Turf Talk Newsletter – 15 August, 2025

The finals of the Winter Country Championship happens at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. There is a final over 1000m, 1200m, 1400m, and 1950m, each carrying a stake of R200,000.

The way the country championship works can be read below:

Click here to read the rules for the country championship

The points standings at present are shown below:

Log updated as of  29 July 2025

There is all to play for and the fields for the four finals are shown below and can be compared to the table to see who stands a chance of winning the first prize of R100,000 or get a handsome payout for being in the top 20.

Happy Verse has been tipped to win Race 5 (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Saturday Formguides And Selections

R1 3 MARKETA easily brings in the best form into this race, she has been very consistent, the drop in trip to 1000m will definitely help her chances, she will be very hard to beat in this race. 1 WHATASTAR ran a fair race on the 17th of June behind Between The Lines, if she can build on that performance, she will be amongst the places. 6 PENNYS CHOICE ran a cracker with the blinkers fitted last time, she is still improving with racing, on her best form, she can certainly trouble them in the finish. 2 ALESSIA ASHEVILLE needed her last run badly, she could sneak into the places at best here. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 1 – 6 – 2)

R2 6 BEACH VERSE has run two lovely races in succession, she will love the step up in trip to 1400m, there is no doubt that she will go very close to winning here. 3 LOVE HER MADLY really enjoyed the 1400m trip on the 21st of June, she ran a great race behind Oncidium, if she can build on that performance from a good draw on Saturday, she will be right there in the money. 1 CLOUDS CLEARING must have a good each way chance in this race from a nice draw, she is improving with every start, include her into all bets. 8 WAIT FOR ME finished really well for third behind Wander Dune on the 26th of July, jockey Richard Fourie sticks with her, if she can beat the tricky draw, she will be competitive. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 3 – 1 – 8)

R3 4 SUGAR MOUNTAIN is absolutely loving life at the moment, he quickened up in devastating fashion to win a terrific race on the 15th of July, even though he has gone up in the ratings, he will be very hard to beat again from a neat draw. 8 PROMETTERE finished like a train last time behind Sugar Mountain, he is very honest and he tries hard, if he gets some luck in running from a tricky draw, he will be super competitive. 9 BOUNDLESS ENERGY has been rested for 65 days, he ran a great race behind Arctic Wizard on the 12th of June up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, he should appreciate the step up in trip to 1500m on Saturday, if he doesn’t need the run badly, he could finish amongst the places. 3 ARDABIL has been rested for 99 days, he is very consistent, and he is still improving with racing, watch him closely here. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 8 – 9 – 3)

R4 7 ELEGANT NOBLE won really well on the 15th of July, he was given a great ride by Brevan Plaatjies, if he has made further improvement back at home, he can certainly win again. 4 BATON ROUGE won a gutsy race with a big weight on his back last time, he stays all day, jockey Richard Fourie knows him well, even though he was given five points for his last win, he should be competitive. 9 ARIOVISTUS won impressively on the 21st of June, he found plenty betting support in the market, and he quickened up nicely to beat a decent field, if he brings that performance to the track again on Saturday, he will have a good winning chance. 11 KWITE A KING never runs a bad race, unfortunately the bad draw will make life tough for him, but he will be switched off early, and he will come with a big run late, watch him closely. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 4 – 9 – 11)

R5 9 HAPPY VERSE looks to be a smart colt in the making, he stayed on nicely for fifth behind his stable companion in the Grade 3 Langerman on the 21st of June, he is a beautiful colt with lots of ability, if he can beat the draw here, he will be tough to beat. 2 GOLDEN ANGEL continues to slide in the ratings, she has no weight on her back, she has a good draw, and she drops in trip, there is no doubt she will be right there in the finish at a decent price. 1 NILE THE BOSS has run two great races in succession, she really enjoys this trip of 1400m, from a neat draw, she must have a good place chance again. 8 DIVE BOMBER ran a fair race in a big field on the 24th of June, the form of that race has worked out well, he could sneak into the Quartet. (Brandon Bailey: 9 – 2 – 1 – 8)

