Picture: King Pelles was an impressive winner of the Gr 3 Durban Gold Vase and will win many new pals if he scores his fourth Gr 3 staying race victory of the season (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Gareth van Zyl said the Gr 3 World Pool Gold Cup favourite King Pelles had pulled up with a “slight niggle” from his win in the Gr 3 Durban Gold Vase, but he had responded well to treatment.

He said, “We had to treat it and treating it has been a success. He is doing great and is in a very good space.”

Gareth and S’Manga Khumalo won the Gold Cup in 2020 with Paths Of Victory, while Khumalo also won it in 2016 with the Mike de Kock-trained Enaad.

Gareth said about King Pelles’ credentials, “Stamina is of no concern and he has the perfect draw of four. I hope he is  not sluggish out of the pens as he was last time, in which case a good draw can’t be utilised.”

Gareth does not issue intructions to S’Manga and said he usually lived by an old adage, “A good rider doesn’t need instructions and a bad rider can’t follow them, so you don’t have to give them either way.”

Considering King Pelles is joined by the like of Dave The King, Chronicle King, King Harald, King Of The Gauls, Outlaw King, Royal Victory, World Of Royalty, The Real Prince, Princess Of Gaul and Count Of Rouen as runners on the day it could be another day for royalty, just as Hollywoodbets Durban July day was.

In the first race Gareth runs Imilenzeyokududuma, who proved his class when running third in the Gr 1 wfa Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600mat Turffontein Standside.

He subsequently finished 11,65 lengths back in the Gr 1 HKJC World Pool Premier’s Champions Challenge over 2000m, also at Turffontein, and has not run since that race, which was four months ago.

The 114-rated six-year-old Dynasty gelding has to carry 62kg and is drawn out at ten in the Listed Michel Nairac Appreciation Stakes over 1600m, but Gareth said, “The break has done him good and he’s doing very well. On the downside he does not have good gatespeed and is drawn ten, so not sure whether he is going to be in a striking position but hopefully the race works out for him alright. He turns it on and can sustain a finish, so the course and distance will suit him and he is in a very good space and has been working well, so I am expecting a big run.”

Sean Veale is aboard the Hollywood Racing-owned bay.

In the second race, the Gr 2 World Pool with Race Coast Debutante over 1200m, Gareth runs the promising Legislate filly Serengetti Sun, who was backed on debut over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and delivered under S’Manga Khumalo.

She only won by a head, but the third-placed horse was beaten 6,90 lengths.

However, the form has not worked out exceptionally well and Gareth said, “I did expect her to win easier. She’s a filly that’s working well and she shows a lot of ability, so I’m quite excited to weigh her up against the better juveniles and see where we are.”

In the tenth race, the Listed HKIR In December Umngeni Handicap over 1000m, the yard run the three-year-old One World gelding Lion Rampart, who is owned by Hollywood Racing and Sean Veale is up from a wide draw of 12.

In his first run for the yard the former Cape Town-based dual Listed-winning 109-rated sprinter finished 4,85 lengths back in a Class 2 event over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville, but he was just three-quarters of a length behind subsequent Gr 2 Post Merchants winner I Am Giant.

Gareth said, “He’s doing good. I think he may just come on with this run under the belt. He’s not really where I think he can be, but he is working well and is in a good space.”

Sean Tarry is bullish about the chances of Tin Pan Alley in the Gr 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Champion Stakes over 1600m (JC Photos) 

Sean Tarry has numerous chances on World Pool Gold Cup day at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

In the Gr 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Champion Stakes he sends out the exciting The United States colt Tin Pan Alley, who met a heap of trouble from a wide draw in the Gr 2 Durban Golden Horseshoe over 1400m but still managed a 1,60 length third, and he also sends out Querari gelding Blizzard Quest, who won over the course and distance on June 7, but he was subseqeuntly beaten 3,90 lengths by Champion Stakes contender Jan Van Goyen on the Highveld over 1400m.

Sean said, “I was surprised Tin Pan Alley got so close considering the amount of trouble he met and I expected him to come out of such a rough race not well at all, but he actually came out of it quite nicely. I think even though he went so close in that race he is a better horse than that, so we are hoping for a big run.”

