Turf Talk Newsletter – 30 January, 2025

Mid Winter Wind winnning the Byerley Turk (Candiese Lenferna Photography) 

The former Sean Tarry-trained Mid Winter Wind makes his Hong Kong debut on Friday in the tenth race of the Chinese New Year meeting, a Class 3 race over 1200m.

He will be an important horse as he was able to get out of South Africa via a direct flight to Europe and so his fortunes will be watched by overseas buyers. The SA-breds in Hong Kong have generally been disappointing in recent times, but that might have been due to the arduous journey from South Africa via Mauritius taking a lot out of them. Mid Winter Wind will be the first SA-bred import over there since direct flights were reinstated and he might be worth following for punters too.

The What A Winter gelding was bred by Drakenstein Stud and raced for them in South Africa, with a win in the Gr 3 Byerley Turk over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville being one of his four victories in nine starts.

He gained some infamy by being a central figure in the controversy about the merit rating accorded to Green With Envy after his Gr 1 Daily News 2000 win, as he was made the line horse despite having never run over more than 1600m before.

The protesting faction felt Green With Envy’s merit rating was too high and the handicappers informing them that it would have been even higher unless they had made Mid Winter Wind the line horse seemed to fall on deaf ears.

Mid Winter Wind is out of the former Gr 1 Thekwini winner, the Dynasty mare Lady In Black, who was runner up in the Gr 1 Paddock Stakes twice, runner up in the Gr 1 Majorca Stakes and a narrow third in the Gr 1 Woolavington 2000.

Mid Winter is now owned by James Lau Po Man & Alice Woo Wai See.

He is trained by Mark Newnham and will be fittingly ridden by Luke Ferraris on Friday from a fair draw of seven out of 14.

Mid Winter Wind started his training regime out there in October last year and he has had four barrier trials since.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH HIS LAST BARRIER TRIAL 

Picture: Mike and Matthew de Kock have their first runner as an official partnership on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly on Friday night. (Photo Supplied).

www.mikedekockracing.com

Today, 30 January 2025, Mike de Kock sent out the last runner in his name – Kadizora in Race 5 at the Vaal Classic track and there were no last race fireworks, which would have been a fitting tribute to the legend, as she ran unplaced.

He has appeared in the race card as ‘MF de Kock’ for 35 years, but now begins a partnership with his son Matthew and they will appear in the racecard as ‘M/M de Kock’.

In reference to an official statistical era, it’s the end of a great one – Mike’s ends with an estimated 3803 career winners, including 141 Grade 1’s, 158 Grade 2s and 102 Grade 3 wins – unequalled in SA racing history and set to be the gold standard for many years to come.

But it really is “business as usual” for Mike, whose official partnership with Mathew de Kock starts with two runners at HWB Greyville on Friday evening.

Mike said: “This is a change in name only, but absolutely nothing else changes. It’s quite odd, because in most other jurisdictions around the world a new partnership does not require a change of entity and a new set of statistics like it does here. It’s not about stats, however. We have goals to achieve, for ourselves and our patrons, and not a single thing changes in the stable.”

Mathew is presently back in Australia, wrapping up his affairs and packing for his return. He said: “I am very proud of having our first runners in South Africa in my name on Friday night, also at the big weekend meeting at Turffontein. I cut my teeth in SA as an assistant to my dad. It’s a big moment for me having my name next to his name in the race guides. He’s a legend in his own right.

“Nothing is going to change, we’ve always worked together even though my name hasn’t been there. It’s all paperwork really. I am excited for what the future holds. In a weird way, I am in Australia this time and Dad’s at home while we’re having runners together. It used to be the other way round, when I was holding the fort for the big meetings and he was travelling.

“I wish everyone well for the weekend. We have some nice runners and I hope we can get the official partnership off to a good start!”

Pleasedtoseeyou has been tipped to round the meeting off. (Candiese Lenferna Photography).

