Andrew Harrison

Rain continues to plague racing in this province with Gold Circle attempting to dodge the weather. Last Friday night’s scheduled Hollywoodbets Greyville meeting has been moved to today with yesterday’s scheduled Hollywoodbets Scottsville meeting moved to Wednesday – weather permitting.

But with Champions Season on the horizon and some juicy stake money on offer, raiders are lining up to plunder a share of the spoils.

Sean Tarry, Corrie Lensley and Johan Janse van Vuuren all have runners and to add to the puzzle, Dean Kannemeyer is back in town with some competitive runners after a successful Western Cape season.

The card is headed by two Gr3 contests, the Byerley Turk and the Umzimkhulu Stakes, both races for three-year-olds.

O’Tenikwa has the widest draw in a small field in the Byerley Turk and although well beaten last run at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth it was a big field. He did finish fourth to One Stripe in the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas prior to that and with Western Cape form proving dominant on their arrival in KZN he could be the right one to follow. 

However, Cymric found his best form last time out and is rarely out of the money. He showed plenty of early promise and could be back to his best. Frank Robinson had a tough day at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday but Cats Pajamas could improve his mood. The gelding is the highest rated in the field and won well last time out beating some useful older horses. Mike and Mathew de Kock send out the filly Oxalis Gold who won well enough under a light weight last time out to be competitive and the fact that the De Kock’s have put her up against males, may tell a story.

In the Umzimkhulu Stakes, Gimmies Countess has been racing in top feature company in the Cape and is also well in at the weights. From draw one she looks the most likely candidate for the winner’s enclosure. But she is not short of opposition. Sean Tarry makes the trip with Green Sapphire who has yet to finish further back than second and has drawn alongside Gimmie’s Countess. Regeneration needed her comeback run and can feature while the Mike Miller yard is in top form and Warrior Royale is smart and goes well over this course and distance.

Khethiwe’s Destiny is the youngest runner in the opening leg of the PA but looks to have the most potential. She may well have needed her last run and takes on some well exposed runners. She could suffice as a PA banker but Convocation and Bevies Delight are others to consider.

The first leg of the Pick 6 is a competitive handicap and you may need to play wide to get through safely. Give Me Everything is unbeaten since shedding her maiden and her Cape form looks ominous. She can keep up her winning streak. Sovereign Grant has top weight but the best of the draw and comes from a very much in form stable. She’s A Bomber has drawn widest but looks to have plenty of promise and the drop in trip could be in her favour. Ice Rain is unbeaten in two since arriving from the Cape and looks the pick of the Andre Nel trio. 

Kannemeyer’s gelding Teflon Man found form suddenly at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth last run in a smart field but a repeat will see him close. Shipholia is a consistent mare that has been running well in good company. She has a handy weight from pole position. Anfields Rocket has patchy form but is smart on his day. He has been rested and has his first run for Trevor Brown who was Mike de Kock’s former Dubai assistant and now trains out of Ashburton. African Skyline won over a mile last time out but the form of that race has not worked out and he does seem better over sprints. 

The last two races look tricky. Two G’S won well first run up from the Cape and looks progressive and faces some modest opposition and can follow up. Blowin In The Wind is way better than her last run when returning from a lengthy break. She had useful form before that and the stable is in form. Chelsea Flower has a wide draw to contend with and has her first outing for Stuart Ferrie with Carl Hewitson moving to Mauritius. She has a big weight but is tough as they come. 

It could be a difficult end to the evening with plenty in with chances. Happy Analia found one too good for her in stable companion One Smart Cookie last run and her penultimate start is best ignored. Emerald Green has a difficult draw but was ridden by an inexperienced apprentice last time out. Andrew Fortune could make all the difference. Avernian Goddess has been costly to follow but has dropped in the handicap and can feature prominently. 

Please note: In order to comply with SA rules on Postponed meetings to be concluded within 48Hrs, a decision has been made to abandon the current Hollywoodbets Greyville night race meeting – 28 March 2025.

All bets will be refunded.

A new Hollywoodbets Greyville program has been loaded for the Hollywoodbets Greyville meeting – 31 March 2025

New race times below:

Race 1: 12:05

Race 2: 12:40

Race 3: 13:15

Race 4: 13:50

Race 5: 14:25

Race 6: 15:00

Race 7: 15:35

Race 8: 16:10

Race 9: 16:45

RACE 1

8 MS GALORE   5 CATAVAR   10 DANUBE   9 DOIN’ TIME

Summary: It’s never easy, females taking on males but MS GALORE (8) could fir the bill here. She has been unlucky in both starts and although drawn a little wide she does look progressive in a modest field. CATAVAR (5) disappointed from a wide draw last run after a good previous effort. He has a better gate here. DANUBE (10) returns from a spell on the Highveld and has not been far back. DOIN’ TIME (9) has been doin’ time in the maidens and has his 24^th start but has shown some recent improvement. (Andrew Harrison: 8-5-10-9).

