Picture: Querari filly Heritage Ridge drew plenty of admiration at a Turf Talk Syndicate breakfast at the Milnerton yard of Paul Reeves this morning

The two Turf Talk Syndicate fillies to be trained by Paul Reeves arrived at his Milnerton yard on Wednesday and he said today,  “They are two smashing fillies and I am very grateful for being given the opportunity to train them.”

The syndicate members gathered for a breakfast at the yard this morning to meet the two girls, a Querari filly called Heritage Ridge who is out of a one time-winning full sister to Gr 1 Cape Guineas winner Noah From Goa (Tiger Ridge), and a Duke Of Marmalade filly called Garden Of Eden, who is out of a one time-winning Var mare and she is a half-sister to six-time winner Chatterton’s Keeper (Traffic Guard).

Paul said, “The two fillies are very correct, they’re strong and they both move really well. I can’t favour one above the other right now. Everybody’s fell in love with the Querari but I’m not going to write off the Duke Of Marmalade either, the way she moves. She is obviously going to take a bit longer being a Duke Of Marmalade, but she’s a very, very nice filly. Lovely mover and will go over ground. The Querari is smashing. She’s also got a beautiful shoulder, she’s a nicely put together filly and she’ll come a bit quicker.”

He concluded, “But two smashing fillies, both have good size, good bone, you can’t fault these horses. The first thing I do when I go to the sales is I look at horses and mark them down from perfect by taking points off for slightly skew legs or over the knee or turns in, turns out, weak shoulder or weak behind etc … you can’t minus jack from these two fillies! They’re beautiful, beautiful animals and I think if these two were on the last two-year-old Cape Racing Sales sale I think they would have gone for some big money, especially on pedigree.”

Paul said both fillies were still quite heavy and his task now was to turn the fat in to muscle.

The two fillies will dictate to him when they are ready, although he estimated the Querari might be able to run in about two-and-a-half months time.

The syndicate members were all most impressed by the fillies too.

Below are more photographs of the gathering this morning:

Heritage Ridge below:

Garden Of Eden below:

Jack Milner (The Citizen)

What makes the first leg of the Grade 2 TAB Gauteng Guineas so exciting is that all 11 runners have a shot at winning the SA Triple Crown.

The Guineas over 1600m at Turffontein tomorrow opens one of South Africa’s most prestigious horseracing events for three-year-olds as there is a R2-million bonus paid to the connections of any horse who can win all three legs. The other two are the Grade 1 SA Classic over 1800m and the Grade 1 SA Derby over 2450m.

Of course, once the Guineas has been run, there will be only one contender in with SA Triple Crown hopes.

Bettors are faced with an outstanding nine-race card which includes a R500,000 Pick 6 carryover with the pool likely to climb to R3 million.

Sandringham Summit looks the runner to beat in the Gauteng Guineas. He is the best weighted runner by at least 3.5kg and is the lone Grade 1 winner in the field as well as the highest rated runner.

He was desperately unlucky in the Grade 2 Dingaans over this course and distance at the end of last year and should reverse the placings with winner Purple Pitcher.

Sandringham Summit, named Champion Two-Year-Old at last season’s Equus Awards, has not raced since the Dingaans and was scratched for his January warmup but only because the race was postponed by the wethare and trainer David Nieuwenhuizen felt the new date of January 13 would be too close to the Gauteng Guineas.

Sandringham Summit is all class horse and if fit and well will be hard to beat.

His connections have not had the best of fortune with the son of Gimmethegreenlight and they certainly deserve better this time around.

This will be his first run in the Varsfontein Stud colours.

He is drawn No 3 this time which will improve his winning chances.

Gavin Lerena keeps the ride.

Obviously, Purple Pitcher and Gimmeanotherchance, first and second in the Grade 2 Jonsson Workwear Dingaans, have to be considered as possible winners but after the interference suffered by Sandringham Summit during that race, he has to be expected to reverse that form with the other two.

Purple Pitcher won his fifth consecutive start in the Dingaans and Robyn Klaasen’s charge looks well above average. He showed real character when fighting all the way to the line in that victory and must be in with a winning chance.

