Andrew Harrison

The race provides a last gasp opportunity for horses to book their place in the lucrative Gr1 Betway Summer Cup.

Main Defender is under a cloud at present but gets a chance to redeem himself in the Gr 3 Betway Victory Moon Stakes over 1800m at Turffontein Standside on Saturday, while Greeting My Master has his acid test and will attempt to retain the Victory Moon trophy for the Alec Laird yard, who won it last year with Atticus Finch.

Atticus Finch is in the line-up again and is currently 12 on the Cup log. He has been winless since this race last season but has been in good form of late and can follow up. One person who will be rooting for Atticus Finch will be Andre Nel who has Cape Eagle nominated. Cape Eagle is not among the 20 preferred Cup runners but beat Atticus Finch in the July consolation, the Splash Out 2200. Cape Eagle runs in a Pinnacle Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday and assistant Byron Forster, while hopeful, says there are no races on the horizon for his charge who it fit and well and takes his chance rather than stand in his box for the next few months. 

The Victory Moon will give Main Defender a chance to prove he stays a middle distance ahead of the Cup over 2000m.

David Thiselton dissected the weights.

Dual Gr 1 winner Purple Pitcher has his second run after a layoff and carries joint topweight of 62kg together with Main Defender.

However, with a benchmark of 119 plus penalties and allowances in the merit-rated band conditions event, the 129 merit rated Main Defender is officially 3kg well in with the 123-rated Purple Pitcher and he has drawn well in five.

However, Purple Pitcher finished a fine 2,40 length third in the Gr 1 HKJC Champions Cup at Hollywoodbets Greyville on the last Saturday of last season when last going over this trip. He was also the winner of the Gr 1 TAB SA Classic over this course and distance, so is a definite contender from a plum draw of two under Kabelo Matsunyane. It will be the New Predator colt’s second run of the season having run unplaced over the too sharp 1450m of the Betway Jo’Burg Spring Challenge.

The official best weighted runner is the Gr 2 Wilgerbosdrift Bridget Oppenheimer SA Oaks runner up My Soul Mate.

She is half-a-kilogram better off than Johnny Hero, whose 108 merit rating coincides with the top of the 51kg band.

Aragosta is next best in, 1kg out with My Soul Mate.

Main Defender and Future Pearl as well as last year’s Victory Moon winner Atticus Finch are all 1,5kg under sufferance with My Soul Mate according to official merit ratings.

However, probably the most interesting runner in the field is the up and coming Greeting My Master.

He is the only other horse who is as little as 1,5kg out with the best weighted My Soul Mate and carrying just 51kg he will be fancied by many, especially from a decent draw of six.

The classy Pure Predator would have come on from his sprint comeback and he is just 2,5kg under sufferance with My Soul Mate and receives 4kg from Purple Pitcher, who beat him by two lengths in the SA Classic over course and distance.

However, Pure Predator has drawn wide in 12.

Race 1: 

8 COSMIC QUEEN      7 PRETTY PRECIOUS      4 ALESIAN BEAU      6 GUN BARREL 

Preview: COSMIC QUEEN (8) finished second on debut and should rate difficult to beat. PRETTY PRECIOUS (7) has placed five from seven and has, again, a bright place chance. ALESIAN BEAU (4) has scope to build on okay debut and GUN BARREL (6) could do well first time at the races. (Warren Lenferna 8-7-4-6) 

Race 2: 

7 OBSIDIAN      2 ONE MORE STAR       8 PIONEER SQUARE      9 THE ULTIMATE KING 

Preview: OBSIDIAN (7) improved at the second run and with more improvement likely, can win. ONE MORE STAR (2) is showing some ability and gets the services of inform Striker Strydom – big runner. PIONEER SQUARE (8) has strong each way claims and THE ULTIMATE KING (9) might be good enough to place on debut. (Warren Lenferna 7-2-8-9) 

Race 3: 

