Andrew Harrison

A Conditions Plate, a sprint over 1160m, heads the card on the Turffontein Standside track today.

The race has attracted a crack field of sprinters, headed by last season’s Gr1 Mercury Sprint winner Buffalo Storm Cody. Tony Peters charge does appear to be better around the turn, but is a Gr 1-winning sprinter and could make his presence felt from a nice high draw.

S’Manga Khumalo is back in action and teams up with Johan Janse van Vuuren’s runner Chasing Happiness who does appear to have enough class to be a contender in this line up. This should be way too short for Champions Challenge winner Fire Attack and is a preparation outing, but as a former SA Nursery winner it would be no surprise to see him right there. Greaterix disappointed when starting odds-on in his comeback in a Conditions Plate behind the smart Confederate. He was handy for most of the 1450m journey before fading out. He was reported to have pulled up ‘blowing’ so racing fitness may have been the issue. He has speed and class and with that run under his girth he should be right there.

It’s a big day for Betway Summer Cup hopefuls with many of those entered having preparation runs for the Highveld’s biggest race.

The first of these races is a Graduation Plate over 1600m, first leg of the Pick 6 on an eight-race card where Cup hopefuls Parisian Walkway and The Equator look to be the principal protagonists.

Parisian Walkway’s issues have been sorted out since finishing down the field in the Gr1 Daily News 2000 behind Eight On Eighteen and if building on his decent comeback effort in a similar Graduation Plate over a mile he is the one to beat.

Tony Peter saddles the highly regarded The Equator who proved himself in his last start in a Pinnacle Stakes over 1800m. He is a typically solid British galloper who will relish the long Turffontein straight. The mile may be a touch on the short side but a forward showing will not do his Cup chances any harm.

Of the others, Beynac won in fine style last time and if repeating that effort, he could be in the shake up, although he does have a tricky draw.

 

Thirty minutes later, seven Cup entries line up in a Pinnacle Stakes over 2000m. Muzi Yeni teams up with Roy Magner’s filly Olivia’s Way who is ideally course and distance suited, has a handy galloping weight, and would have come on from her last run. Tony Peter’s charge Son Of Raj shoulders top weight but has some class and is also suited to this trip. Chestnut Bomber is among the bottom weights and has shown signs of returning to his best lately and could be thereabouts. Mike and Mathew de Kock’s gelding Marauding Horde has always struck as one who could rise above his current merit rating. Poets Warrior and Future Pearl are two to keep an eye on in the market.

 

 

 

 

Race 1

 

1 MONKEY PUZZLE is knocking on the door and should enjoy the step up in trip from a plum draw. 2 MIRROR FLECTION has run two good races and should be right there if able to overcome a wide draw. 10 SPACE MISSION has also run two good races and should enjoy the step up in trip, but also has a wide draw. 3 ROYALE JACKET has the form to earn in this race. (David Thiselton 1-2-10-3)

 

 

Race 2

 

5 ANAHITA went close on debut over 1450m and is the one to beat, although she does have a wide draw. 10 PALACE SCRIPT ran a fair debut and should relish the step up in trip, but does have a tricky draw. 11 UTSAAH has shown some ability and should be able to earn in this race. 7 GRACE’S KISS is by Erik The Red out of a Gimmethegreenlight mare and could earn on debut. (David Thiselton 5-10-11-7)

 

 

Race 3

 

1 PARISIAN WALKWAY’s issues have been sorted out and if building on his decent comeback effort he is the one to beat.  2 THE EQUATOR is held in high regard and after putting up good work he proved himself in his last start and can progress further. 3 BEYNAC won in fine style last time and if repeating that effort, he could be in the shake up, although he does have a tricky draw. 5 IMPACT INVESTOR is consistent and has the form to earn a cheque here. (David Thiselton 1-2-3-5)

 

 

Race 4

 

