David Thiselton

 

A MR100 Handicap over 1600m and a MR99 Handicap over 1600m for fillies and mares are the highlights of the Vaal Classic track meeting today.

 

In the MR100 handicap Obsidian is a horse who is on the up and he can continue to progress above his current 91 merit rating. He has won three out of his last four starts and this is an ideal trip. He won his last start from a tricky draw of eight on the Turffontein Standside course and he now has a better draw of three which should allow him to get into his favoured handy position with cover and he looks the one to beat despite having to overcome a four point merit rating raise. Jury’s Out has plenty of class and the form of his last run over 1600m when third to the classy Bacchus has worked out quite well. He does have a tough draw to overcome though. Mount Darwin is capable of finishing strongly from a handy position and he should be able to get into a handy position from pole position. This looks to be an ideal trip for him too and Kabelo Matsunyane rides him for the third time in succession. Ikigai is a former Gauteng Guineas winner, so has the class to be involved here off a 91 merit rating. He has become unreliable, but Craig Zackey is up and will give him every chance. Master Christmas ran well last time at Hollywoodbets Greyville over this trip and with in-form Chad Little aboard, he could overcome a tricky draw. Soldier’s Eye is distance suited and should have a chance here from draw two.

In the fillies and Mares 99 handicap Accept Cookies is a decent sort and she will enjoy the step back down to 1600m, so should go close from draw two. Avoontoast has ability and has finished close the last two times she has tried this trip, so she should be involved from a good draw of three. Kisshoten is a hard knocking sort who should be right there if able to overcome a tricky draw of seven. Last Car To Pass is also in good form and was only 0.6 lengths behind Kisshoten  last time, but she is now half-a-kilogram worse off. Princess Ilaria could be in the shake-up here over a suitable course and distance from a draw of six out of nine.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 Longsword will enjoy this 1200 meters course and distance from draw three and could mow them down late. Hemisphere  should enjoy the step up in trip and is drawn in pole, so should be involved. Fully Loaded is knocking on the door but does have a tough draw to overcome  over this suitable trip. Palace Revolt did well over 1000m last time and should also stay this trip, so can be involved from a fair draw of five. Sylvan Warrior did well in a Gr 2 over this trip at Hollywoodbets Greyville last time and although he was given a ten point raise and has to carry topweight against older horses, he could earn.

 

In the second leg of the Pick 6 King Of Numbers is drawn in pole over a 1200m trip that seems to stretch him a bit on the evidence of his form, but in the fast current conditions he should be thereabouts from pole position. Ombudsman has disappointed in his last two starts, but he now has a good draw and if he bounces back to his best he could be right there under Craig Zackey. Eiffel Tower represents the in-form St. John Gray yard from a fair draw over a suitable trip and he has a chance. Salute the flag will appreciate coming back to this trip and if he repeats his run in May and is able to overcome a tricky draw he  should be thereabouts. Hong Kong is well regarded and in-form Chad Little is up, so over this seemingly ideal trip she has a chance from a fair draw, although she does have to carry joint topweight against the boys which won’t be easy.

In the eighth race over 1600m Kissing Machine bounced back to her best last time over 1800m when the blinkers were removed. She enjoys this trip too and has a fair draw so looks the one to beat. Way To Burn ran well last time over 1450m and this handy to front-running sort should make a bold bid if able to get to the front from a wide draw. Boom Boom is not too reliable but Serino Moodley should suit her and if dropped out and left alone she should be running on. Future Date represents the in-form St. John Gray yard and from a good draw over a suitable trip with Muzi Yeni up she should be right there. Lapis Lazuli disappointed last time but has come down the merit ratings and could be a player if returning to her best from a plum draw.

 

In the last race over 1450m Zoombomber ran a cracker last time over 1800m, but will be effective over this trip too and looks the one to beat from a plum draw of two with a 1.5kg claimer up. Sail The Sky ran well last time over this course and distance from draw two and has a fair draw again, so has another chance. Can’t Catch Me is knocking on the door and this is an ideal trip, but she does have a tough draw. Sunshine Day has bits and pieces of form that could see her placing if producing her best. Libeccio is an unreliable sort but on his going days he is dangerous so he is tough to ignore despite having a wide draw.

 

In the first leg of the PA over 1000m the British-bred Deal Maker has gone close in both starts on the Highveld and will be hard to beat in this line up.

 

In the first leg of the Bipot over 1500m Greenlight Racer is capable of improvement and should be able to despatch this field from a much better draw than last time and over a slight step down in trip that will also suit at this stage.

 

In the first race over 1500m Lady Blunt ran a cracker last time over 1400m and should be in the shake-up here, although she does have a tough draw. Frangipani ran well last time out over 1400m and with a repeat could be in the shake-up, although she also has a tricky draw. Hollywood Madam has shown enough form to be a contender here and has a fair draw.

