Turf Talk Newsletter – 06 May, 2025

Picture: Alan Greeff with Golden Palm after winning the Gr 2 SA Nursery (JC Photos)

David Mollett

So – with three-quarters of the season completed – who rates as the big “Achiever” for the 2024/25 campaign?

Justin Snaith has to be on the shortlist – as rather like Liverpool in the Premier League – he has had the trainers title sewn up for some time. He is close to a staggering R11 million clear of his nearest rival on the official log, Sean Tarry, and he is more than R11m clear of nearest rival Vaughan Marshall if restricted race stakes are included.

But, no, my vote for the season’s “Achiever” with three months remaining is Eastern Cape trainer, Alan Greeff.

Here are some facts this term about the 54 year-old trainer:
* He is currently in third spot on the official trainers championship log, which is some achievement for a stable in a minor centre.
* Alan’s has saddled more winners (132) than Justin Snaith (131) and his striker rate of winners to runners (17.96%) is superior to the reigning SA champion (14.75%).
* Earnings of R11,449,456.25 are outstanding considering prize money in the Eastern Cape is not on a par with other provinces.

One of the plus factors about the Greeff stable is that Alan is not scared to raid the major centres (he won the Gr 2 SA Fillies Nuresry at Turffontein this season and has also won a Gr 3 two-year-old event at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth) if he believes he has a horse which will hold its own against strong opposition.

His CV includes a Gold Cup win with Cereus (2001) and Golden Slipper victory with Lady Tattler. He seems sure to have pencilled in a KZN raid with East Cape Nursery winner, Direct Hit.

When his father, Stanley Greeff, passed away in August 2010, Alan knew he had big boots to fill. Stanley passed away on the same day as another renowned PE trainer, Nic Claassen.

I was lucky enough to know both Stanley and Nic well – particularly the latter who used to train at the Vaal and landed a number of coups, notably with his juveniles.

Commenting on Stanley’s passing, former champion breeder, Mick Goss, said “He was a dyed in the wool horseman if ever there was one.”

Here are some of Stanley’s career achievements:
* Granted his licence in 1952, he won the trainers championship in 1980.
* In June 1986 he saddled six winners at Fairview all ridden by Gavin Venter. The jockey commented that he rated Stanley as “the best trainer of fillies and mares in the country.”
* In November 1996, Stanley bettered Terrence Millard’s record of 257 wins in a season.
* The Greeff stable is named “Halo” stables after the filly’s outstanding 10 wins in 1980. She was a major contributor to Stanley’s title win.

Alan benefited from his time with Terrence and Tony Millard – they gave him the grounding to take the first steps to a successful career in racing.

Alan clearly has a good rapport with the two excellent on-course Fairview presenters (Neil and Nadine), and what is so important to punters is knowing when a horse is unlikely to win due to not working well or going that might not suit them.

Justin Snaith is equally forthcoming in the Cape, but that’s not the case with several trainers in Gauteng and KZN. Asked whether they can help punters with any other runners on the card, the usual reply is “we’ve got chances and hope for another win.”

This is why the input of presenters and tipsters is so important. At Turffontein last Saturday I was lining up a punt on Jingleberry until Neil Andrews commented that he wasn’t happy about how the filly had gone to post.

I also rated Longsword a bet in the ninth race until Darryl Maree commented on “Weighted To Win” that he wasn’t considering the Sean Tarry inmate as the soft going wouldn’t suit the four year old.

Of course, for Alan to have the services of champion jockey, Richard Fourie, riding for you every week at Fairview is a huge factor in the stable’s success. It’s like a football team having Harry Kane as a regular in your team.

While Alan’s quote in a Sporting Life article that “hard work never killed anyone” sounds like it might have come from Gary Player, its full marks to the PE trainer as his hard work has certainly paid off in the first nine months of the season.

A gentleman close to Alan Greeff in the “Achievers” department this term is owner-breeder, Gerald Sadleir. Not in his wildest dreams could Gerald have expected the heights his home-bred filly, Olivia’s Way, would reach this season.

After Olivia’s Way win in the Gr 2 TAB Igugu Stakes at Turffontein, Gerald was described in one report as “charismatic”, but I was pretty good at English Literature at school and have come up with a better word.

That word is “ebullient” and Collins Dictionary describes it as someone “bubbling over with enthusiasm”. That is Gerald Sadleir to a T.

Gerald loves to take on the bookies – he often places bets on UK races – and he has plenty of ammunition as Olivia’s Way career earnings stand at R839 500. The first prize in the TAB Igugu Stakes was R218 750.

