A quality nine-race programme takes place on the turf track at Hollywoodbets Greyville today.
There are three feature races including the Gr1 Daily News 2000, Gr1 Woolavington 2000 and the Listed Lonsdale Stirrup Cup.
With a projected R6 million pick pool in the offing, it’s a raceday worth getting involved in.
The first is due off at 11h40 and the lucky last is set for 16h25.
The Hollywoodbets Punters’s Challenge closes at 11h35 – a reminder to get on and secure your chance to win big!
Graeme Hawkins writes on www.goldcircle.co.za that the Splashout Gr1 Cape Derby winner See It Again is a clear favourite to win the R1,5-million Gr1 Daily News 2000 over 2000m.
See It Again is a worthy favourite today 9Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Piere Strydom will again be aboard the 3yo son of Twice Over and the Michael Roberts-trained colt will have come on in leaps and bounds after finishing second to Charles Dickens in the recent WSB Guineas.
In the WSB Guineas, last season’s Champion Juvenile, Cousin Casey, was less than a length further back in fourth spot and there is little doubt that the son of Vercingetorix will appreciate the step up to 2000m.
Cousin Casey showed his class when finishing a close fifth in the WSB Cape Town Met after being forced to make the early running. Tomorrow’s Daily News will be his third run after a rest and Cousin Casey will strip a very fit horse.
Cousin Casey is easy to back at 9/2 but he should give a very good account of himself and poses a real threat to See It Again. The handicappers currently have See It Again on a rating of 124 and Cousin Casey on a 122, so if they both run to their best form we should be in for a thriller.
Without Question is a fast-improving gelding but on the evidence of the Cape Derby form he should be safely held by See It Again.
That said, Without Question is in good racing form having won the Variety Club Mile at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth four weeks ago and Richard Fourie believes him to be the “real deal”.
Dave The King split See It Again and Cousin Casey when finishing third in the WSB Guineas but there has to be some doubt as to whether he will see out the trip tomorrow.
The Hollywood Syndicate is enjoying a wonderful season and their hopes for the Daily News rest with SA Classic winner Anfields Rocket.
Being out of a Galileo mare the trip of 2000m should pose no problem and the son of Coup De Grace could be the lurker in the pack with blinkers declared and now removed at 08h17.
All of the aforementioned are in the mix for the 2023 Hollywoodbets Durban July and a fascinating renewal of the Daily News awaits.
See It Again could have the edge over Cousin Casey, Anfields Rocket, and Without Question but whatever the outcome it should be a really good contest and provide some clues to the forthcoming HDJ on Saturday 1 July.
Justin Snaith can get punters off to a flyer today (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
The first is off at 11h40 and Justin Snaith saddles Rapidash and he should give punters a good start to the day.
He produced an encouraging debut effort over 1100m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, against winners. He lost a length leaving the start but finished his race off nicely.
The son of Danon Platina would have gained from the experience and with the natural improvement that is expected, he should be the one to beat.
Hawker Typhoon from the Garth Puller stable takes her place in Race 8 and she represents decent each way value.
She ran on from the back of the field when second over 1500m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last time.
She finished 1.1 lengths behind Macara that day. She is 1.5kgs better off at the weights today and there should not be much separating them in the run down to the line. She is likely to be switched off near the rear of the field from her awkward nine draw and will be mowing down the frontrunners.
Please note that Denis Schwarz is not riding today and Louis Mxothwa will not take up his engagement in the second race.
| Weather | Fine with 5% chance of rain, 23degs, 10-20kph North Easterly Head Wind | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rain Report | May: 138mm – April: 46mm | ||
| Rainfall | Last 24 Hours: Nil | Last 7 Days: 1mm | |
| Irrigation | Last 24 Hours: 2.5mm | Last 7 Days: 25mm | |
| Penetrometer Reading | 23 | ||
| Track Condition | Good | ||
| False Rail | 4m | ||
- The Bipot starts in the second race at 12h15
- The Place Accumulator starts in the third race at 12h50
- The Pick 6 starts in the fourth race at 13h25
- The first Jackpot starts in the fifth race at 13h58
- The second Jackpot starts in the sixth race at 14h33
