RACE 1

9 CAPTAINSHIP   6 TOP GUN   3 PAVED WITH GOLD   2 WHEREVERILAYMYHAT

Summary: CAPTAINSHIP (9) has the widest draw but MJ Odendaal’s colt is lightly raced and made good improvement with first time blinkers. TOP GUN (6) has run his two best races on this course and was not disgraced from the widest draw last time out. Paul Lafferty has him back over a sprint. PAVED WITH GOLD (3) caught the eye on debut when running on late behind runaway stable companion Mc Dazzler. He should come on with the experience. WHEREVERILAYMYHAT (2) goes well on this course. He has been trying further but looks to have a strong money chance. (Andrew Harrison: 9-6-3-2).

RACE 2

8 GOT THE FEVER   6 NAUTICAL LANDING   5 GRAND OCCASION   2 ZALTA STAR

Summary:  GOT THE FEVER (8) is lightly raced and goes well this trip. She was beaten less than a lengthy when taking on males last time out and can do better against her own sex. NAUTICAL LANDING (6) has been knocking at the door for some time now and due a change of fortune. Although most of her form has been on the poly, she stays the trip well. GRAND OCCASION (5) seems better than her last run over much further and can do better over this shorter trip. ZALTA STAR (3) is a Highveld raider. She goes this trip for the first time and has shown some promise. (Andrew Harrison: 8-6-5-3).

RACE 3

6 TYRCONNEL   1 BUGALUGS   2 I SALUTE YOU   4 LUCKY DOLLAR

Summary: TYRCONNELL (6) has run two smart races over course and distance and was touched off last run. He can make amends in what is a competitive handicap. BUGALUGS (1) is a lightly raced four-year-old and is improving slowly.  This trip should suit and he has the best of the draw. I SALUTE YOU (2) showed up well first run in handicap company. Peter Muscutt has booked the very much in form Gavin Lerena for the ride. LUCKY DOLLAR (4) is back on his favoured surface and goes well this trip. (Andrew Harrison: 6-1-2-4).

RACE 4

8 JAZZ FESTIVAL   2 KINBALL O’HARA   3 PONGOLA   7 SHOTGUN WILLIE

Summary: Mark Dixon has JAZZ FESTIVAL (8) in a good space of late and was not disgraced in third, beaten less than a length, when taking on stronger last time out. However, both KIMBAL O’HARA (2) and PONGOLA (3) have not been far back at recent outings and the weights suggest that there will be very little to chose between the trio. SHOTGUN WILLIE (7) ran well below best behind Jazz Festival last time out and given his previous form, he too comes strongly into the picture. (Andrew Harrison: 8-2-3-7).

RACE 5

10 HOT STRIKE   7 ENGLISH PRIMROSE   13 ROY’S ROCKER   3 GIVERS GRACE

Summary: Wide open handicap. HOT STRIKE (10) has been consistent of late and is now 2kg better off with GIVERS GRACE (3) who was a comfortable winner last time out and has made steady improvement in blinkers. These two should be in the shake-up again but may have to get past ENGLISH PRIMROSE (7). Gary Rich’s filly has been runner-up at her last three to slightly weaker but of some concern is that all her recent form has been on the poly. MYSTIQUE ROUGE (8) has some patchy form but MJ Odendaal has backed her up in a week after her close-up second last Sunday. ROY’S ROCKER (13) has been starting at long odds of late but her best recent effort was behind Givers Grace when beaten less than two lengths. She has a light weight and a repeat could see her win at long odds. (Andrew Harrison: 10-7-13-3-8).

RACE 6

1 BEVIES DELIGHT   7 CAPTAIN’S CHRISTY   6 SHIPHOLIA   8 GET IN THE Q

Summary: BEVIES DELIGHT (1) has always shown promise but comes with her fair share of problems. However, she made an excellent comeback after a year’s absence when going down less than a length to No Filter. If she can repeat that effort she could prove difficult to beat. CAPTAIN’S CHRISTY (7) was staying on well over course and distance last time out. She takes on slightly stronger but does look capable. SHIPHOLIA (6) is quick but she does seem suspect over 1200m. If the pace pans out for her she comes in with a strong chance. Dixon has a second string to his bow in GET IN THE Q (8) who has come down a little in the handicap and although taking on stronger, has the benefit of a handy weight. (Andrew Harrison: 1-7-6-8).

