Horse Racing News | Gold Circle Horse Racing And Betting

Imposing stamps his authority again

PUBLISHED: January 14, 2026

Andrew Harrison Imposing has not put a foot wrong since joining Gareth van Zyl as the six-year-old and turned in another polished performance to win the Middle Stakes that headed the seven-race card on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday. Van Zyl was magnanimous in his praise for Imposing’s former trainer Michael Roberts and said […]

Andrew Harrison

Imposing has not put a foot wrong since joining Gareth van Zyl as the six-year-old and turned in another polished performance to win the Middle Stakes that headed the seven-race card on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday.

Van Zyl was magnanimous in his praise for Imposing’s former trainer Michael Roberts and said that the horse had arrived in splendid condition, attributing the gelding’s new lease on life to a change of routine.

It was the fifth win for the yard in just six starts including the Christmas Handicap, all five with S’manga Khumalo board, but he did not have to do much more than a steering job as Imposing turned in a determined run up the straight to win as he liked.

Van Zyl expressed concerns that he may have ‘gone to the well’ once too often but his assistant and father Gavin, no slouch in his training days, convinced him that all was well.

The gelding is due a break and according to Van Zyl he’s hoping to punch a little higher come Champions Season.

It will have been drinks all round at The George, a popular watering hole with the racing fraternity in Umhlanga, as Dean Kannemeyer’s filly Back At The George took to the poly and won a smart race in the other Middle Stakes race for fillies and mares that headed the card.

It was all for the taking a furlong from home with almost the entire field aiming for a crack at the line, but Back At The George slowly got her nose in front and eventually went on to win comfortably.

Those punters who follow horses that arrive from the Western Cape were rewarded once again as Chasing Gold made short work of an admittedly shallow field in the first.

Chasing Gold had never started at odds shorter than 10-1 in her seven outings in the Cape, and mostly in triple figures, but she started favourite in the Open Maiden. Cole Dicken made good use of her light weight, making an early move on the turn as Chasing Gold skipped away from the opposition to win as she liked with Praise De La Rey bobbing in her wake.

Nicholas Patel is an under rated light weight and although Basie Raakvat was carrying in the high numbers yesterday, the dead weight proved no hinderance as MJ Odendaal’s runner arrived in the fourth. It was a surprise according to the stable, R20 a win on the tote, as the son of Flower Alley generally performs best over ground, but racing fresh he put it all together as he eventually outgunned visiting Zoom Bomber who just failed under a typically forceful Khumalo ride with Patel resorting to a couple of slaps.

Jarrett Rugg, now a hotel manager but a former trainer at Flamingo Park, always praised Patel’s work ethic and given that Patel is attached to top stables of the likes of Gareth van Zyl and Odendaal says much for his progress from the backwaters of Kimberly.

Dennis Bosch is a Gr1 winning trainer and one of the shrewdest around. Some with long memories will recall him riding a pick-up in the gallop before In Full Flight won the Durban July for David Payne. 1200m may have been on the short side for the stable stalwart Poursomesugaronme in the fifth, but Keagan de Melo rode the perfect tactical race on the mare, finishing off her run well with Lucienne on her outside keep her honest.

Anty punter in doubt of the strength of Cape form, especially in lower grade races, it was reiterated again as Umzingeli Wenyathi put them all to bed in the sixth. Syndicate rider Sean Veale possibly had the choice of rides but Clinton Binda stuck with apprentice Sifisokuhle Bungane and the 4kg claim came into play as he held off a determined challenge from Doug Campbell’s runner Magic Surprise who managed to unship his rider at his previous start.

Gary Rich is old school. He knows horses inside and out but is never one to promote himself in public so battles along without mainstream owner support and a string of moderates. But when the money is down, they seldom disappoint. Dawn Surprise came in for strong market support in the last and she landed the gamble as Rachel Venniker managed to stay aboard as the mare ducked sideways under pressure but still had enough in hand to hold off Jazz Diva and Queen Fenn to round off the day.

King Harald’s bold bid for a second victory

PUBLISHED: January 14, 2026

David Thiselton A Graduation Plate over 1400m is the highlight of the meeting at the Vaal Classic track on Thursday and could see the three-year-old King Harald claiming a second career victory. Gavin Lerena has jumped ship from Winds Of Change to ride King Harald who has been quite close to the like […]

David Thiselton

A Graduation Plate over 1400m is the highlight of the meeting at the Vaal Classic track on Thursday and could see the three-year-old King Harald claiming a second career victory.

