KwaZulu-Natal has once again experienced heavy rainfall, with Durban surpassing its annual rainfall average within just four months of 2025.

Hollywoodbets Greyville has recorded 82mm of rain over the past two days, and showers continue with more rain expected today.

Due to these conditions, Gold Circle has proactively taken a decision to move the Hollywoodbets Greyville race meeting originally scheduled for Friday, 18 April to Sunday, 20 April 2025.

Consequently, the meeting planned at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday, 20 April has been rescheduled to Wednesday, 23 April 2025. Please note that updated race times will be announced shortly.

Please note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Ffos Las and Newmarket (UK) – 16 April 2025.

Graeme Hawkins

Cape Racing presents a competitive 10-race programme at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth this afternoon, with several well filled wide-open low-grade races set to test punters to the full. The exception in terms of field size is the richest race on the programme, the sixth race, a Cape B Stakes over 1500m, for which the field has been reduced to just eight runners following the scratchings of Major Master and Future Turn. But their absence does not necessarily make the task of narrowing the list of potential winners any easier.

World of Pleasure is the early market leader at 5/2 and the 3yo son of One World trained by Vaughan Marshall is clearly talented. In his most recent outing over 1400m World Of Pleasure was narrowly denied by Captain West and Sean Veale, who rode a double at the course on Monday, retains the ride. The extra 100m is not necessarily in his favour and being drawn on the outside of the small field is also a slight negative. I prefer the chances of Big Unit whose form is solid and from a good draw the 4yo son of Master Of My Fate will have every chance of recording his third career victory for the in-form combination of Louis Mxothwa and Brett & James Crawford.

Strictly on form Mauritius Kestrel should be comfortably held by World Of Pleasure but this will be his peak run after being rested and gelded and there is definite scope for improvement. Song Of The Moon is an eye-catching 4yo son of What A Winter but the Justin Snaith inmate has shown his best form over more ground. That said, the Snaith/Yeni partnership enjoyed a fruitful day on Monday and Song Of The Moon cannot be lightly discarded. Pas De Nom is a 5-time winner but is not the most reliable around and it’s difficult to assess his chances. Innamorare also tends to be a little inconsistent while Aspect has been below par in his last two starts and World Of Pleasure may be the stable elect. Katsu has not raced since June last year due to a pastern injury and is likely to need this run.

It all adds up to being a tricky race, but I am inclined to take a punt on Big Unit with Mauritius Kestrel and World Of Pleasure his principal dangers.

The second race and opening leg of the Bipot, a Maiden Plate over 1200m, sees the return of the promising Rhydian from the Dean Kannemeyer. The 3yo son of Rafeef was placed in all four starts as a juvenile behind several talented sorts but he has not raced since June last year. Fit and well Rhydian would take a lot of beating but the market may be the best guide to his chances. Ocean Sky showed promise on debut when runner-up behind Dawn’s Early Night in a modest maiden at Hollywoodbets Durbanville last month and has clear scope for significant improvement with the benefit of that run under the belt. The 2yo Day In Day Out also showed ability on his first racetrack appearance and the form of that race has been franked.

The opening leg of the Pick 6, a Class 4 Handicap (F&M) over 1200m, has attracted a full field of 20 runners and the layers have priced up Tanneron as the 6/1 favourite. The only sure-fire way of surviving this leg would be to include the field but such a strategy immediately places the cost of the perm beyond the reach of most budgets, and I will take my chances by banking on Tanneron and hoping for the best. Tanneron was runner-up in her last two starts and has always been highly regarded by Candice Bass-Robinson. Captain’s Destiny should also go well and rates the immediate danger to Tanneron but there are others, too many to mention, with winning claims.

Lady Look Alike should be able to take full advantage of a good draw in the fifth race, a Class 5 (F&M) Handicap over 1400m. Her recent form is encouraging, and the stable is presently in fine form. Tres Chic is ideally course and distance suited and may prove a lively threat with Corne Orffer in the irons. Beer With The Boys has the heavy impost of 64 kgs to carry in the eighth race, a Cape D Stakes over 1600m, but the 4yo son of Silvano is consistent and can be expected to go well from a handy barrier position. His opposition here is largely out of form but with only 53,5 to carry for the services of apprentice Bungane, Summer Night City could be the lurker in the pack.

The ninth race, a Class 4 Handicap over 1600m, has attracted a decent field and the leading lights could be Hoodia, Unicorn Alert and King’s Quest, all of which have shown above average ability. Heal And Soul is lightly raced with plenty of upside and could be a threat from pole position while Touchdown appears to have found his best form and cannot be ignored, despite an awkward draw.

Electric Feels doesn’t know what it is to run a bad race and the 5yo mare could register her fifth career victory in the 10th race, a low-grade Cape D Stakes over 1000m. Over The Atlantic re-opposes here and is weighted to go close while Gravity and Champagne Mac could get into the scrum.

Racing gets under way at 11:55 with a Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies) over 1000m and the weather forecast is good. Whatastar and She’s My World are the chief protagonists in the opener with a slight preference for the latter.

