David Thiselton

The finish of the Gr 1 Betway Summer Cup could well see a prominent showing for KZN raiders and the Gareth van Zyl-trained King Pelles could be the one to prevent the Alec Laird-trained Atticus Finch from retaining his crown.

King Pelles is the Equus Champion Stayer, but has blossomed into a horse who is by no means a dour stayer. He showed a terrific turn of foot in his staying race wins, but this season has sharpened up and has produced eye-catching performances over 1200m and 1600m respectively. With the assets of both stamina and class he could be the one to beat and he has won in soft going before too. S’Manga Khumalo has won the Summer Cup before and should be able to make a plan from a tricky draw of eleven. Atticus Finch has blossomed this season and the six-year-old first caught the eye when running on strongly for a narrow second in the Gr 2 Betway Jopburg Spring Challenge over 1450m before treating the Gr 2 Allied-Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile opposition like horses a division below him when romping home to a three length victory. He has the same draw of two that he won from last year and Calvin Habib retains the ride. Madison Valley ran fourth last year and has improved since then with gelding, but he does have to overcome the same 18 draw he had last year. Craig Zackey has been in devastating form and will help him overcome the draw. Former winner Royal Victory is ultra consistent and has the same 125 rating he had last year when beaten three lengths and being a touch unlucky. He is drawn 14 whereas he won from draw 13 two years ago. On My Honour has shown signs of class and the best has likely not been seen of him yet. He is drawn well and sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight of 54kg, so has a chance with the flying Serino Moodley aboard.  The Equator is favourite but that is based on the reports of his ever improving homework, because his two wins in SA have been to far lesser opposition. He is drawn well and will relish the course and distance and the soft going, so could be a player, but he is little value at 5/2 with the sponsor. Olivia’s Way will relish the course and distance and the soft going, but she is 2kg under sufferance. Busstopinhounslow, who is also officially 2kg under sufferance, is capable of a strong finish from off the pace and is an unknown factor over this trip. This New Predator gelding is out of a Silvano mare whose only win was over 1200m so it is debateable whether he will see it out. My Best Shot sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight and stays the trip and possesses a good turn of foot. He is hard to fancy on Hollywoodbets Durban July form, but there were mitigating factors and Richard Fourie is bullish about his chances. Mocha Blend is way out at the weights but looks to have some class and could be better than her rating suggests. Legend Of Arthur was scoped with mucus last time but if this SA Derby winner is able to bounce back to his best he could be a runner. Wild Intent was a narrow second in the SA Derby, but hasn’t shone since. Son Of Raj is a former SA Derby winner, but he has never been a threat in any Gr 1 since then. Otto Luyken was the winner of the July consolation race and he should enjoy this course and distance and is in the handicap, but he would have to produce a career best to win here. Navajo Nation should also run well, but winning the race is a tough ask. Parisian Walkway is a potential pacemaker. On pedigree he should stay the trip, but he still has to prove it. The Ultimate King is a progressive sort who is drawn in pole, but he has a tough task at the weights. Solar Sail was third in the SA Derby, well clear of Olivia’s Way, but he has not shone since. Spumante Dolce has shown class before, but is under a bit of a cloud having not enjoyed a good preparation. Anfields Rocket did win the Gr 1 SA Classic as a three-year-old but has a tough task at the weights.

In the Gr 2 Betway Dingaans Jan Van Goyen looks to be something special and is taken to win despite it being his first run of the season. Tin Pan Alley is unbeaten in two starts this season, so will have a fitness advantage and there is a bit of reversal in draw fortunes from when he was beaten three lengths over this trip at Hollywoodbets Greyville by Jan Van Goyen at the end of last season. He has also improved with gelding since then. Chronicle King, Trust and Shadowfax have class and could upset the applecart.

In the Gr 3 Ducat Africa Fillies Mile, Hazy Dazy is better than her last start and is taken to bounce back, while Littlemissmillion has impressed in both of her starts and being small she should be able to run well first up.

