Barbaresco boost for the Van Zyl yard

David Thiselton

 

Reigning KZN Champion Trainer Gareth van Zyl has closed within one win of Alyson Wright in this season’s race for the KZN Trainers Championship and his chances of retaining it were boosted when the useful former Highveld-based horse Barbaresco joined the yard.

 

The yard also has the campaigns of King Pelles, Imposing, Salani Kahle and thes like of Wild Justice to look forward too.

 

The Laurence Wernars and Rikesh Sewgoolam-owned grey gelding by Gimmethegreenlight, Barbaresco, is a versatile sort.

 

He has class, but also plenty of speed.

 

Van Zyl will have plenty of options with him.

 

Gareth said, “It is an exciting prospect to train him.”

 

Barbaresco is out of the useful Fort Wood mare Negroamaro, who won the Gr 3 Fillies Mile and she was second in both the Gr 1 SA Fillies Classic and Gr 1 Woolavington 2000, among other stakes places.

 

Barbaresco himself has followed in her footsteps to some extent under the guidance of the same trainer, Johan Janse van Vuuren. Like her he has earned many cheques in stakes races, although unlike her he is yet to win a black type race.

 

Interestingly, Gavin Lerena reckoned he would have gone close to winning his penultimate start over 1160m in the Gr 3 New Turf Carriers Merchants had he not been taken out just as he was beginning his run.

 

Lerena was not able to make amends over the same course and distance next time out, because Keagan de Melo has now become the retained rider for Laurence Wernars.

 

De Melo actually rode Barbaresco in his first two starts, both over the Turffontein 1160m course and distance, finishing second in both, and his last start was the first time he had ridden him since, a gap of two years and eight months.

 

Barbaresco was disappointing and unplaced last time, but Van Zyl and De Melo are likely to get the best out of him in his new KZN career.

 

Barbaresco’s best performances have been third in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000, tie second in the Gr 2 Betway Jo’Burg Spring Challenge over 1450m and third in the Gr 2 Allied-Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile.

 

Subsequent to his Daily News run he came in for a ton of support for the 2024 Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July and actually started third favourite at 8/1. However, the distance seemed to stretch him and he finished a 3,50 length eighth. However, he was only a three-year-old at the time and now as a five-year-old he might get the 2200m distance. It will be interesting to see whether the lure of the R10 million stake, together with the longer handicap, will prompt Van Zyl, Wernars and Sewgoolam to have another tilt at the country’s biggest race.

 

Van Zyl does not know what Barbaresco’s program will be yet, but he did speak about the July and was in favour of the longer handicap, which will see topweight being upped to 62kg and bottom weight lowered to 52kg.

 

He said, “It opens it up as it will make it harder for the good horses and will give the less proven horses a chance, it will be an exciting race to be part of. The thing about the July has always been the speculation … in the build up every horse seems to start having a chance even though it’s not the best horse in the race and now it’s going to be even more like that.”

 

A new environment can sometimes bring out the best in a horse and this can not be better illustrated than by the six-year-old Visionaire gelding Imposing, who has won five out of his six starts since joining the Van Zyl yard.

 

He arrived there at the beginning of this season as an 82-rated horse and he is now rated 107 after four victories over 1400m and one over 1600m, with all of them being on the turf except for one on the poly.

 

Imposing shows no signs of stopping either as he won his last start on poly the going way by 3,20 lengths under Van Zyl’s stable jockey S’Manga Khumalo.

 

Gareth said, “We will start asking bigger questions of him and step him up in company and see how he does.”

 

Imposing was obviously well regarded from day one as he was aimed high from day one by his first trainer.

 

He has at last started coming into his own as a six-year-old and shown his true potential, so there is exciting times ahead with him too.

 

Meanwhile, the yard have drawn a line through the Betway Summer Cup run of the stable star, the Equus Champion Stayer King Pelles.

