Horse Racing News | Gold Circle Horse Racing And Betting

Lucky Lad can mow them down

PUBLISHED: April 26, 2024

David Thiselton The ten race meeting at Turffontein Standside today is highlighted by the Gr 2 Jehan Malherbe Senor Santa Stakes over 1160m and the Gr 2 TAB Colorado King Stakes over 2000m. In the Senor Santa Lucky Lad is the one to beat, despite being under sufferance with the best weighted. He mowed them […]

David Thiselton

The ten race meeting at Turffontein Standside today is highlighted by the Gr 2 Jehan Malherbe Senor Santa Stakes over 1160m and the Gr 2 TAB Colorado King Stakes over 2000m.

In the Senor Santa Lucky Lad is the one to beat, despite being under sufferance with the best weighted. He mowed them down in the Gr 1 Gold Medallion over 1200m as a juvenile to win by 5,30 lengths and now has his third run after a layoff. The Standside sprint course usually favours high draws, so his draw of eight out of eleven is on the right side. Richard Fourie will be aboard. On the other hand this might just be a preparation run for the Gr 2 WSB Guineas at Hollywoodbets Greyville a week later. However, his natural speed and class can pull him through. His stablemate Winter Greeting can pick up the pieces if he is not at his best. This imposing daughter of What A Winter is the best weighted runner and having always showed a lot of promise she proved last time that sprinting is her game when sauntering to an easy win over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Greyville. Furthermore, she is drawn ten out of eleven. Craig Zackey rides. I Am Giant is 2,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted and has a tricky low draw of three, but has always struck as one who could be a black type-winning sprinter and as a four-year-old who has only had ten starts the best might not yet have been seen of him. This well-named giant of a horse is consistent and has never been out the money. Rulership is only 1kg under sufferance with the best weighted and has done well since relocating to the Tony Peter yard on the Highveld. He is draw middle outside in six and has a chance. Surjay is a Gr 1 performer and also has to be taken seriously here. The Brett Crawford yard have done well preparing horses on the Highveld to raid for the Champions Season. Last year Surjay finished third in the Gr 1 Golden Horse Sprint, third in the Gr 2 Post Merchants and second in the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint, so this could be a stepping stone race towards those events. Those are the five who make most appeal.

The Gr 2 Colorado King Stakes over 2000m is equally difficult to assess because it might be a preparation for some. On form and visual impression Pure Predator makes most appeal from draw five in the seven horse field, partly because he is up and coming and faces exposed older horses. He has impressed with strong finishes for a two lengths fourth and 0,25 length second in the Gr 1 TAB SA Classic over 1800m and Gr 1 TAB SA Derby over 2450m respectively. However, the form of the three-year-olds has been questionable and he is also likely to have been freshened up as he will likely be running in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 and the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July. Hotarubi was only a length behind him in the SA Classic and 2,25 lengths behind him in the SA Derby. He will also likely have been freshened up with the aforementioned races also likely on his radar. Muzi Yeni is a notable booking for Safe Passage. He has ridden this enigmatic character five times for three wins, including the Gr 1 Daily News 2000, a third in the July and a second in the Summer Cup. Safe Passage’s real issues did seem to start after that though, so he is not certain to bring the best out of him. However, the horse does still retain ability as proven by his Summer Cup second this season and Yeni’s presence might help. Future Pearl is best at staying trips but is effective over this trip too and has his third run after a layoff. Aragosta is the second best in at the weights and is drawn well over a suitable trip, but he might also have been freshened up with the July in mind. The best weighted runner Puerto Manzano appears to be in decline, although at his best he would win. Second Base has also been off form and needs to bounce back.

In the Gr 3 Protea Stakes over 1100m Winds Of Change gets 3kg from the others as he is still a maiden, but he has been beaten narrowly by top horses in Cape Town and also by a promising horse in his only Highveld run, so he is the one to beat. Proceed is progressive and is taken to finish second ahead of the facile maiden winner Buffalo Storm Cody.

In the Gr 3 Pretty Polly Stakes over 1100m Simply Majestic has some fair form and should be in the shake up. Stars and Bra’s won well last time after a good debut sprint and then finding 1400m too far. Famous Lady had a hard task last time after a good debut win and can bounce back. Pinatubo is well regarded but disappointed second time out and has something to prove. Bosum Buddy’s maiden win has been franked but she lost to Pinatubo before that.

