Turf Talk Newsletter – 21 May, 2025

Mocha Blend Can Show How Good She Is

Mocha Blend has a lot of class and is on the up too. (Candiese Lenferna Photography).

The Frank Robinson-trained Ideal World filly Mocha Blend has a lot of class and would have needed her last start when running a good third over this course and distance in a Listed event on May 3, so she could be the one to beat in the Gr 2 Woolavington 2000 at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday carrying just 53kg with JP van der Merwe aboard. She is improving all the time and has a fine turn of foot and plenty of stamina and has a manageable draw of seven out of thirteen.

The Justin Snaith-trained Trippi filly Little Suzie also has a chance in the race her celebrated mother Oh Susanna won, although it will not be as big an achievement because it is no longer a level weights three-year-old Gr 1 classic, but rather a conditions event that allows Little Suzie to carry just 54kg.

The Drakenstein Stud homebred filly is 2kg under sufferance with the best weighed filly according to official merit ratings, Indian Ocean. However, in her best performance she finished third in the Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas. She then became a bit lit up early in the Gr 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes which blunted her finish over a trip she should relish on pedigree, considering Oh Susanna not only won the Woolavington as a three-year-old, but also won the Met. In her last start Little Suzie had to be dropped out to last from a wide draw in the Gr 2 WSB Fillies Guineas and had too much do, so was beaten 2,75 lengths by the winner Mon Petit Cherie, whom she had beaten by 2,9 lengths in the Cape Filles Guineas. She now has a good draw of four and Sean Veale, who rode her in the Cape Fillies Guineas, stays aboard. She could make a bold bid.

The Robbie and Shannon Hill-trained Regeneration is the second best in at the weights officially and is only 1kg under sufferance with Indian Ocean. She stayed on nicely for a 2,15 length fifth in the WSB Fillies Guineas and this Danon Platina filly gave the impression she would handle a step up to 2000m and on pedigree she could do so being out of a mare by Champs Elysees, who won a a Gr 1 over a mile-and-a-half.

The Dean Kannemeyer-trained Give Me Everything impressed in the WSB Guineas when dropped out to last from a wide draw and running on strongly for a two length fourth. She has won over 1800m before so should enjoy this trip, but her draw of nine mght mean she will be out of her ground again.

The Mano Pandaram-trained Indian Ocean was not given a good ride last time as too much use was made of her in an efort to get to the front. She is capable of coming from off the pace and Gavin Lerena is now up, so he shoud get the best out of this classy long-strider.

Hat’s Queen has a fair chance on paper, considering she is 4kg better off with Mascherina for a mere 1,10 length beating over course and distance and she is well drawn.

Mascherina has class and this Gimmethegreenlight half-sister to Malmoos won the aforementioned Listed race over course and distance pretty effortlessly. She is now only 2kg worse off with Mocha Blend for a 2,30 length beating, but she has a tough draw of ten and Mocha Blend is also likely improving rapidly.

My Soul Mate sould be staying on strongly and can’t be discounted carrying 57,5kg as she is in fine form at present.

Beating Wings has a good turn of foot and can’t be discounted as she comes off a good third in a Gr 2 event over this trip. However, she does look held by Indian Ocean on he form of that race.

Rainbow Lorikeet has been ultra consistent in features this season and can make a bold bid from pole position under Aandrew Fortune, although she does have to carry a lot of weight.

Gerbera has the widest draw of all but she will stay the trip and will have come on from her last start when fourth over a too sharp trip.

Todoque has some class and is capable of improvement.

Miss Platina will have to step up on her recent form.

Vermaak - Small Gr 1 Classic Fields Have A Logical Explanation

The SplashOut Cape Derby had a field of just seven runners and the Daily News 2000 will have the same number on Saturday. (Picture: Wayne Marks).

There has been a lot of talk about small fields in races like the Gr 1 Splashout Cape Derby and Daily News 2000 and an article in yesterday’s newsletter attempted to address the matter.

However, Justin Vermaak, the head of Racing Operations in the Cape and KZN, pointed out today (Wednesday) that the current size of the thoroughbred horse population coupled with the type of thoroughbred that is being bred makes the aforementioned phenomenon absolutely logical.

