Andrew Harrison

The Hollywoodbets Greyville poly track is due a major upgrade later this month but hosts the final meeting tonight before work begins.

Most of the fields are on the thin side but La Vida Loca found a potential star in Mocha Blend last time out but shows some promise and although making her poly debut she should go well in the first. Nautical Landing has shown her best form over course and distance and could be the stable elect although White Waters is way better than her last run and with a 4kg claimer up from the best of the draw could see her home. Royal Mermaid improved second time out and is one to watch in the market. 

In the second, Hope Is Power is in good form and will go close on his best effort. Red Roses Too is never far back and goes well on the poly while Celtic Chief is lightly raced but useful on his day. Last win was on the poly but should feature with this weight. Mister Master Starter has been costly to follow but the stable has hit form. 

Mamas Baby won well over course and distance last time out and although jumping six points in the handicap she still looks to have her opposition held given that she met most of them last time out. She could be a banker in the first leg of the Pick 6. Drive By was second best behind Mamas Baby and with a 7kg swing in the weights courtesy of a 4kg claimer, she should get closer. 

In the fourth, Mr Hotstepper made nearly all before being caught on the line last time out. He shed his Maiden over course and distance and looks good in this field. King Of Spin was just in need of his last run and will be a big threat while the filly Sovereign Grant is the best weighted and may just have needed her last run from a wide draw. Littleblackvelvet is never far back and gets a change of rider. Last win was course and distance. 

Numzaan caught the eye when making his debut for his new stable and Lerena is an eye-catching booking when they line up in the fifth, a wide open handicap. Lou Lou The Legend comes off a short break and although he is consistent he has been costly to follow. Mac Hardy has useful form on the poly and should go close again while Future Saint is improving slowly and is one to keep an eye on. 

Alyson Wright could hold the keys in the sixth with three runners. Stable rider Athandiwe Mgudlwa is aboard King Bavarian who is struggling for his next win but is consistent while Gavin Lerena is aboard Wave Warrior who is a poly specialist and also in good form. Watch the market between these two. Gary Rich sends out English Primrose who was rested after a disappointing outing on the turf. Her best recent form is on the poly but shew may need this.

Mike Miller’s filly Grey Fantasy is overdue and the step up in trip should be ideal although stable companion Skytrix is no slouch and showed up well first run back from a break over a mile on the turf. She has the better draw and her last win was on the poly. Miss Paget loves course and distance although she does come off a short break while Poursomesugaronme has been threatening for some time now and cannot be ignored. 

The last is a wide open handicap but Terminator was a beaten favourite in his first local run and can make amends. Kimbal O’Hara has been consistent and should feature prominently again in this line-up while Benni In The Area  is back over his favourite course and distance and his last run on the turf is best ignored. 

RACE 1

6 LA VIDA LOCA   7 NAUTICAL LANDING   1 WHITE WATERS   4 ROYAL MERMAID

Summary: LA VIDA LOCA (6) found a potential star last time out. Shows some promise although making her poly debut. NAUTICAL LANDING (7) has shown her best form over course and distance and could be the stable elect although WHITE WATERS (1) is way better than her last run and with a 4kg claimer up from the best of the draw could see her home. ROYAL MERMAID (4) improved second time out and is one to watch in the market. (Andrew Harrison: 6-7-1-4).

RACE 2

6 HOPE IS POWER   3 MISTER MASTER STARTER   1 RED ROSES TOO   5 CELTIC CHIEF

Summary: HOPE IS POWER (6) is in good form and will go close on best effort. RED ROSES TOO (1) is never far back and goes well on the poly. CELTIC CHIEF (5) is lightly raced but useful on his day. Last win was on the poly but should feature with this weight. MISTER MASTER STARTER (3) has been costly to follow but stable has hit form. (Andrew Harrison: 6-3-1-5).

RACE 3

7 MAMAS BABY   6 DRIVE BY   8 SWEET JULIA   3 SWISS PARADISE

Summary: MAMAS BABY (7) won well over course and distance last time out and although jumping six points in the handicap she still looks to have her opposition held given that she met most of them last time out. DRIVE BY (6) was second best behind Mamas Baby and with a 7kg swing in the weights courtesy of a 4kg claimer, She can get closer. SWEET JULIA (8) is seldom far back but struggling for her second win. (Andrew Harrison: 7-6-8-3).

RACE 4

4 MR HOTSTEPPER   1 KING OF SPIN   5 SOVEREIGN GRANT   3 LITTLEBLACKVELVET

Summary: MR HOTSTEPPER (4) made nearly all before being caught on the line last time out. He shed his Maiden over course and distance and looks good in this field. KING OF SPIN (1) was just in need of his last run and will be a big threat. The filly SOVEREIGN GRANT (5) is the best weighted and may just have needed her last run from a wide draw. LITTLEBLACKVELVET (3) is never far back and gets a change of rider. Last win was course and distance. (Andrew Harrison: 4-1-5-3).

