Race 1: Preview: 

8 BLIZZARD SNOW        4 JILTED      5 TODOQUE      6 BELLA’S CHARM 

BLIZZARD SNOW (8) is knocking loudly at the door and should be hard to beat today. JILTED (4) placed last time and can certainly place again. Big chance. TODOQUE (5) is lightly raced and should go very close and is a must for all bets. BELLA’S CHARM (6) has a first four chance. (Warren Lenferna 8-4-5-6) 

Race 2: Preview: 

6 INSPECTOR JAMES      1 REMAINS OF THE DAY      3 HAIR TRIGGER      5 HONG KONG LUCKY 

INSPECTOR JAMES (6) can be forgiven for his last run, judged on his previous form and therefore, should win. REMAINS OF THE DAY (1) should get it all right soon and in this field, should go very close. HAIR TRIGGER (3) looks to have some talent – each way chance. HONG KONG LUCKY (5) could get into the action first time out. (Warren Lenferna 6-1-3-5) 

Race 3: Preview: 

2 GLAMOROUS LADY       5 FIREBURST      8 RISING RUSSIAN      1 PERFORM 

GLAMOROUS LADY (2) is improving and quickly. She looks cherry ripe for the win. FIREBURST (5) should relish the distance but did disappoint last time when a well beaten favorite. Strong each way claims. RISING RUSSIAN (8) is the place value selection and PERFORM (1) is a must for the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 2-5-8-1) 

Race 4: Preview: 

9 ICHACHA      3 PANNING GOLD      4 OMBUDSMAN       8 DYLAN’S CHAMP 

ICHACHA (9) comes from an in-form yard and has solid form. He is the firm first choice. PANNING GOLD (3) has placed 6/6 and should win soon. Bright place chance. OMBUDSMAN (4) boasts solid efforts thus far and cannot be excluded from any bets. Obvious claims and DYLAN’S CHAMP (8) can improve – value for the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 9-3-4-8) 

Race 5: Preview: 

3 POETS WARRIOR       2 PRIME EXAMPLE      4 TWENTY DRACHMA’S      6 STREWN SKY 

POETS WARRIOR (3) gets the services of Gavin Lerena from a cozy draw. He has a bright win chance. PRIME EXAMPLE (2) is holding his form and should give plenty cheek all the way home – big runner. TWENTY DRACHMA’S (4) is taking time to win again but is making huge threats of doing so soon. A must for all bets. STREWN SKY (6) nearly won last time. Respect and include. (Warren Lenferna 3-2-4-6) 

Race 6: Preview: 

5 WOLF MOUNTAIN       3 KEY NEWS       6 ZANTHAR      7 FRENCH IMPACT 

WOLF MOUNTAIN (5) boasts solid form and therefore has a solid chance of winning and is therefore, the firm first choice. KEY NEWS (3) is lightly tried but clearly talented. Expect a huge run from him. ZANTHAR (6) and FRENCH IMPACT (7) are natural inclusions for the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 5-3-6-7) 

Race 7: Preview: 

6 OXALIS GOLD      1 DOITWITHDIAMOND      5 WILLY MEET AGAIN        4 AUTUMN VAR 

OXALIS GOLD (6) is only a recent maiden winner but she did win a gutsy race and can come on a ton from that. She is selected to go back-to-back. DOITWITHDIAMONDS (1) is the obvious one they all have to fear the most and might prove tough to oppose. WILLY MEET AGAIN (5) can be expected to serve up way more than last time and AUTUMN VAR (4) can go well first up out the maidens. (Warren Lenferna 6-1-5-4) 

Race 8: Preview: 

9 BACCHUS      6 FORCE DE DIEU      3 WILLOW EXPRESS       1 EIFFEL TOWER 

BACCHUS (9) won his maiden in the manner of a good horse that more than likely has plenty more to come. FORCE DE DIEU (6) caught the eye first time out the maidens and should be right there – first three chance. WILLOW EXPRESS (3) won a gutsy race last time. He is evergreen and it would be no shock if he were to follow up. EIFFEL TOWER (1) is a must for the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 9-6-3-1) 

Race 9: Preview: 

