David Thiselton

A Pinnacle Stakes race over 1600m is the headliner at Turffontein Standside today and the classy Pressonregardless looks the one to side with.

The David Nieuwenhuizen-trained five-year-old Lancaster Bomber gelding is a beautifully long-striding sort who is perfectly suited to the Standside course and he should be able to mow them down after finding a good position from a plum draw of two under leading jockey Craig Zackey. Pressonregardless is the best weighted male in the race and is only 2kg under sufferance with the best weighted runner, the filly Kisshoten. Chronicle King has proven class and this 114-rated Gr 2 winner comes off a good win over 1700m. He has a tricky draw of six in the seven horse field but should make a bold bid. Sunset Riot has won his last two starts over 1400m with ease and as his Captain Al dam Fragrant Miss won over this trip, so he should see it out. He has a tricky draw of five but the 1,5kg gender claim of Mickaelle Michel will help. He is officially 3kg under sufferance with Kisshoten. Musical Score is distance suited and has the class to be competitive under Keagan de Melo from a middle draw of four. Kisshoten has not been disgraced in her last two starts in a Gr 3 and a Gr 1 over course and distance against the girls, finishing a 1,40 length third and a 7,30 length fourth to the dominant winner Double Grand Slam, so from pole position and being best in at the weights, she can’t be ignored. Willy Meet Again is second best in at the weights and is a decent sort who could dictate, so she could be dangerous. The other runner Skittle Skies has a hard task at the weights.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1400m Sendai ran a cracker last time over this trip, finishing a 1,90 length third, and has a chance in this uninspiring maiden from a middle draw of six out of 11 under Muzi Yeni.  Nebraska has run a couple of fair races over this trip category and has a chance from draw five. Winding Power has a tricky draw of eight but has the ability to earn. Cronus could earn a cheque in this line up. Brave Waam! should enjoy the step up in trip and could improve.

The second leg over 1400m is also an uninspiring maiden and Purple Rain makes plenty of appeal. She finished second in a three horse field last time, but she should relish this step up in trip and is drawn in pole with Craig Zackey up for the Sean Tarry yard. Savara’s Princess has a tricky draw but if repeating her last start she has a chance.  Master’s Rose has been thereabouts in her last couple of starts and has a fair draw. Miss River Dancer has run two fair races and on  pedigree should enjoy the step up in trip. Greenandgold has run two fair races and should be in the shake up.

In the seventh race over 2000m Scarlet O’Hara has run three good races and the form of her last run, a 7,50 length fourth to Curious Girl in the Oaks Trial, has been franked as the latter went on to win the Gr 2 SA Derby. Future Date is an honest sort who is coming into her own as a four-year-old, being by Futura, and she should be in the shake up. Free In Seattle has the ability to be right there and it should pan out well for her from draw two under Richard Fourie. Kissing Machine will enjoy stepping back to middle distances and could be a runner from pole position. Poplar Park has a 100% record in two starts over course and distance so should do well if able to overcome a wide draw under in form apprentice Blaine Marx-Jacobson.

In the eighth over 2000m Sand Script won well second time out when stepped up to 1700m and Fourie is now up. Future Gamble also enjoyed the step up in trip last time and has a chance of following up. Silver Flare should be in the shake up if able to overcome a wide draw. Rosy Lemon can never be ignored over this trip. Special Star should finish on top of Rosy Lemon on the form of their last meeting.

In the ninth over 1800m Real Stunner has the form and the ability to go close if able to overcome a wide draw and Richard Fourie aboard will help her cause.  Orange County is interesting over a slight step up in trip being by Flower Alley, with the detractor being she is out of a Var mare. Zip Code has the ability to earn here from a fair draw as she is capable of running on well if getting cover. Full Go is capable of being right there if able to overcome a wide draw and she is only half-a-kilogram under sufferance. Sky Pillar Rock disappointed last time but can do better.

In the third race over 1400m Impressive went close when stepped up to this trip second time out and can beat home Doesyourmotherknow, who has a very similar form line over the same distance category. These two fillies are drawn three and two respectively and should fight it out.

