Horse Racing News | Gold Circle Horse Racing And Betting

Dumbledore brings magic to the Country course

PUBLISHED: August 27, 2025

WARREN LEFERNA Racing returned to the country course at Hollywoodbets Durbanville yesterday, and there were some sparkling performances to report on. There was plenty of love in the market for Playful Joules in the first race. She was well-supported, dropping from an opening call of 16/1 to around 4/1. Grant Van Niekerk replaced Louis Mxothwa, […]

WARREN LEFERNA

Racing returned to the country course at Hollywoodbets Durbanville yesterday, and there were some sparkling performances to report on.

There was plenty of love in the market for Playful Joules in the first race. She was well-supported, dropping from an opening call of 16/1 to around 4/1. Grant Van Niekerk replaced Louis Mxothwa, and from the deepest draw, their intentions were clear early on. They went straight to the front and fended off challenges in the closing stages. Laydelay made things a little uncomfortable for the backers of Playful Joules, finishing smartly but also showing some greenness. She’s one to watch next time.

Despite the drift in the betting market for Viva’s Liberte in the second race, he showed the opposition that he was not a R2.1 million purchase for nothing. He tightened in the betting closer to race time to start at 18/10. He paraded well and went down to the start like a seasoned professional. His trainer, Candice Bass-Robinson, mentioned in the post-race interview that he was a “sensible” horse, and the way he raced and won showed exactly that. The future looks bright for him. Despite wanting a longer distance, he demonstrated his potential class and could end up being anything.

There was another betting market drift in the third race, where Beach Verse was backed deep into the red at 6/10 but was allowed to line up at 13/10. She has a pedigree that takes one’s breath away, being by Vercingetorix out of Beach Beauty, which makes her a half-sister to Beach Bomb. The race wasn’t an easy watch, and it wasn’t a straightforward ride for jockey Andrew Fortune either. His interview was informative and humorous as always, and he admitted that she never traveled smoothly all the way but kicked through a gap in the closing stages to win rather comfortably. With the confidence of this win, she will surely be able to train on.

The headline in this morning’s newspaper on the Racegoer page was all about Dumbledore, and he delivered in fine style. The handsome grey son of William Longsword, trained by Vaughan Marshall and ridden by Richard Fourie, confirmed his passion for the distance and the course with an easy victory. He moved up halfway down the runway, hit the front, and asserted his authority for a “spell bounding” win.

Faithful Neo can bring it home

PUBLISHED: August 27, 2025

David Thiselton Two MR 86 handicaps for fillies and mares are the highest rated races at today’s seven race Vaal meeting in which high draws should be favourable down the straight with the outside rail at zero. The PA and Bipot start in the first race and the Pick 6 starts in race two, while […]

David Thiselton

Two MR 86 handicaps for fillies and mares are the highest rated races at today’s seven race Vaal meeting in which high draws should be favourable down the straight with the outside rail at zero.

The PA and Bipot start in the first race and the Pick 6 starts in race two, while the Jackpot and second Jackpot start in race three and race four respectively.

In the first of the MR 86 handicaps Faithful Neo romped home by 4,75 lengths over this trip in a Classified Stakes race last time and could follow up, although on the downside she has a low draw and she has to overcome a six point raise. Global Thunder looks to be the main danger and will be a big runner as she has consistent form and her recent form has worked out well. Neerah was a touch disappointing last time, but did drift out in the betting that day and that was her first run after a four month layoff. She should strip fitter now and the form of her two wins before that puts her in contention. Those are the three that make most appeal.

The second of the MR86 handicaps is over 1800 metres and Cartagena could be the one to beat. She disappointed in her last two starts over 2400m, but won her previous two attempts at middle distances and looks to be a mare who is on the up. She has a fair draw of 5 out of 11 and the form of her win over this course and distance in May has worked out reasonably well. Pretty Analia is capable of running on well and as she has a good draw she should be in a position to strike at the business end. Boom Boom is not a straightforward type, but has always struck as one who would be suited to middle distances, so she is an interesting runner from a good draw and with in-form Chad Little aboard. Wagram disappointed last time over 2000 metres but ran a fair race over 1800m before that and has a place chance here. Kiss Of Fire won well over 2000m last time and at the weights should have a chance of reversing a 4.5 length defeat by Cartagena in May because she is now a whopping 7 kilograms better off and also has a 4kg claimer up. The claimer does ride 1kg overweight meaning she is actually 10kg better off from that previous meeting, so if the claimer can ride a good race she is a contender.

