Turf Talk Newsletter – 06 March, 2026

Jan Van Goyen will be going for a third career Gr 1 win (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Classic day at Turffontein Standside on Saturday features three Gr 1 races, the HKJC World Pool SA Classic, the Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic and the Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Stakes.

In the SA Classic over 1800m Jan Van Goyen probably needed it when beaten by Trust in the Jackpot City Dingaans over 1600m last November and the race did not pan out well for him either. He subsequently pulled off an incredible feat to win the Cape Guineas by an effortless 2,75 lengths, because it happened two weeks after the Dingaans and required a long journey just to get there. In the L’Ormarins King’s Plate he went too fast in pursuit of the pacemaker Dave The King and it might also have been a flat run. He is held in high regard and should get the trip. His good draw of three is a bonus.

There is not much between Jan Van Goyen and Splittheeights on lines through Tin Pan Alley, Trust and All Systems Go.

Splittheeights looked to have a bit in hand when winning the Gr 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Guineas and should get this trip. He has a fine turn of foot and might need it to be at its best from draw eight.

Trust was doing eye-catching late work in the Gauteng Guineas after being hampered and he has been shown in the past to have an exceptional late surge when at his best, so is a big threat from draw four.

Grand Empire ran on well for second in the Gauteng Guineas and looks to be a progressive sort who is on the up.

Erroll Flynn made up the ground effortlessly in a 1600m event last time and although running off only an 88, he has plenty of scope and oozes class.

One Eye On Vegas is believed to have stamina limitations being by Buffalo Bill Cody, but he ran on from last to be beaten just 0,90 lengths in the Gauteng Guineas, and he actually has quite a bit of stamina in his female line, so he is the dark horse.

Those are the ones who make most appeal and the selection is Jan Van Goyen to beat Splittheeights with Trust, Grand Empire and Erroll Flynn next best, although One Eye On Vegas is tough to ignore.

The Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m will have its best field for many a season, even if there are only nine runners.

It shapes as a mile championship featuring the L’Ormarins King’s Plate winner The Real Prince against the unlucky 0,25 length third in that race, See It Again, who went on to win the WSB Met.

Both horses have been prepared out of Summerveld and both should enjoy the course and distance being types who can relax into a rhythm before using their fine acceleration.

The Highveld challenge is led by Main Defender, who used his devastating turn of foot to win this race easily two years ago, but this will be his second run after a long layoff.

Fire Attack bounced back to his best last time back on the Highveld after nothing had gone right in his Cape Town campaign. He has a fine turn of foot and this course and distance should be ideal.

His Alec Laird-trained stablemate Atticus Finch has had epistaxis before and was tailed off last time in the defense of his Betway Summer Cup crown, but if at his best he has a chance, as is evidenced by his impressive Gr 2 Allied-Steelrode Onamission mile win.

Tin Pan Alley has class but is probably at his best over slightly shorter.

Cosmic Speed drew three when winning last year under Zackey and is now drawn six. He looks held on King’s Plate form.

Texas Red also looks held.

The field is completed by Pressonregardless, a classy sort who is outgunned on paper, but he will relish the faster pace of a top class race and could earn.

See It Again has Richard Fourie up, so should find a good position from his wide draw before using his magnificent turn of foot and he is taken to beat The Real Prince with Fire Attack, Main Defender and Pressonregardless next best.

The Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic over 1800m has a field of ten and eight of them ran in the Gr 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas.

Hazy Dazy won that race easily despite still looking a touch green. She has won over 2000m before and will relish the step up to 1800m.

Charge It by Gimmethegreenlight is a full-sister to Gr 1 Daily News 2000 winner Surcharge, so will also relish the step up in trip and can finish second to Hazy Dazy for the third time.

Littlemissmillion was running on well in the Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas and looks likely to enjoy the step up in trip.

