Please Note that Race 7 & 8 at Fairview has been abandoned due to bad weather conditions

RACE 1

(3) TAG AND RELEASE ran on well in his last start and looks sure to be in the firing line this time, big chance. (7) REDFORD made a decent debut and will be much sharper now after that experience, major contender. (1) RABDAN wasn’t beaten far behind Red Spice in his last start and isn’t a horse to ignore. (10) HAVOC is likely to improve after that decent enough debut run and is one to keep an eye on, he can get much closer. Watch the market for any support on unraced runners. (Devonne Govender 3-7-1-10)

RACE 2

This contest has some well-bred unraced runners hence it may pay to watch the market for any support.(4) ENTICEMENT has run well in both starts to date and should go very close here. (11) NOBODY’S PERFECT is likely to improve after a decent enough debut and needs to be respected. (12) POLAR EXPEDITION gets Richard Fourie aboard which speaks volumes. She was wasn’t beaten far on debut and with natural improvement to come she will need to be taken seriously. (6) WORLD OF SECRETS is another who is likely to improve after finishing 5 lengths behind the winner on debut, with the eye catching jockey booking of Keagan De Melo she needs to be included in all bets. (Devonne Govender 4-11-12-6)

RACE 3

(7) HEDRIVESMECRAZY ran a cracker in the last start and will be a huge contender here. (4) SICILY is holding consistent form and needs serious consideration, he will be right there. (6) MRS SHACKLETON is capable of getting into the placings. (2) RACHETTU is capable of better compared to the last start, he now drops to the 1000m trip should be in the mix. (Devonne Govender 7-4-6-2)

RACE 4

(1) FUTURE RED has been consistent and will be the firm first selection with Richard Fourie up, she does drop to the 1200m trip this time and a bold showing is expected. (5) BLUE LAGOON is knocking on the door and will be the main danger to the top selection. (7) BEFORE SUNRISE is making progress with every start and needs respect. (2) LUCY’S WORLD is making steady progress and will appreciate the extra 200 this time, don’t ignore. (Devonne Govender 1-5-7-2)

RACE 5

(3) WINTER PEARL is holding solid form overall, he showed plenty of determination when winning his last start and looks hard to beat. (7) JET A ONE was narrowly beaten by the top selection in his last start and should be right there once again. (4) FORT RED is a game 8 year old, he ran a cracker when finishing third in his last start and a repeat of that will see him finishing in the money once again. (6) BONNE BOUCHE is a very honest type and another good run can be expected with Damyan Pillay aboard. (Devonne Govender 3-7-4-6)

RACE 6

(5) LARK’S SONG ran well in her last start, she looks progressive and Andrew Fortune gets on extremely well with the daughter of Querari hence she is the top selection. (9) RED STATE is holding solid form and another decent run is expected. (2) BACKINTHEFASTLANE hasn’t been far in recent starts and can get much closer. (13) ELEGANT NOBLE is very capable on his day and certainly cannot be ignored despite the fact he drops in trip this time. (Devonne Govender 5-9-2-13)

RACE 7

(6) LYRICAL GANGSTER is holding solid form and will be the firm first choice, he ran a cracker in his last start and will go very close. (3) WINTER PIRATE has shown ability from day one, he won his maiden impressively and looks to have plenty more to come, based on that he could trounce this field. (4) TROIS SEPT HUIT won a gutsy race when exiting the maiden ranks and can go into larger perms. (2) PALACE GIFT gets well with Damyan Pillay and should be included into the quartets. (Devonne Govender 6-3-4-2)

RACE 8

(4) AMAYAH goes for three wins on the bounce and could certainly pull it off. She has a decent enough draw and another good run is expected. (6) GIRL MAGIC is another who is holding solid form and will attempt to reel off the hat-trick, she gets Andrew Fortune in the saddle hence she will be a strong contender. (9) APRICITY has a tough draw to deal with but ran well in her last start hence she can’t be ignored. (2) APRIL FOOLS’ DAY is horse that caught the eye when winning her maiden, she gets a good draw this time and it will be no surprise to see her run a cracker. (Devonne Govender 4-6-9-2)

RACE 9

(5) CHARLIE BUCKET came from a long way back when finishing second in the last start and should be a massive contender here from a good draw. (1) LOVE FROM AFAR ran well in his last start, from a top draw he will have to be included. (10) MERCENARY is holding form but does return after a slight break, he may run well fresh. (3) FERRYMAN was disappointing in his last start, he has scope to go well so cannot be ignored. (Devonne Govender 5-1-10-3)

Alistair Cohen

Nothing gets the pulses flowing more than opening a card and expecting exotic bets to pay handsomely. Largely good-sized fields on a standalone Saturday and a few puzzles to solve invariably means that some lucky punters could be in for a day to remember. All of those factors mesh at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth today.

