David Thiselton

Today’s meeting at the Vaal Classic track will have some bearing on the WSB Met as it sees the comeback from injury of Piere Strydom, who is booked to ride See It Again in the Met, and hopefully the race riding will help him work out the remaining bruising he suffered from a fall at the Vaal on December 31.

Strydom’s first ride back could be a winner as he rides the hard knocking Mountain High in the second race over 1450m, albeit from a tricky draw of seven out of ten. Mountain High is no great shakes which is probably why she usually finds one to beat her, but on this occasion she faces a particularly uninspiring field and could get it right after three successive seconds. Title-chasing Craig Zackey rode her last time but is now on the chief danger, the Lucky Houdalakis-trained Gimme Passion, who faded late over 1400m last time to finish fifth in her second start, having finished a 4,20 length third on debut over 1400m. Interestingly, she was 4,30 lengths clear of Kalikaa on debut and the latter beat Mountain High narrowly last time. Gimme Passion also has a good draw of five. Asiah’s Tiara and Lady Bomber could be in the shake up too and Gimme A Green Card has Gavin Lerena up and is open to improvement.

The highest rated race is the 8^th over 1200m. Wyzeact could well enjoy the step down in trip and has a 1,5kg claimer up, but he does have a tough draw. Tsar Bomba also has a wide draw, but he has an easier task than in his last race in the Grand Heritage and will be right there. Black Egret has returned from Cape Town and has an easier task here than for both his starts down there and he should be a big runner from a fair draw.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1450m Ampersand won a good race last time, beating a decent field, and he was only given a two point raise and he now has a 1.5kg claimer up from a good draw so can follow up. Lets Play Poker is in fine form and should go close again, although the wide draw makes it tough. Sovereigns Call should be right there on formlines too, but he also has a tricky draw. Guerilla Warfare has gone close over course and distance before and warrants consideration. Lava Fire could also be in the mix if producing his best.

In the fifth race over 1500m Main Defender should be hard to beat despite having to carry 62kg. However, one point of interest is Melech has beaten him before, albeit over 1200m, so perhaps Melech can be included as he is also effective over this trip and has a better draw than Main Defender, who is drawn in the extreme outside barrier in the field which has cut up to just seven runners.

In the sixth over 2000m Another Universe has always caught the eye as a big scopey sort with plenty of upside. He has a good draw and should relish this course and distance. Silvano’s Song proved last time when winning easily after a long layoff that Silvano’s can get better with age and the five-year-old could defy the handicapper, who gave him a seven point raise. Hazlo Grande is in fair form and is distance suited. One More Star looks promising and should relish the step up in trip. Guy Alexander is in fine form but does have a wide draw to overcome and the handicapper is obviously making it harder for him after a few wins.

In the seventh over 1450m Call Me Master is widely drawn and has a three point raise to overcome after winning last time, but this is an uninspiring field. The consistent Great Barrier should place here. Vava Vegas faces easier than recent and could earn. Red Knot is also capable of earning in this field. Mix The Magic could earn if able to overcome a wide draw. 

In the ninth over 1200m Hammies Hero has his third run after a layoff and should go close in his third run on the Highveld. Written In Stone is a consistent distance-suited sort and should run on well from a tricky draw. Take Your Place is knocking on the door and has a good draw over a suitable trip.

In the first leg of the PA Fast Duty can beat There She Goes and Secret Recipe. 

In the first race Legendary looks the one to beat and in the last race Sakhala Is’Cathulo makes most appeal.

RACE 1     

6 LEGENDARY 1 CHIEFTAIN’S SHIELD 7 SPIRITO SELVAGGIO 8 SPY STORY

Preview: 6 LEGENDARY went close in his penultimate start over this trop category and might go close from a good draw. 1 CHIEFTAIN’S SHIELD did well over 1600m in his penultimate start before failing over 2000m, so should appreciate the step down to 1450m. 7 SPIRITO SELVAGGIO has run a couple of good races over this trip and should be in the shake up. 8 SPY STORY is usually thereabouts and can earn again. (David Thiselton 6-1-7-8)

RACE 2     

3 MOUNTAIN HIGH 11 GIMME PASSION 4 ASIAH’S TIARA 12 LADY BOMBER

Preview: 3 MOUNTAIN HIGH has been second in her last three starts and could get it right here over a suitable trip albeit from a tricky draw. 11 GIMME PASSION has a fair draw and has run two good races over this trip category in all of her starts. 4 ASIAH’S TIARA has a wide draw but has ability and is distance suited. 12 LADY BOMBER has run two fair races against decent sorts and should enjoy the step up in trip but does have a tough draw. (David Thiselton 3-11-4-12)

