IN yet another significant show of support for the South African horse racing industry – and KwaZulu-Natal racing in particular, Hollywoodbets has committed to a 3-year sponsorship of the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge that will see the stake for this prestigious race increase from R500 000 to R1 000 000. The Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge will now be the second richest race on the South African racing calendar, being surpassed only by the Vodacom Durban July.

Over the past two years, Hollywoodbets has introduced initiatives to support each and every group of stakeholders in KZN and the timing for this new initiative is both exciting and gratifying. “If one looks back to July 2019 when Hollywoodbets secured the landmark naming rights to Hollywoodbets Greyville and Hollywoodbets Scottsville, who could have predicted that we were about to embark on one of the most economically challenging periods that South African Horseracing has ever had to endure? Hollywoodbets increased its support of the industry during a time when it has been needed most and to now have our partner as a long-term title sponsor of one of our most prestigious Grade 1 races during Champions Season, is the perfect fit,” said Steve Marshall, Gold Circle’s Marketing and Events Executive.

Hollywoodbets Brand & Communications Executive, Devin Heffer explains that this sponsorship is about much more than just the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge. “This is about being associated with equine excellence and ensuring that the value and prestige of our champions is not diluted by economic stress. Hollywoodbets views itself as an integral part of the horse racing industry and the KwaZulu-Natal economy. The Champions Season is the magnet that attracts nationwide interest in the sport, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to meaningfully demonstrate our commitment to racing’s wellbeing. We will also use the day to enthusiastically build a bridge between horse racing and our other valued partners in sport and in the media.”   

The 2021 edition of the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge is likely to see two past champions in Rainbow Bridge and Do It Again renewing their rivalry along with L’Ormarins Queens Plate winner, Jet Dark. However, with R1 000 000 up for grabs, there will definitely be a host of challengers to the throne, as this year’s race, scheduled for Saturday 12 June at Hollywoodbets Greyville, promises to be one of the most eagerly anticipated races of Champions Season.

RACE 1: Preview: FLASHY APACHE (3) caught the eye second time out over 1400m on the Standside course staying on strongly for third and he can build on that from a fair draw. TINDER DRY (10) stayed on well for second over course and distance from a similarly wide draw in her penultimate start, beating Flashy Apache by 2,85 lengths, but the latter was making his debut that day and made good ground late after being caught wide at the back from a wide draw. ARAGOSTA (1) is by Rafeef out of an Irish-bred Galileo maiden who had two starts and finished second over a mile and two furlongs at Redcar on debut. WOKONDA (11) is not a scopey sort but stayed on well enough for third over 1160m on debut in a field as uninspiring as this one so she has a chance from a good draw over a step up in trip which should suit on pedigree being by Captain Of All out of a Fort Wood mare whose only win was over 1600m. IRON WILL (7) is by Flower Alley out of an Australian-bred Giant’s Causeway mare, who was a Listed winning six-time winner from 1400m to 1800m, and he is a full-brother to the one time winner over 1600m Integrity. (David Thiselton 3-10-1-11-7)

RACE 2: Preview: CORAL DAWN (2) by Global View is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Coral Tree and will enjoy the step up in trip after staying on nicely from a tough low draw over 1160m, beating Route Sixty Six by seven lengths, and Muzi Yeni stays aboard. LOOK YOURSELF (7) enjoyed the step up to this trip last time finishing second although she does now have a tougher draw. ROUTE SIXTY-SIX (9) ran second to Essence at Greyville last time over 1400m and as the latter had fair Johannesburg’s form before that she has a shout from a fair draw. (David Thiselton 2-7-9)

RACE 3: Preview: MISS ELEGANCE (1) is the best weighted and will enjoy this trip from a fair draw. QUERARI FERRARI (3) went close from the same draw over this course and distance in a decent Graduation Plate and is 0.5kg better off with Ecstatic Green despite beating her by 4.5 lengths. ECSTATIC GREEN (2) is better drawn than last time which could help her stay a tip which seems to stretch her. (David Thiselton 1-3-2)

RACE 4: Preview: REUNION (5) has disappointed twice but looks the part and a step down in trip might be what this highly regarded horse is looking for. BOLD JAZZ (1) has class and is effective from this trip up to middle distances. BARTHOLDI (3) is better than his last start over this course and distance and has a good draw this time. INDLAMU (2) beat Bold Jazz by 1,50 lengths when they last met over 1400m but is 2.5kg worse off if apprentice claims are ignored and is widely drawn in his first run for four months. BOWIE (4) beat Bartholdi by more than five lengths last time but is 2kg worse off and there is a reversal in draw fortunes. (David Thiselton 5-1-3-2-4)

RACE 5: Preview: STARFLASH (1) is in fine form and is well drawn over a suitable trip. GOVERNOR’S GLORY (6) is a quirky but talented horse and is well drawn over a suitable trip but he is 1.5kg worse off with Starflash for a 1,25 length beating. IVALO’S PRINCE (3) will be running on over this suitable trip. EL ROMIACHI (9) is capable of staying on well over this trip. DOUBLE MARTINI (5) is distance suited and can still improve. (David Thiselton 1-6-3-9-5)

RACE 6: Preview: CASH TIME (2) is in fine form and will be effective over this trip from a good draw. VALIDUS (7) was not suited to front-running last time and if dropped out from a wide draw over this trip he is capable of running on. FSQUADRON (5) is drawn in pole and is only three point higher for his win over this trip in his penultimate start. OUR COYS (1) comes off a good run over this trip but has a tricky draw. MASTER MAN (6) is off a competitive merit rating and is effective over this trip. (David Thiselton 2-7-5-1-6)

RACE 7: Preview: BOLD RESOLVE (4) is ideally distance suited and well drawn. THE SASH (3) enjoys this trip when well drawn and he has a fair draw. LIVERPOOL LEGEND (8) seldom gets a good draw and has one here so could go close despite being up against the boys. ROMEO’S MAGIC (1) keeps on defying the handicapper and is capable of running after being dropped out from a wide draw. HUMBLE TUNE (10) has ability and can improve. ATTENTIVE (5) could be involved in the finish too. (David Thiselton 4-3-8-1-10-5)

RACE 8: Preview: WHITE FANG (5) has been most disappointing but from a good draw under handicap conditions he can bounce back over this suitable trip. MASAAKEN (3) has a tricky draw but is capable of running on over this trip. SERGEI (1) is no great shakes and has to carry topweight but ran a well beaten second over this trip last time and can be involved again. (David Thiselton 5-3-1)   

Andrew Harrison

SPARE a thought for horses that are just below top class, always game, but often used as the hare for their more talented stable mates.

Many, just like human athletes who always run second, often lose heart but Crown Towers plugs on like a true soldier and he made all to win the World Sports Betting Sledgehammer at Hollywoodbets Scottsville yesterday, holding a late charging Black Knap, the lesser fancied stable companion of favourite Rascallion.

Richard Fourie conceded that Crown Towers was probably the fittest horse in the race after winning at Hollywoodbets Greyville last time out.

“He’s our Natal horse,” confirmed Justin Snaith. “He did not go back to Cape Town after last season. We sent him to Jo’Burg where he tried his heart out.”

Crown Towers is obviously a horse that hits a soft spot in the yard and back-to-back victories are fitting for a horse who always tries.

Vaughan Marshall’s runner Black Knap should not have been such a surprise package with his game second as there was little to fault his Cape form. He was closing on Crown Towers with every stride and had the race won two jumps past the post.

 However, he was overshadowed in the market by stable companion and favourite Rascallion who was up with the pace for most of the race but was under pressure soon after entering the straight and Anton Marcus eased him up after his chances had gone.

It was obviously a below par effort and one should not write him off lightly.

It was pointed out that my observation that She’s A Keeper was badly out at the weights in my preview of the World Sports Betting Scarlet Lady, that I should have added the word ‘officially’ as Gareth van Zyl’s filly was obviously way better than what she had been pegged at given the handicapping restrictions on maximum penalties.

She’s A Keeper proved yesterday that she is a long way better than her current MR rating of 84 as she slammed a useful field in fine style.

Racing three wide for most of the race, she quickened smartly at the top of the straight, and in spite of Warren Kennedy having to straighten her up as she lugged towards the inside rail, she ran away from them over the final furlong.

“I couldn’t get in,” said Kennedy, fresh from Saturday’s win on Horse of the Year, Summer Pudding at Turffontein, “so I had to take my medicine but I didn’t want to press her and break her rhythm.”

In the straight, “she made up four or five lengths in an instant. She’s really smart,” he concluded.

Gareth van Zyl has done a fine job given the filly’s history of physical problems. It was a win full of merit so it is where to from now for the filly.

 “When you’ve got stamina you’ve got a chance,” the wise words from seasoned horseman Garth Puller after Saint Philip fought off all challengers to win the World Sports Betting Highland Night Cup over 2400m.

Seemingly hopelessly out at the official weights, Saint Philip made nearly all the running.

After developing a habit of missing the break, it all worked out perfectly for Anthandiwe Mgudlwa and the lightly weighted gelding kept rolling to the line to just hold off a fast-finishing Dream Destiny and favourite Bayberry who pressed all the way to the line giving the pair a hefty 10kg.

“In Cape Town he would go the front and they would catch him. He would go to the front and they would catch him. They then he was ridden from behind and he started to miss the break.

“I told ‘Tandi’ the idea was to get him out the pens. He used his initiative and won a good race.”

RACE 1: Preview: NIPPY WINTER (7) made good improvement when a close-up second at Durbanville last time out. HOMELY GIRL (4) was well fancied in a Cape feature last run and was not disgraced in fourth. She meets weaker here. REVERENT LASS (9) was all at sea on debut and is sure to make good improvement. (Andrew Harrison: 7-4-9-10).

RACE 2: Preview: PERSISTANCE (7) has shown up well in both starts but faces a field of unknows. Keep an eye on the betting here. ROD THE MOD (8) made no show in feature company last start but was close-up before that over course and distance. OVATION (6) was not too far back on debut and experience will count in his favour. There are a few first timers with quick pedigrees. (Andrew Harrison: 7-8-6-1).

RACE 3: Preview: VIDA FUTURA (7) made a smart debut at lengthy odds. He should much prefer this trip and rates the one to beat. FOREVER BILL (2) found good market support on debut but failed to show. He is obviously better than that showing and may be worth another chance. POMP AND POWER (5) found some long-shot market support on debut and was not far back. He could upstage them all. (Andrew Harrison: 7-2-5).

RACE 4: Preview: PHEDRA (9) made a promising debut at long odds. She should enjoy the extra furlong and the experience should count in her favour. TEMPLE BAR (10) made good improvement at her second start when taking on males. She must have a decent chance on that showing. MARIA QUEROL (7) has put in two good sprints to date. She steps up to further and should go close. (Andrew Harrison: 9-10-7-6).

RACE 5: Preview: ADDERBURY LAKE (1) has run three crackers over shorter. The Extra should suit and from a plum draw rates a strong chance. WHATSINADREAM (2) goes well over the trip and has been a close-up second in her last two. Can go one better. LOVE NOTE (3) was much improved last run over the Durbanville 1800m. She also found market support that day so must come into all calculations. (Andrew Harrison: 1-2-3-4).

RACE 6: Preview: LORD MARMITE (1) started at very long odds went sent over ground for the first time and nearly surprised. He obviously enjoyed the extra and is primed to go one better. SON OF SILK (2) is holding form and was close-up over course and distance last start. His time over the trip was 3.5 seconds slower than Lord Marmite. ALINGALONGA (4) is coming along the right way and can feature. (Andrew Harrison: 1-2-4).

RACE 7: Preview: LIFE ON MARS (3) has shown some promise and should go very close in a field of this quality. ROYAL FLUSH (1) was well beaten second last run but that was a work rider’s event. He had shown some promise before that and this looks tailor-made. WORDSWORTH (2) battling maiden but ignore last run. Has a chance in this line-up. (Andrew Harrison: 3-1-2-4).

RACE 8: Preview: AFTER THE STORM (2) has put in two smart recent efforts over this trip. She must have a strong chance in this company.  ALLOWAY GROVE (4) is holding form and seems best over this trip. Weak field. ARCTIC ICE (3) tried further after retuning from a lengthy break. He best form is over this trip. (Andrew Harrison: 2-4-3)

First entries for this year’s Vodacom Durban July were initially due in by 11am yesterday morning. However, because of the National Yearling Sales, Gold Circle made a late decision to reschedule first entries to Tuesday, April 20 with names being announced on Tellytrack after the first race at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday, April 21.