Turf Talk Newsletter – 15 September, 2026

Picture: Thesecretadversary winning the Gr 2 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot (Sky Sports Racing)

Gaynor Rupert’s two homebreds I’m The One and Thesecretadversary hold Gr 1 entries on Ascot’s iconic Champions Day on October 17.

I’m The One put up Britain’s possibly most impressive debut performance this year and as a result was immediately installed as Epsom Oaks favourite.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained Sea The Stars filly won that Maiden Stakes for fillies over a mile and two furlongs on April 17 at Newbury by six lengths.

She subsequently finished a disappointing two length second in the Chester Oaks.

Shortly thereafter it was announced that she had ben sidelined with an injury or issue.

However, she now holds an entry in the Qatar Racing British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes over a mile-and-a-half at Ascot’s Champions Day meeting on October 17.

The Secretadversary holds an entry in the Gr 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes over a mile at the same meeting.

The St Marks Basilica colt won the Gr 2 Jersey Stakes over seven furlongs at Ascot and followed up by winning a Gr 1 over seven furlongs at Deauville in France.

Gaynor bred and owns the good looking colt with interesting white markings in partnerhip with the Magniers of Coolmore.

Last time out in a Gr 1 over a mile at Deauville he could not keep up his relentless gallop and was beaten three lengths.

So, the jury is still out on whether he stays a mile as his four wins have all been in the seven furlong distance category, whilst he is yet to place in four attempts at a mile.

He is also entered in a lucrative Conditions Stakes race over six furlongs on Champions Day.

Both Thesecretadversary and I’m The One run in Drakesnstein Stud’s familiar blue with a white square colours.

The official name of Gaynor’s UK breeding and owning operation is Cayton Park Stud.

October 17 is a day to earmark.

Picture: More Thunder storms home after producing a devastating turn of foot from off the pace (Racing Post)

Cape Breeders

Classy five-year-old More Thunder, whose granddam is a half-sister to Sandown Stud’s successful resident sire Pathfork, made a big impression when he won the G2 Betfred Park Stakes at Doncaster on Saturday.

A son of champion sire Night Of Thunder, won for the first time this season when landing the odds in the Betfred Park Stakes at Doncaster.

Since impressing in the Hungerford Stakes over seven furlongs last summer, he has raced almost exclusively in the highest company bar an outing in the Summer Mile at Ascot.

Second in the Lockinge and the Queen Anne, on the recommendation of jockey Tom Marquand he dropped back down to seven furlongs and looked much more at home.

Coming from last to first, Marquand only really had to get serious with William Haggas’ five-year-old half a furlong out and the 4-5 favourite hit top gear to beat Flora Of Bermuda by a length and three-quarters.

More Thunder, who is now likely to run next on Champions Day at Ascot, has won six of 16 starts and has earned $900,693.

Saturday’s winner is out of the Listed Cecil Frail Stakes winning Hat Trick mare Buying Trouble, whose dam Lotus Sutra is a Kingmambo half-sister to both champion Pathfork and G1 Preakness Stakes winner War Of Will.

The latter has also been in the news this year, with War Of Will’s two-year-old son U.S.S. Valor rated one of the most exciting prospects currently in North America.

Irish champion Pathfork has four lots on offer at the October Two Year Old Sale.

Dean Diedericks has for a long time overseen all of the racetracks and training estates in the Western Cape and to align themselves with the Cape structure Race Coast KZN have recently appointed Kurt Grunewald as the Estate and Tracks Manager in KZN.

Kurt is now based at Summerveld training estate and took over the office of the now retired Tony Rivalland at the beginning of this month.

He explained, “I was the Race Coast Senior Tracks Manager in KZN and Tony was the Summerveld Estate Manager, so I have retained my previous portfolio and have also taken over as Summerveld Estate Manager. Race Coast has created a new position which I am filling i.e. the Estate and Tracks Manager in KZN, who oversees all facilities.”

