Turf Talk Newsletter – 17 June, 2025

PMB Derby/Oaks Winners Heading For Gold Cup

She’s A Bomber ran on resolutely to win the Gr 3 Tote Oaks at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday. (Candiese Lenferna Photography).

The Gareth van Zyl-trained Gr 3 Tote Derby winner King Pelles and the Alyson Wright-trained Tote Oaks winner She’s A Bomber might meet in the Gold Cup at the end of the season and might also meet in the Gr 3 Splashout 2200 on Hollywoodbets Durban July day bofore that.

King Pelles spoilt the party for the two horses Future Swing and Holding Thumbs, who were attempting to qualify for the Hollywoodbets Durban July, in the Tote Derby at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday.

Future Swing carried topweight but was beaten over eight lengths into fifth in the 2400m contest, so looks unlikely to hold on to his July log position of 18th unless there are scratchings.

Holding Thumbs finished a gallant 1,20 length second, but was receiving 1kg from the 105-rated winner King Pelles, so that might not be a good enough finish to advance him significantly from his outside the top 20 looking in position on the July log. although the spread out nature of the finish on Saturday points to it being a good performance.

King Pelles lobbed along in fourth position on the rail after jumping from draw three under S’Manga Khumalo.

In the straight he chased Holding Thumbs, who had stolen a march along the outside rail as the pacemaker Future Swing faded away.

King Pelles’ resolute finish wore Holding Thumbs down and he beat him by 1,20 lengths, while Field Marshall was beaten 3,60 lengths into third, Cape Eagle was 7,10 lengths back in fourth and Future Swing was beaten 8,40 lengths into fifth.

S’MANGA KHUMALO said in the winner’s enclosure: “It’s not so easy to pop out of the gates and place the horse wherever you want to … they need to be warm and alert. Gareth told me that he does come out, but you have to also help him. I cantered him all the way to the 500m and trotted him back, just to keep him warm. He was slightly sluggish, but I made sure that he was going ‘to be there’ and take the lead early … whatever then comes around, I would follow and take it from there. Knowing I wasn’t tied down, made it easier on me. I rode this horse once and I said to Gareth that maybe go further. Gareth said that he does enjoy further. I had to ride him in this to get a feel of what kind of horse he is. Since I won the Gold Cup for Gareth, Mr Van Zyl senior said that this horse would give me the same feel. Well done. To the Bling fans, whoop whoop!”

GARETH VAN ZYL said in the winner’s enclosure: “He’s a horse that I have a feel for … he’s one of my last standing soldiers from Cape Town. He did well for me there and I got to know him well with the small string I had there. Coming back, I mapped out a plan for him. It’s so rewarding when it comes together. Coming from last in the 1500m race behind Dave The King and closing the way he did, I thought it was a phenomenal effort for a stayer. He came out of his 2 prep runs so well and hope he will do again, so he can go forward to the last 2 races of the season we have planned for him. It was very special to have received this horse from my Dad. I inherited this horse from him … he picked him at the sale … he loved him … Ravi loved him … Ravi was very kind in that he wanted everyone involved. It’s so pleasurable to win this for them. We love racing with them. They deserve this. It’s a privilege to train for all of them”.

RAVI PADAYACHEE said in the winner’s enclosure: “All credit to the van Zyl’s. Gareth gave me and the team confidence. He did mention that his 2 runs weren’t his ideal trip and had him prepped for today. It doesn’t always work out, but today it was perfect. Twenty years ago, you (Deez) interviewed me here at Scottsville with my first winner, with Jeff Lloyd … now 20 years later, to win a Group 3 here, is emotional. It’s my lovely late wife’s colours and we always dress in them. Gavin and I bought the horse together. King Pelles … KP … is my son (his initials) … that’s why we went for it … and I liked Duke of Marmalade. Gavin thought he would win a group race. Gareth is a real horseman and gentleman.”

Groom : Thembalani Nene

King Pelles, a Drakenstein Stud-bred four-year-old gelding bred by Duke Of Marmalade, won the Gr 3 Goodwood Chairmans Cup over 2500m on L’Ormarins King’s Plate day in January, beating Holding Thumbs by 1,75 lengths when receiving 2kg.

