David Thiselton

Highveld Horse Of The Season Fire Attack makes a comeback at Turffontein Standside today in the Gr 3 4Racing Sea Cottage Stakes over 1800m and although weighted to win he won’t have it easy, having not run for three months, to peg back the progressive Choisaanada.

Alec Laird said the Fire Away colt had a put up “a nice couple of gallops” and felt he was fit enough, so he is still the one to beat off a 126 merit rating and having to give 3kg to the rest of the field, including to the up and coming Erico Verdonese-trained 106-rated Choisaanada. Fire Attack will be aimed at the Gr 1 Champions Cup on Gold Cup day if he comes through today’s race with flying colours. He is drawn in pole on Sunday and will be ridden by Calvin Habib. He should be running on strongly after being left alone early as is his usual style. Choisaanada beat Confederate in the Egoli Mile last time when receiving 1,5kg and Confederate beat Fire Attack by 0,70 lengths when winning the Gr 1 SA Classic over 1800m at level weights, so on paper Choisaanada should beat Fire Attack on that bit of form considering he is receiving 3kg. However, Fire Attack was staying on strongly in the SA Classic, while Confederate likely needed his run in the Egoli Mile. Choisaanada is drawn in barrier position four and Callan Murray retains the ride. Kamensky only has 0,90 lengths to make up on Choisaanada from the Egoli Mile and is drawn two with Gavin Lerena up. Both of the latter pair should stay the trip and it should be an exciting three way tussle.

In the first leg of the Pick 6  Son Of Raj is the only remaining Hollywoodbets Durban July reserve runner, so will be hoping for a scratching before 08H15 on Friday. He goes well for Gavin Lerena and although the trip is on the sharp side he is marginally best in at the weights and could carry 60kg to victory. Radicchio is an admirable, distances suited type and is only half-a-kilogram under sufferance with Son Of Raj, so should make a bold bid carrying 52kg under Kaidan Brewer. Fire ‘N Flames is drawn in pole and is capable of being involved in the finish, also being just half-a-kilogram under sufferance carrying 54kg under Serino Moodley. Those three should fight it out.

In the fourth over 1000m Hemisphere was staying on well last time when beaten 2,70 length by a decent sort. He now runs off a 79 and has to give the 91-rated two-year-old Constellation 1kg. However, Constellation impressed last time when showing pace throughout over 1000m and is a big runner here too from a nice standside draw. Those two should get punters through the exotics.

In the fifth race over 1100m the classy sprinter Chasing Happiness is the second best weighted runner and should make a bold bid under Gavin Lerena. Chocolate Soldier is 1kg under sufferance with Chasing Happiness but is ultra quick and will enjoy the fast winter conditions. However, his only wins have been over 1000m. Dreamland also prefers 1000m at this course, but in his case he has won over 1200m before so could be a runner, although he might be a touch high in the merit ratings at present and is officially 1kg under sufferance with Chasing Happiness anyway. The best weighted runner is the up and coming filly Whistle The Tun, who is half-a-kilogram better off then Chasing Happiness according to official merit ratings. She comes off a fine 1,40 length fifth in the Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint and should make a bold bid under Calvin Habib. Taxi To The Moon is the best weighted male runner and has a nice high draw and he is 4kg better of with Chasing Happiness for a 4,50 length beating in the Gr 2 Senor Santa. He has to be included.

In the sixth race over 1800m the galloper Flag Bearer has a good draw over a suitable trip and should make a bold bid under a 4kg claimer. Futurewolff is also an honest sort but does have a wide draw, although Gavin Lerena up will be a bonus. War Reporter can be involved if able to repeat his last run. Sky Pillar Rock might enjoy the step down in trip and could earn a place. Rosy Lemon takes on the boys, which is never easy, but could earn a cheque as it is a Classified Stakes event and she is 2kg better off than the best rated male and is only half-a-kilogram under sufferance with the best weighted runner, Red Sparrow, who needs to improve on her recent form.

The eighth over 1400m is also a Classified Stakes event and two-year-old Red Amber has a fair draw over a suitable trip and with Gavin Lerena up should go close. She is third best in at the weights and is 1,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted pair Alabama Anna and JJ’s Eagle. The latter pair are hard to fancy with Alabama Anna having a wide draw and JJ’s Eagle having uninspiring form. Chieftain’s Shield is an improved sort and from a good draw should be running on. After Hours can never be ignored and over a suitable trip he should be running on from a wide draw. Commander Of All could earn a place in this line up over a trip he has gone close over before.  