In his most recent tearful post-race interview (I’ve only seen him cry when the waiter has brought the bill at one of his famous lunches), Gerald correctly praised trainer Roy Magner for his filly’s rise up the ranks. On the first day of the season Gavin Lerena rode her in a 74 handicap!

Roy is such an excellent horseman that he seems to trot out good winners season after season and the three-times Zimbabwean champion trainer says Olivia’s Way will be nominated for the Hollywoodbets Durban July on July 5.

Imagine if Olivia’s Way follows in Igugu’s steps and emerges victorious. Gerald Sadleir’s post-race party wouldn’t go on all night, it would go on for a week!

The Equator (Ire) winning for Aidan O’Brien over a mile and two furlongs at Leopardstown. (Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos))

The most intriguing entry in the Hollywoodbets Durban July was the imported former Aidan O’Brien-trained Galileo colt, The Equator, but the Tony Peter yard are not sure whether they can get him ready in time for the big race.

Paul Peter said, “The quarantine was longer than we expected. He’s doing very well, but I’m not sure Tony will have him ready in time. He’s going to need two runs to qualify, but he is a big burly horse and this bloke can eat. He just wants to eat and he eats and gets big and chunky so quickly. So Tony doesn’t want to push him and damage him. But he is going to try and have him ready. He has an excellent temperament, you would never think he’s a colt, and he’s doing whatever we ask of him. We didn’t know anything about him, so we’re just learning every day. He’s a nice sound horse and we had to nominate him in case he gets there quicker than we think.”

Paul went over to a Tattersalls Sale with Willem Ackerman and Advocate Nigel Riley of Heversham Park stud last October and the latter pair bought the Galileo colt for 55,000 Gns. His value increased significantly a month later when his three-parts sister by Frankel, Lake Victoria, won the Gr 1 Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf.

Lake Victoria started 9/4 for the 1000 Guineas on Saturday and finished a 2,50 length sixth.

The Equator himself has only won one race in six starts but has two seconds to his name and has performed well against some good oposition. He seems to need plenty of ground, despite being out of the European champion three-year-old sprinter Quiet Reflection (Showcasing), who won two Gr 1s.

The South African handicappers accorded The Equator a merit rating of 109, which will mean, as Paul Peter said, he will have to do well in his next two races to qualify for the July.

Meanwhile, the yard were pleased with VJ’s Angel’s 2,35 length eighth in the Gr 2 WSB Fillies Guineas at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.

Paul said, “She had a nice run. She came a little bit wide, but she stopped the antics. She didn’t really get left and she tried right to the line, so we were happy with the run.”

THe Gr 1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes is on the agenda for VJ’s Angel, who won the Gr 1 Douglas Whyte Thekwini Stakes last season over the same 1600m course and distance.

VJ’s Angel was part of an intended sales package together with crack sprinter Golden Sickle. However, a price could not be agreed upon with her, although Golden Sickle was sold so is no longer in the yard.

Stable star Main Defender was scratched from the Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes only due to the wide draw he had landed.

He runs on Sunday in a Pinnacle Stakes event at Turffontein in preparation for the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge, where he will hopefully crack a decent draw.

Pistol Pete is a possibility for the Gr 2 Golden Horse Sprint, but they will be avoiding that race with Buffalo Storm Cody, because they believe the latter is best around the turn. They said they might look at races around the turn for Buffalo Storm Cody like the Gr 2 Post Merchants and Gr 1 Mercury Sprint.

Narina Trogon will be out to land his first stakes success this season in Saturday’s Gr 3 WSB 1900 and that will help his breeders Drakenstein Stud inch closer to their own SA record of stakes winners in a season. (Candiese Lenferna Photography).

Sail The Seas became the 17th stakes winner Drakenstein Stud have bred this season and this puts them just five short of breaking their own South African record for stakes winners in a season.

Drakenstein are out to break this particular record for the fourth time in successive seasons.

They had 18 stakes winners of 25 races in the 2021/2022 season, 20 stakes winners of 35 races in the 2022/2023 season and 21 stakes winners of 31 races last season.

Their Twice Over stalwart See It Again is yet to win a stakes race this season, while their One World Big Cap winner All Out For Six has not won a stakes race either, so they come to mind as candidates to add to the statistics.

Futura homebred gelding Future Swing will be out to retain his title in the Gr 3 WSB 1900 on Saturday at Greyville, while Silvano gelding Narina Trogon will be another Drakenstein-bred in that race who will be out to land his first stakes race of the season.

