David Thiselton

The Hollywoodbets Durban July looks to be a race this year which will favour three-year-olds.The first thing in their favour is a conditions change which saw the minimum weight for an older male being raised to 54kg and the minimum weight for an older female raised to 53kg, while the minimum weight for a three-year-old male and three-year-old filly remain on 53kg and 52kg respectively.

The collateral form also suggests the three-year-olds will go in to the race better handicapped.

The collateral form of the Daily News coupled with some Highveld features put Green With Envy more than five lengths ahead of Royal Victory on weight for age terms, using either Pure Predator or Hotarubi, and he is only 1kg worse off then weight for age with Royal Victory in the July.

Another example is Oriental Charm finishing just 0,30 lengths behind Future Swing in the WSB 1900 and he is now 3kg better off. Oriental Charm also beat Shoemaker by 1,20 lengths in the Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial over 1800m and he will also be 3kg better off with that one.

The five three-year-olds in the field are weighted to finish almost exactly in a line.

Oriental Charm has the advantage of not only being progressive but being a front-runner to handy horse, so he could be the one to side with.

Green With Envy is probably the best of the three-year-olds but he likes to come from off the pace and could encounter traffic problems in the straight.
Barbaresco is said to have a stamina doubt, but this belief might be based on him having been headstrong in some of his races. However, he settled very well in the Daily News 2000 and ran on well despite having been hampered halfway through the race. So he should run well.

Flag Man could still be anything but does have a wide draw, so it will need to pan out well.

Purple Pitcher is a galloping type who would likely prefer Turffontein Standside. He will need to get going early.

Royal Victory has never been beaten beyond 1800m and won the Premiers Champions Challenge despite not having the best of trips and he has had a good preparation.

Master Redoute has a good turn of foot and could be good value for the first six.

See It Again is top class but has not had as good a prep and has not been in as good form as he was last year.

Winchester Mansion is said to be in fine form and ready for the race despite returning from a three month layoff.

Future Swing is progressive and Richard Fourie has chosen him. He will relish the 2200m trip.

Double Superlative is full of class but is probably one run short of his best.
Future Pearl is a staying type but has a good turn of foot and could earn.
Shoemaker has plenty of potential and from a good draw should be running on.

Cousin Casey has a lot of class but his wide draw is against him because he can take a strong hold.

Aragosta should be staying on and could earn, although on form he looks well held by the three-year-olds.

Son Of Raj should also be staying on but does not have the form to threaten.
Meridius has to prove he stays and will need to improve too.
The selection is Oriental Charm to beat Green With Envy with Barbaresco, Flag Man and Royal Victory next best.

Aragosta should be staying on and could earn, although on form he looks well held by the three-year-olds.

Son Of Raj should also be staying on but does not have the form to threaten.
Meridius has to prove he stays and will need to improve too.

Hluhluwe is believed to need ground so theoretically should enjoy the 2200m trip, but he disappointed in the WSB Cape Derby over 2000m and it didn’t pan out well for him when he was unplaced in the Daily News 2000. He is reported by the yard to have improved since being gelded after the Cape Derby and has his peak run here. 

The selection is Oriental Charm to beat Green With Envy with Barbaresco, Flag Man and Royal Victory next best.

David Thiselton

The Gr 2 Post Merchants over 1200m is always an exciting race to watch, with top class sprinters galloping at speed around the turn, and as it is a handicap the cavalry charge for home is often closely fought.Cruise Control ran a cracker in the Gr 1 Golden Horse Sprint. Jumping from draw ten he showed great natural pace and looked all over the winner 100m out. However, the tough Hollywoodbets Scottsville finishing hill got to him and he was caught by a wall of horses, ultimately finishing a 0,3 length fourth. He was only raised one point to 118 for that effort and jumps from a good draw of five. Sean Veale goes for a double in this race, having won it on Gladatorian last year.

