David Thiselton

 

A Graduation Plate over 1160m and a MR96 Handicap over 1160m are the highlights of the eight race Turffontein Standside meeting today.

 

In the Graduation Plate the Mike Azzie-trained Winds Of Change has a lot of speed and class, but lost his way a bit in his last three runs. However, he now has his second run after gelding and can bounce back, especially considering he is slung in at the weights according to official merit ratings. One Fine Winter has a lot of speed and class too. She finished just 1,40 lengths back in the Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint and can make an impact over this trip in her first appearance since July 27 when third in the Gr 1 Douglas Whyte Stakes over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville. Bjorn Ironside is third best in at the weights and is officially 6,5kg under sufferance with Winds Of Change but is talented and can make his presence felt. Yippee Kiyay is on the way up and can rise above his merit rating and defy the weights in which he is 12,5kg under sufferance with Winds Of Change. King Harald is officially second best in at the weights and should finish on top of Yippee Kiyay according to the form of their last meeting.

 

In the MR96 handicap over 1160m One Eye On Vegas looks to have speed and class and as he finished just two lengths behind Trust over 1200m he should be the one to beat here.  Gimmethegoodlife won well over 1000m last time, putting his previous start when going out too fast behind him. He is four points higher in the ratings but goes well for Gavin Lerena and has a nice high draw over a suitable trip. Miami Mountain has plenty of ability and will enjoy the step down in trip, but does have the tricky number one draw to contend with. War Of Kingdoms has the form to earn and has a nice high draw. Rollwiththepunches could earn with a 4kg claimer up.

 

In  the first leg of the Pick 6 Oklahoma Sideshow ran second over 1500m last time and is interesting now dropped in trip in this uninspiring race, although her Philanthropist Dam’s only win was over 1800m. Underdog has shown fair ability before and is a big runner here. In The Willows has shown enough in his last two starts to be a contender in this uninspiring field and he is interesting with first time blinkers.  Sakura Hanami has run two fair races and can earn here. Special Al is by Rafeef and is a half-brother to the like of 96-rated Warrior Royale.

 

In the second leg over 1160m Blooming Lovely made a fine debut and should go close with expected improvement. Inspiration has been knocking on the door and should be right there. Power Of Pearls is a hard-knocking sort who should also be in the shake up. Gulf Of America will enjoy the step back to this trip. LA Flyer is by What A Winter and is a half-sister to Mexican Pete, who reached a merit rating of 100.

 

In the sixth race over 1600m Impact Investor disappointed last time but was consistent before that and can go close from a middle draw. Palace Attack ran a cracker last time behind a well regarded sort and should be thereabouts. Open Highway has been in fine form and can go close over a suitable trip. Jury’s Out has the form to earn here from a good draw with Lerena up. Sea Shanty pack a strong finish and has a chance if able to overcome a wide draw.

 

In the eight race over 1000m His Lordship has Lerena up and will enjoy the course and distance from a middle to high draw. Bumps Last Grind will relish the step back to the minimum trip and should be in the shake up. Old Fashioned won his maiden easily and has a chance off a 70 merit rating. Nkandla Gold bounced back to form last time and can earn with a repeat. In The Ether is capable of a strong late run.

 

In the first race over 800m  No Drama makes most appeal being by Erik The Red and a half-sister to a horse who won second time out.

 

In the second race over 800m Turn It Up ran on smartly on debut and will be hard to oppose here.

RACE 1

 

3 NO DRAMA 1 LANZAROTE 2 MISS DUTTON 5 RUBY WHISPER

 

Preview: 3 NO DRAMA is by Erik The Red and is a half-sister to a horse that won second time out. 1 LANZAROTE is by Erupt out of a Querari mare. 2 MISS DUTTON wasn’t disgraced on debut when nine lengths behind runaway winner Heath House. 5 RUBY WHISPER is by Captain Of All out of a five time-winning Lecture mare. (David Thiselton 3-1-2-5)

 

RACE 2

 

6 TURN IT UP 4 STATUS SYMBOL 7 IV GOT MY I ON YOU 5 TIME IS PRECIOUS

 

Preview: 6 TURN IT UP ran on smartly on debut and ill be hard to oppose here. 4 STATUS SYMBOL was only 1,55 lengths behind Turn It Up on debut and can go close in this line up. 7 IV GOT MY I ON YOU is by New Predator out of a Var mare. 5 TIME IS PRECIOUS is by Querari out of a Vercingetorix mare. (David Thiselton 6-4-7-5)

 

RACE 3

 

2 OKLAHOMA SMOKESHOW 6 UNDERDOG 5 IN THE WILLOWS 15 SAKURA HANAMI

 

Preview: 2 OKLAHOMA SMOKESHOW ran second over 1500m last time and is interesting now dropped in trip. 6 UNDERDOG has shown fair ability before and is a big runner here. 5 IN THE WILLOWS has shown enough in his last two starts to be a contender in this uninspiring field and he is interesting with first time blinkers.  15 SAKURA HANAMI has run two fair races and can earn here. (David Thiselton 2-6-5-15)

 

RACE 4

 

7 BLOOMING LOVELY 1 INSPIRATION 2 POWER OF PEARLS 9 GULF OF AMERICA

 

Preview: 7 BLOOMING LOVELY made a fine debut and should go close with expected improvement. 1 INSPIRATION has been knocking on the door and should go close. 2 POWER OF PEARLS is a hard-knocking sort who should be right there. 9 GULF OF AMERICA will enjoy the step back to this trip. (David Thiselton 7-1-2-9)

 

RACE 5

 

3 WINDS OF CHANGE 4 ONE FINE WINTER 1 BJORN IRONSIDE 8 VAMANO

 

Preview: 3 WINDS OF CHANGE lost his way a bit but has now been gelded and can make the most of being slung in at the weights here. 4 ONE FINE WINTER has speed and class and although officially 8kg under sufferance with Winds Of Change she should be right there. 1 BJORN IRONSIDE has a touch of class and should make a bold bid. 8 VAMANOS has fine form behind good sorts and although a whopping 17kg under sufferance with Winds Of Change the time and form of her last race reads well , although she was due to run again on Thursday at the Vaal Classic track meeting. (David Thiselton 3-4-1-8)

 

RACE 6

 

6 IMPACT INVESTOR 5 PALACE ATTACK 3 OPEN HIGHWAY 1 JURY’S OUT

 

Preview: 6 IMPACT INVESTOR disappointed last time but was consistent before that and and  can go close from a middle draw. 5 PALACE ATTACK ran a cracker last time behind a well regarded sort and should be thereabouts. 3 OPEN HIGHWAY has been in fine fprm and can go close over a suitable trip. 1 JURY’S OUT has the form to earn here from a good draw with Lerena up. (David Thiselton 6-5-3-1)

 

RACE 7

 

1 GIMMETHEGOODLIFE 10 ONE EYE ON VEGAS 11 MIAMI MOUNTAIN 15 WAR OF KINGDOMS

 

Preview: 1 GIMMETHEGOODLIFE will enjoy the step up in trip and with Lerena up can overcome a four point raise. 10 ONE EYE ON VEGAS has plenty of ability and can be right there if able to overcome a tricky number one draw. 11 MIAMI MOUNTAIN has class and will enjoy the step back in trip. 15 WAR OF KINGDOMS has the form to earn here. (David Thiselton 1-10-11-15)

 

RACE 8

 

3 HIS LORDSHIP 1 BUMPS LAST GRIND 6 OLD FASHIONED 8 NKANDLA GOLD

 

Preview: 3 HIS LORDSHIP will enjoy this course and distance from a nice middle to high draw with Lerena up.1 BUMPS LAST GRIND will relish the step back to the minimum trip and has a chance. 6 OLD FASHIONED won easily in the maidens last time and starts handicapping off a reasonable mark. 8 NKANDLA GOLD had a return to form last time and could earn with a repeat. (David Thiselton 3-1-6-8

Warren Lenferna

There will be plenty of thoroughbred talent on show at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth tomorrow and plenty of betting opportunities await. The summer season is well on its way and the Cape is the place to be. 

The headliner is the Grade 1 World Sports Betting Fillies Guineas over 1600m and if this line-up doesn’t get you salivating, nothing will. Princess Of Gaul has won three from four, is a quality filly, and is a huge runner once again. Golden Palm, with Keagan de Melo aboard, is top class and comes into this having won her last five. It is her second run after a layoff, and she is an obvious winning contender. Reet Petite has been nothing short of scintillating. She is progressive, possesses serious gears, and her last run when stretched to 1600m was particularly impressive. She will have no shortage of supporters and is clearly on the path to becoming a top-class filly.

An interesting runner is Quickstepgal from the KZN yard of Tienie Prinsloo. Gavin Lerena retains the ride, which is a major plus. Her local debut was eye-catching, she is sure to have tightened up from that outing, and she can be respected for the places.

The fifth on the card is the first of the features, the Cape Summer Stayers Handicap over 2500m, and the form of Ahead Of The Facts was given a boost during the week. The son of Futura, from the Justin Snaith yard, will be ridden by Juan-Paul van der Merwe and carries a light weight. He stays all day, should be cherry-ripe, and has strong winning claims. It is never that straightforward, though, as there are several others with chances. Holding Thumbs is consistent and won this race last year. Congressman is slightly better off at the weights with Ahead Of The Facts on their latest meeting and should go close. Home Reef is in mustard form, travelling from the Eastern Cape, and could make his presence felt. Umfula does jump in class but has caught the eye since the layoff. His last run behind Regulation was good, and he could well be up to the task. Ahead Of The Facts, however, remains the suggested first choice.

The sixth is the Grade 3 World Sports Betting Southern Cross Stakes over 1000m, and what a line-up of talented, quality fillies and mares it is. The scintillating, unbeaten Eastern Cape queen, Direct Hit, should take an absolute power of beating with regular rider Richard Fourie aboard. Asiye Phambili returns from a 27 July break but is classy and capable of going very close; she cannot be excluded from any bets. Green Diamond arrives from the Highveld with tip-top form and was last seen 22 weeks ago in KZN during their Champions Season. She is an excellent filly who merits huge respect, with Craig Zackey riding for Sean Tarry. It promises to be a superb spectacle at Grade 3 level, but they might all need to find a bit extra to deny Direct Hit from keeping her unbeaten record intact.

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

RACE 1

6 CATWALK KING ran a lovely race on debut behind Querari Dancer up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 22nd of November, he stayed on well to finish just over three lengths behind the winner, with natural improvement expected from this colt, he could have a serious winning chance in this field. Watch the first timers closely, they are extremely well-bred, if they have any ability they can certainly win on debut. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 4 – 2 – 1)

 

RACE 2

11 FAST TRAIN had absolutely no luck in running from a bad draw at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 8th of November, he was beaten just over seven lengths at the line by Konnichiwa, he drops in trip on Saturday, he will be just off the speed early, and he will be storming home late. 5 LOVING PRAGUE ran a great race for second behind Umzingeli Wenyathi on the 10th of November, he is a lovely colt with a great action, there is no doubt that he will have a big winning chance in this field on his best form. 7 RED WAVE stayed on well for third behind Navaseven last time, he is honest and he tries hard, he should be right there in the finish again. 6 EUGENIUS is much better than his recent form, the blinkers have been fitted for his race on Saturday, watch for sharp improvement. (Brandon Bailey: 11 – 5 – 7 – 6)

 

RACE 3

3 GIVE IT LALDY ran a terrific race on debut behind Foudre on the 19th of November, he was well supported in the market when finishing fast for second up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, he is a beautiful colt, with natural improvement expected on Saturday, he will take lots of beating. 1 FORT YUKON didn’t have much luck in running last time behind his stable companion, he was taken up for a few strides at the 300m mark, once he built up and started to lengthen into his big stride, he finished well and caught the eye late for second, he will improve with every start, include him into all bets. 10 SUGAR DADDY ran a fair race on debut behind Navaseven, he was only beaten just over one length at the line, if he has made any improvement back at home, he will be competitive. 5 VOLEGOV ran a much better race behind Foudre on the 19th of November, he ran fourth and was beaten just over two lengths by the winner, if he can build on that good performance, he could sneak into the places, watch him closely. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 1 – 10 – 5)

 

RACE 4

2 MIAMI SUMMER quickened up like a smart horse to win a good race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 29th of October, he will love the step up in trip to 1800m, from a good draw, he can definitely win again. 9 NOTE TO SELF stayed on strongly for third behind Beware on the 8th of November, that was his first run back after a long rest and gelding, he will improve tremendously stepping up in trip on Saturday, if he gets some luck in running from a bad draw, he will be super competitive. 8 TWO A PENNY got going very late for second behind Lavender Bay on the 15th of November, if the gaps open at the right time for this mare, she will be amongst the places at a decent price. 4 BATON ROUGE never runs a bad race, he stayed on well for second behind Coco’s Hero on the 25th of October, from a neat draw, he will make them all work for victory. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 9 – 8 – 4)

 

RACE 5

4 AHEAD OF THE FACTS finished like a train to win a good race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 8th of November, he was given eight points for winning impressively, he stays well, and he has no weight on his back on Saturday, he will take lots of beating in this race. 1 HOLDING THUMBS is the class package, he ran a top race for third in the Listed Betway Algoa Cup at Fairview Racecourse on the 31st of October, unfortunately the big weight here will make it hard for him, but he stays well, and he is packed with ability, include him into all bets. 2 CONGRESSMAN stayed on well for third in the Listed Woolavington Stakes on the 8th of November, he will try and lead them from start to finish on Saturday, he never runs a bad race, watch him closely. 7 UMFULA could be the value horse in the race, he was beaten comfortably by Regulation last time, he should enjoy the step up in trip to 2500m, with no weight on his back, he will be running on strongly. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 1 – 2 – 7)

 

RACE 6

Excellent race. 1 DIRECT HIT remains unbeaten, her track record is absolutely perfect, she won a good race at Fairview Racecourse on the 19th of September, she is very fast, top jockey Richard Fourie knows this filly well, she will be hard to peg back late. 6 DISTING could be the value horse in the race, she quickened up beautifully to win the Listed Laisserfaire Stakes well on the 8th of November, she was given three points for that win, if the race works out for her, and the gaps open at the right time, she will be competitive at a decent price. 3 ASIYE PHAMBILI has been rested and changed stables on the 26th of September, she is a high-quality mare with lots of ability, she won this race last year beating Candy Town impressively, even though she has a big weight on her back, she will be right there in the finish. 12 GREEN DIAMOND has been rested for 154 days, she ran a cracker in the Grade 2 Golden Slipper at Hollywoodbets Greyville on the 5th of July, the drop in trip on Saturday is key for this filly, if she doesn’t need the run badly, she will be doing some good work late. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 6 – 3 – 12)

 

RACE 7

7 GOLDEN PALM won with absolute ease at Fairview Racecourse on the 24th of October, she is a super star, former SA champion jockey Keagan De Melo teams up with the filly for the first time, she is definitely the best horse in the race, if everything goes according to plan, she will be hard to beat in this Grade 1 event. 8 REET PETITE is unbeaten, she is a beautiful filly with a big action, she quickened away from the field in good style on the 10th of November, this will be her biggest test on Saturday, watch her closely, she could be anything. 3 PRINCESS OF GAUL won a great race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 8th of November, she was given a top ride by jockey Craig Zackey, if she settles in running, she will be amongst the places from a good draw. 12 KEUKENHOF will need lots of luck in running from a bad draw, she was doing some good work late for third behind her stable companion in the Grade 2 Western Cape Fillies Championship last time, she might be able to sneak into the Quartet at a big price. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 8 – 3 – 12)

 

RACE 8

5 DELTA PRIDE must have a big winning chance in this field, he ran a lovely race for second behind Prince Of Tibet at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 25th of October, he is a young horse that will keep improving with more racing. 1 TOUCHED BY ANGELS finished well for second behind Pomp It Up on the 22nd of November, in hope that this run hasn’t come too soon, he will love the step up in trip to 1400m on Saturday, from a good draw, he will run a big race. 4 MEXICAN PETE could be the value play, he needed his last run behind Demanding Dave on the 15th of November, he will enjoy the step up in trip, and he will be much fitter for this race on Saturday, watch him closely, he will be running on strongly late. 8 NEVADA KING has been rested for 88 days, he ran a beautiful race behind Major Master on the 9th of September, if he doesn’t need the run badly, he could sneak into the places. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 1 – 4 – 8)

 

RACE 9

5 KATTEKWAADKWADRAAD won a good race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 10th of November, she was still green in running, but she managed to straighten up late and win in style on that occasion, if she can build on that performance, she can win again. 10 BEACH VERSE quickened up smartly to win in devastating fashion on the 29th of October, she is well-bred, and she has a wonderful turn of foot, if she gets some luck in running from a bad draw on Saturday, she will go very close to winning again. 7 LA LANDONNE should have finished much closer to the winner last time, she unfortunately jumped a shadow close to the finishing line, and that cost her the race on the 19th of November, her form is good, and she tries really hard, she will be competitive here. 8 ACT OF GRACE got going late in the same race as La Landonne last time, she finished fourth and was beaten just over one length by Tulip Fields, top jockey Richard Fourie has been booked to ride this filly, she will be eating up the ground late. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 10 – 7 – 8)

 

RACE 10

2 PINK PIGEON ran a cracker in the Listed Laisserfaire Stakes at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 8th of November, she ran third in a driving finish behind Disting, she is in good form at the moment, and she gets the 4kgs apprentice claim off her back on Saturday, she will be hard to beat in the lucky last. 5 PEACE OF MIND must have a good place chance in this field, she ran a great race behind Dame Of Trix on the 15th of November, she is lightning fast, if she gets a good break out of the machine, she will be hard to peg back late. 12 CLAIR DE LUNE ran a fair race behind Miss William on the 29th of October, she ran third and was beaten just under four lengths by the winner, now that she is back sprinting at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, she should return to her best form, include her into all bets. 13 CATCH A PENNY stayed on well for third behind Tulip Fields on the 19th of November, she drops in trip on Saturday, and the cheek pieces have been fitted, if the race works out for her, she could sneak into the places, watch her closely. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 5 – 12 – 13)