Please note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Goodwood (UK) – 8 June 2025.

Race 1     

8 GIMMEFORSURE 5 TRAJANUS 4 SIMBINE 1 BINGO

Preview:

8 GIMMEFORSURE is well bred being by Gimmethegreenlight and a half-brother to the useful Quasiforsure. 5 TRAJANUS made a fair debut and could improve. 4 SIMBINE can earn if repeating his last start. 1 BINGO has the form to make the frame. (David Thiselton 8-5-4-1)

Race 2     

1 FIERY ROSE 6 QUEEN’S PACT 5 ON THE RUN 8 WAR TALK

Preview:

1 FIERY ROSE made a good debut and with improvement should go one better. 6 QUEEN’S PACT has shown some ability and could be a contender. 5 ON THE RUN is by Trippi out of a Captain Al mare. 8 WAR TALK is by Act Of War out of an A.P. Answer mare and is a half-sister to a couple of winners. (David Thiselton 1-6-5-8)

Race 3     

1 TEXAS RED 2 WHITE PEARL 6 RADICCHIO 7 BUSSTOPINHOUNSLOW

Preview:

1 TEXAS RED has been facing the top horses and has been thereabouts so should go close in this lesser field. 2 WHITE PEARL is an honest sort with class and she is distance suited and well drawn. 6 RADICCHIO proved himself up to his merit rating last time and is well drawn over his suitable trip. 7 BUSSTOPINHOUNSLOW has faced top horses in his last two starts and back in this company could be a threat. (David Thiselton 1-2-6-7)

Race 4     

7 EMERALD FORGE 1 OLD FASHIONED 5 PALACE PRINCE 3 DRAGONHEART

Preview:

7 EMERALD FORGE is a hard knocker and she could get it right here over an ideal trip. 1 OLD FASHIONED disappointed a bit in his last two but at his best could go close. 5 PALACE PRINCE made a fair debut and should be in the shake-up. 3 DRAGONHEART can do better than last time when he was backed and finished last of five. (David Thiselton 7-1-5-3)

Race 5     

1 TUSCAN ROMANCE 8 RENDEVOUS IN RIO 12  SHIMMERING 5 POTATO SALAD

Preview:

1 TUSCAN ROMANCE made a fine Highveld debut and can go one better in a drop in trip which could suit her. 8 RENDEVOUS IN RIO faced a good sort last time and finished best of the rest. 12  SHIMMERING improved second time out and can improve again. 5 POTATO SALAD has shown some form before and if bouncing back could earn. (David Thiselton 1-8-12-5)

Race 6     

5 RACHEL WALL 1 ALTA CAPITANA 3 LIMERICK LACE 8 REJUVENATE

Preview:

5 RACHEL WALL made an impressive debut over 1,200 metres and is well drawn over a suitable step-up in trip.  1 ALTA CAPITANA also made a good debut and is drawn in pole with Richard Fourie up over a step-up in trip she will relish. 3 LIMERICK LACE made a good debut and will be a suitable step-up in trip but she does have a tough draw. 8 REJUVENATE has been running some fair races in the maidens and could improve. (David Thiselton 5-1-3-8)

Race 7     

8 TAKE NO PRISONERS 1 CHRONICLE KING 2 IDEAL SUMMER 9 TIN PAN ALLEY

Preview:

8 TAKE NO PRISONERS made a good winning debut over 1,400 metres after being backed and could follow up if able to overcome a tricky draw. 1 CHRONICLE KING won well last time and the form has been franked but he does also have a tricky draw. 2 IDEAL SUMMER also won well last time and the form has also been franked but he does also have a tricky draw. 9 TIN PAN ALLEY is well drawn and has the ability to upset the apple cart. (David Thiselton 8-1-2-9)

Race 8     

3 MUSICAL SCORE 1 ATTICUS FINCH 8 OLIVIA’S WAY 9 IMMEDIATE EDGE

Preview:

3 MUSICAL SCORE will be out to book a place in the July and he has the class to do it. 1 ATTICUS FINCH is the Summer Cup winner so deserves top weight and if able to overcome a wide draw he could be right there. 8 OLIVIA’S WAY has been in fine form and should make another bold bid over a suitable trip. 9 IMMEDIATE EDGE should be running on strongly from a good draw over what should be a suitable trip. (David Thiselton 3-1-8-9)

