David Thiselton

Hollywoodbets Greyville is going black and white in line with Cape Racing as these will be the group colours of the Gold Circle and Cape Racing partnership, which is due to be official in the next month or two.

Many exciting renovations are taking place aimed at rejuvenating the quality of racing related facilities and rejuvenating the racing experience for the racegoers. 

The project is being led by Gold Circle’s Building and Facilities manager Edward Taruvinga.

LED lights are replacing the halide floodlights and this will be a transformation in many respects. The light on the track will be more uniform, which will  help the horses and jockeys, and the track will appear lighter and sharper. From a broadcast point of view the colours will stand out more and will be more vibrant. Furthermore, there will now be the ability to control the lights. The lights can be switched on and off instantly and they will be able to flash or send out different colours meaning light shows will be able to be put on for racegoers. Winners will be able to be saluted by the lights with a razzmatazz of colours. 

The roof is being renovated which will prevent previous problems with leaking and will allow the solar panel innovation, which is already in place, to be bolstered. 90% of the roof had to be replaced and 85% of the job is done. Among the changes were having more outlets to prevent any pooling of water on the roof.

In the parade ring the gazebo has been removed.

Edward said, “It had a bit of a museum look about it and we are trying to put in something modern. It will have a permanent champagne bar, so we don’t have to be taking tables in and out. It’s going to be quite open and spacious to allow for smaller interviews and for winners to celebrate.”

The winner’s enclosure used for big races in front of the grandstand will remain, but a similar one will be built in the parade ring, meaning the current traditional winner’s enclosure will have a new look.

The old stabling area will be the site for a new generator pump. The LED light will pull less wattage than previously and a generator pump will further enhance the power efficiency.

The polytrack surface mix of wax, fibre and sand is being rejuvenated and the polytrack racecourse should be ready by the end of this month. The drainage is also being improved upon. The racecourse was built on a swamp so is a catchment area and there has been a problem with water flowing on to the poly and pooling, so channels are being created to prevent this from happening. 

The Durban View restaurant room is being revamped in line with the belief that  regular customers become tired of the same look, so a new more exciting ambiance will be created through the changes, which will include new flooring, new bathrooms and general modernisation. 

On the grandstand the benches are being done away with and bucket seats are being installed to Fifa measurements. The seats will be comfortable and will be able to withstand the force of celebrating punters standing on them. 

With the Champions Season approaching some of the changes were planned anyway, but with the big injection of cash from Hollywoodbets now about to become part-owners of the operator it has made the changes easier to do. The changes will also come with Hollywood’s renowned innovative flare and their Midas touch of excellence. 

Andrew Harrison

It is only a fortnight before the official start of South Africa’s Champion Season so punters need to pay close attention in the ensuing weeks if they are to try and second guess trainers and their strategies. Justin Snaith’s Okavango being a case in point after his facile win at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday with Snaith sure to have a plan to get his charge into the Hollywoodbets Durban July with minimum weight.

Given that Hollywoodbets Scottsville is home to the first two Gr1 juvenile races for the season on what can be a tricky course for first time arrivals, the first two races today, the meeting postponed from Sunday, could provide possible pointers to the outcomes of the Gr1 Gold Medallion and the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship.

In the card opener for males, only Intensity, Call Me Wild, Dark Matter and Mighty Zambezi have made it to the racecourse. All made their debut’s behind impressive winner I’m A Fireball on today’s course with Dark Matter showing up best of the four.  Experience should see them benefit with Robbie Hill’s runner seemingly the best of them. But there are a number of eye-catching first timers from top stables with Dean Kannemeyer saddling Star In Motion and Mike and Mathew de Kock sending out Yippee Kiyaya. The market prices should be telling.

 Punters face a similar dilemma in the fillies version. Limitless Sky has improved with each outing and has gone well over course and distance while Kali Bwana was second best behind hot favourite and impressive winner Keukenhof last time out. Debutante’s to watch may be Kapture The Peace and Educator.

