Turffontein Standside Sunday 11 January 2026 – Comments by David Thiselton

PUBLISHED: 10 January 2026

RACE 1

 

1 VOLCANIC HEAT 3 GRISELDA 5 RUBY WHISPER 6 SECRETARY BIRD

 

Preview: 1 VOLCANIC HEAT won well on debut and can follow up. 3 GRISELDA is an Erik The Red first-timer out of a Silvano mare and is running in the famous Beck colours. 5 RUBY WHISPER was beaten 1,70 lengths by Volcanic Heat on debut and is 3kg better off if apprentice claims are ignored but if they are taken into account she is 1kg worse off. 6 SECRETARY BIRD is by Rafeef out of a Captain Al mare. (David Thiselton 1-3-5-6)

 

RACE 2

 

1 HEATH HOUSE 6 THE BRONX BULL 4 PRAYERSANDPROMISES 2 GIMME A VODKA

 

Preview: 1 HEATH HOUSE is ultra quick and will be hard to catch despite a penalty for two wins. 6 THE BRONX BULL is by Buffalo Bill Cody out of an Elusive Fort mare. 4 PRAYERSANDPROMISES is by Gimmethegreenlight out of a Fort Wood mare. 2 GIMME A VODKA is by Gimmethegreenlight out of a Captain Al mare. (David Thiselton 1-6-4-2)

 

RACE 3

 

3 PRINCESS OF ALL 2 VARACHINO’S CHAMP 4 POWER OF TIGER 6 ELEGANT EDGE

 

Preview: 3 PRINCESS OF ALL has run three good races and improved to go close last time. 2 VARACHINO’S CHAMP comes from useful formlines and should be in the shake up. 4 POWER OF TIGER improved last time and has a shout with a repeat. 6 ELEGANT EDGE has 1,7 lengths to make up on Princess Of All and can improve. (David Thiselton 3-2-4-6)

 

RACE 4

 

4 STONEYWOOD 3 ROCKABILLY 5 FIERY ROSE 7 SURREAL SONG

 

Preview: 4 STONEYWOOD caught the eye last time as one who is on the up and being a full brother to Dyce his class should be ready to kick in. 3 ROCKABILLY has run two fair races and should earn. 5 FIERY ROSE is knocking on the door and should be right there. 7 SURREAL SONG was not disgraced on debut and could improve. (David Thiselton 4-3-5-7)

 

RACE 5

 

6 ALADDIN’S LAMP 2 OLIVIA’S WAY 3 BUSSTOPINHOUNSLOW 5 NAVAJO NATION

 

Preview: 6 ALADDIN’S LAMP is slightly under sufferance but ran a quicker time than the Summer Cup winning time last time and did not endure as hard a race as some of those who ran in the latter race. 2 OLIVIA’S WAY ran a cracking second in the Summer Cup but this will be a preparation race for the WSB Met. 3 BUSSTOPINHOUNSLOW ran a cracking fourth in the Summer Cup but would likely have been freshened up as that was a tough race. 5 NAVAJO NATION was beaten out of sight in the Summer Cup but made a good comeback last time over 2400m. (David Thiselton 6-2-3-5)

 

RACE 6

 

11 GRAND EMPIRE 4 CHRONICLE KING 1 CHOISAANADA 5 ARISTOTLE 7 PRESSONREGARDLESS

 

Preview: 11 GRAND EMPIRE looks top class and make it three races unbeaten. 4 CHRONICLE KING has class and over an ideal trip can bounce back although has a tricky draw. 1 CHOISAANADA also has plenty of class and is distance suited but has a tough draw. 5 ARISTOTLE is capable of better than last time and could earn. 7 PRESSONREGARDLESS has come into his own and can bounce back from a disappointing last start where it didn’t pan out well. (David Thiselton 11-4-1-5-7)

 

RACE 7

 

5 AMELIA’S LEGACY 3 WARM RECEPTION 2 TINA LOVELACE 7 AL GREENGA

 

Preview: 5 AMELIA’S LEGACY looks to be full of class and should enjoy the trip and the long straight. 3 WARM RECEPTION looks promising and should make a bold bid. 2 TINA LOVELACE has proven form against top horses and will have come on from her last start but does have a tough draw. 7 AL GREENGA won last two in fine style and could well be up to this class. (David Thiselton 5-3-2-7)

 

RACE 8

 

1 TRUST 4 ONE EYE ON VEGAS 9 AGOGE 7 WAYNE

 

Preview: 1 TRUST is an exceptional colt and is still learning, so will be hard to beat. 4 ONE EYE ON VEGAS won in fine style last time over this trip and is on the up. 9 AGOGE is an eye-catching sort and will enjoy this trip. 7 WAYNE has won his last two in fine style and can continue to progress. (1-4-9-7)

 

RACE 9

 

2 BARBARESCO 1 WILLIAM ROBERTSON 3 PISTOL PETE 5 GREATERIX

 

Preview: 2 BARBARESCO was most unlucky last time over course and distance and can make amends from a nice high draw. 1 WILLIAM ROBERTSON is a top class sprinter and should go close from a nice high draw. 3 PISTOL PETE is in fine form and should be right there. 5 GREATERIX disappointed last time but is better than that and should have come on from the run. (David Thiselton 2-1-3-5)

 

RACE 10

 

1 ABOUND 3 HIS LORDSHIP 4 SAKETINI 2 DEAL MAKER

 

Preview: 1 ABOUND has fine form and looks the one to beat. 3 HIS LORDSHIP is capable of going close here. 4 SAKETINI won easily last time and cheekpieces look to have done the trick. 2 DEAL MAKER won well last time and should be in the shake up over an ideal trip. (David Thiselton  1-3-4-2)