R6 8 SHE’S MY WORLD stayed on strongly for second behind her stable companion on the 26th of July, she is a decent filly, on her best form, she will have a good winning chance in this field. 1 OCTOBER STORM ran a decent race in a competitive field last time, he was still very green early, and he caught the eye late behind Escarpment on the 15th of July, the yard thinks highly of this colt, he is still improving, include him into all bets. 3 TRIPPI’S SILK is much better than his recent form, he can be a tricky customer and a difficult ride, he drops in trip to 1000m on Saturday, if the race works out for him, he will be storming home at a nice price. 4 ALL ABOUT AL ran a fair race behind The Us Of A on the 17th of June, he was only beaten just over five lengths by the winner, the blinkers have now been fitted, he could pop up and earn some stake money. (Brandon Bailey: 8 – 1 – 3 – 4)

R7 2 SUN DAZED has been rested for 65 days, he moved up like a winner in his last start behind Firingonallengines, he needs everything to go right for him on the day, he will be switched off early, and he will come with a big run late, include him into all bets. 5 KELP FOREST has dropped in the ratings, and the blinkers have been fitted, he is much better than his recent form, the drop in trip should be no problem for this individual, if he bounces back to his best form, he will be hard to beat in a race like this. 10 AZZURRI must have a good each way chance, he stayed on well for fourth last time behind What A Fortune over 1400m, he could appreciate the drop in trip to 1200m where he won a good race on the 24th of June, his form is good, he should be competitive. 9 AFRICAN PRINCE finished strongly for second in a driving finish on the 22nd of July, if the conditions turn up on the softer side for this race on Saturday, he will be a massive runner. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 5 – 10 – 9)

R8 3 WANDER DUNE quickened up like a very smart filly on debut, she was just off the speed early, and she finished well to win going away at the line, there is no doubt that she will continue to improve with racing, even though this race will be tougher for her, she can definitely win again and remain unbeaten. 4 WILD APPLAUSE finished like a rocket to win a great race on the 26th of July, she settled beautifully in running, and stormed home to beat her stable companion by just under two lengths, her form is rock solid, she will be a massive danger to Wander Dune. 2 MUSIC OF THE NIGHT finished third last time behind Wild Applause, she is a lovely filly, if she can build on her last performance, she will be right there in the money again. 5 OCTOBER FEST never runs a bad race, she hasn’t been beaten too far in her recent races, she could sneak into the Quartet here. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 4 – 2 – 5)

Zinovi wins cosily from Royal Aussie to give Luyolo Mxothwa a four-timer (Picture: Pauline Herman)

The Alan Greeff-trained Heavenly Blue gelding Zinovi defied the weights in the Listed Memorial Mile on the Fairview turf on Friday to win by a comfortable 1,25 lengths under Luyolo Mxothwa, who had a four-timer on the day, two of them for Sharon Kotzen.

The five-year-old Zinovi carried 59kg and with a 114 merit rating he was officially 3kg under sufferance with the two best weighted runners, the 120-rated pair Royal Aussie and Bingwa, both of whom also carried 59kg.

Zinovi was slow out but burst through late to beat the accomplished Royal Aussie (2-1) by 1,25 lengths in a time of 97,48 secs for the turf mile.

The 11-10 favourite My Best Shot loomed up dangerously after tracking Bingwa for much of the race, but his effort petered out and he held on for a modest third, some 2,25 lengths off the Snaith runner-up. My Best Shot was having his first run since an unplaced effort in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, and he must be watched to make amends next time.

Zinovi was well regarded by former trainer Mike de Kock early on. However, he developed a breathing problem.

An early wind op and gelding was intended to bring the best out of him and he might well be enjoying the kinder climes of the Eastern Cape.

Bred by Danika Stud, Zinovi is out of the one-time winning Jallad mare, Zayna.

A R200 000 National Yearling Sale buy, Zinovi took his stakes earnings to R631 531 with his 6th win and 8 places from 21 starts.

He is owned by the ASSM Racing syndicate of Arun Chadha and Warne Ripon, who have enjoyed a good week as they collected an Equus Award for their filly Fatal Flaw (New Predator) on Thursday night.

Alan Greeff had a double on the day.

Chase Maujean rode a double on the day for Tara Laing and that included the first stakes race of the SA season, the Listed Jockey Club Stakes over 2000m with the Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein-homebred Master Of My Fate mare Epikleros.