5 OLIVIA’S WAY is ideally course in distance suited and would have come on from her last run. 1 SON OF RAJ Has some class and is also suited to this trip. 8 CHESTNUT BOMBER has shown signs of returning to his best lately and could be thereabouts. 3 MARAUDING HORDE has always struck as one who could rise above his current merit rating. (David Thiselton 5-1-8-3)

 

 

Race 5

 

3 DIMAKO’S JET ran well over 1800 meters last time and if overcoming a wide draw should be in the shake up. 2 AVOONTOAST has found consistency and from a plum draw should be right there. 1 FREE IN SEATTLE is ideally coarse and distance suited and should be in the shake up. 5 LAVA LAMP is another one who is suited by this course and distance and who has a chance in this line up. (David Thiselton 3-2-1-5).

 

 

Race 6

 

3 HAZY DAZY won her last two starts well now tries a step up in trip that she should be suited to. 1 BOOM BOOM has done well over 1800m  and should take to this slight step u in trip. 4 KISS OF FIRE disappointed last time, but if bouncing back to the form of her penultimate start she should be right there. 6 HOLLYWOOD MADAM ran a cracker over 1800m last time and has a chance here. (David Thiselton 3-1-4-6)

 

 

Race 7

 

1 BUFFALO STORM CODY seems to be better around the turn, but is a Gr 1-winning sprinter and could make his presence felt from a nice high draw. 3 CHASING HAPPINESS has enough class to be a contender in this line up. 5 FIRE ATTACK this is a preparation outing, but as a former SA nursery winner it would be no surprise to see him right there. 6 GREATERIX has speed and class and he should be right there too. (David Thiselton 1-3-5-6)

 

 

Race 8

 

3 HIS LORDSHIP Is a progressive sort who can build on his win last time. 1 XENOPHON look the winner last time and can make amends in this race. 2 BUMPS LAST GRIND should appreciate the return to a fast course and distance down the straight. 6 SPY STORY has the form to earn in this race. (David Thiselton 3-1-2-6)

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Doncaster and Wolverhampton (Night)) – (UK) – 25 October 2025

Warren Lenferna

Let’s take a detailed look at the seventh race—a B Stakes over 1600m—scheduled for 3:15pm today at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. The race promises to be a thrilling contest, with all eight runners expected to face the starter at the time of writing.

Call To Unite, from the Snaith yard, will be ridden by Nichola Yuen and has drawn the best barrier. This gelding is running for the third time since a layoff and was competing in a Listed race last start. A bold performance can be anticipated. Handsome Prince, trained by Michelle Rix, is also having his third run back from a break. He was expertly ridden to victory last time, and it would come as no surprise if he follows up with another strong victory. Gareth Wright retains the ride. Regulation has not been seen on the track for 20 weeks but possesses plenty of ability. His last run was in the Grade 3 Cup Trial at Hollywoodbets Greyville, where he was far from disgraced. Madison Valley has confirmed the form by winning well just recently. Although Regulation may need one or two runs to find his peak fitness, he can still give a very good account of himself.

Industrialstrength has been competing in Class 4 company and performing extremely well. He was narrowly beaten by Mente Et Manu over this course and distance and may well be the one to beat. Mente Et Manu has won again since. Umfula is 1.5kgs better off at the weights compared to Handsome Prince from their last meeting, where he was probably still needing the run. He is running for the second time back and can be expected to go very close. He clearly has ability, having already won two from eight starts. Voorloopertjie caught the eye last time when running an attractive race behind Landoftherisingsun, finishing fourth. Now stepping back by 400m in distance, he should be very competitive.

We Have Touchdown is never far off the action and should once again be thereabouts.

Finally, Tenpenny made a smart comeback six weeks ago, finishing a close third behind Pinot Grigio, and looks sure to have more to offer. His overall form is solid, and he appears to be the biggest danger to Industrialstrength.