He said, “I think when people say the merit rating system is to blame it’s a very lazy excuse and people aren’t looking at facts. I’ll compare the Daily News with the Cape Derby and the L’Ormarins King’s Plate etc … the fact is a handful of years ago we were racing with, call it 6,000 horses, and now we are racing with call it 3,000 horses or whatever the official numbers are. Your horse population has halved and it’s pure mathematics that your good horses are going to halve as well. So the reason these fields are under pressure has got nothing to do with the handicapping system … the handicapping system has been there for well over two decades and these races didn’t have small fields ten to 12 years ago when the same merit rating system was in play. They’re simply having small fields now because the horse population is dropping and particularly over ground as we are also breeding less staying horses. So the middle distance and staying categories are feeling a double pinch, because they’re affected by a reduced horse population and by a reduced number of stayers being bred. There are only so many top rated horses around, and never mind penalties, if you’ve got 108 rated or 110 rated horses you wouldn’t want to generally run those against 125s and 127s because you basically don’t have a chance. Whether you run a place and go up should not be relevant in most decision making, I believe, because you would rather want to run in races where you’ve got a chance.”

He continued, “So, unfortunately we just have to accept our fate with these sorts of races that they’re never going to be big fields. I don’t understand the comparison that people come up with of strength of fields versus the field size? if you watch Enable and Frankel’s races over the big stretches in their careers in England, they’re beating three and four horses most of the time. I’m not saying we want it to go there, but just because they were beating small fields didn’t make them slow horses. At the end of the day there’s only so many 120s that can run in weight for age races and if that means a smaller field, then so be it. I think we need to move away from this obsession with big fields in these sorts of races, because all that means is there’s six or seven horses with no chance that get in the way of the better ones.”

He added, “So when you are dealing with small field issues in these sorts of races, it’s not necessarily the ratings and penalising of placed horses that is at play, although of course at this time of year one unfortunate issue is that our biggest race is a handicap, so everyone’s trying to bob and weave as much as they can all the time, which sort of places extra emphasis on this issue.”

He continued, “The other thing to note is that in a race like the Gr 3 London News, which was run over 1800m under weight for age plus penalties conditions and there was also an operator’s condition that the winner could not be raised more than eight points and placed horses could not be raised more than four points, there were also only seven runners. So you can’t blame the merit rating system for that race having only seven runners … the fact is it is a regional race over ground for good horses and we simply do not have as many good horses that go over ground anymore.”

Justin continued, “A very good example on the same day as the Daily News is the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup, which has only eight runners. It is a handicap with a benchmark of 52kg equals a 94 merit rating, so there are going to be no monstrous penalties unless a horse is way under sufferance. So nobody is dodging the handicapper in this field and once again the field is small because we do not have many stayers anymore, that is an unfortunate reality.”

He concluded, “You cannot blame handicappers for that, you cannot blame programmers for that, you cannot blame anybody for that, that is just testament to a reduced horse population, and less stayers being bred, the two factors which are pinching these top level races.”

In the case of the Daily News 2000, as mentioned in the newsletter article yesterday, two key players in Fire Attack and Sail The Seas are sidelined with issues and that not only pinched the field but also actually robbed it of being one of the races of the season.

Turf Talk Syndicate's Take It As Red Wins Well

Take It As Red was noticeably green in the running today, despite wearing first time blinkrs, and could go on to win more races. (Picture: Cape Racing).

The Turf Talk Syndicate were successful today at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth with the Piet Steyn-trained Hawwaam filly Take It As Red, who was brought home in a 1400m Maiden Juvenile Plate by the Turf Talk-sponsored jockey Chad Little.

The attractive Turf Talk Syndicate Colours

Take It As Red had to jump from draw nine of nine and was not only wearig first time blinkers. but the race was also on the Winter Course, which has a short straight. So it was not surprising she drifted out to 10/1, despite having finished fourth in all four of her previous starts.

However, she broke well and Chad took her to the front without having to do a lot of work.

This was her second time around the turn, but she was still noticeably green.

However, she kicked well at the top of the straight and kept going well to prevail by 0,40 lengths from Mighty Mary, who flew up from well back in the field.

Chad Little confirmed she had been very green, but said she had given him a nice feel and he believed she could go on to win a “couple more”.

Grant Knowles, the syndicate nominee, believed beforehand that being out of a High Chaparral mare she would have a chance in the soft conditions, and so it proved.