He has built up a huge rapport with jockey Kabelo Matsunyane who was aboard for all five of the son of New Predator’s victories.

Gimmeanotherchance looked home and hosed going into the final 100m of the Dingaans, but got caught close to home.

He was gelded after that run but then ran well below his best in the Grade 3 Got The Greenlight Stakes over 1400m behind Main Defender. when probably going too fast out in front.

That run is possibly best forgotten and there is not much doubt trainer Mike de Kock will have him at his best for the race that really matters.

Craig Zackey will be back on board after missing out last time and he could easily get the run of the race from No 2 draw.

Main Defender is not in the field, but trainer Tony Peter has an interesting runner in William Iron Arm. The son of William Longsword last ran in June last year when he notched up his second victory, not too shabby as he had already shed his maiden in his second of three starts.

He changed stables last November and it is worth noting that Peter has stuck him directly into the Guineas without a warmup race. In addition, stable first-choice jockey Calvin Habib has taken the ride over stable companion House Of Romanov.

Other runners to consider, especially for Trifectas and Quartets, are Mike and Adam Azzie-trained Mondial and Sean Tarry’s charge, Storm Brasco, who could be a lot better than his merit rating.

Picture: Gimme A Nother (JC Photos)

The Gr 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas will see the unbeaten Mike dDe Kock-trained Gimme A Nother trying to confirm she is something special.

Fittingly, she is bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein and the question on everybody’s lips is whether she can follow in the footsteps of Cherry On The Top and Summer Pudding and land the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara carrying the famous yellow and black colours of Mauritzfontein Stud.

The Gimmethegreenlight filly does not quicken on a sixpence, but has pulled away impressively in the closing stages of her last two starts, a Gr 3 and a Gr 2 both over this course and distance.

JP van der Merwe keeps the ride.

He will have a problem overcoming draw eleven. Nevertheless, such is her class and his skills as a rider he should be able to devise a strategy to get her home.

De Kock should dominate the finish because among his five entries are also Silver Sanctuary, White Pearl and Champagne Cocktail.

Silver Sanctuary comes off a runner up finish in the Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas. She has a plum draw and it would be no surprise to see her emerging victorious, because she is a full sister to Safe Passage so will be progressing all the while.

White Pearl is knocking on the door and being by Danon Platina should also be progressing, but she does have a tough draw of ten.

Champagne Cocktail is an imposing filly who found the Gr 3 Got The Greenlight Stakes over 1400m against the boys last time out too sharp. She is a galloping type and might attempt to gallop them into the ground, although draw nine makes it tricky.

De Kock’s other runner Mary’s Greenlight has talent but has a lot to do to reverse Gr 3 Mother Russia Stakes (1400m) form with the progressive Sean Tarry-trained Let’s Go Now.

The penny has dropped for the latter and she is a big runner. S’Manga Khumalo should be able to place her from draw seven.

The Tarry-trained Mia Moo has 2,75 lengths to make up on her stablemate Let’s Go Now, but was staying on well in the Mother Russia and looks likely to appreciate the step up in trip from a good draw.

The Lucky Houdalakis-trained Egyptian Mau has the form to be right there, but has to bounce back from  a flat run in the Betway Fillies Mile when trailing in last.

My Soul Mate and Key Element are decent sorts but look up against it and Sign Of Fate looks outclassed.

The selection is Gimme A Nother to beat Let’s Go Now with Silver Sanctuary, Whie Pearl and Mia Moo next best.

Picture: Wayne Kieswetter and Il Etait Temps (Credit: Sporting Post)

The Willie Mullins-trained Il Etait Temps, who runs in the Hollywood Syndicate colours and is part-owned by the Kieswetter’s Barnane Stud, runs at Leopardstown tomorrow in the Gr 1 Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase over two miles and one furlong.

The off time is 16h25 South African time.

Il Etait Temps will be up against the unbeaten superstar, the Barry Connell-trained Marine Nationale, who won last season’s Gr 1 Supreme Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and who won his recent chase debut over tomorrow’s course and distance by 8,5 lengths.

