
Truth can dominate
PUBLISHED: August 1, 2025
David Thiselton The opening Highveld meeting of the new season is a nine race one at Turffontein Standside today and it is headlined by three Pinnacle Stakes events. The first of these is over 1400m and forms the first leg of the Pick 6. Truth has the blinkers removed after a poor run in the […]
David Thiselton
The opening Highveld meeting of the new season is a nine race one at Turffontein Standside today and it is headlined by three Pinnacle Stakes events.
The first of these is over 1400m and forms the first leg of the Pick 6. Truth has the blinkers removed after a poor run in the Gr 3 Post Merchants at Hollywoodbets Greyville with first time blinkers and he should bounce back as he is effective over this course and distance with two victories in four starts. He has pole position which will give him the opportunity to dominate as he did the last time he won here. He is 1kg under sufferance with the best weighted horse Texas Red. Fire ‘N Flames is classy and is in good form and this is an ideal trip so he should be in the shake up from a fair draw. Texas Red won a Pinnacle Stakes event over course and distance in his last start, leading from pillar to post, and that confirmed that his runner up finish in the Gr 1 wfa Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m and his third place finish in the Gr 2 TAB Hawaii Stakes over this course and distance were no flukes. It won’t be easy to get to the front with Truth in the line up and he has a wide draw so Callan Murray has his work cut out. Melech has the class to be right there over a distance which is ideal considering his speed coupled with the fact he beat Main Defender over 1500m this season. He and Fire ‘N Flames are 1,5kg under sufferance with Texas Red. Bacchus and Chestnut Bomber are both only half-a-kilogram under sufferance and could be contenders, although the latter returns from a 126 day layoff.
The second Pinnacle is over 1800m and is the third leg of the Pick 6. The Equator was rumoured to have been working the lights out before his disappointing run in the Gr 3 Magical Zulu Kingdom 2200 on Hollywoodbets Durban July day. He seemed lost in that race, but he could bounce back at his home course and if repeating his best runs in the UK, the Galileo entire is the one to beat under Gavin Lerena, although his draw of five out of seven is tricky. King’s Express is the joint best weighted together with Hotarubi and from a good draw over a suitable trip should be right there. Royal Edition is an honest sort who could do well in this race from a good draw, although he is a massive 6kg under sufferance with the best weighted. Hotarubi could upset if it is a going day, but he is unreliable and frustrating to follow. Wecangoallnight is, like The Equator, only 1kg under sufferance, so he could earn if bouncing back over a drop in trip he will likely appreciate.
The third Pinnacle is the eighth race over 1000m and William Robertson is weighted to win, but this comes quickly after the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint a week ago and the ever improving Mount Pinatubo, who is officially 3kg under sufferance with William Robertson, could upset the applecart. Chocolate Soldier is very quick and will relish the fast winter conditions over the minimum trip. William Robertson should be lifting late and must be included in all bets. Ready To Charge should be cherry ripe and can earn. The consistent Quantum Theory has a fine form chance and should be right there from the usually favourable standside draw and his last win was in fact a year ago down the straight on this course, albeit over 1160m.
In the fifth race over 2850m Damova will stay this trip and from pole position should be a big runner. Mo Ment was outclassed last time at Hollywoodbets Greyville, but does well in staying races on the Highveld and from a good draw should make a bold bid. Enflame has ability and being by Irish Flame should have a chance of staying this trip and could be in the shake up. Royal Mazarin is a honest stayer who could be right there. To The Rescue should come into his own this season and can’t be ignored.
In the seventh over 1600m Impact Investor is drawn well over a suitable trip and looks the one to beat. Unsolved Riddle went close last time after a good win and with Gavin Lerena up from a good draw should be right there. Eiffel Tower has been doing well lately but does have a tricky draw. Pocket Watch was not disgraced last time and might enjoy this trip too from a good draw.
In the last race over 1000m Valieva has been in good form and has a chance from a high draw here. Phala Millions won well last time and from a high draw has a chance. Captain Efficient has a low draw but the draw hasn’t always been significant lately and he could be right there. Golden Aspen has the ability to be a factor in this race. One Tiger needs to bounce back after a below par run first time out of the maidens.
In the first race Master’s Lady makes most appeal having finished close to Alta Capitana on debut over 1160m and she is now back against the girls.
In the second race Brigitte Anne can reverse form with Bingo from a nice high draw on the presumption she improves.
In the third race over 1400m Heavenly Good should relish the step up in trip and Gavin Lerena stays aboard.