Others who could still bring stakes success this season are the like of the homebred Trippi filly Little Suzie, Trippi filly Clair De Lune, homebred Lancaster Bomber gelding Air Raid, homebred Lancaster Bomber filly Beware The Bomb, homebred Gimmethegreenlight filly Gimmethatpearl, homebred Gold Standard mare Gold Poker Game, Vercingetorix gelding Magic Verse, the improving Lancaster Bomber gelding Yamadori, Vercingetorix debut winner Happy Verse, Gimmethegreenlight colt Malmesbury Missile, Gimmethegreenlight filly Wild Wild Green, One World gelding Don’t Cry For Me, Lancaster Bomber gelding Chestnut Bomber, Futura homebred stayer Battleground, Gold Standard gelding Golden Peace and many others.

It is tough to win a stakes race and placement will be key for most of the above mentioned.

However, among all of them there could well be five who will win a stakes race in the close to three months of the season still remaining.

Picture: Sail The Seas (purple cap) gets the better of Eight On Eighteen (on the rail) and Cosmic Speed. (Candiese Lenferna Photography) 

Handicapping Ratings Update (NHA Press Release)

 

WORLD SPORTS BETTING GUINEAS (Grade 2)

SAIL THE SEAS’ official rating has been increased from 112 to 127 following his performance in the Grade 2 World Sports Betting Guineas over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday. The Handicappers used the third-place finisher COSMIC SPEED, who dictated his own pace, as the benchmark for assessing the race, leaving him unchanged at a rating of 125.

ON MY HONOUR, who finished fourth, had his rating increased to 116 from 108, despite achieving a higher performance figure. The Handicappers carefully considered the slow pace of the race, which may have artificially enhanced his performance figure. Despite this, his rating could not be lower than the 115-rated CAT PAJAMAS, whom he defeated at level weights. As a result, his rating was adjusted upward to 116.

Similarly, ISIVIVANE was adjusted from 91 to 98, despite achieving a considerably higher performance figure, following his proximity of 2.3 lengths (equivalent to five rating points) behind the 115-rated CAT PAJAMAS at level weights.

No merit rating decreases were applied in this event.

 

INDEPENDENT ON SATURDAY DRILL HALL STAKES (Grade 2)

GLADATORIAN retained his official merit rating of 123 following his victory in the Grade 2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville. The Handicappers considered GLADATORIAN to be the most appropriate line horse for rating the race, justifying leaving his rating unchanged.

Two horses received rating increases:

• Great Plains (third) – 112 to 122, after finishing 0.3 lengths (equivalent to one rating point) behind the 123-rated line horse at Weight-For-Age terms;
• THE REAL PRINCE (fourth) – 118 to 120, for finishing 1.35 lengths (equivalent to three points) behind the line horse at level weights.

The only rating decrease was for BARBARESCO, whose merit rating was slightly reduced from 124 to 123.

 

WORLD SPORTS BETTING FILLIES GUINEAS (Grade 2)

MON PETIT CHERIE’s official rating has been increased from 108 to 113 following her victory in the Grade 2 World Sports Betting Fillies Guineas over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville. The Handicappers identified OXALIS GOLD, rated 107, as the most appropriate line horse for assessing the race, keeping her rating unchanged.

The Handicappers ruled out using SPUMANTE DOLCE as the line horse here, as using her pre-race rating of 119 would inflate the performance figures of the other runner in this race, considering that 3.25 lengths separated the top 10 finishers. The Handicappers felt it prudent to adopt a cautious approach given these circumstances.

Four other horses received merit rating increases:

• BE MERRY (third place) – 104 to 110
• GIVE ME EVERYTHING (fourth place) – 103 to 108
• REGENERATION (fifth place) – 100 to 108
• GIMMEFABULOUS – 102 to 104, ensuring she is rated at least on par with GREEN SAPPHIRE, whom she defeated at level weights.

Three horses received merit rating decreases:

• SPUMANTE DOLCE (runner-up) – 119 to 117, due to failing to confirm her 119 rating over her last three outings.
• VJ’S ANGEL – 119 to 116, due to failing to confirm her 119 rating over her last three outings.
• LITTLE SUZIE – 107 to 106

 THE INDEPENDENT ON SATURDAY INSIDER EAST COAST CUP (Listed)

 MASCHERINA had her official merit rating raised from 93 to 99 following her victory in the Listed Independent On Saturday Insider East Coast Cup over 2000m at Hollywoodbets Greyville. The Handicappers unanimously identified HAT’S QUEEN, the runner-up, as the most appropriate key horse for assessing the race, keeping her rating unchanged at 105.

