Turf Talk Newsletter – 17 April, 2026

Picture: I’m The One sauntered to a stunning victory on debut at Newbury and made headlines in many UK publications and newspaper racing pages

The Gaynor Rupert homebred Sea The Stars filly I’m The One has been installed as Epsom Oaks favourite after a stunning debut over one mile and two furlongs at Newbury on Friday. She pulled six lengths clear of the opposition in effortless fashion under William Buick in the Maiden Stakes event.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained filly is out of  the German-bred Camelot mare Sunny Queen, whom Gaynor Rupert’s UK-based Cayton Park Stud purchased just before she won the Gr 1 Grosser Preis von Bayern over 2400m in Germany in November 2020.

Sea The Stars has German blood in him via his dam Urban Sea, who could claim to be the greatest broodmare of all time considering she is also the dam of Galileo and others, so the cross with this German-bred mare was interesting and looks to have turned out superbly.

I’m The One started as even money favourite.

She had obviously been showing a lot at home, but the win was particularly impressive because she had to be used up early to overcome a wide draw, a tough ask for a first-timer.

However, she won as if she had been dropped into the race at the three furlong mark.

At The Races reported on the race:

I’m The One proved appropriately named after inspiring Classic dreams with a thoroughly impressive debut at Newbury.

Sent off the even-money favourite for the Dreweatts Maiden Fillies’ Stakes, she always looked a cut above her rivals as she careered away to a commanding six-length victory in the hands of William Buick.

An Oaks trial looks the next port of call for John and Thady Gosden’s talented daughter of Sea The Stars who was made a 10-1 shot by both BetVictor and Paddy Power for Epsom glory on the first Friday in June.

Thady Gosden said: “It was her first time out and the ground was in perfect condition for her. She travelled smoothly through the race there and William had a wide draw so made up his mind to go forward early on. She picked up pretty smartly when asked.

“She’s a very smartly-bred filly and always looked a nice filly last year even though we never quite managed to get her to the track. She has been pleasing through the spring into this and it looked a solid field and it was a pleasing performance.

“She’s a big scopey filly who has always had a bit of quality about her and has been delighting in her home work.

“She wouldn’t think she would have a problem stretching out to a mile and a half and of course she has a good turn of foot as she’s shown today.”

He went on: “A trial for the Oaks would be the obvious next step and we’ll see how she comes out of this and there’s a couple of options.

“Very possibly we could go to York (for the Musidora, May 13) and there is the mile-and-a-quarter race back here as well (Childwickbury Stud Fillies’ Trial Stakes, May 16). But we will need to discuss it with Mrs Rupert (of owners Cayton Park Stud) and make a decision from there.

“It was nice for her to win today and there is no reason to rush into a decision.

“She hasn’t done much wrong there today, William was really pleased with her and hopefully she can take another step forward.”

Blessed Voyager could have unlocked an exciting journey for connections after claiming the opening Dubai Duty Free EBF Maiden Stakes.

Clearly ready for action pre-race showing plenty of zest in the parade ring, he showcased plenty of ability too once the gates opened to come home a head clear of Harry Knows at odds of 11-1.

Trainer Ralph Beckett will now look to garner further experience at six furlongs, which could then signal a Royal Ascot bid.

Beckett said: “We haven’t had too many forward ones other than this fellow and the one that ran in the Brocklesby and it’s nice to get off the mark with them.

“He was pretty badly behaved in the paddock and he kicked our travelling head girl so it was nice to see him behave in the race.

“He will always like a bit of juice in the ground given his page and we’ll bear that in mind and he’ll go six next time.

“I don’t think we saw him as a Royal Ascot type before today, but we’ll see how he goes under a penalty and go from there.”

Elsewhere on the card, Dominic Ffrench Davis’ Call My Bluff put himself in the picture for a Chester Cup tilt with a 40-1 win in the cityam.com Handicap.

The trainer then made it a big-priced double when Mirabeau (11-1) successfully dropped in trip to win the Dubai Duty Free Handicap.

Meanwhile, Andrew Balding’s Stellar Sunrise booked his ticket to the Jersey Stakes at Royal ascot with a stylish success in the Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises Handicap.

Balding said: “He’s a handy horse who didn’t enjoy the ground in the Horris Hill but before that had been very progressive. He’s got a good season ahead I hope and that was a good effort off a high mark (95).

“He’s probably ruled himself out of the Britannia so we might have to look at the Jersey which will be a big step up but that’s where we are at with him.”

