Turf Talk Newsletter – 14 August, 2026

Quickstepgal is led in after winning the prestigious Gr 1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes (Picture: Race Coast)

The Hollywoodbets Greyville Poly Friday night meeting, in which Keagan de Melo rode a five-timer, was used as the stage to announce the  KZN Racing Award winners.

 

Night Of The Superstars At Hollywoodbets Greyville!

A proverbial constellation of stars turned out at the second racemeeting of the current Lucky Fish Friday Night Racing season at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Friday evening, as Race Coast proudly hosted the 2026 KZN Racing Awards in a champagne celebration of the champions of the past racing season.

Ladies Night at the Theatre Of Champions saw the industry salute the big achievers of the first full racing season for Race Coast, launched in May 2025 and born from the merger of Gold Circle’s operations in KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape-based Cape Racing, united under the Hollywoodbets banner.

The all-important equine categories on the big evening were characterised by the dominance of KwaZulu-Natal-domiciled trainers Tienie Prinsloo, Louis Goosen, Duncan Howells and Frank Robinson, whose charges lifted the silverware in all but two of the award categories.

From humble beginnings to the highest levels of South African racing, Summerveld-based Tienie Prinsloo’s journey has been one of determination and perseverance.

Summerveld resident Tienie Prinsloo, who had never had a runner in a Grade 1 event prior to Quickstepgal’s remarkable victory in the World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas just over eight months ago, celebrated a momentous Horse Of The Season accolade for the daughter of champion sire Vercingetorix, who also, unsurprisingly, scooped the Champion Three Year Old award.

Raced by the Wernars Family and Harry Willson, Quickstepgal won the HKJC World Pool Gr 2 Tibouchina Stakes and the Ridgemont Gr 1 Garden Province Stakes to end a dream season on a high. She was bred by the Greenacres Trust out of the three-time-winning Jet Master mare Victoriana and remains an exciting prospect ahead of the Cape Summer Of Champions Season down south.

There was also special recognition for the dedicated people behind the equine stars, with Moses Tlali, groom of Horse Of The Season Quickstepgal, honoured as Groom Of The Year. Tlali has played an integral role in the care of the outstanding filly throughout her memorable season, which saw her rise to the top of the KZN racing ranks.

Another veteran conditioner with an extraordinary backstory, Louis Goosen took all of 35 years to achieve a maiden Grade 1 victory courtesy of Erik Dubois, winner of the R1 750 000 World Pool Moment Of The Day Gr 1 Champion Stakes on World Pool Gold Cup day at last season’s end.

Bred by Dr Alan Miller, the son of Captain Al’s Varsfontein Stud-based son Erik The Red, the 2025/26 season’s Champion Sire of 2YOs, is out of the four-time-winning Count Dubois mare Comtesse Dubois and was crowned Champion Two Year Old. It was another success on the evening for the Wernars Family.

The third of the quartet of victorious Summerveld trainers, Duncan Howells, achieved ‘double gold’ when the Hemel ‘n Aarde-bred What A Winter mare Asiye Phambili lifted the Champion Sprinter title for the second consecutive year, as well as the title of Champion Older Female. In a breakthrough season, the gallant speed queen carried the Hollywood Racing silks to victory in the Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint, brought to you by The Witness, after two Grade 3 victories earlier in the season.

When it comes to fairytales, Frank Robinson wrote his own chapter to cap the quartet of locals to lift silverware, as the Mauritzfontein-homebred Ideal World filly Mocha Blend, who was responsible for the veteran horseman’s first elite-level victory when she won the 2025 Betway Summer Cup, was awarded the Champion Middle Distance trophy. Mocha Blend left it until the final feature day of the season to win the Bet With The World Gr 2 Gold Bracelet and secure a deserved acknowledgement.

Glen Kotzen was the only ‘away’ trainer to achieve an award on the evening, when his gallant Vercingetorix longhauler Holding Thumbs secured the Champion Older Male and Champion Stayer titles.

Bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, Holding Thumbs sealed his awards after winning the 106th renewal of the R1 million World Pool Gr 3 Gold Cup in the famous black-and-white silks of golfing legend Gary Player, for a partnership of loyal owners.

The human categories included a second consecutive Champion Trainer title for Gareth van Zyl, while Hollywood Racing again lifted the Champion Owners trophy.