On the downside, Cruise Control goes around the turn for the first time, but with early pace and a kick the Hollywoodbets Greyville 1200m should suit him down to the ground.Melech will be hoping for a good pace as he produced a flying finish in the Golden Horse to be beaten just two lengths into sixth after being outpaced early. He has a plum draw of three and Raymond Danielson replaces Serino Moodley.Royal Aussie has the class that enabled him to run on strongly for third in the prestigious weight for age Gr 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate, but he also has the speed that saw him winning the Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m.

From draw two under Daniel Muscutt he is a fascinating runner.Teflon Man is officially 5,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted Golden Sickle. However, he is progressive and is capable of a flying finish as he proved last time, so he is a runner carrying just 52kg from a middle draw. That last start was in the SABC Sport Durban Dash over 1100m and he beat the highly promising King Of The Gauls, who was unlucky to only be first reserve here as he won the Listed In Full Flight Handicap.

However, the scratching of Time Fo Orchids means King Of The Gauls gets in and jumps from draw ten under Grant van Niekerk, from where he can use his early pace to get into a handy position before running on. He is 6,5kg under sufferance, but is a progressive sort who can rise above his current merit rating.Golden Sickle has outstandingly consistent form and as the best weighted horse carrying 57,5kg from a good draw of four, she is a big runner. However, it is never easy against the boys.

Winter Greeting is only 1kg under sufferance and is a big runner if she settles carrying 53,5kg from draw seven. She can go a bit hard which blunts her finish, but Sean Tarry is in flying form and she is hard to leave out.At My Command only just failed in the Golden Horse when running on well from midfield, but a wide draw could be a problem here .

I Am Giant was also right there in the Golden Horse, but as a handy sort the widest draw of all is problematic.Time Fo Orchids is 1,5kg under sufferance and won’t mind draw ten as she is capable of a flying finish.Cafe Culture is ideally suited to 1400m, but was just 3,60 lengths back in the Gr 3 Champagne Stakes over 1200m and as one with a good turn of foot is interesting from pole position with Richard Fourie up.Tail Of The Comet finished strongly in the Gr 2 Umkhomazi Stakes over course and distance last year and would have a fine chance if at his best after a five month layoff.

Texas Red has fine recent form over 1400m and had good earlier form over this trip. His easy defeat of Mrs Geriatrix and On The Horizon last time over 1450m has been franked as both have come out and won.Quasiforsure has to bounce back from a 13,40 length beating in the Golden Horse Sprint, but he won his last start over this course and distance, beating last year’s Post Merchants winner Gladatorian, and he did it from draw 12, so draw eleven should not be a problem for a horse who runs on well.Anfield’s Rocket bounced back to form with a close second over 1160m at Turffontein last time, but this is a lot stronger and he will need to confirm that.

He does have a strong finish on his day, so can handle draw 12.It is a wide open race but Cruise Control is taken to beat Melech with Royal Aussie, King Of The Gauls, Teflon Man and Golden Sickle next best. 

Graeme Hawkins

The Hollywoodbets Durban July (Gr 1) as well as the Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes (Gr 1) have been designated by the Hong Kong Jockey Club as “World Pool” events and the action from Greyville Race Course on Saturday will be beamed far and wide around the globe. Massive tote pools can be expected throughout the day, but the first ever World Pool status for the “July” and the Garden Province Stakes will result in tote pools the like of which we have never before seen in South Africa.

The Sponsors and Gold Circle are also pleased to announce that Mango Groove will perform the National Anthem just prior to the running of the 128^th R5-million Hollywoodbets Durban July which is programmed as the seventh race on the card, with a scheduled starting time of 16:00. Mango Groove will deliver their rendition of the Anthem from the Grandstand Celebration Stage soon after the 18 horses have cantered to the start, and no doubt their adrenalin pumping vocals will provide the perfect hype for the capacity crowd just before the runners enter the starting stalls at the 2200m mark.