Due to the specific conditions of this race, the ratings of placed runners could not be increased. Accordingly, third-place finisher ESCAPOLOGIST remained unchanged at a rating of 76, despite performing at a higher level.

The only horse to receive a rating’s decrease from this race was MISS PLATINA, whose merit rating was lowered slightly from 96 to 94.

LEGAL EAGLE STAKES (Grade 3)

Three-year-old GARRIX had his official merit rating raised from 109 to 112 following his victory in the Grade 3 Legal Eagle Stakes over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday. The Handicappers considered MUCHO DINERO, who finished third, to be the most appropriate line horse for assessing the race, leaving his rating unchanged at 115.

The runner-up, OTTO LUYKEN, also received an increase from 104 to 109.

Three horses received ratings decreases:

• MAGIC VERSE – 114 to 113
• BILLY BOWLEGS – 114 to 111
• WITHOUT QUESTION – 114 to 111

 

 LADIES MILE (Listed)

 TIME FOR LOVE retained her official merit rating of 105 following her victory in the Listed Ladies Mile over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday. The Handicappers used CALLMEGETRIX, the runner-up, as the line horse for assessing the race, leaving her rating unchanged at 99.

GIMMETHATPEARL was capped at 98 (up from 95) despite earning a higher performance figure, due to the specific race conditions, which limit increases for placed runners to a maximum of three points and restrict adjustments beyond the first three finishers. As a result, FUN ZONE, who finished fourth, could not be raised from her rating of 88, even though she ran to a higher level.

Four horses received merit rating decreases following this contest:

• GOLD POKER GAME – 104 to 103
• KNOCKOUT – 103 to 102
• MY FLOWER FATE – 89 to 86
• OMIKAMI – 95 to 94

Enquiries:

The Handicapping Team

The test gallops for the rejuvenated Polytrack took place last week. (Candiese Lenferna Photography) 

Hollywoodbets Greyville poly meetings are rarely greatly anticipated, but this week’s Wednesday meeting is being anticipated with excitement because the track has been rejuvenated to the instructions of the dynamic new leadership of Hollywoodbets and is looking in world class condition.

It won’t be an easy meeting for punters, because the rains have probably left some runners short of a gallop, whilst some of the poly specialists have had delayed programs in anticipation of the reopening of the poly, but the surface is likely to be kind to the horses and fair to all the runners.

The highest rated race is a Middle Stakes event over 2000m which forms the first leg of the Pick 6. The one to beat could be Blackberry Malt, who finished second in the East Cape’s biggest race, the Algoa Cup over this distance last October. Interestingly, the Algoa Cup was run on the poly on that occasion due to inclement weather. Blackberry Malt has also performed well on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly before. Blackberry Malt is back to the same mark he ran in the Algoa Cup off, so he should go close from a middle draw under Cole Dicken, who won on him over 1800m on the turf the last time the six-year-old Ideal World gelding was at this venue.  Trois Trois Quatre enjoys the poly and will be running on strongly after likely being dropped out from a wide draw. African Dusk will relish being back on the poly and should make a nold bid over a suitable trip from a good draw. Johnny The Thief should make a bold bid from pole position. Field Marshall is onsistent nad can never be ignored.

In the first race of the day Cherry Oh Baby has never run on the poly before and has to carry topweight in the Open Maiden event, but her form looks superior and Andrew Fortune should bring her home. Doin’ Time is interesting receiving 3kg as he went close in an Open Maiden when last trying this course and distance. Fantasy League could earn with a low weight from pole position.

In the second over 1800m, also an Open Maiden, Master Bomber has a wide draw to overcome but brings some decent Cape Town form and might be too good despite having to carry topweight. In form Nathan Kotzen sends out Black Platina, who should give a good account of himself. Silver Platter, Many Waters and Parliament Square could also be involved.

In the third over 1800m Kadizora might take well to the poly and this hard-knocking sort could gain an overdue second career win over a suitable trip. Juliet  Tango has decent Highveld form and could make a bold bid too. Grand Occasion could be in the shake up too from a good draw over a suitable trip.

In the fifth race over 1600m Numzaan has done well in KZN since relocating from cape Town and can overcome a five point raise. The consistent Eventidor should be in the shake up. Rastignac should enjoy the return to poly.

In the sixth over 1600m Gentleman Joe has a wide draw too but brings some good recent Cape Town form. Few Dollars More lacks a recent run but loves the poly and from a good draw over a uitable trip could go close. Go Grayson Go is a decent sort who has run well on the poly before and he could go close despite a wide draw.