Hollywoodbets Greyville Poly Friday Night Formguides 

Andrew Harrison (Gold Circle)

Night racing is back on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville tonight where punters and patrons are faced with a competitive card starting in the first where Dee Day has been close-up in all of her starts and should go close to getting off the mark for Gary Rich who has a number of promising runners on the card.

Stuart Ferrie could spoil the start as he saddles Mistress Rebecca who has shown some ability and his lightly weighted charge has a 2.5kg claimer up. Biggest threat could come from Futurarius who was much improved last run when tried over further and appears to have come to hand.

In the second, Princess Palace shows some ability and drops in class. She goes well this trip and if taking to the poly could be the horse to beat. Veteran Purple Flower has the widest draw but has been in mustard form of late. Her last win was over course and distance at her penultimate start and she followed up with another forward showing.  Aspoestertjie is always game and finished behind Purple Flower when last they met and is now 1.5kg better off courtesy of Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance.

The grey Global Movement takes to the poly and has excellent recent showings on the turf. Older horses tend to do well on the poly and he can kick off the Pick 6.  Burning Man was a runaway winner first up for his new stable with the blinkers back on. From pole position draw he can go in again. Kumemori could be the dark horse. He has drawn wide but takes a drop in class and rating. Fish River has yet to finish out of the money in three starts for his new stable and looks well in.

In the fourth Laudato is back on his favourite surface with a handy galloping weight although he will face stiff opposition from Lindbergh who was doing his best work late last time out and from the best of the draw has a strong chance while Office In Command may have needed his last run. He has good form on the poly and is smart on his day.

The fifth is a wide open handicap and although Rodriquez has a tricky draw he is in good form. He was a touch unlucky from a wide draw last time out but he does return to the poly which is a concern. Blazing Light has no issues with the poly and loves this trip. He has a handy galloping weight and is a must include in all exotics. Mvelelo found a lot of traffic last run but did show improvement in blinkers. He has done well on the poly. Allaroundtheworld is never far back and loves the poly.

Trippi T has been rested but is super quick. He took to the poly with an easy win last time out and if ready he could be difficult to peg back in the sixth. B Fiftytwo switches to the poly but has consistent form to stronger on the turf at recent outings. Fine One is down in ratings but does show ability. He has a fair weight from a wide draw but does have a touch of class. Princess Hannah has the best of the draw and her last two wins have come on the poly. She has a fair weight and her last run is best ignored.

In the seventh, Fort J’Adore has smart form over this distance and has been consistent. She should run another forward race. However, Grey Fantacy may just have needed her last run and was not far back. She goes this trip for the first time but looks more than capable given her best showings. Greenlitealltheway has been trying further but the drop in trip and switch to the poly could bring out the best although she does have a deep draw to contend with.

Pleasedtoseeyou can round off the meeting even though she was a recent maiden winner. That form has worked out well and the gelding has taken to the poly. Benni In The Area could round off a big night for Gary Rich. The gelding is back over his best course and distance and should be competitive in this line-up. Kings Island was a comfortable winner on the poly last time out and the drop in trip should not be of concern.

Harold The Duke after a win at Fairview. (Pauline Herman Photography).

Jack Milner (Tab4Racing)

The Lakeside Handicap over 2400m, Race 7, tops the card at Fairview on Friday and it will all come down to which of the nine runners will best see out the distance.

Glan Kotzen is the only trainer raiding from the Western Cape and he brings Han Solo to Fairview where they will race on the turf track.

This will be the eight-year-old gelding’s fourth trip to the Eastern Cape to race on a track that he really does enjoy. He has had three runs on this turf track for two wins and a second place and two of those races were in the province’s biggest race, the Algoa Cup. His first run was in a handicap over 1400m in June 2022 and that enticed Kotzen to bring him back for the Algoa Cup over 2000m in October that year which he won. He came back to contest the same race a year later and finished runner-up to Justin Snaith-trained Future Swing, a very decent horse who last week contested the Grade 1 Cape Town Met at Kenilworth.

