Turf Talk Newsletter – 29 June, 2026

The Gareth van Zyl yard said there have been no hiccups in the preparation of Hollywoodbets Durban July contender King Pelles (Picture: Race Coast) 

The 2026 Hollywoodbets Durban July is one of the most wide open in recent times, so the aim of the change made to the weight structure has been achieved, and an offshoot is bullishness from connections.

Jockeys Tristan Godden, Sean Veale and Andrew Fortune were all bullish about their July chances at Summerveld this morning  and there were also bullish noises from the Gareth van Zyl and Candice Bass yards.

Tristan Godden, Sean Veale and Andrew Fortune are all out to win their first July.

They are respectively aboard Mocha Blend, Isivivane and Wish List.

The trio are respectively 25/1, 20/1 and 11/2 chances with the race sponsors, Hollywoodbets.

Tristan Godden said about the Frank Robinson-trained four-year-old filly Mocha Blend, “We are very happy with her. She has had the ideal prep going into the race. Frank will do the final touches, but she is doing really well and I am looking forward to the big race and I am very confident of a big run from her.”

Tristan showed in last year’s race he has the necesssary BMT for the country’s premier race. No quarter is asked for or given in the July, which makes it the toughest of races to ride in.

Tristan rode 100/1 shot Native Ruler to a 3,95 length sixth from draw 18 of 18 last year and it could have been better as he had to find his way through a crowd of horses coming from near the back. That forced him to switch way inward and he had to then switch outward late when the horses in front of him hung inward.

Tristan has another tricky draw of 13 to negotiate this year and he said, “Obviously it is not ideal, but I am not too worried about it. She is a pretty straight forward filly and if things go to plan I think we will be in the right place.”

Mocha Blend will be out to give the most successful family in July history, the Oppenheimer family, a tenth win in the big race. The family has won it six times with homebreds, one with a part-owned horse and they bred a further two winners.

Mocha Blend was officially bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein. Mary Slack, the daughter of Mauritzfontein Stud’s founders Harry and Bridget Oppenheimer, founded Wilgerbosdrift Stud and her daughter Jessica Jell (nee Slack) now owns Mauritzfontein together with her husband Steven.

Mocha Blend runs in the famous black colours with the yellow sash, sleeves and cap of Mauritzfontein and she will be out to become the seventh Oppenheimer family homebred to win it and the seventh to win the race in those famous black and yellow silks.

Sean Veale rides the Peter Muscutt-trained Isivivane and he said about the pole position-drawn four-year-old Erupt gelding, “He is doing very well, his gallop was very good. Obviously it is a competitive race, but it’s an open July and with that weight I have got to have some sort of a chance. He’s drawn one and is quite a straight forward horse, he does everything I want him to do, he pings the gates and is a horse who can hold his position for that first 200m. So, I will probably be in the box seat for the first few hundred metres. His preparation couldn’t have gone better. He is in a very good space and it’s now just up to the race to tell.”

A bullish Andrew Fortune kept it short and sweet about the twice Gr 1-winning three-year-old filly Wish List, “Why do you think I chose her? She is the best of the Justin Snaith yard’s runners, I don’t care what they say (about which one is the best).”

Wish List is one of three July runners who are by the former July winner Legislate. History could be made as any of this trio could become a third generation winner of the same paternal family, because Legislate himself was by former July winner Dynasty.

Gareth van Zyl has King Pelles (Duke Of Marmalade) in the big one, the Hollywoodbets Durban July, and he said, “He is doing well, he has had no hiccups in his preparation. He is fit and is in a very good space and he is ready to run. His draw of 17 is actually nice as it means he will be out of the hustle and bustle that will be going on, so hopefully we don’t get trapped more than three wide. Horses have won going three wide, it is not always an excuse in a race like the July (with the probable most important factor being to get cover). I am not upset about the draw, it could have been worse if we had been in the middle and being bumped around. His gallop on Thursday was pleasing. He is not a horse who sets the track alight, he does what he needs to and he came out of it well.”