RACE 3     

5 FAST DUTY 3 THERE SHE GOES 6 SECRET RECIPE 1 GALLADORN

Preview: 5 FAST DUTY did well last time after a win and proved she is up to this merit rating. 3 THERE SHE GOES looks to be  off a competitive mark and can be involved. 6 SECRET RECIPE is also off a competitive mark and could earn. 1 GALLADORN was thereabouts in her last two against fair opposition but does now have a tough draw. (David Thiselton 5-3-6-1) 

RACE 4     

1 AMPERSAND 4 LETS PLAY POKER 8 SOVEREIGNS CALL 9 GUERILLA WARFARE

Preview: 1 AMPERSAND won well last time and could follow up off a two point higher mark. 4 LETS PLAY POKER is in fine form and should go close again. 8 SOVEREIGNS CALL should be right there on formlines too. 9 GUERILLA WARFARE is always thereabouts and has a good draw over an ideal trip. (David Thiselton 1-4-8-9) 

RACE 5

1 MAIN DEFENDER 3 MELECH 5 MERCANTOUR

Preview: 1 MAIN DEFENDER is full of class and should be too good here. 3 MELECH has some class and has beaten Main Defender before at level weights, albeit over 1200m, so will be a threat receiving 4kg. 5 MERCANTOUR is in good form and could be in the shake up. (David Thiselton 1-3-5)

RACE 6     

7 ANOTHER UNIVERSE 2 SILVANO’S SONG 1 HAZLO GRANDE 3 ONE MORE STAR

Preview: 7 ANOTHER UNIVERSE has plenty of scope and should improve again. 2 SILVANO’S SONG could be on the up like a lot of five-year-olds by Silvano. 1 HAZLO GRANDE is in fair form and is distance suited. 3 ONE MORE STAR looks promising and should relish the step up in trip. (David Thiselton 7-2-1-3)

RACE 7     

2 CALL ME MASTER 4 GREAT BARRIER 1 VAVA VEGAS 6 RED KNOT

Preview: 2 CALL ME MASTER is in good form and can follow up in this line up. 4 GREAT BARRIER is usually thereabouts and should place here. 1 VAVA VEGAS could earn in an easier line up than last time. 6 RED KNOT is capable of earning in this field. (David Thiselton 2-4-1-6)

RACE 8

4 WYZEACT 2 TSAR BOMBA  5 BLACK EGRET 

Preview: 4 WYZEACT has plenty of ability and might enjoy the step down in trip. 2 TSAR BOMBA can do better than recent but does have to overcome a wide draw. 5 BLACK EGRET is a decent sort and he has an easier task here than he had down in Cape Town. (David Thiselton 4-2-5)

RACE 9     

3 HAMMIES HERO 6 WRITTEN IN STONE 4 TAKE YOUR PLACE 2 BOOM BOOM

Preview: 3 HAMMIES HERO has his third run after a layoff and should go close over a suitable trip. 6 WRITTEN IN STONE is consistent distance suited sort and should run on well from a tricky draw. 4 TAKE YOUR PLACE is knocking on the door and has a good draw over a suitable trip. 2 BOOM BOOM should be staying on dourly. (David Thiselton 3-6-4-2)

RACE 10    

2 SAKHALA IS’CATHULO 3 PENDRAGON 12 PACIFIC 10 GLAWARI

Preview: 2 SAKHALA IS’CATHULO is distances suited and knocking on the door. 3 PENDRAGON is in good form and can run on from a tricky draw albeit off a three point higher mark for his last win. 12 PACIFIC went close over course and distance last time. 10 GLAWARI could earn in a field not as strong as last time. (David Thiselton 2-3-12-10)

