Holding Thumbs Can Claim A Hollywoodbets Durban July Berth
Holding Thumbs (above) and Future Swing will be out to win the Tote Derby and thereby hope for a place in the Hollywoodbets Durban July final field. (Picture: Wayne Marks).
Andrew Harrison (Race Coast)
Derby’s and Oaks are traditionally restricted to three-year-old colts (and geldings in this country) and fillies respectively. With a dearth of horses in this age group that are bred to stay or do stay, fields for these restricted races melted down to a point that Graded status was reduced and eventually opened to all ages.
Strictly speaking, Saturday’s Tote Derby and Tote Oaks at Hollywoodbets Scottsville are misnomers but still retain Gr3 status and have attracted competitive fields that have traditionalist grinding their teeth, still add up to competitive racing.
Given all the withdrawals from the Hollywoodbets Durban July last Monday, Future Swing has made it into 18th place on the official July log and will be hoping to cement his place in the line-up with a win in the Gr3 Tote Bets Derby at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday.
Justin Snaith gelding was a close-up second to the lightly weighted Field Marshal in the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup last time out and is now 5.5kg better off at the weights so should be able to turn the tables.
However, Glen Kotzen’s runner Holding Thumbs has stood his ground for a July berth and is currently on the periphery. A win come Saturday could see him leap-frog Future Swing into 18th place on the log so there is still a lot to play for.
Holding Thumbs is 2.5kg worse off with Future Swing on their Field Marshall encounter but is better than that run and he stays the distance well and looks the part.
Cape Eagle has been a soldier for the Andre Nel yard and goes well over course and distance. He had no luck in running in the WSB 1900 but is seldom out of the money and this race is right up his alley. Field Marshal looks well held at the weights considering his Woolavington performance but is an improving three-year-old and Frank Robinson’s charge can still give a lot of cheek.
In the Tote Oaks, Candice Dawson’s filly My Soul Mate stays well and was runner-up in a strong Woolavington 2000 field and will be a big runner. However, Sean Tarry, who boast a phenomenal feature race record at this course, saddles World Of Alice who was narrowly beaten in the Gr2 SA Oaks by star filly Fiery Pegasus. She was a little disappointing last time out but rates a strong chance in this line-up. Dean Kannemeyer steps out Give Me Everything who goes this trip for the first time. She looks held by My Soul Mate on their last meeting but can turn the table as she steps up in trip. One can never discount a Justin Snaith entry and Knockout has not been far back at recent outings. She steps up in trip and cannot safely be left out of any exotic bet calculations.
In the first race on the eight race programme Celestial Diamond was friendless in the market on debut but finished close-up in spite of racing green over course and distance. Duncan Howells is always patient with his two-year-olds but his one looks primed. Tulip Fields found good market support when making her debut over 1400m on the poly for Kannemeyer. She raced green and although down in trip and on the turf she has a strong chance. Water Hyacinth found market support last time out and was not far back. She can feature but a weather eye on the market could pay dividends.
Mike and Mathew de Kock, successful with Dave The King last Saturday, saddle Gotta Go Eddie in the second. The gelding has shown up well in both starts and was a fair second over course and distance on debut. Boardwalk Breez has not been far back in two starts for Paul Lafferty and should be all the better for the experience and Yeni stays with the ride. French War Lord raced green in a promising debut and is sure to improve on that effort.
It should pay to keep an eye on the first timers in the opening leg of the Pick 6 but of those that have run, That’ll Be The Day was narrowly beaten on this course at just his second outing and will be the horse to beat.
Light The Fire was green in a promising debut and should come on with the outing while the regally-bred Gimme Rules makes his debut and is a full brother to Gr1 performers. His performance will be watched with more than just passing interest. Next Of Kin comes from a top stable and will also be worth watching in the betting.
Star In Motion steps up in trip for Kannemeyer in the fourth but has been narrowly beaten at his last two on the poly. The extra should suit so he can go one better. World Of Royalty has put in two smart efforts over shorter in soft ground and was a beaten favourite last time out. This trip will suit and he should put in a big showing. Captainship started at long odds when going the trip for the first time from the widest draw at Hollywoodbets Greyville. He has Richard Fourie in the irons to help his chances. The Michael Roberts-trained Vencedor has come good of late and stays the trip well. He is another to consider.