In the first race over 1160m Gathering Winter is the one to beat in this uninspiring field, although she does have draw one, which can be disadvantageous down the straight, so Wispinthewillow must also be considered.

In the second race over 1400m Sherriff Bill Brown ran a fair race last time and should enjoy the step up in trip, but won’t have it easy from a wide draw.  Lance Attack has shown some ability and must be considered. Sutter’s Mill is a first-timer by Fire Away out of a Western Winter mare who won second time out and this gelding would not need to be a star to finish prominently here.

RACE 1

4 GATHERING WINTER 3 WISPINTHEWILLOW 5 DAD’S DREAM 2 GOD’S COUNTRY

Preview: 4 GATHERING WINTER improved last time and can earn again with a repeat. 3 WISPINTHEWILLOW can go close if repeating her penultimate start when a narrow runner up over 1200m at Turffontein Inside. 5 DAD’S DREAM has the form to be able to earn in this line up.  2 GOD’S COUNTRY could earn in this field. (4-3-5-2)

RACE 2

6 SHERIFF BILL BROWN 1 LANCE ATTACK 7 SUTTER’S MILL 8 SNAP YOUR FINGERS

Preview: 6 SHERIFF BILL BROWN ran a fair second last time and in this line up could go one better. 1 LANCE ATTACK is capable of being a threat in this line up. 7 SUTTER’S MILL is a first-timer by Fire Away out of a Western Winter mare and would not need to be a star to finish prominently here. 8 SNAP YOUR FINGERS is by Futura out of a Gr 2 winner over 2800m so is likely to need further and to get better with age but a classy pedigree could be telling in this line up. (6-1-7-8)

RACE 3

3 IMPRESSIVE 4 ONWARD 1 DOESYOURMOTHERKNOW 5 PROPHECIES

Preview: 3 IMPRESSIVE has good form and is well drawn over an ideal trip. 4 ONWARD made a fair debut and should improve over this trip being by Malmoos out of a Silvano mare. 1 DOESYOURMOTHERKNOW finished a good second last time and over the same trip category has a chance. 5 PROPHECIES improved last time over 1600m but does have a tough draw. (3-4-1-5)

RACE 4

1 SENDAI 2 NEBRASKA 3 WINDING POWER 5 CRONUS

Preview: 1 SENDAI ran a cracker last time over this trip and has a chance if able to overcome draw six out of 11.  2 NEBRASKA has run a couple of fair races over this trip category and has a chance from draw five. 3 WINDING POWER has a tricky draw of eight but has the ability to earn. 5 CRONUS could earn a cheque in this line up. (1-2-3-5)

RACE 5

10 PURPLE RAIN 3 SAVARA’S PRINCESS  5 MASTER’S ROSE 9 MISS RIVER DANCER

Preview: 10 PURPLE RAIN ran well over 1200m second time out and from pole position should go close over a step up in trip she will relish on pedigree. 3 SAVARA’S PRINCESS has a tricky draw but if repeating her last start she has a chance.  5 MASTER’S ROSE has been thereabouts in her last couple of starts and has a fair draw. 9 MISS RIVER DANCER has run two fair races and on  pedigree should enjoy the step up in trip. (10-3-5-9)

RACE 6

2 PRESSONREGARDLESS 1 CHRONICLE KING 4 SUNSET RIOT 3 MUSICAL SCORE

Preview: 2 PRESSONREGARDLESS has plenty of ability and from a plum draw should go close. 1 CHRONICLE KING has class and over an ideal trip should be right there.  4 SUNSET RIOT has won his last two starts in fine fashion and will make a bold bid. 3 MUSICAL SCORE has the ability to be in the shake up here. (2-1-4-3)

RACE 7

8 SCARLET O’HARA 1 FUTURE DATE 2 FREE IN SEATTLE 3 KISSING MACHINE

Preview: 8 SCARLET O’HARA has run three good races and the form of her run las time has been franked so she could rise above her current merit rating. 1 FUTURE DATE is an honest sort who should be in the shake up. 2 FREE IN SEATTLE has the ability to be right there. 3 KISSING MACHINE will enjoy stepping back to middle distances and could be a runner from pole position. (8-1-2-3)