In the Gr 3 New Turf Carrier Merchants Truth is sticking to sprints now and could come into his own, so he is taken to beat Quantum Theory and Rodeo Drive.

The Listed Carry On Alice Stakes could go to the smart Whistle The Tune.

RACE 1

11 TURN IT UP 16 NORTHERN EUROPEAN 4 HEATH HOUSE 2 DADS DREAM

Preview: 11 TURN IT UP is by Querari and is a half-brother to the Gr 1 Gold Medallion winner Proceed. 16 NORTHERN EUROPEAN is by Erik The Red out of  Gimmethegreenlight mare Europeana who won second time out in Cape Town and later won the Listed Breeders Guineas at Fairview. 4 HEATH HOUSE is by Erupt and is a half-brother to Buffalo Bill Cody filly Khetiwe’s Destiny, a speedster with a MR high of 102. 2 DADS DREAM is by New Predator and is a half-brother to twice winner in five starts Mister Wilson. (David Thiselton 11-16-4-2)

RACE 2

12 MAGIC CARPET RIDE 10 WITCH HAZEL 7 PROPER 1 TINTIN

Preview:  12 MAGIC CARPET RIDE ran a fine race second time out and the form has been franked so she should go close from a nice high draw under Gavin Lerena. 7 PROPER Richard Fourie has hopped off Witch Hazel to ride this Rafeef half-brother to Listed winner Bon Vivant. 10 WITCH HAZEL has run two good races and could reverse form with Tintin from a possibly slightly better draw. 1 TINTIN has shown ability and will be a threat. (David Thiselton 12-10-7-1)

RACE 3

7 CHOISAANADA 2 WILLIAM ROBERTSON 1 COSMIC SPEED 3 CATS PAJAMAS

Preview: 7 CHOISAANADA has plenty of class and has a plum draw for a change over a suitable trip. 2 WILLIAM ROBERTSON retains ability at seven years of age and should be finishing strongly from a fair draw over a suitable trip. 1 COSMIC SPEED was due to have run on November 20 so his second run after a long layoff comes quite quicky and he has a wide draw to overcome. 3 CATS PAJAMAS seems to prefer it around the turn and has won over 1400m before, so should be right there from a fair draw with Lerena up. (David Thiselton 7-2-1-3)

RACE 4

3 WHISTLE THE TUNE 2 MIA MOO 7 RODEO DRIVE 1 FATAL FLAW

Preview: 3 WHISTLE THE TUNE made a fine comeback and has a nice high draw. 2 MIA MOO is a Gr 1 winner over this distance and can get away with a return from a layoff over this trip. 7 RODEO DRIVE is in fine form and can overcome a weight disadvantage in which she is officially 5kg under sufferance with the best weighted Fatal Flaw. 1 FATAL FLAW is the best weighted runner and this Gr 1 winner’s class could pull her through over a trip on the sharp side for her and following a five month layoff. (David Thiselton 3-2-7-1)

RACE 5

2 TRUTH 6 QUANTUM THEORY 4 FUTURE VARIETY 5 PISTOL PETE

Preview: 2 TRUTH impressed last time and can progress further. 6 QUANTUM THEORY is in fine form over sprints and will appreciate the slight step up in trip.  4 FUTURE VARIETY is full of class and should be finishing strongly over a suitable trip. 5 PISTOL PETE has good course and distance form and should be in the shake up. (David Thiselton 2-6-4-5)

RACE 6

4 HAZY DAZY 3 LITTLEMISSMILLION  1 VALENTINA BALDUCCI 9 UNITED OFFER

Preview: 4 HAZY DAZY has plenty of scope so can continue to progress. 3 LITTLEMISSMILLION is small but has a big action and can turn it on impressively and she should not take much work so she can return from a layoff and resume winning ways. 1 VALENTINA BALDUCCI won the Gr 3 Starling Stakes in fine style but has to give the field 1kg and has a very wide draw. 9 UNITED OFFER has shown ability and should enjoy the step up in trip. (David Thiselton 4-3-1-9)