In the Gr 2 TAB Camelia Stakes over 1160m the progressive Time Fo Orchids can go marching on. White Pearl’s speed and class will see her go close. Kiss Me Captain will go close if repeating her Computaform Sprint. Mrs Geriatrix’s star has waned but she deserves another chance considering she wan’t the only raider who underperformed in Cape Town and she then had to bump Gimme A Nother in her only Highveld run since. Mrs Browning, One Fell Swoop and Alula’s Star are hard to ignore in what could be a field race.

The Gr 2 TAB Igugu Stakes is wide open but Future Girl is fancied to prevail and Zeus and Gavin Lerena can make it eleven wins together in the Listed TAB Gold Bowl.

Turffontein Standside Saturday 27 April 2024 – Comments by David Thiselton

PUBLISHED: April 26, 2024

RACE 1 3 MOUNT PINATUBO 4 SUNSET RIOT 1 LEGEND OF ARTHUR 2 MOONLIGHT TRADER Preview: 3 MOUNT PINATUBO flew up late for second in the Gr 2 SA Nursery and should enjoy the step up in trip. 4 SUNSET RIOT won well second time out and the form has been franked. 1 LEGEND OF […]

RACE 1

3 MOUNT PINATUBO 4 SUNSET RIOT 1 LEGEND OF ARTHUR 2 MOONLIGHT TRADER

Preview: 3 MOUNT PINATUBO flew up late for second in the Gr 2 SA Nursery and should enjoy the step up in trip. 4 SUNSET RIOT won well second time out and the form has been franked. 1 LEGEND OF ARTHUR was an easy winner second time out but does have a tricky draw. 2 MOONLIGHT TRADER has shown enough to be competitive here. (3-4-1-2)

RACE 2

10 WORLD OF ALICE 3 TOO LATE MY MATE 2 QUEEN OF FIRE 1 FATAL FLAW

Preview: 10 WORLD OF ALICE ran a cracker on debut and getting weight from the winners can go close. 3 TOO LATE MY MATE beat World Of Alice by 0,7 lengths but is 3kg worse off. 2 QUEEN OF FIRE won well last time and the form has been franked. 1 FATAL FLAW was beaten a length by Queen Of Fire and then won but now faces the latter on the same terms. (10-3-2-1)

RACE 3

6 WINDS OF CHANGE 5 PROCEED 1 BUFFALO STORM CODY 2 CHIEFTAIN

6 WINDS OF CHANGE has been beaten by good sorts and can get it right here as a maiden who gets weight from the winners. 5 PROCEED is talented and should be staying on strongly. 1 BUFFALO STORM CODY was a nine length winner on debut and could be anything. 2 CHIEFTAIN is drawn on the right side and can reverse form with DantonfromSandton (6-5-1-2)

RACE 4

4 SIMPLY MAJESTIC 5 STARS AND BRA’S 2 FAMOUS LADY 3 PINATUBO

Preview: 4 SIMPLY MAJESTIC just failed last time and can make amends although he has a possibly tricky low draw. 5 STARS AND BRA’S caused an upset last time in a decent field and could follow up. 2 FAMOUS LADY can be a factor here down in class. 3 PINATUBO disappointed last time but against her own age group could bounce back. (4-5-2-3)

RACE 5

5 TIME FO ORCHIDS 6 WHITE PEARL 2 KISS ME CAPTAIN 1 MRS GERIATRIX

Preview: 5 TIME FO ORCHIDS has been progressive and can go in again. 6 WHITE PEARL deserves a win and should be right there again. 2 KISS ME CAPTAIN ran a cracker in the Gr 1 Computaform and will be right there with a repeat. 1 MRS GERIATRIX has been disappointing this season having had great expectations but she could show her class could kick in at any time. (5-6-2-1)