RACE 8

3 SAND SCRIPT 5 FUTURE GAMBLE 8 SILVER FLARE 2 ROSY LEMON

Preview: 3 SAND SCRIPT won well second time out when stepped up to 1700m and Fourie is now up. 5 FUTURE GAMBLE enjoyed the step up in trip last time and can follow up. 8 SILVER FLARE should be in the shake up if able to overcome a wide draw. 2 ROSY LEMON can never be ignored over this trip. (3-5-8-2)

RACE 9

7 REAL STUNNER 5 ORANGE COUNTY 6 ZIP CODE 11 FULL GO

Preview: 7 REAL STUNNER has the form and the ability to go close if able to overcome a wide draw. 5 ORANGE COUNTY is interesting over a slight step up in trip being by Flower Alley, with the detractor being she is out of a Var mare. 6 ZIP CODE has the ability to earn here from a fair draw. 11 FULL GO is capable of being right there if able to overcome a wide draw and she is only half-a-kilogram under sufferance. (7-5-6-11)

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Newbury and Nottingham (UK) – 18 April 2026

RACE 1

(3) TAG AND RELEASE ran on well in his last start and looks sure to be in the firing line this time, big chance. (7) REDFORD made a decent debut and will be much sharper now after that experience, major contender. (1) RABDAN wasn’t beaten far behind Red Spice in his last start and isn’t a horse to ignore. (10) HAVOC is likely to improve after that decent enough debut run and is one to keep an eye on, he can get much closer. Watch the market for any support on unraced runners. (Devonne Govender 3-7-1-10)

RACE 2

This contest has some well-bred unraced runners hence it may pay to watch the market for any support.(4) ENTICEMENT has run well in both starts to date and should go very close here. (11) NOBODY’S PERFECT is likely to improve after a decent enough debut and needs to be respected. (12) POLAR EXPEDITION gets Richard Fourie aboard which speaks volumes. She was wasn’t beaten far on debut and with natural improvement to come she will need to be taken seriously. (6) WORLD OF SECRETS is another who is likely to improve after finishing 5 lengths behind the winner on debut, with the eye catching jockey booking of Keagan De Melo she needs to be included in all bets. (Devonne Govender 4-11-12-6)

RACE 3

(7) HEDRIVESMECRAZY ran a cracker in the last start and will be a huge contender here. (4) SICILY is holding consistent form and needs serious consideration, he will be right there. (6) MRS SHACKLETON is capable of getting into the placings. (2) RACHETTU is capable of better compared to the last start, he now drops to the 1000m trip should be in the mix. (Devonne Govender 7-4-6-2)

RACE 4

(1) FUTURE RED has been consistent and will be the firm first selection with Richard Fourie up, she does drop to the 1200m trip this time and a bold showing is expected. (5) BLUE LAGOON is knocking on the door and will be the main danger to the top selection. (7) BEFORE SUNRISE is making progress with every start and needs respect. (2) LUCY’S WORLD is making steady progress and will appreciate the extra 200 this time, don’t ignore. (Devonne Govender 1-5-7-2)

RACE 5

(3) WINTER PEARL is holding solid form overall, he showed plenty of determination when winning his last start and looks hard to beat. (7) JET A ONE was narrowly beaten by the top selection in his last start and should be right there once again. (4) FORT RED is a game 8 year old, he ran a cracker when finishing third in his last start and a repeat of that will see him finishing in the money once again. (6) BONNE BOUCHE is a very honest type and another good run can be expected with Damyan Pillay aboard. (Devonne Govender 3-7-4-6)

RACE 6

(5) LARK’S SONG ran well in her last start, she looks progressive and Andrew Fortune gets on extremely well with the daughter of Querari hence she is the top selection. (9) RED STATE is holding solid form and another decent run is expected. (2) BACKINTHEFASTLANE hasn’t been far in recent starts and can get much closer. (13) ELEGANT NOBLE is very capable on his day and certainly cannot be ignored despite the fact he drops in trip this time. (Devonne Govender 5-9-2-13)