David Thiselton

The new description of races in KZN, such as A Stakes, B Stakes, Class 2, Class 3, Open Maiden etc. might have caused some confusion to punters.
The KZN program, covering the period 1 January to 28 February 2025, has introduced the stakes-boosted class racing structure to the province, while unveiling financial incentives via the RaceCoast Incentive Scheme.
This article explains the new conditions of ordinary races in the province.
The ultimate aim of these changes is to improve racehorse ownership and to achieve enhanced field sizes with the knock-on effect of increased betting turnovers.
The “Class” races are the handicaps and the higher the class the higher the stake money to be won.
5% of the stake of each race is put into the RaceCoast Incentive Scheme (RKIS).
Class 2 handicaps have a merit rated benchmark of 112, meaning a horse merit rated 112 will carry 60kg and the weights are worked out using that horse as the pivot.
Class 2 races have a total stake of R150,000 with R7,500 of that going to the RCIS.
Class 3 races have a benchmark of 96, total stakes of R135,000 of which R6,750 goes to the RCIS.
Class 4 races have a benchmark of 80, total stakes of R120,000 of which R6,000 goes to the RCIS.
Class 5 races have a benchmark of 66, total stakes of R90,000 of which R4,500 goes to the RCIS.
For fillies and mares handicaps the benchmarks are the same but the total stakes are R135,000, R125,000, R110,000 and R80,000 respectively and the RCIS contribution is R6,750, R6,250, R5,500 and R4,000.
The A, B, C and D “Stakes” races and Middle Stakes races are merit rated band races.
A Stakes Races:Benchmark at 61,5 kg = 113 & aboveBenchmark at 60,0 kg = 110 to 112Benchmark at 58,5 kg = 107 to 109Benchmark at 57,0 kg = 104 to 106Benchmark at 55,5 kg = 101 to 103Benchmark at 54,0 kg = 98 to 100Benchmark at 52,5 kg = 95 to 97Benchmark at 51,0 kg = 94 & below
For B Stakes races the 61,5kg benchmark is 94 to 96 and the other weights will go down by the same proportions as in Class A.
For C Stakes races the 61,5kg benchmark is 76 to 78 and will go down proportionately.
For D Stakes race the 61,5kg benchmark is 62 to 64 merit ratings and they go down accordingly.
The Middle Stakes race have a different structure, which will be to the benefit of the higher rated horses because the weights are compressed, as shown below:
MIDDLE STAKESFor All Horses with a nett rating of 102 and belowBenchmark at 61,5 kg = 99 to 102Benchmark at 60,0 kg = 95 to 98Benchmark at 58,5 kg = 91 to 94Benchmark at 57,0 kg = 87 to 90Benchmark at 55,5 kg = 83 to 86Benchmark at 54,0 kg = 79 to 82Benchmark at 52,5 kg = 75 to 78Benchmark at 51,0 kg = 74 & below
For A, B, C, D and Middle Stakes races the winner of this race will not incur a penalty of more than 6 Rating points.There will be no rating increase for placed & unplaced horses.Sex allowance of 2.5 / 3.0 / 3.5 kg for Fillies and Mares, subject to a minimum weight of 50 kg.In C, D and Middle Stakes races maidens will receive a 1kg allowance.
The Open Maidens will have the below structure:OPEN MAIDENFor all MaidensWeights:61.5kg to be determined by the highest nett rated horse, for all merit ratedhorses below the highest nett rated horse, weight to be determined from61.5kg downwards, using 2 merit rating points = 1 kgUnrated horses to carry 60.5kg2-year-old Allowance of 4kg will apply to unrated horses2-year-olds to be weighted as unrated horsesSex Allowance of 2.5 kg for all FilliesMinimum Weights:4-year-olds and over C&G – 53.5kg / Fillies 53kg3-year-olds C&G – 52.5kg / Fillies 52kg
Open Maidens for females will have the same structure, except of course for the gender allowance.  
The incentive schemes includes a R2250 rebates for the owner of every runner and a R500 saddling fee to the trainer of every runner and also a R250 fee to the jockey of every runner.
However, this excludes the winners of races, the horses who finish last and scratched horses.
There is also good stakes money for the KZN Juvenile Series and for juveniles in general. 
The KZN Futurity Plate at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday, which was leg 1 of the series, carried a total stake of R300,000; leg 2, The Hollywoodbets Greyville Futurity Plate on March 2, also has a R300,000 stake; and leg 3, the Gr 3 Godolphin Barb on April 27, has a total stake of R500,000.
Juvenile Plates will all carry a total stake of R150,000 and Restricted Maiden Juvenile Plates will carry a R200,000 stake.  

Graeme Hawkins

The Justin Snaith-trained Gran Canaria looks set to open his account at just the third time of asking in the fourth race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth this afternoon, a Maiden Plate over 1600m. While the formbook suggests that Gran Canaria can expect plenty of cheek from recently gelded Red Dawn as well as Afrique, who debuts for the Lucinda Woodruff yard, Snaith has made no secret of the fact he believes Gran Canaria to be a really bright prospect in the making and one to follow.

