South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Lingfield and Wolverhampton (UK) – 25 November 2025

David Thiselton

Luke Ferraris is within grasping distance of getting a berth in the world’s most famous jockeys competition, the International Jockeys Challenge at Happy Valley, which will take place on December 10.

The three berths given to locally based jockeys are for champion jockey, leading jockey of the current season and leading homegrown jockey.

Zac Purton is well clear in the current championship, but had already earned a berth as champion jockey, so the berth for leading jockey goes to the second-placed jockey.

The contenders are Ferraris, who is in second place with 15 wins, Bowman who is on 14 wins, Alexis Badel on 12 wins and Lyle Hewitson and Karis Teetan who are both on elevens wins.

The Happy Valley meeting on Wednesday (26 November) is the last meeting which counts towards the choice of local IJC riders.

Hewitson won the last race at Sha Tin on Sunday to give himself a mathematical chance of still winning a berth, although it is highly unlikely he will do so and it looks to be a straight fight between Ferraris and Bowman.

The fight for a place among the homegrown jockeys has also developed into a two horse race after Vincent Ho and Jerry Chau both struck at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Ho leads Chau with 11 wins to 10.

Ho is the only homegrown jockey to have ever won the IJC, winning it in 2023 and earning the fist prize of HK$600,000.

Gavin Lerena was the last South African to have won the IJC in 2015. He won the last two races of the four-race competition that year.

Douglas Whyte has also been a previous winner of the challenge.

The ten jockeys who are already in the IJ are Zac Purton, defending champion Mickael Barzalona, James McDonald, Christophe Lemaire, Umberto Rispoli, Hollie Doyle, Rachel King, Joao Moreira, William Buick and Ryan Moore (subject to fitness).

Meanwhile, the world’s best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising extended his unbeaten run to 15 races on Sunday at Sha Tin when romping home in the HK$5.35 million Gr 2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint over 1200m.

He obliterated nine rivals in clocking the second-fastest time in history over 1200m at Sha Tin, 1m 07.33s, marginally outside his own track record of 1m 07.20s, despite being eased down over the last 100m by jockey Zac Purton.

Conceding five pounds to the rest of the field, the world’s highest-rated sprinter jumped cleanly to lead from barrier ten before settling in second place behind Beauty Waves and, such was his superiority, Purton said the tempo was still not fast enough, despite a blistering sectional of 21.93s from the 800m to the 400m.

Purton quickly put the issue beyond doubt on straightening as Ka Ying Rising surged clear inside the last 200m before being allowed to saunter to the line.

The winning margin of two-and-three-quarter lengths flattered runner-up Fast Network (123lb) with Helios Express third, a further length-and-three-quarters away.

Ka Ying Rising’s 15th consecutive win leaves him third overall for the most wins in a row by a Hong Kong-trained horse behind Silent Witness (17) and Golden Sixty (16).

The world’s highest earning racehorse in history, Romantic Warrior, made his comeback from a layoff at the same meeting on Sunday.

Resuming after 232 days between races after surgery to his left fore fetlock, Romantic Warrior lifted his world record earnings to HK$217.7 million as he became the first horse to win a third Gr 2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup after victories in 2022 and 2024.

Andrew Harrison

Summer rains have struck again with Hollywoodbets Greyville recording over 40mm on Sunday. With  further rain expected yesterday and today the meeting has been switched to the poly track where punters face a super competitive card where some serious homework could pay handsome dividends.

It all starts in the first where Sword Speed started at long odds on debut and was narrowly beaten. He needs to build on that showing but he has the best of the draw and can go one better. Christmas Cactus has shown up well in two outings and the experience should hold him in good stead to get one over Sword Speed. Red Cardinal has shown some ability and had to negotiate a wide draw last time. He has a better gate here.

In the second, Ice Rain touched off subsequent Paul Lafferty-trained winner Alannah at her last start and only got a two-point raise in the handicap and can go in again. But Lafferty saddles the consistent Forward Motion who has been in mustard form of late. Ice Rain’s last two wins have been on the poly and she is comfortable over the trip, so the surface switch is in her favour. Gimmefabulous is the dark horse. She was not far back in her first run back from a long break and that was in top company last run. She has a big weight but can progress enough to be a serious contender.

