Turf Talk Newsletter – 13 November, 2025

All Eyes On Guineas Prospect Gimmie Rules

Gimmie Rules runs on Saturday in a B Stakes event (Picture: Wayne Marks)

The Dean Kannemeyer-trained Gimmie Rules is one of the most exciting three-year-olds in the land and all eyes will be on him on Saturday at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth when he runs in a B Stakes event over 1400m.

This horse is a full brother to Gimme A Prince and The Real Prince, as well as to Gr 3 winner Gimmie’s Countess, and will be out to give the Kannemeyer yard a tenth Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas success, a seventh for Dean with his father Peter also having won three.

Dean has always said Gimmie Rules has struck him as one who would “go a trip”.

He should love a mile considering his speed and the fact that his full-brother The Real Prince won the Hollywoodbets Durban July, whilst his other Gr 1-winning full brother is an Equus Champion Sprinter but also placed third in the prestigious Gr 1 wfa L’Ormarinns King’s Plate.

A look at he draws for the Gr 2 Punters Cup over 1600m on November 22 probably provides the reason why Gimme The Rules is lining up on Saturday as he has drawn 17 in the Punters Cup.

He fared way better in the Cape Guineas, landing a fine draw of five.

25 horses appeared in the first entries for the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas on Monday.

Almost all of the big names are there: Jan van Goyen, Tin Pan Alley, Trust, Vapour Trail, Happy Verse, Good For You and also Viva’s Liberte, who like Gimmie Rules is a Khaya Stables homebred, although he is trained by Candice Bass and he blotted his copybook last time out when only managing fourth in a Class 4 event over 1600m running off a 95.

A notable absentee is Chronicle King, who will obviously stay in Johanesburg and take a more conservative route.

Vaughan Marshall will also be going for a seventh Cape Guineas and will have a strong hand with Vapour Trail and Better Man.

The latter is under the radar, but has impressed in his last two starts, winning over 1600m and 1800m respectively.

The James Crawford-trained Star Major is an interesting entry as he is held in high regard and is crying out for a mile. He has unfortunately drawn wide in 19, but it will be interesting to see how he goes in the Punters Cup where he has drawn 11 out of 21.

Gimmie The Rules is the only three-year-old in his B Stakes event on Saturday. He is the highest merit rated runner on 98 but will get weight from his six rivals.

It will be the first time he is going beyond sprints, so all eyes will be on him to see how he handles it.

The entries for the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas are shown below:

Event-1 R2 000 000 1600m (Turf / Summer)
CAPE GUINEAS (Grade 1)

8	Aristocratic	Dean Kannemeyer	107
17	Aversator	Dean Kannemeyer	102
1	Better Man	Vaughan Marshall	95
22	Beware	Lucinda Woodruff	91
10	Chapbook	Clinton Binda	97
21	Delta Pride	Justin Snaith	90
24	Fox On The Run	James Crawford	90
23	Gallic Victor	Dean Kannemeyer	86
5	Gimmie Rules	Dean Kannemeyer	98
20	Good For You	Glen Kotzen	110
12	Green Gateway	Dean Kannemeyer	91
9	Happy Verse	Justin Snaith	103
6	Jan Van Goyen	Mike / Mathew de Kock	118
0	Malmesbury Missile	Justin Snaith	110
3	One Eye On Vegas	Mike / Mathew de Kock	97
14	Pay The Palace	Piet / Elbert Steyn	102
16	Randolph Hearst	Justin Snaith	100
15	Roland Garros	Justin Snaith	104
18	Shadowfax	Sean Tarry	104
19	Star Major	James Crawford	88
11	Tin Pan Alley	Sean Tarry	116
2	Trust	Candice Dawson	92
7	Vapour Trail	Vaughan Marshall	107
13	Viva’s Liberte	Candice Bass	95
4	Whispering Death	Mike / Mathew de Kock	104
(25)

East Cape Raider Among Strong Dingaans First Entries

Jan Van Goyen’s reappearance in the Betway Dingaans is eagerly anticipated (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

By Mike Moon (The Citizen)

Strong entry received for Summer Cup day feature

There’s likely to be a new trainer in the saddling area at Turffontein on Summer Cup day – Dean Smith, all the way from Gqeberha.