RACE 7

8 FORT J’ADORE   5 MISS PAGET   3 COPACABANA   7 REGENERATION

Summary: FORT J’ADORE (8) has the widest draw in a competitive handicap but this is only an eight-horse field so it not prove too much of an issue. Wendy Whitehead’s mare is over her preferred trip and  should put in another good shift. MISS PAGET (5) has been confined to the poly of late but is over her best trip and the recent rains will have taken the sting out of the ground which could suit. COPACABANA (3) improved nicely second run after a break. She is lightly raced and showed promise early in her career. REGENERATION (7) won well on debut and could be anything so best watch the betting here. Andrew Harrison: 8-5-3-7).

RACE 8

12 IMPOSING   8 NEITHERHERENORTHER   9 MISTER MASTER STARTER   1 PHUTULICIOUS

Summary: IMPOSING (12) has drawn wide but has been close-up in two starts since a break. He has a light weight, over his best trip and has his peak run. Peter Muscutt appears to have got on top of NEITHHERENORTHER’s (8) problems and bids for a third straight win. However, he got a hefty nine-point shunt up the handicap which is a concern. MISTER MASTER STARTER (9) has been costly to follow but has been running on late over shorter. Stable rider Craig Zackey has opted for stable companion DYNALLEY (10) but a change of pilot could bring out the best in Mister Master Starter. PHUTULICIOUS (1) is seldom far back and although up in class he was beaten less than a length over a sprint last time out and with the best of the draw over his preferred distance he should be competitive.  

Andrew Harrison

Punters face another competitive card on the turf at Hollywoodbets Greyville today in spite of many of the races having attracted small fields. 

Heading the card is the Greyville Convention Centre Handicap with only eight runners but it doesn’t make things any easier. Peter Muscutt saddles Bevies Delight who has always shown promise but comes with her fair share of problems. However, Muscutt has persevered and she made an excellent comeback after a year’s absence when going down less than a length to No Filter. If she can repeat that effort she could prove difficult to beat. 

Mark Dixon saddles two runners, best of which could be Captain’s Christy who was staying on well over course and distance last time out. She takes on slightly stronger but does look capable. Shipholia is quick but Gareth van Zyl’s filly does appear suspect over 1200m. But if the pace pans out and there is no speed on, she comes in with a strong chance. Dixon has a second string to his bow in Get In The Q who has come down a little in the handicap and although taking on stronger, has the benefit of a handy weight.

In the first, Captainship has the widest draw but MJ Odendaal’s colt is lightly raced and made good improvement with first time blinkers. Top Gun has run his two best races on this course and was not disgraced from the widest draw last time out. Paul Lafferty has him back over a sprint. Paved With Gold caught the eye on debut when running on late behind runaway stable companion Mc Dazzler. He should come on with the experience while Whereverilaymyhat  goes well on this course. He has been trying further but looks to have a strong money chance. 

Got The Fever is lightly raced and goes well this trip. Lafferty’s filly was beaten less than a lengthy when taking on males last time out and can do better against her own sex in the second. Nautical Landing has been knocking at the door for some time now and due a change of fortune. Although most of her form has been on the poly, she stays the trip well. Grand Occasion seems better than her last run over much further and can do better over this shorter trip while Zalta Star is a Highveld raider and Alec Laird’s only runner on the day. She goes this trip for the first time and has shown some promise. 

One of the better bets on the card could come in the opening leg of the Pick 6 where Mike de Kock saddles Tyrconnell who has run two smart races over course and distance and was touched off last run. He can make amends in what is a competitive handicap. Dean Kannemeyer also sends out the lightly raced Bugalugs who was staying on for fourth behind Knight Warrior last Wednesday and it remains to be seen if he backs up in this race on the turf. This trip should suit and he has the best of the draw. I Salute You showed up well first run in handicap company and Muscutt has booked the very much in form Gavin Lerena for the ride. 

Mark Dixon has a definite preference for the turf and has a number of runners on the card including Jazz Festival in the fourth who is in a good space of late and was not disgraced in third, beaten less than a length, when taking on stronger last time out. However, both Kimbal O’Hara and Pongola have not been far back at recent outings and the weights suggest that there will be very little to choose between the trio. Shotgun Willie ran well below best behind Jazz Festival last time out but given his previous form, he too comes strongly into the picture. 

The fifth is another wide open handicap where Dixon sends out Hot Strike who has been consistent of late and is now 2kg better off with Givers Grace who was a comfortable winner last time out and has made steady improvement in blinkers. These two should be in the shake-up again but may have to get past English Primrose. Gary Rich’s filly has been runner-up at her last three to slightly weaker but of some concern is that all her recent form has been on the poly. Mystique Rouge has some patchy form but MJ Odendaal has backed her up in a week after her close-up second last Sunday. Roy’s Rocker has been starting at long odds of late but her best recent effort was behind Givers Grace when beaten less than two lengths. She has a light weight and a repeat could see her win at long odds. 

