David Thiselton

There is an intriguing eleven race meeting on the Vaal straight course on Thursday and with the outside rail at zero metres the high draws should be favourable in the races that are down the straight, while low draws will be favourable for the two races around the turn, the 1700m events of race four and five.

The highest rated event is race 8, a 101 merit rated handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m. Calantha was inconvenienced by a low draw last time out and the best has probably not been seen yet of this well-bred sort, who now has a standside rail draw. Night Vigil was aided by a high draw last time out and just got up to beat One Fell Swoop. She is progressive and is in fine form and should make a bold bid. Kindred Heart won a good race over this distance last time and off a five point higher mark could still make her presence felt, although she has quite a low draw. Wings Within Me has four lengths to make up on Calantha, but is only half-a-kilogram better off, although she does have a 4kg claimer up so could earn. Green Flash has a lot of ability, but tends to take too strong a hold. However, she did stay on over 1160m last time, so she is capable of surprising if it pans out well.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 Cape Saffron was caught wide last time and can do better so is preferred from pole position to the other chief protagonists. Nkwenkwezi showed good resolve last time when second over 1600m and has a good chance if able to overcome a wide draw. Arctic Silver could earn, although on formlines she is held by Nkwenkwezi.

In the fifth race over 1700m The Ultimate King chased home Count Huhtikuu last time over 1800m and they were in a different race to the rest of them, who were beaten 14,75 lengths and more by the winner. Count Huhtikuu had some decent form, so The Ultimate King should be hard to beat from a good draw. Chieftain’s Shield is capable of running on and from pole position should be in the shake up. Future King is a progressive sort who should relish this trip, although he was due to run on Tuesday.

In the sixth race over 1600m Obsidian won very easily over 1400m in the maidens and runs off a reasonable 79 merit rating over a suitable trip and is drawn towards the outside. Douglas Dragon comes off a good run in a stronger field over 2000m, but the concern is whether the trip will be too sharp, as he has been running from 1800m to 2400m in his last ten starts, and he also has the potentially unfavourable number one draw. Safe Space is in good form and is distance suited and has a plum high draw. 

In the seventh over 1400m Presley would have come on from his last start and over a suitable trip should be staying on, especially considering he has a nice high draw.  Bob’s Your Uncle was not bothered by an unfavourable low draw over 1160m last time and this versatile sort could make his presence felt again. The Africa House has become ultra consistent and over a suitable trip is drawn towards the right side, so he should be involved too.

In the ninth race over 1200m Cars Big As Bars is drawn towards the right side and is in fine form, so looks the one to beat. It’s Her Way has ability and if able to overcome the effects of a low draw should be staying on. Exceedingly Glam has a fair form chance here with leading jockey Craig Zackey up.

In the first race over 1200m War Of Kingdoms has a draw towards the low side but after a good debut faces an uninspiring field and Zackey could get off to a good start. Mizzen Sword has a potentially unfavourable number one draw, but is in good form and can fight it out. Asian Delight, Time Will Tell and Trip To States could earn.

In the second over 1200m Red Amber is drawn on the right side and comes out of race which has worked out well. Green Extreme has fair form but is drawn towards the low side. Genovefa, Tipperary and Blindfire can’t be ignored.

In the third over 1400m Green Street did well when stepped up to this trip last time but has to overcome the number one draw. Ichacha and Crescendo return from layoffs but have the ability to go close.

In the tenth race over 1200m Hong Kong looks to be full of potential and can carry topweight to victory.

In the last race over 1000m Virgin River is very quick and from a plum high draw can beat home Phantom Express and Rock Of Bismantova, who have to overcome low draws. 

RACE 1     

8 WAR OF KINGDOMS 1 MIZZEN SWORD 3 ASIAN DELIGHT 9 TIME WILL TELL

Preview: 8 WAR OF KINGDOMS made a good debut and can go one better.  1 MIZZEN SWORD is knocking hard on the door and should be right there.3 ASIAN DELIGHT showed improvement last time and could earn. 9 TIME WILL TELL can go close if repeating his penultimate start. (David Thiselton 8-1-3-9)

RACE 2     

16 RED AMBER 3 GREEN EXTREME 12 GENOVEFA 2 TIPPERARY

Preview: 16 RED AMBER went close second time out and has a strong chance here. 3 GREEN EXTREME is knocking hard and should be in the shake-up.12 GENOVEFA ran a good race last time and is improving. 2 TIPPERARY can earn in this line-up. (David Thiselton 16-3-12-2)

