Dyce And Brother Appear At The Vaal
Dyce pictured winning the Gr 1 Cape Flying Championship under Craig Zackey (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Not only is the Gr 1-winning stalwart sprinter Dyce making his reappearance at the Vaal on Thursday, but his full brother Stoneywood makes his debut at the same meeting.
The Lucky Houdalakis-trained stablemates, who are both Dave Shawe homebreds by William Longsword, appear in a Pinnacle Stakes race over 1000m and a 1200m Maiden Plate respectively.
Natalie Houdalakis said about Dyce, “He is obviously just having a comeback run from his long break, but he’ well and he’s fit, so we expect a big run from him.”
Dyce has twice won in his reappearance after a layoff and on one occasion came back from a rest of nearly nine months to win a Pinnacle Stakes race over 1200m comfortably.
This time he comes back from a similar length layoff of eight-and-a-half months with his last run having been a 6,70 length fourth to runaway winner Gimme A Prince in the Gr 1 Cape Flying Championship, thus failing to defend his title.
Natalie said the layoff had not been due to injury and elaborated, “When he came back from Cape Town, he just got a bit of a virus and went very flat. We rebooted him and we didn’t want to run him during the winter months. So there was nothing dramatic this time around, he is an old boy with his issues and we just decided to give him some time off.”
His full-brother Stoneywood, interestingly enough, faces another three-year-old first-timer who is a full-brother to a Gr 1-winning sprinter.
The Tony Peter-trained Geostorm is a full-brother to Gr 1 Mercury Sprint winner Buffalo Storm Cody and will face Stoneywood in he 1200m maiden.
Meanwhile, the yard have nominated the Gr 1 SA Derby runner up Wild Intent for the Betway Summer Cup and said, “He is very well, he is doing nicely.”
All Out For Six And Others Arrive In Hong Kong
All Out For Six wins the Big Cap (Chase Liebenberg Photography)
Last season’s winner of the R5 million Big Cap, the former Vaughan Marshall-trained Drakenstein Stud-bred All Out For Six , arrived in Hong Kong last Thursday (October 2) and will be trained by the high flying yard of Mark Newnham.
Also arriving last Thursday and also to be trained by Newnham was the former Weichong Marwing-trained P T & P Dimakogiannis-bred grey Danon Platina gelding Grey Jet, who is out of the Jet Master mare Jet Mark. He won on debut and in five starts also had two seconds. He finished fourth in last season’s Gr 1 SA Classic.
Also on that shipment was a Gimmethegreenlight three-year-old colt out of the Captain Al mare Esteemal, which makes him a half-brother to the useful Lucky Houdalakis-trained Musical Score (Oratorio). This Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm-bred colt was purchased at the BSA National Yearling Sale for R1.1 million and will be trained by Douglas Whyte.
All Out For Six will be the second One World Newnham will be training as he also trains the former Lucky Houdalakis-trained Riverton Stud-bred One More, who departed South Africa after a win on debut and a fourth place finish in the Gr 1 Gold Medallion. One More has had five starts for Newnham, starting off in Class 3 with a 71 rating, and a fifth place finish is his best result to date. His rating has gone down to 65.
All Out For six won three times in South Africa for The One World Racing Syndicate (nominee: Vaughan Marshall) and he was also placed second in both a Gr 2 and a Gr 3 and third in two Gr 3s.
His earnings from eleven runs for three wins and six places are an impressive R3,427,550.
Newnham has made incredible strides in Hong Kong since arriving for the 2023/2024 season.
He had 31 wins in his first season and 44 the following season and this season was on top of the log in both wins (9) and earnings (HK$13,602,575) before Wednesday’s meeting.
Today with seven runners his return was one win, two seconds and a third.
The added good news is Luke Ferraris is his most regular rider and was also aboard for his biggest win on the island when My Wish won the Hong Kong Classic Mile.
Lyle Hewitson is also a regular rider for Newnham.
