Turf Talk Newsletter – 24 March, 2025

Summmerveld Duo Are Big Runners In The Premier's

Imilenzeyokududuma, pictured beating Royal Victory and others in the Michael Roberts Stakes, has come on from his excellent third in the Horse Chestnut and is a runner in the Gr 1 HKJC World Pool Premier’s Champions Challenge if he proves to stay the trip. (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

The Gr 1 HKJC World Pool Premiers Champion Challenge to be run over 2000m at Turffontein Standside on Saturday has two raiders involved and both are from Summerveld, the Nathan Kotzen-trained defending champion Royal Victory and the Gareth van Zyl trained Gr 1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes third-placed Imilenzeyokududuma.

Royal Victory is suited to the Turffontein Standside track and his Gr 1 double there last season was clinched using the same preparation routine both times together with being transported up there both times on Ted Hughes’ state of the art float.

The same was done for this season’s Betway Summer Cup, but on that occasion the race just did not pan out well for Royal Victory as he encountered traffic problems in the straight and did well to finish a three length sixth.

In the Hollywoodbets Durban July he was also unlucky, because had he remained patient and gone for a rails run he could have done even better than a 1,40 length third.

Last season he only had one run between the Summer Cup and the Champions Challenge and it is interesting to note he was beaten into a 1,50 length third in that 1500m race at Hollywoodbets Scottsville by none other than Imilenzeyokududuma, although the latter was receiving 4,5kg.

Nathan Kotzen has opted to give Royal Victory two runs this season between the Summer Cup and the Champions Challenge and this is no doubt a wise move considering how much rain there has been at Summerveld which has limited the amount of work which could be done.

The first of his runs since the Summer Cup was over 1750m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville in the Michael Roberts Stakes and Royal Victory was once again beaten by Imilenzeyokududuma, finishing a 1,30 length third and the latter was only receiving 1,5kg this time.

In his next start Royal Victory ran over 1950m at Scottsville and the race did not pan out well as it was a small field and off a slow pace it turned into a sprint for home. He could not make the ground up going down the unfavourable inside part of the tracks and giving away lumps of weight, so a line can be drawn throught that race.

He should be cherry ripe again for his favourite course and distance and is the highest rated runner in the weight for age race.

His draw of ten is not ideal but his 2023 Summer Cup victory from draw 13 of 18 was easier than his Champions Challenge win from draw three. He is going to come from off the pace and Muzi Yeni is a master at slotting widely drawn horses in to covered up positions.

Royal Victory is good value at 6.25/1 with Hollywoodbets as he looks to be the one to beat as a classy dual Gr 1 winner whose two Gr 1 wins have both been over this course and distance.

Kotzen said Royal Victory had been doing well.

Imilenzeyokududuma has always looked like a type who would relish the Turffontein Standside course and so it proved when he stayed on resolutely for an excellent 2,50 length third in the Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m last time out in testing going.

He went back to Summerveld after the race which was a wise move as it allowed Gareth van Zyl to be hands on in his preparation and anecdotal evidence has also been said to show that horses going up to altititude can hit a flat spot close to the three week mark and it can last for about a week.

Summerveld is actually a third of the altitide of Johannesburg and Royal Victory has proved that the altitude factor is not really relevant, even over 2000m.

The question is whether Imilenzeykududuma will stay and one aspect against him is he is a six-year-old and has not yet been tried over 2000m.

However, he is by Durban July winner Dynasty, which will help his cause, and his damsire High Chaparral won the Epsom Derby.

On the downside his dam Chevauchee’s three wins included two over 1200m, including a Listed win, and one over 1600m, which was also in a Listed race. Chevauchee was out of a Danehill mare.

If Imilenzeyokududuma does stay he will be a runner especially as Van Zyl said he had come on from that last run and he has a good draw of five under one of the country’s most sought after riders at present, Ryan Munger.

Imilenzeyokududuma will be looking to give Hollywood Racing their first Gr 1 of the season.

