David Thiselton
The crack Lancaster Bomber Gr 1-winning filly Rascova is all set to have her first start for the Sean Tarry yard and will attempt to give the King Of Pietermaritzburg his ninth win in the Gr 1 weight for age SA Fillies Sprint over 1200m.
Tarry is the best trainer in Hollywoodbets Scottsville history, having won 20 Gr 1s at the Pietermaritzburg venue and after first entries were published yesterday he once again looks to have a chance in all four of the big races, although sadly there is no longer a jackpot of Gr 1s as the Golden Horse Sprint has been downgraded to a Gr 2.
Rascova has not raced since winning the Gr 1 Maine Chance Farms Majorca Stakes where she beat her arch rival Double Grand Slam by a shorthead.
The pair will have their twelfth clash in the SA Fillies Sprint with the score currently 6-5 in Double Grand Slam’s favour. 
Double Grand Slam has the potentially tricky draw of one, considering the field often drifts over to the inside leaving the inside horses cramped for room.
Rascova is drawn five out of the 14 entries still standing.
Tarry said Gavin Lerena, who has ridden her in her last two starts, would retain the ride.
He said, “Obviously 1200m is not her thing and just looking at her form she appreciates a turn. But she is in a good space, I am happy with her. Looking at her form she was beaten 3,30 lengths by October Morn last year and as a juvenile in the Allan Robertson she was beaten 6,60 lengths by Mrs Geriatrix.”
However, Rascova has speed and class and won two of her first three starts down the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth straight. The Tarry Hollywoodbets Scottsville magic will see her in with a chance. 
However, Tarry has two fine back ups in Mia Moo and Mrs Browning.
Mia Moo comes off impressive victories in the Gr 3 4Racing Sycamore Sprint over 1160m and the Gr 2 TAB Camellia Stakes over 1160m.
Tarry said, “She is coming along the right way and I am very happy with her.”
Mrs Browning was beaten just a neck last year in the SA Fillies Sprint, but has been off form for most of this season. Encouragingly, she ran a 1,70 length second to the smart Chasing Happiness in the Gr 2 TAB Senor Santa Stakes last time, a fine performance against the boys and she was also giving Chasing Happiness 2kg.
Tarry said, “Mrs. Browning had a lovely prep run for this race and is headed in the right direction. She was unlucky to lose last year, but she’s only just managed to regain form now and we’re hoping that will bring her on for the next run.”
Tarry has entered the two crack juvenile fillies Green Diamond and One Fine Winter in both the Gr 1 Allan Robertson  and Gr 1 Gold Medallion.
Green Diamond has won two out of three starts including the Gr 2 TAB SA Nursery over 1160m against the boys by two lengths and the Gr 3 TAB Protea Stakes over 1100m by 6,50 lengths.
One Fine Winter also comes off an impressive victory. She was a 2,30 length runner up in the Gr 2 TAB SA Fillies Nursery over 1160m before winning the Gr 3 TAB Pretty Polly Stakes over 1100m by 4,50 lengths.
Both of them have drawn in the middle in the Allan Robertson, while Green Diamond has a low draw of three in the Medallion and One Fine Winter is in the middle.
Tarry is favouring running Green Diamond in the Medallion, where she will get a 1,5kg gender allowance, because he is of the opinion that juveniles run away from the Hollywoodbets Scottsville grandstand, especially those who have never run there before, so her inside draw should in that case be favourable.
Tarry has four entries in the Gr 2 Golden Horse Sprint and is not concerned that all four of them are slightly under sufferance. All four of them are set to carry the minimum weight of 52kg.
The 104 merit rated filly Rodeo Drive is an interesting runner as she has shown a lot of class before and might not yet have shown her best this season. Tarry agrees she is a big runner.
He said, “She hasn’t really got going. She improved last year and then she had a little bit of a break again and needed her last run.” 
He continued, “Troppo Veloce (105) has come along the right way. She’s definitely run against decent horses and would have a chance at the weights.”
He added, “DantonfromSandton (108) found his form last time out. He’s run against some of these three-year-olds, who are now giving him weight.”  
He continued, “Green Sapphire’s (104) done nothing wrong. Last time she was trapped wide in the Fillies Guineas so put a line through that run. Otherwise her form is spot on and she will have no problem stepping down in trip.”
He concluded, “We now just need to see who gets in at the end of the day. I’m not too sure if it’s a panel or who decides, but at this stage I’m really happy with the horses that I’ve entered on the day.”
Tarry has twice gone close to doing the Hollywoodbets Scottsville Festival Of Speed grand slam, winning three of the Gr 1s and coming second in the other one on two separate occasions. 
The grand slam today might not have as much glamour attached to it with the downgrade of the Golden Horse Sprint, but Tarry’s record is going to take a halcyon effort from somebody to ever match it.
He lamented the loss of another Gr 1 and pointed out that when people talked about the great Gr 1-winning feats of jockeys and trainers from the past they had some 36 Gr 1s to aim at and now there were only about 27.
He also questioned whether any races would ever be upgraded and pointed out the high class of this year’s Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes, which had no fewer than eight horses rated between 129 and 123.
“Will that race now get upgraded to a Gr 1?” he asked. 