Dean has taken over the yard of his father Gavin, the Eastern Cape legend who passed away recently, and one of the young man’s ambitious first moves has been to plot a raid on the Highveld from his coastal base.

Smith’s charge All Systems Go was among the 15 first entries for the Grade 2 Betway Dingaans, the main supporting feature to the Betway Summer Cup in Joburg on 29 November.

And the minute he drew No 1 for the R800,000 1600m race, Smith accepted to run – while other trainers were still digesting the potential line-up with their morning coffee.

The Dingaans is an important, time-honoured race for precocious three-year horses as they gear-up for the Classics to come.

All Systems Go, a gelding by champion stallion Gimmethegreenlight out of a Dynasty mare, has run three times at Fairview for one win and two seconds.

The win, at the second time of asking, was a 4.75-length stroll at odds on, while the follow-up was behind budding star Golden Palm, who is headed for the upcoming Grade 1 Cape Filles Guineas.

All Systems Go might dodge that hotshot in the Dingaans but he’ll still face formidable opposition.

The entry list includes Grade 1 winner Jan Van Goyen and Grade 2 winners Tin Pan Alley, Zalatoris and Chronicle King, along with promising talents Shadowfax, One Eye On Vegas and Trust.

Several of these horses are also among early entries for the Grade 1 Cape Guineas at Kenilworth in a month’s time.

Declarations for the Dingaans are due next Wednesday, 19 November, at the same time as those for the Summer Cup. The final field for the Cup will be announced that day at a special televised event, when the draw will also be made.

Dingaans entries are shown below:

Event-2 R800 000 1600m (Turf)
DINGAANS (Grade 2)

1	All Systems Go	Dean Smith	96
12	Chronicle King	Candice Dawson	114
2	Copper Eagle	Robyn Klaasen	91
6	Echo Check	Fabian Habib	98
14	Got The Feeling	Fanie Bronkhorst	93
10	Jan Van Goyen	Mike / Mathew de Kock	118
13	One Eye On Vegas	Mike / Mathew de Kock	97
15	Shadowfax	Sean Tarry	104
5	Singleton Sam	Mike Azzie	91
11	Tenjiku	Alec Laird	104
8	Tin Pan Alley	Sean Tarry	116
9	Tommy Shelby	Fabian Habib	97
4	Trust	Candice Dawson	92
3	Whispering Death	Mike / Mathew de Kock	104
7	Zalatoris	Paul Matchett	105
(15)

For The Love Of The Horse – Racing Gives Back

Tom Ro Haven – a place of care, learning, and inspiration (Pic – Supplied)

The Sporting Post

Embracing Hope, Forging Change!

“We couldn’t do what we do without the help and financial assistance of caring corporates of the likes of the Hollywood Foundation and Race Coast.”

The words of the Tom Ro Haven for Equines and Children’s Gillian McCuĺloch after a R100 000 donation was formally handed over at the rustic place of protection in the scenic surrounds of Noordhoek in the Western Cape on Tuesday.

For over a decade, Tom Ro Haven for Equines and Children has been a place of care, learning, and inspiration. Here, rescued horses find loving homes, and children connect with these amazing animals to discover confidence, life skills, and hope.

A passionate lifetime horsewoman from her early days in Bulawayo, Gillian McCullough has lived the philosophy of combining the power of equines with the resilience of children and women to create transformative healing experiences.

“It’s an ongoing struggle up the mountain, but we wouldn’t want to be doing anything else, believe me,” Gillian told the Sporting Post in a chat on Thursday afternoon.

“We have a horsebox, but look at my bakkie – and it’s not going at the moment,” she lamented as she pointed out the genuine goodwill that prevails in the racing industry.