Sean believes Tin Pan Alley will have no problem seeing out the trip.

He said about Blizzard Quest, “We will change tactics from how he was ridden last time (he led). He is doing well, it is a big jump up in class for him, but I’m hoping for a nice run.”

He runs One Fine Winter, Tina Lovelace and Alta Capitana in the Gr 1 Douglas Whyte Thekwini Stakes over 1600m.

One Fine Winter has 2,30 lengths to make up on Golden Palm from the SA Fillies Nursery over 1160m and is speeedily bred. Sean said about her staying the trip, “I think she will stay the trip. Obviously we don’t know for sure, but I’ve got a feeling she will. She has always run over 1200m as if it might be a little bit sharp for her, so we’re upbeat she will get the trip. We had a hiccup with her going into Scottsville and I think she was about 85% there whereas now I’ve got her spot on. Golden Palm is a worthy favourite, but I think we can give her a go.”

He continued, “Alta Capitana has had a lovely prep, everything has gone well, but she is going to want a lot more ground than this. I think she will run well, I’m hoping it is not too sharp for her.”

He added, “Tina Lovelace has got a nice draw this time. She does her best work late. She definitely showed us down the straight that she is not a sprinter and has improved nicely both times at Hollywoodbets Greyville, so I think she is a nice outsider to be finishing strongly.”

He has two runners in the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint over 1200m, the Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint first and third placed finishers Mia Moo and Mrs Browning.

He said, “They will both enjoy the bend and are both doing well. I have to be upbeat about them with their draws and Mia Moo is also the highest rated of the six females in the race and Mrs Browning is only two points lower than her, so they are both big runners.”

In the Gr 2 Follow @Worldpool on X Stakes over 1200m he runs the talented One World colt Shadowfax, who upset Jan van Goyen over 1160m second time out, although he was receiving 3kg and the latter then reversed form over 1400m at level weights, beating Shadowfax by 2,30 lengths.

Shadowfax should enjoy coming down in trip and Sean said, “He is still a bit playful, I don’t know if the penny has quite dropped yet, he is still a bit coltish, but on ability he has a big chance.”

He pointed out that he traveled a bit too well last time over 1400m and couldn’t get a run and concluded, “It was a bit of a mess and I wouldn’t read too much into it.”

He runs Mystical Miss in the Gr 2 World Pool With Race Coast Debutante over 1200m and said, “We’re stepping her up in trip but I am hoping she is as effective over 1200m as she is over 1000m. She has a nice draw and I’m hoping for a good run, although there are one or two hotties in the race. She has missed a prep run as the timing wasn’t perfect.”

In the World Pool Gold Cup Sean runs the former winner of the prestigious 3200m race Nebraas, although he won as a a four-year-old and is now an eight-year-old.

Sean said, “He is an old campaigner and comes in with a nice weight. It looks like a tough race for him, but he will raise his game and will run well. I am not too phased about his last run, it was a slow run race and he was prepping for this race.”

He runs Red Maple and Let’s Go Now in the Gr 2 Bet With The World Gold Bracelet over 2000m and said, “It’s a tough race for both of them. Red Maple is coming back from a long break. I had hoped to give her a prep run, but couldn’t find the right prep run with the right timing. So we might not have her at 100% but I think she is very close to 90% and she’s doing well and moving well and she runs well at Hollywoodbets Greyville. It’s her last run before she goes to stud, so I’m hoping for Mary it is a good run.”

He continued, “I’m not too sure what happened to Let’s Go Now in the Jubilee, I think she might have jarred up in the race. Holywoodbets Greyville hasn’t been her happy hunting ground, so we are just hoping, although she is in a good space.”

He runs the the United States three-year-old filly Rodeo Drive in the Listed HKIR In December Umngeni Stakes over 1000m and said, “She has had a lovely prep run into this race, I am very happy with how her preparation has gone, and I think she is a livewire. 1000m might be a touch sharp but I think she has got a chance.”

In the first race over 1600m, the Listed Michel Nairac Appreciation Stakes, Sean runs The Africa House, who is 2kg under sufferance according to official merit ratings.

He said, “We’re taking a bit of a chance, because his best form is 1400m, but this is probably the easiest mile in the country. Good draw, low weight and Kabelo knows him, I’m sure he will be there.”