The highest-priced lot on Day 2 was this Wilgerbosdrift Stud-bred filly by Vercingetorix out of Oasis Dream mare Welwitschia, which makes her a half-sister to the smart Gr 1 winner Desert Miracle (Dynasty)

The BSA National Yearling Sale held over the last two days at the TBA Complex at Gosforth Park in Germiston saw records smashed in all of aggregate, average and median.

The R200 million aggregate mark was surpassed for only the second time in the long history of the Sale with 320 yearlings grossing R207 800 000 for an average of R649 375 and a median of R425 000.

The strength of the catalogue coupled with an enthusiastic and diverse buying bench proved to be a winning formula.

Race Coast Sales set the tone with a magnificent Sale in March and the BSA National Yearling Sale followed suit.

Vercingetorix had the top colt and top filly on Day one and the former, a Lammerskraal Stud-bred son of Gr 1 Garden Province-winning Western Winter mare Redberry Lane, ended up the top lot of the whole Sale, purchased for R5,25 million by Form Bloodstock.

Topselling filly was a Varsfontein Stud-bred daughter of the Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes winner Sentbydestiny (Master Of My Fate), which makes her a three-parts sister to the multiple Gr 1-winning Equus Champion Double Grand Slam. Adam Marcus Racing was the buyer.

Vercingetorix had the top lot on Day 2 also, a Wilgerbosdrift Stud-bred filly out of Oasis Dream mare Welwitschia, who went for R4.6 million, purchased by Form Bloodstock.

The son of Silvano’s 29 lots grossing R46 200 000, at an average of R1 593 103.

Jet Dark, who had a Varsfontein Stud-bred filly bought by Al Khayl Breeders for R4 million, and Rafeef, who had a Boland Stud-bred colt bought by the Hong Kong Jockey Club for R3.4 million, were the only other sires who had lots go for over R3 million.

The perennially popular former champion Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) had his 27 lots sell at R30 300 000, an average of R1 122 222.

Ridgemont kingpin Rafeef is always in demand and had 29 yearlings sell at a gross R26 325 000, an average of R907 759.

Jet Dark’s progeny proved particularly popular on day two and that saw his average rise to R730 556. His 18 lots at the Sale went for an aggregate of R13 150 000.

Varsfontein Stud were the top vendors, selling 30 yearlings at an aggregate of R32 150 000 for an average of R1 071 667.

Form Bloodstock were the biggest buyers, spending R29 650 000 on their 19 purchases at an average of R1 560 526, while Jonathan Snaith had another big Sale buying 20 yearlings for R16 900 000 at an average of R845 000.

The overseas buyers were headed by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, who have become staunch supporters of South African racing, and their four yearlings cost them R7 300 000.

Sale Statistics (2026)

 

Top 20 Stallions by aggregate

 

Top Vendors by aggregate

 

Click here to see all the statistics

Amayah just gets up to beat Lark’s Song at Hollywoodbets Durbanville a couple of months ago (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Though LARK’S SONG moved up sweetly looking like the winner, AMAYAH swept past with a rush to win at Hollywoodbets Durbanville two months ago. That form line will be tested when both fillies return to action in different races, on Saturday at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

Andre Nel’s LARK’S SONG, a Querari 3YO out of top class mare Nightingale, steps out in Race 6, over 1800m. She won her Maiden over the trip at her penultimate start and jockey Andrew Fortune sticks solid. The irrepressible veteran, back from injury, rode with aplomb midweek landing a double and he will try boost his comeback tally by guiding her around from Draw 4.

LARK’S SONG took on and beat a field with an average merit rating of 76 last time and this line up is weaker with an average of just 64. Best of her rivals could be BACKINTHEFASTLANE, who would have been close to winning last time were it not for a tardy start, then being knocked about on the rail.

THE NIGHT FERRY should give a good sight racing handy – he’s not missed a stakes cheque since switching barns to Herman Brown.

The poorly drawn and heavily weighted, ELEGANT NOBLE need only reproduce a neat run to NOTE TO SELF at the end of January to also muscle his way into the fray.

Should LARK’S SONG get the job done in the 15h15, confidence in AMAYAH’S chances would go up in Race 8, a Class 4 over 1500m. Candice Bass conditions this daughter of Vercingetorix out of brilliant race mare, RIVER JETEZ, who has already won two of her five starts.

The adjusted time for defeating LARK’S SONG, combined with a sharp come home sectional, suggests she has plenty of upside. She just needs to transfer that eye-catching Hollywoodbets Durbanville form to the wider expanses at HollywoodbetsKenilworth. Corne Orffer gets the mount this time and this vastly experienced horseman should be able to work out a comfortable commute from Draw 4.

