Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Kempton and Salisbury (UK) – 25 June 2025.

Graeme Hawkins

Justin Snaith’s decision to equip Please Be True with blinkers for the first time, and to engage the services of Gavin Lerena, proved decisive as the 3yo son of One World put his act together to score a narrow short-head victory over the faster-finishing Promettere in the R135 000 Middle Stakes over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth yesterday. Please Be True (9/4) appeared to have the race safely won approaching the final 150m but Richard Fourie was now in full cry from the rear of the field on Prometerre (9/2) and the 5yo son of Pomodoro failed by just a whisker to overhaul the leader.

The heavily supported War Chariot (5/1 into 9/4) stayed on well to finish third, less than a length in arrears of the top two, with Green Garnet (11/2) comfortably beaten into fourth spot. Lerena had only previously ridden Please Be True when winning his maiden at Hollywoodbets Durbanville in July last year and clearly the quirky gelding gets on really well with the Highveld-based rider.

Congressman (9/4) was confidently backed to win the third race, a Middle Stakes over 1800m, and the front-running 4yo son of Querari showed a lot of guts to ward off the chasing pack. Pinot Grigio (4/1) tried gamely to peg back Congressman, but failed by half-a-length to bridge the gap over the final 100m with We Have Touchdown (14/1) completing the Trifecta. Congressman, who was ridden by Corne Orffer for the Andre Nel stable, has now won three of his last four starts and has matured into a decent staying type.

Followers of favourites began the race meeting, conducted on a heavy surface, very much on the front foot with Viva La Vida (1/1) and Du Maurier (6/10) winning the opening two events with consummate ease. But drama unfolded prior to the start of the fifth race, a Maiden Plate over 1400m, when the short-priced favourite Better Man was withdrawn by the Veterinary surgeon and the substitute tote favourite, Smart Horse, failed to make the frame. Better Man’s stable companion, Captains Alliance, led from start-to-finish under Oswald Noach, holding off Set To Music by a diminishing half-a-length.

King’s Quest (11/2 into 9/4) landed a tidy gamble in the sixth race, a Class 4 Handicap over 1600m, when quickening up smartly from a handy position to score comfortably under Grant Van Niekerk. King’s Quest clearly relished the heavy underfoot conditions and is one to follow through the winter.

David Thiselton

Ante-post punters were left on tenterhooks until the last moment about the participation of the Hollywoodbets Durban July favourite Eight On Eighteen in the big race, so there were many sighs of relief around the country when his name appeared among the eighteen runners at the Hollywoodbets Durban July Final Field and Draw ceremony in the Hollywoodbets Greyville parade ring yesterday morning.

There were some surprised looks when his supplemented stable companion Underworld did not appear among the 18 runners, but it was revealed that he was a scratching as was his stable companion, Future Swing, who had been a top 18 incumbent on the last Hollywoodbets Durban July log.

Lady fans were pleased that, unlike last year, there will be a female runner this year, the Candice Bass-Robinson-trained Rainbow Lorikeet.

Eight On Eighteen drew perfectly in stall eleven. This is the first barrier position in the second set of stalls and the wheels between the stalls create a big gap between that stall and stall ten, meaning there is a lot of room to manoeuvre in the early stages. 

However, he probably won’t want to be too far back in a big 18 horse field, despite his exceptional turn of foot, so the draw could still present some problems for champion jockey Richard Fourie, who is bidding for a fourth win in the big race.

Justin Snaith is bidding for a sixth July win and his other pair did not fare as well with Okavango drawn 13 and Native Ruler in widest barrier position of all, draw 18. Andrew Fortune at age 58 will become the oldest July-winning jockey if Okavango wins, beating the record of Piere Strydom, who won it as a 50-year-old in 2016.

Tristan Godden will be aboard Native Ruler.

