Turf Talk Newsletter – 25 February, 2025

Greg Bortz (left) was an appropriate owner of last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July winner Oriental Charm and Devin Heffer (right) of Hollywoodbets was on hand to congratulate him. Hollywoodbets partnered with Bortz to get things done in Cape Town, bringing about a dramatic change in the region’s fortunes, and the same is about to officially happen in KZN. (Candiese Lenferna Photography).

David Mollett

“No time for talking, only for doing.” One could be forgiven if you felt this was a quote by American President, Donald Trump, who has certainly made waves since his inauguration. In fact, it was from an interview given by Devin Heffer, the livewire Brand & Communications manager of Hollywoodbets.

In a  short space of time, Devin has combined passion and intellect to make his own waves in the racing world and his father, Hollywood founder Owen Heffer, must be hugely proud of his son.

Apart from their tie up with Cape Racing and sponsorship of Premier League club Brentford, Hollywood took a leaf out of moves usually associated with Godolphin and Coolmore overseas by buying into the country’s top three year-old, One Stripe.

So this was the right time to approach Devin and ask him some questions that will put racing fans in the picture for future plans.

MOLLY: Grateful if you could let me know the plans for One Stripe after his race in the Cape next month. No surprise if your dad fancies a tilt at the Breeders’ Cup!

DEVIN: Yes, the Breeders’ Cup is definitely on the cards. This is massive for both Rikesh Sewgoolam (who still owns a minority share in the horse) and the Hollywood Racing team. Following the big Cape race on the 16th of March, One Stripe will be prepped for quarantine. There have been changes to the flight dates, so we are just waiting for confirmation. When he won the L’Ormarins King’s Plate, he earned automatic entry into the $2 million FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (Grade 1). We look forward to returning to Del Mar once again this year, hopefully with two runners (if you throw in Isivunguvungu) on the day.

MOLLY: I see “Isi” ran third in Tampa on Saturday. What did you make of that run? Is he still on track for Dubai?

DEVIN: Isivunguvungu had his first run since the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint last November, so he was possibly in need of the outing. His trainer, Graham Motion, felt he may have been one breeze-up short but decided to take the chance as he was the class in the race. This race was to bring him on for the Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai, and Isi certainly didn’t disgrace himself, finishing a strong third. Drawn wide in stall 11, he had to work hard and was forced five-wide into the straight on the tight track. The winner, drawn inside him, got the jump, but Isi finished just ¾ of a length behind and showed exactly what we wanted to see. I think it’s important to mention that they flew in the race, running the first quarter-mile in 21 seconds and the race time was 55.47 for the 5 furlongs! We’re unsure if he’ll have another run before Dubai, as he tends to perform best when fresh. With six weeks to go, Graham will likely aim him straight at the big race. He pulled up sound on Sunday, so we’re happy, and he remains on track.

MOLLY: Finally, do you have any runners going to Cheltenham?

DEVIN: Unfortunately, Il Etait Temps will not be running at Cheltenham this year. He has struggled with injuries over the past few months and has only recently started showing signs of being sound. It’s still uncertain whether he will race this season, but Willie Mullins will keep us updated. There is the gelding Karbau who we own a minority share in with Barnane Stud, who could feature on Day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival.

My thanks to Devin for his response – right now he’d get my vote for the Equus “Personality-of-the-Year” award.

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103 and counting. No, it’s not the score of a Protea batsman. Rather its the current tally of winners Willie Mullins has saddled at the Cheltenham festival making him the most successful trainer in the history of the famous meeting.

This year’s Cheltenham meeting (March 11-14) is of particular significance for the 68 year-old Irish trainer. If Galopin Des Champs wins the Gold Cup he will join two other greats – Arkle and Best Mate – as a three-time winner of the prestigious race.

“It’s extraordinary that we have the opportunity to do that – to be mentioned in the same breath as Arkle and Best Mate,” said Mullins in one of his many media interviews.

The bookies make Galopin Des Champs the 1-2 favourite and he’s rated the banker bet at the meeting.

Banbridge (6-1) might be his biggest danger if connections decide to run.

Mullins regards his prolific jumper as “a very laidback customer and he’s come out of the Irish Gold Cup in good nick.”

Despite the obvious claims of the favourite Constitution Hill, jockey Danny Mullins is confident the stable’s classy performer, Lossiemouth, can give the Henderson inmate a battle in the Champion Hurdle.