RACE 7

1 JAN VAN GOYEN 2 TIN PAN ALLEY 3 CHRONICLE KING 11 TRUST

Preview: 1 JAN VAN GOYEN is full of class and can make a winning reappearance, although he does return from a four month layoff and has a wide draw so there are some concerns. 2 TIN PAN ALLEY is racing fit and also has class and with a slight reversal i draw fortune with Jan van Goyen he can get closer than 3,70 lengths this time. 3 CHRONICLE KING caught the eye with his win last time and he could progress so will be runner, but he does have a tough draw. 11 TRUST caught the eye losing by just 0,60 lengths to Tin Pan Alley and he was a touch unlucky but he is now 2kg worse off although he does have a good draw. (David Thiselton 1-2-3-11)

RACE 8

3 KING PELLES 1 ATTICUS FINCH 7 MADISON VALLEY 2 ROYAL VICTORY

Preview: 3 KING PELLES  has stamina but plenty of class too and his fine tur of foot and resolute finish will make him a big runner here from a fair middle raw. 1 ATTICUS FINCH has blossomed this season and although he has a tough 7 MADISON VALLEY has progressed into a fine middle distance campaigner and if able to overcome a wide draw he will be a big runner. 2 ROYAL VICTORY s capable of a strong, resolute finish so should get himself into contention after being dropped out from a tricky draw. (David Thiselton 3-1-7-2)

RACE 9

5 FIELD MARSHALL 3 MONEY HEIST 10 CHESTNUT BOMBER  2 CAPE EAGLE

Preview: 5 FIELD MARSHALL caught the eye running on smartly in the Victory Moon Stakes and he is well drawn over a step up in trip he will relish. 3 MONEY HEIST was beaten 2,55 lengths by Field Marshall in the Victory Moon and is now half-a-kilogram worse off, but he had a wide draw there and is now drawn in pole. 10 CHESTNUT BOMBER  has returned to form and he sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight so can do well from a plum draw. 2 CAPE EAGLE should beat Field Marshall on the form of the Michaelmas over 1900m at Hollywoodbets Greyville and he wasn’t disgraced in last year’s Summer Cup, so he has a shout if able to overcome a wide draw. (5-3-10-2)

RACE 10

9 CORRUPT  7 MO MENT 6 DAIMYO 5 BREEZE OVER

Preview:  9 CORRUPT is progressive and is 2kg better off with Daimyo for a 3,60 length beating and has a better draw this time. 7 MO MENT stays all day and is dangerous from the front so a plum draw makes him a big runner. 6 DAIMYO proved himself a decent stayer last time and can make a bold bid. 5 BREEZE OVER has a problem starting on terms but if able to get to the front without expending too much energy he is always a threat. (David Thiselton 9-7-6-5)

RACE 11

4 THE PLAYBOY BOMBER 8 FUTUREWOLFF 11 NEVER NEVER LAND 6 PAGE BOY

Preview: 4 THE PLAYBOY BOMBER has ability and if able to overcome a wide draw will be right there under a 4kg claimer. 8 FUTUREWOLFF has a good draw and has the ability to earn. 11 NEVER NEVER LAND is still learning and with improvement could be involved here. 6 PAGE BOY has shown glimpses of good ability so will be a threat from pole position. (4-8-11-6)

Race Coast is thrilled to announce a game changing new era for South African horse racing punters with the official launch of horse racing with Colossus Pools on Monday, 1 December 2025!

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All eyes will turn to the Champ de Mars this Saturday for the Beauty Success Princess Margaret Cup. Long regarded as the island’s ultimate sprint classic, the race will be run over 1400 metres with eight runners — including two who remain unbeaten on Mauritian soil: At My Command, to be ridden by the newly-arrived Indian jockey Imran Chisty, standing in for the injured Manoel Nunes, and Cumbre Vieja, who will have Kersley Ramsamy aboard in place of Donavan Mansour, still sidelined through injury.