RACE 2

7 PURPLE POWAHOUSE   10 GLAMORZ   12 DRIVE BY    11 BRASS BELL

Summary: A race where the veterans look to have a good hand. PURPLE POWAHOUSE (7) is struggling for his fifth win but has been consistent and should be in the mix again. DRIVE BY (12) has drawn wide but was close-up over course and distance last time out. BRASS BELL (11) has also drawn wide and is something of a poly specialist but hardly ever puts in a bad effort. The filly GLAMORZ (10) found good market support last time out over course and distance and failed narrowly. She can go one better. (Andrew Harrison: 7-10-12-11).

RACE 3

5 KHETHIWE’S DESTINY    4 CONVOCATION   2 BEVIES DELIGHT   1 GET IN THE Q

Summary: KHETHIWE’S DESTINY (5) is the youngest runner in the race but looks to have the most potential. She may well have needed her last run and take son some well exposed runners. CONVOCATION (4) confirmed the form of her penultimate start when winning next time out. She only got a two-point rise the ratings. BEVIES DELIGHT (2) flatters to deceive but is smart on her day while GET IN THE Q (1) is way better than her last effort and Fortune from pole position will always be a threat. (Andrew Harrison: 5-4-2-1).

RACE 4

3 GIVE ME EVERYTHING   1 SOVEREIGN GRANT   12 SHE’S A BOMBER   7 ICE RAIN

Summary: GIVE ME EVERYTHING (3) is unbeaten since shedding her maiden. The Cape form looks ominous and she can keep up her winning streak. SOVEREIGN GRANT (1) has top weight but the best of the draw and comes from a very much in form stable. SHE’S A BOMBER (12) has drawn widest but looks to have plenty of promise and the drop in trip could be in her favour. ICE RAIN (7) is unbeaten in two since arriving from the Cape and looks the pick of the Andre Nel trio. (Andrew Harrison: 3-1-12-7).

RACE 5

6 TEFLON MAN   1 SHIPHOLIA   7 ANFIELDS ROCKET   8 AFRICAN SKYLINE

Summary: TEFLON MAN (6) suddenly found form at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth last run in a smart field. A repeat will see him close. SHIPHOLIA (1) is a consistent mare that has been running well in good company. Handy weight from pole position. ANFIELDS ROCKET (7) has patchy form but is smart on his day. Rested but first run for Trevor Brown who was Mike de Kock’s former Dubai assistant and now trains out of Ashburton. AFRICAN SKYLINE (8) won over a mile last time out. Form of that race has not worked out but he does seem better over sprints. (Andrew Harrison: 6-1-7-8).

RACE 6

1 GIMMIE’S COUNTESS   2 GREEN SAPHIRE   4 REGENERATION   7 WARRIOR ROYALE

Summary: GIMMIE’S COUNTESS (1) has been racing is top feature company in the Cape. She is well in at the weights and from draw one she looks the most likely candidate for the winner’s enclosure. But she is not short of opposition. Sean Tarry makes the trip with GREEN SAPPHIRE (2) who has yet to finish further back than second and drawn alongside Gimmie’s Countess. REGENERATION (4) needed her comeback run and can feature while WARRIOR ROYALE (7) is smart and goes well over this course and distance. (Andrew Harrison: 1-2-4-7).

RACE 7

8 O’TENIKWA    6 CYMRIC   7 CATS PAJAMAS   5 OXALIS GOLD

Summary: Tricky. O’TENIKWA (8) has the widest draw in a small field and although well beaten last run at Hollywood Kenilworth it was a big field. He finish fourth to One Stripe in the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas prior to that. CYMRIC (6) found his best form last time out and is rarely out of the money. CAT’S PAJAMAS (7) is the highest rated in the field and won well last time out beating some useful older horses. OXALIS GOLD (5) takes on males but won well enough under a light weight last time out to be competitive. (Andrew Harrison: 8-6-7-5).

RACE 8

3 TWO G’S   5 BLOWIN IN THE WIND   12 CHELSEA FLOWER   13 COLORADO CREEK

Summary: TWO G’S (3) won well first run up from the Cape and looks progressive. She faces some modest opposition and can follow up. BLOWIN IN THE WIND (5) is way better than her last run when returning from a lengthy break. She had useful form before that and the stable is in form. CHELSEA FLOWER (12) has a wide draw to contend with an has her first outing for a new stable. She has a big weight but is tough as they come. COLORADO CREEK (13) has the worst of the draw but has been consistent of late. However, she may need some luck in running. (Andrew Harrison: 3-5-12-13).

RACE 9

2 HAPPY ANALIA   14 EMERALD GREEN   5 AVERNIAN GODDESS   4 BUTTERCUP BABY

Summary: Difficult end to the evening with plenty in with chances. HAPPY ANALIA (2) found one too good for her in stable companion One Smart Cookie last run and her penultimate start is best ignored. EMERALD GREEN (14) has a difficult draw but was ridden by an inexperienced apprentice last time out. Andrew Fortune could make all the difference. AVERNIAN GODDESS (5) has been costly to follow but has dropped in the handicap and can feature prominently.  BUTTERCUP BABY (4) is lightly raced and can improve on her handicap debut. (Andrew Harrison: 2-14-5-4).