Fort J’adore has the widest draw in the seventh, another competitive handicap, but this is only an eight-horse field so it should not prove too much of an issue. Wendy Whitehead’s mare is over her preferred trip and  should put in another good shift. Miss Paget has been confined to the poly of late but is over her best trip and the recent rains will have taken the sting out of the ground which could suit. Copacabana improved nicely second run after a break. She is lightly raced and showed promise early in her career. Regeneration won well on debut and could be anything so best watch the betting here. She is Jabu Jacobs only ride.

The last is another difficult race but although Imposing has drawn wide he has been close-up in two starts since a break. Michael Roberts’s gelding has a light weight, over his best trip and has his peak run. Muscutt appears to have got on top of Neitherherenother’s problems and bids for a third straight win. However, he got a hefty nine-point shunt up the handicap which is a concern. Mr Master Starter has been costly to follow but has been running on late over shorter. Stable rider Craig Zackey has opted for stable companion Dynalley but a change of pilot could bring out the best in Mr Master Starter, who may or may not take his chances after finishing runner-up behind the much improved Connery last Wednesday. Phutulicious is seldom far back and although up in class he was beaten less than a length over a sprint last time out and with the best of the draw over his preferred distance he should be competitive.  

Graeme Hawkins

With the Cape Summer Season now gathering momentum, the older horses get a chance to strut their stuff in tomorrow’s R350 000 Cape Mile (Gr3) at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in preparation for the R3-million L’Ormarins Kings Plate (Gr1) over 1600m on 4 January and the R5-million World Sports Betting Cape Town Met (Gr1) over 2000m on 25 January.

Last year’s Cape Mile (Gr3) saw Montien deny Royal Aussie by a neck, and both reappear in tomorrow’s 2024 renewal. This time around Royal Aussie is 2kgs better off, but Montien has had the benefit of a recent run when just failing to make all in the Matchem Stakes (Gr3) over 1400m back in September. Regular pilot Anthony Andrews retains the ride on Montien and there is every chance that similar catch-me-if-you-can tactics will be employed as the big-striding 5yo son of Louis The King is a resolute galloper.

Royal Aussie has not been seen finishing a good third in the Mercury Sprint (Gr1) over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville at the end of July, prior to which he scored a brilliant win over Cousin Casey in the IOS Drill Hall Stakes (Gr2) over 1400m at the same venue. Royal Aussie gets the services of Richard Fourie, and the Champion Jockey enjoys a wonderful record aboard the 5yo son of Royal Mo.

Dual Grade 1 winner, Gimme A Prince, tackles 1600m for the first time in his career and there is every reason to be cautiously optimistic that Dean Kannemeyer’s charge will prove effective over the extended trip. Back in 2023, Gimme A Prince finished second over 1400m in both the IOS Drill Stakes (Gr2) and the Matchem Stakes (Gr3), when narrowly beaten by Charles Dickens, and on each occasion he left the impression that 1600m could well be within his range.

Gimme A Prince was then sidelined for nearly a year due to injury before re-appearing in this season’s renewal of the Matchem Stakes when finishing fourth, less than two lengths adrift of Montien. Gimme A Prince is likely to have come on since that excellent comeback run and is favourably treated by the conditions of the Cape Mile. If the trip does not pose a problem, then Gimme A Prince could well be the one they all have to beat.

It’s been 924 days since Zapatillas last tasted victory, but the classy son of Master Of My Fate has this third run after being rested and gelded and he should be cherry ripe. He was just a nose behind Gimme A Prince in the Matchem and the pair meet again on the exactly the same weight terms. Rascallion makes his seasonal debut but goes well fresh and his form this year has been of the highest quality. He finished second in the WSB Cape Town Met back in January following which the now 7yo son of Vercingetorix took out the Variety Club Mile before finishing third in the Legal Eagle Stakes over 1800m. High-flying Gavin Lerena is in town to partner Vaughan Marshall’s stable stalwart.

Sugar Mountain can never be underestimated and should again make his presence felt in this high-quality line-up while Hluhluwe has a point to prove following a disappointing end to his 3yo career. Solar Power, Promettere and Itsrainingwilliam all face a tough task at these weights, and it would come as something of a surprise to see any of this trio make the frame.

