Alistair Cohen

Reet Petite and Viva La Vida both look high quality three-year-old fillies. They are taking the low road towards a possible tilt at the Grade 1 World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas on 6 December. They will meet in race 6 over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth today, an added meeting due to excessive entries in Cape Town.

Reet Petite is unbeaten in two runs. She made light work of Mighty Mary in her last run when taking out a 2,25-length victory over the Vaughan Marshall-trained filly over 1500m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. She was not extended. She was not tested. Reet Petite did everything in her own stride. She suddenly emerged as a possible Grade 1 contender. This will be her first run at the course which hosts Grade 1 races in Cape Town and she should have no issue adapting.

Reet Petite is trained by James Crawford and Richard Fourie is carded to take the ride.

Viva La Vida seems to be more workmanlike in her performances. Perhaps less fluent than Reet Petite she has desire and her grit could be what makes her a big race candidate. She too needs to pass this test, not necessarily with a win, but at the very least to place with further progress to come. She could have enough class to win.

She has reeled off three wins on the spin and that extra experience could be enough to give her an edge over the rapidly rising Reet Petite. Sean Veale is carded to take the ride for Vaughan Marshall who has his yard in superb shape.

It should be a superb race full of intrigue. The raw talent of Reet Petite is what sways the suggestion towards her.

Hunga Tonga is considered as the best of the rest. She might not have stayed 1800m in her last run so the return to this trip could see her run a more reliable race under Grant van Niekerk. She is a tough filly who runs an honest race more often than not.

Prairie Dawn was desperately unlucky not to run closer on debut. He was baulked up the inside fence when he was making a potentially winning run. He ended up finishing 1,55 lengths behind Marcus Aurelius over 1250m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. Gavin Lerena is carded to take the ride and he should make sufficient natural improvement to win race 1 over 1200m.

Got The Look is well overdue her maiden victory and she should get the job done in race 2 over 1200m. She hit the crossbar finishing second in her last two runs including being runner-up behind Reet Petite. This is her best chance to date.

Kattekwaadkwadraad ran a sterling debut over 1250m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville when she finished second behind Flying South. She ran like a professional and if she steps forward with the run, she is the horse to side with in race 3 over 1400m. She ran like he will love this trip when he hit the line with force. Keep an eye on Ms Sakura. She is one of the best bred horses in South Africa by Champion Sire, Vercingetorix out of the brilliant mare, Cherry On The Cake. Her debut came at Hollywoodbets Greyville in May when she finished second behind Dark Matter. Fitness needs to be taken on trust but she should trouble Kattekwaadkwadraad.

Clark Griswold made good improvement between his debut and his second start. He finished third behind Astronomical Boy over 1250m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville catching the eye of a few learned eyes. If he maintains that curve, he could be the horse to beat in race 4 over 1400m.

Star In Motion is given the narrow verdict in a trappy race 5 over 1400m. He was outgunned in his last run when he finished 5,6 lengths behind All The Rage over 1250m. He made a late impression looking like he would finish last in running. The runner-up, Good For You, finished second in the Grade 3 Cape Classic last Saturday. He is miles down in class and his rating has dropped by three points so he could taste success.

Since a wind operation, Mente Et Manu has turned his career around. His last two runs have been authoritative wins and he might have even more to offer. He faces some stiff opposition who also seem upwardly mobile but he is selected to win race 7 over 1600m. Perhaps the biggest clue is that Richard Fourie is carded to ride. He has been aboard some of his rivals in the past. It is hard to rule out the chances of  Chasingtherainbow, Major Master, Industrialstrength and Pinot Grigio.

Prince Of Tibet grows an extra leg at Hollywoodbets Durbanville so the return to the premier course is not ideal. But he has been in such good spirits and he faces some ordinary opposition in race 8 over 1600m. Although he comes attached with disclaimers, he just needs to pretend he is at the track 23km north. His last three runs have produced a win and two second places. He turned over Delta Pride in his last run. He is a three-year-old who has some promise about him. That is good enough to win again but can he bring his best.

Midnight Lady won in the manner of a smart filly in her debut and she is a very interesting chance in race 9 over 1200m. She beat Got The Look by 0,5 lengths. If that form is enhanced as expected earlier in the card, Midnight Lady could go back-to-back. Respect Match That who was stiff in her last run. She ran onto heels around the turn and compromised her momentum and she still ended up finishing third behind Garden Of Eden. She continues to drop in class and she should win soon if not here.