RACE 7

(6) LYRICAL GANGSTER is holding solid form and will be the firm first choice, he ran a cracker in his last start and will go very close. (3) WINTER PIRATE has shown ability from day one, he won his maiden impressively and looks to have plenty more to come, based on that he could trounce this field. (4) TROIS SEPT HUIT won a gutsy race when exiting the maiden ranks and can go into larger perms. (2) PALACE GIFT gets well with Damyan Pillay and should be included into the quartets. (Devonne Govender 6-3-4-2)

RACE 8

(4) AMAYAH goes for three wins on the bounce and could certainly pull it off. She has a decent enough draw and another good run is expected. (6) GIRL MAGIC is another who is holding solid form and will attempt to reel off the hat-trick, she gets Andrew Fortune in the saddle hence she will be a strong contender. (9) APRICITY has a tough draw to deal with but ran well in her last start hence she can’t be ignored. (2) APRIL FOOLS’ DAY is horse that caught the eye when winning her maiden, she gets a good draw this time and it will be no surprise to see her run a cracker. (Devonne Govender 4-6-9-2)

RACE 9

(5) CHARLIE BUCKET came from a long way back when finishing second in the last start and should be a massive contender here from a good draw. (1) LOVE FROM AFAR ran well in his last start, from a top draw he will have to be included. (10) MERCENARY is holding form but does return after a slight break, he may run well fresh. (3) FERRYMAN was disappointing in his last start, he has scope to go well so cannot be ignored. (Devonne Govender 5-1-10-3)

Alistair Cohen

Nothing gets the pulses flowing more than opening a card and expecting exotic bets to pay handsomely. Largely good-sized fields on a standalone Saturday and a few puzzles to solve invariably means that some lucky punters could be in for a day to remember. All of those factors mesh at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth today.

One horse who catches the eye is Spirit Of Levana in race 8 over 1500m. She could start at a reasonable price. A once Grade 1 raced two-year-old, she totally lost her way, perhaps due to the fact that the handicapper might have gripped her from settling at her level or perhaps she simply did not train on. After a long time of patience and a rating drop of 26 points, life seems to be back on her side. Trainer Glen Kotzen has brought her towards winning form.

She won her penultimate run which came at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. She quickened from last and she easily accounted for Noon Day Gun by 0,75 lengths in a course which was running fast. Her last run came over 1800m and that is probably the end of her range. She was never a threat.

In November Spirit Of Levana ran 4,9 lengths behind Regulation who is towards the top of the boards for the Hollywoodbets Durban July. That run alone must bring her into the equation. The biggest kicker is that she is ridden by Bavish Soodoo who rode her to victory when she saluted in her penultimate effort. He clearly got a tune out of her and the quiet, balanced ride seemed to have worked wonders. His 2,5kg claim has her carry only 53kg.

My Only Weakness hails from the in-form yard of Adam Marcus. Her form suggests that she is ready to win having produced a fourth, third and second in her last three efforts. She jumps out of draw No 1 which will help her cause to no end. The best version of this filly would make her the horse to beat. Calvin Habib is carded to take the ride. He has been doing most of the Marcus duty lately.

Girl Magic is certainly no pushover and she seeks a hat-trick of wins after looking rather moderate at the start of her career. She seems to be going from strength-to-strength and interestingly, Andrew Fortune takes the ride. He has a good knack with a few in this race including the useful Hunga Tonga who must have claims. One needs to respect the decision of Fortune to step aboard Girl Magic. Perhaps the handicapper has not reached her yet.

There are three evident chances in race 1 over 1200m and it will take a serious first timer to win. Tag And Release has demonstrated a superb turn of foot in his two starts to date and he could be ready to step up and exit the maidens. He was all at sea on debut but he still found a late flourish to finish second before he found some impressive youngsters in his second start when he finished fourth behind Kalahari King. Tag And Release has run his races in a pleasing manner finding his feet late after initial signs of greenness. Corne Orffer rides for Greg Ennion.

Enticement should blistering pace on debut when she finished second behind Grapes Of Wrath before a flat run at her second attempt when she crossed the line in third. It seems like she has found the right event in race 2 over 1000m. As opposed to a race earlier, she could be vulnerable to a debutante but she brings the best form to the equation.