In the fifth, Blue Holly is back over what looks to be her preferred trip. This is her third run in KZN and should be at her peak. Mia’s Athena was well regarded by her stable early in her career but has had her problems. This is her third run back after a lengthy break and she was close-up last start and has a light weight. She can give apprentice Savanna Valjalo her first winner. Convocation was possibly out-classed in the SA Fillies Sprint last time out after showing good form to weaker prior to that. She may prefer it a touch further while Vision To Achieve has been in mustard form over course and distance. She has a handy weight and can go in again.
The last is a competitive handicap but Rosh Kadesh is down in class and has shown up well in two KZN starts. He should be primed for this. Honor The King was not far back when starting favourite last run and the extra furlong will suit but he faces Serpentine Fire on 1.5kg worse terms for a length beating. There should be very little in it this time around with Serpentine Fire having the better draw which could swing it in his favour.
My Soul Mate Can Win The Oaks
My Soul Mate can add a Graded stayers race to her CV
Hollywoodbets Scottsville Saturday Formguides, Selections And Permutations
RACE 1
4 CELESTIAL DIAMOND 13 TULIP FIELDS 6 DANCEWITHDIAMONDS 2 WATER HYACINTH
Summary: CELESTIAL DIAMOND (4) was friendless in the market on debut but finished close-up in spite of racing green over course and distance. TULIP FIELDS (13) found good market support when making her debut over 1400m on the poly. She raced green and although down in trip and on the turf she has a strong chance. DANCEWITHDIAMONDS (6) comes from a very much in form stable and one to watch in the betting. WATER HYACINTH (2) found market support last time out and was not far back. She can feature. (Andrew Harrison: 4-13-6-2).
RACE 2
10 GOTTA GO EDDIE 3 BOARDWALK BREEZE 11 FRENCH WAR LORD 6 THE CENTURION
Summary: GOTTA GO EDDIE (10) has shown up well in both starts and was a fair second over course and distance on debut. BOARDWALK BREEZE (3) has not been far back in two starts to date. He should be all the better for the experience and Yeni stays with the ride. FRENCH WAR LORD (11) raced green in a promising debut and is sure to improve on that effort. THE CENTURION (6) was not far back in his Hollywoodbets Kenilworth debut in soft ground. He started at longs odds but may be worth watching here. (Andrew Harrison: 10-3-11-6).
RACE 3
2 THAT’LL BE THE DAY 6 LIGHT THE FIRE 12 GIMME RULES 11 NEXT OF KIN
Summary: Keep an eye on the first timers. THAT’LL B THE DAY (2) was narrowly beaten on this course at just his second outing. That experience will count in his favour. LIGHT THE FIRE (6) was green in a promising debut and should come on with the outing. The regally-bred GIMME RULES (12) makes his debut and is a full brother to Gr1 performers. NEXT OF KIN (11) comes from a top stable and will be worth watching in the betting. (Andrew Harrison: 2-6-12-11).
RACE 4
1 STAR IN MOTION 3 WORLD OF ROYALTY 4 CAPTAINSHIP 7 VENCEDOR
Summary: STAR IN MOTION (1) steps up in trip but has been narrowly beaten at his last two on the poly. The extra should suit and he can go one better. WORLD OF ROYALTY (3) has put in two smart efforts over shorter in soft ground and was a beaten favourite last time out. The trip will suit and he should pout in a big showing. CAPTAINSHIP (4) started at long odds when going the trip for the first time from the widest draw at Hollywoodbets Greyville. He has Richard Fourie in the irons. VENCEDOR (7) has come good of late and stays the trip well. He is another to consider. (Andrew Harrison: 1-3-4-7).
RACE 5
5 BLUE HOLLY 3 MIA’S ATHENA 6 VISION TO ACHIEVE 4 CONVOCATION
Summary: Open. BLUE HOLLY (5) is back over what looks to be her preferred trip. This is her third run in KZN and should be at her peak. MIA’S ATHENA (3) has had her problems but has her third run back after a lengthy break. She was close-up last start has a light weight. She can give apprentice Savanna Valjalo her first winner. CONVOCATION (4) was possibly out-classed in the SA Fillies Sprint last time out after showing good form to weaker prior to that. She may prefer it a touch further. VISION TO ACHIEVE (6) has been in mustard form over course and distance. She has a handy weight and can go in again. (Andrew Harrison: 5-3-6-4).
RACE 6
6 MY SOUL MATE 9 WORLD OF ALICE 3 GIVE ME EVERYTHING 4 KNOCKOUT
Summary: MY SOUL MATE (6) stays well and was runner-up in a strong Woolavington 2000 field. She will be a big runner. WORLD OF ALICE (9) was narrowly beaten in the Gr2 SA Oaks by star filly Fiery Pegasus. She was a little disappointing last time out but rates a strong chance ion this line-up. GIVE ME EVERYTHING (3) steps up to this trip for the first time. She looks held by My Soul Mate on their last meeting but can do better than that. KNOCKOUT (4) has not been far back at recent outings. She steps up in trip and cannot be left out of any calculations. (Andrew Harrison: 6-9-3-4).