Princess Of Gaul is the favourite for the Debutante (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

R1
I Salute You has a pole position draw and comes off a good run over this course and distance in the Listed Thukela on Hollywoodbets Durban July day when possibly short of room late, so he should go close from a likely handy position. Busstopinhounslow has improved tremendously and goes well for Piere Strydom, so he should be running on as strongly as usual, although this is his first time at this track and he might be better suited to a more galloping track. Winter Games is a capable sort and from a good draw over a suitable distance, he is a big runner as he came from last from a wide draw in the Thukela to finish fifth, just 0,30 lengths behind I Salute You and they meet on the same terms. Guy Gibson has been in fine form over shorter and stays this trip, so from a good draw with Gavin Lerena up, he could be a big runner. Narina Trogon has a good record over course and distance and although he has yet another wide draw he did win the Thukela from a wide draw last year. Cherry Ano has a better draw than he had last time in the Thukela, so from a likely more handy position he is capable of being in the shake-up. Diani enjoys this course and distance, but has drawn widest of all and will need some luck getting into a good position and he does return from a three month layoff. Imilenzeyokududuma returns from a lay-off, but can be right there if producing his best. Money Heist is capable of being in the shake-up if at his best, but this is his second run after a one-year lay-off. Teflon Man is interesting stepped-up in trip as he is capable of a strong finish. Down to Business returns from a lay off and this trip is sharper than ideal, but he might run well fresh. Sundance Kid is usually thereabouts and if at his best could earn a cheque, although he is 1.5kg under-sufferance and widely drawn. The Africa House is capable of earning a check although he is 2kg under sufferance. Hats pride is usually thereabouts, but has a tough task being 1.5kg under-sufferance.

Selections: 1) 1 I Salute You 2) 7 Busstopinhounslow 3) 2 Winter Games 4) 3 Guy Gibson 5) 13 Narina Trogon 6) 5 Cherry Ano

R2
Princess of Gaul made a fine debut when winning effortlessly by 9,50 lengths over 1100m and the form has been franked to some extent. Elegantrix was disappointing on Hollywoodbets Durban July Day over 1400m, but she went close in the Gr 1 Allan Robertson Championship over this trip and should appreciate the step back in trip and is a big runner. Mystical Miss won easily on debut and the form has worked out exceptionally well, although her time was not great. Keukenhof has done well against the very best in her last three starts and if able to overcome a tricky draw could be right there. Captain’s Envy has also done well in her last three starts against top opposition and if able to overcome a wide draw could be in the shake-up. Serengeti Sun is held by Princess Of Gaul on formlines, but she does have a lot of scope for improvement. Infinity Edge won a good race on debut, but has a wide draw to overcome. Hierarchy won easily second time out and could earn a cheque. Clairwood Rose has not been disgraced in her last two starts against top opposition and could earn a cheque. Let’s go Lola will have to lift her game to be a runner in this line-up although she does have a good draw. Silver City is a raider from the East Cape and has a tough task here. Smart Star looks completely outgunned in this line-up.

1 Princess Of Gaul 2) 6 Elegantrix 3) 3 Mystical Miss 4) 8 Keukenhof 5) 10 Captain’s Envy 6) 9 Infinity Edge

R3
Aristocratic looks to be a classy sort and should be running on strongly. Rachel Wall is very quick and will enjoy the step down in trip, so from pole position she has a shout under Gavin Lerena. Zalatoris has good form on the Highveld and was beaten just 1.35 lengths in the Gr 1 Gold Medallion over this trip, so should be right there. Titan Of The Turf made a good debut and did it in a fair time, so from a good draw has a chance. Vanakkam ran a cracker over course and distance in her penultimate start and from a similarly wide draw is an interesting runner here. Sylvan Warrior disappointed last time, but is capable of better and from a good draw can’t be discounted. Might Zambezi won well last time over this trip and the time compared compared favourably on the day. Shadow Fax won well over 1160m in his second start and will appreciate the step back down in trip after disappointing over 1400m last time, but he does have a wide draw. City of Love won easily on debut, but it was not the best time. George’s Magic won easily over this trip on the poly last time and was not disgraced in his previous start on the poly, but he will need to step up on his turf form. Dante’s Bond is a first-timer by Rafeef out of a Captain Al mare, but it will be tough from the widest draw of all on debut.

