South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Redcar and Wolverhampton (UK) – 4 November 2025

David Thiselton

The outside rail is in by ten metres in the races down the straight at the Vaal meeting today and there is a ten metre spur at the 600m mark and this structure has favoured low draws in the past, although recently it has been more favourable to the low numbers when the rail is in by 14m, so at 10m the first two races need to be monitored before a draw bias can be said to be present.

The highest rated race is a MR 90 Handicap over 1500m and Zanthar is an interesting runner here as he has a possibly favaourable low draw and has not only come down to a competitive merit rating but also has in-form 2,5kg claimer Girish Samo-Burthia aboard. Last time out over 1200m at Turffontein Inside he was caught a touch wide and was beaten a respectable 4,30 lengths by the promising three-year-old Miami Mountain with Graded performers Charming Cheetah, Zalatoris and Aristotle splitting them. He should have come on from that run and will appreciate the step up in trip. If the high draws turn out to not be unfavourable then Zanthar’s Mike Azzie-trained stablemate Deception Pass could be in the mix if repeating his last start when beaten just a neck by Palace Prince over 1450m, although this Ideal World gelding is none too reliable. Jordan would prefer further but has some class and was not disgraced over 1600m last time. This is also his second run of the season, so he should have come on from that last run and he has a potentially favourable number one draw. The topweight Presley comes off a good run over 1400m and two winners have come out of that race already. He has a high draw but Gavin Lerena is up and will give him every chance. Dylan’s Champ is in good form and is distance suited and drawn in the middle, so should be in the shake up.

In the first leg of the Pick 6, a Maiden Plate over 1400m, Wayne made a cracking debut over 1200m in September and should appreciate the step up in trip so looks hard to beat here from draw one with Gavin Lerena up as both of the horses who beat him in the aforementioned race, Miami Mountain and Trajanus, have come out and won since. Amandla Ngawethu has run well in his last three races and from a low draw this improving sort should be right there. Arizona Magic has not been disgraced in three decent maidens but does have a very high draw. If high draws are not unfavourable he should be in the shake up. Battle Of The Bulge showed big improvement last time and if confirming it could earn. First-timer Go Johnny Go is by Gimmethegreenlight out of a Listed-winning Jet Master mare who is out of the Equus Champion broodmare Mystic Spring, so he is an interesting runner on debut.

In the second leg of the Pick 6, Trident King was beaten 3,20 lengths by Arlington Action over this 2400m trip last time and is now 3kg better off, so there should not be much in it and he is given the vote. Arlington Action won well over this trip of 2400m last time in a Classified Stakes race and now has a plum draw.  Cartagena was beaten 2,50 lengths in that race and faces Arlington Action on the same terms. Cartagena is a progressive sort and has won over this trip before, so should be involved in the finish with Craig Zackey now taking the ride. Sky Pillar Rock went close over 2000m last time and is out of a Galileo mare, so should enjoy this step up in trip. Chabal won easily over 2000m last time and being by Gimmethegreenlight out of a Duke Of Marmalade mare who won twice, over 1800m and 2000m respectively, he is also a lively contender in a race where all five of the aforementioned horses would have to be included in the Pick 6.

The fifth race over 1000m is also wide open. Lonely As A Cloud had a tricky draw of six out of eight last time on the Turffontein Inside track and before that was unfavourably drawn over 1000m on the Vaal Classic track in draw two, so was not disgraced in either start and now from draw four of eight should be involved. In The Ether is an honest distances-suited mare who has a form chance. Michael Faraday would find this too sharp on form, but he could be well handicapped having once been rated as high as 91 in Cape Town and having won once on the Highveld in four starts to put him on a 69 rating. He disappointed over 1450m last time and is now tried with blinkers, which he has only worn twice before over 1400m and 1200m without great success. Tiger Storm has the form to be a contender off  a merit rating that has come down considerably. Oriental Bouquet continues to disappoint but could earn from draw one.

