Turf Talk Newsletter – 12 September, 2025

Gimme Can Give Patrons What They Want

The Justin Snaith-trained Varsfontein-homebred filly Gimme What I Want has been tipped to win the last race (Picture: Wayne Marks)

The Hollywoodbets Durbanville meeting on Saturday offers some good opportunities for punters.

Gimme What I Want makes a lot of appeal in the ninth and last race as she has a lot of scope for improvement and has a fair draw off a reasonable merit rating on her handicap bow.

In the second race Astronomical Boy was sent off at 100/1 in his second start despite being by three-time champion stallion Gimethegreenlight and a half-brother to Gr 1 winner over a mile, Cosmic Speed. He showed those odds were all wrong by finishing a 0,60 length third to Nightrain, who is a full-brother to Gr 1-winning sprinter and now sire Thunderstruck. Astronomical Boy runs over the same 1250m course and distance, but on the downside he jumped from draw two last time and now has to overcome the widest draw of all, ten out of ten. His stablemate Clark Grisowld caught the eye on debut despite being beaten 7,85 lengths, also over this course and distance. He was dropped out to last from a wide draw that day and made some good inroads in the straight before being cramped for room late. The winner of that race looks very promising indeed, so from draw two this time Clark Griswold could be a runner.

In the third race Up In Flames finished three lengths behind Bech Verse last time over 1500m and the latter is by champion stallion Vercingetorix and is a half-sister to crack dual Gr 1 winner Beach Bomb. Up In Flames is by stamina influence Futura, so will enjoy the further 100m step up in trip to 1600m and he now has a plum draw of three as opposed to a tricky draw of six last time. Champagne Blaze showed good improvement second time out when stepped up to this trip and he should run well from a middle draw of seven out of 13.

In the fourth race over 1600m Gold Dust went close over 1500m last time and now has pole position as pposed to draw seven out of eight last time. He is 2,5kg better off with Pinot Grigio for a three length beating over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in May and he has a draw reversal arguably in his favour too. There should not be much in it. Get Impressed has some class and should also do well. Chasingtherainbow comes off a hattrick so must be respected despite returning from a three month rest. Widely drawn Vapour Trail is by Erik The Red and is a half-brother to top class dual Gr 1 winner One Stripe, so must be respected too.

In the fifth over 1800m State Capitol has been on the up since getting used to blinkers and he could be a runner, although he is 1kg worse off with Baton Rouge from their last meeting despite being beaten 0,75 lengths by him on that occasion.

In the sixth race over 1000m Dean Street is in form and represents an in form yard, so can go close but the choice is Un Bel Di based on his exccellent effort in a Listed race over this trip last time at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

In the seventh over 1250m Roland Garros could well enjoy the step down in trip on pedigree and has a plum draw, so is taken to beat the well drawn Silver Crown, who lost by 1,50 lengths last time to Scottish Kiss and is now 2kg better off and better drawn.

In the eighth over 1250m the well drawn Ozark might upset because his pedigree suggests he might well enjoy the step down to a sprint and although spending his whole career running over further the blinkers are quite a recent addition and that could sharpen him up. Gravity will be dangerous from pole position.

Un Bel Di Can Have Another Fine Day

Un Bel Di has been tipped to win the sixth (Picture: Chase Liebenberg)

Hollywoodbets Durbanville Saturday Formguides And Selections

R1 3 LYRICAL GANGSTER ran a fair race last time out over this trip and looks to be on the up, so could do well here from draw three. 4 STORMIN ATTACK is by the United States out of a four time-winning Western Winter mare. 8 THESHOWMUSTGOON is by Trippi out of a Listed-winning Jet Master mare, but he does have the widest draw of all on debut. 7 CARIBBEAN GOLD is by Elusive Fort out of a four time-winning Silvano mare and she has a wide draw too. (3-4-8-7)