5 Aristocratic 2) 1 Rachel Wall 3) 4 Zalatoris 4) 2 Titan Of The Turf 5) 9 Vanakkam 6) 3 Sylvan Warrior

R4
Golden Palm has proven class and this Gr 2 winner is drawn in pole position over a step up in trip which she should manage, so she is the one to beat under Richard Fourie. A Bit Of Class won well second time out and is an interesting runner in a slight step up in trip which will suit her. Tina Lovelace has faced the best over 1400m without at all being disgraced and she is an interesting runner here. Limitless Sky ran a cracker in the group 2 Splash Out Golden Slipper over 1400m to finish a three length third behind two top class fillies and if able to overcome a wide draw she should be a threat. Alta Capitana has good form on the Highveld and although this represents a tougher task it is not a vintage Gr 1 field and she could be involved, although ieally she is looking for further. One Fine Winter has fine form over sprints, but she is very speedily bred and there is a stamina doubt here, although she has given the impression over 1200m that sprint trips are too sharp for her. Back From War was not disgraced against a promising colt last time, and from a good draw could earn a check. Jordash was not disgraced last time when beaten just 0.6 lengths by Tina Lovelace from a wide draw and she could earn. Charge It won well second time out over 1400m, although this is a harder task and she has a wide draw. Wings of Ice was just ahead of Tina Lovelace last time, but there is a reversal in draw fortunes. Allanah won easily last time over 1400m and is an interesting runner, but does have a wide draw to overcome. Celestial Diamond is still a maiden, but has been knocking hard over sprints and tries a step up in trip which she might enjoy being by Fire Away, although her dam was a speedy sort.

1 Golden Palm 2) 6 A Bit Of Class 3) 4 Tina Lovelace 4) 12 Limitless Sky 5) 2 Alta Capitana 6) 3 One Fine Winter

R5
Jan van Goyen is a promising sort who is drawn well here and as he has plenty of scope for improvement he could be right there. Chronicle King comes off a fine win in the Gr 2 Golden Horseshoe over 1400m at this course and he should handle the step up in trip and is well drawn again. World of Royalty impressed last time out and did it in a good time and he has a scope for plenty of improvement and has a fair draw of six. Tin Pan Alley has 1.6 lengths to make up on Chronicle King from the Golden Horseshoe and has a better draw than he had there. Soldier Boy was beaten just 2.5 lengths in the Golden Horseshoe from a very wide draw and is now drawn in pole so could be a big runner here. Malmesbury Missile was beaten just 1.1 lengths in the Golden Horseshoe, but now has a tougher draw. Count of Rouen is well regarded and alhough he has 4.1 lengths to make up from the Golden Horseshoe he has a much better draw. Blizzard Quest has 3.9 lengths to make up on Jan van Goyen, so this is a tough task. Charming Cheetah has 7.3 lengths to make up on Chronicle King so will need to improve. Blackjack Randall won well last time, but this is a much tougher task. Ziyan’s Pride will need to improve on his last start. Bruh won well last time when stepped up to this trip, but his time was more than a second slower than World of Royalty on the same day. Porridge Boy has 4.3 lengths to make up on chronicle King, but Piere Strydom does stay aboard, albeit from a wide draw. King Harald has 5.25 lengths to make up on Tin Pan Alley and has drawn widest of all, but Gavin Lerena stays aboard.
3 Jan van Goyen 2) 4) Chronicle King 3) 6 World Of Royalty 4) Tin Pan Alley 5) 1 Soldier Boy 6) 10 Malmesbury Missile