Gran Canaria found strong market support when beaten by stable companion Native Ruler on the Winter course last time, but he raced from a wide draw on that occasion whereas he jumps out of pole position this afternoon. Red Dawn and Afrique were very close behind Gran Canaria, but with the draw reversal and the longer run-in on the Summer track I fancy Gran Canaria might well confirm the form with a little more in hand.

Red Dawn and Afrique were drawn in gates 1 & 2 last time but that was only Red Dawn’s second run as a gelding, and he could have scope for further improvement. He is a nice type but based on Snaith’s optimism I am happy to row in with the Nick Jonsson-owned Gran Canaria.

The jockey arrangements are interesting. In the absence of Grant Van Niekerk, Corne Orffer has been engaged to ride Gran Canaria with JP van der Merwe aboard Tenpenny in preference to Afrique which appears to suggest that Tenpenny should be taken seriously. The 3yo son of What A Winter has improved steadily with each run and finished a promising second behind Green Garnet over 1400m a month ago. All three of his formlines have produced direct winners and the extra 200m should be right up his alley. Fourie rides Umfula for his sponsor Ridgemont and Aldo Domeyer will be aboard Red Dawn for the Candice Bass-Robinson team.

Race 8, a Cape C Stakes over 1000m, could be fought out by Furious Queen and In The Green Zone. The Eric Sands-trained Furious Queen has shown a touch of class and the well-bred daughter of Querari bounced back to best form when runner-up behind Love Shack three weeks ago. In The Green Zone was nearly two lengths further back in third spot but is now 1,5kgs better off which could bring the pair closer together. The improver in the race could be Rattlesnake who recovered well from a bad start last time to finish on the heels of the placed runners. This will be his third run after being rested and gelded.

A lowly Cape D Stakes over 1000m closes out the day’s racing at 17:00 and the ultra-consistent Electric Feels should prove the one they all have to beat. She appears to have the measure of Xplicit Content and Tambourine Man while King Viserys and Easy Money have the ability in this class to upset the applecart.

The race meeting opens with a Maiden Plate over 1200m at 12:15 and a very interesting newcomer is the Andre Nel-trained Manikongo (Aus). In 2015 his sire, American Pharoah was the 12^th American Triple Crown Winner in history before winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic that same year, and in winning all four races, American Pharoah became the first horse to win the “Grand Slam of Thoroughbred Horse Racing”. Manikongo’s dam, Ngaga, is a half-sister to the legendary Igugu, winner of the 2011 Triple Tiara on the Highveld before going on to achieve glory in the “July” and the Cape Town Met.

Manikongo (Aus) thus boasts a high-class Stallion’s pedigree which clearly suggests that 1200m will be very much on the sharp side – a view confirmed by his trainer’s pre-race comments – but we look forward to seeing him in the parade ring and to following his progress over the coming months. Interestingly there has been some ante-post support for Manikongo (Aus) but the on-course betting activity will probably be a better guide.

RACE 1

12 MASTER BOMBER comes back to the races from a small break of 81 days, he has run some very good races at Hollywoodbets Durbanville around the turn, he will love racing up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and must have a good winning chance here. 1 CLIFF SWALLOW is as honest as they come, he tries hard and should be right there again in the finish, include him into all bet types. 3 SECRET PASSAGE was well beaten behind his stable companion last time, he will be a better horse over further in time, he could sneak into the places with some luck in running. 4 ALESSIA ASHEVILLE ran a decent race on the 22nd of December behind Warbird, she now drops back in trip, watch her closely at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 12 – 1 – 3 – 4)

RACE 2

8 VICTOR HUGO ran a cracker last time in a very competitive race, he moved up extremely well and then stayed on to the line in the last 150m, the drop in trip to 1400m is ideal and he will be a tough horse to beat here. 7 BEL CANTO DREAM ran a fair race behind Heal And Soul on the 22nd of December, he should enjoy the step up in trip, there is no doubt he will be a big threat for Victor Hugo in the finish, include him. 3 SMART HORSE will improve lengths from his debut performance, he was unfortunately drawn poorly and never really managed to get into the race, watch for big improvement now that he gets a decent draw. 6 GRAND ALLEGRO has been rested for 81 days, on his best form, he could earn some money for the connections. (Brandon Bailey: 8 – 7 – 3 – 6)