RACE 6

6 FUTURE GIRL 8 MY SOUL MATE 4 PERFECT WITNESS 2 GILDED BUTTERFLY

Preview: 6 FUTURE GIRL can go close if repeating her last start in Cape Town and she has a plum draw. 8 MY SOUL MATE ran a cracker in the SA Oaks and from pole position should be in the shake up. 4 PERFECT WITNESS has a lot of class and will appreciate the step up in trip. 2 GILDED BUTTERFLY can mix it with the best on her day and can never be ignored. (6-8-4-2)

RACE 7

6 PURE PREDATOR 7 HOTARUBI 4 SAFE PASSAGE 3 FUTURE PEARL

Preview: 6 PURE PREDATOR has shown his class in his last two starts in Gr 1s and a repeat will see him going close here. 7 HOTARUBI has also done well in Gr 1s and should be i n the mix if producing his best. 4 SAFE PASSAGE has class but is none too reliable although he can never be ignored. 3 FUTURE PEARL prefers further but is effective over shorter too. (6-7-4-3)

RACE 8

3 LUCKY LAD 10 WINTER GREETING 9 I AM GIANT 1 RULERSHIP

Preview: 3 LUCKY LAD is top class and should be easy to deliver in his third run after a layoff. 10 WINTER GREETING has class and showed last time that sprinting could be her game. 9 I AM GIANT is big classy sort who has speed too. 1 RULERSHIP has been in fine form on the Highveld and should be right there. (3-10-9-1)

RACE 9

1 ZEUS 8 BREEZE OVER 6 UNITED COUNCIL 3 CRIMSON KING

Preview: 1 ZEUS looks to be the best stayer in the land and can notch up another win under Gavin Lerena, who won on him ten times. 8 BREEZE OVER is a big, scopey stayer and should be involved. 6 UNITED COUNCIL can be right there if repeating his last start. 3 CRIMSON KING has class and stamina and would not be a surprise winner. (1-8-6-3)

RACE 10

5 ZINOVI 6 CELTIC RUMOURS 8 JULIET TANGO 2 ATTICUS FINCH

Preview: 5 ZINOVI has had a successful wind op and can go in again. 6 CELTIC RUMOURS showed her class last time and will go close. 8 JULIET TANGO has plenty of ability and could be thereabouts over a suitable trip. 2 ATTICUS FINCH is progressive and the best has not been seen of him yet but this might be on the sharp side. (5-6-8-2)

Presenter selections Champions Day Sha Tin 28 April 2024

PUBLISHED: April 26, 2024

Paul Lally: R1 4-9-12-6 R2 7-8-6-1 R3 3-1-11-2 R4 4-13-5-8 R5 1-2-3-5 R6 13-1-10-7 R7 8-1-2-9 R8 1-4-11-2 R9 13-5-8-12 R10 8-5-2-3 Best Bet R4 N4 Circuit Fiery Longshot R7 N8 Elton Barows Play Race2 QQP 6-7-8 Tom Wood: R1: 7-12-6-11 R2: 3-7-2-1 R3: 1-3-2-14 R4: 4-5-2-1 R5: 1-3-6-5 R6: 1-10-13-3 R7: 1-9-2-5 R8: 1-11-4-2 […]

The Wave Builds for Racing’s Superstars

PUBLISHED: April 24, 2024

The wave is building towards Saturday, 6 July! Winchester Mansion and See It Again, first and second in last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July, head the nominations for this year’s event. First entries closed on Monday and 58 of the cream of the county’s middle-distance gallopers have been entered for a crack at the R5 million […]

The Michael Roberts-trained See It Again, touched off in last year’s race as a three-year-old, is the highest rated of the nominations and early ante-post favourite at 7/2 with the title sponsor, Hollywoodbets. All things going well, he will be back to go one better.

Brett Crawford has again entered Winchester Mansion (10/1) who was narrowly beaten in the recent Gr1 Champions Challenge and is likely to be up against his recent nemesis, Royal Victory (7/1). Nathan Kotzen’s gelding has been a revelation since being sent over ground and is sure to be among the fancied runners for this year’s event should he be in the final field.

Three trainers are responsible for nearly half of the entries headed by Sean Tarry with 10, Justin Snaith eight and Mike de Kock six.