After that second place in the 2023 Algoa Cup Han Solo was out of action for 13 months and has had two decent enough runs since returning.

However, the main concern about this gelding is that he has yet to prove he is able to win over 2400m. He has had one run over the distance at HWB Durbanville where he finished fifth and the two runs over 2500m at HWB Kenilworth where he finished down the field.

He does have the required class, but it might be better to look at two horses who have proven staying power – and they are Runaway Song and Harold The Duke.

Trained by Dean Kannemeyer, Runaway Song won the KZN Derby over this distance at HWB Scottsville, beating SA Derby winner Aragosta. He then joined Gavin Smith’s yard at Fairview where he finished a 0.50-length second behind Ellis Island in a Pinnacle Stakes over this course and distance, giving the winner 9kg.

But it could be wise to go with lightly weighted Harold The Duke who has two wins over the distance, one of them at this course.

This Kelly Mitchley-trained gelding showed his wellbeing with a courageous victory over 2000m last time out. He comes into this race with just 52kg on his back and Muzi Yeni, who won on him last time, back in the irons.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 10 Winter In Paris, 8 Miss Prior, 7 Sweet Cake, 2 And Action

Race 2: 4 Global Scene, 3 Fire Alarm, 5 De Vlugge, 11 Canford’s Beauty

Race 3: 8 Ono No Komachi, 3 Silvery Surfer, 4 Grand Oasis, 7 Mayor Of Merrivale

Race 4: 6 Catch Your Breath, 9 Highlyconfidential, 5 Montelena, 4 Vihaan’s Queen

Race 5: 4 Smashing, 2 Free World, 1 String Of Lights, 7 Komesans Passion

Race 6: 10 Captain Tik Tok, 11 Impact Investor, 5 Cool Winter, 3 Tuscan Gold

Race 7: 9 Harold The Duke, 5 Runaway Song, 4 Han Solo, 6 Bournemouth

Race 8: 9 Jack In The Green, 11 Ardabil, 10 Four Jacks, 12 Silver Tycoon

BEST BET

Race 5: 4 Smashing

VALUE BET

Race 7: 9 Harold The Duke

BEST SWINGER

Race 1 8×10

BIPOT

R72

Leg 1: 8, 10

Leg 2: 3, 4, 5

Leg 3: 3, 8

Leg 4: 6, 9

Leg 5: 4

Leg 6: 5, 10, 11

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 3, 4, 5

Leg 2: 3, 8

Leg 3: 6, 9

Leg 4: 4

Leg 5: 5, 10, 11

Leg 6: 4, 5, 9

Leg 7: 9, 11

PICK 6

R432

Leg 1: 3, 4, 8

Leg 2: 5, 6, 9

Leg 3: 4

Leg 4: 3, 5, 10, 11

Leg 5: 4, 5, 6, 9

Leg 6: 9, 10, 11

JACKPOT 1

R48

Leg 1: 5, 6, 9

Leg 3: 4

Leg 4: 3, 5, 10, 11

Leg 5: 4, 5, 6, 9

JACKPOT 2

R48

Leg 1: 4

Leg 2: 3, 5, 10, 11

Leg 3: 4, 5, 6, 9

Leg 4: 9, 10, 11

The Ricky Yiu-trained Green N White has been tipped to win the Chinese New Year Cup on Friday at Sha Tin. (Picture: HKJC) 

Tim Carroll (At The Races)

Tim has tipped nine winners in his last two columns and now looks to Friday’s Group 3-card at Sha Tin –

This Friday sees an exciting 11-race card from Sha Tin getting underway at 4.30am – live on Sky Sports Racing. The two features of the meeting are race 3, the Group 3 Centenary Vase, over nine-furlongs (£420,000), and race 8, the Hong Kong Classic Mile, which is the first leg of the Triple Crown for the 4yo’s (£1,300,000).