The most recent back-to-back winner of the “July” was Do It Again in 2018 and 2019, but Winchester Mansion from the Brett Crawford stable has a bright chance of following up on his exciting victory over See It Again in last year’s renewal. Kabelo Matsunyane who steered Winchester Mansion to an historic victory in 2023 is once again in the saddle and, at the weights, the 5yo son of Trippi could again have the measure of See It Again. Winchester Mansion’s success last year was “historic” in the sense that it was a first victory in the Hollywoodbets Durban July for both Matsunyane and Crawford, as well as being the first time ever that the famous blue and white silks of the Drakenstein Stud flashed past the post in front.

Crawford has a double chance of securing the top spot on Saturday as he also saddles the rapidly improving 3yo Oriental Charm. Remarkably, Oriental Charm comes into Saturday’s big race with the identical form that Winchester Mansion brought into the race last year. Oriental Charm ran second in the WSB Greyville 1900 in May and followed that with a quality win under top weight in the Hollywood Dolphins Cup Trial over 1800m last month – a mirror image of the path that led Winchester Mansion to “July” glory in 2023.

Oriental Charm’s last run in the Western Cape before heading North for Champions Season was in the Splashout Cape Derby over 2000m at Kenilworth at the end of February. Then he finished a well-beaten third behind current big race favourite, Green With Envy, but there can be no doubting that Oriental Charm has matured and strengthened over the last four months and now in receipt of 3kgs from Green With Envy, there is every chance that Oriental Charm can turn the Derby form around. The one possible chink in Oriental Charm’s armour is that he may not see out a hard-run 2200m. He likes to go forward and may even be called upon by jockey JP Van Der Merwe to try and win from gun to tape, depending on how the early pace maps out.  Winning the “July” by leading from start to finish is no easy task, but with only 53kgs to shoulder, Oriental Charm may be equal to the challenge.

Green With Envy is a worthy favourite in an open betting market. The Dean Kannemeyer-trained son of Gimmethegreenlight is unbeaten in four starts this calendar year, including two Grade 1 victories in the Derby and Daily News 2000. On Saturday he takes on older horses at this higher level for the first time and with 56kgs on his back, he will need everything to go his way. And therein lies the rub! In contrast to Oriental Charm, Green With Envy usually comes from some way off the pace and regular pilot Craig Zackey will need to make all the right moves to ensure that Green With Envy’s blistering turn of foot is used to best effect. While he ticks all the right boxes, Green With Envy will need a fair slice of luck in running to deliver a second “July” win for Lady Christine Laidlaw, whose colours were carried to victory by Power King nine years ago.

Not since Spanish Galliard was victorious in 1992 have we seen a KZN-trained winner of the Hollywoodbets Durban July and many will be hoping for that all to change on Saturday. Royal Victory, See It Again and Flag Man all enjoy realistic chances of bringing the drought to an end for locally domiciled runners. See It Again, who went so agonisingly close last year, has been set to carry top weight but Piere Strydom is absolutely the right man to nurse him home. He is sure to be in the firing line approaching the final 200m, but that is just when the impost of 60kgs may kick in and have a telling effect as to how See It Again finishes off the race.

Royal Victory has enjoyed a great season in the care of Nathan Kotzen, winning both the Summer Cup (Gr1) and the Champions Challenge (Gr1), boosting his career earnings close to the R5-million mark. Those victories were both achieved at Turffontein, with its much longer home stretch, and there is a school of thought that Royal Victory may not be quite as effective on the tighter Greyville circuit. His record at the City track though does not necessarily uphold that theory as he has already won twice at Greyville, albeit in weaker company than he faces on Saturday.

Flag Man, trained by Gareth Van Zyl, rose rapidly from obscurity to being a lively contender following his cracking second in the Daily News 2000 (Gr1) when he was narrowly defeated by Green With Envy. The Van Zyl team have made no secret of the fact they believe Flag Man to be a “special” horse and his work-out at the July Gallops last week was sensational. It is not in his favour that he has drawn one from the outside, but Flag Man appears to have natural gate speed and Serino Moodley will be hoping to secure a good spot shortly after the start.