The clash promises fireworks, but punters would be wise not to overlook Sun Blushed (Roberto Perez), the Gujadhur stable’s second string, who has solid credentials of his own. The same applies to Meridius (Raymond Danielson), trained by the rising talent Arveen Nagadoo. Port Louis (Swapneel Rama) could also be a legitimate contender, but Ramapatee Gujadhur’s runner has the bad habit of leaving the gates slowly. Should he jump cleanly — especially in a fast-run race — he could very well upset the script.

On form, At My Command gets our vote, particularly with the advantage of gate one. Cumbre Vieja has been a revelation since arriving in Mauritius and his ceiling is still unknown, but he faces a tougher task this time as he climbs several classes. Sun Blushed should finish strongly, and Meridius, dropped sharply in distance, will also be coming late.

The 13th meeting of 2025 features nine races, and beyond the main event, Race 6 offers an enticing three-way duel over 1365 metres between Daring Dash (R. Perez), unbeaten in two starts; Warhead (Rye Joorawon), who lit up the stopwatch on debut; and Moonlight Trader (I. Chisty), the promising newcomer from Ramapatee Gujadhur. In our view, Moonlight Trader may need this run, while Daring Dash and Warhead look to be progressive types. It should be a tight finish, but Daring Dash gets the nod.

No fewer than four races have attracted just a quartet of runners but each appears competitive. Babylon (Race 1), Brave Bomber (Race 4), Captain Bombshell (Race 5) and Tsunami Warning (Race 9) could emerge victorious in their respective races but San Andreas (Race 1), Romans Revenge (Race 4), Captain Lannister (Race 5) and Lloyd Wright (Race 8) will be no pushovers.

In Race 2, trainer Amar Sewdyal has a golden opportunity to land his first win of the season with Cloud Seeder (K. Ramsamy), as the opposition looks decidedly ordinary. Raymond Danielson could well extend his winning momentum aboard Love On Time in Race 3, while in Race 8, Best Day Of My Life (I. Taka) appears well placed against a modest field.

Our Selections

Race 1: (1) Babylon – (3) San Andreas – (4) Colour of Money
Race 2: (2) Cloud Seeder – (4) River Hawk – (5) Celestial Magma
Race 3: (1) Love On Time – (2) Cybotix – (4) Secret Circle
Race 4: (4) Brave Bomber – (2) Romans Revenge – (3) Secret Oasis
Race 5: (1) Captain Bombshell – (2) Captain Lannister – (3) Cartel Boss
Race 6: (1) Daring Dash – (6) Warhead – (4) Moonlight Trader
Race 7: (1) At My Command – (8) Cumbre Vieja – (2) Sun Blushed
Race 8: (4) Best Day Of My Life – (3) Malinois – (1) Captain’s Consort
Race 9: (1) Tsunami Warning – (2) Lloyd Wright – (4) Arnica Montana

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Newbury and Southwell (UK) – 28 November 2025.

Andrew Harrison

 Henk Leyenaar, a Hollander resident in Zimbabwe, has been a staunch supporter of local racing going back to the years of now retired trainer Alistair Gordon.

Forthright in his views, especially when it comes to the pronunciation of his horses’ names, he has two lined up on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville tonight, each with different trainers.

Both Spaarne Rivier and Drielandenpunt appear to be progressive three-year-olds and just how progressive may be revealed in their respective races.

First up is Dean Kannemeyer’s charge Drielandenpunt. The son of, until now seemingly underrate sire with a magnificent pedigree, The United States, Drielandenpunt doddled home in a maiden at just his fourth start. In typical Kannemeyer fashion, the gelding progressed from one run to the next before shedding his maiden. However, a word of caution. The form of that maiden field was nothing to write home about so one goes on gut feel rather than anything else although his winning time was respectable. He does have plenty of scope and meets a field of aging handicappers. Syx Hotfix has started at long odds at his last two on the poly and was not disgraced behind the useful Sundance Kid last time out. He has a 4kg claimer aboard so should be competitive. Rodriguez enjoyed the extra when Louis Goosen sent him over the extra at his last start but he has consistent form over this trip and has a handy weight. Strapping Blazing Light should make light of the 50kg on his back and can be very dangerous if allowed to get away.

