Turf Talk Newsletter – 05 June, 2026

Justin Snaith added the Gr 2 Woolavington 2000 trophy to his large Champions Season collection last Saturday (Picture: Race Coast)

Justin Snaith saddles four runners across the two feature races at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge over 1600m and the Gr 3 Betgames Cup Trial over 1800m.

Some will be having their final preparations for the 2026 Hollywoodbets Durban July.

Justin said about his runners in the Gold Challenge, “Eight On Eighteen returns for his second run after a lengthy break and is likely to be one run short of peak fitness. His ideal distance is 2000m and beyond, but his class alone should see him run a competitive race. His primary target remains the Gr1 Champions Cup, where he is expected to be at his very best. Despite the shorter trip, he cannot be ignored in any bets.”

“Legal Counsel caught the eye last time out when recording the fastest closing 200m in the Drill Hall Stakes behind Questioning. The step up in distance is right up his alley and we are expecting a bold showing.”

“See It Again is spot on for this Gr1 and has been aimed specifically at this race. If he gets rolling early enough, he will be the horse they all have to beat. Already a dual Gr1 winner this season in two different provinces, he continues to defy age and remains a remarkable campaigner.”

“The Vaughan Marshall-trained Questioning is strongly fancied and, from the plum draw, he will be the main danger.”

He said about his Cup Trial runner, “Regulation was desperately unlucky not to win the Greyville 1900 last time out. Despite having virtually everything go against him, he produced a tremendous finish to grab second and was charging home at the line. This will be his final start before the Hollywoodbets Durban July, where he is currently the stable’s best-weighted runner with just 52kg. Based on his work at home, he will deliver a bold bid. The one to beat!”

The Real Prince proved his class over a mile by winning the Gr 1 L’Ormarin’s King’s Plate, which was his second victory at the highest level, because he is also the reigning Hollywoodbets Durban July champion (Picture: Wayne Marks) 

Race Coast

Some year’s the top Gr1 races lack a little substance but in other year’s they are loaded with an exceptional crop. Saturday’s Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge to be run at Hollywoodbets Greyville has panned out into one of the races of the season.

The change of weight conditions to a proper handicap for this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July has left little option for some trainers plotting their July campaigns but has others scratching their heads on how to get their charges into the July at the bottom of the handicap. Supporting feature the Gr3 Betgames Cup Trial a case in point with runners hunting a place in the final field.

However, most of the runners in the Gold Challenge that are entries in the July are already at the top of the July handicap so win lose or draw their fate is already sealed as far as the weights go. This has made for a much better contest in this lead-up race without trainers trying to protect handicap ratings.

Dean Kannemeyer will be aiming for back-to-back July wins with The Real Prince. Kannemeyer is a canny operator and The Real Prince was doing his best work late as he snuck up on the rail behind Questioning in the Drill Hall Stakes in his warm-up race. The gelding is already near the top of the weights for the July and he will prefer the extra furlong so has nothing to lose. He looks to be coming on the right way and this race will confirm it.

Sean Tarry saddles the smart three-year-old Tin Pan Alley who has a tricky draw to negotiate but was only caught late by Star Major in the Gr2 WSB Guineas with Star Major going on to win the Gr1 Daily News 2000. He was an impressive winner when beating See It Again in a Gr1 on the Highveld and a repeat should see him in the mix.

See It Again will prefer further but he is always competitive on this course and with Andrew Fortune back in the irons one can expect another good effort from Justin Snaith’s runner.

Eight On Eighteen gives Snaith a strong hand as last year’s July runner-up just needed his last run behind stable companion Okavango. He will have come on lengths from that run.

Vaughan Marshall’s gelding Questioning is in the form of his life and from the best of the draw will have many supporters and cannot be left out of any calculations.

Supporting feature is the Gr2 HKJC WORLD POOL STAKES where Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas winner Quickstepgal looks the part in a competitive line-up. Tienie Prinsloo’s charge was touched off by star filly and Hollywood Durban July hopeful Wish List last time out. This is her third run after a break and she should run another big race.

Frank Robinson has been assisting Justin Snaith at Summerveld this season but he sends out Mocha Blend in his own right. The filly will prefer further but she is a class act having won the Gr1 Betway Summer Cup and although she has a big weight this will be an ideal warm-up for the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

Sean Tarry’s runner One Fine Winter steps up in trip but was running on well behind two champions in Asiya Phambili and Double Grand Slam last time out in the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint. She should be better suited to the step up in trip.