One horse who catches the eye is Spirit Of Levana in race 8 over 1500m. She could start at a reasonable price. A once Grade 1 raced two-year-old, she totally lost her way, perhaps due to the fact that the handicapper might have gripped her from settling at her level or perhaps she simply did not train on. After a long time of patience and a rating drop of 26 points, life seems to be back on her side. Trainer Glen Kotzen has brought her towards winning form.

She won her penultimate run which came at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. She quickened from last and she easily accounted for Noon Day Gun by 0,75 lengths in a course which was running fast. Her last run came over 1800m and that is probably the end of her range. She was never a threat.

In November Spirit Of Levana ran 4,9 lengths behind Regulation who is towards the top of the boards for the Hollywoodbets Durban July. That run alone must bring her into the equation. The biggest kicker is that she is ridden by Bavish Soodoo who rode her to victory when she saluted in her penultimate effort. He clearly got a tune out of her and the quiet, balanced ride seemed to have worked wonders. His 2,5kg claim has her carry only 53kg.

My Only Weakness hails from the in-form yard of Adam Marcus. Her form suggests that she is ready to win having produced a fourth, third and second in her last three efforts. She jumps out of draw No 1 which will help her cause to no end. The best version of this filly would make her the horse to beat. Calvin Habib is carded to take the ride. He has been doing most of the Marcus duty lately.

Girl Magic is certainly no pushover and she seeks a hat-trick of wins after looking rather moderate at the start of her career. She seems to be going from strength-to-strength and interestingly, Andrew Fortune takes the ride. He has a good knack with a few in this race including the useful Hunga Tonga who must have claims. One needs to respect the decision of Fortune to step aboard Girl Magic. Perhaps the handicapper has not reached her yet.

There are three evident chances in race 1 over 1200m and it will take a serious first timer to win. Tag And Release has demonstrated a superb turn of foot in his two starts to date and he could be ready to step up and exit the maidens. He was all at sea on debut but he still found a late flourish to finish second before he found some impressive youngsters in his second start when he finished fourth behind Kalahari King. Tag And Release has run his races in a pleasing manner finding his feet late after initial signs of greenness. Corne Orffer rides for Greg Ennion.

Enticement should blistering pace on debut when she finished second behind Grapes Of Wrath before a flat run at her second attempt when she crossed the line in third. It seems like she has found the right event in race 2 over 1000m. As opposed to a race earlier, she could be vulnerable to a debutante but she brings the best form to the equation.

It is so refreshing that apprentice races are more common around the country. The first of three comes in race 3 over 1000m. Sicily must have a huge winning chance. He does not bring formlines that make headlines having run nicely in some weak races but this is perhaps weaker than who he has run against. Breven Plaatjies is back in Cape Town after a few months in the wilderness and he has found himself with a good book of rides. He steps aboard for Lucinda Woodruff.

There are four evident chances in race 4 over 1200m. In order of preference, Lucy’s World, Blue Lagoon, Future Red and Scandalize make a good impression and they all have the numbers to suggest a win is around the corner. Lucy’s World might just have a slight amount more improvement to come. She is a two-year-old so disclaimers apply about whether she is physically ready to take on her elders who have claims but she has made a good impression in her two runs to date.

The second apprentice race is not strong. Bonne Bouche is given the narrow verdict in race 5 over 1200m. Her last start showed a pleasing second behind True Horizon over 1250m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. Young Damyan Pillay seems to have a knack around the tracks in Cape Town and he is carded to ride. Crucially, he rode her last time and familiarity can make such a difference in apprentice races.

A chance is taken on Elegant Noble in race 6 over 1800m. If he was drawn better than gate No 13, he would be a banker but his task is made complicated. He has Richard Fourie aboard which helps his cause. Trainer James Crawford has done wonders with this horse. Not long ago, his career seemed in tatters but a near two-year break has given a win and plenty of pleasing performances. In late January, he finished fourth, 4,55 lengths behind Note To Self over 2000m. Note To Self is hyped as a Hollywoodbets Durban July contender.

Winter Pirate is a two-year-old with some promise. He runs in the final apprentice event, race 7 over 1000m and he gets Blaine Marx-Jacobson in the irons. If he can turn over these older horses, he has a very bright future. He accounted for Tag And Release last time over this course and distance. If Tag And Release wins earlier, it will enhance any confidence in Winter Pirate.

