RACE  1

5 ORIGINATOR      6 MAGNUS THE GOOD      2 AMERICAN MATADOR      1 KHICHDI

Preview: ORIGINATOR (5) made a fair debut and probably has a lot more improvement to give compared to the rest of the field and is therefore the first choice. MAGNUS THE GOOD (6) can finish a lot closer this time and has each way claims. AMERICAN MATADOR (2) has a huge place chance and KHICHDI (1) can feature in the first four. (Warren Lenferna 5-6-2-1)

RACE  2

4 KING OF VICTORY      1 OUTBACK EXPRESS      6 WELSH STARLET      7 DARLING GIRL

Preview: KING OF VICTORY (4) brings KZN form into the race and should be tough to oppose. OUTBACK EXPRESS (1) is running well and should get it all right soon – big runner. WELSH STARLET (6) is taking time but has a place chance and DARLING GIRL (7) is a must for the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 4-1-6-7)

RACE  3

2 BOMBER BAY      4 ACTION AMERICA      6 BUGLE        5 CASINO KING

Preview: BOMBER BAY (2) has solid form and despite making us wait for the win – today looks to be the day. Sparkling win chance. ACTION AMERICA (4) is lightly raced and brings consistent form to the table – can trouble the first choice all the way home – exacta choice. BUGLE (6) and CASINO KING (5) must be included in trifectas and quartets. (Warren Lenferna 2-4-6-5)

RACE  4

2 WINTER EMERALDS      7 ROCK OF FUTURA      6 SUN SPECTACULAR      1 LAGUNA VERDE

Preview: WINTER EMERALDS (2) streaked clear to victory last time and is selected to go back-to-back. ROCK OF FUTURA (7) is clearly talented and has strong each way claims – respect and include. SUN SPECTACULAR (6) is never far off the action and has a place chance. LAGUNA VERDE (1) continues to slide down in the ratings and can pop up one of these days. (Warren Lenferna 2-7-6-1)

RACE  5

3 KING PRAWN      2 KING’S RANSOM      5 CHEEKY LADDIE      1 WHAFEEF

Preview: KING PRAWN (1) justified favoritism last time and has ability. The one they all have to fear the most. KING’S RANSOM (2) boasts useful form and nearly scored last time – big chance. CHEEKY LADDIE (5) ran a cracker last time and has a first three chance and the interesting runner is WHAFEEF (1) he is the place value. (Warren Lenferna 3-2-5-1)

RACE  6

1 ANOTHERDANCEFORME      4 WILD FIG       2 ABOVE THE HORIZON      3 AUGUSTA ROSSO

Preview: ANOTHERDANCEFORME (1) win choice. She is exceptionally good. WILD FIG (4) can build on the maiden win and can fill the exacta spot. ABOVE THE HORIZON (2) and AUGUSTA ROSSO (3) have money chances at best. (Warren Lenferna 1-4-2-3)

RACE  7

8 SWEETIE DARLING      2 FAIRY KNIGHT      1 ROYAL AUSSIE      3 ANUSCHKA’S WORLD

Preview: SWEETIE DARLING (8) is in hot form, ran an absolute cracker last time behind Direct Hit and must be seriously considered for the win position. FAIRY KNIGHT (2) is obviously good and a huge contender for top honors – big chance. ROYAL AUSSIE (1) is taking time for the next win – place chance. ANUSCHKA’S WORLD (3) has a quartet chance. (Warren Lenferna 8-2-1-3)

RACE  8

4 WALKONTHEWILDSIDE      3 HEEMSTEDE      1 JUAN CARLOS      6 SLAINTE MHATH

Preview: WALKONTHEWILDSIDE (4) is ultra-consistent and looks cherry ripe for the next career win. HEEMSTEDE (3) can do way better than the last two runs and can get into the action. JUAN CARLOS (1) can absolutely never be ignored – can win and SLAINTE MHATH (6) has each way claims. (Warren Lenferna 4-3-1-6)

Andrew Harrison

Punters will be tested this evening at Hollywoodbets Greyville where they face a ten-race card on the turf. Heading the programme is a Fillies and Mares Progress Plate over 1200m where the Duncan Howells-trained filly Hierarchy can provide some relief on what is an otherwise competitive card.

 Hierarchy made a smart seasonal debut over the Hollywoodbets Scottsville 1000m but was caught just short after returning from a break where she has finished a close-up third in a Gr2 behind Princess Of Gaul. Howells commented pre-race that he thought that his charge was good enough to win but was far from fully wound up.