The syndicate members for this filly include local and overseas owners.

Take It As Red was a R150,000 purchase at the Cape Racing Sales Winter Yearling Sale.

Her dam, Santiburi, had nine starts on the Highveld for Robbie Sage and won twice as a juvenile over 1600m and 1400m respectively. She was rated highly enough to have a go at the Gr 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas.

She should give the syndicate members a lot of fun.

Erik The Red Gets A Tenth Winner

The Vaughan Marshall-trained Vapour Trail, a half-brother to the dual Gr 1 winner One Stripe, gets off the mark at the fourth time of asking with Gavin Lerena up. (Picture: Chase Liebenberg).

Cape Breeders

Varsfontein Stud’s promising young sire Erik The Red came up with a tenth first crop winner on Wednesday.

His two-year-old son Vapour Trail got off the mark when he won in open company at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

A three-parts brother to dual G1 winner One Stripe, the Vaughan Marshall trained colt got off the mark at the fourth time of asking with a convincing display in the Hopes And Dreams Stud Maiden Plate (1400m).

Under Gavin Lerena, Vapour Trail powered to the front, full of running, and pulled clear to score a good win by one and a quarter lengths.

Bred by Drakenstein Stud, Vapour Trail is out of the Silvano mare Silver Stripe.

The colt was a R250 000 buy from the 2024 Cape Premier Yearling Sale.

Erik The Red is currently South Africa’s Leading First Season Sire for 2024-2025, with the son of Captain Al ninth on the Leading Sires of 2YOs premiership.

A close relative of prominent stallion Master Of My Fate, Erik The Red has four lots on offer at the KZN Yearling Sale.

Lerena Treble, Fourie Double Puts Heat On Zackey

Richard Fourie clinched a double when winning on the Brett and James Crawford-trained Canford Cliffs filly Strawberry Thief. (Picture: Cape Racing)

Graeme Hawkins (Gold Circle)

Gavin Lerena struck three times and Richard Fourie twice at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth yesterday as the race for the Jockeys’ Championship heats up. At the close of business yesterday Craig Zackey maintained his position at the summit with 209 winners, but Fourie (207) and Lerena (206) are in his slipstream, and we are in for an exciting 11 weeks before the season ends on 31 July.

Follow Your Heart (11/2), having his first start as a gelding, took out the opening event, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1200m, coming with a sustained run from off the pace to collar Star Major (11/2) over the final 50 metres. The money came in a big way for Bugle Boy (8/1 into 28/10) but the 2yo son of Elusive Fort weakened in the closing stages and could only finish fourth, a head behind third-placed Ashikule. The impeccably bred Rockanrollin (Aus) caught the eye on debut, finishing on the heels of the placed runners and only a shade more than two lengths adrift of the winner Follow Your Heart, and the 2yo son of Wootton Bassett (GB) is likely to win soon.

Take It As Red had run fourth in all four previous career starts but the 2yo daughter of Hawwaam was fitted with blinkers for the first time and she ran out a pillar-to-post winner of the second race, a Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies) over 1400m. Easy to back at 10/1, Take It As Red quickly overcome a wide barrier position under Chad Little and despite racing very green had enough in hand to hold off the late-charging Mighty Mary (12/1) by a diminishing half-a-length. Take It As Red is owned by the Turf Talk Syndicate and trained by Piet Steyn.

Three Tigers (8/10) looked the nap of the day in the third race, a Maiden Plate over 1000m, and the 2yo son of One World duly delivered with a comfortable victory over Iko Iko (11/2) and Red Wave (4/1). Ridden by Gavin Lerena for the Harold Crawford/Michelle Rix stable, Three Tigers was winning at the third time of asking and he should prove competitive beyond the maiden ranks.

There were no surprises in the opening leg of the Pick 6, a Maiden Plate over 1400m, as One Stripe’s half-brother, Vapour Trail (33/10), scored a comfortable end-to-end victory at the expense of the favourite New World (18/10). Trained by Vaughan Marshall, Vapour Trail gave Gavin Lerena a quick race-to-race double and his 205^th winner of the season in his quest for Championship honours.

Richard Fourie got on the board in the fifth race, an Open Maiden (F&M) over 1400m, steering Sweet Conifer (9/2) to a hard-fought victory over Club Captain (4/1). The winner’s stable companion, Miss William, drifted sharply in the market as race time approached and faded away tamely after setting the early pace.