There are a good few chances in race 9 over 1400m. If Charlie Bucket settles in running, he could get an overdue reward for consistency. He has been his own worst enemy but so have some of his rivals. Ferryman could have won on debut if he was wiser. His second run was flat. Mercenary has found traffic problems more often than not otherwise he would be running away from maiden opposition. A lovely race to end.

Please note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Bath and Newbury (UK) – 17 April 2026.

Andrew Harrison

Punters face a competitive card on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville this evening where a close eye on the betting market could prove to be your best guide with a number of lowly handicap races on a programme that sees Glen Kotzen loaded for bear.

However, one of the better bets could come in the eighth and last where Tienie Prinsloo saddles the Argentinian import Saragossa Cat. She won two of her five starts on the Highveld although there were lapses sandwiched in between those wins. Prinsloo is a master at preparing horses that have issues and a change of environment and a switch to the poly could bring out the best. Gary Rich has two lively runners in Dawn Surprise and De Vlugge. Dawn Surprise has the best of the draw and whose last win was over course and distance. She also has a useful claimer aboard. Stable companion De Vlugge has won her last two on the poly but has jumped in the ratings. However, she gets 1.5kg relief from the saddle in the form of top class Mickaelle Michel. Wengi Masawi saddles the consistent Qhawekazi and although he has drawn wide he goes well over course and distance and should be a contender.

 The meeting kicks off with two maidens. In the first the lightly raced Prins Jaspar steps out for Andre Nel. He was much improved at just his third start at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and looks the part. Kom Naidoo’s gelding Donmagoo looks the most likely threat as he was much improved in first time blinkers and first up on the poly. He has a light weight and gets 10kg from Prins Jaspar.

Glen Kotzen looks set for an eventful night that can start with Vixen’s War in the first leg of the PA. The filly was a beaten favourite last time out at Hollywoodbets Durbanville and has shown consistent form. She rates the one to beat in this field. Should she not run up to expectations Vaan Spirit should be a threat as she was outpaced over a sprint last run but is back over what looks to be a more suitable trip. Of the balance, Chaos Queen showed some improvement second time out while AMC Rose only had her first run as a four-year-old and was not too far back.

Kotzen could hold the keys with three runners in the opening leg of the Pick 6. Stable rider Chad Little partners Gimme The Truth who has been making steady improvement in cheek pieces but stable companion Wonderful Tonight is also improving and has a useful 2.5kg claimer aboard. The betting could be your best guide here. Devil’s Peak is another that appears to be coming to hand and his best recent effort has been on the poly. Fire Force is a battling maiden but has shown some recent improvement and can earn.

Kotzen saddles the filly Sesame in the fourth who was running on strongly behind the useful Master Du Rouvray last time out and has run two smart races on the poly. She can go one better. Fine Wine makes her way onto the poly but is in smart form and narrowly beaten at her last two. Prom Queen was well fancied to win her last outing but was a narrowly beaten. A repeat showing could see her home. Psyche showed up well first run out of the maidens but was a length back to Fine Wine when last they met so does look held. In an open affair, the Duncan Howells pair of Zena Rose and Ms Galore are others to consider.

The fifth is another competitive handicap but the grey Professor Lupin goes well over course and distance and has the best of the draw. Sweeper Keeper is likely to start at decent odds as he has his third run after a break for Wendy Whitehead. He has improved with each outing and has a chance. Lou The Legend has been consistent of late and goes well over course and distance while Sail To The Moon is down in class and was not far back last time out. The sixth is a tricky handicap but Ultra Quick seldom runs a bad race and is 3.5kg better off with Indecent Proposal on their last meeting. Gorgeous Dude has a light weight and goes well over course and distance while Quinn’s Time is showing signs of returning to form after a close-up third last run and has a 4kg claimer aboard.

To round off in the seventh, Masterofthedesert was a close-up second at Hollywoodbets Durbanville last time out. He makes his poly debut but drops in class with a useful 2.5kg claimer aboard. Ibutho is over his best course and distance and tries for his 11^th win. He has been in the money in 50% of his races. Super Fast was not far behind the ultra-consistent Good Traveller on the poly last time out. He drops in class although he does go a furlong further. Freedom Fighter ran no race first up out of the maidens but he got a hefty rating for his maiden win and so has a big weight to shoulder. He does have the best of the draw and is another Kotzen runner to watch in the market.