Of course – like all top stables – the Mullins operation relies on its talented staff and assistant, David Casey, plays an important role.

So it was interesting when asked his fancies for the festival that he came up with the following four horses:

1. Galopin Des Champs – his record speaks for itself.
2. Majborough – a huge runner in the Arkle – I think the race is made for him. Interestingly, Harry Skelton feels L’eau Du Sud can trouble the Mullins runner. “He ticks a lot of boxes.”
3. Dinoblue – she can go well in the Mares Chase.
4. Jade De Grugy should be right there in the Mares Hurdle.

Personally, I am having two serious punts at the festival, Il Est Francais and East India Dock.

Following his great run in the King George at Kempton in December, French-trained, Il Est Francais, is 4-1 favourite for the Ryanair and 7-1 for the Queen Mothers Champion Chase. Jockey James Reveley prefers the longer distance of the Ryanair.

James Owen has made a bright start to his training career and East India Dock – the likely mount of Sam Twiston-Davies – is worth supporting in whichever race connections choose.

Spumante Dolce is out to build on her record of three wins from three starts and is the favourite for Saturday’s Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. (Picture: JC Photos). 

In the Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic over 1800m Spumante Dolce has drawn seven out of eleven and is going to be hard to beat considering her progressive profile and her pedigree which suggests she should relish the step up in trip … and also because Quid Pro Quo is absent from the line up.

Barry Irwin of Team Valor International confirmed to sahorseracing.com “Quid Pro Quo has had her last race in South Africa, and unfortunately for local fans our hand was forced due to quarantine restrictions on travel to the Cape, as well as the timing of the next shipment out of the country.”

Sahorseracing.com added, “With scheduling conflicts ruling out another Johannesburg appearance, her campaign has been cut short. A dual Grade 1 winner, Quid Pro Quo wasn’t at her peak in her most recent outing, with the effects of an extended break from full training becoming evident in the final 200m of her Fillies Guineas effort. Despite this departure, Team Valor has been making significant investments in South African racing, including acquiring Quid Pro Quo, driven by a renewed sense of optimism about the industry’s future.”

Barry Irwin concluded, “She is a brilliant filly and we have partners involved with her that want to see her rise to the top of her potential. Risking being stranded in South Africa was not an option.”

Spumante Dolce is by Vercingetorix, who won the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 among other Graded races, out of Spumanti, who won the Gr 2 Betting World 1900 and the Gr 2 Ipi Tpombe Challenge. Therefore she should relish the step up in trip and, furthermore, she is still learning, having had only three starts to date.

VJ’s Angel was only beaten 0.25 lengths by Spumante Dolce in the Gauteng Fillies Guineas and she now has a draw that is not as disadvantageous as her 12 draw was in the latter race. She is drawn eight and on pedigree this Gimmethegreenlight filly should see out the trip.

Fiery Pegaus only has 1,90 lengths to find on Spumante Dolce and now has Richard Fourie up, albeit from a wide draw.

World Of Alice should relish the step up in trip and the Tarry yard is in fine form.

Olivia’s Way has class and is distance suited, but returns from a layoff since disappointing in the Gr 3 Fillies Mile, beaten 4,75 lengths by World Of Alice.

Willy Meet Again could still be anything and jumps from pole position.

Care Forgot has plenty of ability but is held by a few of these from Fillies Mile form and she has another wide draw here.

Gerbera won well over the trip last time but this is a big step up in class.

Bakwena began her career with a six length win over 1000m but has 7,10 lengths to find on Spumante Dolce on Gauteng Fillies Guineas form. She should relish the step uip in trip though being by Gimmethegreenlight and a half-sister to Divine Odyssey, who won a Gr 2 over 2000m.

Hats Queen is an interesting runner, because she is clearly progressing and she relishes middle distance trips. However, Gavin Lerena has obviously jumped ship to ride VJ’s Angel.

Sensoria is improving but has a very tough task at the weights here having been unable to win last time out off her 82 merit rating, although the handicappers did increase her merit rating to 84 after that race.