Mon Petite Cherie has it all to do from her wide gate of 13 and returning from a break but she is smart while Paul Peter’s raider Rachel Wall has been close-up in two Highveld features and has only once been out of the money.

A number of Hollywoodbets Durban July hopefuls line up in the Gr3 Betgames Cup Trial bidding for a gate in the big race. Craig Zackey has forgone the ride on Field Marshal to partner I Salute You for Peter Muscutt and that may prove significant although Nathan Kotzen has secured the services of champion jockey Richard Fourie for Field Marshal. The gelding is seldom out of the money and both are July entries outside of the current 20-horse log.

Justin Snaith saddles Regulation who is another consistent performer and was a close-up second in the WSB 1900 last time out. He has a handy galloping weight and can enhance his chances of making the July field along with JP’s Palace who will need to up his game to make the July field but he is consistent and with only 52kg to shoulder he could surprise.

Picture: One Stripe going down for the Gr 1 Maker’s Mark Mile. in which he finished second

Watch One Stripe running in the Manhattan Stakes from Saratoga live on Gallop TV  at 11 minutes past midnight (Early Sunday morning in SA)

At The Races

The Manhattan Stakes poses one of the more compelling tactical puzzles of the Belmont Stakes Festival. Turf Classic G1 winner Rhetorical, the 2-1 favourite for Will Walden and Irad Ortiz Jr., faces a direct pace confrontation with defending champion Deterministic, who won this race twelve months ago and arrives off a dominant front-running score in the Fort Marcy G3. Both are confirmed speed types, and whether they engage or one defers will play a major role in the outcome.

Andre Fabre sends the Wertheimer-owned Bright Picture from France as the 3-1 second choice on the morning line, while South Africa’s dual Group 1 winner One Stripe adds further international intrigue for Graham Motion. Behind them lies a deep bench of graded performers including Make Me King, who chased Rhetorical home in the Turf Classic, and Integration, the McGaughey-trained Quality Road horse whose second in this race last year marks him as a proven performer at the trip.

Pen Pictures:

#1 TIZ DASHING
J: Javier Castellano | T: Barclay Tagg

The Tiz The Law colt won the Canadian G3 at Gulfstream last time in convincing fashion, drawing off to score by nearly four lengths. That was a career-best and confirmed the promise he showed when winning the Hill Prince G3 at Aqueduct in November.

The Sackatoga and Tagg combination needs no introduction to followers of New York racing, and Castellano has been aboard for every start, providing useful continuity. The concern is the class gap — his best figures sit below what the principals are routinely capable of. A fast pace could bring him into calculations for minor honours, and the 30-1 morning line appears slightly dismissive given his recent trajectory, but he would need a significant step forward to make the frame.

#2 TEST SCORE
J: Manny Franco | T: Graham Motion

Grade 1 winner took out the Pegasus Turf at Gulfstream in January with a powerful performance, saving ground inside before swinging five wide and holding on gamely. That effort gives him a chance, and his Belmont Derby G1 victory last summer demonstrated his ability at longer trips. His most recent effort in the Turf Classic was disappointing, however — he tracked four wide before fading to eighth, well behind the reopposing Rhetorical and Make Me King.

Motion has two in the race with this one and One Stripe, and Franco picks up the ride here. He’s a horse I’ve always liked, and I wouldn’t rule out an each-way flyer at double-digit odds, but he went away very tamely last time and that’s a concern.

#3 MAKE ME KING (FR)
J: Jose Ortiz | T: Hamad Al Jehani

Dark Angel gelding has emerged as a high-class miler-and-a-quarter performer for the Wathnan Racing operation since relocating from France. Runner-up in the Turf Classic G1 at Churchill last time, he closed well from off the pace to be beaten three and a half lengths by Rhetorical, with a clear margin back to third-placed Corruption. His form in the Middle East was strong — he won a listed race in Qatar impressively before a creditable fourth in the Dubai Turf G1 at Meydan, where he was not far behind Ombudsman.

Jose Ortiz takes the mount for the first time, replacing regular partner James Doyle, and his closing style should play well if the two speed horses engage early. At 8-1 he could be overpriced given the likelihood of a genuine pace, and the step up to a mile and three-sixteenths suits him well.