Turffontein Standside Saturday 2 August 2025 – Comments by David Thiselton
PUBLISHED: August 1, 2025
RACE 1 1 MASTER’S LADY 6 ON THE RUN 7 MIDNIGHT MIRACLE 2 DONDOYAKI Preview: 1 MASTER’S LADY ran a good race against a classy sort on debut and was not disgraced second time out so has a chance in this line-up. 6 ON THE RUN made a fair debut and beat Midnight Miracle by 0.65 […]
RACE 1
1 MASTER’S LADY 6 ON THE RUN 7 MIDNIGHT MIRACLE 2 DONDOYAKI
Preview: 1 MASTER’S LADY ran a good race against a classy sort on debut and was not disgraced second time out so has a chance in this line-up. 6 ON THE RUN made a fair debut and beat Midnight Miracle by 0.65 lengths in that race so should have her measure again. 7 MIDNIGHT MIRACLE could earn a cheque here. 2 DONDOYAKI also has the ability to place in this race. (David Thiselton 1-6-7-2)
RACE 2
8 BRIGITTE ANNE 1 SIMBINE 2 BINGO 6 FIFTY WAYS
Preview: 8 BRIGITTE ANNE made a good debut and looks the one to beat from a nice high draw.1 SIMBINE is knocking on the door and gets a good opportunity here. 2 BINGO is showing ability and should be in the shake-up. 6 FIFTY WAYS was not disgraced on debut and could improve. (David Thiselton 8-1-2-6)
RACE 3
5 HEAVENLY GOOD 8 ZAHRA DOMINIA 6 KENSAL GREEN 1 LADY BLUNT
Preview: 5 HEAVENLY GOOD wasn’t disgraced over 1160m on debut and Gavin Lerena stays aboard over a step up in trip which should suit. 8 ZAHRA DOMINIA ran well second time out over this course and distance but has a much tougher draw. 6 KENSAL GREEN made a fair debut and should enjoy the step up in trip from a fair draw. 1 LADY BLUNT had some fair form in Cape Town and in the East Cape and could be right there. (David Thiselton 5-8-6-1)
RACE 4
3 TRUTH 4 FIRE ‘N FLAMES 1 TEXAS RED 2 MELECH
Preview: 3 TRUTH is much better than his last run and is effective from pole position over this course and distance. 4 FIRE ‘N FLAMES is ideally distance suited and should make a bold bid from a fair draw. 1 TEXAS RED has plenty of class and if having some luck from a wide draw could be right there. 2 MELECH is a useful sort and this trip looks ideal and is draw just outside of middle is not bad. (David Thiselton 3-4-1-2)
RACE 5
6 DAMOVA 2 MO MENT 3 ENFLAME 5 ROYAL MAZARIN
Preview: 6 DAMOVA will stay this trip and from pole position should be a big runner. 2 MO MENT was outclassed last time but does well in staying races on the Highveld and from a good draw should make a bold bid. 3 ENFLAME has ability and being by Irish Flame should have a chance of staying this trip and could be in the shake up. 5 ROYAL MAZARIN is a honest stayer who could be right there. (David Thiselton 6-2-3-5)
RACE 6
1 THE EQUATOR 3 KING’S EXPRESS 7 ROYAL EDITION 2 HOTARUBI
Preview: 1 THE EQUATOR was reportedly working very well before his disappointing first South African start where he was green and he could do better back up on the Highveld with Gavin Lerena up. 3 KING’S EXPRESS is in fine form and from a good draw over a suitable trip should be right there. 7 ROYAL EDITION is an honest sort who could do well in this race from a good draw. 2 HOTARUBI is unreliable but is good on his day and from a good draw could be in the shake-up. (David Thiselton 1-3-7-2)
RACE 7
9 IMPACT INVESTOR 5 UNSOLVED RIDDLE 4 EIFFEL TOWER 8 POCKET WATCH
Preview: 9 IMPACT INVESTOR was drawn well over a suitable trip and looks the one to beat. 5 UNSOLVED RIDDLE went close last time after a good win and with Gavin Lerena up from a good draw should be right there. 4 EIFFEL TOWER has been doing well lately but does have a tricky draw. 8 POCKET WATCH was not disgraced last time and might enjoy this trip too from a good draw (David Thiselton 9-5-4-8)
RACE 8
4 MOUNT PINATUBO 3 CHOCOLATE SOLDIER 1 WILLIAM ROBERTSON 5 READY TO CHARGE
Preview: 4 MOUNT PINATUBO has a lot of class and from a wide draw should be a big runner. 3 CHOCOLATE SOLDIER is perfectly suited to this course and distance and to fast going and he could go close. 1 WILLIAM ROBERTSON is full of class and he reappears very soon after the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint, but he is a tough horse and should be right there. 5 READY TO CHARGE has been in fair form and over a suitable course and distance could be in the shake-up. (David Thiselton 4-3-1-5)
RACE 9
2 VALIEVA 5 PHALA MILLIONS 3 CAPTAIN EFFICIENT 6 GOLDEN ASPEN
Preview: 2 VALIEVA has been in good form and has a chance from a high draw here. 5 PHALA MILLIONS won well last time and from a high draw has a chance. 3 CAPTAIN EFFICIENT has a low draw but the draw hasn’t always been significant lately and he could be right there. 6 GOLDEN ASPEN has the ability to be a factor in this race. (David Thiselton 2-5-3-6)

Get Ready for a Game Changer! Introducing Colossus Bets – Bigger Pools, More Control! – Friday, 1 August 2025
PUBLISHED: August 1, 2025
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South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Bath and Goodwood (UK) – 01 August 2025
PUBLISHED: July 31, 2025
Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Bath and Goodwood (UK) – 01 August 2025
Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Bath and Goodwood (UK) – 01 August 2025
Strydom’s final ‘strike’
PUBLISHED: July 30, 2025
David Thiselton Piere “Striker Strydom has his last ever professional ride at the Vaal Classic track’s nine race meeting today and he could well go out with a bang as he will be aboard the hard-knocking favourite, the Mike and Adam Azzie-trained What A Winter filly Summer Winter. The MR 72 Handicap race for fillies […]
David Thiselton
Piere “Striker Strydom has his last ever professional ride at the Vaal Classic track’s nine race meeting today and he could well go out with a bang as he will be aboard the hard-knocking favourite, the Mike and Adam Azzie-trained What A Winter filly Summer Winter.