Former SA champion jockey Keagan de Melo has made great strides since returning from Hong Kong and looks set for a serious bid at a second national title this season. He was crowned Champion Jockey, while future star Damyan Pillay was a popular Champion Apprentice recipient, watched by his delighted and supportive family, who hardly miss a racemeeting.

Champion-producing Cape nursery Varsfontein Stud was crowned Champion Breeders after a host of outstanding performances throughout the twelve months of racing at all levels.

 

The full list of honours:

CHAMPION TWO YEAR OLD COLT/GELDING
ERIK DUBOIS

CHAMPION TWO YEAR OLD FILLY
PALACE OF AVERNIA

CHAMPION THREE YEAR OLD
QUICKSTEPGAL

CHAMPION SPRINTER
ASIYE PHAMBILI

CHAMPION MIDDLE DISTANCE
MOCHA BLEND

CHAMPION OLDER FEMALE
ASIYE PHAMBILI

CHAMPION OLDER MALE
HOLDING THUMBS

CHAMPION STAYER
HOLDING THUMBS

CHAMPION APPRENTICE
DAMYAN PILLAY

CHAMPION JOCKEY
KEAGAN DE MELO

CHAMPION TRAINER
GARETH VAN ZYL

CHAMPION OWNERS
HOLLYWOOD RACING

CHAMPION BREEDERS
VARSFONTEIN STUD

GROOM OF THE YEAR
MOSES TLALI

HORSE OF THE SEASON
QUICKSTEPGAL

The US Of A has been tipped to win the second race, where he is officially 3kg under sufferance with the best weighted Sugar Mountain, who comes back from a layoff and would likely prefer further, but The US Of A is not badly in with the rest of the field (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Alistair Cohen

The winner of the Listed Southeaster Sprint last year, The US Of A has been hinting that he is capable of taking the next step up the ladder. He comes into race 2 over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday weighted to be very effective and if allowed to use his biggest weapon, his turn of foot, he could claim career win number six. Take note of a disclaimer-this race could be run over 1250m around the turn. A decision will be taken after racing at the same course on Wednesday.

He has been shrewdly placed by trainer Paddy Kruyer to utilize a pleasing swing at the weights with some opposition. His last run came over 1250m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, around the turn. He did not disgrace himself when he finished a 2,8-length fourth behind Gold Giboski who carried a featherweight 51kg. He finished one length in front of Dumbledore and around 0,5 lengths ahead of his old sparing partner, Dance Variety. He is now 1,5kg better off with both of those rivals for beating them. The handicapper gave him a two-point reduction! For that reason, he is in a lower band of this A Stakes according to the structure of the race. Horses are allocated weights according to their ratings but there is a three-point buffer for each 1,5kg. Dance Variety stayed the same rating and Dumbledore needed another point from his two-point drop to fall into the next weight category.

Callan Murray is carded to take the ride. This horse is most deadly when left alone to find his feet and power home. He does not need to be last but he can switch it on and he loves to run them down. The course has been holding this winter so he must have an even chance to run them down.

The rest of his opposition is talented, but they have reasons for not being at their peaks.

Dance Variety has beaten The US Of A before. They have built a fun rivalry over the seasons. They will swap places being well treated against each other as the races go by, but this task looks tougher for him.

Dreamworld showed huge ability as a two-year-old. Injury compromised his three-year-old campaign. He returned from an eight-month rest last time when he brushed off the cobwebs when he finished midfield behind Green Gateway at Hollywoodbets Scottsville over this trip. He might need another run before he is ready to fire. Sean Veale is up for Vaughan Marshall.

Winter Snap is in a similar bracket. A good horse but he has not been seen since December. He is likely to need the run but finishing midfield in this lineup of eight, would give hope that he can mix it with some big guns in the coming months. Oswald Noach takes the ride.

There is plenty of pleasing form to work with in race 1 over the same trip. Red Flag is held in high regard and her last run showed good improvement when she finished second behind Juliet Of Verona over 1250m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. She had the run of the race from gate No 1 but she looks to be on the right track. Keagan de Melo takes the ride for Justin

Snaith. Onthewingsofadove was costly to follow last time when a beaten favourite but she finished second behind World Of Secrets. Candice Bass trains Onthewingsofadove and Juliet Of Verona so she would have a line from the training tracks.

