Race 1

SKITT SMILING and RHYTHMIC QUEEN made encouraging introductions and would have benefitted from that experience. Both made eye-catching headway once getting the hang of things late so the step up to this distance should be more with their liking. HARTREE fits a similar profile and should have more to offer following a pleasing course-and-distance debut. KING SOLOMON and ONE STATE could get involved if building on improved last starts.

 

Race 2

LIGHTINTHEWOODS has shown promise in each outing over a shorter trip and won’t need to improve much over this extended distance to open her account. EMPRESS OF PEACE and TREX ON FIRE have the form and experience over this trip to trouble the selection. REGAL QUEEN has earning potential, while any market support for newcomer TU GIUSTO will need to be taken seriously.

 

Race 3

BEST CANDIDATE has rediscovered his best form after gelding and remains open to improvement. He stayed on to finish a close-up 3rd in a stronger race over 1800m and a similar performance over this extended trip off an unchanged mark should suffice in this grade. ROBERT BROWNING finished ahead of the selection last time and has experience over 2000m but has less scope for progress. Last-start winner MOUNT DARWIN and consistent KUDZU are proven hard-knockers at this level and should remain competitive. DECEPTION PASS and EIGER SANCTION have the means to make their presence felt too.

 

Race 4

WINTER IN AUCKLAND beat GEOSTORM over track and trip recently but the latter could avenge that on 2.5kg better terms. Class-dropper STONEYWOOD gives weight to all but is a course-and-distance winner with the means to play a leading role under a 2.5kg-claiming apprentice. Hat-trick seeking KIA KAHA is unbeaten with cheekpieces fitted and remains competitive with the headgear retained. TRADITIONAL BELIEF and stablemate TURBO POWER complete the shortlist.

 

Race 5

PLUS FOUR overcame a tardy start when running out an authoritative winner over track and trip last time. Runner-up UMZINGELI WENYATHI is 1kg better off but unlikely to turn the tables on the former, whose resultant 7-point penalty should not halt his momentum. JUST THE TWO OF US has found her niche racing with cheekpieces fitted and remains competitive with the headgear retained. ESPINOZA and IT’S PERSONAL also have the means to make their presence felt.

 

Race 6

PRECOCIOUS concedes weight to older male rivals but is the best-weighted runner in the lineup and open to improvement stretching out to this trip for the first time since relocating to the Highveld. Versatile SLINKY MAPIMPI had excuses for a disappointing last start and should play a leading role if bouncing back to earlier form. RADICCHIO was unlucky not to have finished closer over this trip last time so is best kept onside. LEAD THE CHARGE has benefitted from the application of cheekpieces so warrants resppect, as does progressive 3yo QUICKFREEZE with the his cheekpieces refitted.

 

Race 7

CAPE SAFFRON finished behind AMERICAN BEAUTY in a stronger race over 1400m last time but is weighted to turn the tables on that rival. VAMANOS is held on that form but will appreciate reverting to this course so may pose more of a threat off a reduced mark. FISH HAWK and SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE are lightly raced 3yo fillies with scope for improvement and the means to make their presence felt. Last-start winner BEAUTIFUL RANIA has more to do stepping up to this class but could have more to offer in her peak outing. PRINCESS ILARIA and POINTER have earning potential too.

 

Race 8

Consistent WINDS OF GRACE was well-backed last time and acquitted herself well in a stronger race over 1450m. A repeat of that effort in this grade off an unchanged mark could suffice. Stablemate WINTER VOICE is a frontrunner and could be dangerous over this shorter trip under a 1.5kg claimer. ONCEINABLUEMOON and MASTER’S ROSE had excuses last time and are capable of better. Both could have a say in the outcome if bouncing back to earlier form. FIERY FROLIC caught the eye when a fast finisher (not beaten far) over 1160m last time so shouldn’t be underestimated over this extended trip.