The second of the Leyenaar runners comes in the sixth where Spaarne Rivier likes up for Mike and Mathew de Kock. He made a smart handicap debut when run out of it late when trying a mile for the first time. Back to a trip over which he won his maiden he can make amends but faces a possible landmine in Kannemeyer’s charge Industrialstrength.  He is a fine specimen of a racehorse but has been a touch disappointing since his maiden win. However, he was staying on nicely over a mile at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth last time out but sent back to KZN where he makes his debut in blinkers. Over what looks to be his preferred trip he should be a big threat to Spaarne Rivier. Of the balance Isikwishikwishi seldom runs a bad race and was narrowly beaten over course and distance last time out and can go one better while Mvelelo who races in the same colours steps up in trip having won his last two over shorter. He is up in the handicap but is the pick of the Hollywood runners if one follows stable rider Sean Veale’s choice.

Rain has been the usual summer bugbear and trainers are caught between taking their chances on the poly or waiting for the turf to become raceable. Add that to the fact that the Summerveld training tracks have been under water, form becomes more difficult to decipher.

 It could pay to keep a weather eye on the debutantes in the first of the evening. Of those that have run, Susurrando has shown signs of improvement after just three outings and although he has a fair weight to shoulder in this Maiden Handicap he does look capable. The year older Fine Dining has been narrowly beaten at his last two on the poly and takes on weaker here but does step up in trip which may be a concern. Royale Jacket makes the trip from the Highveld and although he has modest form the switch to the poly could bring out the best. Mr Mcdonald could prove best of the first timers.

The first leg of the Place Accumulator could go the way of Quarter Master who found some market support on debut but raced very green. He has drawn wide but in a small field he can make the required improvement. Malongane was a good second last run after a break and may just have needed it and has placed in his last three. Omnia has run her two best races on the poly but drops in trip.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 Spirit Of Shimla has the widest draw but was a beaten favourite over course and distance on debut. She can make the required improvement but will need to get the better of Queen Fenn who shows good pace and was only run out of it late at her last two and Champagne Problems who has been touched off at her last two including over course and distance. She has a good draw and can break the ice. Olive Grove is back to a sprint but has improved on the poly and can feature prominently.

In the fourth Queen Of The Air was a beaten favourite last run when run out of it late. This longer trip should suit. Intro is a long struggling maiden but has been in good form and will be a big runner in this line-up while Run For Peace improved last run and steps up in trip. One to keep an eye on in the betting. Crimson Typhoon made a promising debut on the poly but disappointed on the turf next time out. Back on poly and up in trip she cannot be ignored.

In the fifth Spectacular may have found his last start just out of his compass and should be better over this shorter trip. However, he is 2kg worse off with Continentalexpress on their last meeting which should bring them a lot closer together. Riccardo is back over what looks to be his optimum trip and he has been dropping in the handicap while the fillies Hodgepodge and Our Lady Fate both stay well and are in with winning chances.

Competitive race to end the evening and it may pay to load up in the exotics. Oh My Gucci Girl has been much improved with blinkers on the poly. She steps up in trip but has the best of the draw and should be competitive. Clickbait shed her maiden on the poly and has consistent sprint form. The step up in trip should suit. Blind Speed improved last run when taking on stronger and the form has held up. A repeat could see her home.

Soccer4 Friday 28 November 2025. ADD-IN R25 000. Estimated Pool: R 100 000. Pool Closes at 19h30. Sport 19 Pool 1.

Soccer10 Friday 28 November 2025. ADD-IN: R150 000. Estimated Pool: R2 Million. Pool Closes at 19h30. Sport 16 Pool 1.

Soccer6 Saturday 29 November 2025. ADD-IN R100 000. Estimated Pool: R 500 000. Pool Closes at 15h00. Sport 2 Pool 1.

Soccer10 Saturday 29 November 2025. ADD-IN R150 000. Estimated Pool: R 2 Million. Pool Closes at 15h00.Sport 7 and Pool 1.