3 GLAMOROUS LADY      7 ONO NO KOMACHI      9 TUSCAN STAR      5 LADY SABRINA 

Preview: With all the seconds that GLAMOROUS LADY (3) has been running, she now looks cherry ripe for the win. ONO NO KOMACHI (7) caught the eye last time when improving to run third and can get much closer now. TUSCAN STAR (9) is one for the shortlist and LADY SABRINA (5) has scope to improve. (Warren Lenferna 3-7-9-5) 

Race 4: 

2 GREATERIX       4 WAHEED      6 DESTINY OF FIRE      1 GUY GIBSON 

Preview: GREATERIX (2) has won the last two most impressively and is confidently selected to reel off the hat trick – banker. WAHEED (4) posted a pleasing effort last time and seems on the right track – big chance. DESTINY OF FIRE (6) and GUY GIBSON (1) have the form to be very competitive. Quartet musts. (Warren Lenferna 2-4-6-1) 

Race 5: 

1 DYCE      2 WILLIAM ROBERTSON      7 MOUNT PINATUBO      5 WINTER GREETING 

Preview: DYCE (1) is a champion sprinter and should win. WILLIAM ROBERTSON (2) bounced right back to winning ways last time and he should give another huge effort. MOUNT PINATUBO (7) and WINTER GREETING (5) might be the best of the rest and can earn. (Warren Lenferna 1-2-7-5) 

Race 6: 

6 ALMOND SEA      1 TIME FO ORCHIDS      2 ICE STAR      7 CAPTAIN’S CHRISTY 

Preview: ALMOND SEA (6) can fly, she is very speedy and is selected to make a winning return. TIME FO ORCHIDS (1) can certainly provide plenty cheek all the way home and is obviously a must for everything. ICE STAR (2) won well last time and should give another good account of herself and CAPTAIN’S CHRISTY (7) could be the value for the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 6-1-2-7) 

Race 7: 

1 MAIN DEFENDER      13 HOME OF THE BRAVE      12 GREETING MY MASTER     14 THUNEE PLAYER 

Preview: MAIN DEFENDER (1) will bounce right back to very best one of these days and today is selected to be that day! HOME OF THE BRAVE (13) boasts solid form and has strong each way claims. GREETING MY MASTER (12) won well last time and must be respected again. THUNEE PLAYER (14) is the value selection for the places. (Warren Lenferna 1-13-12-14) 

Race 8: 

5 IMPERIAL MASTER     6 WHAFEEF      7 COMMAND PILOT      1 NEBRAAS 

Preview: IMPERIAL MASTER (5) boasts consistent form and can be given strong each way claims. WHAFEEF (6) is never too far off the action and can make a race of it – value choice. COMMAND PILOT (7) can give plenty cheek at the finish and is a must for all bets and NEBRAAS (1) “they might lose their form but they never lose their ability” – respect and include. (Warren Lenferna 5-6-7-1) 

Race 9: 

6 MISS HANNIGAN       7 IN THE BEGINNING      1 BEATING WINGS      3 GIMME A SHOT 

Preview: MISS HANNIGAN (6) is a talented filly; the form is there for all to see. She is a four-time winner and is selected to be a five-time winner after this! IN THE BEGINNING (7) went very close to getting it all right last time and if going one more today, would be no shock at all. Bright chance. BEATING WINGS (1) and GIMME A SHOT (3) are definite inclusions in the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 6-7-1-3) 

Race 10: 

1 CHIEFTAIN      7 GAELIC DANCER       3 KING OF VENUS      2 LOVEGRASS 

Preview: CHIEFTAIN (1) ran an absolute cracker last time, has good overall form thus far and is the firm first choice. GAELIC DANCER (7) was nearly a winner last time and will be looking to make amends, and can. Big runner. KING OF VENUS (3) has a strong place chance and LOVEGRASS (2) can do way better than she has been recently – respect and include. (Warren Lenferna 1-7-3-2)       

Graeme Hawkins

The R450 000 Western Cape Fillies Championship (Gr2) for three-year-old fillies over 1400m heads a well-filled 10-race programme at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth today with the first event, a Maiden Plate over 1600m, due off at 12:00.

