South Africa’s Champion Season really comes alive at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday with the running of the R2 million Daily News 2000 and the R1.5 million Tabgold Woolavington 2000.
Both races are important pointers to the Hollywoodbets Durban July with all the runners in the Daily News 2000 July nominations and four in the Woolavington 2000.
Splashout Derby and WSB Guineas winner Green With Envy has got better as he has matured. He came from a seemingly hopeless position to catch the highly rated Sandringham Summit in the Guineas, over a distance seemingly short of his best, and the Daily News trip will be much more to his liking. Dean Kannemeyer is a master at preparing his charges for the big day and Green With Envy should prove difficult to beat.
He will not be without opposition.
A recent winner of the Gr2 Colorado King Stakes, Pure Predator was also runner-up in the Gr1 SA Derby behind Purple Pitcher and has come to hand smartly at just the right time. He will again be partnered by Richard Fourie who rode his 300th winner of the season last Sunday.
One can never rule out Sean Tarry and he saddles Hotarubi who was not far off Pure Predator, finishing fifth in the SA Classic, fourth in the SA Derby and second in the Colorado King Stakes.
A Champions Season feature would not be complete without a Justin Snaith runner and he sends out two. The well regarded Hluhluwe, has his second run as a gelding over a trip he should relish after finishing two lengths back to Green With Envy in the WSB Guineas. Stable rider Grant van Niekerk gets the leg up while Sean Veale will partner stable mate The Grey King who has finished runner-up in his last three starts including second to Green With Envy in the Schweppes Politician Stakes.
The sole local entry is Flag Man who was supplemented into the race by Gareth van Zyl after winning a Middle Stakes race over 1900m in his last start.
He was receiving 5kg from runner-up The Grey King in that race and now faces him at level weights but he won with plenty in hand which probably prompted his connections to pay the supplementary fees.
The Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 field is open to all ages but is headed by Frances Ethel, winner of her last four starts including the Gr 2 SA Oaks.
She, along with the Andre Nel-trained Saartjie, winner of the Listed KRA East Coast Cup, Silver Sanctuary from the Mike de Kock yard and My Soul Mate who was runner up in the Igugu Stakes and The Oaks for Candice Dawson are all nominated for the Hollywoodbets Durban July.
However, since the Woolavington has been open to all ages three-year-olds have been hard pressed but Francis Ethel appears to be something special as she is unbeaten since shedding her maiden culminating in a comfortable Gr2 SA Oaks victory. She stays the trip well and will start close to favourite. The year older Saartjie won a cracking race in the KRA East Coast Cup, coming from almost last in the straight to get up rather cozily. Assistant to Andre Nel, Byron Forster, said the race was a warm-up for bigger things and she could not have been more impressive. My Soul Mate was runner-up to Frances Ethel in the Oaks and then went down narrowly to Beating Wings in the Igugu Stakes. They meet on the same weight terms and drawn alongside each other. Future Girl, stable companion to Francis Ethel, was caught late by Saartjie in the East Coast Cup and must have a decent chance on that showing.
Supporting feature is the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup (Listed), another stepping stone into the Hollywoodbets Durban July. A number of borderline cases line up and victory would enhance their chances of making the final field of 18 for the big one. Mike de Kock has ducked the Daily News 2000 with Marauding Horde in what could possibly be an easier path into the July field. A winner of three on the bounce before finishing 3.5-lengths off Purple Pitcher in the SA Derby. He is not well in at the weights so victory should see his rating jump. Frank Robinson’s entry Shoot The Rapids is in a similar position and was not far behind Flag Man and The Grey King last time out. The Snaith-trained One Way Traffic just failed to catch July entry Cape Eagle when last they met with Down To Business also involved in a tight finish to the Highland Night Cup at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. Luck in running could be the decider between these three but Down To Business is much better off in the weights and looks the pick of the trio.
Kannemeyer could have a really good day as he has a number of strong runners.
It starts in the first with Avernian Goddess. She started at relatively long odds when making her debut over the distance on the poly and was making good headway when touched off by Pilot Flame.
Spirit Of Levana could be a threat. She was well beaten on debut by the promising Kannemeyer-trained Gimme’s Countess but in turn was lengths clear of the opposition. The extra furlong should suit.
The Kannemeyer-trained Rhydian can anchor the first leg of the Place Accumulator. He was a beaten favourite from a tricky draw last time out and has put in two smart efforts to date.
Spelling Bee can get the Pick 6 off to a good start. He was a beaten favourite when making his handicap debut in strong company and was only five lengths behind the useful The Shepherd. Kannemeyer has dropped him down to a MR78 and although up in the weights he looks capable. Veteran Master Of Destiny improved without the headgear last run and is showing signs of coming to hand for Stuart Ferrie. He takes a two-point drop in the handicap and is down in class.
