Hluhluwe Can Make It Big 5

Hluhluwe can remain unbeaten as a three-year-old (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Hluhluwe Can Score 5th Careeer Win In Saturday’s Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas

Graeme Hawkins (Gold Circle)

The R2-million Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas (Gr 1) over 1600m – the first “Major” of the Season – heads an interesting 10-race programme of quality horse racing at Kenilworth tomorrow.

Less than half-a-length separated Hluhluwe, Snow Pilot and Green With Envy in the Cape Punters Cup (Gr 2) over the same course and distance three weeks ago but Hluhluwe finished best of all from the rear of the field to grab the honours in the final few strides and he could confirm that form again tomorrow.

Being by Trippi out of a mare by Giant’s Causeway, there is every reason to believe the scopey Hluhluwe is still on an upward curve, and he is certainly entitled to his position at the top of the betting boards. However, there is clearly little to choose between the chief protagonists going into the Guineas and Hluhluwe will have to bring his “A” game to add this important Classic to his resume. Owned by Nick Jonsson, trained by Justin Snaith and ridden by Grant Van Niekerk, Hluhluwe gets the nod to beat Snow Pilot and Green With Envy in a carbon copy of the Cape Punters Cup outcome.

Green With Envy was also blasting home from well off the pace last time and only just failed to snatch the runner-up berth away from Snow Pilot. The Kannemeyer family have enjoyed great success in the Cape Guineas over the years and Green With Envy looks set to make a bold bid to provide the stable with their tenth winner of this prestigious event. To be frank he was a trifle disappointing at Hollywoodbets Durbanville in October, but he clearly relished the Kenilworth track last time and on the evidence of that performance is a serious contender for the lion’s share of the purse.

Snow Pilot has a ready-made Guineas pedigree and the form and class to go with the blood. His sire Lancaster Bomber already produced the WSB Fillies Guineas (Gr 1) winner just a couple of weeks ago and Snow Pilot’s dam, Snowdance, is a Grade 1-winning daughter of Captain Al, himself a past winner of the Cape Guineas. JP van der Merwe retains the ride for Drakenstein Stud, and he may just have learnt a little more about Snow Pilot, given that he was riding him for the very first time in the Punters’ Cup. The Guineas may be the same course and distance as the Punters’ Cup, but it’s a different day, with different conditions and more than likely a different pace. Drakenstein are well on their way to another record-breaking Season and another Grade 1 winner for them would come as no surprise.

Prior to the running of the Punters’ Cup, Questioning was a convincing winner of the Cape Classic (Gr 3) over 1400m at Durbanville when he stormed home ahead of Snow Pilot, Green With Envy and Zil Moris. That form was turned on it’s head in the Cape Punters’ Cup when Questioning appeared to find the extra 200m a little beyond him. But Vaughan Marshall has trained five previous winners of the Cape Guineas, and it may not be wise to completely ignore Questioning based on his last run alone.

Tail Of The Comet was sent out an odds-on favourite to win the Cape Punters Cup when finishing fifth behind Hluhluwe. He appeared very one-paced in the closing stages but the son of Gimmethegreenlight may prove capable of better and the Sean Tarry / Richard Fourie combination is always worthy of utmost respect.

Red Palace, the only filly in the line-up, is an interesting runner. She has been scratched at the start of her last two planned engagements, but she is clearly talented and is unbeaten two-from-two as a 3yo. Red Palace is likely to go forward but Anthony Andrews is sure to set a pace that suits his filly and not necessarily her male rivals.

There are two supporting features on the card, the first of which is the R225 000 Splashout Victress Stakes (Gr 3) for fillies and mares over 1800m. The race has a pretty open appearance, but I am going to throw my hat into the ring with the Andre Nel-trained Saartjie who looks good value at her current odds of 5/1. The daughter of Dynasty was comfortably beaten by Enemy Territory in the Summer Bowl three weeks ago, but Saartjie is now a massive 6,5kgs better off and I expect her to turn the tables on Brett Crawford’s runner.