Graeme Hawkins

Six of the ten races on the rain softened Winter course at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth this afternoon are for the fairer sex, including the two highest-rated races, a pair of Class 4 Handicaps. The first of these is the seventh race over 1800m and from pole position the ultra-consistent Lavendar Bay could go back-to-back following her victory over the same trip at Hollywoodbets Durbanville back in March.

Lavender Bay now races off a career high of 77 but she is only 1kg worse off with Pentolina who finished third on that occasion, nearly three lengths adrift of Andre Nel’s 4yo daughter of Twice Over. Given their respective barrier positions – Pentolina has the worst of the draw to overcome – I would expect Lavender Bay to confirm the form with Vaughan Marshall’s filly. Pentolina appears to have the beating of Strawberry Thief on the evidence of their recent meeting behind Kleinzee, and therefore by extension Lavender Bay seems to hold Strawberry Thief. Golden Angel has been given further relief by the handicapper after finishing fourth in each of her last four starts and she could finish closer to Pentolina than she did on 16 April when they met over 1600m.

Lickety Split is very genuine but may find it tough under top weight of 62kgs, having to concede 3,5kgs to Lavendar Bay. Green Isle, Epikleros and Tap Shoes have done enough to suggest they could prove competitive in an open race, but Lavender Bay ticks many boxes, and she should enjoy the run of the race from the best of the draw. She has previously won on the Winter course, and we can expect a very good run for our money.

The tenth race and final leg of Jackpot Two is a Class 4 Handicap (F&M) over 1200m, for which a large field of sixteen runners has been declared. This looks a real head-scratcher and narrowing down the list of potential winners is no easy task, but Pilot Flame was somewhat unlucky when finishing a good second behind My Only Weakness over 1400m last time. Reverting here to 1200m is not necessarily in her favour but Richard Fourie gets a good tune out of the 4yo daughter of Master Of My Fate and she should be hitting the line hard. Miraculous is holding form well and her second career victory cannot be too far away. She is an obvious inclusion on the short-list and rates the principle threat to Pilot Flame.

Captain’s Destiny ran an uncharacteristically poor race two weeks ago but there were excuses, and she rates a lively chance when judged on her previous good consistent form over track and trip. Recent winner, Maritzburg Memory, could again have the measure of From A Distance who re-opposes, but there should not be much to choose between the pair. October Fest comes out of the same form line and could get into the action while both Girl Like Us and Priscilla Maisey warrant respect in an extremely tough handicap. Pilot Flame gets the vote but will need some luck in running to get the job done.

The legendary Aiden O’Brien has enjoyed much success at the highest level with the progeny of Wootton Bassett (GB), who sired a record 10 individual 2yo Group winners in 2024, and Rockanrollin (Aus) is thus an interesting newcomer for Sabine Plattner and Andre Nel in the opener, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1200m. Wootton Bassett (GB) now commands a stud fee of 300,000 Euros and Nel describes Rockanrollin (Aus) as a “quality colt, but bred for further” and we will monitor his progress with keen interest. Star Major, second on debut behind the promising All The Rage, will be a popular choice to get punters off to a winning start but keep an eye on the betting as race time approaches.

Three Tigers makes plenty of appeal as a Bipot and Place Accumulator banker in the third race, a Maiden Plate over 1000m. Gavin Lerena teams up with the 2yo son of One World who was beaten by the useful Churchillian over track and trip earlier his month. With two runs now under the belt, Three Tigers should take a lot of beating and rates the nap selection for this afternoon’s race meeting.

