Warren Lenferna

It was a training feat of absolute note by Eric Sands, who had the exceptionally bred son of Fire Away, Foudre, ready to make a winning comeback to what he was born and bred to do. He had not raced since 31 January 2024, yet he was presented today looking as if he had run only a few weeks ago. He is out of the champion mare Halfway To Heaven, making him a sibling to Golden Ducat, Hawwaam, and Rainbow Bridge. Sands trained all the siblings except for Hawwaam (he was the underbidder), who was trained by Mike de Kock.

It is no surprise that Foudre was sent to Sands, given his remarkable track record with the family—he even trained Halfway To Heaven herself. Retained rider for Khaya Stables, Craig Zackey, gave this handsome thoroughbred a perfectly judged ride, steering him past the line to score a convincing comeback victory. Zackey is in such good form that, if you look closely, there is smoke coming off his silks.

Later in the afternoon, while checking on his string at his Milnerton-based yard, Sands reflected on the journey with the son of Fire Away. He described it as a tough road, as Foudre was returning from a tendon issue. Sands paid huge compliments to physio Sue Franklin, who helped nurture the horse back to his best with constant, careful maintenance.

“1200m was always going to be too short for him, and he impressed me today,” said Sands. He added that he was extremely thankful to Mrs Mary Slack and Lady Christine Laidlaw for their support, patience, and willingness to allow him to do whatever was required for this gelding.

Race 3 saw Rose Woott catch the eye in a Maiden Plate over 1600m for fillies. She is a magnificent daughter of Wootton Bassett, ridden by the in-form Serino Moodley and trained on the West Coast by Andre Nel. She showed a promising debut over 1400m, finishing only 3.35 lengths off Red Beryl, and followed up with a fourth-place effort over the same trip, 2.30 lengths behind Boozy Susie.

Today, stepped up to 1600m from an acceptable draw, she showed her true potential, winning well and beating La Patrona. There was no sign of Ms Sakura, who caught the eye on debut when finishing second to Dark Matter in KZN. She most likely needed the run today, having last been seen in KZN 26 weeks ago. A beautiful filly with a stunning pedigree, there is little doubt she will build on this effort.

The last race of the day went the way of Tulip Fields from the Dean Kannemeyer yard in a tight finish. Stable rider Craig Zackey gave her everything and got her up in the shadow of the post. Speaking of shadows, the runner-up La Landonne jumped a shadow from the grandstand yet still never went down without a fight. She, too, is a striking filly from the Snaith yard who should go on to win races.

We now look forward to three features this coming weekend, with the headliner being the Grade 2 Race Cape Punters Cup.

David Thiselton

 

The Vaal straight course will have the standside rail brought in by ten metres, so the low number draws should have at least as much chance as the high numbers in the races down the straight and might be advantageous.

 

The headliner of the meeting is a Conditions Plate over 1400m and the Gr 1 winner Cosmic Speed is the one to beat. This will be his seasonal reappearance after a layoff of over five months, but the trip should be ideal for this miler who has also won a Gr 2 over 1400m and he is well treated at the weights. His Sean Tarry-trained stablemate Shadowfax is officially way out at the weights but is a promising sort who can bounce back from his disappointing run last time. Texas Red is ideally distance suited and if producing his best could earn, although he is 9,5kg under sufferance with Cosmic Speed. Those three should get punters through.

 

In the first leg of the Pick 6 Babette’s Feast has run two good races and over an ideal distance, she looks the horse to beat. Delaware River went close last time over 1450m and should also be right there. Nothing Compares could earn here if able to reproduce her best run. Lady Limoncello ran a good race last time over 1400m and also has a chance. Savara’s Princess has some good form and has to be respected too.

 

In the fifth race over 2000m Douglas Dragon is a consistent sort who is distance suited and carrying 52kg he is only 1kg under sufferance with the best weighted runner. However, he does have a wide draw of eight to overcome. Hotarubi has plenty of ability, but his attitude is in question and he cannot be relied on. However, if he is going to have an on day he does have a good opportunity here from a good draw over a suitable distance. Imperial Master should relish the step up in trip. He has a fair draw and should go close with a 1,5kg claimer aboard. Royal Edition is a bit in and out, but he can’t be ignored over an ideal trip from a plum draw. Flashy Apache is the joint best-weighted and from pole position should be in the shake up.