 In the first leg of the Pick 6 Rooster Bradshaw is up in class but takes a corresponding drop in the weights. He goes well over course and stance and he shed his maiden on the poly for Duncan Howells. Nathan Kotzen’s runner Rollo The Viking does appear to be best on the poly and beat a smart filly last time out and can follow up. Claw has a difficult gate to negotiate but has been in good form since his arrival in KZN and met a lot stronger last time out while Isivinane  showed up well first run back from a lengthy break and the stable is starting to find form.

The fourth is wide open and it could pay to go wide in the exotics. Slytherin appeared to be the best of the Alyson Wright pair given the rider bookings but has since been scratched so the onus is on Professor Lupin who was touched off at long odds last time out but this trip could be out of his compass even given his light weight. Sun Dazed was a beaten favourite on his local debut and first up on the poly but is seldom far back. Queen Of Pearls takes on males and never showed in her first run out of the maidens. However, she has a handy weight from the best of the draw and is sure to improve. Roy Taking Off is way better than her last effort and has a handy weight with an experienced apprentice aboard.

Cowboy Country was withdrawn from his intended last outing by Tony Rivalland when the meeting was switched to the poly but was still a runner at time of writing. He shed his maiden in fine style in soft ground and was well supported in the betting. He does have a tricky draw but looks progressive. Circumbendibus will be a threat as he has not put a foot wrong since arriving in KZN. He ran a smart race over course and distance last time out and should feature again.

Nicolette Roscoe does a brilliant job for Dean Kannemeyer as his Summerveld assistant. Bella Valentina was disappointing in her handicap debut on the poly but has a good draw and an extra furlong could see her make the required improvement for a stable in very good form. Gareth van Zyl holds strong cards with Grand Occasion and Rani Tababai. The latter finished just over two lengths behind her stable companion and is now 1kg better off. However, she does have a wider draw and Grand Occasion is on a roll. Radu has a difficult draw but has been in solid form over the distance and a light weight will count in her favour.

Mark Dixon enjoyed a profitable day last Tuesday and he has another solid chance with Jazz Festival in the seventh. He has his third run after a break and has improved with each outing and with a good draw he should be competitive in another tricky affair. Querari’s Dream is a likely threat after showing up well at his last two. He goes well this trip and the stable is in good form. Gotta Go Eddie was game when holding off outsider Red Mountain  last time out who improved back in blinkers. The latter is 2kg worse of in the handicap so Gotta Go Eddie should still be ahead.

The last is another puzzle for punters but Stampede Ahead is lightly raced and was narrowly beaten on her local debut. She does not have the best of draws but Adam Azzie could celebrate his first winner since relocation from the Highveld. Cali Bullet improved nicely from a difficult draw at only her second start. She has a much better gate here and rates a winning chance. Echo is never far back and should be in the mix come the line. Roy’s Grace looks a threat as she has come on nicely at her last two and the 4kg claim will enhance her chances.

2 SWORD SPEED   5 CHRISTMAS CACTUS   13 DOUBLE CAUSEWAY   4 RED CARDINAL

Summary: SWORD SPEED (2) started at long odds on debut and was narrowly beaten. He has the best of the draw and can go one better. CHRISTMAS CACTUS (5) has shown up well in two outings and the experience should hold him in good stead. DOUBLE CAUSEWAY (13) has a difficult gate but was not far back on debut and can feature. RED CARDINAL (4) has shown some ability and had to negotiate a wide draw last time out. He has a better gate here. (Andrew Harrison: 2-5-13-4).

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6 FORWARD MOTION   4 ICE RAIN   5 GIMMEFABULOUS   1 JEANNE DARC

Summary: ICE RAIN (4) touched off subsequent Paul Lafferty-trained winner Alannah at her last start She only got a two-point raise in the handicap and can go in again. Lafferty saddles the consistent FORWARD MOTION (6) who has been in mustard form of late. Ice Rain’s last two wins have been on the poly but she is comfortable over the trip. GIMMEFABULOUS (5) was not far back in her first run back from a long break. She was in top company last run and has a big weight but can progress enough to be a serious contender. JEANNE DARC (1) has the best of the draw and never far back. (Andrew Harrison: 6-4-5-1).