Chinwag looks nailed on to win race 3 over 1600m. She ran a ripper in the Listed Iridescence Stakes over 1500m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville last time. She finished less than a length behind Grapes Of Wrath. There is nothing with that level of form to compete with her. She should get the job done under Murray for Michelle Rix.

Born To Master ran a career best last time when he improved out of sight to finish second behind Ready For The Road, beaten a head. He will need to show that was no flash in the pan in race 4 over 1800m. He finished 0,5 lengths ahead of Masteronthemoon on that occasion and they meet with Born To Master 0,5kg worse off. There should be little to choose but the improvement is hard to ignore. Brevan Plaatjies rides for Rob Barrett.

Fort Liam has always given the impression that he is maturing into a smart stayer and he turned over the promising Trip To Camelot last time. If he is in the same mood in race 5 over 1800m, he could complete back-to-back wins. His biggest concern is the drop in trip. He gives the impression that the further the better, but races are at a premium.

It is hard to get excited by a Class 5 for fillies and mares but race 6 over 1600m has a few “next time” merchants involved. Peace Garland easily has the most scope to improve being a three-year-old with some pleasing numbers to recommend. She ran second to Before Sunrise in her penultimate. That form was well franked with the winner and Peace Garland winning. Third place was the aforementioned, Chinwag who subsequently ran third in a Listed feature and should win earlier in the day. However, La Patrona and Little Nimbus made mild impressions last time that they could be horses to follow in their next starts in this lowly company.

Major Apollo got himself back on track in his last run and he could confirm in race 7 over 1000m. He finished a close-up second behind Moody Blue over this trip up the road at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. He always hinted at having some class as a youngster but he lost his way. His last run came off a rating of 64 so he must be in place to win sooner rather than later.

Magical Place had everything go wrong last time from a deep draw at Hollywoodbets Durbanville over 1000m. He was pushed out wide and he did well to finish sixth behind All About Al. He has a far easier setup to turn the form around. He represents huge value. Callan Murray is up for Eric Sands. He runs in race 8 over 1000m.

Ruby Rex is no superstar but she has plenty in her favour in race 9 over 1000m. She took six starts and over a year of racing to win a maiden. Low mileage gives hope that she has more to come. William’s Woman also has wins to come and they met last time. Ruby Rex was two lengths ahead and she only has a 0,5kg deficit. That should be enough to stay ahead.

Flying Finley has been tipped to win the 8th race (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Brandon Bailey’s formguides and selections for Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday 

RACE 1 

8 RED FLAG moved up like a winner in her last start when finishing second behind JULIET OF VERONA on the 18th of July, she finds herself in the right race here, she will go very close to winning on her current form. 12 ONTHEWINGSOFADOVE has run two great races in succession, she will love the step up in trip, with some luck in running, she will be right there in the finish again. 11 CAPTAIN’S ELECT finished five lengths behind WORLD OF SECRETS on the 7th of July, she was green on debut, in hope that she has made further improvement back at home, she will be competitive. 10 FUTURE RUNWAY ran a fair race on debut, she can only improve going into her second start, watch her closely at a decent price.

RACE 2 

3 THE US OF A finished just under three lengths behind GOLD GIBOSKI at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 7th of July, he has dropped two points in the rating since his last run, on his best form, he will be very hard to beat in this field. 6 DANCE VARIETY ran just behind THE US OF A last time, he will be just off the speed early, and he will be flying at them late, include him into all bets. 5 WINTER SNAP has been rested for 248 days, the yard thinks highly of this gelding, even though he might need the run after a lengthy break, he could pop up fresh, watch him closely. 1 EMPIRE STATE has been rested for 214 days, he could sneak into the places with no weight on his back.

RACE 3 

3 CHINWAG ran a great race in the Irridescence Stakes Listed on the 27th of June, she was tough when finishing just under one length behind GRAPES OF WRATH last time, she is a big filly with a beautiful action, she will be very hard to beat in this field. 5 GOLDEN SHIMMER stayed on well to finish three lengths behind PEACE GARLAND on the 16th of June, the form of that race has worked out well, with further improvement expected from this filly, she will make CHINWAG work for victory. 8 MY SUNSHINE ran a fair race behind ROYAL INFLUENCER on the 25th of July, she will be cherry ripe for this race, with some luck in running from a tricky draw, she can sneak into the places. 7 SPIRIT OF LIFE showed good improvement from her first run into her second run, she will love the step up in trip, watch her closely here.