R6
Tenango is a top class sort who is unfortunately widely drawn but his style of racing is to come from well off the pace with a blistering finish, so he could still do it. William Robertson is a top class sprinter who is a Group 1 winner this season and if enjoying more luck from another wide draw than he had in the Post Merchants, when beaten 8.9 lengths, he will be a big factor as he possesses a very strong finish. I Am Giant won well over course and distance in the Grade 2 Post Merchants last time out and although this is a tougher task this is now his third run after a layoff. Mia Moo won the Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint last time out and is now drawn in pole, so has a chance. Mrs Browning was beaten only a head in the SA Fillies Sprint and from a plum draw of 2 with Richard Fourie up she is a runner. Asiye Phambili was only just touched off in the SA Fillies Sprint from an unfavourable draw and she now has another unfavourable draw, but she has the class and the turn of foot to overcome it. Cafe Culture won the Gr 2 Post Merchants last year and if able to get into a nice handy position from a wide draw he could be a factor. Surjay won this race last year, but that was from draw two and he now has the widest draw of all, although he is not out of it as he is still holding form. Questioning is classy and is 4kg better off than I Am Giant for a 4.4 length beating in the Post Merchants and he now has a good draw too as opposed to a bad draw in the latter race. Whistle the Tune was beaten just 1.4 lengths in the SA Fillies Sprint and is in fine form, so from a good draw she could be a factor despite it looking to be a tough task at the weights. Minogue has class and is well drawn, but this is a tough task at the weights. Buffalo Storm Cody enjoys this trip around the turn and Gavin Lerena aboard gives him a chance, but he does have 1.65 lengths to make up on I Am Giant from the Post Merchants and he is 1,5kg worse off. Cats Pajamas has won a Gr 2 over course and distance before. but has a tough draw to overcome. although Piere Strydom up will give him every chance. Just Be Lekker has class but has 3.25 lengths to make up on Mia Moo from the SA Fillies Sprint.

13 Tenango 2) 8 William Robertson 3) 4 I Am Giant 4) 1 Mia Moo 5) 2 Mrs Browning 6) 11) Asiye Phambili

R7
Shoot the Rapids was unlucky to lose this race last year and is better than his last run when beaten 4.85 lengths by King Pelles in the Gr 3 Gold Vase over 3000m, so he could bounce back here. Madison Valley ran a cracking fifth in the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July and from a fine draw has a fine chance considering he ran on superbly last year from well off the pace. King Pelles is a top class stayer and goes well for S’Manga Khumalo, so is the one to beat in his bid to win a fourth Gr 3 staying race for the season. Holding Thumbs is a classy stayer who has finished second to King Pelles in his last two starts and as he is now 1kg better off with King Pelles for a three length beating in the Gold Vase he could get closer. Future Swing has been a bit off form, but at his best he could be a factor in this race and just needs to repeat his run last year to be right there. Field Marshall was beaten to 3.6 lengths in the Tote Derby and that gives this progressive sort an outside chance as he is 1kg better off with King Pelles, although he does have the widest draw to overcome. Nebraas is a former winner of this race, but he has 7.65 lengths to make up on King Pelles from the Gold Vase and he is only 1,5kg better off. Cape Eagle has 7.1 lengths to make up on King Pelles from the Tote Derby over 2400m and is 3kg better off and he is interesting stepped up in trip. Blackberry Malt ran well over 2200 meters last time and should stay the trip so could be a factor. The Positive Attitude has some good staying form, but has a very tough task at the weights. Tax Haven won the Gr 3 Gold Bowl over this trip at Turffontein at 100/1, but he has 11.7 lengths to make up on King Pelles on Tote Derby form over 2400m. Bournemouth brings fine staying form from the East Cape and under Richard Fourie could spring a surprise. Navajo Nation has faced some good horses throughout the season without ever being disgraced and now tries a staying trip for the first time and as he is by a Galileo sire out of a mare by Ashaawes who won over 2000m he might enjoy it.

