Turf Talk Newsletter – 10 February, 2026

Savanna Valjalo Steps Away From Her Apprenticeship

Savanna Valjalo’s first win as an apprentice was on the Gareth van Zyl-trained K M V Retrofit (Royal Mo). She was in the colours worn by the Equus Champion Stayer King Pelles and the win could not have been for a more passionate group of owners, Ravi Padayachee’s Lucky Vest 12 CC Syndicate

Savanna Valjalo’s foray into the South African racing industry has been dream-like, because having gone from somebody who had never been in a race before to taking advice and training hard to take part in just one race, the Okapi Ladies International Maiden Plate on L’Ormarins King’s Plate day in 2024, she was riding in professional races about 16 months later.

She described winning the Okapi Ladies International (on the Justin Snaith-trained Gravity) by two lengths as “the best day of my life” and as a “dream come true”.

She did have a head start as she had been in showjumping for some 22 years before that first ever race ride, despite only being 26 years old at the time.

She then started riding in workriders races and won the second of them and had one more win in another handful of rides before joining the South African Jockeys Academy.

It took her just five months to complete the requirements to ride in races and one month later in her eleventh professional ride she won on the Gareth van Zyl-trained K M V Retrofit in a 1200m event on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly on June 25 last year.

She must have been living in a dream bubble and had accumulated another 15 wins until an announcement was made this morning that she was stepping away from her apprenticeship.

So all in all she has had 19 wins, three in the amateur ranks and 16 in the professional ranks.

Her overall statistics as a 4kg claiming apprentice was 16 wins in 172 rides for a strike rate of 9.30%.

Her riding skills were still work in progress and who knows whether she would have made it or not, suffice to say it is an ultra tough profession that requires extreme dedication and only a select few ever make it to the top.

She will have a wealth of exciting experiences in race-riding to look back on, including a 1,30 length fourth in the Grand Heritage over 1475m on the Corrie Lensley-trained 100/1 shot Sonic Jet.

She is sure to excel in whatever path she next chooses and no prizes for guessing that it will still be in the equestrian industry.

The announcement made by the South African Jockeys Academy this morning can be read below:

Cancellation of Indentures: Apprentice Jockey Savanna Valjalo

It is with great respect and understanding that the South African Jockey Academy (SAJA) announces the cancellation of the indentures of second year apprentice jockey Savanna Valjalo, following her personal decision to step away from the apprenticeship at this time.

Savanna joined the South African Jockey Academy in January 2025 and, within a remarkable five-month period, successfully completed the requirements to sign her racing papers and was cleared to ride in races.

Just one month later, she recorded her first career winner.

As at the end of January 2026, Savanna had accumulated a total of 16 career wins, reflecting consistent performance and competitive capability during her time as an apprentice.

After careful reflection, Savanna made the decision to pursue a different path aligned with her personal goals and wellbeing.

This decision is made with the utmost respect for SAJA and the racing industry, both of which she remains deeply grateful to for the opportunities, guidance, and support she received during her time at the Academy.

Savanna has expressed her heartfelt thanks to SAJA’s management, riding masters, staff, and supporters, acknowledging the role they played in her development and the experiences she will always value.

While she steps away from her apprenticeship, Savanna will remain part of the broader equestrian community, continuing her connection to horses, riding, and following the sport she holds close to her heart.

The South African Jockey Academy is proud of what Savanna achieved in her time with us and wishes her every success, fulfilment, and happiness in her future endeavours.

Lucky Fish Aims To Make Racing Self-Sufficient

The trainers sponsored by Lucky Fish – Lucinda Woodruff and Mike and Mathew De Kock (Picture: Race Coast)

Lucky Fish was promoted on course on Friday night at Hollywoodbets Greyville during an event which also marked the launch of the brand’s sponsorship of the Woodruff and De Kock racing stables, alongside confirmation that the platform’s success will support horseracing through Race Coast.

Lucky Fish is the fixed odds arm of Race Coast, specifically Race Coast Western Cape, in the same way Betting World was the fixed odds arm of Phumelela.

“Lucky Fish is the licensed fixed odds arm of Race Coast,” explained Vishen Naidoo, Commercial Manager of Lucky Fish. “The licence sits with Race Coast Western Cape, but will also benefit Race Coast KwaZulu-Natal.”

Lucky Fish is not designed purely as a horseracing platform. Instead, it offers a full digital betting and gaming portfolio.

Casino games, crash games, lucky numbers and live games will form a core part of the Lucky Fish offering. In addition, the platform will include full horse racing fixed odds betting, Tote betting, as well as soccer, tennis and other sports betting options.