Now onto this week’s selections:

Race 1: Class 5 Kung Hei Handicap (4.30am) (6 furlongs)
1 WINNING HEART has a modest record of just one win from twenty-six starts, but this is a modest contest and the Tony Cruz 6yo will be dropping back into Class 5 company having finished with the bronze last time at a level above this. The selection does go from the top of the handicap, but he has finished runner-up his last three goes at this level from similar marks. He will be having his first spin at Sha Tin since last September, but he has been doing his best work late his last five starts and should enjoy the larger layout.

Dangers:
5 Sterling Wongchoy is a ten-start maiden that ran a career best last time when runner-up over course & trip only beaten a nose by a rival that has since placed at a level above this, and Purton is a first-time booking.
10 Ho Ho Star is yet to break his duck in nineteen goes, but he ran well enough in defeat over the minimum trip last time when fourth and should enjoy getting back six-furlongs having only gone down half-a-length in second over this trip earlier in the season from a similar mark.
6 Speedy Fortune finds it hard to win but he arrives having picked up the silver at Happy Valley last time over five-furlongs, first time cheek-pieces are fitted here, he’s well drawn given they have elected to lead on him recently, and his solitary career success was over this trip.

Race 2: Class 4 Fat Choi Handicap (5.00am) (6 furlongs)
6 SAVVY TWINKLE ran with promise having met with support when fourth over course & trip on debut. At the start of the month. He certainly didn’t help himself that day when wayward in the straight and if he had gone straight, he probably would have grabbed second spot. He will need to take a step forward here, but he should have learnt from the debut effort and is entitled to improve further.

Dangers:
1 Panda, who won down the straight course & just his fourth start last season, is starting to look exposed, but he had run decent races in defeat when third & fourth his last two goes over course & trip and this looks a lessor contest than both of those.
11 Always My Folks ran his best race to date at his third start last time in picking up the bronze over course & trip when finishing two spots in front of the selection, and he has scope for further improvement, but he does have a tricky draw.
8 Club Ace has had the two career starts over five-furlongs running well enough in defeat without threatening and the son of Toronado should enjoy stepping up to this trip for the first time.

Race 3: Class 4 Good Fortune Handicap (5.30am) (1 mile)
9 LUCKY FIONN is an eight-start maiden that has become a tad frustrating for followers, finishing with the silver all three starts this campaign. However, he’s been done by narrow margins his last two, and although he wasn’t luckless last time, he was only beaten a lip having come down the centre of the track whilst the winner had a glorious inside passage, and if you swap the runs around you get a different result. The selection steps up to the mile for the first time, but he gave the impression he would see out a mile last time, and his sire has produced a couple of winners over this trip in Hong Kong.

Dangers:
1 Sunstrider, who won two of his four starts in Australia, is yet to break his local duck in nine spins, but he has hit the top four in five of his races & the son of Highland Reel will find the waters calmer now that he takes a drop in grade.
13 Sunday’s Serenade is an eight-start maiden that had his first try over the mile when runner-up here last time having been given plenty to do, and he should be factored in from toward the foot of the handicap.
2 Flagship Warrior, who was a Listed winner in Australia, has mostly disappointed after winning on his local debut just over two years ago, but he continues to plummet the handicap and is worth keeping on the safe side now that he drops down to Class 4 company for the very first time with a 7lb claimer up.

Race 4: Group 3 Centenary Vase (Handicap) (6.00am) (9 furlongs)
2 HAPPY TOGETHER hasn’t been in the winner’s circle since March of last year, but he has kept some good company in that time and will find this a bit easier than chasing home the likes of Voyage Bubble & Soul Rush, in the Hong Kong Mile on International day. The selection has had just the one spin since then, when beaten half-a-length in a Group 3 at Happy Valley having been given plenty to do when in behind a rival he was conceding 18lbs. They do have a long run to the first bend over this trip, but it won’t hurt his chances that he has a favourable draw which should allow the rider to have him a bit closer to the leaders than last time.

