David Thiselton

The outside rail is in by ten metres in the races down the straight at the Vaal meeting today and there is a ten metre spur at the 600m mark and this structure has favoured low draws in the past, although recently it has been more favourable to the low numbers when the rail is in by 14m, so at 10m the first two races need to be monitored before a draw bias can be said to be present.

The highest rated race is a MR 90 Handicap over 1500m and Zanthar is an interesting runner here as he has a possibly favaourable low draw and has not only come down to a competitive merit rating but also has in-form 2,5kg claimer Girish Samo-Burthia aboard. Last time out over 1200m at Turffontein Inside he was caught a touch wide and was beaten a respectable 4,30 lengths by the promising three-year-old Miami Mountain with Graded performers Charming Cheetah, Zalatoris and Aristotle splitting them. He should have come on from that run and will appreciate the step up in trip. If the high draws turn out to not be unfavourable then Zanthar’s Mike Azzie-trained stablemate Deception Pass could be in the mix if repeating his last start when beaten just a neck by Palace Prince over 1450m, although this Ideal World gelding is none too reliable. Jordan would prefer further but has some class and was not disgraced over 1600m last time. This is also his second run of the season, so he should have come on from that last run and he has a potentially favourable number one draw. The topweight Presley comes off a good run over 1400m and two winners have come out of that race already. He has a high draw but Gavin Lerena is up and will give him every chance. Dylan’s Champ is in good form and is distance suited and drawn in the middle, so should be in the shake up.

In the first leg of the Pick 6, a Maiden Plate over 1400m, Wayne made a cracking debut over 1200m in September and should appreciate the step up in trip so looks hard to beat here from draw one with Gavin Lerena up as both of the horses who beat him in the aforementioned race, Miami Mountain and Trajanus, have come out and won since. Amandla Ngawethu has run well in his last three races and from a low draw this improving sort should be right there. Arizona Magic has not been disgraced in three decent maidens but does have a very high draw. If high draws are not unfavourable he should be in the shake up. Battle Of The Bulge showed big improvement last time and if confirming it could earn. First-timer Go Johnny Go is by Gimmethegreenlight out of a Listed-winning Jet Master mare who is out of the Equus Champion broodmare Mystic Spring, so he is an interesting runner on debut.

In the second leg of the Pick 6, Trident King was beaten 3,20 lengths by Arlington Action over this 2400m trip last time and is now 3kg better off, so there should not be much in it and he is given the vote. Arlington Action won well over this trip of 2400m last time in a Classified Stakes race and now has a plum draw.  Cartagena was beaten 2,50 lengths in that race and faces Arlington Action on the same terms. Cartagena is a progressive sort and has won over this trip before, so should be involved in the finish with Craig Zackey now taking the ride. Sky Pillar Rock went close over 2000m last time and is out of a Galileo mare, so should enjoy this step up in trip. Chabal won easily over 2000m last time and being by Gimmethegreenlight out of a Duke Of Marmalade mare who won twice, over 1800m and 2000m respectively, he is also a lively contender in a race where all five of the aforementioned horses would have to be included in the Pick 6.

The fifth race over 1000m is also wide open. Lonely As A Cloud had a tricky draw of six out of eight last time on the Turffontein Inside track and before that was unfavourably drawn over 1000m on the Vaal Classic track in draw two, so was not disgraced in either start and now from draw four of eight should be involved. In The Ether is an honest distances-suited mare who has a form chance. Michael Faraday would find this too sharp on form, but he could be well handicapped having once been rated as high as 91 in Cape Town and having won once on the Highveld in four starts to put him on a 69 rating. He disappointed over 1450m last time and is now tried with blinkers, which he has only worn twice before over 1400m and 1200m without great success. Tiger Storm has the form to be a contender off  a merit rating that has come down considerably. Oriental Bouquet continues to disappoint but could earn from draw one.

In the sixth over 1200m Ice Dragon impressed in his winning debut and 86 does not look to be an unreasonable mark. The form has not worked out well at all, but the manner of the victory gave reason to believe he could amount to something.  Vibe SA is capable of better than his last two starts and from draw five out of ten over an ideal trip should be thereabouts. Antonio Gaudi went close over this trip last time and from number one draw cold be in the shake up. Secret Chord has talent and over this trip might get away with a seven month layoff. Turbo Power has a nice low draw and his recent form could see him earning again.