RACE 1

2 WHATASTAR is much better than her recent run in the Cape Slipper behind Military Command, she drops back in trip now to 1000m and she gets the blinkers fitted, watch for a massive performance from this well-bred filly. 6 SHE’S MY WORLD has been rested for 81 days, she has only had two runs to date, and both those runs were really good, if she doesn’t need the run badly on Wednesday afternoon, she will be right there in the finish. 1 INSIDE VOICE finished her race off really well on debut, she was terribly green early and then stayed on strongly late behind Amen Corner, she can only improve from that performance, include her into all bets. 3 LOVE HER MADLY has been rested for 95 days, she is a lot better than her recent run behind Music Of The Night, she could easily trouble them in the finish, watch her closely. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 6 – 1 – 3)

RACE 2

9 DAY IN DAY OUT ran well on debut, he stayed on strongly to the finish just over three lengths behind Military Command, he should improve tons from that performance, include him into all bets. 5 RHYDIAN is interesting, he has been rested for a long time and he has been gelded, he has run behind some very nice horses through his career, this will be on the short side for him, but he could be very hard to beat if he doesn’t need the run badly. 12 OCEAN SKY ran a fair race on debut behind Dawn’s Early Light, it wasn’t a strong Maiden Plate, but he was green and caught the eye late, he should improve nicely from that run, include him into your play. 13 KLEIN KAROO has been rested for 67 days, on his best form, he could sneak into the places. (Brandon Bailey: 9 – 5 – 12 – 13)

RACE 3

15 SUN DAZED finished like a train last time behind Mont Loisir, he was a long way back in running and stayed on strongly for second, he has tumbled in the ratings, with the right run in transit here, he will be very competitive again. 6 TRIPPI’S SILK was very disappointing behind Tambourine Man on the 8th of March, he can be a tricky customer on his day, if the race works out for him and he gets the cover needed early, he will be dangerous in the finish. 13 TAMBOURINE MAN is in great form, his last two wins have been impressive, despite him going up in the ratings, he needs to be respected in this tricky race. 7 TRUE HORIZON is as honest as they come, she tries hard, she should be amongst the places again. (Brandon Bailey: 15 – 6 – 13 – 7)

RACE 4

4 CAPTAIN’S DESTINY has been rested for 67 days, her last two runs have been excellent, she needs some cover early and then she comes with a storming finish late, there is no doubt that she will be competitive. 11 TANNERON ran a cracking second last time behind Pilot Flame, she is in good form at the moment and must be included into all bets. 10 PILOT FLAME was given a top ride by Jockey Richard Fourie on the 8th of March at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, she fought hard all the way to the line and managed to beat Tanneron in a driving finish, even though she was given two points for that win, she must have a good winning chance again. 14 MIRACULOUS has run two very good races from wide draws in her last two starts, the yard thinks highly of this filly, the drop in trip is no problem at all, she must be respected. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 11 – 10 – 14)

RACE 5

2 LADY LOOK ALIKE has dropped in the ratings nicely, she has run some fair races in her last few starts, this looks a golden opportunity for her to get back into the winners box from a good draw, she will be very hard to beat. 11 IM THE BUZZ has dropped even further in the ratings, she ran a lovely race last time behind Mont Loisir, this doesn’t look to be a strong Class 5 event, if she can build on that last performance and get some luck in running from a wide draw, she could earn again for the connections. 12 ENGLISH MISTRESS remains a maiden, she will be switched off early from a wide draw and should be doing some good work late, she must have a good place chance in this field. 13 BRIGHT GOLD won well on the 15th of February, she is still improving and must be respected. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 11 – 12 – 13)

RACE 6

4 MAJOR MASTER has been rested and gelded, he is a lovely looking horse with tons of ability, he was beaten just over five lengths in the Grade 3 Politician Stakes on the 25th of January, the yard have always spoken highly of this individual, if he doesn’t need the run badly on Wednesday, he will go very close to winning. 2 BIG UNIT ran a great race from a wide draw last time, he should get the run of the race this time from a good draw, include him into all bet types. 10 WORLD OF PLEASURE has been in great form of late, his last run behind Captain West was good, he looks to be improving with every start, watch him closely, if he can beat the draw, he will be right there in the finish. 3 SONG TO THE MOON stayed on well from a wide draw behind his stable companion on the 25th of January, he will be stalking the speed early and running on powerfully late. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 2 – 10 – 3)

RACE 7

11 HAMPSTEAD HEATH ran a fair race in a small field on the 8th of March at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, she is a decent filly, she has dropped one point in the ratings from her last start, if she gets the luck needed on Wednesday from a wide draw, she will be competitive. 3 PENTOLINA has run two very good races in succession, she should get the perfect run in transit from a good draw, if she can keep building on her recent form, she will have a nice each way chance here. 6 POCKET DIAL finished powerfully last time behind Pilot Flame, there is no doubt she will love the step back up in trip to 1600m, she could be some value in this wide-open looking contest. 9 GOLDEN ANGEL has dropped even further in the ratings, she is a lot better than her form suggests, watch her closely at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 11 – 3 – 6 – 9)

