Turf Talk Newsletter – 01 June, 2026

A joyous Mickaelle Michel’s moment of realisation  … she has just landed a career first Gr 1 victory on Star Major in the Daily News 2000 (Picture: Race Coast)  

Saturday at Hollywoodbets Greyville saw two milestone moments for two up and coming forces in the sport, James Crawford and Mickaelle Michel, who both landed the first Gr 1s of their respective careers when the Maine Chance Farms-bred Querari colt Star Major won the Gr 1 Daily News 2000.

James has won a Gr 1 before as a joint trainer with his father Brett, winning the WSB Cape Fillies Guineas with Fatal Flaw, but this was his first Gr 1 under his own license.

Mickaelle, who hails from France, has taken South Africa by storm with her continually improving performances. She became only the second woman in history to win a Gr 1 in South Africa. The first to do it  was Lisa Prestwood’s in the Golden Horse Sprint on the Buddy Maroun-trained Al Nitak on June 1, 2003, a day out from being exactly 23 years ago.

Star Major is the fifth Gr 1 winner for Maine Chance Farms’ high profile sire Querari.

The progressive Star Major came into Saturday’s R2 000 000 race off a win in the Gr 2 World Sports Betting Guineas he had also won the Gr 3 HKJC World Pool Politician Stakes over 1800m earlier in the season.

The pace was set by Viva’s Liberte. who once again effected his chances by taking too strong a hold.

However, the decent pace he set allowed Happy Verse to get the sling shot effect into the straight from midfield and Star Major to get the same from near the back.

Note To Self turned for home just in front of Happy Verse and went down the inside, but his turn of foot was not as explosive as Happy Verse’s or Star Major’s. However, this big horse will have been brought on by both of his KZN runs and should be spot on for the Hollywoodbets Durban July. He will now be getting a bit of weight from both Star Major and Happy Verse in the big one too.

The progressive Star Major sped past Happy Verse to win by 1,50 lengths with Note To Self a further 1,50 lengths back in third, a length ahead of Viva’s Liberte, who was 2,90 lengths ahead of Malmesbury Missile.

The win secured a Graded double for Maine Chance Farms as they also bred the winner of the Gr 2 Woolavington 2000, Wish List.

Jonathan Bloch has a share in both Star Major and Wish List.

He owns Star Major in partnership with Neville Isdell, Mrs Prakashni Pillay & Kalinga.

Bloch also has a share in Note To Self, so as an owner who has only ever had one July runner, Ess Five Beaches (13th in 1999), he now has share in all three of the shortest-priced horses in the Hollywoodbets Durban July betting … he must be pinching himself!

The order of the Gr 1 Lucky Fish Cape Derby was the filly Wish List followed by Note To Self, Viva’s Liberte, Star Major and Happy Verse, so the same quartet finished close together in a different order in the Daily News.

Star Major, despite being the only colt among them, appears to be the most progressive of them, but his chances of beating them again in the Hollywodbets Durban July will be equalised by the merit rating changes.

The new ratings are yet to be official, although the Sporting Post have published Star Major as being 122, a four point raise, and Happy Verse a 119, a six point raise, while Note To Self and Viva’s Liberte remain unchanged on 118 and 114 respectively.

In that case it looks like Viva’s Liberte was used as the line horse.

Happy Verse was having his third run after gelding and is now beginning to fulfill the potential he displayed as a youngster.

Viva’s Liberte was on the outside looking in horses on the first log and did not do much to enhance his chances.

Happy Verse was also and he will likely now be in a comfortable position on the log.

Hazy Dazy was in position 14 on the first log and will be under pressure to maintain her place after being beaten 11,40 lengths into 8th.

Jan Van Goyen finished seventh and probably did not stay. He has been scratched from the July.

Chronicle King was nowhere on the first log and did not enhance his chances by finishing a 7,30 length 6th.

Master Spy has been scratched after fading tamely from a handy position and finishing a 11,55 length ninth.

His Sean Tarry-trained stablemate, the Gr 1 SA Classic winner Grand Empire, could well now be in the pound seats, because he could rise from position 20 on the log into the top 18 considering the scratchings of Okavango amd Jan Van Goyen and with Hazy Dazy under pressure. Grand Empire will carry bottom weight of 52kg, so as things stand will get 4kg from Star Major.