Please Note: From December, Unit cost of all Soccer10 Pools closing on Wednesdays will be R3.

The R3 unit cost on Wednesdays is on a trial basis only & follows requests from many customers to increase the Soccer10 Unit.

The unit cost of Soccer10 Pools on all other days remains R2.

All systems go on 1 January 2025

Horseracing in KwaZulu-Natal took the next step to the dawn of a new era with the publication on Thursday of a revitalized racing programme and the news of the introduction of incentives and stakes adjustments that will align the province with the status quo in the Cape.

The introduction of the new-look programme and policies on the East Coast comes into play as a result of the proposed acquisition of Gold Circle by the Hollywood Sportsbook Holdings group, which now hinges on the required approval of the KZN Economic Regulatory Authority (KZNERA).

Whilst the outstanding approval of the KZNERA is critical to the transaction, and will be the final step in transferring ownership, Hollywoodbets and its appointed Chairman Designate of Gold Circle, Greg Bortz are in management and strategic decisions during the interim period, with Hollywoodbets investing funds at its own risk to ensure the continuity of horse racing in KZN, and the survival of Gold Circle.

Programme and related reading matter, click here.

Subject to the fulfillment of other outstanding conditions precedent, the deal effectively unlocks a R500 million rescue injection from Hollywoodbets, and a takeover of the sport in the holiday province, which is set to include track upgrades and other infrastructural and operational initiatives.

The new KZN programme covers the period 1 January to 28 February 2025 and introduces the stakes-boosted class racing structure to the province, while unveiling financial incentives via the RaceCoast incentive scheme with the ultimate aim of improving racehorse ownership in KZN and achieving enhanced field sizes with the knock-on vital lifeblood of increased betting turnovers.

Down South, the RaceCape incentive programme has proven a winner and has underscored the unprecedented turnaround in Cape horseracing by providing further opportunities for the local racing community and increased employment prospects for grooms and work riders, as well as raising the bar for all related and ancillary horse racing services.

“We are very excited about future plans for KZN racing,” Cape Racing Executive: Racing & Bloodstock Justin Vermaak told the Sporting Post on Thursday, as he outlined broad plans to revolutionise the appeal of the sport across the board for all stakeholders in KZN.

“We need to provide owners and trainers with an even and attractive playing field that makes them want to race. Stakes and rewards need to be meaningful. That ultimately leads to better field sizes, more exciting racing and improved betting turnovers. Punters are key to the success of the process. We are implementing a first world reform in terms of transparency when it comes to information. Items like horse weights, for example, will be published. They are, after all, a form assessment tool. Horses working at our training centres and tracks will all have easily identifiable bar-coded saddle-cloths. So, there are no secrets. If Oriental Charm or One Stripe is on track, the public will share in it,” added Vermaak, who confirmed that barrier draws after acceptance was another operational change which would be implemented on 1 January 2025.

Veteran KZN trainer Garth Puller, who attended a recent stakeholder’s meeting at Summerveld hosted by Greg Bortz, Justin Vermaak, Gold Circle and Hollywoodbets officials, enthused that he was thrilled by the news of the takeover by business-minded racing people who were brave and bold enough to step in and turn the ship around.

“This has come very late for me at my age, but it’s a lifechanger and the future is brighter than it was yesterday,” reflected a delighted Puller as he told the Sporting Post that the adjusted stakes and ‘very welcome’ incentives would boost cash-flows,  while also making it so much easier to help him and his colleagues market the basic ownership product.

“And we are getting draws after acceptances. Wonderful! I was calling for that 25 years ago at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. Bigger fields mean a faster pace, means better form, means better truer results. It’s an ecosystem of positivity. It all feeds on itself,” added the horseman who is never scared to pass an opinion.

Puller said the repair of the Polytrack at Hollywoodbets Greyville was ‘definitely quite overdue and welcome news’.

“That’s our stage. The track must be safe for horse and rider, be true and competitive, and have credibility with all role-players. That’s not a negotiable.”

On the ‘abolition’ of the committee structure to facilitate decision making and policy, Puller said that he was so pleased to hear that all reasonable suggestions will be considered by management.

“Wonderful! So there are no more long-winded committees to hide behind and to dither over. How refreshing.  I believe every stakeholder in this sport in KZN needs to doff a cap to Hollywoodbets and Mr Bortz. This investment and takeover is a brave move. But we know that with the passion for horse racing of the local population in this province, we can make it work. And by putting the structures in place they are making sure we have no excuses. Let’s look forward and get on with rebuilding KZN racing. I am absolutely thrilled. This is good news,” he concluded.