Back in 2013, S’Manga Khumalo became the first Black jockey to win the “July” – a feat which he repeated in 2022 with Sparkling Water. And then Kabelo Matsunyane made it back-to-back wins for Black jockeys on Winchester Mansion last year. Now Serino Moodley will be aiming to become the first jockey of Indian descent to win Africa’s greatest and most famous race.

Barbaresco, third in the Daily News 2000 (Gr1), and Future Swing, winner of the WSB 1900 (Gr2), are not chanceless in a wide open and intriguing contest, while Master Redoute may prove to be the best long-shot in the line-up. Whatever the outcome, we are all in for an absolutely spectacular treat at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.

Andrew Harrison

Brett Crawford planned the downfall of race favourite See It Again last year by getting Winchester Mansion in with a light weight and although the two meet again in Saturday’s Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July at Hollywoodbets Greyville, Crawford appears to have another trump card in the three-year-old Oriental Charm who has drawn alongside See It Again in gates 11 and 10 respectively. 

Oriental Charm likes to go forward and made all the running in the recent Gr3 Cup Trial which could play into the hands of seasoned Piere Strydom who is almost certain to take his que from his younger rival and put JP van der Merwe under pressure.

It will be an interesting tactical battle in a race that is notoriously rough.

Winchester Mansion gives Crawford has a second string to his bow and judging by his comments in a recent interview, last year’s winner appears to be the stable elect. He confirmed that stable rider Kabelo Matsunyane had the pick and stayed with last year’s winner. Crawford also confirmed that both of his runners we tuned to the second having had perfect preparations.

Green With Envy is unbeaten this season and started his feature race run in the Gr3 Politician Stakes and has not been beaten since in three subsequent outings starting with the Gr1 Splash Out Cape Derby, the Gr2 WSB Guineas and then given a huge fright when pushed to the line in the Gr1 Daily News 2000 by outsider Flag Man when expected to win comfortably. But whereas Flag Man may have been tuned to the minute for the Daily News in order to make the July field, Dean Kannemeyer is almost certain to have left some meat on the bone for a few lengths improvement in the July. Flag Man also has a wide draw to contend with which could make the difference between these two and has also taken a huge hit in the handicap ratings. 

See It Again gives weight to the field and it remains to be seen whether he is in the same form as last year after a disappointing end to his Cape summer. There was a lot to like about his recent warm-up in the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge over a mile and Michael Roberts will have him spot on. Piere Strydom commented after his recent gallop that he felt his mount had been lazy. However, he did not gallop with his customary blinkers which will surely sharpen him up come raceday. 

The race holds special significance for both trainer and jockey. Roberts, a winner of the race aboard Super Quality back in 1997 for David Ferraris and will be attempting to win it as a trainer while 58-year-old Strydom has delayed his intended retirement to ride the Twice Over colt and hopefully end his career on a high note with a fifth win in the big race. 

Nathan Kotzen took the bold decision to raid the Highveld with Royal Victory and it proved to be an inspired move as the gelding ran two cracking races, winning the Gr1 Betway Summer Cup and the Gr1 Worlds Pool Premiers Champions Challenge both over the tough Turffontein 2000m. The shorter Hollywoodbets Greyville straight could be of concern but if Oriental Charm and another front-runner, Purle Pitcher, set the expected pace, Kotzen will be more confident of a big effort after drawing pole position.

Alongside Oriental Charm in the weights is Gr1 SA Derby and Gr1 SA Classic winner Purple Pitcher trained by Robyn Klaasen. Purple Pitcher, owned by Stinkie Pooe who was part owner of last year’s fifth-place finisher Second Base, will be ridden by Philisande Mxoli who will be having his first ride in the race.

