THE KING RETURNS TO DEFEND HIS CROWN 

 

Durban – The R2-million Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge (Gr1) over 1600m at Greyville on Saturday has attracted a star-studded field including last season’s Horse Of The Year and defending champion, Dave The King. The 5yo son of Global View bounced back to his best form at Hollywoodbets Scottsville three weeks ago and from a neat draw will have every chance of recording back-to-back victories in South Africa’s highest-rated Grade 1 event. Callan Murray retains the ride for the De Kock team and Dave The King is likely to start favourite in the 12-strong field.

Last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July winner, Oriental Charm, makes his Champions Season debut after a lengthy spell on the side-lines following his close second behind Eight On Eighteen in the World Sports Cape Town Met back in January. He is at his best over a touch further but he did win the Green Point Stakes (Gr2) over 1600m in December. Montien ran third in the WSB Cape Town Met over 2000m, prior to which he finished a gallant second to One Stripe in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate over 1600m, and the Piet Botha-trained son of Louis The King is a resolute galloper.

Gladatorian and See It Again finished 1-2 in the IOS Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m at the beginning of May with just a nose separating the pair. Trained respectively by Stuart Ferrie and Michael Roberts, Gladatorian and See It Again fly the flag for the home province and are sure to have their fair share of supporters. William Robertson is an interesting acceptor as the Computaform Sprint (Gr1) winner is in the form of his life, but only the race will show whether he can compete at this level over 1600m.

The three-year-olds are represented by the highly-rated Great Plains and Cosmic Speed, and the former looked somewhat unlucky when narrowly beaten by Gladatorian and See It Again in the IOS Drill Hall Stakes. Eleven of the twelve acceptors are rated 120+, and we anticipate a vintage renewal of the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge on Saturday.

A quality field has been declared for the R500 000 HKJC World Pool Stakes (Gr2) (F&M over 1400m, officially registered as the Tibouchina Stakes. With 13 runners set to face the starter, barrier positions could play a role in the outcome and in that regard the two highest-rated fillies, Be Merry and Scarlet Macaw, have not fared too well. Bevies Delight and Sohot Sowhat bring solid form into the race and jump from inside positions while the ever-consistent Callmegetrix has to overcome stall eight. Green Sapphire blotted her copybook from a wide draw in the WSB Fillies Guineas but should do better over this trip from a much better gate. Minogue ran third in the Camellia Stakes (Gr2) behind Mia Moo, and that form was franked on Saturday when Mia Moo edged home in the Grade 1 SA Fillies Sprint.

The R300 000 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial (Gr3) over 1800m sees a number of HDJ hopefuls looking to gain promotion into the final field for the R5-million Hollywoodbets Durban July. Pacaya and Pomodoro’s Jet, 18th & 20th on the HDJ Log, share top weight of 62kgs but each enjoy the benefit of a kind draw. Underworld finished third in the World Sports Betting 1900 behind Selukwe and he will be looking to further enhance his chances of making the cut for the HDJ with another solid performance. He will have the services of Champion Jockey Richard Fourie who has been in terrific form over the past week. Wild Intent featured in the top 18 when the first HDJ Log was published and Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup is perfectly timed to ensure peak fitness on the big day for the 3yo son of Gimmethegreenlight.

Races 7 thru 10 at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday have been designated as World Pool events, and racing fans can look forward to huge totalisator pools in each of the designated bet types, which include Win, Place, Swinger, Exacta and Quinella pools.

 

Gavin Lerena being put onto cosmic speed is eye catching 

Dave should win this by 2L or more. 

I don't trust this horse Dave the King had some flat runs before last win ,think this is going to be a blanket finish .I think great Plains might be the right one.