RACE 8

13 WEHAVEASITUATION finally got it right last time, she was a long way back in running, and she absolutely took off late to win going away, now that she has the confidence, she could go on from here and win again. 2 BEER WITH THE BOYS never runs a bad race, he stayed on well for second behind My Bestie on the 26th of February, he drops in trip for this Class D stakes and he gets a good draw, if the weight doesn’t catch him out, he will be right there in the finish. 1 MOHANDAS has been rested for 70 days, he ran a much better race on the 5th of February, if he can back that performance up on Wednesday, he could certainly earn again for the connections. 5 SUMMER NIGHT CITY is much better than her recent run behind Lavender Bay, with the apprentice taking off 4kgs, she could bounce back to best. (Brandon Bailey: 13 – 2 – 1 – 5)

RACE 9

8 CHASINGTHERAINBOW absolutely flew home to win a good race on the 8th of March at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, it was the first time in his career that he was tried over some ground, he will love the extra 200m here, he is still improving, he will go very close to winning again. 5 HOODIA ran a fair race from a wide draw behind Okavango on the 5th of March, from a decent draw, he should get the perfect run with no excuses, include him into all bet types. 12 TOUCHDOWN moved up like a winner in his last start, he travelled well and just found an improving three year old too strong on the day, if he can beat the draw, he will have a good each way chance. 1 HEAL AND SOUL made up good ground from a long way back last time, he should enjoy the 1600m trip, watch him closely. (Brandon Bailey: 8 – 5 – 12 – 1)

RACE 10          

3 ELECTRIC FEELS won a super race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 22nd of March, she was given four points for that victory, she needs a particular ride, if she gets the cover early, she will be storming home late, at this level, she will always have a good winning chance. 8 COUNTRY TIME has improved nicely in her last two starts, now that she races back up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, and she gets 4kgs off her back from the apprentice, she will be right there in the finish. 7 GRAVITY stayed on well for third behind Electric Feels on the 22nd of March, the blinkers have been removed, on his best form, he could certainly remain competitive and must be respected. 12 OVER THE ATLANTIC showed massive improvement to run a good race last time, if she can back that performance up, she could win a race like this. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 8 – 7 – 12)

David Thiselton

At Turffontein Standside on Saturday the Tony Peter-trained Buffalo Storm Cody stamped himself as a Gr 2 Golden Horse Sprint contender to reckon with when putting in his second fine performance in succession.

On March 20 on Turffontein Inside the son of Buffalo Bill Cody had his first run as a gelding and after looking a picture of alertness and well being in the preliminaries he romped home by 8,25 lengths under Gavin Lerena. On Saturday he had a tougher task in the Non-Black Type Mythical Flight Sprint for three-year-olds and he knuckled down in the final stages to pull clear and win by two lengths under Lerena after being backed in to 4/10, although he was receiving 2kg from the runner up Mount Pinatubo.

The Golden Horse Sprint has been downgraded to a Gr 2 event and it has a benchmark of 52kg equals a 106 merit rating. Buffalo Storm Cody ran off a 102 merit rating on Saturday and he probably ran close to a 110, considering the spread out nature of the finish in the small field. As three-year-olds get 1,5kg in May he will carry 52,5kg in the Golden Horse as things stand, although he might have another outing before then and incur a further merit rating increase.

There was an interesting winner of the first race at Turffontein over 1160m, the Mike de Kock-trained Gimmethegreenlight filly Jingleberry, who was bred by Blue Sky Thoroughbreds and is owned by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein. 

She is out of the Western Winter mare Strawberry Line, who is a full sister to Gr 1 Cape Guineas winner Solo Travellers, and she displayed a fine turn of foot to come from off the pace to win comfortably under Gavin Lerena. 

The Lucky Houdalakis-trained Heavenly Blue gelding Royal Force put up a fine performance to win a strongly contested Graduation Plate over 1400m under Piere Strydom. He 98 rated horse carried the same weight as Aristotle, rated 113, and Grand Crescendo, rated 114, and beat them comfortably to the surprise of Houdalakis and Strydom so should pay to follow as he can only get a six point raise. 

The chief overseas action on Saturday was as  Randwick in Australia.

James Steven’s of the Racing Post wrote:

Via Sistina equalled Winx’s record of seven Group 1 victories in one season with another dominant display in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, as the British-trained Dubai Honour finished second.

Viva Sistina was a top-level winner of the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh when trained by George Boughey in Newmarket before being bought for 2,700,000gns to race in Australia after her fine second to King Of Steel in the 2023 Champion Stakes. The seven-year-old proved an instant success with victory in the Ranvet Stakes but has gone from strength to strength this campaign.

The evens favourite appeared to be short of room in a bunched field turning for home under James McDonald at Randwick yet surged into the lead when a gap finally appeared to win comfortably.

Her seven Group 1 victories include success over seven furlongs at the start of the season and takes her total career haul to £6.6 million.

Elsewhere at Randwick, the Rachel King-ridden Arapaho landed the Sydney Cup and was cut to 25-1 with Unibet for the Melbourne Cup.