It is so refreshing that apprentice races are more common around the country. The first of three comes in race 3 over 1000m. Sicily must have a huge winning chance. He does not bring formlines that make headlines having run nicely in some weak races but this is perhaps weaker than who he has run against. Breven Plaatjies is back in Cape Town after a few months in the wilderness and he has found himself with a good book of rides. He steps aboard for Lucinda Woodruff.

There are four evident chances in race 4 over 1200m. In order of preference, Lucy’s World, Blue Lagoon, Future Red and Scandalize make a good impression and they all have the numbers to suggest a win is around the corner. Lucy’s World might just have a slight amount more improvement to come. She is a two-year-old so disclaimers apply about whether she is physically ready to take on her elders who have claims but she has made a good impression in her two runs to date.

The second apprentice race is not strong. Bonne Bouche is given the narrow verdict in race 5 over 1200m. Her last start showed a pleasing second behind True Horizon over 1250m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. Young Damyan Pillay seems to have a knack around the tracks in Cape Town and he is carded to ride. Crucially, he rode her last time and familiarity can make such a difference in apprentice races.

A chance is taken on Elegant Noble in race 6 over 1800m. If he was drawn better than gate No 13, he would be a banker but his task is made complicated. He has Richard Fourie aboard which helps his cause. Trainer James Crawford has done wonders with this horse. Not long ago, his career seemed in tatters but a near two-year break has given a win and plenty of pleasing performances. In late January, he finished fourth, 4,55 lengths behind Note To Self over 2000m. Note To Self is hyped as a Hollywoodbets Durban July contender.

Winter Pirate is a two-year-old with some promise. He runs in the final apprentice event, race 7 over 1000m and he gets Blaine Marx-Jacobson in the irons. If he can turn over these older horses, he has a very bright future. He accounted for Tag And Release last time over this course and distance. If Tag And Release wins earlier, it will enhance any confidence in Winter Pirate.

There are a good few chances in race 9 over 1400m. If Charlie Bucket settles in running, he could get an overdue reward for consistency. He has been his own worst enemy but so have some of his rivals. Ferryman could have won on debut if he was wiser. His second run was flat. Mercenary has found traffic problems more often than not otherwise he would be running away from maiden opposition. A lovely race to end.

Soccer10 Sunday 19 April 2026. ADD-IN: R200 000. Estimated Pool: R2 Million. Pool Closes at 15h00, Sport 14 Pool 1.

Please Note: Following the completion of gallops, a decision has been made to postpone today’s Vaal meeting (14 April 2026) to Tuesday, 21 April 2026.

This decision was taken due to both tracks being inconsistent and unsafe, coupled with further rainfall predicted throughout the day.

David Thiselton

The professional handicappers of South Africa have sent out a press release urging stake holders who are attending the South African Trainers Association (SANTA) handicapping workshop on Wednesday, April 15, at the TBA Sales Complex at Gosforth Park, to only consider those decisions made at the workshop that are guided by data and evidence rather than by anecdotal or observational claims.

The handicappers themselves will abstain from the Workshop “for reasons that include the avoidance of becoming persuasive to the attendees, given that all evidence suggests that the current system and its application is statistically functioning as intended and designed.”

However, they sent out the press release to ensure “that all stakeholders have access to current information ahead of policy discussions at the forthcoming SANTA held Workshop.”

It is certainly an understandable lament in South African racing that superior horses find it more difficult to rattle off a number of wins at the beginning of their careers, as they were reportedly able to do under the old Race Figure system, before being weighted according to their true ability.

However, the NHA press release pointed out the dangers of embracing a system that favours superior horses and it also pointed to the current statistics which show that three-year-olds are not at all unduly punished compared to other age groups.

Whilst, purists of any sport like to watch the best against the best, the handicappers have to operate in a way that best sustains the entire racing population as well as the players associated with it.

In the press release they referred to the Handicappers’ mandate which is “to, by handicapping, distribute the stakes pot as equitably as possible.”

They said making changes to aid better horses carried the risk of favouring big yards and effecting field sizes.