In the first leg of the Pick 6, Un Bel Di comes with smart Cape form over the distance and visiting Justin Snaith has already got winners under his belt. Mojo Man won well last time out but only got a two-point rise in the handicap. He gets a 4kg claimer aboard so can go in again. Kalahari Roller was under a length back to Mojo Man last time they met and his last win was over course and distance while Twenty One May is only 0.5kg better off with Mojo Man taking the apprentice allowance into consideration but is in good form over the trip and can turn the tables. 

Kannemeyer took the wraps off a few useful Cape visitors, one being Dancing On A Cloud who was an impressive maiden winner second time of asking and looks progressive. He faces a lot stronger in the first leg of the jackpot but does look capable of further improvement. Terminator, with Andrew Fortune aboard, has a wide draw to contend with but his last win was over course and distance and he will be a serious threat. Dapper has his second run for Duncan Howells over a more suitable trip and has the best of the draw and could also be a factor in the finish. 

In the fifth, Icy Blast has tumbled down the handicap when contesting sprints in the Cape. He has his third outing for Mike and Mathew de Kock over a mile and last time out he was drawn widest of all over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville. He now jumps from a much more favourable gate although many in this race finished ahead of him. Sundance Kid is another that has come down dramatically in the handicap and went close last time out. The form has been franked in feature company so a repeat should see Wendy Whitehead’s gelding in the firing line. JP’S Palace has yet to run a bad race, his last win on this course and Darryl Moore’s charge is progressive. Plaza Accord is unbeaten in two since returning from a lengthy break but he did get a six-point raise in the handicap for that win which could be his anchor in this contest.

The filly Khethiwe’s Destiny takes on males in the sixth but is smart and has her third run after a lengthy break. She could prove too classy for her male rivals although Gareth van Zyl’s runner Riverstone comes with solid Cape form over the trip. However, he has not been out since January but if fit and well he will make his presence felt. Agrado has been holding form and won well last time out. He did take a six-point raise in the handicap but benefits from Rachel Venniker’s allowance. 

The seventh is a tricky handicap. Real War won at long odds last start with many in this field behind him however, he is a progressive youngster and only got a three-point raise in the handicap. But he beat Gorgeous Guy by the narrowest of margins who is now 1.5kg better off at the weights so the inference is obvious. Wissa’s On Fire started a short-priced favourite for that race but was eased up in the running. Ignoring that effort and judged on his penultimate start he will be a big runner. Now I Got You may still be under the handicapper’s radar and has a light weight and could spoil the party. 

Kannemeyer appears to have another smart late starter in Getoffmycloud who came from the clouds to shed her maiden at second time of asking. She looks smart and with that experience under her girth she can round off the meeting. Snaith will have other ideas with Dafnes Daughter who although a touch disappointing at her last two, she can do better in this company. Mia’s Athena has her second run after a lengthy break. She was well regarded early in her career by Duncan Howells and if finding her best she could surprise. 

1

8 DARK MATTER   11 STAR IN MOTION   10 YIPPEE KIYAY   4 INTENSITY

Summary: Only INTENSITY (4), CALL ME WILD (7) and DARK MATTER (8) have made it to the racecourse. All made a fair debut and experience can see them closer, Dark Matter seemingly the best of them. But there are a number of eye-catching first timers. STAR IN MOTION (11) and YIPPEE KIYAY (10) being two that may be worth following in the market. (Andrew Harrison: 8-11-10-4).

2

1 LIMITLESS SKY   4 KALI BWANA   7 KAPTURE THE PEACE   8 EDUCATOR

Summary: Keep an eye on the first timers. LIMITLESS SKY (1) has improved with each outing and has gone well over course and distance. KALI BWANA (4) was second best behind hot favourite and impressive winner Keukenhof last time out. KAPTURE THE PEACE (7) and EDUCATOR (8) could prove best of the debutantes. (Andrew Harrison: 1-4-7-8).

3

2 UN BEL DI   5 MOJO MAN   1 KALAHARI ROLLER   3 TWENTY ON MAY

Summary: UN BEL DI (2) comes with smart Cape form over the distance and Snaith has already got a winner under his girth. MOJO MAN (5) won well last time out but only got a two-point rise in the handicap. He gets a 4kg claimer aboard so can go in again. KALAHARI ROLLER (1) was under a length back to Mojo Man last time out and his last win was over course and distance. TWENTY ONE MAY (3) is 0.5kg better off with Mojo Man taking the apprentice allowance into consideration but is in good form over the trip and can turn the tables. (Andrew Harrison: 2-5-1-3).