 

He is being targeted at the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

 

Gareth said, “He’s doing very well and we are excited to get him going again. We would like to go for the July, he will just need to do well over one of the shorter distance races to get his confidence back, but the July is the race we would like to go for.”

 

He added, “”The Hollywoodbets horse Salani Kahle looks to have a bright future too.”

 

The Master Of My Fate colt has three starts and won his last two, both over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Greyville, one on turf and one on the poly, by 6,30 and 4,20 lengths respectively.

 

Gareth also mentioned the Vercingetorix colt Wild Justice, whose four starts, all over 1200m, have yielded three wins.

Prairie Dawn keeps Fortune firing

Warren Lenferna

The vibe, mood, and atmosphere at Hollywoodbets Durbanville were good yesterday for their eight-race programme, with all looking forward to the approaching World Sports Betting Met race day. There were some tight finishes and great rides on display at the country course on a brilliant summer Cape Town day.

Raffish Trend won the first race under Craig Zackey for trainer Adam Marcus, and this filly clearly relished the reduction in racing distance. She won a tad cozily, but still showed signs of immaturity and greenness. Her trainer mentioned in the post-race interview that there could certainly be a few more wins in the tank for this daughter of Rafeef.

Race two saw the well-backed son of The United States, Prairie Dawn, win well under a typical Andrew Fortune ride. They looked cozy from the 400m marker, and this flamboyant rider had time to pat his mount and pose for the photographers close to home. He won from the deepest draw, giving owner Nic Jonsson his first winner of the day.

The regally bred Amayah was allowed to drift slightly in the market but still asserted her authority when winning the third race for Candice Bass and Aldo Domeyer. She is by champion Vercingetorix out of the very good mare River Jetez. She was also drawn wide, but that clearly had zero effect on her. It was a good race for trainer Candice Bass, as her other horse, Beautiful One, filled the exacta position.

The fourth race was where owner Nic Jonsson recorded his second winner of the afternoon with Waloyo Yamoni, who was also a drifter in the marketplace. This handsome son of Trippi got into an argument with the well-backed Phantom Man in a very tight finish, but the visiting German rider denied the extremely in-form Fortune another victory. Justin Snaith was the trainer responsible for the winner’s well-being and was hugely complimentary of both the ride and the rider.

Race five was won by Midway from the barn of James Crawford, with stable jockey Luyolo Mxothwa doing the steering. This gelding showed guts and determination up the inside to post a solid win.

There was a nail-biting finish to the sixth race between Lovers Lane (Craig Zackey for Paul Reeves) and Act Of Grace (Chad Little for Glen Kotzen). It was an outstanding call from race caller Alistair Cohen, as it was extremely tight. He committed with confidence and went the way of Lovers Lane, who denied Act Of Grace victory. This was the first of the Social Squad-owned winners.

These colourful silks recorded a race-to-race winning double as Gravity, under a great strong ride from Richard Fourie, won the seventh for trainer Piet Botha, who had been experiencing a drought in the winners’ department. Now that he has broken the ice, the winners should flow. The Social Squad syndicate is a remarkable and cost-effective way of experiencing racehorse ownership.

The last race saw yet another tight finish, but the eventual winner was Wyze Declaration from Eisteddfod. Wyze Declaration was the second winner for the “Candyman” on the afternoon, giving Candice Bass another success on the day.

Vaal Classic Thursday 22 January – Comments by David Thiselton

Race 1

 

3 BLOOD OF EDEN 2 REECE’S WISH 1 KORTVANDRAAD 5 MASTER’S ROSE

 

Preview: 3 BLOOD OF EDEN is knocking hard and can get it right here over an ideal trip. 2 REECE’S WISH has been second in all three starts and is a big runner again. 1 KORTVANDRAAD has been thereabouts in last three and is capable of earning. 5 MASTER’S ROSE can earn if repeating last start. (David Thiselton 3-2-1-5)

 

Race 2

 