Mullins already has a Gr 1-winning novice chaser this season, Gaelic Warrior, but he has decided to avoid a clash with Marine Nationale and has rather left Facile Vega and Il Etait Temps in the Irish Arkle field.

Il Etait Temps  won his chase debut over two miles and two-and-a-half furlongs at Thurles, but was beaten 5,5 lengths by Gaelic Warrior in the Gr 1 Guinness  Faugheen Novice Chase over two miles and three-and-a-half furlongs at Limerick.

Il Etait Temps is only a best 20/1 shot in tomorrow’s six horse field and will be ridden by Danny Mullins.

Meanwhile, back in South Africa Hollywood had something to celebrate on Wednesday as one of their sponsored trainers Brett Crawford sent out a five-timer at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth including clinching the trifecta in one of the races. The Hollywood team made the below artwork to commemorate the occasion:

Cousin Casey could record his first victory for over a year in the 8th race, the Wilgerbosdrift Pinnacle Stakes over 1400m (Candiese Lenferna Photography) 

RACE 1

6 AGA BOMB 2 SMASHING 1 BLUP BLUP 3 MAGICAL STONES

Preview: 6 AGA BOMB is by Lancaster Bomber and is a half-sister to Gr 1 winner Gabor 2 SMASHING disappointed last time but can bounce back 1 BLUP BLUP can also bounce back from a below par run last time 3 MAGICAL STONES improved with blinkers on last time (6-2-1-3)

RACE 2

7 SO SEDUCTIVE 6 PRECIPEACE 1 BOB 2 PEARL HARBOR

Preview: 7 SO SEDUCTIVE returns from a long layoff but had good form good horses and over this trip from a favourable standside draw could get away with it. 6 PRECIPEACE has run two fine races but does have the number one draw which is unfavourable by trends 1 BOB has improved sinc switched to sprints and has a chance 2 PEARL HARBOR improved in second time blinkers and can earn (7-6-1-2)

RACE 3

9 JOKER MAN 1 SIBERIAN STEEL 2 DREAMLAND 7 ARTICUNO

Preview: 9 JOKER MAN won his maiden well and starts off a competitive handicap mark. 1 SIBERIAN STEEL only just failed last time and could make amends 2 DREAMLAND has talent and bounced back to form last time 7 ARTICUNO won her maiden well and starts off on a competitive handicap mark. (9-1-2-7)

RACE 4

1 ZEUS 6 YOUCANTHURRYLOVE 5 BREEZE OVER 3 EAST COAST

Preview: 1 ZEUS gets better and better as a stayer and Gavin Lerena has an amazing record on him.  6 YOUCANTHURRYLOVE is a Gr 1 class horse and has shown a return to form lately including a fluent win last time, but there is a stamina question mark. 5 BREEZE OVER is a big, progressive stayer and should be right there. 3 EAST COAST is better than his form suggests and has always struck as one who needs ground. (1-6-5-3)

RACE 5

4 LADY FALLON 7 SUKHUMVIT 2 CAPE LIGHTS 3 RIVER QUERARESS

Preview: 4 LADY FALLON is progressive and wasn’t disgraced in a Gr 3 last time but she does have a tricky draw. 7 SUKHUMVIT is well regarded and is drawn in pole over a suitable trip and although she is officially 1kg under sufferance she is entitled to improve. 2 CAPE LIGHTS is consistent and is distance suited and has a faIr draw. 3 RIVER QUERARESS has some class and is well drawn off a competitive mark albeit over a trip which is at the top end of her stamina range (4-7-2-3)

RACE 6

1 GIMME A NOTHER 5 LET’S GO NOW 2 SILVER SANCTUARY 4 WHITE PEARL

Preview: 1 GIMME A NOTHER is unbeaten and is still progressing so is the one to beat despite a tough draw 5 LET’S GO NOW is progressing in to the classy type she always had the potential to be and there is more to come 2 SILVER SANCTUARY was second in the WSB Gr 1 Cape Fillies Guineas and should be right there from a good draw 4 WHITE PEARL is knocking on the door and has class and can still progress (1-5-2-4)

