Hopes for better things from the Springboks in Japan this Saturday, when they take on our Northern neighbours Namibia, are high on the weekend wish list, with four well-supported race meetings adding to the heady mix of sports entertainment.
The Bok team sees a hopefully lucky thirteen changes to the side from last weekend for Saturday’s must-win encounter, and the prospects of a cricket score fireworks display could lift our spirits. That said, any win will do us just fine!
Have a look at the latest RWC Betting here
Durbanville takes pride of place on the national billing with the running of the R150 000 Listed Settlers Trophy.
The feature has been reduced in distance to 2000m and Justin Snaith once again holds a strong hand after the top-notch Magnificent Seven became the first favourite in a decade to score when he stormed to victory in 2018.
The SA Champion trainer saddles a trio of runners and the yard have indicated that the unexposed and, possibly underrated, BELGARION, could be the right one.
Richard Fourie takes the reins on the son of Dynasty who was an impressive winner after a long rest at his first start this term. He will be fitter on Saturday but bumps his class top-weighted stablemate ELUSIVE SILVA, whose race record, including his third in the Vodacom Durban July, is head and shoulders above his opposition.
A former Cup Trial and Greyville 1900 winner, ELUSIVE SILVA found winning form over 1400m last time and, even at the age of 7, could make them pick up their feet.
The Fairview Polytrack hosts eight races on Friday afternoon and with log-leader Warren Kennedy back in the saddle – he rode two winners at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday on return from injury – he could pay to follow back in his old hometown.
Kennedy rides BLUSHING BRIDE in the fourth for Yvette Bremner. The daughter of Linngari has been placing consistently and now tries the mile from a good draw. She must go very close.
The Turffontein Inside track is the platform for the nine-race meeting that runs alongside Durbanville on Saturday.
Muzi Yen, who was recently elected Captain of the SA Team to take on the top international side at Turffontein in November, partners TULIP WAY for Robbie Sage in the fourth. This is a deceptively low-key Gr1 jockey-trainer combination and the daughter of Captain Al should relish going the mile. She had no luck in running last time and can make amends here.
Hollywoodbets Greyville hosts the final weekend meeting on Sunday when eight races are run at the Durban city track.
Warren Kennedy is again the man in the hot seat when he partners the improving PRINCE OF VENICE in the sixth race. The son of Vercingetorix has won his last two starts well and is back on the course-and-distance of his most recent victory. Well drawn, and with plenty of speed, he looks the exotic bet banker on the afternoon.
The first entries for the Gr1 Gauteng Summer Cup were published on Wednesday and includes some interesting big season candidates of the ilk of HAWWAAM and last year’s winner, TILBURY FORT.
Hollywoodbets have opened an ante-post market for those astute value students who may have found a diamond in the rough amongst the 45 entries.
Please click here to view the betting
Have a great weekend – let’s shout the Boks home – and hopefully, a few winning horses along the way too!
Till next time.
Friday 27th September 2019
Fairview Polytrack
Race 4 – 14:15
1600m – Maiden Plate (F&M)
9 – Hollywood Thunder
Trainer: Gavin Smith
Jockey: Chase Maujean
Wgt: 57.0kg
Draw: 4 (13 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 14/1
After a decent debut, she has been slightly disappointing in her last two starts. Her latest was most disappointing, but it has become clear that she wants more ground which would present a more sedate gallop.
She has been a bit outpaced in the early parts of her runs and over the mile this time, she will be able to settle into her action a lot more efficiently. She is certainly bred for the trip and we expect to see some big improvement this time. Before we tip her to the public, she will have to show a bit more.
Winning Form Comment: Is held by number 8 on moderate comeback run. Up in trip and should strip fitter.
Sunday 29th September 2019
Hollywoodbets Greyville Polytrack
Race 6 – 15:55
1000m – MR 68 Handicap
5 – Alphamikefoxtrot
Trainer: Darryl Moore
Jockey: S’manga Khumalo
Wgt: 57.0kg
Draw: 1 (8 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 8/1
That was a decent comeback run last time and the objective was achieved, as it has proved to be a nice pipe-opener to get him going again. That was over the 6 furlongs and he just tired in the latter stages. However, he drops back to the minimum trip now, where he won his penultimate start.
He has landed a prime draw here and gets the services of multiple Group 1 winning rider, Smanga Khumalo. With the expected improvement, he looks a big runner and appears to have a fair each-way chance this time.
Winning Form Comment: Needed latest. Is better suited to Sunday’s distance.
Race 8 – 17:05
1400m – MR 68 Handicap
5 – Lauren Of Rochelle
Trainer: Darryl Moore
Jockey: Stuart Randolph
Wgt: 59.0kg
Draw: 13 (14 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 20/1
He was disappointing last time out when barely raising a gallop and it was soon clear why. Having coughed multiple times post-race, he was clearly suffering from a virus of some sort and that will explain the modest showing. He returns on Sunday, six weeks after that last effort and he’ll be cherry ripe for this run.
He does have a wide draw to overcome, but that is not immediately detrimental to his chances as he does prefer to see most of the field in front of him during the early part of his races. With a bit of luck in running from off the pace, he’ll be running on late and is worth a place bet.
Winning Form Comment: Had excuses last time. Drawn wide once again but better this trip.
PeTeBe’s Top Bet for Fairview (27/09)
Race 2: FOREIGN SOURCE (2)
Jockey: Greg CHEYNE – Trainer: Alan GREEFF
FOREIGN SOURCE goes for his hat-trick on Friday. He is unbeaten in two starts over this distance and is the mount of stable jockey Greg Cheyne.
PeTeBe’s Top Bet for Turffontein (28/09)
Race 5: ATOMIC BLONDE (4)
Jockey: Warren KENNEDY – Trainer: Paul PETER
ATOMIC BLONDE has only just won his maiden race and does take on stronger. However, he put six lengths between himself and the rest of the field over this c & d to win that race and may well be up to the task at hand. He set the pace that day and could attempt to do the same here.
PeTeBe’s Top Bet for Durbanville (28/09)
Race 5: MACTHIEF (3)
Jockey: Corne ORFFER – Trainer: Brett CRAWFORD
MACTHIEF has only had the three outings but did win his last two in good style. He starts from a wide draw, but clearly has some ability and should be picking off the frontrunners in the dash down to the line. His style of racing would suggest that he will be at home over the seven furlongs.
PeTeBe’s Top Bet for Hollywoodbets Greyville (29/09)
Race 3: ARNICA MONTANA (6)
Jockey: S’manga KHUMALO – Trainer: Mike DE KOCK
ARNICA MONTANA has his first run on the Poly but has finished a close up second in both of his starts up in Gauteng. If taking to the surface, he should prove very hard to beat. It is encouraging that S’manga Khumalo retains the ride.
