Soccer13 on Sunday, 4 May 2025. C/Over R 2 251 238. Pool Closes at 14h30. Sport 11 and Pool 1. Estimated Jackpot: R 6.5 Million (13 of 13)

Please note South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Newmarket (UK) – 4 May 2025.

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)

Durban – On the eve of the launch of the 2025 Champions Season this coming Saturday, South African horse racing awoke to a brand new chapter in its history on the Workers’ Day public holiday today with the good news that the acquisition of Gold Circle by the Hollywood Sportsbook Holdings group (Hollywood/Hollywoodbets) has received the final stamp of approval of the KwaZulu-Natal Economic Regulatory Authority (KZNERA).

In a transaction that dates back to the commencement of negotiations in 2023, and culminating in a Special General Meeting of Members in September of that year, KZN racing is set to benefit from a R500 million (and rapidly escalating) rescue injection by Hollywood in a seriously ambitious and committed plan to resurrect the failing industry in the richly culturally diverse province that has enjoyed a passionate following of the sport for well over a century. 

It is a reality that, given the combination of the prevailing economic climate and dramatic changes in the betting landscape, horse racing countrywide has languished in the doldrums for a large part of the 21st century. 

The move by Hollywoodbets is thus seen as the dawn of a new era of management and capitalisation, that will introduce a focus on the best utilisation of resources, while embracing a wider universal appeal that will keep pace with ever evolving modern entertainment trends, directed at a wider customer market.

The investment by Hollywoodbets is set to ensure job security for the estimated 6,000 people employed directly and indirectly by the industry and peripheral services in the province, and foster broader stakeholder interest and incentive for investment through the modernisation of facilities in venues and training centres, while also upgrading prize money, which has lagged over the past 30 years.

The operational aspect of the introduction of a new-look racing programme, coupled with incentives to promote racehorse ownership and boost field sizes, an important component of the key driver of improved betting turnovers, is already well advanced.

Whilst ownership transfers on 1 May, the investment began months ago. A huge leap of faith was required. Even before this final approval by the KZNERA, Hollywoodbets had confidently commenced its considerable investment. To date there has been extensive capital investment in facilities, which includes wide-scale renovation of buildings and equipment upgrades, as well as a revamp of the Hollywoodbets Greyville Polytrack. Day-night racing has proved immensely popular in KwaZulu-Natal and a multi-million-Rand upgrade of the lighting facilities at the home of the historic Hollywoodbets Durban July, brings the Durban City racetrack on a par with leading night-racing venues internationally. To have delayed these essential projects until formal approval had been given would have resulted in none of the work commencing until after the Champions Season.

The Summerveld Training Centre is also set for major improvements. Plans are well advanced for an extensive capital injection that will result in material upgrade of stabling, Grooms accommodation, roofing, roads and other infrastructure. 

Hollywood CEO, Suren Rampersadh, welcomed the announcement and confirmed that it was now all systems go for the company’s game changing plans to revitalise a sport that enjoys a unique place in the hearts and minds of passionate locals and the whole Purple Team.

“We wish to reaffirm that we are fully committed to securing the future of the horse racing industry in KwaZulu-Natal and are privileged to be in a custodial position to carry the baton into what we firmly believe will be a bright and prosperous future for the sport and all stakeholders in the region and beyond. The investment that commenced some time ago will continue, with plans to change the face and broad appeal of the business that operates in one of the most exciting sports internationally, with a global reach of over 584 million households,” added Rampersadh. “This has been a long journey, and we are super-proud that our team has got it over the line. I am sure that our pride is more than matched by the relief and renewed enthusiasm of all stakeholders”.

The encouraging news comes in excellent time for the much-anticipated launch of the 2025 Champions Season at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.

Three months of action-packed top-level horseracing will be headlined by the 129th renewal of the historic Hollywoodbets Durban July, which will be run over 2200m on Saturday 5 July 2025.