The MR 72 Handicap race for fillies and mares over 1000m will be contested by nine horses and three-year-old Summer Winter has to carry topweight of 61kg off a 79 merit rating and also possibly against her will be a draw of four over a course and distance in which high draws are often favoured. A positive is that as Piere is a heavyweight rider she will not be carrying much deadweight. Summer Winter won her maiden in her penultimate start over 1000m at Turffontein Standside by 6,50 lengths and in the three races over that same trip on the day hers was the fastest. Her first run out of the maidens was on Hollywoodbets Durban July day over 1000m on the poly, a day in which the fields are always strong, and she ran a cracking 1,40 length third. The form has worked out well with a winner and a second having come out of the race. The main danger could be the British-bred Deal Maker, who finished a 5,20 length second on debut and the form has not worked out badly. She should improve and she has a nice high draw too. Gaelic Dancer is in good form and should be thereabouts. Time For Charity is capable of popping up into the places. Predatrice could also be in the shake up if repeating her last start.
The highest rated race of the day is the 6th, a MR 97 handicap for fillies and mares over 1450m. Hong Kong has always been highly regarded and improved last time when stepped up to 1600m. She should also enjoy 1450m from draw two. Exceedingly Glam might have a slight stamina doubt, but she has gone close over this course and distance before and from a fair draw in the fast winter conditions she could make an impact. In The Beginning showed a lot of early promise and should be cherry ripe, so could bounce back over a suitable trip off a reduced merit rating. Andi’s Girl has plenty of ability and could bounce back to form under Lerena, although she has a tricky draw of six. Destiny Of Fire has some class and might enjoy the step down in trip as he did have some decent form over this distance category last year.
In he first leg of the Pick 6 over 1600m Radio Star has been knocking on the door and finished 2,70 lengths behind Jan van Goyen last time and the latter franked the form by winning a two-year-old Gr 1 with ease on Sunday. Luwak made a fair debut and the form has been franked by the second-placed horse winning next time out, but Luwak was beaten five lengths by that horse so will need to improve. Matroosberg improved last time and could earn again with a repeat. Sergeant Soqrat has shown some ability and could earn here. Balerion is by Wings Of Desire and is a half-brother to the like of Herodotus (Trippi), who was a Gr 2 runner up over 1800m.
In the fifth race over 1600m Asiah’s Tiara has a good opportunity to get off the mark from a middle draw and just needs to repeat her penultimate start over 1500m. Nkwenkwezi is knocking hard and should be right there under Strydom, who will have to overcome a wide draw. Bella Boop Boop is capable of being involved in the finish here. Witching Hour has a good draw with Lerena up and should be in the shake up too. Mattiazo should be in the shake up from a good draw.
In the seventh over 1450m Way To Burn was right there last time and would have gone close had the apprentice jockey kept the whip in the correct hand under the circumstances instead of the wrong hand which caused the horse to hang out. Off a one point lower mark she should make a bold bid. Too Late My Mate was close to a couple of fair sorts last time, Busstopinhounslow and Guy Gibson, and is also a big runner here. Messaline can earn if repeating her last start. Whirlybird is never far off and can earn again. Sunshine Day is capable of earning here if able to overcome a wide draw.
In the eighth race over 1450m Palace Prince has run two good races out the maidens and is the one to beat under Gavin Lerena, although a wide draw will make it tough. After Hours goes well for Striker and from pole position he should be charging late. Crescendo is a lot better than his last run and this is a suitable trip, so he could bounce back from a fair draw.
In the first leg of the Bipot over 1200m Blushing Bloom finished a 2,10 length second to the promising Romilly last time over this trip and he is drawn in pole under Lerena so can go close with a repeat.
In the first leg of the PA Xenophon is knocking on the door and gives Strydom a good chance although the draw is tricky. Power Of Pearls debut form has worked out well and if close to her peak after a six month layoff she should be right there. Silver Longword showed some improvement last time out and has a plum draw. Gavius Maximus looks capable of improvement on his moderate debut and has Lerena up, albeit from a tough draw. Parabellum has his third run after a rest and has the ability to earn.
In the first race over 1600m The Last Duke won easily second time out over 1160m and should prefer this trip but does have a tricky draw and Singleton Sam will be a big threat.