Graeme Hawkins

Gimmelightning was allowed to ease in the betting market from 3/1 to an overly generous 7/1, but he struck with a powerful last-to-first charge under JP van der Merwe to take out the ninth race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth yesterday, a Class 3 Handicap over 1200m. Gimmielightning was a third winner on the day sporting the colours of Cape Racing’s Chairman Greg Bortz. War Chariot stayed on best of the balance to fill the Exacta position just ahead of Nordic Chief with the heavily supported Dumbledore rounding off the Quartet.

In the opening race, a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1000m, Love Story (16/1) showed good improvement to easily account for the well fancied Heritage Ridge (5/2) by close on a length. Heritage Ridge tried to make all the running, but Love Story quickened nicely from a few lengths back and drew clear to score comfortably. The race favourite, Call Me Jane, ran well below her debut effort and failed to make the frame.

Cavalry Commander (50/1) was a shock winner of the second race, a Maiden Plate over 1200m, holding out Victor Hugo (5/1) by a neck with Cliff Swallow (6/1) and Masterofthedesert (2/1f) not too far away in the minor placings.

Something went amiss with the Candice Bass-Robinson trained Winter Gamble and she was not persevered with in the third race, an Open Maiden (F&M) over 1200m, leaving the way clear for Frida Kahlo (3/1) to run out a facile winner over Little Lexi. But Bass-Robinson enjoyed a welcome change of fortune in the fourth race, a Maiden Plate over 1400m, as King’s Quest (18/10 into 5/10) landed the gamble under a very confident ride by Aldo Domeyer. This was his first run as a gelding and the 3yo son of Querari looks set to make his mark in higher grades.

Gentleman Joe (33/1) had not won for just about a year, but he bounced back to best form and took out the fifth race, a Class 4 Handicap over 1600m, to continue the good form of the Andre Nel and Corne Orffer partnership. Touchdown looked the likely winner approaching the final 200m, but Gentlemen Joe showed plenty of resolution and got up in the shadow of the post to deny Vaughan Marshall’s runner.

Only half-a-length covered the first three past the post in the sixth race, a Cape C Stakes (F&M) over 1800m, with Lady Springfield (9/4) just getting home ahead of My Only Weakness and Among The Clouds to give Justin Snaith and Richard Fourie their second winner of the day. Snaith followed up in the seventh race, a Cape B Stakes (F&M) over 1200m, when the well-backed Siddeley (2/1f) led from pillar-to-post under Grant Van Niekerk to score a bloodless victory over Kyalami Girl.

Nel and Orffer struck for a second time when recently gelded O’Tenikwa showed good pace throughout and was never headed in the eighth race, a Class 4 Handicap over 1200m. Let It Be Said ran on strongly over the final 200m to finish a clear second, but without ever threatening the winner.

Andrew Harrison

The handicappers may still not have caught up with Connery who goes for his fifth win on the bounce in the MR 90 Handicap that heads the turf card at Hollywoodbets Greyville today.

Glen Kotzen and his KZN assistant John Buckler have made clever use of apprentice riders as their charge has crept up the ratings and only got a five-point raise in the handicap for his last comfortable win. Four-claiming apprentice Jacey Botes is back aboard to negate some of the rating increase so, fit and well, five is on the cards. 

Mike Miller has given many of his string a break from the rigors of last season and Fine One is sure to have been  in need of his last run behind Jet Legacy. It was his first run back since April and he had a tough draw to contend with. He is 1.5kg better off with recent winner Jet Legacy who won well enough last time out but both Peter Muscutt’s runners, Cold Shine, and B Fiftytwo are better off in the weights while Twenty One May was only run out of it late over course and distance last start and although up in class Duncan Howells’s runner takes the corresponding drop in the weights. 

One Armed Bandit and Grand Appeal look to be the principal contenders in the first. Paul Lafferty’s runner One Armed Bandit shows some promise and his best effort has been over course and distance. He has been gelded and should have a big chance in this line-up. Grand Appeal made good improvement over course and distance last time out in a fairly competitive field. He started at long odds that day. Ragnar The King and The Wolf make some appeal.

Who Blinked could be the best bet on the card and a banker in the first leg of the PA as MJ Odendaal’s colt has shown up well in two starts to date. Marco van Rensburg has jumped ship from Kola Tonic who also has claims so the inference is obvious. Good Living has a tricky draw to contend with but has been consistent and should put in another good showing while The Golden Goal  has shown consistent form in blinkers. He gets a more experienced rider up with an allowance and the best of the draw. 

The opening leg of the Pick 6 is a competitive maiden with many in with chances. Amafort came close to causing a major boil-over for Michael Roberts at just her second start when switched to the poly. She gets the benefit of Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance this time around and can go one better from the best of the draw. There should be very little between Sonata Samaritan Predator’s Surprise and Jeanne Darc  who all met last time out with not much separating them. Jeanne Darc led the trio home on debut and she did find some market support. With natural improvement she could prove the pick. Sonata Samaritan made good improvement at her second outing and was only a length back to Jeanne Darc and could be next best.

Louis Goosen could hold the key in the fourth with Mask On. The five-year-old is course and distance suited and takes a big drop in class as well as a two-point drop in the ratings. He looks primed for this event. Alyson Wright’s charge Rhythm has been knocking on the door for some time now. His last two starts have been on the poly but he should put in another big effort in this line-up. She also saddles El Draque who is always game and should be there abouts while Cotton Ron has only managed one win in 40 starts but does only have 50kg to shoulder and he’s never far behind. 

Roberts saddles Ladyofdestinction in the sixth. His filly has improved with every start, shedding her maiden at cramped odds at only her third outing. She steps up another furlong which should suit given her pedigree and she can follow up. Spring Kiss is never far off and although most of her recent form has been on the poly she is at home on the turf. She had drawn well and should be competitive. Duncan Howells sends out West Side Story who surprised when shedding her maiden over a sprint. She took on a useful field in her handicap debut over the same distance and the step up in trip from pole position could bring out the best. 

The seventh is a wide open handicap but Positive Attitude has come good since joining Dennis Bosch and took on a strong Pinnacle Stakes field last time out that included Betway Summer Cup hopeful Cape Eagle. Trois Quatre was up staged by outsider Etiquette when last they met and is now better off in the handicap which should see Mike de Kock’s runner turn the tables. Ninety Nine Heros has his third run after a break and is back down to a more competitive handicap mark. French Trip is up in class but at the bottom of the weights. He was a beaten favourite at his last two and can make amends. 

The last is another tricky maiden but Silver Platter has shown improvement since arriving in KZN and looks primed for this. Richardthefearless tried hard when outpaced late when trying a mile for the first time. He is a lightly raced four-year-old that is just coming into his own and this extended trip should suit. Firelighter has not been far back at recent outings. He too steps up in trip but should be competitive in modest company. Mr Fixit is lightly raced and improved with each outing. He has been friendless in the betting to date but should improve in this line-up. 

RACE 1

Summary: ONE ARMED BANDIT (8) shows some promise. His best effort has been over course and distance and he should have a big chance in this line-up. GRAND APPEAL (4) made good improvement over course and distance last time out in a fairly competitive field. He started at long odds that day. RAGNAR THE KING (3) improved second time out and should come on from that showing. THE WOLF (2) raced green in a fair debut. He should come on from that run and is one to watch in the market. (Andrew Harrison: 8-4-3-2).

RACE 2

Summary: WHO BLINKED (4) has shown up well in two starts to date. Marco van Rensburg has jumped ship from KOLA TONIC (2) who also has claims so the inference is obvious. GOOD LIVING (10) has a tricky draw to contend with but has been consistent and should put in another good showing. THE GOLDEN GOAL (1) has shown consistent form in blinkers. He gets a more experienced rider up with an allowance and the best of the draw. (Andrew Harrison: 4-2-10-1).