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2 ROOSTER BRADSHAW   6 ROLLO THE VIKING   10 CLAW   3 ISIVIANE

Summary: ROOSTER BRADSHAW (2) is up in class but takes a corresponding drop in the weights. He goes well over course and stance and should be competitive. ROLLO THE VIKING (6) does appear to be best on the poly but beat a smart filly last time out and can follow up. CLAW (10) has a difficult gate to negotiate but has been in good form since his arrival in KZN and met a lot stronger last time out. ISIVIVANE (3) showed up well first run back from a lengthy break and the stable is starting to find form. (Andrew Harrison: 2-6-1-3).

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2 SLYTHERIN   8 SUN DAZED   3 ROY TAKING OFF   1 QUEEN OF PEARLS

Summary: Wide open and it should pay to go wide in the exotics. SLYTHERIN (2) appears to be the best of the Alyson Wright pair given the rider bookings but PROFESSOR LUPIN (6) was touched off at long odds last time out but this trip could be out of his compass even given his light weight. SUN DAZED (8) was a beaten favourite on his local debut and first up on the poly. He is seldom far back. QUEEN OF PEARLS (1) takes on males and never showed in her first run out of the maidens. However, she has a handy weight from the best of the draw and is sure to improve. ROY TAKING OFF (3) is way better than her last effort and has a handy weight with an experienced apprentice aboard. (Andrew Harrison: 2-8-3-1).

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8 COWBOY COUNTRY   5 CIRCUMBENDIBUS    6 SIGN OF FATE   4 BEAMONESQUE

Summary: COWBOY COUNTRY (8) was withdrawn from his intended last outing on the poly. He shed his maiden in fine style in soft ground and was well supported in the betting. He does have a tricky draw but looks progressive. CIRCUMBENDIBUS (5) has not put a foot wrong since arriving in KZN. He ran a smart race over course and distance last time out and should feature again. SIGN OF FATE (6) has been trying much further of late but never far back. She takes a big drop in trip but gets first time blinkers and is one to watch. BEAMONESQUE (4) showed up well first up on the poly after showing some fair Highveld form and should be competitive. (Andrew Harrison: 8-5-6-4).

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6 BELLA VALENTINA   3 GRAND OCCASIONB   9 RANI TARABAI   10 RADU

Summary: BELLA VALENTINA (6) was disappointing in her handicap debut but that was on the poly. The switch to turf from a good draw and an extra furlong could see her make the required improvement for a stable in very good form. Gareth van Zyl holds strong cards with GRAND OCCASION (3) and RANI TABABAI (9). The latter finished just over two lengths behind her stable companion and is now 1kg better off. However, she does have a wider draw and Grand Occasion is on a roll. RADU (10) has a difficult draw but has been in solid form over the distance and a light weight will count in her favour. (Andrew Harrison: 6-3-9-10).

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4 JAZZ FESTIVAL   7 QUERARI’S DREAM   3 GOTTA GO EDDIE   5 RED MOUNTAIN

Summary: JAZZ FESTIVAL (4) has his third run after a break and has improved with each outing. He has a good draw and should be competitive in another competitive affair. QUERARI’S DREAM (7) has shown up well at his last two. And goes well this trip. The stable is in good form and he should be competitive again. GOTTA GO EDDIE (3) was game when holding off outsider RED MOUNTAIN (5) last time out who improved back in blinkers. The latter is 2kg worse of in the handicap so Gotta Go Eddie should still be ahead. (Andrew Harrison: 4-7-3-5).

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9 STAMPEDE AHEAD   4 CALI BULLET   7 ECHO   6 ROY’S GRACE

Summary: STAMPEDE AHEAD (9) is lightly raced and was narrowly beaten on her local debut. She does not have the best of draws but Adam Azzie could celebrate his first winner since relocation from the Highveld. CALI BULLET (4) improved nicely from a difficult draw at only her second start. She has a much better gate here and rates a winning chance. ECHO (7) is never far back and should be in the mix come the line. ROY’S GACE (6) looks a threat as she has come on nicely at her last two and the 4kg claim will enhance her chances. (Andrew Harrison: 9-4-7-6).

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David Thiselton

See It Again has been scratched from the Betway Summer Cup, but there will still be plenty of raiders with former winner Royal Victory still standing his ground alongside Madison Valley, King Pelles, On My Honour, Mocha Blend and Shoot The Rapids as well My Best Shot from the East Cape and Otto Luyken from the Cape.

