Warren Lenferna

Sunday, September 7, promises an exciting day of horse racing at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, with a competitive card for racing fans. The first race is scheduled for 12:50 PM, and the day’s events will conclude with Race 8 at 4:55 PM.

Race 1: A Newcomer to Watch

The opener features a beautifully bred first-timer, Trip to Camelot. Sired by Trippi out of a Galileo mare, he is a half-brother to notable horses King Pelles and Legend of Arthur. While he may need more distance, he is certainly one to watch for the future. Jockey Gavin Lerena will be in the saddle from gate 1 for the Snaith stable. However, the one to beat looks to be Objet D’Art from the Marcus yard. This son of What a Winter impressed on debut, finishing fourth behind Sardinia Bay at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, and with natural progression, he will be a strong contender for the win.

Race 2, runs over 1400m and kicks off the Place Accumulator. It’s a competitive field where a case can be made for most of the runners. Respect and include Goodnessgraciousme, My Only Weakness, and Swiatek as they are all strong contenders for the first leg.

Race 3 is the Lucky Fish Magic Mile Open Maiden. Red Wave is drawn wide in gate 11 but has the services of South Africa’s champion jockey, Gavin Lerena. Lerena is well-known for his ability to get his horses into winning positions, and with Red Wave’s impressive improvement, he could be tough to beat.

Lerena also has an excellent ride in Race 4 aboard Red Coral for trainer Candice Bass-Robinson. Despite a difficult draw, there are only eight runners in the field. Interestingly, both horses—Red Wave and Red Coral—have names referencing the sea. A race-to-race double on these two could be a bet, as both have a huge chance of winning.

In Race 5, Mighty Mary is my idea of the winner. The Vaughan Marshall-trained filly will be ridden by Craig Zackey for the first time. This daughter of Querari has shown consistent improvement and appears ready for her maiden victory.

An exciting prospect to watch is Wish List in Race 6. She ran a huge race after breaking her maiden and caught the attention. She is certainly one to follow for bigger and better things to come.

The penultimate event, Race 7, is a competitive C Stakes. The narrow choice is Tothemoonandback, to be ridden by Richard Fourie. He’s always in the mix and could offer some good value. Several others also have a legitimate chance. Include as many as the budget allows.

The final race is a Class 4 event over 1000m. Barney Mcgrew tops the shortlist. He nearly pulled off an upset at 33/1 last time out and is more than capable of winning a race of this caliber. Look out for Lucy Rocket, Wylie Jack, and Orbit, who could also get into the action.

RACE 1

2 OBJET D’ART       1 TRIP TO CAMELOT       4 WHIRLWIND      8 MOUNT AUGUSTUS

Preview: OBJET D’ART (2) caught the eye on debut and with natural progression, can win. TRIP TO CAMELOT (1) is beautifully bred and will probably want way further but could place on debut. Watch the betting. WHIRLWIND (4) is also nicely bred and could get into the action first time at the races and MOUNT AUGUSTUS (8) can be forgiven for the last run and judged on good penultimate. (Warren Lenferna 2-1-4-8)

RACE 2

1 GOODNESSGRACIOUSME      4 SWIATEK       6 KAMCHATKA      2 MY ONLY WEAKNESS

Preview: GOODNESSGRACIOUSME (1) is holding form and looks ready for the next win. She has strong each way claims. SWIATEK (4) has won her last two well and has an undeniable hat trick chance. KAMCHATKA (6) is a huge chance and MY ONLY WEAKNESS (2) has to be factored into all bets. A competitive race. (Warren Lenferna 1-4-6-2)

RACE 3

11 RED WAVE      2 LOMU      4 SMART HORSE      8 FROM THE HIP

Preview: RED WAVE (11) is improving and rates tough to beat. LOMU (2) is the suggested place value here and was not far off the winner last time. SMART HORSE (4) has a strong place chance and FROM THE HIP (8) could be the lurker for the quartet but they may have to all go some to beat Red Wave. (Warren Lenferna 11-2-4-8)

RACE 4

7 RED CORAL      6 HEAVENLY MAFIA       8 LEBOMBO GOLD      5 GREEK HEIRESS

Preview: RED CORAL (7) is making all the required improvement from race to race and looks ready for the win. Possible banker. HEAVENLY MAFIA (6) can be expected to get way closer this time and has a serious claim. LEBOMBO GOLD (8) can improve to finish in the top four at likely attractive odds and GREEK HEIRESS (5) has plenty scope to do way more – quartet must. (Warren Lenferna 7-6-8-5)