 Race 9     

1 CONFEDERATE 2 LEGEND OF ARTHUR 5 CHOISAANADA 7 PUMPKIN PIE

Preview:

1 CONFEDERATE is a classy sort and from a good draw should be the one to beat. 2 LEGEND OF ARTHUR is also a Gr 1 winner and although this is on the sharp side he should be running on. 5 CHOISAANADA is highly thought of and bounced back to form last time and can be a player if able to overcome a wide draw. 7 PUMPKIN PIE has made a good start to his career and could be in the shake up. (David Thiselton 1-2-5-7)

David Thiselton

The Turffontein Standside meeting tomorrow is headlined by the Gr 3 Jubilee Stakes over 1800m and it will be intriguing as some horses try and earn berths in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, while others use it as a build up but can’t risk elimination from the final field by running bad races. 

The most intriguing runner is The Equator, a very well bred former Aidan O’Brien-trained Galileo colt. He is a three-parts brother to Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf and Gr 1 Irish 1000 Guineas winner Lake Victoria and is reported to have put up an exceptional gallop at Turffontein Inside recently. He is drawn four over a trip on the sharp side for him and Richard Fourie is up. Galileo has done well as a broodmare sire out here but has not shone as a sire. The Equator is a fascinating runner, but he might need it and there are those other one or two question marks.

Musical score is a useful three-year-old who is going for a hat-trick over what should be a suitable step-up in trip and he could book his place in the July with a win here under Gavin Lerena, although it’s going to be tough from draw 10. 

Atticus Finch has an even tougher draw of 11, but the Betway Summer Cup runner has the class to carry joint top weight into the placings. 

Olivia’s way is in top form and comes off a fine win in the Gr 2 TAB Igugu Stakes over 2000m. She will also enjoy this distance and carrying just 53.5kg under Serino Moodley, who seems to ride the Highveld courses very well, she should have a shout if able to find a good position from draw seven.

Immediate edge has won twice over 2000m on this course, so should be a big runner here from a plum draw of two, although officially he is 3,5kg  under sufferance with Olivia’s way. 

Tamarisk Tree is in fine form and is distance suited, but does have the widest draw of all to overcome.

Son of Raj was not persevered with in the Gr 1 Premier’s champions challenge as the jockey felt something amiss, so he has a bit of a cloud hanging over his head, but before that he won the Gr 3 Betway London News Stakes over this course and distance in fine style. He is going for a third successive inclusion in the Hollywoodbets Durban July final field, so certainly has the ability to be a big runner here. 

Let’s Go Now proved last time she enjoys middle distance trips by winning the Gr 2 TAB Colorado King Stakes over 2000m. This is a tougher field, but she is difficult to ignore. 

Navajo Nation won over course and distance last time, but faces Tamarisk Tree on 2kg worst terms for a 0.3 length beating.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1160m Emerald Forge is knocking hard and could it get it right here over an ideal trip with Richard Fourie aboard. Old Fashioned  disappointed in his last two starts and still has to prove he stays beyond 1000m. Palace Prince made a good debut and with improvement could be right there. Dragonheart was backed on debut, but finished last of five and could improve. Space Mission is by Willow Magic and is a full brother to the Gr 1 winner MK’s Pride.  

In the fifth over 1160m former Cape horse Tuscan Romance made a fine Highveld debut and can go one better in a drop in trip which could suit her and she does not have much to beat.

In the sixth race Rachel Wall impressed on debut with a runaway win over 1200m and is well drawn here over the 1400m trip which should suit her.  Alta Capitana also won well on debut and should relish the step up in trip on pedigree, so can go close from pole position. Limerick Lace made a good winning debut and will enjoy this trip, but does have a tricky draw. 

In the seventh race over 1400m Take No Prisoners won well on debut over this course and distance and this well-bred sort can follow up, although he has a tricky draw. Chronicle King won well second time out over 1600m and the form has been franked, so he could go close if able to overcome a tricky draw. Ideal Summer also has a wide draw, but the form of his good win over 1700m has been franked. Tin Pan Alley has some useful form against good sorts over sprints and over what should be a suitable step up in trip, he is well drawn, so he could be right there. King Harald also has plenty of ability is interesting stepped up to this trip.

