Andrew Harrison

There is never a dull day in horse racing. Hollywoodbets Scottsville suffered a midweek deluge forcing a switch to Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday.

Main race of the day, a B Stakes, was delayed as Henry Harvey bolted in the canter down and deposited Nicholas Patel on to the turf delaying the start for the waiting for the ambulance. Starting, Magic Surprise jumped awkwardly leaving Kabelo Matsunyane surveying his departing colleagues from the turf. Magic Surprise then surprised Callan Murray on Major Tommie who was making his challenge up the inside rail the loose horse cutting across his bows forcing him to snatch up.

S’Manga Khumalo made the most of his good fortune on Gareth van Zyl’s charge, leading all the way on the favourite Wild Justice and winning as he liked.

Son Of Rafeef appears to be more than just useful as he won a smart race to kick off the card. Yogas Govender’s colt caught the eye in his first two starts and was a tad unlucky last time out. However, he showed that there was plenty to build on as he whistled past race favourite Place Of Practice to win convincingly.

Lilac In Winter again proved that Cape Town form is generally stronger at this level than local as the filly won the second well from a wide draw. Terry Fripp does duty for the Candice Bass yard in KZN and he admitted that he was a little surprised at the win as she had not shown much although Summerveld is struggling with inclement weather.

In the third, Christmas Cactus gave notice that he is on the right track when shedding his maiden in smart form for Nathan Kotzen impressing title chasing Craig Zackey enough, declaring that he would like to stay with the ride in future.

Siphesihle Hlengwa is an under rated rider in anyone’s books and he rode a confident race on Garth Puller’s charge Agrado in the fourth. Well back in the early exchanges, Hlengwa picked is way through the light traffic and the gelding responded with a fine turn of foot to relegate the game seven-year-old Fate Of Fortune to the runner’s up box.

Mike Miller’s filly Warrior Royale has had her issues with the starting gates but all was forgiven as she behaved impeccably putting a useful fifth race field to bed in a matter of strides. Third behind the Gr1 winning filly Quickstepgal last time out and at the same time just behind Friday’s Flamboyant Stakes winner Ladyofdistinction, she started at rather generous odds, paying R7.70 on the nanny goat (tote).

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