RACE 4 

4 BORN TO MASTER finished like a train for second behind READY FOR THE ROAD on the 18th of July, that was his first run for Trainer Robert Barrett, he will be much fitter going into this race, on his best form, he will be hard to beat in this field. 1 O’FELLOW did everything right when staying on for second behind ROYAL CELEB on the 25th of July, he is a big striding horse, from a neat draw, he will be competitive, include him into all bets. 8 MASTERONTHEMOON has been well tried in the maiden ranks, he was given every chance to win last time, he will be doing some good work late, unfortunately the big weight in this field won’t make life easy for him. 3 QUIET PLACE never runs a bad race, he could sneak into the places from a nice draw.

RACE 5

7 BOURBON KING quickened smartly to win a good race on the 25th of July, he was given four points for that impressive win at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, he looks progressive, with some luck in running here, he will be hard to beat. 4 WALOYO YAMONI was given a terrific ride by champion jockey Craig Zackey on the 21st of June, if he brings that run to the track again on Saturday, he will be hard to peg back late, include him into all bets. 6 FORT LIAM won a gutsy race on the 14th of July, the drop in trip will be no problem for this gelding, he will be competitive on his current form. 8 BATON ROUGE won well on the 7th of July; he will be right there in the finish late.

RACE 6

2 MON PAPILLON had absolutely no luck in running on the 18th of July, she was beaten just under a length by MONEY EXTRACTOR in a driving finish at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, the blinkers have been removed, and she has a good draw, she will be hard to beat on her best form. 7 PEACE GARLAND won her maiden impressively on the 16th of June, the form of that race has worked out well, she must have a big winning chance again stepping up in trip to 1600m. 4 LITTLE NIMBUS finished third in the same race as MON PAPILLON last time, even though she shoulders top weight in this race, she will be competitive, watch her closely. 6 LA PATRONA has dropped in the ratings; she will be doing some good work late.

RACE 7 

4 WINTER PIRATE has been rested for 119 days, ignore his last run completely on the 18th of April, he went down to the start freely, and unfortunately, he stopped to a walk in his race behind PALACE GIFT, if he bounces back to his best form after a small break, he will go very close to winning. 1 PALACE GIFT runs his best races up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, if he jumps on terms, he will run a big race at a decent price. 2 ESCARPMENT might be the value play in this tricky race, he did way too much in front last time when stopping badly to finish five lengths behind LYRICAL GANGSTER on the 5th of August, he has dropped in the ratings, and he gets 2,5kgs off his back from the apprentice claim, he should run a much-improved race in this field. 5 MY BONNY BOY won his maiden well on the 27th of June, he could be anything, include him into all bets.

RACE 8 

1 FLYING FINLEY stayed on well for second behind ALL ABOUT AL on the 18th of July, he always runs a big race over this track and trip, he will be just off the speed early, and he will be flying at them late, include him into all bets. 3 ALL ABOUT AL quickened smartly to beat FLYING FINLEY last time, with no weight on his back, he will go very close to winning again. 6 UN BEL DI has been carded to run at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 12th of August, if he runs in this race, he will be super competitive. 5 PINK PIGEON never runs a bad race, she has a good place chance in this field.

RACE 9 

7 PEACE OF MIND won impressively on the 18th of July, she was given four points for that good win last time, in hope that the apprentice gets his fractions right, she will be very hard to beat again. 9 HERITAGE RIDGE didn’t have much luck in running last time, watch for sharp improvement now that she is back up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. 3 RUBY REX ran a lovely race behind MOODY BLUE on the 14th of July, she is progressive, her chances must be respected in this field. 10 EASY MONEY finished just under five lengths behind PEACE OF MIND on the 18th of July, she could sneak into the places at a big price.

Picture: Kalpana (Sky Sports Racing)

King George heroine back against her own sex on the Knavesmire.

At The Races

King George winner Kalpana leads the way among 15 confirmations for the Legends Global Yorkshire Oaks at York on Thursday.

Andrew Balding’s mare proved herself among the best mile-and-a-half horses in Europe at Ascot last month and will be back against her own sex when looking for a fourth win at the highest level.