In the seventh over 1200m Drive By relished the step down to sprints about a year ago and has been consistent ever since and won well from a wide draw over this trip on the Greyville turf last time so could follow up off a four point higher mark. Quentasia should finish close to Drive By on the form of their last meeting. Heirloom could go close if able to get prominent early.

In the eighth over 1200m Icy Lancaster might enjoy the step down in trip and can beat Dafne’s Daughter and Our Lady Fate.

The last race could see African Prince converting some good Cape Town form from pole position. Ibutho is off a competitive mark and might enjoy the step back to 1200m. Lucky Dollar might also do wll running fresh over a trip too sharp.

Luke Ferraris has been tipped to win the 5th race on Setanta (Picture: HKJC) 

Tim Carroll (At The Races)

Fresh from his five-timer on Sunday, Tim previews all nine races at Happy Valley this Wednesday, nominating three best bets.

This Wednesday sees a competitive nine-race card from Happy Valley getting underway at 1135am – live on Sky Sports Racing. The final two races on the card are both Class 3’s, with race 8, The Deauville Handicap, over 1 mile, offering prize money of more than £205,000.

Now onto this week’s selections:

Race 1: Class 5 Auteuil Handicap (11.35am) (1 mile)
11 COOL BLUE has a modest record having yet to win in twenty-five starts, but he’s up against rivals with similar profiles and he drops a further 2lb in the handicap to a career low mark of 19 having placed from up to a 30lb higher mark. The selection has had a horrendous run of high draws this season and ran well enough in defeat the last two times he was seen over course & trip at the back end of last season. He’s only had the one run since January, which was a spin on the dirt, and he should strip fitter here.

Dangers:
8 Harry’s Hero broke his duck over 7 furlongs at Sha Tin in December from just a 4lb lower mark and arrives having run well in defeat when runner-up over course & trip last time.
2 Podium has been unplaced his last two at Sha Tin and he does have a high draw to contend with, but he is normally ridden cold anyway and he was runner-up his last two goes over course & trip, the second of which was from a slightly higher mark.
6 Tattenham is another with a modest record, but he ran well enough over this trip n defeat on the dirt last time, he’s 14lb below his sole career win from last season and he should have a gun run from the low draw.

Race 2: Class 5 Maisons Laffite Handicap (12.05pm) (5 furlongs)
12 ACE TALENT arrives having picked up the bronze over course & trip behind Day Day Victory, who he meets on 5lb better terms, last time when having just his second run this year, and he’s entitled to strip fitter. The selection drew the very outside that night and had to burn early to get across to lead from the high draw, before being picked off in the shadows of the post. He only has the one win to his name, but it was over course & trip from a 13lb higher mark and if he runs to the same level as last time, now that he draws low, he should give this a decent shake.

Dangers:
3 Day Day Victory was strong through the line in winning over course & trip last time with several of these in behind and looks a main threat again from the low draw despite the 5lb penalty.
7 Modest Gentleman is hard to catch but he did win twice over course & trip last season, he’s now 2lb below his last winning mark and he has what looks a favourable draw with winning rider, Andrea Atzeni back on board for the first time this season.
4 Ragnarr, who won a maiden at his only start in Australia, is yet to break his local duck in nineteen goes, but he has shown improvement lately and was runner-up to Day Day Victory last time, who he meets on 4lb better terms, but he’ll probably have to be ridden cold again from the outside draw.

Race 3: Class 4 French Navy May Trophy (Handicap) (12.25pm) (1 mile 3 furlongs)
8 MANAGEMENT FOLKS, who was runner-up over 1 mile 2 furlongs at Sha Tin two back, goes up 6lb having won over course & trip last time when he had five of these in behind. No doubt he has a bit more on his plate with the penalty, but he does enjoy going over these sorts of TRIPS, with two of his three career wins coming over the mile-three. The selection is a late closing type and the leader from his last race, Rosewood Fleetwood, is in the line up again, but these types always tend to need a bit of nous from the saddle around the Valley, thus it’s a positive to see Karis Teetan, who gets on well with the selection, sticking solid.

Dangers:
10 Hakka Radiance, who won (known as Tempered Soul) a Novice at Chelmsford for George Boughey, is yet to break his local duck in fourteen starts but he has run with merit all three goes over this trip including when placed behind the selection last time, who he meets on 7lb better terms, and he’s likely to sit handy and have first run on a few of the market principles.
3 Serangoon was third behind the selection, who he meets on 7lb better terms, last time having been given plenty to do, and although he’s certainly not an on-pace runner, they may be able to ride him a tad closer from the lower draw, like when he won here February.
11 Perfect Pairing, who won a maiden at his sixth & final start in Australia, ran a local career best when runner-up to the selection last time & although he had failed to place in thirteen previous starts, there was some support for him in the market that night & he may have a bit more to come.