RACE 1

5 STAR MAJOR ran second on debut behind All The Rage, he was very green early, and stayed on strongly towards the end of the race to finish just under two lengths behind the winner, the form of that race has worked out well, with natural improvement on the cards, he will be hard to beat here. 4 BUGLE BOY ran a cracker in his last start behind Happy Verse, he showed speed and fought hard all the way to the line to finish second, he is improving with every start, there is absolutely no doubt that he will be competitive. 8 FOLLOW YOUR HEART has been rested and gelded, he is a lovely looking horse, packed with tons of ability, he should love the step up in trip to 1200m, include him into all bets. 3 KANAAL SKATER moved up on debut like he was going to win the race, he travelled well and stayed on strongly for third, he can only improve from that performance, watch him closely. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 4 – 8 – 3)

RACE 2

7 PRECOCIOUS was carded to run on the 13th of May at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, she was unfortunately scratched due to an elevated temperature, her first run at Hollywoodbets Durbanville was very good behind Amen Corner, she was green on the turn and finished powerfully to run second behind her stable companion, she is a lovely filly, if she doesn’t need this run back from a small break, she will take lots of beating. 9 TAKE IT AS RED has run fourth in all her starts to date, she gets the blinkers fitted on Wednesday afternoon, if she can beat the draw, she will be competitive. 2 MIGHTY MARY really caught the eye on debut at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, she was a long way behind early and very green, once they straightened up for home, she quickened up nicely in the driving rain to finish fifth, she will love the step up in trip, include her into the places. 1 SPLASH OF COLOUR ran sixth on debut behind Una The Unicorn, Jockey Gavin Lerena has been booked to ride this filly from a good draw, she should improve nicely from her first start. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 9 – 2 – 1)

RACE 3

3 THREE TIGERS is a lovely colt, he stayed on nicely for second behind the very smart Churchillian on the 6th of May at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, he has improved beautifully with every run, the yard thinks highly of this two year old, he will be hard to beat. 9 IKO IKO ran a much better race last time behind Dive Bomber, he raced just off the speed early, and then ran on strongly for second, if he can build on that performance, he could trouble them in the finish. 1 RED WAVE ran a fair race on debut behind Happy Verse, he jumped out well, showed speed and then got very tired late, he obviously needed that run badly, watch for big improvement from him. 7 AYA’S DREAM may find this trip of 1000m on the short side, but he could be a horse to follow going forward, watch the market closely and watch him move down to the start. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 9 – 1 – 7)

RACE 4

3 NEW WORLD ran an absolute cracker in his last start behind Randolph Hearst, the blinkers have been fitted on this colt for Wednesday, he looks to be a nice type, from a good draw, he will get the perfect run in transit, he could be hard to beat in this race. 6 DRICUS enjoyed the drop in trip last time, he moved up really well and stayed on nicely for second behind Father Christmas on the 6th of May, he has been knocking on the door to get that maiden victory, include him into all bets. 5 VAPOUR TRAIL ran a lovely race against older horses on the 14th of April, he ran fourth behind Gold Dust, there has been a winner from that form line already (Father Christmas), watch him closely, he is still improving. 7 YAMAZAKI showed tremendous improvement from run one into run two, he ran fourth in his last start behind Thomas Jenkins, that was against older horses, he is clearly improving with every start and must be respected. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 6 – 5 – 7)

RACE 5

7 MISS WILLIAM looks to be the best bet on the card, her three runs to date have been excellent, she was drawn wide last time and still managed to finish a good second behind Hunga Tonga, even though she carries top weight in this Open Maiden, she is progressive and her form is very good, she will be hard to beat. 2 SWEET CONIFER ran a better race over 1400m on the 6th of May at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, she was only beaten just under two lengths by her stable companion, she has been well tried in the maiden ranks, but she must have a good place chance in this field. 1 CAPE CAPTAIN ran a shocker behind Rikkitikkitavi on the 4th of May, she pulled badly with the blinkers and finished just over 12 lengths behind the winner, the blinkers have now been removed and she steps up in trip to 1400m, watch for major improvement. 8 MEG’S LEGACY should enjoy the step up in trip, on her best form, she could sneak into the Quartet. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 2 – 1 – 8)

RACE 6

11 BENEATH THE CLOUDS unfortunately draws wide for this Open Maiden event, she ran a super race on the 21st of April behind English Mistress, she likes to race on speed, if she can beat the draw, she will have a massive winning chance. 9 LOUI’S STAR finished fourth in her last start behind Supreme Fate, she will love the step up in trip to 1800m on Wednesday afternoon, Jockey Richard Fourie has been booked to ride, she will be running on strongly, watch her late. 1 SESAME has improved beautifully with every run, she really enjoyed the step up in trip to 1400m last time behind Hunga Tonga, she settled midfield from a wide draw, and then finished her race off really well, she was only beaten three lengths by the winner, she now gets a good draw and she steps up further in trip, she must have a good each way chance. 13 FUTURE PROSPECT has run two fair races in her career, the bad draw won’t make life easy for her, but she is still improving and could trouble them in the finish with some luck in running. (Brandon Bailey: 11 – 9 – 1 – 13)