Wish List just gets up to win the Gr 2 Woolavington 2000 (Picture: Race Coast)

The Justin Snaith-trained Wish List was expected to doddle the Gr 2 Woolavington 2000, but the pace worked out all wrong for her and she ended up only just managing to scramble home from Minogue, who looked at one stage to have finally cracked her first stakes race win.

Minogue was taken to the front from a wide draw in the seven horse field and didn’t have to expend any energy doing it as the early pace was a crawl.

Andrew Fortune was caught wide early on Wish List but as the pack was shuffled he found a seemingly nice place for her with cover behind Rainbow Lorikeet, who was sitting on the quarters of the second horse, Beach Verse.

However, they were still going at a crawl and when the leader began to stretch going up the hill towards the straight, Beach Verse and Rainbow Lorikeet suddenly became a bit detached.

When Wish List switched out for her run at the top of the straight she looked to have a tough ask, because she had five lengths to make up and Minogue was still going well.

However, the 33/1 shot began tiring at the 200m mark and 46/100 favourite Wish List began making up ground rapidly.

However, Muzi Yeni still had not played his trump card on Minogue. He changed whip hands as she was being overtaken and got her to change legs.

Unfortunately, Yeni dropped his rein as he got Minogue on to the right leg. Nevertheless, her late fightback was only just not enough.

The gallant Wish List hung on by a shorthead.

However, she likely had a harder race than the connections would have liked.

Keukenhof ran on well from last. Her run gave an indication of how well Wish List had done to get up, because she almost reached the latter’s quarters at one stage and yet was beaten in the end by 1,85 lengths, despite Wish List having had to dive all the way to the inside.

Wish List is the first stakes winner produced by Silvano mare Wind Chill, who is also the dam of the useful Windrunner and hails from a powerful female line.

Wish List is now a winner of 5 races (2 Gr1’s and 2 Gr2’s) with 4 places from 10 starts for stakes of R2 320 613.

She will remain on a merit rating of 117 and will carry 53,5kg in the Hollywoodbets Durban July as things stand.

Wish List is owned by Jonathan Bloch and Nancy Hossack.

Dave The King will be out to win the Gold Challenge for the third time in succession, but he faces some tough opposition this year (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Pen pictures for the big race at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge over 1600m.

1 QUESTIONING
He has developed into an athlete with the “wow” factor. He has
proved himself effective over a mile at the highest level and his
pole position draw will allay any stamina concerns. Massive
chance.

2 LEGAL COUNSEL
Finished a fine second in the Gr 1 wfa WSB Met over 2000m
and before that did well to stay on in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate
when chasing a pace that was way too fast.

3 DAVE THE KING
Goes for a third successive win of this race. Known for his ability
to unwind a resolute finish from as far as 800m to 1000m out
and is hard to catch if getting first run, but he faces a stronger
field this year.

4 COSMIC SPEED
He was a 0,85 length fourth last year and was a 3,45 length fifth
in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate, but this field is stronger than last
year’s and he has been a bit unreliable lately.

5 THE REAL PRINCE He won the Gr 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate to prove he would have gone close here last year had he not avoided the race. He ran way below par in a wfa mile at Turffontein in .

6 JET FORCE He has run some fine races this season, but this is a big step up in class and he is up against it.

7 SEE IT AGAIN He is the highest rated classic distance horse in the country and this four–time Gr 1–winner’s class always gives him a chance in a Gr 1 wfa mile, although his optimum distance is 2000m.

8 GLADATORIAN He was a fast–finishing 0,35 length third last year and comes in off a similar preparation, although this is a stronger field.

9 EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN The reigning Equus Horse Of The Year had an interrupted campaign in the Cape Summer, but ran a fair second last time and can bounce back although he would prefer further

10 MAIN DEFENDER Is a Gr 1 wfa mile winner, but that was two years ago and this five–year–old’s recent form has been well below his best.

11 TIN PAN ALLEY Put up performance of the season when winning a Gr 1 wfa mile at Turffontein and his defeat next time in the Gr 2 WSB
Guineas was likely due to him not settling perfectly after a slow
start. Potentially the best miler in the race, but has a tough
draw.