Beneath The Clouds (2/1) gave Lerena his third success of the day when coasting to a wide-margin victory in the sixth race, an Open Maiden (F&M) over 1800m. Touched off by English Mistress a month ago, Beneath The Clouds made no mistakes this time around and from a handy position turning for home, raced away from Sesame (8/1) and Loui’s Star (6/1) to win easing up.

Fourie completed a double for owners Ridgemont and Devin Heffer with Strawberry Thief (9/2) coming from the tail of the field to score fluently in the seventh race, a Class 4 Handicap (F&M) over 1800m. Lavendar Bay took up the running early in the stretch but was no match for Strawberry Thief over the final 200m and the improving 3yo daughter of Canford Cliffs drew clear to beat Lavendar Bay by more than a length.

Babelicious (9/4) was rewarded for consistency with a well-deserved victory in the eighth race, a Middle Stakes (F&M) over 1100m. Aldo Domeyer had to pull out all the stops to keep Pink Pigeon (7/1) and Winter Rainfall (10/1) at bay, but Babelicious stuck to her task well to score by under a length.

Apprentice Brevan Plaatjies is making waves in Cape Town and his mount Avignon travelled sweetly throughout the ninth race, a low-grade D Stakes over 1200m, landing a tidy gamble as the 4yo son of Master Of My Fate shortened from 14/1 to 5/2 before the off. Avignon was never in danger of defeat and strolled home nearly two lengths ahead of Becky Sharp. With fancied runners dominating proceedings the Pick 6 returned a modest R6371-60.

Hewitson and Ferraris Both On The Board

Luke Ferrari scores an amazing vctory on Harmony ‘N Blessed, who looked sure to be mastered by the favourite King Miles halfway down he straight, but instead he fought back courageously and got up. (Pictures: HKJC)

Lyle Hewitson’s good run continued as he had a winner at Happy Valley today to make it a fourth winner in the last three meetings and Luke Ferraris got another winner to go to 41 for the season, which sees him stay on fourth spot on the log.

Hewitson, who now has 24 wins for the season, came from a position on the fence just backward of midfield with a storming run on 31/1 shot Too Infinity to win a class 4 race over 1650m by 0,75 lengths. The New Zealand-bred six-year-old Darci Brahma gelding is trained by Jamie Richards.

Luke Ferraris scored in class 3 event over 1200m on the Australian-bred eight-year-old Magnus gelding Harmony ‘N Blessed and he was also a longshot at 28/1. Luke managed to get the gelding into a clear second place on the quarters of the leader after jumping well from draw four. He was at work while still rounding the turn and looked sure to be ovetaken by the hot favourite King Miles, who appeared to be cruising, but under a Ferraris drive and with considerable courage Harmony ‘N Blessed somehow managed to fight bck and then hold on.

A Full report on the meeting can be read below:

Tony Cruz prepares for Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup with Happy Valley triumph
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By Leo Schlink (HKJC)

Preparing to bid for an extraordinary 11th HK$13 million G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) triumph at Sha Tin on Sunday (25 May), Tony Cruz laid down a positive marker for this weekend’s staying test with California Moxie’s success at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (21 May).

A perennial force in the Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup, Cruz will saddle Five G Patch – who was runner-up in the feature last season to Rebel’s Romance – La City Blanche and Winning Dragon.

With Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup triumphs as a jockey aboard Co-Tack in 1983 and 1984 and Makarpura Star (1995), Cruz has dominated the race as a trainer with the wins of California Memory (2013), Blazing Speed (2014 and 2016), Helene Super Star (2015), Pakistan Star (2018) and Exultant (2019-20).

A dual Hong Kong champion trainer, Cruz saddled his 37th winner this season when California Moxie (113lb) claimed his second course and distance victory in two starts by clinching the first section of the Class 4 Glenealy Handicap (1650m). Ridden confidently by Angus Chung the Mehmas gelding swept clear late in 1m 39.05s.

David Hayes continued his pursuit of John Size in the 2024/25 Hong Kong trainers’ championship with veteran Harmony N Blessed’s (133lb) upset victory in the second section of the Class 3 Wyndham Handicap (1200m) for Luke Ferraris.

