Graeme Hawkins

A pair of Class 4 Handicaps are featured on a 9-race programme at Hollywoodbets Durbanville this afternoon and the return to the Country course should provide for an intriguing and challenging day’s racing. The eighth race, a Class 4 Handicap over 1250m, looks ideal for the Andre Nel-trained Iconic Destination who should relish the drop in trip from his last run. Iconic Destination has been knocking loudly at the door since returning from a lengthy spell on the sidelines, but I was left with the impression that the 5yo son of Gimmethegreenlight found 1600m just a little beyond him when finishing a close fourth behind Rich Folks Hoax four weeks ago.

Prior to that Iconic Destination was runner-up in consecutive races over 1400m and I believe the 1250m trip this afternoon will prove absolutely ideal. On overall form Iconic Destination, who was rated 96 prior to his throat surgery, is the class package in the race and he could prove too good for Firingonallengines, All About Al and Sooty. The draw of 10 is not in his favour but he appears to have the pace to get across and turn for home in a handy position.

The ninth race, a Class 4 Handicap over 1600m, is very competitive with winning chances to most in the 13-strong field. Das Gute has been priced up at 20/1 in the early betting exchanges, but he has always reserved his best performances for Durbanville and his last two starts at Kenilworth must be ignored. He is possibly better over 1400m but rates good each way value at his current odds. Okavango is an improving sort who found traffic problems last time and he should go well here with Richard Fourie in the irons. Pinot Grigio is a lightly raced course winner, and his post-maiden form suggests he should be competitive, although he does step back in trip quite significantly from his last run.

Master Of Paris is as game and consistent as they come and rates an obvious threat from a good barrier position, while all of Kebonalesedi, Touchdown, Azzurri, Hoodia and Tenpenny warrant consideration in the toughest race on the programme. Not a race to nail one’s colours to the mast but I am happy to take my chances with Das Gute at a big price.

In the third race and opening leg of the Place Accumulator, an Open Maiden over 1250m, the consistently placed Catch A Penny is likely to go close again but faces a tricky draw of 12 in a large field. She does have course experience in her favour but winning from that barrier position with 61kgs to shoulder is a daunting task and the race is possibly ripe for an upset result. Ruby Rex caught the eye on debut when third behind Rahhabba and Craig Zackey retains the ride for the Adam Marcus stable. Stable companions City Of Dream and Winteronthegreen are both weighted with a winning chance while Hoerikwaggo and Alex Miller are not without claims.

Dubbelosix will be a popular choice in the first leg of the Pick 6, an Open Maiden over 1600m, but Gold Dust should have made good improvement off the back of a reasonable debut in January and could possibly pose a threat. Golden Grey was narrowly beaten last time and being an Open Maiden is in receipt of 7kgs from Dubbelosix. He jumps from pole position and he could finally crack his maiden at the nineteenth time of asking. Master Bomber, Green Planet and Moment of Truth have done enough to suggest they could get into the mix.

The fifth race, an Open Maiden (F&M) over 1800m, looks a four-cornered contest between Greenlight Skye, English Mistress, Strawberry Thief and Beautiful Side and they are fancied to come home in that order. Less than a length covered the top three selections in their last run behind Double Dash but Greenlight Skye has cracked the best draw of all here and could prevail despite being slightly worse off at the weights.

Royal Invitation drops in class in the sixth race, a Class 4 Handicap (F&M) over 1800m, and has solid form at the Country course. The 5yo daughter of Elusive Fort has been set to carry 62kgs but she could prove too strong for Pentolina, Tap Shoes and Lavender Bay.

The first race, a Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies) over 1000m, is due to get under way at 12:15 and early favourite Cliffscape may have the edge over Plumbago Park. Watch the market closely regarding the well-bred debutante Gimme The Power.

RACE 1

4 CLIFFSCAPE ran a lovely race behind a smart horse last time, she is improving with every start, from a good draw, she will be very hard to beat. 5 PLUMBAGO PARK ran a fair race on debut behind Jordash, she was green early and then stayed on well towards the end of the race, with natural improvement on the cards, she must be respected here. 6 MERRYWEATHER finished just over three lengths behind Ireland Forever on debut, there is no doubt she will improve, watch her closely at a decent price. Watch the market closely when it comes to the first timers, there are some well-bred individuals lining up in this race. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 5 – 6 – 2)

RACE 2

2 THE ABDICATOR changed stables on the 17th of January 2025, he ran a cracking race up the straight last time at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth behind Tenango, he is very talented on his day, include him into all bets, he should go close to winning from a good draw. 7 ARCTIC WIZARD has been super consistent through his entire racing career, the yard thinks highly of this colt, if he gets some luck in running from a tricky draw, he could have a massive winning chance. 4 ELUSIVE WINTER won well on the 1st of February, he is very fast, his form has been good, include him into all bet types. 3 NORDIC CHIEF has been rested for 81 days and the blinkers have been re-fitted, on his best form, he could certainly earn some money. It’s a tricky race, go wide. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 7 – 4 – 3)