Both Oriental Charm and Purple Pitcher like to lead or at least race handy which should see this year’s race run at a decent gallop and avoid any serious bunching in a notoriously rough race where jockeys hunt position at almost any cost.

The only grey in the race is the almost ‘white’ Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained Barbaresco and jockey Gavin Lerena is quietly confident of a big showing. 

None of the 18-horse field can be written off as no-hopers and there is often a joker in the pack. 

With the July and the Gr1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes Hong Kong World Pool races, dividends will be inflated with the flood of international money although both race will only pay three places in line with World Pool rules.

There are a host of feature events on the 12-race card but main supporting feature is the Gr1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes over 1600m. 

Rascova and Double Grand Slam renew rivalry with the former having the edge. The two last met in the Gr2 Fillies Guineas with Rascova running out a comprehensive winner ahead of Double Grand Slam who was the hot favourite on the day. 

Double Grand Slam has since redeemed herself winning the Gr2 Tibouchina Stakes over 1400m but she does appear to be vulnerable over the extra furlong with Rascova ahead on that score.

Double Grand Slam has the better draw but as she is suspect over the trip it could leave the door open for Silver Sanctuary who brough some smart Highveld form into the Gr1 Woolavington 2000 and won well. She has excellent form over this trip and with Mike de Kock at the helm the top two will not have everything their own way and the Cape Town rivalry possibly a distraction.  

De Kock also saddles Humdinger who goes well for Piere Strydom and also loves this course. Asiye Phambili lost her rider at the start of her last race and could sneak into the money.

RACE 1

5 LOCK AND KEY   8 VIHAAN’S QUEEN    6 RANI OF JHANSI   2 FLAMBOYANT TIGER

Summary: LOCK AND KEY (5) was most impressive on debut, strolling home by over eight lengths. She meets a useful field of older fillies and mares but does look progressive. If she fails, Gareth van Zyl has two that could fill the space in RANI OF JHANSI (6) and VIHAAN’S QUEEN (8). The latter has not missed a cheque in six outings and although shooting up the ratings she does have Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance to temper her weight. Rani Of Jhansi has made steady improvement since arriving back from the Cape and was a close-up second over course and distance last time out. FLAMBOYANT TIGER (2) is way better than her last effort and if she takes to the poly she will be a big runner. (Andrew Harrison: 5-8-6-2).

RACE 2

7 THE GREY KING   1 PRINCEOFGREEN   6 DIANI   9 WYLIE RILEY

Summary: THE GREY KING (7) has been contesting feature events since arriving in KZN. He ran well below form in the soft ground of the Daily News 2000 and the switch to the poly track should be in his favour. PRINCEOFGREEN (1) has the best of the draw and has useful form around this trip. He gets weight from The Grey King and should make his presence felt. DIANI (6) has been showing steady form over sprints but may now be looking for this trip. WYLIE RILEY (9) has been taking on stronger opposition at recent outings and can finish in the money. (Andrew Harrison: 7-1-6-9).

RACE 3

13 RED MAPLE   4 PONTE PIETRA   6 MASTER FUEGO   9 ATTICUS FINCH

Summary: PONTE PIETRA (4) was doing his best work late behind pacemaker and July fancy Oriental Charm in the Cup Trial and has been in good form of late. However, stable rider Craig Zackey has opted to keep faith with Sean Tarry’s filly RED MAPLE (13) who made sudden improvement when well out at the weights in the Tab Oaks. She has obviously found her best form and can follow up in male company. MASTER FUEGO (6) has been in good form for Dean Kannemeyer and he has engaged light-weight rider Muzi Yeni to deputise for Zackey who will not be able to make the weight. ATTICUS FINCH (9) found his best in the Jubilee Handicap last run and needs to repeat while THE FUTURIST (7) led his field a merry dance last time out but will probably not get away with it this time around. (Andrew Harrison: 13-4-6-9).