Race 1

8 MERRIMENT stayed on well for third behind She’s Chosen on debut, the form of that race has worked out well, with natural improvement expected from this well-bred filly, she must have a big winning chance. 3 EVANA finished four lengths behind Sing Forevermore on debut, she can only improve going into her second run on Saturday, watch her closely from a good draw. 5 GIMME PERFECT stayed on well late last time behind World Of Secrets, she will love the step up in trip, include her into all bets at a decent price. 7 VERSE FOR SUZANNE could be anything, she gets the services of top jockey Richard Fourie, watch the market, and watch her moving down to the start. (Brandon Bailey 8-3-5-7)

 

2

8 LANDMAN ran a great race on debut, he finished second behind My Bonny Boy on the 27th of June, in hope that he gets some luck in running from a tricky draw, he will be hard to beat in this field. 4 SICILY is much better than his last run, ignore that performance on the 16th of June, he needs a particular ride, if the race works out for him early, he will be right there in the finish. 2 LE TISSIER has run two very good races in succession, he drops in trip, and he gets 2.5kgs off his back, watch him closely from a neat draw. 5 AUTOCORRECT has been rested and gelded, with natural improvement expected from this individual, he could sneak into the places at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey 8-4-2-5)

 

3

3 ROYAL INFLUENCER just got touched off late by Superhero in a driving finish on the 23rd of June, he easily brings in the best form into this race, he will be hard to beat from a good draw. 7 HAVOC ran a much better race last time, he will love the step up in trip to 1500m, watch him closely. 4 MADRA RUA ran a fair race behind Swift Serenity on the 16th of June, in hope that he stays this trip, he should be competitive from a good draw. 5 THE BIG BANG only got going when the race was over on the 7th of July, he has a good place chance on his best form, include him into all bets. (Brandon Bailey 3-7-4-5)

 

4

7 ECHO FOXTROT has run two lovely races in succession, the blinkers stay on, with some luck in running from a tricky draw, he will go close to winning. 8 UP IN FLAMES stayed on well for third behind Liefling on the 7th of July, she will be just off the speed early from a bad draw, and she will be running on strongly late, include her into all bets. 2 SPARKLING SKY didn’t have much luck in running on the 31st of May, she is a big filly with a big action, she will love the step up in trip to 2000m, watch her closely from a nice draw. 6 QUIET PLACE never runs a bad race, he could sneak into the places. (Brandon Bailey 7-8-2-6)

 

5

7 MARCUS AURELIUS quickened up smartly to win a good race on the 16th of May, he was given three points for that win, the step up in trip to 1600m will be no problem for this gelding, he has a big winning chance again. 3 BOURBON KING didn’t have much luck in running last time behind Waloyo Yamoni, in hope that he is closer to the speed on Saturday, he will run a massive race from a good draw. 6 CAPTAINS ALLIANCE must have a good place chance in this field, he is much better over this trip, include him into all bets. 8 MUTINY IN HEAVEN has been rested for 62 days, he won his maiden impressively on the 24th of May, he looks progressive, with some luck in running from a tricky draw, he will be competitive. (Brandon Bailey 7-3-6-8)

 

6

5 ONE MAGIC was heavily supported in the market on the 7th of July, unfortunately the race didn’t go according to plan for him, he is much better than that, he will love the step up in trip to 1400m, if he bounces back to his best form, he will be hard to beat in this field. 3 DEVIL A SAINT will be cherry ripe for this race on Saturday, he travelled like a winner in his last start behind Baton Rouge on the 7th of July, he has a big winning chance on his current form. 7 THOMAS JENKINS just needed his last run on the 27th of June, he is nice and consistent at this level, he will be much fitter going into this race on Saturday, watch him closely. 2 NOON DAY GUN stayed on well for third behind Super Viking last time, he should be amongst the places again from a neat draw. (Brandon Bailey 5-3-7-2)

 