Giving hope! (Pic – Supplied)

“We had a mare a few months ago that suddenly foaled down in the middle of a stormy winter’s night, with no prior notice. My daughter Stephanie assisted her, but the foal was weak. We eventually called the Vet in and he said we have to get the little one to a clinic. We eventually resorted to loading him on to the back of our bakkie. It’s close to 100km from Noordhoek to Paarl where the Vetscape Clinic is located, and halfway there I heard this massive bang. I just prayed and kept on driving. The little guy had stopped breathing a few times. But they saved him and today’s he’s our little survival ambassador, Raphael. It is hard to imagine life before this special little miracle colt joined our family. He was rushed to hospital again last month but thankfully we collected him after a few days. He ran to greet the herd over the paddock fence and strutted his stuff like he always does. He is the friendliest most confident little colt. He loves to play football, plays with his other toys. He completely enchants all who meet him. He was born into safety, wrapped in love, and from rescue to rebirth, this little soul is a symbol of everything we stand for at Tom Ro Haven,” enthuses Stephanie as she explains how contributions like the R100 000 received from the Hollywood Foundation and Race Coast, make the difference between beautiful happy stories and abject misery and sadness.

The Hollywood Foundation Team, together with Race Coast, visited this incredible haven on an eye-opening and emotional day out.

Supporting a worthy course! (Pic – Supplied)

“We assisted the organisation with R100 000 to support their ongoing programmes. Thus ensuring the horses are nurtured, the children continue to learn and grow, and the haven can expand its reach to even more members of the community. Race Coast also contributed women’s clothing and equine tack, supporting both the people and the horses who call Tom Ro Haven home. From feeding and grooming the horses to witnessing the joy of children learning alongside them, the day was a celebration of care, connection, and community. Our team were overjoyed in seeing the passion of the Tom Ro Haven team and the smiles of the children reminded us that every moment of support creates a lasting impact,” added Hollywoodbets Brand & Communications Manager, Devin Heffer.

Race Coast’s Kirsti Lyall confirmed that a fund-raising opportunity for the Tom Ro Haven has also been pencilled in for the Summer Season curtain-call Lucky Fish Cape Derby Day at the end of February 2026.

“We are so excited! That is going to be a big boost for our plans for 2026 and we are going all out to approach corporate sponsors to take a table, or two, on the day. And we also plan to offer their staff team-building opportunities at our base here in Noordhoek, where they can interact with our horses and people, and maybe even find new meaning in love and life,” concluded Gillian McCullough.

If you would like to do your bit or find out more, please visit the Tom Ro Haven’s website here.

Zackey, Lerena Trebles, Yeni Double

Rachel Wall (Buffalo Storm Cody) gives Gavin Lerena a treble (JC Photos)

Craig Zackey and Given Lerena both rode trebles at Turffontein Inside today, while Muzi Yeni rode a double.

Zackey has extended his lead in the National Jockeys Championship.

He now has 80 wins at a strike rate of 17.28% and he is now eleven wins clear of Richard Fourie.

Lerena’s treble takes him to 19 wins at 20.88%.

Yeni is on 48 wins at 12.44%.

Two More Horses With Famous Aunties Have Eyecatching Wins

Russian Nobility wins impressively on debut over 1200m

It has been a week for horses with famous Aunties excelling on the racetrack and the latest pair to do it are the Lucky Houdalakis-trained Russian Nobility, who is a niece of the multiple Gr 1 winner Mother Russia, and the Tony Peter-trained Rachel Wall, who is a niece of the great Igugu.

Russian Nobility is by Hawwaam out of the maiden Windrush mare Tatiana, who is a full sister to Mother Russia.

She made her debut in the first race at Turffontein Inside today and ironically she faced Plumbago Park, who was runner up to the impressive Houdalakis-trained Manyeleti at the Vaal last week.

Russian Nobility started at odds of 15/4 having opened at 2/1 and the drift might have have had to do with the yard’s knowledge of how good Manyeleti is and there was thus likely plenty of respect for her three length runner up Plumbago Park.

The latter started at 5/4 and took the lead in the 1200m event from a good draw of four with the pole position-drawn Russian Nobility sitting behind her in the box seat.

When Russian Nobility quickened under Craig Zackey it was no race and she drew away to win by 2,80 lengths.

Lucky recalled liking her as a specimen at the Sale but was put off by Tatiana’s lack of success as a broodmare.

However, Heinrich Rix of Stonehill Stud had then phoned and when Lucky voiced his opinion they decided between them to bid and clinched her for R400,000.

Craig Zackey had recalled her as being his favourite out of the youngsters that had arrived at the yard on a float one day about a year ago and it was her lovely demeanour that had impressed him.

Of course, Mother Russia’s only foal was Nother Russia, whom Zackey formed a special bond with and rode her to both of her Gr 1 wins.

