Andrew Harrison

The cream of the country’s equine talent line up at Hollywoodbets Greyville tomorrow in what is undoubtably the best afternoon’s racing on the South African calendar. The ten-race card is loaded with feature events including three Gr1’s along with the Gr3 World Pool Gold Cup, the defining staying race on the local calendar.

The meeting is boosted by the participation of the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s co-mingling pools that often give rise to inflated dividends, most recently in the Hollywoodbets Durban July were third-placed King Pelles paid a healthy R11 for a place and the popular Pick 6 pool is expected to top R8 million boosted by a R1 million carry over.

The card is headed by the Gr1 HKJC Champions Cup WFA over 1800m where last year’s July winner The Real Prince was one of the defectors from the July and Dean Kannemeyer’s charge has been given a solid preparation into this race. He will strip at his peak and should be right there. See It Again, runner-up two years back and third last year, was a touch disappointing last time out but is due a change of fortune.

Last season’s ‘boom’ horse Eight On Eighteen has been relatively off the boil this season but this will have been his ultimate target for the season and could prove to be the best of Justin Snaith’s quartet. With Legal Counsel the likely Snaith pacemaker, given his Hollywoodbets Durban July role, the race should be run at a searching gallop. Last year’s winner Gladatorian has had a tough winter campaign but has never been disgraced. He may still have found the 2200m of the July a touch beyond his compass so could follow up over this shorter trip.

The Gold Cup has attracted a vintage field of stayers headed by last year’s winner King Pelles who has hardly put a foot wrong in his build-up to this race. He was out-paced late when staying on for third in the Hollywoodbets Durban July and over this trip he can go back-to-back for Gareth van Zyl.

Kannemeyer has a good record in this race and saddles Continentalexpress who could be the dark horse. He is at the bottom of the handicap and 1.5kg under sufferance, however, he stays well and Kannemeyer is hopeful that carrying joint bottom weight Continentalexpress can grind them down for an upset. Master Redoute, a winner of this race two years back, has come to hand at just the right time and was a game second in the 3000m Gold Vase behind Ahead Of The Facts who has also come well at the right time. The latter is 1.5kg worse off at the weights which could be telling in a tight finish. Shoot The Rapids and last year’s runner-up Holding Thumbs are both seasoned stayers and cannot be left out of any calculations.

There is plenty at stake in the Gr1 Mercury Sprint with a possible Equus crown on the line. Vaughan Marshal’s Questioning has a wide draw to contended with but has been in exceptional form of late from a sprint to a mile. He can put in another winning performance. Buffalo Storm Cody is the country’s highest rated runner and last year’s winner, went down narrowly to Jet Force in the Post Merchants over course and distance. He is now 2kg better off with the winner but he does appear to be at his ultimate best over a furlong shorter. The mare Asiye Phambili is exceptional having won her last two including the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint beating star mare Double Grand Slam. A win here will put her in contention for an Equus Award. Tenango, winless in over a year, has come back to his best at recent starts and is better off in the weights with both Jet Force and Taxi To The Moon and has the better draw.

RACE 1

Preview: ZEITZ (13) has a tough draw to negotiate but was strongly fancied to win the Hollywoodbets Durban July. It was his first try at 2200m which proved to be too far. He is back over a much more suitable trip and the blinkers are back on. He should be running at them late. ISIVIVANE (8) is back over what may prove to be a more suitable trip after a smart effort in the Hollywoodbets Durban July where he stayed on gamely for fifth place. He likes to race handy and could go all the way.  FIELD MARSHAL (3) was a touch disappointing at his last run but drops in trip and has run well against the best. He meets Zeitz on 1.5kg better terms than when last they met. TALK TO THE MASTER (1) has his first run for a new stable. He got a three-pound penalty for his game win over course and distance last time out and has the best of the draw which is a big factor in his favour.  GREEN GATEWAY (5) is 1.5kg better off with Talk To The Master on their last meeting  and Dean Kannemeyer’s runner has improved with the addition of blinkers. BETTER MAN (4) is 2kg better off with Talk To The Master where he started favourite for the race. He has a handy galloping weight and will be a contender. JP’S PALACE (12) has a tough draw to contend with but rarely misses a place. He likes to race handy but Rachel Venniker may have to change tactics from his wide gate. (Andrew Harrison: 13-8-3-1-4-5).