Terry Fripp, assistant to Candice Bass, said about July contender Viva’s Liberte, “We wanted a good time for his July Gallop and all went to plan. He came out of the gallop very well. His recovery afterwards was exceptional, he took it well. It was just what we needed and he is doing very well at home too. Craig (Zackey) rode him this morning (Monday) and he’s keeping ticking over. He will probably do his last piece of work on Wednesday, but we’re not going to do to much with him. He is fit and ready.”

Viva’s Liberte is drawn three which should suit because he can take a string hold and will likely need to have some cover.

Buffalo Storm Cody is pictured winning the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint last year (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Weights favour BUFFALO STORM CODY in the Gr 3 Post Merchants

The Post Merchants Gr 3 will be one of the most interesting races on Hollywoodbets Durban July day, but the conditions of the race mean the highest rated horses are ostensibly slung in.

The highest rated horse in the land, the 132-rated twice Gr 1-winning sprinter BUFFALO STORM CODY, is thus very well in at the weights and second best in is DAVE THE KING, who is the most interesting runner, followed by TENANGO and PRINCESS OF GAUL, who are joint third best in. The race has merit-rated band conditions with one key difference.Usually the horses that are higher rated than the highest band are allotted half-a-kilogram for every point they are above that highest band.

However, the highest band in this case reads “122 or more … 62kg”.

That band would normally read 122 to 126 and under the normal rules for merit-rated band events BUFFALO STORM CODY would be carrying 65kg, as he is six points higher than the top rating of the highest band. So, he is ostensibly 3kg well in carrying 62kg. DAVE THE KING would normally be carrying 63kg, but carries 62kg, so is 1kg better off than normal, but is 2kg under sufferance with BUFFALO STORM CODY.

Tenango is merit rated 126, so he is top of what the band would normally be, but is officially 3kg under sufferance with Buffalo Storm Cody. Equally well treated with the latter is the cracking filly PRINCESS OF GAUL, who is 114-rated but gets a 2,5kg gender allowance.

The worry about BUFFALO STORM CODY is that he might be using it as a preparation for the Mercury Sprint Gr 1, which he appeared to do last year because he only ran a 1,65 length fourth in this race carrying 56kg, meaning he was 5,5kg better off than weight for age with the highest rated runner and he then came out and won the weight for age Mercury Sprint over the same course and distance by 1,60 lengths. Interestingly he jumped from Draw 9 in the Mercury Sprint, the same draw he has in this year’s Post Merchants. This horse does appear at his best around the turn. Richard Fourie up is a bonus.

DAVE THE KING is interesting, because although his best form is over a mile and middle distances, he went at a blistering gallop in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate Gr 1. It was a ridiculous pace, but he displayed his speed around the turn in that race as he went through the first 400m in a time just 1,7 seconds slower than the pacemaker and the winner of the World Pool Cape Flying Championship Gr 1 over 1000m. He has had four starts over 1200m in his career and won three of them easily and his only loss was when returning from a layoff and having a seasonal reappearance preparation run and running just 2,65 lengths behind former Post Merchants winner, the now 127-rated GLADATORIAN. DAVE THE KING has drawn seven, which should give him room to go to the front if quick enough and the latter is actually a concern, because of course leading over 1200m is a different ball game to leading over 1600m.

TENANGO ran a good 1,95 length seventh in the Golden Horse Sprint Gr 2, where he carried topweight. That should have brought him on for this race and he has a plum draw of five. Keagan de Melo is contracted to part-owner Laurence Wernars and takes the ride here having not ridden him in the Golden Horse Sprint. He will likely be all out to win this race as the Mercury Sprint will be a lot tougher, although he did show his class and course & distance suitability by finishing a fine second in the latter race last year, despite jumping from Draw 13. TENANGO looks to be a massive runner.

PRINCESS OF GAUL is also a big runner carrying just 55,5kg and jumping from Draw 3 under Craig Zackey. She won the World Pool With Race Coast Debutante Gr 2 over course and distance last year in just her second career start. Last time out she showed her class over this trip by finishing just 2,60 lengths behind ASIYE PHAMBILI and DOUBLE GRAND SLAM in the SA Fillies Sprint Gr 1. If the latter pair were in the Merchants Sprint, they would likely be the two favourites so with PRINCESS OF GAUL beaten by that margin under weight for age conditions and now being 4kg better off than weight for age conditions with the first three mentioned, she should also be a massive runner.

CAFE CULTURE is a former winner of this race, but is officially 4kg under sufferance with BUFFALO STORM CODY and has a tough draw of 13, but he should be kicking on if managing to find cover in a handy position.

One of the joint topweights is the 122-rated OUTLAW KING, who is thus officially 5kg under sufferance with BUFFALO STORM CODY. However, he is ultra courageous and often defies the official weights, as he did when a 1.05 length third in the Cape Flying Championship. His last run in the Golden Horse is best ignored as he stumbled at the start.

CATS PAJAMAS is also rated 122 and has a fine course and distance record and was just a 1,75 length fourth in the Mercury Sprint last year. However, he has the widest draw of all.

SPEEDMAN is rated only 105 and carrying 54kg is officially 6kg under sufferance with BUFFALO STORM CODY, but he is an up and coming sort who could prove better than rated, so he is the dark horse.

ONE EYE ON VEGAS was third in the Golden Horse and finds himself officially 4,5kg under sufferance with BUFFALO STORM CODY, but he is a progressive sort with speed and class so should be running on from Draw 11.

JET FORCE is also a classy sort who could surprise dropped down in trip. He is 4,5kg under sufferance with BUFFALO STORM CODY, but is well drawn.

JERUSALEMA RAIN beat BUFFALO STORM CODY by a neck in the Senor Santa Gr 2 over 1160m, but is now 4kg worse off.

The ones mentioned are the ones who make the most appeal and the selection is BUFFALO STORM CODY to beat TENANGO with PRINCESS OF GAUL, SPEEDMAN and JET FORCE next best.

The Tienie Prinsloo yard are confident of the chances of Quickstepgal (far side), who is pictured fending off Mon Petite Cherie in the Tibouchina (Picture: Candiese Lenferna Photography) 

A number of Summerveld trainers spoke about the chances of their runners in the Hollywoodbets Durban July day supporting features and others races.

Tienie Prinsloo is bullish about the chances of his crack Vercingetorix three-year-old filly Quickstepgal in the Gr 1 wfa Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes over 1600m and after the below interview he stated that he believed she was going to beat the favourite Double Grand Slam.

He had said before that bold statement, “Everything is good with her, she is doing her best at home and I am very happy with her. Her draw of seven is a very, very nice draw in my opinion, it’s not outside and it’s not inside. I think she will have a nice jump from gate seven. The 1400m of her last win suits her down to the ground, but she did win the Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas and as an older filly she might start preferiing the mile. Anyway I don’t see any problem with this distance, we are just going to have to look out for Justin Snaith’s filly (Double Grand Slam).”

Tienie believed the right decision was made by the stipendiary stewards last time when Quickstepgal had a ding-dong duel down the straight with Mon Petite Cherie in the Gr 2 HKJC World Pool Tibouchina over 1400m and she kept the race after an objection against her. She will now be 3kg better off with Mon Petite Cherie, despite having beaten her by a short-head, so she should confirm the form.

Gareth van Zyl, who has King Pelles in the big one (see first article in today’s newsletter), runs Dubai Dude (Declarationofpeace) and Place Of Practice (Vercingetorix) in the first race on the poly over 1600m and he said, “Dubai Dude put up an eyecatching gallop with King Pelles. If he had a draw we would be confident (but he is drawn 12 out of 12). If he doesn’t burn up too much gas from the draw he can definitely be involved. Place Of Pratice has the draw on his side and we are hoping that he is competitive, although first time out the maidens might be a bit tough for him.”

Grand Occasion (Danon Platina) ran at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday and runs six days later in Race 2 on July day over 1600m on the poly. Gareth said, “The pace was a bit slow for her on Sunday, but she has taken the race well and she might prefer the poly at the moment, so we will give it a go (in her last three runs on the poly she has had two wins and a second, so is in fine poly form and she has a good draw of four).”

Gareth has Imilenzeyokududuma (Dynasty) in the July consolation race, the Gr 3 Magical Zulu Kingdom 2200, and he said, “He is in very good form, he’s racing well and he’s loving his work and just loving life. He is looking like a young horse again and I would be surprised if he doesn’t contend the finish here.”

Tomyris (Vercingetorix) is also running in the Magical Kingdom and Gareth said, “She raced on Sunday and there is a chance she likes this 2200m trip. If she does she can maybe earn a cheque considering her light weight.”

Imposing (Visionaire) has thrived in the Van Zyl yard and Gareth said ahead of his engagement in the Listed Premier Gateway International Handicap over 1600m on the turf, “He is doing very well and from a decent draw it is the right type of race for him and I make him one of the principle contenders here. His run to Zeitz last time out was a very good run (0,90 length second over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville giving the latter 1,5kg) and proved he is competitively handicapped off a 107 merit rating. He is in a good space, he is a genuine horse.”

Gareth runs Serengetti Sun (Legislate) in the 11th race over 1200m on the poly and said, “She’s got more to offer. Last time from a wide draw there was merit in the run, she tired late and from a good draw this time out I think she is one of the principle contenders in this event.”

He runs Scarlet Starlet (Erik The Red) in the last race over 1200m on the poly and he said, “She was unlucky last time out, if she jumps well (from draw two) I think she could also be a principle contender. She is a horse with more to offer.”

Paul Lafferty brings the talented Danon Platina three-year-old Bruh back for his first run as a gelding having last run three months ago. He had a bit of a setback after the gelding which put him a little bit behind in his work. Paul said about his chances in Race 2 over 1600m on the poly, “He is probably a little bit behind the eightball, but I am hoping he will be up there because he is a decent horse, I have always rated him.” Bruh was looking in fine fettle when cantering past on the bottom sand track. Paul emphasised for all presenters around the country to take note of that this horse’s name is pronounced the same as the word “brew”.

Wendy Whitehead has the talented Buttercup Baby (What A Winter) in the 11th race, a polytrack event over 1200m. She was asked to just do a light canter on the bottom sand on Monday morning as she has had plenty of racing lately, although she will do faster work on Tuesday and Thursday. She had a gleaming coat, underlining her well-being, and Wendy said, “She likes to race up in the first section and she has a good draw with Rachel Venniker up claiming the 1,5kg. She is back on the poly which she loves. She is in a great space and will go close.”

Wendy’s charge Sundance Kid (Master Of My Fate) runs in race 2 over 1600m on the poly and she said, “He is working very, very well. He is coming into this race fresh (last ran on April 24), but he loves to run fresh and he loves the polytrack and 1600m is his game. He is a very competitive horse, he tries hard everytime, so I am hoping for a great run. He has so much gatespeed that he should be able to overcome his draw of 12 easily (under Calvin Habib).”

MJ Odendaal runs Johnny The Thief from pole position in the Gr 3 Magical Kingdom 2200 and he said, “He ran fourth in this race last year, despite things not going his way.. He ended up leading and he’s always been better from off the speed. He normally runs well quite fresh, so we’re coming into the race fresh (last ran on April 24). He had a proper, proper mile gallop last week Tuesday. I am not saying we are going in confident, but I’m quietly confident he wil be in the money.”

Interestingly, Johnny The Thief sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight of 52kg off his 94 merit rating and last year he was 2kg under sufferance off a 92 rating.

Hah Lah Lah could continue to progress (Picture: Race Coast) 

Andrew Harrison (Race Coast)

It is always satisfying for trainers and their staff when they get to the bottom of a difficult and hopefully talented individual so Dean Kannemeyer’s third winner on yesterday’s Hollywoodbets Scottsville racecard was the most significant for the yard as HAH LAH LAH showed his potential and a more mature racing attitude when winning the B Stakes over 1200m.

It was stable rider Craig Zackey’s fourth winner of the afternoon, and he was full of praise for his mount who was recording his third win from just four starts.

Zackey said of HAH LAH LAH, “He shouldn’t be winning 12’s, he wants a mile, 1800m. He’s been a hard horse to deal with from a youngster with the gates and with his mouth. Last run back in a small field we tried to get him to switch off, (he took a hold and never settled) but first thing when I got back here, I asked MrKannemeyer what made the change and he said, ‘I just found this bit’ and cantering down to the start I thought something’s working well.”

Zackey reiterated that HAH LAH LAH should not be winning 12’s as he is a Classic type of horse.

Smart BEST OF ALL made a race of it as he was in contention all the way to the line, but HAH LAH LAH was just warming up, and he went past to win well.

EDUCATOR was Kannemeyer’s second winner and has always given the impression that she is better than her earlier form would suggest. Yesterday she scored a bloodless win in the Class 3, shouldering top weight in a field of useful fillies. Log-leading rider Zackey placed her in mid-field as OVATION STAR set the fractions, but the writing was on the wall a long way out. As Gavin Lerena’s arms started to pump and wave, Zackey was sitting with a handful. The gap opened up like the Red Sea for Moses and EDUCATOR went through to win as she liked with TOMYRIS chasing hard to snatch second.

Back on the turf on a straight course, the first two races on the card for juveniles attracted maximum fields and form followers would do well to watch numerous replays as there was a lot to decipher and fill the black book.

The first was marred by a loose horse as replacement rider Athandiwe Mgudlwa came off ASGARDIAN QUEEN at the jump and the filly was all over the place giving Callan Murray on the well fancied DANCING PARTY a nightmare ride as ASGARDIAN QUEEN forced him to check badly on two occasions, which may well have cost him the race. Mgudlwa was stood down for the rest of the meeting.

Zackey, riding a typical race aboard the Kannemeyer trained TURN TO THE LAW, waited his chance in the pack before setting sail to take the lead close to home and win rather comfortably. The strapping filly EGOLEE made an eye-catching debut running into second with a few eye-catchers behind her.

COAST OF THE SUN is a reserve runner in the Omoda Golden Horseshoe Gr 2 next Saturday, but unfortunately third reserve, so unlikely to get a run, but his form was franked as Peter Muscutt’s strongly fancied BENNY AND PAUL put plenty of daylight between him and PRIZED POSSESSION with the balance of the field out with the washing. PRIZED POSSESSION tried to make a race of it, but two backhands were enough to galvanise BENNY AND PAUL to streak away and win as he liked.

Sean Veale deputizing for Mgudlwa, made all the running on RED HOT MISS in the first leg of the PA, taking Darryl Moore’s filly to the front from the jump. BAI YULU loomed dangerous a furlong out but once Veale asked for maximum, RED HOT MISS responded with an extra effort to hold on to her lead from BAI YULUand INDIGNATION.

The first leg of the Pick 6 was not run at any great pace but favourite DAY TWO was always in contention as COOL WIND finally went around some reluctant early runners. Zackey was quick to challenge in the straight and Gareth van Zyl’s gelding kept finding under his top weight to hold off SHINY BOB. However, he failed to keep a straight course, DAY TWO shifting out inconveniencing a number of runners notably GLOBAL MOVEMENT with Mickaelle Michel having to snatch up.

All 15 runners were spread across the track in the Class 4 over 1500m and with 100m left to run all of 10 of the runners were in with a chance. However, apprentice Mxolisi Mbuto, currently second on the national apprentice log, got Tony Rivalland’s mare to pick it up over the final 50m to pull clear for the 50th win of his career and now joins the big time as he now loses his claim.

SPLASH OF LOVE stayed on for second from HOP HOP SPINNEKOP, who came from way back to snatch the minor placing.

There was a desperately close finish to the eighth. Apprentice Qiniso Ngcobo, hunting his first winner, got the ride on Louis Goosen’s reserve runner DON QUERARI and looked to have pinched a winning lead entering the final furlong. However, Sean Veale, deputizing for Andrew Fortune, got STREET OUTLAW to respond to reel in his rival and get the gelding’s nose down on the line.

Mr Incredible surges clear to stamp Four-Year-Classic Series credentials (HKJC)

By Leo Schlink (HKJC)

Brett Crawford outlined ambitions to contest next season’s Four-Year-Old Classic Series with Mr Incredible (126lb) after the exciting galloper handled older and more experienced rivals with aplomb with an eye-catching victory at Sha Tin on Saturday (27 June).

Rising in grade, the Toronado gelding accelerated powerfully in the straight before being eased down by Karis Teetan to easily land the Class 3 Shek Sheung River Handicap (1200m) to bolster his record to three wins from four starts.

Forging across the final 400m in 22.28s, Mr Incredible could have easily won by more than the official margin of one-and-three-quarter lengths if Teetan had chosen to push the bay through the line.

Crawford is confident Mr Incredible has the scope to contend in the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, which includes the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m), Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) and the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m).

“I think he’s proven tonight that he’s going to be capable (in the Four-Year-Old Classic Series),” Crawford said. “There’s not many three-year-olds that win in Class 3 like that, so he’s an exciting horse for next season and hopefully he’ll go further, which he definitely looks like he can.

“I think today was a big test for him to go up to Class 3, so I was very pleased the way he handled himself. I thought he ran a really good race and when asked to stretch, he really dug down deep and went away from them, so we can’t ask for more.

“He’ll have a nice break now, put him away and have a nice holiday and obviously get him ready for the new season.”

Teetan, who posted a three-timer, was equally impressed with Mr Incredible.

“He’s a lovely horse, we always thought he was a nice horse and every time he’s gone to the races, he’s shown it, and today was a big task,” the Mauritian said. “He had a long break and to see him winning like this today was nice. We look forward to next season now.”

Teetan and Crawford combined for a race-to-race double with Sovereign Fund (132lb) in the Class 3 Tan Shan River Handicap (1400m), while Teetan also prevailed with David Hayes-trained Ka Ying Resilience (124lb) in the first section of the Class 4 Lam Tsuen River Handicap (1200m).

Colourful King (125lb) confirmed undeniable talent and eased the memories of a string of minor placings this season with a dominant win in the Class 1 Pearce Memorial Challenge Cup Handicap (1000m) for David Eustace and Andrea Atzeni.

The Blue Point gelding had tallied one win, four seconds and a third from nine starts this term before today’s triumph. Settling midfield, the four-year-old powered over the final 400m in 21.86s to down Magic Control (116lb) and Bottomuptogether (121lb).

Colourful King completes the rise to Class 1.

“We’ve had just a frustrating run of near misses and disappointments, I suppose at the Valley, but he’s just clearly a better horse here down the straight. This race obviously was perfect and he had slightly less weight – he wasn’t having to shoulder top weight which counts for a lot as well,” Eustace said.

Colourful King’s win was the second leg of a double for Andrea Atzeni, who reached his goal of 60 victories for the season with a double, having also scored on Master Lucky (129lb) in the Class 4 Sha Tau Kok River Handicap (1400m) for John Size.

“Reaching 60 wins was a target; I thought it was a nice number and we got there today and we’ve got a few meetings left, so I can’t complain,” Atzeni said. “It was a brilliant to get back on him (Colourful King), I rode him in his earlier days and I sort of missed him early on in the season. He did it quite well tonight.”

Caspar Fownes maintained his charge towards a fifth trainers’ championship with Verbier’s (124lb) victory under Joao Moreira in the first section of the Class 5 Kam Tin River Handicap (1200m).

With only five meetings left in the season, Fownes – who won the championship in 2006/07, 2008/09, 2013/14 and 2020/21 – has 65 wins for the season and leads Danny Shum (60), Mark Newnham (59), Francis Lui (54) and Hayes (53).

“I still feel like I’ve got a lot of winners in the camp, which I’ve kept for the last few meetings because I knew it was a very strong battle this year and I wanted to make sure I was very well prepared,” Fownes said.

“It’s been a great battle all season and I’m proud of the way the stable has responded – my team has worked very hard and I really hope I can get this championship because I’ve gone on record as saying this one means a lot to me and I hope I can get it.”

Moreira has played an integral role in Fownes’ success since returning to Hong Kong as Fownes’ retained jockey. A four-time Hong Kong Champion Jockey, Moreira has compiled 25 wins in his latest stint, including 22 for Fownes.

Shum struck with Anode (132lb) under Hugh Bowman in the second section of the Class 4 Lam Tsuen River Handicap (1200m). Placed four times at Group race level in Australia for Adrian Bott and Gai Waterhouse, Anode’s win provided Shum with a perfect 66th birthday gift.

Newnham also remains in contention after Talents Ambition (135lb) slotted his fourth course and distance triumph by clinching the Class 3 Beas River Handicap (1650m, dirt) for Zac Purton.

Cody Mo continued an excellent week when Hong Kong International Sale (HKIS) graduate Super Goldendragon (126lb) clinched the Class 4 Nam Chung River Handicap (2000m) for Derek Leung. Mo fired in a treble at Happy Valley on Wednesday (24 June) and has 46 victories for the term.

Fellow HKIS graduate Circuit Victory (116lb) finished powerfully under Britney Wong for Manfred Man to land the second section of the Class 5 Kam Tin River Handicap (1200m) before Me Tsui’s Night Purosangue (123lb) posted his third course and distance win of the season with success in the Class 4 Ng Tung River Handicap (1650m, dirt).

Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Wednesday, 1 July with the Hong Kong Reunification Raceday. The first race is scheduled for 4pm.

Aquae Calidae looks to be an exciting prospect (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Cape Breeders

Champion sire Vercingetorix looks to have yet another top-class sort on his hands in the form of Aquae Calidae.

The latter made it two wins from three starts when he romped home to a facile win in the G3 Langerman (1500m) at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday.

Trained by Eric Sands, the blue blooded two-year-old had finished second on debut before breaking his maiden next time out by five lengths.

Aquae Calidae was duly sent off a hot favourite for Saturday’s Langerman and duly obliged with the minimum of fuss.

Under Craig Zackey, the grey stormed home to land the G3 feature going away by two and a quarter lengths, while stamping himself a likely classic contender for next season.

Bred by Varsfontein Stud, Aquae Calidae races for Khaya Stables.

Bred on the same cross as champion Gladatorian, Saturday’s winner is out of the Dynasty sired champion Bela-Bela.

Aquae Calidae was a R2 250 000 purchase from the 2025 National Yearling Sale.

He is the second Langerman winner for his sire, with Vercingetorix also responsible for 2021 winner Pomp And Power.

Aquae Calidae was one of two juvenile winners for his unstoppable sire on Saturday. Vercingetorix filly Perfect Sky showed plenty of courage when she won the Racing240 Juvenile Plate (Fillies) (1160m).

Under Gavin Lerena, the Sean Tarry trained filly put her head down where it mattered to get up and claim her second win, from four starts, by a neck.

Bred by Maine Chance Farms, Perfect Sky races for Antony and Angela Beck in partnership with Mr Hackner.

Out of the Captain Al mare Perfect Princess, Perfecy Sky is bred on the same cross as G1 winners Double Grand Slam, Mia Moo and Vernichey.

Grapes Of Wrath Wins Impressively (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Cape Breeders

Drakenstein Stud’s exciting young stallion Charles Dickens gained a handsome update to his stellar female line on Saturday.

His two-year-old half-sister Grapes Of Wrath (by Gimmethegreenlight) stamped herself a hugely promising prospect when she ran out a convincing winner of the Listed Irridescence Stakes (1500m) run at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday.

Bred and owned by Drakenstein Stud, the Candice Bass trained two-year-old had won impressively on debut before finishing fourth in the Listed Somerset 1200 on her only other start.

Sent off a well backed favourite for the Irridescence Stakes, Grapes Of Wrath caught the eye with an impressive performance. Despite still green, the Gimmethegreenlight filly, under Aldo Domeyer, unleashed a wicked turn of foot which saw Grapes Of Wrath power home to score by a deceptively easy half a length.

Grapes Of Wrath is the fourth black type horse produced by the high-class Dynasty mare Demanding Lady, South Africa’s Broodmare Of The Year in 2022-2023.

Winner of five races including the G2 Ipi Tombe Challenge, Demanding Lady is also the dam of champion Charles Dickens, as well as Listed Settlers Trophy winner Somerset Maugham and G1 Gbets Cape Derby runner up Charles.

A son of champion sire Trippi, Charles Dickens was an exceptional racehorse, and Equus Champion 3YO Colt in 2022-2023, and Equus Champion Miler in both 2022-2023 and 2023-2024.

Unbeaten in two starts at two, Charles Dickens went on to claim both the G1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas and G1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge at three, before winning the G1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate the following season.