RACE 5

2 MIGHTY MARY      1 CLOUDS CLEARING      5 CHICKASAW      4 BEAUTIFUL ONE

Preview: MIGHTY MARY (2) is coming along the right way and has a bright winning chance. Craig Zackey rides for the first time. CLOUDS CLEARING (1) caught the eye last time when finishing third and can be expected to offer much more today. Bright chance. CHICKASAW (5) has a serious place chance and is a must for trifectas and quartets and BEAUTIFUL ONE (4) must be respected and included too. (Warren Lenferna 2-1-5-4)

RACE 6

5 WISH LIST     4 RAHHABBA      7 OCOTILLO      8 LA LANDONNE

Preview: WISH LIST (5) ran an absolute cracker last time, and clearly has ability. She has a bright win chance. RAHHABBA (4) is holding form and should be very competitive. Strong each way chance and a must for all bets. OCOTILLO (7) and LA LANDONNE (8) can fight it out for the minor cheques. (Warren Lenferna 5-4-7-8)

RACE 7

3 TOTHEMOONANDBACK      10 NARETOI      4 HELIOTROPE       6 NOT WANTED

Preview: TOTHEMOONANDBACK (3) gets the services of Richard Fourie and is never far off the action. He could represent some attractive each way value. NARETOI (10) ran a good race last time and can be competitive in this C Stakes as a maiden. HELIOTROPE (4) can go one more and win – big chance and NOT WANTED (6) is surely better than his last effort. Include. (Warren Lenferna 3-10-4-6)

RACE 8

2 BARNEY MCGREW      1 LUCY ROCKET      3 WYLIE JACK      9 ORBIT

Preview: BARNEY MCGREW (2) nearly won at long odds last time but is more than capable of winning a race of this class. He is selected to go one more. LUCY ROCKET (1) from the best gate can get much closer and represent some good place value. WYLIE JACK (3) gets valuable weight off the back which aid his chances of running a better race. Place claims. ORBIT (9) despite the high draw, can run into the first four. (Warren Lenferna 2-1-3-9)

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Haydock and Wolverhampton (UK) – 6 September 2025

David Thiselton

The highest rated race at the Turffontein Inside meeting on Saturday is a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1450m and the St. John Gray-trained Argo Alley could be the one to beat.

In his last start over 1600m Argo Alley lost by a short-head and beat Texas Red by three lengths receiving 8kg. He receives 8kg from Texas Red again. In his penultimates start Argo Alley won over 1400m, beating Melech by 4,10 lengths receiving 10kg and he receives 8kg from him this time, so should confirm the form. The one detractor is Argo Alley’s tricky draw of six in the eight horse field. Texas Red will appreciate the step down to 1450m and should make a bold bid from a fair draw of four as he has class on his side and goes well for Kabelo Matsunyane. Melech is also a classy sort and he should do well from pole position over an ideal course and distance under Gavin Lerena. Callmegretrix won a Listed race over 1600m last time out against the girls and she is officially the best weighted runner here. She also has a good draw of two and this consistent sort should enjoy the course and distance too, but it is never easy against the boys. Barbaresco has class and should run well fresh over this trip, but he does have a tough draw to overcome.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1200m Arizona Magic was green and outpaced early over 1000m on debut but finished in eyecatching style, so looks hard to beat here over a step up in trip she will relish from a good draw. Ubermensch has only shown once in five starts but can be forgiven his last start because it was in KZN, while his first three starts were in the strong centre of Cape Town. If able to repeat his penultimate run he could be in the shake-up. Monkey Puzzle was beaten 4.10 lengths into second on his Highveld debut and should be thereabouts with a repeat. One Eye On Vegas is by Buffalo Bill Cody out of a Fastnet Rock mare, so should have the speed to be a contender. District Attorney has Lerena up and could improve on his debut.

The fifth race is a maiden over 1800m and the hard-knocking Follow The Master has an ideal opportunity to get off the mark here from a fair draw of three. Jason Gates gets on well with him and he is proven over middle distances. World Order has been knocking on the door over 1600m and will be a threat over a step up in trip he should handle, but he does have a wide draw to overcome.  Truro Legacy is well regarded and although beaten four lengths by World Order when making his debut he is capable of improvement and will relish the step up in trip, so should do well from pole position. Those three can get punters through.

