Turf Talk Newsletter – 13 October, 2026

Athandiwe Mgudlwa, known as “Ant” or “Thandi”, got the classy Candice Bass-trained mare Scarlet McCaw home by a short-head in a driving finish at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday (Picture: Race Coast)

KZN jockey Athandiwe Mgudlwa is on the up at present and scored his second double of the season at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday.

He has built a good relationship with the Candice Bass yard and that has seen him also getting the opportunity to travel to Cape Town, where he has a high strike rate of 28.57% with four wins in 14 rides.

He said about the association with the Bass yard, “We are positive about it and hope it continues to go well. It started off well and can only improve from here.”

This Wednesday at Hollywoodbets Durbanville he has five rides.

He said, “I am riding some nice horses, but some of them are coming back from a break and it is the start to their season.”

He starts off with an interesting ride for the Summerveld-based Garth Puller on the Last Winter three-year-old filly Last Margarita, who has won two out of six starts and is merit rated 89.

She does not look to be good enough to compete at the highest level, but there are some nice incentives for raiders for the Cape Summer season and it will be interesting to see whether she can gather any bonuses for Puller and for owner Geoffrey Van Lear.

His next ride is on the Bass-trained maiden Gimme Perfect, who improved when stepped up to this 1600m trip last time as one would expect of a Gimmethegreenlight filly out of a Dynasty mare. It’s an open maiden and she gets a bit of weight off a 76 rating but she has draw 13 out of 13.

His next ride is on the Greg Ennion-trained Gimmethegreenlight gelding Another Hero, who will need to improve on his two post-maiden runs, although he has come down three points in the merit ratings.

He then gets a very good ride on the classy Bass-trained All The Rage (Rafeef) in an A Stakes event over 1000m. It is the gelding’s first start for close to four months, but over this trip a horse of his class could get away with it especially in fast going that will suit him.

In the last he is aboard the Bass-trained filly Margate (What A Winter), who is also returning from a layoff. Her last run in soft going was well below par and she should enjoy faster ground and she is also two points down in the merit ratings to 83. Her stablemate Grapes Of Wrath has class and could go close off a 90, despite likely needing it after a layoff and being widely drawn.

On Sunday at Hollywoodbets Greyville his double was with Luneluck and Scarlet McCaw respectively.

The Stuart Ferrie-trained Luneluck is speedy son of Act Of War out of a Var mare and he had come down to an attractive merit rating of 78.

However, he had to overcome a wide draw of ten out of ten in the 1000m contest and that was probably the reason he started at 8/1 with bookmakers and paid R11.90 on the Tote.

Athandiwe opted to tuck him in and he found nice cover before getting the slingshot into the straight. Luneluck mowed them down to win by 0,90 lengths.

The Candice Bass-trained Scarlet McCaw is a five-year-old mare who had the class to once finish second in the Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas.

She is never far off them in Graded company, but has not quite been good enough to build on that top Cape Fillies Guineas run.

However, on Sunday she was in a Progress Plate and was not badly in at the weights with all except Native Ruler and Charge It, both of whom were returning from layoffs over a trip too sharp.

Scarlet McCaw was having her third run of the season and looked a picture in the preliminaries. She was clearly fit and well.

However, she had a tricky draw of six out of eight.

Athandiwe sat on her from the off and found a nice position one out and one back with cover.

He was able to sit on her for half of the straight as she was under a double handful.

She turned it on well when asked the question and managed to just get up to beat Native Ruler, with whom she was officially 6kg under sufferance, to win by a short-head.

Athandiwe suffered a shocking fall at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on January 25 that saw him side-lined for two months.

He said, “Things went a bit slow after the fall, but over the last couple of months it has built nicely. I feel better now mentally and my confidence is on a high at the moment, especially after the double.”

He admitted his overriding goal for the season was to “stay safe” while riding as many winners as possible and to also hopefully pick up a feature.

One promising horse he is associated with is the Bass-trained three-year-old Rafeef colt Bolero, who won second time out over 1000m and followed up by winning a D Stakes event over 1250m by a cosy 1,75 lengths off a merit rating of 80.