In the first leg of the P6, which is race two, Scarlett Heart will appreciate returning to this 1600m trip having disappointed last time over 2000m. She is consistent and has in-form Serino Moodley up, but on the downside she has to jump from the low draw of one. Savara’s Princess showed improvement last time when stepped up to 1500m and has a nice high draw, so she should be right there over what could well be an ideal trip. Rejuvenate has been knocking on the door and looks perfectly course and distance suited and has a fair draw of seven out of twelve. Lady Blunt is in good form and should enjoy the trip, but does have a low draw to overcome. Madame Pompadour is capable of earning from a high draw, although she might prefer a touch shorter than this.

In the third race over 1000m Mr. Wilson deserves another chance having disappointed in his first run out of the maidens, although his 91 merit rating could be on the harsh side. He has in form Chad Little aboard, but his low draw could be a bit of a concern. Sea Wolf won well last time with this 4kg claimer up and although he copped a six point raise he could be involved from a fair draw of 5 out of 8. Bumps Last Grind had consistent form in the maidens and has been given a reasonable 77 rating after winning fifth time out. This is a suitable trip and this half brother to the multiple Gr 1-winning Via Africa should make a bold bid from a nice draw of seven. One Tiger didn’t enjoy blinkers in his penultimate start, but he bounced back last time with a good run and from a nice draw should be in the shake up. His Lordship is a talented sort, but has returned from a nine month layoff so might be in need of the run.

In the fifth race over 1000m Time For Charity ran well last time off this mark having won her previous start over this distance. She has a nice high draw and should make a bold bid. Blindfire was beaten 4.7 lengths by Time For Charity the last time they met. That was over 1160 metres and she should enjoy the step down to this trip, although she will need to improve to have a winning chance. Micke’s Bomb is always capable of popping up over this trip, but she is a touch unreliable. However, she can never be ignored. Nkandla Gold has become disappointing, but is capable and has dropped to an attractive merit rating, although her low draw is against her. Misty Metal is capable of earning here.

In the sixth race over 1800m Azaleas for All has been knocking on the door and should be perfectly course and distance suited, although Chad Little will have to overcome a tricky draw of six out of eight. Free in Seattle has a fair middle draw and is half-a-kilogram better off for a 0.75 lengths beating by Azaleas for All, so should be a contender. Art Nouveau has been in hard-knocking form and is half-a-kilogram better off for 0.7 lengths beating by Azaleas For All, so should be in the shake up too. Kissing Machine is in good form and is distance suited, but does have a tricky draw of seven out of eight. Two Step Queen is drawn in pole and represents the in-form St. John Gray yard and has a 4kg claimer up, so should make a bold bid if the claimer rides a decent race.

The first race is over 1600m and Redlightgreenlight looks ready to win from a favourable looking draw. World Order is in good form and looks to be the main danger.

Vaal Thursday 28 August 2025 – Comments by David Thiselton

PUBLISHED: August 27, 2025

RACE 1 5 REDLIGHTGREENLIGHT 6 WORLD ORDER 2 SEVENTH FLEET Preview: 5 REDLIGHTGREENLIGHT has been knocking on the door and looks to be distance suited and is the one to beat. 6 WORLD ORDER has done well in two races over this trip in his last two starts and should be right there. 7 FORCE PUBLIQUE has […]

Soccer Updates And Carryovers: 29 August – 31 August 2025

PUBLISHED: August 27, 2025

Soccer10 on Friday, 29 August 2025. ADD-IN R 200 000. Pool Closes at 19h30. Sport 14 and Pool 1. Estimated Pool: R 2 Million Soccer6 on Saturday, 30 August 2025 C/Over R 75 000 .Pool Closes at 15h00. Sport 1 and Pool 1. Estimated Pool: R 500 000 Soccer10 on Saturday, 30 August 2025. ADD-IN […]

Hollywood Racing proud of their Championship victory

PUBLISHED: August 26, 2025

David Thiselton Hollywood Racing achieved a long held dream when winning the Owners Championship last season and they are proud in more ways than just one. They make no bones about numbers having won them the trophy as having a lot of numbers is something they view as a necessity. Devin Heffer said, “Of course, […]

David Thiselton

Hollywood Racing achieved a long held dream when winning the Owners Championship last season and they are proud in more ways than just one.

They make no bones about numbers having won them the trophy as having a lot of numbers is something they view as a necessity.

Devin Heffer said, “Of course, we want to own champions and winning the group 1s is where we want to be. On the other side of the coin, by having the high volume of horses ensures we can fill fields and we have racing happening on a daily basis. It’s kind of a twofold thing. It’s also good marketing for us, showcasing our brand and our support of the game. It’s really nice to see the knock-on effect it is having. Now you’ve got companies like World Sports Betting who own quite a few horses. It makes for some good banter and good interactions on the course.”

A further indication of Hollywood’s emphasis on the importance of numbers is seen in their fruitful partnership with Ridgemont.