Not an easy race to nail one’s colours to the mast but Royal Aussie gets my vote to edge out Montien and Gimme A Prince. However, exotic bet players are advised to cast their net a little wider and possibly include Rascallion, Zapatillas and Sugar Mountain in Jackpot and Pick 6 calculations.

Bankers are not easy to find on yet another competitive Kenilworth card and punters may have to take their chances with the rapidly improving Shipindani, a 3yo daughter of One World who lines up in the eighth race, a Class 5 Handicap (F&M) over 1200m. With 61,5kgs to shoulder, victory is no foregone conclusion for Shipindani but the competition in this low-grade handicap is limited while Andre Nel’s charge looks progressive and may prove equal to the task.

Snow Pilot has side-stepped the Cape Mile in preference for the third race, a Progress Plate over 1400m, and last season’s Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas (Gr1) winner looks set to go back-to-back after beating One Stripe in a similar contest a month ago. In receipt of 8kgs, the promising Bjorn Ironside, a 3yo son of Gimmethegreenlight, appears to be the principal danger. Bjorn Ironside has Guineas aspirations of his own and he should relish stepping up to 1400m for the first time in his career. William Iron Arm debuts for the Dean Kannemeyer stable and the 4yo son of William Longsword, who was placed in both the Gauteng Guineas (Gr2) and SA Classic (Gr1), is certainly one to keep an eye on.

The first of ten races, a Maiden Plate over 1200m, gets under way at 12:00 and Cork Bay is fancied to beat Elsinore, Gimmeathrill and Charlie Bucket.

David Thiselton

The Betway Summer Cup’s final pointer race, the Gr 3 Betway Victory Moon Stakes, has been run and the next step in the R6 million saga is to see whether there are any supplementaries on or before the final entry stage of November 18.

The final field announcement will be on Wednesday November 20. 

The most obvious horse for a late supplementary entry is the Victory Moon winner Greeting My Master.

However, that is unlikely to happen as he will face an impossible task with the Victory Moon  runner up Main Defender and also with the fifth-placed Purple Pitcher.

Greeting My Master beat Main Defender by half-a-length, but would face him on 6kg worse terms in the Summer Cup.

Greeting My Master beat Purple Pitcher by four lengths, but would face him on 11kg worse terms in the Summer Cup.

Purple Pitcher was used as the line horse in the Victory Moon and that allowed Main Defender to escape with a one point merit rated raise, which takes the latter to 130.

Purple Pitcher was 3kg under sufferance with Main Defender and was only 3,50 lengths behind him.

Greeting My Master was raised three points to 110, so as things stand would be 5kg under sufferance if entered in the Summer Cup.

Nothing has happened over the weekend to cause a major shake up of the final log.

However, Thunee Playa, who was one of the outside looking in horses on the log, did run fourth in the Victory Moon, which might warrant him for consideration despite his lowly merit rating of 93, which went up four points to 97.

Rule By Force also won a MR 106 Handicap over 1800m in good style on Monday.

Future Pearl finished last in the Victory Moon and Pure Predator was third last so their positions in the final field might be questioned, despite them both having been in the top 20 on the final log.

Furthermore, the number one on the final log, Dave The King, was said by Mike de Kock to not be running in the Summer Cup. He had him running in a Pinnacle event in December in preparation for the L’Ormarins King’s Plate.

So the certainties in the final field could be See It Again, Royal Victory, Winchester Mansion, Main Defender, Purple Pitcher, Barbaresco, Frances Ethel, Silver Sanctuary, Beating Wings, Hotarubi, Atticus Finch, Puerto Manzano, My Soul Mate, Madison Valley and Safe Passage and also Greeting My Master if he is supplemented.

Those fighting for the last four or five places will be , Pure Predator, Future Pearl, Rule By Force, Thunee Player, Zeus, Litigation, Son Of Raj, Meridius, Aragosta, Shoemaker, Cape Eagle, Red Maple, Nebraas, Indian Ocean, The Futurist, East Coast, Marauding Horde, River Romeo, Atarime and Pomodoro’s Jet.  

Johannesburg, 15 October 2024 – 4Racing in conjunction with the Handicappers have published the first log for the 2024 R6 million Gr1 Betway Summer Cup to be run at Turffontein on Saturday 30 November.

Second entries close at 11am on Tuesday 05 November, and final entries at 9am on Monday, 18 November 2024, after which weights will be announced. Declarations must be in by 11am on Wednesday, 20 November 2024 and barrier draws will be conducted at a Betway event on 20 November 2024. The final log will be published on Tuesday 05 November 2024.