Please note that tomorrow’s Vaal race meeting 27 November 2025 has been relocated to Turffontein, on the Inside Track.

 

The Vaal received nearly 100 mm of rainfall yesterday and remains waterlogged, while Turffontein recorded only 0.5 mm.

 

At this stage, the Turffontein Inside Track is raceable, despite rain forecast for today and tomorrow.

 

Voluntary scratchings will close at 11:30am today.

 

Race times remain unchanged.

 

Distance changes are as follows:

 

• Races 4, 5, and 6 – 1450m
• Race 9 – 1000m

David Thiselton

Pick 6 fever will grip the race going nation on Saturday as there is a carry over for the Betway Summer Cup meeting and with an expected pool of R5 million it will be well worth playing.

The first leg is the Listed Blu Voucher Carry On Alice Stakes over 1160m and Whistle The Tune makes most appeal. She proved her ability last time when coming back from a layoff of more than three months to win at this course over 1000m. She was beaten 1,40 lengths by Mia Moo in the Gr 1 wfa SA Fillies Sprint over 1200m and faces the latter on wfa terms here but she has an advantageous high draw by trends as opposed to the latter being drawn one and Mia Moo is also making her seasonal reappearance after a layoff of four months. Mia Moo does have Richard Fourie up though and as horses have been winning down the middle on the Turffontein straight he could make a plan from the low draw. Whistle The Tune is officially 3kg well in with Rodeo Drive, but the latter has come into her own lately and has a nice high draw too. Those three could get punters through, although Fatal Flaw can be considered as a dual Gr 1 winner running fresh over shorter from a nice high draw. Rachel Wall will probably be a popular choice as a progressive sort and she can be considered, but she does officially have a tough task at the weights.

The second leg is the Gr 3 New Turf Carriers Merchants over 1160m and the one to beat could be Truth. Now that it has been decided to stick to sprints with him he could blossom and he has a high draw under in-form jockey Serino Moodley. Quantum Theory has a middle to high draw and has been in fine form in sprints, so he should be in the shake up under leading jockey Craig Zackey. Future Variety ran a bit of a flat race last time, but he has a devastating turn of foot when at his best and he could bounce back here from a middle draw. Barbaresco gave Quantum Theory 8kg and a beating over course and distance back in January so can’t be ignored from a nice high draw, although he does have to bounce back from a disappointing Charity Mile run. Melech and Pistol Pete can’t be ignored and should be right there. The three-year-olds officially have tough tasks at the weights but African Pride looks to be one who could be going places and he could progress beyond his current merit rating.

The sixth race is the Gr 3 Ducat Africa Fillies Mile and a chance is taken here on Hazy Dazy putting her highly disappointing last run behind her and bouncing back. She looked to be a progressive sort and from a good draw might enjoy coming down in trip on this tough course. Littlemissmillion should not take much work being a small horse so she can return from a layoff to make a bold bid as she has made a big impression in her two runs which yielded easy wins. She has a big action and a fine turn of foot and will enjoy this course and distance. Those two could be enough for risk-taking punters, but beyond them it is a wide open race.

In the Gr 2 Betway Dingaans Jan Van Goyen would be banker material if he was at his peak, but he is returning from a four month layoff so that could be a bit risky. Tin Pan Alley has won both of his starts this season in fine fashion and the form has been franked by the like of the smart Atticus Finch. Chronicle King, Trust and Shadowfax also have the class to be involved.

In the Gr 1 Betway Summer Cup King Pelles is the Equus Champion Stayer but has a tremendous turn of foot and has shown lately to have the class to be effective over shorter trips, so he could be the one to beat. Atticus Finch is the defending champion but looks to be in the form of his life having made the rest of the Charity Mile field look like low division horses such was the ease with which he beat them. Madison Valley has also blossomed and could do better than last year when fourth as he is better as a gelding and looks to be improving all the time. Former winner Royal Victory can always be relied on to run a fine race. The Equator has been working very well and should be ideally suited to this course and distance as a big galloping type. On My Honour looks to have a lot of ability and could show what he is made of.

In the last leg over 2000m the ones to side with could be Field Marshal, Money Heist and Cape Eagle.