Hollywood Racing’s potential broodmares go to Ridgemont, but Devin pointed out it was up to Ridgemont to choose which horses to sell and which to keep.

Ridgemont also choose the horses that will run in their own colours and these will be the ones that will have been identified as the best quality, as they are an advrtisement for Ridgemont’s breeding operation. However, Hollywood are not ignored in that process as Devin himself is always a partner in the horses that race under Ridgemont’s name and in their colours, for example the exciting Gr 1 winner Direct Hit.

Hollywood Racing are happy to race the Ridgemont horses that aren’t identified as the cream in order to keep the numbers up.

Hollywood Racing have aso bought a lot of Ridgemont’s Sale horses.

Besides the knock on effect of Hollywood’s showcasing, their innovations, such as allowing celebrities to name horses, also attracts new people to the sport.

There is also the Race Coast Syndication initiative. The incentives involved make it an attractive and viable proposition for syndication managers, especially if they bring new owners in.

So, it is clear that Hollywood have a wish that one day their big numbers will not be necessary or even possible as there will be more competition at the sales.

If that stage is reached they will need to have honed their game to pick out the best quality.

Devin emphasised that the current hard work of the whole team had an end goal of being able to match the best in the competition to gather champions to race with.

He did not hide his admiration for their chief competitor for the title, Drakenstein Stud.

He said, “It was really exciting to win the championship. We’ve been knocking on the door for the last few years and obviously Drakenstein have dominated, and a lot of that comes from their Group 1 success and their stakes success. But they’ve also been around a lot longer than us. Their success has been built around a lot of preparation and work and we’ve got to keep reminding ourselves of that. It’s not an overnight success. It takes years and years and years of preparation and planning. In that sense the future is very exciting.”

He added, “Hollywood Racing won the championship, but it is important to note that a lot of teamwork has gone into getting us to that level. A lot of hard work has been done by people behind the scenes in terms of picking the horses and buying the horses. A lot of that comes down to Anthony Delpech, our racing manager, and then the husband and wife team of Jo Mincione and Tony Mincione, Jo is basically our bloodstock manager and Tony is more of the numbers man, evaluating the pedigrees further in terms of data etc.”

Hollywood Racing are also proud of their operations out of Ashburton Training Centre. Vengi Masawi is the racing stable Trainer and his assistant is Megan Trott, the Life After Racing operation is run by Nicole Wille and the pre-training, where horses can also go for rest and recuperation, is run by Jo Brown.

Devin is excited about a number of forthcoming runners.

They have Cool Gambler with Mike de Kock. This R5millon BSA National Yearling Sale colt is a three-parts brother to Hollywoodbets Durban July winner Sparkling Water, being by Hawwaam out of Espumanti. Cool Gambler is one of about 70 three-year-olds the Hollywood Racing team can look forward to.

There is also the Equus Champion Miler One Stripe, whom they own in partnership with Rikesh Sewgoolam, being prepared for the Gr 1 Breeders Cup Mile by Graham Motion in Maryland USA. He is nearly ready for his North America debut, which could be either at Colonial Downs or Gufstream Park, and there is also the possibility of a Gr 1 at Woodbine in Canada for him, which is scheduled two weeks after the adorementioned races.

Devin can also look forward to the like of Direct Hit and Mon Petite Cherie representing himself and Ridgemont.

Devin is really chuffed to be a partner in Ridgemont’s best horses and pointed out that they had 40 winners together at an unbelievable strike rate of 26.7%, last season, the highest strike rate on the log for any entity that had more than 100 runs. Devin was high in his praise of East Cape trainer Alan Greeff, who has done so well with the Ridgemont/Heffer horses and it is no coincidence that one of Greeff’s other biggest owners, Peter Moor, had the second highest strike rate on the log, 24.2%.

The upward trend and buoyancy in the Race Coast racing regions at present is thanks largely to the efforts, expenditure and excellence of Hollywoodbets and Greg Bortz and Hollywood Racing deserve all the success they have.

Devin concluded by saying he was particularly proud when seeing the high level of the prize money for racing in the Race Coast regions compared to previous years, particularly when the smaller trainers get on the board and can win a portion of it.

Dumbledore brings magic to the Country course

Faithful Neo can bring it home

Vaal Thursday 28 August 2025 – Comments by David Thiselton

Soccer Updates And Carryovers: 29 August – 31 August 2025

Hollywood Racing proud of their Championship victory

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Dumbledore brings magic to the Country course

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Faithful Neo can bring it home

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Vaal Thursday 28 August 2025 – Comments by David Thiselton

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Soccer Updates And Carryovers: 29 August – 31 August 2025

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Hollywood Racing proud of their Championship victory

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