RACE 1

 

3 LADY BLUNT 4 FRANGIPANI 1 HOLLYWOOD MADAM 5 MADAME POMPADOUR

 

Preview: 3 LADY BLUNT ran a cracker last time over 1400 meters and should be in the shake-up here although she does have a tough draw. 4 FRANGIPANI ran well last time out over 1400 meters and with a repeat could be in the shake-up, although she also has a tricky draw. 1 HOLLYWOOD MADAM has shown enough form to be a contender here and has a fair draw. 5 MADAME POMPADOUR ran well over 1400 meters last time and could earn a gain. (David Thiselton 3-4-1-5)

 

RACE 2

 

3 GREENLIGHT RACER 2 WINDS OF GRACE 5 DONDOYAKI 7 BELLA BOOP BOOP

 

Preview: 3 GREENLIGHT RACER has shown ability and from a good draw looks the one to beat.2 WINDS OF GRACE has run well in her last two starts over 1450 meters and should be right there over an ideal trip. 5 DONDOYAKI  tries a step up in trip which she should enjoy on pedigree and she can be a contender if able to overcome a wide draw. 7 BELLA BOOP BOOP has shown enough to be able to earn here. (David Thiselton 3-2-5-7)

 

RACE 3

 

2 DEAL MAKER 3 FAITHFUL NEO 8 MICKES BOMB

 

Preview: 2 DEAL MAKER has run two crackers since arriving from overseas and is the one to beat over a suitable trip. 3 FAITHFUL NEO has been knocking on the door and should be right there. MICKE’S BOMB is in and out but has everything in her favour here over an ideal trip. (David Thiselton 2-3-8)

 

RACE 4

 

5 LONGSWORD 9 HEMISPHERE 2 FULLY LOADED 8 PALACE REVOLT

 

Preview: 5 LONGSWORD is well drawn and should make a bold bid over an ideal trip. 9 HEMISPHERE  is drawn and pole and should go close. 2 FULLY LOADED knocking on the door but has a tough draw here. 8 PALACE REVOLT ran a cracker last time over a thousand meters and could earn her with a repeat. (David Thiselton 5-9-2-8)

 

RACE 5

 

5 KING OF NUMBERS 7 OMBUDSMAN 6 EIFFEL TOWER 2 SALUTE THE FLAG

 

Preview: 5 KING OF NUMBERS is well drawn over a suitable trip and should be right there  7 OMBUDSMAN has been disappointing in his last two, but is well drawn and if bouncing back could be a contender. 6 EIFFEL TOWER has been running some honest races and is distance suited and well drawn. 2 SALUTE THE FLAG has a tricky draw, but is distance suited and could be in the shake-up. (David Thiselton 5-7-6-2)

 

RACE 6

 

6 OBSIDIAN 7 JURY’S OUT 9 MOUNT DARWIN 4 IKIGAI

 

Preview: 6 OBSIDIAN  is in cracking form and can make it a hat trick here from a plum draw 7 JURY’S OUT has talent, but does have a wide draw to overcome over this suitable trip. 9 MOUNT DARWIN is drawn in pole and should make a bold bid over a suitable trip. 4 IKIGAI is potentially top class over this trip and can’t be ignored. (David Thiselton 6-7-9-4)

 

RACE 7

 

8 ACCEPT COOKIES 6 AVOONTOAST 4 KISSHOTEN 2 LAST CAR TO PASS

 

Preview: 8 ACCEPT COOKIES is well drawn over an ideal trip and should go close. 6 AVOONTOAST ran well over this trip last time and has a plum draw. 4 KISSHOTEN is knocking on the door but does have a tricky draw. 2 LAST CAR TO PASS is in fine form but also has a tricky draw. (David Thiselton 8-6-4-2)

 

RACE 8

 

3 KISSING MACHINE 2 WAY TO BURN 4 BOOM BOOM 6 FUTURE DATE

 

Preview: 3 KISSING MACHINE ran a cracker last time over 1800 meters and enjoys this trip too, so should be in the shake-up from a fair draw. 2 WAY TO BURN is a fair sort who should enjoy this trip but does have a tricky draw. 4 BOOM BOOM ran well the last time she went this trip but she also has a tricky draw. 6 FUTURE DATE is an honest sort and from a good draw should be in the shake-up. (David Thiselton 3-2-4-6)

 

RACE 9

 

3 ZOOMBOMBER 2 SAIL THE SKY 6 CAN’T CATCH ME 1 SUNSHINE DAY

 

Preview: 3 ZOOMBOMBER  ran a cracker last time over 1800m and from a plum draw should be right there. 2 SAIL THE SKY is distance suited and  competitively handicapped and has a fair draw, so should be in the shake-up. 6 CAN’T CATCH ME should be distance suited but does have a tough draw. 1 SUNSHINE DAY is capable of being involved. (David Thiselton 3-2-6-1)

Soccer 10 Friday 15 August 2025. ADD-IN R 200 000. Estimated Pool: R 2 Million. Pool Closes at 19:00 .Sport 16 and Pool 1.

Soccer4 Saturday 16 August 2025. Carryover  R25 000. Estimated Pool: R100 000. Pool Closes at 15:00. Sport 17 and Pool 2.