RACE 7
6 HOLDING THUMBS 8 FUTURE SWING 2 CAPE EAGLE 5 FIELD MARSHAL
Summary: FUTURE SWING (8) was a close-up second to the lightly weighted FIELD MARSHAL (5) last time out. He is 5.5kg better off at the weights so should be able to turn the tables. HOLDING THUMBS (6) is 2.5kg worse off with Future Swing on their Field Marshall encounter but i better than that and he stays the distance well and looks the part. CAPE EAGLE (2) goes well over course and distance and had no luck in running in the WSB 1900. He is seldom out of the money. Field Marshal looks well held at the weights but is an improving three-year-old and can still give a lot of cheek. (Andrew Harrison: 6-8-2-5).
RACE 8
2 ROSH KEDESH 1 SERPENTINE FIRE 10 HONOR OF KINGS 13 RED MOUNTAIN
Summary: Competitive handicap. ROSH KEDESH (2) is down in class and has shown up well in two KZN starts. He should be primed for this. HONOR OF KINGS (10) was not far back when starting favourite last run. The extra furlong will suit and he can make amends. SERPINTINE FIRE (1) is 1.5kg better off with Honor Of Kings for a length beating. There should be very little in it this time around with Serpentine Fire having the better draw this time around. RED MOUNTIAN (13) is never far back and although drawn wide he has a 4kg claimer aboard and the blinkers are back on. (Andrew Harrison: 2-1-10-13).
Place Accumulator: (R64)
Leg 1: 10,3
Leg 2: 2,6
Leg 3: 1,3
Leg 4: 5,3
Leg 5: 6,9
Leg 6: 6
Leg 7: 2,1
Pick 6: (R640)
Leg 1: 4,5,3,7
Leg 2: 1,9,5,6
Leg 3: 4,1,9,5
Leg 4: 4,5
Leg 5: 8
Leg 6: 11,6,1,8,13
Best Bet:
Race 7: 8
Value Bet:
Race 8: 11
Claw Is On The Up And Can Follow Up
Claw looks to be coming into his own (JC Photos).
The Turffontein Standside track has a nine race meeting on Sunday that will offer punters some opportunities considering there are six plate races, one middle stakes event and two handicaps.
The headliner is a MR 100 handicap over 1600m and the progressive Claw is the one to beat. This Horizon gelding has always struck as useful and after winning over course and distance last time he was only given a three point raise and two horses from that race have already come out and won. He has a fine chance of following up from a plum draw of two under S’Manga Khumalo. Presley has been a touch disappointing in his last two starts, but Gavin Leena has ridden this horse in all three of his wins, including twice over this course and distance, and he has come down to a competitive merit rating, so has the ability to win from draw five. Artist’s Model has quite a lot of class and is 1,5kg better off with Claw for a 3.20 length beating, so should get closer. He represents the flying De Kock and Murray combination. Grand Crescendo looked to be a class horse in the making after finishing a close up third in the Gr 1 Premier’s Champion stakes over 1600 meters at Hollywoodbets Greyville. He hasn’t lived up to expectations this season, but he has shown glimpses of that form and has come down to a competitive merit rating. From draw three with a 1.5kg climber up, he could make an impact. Pressedonregardless is a hard knocking sort who has done well over this trip before and if he can overcome a wide draw he should be in the shake up.
The seventh race is a middle stakes event over 1160m and Guy Gibson could be the one to beat with Richard Fourie aboard as he ran a cracker at Hollywoodbts Scttsville last time out and now has his third run after a lay off. Bob’s Your Uncle is an ultra consistent sort and is going for a hattrick. He will enjoy this course and distance and should be right there. Night Bomber has run well over this course and distance before, including finishing just 0.4 lengths behind Bob’s your uncle in March and he is now 2kg better off so has a fine chance. Tsar Bomba has plenty of ability and also has the form to be a contender if producing his best. Chyavana has a big drop in class here and back in this company cannot be ignored with Gavin Lerena up.
The last race is a MR90 handicap for fillies and mares and Palace Dancer could bounce back here after being narrowly beaten last time by Mountain High over 1400m. She should enjoy the step up to 1600m having won over 1500m before and she is 1.5kg better off with Mountain High for a mere neck beating. Mountain High followed up with a fair 3.2 length seventh in the Betway Secretariat Stakes over 1400m and the form of that race was very much franked when the first two, Choisanaada and Immediate Edge, both came out and won again. So she will have a big chance of following up on her last win. Future Date has been in fair form and from a good draw could earn again. Accept Cookies has Richard Fourie aboard and this improving sort can be involved if able to overcome a wide draw. Hillary Step lost by 2.95 lengths to Mountain High last time and is now 2kg better off, so could earn from a good draw.
In the first race over 1160m Anchorage is knocking on the door and with a 3kg advantage over the winners should get it right here. Detailed Forecast is by Gimmethegreenlight out of a Soft Falling Rain mare and is an interesting first timer. Victory in Orleans makes most appeal of the rest having won well on debut over this 1160m course and distance.
In the second race over 1160m Jan van Gooyen looks to be a very promising sort in the making and he can follow up on his first win and be bankered in all bets.
The third race is the first leg of the PA and Radio Star has the best form, having finished second on debut over 1400m and Gavin Lerena has stayed aboard, but he does have a wide draw to overcome. Chieftain’s Shield is a consistent sort capable of running on and he should be included too from a plum draw. Greenlight Racer is drawn in pole and could improve to earn here. Johnny Drama has shown enough ability to earn here also. Silver Longsword looks capable of improvement over the step up in trip.
In the first leg of the P6 Japanese Garden has good form and Gavin Lerena stays aboard, although she does have a tricky draw to overcome over a suitable trip. Daisy Jones went close on debut over 1500m behind a fair sort and can be involved if able to overcome a wide draw. Green Street has run some fair races and from a good draw should be in the shake-up. Shamoon is never far off them and could earn again from a tricky draw. Umami comes from Cape Town and they usually improve from that powerful centre when relocating, so she is one to watch.
In the fifth race over 2000m Lava Lamp went close last time over 1600m and being by Erupt out of an Ideal World mare should enjoy the step up in trip. Mattiazzo and Into Dancing make most appeal as the dangers.
Mizzzen Sword is well drawn in the sixth race over 1800m and might enjoy the dramatic step up in trip from a good draw as he is a half-brother to Green Haze who was a graded performer up to 2850m. Enflame, Heroic Act and Santiago’s Pride could all challenge him. Future King is another one who can’t be ignored.
Jan Van Goyen Can Illustrate How Good He Is
Jan Van Goyen Looks To Be Most Promising. (JC Photos)
R1 5 ANCHORAGE has gone close in both starts and with a 3kg advantage over the winners could get it right here. 6 DETAILED FORECAST is by GimmetheGreenLight out of a Soft Falling Rain mare. 4 VICTORY IN ORLEANS won well on debut and with improvement has a chance of following up. 3 VERSACE ONTHETRACK won well at odds on last time and should be right there. (5-6-4-3)
R2 2 JAN VAN GOYEN looks very promising after an impressive 4.5 length victory on debut. 1 GOT THE FEELING also won well on debut and should be the main danger. 7 TRUST is by Heavenly Blue out of a Frankel filly and he has some prominent owners. 5 SHADOWFAX ran well on debut and gets 3kg from the winners and Richard Fourie is aboard so he has a big chance too. (2-1-7-5)
R3 10 RADIO STAR has a very wide draw but Gavin Lareena stays aboard and he beat GreenLightRacer by 3.5 lengths last time so should confirm the form. 2 CHIEFTAIN’S SHIELD has been knocking on the door and gets a plum draw over a trip that might be a touch on the sharp side but he still should be right there. 6 GREENLIGHT RACER has run two fair races and from pole position has a chance here.1 JOHNNY DRAMA has shown ability and should also be thereabouts. (10-2-6-1)
R4 12 JAPANESE GARDEN has been knocking on the door and Gavin Lerena stays aboard so she should go close. 11 DAISY JONES went close on debut over 1500m behind a fair sort and can be involved here if able to overcome a wide draw. 1 GREEN STREET has run some fair races and from a good draw should be in the shake-up. 2 SHAMOON is never far off them and can earn again. (12-11-1-2)
R5 1 LAVA LAMP went close last time over 1600m and being by Erupt out of an Ideal World mare should relish this trip and is well drawn. 2 MATTIAZO improved last time and although by Silvano he is out of a Var mare, so the jury’s out on whether he will enjoy the step-up in trip. 9 INTO DANCING ran well when stepped up to 1600m last time and being by Ideal World out of a Gimmethegreenlight mare he should enjoy this trip from a good draw. 6 CODEWORD has shown some ability and could earn here. (1-2-9-6)
R6 2 MIZZEN SWORD is well drawn but does try a dramatic step-up in trip which might suit as he is a half-brother to Green Haze, who was a Graded performer up to 2850m. 9 ENFLAME improved when stepped up in trip last time to 1600 meters and being by Irish flame he should enjoy the further step-up in trip.3 HEROIC ACT went close in his penultimate start over this trip and should be in the shake-up in this line-up. 1 SANTIAGO’S PRIDE has done quite well over this sort of trip and from pole position should be thereabouts. (2-9-3-1)
R7 2 GUY GIBSON did well last time in a strong race at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and should do well here under Richard Fourie. 4 BOB’S YOUR UNCLE is in cracking form and should be in the shake-up over a suitable course and distance.5 NIGHT BOMBER is interesting dropped down to this trip and could be a contender. 7 TSAR BOMBA went close last time and has a chance here. (2-4-5-7)
R8 9 CLAW is a progressive sort and off a three point higher mark he could go in again. 7 PRESLEY disappointed last time but with Gavin Lerena up could go close. 6 ARTIST’S MODEL is a classy sort who has the ability to be involved here if able to overcome a tricky draw.1 GRAND CRESCENDO has plenty of class and dropped to a more reasonable merit rating could be involved from a good draw over a suitable trip. (9-7-6-1)
R9 2 PALACE DANCER only just failed last time and can make amends here. 6 MOUNTAIN HIGH beat Palace Dancer last time but is 1kg worse off for a neck beating. 10 FUTURE DATE has been going close and from a good draw could be in the shake-up. 8 ACCEPT COOKIES won a nice race last time and Richard Fourie is now board albeit from a tricky draw. (2-6-10-8)
PA (R36)
10,2,6
12
1
2,9
2,4
9
2,6,10
P6 (R1458)
12,11
1,2,9
2,9,3
2,4,5,1,6,8,9,10,11
9,7,6
2,6,10
Best Bet:
Race 2: 2
Value Bet:
Race 8: 9
Greeff, Smith, Mitchley All Score Doubles
Hat Montera, a Hat Puntano filly out of an Animal Kingdom mare, scores a double for Kelly Mitchley under a fine ride by 2,5kg claiming apprentice Brevan Plaaitjies. (Pauline Herman Photography).
Alan Greeff and Gavin Smith both scored unusual doubles today on the Fairview polytrack in that their first choice riders, Richard Fourie and Craig Zackey respectively, were aboard neither of their respective winners.
Alan Greeff stayed on track for a tilt at his own East Cape record of 176 wins in a season.
Greeff is currently on 153 wins nationwide and has achieved it at a strike rate of 18.02% and 150 of of those have been in the East Cape.
Smith is on 106 wins at 12.23%.
Mitchley is on 44 wins at 6.66%.
Richard Fourie scored a blank and remains on 229 wins for the season and has done it at a strike rate of 25.70%.
Gavin Lerena is on 223 wins at 25.25% and Craig Zackey, who also scored a blank today, is on 220 wins at 17.46%.
Fourie’s tally in the East Cape is 128 wins at 32.57% with Zackey in second place on 68 wins at 21.66% and Luyolo Mxothwa third on 27 wins at 12.00%.
Hollie Doyle Gives Insight Into Her Weekend Rides
Hollie talks through her six rides at Chester on Saturday before looking ahead to some of her chances at Royal Ascot next week.
Click here to read Hollie’s insight into her forthcoming rides
Aidan O'Brien Royal Ascot Stable Tour
The Master of Ballydoyle, who is the all-time leading trainer at Royal Ascot, will have another abundance of talent on display over the five days of prestigious event.
Royal Ascot has always been a focus point for Aidan O’Brien, and it is a meeting where he has enjoyed a great amount of success. He overtook Sir Michael Stoute as the most successful trainer in the long history of the meeting last year with his record now standing at 91 winners. As well as that, O’Brien has been crowned the leading trainer at Royal Ascot on no fewer than 13 occasions.
Click here to read about his Royal Ascot contenders next week
Today's Question
Which Princess Of Wales Stakes winner became the leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland three times and the leading sire in France once.
The picture is of the subject
Today’s Question Answer
Blandford (1919–1935) was an Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse best known as the three-time Leading sire in Great Britain & Ireland who sired eleven British Classic Race winners including four which won The Derby. He was the Leading sire in France and also in England in the same year.
