David Thiselton

A fillies and mares MR 99 handicap and a Graduation Plate are the best rated races at the Vaal Classic track meeting today.

In the fillies and mares MR 99 handicap over 1500m Warning Sound makes appeal for the Sean Tarry yard. She had her seasonal reappearance last time over 1600m at the Vaal Classic track and after being dropped out to last from a wide draw she was making good late progress. She is now drawn well in two and should have come on from that run so could launch her finish from a striking position. Another horse who caught the eye running on in her last start was the James Crawford-trained Women’s World. She managed a 4,85 length fourth to Twostep Queen over 1450m after being dropped out from a wide draw but would have got closer if not hampered late. That was also her seasonal reappearance and was in fact her first run on the Highveld for the Crawford yard having relocated from the East Cape. She will appreciate the step up by 50m and should be running on late again after being dropped out from another wide draw. Twostep Queen won that race at Turffontein Inside by 3,25 lengths but was raised seven points so will find it tough running off a seven point higher mark. The four-year-old Potala Palace filly could still progress but this mark is six points higher than she has ever raced off so it won’t be easy, although she has a fair draw of three. Stablemate Across The Pond should be in the shake up as she is in good form and is capable of running on, which she might have to do from the widest draw. Poplar Park hasn’t been seen since winning the Oaks Trial over 2000m. She is drawn in pole and had won three of her last four starts, but might need it and has to overcome a six point raise.

In the Graduation Plate over 1000m Bjorn Ironside is the best weighted and gets first time blinkers on for the drop in trip. High draws are normally favoured over this course and distance and his middle draw is not bad. The form of his win last time in a Graduation Plate over 1200m has been franked and he could follow up as a four-year-old who has always been well regarded. Rondebosch has not raced for close to eight months but had some good form and over this trip could get away with it. The other three runners War Of Kingdoms, African Pride an Heavyliesthecrown are officially out at the weights, but all three are lightly raced up and coming sorts who have shown ability but have not been fully tested yet, so they can’t be ignored.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1800m the Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained Councillor stayed on well over 1450m on debut and being by Rafeef out of a Jay Peg mare Peggy Jay, who won the Sun Chariot Handicap over 2450m and the Gr 3 Jacaranda over 1800m, she should relish the step up in trip. Councillor’s grandam is in fact the Gold Cup winner Colonial Girl and she has landed a nice draw of four out of 13. Asiah’s Tiara went close over 2000m last time and should be in the shake up but does have a tricky draw of seven. Ethical is in good form for an in form yard and will be thereabouts if able to overcome a wide draw of ten. Villarrica was completely outpaced over 1200m on debut but this Vercingetorix filly is out of the Gr 1 SA Oaks and Gr 2 Gold Circle Oaks winner Ash Cloud, so will also relish the step up in trip. She was beaten eleven lengths on debut but was staying on and has a fair draw with Zackey up. Codeword will relish he step up in trip and can’t be ignored with a 4kg claimer up, although she has a tough draw.

In the fifth race over 2000m American Rebel has a 4kg claimer up and not a bad draw of five out of nine so could be the one to beat with luck in running. Sky Pillar Rock ran well last time over course and distance and now has a better draw. Curtis Condor disappointed last time in a Middle Stakes event over 1600m but will enjoy the step up in trip and from pole position with Craig Zackey up is an interesting runner. Dance King has some class and this will be an easier task than last time. He is out of a speedy Silvano mare but being by Global View might handle the step up in trip. He does have to carry 63,65kg but Callan Murray aboard is a bonus. Street Art has fallen to an attractive merit rating based on his best form and can’t be ignored. Eiger Sanction is also hard to ignore.

In the seventh race over 1500m Mamlambo is highly regarded and can make it three in a row despite having a wide draw of ten and having to run off a 92 merit rating. Hazy Dazy is widely drawn but has a reasonable opening mark of 84 as her maiden win over this trip has worked out quite well so far. Glamorous Lady is capable of earning from a good draw. Cape Saffron could also be thereabouts from a good draw. Saigon Suzie should handle the step up in trip being by Gimmethegreenlight out of a Fort Wood mare.

In the last race over 2400m Cartagena stays this trip and looks ready to win from a good draw off a 67 merit rating carrying a nice galloping weight of 54kg. Royal Mazarin was well beaten by Arlington Action last time but beat the latter easily when second to Teo Torriate over this trip in July and from a plum draw he should be right there considering Teo Torriate has won three times since. Arlington Action has to overcome a wide draw and can be in the shake up if overcoming it. Trident King is by Pathfork out of an Australian-bred War Pass mare who won over 2000m, so is interesting stepped up to this trip. Nuclear Force should run his usual honest race.

In the first race over 1200m Matt’s Rocket showed good pace with blinkers on over 1600m last time and is interesting dropped to this trip. He could fight it out with Lilac Snow, who has the best form in the context of this uninspiring contest.

In the second race over 1200m Golden Operator should be hard to beat from a good draw. Power Of Pearls and Boom Town are the dangers.