RACE 7

1 SANDRINGHAM SUMMIT 8 WILLIAM IRON ARM 2 PURPLE PITCHER 11 STORM BRASCO

Preview: 1 SANDRINGHAM SUMMIT is true class and can put recent bad luck behind him and resume winning ways. 8 WILLIAM IRON ARM has caught the eye and this long strider has his first run for Tony Pete 2 PURPLE PITCHER is the Dingaans winner, where he beat an unlucky Sandringham Summit, and he will be out to repeat the feat 11 STORM BRASCO caught the eye with a storming finish last time and although this is tougher he could be up to it. (1-8-2-11)

RACE 8

2 COUSIN CASEY 9 UNZEN 8 HUMDINGER 1 PUERTO MANZANO

Preview: 2 COUSIN CASEY over-raced in the Summer Cup when not covered but was striding out well and over this tri he could bounce back to his best. 9 UNZEN is in fine form and can progress again over this ideal trip. 8 HUMDINGER loves this trip and could be in the shake up. 1 PUERTO MANZANO loves Turffontein Standside and should be running on (2-9-8-1)

RACE 9

1 OCTOBER FAIR 8 ONE RELIGION 4 COURAGEOUS 7 MIGHTY GODDESS

Preview: 1 OCTOBER FAIR has faced some good sorts without being disgraced and could be the one to beat 8 ONE RELIGION is well drawn over a suitable trip and has show some promise 4 COURAGEOUS has shown signs of ability and could be in the shake up 7 MIGHTY GODDESS won her maiden well and starts off handicapping on a reasonable mark (1-8-4-7)

Picture: Jill Fox of the Fort Stud in the KZN Midlands (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

An appeal went out via Turf Talk and other publications earlier this week for help for well known KZN horsewomen Jill Fox of The Fort Stud after she had broken a femur after a bad fall, which left her in a wheel chair for two nights with no pain medication because she has not got medical aid.

The appeal was facilitated by the KZN Breeders and their chairperson Cathy Martin sent out the following heartwarming message earlier today:

Hello.  I can tell you all now that Jill is safely in Hilton Life and her surgery will be this afternoon.  She is quite tearful. I think the ordeal she’s been through and just total disbelief at everyone’s generosity.  From our side I have no words for the generosity shown by Breeders, Racing people and many in the showjumping community.  Also other equine disciplines. The response has been unprecedented.  To date we have raised just over R257 000 which should cover her costs.  Depending on aftercare etc if there is money left over we will use it to start some form of medical cover going forward.  Thank you ALL again.  I’m sure Jill will be in touch once this is all over.

Punters celebrate at the Hollywoodbets Durban July 2022 (Darren Stewart/Gallo Images)

An American publiccation called The Plaid Horse published the below article and it is relevant to South Africa fans too

What is the Most Profitable Horse Racing Strategy? A Comprehensive Guide for Betting Success

Picture: Klawervlei Stud-bred William Longsword filly Tipsy Tina provided the first leg of a double together for apprentice Trent Mayhew and trainer Zietsman Oosthuizen. Mayhew also rode a winner for Duncan McKenzie. (Pauline Herman Photography) 

Ever-improving 4kg claiming apprentice Trent Mayhew rode a treble on the Fairview turf today, two of them for Zietsman Oosthuizen, and Gavin Smith scored a double.

Mayhew is now on 15 wins for the season achieved at a strike rate of 8.82%. He made his professional debut in June last year and his first winner was on August 6, so he still has five wins to go before losing his 4kg claim.

Oosthuizen goes to eight wins for the season at 6.20%.

Smith is on 69 wins for the season at 12%.

He is nine wins clear of arch rival Alan Greeff in his bid to retain the East Cape Trainers championship.

The Jean Heming-trained Pedometer (Averof) with Jeff Lloyd up won the 1987 Sun International (Summer Cup) over 2000m at Turffontein by 14 lengths.