#4 INTEGRATION
J: John Velazquez | T: Shug McGaughey

Quality Road horse brings the deepest resume of graded form in the field, with earnings of $1.81 million and a string of Group 1 placings that includes seconds in both the Pegasus Turf and this race last year. He won the Red Smith G2 at Aqueduct in November with a sweet closing burst and was a close third in the Maker’s Mark Mile G1 at Keeneland in April. His closing profile means he is another potential beneficiary if Rhetorical and Deterministic duel through honest fractions, and Velazquez brings his trademark patience to a horse who has repeatedly proven he stays this trip.

He’s six-years-old now and been facing weaker and getting the benefit of Lasix. That means it remains to be seen how he will handle this very big step up in class. There’s a case to be made at a price but I am leaning in a different direction.

#5 DETERMINISTIC
J: Kendrick Carmouche | T: Miguel Clement

The defending Manhattan champion returns to the scene of his finest hour. Twelve months ago he led throughout under Carmouche to deny Integration by a neck, and his most recent effort in the Fort Marcy G3 at Belmont was another wire-to-wire win, scoring by three-quarters of a length in hand. The Liam’s Map horse has won eight of fourteen career starts and his front-running style, executed with precision by the in-form Carmouche, makes him a formidable proposition whenever he can control the tempo or get a stalking trip from just off.

The question is whether Rhetorical will allow that to happen. The favourite’s early pace figures are nearly identical and if Ortiz sends Rhetorical forward from the gate, the two could lock horns. If Deterministic can get the right trip, he is very dangerous. But it should be noted that this year’s running of the Manhattan is a sixteenth farther than last year when he just was able to hang on for victory.

#6 BRIGHT PICTURE (FR)
J: Flavien Prat | T: Andre Fabre

The sole European shipper and the most intriguing horse in the field. The Wertheimer-owned Intello gelding won two of his three starts this spring in France, taking the Prix Exbury G3 at Saint-Cloud and the Prix d’Harcourt G2 at Longchamp, before finishing a creditable second behind the unbeaten Arc winner Daryz in the Ganay G1 on his most recent start.

Fabre is among the most decorated trainers in European racing history, and a threat wherever he appears. Prat rides, which is a significant positive — his knowledge of American tracks is obviously superior to any visiting European jockey — and the mile and three-sixteenths should suit a horse who has been effective from seven furlongs to a mile and a half. His form is simply better than the American-based runners and he’d be a great price at the 3-1 of the morning line. His price should probably be more like half that price (6-4).

#7 RHETORICAL
J: Irad Ortiz Jr. | T: Will Walden

The deserving favourite after a dominant display in the Turf Classic G1 at Churchill, where he set the pace inside and kicked clear in the upper stretch to score by three and a quarter lengths. A repeat of that run would make him very difficult to beat if reproduced unless Bright Picture brings his A game. The Not This Time gelding, a New York-bred no less, has won six of nine career starts and was an excellent third in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar behind Notable Speech.

His speed is his weapon — he has shown the ability to set the pace and sustain it through the stretch. He’ll have a fight on his hands, particularly if Deterministic goes on with it early as he’ll have to win the speed battle and then have to hang on to win the war. He’s capable certainly and must be considered a top contender.

#8 ONE STRIPE (SAF)
J: Gavin Lerena | T: Graham Motion

South Africa’s dual Group 1 winner adds a fascinating international dimension. The One World horse won the Cape Guineas and Cape Classic in his homeland before relocating to Graham Motion’s Fair Hill base, and he announced himself stateside with a fine second behind Test Score in the Pegasus Turf G1, closing from well back after being reserved early. He was also a strong second in the Maker’s Mark Mile G1, rallying along the rail behind Zulu Kingdom. Lerena, his regular South African rider, reunites with him here, which is a positive for a horse who clearly runs for this jockey.

The concern is whether a mile and three-sixteenths stretches him beyond his comfort zone — his best form has been at a mile. Motion typically presses all the right buttons and the German blood on his dam side should help with the stamina. He goes with a chance but this race came up tough.

#9 BATTLE OF NORMANDY
J: Dylan Davis | T: Shug McGaughey

The second McGaughey runner, this City of Light horse was a good second behind Deterministic in the Fort Marcy G3 last time, tracking the winner inside before finishing willingly when unable to peg him back. He won the River City G3 at Churchill in November with a dominant front-running display, earning a career-best 128 figure. The form has been somewhat inconsistent since, though at least now he’s headed in the right direction. He’s a big price and could run on for a minor award with the right trip, but third is likely his ceiling.

PETER FORNATALE’S VERDICT

At the morning line prices, it’s a slam dunk to try #6 BRIGHT PICTURE because he’s got the best form in the race and it should be run well enough to suit. Prat can be trusted to make any needed adjustments on the fly as well. #7 Rhetorical is the logical exacta partner and main danger as he appears to be the best speed. #2 Test Score could bounce back if you are looking for a big priced each-way alternative or one to spice up your USA-style exotics. #3 Make Me King is another possible one to use in exactas and trifectas.

King Harald is out to add the second leg of the Highveld 3 Year Old Winter Series to his first leg win (JC Photos)

Johannesburg, South Africa — 4Racing’s 2026 Highveld 3 Year Old Winter Series resumes on Sunday, 7 June with the running of Leg 2, the TAB Egoli Mile (NBT).

The Winter Series is a three part challenge, open to 3 year old horses, comprising the following races:-

10 May – 1400m Betway Secretariat Stakes (NBT)

7 June – 1600m TAB Egoli Mile (NBT)

5 July – 1800m TAB Sea Cottage Stakes (Gr3)

The first leg was won by Messrs Peter Moor and Adrian Nydam’s King Harald (Erik The Red – Imperial State). Trained by Roy Magner from his Randjesfontein base, King Harald was ridden to victory by Richard Fourie, crossing the line 2,20 lengths to the good of Fire Storm in a time of 86,56 secs for the Standside 1400m.

King Harald was a R675,000 purchase from Varsfontein Stud’s 2024 National Yearling Sale draft and has achieved 3 wins and 7 places from 14 starts for stakes of R468,744 to date.

The series concludes with the TAB Sea Cottage Stakes (Gr3) over 1800m on 5 July and there is a R500,000 bonus if King Harald can win all three legs.

This year’s final field for the Egoli Mile below:-

1 – 10 KING HARALD (R Magner) R Fourie 61.5 – 107

2 – 11 YIPPEE KIYAY (M/M de Kock) C Murray 60.0 – 103

3 – 5 ERROL FLYNN (J Soma) K de Melo 60.0 – 102

4 – 1 PALACE PRINCE (St John Gray) G Samo-Burthia (-2.5) 60.0 – 102

5 – 8 FIRE STORM (S Tarry) C Zackey – 58.5 – 99

6 – 3 TEXAS MISSILE (A Laird) C Habib – 57.0 – 94

7 – 9 GOTTA GO EDDIE (M/M de Kock) M Yeni – 57.0 – 93

8 – 4 WAYNE (L Houdalakis) S Moodley – 57.0 – 92

9 – 7 GOT THE FEELING (F Bronkhorst) M Michel (-1.5) – 57.0 – 90

10 – 6 WINSTON’S WONDER (S Pettigrew) J Syster – 55.5 – 87

11 – 2 JAFFA (A Laird) P Mxoli -54.0 – 82

Elsewhere on the card there are a number of Hollywoodbets Durban July hopefuls in the Gr3 TAB Jubilee Stakes (race 7) as well as plenty of juvenile talent on show in the Highveld Winter Juvenile Fillies Stakes (race 4) and Highveld Winter Juvenile Stakes (race 5), each with BSA R100,000 bonuses to qualifying runners.

ENDS.

Pressonregardless is a classy sort who comes off a win over the Jubilee Stakes course and distance (JC Photos)

Turffontein’s Sunday meeting features the traditional Hollywooodbets Durban July pointer race the Gr 3 Jubilee Stakes over 1800m.

The race has six horses who are still standing among the Hollywoodbets Durban July entries, Atticus Finch (merit rated 127), Wild Intent (109), Olivia’s Way (114), Copper Eagle (110), Aristotle (106) and Buster Barnes (101), while another entry, Grand Empire, runs in a Pinnacle event over 1400m.

Atticus Finch is capable of top class performances. but he has become unreliable. For example he had epistaxis in last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July and was tailed off in the Betway Summer Cup when not striding out. However, his performances at the beginning of the season in the Gr 2 Jo’Burg Spring Challenge over 1450m and when easily winning the Gr 2 Allied-Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile were out of the top drawer. He was 18th on the first July log, so needs a good run to prevent the panelists from dropping him. He has a fair draw of six out of eleven and he should be a fit horse, so a good run can be hoped for.

Wild Intent will probably need to win it to force his way iunto the July field. His career best performance was when runner up in the Gr 1 SA Derby, but the form of that race is suspect with only the 4.05 length fourth-placed Olivia’s Way shining since. He ran a fair 5,40 length sixth in the Summer Cup but was last in a Pinnacle event over 1800m last time so is up against it.

Olivia’s Way is talented and consistent and was hence 19th on the log, despite not having won a race this season. She was a narrow second in the Summer Cup and was third in the Gr 1 wfa Premier’s Champions Challenge. She has a fine, resolute finish and should go close from a good draw of five and she will need to go close,  or even to win, to force her was into the final field.

Copper Eagle was only beaten 1.05 lengths when fourth in the Gr 2 TAB Colorado King Stakes over 2000m last time and that earned him a 13 point raise to 110. He will need a big run here to get into the July field and from draw three with Richard Fourie up he is a big runner over a suitable trip.

Aristotle won the Richard Maponya Handcap over 1800m in January and he had some good horses like The Ultimate King, Choisaanada and Copper Eagle well beaten. He ran below that form last time over 1600m when widely draw on the Inside track. He unfortunately has a wide draw here but if it pans out well he will go close. He needs to win or go close to get ito the July.

Buster Barnes is a triple crown winner from Zimbabwe. He hasa some class and is capable but needs to bounce back from a disappointing ride last time.

Pressonregardless has developed into a fine horse and he is capable of going close over an ideal course and distance, especially as he has a fair draw.

The Equator could earn but seems lke a one-paced horse and is not fancied to win.

Aladdin’s Lamp has fine form but is up against it at the weights.

Hotarubi isn a capable hiorse but is quirky and usually does not feature.

World Of Alice  is a dark horse as she was the winner of the SA Oaks two years ago and has enjoyed a good preparation.

The selection is Pressonregardless to beat Olivia’s Way with Atticus Finch next best and they can be followed home by Copper Eagle and World Of Alice.

In the Pinnacle over 1400m (8th race) Grand Empire is the class horse in the field and can run a big race from draw six out of eleven. He could fight it out with the 1400m specialist I’m A Fireball, who has an ideal pole position draw for his front-running style.

In the Non-Black Type Egoli Mile, in-form Errol Flynn can win this from a  nice draw over a suitable trip. King Harald and Firestorm could follow him home.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 Secret Fate cantered home on debut and can follow up in the Winter Juvenile Fillies Stakes over 1400m.

Life In Colour is a well-bred sort and caught the eye with a cosy win on debut, so she can follow up in the fifh race over 1400m, althougfh she does have a tricky draw.

The 9th can be won by the progressive Tintin although he will have to overcome a wide draw in this 1600m event.

The first leg of the PA could be won by the in form Chapbook, although Karate Kid will likely go close in this 1000m Pinnacle event.

The first leg of the Bipot could go to Saisfied, who made a fine debut over this same 1160m course and distance, although Lady Harlequin will be right there too.

Benvenuto Cellini has been tipped to give Aidan O’Brien a 12th Derby

At The Races

Epsom tips: Kevin Blake of At The Races makes his selections for Derby day on Saturday

With Derby day upon us, Kevin Blake returns with selections for Epsom’s Classic day card; At The Races’ tipster takes aim at the Coronation Cup and Northern Dancer Handicap – as well as the big race at 4pm

Betfred Derby Day. One of the great days in British and indeed world racing is here. With the worst of the rain seemingly behind us, we are set to race on ground on the easier side of good and all is in place for a wonderful day of racing.

The main event of the day is of course the Betfred Derby (4pm) itself. On Thursday, I published a runner-by-runner guide to it that gives my detailed thoughts on all the runners – you can find that by clicking here. There are a few others races on the card that are of interest and those are the ones I will cover in this space.

The Coolmore Coronation Cup (2.40pm) has been moved onto Derby day and had its prize money significantly boosted this year and all involved have been rewarded with a seriously strong renewal of the race.

It is far from a two-horse race, but much of the focus will be on the rematch from last year’s race where the Aidan O’Brien-trained JAN BRUEGHEL got the better of the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained Calandagan in a thrilling contest.

Since then, Calandagan has gone on to establish himself as the world’s leading middle-distance performer by embarking on a remarkable five-race winning streak at the highest level featuring a genuinely epic victory in the Japan Cup.

In contrast, Jan Brueghel has been restricted to just two outings since then, a disappointing effort in a tactically messy renewal of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot and an impressive winning return from an absence at Chester last month.

It is fully understandable why Calandagan is the clear favourite for the rematch, but Jan Brueghel did seem to enjoy the unique test of this course and distance quite a bit better than Calandagan last year and that could prove to be an important factor this year.

Jan Brueghel also has two strong stable mates in the field and Aidan O’Brien might well have a plan up his sleeve to maximise Jan Brueghel’s chance. At the prices, he makes more appeal to me.

The HKJC World Pool Northern Dancer Handicap (5.20pm) is just a ridiculously competitive handicap, but I’m keen to have a swing at it with the Ralph Beckett-trained LORD MELBOURNE. The six-year-old doesn’t have particularly attractive recent form, but it is his record over this unique course that catches the eye.

He has won two of his three starts at this track and his moderate recent form has seen him drop to a mark that is just 3lb higher than he bolted up off at this track last September. It wouldn’t be at all surprising if his connections have had this race on Derby Day in mind for him for quite some time and with a wide draw not being too much of a worry, he looks to have a very real chance at a big race.

Kevin’s tips
2.40 Epsom Downs – Coolmore Coronation Cup

JAN BRUEGHEL (3-1)

4.00 Epsom Downs – Betfred derby

1. BENVENUTO CELLINI

2. Christmas Day

3. James J Braddock

5.20 Epsom Downs – HKJC World Pool Northern Dancer Handicap

LORD MELBOURNE (20-1)

Thundering On powers clear for brilliant Oaks victory

‘Sky’s the limit’ – Joseph O’Brien and Dylan Browne McMonagle strike Classic gold at Epsom.

Thundering On came from last to first to land the Betfred Oaks in seriously impressive fashion at Epsom.

Sent off at 5-1 in the hands of Irish champion jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle, the Joseph O’Brien-trained Thundering On was anchored in rear in the opening exchanges but the eye was drawn to the Frankel filly as the challengers began to fall away up the famous home straight.

McMonagle remained motionless as he breezed alongside John and Thady Gosden’s eventual runner-up Legacy Link at the furlong marker and when the button was pushed she careered away for a commanding three-and-three-quarter-length success.

O’Brien – who found the Oaks eluding him in his riding days – said: “I suppose the main question mark was would she stay. We thought she was very talented, her dam (Thundering Nights) didn’t stay further than 10 furlongs but obviously she is a daughter of Frankel.

“We were happy to ride her patiently and conserve as much energy on the climb as we could and then see what happened in the straight.

“She came alive in the straight and I mean she won very impressively. I’m looking forward to watching the replay.

“Dylan sat and sat and is very confident. He is obviously a world-class rider and we’re delighted to have him on our team. I suppose this is testament not only to Dylan but also the great team we have at home at the yard.

“Winning big races like this is a dream and brilliant to share with everyone.

“Her dam won the Pretty Polly so she could go to that or the Irish Oaks. The world is her oyster, we’ll enjoy today, hopefully she pulls up well and then we can make a plan for the rest of the season.”

A delighted McMonagle, 23, said after his ice-cool ride gave him a first British Classic: “It was effortless from start to finish, she did everything we wanted. She sprinted away from them, she’s very, very talented. She was as impressive as any horse you’ll see. She’s so talented and I’m very lucky.

“When you are travelling that easy, I knew she’d burst away from them and she wasn’t stopping at the line, either – she’s all class.

“She’s improving every run and the sky’s the limit for her, she can go wherever she wants.”

He added: “We were coming into the race very confident, the trip was going to be the question mark, but she’s been doing everything so easy. She’s improving with every run and there was never a moment’s doubt, really.

“I was sitting last and I knew there was going to be nothing coming from behind me and I always had everything covered in front. She’s got a lot of class and a great training performance from Joseph.”