Trainer Paul Matchett has withdrawn Triple Tiara and Gr1 Woolavington 2000 champion War Of Athena from next month’s Gr1 Vodacom Durban July.

Instead she will take on her own sex in the Gr1 Jonnson Workwear Garden Province Stakes on the same afternoon where she has drawn gate one.

She is likely to be up against dual Fillies Guineas winner Captain’s Ransom who has pulled a wide draw. She will be ridden by Muzi Yeni.

David Thiselton

Turffontein Standside hosts an interesting eight race meeting today and there looks to be opportunities for both exotic and on the nose punters.

The highest rated race on the card is the seventh, a MR 90 handicap for fillies and mares over 1600m and the progressive Lady Amherst can follow up on her last win, which was over this trip down the Vaal straight. That race did not pan out too well from an unfavourable low draw and she raced without cover in the front for the first half of the race and did not settle perfectly. It was thus commendable that the big filly, who has grown into her big frame, found extra to get up. In her previous start over today’s course and distance she appeared to have found a good position from draw six, one out and three back, but then pulled and S’Manga Khumalo had no option but to let her go and she thus rounded the few ahead of her coming up Turffontein’s energy-sapping hill. It was thus commendable she ran all the way to the line to be beaten just 0,40 lengths by Ululate. Three winners, including herself, have come out of that race. She was raised four points for her last win but now has a good draw of three and Khumalo would have learnt from those last two runs. It would be no surprise to see him taking her to the front and attempting to dictate. Querari Ferrari should beat Lady Amherst on a line through Ululate. Lady Amherst received 5kg from Ululate and lost to her by 0,40 lengths. Querari Ferrari gave Ululate 2kg in the Listed Syringa Handicap last time and beat her by 4,65 lengths. However, other collateral form points to Ululate having run below par in her last two outings and Querari Ferrari also has a tough draw to overcome. Sultanah gave Lady Amherst 2.5kg and a 0,40 length beating over this trip on the Inside track last November. There is now not only a reversal in draw fortune that favours Lady Amherst but the latter is also receiving 4kg. However, Sultanah proved how useful she is last time when going down narrowly over this trip on the Vaal Classic track to the progressive Paton’s Tears. She received 2kg from Ululate that day and beat her by 3,25 lengths which puts her ahead of Lady Amherst on that bit of form. However, on direct form between them Lady Amherst is ahead of Sultanah which might point to the Ululate form-line not being consistent. Now You See Me has a fine chance on paper with Lady Amherst as she is 2kg better off with her for a 0,40 length beating. She raced in front that day down the Vaal straight. However, she does not have as much scope as Lady Amherst and is also a touch one-paced so will need to find the front from draw six but might be kept out by Lady Amherst. Now You See Me sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight and Chase Maujean knows her well. The topweight Rouge Allure is now seven years old but is still capable and enjoys this trip there days. She was beaten 4,75 lengths by Lady Amherst last time and is only 2.5kg better off. However, she does prefer going around the turn and is drawn in two so can’t be discounted off a mark that is now two points lower than her last win, which was on the Inside course last August. Making A Scene has a shout on paper on the grounds of her last run over this trip where she beat Lady Amherst by a short-head as she faces her on the same terms but in reality is 1kg better off if weight for age improvement is taken into account. However, there is a reversal in draw fortune that favours Lady Amherst. Ideal Angel goes for a hat-trick and as a typically progressive Ideal World four-year-old she is hard to ignore although Warren Kennedy is replaced by Ryan Munger and Kennedy rides the former KZN horse Nirvana Girl, who ran well over this trip first time out the maidens at Hollywoodbets Greyville. However, Nirvana Girl will likely find it tougher on the Highveld and she hasn’t race for five-and-a-half months. Golden Spoon represents the in form Mike de Kock yard and comes off a win over 1450m. However, she had previously been beaten 0,25 lengths over this trip by Ideal Angel and is now 2kg worse off in real terms and 1kg worse off if weight for age improvement is considered. That leaves Sweet And Spicy and Let There Be Light who will have to improve on their recent form and the former is returning from a layoff too. It is an open race but they are selected in the order mentioned.

In the previous race, a Classified Stakes race over 1600m, Encore makes appeal as a possible banker. She won a Classified event cosily last time over this trip and is the joint best weighted here and can follow up against uninspiring opposition. However, she does have a tricky draw of seven and the risk averse can also include Fifth Of July, who reverts to his probable best trip for the first time since his maiden win, and All Aglow, who is the joint best weighted and is distance suited and well drawn.    

 Andrew Harrison

The hunger for turf racing sees a ten-race programme at Hollywoodbets Scottsville tomorrow and punters are faces with competitive handicaps with mostly maximum fields.

This is a sure recipe for some upset results but the Tony Rivalland-trained Rain Wear could provide some protection in the exotics where she lines up in the fifth. She has been runner-up in her last three in what stacks up to be a fairly modest maiden field she should be able to go one better.

The balance of the card will keep all guessing.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 Namaqua Dove has improved with every start and he gets a very much in form rider aboard that could make all the difference. Zuberi is drawn on the opposite side of the course when runner-up to the strongly fancied Mr Master Starter last time out but he has taken time to shed his maiden.

The sixth is a tough handicap but although Flying First Class was a narrow winner first up for her new stable she can come on from that effort and from a good draw can follow up. Top Me Up Holly took on stronger last run when recording back-to-back wins and has yet to miss a place so should be right there again. Rise has gone close at her last two and is in good form while Panna has her first run for a new stable. She took on stronger last run and is one to watch.

The seventh is another difficult handicap over ground but the mare Mrs Hotline looked a winner before Saint Phillip collared her close home last time out. She stays well and from a good draw can go close again. Dream Destiny has shown his best over course and distance and although he jumps from a tricky draw, he has a top ride aboard. Before Noon has his third run after a break and caught the eye last run and over his optimum trip. 

The final leg of the first jackpot could rest between Kapen Pride who has come on nicely at recent starts and has been taking on stronger. He does switch to the turf but has the best of the draw. Mr Gonzales is well regarded by his stable but not the easiest. He showed something like his best form last run and if he can get it together, he will be a threat.

Scottsville is a horse’s for course and Blaze Of Silk is just that. He is at his best over course and distance and was narrowly beaten at his last two. Should he not run up to expectations then there will be a host of challengers. Princekresh could be a threat as he was well supported in the betting last run over course and distance when back on the turf. The filly Wizz of Odds has taken time to come down in the handicap but goes well this course and distance while King’s Road has smart form on the poly and can follow up on his last win if he takes to the turf. Valiente is quick and goes well this trip and is a must include in all calculations.

David Thiselton

The Justin Snaith-trained Crown Towers has been supplemented for the Vodacom Durban July after winning the Grade 3 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday having earlier being scratched from the big race following his disappointing fourth place finish in the Grade 2 WSB 1900. 

The difference between the two races was that his chances of getting to the front in the WSB 1900 were scuppered by the horse drawn inside of him, Share Holder, whereas none of the horses inside of him on Saturday wanted the lead and he was able to get to the front fairly easily from a wide draw of seven out of eight.

He was thus able to bowl along in front using his stride the way he likes to and it also gave him the chance to fend off the challengers in the straight which he has been shown time and time again to be capable of.

In the 1900 he was caught one wide on the leaders quarters and tended to over-race, so it was not surprising he found little extra in the straight.

On Saturday he showed his usual good kick at the top of the straight to steal a length on Tristful, who had sat behind him in the running. Tristful then ran on to join him on his inside, while Nexus and Capoeira were challenging on his outside.

However, he dug down when Richard Fourie asked him the question and found enough to get up by a neck from Tristful with Nexus 0,40 lengths further back in third. 

Jay August, South Africa’s sectional timing guru, summed up the reason for Crown Towers’ ability to win from the front.

He said, “He can set both moderate and challenging although never overly fast fractions, and stay on the front end to the line. He had to go a bit faster in the Cup Trial than he has so far this year, but not overly fast, and he did so without much fuss.”
He added, “Runner-up Tristful is similar to Crown Towers with two exceptions. He rates just off pace rather than sets it and he more easily finds the runner-up berth than he does the winner box.”

In fact, Tristful has not won a race since October 2019 but has finished second six times since then.

Saturday’s sponsor now have Got The Greenlight at 5/2 outright favourite for the July, with Rainbow Bridge and Linebacker next best together at 9/2. 

Thirty one entries remain in the running for a gate in the R2 million Gr1 Vodacom Durban July after final supplementary and weight stage was reached today.

Final declarations for the 2200m spectacular to be run at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, 3 July close at 11h00 on Monday 21 June.