Her main rival is Aidan O’Brien’s Minnie Hauk, who finished a long way behind Kalpana at Ascot in a rare poor run. At her best she is top class, like when landing her third successive Group One in this race 12 months ago.

She went on to finish a head second to Daryz in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, but has so far not reached those heights this season.

O’Brien has also left in six others, including Diamond Necklace despite reports she will be running in France next.

Joseph O’Brien’s Irish Oaks winner Johanna Walsh and John and Thady Gosden’s Epsom second Legacy Link are still in, as are Ralph Beckett’s improving Tattycoram, Paddy Twomey’s Moody, the William Haggas-trained Earth Shot and David Menuisier’s Inis Mor.

Jim Bolger’s Irish Oaks third Sparan Nua is an intriguing runner having placed over a mile last time out.

“We love tough races. I wouldn’t fancy going over for a walkover,” said Bolger.

“It went fine back over a mile last time. She was running on at the finish and we were happy with her. She broke well and got into a good position very early so that was the purpose of the exercise.

“Had she been able to win it would have given me options at the end of the season as there are more Group Ones at the end of the season than distance races. That was the thinking behind that – to increase the options.

“Also there is a likelihood she will stay in training so I wanted to know maybe if we had enough toe for a mile we would have loads of options next year.

“There is a possibility she could come in season and if that happens we won’t be declaring.”

George Boughey’s Libertango is one of 23 in the Sky Bet Lowther Stakes.

The Albany winner was beaten in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes last time out but still sets the standard.

Twomey’s Big Negotiator, the Ger Lyons-trained Livenka, Andrew Balding’s Moonrise and Karl Burke’s Wild Blossom are also engaged, while Joseph O’Brien has supplemented Star Of State.

Reece’s Wish is a promising sort and is well weighted in the first race at Turffontein Inside on Sunday, a Middle Stakes event over 1600m (JC Photos)

The Turffontein Inside meeting on Sunday kicks off with a Middle Stakes race over 1600m and an interesting entry is the Stuart Pettigrew-trained New Bay five-year-old entire, Calla Lagoon.

Owner-breeder Willem Ackerman has been in the news lately with his imports, including the exciting Sea The Stars gelding Mission To Mars, and he is the owner of the former Juddmonte homebred Calla Lagoon, who likely has a long term goal of being a stallion at Heversham Park stud, the farm which Willem sends his breeding stock to.

Calla Lagoon has not raced for over a year, so will likely need it, and another concern is his former trainer Ralph Beckett commented once on being glad the ground had been soft for the colt due to his rounded action.

Calla Lagoon will thus likely be brought on slowly until the rains come and might be a shrewd purchase by Ackerman considering the Betway Summer Cup is often run in testing conditions, as it was last year.

The handicappers have given the one-time winning Listed runner up an opening mark of 104, which means he has been set to carry 62kg, which is offset by the 4kg claim of promising apprentice Divesh Ramkhalawon.

The best weighted is the classy filly Reece’s Wish, who defied a three month layoff last time to win a 1450m handicap by a conmfortable 1,30 lengths.

She only has to carry 52kg, but has a tricky draw of five out of six.

The progressive Winding Power comes off a hattrick and although officially 2kg under sufferance with Reece’s Wish, he has the advantage of the champion apprentice, the 1,5kg claimer Blaine Marx-Jacobson up and he has a fair draw of three, so it should be a close fought contest with the filly.

In the second race over 1200m the Champion owners Holywood Racing, who have started the season in devastating fashion, introduce the bred-in-the-purple Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained One Eye On Dubai. This New Zealand-bred is by the French-bred Almanzor, a three-time Gr 1-winning former European Champion three-year-old, and the colt is out of Australian-bred Exceed ‘N Excel mare Applegate, which makes him a half-brother to Gr 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas runner up Impendabelle, who also won two Gr 2s. One Eye On Dubai does not have much to beat and could win on debut, although his draw of six out of eight around the turn won’t be easy. Forever Canford represents the in-form St. John Gray yard and makes most appeal of the contestants to have run, having run a much-improved race last time when second to the talented Cool Gambler.

In the third over 1200m Mocha Magic will be hard to beat from pole position. He showed a nice big stride on debut over 1200m on the Vaal Classic track when staying on for a pleasing third and Craig Zackey keeps the ride. The main danger could be the Hollywood Racing-owned De Kock-trained first-timer Reckless Abandon, a Rafeef half-brother to Mehmas colt Exocet, who won two of his first three, but whom hasn’t been seen since last October. Kwaito wasn’t disgraced on debut when a 10,60 length third behind subsequent Gr 1 winner Haute Couture, but he disappointed next time out.