7

7 GIRL LIKE US was unfortunately bumped out of the gates on the 27th of June, she stayed on well late to finish just under two lengths behind Raffish Trend, in hope that she gets some luck in running here from a tricky draw, she will go close to winning. 9 STAR WORLD has been rested for 89 days, she absolutely loves this track and distance, top jockey Richard Fourie knows this filly well, she will be right there in the finish. 1 BLUE LAGOON won a good race on the 31st of May, she was given three points for that win last time, she must have a good winning chance from a neat draw. 8 MY ONLY WEAKNESS gets the blinkers fitted, and she drops in trip, she will be running on strongly late, watch her closely at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey 7-9-1-8)

Alistair Cohen

We are all human. Therefore, mistakes are made. A Champion Jockey in waiting about to be crowned for the first time would make less mistakes than his peers along the way. That is the nature of success. Spain made less mistakes than anybody else through the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Craig Zackey would probably acknowledge that he made the wrong decision when he rode One Magic in his last start. The racing public would easily forgive him for the many moments of superb riding over the last 12 months. Zackey is at Turffontein today so Richard Fourie takes the ride at Hollywoodbets Durbanville in race 6 over 1400m.

One Magic jumped slowly last time. As a result, he was left near the back of the field. When he started building up, he looked dangerous but the gap on the inside closed up and he had to take evasive action. It was not a bad ride. It was such hard luck. One must keep in mind that he is a two-year-old. Granted, he turns a year older in a week so that argument becomes moot. But he took on older, well grizzled opposition and he encountered the bend for the first time. He was beaten by 2,45 lengths by October Fest over 1250m.

His debut came at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth over 1000m down the straight and he always looked at ease beating My Bonny Boy by 1,75 lengths. My Bonny Boy has won subsequently. Trainer Justin Snaith referred to the fact that he “had to leave the sales with him”. He has so many pleasing physical attributes. It is impossible to judge where he fits in with so many youngsters yet to race but he could be targeting some lucrative races in the coming months.

Devil A Saint will be a useful horse to get a line from. Although he is very much in his place at this level, he has three career wins and crucially 13 places on his CV. This includes finishing runner-up in his last three runs. He would be a deserving winner if he got the job done. He will have his supporters. Plus, he comes from a yard in good heart of Des McLachlan. He will give One Magic something to think about. Two runs back he finished a length behind Clark Griswold who has a bright future. Sean Veale takes the ride.

Merriment must have a top chance of winning race 1 over 1250m. She has to compete with the deepest draw of No 8 but her debut saw her finish third, 3,25 lengths behind She’s Chosen over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. Unless a first timer has some ability, she should step up and exit the maidens.

Landman sticks out as the best bet on the card when he runs in race 2 over 1250m. On debut he finished a close-up second behind My Bonny Boy. Despite not winning, he did most things correctly. He has found the right field to have confidence that he will follow up and do the job. Fourie is up for Snaith as they prepare for potentially a huge day tomorrow with Ahead Of The Facts and Eight On Eighteen.

One would probably be a little tentative with Royal Influencer who runs in race 3 over 1500m but his recent runs suggests that he will take all the beating. He has been costly to follow having been in this position before and leaving something out there when not winning. Again, Snaith appears to have found a suitable race. His last run came over this trip at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth when he finished close-up behind Superhero in second. Madra Rua looks like his only danger.

There are plenty of chances in race 4 over 2000m. A chance is taken on Echo Foxtrot who comes from an in-form yard of Adam Marcus. His best run was over this distance when he finished third behind Phantom Man. It has to be considered that he carried 52,5kg and received 9kg from the winner. After a slow start to his career, every run has been a building block seeing steady progress and even though taking seven runs to look this ready, he must be taken seriously in an event of this nature.

Bourbon King takes on a good field in race 5 over 1600m. He is on the up and he could be up to the task. Andrew Fortune is carded to ride for Andre Nel. His maiden win came in his penultimate effort when he smashed Royal Influencer. If he wins earlier that will give even more confidence. Bourbon King’s post-maiden effort was pleasing behind Walolo Yamoni. He finished third just over two lengths behind. He looks like the more he races and the further he goes, the better and more reliable be becomes. Captains Alliance, Marcus Aurelius, Bombers In The Sky, Spirit and Noble Hero are all respected. They are tried and tested and have some claims.