Mxothwa is now on eight wins for the season at a strike rate of 24.24% and he is two wins behind the joint log-leaders on ten wins apiece, S’Manga Khumalo and Muzi Yeni.

Maujean’s double was his first two wins of the season and he thus has a strike rate so far of 5.71%.

Greeff is on eight wins at 18.18%.

Sharon Kotzen is on four wins at 16%.

Laing’s double was her first two wins of the season and she has a strike rate of 12.50%.

More Thunder (closest) has been tipped to win The Hungerford Stakes (Picture: Sky Sports Racing)

Newbury Saturday Formguides And Selections 

1 2:50 PM SA Time – Highclere Thoroughbred Racing Geoffrey Freer Stakes (Group 3)
Epic Poet has solid claims if reproducing his second in a Group 2 at York in May. Candleford landed a Listed contest over 1m4f at Beverley last month and could also feature representing last year’s winning yard, but it could pay to stick with the progressive PINHOLE. The son of Frankel built on a respectable effort in the Queen’s Vase at Ascot with a facile victory back at the same track on his handicap debut and has plenty of scope for further improvement at this higher level.

Top Tip: Pinhole (6)
Watch out for: Epic Poet (3)

2 3:25 PM SA Time – D&H, Excellence In Nutrition Handicap
RHYTHM N HOOVES bounced back to something like his best when caught close home at Ascot last time. This looks less competitive and Robert Cowell’s charge is taken to confirm running with King Of Stars (third). That was the latter’s seasonal reappearance, so he could prove a more potent force on this occasion, while it would be no surprise if Getreadytorumble has more to offer off his current mark off the back of finishing a creditable second at Goodwood.

Top Tip: Rhythm N Hooves (2)
Watch out for: King Of Stars (4)

3 4:00 PM SA Time – TPT Fire Handicap
CLASSIC arrives at the top of his game, having landed a tough contest at Sandown before just missing out in the International at Ascot. Beaten only a neck by the subsequent Stewards’ Cup winner Two Tribes last time, a similar effort from Richard Hannon’s charge may well prove good enough in this company. Jumby will be winning soon based on his recent placed efforts and looks more favourably handicapped than the likes of Cracking Gold and Havana Pusey.

Top Tip: Classic (3)
Watch out for: Jumby (5)

4 4:35 PM SA Time – Visit Malta Hungerford Stakes (Group 2)
William Haggas can enhance his good record in this race with the recent Bunbury Cup winner MORE THUNDER. That was the progressive colt’s third win from just four starts since moving yards and he looks ready for a crack at this level. The class-dropping Spy Chief is also open to improvement regarding the distance and merits serious thought, while Lennox Stakes winner Witness Stand also rates a key player. The first two home in the Hackwood over 6f here, Rage Of Bamby and King’s Gamble, add further spice to a strong renewal.

Top Tip: More Thunder (4)
Watch out for: Spy Chief (9)

5 5:10 PM SA Time – Tattersalls 40,000 EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race)
As a half-brother to five winners, including Fillies’ Mile winner Quadrilateral, there is a lot like about the pedigree of SLIGHT OF FOOT, who debuts for high-profile connections and could make a big impact on his racecourse debut. Richard Hannon also introduces a notable type in the form of Law Court, while betting market support for Edwin Hubble, a half-brother to an Australian Group 1 winner, would also be highly noteworthy. Nova Centauri is another with a captivating profile to bear in mind.

Top Tip: Slight Of Foot (7)
Watch out for: Law Court (4)

6 5:45 PM SA Time – Chapel Down Handicap (GBBPlus Race)
Three-year-old’s have won both renewals of this contest and that trend could continue courtesy of AL WASL STORM. Outclassed in both the Derby and the Queen’s Vase, Owen Burrows’ colt now goes handicapping from what looks a workable mark. Renato bumped into an improver at Southwell latest so must be of real interest, as is the case with Byblos, who didn’t need to come out of first gear to break his maiden tag recently.

Top Tip: Al Wasl Storm (2)
Watch out for: Renato (4)

7 6:20 PM SA Time – Grosvenor Sport Double Odds Handicap (GBBPlus Race)
It is impossible to rule out any of these, so only a tentative vote can go to SKIMMER. Now two from two having after winning at Kempton last month, Harry Charlton’s colt could be a cut above in time and this lofty opening mark might not stop him. Organ completed a hat-trick at Goodwood in June so remains of interest, despite a further 5lb rise, while Night Step seeks a hat-trick of his own having won at Lingfield and Newmarket recently. The unbeaten Hopewell Rock hasn’t been seen since last October and the market can guide.