They pointed to the experiment of the “Assessment Plate” and put it under the headline of “the risk of uninformed decisions”.

A conclusion on a study of overall racing stats and a study of Assessment Plate stats was that Assessment Plates contained smaller fields and favoured superior horses and they were thus dominated by bigger yards.

The late guru analyst Jay August commented, “If the Handicapper’s assessment of the highly rated horse ex their maiden win was wrong (too high), then the stats should show that. They do not, which leads me to believe that Assessment Plates have little to do with assessment but more to do with helping superior animals to win a few races before their ability is penalised too much.’’

Moving on, three-year-olds have been shown to actually have a higher strike rate in handicap races than any other age group, which falsifies the claim they are punished unduly.

In the current season three-years have had 1448 runs and a strike rate of 13%, four-year-olds have had 2431 runs and a strike rate of 11%, five-year-olds have had 1876 runs and a strike rate of 10% and six-year-olds and older 1,398 runs and a strike rate of 7%.

Statistics have also shown that the top five yards have had 973 runs in handicaps and a strike rate of 13.6%, while they have had 1,637 runs in non-handicaps and a strike rate of 15.3%.

The handicappers are thus concerned that any further adjustment to the existing handicapping system would disproportionately benefit trainers with access to higher-quality horses. Given the limited number of handicap races available, such changes could severely disadvantage trainers outside the top ten on the trainers’ log, creating an uneven playing field and undermining competitive balance.

The Handicapping Team believes that the current system is functioning exactly as designed and the data contained the following key indicators:

Participation: Higher acceptance rates in Handicaps and Merit Rating based races.

Elimination Data: High demand for entry in premier events such as the Hollywoodbets Durban July, Golden Horse Casino Sprint, Betway Summer Cup and the Charity Mile confirm the system’s integrity at the pattern level.

Program Stability: Programmers frequently rely on Handicap formats to ensure adequate field sizes.

Open Betting Market: These races consistently produce closer finishes and a more robust betting market, which ultimately extends the racing careers of the horse population.

Competitive Density: Data indicates that the average beaten finisher in a Handicap is 3.5 lengths behind the winner, compared to 4.8 lengths in non-handicap races. This suggests the system is achieving its primary goal of narrowing the gap between competitors.

Systemic Balance: The National Merit Ratings Update continues to ensure a balanced distribution of ratings across all age groups, preventing structural bias within the population – the handicappers believed any skewing of the current table which shows 45% of horses to be rated 74 and higher (as compared to 2019 when only 27% were 74 and higher) would result in programming difficulties.

Merit Rating Appeals: Since the cancellation of the previous guidelines in 2019, Handicappers have assessed approximately 188,500 performances. Remarkably, during this entire review period, only 14 appeals were lodged of which 11 were dismissed.

They added this was despite operating under some constraints, which included:

The program is currently already skewed towards higher rated horses as there has been a reduction in true handicaps and an increase in merit-rated band races (Pinnacles, A, B, C and D Stakes Races, Middle Stakes Races). These races are not true handicaps and favour horses at the top of each rating band. This creates a structural bias with many horses entering races where they have little chance of success. The handicapper then face a dilemma, with an example being a horse that does not earn because it was at the bottom of a merit rating band and ran accordingly, but does not get dropped in the merit ratings, because at the weights it still did actually run to its rating. Earners, on the other hand, might be at the top of the bands but are not unduly punished because they were firstly at a weight advantage and, furthermore, merit rated restrictions are placed on these races anyway. This results in a cycle where winning horses continue to win, while others are relegated to “field fillers.”

They pointed out that owners and trainers often equate competitiveness with victory, but as there are more horses than handicap races, the handicappers are judged against an unrealistic benchmark i.e. in every season there will be many horses (1365 to be exact for the current season if only handicap races are considered) who will have the same number of career wins that they began the season with, no matter which handicap system was adopted.

In summary the handicappers overall message was that any changes made should be accompanied by a factual analysis that supports it being workable considering the horse population and the nature of South African racing in which turnover and owner participation are important considerations.

The press release can be read on the nha.co.za website under Press Releases.