Fortune and Nel team up again in race 7 over 1250m. Blue Lagoon is consistent and she should not suddenly lose her way. She has the inside gate of No 1 and she should continue on her way to another pleasing run. If she does not win, she should go close which is on par with her form and expectations. My Only Weakness has been steadily dropping in class so must be due a bold run while Star World loves this course and must be considered as a danger.

David Thiselton

 

A Middle Stakes race over 1400m and a MR96 handicap over 1000m ensure some good quality racing at Turffontein Standside today.

 

In the Middle Stakes race over 1400m the filly Precocious has a nett  merit rating of 104, which puts her one point below the top of the highest merit rating band (102-106). The horses whose nett merit rating falls in that band are set to carry 62kg, but she gets a 2kg gender allowance, so carries 60kg. She is duly the best weighted horse in the race and is officially 1,5kg better off than any other runner. Furthermore, being by stamina influence Ideal World out of a Vercingetorix mare who won on debut over 1200m and subsequently ran two seconds from 1400m to 1450m, she should enjoy the step up in trip. She has actually run over this distance before in her second career start at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and from a tricky draw was not disgraced, finishing 3,25 lengths back after being caught without cover in second place in the running. It has since been discovered that she likes to be sat on before delivering her fine turn of foot and that is no doubt how Gavin Lerena will ride her from a plum draw of two.

 

Quickfreeze has a nett merit rating of 89, which puts him on top of the 86 to 89 band and carrying 54kg plus half-a-kilogram overweight for Craig Zackey he is only 2kg out with Precocious. He is 2kg better off with Bristol Hercules for a 1,80 length beating over this trip and he is drawn in pole, so should go close over a step down in trip which might suit.

 

Bristol Hercules comes back down to his favourite trip and off a 92 merit rating is one point lower than the highest mark in the 90-93 band, which corresponds with a 56kg weight. He is only 2kg out with Precocious and has good draw of four, so should be involved.

 

Tsar Bomba is joint second best in, being just 1,5kg out with Precocious. He was lowered two points to an 89 after his last two below par runs, both over this distance, but he ran down the inside last time which was not the place to be that day and he was eased when his chances were gone. He is capable of much better and can bounce back from a plum draw of three.

 

The other horse who is top of his band is the 93-rated Dantonfromsandton and he can earn if able to overcome a wide draw.

 

In the MR96 over 1000m the high draws proved to be advantageous down the straight at the last Standside meeting and this could see Just The Two Of Us going close from draw seven. She has proved she can run against the boys when finishing third over 1000m at the Vaal Classic track three runs ago. She has become consistent with cheekpieces on and goes well for Rachel Venniker, whose 1,5kg gender allowance is a bonus. Plus Four was cleverly given a slow start by Gavin Lerena last time from a draw of three so that he could come to the outside and he stormed through late on the outside rail for a two length win. He was given a seven point raise, but this time is drawn highest of all so will get there for free and Craig Zackey has replaced Lerena. Umzingeli Wenyathi, whom Lerena rides, is only 1kg better off with Plus Four for a two lengths beating. He did run down the unfavourable inside that day so could do better, but he is drawn low in two, so Lerena might have to try and make a plan like last time.

 

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 2000m Kudzu is a nice type and will have a chance if able to find cover from a wide draw. Robert Browning is in fair form and if reproducing his best recent runs from a good draw he should be right there under Gavin Lerena. Mount Darwin is five points higher for his win  over this trip last time but from pole position he might be able to be involved again.

 

In the next leg over 1160m Winter In Auckland might have needed his last run, his first on the Highveld, but he still won and could still be ahead of the handicapper despite having been raised seven points as he is a former Cape Town horse and they tend to have suppressed ratings. Kia Kaha is three points higher for his last win over course and distance but he looks to have begun fulfilling the promise he always had and has another plum outside draw, so he could possibly make it a hattrick. Geostorm is a full brother to Buffalo Bill Cody and looks capable of improvement, so could feasibly go one better than last time.