Top Tip: Skimmer (1)
Watch out for: Organ (4)

AN EXCITING RACING PROPERTY FOR SALE IN RANDJESFONTEIN AH

This is a premier residential estate offering a tranquil and secure environment that boasts expansive open spaces, as well as a host of outdoor lifestyle opportunities which include cycling, jogging, and walking trails. For the equestrian enthusiasts, there is a 26km network of bridle trails, winding through this estate which is perfect for horse lovers.

Listing Number:           116177908
Listing Price:                  R6 800 000
Property Type:              House
City:                                   Midrand
Suburb:                            Randjesfontein AH
Agency:                            Real Estate Services

Click here to view listing.

This Real Estate listing has been recommended to you by phillipprop8101@realestateservices.co.za

Fred Darling heroine Duty First in the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes heads the At The Races ambassador’s rides at Newbury on Saturday.

Click here to read Hollie Doyle’s Insight For The Weekend

Pretty Persuasive has been tipped to win the highest rated race of the day (JC Photos)

The highest rated race at Turffontein Inside on Sunday is a MR 91 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m and Pretty Persuasive can follow up on her fine Highveld debut.

Pretty Persuasive made a fine local debut and for this race she has a perfect 89 merit rating as that enables her to sneak into the handicap with the minimum weight. She also has a good draw of two out of seven and leading jockey Muzi Yeni rides. Summer Winter disappointed last time, but from a pole position draw over a slight step-up in trip she will enjoy, she could be right there. Francilien returns from a rest but can get away with it over this trip. She has some good formlines and has Gavin Lerena up from a good draw. Komati River needs to bounce back from her below par last run and has a chance if doing so as she was facing the like of Just Be Lekker and Mia Moo before that without being disgraced and has come down a point in the merit ratings. She does have a tricky draw of five out of six. Take Your Place could earn a cheque if producing her best.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 Matchamint has been knocking on the door and looks difficult to oppose on form over this suitable 1600m trip from a fair draw of three with Muzi Yeni up. However, Special Star, who is out of Gr 1 winner Nother Russia, could improve on her debut when running a moderate fourth over this trip, although she is by Danon Platina, who is not proving to be as good a sire as he was predicted to be. Zahra Domina drifted in the betting last time out and ran accordingly,but if reproducing the promise of her penultiate start she could be in the shake up.

In the second leg of the Pick 6 over 1600m Chestnut Bomber lost his way in feature company in February and March, although his Gr 1 SA Classic 7,50 length eighth was not a bad effort at all. He gave a hint in his comeback run last time over 1400m that he retains his ability and he beat the like of Bacchus in that race, whom he also beat in the SA Classic, and Bacchus has won since. Chestnut Bomber is 2kg better off here than any other horse according to official merit ratings and should prevail, although he does have a tricky draw of six out of eight. Pioneer Square ran well off an 85 last time and was raised three points which makes him officially 3,5kg under sufferance with Chestnut Bomber. Pennsylvania is second best in at the weights being 2kg out with Chestnut Bomber and is well drawn over a step up in trip which should suit. Dance King is officially 5,5kg out, but did fare quite well against the decent horse Choisaanada in his last two starts and with a repeat he could earn here. We Are The Logans has the ability to be a contender, being officially 3,5kg out with Chestnut Bomber, but he has been off form and needs to bounce back.

In race six over 2000m The Ultimate King is highly regarded and over a suitable trip he is the one to beat off a handicap mark that he could rise above during this season. Luce Verde made a good Highveld debut and did win over this trip in the strong centre of Cape Town, so he should be a big runner here. Vesuvio is in good form and is distance suited and he should be in the shake-up. American Rebel is 4,5kg better off with The Ultimate King for a 6.2 length beating and he is better drawn so he could be in the shake up. Eiger Sanction is 8,5kg better off with The Ultimate King for a 6,45 length beating if appentice claims are taken into account, so if 4kg claimer Girish Samo-Burthia rides a good race from a tough draw of eight this horse has a chance.