In the first leg of the PA over 1400m the promising Jan Van Goyen is 3kg better off with Shadowfax for a 0.90 length beating and should reverse form over a suitable step up in trip, although the latter is drawn in pole position and should make a fight of it.

In the first leg of the Bipot Open Sesame made a good debut over 1160m and should relish the step up in trip and has a good draw. Alta Capitana went close second time out when stepped up to this trip after a good debut and could make amends here under Gavin Lerena. Let’s Go Lola won well second time out and has pole position here. 

Race 1     

9 OPEN SESAME 1 ALTA CAPITANA 5 LET’S GO LOLA 6 MISS NOVAX

Preview: 9 OPEN SESAME made a good debut over 1160m and should relish the step up in trip and has a good draw. 1 ALTA CAPITANA Went close second time out when stepped up to this trip after a good debut in and could make amends here under Gavin Lerena. 5 LET’S GO LOLA won well second time out and has pole position here. 6 MISS NOVAX could improve on her last run and is not out of it. (David Thiselton 9-1-5-6) 

Race 2     

2 JAN VAN GOYEN 4 SHADOWFAX 1 BLIZZARD QUEST 7 RADIO STAR

Preview:  2 JAN VAN GOYEN was expected to follow up on his excellent debut win last time, but found one better and over a suitable step up in trip from a good draw he can make amends here. 4 SHADOWFAX beat Jan van Goyen by 0.90 length last time but is now 3kg worse off, although he is drawn in pole position. 1 BLIZZARD QUEST won well last time after doing well in defeat in his previous start. 7 RADIO STAR has gone close in both starts could be in the shake-up under Gavin Lerena. (David Thiselton 2-4-1-7)

Race 3     

1 SON OF RAJ 4 RADICCHIO 2 FIRE ‘N FLAMES 6 SILENT WAR

Preview: 1 SON OF RAJ was a reserve runner for the Hollywoodbets Durban July, but from a good draw here can win this race, although the trip might be slightly too sharp. 4 RADICCHIO Is a useful sort and is distance suited. 2 FIRE ‘N FLAMES is drawn in pole and is capable of being involved in the finish. 6 SILENT WAR is a capable sort and is not out of it here. (David Thiselton 1-4-2-6) 

Race 4     

3 HEMISPHERE 4 CONSTELLATION 2 IT’S PERSONAL 6 LONELY AS A CLOUD

Preview: 3 HEMISPHERE was not disgraced last week and should be staying on again. 4 CONSTELLATION won well last time out and from a good draw should be right there despite being given a 91 merit rating. 2 IT’S PERSONAL has the form to be involved in the finish. 6 LONELY AS A CLOUD can go close if producing his best. (David Thiselton 3-4-2-6) 

Race 5     

1 CHASING HAPPINESS 2 CHOCOLATE SOLDIER 6 DREAMLAND 8 WHISTLE THE TUNE

Preview: 1 CHASING HAPPINESS is a useful sprinter and should go close on with Lerena from a nice high draw. 2 CHOCOLATE SOLDIER is very quick and over this ideal course and distance will be in the shake-up if producing his best. 6 DREAMLAND enjoys this course and distance and could be a factor. 8 WHISTLE THE TUNE is an up-and-coming filly who can be involved in the finish here. (David Thiselton 1-2-6-8)

Race 6     

5 FLAG BEARER3 FUTUREWOLFF 2 WAR REPORTER 1 SKY PILLAR ROCK

Preview: 5 FLAG BEARER has a good draw over a suitable trip and should make a bold bid. 3 FUTUREWOLFF is also an honest sort but does have a wide draw although Gavin Lerena up will be a bonus. 2 WAR REPORTER can be involved if able to repeat his last run. 1 SKY PILLAR ROCK might enjoy the step down in trip and could earn a place. (David Thiselton 5-3-2-1)

