Graeme Hawkins

Garrix looks set to take another step forward in his pursuit of a clean sweep in Cape Racing’s Winter Series when he takes on seven rivals in today’s R350 000 Legal Eagle Stakes (Gr3) over 1800m, but he is unlikely to have matters all his own way. Rascallion finished fifth some five lengths behind Garrix in the Variety Club Mile last month but Vaughan Marshall’s veteran campaigner is now 3,5kgs better off and races here from pole position as opposed to the widest draw of all in the opening leg of the Series. One can also argue that Rascallion will be better suited to Sunday’s slightly extended trip and there should not be too much to choose between Garrix and Rascallion at the line.

Billy Bowlegs is interesting! After a long spell in the wilderness – it has been 833 days since the 5yo son of The United States last tasted victory – Billy Bowlegs is showing signs of coming back to his best form and was running on very strongly from the back of the Variety Club field when finishing a three-length fourth behind Garrix. Now trained by Eric Sands, Billy Bowlegs is 2,5kgs better off with Garrix and is another who will prefer 1800m – a trip over which he has raced four times for two wins and two thirds. Magic Verse was very disappointing in the Variety Club Mile but if he reproduces the performance which saw him beaten a whisker by Rascallion in the Premier’s Trophy over track and trip back in January, then the 4yo son of Vercingetorix will go very close to winning.

Notwithstanding the evidence to suggest it will be no stroll in the park for Garrix, there appears to be plenty of upside for Piet Steyn’s charge and he may well step up another gear in this, his second run as a gelding. He was much better behaved in the preliminaries last time and it appears as if the unkindest cut of all has worked wonders for his temperament and allowed Garrix to settle down and focus on the job at hand. He gets the nod to beat Rascallion, Billy Bowlegs and Magic Verse in what is expected to be an intriguing contest.

The R300 000 Winter Nursery (Gr3) over 1100m is the opening leg of Jackpot One and the impressive North Point will be seeking a hat-trick of wins and his first Graded Stakes success. North Point has been dominant in his last two start-to-finish victories over 1000m and the additional 100m is unlikely to pose a problem for the Crawford team’s eye-catching 2yo son of William Longsword. All The Rage raised many an eyebrow when scoring emphatically on debut and the well-bred son of Rafeef could be absolutely anything. There is a line of form through Demanding Dave which suggests that North Point may have the edge but All The Rage has huge scope for improvement and is likely to give North Point a very good run for his money.

Demanding Dave is improving rapidly and his last effort when third to All The Rage was perhaps better than the formline suggests. The track on that day had a distinct bias against horses racing on the stand side of the course and Demanding Dave found himself in no man’s land. Orbit has three lengths to find with North Point but the son of One World may have needed that outing, which was his first since being rested and gelded. He is highly regarded and could get closer to North Point this time around. Dreamworld also appears well above the average and would not be a shock winner while Match That, a winner on debut at long odds, can only improve with the benefit of the experience.

Not easy to be completely definitive or overly bullish about the talents of these relatively unexposed juvenles but there is no doubting the overall quality that lines up in this year’s renewal of the Winter Nursery. I fancy North Point to edge out All The Rage but the chase for the winner’s purse does not necessarily end with this pair.

The R200 000 Ladies Mile (Listed) over 1600m seems very competitive but I am leaning towards the Drakenstein owned and bred Beware The Bomb, to be ridden by Richard Fourie for the Justin Snaith outfit. Beware The Bomb has not raced since misfiring in the WSB Cape Fillies Guineas in December but the time off can only have done this imposing daughter of Lancaster Bomber plenty of good. And the comments from Justin Snaith are extremely positive, “doing great, include in all bets.” That is enough to persuade me that Beware The Bomb from a neat draw is ready to deliver a solid performance and perhaps yet another Stakes victory for Gaynor Rupert and her team.

But there is plenty of form to go around with bright winning chances for Kinda Wonderful and the ultra-consistent Callmegetrix. The latter finished runner-up behind another Drakenstein filly, Be Merry, in the Sweet Chestnut Stakes (Listed) over 1400m last month and would be deserving of victory here but she does have a difficult draw to contend with. Kinda Wonderful was second behind the progressive Give Me Everything in the Cape Oaks over 2000m and may now prefer a touch further than the 1600m she gets here. Time For Love has not been seen since WSB Cape Town Met race meeting when a close second behind Rainbow Lorikeet but she won this race last year and with Gavin Lerena in the saddle, she is worthy of respect again.