RACE 7

8 LICKETY SPLIT had no luck in running on the 28th of April, it was her first run back from a small break, she was doing some good work late behind My Only Weakness, even though she carries a big weight for this Class 4 event, she will be running on strongly, include her into all bets. 1 LAVENDER BAY has been rested for 77 days, she won a great race on the 5th of March at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, she was given six points for that victory, from a good draw, she will be on speed early, and she could certainly be a big danger in the finish. 4 TAP SHOES ran a nice race on the Poly in PE last time, she was only beaten just under four lengths in the Listed East Cape Oaks, she is a young filly that is still improving with racing, she could trouble them all late. 11 PENTOLINA finished like a train for second in her last start behind Kleinzee, she is a consistent filly that tries hard, if she gets some luck in running from a wide draw, she could win a race like this. (Brandon Bailey: 8 – 1 – 4 – 11)

RACE 8

3 BABELICIOUS never runs a bad race, she is so consistent at this level, it’s very hard to find reason as to why she shouldn’t be right there in the finish again, include her into all bets, she has a huge winning chance. 5 WINTER RAINFALL could be the dark horse in this competitive race at a decent price, she didn’t have much luck in her last start behind Trip To Maputo, she has dropped nicely in the ratings, watch her closely, she will be running on strongly. 6 BACK AT THE GEORGE stayed on well behind Trip To Maputo on the 28th of April, she was just off the speed early and then worked into the race well enough to finish just over two lengths behind the winner, she is honest, and should run a decent race again. 9 PEACE OF MIND was given four points for running second on the 4th of May behind Tanneron, she is speedy, if she can build on that last performance, she could sneak into the places. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 5 – 6 – 9)

RACE 9

6 LOVERS LANE has been rested and changed stables, Jockey Gavin Lerena has been booked to ride this individual, the small break should help him in a big way, he will be coming to the track fresh on Wednesday afternoon, watch for a big run. 3 CHAMPAGNE MAC ran a much better race behind Gravity on the 4th of May at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, at this level, he will always have a good winning chance, Jockey Richard Fourie knows him well, include him into all bets. 5 AVIGNON could be some decent value in what looks a tough race on paper, he has no weight on his back, if he can bring his run behind Trippi’s Silk to the races on Wednesday, he could certainly trouble them in the finish. 2 ROYAL LYTHAM has been rested for 74 days, she is as honest as they come, her form is consistent, if she doesn’t need the run badly, she will have a good each way chance. Go wide here, you can make a case for so many horses in this race. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 3 – 5 – 2)

RACE 10          

14 MARITZBURG MEMORY quickened up in devastating fashion to win a super race on the 21st of April, she was given four points for that victory, she can be a tricky customer, but she is packed with ability, she can certainly win again. 8 PILOT FLAME has done nothing wrong in her last few races, she drops back in trip for this Class 4 event on Wednesday, Jockey Richard Fourie knows her well, she will be right there in the finish on her best form. 10 MIRACULOUS never runs a bad race, she is honest and she tries hard, her form is good, she must have a nice each way chance in this competitive race. 13 FROM A DISTANCE enjoyed the drop in trip on the 21st of April, she ran a great second behind Maritzburg Memory, she is now better off at the weights, if she can build on that performance, she will be right there no doubt. Again it’s a tricky race, you will need to go wide. (Brandon Bailey: 14 – 8 – 10 – 13)

Please note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Ayr and Kempton (UK) – 21 May 2025.

Eight On Eighteen has earned top spot on the Hollywoodbets Durban July Log as published by the Racing Operator earlier today. There were eleven scratchings at the time of first declarations on Monday 12 May, including Grade 1 winner Fire Attack and Gold Bracelet (Gr 2) winner Red Palace – both due to setbacks in training – while Musical Score and WSB East Cape Derby winner, My Best Shot, were supplemented on Tuesday, 13 May by their respective trainers Lucky Houdalakis and Alan Greeff.

The panel comprising Justin Vermaak, Raf Sheik, Graeme Hawkins and senior handicapper, Lennon Maharaj, have positioned My Best Shot on the fringes of the top twenty, which reflects exactly what the final field would look like if the Hollywoodbets Durban July was run today.

The Log will be updated on 10 June, following the second declaration stage on Monday, 9 June. By then, the Daily News 2000 (Gr 1); Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge (Gr 1); the Woolavington 2000 (Gr 2) and Cup Trial (Gr 3) will have been run, the outcomes of which could impact the status of HDJ contenders.

The Hollywoodbets Durban July will be run on Saturday 5 July.