RACE 2

Preview: PALACE OF ARVERNIA (6) has won two of her three starts both on Hollywoodbets Greyville and was a comfortable winner in the Gr2 Golden Slipper last time out. She is smart and will be in the one to beat. OCEAN MISTRESS (11) finished just ahead of Palace Of Arvernia in the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship but the tables were turned next time out. She also has the widest draw to contend with and although 1.5kg better off in the weights she faces a tricky task. THYME TO TALK (10) showed up well when taking on males at just her second start, leading for most of the way. That was on the poly but she shed her maiden on the turf and can feature. MENAGERIE (7) made steady improvement leading to her maiden win. She shows plenty of promise and can make the step up. Lyle Hewitson teams up with his old boss Sean Tarry with PERFECT SKY (4) who was a narrow winner last run. She does look held by Palace Of Arvernia on collateral form however, horses from this stable can never be ignored on big days. FARRARI FLAIR (3) is still a maiden but has not been disgraced when contesting Feature races and has a money chance from a handy gate. SWEET GREEN (8) has started favourite in all three of her starts and finally got it right last time out. That was her first run after a lengthy break and the form of that win has been franked.  (Andrew Harrison: 6-11-7-4-8-3)

RACE 3

Preview: Peter Muscutt could hold all the cards which could turn into a tricky affair should his runners not run up to expectations.  BENNY AND PAUL (6) looks the pick of the pair after accelerating smartly to shed his maiden in fine style. Prior to that he played second fiddle to the very highly rated Coast Of The Sun and that form could be good enough to see him home. Stable companion ST HARRY (5) is well thought of by the stable and will have needed his first run back from a break. He won his maiden in very good fashion which suggests that he has more to offer. GIMME SOME LUCK (11) is unbeaten in three and doddled in by five lengths but will need some luck from a wide gate. Fabian Habib has a second string tohis bow in CATFISH (10), a winner of his last two. However, his only poor run came when stepping up in trip. Judged on jockey bookings, Keagan de Melo will have had the pick of three rides and has elected WORLD SERIES (13) for Vaughan Marshal ahead of Sean Tarry’s runners he but will need some luck from his wide gate. US RANGER (8) comes with some smart Eastern Cape form, winning by over eight lengths last time put. The colt comes from a champion yard and a win would not be unexpected. (Andrew Harrison: 6-5-11-8-13).

RACE 4

Preview: ALICE B TOKLAS (3) found one better in Palace Of Arvernia when well supported in the market at her last start. The latter has gone back to a sprint while Sean Tarry’s filly steps up to a mile. The extra 200 should not be an issue and from a good draw she is the one to beat. ROYAL TIARA (4) has finished behind Alice B Toklas in both of her last outings but came in for a mountain of support. She ran out of steam the last bit after being up with the pace for most of the race. This will be her third run after a break and should strip at her peak. MARCHLAND (6) has been untested in her three Eastern Cape runs, winning comfortably. She is a bit of an unknow quantity as she takes on stronger here but could well prove up to the challenge. WITHIN REACH (7) will enjoy the step up in trip having won two of her three starts over 1400m. From a handy draw she will be competitive and the market could tell a tale between the two Tarry runners. IMPRESSIVE (1) is the most experienced runner in the field and has the best of the draw which will help her chances however, she was nearly three lengths back to Within Reach when last they met. DOESYOURMOTHERKNOW (5) took on males when making her course debut and lacked extra come the finish. She gets Lyle Hewitson aboard which is a plus. (Andrew Harrison: 3-4-6-7-1-5).

RACE 5

Preview: GREEN ENERGY (9) does not have the best of draws but was closing fast on hot favourite VIBE CHECK (14) when last they met in the Gr2 Golden Horseshoe after a tardy start. Adam Azzie’s colt will see out the extra 200m but the extra furlong could fine Vibe Check out. However, Vibe Check has exceptional speed and he comes from a smart stable and could well sew up the Equus Two-Year-Old Championship. The filly MOANA (5) faces a strong field of males but has won her last two over the distance in facile fashion. On a line through another filly, SECRETARY BIRD (4), who finished a length behind Vibe Check and Green Energy last time out, Moana must have a strong winning chance at likely decent odds. KAZENOYONI (8) has been specifically aimed at this race. He had a tough draw last time out and although his form behind Vibe Check does not stack up on paper, he can surprise. ERIC DEBOIS (2) has run two promising races from trick draws at his last two. He has started in double figure odds in all of his four starts but from a better draw he could be worth an each way punt. (Andrew Harrison: 9-14-5-8-4-3).