Soccer13 GUARANTEED JACKPOT Saturday 29 November 2025. R18 Million (If only One 13 of 13 Winner). Pool Closes at 16h30. Sport 10 Pool 1.

Soccer SCORES Carryover R97 097. Saturday 29 November 2025. Pool Closes at 15h00.

Soccer Any 13Xtra Saturday 29 November 2025. C/Over: R250 000. Estimated Pool: R750 000. Pool Closes at 15h00. Sport 13 and Pool 1.

Soccer CORNERS C/Over: R1 532. Saturday 29 November 2025. Pool Closes at 16h30.

Soccer4 Sunday 30 November 2025. ADD-IN R25 000. Estimated Pool: R 100 000. Pool Closes at 14h00. Sport 18 Pool 1.

David Thiselton

Pick 6 fever will grip the race going nation on Saturday as there is a carry over for the Betway Summer Cup meeting and with an expected pool of R5 million it will be well worth playing.

The first leg is the Listed Blu Voucher Carry On Alice Stakes over 1160m and Whistle The Tune makes most appeal. She proved her ability last time when coming back from a layoff of more than three months to win at this course over 1000m. She was beaten 1,40 lengths by Mia Moo in the Gr 1 wfa SA Fillies Sprint over 1200m and faces the latter on wfa terms here but she has an advantageous high draw by trends as opposed to the latter being drawn one and Mia Moo is also making her seasonal reappearance after a layoff of four months. Mia Moo does have Richard Fourie up though and as horses have been winning down the middle on the Turffontein straight he could make a plan from the low draw. Whistle The Tune is officially 3kg well in with Rodeo Drive, but the latter has come into her own lately and has a nice high draw too. Those three could get punters through, although Fatal Flaw can be considered as a dual Gr 1 winner running fresh over shorter from a nice high draw. Rachel Wall will probably be a popular choice as a progressive sort and she can be considered, but she does officially have a tough task at the weights.

The second leg is the Gr 3 New Turf Carriers Merchants over 1160m and the one to beat could be Truth. Now that it has been decided to stick to sprints with him he could blossom and he has a high draw under in-form jockey Serino Moodley. Quantum Theory has a middle to high draw and has been in fine form in sprints, so he should be in the shake up under leading jockey Craig Zackey. Future Variety ran a bit of a flat race last time, but he has a devastating turn of foot when at his best and he could bounce back here from a middle draw. Barbaresco gave Quantum Theory 8kg and a beating over course and distance back in January so can’t be ignored from a nice high draw, although he does have to bounce back from a disappointing Charity Mile run. Melech and Pistol Pete can’t be ignored and should be right there. The three-year-olds officially have tough tasks at the weights but African Pride looks to be one who could be going places and he could progress beyond his current merit rating.

The sixth race is the Gr 3 Ducat Africa Fillies Mile and a chance is taken here on Hazy Dazy putting her highly disappointing last run behind her and bouncing back. She looked to be a progressive sort and from a good draw might enjoy coming down in trip on this tough course. Littlemissmillion should not take much work being a small horse so she can return from a layoff to make a bold bid as she has made a big impression in her two runs which yielded easy wins. She has a big action and a fine turn of foot and will enjoy this course and distance. Those two could be enough for risk-taking punters, but beyond them it is a wide open race.

In the Gr 2 Betway Dingaans Jan Van Goyen would be banker material if he was at his peak, but he is returning from a four month layoff so that could be a bit risky. Tin Pan Alley has won both of his starts this season in fine fashion and the form has been franked by the like of the smart Atticus Finch. Chronicle King, Trust and Shadowfax also have the class to be involved.

In the Gr 1 Betway Summer Cup King Pelles is the Equus Champion Stayer but has a tremendous turn of foot and has shown lately to have the class to be effective over shorter trips, so he could be the one to beat. Atticus Finch is the defending champion but looks to be in the form of his life having made the rest of the Charity Mile field look like low division horses such was the ease with which he beat them. Madison Valley has also blossomed and could do better than last year when fourth as he is better as a gelding and looks to be improving all the time. Former winner Royal Victory can always be relied on to run a fine race. The Equator has been working very well and should be ideally suited to this course and distance as a big galloping type. On My Honour looks to have a lot of ability and could show what he is made of.