1 Shoot The Rapids 2) 2 Madison Valley 3) 4 King Pelles 4) 11 Holding Thumbs 5) 13 Field Marshall 6) 5 Nebraas

R8
Dave The King comes in nice and fresh and as a horse with a giant stride who is capable of unwinding a finish from 800m out he is hard to beat at this track as he proved when winnning the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge over 16000m for the last two years and winning this race last year. The Real Prince proved his class in the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July and will be a big runner if at his best from pole position as he is equally effecive over this trip, although the July is a tough race and he will not be as fresh as Dave The King. Fire Attack comes in nice and fresh and possesses a tremendous finishing kick, but he does have to overcome a wide draw. Gladatorian was a touch unlucky when beaten just 0,35 lengths by Dave The King in the Gold Challenge and he should be equally suited to this trip and he has good draw for a change so he could be right there, although he also ran in the July, which could have taken something out of him. See It Again missed the July with an abnormal blood count, so comes in fresh and as he had returned to his best form before the July he looks to have settled down after gelding at the beginning of the season and will be a big runner if at his best. Montien has had a disappointing winter in KZN but lands a good draw at last and if able to reproduce his Gr 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate and Gr 1 WSB Met runs he is the dark horse coming in fresh. Royal Victory is an honest sort who never runs a bad race and he must be in good shape after his strong-finishing Hollywoodbets Durban July fourth place as he is a supplementary entry, but he does have a tricky draw and has to make up 3,10 lengths on Dave The King from last year and this is a stronger field. Son Of Raj looks a touch outclassed here.

4 Dave The King 2) 1 The Real Prince 3) 8 Fire Attack 4) 2 Gladatorian 5) 5 See It Again 6) 7 Royal Victory

R9
My Soul Mate has the advantage of coming in fresh having not run on Hollywoodbets Durban July day and as she has a plum draw she could reverse form Little Suzie from the Gr 2 Woolavington 2000. Lock And Key has always looked full of promise and was impressive over 1750m last time so should stay this trip and could well be better than her rating suggests. Little Suzie is on the up and comes in nice and fresh but she does have a tricky draw. Rainbow Lorikeet is capable of winning this as she was unlucky in the Woolavington and she has a fair middle draw, but running in the Hollywoodbets Durban July might have taken a bit out of her. Mocha Blend comes off a good 1,50 length third in the Woolavington 2000 and is 1,5kg better off with Little Suzie but does have a tricky draw. She’s A Bomber comes off a fine win in the Gr 3 Tote Oaks over 2400m, but she is 5kg worse off with My Soul Mate for a mere 0,30 length beating. Knockout was a one length third in the Tote Oaks and has a plum draw here but she is 3kg worse off with My Soul Mate for a 0,70 length beating. Let’s Go Now is better than her last start and can be a factor if bouncing back. VJ’s Angel is a Gr 1 winner over 1600m at this course but has become unreliable. Red Maple has won a Gr 2 over 2400m at this course before, but is unreliable and returns from a seven month layoff. Miss Platina looks held at the weights. Ice Rain beat Lock And Key on the poly over 1600m recently but has a tough task at the weights. Soldier’s Eye comes off a good run over 1600m here but this is tougher and she has a wide draw. Indian Ocean does not necessarily need to be ridden from the front because she has run on well from off the pace before so if being dropped out from a wide draw she could have a chance as she does have class.

3 My Soul Mate 2 8) Lock And Key 3) 11 Little Suzie 4) 7 Rainbow Lorikeet 5) 10 Mocha Blend 6) 4 She’s A Bomber

R10
Outlaw King has plenty of ability and should be right there from a middle draw. Future Variety is on the up and his class could pull him through from a wide draw. Symphony In White has good Gr 1 sprint form and off a reasonable merit rating should be in the shake up. King Of The Gauls has a lot of pace and could repeat his win in this race last year from a similarly wide draw, although there is a lot of pace in this race and he will find it harder to get to the front this time and he has a big weight. Lion Rampart is a capable sort and although a wide draw makes it tough he is capable of being involved. Chocolate Soldier has a lot of pace and could be a factor if able to overcome a tricky draw. Un Bel Di comes off a good run and from a good draw should be a factor. No Filter has a lot of pace and from pole position and a reduced merit rating can bounce back. Donquerari is another well drawn horse with a lot of pace and a low weight. Mover And Shaker has a lot of pace and has a chance from a good draw, although he has a big weight. Rodeo Drive has been a disappointment this season and needs to bounce back. Hitemhardsunshine could be a factor if repeating his run here in May, but he does have the widest draw of all. Address The Nation is half-a-kilogram under sufferance and will need to improve on his last three runs.