In the fourth over 1200m Elusive Dragon is the one to beat, having had some good Highveld form before not being disgraced at all when a 5,10 length seventh in the Gr 2 World Pool With Race Coast Debutante over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville. This Elusive Fort filly does have to overcome a wide draw of eight out of eight though. Go For Broke runs for the in-form Lucky Houdalakis yard and after a good debut Zackey stays aboard, but she also has a wide draw. Northern European was set to run over 1600m on Thursday, but did run a fair race over 1160m before that and she has a fair draw.

In the fifth over 1200m Set To Music had decent Cape Town form and won on his Highveld debut. He got a six point raise but could still be ahead of the handicapper off a 77 and 4kg claimer Ramkhalawon is up from a fair draw of two out of six in this apprentice handicap. Nightshine looks to be a promising sort and could possibly defy topweight under 2,5kg claimer Dezahn Louw, although his draw of five out of six is tricky. One Tiger makes most appeal of the others in the small field of six.

In the sixth over 1450m Malshana Mou has pole position and will enjoy the step back up in trip. Zip Code was a hard ride last time, but was still third and from a good draw over a suitable trip could be a factor. Millennium Warrior has the ability to be in the shake up too.

In the seventh over 1800m Spirit Of Gabz is a nice progressive type and is interesting tried over further, because his sire Chimichuri Run was effective up to a mile and he is out of a mare by stamina influence Judpot and that one-time-winning mare was once second over 2000m. Hawwaam colt Knight Heist won well second time out over 1600m and should have a fine chance here under 1,5kg claimer Marx-Jacobson. The first two choices both have tricky draws and the well drawn Play With Fire will be dangerous.

In the last race over 1200m Star Magnolia won easily last time over 1160m and should be in the shake up from pole position. Echoes Of War and Kotinos also make appeal from good draws.

Coppull can win the Hungerford at Newbury on Saturday (Picture: Racing TV via youtube)

Hollie Doyle gives insight into the weekend action in the UK

EXTRA FURLONG IDEAL FOR HUNGERFORD FANCY

COPPULL showed me enough in the Group 1 July Cup to convince me he is up to taking the Visit Malta Hungerford Stakes (3.10) at Newbury on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Racing.

Clive Cox’s three-year-old took a long time to get organised at Newmarket where the winner – Comanche Brave – got first run but this strong traveller should enjoy the extra furlong on a more conventional track.

Never So Brave will have his supporters on the back of his second in the Criterion at York over this 7f trip but is struggling to get his head in front this season while Godolphin’s Symbol Of Honour is solid but has never won over this distance.

A more interesting runner for me is William Haggas’s Extremely Zain, a course and distance winner who ran better than his final placing suggests in the International at Ascot and remains on an upward curve. This is a step up in grade, but he can acquit himself well in an ordinary renewal.

Watch the Visit Malta Hungerford Weekend live from Newbury on Sky Sports Racing (Sky 415 | Virgin 512) on Friday 14 and Saturday 15 August.

MILLIONAIRE SETS STANDARD IN GEOFFREY FREER
DUBAI HONOUR , who has four Group 1’s and over £5 million in prize money on his CV, can roll back the years in the opening Highclere Thoroughbred Racing Geoffrey Freer Stakes (1.25) at Newbury.

This eight-year-old has given my husband Tom (Marquand) some of his finest moments in the saddle and with an excellent record fresh can make it win number 11 on his return from a summer break.

There is little between Mount Atlas and Tabletalk on their efforts in the Silver Cup at York, but I can’t see either finding the improvement needed to lower the colours of Dubai Honour on these terms.

Gamrai went down fighting in the Copper Horse at Royal Ascot and, whilst he’s in deeper waters now, may just benefit from the change of scenery, having joined George Scott from John and Thady Gosden.

FIRE CAN BURN IT UP IN SPRINT HANDICAP
Now he has got his head back in front, Richard Hannon’s WHEELS OF FIRE can put up another bold show in the D&H, Excellence In Nutrition Handicap (1.55) at Newbury.

