Graeme Hawkins

Champion trainer, Justin Snaith, landed five consecutive victories over the 8-race programme at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth yesterday, including a few long-shots which boosted the exotic-bet dividends. The ball started rolling in the second race, won by Express Yourself, and concluded with Jet To The Sun’s rampant victory in the sixth race. Three of Snaith’s winners were ridden by JP van der Merwe with Richard Fourie and Craig Zackey picking up one apiece for the Futura Park-based team.

Sean Veale partnered the Candice Bass-Robinson-trained Maneki Neko for the first time and the combination teamed up to win the opening event, a Maiden Plate over 1000m, in dominant fashion. Maneki Neko was having his fifteenth start in the maiden ranks, but he put his act together in fine style and ran the opposition ragged. The odds-on favourite Flying Finley did enough for Bipot players, hanging on to second spot ahead of the fast-finishing newcomer Klein Karoo, who could progress nicely from this eye-catching debut.

English Mistress was a very late scratching from the second race, an Open Maiden over 2000m, and unfortunately for her supporters the substitute tote favourite Asinantanga failed to raise any sort of gallop and trailed in a long way back. Express Yourself was friendless in the market, drifting from 9/4 to 5/1, but Richard Fourie produced the Snaith-trained 3yo son of Trippi with a sustained run from off the pace to win full of running going away. Stable companion, Ahead Of The Facts, showed good improvement to finish second ahead of the long-time leader, Double Dash.

Groovejet appeared one of the better bets on a competitive 8-race programme and the 4yo son of Silvano took out the opening leg of the Pick 6 with a minimum of fuss. Confidently ridden by JP van der Merwe, Groovejet (9/10) assumed command of this 2000m event approaching the final 200m and drew clear to beat fellow Snaith inmate Kwite A King by more than a length.

Snaith completed an early hattrick when one of the yard’s sentimental favourites, Rule Of Thumb, came through at the death to win the fourth race, a Class 4 Handicap over 1600m. Zeitz appeared to have made a winning move halfway up the home stretch, but Rule Of Thumb (12/1) and Hoodia (7/1) were unwinding from the back half of the field and Rule Of Thumb just got up to deny Hoodia, Zeitz and Kebonalesedi in a blanket finish. Air Raid was a huge disappointment as he failed to quicken at any stage and could only finish a well beaten seventh.

There was no stopping the Snaith conveyer belt with the very well related Regulation (20/1) flying up late to win the fifth race, a Class 4 Handicap over 1600m. Empire State (18/10) was sent out a solid favourite but found no extra when Craig Zackey produced Regulation with a strong late burst which carried the three-parts brother “July” winner, Belgarion, to a two length victory.

The Champion trainer’s five-timer was completed by the ultra-consistent Jet To The Sun (5/1) who stormed home many lengths ahead of Kamchatka to win the sixth race, a Class 4 Handicap (F&M) over 1600m. Sporting the famous colours of the Jaffee family, JP van der Merwe was always well placed to have a strike at the leaders and the 4yo daughter of What A Winter responded well to put up a career-best performance.

JP rode his fourth winner of the afternoon in the seventh race, a Class 5 Handicap over 1200m, steering the Adam Marcus-trained True Horizon (14/1) to her maiden victory. Tambourine took up the running approaching the final 200m but was quickly tackled by Prince of Tibet. In the meantime, True Horizon was making steady progress from near the tail of the field, and she dug down deep over the final 100m to edge out Prince Of Tibet by under half-a-length.

Candice Bass-Robinson opened the meeting with Maneki Neko and closed the meeting with Kyalami Girl, who stretched clear of a decent field to land top honours in the finale, a Cape B Stakes (F&M) over 1100m. Artiste moved up well at the 200m pole but Kyalami Girl was in full cry and forged ahead to win comfortably with First Masterpiece running on strongly to relegate Artiste into third.

R1

9 SPIRITO SELVAGGIO 1 KING OF QUEEN 3 SPY STORY 6 BLUE CRYSTAL

Preview: 9 SPIRITO SELVAGGIO has faced two good sorts without being disgraced and would not be a surprise winner here. 1 KING OF QUEEN is knocking on the door and is drawn in the middle over a suitable trip. 3 SPY STORY has a fair opportunity here over a suitable trip in an uninspiring field. 6 BLUE CRYSTAL has run two fair races and could earn. (9-1-3-6)

R2     

5 MOUNTAIN HIGH 1 KALIKAA 8 LUNAR RAINBOW 7 JILTED

Preview: 5 MOUNTAIN HIGH is always thereabouts and will enjoy the trip from a good draw. 1 KALIKAA could earn if reproducing her best. 8 LUNAR RAINBOW has fair form in the context of this race. 7 JILTED would be capable of going close if settling and producing her best. (5-1-8-7)