Race 4: Class 4 Chantilly Handicap (1.05pm) (6 furlongs)
2 GOKO WIN, who drops a further 2lb in the handicap, ran better than the bare result from a high draw in fifth last time when given plenty to do in a race that was pace dominated. The selection was having his first spin at this level that night and although he has just the one career win, it was from a 17lb higher mark, and he has been competitive in much better races than this. The selection draws down in 1 this time and although he’s no leader, he’ll be able to sit closer than last time and with Bowman maintaining the faith, he looks worth a play in an open contest.

Dangers:
9 Good Prospect in a nine-start maiden knocking on the door having been runner-up in three of his last four all over course & trip & the winner from his last race has subsequently franked the form when beaten a narrow margin at a level above this.
4 Majestic Delight is a twice race maiden that picked up the bronze over course & trip last time when two spots in front of the selection, and although well held by the winner that day, he has plenty of upside & is entitled to improve further.
5 Galvanic bombed here last time from a high draw but he had been placed his previous three, again mostly from high draws and he’s another that should be able to lay up closer to the pace now that he has a decent gate.

Race 5: Class 4 Saint Cloud Handicap (1.35pm) (1 mile)
1 SETANTA goes from the top of the handicap, which is never an easy task, but he takes a drop in grade having picked up the bronze over course & trip last time in a race that ran deeper than this. The selection hasn’t been seen at this level since last season but his last four runs in the grade produced two wins and a second and one unplaced effort, but that was on rain affected going. He’s on a mark of 60, but he has won from as high as 69, albeit that was some time ago. The Mark Newnham 7yo must give away up to 18lb to his rivals, but there’s only 8lbs separating the top eight entries, and he should have soft commute from thew low draw.

Dangers:
8 Jubilant Winner, who will be having his first spin at the city track, is a seven-start maiden with upside that has run with merit in defeat several times and he does give the impression he’ll enjoy stepping up to the mile for the first time, but he’ll need some luck from the outside draw.
10 Amazing Award broke his duck over course & trip in January and whilst he has failed to get his head back in front in four subsequent spins, he’s been there abouts, and a 1lb drop in the handicap sees him just 5lb above his winning mark.
3 Stormi, who was a thrice winner (known as Bergamasco) at Dundalk for Jack Davison, had been unplaced his first six Hong Kong starts but bounced back to form last time when picking up the bronze at just his second go over course & trip & he might be about to find his local groove.

Race 6: Class 4 France Galop Cup (Handicap) (2.05pm) (6 furlongs)
10 SUPER CHARIZZARD is a bit of a diamond or rock type, and he did bomb last time out, but he looks worth a play as he has a few things in his favour here. The Mark Newnham 4yo has recorded two wins over course & trip this season, the second of which was impressive enough for the handicapper to penalise him 8lb. However, he’s been unplaced in four subsequent starts, but he drops 2lb here, which sees him just 5lb above his most recent win, and with a lack of pace in the contest, they may elect to shoot from the front with the low draw.

Dangers:
8 Excellent Peers isn’t getting any younger and he hasn’t won for over two-years, but that was from a 27lb higher mark, and he drops a further 2lb here having placed from up to 8lb higher during the current campaign.
12 Telecom Power, who won two from three on the country circuit in Australia is yet to strike in seventeen local spins, but he has been runner-up over course & trip three times this season, including from this mark last time, and he should have all the favours from the low draw.
3 Loveisintheair is a thrice raced maiden from a leading yard that might have gone close to winning last time when third having been tight for room of the closing stages, but they’ve ridden him cold all three starts, he draws high and there’s no more than a moderate gallop on offer.

Race 7: Class 4 Saint Cloud Handicap (2.40pm) (1 mile)
6 ICONICAL is a low mileage 4yo that hadn’t shown anything of note his first six starts but left that form well & truly behind when winning over course & trip last time, which was his first try over the mile. The selection met with a bit of support in the market that night, suggesting a forward showing was expected. He does go up 7lb, but he travelled much the best in the run, making all to win by 1.5 lengths, and he still has scope, especially over this sort of trip. He draws high this time, but he shouldn’t have to spend too many pennies to get across and should end up either on the front or in a tracking position.