9 GIMMETHESPOTLIGHT 11 KNOWMORE 3 UNDERDOG 1 PALACE GUARD

 

Preview: 9 GIMMETHESPOTLIGHT made a good debut and will go close with expected improvement. 11 KNOWMORE improved second time out and can progress again. 3 UNDERDOG went close last Thursday and is getting the hang of it. 1 PALACE GUARD has shown some signs of ability and can earn here (David Thiselton 9-11-3-1)

 

Race 3

 

12 ASIAH’S TIARA 5 KAVOMOLKA 7 EMERALD CITY 11 VIXENINTHEVINEYARD

 

Preview: 12 ASIAH’S TIARA has been knocking on the door and gets a fine chance from a good draw here. 5 KAVOMOLKA has been right there in his last two starts and should enjoy the slight step up in trip. 7 EMERALD CITY will enjoy the step back up in trip and can earn here. 11 VIXENINTHEVINEYARD improved when stepped up to 1600m and is interesting stepped up in trip again. (12-5-7-11)

 

Race 4

 

3 FUTURE DATE 7 BOOM BOOM 9 BACK FROM WAR 8 AZALEAS FOR ALL

Preview: 3 FUTURE DATE has to handle a two point raise for a second last time but is progressive and will enjoy this trip from a fair draw. 7 BOOM BOOM has been coming into her own and will enjoy this trip. 9 BACK FROM WAR has a better draw than last time and can reverse for with Azaleas For All. 8 AZALEAS FOR ALL beat Back From War by 1,3 lengths over 1800m last time but now has a wider draw. (David Thiselton 3-7-9-8)

 

Race 5

 

7 HUBERTUS HUNT 4 GRACE’S KISS 1 LADY BLUNT 5 LITTLEMISSSPLENDID

 

Preview: 7 HUBERTUS HUNT won well last time out over 1800m and this progressive sort should enjoy the step up trip and is off a reasonable mark. 4 GRACE’S KISS has had two good runs outside the maidens and has a chance here. 1 LADY BLUNT has a chance of staying this trip on pedigree and should be in the shake up from pole position. 5 LITTLEMISSSPLENDID went close over this trip last week but does have a tough draw. (David Thiselton 7-4-1-5)

 

Race 6

 

2 MAX THE MAGICIAN 4 SECRET CHORD 5 ESQUEVELLE

 

Preview: 2 MAX THE MAGICIAN has been in fine form over further but should take well to a sprint trip from a good draw. 4 SECRET CHORD is talented and deserves to be a 95 merit rating but does have a tricky draw and his highest mark for a win has been 86. 5 ESQUEVELLE has been in good form and can earn again with a 4kg claimer up. (David Thiselton 2-4-5)

 

Race 7

 

3 PRESSONREGARDLESS 2 TIN PAN ALLEY 1 GREATERIX 7 BOB’S YOUR UNCLE

 

Preview: 3 PRESSONREGARDLESS is a classy sort who won a Listed feature over 1600m in fine style last time and his big action could help him follow up. 2 TIN PAN ALLEY has proven class and should go close over an ideal trip, although the wide draw is a concern. 1 GREATERIX looks ideally distance suited but he needs to bounce back to his classy self and a wide draw does not help. 7 BOB’S YOUR UNCLE could earn from a good draw over a suitable trip. (David Thiselton 3-2-1-7)

 

Race 8

 

7 LAST CAR TO PASS 11 ARASHI 3 CEUTA

 

Preview: 7 LAST CAR TO PASS has been reliable lately and can earn again over an ideal trip from a good draw. 11 ARASHI is distance suited and well drawn and could be in the shake up. 3 CEUTA bounced back with a fine run to a good sort last time and Craig Zackey is an eye-catching booking. (David Thiselton 7-11-3)

 

Race 9

 

2 PLAY WITH THE WIND 7 FAIR PROPOSAL 1 BRIGHT AND BRAZEN

 