R3     

6 QUEEN OF LOVE 2 HAPPY MO 4 DOITWITHDIAMONDS 5 ELEMBEE

Preview: 6 QUEEN OF LOVE has some fine formlines and is the one to beat from pole position. 2 HAPPY MO goes for a hattrick but has to overcome a four point raise. 4 DOITWITHDIAMONDS is in fine form and should be in the shake up from a good draw. 5 ELEMBEE is capable of being involved here if able to overcome a wide draw. (6-2-4-5) 

R4

2 TRIED AND TRUE 8 PRETTY ANALIA 4 MOCHA MACAROON 5 PLAY WITH FIRE      

Preview: 2 TRIED AND TRUE has notable resolve and has a better draw than last time over this suitable course and distance. 8 PRETTY ANALIA should be finishing as strongly as usual. 4 MOCHA MACAROON bounced back to win a competitive maiden over 1600m. 5 PLAY WITH FIRE is capable of producing a good finish. (2-8-4-5) 

R5     

5 PEACE TREATY 4 ORANGE COUNTY 1 PRINCEOFGREEN 8 WHISPERS OF WAR

Preview: 5 PEACE TREATY is capable of a strong finish and should enjoy the 1600m trip. 4 ORANGE COUNTY won well second time out and can be in the shake up. 1 PRINCEOFGREEN is knocking on the door and has a chance. 8 WHISPERS OF WAR has shown enough to be able to earn here. (5-4-1-8)

R6     

5 FLAG BEARER 4 BLACK LIGHTNING 3 SILENT TRIGGER 9 CARNELO

Preview: 5 FLAG BEARER is a resolute galloper who is knocking on the door and over a suitable trip here has a good draw with Strydom up. 4 BLACK LIGHTNING went close over 1700m last time but has a wide draw to overcome. 3 SILENT TRIGGER has been thereabouts in last two over this trip category but also has a wide draw. 9 CARNELO went close over 1450mn on seasonal reappearance and has done well over this trip before. (5-4-3-9)

R7 

7 BACCHUS 8 BIRTHRIGHT 10 WILD INTENT 5 MAJESTIC PALACE

Preview: 7 BACCHUS is full of class and can follow up on his last win. 8 BIRTHRIGHT is a big horse who is coming onto his own. 10 WILD INTENT is promising and gets some weight from Bacchus. 5 MAJESTIC PALACE won his first try at this trip but hasn’t raced since July. (7-8-10-5)

R8     

2 BOB’S YOUR UNCLE 5 COMING IN HOT 8 MONTANA LIGHTS 1 ROLLWITHTHEPUNCHES 

Preview: 2 BOB’S YOUR UNCLE has been consistent over this trip and has a chance. 5 COMING IN HOT is capable of a strong finish over this trip. 8 MONTANA LIGHTS won easily over this trip in the maidens and has a reasonable opening mark of 81. 1 ROLLWITHTHEPUNCHES is quick and has been thereabouts off this merit rating over this trip. (2-5-8-1)

RUGBY 8 WIN MARGIN on Friday, 20th December 2024, C/Over R 44 374
, Pool Closes at 21h35

Soccer10 on Friday, 20th December 2024, ADD-IN R 200 000, Pool Closes at 21h30, Sport 16 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R2 Million

Soccer4 on Saturday, 21st December 2024, ADD-IN R 25 000, Pool Closes at 17h00, Sport 19 and Pool 2, Estimated Pool: R 100 000

Soccer6 on Saturday, 21st December 2024, ADD-IN R 100 000, Pool Closes at 17h00, Sport 5 and Pool 2, Estimated Pool: R 500 000

Soccer10 on Saturday, 21st December 2024, ADD-IN R 200 000, Pool Closes at 16h00, Sport 7 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R 2 Million

Soccer13 on Saturday, 21st December 2024, Pool Closes at 16h15, Sport1 and Pool 1, One Winner Guaranteed Jackpot: R 16 Million (if only one 13 of 13 Winner)

Soccer ANY 13Xtra on Saturday, 21st December 2024, C/Over R 250 000, Pool Closes at 14h30, Sport 13 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R 750 000

Soccer4 on Sunday, 22nd December 2024, ADD-IN R 25 000, Pool Closes at 16h00, Sport 17 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R 100 000

Graeme Hawkins

Veteran trainer Vaughan Marshall reeled in a record-equalling sixth career Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas victory at a festive Kenilworth racetrack on Saturday when One Stripe stormed home under the stand side rail to beat Eight On Eighteen by more than a length. One Stripe delivered heavily invested owner Rikesh Sewgoolam his maiden Grade 1 success and for jockey Gavin Lerena his first Guineas trophy, but for Champion breeders, Drakenstein Stud, it was “business-as-usual” as the first three past the post were all bred and raised at their magnificent Franschhoek-based operation.