RACE 4

6 ONE WAY TRAFFIC   15 BREEZE OVER   8 RAISEAHALLELUJAH    12 NEBRAAS

Summary: Tricky handicap but ONE WAY TRAFFIC (6) stays well and has been knocking at the door of late. UK-based jockey Daniel Muscutt is a smart judge of pace and if the horse is good enough he should be right there. BREEZE OVER (15) stays well and although drawn a little wide in the early exchanges he has a smart rider aboard. RAISEAHALLELUJAH (8) got the better of Breeze Over in a tight finish last time out but is now 1kg worse off in the weights which could see the tables turned. NEBRAAS (12) is getting on in years but is a smart stayer and showed signs of a form return last time out. (Andrew Harrison: 6-15-8-12).

RACE 5

11 LITTLE BALLERINA   7 GIMMIE’S COUNTESS   3 KHETHIWE’S DESTINY   1 QUID PRO QUO

Summary: Many in with chances here. LITTLE BALLERINA (11) has done very little wrong to date and the form behind her has been nothing but spectacular. However, she does step up in trip from a wide draw which could lever the playing field. GIMMIE’S COUNTESS (7) started favourite for the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship but did not have the best of passages and was possibly an unlucky loser. She has drawn mid-field and the extra furlong should suit. QUID PRO QUO (1) has not been further back than second in five starts culminating in the win in the Allan Robertson. She has the best of the draw and can confirm the Allan Robertson result as she goes a furlong further. KHETHIWE’S DESTINY (3) has won her last two in good style. She will stay the extra furlong and will be a big runner in a tough race. (Andrew Harrison: 11-7-3-1).

RACE 6

10 GREAT PLAINS   11 TRUTH   2 COSMIC SPEED   14 PROCEED

Summary: A tight battle between north and south. GREAT PLAINS (10) is unbeaten over the trip and his last two were on this course. He came from a long way back to win as he liked last time out and although he takes on much stronger here he looks progressive. TRUTH (11) is unbeaten in two and was a runaway winner last time out beating the useful Don’t Cry For Me who does give some collateral form. There was less than a length separating COSMIC SPEED (2) and PROCEED (14) in the Gr1 Gold Medallion over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville but the former has a plum draw at 2 with Proceed out at 14 which could see the tables turned. However, both are in with strong winning chance. (Andrew Harrison: 10-11-2-14).

RACE 7

11 ORIENTAL CHARM   5 GREEN WITH ENVY   10 SEE IT AGAIN   1 ROYAL VICTORY

Summary: Brett Crawford planned the downfall of SEE IT AGAIN (10) last year getting Winchester Mansion (9) in with a light weight and although the two meet again, Crawford appears to have another trump card in the three-year-old ORIENTAL CHARM (11) who has drawn alongside See It Again. Oriental Charm likes to go forward which could play into the hands of Piere Strydom who is almost certain to take his que from his younger rival and put JP van der Merwe under pressure. GREEN WITH ENVY (5) was given a huge fright when pushed to the line in the Gr1 Daily News 2000 by outsider FLAG MAN (17) but whereas Flagman may have been tuned to the minute for the Daily News in order to make the July field, Dean Kannemeyer is almost certain to have left some meat on the bone for a few lengths improvement in the July. Flag Man also has a wide draw to contend with. See It Again gives weight to the field and it remains to be seen whether he is in the same form as last year after a disappointing end to his Cape summer. There was a lot to like about his recent effort in the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge and Michael Roberts will have him spot on. ROYAL VICTORY (1) ran two cracking races this term, winning the Betway Summer Cup and the Champions Challenge and Nathan Kotzen will be confident of a big effort after drawing pole position. (Andrew Harrison: 11-5-10-1)

