David Thiselton

Summerveld trainer Gareth van Zyl was very excited by the third place finish of King Pelles in Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Durban July and added that the Equus Champion Stayer had come out of the race well, so will be defending his crown in the Gr 3 World Pool Gold Cup on the 25th.

The result showed that the older horses were out at the weights with the three-year-olds and Gareth mentioned that before adding, “To have split the three-year-olds showed that he has improved, so it is very exciting.”

King Pelles was actually a touch unlucky as he was sitting in what was in retrospect the perfect position behind Wish List approaching the straight, but lost that position when Gladatorian switched outward off the rail.

Nevertheless, after being shuffled backwards and having to come around the horses in front he showed a fine turn of foot and became a threat to the three-year-olds Note To Self and Wish List.

He clung on to third place, beaten 1,55 lengths, just ahead of another three-year-old Viva’s Liberte.

Australian-based Chad Schofield, the son of former top Durban-born jockey Glyn Schofield, said afterwards he felt he had a chance of winning and added that he could feel that had the race been over a touch further he would have had a very good chance.

It was another heady day for chief owner Ravi Padayachee, with this being the passionate Durbanite’s first July runner, and in the last few hundred metres he and his fellow owners would likely have just about lifted the roof off the grandstand from his private box. To win the Hollywoodbets Durban July is every owner’s dream and would be an especially auspicious achievement for a hometown owner.

Ravi’s Lucky Vest 12 CC owns King Pelles in partnership with Dave MacLean, Gary Player and N V Parmanand.

King Pelles put all of them in the spotlight last season by landing four Gr 3 staying events including the KZN Derby, the Gold Vase and the Gold Cup and walking away with the Equus Champion Stayer award.

He has taken them on another exhilarating journey this Champions Season and will put the cherry on the top if successfully defending his Gold Cup crown, although he is going to have stiff opposition from this year’s Gr 3 New Turf Carriers Western Cape Stayers and Gr 3 Durban Gold Vase winner, the Justin Snaith-trained Ahead Of The Facts.

David Thiselton

The Gr 3 Durban Gold Vase on Hollywoodbets Durban July day has always been a pointer to the Gr 3 World Pool Gold Cup and this year’s winner of the former race, the Justin Snaith-trained Ahead Of The Facts, will have a fine chance of landing a treble of staying events in the latter race as he also won the Gr 3 New Turf Carriers Western Cape Stayers.

An interesting fact about the Futura gelding is that he is the first horse to be running in the colours of Garth Musikanth, whose brother Dean is also a part-owner along with Zev Blieden, Ryan Copeland, Darren Smith and J Murcia.

Ahead Of The Facts, ridden by the peerless Richard Fourie, was backed as if he couldn’t be beaten and the flood of money saw him starting at 15/10.

Fourie dropped the 110-rated gelding out from a wide draw of nine.

He was content to sit near the back before improving position around the final bend.

Fourie went for a run down the inside and Ahead Of The Facts showed a turn of foot that was reminiscent of last year’s Equus Champion Stayer King Pelles.

He made up the ground in a matter of strides and went on to win by half-a-length from Master Redoute and Shoot The Rapids, who were the winner and runner up in the Gold Cup two years ago.

The winning margins of 0,50 lengths and 1,30 lengths flattered Master Redoute and Shoot The Rapids as Fourie was easing Ahead Of The Facts up at the line.

However, Ahead Of The Facts was receiving 1,5kg from both of them and there will be a weight reversal in the Gold Cup considering Ahead Of The Facts was raised seven points to 117, while Master Redoute was raised three points to 115 and Shoot The Rapids remains on 117.

Fifth-placed Holding Thumbs, beaten 3,40 lengths, was lowered one point to 117.

The Gold Cup weights are subjected to the Operator’s Condition 2.1.2.10 which states:

Handicap Races of 2800m and further (including Graded, Listed and other Feature races): Weights may be compressed at the discretion of the Handicapper i.e. the Handicapper may depart from allocating 0,5 kg for each merit rating point.

Ahead Of The Facts will thus have it harder on paper, but Jonathan Snaith stated after Saturday’s race that the Gold Vase was actually just a stepping stone race to the Gold Cup.

He said, “The Gold Cup was his main mission. He has had three runs in Durban and the Gold Vase was the one in between. Hopefully his best run will be his third run.”

The owners were all ecstatic and Dean Musikanth said, “He is our first stakes winner and we have won Grade 3s with him on Met day and July day. He cost just R100,000 and considering his class that was for nothing! I am over the moon, I actually don’t know where to walk, but I do know where to have a drink!”

The Capetonian group of friends were looking forward to a celebratory toast to their champion and revealed that Richard had been very confident before the race.

Garth Musikanth confirmed he had got his colours completed about two years ago especially for this horse, who made his debut as a two-year-old on August 31, 2024, although he did own a handful of horses before that.

Ahead Of The Facts in fact finished a tailed off last on debut over 1250m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, beaten 17,95 lengths and it was only when stepping up to 2000m in his fourth start that he began to show what was to come.

