Check out our weekly catchup of horseracing action between Friday and Sunday, including all four local meetings.
As we look forward to a slightly lower key weekend, it’s a pleasure to reflect back on a memorable Tuesday. The Springboks progressed to the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals when downing a patently outgunned Canada – while the Hollywood Syndicate’s soldier Seattle Force returned from a break to demolish his opposition at Turffontein a few hours later.
As the song goes, ‘some days are diamonds, some days are stone’! And Tuesday was mostly flawless.
The day dawned with some expectation, and after the Boks had drilled the Canadians 13108 km away in Kobe, the Highveld sun shone brightly on Turffontein as the Hollywood Syndicate’s Seattle Force returned from a short break to contest the fourth, an MR 96 Handicap.
Under a superb ride by the in-form Marco van Rensburg, Seattle Force strode clear from the head of the home straight to register his fifth win from fifteen starts, and set up a potentially exciting summer campaign.
He’s getting better with age and a word of congratulations and thanks to trainer Stuart Pettigrew and his staff, as well as top breeders Varsfontein Stud.
Follow all the Hollywood Syndicate runners here – or see them lower down this mailer.
There is no stakes feature programmed for the coming weekend but the Beach Beauty Mile heads up the Hollywoodbets Greyville Sunday turf card.
The race is restricted to three-year-old fillies, and with many of the youngsters being rested after their innoculations, the field is a relatively modest one with only seven runners.
MARY O and JACK’S BIRD look the likely duo to fight it out.
JACK’S BIRD is the highest rated of the seven runners and comes off a decent sixth in the Gr1 Thekwini Stakes behind the top-class Gabor last term. A repeat of that effort at the level weights terms of this race should see her go close.
Lezeanne Forbes saddles MARY O – a lovely long striding daughter of Oratorio who has had a run this term, and will relish every inch of the mile. She is a massive runner – especially if the race is run at a half decent pace.
As usual, Fairview gets the weekend out of the starting gates on Friday.
Eight races are programmed on the Polytrack, with some competitive racing in the mix.
Yvette Bremner and Richard Fourie team up again with the Australian-bred SIR FRENCHIE, a smart son of Choisir, who carries joint top weight of 62kgs in the sixth.
The five-year-old loves the surface and steps up from the sprints to 1400m – a distance he has won over previously. He looks the horse to beat in a tricky race – with the mare RINGS AND THINGS the likely danger.
On Saturday the Turffontein and Durbanville meetings run parallel on a busy day on the local racing front.
The return of the top-class SOQRAT after an eleven week break following his defeat by star galloper Rainbow Bridge in the Gr1 Champions Cup should be a highlight of the Turffontein card. The son of Epaulette runs in the seventh and could carry too many guns for his opposition.
Callan Murray and Mike de Kock pair up a half hour earlier with another Aussie-bred athlete in the shape of the promising QUEEN SUPREME. A winner of two of her three jumps, she looks progressive and can be followed.
The Durbanville card hails the return to action of the top-class sprinter SERGEANT HARDY after a rest. Justin Snaith’s now six-year-old gelding is bedevilled by breathing issues, but could bounce back fresh in the sixth.
Snaith saddled three winners at Durbanville in midweek and he will no doubt fancy the chances of the well-bred Dynasty colt PINKERTON in the fourth.
After being narrowly beaten over the course and distance last time by stablemate Hurricane Harry, who wasn’t disgraced in his post-maiden run on Wednesday, PINKERTON has everything in his favour and his exit ticket from the maidens looks booked.
The latest Summer Cup log was published earlier this week and reflected no changes from the first log issued in the final week of September.
Mike de Kock has a power hand with a host of top-rated entrants, but it’s a handicap and there is scope for any amount of emerging talent.
The slightly frustrating three-year-old of last season ZILLZAAL stepped out at Turffontein on Tuesday in his first start as a gelded four-year-old.
The son of Silvano gave his field a galloping lesson under Piere Strydom and must be a candidate to give Sean Tarry a hat-trick of Summer Cup victories after Liege (2017) and Tilbury Fort last year.
How time flies – it’s difficult to believe that Sean Tarry won the Summer Cup for the first time with Aslan in 2009!
Our Summer Cup ante-post market is available here.
A lovely weekend of racing lies ahead and we hope it includes plenty of winners for all.
Till next time.
Friday 13th October 2019
Hollywoodbets Greyville (Turf)
Race 5 – 15:40
1900m – Maiden Plate
7 – Mighty Smart
Trainer: Paul Lafferty
Jockey: Donovan Dillon
Wgt: 57.0kg
Draw: 6 (13 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 4/1
He has made a consistent start to his career and has strengthened up with each of his first five runs. It has always been a given that he is looking for a trip and he finally gets the opportunity here to race over a distance that he is bred for.
Not only does he step up to this more suitable trip, but he also finally lands a draw where he has more chance of finding a relatively handy position with ease. Donovan Dillon takes the mount and he has been in good recent form. Despite the fact that there are one or two dangers in the race, a lot appears to be in the favour of Mighty Smart and the stable are very confident of another big run. He deserves a lot of respect and looks a good each-way bet.
Winning Form Comment: Good form to date. First time trying this distance and jumps from a decent draw. Respect.
Race 8 – 17:25
1000m – Hollywoodbets Bright Future MR 79 Handicap
8 – Jerry The Juggler
Trainer: Alyson Wright
Jockey: Sherman Brown
Wgt: 58.0kg
Draw: 13 (13 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 14/1
He was nowhere near ready for that comeback run last time out and despite the fact that he finished just over the six lengths back, the run has bought him on nicely and he is in a good place right now.
He does have the widest draw to overcome and that will unfortunately dent his chances of winning, but he does have plenty of ability and with a bit of luck in running he should be finishing strongly. He will still need the run, but does have a small place chance. It will take a good ride from Sherman Brown to get there – so follow with caution.
Winning Form Comment: Fair comeback run. Won maiden over this distance. Has a chance if overcoming wide draw.
12 – Agent Murphy
Trainer: Alyson Wright
Jockey: Raymond Danielson
Wgt: 56.5kg
Draw: 3 (13 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 7/1
We picked the wrong race for Agent Murphy last time. Everything from the draw and instructions to the rider, ended up working against us and he was never really in the race. Advised to drop him out from gate 12, he pinged the gates and found himself near the front of the field within a matter of strides.
Caught wide, Gavin Lerena had to restrain him so that the field could pass him on his inside to allow for a backseat position and Agent Murphy did not like that at all. He was always down to be gelded and after that disappointing effort, it was as good a time as any. He returns to the course as a gelding and drops back to a trip where he is much better suited.
He has really turned the corner in the past few months, after having an interrupted two-year-old campaign with a recurring bought of Urticaria. With the 18-week absence from the course, he will just need the run but on ability he has an each-way chance.
Winning Form Comment: Took on much stronger last time. Has been gelded and is better over this distance.