Dangers:
1 Ivy League, who was a twice winner for Aidan O’Brien in 2022, has just the two wins from thirty-four Hong Kong starts, but both those wins were over course & trip last season, and he’ll find this easier than recent assignments now that he drops into a Class 4 for the very first time.
11 Jumbo Fortune has his limitations has his one win from fifty-four local starts would indicate, but he has been a consistent type since joining the David Eustace yard this season having hit the frame seven times from higher marks during the current campaign.
2 Comet Splendido will be having his first start in just over three-months after a minor setback (spiked a fever), but he takes a drop in grade and did win over course & trip the last two times he was seen at this level, the second of which was from a slightly higher mark.

Race 8: Class 3 Deauville Handicap (3.15pm) (1 mile)
7 HIGHLAND RAHY, who won at Gowran Park on his final start for Fozzy Stack, took a while to find his local legs but has hit a purple patch recently, winning back-to-back races over course & trip before an even better effort in defeat last time when runner-up only beaten a nose behind a rival that came out and went in again at his next start. On that occasion he ended up sat outside the leader in a race where he was the only pace runner to finish in the first seven, and whilst the idiosyncrasies of horse racing would suggest he wasn’t a luckless loser as such, but if he was able to bag the rail, he would have won despite the strong gallop. He does go 2lb for that, but I reckon he should be able to get straight across to the fence, and whilst he doesn’t have to lead, there’s a fair chance thy will try to shoot from the front.

Dangers:
10 Lucky Touch hasn’t been outside the top four at his last nine starts, which includes a course & trip win in November & three silvers, and he was less than a-length behind the selection last time when doing his best work late & he is on 2lb better terms, but that race did set up for the closers.
1 M Unicorn can be forgiven an unplaced effort last time having been caught wide without cover for most of the race and with an 7lb claimer taking over, he is effectively only 1lb above his winning mark from the start prior when he won in good style.
11 Quantum Patch will be moving up in grade having been slightly unluckily as runner-up last time when held up a tad for a run at the top of the straight, and although he dives back into deeper waters, he carries 18lb less here and should have the drop on the leaders from the low draw.

Race 9 Class 3 Paris Longchamp Handicap (3.50pm) (6 furlongs)
7 LUCKY PLANET took fifteen goes to get on the board but has now won three of his last eight and arrives on a three timer having won at Sha Tin two back, before blitzing his rivals from the front over course & trip last time when winning by 4.5 lengths seemingly with a bit left in the locker. The selection will be moving up in grade under an 11lb penalty, this does represent a deeper contest than last time, and he is a pace runner in a race where there are a few that like to get on with it, but he’s in blinding form and with 10lb less to carry, he should give them something to catch again.

Dangers:
3 Beauty Infinity, who has recorded all three wins over course & trip in a nineteen-start career, is 6lb above his last win in March, but he draws low and with a strong gallop on offer he’s likely to position up in midfield with a strong two into the race and should be running through the line strongly over the concluding stages.
1 Superb Capitalist hasn’t hit the frame since September last year, but he takes a drop in grade and the last time he was seen at this level in April 2024, he hacked up by 4.5 lengths, however, he draws the outside & he’s a pace runner in a race offering a plenty of it.
6 Wolf Coming, who makes his local debut off a mark off 66, won two of his four starts, both over this trip, for Andrew Balding as a 2yo, and although unplaced in a recent trial, he wasn’t asked any questions, and a market watch is advised.

WEDNESDAY’S PLACEPOT
Today’s Tote Place Pot will be races 4 through to 9. All up we will be playing 108 combinations (3x3x3x2x1x3), which will cost £10.80 for a 10p stake and so on. Good luck.

LEG 1 – 2 GOKO WIN 4 MAJESTIC DELIGHT 9 GOOD PROSPECT

LEG 2 – 1 SETANTA

LEG 3 – 8 EXCELLENT PEERS 10 SUPER CHARIZZARD 12 TELECOM POWER

LEG 4 – 1 IVY LEAGUE 6 ICONICAL 11 JUMBO FORTUNE

LEG 5 – 7 HIGHLAND RAHY

LEG 6- 1 SUPERB CAPITALIST 3 BEAUTY INFINITY 7 LUCKY PLANET

TIM’S BEST BETS (scale 1-5 points)
1.35pm HAPPY VALLEY
2pts win SETANTA

2.05pm HAPPY VALLEY
1pt each-way SUPER CHARIZZARD

3.15pm HAPPY VALLEY
3pts win HIGHLAND RAHY

City Of Troy wons last year’s Epsom Derby (photograph: John Walton/PA)

Historic 72-hour final declarations for Epsom Derby aim to generate ‘sense of anticipation and excitement’

Group One winner Babouche set to return in Cork, although Ger Lyons admits he is struggling to get her fit

Brian O’Connor (Irish Times)
Tue May 06 2025 – 06:00

The Derby countdown starts with a vengeance this week and a historic landmark is already in place as flat racing’s “Blue Riband” will have 72-hour final declarations for the first time.