With the race seemingly in King Miles’ (122lb) keeping under Zac Purton, Harmony N Blessed rallied to slot his ninth win from 57 starts to give Hayes 51 wins for the campaign – five behind Size.

“He’s a wonderful horse. It looked like Zac’s horse (King Miles) had him cold but he really lifted and fought back strongly. It was a very good ride by Luke,” Hayes said.

“He’s quite an old horse. He’s won nearly $15 million Hong Kong dollars and he was one of the original horses that came when I arrived (in 2020/21) and it’s lovely to still have him racing well.

“I would say he would probably retire towards the end of the season but we have to try again at the Valley, don’t we?”

Cody Mo-trained Embraces (129lb) continued impressive progress with a surging win in the Class 3 On Lan Handicap (1650m) under Jerry Chau. Winner of three of 12 starts, the Reliable Man gelding stormed past Star Contact (130lb) to give Mo his 36th win of the season after Lean Master (128lb) landed the Class 4 Sports Club Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup Handicap (1000m) under Harry Bentley, ending a frustrating run of five minor placings this season for trainer Dennis Yip.

“This horse wants this trip (1000m), this is his bag and he’s been some really good races over 1200m but he just looks to be not quite seeing the distance out,” Bentley said. “Back to 1000m here really suits him.

“He’s always been a consistent type. I’ve always got along really well with the horse and he’s given me some good days.”

Yip sealed a double when Thriving Brothers (135lb) wore down Candlelight Dinner (132lb) to win the first section of the Class 4 Cochrane Handicap (1200m) for Matthew Chadwick. A two-year-old winner at Dundalk in Ireland where he raced as McVay, the US Navy Flag gelding had twice finished third in nine previous Hong Kong starts.

To Infinity slotted his sixth course and distance victory for Jamie Richards under a clever ride by Lyle Hewitson in the second section of the Class 4 Glenealy Handicap (1650m). By Darci Brahma, To Infinity was originally trained by Paul O’Sullivan and transferred to Richards following O’Sullivan’s retirement.

Since joining Richards’ stable, the six-year-old has won at least one race across the past three seasons.

“(Lyle) rode him really well. He was aided by a good draw. The horse, in our opinion, was starting to get back into a little bit of form. He’d been going hopelessly when he got up in the ratings but we took off a bit of headgear with him and changed a few things around,” Richards said.

“I’m really thrilled to see him win – the owners have been really patient and he’s been a good old horse. He always fronts up and wins a race or two each season. He’s a real Happy Valley 1650m horse off about this rating. He’s a good stalwart of the stable, he’s been with us since I arrived, so I’m thrilled to see him get another win.”

New Power (124lb) presented Michael Chang with his 14th win of the season with a short-head margin in the second section of the Class 4 Cochrane Handicap (1200m) under Keith Yeung. By Swiss Ace, New Power has scored three times over 1200m at Happy Valley.

“It’s great,” Chang said. “It was good to see him win.”

Douglas Whyte-trained Sterling Wongchoy broke through at this 15th start with success in the Class 5 D’Aguilar Handicap (1650m) for Hugh Bowman.

“He got a 10 out of 10 ride and followed the right horse (Verbier) and it would have been disappointing if he hadn’t won,” Whyte said. “I have to give a lot of credit to the owner Lester Kwok because he’s been very patient with this horse.”

Purton maintained a gaping lead in the 2024/25 Hong Kong jockeys’ championship with victory aboard Manfred Man’s Dragon Four Seas in the first section of the Class 3 Wyndham Handicap (1200m) to 111 winners for the season – 49 clear of Bowman (62).

Hong Kong racing continues with the running of the HK$13 million G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (25 May).

Sorceress Supreme Could Go Close At Vaal Classic

There is a ten race meeting at the Vaal on Thursday and the highest rated race is a MR 96 Handicap over 1000m which could be won by the speedy Sorceress Supreme (pictured above – JC Photos).