Race 1

 

2 WILLIAM’S WOMAN stayed on beautifully for second behind Calanque at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 27th of September, she has no weight on her back for this Maiden Plate on Saturday, and she has a good draw, there is absolutely no doubt that she will go close to winning. 3 DIGBY never runs a bad race, he ran fourth behind Gold Giboski last time, he was drawn poorly on that occasion and still managed to finish just under three lengths behind the winner, he will go very close here from a neat draw, include him into all bets. 4 MOODY BLUE ran a cracker behind Caribbean Gold on the 5th of October, he caught the eye late for second when finishing just under two lengths behind the winner, he is still improving, on his best form, he could certainly be dangerous in the finish. 5 SIMBINE needed his last run on the 5th of October, it was his first run in the Western Cape at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, he should improve nicely. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 3 – 4 – 5)

 

 

Race 2

 

2 ONE DANCE ran a terrific race behind Eisteddfod on the 27th of September at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, she was doing some good work late for second from a bad draw on that occasion, she is super consistent, the step up in trip to 1500m should be no problem at all, from a neat draw, she will be competitive. 10 LILTING SONG improved nicely to run a good race behind Red Beryl on the 5th of October, she settled beautifully in running, and she finished her race off strongly for second, the wide draw here won’t make life easy for her, if she gets some luck in running, she will be right there in the finish. 5 LADY VERITAS didn’t have much luck in running last time, she certainly caught the eye very late when low flying for fourth behind Red Beryl on the 5th of October, she will love the step up in trip back to 1500m on Saturday, from a neat draw, she will go very close. 1 SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE ran a lovely race on debut, she was green and still managed to finish just under five lengths behind Calanque, the step up in trip and the good draw will certainly help her chances, watch for big improvement from this well-bred filly. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 10 – 5 – 1)

 

 

Race 3

 

1 KONNICHIWA is as honest as they come, he is so consistent, he ran a great race for second last time behind Yamazaki on the 30th of August, he steps up in trip to 1800m on Saturday, and he has a good draw, he will be right there in the finish again. 2 CAPRANICA has been rested for 108 days, he ran a fair race behind Bruh at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on the 9th of July, the blinkers have been fitted to this gelding, and top jockey Richard Fourie has been booked to ride, if he doesn’t need the run badly on Saturday, he will go very close to winning. 7 JOSHUA ran a much better race last time behind Coco’s Hero on the 27th of September, he went to the front and stayed on well to finish just under four lengths behind the winner, the blinkers stay on, he should be amongst the places on his best form, watch him closely. 9 ERIC LIDDELL has been rested and gelded, he could improve now that he steps up in trip to 1800m. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 2 – 7 – 9)

 

 

Race 4

 

3 BENEATH THE CLOUDS fought really hard all the way to the line in her last start at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, she went to the front and only got caught very late when finishing second behind Princess Of Bayeux on the 27th of September, it was her first run back after a small break, she is consistent, from a neat draw on Saturday, she will have a big winning chance. 2 HUNGA TONGA quickened up like a nice filly to win a good race on the 22nd of September, the yard is in great form at the moment, she was given three points for that impressive victory, there is no doubt she will be competitive again from a decent draw. 1 PENTOLINA finished like a train to run second behind Hunga Tonga last time, her form is good, there should be no excuses for this filly from a good draw on Saturday, the step up in trip to 1800m will help her chances as well, she will go close here. 6 LAVENDER BAY could certainly be the value horse in this tricky race, the blinkers have been removed, she was doing some good work late for third last time behind Hunga Tonga, on her best form, she could easily win a race like this. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 2 – 1 – 6)

 

 

Race 5

 

7 BETTER MAN was given a great ride by Jockey Richard Fourie on the 3rd of September at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, he won a good race beating King’s Quest in a driving finish, the yard thinks highly of this gelding, he is definitely improving with every start, on his best form, he can certainly win again. 9 FUTURE FREE could be absolutely anything, he won a super race last time, he was relaxed at the back of the field, and he flew past them all to win by just over two lengths on the 13th of September, he is well related, and he is getting better with every start, watch him closely late, he will be storming home. 2 COCO’S HERO won impressively at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 27th of September, he loved the step up in trip to 1800m, if he has made the necessary improvement back at home, he will be competitive here. 8 BATON ROUGE tries hard, he is always consistent at this level, he could sneak into the Quartet on his best form. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 9 – 2 – 8)