Should AMAYAH not fire after two months off track and given the course switch, who might be alternative picks? MY ONLY WEAKNESS, GIRL MAGIC and MIGHTY MARY rate as plausible back-up’s.

The former has run nicely at her last two starts; gets the inside alley and displays a seasonal preference having last won 355 days ago off a similar mark. Adam Marcus trains – Calvin Habib rides.

As for GIRL MAGIC, she has been laid off for 122 days since recording a double in November and December 2025. She won convincingly both times after racing handy, but the Shane Humby trained filly has been raised nine points for her troubles.

Richard Fourie won on MIGHTY MARY the last time her partnered her. She is a late running threat should the expected strong pace materialise.

Others worthy of consideration for bigger P6 and P4 perms, and the bottom slots of trifectas and quartets, include HUNGA TONGA, SPIRIT OF LEVANA, APRICITY and APRIL FOOL’S DAY.

CHARLIE BUCKET is not an easy horse to win with – he’s still a Maiden after nine attempts. Whilst there have been a few discouragingly inept attempts, other runs have seen him finish close to decent horses, suggesting a first victory is imminent.

Regular pilot JP van Der Merwe, flushed with success after a doing a great job, stalking then pouncing with exact timing on ROLAND GARROS in the R5 million, Race Coast Sales Big Cap at Hollywoodbets Greyville, is the jockey.

He has tactical options on the Paddy Kruyer, trained One World gelding. CHARLIE BUCKET has raced fine up in contention, though might be at his optimal when given a chance to settle and be conserved for a late flurry.

Three contenders loom as dangers in this Open Maiden. FERRYMAN is impeccably bred being by Vercingetorix out of the remarkable dam, Halfway to Heaven. After two decent starts he has been transferred to trainer Eric Sands, renowned for his astute handling of Gr 1 siblings, Rainbow Bridge and Golden Ducat.

MERCENARY ran the smart, PRAIRIE DAWN close three months ago, and prior to that just missed behind BACKINTHEFASTLANE. Draw 10 is a nuisance, but Lucinda Woodruff’s entry has the early toe to get over. Keagen de Melo is a skilled jockey with international experience in speed-orientated Hong Kong, so will provide plenty of assistance in the saddle.

LOVE FROM AFAR continues to progress after gelding and he comes in off a career top behind FORTUNE ONE. He should get the run of the race Drawn 1.

Cases for places can be made for MONTICELLO, ROYAL INFLUENCER and long-time Maiden, JOUEUR DE FLUTE.

But CHARLIE BUCKET, could be hard to hold out with a clear round, and is selected in the “get out stakes”, Race 9.

Picture: Winter Pearl has been tipped to win the 5th (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Saturday Formguides And Selections

By Devonne Govender (Race Coast)

Race 1

3 TAG AND RELEASE ran on well in his last start and looks sure to be in the firing line this time, big chance.

7 REDFORD made a decent debut and will be much sharper now after that experience, major contender.

1 RABDAN wasn’t beaten far behind RED SPICE in his last start and isn’t a horse to ignore.

10 HAVOC is likely to improve after that decent enough debut run and is one to keep an eye on, he can get much closer. Watch the market for any support on unraced runners.

 

Race 2  

This contest has some well-bred unraced runners hence it may pay to watch the market for any support. 4 ENTICEMENT has run well in both starts to date and should go very close here.

11 NOBODY’S PERFECT is likely to improve after a decent enough debut and needs to be respected.

12 POLAR EXPEDITION gets Richard Fourie aboard which speaks volumes. She wasn’t beaten far on debut and with natural improvement to come she will need to be taken seriously.

6 WORLD OF SECRETS is another who is likely to improve after finishing 5 lengths behind the winner on debut, with the eye-catching jockey booking of Keagan De Melo she needs to be included in all bets.

 

Race 3  

7 HEDRIVESMECRAZY ran a cracker in the last start and will be a huge contender here.

4 SICILY is holding consistent form and needs serious consideration; he will be right there.

6 MRS SHACKLETON is capable of getting into the placings.

2 RACHETTU is capable of better compared to the last start, he now drops to the 1000m trip should be in the mix.

 

Race 4  

1 FUTURE RED has been consistent and will be the firm first selection with Richard Fourie up, she does drop to the 1200m trip this time and a bold showing is expected.