RACE 3

12 CATCH A PENNY tried hard last time over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, she drops back in trip now to 1250m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, if she behaves and she can get a good run in transit from a tricky draw, she will go very close to winning. 9 RUBY REX ran a cracker on debut behind the well supported Rahhabba, if she can improve from that performance and she handles the track, there is no doubt she will be right there in the finish. 6 ALEX MILLER has been rested for 91 days, she is much better than her last run on the 4th of December, the drop in trip should help her, if she doesn’t need the run badly, she will be competitive. 7 HOERIKWAGGO never really quickened last time behind stable companion Princessontherun, watch her closely, she could improve now that she races around the bend. (Brandon Bailey: 12 – 9 – 6 – 7)

RACE 4

5 DUBBELOSIX may have just needed his last run behind Tenpenny, he should get the run of the race here from a good draw, this looks to be the right race for him to exit the maiden ranks. 1 GOLDEN GREY fought hard all the way to the line in his last start behind Cosmic Rhythm, he is a tricky horse to ride, but he gets a good draw and jockey Grant van Niekerk has been booked to ride, he can certainly win a race like this. 4 GOLD DUST ran a lovely race on debut, he caught the eye late behind Circumbendibus, he will love the step up in trip, include him into all bets. 8 MASTER BOMBER ran a fair race over 1400m last time, the further step up in trip to 1600m should unlock more improvement from this gelding. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 1 – 4 – 8)

RACE 5

1 GREENLIGHT SKYE improved nicely in her last start on the 5th of February, she really enjoyed the step up in trip, this is not a strong race, if she can build on her last run, she will be hard to beat here. 5 BEAUTIFUL SIDE has run two fair races in succession, she is still improving, watch her closely in this tricky race. 8 ENGLISH MISTRESS never runs a bad race, she tries hard, on her best form, she will remain competitive. 11 STRAWBERRY THIEF ran a much better race last time, she is getting better and stronger with more racing, if she can beat the draw, she will have a good each way chance. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 5 – 8 – 11)

RACE 6

7 TAP SHOES won super impressively on the 11th of January, she quickened up smartly to beat Family Power really well, she is lightly raced, and she is still improving, with some luck in running on Wednesday afternoon, she could easily win again. 4 ROYAL INVITATION has been rested for 67 days, her last run behind Omikami was good, she is consistent, despite the big weight of 62kgs, she must be included into all bets. 3 LAVENDER BAY was completely outclassed in the Grade 1 Paddock Stakes, the blinkers have been removed, if she gets cheap sectionals up in front, she could be quite dangerous at a big price. 6 JET TO THE SUN is much better than her last start, the form of that race has worked out well, she could bounce back and earn again for the connections. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 4 – 3 – 6)

RACE 7

4 LUCY ROCKET stayed on well behind First Masterpiece on the 5th of February, that was her first run out the maidens and it was a great performance, the form of that race has worked out well, she is perfectly drawn, there is no doubt she must have a nice winning chance. 10 ELECTRIC FEELS won a gutsy race on the 1st of February, unfortunately she has drawn wide here for this Class 5 event which won’t make life easy for her, but she is consistent and must be respected. 7 TRY ME quickened up well to beat Country Time on the 11th of February, she is a small filly with a massive heart, on her best form, she will be right there again. 1 CHAMPAGNE MAC has been disappointing of late; he has dropped in ratings and the blinkers have been fitted, watch him closely. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 10 – 7 – 1)

RACE 8

5 SCOTTISH KISS had absolutely no luck in running late last time behind Golden Destiny, he is improving with every start, on his best form, he will be right there in the finish at a decent price. 10 ICONIC DESTINATION will love the drop in trip, he is packed with ability, if he can overcome the wide draw, he could end up being the horse they all need to beat. 2 SOOTY has run two very good races in succession, there should be no excuses for this individual from a good draw on Wednesday, include him into the play. 4 ALL ABOUT AL tries hard, he could earn for the connections on his best form. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 10 – 2 – 4)

RACE 9

7 PINOT GRIGIO has been rested for 77 days, he is a smart colt with lots of ability, he will enjoy the drop back in trip to 1600m, if he doesn’t need the run badly, he will have a good winning chance. 11 HOODIA has been in great form lately, unfortunately the draw won’t make life easy for him, but he will be doing good work late, include him into all bets. 9 AZZURRI ran a cracker last time behind Rich Folks Hoax, he has improved and jockey Chad Little knows him really well, he could be some decent value in a wide-open race. 2 MASTER OF PARIS is as honest as they come, his last two runs have been good, he should be right there in the places. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 11 – 9 – 2)

Soccer 4 : SHH – 03 MARCH 2025. Match 4 (M4): VILLAREAL VS ESPANYOL . Postponed Due to Risk of flooding.

Soccer 6 : 6II – 03 MARCH 2025.
Match 6 (M6): VILLAREAL VS ESPANYOL . Postponed Due to Risk of flooding.

Soccer 10 : 1QQ – 03 MARCH 2025.
Match 10 (M10): VILLAREAL VS ESPANYOL . Postponed Due to Risk of flooding.

All results (the field) will qualify for the above match.
In terms of TABGOLD rules, all choices (the field) will apply in determining results and payouts.