7 Outlaw King 2) 9 Future Variety 3) 11 King Of The Gauls 4) 12 Lion Rampart 5) 4 Un Bel Di 6) 1 No Filter

Hollywoodbets Durban July hero The Real Prince could make it back to back Gr 1s at Hollywoodbets Greyville. (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Andrew Harrison (Race Coast)

The racing season comes to an end next week when all thoroughbreds turn a year older but a fitting finale plays out at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday on World Pool Gold Cup day.

The meeting boasts four Gr1 features plus the Gr3 World Pool Gold Cup with the added bonus of the meeting being supported by the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s World Pools that allows tote punters to bet into hugely inflated pools with a Pick 6 pool estimated to reach R10 million.

The World Pool Gold Cup underpins the meeting but most interest will center on the Gr1 HKJC Champions Cup to be run over 1800m where Hollywoodbets Durban July winner The Real Prince will be out to confirm that his July win was no flash-in-the-pan.

Dean Kannemeyer’s charge stayed the 2200m of the July to get the better of star colt Eight On Eighteen with the balance of a useful field strung out behind. The big question before the race was would he stay and only having one preparation run.

Kannemeyer said that The Real Prince had taken his July run well and ‘cleaned his manger’ the next morning. The July is always a testing race but considering that it was only the gelding’s second start after a break he should still be relatively fresh and the step down in trip is a bonus.

He takes on last year’s winner Dave The King with Mike and Mathew de Kock following exactly the same route into the race. However, last year he had it all his own way in the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge but this year was hard-pressed to get the better of Oriental Charm. He has had nearly two months to recover so will strip fresh and ready. See It Again has a third go at winning; third last year and second before that. He was scratched after a setback before the July but Michael Roberts is quietly confident that he has his charge in peak condition.

Nathan Kotzen saddles Summer Cup and Champions Challenge victor Royal Victory. He seems best on the Turffontein standside track with its long straight, however, he was finishing strongly in the July and Piere Strydom, who this week announced his retirement from riding after winning 5620 races, is a bonus.

Piet Botha made the trip up to KZN with this race specifically in mind for Montien but admitted that things had not worked out as planned. However, Montien finished second to One Stripe in the Gr1 King’s Plate and third behind Eight On Eighteen, beaten less than a length, in the Gr1 WSB Cape Met so if one takes those races into account, a win would not be out of turn.

Gareth van Zyl has all along prepared King Pelles for the Gr3 World Pool Gold Cup and it appears that the gelding is on track. He has done very little wrong in his last two, stays the trip well and has a smart turn of foot. However, he has jumped in the handicap that could be telling.

Frank Robinson is two-handed with Madison Valley, who ran an excellent race in the recent Hollywoodbets Durban July, running on stoutly in the finish, and Shoot The Rapids. Madison Valley won the 3000m Gold Vase beating Shoot The Rapids last season, the latter turning the tables in the Gold Cup, beaten a short head by Master Redoute. Both Robinson runners have more weight to carry this year. Alan Greeff sends out Bournemouth who boasts strong Fairview form over ground and has Richard Fourie up. Holding Thumbs is 1kg better off with King Pelles on their last meeting but that

may not be enough while Weiho Marwing could saddle the joker in Navajo Nation who ran a cracker at long odds last time out and will be a threat if he stays the trip.

The Mercury Sprint is a highly competitive contest but Gr2 Golden Horse Sprint winner Tenango will have many supporters after a sparkling victory at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. Racing off the early pace, jockey Andrew Fortune let the gelding build up into his stride and finish with relentless speed to win rather comfortably. Fortune is suspended and currently holidaying in Australia and his place in the saddle has been taken by his son Aldo Domeyer who knows the gelding well from his Cape Town exploits. Tenango does have a wide draw to contend with but came from well back to win last time out and his Cape sprint form is top drawer.

There are a number of fillies in the race including Mia Moo and Asiye Phambili, first and second in the recent Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint. Sean Tarry’s filly was a game winner that afternoon, just holding off a late-charging Asiye Phambili. The Duncan Howells-trained filly was a touch unlucky that day and subsequently ran a fair race in the Gr1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes over 1600m. She is back over what looks to be her best trip although a wide draw is a concern.

Hollywood Racing’s retained rider Sean Veale has chosen recent Gr2 Post Merchants winner I Am Giant ahead of Asiye Phambili. Stuart Ferrie’s runner found market support at long odds when surprising in the Merchants but that was his second run for the stable and he could possibly make further improvement.