5 BLUE LAGOON is knocking on the door and will be the main danger to the top selection.

7 BEFORE SUNRISE is making progress with every start and needs respect.

2 LUCY’S WORLD is making steady progress and will appreciate the extra 200 this time, don’t ignore.

 

Race 5  

3 WINTER PEARL is holding solid form overall, he showed plenty of determination when winning his last start and looks hard to beat.

7 JET A ONE was narrowly beaten by the top selection in his last start and should be right there once again.

4 FORT RED is a game 8 year old, he ran a cracker when finishing third in his last start and a repeat of that will see him finishing in the money once again.

6 BONNE BOUCHE is a very honest type, and another good run can be expected with Damyan Pillay aboard.

 

Race 6  

5 LARK’S SONG ran well in her last start, she looks progressive and Andrew Fortune gets on extremely well with the daughter of Querari hence she is the top selection.

9 RED STATE is holding solid form and another decent run is expected.

2 BACKINTHEFASTLANE hasn’t been far in recent starts and can get much closer.

13 ELEGANT NOBLE is very capable on his day and certainly cannot be ignored despite the fact he drops in trip this time.

 

Race 7

6 LYRICAL GANGSTER is holding solid form and will be the firm first choice; he ran a cracker in his last start and will go very close.

3 WINTER PIRATE has shown ability from day one, he won his maiden impressively and looks to have plenty more to come, based on that he could trounce this field.

4 TROIS SEPT HUIT won a gutsy race when exiting the maiden ranks and can go into larger perms.

2 PALACE GIFT gets well with Damyan Pillay and should be included into the quartets.

 

Race 8 

4 AMAYAH goes for three wins on the bounce and could certainly pull it off. She has a decent enough draw and another good run is expected.

6 GIRL MAGIC is another who is holding solid form and will attempt to reel off the hat-trick, she gets Andrew Fortune in the saddle hence she will be a strong contender.

9 APRICITY has a tough draw to deal with but ran well in her last start hence she can’t be ignored.

2 APRIL FOOLS’ DAY is horse that caught the eye when winning her maiden, she gets a good draw this time and it will be no surprise to see her run a cracker.

 

Race 9  

5 CHARLIE BUCKET came from a long way back when finishing second in the last start and should be a massive contender here from a good draw.

1 LOVE FROM AFAR ran well in his last start, from a top draw he will have to be included.

10 MERCENARY is holding form but does return after a slight break, he may run well fresh.

3 FERRYMAN was disappointing in his last start, he has scope to go well so cannot be ignored.

Double Rush created a big impression at Newmarket this week (Picture: X.Com)

Racing TV (Andy Stevens)

Which winners and losers impressed at Newmarket over the past three days. Andy Stephens, armed with the RaceiQ data, nominates half a dozen to keep an eye on over the weeks ahead.

ARCHERS BAY

Won the Betway Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap

Archers Bay produced a late rattle to take the closing ten-furlong handicap on Wednesday.

His final furlong of 12.35sec dropped into RaceiQ’s “very fast” category and enabled him to edge out Waterford Castle and Ranga Tang, who themselves were not stopping. The overall time was fair, too, being 0.29sec quicker than Par, so it’s not as if they were dawdling.

To put that final furlong in perspective, Morshdi clocked 12.75sec for the final furlong of the Feilden on the same day, while Damysus registered 12.19sec in the Earl Of Sefton. And those feature races were over a furlong less.

Archers Bay is worthy of a sectional upgrade given the way he pulled this out of the fire. He was 0.39sec quicker than the runner-up in the last 220 yards, enabling him to win by 0.07sec.

He was running off a mark of 88 and the handicapper cannot be too harsh, with little more than half a length separating the first three.

The Wootton Bassett colt had begun life with Aidan O’Brien but changed hands for 30,000gns in late October. This was only his fifth run, and second for the Marco Botti yard, and there could be more to come.

Incidentally, Ranga Tang had the lowest average stride cadence (2.13) of any runners at the meeting and is related to several stayers. Keep him in mind when he moves up in trip.

ARISAIG

Runner-up in the Betway Bet The Responsible Way Handicap

Arisaig is a smashing mare who invariably gives her running, and this was a highly encouraging return. She was unable to land a blow on the well-backed winner, Mister Winston, although time may well tell she faced an unenviable task trying to concede him 9lb.

Moreover, Arisaig gave him quite a head start as she was last of the ten runners with three furlongs to run, whereas he was dictating even fractions on the favoured far side.

She was second fastest of the whole field in furlong six, and fastest of all in furlongs seven and eight. That enabled her to pass seven rivals in the closing stages, but the winner had gone beyond recall.

I’d imagine we will see her next in the £70,000 Conqueror Fillies’ Stakes at Goodwood on May 2. She has some unfinished business in that contest, having not get the rub of the green when a close fifth in it last year. She’s clearly going to line up in good fettle.

DOUBLE RUSH

Won the Weatherbys Global Stallions App Handicap

The four-year-old was backed off the boards for what was his first run for Andrew Balding and routed the opposition, making most of the running in this 13-runner handicap for a near five-length success.

They went relatively steady for the first half of the contest, but Double Rush surged clear courtesy of his final splits of 11.18sec, 11.17 sec and 11.95sec despite not being extended.

That final furlong was 0.39sec quicker than anything else and it could have been more if Oisin Murphy had pushed a few more buttons. Overall, the win time was 0.42sec quicker than the RaceiQ Par, making it the best Time Index on the card.

More Thunder won this contest last year before going on to better things (he did not impress so much on the clock) and it will be a surprise if Double Rush, who was running off a mark of 90, does not emulate him. He picks up a 5lb penalty for the £100,000 Betfred Handicap (Heritage Handicap) back at Headquarters on May 2 and will be extremely hard to beat if in anything like this form.

And if that goes to plan, then the Wokingham at Royal Ascot would be an obvious next step, albeit his mark will be revised by then.

Of the opposition, Rousing Encore probably deserves some extra credit for keeping on from an unpromising position. He was second fastest through the final furlong, which moved him up to be a never nearer fifth.

ROSARIO

Sixth in the Betway 4 To Win Handicap

This 5f sprint was over before it started for Rosario. He was poorly drawn in stall 9 and he was slow to get going, already being 0.54sec behind the winner, Jakajaro, after the first furlong.

By the finish, that had widened to 0.67sec, but there were mitigating factors. He looked uncomfortable on the track, had to switch to get a run and Tom Marquand accepted it was not going to be his day in the final furlong.

Rosario’s New Year Resolutions clearly did not include ditching his usual habit of fluffing the start – his 0-20mph speeds for a sprinter are a red flag – but he will drop again in the weights (already lower than when scoring at Goodwood last summer) and hinted several times last term he can land a decent handicap when everything clicks.

Rosario should be sharper for this run and will be worth keeping in mind if returning to Goodwood early next month.

SILVER LAKE

Sixth in the Molson Coors British EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes

Silver Lake has only recouped £302 of the £440,000 she cost at Book 1 in 2024, but is one to keep an eye on.

This mile maiden was run at a crawl and it was perhaps no surprise that the first three were always prominent.

The race developed into a three-furlong dash and So Regal won in a time almost 3sec slower than the RaceiQ Par. The Time Index was just 2.6, when the meeting average was 5.2, and was lowest of the whole meeting.

Silver Lake wanted to go quicker early on, but James Doyle got her anchored in rear after a brief wrestling match.

She had no chance from there the way things unfolded but, on the plus side, kept on without being given anything like a hard time. The grey daughter of Night Of Thunder completed the last three furlongs in 34.8sec and only the winner was quicker.

Silver Lake had also been given a considerate time on her debut at Newmarket in early November. She’s likely to be under the radar wherever she appears next and needs one more run for a handicap mark.

SONG OF THE CLYDE

Fourth in the Betway Handicap

The ground at Newmarket on Friday had tightened up and, with a wind behind their backs, the times were swifter than on the first two days.

That was certainly the case in the opening 6f handicap, where they went hard early on and were able to sustain it to the line. Things again unfolded on the far side with Sovereign Spell never far away and winning in a time 0.45sec quicker than the Abernant later on the card.

The one to take out of the race looks Song Of The Clyde, who was unfavourably drawn in 15 and was trying to concede between 10lb and 17lb to the trio who finished in front of him.

He was still in with a shout when third entering the final furlong but then he wilted, with his final furlong being 12.82sec. By comparison, none of the first three were slower than 12.46sec.

It may have been his first race in 194 days was needed, although only the first three in the Abernant ran quicker than him.

Song Of The Clyde took a big jump forward for his first start as a two-year-old and, if the pattern is repeated, he will take some beating wherever he turns up next granted a more favourable draw.

The classy Pressonregardless has a big action and will love the Turffontein Standside 1600m from a good draw on Sunday (JC Photos)

A Pinnacle Stakes race over 1600m is the headliner at Turffontein Standside on Sunday and the classy Pressonregardless looks the one to side with.

