RACE 1

(1) DANISH DYNAMITE made a smart debut and with natural progression she will take all the beating in this line up. (6) SILVAN MISTRESS has been running consistently and will be the main danger to the top selection. (5) RED LHASA wasn’t far on debut and will get much closer. (2) DARLINGBUDSOFMAY will love the extra 200m this time and should be involved with natural improvement to come. (Devonne Govender 1-6-5-2)

RACE 2

(11) STAR OF ELENA made good improvement in her last start, although she takes on older opposition she has just 57kgs to shoulder which makes her a serious contender hence she will be the firm first choice despite the fact that she drops in trip. (1) WILD APPLAUSE represents good Cape form which generally stands up strong in the province, she will be a huge contender and must be respected. (5) DANCING IN WINTER has been running consistently and is another to consider in larger perms. (3) MIDNIGHT MUSIC has made good progress and can continue to build on that. (Devonne Govender 11-1-2-5)

RACE 3

(14) ROYAL KINGDOM returns after a short break however looks the most progressive in this line up respectfully. (1) GREEN OKRA can improve in the province, he hasn’t been too far back and Cape form stands up well here so he must be considered. (9) ELUSIVE BLACK returns after a long break however cannot be ignored as he has plenty of scope to go well. (12) STAR TROOPER made massive improvement in the last start at big odds and can make the quartets pay. (Devonne Govender 14-1-9-12)

RACE 4

(3) SMASHING is holding solid form and rates a huge winning chance. (10) MEDITERANEANGODDES ran well at big odds in the last start and most importantly finished close up behind the top selection hence she must be included. (2) KILMONIVAIG is very capable on her day and warrants huge respect in this contest, must include in all bets. (1) FREE WORLD is another who is never far back and can get much closer. (Devonne Govender 3-10-2-1)

RACE 5

(1) ANUSCHKA’S WORLD is holding smart consistent form, although this is a strong race, the apprentice claiming a valuable 2.5kgs brings him right into this contest. (3) CLIFF TOP is very capable on his day, he packs class and will be a huge contender with Richard Fourie up. (7) EYJAFJALLAJOKULL is capable of a big finish on his day and with the fact that the speed is sure to be on in this contest he comes into this with a chance, include in everything. (6) FOREST SPY is a very honest type, he has never been far back and rates a chance here, must include for the placings. (Devonne Govender 1-3-7-6)

RACE 6

(1) MERCANTOUR was very impressive in all his starts in the province, he smashed the opposition in his last start and is expected to come out on top once again. (3) SILVER FALCON hasn’t been running to best form recently but he can never be ruled out, he has plenty of class and is capable of winning this if bringing his ‘A’ game. (5) GIMME’S LADDIE ran well enough in the last start and is very capable of fighting out the finish, a must include in everything despite the fact that he goes the 1400m trip now. (4) BUSH TRACKER is never far back, he is an honest type and a good run is expected. (2) FIREALLEY drops in trip after campaigning over much further in recent starts, he is very capable on his day and is a must include in larger perms. (Devonne Govender 1-3-4-2)

RACE 7

Very competitive race. (4) GIMME’S LASSIE won a gutsy race in the last start and will have a huge winning chance. (1) THREE ROCKS is very capable on her day, although she has been expensive to follow she will be in the mix. (8) WOMAN OF POWER has been running consistently and won’t be far so must be respected. (5) ELLORIX has been running extremely well in recent starts and isn’t one to totally ignore here. (Devonne Govender 4-1-8-5)

RACE 8

(5) VOLARE E MAMBO has faced some tough draws recently, once again she has a wide gate to negotiate however she is back on turf which is a massive positive. She has a powerful late burst of speed and if finding herself in a decent position she will run them down. (9) IN THE GREEN ZONE won a gutsy race in the last start and another huge run is expected. (11) COURAGEOUS is overdue for another career win, she is never far back and will be in the mix. (3) TREASURE HUNT ran a cracker in the last start and a repeat of that will see her in the finish. (Devonne Govender 5-9-11-3-2)

The Pride Returns: Global Star Headlines a Blockbuster Doomben Cup Day – 24 May 2025

This time last year, Pride Of Jenni stood atop the racing world after delivering one of the most dominant performances in Australian turf history, blitzing an international field in the 2024 Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick. That win not only shook the rankings but earned the Ciaron Maher-trained mare a place among the greats in one of the highest-rated races on the global calendar. Fast forward to today, and after flirting with retirement, Pride Of Jenni is back, and potentially stronger than ever. Now a global headline act once more, she heads north to Queensland to chase Group 1 glory in the $1 million Doomben Cup, drawing the coveted barrier 1. Her trademark jump-and-run style is set to shine as she looks to lead from the front in what promises to be one of the most anticipated contests of the season.