RACE 6

Preview: QUESTIONING (11) has a wide draw to contended with but has been in exceptional form of late from a sprint to a mile. He should put in another winning performance which should see him crowned Equus Sprint of the Year. However, he does face the country’s highest rated horse and last year’s winner BUFFALO STORM CODY (4) who recently went down narrowly to JET FORCE (5) in the Post Merchants over course and distance. He is now 2kg better off with Jet Force but the chink in his armour, although having won last year, is that he does appear at his best over a furlong shorter and faces a very much in form Questioning. The mare ASIYE PHAMBILI (7) is exceptional having won her last two including the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint beating the champion Double Grand Slam. She rarely runs a bad race. TENANGO (2) has been winless since victory in the Gr2 Golden Horse Sprint back in June last year but is showing signs of his best form at recent starts. He is better of in the weights with both Jet Force and Taxi To The Moon and has the better draw. TAXI TO THE MOON (8) has won his last three including one over course and distance. He is no stranger to big weights but will need to step up a notch to win this at level weights. (Andrew Harrison: 11-4-7-2-5-8).

RACE 7

Preview: A top field of the country’s best stayers. Last year’s winner KING PELLES (6) has hardly put a foot wrong in his build-up to this race. He was out-paced late when staying on for third in the Hollywoodbets Durban July and over this longer trip he can follow up on last year. CONTINENTALEXPRESS (2) is at the bottom of the handicap and under sufferance. However, he stays well and comes from a stable that has won this race twice before. He can upset carrying joint bottom weight. MASTER REDOUTE (11) won this race two years back and has come to hand at just the right time. He was a game second in the Gold Vase behind AHEAD OF THE FACTS (7) who is many pundits choice. Justin Snaith’s runner has also come well at the right time but is 1.5kg worse off at the weights with Master Redoute which could be telling. SHOOT THE RAPIDS (12) is seldom out of the money when sent over ground and only weakened late when a length back to Ahead Of The Facts and Master Redoute. He is 1 kg better off with the winner. ENFLAME (3) is a seasoned stayer  having won the Gold Bowl over the distance beating Shoot The Rapids.  He is 4kg worse off on that run but cannot be left out of any calculations. HOLDING THUMBS (13) hit a purple patch last year at this time but always found King Pelles just too good, finishing second in this race. His recent form has not been inspiring but he is as game as they come and stays well. MAGIC VERSE (5) gave Zac Lloyd his first winner in South Africa when winning the Gr3 Campanajo 2200. However, he goes this trip for the first time which is a concern.  Andrew Harrison: 6-2-11-12-7-3-13).

RACE 8

Preview: THE REAL PRINCE (1) has had a solid preparation into this race and will strip at his peak. He will be out to turn the tables on last year’s winner GLADATORIAN (2) as he was a touch unlucky after being accidentally struck in the face. He has the best of the draw over an ideal trip.  SEE IT AGAIN (3) has taken a new lease on life since joining the Justin Snaith yard and with the help of a horse behavioralist has overcome his aversion to the starting stalls. However, he was a touch disappointing in his last start although his form prior to that was out of the top draw and he finished third behind Gladatorian last year and second the previous year so is due a change of fortune. Last year’s winner GLADATORIAN (2) has had a searching winter campaign but has never been disgraced. He has a strong finishing burst that he used to good effect last year and if he has not lost his edge he will be competitive. Last season’s sensation EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN (4) has been relatively off the boil but this will have been his ultimate target for the season and could prove to be the best of Justin Snaith’s quartet. Certainly if back to his best form he will be a major contender. LEGAL COUNSEL (6) carried top weight in the recent Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July where he surprisingly set the pace. That may his task again but this time at level weights. DAVE THE KING (7) finished fifth in this race last year and has won once over the distance in three attempts. MAIN DEFENDER (5) steps up to this trip for the first time but does appear to be off the boil. MALMESBURY MISSILE (8) does appear to be outclassed in this line-up. (Andrew Harrison: 1-4-3-2-6-7).