RACE 3     

8 GREEN STREET 1 ICHACHA 5 CRESCENDO 10 EXPLOSIVE GIFT

Preview: 8 GREEN STREET did well when stepped up to 1400m last time and looks to be the one to beat.1 ICHACHA has plenty of ability but has returned from a layoff. 5 CRESCENDO made a fair debut after being backed and should be right there.10 EXPLOSIVE GIFT was not disgraced on debut and could earn. (David Thiselton 8-1-5-10)

RACE 4     

2 NKWENKWEZI 3 CAPE SAFFRON 4 ARTIC SILVER 9 LAVA LAMP

Preview: 2 NKWENKWEZI is knocking on the door but does have a tricky draw. 3 CAPE SAFFRON has fair form and should earn here from pole position. 4 ARTIC SILVER can earn here if repeating her last start.  9 LAVA LAMP made a fair debut and can earn if repeating. (David Thiselton 2-3-4-9)

RACE 5     

1 THE ULTIMATE KING 5 CHIEFTAIN’S SHIELD 8 FUTURE KING 3 BLURRED VISION

Preview: 1 THE ULTIMATE KING is knocking on the door and will be hard to beat. 5 CHIEFTAIN’S SHIELD has pole position and should be staying on. 8 FUTURE KING ran well second time out and should improve over this trip. 3 BLURRED VISION has a chance over a trip he should enjoy. (David Thiselton 1-5-8-3)

RACE 6     

4 DOUGLAS DRAGON 9 OBSIDIAN 7 SAFE SPACE 2 WILLOW EXPRESS

Preview: 4 DOUGLAS DRAGON is knocking on the door and has a fine chance here. 9 OBSIDIAN won well in the maidens and has a chance here.7 SAFE SPACE is in good form and should be right there. 2 WILLOW EXPRESS is always capable of winning.  (David Thiselton 4-9-7-2)

RACE 7     

7 BOB’S YOUR UNCLE 1 ZUZAN 4 PRESLEY 5 THE AFRICA HOUSE

Preview: 7 BOB’S YOUR UNCLE is quite versatile and from a good draw should be in the shake-up.1 ZUZAN has a good draw over a suitable trip and has a touch of class. 4 PRESLEY would have come on from his last start and is distance suited and should be staying on. 5 THE AFRICA HOUSE s distance suited and should be thereabouts. (David Thiselton 7-1-4-5)

RACE 8     

4 NIGHT VIGIL 6 SALENIO PENINSULA 7 BOSUM BUDDY 8 KINDRED HEART

Preview: 4 NIGHT VIGIL is in fine form and should make a bold bid. 6 SALENIO PENINSULA is a capable sort and will appreciate the step back down and trip. 7 BOSUM BUDDY should be right on top of Night Vigil. 8 KINDRED HEART has ability and should be thereabouts.  (David Thiselton 4-6-7-8)

RACE 9     

8 IT’S HER WAY 9 CARS BIG AS BARS 10 LADY OF ARC 5 EXCEEDINGLY GLAM

Preview: 8 IT’S HER WAY should go close back in ordinary company. 9 CARS BIG AS BARS looks promising and has a shout. 10 LADY OF ARC won well last time and should handle the step up and trip. 5 EXCEEDINGLY GLAM could be in the shake-up. (David Thiselton 8-9-10-5)

RACE 10    

1 HONG KONG 6 ONE PARTY 7 FLIGHT OF A CONDOR 11 WESTERN WISHES

Preview: 1 HONG KONG is a promising sort and is the one to beat. 6 ONE PARTY went close last time and can be thereabouts with a repeat. 7 FLIGHT OF A CONDOR looks capable of improving.  11 WESTERN WISHES went close last time and has a chance.  (David Thiselton 1-6-7-11)

RACE 11    

4 VIRGIN RIVER 9 PHANTOM EXPRESS 1 ROCK OF BISMANTOVA 7 KINSHIN SHA

Preview: 4 VIRGIN RIVER is quick and can follow up on her last win. 9 PHANTOM EXPRESS should be right on top of Virgin River. 1 ROCK OF BISMANTOVA can never be ignored.  7 KINSHIN SHA could earn again if it pans out to his liking. (David Thiselton 4-9-1-7)

KwaZulu-Natal has once again experienced heavy rainfall, with Durban surpassing its annual rainfall average within just four months of 2025.

Hollywoodbets Greyville has recorded 82mm of rain over the past two days, and showers continue with more rain expected today.

Due to these conditions, Gold Circle has proactively taken a decision to move the Hollywoodbets Greyville race meeting originally scheduled for Friday, 18 April to Sunday, 20 April 2025.