Three-year-old Spirit could be the right horse in race 10 over 1200m. He seems progressive and he has faced some in his age group who seem to be impressive. He should appreciate being down the straight again, the place he won his maiden in good style. Corne Orffer rides for Piet and Elbert Steyn.

David Thiselton

See It Again was in the news on Friday night for the wrong reasons again, while there was something to celebrate for the Glen Kotzen-trained On My Honour, although it was KZN Horse Of The Year Gladatorian who stole the show.

The former rider of See It Again Piere Strydom said this horse had started showing signs of being reluctant to load and had then also began missing the break, but he added, “I didn’t think it would become this bad.”

See It Again had never had a major problem loading before, but appeared to resent it when the handler leading him in on October 19 tried to jump up on to the side partitions in front of him before he was fully loaded. Contact was allegedly made with his head on that occasion and he backed out.

On Friday night he was led in with the hood and once again the handler leading him in once again tried to jump on to the side partitions before he had been fully loaded and once again the horse backed out.

Michael Roberts had said after the October 19 incident, “In hindsight, what should have happened was a handler should have been on the side rails before loading him, not this handler jumping up and pushing him back.”

Strydom said he agreed with Roberts and said he had always preferred the “relay” system, whereby a handler is waiting on the side partition.

He said, “As the horse is about to go in the guy leading him in jumps out of the way and passes it on to the guy waiting on top. If I was the starter that is the method I would suggest in the future. But I have asked for that to be done before and they said number of staff is a problem, because imagine doing that with half the field … there aren’t enough handlers.”

However, he confirmed that a handler leading a horse and then trying to jump up was problematic and elaborated, “Sometimes they are pulling on the rein itself, because they are trying to get up.”

A method used of the lead handler ducking under the front of the stalls could be an option, but that would also require an extra handler.

Strydom added, “Doing that also takes time and gives the horse the opportunity to think, so for me the relay system is always the best, it is quicker and easier.”

Only seven horses went to post for Friday’s race, so perhaps the “relay” option could have been tried.

There did actually appear to be  handler on the side partition trying to help, but he did not take over from the lead handler.

However, Strydom did conclude by saying, “It is so difficult, because a horse that doesn’t want to go in doesn’t want to go in … it might only go in if four or five handlers are able to almost lift the horse up and push him in. We don’t want to start beating the horse to get in, so we try different methods of encouragement … for example sometimes we try and get off the horse and wait inside the stalls. The weight being off feels different to the horses. But sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.”

Strydom said he had experienced inconsistencies in the time allowed for a horse to go in.

See It Again was given very little time on October 19 to get in which all and sundry were surprised by considering the importance of the horse and the importance of that race. Much lesser horses have sometimes been seen to be given way more time.

This is a problem peculiar to horseracing, because if there are horses becoming unsettled in the stalls it is unfair on them to have to wait, but on the other hand it is unfair that one horse is given ample time because there are no unsettled horses, while another horse is given very little time because there are unsettled horses.

Strydom said horses were sometimes “bullied” to get in, which he is opposed to. He said, “Sometimes they use this whip and flick it. I am not saying they abuse them, but they can be a bit hard on them.”

However, he had no problem with the scrumming method whereby a number of handlers form a scrum and push the horse in, sometimes lifting them in the process.

Nevertheless, See It Again’s two intended preparation runs have turned in to no runs at all and he has also landed a seven day suspension.

He has drifted out to 16/1 with the sponsor for the Betway Summer Cup.

The only silver lining is that had he won Friday’s race, and he was favourite to do so, he would have risked being given a raise in his merit rating because he was not well treated at the weights and would have had to put in a sterling performance.

The Glen Kotzen-trained On My Honour was well treated at the weights with all horses except for the best in horse, Royal Victory, and his victory is unlikely to lead to a merit rated raise, especially considering the race was run at an absolute crawl and was 4,40 seconds slower than average.

The ride on runner up King Pelles drew the attention of the stipendiary stewards. King Pelles lost two lengths at the start and was given a hands ride except for one backhander late in the race. Royal Victory was a 0,90 length fourth.

King Pelles is 13/2 for the Summer Cup with the sponsor, Royal Victory is 17/1 and On My Honour is 20/1.

The highlight of Friday’s night’s racing came from the KZN Horse Of The Year, Gladatorian. The Stuart Ferrie-trained Vercingetorix gelding had to give Gr 2 winner over the 1200m course and distance, Cats Pajamas, 10kg if apprentice claims were included and yet he got up to narrowly beat  him.