4 ARGO ALLEY      7 ATARIME      10 APACHE SON        1 GREETING MY MASTER 

ARGO ALLEY (4) represents an in-form rider and trainer combination that look set to continue on winning ways. First choice. Talking of winning ways, ATARIME (7) and APACHE SON (10) are on those ways and there is no reason to suggest they cannot continue the rich vein of winning form. Include them too. GRETING MY MASTER (1) is worth including in the quartet as he was a winner of his last run which was in July. He can race fresh and well. (Warren Lenferna 4-7-10-1) 

Ends  

Graeme Hawkins

The 2024 renewal of the R300 000 Kuda Matchem Stakes (Gr 3) over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville today has attracted a classy field of 11 runners, headed by Gimme A Prince who returns to racing action for the first time since finishing a close second behind Charles Dickens in this race last year.

Trained by Dean Kannemeyer for the Khaya Stables, the 130-rated Gimme A Prince has endured a difficult twelve months since then and although travelling to KZN for Champions Season, a further setback ruled him out and he was forced to sit on the sidelines. Kannemeyer has never made a secret of the fact he believes Gimme A Prince to be a “proper” racehorse, and his assessment proved spot on as the now 6yo son of Gimmethegreenlight won the 2023 Cape Flying Championship (Gr 1) over 1000m and then last season’s Golden Horse Sprint (Gr 1) over 1200m under top weight conceding as much as 6kgs to Thunderstruck.

Whether Gimme A Prince can make a winning return in tomorrow’s Matchem Stakes after such a lengthy injury-enforced absence is not easy to assess but foremost in Kannemeyer’s mind will be that he comes back safe and sound and ready to progress to more exciting targets as the Cape Summer Season unfolds. One thing is for sure, you need to keep Gimme A Prince “safe” in all your exotic bet permutations.

Although rated 8 points inferior, Questioning meets Gimme A Prince on level terms but does have racing fitness on his side coupled with the fact that Questioning has yet to beaten from three starts at the country course, including two over this trip. The Vaughan Marshall inmate does have a wide draw to overcome but he has plenty of gate speed and likes to race handy. JP van der Merwe retains the ride after steering the Querari gelding to victory three weeks ago and there is no doubt that Questioning is one of the leading lights here.

Brett Crawford’s stable companions Zapatillas and At My Command add further quality to this exciting line-up. Zapatillas, having his first run as a gelding, was beaten three lengths by Questioning earlier this month but he could go a lot closer this time around from a plum draw. Lady Luck has not always been in the corner of At My Command, but he showed his class when finishing second to See It Again in last year’s Green Point Stakes. More recently he was a close second behind Lucky Lad in the Golden Horse Sprint (Gr 1) and followed that up with a solid effort when runner-up to Café Culture in the Post Merchants from an impossible draw. The Crawford team has been in very good form, and it would come as no surprise to see either Zapatillas or At My Command take the lion’s share of the purse.

Candice Bass-Robinson’s Sugar Mountain is very genuine and seems the pick of the balance. He may struggle to match strides with the principals here, but he should not be too far away and could earn a share of the prize money. Whatever the outcome, the Matchem Stakes promises to be a thrilling race. I am leaning towards Questioning as the possible winner, but it should be a closely fought affair.

The R200 000 Baker McVeigh Diana Stakes (Gr 3) (F&M) over 1400m is the supporting feature on the 10-race programme and Gimmie’s Countess, a 3yo full sister to Gimme A Prince, will be a popular choice to get her promising career back on track. After blowing her opposition away on debut, Gimme’s Countess finished a creditable fourth in the Alan Robertson Fillies Championship (Gr 1) after failing to find a clear passage, but she was a trifle disappointing when subsequently unplaced in the Golden Slipper (Gr 2) over 1400m in early July.

Set to carry only 51,5kgs, Serino Moodley has flown into town to partner Gimmie’s Countess, and he will be keen to make the most of the opportunity. Of course, reputation is one thing and results on the racetrack quite another. Gimmie’s Countess faces a tough test here as she bumps several talented older fillies including Princess Izzy (Fourie) and Rainbow Lorikeet (van der Merwe), both of which meet Gimmie’s Countess on 3,5kgs better terms than weight-for-age.