Nother Russia in turn became the dam of the Equus Champion Three-year-old filly Gimme A Nother, a three time Gr 1 winner who has also won a Gr 2 in the USA.

Russian Nobility was bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein and is owned by Stonehill Stud in partnership with PJ Pascoe.

Rachel Wall is a speedy three-year-old filly by Buffalo Storm Cody and she made it three wins from five starts today when getting home by half-a-length in a MR 92 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m, where she carried topweight of 60kg off a 102 merit rating.

She looks to have an exciting future ahead of her.

She was also bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein and her dam by High Chaparral, Gypsy Pirate, is a half-sister to the great Triple Tiara-winning Galileo filly Igugu, whose four Gr 1 wins included the July and the Met, one of just seven horses in history to do that double.

Rachel Wall was purchased for R350,000.

She is owned by Kenneth Pillay’s Kestorm Investments.

Other recent prominent winners with famous Aunties are Princess Of Gaul, the Gr 2 Western Cape Fillies Championship winner last Saturday whose Aunty is Equus Champion Broodmare Halfway To Heaven, and impressive debut winner Gimmeanotherviking, whose Aunty is Equus Champion Broodmare Real Princess.

Tony Peter Fined For Class 2 Prohibited Substance Finding

VJ’s Angel winning the Gr 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Champion Stakes (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Tony Peter has been fined R55,000 with R30,000 suspended for the presence of the class 2 prohibited substance Butorphanol in one of his horses who was being presented for testing to determine whether a suspension should be lifted.

Some might not understand why he received punishment, because the horse was not running in a race and the administering of the substance was correctly recorded in the trainer’s Veterinary Treatment Register (VTR).

The answer is that a horse being presented for testing to determine whether a suspension should be lifted is treated the same as a horse that is racing as far as testing for prohibited substances go, even if the substance is therapeutic – this is the case for a horse being tested for soundness issues, starting stall problems or for epistaxis etc.

Peter did provide mitigating evidence, but it is the trainer’s responsibility to know what is in the VTR.

A class 2 drug is regarded as having an obvious effect on the performance of a horse and had VJ’s Angel been found to have the presence of this substance after a race then the consequences would have been more drastic and the penalty would likely have been greater.

Class 2 NHRA classification is shown below:

Class 2: Substances which have an obvious effect on the performance of the horse.

These substances will affect the performance of the horse. Substances include central nervous system depressants and stimulants (excluding caffeine), barbiturates, cardiovascular system depressants and stimulants, psychoactive and psychotrophic drugs and neuromuscular blocking agents. Also included are local anaesthetics (excluding procaine), narcotic analgesics, natural and synthetic opioids, opiate agonists, opioid agonist-antagonists, ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) and progesterones / oestrogens (if administered to the male horse).

The details of the finding for VJ’s Angel are shown below and below that the reasons for the original suspension are shown:

The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa (NHA) confirms a reported Prohibited Substance finding.

The presence of Butorphanol, an opioid analgesic classified as a Class 2 Prohibited Substance, was disclosed upon analysis of a specimen taken from VJ’S ANGEL at the Vaal Racecourse on 29 April 2025. The specimen was taken after the horse was presented for testing to determine whether a suspension should be lifted.

Butorphanol is a short-acting pain-relief medication commonly used in horses to manage colic pain or to provide sedation for x-rays in combination with other drugs. Its administration was correctly recorded in the trainer’s Veterinary Treatment Register (VTR).

The Trainer responsible, Mr A P Peter, provided mitigating circumstances, stating that he was neither directly nor indirectly involved in the administration of the substance; that it was administered without his instruction or knowledge; and that at the time the horse was presented for testing, he was unaware that the horse had been medicated in his absence by a veterinary surgeon acting under the instruction of a bloodstock agent, for the purposes of obtaining an X-ray.

However, as the person responsible in terms of the Rules of the NHA, Mr Peter elected to sign an Admission of Guilt for a contravention of Rule 73.2.6. A penalty of R55 000.00 (Fifty-Five Thousand Rand) was imposed, R30 000.00 of which is suspended for a period of twelve (12) months, on condition that no further contraventions of Rules 73 or 74 occur during this period.

In determining the penalty, careful consideration was given to the class of substance involved, the Trainer’s record and the concentration of the substance detected in the specimen.

Vee Moodley

Chief Executive

The suspension followed the Gr 1 Empress Club Stakes and the reasons are shown in the stipes report:

VJ’S ANGEL (C Habib) refused to gallop. When questioned, Jockey C Habib told the Stewards that this filly had arrived at the start in good time, well before the start and that she had appeared to be nervous
and reluctant to load. After the start, and being slow away, the filly commenced to give ground and appeared to be reluctant to participate in the race. He added that VJ’S ANGEL commenced to hang outwards and gave him the impression that she wanted to turn around and gallop back in the direction of the start. He stated that he managed to keep the filly moving and in fact she had galloped freely upon straightening. His explanation was noted. In view of this report, the Stewards suspended the filly in terms of Rule 93.2.4, until she proves tractable galloping from the starting stalls with a companion on Raceday. Trainer A P Peter advised (RH).

Green Isle To Take Advantage Of Good Draw Over Right Trip

Green Isle has been tipped to win Race 6 (Pauline Herman Photography)

Fairview Poly Friday Formguides And Selections

R1 2 MISS TAKES has some decent Highveld form and should go close. 1 ELUSIVE BLACK ran well on her East Cape debut after tw good runs in Cape Town and will go close. 6 RIVER FERN should be in the money on form. 3 AMERICAN EAGLE has shown glimpses of ability and could earn. (2-1-6-3)

R2 1 TWILIGHT BAY enjoyed the step down to this 1400m trip lat time and is a big runner if repeating that run. 2 WHITE WATERS won second time out in the East Cape after some fair KZN and Cape form and she should go close. 4 NORTH STAR has done well in three starts since an easy debut win and could be in the shake up. 3 ROYAL CITY GIRL is usually thereabouts and can earn again.

R3 3 POMEROL made a fair ebut in the East Cape after not being disgraced in Cape Town and could improve. 1 IZANAMI can earn if repeating her last start. 5 AMANATTO has hard-knocing form and chould be right there again. 7 SALAGADOOLA could earn if producing her best. (3-1-5-7)

R4 1 FAIRY KNIGHT is well in at the weights and will be hard to beatover a suitable trip. 2 USA’S HOPE has run crackers in his last two and will be a threat. 4 THE AFRICA HOUSE is distance suited and capable of an upset. 3 MR FOX has the form to earn a cheque. (1-2-4-3)

R5 8 MAKE BELIEVE has a win an two seconds in three starts and could be the one to beat as she can still improve. 1 ALESIA’S LOVE will be a big runner if producing her best. 4 POLYNOMIAL is ideally distance suited and well drawn and ha a chance. 2 KINGS AGAIN has the ability to earn. (8-1-4-2)

R6 2 GREEN ISLE has fine recent form and should make another bold bid from a good draw. 9 LADY BOMBER has consistently been involved in the finish and should be again. 4 JET LAVISH was not disgraced in Cape Town last time and could earn here. 3 UMZOLOZOLO could earn again if repeating either of her last two starts. (2-9-4-3)

R7 5 BUGLE tries a step up in trip and could be in the shake up. 1 MYSTIC VISION is also interesting over this step up in trip. 2 OUTBACK EXPRESS has not always hd the best of luck and should run on strongly so could go close. 3 MONT TREMBLANT has the form to earn here. (5-1-2-3)

R8 2 A BIT CHILLY has some fine middle distance form and should be in the shake up. 6 FLASH LIGHTNING will appreciate the step back up in trip and should be right there. 8 STAND UP won easily over 1600m last time having improved with blinkers in recent starts and is an interesting runner. 9 KING OF VICTORY won first time out in the East Cape after not being disgraced in KZN and is a contender. (2-6-8-9)

Today's Question

What do the following Kentucky Derby winners this century have in common? Justify, California Chrome and I’ll Have Another?

The picture gives a clue to the answer

FIELDS, Friday, 14 November

Fairview Poly

Today’s Question Answer

I’ll Have Another (2012), California Chrome (2014) and Justify (2018) are the three Kentucky Derby winners this century who have won the Gr 1 Santa Anita Derby in the build up to the Kentucky showpiece.

Click here to read about the Santa Anita Derby