The latter’s stable companion, Happy Chance, and the Drakenstein-owned pair of Hold My Hand and Gold Poker Game are worthy of consideration but Saartjie may take some beating and gets the vote to score at the expense of Enemy Territory and Happy Chance.

The R350 000 Ridgemont Peninsula Handicap (Gr 3) over 1800m is billed as the seventh race on the programme and being a Handicap should produce a keenly contested finish. There is lots to like about Ponte Pietra who jumps out of pole position and only has 53,5 kgs to shoulder. The 4yo son of Vercingetorix has his peak run come Saturday and Dean Kannemeyer has always believed that we would see the best of him this Season. It is premature to suggest he could match strides with the best of his generation at WFA, but this race sets up beautifully for Ponte Pietra and he is expected to carry his light weight to victory.

The Snaith runners, Rockpool and Future Swing, rate the major dangers in a competitive renewal while Money Heist and Sugar Mountain may be worth throwing into larger permutations.

Kannemeyer’s only other runner on the day, Mia’s Harper, rates the one to beat in the ninth race, a Class 4 Handicap (F&M) over 1200m. She has most to fear from Great Cat, but Mia’s Harper has shown her best form over this course and distance and should prove a tough nut to crack.

Cape Guineas Winners Star At Stud

The mighty seven-times national champion sire Jet Master won the Cape Guineas in January 1998

Sarah Whitelaw

Saturday sees the running of the G1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. This race has a long and storied history, with past winners of the Cape Guineas proving their considerable worth both on the track and at stud.

Past winners of this race include some of the greatest horses to grace the South African turf, with past Cape Guineas winners including such champions as Colorado King, Hawaii, In Full Flight, Politician, Empress Club, Horse Chestnut, and Variety Club, while last year’s winner Charles Dickens remains one of the most exciting horses currently in training in South Africa.

Cape Guineas winners, whats more, have also made their mark internationally, with Hawaii, Colorado King, Empress Club, Horse Chestnut, Jay Peg and Variety Club all making their mark on the global stage.

Hawaii, North America’s Champion Grass Horse of 1969, proved equally brilliant at stud. His near 40 stakes winners included both Epsom Derby winner Henbit and Kentucky Oaks heroine Sun And Snow. Three of Hawaii’s sons finished first, second or third in the Epsom Derby, with Hawaii himself remaining a force to be reckoned with in pedigrees today. US Triple Crown winner, and current boom sire, Justify, is inbred to Hawaii -while 1992 Kentucky Derby winner Lil E. Tee is out of Eileens Moment -whose dam Sailaway was sired by Hawaii. Sailaway also ranks as the third dam of US Horse Of The Year, and top sire, Ghostzapper, as well as the latter’s hugely successful sire half-brother City Zip. Between them, Ghostzapper and City Zip have sired nearly 200 stakes winners between them.

The once beaten Horse Chestnut, who won the 1999 Cape Argus Guineas by over seven lengths, sired G1 winners Chestnuts N Pearls, Lucifer’s Stone and Tilbury Fort, but really made his mark as a broodmare sire.
Among others, Horse Chestnut mares produced South African champion, and G1 J&B Met winner, Smart Call, and such international G1 winners as Fault, Star Catcher, Suggestive Boy, Cannock Chase, Zipessa and the full-brothers Johnny Bear and Channel Maker.

The Cape Guineas has proven a great barometer of stud success, with past winners Captain Al and Jet Master both proving outstanding stallions, as was 2003 Cape Guineas runner up Dynasty.