RACE 1

8 PANJANDRUM ran a great race behind Saachi One at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 18th of October, she ran third and was only beaten just over two lengths at the line, she is a young filly that will keep improving with every start, the drop in trip to 1000m will help her chances, include her into all bets. 6 PLAYING TRIX ran a much better race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 2nd of November, she was well supported in the market on that occasion, if she can bring that run to the track again on Wednesday, she will go close to winning. 1 LOVELY DANCER ran a fair race on debut behind Morfeliha on the 2nd of November, she ran fourth and was beaten just over five lengths by the winner, with natural improvement expected, she can finish amongst the places. 3 NEBULOUS has been rested for 88 days, she was disappointing last time behind Miss William on the 30th of August, if she bounces back to her best form after a small break, she will be competitive. Watch the first timers closely. (Brandon Bailey: 8 – 6 – 1 – 3)

RACE 2

1 MADRA RUA ran a super race behind Navaseven at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 8th of November, it was his first run back after a small break, and he moved up well to finish second in a close finish, there is no doubt that he will be much fitter on Wednesday, he will go close to winning here. 5 MONTESSORI caught the eye late on debut behind Objet D’Art, he met some interference up the lane at a crucial stage in the race, and he still managed to finish just over three lengths behind the winner, he will improve big time going into his second run, watch him closely. 9 SUNSHINE SUPERMAN stayed on well for third last time, he was only beaten just over two lengths in the same race as Montessori on the 8th of November at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, it was his first run after gelding, and the blinkers stay on for his race on Wednesday, he could be the value horse in this tricky race. 7 BOURBON KING is well-bred, watch him in the parade ring, and watch the market closely with this individual. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 5 – 9 – 7)

RACE 3

1 BLUE LAGOON stayed on well for second behind Call Me Secret on the 2nd of November, she will love the step up in trip to 1400m, and she has a good draw, on her best form, she will go close to winning. 8 GIN PALACE ran a terrific race behind her stable companion on the 25th of October, she was doing some good work late for second behind Lady Veritas, if she gets some luck in running from a bad draw, she will be competitive. 6 DESTINY’S DREAM improved nicely in her second start on the 18th of October, she hit the line well to finish third behind Midnight Lady, there is no doubt that she will love the step up in trip to 1400m, watch her closely. 9 WYZE DECLARATION ran a fair race behind Flying South on the 18th of October, she was well supported in the market when finishing third at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, she will improve even further now that she steps up in trip, include her into all bets. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 8 – 6 – 9)

RACE 4

7 PROTECTOR OF PEACE has run two great races in succession, he was doing some good work late behind Touched By Angels on the 2nd of November, he should enjoy the step up in trip to 1400m on Wednesday, with some luck in running, he will go close to winning. 5 ZAGREB stayed on well for second in the same race as Protector Of Peace last time, he is a beautiful horse with a great action, jockey Andrew Fortune knows this colt well, he will run a big race now that he steps up in trip. 1 BALZI ROSSI caught the eye late for third at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 10th of November, he was drawn badly on that occasion, and he still managed to finish just over two lengths behind Clark Griswold, now that he gets a good draw, he will make them all work for victory. 2 DISTRICT MASTER has been well tried in the maiden ranks, he has run some good races of late, the blinkers have been fitted, and he gets a neat draw, watch him at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 5 – 1 – 2)

RACE 5

1 MON PETIT CHERIE has been rested for 144 days, she is a top filly with tons of ability, she ran a cracker behind Double Grand Slam in the Grade 1 Garden Province Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville on the 5th of July, she might need this run after a long break, and this trip will be on the sharp side for her, but she is classy and she will be right there in the finish. 7 SCARLET MACAW won a good race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 18th of October, she quickened well to beat a strong field on that occasion, the yard thinks highly of this filly, she will be much fitter on Wednesday, there is no doubt that she can win a race like this. 4 TANNERON nearly caused a major upset in the Listed Laisserfaire Stakes on the 8th of November, she ran a big race for second behind Disting in a tight finish, on her best form, she will be amongst the places. 5 GIMME WHAT I WANT was only beaten just over two lengths in the Grade 2 Fillies Championship on the 8th of November, she will be just off the speed early, and she will be finishing strongly late. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 7 – 4 – 5)