Winner that day was the gelding Major Tommie who had been in receipt of an ill-judged ride at his previous start, vindicating Garth Puller’s  post-race comments. With a run under her girth Hierarchy could be a hard horse to beat. However, she is up against a pair of useful runners from the Mike Miller yard in Warrior Royale and Comic Relief.

Warrior Royale has had one outing since a break and was a beaten favourite on the day. She has to give plenty of weight to Hierarchy which could be her undoing. Stable companion Comic Relief has not been out since May and may need this run but does have a touch of class.

Wendy Whitehead saddles Buttercup Baby who has won her last two over course and distance. She also gets some relief from the saddle in Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance and she should also be competitive.

Interesting will be the final leg of the Pick 6. Mike and Mathew de Kock rate Exocet above the average but the colt was a little disappointing first run out of the maidens given that he started a short-priced favourite. However, he was still green in the running and may be worth a second chance. Little Boy Blue has the widest draw and Peter Muscutt’s charge has not been out since the Gr1 Gold Medallion back in May where he garnered a hefty rating for finishing four lengths off the winner. It remains to be seen how he fares in his first run back given his high rating. Paul Gadsby’s mare Vision To Achieve has smart form over the trip and with a 4kg claimer aboard she will be dangerous.

Carnival Park carries top weight in the opening leg of the Place Accumulator but is proven over the trip and boasts consistent form so could be a banker. Back-up should be the filly Intro who takes on males but has shown good form for her new stable and if she stays the extra furlong she should be right there.

The first two legs of the Pick 6 need plenty of thought. In the first leg Paul Lafferty’s filly Alannah has earned in five of her six starts, only missing out in a strong Gr1 where she was not far behind. She goes this trip for the first time but should see it out and has a light weight from a good draw.  Robbie Hill’s runner Sign Of Fate has been knocking on the door for some time now and should enjoy the extra. She has a handy galloping weight and will be a threat to the selection. Ice Rain returns from a break after running unplaced in a Gr2 but had excellent form before that and is the best of the Andre Nel runners judged on jockey bookings. Tomyris is seldom far back and narrowly beaten last time out and should be included in bigger perms.

The fifth is a tricky contest but Happy Fortune has been knocking at the door for her second win. She was narrowly beaten over course and distance last time out and with the help of Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance she could make it home. Avernian Goddess has the best of the draw and is never far back and this step up in trip should suit. Poursomesugaronme is always game and never far back. This trip suits and she rates a strong winning chance. Gorgeous Girl has been coming to hand along with the stable and is another in with a strong chance.

Howells could have a double with Dapper in the sixth who has been knocking at the door for his new stable and getting closer and closer. He gets a useful 4kg claimer aboard and can finally make it home. Run Forest Run is lightly raced and has a wide draw but showed up well first run back from a break and looks useful. Golden Rule has his third run after a break and has been close-up at his last two and was well supported at his last outing. He should make a bold bid. Rugger Lover is never far back of late and goes well this trip. Her 4kg claimer will help her cause.

The seventh is another competitive handicap but Phutulicious has been showing signs of coming to hand after a spell in the Cape. Last run was possibly too short and over his best trip with a 4kg claimer aboard he should at least be competitive. Lexican Point has been disappointing but does seem better than recent form would suggest. Down in trip with blinkers back on he could be the jocker in the pack. Mac Hardy has shown up nicely in two recent starts on the poly but has a strong chance in this line-up while Beach Palace has come well of late and was touched off last time out.

RACE 1

8 SUN IN MY POCKET   5 COME TO MY PARTY   4 GORGEOUS BOMB   7 QUEEN BRAGANZA

Summary: Barring any of the first timers upsetting the applecart SUN IN MY POCKET (8) will never get a better chance to shed her maiden. She has been close-up in her last two and should be able to go one better. Of those that have run. COME TO MY PARTY (5) is likely to improve on her debut effort while GORGEOUS BOMB (4) has shown some ability but appears best on the poly. QUEEN BRAGANZA (7) could prove best of the first timers. (Andrew Harrison: 8-5-4-7).