Preview: 2 PLAY WITH THE WIND looks to have plenty of scope and should start progressing. 7 FAIR PROPOSAL ran a cracker last time over course and distance and Zackey should help overcome the tricky draw. 1 BRIGHT AND BRAZEN disappointed last time but on some of her earlier form she could earn, although she has a tough draw. (David Thiselton 2-7-1)

 

Soccer Updates and Carryovers – Friday 23, Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 January 2026

Soccer10 Friday 23 January 2026. Carryover R150 000. Estimated Pool: R1.7 Million. Pool Closes at 19h30. Sport 8 and Pool 1.

Soccer10 Saturday 24 January 2026. Carryover R150 000. Estimated Pool: R1.7 Million. Pool Closes at 15h30. Sport 14 and Pool 1.

Soccer Any 13Xtra Saturday 24 January 2026. Carryover R150 000. Estimated Pool: R500 000. Pool Closes at 14h30. Sport 13 and Pool 1.

Soccer13 Saturday 24 January 2026. Carry Over R 11 846  828. All 13 CORRECT JACKPOT POOL: R 25 Million (If only One 13 of 13 Winner). Pool Closes at 16h30. Sport 10 Pool 1.

Soccer CORNERS Carryover R 3 035. Saturday 24 January 2026. Pool Closes at 17h00. Sport 74

Soccer10 Sunday 25 January 2026. Carryover R150 000. Estimated Pool: R1.7 Million. Pool Closes at 18h30. Sport 20 and Pool 1.

Lovers Lane should be an easy walk

At Hollywoodbets Durbanville today, Lovers Lane has been consistent for months without getting the elusive third career win under the belt. Craig Zackey climbs aboard with is a huge scoop for the connections. He is exposed at this level which does not get much weaker in Cape Town but he is due a reward. His profile and recent form suggests that he will be bang in the hunt and with some luck, he could gain a morale-boosting victory. He did his best work late last time to finish fifth, just over a length behind Hiawatha Goldberg.

Act Of Grace and Kliptown are the unexposed runners in the race who could have more to give in the future. They are three-years-old and they could take a step forward against this tried and tested competition. Both are worth keeping an eye on.

Brown and Piechulek combine with the already mentioned Hiawatha Goldberg in race 7 over 1000m. Most of his career saw him compete over much further but since Brown dropped him back to sprints, he has come alive. After winning his penultimate run, he was not disgraced last time behind Worldly just over a week ago. If they do not run him off his feet on what should be a fast-running track, he must have a winning chance.

Gimme The Power is back to a sprint in race 1 over 1250m after fading out of contention over 1400m last time she was seen. That could be key to her chances under JP van der Merwe. This is an open maiden so she has only 55kg to shoulder. There is little to get excited about in this event bar first timer, Kituba. Gimme The Power might have her best chance yet.

Mercenary stands out as the best bet on the card in race 2 over 1600m, a far higher quality event than the one that precedes it. He was desperately unlucky not to finish closer two starts back when he ran into traffic behind Chance Encounter. His last start set him on the right track when she finished second behind Backinthefastlane who had a light weight over this trip at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. He is making steady progress through his career and he looks set to get the job done under Keagan de Melo.

Greek Heiress is overdue a win and she is a candidate to win race 3 over 1600m. Her good runs have not come in sparkling company but this is a race which will not take much winning. She has always given the impression that there is something to unlock and blinkers seem to have brought her closer since she tried them two starts back. She is not foolproof but she should get close if she does not win. Log-leading Craig Zackey takes the ride. Who Is She and Beautiful One are considered as her main threats. 

Leif Erikson has needed time to come to hand after a slow start to his career and he could be ready to win in race 4 over 2000m. His best run was his last when he finished fourth behind Fast And Free over this distance at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. He has 55kg on his back with Keagan de Melo. From his last start, runner-up Eric Liddell has won with ease. Everything points towards him being a lively chance. Phantom Man and Spanish Verse are not discounted.