Hollywoodbets Ashburton Training Centre, where Hollywood Racing have a training facility for the horses of theirs who are trained by Vengi Masawi, does not fall under the Estates that Kurt oversees.

However, he does assist Wayne Giles, chiefly in an advisory role.

Regarding increased financial support for maintaining tracks since Hollywoodbets have taken over, Kurt said, “Money is available, not that it gets dished out willy-nilly. There have of course been a lot of upgrades at Hollywoodbets Greyville and there have been upgrades to the stables and grooms facilities at Summerveld and Hollywoodbets will soon be going in and doing some projects at Hollywoodbets Scottsville during the eight weeks of Spring treatment. The judge’s box and commentary box, which have been the same since that section was built and are in dire need of a more modern, more secure and a more user friendly environment, is one of the major projects that will happen and there will be other projects too.”

One of the projects in KZN that had money pumped into it after Hollywoodbets took over was the rejuvenation of the polytrack at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

Kurt said, “It was a short term fix, because they are still in the process of assessing the various synthetic surfaces around the world to make a decision on what they believe will be the best going forward. That rejuvenation we did has paid dividends though. For example, a recent meeting was switched from the turf to the poly halfway through the meeting.”

There have been drainage issues with the Hollywoodbets Greyville turf and Kurt explained, “Unfortunately, Hollywoodbets Greyville is not a man made surface, it is natural land and it is within a wetland. We are at the bottom of the Berea and you get all that ground water flowing off the Berea. With the golf course being a wetland the water retention is high and therefore the water table is higher than average. There are areas around the track that are a lot wetter than others because of the in situ materials. Obviously the soils further down are still what they have always been and will not change. We top dress annually during Spring treatment to add sand in order to improve the natural soils that may not be free draining. This is not a quick fix.

He continued, “We have improved the water management with the use of chemicals that help move water through the surface a lot quicker. Sometimes there is resistance in the soil itself if there has been mismanagement in terms of fertiliser applications over the years. Some of the soil molecules become hyrdrophobic, they don’t want water and keep it out, and that effects your drainage. It’s not an instant fix, but the chemicals help improve the drainage. A lot of the chemicals we apply are derived from the golfing industry. During major tournaments, if rainstorms are forecast, they apply these chemicals to the Greens. Or, if heavy dew is imminent, they apply these chemicals to help it dissipate moisture a lot quicker.

He added, “It is very scientific these days. We do annual soil samples which are analysed by an agronomist. The results are assessed against the previous year and the programs are tweaked accordingly. So, you chemically change and improve the soil conditions, which in turn improves the plant strength and it aids with drainage without necessarily having to put any extra drainage. However, if there is mismanagement of the fertiliser program on the tracks, it will take time to rectify the mistakes to get back to favourable conditions. This is because you are dealing with nature.”

Kurt gave an example of the intricacies. “A plant ‘sweats’ through its leaf and when that happens it has to draw more water via the root system from the soil. This is how the plant helps dry the soils, especially in dry, windy conditions. If it is moderate weather, the soil retains water ie holding capacity, until the plant makes use of it. That is why some people say, ‘But you have got all this drainage and it’s not drying’ . Drainage is designed to take away excess water, it does not take away all the water. This is a big misunderstanding about drainage. During WC2010 they had to water the pitches at halftime because the pitches were man made . The drainage was so good because of free draining soils, the grass would have died had they not been continuously watering it.”

During the winter the turf tracks just need to be trimmed for aesthetics, but the warm summer months with longer daylight hours are the major growing months and active cutting has to be done more often.

The Champions Season is ironically the toughest period to maintain the turf tracks due to the fact that it is our non-growing season

Kurt said, “When there is damage to the grass it starts to regrow, but nowhere near as rapidly as it does in Summer.”

He added, “If you did an aerial shot of the courses after the Champions Season you would be able to see exactly where the horses have run, because it does not regrow quickly. You would be able to see two distinct paths around the bend, at Hollywoodbets Greyville, created by the horses on the rail and the ones sitting just outside of them.”