RACE 3

2 BLIND AMBITION ran a super race behind her stable companion last time, she stayed on strongly late, from a good draw here and stepping up in trip to 1600m, she will be a massive runner. 6 BRIGHT GOLD improved nicely when stepping up in trip in her last start behind Warbird, she enjoys racing handy, if the race works out for her, she will be competitive again. 7 SUPREME FATE was only beaten just under one length in her last start behind Tap Shoes, she is improving with every start and should enjoy the step up in trip, there is no doubt she will have a serious winning chance on Wednesday afternoon. 13 ENGLISH MISTRESS returns from a small break of 71 days, she is ultra consistent and will be low flying late, include her. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 6 – 7 – 13)

RACE 4

3 TENPENNY ran a great race behind Green Garnet on the 14th of December when finishing nicely for second, he looks very progressive and should love the step up in trip to 1600m, from a good draw, he will be a serious runner. 1 GRAN CANARIA stayed on powerfully to the line in his last start behind Native Ruler, he was drawn poorly on that occasion and still managed to run a cracker, now that he gets a good draw of one, he should go very close. 11 UMFULA has run two fair races down the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, he is crying for this step up in trip, with some luck in running from a poor draw, he will be closing them down late. 8 AFRIQUE has moved stables, on his best form, he could sneak into the Quartets. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 1 – 11 – 8)

RACE 5

6 ISCHYRO moved up to run a great second in his last start behind Dream Searcher, he is not the biggest of horses, but he has a huge heart, he tries extremely hard and should be there in the finish again. 9 OZARK carries a big weight in this Class 5 event and has unfortunately drawn poorly as well, life won’t be easy for him, but he will be running on strongly, watch him late. 3 NOON DAY GUN is far better than his most recent start where he was well beaten in a Class 4 event, the drop in trip and the drop-in class here will help his chances, he could be some value. 4 WHAT A FORTUNE quickened up well to exit the maiden ranks in his last start, he really enjoys the 1400m trip and should remain competitive despite the big weight. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 9 – 3 – 4)

RACE 6

12 DECEMBER DAWN powered away from her field to win a good race last time, she has won two very good races in succession now, even though she has gone up in the ratings and the weights, she will be running at them strongly and must be included into all bets. 6 WHY NOT JACKIE was given 3 points for her latest victory on the 4th of December, she is a tricky mare to ride, if the race works out for her and she gets some cover early, she could certainly win again. 4 NILE THE BOSS ran a fair race over 1400m on the 11th of December, she drops back in trip to 1200m on Wednesday afternoon, off this rating, she should be a big danger to them all. 7 ROYAL LYTHAM never runs a bad race, she is very consistent and should be able to earn some money again. (Brandon Bailey: 12 – 6 – 4 – 7)

RACE 7

6 BACK AT THE GEORGE ran on strongly for second in her most recent start behind Babelicious, she looks to be getting better and better with every start, watch her closely, she will be right there in the finish again. 3 ALL IS GREEN is much better suited to this trip of 1200m, ignore her last start over 1400m, the yard thinks highly of this filly, and she should be able to bounce back to her best form at a decent price. 8 SOHOT SOWHAT quickened up in devastating fashion to win really well on the 22nd of December, she looks extremely progressive and must have a good winning chance again. 9 FIRST MASTERPIECE stayed on well to run second in her last start behind Kyalami Girl, that was a strong field, with a similar performance on Wednesday, she could upset them all. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 3 – 8 – 9)

RACE 8

1 BARNEY MCGREW at the ripe old age of 7 continues to run great races, he ran a lovely race behind Kelp Forest on the 11th of December, off this rating in a similar field again, he will go very close to winning, include him into the play. 4 CASINO ACE pretty much lead them from start to finish to win a super race last time up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, this is a big jump in class for him, but he should come out running and will be a tough horse to fetch late. 6 FURIOUS QUEEN finished like a train behind Love Shack on the 22nd of December, she has a good turn of foot, and she gets the services of champion jockey Richard Fourie, include her into all bets. 10 RATTLESNAKE is quite a speedy sort, on his best form, he could sneak into the places. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 4 – 6 – 10)

RACE 9

3 ELECTRIC FEELS is as gutsy and honest as they come, she needs a particular ride, you must sit and wait as long as possible before producing her late, if she gets something to pull her through, she will be very hard to beat. 7 TAMBOURINE MAN ran a fair race with the blinkers on last time behind True Horizon, that wasn’t the strongest of races, but he is consistent and should be able to earn again. 5 KING VISERYS drops back in trip now to 1000m, he will probably be beaten for speed early and then run on strongly late, watch him closely. 6 XPLICIT CONTENT should be at home over this trip of 1000m, he is very fast and could do enough for the Quartets. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 7 – 5 – 6)