 

In the sixth race over 2000m Hazy Dazy looks full of promise and has scope for plenty of improvement. This tall filly is ideally distance suited and has a good draw. She looks to be the best bet on the card. Nkwenkwezi, Kissing Machine, and Cartagena all have the ability to challenge her. Arctic Silver in fine form too, but does have a four point merit-rated raise and a wide draw to overcome.

 

In the seventh race over 2000m Matcha Mint disappointed last time but is interesting tried over a step up in trip from pole position. Ethical is proven over this trip and should be right there from a good draw. Rejuvenated had some hard-knocking maiden form before getting off the mark when stepped up to 1800m on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville. She is interesting over a trip she should relish on pedigree. Pomozelous is not very consistent, but is distance suited and can’t be ignored. Hopscotch can do better than her last two starts and could earn.

 

In the eighth over 1700m Michael Faraday has the ability to beat this field over an ideal trip from a good draw. Scarlett Heart won easily in the maidens and starts off handicapping off a reasonable mark. Gamer is capable of earning from a fair draw. The Mightiest can earn if producing her best. Bob Lee Swagger has his third run after a layoff and can do better than last time.

 

In the tenth over 1200m She’s All Mine is in fine form and will go close. Peregrine Falcon won well last time and off a three point higher mark can earn again. Captain Efficient can be in the shake up if repeating his last start. Captain Selvie has the form to be a contender. Quiet Winter starts handicapping off a reasonable merit rating after an easy win in the maidens over 1160m and has to be considered.

 

In the first leg of the PA over 1400m Winds Of Grace is knocking on the door and has a good opportunity here. Al Greenga made a good debut and will go close with expected improvement. Onceinabluemoon has shown some ability and can earn here.

 

In the first race over 1400m Amandla Ngawethu and World Order should fight it out.

 

In the second race over 1400m Lance Alot and Tommy Atkins are the pair to beat and should get punters through the Bipot.

 

Race 1

 

1 AMANDLA NGAWETHU 6 WORLD ORDER 7 BIG SKY RANGER 2 ARIZONA MAGIC

 

Preview: 1 AMANDLA NGAWETHU has not been disgraced in some decent fields. 6 WORLD ORDER was caught wide over 1800m last time and will enjoy the step down in trip. 7 BIG SKY RANGER is by Last Winter out of a Bold Silvano mare and would not have to be a star to earn here, so Muzi Yeni is an eye-catching booking. 2 ARIZONA MAGIC has a chance if bouncing back to the form of his penultimate start. (David Thiselton 1-6-7-2)

 

Race 2

 

10 LANCE ALOT 12 TOMMY ATKINS 6 AGOGE 8 GIMMETHESPOTLIGHT

 

Preview: 10 LANCE ALOT made a fair debut and should improve over this trip. 12 TOMMY ATKINS made a fair debut over this trip and should improve. 6 AGOGE is by Gimmethegreenlight out of a Jet Master mare and Craig Zackey is up. 8 GIMMETHESPOTLIGHT is by Gimmethegreenlight out of a Querari mare and would not have to be a star to win with a 1,5kg claimer up. (David Thiselton 10-12-6-8)

 

Race 3

 

1 WINDS OF GRACE 11 AL GREENGA 3 ONCEINABLUEMOON 7 PLEIADES STAR

 

Preview: 1 WINDS OF GRACE is knocking on the door and has a good opportunity here. 11 AL GREENGA made a good debut and will go close with expected improvement. 3 ONCEINABLUEMOON has shown some ability and can earn here. 7 PLEIADES STAR can earn if producing her best. (David Thiselton 1-11-3-7)

 

Race 4

 

10 BABETTE’S FEAST 2 DELAWARE RIVER 4 NOTHING COMPARES 1 LADY LIMONCELLO

 

Preview: 10 BABETTE’S FEAST has a good form chance over a suitable trip. 2 DELAWARE RIVER went close last time and is on the up and has Lerena aboard. 4 NOTHING COMPARES can earn if producing her best. 1 LADY LIMONCELLO can earn if repeating last start. (David Thiselton 10-2-4-1)

 

Race 5

 

9 DOUGLAS DRAGON 1 HOTARUBI 4 IMPERIAL MASTER 3 ROYAL EDITION

 