Gold Poker Game is capable of causing an upset while My Flower Fate, ideally course and distance suited, rates a money chance on her best efforts. It’s a complicated affair, as many Fillies’ Features are, but I am rowing in with Beware The Bomb to deliver on her potential.

It’s an early start at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday with the first of ten races, a Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies) over 1000m, due off at 11:40. The field includes a number of well related debutantes but She’s My World may get us off to a winning start at the expense of Beautiful One.

RACE 1

1 BEAUTIFUL ONE ran a lovely race on debut behind Una The Unicorn, the track definitely favoured horses drawn on the inside up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 14th of April, she was on the wrong side and still managed to catch the eye late, with natural improvement, she will go very close to winning. 12 SHE’S MY WORLD ran a cracker behind her stable companion on the 16th of April, she looks to be a smart filly that will keep improving with every start, there is no doubt that she will have a big winning chance here. 13 PARALEGAL has done nothing wrong to date, she ran a fair race on the 14th of April in a big field, she could sneak into the places on her best form. 5 FIRST KISS finished just over seven lengths behind North Point on debut, that was against winners, she can only improve, watch her closely. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 12 – 13 – 5)

RACE 2

3 CAPE CAPTAIN was touched off in a driving finish on the 14th of April at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, she has been knocking on the door in a big way to get that maiden victory, the blinkers have been fitted on Sunday afternoon, she must have a good winning chance in this competitive field. 7 CLAIR DE LUNE stayed on strongly behind Military Command in the Cape Slipper on the 16th of March, she is a two-year old taking on older horses which is never easy, but she has ability and she is improving, include her into all bets. 2 HERITAGE RIDGE never runs a bad race, she is as honest as they come, she must have a good place chance again. 5 RIKKITIKKITAVI ran a great race on debut behind Princessontherun, she was very green and was only beaten just under two lengths by the winner, if she doesn’t need the run from a long break of 106 days, she could be competitive. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 7 – 2 – 5)

RACE 3

9 PAST AND PRESENT gets the blinkers fitted on Sunday afternoon, he is very honest and tries hard, this looks to be the perfect race for him to exit the maiden ranks, his form is good and he will take lots of beating. 4 JET A ONE fought hard all the way to the line in his last start behind Show Off, he has improved significantly with the blinkers fitted, he will be on speed early from a good draw, include him into all bets, he may prove difficult to catch with jockey Richard Fourie in the saddle. 10 MOMENT OF TRUTH found late support in the market last time, he ran a fair race, the blinkers have now been fitted to this gelding, watch him closely, he will be running on late. 2 SET TO MUSIC has been rested for 109 days, he is much better than his last run, this combination of trainer and jockey has been in great form over the last few weeks, he could sneak into the places at a big price. (Brandon Bailey: 9 – 4 – 10 – 2)

RACE 4

4 AIR RAID quickened up in devastating fashion on the 14th of April to win a good race, he was given six points for that victory, there is no doubt that he is highly progressive and should take lots of beating in this Class 3, he looks to be an exciting sprinter in the making. 5 MAURITIUS KESTREL moved up like a winner in his last start over 1500m, he travelled smoothly and didn’t finish his race off late, the drop in trip is key for this individual, he should run a massive race. 3 PLEASE BE TRUE has been rested for 82 days, he powered home to win a good race on the 11th of February over 1600m, this trip of 1200m will be on the short side for him, but he will be doing good work late and must be watched over further. 7 ARCTIC WIZARD ran a good second behind Air Raid on the 14th of April, he is now 2.5kgs better off at the weights for a 2.5 length beating, the yard thinks highly of this colt, include him into all bets. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 5 – 3 – 7)