RACE 9

Preview: MINOGUE (1) did not get the best of passages in the Hollywoodbets Durban July from her wide draw and the run is best ignored. Prior to that she ran second-placed July runner Wish List to a head over course and distance. She has the best of the draw and will be a strong contender. MOCHA BLEND (12) also had a tough draw in the July and was not too far back although it was a somewhat below par performance. She carries top weight from another wide gate but should be competitive in this line-up. ANOTHERDANCEFORME (5) has started at cramped odds in all 12 of her starts and has only been beaten once and that was in her first foray out of the Eastern Cape. She is obviously exceptional and will likely start favourite again but the opposition is a little stronger this time around. RAINBOW LORIKEET (13) won this race last year and is always competitive. She is drawn one outside of Mocha Blend but both will be contenders. EDUCATOR (8) has been improving with every outing but this will be her toughest test to date which she could well pass. GERBERA (3) may have found her last start a touch out of her compass and was a winner over course and distance at her penultimate start. She is certainly not out of it. (Andrew Harrison: 1-12-5-8-13-3).

RACE 10

Preview: Wide open handicap. The filly HIERARCHY (10) has a tough draw as she takes on males but ran a cracker behind stable companion Asiye Phambili in the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint at WFA. She has a big weight but with some luck in running she may be the one to beat. Clinton Binda has two lively runners in CHAPBOOK (3) and KAALVOET (9). The former has come well since the blinkers have been restored and was narrowly beaten by the smart Taxi To The Moon last run although getting lumps of weight. He meets weaker in what is an open affair. Kaalvoet has been much improved since being shod for his races and was a touch unlucky in the recent Gr3 Post Merchants where he arguably faced a much stronger field. AFRICAN PRIDE (1) has won over course and distance and has the best of the draw but there should not be much between him and Chapbook given their last meeting where they were separated by less than a length. They meet on the same weight terms. CIRCUMBENDIBUS (11) has hardly been out of the money since arriving in KZN and was touched off by African Pride when last they met. The draw could be the deciding factor between these two. DAME OF TRIX (8) has consistent form over the trip and won well enough last time out. She is up in class but comes in with a handy galloping weight and can feature. (Andrew Harrison: 10-3-1-11-9-8).

David Thiselton

Justin Snaith can end a magnificent Champions Season on a high as he has a strong team on World Pool Gold Cup day.

In the Gold Cup he has three runners and Jonathan Snaith said about them, “Ahead Of The Facts has established himself as South Africa’s leading stayer this season, but a 20-point rise in the ratings over the past seven months means the handicapper is beginning to catch up with him, especially over this testing 3200m. Even so, he remains in with a genuine winning chance. With Richard Fourie in the saddle and his trademark consistency, he deserves the utmost respect.

Magic Verse returned to something close to his best with an encouraging performance last time out when winning the July consolation race. While there are slight stamina concerns over the two miles, a slow run race, which appears very likely, would significantly increase his chances.

Native Ruler had little luck in the Hollywoodbets Durban July and, with a clearer passage, could easily have finished third. He has come through that race in outstanding order and is thriving at home. If he sees out the 3200m, he is capable of running a huge race and looks outstanding value at around 8-1. He is an underrated horse with his best racing ahead.”

The yard have a strong team of four in the Gr 1 wfa HKJ Champions Cup over 1800m and Jonathan said, “See It Again has been aimed specifically at this race and arrives in peak condition. He has enjoyed another outstanding campaign and victory here would see him complete the remarkable feat of winning three Gr1 wfa races in three different provinces as a six-year-old. On current form, he looks the horse they all have to beat. He is a Warhorse.

Eight On Eighteen is looking an absolute picture heading into Sunday. While there has to be some caution after his disappointing last start, virtually everything went against him on that occasion in a slowly run race that didn’t suit. His preparation has been faultless, his work has been excellent, and at his best he is an exceptionally difficult horse to beat. Pure class.