He now heads for a Cape Town campaign, with the Gr 2 Green Point Stakes and Gr 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate in his sights.

 

Race 1

 

2 LOVING PRAGUE has been rested for 72 days, he ran a great race on debut when finishing fourth behind Nightrain on the 30th of August, he should improve quite a bit going into his second start, if he doesn’t need the run back from a small break, he will go close to winning. 8 PRAIRIE DAWN was very unlucky on debut, he was taken up for a number of strides going into the last 200m of the race, he was finishing like a train on that occasion behind Marcus Aurelius on the 8th of October, with a clear run here, he will be right there in the finish. 5 UMZINGELI WENYATHI stayed on strongly for fifth in his last start behind Touched By Angels on the 2nd of November, he is super consistent, and he gets the 4kgs apprentice claim on Monday, in hope that this run hasn’t come too soon, he should earn some money again for the connections. 7 SLASH ‘N BURN caught the eye late at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 25th of October, he stayed on well for fifth and was only beaten just over four lengths at the line, even though he wants more ground, he could certainly finish amongst the places, watch him closely. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 8 – 5 – 7)

 

Race 2

 

5 GOT THE LOOK has run two excellent races in succession, she ran a great race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 18th of October, she was drawn wide on that occasion, and she still managed to run second behind Midnight Lady, this looks to be the perfect race for her to exit the maiden ranks, she is definitely one of the better bets on the card. 3 RAFFISH TREND improved nicely from her first start into her second start, she stayed on well for fourth behind Flying South on the 18th of October, she looks progressive, watch her closely. 8 PENNYS CHOICE ran a fair race on the 18th of October, she ran fifth in the same race as Raffish Trend last time, on her best form, she should be amongst the places. 4 LARKING ABOUT has been well tried in the maiden ranks, she gets the blinkers fitted on Monday, and she gets the 4kgs apprentice claim, she could sneak into the Quartet at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 3 – 8 – 4)

 

Race 3

 

13 MS SAKURA has been rested for 170 days, she was well supported in the market when running second behind Dark Matter at Hollywoodbets Greyville on the 24th of May, she is very well-bred, if she doesn’t need the run back after a long rest, she could easily win a race like this. 11 AMAYAH was a touch disappointing last time, she was very one paced up the lane at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 5th of October, she is much better than that performance, the wide draw here will make it tough for her, but with some luck in running, she can certainly earn for the connections. 4 KATTEKWAADKWADRAAD ran a great race on debut behind Flying South on the 18th of October, she ran second and was beaten just over one length at the line, there is no doubt that she will love the step up in trip to 1400m, include her into all bets. 5 KUBU ran a fair race on debut behind Saachi One on the 18th of October, she was only beaten just over three lengths by the winner, the step up in trip could unlock further improvement, watch her closely. (Brandon Bailey: 13 – 11 – 4 – 5)

 

Race 4

 

4 CLARK GRISWOLD caught the eye in a big way at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 13th of September, he was doing some good work late for third behind Astronomical Boy, he will love the step up in trip to 1400m, and he gets a good draw, he will go close to winning. 1 SOMMERSTERN must have a big winning chance in this field, he didn’t have much luck in running when drawn wide at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 15th of October, he was a long way back early, and he finished like a train for fourth behind Fox On The Run, he steps up in trip now, and he gets a perfect draw, there should be no excuses for this individual on Monday. 5 SLIVER OF SUNSHINE has run two great races in succession, he ran third behind Freedom Fighter on the 15th of October, it wasn’t the strongest of races last time, but he is improving, and he should finish amongst the places now that he steps up in trip to 1400m. 12 BALZI ROSSI has been rested and gelded, if he gets some luck in running from a wide draw, he could sneak into the Quartet. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 1 – 5 – 12)

 

Race 5

 

4 DEVIL A SAINT must have a good each way chance in this field, he finished just over three lengths behind Prince Of Tibet last time, he has dropped in trip to 1400m, and he has dropped even further in the ratings, from a neat draw, he will be competitive. 1 MARCUS AURELIUS finished like a bullet to win going away at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 8th of October, he looks progressive, there is no doubt that he will enjoy the 1400m trip on Monday, from a good draw, he must have a serious winning chance again. 7 PRIMAL INSTINCT won his maiden impressively on the 27th of September, he quickened up like a nice horse to win well, he can only improve with more racing experience, watch him closely. 3 STAR IN MOTION was gelded on the 13th of October, he ran a super race behind All The Rage last time, on his best form, he can certainly earn. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 1 – 7 – 3)