Tothemoonandback has been banging at the door finishing second in his last two runs behind horses better than who he faces in race 5 over 2000m. Horses who beat him in his last two runs have either tasted feature races since or been at that level in the past. Master Of Paris and Gentleman Joe had his number in his last two runs. He comes from an in-form yard of Des McLachlan which bodes well. He must have every chance of going one better.

There are a few with chances in race 8 over 1250m. Eisteddfod is an interesting runner because she has always shown to be capable of stepping up a level or two as time goes on. Zackey is aboard. A lot of respect is given to William’s Woman who had no luck in running last time. She is back at the course where she won her maiden while True Horizon and Wyze Declaration are backing up from wins and they could also have more to come with their confidence up.

Can Eight On Eighteen defend his Met crown?

David Thiselton

There were only eleven horses still standing their ground in the Gr 1 wfa WSB Met before the barrier draw ceremony, which was set to take place at the Racing Pavilion at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth last evening.

Of the six yards still involved only two have won the big race before, Justin Snaith and Sean Tarry.

Justin Snaith will be out to equal Mike Bass’s record of winning the Met for four years in a row.

Bass won it three years in a row with the legendary Pocket Power from 2007 to 2009 and then with Pocket Power’s full sister River Jetez in 2010.

Snaith won it with Jet Dark in 2023, with Double Superlative in 2024 and with Eight On Eighteen in 2025.

Eight On Eighteen defends his crown this year.

If he wins it Snaith would obviously have done his four in succession with three different horses as opposed to Bass doing it with two horses.

Snaith will have achieved the remarkable feat of doing four in a row with four different horses if any of See It Again, Sail The Seas, Native Ruler, Okavango or Legal Counsel win the big race.

Richard Fourie will ride Eight On Eighteen, Andrew Fortune is on See It Again, Muzi Yeni is on Sail The Seas, JP van der Merwe is on Native Ruler, Callan Murray is on Okavango and Aldo Domeyer is aboard Legal Counsel.

Snaith holds a world record of eight winners at a single meeting, which he achieved on Met day in 2016.

He will have a chance of breaking that record at this year’s Met meeting, because he contests every one of the races and has a total of 43 runners in all at the meeting.

Sean Tarry won the Met with Alastor in 2005.

Gavin Lerena will be riding Tarry’s runner this year, Cosmic Speed.

Lerena is one of only four jockeys in this year’s race who have won the Met before.

Richard Fourie, JP van der Merwe and Aldo Domeyer are the other three.

There might only be eleven runners, but this year’s Met will be a true championship race.

Eight On Eighteen gets a chance to avenge his defeat to The Real Prince in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, a race in which he faced the latter on terms 2,5kg worse than weight for age.

He has since been defeated by The Real Prince in the Gr 1 wfa L’Ormarins King’s Plate over 1600m, but that was over a distance short of his optimum and it was his first run since the July too, so he likely needed it.

The Real Prince was defeated on wfa terms in a middle distance race after the July, when Gladatorian beat him narrowly in the Gr 1 wfa HKJC Champions Cup over 1800m.

See It Again was in third place behind that pair in that race and was a narrow third to The Real Prince in the King’s Plate, while Gladatorian was finishing fast in the King’s Plate and should enjoy the easy 2000m of Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

So the weight for age clashes of Gladatorian, The Real Prince and See It Again has its latest renewal and Eight On Eighteen joins the fray alongside the like of Garrix and Sail The Seas.

The Piet and Elbert Steyn-trained Garrix went close in the Gr 2 Ridgemont Green Point before possibly running a flat race in the King’s Plate. He finished like a train in the Green Point and should be mature enough to step up to 2000m having won the Gr 3 Legal Eagle Stakes as a Three-year-old last year before failing by a shorthead in the Listed Pocket Power Stakes over 1950m.