In the sixth over 1200m Ice Dragon impressed in his winning debut and 86 does not look to be an unreasonable mark. The form has not worked out well at all, but the manner of the victory gave reason to believe he could amount to something.  Vibe SA is capable of better than his last two starts and from draw five out of ten over an ideal trip should be thereabouts. Antonio Gaudi went close over this trip last time and from number one draw cold be in the shake up. Secret Chord has talent and over this trip might get away with a seven month layoff. Turbo Power has a nice low draw and his recent form could see him earning again.

In the last race over 1600m Sunshine Day has a good form chance especially as she has a nice low draw. Vava Vegas ran well over 1800m last time and is interesting over this trip running off a seven point lower mark than her last win. Blurred Vision has come down to an eye-catching merit rating and from a nice low draw should be a big runner. Commander Of All is drawn one and has the form to be a contender. Madame Pompadour is in fine form over this trip and if high draws are not disadvantageous she could be in the shake up.

In the first race over 1000m Slender Silhouette comes from good formlines and from a middle draw might prove hard to beat.

In the second over 1000m Emerald Forge has a potentially tough high draw and returns from a five-and-half month layoff, but she had good juvenile form and could still make a bold bid. Kortvandraad was not disgraced in seven starts in Cape Town and considering the strength of the form there she has a good chance. Varachino’s Champ by Soqrat is a full-sister to the Listed winner I Salute You and she should be respected especially if money comes for her.

RACE 1

8 QUEENSLAND      7 SLENDER SILHOUETTE      1 OLD FASHIONED      10 PRINCESS OF ALL

Preview: QUEENSLAND (8) has shown some spark in all three runs thus far and can go close to winning. SLENDER SILHOUETTE (7) has strong each way claims. OLD FASHIONED (1) is well tried but can place in this. PRINCESS OF ALL (10) can go close if using the debut run as a guideline. (Warren Lenferna 8-7-1-10

RACE 2

2 EMERALD FORGE      3 MASTER’S LADY      1 KORTVANDRAAD      5 GASLIGHT DANCER

Preview: EMERALD FORGE (2) brings solid form into the race, went close last time and can go one more. Confident first choice. MASTER’S LADY (3) is banging at the door for the win and should get it all right soon. KORTVANDRAAD (1) and GASLIGHT DANCER (5) have serious place claims. (Warren Lenferna 2-3-1-5)

RACE 3

15 WAYNE      8 BEST CANDIDATE      3 BATTLE OF THE BULGE      1 AMANDLA NGAWETHU

Preview: WAYNE (15) ran an absolute cracker on debut and with natural progression expected, might prove tough to beat. BEST CANDIDATE (8) finished a well beated second last time out and must be given consideration for the places. BATTLE OF THE BULGE (3) went close last time at long odds – he can be right there again. Brett Webber has his yard in a good space. AMANDLA NGAWETHU (1) has a quartet chance. (Warren Lenferna 15-8-3-1)

RACE 4

4 CHABAL      2 SKY PILLAR ROCK      7 VOLTE FACE      5 TRIDENT KING

Preview: CHABAL (4) was given a patient and peach of a ride last time to win well. Serino Moodley retains the ride and he is confidently selected to follow up. SKY PILLAR ROCK (2) is taking time for the next win but nearly got it right last time – strong each way claims. VOLTE FACE (7) could represent some place value for the trifectas and quartets. TRIDENT KING (5) has a first four chance. (Warren Lenferna 4-2-7-5)

RACE 5

2 LONELY AS A CLOUD      1 TIGER STORM      3 IN THE ETHER     5 NKANDLA GOLD

Preview: LONELY AS A CLOUD (3) travels well for Serino Moodley and if ignoring the last run, can win. TIGER STORM (1) can get way closer this time and has a strong place chance. IN THE ETHER (3) is testing the patience for the next victory but is ultra-consistent and can pop up here. INKANDLA GOLD (5) gets the services of Gavin Lerena and this geldings form is fair enough to respect and include in all bets. Bright chance. (Warren Lenferna 2-1-3-5)