A track manager is constantly second guessing the weatherman too. A watering program must be put in place to substitute for a lack of rainfall and the forecast has to be relied on to a certain extent to get it right. However, unexpected weather can happen.

Being track manager is a difficult and often thankless task, but Kurt has vast experience and has a fine team underneath him.

Hollywodbets Greyville track manager Kevin Searle, who comes from a golfing background and used to work at Royal Durban, brings a lot to the table and has valuable knowledge.

Thabani Mabaso is the Hollywodbets Scottsville Tracks and Grounds Controller and has received widespread praise for the outstanding job he performs.

Vercicat (far side) has been tipped to win Race 7 (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Mark Van Deventer (Race Coast)

VERCICAT can build on two recent second placed finishes after a rest, when he contests Race 7, a Class 4 over 1250m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Wednesday.

The now primed, 3YO Vercingetorix chestnut should get a good stalking trip jumping from Draw 3 under high percentage rider, Richard Fourie, who is re-committed to a productive collaboration with trainer Justin Snaith.

Speed factors, AVIGNON, GOLD DUST, CELTIC CHIEF and LIKE DYNAMITE should ensure a brisk tempo which might tee things up for VERCICAT, who just missed behind IRELAND FOREVER last time after being held in tight quarters. He is a dependable sort with a progressive profile that seems sure to again go well off his current mark.

BEHAVE HARRIS raced too keenly when caught up in a pace duel with CELTIC CHIEF last time. If settling and ridden with more restraint he could be a threat, his penultimate try over the course and distance to LYRICAL GANGSTER at this class level gives him a definite shake.

In Race 5, CEDAR POINT is another live runner for Snaith and Fourie. Blinkers go on to sharpen his resolve, and he too should get all the favours from Gate 2 with DISTRICT MASTER and NOBLE HERO liable to take the field along at a solid gallop.

CEDAR POINT is consistent off his present OMR in the mid 70’s; has run nicely at this venue and in good nick after going well enough, despite casting a shoe from a wide draw a month ago. Repeating any of his last three starts to BLIND DATE, MIAMI SUMMER and DIAMOND ROCK brings him in with winning claims.

His main challengers are drawn out wide. LOVING PRAGUE (Gate 8) and UNITED FRONT (Gate 10) fought out a spirited duel over this course and distance 25 days ago and it should again be close between them.

THOMAS JENKINS has a squeak at the weight turnaround on the KING’S QUEST form line dating back to March ‘26, whilst the “dark horse” FERRYMAN, who easily beat subsequent dual winner, CHARLIE BUCKET in the Maidens in April can shine up second start after a rest and gelding.

WAITING GAME is of interest in Race 3, a Maiden over 1600m and the opening leg of the Pick 6.

Handy runner, CATCH ME will go strongly pressing the pace so is duly priced up as the 14/10 antepost favourite, whilst older rival ZANFAN MORIS should be staying on when it counts.

But WAITING GAME, at 10/1 in early trade, has the profile of a well-bred, improving type who should relish this longer trip. The son of Rafeef ex Silvano mare, IN LIMBO, kept on willingly in a soft ground 1400m at his second outing, (admittedly a few lengths behind CATCH ME and ZANFAN MORIS) and can bridge the deficit with natural development.

YOU MADE ME LOOK is also worth considering (the powerful Snaith/Fourie factor again), but respiratory noises at each of three modest starts are a concern.

CHANCING WAITING GAME each way at double digit odds is suggested, though he will need to run down CATCH ME and stave off ZANFAN MORIS’ stretch run.

BORN TO MASTER comes into a C Stakes (Race 4 over 2000m) with a light weight after romping in a weak Maiden. He finished full of running in a neat, adjusted time which suggests that he may cope with this sterner opposition.