He revealed, “Casino and crash games are currently key drivers in the South African betting landscape, and these are areas where Lucky Fish will focus its brand and marketing campaigns.”

He continued, “Any profits generated by Lucky Fish are reinvested into horseracing through Race Coast.”

Naidoo added that returns to Race Coast come from the full Lucky Fish offering — including horse racing, casino, online games and fixed odds sports betting.

The site is currently purely digital, although retail opportunities may be explored in the future.

Naidoo said, “We soft-launched Lucky Fish last year, focusing on getting the product and customer experience right.”

He concluded, “Lucky Fish is a funky, fresh and extremely progressive brand. It’s focused on making bold moves and standing out from the crowd. This is reflected in the social media and TV adverts, which showcase energy and enjoyment that is exciting and unapologetic. The focus is firmly on customer experience and improving every day.”

Lucky Fish is designed to grow alongside the sport, supporting a future where horse racing is financially sustainable and self-sufficient.

Splittheeights Raised To A Merit Rating Of 121

Splittheeights (pictured winning Saturday’s Gr 2 Gauteng Guineas) has been given a 121 merit rating after his win in the Gr 2 TAB Gauteng Guineas.

Tin Pan Alley was used as the line horse and the changes made meant that two horses who have failed to beat older horses in handicaps off ratings just above 100 are now off ratings close to 120.

Those two horses are Gauteng Guineas runner up Grand Empire, who could not beat older horses off a rating of 102 in the Listed Wolf Power 1600 and he is now rated 120, although he was running at 2kg under sufferance in the Wolf Power, while Yippee Kayay was only a 2,70 length ninth in the Grand Heritage off a merit rating of 101, but he is now rated 117 after running a 2,15 length fifth in the Gauteng Guineas.

On the other hand Tin Pan Alley beat older horses in a Gr 2 event over 1450m last October to earn his high rating.

Splittheeights won the Gauteng Guineas with a bit in hand, so can probably live up to his new merit rating, while One Eye On Vegas was also eyecatching and Trust was making late inroads.

However, the overall impression to date is the three-year-olds are not shining and some of them could be a tad overrated.

That is not to say the handicappers are incorrect in their assessments as it is their job to rate the race at hand, not a previous race.

The merit ratings will soon sort themselves out and those who are worth their salt will live up to their current status as Gr 2 performers.

Hazy Dazy was raised to 117 for her win in the Gr 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas and she could prove full value for that assessment as she was impressive.

NHA Press Release

Handicap Ratings Updates

TAB GAUTENG GUINEAS (Grade 2)

SPLITTHEEIGHTS has been awarded a revised merit rating of 121, up from 97, following his victory in the Grade 2 TAB Gauteng Guineas over 1600m at the Turffontein Standside track on Saturday. The Handicappers elected to use TIN PAN ALLEY, who finished sixth, as the line horse for assessing this race, leaving his rating unchanged on 117.

In addition to the winner, several other runners received upward adjustments to their merit ratings:

GRAND EMPIRE, the runner‑up, was raised from 108 to 120.
ONE EYE ON VEGAS received an increase from 106 to 118.
YIPPEE KIYAY was lifted from 101 to 117.
Lastly, RADIO STAR received an adjustment, moving from 95 to 97.

The only reduction in the ratings was for GOLDEN WARRIOR, who was adjusted downward from 103 to 100.

WILGERBOSDRIFT GAUTENG FILLIES GUINEAS (Grade 2)

Following her impressive victory in the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas over 1600m, HAZY DAZY’S official merit rating has been raised from 101 to 117. The Handicappers used the ever-consistent LOWVELD LILY (fourth place finisher) as the line horse, leaving her rating unchanged at 109.

To maintain the correct pecking order, several other runners also received increases:

The runner‑up, CHARGE IT, was lifted from 104 to 113.
LITTLEMISSMILLION was raised from 99 to 107.
DAISY JONES increased from 99 to 106.
DRUMNADROCHIT improved from 91 to 105.
PRETTY PERSUASIVE went up from 93 to 99.

There were no merit‑rating reductions in this race.

Enquiries:

The Handicapping Team

Durban Diamond Could Be A Gem

Durban Diamond turns it on in fine style to win on debut under Craig Zackey (Picture: Race Coast)

Cape Breeders

Wilgerbosdrift’s homebred champion Hawwaam looks to have come up with a very promising filly in the form of Durban Diamond.

The latter made the perfect start to her career when she won the second race at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday.

Despite being very green, two-year-old Durban Diamond produced a devastating turn of foot in Sunday’s www.galloptv.co.za Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies).

Coming from well off the pace, the daughter of Hawwaam powered home in the closing stages to get up and win by half a length.

Trained by Dennis Bosch, Durban Diamond was ridden by Craig Zackey.

The filly, who was bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, is owned by Mr Alli.

She is out of the useful Mill Queen (Querari), who had the Gr 3 HSH Princess Charlene Starling Stakes over 1400m among her four career wins and she finished second in the Gr 1 Thekwini Stakes as a two-year-old.

Durban Diamond’s five time G1 winning sire Hawwaam has some very well bred yearlings on offer at both the Cape and Premier Yearling sales.

Hawwaam’s Cape Sale draft includes a colt (Lot 46) out of G3 Strelitzia Stakes winner Neptune’s Rain, and a filly (Lot 110) from the female line of star fillies Pride and Speciosa.

His Premier Sale draft is headed by a half-brother (Lot 46) to G1 Computaform Sprint winning sire Master Archie and a colt (Lot107) bred on the same cross as Durban Diamond.

Tenpenny Should Relish The 2000m Trip

Tenpenny enjoyed being stepped up to 1800m last time and is now stepped up to 2000m off a four point higher mark (Picture: Wayne Marks)

8 KLEIN KAROO stayed on well for second behind District Master on the 13th of January, the blinkers stay on, and he drops in trip to 1250m on Wednesday, with some luck in running, he will go close to winning. 4 RED WAVE never runs a bad race, he stayed on nicely for third behind Behave Harris on the 17th of January at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, top jockey Richard Fourie has been booked to ride this gelding, he will be right there in the finish. 11 SKY ROCKET finished just over four lengths behind Trailfinder on the 13th of January, both his runs to date have been good, if he beats the wide draw here, he will be amongst the places. 1 ROYAL INFLUENCER has been rested and gelded, he finished just over ten lengths behind Magical Place on debut, if he doesn’t need the run badly on Wednesday, he could be a serious danger from a good draw. (Brandon Bailey: 8 – 4 – 11 – 1)

Race 2

9 ALESSIA ASHEVILLE could be some serious value here, she ran a great race behind Raffish Trend on the 21st of January, she was drawn wide on that occasion, and she still managed to finish second, she has run some of her best races at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, with no weight on her back on Wednesday, she could pop up at a big price. 1 GIMME THE POWER was doing some good work late for third behind Raffish Trend last time, the blinkers have been fitted, and she has a good draw, there should be no excuses for this filly, include her into all bets. 2 STELLAR GUIDANCE caught the eye late on debut behind Wyze Declaration on the 17th of December, she was only beaten just over three lengths at the line, with natural improvement expected on Wednesday, she definitely has a winning chance. 3 SPURIOUS ran a lovely race behind South Of France on the 17th of January, she ran fourth and was only beaten just over one length, on her best form, she could trouble them all. (Brandon Bailey: 9 – 1 – 2 – 3)

Race 3

6 LOUI’S STAR finished like a train for third behind Lark’s Song on the 13th of January, her form of late is very good, she will be switched off early, and she will come with a big finish late, watch her closely. 1 HOMING PIGEON finished second in the same race as Loui’s Star last time, she is honest, and she tries hard, from a good draw, she has a big winning chance in this field. 7 WHO IS SHE fought hard to run a nice race behind Amayah on the 21st of January, she is a young filly that will keep improving with more racing, the step up in trip to 1800m will help her chances, she can win no doubt. 8 WOMAN IN GOLD ran a shocking race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 13th of January, she is definitely much better than that poor performance, if she bounces back to her best form, she will make the finish interesting. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 1 – 7 – 8)

Race 4

10 FREQUENT TRAVELLER has run two excellent races in succession, he moved up well to finish second behind Eric Liddell on the 4th of January, he drops back in trip to 1800m on Wednesday, if he gets some luck in running from a wide draw, he will be hard to beat. 3 FORT LIAM ran third in the same race as Frequent Traveller last time, the blinkers stay on, and he gets a good draw, he will run a big race, include him into all bets. 2 PHANTOM MAN just missed in his last start, he ran a great race for second behind Waloyo Yamoni on the 21st of January, top jockey Andrew Fortune sticks with this gelding, he should be there amongst the places. 7 I AM SAM has been a touch disappointing in his last two starts, he was well beaten by District Master on the 13th of January at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, he should love the step up in trip, and the cheek pieces have been fitted, watch for sharp improvement from this good looking colt. (Brandon Bailey: 10 – 3 – 2 – 7)

Race 5

2 KONNICHIWA was very game in his last start behind Mente Et Manu on the 13th of December, he stayed on well for second in a driving finish, he never runs a bad race, from a good draw on Wednesday, he can certainly win a race like this. 1 TWILIGHT WARRIOR quickened up nicely to win a good race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 13th of January, he was given two points for that victory, he will be just off the speed early, and he will be running on strongly late, include him into all bets. 5 NOBLE HERO finished just under two lengths behind Twilight Warrior last time, he is in good form at the moment, he should be there amongst the places. 6 CHANCE ENCOUNTER finished just over three lengths behind Foudre on the 4th of January, the blinkers have been taken off, and he steps up in trip to 1800m, watch him closely. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 1 – 5 – 6)

Race 6

3 BEAUTIFUL SIDE finished third behind Gentleman Joe on the 4th of January, she is super consistent, she drops in trip on Wednesday to 1800m, and she has a good draw, she will be right there in the finish late. 4 MIDWAY won well at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 21st of January, he was given four points for that victory, even though he carries a big weight for this D Stakes race, he can be hard to peg back if he gets cheap sectionals in front. 6 GOLD INDEX ran third behind Midway last time, he was beaten just under two lengths at the line, Richard Fourie has been booked to ride this gelding, he will be competitive. 5 HELIOTROPE has been rested for 88 days, she is consistent, and she has dropped even further in the ratings, if she doesn’t need the run badly, she could be the value horse in this tricky race. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 4 – 6 – 5)

Race 7

4 TENPENNY quickened up like a smart horse to win a good race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 13th of January, he was given four points for that win, he has a wonderful turn of foot, there is no doubt that he will love the step up in trip to 2000m on Wednesday, he can win again. 7 UMFULA must have a big winning chance in this field, he moved up well enough behind Tenpenny last time, jockey Richard Fourie knows this gelding well, he will be just off the speed early, and he will be storming home late, watch him closely at a fair price. 2 LA PULGA is much better than his recent start behind Okavango on the 10th of January, the yard thinks highly of this gelding, he steps up in trip now to 2000m, if he bounces back to his best form, he will be competitive. 3 SONG TO THE MOON just got touched off by Tenpenny on the 13th of January, it was great to see him back in form, if he brings that performance to the races again on Wednesday, he will make the finish very interesting. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 7 – 2 – 3)

Race 8

6 SOOTY was heavily backed in the market on the 13th of January, he was nailed on the line by Worldly in a close finish, it was a great race to watch, he has run some good races at Hollywoodbets Durbanville in the past, this looks to be the right race for him, he will be hard to beat on his best form. 2 WINTER PEARL has run three super races in succession, he ran third behind Mauritius Kestrel on the 13th of December in his last start at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, from a good draw on Wednesday, he will go close. 9 MEET THE KING won his maiden impressively at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 17th of January, it was a great ride by jockey Andrew Fortune, this is a big step up in class for him, but he looks progressive. 3 DAWN’S EARLY LIGHT bounced back to his best form to run a good third behind Worldly on the 13th of January, he absolutely loves Hollywoodbets Durbanville, he could be the value horse from a good draw. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 2 – 9 – 3)

Count On Max Que For The Consensus Cup

Max Que looks to be on the up and in Race 6 can follow up on his good win last time (Picture: HKJC)

At The Races tipster Tim Carroll had a 9-1 winner to go with his Nap & NB on Sunday, and he’s back with Wednesday’s nine-race card analysis of Happy Valley, which starts at 12H40 SA Time.

This Wednesday sees a competitive nine-race card from Happy Valley and the feature of the meeting is race 6, the Class 3 Consensus Cup (handicap), over 1 mile, offering prize money of more than £200,000.

Now onto this week’s selections.

Click here for a comprehensive guide to the meeting

Gavin Lerena Rides A Treble At Vaal Classic

Season’s Greetings (Potala Palace) gives Gavin Lerena a treble and Clinton Binda a double (JC Photos)

Gavin Lerena rode a treble at the Vaal Classic track today and two of them were for Clinton Binda.

Keagen de Melo rode a double for Johan Janse van Vuuren and both horses were either owned or part-owned by Laurence Wernars, while Muzi Yeni rode a double for Fanie Bronkhorst.

Lerena is now on 58 wins for the season achieved at a strike rate of 20%.

Yeni is on 85 wins at 11.94%.

De Melo is on 38 wins at 17.84%.

Janse Van Vuuren is on 25 wins at 12.02%.

Binda is on 16 wins at 12.40%

Bronkhorst is on 23 wins at 7.67%.