Miss World and Dixieland Band complete the trio of three-year-old fillies in this year’s renewal of the Diana Stakes, and both have shown above average potential. They are also set to carry 51,5kgs and will be partnered by Anthony Andrews and Josh Solomons respectively. In trying to narrow down the list of potential winners I believe Gimmie’s Countess may be the pick of the 3yo’s and Princess Izzy the pick of the older fillies and mares, but that assessment is not cut and dried.

The race meeting gets off to an early start with the opening race, a Maiden Plate over 1400m, scheduled to start at 11:20. The fields are well-filled and another very competitive day’s racing can be expected with the exotic bets likely to yield attractive dividends.

RACE 1

1 CHIEF RUNNER will be having his first run in the Western Cape after putting up a super performance on debut at Hollywoodbets Scottsville, he gets the perfect draw in this race, and he should go very close to winning with natural improvement. 3 KING’S QUEST is a lovely horse, the yard think highly of this individual, from a good draw in this race and stepping up in trip, he will have a good winning chance. 2 SUMMER SNOW comes back to the races from a small break, he has been crying for the step up to 1400m, from a good draw here, he will have a good place chance. 4 BOUNCEBACK really improved nicely from his first run to his second run, he had some traffic problems in his last start, now that he steps up in trip, he could absolutely sneak into the minor places. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 3 – 2 – 4)

RACE 2

1 KINDA WONDERFUL is a very smart filly, it’s great to see her back at the races. She is undoubtedly the class package in this race, from a good draw, she will have a nice winning chance. 2 SYMPHONY IN WHITE has been rested for 119 days, she ran a cracking third in the Grade 1 contest at Hollywoodbets Scottsville, she has loads of potential and should be right there in the finish. 3 SOUTHERN SKIES won a terrific race last time, she needed her last run and still managed to walk away with victory, there is no doubt that she will be much fitter for this race, from a good draw she will get the run of the race, and she must have a nice each way chance in a hot field. 8 KYALAMI GIRL ran a much better race last time, she definitely has the ability to be competitive here, she will however need lots of luck from a tricky draw. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 2 – 3 – 8)

RACE 3

1 BE MERRY quickened up smartly in her last race to exit the maidens well. She is clearly still improving; she gets a nice draw in this race and must have a good winning chance again. 5 LOVE SHACK moved up beautifully in her last start when making up tons of ground from a tricky draw, she was only beaten just under two lengths in a competitive race, with the right run in transit here, she will have a good each way chance. 6 EASY MONEY bounced back to form nicely last time, she was gutsy and fought all the way to the line to win a good race, this is much tougher for her, she might be able to sneak into the places at best. 2 HEAR MY VOICE ran a decent race last time, she will be stalking the speed from a good draw and must have a quartet chance. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 5 – 6 – 2)

RACE 4

12 AIR RAID comes back to the races from a rest and gelding. He is a very smart horse that needs to be followed closely leading up to the Cape Summer Season. He unfortunately will need lots of luck from a terrible draw in this race, he will be low flying late, include him into all your bets. 11 O’Tenikwa is highly rated by the stable, he showed lots of heart and courage in his last start to dead-heat with Swift Action, he should improve tremendously from that run, with some luck on his side, he will have a big winning chance. 1 DEFINITELY YES should appreciate the drop in trip, he was slightly disappointing last time here at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, if he can put that run behind him, he will have an obvious place chance. 3 KELP FOREST is much better than his last start, he can easily bounce back to his best form here. (Brandon Bailey: 12 – 11 – 1 – 3)

RACE 5

2 TWICE THE MASTER has run two lovely races in succession, he has no weight on his back, and he gets a good draw, he should have a good each way chance in this very competitive field. 4 IGNATIUS gets the blinkers fitted again, he is slowly starting to drop in the ratings, watch him closely here. 7 FIREFLARE has been knocking on the door in a big way, his recent form in KZN is very good, if he can bring those runs to Hollywoodbets Durbanville, he will be right there in the finish. 13 MOHANDAS will need lots of luck from a terrible draw, he likes to race up on speed, if the race works out for him, he could be a nice quartet inclusion. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 4 – 7 – 13)