Gimmie’s Countess, an impressive winner of the Diana Stakes (Gr3) at the end of September, lines up in tomorrow’s headliner and will be a popular choice to follow up, but the barrier draw has not been kind to the Dean Kannemeyer-trained daughter of Gimmethegreenlight. Gimmie’s Countess will jump out of Gate 12, the widest of all, and its likely that Craig Zackey, sporting the familiar Black and Yellow silks of Lady Laidlaw’s Khaya Stables, will opt to ride her patiently from a little way off the early speed. The Winter course at Kenilworth has a short home stretch but Gimmie’s Countess possesses a fine turn of acceleration which could carry her to victory.

Symphony In White is a classy filly and is much better drawn than Gimmie’s Countess. She steps up to 1400m for the first time in her career but being out of Snowdance, former winner of the 1600m Majorca Stakes (Gr1), Symphony In White should have no issues with seeing out the trip. From Gate 3, she should get the run of the race and is expected to make a bold bid for top honours.

Whistle The Tune won the Devon Air Stakes (Listed) as a juvenile and was somewhat unlucky in the Golden Slipper (Gr2) on July Day when finishing fifth behind Quid Pro Quo despite having to be checked at a crucial stage of the race. Nevertheless, Whistle The Tune finished a neck in front of Gimmie’s Countess and that brings the Glen Kotzen-trained daughter of Captain Of All bang into the reckoning. Unlike Gimmie’s Countess and Symphony In White, Whistle The Tune has not had the benefit of a recent run but is reported to have galloped well at home.

Kinda Wonderful won the Irridescence Stakes (Listed) in June beating Dixieland Band, who reopposes here, by a comfortable margin. She had a pipe opener over 1250m at Durbanville six weeks ago and will strip a much fitter filly tomorrow. Kinda Wonderful has certainly shown enough to get into the mix here and must be considered for Trifectas and Quartets.

There are several progressive and well-bred fillies that come into this race “under the radar” with plenty of scope and potential to rise to the occasion, including Cape Town Met-winning Oh Susanna’s daughter by Trippi, Little Suzie. She has cracked pole position, and this will be a true test of her potential going forward.

Tomorrow’s renewal of the Western Cape Fillies Championship (Gr2) will give us a much better idea as to what to expect in the forthcoming World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas (Gr1) on 7 December. Despite her poor draw, I am happy to row in with Gimmie’s Countess to come home ahead of Symphony In White and Whistle The Tune, but I would not be surprised if one or more of those flying “under the radar” raise their game to Graded Stakes level.

Justin Snaith holds a very strong three-way coupling in the fifth race, the R225 000 Woolavington Stakes (Listed) over 2500m. Richard Fourie’s mount Future Swing is the ante-post favourite but he must concede 8kgs to his fast-improving stable mate Call To Unite who should not be troubled by stepping up the distance for the first time. He has won his last two starts over 1800m and 2000m but at the weights there is not much to choose between Call To Unite and Snaith’s third string to his bow, Daimyo, who has the postage stamp of 50kgs on his back.

Gareth Van Zyl-trained Vihaan’s Bomb is an interesting runner on his first appearance in the Western Cape. Marco Van Rensburg, who enjoyed a red-letter day at Turffontein last weekend, jets into town to partner Vihaan’s Bomb but it doesn’t help his cause that Van Rensburg has to put up 2kgs overweight. Future Swing is the class act in the race but with the wide spread of weights, it’s a competitive renewal of the Woolavington Stakes and, while the race is up for grabs, I am leaning towards Call To Unite and Daimyo to fly the flag for the Champion trainer.

The third Feature on the card is the R225 000 Laisserfaire Stakes (Listed) for fillies and mares over 1100m and there is every chance that the in-form Southern Skies will complete a four-timer. That this is her toughest test to date goes without saying, but she ever so slightly holds the early market leader Nordic Quest at the weights. Summer Lily steps back in trip but sports blinkers for the first time and she could be competitive in a quality field. Asiye Phambili has 63,5kgs to shoulder but she is a big strong and impressive looking mare, and she could make light of the heavy weight she has been set to carry. Earlier this year she was beaten just a neck in the Sceptre Stakes (Gr2) by subsequent Grade 1 winner October Morn, when giving away 3,5kgs and a repetition of that performance brings her into the race with solid claims at generous odds.

