Our Hollywoodbets-sponsord trainers share thoughts about all of their runners on Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge day 2023! Get the latest from Candice Dawson, Louis Goosen, Duncan Howells, Darryl Moore, Peter Muscutt, Kom Naidoo, Garth Puller, Corne Spies and Alyson Wright.
Candice Dawson
Race 6: MISS COOL (1) – She is doing really well and she is in a great space. I am hoping that she brings her best form to the races.
Louis Goosen
Race 8: DONQUERARI (2) – He definitely has a chance in this race. He is very fast and is very well within himself. With a light weight, he should be a horse that comes into contention for the places.
Race 8: ACACIA’S BLOSSOM (6) – She is immature and is starting to grow into herself nicely now. She comes off some big feature races and has run good races. The 1100m may be on the sharp side and this is her final prep run for KZN Breeder’s Day at the end of the month.
Duncan Howells
Race 2: KITTY MO (1) – She will prefer the extra distance but will be green.
Race 3: ORIENTAL BOUQUET (10) – She has produced two good runs to date and can run into the trifectas.
Darryl Moore
Race 3: BOSNAY (12) – She is well in herself but will need some luck from the draw.
Race 10: GIVE US A SMILE (8) – He has one or two to beat but we are expecting him to enjoy the step up to 1400m. I give him a good each-way chance.
Peter Muscutt
Race 1: PLAZA ACCORD (1) – He is a quality horse in the making very much in the mould of his grandsire Deep Impact. His work has been solid in the lead-up and if not too green he can get involved.
Race 1: SEATTLE RIPPER (8) – He is a very neat little colt and is speedy, has galloped at Hollywoodbets Greyville so I don’t expect to him to be too green on debut. He does have an awkward draw to overcome but he does have good natural gate speed. If not in need of the run, he can earn a cheque.
Race 2: PETTEIA (12) – He steps up to a more suitable 1400m after an encouraging debut over 1200m. He does have an awkward draw of 12 to contend with and if he gets enough tempo up front, I expect him to be running on very well at the finish. The favourite does look very hard to beat.
Race 4: KUPHOLIWE (8) – He continues to progress nicely, he is in good order and is fit enough to do himself justice. It is a difficult race to assess as the pecking order of the two-year-old form is still being established. We can look forward to a progressive run and he will take improvement from this race.
Race 4: EXCEPT TEMPTATION (9) – He is a nice horse in the making but will possibly need his return marginally. It is an open-looking race with some nice two-year-olds taking part. This is not his grand final and he will progress from the run.
Race 5: QUASIFORSURE (6) – He fluffed his lines in the Grade 2 WSB 1900. He missed the break that day and overraced, nothing went right for him. I have changed his equipment and he reverts to a tongue-tie. If he settles early, I expect him to bounce back to form and he can get involved.
Race 8: CAPTAIN BOMBSHELL (4) – He returns to the races after not having run since February. His work has been solid in the lead-up and he is ideally drawn in barrier four. He may need his return marginally, but I expect a positive run.
Race 9: SHANTA’S PRIDE (6) – She continues to impress on the track and her work is of a high standard. Richard Fourie retains the ride and although it is a very competitive field, she looks set to run to the best of her form. She should be involved in the fight to the finish
Race 10: DOWN BY THE RIVER (7) – He has made an encouraging start to his career over 1200m. He has come from awkward draws and has run on resolutely all the way to the line. He has progressed and his work has been encouraging in the lead-up. I would like to suggest that he is one of the leading contenders.
Race 10: MAJESTIC REIGN (9) – Scratched.
Kumaran Naidoo
Race 3: DAME MAZONA (15) – Reserve Runner.
Race 6: AISLING (4) – Big step up in class but is doing well at home and can place.
Garth Puller
Race 10: MISTER LINCOLN (6) – He is doing well at home and over this distance can finish in the quartets.
Corne Spies
Race 4: ZOOMBOMBER (3) – He is a really nice son of Lancaster Bomber. He won a very gutsy race at Hollywoodbets Scottsville but has been disappointing since. He jumps from a good draw and we are expecting a good run from him. He has been working well. We are showing him Hollywoodbets Greyville with the hope to run on Hollywoodbets Durban July day and Gold Cup day.
Alyson Wright
Race 1: EL DRAQUE (7) – He is coming off a good run last time out. He is fit and well and I expect him to run into the money.
Race 4: FAR HORIZON (2) – Scratched.
Race 8: JET LEGACY (8) – He is in a very competitive field and if he can run midfield that will be a good run.
Race 10: MASTER JOSH (1) – He is having his first run for us and returns from a lengthy break. He did have a minor setback along the way so he is not quite where we would like him to be. His work has been good and if he doesn’t need this run, I give him a winning chance.