Tarry Plans Next Step For Exciting Three-year-old
Tin Pan Alley holds on from a flying Atticus Finch in the Gr 2 Joburg Spring Challenge (JC Photos)
Sean Tarry said his Joburg Spring Challenge winner Tin Pan Alley will run in the Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m on November 1 and the connections will then take it from there.
He said, “He has found enough in all of his runs to date to suggest he has got a lot of potential.”
He said his Joburg Spring Fillies and Mares Challenge winner Callmegetrix might have a crack at the Gr 2 Allied Steelrode-Onamission Charity Mile.
He said, “We will have a look at the Charity Mile, see what is in there.”
Stablemate Rodeo Drive was a 0,30 length second to Callmegetrix and the rest of the field were a further 7,60 lengths back, so that was a fine effort.
Tarry said as there were not many 1400m races around, he would have to decide whether to go up in trip to the mile with Rodeo Drive or come back to 1200m.
He added, “I might even just try her in the Charity Mile and if that doesn’t work out there is a sprint feature for her on Summer Cup day.”
Sean did not think Lucky Lad ran a bad race to be be beaten just 4,75 lengths in the Joburg Spring Challenge and said, “He ran only two weeks ago after a five month break, so the second run after a rest could have played a role, but we will definitely focus on sprints now and it will be the same with Quantum Thoery, he will revert to sprints.”
NHA Requisition For Special General Meeting
The National Horseracing Authority (NHA) wishes to advise its members that a written requisition with signatures, as co-ordinated by the “concerned Stakeholders”, to call a Special General Meeting (“SGM”) in terms of clause 13 of the Constitution, was received on 6 October 2025.
After completing the process of internal vetting of the documents the NHA confirms that 182 valid signatures were received.
The National Board has confirmed that the Special General Meeting will take place on 19 November 2025 and a notice in terms of Clause 12.3.1 will be published in due course.
The Board will now consider the written requisition and thereafter interact with the concerned Stakeholders with a view to obtaining alignment and provision of support for the amendments proposed by the concerned Stakeholders. After this process has run its course, members will be provided with the draft constitution (either supported by the directors or not) for their evaluation which will then be voted on at the SGM on 19 November 2025.
Vee Moodley
Chief Executive
Black Swan Stud Offer Three Smashing Fillies At Two-year-old Sale
Black Swan Stud manager Walter Cowe tends to a member of the stud’s Sale’s draft
Black Swan Stud, the home to champion and highly successful sire Elusive Fort, continues to produce a number of top-class performers. Cape Town MET runner-up and now sire, Last Winter, and the winner of the first two legs of the Triple Tiara, Siren’s Call, head the list of stakes winners produced, which also includes Freedom Charter, Sarah, Pretty Betty, Helen’s Ideal, Major Attraction, Ernie.
Walter Cowe will be bringing three high-class fillies, offered by Black Swan Stud as Agent, to the upcoming Two-Year-Old Sale, and had the following comments to make about his trio:
Lot 46: Unnamed – Elusive Fort – Omaticaya (filly):
By the same sire as top-class fillies Lauderdale, Siren’s Call and Secret Potion, this filly is a direct descendant of Irish 1000 Guineas winner Miralla. Out of a classy listed winning mare, this filly has grown into a real nice type. She has always looked the part for me. She is tall and elegant with a lovely long stride. She’ll be a clever buy for someone.
Lot 100: Unnamed – Elusive Fort – Valediction (filly):
This filly shares her multiple Gr 1 winning sire Elusive Fort with Gr 1 Vodacom Durban July/Gr 1 World Sports Betting Cape Town MET winner Kommetdieding among many others. Out of a four-time winning mare, this Elusive Fort filly is small but perfectly packaged. She will be a fun horse to race.
Lot 148: Unnamed – Erupt – Fynbos (filly):
By a dual Gr 1 winning son of the legendary stallion Dubawi, this filly’s granddam is the Silvano sired Gr 1 Cape Fillies Guineas winner Field Flower. A first foal out of the half-sister to Last Winter, I think this is a powerful precocious filly that you won’t have wait long for. She is correct and looks like a classy horse.
For more information on this draft, please contact Walter Cowe on (063) 662 1250.