Legal Counsel may be feeling the effects of a demanding Hollywoodbets Durban July, which would have taken plenty out of him. Nevertheless, he has produced a series of top-class performances throughout the season on weight for age terms and, returning to what is arguably his ideal trip, he cannot be dismissed if reproducing his very best. He is an exciting prospect for the Cape Summer, which he will take in after a nice break.

Malmesbury Missile is probably at his most effective between 1400m and a mile, but if the pace is moderate he has enough quality to stay on into the money. At 25-1, he appeals as an interesting outsider, although the running of the race will have to go his way. Gavin Lerena is a huge asset to his chances.”

The yard have one runner in the Gr 2 Bet With The World Gold Bracelet over 2000m and Jonathan said, “Kubu takes a significant step up in class but enjoys a favourable weight pull against many of her rivals. While this is undoubtedly a stiff assignment, she has been working nicely at home. A top-three finish and valuable black type would be an excellent result, but she would need to deliver her best performance yet.”

Such is the Champions Season that Justin has enjoyed that he would be crowned KZN Champion Trainer if it was judged on stakes earnings instead of by number of wins. He has earned R11,820,556 in stakes in KZN this season with the next best being Gareth van Zyl on R6,600,181.

Van Zyl has had 49 wins in KZN this season with Alyson Wright next best on 46, but Van Zyl will retain his title because Wright only contests one more race in the season.

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Sandown and Thirsk (UK) – 24 July 2026

David Thiselton

 

Summerveld trainer Louis Goosen has a couple of runners on World Pool Gold Cup day on Sunday at Hollywoodbets Greyville as well as a reserve and he is bullish about all three of them.

 

In the Gr 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Champion Stakes over 1600m he runs the giant horse Erik Dubois who ran on well last time out in the Gr 2 Durban Golden Horseshoe over 1400m and is improving all the time.

 

Goosen said, “He is a big, solid sort, you are talking about a 600kg two-year-old and he is still growing in the hindquarters, so I don’t know if he will even fit into the starting stalls – they might have to extend the back or something! He is a magnificent horse. You will see the best of him at three, but I think he is a huge, huge runner in the Champion Stakes on Sunday. He is still a soft, big boy, but he is coming on all the time. He is at the top of his game.”

 

As opposed to the Golden Horseshoe when drawn widest of all in 14 and dropped in near the back before running on for a 2,95 length sixth, the Laurence Wernars family-owned horse is now drawn three and he has the bonus of three-time SA Champion jockey Lyle Hewitson aboard.

 

Earlier in the Gr 2 World Pool With Race Coast Debutante over 1200m he runs Ferrari Flair. This Vercingetorix two-year-old filly might still be a maiden, but she has shown class against the best.

 

In the Gr 3 Tote Strelitzia Stakes over 1100m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville she finished a 0,35 length third in her career third start.

 

She followed that with a 6,25 length seventh in the Gr 2 Allan Robertson Championship over 1200m in which she ran on very well from last after being squeezed out at the start.

 

Next time out she ran a fine 2,30 length third to Alice B Toklas in the Listed Devon Air Stakes over 1400m from a pole position draw.

 

In her last start she didn’t find much extra late when handy and running a 3,25 length eighth in the Gr 2 Amusnet Golden Slipper over 1400m.

 

She now reverts to a 1200m trip.

 

Goosen said, “We have got her absolutely spot on and I think she is definitely a runner. We had to decide whether to go up to the mile or back to the 12 and as she has run some crackers over sprints we decided to come down in trip. We managed to get Richard Fourie for the ride.”

 

Ferrari Flair has landed a plum draw of three and as a non-winner gets 2,5kg from the Gr 2 Amusnet Golden Slipper winner Palace Of Arvernia. Interestingly the latter beat her by 1,40 lengths in the Allan Robertson over this trip, so that puts them just about together at the weights here.

 

Ferrari Flair should be staying on strongly and has a chance.

 

The yard’s reserve runner is Blazing Fury, who is second reserve for the Listed HKIR In December Umngeni Handicap over 1000m.

 

Louis said, “Blazing Fury will be one of the nicest place bets in a long time if he gets in as he has been set 52kg and I will have claimer Blaine Marx-Jacobson up. He will be out at the weights still but it won’t matter he will be a huge runner if there are two scratchings.”