The two Summerveld contenders face stern opposition epecially from the promising three-year-old Fire Attack, who stayed on superbly for a close second in the Gr 1 SA Classic over 1800m last time out, and Purple Pitcher, whose yard is in good form and he is a dangerous front runner.

Former SA Derby winner Son Of Raj has come to hand, while Atticus Finch proved his liking for course and distance with a fine win in the Summer Cup.

Hotarubi is capable on his day.

Silver Sanctuary is a Gr 1 win winner over this trip, albeit against her own gender, while None Other will be staying on strongly as a former Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks winner.

Navajo Nation looks up against it on form, but Chestnut Bomber has been seen to stay on well over 1600m and could be a sneaker for a place.

Isivunguvungu Has Arrived In Dubai

Picture: Isivunguvungu on his way to the airport in the USA on Saturday. (Picture: Supplied).

The professionalism of the Graham Motion yard and the transport services he uses saw the South African-bred What A Winter gelding Isivunguvungu leaving his stable for the airport on Saturday looking a picture of relaxation and health and being off loaded in Dubai on Sunday where he still looked a happy and reaxed horse.

Below: Isivunguvungu being off loaded at the airport in Dubai. (Picture supplied).

The Emirates Racing Authority caters for the multi-national make up of the fields on Dubai World Cup night by announcing “probable” fields nearly three weeks before the big meeting, which ensures the overseas entrants know where they stand before flying in and it allows them some time to acclimatise in Dubai.

Dubai World Cup night is on Saturday April 5.

Isivunguvungu, who races in the colours of Hollyw0od Racing, is a probable entry in the Gr 1 Al Quoz Sprint.

The 1200m distance is not ideal as he is quick and at his best over five furlongs, but he did win the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint over 1200m.

Click here to see all the probable entries for Dubai World Cup night.

Oh So Close For Ferraris In Hong Kong's Big One

Luke Ferraris produced a flying finish from last on My Wish but failed by a hair’s breadth to get there. (Picture: HKJC)

Mark Newnham left to rue what might have been with ‘brave’ Hong Kong Derby runner-up My Wish

Australian trainer and jockey Luke Ferraris go within a short head of orchestrating a brilliant feature success from the outside gate

by Sam Agarson Sunday (South China Morning Post)

Mark Newnham was left to rue what might have been after he and jockey Luke Ferraris went within a short head of orchestrating a brilliant BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) victory with My Wish at Sha Tin on Sunday.

After being lumped with the outside gate of 14, Newnham and Ferraris hatched a plan to take second favourite My Wish – who has done most of his racing on or near the speed – back to last.

In a race run at a crawl from the 1,600m to the 800m before they rattled home, Ferraris unleashed My Wish in the home straight but the Classic Mile winner fell just short of winner Cap Ferrat despite steaming home with a final 400m of 21.39 seconds.

“Very brave. He’s been the best four-year-old through the series,” said Newnham after My Wish added a Derby second to his runner-up finish in the Classic Cup (1,800m) earlier this month.

“On Thursday, we probably knew our fate but to run so close, it’s disappointing. We came up with a plan of where to ride him and how to ride him. All that went to script except we got beaten a short head.

“We needed to do something from gate 14. It was no good going out there just hoping to get a spot. I thought our best chance was just to get him to relax, conserve energy and use his sprint.

“He did all those things and Luke did all the right things, we just didn’t quite win.

“The winner – gate two, third on the fence, didn’t come round a horse. That’s the way it fell today but in the future we’ve got a very good horse.”

My Wish holds an entry for the Group One Champions Mile at the end of next month, but Newnham isn’t yet sure where his stable star will head next.

“He’s a very good horse, there’s no doubt about that. In all his starts, he’s never run badly,” said the Australian handler.

“He’s missed a place once and that was his first start at 1,000m. I think there’s still improvement to come in him next year, so there’s a very good future for him.

“He didn’t quite get the job done today but I’m sure his turn will come.”

Moreira bags brace

While a third Derby victory narrowly eluded him, Joao Moreira had a fruitful afternoon at Sha Tin all the same, landing a double with victories aboard Packing Hermod and Master Trillion.