Therefore On Saturday his price of 10/1 was generous even if there was a 3kg swing in Holding Thumb’s favour at the weights, meaning he had to carry 58,5kg.

King Pelles is out of the Galileo mare Grail Maiden and is thus a half-brother to the Lancaster Bomber colt Legend Of Arthur, the Gr 1 SA Derby winner who is prominent in the Hollywoodbets Durban July betting.

Raced in partnership by Lucky Vest 12 CC (Nom:Ravi Padayachee), Messrs D MacLean, G J Player & N V Parmanand, King Pelles was chosen by the astute Gavin Van Zyl and purchased for R475 000 off the BSA National Yearling Sale.

Now a winner of 5 races with 7 places from 20 starts, King Pelles has earned R729 94729 945.

Gareth said he would be worth following if he ran on Hollywoodbets Durban July day, although he did not commit to which race he would run in, and he added that his ultimate target is the Gr 3 Gold Cup on the last weekend of the season.

Earlier, the Varsfontein Stud-bred Lancaster Bomber three-year-old filly She’s A Bomber had also sat on the rail in fourth position in the Tote Oaks after jumping from draw five under Athandiwe Mgudlwa.

She ran on well to put heself in contention and then fought back well after Knockout had hit the front at the 200m mark looking the winner.

In the end She’s A Bomber, carrying 53,5kg, prevailed by 0,30 lengths from the strong-finishing favourite and topweight My Soul Mate, with Knockout beaten a length into third.

ATHANDIWE MGUDLWA said in the winner’s enclosure: “She loved the step up in distance. She’s won nicely and deserves it. It helped that the speed was on. From the position that I was in, the pace picked up at the right time. She was cruising when turning for home and dug down to win nicely. I don’t think that there was ever a doubt about her seeing out the trip … she just needed to strengthen up which she showed here today.”

ALYSON WRIGHT said in the winner’s enclosure: “She’s always shown us that she’s a nice filly. There were a few disappointing runs, but she was always looking for this sort of trip and her aim was to come here. She’ll be a lovely mare after her racing career. Well done to Varsfontein … we love their horses. Kevin loved this filly … she was at the TBA Cape Town Sale … so well done to him for picking her.”

It was the first time She’s Bomber, who is out of a Judpot mare, had gone over a staying trip so he has an interesting career ahead of her.

Alyson said, “We will enter her for the Splashout 2200 and just see and we will also look at the Gold Cup and Gold Bracelet on Gold Cup day.”

She’s a Bomber is owned by Rikesh Sewgoolam and Mauritian Reynolds Chung.

Alyson spoke about the purchase of She’s A Bomber, “Both Rikesh and Reynold said if we saw anything nice at the BSA Cape Yearling Sale to let them know and Kevin loved this filly. We had trained her half brother Inauguration, who won one race for us before going to Mauritius and won a few there. We clinched her for R150,000.”

She’s A Bomber has now won 4 races with 2 places from her 9 starts for stakes of R406 438.

Gavin Lerena To Ride Madison Valley In Hollywoodbets Durban July

Madison Valley and Gavin Lerena teamed up to win the Michaelmas last October. (Candiese Lenferna Photography).

Frank Robinson described it as a coup to land Gavin Lerena for his Sid Moodley-owned Mambo In Seattle gelding Madison Valley for the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

He said the top jockeys usually try and get on the horses from the big yards.

Big yards invariably win the July, with the last example of a smaller yard winning it being the Harold Crawford and Michelle Rix-trained 2021 winner Kommetdieding and ironically Gavin Lerena was aboard.

Before that one probably had to go back to the Pat Antelme-trained Gondolier in 1985 to find a small yard winner of South Africa’s premier horse race.

However, Frank himself has been associated with a small yard winner as he was working for Summerveld trainer Gael Thompson when Jamaican Rumba won in 1982 ridden by Paddy Wynne.

That was two years after he had worked for Johnny Nicholson when Beau Art won in 1980. Frank was still at school when he worked for Nicholson and he used to arrive in the mornings on hs 50cc motorbike, then drive to Pinetown Boys High for school lessons and return to the yard on his motorbike in the afternoons.

Frank later had a long association with the legendary Herman Brown Snr, which culminated in him having a shared licence with Herman Brown Jnr and he then took over the yard on his own.