The final field is shown below:

Artiste has been tipped to win the last race (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Wedensday Formguides And Selections

RACE 1

10 MILITARY COMMAND ran a fair race on debut behind his stable companion, he was terribly green and stayed on strongly to finish six lengths behind the very impressive Spacebound, he will improve big time from that performance and must be included into all bets. 9 CASINO KING will need to improve quite a bit to win this race, he finished seven lengths behind Winter Snap on debut, he looks like the type that will get better with more racing, watch him closely. It’s a tricky race with many well-bred first timers, watch the market and watch them move down to the start before placing your bets. (Brandon Bailey: 10 – 9 – 2 – 4)

RACE 2

2 KAIBOY ran a cracker in the Winchester Sprint Cup behind Candy Town, he finished three lengths behind the winner in a very strong race, the yard thinks highly of this individual, he will be very hard to beat here. 4 SYMPHONY IN WHITE stayed on really well late in the Listed Olympic Duel Stakes behind I’m So Pritti, she was only beaten just over four lengths at the wire, she has dropped in the ratings and should be super competitive in this small field. 5 BJORN IRONSIDE comes back to the races from a small break of 74 days, he should improve lengths now that he drops in trip to 1100m, watch him closely. 1 WE HAVE TOUCHDOWN has been rested and gelded, he is a lovely horse with lots of ability, if he doesn’t need the run badly, he could certainly earn for the connections. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 4 – 5 – 1)

RACE 3

8 UMFULA has improved nicely with every start, he ran a lovely race last time to finish second behind Ahead Of The Facts, the drop in trip to 1800m will be no problem at all for this colt, champion jockey Richard Fourie sticks with him, he will be very hard to beat. 4 PAST AND PRESENT ran a fair race behind Red Dawn in a Class 5 event on the 5th of February at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, he has improved with every start and should get the run of the race from a good draw, he will go very close to winning. 2 DRICUS showed massive improvement from his first start into his second start, he will love the step up in trip and he has a good draw, include him into all bets. 9 WAR HAWK ran a good race behind Tenpenny in his last start, it wasn’t the strongest of Maiden races, but he is improving and must be respected. (Brandon Bailey: 8 – 4 – 2 – 9)

RACE 4

1 ENCHANTING CHOICE never runs a bad race, her form is solid, she ran a lovely third in her last start behind Tap Shoes, there should be absolutely no excuses for her from a good draw, she will be right there in the money. 5 ALADDIN’S LAMP finished just over five lengths behind La Pulga on the 8th of February, he takes a hard ride, from a good draw, he will be on speed and should run a reasonable race. 11 TWO A PENNY has been rested for 77 days, unfortunately she has drawn poorly for this C Stakes, she is a lovely looking filly that tries exceptionally hard in her races, if she gets some luck in running and she doesn’t need the run badly, she could easily win a race like this. 8 BOUNCEBACK was only beaten just under two lengths in his last start, on his best form, he could sneak into the places. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 5 – 11 – 8)

RACE 5

8 LA PULGA won a great race on the 8th of February, he was nice and relaxed throughout and then switched it on beautifully to win just under the hands, he absolutely loved the 1800m trip at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, he is progressive and will be right there in the finish. 4 LEGAL COUNSEL quickened up smartly to win well on the 25th of January, the form of that race has worked out well, he should thoroughly enjoy this step up in trip from a good draw, include him into all bets. 1 PREVALENCE finished just under three lengths behind his stable companion last time, he has dropped two points in the ratings from his last run, and he gets a good draw, he could be some value in a tricky race. 6 LIGHTNING GLOW should enjoy the step up in trip back to 1800m, he is a gorgeous looking gelding with lots of potential, watch him closely. (Brandon Bailey: 8 – 4 – 1 – 6)

RACE 6

3 DREAM SEARCHER has won her last two starts very impressively, Jockey Craig Bantam gets a good tune out of this filly, she has gone up in the ratings and she carries a big weight on Wednesday afternoon, despite the negatives, this looks to be a nice race for her to win again. 7 NILE THE BOSS tries hard, she never finishes far off the winners, there is no doubt the step up in trip back to 1400m will help her chances, include her into the play. 1 GRIPEN ran a much better race on the 1st of February behind Cosmic Rhythm, he is a tricky ride that needs everything to go his way in the race, the drop in trip should be no problem for this gelding, he must have a place chance in what looks a weak race. 6 ISCHYRO disappointed badly in his last run behind Noon Day Gun, if he can put that behind him and improve, he could have a money chance. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 7 – 1 – 6)