David Thiselton

The Drakenstein homebred Lancaster Bomber filly Beach Bomb won the 37th running of the 1 3/8-mile Gr 3 The Very One for fillies and mares on the Gulfstream Park turf on Saturday under Luis Saez. It was a fine training feat by Graham Motion as it was not only her first start since the Breeders Cup in early November, but a front-running tactic was adopted to counteract the fast going. Despite this tactic being opposite to her normal hold up style she kicked well at the top of the straight and held on.
In Hong Kong in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic over 1800m Luke Ferraris’s mount My Wish looked likely to add this race to his win in the HK$13 Million Classic Mile as he produced a strong late run to go clear. However, the David Hayes-trained Rubylot burst out of the pack to nab him late and win by three-quarters of a length.

David Thiselton

It was a great day for passionate owners Dylan Chinsammy and Trevelen Pillay, who not only had a Gr 1 double on Saturday but also a Listed winner, while E Naicker and all of G, K and MM Nassif were all shareholders in both of the Gr 1 winners.

The Gr 1 SA Classic saw a fine victory for the Fabian Habib-trained Fire Away gelding Confederate and for jockey Craig Zackey and owner Trevelen Pillay it was something of a chance win.

Zackey did not have a ride in this race by the 11 o’ clock deadline for declarations on Monday 17 February. The trainer is given two hours after that deadline to find a jockey. For a jockey not to be declared by the deadline time in a Gr 1 would probably mean the connections did not have one of the favourites and were waiting to see which top jockeys would be available after all the other horses had been declared. It would be unusual for the country’s leading jockey  to still be available after the deadline. However, between Craig’s agent, his father Simon, and Fabian Habib they ensured the leading jockey was not sitting in the stands. If there is such a thing as a perfect ride then Craig Zackey went close in this race. It is an old racing adage that if a horse is able to run a race in a certain time then he or she will be hard to beat. In the Gr 1 SA Fillies Classic there was a decent pace and an impressive 4,75 length win for the Joe Soma-trained Fiery Pegasus in a time of 114,71 seconds. Any jockey wishing to apply the aforementioned adage would then have used Fiery Pegasus’s time in the soft conditions as the time to aim for. Zackey led from start to finish on Confederate and the time recorded was 114,70 seconds, an almost identical time, and indeed the favourite Fire Attack was not able to catch him with his late charge.

Zackey said going down to the start had given him a lot of confidence.

He described Confederate as a huge horse, “nice and strong”, with “the most amazing action ever”, so felt he just had to be fit and ready enough to have a huge chance.

He had planned to get cover, but the horse had been overdoing it a bit down the back straight and he took the initiative to stay in front and allow him to stride out.

It will be a race in which the sectional times would be interesting to see, as the result proved he had gone at exactly the right tempo with a charging Fire Attack getting within 0,70 lengths of him at the line.

The race was fittingly a triumph for Wilgerbosdrift’s stallion Fire Away, because both Confederate and Fire Attack are by him, a Gr 1 exacta.

Trevelen Pillay was not an owner of Confederate in his previous start and was brought in to replace owners who had departed. paid out f for the u

The Chinsammy red colours with black epaulettes had triumphed in the SA Classic five years ago with the top class Joe Soma-trained Got The Greenlight, so it was fitting that the two successive Gr 1s they won on Saturday began with a Soma-trained horse, Fiery Pegasus, in the Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic.

This filly is by Captain Of All and came from midfield with a devastating burst of speed and after hitting the front at the 300m mark he stayed on well under Richard Fourie to win easily.

Fiery Pegasus cost R330,000 at the BSA National Yearling Sale, while Confederate cost R280,000 at the BSA August Sale.

Both are looking to be bargains now and are prominent in the Hollywoodbets Durban July ante-post betting, which has just come out. Fiery Pegasus is third favourite at 10/1 and Confederate is 20/1.

Confederate is a first Gr 1 winner for Fire Away and a seventh stakes winner in all.

Fiery Pegasus is a second Gr 1 winner for Captain Of All and a seventh stakes winner overall.

Captain Of All was an Equus Champion Sprinter, so it is interesting that both of his Gr 1 winners are middle distance stalwarts, the other one being the Vaughan Marshall-trained Linebacker.

In the second race of the day on Saturday, the Listed TAB Storm Bird Stakes over 1000m, the Chinsammy colours were also to the fore with the Robyn Klaasen-trained New Predator colt Charming Cheetah, who produced a strong late run under Rachel Venniker to win at odds of 66/1 and give Venniker a quick Listed double.

This is a most interesting filly as she is from one of the best families in the South African stud book, which started with the import by Anthony Kalmaonson of Varsfontein Stud of the British-bred Lucky Libra, a tall and leggy mare whose three wins included one in a hurdles race over two-and-a-half miles but who became the forerunner of a family full of speed. Her Jungle Cove daughter Enchanting became a matriarch of speed, who produced the brilliant sprinter Harry’s Charm and whose descendants included the legendary National Currency.

Charming Cheetah cost R500,000 at the BSA KZN Yearling Sale.