RACE 5

5 NORTH POINT quickened up like a smart horse in the making last time, he sat just off the speed early and then glided into the lead the last 300m to win with absolute ease, he is extremely progressive and will be very hard to beat in this Grade 3 event. 8 MATCH THAT finished like a steam train to win a lovely race on debut, she was slow out the gates and still managed to beat a decent field, she is a filly taking on the boys, but she gets the weight and she looks way above average, watch her closely, she could be anything. 3 ORBIT needed his last run badly behind North Point, he made up good ground late when finishing second from a small break, he should improve tons from that, include him into the places. 4 DREAMWORLD ran a terrific race in the Cape Slipper, he was very green early and fought hard all the way to the line to grab second, he is a smart colt, the yard rate him highly. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 8 – 3 – 4)

RACE 6

5 KINDA WONDERFUL has been rested for 71 days, she made up good ground late to finish second in the Cape Fillies Classic, she has dropped two points in the ratings from that run on the 22nd of February, if she doesn’t need the run badly, she will be very competitive in this Listed event. 8 TIME FOR LOVE won this race in 2024, she has been rested for 99 days, she is a gutsy filly, include her into all bets, she must have a good each way chance at a decent price. 2 BEWARE THE BOMB has been rested for 148 days, she was slightly disappointing in the Grade 1 Cape Fillies Guineas on the 7th of December 2024, she is much better than that performance, from a good draw here, she must be respected. 7 GOLD POKER GAME would have needed her last run over 1400m on the 14th of April, she will be ridden for some luck from a tricky draw, and should be working into the race nicely late, she has the ability to win, include her. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 8 – 2 – 7)

RACE 7

2 GARRIX returned to the races from a rest and gelding last time, he is very exciting, he sat just off the speed in the Grade 3 Variety Club Mile and then sliced through the field to win going away, he is a serious horse and should love the 1800m trip on Sunday afternoon, he will be tough to beat here. 3 BILLY BOWLEGS had absolutely no luck in running on the 14th of April, he was very slow out the gates and still managed to catch the eye late for fourth behind Garrix, he should be cherry ripe for this Grade 3, if he jumps on terms, he will be right there in the finish. 4 LA PULGA won well on the 14th of April, he was given three points for that victory, he is improving with racing and must be respected. 1 RASCALLION has been a soldier for the connections, he always tries hard, he has been competitive at a high level for a long time in his career, from a good draw, he should be amongst the places. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 3 – 4 – 1)

RACE 8

6 COUNTRY TIME was mighty unlucky last time, she was caught a long way back in running and then made up solid ground late, the apprentice takes off 4kgs, off this rating in a weak field, she must have a good winning chance here. 9 WINTERONTHEGREEN also had no luck in transit last time, she was slow out the machine and finished powerfully for second, if she can back that performance up on Sunday afternoon, she will have an obvious winning chance. 5 WILLIAM WEST carries a massive weight again, he was gutsy in his last start on the 16th of April up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, he should run a fair race, watch him closely when he goes to Hollywoodbets Durbanville. 2 ANGEL’S OASIS won her maiden well, she is still improving, if she can build on that victory, she could sneak into the places. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 9 – 5 – 2)

RACE 9

2 CAPTAIN’S DESTINY is as honest as the day is long, she really is such a consistent filly, she was given a top ride by jockey Oswald Noach to win a good race last time, she was given three points for that narrow win, there is no doubt she will have a good winning chance again. 5 TANNERON ran a super race behind Captain’s Destiny on the 16th of April, she ran fourth and was only beaten just under one length, at the weights, she must have a good each way chance here. 6 PINK PIGEON has been rested for 159 days and she has changed stables, watch her closely, she has some good form behind horses that have been competitive at a high level, if she is ready to go on her return, she will go very close. 7 LUCY ROCKET quickened up beautifully to win a competitive race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 5th of March, she will need a career best to win again, but she is improving. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 5 – 6 – 7)

RACE 10          

8 THE US OF A made up stacks of ground late on the 14th of April, he was just off the speed early and finished strongly for second behind Crowned Hornbill, he is a lovely looking horse with lots of ability, he should be way too strong for this field. 2 TOUGH TERRAIN ran a lovely race behind Paratrooper on the 21st of April, he needs a particular ride, unfortunately he carries a huge weight on Sunday afternoon, it definitely won’t make life easy for him, despite the negatives, he should remain competitive on his best form. 14 RATTLESNAKE has run two nice seconds in succession, he enjoys this trip of 1000m up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, he should be amongst the places again. 13 WORLDLY ran a much better race behind Crowned Hornbill on the 14th of April, he is slowly starting to return to his earlier form, watch him closely at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 8 – 2 – 14 – 13)

Please note South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Doncaster and Newmarket (UK) – 3 May 2025.