 

 

Race 6

 

2 TWO A PENNY must have a good winning chance in this field, she ran a great race last time behind Princess Of Bayeux on the 27th of September, she was drawn badly on that occasion, and she stayed on well to finish just over three lengths behind the winner, she is a lovely looking mare with a great action, the step up in trip to 2400m should be no problem at all, from a neat draw, she will go close to winning. 3 TWICE THE MASTER was given a great ride by the apprentice to win a good race on the 7th of September, he was given six points for that win, he stays well, and he is super consistent, with no weight on his back on Saturday, he should run a cracker. 1 SANSA STARK could be some value for the places, she is much better than her recent start behind Princess Of Bayeux on the 27th of September, the step up in trip, the good draw and the low weight on her back should help her improve tremendously. 9 TOTHEMOONANDBACK ran a much better race over this trip at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 7th of September, if he can bring that run to the track again, he could sneak into the Quartet at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 3 – 1 – 9)

 

 

Race 7

 

8 TENPENNY made up good ground late from a long way back last time at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 13th of September, he finished third behind Pinot Grigio, if he gets some luck in running from a tricky draw on Saturday, he will be flying at the finish, watch him closely, he can certainly win a race like this. 4 INDUSTRIALSTRENGTH is as honest as they come, he never runs a bad race, he stayed on well for second behind Mente Et Manu on the 22nd of September, the form of that race has worked out well, he will be just off the speed early, and he will be low flying late, include him into all bets. 5 UMFULA needed his last run back after a long break on the 5th of October, he was doing some good work late at the finish behind Handsome Prince, there is no doubt that he will be a fitter horse on Saturday, he could certainly trouble them in the finish on his best form. 2 HANDSOME PRINCE bounced back to his best form to win a super race on the 5th of October at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, he was given three points for that impressive win, he is a lovely looking individual with tons of ability, he can easily win again. (Brandon Bailey: 8 – 4 – 5 – 2)

 

 

Race 8

 

3 DELTA PRIDE powered away from the field to win in great fashion on the 27th of September at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, he looks to be a smart gelding in the making, jockey Richard Fourie sticks with this individual, he will be very hard to beat here. 2 ASTRONOMICAL BOY won his maiden impressively on the 13th of September, he was drawn wide on that occasion, and he still managed to win with lots in hand, he will love the step up in trip to 1500m on Saturday, from a neat draw, he will press Delta Pride all the way to the line. 4 PRINCE OF TIBET has run two excellent races in succession, he stayed on well for second behind Mela Strength on the 8th of October, he will be amongst the places on his best form. 6 DEVIL A SAINT could be the value horse here for the Quartet, he ran a super race behind Major Master on the 9th of September, he ran fifth in a strong field and he was only beaten just under three lengths by the winner, he has dropped even further in the ratings, watch him closely. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 2 – 4 – 6)

 

 

Race 9

 

3 OCTOBER STORM ran a great race behind Steadfast on the 22nd of September at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, he got nailed on the line in a driving finish, he is a young horse with lots of ability, from a neat draw on Saturday, he will be hard to beat. 2 MAGICAL PLACE was well supported in the market when fading late for fifth in the same race as October Storm last time, he is very fast, if he can get away from the field at the right time, he will be competitive. 9 DAME OF TRIX won her race in the boardroom on the 5th of October, it was a great finish to watch, unfortunately the wide draw here will make it tough for the mare to win again, but if she gets some luck in running early and she manages to get into a good position out the gates, she could certainly finish amongst the places at a decent price. 8 FORT RED ran a much better race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 27th of September, he stayed on well for third in a close finish, with no weight on his back, he could sneak into the Quartet. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 2 – 9 – 8)