Winner of the 1998 Guineas, Jet Master was responsible for a host of champions headed by triple South African Horse Of The Year Pocket Power, globetrotting star sprinter J J The Jet Plane, and the likes of Mythical Flight, Yorker, In The Fast Lane, and Past Master. He is also the sire of Halfway To Heaven -South Africa’s Broodmare Of The Year in 2018-2019, 2019-2020 and 2020-2021. (Another daughter of Jet Master, 2010 Met winner River Jetez, proved a great advert for her sire, winning Dubai’s G2 Balanchine Stakes at the age of seven.)

Remarkably, progeny of Jet Master won the then G1 J&B Met from 2007 to 2011.

Seven times champion South African sire Jet Master, is broodmare sire of the Cape Guineas winners Kilindini and Double Superlative , while fellow Cape Guineas winner Captain Al, the first South African sire to supply 100 stakes winners, also made his presence felt on the Cape Guineas.

Captain Al was the sire of Cape Guineas winners William Longsword, himself sire of this season’s G3 New Turf Carriers Merchants/Listed Golden Loom Handicap winner Dyce, and Tap O’ Noth, with Captain Al’s subsequent Met winning son One World, who has made such a promising start with his first two-year-olds this season, finishing third in the 2018 Cape Guineas.

Between them, Captain Al and Jet Master, both of whom have also headed South Africa’s Leading Broodmare Sires premiership, sired 180 stakes winners.

Dynasty, whose second place finish in the 2003 Guineas was one of just three losses he suffered in his career, was another top-class sire to have won the Cape Guineas. Broodmare sire of the 2022 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner Charles Dickens (as well as recent G1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas winner Beach Bomb), Dynasty sired nearly 90 stakes winners, with his sons Futura, Irish Flame and Legislate all named South African Horse Of The Year.

Other champions sired by Dynasty included Beach Beauty, Bela-Bela, Just Sensual, It’s My Turn and Lady In Black.
His son Act Of War made amends for his sire’s defeat when he won the 2014 Cape Guineas, and at stud, has sired Equus Champion War Of Athena as well as G1 Golden Horse Sprint winner Battle Force.

More recently, Soqrat, winner of the 2018 Cape Guineas, is set to have his first runners this season, with the son of Epaulette having yearlings make up to R700 000 at the 2023 National Yearling Sale.

No doubt, the list of Cape Guineas winners who became top-class stallions will grow considerably in the coming years!

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Celebrate The Best Of The Cape At HWB Cape Guineas Meeting

The entertainment at the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas meeting includes performances by more than 15 Cape Minstrel Troupes – comprising approximately 8,000 members – in their “Voorsmakie” ahead of the world famous Hollywoodbets Cape Town Street Parade on the 2^nd of January. [Image Source: Cape Town Tourism]

Cape Racing

A colourful celebration of all things Cape Town is set to ring in the bumper summer season in the Mother City at the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas on Saturday, 16 December.

Taking place at the recently refurbished Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, an iconic hub of the city’s social and sporting scene, the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas offers a day of fabulous entertainment for the whole family.

Set against the backdrop of thrilling Grade 1 horseracing, racegoers can look forward to a day of action and entertainment with performances by more than 15 Cape Minstrel Troupes – comprising approximately 8,000 members – in their “Voorsmakie” ahead of the Hollywoodbets Cape Town Street Parade on the 2^nd of January. Traditional Cape Town cuisine, a market, a safe and supervised kids’ zone, and more is also on offer.

“It is exciting to witness the realisation of our vision to re-establish Hollywoodbets Kenilworth as a venue that can be enjoyed by horse racing enthusiasts, families and groups of friends and colleagues alike,” says Donovan Everitt, the Chief Operating Officer of Cape Racing.

“The upgrades to the property take our entertainment offerings to the next level, and through the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas we look forward to offering the public access to a celebration of the cultural melting pot that makes the Mother City so unique, in what promises to be a festive and fun-filled family day out.”

With the first phase of an extensive renovation recently completed, Hollywoodbets Kenilworth reopened to the public in November with the Racing Renaissance Cape Summer Season of Champions – a series of seven feature races that will run until February 2024. These include the three internationally recognised Grade 1 events, the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas, the L’Ormarins King’s Plate on 6 January and the World Sports Betting Cape Town Met on 27 January.

The property rejuvenation also includes a full multimedia overhaul which enables visitors to follow all the action on state-of-the-art digital screens throughout the building, and on one of the largest outdoor screens in the country. Sound throughout the venue has also been upgraded, creating a world-class audio-visual experience of all the action.

“It has been incredible to see the transformation of the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse come to fruition, and we can’t wait to host the public who have yet to experience all the new features and rejuvenated facilities. A top-class race card awaits, including the much-anticipated R2 Million Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas, which gives one 3-year old a chance to etch their name in racing history. And best of all, the Kaapse Klopse will bring their flare and carnival vibe to cap off an incredible day out at the races,” said Devin Heffer, Brand and Communications Manager for Hollywoodbets.

Tickets are available from Computicket at R10 per adult, while kids under 18 are free (and must also be claimed on Computicket). No tickets will be available at the gate on 16 December.

Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas Meeting Panel Discussion

Alistair Cohen hosts a panel discussion about Saturday’s Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas meeting with guests Devon Pretorius and Grant van Niekerk.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE KNOWLEDGEABLE TRIO ANALYSE ALL TEN RACES

Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Cape Guineas Meeting Formguides

The At The Races Tipster has selected Gold Poker Game to win the Gr 3 Splashout Victress Stakes (Picture Wayne Marks)

At The Races

1 11:30 AM – Grandslots Work Riders’ Maiden Plate

A modest Work Riders’ maiden to get the prestigious Cape Guineas meeting underway. CASINO ACE is improving and finished 2nd over this trip last time so need only to repeat that performance to go one better. RIVERSTONE, ALWAYS FREE, J ROOPS and LAND OF HEAVEN were all gelded after modest introductions and are likely to improve with the benefit of that experience on their reappearances. Of the newcomers, TOM’S DINER is one to note with an accomplished rider engaged. GIMME’S CAPTAIN and ESCARPMENT could also have a role to play.

2 12:05 PM – Kaapse Klopse Summer Coronation Plate (Fillies) (2-Y-O)

WHISTLE THE TUNE made all when winning on debut over this course and distance, so ought to play a leading role. BLOWIN IN THE WIND is, however, 3kg better off with that rival and should turn the tables on these terms. SAHARA CAT caught the eye by running strongly on debut over 800m and that experience should stand her in good stead over the extra 200m. The betting should provide a guide to the chances of the newcomers – follow the market moves.

3 12:40 PM – HeartFM Commonwealth Plate (2-Y-O)

Competitive 2yo event. SWEETIE DARLING showed a professional attitude by sticking to her task well when making a winning debut. She ought to have come with that experience so should be competitive despite conceding weight to male rivals. HANDSOME PRINCE, LION RAMPART and KOLA TONIC are all likely to improve after encouraging introductions, although it could pay to side with the latter whose fast-finishing 3rd over 800m gave the impression that he’ll have more to offer over the extra 200m. Watch the betting for clues to the chances of the newcomers, of whom well-bred ROMAN AGENT appeals most.

4 1:18 PM – Pick ‘n Pay Class 2

Good race. The Snaith yard holds a strong hand with 6 of the 9 runners and it could pay to follow the progress of the only 3yo in the lineup, UNDERWORLD, who is progressive and likely to play a leading role under just 52kg. SEEKING THE ONE was somewhat disappointing, though not disgraced, over 1200m last time but ought to fare better, so could make amends over a more suitable trip which should also benefit SILVER OPERATOR who did not go unnoticed on his comeback over 1250m. Both CAPTAIN FONTANE and ITSRAININGWILLIAM are also capable of staking claims reverting to this distance.