The Nathan Kotzen team were happy in a sense with draw 17 for the dual Gr 1-winning stalwart Royal Victory as not only is his late daughter’s birthday on the 17th, but so is the birthday of part-owner Peter Victor’s late daughter and part-owner Sandy Arundel’s birthday is also on the 17th.

Michael Roberts was not happy with draw 15 for See It Again as it will be a problem to tuck in a horse who tends to start slowly.

Grant Cornwall, local part-owner of the Alec Laird-trained Atticus Finch, hoped for draw four to seven, so was pleased with draw four.

Terry Fripp, assistant to Candice Bass-Robinson, said to the latter he hoped to draw his favourite number of seven for Rainbow Lorikeet and he duly did so.

Both Glen Kotzen and S’Manga Khumalo were thrilled with On My Honour’s number three draw.

Last year’s winner Oriental Charm drew pole position to loud cheers, but some would say it is the worst draw especially for a front-runner like him as he will need to hold his position early and that could burn energy.

Conversely, the Fabian Habib team were not unhappy with handy to front-running sort Confederate’s draw of 14.

Kabelo Matsunyane was also happy with handy to front-running sort Purple Pitcher’s twelve draw.

The Andre Nel team were pleased with Selukwe’s draw of six.

Stuart Ferry would not have been displeased about Gladatorian’s wide draw of 16 as he likes to be left alone and he will be away from the scrum out there.

Sid Moodley was delighted with draw two for his Frank Robinson-trained charge Madison Valley.

Dean Kannemeyer would have been thrilled with The Real Prince’s draw of five, considering there is a bit of a question mark about this potential superstar’s stamina.

Mike de Kock will be out to land a sixth July and drew well in ten for the progressive three-year-old Immediate Edge. 

The first East Cape runner since 2004, the Alan Greeff-trained My Best Shot, draw well in barrier position six. 

James Crawford will be attempting to land a third successive July for Crawford Racing and his charge Pomodoro’s Jet draw well in eight.

Litigation and Son Of Raj are the two reserves and there will have to be a scratching or scratchings before 8H15 next Friday for either of them to get in respectively.

Andrew Harrison

Raiding from the Western Cape comes with its trials and tribulations and given the stringent African Horse Sickness regulations, coupled with some dodgy roads, it is also an expensive exercise so horses need to pay their way.

Lucinda Woodruff has a small raiding party and has already broken the ice but Wing Walker in the first race at Hollywoodbets Greyville next Wednesday can add to the raiding coffers.

Wing Walker has the widest draw but also the strongest form and should be difficult to beat. Gary Rich saddles Higher Love that has the best of the draw and has shown up nicely in two recent starts over course and distance. He could prove a threat. Intro has his first run for Kom Naidoo. His highveld form has been over further but he races in first timer blinkers. 

Alyson and Kevin Wright are trying hard to peg back Gareth van Zyl and Garth Puller in the race for the KZN Trainer’s Championship and they saddle Gorgeous Bomb in the first leg of the PA. Their filly  was a close-up third behind Papillon Blu at her penultimate start and met stronger last time out. She should feature prominently with first time blinkers. Fantasy League made sudden improvement last run behind Papillon Blu who has since won again. She is 0.5kg better off with Gorgeous Bomb so there should not be much between them. Gareth van Zyl has two runners in Di Rosa and KMV Retrofit. Di Rosa is struggling but never far back and has fair form on the poly. She looks to be the stable elect. 

The third is wide open where Purple Flower has her first run for Gary Rich. She has been rested but has smart poly form and if anywhere near her best she should run a big race in this line-up. Darryl Moore led in a winner last Wednesday and saddles Quentasia who ran below best last run after winning her penultimate start over course and distance. She has been in good form of late and can make amends. Drive By is always dangerous, so too Blush Of Dawn who both on their day have strong winning chances. 