 

Race 6

 

5 REET PETITE looks like a serious filly in the making, she won with absolute ease at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 8th of October, there is no doubt that she is better than her current rating of 86, she will be very hard to beat here. 8 VIVA LA VIDA quickened up smartly to win a good race on the 15th of October, that was her first run back after a small break, she will be much fitter on Monday, the yard thinks highly of this filly, her chances must be respected. 2 SUPREME FATE stayed on strongly for second last time behind Viva La Vida, that was her first run for Justin Snaith, and it was her first run back after a long break, she should be right there amongst the places on her best form. 1 HUNGA TONGA didn’t stay the 1800m trip at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 25th of October, she moved up well and then became one paced late, the drop in trip to 1600m on Monday, and the good draw will help her chances. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 8 – 2 – 1)

 

Race 7

 

4 MAJOR MASTER won impressively at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 9th of September, he quickened up smartly to win by just under one length at the line, he is a good looking gelding with lots of ability, even though he has been rested for 62 days, and he has gone up in the ratings, he will go close to winning again. 6 MENTE ET MANU won his race in excellent fashion last time, he was just off the speed early, and he powered away from the field to win by just under three lengths at the line, he was given six points for that impressive win on the 18th of October, there is no doubt that he is getting better and better with more racing, watch him closely here, he can win again. 1 CHASINGTHERAINBOW didn’t have much luck in running at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 5th of October, even though the race didn’t work out for him, he still managed to run third behind Handsome Prince, from a neat draw, he must have a good place chance here. 7 PINOT GRIGIO fought hard to win a super race on the 13th of September, he was given five points for that win, he is honest and he tries hard, he will be right there in the finish. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 6 – 1 – 7)

 

 

Race 8

 

2 PRINCE OF TIBET quickened up well to win a good race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 25th of October, he was given four points for that win, this looks like a nice race for him to win again, from a good draw, he will take lots of beating. 1 SESAME ran a lovely race behind Mela Strength on the 8th of October, she was doing some good work late for fourth on that occasion, from a neat draw, she must have a serious each way chance. 3 MIDWAY never runs a bad race, he only got caught very late last time over 1600m on the 8th of October, he has dropped a point in the ratings, and he has a good draw, he should run a brave race again, include him into all bets. 10 DIOGENES won well at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 18th of October, he is a young horse that will keep improving with every start, if he gets some luck in running from a bad draw on Monday, he can certainly win again. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 1 – 3 – 10)

 

 

Race 9

 

7 MIDNIGHT LADY won well on debut at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 18th of October, the yard thinks highly of this filly, if she has made even further improvement back at home, she can definitely win again. 5 MATCH THAT must have a serious winning chance in this field, she ran a great race last time when finishing fast for third behind Garden Of Eden on the 8th of October, she will be cherry ripe for this race on Monday, include her into all bets. 4 DU MAURIER had absolutely no luck in running at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 15th of October, she was bumped out the gates, and she was caught a long way back early, ignore that run completely, now that she is back sprinting up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, she should bounce back to her best form. 1 SPLASH OF COLOUR is much better than her recent form, top jockey Richard Fourie has been booked to ride, and she drops back in trip, she could sneak into the Quartet. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 5 – 4 – 1)

 

 

Race 10

 

9 SHOWGIRL won her maiden impressively at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on the 21st of September, she jumped out the gates well, and she quickened away from the field like a classy filly to win a good race, the tongue tie has been fitted for her race on Monday, she looks progressive, watch her closely, she can win again. 6 SPIRIT has been rested for 62 days, he has run some excellent races behind smart horses in his career, he stayed on well for fourth behind Major Master on the 9th of September, he is a good-looking gelding with a great action, he will be competitive. 4 KELP FOREST bounced back to his best form in a big way at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 15th of October, he ran second behind Gimmie Rules, he will be just off the speed early, and he will be flying at them late. 7 STEADFAST is much better than his recent performance, he was beaten just over seven lengths by Gimmie Rules, if he gets some luck in running, and the gaps open at the right time, he can sneak into the Quartet at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 9 – 6 – 4 – 7)

 

 

South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Ffos Las (UK) – 9 November 2025

RACE 1

9 TEMPRANILLO 2 SEED SEEKER 4 HAMMER BLOW 6 MONKEY’S WEDDING

Preview: 9 TEMPRANILLO made a fine debut over 1000m and would appreciate the step up in trip and should improve too. 2 SEED SEEKER Ran a good race last time and is improving so has a form chance. 4 HAMMER BLOW has 1,6 lengths to find on Seed Seeker and could be in the shake up. 6 MONKEY’S WEDDING Is by her Hawwaam out of a Dynasty mare. (David Thiselton 9-2-4-6)