Race 7     

1 FIRE ATTACK 3 CHOISAANADA 4 KAMENSKY 2 MUSICAL SCORE

Preview: 1 FIRE ATTACK  is full of class and is the one to beat despite returning from a layoff. 3 CHOISAANADA has come into his own and will be a big runner here too. 4 KAMENSKY Has plenty of ability and only has 0,90 lengths to make up on Choisaanada. 2 MUSICAL SCORE has the ability to be right there also. (David Thiselton 1-3-4-2)

Race 8     

7 RED AMBER 6 CHIEFTAIN’S SHIELD 5 AFTER HOURS 9 COMMANDER OF ALL

Preview: 7 RED AMBER has a fair draw over a suitable trip and with Gavin Lerena up should go close. 6 CHIEFTAIN’S SHIELD is an improved sort and from a good draw should be running on. 5 AFTER HOURS can never be ignored and over a suitable trip he should be running on from a wide draw. 9 COMMANDER OF ALL could earn a place in this line up over a trip he has gone close over before. (David Thiselton 7-6-5-9)

Andrew Harrison

The Justin Snaith-trained Eight On Eighteen is officially rated the best horse in the country and will be out to prove it today when he lines up in the 18-horse field for the Gr1 R5 million Hollywoodbets Durban July.

He has a lot in his favour, but also a lot against. Because of the conditions of the race, he is well in at the weights with all of the opposition and has the added benefit of a plum draw of 11 and champion jockey Richard Fourie in the irons. Also, he was hardly out of a canter when winning the Gr1 Daily News 2000 against his own age group.

However, handicap ratings aside, he has to give lumps of weight to all of his three-year-old rivals and that will be no easy task. He carries top weight for a three-year-old male of 57kg, the highest since Abashiri lumped 59kg into 13^th place behind The Conglomerate in 2016.

Eight On Eighteen will make history should he win and become the first three-year-old in history to win the Gr1 WSB Cape Town Met and the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July in the same year.

Snaith’s colt is currently the short-priced ante-post favourite but this is by no means a one-horse race.

The Real Prince has not been tested beyond a mile but Dean Kannemeyer knows what it takes to train a July winner, successful with Dynasty, Eyeofthetiger and Power King. The Real Prince has been brought along quietly and like Drill Hall Stakes winner Gladatorian, he was finishing off his race smartly beaten just over a length and is sure to peak on the day.

There has been steady ante-post support for Glen Kotzen’s gelding On My Honour who finished close-up behind Madison Valley in the Gr3 Cup Trial. He is now 0.5kg better off with Frank Robinson’s runner – many people’s fancy – and gets 4kg from Eight On Eighteen. Four kilograms is roughly equal to 16 lengths and Kotzen is of the opinion that On My Honour is not 16 lengths inferior to Eight On Eighteen so gives his charge a more than realistic chance on the day.

Under the radar this year is the Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained three-year-old Immediate Edge. A winner of four of his six starts and the Gr2 Jubilee Handicap, he is rated 10.5kg inferior to Eight On Eighteen in the official handicap. Given De Kock’s record in the race, that rating could be well wide of the mark and a win here could see him campaigning on foreign shores as his handicap rating will go through the roof.

Stuart Ferrie sends out his first July runner in the hard-knocking Gladatorian. A fast-finishing third behind Dave The King and Oriental Charm in the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge, he goes the July 2200m trip for the first time. He did not get the best of draws at 16 but is likely to be dropped out early and as a horse with a smart turn of foot he will be charging at the leaders come the home straight.

Current second favourite is last year’s winner Oriental Charm who goes into this year’s race off an exceptional prep. He was beaten half a length by Eight On Eighteen in the Gr1 WSB Cape Town Met and now meets his younger rival on 2.5kg better weight terms. In his comeback run, he was touched off a head in the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge over 1600m by reigning Equus Horse of the Year, Dave The King and he will enjoy the step up in trip.

Royal Victory will have his supporters as Nathan Kotzen’s charge has also had an ideal preparation. There were some concerns after his antics at the official July gallops but Kotzen explained that he is a character and once he is forced to stop, as he was by the flagman at the gallops, he takes time to make up his mind to go forward again. He finished third in the July last year behind Oriental Charm and was doing his best work late behind Dave The King in a warm-up over 1500m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last time out.

Confederate is relatively lightly raced by Fabian Habib but he has won four of his nine starts and never further back than second. He won the Gr1 SA Classic beating subsequent Gr1 Champions Challenge winner Fire Attack and will be ridden by two-time South African and current New Zealand champion jockey Warren Kennedy who has made the trip to ride in the race. 

