Please note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Carlisle(UK) and Down Royal(IRE) – 29 May 2026.

David Thiselton

Viva’s Liberte won his first two career starts and has never been out of the frame in seven career starts (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Viva’s Liberte seemed to settle a touch better than usual in the Gr 3 Legal Eagle Stakes over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on May 3 and stayed on well for a 0,30 length second to La Pulga.

He was then brought to Summerveld and has just been kept ticking over in preparation for the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 on Saturday.

Trainer Candice Bass said about his apparent tendency to take a strong hold, “Craig (Zackey) seems to find that he gets a little bit strong. I don’t know because he’s never strong at home. I just think he’s got a very big action more than the fact that he’s strong.”

She said there were no specific tactics from draw five out of eleven and  added, “He will be placed where he is comfortable, where he is not pulling, and hopefully there’s a little bit of pace.”

She concluded, “He’s doing well and he will definitely get the trip, no doubt about that.”

The Lammerskraal Stud-bred and Khaya Stables-owned Vercingetorix gelding is out of Jet Master mare Viva Maria, who led from pillar to post when winning the Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 back in 2012.

Khaya Stables won the Daily News 2000 two years ago with the Dean Kannemeyer-trained Green With Envy.

Back in 2013 their Kannemeyer-trained charge Capetown Noir was beaten a long-head into third and ironically the winner of that race was Viva Liberte’s sire Vercingetorix.

So being by a Daily News winner out of a Woolavington winner, Viva’s Liberte has the perfect pedigree for Saturday’s race.

Khaya Stables are the Hollywoodbets Durban July trophy holders with  the Kannemeyer-trained The Real Prince having scored last year.

They will want to have a double hand this year and Viva’s Liberte will need a big run here to force his way into the final field.

The 114-rated horse is on the outside looking in horses on the first July log.

He will be going all out, whereas some of the runners will just be looking for nice preparation runs unto the July.

Viva’s Liberte has plenty of class and might well take to the Hollywoodbets Greyville circuit, like his mother and father did.

Bass has two runners in the Gr 2 Lucky Fish Woolavington 2000, Rainbow Lorikeet and Beach Verse.

The former will be going for the Gr 1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes on July day, so is not among those horses who will be wanting to protect their merit ratings.

She ran well below par in the Gr 1 Empress Club Stakes last time at Turffontein and Candice said, “That wasn’t her run. She’s doing well, I just hope she’s not short of a run having to go over 2000m.”

She said about Beach Verse, “She was very green at Greyville first time out, she was pulling at the back of the field and I think she will run a much better race this time around.”

Please Note: Hollywoodbets Greyville Net Pick6 Carryover: R 500 000. Estimated Pool: R 3 Million. Saturday, 30 May 2026 Race 4 off at 14h55.

PLEASE NOTE!

Soccer 10: 1UU V3 – 28 MAY 2026
Match 3(M3): FK DECIC vs MORNAR  Displayed Incorrectly on Website .

Soccer 6: 6GG V2 P1 – 28 MAY 2026
Match 3(M3): TALA’EA EL GAISH vs WADI GEGLA FC . Match Kick off Early .
Match 4(M4): ISMAILY SC vs PHARCO FC. Match Kick off Early.

Soccer 6: 6HH V3 P1 – 29 MAY 2026
Match 1(M1): Al MOKAWLOON vs MODERN SPORT FC . Kick off changed to 16:00.

All results (the field) will qualify for the above match.
In terms of TOTE rules, all choices (the field) will apply in determining results and payouts.

Please Note:The Eliteserien match between Lillestrom and Viking FK (Match 4) that was originally scheduled for 30th May 2026, has been postponed.

All results (the FIELD) will qualify for the above match.

In terms of Race Coast rules, all choices (the field) will apply in determining results and payouts.

Soccer10 Friday 29 May 2026. ADD-IN R250 000. Estimated Pool: R2 Million. Pool Closes at 19h00. Sport 17 and Pool 1.

Soccer10 Saturday 30 May 2026. ADD-IN R250 000. Estimated Pool: R2 Million. Pool Closes at 18h00. Sport 7 and Pool 1.

Soccer13 GUARANTEED JACKPOT Saturday 30 May 2026. R17.5 Million (If only One 13 of 13 Winner). Pool Closes at 15h30. Sport 10 Pool 1.

Soccer Any 13Xtra Saturday 30 May 2026. Carryover R100 000. Estimated Pool: R250 000. Pool Closes at 15h00. Sport 13 and Pool 1.