The Browns Snr and Jnr between them had many narrow calls in the July, including crossing the line first with Gatecrasher in 1975, before being demoted to third after an objection, finishing second with Bold Monarch in 1977, second with Versailles in 1984, second with Sleek Machine in 1996 and second with Sushisan in 2006. The yard’s most recent closest call was third with Orbison in 2010.

Madison Valley was the winner of the Gr 3 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial over 1800m and last year won the Gr 3 DSTV Gold Vase over 3000m and he finished a flying 2,35 length fourth in the Gr 1 Betway Summer Cup when jumping from a wide draw and coming from the back of the field.

Gavin Lerena was aboard Madison Valley when he won the Non-Black Type Michaelmas Handicap over 1900m at Hollywoodbets Greyville last October, which was the second time he had ridden the rangy horse.

In other July riding news Callan Murray has been confirmed to be riding the Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained Immediate Edge, as was expected.

Gareth van Zyl Joins An Elite Six-Timer Club

Luhamba Phambili gives Gareth van Zyl the fifth of six winners at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Monday and clinches a five-timer for S’Manga Khumalo. (Candiese Lenferna Photgraphy).

Van Zyl Six and Khumalo Five

Gareth van Zyl had high hopes for his two first-timers at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Monday and felt he had some other fair chances, but he never expected to have a six-timer.

There were only eight races at the meeting and Gareth revealed that he had a very strong chance with a scheduled race that was scrapped, so it could have been seven. His previous best on a day was four winners.

The six-timer has seen him pull six wins ahead of Garth Puller in the KZN Trainers Championship, so he should retain his title.He is now on 44 wins achieved at a strike rate of 13.84% with Pulller on 38 wins (10.95%), Alyson Wright on 35 (10.06%), Dean Kannemeyer on 34 wins (16.50%) and Peter Muscutt on 32 wins (21.62%.).

Gareth’s day started with an unusual first-timer, a horse bred by Sabine Plattner’s La Plaisance Stud but sold at the Sales.

Gavin van Zyl spotted this Vercingetorix colt, Wild Justice, who is a half-brother to the like of recent Gr 3 WSB 1900 winner Selukwe and to the decent 119-rated Supreme Warrior, and had to go to R900,000 to clinch him at last year’s BSA August two-yar-old Sale.

Nicholas Patel is very much part of the Van Zyl yard team and he was given the ride on the 4/1 shot Wild Justice, who showed great resolve to get the better of the 87/100 favourite Holy Star. Wild Justice is owned by Al Khayl Breeders (Pty) Ltd, Lucky Vest 12 CC (Nom: Mr Ravi Padayachee) & Miss Trinisha Pillay.

Gareth’s high hopes that the Laurence Wernars-owned Blue Sky Thoroughbreds-bred Legislate filly Serengetti Sun would make it two first-timers on the trot then came to fruition as the tall filly responded to strong urgings by S’Manga Khumalo to get up by a head and convert 83/100 odds. This half-sister to the ultra consistent Mogok 102-rated sprinter-to-1400m horse African Skyline went for R600,000 at the BSA August Two-year-old Sale after being chosen by Gavin van Zyl and Justin Vermaak. She looks like she might need a bit further.

In the third race Gareth said Futura filly Are You Sure, who is out of a Gimmethegreenlight filly, had shown herself to be a 1000m horse early on but having strengthened and matured she enjoyed the step up to 1200m and won by a cosy two length under Khumalo to convert 18/10 odds. She thus got rid of her maiden tag at the eighth time of asking but not before running three seconds, a third and three fifths for owners Mrs I Reddy,Messrs Kenny Naidoo,T Pillay,Theron Pillay,J A Vosloo,Lucky Vest12CC(Nom:Mr Ravi Padayachee) & SMB InsuranceBrokersCC(Nom:Mr M A Brackett). She was purchased for R160,000 at the BSA National Yearling Sale.

Gareth then made it a fourth win in the first four races when the consistent older filly Prankster (Canford Cliffs) won under Khumalo by three lengths over 1100m, despite 6/1 odds. Gareth had hopes for her as she had “seemed to be getting a little bit lazy” and the strong rider Khumalo was thus a “significant jockey strike.”