Sail The Seas beat Eight On Eighteen and Cosmic Speed in the Gr 2 WSB Guineas and he was a close fourth in the King’s Plate. Over 2000m he was beaten only 1,50 lengths by Eight On Eighteen in last year’s Gr 1 SplashOut Cape Derby.

Native Ruler and Okavango are capable of running good races, although their tasks at wfa level are tougher than they have had in the races they have done well in.

The Tony Peter-trained The Equator has a tougher task than he had in the Gr 1 Betway Summer Cup, which is a handicap, and he has a tough task with Okavango on their meeting in the Gr 2 Anthonij Rupert Premier Trophy. However, the best might not yet have been seen of him.

Legal Counsel has never run over 2000m before but has won over 1800m and he gallantly stayed on in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate despite having gone fast early fractions.

Cosmic Speed has never tried 2000m before but stayed on well for fifth in the King’s Plate.

The Real Prince is trained by Dean Kannemeyer and it is one of the most surprising facts in SA racing that this prolific big race winner is yet to win the Met.

Gladatorian is trained by Stuart Ferrie, who has only had his license for just under three years, but he has vast training experience having worked in the like of Dubai and the USA and he was for many years assistant trainer to the masterful Dennis Drier at Summerveld.

Hollywoodbets Durbanville Wednesday 21 January 2026 – Comments by Brandon Bailey.

RACE 1

2 GIMME THE POWER ran a fair race behind Kubu on the 17th of December, she was beaten just over five lengths, the drop in trip is key for this filly on Wednesday, she should get every chance from a good draw, this is not a strong open maiden event, if she brings her best form to the track, she will have a big winning chance in this field. 4 STELLAR GUIDANCE ran a great race on debut, she was beaten just over three lengths by Wyze Declaration on the 17th of December, she drops in trip, and she has a neat draw, with natural improvement expected from this filly, she will go close. 13 MEGHAN’S DIAMOND ran a lovely race for second behind Cutie Patootie on the 24th of December, the bad draw here will make it tough for her, if she gets some luck in running, she will go very close to winning. 1 KITUBA is well-bred, she has a good draw, and she has the services of top jockey Andrew Fortune, watch the market closely. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 4 – 13 – 1)

RACE 2

12 PRAIRIE DAWN had absolutely no luck last time, he stayed on well for second behind Sommerstern on the 3rd of December, if he gets some luck in running from a poor draw here, he will go close to winning. 4 MERCENARY ran a great race for second behind Backinthefastlane on the 4th of January, he will be just off the speed early, and he will be running on strongly late, include him into all bets. 1 MONTESSORI ran a much better race behind In Motion on the 24th of December, he stayed on well for third, from a good draw, his chances must be respected. 5 SENDAI has been rested for 74 days, he improved nicely to finish second behind Konnichiwa on the 8th of November, if he can build on that performance, he can definitely finish amongst the places in this field. (Brandon Bailey: 12 – 4 – 1 – 5)

RACE 3

5 WHO IS SHE ran a much better race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 17th of December, she was beaten just over two lengths by Wyze Declaration, she will love the step up in trip to 1600m on Wednesday, include her into all bets. 3 RARE EARTH stayed on well for fourth behind Silver Salute on the 24th of December, her form of late is very good, there should be no excuses for this filly from a neat draw, on her best form, she can definitely win a race like this. 7 GREEK HEIRESS never runs a bad race, she was beaten just over five lengths in the same race as Rare Earth on the 24th of December, even though she carries a big weight for this open maiden event, she will be right there in the finish. 12 AMAYAH has been rested for 108 days, she was a touch disappointing behind Red Beryl on the 5th of October, she was beaten just over three lengths by the winner, if she gets some luck in running from a bad draw here, she will have a big winning chance, watch her closely. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 3 – 7 – 12)