In the last race over 1600m Sunshine Day has a good form chance especially as she has a nice low draw. Vava Vegas ran well over 1800m last time and is interesting over this trip running off a seven point lower mark than her last win. Blurred Vision has come down to an eye-catching merit rating and from a nice low draw should be a big runner. Commander Of All is drawn one and has the form to be a contender. Madame Pompadour is in fine form over this trip and if high draws are not disadvantageous she could be in the shake up.

In the first race over 1000m Slender Silhouette comes from good formlines and from a middle draw might prove hard to beat.

In the second over 1000m Emerald Forge has a potentially tough high draw and returns from a five-and-half month layoff, but she had good juvenile form and could still make a bold bid. Kortvandraad was not disgraced in seven starts in Cape Town and considering the strength of the form there she has a good chance. Varachino’s Champ by Soqrat is a full-sister to the Listed winner I Salute You and she should be respected especially if money comes for her.

RACE 1

8 QUEENSLAND      7 SLENDER SILHOUETTE      1 OLD FASHIONED      10 PRINCESS OF ALL

Preview: QUEENSLAND (8) has shown some spark in all three runs thus far and can go close to winning. SLENDER SILHOUETTE (7) has strong each way claims. OLD FASHIONED (1) is well tried but can place in this. PRINCESS OF ALL (10) can go close if using the debut run as a guideline. (Warren Lenferna 8-7-1-10

RACE 2

2 EMERALD FORGE      3 MASTER’S LADY      1 KORTVANDRAAD      5 GASLIGHT DANCER

Preview: EMERALD FORGE (2) brings solid form into the race, went close last time and can go one more. Confident first choice. MASTER’S LADY (3) is banging at the door for the win and should get it all right soon. KORTVANDRAAD (1) and GASLIGHT DANCER (5) have serious place claims. (Warren Lenferna 2-3-1-5)

RACE 3

15 WAYNE      8 BEST CANDIDATE      3 BATTLE OF THE BULGE      1 AMANDLA NGAWETHU

Preview: WAYNE (15) ran an absolute cracker on debut and with natural progression expected, might prove tough to beat. BEST CANDIDATE (8) finished a well beated second last time out and must be given consideration for the places. BATTLE OF THE BULGE (3) went close last time at long odds – he can be right there again. Brett Webber has his yard in a good space. AMANDLA NGAWETHU (1) has a quartet chance. (Warren Lenferna 15-8-3-1)

RACE 4

4 CHABAL      2 SKY PILLAR ROCK      7 VOLTE FACE      5 TRIDENT KING

Preview: CHABAL (4) was given a patient and peach of a ride last time to win well. Serino Moodley retains the ride and he is confidently selected to follow up. SKY PILLAR ROCK (2) is taking time for the next win but nearly got it right last time – strong each way claims. VOLTE FACE (7) could represent some place value for the trifectas and quartets. TRIDENT KING (5) has a first four chance. (Warren Lenferna 4-2-7-5)

RACE 5

2 LONELY AS A CLOUD      1 TIGER STORM      3 IN THE ETHER     5 NKANDLA GOLD

Preview: LONELY AS A CLOUD (3) travels well for Serino Moodley and if ignoring the last run, can win. TIGER STORM (1) can get way closer this time and has a strong place chance. IN THE ETHER (3) is testing the patience for the next victory but is ultra-consistent and can pop up here. INKANDLA GOLD (5) gets the services of Gavin Lerena and this geldings form is fair enough to respect and include in all bets. Bright chance. (Warren Lenferna 2-1-3-5)

RACE 6

1 SECRET CHORD      6 ANTONIO GAUDI      2 FULLY LOADED      8 ICE DRAGON

Preview: SECRET CHORD (1) comes from an inform stable, boasts solid, good form and is the firm first suggestion. ANTONIO GAUDI (6) is holding form and went close last time. He can go one more today. FULLY LOADED (2) has obvious claims and ICE DRAGON (8) could be anything – include. (Warren Lenferna 1-6-2-8)

