GRAND FINALE ON THE WAY 

The grand finale of the 2022-23 South African horseracing season at Hollywoodbets Greyville is just two weeks away and several runners are still looking to book their places in one of the 10 features races on the card.  

DE KOCK RUNNER CHASES GOLD CUP BERTH 

Trainer Mike de Kock has never been shy about throwing his runners in the deep end if he believes the horse has the ability to keep its head above water. So, it comes as no surprise to see he has nominated three-year-old Mambo Come Tesio for the Grade 3 World Pool Gold Cup over 3200m on Sunday 30 July. 

This gelded son of Mambo In Seattle has only raced seven times. His first two starts were moderate, but he has blossomed since tried over distance and has won three times, his last two coming over 2400m and 2600m. He looks likely to benefit from the additional 400m on the Inside track at Turffontein this Saturday when he contests Race 8, a Middle Stakes over 3000m. The race will test just how quickly Mambo Come Tesio is improving as he comes up against the runner-up from his penultimate race in Breeze Over, who he will meet on 3.5kg worse terms. Nathan Kink rode him last time and he retains the ride. 

SUGGESTED BIPOT 
R216 
Leg 1: 1, 6 
Leg 2: 2, 6 
Leg 3: 6, 8, 10 
Leg 4: 9, 10 
Leg 5: 1, 3, 7 
Leg 6: 1, 4, 5 

Click/tap here to take the suggested BIPOT

Click/tap here for the best bets and the views of five tipsters on Saturday's Turffontein meeting.

NO STOPPING NEL’S RUNNER? 

Dontstopmenow won his maiden by 9.20 lengths easing up over 2000m on the Polytrack at Hollywoodbets Greyville last time and Andre Nel’s charge can put in a repeat performance over the same course and distance in Race 4 on Sunday, a MR 78 Handicap. He is from a family endowed with stamina and whose progeny gets better with each run. He returns after a three-month rest but he has more to come and is worth following. 

Click/tap here for the best bets and the views of five tipsters on Sunday's Hollywoodbets Greyville meeting.

SHAQUILLE RIGHT AGE FOR JULY CUP 

The Group 1 Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes over 1600m at Newmarket on Friday and the Pertemps Network July Cup over 1200m at the same venue on Saturday are the highlights of racing in the UK this weekend. Remarquee and Shaquille put up superb performances at Royal Ascot last month and look likely to dominate the respective races. 

Shaquille has put a winning run together despite finding ways to get himself into trouble, so if he gets everything right in the July Cup he is surely the one to beat. His breakthrough Group 1 success in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot came in dramatic circumstances. He reared when the stalls opened, losing a minimum of five lengths, and trainer Julie Camacho admitted to thinking his chance was over immediately. 

However, Shaquille still had plenty to offer and when asked to run, he streaked clear of last year’s leading juvenile in exciting style. In receipt of weight from his elders, he can add his name to the likes of Sakhee’s Secret, Dream Ahead, Muhaarar, Harry Angel, US Navy Flag and Ten Sovereigns, all winners of this event at three since 2007. 

ROBOT READY TO WIN AT KRANJI 

Jason Ong-trained three-year-old Roda Robot can make amends for his last-start defeat when he returns to Kranji in the $20,000 Open Maiden race over 1200m on turf this Saturday. Roda Robot has not had much luck at his last two starts, but still finished in the money on both occasions. Two starts back the Mongolian Khan gelding came home a neck behind in second after being badly held up from the 450m to the 250m. And then last time after travelling three wide throughout, he managed to take second place again. This week Roda Robot finds a winnable race in which he stands out as the form choice, and with average luck in running should come put tops. 
 

COUNT ON WHYTE AND HEWITSON

Trainer Douglas Whyte hopes the frustrations stemming from Flaming Rabbit’s delayed first Hong Kong preparation will ultimately prove a blessing when the talented import contests the Class 1 Hong Kong Racehorse Owners Association Trophy Handicap over1600m at the 2022-23 season finale at Sha Tin on Sunday.

A three-time European winner, Flaming Rabbit did not land in Hong Kong until December and made a late start to his campaign, effectively dashing Whyte’s hopes of contesting the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) with the Time Test colt. But Whyte is confident Flaming Rabbit, who eventually made his Hong Kong debut in April, can thrive into the future. “He started his preparation late, so he’s still got fresh legs. This race presented itself, he’s coming in with a nice galloping weight, so we’re going to the race.” Lyle Hewitson will be in the saddle again as Flaming Rabbit rises to Class 1 after an impressive last-start Class 2 success. 

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