RACE 2

2 AMAZONIAN 3 INSPIRATION 7 HATHIGHWAYTOTHESKY 8 MARIA LA GORDA

Preview: 2 AMAZONIAN has run three fair races and could be the one to beat in this line up. 3 INSPIRATION Improved last time out and from a high draw has a chance here. 7 HATHIGHWAYTOTHESKY was marginally ahead of inspiration last time out and also has a chance. 8 MARIA LA GORDA was only just behind the aforementioned pair and could also be in the shake up. (David Thiselton 2-3-7-8)

RACE 3

1 MILAN’S WORLD 7 TASKMASTER 6 DAWSON’S ANVIL 3 ANONYMOUS

Preview: 1 MILAN’S WORLD ran well when dropped from 1600m to 1200m last time and he should enjoy this trip. 7 TASKMASTER improved second time out and has a chance here. 6 DAWSON’S ANVIL is by Rafeef out of a three time-winning Jet Master mare. 3 ANONYMOUS has show enough to earn here. (David Thiselton 1-7-6-3)

RACE 4

1 BUFFALO STORM CODY 2 WILLIAM ROBERTSON 3 GREATERIX 6 FIRE ‘N FLAMES

Preview: 1 BUFFALO STORM CODY is top class and the rest of the field were flattered by his latest win. 2 WILLIAM ROBERTSON is also a Gr 1 winner but returns from a three month layoff. 3 GREATERIX has some class and some speed and could bounce back from two disappointing reappearances runs after a seven month layoff. 6 FIRE ‘N FLAMES has speed and could earn here. (David Thiselton 1-2-3-6)

RACE 5

2 WHISTLE THE TUNE 5 ALPINE JET 3 FROZEN FANTASY 1 ALMOND SEA

Preview: 2 WHISTLE THE TUNE has speed and class and is the one to beat if close to her best after a three month layoff. 5 ALPINE JET looks to have plenty of ability and is a big threat. 3 FROZEN FANTASY has the ability to earn here. 1 ALMOND SEA starts slowly but if breaking better than usual could earn. (David Thiselton 2-5-3-1)

RACE 6

2 MOCHA BLEND 7 GERBERA 4 TWOSTEP QUEEN 8 TOMYRIS

Preview: 2 MOCHA BLEND has a lot of class and should be coming into her own so has a chance from a good draw. 7 GERBERA a repeat of her last start will see her in the shake up. 4 TWOSTEP QUEEN won well last time out and can be right there with a repeat. 8 TOMYRIS has class and is progressive so is another one in with a shut. (David Thiselton 2-7-4-8)

RACE 7

2 LEGEND OF ARTHUR 11 THE ULTIMATE KING 3 WILD INTENT 10 NAVAJO NATION

Preview: 2 LEGEND OF ARTHUR had a down turn last season but the problem has been sorted and this Gr 1 SA Derby winner can get back to winning ways. 11 THE ULTIMATE KING won well last time and is well regarded so could build on that run and show the necessary improvement he will need to feature here. 3 WILD INTENT this SA Derby runner up will have benefited from his last run and could be in the shake up. 10 NAVAJO NATION has been in fair form and could earn again from pole position, although he is slightly under sufferance. (David Thiselton 2-11-3-10)

RACE 8

1 TAEGAN’S CHAMP 2 MASTERSHIP 4 ALADDIN’S LAMP 3 PIONEER SQUARE

Preview: 1 TAEGAN’S CHAMP bounced back last time and if building on that can get back to winning ways. 2 MASTERSHIP is a decent sort who might be ready to step up in trip. 4 ALADDIN’S LAMP ha the form to be a contender here and should have come on from his last start. 3 PIONEER SQUARE is in good form and should be right there. (1-2-4-3)

RACE 9

9 IMPACT INVESTOR 3 DARK SILVER 10 BUDDY BOY 2 DANCE KING

Preview: 9 IMPACT INVESTOR is knocking hard and could get it right this time from pole position with Lerena up. 3 DARK SILVER is in fine form and also has a good draw and he proved himself suited to this trip last time. 10 BUDDY BOY has ability and is still learning so can’t be ignored but does have a tricky draw. 2 DANCE KING has the ability to be in the shake up. (David Thiselton 9-3-10-2)