Second highest rated of the Tarry entries is Lucky Lad (33/1), recent runner-up to Sandringham Summit in the Gr2 Hawaii Stakes over the Turffontein mile but is yet to show that he stays the 2200m of the Hollywoodbets Durban July. Also among the Tarry entries is Mid Winter Wind (50/1), winner of his last four races but yet to race beyond 1400m and the R9 million yearling purchase, Celestial City (150/1), full brother to Hawwaam, who famously blew his chances by refusing to load when favourite for the July in 2019. The Tarry stable also has last year’s facile winner of the World Pool Gold Cup, Future Pearl (250/1) among his nominations.

Justin Snaith is likely to have another strong hand in the field with the likes of Royal Aussie, Without Question (25/1) and the three-year-olds Hluhluwe (66/1) and the feisty grey The Grey King (66/1) among his nominations.

Mike de Kock is a master at getting fillies primed for the big race and the hitherto unbeaten Gimme A Nother (7/1) heads his list of nominations. De Kock opted not to try for the final leg of the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara, the Gr2 SA Oaks over 2450m, despite two comfortable victories in the first two legs.

The Oaks was won in commanding fashion by Frances Ethel (50/1) from My Soul Mate (66/1) and Silver Sanctuary (50/1), all three among the entries. Should both Frances Ethel and Winchester Mansion make the final field, last year’s winning jockey Kabelo Matsunyane, will need to choose between Brett Crawford’s runners.

Other standouts among the De Kock entries are Oaks third Silver Sanctuary and the promising sophomore Marauding Horde (66/1) who ran up a string of three consecutive victories before coming unstuck on the SA Derby although only beaten three lengths.

One of those heading the ante-post market on the sponsor’s book is Gr1 SplashOut Cape Derby winner Green With Envy (7/1). Dean Kannemeyer is no stranger to the July winner’s podium having won the race three times, his first coming with the superstar Dynasty in 2003. Green With Envy came from almost last to motor past a high-class field in the Derby and stable rider Craig Zackey will be looking forward to the ride.

Robyn Klaasen will throw another curved ball the way of Matsunyane as he was aboard star three-year-old Purple Pitcher (16/1) who got the better of New Predator and the title chasing Richard Fourie in the Gr1 SA Derby and was also victorious in the Gr1 SA Classic where he beat hot favourite Sandringham Summit and William Iron Arm. Klaasen, who is a relatively new comer to the training ranks, has also entered Second Base (250/1) who did duty for her in last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July in her first year as a trainer.

Tony Peter is having a terrific season and has entered Main Defender (25/1) and William Iron Arm (33/1). Main Defender is the second highest rated horse among the nominations behind See It Again but has yet to race beyond 1600m. However, he was an eye-catching winner of the Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes beating the De Kock-trained Dave The King by over two lengths. Now with the Peters stable is former Gr1 SA Derby winner Son Of Raj (75/1) who was also a runner last year when trained by Weiho Marwing.

Fanie Bronkhorst will have his first runner in the race should SA Derby runner-up Pure Predator (33/1) make the line-up.

See It Again and Royal Victory will no doubt head the local challenge but Michael Miller has entered recent Listed Stakes winner Narina Trogon (200/1) along with Ancient World (200/1). Gareth van Zyl has entered Imilenzeyokududuma (100/1) who races in the yellow and purple silks of the Hollywood Syndicate, and Robbie Hill, a former winner of the race as a jockey aboard El Picha for Geoff Woodruff, will have his first runner in the race should Navajo Nation (200/1) make the final field. Encouraged by his recent victory over The Grey King has prompted Peter Muscutt to add Formagear (100/1) to the entry list.

Lorenzo Karriem has two entries in River Romeo (200/1) and Indian Ocean (250/1) with Tony Rivalland entering the filly Celtic Beauty (150/1) and MJ Odendaal the mare Danse Milord (250/1).

Soccer & Rugby Add-In & Carryovers – Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 April 2024

PUBLISHED: April 24, 2024

Soccer1 on Saturday, 27 April 2024, C/Over R5000, Pool Closes at 21h00, Sport 20 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R 15 000. Soccer4 on Saturday, 27 April 2024, ADD-IN R 25 000, Pool Closes at 18h30, Sport 19 and Pool 3, Estimated Pool: R 100 000. Soccer6 on Saturday, 27 April 2024, C/Over R 50 […]