Moreira may have thought he was poised to add to his Derby victories aboard Rapper Dragon (2017) and Sky Darci (2021) when Packing Angel travelled strongly into the race from midfield, but the Francis Lui Kin-wai-trained galloper couldn’t quite go on with it and had to settle for a neck third.

“He ran terrific. He travelled a little bit strong – if he relaxed a little bit more the result could have been different, but that was a huge run,” said Moreira.

It was a different story for stablemate Packing Hermod, who stepped back in trip for the Class Two Rapper Dragon Handicap (1,400m) after running in the first two legs of the Classic Series.

Sent off a $2.05 favourite, Packing Hermod closed strongly from a midfield position to defeat Young Champion by three-quarters of a length and stay perfect in two runs under Moreira.

On a day featuring quick times across the card, Packing Hermod stopped the clock in 1:19.92 to equal Encouraging’s 1,400m Sha Tin track record.

Moreira was one of three big-name jockeys to jet into Hong Kong and bag a brace, with Craig Williams successful aboard Cap Ferrat in the Derby and Endeared, while Ryan Moore saluted aboard Super Express and Invincible Shield.

The victory of debutant Super Express in the Class Four Luger Handicap (1,400m) was the first of a double for John Size, who also delivered with Endeared.

Fownes and Hamelin break through

Trainer Caspar Fownes and French jockey Antoine Hamelin teamed up for their first winner at their 35th attempt as Sky Deep broke his maiden at start six in the Class Four Sky Darci Handicap (1,400m).

After consecutive seconds, including last start under Hamelin when he lost his way in the straight and hit the running rail, Sky Deep fended off Harold Win late to grab an overdue success.

“You’ve got to give people a chance. It’s hard in Hong Kong, but he’s done nothing wrong on this horse,” Fownes said of Hamelin, who has ridden three winners from his last nine rides to move to five victories for the season.

“The horse is quite immature and has his own mind a little bit. We’re trying to teach him the right way.

“It’s good for Antoine. It’s his first winner for me and I think this horse has a chance to win again.

“I think next season this horse will be a different horse. He’ll really understand what his job is and he could be quite nice.”

What A Winter's 27th Stakes Winner Lands The Kings Cup

Cape Breeders

Drakenstein Stud’s top-class sire What A Winter came up with his 27th stakes winner on Sunday.

What A Winter gelding Winter Games benefitted from a superb ride to land Sunday’s Listed Kings Cup (1600m) at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

Trained by Michael Miller, four-year-old Winter Games was given a great ride by Mathew Thackeray to win Sunday’s R165 000 race.

Thackeray was quick to take the one-eyed Winter Games to the front, and the pair stayed in front.
With 300m left to run, Winter Games was still well clear of his rivals, and he kept going gamely to claim his biggest win to date by a neck.

Bred by Daytona Stud, Winter Games is out of the Ideal World mare What Fun. The 2025 Kings Cup winner is one of four stakes winners to have emerged from What A Winter’s current crop of four-year-olds, with this crop headed by the graded stakes winners Distant Winter, Mid Winter Wind, and Winter Cloud.

Runner up in the 2023 Listed The Sharks Gatecrasher Stakes, Winter Games took his tally of wins to three with his victory on Sunday.

His four time G1 winning sire What A Winter, whose champion son Isivunguvungu is a leading contender for the upcoming G1 Al Quoz Sprint, is also responsible for some very promising two-year-olds this season.

His juveniles this season include G3 SplashOut Cape Of Good Hope Nursery runner up Winter Snap, and Listed TAB Storm Bird Stakes runner up One Fine Winter. The latter holds an entry for Saturday’s G2 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Nursery.

What A Winter has 12 lots on offer at the National Yearling Sale, including a colt (Lot 212) out of G1 Klawervlei Majorca Stakes winner Nightingale, and a three-parts brother (Lot 322) to the What A Winter sired stars Clouds Unfold and Winter Cloud.