In the sixth over 1800m Witching Hour has a fine opportunity to get off the mark being drawn in pole position over a step up in trip she will enjoy being by Rafeef out of a Fort Wood mare who won up to 1750m. She has hard knocking form with three seconds in succession and she can go one better here. Rejuvenate disappointed last time, but has a better draw here and she will relish the step up in trip on pedigree. Madame Pompadour beat a below par Reuvenate by five lengths last time but has another wide draw to overcome and this long time maiden has never been tried beyond a mile before. Sapphire Sun was two lengths behind Madame Pompadour and three lengths in front of Rejuvenate last time over 1600m and could still improve and might stay the trip on pedigree from a tricky five draw. Amazon Queen should improve on her reasonable debut.

In the eighth over 1200m Karate Kid is a talented sort and he should be cherry ripe having his third run after a rest and he will be hard to beat if able to overcome a tricky draw of six out of nine carrying topweight of 62kg. Gimmethegoodlife goes for a hattrick under in-form Serino Moodley and is drawn quite well. Before his two wins over this distance at Hollywoodbets Greyville, one on turf and one on the poly, he ran downfield on his Highveld debut but that was over 1600m and he should prefer this trip. Passage Of Power ran well the last time he went over this course and distance and he is now five points lower in the merit ratings, so if able to overcome a wide draw he could be in the shake up. Rollwiththepunches is drawn in pole and can do well if bouncing back. Nyaka Nyaka has an officially tough task at the weights but did well under similar circumstances last time.

In the ninth over 1200m Vibe SA has come into his own but does have a tricky draw. Bumps Last Grind should go close if repeating his last start. Hemisphere has shown ability and could till improve.

In the first leg of the Bipot Time For Charity looks hard to beat.

In the first leg of the PA over 1200m Queen Of Pearls is by Hawwaam and is a half-sister to Gr 2 White Pearl and she has to beat Fish Hawk who made a fair debut over 1000m.

In the first race over 1200m Stone Of Scone will be a tough nut to crack from a good draw over an ideal trip.

The Road to The Everest Heats Up at Randwick This Saturday.

 The road to the world’s richest race on turf is rarely straightforward and with only four of the twelve Everest slots filled, the race to secure a place in the $20 million showdown is about to intensify. This Saturday, Sydney’s Royal Randwick hosts the $1 million Group 3 Concorde Stakes, a key stepping stone for sprinting hopefuls eyeing a spot in The Everest.

 

All eyes will be on the brilliant four-year-old mare Lady Shenandoah from the powerhouse combination of Chris Waller and world number one jockey James McDonald. While the 1000m trip may be short of her ideal distance, she arrives off three sharp trials and will be primed to extend her five-race win streak which already includes two Group 1 victories. Standing in her way is the ultra-consistent Headwall, trained by Matthew Smith and ridden by rising star Zac Lloyd. Headwall has proven himself at the highest level with multiple Group 1 placings, including a gritty third in the T.J. Smith Stakes during The Championships in April. He’s a serious contender, ready to test the mare’s credentials. The Concorde will also serve as a launchpad for emerging talents aiming to break into Australia’s elite sprinting ranks. Lightly raced prospects like In Flight and New York Lustre will be looking to announce themselves on the big stage and a bold performance here could open the door to even bigger targets this spring. SKY Racing’s Brad Gray has taken a deep dive into the feature race in his preview alongside Sam Phillips, available here.

 

The Concorde is just the beginning of what promises to be a blockbuster day at Randwick, with three quality Group 2 contests rounding out a program that’s sure to shape the spring narrative. In the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes, former North American Group 1 winner Full Count Felicia finds a very suitable assignment as she looks to make her mark on Australian soil. She’ll face stiff opposition from Ceolwulf, who’s looking to return to the winner’s stall, and Vauban, a proven Group 1 performer across multiple continents. The ever-popular Private Eye headlines the Group 2 Tramway Stakes over 1400m, where he looks the one to beat. He’ll be challenged by the returning New Zealand Derby winner Willydoit, who kicks off his campaign with lofty goals ahead. Meanwhile, the Group 2 Furious Stakes for three-year-old fillies presents a wide-open affair, with potential Golden Rose implications just three weeks out from that major clash.

 

It’s shaping up to be a sensational day of racing at Randwick this Saturday, one that will have major ramifications not only for The Everest, but for several of spring’s biggest features. All Mosley from SKY Racing was out at trackwork this week for the latest on all the Sydney Spring contenders, available here.