Gavin Lerena has jumped ship from Winds Of Change to ride King Harald who has been quite close to the like of all of Gr 2 winner Tin Pan Alley, dual Gr 1 winner Jan Van Goyen and Gr 2 winner Chronicle King in races from 1400m up to 1600m. He has a tricky draw of five out of seven and is officially 2kg under sufferance with Winds Of Change, but Gavin Lerena knows him well and he should make a bold bid. He should appreciate this step up to this trip. Winds Of Change was staying on over 1000m last time and although both of his wins were over 1160m, he did finish a 3,70 length fifth in a Grade 2 race the only time he went further than a sprint and that was over this 1400m trip. He could mow down the others in the finish from a wide draw of six out of seven. Paul Revere is way out at the weights but is drawn in pole, was 2,5kg under sufferance in the Grand Heritage when finishing just 4,50 lengths back, so could be in the shake up here. Clever Trevor is also way under sufferance but is on the up. I’m A Fireball is third best in at the weights but in his only try at a trip beyond a sprint, in the Gr 2 Golden Horseshoe, he was well beaten, although he did have a wide draw then and has a middle draw here on this more galloping track.

In the first leg of the P6 over 2400 females are at a weight advantage under the Classified Stakes conditions and the progressive Cartagena could thus be the one to beat under Craig Zackey, who is in sublime form. She does have a tricky draw of eight but possesses a good turn of foot so can make up the ground after being dropped out. Chabal has a very wide draw but is capable over this trip and will be ridden by in form Rachel Vennikerr, whose 1,5kg gender allowance will help him overcome being 3kg under sufferance with the best weighted. Arlington Action is also distance suited and is only 2kg under sufferance and he did beat Chabal when they last met over this trip. Mizzen Sword might be looking for this trip having won over 1800m before. Lava Lamp is the best weighted but was fatigued last time over 3200m when tailed off, so will likely come in freshened up. Party Punch is joint second best weighted and is 2kg better off with Cartagena for a 2,70 length beating, but she will need to confirm the form.

In the second leg over 2000m Palace Attack is a half-brother to Fire Attack and having shown promise up to 1700m he should relish this step up in trip and is well drawn. Diesel’s Shadow won well last time and if reproducing it off a five point higher mark from a good draw he could be a contender. Flashy Apache is always thereabouts and has a a fair draw over a suitable trip off a competitive mark. One More Star won well over this trip last time but does have a tough draw. Titans Of War has a tricky draw but has been in fair form and has Lerena up.

In the sixth race over 1200m Rockaroundtheclock has good formlines and can score a hattrick despite a five point raise for his latest win and even then he is officially 3,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted, so he will need to improve again. Gimmethegoodlife is in good form and can go close from a good draw with Venniker up. Black Egret can never be ignored and has a fair draw. Lead The Charge is in hard-knocking form but does have a tricky draw. The filly Salenio Peninsula is the best weighted and only has to carry 52,5kg so should make a bold bid under Keagan de Melo.

In the seventh over 1200m Esquevelle is in fine form and should be right there from a fair draw. Palace Revolt ran a cracker over this trip with first time blinkers and has a shout from a fair draw. Winston’s Wonder ran well first time out the maidens over 1450m but was not only given a two point raise but has also had a short layoff and now has a tough draw.

In the ninth over 1600m Aquarius won well in the maidens and can follow up. Kensal Green beat the same horse Aquarius beat in the maidens but did not do it as convincingly. Azaleas For All has been in good form and has some good form over this shorter trip than she’s been running over recently. Open Sesame is capable of improvement but does have a tough draw. Nkwenkwezi was not herself last time so has likely been freshened up and the shorter trip could help.

In the tenth race Global Impact could be the one to beat over a suitable trip.

In the first race over 200m Samuel Sharpe should relish the step up in trip and can win this uninspiring race from pole position.

In the second over 1200m Quickfreeze was just 5,75 lengths back in second behind the promising Tintin on debut and with expected improvement could be the one to beat here.

In the third over 1200m Anahita has shown ability and might well enjoy the step down in trip but does have a tough draw. Savara’s Princess has a fair draw and comes off a close up finish over 1500m, but has finished second over this distance too before. Gimmesumluv is by Gimmethegreenlight and is a half-sister to Gr 2 winner Second Base.

Vaal Classic Thursday 15 January – Comments by David Thiselton

PUBLISHED: January 14, 2026

Race 1 8 SAMUEL SHARPE 4 UNDERDOG 3 JABBERWOCKY 1 AFTERBURN Preview: 8 SAMUEL SHARPE made a fair debut over 1200m and is drawn in pole over a step up in trip he should relish being by Flower Alley out of a Mambo In Seattle mare. 4 UNDERDOG has shown some ability over […]

Soccer Updates and Carryovers – Friday 16 January and Saturday 17 January 2026

PUBLISHED: January 14, 2026

Soccer10 Friday 16 January 2026. Carryover R150 000. Estimated Pool: R1.8 Million. Pool Closes at 21h00. Sport 7 and Pool 1. Soccer4 Saturday 17 January 2026. Carryover R25 000. Estimated Pool: R100 000. Pool Closes at 17h00. Sport 17 Pool 2. Soccer6 Saturday 17 January 2026. Carryover R75 000. Estimated Pool: R400 000. Pool Closes at […]

Never too later for a star to rise

PUBLISHED: January 14, 2026

David Thiselton The reputation of the three-year-old male crop lay in tatters after the weekend with two of the main protagonists, Jan Van Goyen and Trust, both disappointing as favourites. However, it is not too late for a star to still emerge from the crop and the two aforementioned horses should be forgiven just one […]

David Thiselton

The reputation of the three-year-old male crop lay in tatters after the weekend with two of the main protagonists, Jan Van Goyen and Trust, both disappointing as favourites.