RACE 2

10 LIGHT OF GABRIEL   4 DANCING IN DENMARK   9 OMNIA   3 ANEMIE

Summary: LIGHT OF GABRIEL (10) has the widest draw to contend with but does have the strongest form. The step up in trip should suit and she is the horse to beat. DANCING IN DENMARK (4) has been rested but made a promising debut on the poly and is one to watch in the betting. OMNIA (9) has only had three starts but her best effort was on the poly which is a concern. ANEMIE (3) has been showing recent improvement and can feature. (Andrew Harrison: 10-4-9-3).

RACE 3

11 CARNIVAL PARK   5 INTRO   9 DEAD POETS SOCIETY   12 REIGN ON IMPACT

Summary: CARNIVAL PARK (11) carries top weight but is proven over the trip and boasts consistent form. INTO (5) takes on males but has shown good form for her new stable and if she stays the extra furlong she should be right there.  DEAD POETS SOCIETY (9) as shown little in three starts but gets first time blinkers which could spark major improvement. REIGN ON IMPACT (12) did improve second time out and can show more. (Andrew Harrison: 11-5-9-12).

RACE 4

1 ALANNAH   4 SIGN OF FATE   5 ICE RAIN   8 TOMYRIS

Summary: ALANNAH (1) has earned in five of her six starts, only missing out in a strong Gr1 where she was not far behind. She goes this trip for the first time but should see it out and has a light weight from a good draw.  SIGN OF FATE (4) has been knocking on the door for some time now. She should enjoy the extra here and has a handy galloping weight. ICE RAIN (5) returns from a break after running unplaced in a Gr2. She has excellent form before that and is the best of the Andre Nel runners judged on jockey bookings. TOMYRIS (8) is seldom far back and narrowly beaten last time out. She should make a bold bid. (Andrew Harrison: 1-4-5-8).

RACE 5

5 HAPPY FORTUNE   1 AVERNIAN GODDESS   2 POURSOMESUGARONME   7 GORGEOUS GIRL

Summary: HAPPY FORTUNE (5) has been knocking at the door for her second win. She was narrowly beaten over course and distance last time out and with the help of Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance she should make it home. AVERNIAN GODDESS (1) has the best of the draw and is never far back. The step up in trip should suit. POURSOMESUGARONME (2) is always game and never far back. The trip suits and she rates a strong winning chance. GORGEOUS GIRL (7) has been coming to hand along with the stable and is another in with a strong chance. (Andrew Harrison: 5-1-2-7).

RACE 6

8 DAPPER   11 RUN FOREST RUN   7 GOLDEN RULE   4 RUGGER LOVER

Summary: DAPPER (8) has been knocking at the door for his new stable and getting closer and closer. He gets a useful 4kg claimer aboard and can finally make it home. RUN FOREST RUN (11) is lightly raced and has a wide draw but showed up well first run back from a break and looks useful. GOLDEN RULE (7) has his third run after a break and has been close-up at his last two. He should make a bold bid. RUGGER LOVER (4) is never far back of late and goes well this trip. Her 4kg claimer will help her cause. (Andrew Harrison: 8-11-7-4).

RACE 7

3 PHUTULICIOUS    9 LEXICAN POINT   7 MAC HARDY   2 BEACH PALACE

Summary: PHUTULICIOUS (3) has been showing signs of coming to hand after a spell in the Cape. Last run was possibly too short and over his best trip with a 4kg claimer aboard he should at least be competitive. LEXICAN POINT  (9) has been disappointing but does seem better than recent form would suggest. Down in trip with blinkers back on he could be the jocker in the pack. MAC HARDY (7) has shown up nicely in two recent starts on the poly but has a strong chance in this line-up. BEACH PALACE (2) has come well of late and was touched off last time out. (Andrew Harrison: 3-9-7-2).

RACE 8

3 HIERARCHY   8 WARRIOR ROYALE   1 BUTTERCUP BABY   5 COMIC RELIEF

Summary: HIERARCHY (3) found one too good for her when returning from a break last time out. With that run under her girth she could be a hard horse to beat. WARRIOR ROYALE (8) has had one outing since a break and was a beaten favourite on the day. She has to give plenty of weight to Hierarchy which could be her undoing. BUTTERCUP BABY (1) has won her last two over course and distance. She gets some relief from the saddle and should be competitive. Stable companion to Warrior Royale, COMIC RELIEF (5) has not been out since May and may need this run but does have a touch of class. (Andrew Harrison: 3-8-1-5).