Garth Puller could hold the key in the opening leg of the Pick 6. He has booked champion jockey Richard Fourie for Fine Wine who made a late start to her career. She has the widest draw to contend with but looks to be progressive. Puller also saddles Canyoudothehula who started at long odds last time out but was closing fast on Cherry Ho Baby. She only has 50.5kg to shoulder and appears to like the poly surface. Line In The Sky has shown some improvement in blinkers and on the poly. She has a smart apprentice on board claiming 1.5kg.  

In the fifth, Glen Kotzen saddles Spectacular who is still a maiden. However, he comes off some useful Cape form which generally proves superior to KZN form. He gets a smart 4kg claimer aboard and could well prove difficult to beat. Tony Rivalland’s runner Galaxy Explorer improved last run under a light weight but is likely to take to the poly and could prove to be good value. Shiny Bob has been knocking at the door for his second win. He goes well on the poly and has an experienced apprentice aboard. Count Marsh has the widest draw but has a light weight and enjoys the poly. 

Kotzen could saddle a quick double. Master Bomber has run two smart races on the poly wearing blinkers. He stays the trip and is still progressive. Dean Kannemeyer’s runner Gurkha is in the same category and was doing his best work late when taking to the poly for the first time. On that showing, this trip should suit. My Boy Lollipop was a game winner last run when stepped up to a mile and he goes further now but Richard Fourie has stayed with the ride. Papa C is never far back and has been dropping in the handicap. The switch to the poly could bring out the best. 

Prince Florian was a recent maiden winner on the poly when Kannemeyer dropped him to a sprint after showing some promise. He is up a furlong here but appears to have reveled on the synthetic surface and can follow up in a modest line-up. Star Of The Future made good improvement first up on the poly and that form has held up. A repeat will see him close again. Moola Man has his first run for a new stable and may have needed his last outing on the Highveld after returning from a break. Gavin Lerena knows him well but he could prove better over a touch further. Mister Nibbles was close-up under a big weight last run when making his poly debut. He has not been far back in any of his recent outings. 

Duncan Howells saddles Rooster Bradshaw in the last and the gelding has been knocking at the door since his maiden win. This trip suits and he should put in another forward showing. Victor Hugo can bookend the card for Woodruff and although he was a recent maiden winner it was a fair field. He enjoyed the poly, will go the extra furlong and Lerena stays with the ride. Nathan Kotzen has reunited apprentice Brevan Plaatjies with Now I Got You and although the five-year-old goes the extra furlong he has a light weight. The grey Voldemort is over his favourite course and distance and will be a threat on his best showing. 

RACE 1

9 WING WALKER   1 HIGHER LOVE   2 INTRO   3 COWDRAY PARK

Summary: WING WALKER (9) has the widest draw but the strongest form. He should be difficult to beat. HIGHER LOVE (1) has the best of the draw and has shown up nicely in two recent starts over course and distance. He could prove a threat. INTRO (2) has his first run for Kom Naidoo. His highveld form has been over further but he races in first timer blinkers. COWDRAY PARK (3) is a bit of a difficult customer at the gate and was a well-beaten fourth last time out. (Andrew Harrison: 9-1-2-3).

RACE 2

4 GOERGEOUS BOMB   6 FANTASY LEAGUE   7 DI ROSA   3 KMV RETROFIT

Summary: GORGEOUS BOMB (4) was a close-up third behind Papillon Blu at her penultimate start and met stronger last time out. She should feature prominently with first time blinkers. FANTASY LEAGUE (6) made sudden improvement last run behind Papillon Blu who has since won again. She is 0.5kg better off with Gorgeous Bomb. DI ROSA (7) is struggling but never far back. She has fair form on the poly. KMV RETROFIT (3) is way better than her poly debut but Di Rosa looks to be the stable elect. (Andrew Harrison: 4-6-7-3).