Lining up to chase her down is a stacked field of elite talent. Queensland’s own Antino, trained by Tony Gollan and piloted by Blake Shinn, is fresh off a return to winning form in the Group 2 A.D. Hollindale Stakes. Defending Doomben Cup champion Bois D’Argent returns, this time partnered with local gun Ryan Maloney, along with stable mate Fawkner Park, a Group 1 regular who’s already placed behind star Via Sistina this year.

A Stacked Undercard + World Pool Action

As if the Doomben Cup wasn’t enough, the supporting card is brimming with quality and the World Pool is in play across the final three races of the day.

Race 7: Group 2 The Roses
The traditional Queensland Oaks lead-up sees a full field of fillies chase glory. Leading the charge is Benagil, fresh off her victory in the Australasian Oaks. She looks tough to beat with champion jockey Mark Zahra aboard and big carnival ambitions ahead.

Race 9: Group 3 HKJC World Pool BRC Sprint
A cracking field of sprinters closes out the card, featuring Matcha Latte, a World Pool “Moment of the Day” winner from Randwick, and the electrifying Coleman, partnered with world number one James McDonald. Also watch for Rise At Dawn and War Machine from the Hayes stable, both with eyes firmly set on Group 1 targets to come.

Please note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Chelmsford City and Haydock (UK) – 22 May 2025.

David Thiselton

There is a ten race meeting at the Vaal today and the highest rated race is a MR 96 Handicap over 1000m which could be won by the speedy Sorceress Supreme.

The Erupt filly won second time out on the Highveld by three lengths off a merit rating of 95 in a Graduation Plate over 1,200 metres. She has since only run in feature races and last time out was far from disgraced when 3.2 lengths behind Cape filly Mai Sensation in the Gr 3 Dennis Drier Poinsettia Stacks over 1200m. She has been dropped two points since then and is drawn on the right side by trends, so should make a bold bid. Richard The First is a decent sort and should also be right there over a suitable course and distance.

Passage Of Power has a nice high draw and comes off a close up finish over 1160m off the same 95 merit rating. Halberdier has a lot of ability and from a nice high draw under an in-form Malesela Katjedi could bounce back to form. Warm Winter Night is in good form at present but was beaten 2,85 lengths by Passage Of Power last time and they face each other on the same terms and Passage Of Power looks to have a draw advantage too. 

In the first leg of the pick six, Pioneer Square has been knocking on the door since his first start and now steps up to 1800m which could suit being by Querari out of a Mambo in Seattle mare, although his dam only won once over 1400m. Phil the Fluter is a hard knocking sort who went close last time over 1600m and being by Vercingetorix out of an Al Mufti mare he could get the trip, although the mare did only win once over 1200m. Heroic Act has gone close in his last two over 2000m so will have no problem with the trip but does have a wide draw to overcome. Bold Action has shown some fair form including a second place finish over 1700m metres and she has drawn in pole. She’s an interesting runner as a two-year-old filly against older males.  Future King has shown enough to be involved in the finish.

In the fifth race over 2,400 metres, Stop the Traffic has run some fair races over middle distances and being out of a mare by stamina influence Traffic Guard could see out the trip, despite being by Willow Magic. The mare did win second time out over 1600m. Alakanani has placed twice over staying trips before and could be in the shake-up here, although he would have to confirm his recent form. Blurred Vision has done well in two starts since being stepped up to 2000m and is interesting over a further step up being by Potala Palace out of a Daylami mare. Rainy Season has always looked to be a staying sort and has gone close over this distance before. He is interesting here carrying bottom weight after an improved run with blinkers on last time, although he is officially 2kg under sufferance. Flag Bearer bounced back last time after two below par runs and the last time he went over course and distance he finished a fair second.