However, it is not too late for a star to still emerge from the crop and the two aforementioned horses should be forgiven just one below par run apiece.

Jan Van Goyen is already a twice Gr 1 winner, but both of those wins, in the World Pool Moment Of The Day Champions Stakes and the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas, were against his own crop.

He faced his acid test on Saturday against the best horses in he country in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate and came in for even more support on the day to firm to 15/10.

Meanwhile, his Highveld contemporary Trust was ready to do battle in the Gr 3 Got The Greenlight Stakes over 1400m on Sunday at Turffontein Standside and was the odds-on favourite, despite having to carry a Gr 2 penalty and give the rest of the field 2kg.

Trust had shown an exceptional turn of foot in all three of his previuos starts, which had yielded two wins and an unlucky second to Tin Pan Alley in the Gr 3 Betway Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m.

His turn of foot was on display when beating Jan Van Goyen in the Gr 2 Jackpot City Dingaans over 1600m, although the latter was making his reappearance after a four month layoff and the race did not pan out well for him.

Jan Van Goyen then came out and obliterated the Cape Town three-year-olds in the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas, winning by a seemingly effortless 2,75 lengths.

The ease of his win was enough for all of the other three-year-olds to run away from him in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate and he ended up being the sole three-year-old in the race.

His status as favourite for the latter race was understandable due to the visual impression of his Cape Guineas win as well as the visual impression Trust had created.

Hopefully, that visual impression was going to carry the day, because when delving into Jan Van Goyen’s form before the big race on Saturday there were some worrying aspects to it.

Firstly, the Cape Town three-year-old crop’s form has always been muddled with horses taking turns to beat each other and no dominant force emerging.

On the other hand the same could be said for the older horses Jan Van Goyen was to face in the King’s Plate.

Secondly, the Dingaans form had an initial question mark and since then it had failed to stand up.

The initial question mark was that the East Cape raider All Systems Go had finished third. He was beaten 5,10 lengths and it is not the fact that he was from the East Cape that was the negative, rather it was his previous form. In his previous start the one-time winner had received 1,5kg from the crack champion filly Golden Palm in a 1600m event and had been beaten 6,75 lengths. Golden Palm had then come out and disappointed in the Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas, starting at odds of 9/10 and being beaten 3,80 lengths into sixth.

Later, the Dingaan’s 5,40 length fourth-placed Shadowfax failed to win a Graduation Plate and was slammed 3,50 lengths by the admittedly promising 98-rated three-year-old One Eye On Vegas.

Later, the Dingaan’s 6,30 length fifth-placed horse, Copper Eagle, had been beaten in a Graduation Plate over 1800m, losing by 1,20 lengths to be 94-rated old filly Gerbera, from whom he received 2kg.

In the L’Ormarins King’s Plate Dave The King looked to have a chance, so it was surprising to see him going like the clappers from the off.

His best runs have been from the front or close to the pace but in those races he started winding it up from 1000m to 800m out, not all the way from the off.

It is not clear whether he was sacrificed as a pacemaker for Jan Van Goyen, but if so it did not help the latter at all, because the sectional times show the three-year-old to have also been going too fast.

He had little chance of maintaining that pace, but he would have been expected to finish closer than 9,10 lengths back whatever happened, so it was probably a flat run.

Nevertheless, the concerns about the strength of his form had held up and this was exacerbated when Trust disappointed the following day.

His usual kick was not effective and he was beaten 2,50 lengths, meaning he did not even perform as well as the winner, the 91-rated Splittheeights, when taking the weights into account and he performed only slightly better than One Eye On Vegas.

So, it looks to be back to square one when looking for a superstar among this crop.

On the other hand, great horses can often be forgiven one below par run.

The great Horse Chestnut was beaten by Century Stand over 1000m second time out and he later beat that horse by 14 lengths and 23 lengths respectively in the Gr 1 Cape Guineas and the Gr 1 The Classic over 1600m and 1800m respectively.

There could still be hitherto under the radar horses to emerge as the like of Big City Life, Legislate, See It Again, Green With Envy and Eight On Eighteen only emerged as stars after running in the Cape Derby.