In the last leg over 2000m the ones to side with could be Field Marshal, Money Heist and Cape Eagle.

David Thiselton

Luke Ferraris is within grasping distance of getting a berth in the world’s most famous jockeys competition, the International Jockeys Challenge at Happy Valley, which will take place on December 10.

The three berths given to locally based jockeys are for champion jockey, leading jockey of the current season and leading homegrown jockey.

Zac Purton is well clear in the current championship, but had already earned a berth as champion jockey, so the berth for leading jockey goes to the second-placed jockey.

The contenders are Ferraris, who is in second place with 15 wins, Bowman who is on 14 wins, Alexis Badel on 12 wins and Lyle Hewitson and Karis Teetan who are both on elevens wins.

The Happy Valley meeting on Wednesday (26 November) is the last meeting which counts towards the choice of local IJC riders.

Hewitson won the last race at Sha Tin on Sunday to give himself a mathematical chance of still winning a berth, although it is highly unlikely he will do so and it looks to be a straight fight between Ferraris and Bowman.

The fight for a place among the homegrown jockeys has also developed into a two horse race after Vincent Ho and Jerry Chau both struck at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Ho leads Chau with 11 wins to 10.

Ho is the only homegrown jockey to have ever won the IJC, winning it in 2023 and earning the fist prize of HK$600,000.

Gavin Lerena was the last South African to have won the IJC in 2015. He won the last two races of the four-race competition that year.

Douglas Whyte has also been a previous winner of the challenge.

The ten jockeys who are already in the IJ are Zac Purton, defending champion Mickael Barzalona, James McDonald, Christophe Lemaire, Umberto Rispoli, Hollie Doyle, Rachel King, Joao Moreira, William Buick and Ryan Moore (subject to fitness).

Meanwhile, the world’s best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising extended his unbeaten run to 15 races on Sunday at Sha Tin when romping home in the HK$5.35 million Gr 2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint over 1200m.

He obliterated nine rivals in clocking the second-fastest time in history over 1200m at Sha Tin, 1m 07.33s, marginally outside his own track record of 1m 07.20s, despite being eased down over the last 100m by jockey Zac Purton.

Conceding five pounds to the rest of the field, the world’s highest-rated sprinter jumped cleanly to lead from barrier ten before settling in second place behind Beauty Waves and, such was his superiority, Purton said the tempo was still not fast enough, despite a blistering sectional of 21.93s from the 800m to the 400m.

Purton quickly put the issue beyond doubt on straightening as Ka Ying Rising surged clear inside the last 200m before being allowed to saunter to the line.

The winning margin of two-and-three-quarter lengths flattered runner-up Fast Network (123lb) with Helios Express third, a further length-and-three-quarters away.

Ka Ying Rising’s 15th consecutive win leaves him third overall for the most wins in a row by a Hong Kong-trained horse behind Silent Witness (17) and Golden Sixty (16).

The world’s highest earning racehorse in history, Romantic Warrior, made his comeback from a layoff at the same meeting on Sunday.

Resuming after 232 days between races after surgery to his left fore fetlock, Romantic Warrior lifted his world record earnings to HK$217.7 million as he became the first horse to win a third Gr 2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup after victories in 2022 and 2024.

David Thiselton

See It Again has been scratched from the Betway Summer Cup, but there will still be plenty of raiders with former winner Royal Victory still standing his ground alongside Madison Valley, King Pelles, On My Honour, Mocha Blend and Shoot The Rapids as well My Best Shot from the East Cape and Otto Luyken from the Cape.

Frank Robinson was not tempted to supplement Field Marshall after his runner up finish in the Gr 3 Betway Victory Moon Stakes as he said he would not beat Madison Valley.

However, he said, “I may run the filly Mocha Blend, although I don’t know whether she is going to make the final field. She’s good but very laid back and she walked out the pens in her last start in Jo’Burg, that’s what beat her.”