RACE 6

4 BIG UNIT quickened up nicely to win a gutsy race last time. It was his first run back from a rest and gelding, in hope that he relaxes moving down to the start, behind the gates and in his race, he will have a good winning chance again. 2 SOUND OF THE SEA comes back to the races from a small rest and gelding, he won a terrific race last time when leading the field from start to finish, he is very much progressive and should be involved in the finish here. 10 INDUSTRIALSTRENGTH could be anything, the sky looks to be the limit with this well-bred colt, he put the record straight last time when winning with absolute ease, it will be his first run in the Western Cape, if he can beat the bad draw and he handles Hollywoodbets Durbanville, he will be a big danger to them all. 13 SHAVOUT has done nothing wrong of late, on his best form he could surprise at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 2 – 10 – 13)

RACE 7

2 GOLD POKER GAME was a touch unlucky not to finish closer in her last start, she has a striking turn of foot, from a good draw here, she will have every chance of winning the Grade 3 Baker Mcveigh Diana Stakes. 4 PRINCESS IZZY never runs a bad race, her recent form is excellent, she must have a good winning chance in this competitive race. 7 RAINBOW LORIKEET quickened up beautifully last time to win the listed East Cape Paddock Stakes, she finishes powerfully in her races, include her into all your bets. 1 SUMMER LILY has been rested for 130 days, she gets a nice draw for this race, if she doesn’t need the run badly, she could sneak into the back of quartets. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 4 – 7 – 1)

RACE 8

10 QUESTIONING absolutely loves Hollywoodbets Durbanville, he won a cracking race last time over 1200m, he now steps up in trip from a tricky draw, if the race works out for him, he can easily win. 9 SUGAR MOUNTAIN was running on beautifully in his last start over a trip that is short of his best, he will be low flying late, watch him closely. 2 ZAPATILLAS looks ready to peak now, he is a magnificent looking gelding that should get the run of the race from a good draw, he has the ability, include him into all bet types. 4 AT MY COMMAND returns to the races from a break of 62 days, he has been frustrating to win with, but he is honest and should be amongst the places again. (Brandon Bailey: 10 – 9 – 2 – 4)

RACE 9

2 SPEED RACER ran a lovely race from a terrible draw last time, he now cracks a draw and should be very hard to beat in this race. 5 NIGHT BOMBER was given 4 points for his last win, he is slowly starting to creep up in the ratings which will make life tougher for him, but he is consistent and must have a good each way chance again. 11 MAURITIUS KESTREL will need lots of luck in running from a terrible draw, he is clearly still improving, if the race works out, he will have a good each way chance. 3 SOOTY is a lovely looking individual, the penny hasn’t quite dropped with him yet, he might be able to sneak into the quartets at a decent price, watch him late. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 5 – 11 – 3)

RACE 10          

3 ON BOARD moved up like a winner in her last start when running second behind Easy Money, she had a tricky draw on that occasion, now that she gets a good draw in a race that is lacking strong form, she must have a big winning chance. 4 VERONIQUE was a touch disappointing last time, she never travelled one bit in that race, she now drops back in trip and should be storming home late. 1 BECKY SHARP has had no luck of late with draws, she finally gets a decent draw in this Class 5 event, she should make good improvement. 2 ROYAL LYTHAM was very disappointing last time, she is far better than that performance, if she can put that lacklustre run behind her, she could sneak into the minor places. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 4 – 1 – 2)

Andrew Harrison

Punters face a competitive card on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville tonight but Royal Swan Master could help fill the wallet for the later exchanges.

Dean Kannemeyer’s gelding runs in the opening leg of the Pick 6, a MR96 Divided Handicap where he looks the part. He was much improved in blinkers and only just failed behind Officer In Command last time out when coming from well off the pace. Mike de Kock’s runner is now 2.5kg worse off at the weights so the two should switch places when the numbers go up. Garth Puller’s gelding Banzai Pipeline just makes it into the handicap and was much improved when switched to the poly last run. With only 52.5kg to shoulder he should be competitive. Positive Attitude needed his last run back after a lengthy break. Most of his best recent form has been over much further but he can race fresh from his last run.