RACE 6

1 SECRET CHORD      6 ANTONIO GAUDI      2 FULLY LOADED      8 ICE DRAGON

Preview: SECRET CHORD (1) comes from an inform stable, boasts solid, good form and is the firm first suggestion. ANTONIO GAUDI (6) is holding form and went close last time. He can go one more today. FULLY LOADED (2) has obvious claims and ICE DRAGON (8) could be anything – include. (Warren Lenferna 1-6-2-8)

RACE 7

1 PRESLEY      8 DECEPTION PASS       2 LAST CAR TO PASS      6 ZANTHAR

Preview: PRESLEY (1) showed last time when in second place that the next win is near. Today looks to be the day. DECEPTION PASS (8) went close last time and should provide plenty cheek all the way home – bright chance. LAST CAR TO PASS (2) is way better than the last run and is a must for the trifecta. ZANTHAR (6) can finish in the first four. (Warren Lenferna 1-8-2-6)

RACE 8

4 MAJALUN      2 SUNSHINE DAY      3 SHEETS AND GOGGLES      10 COMMANDER OF ALL

Preview: MAJALUN (4) has done well since winning the maiden and has a bright win chance. SUNSHINE DAY (2) is taking time to find the winners enclosure but in saying that is earning ever time. Each way chance. SHEETS AND GOGGLES (3) and COMMANDER OF ALL (10) are natural inclusions in the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 4-2-3-10)

The Stage is Set for the Race That Stops a Nation

The countdown is on for Australia’s greatest race, the $10 million Group 1 Melbourne Cup over 3200m from Flemington Racecourse this Tuesday. Following the excitement of Victoria Derby Day, the final field of 24 has been confirmed and the barriers drawn, setting the scene for a truly global contest.

 

This year’s Cup showcases international flair like never before, with contenders representing seven countries across four continents including Australia, Japan, Great Britain, Ireland, France, Germany, and, for the very first time, the United States.

A decade after Michelle Payne’s history-making triumph aboard Prince Of Penzance, Jamie Melham is chasing her own place in Cup folklore aboard Half Yours, the Caulfield Cup champion. Trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy, the mare will jump from barrier eight as she bids to become the 13th horse in history to claim the Cups double.

 

Cup-winning master Chris Waller will saddle up five runners, while Ciaron Maher lines up three. The barrier gods dealt a mixed hand with Waller’s Valiant King (10), Buckaroo (12) and River Of Stars (14) sit mid-pack, flanked by Maher’s Smokin’ Romans (11) and Middle Earth (13). Maher’s third contender, the Group 1-winning Royal Supremacy, will start from a testing gate 21, partnered with Robbie Dolan, last year’s winning jockey.

Meanwhile, Vauban returns with history on the line aiming to become the first horse since 1988 to capture the Melbourne Cup at his third attempt. Now under the care of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, the Irish import will jump from barrier two, hoping local knowledge makes the difference.

 

Ireland’s Joseph O’Brien again leads the international charge. His dual Group 1 winner Al Riffa will start from barrier 19, alongside stablemate Goodie Two Shoes (20) the first Australian runner for global racing powerhouse J.P. McManus. Already a two-time Cup winner with Rekindling (2017) and Twilight Payment (2020), the 32-year-old O’Brien could make it a treble. Fellow Irishman Willie Mullins sends back the ever-determined Absurde, contesting his third Cup after finishing seventh and fifth in the past two years. He’ll jump from barrier four.

 

Adding a new chapter to Cup history, the United States is represented for the first time by Parchment Party, trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott and ridden by John Velazquez, starting from barrier three. The international line-up continues with Japan’s Chevalier Rose (5) for Hisashi Shimizu, France’s Presage Nocturne (9) for Alessandro Botti, and Germany’s Flatten The Curve (17) for Henk Grewe each looking to etch their nation’s name onto the famous Cup.

 

With a world-class field, storied rivalries, and $10 million in prize money on the line, the 2025 Melbourne Cup promises to deliver another unforgettable chapter in sporting history.

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