Mocha Blend was carrying join topweight in the Listed Summer Pudding Handicap over 1600m and was beaten 0,30 lengths by joint topweight Kisshoten.

Frank will school her in the pens and she will stand her ground as he pointed out the good record of fillies in the Summer Cup. There have been nine female winners in the last 50 years, including Roland’s Song winning it twice.

The four-year-old Mocha Blend is rated 105 and will be 5,5kg under sufferance as things stand, but Frank believes she is capable of running above her rating.

Frank revealed, “I am going to take Shoot The Rapids and am probably going to run him in the Stayers race on the day (The R350,000 ROA Stakes over 3200m).”

Frank said Madison Valley was very well and had been “flying” at home.

Five-year-old Madison Valley is rated 116, which sees him only having to carry 54,5kg.

He was beaten 2,35 lengths into fourth last year by the winner Atticus Finch and will now be 5,5kg better off and he beat Royal Victory by 0,65 lengths and will now be 1,5kg better off.

However, on Hollywoodbets Durban July form Royal Victory comes out ahead of Madison Valley as Royal Victory gave the latter 5kg and a 0,30 length beating and he now only has to give him 4,5kg.

Nathan Kotzen is equally happy with Royal Victory, who has benefited from his sessions with the “horse whisperer” Glyn Redgrave, who has solved the issues the six-year-old was having in the preliminaries such as “sticking up” on the way to the start.

Nathan was happy with the final preparation run of Royal Victory in a Conditions Plate event over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville in which he finished 0,95 lengths back in fourth place.

He did lament the slow place of the race but his new jockey Chad Little ensured he was driven hard all the way up the straight and he should be at his peak on the big day.

Asked whether Royal Victory was as good as he was when winning the race in 2023, Nathan mentoined his turn of foot not being as instantaneous.

However, in the long Turffontein straight that should not be too detrimental with the main thing being he still possesses a resolute finish, which he proved in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, coming from near the back for a 2,85 length fourth.

Royal Victory is one of the most consistent horses in training and only twice in his 29 start career has he finished more than 3,75 lengths behind the winner.

Therefore, he represents good each way value at 20/1, despite having to carry 59kg off his 125 rating.

The Gareth van Zyl-trained King Pelles was the most eye-catching runner in the aforementioned Conditions Plate race at Hollywoodbets Greyville over 1600m and was comfortably the best performed horse in the race at the weights. He ran on strongly from last without being given a hard time at all..

King Pelles biggest career successes have come over staying race trips. However, he has an exceptional turn of foot and has proved in his last couple of starts he is not a one trick pony.

He will carry 57,5kg and has been backed into 11/2 with the sponsor and will still have plenty of supporters at those skinny odds.

The winner of the aforementioned conditions race at Hollywoodbets Greyville was the Glen Kotzen-trained On My Honour, although he was well in at the weights under Serino Moodley.

He was strongly fancied for the Hollywoodbets Durban July, but it did not pan out well for him.

In the Gr 3 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial over 1800m before that he was beaten 0,3 lengths by Madison Valley when receiving half-a-kilogram.

He will carry half-a-kilogram less than him in the Summer Cup too.

Off his 116 rating the four-year-old sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight of 54kg and represents fair value at 16/1, especially considering Madison Valley is 10/1.

My Best Shot should relish the long straight of the Turffontein Standside course as he is very effective at Fairview, which also has a long straight.

Richard Fourie will ride the Alan Greeff-trained stalwart, who is an interesting each way prospect at 20/1.

The James Crawford-trained Otto Luyken won the July consolation race on Hollywoodbets Durban July day, albeit in  slow time, and he will enjoy the step up in trip from his preparation race when a far from disgraced 5,25 length fifth in the Gr 2 Allied-Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile over 1600m. He will be 3kg better off with Atticus Finch from that race off his 116 rating, so will be up against it on that evidence, but as one who represents the Garrix form over 1800m in Cape Town he could be a dark horse and the sponsor is treating him with respect as they have him as a 14/1 chance.