The “off season” often produces tightly matched handicaps, and Monday’s nine-race poly card at Hollywoodbets Greyville looks no different. With most runners closely rated, punters can expect another afternoon of narrow margins.

The feature Middles Stakes could revolve around Thisiswhatitmeans, who is unbeaten in four starts on the poly. Despite another five-point ratings hike and a big weight, he has proven capable under similar burdens and can stretch his winning run to five. Good Traveller arrives in form after two poly wins and remains competitive despite climbing the handicap, while Red Bomber and Gimmethegoodlife are capable of improving on the surface.

Tony Peter may strike with Hathighwaytothesky in race eight. She has two wins from five starts and, if suited to the poly, should go close. Progressive Tladi Mothwana, consistent She’s A Machine, and course specialist Poursomesugaronme add depth.

In the opener, Saudi Sweep is overdue a maiden win and boasts solid poly form, while Lou meets modest opposition. The Bi-Pot leg is competitive, with consistent Brigette Anne well drawn and receiving an allowance, though Blue Steel and poly-suited Xiphos pose threats.

Lilting Song appeals in the first PA leg, returning to her preferred trip. The Pick 6 begins with a wide-open handicap where Kumemori, Fair Advantage, and El Rey Viene all hold claims.

Later, Saint Brigid could shine if handling the poly, while La Maddalena and in-form Izibulo are dangers. Imperial Power headlines another tight handicap, with Isivivane and Sundance Kid in the mix.

Acacia’s Blossom can close the card strongly, though Jazz Diva, Scarlet Starlet, and Queen Fenn ensure a competitive finale on a card likely defined by tight finishes.

Having drawn level with the legendary SILENT WITNESS’s record of 17 consecutive victories, the spotlight now burns brighter than ever on the phenomenal KA YING RISING, who stands on the brink of history. This Sunday, in the Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup over 1400m, the superstar will attempt to stand alone by stretching his breathtaking streak to an unprecedented 18.

Widely hailed as the world’s finest sprinter, KA YING RISING has been untouchable since February 2024, reeling off 17 straight triumphs in commanding style. Among them was his electrifying conquest of the Group 1 Everest in October 2025 — a performance that cemented his global dominance. Most recently, the David Hayes-trained champion returned in the Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) and dismissed his rivals with effortless authority, gliding to victory by a comfortable 1.25 lengths.

Eric Sands has worked wonders with Foudre, who returns from nearly two years off with three straight wins and now targets a fourth in Sunday’s 1600m feature at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. The well-bred son of Fire Away won his maiden first-up from injury, then followed up in handicap company before beating United Front convincingly on Met Day — a horse with Grade 1 aspirations. As the competition stiffens, Foudre continues to improve. Craig Zackey retains the ride and, with Cape Town still dry, there’s no reason to halt his momentum.

He faces stronger rivals. Dawn Till Dusk brings solid feature-race form, while Handsome Prince is better off at the weights with Major Master and could be dangerous if the race is run to suit. Chasingtherainbow will be finishing late, Nordic Chief must overcome a wide draw, and Touched By Angels drops to a more suitable level. Kenyan champion Sheriff John Stone makes his local debut and could be one to watch.

Earlier, Foudre’s half-brother Ferryman looks a standout in race 5 after an eye-catching debut second over 1200m; the step up to 1400m should suit.

James Crawford holds a strong hand later on the card. Dame Of Trix drops in class after a solid Listed effort and rates highly in race 8. Raven Black returns to his preferred 1200m in race 9 after a fine Met Day run, while Whirlwind seeks to build on an impressive course-and-distance win in race 10.

The opening two races are dominated by first-timers, with market moves key. Fast Train is overdue in race 3, while Swift Serenity finds a shallow field in race 4. District Master and Spirit are value plays in two tricky handicaps on a deep, competitive card.

Nine competitive races await punters at Hollywoodbets Scottsville this Wednesday, but opportunities abound. The Pick 6 could get off to a strong start with Sesame, who arrives from the Cape in good form after a comfortable Fairview win. With solid Western Cape credentials, she looks well placed on local debut. Treasure Island is improving and steps up in trip, while Zena Rose and Sascha’s Dream are closely matched after being separated by just a neck last time.

Race five is a tricky handicap. Phutulicious faces a wide draw and big weight but is rarely far off them. Sun Dazed, despite the widest gate, enjoys the trip and gets Andrew Fortune aboard. Town Crier improved in blinkers but rises in the ratings, while Gorgeous Girl has more weight to carry after a narrow defeat, though she retains a 4kg claim.

