Green Diamond has been tipped to win the Listed TAB National Colour Stakes over an ideal 1000m at Turffontein Standside on Sunday (JC Photos)
Turffontein Standside Sunday 8 November 2026 – Comments by Brendan Gaillard
RACE 1
AMBERFORGO confirmed the promise of her KZN debut 4th with a close-up 3rd on her Highveld debut so won’t need to improve much to open her account. However, jockey Craig Zackey gets off the filly to ride stablemate QUITE A DAY instead, which bodes well for the chances of the latter on her reappearance after an 11-week break following an encouraging debut 2nd over 1000m. Newcomers HUMILITY, CARAMELLO, EPIPHANY, SECRATERIX and BRAVE XYLAH are bred to be useful so warrant respect before any market clues. SATISFIED has the form and experience to make her presence felt too. Follow the betting moves!
RACE 2
HIGH FIDELITY was 3rd (behind a subsequent Grade 2 winner) on debut over course and distance as a 2yo before a disappointing effort over 1400m, but reverts to this shorter trip on his 3yo reappearance as a gelding and could improve to make amends. MULHOLLAND DRIVE and KAY KIWI have shown enough to be competitive, though a bigger threat to the selection is likely to come from newcomers KING IN THE EAST, THE HEADMASTER and DANONOMITE. Follow the market moves for clues to their chances on debut.
RACE 3
TREASURE STATE was a good 3rd over track and trip in a stronger race last time and a repeat of that effort off a reduced mark should suffice. ROYAL HORIZON has dropped to a competitive rating and is weighted to pose a threat. EHHFIFTEENKJOE and STAGE ONE are held by that rival on recent form but could get into the picture. Veteran MICHAEL FARADAY and stablemate ORIENTAL BOUQUET also have earning potential on current form.
RACE 4
TAXI TO THE MOON is weighted to make a winning comeback after a 15-week break but is probably at best over 1000m. ZIYASHA has a bit to find on the form of their meetings in the Computaform Sprint and Golden Horse Sprint but has a fitness advantage after an encouraging comeback run over 1100m. CHARMING CHEETAH is closely matched on that form so warrants respect, along with the lightly raced SPEEDMAN whose form and versatility stand him in good stead. The latter remains open to improvement as a 4yo and is best kept onside. Stablemate ONE FINE WINTER fits a similar profile so isn’t taken lightly.
RACE 5
GREEN DIAMOND has acquitted herself well in defeat in stronger races against male opposition off a higher mark so this represents a good opportunity to get back to winning ways. She finished 4th track and trip in the Grade 1 Computaform Sprint and a repeat of that performance should suffice. Last-start winners ANCHORAGE, TRIP OF FAITH and PLAYING TRIX remain competitive under respective penalties, and top-weight WHISTLE THE TUNE has proven credentials at this level. PRECOCIOUS boasts an unbeaten record over track and trip so has to be respected, along with FIERY ROSE and PERFECT MIRACLE.
RACE 6
REECE’S WISH made light work of a career-high mark and step up in class against male opposition over this trip last time and could prove equal to this task with further
improvement on the cards. DESTINY OF FIRE, returning PALACE DANCER, CARE FORGOT and VALENTINA BALDUCCI were well held at Grade 2 level when last seen but will be more competitive under these conditions. MERRYWEATHER had legitimate excuses last time and should be a factor if bouncing back to her earlier form. WILLY MEET AGAIN could also have a role to play reverting to this trip after a pleasing 1160m comeback.
RACE 7
Last-chance saloon for some Betway Summer Cup hopefuls. Progressive big-race entry DRUMNADROCHIT was a most impressive wide-margin winner over this trip on the Inside track but the longer run-in could be even more to her liking, so a wide draw and 6-point penalty may not be enough to halt her momentum. PALACE PRINCE, MAIN DEFENDER, PARISIAN WALKWAY, RULE BY FORCE and FIELD MARSHAL have solid form credentials at this level to trouble the filly. LEGEND OF ARTHUR and PRINCE OF KILDARE could make their presence felt too if building on encouraging recent displays. MASTER SPY could earn too.
RACE 8
MISSION TO MARS was a beaten odds-on favourite over 2000m last time and will be looking to atone dropped back to 1600m, the distance over which he won his maiden by more than 10 lengths. RADIO STAR wasn’t winning out of turn on the Inside track 17 days ago but did benefit from his rider’s 4kg claim. He ought to remain competitive under a penalty without the weight allowance but, on the form of their 12 September meeting, CAPTAIN WEST is weighted to turn the tables on these revised terms. Returning WILD INTENT (changed stables), PORRIDGE BOY and YIPPEE KIYAY are also weighted to be competitive.
RACE 9
Many with chances in a big field but it could pay to side with ZIP CODE whose last-start 2nd at this level under the same rider was encouraging. He earned a 2-point penalty for that effort but is drawn to do no work so should play another leading role. Unexposed CAMILLO CAVOUR is held by that rival on recent form but does have more scope for improvement so should acquit himself competitively. SHOREYBOMBA, BAY EMPIRE, BERRY LANCER and SEA SHANTY have the means to get into the picture too off their current marks. Well-bred COOL GAMBLER is bred to improve stepping up in trip so can pose a threat.
RACE 10
Another big field and many with genuine Eachway chances, though none more so than CONTINENTAL KING whose consistency and solid course-and-distance record stand him in good stead. BANYAN and AFRICAN PRINCE are closely matched on recent 1000m form but this extended trip will likely favour the latter. LITTLE BOY BLUE, DANTE’S BOND and class-dropper BLIZZARD SNOW have form and experience at this level to get into the shake-up, along with last-start winners WILLOW CHARM, NAVASEVEN and SET TO MUSIC. Unexposed EGREMONT ran in a 2yo Grade 1 and is open to improvement as a 3yo after a rest and gelding.