In a bid to help generate “a sense of anticipation and excitement both domestically and globally”, Epsom’s Jockey Club owners have confirmed the final Derby field will be known three days beforehand.

It is the first Group One race in Britain to put in place such an early final declaration stage, although final fields for some other big global races are known even sooner.

The draw for last Saturday’s Kentucky Derby was made the weekend before. Post positions for the Breeders’ Cup are assigned on the Monday. Seventy-two-hour declarations are also made for the Japan Cup.

“Having consulted with a range of stakeholders on this issue we are confident that this change will not only help build anticipation for the world’s most famous Flat race earlier in the week, but also provide more certainty around the runners and riders on the day, driving more interest and engagement in advance of the start of the Betfred Derby Festival,” Epsom’s general manager Jim Allen said.

“We are hugely grateful to the British Horseracing Authority for their co-operation and help in order to make this change happen at relatively short notice, and to all those participants who have supported us in making this move.

“This racecourse has been at the forefront of positive change and new initiatives in British horse racing for generations, with the Derby becoming the first race to be filmed back in 1896 and then the first sporting event to be broadcast in 1931.”

It is more than four weeks to the Derby on June 7th and the coming 10 days are crammed with traditional trial races.

Aidan O’Brien sends both Lambourn and Thrice to Wednesday’s Chester Vase, which was won by the Irishman’s Ruler Of The World before going on to Epsom glory in 2013. Another of O’Brien’s record 10 Derby winners, Wings Of Eagles, was runner up in the Vase in 2017.

O’Brien has won six of the last seven renewals of the Dee Stakes on Thursday. On Saturday there is the Lingfield Derby Trial, a race won by O’Brien’s subsequent Derby hero Anthony Van Dyck in 2019.

Acapulco Bay is one of four Ballydoyle entries for that before the trial focus switches to Leopardstown on Sunday.

Next week the Dante is being held at York where O’Brien’s The Lion In Winter, a general 7/2 favourite for Epsom, is set to make his first start of the season. The last of O’Brien’s four Dante winners was Cape Blanco in 2010.

The Derby trial glut comes with most of the Guineas season still to come. It continues in Paris on Sunday where the French 2,000 and 1,000 will be up for grabs at Longchamp. Godolphin’s sweep of last weekend’s classic prizes in both Newmarket and Kentucky will up the ante on the French prizes.

Henri Matisse is a 3/1 favourite with some firms to give O’Brien a sixth success in the colts’ classic, the Poule d’Essai des Poulains, and a first since St Mark’s Basilica in 2021. The Lagardere winner Camille Pissarro is also in the mix as is Jessica Harrington’s Futurity winner Hotazhell.

In other news, Cork stages its own Derby on Tuesday evening, an €45,000 handicap, although it is Babouche who will bring Group One quality to proceedings when lining up for the Listed Polonia Stakes.

Last year’s Phoenix Stakes heroine made a winning debut at the Mallow track as a juvenile and she sports a first-time tongue-strap for her first start of 2025. Her 113 rating is a standout in a contest that also features last year’s Group Two scorer Truly Enchanting, although Ger Lyons admits to struggling with Babouche fitness-wise.

“I’m just struggling to get her fit. If you see her tomorrow, she’s carrying a lot of condition. I changed tack as I was going straight to Naas [Lacken Stakes] working back from the Commonwealth Cup, but I’m just not getting her fit,” he said on Monday. “I would be surprised if she got beat, being a Group One winner, but from what I’m seeing she could very well get beat.”

There is a Group One element to Tuesday’s “Derby” too as topweight Westminster Moon, placed third in a top-flight German contest last year, had success in the 2023 Polish Derby.

The Irish-bred changed hands for €260,000 last winter and had a first run for Tony Martin at Cork last month behind Apercu. It will be the regally bred grey Saturn that will appeal more to many on this occasion.

Later on the Cork card, Westminster Moon’s half-sister Inventress makes her debut in a 10-furlong maiden while Zahrann could be the one to beat in the finale.

Which stallion was leading sire in the USA a record 16 times?

Picture: The picture is of the subject