In the sixth race over 1,600 metres Unsolved Riddle made a good Highveld debut and is now drawn in pole position with Craig Zackey up and he should make a bold bid based on his fair Cape Town form. After Hours is a consistent sort who comes off a good close-up second over 1,500 metres and from a good draw he should enjoy this trip. Sneak Preview did well over 2000m last time but is also suited to this course and distance, although she does have a tricky draw of 7 out of 10 to contend with. Sail the Sky has the form to be there but she does have a tricky draw. Viva de Janeiro is capable of earning in this line-up. 

In the seventh race over 1600m Tried And True is drawn in pole over an ideal trip and can bounce back to form despite remaining seven points higher than her last win which was over this trip. Pretty Analia will find a strong finish as usual after being dropped out from a draw of seven. Quantum has run some fair races over this trip and could be involved. Accept Cookies has a wide draw to overcome but is ultra consistent, although she does still have to prove she stays the trip. Silver Parasol disappointed last time, but should relish the step back down in trip.

In the ninth race over 1,000 metres Hemisphere makes plenty of appeal having now had three starts on the Highveld and doing well in all of them, including winning over this trip. It’s Personal is a hard-knocking sort who is distance suited, but he does have the trickiest draw of all from barrier position one. Phantom Express has a low draw too, but has the form to be involved. Prince of Kildare only has a low weight to carry and is  interesting stepped down in trip having earned numerous times over 1,200 metres and beyond. What A Tiger could be involved if bouncing back under Piere Strydom.

The first leg of the Bipot sees Tenjiku returning from a three month layoff, but the form of his win last time when stepped up to 1400m has been franked and he could be the one to beat. Mighty Eagle won easily over this trip category last time, but does have a wide draw to overcome. Red Amber flew up late from well back in the running last time to win and is not out of it. Royal Jacket has shown ability and getting weight from the winners could be a big runner. Redlightgreenlight only has 1,40 lengths to make up on Royale Jacket.

In the first leg of the PA Lunar Rainbow has some fair form and her best run was over this trip. World Tour improved last time when stepped up to this trip, but does have a tricky draw to overcome. Nkwenkwezi has shown enough to go close in this race. 

The first race over 1500m could be won by Miss Novax, who made a good winning debut and the form has been franked, and on pedigree she will enjoy the step up in trip and is drawn in pole. 

The tenth race could be won by the ten-year-old mare Samoa, as she is drawn on the right side with Gavin Lerena up and has gone close a couple of times over this trip recently.

Rugby 8 Win Margin on Friday, 23rd May 2025, C/Over R 61 339, Pool Closes at 9h05

Soccer10 on Friday, 23rd May 2025, C/Over R 200 000, Pool Closes at 20h00, Sport 15 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R 1.5 Million

Soccer4 on Saturday, 24th May 2025, ADD-IN R 25 000, Pool Closes at 15h00, Sport 19 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R 100 000

Soccer6 on Saturday, 24th May 2025, ADD-IN R 75 000, Pool Closes at 15h00, Sport 3 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R 450 000

Soccer10 on Saturday, 24th May 2025, C/Over R 200 000, Pool Closes at 15h00, Sport 16 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R 1.5 Million

Soccer ANY 13Xtra on Saturday, 24th May 2025, C/Over R 200 000, Pool Closes at 15h00, Sport 13 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R 500 000

Soccer4 on Sunday, 25th May 2025, ADD-IN R 25 000, Pool Closes at 17h00, Sport 17 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R 100 000

Soccer6 on Sunday, 25th May 2025, ADD-IN R 75 000, Pool Closes at 17h00, Sport 5 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R 450 000

Soccer10 on Sunday, 25th May 2025, C/Over R 200 000, Pool Closes at 17h00, Sport 12 and Pool 1, Estimated Pool: R 1.5 Million

Soccer13 on Sunday, 25th May 2025, One-Winner Guaranteed Jackpot, Pool Closes at 16h30, Sport 11 and Pool 1, ALL-13-Correct Jackpot: R18 Million