RACE 3

8 PURPLE FLOWER   2 QUENTASIA   5 DRIVE BY   4 BLUSH OF DAWN

Summary: Wide open. PURPLE FLOWER (8) has her first run for Gary Rich. She has been rested but has smart poly form and if near her best should run a big race in this line-up. QUENTASIA (2) ran below best last run after winning her penultimate start over course and distance. She has been in good form of late. DRIVE BY (5) is always dangerous, so too BLUSH OF DAWN (4) who both on their day have strong winning chances. (Andrew Harrison: 8-2-5-4).

RACE 4

10 FINE WINE   2 CANYOUDOTHEHULA   7 LINE IN THE SKY   6 SPLASH OF LOVE

Summary: Garth Puller could hold the key. He has booked Richard Fourie for FINE WINE (10) who made a late start to her career. She has the widest draw to contend with but looks to be progressive.  Puller also saddles CANYOUDOTHEHULA (2) who started at long odds last time out but was closing fast on Cherry Ho Baby. She only has 50.5kg to shoulder and appears to like the poly. LINE IN THE SKY (7) has shown some improvement in blinkers and on the poly. She has a smart apprentice on board claiming 1.5kg.  SPLASH OF LOVE (6) takes on older horses but has not been far back in her last two and should have more to come. (Andrew Harrison: 10-2-7-6).

RACE 5

2 SPECTACULAR   7 GALAXY EXPLORER   5 SHINY BOB   8 COUNT MARSH

Summary: SPECTACULAR (2) is still a maiden but comes off some useful Cape form which generally proves superior to KZN form. He gets a smart 4kg claimer aboard. GALAXY EXPLORER (7) improved last run under a light weight but likely to take to the poly and could prove to be good value. SHINY BOB (5) has been knocking at the door for his second win. He goes well on the poly and has an experienced apprentice aboard. COUNT MARSH (8) has the widest draw but has a light weight and enjoys the poly. (Andrew Harrison: 2-7-5-8).

RACE 6

9 MASTER BOMBER   7 GURKA   6 MY BOY LOLLIPOP   4 PAPA C

Summary:  MASTER BOMBER (9) has run two smart races on the poly wearing blinkers. He stays the trip and is still progressive. GURKA (7) was doing his best work late when taking to the poly for the first time. On that showing, this trip should suit. MY BOY LILLIPOP (6) was a game winner last run when stepped up in trip. He goes further now but Richard Fourie has stayed with the ride. PAPA C (4) is never far back and has been dropping in the handicap. The switch to the poly could bring out the best. (Andrew Harrison: 9-7-6-4).

RACE 7

3 PRINCE FLORIAN   5 STAR OF THE FUTURE   7 MOOLA MAN   9 MISTER NIBBLES

Summary: PRINCE FLORIAN (3) was a recent maiden winner on the poly when dropped to a sprint. He is up a furlong here but he appears to have reveled on the surface and can follow up in a modest line-up. STAR OF THE FUTURE (5) made good improvement first up on the poly. That form has held up and a repeat will see him close again. MOOLA MAN (7) has his first run for a new stable and may have needed his last run on the Highveld after returning from a break. Gavin Lerena knows him well but he could prove better over a touch further. MISTER NIBBLES (9) was close-up under a big weight last run when making his poly debut. He has not been far back in any of his recent outings. (Andrew Harrison: 3-5-7-9).

RACE 8

6 ROOSTER BRADSHAW   8 VICTOR HUGO   7 NOW I GOT YOU   5 VOLDEMORT

Summary: ROOSTER BRADSHAW (6) has been knocking at the door since his maiden win. This trip suits and he should put in another forward showing. VICTOR HUGO (8) was a recent maiden winner but this was a fair field. He enjoyed the poly, will go the extra furlong and Gavin Lerena stays with the ride. NOW I GOT YOU (7) has been reunited with apprentice Brevan Plaatjies. Nathan Kotzen’s charge goes the extra furlong but has a light weight. The grey VOLDEMORT (5) is over his favourite course and distance and will be a threat on his best showing. (Andrew Harrison: 6-8-7-5).