RACE 1

4 ZEITZ had no luck in running from a wide draw at Hollywoodbets Durbanville in his last start, the blinkers have been fitted and he gets a good draw here, he should be very hard to beat on his best form. 1 TUNGUSKA needed his last run badly, the step up in trip from a good draw should help his chances tremendously, include him into all bet types. 3 EXPRESS YOURSELF moved down to the start exceptionally well in his last start, he is still improving and should be right there in the finish now that he steps up to 1600m for the first time. 5 BOMBERS IN THE SKY ran a lovely race last time behind Gnarly, if he can improve on that performance, he could sneak into the Quartets. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 1 – 3 – 5)

RACE 2

2 STATE CAPITOL has been very consistent since her maiden win on the 23rd of August, from a good draw in this race, she will have a solid winning chance. 10 OZARK had no luck in running in his last start, he unfortunately draws wide here, if the race works out for him, he could easily win a race like this. 1 SUMMER NIGHT CITY will need to improve on her recent form to be competitive, she gets the perfect draw, and she drops further in the ratings, watch for big improvement at a decent price. 12 DREAM SEARCHER ran a much better race over 1400m in her last start, she steps back up in trip to 1600m, if she can get some luck in running from a terrible draw, she could sneak into the places. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 10 – 1 – 12)

RACE 3

5 HOODIA ran a super race in his last start behind Song To The Moon, he was forced to do some work early in the race which unfortunately cost him victory, he should have no excuses from a good draw here, watch him closely. 10 SAIL THE SEAS won impressively last time against older horses, the yard think highly of this colt, if he can beat the trick draw, he will go very close to winning again. 3 MASTER OF PARIS never runs a bad race, he has been consistent through his career, if he can produce a similar performance here, he will be amongst the places. 2 HAPPY DAYS won really well with the blinkers fitted, he quickened up smartly to beat Dubbelosix, the form has been franked, he could earn again from a good draw. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 10 – 3 – 2)

RACE 4

7 NIGHT BOMBER really enjoys the sprint trips at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, there is no doubt that he will be competitive in this tricky race. 3 BLACK EGRET needed his last run badly, on his best form at this level, despite the big weight on his back, he should have a good each way chance. 6 SILVER CROWN has been rested for a long time, his form is excellent, if he doesn’t need the run badly, he will be right there at the finish, include him into all bet types. 12 PIROSHKA is slowly starting to drop in the ratings, his last run was very good against some nice horses, watch him late at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 3 – 6 – 12)

RACE 5

1 CALL TO UNITE must have a huge winning chance with no weight on his back for this Listed event, he has won his last two starts very impressively, he now steps up in trip to 2500m, on his recent form, he will have a solid chance again. 9 FUTURE SWING would have needed his last run badly when finishing second, he is classy and he stays well, there is no doubt he will have a massive winning chance. 7 BARATHEON looked incredibly well moving to gates when beating Future Swing, Piet Botha and his team think highly of this individual, he must be included into all bets on his best form. 6 DAIMYO at the weights and on ratings will find it tough to win, he likes to race up on speed, he is still improving, and he is very gutsy, it would come as no surprise to see him in the places. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 9 – 7 – 6)

RACE 6

12 BE MERRY has been super impressive to date, her last three wins have been nothing short of breathtaking, there is no doubt that she will need to improve even further to beat this field, she is speedy and very much progressive, watch her closely with no weight on her back. 7 NORDIC QUEST quickened up smartly to win well in her last start, her form is faultless, she will have a good winning chance again. 6 SOUTHERN SKIES never runs a bad race, her last three wins have been very good, the blinkers stay on, and she gets the services of champion Jockey Richard Fourie again, she will be right there at the finish. 8 SUMMER LILY drops in trip, and she gets the blinkers fitted, watch her late, she could sneak into the Quartets at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 12 – 7 – 6 – 8)

