Turf Talk Newsletter – 08 May, 2025

Underworld should relish the step up to 1900m in the Gr 3 WSB 1900 and the big Querari gelding looks ready to come into his own. (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

The Justin Snaith-trained Underworld is yet to show his best and he should be a big runner in the Gr 3 WSB 1900 under Gavin Lerena on Saturday from a good draw of five. The son of Querari was gelded last Champions Season and has steadily improved since then and is now coming into his own. He will be going for a hattrick here and should have more to come off a 108 merit rating over a trip which he has won over before. This will be only the second time he is running over this trip and it might be what he is looking for. On the downside he is not a Hollywoodbets Durban July entry, while all three of his stablemates in the race are July entries.

The Snaith-trained Okovango is only rated 96 but is on the up and won easily last time over 1800m at this track carrying 61.5kg against older horses. The three-year-old Master Of My Fate gelding is drawn eight out of 14 and Muzi Yeni, who has been doing well for the Snaith yard, gets the ride. Usually the 1900 winner gets a run in the July, but as he will be only carrying 52kg he might have to run again, even if he wins here, to qualify.

Te Mike Miller-trained Narina Trogon will be out to emulate his mother Beach Beauty by winning this race. The Silvano gelding takes after Beach Beauty in some ways, including that he is not the biggest and he has a fine turn of foot. In last year’s 1900 he had a tricky draw and ended up too far back before staying on to be beaten 3,30 lengths into eighth place. He will now be 4kg better off with last year’s winner Future Swing and there is a reversal in draw fortunes too, with Future Swing going from three to six and Narina Trogon going from seven to four. If Narina Trogon breaks well and finds a good position he can motor home like he did to win three features last season, the Listed Kings Cup over 1600m, the Listed WSB Sledgehammer over 1750m and the Listed Compendium Insurance Brokers Thukela handicap over 1600m. He should stay the 1900m trip on pedigree being by Silvano and Beach Beauty being a Dynasty mare who won up to 2000m. 1750m is the furthest he has won over, but subsequent to his 1900 effort last year he finished a 1,60 length third to Oriental Charm in the Gr 3 Cup Trial over 1800m. He was receiving 7kg but the latter is now a 125 rated Hollywoodbets Durban July winner and a WSB Met runner up. Narina Trogon has had plenty of racing so will be nice and fit.

The Frank Robinson pair should so well too. Madison Valley needed his last two and will relish the step up to this trip. He packs a strong finish and leading jockey Craig Zackey takes the ride from draw seven.

Shoot The Rapids will be cherry ripe after two recent runs following a long break subsequent to his unlucky Gold Cup second. He would prefer further than this but he has plenty of class and could be in the shake up.

The Snaith-trained Native Ruler was not disgraced when beaten 5,75 lengths by Eight On Eighteen in the Gr 1 Splashout Cape Derby, but he has not raced since and has a tricky draw of nine. However, his profile is not dissimilar to Oriental Charm’s profile at this time last year, so he could be in the mix.

Holding Thumbs has improved into a fine sort and should make a bold bid, although he has a wide draw which does not augur well for one who would probably prefer further.

Last year’s winner Future Swing is highly regarded and was fancied for the July in which he had no luck at all. He has a harder task than last year carrying joint top weight of 60kg but he is the joint highest rated runner and his 2,15 length eighth in the Met shows he is capable of mixing it with the best.

Indian Ocean is weigghted to win the race and on official merit ratings is 3kg better off with any other runner. She has a beautiful long stride and is capable of running from the front or running on from behind. However, she will have to overcome a tough draw.

Cape Eagle is an honest and consistent sort and he is course and distance suited but has a tough draw.

His stablemate Selukwe is also capable of being right there, but he also has a tough draw.

I Salute You is progressive and this Soqrat colt gives the impression he will stay tihe trip, despite being out of a Var mar. However, he has the widest draw of all in the 14 horse field.

Thunee Playa has useful form and is perfectly distance suited and he has a good draw, so he is an interesting runner.

Infinite Wonder is not the most reliable and will need to step up on his last few runs.

Cape Breeders

Wilgerbosdrift’s promising young stallion Buffalo Bill Cody looks to have a potentially smart daughter on his hands in the form of Rachel Wall (pictured above: credit- JC Photos).

The latter made an impressive winning debut at Turffontein on Thursday when romping home to win the third race.

Trained by Tony Peter, Rachal Wall was always up with the pace in the Racing Today Maiden Plate (F and M) (1200m).
When Gavin Lerena asked the question, the two-year-old pulled clear to beat older rivals by a whopping six and three quarter lengths.

Bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, Rachel Wall is out of the High Chaparral mare Gypsy Pirate.

The filly was a R350 000 buy from the 2024 Cape Yearling Sale.

Her sire Buffalo Bill Cody made a bright start with his small first crop of 17 runners including 11 winners including G3 Betway Lebelo Sprint winner Pistol Pete and Mythical Flight Sprint Buffalo Storm Cody.

A winner of six of his ten starts, Buffalo Bill Cody shares his multiple champion sire Redoute’s Choice with such top-class stallions as Snitzel, Stratum, The Autumn Sun, Not A Single Doubt and Rafeef.

The ultra consistent Lucky Houdalakis-trained Royal Mo gelding Bob’s Your Uncle clinches a double for Craig Zackey at Turffontein Inside’s Thursday meeting. (JC Photos).  

Craig Zackey and Gavin Lerena both rode doubles at the Turffontein Inside meeting on Thursday and this saw Zackey increasing his lead over second-placed Richard Fourie in the national jockeys championship, while third-placed Lerena is still within striking distance.

Tony Peter and Paul Matchett also had doubles.

Zackey is now on 205 wins and has achieved it at a strike rate of 18.35%.

He is eight wins clear of Richard Fourie, whose 197 wins have come at a strike rate of 25.82%.

Lerena is on 191 wins at 26.02%.

Peter is on 73 wins at 16.44%.

Matchett is on 47 wins at 10.44%.

My Best Shot has been tipped to win the East Cape Derby (Pauline Herman Photography)

Fairview Friday formguides and selections

R1 (2) HOUSE OF SUSSEX is holding solid form and will have a huge winning chance in this open looking contest. (8) FANTASY GIRL has been fancied in recent starts and can make the frame here, must include in all bets. (12) TRILLION DREAMS made progress in the last start and can build on that. (1) FLIGHT ENGINEER could get involved in the quartets. (Devonne Govender 2-8-12-1)

R2 (7) SPORTS FAN has run two good races and looks ready to strike here. (5) JUST ONE KISS comes from a yard who have done extremely well with unraced runners this season and must be taken seriously. (1) DANISH DYNAMITE is another who comes from a yard who generally do extremely well with unraced runners so keep an eye on the market. (3) ICED MARMALADE ran well at decent odds on debut and is sure to improve, include in everything. (Devonne Govender 7-5-1-3)

R3 (4) WORDSWORTH is knocking on the door for that next career win, Marco V’Rensburg is back aboard and he will take some beating here. (6) SMASHING is holding form and will be the main danger to the top selection, include in all bets. (2) MUNCHKIN is very capable on his day and must go into everything. (1) CAPTAIN TIK TOK is another who can pop up here and cannot be ignored, he will be in the firing line. (Devonne Govender 4-6-2-1)

R4 (4) COURAGEOUS ran extremely well in the last start and rates to have a big winning chance in this field respectively. (3) HAPHAZARD has never been far back in recent starts and is very capable of winning this. (8) DREAM SCAPE wasn’t far in the last start at big odds and represents value for the placings. (7) SWEET NOTHINGS can be unreliable at times but must go into larger perms. (Devonne Govender 4-3-8-7)

R5 (7) LUNA HALO packs plenty of class and will be a huge contender in this contest. (3) BUSH TRACKER has been racing well and will have a winning chance as he tends to do well over this 1600m trip. (1) ZINOVI is very capable on his day and despite the big weight he can make his presence felt in a big way. (4) GOLDEN PEACE won a gutsy race in the last start and must be respected here. (Devonne Govender 7-3-1-4-5)

R6 Competitive race. (1) STRATA is holding consistent form and will be a massive contender here, big winning chance. (6) SHARAPOVA is another who is in great form and must be included in all bets. (5) MS PATTY has won a gutsy race in her last start and goes for a third win on the bounce, another that must be respected. (4) HAVANA GREY ran extremely well finishing close up alongside the top selection and there won’t be much to choose hence she will be a big factor. (Devonne Govender 1-6-5-4)

R7 (6) HOT SAUCE produced a powerful finish on debut and was ultra-impressive, although she takes on her unbeaten stable companion (4) ANOTHERDANCEFORME she deserves the utmost of respect. Richard Fourie spoke very highly of her in his winning interview and she could be one to follow. (4) ANOTHERDANCEFORME will be the biggest danger to the top selection, she is unbeaten in three starts and will be fighting this one out. (7) INSTAWORTHY and (1) KING PRAWN are both horses to consider for the placings, they both come from similar form lines and should be included in the quartets. (Devonne Govender 6-4-7-1)

R8 (1) MY BEST SHOT packs plenty of class, he steps up significantly in distance however he looks the one to beat. (9) LOTUS ISLAND is holding solid form and gets a top rider up in the saddle, she will have to be taken very seriously over this trip. (5) ARDABIL is another who is in great form and warrants respect but will have to lift to get past the top two selections. (3) MASTER FORESTER is never too far back and can get into the quartets. (Devonne Govender 1-9-5-3)

R9 Competitive field. (8) HEART STEALER is holding solid form, he was narrowly beaten in the last start and must be factored into the equation. (4) HAROLD THE DUKE is very capable on his day, he goes well on the turf and will be a big runner. (7) JUAN CARLOS is another who is in top form and will run another big race. (9) PAINITE is holding top form and so is the jockey, another that is a must include in this open looking contest where a case can be made for many. (Devonne Govender 8-4-7-9

Kieran Shoemark has lost his position as number one rider for John and Thady Gosden (Picture: Sky Sports Racing).

John Gosden is a hard taskmaster, as Frankie Dettori discovered after his ride on Stradivarius at Ascot a couple of years ago, and the latest victim is Kieran Shoemark. Gosden has never won the 2000 Guineas before and had a fine chance on Saturday with the favourite, Field Of Gold. However, the grey ran out of race track when chasing home the winner Ruling Court and in Gosden’s opinion Shoemark waited too long with him.

The below report was on Skysports.com:

Kieran Shoemark is no longer the number one rider for the John and Thady Gosden team following his ride on Field Of Gold in Saturday’s 2000 Guineas.

The rider had been the stable’s preferred jockey since he replaced the departing Frankie Dettori in early 2024, but has been relieved of his duties after taking heavy criticism over the weekend.

The 28-year-old produced 7/4 favourite Field Of Gold too late in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, only managing to chase home the Charlie Appleby-trained Ruling Court. In the aftermath, Shoemark admitted he had been “too confident” aboard the Juddmonte-owned horse, with John Gosden stating: “We were sat some way back. The winner has kicked and gone and we ran out of racetrack.”

Click here to watch the race

Speaking on the Nick Luck Daily Podcast, co-trainer Thady Gosden said: “Naturally since Saturday myself and John have gone through things together and decided that the best policy moving forward for the stable is to adopt the best available rider strategy.

“It’s still very early in the season and there’s plenty of time left to go but we believe that’s the right decision for the stable to have the best available rider – alongside of course the significant number of retained riders pre-existing in the yard.”

Into Mischief continues to prove why he’s the top North American sire.

Two of his progenies were scheduled to race in the 2025 Kentucky Derby, but Tappan Street scratched. Sovereignty, however, reigned supreme in the 151st Run for the Roses.

Into Mischief, who missed out on the 2008 Derby with an injury, became the first horse to sire back-to-back Derby winners (Authentic, 2020; Mandaloun, 2021) and now ties the record for most Derby-winning progenies. Virgil, Falsetto, Bull Lea and Sir Gallahad III (France) have also sired three Derby-winning progenies. Bull Lea was the last horse to sire three Derby-winning colts after Iron Liege’s win in 1957.

Into Mischief’s bloodlines also extend to 2024 Derby winner Mystik Dan as his grandsire.

“He’s just been this, really right from the start, horse that has stood out,” Spendthrift Farm general manager Ned Toffey told The Courier Journal in April. “You really, sort of almost have to call him a genetic freak.”

Less than 10 years after his stud fee was as low as $6,500, Into Mischief is now one of the most expensive horses on the continent with a stud fee of $250,000.

Prior to the race, Sovereignty was Into Mischief’s second-leading progeny in earnings with $429,520; Tappan Street was first. The payout for the Derby winner this year was $3.1 million.

Into Mischief has been leading sire in North America for the last six seasons.

Click here to read about his ever expanding sire line

How many British Classics has John Gosden won?

Picture: The picture is of the subject