Golden Palm by Master Of My Fate is out of a Var mare and she will have to be ridden more conservatively than she was in the Gauteng Fillies Guineas if she is to improve on her 3,10 length third place finish in the latter race.

Lowveld Lily should be staying on well and could earn again.

Drumnadrochit will enjoy the step up in trip and has Richard Fourie up from a fair draw.

Daisy Jones could sneak a place from a good draw.

Tina Lovelace has proved disappointing, while Scarlett Heart and Merryweather face big steps up in class.

Hazy Dazy is taken to beat Charge It with Littlemissmillion, Golden Palm and Lowveld Lily next best.

Hazy Dazy can stay on track for the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara if she wins the Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic at Turffontein Standside on Saturday (JC Photos)

Turffontain Standside Saturday Formguides And Selections

R1 3 ONCEINABLUEMOON has been transformed with blinkers and can go one better than last time. 1 POWER OF PEARLS has been knocking hard since day one and should be right there. 4 THE REASON has shown signs of ability and could be in the shake up. 2 DETAILED FORECAST will go close if repeating her last start. (3-1-4-2)

R2 1 HIGHWAYMAN HARRY represents owners who seem to like scopey sorts and after enjoying the drop to this trip last time he should go close. 2 ARIZONA MAGIC has just 1,50 lengths to make up on Highwayman Harry. 4 TIGER’S CAPTAIN ran a fair race over course and distance last time and could earn with a repeat. 8 GREEN MACHINE was not disgraced behind a good sort last time and might enjoy the step down in trip. ( 1-2-4-8)

R3 3 WORLD ATTRACTION won impressively by 7,30 lengths on debut and can follow up. 4 VOLCANIC HEAT has won both starts and can continue to progress. 1 GIMME A VODKA on a formline through Nightshine has a few lengths to find on World Attraction but could earn. 2 SPIRIT OF GABZ beat Gimme A Vodka by a head when they clashed, although the latter was making his debut and could have improved by more since then. (3-4-1-2)

R4 4 SECRETARY BIRD looked to have a bit in hand when winning last time and can follow up. 2 GRISELDA beat Secretary Bird by 0,80 lengths when both were making their debuts and they both won well second time out so there won’t be much in it. 7 LANZAROTE has run well in both starts and gets 3kg from the winners. 9 STAGGERWING has two lengths to mke up on Secretary Bird and is 3kg better off so should get closer. (4-2-7-9)

R5 2 WILLY MEET AGAIN has caught the eye against the boys in her last two and should go close in this easier task. 8 CARE FORGOT bounced back last time and should go close from a good draw. 1 KISSHOTEN disappointed last time and now has a wide draw bit if recapturing her best she could be in the shake up. 3 FAMOUS LADY won a fine race last time but still has to prove she gets 1600m, although it is her first attempt at it and she is drawn in pole. (2-8-1-3)

R6 1 HAZY DAZY won with authority last time and should relish the step up in trip so will go close from a fair draw. 3 CHARGE IT has been in fine form on the Highveld and over a suitable trip could be the bridesmade to Hazy Dazy for the third time. 5 LITTLEMISSMILLION is a small but long-striding short and she was finishing strongly in the Gauteng Fillies Guineas. 2 GOLDEN PALM was the champion 2yo of her crop and was predicted by some to become a superstar so she has been a touch disappointing and there is a slight question mark over the increase in trip being out of a Var mare. (1-3-5-2)

R7 1 JAN VAN GOYEN won the Gr Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas in easy and impressive style and then simply went too fast in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate, so can bounce back here and show his class. 2 SPLITTHEEIGHTS won the Gr 2 Gauteng Guineas in fine style and in a good time, so will be a threat. 4 TRUST was hampered late in the Gauteng Guineas but was making up ground late, so looks likely to enjoy this step up in trip. 3 GRAND EMPIRE is on the up and can build on his Gauteng Guineas second place over a step up in trip he should handle. (1-2-4-3)

R8 2 SEE IT AGAIN has come into his own and has gone close in Gr 1 wfa miles before, so is the one to beat under Richard Fourie despite a tough draw. 3 THE REAL PRINCE was the winner of the L’Ormarin’s King’s Plate, a race in which a flying See It Again was a somewhat unlucky 0,25 length third, and he should use his fine turn of foot to go close again. 6 FIRE ATTACK bounced back last time and should be finishing strongly over a just about ideal course and distance. 1 MAIN DEFENDER has own this race easily before but this will be his second run after a long layoff so there are question marks. (2-3-6-1)

R9 3 TAXI TO THE MOON has been in fine form and can go in again. 10 WHISTLE THE TUNE is a classy sprinter and should be in the shake up. 2 TRUTH has the ability to be right there. 12 WINDS OF CHANGE hasn’t had the luckiest season but still retains his ability and can make a bold bid. (3-10-2-12)

R10 2 PRECOCIOUS has rattled off three successive wins on the Highveld and did it particularly easily last time so can still have more to come. 1 POBLANO has proved to be effective over the minimum trip and should go close again. 5 MANYELETI made a sensational debut so has been a touch disappointing since then but should still be thereabouts. 3 JUST THE TWO OF US has the form to earn. (2-1-5-3)

R11 10 VAMANOS looks to have scope for improvement and is well drawn over an ideal trip. 7 STREISAND is a scopey sort and the best might not have been seen of her yet so she can do well from a good draw. 2 CEUTA has the form to be a contender if able to overcome a wide draw. 6 HONG KONG had become disappointing but is now on the up again and is a contender. (10-7-2-6)

R12 9 TRADITIONAL BELIEF won well second time out and can progress again. 5 TRAIL RUNNER goes for a hattrick and should go close. 4 ROYAL KAILANI won well in KZN second time out and could be involved if able to overcome a wide draw. 10 KORTVANDRAAD has shown enough ability to have a chance here. (9-5-4-10)

Banzai Pipeline has dropped to an attractive merit rating (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Hollywoodbets Greyville Poly Sunday Formguides And Selections

R1 Summary: Tricky. GREEK HEIRESS (3) showed a return to form in her first in her local debut. She is more than likely to improve on that effort and should be in the money again. Cape form has generally held up when starting out in KZN and TAYLOR’S VERSION (4) makes her debut for Terry Fripp. She has capable Cape form and any betting support must be respected. SAIL THE HORIZON (5) was a distant third over a sprint last time out. Garth Puller steps her up to a mile for the first time and De Melo stays aboard. LILTING SONG (7) was a touch unlucky last run when a beaten favourite and making her poly debut. She can go one better. (Andrew Harrison: 3-7-5-4).

R2 Summary: VAANS SPIRIT (2) improved nicely at her second start when going this trip on the poly. She should come on from that and De Melo stays with the ride. FUTURE PROSPECT (6) made a promising poly debut after one warm-up on her arrival from the Cape. She is still lightly raced and can surprise SAUDI SWEEP (1) has been consistent but costly to follow. She has the best of the draw and the extra furlong could see her home. ANNIE’S SONG (8) makes her poly debut. Her recent form has been in the soft and the change of surface could bring out the best. (Andrew Harrison: 2-6-1-8).

R3 Summary: THE MASK (6) has been knocking on the door of late and can finally go one better. He goes well over course and distance and should put in another bold effort. MUSIC IS LIFE (5) is at home over the trip and was a beaten favourite last run. The poly may be a concern but he is seldom far back. IBUTHO (4) has been in mustard form in spite of his age and is hunting the 11th win of his career. His recent form has been over a furlong further but he should still be competitive here. DONDOYAKI (1) hails from the Highveld yard of Fanie Bronkhorst. He recent form has been over further but it may be telling that Muzi Yeni stays aboard after a promising penultimate showing. (Andrew Harrison: 6-5-4-1).

R4 Summary: SOVEREIGN GRANT (6) ran way below best in the soft and first time blinkers last time out. She is back on the poly sans blinkers and should be right there. CONVOCATION (3) is always thereabouts of late and was running on well with first time blinkers last start. He last win was on the poly. She meets BUTTERCUP BABY (8) on the same terms as their last meeting but Wendy Whitehead’s filly has drawn wide. KYTHERA (4) makes her local debut and has been rested. She is lightly raced but has some useful Cape form and one to watch in the betting. (Andrew Harrison: 6-3-4-8).

R5 Summary: MAGICAL SKY (6) has been in good form of late and her last win was over course and distance. She has a useful 2.5kg claimer aboard against modest company. SNOW QUEEN (5) is still a maiden and her local debut against stronger did not go well. However, she had some promising Highveld form prior to that which could be good enough to she her home in this field. AUSTRIAN BEAUTY (7) has shown steady form since her maiden win and has dropped further down in the ratings and could now be off a more competitive mark. QUENTASIA (8) come from a very much in form stable and is better than her recent effort. (Andrew Harrison: 6-5-7-8).

R6 Summary: MS GALORE (8) is back on the poly where she recorded her maiden win. She was making late progress in her handicap debut against stronger and should have a strong chance in this line-up. SWEETER THAN HONEY (2) was touched off last run and with only 50,5kg to shoulder and a top rider aboard she should be the biggest danger. SESEME (9) was not far back when making her local debut. She is hardly ever out of the money and must have a decent chance in this line-up. CHICKASAW (7) comes with modest Highveld form but the switch to poly could see her improve. (Andrew Harrison: 8-2-9-7).

R7 Summary: BANZAI PIPELINE (7) is way overdue his seventh win but his consistency has been his downfall as he rating has stayed steady. However, Garth Puller may have found the right race and back on the poly he should have a strong chance in this modest line-up. TAKEYORBESTSHOT (8) was a recent maiden winner but had consistent poly form prior to that win and should make a bold showing in this company. MOHANDAS (1) looks held by Banzai Pipeline on their last meeting but is in with a shout. CHASING GOLD (5) takes a slight drop in class and can feature in an open handicap. (Andrew Harrison: 7-8-1-5).

R8 Summary: OPERA FAN (2) was not disgraced in good Highveld company last time out. She takes to the poly for the first time but a repeat of her last effort should see her close. PRETTY KARA (3) was a close-up third first run out of the maidens. She is down in class here and Kable Matsunyane has diched regular mount BOOM BOOM (4) for the ride. BLUE POPPY (6) found her best form last outing finishing just ahead of Pretty Kara but is now 0.5kg worse off and the inference in obvious. (Andrew Harrison: 2-3-6-4).

R9 Summary: Tough race to end off the day. RAFIKI (9) is overdue and has consistent poly form. He should go close again. PEARL IN HER CROWN (6) takes on males but has shown up well in two recent Highveld races without blinkers and the switch to the poly could see her close again. RUN TO RIO (8) has been dropping in the ratings. He has consistent form over course and distance but may need a further reduction for another win. QUINN’S TIME (10) returns from a break and over a better trip. He could be the surprise package off of his new rating. (Andrew Harrison: 9-6-10-8).

Mention Madagascar to my children and they would tell you it is an animated film about animals from Central Park Zoo who get shipwrecked on that island off the east coast of Africa. Mention it to me and I will relapse into PTSD, writes famous amateur jumps jockey and racing journalist Marcus Armytage.

As an amateur rider with a have-saddle-will-travel attitude, winning the Grand National in 1990 opened many (mainly aeroplane) doors. Already a part of FEGENTRI, the International Federation of Gentlemen and Lady Riders which hosts a series of amateur races around the world, I seemed to be the beneficiary of the good publicity of winning the National by having the opportunity to ride at some of our continent’s more obscure tracks.

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