The yard’s only race contested that they did not win on the day was the fifth over 2400m and Gareth knew that the maiden King Celtillius would be up against it his first attempt at a staying trip running against winners in a C Stakes event under 4kg claimer Mxolisi Mbuto. So it proved as he could only manage a 4,25 length fourth.

In the seventh race Gareth felt Luhamba Phambili (Danon Platina) had credentials on form and the she duly delivered with a comfortable 2,50 length victory at odds of 5/2 to give Khumalo a five-timer on the day as he had also won the sixth race on the Wendy Whitehead-trained Giambattista.

Gareth said, “As the third, fourth and fifth winnners progressed I was just going through the day and enjoying it, but when I was hoping for the sixth that’s when the awareness and the tension set in.”

The punters also latched on to the trend for the day as they backed the Rafeef gelding Rafa’s Boy from 7/1 into 4/1 for the 1000m Bright Future Class 4 Handicap.

Gareth felt Rafa’s Boy might battle to overcome the seven point raise after his easy course and distance win in his previous start.

However, Anthony Delpech provided some excellent advice for Sean Veale.

Gareth said, “Anthony had noticed the ground had cut up and suggested Sean go to the front.”

It is harder for horses to fetch a leader when the ground is loose.

Veale rousted his mount out of the gates and took the lead towards the outside, having jumped from draw ten.

He drifted steadily inward to the inside rail and Rafa’s Boy held on from a fast-finishing Mar Del Plata to win by 0,60 lengths and clinch a quick double for Hollywood Racing.

Gareth said retaining the championship had been one his chief goals since closing his Cape Town operation and he will be hard to catch now.

This is actually the second time a trainer has won six races on a day this calendar year. Alan Greeff did it on 21 February on the Fairview polytrack, also at an eight race meeting. Greeff also scored a six-timer, at a ten race meeting at Fairview, on 14 April 2023.

Van Zyl and Khumalo had a fine long weekend together as they also won the Gr 3 Tote Derby on Saturday with Duke Of Marmalade gelding King Pelles. Gareth said he would find a race for this horse on Hollywoodbets Durban July day before thinking about running him in the Gold Cup.

All Quiet on July's Final Supplementary Day, Weights Published

Underworld’s supplementary entry last week turned out to be the Hollywoodbets Durban July’s final entry for this year’s renewal of the great race. (Candiese Lenferna Photography).

There were no further supplementary entries on Tuesday June 17, which was the final supplementary stage of the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

The Justin Snaith-trained Underworld was supplemented last week, which left the number of horses still standing their ground at 30.

The published weights of the 30 entries and their betting odds with the sponsor are shown below:

Legend Of Arthur – 53 – 117 – Sean Tarry – 25-2

Future Swing – 55 – 117 – Justin Snaith – 40-1

Immediate Edge – 53 – 108 – Mike/Mathew de Kock – 7-1

Purple Pitcher – 57.5 – 122 – Robyn Klaasen – 50-1

Rainbow Lorikeet – 53 – 111 – Candice Bass-Robinson – 67-1

Joy And Peace – 53 – 110 – Alan Greeff – 150-1

Son Of Raj – 56 – 119 – Tony Peter – 100-1

The Equator (IRE) – 54 – 110 – Tony Peter – 50-1

Atticus Finch – 57 – 121 – Alec Laird – 33-1

Madison Valley – 54 – 115 – Frank Robinson – 40-1

Eight On Eighteen – 57 – 129 – Justin Snaith – 18-10

On My Honour – 53 – 116 – Glen Kotzen – 40-1

Magic Verse – 54 – 113 – Justin Snaith – 50-1

Selukwe – 54 – 111 – Andre Nel – 17-1

Confederate – 53.5 – 118 – Fabian Habib – 33-1

Royal Victory – 59 – 125 – Nathan Kotzen – 17-1

Beating Wings – 53 – 113 – Stuart Pettigrew – 100-1

Okavango – 54.5 – 120 – Justin Snaith – 20-1

Gladatorian – 60 – 127 – Stuart Ferrie – 20-1

Litigation – 54 – 113 – Sean Tarry – 100-1

Oriental Charm – 60 – 127 – James Crawford – 11-2

Pomodoro’s Jet – 55.5 – 118 – James Crawford – 67-1

Holding Thumbs – 54 – 108 – Glen Kotzen – 33-1

Underworld – 54 – 109 – Justin Snaith – 25-1

Thunee Playa – 54 – 104 – Mano Pandaram – 150-1

See It Again – 60 – 127 – Michael Roberts – 10-1

Native Ruler – 54 – 119 – Justin Snaith – 25-1

My Best Shot – 53 – 116 – Alan Greeff – 33-1

Mucho Dinero – 54 – 115 – Justin Snaith – 100-1

The Real Prince – 56.5 – 120 – Dean Kannemeyer – 14-1

Eight On Eighteen Heads Equus Horse Of The Year Table

Eight On Eighteen can also afford to look over his shoulder in the Horse Of The Year Standings as he looks unlikely to be caught. (Candiese Lenferna Photography).

Unsurprisingly, this Season’s triple Grade 1-winning Eight On Eighteen holds a commanding lead in both the Equus Three-Year-Old Male category as well as the race for the prestigious Horse Of The Year title.

Eight On Eighteen has accumulated 140 points while his nearest challenger in both these divisions, One Stripe (96 points), has been exported to further his racing career in the USA.

Fatal Flaw holds the lead in the Three-Year-Old Filly category ahead of Fiery Pegasus and Spumante Dolce, and the forthcoming Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes (Gr1) could be the race that decides the outcome.

In the Champion Older Male category Gimme A Prince (75 points) enjoys a very slender lead over Oriental Charm (72 points) but there are a number of races, not least of which the Hollywoodbets Durban July (Gr1) and Mercury Sprint (Gr1), that will have a huge impact on what the points tally in this category might finally look like by the end of July.

Mia Moo (56 points) leads Double Grand Slam (46 points) and Asiye Phambili (44 points) in the chase for the Champion Older Female, while Good For You and Direct Hit head the respective Champion Two-Year-Old Male and Champion Two-Year-Old Fillies divisions.

Gimme A Prince currently leads the pack for Champion Sprinter honours, with Cosmic Speed, Eight On Eighteen and Holding Thumbs ahead in the Champion Miler, Champion Middle Distance and Stayers’ categories.

While the Equus judging panel, comprising Graeme Hawkins, Nico Kritsiotis, Rouvaun Smit, Deez Dayanand and Vicky Minott, have the final say when it comes to deciding the Equus Champions in each category, both the list of nominees and their final decisions are largely informed by the Equus Logs.

Herewith the Equus Awards’ logs as at 10 June 2025:

HORSE OF THE YEAR

Eight On Eighteen:140
One Stripe: 96
Fire Attack: 76
Gimme A Prince: 75
Oriental Charm: 72

THREE-YEAR-OLD MALE

Eight On Eighteen: 140
One Stripe: 96
Fire Attack: 76
Cosmic Speed: 70

THREE-YEAR-OLD FILLY

Fatal Flaw: 72
Fiery Pegasus: 60
Spumante Dolce: 56

TWO-YEAR-OLD MALE

Good For You: 36
Charming Cheetah: 20

TWO-YEAR-OLD FILLY

Direct Hit: 40
Green Diamond: 24
One Fine Winter: 24
Elegantrix: 24

OLDER MALE

Gimme A Prince: 75
Oriental Charm: 72
William Robertson: 50
Dave The King: 48
Atticus Finch: 44

OLDER FEMALE

Mia Moo: 56
Double Grand Slam: 48
Asiye Phambili: 44
Rascova: 40

CHAMPION SPRINTER

Gimme A Prince: 60
Mia Moo: 56
William Robertson: 50

CHAMPION MILER

Cosmic Speed: 64
Oriental Charm: 48
One Stripe: 48
Dave The King: 48
Gladatorian: 44

CHAMPION MIDDLE DISTANCE

Eight On Eighteen: 48
Fire Attack: 48
Atticus Finch: 44

CHAMPION STAYER

Holding Thumbs: 15
Mucho Dinero: 12
Love Is A Rose:10
King Pelles: 8
My Soul Mate: 8

Tenpenny Surfs Home At A Cold And Wet Hollywoodbets Kenilworth

Tenpenny (What A Winter) was an easy winner under JP van dr Merwe. (Picture: Wayne Marks).