In race eight over 1200m Rifle Queen made a fine debut and could follow up with a reasonable 88 merit rating, although draw five out of seven could be tricky. Blushing Bloom won well last time and from pole position with Gavin Lerena up should go close. On The Run won easily last time and should be in the shake-up again, although she has draw six out of seven. Of the older runners, Princess Lola has the ability to be involved here from a good draw. Edge Of Tomorrow could earn if bouncing back.

In the ninth over 1200m Rodeo Drive was a bit disappointing last season, but has class and should be right there. Bjorn Ironside also has class and should also be involved. Frozen Fantasy is second best in at the weights and is distance suited, but has a tough draw. Vulcanite is an interesting entry because she has a lot of pace and is well drawn in this drop in trip. Sylvan Warrior went close in a Gr 2 last time over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville, but on official ratings is a whopping 11kg under sufferance with the best weighted runner Bjorn Ironside. Nyaka Nyaka has some fine form and has a fair draw, but is officially way under sufferance here.

In the first leg of the PA over 1600m Alpha World steps up in trip after two good runs and although he is out of a Querari sprinter he is by One World and that will give him a chance of enjoying this trip, although a wide draw is a detractor. World Order ran a good race over this trip last time and has a good draw here so should be involved. Step Into It can improve on his fair debut and is drawn in pole.

In the first race over 1200m Slender Silhouette ran two decent races in the strong centre of Cape Town and is the one to beat here, although she does have a tricky draw. Warm Reception is well-bred being by Fire Away out of the decent Tiger Ridge mare Folk Dance, which makes her a half-sister to Heather’s Boy, who won his first three starts and was regarded as a fine prospect.

In the second race over 1200m Saragossa Cat looks difficult to oppose from a good draw.

Estrange hacks up at Haydock in the Gr 3 Lester Piggott Fillies Stakes over the traditional Oaks distance of a mile-and-a-half (Picture: Sky Sports Racing)

Ground key for Cheveley Park runner, with Aidan O’Brien commanding the York feature.

At The Races

Rain will have to fall at York if Estrange is to challenge Aidan O’Brien’s dominance in Thursday’s Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks, with Minnie Hauk and Whirl among four contenders for the Ballydoyle handler.

Estrange is one of just two British-trained contenders alongside Ed Walker’s Qilin Queen, with the other quartet all trained by O’Brien.

Minnie Hauk appears O’Brien’s chief hope after completing the English-Irish Oaks double at Epsom and the Curragh. Whirl, a neck behind her stablemate at Epsom and a dual Group One winner since, is also in the potential line-up alongside Garden Of Eden and Bedtime Story.

Estrange, trained by David O’Meara for owner-breeders Cheveley Park Stud, progressed through the levels to take the Listed Gillies Fillies’ Stakes at Doncaster last year before returning to action this term to win both the Lester Piggott Stakes and the Lancashire Oaks at Haydock.

Her only defeat to date came on good to firm ground at Yarmouth last season and connections are hoping at least some rain falls over York as they look to chart a path to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp in October.

“It depends which forecast you look at, and I am probably guilty of looking at the one I want to look at rather than the one I don’t!” said Cheveley Park’s managing director Chris Richardson on the chance of rain at York.

“But she’s very well, a bit of ease in the ground would be helpful. She’s working well but this just happens to be a year of fast ground.

“We’re working back from the autumn so we will see how we go and how we plan from here on out.

“If she can’t run then there are some entries abroad we can look at, she’s in the Fillies & Mares (on Champions Day at Ascot) and obviously the Arc later in the year.”

Day two of the Ebor Festival kicks off with the Sky Bet Lowther Stakes, a Group Two event over six furlongs, for which 12 juvenile fillies have stood their ground.

Walker’s Royal Fixation, second by a neck to Venetian Sun in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes, heads the market, while Ryan Moore is booked to ride Richard Hughes’ 12-length Haydock winner America Queen.

George Scott’s Princess Margaret runner-up Staya is in the mix, as are Tim Easterby’s ultra-consistent Argentine Tango and Brian Ellison’s Wor Faayth.

Who was the great jockey Steve Donoghue talking about when he said, “To be on him was like riding a creature that combined the power of an elephant with the speed of a greyhound.”

The picture gives a clue to the answer