Munger Set For A Good Day At Vaal Classic

Paul Revere did not have everything his own way last time when probably being produced too soon and he could do better with Ryan Munger, who won him before that, back aboard. (JC Photos)

Vaal Classic Track Tuesday Formguides and Selections

The Vaal Classic track has an eight race meeting on Tuesday, which should offer punters a chance to accumulate funds for the big weekend approaching.

In the first race over 1200 meters, Tana Maree has a tricky draw of six out of nine, but is knocking on the door and has finished second in her last two starts over a 1000m and 1200m respectively. She was beaten three lengths last time, but she was three-and-a-half lengths clear of the rest of the field and the winner of that race looked promising. Ryan Munger is proving himself one of the best riders in the country at present and he stays aboard, which is a bonus. Like A Prayer is well drawn and she ran her best race over this course and distance in January, when a 2.8 length third in a similar contest. She travelled to Scottsville after that and didn’t shape down there and then ran a bit below par on her return, so the travel might not have agreed with her, but if back to her best she should be in the shake-up. Empress Wu normally finishes in the back end of quartets or thereabouts and could do so again. Potato Salad has shown enough ability to earn in this contest. Genovefa was not disgraced on debut and could earn here.

In the second race Trip to States went close over 1160m last time, so will be suited to this 1200m trip, but does have a tricky draw to deal with. Mizzen Sword only just failed last time, but also has a tough draw now. Curtiss Condor is by Lancaster Bomber out of a Gimmethegreenlight mare and S’Manga Khumalo rides from a tricky draw of six. Gimme A Storm is drawn in pole and has Andrew Fortune aboard and has the form to be in the shake up here. Red Sea Hills is by Master Of My Fate out of the decent racehorse Sahara.

In the third race over 1600m Ryan Munger could make it a double as he is aboard Royal Miracle, who should be right there if repeating his best efforts from a good draw. That’s Magical is by Last Winter out of a Lundy’s Liability Mare and has pole position under Muzi Yeni. War Reporter wasn’t disgraced last time when having an improved run and could earn here.

In the fourth over 2000m Instant Attraction could give Munger a treble. This horse has finished in the top three in all four starts between 1800 meters and 2000 meters, but on the downside she does have a wide draw and is up against the boys, which is never easy, although it didn’t stop her from coming second last time. Battle of the Bulge has run two races and improved when stepped up to 2000m last time, although he still has a bit to prove to be competitive. Chieftain’s Shield has shown the ability to stay on quite well and he has a good draw, so in this lineup should be in the shake-up.Manz Knight is actually a half brother to Malmoos and is by Gimme the Greenlight, so it is surprising but he does have a form chance of being in the shake-up in this race. Gold de Grace has shown some signs of improvement and if repeating his penultimate start could earn and although he did run way downfield after that he was only one-and- a-half lengths behind Chieftain’s Shield.

In the fifth race over 1600m Sail the Sky has been knocking on the door from 1200 meters up to 1450 meters. She is by Lancaster Bomber out of a Philanthropist mare who won from 1200 meters up to 1400m, but she has failed in two previous attempts at 1600m. Roaming Spirit has some good form and is by Buffalo Bill Cody out of a mare whose three wins were from 1200m up to 1600m, so she should enjoy the step-up in trip, but she does have a tricky draw. Princess Ilaria won well last time and looks likely to enjoy the step-up in trip and has pole position, but she does have to overcome a three-point raise. Oh My Gucci Girl was not disgraced last time when running off a two-point higher mark following a win and she has won over 1500m before, so she should be able to handle this trip. Coppola represents the in-form Mark Khan yard and can do better than last time.

In the sixth race over 1500m Silky Jet represents an in-form yard, although the step-down in trip might not be what she is looking for as she has done well over 2000m. Perini Palace has good form and over this suitable trip has a wide draw to overcome. Time for Charity steps up in trip from a fair draw with Muzi Yeni up and she should see it out being by Time Thief out of a Cape Cross mare who won over this trip. Southern Style has the ability to earn here from draw 6 out of 12 over an ideal trip. Bob Lee Swagger has Munger aboard and might be good enough to earn a cheque here.