Athandiwe said, “He is decent. I liked him when he won his maiden and when I won on him again he felt like a horse who had improved.”

He is not sure yet what the program is for Bolero.

The Euphrates wins the Gr 2 Kingston Town Stakes over 2000m at Randwick on September 19 (via Sky Racing) 

There are 58 horses still standing in “the race that stops a nation”, the Melbourne Cup, and one of them is the Gai Waterhouse and  Adrian Botte-trained British-bred Frankel gelding called The Euphrates, who runs in the colours of stalwart South African owner Larry Nestadt.

The Euphrates is among the horses who were marked “NP”, which means “Not Passed First Ballot”.

Champion Futura has enjoyed great success when mated to daughters of the late, great Trippi.

Riethuiskraal Stud will be bringing seven superb lots to the 2026 October Two Year Old Sale, and this draft promises to have something for every buyer. From the progeny of the likes of sires, Buffalo Bill Cody, Erik The Red and Querari, to the offspring of such bright prospects of Digital Age and Kommetdieding, this consignment promises to hold plenty of interest for many buyers.

Fog In Finland has been tipped to win the 5th race (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Mark van Deventer

FOG IN FINLAND is an appealing proposition in Race 5 at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Wednesday after running well above her official merit rating of 84 in the Diana Stakes Gr 3 towards the end of September.

Depending on which horse is used as the line horse in the Diana Stakes, won in some style by champion race mare DOUBLE GRAND SLAM, the Piet Botha-trained Erik the Red filly ran to at least the mid-90s, and quite possibly even higher.

She is already joint top of the official best weighted rankings, and as stated, is clearly better than her present mark portrays, if the Diana Stakes form is interpreted literally.

FOG IN FINLAND can make her own luck racing upfront and gets top jock Craig Zackey taking over from apprentice, D D Louw. She must now carry 60kgs as opposed to 51kgs to compensate for the drop in class. She is also a slight query going 1600m having done her best work to date up to 1400m. Despite those “quibbles”, she is selected to prevail.

VIVA ASTERIX made a favourable impression on début when powering through a 21.7 second closing fraction to easily beat subsequent winner, AFRICAN WILD DOG.

The Candice Bass trained son of Vercingetorix ex Viva Maria is bred to be smart, but also to prefer more than the 1250m trip he won over, and tries again in Race 2, a C Stakes.

CELTIC CHIEF who just missed behind GOLD DUST over the C/D is a danger amongst the older horses, together with TWENTYTWENTYVISION who loves the country course.

VIVA ASTERIX also faces contemporary 3YO’s with above average ability. BIG CITY ROLLER, LAST MARGARITA and, if ignoring his last out flop, LE CULLINAN all sport decent credentials.

Craig Zackey will need to navigate form the widest draw, as he did successfully last time in a bigger field. Despite only facing six rivals, the pace should be true enough with DISTRICT MASTER and LAST MARGARITA need-to-lead types. VIVA ASTERIX should get the right pace set up so is tipped to make further progress and go in again.

Bass Racing are faced with a similar scenario in Race 4, an Open Maiden over 1600m where fast-improving Gimmethegreenlight ex Perfect Air 3YO filly GIMME PERFECT draws the highest marble (13). Though not insurmountable given the length of the back straight which can provide sufficient time to slip into a decent spot, that stall does complicate matters for rider, Athandiwe Mgudlwa.

Still, she caught the eye staying on purposefully behind CHINWAG over the C/D six weeks ago and can go close if getting a clear round.

Her two biggest threats are Justin Snaith trained fillies, SIGN OF SPRING and FINAL SAY. The former, who is drawn in the middle of the pack this time, was marginally ahead of GIMME PERFECT in the CHINWAG race yet did not finish as swiftly as her.

FINAL SAY is another with an improving profile. She failed narrowly to OH ISABELLA when only getting underway late.

Des McLachlan’s, EYECATCHER, drawn in pole position, is another to consider stretching out after two decent sprints.

WHAT THE FLUFF and LIMERANCE can be used in the lower slots of single race exotics.