12 FIRE ATTACK Is a Gr 1 winner and is versatile. He looks capable of running on into the money if able to find cover from a wide draw.

Catwalk King runs on superbly to score a comfortable victory (Picture: Wayne Marks)

The feature of the day at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth meeting on Sunday was the Listed Somerset 1200 and it saw the sire Buffalo Bill Cody register another stake victory over a sprint distance as the Glen Kotzen-trained Catwalk King caused an upset at 25/2 odds under a fine ride by Keagan de Melo.

Keagan de Melo is riding at the top of his game and his expertise played a big role in the win, as can be gleaned from his words in the winner’s enclosure.

He said, “I thought they went quite quick early and then they hit the anchors a little bit and that just allowed me to gather him up a little bit, because he was not traveling awfully well. I was able to get him back on to the bridle and he quickened like a smart horse today. I rode him a little bit like he would need the run and he’s still blowing quite a lot, but hopefully he will show the expected improvement from this run and we can look forward to a nice Cape season with him.”

The James Crawford-trained Shezaripper (Rafeef) was backed into 5/2 with the Justin Snaith-trained Gimmthegreenlight filly Grapes Of Wrath, who is a half-sister to Charles Dickens, starting at 3/1 after an impressive debut win, while his stablemate Reef Runner (Rafeef), who had also won impressively on debut, starting at 4/1.

The race was weighted per number of wins with the fillies getting a gender allowance, so the only two-time winner in the field, Tag And Release, had to give 3kg to the males and 5,5kg to the two fillies, Grapes Of Wrath and Shezaripper. Nevertheless Tag And Release started at 5/1 odds and was actually the Tote favourite.

The penetromter reading on the day was 26 on the turn and 27 on the straight, so the going was good to soft, and this meant timing was at a premium for the jockeys.

Magma Flow was the early leader on the inside with Reef Runner drifting over to sit on his quarters after breaking well. Shezaripper stuck to her stations from the widest draw of all of eight, while Grapes Of Wrath sat behind the leaders from draw four, but was immediately cramped for room. Catwalk King was dropped out from a wide draw of seven and sat behind the second line, while The Cullinan was detached at the back.

Reef Runner gradually moved up to Magma Flow and when Catwalk Wing began his run outside of him he kept Graps Of Wrath in a pocket with nowhere to go as the 10/1 chance from the Snaith stable, The Cullinan (Legislate), had taken up the rail run and actually hit the front at one stage in an inspired tactical ride by Craig Zackey.

Catwalk King ran on strongly to beat the staying on Reef Runner by a length, with The Cullinan not able to quite maintain his momentum, having come from so far back, and he was a neck behind the latter in third.

The long-striding Grapes Of Wrath was the hard luck story of the race and looks to be a fine classic filly in the making. She was a 2,95 length fourth with Tag And Release 1,5 lengths behind her.

The Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein-bred Catwalk King is out of the one-time winning High Chaparral mare Strut Your Stuff and she cost R200,000 at the Cape Yearling Sale. She is owned by Laurence Wernars and Mukund Gujadhur.

De Melo had recommended the gelding for Catwalk King and said afterwards it was gratifying when such a suggestion paid dividends.

African Memoir (Canford Cliffs)  wins the last to give trainer Andre Nel and owner Sabine Plattner a four-timer together and it gives Muzi Yeni a double (Picture: Wayne Marks)

It was a fine day for the Andre Nel yard on Sunday at Hollywoodbets Kenilworthh as as they scored a four-timer for owner Sabine Plattner and did it from just four runners.

Mrs Plattner’s Australian-bred four-year-old Churchill homebred filly Berry’s Boogie won a class 3 handicap over 1200m for fillies and mares under Muzi Yeni off an 86 rating to record her fourth career win and she could progress further.

Mrs Plattner’s three-year-old homebred filly Cutie Patootie (Querari) is also a progressiuve type and made it three wins from five career starts when winning a Class 4 handicap for fillies and mares over 1600m off an 88 rating under Chad Little.