See It Again was scratched from the race on Tuesday due to an abnormal blood count leaving the way open for the first reserve, the Sean Tarry-trained Litigation who will be ridden by Grant van Niekerk. Van Niekerk has finished second three times in this race and often a reserve runner puts in a big effort at the expense of many of the fancied runners and an each-way punt may not go astray.

There are others in with realist chances. Selukwe won the WSB 1900 in fine style and has come to hand at the right time. Atticus Finch, Madison Valley and Okavango all have claims but indications are that Eight On Eighteen has what it takes and with luck in running  he is fully entitled to his place at the top of the betting boards and a place in history.

David Thiselton

Stuart Ferrie’s future plans for Gladatorian when he won the Gr 2 Post Merchants at the Hollywoodbets Durban July meeting two years ago would never have included the Hollywoodbets Durban July, but things have changed as much for the Vercingetorix gelding as they have for Hollywoodbets Greyville itself, remembering that his Post Merchants win was the last race on that day before the lights went out. 

There will be no chance of the lights going out this year with the magnificent rejuvenation Hollywoodbets have made to the racecourse, including state of the art LED lighting which can be turned on and off with the flick of  switch, and Gladatorian won’t need them anyway because the sun will still be out when he makes his bid for Hollywoodbets Durban July glory at 16H00.

Stuart said about the five-year-old’s well-being, “All is good, there have been no hiccups, everything has gone to plan.”

At the official Hollywoobets Durban July gallops Gladatorian flew home over the last 600m having been cantered under Sean Veale from the 1400m mark.

Stuart said, “He’s done his work now, that’s why he did a relatively hard piece of graft ten days out. He’d done nothing since the Gold Challenge, so he needed a piece of work down the straight.”

 He said about his draw of 16 out of 18, “Well a bad draw is a bad draw, but with the way he runs, it’s not a train smash. He’s never going to be in the first two anyway. We just need a bit of luck and being out there is probably better than drawing one or two.”

There is a stamina doubt with Gladatorian only due to his speed, but on pedigree there should not be a problem.

His sire Vercingetorix is by stamina influence Silvano and Vercingetorix himself won the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 as well as the Gr 1 Jebel Hatta over 1800m at Meydan, plus a Gr 2 over that same trip at Meydan, and he finished second in the Gr 1 Dubai Duty Free over 1800 and third in the Gr 1 QEII Cup at Sha Tin over 2000m.

Gladatorian’s dam Harvard Crimson is by stamina influence Dynasty, who won the July, and she herself won a Listed race over 2000m.

Stuart has had experience in preparing July runners having been with Dennis Drier for many years in which time they prepared Beach Beauty and Lady In Black, who were both by Dynasty, to finish ninth and eleventh respectively without the race panning out well on either occasion. The yard also looked after the Stan Elley-trained Puntas Arenas when he finished second in 2015.

 Gladatorian is a solid 16/1 shot with the sponsor and is quietly fancied by a number of pundits.

He has a magnificent turn of foot and his late surge is particularly impactful, so if he does stay every inch of the 2200m he could get up late rather than just failing to do so as when a flying 0,35 length third in the Gr 1 wfa Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge over 1600m last time out.

Stuart also has a chance of winning the Gr 2 Post Merchants again, this time with the Hollywood Racing-owned I Am Giant.

He said about the big five-year-old Querari gelding, “He needed that last run. He should be competitive, it looks very open, but some of the ones that ran in the Golden Horse Sprint have gone up in the weights.”

I am Giant is rated 116, which puts him at the top of the 112 to 116 merit rated band, which gives him a significant advantage. 

Sean Veale also rides him and he has a fair draw of seven out of 14.

Stuart also runs She’s A Machine (New Predator) in the first race over 1200m on the poly and Chelsea Flower (Flower Alley) in the 12th and last race over 1400m on the poly and Muzi Yeni and 4kg claimer Damyan Pillay ride from draw nine and two respectively.

He said She’s A Machine would be ridden a bit more positively this time and he felt she would “run well.”

He said Chelsea Flower had come down the merit ratings recently  and with a 4kg claimer up taking off a further few kilograms he felt she would also run well.