4

9 DANCING ON A CLOUD   12 TERMINATOR   1 DAPPER   10 THE WOLF

Summary: DANCING ON A CLOUD (9) was an impressive maiden winner second time out asking and looks progressive. He faces a lot stronger this time around but does look capable of further improvement. TERMINATOR (12) has a wide draw to contend with but his last win was over course and distance. He should make a bold showing given current form. DAPPER (1) has his second run for his new stable over a more suitable trip. He has the best of the draw. THE WOLF (10) won a good race on the poly last run and stays the trip. The form has held up. (Andrew Harrison: 9-12-1-10).

5

1 ICY BLAST   7 SUNDANCE KID   5 JP’S PALACE   4 PLAZA ACCORD

Summary:  ICY BLAST (1) has tumbled down the handicap when contesting sprints. He has his third outing for a new stable over a mile. Last time out he was drawn widest of all and now jumps from a more favourable gate although many in this race finished ahead of him. SUNDANCE KID (7) is another that has come down dramatically in the handicap and went close last time out. The form has been franked in feature company so a repeat should see him in the firing line. JP’S PALACE (5) has yet to run a bad race. His last win was on this course and he is progressive. PLAZA ACCORD (4) is unbeaten in two since returning from a lengthy break but he did get a six-point raise in the handicap for that win. (Andrew Harrison: 1-7-5-4).

6

2 KHETHIWE’S DESTINY   5 RIVERSTONE 4 AGRADO   1 MEXICAN PETE

Summary: KHETHIWE’S DESTINY (2) takes on males but is smart and has her third run after a lengthy break. She could prove too classy for her male rivals. RIVERSTONE (5) comes with solid Cape form over the trip. He has not been out since January but if fit and well he will make his presence felt. AGRADO (4) has been holding form and won well last time out. He did take a six-point raise in the handicap but benefits from Rachel Venniker’s allowance. MEXICAN PETE (1) has his second run for his new stable. He showed improvement last run and can surprise. (Andrew Harrison: 2-5-4-1).

7

6 WISSA’S ON FIRE   9 NOW I GOT YOU   8 GEORGEOUS GUY   2 REAL WAR

Summary: Tricky handicap. REAL WAR (2) won at long odds last start with many in this field behind him. However, he is a progressive youngster and only got a three-point raise in the handicap. He beat GORGEOUS GUY (8) by the narrowest of margins and is now 1.5kg better off at the weights. WISSA’S ON FIRE (6) started a short-priced favourite for that race but was eased up in the running. Judged on his penultimate start he will be a big contender. NOW IT GOT YOU (9) may still be under the handicappers radar and has a light weight. (Andrew Harrison: 6-9-8-2).

8

4 GETOFFMYCLOUD   10 DAFNES DAUGHTER   7 MIA’S ATHENA   1 MAMA’S BABY

Summary:  GETOFFMYCLOUD (4) came from the clouds to shed her maiden at second time of asking. She looks smart and can follow up. DAFNES DAUGHTER (10) has been a touch disappointing at her last two but can do better in this company. MIA’S ATHENA (7) has her second run after a lengthy break. She was well regarded early in her career and if finding her best she could surprise. MAMA’S BABY (1) does seem best on the poly but can improve on her last run when drawn wide. (Andrew Harrison: 4-10-7-1).

Graeme Hawkins

Andrew Fortune produced the exciting Tenango (28/10) from well off the pace to win yesterday’s R250 000  Champagne Stakes (Gr3) over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth with contemptuous ease.
Tenango was switched off towards the rear of the field as Seeking The Stars and Lion Rampart cut out the early pace. Approaching the final 200m Gem King moved through menacingly but by now Tenango was in full cry and the 4yo son of Canford Cliffs swept past to score going away by a wide margin. 
Tenango has now won five races from only thirteen starts and we are likely to see him next in the Grade 2 Golden Horse Sprint over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville towards the end of May. Trained by Candice Bass-Robinson for owner-breeder Ian Longmore, Tenango has recovered remarkably well from a wind operation and is now in the form of his life.
Gem King finished second ahead of All Out For Six and a running on Silver Falcon but were they simply no match for Tenango who was recording his first Graded Stakes success, with the promise of more to come.
Tenango was Fortune’s third winner on the card, having booted home Hunga Tonga and English Mistress earlier in the day. 
The 2yo’s North Point, Randolph Hearst and Ukuduma were impressive winners of the first three races on the programme. All three appear to be well above the average and should be worth following for the remainder of the Season.

Andrew Harrison

Locally based trainers always face an uphill task during South Africa’s Champions Season as the out-of-towners arrive with the cream of their crops. Highveld-based trainers have their moments but most are hard-pressed to match runners from the Western Cape. The second race on the Hollywoodbets Greyville card, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1400m, was a prime example as it was dominated by Cape-based runners, Aversator making good improvement on his debut effort for Dean Kannemeyer and the Justin Snaith-trained Indigenous runner-up.

Sean Veale gave him a clear run at the line going up the inside of the field and the son of Rafeef quickened up smartly to win going away. Andrew Fortune picked his way through the field from well off the pace and Indigenous ran on well to take the shallow end of the purse.

Both colts look promising and worth following come the sharp end of the season.

Nautical Landing saved a large number of Place Accumulator tickets as two rank outsiders Street Talk and Echo were culprits of one of the biggest exacta payouts in recent memory, both finishing strongly to edge out the luckless Nautical Landing as Tristan Godden tried valiantly to keep the filly together over the final two furlongs. Muzi Yeni was of the opinion that Kom Naidoo’s filly is looking for much further with the strong pace playing in her favour.

Harun Al Rashid finally got his act together, a runaway winner of the opening leg of the Pick 6. Not an easy horse to train as he tends to lather up before his races but he finished with a rattle to finally show what he had promised in his earlier races. Runaway pacemaker Angel Boy J compounded at the top of the straight and apprentice Mxolisi Mbuto was lucky to stay aboard as his mount nearly came to a halt.

The handicappers are often under fire from trainers accusing them of being heavy-handed when dishing out penalties but the three points afforded One Smart Cookie kept her competitive as Tienie Prinsloo’s filly went back-to-back but with the entire field breathing down her neck in a blanket finish to the fifth. Magical View, School Policy and Woza Nawe were all within a neck at the line.

Pongola is not an easy ride as alluded to by Michael Roberts. Not a horse that takes kindly to being bustled early in a race stand-in rider Siphesihle Hlengwa, replacing an indisposed Rachel Venniker, was on a hiding to nothing. However, from off the pace, Pongola was closing in relentlessly on the filly Fireburst who had got the better of pacemaker Gorgeous Dude, but he kept shifting in on his rival. There was no contact but Hlengwa lost his crop 100m out trying to keep his mount on a straight course and got to the line with a nose to spare.

It was a Snaith one-two in the seventh as Underworld got the better of stable companion Get Impressed with Diani staying on strongly for third. It was a tactical ride from Fortune who had Underworld pinned on the rail behind pacemaker Cherry Ano and getting first run. However, not to be outdone, Yeni got his mount into stride off the false rail and a ding-dong battle ensued up the straight with Underworld making light of his weight to get the better of his rival.

Okavango looked to be the best bet on the card and so it proved as Fortune finally got out of the second box. A son of Master Of My Fate out of the exceptionally talented mare Sabina Park, he had turned in an eye-catching performance when winning at Hollywoodbets Durbanville last time out, coming from the clouds to get up close home. It was a lot easier yesterday as Fortune had him in the box seat from his pole position draw and although he took a little time to get rolling, Fortune was looking around a long way out for any challenges.

It was a comfortable victory and with Fortune saying that Okavango would enjoy a furlong further, the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 looks a possible target but he will probably be up against stable companion Eight On Eighteen and the WSB 1900 may be a better option.

Cape form was once again to the fore as Plum Pudding rounded off the meeting for Andre Nel and Serino Moodley. Well back turning for home, Plum Pudding got a dream split up the centre of the track and finished off her race in style.