William Robertson is way better than his last effort from a wide gate in the Merchants. Corne Spies’s gelding is a tough customer who seldom gives less than his best although his last two runs are a concern. He has won 15 races from 44 starts.

Chronicle King caused a major upset when winning the Gr2 Golden Horseshoe at long odds where he finished with a flourish and a win in the Gr1 World Pool Moment of the Day Champion Stakes will cement an Equus Award. Tine Pan Alley was staying on resolutely behind Chronicle King and has yet to run a poor race while Malmesbury Missile was also finishing well in that race and this trip will suit.

Golden Plum looks to be one of the better bets on the card when she lines up in the Gr1 Douglas Whyte Stakes. She boasts cracking Fairview form and cruised to a 10-length win when tried over 1400m. The extra furlong will hold no fears and she has the best of the draw. One Fine Winter could pose her biggest danger as she steps up to this trip for the first time. She has smart sprint form in strong company but finished second to Golden Palm in the Gr2 Fillies Nursery.

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San Pedro has been tipped to win the sixth race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday (Picture: Chase Liebenberg)

Graeme Hawkins (Race Coast)

A very competitive R135 000 Equi Feeds Class 3 Handicap over 1400m is the main attraction on an 8-race programme on the Winter course at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. Billed as the sixth race on the programme, the 10-strong field includes the progressive Landoftherisingsun from pole position, the equally promising Air Raid and the capable but sometimes erratic Please Be True, all three-year-olds who are likely to make their mark during the forthcoming season.

Landoftherisingsun has won his last two starts in very easy fashion, but the son of Danon Platina takes a steep rise in class. He has not been seen since early May and could well find 1400m a little on the sharp side. On the plus side Richard Fourie, who booted home four winners at the course during the week, takes the ride. Air Raid must shoulder top weight of 61kgs, conceding 4kgs to Landoftherisingsun, but the son of Lancaster Bomber is arguably at his best over this trip, and he could go back-to-back, having beaten Dawn Till Dusk by a whisker towards the end of May.
Please Be True, stable companion to Landoftherisingsun, scrambled home to a narrow victory over Prometerre over the course and distance a month ago. He meets Landoftherisingsun on even terms and there should not be much to choose between the pair. It would appear that Fourie has elected to ride Landoftherisingsun in preference to Please Be True, who will partnered by JP van der Merwe. Rule Of Thumb is the third string to the Snaith bow and the 5yo son of Royal Mo can never be safely ignored, although he does seem to prefer a touch further these days.
The list of potential winners does not end there. Captain West is handicapped with a fair chance of toppling Air Raid and is holding form well. San Pedro was heavily supported at long odds when third behind Sugar Mountain ten days ago and has racing fitness on his side. He drops in class here and could be rewarded with front-running tactics. Oliver has very decent form over the course and distance but faces a tough task at the weights. He last won in October last year and has not had much relief from the handicapper in the interim. Voorlopertjie and Sir Korski both return from spells on the sidelines while Gold Dust is very much unexposed and could find the company a little too strong.

From an exotic bets perspective, punters are advised to cast their nets as wide as possible but my each-way value play in the race would be San Pedro who sports blinkers for the first time in his career.

Candice Bass-Robinson holds a strong hand with Beach Verse and Chickasaw in the opening leg of the Pick 6, a Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies) over 1200m, and speculators should have to look no further for the winner.

Race 4, and second leg of the Pick 6, is a trappy 1400m Middle Stakes (F&M), in which Fun Zone could prove good value, while the fifth race is a modest Class 5 Handicap over 1400m, but it may pay to follow the promising 2yo Oncidium from a neat draw.

The seventh and eighth races are very competitive but She’s My World is a highly regarded 2yo daughter of One World and she may prove good enough against more seasoned opponents in the final event. Stable companion and fellow juvenile Music Of The Night warrants a mention as does the lightly weighted 2yo Between The Lines. Lhasa could prove best of the older brigade.

What amazing feat did trainer Theo de Klerk, apprentice Basil Marcus and stallion Persian Wonder achieve at Milnerton racecourse on July 21, 1975?

Picture: Basil Marcus