Turf Talk Newsletter – 04 June, 2025

The bookmakers do not have much belief in Gladatorian, despite having been proven wrong in the Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes where they opened him at 20/1 in the ante-post betting.

The Drill Hall was one of the highest rated races of the season and he won it fair and square, although the conditions did favour him in that he did not have any penalty to carry, so received 1,5kg from the two topweights Royal Aussie and Cafe Culture.

He performed better than both of those two at the weights and carried the same weight as the horse he beat by a shorthead, See It Again.

He also performed better than Great Plains, whom he beat by 0,30 lengths, on weight for age terms and faces him on those terms again.

See It Again is 7/2 with the sponsor, while Great Plains is 6/1 and Gladatorian is 10/1.

The odds makers and analysts might be looking at last year’s Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge, in which Gadatorian only finished a 3,90 length sixth.

However, the pace was on the slow and inconsistent side last year, leading to a messy race, and now that everybody knows what Dave The King’s strengths are, it played completely into his hands in retrospect.

Dave The King was in second behind that slowish pace and it was race over once Muzi Yeni let him go just before entering the straight, with the rest of the field stacking up and Gladatorian being forced wide to get a run, having been inconvenienced early and ending up near the back.

This year’s race could pan out completely differently due chiefly to the presence of the strong, long-stiding front-runner Montien.

Montien is drawn wide in eleven out of twelve and will have plenty of room to get to the front.

Interestingly, one of the other known front-runners in the field, Purple Pitcher, is drawn widest of all.

Then there is Oriental Charm, a front-runner drawn in nine.

Oriental Charm led from start to finish when winning the Gr 2 WSB Green Point Stakes over this distance, but did not fare as well when Montien managed to get around him and ahead of him in the GR 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate. Therefore, JP van der Merwe might want to make more of an effort to keep the latter out this time. Some might say they might not want to give Oriental Charm too hard a race before the Hollywoodbets Durban July, but on the other hand this horse is already being advertised for stud duties for the forthcoming breeding season and a Gr 1 wfa mile will look very good on his stallion CV.

Menwhile, Dave The King will not want to let the front-runners get too far ahead as he is clearly at his best when dominating from a long way out.

Analysts often make the mistake of counting the number of front-runners when judging how strong a pace will be, forgetting that front-runners are often horses that are able to  relax when facing the breeze and can slow it up.

This is what Oriental Charm did to some extent in the Met and Montien was content to follow him and did not over race.

However, Purple Pitcher’s best hope over a trip on the sharp side would likely be to go out fast and keep on going, as he has been known to do.

The front-runners will also be wary of what happened last year and won’t want to serve it on a plate to Dave The King again and to do so they willl need to make him work for the lead.

So, all in all, it looks like there is going to be a decent pace and this will play into the hands of the like of Gladatorian, who has a good turn of foot and can build up a strong head of steam in the straight. Last year there were doubts he would see it out. Sean Veale has no such doubt this season as he has won easily on him over 1750m carrying 62kg, thus confirming the stamina present in his pedigree.

See It Again’s form was a bit patchy after gelding and his Drill Hall run confirmed he had benefitted from a layoff after the Cape season and he should now be completly over the gelding. He could be the one to beat, if it doesn’t play into Dave The King’s hands, as See It Again has an exceptional turn of foot and he also jumped well for a change in the Drill Hall, so from draw three he could take a sit behind the probable strong pace and then run on strongly.

Others who pack strong finishes are Cosmic Speed, Great Plains, Royal Aussie, Cafe Culture, William Robertson and Fire ‘N Flames, although the latter trio all have to prove they are effective over this trip at this level.

However, Gladatorian makes most appeal as the eachway value runner.

Photo of The Equator supplied by Tony Peter Racing.

Coolmore-bred and former Aidan O’Brien-trained The Equator (IRE), makes his South African debut in Sunday’s Grade 3 Jubilee Handicap at Turffontein.

The four-year-old son of Galileo is a three-parts brother to the recent O’Brien-trained Gr 1 Irish 1000 Guineas winner, the Frankel filly Lake Victoria.

Equator holds a 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July nomination and, interestingly, champion jockey Richard Fourie is a notable booking on Sunday for trainer Tony Peter.

Heversham Park Farm’s Advocate Nigel Riley, who owns The Equator in partnership with Willem Ackerman, issued a media release on Wednesday.

He said, “We have been inundated with enquiries about the well-being of The Equator and have decided to appraise the racing public of the situation, so that they can make their own decisions.

“The Equator was purchased in the UK in late October and went into quarantine. After being released from quarantine, he arrived at Heversham in mid-February, where he was acclimatised and did some light trotting on our tracks. He went into to Tony Peter’s yard on 28 March, where he has made excellent progress and has put up some eye-catching work.

“Last Sunday, The Equator had a 1600m gallop on the inside track at Turffontein against a couple of horses, including a Grade 1 winner. He won the gallop by three lengths, going away from them, and his work rider was as impressed as onlookers. We look forward to the race. We hope this will assist punters.”

Paul Peter went over to a Tattersalls Sale with Advocate Nigel Riley and Willem Ackerman last October and the latter pair bought the Galileo colt for 55,000 Gns.

His value increased significantly a month later when his three-parts sister by Frankel, Lake Victoria, won the Gr 1 Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf.

Lake Victoria started 9/4 for the 1000 Guineas this year and finished a 2,50 length sixth.

She started 10/11 favourite for the Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh on May 25 and won by 2,25 lengths.

The Equator himself has only won one race in six starts but has two seconds to his name and has performed well against some good oposition.

He seems to need plenty of ground, despite being out of the European champion three-year-old sprinter Quiet Reflection (Showcasing), who won two Gr 1s.

The South African handicappers accorded The Equator a merit rating of 109, which means he will need to run a big race on Saturday to qualify for the July.

Laurence and friends and connections lead in the gallant dual Gr 1-winning Argentinian-bred Puerto Manazano. (JC Photos) 

As a racehorse owner Laurence Wernars success on South African tracks has grown almost in parallel with his achievements in the business world.

One of the first companies he worked for called SA Clothing was owned by Martin Sternberg, owner of the great horse Spanish Pool, and his success as a salesman prompted him to branch out on his own and through sheer hard work and dermination he built a clothing empire.

Click here to read the Charl Pretorius column Off The Record about the rise of Laurence’s business empire and his success in horseracing 

Captain Selvie could provide Gavin Lerena with a valuable win in the last race as he chases Richard Fourie in the national title race (JC Photos).

Formguides and Selections for Turffontein Inside meeting Thursday 

R1 9 MASTER’S LADY made a fair debut and has a fair draw over a suitable 1000m trip. 2 JET QUERARI has not been disgraced in all four of his starts and he could earn here. 3 RINGHO is never far off them and could be in the shake-up. 5 BUMPS LAST GRIND has run two good races and this well-bred half-sister to Grade 1 heroine Via Africa can do well if able to overcome a high draw. (9-2-3-5)

R2 7 HAWKSDALE made a fair debut and from a good draw with Lerena up could go close. 1 SUMMER WINTER has fair form and could earn again in this line up. 4 BILINGUAL has a shout but will have to overcome a tricky draw. 6 FAR BEYOND could be involved if able to reproduce her firt run. (7-1-4-6)

R3 10 WAITING ON CHARLIE has some fair form against useful sorts and should be involved. 3 MISS TAKES has run some fair races and with Lerena up could earn despite a wide draw. 4 TRIP TO STATES also ha the ability to earn but also has a wide draw. 5 PARABELLUM has shown some bility and from a good draw could earn. (10-3-4-5)

R4 2 DOUGLAS DRAGON has a good record over staying trip and is well drawn. 1 TO THE RESCUE is a progressive stayer and is half-a-kilogram worse off with Douglas Dragon for a 0,30 length beating. 3 ROMEO’S MAGIC has a good drw ad has proved to be a fair stayer so interesting stepped up to 2600m. 6 MO MENT has always struck as a stayer and has done well since stepped to these sort of trips. (2-1-3-6)

R5 3 LADY NOIR won easiy last time and from a good draw has a chance over what should be a suitable trip. 4 LUNAR RAINBOW is capable of better than last time and could earn. 2 PATCHES OF GREY should be a runner in this line up with a 2,5kg claimer up. 1 TEO TORRIATTE is course and distance suited and has a 4kg claimer up but has a tricky draw. (3-4-2-1)

R6 12 OBSIDIAN is in good form and from a good draw with Khumalo up should go close. 9 SPRING TRADITION has the ability to be in the shake up from a good draw. 2 ESPINOZA has a chance of staying on pedigree but does have to overcome a tough draw. 5 BIRTHRIGHT is better than his recent form suggests and can do well if able to get handy or to the front. (12-9-2-5)

R7 6 FLAG BEARER gets on well with this 4kg claimer and has a chance from a good draw. 4 UNSOLVED RIDDLE won well last time and is only three points higher. 7 LIBECCIO is capable and has a plum draw with a 2,5kg claimer up. 1 LADY SABRINA has a form chance from pole position. (6-4-7-1)

R8 2 GREGARIOUS looks a fair sort and Lerena will help in overcoming a wide draw. 6 WARNING SOUND is in good form and has a plum draw. 3 PLAY WITH FIRE is in fine form and can earn again. 9 RATTLE BAG is a gallant mare who is capable of a strong finish. (2-6-3-9)

R9 8 CAPTAIN SELVIE is in fine form and is the one to beat from a good draw under Lerena. 6 MICKE’S BOMB is inconsistent but if reproducing her last start should be right there. 1 THE NAVY LARK can never be ignored over this distance. 5 LONELY AS A CLOUD has the form to earn here. (8-6-1-5)

Jan van Goyen cruises to victory on Tuesday at Turffontein Standside. (JC Photos). 

Cape Breeders

Varsfontein Stud’s top-class sire Master Of My Fate looks to have come up with another bright prospect in the form of Jan Van Goyen.

The latter made a big impression when romping home to a debut win at Turffontein on Tuesday.

Trained by Mike and Mathew de Kock, Jan Van Goyen turned Tuesday’s  Champion Two-Year-Old Colt/Gelding: Esteemed Maiden Juvenile Plate (1160m) into a one horse race.

Under Callan Murray, the two-year-old powered away to win as he liked by four and a half lengths.

Bred by Mr & Mrs R J Trotter, Messrs R E Alexander & B B Campbell, Jan Van Goyen is out of the Oratorio mare Daydream Believer.

A R600 000 buy from the 2024 KZN Yearling Sale, Jan Van Goyen is the seventh two-year-old winner this season for his inform sire Master Of My Fate.

The latter has a cracking crop of two-year-olds this year, with Master Of My Fate’s other promising two-year-olds including G2 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Nursery winner Golden Palm and Listed Dahlia Plate/Listed East Cape Fillies Nursery winner Anotherdanceforme.

Also the sire of this season’s G1 Betway Summer Cup winner Atticus Finch, Master Of My Fate has nine lots on offer at the upcoming KZN Yearling Sale.

Golden Darci is a cosy winner under De Melo. (HKJC) 

Keagan de Melo clinched a potentially vital win at Happy Valley on Wednesday night as the granting of jockeys licenses for next season must be approaching and any win he can get before then after a disappointing season will help his cause.

Golden Darci struck for the second time for Douglas Whyte with victory in the Class 4 Cricket Club Valley Stakes Handicap (1200m) under De Melo, who ended a 38-ride winless streak with a superb display, wrote Leo Sclink of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

“He trialled well at Conghua and Dougie was kind enough to give me the ride and drawing barrier one was really a help and I was able to get close without using him,” De Melo said after notching his 10th win for the season. “These conditions really suited him and he quickened through the line really nicely.

“Things are slowly starting to pick up. There’s been a couple of suspensions along the way but nice to get a win and I’m really grateful for the support I get.”

Reaching double figures has been a struggle as he has not received the support a rider of his calibre deserves.

Read the report on the rest of the day’s meeting below:

Ellis Wong lands Happy Valley double as Caspar Fownes shines

By Leo Schlink (HKJC)

Ellis Wong drives Kaholo Angel clear (HKJC).

Ellis Wong continued a blazing run of form to take Happy Valley riding honours with a double on Wednesday night (4 June) as he posted one of the most significant wins of his fledging career on Kaholo Angel, a horse who has played a pivotal role in the apprentice’s development.

Maintaining the form which saw him slot five wins in May, Wong struck with Ricky Yiu-trained Mega Bonus in the second section of the Class 4 Wong Nai Chung Gap Handicap (1200m) before partnering Kaholo Angel to victory in the Class 2 Wan Chai Gap Handicap (1200m) for Caspar Fownes.

“I’m very happy to win for Caspar, my boss, and especially to win on Kaholo Angel because he was the first horse I rode in Hong Kong,” Wong, 24, said. “I improve with this horse and this horse improves with me, too – we are good together. I’m so happy to win on him.”

Wong has ridden Kaholo Angel to four of his six wins and the gelding’s latest success delivered a PPG Bonus of HK$1 million and propelled Fownes into fourth place in the 2024/25 Hong Kong trainers’ championship with 45 wins behind John Size (60), David Hayes (54) and Yiu (48).

Fownes said: “Lovely ride – he’s (Wong) ridden beautifully all night, the kid. He’s come a long way. He’s doing well and I’m sure everyone’s going to want a piece of him now. Lovely to get that result with the horse. When you get up to Class 2 in Hong Kong, it’s very tough and that looked a proper field. But Ellis gave him a lovely ride and thankfully he got it done.”

Able to claim seven pounds, Wong has 17 wins for the season.

Keefy makes it two in a row for Matthew Poon and Frankie Lor. (HKJC)

Matthew Poon edged closer to a string of career goals after Keefy’s rejuvenation continued with victory in the Class 3 Violet Hill Handicap (1650m) for Frankie Lor.

Keefy’s fifth Hong Kong win – and second in a row – shunted Poon to 36 wins for the season, five clear of Matthew Chadwick (31) in the race for the Tony Cruz Award as the leading homegrown jockey and closer to a season-best haul in Hong Kong.

Poon, 31, is not only targeting the Tony Cruz Award but also hopes to eclipse his previous best haul of 37 wins in 2020/21 and is determined not to lose focus with 11 meetings left in the season.

“I can’t think about other people, I can only think about myself and staying focused over the last 11 meetings,” Poon said. “Hopefully I can win more than 38 races first and then we’ll try to get 40 and even more but for now I’m just staying focused and concentrated.”

Elated by Keefy’s effort to run down Highland Rahy under 135lb, Poon said: “Of course, the barrier helped a lot and also I can follow one of the best horses in the field (Highland Rahy) and we had a good run.

“He just got every benefit tonight and I am so happy he could win again because he’s not a young horse but Frankie has kept him in good condition.”

S J Tourbillon ended a 728-day drought with victory in the Class 4 Mount Nicholson Handicap (1800m), triumphing for Dennis Yip and Karis Teetan.

Formerly known as Roman Empire when trained by Aidan O’Brien, the Galileo gelding revelled in the rain-affected conditions to score his first win since June, 2023, having slipped in the ratings from 84 to a mark of 44.

“Dennis said the horse was in good shape and that the track should help him,” Teetan said after snapping a 39-ride winless streak. “The only thing he said was to get him out of the gates and get him into a good rhythm and I must say he let down nicely.”

Joy Of Spring strikes a first win this season. (HKJC).

Fownes also teamed with Andrea Atzeni to snare the Class 3 Tai Tam Gap Handicap (1800m) with Joy Of Spring as the Deep Field gelding posted his third 1800m win in Hong Kong – two at Happy Valley, the other at Sha Tin.

Danny Shum and Harry Bentley combined successfully with three-year-old colt Wrote A New Page in the Class 4 Shouson Hill Handicap (1650m) before Hayes cut Size’s lead in the trainers’ championship to six with Storm Rider’s victory in the Class 3 Stanley Gap Handicap (1200m).

Manfred Man’s Leather Master proved too strong under Alexis Badel in the Class 5 Mount Butler Handicap (2200m). Well supported in betting, the Iffraaj gelding made it two wins from three starts.

Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin with the start of the Summer Series and the first of the season’s twilight meetings on Sunday (8 June).

Who did the great Steve Donoghue, who won ten successive British Champioships from 1914 to 1923, regard as the greatest horse he ever rode?

The picture is of the subject