The Varsfontein Stud-bred three-year-old Erik The Red filly Blue Lagoon gave Nel and Plattner a treble when winning a Class 5 Handicap over 1200m for fillies and mares off a 78 rating under Aldo Domeyer by 0,30 lengths. She fought back courageously after being headed by the promising two-year-old filly Enticement.

The four-year-old Ridgemont-bred gelding African Memoir completed the four-time for Nel and Plattner when winning the last race over 1000m under Yeni. It was a Class 5 event and African Memoir kept the challengters at bay to win by 0,40 lengths off a 68 rating to record his second career victory.

Keagan de Melo had a double on the day as he not only rode the winner of the feature, scoring on the Glen Kotzen-trained Catwalk King in the Listed Somerset 1200, but he also rode the Greg Ennion-trained She’s Chosen to victory in the first race over 1000m, a Maiden Juvenile Plate. This filly, having her fourth career start, was bred by Klawervlei Stud and is out of Street Cry mare Hollywoodboulevard, who was one of only two horses in SA to ever defeat the great Igugu. She won by a comfortable 1,75 lengths.

The Candice Bass-trained Autumn Rush (Fire Away), bred by Owloon Horses (Dr Christian Elleke), won an Open Maiden over 1200m at the tenth time of asking under 2,5kg claimer Sifisokuhle Bungane, who rode a fine race down the inside rail to get up by 0,75 lengths..

The Shane Humby-trained four-year-old Ridgemont Highlands-bred filly Kisses won a maiden over 1600m by 1,25 lengths under Oswald Noach at the eleventh time of asking.

The Justin Snaith-trained three-year-old What A Winter filly Music Of The Night did well off a merit rating of 86 to win a Class 4 Handicap over 1200m by a neck under 4kg claimer Eduan Muller.

Heavenly Prince can follow up on his good win last time (Picture: Wayne Marks) 

Brandon Bailey’s formguides for Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Tuesday

RACE 1

5 SING FOREVERMORE and 6 ODDS AND EVENS should be much fitter going into this race on Tuesday, both horses will improve with the experience under the belt. There are some intriguing well-bred newcomers in the line-up, and the market could tell the full story, watch them closely.

RACE 2

9 EL COHETE showed plenty speed out the gates when finishing third behind IN HOT WATER on the 19th of May, the yard thinks highly of this filly, she will love the drop in trip to 1000m, she has a big winning chance here. 4 MY BONNY BOY has been rested and gelded, he should improve. Again, this looks a tricky contest with a number of well-bred first timers lining up. Keep a close eye on the market and the parade ring, both could provide the strongest clues.

RACE 3

7 ROMAN BEAUTY didn’t find much under pressure when well beaten by REEF RUNNER on the 16th of May, she is much better than that performance, in hope that the conditions turn up on the good side, she will run a big race here. 4 PITERAQ is very hard to win with, the cheek pieces have been fitted, and top jockey Richard Fourie sticks with this filly, on her best form, she will be competitive. 1 RUBY REX has been rested for 240 days, her form is consistent, if she doesn’t need the run back after a lengthy break, she could trouble them all in the finish. 5 KEIRA ROSE has been rested for 62 days, she was a touch disappointing last time, if she bounces back to her best form, she can run a place. Watch the market closely with the first timer RED FLAG, she wouldn’t need to be special to make a winning debut in this field.

RACE 4

8 MADRA RUA has been rested and gelded, he has run some fair races to date, if he doesn’t need the run back after a lengthy break, he should be competitive. 4 FRACTAL has been rested and gelded, he ran a lovely race on debut when finishing just under four lengths behind TOUCHED BY ANGELS, the form of that race has worked out nicely, in hope that he doesn’t need the run back after a long break, he has a big winning chance. 7 WITCH HAZEL has changed stables, his Highveld form is very good, this will be his first run in the Western Cape, watch him closely, he has strong claims. 2 MONTESSORI was gelded on the 8th of April, the drop in trip can help him improve.

RACE 5

4 NAVASNINE must have a big winning chance in this field, he stayed on powerfully for second behind his stable companion on the 16th of May, he will love the step up in trip to 1400m, include him into all bets from a nice draw. 7 OH SO ONEDERFUL has run two good races in succession, if he finds himself in a nice position turning for home, he will be competitive. 1 BIG DEAL could be the value horse in this tricky contest, he ran a fair race behind CAESER’S RANSOM on the 16th of May, there should be no excuses for this gelding from a good draw on Tuesday, watch him closely at a fair price. 3 WATERFRONT has been rested and changed stables on the 20th of March, he looks to be improving with every start, he will run a big race from a neat draw.

