Mike and Mathew de Kock have plotted the same course for last season’s Equus Horse of the Year Dave The King and goes into the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge as likely favourite at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.
After a dismal Highveld season, where De Kock commented that his charge was better at the coast, Dave The King made all to show that he was back to best when winning last time out at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and he is out to defend his crown.
As a solid front-runner with a huge stride has the ideal draw at two and all should be chasing him come the final furlong. However, there are a number of runners who also like to be up with the speed and Callan Murry will need to be aware of what he is up against.
Montien is a top class front runner who will probably have no option but to seek the lead from a wide draw and he might give Dave The King a nice tow. However, he stays on resolutely and is ideally distance suited so is a player.
Oriental Charm also likes to race handy and although he is at his best over middle distances he won a Gr 2 over this trip earlier in the season. His wide draw might make it difficult for him to find a good position but has not been out since running second to Eight On Eighteen in the WSB Cape Met back in January. However, he does come from a stable that knows who to get them ready first time out.
Sean Tarry sends out Cosmic Speed beat older horses in the Gr 1 WFA HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over this trip at Turffontein and has the class to go close. He finished less than a length behind Eight On Eighteen in the Gr2 WSB Guineas over course and distance. This season’s three-year-olds appears to be a vintage crop so Dave The King should be tested.
See It Again showed signs of his best when touched off by Gladatorian in the Drill Hall Stakes and will prefer the extra furlong. Of late he has always been threatening but not quite up to the task but now appears to have got over the gelding and back to his best. Gladatorian came from well back to snatch victory in the Drill Hall Stakes and must certainly have a chance.
William Robertson is an interesting runner. He has tremendous form over sprints but packs a devastating finishing kick and has gone close over this trip at the tougher Turffontein track, although not in this class. He has won a Gr 2 over 1450m though, so is the dark horse.
The Gr3 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial is a tough handicap with many looking to book a berth in the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July. Pomodoro’s Jet steps up in trip but is unbeaten since being fitted with cheek pieces. He has a fair weight on his back but comes from a top stable. On My Honour was just over three lengths off Eight On Eighteen in the Gr1 WSB Guineas. He got a hefty eight-point hit in the handicap but has been taking on top company in the Western Cape. Zeitz ran well below par in the Gr1 Splashout Cape Derby and has not been out since. He is a July entry and will need to win or run up close to have a chance on a run in the big race so is one to watch. Wild Intent has come well since his below par trip to the Cape. He got a 17-point jump in the handicap for his second to Legend Of Arthur in the Gr1 SA Derby which could hinder his chances here.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks Gatecrasher Stakes is wide open but Whispering Death finished runner-up on debut and is unbeaten in two since, starting at cramped odds on both occasions. He looks progressive and can go in again. Tenjiku beat Whispering death when shedding his maiden over a sprint and followed up with another comfortable victory. He has the best of the draw in his favour. Vikings Revenge surprised on debut, winning well at long odds but he is sure to have come on from that ran. Aversator has the widest draw to contend with but won well enough over course and distance when shedding his maiden to suggest that he has a winning chance with natural improvement.
The Ridgemont Devon Air Stakes can go the way of Dean Kannemeyer’s filly Educator. She was well supported in the market on debut and won comfortably. She stays the trip and from the best of the draw has plenty in her favour. Captains Envy was touched off by Quickstepgal in the Strelitzia Stakes and Mike Miller’s charge is now 2kg better off which should be enough to turn the tables although both go this trip for the first time. Littlemisssplendid went close when stepping up in trip and comes with some useful Highveld form.
The HKJC World Pool Stakes has attracted a competitive field with many in with chances. However, Be Merry was staying on gamely in the Gr2 WSB Fillies Guineas and this shorter trip should suit although she does have a wide draw to contend with. Callmegeterix has finished runner-up at her last three and meets Be Merry on similar weight terms as to when last they met. Green Sapphire did not get the rub of the green in the WSB Fillies Guineas, caught wide for most of the race, and was never in the hunt from her wide draw. She was a comfortable winner over course and distance at her penultimate start. Lucrative is the likely favourite as she has shown steady improvement of late and although up in class she has the best of the draw.
