"Harold" Ready To Ignite His Winds Of Change
Winds Of Change, who is affectionately called “Harold” by his connections due to the famous “Winds Of Change” speech made by Britush Prime Minister Harold McMillan in the SA parliament in 1960, is weighted to win the first race at Turffontein on Saturday (JC Photos)
The Turffontein Standside meeting on Saturday has nine races and is headlined by a Graduation Plate over 1000m and a MR 101 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1160m.
The Graduation Plate is the first race and the Mike Azzie-trained Winds Of Change is 6,5kg better in at the weights than any other horse according to official merit ratings. He had become disappointing, but gelding has brought the necessary “winds of change”. He should have come on from his last start when a close up third over 1160m at this course. He is drawn on the wrong side by trends, but the draw should be manageable in this small field. Champion jockey Gavin Lerena is up and Winds Of Change, who is affectionately called “Harold” by his connections, looks ready to return to his true self.
Trajanus is officially 12,5kg under sufferance with Winds Of Change, but is very quick and looks to be on the up.
African Pride was a touch disappointing last Saturday over this course and distance in the Sophmore 1000, but is now drawn on the right side and could do better considering his narrow third in the Listed Golden Loom over this course and distance.
Kaalvoet had some reasonable form in Cape Town behind the like of Good For You and The US Of A, but he finished last in the Sophomore 1000 last Saturday also needs to bounce back.
Chapbook has shown some ability and could earn from the favourable standside draw.
I’m A Fireball is the second best in at the weights and can boast a 1,95 length sixth in the Gr 1 Gold Medallion last season. He wasn’t disgraced in his reappearance last time out over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Greyville and is a player if able to overcome the number one draw.
In the MR 101 Handicap over 1160m for fillies and mares, Elegantrix has plenty of speed and class, but is another one who will have to overcome a low draw.
Tuscan Romance sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight and is another low drawn runner who makes appeal.
Poblano caught the eye last time and would have been fancied if this had been over 1000m, but she does stay this trip and could represent good value.
Blizzard Snow is better than her last run, which did not pan out well and can make amends from a nice draw under in-form visiting rider Mickaelle Michel.
Green Flash has a nice high draw and is in hard-knocking form, so should be a player.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1800m The Playboy Bomber has a plum draw over a trip which should be ideal.
Jordan ran well last time and is ideally distance suited, but does have a tough draw to overcome.
Vesuvio ran a cracker last time over this trip and has a similar draw of six.
Skittle Skies missed the break in the Grand Heritage and lost many lengths, but is a contender here if jumping on terms.
Banha Bridge sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight and has Yeni up from a good draw, so can’t be ignored.
In the fifth race over 1600m Guerilla Warfare went close on Tuesday over 1400m and is capable of winning here from pole position.
Page Boy has been a touch disappointing, but has the ability to earn if able to overcome a wide draw.
In the sixth over 1400m Peregrine Falcon enjoys this trip and is a big runner from a good draw.
Fostinovo is knocking on the door and is ideally distance suited and well drawn.
Legendary rallied well to win on Grand Heritage day over this trip and will be a player if able to overcome a wide draw and a three point higher mark.
Oklahoma Smokeshow won his maiden well over 1500m and off a reasonable merit rating of 72 can make a bold bid from pole position.
In the eighth over 1160m Xenophon is a talented sort who is knocking on the door and can record a third career win from a middle draw.
It’s Personal is in fine form and off a three point higher mark for his latest win should be in the shake up from a nice high draw.
Mister Wilson has 1,90 lengths to make up on Xenophon and should be in the shake up from a high draw.
His Lordship has plenty of ability and can make his presence felt if low draws prove to not be disadvantageous.
Top Division could earn from a high draw.
In the ninth over 1160m Waiting On Charlie went close when stepped down to 1000m and can go one better here.
Whirlybird should beat Maverick Queen on the weight turnaround and is a contender.
Maverick Queen ran a cracker over 1200m last time and this consistent sort should be right there.
United Offer has some class and is interesting stepped back down to this trip.
Angel’s Oasis is only half-a-kilogram under sufferance and had some fair Cape Town form, so is interesting from a high draw.
The second race over 1160m could go to Gulf Of America from a nice high draw.
The third race over 1160m could go to Trombolines and Lovable must not be ignored.
Whitehead, Venniker/Roberts Big Days Either Side Of New Year
Fortress Of Fire became a bit disappointing after a most impressive debut as a juvenile, but gelding looks to have done the trick and he has bounced back with a close third and two wins in three starts since the operation was done. At Friday’s Hollywoodbets Greyville turf meeting he gave Rachel Venniker the second leg of a four-timer and Michael Roberts the second leg of a treble (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
Wendy Whitehead scored a treble at the last meeting of 2025 in South Africa, a poly meeting at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday the 31st, and that saw her complete December with seven wins at a strike rate of 20.59%.
Two of them were ridden by Rachel Venniker and the latter started the New Year in devastating fashion by riding the first four-timer of her career at Hollywoodbets Greyville’s eight race Friday day/night turf meeting on January 2, three of them for her guv’nor Michael Roberts.
Whitehead’s three winners on Wednesday were Sun In My Pocket (Erupt), a hard knocker who got off the mark at the eleventh attempt having only missed the frame once in ten starts, Tee Dog (Act Of War); a big horse who finally fulfilled his potential when cruising in by 5,10 lengths when stepped up to 2000m to record a first career win in his 14th start; and Flying Reign Storm, who scored a third career win off a 62 merit rating in a fillies and mares handicap over 1600m.
Calvin Habib rode both Sun In My Pocket and Flying Reign Storm and Rachel Venniker was aboard Tee Dog.
Venniker’s other winner on Wednesday was aboard L’Ultimo (The United Staes) for Roberts and she thus joined Habib as the only double-scoring jockey at the meeting.
Habib scored another double at the New Year’s Day meeting at Turffontein Standside and national log leader Craig Zackey also scored a double there.
After Zackey, Richard Fourie and Muzi Yeni all scored a single winner each at today’s (Friday’s) Fairview poly meeting it was Zackey leading on 113 wins at 16.99% with Fourie in second on 99 wins at 23.08% and Yeni in fifth place on 65 wins at 11.23%
Callan Murray had a winner at the Wednesday poly meeting, a blank at Turffontein on Thursday and a winner at Friday’s Hollywoodbets Greyville turf meeting.
Habib had a blank at the Friday Greyville meeting.
That left Murray in third place on the national log on 69 wins at 14.78%.
Habib is fourth on 66 wins at 11.93%.
Venniker’s six wins in the last two KZN meetings puts her on 30 wins for the season at 11.07%.
Her winners were on the Roberts-trained Black Frost (What A Winter), the smart Roberts-trained Fortress Of Fire (Fire Away), the Garth Puller-trained Cardinal Chief (Erik The Red) and the Roberts-trained Siberian Winter (Rabada).
The KZN Trainers Championship is as intriguing as ever as the reigning champion Gareth van Zyl had a winner on Wednesday to close the gap on leader Alyson Wright to one win.
Wright is on 23 wins in KZN this season, with Van Zyl on 22, Dean Kannemeyer, Andre Nel and Stuart Ferrie are on 16 wins apiece and Mike and Mathew de Kock are on 15 wins.
Wendy Whitehead’s treble took her to 14 wins and she is going at a strike rate of 8.64%, while Roberts is now on 12 wins at 11.11%.
Ferraris On The Board On New Year's Day
Luke Ferraris extracted a resolute finished from Six Pack at Thurday’s meeting at Sha Tin (Picture: HKJC)
Luke Ferraris scored in a Class 3 event on New Year’s Day at an eleven race meeting at Sha Tin.
He partnered the Douglas Whyte-trained Six Pack for the first time and got him home by a neck in the HK$1.8million 1400m event.
The Australian-bred had had two wins in ten starts in Australia and was yet to get off the mark in six previous starts in Hong Kong.
It was the first time Luke had ridden him.
His rating had come down from 81 to 76 during his time in Hong Kong and he paid a dividend of 7.40 on the Tote.
Jumping from draw 2, Luke had Six Pack in a one out and two back position with cover and he produced a resolute finish in the straight to slowly wear down the leader Ka Ying Attack, winning by a neck with the favourite With A Smile beaten 2,25 lengths into fourth.
Brett Crawford actually had the third favourite in the race, Eight Light Years, but he started tardily and then had nowhere to go throughout the straight under Harry Bentley, so a line can be drawn through that run.
Ferraris is now on 19 wins for the season and is in third place on the log behind Purton on 52 and Bowman on 24.
Karis Teetan is in fourth place on 17 wins and Lyle Hewitson is in joint sixth place on 14 wins.
Brett Crawford has had eight wins from just 80 runs, so is keeping up a good strike rate.
Click here to read a full report on the New Year’s Day Meeting
Gimmethegreenlight Treble On New Year's Day
The Lucky Houdalakis-trained Dave Shawe-homebred three-year-old filly Al Greenga gives leading jockey Craig Zackey a double and Gimmethegreenlight a treble (JC Photos)
Cape Breeders
Multiple Champion Sire Gimmethegreenlight began 2026 on a high note when he supplied a trio of winners at Turffontein on Thursday.
It was a 100% strike rate for the Varsfontein Stud resident, with all three of Gimmethegreenlight’s runners winning at Turffontein.
Gimmethegreenlight’s first success on New Year’s Day came when his daughter Merryweather narrowly prevailed in the For Hospitality Bookings Call 011 681 1796 Novice Handicap (1600m).
Under Keagan De Melo, the Johan Janse Van Vuuren trained three-year-old put her head down where it mattered most to score by a short-head.
Bred by Varsfontein Stud, Merryweather, who races for the Wernars Family and Mukund Gujadhur, is out of the Judpot mare Maleficent.
Gimmethegreenlight is also the sire of Surprise Party, who caught the eye when she won Thursday’s #Youcanbetonus!FM 74 Divided Handicap (1800m).
The Paul Matchett trained three-year-old was given a good ride by Philasande Mxoli to win by nearly a length and a quarter. A blinker strike appeared to help Surprise Party in Thursday’s race.
Bred by Varsfontein Stud, Surprise Party, winner of two of six starts, races for Henning Pretorius.
The filly, who is out of the Philanthropist mare Party Crasher, was a R700 000buy from the 2024 August Two Year Old Sale.
Gimmethegreenlight also looks to have a promising sort to his name in the form of Al Greenga.
The latter made it two wins from three starts with an impressive win in the ninth and final race on Thursday.
Under Craig Zackey, the Lucky Houdalakis trained three-year-old stormed home to win the Next Turffontein Racemeeting Saturday 3 January FM 80 Handicap (1400m) by more than five and a half lengths.
Bred and owned by David Shawe, Al Greenga had finished fourth on debut before breaking her maiden next time out.
Out of the Captain Al mare Al Danza, the filly is bred on the same Gimmethegreenlight/Captain Al cross as champions Proceed and Sandringham Summit.
Foudre Can Give Champion Broodmare Another Boost
Foudre is by Fire Away out of Equus Champion Broodmare Halfway To Heaven (Jet Master), which makes him a half-brother to multiple Gr 1 winners Rainbow Bridge, Hawwaam and Golden Ducat, and the Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein-bred five-year-old gelding can follow up on his fine comeback victory in race 6 at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Sunday Formguides And Selections
R1 Preview: PROTECTOR OF PEACE (8) went close last time and is confidently selected to get it all right this time. TREETOPS (2) ran a fair race on debut and with natural improvement can get a lot closer. THESHOWMUSTGOON (9) is never far adrift the action and should be very competitive. PERFECT IMPACT (10) can be forgiven for the last run and included in the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 8-2-9-10)
R2 Preview: PUSHING LIMITS (7) is in winning form having won two out of his last three races and there is no reason why she cannot follow up. Andrew Fortune sticks with the ride. WHIRLWIND (6) obliged at the second time of asking and could end up being way better than a MR 78 – respect and include. CARIBBEAN GOLD (5) is lightly raced and has each way claims. COUNTRY TIME (3) has solid form and as usual a lively chance. (Warren Lenferna 7-6-5-3)
R3 Preview: MERCENARY (2) is lightly tried and has not been far off and with any amount of improvement to possibly come, could be the value here – win chance. SUGAR DADDY (5) has good form, caught the eye last time and should go close. WALOYO YAMONI (8) has a bright place chance and BLIZZARDBOY (7) is a must for the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 2-5-8-7)
R4 Preview: ERIC LIDDELL (8) ran an absolute cracker last time when nearly getting it all right and could be tough to beat today. PHANTOM MAN (7) has placed twice from four starts and should win soon, but for today, has more of a place chance than a winning one. FORT LIAM (1) and FREQUENT TRAVELLER (5) are natural inclusions for trifectas and quartets. (Warren Lenferna 8-7-1-5)
R5 Preview: SPIRIT OF LEVANA (1) is a tad off form currently but has shown ability and talent before. Her penultimate run was fair enough to warrant her as the each way value suggestion here. She has come down in the ratings a lot. TOTHEMOONANDBACK (10) caught the eye last time, Fortune now rides and can go one better. GENTLEMAN JOE (3) is taking time for the next win but showed last time that the time is near. Bright chance. FAST AND FREE (6) is one for the shortlist. (Warren Lenferna 1-10-3-6)
R6 Preview: FOUDRE (6) won his maiden well after a rest and could end up being anything. He can be followed. BLIND DATE (5) is holding form and has each way claims. UNITED FRONT (4) ran a better race last time and can pop up – respect and include. GIVE IT LALDY (3) might have more to offer – watch. (Warren Lenferna 6-5-4-3)
R7 Preview: GIMMIE RULES (2) ran well behind Jan Van Goyen last time and has solid overall form – win choice and possible banker. ARDABIL (9) got up to win a gutsy race last time and needs to be taken seriously again. GALLIC DREAM (4) has solid form and a solid chance – one for the shortlist. CAPTAIN WEST (5) can finish in the first four. (Warren Lenferna 2-9-4-5)
R8 Preview: KATTEKWAADKWADRAAD (6) was narrowly beaten last time, is lightly raced and must be taken seriously for the win position. JOU LEKKER DING (10) nearly caused an upset at 50/1 last time and if confirming that sudden improvement, could earn again. MIGHTY MARY (11) is way better that her last run suggests and can place. LA LANDONNE (8) has bright claims on her good penultimate effort. (Warren Lenferna 6-10-11-8)
R9 Preview: MORFELIHA (1) showed ability when nearly winning out the maidens and has been selected as the first choice. FLYING SOUTH (2) has each way claims. IM THE BUZZ (13) is the place value and BLACK PATH (11) always has a chance and can never be dismissed from any bets. (Warren Lenferna 1-2-13-11)
Colourful King Can Take Sunday's Sha Tin Feature
Colourful King has been tipped to win the Bauhinia Sprint Trophy (Pctures: HKJC)
The Group 3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy over 1000m headlines at Sha Tin on Sunday, where Tim Carroll of At The Races reveals his three best bets.
The meeting is a highly competitive 11-race meeting on both the Turf and All-Weather tracks and the action starts at 06H30 SA Time.
Tattersalls Online Sales In 2025 Had Pleasing Returns
The Tattersalls Rotunda in Newmarket is the iconic, historic centerpiece of Tattersalls Ltd, Europe’s oldest and largest bloodstock auctioneer (Picture: Tattersalls)
Online thoroughbred sales began to emerge in the early 2010s, with a significant boost and wider adoption occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic when traditional live sales faced restrictions.
Tattersalls’ 2025 Online Sales figures shows how valuable a source it is:
They had the highest price for an online horse in training sold in Europe in 2025 at 250,000 Gns.
1,463 lots were offered online by Tattersalls in 2025.
They had 18% more online entries than in 2024.
They had 3,515 registered bidders.
The aggregate for their online sales was 7,349,500 Gns.
835 lots were sold to over 30 countries.
They had 993,947 catalogue page views online.
There were 597 individual consigners.
They reported 11,910 bids being placed online.
Today's Question
FIELDS, Saturday, 3 January
FIELDS, Sunday, 4 January
Today’s Question Answer
Picture: Sir John Cradock, who changed his surname to Caradoc in 1821, although it is not know whether the famous South African horse of the late 1960s was named after him. (thegreatkaroo.com)
The most important race in South Africa in the early 1800s was The Cradock Cup. In 1818 the most enthusiastic patron and prominent supporter of racing was Sir John Cradock and he donated the Cradock Cup in 1818. The race was a weight for age event for colonial-bred horses over the Derby distance of a mile-and-a-half and was run until 1876.