The Erupt filly won second time out on the Highveld by three lengths off a merit rating of 95 in a Graduation Plate over 1,200 metres. She has since only run in feature races and last time out was far from disgraced when 3.2 lengths behind Cape filly Mai Sensation in the Gr 3 Dennis Dreyer Poinsettia Stacks over 1200m. She has been dropped two points since then and is drawn on the right side by trends, so should make a bold bid. Richard The First is a decent sort and should also be right there over a suitable course and distance. Passage of Power has a nice high draw and comes off a close up finish over 1160m off the same 95 merit rating. Halberdier has a lot of ability and from a nice high draw under an in-form Maleela Katjedi could bounce back to form. Warm Winter Night is in good form at present but was beaten 2,85 lengths by Passage of Power last time and they face each other on the same terms and Passage of Power looks to have a draw advantage too.

In the first leg of the pick six, Pioneer Square has been knocking on the door since his first start and now steps up to 1800m which could suit being by Querari out of a Mambo in Seattle mare, although his dam only won once over 1400m. Phil the Fluter is a hard knocking sort who went close last time over 1600m and being by Vercingetorix out of an Al Mufti mare he could get the trip, although the mare did only win once over 1200m. Heroic Act has gone close in his last two over 2000m so will have no problem with the trip but does have a wide draw to overcome. Bold Action has shown some fair form including a second place finish over 1700m metres and she has drawn in pole. She’s an interesting runner as a two-year-old filly against older males. Future King has shown enough to be involved in the finish.

In the fifth race over 2,400 metres, Stop the Traffic has run some fair races over middle distances and being out of a mare by stamina influence Traffic Guard coulld see out the trip, despite being by Willow Magic. The mare did win second time out over 1600m. Alakanani has placed twice over staying trips before and could be in the shake-up here, although he would have to confirm his recent form. Blurred Vision has done well in two starts since being stepped up to 2000m and is interesting over a further step up being by Potala Palace out of a Daylami mare. Rainy Season has always looked to be a staying sort and has gone close over this distance before. He is interesting here carrying bottom weight after an improved run with blinkers on last time, although he is officially 2kg under sufferance. Flag Bearer bounced back last time after two below par runs and the last time he went over course and distance he finished a fair second.

In the sixth race over 1,600 metres Unsolved Riddle made a good Highveld debut and is now drawn in pole position with Craig Zackey up and he should make a bold bid based on his fair Cape Town form. After Hours is a consistent sort who comes off a good close-up second over 1,500 metres and from a good draw he should enjoy this trip. Sneak Preview did well over 2000m last time but is also suited to this course and distance, although she does have a tricky draw of 7 out of 10 to contend with. Sail the Sky has the form to be there but she does have a tricky draw. Viva de Janeiro is capable of earning in this line-up.

In the seventh race over 1600m Tried And True is drawn in pole over an ideal trip and can bounce back to form despite remaining seven points higher than her last win which was over this trip. Pretty Analia will find a strong finish as usual after being dropped out from a draw of seven. Quantum has run some fair races over this trip and could be involved. Accept Cookies has a wide draw to overcome but is ultra consistent, although she does still have to prove she stays the trip. Silver Parasol disappointed last time, but should relish the step back down in trip.

In the ninth race over 1,000 metres Hemisphere makes plenty of appeal having now had three starts on the Highveld and doing well in all of them, including winning over this trip. It’s Personal is a hard-knocking sort who is distance suited, but he does have the trickiest draw of all from barrier position one. Phantom Express has a low draw too, but has the form to be involved. Prince of Kildare only has a low weight to carry and is interesting stepped down in trip having earned numerous times over 1,200 metres and beyond. What A Tiger could be involved if bouncing back under Piere Strydom.

The first leg of the Bipot sees Tenjiku returning from a three month layoff, but the form of his win last time when stepped up to 1400m has been franked and he could be the one to beat. Mighty Eagle won easily over this trip category last time, but does have a wide draw to overcome. Red Amber flew up late from well back in the running last time to win and is not out of it. Royal Jacket has shown ability and getting weight from the winners could be a big runner. Redlightgreenlight only has 1,40 lengths to make up on Royale Jacket.

In the first leg of the PA Lunar Rainbow has some fair form and her best run was over this trip. World Tour improved last time when stepped up to this trip, but does have a tricky draw to overcome. Nkwenkwezi has shown enough to go close in this race.

The first race over 1500m could be won by Miss Novax, who made a good winning debut and the form has been franked, and on pedigree she will enjoy the step up in trip and is drawn in pole.

The tenth race could be won by the ten-year-old mare Samoa, as she is drawn on the right side with Gavin Lerena up and has gone close a couple of times over this trip recently.