In Race 8, which closes the midweek card, Bass Racing step out highly talented 3YO, GRAPES OF WRATH, who won the Irridescence Stakes Listed at the course 109 days ago.

The well-regarded, daughter of Gimmethegreenlight who has started favourite at all three starts, winning twice, sports a good turn of foot plus determination – important attributes in turf racing.

There are a few queries, however. She resumes after a spell, must now carry 63kg’s, is hung out wide in gate eight out of nine, and drops back to 1250m having only got underway late in the piece over 1500m when pipping talented foe, SHEZARIPPER.

Nevertheless, her class could carry her through and provide another winner for the Bass stable, who appear to hold a strong hand across the card.

The return of their top-notch sprinters, ALL THE RAGE, TENANGO and to a lesser extent, WINTER SNAP in a deeply contentious, A Stakes 1000m scurry, is eagerly anticipated.

They also saddle CLARK GRISWOLD in Race 6 with strong claims in a Class 4 mile. The astutely acquired, 20K Horizon gelding has twice come off second best to subsequent Settler’s Trophy victor, MIAMI SUMMER but there is no shame in going down in tight struggles to a rival of such quality.

That said, Justin Snaith, conditioner of MIAMI SUMMER, should have a good line on the chances of stable mate, TRIP TO CAMELOT, who takes on CLARK GRISWOLD whilst receiving a potentially significant 4.5kg’s.

The Trippi 4YO was a tragedy beaten when hanging and just failing to get to FORT LIAM after a wide trip three months ago. He will be out to make amends for that miscue.

CAPTAIN’S ALLIANCE and SIGNOR DANTE are steady performers to be used as back up’s, with the erratic yet capable, CAESAR’S RANSOM a dark horse to throw into exotics, assuming Piet and Elbert Steyn have somehow got on top of his respiratory and soundness troubles.

Viva Asterix is well related and was impressive on debut and he has been tipped to win the second race (Picture: Wayne Marks) 

Brandon Bailey’s formguides and selections for Hollywoodbets Durbanville Wednesday 14 October

RACE 1

7 LANA’S GAL stayed on well for second behind MADE IN CHELSEA last time, this looks like a good opportunity for her to shed her maiden tag, she will be hard to beat in this field. 4 SICILY ran third in the same race as LANA’S GAL on the 16th of September, he will be given every chance from a good draw, watch him closely. 1 BURSTURBUBBLE has been rested for 63 days, her form of late has been fair, she has a good place chance from a neat draw. 3 RUST NEVER SLEEPS has been rested for 70 days, ignore his last run on the 5th of August, in hope that he bounces back to his best form, he can sneak into the places at a decent price.

RACE 2

7 VIVA ASTERIX won his maiden impressively on the 22nd of August, the form of that race has worked out well, he looks very talented, he will be hard to beat here. 4 BIG CITY ROLLER quickened up smartly to win a good race on the 23rd of September, he will be right there in the finish again, include him into all bets. 3 CELTIC CHIEF ran a much better race behind GOLD DUST on the 16th of September, he will be amongst the places on his best form, watch him closely from a nice draw. 6 THE CULLINAN has been rested and gelded, ignore his last run in the Omoda Golden Horseshoe Gr 2 on the 4th of July, in hope that he doesn’t need the run badly after a small break, he will be competitive.

RACE 3

3 QUEEN REGENT has been rested for 164 days, she was last seen running third in the Ladies Mile Listed behind STORMWATCH on the 3rd of May, she is very talented, and she loves Hollywoodbets Durbanville. On her best form, she will be hard to beat from a good draw. 7 TULIP FIELDS has been rested for 87 days, she stayed on really well for second behind WARRIOR ROYALE on the 19th of July, she will be just off the speed early, and she will be flying at them late, watch her closely. 1 DREAM SEARCHER won a good race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 6th of September. She was given five points for that impressive win last time, she is consistent, and she tries hard, her chances must be respected from a neat draw. 5 BOOZY SUSIE powered away from her field in style last time, she was given 8 points for that win on the 23rd of September, even though this race is a step up in class for her, she will be doing good work late.

RACE 4

8 FINAL SAY was a touch unlucky when finishing fast for second behind OH ISABELLA on the 16th of September, she will be much fitter going into this race, with some luck in running from a tricky draw, she will go very close to winning. 6 SIGN OF SPRING improved nicely when stepping up in trip to 1600m last time, she did well to finish third behind CHINWAG on the 2nd of September, she will be right there in the finish from a decent draw. 1 EYECATCHER needed her run after a long break on the 23rd of September, the yard thinks highly of this filly, she will love the step up in trip to 1600m, watch her closely from a good draw. 13 GIMME PERFECT finished fourth in the same race as SIGN OF SPRING last time, if the gaps open at the right time for this filly, she will be competitive.

RACE 5

7 FOG IN FINLAND ran a great race in the Diana Stakes Gr 3 on the 26th of September, she steps up in trip to 1600m, even though she takes on the boys here. She looks progressive, include her into all bets. 8 THOMAS JENKINS stayed on well to finish just over three lengths behind CEDAR POINT on the 16th of September, he has dropped a further point in the ratings from his last run, with some luck in running, he will be competitive in this field. 6 LANDSEER bounced back to his best form on the 6th of September, he stayed on strongly for second behind JET A ONE last time, in hope that he builds on that performance, he should be amongst the places. 2 MIDWAY has been rested for 70 days, his chances must be respected at this level from a good draw.

RACE 6

6 CLARK GRISWOLD stayed on beautifully for second behind MIAMI SUMMER on the 22nd of August, the form of that race has worked out well, he will be hard to beat in this field. 5 TRIP TO CAMELOT has been rested for 92 days, he was just touched off in a driving finish on the 14th of July, he will be just off the speed early, and he will be flying at them late, watch him closely with top jockey Richard Fourie in the saddle. 3 CAPTAINS ALLIANCE finished just under two lengths behind YAMAZAKI last time, he has dropped a further point in the ratings from his last run, he should be amongst the places on his best form. 7 SIGNOR DANTE needed his last run when finishing fifth in the same race as CAPTAINS ALLIANCE last time, he will be much fitter going into this race, include him into all bets.

RACE 7

5 ALL THE RAGE has been rested and gelded, he was last seen finishing just over six lengths behind UN BEL DI in the Winter Sprint on the 21st of June, he is a smart gelding with lots of ability. On his best form, he will be hard to beat in this field. 4 O’TENIKWA has been rested for 80 days, he finished just under five lengths behind BUFFALO STORM CODY in the Mercury Sprint Gr 1 at Hollywoodbets Greyville on the 26th of July. Even though he might need this run after a small break, he is classy and can be very dangerous from the front, watch him closely here. 2 CAFE CULTURE must have a big winning chance in this field, he finished just over three lengths behind JET FORCE in the Matchem Stakes Gr 3 on the 26th of September, he will be right there in the finish from a good draw. 9 TEFLON MAN has been rested for 68 days, watch him late, he will be running on strongly.

RACE 8

8 GRAPES OF WRATH has been rested for 109 days, she quickened up smartly to win the Irridescence Stakes Listed in style on the 27th of June, even though she wants further than this trip of 1250m. She is super talented, with some luck in running, she will be hard to beat. 2 MEG’S LEGACY fought hard to win well at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 16th of September, she was given three points for that win last time, her chances need to be respected again from a good draw. 3 CAPTAIN’S ELECT won her maiden well on the 23rd of September, she looks progressive, include her into all bets from a nice draw. 4 MARGATE has been rested for 115 days, she is much better than her recent performance on the 21st of June, if she bounces back to her best form, she will be competitive at a decent price.

Le Zonda has been tipped to win the day’s feature (HKJC)

At The Races tipster Tim Carroll previews Wednesday’s nine-race Happy Valley card, which gets underway at 12H35, nominating his best bets, along with one exotic play.

This Wednesday sees a competitive nine-race card from Happy Valley getting underway at 12H35 and the feature of the meeting is race 6, The Class 2 HKEX Tech 100 Cup (Handicap), over 9 furlongs, offering prize money of more than £310,000.

Tim Carroll | Tips and Analysis | At The Races