In the last race Confederate won the Gr 1 SA Classic and should enjoy this trip from pole position. Legend of Arthur’s class can pull him through over too sharp a trip. Choisaanada is highly thought of and is coming to hand. Pumpkin Pie also looks promising. Kamensky has won his last two and has a fair draw. 

In the first leg of the PA, Texas Red has been facing top horses and has been thereabouts. White Pearl also has plenty of class and jumps from a good draw over an ideal trip. Radiccio is a versatile type and has the class to be involved here from a good draw. Busstopinhounslow is able to produce a good finish and looks distance suited here. Savannah Storm is capable of popping up.

In the first leg of the Bipot, Fiery Rose made a good debut and with improvement should go one better. Queen’s Pact can also be included as she has shown some ability. 

In the first race over 1000m Gimmeforsure is by Gimmethegreenlight and is a half-sister to Quasiforsure and could contest it with Trajanus and Simbine.

Andrew Harrison

Mike and Mathew de Kock have plotted the same course for last season’s Equus Horse of the Year Dave The King and goes into the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge as likely favourite at Hollywoodbets Greyville today.

After a dismal Highveld season, where De Kock commented that his charge was better at the coast, Dave The King made all to show that he was back to best when winning last time out at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and he is out to defend his crown. 

As a solid front-runner with a huge stride has the ideal draw at two and all should be chasing him come the final furlong. However, there are a number of runners who also like to be up with the speed and Callan Murray will need to be aware of what he is up against. 

Montien is a top class front runner who will probably have no option but to seek the lead from a wide draw and he might give Dave The King a nice tow. However, he stays on resolutely and is ideally distance suited so is a player.

Oriental Charm also likes to race handy and although he is at his best over middle distances he won a Gr 2 over this trip earlier in the season. His wide draw might make it difficult for him to find a good position but has not been out since running second to Eight On Eighteen in the WSB Cape Met back in January. However, he does come from a stable that knows who to get them ready first time out.

Sean Tarry sends out Cosmic Speed beat older horses in the Gr 1 WFA HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over this trip at Turffontein and has the class to go close. He finished less than a length behind Eight On Eighteen in the Gr2 WSB Guineas over course and distance. This season’s three-year-olds appears to be a vintage crop so Dave The King should be tested. 

See It Again showed signs of his best when touched off by Gladatorian in the Drill Hall Stakes and will prefer the extra furlong. Of late he has always been threatening but not quite up to the task but now appears to have got over the gelding and back to his best. Gladatorian came from well back to snatch victory in the Drill Hall Stakes and must certainly have a chance. 

 William Robertson is an interesting runner. He has tremendous form over sprints but packs a devastating finishing kick and has gone close over this trip at the tougher Turffontein track, although not in this class. He has won a Gr 2 over 1450m though, so is the dark horse. 

 The Gr3 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial is a tough handicap with many looking to book a berth in the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July. Pomodoro’s Jet steps up in trip but is unbeaten since being fitted with cheek pieces.  He has a fair weight on his back but comes from a top stable. On My Honour was just over three lengths off Eight On Eighteen in the Gr1 WSB Guineas. He got a hefty eight-point hit in the handicap but has been taking on top company in the Western Cape. Zeitz ran well below par in the Gr1 Splashout Cape Derby and has not been out since. He is a July entry and will need to win or run up close to have a chance on a run in the big race so is one to watch. Wild Intent has come well since his below par trip to the Cape. He got a 17-point jump in the handicap for his second to Legend Of Arthur in the Gr1 SA Derby which could hinder his chances here.

The Hollywoodbets Sharks Gatecrasher Stakes is wide open but Whispering Death finished runner-up on debut and is unbeaten in two since, starting at cramped odds on both occasions. He looks progressive and can go in again. Tenjiku beat Whispering death when shedding his maiden over a sprint and followed up with another comfortable victory. He has the best of the draw in his favour. Vikings Revenge surprised on debut, winning well at long odds but he is sure to have come on from that ran. Aversator has the widest draw to contend with but won well enough over course and distance when shedding his maiden to suggest that he has a winning chance with natural improvement.