That is not surprising considering he is by stamina influence Futura out of a one-time-winning mare by stamina influence Silvano.

 Saturday was his fifth career win.

Jonathan Snaith found Ahead Of The Facts at the 2023 National Yearling Sale and said, “We were fans of Futura. We had a good Futura in our yard at the time called Future Swing who was shaping up to be a stayer. Ahead Of The Facts was a magnificent horse, beautiful conformation and he moved like a dream. He was a bit light and immature and I think that is why no-one liked him. But he had the frame and he had the action and he had a beautiful temperament, which we noticed at the Sale. He’s been a wonderful buy and I think he’s a massive runner in the Gold Cup as well. Considering this was not his main mission it was an impressive win and it was the way he won … he went from second last to first in a matter of strides, an impressive turn of foot. Richard, more so than Justin, was very confident. He said he had been unlucky in his previous start when he ran second and he actually said in the parade ring to the owners, ‘What are you nervous about? He is going to win whether I go to the front or stay at the back. I’ve got this!’ He was extremely confident from weeks ago and I think it was reflected by the money that poured on and everybody bankered him in the Pick 6 … he was a lot of people’s Pick 6 banker, so we are delighted that the public have benefited.”

Andrew Harrison

With the Hollywoodbets Durban July done and dusted it’s back to bread and butter racing at Hollywoodbets Scottsville today where the card is headed by the Tote For The Win B Stakes over 2000m.

Gareth van Zyl thought enough of Salani Kahle to run him in the Gr2 SA Derby but he came up short against the filly Curious Girl who was a runner in the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

Given the weights in the July, Curious Girl was an unlikely winner being 6kg out on the official handicap but that said, Salani Kahla takes on a lot weaker and although he has a big weight he shows lots of potential. This will be an acid test.

Dean Kannemeyer has stepped Uzwano up in trip but the gelding is in good form over shorter. He will see this out and should go close. Stuart Ferrie saddles the smart filly Hodgepodge who stays well and has a handy galloping weight. She should be competitive.

 Of the others, Queue Wing seldom runs a bad race. He is up in class and also in distance but has a light weight. One to watch.

Mike and Mathew de Kock can open the afternoon with Putthelightsout  who was a beaten favourite on the ploy last run but faces modest company here and should go close back on turf.

In the first leg of the Bi-Pot Christmas Rose was touched off second time out and has made steady improvement and should go close. She is the pick of the Glen Kotzen stable trio. Danger is Blenheim Palace who is making steady improvement and has found market support in the past. This trip should suit. America First took on older runners in an Open Maiden last start and can do better.

The opening leg of the PA has some well-bred first timers so keep an eye on the betting but Lenoxx  found all sorts of traffic last time out and shows some promise. He should put in a big effort. Tiger Cody has improved in blinkers and is back to shorter and looks the biggest threat.  First timers Hot Blooded and Bullet Catch are ones to watch in the market.

Charlie Bucket can kick off the Pick 6. Paddy Kruyer’s gelding has consistent Cape form over the distance and was a beaten favourite at his last two. He gets a 1.5kg allowance from the saddle and can make amends. Deonarie has shown up well in both starts and steps up in trip but has the best of the draw while Redoubt Express found market support when making a smart debut on the poly. The turf should not be an issue and he rates a strong winning chance.

In the fifth, Peeping Tom has been knocking on the door for some time for Doug Campbell. He stays the trip and should be one of the better bets on the card. Bourbon’s Beast tends to lack finish but is never too far back and should go well in this company. Augrabies was a beaten favourite last run. His best recent form has been on the poly but he is in modest company.

Ricky Maingard’s runners have won four of the six races that they have contested in Champions Season and Tunguska comes off some smart recent Western Cape form in the seventh. The stable has hardly missed since arriving in KZN. Blizzard Boy has shown up well in two starts on the poly since arriving in KZN. He shed his maiden on the turf and should run well in this field. Red Cardinal is down in class and handicap. If he stays the trip he will be a contender.

The eighth is wide open. Red Coral is a filly taking on males but was a beaten favourite last run on the poly and can make amends. Let It Roll was a recent maiden winner and takes on older runners. However, he has improved with each outing and has a handy galloping weight. Dancing On A Cloud was much improved last run after switching yards and has always shown promise while Radu has been consistent of late and now gets a 2.5kg claimer aboard.

In the last, Preacher Man is a two-year-old filly taking on males but was a beaten favourite last run. She is down in class with first time blinkers and looks the part. Diamond Maker won at long odds last start in first time blinkers and is back over a sprint. He could follow up. Yannakis has won his last two over course and distance and his 4kg claimer retains the ride. Princess Goldie is back on turf. Her poly form is consistent but she can do better here.

RACE 1

2 PUTTHELIGHTSOUT   4 ANATOLY   7 PEACE SIGN   6 AFTER THE FIRE

Preview: PUTTHELIGHTSOUT (2) was a beaten favourite on the ploy last run. In modest company here and should go close back on turf. ANATOLY (4) has made steady improvement. Close-up second last run. AFTER THE FIRE (6) takes on males but made some improvement in blinkers last run. PEACE SIGN (7) makes his debut. Stable jockey rides and one to watch in the betting. (Andrew Harrison: 2-4-6-7).