RACE 7

1 PRESLEY      8 DECEPTION PASS       2 LAST CAR TO PASS      6 ZANTHAR

Preview: PRESLEY (1) showed last time when in second place that the next win is near. Today looks to be the day. DECEPTION PASS (8) went close last time and should provide plenty cheek all the way home – bright chance. LAST CAR TO PASS (2) is way better than the last run and is a must for the trifecta. ZANTHAR (6) can finish in the first four. (Warren Lenferna 1-8-2-6)

RACE 8

4 MAJALUN      2 SUNSHINE DAY      3 SHEETS AND GOGGLES      10 COMMANDER OF ALL

Preview: MAJALUN (4) has done well since winning the maiden and has a bright win chance. SUNSHINE DAY (2) is taking time to find the winners enclosure but in saying that is earning ever time. Each way chance. SHEETS AND GOGGLES (3) and COMMANDER OF ALL (10) are natural inclusions in the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 4-2-3-10)

Please Note : South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Kempton,Plumpton and Wolverhampton (UK) – 3 November 2025

Andrew Harrison

Atticus Finch made a ‘mockery’ of the Gr2 Allied Steelrode-Onamission Charity Mile field at Turffontein on Saturday finishing with a flourish to out-gun the Sean Tarry pair of Callmegeterix and Rodeo Drive.

Alec Laird, son of ‘The Bear’ Syd Laird, who was a master of Turffontein, appears to have prepared Atticus Finch in great fashion for his defense of his Gr1 Betway Summer Cup crown at the end of the month.

Suspended for an epistaxis after his run in the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July, Laid has plotted a trip to his title defense and all going smoothly there must be great hope in the yard that he can go back-to-back in the Cup.

Atticus Finch finished with a flourish behind smart three-year-old Tin Pan Alley in the Gr2 Jo’Burg Spring Challenge over 1450m but many thought that the mile under top weight against arguably stronger opposition would still be on the short side.

However, given a patient ride by Calvin Habib, he benefitted from a solid gallop up front from Rodeo Drive. Sean Tarry’s filly was game in the closing stages but unable to hold off the attentions of stable companion Callmegeterix but both had no answerers to the late charge from Atticus Finch who sailed past to won as he liked.

Now a winner of seven races with 16 places from 26 starts, the six-year-old son of Master Of My Fate took his stakes earnings to R5,059,000 for owners Lance Clark, Gary Basel, Gary Cornwall & Phil Gregory.

 Unfortunately the well fancied Confederate went ‘wrong’ at the top of the straight and was eased out of the race by Rachel Venniker.

 In earlier action, bookmakers got the better of exchanges with punters.

Muzi Yeni is dynamite in a small package and you don’t get past him easily in a tight finish. But he’s not just a dynamo, he is also a canny rider as she showed when getting outsider Cosmic Star home in the Golden Loom, a Listed sprint over 1000m.

In the scrum early as King Of The Gauls set off on his own out front before causing traffic problems as he faded out over the final furlong. Favourite African Pride was in full cry  as he took over from King Of The Gauls but he was not able to pull clear of the pack as Yeni managed to navigate the traffic. It was touch-and-go at the line with Cosmic Star holding on gamely from Taxi To The Moon and African Pride who saved a load of Place Accumulator tickets.

Veteran trainer Robbie Sage knows his way around a racehorse but like many, does not get the support of the high-profile owners. But when he does get a good one he is quite capable as Kaiden Brewer extracted the best out of Valentina Balducci  to get the better of Ovation Star, the Gr3 Starling Stakes finishing in a two-horse contest as the pair pulled clear of the opposition.

Valentina Balducci  had led most of the way but after shaking off most of the opposition, Ovation Star moved in to challenge. It was a 200m duel to the line with Valentina Balducci  staying on stoutly to hold off her rival with the balance well beaten.

Tin Pan Alley was the best rated in the Gr3 Graham Beck Stakes but a tricky 12 gate will have been a note of caution for many of his supporters. But gelding appears to have brought out the best in Sean Tarry’s runner as he followed up on his last win in the Gr3 Jo’Burg Spring Challenge. Gavin Lerena navigated the draw masterly and pressed for home when it mattered. It got a little messy on the inside rail in the closing stages but Tin Pan Alley was clear and ran on strongly to hold off a late charging Trust to deny legendary golfer Gary Player a 90^th birthday present in a sport close to his heart.