RACE 4

1 PHANTOM MAN ran a great race for third behind Fast And Free on the 10th of December, he stays well, and he has a good draw, there is no doubt that he will go very close to winning. 3 WALOYO YAMONI has run two excellent races in succession, he stayed on nicely for third behind Backinthefastlane on the 4th of January, he should love the step up in trip to 2000m on Wednesday, on his current form, he definitely has a winning chance. 10 SPANISH VERSE ran a fair race behind In Motion on the 24th of December, he was only beaten just over three lengths at the line, he should improve now that he steps up in trip. 6 LEIF ERIKSON stayed on well enough for fourth behind Fast And Free on the 10th of December, he might be able to sneak into the places on his best form. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 3 – 10 – 6)

RACE 5

6 TOTHEMOONANDBACK has run two great races in succession, he caught the eye late for second behind Gentleman Joe on the 4th of January, even though he carries top weight for this race on Wednesday, he stays well, and he tries hard, he will go close to winning. 3 BEER WITH THE BOYS ran a lovely race for second behind Wehaveasituation on the 17th of December, he should be cherry ripe for this race, the 2000m trip will be no problem at all for this gelding, include him into all bets. 7 MIDWAY is much better than his recent start, he finished seven lengths behind Wehaveasituation last time, the 2000m trip is a concern, if he settles early, he might be able to sneak into the places. 1 GOLD INDEX was only beaten just over one length by Devil A Saint on the 24th of December, he gets the services of jockey Rene Piechulek, and he has a good draw, he should be there amongst the places. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 3 – 7 – 1)

RACE 6

2 THE NIGHT FERRY caught the eye late for second behind Devil A Saint on the 24th of December, he likes to be on speed, he has a good draw, and he drops in trip to 1400m, there should be no excuses for this gelding on Wednesday, he will go close to winning. 1 KLIPTOWN won a good race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 26th of November, he is a good looking colt with lots of ability, he should love the step up in trip to 1400m, from a neat draw, he can definitely win again. 3 LOVERS LANE never runs a bad race, he was only beaten just over one length by Hiawatha Goldberg on the 21st of December, he now steps up in trip to 1400m, he should be there amongst the places on his best form, watch him closely. 10 ISCHYRO stayed on nicely for fourth behind Kebonalesedi on the 3rd of December, he has dropped even further in the ratings, if the gaps open at the right time for this gelding, he might be able to sneak into the places at a big price. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 1 – 3 – 10)

RACE 7

4 BONNE BOUCHE ran a much better race behind Hiawatha Goldberg on the 21st of December, she ran fourth and was only beaten just over one length at the line, she has dropped even further in the ratings, the yard is in great form at the moment, if she gets away from the field at the right time, she will be hard to fetch late. 5 CHAMPAGNE MAC stayed on well for third behind Digby on the 4th of January, he is in great form at the moment, at this level, his chances must be respected, include him into all bets. 3 GRAVITY has run three nice races in succession, he drops in trip to 1000m, and he gets the services of top jockey Richard Fourie, he will be just off the speed early, and he will be running on strongly late. 1 HIAWATHA GOLDBERG finished just over one length behind Worldly on the 13th of January, he gets a good draw for this race on Wednesday, in hope that the run hasn’t come too soon, he should be right there in the finish. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 5 – 3 – 1)

RACE 8

4 EISTEDDFOD ran a fair race behind Dream Searcher on the 4th of January at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, she finished just over three lengths behind the winner, the drop in trip is key for this filly on Wednesday, she definitely has a winning chance in this field. 5 TRUE HORIZON won a super race on the 4th of January, it was a great ride by jockey Muzi Yeni, she was given three points for that impressive win at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, with no weight on her back for this race on Wednesday, she must have a good chance of winning again. 8 WYZE DECLARATION quickened up smartly to win a lovely race on the 17th of December, she drops in trip for this Class 5 event, if she gets some luck in running from a tricky draw, she will trouble them all in the finish. 6 WILLIAM’S WOMAN finished just over five lengths behind Supreme Fate on the 6th of December, she is a decent filly, the drop in trip and the apprentice claim will help her chances, watch her closely at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 5 – 8 – 6)