Glen Kotzen’s gelding Burning Man makes a lot of appeal in the fourth as he finally shed his maiden after a string of second placings. It was his first try on the poly and he won with authority. Second that day was Bella’s Pablo who franked that form with a facile maiden win putting five lengths over the opposition who admittedly were a modest bunch. Burning Man is only 0.5kg worse off with his rival and should be good enough to finish ahead of him again. Field Marshal takes to the poly for the first time and was narrowly beaten last time out, however, Muzi Yeni has jumped ship to partner Doug Campbell’s runner Tom’s Act who is back on his preferred surface.

Fanie Bronkhorst saddles a few veteran runners on the day, possibly to test them on the poly track where older runners tend to do well. 

Five-year-old Cerulean Dancer found it tough going when taking on much stronger last time out in spite of her light weight. Prior to that she found the 2400m way out of her compass. Ignore those two efforts and she has a strong chance in this line-up and the poly should be an added advantage. Vermacilli is taking time for her second win but has come to hand nicely and has a light weight while Calling All Angels has not been far back at recent outings and has improved in blinkers. She steps up to a mile and with only 49.5kg on her back she must be a big runner. Way To Burn landed a tough rating after her maiden win but she does go well on the poly and can feature in the money.

The sixth is a tricky handicap but Lou Lou The Legend had many supporters when making his debut for MJ Odendaal and he did well enough behind the comfortable winner Hippocrates. He goes the extra furlong and Sean Veale knows him well. Move To Prove has taken on stronger in his two starts since his maiden win and goes well on the poly and is still improving. Tried And True has her first run for Robyn Klaasen and although she has been struggling for her second win she was seldom too far back in the Cape and that form could be strong enough to see her home. Isikwishikwishi shed his maiden at third time of asking and although he has the steadier of 61kg to shoulder he could have more to come. The betting should be a guide. 

The seventh is wide open in spite of the small field. Louis Goosen saddles Mask On who steps up in class but has been consistent over this trip. He switches to the poly but must have a strong chance. Hope Is Power could be the dark horse. He needed his last run badly after a lengthy break and that was against much stronger. With a run under his girth and a big drop in class he could prove the right one in a competitive handicap. Connery won well on his local debut. He takes to the poly for the first time but the change of scenery appears to have done him good. 

Stuart Ferrie could round off the meeting with the seven-year-old Preemptive Strike who has been holding form well and loves the poly. He will be a big runner in this company. Trippi T ran a big race first up out of the maidens but up until now has been confined to five furlongs. He goes the extra 200m for the first time but the switch to the quick poly could help. Irish Luck has been trying further but has been consistent and the drop in trip could suit. Now I Got You has the widest draw but has been consistent of late and switches back to the poly. 

Klaasen can get her afternoon off to a winning start when she sends out Coral Blaze who has some useful Cape form over the trip and has her first run for Klaasen. She is sure to make an impression in this field. Garth Puller saddles Takatalvi who has improved with each outing. She was running on nicely at just her third start over the distance and should be cherry-ripe. Arctic Fury has had two outings in soft ground. The step up in trip and a switch to the poly could see her make the required improvement for Doug Campbell. Magic Maverick disappointed Gary Rich when running well below form last time out. Her best effort has been over this distance and she can finish in the money. 

Amor Fati was making late progress when runner up at his last start and start the PA ball rolling. He obviously has no issues with the poly but he does take a big step up in trip. However, Frank Robinson looks to have picked the right race. City Lights takes on males for Fanie Bronkhorst and her last run is best ignored as her previous form was promising. She is taking an age to shed her maiden but the switch to the poly in a modest field could see her home. New Frontier was a distant second last run but has shown some recent improvement in blinkers while Priceless Pearl showed some improvement at only his second start. He steps up in trip and is one to watch in the betting. 

Hollywoodbets Durbanville Net Jackpot C/Over : R250 000 on Saturday , 28 September 2024 Race 5 off at 13h30- Estimated Pool : R1 Million

Turffontein Net Jackpot C/Over : R250 000 on Saturday , 28 September 2024 Race 5 off at 14h25 – Estimated Pool : R1 Million

Hollywoodbets Greyville Net Jackpot C/Over : R250 000 on Sunday , 29 September 2024 Race 4 off at 14h25 – Estimated Pool : R1 Million