The schedule shows that Wednesday will be the last time racing is hosted at Hollywoodbets Durbanville in 2025 which means seriously big racing returns to Cape Town with the switch to Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. Often, this meeting can lead to small fields but that is not the case on Wednesday. Added to that, some useful horses will be in action. One of those is Black Eagle who runs in race 3 over 1250m.
Black Eagle is lightly raced but he stepped forward at his third career start to win his most recent outing against older hard-knockers. He ran down Sooty to take a narrow verdict over this course and distance but he might have won with a bit in hand. The massive rise in class has caused the weight that he shoulders in this event to 52,5kg. He did not give a huge impression when he won his maiden but he suddenly struck as a horse who could have some feature race credentials about him.
Sean Veale is carded to take the ride for Vaughan Marshall. If Black Eagle can beat this class of rival, he must be considered as a serious candidate for the upcoming three-year-old sprint features.
Oliver has come bouncing back into form. All he needs to justify his lease on life is a victory and he has to be respected. He found Scottish Kiss too good in his two most recent runs. Asked to make up ground, he sailed past most of his rivals but fell short of tasting success. Richard Fourie sticks with Oliver and the fact that he has fewer horses to run past must be an advantage.
La Pulga has not been seen since May but there is no doubt that he has good days ahead of him. Always held in high regard, it took him a while to show his mettle but his run in the HSH Princess Charlene Big Cap behind All Out For Six was a super effort. He finished second, 1,75 lengths behind. He was also not disgraced behind Garrix in the Listed Variety Club Mile when last seen. He is likely to need the run and he should be more effective over further but keep an eye on him this summer. A pleasing effort would be finishing close-up or better. Aldo Domeyer is carded to be up for Candice Bass.
There is an open feel about the rest of the card so bets could pay handsomely. Meet The King was seriously unlucky not to finish closer than 2,05 lengths behind Gold Giboski when last seen, last month over 1250m. The jockey on that occasion was given a 30-day suspension for not riding his mount out. Meet The King runs in race 1 over 1400m and he should have further progress in the locker. Gavin Lerena makes an appearance to take some rides for Justin Snaith and they could start the meeting on a good note.
There are a few winning chances in race 2 over 1400m but there is none more deserving than Joueur De Flute who has been runner-up in his last three runs. He has cracked draw No 1, which is a massive upgrade from No 13 where he started his most recent run when beaten a short head by Marcus Aurellius. Callan Murray is carded to take the ride. He was engaged last time, too but a delayed flight got Grant Behr the ride and he did absolutely nothing wrong in defeat. Miami Summer, Cedar Point and Klein Karoo are also winning chances.
Calanque has plenty of promise and she lines up in race 4 over 1250m. She exited the maiden ranks in her second start when she easily kept the smart William’s Woman well in behind over this course and distance. She still seems green and with experience, there could be more to offer. She has draw No 1 as an advantage. Fourie takes the ride for Eric Sands who also trains Joueur De Flute. A handy weight of 55,5kg to shoulder, she could be the bet of the day.
Ozark saves his best for this course and he must have a chance in a wide-open race 5 over 1250m. His last start was a pleasing third 3,75 lengths behind runaway winner Worldly over this course and distance. It would not be advisable to extend the rent money on Ozark because of the inconsistent form on offer from various others. They could pop up on their days. Champion Apprentice Brevan Plaatjies is carded to ride for Paul Reeves.
Oncidium seems to be in the right race in race 6 over 1400m. She has not struck as a potential feature race candidate but she could still mature into a useful filly because she is lightly raced and her family all came into their own with racing and over extended trips. The fact that she has more to offer puts her as an appetising pick against established rivals who might not have the same scope.
Diamond Bomber was defeated by a seriously good filly in the form of Viva La Vida two weeks ago but in calmer waters, she must have a top chance in race 7 over 1400m. In her penultimate run she found subsequent Grade 3 Schweppes Diana Stakes runner-up, Stormwatch too good for her. There seems to be nothing of that quality in this line-up.
Trainer James Crawford has made no secret about the ambitions he has with Fox On The Run who runs in race 8 over 1400m. He still has plenty to prove and lots of mileage to go if he is to turn into the upper ranks of his three-year-old contemporaries but his maiden win last time was certainly one that put him in the right direction. He blew Fast Train away by 1,25 lengths at this course over 1250m. Richard Fourie is carded to take the ride. He will not have it easy because Carriacou is a tough, consistent campaigner who will drag him to the trenches and teach him how to fight while Boogiefied and Rhydian know their way around. If Fox On The Run passes this test, he will be taken very seriously going forward.
CAPTION: The Vaughan Marshall-trained BLACK EAGLE runs in Race 3 – the www.racecoast.co.za B STAKES at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Wednesday 29 October 2025.