The Ridgemont Devon Air Stakes can go the way of Dean Kannemeyer’s filly Educator. She was well supported in the market on debut and won comfortably. She stays the trip and from the best of the draw has plenty in her favour. Captains Envy was touched off by Quickstepgal  in the Strelitzia Stakes and Mike Miller’s charge is now 2kg better off which should be enough to turn the tables although both go this trip for the first time. Littlemisssplendid went close when stepping up in trip and comes with some useful Highveld form. 

The HKJC World Pool Stakes has attracted a competitive field with many in with chances. However, Be Merry was staying on gamely in the Gr2 WSB Fillies Guineas and this shorter trip should suit although she does have a wide draw to contend with. Callmegeterix has finished runner-up at her last three and meets Be Merry on similar weight terms as to when last they met. Green Sapphire did not get the rub of the green in the WSB Fillies Guineas, caught wide for most of the race, and was never in the hunt from her wide draw. She was a comfortable winner over course and distance at her penultimate start. Lucrative is the likely favourite as she has shown steady improvement of late and although up in class she has the best of the draw. 

Durban – The R2-million Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge (Gr1) over 1600m at Greyville on Saturday has attracted a star-studded field including last season’s Horse Of The Year and defending champion, Dave The King. The 5yo son of Global View bounced back to his best form at Hollywoodbets Scottsville three weeks ago and from a neat draw will have every chance of recording back-to-back victories in South Africa’s highest-rated Grade 1 event. Callan Murray retains the ride for the De Kock team and Dave The King is likely to start favourite in the 12-strong field.

Last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July winner, Oriental Charm, makes his Champions Season debut after a lengthy spell on the side-lines following his close second behind Eight On Eighteen in the World Sports Cape Town Met back in January. He is at his best over a touch further but he did win the Green Point Stakes (Gr2) over 1600m in December. Montien ran third in the WSB Cape Town Met over 2000m, prior to which he finished a gallant second to One Stripe in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate over 1600m, and the Piet Botha-trained son of Louis The King is a resolute galloper.

Gladatorian and See It Again finished 1-2 in the IOS Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m at the beginning of May with just a nose separating the pair. Trained respectively by Stuart Ferrie and Michael Roberts, Gladatorian and See It Again fly the flag for the home province and are sure to have their fair share of supporters. William Robertson is an interesting acceptor as the Computaform Sprint (Gr1) winner is in the form of his life, but only the race will show whether he can compete at this level over 1600m.

The three-year-olds are represented by the highly-rated Great Plains and Cosmic Speed, and the former looked somewhat unlucky when narrowly beaten by Gladatorian and See It Again in the IOS Drill Hall Stakes. Eleven of the twelve acceptors are rated 120+, and we anticipate a vintage renewal of the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge on Saturday.

A quality field has been declared for the R500 000 HKJC World Pool Stakes (Gr2) (F&M over 1400m, officially registered as the Tibouchina Stakes. With 13 runners set to face the starter, barrier positions could play a role in the outcome and in that regard the two highest-rated fillies, Be Merry and Scarlet Macaw, have not fared too well. Bevies Delight and Sohot Sowhat bring solid form into the race and jump from inside positions while the ever-consistent Callmegetrix has to overcome stall eight. Green Sapphire blotted her copybook from a wide draw in the WSB Fillies Guineas but should do better over this trip from a much better gate. Minogue ran third in the Camellia Stakes (Gr2) behind Mia Moo, and that form was franked on Saturday when Mia Moo edged home in the Grade 1 SA Fillies Sprint.

The R300 000 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial (Gr3) over 1800m sees a number of HDJ hopefuls looking to gain promotion into the final field for the R5-million Hollywoodbets Durban July. Pacaya and Pomodoro’s Jet, 18th & 20th on the HDJ Log, share top weight of 62kgs but each enjoy the benefit of a kind draw. Underworld finished third in the World Sports Betting 1900 behind Selukwe and he will be looking to further enhance his chances of making the cut for the HDJ with another solid performance. He will have the services of Champion Jockey Richard Fourie who has been in terrific form over the past week. Wild Intent featured in the top 18 when the first HDJ Log was published and Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup is perfectly timed to ensure peak fitness on the big day for the 3yo son of Gimmethegreenlight.

Races 7 thru 10 at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday have been designated as World Pool events, and racing fans can look forward to huge totalisator pools in each of the designated bet types, which include Win, Place, Swinger, Exacta and Quinella pools.