Dangers:
6 Ensued was last seen when running a more than respectable race to finish fourth to Giavellotto in the Hong Kong Vase over the mile-and-a-half on International day, and whilst he cuts back to nine-furlongs here, he has been over this trip four times for two wins and a placed effort in last year’s Hong Kong Classic Cup.
4 Changcheng Glory has been unplaced but not beaten far his last two in Group 1 company & whilst he’s yet to win beyond a mile, his record over this trip reads, 2-4-3, which includes a placed effort in last year’s Hong Kong Classic Cup when one spot in front of Ensued, but he is on 5lb worse terms with that rival here.
11 Winning Dragon, who has been runner-up his last two behind above average types, runs from 10lb out of the handicap but he’s from a shrewd yard and is likely to punch forward with the light weight, and could take some catching.

Race 5: Class 4 Prosperity Handicap (6.35am) (7 furlongs)
6 SKY DEEP, who is a four-start maiden, ran no sort of race over course & trip on debut in November before two spins over six-furlongs on the dirt where he ran well enough in defeat at the second of those but without threatening. However, he left that form behind on his return to the turf here last time when runner-up in a three-way photo. The selection ended up on the front end sitting outside the leader, which wasn’t the plan according to the riders’ remarks when questioned by stewards, but he rallied strongly to only be beaten a nose with late closers finishing either side of him. The selection is entitled to improve further and looks worth a play in what is a winnable contest.

Dangers:
4 Brilliant Express looks a winner in waiting but he has now hit the frame in four of his six starts having gone off on the sharp end of the betting in his last five spins.
1 Phoenix Light is a 7yo yet to win this season, but he was runner-up over course & trip last time when dropping back to this level, his record reads 3-1-2-2 at his last four spins in this grade, and he draws inside with Christophe Soumillon on top.
3 Leslie, who won over course & trip from this mark last season, ran a bit better than the bare result last time when tight for room in the straight, which was his first spin at this level for well over a year, and is worth including in any exotic type bets.

Race 6: Class 2 Chinese New Year Cup (7.05am) (7 furlongs)
3 GREEN N WHITE goes up 4lb having placed one spot behind Drombeg Banner in a Group 3 last time, but despite being on 3lb worse terms here, with his rival drawn high & the selection with a favourable draw, I think he can turn that bit of form around. The Ricky Yiu 5yo loves the seven-furlongs, having recorded all five careers wins over the trip, with only one unplaced effort from ten goes. The race maps for a solid gallop and the selection should end up in a nice spot in the middle of the pack, and Hugh Bowman, who has only been on top once when winning here in October, is reunited.

Dangers:
5 Young Champion, who won a Leopardstown maiden (known as Sharlouk) for Johnny Murtagh, won two of his three starts last season, and ran his best race of the current campaign when runner-up over course & trip last time in a field that contained several Derby prospects, and connections add first time blinkers.
2 Drombeg Banner is a likeable type that has recorded four of his five wins over this trip, and he arrives having finished runner-up over course & trip last time when one spot in front of Green N White who he meets on 9lb better terms with Britney Wong now claiming 10lbs, but he does like to punch forward & draws the outside.
11 Aurora Lady will be moving up in grade and all three wins have come at Happy Valley over six-furlongs, but he’s been in great heart of late with two wins before an equally good effort last time, beaten a nose in second when lugging plenty of weight, and he could run a cheeky race from the foot of the handicap.

Race 7: Class 4 Fat Choi Handicap (7.40am) (6 furlongs)
7 YEE CHEONG GLORY is a debutant 4yo and as such, I would like to see some market support. The Jamie Richards inmate has looked a nice prospect at the trials, winning two of his last three and he picked up strongly, running through the line with plenty of purpose when winning a trial on turf over five furlongs here just over a week ago. The selection has a favourable draw for his racecourse introduction and the booking of Purton would suggest connections are expecting a forward showing.