Lerena’s One Stripe invite

David Thiselton
Gavin Lerena departed for the USA on a Cape Town flight last night (Monday) and is not only looking forward to being reunited with One Stripe, but he is also very excited about riding him in the US$1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational on Saturday.
One Stripe will face 12 other rivals at Gulfstream Park in the one mile and one furlong race and he has drawn four.
Gavin said about the draw, “I think that’s a good draw. Obviously, you don’t really want the fence and from draw four I can stay one out.”
Gavin will only be having the one ride.
His visa is a bit restrictive and right now in the USA nobody would dare taking any chances with the immigration authorities, so he will stick to riding the South African horse in the invitational race.
It will be the first time Gavin has ever ridden in the USA, so riding in a couple of races on the day would have been ideal.
“I will walk the course though,” he said.
He has also studied One Stripe’s last race, in which he had an easy task at the weights in an optional claimer over a mile, but he was just 0,4 seconds outside the course record. Trainer Graham Motion has pointed out to Gavin the track was running very fast that day, so he will take that into account in his strategy.
The way jockeys ride in the USA is a touch different to South Africa and that is likely due to there being no false rail.
The race tends to be faster and riding out wide is not the absolute no-no that it is in South Africa and this is probably because when going at a decent pace the horse is able to stride out so is less likely to over race.
However, riding out wide is usually seen more in the USA dirt races than on turf.
Gavin said, “Let’s hope the pace is on. I think he will enjoy a good pace.”
Gavin would like to sit on One Stripe before the big day, but added, “He did his final proper work yesterday (Sunday) , so I am going to try and get a sit on him but if it’s not part of the program it’s fine, I will give him a nice pat!”
He said about the racing style of the One World colt.
“He wants to be ridden quietly early and he then has that electric finish, The straights are a bit short for him, but if I am able to unwind him a bit earlier, he will kick on strong.”
The Gulfstream Park straight is under 400m long, but One Stripe did use it to his advantage last time when using his turn of foot to steal a march on his chief opposition and before running away with the race.
This Gr 1 level race will be a different ball game though and Gavin will have to earn his riding fee and hopefully a cut of the stakes money.
If he were to win it, it might well be the biggest cheque he has ever landed in his career with the only competition being the HK$500,000 he earned for winning the Longines International Jockeys Challege at Happy Valley in Hong Kong in 2015.
Lerena rode One Stripe in his last six starts in South Africa for four victories including in the Gr 2 Cape Punters Cup, the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas and the Gr 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate.
He had been due to ride One Stripe in the Breeders Cup Mile, but opted out as it would have been a day or two after him completing a very long suspension and he felt it would have been unfair on the horse and the connections as he would have not been race fit or race sharp.
Hollywood’s racing manager Anthony Delpech gave Gavin a call just before Christmas about him riding in the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational and he obviously jumped at it when it was confirmed just before New Year’s Eve.
He believes One Stripe has a chance.
He said, “That last win would have given him a lot of confidence again. They had no rain up until then but he did nearly break the course record on the fast ground.”
There has been a lot of rain in Florida recently so the going will likely not be fast this time.
However, Gavin believes One Stripe would get 2000m, so the one mile and one furlong trip of the Pegasus World Cup Turf should not pose a problem.
It will be the first time he has raced beyond a mile.
Races in the USA generally have a “run up” too. The official distance has a point with a timing device on it, but the stalls are placed a little way from this point and the timing of the race only happens when they reach the timing device.
The field is not as strong as the Breeders Cup and One Stripe is actually as short as 6/1.
The favourite is the Chad Brown-trained six-year-old Program Trading, a three-times Gr 1 winner.
Gavin concluded, “I’m excited. I’m looking forward to seeing One Stripe Again, I can’t wait to see him.”