St John Gray marches to his own drum. The only breeder, owner and trainer in the country where owner-trainers were once common place and he has had many successes with his home-breds from his KZN-based Graystone Stud. Gray seldom sends his mares to the commercial stallions and often uses home-bred sires but he is one of the shrewdest operators.

Twostep Queen was at any price for the Listed Yellowwood Handicap but she ran them ragged. Sean Veale took her to the front from the jump and was never for the catching. She kept rolling and was never challenged with second-placed Lady Fallon never able to get on terms and finishing three lengths back.

Andrew Harrison

It is something of a mystery why Mark Dixon does not get more support because he is a more than capable horseman given the right stock. I suppose that goes for all but he was in the winner’s circle twice on Friday night starting with Cleartherunway in the card opener followed by Captain’s Christy in the seventh.

 Cleartherunway showed marked improvement on his modest debut to sweep all aside in the first. Tristan Godden pressed for home early along with favourite Light The Fire but while the latter was treading water, Cleartherunway was in full cry and won comfortably. First timer Eric’s Legacy was slow out of the gate and trailed  for most of the race but finished with a flourish and a clear second and could pay to follow.

Open Maiden’s with most entries on the limited side of the scale and not always reliable are seldom easy to decipher.  The Alyson Wright-trained Chimes At Midnight upstaged more fancied Priory Terrace in the second but it was not the stable companion and favourite that pressed to the line, but Champagne Problems who came from the back end of the field. Priory Terrace was always up with the pace set by Smart Star but failed to kick on when it mattered as Chimes Of Freedom kicked clear with the Champagne Problems closing from behind but the 4kg difference and a better draw proved decisive.

 Market rivals Director and Green Glow were drawn alongside each other in the first leg of the PA. After an alert start, Director bolted to the front under Sean Veale while Serino Moodley was content to settle Green Glow off the pace. The race evolved into a two-tier contest with Director running himself into the ground and Green Glow pressing clear of the second wave that was becoming more and more detached.

Director’s early efforts took their toll in the straight as he faded badly while Green Glow accelerated home to win as he liked.

  Amelia’s Legacy would always enjoy the step up in trip given her pedigree and she put the first leg of the Pick 6 to bed in style. Frikkie Greyling’s charge was drawn wide but Serino Moodley had her quickly on the fence and took the shortest way home with Amelia’s Legacy bounding clear to win comfortably. Debutante, Thought Control, found some good market support but had no chance with the winner, however, she was running on well and was clear of the rest of the opposition.

Sending veteran galloper Rodriguez over 2400m proved to be a master stroke by Louis Goosen who post-race credited Des Gonsalves, racing manager for owner Mario Ferreira, with the decision to try more ground.

The son of Twice Over had been running on too late in most of his races over shorter but given a smart ride by apprentice Baine Marx-Jacobson, Rodriguez came from well off the pace to run them all down. Admittedly he only shouldered 51.5kg but he won with authority which may augur well for the staying features come Champions Season where he could feature at the bottom of the weights.

Goosen was to the fore 30 minutes later as Averni Princess pinged the gate under S’Manga Khumalo and was not for the catching. She set a blistering gallop and maintained it all the way to the line with Whereverilaymyhat running on stoutly to edge Rhythm in the battle for the shallow end of the purse.

It was a double for Dixon and a third win for Moodley as Captain’s Christy finally found a race that suited her credentials and duly obliged, running on stoutly to get the better of long-time leader Vision To Achieve who herself was swamped late by Winter Rainfall and Sunset Siesta.

In the B Stakes, Golden Rule set a blistering early pace and had the field strung out turning for home but Khumalo had Imposing comfortable in the middle of the pack that was in no hurry to chase the speed but when the chips were down Golden Rule turned it up in a matter of strides with Imposing moving smoothly through an ever widening gap and going to the line a length clear of stable companion Wiccan Warrior.

 Queen Braganza backed up her maiden win with another good effort to keep her record intact but it did not appear to be as easy as it looked. Crossing the subway Callan Murray was scrubbing away without much help from his mount, but she gradually got the message and when the penny finally dropped she quickened up smartly to win going away.