In the seventh race, Palace Dancer is well drawn over this suitable 1500m trip and Gavin Lerena knows her well. Deception Pass has been racing in much stronger company and should enjoy the slight step down in trip and is drawn well. Moola Man is ideally distance suited and has the form to earn. Claw is a promising sort but returns from a layoff of six months. Willow Express is always dangerous especially with Piere Strydom up.

In the eighth race over 1200 meters Paul Revere has shown plenty of ability and has Munger up so can go close if ridden more conservatively than last time. Alone Time is capable of blitzing a field. Oriental Bouquet has dropped to a competitive mark.

Larry Nestadt Could Have A Genuine Melbourne Cup Contender

Alalcance winning the Asahi Super Dry N E Manion Cup at Rosehill in Australia. Picture: Bradley photos

Prominent South African owner Larry Nestadt is becoming familiar with the winner’s enclosure out in Australia and could have a genuine Melbourne Cup contender on his hands in the form of British-bred Mastercraftsman mare Alalcance.

On March 8 Nestadt had a Gr 1 and Listed win back to back at Randwick with Royal Patronage and Alalcance over 1300m and 2000m respectively, both horses trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.

On Saturday Alalcance stepped up to 2400m in a Gr 3 and she looks to have Melbourne Cup credentials as she led from start to finish and waltzed in by 4,40 length. The win saw her near the top of the boards for the Sydney Cup.

Click here to read a report on Alalcance’s victory.

The Drakenstein colours were also successful in Australia on Saturday with a three-year-old filly called Heat Missile. She won one from two starts when with Robbie Griffiths and Matt de Kock and won her debut on Saturday for the Waterhouse-Bott yard in a 1200m race at Kembla Grange under claimer Molly Bourke, despite being green.

This filly is by Too Darn Hot out of the Australian-bred More Than Ready mare Entisaar, who won both the Gr 2 SA Fillies Nursery and Gr 1 Allan Robertson when trained by Mike de Kock.

Heat Missile is owned by Mike de Kock in partnership with Drakenstein, Nestadt and Gary Barber and looks to have a lot of promise.

O'Brien Expresses Guineas Doubts About The Lion In Winter

The Lion In Winter is behind schedule. (Picture: Sky Sports Racing)

Star filly Lake Victoria also in a race against time for Newmarket

At The Races

Aidan O’Brien has raised doubts over whether his Betfred 2000 Guineas favourite The Lion In Winter will be ready in time for the Newmarket Classic on May 3.

The unbeaten colt broke the juvenile track record at York when winning the Acomb Stakes in August, a race which has seen its form repeatedly boosted.

However, he did not manage to to run again as a two-year-old due to minor setbacks and as a result he is a little bit behind schedule compared to some of O’Brien’s other Classic contenders.

“The Lion In Winter took a little bit of time to come right so he’s a little bit behind the others,” O’Brien said at a Ballydoyle press morning on Monday.

“We took him to the Curragh last weekend and he went well, the work was easy what he did.

“Whether he’ll make it in time for the Guineas or not I’m not sure. We’ll know in the next week or so but if he doesn’t he might be trained for something like the Dante (at York) and go straight to the Derby, something like that.

“There has to be a doubt about the Guineas but he’s very well, he’s just carrying plenty of condition so he might not make it, in the next couple of weeks we’ll know.”

O’Brien’s leading filly from last year, Lake Victoria, who won Group Ones over six and seven furlongs as well as over a mile, is also not certain to be ready in time for the 1000 Guineas.

“She’s good, she had a long break, longer than the others because her year went very long,” said O’Brien.

“She was at the Curragh last weekend as well on an easy piece of work. I’m not sure if she’ll make the Guineas but we’re training her for it. If she didn’t (make it) she would go for the Athasi Stakes the day after at the Curragh if she didn’t come in time.

“Knowing her she probably will come in time because she’s that type of filly. I’m very happy with her and we think she’s done very well.”