Frank Robinson was not tempted to supplement Field Marshall after his runner up finish in the Gr 3 Betway Victory Moon Stakes as he said he would not beat Madison Valley.

However, he said, “I may run the filly Mocha Blend, although I don’t know whether she is going to make the final field. She’s good but very laid back and she walked out the pens in her last start in Jo’Burg, that’s what beat her.”

Mocha Blend was carrying join topweight in the Listed Summer Pudding Handicap over 1600m and was beaten 0,30 lengths by joint topweight Kisshoten.

Frank will school her in the pens and she will stand her ground as he pointed out the good record of fillies in the Summer Cup. There have been nine female winners in the last 50 years, including Roland’s Song winning it twice.

The four-year-old Mocha Blend is rated 105 and will be 5,5kg under sufferance as things stand, but Frank believes she is capable of running above her rating.

Frank revealed, “I am going to take Shoot The Rapids and am probably going to run him in the Stayers race on the day (The R350,000 ROA Stakes over 3200m).”

Frank said Madison Valley was very well and had been “flying” at home.

Five-year-old Madison Valley is rated 116, which sees him only having to carry 54,5kg.

He was beaten 2,35 lengths into fourth last year by the winner Atticus Finch and will now be 5,5kg better off and he beat Royal Victory by 0,65 lengths and will now be 1,5kg better off.

However, on Hollywoodbets Durban July form Royal Victory comes out ahead of Madison Valley as Royal Victory gave the latter 5kg and a 0,30 length beating and he now only has to give him 4,5kg.

Nathan Kotzen is equally happy with Royal Victory, who has benefited from his sessions with the “horse whisperer” Glyn Redgrave, who has solved the issues the six-year-old was having in the preliminaries such as “sticking up” on the way to the start.

Nathan was happy with the final preparation run of Royal Victory in a Conditions Plate event over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville in which he finished 0,95 lengths back in fourth place.

He did lament the slow place of the race but his new jockey Chad Little ensured he was driven hard all the way up the straight and he should be at his peak on the big day.

Asked whether Royal Victory was as good as he was when winning the race in 2023, Nathan mentoined his turn of foot not being as instantaneous.

However, in the long Turffontein straight that should not be too detrimental with the main thing being he still possesses a resolute finish, which he proved in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, coming from near the back for a 2,85 length fourth.

Royal Victory is one of the most consistent horses in training and only twice in his 29 start career has he finished more than 3,75 lengths behind the winner.

Therefore, he represents good each way value at 20/1, despite having to carry 59kg off his 125 rating.

The Gareth van Zyl-trained King Pelles was the most eye-catching runner in the aforementioned Conditions Plate race at Hollywoodbets Greyville over 1600m and was comfortably the best performed horse in the race at the weights. He ran on strongly from last without being given a hard time at all..

King Pelles biggest career successes have come over staying race trips. However, he has an exceptional turn of foot and has proved in his last couple of starts he is not a one trick pony.

He will carry 57,5kg and has been backed into 11/2 with the sponsor and will still have plenty of supporters at those skinny odds.

The winner of the aforementioned conditions race at Hollywoodbets Greyville was the Glen Kotzen-trained On My Honour, although he was well in at the weights under Serino Moodley.

He was strongly fancied for the Hollywoodbets Durban July, but it did not pan out well for him.

In the Gr 3 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial over 1800m before that he was beaten 0,3 lengths by Madison Valley when receiving half-a-kilogram.

He will carry half-a-kilogram less than him in the Summer Cup too.

Off his 116 rating the four-year-old sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight of 54kg and represents fair value at 16/1, especially considering Madison Valley is 10/1.

My Best Shot should relish the long straight of the Turffontein Standside course as he is very effective at Fairview, which also has a long straight.

Richard Fourie will ride the Alan Greeff-trained stalwart, who is an interesting each way prospect at 20/1.

The James Crawford-trained Otto Luyken won the July consolation race on Hollywoodbets Durban July day, albeit in  slow time, and he will enjoy the step up in trip from his preparation race when a far from disgraced 5,25 length fifth in the Gr 2 Allied-Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile over 1600m. He will be 3kg better off with Atticus Finch from that race off his 116 rating, so will be up against it on that evidence, but as one who represents the Garrix form over 1800m in Cape Town he could be a dark horse and the sponsor is treating him with respect as they have him as a 14/1 chance.