In race six, Convocation is consistent and now tries blinkers, while stablemate Serengetti Sun returns from a break with ability but fitness queries. Tara Star remains honest, and One Smart Cookie meets Back At The George on the same terms.

Mar Del Plata (race seven) is well treated at the weights against consistent Circumbendibus, while Jet Legacy and Position Of Power add depth. The eighth is wide open, but Call Me Jane is better off at the weights with Perfume Power and could reverse form.

Andrew Fortune partners Night Tiger in the finale after a strong recent second and is weighted to improve. Intrepid and poly specialist Trafalgar Square also warrant respect.

Earlier exotics feature promising Omkhulu Boss, improving Smart Choice, and consistent maiden hopes Psyche, Red Cardinal, and Bourbon’s Beast on a challenging but rewarding card.

Forever Young (JPN) made sporting history at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Saturday as he became the first two-time winner of the Group 1 USD$20m Saudi Cup.

Yoshito Yahagi’s undisputed dirt champion found a perfect gap along the inside rail turning into the home straight and he used his will, class and determination to fend off a brave challenge from Nysos (USA) by one length in a final time of 1:51.027.

Banishing (USA) and Thundersquall (GB) had led the field along the backstretch with Nysos tracking. Meanwhile, Forever Young and jockey Ryusei Sakai sat just behind those horses, but hugging the rail in a tactical move that ultimately worked out perfectly.

Forever Young and Nysos went head-to-head in the last 400m, but this incredible globetrotting 5-year-old, who took The Saudi Cup 12 months ago in a gripping encounter with Romantic Warrior (IRE) and went on to land the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic on his final start of 2025, is an almost impossible horse to pass when in front and with the bit between his teeth. Tumbarumba (USA) came from off the pace to claim third ahead of Bishops Bay (USA).

It was actually a third victory out of the seven renewals of this meeting for Forever Young, who also has a Saudi Derby success to his name and continues his progression towards legendary status.

Quotes

Ryusei Sakei, jockey, Forever Young, 1st: “He’s an amazing horse, two times in the Saudi Cup, and I just trust him. I had no worries, there was no pressure, this is my job, the same every time. I’m very proud of him and I want to thank everyone who supported all the team.”

Yoshito Yahagi, trainer, Forever Young: “He gave me an unbelievable feeling all the time through the race. Of course I had a lot of pressure on me before the race as he was the best in the field. I think it’s not my training that makes him this great horse, I think the horse is just made like a champion and I have little to do with it.

“Of course our next target is the Dubai World Cup, so that is what we have to concentrate on now. And then, well I have no idea. Last year, it didn’t work out in the Dubai World Cup, he just wasn’t good enough. We will try our best to win it this year. Ryusei Sakai was my apprentice, my stable jockey and he developed and improved as he grew up. And he has become a really good jockey for us.”

Bob Baffert, trainer Nysos 2nd, Nevada Beach, 12th: “This race is almost like the Kentucky Derby because unless you win, second isn’t that exciting. The good thing, though, is that Nysos showed up. Forever Young is just so good.

“Irad [Ortiz] said Nevada Beach never really got engaged in it. He said he didn’t pick up his feet, at all. I was really disappointed in him because he was really going over this track very well.”

James Doyle, jockey, Tumbarumba, 3rd: “Delighted with him, he’s put in another big performance. I’m very proud of the horse and his young team who are getting going. For them, to have a horse run well here is brilliant.”

Case Clay, racing manager, Tumbarumba: “It was a big result for us. We’re proud of the horse. He came over here and stepped up in trip in the Al Maktoum Challenge and finished second and finished strong there. He was suited to the track well here. He looked a picture and Tommy Allen and Hamad Al Jehani were saying that he’s been going over the track well in the morning. We were confident going in and to be able to run third here, that has us possibly looking to the Dubai World Cup after this. We’ll regroup after this and decide.”

Brad Cox, trainer, Bishops Bay, 4th: “He was training well. I loved how he presented himself in the paddock. I thought he would run his race and I think he did. Junior [Alvarado] was happy with him and I was very happy with the performance. Turning for home, I thought we had a shot. At the eight-pole, it was looking more like maybe we would be third and ultimately he was fourth. He’s a hard-trying horse and I love the effort he showed, I thought we got a good trip and I’m proud of what he did here. I’m not usually happy with running fourth very often, but we’ll take it here.”

Joao Moreira, Luxor Cafe, 5th:  “He ran well. He didn’t jump very well, we came from a recovery situation, but I was happy.”

Oisin Murphy, Sunrise Zipangu, 6th: “Great run. He didn’t have the speed early but it was a pretty good result.”

Joel Rosario, Rattle N Roll, 9th: “He ran his race, it was a tough race but he did his best.”