RACE 7

12 GIMMIE’S COUNTESS won the Grade 3 Diana Stakes impressively, she is a filly that likes to be held up and then comes with a storming finish late, she is very classy and should take a power of beating with some luck in running. 3 SYMPHONY IN WHITE needed her last run badly over 1250m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville when running on beautifully for third, she now steps up in trip to 1400m which should help her chances, include her into all bets. 7 MAI SENSATION ran a super race behind Beware The Bomb last time, she unfortunately found some traffic problems up the lane on that occasion, she is improving nicely and could sneak into the places in this very competitive field. 4 BEWARE THE BOMB could be anything, her last two wins have been excellent, she is improving with every start and must be included into the play once again. (Brandon Bailey: 12 – 3 – 7 – 4)

RACE 8

6 SCARLET MACAW ran a great race against decent fillies in her last start, if she can produce a similar performance in this Class 4 event, she will go very close to winning. 1 SWIATEK won on debut at a huge price, she finished powerfully from a long way back and she was very green, with natural improvement, good draw, and stepping up in trip, she could go very close again. 8 PINK PIGEON went down to the start beautifully when she won her maiden last time, she is a nice big filly that will keep getting better and stronger with more racing, include her into all bets. 3 SPOIL YOURSELF is much better than her last run, she was drawn poorly on that occasion and never really got into the race, from a good draw here, she could easily bounce back to best. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 1 – 8 – 3)

RACE 9

20 TRIPPI’S SILK is much better than his last start over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, he now drops back in trip, if he jumps on terms, he could be right there in the finish at a decent price. 17 LUNCH MONEY has run some fair races over 1400m from wide draws, now that he races back up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth over 1200m, he could find his best form and be competitive. 10 PARATROOPER has had no luck in running in his last few races, if the race works out for him in this big field, he could sneak into the places late. 11 KELP FOREST is not a straightforward ride, he needs things to work out for him, if the gaps open up at the right time, he could have a good place chance on his best form. (Brandon Bailey: 20 – 17 – 10 – 11)

RACE 10          

12 CHAMPAGNE MAC ran a lovely race last time from a wide draw at Hollywoodbets Durbanville when finishing second, the blinkers go on, he is currently racing off a very competitive rating which will give him a huge winning chance. 2 AUGUSTA BLUE ran a much better race over 1400m in his most recent start, he drops back in trip, and he gets the blinkers fitted, at this level he will always have a good each way chance. 11 PRINCE OF TIBET improved in a big way to win well, he enjoys the sprint trips with the blinkers fitted, watch him closely. 5 ISCHYRO was heavily backed in the market in his last start behind Prince Of Tibet, he is not a big individual and he needs a particular ride, at his best he could have a Quartet chance. (Brandon Bailey: 12 – 2 – 11 – 5)

RUGBY 8 WIN MARGIN C/Over R 30 724 on Friday, 8 November 2024. Pool Closes at 22h10.

Soccer10 ADD-IN R 150 000 Estimated Pool: R 2 Million on Friday, 8 November 2024. Pool Closes at 21h00. Sport 8 and Pool 1

Soccer13 Guaranteed Jackpot:  R 21 MILLION (13 of 13) on Saturday, 9 November 2024. Pool Closes at 16h15. Sport 10 and Pool 1

Soccer10 ADD-IN R 150 000 Estimated Pool: R 2 Million on Saturday, 9 November 2024. Pool Closes at 15h00. Sport 14 and Pool 1

Soccer ANY 13Xtra C/Over R 100 000 Estimated Pool: R 600 000 on Saturday, 9 November 2024. Pool Closes at 15h00. Sport 13 and Pool 1

Soccer6 ADD-IN R 75 000 Estimated Pool: R 500 000 on Saturday, 9 November 2024. Pool Closes at 15h00. Sport 1 and Pool 2

Soccer4 ADD-IN R 25 000 Estimated Pool: R 100 000 on Saturday, 9 November 2024. Pool Closes at 17h00. Sport 19 and Pool 2