Dangers:
3 Dragon Four Seas was heavily supported when breaking his duck over course & trip last time and although he goes up 6lbs, he overcame early trouble that day and looks the one to side with of those with experience.
1 Fun N Fun Together is a six start maiden that has hit the frame three times and should enjoy returning to the turf having finished runner-up over course & trip from the same mark when last seen here in October, and although he goes from the top of the handicap, there is only 8lb separating the top thirteen runners & he is well drawn given he likes to punch forward.
4 Ka Ying Radiance met with support to go off favourite when fourth on debut, but he should come on for the run & he was held-up for clear running between the 300m-100m mark and would have made it interesting if not for that.

Race 8: Hong Kong Classic Cup 4yos (8.10am) (1 mile)
1 PACKING HERMOD had won four of his first five starts and missed a placed for the first time when fourth here last time out in behind Rubylot with Johannes Brahms in third, but there’s a few reasons to think he can turn that result around. The selection was snagged back to last and ran through the line with plenty of purpose that day, which would suggest he should see out the trip now that he tries the mile for the first time. He went off topweight under handicap conditions last time, giving away 7lb to the winner & 10lb to the third, and he should be able to turn the form around off level weights. It’s worth noting Purton, who has holds a perfect three from three record on the selection, is back on board.

Dangers:
6 Johannes Brahms , who was placed in a Gimcrack and a Windsor Castle for Aidan O’Brien, won over seven furlongs at his third local start in December & didn’t have a lot of luck when placed here last time when one spot in front of the selection, and the son of Siyouni should relish going over the mile.
9 Mickley, who recorded a three timer when winning the Britannia Stakes on his final start for Ed Bethell, has one win from five local starts but he’s a late closer that hasn’t always enjoyed the rub of the green, he’ll have no issue with the trip and blinkers go on for the first time.
2 Rubylot won over seven-furlongs here last time with several of these in behind in what looks the best form line for this and although he meets the selection on worse terms, he is on better terms with a few of the others, and he’s another that gives the impression he’ll enjoy going over the mile for the first time.

Race 9: Class 3 Red Packet Handicap (8.45am) (1 mile)
2 SILVERY BREEZE, who was entered in the Hong Kong Classic Cup, won over seven-furlongs on his local debut in November before two unplaced efforts over this trip his last two, but not beaten far on both occasions in races that ran deeper than this. The selection drew high in both, as he does here, and ran through the line with plenty of purpose both times, beaten less than a length last time. It’s likely he’ll be ridden cold again, but there’s a solid gallop on offer, Purton is a first time booking, and in a race that is a softer target than his last two, he should be hard to hold out.

Dangers:
5 Sky Heart was having his first run in eight months and his first go over the mile when running a big race from the front to finish fourth beaten less than a length here earlier this month and he should come on a bundle for the run.
13 Legends St Pauls’s is a promising type moving up in grade having broken his duck at his fourth attempt and first go over this trip last time and although he has more on his plate at this level, he carries 13lb less than last time and is perfectly drawn given he’ll look to punch forward.
7 Fallon hasn’t won for over a year, but he can rattle off some big splits late in his races when he has something to aim at, and he should get that here.

Race 10: Class 3 Yue Yee Handicap (9.20am) (6 furlongs)
11 SUNNY DE BEST recorded his second win in nine starts when successful over course & trip last time and he will now be moving up in grade under a 6lb penalty. The selection won by half-a-length last time, but the win was worth more after he copped a bump early before being planted wide without cover for a good part of the contest. Although he’s had the nine starts, he’s an improving type that is likely to have more to offer and he should be right in the mix with 14lb less to carry at this level.

