1000m Varachino’s Champ wasn’t disgraced against a firecracker on debut and has a fine chance here. Duchess Di made a fair debut and could be the main threat, while Master’s Lady has 3,80 lengths to make up on Varachino’s Champ but could earn, although he has a tough draw.

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David Thiselton

See It Again has been scratched from the Betway Summer Cup, but there will still be plenty of raiders with former winner Royal Victory still standing his ground alongside Madison Valley, King Pelles, On My Honour, Mocha Blend and Shoot The Rapids as well My Best Shot from the East Cape and Otto Luyken from the Cape.

Frank Robinson was not tempted to supplement Field Marshall after his runner up finish in the Gr 3 Betway Victory Moon Stakes as he said he would not beat Madison Valley.

However, he said, “I may run the filly Mocha Blend, although I don’t know whether she is going to make the final field. She’s good but very laid back and she walked out the pens in her last start in Jo’Burg, that’s what beat her.”

Mocha Blend was carrying join topweight in the Listed Summer Pudding Handicap over 1600m and was beaten 0,30 lengths by joint topweight Kisshoten.

Frank will school her in the pens and she will stand her ground as he pointed out the good record of fillies in the Summer Cup. There have been nine female winners in the last 50 years, including Roland’s Song winning it twice.

The four-year-old Mocha Blend is rated 105 and will be 5,5kg under sufferance as things stand, but Frank believes she is capable of running above her rating.

Frank revealed, “I am going to take Shoot The Rapids and am probably going to run him in the Stayers race on the day (The R350,000 ROA Stakes over 3200m).”

Frank said Madison Valley was very well and had been “flying” at home.

Five-year-old Madison Valley is rated 116, which sees him only having to carry 54,5kg.

He was beaten 2,35 lengths into fourth last year by the winner Atticus Finch and will now be 5,5kg better off and he beat Royal Victory by 0,65 lengths and will now be 1,5kg better off.

However, on Hollywoodbets Durban July form Royal Victory comes out ahead of Madison Valley as Royal Victory gave the latter 5kg and a 0,30 length beating and he now only has to give him 4,5kg.

Nathan Kotzen is equally happy with Royal Victory, who has benefited from his sessions with the “horse whisperer” Glyn Redgrave, who has solved the issues the six-year-old was having in the preliminaries such as “sticking up” on the way to the start.

Nathan was happy with the final preparation run of Royal Victory in a Conditions Plate event over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville in which he finished 0,95 lengths back in fourth place.

He did lament the slow place of the race but his new jockey Chad Little ensured he was driven hard all the way up the straight and he should be at his peak on the big day.

Asked whether Royal Victory was as good as he was when winning the race in 2023, Nathan mentoined his turn of foot not being as instantaneous.

However, in the long Turffontein straight that should not be too detrimental with the main thing being he still possesses a resolute finish, which he proved in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, coming from near the back for a 2,85 length fourth.

Royal Victory is one of the most consistent horses in training and only twice in his 29 start career has he finished more than 3,75 lengths behind the winner.

Therefore, he represents good each way value at 20/1, despite having to carry 59kg off his 125 rating.

The Gareth van Zyl-trained King Pelles was the most eye-catching runner in the aforementioned Conditions Plate race at Hollywoodbets Greyville over 1600m and was comfortably the best performed horse in the race at the weights. He ran on strongly from last without being given a hard time at all..

King Pelles biggest career successes have come over staying race trips. However, he has an exceptional turn of foot and has proved in his last couple of starts he is not a one trick pony.

He will carry 57,5kg and has been backed into 11/2 with the sponsor and will still have plenty of supporters at those skinny odds.

The winner of the aforementioned conditions race at Hollywoodbets Greyville was the Glen Kotzen-trained On My Honour, although he was well in at the weights under Serino Moodley.

He was strongly fancied for the Hollywoodbets Durban July, but it did not pan out well for him.

In the Gr 3 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial over 1800m before that he was beaten 0,3 lengths by Madison Valley when receiving half-a-kilogram.

He will carry half-a-kilogram less than him in the Summer Cup too.

Off his 116 rating the four-year-old sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight of 54kg and represents fair value at 16/1, especially considering Madison Valley is 10/1.

My Best Shot should relish the long straight of the Turffontein Standside course as he is very effective at Fairview, which also has a long straight.

Richard Fourie will ride the Alan Greeff-trained stalwart, who is an interesting each way prospect at 20/1.

The James Crawford-trained Otto Luyken won the July consolation race on Hollywoodbets Durban July day, albeit in  slow time, and he will enjoy the step up in trip from his preparation race when a far from disgraced 5,25 length fifth in the Gr 2 Allied-Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile over 1600m. He will be 3kg better off with Atticus Finch from that race off his 116 rating, so will be up against it on that evidence, but as one who represents the Garrix form over 1800m in Cape Town he could be a dark horse and the sponsor is treating him with respect as they have him as a 14/1 chance.