RACE 1

1 LILAC SNOW      6 MATTS ROCKET      3 LASTING LOOKS      4 AMAZE ME

Preview: LILAC SNOW (1) is well tried but gets a top work rider and can get it all right. MATTS ROCKET (6) has had a handful of starts and showed last time that she can win her race soon. Big chance. LASTING LOOKS (3) has each way claims and AMAZE ME (4) has a quartet chance. (Warren Lenferna 1-6-3-4)

RACE 2

6 BOOM TOWN      8 GOLDEN OPERATOR      9 POWER OF PEARLS      1 REAL STUNNER

Preview: BOOM TOWN (6) ran a fair race on debut and surely has any amount of improvement to come. Bright win chance. GOLDEN OPERATOR (8) is the biggest danger. He has run two attractive races thus far. POWER OF PEARLS (9) has a huge place chance and REAL STUNNER (1) can earn. (Warren Lenferna 6-8-9-1)

RACE 3

10 COUNCILLOR      4 ETHICAL      1 ASIAH’S TIARA      2 CODEWORD

Preview: COUNCILLOR (10) finished exactly mid-field on debut and with natural progression can go close to winning. ETHICAL (4) ran an absolute cracker last time when nearly winning and can go close again – each way chance. ASIAH’S TIARA (1) should get it all right one of these days but for today, looks to have more of a place chance than a winning one. CODEWORD (2) has first four claims – quartet must. (Warren Lenferna 10-4-1-2)

RACE 4

2 WAR OF KINGDOMS      5 AFRICAN PRIDE      1 BJORN IRONSIDE      3 LONELY AS A CLOUD

Preview: WAR OF KINGDOMS (2) is returning from a 1 May layoff but is clearly a talented individual. He is confidently selected to reel off the hat trick despite the rest. AFRICAN PRIDE (5) made a statement last time when thrashing the opposition and the yard have high hopes for him. He can win and is a must for all bets. BJORN IRONSIDE (1) won a gutsy race last time and can make a race of it and LONELY AS A CLOUD (3) can do way better than the last run suggests – chance. (Warren Lenferna 2-5-1-3)

RACE 5

5 EIGER SANCTION      2 AMERICAN REBEL      8 SKY PILLAR ROCK      9 TITANS OF WAR

Preview: EIGER SANCTION (5) is never far off the action and is one for the shortlist. AMERICAN REBEL (2) has solid form and a solid chance. The weight off from the promising apprentice will be a huge help. SKY PILLAR ROCK (8) ran a much better race last time and has to be respected and included on that alone. TITANS OF WAR (9) won at long odds last time – chance. (Warren Lenferna 5-2-8-9)

RACE 6

2 CEUTA      7 POPLAR PARK      3 TWOSTEP QUEEN      4 ACROSS THE POND

Preview: CEUTA (2) can do way better than her recent second to last finish and must be judged on form before that. Callan Murray, in form rider, knows her well and she is the first choice. POPLAR PARK (7) has very good winning form and can make a winning comeback. She has not run since March which might tell in the closing stages but win or lose, she can be followed. Talented filly. Stable mates TWOSTEP QUEEN (3) and ACROSS THE POND (4) have bright place chances. (Warren Lenferna 2-7-3-4)

RACE 7

3 MAMLAMBO      7 BRIGHT AND BRAZEN      2 LADY SABRINA      1 GLAMOROUS LADY

Preview: I am going to nail my colors to the mast and suggest MAMLAMBO as the banker on the card. She has won two from three, she has a huge stride which was there for all to see when she moved to the start last time and the manner in which she won, thrashing Princess Ilaria was exciting. BRIGHT AND BRAZEN (7) is way better than the last run, she can bounce back and earn a place cheque for the connections. LADY SABRINA (2) and GLAMOROUS LADY (1) could be the place value for trifectas and quartets. (Warren Lenferna 3-7-2-1)

RACE 8

8 NUCLEAR FORCE      9 CARTAGENA      6 ROSY LEMON       1 ROMEO’S MAGIC

Preview: NEUCLEAR FORCE (8) brings consistent form into the race and rates the one to be with. CARTAGENA (9) caught the eye last time and is more than capable of going close in this field. ROSY LEMON (6) always has each way claims and ROMEO’S MAGIC (1) keeps running fourth and therefore is a natural inclusion for the back end of the quartet. The weight off will assist. (Warren Lenferna 8-9-6-1)

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Kempton and Musselburgh (UK) – 13 October 2025.

Andrew Harrison

Rachel Venniker finally made it out of the second box to get Pioneer Square home in the Michaelmas Handicap (Non-Black Type) that headed the card at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday.

Candice Dawson was in two minds whether to takes their chances from the widest draw but considering that the gelding had never finished out of the money, a place cheque would have paid for expenses.

It was a close-run thing however as Venniker took the brave decision to head for the lead. Drawn widest she first had to fight off Celtic Beauty and Go Grayson Go before settling into a rhythm.

Pioneer Square still had the lead at the top of the straight but threatened by a wall of horses. The son of Querari is not lacking in intestinal fortitude and kept finding with the result down to the wire where he kept his nose in front to hold off Johnny The Thief by the narrowest of margins with the ever consistent Cape Eagle another short head back in third.