He beat the re-opposing Hypnotised comfortably at Sandown and a 6lb rise may not be enough to stop him following up under Pat Dobbs, even though that rival is better off at the weights.

Chris Mason’s Glamorous Breeze is entitled to go close on her solid performance at Goodwood, but Kinswoman has come up short in Listed and Group company and still has something to prove, even though she’s dropping back into a handicap off a reduced rating.

HUMAM SET TO BUILD ON NEWMARKET THIRD
HUMAM ’S front-running third in a warm race at Newmarket puts him bang there for the TPT Fire Handicap (2.35) at Newbury. I loved the way this former Andrew Balding runner stuck to the task to register his best effort for Stuart Williams since being gelded in the winter.

Racing off an unchanged mark, his most recent form is more compelling than that of market rival Scoville, who has disappointed in both the Royal Hunt Cup and the Golden Mile at Goodwood and needs to improve for this drop in trip.

Eve Johnson Houghton’s admirable Great Acclaim has been running well in big races such as the Victoria Cup and Buckingham Palace but needs some respite from the handicapper.

ROXBY CAN INITIATE BIG RACE DOUBLE
Malton trainer Nigel Tinkler and his apprentice Alex Jary have a great chance of pulling off a memorable big race double at Ripon on Saturday, starting with LORD ROXBY in the William Hill/MND Association Great St Wilfrid Handicap (3.25).

This reliable four-year-old returns to the North Yorkshire track in top form after beating fancied rival Dark Cloud Rising over course and distance at the start of the month. He also put a big field to the sword at York earlier this summer and can cope with a 5lb rise against some smart rivals who have a bit more to prove.

Likely favourite Fast Track Harry put in an improved performance in first-time cheekpieces at Ascot last time but I’m not convinced the track will suit while the class horse in the race, Aramram, must overcome a low draw and he ran badly from a similar position in this race two years ago.

BOY CAN TURN ON THE MAGIC IN SILVER CUP
In the consolation race, the William Hill Supporting MND Silver Cup Handicap (2.55), Nigel runs MAGIC BOY who ticks plenty of boxes in a wide open, big field dash.

This four-year-old is less exposed than most and showed his potential with a hard-fought win against 18 rivals at York last month before a slow start compromised his chances back there three weeks ago.

Magic Boy is ideally drawn in stall 14 and has previous track form which is always so important at the Garden Racecourse. He has finished second on both his visits but can go one better despite needing a career best.

Another interesting contender is Clive Cox’s Mythical Composer who is also potentially well-drawn in stall 15 but needs to bounce back from a poor effort at Goodwood, his first since being gelded.

Hollie Doyle was speaking to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft.

The Michelle Rix-trained Viridian Ruby just gets up to win her second career start with the rest of the field over five lengths back (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Cape Breeders

Varsfontein Stud’s homebred stallion Erik The Red has made a cracking start to the new season, and the son of Captain Al came up with a pair of eye catching winners at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Wednesday.

Erik The Red runners won the first two races on the midweek card, with his daughter Viridian Ruby victorious in the first, and son Ulez Camera making a winning debut to land the second race.

Making just her second start, the Michelle Rix trained Viridian Ruby dug down deep to claim Wednesday’s Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Welcomes You Maiden Plate (F and M) (1000m) by a head.

Bred and owned by Neil Clarke and Richard Foden, the three-year-old had finished third on her only previous start. Viridian Ruby is out of the Gimmethegreenlight mare Viridian Light.

Erik The Red is also the sire of Ulez Camera, who made a winning debut when victorious in the Join The Race Coast Turf Club Maiden Plate (1250m). Under Grant Behr, the Patrick Kruyer trained three-year-old made a mockery of his 40-1 starting price to win by a long neck.

Bred by Varsfontein Stud, Ulez Camera races for Mr Forrest.

Remarkably, Erik The Red’s close relatives Master Of My Fate and Malmoos also enjoyed success on Wednesday.

Triple Crown winner Malmoos, South Africa’s Leading First Season Sire of 2025-2026, was responsible for Ile Moris, winner of the third race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, while Master Of My Fate, broodmare sire of Ile Moris, is the sire of the blue blooded October Fest, winner of the fifth race on Wednesday.

South Africa’s Leading Sire of 2Yos for 2025-2026, Erik The Red has 16 lots on offer at the August Two Year Old Sale.