RACE 6

4 PEACE GARLAND stayed on well for second behind Fog In Finland on the 3rd of May, she will love the step up in trip to 1400m, in hope that she has made further improvement back at home, she will be hard to beat from a good draw. 1 CHINWAG is a big filly with a beautiful action, she ran third in the same race as Peace Garland last time, she has a good draw, and she will love the step up in trip to 1400m, she must have a big winning chance in this field. 5 BEFORE SUNRISE ran a cracker for third behind Kituba on the 19th of May, she is making steady progress with every run, her chances must be respected. 6 GQEBERHA was only beaten just under three lengths in her last run, she can earn on her best form.

RACE 7

4 ECHO FOXTROT stayed on well for third with the blinkers fitted last time, he has a low weight on his back again for this open maiden contest, this doesn’t look to be a strong race on paper, if he brings his last run to the track again on Tuesday, he will be hard to beat from a good draw. 8 GLENALMOND has run two nice races in succession, he ran a great race behind SPANISH VERSE on the 27th of April, with some luck in running from a tricky draw, he will be right there in the finish. 5 AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ has been rested for 73 days, she is improving with every start, she will enjoy the step up in trip to 1950m, include her into all bets. 6 QUIET PLACE hardly runs a bad race, he has a money chance on his best form.

RACE 8

2 HEAVENLY PRINCE quickened up smartly to win a good race on the 19th of May, he was given five points for that impressive win, he looks progressive, there is no doubt that he has a big winning chance again. 1 TOTHEMOONANDBACK unfortunately has a big weight on his back, but he has run some fair races behind decent sorts in his last few starts, he will run a big race from a good draw, include him into all bets. 6 GOLD INDEX changed stables on the 11th of May, he didn’t stay the trip of 2500m last time, ignore that performance, he should run a much better race now that he drops in trip to 1950m. 7 BEER WITH THE BOYS never runs a bad race, he will be doing some good work late from a tricky draw.

RACE 9

3 CAPTAINS ALLIANCE ran a great race for second behind MARCUS AURELIUS on the 16th of May, he was well supported in the market when doing some good work late on that occasion, he has a big winning chance from a good draw. 6 CHANCE ENCOUNTER was a touch disappointing on the 3rd of May, he will love the drop in trip to 1600m, if he bounces back to his best form, he will be super competitive. 5 BONELLI finished his race off smartly to win well on the 6th of April, he was given three points for that impressive win, he will be just off the speed early, and he will be flying at them late. 7 BLIND DATE ran second in a competitive sprint on the 3rd of May, he should make further improvement now that he steps up in trip to 1600m, watch him closely.

Patch Of Stars holds off Raging Blizzard to land the Gr3 Sha Tin Vase Handicap (Pic – HKJC)

By Leo Schlink (HKJC)

David Eustace and Jerry Chau – two of Hong Kong’s brightest racing talents – combined in memorable circumstances at Sha Tin on Sunday to land the HK$4.2 million Gr3 Lion Rock Trophy Handicap (1600m) with Light Years Charm (124lb) as Caspar Fownes edged closer to a fifth Hong Kong trainers’ championship with a double.

In one of the best finishes of the season, Light Years Charm prevailed by a short head over veteran Beauty Joy (125lb) with a nose to Copartner Prance (135lb) in 1m 33.58s. Sky Jewellery (119lb) and Winning Ovation (124lb) both finished only half a length behind the winner in fourth and fifth placings, respectively.

Settling comfortably in fourth place behind Copartner Prance and Winning Ovation, Light Years Charm angled along the rails in the straight for Chau before taking a slender lead at the 200m as 2022 Lion Rock Trophy winner Beauty Joy drove desperately hard to just fail to post his third minor placing in the race.

A multiple Group 1 winner in Australia in partnership with Ciaron Maher, Eustace exulted in the finest success of a burgeoning Hong Kong career with the hulking Light Years Charm, who arrived at Sha Tin on a rating of 64 and has since reached 100.