The David Nieuwenhuizen-trained five-year-old Lancaster Bomber gelding is a beautifully long-striding sort who is perfecty suited to the Standside course and he should be able to mow them down after finding a good position from a plum draw of two under leading jockey Craig Zackey. Pressonregardless is the bst weighted male in the race and is only 2kg under sufferance with the best weighted runner, the filly Kisshoten. Chronicle King has proven class and this 114-rated Gr 2 winner comes off a good win over 1700m. He has a tricky drw of six in the seven horse field but should make a bold bid. Sunset Riot has won his last two starts over 1400m with ease and as his Captain Al dam Fragrant Miss won over this trip, so he should see it out. He has a tricky draw of five but the 1,5kg gender claim of Mickaelle Michel will help. He is officially 3kg under sufference with Kisshoten. Musical Score is distance suited and has theclass to be competitive under Keagan de Melo from a middle draw of four. Kisshoten has not been disgraced in her last two starts in a Gr 3 and a Gr 1 over course and distance against the girls, finishing a 1,40 length third and a 7,30 length fourth to the dominant winner Double Grand Slam, so from pole position and being best in at the weights, she can’t be ignored. Willy Meet Again is second best in at the weights and is a decent sort who could dictate, so she could be dangerous. The other runner Skittle Skies has a hard task at the weights.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1400m Sendai ran a cracker last time over this trip, finishing a 1,90 length third, and has a chance in this uninspiring maiden from a middle draw of six out of 11 under Muzi Yeni. Nebraska has run a couple of fair races over this trip category and has a chance from draw five. Winding Power has a tricky draw of eight but has the ability to earn. Cronus could earn a cheque in this line up. Brave Waam should enjoy the step up in trip and could improve.

The second leg over 1400m is also an uninspiring maiden and Purple Rain makes plenty of appeal. She finished second in a three horse field last time, but she should relish this step up in trip and is drawn in pole with Craig Zackey up for the Sean Tarry yard. Savara’s Princess has a tricky draw but if repeating her last start she has a chance. Master’s Rose has been thereabouts in her last couple of starts and has a fair draw. Miss River Dancer has run two fair races and on pedigree should enjoy the step up in trip. Greenandgold has run two fair races and should be in the shake up.

In the seventh race over 2000m Scarlet O’hara has run three good races and the form of her last run, a 7,50 length fourth to Curious Girl in the Oaks Trial, has been franked as the latter went on to win the Gr 2 SA Derby. Future Date is an honest sort who is coming into her own as a four-year-old, being by Futura, and she should be in the shake up. Free In Seattle has the ability to be right there and it should pan out well for her from draw two under Richard Fourie. Kissing Machine will enjoy stepping back to middle distances and could be a runner from pole position. Poplar Park has a 100% record in two starts over course and distance so should do well if able to overcome a wide draw under in form apprentice Blaine Marx-Jacobson.

In the eighth over 2000m Sand Script won well second time out when stepped up to 1700m and Fourie is now up. Future Gamble also enjoyed the step up in trip last time and has a chance of folowing up. Silver Flare should be in the shake up if able to overcome a wide draw. Rosy Lemon can never be ignored over this trip. Special Star should finish on top of Rosy Lemon on the form of their last meeting.

In the ninth over 1800m Real Stunner has the form and the ability to go close if able to overcome a wide draw and Richard Fourie aboard will help her cause. Orange County is interesting over a slight step up in trip being by Flower Alley, with the detractor being she is out of a Var mare. Zip Code has the ability to earn here from a fair draw as she is capable of running on well if getting cover. Full Go is capable of being right there if able to overcome a wide draw and she is only half-a-kilogram under sufferance. Sky Pillar Rock disappointed last time but can do better.

In the third race over 1400m Impressive went close when stepped up to this trip second time out and can beat home Doesyourmotherknow, who has a very similar form line over the same distance category. These two fillies are drawn three and two respectively and should fight it out.

In the first race over 1160m Gathering Winter is the one to beat in this uninspiring field, although she does have draw one, which can be disadvantageous down the straight, so Wispinthewillow must also be considered.

In the second race over 1400m Sherriff Bill Brown ran a fair race last time and should enjoy the step up in trip, but won’t have it easy from a wide draw. Lance Attack has shown some ability and must be considered. Sutter’s Mill is a first-timer by Fire Away out of a Western Winter mare who won second time out and this gelding would not need to be a star to finish prominently here.