RACE 9

2 EXOCET   10 LITTLE BOY BLUE   7 VISION TO ACHIEVE   3 AYUWI AYUWI

Summary: EXOCET (2) was a little disappointing first run out of the maidens given that he started a short-priced favourite. However, he was still green in the running and may be worth a second chance. LITTLE BOY BLUE (10) has the widest draw and has not been out since the Gr1 Gold Medallion back in May. He garnered a hefty rating for finishing four lengths off the winner and it remains to be scene how he fares in his first run back. VISION TO ACHIEVE (7) has smart form over the trip and with a 4kg claimer aboard she will be dangerous. AYUWI AYUWI (3) showed up well at long odds last run and has a money chance again. (Andrew Harrison: 2-10-7-3).

RACE 10

1 CALL ME JANE   6 MOSCOW MISS   4 TEQUILA SKY   2 CLICK BAIT

Summary: CALL ME JANE (1) shed her maiden last start but was her first run up from the Cape with a first time tongue-tie. She looks to be the pick of the Andre Nel pairing with stable companion TEQUILA SKY (4) boasting some useful recent form. MOSCOW MISS (6) has useful form over the trip. She has improved in blinkers. CLICKBAIT (2) showed up well first run out of the maidens and can place again. (Andrew Harrison: 1-6-4-2).

South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Chelmsford City, Newcastle and Salisbury (UK) – 02 October 2025

David Thiselton

Jan van Goyen, Dave The King and Spumante Dolce are being readied for feature race campaigns, but it hasn’t gone as well for their Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained stablemate Immediate Edge, while their Gr 2-winning grey White Pearl has been purchased and retired to stud and the classy Greaterix comes back on Saturday.

The De Kock yard ended the season with a bang when the Master Of My Fate colt Jan van Goyen more than fulfilled his potential by slamming a good field in the Gr 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Champion Stakes over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville by 3,70 lengths under Callan Murray on World Pool Gold Cup day.

Mathew de Kock said, “We are aiming him at the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas. He drew very badly in the Spring Challenge so we’re not running him there and he probably starts on Charity Mile day (in the Gr 3 Betway Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m). It will then probably be the Dingaans (on Betway Summer Cup day November 29) and then the Cape Guineas (on December 13).”

He said Jan van Goyen, who has three wins and a second from four career starts to date, had been doing “very well”.

The 2023/2024 Equus Horse Of The Year Dave The King could have put the cherry on the top for the De Kocks on Gold Cup day by defending his HKJC Champions Cup crown, but he failed to kick on in his usual style after controlling the pace early and then stretching them from a long way out in his customary style.

He finished a 2,95 length fifth, which was no disgrace behind Gladatorian, The Real Prince, See It Again and Fire Attack, but more was expected and Mathew said, “Obviously we were disappointed he never won, but we couldn’t put a finger on it. It just wasn’t his best day.”

Dave The King’s form points to him enjoying KZN and he duly stayed at Summerveld after the Champions Cup.

He will be raiding Cape Town to take in the Green Point Stakes on  December 13 and the L’Ormarins King’s Plate on the first Saturday of January.

Both Jan van Goyen and Dave The King will depart for Cape Town close to their first races, which means they run the risk of not being able to travel if there is an African Horse Sickness breakout within a 30km radius of wherever they are traveling from.

Mathew said, “We’re not going to put them out of their comfort zones, so if we get stuck, we get stuck. It is otherwise just a nightmare staff-wise and with the horses comfortable where they are, you will be playing bit of Russian Roulette anyway.”

Immediate Edge looked to be a ready made Betway Summer Cup candidate, but Mathew revealed, “He didn’t come through the July very well. We gave him a holiday and he’s just taking a bit longer to be spot on, so he’s not going to be ready for the Summer Cup.”

The yard’s Gr 2 Wilgebosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas winner Spumante Dolce, who was also runner up in all of the Gr 1 Empress Club Stakes, the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 and the Gr 2 WSB Fillies Guineas, has been in good shape.

Mathew said, “She will probably be our Summer Cup horse. She will have her first run in the Charity Mile and her second run in the Summer Cup.”

White Pearl won the Gr 2 Mike de Kock Ipi Tombe Challenge last season for the ASSM Syndicate and she was sold for R1,2 million at a Filly and Mare Sale in August, purchased by Vendel Civils.

She is currently at Boland Stud.

The classy grey Vercingetorix colt Greaterix comes back from a seven month layoff in a 1450m Conditions Plate at Turffontein Inside on Saturday. The mile seemed to stretch him at the highest level last season, so the trip on Saturday will be ideal and it should answer some questions about where he will go this season.