The announcement of the final field of 18 plus 2 reserve runners, and their barrier draws, will take place on Tuesday, 22 June.

David Thiselton

The Eric Sands-trained Rainbow Bridge put himself in line for the Equus Horse Of The Year award when winning the Grade 1 weight-for-age Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday under Luke Ferraris.

Sands will be wondering how he will ever replace Ferraris when the latter leaves for his contract riding position in Hong Kong as the six-year-old Rainbow Bridge has never been in better form since being partnered by the 19-year-old. 

In five rides together they have now finished narrow seconds in both the Grade 2 WSB Greenpoint Stakes and Grade 1 WFA L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate and then rattled off wins in the Grade 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes, the Grade 1 Cape Town Met and the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge.  

Seeking The Stars was expected to lead but started tardily. However, Grant van Niekerk surprisingly did not make more effort to keep Cirillo out. Instead he hung back and Seeking The Stars, not able to use his stride, raced too strongly in second.

The strapping Jet Dark, having his first run since winning the Queen’s Plate five months ago, found the box seat on the rail but was tending to over-race.

WSB Dingaans winner Catch Twentytwo managed to slot in front of him at the 900m mark, which posed a problem for Rainbow Bridge who was now left one wide without cover. 

However, Rainbow Bridge remained beautifully relaxed and sauntered up to Seeking The Stars, who had moved past Cirillo at the top of the straight.

Catch Twentytwo was posing a threat on the inside but Ferraris got to work at the 200m mark and Rainbow Bridge lengthened his stride to beat the former by a cosy 0,30 lengths.

Chimichuri Run, who had sat behind Rainbow Bridge in the running, ran on strongly to deny Seeking The Stars third place. Belgarion and Jet Dark both proved in need it, finishing fifth and sixth respectively. 

Rainbow Bridge, an Ideal World gelding owned by Mike and Norma Rattray and bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein Stud, has now won eleven of his 23 starts, including five Grade 1s.

Hollywoodbets recognised their business partners in the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge meeting at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday and the supporting features provided some thrilling finishes.

In the Grade 3 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial over 1800m the Justin Snaith-trained Crown Towers took up his favourite front-running role and in his normal courageous fashion kept going to narrowly defeat fellow VDJ entrants Tristful and Nexus.

In the Grade 2 East Coast Radio Tibouchina Stakes over 1400m, the Glen Kotzen-trained Caya Coco, the only horse to have ever beaten star filly Captain’s Ransom, burst through from a handy position to beat pacemaker Wisteria Walk by 1,50 lengths with the outsider Zimbaba running on well for third. 

In the Listed Cell C Sharks Gatecrasher Stakes the favourite, the Dean Kannemeyer-trained Cosmic Highway, produced a late surge under Keagan de Melo to get up by a long-head from long-time leader Party Time with Waterberry Lane in third. 

In the Listed Lighthouse Foundation Devon Air Stakes over 1400m the Sean Tarry-trained Twice The Trip ran on resolutely to keep the fast-finishing Kailene at bay and win by a quarter-of-a-length with Miss Putin staying on for third.

The Rising Sun Durban Dash was won by  the Kumaran Naidoo-trained outsider Ziva La Winter under Calvin Habib.

Andrew Harrison

Rainbow Bridge will defend his title in the 50^th renewal of the R1 million Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge at Hollywoodbets Greyville today and will be out to turn the tables on Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winner Jet Dark.

South Africa’s joint second richest race is the final Vodacom Durban July ‘golden ticket’ event and promises to be a thriller with five big race entries lining up.

Although only nine runners are due to face starter Solly Ngcobo, there is plenty of intrigue with runners like Rainbow Bridge and Belgarion warming up for the VDJ against star miler’s whose main target will have been this race.

The Gold Challenge is the last leg of the unofficial ‘Mile’ WFA races, along with the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and the HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes.

In context, this is the more important of the three given that horses from all three of the major racing centres meet on a level playing field.

The Eric Sands-trained Rainbow Bridge fluffed his lines in last year’s VDJ but is on track to remedy that. He scorched home in the Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m, a distance seemingly short of his best, and he is out to defend his Gold Challenge title where he looks more than capable.

Jet Dark beat Rainbow Bridge in the Queen’s Plate but has not been out since barring a Greyville gallop. This has been his Champions Season target so he should be fully primed but the Justin Snaith stable has been quiet this winter season which is a concern.

In contrast, Vaughan Marshall is having a stellar Champions Season and he saddles Seeking The Stars who set a solid gallop for stable companion and joint ante-post VDJ favourite, Linebacker in the KZN Guineas. Linebacker followed up with an equally impressive win in the Gr1 Daily News 2000 and just how Seeking The Stars fares here will be watched with more than just passing interest.

Belgarion has only once finished out of the money in a dozen starts and is at home over the trip. He barrelled home from last when beating Rainbow Bridge in the Gr2 Greenpoint Stakes but his current efforts have not mirrored that performance.

Needless to say, last year’s VDJ winner will be a big factor.

Catch Twentytwo was clearly second best behind Rainbow Bridge in the Drill Hall and seems unlikely to turn the tables while the balance of this small field will need to catch their better performed rivals on an off day.

There are a host of feature races on the day headed by the Gr2 East Coast Radio Tibouchina Stakes and the Gr3 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial.

The Gr3 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial is something of a ‘last chance saloon’ for VDJ hopefuls and punters are faced with a tricky puzzle. African Night Sky has not been the same horse that he was before injury and a lengthy lay-off but he showed signs of a form return last time out. He has dropped 13 pounds in the handicap and if he can win this, his chances of making the VDJ field will be very much enhanced.

Stable companion Nexus was supplemented into the VDJ and was 13^th on the last published July log so is assured of a gate in the big one. He has not been out since January so this could be a warm-up.

Tree Tambo, Tristful and Azores are all borderline VDJ entrants and will be going hard for victory. Tree Tambo was a winner last time out having improved in blinkers and can follow up while Tristful was unlucky in the July consolation last year. He ran well below par last start but one can expect a much better showing this time around.

The Tibouchina Stakes is a difficult race with any number of runners in with chances.

Wisteria Walk was not far behind last Sunday’s Golden Horse winner Battle Force after they met and in a recent handicap, giving the winner 7.5kg. She was only three lengths off Summer Pudding in the Empress Club Stakes and is over her ideal trip.

Favorita has drawn a touch wide but made a smart local debut in the Poinsetia Stakes and the extra furlong should not trouble her. Dennis Drier sends out Free State Star who although not having the best of draws, caught the eye at her last two and should strip at her peak.

Michael Azzie saddles Wylie Wench, who although not well in at the weights, has the best of the draw and has been in good form of late and should have every chance.

David Thiselton

It is Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge day at Hollywoodbets Greyville today and the Jackpot will consist of three Graded races and a Non-Black type event so should be well supported. 

The first leg is the Grade 3 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial over 1800m.

 Crown Towers could bounce back to his best over an ideal course and distance. This horse needs to get to the front to produce his best as he can then use his big action and he is able to keep up a good tempo all the way to the line.

Last time his chances of reaching the front were scuppered by the horse drawn inside of him, Share Holder, who had the same idea and he not surprisingly did not run to his best form.

He is drawn seven out of eight this time and none of the horses inside of him are types who will want the lead so it could pan out perfectly for him and he should make a bold bid.

Tree Tumbo is drawn well in two and should be running on strongly at a course he has won at and over a suitable trip. Tristful ran second in the Grade 2 WSB 1900 last year and off a competitive merit rating from a good draw he should go close as he this will be his third run after a layoff.

In the Grade 2 East Coast Radio Tibouchina Stakes over 1400m, Zarina will have benefited from her last start when finishing strongly from a wide draw for fourth and she has a reversal of draw fortune with the horse who beat her by 0,30 lengths in the WSB Guineas, Freestate Star.

Wisteria Walk has class and this looks to be an ideal trip as she does have plenty of pace too. She looks to be the chief threat to Zarina.

Wylie Wench will be an interesting contender from pole position as she has pace and a kick and could well be better than her 99-merit rating.

Freestate Star ran on fluently in the WSB Guineas and can also be considered for wider permutations. Two others who warrant consideration are Zimbaba, who if producing her best is capable of mowing this field down. Rio’s Winter is drawn two and comes off a good fifth in the Grade 1 SA Fillies Sprint and this trip should be ideal as she was runner-up in last year’s Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas. 

In the big one, The Grade 1 weight for age Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge, Seeking The Stars could cause an upset. He is capable of setting a high tempo from start to finish and should be cherry-ripe. His draw of two and Grant van Niekerk aboard will help too.

Rainbow Bridge has tended to run a relatively flat race in his second run after a layoff but has found the perfect partner in Luke Ferraris and it will be no surprise to see him fetching Seeking The Stars considering his outstanding Drill Hall win over a trip short of his best.

Jet Dark is full of class and although he hasn’t run since his L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate win he did put up a fine gallop at Hollywoodbets Greyville recently.

 Belgarion proved when winning the WSB Green Point Stakes he enjoys this trip running fresh so is also one to consider.

In the Rising Sun Durban Dash over 1100m, Spyda’s Corner has a wide draw but is on the up and is capable of running on from off the pace so should be right there.

Speed Machine has class and will also be a big runner in his third run after a layoff. 

Slalom Queen is well drawn and if bouncing back to her best also has a shout having dropped to a competitive merit rating. Captain Oupie has been disappointing in his last two starts but has a fair draw and enjoys this course so can be in the shake-up. Ziva La Winter has a far draw and is one from one over this course and distance so can also be considered. 

David Thiselton

The Candice Bass-Robinson-trained Zarina is the favourite for the Grade 2 East Coast Radio Tibouchina Stakes at the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge meeting at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday but it looks to be a highly competitive field.

Master Of My Fate filly Zarina finished a 4,60 length fifth in a strong renewal of the Grade 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas and followed up by winning the Grade 3 Prix du Cap over 1400m at Kenilworth. She finished a 2,40 length fourth in he Grade 2 WSB Fillies Guineas and assistant trainer Trevor Brown said, “She’s well and she’s well in at the weights so she’s got a big chance.”

She was 0,30 lengths by another Master Of My Fate filly in the WSB Guineas, the Dennis Drier-trained Freestate Star, and assistant trainer Stuart Ferrie, said, “Freestate Star is well and 1400m is probably her best trip. She is working well and on her Guineas run she must have a chance.”

Glen Kotzen runs Caya Coco, the only horse to have ever beaten Captain’s Ransom, and he said, “She has been a bit unlucky. In her first KZN start she pulled up sore behind, we sorted her out and then in her next start when we thought she had a big chance in the WSB Fillies Guineas she pulled up coughing her lungs out. So it’s now her third time lucky and she’s cracked a decent draw for a change and she’s very, very well. She’s fit and there is no sign of coughing and she is very classy.” 

He also runs Point Of Sale and said, “She ran an absolute peach of a race last time ridden differently, held up for a run. She’s got a very short run in and she took off. It was a cracking run, she had to give the winner 7kg. She’s got it in her to win a big win, it’s just a matter of everything going her way. She’s got a top jock on (Gavin Lerena), so we’re very happy.”

The pole position drawn Wylie Wench broke the Vaal Classic course record over 1600m in her penultimate start when winning the Grade 3 Acacia Handicap and last time out, also over 1600m in the Listed Syringa Handicap, she was waited with for too long in the straight on the back of a slow pace and couldn’t catch the leader Way Of The World when the latter kicked well. She will be effective over this course and distance as she has good pace and a good turn of foot and might well be better than her 99 merit rating.

The classy Wisteria Walk looks ideally course and distance suited and has a fair draw of five so has a shout.

Keep The Lights on was ahead of Freestate Star when third to Princess Calla and Caya Coco in the Grade 3 Umzimkhulu Stakes over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and followed up with a third in the Grade 3 Poinsettia Stakes over 1200m so should be cherry ripe. 

Favorita was second in the Poinsettia and being by Gimmethegreenlight out of an unraced Var mare who was a half-sister to Master Of My Fate she should get this trip. 

Hugs Accepted is well regarded and wasn’t disgraced in the WSB Guineas from a wide draw so is interesting from a fair draw of seven here having won three races from 1000m to 1200m.  

Rio’s Winter finished a 4,45 length fifth in the Grade 1 SA Fillies Sprint and is an interesting runner here as a former Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas runner up. 

Zimbaba was a 4,10 length fifth in the Poinsettia and being by Legislate should love this course and distance so if she brings her ‘A’ game she is a dark horse.  

Love Bomb won the Grade 2 Zulu Kingdom Golden Explorer Golden Slipper over this course and distance last year but has a tough draw this time although she does have Luke Ferraris up and won her penultimate start here over 1200m carrying topweight before finishing downfield in last Sunday’s SA Fillies Sprint. 

Mount Laurel showed signs of a form return last time but also has a tough draw. 

In The Dance went close in this race two years ago but has lost her way a touch and has a tough draw.