RACE 5

6 NUMZAAN   3 MAC HARDY   8 LOU THE LEGEND   1 FUTURE SAINT

Summary: NUMZAAN (6) caught the eye when making his debut for his new stable and Lerena is an eye-catching booking. LOU THE LEGEND (8) comes off a short break. He is consistent but has been costly to follow. MAC HARDY (3) has useful form on the poly and should go close again. FUTURE SAINT (1) is improving slowly and is one to keep an eye on. (Andrew Harrison: 6-3-8-1).

RACE 6

7 WAVE WARRIOR   4 KING BAVARIAN   3 ENGLISH PRIMROSE   2 THESUPERNOVASTAR

Summary: Alyson Wright could hold the keys. Stable rider Athandiwe Mgudlwa is aboard KING BAVARIAN (4) who is struggling for his next win but is consistent. Lerena is aboard WAVE WARRIOR (7) who is a poly specialist and also in good form. ENGLISH PRIMROSE (3) was rested after a disappointing outing on the turf. Her best recent form is on the poly. (Andrew Harrison: 7-4-3-2).

RACE 7

7 GREY FANTASY   10 POURSOMESUGARONME   2 SKYTRIX   8 MISS PAGET

Summary: GREY FANTASY (7) is overdue and the step up in trip should be ideal. Stable companion SKYTRIX (2) is no slouch and showed up well first run back from a break over a mile on the turf. She has the better draw and her last win was on the poly. MISS PAGET (8) loves course and distance although she does come off a short break. POURSOMESUGARONME (10) has been threatening for some time now and cannot be ignored. (Andrew Harrison: 7-10-2-8).

RACE 8

6 TERMINATOR   4 KIMBAL O’HARA   9 BENNIE IN THE AREA   3 VOLDEMORT

Summary: Wide open handicap. TERMINATOR (6) was a beaten favourite first local run. Can make amends. KIMBAL O’HARA (4) has been consistent and should feature prominently again in this line-up. BENNI IN THE AREA (9) is back over his favourite course and distance and his last run is best ignored. (Andrew Harrison: 6-4-9-3).

RACE 1

(9) WINTER WARFARE has scope to improve after a decent enough debut effort so will be the narrow first selection. (4) KING PRAWN is extremely well bred, he comes from a yard who generally have their unraced runners ready so should be taken seriously. (3) GALILEO STAR was backed on debut so must be included, he will improve with the experience under the belt. (1) ABOVE THE HORIZON is another who will improve after having his first run so throw into all bets. (Devonne Govender 9-4-3-1).

RACE 2 

(1) KINGDUNDEE returns after a break and there will be question marks on his fitness, however he packs plenty of class and should have enough to be very competitive here despite the break.  (2) CLIFF TOP is another who has ability and will be right there in the mix, include. (3) THE WINTER LAKE is having the 2nd run after a break and should be much fitter now. (5) LEDELL’S ECHO is never far back and can get into the quartets. ( Devonne Govender 1-2-3-5)

RACE 3

(2) AND ACTION has been knocking on the door recently , although proving expensive to follow he should be competitive in this field. (4) SEEKING THE LIFE ran a cracker in the last start and will be in the mix. (6) HAT MAN is never far back and can get into the action with in form rider Craig Zackey. (7) BOMPAS ran a much improved race and can get into the quartets. ( Devonne Govender 2-4-6-7)

RACE 4

Open race. (4) GREENLIGHT LEGEND brings Cape form into this contest and that must always be taken seriously in the province. (5) ELEGANT APPEAL ran a much improved race at big odds in the last start and can build on that. (6) LADY SONATINE has never been far back in recent starts and warrants respect here. (9) HAT MONTERA has scope to go well and should be thrown into all bets. (Devonne Govender 4-5-6-9)

RACE 5

(1) AMERICAN MATADOR is holding solid form and will take some beating. (11) WELSH STARLET is ran a much better race in the last start at big odds and can get involved. (2) KINNIKINNIK is unreliable but can pop up here. (7) LORD QUINN is never far back and can make the frame. (Devonne Govender 1-11-2-7)

RACE 6

Wide open race. (2) FLASH LIGHTNING won a gutsy race in the last start and can win again despite the wide draw. (8) LAZY GUY is never far back, he ran well in the last start and can make a bold showing. (10) RUSSIAN EMPIRE is never far back and will be in the shake up here from a decent draw. (11) FUTURE OF ENERGY is another who is capable on his day and cannot be discounted, on best form he can win. ( Devonne Govender 2-8-10-11-1-12-4)

RACE 7

(2) IGNITETHELIGHT ran second behind a very smart sort and will take all the beating here. (5) ARABIAN RED is in tops form and could be the exacta horse, she will have to lift to beat the top selection. (7) VOLARE E MAMBO is holding consistent form and will in the placings again. (3) TREASURE HUNT is a very honest type and will be in the mix, place chance. (Devonne Govender 2-5-7-3)

RACE 8

(6) SON OF ZEUS ran a cracker in the last start and will be a huge contender here. (3) WHATEVER NEXT was an easy winner in the last start and will make his presence felt here. (7) DUBAI HILLS is a very honest type and will make the frame. (11) ROOMFORMANOEUVRE has scope to go well so must be respected. ( Devonne Govender 6-3-7-11).

GRAEME HAWKINS

Malmesbury Missile, named by Drakenstein Stud in honour of Springbok and two-time World Rugby Player of the Year, Pieter-Steph du Toit, was the popular choice in the opening event, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1200m, and the 2yo son of Gimmethegreenlight duly obliged with a comfortable victory. Ridden by Chad Little and trained by Glen Kotzen, Malmesbury Missile (11/10) was always in the firing line, and he stayed on well to hold out One Stripe’s half-brother Vapour Trail by a length. 

The second race, a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1400m, looked a match race between Diamond Bomber and Catch A Penny and so it turned out to be. Night In Japan made the early running but soon came under pressure in the straight and Catch A Penny moved through with Diamond Bomber poised to strike. Catch A Penny (2/1) tried gamely to maintain her advantage, but Diamond Bomber (8/10) responded well under Aldo Domeyer and gained the upper hand to score by half-a-length.

Tenpenny, bred by Brett Van Laun’s KZN-based Camargue Stud, was all the rage to win the third race, a Maiden plate over 1600m, and the progressive son of What A Winter had the race safely won 400m out. At that stage Tenpenny (9/10), trained by Patrick Kruyer for Greg Bortz and Gina Goldsmith, was travelling well within himself, and the favourite drew clear to put daylight between himself and runner-up War Hawk.

JP van der Merwe completed a race-to-race double when Ahead Of The Facts stormed home from the rear of the field to take out the fourth race, a Maiden Plate over 2000m. The pace was frenetic throughout with Jet A One setting a brisk gallop ahead of a well-stretched out field. The odds-on favourite Future Frequency was in trouble a long way from home, and it was left to Ahead Of The Facts (6/1) to score at the expense of Umfula and Wood World.

Double Dash attracted solid on-course support from 11/2 into 15/10 and the money proved spot on as the temperamental daughter of Master Of My Fate landed top honours in the fifth race, a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1800m, under a good ride by Grant Van Niekerk. Double Dash turned for home in front and maintained a resolute gallop to hold off the cavalry charge headed by Greenlight Skye and Tuscan Romance.

Red Dawn made light of 62,kgs on his handicap debut scoring an emphatic win in the sixth race, a Class 5 over 1800m, to give Aldo Domeyer and Candice Bass-Robinson their second winner of the afternoon. The 3yo son of Horizon has improved significantly since being fitted with blinkers and he could complete a hattrick in Class 4 next time.

Give Me Everything is clearly a filly heading in the right direction. Trained by Dean Kannemeyer for Owner-Breeders Varsfontein Stud, the 3yo daughter of Gimmethegreenlight had won a modest maiden last time but she stepped into Class 4 company in the seventh race over 1600m yesterday and blew the opposition away. Craig Zackey was content to sit midfield one off the fence and when he called for an effort approaching the final 200m, Give Me Everything (14/1) lived up to her name and forged ahead to win comfortably with Pentolina (14/1) and My Only Weakness (28/10) completing the Trifecta.

Easy Money, a three times winner over 1000m, dispelled any doubts about her ability over 1200m with a fluent victory in the eighth race, a Class 5 Handicap (F&M), when leading from start to finish and holding off the favourite Royal Lytham by the best part of a length. Why Not Jackie made some late progress from well off the pace to claim the third spot.

Patrick Kruyer signed off in the ninth race at Kenilworth yesterday with his second winner of the afternoon, and JP van der Merwe’s third, when First Masterpiece (10/1) put a disappointing last effort behind her with an exciting victory over Tanneron. Palo Queen ensured the race was run at a blistering pace but the swoopers closed quickly over the final 200m and First Masterpiece, coming from near last, just edged out Tanneron (9/2), with the well-backed Lucy Rocket and Love Shack making up the frame. 

David Thiselton

The Turffontein Inside track hosts an eight race meeting today and the exotics should pay reewarding dividends on  a day of competitive racing.

The highest rated race on the card is the 7th, a MR 93 Handicap for fillies and mares, which has had two scratchings leaving eight runners going to post. Andi’s girl was unlucky to not win the Listed Summer Pudding Handicap last time as the jockey left her run just a little too late, and she failed by 0.75 lengths to catch them. She will be just as comfortable over this trip, and has a fair draw with Muzi Yeni now in the irons. Ceuta has been in fine form from 1400m up to 1800m, except for last time when not striding out and finishing fatigued. She has a chance from draw three if able to bounce back. Hierkommiebokkie is a dangerous front running sort who is ideally course and distance suited here. Her last run can be ignored as the saddle slipped, and she has an ideal pole position draw for her style of racing. Cape Lights can never be ignored, and has Gavin Lerena aboard over a suitable trip, albeit from a wide draw. Blue Horizon is a capable sort, as she proved last time, but she has been given a four point raise for that victory and has a wide draw to overcome. 

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1800m, Destiny of Fire is on the up, and Gavin Lerena stays aboard after a good win last time over 1600m. She should enjoy the step up and trip here, but does have a seven point raise to overcome. Gerbera won her maiden at the third time of asking, but had faced some useful sorts before that without being disgraced. She starts handicapping off a reasonable 85 merit rating, but does have a tricky draw. She should enjoy the step up to 1800m on pedigree. VisionOfPeace will enjoy the step up in trip and has a pole position draw, so should be a runner here. Tuscan Star has 4.5 lengths to make up on Vision of Peace, but is likely better than her last start, so can’t be totally ignored. Streisand has been disappointing since cheekpieces were fitted, but they remain on. 

In the second leg of the Pick 6 over 3000m To The Rescue always gave the impression he would improve with age and he now looks to be coming into his own, so can follow up on his last win over 2400m. Royal Mazarin has a good draw, and has proven ability over stamina trips, so should not mind going over 3000m for the first time. Only a Poet has done well up to 2400m, so should get this trip, and as a consistent sort he should be in this shake up. Damova is a consistent stayer too and can put her last run behind her as she now jumps from pole position. Afraad and Arlington Action are not out of it on form.

In the fifth race over 1600m, King of Numbers has been knocking on the door. He ran a fine race last time, despite having been given a 6 point raise, and with Lerena now up from pole position, he looks the one to beat. Ombudsman has not been disgraced lately, as he has faced some decent sorts, and he now has an easier task, so should be in the shake up, but he does have to overcome a tricky draw of 7. Pressonregardless is consistent and has a good draw over an ideal trip. MK’s Dreams is capable and has a fair draw over a suitable trip with Muzi Yeni up. He looks to be off a reasonable merit rating at present. Lava Fire ran a cracker last time over 1450m, and should stay this trip with a 4kg claimer up, but a wide draw makes it difficult.

In the sixth race over 1450m, Fast Duty is distance suited and has a fair draw and with Lerena up he should go close. Great Notion looks to be improving and won her maiden easily over 1400m. She is distance suited, and has a fine draw off a reasonable looking 78 merit rating. Written In Stone is an evergreen sort, and very consistent, and Jason Gates extracted a rare win out of him last time. He stays aboard the nine-year-old and from a good draw he has a chance even off a five point higher mark as he is a horse who always rises to the occasion and seldom misses a cheque. Legendary is on the up, and starts handicapping off a reasonable mark after a good maiden win over this distance. Kottinos ran a good third last time, beating Fast Duty by a head, but he is now 1kg worse off, although he does have a plum draw so might be right there again.

In the last race over 1450m, Accept Cookies has shown plenty of ability, and Lerena is now up over an ideal trip from a good draw. Boom Boom finished well to win her penultimate start with Zackey up after he had brought her wide away from other horses. Zackey is now back on and might know how to get the best out of this filly. Perini Palace is another one who could be right there if producing her best, but she has a wide draw to overcome.

In the first race over 1000m Pacific looks to have been well placed as he is knocking on the door and this is not an inspiring field. He jumps from draw five out of eight with Yeni up and can beat Dancing Dora, who has Zackey up. Oriental Bouquet looked to be going places early in her career and she could perhaps start earning again having dropped from a 99 merit rating down to 58.

In the second race over 1000m Longsword is capable of a strong finish and with Lerena up can overcome a three point raise. Dontshootthebarman beat a good field last time so could still be competitive carrying 64kg. Tchaikovsky is always capable of popping up and can’t be ignored. Heirloom is another who is capable of popping up can be involved. Virginia Beach is quick and from pole position with a 4kg claimer up could be dangerous.