R2 10 ASTRONOMICAL BOY went close second time out against two very promising horses and if able to overcome a wide draw he should be hard to beat. 2 CLARK GRISWOLD caught the eye staying on from last against a very useful looking sort and from a good draw he could make his presence felt. 5 AIN’T NO SUNSHINE is by What A Winter and is a half-sister to the useful Rodeo Drive, who finished second in the Gr 1 Allan Robertson. 4 FREQUENT TRAVELLER is by Querari out of a dual Listed-winning Silvano mare. (10-2-5-4)

R3 3 UP IN FLAMES ran a fair race from a tricky draw when stepped up to 1500m and from a good draw should go close over a step up in trip she should relish. 7 CHAMPAGNE BLAZE was backed last time over this trip and was not disgraced but does have a tricky draw now. 4 RED STATE ran a fair race when stepped up to 1700m and from a similar draw should be in the shake-up. 1 TAYLOR’S VERSION has been going close from 1200m up to 1400m and tries further although being by Rafeef out of a speedy Qui Danzig mare she is not sure to appreciate the step up in trip. (3-7-4-1)

R4 1 GOLD DUST is drawn in pole over a step up in trip which should suit and he could surprise. 2 PINOT GRIGIO is knocking on the door and should be right there although he is coming back from a short layoff. 4 GET IMPRESSED is course and distance suited and should be in the shake-up. 6 CHASINGTHERAINBOW comes off a hat-trick and should be in the shake-up despite coming back from a three-month layoff. (1-7-4-6)

R5 5 STATE CAPITOL has hard knocking form and over an ideal trip could be the one to beat from a fair draw. 1 BATON ROUGE is drawn in pole and will relish this course and distance so should be right there. 3 COSMIC RHYTHM was a bit disappointing last time but can do better and is drawn well so should be in the shake-up. 6 THE NIGHT FERRY is capable of improvement and can’t be ignored. (5-1-3-6)

R6 4 UN BEL DI ran a fine race last time behind a useful sort in a listed event over this trip so he is a big runner here. 1 DEAN STREET has good form and over an ideal trip is drawn in pole so could register his eighth win. 2 PAPILLON BLU comes off a hat-trick and should enjoy the 1000m but does have a five point merit rating raise to overcome. 6 CHAMPAGNE KISSES has a wide draw to overcome but is capable and can’t be ignored. (4-1-2-6)

R7 2 ROLAND GARROS disappointed last time but over this shorter trip in a weaker field he should have a big chance.3 SILVER CROWN is course and distance suited and well drawn and should be in the shake-up having done well in first time blinkers last time. 4 OLIVER is a consistent sort and over a suitable course and distance from a fair draw should be right there.1 DREAMWORLD should enjoy the step down in trip and can go close from pole position. (2-3-4-1)

R8 2 OZARK might well enjoy the step down in trip here from a good draw has a shout. 1 GRAVITY will enjoy this course and distance and from pole position should be right there under a 4kg claimer. 8 TAMBOURINE MAN could be right there too if able to overcome a wide draw as he went close last time over this distance category. 9 LOVERS LANE also has the ability to be involved if able to overcome a wide draw. (2-1-8-9)

R9 4 GIMME WHAT I WANT has a fair draw over a suitable trip and can follow up on her maiden win. 5 MARITZBURG MEMORY is an honest sort who has a chance in this lineup. 9 SPLASH OF COLOUR won easily last time out in the maiden ranks so if able to overcome a wide draw she will be right there.

Motion Admits One Stripe Has A Big Ask

One Stripe (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Graham Motion commented on One Stripe ahead of his engagement in the Gr 1 Woodbine Mile, which is to be run at 23H39 SA Time on Saturday, “One Stripe shipped up to Canada on Tuesday morning and went to the track Wednesday. He handled everything well and I couldn’t be happier with his condition as we build up to the race. He has a good draw but unfortunately carries top weight due to his graded wins. Saturday is a big ask off the bench, especially carrying top weight. But hopefully he can be competitive and this will set him up for Del Mar (Breeders Cup) in November.”

Click here to read a preview for the Woodbine Mile

Gotta Go Eddie Has Gotta Be Included

Gotta Go Eddie has been tipped to win the sixth race (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Hollywoodbets Scottsville Sunday Formguides and Selections

R1 5) Dungeon Master is the only raced runner in this compact field, with experience under the belt he will have the advantage however his form certainly doesn’t stand out with all due respect. The best guide could be the market as there are some well bred horses in this line up. Keep a close eye on the betting market, listen to trainer comments and watch these runners move down to start. (Devonne Govender).

R2 (5) LOU LOU ran well in the last start and is expected to build on that hence she is the top choice. (8) CAPTAIN VENTURA is another who is likely to improve with a run under the belt and will get closer. (3) PERFUME POWER is holding form and will be in the firing line. (4) AUSTRIAN BEAUTY ran a cracker at huge odds, a repeat will see her in the finish. (Devonne Govender 5-8-3-4).

R3 (8) POETIC PRINCESS is holding consistent form, although she takes on the boys from a tough draw she has the claimer up which makes her a serious contender. (7) TRIPPING THUNDER ran well in the last start and will be in the firing line if repeating that performance. (1) RAFA’S BOY goes extremely well at this track, he gets the claimer aboard and will go very close here, include in everything. (2) BLESS ME FRED ran well to finish 3rd in his last start and will be in the mix. (Devonne Govender 8-7-1-2).

R4 A race where many are expected to improve after making decent enough debut efforts. (8) BUDDY BOY ran well on debut and should appreciate the step up in trip so must be respected. (3) HAMILTON HERO is another who performed well on debut and is open to any amount of improvement over this 1600m trip. (4) SUNNYBILLS FERRARI ran well over 1400m on debut and big improvement can be expected now with the extended trip, another with a massive winning chance. (1) TEE DOG has never been far back and has the benefit of the ace draw so will be in the mix. (Devonne Govender 8-4-3-1).

R5 (1) TWO MILES WEST will jump from the best draw and will have every chance, huge runner here. (3) UZWANO has been racing in good form and another bold showing is expected, include in all bets. (6) GIMMEANOTHERCHANCE has always shown ability and on best form will blow this field away. (5) ACTOR ran a cracker in the last start and will be there again, respect. (Devonne Govender 1-3-6-5).

R6 (5) GOTTA GO EDDIE ran a cracker in his last start, he certainly caught the eye as a progressive type and should take some beating here hence he is the firm first choice. (9) AFRICAN DUSK has been racing extremely well and a decent run can be expected. (3) PAPA C seldom runs a bad race, he will contest the finish on best form. (2) LEXICAN POINT is capable of better, one of these days he will pop up. (Devonne Govender 5-9-3-2).

R7 (5) DAWN SURPRISE is holding good recent form, she is expected to go very close under the in-form apprentice. (2) GOLDEN ASPEN represents good Highveld form and put in a decent run in her last start, a must include in all bets. (1) WILLIAM WEST is capable of much better, he is capable of running a big race here and represents value. (4) BOARDWALK BREEZE has scope to go well, he won his maiden easily and should be respected. (Devonne Govender 5-2-1-4).

R8 (4) DANUBE is capable of much better and represents the value here. He has a decent enough draw with the in-form apprentice aboard and a huge run is expected. (2) VOLDEMORT is never far back and another honest run can be expected. (10) DOWN BY THE RIVER flashed up to run third and is capable of winning this, include in all bets. (12) INTREPID ran a cracker at huge odds and a repeat of that will see him finishing in the money. (Devonne Govender 4-2-10-12).

Gimmethegreenlight Progeny Win Three Races In A Row

Accept Cookies, ridden by champion jockey Gavin Lerena, was the middle of three Gimmethegreenlight winners in succession and is a promising sort who could go for some black type soon. (JC Photos)

Cape Breeders

Multiple champion sire Gimmethegreenlight had a day to remember at the Vaal on Thursday, when three of the eight races run were won by his progeny.

Gimmethegreenlight sired runners won the last three races on the card on Thursday. Remarkably, Gimmethegreenlight had six runners on Thursday and all six either won or finished second or third.

Gimmethegreenlight’s first success at the Vaal came when his daughter Sheets And Goggles won the Racing Today FM 74 Divided Handicap (1600m).

The Fanie Bronkhurst trained four-year-old made it back to back wins when she scored a half length triumph in Thursday’s contest.

Bred by Bush Hill Stud, Sheets And Goggles, who is out of the Solskjaer mare Lady Tatty, races for her trainer in partnership with Mr and Mrs Woolley.

Gimmethegreenlight struck again in the next race, when his daughter Accept Cookies got up late to win the Betway Summer Cup 29 November FM 92 Divided Handicap (1600m). Under a strong ride from Gavin Lerena, the Roy Magner trained filly stayed on strongly to score by a length and a half. Bred and owned by Varsfontein Stud, the four-year-old was winning for a third time.

Gimmethegreenlight’s third and final success on Thursday came when his son Greenlight Racer won the eighth and final race.

Under Craig Zackey, the Joe Soma trained colt made much of the running to take the Next Vaal Racemeeting Thursday 18 September MR 72 Handicap by nearly a length and a half.

In the process, the Nadeson Park Stud bred colt made it back to back wins. Out of the O’Reilly mare Lertasha, Greenlight Racer is owned by Messrs D Chinsammy, J R Blumberg, E Naicker, Mr B & Mrs K Ncube, MGAS Bloodstock (Nom: Mr G A Soma).

Three times Champion Sire in South Africa, Gimmethegreenlight was responsible for 14 black type winners last season including G1 Hollywoodbets Durban July winner The Real Prince and the latter’s champion full-brother Gimme A Prince.

The son of More Than Ready is also the sire of champion Gimme A Nother, an impressive winner of the recent G2 John C. Mabee Stakes at Del Mar.

Lambourn Could Give O'Brien A Ninth St. Leger

Lambourn has been tipped to win the St. Leger (Picture: Sky Sports Racing)

Doncaster Saturday Formguides And Selections

At The Races

1 2:15 PM SA Time – PJ Towey Construction Handicap (Str)
Treble Tee has been knocking on the door in both starts in handicap company at Thirsk and Goodwood. He remains capable of further improvement on just his sixth career outing but the fourth from the latter event, GREAT CHIEFTAIN, has every chance of reversing the form. Having won twice earlier this year, Oliver Cole’s gelding was returning from a three-month absence so may well be sharper for the outing. Cash isn’t one to discount making his first appearance in a handicap, while Hawksbill and Point Of Contact are others worth noting.

Top Tip: Great Chieftain (5)
Watch out for: Treble Tee (7)

2 2:50 PM SA Time – Betfred Champagne Stakes (Group 2)
GEWAN follows a similar path Andrew Balding plotted with his 2022 Champagne winner and subsequent 2000 Guineas hero Chaldean, having struck at Newbury before landing the Acomb. He was always holding the runner-up at York and that willing attitude will stand him in excellent stead going forward. Oxagon built on a promising start in a hot Newmarket maiden when running away with a Sandown novice by eight lengths. The son of Frankel will ensure this isn’t easy pickings for the selection, with the hat-trick seeking Cape Orator next best after his profitable Deauville raid.

Top Tip: Gewan (3)
Watch out for: Oxagon (4)

3 3:25 PM SA Time – Betfred Portland (Heritage Handicap)
Jim Goldie bids for a third Portland in four years and has every chance with hat-trick seeker Eternal Sunshine and Jordan Electrics, who finished a close-up fifth in a competitive sprint at York. Trefor continued his fine run of form with a career best at the Ebor meeting and is respected along with the third Air Force One, who returned to the Knavesmire when beaten a neck last Sunday. That said, the claims of DIABLO ROJO on his switch to Kevin Philippart De Foy are difficult to ignore. Runner-up to subsequent Sprint Cup hero Big Mojo at Ascot in April, it is easy to forgive his Commonwealth Cup effort when he returned lame and the son of Pinatubo may well have more to give.

Top Tip: Diablo Rojo (2)
Watch out for: Trefor (5)

4 4:00 PM SA Time – Betfred Park Stakes (Group 2)
Ten Bob Tony denied Kinross by a head to land the John Of Gaunt at Haydock in May and makes just his second appearance this year so he has to be respected. However, SHADOW OF LIGHT looks the one to side with. Charlie Appleby’s colt hasn’t quite reached the heights of his juvenile campaign, but he has competed at the top level in each of his three outings this year. A reproduction of either his 2000 Guineas third or his fourth in the Prix Jean Prat should be good enough to get his head back in front. Marvelman completes the shortlist.

Top Tip: Shadow Of Light (10)
Watch out for: Ten Bob Tony (6)

5 4:40 PM SA Time – Betfred St Leger Stakes (Group 1)
Aidan O’Brien seeks a hat-trick and ninth victory overall in this illustrious event and LAMBOURN could be the one to make it a reality. The dual Derby winner has shaped as if crying out for this extra distance and would have blown any cobwebs away with his fifth in the Great Voltigeur at York last month. The son of Australia has lots in his favour and will prove a tough nut to crack. His stable companion Scandinavia is the obvious danger after winning the Goodwood Cup and this progressive colt is likely to continue his upward trajectory. Carmers beat Furthur and Rahiebb in the Queen’s Vase before an excellent second in the Voltigeur and he isn’t ruled out either.

Top Tip: Lambourn (3)
Watch out for: Scandinavia (5)

6 5:15 PM SA Time – British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes (GBB/GBBPlus Race) (Str)
Despite being slowly away, DEL MARO shaped with bundles of promise to hit the crossbar on his introduction at Newmarket last month and would have learned a great deal from that experience. The son of Camelot might only need to find minimal improvement in order to get off the mark. Nova Centauri made the frame on debut at Newbury and can take a big leap forward from that display under Oisin Murphy. Merci Monsieur is another to note.

Top Tip: Del Maro (1)
Watch out for: Nova Centauri (5)

7 5:50 PM SA Time – Mastiff Manor Handicap (GBBPlus Race)
The classy BOTANICAL could give weight and a beating to these rivals. He possibly wasn’t in love with the undulations at Epsom when a beaten favourite last time and should be much more at home at a track where he finished third in Listed company only three starts ago. Now 1lb lower than when runner-up in last year’s John Smith’s Cup, he looks to have an outstanding chance. Forecast soft ground should suit Square D’alboni, a Listed winner who enters handicap company for the first time. From further down the weights, Divine Knight, Sportingsilvermine and Regalian are others to note.

Top Tip: Botanical (1)
Watch out for: Square D’alboni (2)

8 6:23 PM SA Time – UAE President Cup (UK Arabian Derby) (Arab Group 1)
Most of the foreign raiders are looking to improve on their form from the blanket finish in the French equivalent at Chantilly in June, and all have form on easy ground. Though both carry the second colours again, Shaihaan could settle better tried in cheekpieces, whilst Moneer is reunited with Jean-Bernard Eyquem, who has won on him twice. However, LIPPO DE CARRERE had to come around both Al Theeb and Moneer and though showed an excellent turn of foot, wasn’t able to make up the ground in time to peg back the winning filly. Lino didn’t warrant an entry there, but has showed up well against older horses and his jockey is the only one here to win this race (twice).

Top Tip: Lippo De Carrere (A) (3)
Watch out for: Moneer (A) (6)

Habib/Smith, Little, Maujean, Strydom Doubles

Louis The King mare Family Power (black colours) gives Calvin Habib and Gavin Smith the first leg of a double together (Pauline Herman Photography)

Calin Habib went joint second on the national jockeys log with a double for Gavin Smith on the Fairview poly today.

There were also individual doubles for all of Chad Little, Chase Maujean and Jacques Strydom.

Calvin Habib is on 22 wins for the season achieved at a strike rate of 14.19% and is seven wins behind leader Craig Zackey, equal with Serino Moodley and two ahead of both Richard Fourie and Muzi Yeni.

Turf Talk-sponsored rider Chad Little is on eleven wins at 10.19%.

Chase Maujean is on eight wins at 8.51%.

Gavin Smith is on 13 wins at 9.70%.

Jacques Strydom is on six wins at 9.23%.