Andrew Harrison

The Fever Tree Stakes, held over from the last abandoned Hollywoodbets Scottsville meeting a fortnight back, takes centre stage at the same venue this Sunday.

It is a tricky Non-Black Type contest over 1500m with many of the fancied runners close in the handicap. However, Frank Robinson saddles the progressive gelding Field Marshal who was a beaten favourite last run on the poly but that was his first run back after a four-month break. He has run well on this course and gets lumps of weight from what look to be his most dangerous rivals that include Narina Trogon, who nearly caused a major boil over when going down narrowly to Imilenzeykududuma in the Michael Roberts Handicap who he now meets on 1.5kg better terms. 

Formagear disappointed in the Christmas Handicap behind Imilenzeykududuma but followed up with a game defeat behind the smart Cats Pajamas in a six-horse field while Diani should also be in the shake-up with a good showing in the Christmas Handicap and a length off Cats Pajamas last time out although he looks safely held by Formagear given that he is now 3kg worse off in the weights.

There are many first timers in the card opener but of those that have run Treasure Island found solid market support on debut and was only run out of it late. Behind her that day was short-priced race favourite Bell Of Angelus, beaten two lengths with Captain’s Pride, also making her debut, a further length back and sure to come on from that showing. Of the unraced runners, Omnia and Quickstepgal could be worth watching. 

Are You Sure and Princess Goldie will be close to the top of the boards in the second. Are You Sure  has been a beaten favourite in her last three starts but now gets an in-form rider in Sean Veale and can get it right this time. Princess Goldie has only run one poor race and that was on the poly. She has been close-up in her other four outings and has run well on this course. Shesha improved nicely second time out and can feature with Lerena up while Ms Galore made a smart debut at long odds and was a little unlucky not to have finished closer. She could be the surprise package and included in all exotics.

Good Living is overdue having been in the money at his last three starts. He appears to be taking on some modest opposition and can get the Pick 6 off to a winning start. However, Little Cracker has improved with each outing and now looks primed and could be the biggest threat while Trend Maker has shown some promise and was a weak favourite when beaten on the poly last time out. He can do better. 

In the fifth, JP’S Palace ran a smart race from the widest possible draw last time out and now has the best of the draw. Darryl Moore’s gelding looks progressive. View Of The World hardly ever runs a poor race and his last win was over course and distance. He gets the benefit of a 2.5kg claimer. Fireburst takes on males but has come to hand of late and was narrowly beaten on this course last time out. She gets a lot of weight from most. Global Movement is reunited with Gavin Lerena who partnered him to his last win on this course and he can do better than his last effort on the poly. Master Of Destiny is always game and his last win was over course and distance but off a two-point lower mark. 

The sixth is a open handicap but Nocturnal Flight did well from a difficult draw last time out and has the best of the draw here. He goes well on this course and could be the ‘right’ one. The mare Escapologist has the widest draw to contend with but she is in good form and goes well this trip. Send Me was a touch unlucky last outing when starting at long odds. The change to cheek pieces appear to have improved his form. Fine Admiral is in smart form of late but all his recent outings have been on the poly. If he takes to the turf he will be dangerous. 

Horses returning from the Cape often run forward races when making their local debut and Riverstone comes off some useful Cape form in fair company. He has a 4kg claimer aboard and could go all the way in the seventh. Bevies Delight was a beaten favourite last run but only got going late. The extra 100m could see her turn the tables on Captain’s Christy who was three lengths clear at the line. They meet on the same weight terms. Bourbon Warrior is lightly raced and may have needed his last run after a four-month break. 

The unbeaten Regeneration lines up in the last but has garnered a hefty handicap rating and carries a big weight. She has not been out since November and may be a little ring-rusty. This could leave the way open for Poursomesugaronme who is long overdue but is holding form well. Her current form has panned out quite well and she should make another bold bid. Like stable companion Riverstone, Two G’s took on much stronger in her first run out of the maidens in the Cape. She has been rested but does look progressive. West Side Story is lightly raced and never far behind. She has a good draw and a handy weight in her favour.

 David Thiselton

The Gr 3 Betway London News Stakes is the headliner at Turffontein Standside tomorrow and it is not an easy race to analyse.

None Other is capable of  strong finish and this former SA Oaks winner comes off a fine win here over 2000m. She is the best weighted runner and should make her presence felt. Purple Pitcher is a Gr 1 winner over this course and distance and is drawn well in two out of seven runners with regular rider Kabelo Matsunyane up. However, the two question marks are he has to carry topweight and this run is likely intended to bring him to his peak for the Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge. Nevertheless, he is the class act in the field and should go close. Silver Sanctuary is a Gr 1 winner over 2000m and although she disappointed last time in the Gr 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes she ran a cracker in the Gr 2 Mike de Kock Ipi Tombe Challenge over 1600m at this course before that, beaten just 0,30 lengths. Raymond Danielson rode her in the latter race and is aboard her from a fair draw of three here, although this could also be a preparation for the Premier’s or the Gr 1 Empress Club Stakes over 1600m on the same day (March 29). Radicchio likely has no other agendas so that makes him a interesting runner. He did well in his first attempt at this trip last time. However, he has a very tough task at the weights and is officially 10,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted None Other. My Soul Mate ran second in the Oaks a year after None Other won it. My Soul Mate went close over this trip in a Listed race in her penultimate start so should make her presence felt. Son Of Raj is a former SA Derby winner and is only half-a-kilogram under sufferance with the best weighted None Other, so can’t be ignored. Forgiveness is officially 10,5kg under sufferance with None Other but is an up and coming sort who can’t be ignored. None Other is the choice but Purple Pitcher and Silver Sanctuary should also be considered for the exotics.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 Spirit In The Wind showed improvement last time and with a repeat should go close. City Lights is the other one to include in this uninspiring contest because she has drawn well over a suitable trip and is often placed. She in fact has an ideal opportunity to finally exit the maidens.

In the second leg of the Pick 6 Count Huhtikuu should enjoy the step up in trip to 1800m and is drawn in pole position. He can build on his good three runs to date and go close against uninspiring opposition. The Ultimate King ran a good race last time over 1500m and Lerena stays aboard, although he does have a wide draw to overcome. Santiago’s Pride can earn in this line up from a good draw if repeating his penultimate start, although that was over 2300m. Yojimbo has run well over 2000m  before and should be thereabouts despite a wide draw. Sky Pillar Rock was well beaten in second last time over this distance but interestingly the winning rider in that race, Piere Strydom, now takes this ride.

In the fifth race over 1800m Immediate Edge is a long-striding sort who won going away when coming from midfield on debut over 1600m. He should enjoy the step up in trip and 83 looks to be a reasonable merit rating. Artist’s Model carries topweight but has some class and is drawn in pole over a step up in trip which might suit as he is a half-brother to Tamarisk Tree who has won twice over 2000m. Don’t Cry For Me, On Target and Hattrick Or Treat can also be considered for the Pick 6.

In the sixth over 1160m Abbey’s View made a good winning debut and from a high draw with a 4kg claimer up should go close off a reasonable 84 merit rating. Written In Stone was cramped for room in his 100th start and from a high draw, if able to be kept in a position where he can stride out, he should run on well and be in the shake up. Prized Platinum confirmed his good form recently by winning at Scottsville and off a four point higher mark should still be competitive from a high draw. Warm Winter Nite went close last time after a win in his penultimate start, so looks to be off a competitive merit rating and with Gavin Lerena up should be in the shake up. Captain Efficient is hard to ignore from a nice high draw.

In the last race over 1000m Dontshootthebarman won well over course and distance last time and from a nice high draw could follow up. Swing Upon A Star is drawn on the right side and could prove her class. Rondesbosch is a promising sort who can make his presence felt as Gavin Lerena should help him overcome a low draw. Johnny Appleseed is very quick and could make an attempt to blitz them. Bob’s Your Uncle is interesting stepped down to 1000m and can’t be ignored.

In the first race over 1400m Porridge Boy was thought highly of enough to travel to Cape Town and he was not disgraced in the strong race over there, but he does have a wide draw over here though. Yenjiku looks to be the danger.

In the second race over 1160m Pumpkin Pie is by Buffalo Bull Cody out of Grade 2 Gold Circle Oaks winner Sweetie Pie and would not have to special to win this race on debut. Cyber Spirit and Trail Runner make most appeal of the rest.

Graeme Hawkins

The R185 000 Paarl Diamant A Stakes over 2000m heads a 10-race programme at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday and a small but competitive field faces the starter at 15:35. Glen Kotzen comes with a two-pronged attack in the form of Holding Thumbs and Blackberry Malt with the former slightly preferred to his stable companion. Sean Veale has partnered Holding Thumbs in his last two starts for a win and a second, but these were over the more testing trip of 2500m. However, Holding Thumbs has shown himself to be a versatile performer and with just 54kgs to shoulder, the 4yo son of Vercingetorix should give plenty of cheek in this evenly matched contest. Blackberry Malt has gone “missing” in his last three starts but is capable of better and could be the source of a surprise result. 

Justin Snaith saddles three runners, any of which could end up in the winner’s enclosure. In order of preference, Without Question is the mount of Richard Fourie but the 5yo son of The United States has been without a victory for 656 days and is no longer reliable. He has been given some relief by the handicapper and on best form would have undeniable chance in this line-up. Call To Unite is useful but comes with respiratory issues and does not always perform to expectations. He is ideally distance suited here and cannot be lightly discarded. Navy Strength completes the Snaith trio and, his last run apart, is reasonably consistent. He gets the services of in-form JP van der Merwe and with only 52,5kgs to shoulder the 6yo son of Dynasty warrants a measure of respect.

Brett and James Crawford send out Otto Luyken and the enigmatic and unpredictable The Futurist. Otto Luyken has decent overall form and would not be winning out of turn but quite what to expect from The Futurist is impossible to know. Baratheon is an interesting runner, and the Piet Botha trained son of Jackson appears to go well for Louis Mxothwa. It has been a while since Louis was paired with Baratheon but from only two previous engagements the combination has chalked up a second and a third-place finish. Nebraas makes up the 9-horse party but there is nothing in his recent showings to suggest the 8yo son of Vercingetorix has a role to play in the outcome.

It’s tough race in which to nail one’s colours to the mast and without a great deal of confidence, my marginal first choice would be Holding Thumbs.

Bankers are at a premium on Saturday but taking a lead from JP van der Merwe, it may pay to take a chance with Unicorn Alert in the sixth race, the Soetendal Estate C Stakes over 1400m. Cape Racing’s Executive Chairman Greg Bortz has two runners in the race, namely recent maiden winner Circumbendibus (Glen Kotzen) as well as Unicorn Alert (Justin Snaith) but “JP” has chosen to ride the latter and his decision is noteworthy. Unicorn Alert’s stable companion, Secret Passage, won a good race over 1200m last time when beating subsequent winner Happy Wives, and the 3yo son of Futura could prove a threat.

The vote for nap of the day goes to Empire State in the tenth and final event, despite having to lump top weight of 63kgs. Trained by Candice Bass-Robinson, the 3yo son of Rafeef ran a super race on WSB Cape Town Met day when a close fourth behind Golden Destiny, who came out to win again over the past weekend. Empire State has shown very useful ability throughout his six-start career, and he bumps very limited opposition on Saturday.

The first of ten races, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1000m, is due off at 12:05 and the word is out that the aptly named Getupandgo could make a winning debut for trainer Vaughan Marshall. The 2yo son of Gimmethegreenlight races in the colours of Greg Bortz and will be ridden by his retained rider, JP van der Merwe.

GET A GRIP ON GEAR … a series on Racing Gear Join us as we check out Racing Gear, it’s role and how it can help a horse find the Winners Box. The ever-popular GARTH PULLER shares his valuable knowledge, starting with the most widely used of all, Sheepskin Noseband. Group 1 victors GIMME A PRINCE and RASCOVA, along with 6 other winners on the 12 race card on ‘Met day’, wore this noseband. We jump right in to find out more! #Hollywoodbets#goldcircle#CapeRacing#galloptv Garth Puller Racing Baker McVeigh 📷Image credits: Candiese Lenferna & Cape Racing / Chase Liebenberg 🎥Graphics and Cinematography: Dyllan Govender & Nkululeko Mbhele

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