5 1:53 PM – Flash Class 4

GET IMPRESSED enjoyed the run of the race from gate No 1 when finishing 2nd over this course and distance last time and should remain competitive even at this level from the same starting gate. BARDOLINO confirmed the improvement made with blinkers fitted by finishing two lengths adrift of that rival from a wide starting berth. He should pose more of a threat on these terms from gate No 4. KINGDOM OF HEAVEN landed a gamble when bouncing back to winning ways last time and he could confirm. NORDIC CHIEF (2.5kg better off) and LINDBERGH could have more to offer over this distance. Good race!

6 2:30 PM – SplashOut Victress Stakes (Grade 3) (4-Year-Old Fillies & Mares And Older)

Competitive Grade 3 event. Both SAARTJIE and ROYAL INVITATION have finished second in two consecutive outings so wouldn’t be winning out of turn. The former is favourably treated by the conditions of the race and ought to be competitive with improved fitness on her side, and on better weight terms. Last-start winners ENEMY TERRITORY and GOLD POKER GAME are likely to remain competitive, though the latter appeals most as she is weighted to confirm her superiority over ROYAL INVITATION, VIRGINIA SWEET and LOVE IS A ROSE. Returning HOLD MY HAND is weighted to be competitive on her reappearance.

7 3:05 PM – Ridgemont Peninsula Handicap (Grade 3) (Handicap) (3-Y-O+)

Wide-open Grade 3 contest in which a case can be made for several runners in this big field. However, it could pay to follow the progress of PONTE PIETRA who, after a fast-finishing 3rd over this distance last time, is weighted to turn the tables on both SACHDEV (2kg, drawn wide) and SUGAR MOUNTAIN (1.5kg), though the latter ought to remain competitive. On that form, ROCKPOOL should stake a claim, along with BARATHEON who is a dangerous frontrunner. SENSO UNICO, MONEY HEIST, TRIPLE TIME and Algoa Cup winner FUTURE SWING are not without chances either. WATERBERRY LANE remains capable too.

8 3:40 PM – Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas (Grade 1) (3-Y-O)

HLUHLUWE won the traditional Grade 2 trial over course and distance from stablemate SNOW PILOT and GREEN WITH ENVY so is the one they all have to beat. QUESTIONING and TAIL OF THE COMET are held on that form but are capable of posing more of a threat. ZIL MORIS and ZOOMIE can get involved but must improve to play leading roles. JERUSALEMA RAIN and CAPTAIN ARROW are useful sprinters who need to prove themselves over this distance. Filly RED PALACE is unbeaten over 1600m and could be hard to peg back if allowed to dictate terms.

9 4:15 PM – Ozow Class 4 (F & M)

RANI OF JHANSI and GIRL LIKE US are unexposed fillies who remain capable of playing leading roles in a race of this nature. The former has been freshened ahead of her Cape summer introduction, while the latter ran in a 1400m sales race after a winning debut and will enjoy reverting to a sprint. KNOCKOUT is lightly raced and could also improve with the benefit of a comeback run under her belt, so must be respected. GREAT CAT has maintained her form and consistency in both post-maiden outings and will be competitive. MIA’S HARPER is consistent at this level and has the form to land the spoils.

10 4:50 PM – Kazang Class 4

Tricky. MOYA WA LA LIGA bounced back to form in a stronger race over this course and distance last time, when refitted with a tongue-tie, and is likely to feature prominently in the finish with a repeat of that performance off a reduced mark. Consistent 3yo COASTAL COMMANDER is closely matched with LUNCH MONEY and BLIZZARD on the form of a recent track-and-trip meeting, and ought to remain competitive. The latter, however, should have more to offer with that comeback run under his belt, so warrants serious respect. OPEN HIGHWAY and FORT RED are also closely matched and capable of having a say.

Bavarian Beauty Could Spoil The Party In MDK Ipi Tombe Challenge

Can Gimme A Nother give Mike de Kock a fairytale win in the Gr 2 Mike de Kock Ipi Tombe Challenge? (Picture: 4Racing)

Gimethegreenlight filly Gimme A Nother has a fine chance from draw three carrying 53kg under JP van der Merwe. She produced a fine late burst to win the Fillies Mile.

However, she will have her work cut out to beat the classy Tony Peter-trained Bavarian Beauty. The latter is imposing and highly progressive and has a fair draw of four. However, as winner of the Douglas Whyte Thekwini Stakes last season she does have to carry a Gr 1 penalty, meaning she has to give Gimme Another 2kg.

Emirate Gina won the Gr 3 Fillies Mile last year. She comes off a fine run in the Listed Summer Pudding handicap over this course and distance. She gave the year younger winner Silver Sanctuary 7,5kg and was beaten only 0,80 lengths. The latter went on to be touched off by 0,30 lengths in the Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas. On the downside she has to overcome draw 9.

Feather Boa has a lot of class and should come into her own this season, being a daughter of Flower Alley. In fact, having been a hard-knocking Gr 1 horse as a three-year-old she finally had her first stakes win this season in the Gr 2 Betway Jo’Burg Fillies and Mares Challenge over 1450m. She followed up with a close second in a strong Pinnacle event over 1400m, where she gave the decent winner Savannah Storm 6kg. She will appreciate this step up in trip but does have a tricky draw of seven.

Silver Hills produced a strong finish last time over 1400m to beat Red Bomber and Unzen and the latter went on to win the WSB Grand Heritage. Being by Silvano out of SA Oaks winner Ash Cloud she will relish the step up in trip and will be improving all the while too. She has to be taken seriously from draw two.

Her Sean Tarry-trained stablemate Wingter Greeting found no extra last time over 1400m and was beaten 2,75 lengths by Feather Boa. She is now 5kg worse off with the latter, so is up against it, although to be fair she had seemed an exciting prospect before that run ,so can perhaps be forgiven.

Humdinger is 2kg better off with Feather Boa for a 1,60 length beating over 1400m, but she is undoubtedly better over 1400m than a mile.

Marigold Hotel is 1,5kg better off with Feather Boa for a 1,50 length beating in the Spring Challenge, so is not out of it, but she does have a tricky draw of eight.

My Soul Mate has to reverse a 4,45 length beating by Gimme A Nother.

Bavarian Beauty is tipped to spoil the party with Gimme Another second and Feather Boa, Emirate Gina and Silver Hills next best.

Operator Press Release About Tony Peter Investigation

Picture: Tony Peter’s first Gr 1 winer was Bavarian Beauty who runs in the Gr 2 Mike de Kock Ipi Tombe Challenge at the Big T on Sunday (Candiese Lenferna Photography).

4Racing Media Release

Tony Peter Investigation
Johannesburg, 14 December 2023

4Racing is committed to upholding the integrity of the sport of horseracing, not only in the interests of fairness to the betting public and our stakeholders, but most critically in the interests of the welfare of the horses on which the sport depends. The NHA’s interim suspension and summary withdrawal of the Tony Peter runners from the Betway Summer Cup on 25 November 2023 and subsequent lifting of the suspension the following day has left a number of unanswered questions.

Accordingly, in the interests of transparency and the integrity of the sport, 4Racing has formally requested the Chief Executive Officer of the NHA, Mr. Vee Moodley, to provide (a) the results of its preliminary investigation; and (b) its reasons for the withdrawal of the horses trained by Tony Peter from the remaining races of the Betway Summer Cup
and imposing, and then subsequently lifting, the interim suspension.

To date the Chief Executive Officer of the NHA, has repeatedly refused to provide any such information or reasons to 4Racing or any indication as to when the NHA expects to conclude its inquiry.

However, 4Racing would like to assure all racing stakeholders that it is giving the matter its highest priority and it will continue to engage the NHA to bring the matter to a conclusion as soon as possible.

Ends.