RACE 2

3 CHRISTMAS ROSE   8 BLENHEIM PALACE   2 AMERICA FIRST   6 SO INDI

Preview: CHRISTMAS ROSE (3) was touched off second time out. She has made steady improvement and should go close. She is the pick of the stable trio. BLENHEIM PALACE (8) is making steady improvement and has found market support in the past. This trip should suit. AMERICA FIRST (2) took on older runners in an Open Maiden last start. She can do better here. SO INDI (6) has found market support in the past. Up in trip and one to watch. (Andrew Harrison: 3-8-2-6).

RACE 3

4 LENNOX   3 TIGER CODY   14 BULLET CATCH   13 HOT BLOODED

Preview: Some well-bred first timers so keep an eye on the betting. LENNOX (4) found all sorts of traffic last time out and shows some promise. He should put in a big effort. TIGER CODY (3) has improved in blinkers. He is back to shorter and looks the biggest threat.  ARKADIN (7) has made steady improvement. Back to a sprint with a four-claimer up. AFRICAN RUBY (1) has not been far back starting at long odds. He can do better here. First timers HOT BLOODED (13) and BULLET CATCH (14) are ones to watch in the market. (Andrew Harrison: 4-3-14-13).

RACE 4

10 CHARLIE BUCKET   1 DEONARIE   5 REDOUBT EXPRESS   11 IMPERIAL VALOR

Preview: CHARLIE BUCKET (10) has consistent Cape form over course and distance. Beaten favourite last two over the distance and with a 1.5kg allowance from the saddle he could make amends. DEONARIE (1) has shown up well in both starts. Steps up in trip but has the best of the draw. REDOUBT EXPRESS (5) found market support when making a smart debut on the poly. The turf should not be an issue and he rates a strong winning chance. IMPERIAL VALOR (11) has the widest draw to contend with but improved with a tongue-tie and has a claiming apprentice up. (Andrew Harrison: 10-1-5-11).

RACE 5

6 PEEPING TOM   8 BOURBON’S BEAST   7 AUGRABIES   5 CAPTIVE PRINCE

Preview: PEEPING TOM (6) has been knocking on the door for some time now. He stays the trip and is the one to beat. BOURBON’S BEAST (8) tends to lack finish but is never too far back. He should go well in this company. AUGRABIES (7) was a beaten favourite last run. His best recent form has been on the poly but he is in modest company. CAPTIVE PRINCE (5) is lightly raced but has shown some promise. The step up in trip should suit (Andrew Harrison: 6-8-7-5).

RACE 6

8 SALANI KAHLE    7 UZWANO   9 QUEUE WING   1 HODGEPODGE

Preview: SALANI KAHLE (8) has a big weight but shows lots of potential. This will be the acid test. UZWANO (7) steps up in trip but is in good for over shorter. He will see it out and should go close. HODGEPODGE (1) is a smart filly who stays well. She has a handy galloping weight and should be competitive. QUEUE WING (9) seldom runs a bad race. Up in class but also in distance and has a light weight. One to watch. (Andrew Harrison: 8-7-9-1).

RACE 7

4 TUNGUSKA    2 BLIZZARD BOY   10 RED CARDINAL   6 HIGH QUEUE

Preview: TUNGUSKA (4) comes off some smart recent Western Cape form. The stable has hardly missed since arriving in KZN. BLIZZARD BOY (2) has shown up well in two starts on the poly since arriving in KZN. He shed his maiden on the turf and should run well in this field. RED CARDINAL (10) is down in class and handicap. If he stays the trip he will be a big contender. HIGH QUEUE (6) is always consistent and with some luck in running he is in with a chance. (Andrew Harrison: 4-2-10-6).

RACE 8

4 RED CORAL   3 LET IT ROLL   5 RADU   10 DANCING ON A CLOUD

Preview: RED CORAL (4) is a filly taking on males but was a beaten favourite last run on the poly and can make amends. LET IT ROLL (3) was a recent maiden winner and takes on older runners. However, he has improved with each outing and has a handy galloping weight. DANCING ON A CLOUD (10) was much improved last run after switching yards.  He has always shown promise and can follow up. RADU (5) has been consistent of late and now gets a 2.5kg claimer aboard. (Andrew Harrison: 4-3-5-10).

RACE 9

1 PREACHER MAN   4 DIAMOND MAKER   7 YANNAKIS   8 PRINCESS GOLDIE

Preview: PREACHER MAN (1) is a two-year-old filly taking on males but was a beaten favourite last run. Down in class firs first time blinkers she looks the part. DIAMOND MAKER (4) won at long odds last start but in first time blinkers back over a sprint. He could follow up. YANNAKIS (7) has won his last two over course and distance and his 4kg claimer retains the ride. PRINCESS GOLDIE (8) is back on turf. Her poly form is consistent but she can do better here. (Andrew Harrison: 1-4-7-8).

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Pontefract and Wolverhampton (UK) – 7 July 2026