“He’s just been a great horse and I’d say worked through his grades really well. We always felt a mile would suit him and it’s probably the first time we’ve really tried a mile where everything’s actually gone well going into the race, and he’s had a nice weight,” Eustace said.

“Of course, the draw (1) helped him, and a relatively sedate tempo for a horse who’s got a good turn of foot, helped him. And he got a beautiful ride from Jerry. Everything went his way, which you need. (Jerry) rides very well and is sort of adaptable to the races, which you need here and its’s nice to share a partnership with him.

“Group races in Hong Kong are probably like winning Group 1s anywhere else. They’re hard to win and they don’t happen that often – but a Group 1 is on another level. It’s a big thrill.”

Chau said: “It’s amazing. Before the race, we just talked about saving ground and try to beat the good horses – and we did,” he said. “It was very close. When I took the lead, I felt him look around and on both sides the horses were coming and I was very nervous after the race.”

A maiden winner over 1410m in 2024 at Lismore, Australia, Light Years Charm improved his overall Hong Kong record to six wins from 18 starts and earnings of more than HK$13.8 million.

Maintaining hopes of securing his first Tony Cruz Award as leading homegrown jockey, Chau sealed a double with success on David Hall-trained Ka Ying Attack (127lb) in the Class 3 Hong Kong Ka Ying (Meizhou) General Chamber Of Commerce Cup Handicap (1200m) to have 41 wins for the campaign – and a 10-win lead over Vincent Ho with 12 meetings left in the season.

Patch Of Stars (121lb) continued impressive progress with victory in the HK$4.2 million Gr3 Sha Tin Vase Handicap (1200m) for Manfred Man and jockey Karis Teetan after staving off Raging Blizzard (135lb) by a short head with Tomodachi Kokoroe (126lb) third in 1m 07.94s.

Fractious in the barriers before jumping cleanly and settling fifth, Patch Of Stars posted his fourth course and distance victory of the season as the four-year-old fended off a charging Raging Blizzard.

“It’s a nice to pick up a nice ride in this race. When I looked at the form, I thought it was gonna be a nice ride in this race with the weight, with the draw (1). I actually got a smooth passage today and he was very well through the week when I worked him and when I pressed the button today, he responded really well,” Teetan said.

“All the credit to Manfred and his team and thanks to the owners for supporting me.”

Fownes was the first to strike in the battle for the Hong Kong trainers’ championship with the narrow triumph of Papaya Brose (135lb) under Joao Moreira in the Class 4 Federation Of Associations Of Native Hing Ning Residents In Hong Kong Cup Handicap (1200m) and finished the day with a brace after Family Jewel’s (122lb) win in the Class 3 General Association Of Hong Kong Heyuan Societies Cup Handicap (1600m) for Moreira.

The double left Fownes (58 wins) with a slim buffer over Danny Shum (56), Mark Newnham (55), Francis Lui (50), David Hayes (49) and John Size (46).

Newnham struck with Oldtown (126lb) under Zac Purton in the Class 4 Hong Kong Federation Of Guangzhou Associations Cup Handicap (1200m) and debutante Joyful Joy (127lb), who claimed the Class 4 Federation Of Qing Yuan Associations (Hong Kong) Cup Handicap (1400m) for James Orman.

Ka Ying Lightning (127lb) made an impressive debut for Hall and Andrea Atzeni with victory in the Class 4 Hong Kong Mei Zhou Association Cup Handicap (1000m). The All Too Hard three-year-old was given eight trials in preparation and delighted Hall with his application.

“He’s always shown good ability from day one. He’s had quite a few trials but hasn’t put it all together – he’s either missed the start or over-raced. We were hoping he would run really well today, but a lot depended on how he jumped. You saw he didn’t begin that well and the favourite pushed him to the outside fence, which might have done him a bit of a favour,” Hall said.

Atzeni sealed a double when Aeroinvincible (122lb) clinched the Class 3 Hakka Cup Handicap (1400m) for Pierre Ng before Ho piloted Man’s Double Win (130lb) to victory in the Class 4 Hong Kong Federation Of Huichow Associations Cup Handicap (2000m).

Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday.