Turf Talk Newsletter – 04 October, 2024

Breeze Up Sale A Source Of Stars

One Stripe is a graduate of the Cape Racing Sales Breeze Up & Unbroken 2YO Sale (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Sarah Whitelaw

This month sees the Cape Racing Sales’ Breeze Up & Unbroken 2YO Sale take place. This sale continues to build its reputation as an auction responsible for a growing number of top-class gallopers.

This was reinforced in no uncertain terms when last year’s sales’ topper One Stripe (One World -Silver Stripe) went on to prove himself as one of South Africa’s top two-year-olds of 2023-2024.

Bred by Drakenstein Stud, the Vaughan Marshall trained One Stripe finished fifth on debut before winning each of his following three starts.

After breaking his maiden by six lengths at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, the classy One Stripe went on to claim both the G3 City Of Cape Town Cape Of Good Hope Nursery and G3 Winter Nursery, and retired for the season having won three of just four starts by an aggregate of eight and a quarter lengths.

Despite not contesting a Grade One contest at two, One Stripe banked an impressive R870 437 from his four race campaign as a juvenile.

Another high-class graduate of this sale is the high-class filly Frances Ethel (Rafeef -Daphne Garland), who went through the ring at the 2022 Cape Racing Ready To Run & Unbroken 2yo Sale. Second on debut, Frances Ethel went on to win her next four starts, culminating in triumphs in both the Listed Ormond Ferraris Oaks Trial and G2 Wilgerbosdrift Bridget Oppenheimer SA Oaks of 2024.

More success this year appears to be on the cards for the beautifully bred Frances Ethel -whose fourth dam, Spring Adieu, also ranks as the granddam of Danehill.

Normandy Stud have a great record at the Ready To Run Sale. Among the star performers offered by Normandy at past renewals of the auction are star sprinters Sergeant Hardy (Captain Al -Hard Lady) and Rio Querari (Querari -Arctic Breeze). Offered at the 2015 Ready To Run Sale, Sergeant Hardy, whose half-sister Lady Wylie has a One World colt on offer at the upcoming sale, went on to prove himself a top-class sprinter, winning eight races and more than R1.862 million in prize money. The son of Captain Al won four black type races including the G1 Betting World Cape Flying Championship of 2018. The latter race saw Sergeant Hardy account for some top-class performers including Trip To Heaven, Live Life, Attenborough, Bold Respect, Sommerlied and Talktothestars among others.

Rio Querari, a R625 000 purchase from the 2018 Ready To Run Sale, was named Equus Champion Sprinter of 2020-2021, following a season which saw son the son of Querari win the G1 4Racing Computaform Sprint and G2 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes. Rio Querari also finished second in that season’s G1 Cape Flying Championship (beaten just three-parts of a length) and G2 Cape Thoroughbred Sales Cape Merchants. The speedy gelding would also go on to land the 2023 G3 Champagne Stakes.

Yet another classy graduate of the Cape Ready To Run Sale was Royal Aussie (Royal Mo -Abelia), with that gelding having taken his earnings to over R6.226 million. The Klawervlei Stud bred gelding ended last season with a third place finish in the G1 Mercury Sprint, with Royal Aussie having also won both the G2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes and Listed Pongracz Jet Master Stakes in 2024. Royal Aussie, also third in last season’s G1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate, had earlier shown his class when victorious in the 2023 World Sports Betting Gold Rush. (In landing the Gold Rush, Royal Aussie accounted for none other than Dave The King, South Africa’s Horse Of The Year for 2023-2024).

One poster-boy for the Ready To Run Sale was undoubtedly the charismatic gelding Captain America (Captain Al -Requista), while subsequent Equus Champion French Navy (Count Dubois -Redoubtable) was an R100 000 purchase from the 2013 Ready To Run Sale.

Captain America, who earned a cheque in 30 of his 35 starts, was a R500 000 buy from the 2012 Cape sale. The Varsfontein Stud bred bay won ten races, and earned R6,026,675, during a career which saw the gelding win all of the 2015 G1 Horse Chestnut Stakes, 2017 G1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge and 2018 G1 Champions Cup. Placed in a further 11 Grade One races, Captain America downed fellow Cape Ready Run Sale G1 winning graduate Red Ray when victorious in the Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes of 2013.

French Navy, Equus Champion 3YO Colt/Gelding of 2014-2015, was a great bargain buy -with the James Armitage bred star costing just R100 000 but earning more than R5 000 000. The son of Count Dubois won or placed in seven Grade One races, winning both the G1 Daily News 2000 and G1 SA Classic of 2015.

South Africa is by no means the only country where graduates of breeze up and ready to run sales have made their mark. The recently retired Hong Kong superstar Golden Sixty (Medaglia D’Oro -Gaudeamus) was a purchase from the Karaka Ready To Run Sale, with another star Hong Kong galloper Lucky Sweynesse (Sweynesse -Madonna Mia) was another graduate off the Karaka auction.

The brilliant Vandeek, winner of both the G1 Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes and G1 Sumbe Prix Morny in 2023, was a 625, 000 guineas purchase from the 2023 Craven Breeze Up Sale, with other notable buys from past renewals of the Craven sale including such G1 winners as Native Trail (Oasis Dream -Needleleaf), Cachet (Aclaim -Poyle Sophie), Brando (Pivotal – Argent Du Bois), Contributer (High Chaparral – Serisia), and Garswood (Dutch Art -Penchant), to name but a few.

Remarkably, in 2022, Britain’s top two-year-old contests, the G1 Middle Park Stakes and G1 Dewhurst Stakes, were both captured by horses purchased off breeze-up sales.

Safe to say, the last word in breeze up success stories is a long way from being penned!

4racing Announces Stakes Increase On The Highveld:

Picture: Racing at the Highveld’s flagship racecourse, Turffontein

Over 10% increase for Nov 2024 – April 2025 Season

4Racing is pleased to announce a substantial increase in stakes for the upcoming Highveld racing season, with an overall rise of just over 10%. This adjustment raises the total stakes pot for the period to over R90 million, solidifying 4Racing’s position as the premier operator.

Gabriel Soma, Head of Racing Operations, stated “This increase is another extremely positive development for all stakeholders and highlights the direction in which 4Racing is headed. We have built upon the strong foundations established in recent years.

While significant increases were allocated to feature races last season (those stakes remain), we are thrilled to share that the majority of this increase will benefit all other races, with notable boosts across each division. Alongside various incentives, we are looking forward to a remarkable season.”

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our sponsors, with a special acknowledgment to Betway, which has significantly elevated the Betway Summer Cup to an impressive R6 million, making it the richest race on the continent. Betway has also increased the stakes for several other races throughout the season.

Overview of the increases are illustrated on the table below and brochure pages are now available on the NRB website.

For Media enquiries:

Thabo Mboweni

A Feast Of Racing Home And Abroad This Weekend

Shin Emperor will be out to become the first horse from Japan to win the prestigious Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Picture: Ryusei Sakai)

Tab4Racing

WEEKEND RACING HIGHLIGHTS: 5 – 6 October

CARRYOVER PICK 6 COULD YIELD A FIVE-FIGURE DIVIDEND!

The Pick 6 at Turffontein on Saturday is boosted by a R1-million carryover and the pool is expected to swell to R5 million. There are big and competitive fields in the two Grade 2 features in the Pick 6 and four other tricky races, which makes a five-figure dividend likely. Other highlights on a blockbuster racing weekend include Princess Calla’s debut in Canada, Muzi Yeni’s participation at the farewell meeting at Kranji, and top-tier action from Newmarket.

SATURDAY HIGHLIGHTS

KRANJI: MUZI YENI IN ACTION AT FINAL SINGAPORE MEETING

The Group 1 Grand Singapore Gold Cup over 2000m at Kranji brings the curtain down on 182 years of racing in Singapore. The race promises to be an exhilarating showdown among the top contenders, led by champion Lim’s Kosciuszko who has been in exceptional form this year with three Group 1 wins, including the Kranji Mile and QEII Cup. Despite carrying top weight, he is the one to beat, having previously triumphed in this feature under similar conditions. South Africa’s log-leading jockey Muzi Yeni has been invited to ride at the meeting and will be aboard outsider Smart Star for trainer David Kok. Yeni’s best hopes are in Race 1 over 1200m, in which he rides Sabah Star, and in Race 8 over 1600m aboard Frenetic. The meeting starts at 05:30.

TURFFONTEIN: OLDER RUNNERS MAY HAVE THE EDGE IN SPRING FEATURES

The 2024 renewals of the Grade 2 Betway Joburg Spring Challenge and the equivalent race for females, both over 1450m, have attracted full fields and top-quality runners. As always, they pit up-and-coming three-year-olds against older rivals and the weights make the younger horses competitive against their older and more accomplished rivals. Older runners have a better record, having won four of the last six renewals of both races.

There are several useful three-year-olds in both contests this time round, but it may pay to side with five-year-old mare Celtic Rumours in Race 6 and six-year-old William Robertson in Race 7. Gavin Lerena gets off well-performed Gimme A Shot to ride distance specialist Celtic Rumours, who will have to be at best to beat Grade 1-winning three-year-old VJ’s Angel, with Fiery Pegasus and Frozen Fantasy two other dangers among the bottom weights.

William Robertson, impressive in his comeback run to Dyce recently, won this race in 2022. He is a whopping 10.5kg better off with Main Defender for a 9.50-length beating in this race last year and looks in better form this time. There are other seasoned campaigners with chances, including Unzen, Gimmeanotherchance and Barbaresco, while the young guns are well represented by Grand Crescendo, Dantonfromsandton and Wild At War. Smith And Wesson is near his best winning mark in Race 9 and from a good draw appeals as a possible banker in a challenging Pick 6.

SUGGESTED PICK 6 PERM (R403.20 for 10%):

Starts in Race 4 @ 13:35

Leg 1: 1, 2, 5, 7

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 14

Leg 4: 1, 3, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12

Leg 5: 2, 4, 5

Leg 6: 8

HOLLYWOODBETS DURBANVILLE: NEL AND ORFFER SET FOR A GOOD DAY

Trainer Andre Nel’s runners usually improve markedly after their debuts. That’s worth noting because Nel charges Cork Bay (Race 2), Special Glamour (Race 3), Zeitz (Race 4) and Berry’s Boogie (Race 5) all made promising starts to their career and, with the experience of a run behind them, could go close in their respective races. Cork Bay had Fencing Captain just ahead of him when they were beaten by Peregrine Falcon, but was slowly away and green. Special Glamour was drawn wide on debut, but finished well ahead of Champagne Kisses who looks her main rival. Zeitz drifted in the betting when a good second to Boundless Energy and well-bred Berry’s Boogie tries further after a solid debut, which should be to her advantage.

NEWMARKET UK: TAMFANA THE DANGER AS INSPIRAL TARGETS DOUBLE

This looks the trickiest of the Jackpot ONE carryovers this weekend and the best strategy will be to include the field in as many legs as possible. Three fields and a banker might do the trick and the one to gamble on is DJ Junior in the last leg, John and Thady Gosden’s Inspiral is looking for a repeat win in the Group 1 Virgin Bet Sun Chariot Stakes over 1600m on the Rowley Mile and showed in a recent preparation run she’s not far off her best form. She has a race on her hands against David Menuisier’s filly Tamfana, placed in the Group 1 Grand Prix De Paris at Longchamp before a facile Group 3 win at Sandown.

WOODBINE CANADA: PRINCESS CALLA FAVOURITE FOR GRADE 2 FEATURE

Former Equus Horse Of The Year Princess Calla makes her Canadian debut here and has been priced up favourite for Race 8, the Group 2 Dance Smartly Stakes over 1700m. She is being aimed at the Breeders Filly and Mare Turf at the Breeders Cup and is now in the care of Chad Brown.

SUNDAY HIGHLIGHTS

SELANGOR: OLD-TIMER FIRST BOWL READY TO WIN AGAIN

Nine-year-old galloper First Bowl, who has scored twice since returning to his original stable from Singapore, looks ready to bounce back to winning form in Race 4 over 1020m at Kuala Lumpur. Trainer Lawson Moy’s runner was drawn wide and hanging in when second to Limitless Roar over the track and trip a fortnight ago.

SHA TIN: KA YING GENERATION SHOULD BE EFFECTIVE ON THE POLYTRACK

Pierre Ng’s Irish-bred Ka Ying Generation goes on Sha Tin’s all-weather surface for the first time in Race 10 over 1650m. He was a Polytrack winner at Dundalk in Ireland and that may hold him in good stead here. Zac Purton rides him for the first time, which is an eye-catching booking. The meeting starts at 07:00.

PARISLONGCHAMP: O’BRIEN RELIES ON TWO IN THE ARC

A field of 16 will contest Sunday’s Group 1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (15.20) after trainer Aidan O’Brien withdrew Auguste Rodin and Luxembourg from Europe’s glamour race at Thursday’s final declaration stage. O’Brien will instead rely on Irish Derby and Great Voltigeur winner Los Angeles, as well as last year’s fifth-placed Continuous, to provide him with a third win in the Arc. Los Angeles, who won the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud on his only previous start in France, would be the first Arc winner this century to break from stall No 10 should he oblige under Ryan Moore. Look De Vega and Sosie head the betting at 4-1 with Los Angeles at 5-1.

HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE: GHOST CAN SCARE THEM OFF IN MILE

Paul Lafferty’s grey filly The Ghost was Grade 3-placed in the Strelitzia Stakes before she won her a Maiden Plate in exciting fashion at Scottsville recently. She’s improving with racing and could reverse the form with Spirit Of Levana in Race 7, the Beach Beauty Mile. Barend Botes has a useful sort in Care Forgot and Mike de Kock’s impressive debut winner Destiny Of Fire also come into the picture.

Salenio Peninsula Can Make It Three From Three

Salenio Peninsula, who is by Vercingetorix and is a half-sister to Barbaresco, could be a popular Pick 6 banker in Race 5 (JC Photos)

Turffontein Inside Saturday Formguides And Selections

R1 THE OCTAGON (1) might not get an easier opportunity that this to escape the maiden ranks and is therefore confidently selected to win. OBSIDIAN (5) has huge scope for progression on debut run and can go close – exacta suggestion. JABBERWOCKY (3) and CLIFFIE CLAVIN (4) are musts for the quartet perms.

R2 Forget ANCIENT WISDOM’S (6) last run when sent off as the favorite and finishing downfield. Her debut was a cracker, and if reproducing and building on that, in this field, will be hard to oppose. FETCHING FLYER (3) is a massive chance especially on her excellent penultimate finish. STORMY SUNDAY (5) can start getting much closer now and is a must for the trifecta. QUELLO CHE (4) was well beaten in third in her last start – place chance.

R3 BATTLEOFBARBERTON (3) is in tremendous winning form. He has won two out of his last three starts and is confidently selected to follow up. MOOLA MAN (4) was last a winner when ridden by Gavin Lerena who gets the chance again today and must be taken seriously. ATARIME (1) can do way better than he did last time and the weight off will help. Bright chance. MASTER TIK TOK (7) the stable companion to Atarime, boasts solid post maiden form and it would be silly to ignore him from the play.

R4 RAISEAHALLELUJAH (2) is an eight-time winner! No need to say much more! His most recent win was emphatic and under 52kg’s, he is selected to follow up. Serino Moodley is in town to take the reins. TWIN TURBO (4) place 2nd behind Apache Son last time over 1800m and can threaten all the way home – bright chance. ZEUS (1) is a ten-time winner! He can win. Much better effort last time. BANHA BRIDGE (6) is the value choice for the minor money.

R5 SALENIO PENINSULA (1) is clearly a quality filly in the making having impressed in both wins. She is confidently selected to remain unbeaten after this. SAY IT LOUD (6) was an impressive debut winner at Hollywoodbets Scottsville but back in July. She can race fresh and could be absolutely anything – respect and include. MIA MOO (3) is talented but has not run since March. She can be in the shake up in her comeback run. CALANTHA (4) is defiantly worth considering for trifectas and quartets.

R6 A competitive race as it should be seeing it is a Grade 2! VJ’S ANGEL (11) is a top filly. She is having her comeback run since the 28th of July when beating The Specialist at high level. She rates the one to beat and can be expected to make a winning comeback. LITTLE BALLERINA (12) is very talented and the form shows that. She can be expected to do way better than she has done in her last two – decent filly – respect and include. GIMME A SHOT (1) and MISS HANNIGAN (8) are must includes for the trifecta and quartet.

R7 MAIN DEFENDER (1) is having his third run up after a layoff, has gears and ability and is selected to go one more. BARBARESCO (8) was ultra-impressive when trotting up in a Progress on the 21st of last month. He has gone with the best of them and rates a huge danger in this. Talking about going with the best of them, PURPLE PITCHER (2) ran a huge race behind Dave The King last time and it would be silly to ignore his chances. Visiting GLADITORIAN (4) can be expected to be doing some low flying home and is the value suggestion for the back end of the quartets.

R8 The filly in the field BAKWENA (8) absolutely trotted up on debut winning by as far as she liked and it could have been more if she liked. She could be anything. Pretty much the same thing can be said for MUSICAL SCORE (5). His debut performance was out the top draw. BUFFALO STORM CODY (4) has solid overall form and is one for the shortlist – strong each way claims and a must for all bets. TRUTH (2) can do way better than his last two efforts and has the ability to be right there.

R9 KINSHIN SHA (7) reunites with Craig Zackey, whom was the rider aboard, when he recorded his last victory. He has strong each way claims in a competitive field. RAINBOW REWARD (6) is taking time for the next win but is never far off the action and should notch up another win soon – could easily be today. KARANGETANG (5) and YAMADORI (4) both have solid form and are musts in the play.

Smart Star Is Lekker, Says Muzi

South African jockey Muzi Yeni taking his Group 1 Grand Singapore Gold Cup ride Smart Star to a quiet piece of work at Kranji on Oct 3. Photo: Michael Lee

“Lekker” is an Afrikaans word Muzi Yeni has uttered numerous times when asked about a horse’s condition in South Africa.

It means “good” or “lovely” in English. Without thinking, the South African jockey straight away used that lingo when trainer David Kok came for feedback after Smart Star’s canter on Oct 3.

As Yeni, 37, had just landed at Changi Airport nine hours earlier, after a long flight from Johannesburg, he might not have switched time zone and country yet.

But it could not be. The bundle of energy was fresh as a daisy, as he also cantered two other of his Kok rides on the undercard, Vittoria Perfetta and Jo’s Legend (his fourth ride Sabah Star swam).

The spontaneity of his reply spoke volumes about how he felt about his ride in the $1.38 million Group 1 Grand Singapore Gold Cup (2,000m) on Oct 5.

“The horse was really lekker this morning. Back home, it means the horse felt really nice and lovely,” said the South African log leader.

“When you do a little bit more of a strong canter, they’re more relaxed. He was good and relaxed.”

Yeni is aware he is not sitting on a leading hope, but he is quite happy to fly under the radar.

“He’s nice and fresh, which is important going into the race. You need the speed,” said Yeni who rode at Kranji at a jockeys’ series in 2018, albeit without winning.

“It’s important to have a horse who can be close to the main chances and not sit too far back.

“It’s a tight track and the fields are big. It helps that I’ve been on the track once, I’m sharper and more familiar with the territory.”

Kok plied the 2000m-race-winning jockey with as much low-down as possible on his four horses, especially Smart Star, the main reason he put Yeni on a plane.

“Smart Star has never been fitter, and we know this horse can stay,” said the Singaporean handler.

“We respect Lim’s Kosciuszko and Lim’s Saltoro, but with the big weight gap (8kg on Lim’s Kosciuszko), my horse should run well.”

Yeni said he accepted Kok’s invitation right away, both for the poignancy of the moment and the international exposure.

“The whole world is watching. Obviously it’s sad I’m coming on the last day, but I’m also lucky in a way that I got the opportunity,” said Yeni.

“We’ve watched Singapore racing all of our lives, and I’ve been here. It’s close to our hearts, it’s a bittersweet moment, but I’m privileged to have the opportunity.

“But I’ve still got a job to do. Hopefully, we get luck in running.” – The News Paper

Double Dash Can Chalk One Up For Smaller Yards

Double Dash, in the navy and grey colours worn by Grant van Niekerk, can take advantage of a plum draw in race 2 (Picture: Wayne Marks)

By Mark Van Deventer

Speed on the rail is still holding up at Hollywoodbets Durbanville so ROSA OSIRIA will have the ideal opportunity to shed her Maiden in the opener at 12h05 on Saturday.

She showed brisk early pace when third to Immah at Hollywoodbets Scottsville 41 days ago and may be able to sustain that energy a bit further given how quickly the Hollywoodbets Durbanville surface is playing. The Querari filly is drawn 3 and should be able to get the jump on 13 start Maiden, MRS SHACKLETON who is hung out at 8.

FRIDA KAHLO (Gimmethegreenlight ex Aquatint, related to former top sprinter Kasimir) is a debutant worth keeping tabs on – any market moves about Justin Snaith’s entry should be taken seriously.

Andre Nel runs a sophisticated training operation for Sabine Plattner up the West Coast, and they use a grass training track with a similar configuration to Hollywoodbets Durbanville to get their horses fit. That explains why even their inexperienced youngsters seems comfortable when competing at this country course and he has CORK BAY (Race 2), SPECIAL GLAMOUR (Race 3) ZEITZ (Race 4) and BERRY’S BOOGIE (Race 5) making their second career starts after showing promise on debut here.

CORK BAY ran on with purpose behind Peregrine Falcon after a slow start and should build on that effort with a run under his belt. KRIM (a good penultimate then a duff try which prompted Brett Crawford to send him to the sidelines) FENCING CAPTAIN (who finished ahead of CORK BAY when getting zapped on the post by Peregrine Falcon) SCOTTISH LINKS and BAGATELLE FLASH are his main menaces.

SPECIAL GLAMOUR moved up nicely behind Golden Angel 25 days ago over 1400m and is the form pick in the 13h15, assuming he is fine with the slight cutback in trip to 1250m. First timers, NOORDSBERG (Vercingetorix ex Don’t’ Stop Dancing) OCOTILLO (Querari ex Camphoratus) and BERRY CLIFFS (Canford Cliffs out of Strawberry Ice) are bred to be smart, so a market watch is advised.

Next, Nel saddles ZEITZ in P6 Leg 1, a Maiden sprint. The grey son of Vercingetorix dashed home strongly a month ago behind BOUNDLESS ENERGY and should come on dramatically second up. A horse who finished over two lengths in arrears of ZEITZ, Bounceback came out to run near to Nel’s Terminator last week to give the form a nice shape and Nel a useful collateral line.

That said, ZEITZ faces a posse of live threats. SCOTTISH KISS also finished off enthusiastically on debut behind Arctic Wizard; CRESCENT was close-up in Peregrine Falcon’s race (watch the outcome of Race 2 to see how that form stands up) and though CUMBRE VIEJA raced flat last time, he had good pace-pressing form prior to that regression.

Perhaps the biggest danger is SIR KORSKI who belied odds of 66/1 with an eye-catching first try behind Let It Be Said. Natural improvement puts Greg Ennion’s runner right into contention, too.

It’s rare for Snaith Racing to miss out on winning interviews at any meeting they contest. WILD APPLAUSE was live in the betting market on debut and duly ran forwardly – only Mai Sensation’s turn of foot proved too hard to resist. She managed to keep ahead of subsequent winner, Golden Angel to hold second so many will be tempted to bank her in Race 5 as form rival, TUSCAN ROMANCE is drawn 14 in this 1400m event which constitutes a major obstacle.

DOUBLE DASH (coming to hand now for Des McLachlan, and with a better marble of 2;) BERRY’S BOOGIE (another Nel entry coming in off an encouraging debut, well gated at 4) and WHITE WATERS who got mugged by My Only Weakness over the course and distance two weeks ago are sensible alternatives.

Races 6-10 are puzzling. With wider cover needed in the latter part of the card, PA, Bipot, Jackpot and P6 bettors may have to go short early on in those sequences to trim costs.

Hollie Doyle Speaks About Her Massive Weekend

Party time for Hollie Doyle at Goodwood after securing her 1000th win earlier this season. Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

It’s a massive weekend for Hollie who rides Nashwa in the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday and Bradsell in Sunday’s Prix de l’Abbaye at ParisLongchamp.

NASHWA RETURNS IN ENTHRALLING SUN CHARIOT
I have missed my Classic-winning mare NASHWA this summer, so it’s great to have her back in the Group 1 Virgin Bet Sun Chariot Stakes (2.40) at Newmarket on Saturday. She’s been carefully brought back to the boil by John and Thady Gosden after suffering a set-back in the Dubai Turf at Meydan at the end of March.This looks an ideal starting point for Imad Alsagar’s five-year-old, who worked beautifully for me during a racecourse gallop last week and certainly retains her desire to be a racehorse. Nashwa has tended to take a run or two to hit top form, but coming into this race a fresh horse at this stage of the year might just prove to be an advantage.It’s a tough task, as you’d expect in any Group 1, with stable-companion Inspiral chasing a remarkable seventh success at the highest level and 1,000 Guineas winner Elmalka among our chief rivals, but she’s ground-versatile and won the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes on the July Course last year, which isn’t dissimilar to the Rowley Mile.

DEBUT TIME FOR NASHWA’S HALF-BROTHER
Watch out for Nashwa’s half-brother NEBRAS, who makes his racecourse debut in the Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back EBF Maiden Stakes (3.50) on the same card.He’s a well-stamped son of Dubawi, who is also trained by the Gosdens and shaped well in a routine gallop with me on the Al Bahathri in Newmarket last week.Nebras starts out over 1m and whilst he’s essentially a very nice prospect for next year, I can’t see why he shouldn’t acquit himself well against some other well-bred rivals from top stables.

TWAFEEG DRAWN TO GO WELL IN SALES RACE
I also have high expectations for another lovely filly in TWAFEEG, who returns from a break in the £150,000 Tattersalls October Auction Stakes (2.05) at Newmarket.Archie Watson and the team have always thought highly of this daughter of Far Above, who made an instant impact by winning a fillies’ maiden at Doncaster on debut back in June and wasn’t disgraced in the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot.We’re drawn on the wing in stall 19 in this 6f dash, which I’m happy with, and I’m expecting her to finish off her race strongly as I’ve no doubt she will get further next year.

D DAY FOR CONSISTENT STAYER
I’m charged with getting a well-deserved victory on the board for the consistent D DAY ARVALENREEVA in the British Stallion Studs EBF Premier Fillies’ Handicap (3.15) at Newmarket.Kevin Philippart De Foy’s four-year-old has been knocking at the door this season, finishing second in her last three races at Leicester, Windsor and Haydock Park. She does handle slow ground, which will be crucial here, and stays well too. She has a bit to find off a rising mark of 72, but she gets into this handicap off a light weight of just 8st 3lb.

JAZZ OUT TO CALL THE TUNE
James Owen is enjoying a wonderful season and it’s exciting to link up with him and the Gredley family with NOISY JAZZ in the British EBF Premier Fillies’ Handicap (1.30) earlier on the card. She made a winning debut on the July Course but didn’t seem to settle in Listed company at York before getting back on track with a narrow defeat under a penalty in a Windsor novice last time out. This first try at 10f should be to her liking, and I’m hoping she’ll prove to be fairly treated off a mark of 85 on handicap debut.

Later on, I’m hoping a drop in the ratings will see GEOLOGIST rediscover her best form in the Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Fillies’ Handicap (5.00). A Listed winner in Germany last year, she struggled in Group 2 company there last time but the drop in grade may help.

I must admit that I don’t know much about OCEANS FIVE, who makes his debut for Brian Meehan in the Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Maiden Stakes (4.25). Already gelded, he hails from a family that stayed well, so he should be well placed to show his potential over this 7f trip.

WEATHER WATCH FOR STAR SPRINTER BRADSELL
We’re keeping a close eye on the weather ahead of Sunday’s Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp (2.05) – live on Sky Sports Racing – which will hopefully be the next destination for my star sprinter BRADSELL.

As you’d probably expect, Archie Watson’s triple Group 1-winner currently heads the betting in the 17-runner dash, though any further rain in Paris would be a concern for a colt who has achieved so much on a sound surface.

Bradsell also has the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint on his radar at Del Mar in California later in the autumn, so I don’t think Archie and owners Victorious Racing will want to risk him if they feel conditions are against him.

ROOTING FOR JAPAN IN SUNDAY’S ARC
There’s nothing I would love to see more than a Japanese victory in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (3.20) at ParisLongchamp on Sunday – live on Sky Sports Racing – and I really do think this could be their year.

Shin Emperor was doing his best work late in the day in the Irish Champion Stakes on his European debut, and so should be ideally suited by the step up to 12f. The rain-softened ground is an unknown for the son of Siyouni, but Yoshito Yahagi’s colt has the credentials to make his mark in an open-looking renewal if handling it.

I’m also expecting a big run from Aidan O’Brien’s Irish Derby winner Los Angeles, who won the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud in very soft ground as a two-year-old and has the might of Ryan Moore in the saddle.

ONE EYE ON TRUESHAN IN CADRAN DEFENCE
Riding Nashwa for my boss Imad Alsagar means I can’t be in Paris to partner another of my old favourites Trueshan in the Qatar Prix du Cadran (1.33) at ParisLongchamp on Saturday – live on Sky Sports Racing.

He has Aidan O’Brien’s Gold Cup hero Kyprios to beat in his bid to follow up last year’s success in the 2m4f Group 1, which he also won back in 2021. It’s a big ask to lower the colours of the favourite but Trueshan, who felt great in the Doncaster Cup last time, will love the testing ground and is sure to give James Doyle a fantastic spin.

CAN’T SEE PAST AL AASY AT ASCOT
William Haggas’s Al Aasy has won his last two races in eye-catching style and can extend his winning sequence in the Group 3 Bet MGM Cumberland Lodge Stakes (2.25) at Ascot on Saturday – live on Sky Sports Racing.

His smooth success in the Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury suggests the reliable Al Qareem will struggle to turn the tables on the same terms, even though he has a good record in demanding conditions.

A little later, English Oak’s second in Listed company at Newbury tells me he should be up to landing the Group 3 John Guest Racing Bengough Stakes (3.00) for Ed Walker and Jamie Spencer. Jarraaf has been progressing well in handicaps, but this is a big step up in class.

Hollie Doyle was speaking to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft.