Andrew Harrison

When Mike de Kock and son Mathew decided to give the Gr3 Umzimkhulu Stakes a miss with their filly Oxalis Gold in favour of taking on some useful males in the Gr3 Byerley Turk, it must have rung some warning bells with the opposition and indeed punters alike.

Speaking in his post-race interview, Mathew said a wide barrier draw in the Umzimkhulu had influenced their decision to take on males but in hindsight I think it was a cheap sell given that Oxalis Gold would have been up against Gimme’s Countess and Green Sapphire in the Umzimkhulu.  

Whatever the thinking, it was a master stroke as Oxalis Gold made short work of her male opposition and staking a Gr2 Fillies Guineas claim in emphatic fashion. 

At no stage in the race did she look under pressure and went to the line under hands and heels from Kabelo Matsunyane with Cats Pajamas running on stoutly under replacement rider Rachel Venniker with O’Tenikwa a gallant third. 

Serino Moodley was never able to get O’Tenikwa’s head down and settled as Andre Nel’s runner raced head-up and barely under control in the early exchanges so it was a run best ignored. 

Sean Tarry has had a relatively quiet start to the season but things are looking up for the former champion trainer as Legend Of Arthur was given a masterful ride by Richard Fourie to win the Gr1 SA Derby at Turffontein on Saturday and Gavin Lerena was penciled in to ride Green Sapphire in the Gr3 Umzimkhulu Stakes yesterday.

However, Lerena was tied up in an inquiry and S’Manga Khumalo did the honours and rode a superb tactical race. Tarry illuded to post-race that there was no plan to go to the front, but from a good break and all reluctant to go forward, Khumalo had little option but to make the pace and he timed it to perfection.

Green Sapphire kicked smartly at the top of the straight and was never in danger of defeat in spite of favourite Gimme’s Countess making up a lot of ground from off the pace.

It was a good run from both fillies and all going well, the Gr2 Fillies Guineas must be on their radar.

Dean Kannemeyer’s Cape Town contingent arrived in good order last week and they were quick off the mark as Give Me Everything opened up what can be considered Kannemeyer’s start to South Africa’s Champions Season.

Apprentice Jacey Botes aboard the lightly weighted Forward Motion tried his best to pull the sting out of hot favourite Give Me Everything in the opening leg of the Pick 6, but Dean Kannemeyer’s filly has plenty of class. Aiming for four-on-the-trot, Craig Zackey had Give Me Everything  well off the pace turning for home but she quickened like a smart filly to collar Paul Lafferty’s charge who stayed on gamely. The now Gr2 Woolavington 2000 looks tailor-made.

Kannemeyer was back in the winner’s box a race later as Teflon Man put in a smart performance to land the KwaZulu-Natal Stakes in spite of casting a shoe in running. Not all went to plan according to rider Craig Zackey as the filly Celtic Beauty, dropping back to a sprint, set the early fractions at a rather pedestrian pace. 

Towards the back of the field turning for home, Zackey navigated Teflon Man through the traffic to hit the front and hold off a determined late challenge from African Skyline and stable companion Mister Master Starter.

Catavar finally got the maiden monkey off his back as Tony Rivalland’s charge led from the jump to land the card opener at 17^th time of asking.  It was not all plain sailing as the gelding didn’t look too keen under pressure as he shifted both ways. Jabu Jacobs was hard pressed to keep him straight but fortunate that they we well clear of second-placed Firelighter.

Now I Got You landed the honours for favourite backers and Nathan Kotzen as apprentice Brevan Plaatjies got a dream split one off the rail to sweep past longtime leader Glamorz to open the bi-pot.

Bevies Delight has added many grey hairs to Peter Muscutt’s thinning crown as she has not been the easiest to train. However, he picked the right replacement rider in Rachel Venniker who handled the filly superbly in the gate and kudos to the starter who pulled the gate at exactly the right time.

Bevies Delight took on leader Convocation over the final furlong but always looked to have the upper hand.

Favourite Shipholia put in a below par performance and was beaten early in the straight.

Two G’s and Colorado Creek were involved in a bruising duel to the line in the eighth with Khumalo extracting maximum out of Gareth van Zyl’s runner to get him over the line ahead of a late charging Colorado Creek who ran a cracked from his outside draw to finish runner-up again.

Apprentice Mxolisi Mbuto rode a cracker to round off the meeting as the 4kg claimer punched Tara’s Star out from a wide barrier to take on the well-drawn Happy Analia, the two making the pace ahead of a big field.

The pair were head-and-head for most of the race with Mbuto staying well off the rail and went for home first, punching out under hands and pinching a slight advantage. The vastly experience Matsunyane waited for a final kick and although Happy Analia responded, Mbuto, without resorting to the sick, kept punching away with Darryl Moore’s filly responding to get home by a narrow margin for her fourth career win.

Andrew Harrison

Rain continues to plague racing in this province with Gold Circle attempting to dodge the weather. Last Friday night’s scheduled Hollywoodbets Greyville meeting has been moved to today with yesterday’s scheduled Hollywoodbets Scottsville meeting moved to Wednesday – weather permitting.

But with Champions Season on the horizon and some juicy stake money on offer, raiders are lining up to plunder a share of the spoils.

Sean Tarry, Corrie Lensley and Johan Janse van Vuuren all have runners and to add to the puzzle, Dean Kannemeyer is back in town with some competitive runners after a successful Western Cape season.

The card is headed by two Gr3 contests, the Byerley Turk and the Umzimkhulu Stakes, both races for three-year-olds.

O’Tenikwa has the widest draw in a small field in the Byerley Turk and although well beaten last run at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth it was a big field. He did finish fourth to One Stripe in the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas prior to that and with Western Cape form proving dominant on their arrival in KZN he could be the right one to follow. 

However, Cymric found his best form last time out and is rarely out of the money. He showed plenty of early promise and could be back to his best. Frank Robinson had a tough day at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday but Cats Pajamas could improve his mood. The gelding is the highest rated in the field and won well last time out beating some useful older horses. Mike and Mathew de Kock send out the filly Oxalis Gold who won well enough under a light weight last time out to be competitive and the fact that the De Kock’s have put her up against males, may tell a story.

In the Umzimkhulu Stakes, Gimmies Countess has been racing in top feature company in the Cape and is also well in at the weights. From draw one she looks the most likely candidate for the winner’s enclosure. But she is not short of opposition. Sean Tarry makes the trip with Green Sapphire who has yet to finish further back than second and has drawn alongside Gimmie’s Countess. Regeneration needed her comeback run and can feature while the Mike Miller yard is in top form and Warrior Royale is smart and goes well over this course and distance.

Khethiwe’s Destiny is the youngest runner in the opening leg of the PA but looks to have the most potential. She may well have needed her last run and takes on some well exposed runners. She could suffice as a PA banker but Convocation and Bevies Delight are others to consider.

The first leg of the Pick 6 is a competitive handicap and you may need to play wide to get through safely. Give Me Everything is unbeaten since shedding her maiden and her Cape form looks ominous. She can keep up her winning streak. Sovereign Grant has top weight but the best of the draw and comes from a very much in form stable. She’s A Bomber has drawn widest but looks to have plenty of promise and the drop in trip could be in her favour. Ice Rain is unbeaten in two since arriving from the Cape and looks the pick of the Andre Nel trio. 

Kannemeyer’s gelding Teflon Man found form suddenly at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth last run in a smart field but a repeat will see him close. Shipholia is a consistent mare that has been running well in good company. She has a handy weight from pole position. Anfields Rocket has patchy form but is smart on his day. He has been rested and has his first run for Trevor Brown who was Mike de Kock’s former Dubai assistant and now trains out of Ashburton. African Skyline won over a mile last time out but the form of that race has not worked out and he does seem better over sprints. 

The last two races look tricky. Two G’S won well first run up from the Cape and looks progressive and faces some modest opposition and can follow up. Blowin In The Wind is way better than her last run when returning from a lengthy break. She had useful form before that and the stable is in form. Chelsea Flower has a wide draw to contend with and has her first outing for Stuart Ferrie with Carl Hewitson moving to Mauritius. She has a big weight but is tough as they come. 

It could be a difficult end to the evening with plenty in with chances. Happy Analia found one too good for her in stable companion One Smart Cookie last run and her penultimate start is best ignored. Emerald Green has a difficult draw but was ridden by an inexperienced apprentice last time out. Andrew Fortune could make all the difference. Avernian Goddess has been costly to follow but has dropped in the handicap and can feature prominently. 

Please note: In order to comply with SA rules on Postponed meetings to be concluded within 48Hrs, a decision has been made to abandon the current Hollywoodbets Greyville night race meeting – 28 March 2025.

All bets will be refunded.

A new Hollywoodbets Greyville program has been loaded for the Hollywoodbets Greyville meeting – 31 March 2025

New race times below:

Race 1: 12:05

Race 2: 12:40

Race 3: 13:15

Race 4: 13:50

Race 5: 14:25

Race 6: 15:00

Race 7: 15:35

Race 8: 16:10

Race 9: 16:45

RACE 1

8 MS GALORE   5 CATAVAR   10 DANUBE   9 DOIN’ TIME

Summary: It’s never easy, females taking on males but MS GALORE (8) could fir the bill here. She has been unlucky in both starts and although drawn a little wide she does look progressive in a modest field. CATAVAR (5) disappointed from a wide draw last run after a good previous effort. He has a better gate here. DANUBE (10) returns from a spell on the Highveld and has not been far back. DOIN’ TIME (9) has been doin’ time in the maidens and has his 24^th start but has shown some recent improvement. (Andrew Harrison: 8-5-10-9).

RACE 2

7 PURPLE POWAHOUSE   10 GLAMORZ   12 DRIVE BY    11 BRASS BELL

Summary: A race where the veterans look to have a good hand. PURPLE POWAHOUSE (7) is struggling for his fifth win but has been consistent and should be in the mix again. DRIVE BY (12) has drawn wide but was close-up over course and distance last time out. BRASS BELL (11) has also drawn wide and is something of a poly specialist but hardly ever puts in a bad effort. The filly GLAMORZ (10) found good market support last time out over course and distance and failed narrowly. She can go one better. (Andrew Harrison: 7-10-12-11).

RACE 3

5 KHETHIWE’S DESTINY    4 CONVOCATION   2 BEVIES DELIGHT   1 GET IN THE Q

Summary: KHETHIWE’S DESTINY (5) is the youngest runner in the race but looks to have the most potential. She may well have needed her last run and take son some well exposed runners. CONVOCATION (4) confirmed the form of her penultimate start when winning next time out. She only got a two-point rise the ratings. BEVIES DELIGHT (2) flatters to deceive but is smart on her day while GET IN THE Q (1) is way better than her last effort and Fortune from pole position will always be a threat. (Andrew Harrison: 5-4-2-1).

RACE 4

3 GIVE ME EVERYTHING   1 SOVEREIGN GRANT   12 SHE’S A BOMBER   7 ICE RAIN

Summary: GIVE ME EVERYTHING (3) is unbeaten since shedding her maiden. The Cape form looks ominous and she can keep up her winning streak. SOVEREIGN GRANT (1) has top weight but the best of the draw and comes from a very much in form stable. SHE’S A BOMBER (12) has drawn widest but looks to have plenty of promise and the drop in trip could be in her favour. ICE RAIN (7) is unbeaten in two since arriving from the Cape and looks the pick of the Andre Nel trio. (Andrew Harrison: 3-1-12-7).

RACE 5

6 TEFLON MAN   1 SHIPHOLIA   7 ANFIELDS ROCKET   8 AFRICAN SKYLINE

Summary: TEFLON MAN (6) suddenly found form at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth last run in a smart field. A repeat will see him close. SHIPHOLIA (1) is a consistent mare that has been running well in good company. Handy weight from pole position. ANFIELDS ROCKET (7) has patchy form but is smart on his day. Rested but first run for Trevor Brown who was Mike de Kock’s former Dubai assistant and now trains out of Ashburton. AFRICAN SKYLINE (8) won over a mile last time out. Form of that race has not worked out but he does seem better over sprints. (Andrew Harrison: 6-1-7-8).

RACE 6

1 GIMMIE’S COUNTESS   2 GREEN SAPHIRE   4 REGENERATION   7 WARRIOR ROYALE

Summary: GIMMIE’S COUNTESS (1) has been racing is top feature company in the Cape. She is well in at the weights and from draw one she looks the most likely candidate for the winner’s enclosure. But she is not short of opposition. Sean Tarry makes the trip with GREEN SAPPHIRE (2) who has yet to finish further back than second and drawn alongside Gimmie’s Countess. REGENERATION (4) needed her comeback run and can feature while WARRIOR ROYALE (7) is smart and goes well over this course and distance. (Andrew Harrison: 1-2-4-7).

RACE 7

8 O’TENIKWA    6 CYMRIC   7 CATS PAJAMAS   5 OXALIS GOLD

Summary: Tricky. O’TENIKWA (8) has the widest draw in a small field and although well beaten last run at Hollywood Kenilworth it was a big field. He finish fourth to One Stripe in the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas prior to that. CYMRIC (6) found his best form last time out and is rarely out of the money. CAT’S PAJAMAS (7) is the highest rated in the field and won well last time out beating some useful older horses. OXALIS GOLD (5) takes on males but won well enough under a light weight last time out to be competitive. (Andrew Harrison: 8-6-7-5).

RACE 8

3 TWO G’S   5 BLOWIN IN THE WIND   12 CHELSEA FLOWER   13 COLORADO CREEK

Summary: TWO G’S (3) won well first run up from the Cape and looks progressive. She faces some modest opposition and can follow up. BLOWIN IN THE WIND (5) is way better than her last run when returning from a lengthy break. She had useful form before that and the stable is in form. CHELSEA FLOWER (12) has a wide draw to contend with an has her first outing for a new stable. She has a big weight but is tough as they come. COLORADO CREEK (13) has the worst of the draw but has been consistent of late. However, she may need some luck in running. (Andrew Harrison: 3-5-12-13).

RACE 9

2 HAPPY ANALIA   14 EMERALD GREEN   5 AVERNIAN GODDESS   4 BUTTERCUP BABY

Summary: Difficult end to the evening with plenty in with chances. HAPPY ANALIA (2) found one too good for her in stable companion One Smart Cookie last run and her penultimate start is best ignored. EMERALD GREEN (14) has a difficult draw but was ridden by an inexperienced apprentice last time out. Andrew Fortune could make all the difference. AVERNIAN GODDESS (5) has been costly to follow but has dropped in the handicap and can feature prominently.  BUTTERCUP BABY (4) is lightly raced and can improve on her handicap debut. (Andrew Harrison: 2-14-5-4).

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