Consequently, the meeting planned at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday, 20 April has been rescheduled to Wednesday, 23 April 2025. Please note that updated race times will be announced shortly.

Please note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Ffos Las and Newmarket (UK) – 16 April 2025.

Graeme Hawkins

Cape Racing presents a competitive 10-race programme at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth this afternoon, with several well filled wide-open low-grade races set to test punters to the full. The exception in terms of field size is the richest race on the programme, the sixth race, a Cape B Stakes over 1500m, for which the field has been reduced to just eight runners following the scratchings of Major Master and Future Turn. But their absence does not necessarily make the task of narrowing the list of potential winners any easier.

World of Pleasure is the early market leader at 5/2 and the 3yo son of One World trained by Vaughan Marshall is clearly talented. In his most recent outing over 1400m World Of Pleasure was narrowly denied by Captain West and Sean Veale, who rode a double at the course on Monday, retains the ride. The extra 100m is not necessarily in his favour and being drawn on the outside of the small field is also a slight negative. I prefer the chances of Big Unit whose form is solid and from a good draw the 4yo son of Master Of My Fate will have every chance of recording his third career victory for the in-form combination of Louis Mxothwa and Brett & James Crawford.

Strictly on form Mauritius Kestrel should be comfortably held by World Of Pleasure but this will be his peak run after being rested and gelded and there is definite scope for improvement. Song Of The Moon is an eye-catching 4yo son of What A Winter but the Justin Snaith inmate has shown his best form over more ground. That said, the Snaith/Yeni partnership enjoyed a fruitful day on Monday and Song Of The Moon cannot be lightly discarded. Pas De Nom is a 5-time winner but is not the most reliable around and it’s difficult to assess his chances. Innamorare also tends to be a little inconsistent while Aspect has been below par in his last two starts and World Of Pleasure may be the stable elect. Katsu has not raced since June last year due to a pastern injury and is likely to need this run.

It all adds up to being a tricky race, but I am inclined to take a punt on Big Unit with Mauritius Kestrel and World Of Pleasure his principal dangers.

The second race and opening leg of the Bipot, a Maiden Plate over 1200m, sees the return of the promising Rhydian from the Dean Kannemeyer. The 3yo son of Rafeef was placed in all four starts as a juvenile behind several talented sorts but he has not raced since June last year. Fit and well Rhydian would take a lot of beating but the market may be the best guide to his chances. Ocean Sky showed promise on debut when runner-up behind Dawn’s Early Night in a modest maiden at Hollywoodbets Durbanville last month and has clear scope for significant improvement with the benefit of that run under the belt. The 2yo Day In Day Out also showed ability on his first racetrack appearance and the form of that race has been franked.

The opening leg of the Pick 6, a Class 4 Handicap (F&M) over 1200m, has attracted a full field of 20 runners and the layers have priced up Tanneron as the 6/1 favourite. The only sure-fire way of surviving this leg would be to include the field but such a strategy immediately places the cost of the perm beyond the reach of most budgets, and I will take my chances by banking on Tanneron and hoping for the best. Tanneron was runner-up in her last two starts and has always been highly regarded by Candice Bass-Robinson. Captain’s Destiny should also go well and rates the immediate danger to Tanneron but there are others, too many to mention, with winning claims.

Lady Look Alike should be able to take full advantage of a good draw in the fifth race, a Class 5 (F&M) Handicap over 1400m. Her recent form is encouraging, and the stable is presently in fine form. Tres Chic is ideally course and distance suited and may prove a lively threat with Corne Orffer in the irons. Beer With The Boys has the heavy impost of 64 kgs to carry in the eighth race, a Cape D Stakes over 1600m, but the 4yo son of Silvano is consistent and can be expected to go well from a handy barrier position. His opposition here is largely out of form but with only 53,5 to carry for the services of apprentice Bungane, Summer Night City could be the lurker in the pack.

The ninth race, a Class 4 Handicap over 1600m, has attracted a decent field and the leading lights could be Hoodia, Unicorn Alert and King’s Quest, all of which have shown above average ability. Heal And Soul is lightly raced with plenty of upside and could be a threat from pole position while Touchdown appears to have found his best form and cannot be ignored, despite an awkward draw.

Electric Feels doesn’t know what it is to run a bad race and the 5yo mare could register her fifth career victory in the 10th race, a low-grade Cape D Stakes over 1000m. Over The Atlantic re-opposes here and is weighted to go close while Gravity and Champagne Mac could get into the scrum.

Racing gets under way at 11:55 with a Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies) over 1000m and the weather forecast is good. Whatastar and She’s My World are the chief protagonists in the opener with a slight preference for the latter.