Soccer6 Saturday 16 August 2025. ADD-IN R50 000. Pool Closes at 15:00.Sport 2 Pool 2. Estimated Pool: R400 000.

Soccer13 Saturday 16 August 2025. R24 Million (If only One 13 of 13 Winner). Pool Closes at 15:30. Sport 10 Pool 1.

Soccer Any13X on Saturday 16 August 2025. ADD-IN R150 000. Estimated Pool: R 500 000. Pool Closes at 13:30. Sport 13 and Pool 1

 

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Salisbury and Windsor (UK) – 14 August 2025

David Thiselton

Donovan Dillon, a stalwart Gr 1-winning graduate of the South African Jockey Academy, is all set for a breakthrough season in Australia and he has made a good start.

He has been in Australia since June 2022 but his first ride as a permanent resident in Australia was only on January 2 this year and he accumulated 29 wins in the seven months that were remaining of the season and did it at a decent strike rate of 12% and had a place strike rate of 34% for overall earnings of Aus$964,700.

Donovan previously rode exclusively for the small racing yard at the famous Arrowfield stud farm where he was based and rides were few and far between and he was also out for a long time with a serious thigh injury.

He can now look forward to a full season and will be hoping to draw the attention of the Metropolitan yards.

He has made a fine start to the 2025/2026 season as he has already had three wins, two seconds and a third in just 12 starts for a win strike rate of 25%, place strike rate of 58.3% and earnings of Aus$89,725.

His 29 wins last season put him in 229th position on the Australian log and this season his early three wins have put him in 52nd place.

He is obviously mathematically on his way to beating his rank of last season comfortably.

He said a couple of years ago he believed he could make it to the top in Australia and he is going about it in the right way.

He is based in New South Wales.

On the same page of the stats as Donovan last season were some other names who will be known to South African fans:

Heavelon van der Hoven did well with 31 wins at a strike rate of 11.6% for earnings of Aus$1,327,575. He was battling in Cape Town at one stage, although he did take home one of the biggest riding cheques in South African history when winning the 2016 CTS Million Dollar on the Glen Puller-trained Illuminator having got the ride only on the morning of the race thanks to a sore back causing Weichong to book off. Heavelon earned a cheque of about R630,000 for that chance ride.

He is also based in New South Wales and has had one win in eight rides this season.

Brandon Lerena is based in Brisbane in Queensland and had 31 wins at 13% last season for earnings of $914,885. He has had two wins in 16 rides this season.

Karl Zechner, who is also based in Queensland, had 30 wins at a strike rate of 8.3% last season for earnings of Aus$866,185. He has had two wins in 19 rides so far this season.

Jaden Lloyd, son of legendary South African jockey Jeff Lloyd, had 27 wins last season at 11.7% for earnings of Aus$1,279,570. He is also based in Queensland and has had one win in eleven rides this season.

Jeff’s sensational younger son Zac finished in 21st position on the Australian log last season with 97 wins at 1.3% and earnings of $14,566,360. He is based in New South Wales and had had one win in eleven starts so far this season.

Keagan Latham had a fine 2024/2025 season with 81 wins at a strike rate of 14.9% for earnings of Aus$3,462,050 which put him in 39th position on the Australian log. He is based in New South Wales and has had one win so far this season in 15 rides.

Sean Cormack was in 56th position with 73 wins at a strike rate of 13.2% for earnings of $2,086,130. He is based in Queensland and has had four wins in 27 rides this season.

Chad Schofield had 51 wins at 12.2% last season but had big earnings of $11,675,865 as he was associated with the top horse Ceolwulf, who won two Gr 1s last October, including the King Charles III Stakes which alone earned the connections Aus$3,060,000. He is based in New South Wales and hasn’t had a winner yet in seven rides this season.

Mark Du Plessis had 22 wins last season at a 22% strike rate for earnings of Aus$1,568,175. He is based in Queensland and hasn’t ridden since a nasty fall at Ipswich on July 3.

Callan Murray had 19 wins at 7.4% last season in Australia for earnings of Aus$766,555 before returning to South Africa. That was a good decision as his career has taken off again out here and he has already added three more Gr 1 victories to his CV in the three months he has been back.

Chris Taylor had seven wins last season at a 10.8% strike rate for earnings of Aus$116,362. He is based in Queensland and has only had two rides this season for one third.

Marnu Potgieter rode in some work riders races in South Africa, making his debut at the Vaal in December 2012. He had 42 rides in Australia last season for three wins at 7.1% for earnings of Aus$173,010. He was based in Queensland and has not had a ride since October last year.

Teaque Gould only had 14 rides in Australia last season, but had two wins for a strike rate of 14.3% and earnings of Aus$48,035, so hopefully he gets more chances this season. He is based in New South Wales and has not had a ride this season yet.

Donovan Yeo had one win in Australia last season in 18 rides at 5.6% for earnings of Aus$50,400. He is based in New South Wales and has not returned a win in two rides this season.

Lyle Hewitson had three rides in Australia last season during the Hong Kong off season and had three wins at 11.5% for earnings of $104,890.