RACE 3

Summary: Competitive maiden with many in with chances. AMAFORT (1) came close to causing a major boil-up at just her second start when switched to the poly. She gets the benefit of Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance this time around and can go one better from the best of the draw. There should be very little between SONATA SAMARITAN (5), PREDATOR’S SURPRISE (8) and JEANNE DARC (9) who all met last time out with not much separating them. JEANNE DARC (9) led the trio home on debut and she did find some market support. With natural improvement she could prove the pick. Sonata Samaritan made good improvement at her second outing and was only a length back to Jeanne Darc. (Andrew Harrison: 1-9-5-8).

RACE 4

Summary: MASK ON (5) is course and distance suited and takes a big drop in class as well as a two-point drop in the ratings. He looks primed for this event. RHYTHM (6) has been knocking on the door for some time now. His last two starts have been on the poly but he should put in another big effort in this line-up. EL DRAQUE (2) is always game and should be there abouts while COTTON RON (1) has only managed one win in 40 starts but does only have 50kg to shoulder and he’s never far behind. (Andrew Harrison: 5-6-2-1).

RACE 5

Summary: The handicappers may still not have caught up with CONNERY (4) who goes for his fifth win on the bounce. He got a five-point raise in the handicap for his last comfortable win and now has four-claiming apprentice Jacey Botes back aboard to negate some of the rating increase. Fit and well, five is on the cards. FINE ONE (2) will have needed his last run behind Jet Legacy. It was his first run back since April and he had the tough draw to contend with. He is 1.5kg better off with JET LEGACY (3) who won well enough last time out but both Peter Muscutt’s runners, COLD SHINE (6) and B FIFTYTWO (10) are better off in the weights while TWENTY ONE MAY (7) was only run out of it late over course and distance last start and although up in class he takes the corresponding drop in the weights. (Andrew Harrison: 4-2-6-7).

RACE 6

Summary: LADYOFDISTINCTION (7) has improved with every start, shedding her maiden at cramped odds at only her third outing. She steps up another furlong which should suit and she can follow up. SPRING KISS (2) is never far off and although most of her recent form has been on the poly she is at home on the turf. She had drawn well and should be competitive. HODGEPODGE (10) has the widest draw but has put in two smart efforts over course and distance. She also looks progressive and should feature prominently. WEST SIDE STORY (1) surprised when shedding her maiden over a sprint. She took on a useful field in her handicap debut over the same distance and the step up in trip from pole position could bring out the best. (Andrew Harrison: 7-2-10-1).

RACE 7

Summary: Wide open handicap. TROIS TROIS QUATRE (2) was up staged by outsider Etiquette when last they met and is now better off in the handicap which should see the tables turned. POSITIVE ATTITUDE (7) has come good since joining Dennis Bosch and took on a strong Pinnacle Stakes field last time out that included Betway Summer Cup hopeful Cape Eagle. NINETY NINE HEROS (8) has his third run after a break and is back down to a more competitive handicap mark. FRENCH TRIP (3) is up in class but at the bottom of the weights. He was a beaten favourite at his last two and can make amends. (Andrew Harrison: 7-2-8-3).

RACE 8

Summary: SILVER PLATTER (6) has shown improvement since arriving in KZN and looks primed for this. RICHARDTHEFEARLESS (2) tried hard when outpaced late when trying a mile for the first time. He is a lightly raced four-year-old that is just coming into his own and this extended trip should suit. FIRELIGHTER (5) has not been far back at recent outings. He too steps up in trip but should be competitive in modest company. MR FIXIT (1) is lightly raced and improved with each outing. He has been friendless in the betting to date but should improve in this line-up. (Andrew Harrison: 6-2-5-1).

Soccer13, Wednesday, 27 November 2024, C/Over R3 535 568, Pool Closes at 21h00, Sport 11 and Pool 1, Estimated Jackpot R6 Million all 13 correct.

David Thiselton

The annual debate on how good the three-year-old crop is and how the best of them compare to the best of the past starts intensifying around now, but after One Stripe’s impressive performance in the Gr 2 Punters Cup over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday the signs are good.

Luck plays a big part in horseracing and only the really good ones can extract themselves from bad luck in running.

The way the Vaughan Marshall-trained colt finished his race off on Saturday, somebody who had just tuned in would have believed he must have had the run of the race.

However, that was far from the truth and in fact he raced without cover throughout.

He jumped from draw five and as his stablemate All Out For Six ensured a good pace out in front Gavin Lerena found himself one out and one back with no cover.

This would have been a concern for some, but Marshall would likely not have been one of them as he would have remembered One Stripe’s father One World enjoying being in front and always finding a good kick.

Gavin Lerena is a top professional and was not concerned either as he did not waste any time and energy looking for cover but accepted his fate and allowed One Stripe to settle into a rhythm.

One Stripe still had a lot to do at the top of the straight to catch All Out For Six, who is also by One World.

By the 300m mark he had crept up but time was running out.

However, nobody needed have worried as he then took off and caught his stablemate readily and won easing up 1,75 lengths.

His time was only 0,31 seconds slower than Double Grand Slam’s time earlier in the Summer Bowl. Double Grand Slam was admittedly carrying 62kg, 2kg more than One Stripe, but she is a year older and is not only the probable best older female in the country but was in a highly competitive field of nine. One Stripe was in a decent field of five, but none of them were proven top class in the same vein as the like of Red Palace and Rascova that Double Grand Slam was up against, so there is the feeling that One Stripe can lift his game. 

However, nobody is getting carried away.

Renowned racing analyst of vast experience, Karel Miedema, only gave One Stripe an ability rating of 101 for the performance. He gave him a higher rating of 103 for his previous start when giving the year older Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner Snow Pilot 1kg and losing by only a length. Snow Pilot went on to prove that to be a fine performance by One Stripe because in his next start he won in dominating style and looks to have improved as a four-year-old.

One World’s progeny ran first, second and fourth in the Punters Cup and he had the first three home in the other stakes race at the meeting, the Listed WSB Sophomore Sprint, with the Marshall-trained Lion Rampart, the Candice Bass-Robinson-trained Kai Boy and the Greg Ennion-trained Miss World.

A One World also won a class 4 event on the day to give Marshall and One World a treble together on the day.

Drakenstein Stud bred both One Stripe and All Out For Six and they bred World Of Pleasure too.

Marshall-trained One World’s father Captain Al, whom nobody expected to become a champion sire.

One World has also outstripped expectations and is rapidly becoming a sire phenomenon.

He smashed his father’s freshman sire record of number of winners and equalled his father’s overall record for number of winning two-year-olds in a season. He could have done even better if there had not been so much rain in the Cape at the end of last season.

One World’ progeny are now training on to be fine three-year-olds.

The great Vincent O’Brien made a prediction that was to set up Coolmore as the best stud operation in the world. He predicted great things as a stallion for Northern Dancer and his theory was a horse cannot pass on freakiness but can pass on courage. Northern Dancer’s courage was emphasised by the fact that his Kentucky Derby win, like many of his other wins, was by a narrow margin. He was also a small horse. What he lacked in size he made up for with heart. O’Briens predictions were correct as Northern Dancer became the most important thoroughbred sire of the 20^th century and saturates the breed today. He and his descendants have also helped Coolmore become possibly the best breeding operation in thoroughbred history. 

Captain Al won the Cape Guineas from draw 16 of 16, despite being a sprint-miler type, and One World was able to keep the opposition at bay time and time again after leading or being handy.

They both clearly possessed courage and it is being passed on.  

One Stripe’s next step is to prove himself better than the best from the Highveld and KZN.

This year’s Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas is thus full on interest with the like of Heather’s Boy, Greaterix, Fire Attack, Bjorn Ironside, The Specialist and Artist’s Model still among the out of province entries who are standing their ground.