Dangers:
13 Beauty Light is a low mileage promising type moving up in grade having won at just his second start over this trip at Happy Valley in December before an equally good effort in defeat last time beaten a nose by a rival he was conceding 13lbs, and although he dives into deep waters he carries 19lb less here.
3 Young Superstar, who has won two of his nine starts, hit the frame last time and he does go up 1lb for that, but he likes to go from the front and is likely to get an uncontested lead from the inside draw.
1 Packing Power won his first three starts but has bombed his last two with very few excuses, but he is certainly better than that and the rider reported he didn’t like being in between runners last time, which is unlikely to be an issue here from the draw.

Race 11: Class 3 Kut Cheong Handicap (9.55am) (7 furlongs)
3 PACKING ANGEL is a promising type that arrives on a three-timer and under a 9lb penalty having won over course & trip last time with Kaholo Angel back in second. He does meet the runner-up on 15lb worse terms, and any numbers guru would know that is more than enough to turn around a three-quarter-of-a-length margin. However, the selection is a fast-improving low mileage 4yo with scope for improvement, he won with plenty in the locker last time and although drawn a tad high, the race maps for the selection to ease across with cover close to the pace.

Dangers:
2 Kaholo Angel was runner-up to the selection last time and as forementioned, with the claimer on top he does meet his rival on 15lb better terms, and once again looks the logical threat.
7 Endeared moves up in grade under an 8lb having broken a long run of outs last time when winning with plenty of authority, but Purton jumps off to ride the selection.
9 Another World didn’t show a great deal his first two starts but has now won back-to-back races over course & trip and he has plenty of upside, but he does move up in grade under a 7lb penalty and only carries 6lb less at this level.

FRIDAY’S PLACEPOT
Today’s Place Pot will be races 6 through to 11. All up we will be playing 81 combinations (3x3x3x3x1x1), which will cost £8.10for a 10p stake and so on. Good luck.

LEG 1- 2 DROMBEG MANNER 3 GREEN N WHITE 5 YOUNG CHAMPION

LEG 2- 1 FUN N FUN TOGETHER 3 DRAGON FOUR SEAS 7 YEE CHEONG GLORY

LEG 3- 1 PACKING HERMOD 6 JOHANNES BRAHMS 9 MICKLEY

LEG 4- 2 SILVERY BREEZE 5 SKY HEART 13 LEGEND ST PAUL’S

LEG 5- 11 SUNNY DA BEST

LEG 6- 3 PACKING ANGEL

TIM’S BEST BETS (scale 1-5 points)
6.00am SHA TIN
2pts each-way HAPPY TOGETHER

9.20am SHA TIN
2pts win SUNNY DA BEST (NB)

9.55am SHA TIN
3pts win PACKING ANGEL (Nap)

Picture: Corne Orffer (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Corne Orffer has copped a ten day suspension for his L’Ormarins King’s Plate ride on Montien. In the closing stages he failed to straighten Montien and this caused Snow Pilot to have to ease after being squeezed out between Montien and One Stripe. It might have cost him fourth place at the most.

In the opinion of some Montien had also moved on to the rail at the turn when not sufficiently clear of Oriental Charm, who had to be held in a stranglehold as a result and looked to have also pecked slighly. However, Orffer escaped that incident without a mention.

The NHA press release can be viewed below:

The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa confirms that at an Inquiry held in Cape Town, on Wednesday, 15 January 2025, Jockey C Orffer was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.7.  The particulars being that whilst riding MONTIEN, he failed to ensure that he did not cause interference to SNOW PILOT in the closing stages of Race 7 at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse on 4 January 2025. 

Jockey C Orffer pleaded guilty and was found guilty of the charge.  

The Inquiry Board, after considering the aggravating and mitigating factors presented as well as Jockey Orffer’s riding record, imposed a suspension from riding in races for a period of ten (10) days. 

Jockey Orffer was given the Right of Appeal against the penalty imposed.

Who rode the Oppenheimers’ first July winner?

The subject is pictured above.