Andrew Harrison

Keagan De Melo will have learned plenty about pace in Hong Kong, one of the most competitive racing jurisdictions on the planet, and he put that knowledge to good effect as he got Vapour Trail home in the Progress Plate that headed the poly card at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday.

Blinkered for the first time, De Melo had Vaughan Marshal’s charge quickly out of the gate and into the lead but setting a sedate gallop as the gelding settled comfortably into the bridle.

Powerandtheglory was always in contention but favourite Hah Lah Lah was giving Craig Zackey a torrid time. Dropped in off the pace as is the want with Dean Kannemeyer-trained runners, Hah Lah Lah was having none of it, fighting for his head and eventually forcing Zackey to track wide to prevent him running into the heels of the opposition.

De Melo quickened up the pace off the false rail and Vapour Trail was not for the catching as he kept rolling. Powerandtheglory tried gamely to stay in touch but was unable to make up the leeway and as a half-brother to WSB Cape Town Met winner Double Superlative a trip further than yesterday’s 1400m must be on the cards.

Hah La La blew his chances in the early fight with Zackey and his powder was damp come the chase for home.

Louis Goosen’s filly Meeksha was a popular choice in the card opener but the result boiled down to a successful objection. Meeksha and Tiger Cody were involved in a desperate finish but did come together a couple of times. There was a nod of the heads at the line with Tiger Cody on the right side of the photo finish but on the wrong side of the objection and the result was reversed.

Master Of My Fate is the hottest stallion in the country of late and the white-faced Splash Of Love added another to his growing tally of winners as Paul Lafferty’s filly made short work of her opposition in the second.

Greek Heiress made most of the running but she quickly ran out of gas in the straight leaving her challenger in the market, Gimme The Power, racing into the lead. However, her challenge was also short lived as Splash Of Love shot clear crossing the subway and went on to win unchallenged with Indignation running on late to relegate a tiring Gimme The Power into third.

It was a day of close finishes with little more than a piece of paper separating Shiny Bob and Circle Of Grace in the D Stakes. Circle Of Grace came off a win at the Vaal and got a five-point increase in the handicap while Shiny Bob’s jockey was replaced by a 4kg claimer. Circle Of Grace made the running and tried gamely to hold on to his advantage but the weights told a tail.

RACE 1

SNOWBLADE made an encouraging 1000m debut and is open to any amount of improvement over this distance. EXPERT WITNESS and KNIGHT HEIST also made pleasing sprint introductions and should, on pedigree, be better suited to this extended trip. WARTRAX BLAZE, POGINI GREINE and CRIMSON RANGER will know more about it too after much-needed educational outings. Newcomer RAFE’S ORACLE is bred to be useful so warrants consideration – watch the betting.

RACE 2

Well-related FREESTYLE DANCE finished more than 4 lengths ahead of FOREST ACT on debut and, while the latter should improve with the benefit of that experience, FREESTYLE DANCE should have the measure of that rival as well as re-opposing EMPRESS OF PEACE over this extended trip. However, it could pay to side with well-bred FEAST OF BERRIES whose 1160m debut was encouraging. Her pedigree also suggests that this distance will be more to her liking.

RACE 3

HEROIC ACT, COMIC ARTIST and the returning INCLUSION all have the form and experience to acquit themselves competitively but are vulnerable to less-exposed rivals. Both DOCTOR STRANGELOVE and EVENING NEWS fall into that category and have shown enough over shorter distances to suggest that they can fight out the finish if making the expected improvement over this extended trip. EPIDAURUS has earning potential too.

RACE 4

Progressive FUTURE GAMBLE has thrived on the Highveld. She recently reeled off a hat-trick of 2000m victories, each win more impressive than the last, and the 8-point penalty for her latest wide-margin beating of male opposition may not be enough to prevent her from following up. Consistent last-start scorer INTO DANCING remains competitive off a career-high mark and will keep the selection honest. Hard-knockers AVOONTOAST, MOUNT ETNA and AZALEAS FOR ALL are proven at this level and likely to make their presence felt too. BAKWENA and SURPRISE PARTY also have the means to get involved.

RACE 5

APOSTROPHE, PLAY WITH FIRE and ROSY LEMON are closely matched on the form of an 1800m meeting last month and there shouldn’t be much separating them on revised terms. The latter was too far out of her ground on that occasion so will appreciate the extra 200m and could turn the tables over this trip. FALCONFLY should also enjoy stretching out to 2000m after a pleasing 1600m comeback, while recent scorer INSTANT ATTRACTION is distance suited and likely to remain competitive under a resultant penalty.

RACE 6

JUST THE TWO OF US has found her niche racing with cheekpieces fitted. She was a good 3rd against male opposition at a higher level last time and a repeat of that performance could suffice in same-sex company. ANCHORAGE, BRIGHT AND BRAZEN and VERSACE ONTHETRACK are closely matched on the form of recent meetings, so they should be in the shake-up. DAME OF TRIX and MISS ARGONAUT are others with earning potential.

RACE 7

TEMPRANILLO returns from a rest but is open to improvement and unbeaten over this track and trip. BLINDFIRE, DUCHESS ZAHRA and KIA KAHA should have more to offer back in same-sex company off reduced ratings, while POWER OF PEARLS is another to consider on her handicap debut under a 1.5kg claimer. JAZZ PIANIST has dropped to a career-low mark in her peak outing and a repeat of her latest performance (3rd) at a higher level should be good enough in this grade.

RACE 8

RINGA RINGA ROSES is course-and-distance suited and has remained competitive off her current mark at a higher level. TRAIL RUNNER and VAMANOS are better than their recent 1200m efforts suggest and a return to this trip should suit both fillies. PRINCESS KEIRA and PRINCESS ILARIA will be involved if building on improved recent performances. BLUSHING BLOOM and SAKURA HANAMI also have earning potential.

RACE 9

Maturing TRACKSUIT DAVE was beaten by a well-handicapped older rival at this level last time and a similar performance off an unchanged mark, even under top weight, will see him go close to winning. ELUSIVE RED and LONGSWORD are closely matched on recent form. Both made eye-catching late headway in a stronger 1400m contest last time and will be competitive if reproducing those efforts. Hard-knockers LEGENDARY, MICHAEL FARADAY, MATTIAZO and BLOOMINGTON can never be ignored at this level either.

Please note: the scheduled Turf meeting at Fairview on Friday, 12 June 2026 has been moved to the Polytrack due to inconsistent penetrometer readings ranging from 35 to 55.

2400m races will now be run over 2200m.

Please note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Kempton and Yarmouth (UK) – 10 June 2026.