While comfortable in the end, One Stripes’ fans had to endure a few anxious moments. Stable companion All Out For Six set a brisk gallop followed by O’Tenikwa, Heather’s Boy and Great Plains with One Stripe in a good position heading into the turn. Midway round the bend One Stripe appeared to lose a few positions, but supercool Lerena never panicked and allowed the son of One World to find his feet once heads were turned for home.

At the 400m pole the front-runners began to feel the pinch. One Stripe was poised to strike and Eight On Eighteen was beginning to make serious inroads from near the back of the field. With Richard Fourie in full cry on Snaith’s Eight On Eighteen towards the inside, and One Stripe gathering momentum while shifting ground to the outside, it was initially not easy to gauge who held the upper hand, but approaching the final 150m it was clear that One Stripe was not going to be denied, and he drew clear to score emphatically.

One Stripe was initially purchased by Grant Knowles for a “mere” R100 000 at BSA’s August 2yo Sale last year and was sent to Julia Pilbeam’s Soetendal Estate to be prepared for Cape Racing Sales’ 2023 November Ready-to-Run Sale. Knowles loves to speculate in the Sales’ market and has done so with great success over many years. But not even he could have expected a R100 000 purchase in August to realise R1,4-million just a few months later. One Stripe put up a spectacular gallop – later described by Marshall as the most impressive he had ever seen at similar sales – and the active buyers’ bench responded accordingly, with Marshall having the final say. And the rest, as they say, is history!

I asked Knowles what it was about One Stripe that grabbed his attention at the August Sale. “He was very correct, walked really well, appeared very athletic with a commanding presence.” Nothing’s changed as all those attributes were on full display in the parade ring on Saturday. One Stripe has now won five of his seven starts and has banked nearly R2,4-million in prize money but, given the history of the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas being a stallion-producing race, Rikesh Sewgoolam has so much more to look forward to.

If all goes according to plan between now and then, the Nick Jonsson-owned Eight On Eighteen will be a tough nut to crack in the Splashout Cape Derby (Gr1) over 2000m in February. The 3yo son of Lancaster Bomber is clearly very progressive and the Derby trip should not be an issue for Eight On Eighteen. His next engagement could be the 1800m Politician Stakes (Gr3) in January, the traditional Derby trial here in the Western Cape.

Great Plains stayed on well from a handy position to finish a creditable third, with rank outsider O’Tenikwa a remote fourth. Mike de Kock’s Heather’s Boy, unbeaten from three starts coming into Saturday’s Guineas, was found wanting over the final 400m but did enough to grab a minor share of the R2-million purse.

The R350 000 Ridgemont Peninsula Handicap (Gr3) over 1800m produced a shock result as the enigmatic and completely unpredictable The Futurist (66/1) led just about from pillar to post under Anthony Andrews. The chasing pack were closing in fast over the final 100m, but the winning post came just in time for The Futurist who held on gamely to beat Otto Luyken and the winner’s well backed stable companion, Infrared, in a blanket finish.

The R225 000 Splashout Victress Stakes (Gr3) over 1800m turned into something of a farce. On a day when most races were run inside of standard time, the Victress was “run” at a pedestrian pace, some three seconds (15 lengths) outside of the average and nearly five seconds (25 lengths) slower than the Peninsula Handicap. Rainbow Lorikeet took full advantage and scored for Aldo Domeyer and Candice Bass-Robinson by the best part of a length over Knockout and Time For Love. The favourite Saartjie cast a shoe during the race and was never a factor, finishing last of the five runners.

Domeyer and Bass-Robinson were also successful with From A Distance in the third race, a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1200m, and Kaiboy in the sixth race, a Class 3 Handicap over 1200m. Kaiboy was most impressive and the 3yo son of One World looks to be a smart sprinter in the making. From A Distance won readily at the expense Englefield Green and in his post-race interview, Domeyer suggested the daughter of Querari could be even better over slightly further.

Parental Guidance, a half-brother to last season’s Grade 1-winning Proceed, scored an impressive debut victory under Richard Fourie for the Paul Reeves stable in the R250 000 Commonwealth Plate for juveniles over 1000m, which got proceedings at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth under way. The 2yo son of Querari was largely ignored in the market but he stormed home in quick time and is one for the notebook.

The second race, the R200 000 Coronation Plate for 2yo fillies, was won by the Snaith-trained Wild Wild Green who came from a little way off the pace to get the better of Whatastar by a length. Wild Wild Green is a half-sister to Sheela who was trained to Graded-stakes success by the Azzie team on the Highveld.

ONE IRISH ROVER, with Damyan Pillay up, wins the Open A TabGold Account – 031 314 1874 MR 68 Handicap for trainer M J Odendaal at Hollywoodbets Scottsville yesterday.

Picture: Gold Circle/Candiese Lenferna