All horses purchased off the RCS Two-Year-Old Sale qualify for the RCS Slipper. The Slipper is run over 1200m for qualifying 2yo graduates of Race Coast Sales. This lucrative race will be run in mid-April for a purse of R3 Million in 2026 at Hollywoodbets Greyville.
Page Boy Can Step Up To The Plate
Vaal Thursday Formguides And Selections
R1 11 QUEEN OF PEARLS made a good debut after being backed and can go one better. 3 SAVARA’S PRINCESS went close over this trip last time and should be right there. 2 DONDOYAKI will appreciate the step down in trip and should also be in the shake-up. 7 COME TOGETHER made a fair debut and can improve. (11-3-2-7)
R2 11 SPACE MISSION made a good debut and returns from a layoff over a trip which should suit. 12 STONEYWOOD is a full-brother to Dyce so is an interesting debutant with Callan Murray up, although with the outside rail at zero he might well be drawn on the wrong side. 5 STORM BURST has shown some form and could earn. 6 GEOSTORM is by Buffalo Bill Cody and is a full brother to the Grade One winner, Buffalo Storm Cody. (11-12-5-6)
R3 1 GIMMEFORSURE won on debut and disappointed next time out but can do better after a layoff. 5 TIME FOR CHARITY is knocking on the door and should be right there again. 6 GOLDEN ASPEN has the ability to be in the shake-up. 8 MICKE’S BOMB is a bit in and out but has the ability to earn. (1-5-6-8)
R4 2 FRANCILIEN is knocking on the door and should be right there. 8 LET’S GO LOLA was not disgraced in a Graded race last time and her other form gives her a shout out. 6 FLIGHT OF A CONDOR won well last time and the form has been franked. 10 TAKE YOUR PLACE Has the form to be in the shake-up. (2-8-6-10)
R5 1 DYCE is top class and has come back from a rest to win before. 5 MOUNT PINATUBO has class and should be right there. 2 TRUTH has never quite fulfilled his potential but he could well enjoy the step down in trip. 3 MOUNT PILATUS has the class to be a contender here. (1-5-2-3)
R6 2 ALADDIN’S LAMP comes off a hat trick and can pick up the winning thread after a short layoff. 5 MASTERSHIP is a nice type and could be a threat. 7 BIRTHRIGHT has found some consistency and should be right there. 3 SILENT WAR has the ability to be in the shake-up. (2-5-7-3)
R7 2 PAGE BOY has plenty of ability and could progress this season. 1 FOLLOW THE MASTER is a consistent sort who won his maiden by a long way and he starts off handicapping on a reasonable merit rating. 9 FULL GO is well drawn over a suitable trip and should be thereabouts. 10 CREPUSCOLO has the ability to bounce back to form if overcoming a wide draw. (2-1-9-10)
R8 3 KISS OF FIRE went close last time over 2000m and from a good draw with an in-form 4kg claimer up looks the one to beat. 8 POMOZELOUS is well drawn and if repeating her last start should be right there. 6 HOPSCOTCH disappointed last time but is capable of much better and has a nice draw under a 2.5kg claimer. 5 HOLLYWOOD MADAM is drawn in pole with a 4kg claimer up and has the ability to earn. (3-8-6-5)
R9 5 FUTURE DATE ran well last time and has a form chance here. 7 BOOM BOOM has a 4kg claimer up over a suitable trip and should be right there. 9 PRETTY ANALIA is capable of running on strongly so can do well here if overcoming a wide draw. 2 DIMAKO’S JET has a strong form chance also. (5-7-9-2)
Impressive Rafeef Treble, Fourie, Bass Also Score Trebles
Rafeef colt All The Rage gives Gr 1 Gold Medallion winner Good For You 1kg and a beating and clinches a double for Aldo Domeyer and it was the second leg of a treble for Candice Bass (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Richard Fourie scored a treble at Hollywoodbets Durbanville today (Wednesday) and two of them were aboard progeny of Rafeef, who had three winners at the meeting, two of them putting in impressive performances.
Candice Bass scored a treble too and trained the first Rafeef winner of the day, the impressive Millstream Farm-bred colt All The Rage. He ran off a 99 merit rating in a Progress Plate having had two wins and two thirds in four races to date. He showed fine natural pace in the 1250m contest to overcome draw eight of eight under Aldo Domeyer and he slotted into a nice spot in midfield. He was up against Gr 1 Gold Medallion winner, the Glen Kotzen-trained 108-rated Legislate gelding Good For You and actually had to give the latter 1kg. Domeyer kept All The Rage in the hands in the straight, but each time he asked him he found more and he required just one slap on the shoulder to fetch Good For You, who had set the pace and skipped for home at the top of the straight. Good For You fought back when headed but All The Rage maintained his lead to win by 0,30 lengths. The win gave Domeyer a double.
The next race was a maiden over 1500m and the Lucinda Woodruff-trained Ridgemont-bred Hollywood Racing-owned three-year-old Rafeef colt Beware enjoyed the step up in trip and came from second in the running to win by a length under Fourie.
In the fifth race, a Class 5 event over 1500m, the Ridgemont homebred three-year-old filly Reet Petite had won narrowly on debut over 1250m and was running off a 79 merit rating. She was drawn nine out of ten and Richard Fourie dropped her out to last. She looked an unlikely winner at the top of the straight as she had a lot of ground to make up and she still looked in trouble 250m out after making steady progress. However, after Fourie had balanced her she took off and in the end won easing up by 2,25 lengths in a time 1,35 seconds quicker than the previous race. Ridgemont and Devin Heffer look to have another feature potential three-year-old filly to look forward to.
Another good performance on the day was by the well-bred three-year-old Candice Bass-trained Vercingetorix colt Viva’s Liberte, who remained unbeaten after two starts. This Lammerskraal-bred colt is out of Gr 1-winning Jet Master mare Viva Maria and was purchased for R2,1 million at the BSA National Yearling Sale. He is owned by Khaya Stables and came into today’s Class 4 event over 1400m off a two lengths debut win over 1250m. He ran off an 88 merit rating. Serino Moodley settled her in midfield in a one out position with cover in the small seven horse field. He crept up in the straight and when given some backhanders at the 200m mark he began to stretch out nicely and swept past the others to win by 2,50 lengths.
Another interesting winner was the Turf Talk Syndicate filly Garden Of Eden. The Paul Reeves-trained filly had won impressively on debut as a three-year-old a year ago and was aimed high, but had various issues and had tumbled from a 86 rating to a 76 today after continually disappointing. In the 1250m class 4 event she carried 56,5kg and wore first-time blinkers and a tongue tie. She jumped at 100/1 odds but made a mockery of those odds. She set off at a good pace and with her impressive stride she kept going to win by 0,30 lengths.
Fourie has now moved back into the lead in the national jockeys championship and his 45 wins, achieved at a strike rate of 25.42%, puts him three ahead of Craig Zackey, who is serving a suspension from October 3 to October 9.
Domeyer is on four wins for the season at 16.67%.
Bass is on 14 wins at 12.84%.
Today's Question
Who won the first £10,000 July?
The picture is of the subject
FIELDS, Thursday, 9 October
Vaal
Today’s Question Answer
The 1947 July saw the stake raised to £10,000 and it was won by the TJH Potgieter-trained England-bred Brookhill (Bobsleigh), whose owner Len Oates was reputed to be one of the biggest punters of all time on the SA turf and he was rumoured to have won over £100,000 on the race. He backed it in from 16/1 in June to 3/1 favourite. Oates is pictured leading in Brookhill who gave Tiger Wright the second of his four July wins.
Oates is rumoured to have given the entire stake cheque to Wright as a present. He apparently offered Potgieter either £5000 or £100 every month for life. Potgieter, who was at that stage already known as “old man” Potgieter, chose the latter and lived for another 20 years!
The 1947 July was the first to have a commentary relayed over the public address system and was the first of Ernie Duffield’s 29 July commentaries, which was a record until broken by Craig Peters who has now called 36.