 

In the seventh over 1400m American Beauty should be cherry ripe to deliver from a fair draw over a suitable trip. Somebody Somewhere is also a former Cape Town-based horse and if able to overcome a wide draw she should be right there. Cape Saffron has a good draw and should finish on top of American Beauty going on their last clash.

 

In the last race over 1400m the decent sort Winds Of Grace lands a plum draw of two over an ideal trip under Gavin Lerena and this consistent sort can earn a  deserved third win. Two-year-old filly Winter Voice looks to have the ability to be a contender off an 85 merit rating. Fiery Frolic is by Querari out of a Silvano mare so is interesting stepped up in trip and Craig Zackey is an interesting booking, although she does have to overcome a wide draw.

 

In the second race over 1400m Lightinthewoods was beaten by a promising sort over 1160m last time and from a good draw should enjoy this step up in trip.

 

In the first race King Solomon makes most appeal from a good draw under Mickaelle Michel.

Andrew Harrison

The cream of the country’s equine talent line up at Hollywoodbets Greyville tomorrow in what is undoubtably the best afternoon’s racing on the South African calendar. The ten-race card is loaded with feature events including three Gr1’s along with the Gr3 World Pool Gold Cup, the defining staying race on the local calendar.

The meeting is boosted by the participation of the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s co-mingling pools that often give rise to inflated dividends, most recently in the Hollywoodbets Durban July were third-placed King Pelles paid a healthy R11 for a place and the popular Pick 6 pool is expected to top R8 million boosted by a R1 million carry over.

The card is headed by the Gr1 HKJC Champions Cup WFA over 1800m where last year’s July winner The Real Prince was one of the defectors from the July and Dean Kannemeyer’s charge has been given a solid preparation into this race. He will strip at his peak and should be right there. See It Again, runner-up two years back and third last year, was a touch disappointing last time out but is due a change of fortune.

Last season’s ‘boom’ horse Eight On Eighteen has been relatively off the boil this season but this will have been his ultimate target for the season and could prove to be the best of Justin Snaith’s quartet. With Legal Counsel the likely Snaith pacemaker, given his Hollywoodbets Durban July role, the race should be run at a searching gallop. Last year’s winner Gladatorian has had a tough winter campaign but has never been disgraced. He may still have found the 2200m of the July a touch beyond his compass so could follow up over this shorter trip.

The Gold Cup has attracted a vintage field of stayers headed by last year’s winner King Pelles who has hardly put a foot wrong in his build-up to this race. He was out-paced late when staying on for third in the Hollywoodbets Durban July and over this trip he can go back-to-back for Gareth van Zyl.

Kannemeyer has a good record in this race and saddles Continentalexpress who could be the dark horse. He is at the bottom of the handicap and 1.5kg under sufferance, however, he stays well and Kannemeyer is hopeful that carrying joint bottom weight Continentalexpress can grind them down for an upset. Master Redoute, a winner of this race two years back, has come to hand at just the right time and was a game second in the 3000m Gold Vase behind Ahead Of The Facts who has also come well at the right time. The latter is 1.5kg worse off at the weights which could be telling in a tight finish. Shoot The Rapids and last year’s runner-up Holding Thumbs are both seasoned stayers and cannot be left out of any calculations.

There is plenty at stake in the Gr1 Mercury Sprint with a possible Equus crown on the line. Vaughan Marshal’s Questioning has a wide draw to contended with but has been in exceptional form of late from a sprint to a mile. He can put in another winning performance. Buffalo Storm Cody is the country’s highest rated runner and last year’s winner, went down narrowly to Jet Force in the Post Merchants over course and distance. He is now 2kg better off with the winner but he does appear to be at his ultimate best over a furlong shorter. The mare Asiye Phambili is exceptional having won her last two including the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint beating star mare Double Grand Slam. A win here will put her in contention for an Equus Award. Tenango, winless in over a year, has come back to his best at recent starts and is better off in the weights with both Jet Force and Taxi To The Moon and has the better draw.