Preview: 9 DOUGLAS DRAGON is a touch under sufferance but is an honest sort who should give a good account of himself despite a wide draw. 1 HOTARUBI is talented but a frustrating sort who can’t be relied on, but can’t be ignored because he might decide to run. 4 IMPERIAL MASTER is capable of being involved in this line up. 3 ROYAL EDITION could be right there if producing his best but not too reliable. (David Thiselton 9-1-4-3)

 

Race 6

 

5 HAZY DAZY 7 NKWENKWEZI 2 KISSING MACHINE 9 CARTAGENA

 

Preview: 5 HAZY DAZY has talent and plenty of scope for improvement so might prove hard to beat from a good draw over an ideal trip. 7 NKWENKWEZI goes for a hat-trick and on pedigree should enjoy the step up in trip. 2 KISSING MACHINE has the form to be a contender. 9 CARTAGENA is progressive and distance suited but will have to run on after being dropped out from a wide draw. (David Thiselton 5-7-2-9)

 

 

Race 7

 

1 MATCHA MINT 3 ETHICAL 8 REJUVENATE 6 POMOZELOUS

 

Preview: 1 MATCHA MINT was defeated at odds on last time but should have benefitted from the run and is interesting from pole position over a step up in trip. 3 ETHICAL won easily in the maidens and is progressing. 8 REJUVENATE won over 1800m on the poly in the maidens and should enjoy this trip. 6 POMOZELOUS can be right there if bouncing back to her best after a disappointing last start. (David Thiselton 1-3-8-6)

 

 

Race 8

 

1 MICHAEL FARADAY 2 SCARLETT HEART 4 GAMER 3 THE MIGHTIEST

 

Preview: 1 MICHAEL FARADAY has the ability to beat this field over an ideal trip from a good draw. 2 SCARLETT HEART won easily in the maidens and starts off handicapping on a reasonable mark. 4 GAMER is capable of earning from a fair draw. 3 THE MIGHTIEST can earn of producing her best. (David Thiselton 1-2-4-3)

 

Race 9

 

4 COSMIC SPEED 11 SHADOWFAX 1 TEXAS RED 3 MOUNT PILATUS

 

Preview: 4 COSMIC SPEED is top class and is the one to beat over an ideal trip. 11 SHADOWFAX is an exciting prospect and should be thereabouts. 1 TEXAS RED is capable of a top class performance over this trip. (David Thiselton 4-11-1)

 

Race 10

 

8 SHE’S ALL MINE 9 PEREGRINE FALCON 14 CAPTAIN EFFICIENT 5 CAPTAIN SELVIE

 

Preview: 8 SHE’S ALL MINE has fine form and will go close. 9 PEREGRINE FALCON won well last time and off a three point higher mark can earn again. 14 CAPTAIN EFFICIENT can be in the shake up if repeating his last start. 5 CAPTAIN SELVIE has the form to be a contender. (David Thiselton 8-9-14-5)

 

Soccer10 Friday 21 November 2025. ADD-IN R125 000. Estimated Pool: R 1.6 million. Pool Closes at 21h00. Sport 15 and Pool 1.

 

Soccer4 Saturday 22 November 2025. ADD-IN R25 000. Estimated Pool: R 100 000. Pool Closes at 17h00. Sport 19 Pool 2.

 

Soccer10 Saturday 22 November 2025. ADD-IN R125 000. Estimated Pool: R 1.6 million. Pool Closes at 15h00.Sport 16 and Pool 1.

 

Soccer Any13X on Saturday 22 November 2025. ADD-IN R150 000. Estimated Pool: R 500 000. Pool Closes at 14h30. Sport 13 and Pool 1

 

Soccer SCORES Carryover R 94 179. Saturday 22 November 2025. Pool Closes at 15h30.

 

Soccer CORNERS Carryover R 812. Saturday 22 November 2025. Pool Closes at 16h30.

 

Soccer13 Saturday 22 November 2025. (All-13-Correct Jackpot Pool). Pool Closes at 16h30. Sport 10 Pool 1. R18 Million (If only One 13 of 13 Winner)

Soccer13 Sunday 23 November 2025. Carryover R4 360 590  (All-13-Correct Jackpot Pool). Pool Closes at 15h30. Sport 11 Pool 1.

R9 Million (If only One 13 of 13 Winner)

South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Ffos Las and Kempton(UK) – 19 November 2025