RACE 6

7 ONE LINER won a good race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 2nd of November, he was given three points for that impressive victory, with no weight on his back, he can win again. 2 NORDIC CHIEF needed his run last time on the 2nd of November, he ran a super race in the Listed Southeaster Sprint behind The Us Of A, the blinkers have been removed, if he has made any improvement back at home, he will go close to winning. 6 MASTEROFTHEDESERT stayed on well for third behind Scottish Kiss on the 5th of October, he is consistent, and he tries hard, he will be doing some good work late, watch him closely. 4 DEAN STREET is much better than his last run, ignore that effort completely, if he bounces back to his best form, he could trouble them all. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 2 – 6 – 4)

RACE 7

3 SHOWGIRL won impressively at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 10th of November, she quickened away from the field like a smart filly, she is absolutely beautiful, even though she has gone up in the ratings, she can definitely win again. 1 CALANQUE ran a fair race behind Miss William on the 29th of October, she had a few excuses, and she still managed to stay on really well for second, this will be her first race up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, with some luck in running, she will be right there in the finish. 9 MISS WILLIAM powered away from the field to win in style on the 29th of October, she was drawn wide on that occasion, and she still managed to win with absolute ease, she was given eight points for that win at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, her chances must be respected here. 2 SHESGOTCLASS ran a big race behind One Liner on the 2nd of November, she ran third and was beaten just over one length in a strong field, watch her closely, she can pop up at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 1 – 9 – 2)

RACE 8

10 COMMANDING must have a big winning chance in this field, he is in great form at the moment, even though he was given three points for running second at Fairview last time, the drop in trip, and the blinkers being fitted are key for this gelding, he will go close to winning on Wednesday. 5 GALLIC FORGE ran a super race in a competitive field on the 25th of October, he can be a tricky customer, if the race works out for him, he will go close. 6 PARATROOPER ran a much better race behind Showgirl on the 10th of November, he was doing some good work late on that occasion, he has dropped even further in the ratings, he will be storming home, watch him closely at a decent price. 8 UMZINGELI WENYATHI won well at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 10th of November, if he has made any improvement back at home, he can sneak into the places. (Brandon Bailey: 10 – 5 – 6 – 8)

RACE 9

13 BEACH VERSE quickened up smartly to win a good race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 29th of October, she was given six points for that win, the blinkers have been removed for her race on Wednesday, if she gets some luck in running from a terrible draw, she can definitely win again. 6 LADY VERITAS won impressively on the 25th of October, she is still improving, jockey Muzi Yeni has been booked to ride this filly on Wednesday, she will be storming home late, include her into all bets. 1 DREAM SEARCHER was given a great ride by jockey Craig Bantam on the 29th of October, she ran on well to get her head down at exactly the right time when beating La Landonne in a tight finish, she was given three points for that victory, from a neat draw, she will be competitive again. 9 MIDNIGHT LADY got left out the gates in her last start, she ran a decent race for fourth behind Match That on the 10th of November, if she stays the 1400m trip here, she will be there amongst the places. (Brandon Bailey: 13 – 6 – 1 – 9)

RACE 10

1 GREEK HEIRESS easily brings in the best form into this race, she stayed on well for fourth behind Diogenes at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 18th of October, she gets a good draw on Wednesday, and the blinkers have been fitted, she will be hard to beat. 5 TAYLOR’S VERSION ran a fair race up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 2nd of November, she was beaten just over five lengths by Call Me Secret, the blinkers stay on, and she steps up in trip to 1400m, on her best form, she will be competitive. 9 IONA CASTLE must have a big each way chance in this field, she is a young filly that is improving with every start, she ran a great race for third in a big field on the 2nd of November, unfortunately the wide draw here will make it tough for her, but if the gaps open at the right time and she gets the luck needed, she will go close. 8 LARK’S SONG disappointed terribly in her last start on the 5th of October, she was beaten just over six lengths by Red Beryl, if she can put that performance behind her and improve, she can sneak into the Quartet at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 5 – 9 – 8)

South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Newcastle and Southwell (UK) – 26 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.