Andrew Harrison

South Africa’s Champion Season starts officially at Hollywoodbets Greyville today with the running of the Gr2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes and the Gr2 WSB Guineas and WSB Fillies Guineas. The day also marks the march towards the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July with trainers plotting their way into Africa’s greatest horserace with their lowest possible weight.

The WSB Guineas could best be described as a north vs south contest with a supporting cast. Eight On Eighteen, winner of the Gr1 Cape Met and the Gr1 Cape Derby with close-up finishes to One Stripe over a mile is the ‘boom’ horse and likely favourite. 

However, Fire Attack ran a cracker to win the Gr1 Champions Cup beating former Cup and Gr1 Betway Summer Cup winner Royal Victory. Both appear best over 10 furlongs so this is not a nailed-down contest that could leave the way for Sean Tarry’s runner Cosmic Speed who went down narrowly to champion Main Defender in the Gr2 Hawaii Stakes and is more than at home over this trip. 

Peter Muscutt took out the lightly raced Isivivane from his intended race last week and although way out of contention on handicap ratings, he could be the surprise in the race. 

Mike and Mathew de Kock could hold the key to the Gr2 WSB Fillies Guineas field with their combination of Oxalis Gold and Spumante Dolce. The former put a useful field of males to bed in the Gr3 Byerly Turk at Hollywoodbets Scottsville at her last start beating the high-class Cats Pajamas with third-placed O’Tenikwa franking that form last Sunday. 

Spumante Dolce has a big reputation and with a tongue-tie fitted last time out, showed her better form in the Gr1 Empress Club behind Cape Fillies Guineas winner Fatal Flaw. Mon Petit Cherie boasts smart Cape form for Brett and James Crawford and has a favourable draw while Give Me Anything  has pulled the widest gate as she goes for five on the bounce. A wide draw has been the downfall of many a champion on this course but Dean Kannemeyer likes his horses to come on late so maybe the draw may not be too much of a factor. Green Sapphire and VJ’S Angel are both in with chances. 

With the July just two months away – this year on Saturday 5 July – it is always intriguing to watch how trainers navigate the pitfalls for their charges but it is also an opportunity for punters to try and second-guess them and possibly land a lucrative ante-post bet on the race which always adds to heightened excitement on the big day.

That said, the Gr2 IOS Drill Hall Stake promises to be a cracking contest as it has attracted one of the strongest fields in many a year. Many of the runners are having a pipe-opener for the Hollywoodbets Durban July but class always comes to the fore. 

Those that are seemingly best suited to the 1400m trip and not July entries are Café Culture, last season’s Gr2 Post Merchants winner, and Questioning both over their preferred trip. The two last met with Lucinda Woodruff’s charge a length clear of his rival and also a winner over the distance so that from looks solid. 

Last year’s winner Royal Aussie looks held by these two given his last showing but has had been trying further in his previous starts and may now be back over a more suitable trip.

Stuart Ferrie is sure that the 2200m of the July is within Gladatorian’s compass although never being tested over the trip. Recently he has been giving away lumps of weight and although he takes a jump in class he is fully effective over this trip. 

Piet Botha’s gelding Montien is hardly ever out of the money and was a close-up third in the Gr1 Cape Met at lengthy odds. He is no slouch over this trip while Dean Kannemeyer’s charge The Real Prince is lightly raced but classy although he has a tricky draw to navigate along with Cousin Casey who has the widest gate.

Please note, all nine races at Saturday’s Newmarket (UK) meeting will be a WORLD POOL event and the Win, Place, Exacta, Quinella, Swinger and Trifecta bets will be commingled into the huge Hong Kong pools.

Customers are reminded that Hong Kong Place rules will apply: Less than 4 runners no PLACE betting; 4-6 declared runners payouts FIRST, SECOND; 7 to 20 declared runners payouts FIRST, SECOND, THIRD; 21 or more declared runners payouts FIRST, SECOND, THIRD, FOURTH.

The first race starts at 14:10.