Graeme Hawkins (Race Coast)

Tenpenny stepped up to the plate and came home a convincing winner of the sixth race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth yesterday, a B Stakes over 1600m. Easy to back at 4/1 during the ante-post market, Tenpenny shortened in the betting as race time approached and was sent out 9/4 favourite. JP van der Merwe rode a supremely confident race, allowing Tenpenny to lope along at the back of the 8-horse field, but the eye-catching and imposing 3yo son of What A Winter, revelling in the rain and soft underfoot conditions, accelerated well to score with plenty in hand.

Bred in KwaZulu-Natal at Brett Van Laun’s Camargue Stud, Tenpenny was an impressive yearling and now on the racetrack, he is certainly heading in the right direction. He has been given time to develop into his large frame by trainer Paddy Kruyer and, going forward, I would expect Tenpenny to prove competitive in higher grades than he faced yesterday. Katsu ran on steadily to fill the Exacta position ahead of Captain West who stayed on from the back half of the field to complete the Trifecta.

In the opening event, a Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies) over 1000m, apprentice Sifisokuhle Bungane rode his first winner since relocating to the Western Cape, steering home the 50/1 chance Between The Lines to a comfortable victory over the debutante, Stormwatch. Trained by Piet Steyn, Between The Lines had shown limited potential in her first three starts but clearly benefitted from a 4-month rest and won a good race in murky conditions.

The second race, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1200m, saw a most impressive debut winning performance by the Argentinian-bred colt Saudi Cat who drifted to 10/1 in the face of strong support for the odds-on favourite Chance Encounter. Chance Encounter and Saudi Cat joined issue at the 600m pole, but the latter quickened smartly under Gavin Lerena approaching the final 200m and put the race to bed in a matter of strides. Trained by Vaughan Marshall, Saudi Cat (Arg) is clearly well above the average and owners Rakesh Sewgoolam and Laurence and Jaryd Wernars have plenty to look forward to.

Although easing in the market to 7/2, Boundless Love was the popular choice in the third race, an Open Maiden over 1400m, and the 3yo son of Master Of My Fate duly delivered with the minimum of fuss. Ridden by JP van der Merwe, Boundless Love was always well placed and took command halfway up the stretch to beat Charlie Bucket cosily by more than a length.

Punters were again on the mark in the fourth race and opening leg of the Pick 6, a Class 4 Handicap over 1400m, when the well supported favourite Industrialstrength (9/4) ran out a smooth winner over the game front-runner Boogified (7/2). This was his first run since being gelded in March and Industrialstrength may yet train on to fulfil trainer Dean Kannemeyer’s high expectations of the lightly raced 4yo son of Gimmethegreenlight. This was Craig Zackey’s 225th winner for the season, closing temporarily to within five of current leader Richard Fourie.

It was a case of now or never for Midway (2/1) when he lined up in a shallow field for the fifth race, a D Stakes over 1600m. To cut the story short, Midway and Louis Mxothwa got the job done but only by the narrowest of margins over the 150/1 chance Royal Dawn, who’s previous seven starts were all unplaced efforts. Midway looked the right banker on yesterday’s card but I will not be in a hurry to label the 4yo son of Pomodoro again any time soon!

The distance for the seventh race, a D Stakes, was shortened from 2200m to 1950m due to concerns with the track and this played into the hands of the favourite Baton Rouge (15/10) who romped home with two lengths to spare over Twice The Master (9/2) and Gold Index (16/1). Trained by Piet Botha, Baton Rouge was Richard Fourie’s 231st winner for the season.

Apprentice Bungane struck for a second time in the eighth race, a D Stakes over 1000m, when pretty much going start to finish on the 16/1 chance Over The Atlantic for trainer Des McLachlan. The 3yo daughter of The United States was shedding her maiden ticket at the 19th time of asking and is clearly limited. The US Of A put an indifferent last run firmly behind him with a fluent victory in the ninth race, a Class 4 Handicap. The US Of A was a second winner on the day for trainer Paddy Kruyer and Champion jockey Richard Fourie.