Cognac looked to be one of the better bets on yesterday’s card in spite of his high merit rating garnered after his impressive maiden win and 61kg on his back. It was not all plain sailing but the Rafeef colt got the deed done and is now headed for the Cape Summer with Stuart Ferrie’s string that includes Gladatorian and the G1 Cape Guineas is possibly on the agenda.

Stable companion Luneluck set a blistering pace and although, according to Sean Veale having his first win back from suspension, the plan was to settle Cognac in the running. However, Veale seemed to be caught a little off guard at the start with El Dante playing up on his inside and consequently missing the break. Cognac appeared to be well out of his ground half-way up the straight with Luneluck still going great guns, but like a good horse, Cognac responded to Veale’s urging and put the race to be inside the final 50m.

I Am Giant confirmed the Gr1 Post Merchants form as he got the better of O’Tenikwa in the A Stakes, fifth race on the card over 1200m. With King Of The Gauls setting a solid gallop, Veale elected to settle in off the pace while O’Tenikwa was hung out to dry, racing three wide with Serino Moodley trying to make it to the rail and using up plenty of gas. This was possibly the difference between the two as I Am Giant quickened through a perfect split with O’Tenikwa flat to the boards on the outside. Cats Pajamas ran an eye-catching third, coming from close to last to finish a close-up third.

This was Veale and Ferries double for the day and Hollywood Racing third win.

Forward Motion went back-to-back in the Progress Plate over 1400m, sixth race on the card, with hot favourite Whispering Death a well-beaten fourth. KMV Retrofit set the pace with Muzi Yeni keeping a close eye on Whispering Death. When the gloves came off at the 400m mark Forward Motion hit the front and refused to give in getting the better of Bristol Hercules.

Whispering Death was the disappointment of the race but he is obviously not straight forward, missing a lot of last season through injury at home and the vet was called in. He went to the start in earmuffs and being off the track since March possibly took its toll. He was staying on well enough and should not be written off on the back of this run.

Given her form, Quickstepgal was the best bet on the card in the seventh and Tienie Prinsloo’s filly duly obliged. Under promising four-claiming apprentice Dezahn Louw, she pulled herself to the front early and was not for the catching as she booked her ticket for the Cape summer.

She was having her first run for the Wernars family and Harry Wilson who bought her for an undisclosed amount at the conclusion her two-year-old season that saw her win three of her five starts including a close-up second to the unbeaten Anotherdanceforme in the Gr2 Golden Slipper.

A well beaten second  but far from disgraced was Ladyofdistinction. A substantial daughter of Vercingetorix, she was carrying plenty of condition and should come on lengths with this run.

Friendless in the market, Johnny Boy belied his 10-1 odds, running out a good winner of the card opener. Drawn widest in the 13-horse field, Callan Murray had no hesitation in taking Peter Muscutts colt to the front where he had a comfortable lead.

Kicking for home early crossing the subway, Johnny Boy held on gamely with challengers aplenty. Second placed, the grey Eastern Highlands was closing relentlessly with Touched By Angels finishing best of all to take third, edging out hot favourite The Marquee. Serino Moodley missed the break slightly on The Marquee but was quickly onto the rail and then making up ground into a better position. At one stage he looked poised for a big challenge as the gaps opened, but although running on, he didn’t quicken enough for a major challenge.

 Different stable, same tactics in the second. Murray recorded back-to-back wins sending Pied Piper to the front leaving the field to follow. It was a finely time front-running ride by Murray who continues to impress since his return from Australia and is now one of the country’s leading riders. Also impressing is Vengi Masawi who trains the Hollywood Racing string out of Ashburton. He learnt his trade under Mike de Kock and it was back to his mentor for advice on Pied Piper. The cheek Pieces were added and the result spoke for itself.

Favourite Green Glow was given a chance to run on, as is the want from Dean Kannemeyer-trained runners, making up plenty of ground from well off the pace to finish a comfortable second. Definitely one for the notebook.

Things didn’t go according to plan with The Marquee in the first but the Plattner team made amends in the first leg of the PA as Miss Twinkle came through to follow up on her maiden win. A relatively late start to her career, KZN assistant to Andre Nel, Byron Forster alluded to the fact that the filly had shown an aversion to the starting stalls and it had taken time to get her settled. It was a wait well worth it and Miss Twinkle can go on as she steps up in trip.

Doug Campbell’s runner Sascha’s Dream was game in defeat with favourite Spinmyangelspin running on for third.

Buddy Boy started favourite for the final leg of the Pick 6 but raced very green around the turn and failed to turn it on in the straight. All this time Craig Zackey was biding his time towards the rear of the pack before unleashing Kanaal Skater in his first try over a mile to pick off the opposition in good fashion with Jazz Festival a game second.

Hollywood Racing rounded off a fine afternoon with Gotta Go Eddie going on to win the last giving Hollywood their fourth winner of the afternoon and Veale his third after returning from an enforced two-week holiday.

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