RACE 7

5 BLUFF ON BLUFF ran a cracker behind the heavily supported Un Bel Di on the 8th of February, he has been very consistent of late behind some nice horses, if the race works out for him, he will go very close to winning. 3 TOUGH TERRAIN didn’t fire in his last start behind Golden Destiny, he was on speed and became one paced the last 200m of the race, in hope that he switches off early, he will be running on powerfully. 10 PORQUE TE VAS ran a much better race behind Elusive Winter on the 1st of February, with a similar performance in this Class 4 event, she could have a good place chance. 1 THE CHARLESTON has been terribly disappointing in her last two races, she has dropped in the ratings, on her best form, she can win a race like this easily. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 3 – 10 – 1)

RACE 8

9 ARTISTE ran a great race behind Trip To Maputo in a driving finish on the 11th of February, she is a decent filly with lots of ability, she should be right there in the finish on her best form. 6 FIRST MASTERPIECE quickened up well to win a good race on the 5th of February, she enjoys racing just off the speed and then comes with a storming run late, even though she has gone up in the ratings, she will remain competitive at this level. 5 MISS MARGUERITE stayed on strongly late in her last start behind Trip To Maputo, she has done exceptionally well for her connections, there is no doubt she can win a race like this, include her into the play at a decent price. 7 KYALAMI GIRL ran a shocker last time behind I’m So Pritti, she is much better than that performance, she is a good-looking filly with tons of potential, don’t leave her out of the play. (Brandon Bailey: 9 – 6 – 5 – 7)

Sean Veale won the second race on 15th February at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the impressive first-timer Dreamworld (One World), but was later punished for a prohibited practice relating to information given out about the horse for betting purposes. (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Sean Veale  landed a plum contract to be first call rider for Hollywood Racing at the beginning of last month, but he does not appear on any of their pending runners at present.

This has occurred following the news of his punishment by the NHA for his part in a prohibited practise. He had provided information about a horse he was to ride for betting reasons and it was apparent from the whatsapp message which was sent to the NHA that he was going to profit from the bet.

He was fined R80 000, R50 000 of which is suspended for a period of two years, but the loss of the Hollywood position will hurt more.

However, he did say in an interview today (Tuesday) with Joao De Mata of Glistian Events that he believed the door from Hollywood was not totally shut.

Veale has been riding at the top of his game this season and this setback is a great pity for the talented rider, although he accepts that he deserved to be punished.

He has had 74 wins this season at a strike rate of 13.60%.

Veale also spoke to the Sporting Post about his remorse at what he had done and they penned the following article in which he apologised to the racing fraternity for his error of judgement:

Click here to read the Sporting Posr article about SEAN VEALE

Cape Breeders

Dave The King’s part owner and breeder Gary Player with two awards for the Global View gelding (Pic – Wayne Marks)

The Cape Breeders Club hosted its award ceremony for the past 2023-2024 South African racing season in the 1881 Lounge at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

Champion Dave The King, South Africa’s reigning Horse Of The Year, was crowned as the Cape Bred Horse Of The Year, Champion Middle Distance and Champion Older Male for 2023-2024.

Bred by Gary Player Stud (Pty) Ltd, the Gary Player part-owned Dave The King captured both the G1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge and G1 The HKJC Champions Cup in 2024. The son of Global View was honoured with two Equus Awards for the previous season, including the Champion Older Male title.

Varsfontein Stud’s star stallion Gimmethegreenlight dominated proceedings at Saturday’s ceremony. Not only was Gimmethegreenlight crowned Stallion Of The Year, but his offspring Proceed (2 Year Old Colt), VJ’s Angel (2 Year Old Filly), Green With Envy (3 Year Old Colt) and Gimme A Nother (3 Year Old Filly) all picked up awards.

Drakenstein Stud was crowned Outstanding Breeder for 2023-2024, while Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein were honoured as Champion Breeders. Drakenstein’s exciting young stallion One World was named Outstanding New Stallion for the past season.

Picture: The Navy Lark (Captain Of All) scores to give Ryan Munger a quick treble. (JC Photos).

Ryan Munger’s skills are unfortunately lost for most of the year to Canada and he has certainly been showing the country’s fans what they have been missing.

He rode a treble at the Vaal Classic track today to make it 18 wins at a strike rate of 21.69% during his winter break from Canada.

Meanwhile, Craig Zackey and Gavin Lerena rode one winner apiece to leave the gap at the top the same with Zackey on 157, Lerena on 147 and Fourie on 138.

Did the great Australian horse Phar Lap have any unbeaten seasons?

The subject is pictured above.