Graeme Hawkins

The ultra consistent Callmegetrix could register her fourth career victory when she lines up in the R180 000 Clapham Stakes over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth today. On past collateral form the 4yo daughter of Vercingetorix appears to have the measure of her eight rivals, but not by a wide margin and a competitive finish can be expected. Callmegetrix is trained by Candice Bass-Robinson and will be ridden by JP van der Merwe and, from a decent barrier position, she should get the run of the race.

Stable companion Fun Zone is not without a winning chance, but it has been some time since the 5yo mare by Rafeef has found the winner’s enclosure. She seldom runs a bad race but has tended to be a little one-paced in her recent outings. Hampstead Heath is drawn widest of all but does stake a claim for a minor placing. On the evidence of their last run behind Gimmethatpearl, Hamsptead Heath looks well held by Callmemegetrix but as we all know races are not run on paper and it would not be a huge surprise if Adam Marcus’ runner turned the form around.

My Flower Fate has not raced since early November, but she cannot be lightly discounted. She seems at her best over this track and trip and a repeat of her performance in last season’s Ladies Mile, when runner-up behind the useful Time For Love, will see Lucinda Woodruff’s 5yo daughter of Master Of My Fate make her presence felt in a big way. The three-year-old Goodnessgraciousme is difficult to assess. Trained by Justin Snaith, Goodnessgraciousme won her maiden in her penultimate start before finishing unplaced in the Grade 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas in December. Richard Fourie takes the ride and the well-bred daughter of Gimmethegreenlight could be open to significant improvement.

Fellow sophomores Dixieland Band and Polynomial have shown glimpses of above average potential but need to step up on their most recent efforts. School Policy and Oni San complete the 9-horse field and either would be surprise winners. School Policy has yet to score beyond 1400m while Oni San will be having her first start beyond the sprint distances and it’s difficult to know what to expect from the daughter of Danon Platina.

In summary, Callmegetrix gets the vote, with a fair degree of confidence, to take top honours with My Flower Fate, Hampstead Heath and Goodnessgraciousme the immediate dangers.

The sixth race, a Cape B Stakes over 1000m, is one of the better races on this generally low-grade programme and should provide for an interesting contest between Kelp Forest, The Abdicator and Elusive Winter. The race could set up nicely for the hattrick-seeking Kelp Forest who likes to be held up for a late charge. The opposite is the case for The Abdicator and Elusive Winter, both of which like to “blitz” from the start. Elusive Winter found 1100m a touch too far last time but was a good winner over Tenango prior to that. The Abdicator was second behind Tenango in his last start but was conceding Tenango 1,5kgs on that occasion, whereas Elusive Winter was in receipt of 7,5kgs when getting the better of Tenango.

The Abdicator has to concede Elusive Winter 6 kgs on Saturday and, on a line through Tenango, there should not be much to choose between the pair. The Abdicator has his first start for the Piet Steyn stable and one can only assume that the “catch-me-if-you-can” tactics will be deployed. Kelp Forest takes a steep rise in class but is unbeaten since being fitted with blinkers and Fourie is a notable jockey booking. If The Abdicator and Elusive Winter cut each other’s throats, Kelp Forest will be in the perfect position to mow them down. The upset in the race could be the lightly weighted Porque Te Vas and she could be worth throwing into the mix.

The first of nine races, Leg 3 of the Work Rider’s Series, could again see Louis Burke and Luke Coleman finish 1-2, as was the case in the first two legs. In this Maiden Plate over 1100m, Burke rides Wild Applause for the Snaith team and it’s very difficult to oppose the 3yo daughter of Vercingetorix. Coleman is aboard Peanut Pops who came close to landing a huge gamble when runner-up behind Elsinore in a similar contest back in December. But Wild Applause brings stronger form lines into the race and Peanut Pops may struggle to match strides with her. Consideration can also be given to Rosa Osiria and Indebe Mayibuye for minor money, but Burke looks set to complete his hattrick on Wild Applause.

RACE 1

2 TENJIKU improved second time out and has a chance here. 3 ELEGANTRIX is by Vercingetorix and a half-sister to useful sprinter Elegant Ice. 8 VIPINGO is by Gimmethegreenlight out of a Fastnet Rock mare who has produced one time winner Nyali Beach. 1 MIGHTY EAGLE is by Danon Platina out of a Free Eagle mare and Gavin Lerena is up. (David Thiselton 2-3-8-1)

RACE 2

6 SATYAGRAHA made a good debut and can improve from a nice high draw. 8 DUPONT EMERALD should be in the shake up after two good runs. 2 PAUL REVERE has not been disgraced in his last three. 4 CRESCENDO made a fair debut and this half-brother to two multiple winners can improve. (David Thiselton 6-8-2-4)

RACE 3

2 TAMARISK TREE is in fine form and has a good draw over an ideal trip. 7 DOUGLAS DRAGON is knocking on the door and should be right there again. 5 TOTAL SURRENDER will appreciate the step back up in trip. 6 VESUVIO is distance suited and has a fine chance if able to overcome a tricky draw. (David Thiselton 2-7-5-6)

RACE 4

1 MAIN DEFENDER is top class and should be right there over a suitable trip. 2 BARBARESCO has plenty of class and is on the up. 4 MELECH beat Main Defender last time but is now 2kg worse off for a 0,25 length beating. 7 TEXAS RED is a talented sort who is distance suited and can’t be ignored. (David Thiselton 1-2-4-7)

RACE 5

1 GOLDEN SICKLE beat the top class Dyce last time out and can go in again. 4 CHOCOLATE SOLDIER is very quick and over this course and distance from a nice high draw has a fine chance. 5 CHASING HAPPINESS is a progressive sort who should be in the shake up. 6 ELEGANT ICE has been knocking on the door and can be involved. (1-4-5-6)

RACE 6

2 QUID PRO QUO is an exceptional filly and will be hard to beat. 1 VJ’S ANGEL enjoys this trip and this classy sort has Gavin Lerena up, albeit from a tricky draw. 4 WORLD OF ALICE would prefer further but should be running on. 5 FIERY PEGASUS has class and can bounce back from a below par run last time. (David Thiselton 2-1-4-5)

RACE 7

1 FIRE ATTACK has class and has a weight turnaround and previous form on his side. 3 GREATERIX is highly regarded but has a lot of speed and has to prove he enjoys this trip. 8 BACCHUS is talented and might not have shown his best yet. 2 LEGEND OF ARTHUR is a progressive sort who is well regarded. (David Thiselton 1-3-8-2)

RACE 8

1 MERCANTOUR is in good form and is distance suited and has a nice high draw. 10 FRANCILIEN is capable of improvement and could earn. 2 MINOGUE is talented and could get away with a long layoff over this trip. 5 SILVER TUDOR should be staying on strongly at the end as one with a short but potentially devastating finishing burst. (David Thiselton 1-10-2-5)

RACE 9

7 ALONE TIME is well drawn front runner over a step up in trip she might enjoy. 2 SALUTE THE FLAG has some class and enjoys this course and distance. 3 SPRING TRADITION is always thereabouts and is drawn in pole over a suitable trip. 9 GREGARIOUS is on the up and starts handicapping off a reasonable looking mark. (David Thiselton 7-2-3-9)

RACE 10         

1 TOP SEED won his maiden well and off an 82 merit rating in this Classified Stakes event he has a chance 4 EXCEEDINGLY GLAM has useful maiden form and after her first win looks fairly treated off an 82 with Strydom staying aboard. 6 SAIL THE SKY can earn again with Lerena up. 3 JUST VAR has a wide draw but enjoys this course and distance. (David Thiselton 1-4-6-3)

RACE 1

4 WILD APPLAUSE was heavily backed in the market in her last start behind Englefield Green when she stayed on late for fifth, she now drops back in trip which should help her chances, on her best form, she will be very hard to beat here. 8 PEANUT POPS ran a much-improved race on the 5th of December when finishing second, if he can back that performance up here on Saturday afternoon, he should be able to earn some money for the connections again. 6 ROSA OSIRIA will need to improve quite a bit on her last start to win a race like this, but she is definitely capable of running into the places on her best form, watch her closely. 7 INDEBE MAYIBUYE drops significantly in trip, she could sneak into the Quartet at a big price. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 8 – 6 – 7)

RACE 2

6 CLIFFSCAPE takes on the boys here, her first run on the 11th of January was incredible, she ran on strongly for third behind a very nice horse, if she has made the necessary improvement back at home, she will go very close to winning. 1 EXALTED LOVE ran 4th on debut behind Orbit, he was very green in running and should improve quite a bit in his second start at the races, the yard is in good form, he must have a nice each way chance. The balance of the field are all first timers, watch the market closely, watch them in the parade ring and watch them move down to the start before striking your bets. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 1 – 2 – 3)

RACE 3

4 SCOTTISH LINKS ran a cracking second last time from a poor draw behind Bounceback, the drop in trip shouldn’t be a problem for this gelding, from a good draw here, he will get the run of the race and will be tough to beat. 11 ARBITRATION unfortunately draws poorly for this competitive Open Maiden, he will need lots of luck in running, if the race works out for him, he could sneak into the places with a big weight on his back. 6 MASTER BOMBER needed his last run, he ran a fair race behind Secret Passage, even though he was beaten 8 lengths, he should tighten up quite a bit from that run, include him into all bets now that he steps up in trip. 3 AMANDLA NGAWETHU improved beautifully in his second start, he will love the step up in trip to 1400m, watch him closely. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 11 – 6 – 3)

RACE 4

11 SUGARBUSH finished her race off strongly to run second on debut behind Shesgotclass, she is a well-bred filly that should improve quite a bit with her second start at the races, she will be very hard to beat here with natural improvement. 2 HAPPY WIVES almost got it right on the 15th of January, she showed plenty speed from the barrier gates and got reeled in late by Secret Passage, if she can build on that performance, she will be a danger in the finish. 8 BENEATH THE CLOUDS ran a fair race on the 11th of January, she was in the firing line right up until the last 200m and then she got tired late, she will get stronger and better with more racing, include her into all bets. 3 ALESSIA ASHEVILLE will love the drop in trip, she could be the value in what looks a tricky race on paper. (Brandon Bailey: 11 – 2 – 8 – 3)

RACE 5

5 ELECTRIC FEELS is as honest as they come, she needs a particular ride, if she gets the cover needed early, she will be storming home late. 1 GRAVITY ran a good race behind his stable companion on the 15th of January, he looks to be racing off a dangerous mark at the moment, on his best form he can win a race like this quite easily. 7 LOVERS LANE was only beaten just over three lengths in his last start over 1400m, the drop back in trip could help him get closer, include him into all bets at a decent price. 6 TRUE HORIZON had a few hard luck stories in her race behind Palace Gift on the 11th of January, she is very consistent and should be competitive again. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 1 – 7 – 6)

RACE 6

2 KELP FOREST has won his last two starts super impressively, he absolutely loves these sprint races, even though his rating has gone up again, he will be very hard to beat in this Class B stakes. 3 THE ABDICATOR bounced back to his best form on the 4th of January, he ran a lovely second behind Tenango, he has changed stables, if the race works out for him, he will be hard to catch, include him into all bet types. 7 ELUSIVE WINTER tried to lead them from start to finish last time, he is speedy and very talented, there is no doubt he will have a good each way chance again. 6 PORQUE TE VAS is much better than her recent run behind Kyalami Girl, she has dropped further in the ratings, watch for improvement. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 3 – 7 – 6)

RACE 7

4 CALLMEGETRIX never runs a bad race, her form is ultra consistent, she carries top weight here which will make life tough for her, but she is honest and should be involved in the finish. 9 HAMPSTEAD HEATH made up good ground last time behind Gimmethatpearl to run fourth, the yard has always held this filly in high regard, unfortunately she has drawn wide for this race, but she will be running on powerfully, watch her closely. 3 GOODNESSGRACIOUSME is a gorgeous looking filly, she is much better than her recent start in the Cape Fillies Guineas, from a good draw with champion jockey Richard Fourie in the saddle, she will get the run of the race and could easily bounce back to best form. 5 FUN ZONE has run some fair races lately, if the race works out for her, she could sneak into the Quartet. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 9 – 3 – 5)

RACE 8

7 COSMIC RHYTHM stayed on nicely behind Okavango on the 18th of January, even though he was well beaten, that form looks to be good enough to win a race like this. 9 DAWN’S EARLY LIGHT has unfortunately drawn widest of all for this Class D Stakes, if he gets some luck in running, he could finish amongst the places. 5 GOLDEN GREY has been very frustrating to follow, there is no doubt that he has the ability to win a race like this, but he needs everything to go right on the day, include him into all bets, he could certainly surprise. 3 GRIPEN drops back in trip to 1400m, from a good draw, there should be no excuses for him, he could be some value in a difficult race. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 9 – 5 – 3)

RACE 9

2 DREAM SEARCHER won very well on the 4th of December, it was a good ride from jockey Craig Bantam, she was only given three points for that victory, from a good draw again over the same trip as she won last time, she could be very hard to beat on Saturday afternoon. 3 MARITZBURG MEMORY could be all the value in this Class 5 event, she got left in her last start and then made up good ground quite early at the top of the lane, she only really got quite tired the last 200m of that race, she now drops in class and gets a decent draw, she will be a huge runner here. 6 LADY LOXTON has dropped a further two points in the ratings and she steps back up in trip, watch for big improvement. 9 VERONIQUE has been disappointing in her last two races, if she returns to form, she will be competitive. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 3 – 6 – 9)

Turffontein Net Pick6 C/Over: R 500 000 on Saturday, 1 February 2025. Race 4 off at 13h45. Estimated Pool: R 3 Million.

Andrew Harrison

Night racing is back on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville tonight where punters and patrons are faced with a competitive card starting in the first where Dee Day has been close-up in all of her starts and should go close to getting off the mark for Gary Rich who has a number of promising runners on the card.

Stuart Ferrie could spoil the start as he saddles Mistress Rebecca who has shown some ability and his lightly weighted charge has a 2.5kg claimer up. Biggest threat could come from Futurarius who was much improved last run when tried over further and appears to have come to hand.

In the second, Princess Palace shows some ability and drops in class. She goes well this trip and if taking to the poly could be the horse to beat. Veteran Purple Flower has the widest draw but has been in mustard form of late. Her last win was over course and distance at her penultimate start and she followed up with another forward showing.  Aspoestertjie is always game and finished behind Purple Flower when last they met and is now 1.5kg better off courtesy of Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance.

The grey Global Movement takes to the poly and has excellent recent showings on the turf. Older horses tend to do well on the poly and he can kick off the Pick 6.  Burning Man was a runaway winner first up for his new stable with the blinkers back on. From pole position draw he can go in again. Kumemori could be the dark horse. He has drawn wide but takes a drop in class and rating. Fish River has yet to finish out of the money in three starts for his new stable and looks well in.

In the fourth Laudato is back on his favourite surface with a handy galloping weight although he will face stiff opposition from Lindbergh who was doing his best work late last time out and from the best of the draw has a strong chance while Office In Command may have needed his last run. He has good form on the poly and is smart on his day.

The fifth is a wide open handicap and although Rodriquez has a tricky draw he is in good form. He was a touch unlucky from a wide draw last time out but he does return to the poly which is a concern. Blazing Light has no issues with the poly and loves this trip. He has a handy galloping weight and is a must include in all exotics. Mvelelo found a lot of traffic last run but did show improvement in blinkers. He has done well on the poly. Allaroundtheworld is never far back and loves the poly.

Trippi T has been rested but is super quick. He took to the poly with an easy win last time out and if ready he could be difficult to peg back in the sixth. B Fiftytwo switches to the poly but has consistent form to stronger on the turf at recent outings. Fine One is down in ratings but does show ability. He has a fair weight from a wide draw but does have a touch of class. Princess Hannah has the best of the draw and her last two wins have come on the poly. She has a fair weight and her last run is best ignored.

In the seventh, Fort J’Adore has smart form over this distance and has been consistent. She should run another forward race. However, Grey Fantacy may just have needed her last run and was not far back. She goes this trip for the first time but looks more than capable given her best showings. Greenlitealltheway has been trying further but the drop in trip and switch to the poly could bring out the best although she does have a deep draw to contend with.

Pleasedtoseeyou can round off the meeting even though she was a recent maiden winner. That form has worked out well and the gelding has taken to the poly. Benni In The Area could round off a big night for Gary Rich. The gelding is back over his best course and distance and should be competitive in this line-up. Kings Island was a comfortable winner on the poly last time out and the drop in trip should not be of concern.