Lady Bug Could Score At Hollywoodbets Greyville's Poly Meeting

Lady Bug has been tipped to win the last race. (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Andrew Harrison (Race Coast)

A competitive nine-race card on the poly faces punters at Hollywoodbets Greyville today. There are no absolute standouts as far as the exotics go but most of the races can be boiled down to two or three obvious contenders.

One of the better bets could come in the second where Dean Kannemeyer saddles the regally bred Ms Sakura out of the seven-time winner Cherry On The Cake. She showed up well on debut and should much prefer this trip. She also has the best of the draw. Mike Miller sends out Nautical Landing who has the widest draw but has been frustrating to follow as she has only finished out of the money once in a dozen starts for one win but goes well this trip. Echo made sudden improvement last run at long odds but seemed to enjoy the extra. She has a chance on a repeat showing. Late Bloomer makes her debut for Justin Snaith and is one to watch in the betting.

The consistent Silver Platter can get the PA off to a good start and is overdue a win. He has run two good races in blinkers on the poly but is a big striding, one-pace gelding who may need to be given his head early. Limelight Legend has shown up well in his last two in fairly strong maiden company and has to give weight to most of his rivals. Apache AG is lightly raced but nearly upset last run with first time blinkers. A repeat effort should see him close again.

The opening leg of the Pick 6 is a competitive handicap with many in with chances. Frank Robinson’s filly One Path has improved with a tongue-tie and goes well on the poly. This trip from a good draw gives a lot in her favour. Prom Queen got a five-point shunt up the handicap for her last win and now meets Fireburst on 1.5kg worse terms but she does have the better draw. Plum Pudding looks the pick of the Andre Nel pair given jockey bookings. She won well on her local debut and can improve further. Greenhouse is possibly held by Prom Queen on their last meeting while lightly raced Meritorious could surprise in spite of her modest comeback run from a lengthy break.

In the fifth, Sequoia has his first run for a new stable but comes with strong Fairview form and looks well in at these weights. Imperial Power was narrowly beaten over course and distance last run and that form has since been franked so the inference is obvious. Sundance Kid did not put in his best last run and was also friendless in the market. He meets Few Dollars More on the same weight terms as when last they met and Glen Kotzen’s runner could turn the tables. Icy Blast has shown up well in two outings on the poly and can feature again.

Magical View could land the sixth for Miller as she hardly ever runs a bad race and is over her optimum trip. She has finished close-up in two features behind the useful Green Sapphire at recent outings and should go close in this contest. There was a head separating Magical View and School Policy when last they met, the latter making her local debut. She boasts consistent Cape form and can turn the tables. Goodnessgraciousme improved nicely at her second KZN start. She is down in trip but from a plum draw she must be an inclusion in all exotic bets. Two G’s shows a lot of promise and was a beaten favourite behind the useful Bevie’s Delight last time out. She faces a fair field here but is still improving

In the seventh, Cape form has generally proven superior to local and although Bank Street has a modest Cape Town record he has never been far back. He gets his first run for Stuart Ferrie and Sean Veale, who was aboard most of his starts in Cape Town, stays aboard. Mac Hardy is over his best course and distance and is seldom out of the money. An interesting runner is Gimme The Flame. Heather Adamson is seldom seen in KZN but the mare is possibly down for a crack on the poly and is one to watch.

Mr Master Starter and Thisiswhatitmeans look to be the principals in the eighth. Dean Kannemeyer’s charge beat MJ Odendaal’s runner by a length when last they met back in February. Since then Thisiswhatitmeans has twice won on the refurbished poly. The pair meet at level weights and there should be little between them. Both could be upstaged by Twenty One May. Duncan Howells has confined his charge to 1000m at recent outings but he shows good pace. He makes his poly debut and the quicker surface could see him home over the extra furlong. Cold Shine has his first run for a new stable but has not been out since December last year and may need the outing.

The last is another tricky handicap but although Lady Bug has a tricky draw to contend with she made a smart return from a break when going down narrowly over her favourite course and distance. If beating the draw she will go close. Ethereal View was back to her best last time out when a close-up second at long odds. She jumps from a favourable gate and will go close on a repeat showing. Avernian Princess has been a frustrating filly to follow but she got it all right last run over course and distance and can beat the five-point rise in the handicap. Buttercup Baby has patchy form but is smart on her day and not out of it.