RACE 8 

10 RASCOVA   6 SILVER SANCTUARY   3 DOUBLE GRAND SLAM   8 HUMDINGER

Summary: RASCOVA (10) and DOUBLE GRAND SLAM (3) renew rivalry with the former having the edge. The two last met in the Gr2 Fillies Guineas with Rascova running out a comprehensive winner ahead of Double Grand Slam who was the hot favourite on the day. Double Grand Slam has since redeemed herself winning the Tibouchina Stakes but she does appear to be vulnerable over the extra furlong with Rascova ahead in that score. Double Grand Slam has the better draw but she is suspect over the trip. SILVER SANCTURY (6) brough some smart Highveld form into the Gr1 Woolavington 2000 and won well. She has excellent form over this trip and with Mike de Kock at the helm the top two will not have everything their own way and the Cape Town rivalry possibly a distraction.  HUMDINGER (8) goes well for Piere Strydom and also loves this course. ASIYE PHAMBILI (7) lost her rider at the start of her last race and could sneak into the money. (Andrew Harrison: 10-6-3-8)

RACE 9

14 I’M A GIANT   13 AT MY COMMAND   11 QUASIFORSURE   9 TEFLON MAN

Summary: I’M A GIANT (14) has a tough draw at 14 but has been in good form over the distance and with some luck in running he can finally get it right. AT MY COMMAND (13) has drawn one inside of his stable companion. He finished just ahead in the Golden Horse and there should not be much between the two but the draws are a concern. QUASIFORSURE (11) also has a wide draw but is way better than his poor run in the Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint. He goes well on this course and could surprise. TEFLON MAN (9) is under sufferance at the weights but has come on nicely at recent outings and only has 52kg to shoulder. GOLDEN SICKLE (4) is a smart filly that has only once finished out of the placings in 13 starts. However, her best form has been over shorter and could find this a little out of her compass. (Andrew Harrison: 14-13-11-9-4).

RACE 10

1 ON THE HORIZON   10 FORMAGEAR   13 NARINA TROGON   2 LADY HEIST

Summary: Tricky handicap. ON THE HORIZON (1) has the best of the draw and comes with some useful Highveld form. He stays the trip well and should be in the firing line. FORMAGEAR (10) has been going well in recent features and drops back to what looks to be a more suitable trip. NARINA TROGON (13) has a wide draw but is back over a more suitable trip and must have a winning chance. LADY HEIST (2) is drawn alongside and has been narrowly beaten at her last two over course and distance beaten by GET IMPRESSED (5) last time out who is also in this field but now 1kg worse off at the weights. (Andrew Harrison: 1-10-13-2).

RACE 11

1 CAPTAIN PEG   6 RIPPLE EFFECT   4 SHIPHOLIA   9 TROPPO VELOCE

Summary: CAPTAIN PEG (1) has been coming down in the handicap although not far back at recent outings. The blinkers go on and from the best of the draw she could find her best form. RIPPLE EFFECT (6) is another with first time blinkers but has shown in the past that she is capable of a big run. She has been contesting feature events since arriving in KZN and can surprise. TROPPO VELOCE (9) was close-up when taking on males last run Wide open with many in with chances. and has been consistent. She has a fair weight to shoulder but should make an impression.  SHIPHOLIA (4) got a hefty six-point shunt up the handicap for her seventh place in the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint but she had strong form prior to that although her two most recent wins have come on the poly. (Andrew Harrison: 1-6-4-9).

RACE 12

1 CHOCOLATE SOLDIER   12 TAMADORI   11 QUANDRY   2 RIDE ON

Summary: CHOCOLATE SOLDIER (1) has smart form over the trip and the best of the draw. He should take to the poly and could end off a long day on a winning note. TAMADORI (12) has a wide draw to contend with but made marked improvement in blinkers and a tongue-tie over course and distance and can repeat. QUANDRY (11) is back from a lengthy break but this stable can send them out fresh. He is re-united with his regular pilot and any market support should be closely monitored. RIDE ON (2) is drawn alongside and was a beaten favourite last time out. She has been knocking at the door for some time now.