Brevan Plaatjies again partners with Rob Barrett’s entry, who has been positively transformed since a stable switch.

Punters who are leery about BORN TO MASTER coping with the steep rise in grade have many alternatives to consider.

The mare WEHAVEASITUATION showed signs of a return to her best by working into third behind BOOZY SUZIE; BATON ROUGE is presently in great nick and tough to get past when shaking loose on the lead; SUPERHERO is weighted a chance on collateral form and though FORT LIAM mixes his form the booking of Keagan de Melo on Greg Ennion’s entry suggests a bold showing is anticipated.

GROOVEJET (if breathing comfortably), the doughty stayer, MASTER COINER and GLENALMOND are not impossible either, in a challenging leg for exotic bettors.

All About Al has been tipped to win the last race (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Hollywoodbets Durbanville Wednesday formguides by Brandon Bailey

RACE 1

1 SICILY has been well tried in the maiden ranks, he stayed on nicely for fifth behind RACHETTU on the 25th of July, he drops in trip to 1000m, and he gets the services of top jockey Richard Fourie, this looks a good opportunity for him to finally get it right. 4 EL COHETE finished just under three lengths behind BARNEY MCGREW at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 2nd of September, she is very fast, her chances must be respected in this field. 6 MADE IN CHELSEA has been rested and gelded, ignore his last performance on the 24th of May, he is much better than that, in hope that he doesn’t need the run after a small break, he could sneak into the places late. 3 LANA’S GAL looks best of the rest on form, she has a good draw, there should be no excuses for this filly.

RACE 2

4 FINAL SAY has been rested for 81 days, she has run two fair races in succession, her last run was decent behind GRAPES OF WRATH in the Irridescence Stakes Listed, the form of that race has worked out well, she will love the step up in trip, include her into all bets. 6 OH ISABELLA has been rested for 92 days, she stayed on well for fourth behind PEACE GARLAND on the 16th of June, she looks progressive, and she steps up in trip, which is a big positive for this filly, she will go close to winning on her best form. 8 NTIBINDI ran a much better race last time, she was doing some good work late for third behind GOLDEN SHIMMER on the 15th of August, if she brings that run to the track again, she will be amongst the places. 1 VICTORIA CROSS might be the value play in this open race, she improved nicely from her first run into her second run, she has a good draw, and she steps up in trip. Watch her closely for further improvement.

RACE 3

2 CATCH ME looks to be one of the better bets on the card, he ran a lovely race behind WARRIOR OF DESTINY on the 12th of August. With further improvement expected from this gelding, he will be hard to beat from a good draw. 1 ZANFAN MORIS didn’t have much luck in running last time, he finished fifth in the same race as CATCH ME on the 12th of August, there will be no excuses for this gelding from a good draw, include him into all bets. 5 YOU MADE ME LOOK has been rested and gelded, he was beaten just under five lengths by his stable companion (ROYAL LIGHT) on the 14th of July, in hope that he doesn’t need the run after a small break, he will be competitive. 8 WAITING GAME is very well bred, he improved nicely from his first run into his second run. The step up in trip is key for this individual, he will be flying at them late.

RACE 4

4 WEHAVEASITUATION finished like a train for third behind BOOZY SUSIE on the 22nd of August, she will be cherry ripe for this race, if the gaps open at the right time, she will be right there in the finish at a decent price. 5 BORN TO MASTER quickened up impressively to win his maiden on the 15th of August, he will love the step up in trip to 2000m, include him into all bets. 8 BATON ROUGE won a good race last time, he was given five points for that victory on the 15th of August. If he finds himself in a good position turning for home, he can absolutely win again. 10 GLENALMOND is in great form, he will be running on strongly late.

RACE 5

10 UNITED FRONT bounced back to his best form to win impressively on the 22nd of August, he was given two points for that win last time, the yard thinks highly of this gelding, if he gets some luck in running from a bad draw, he will go close to winning again. 2 CEDAR POINT never runs a bad race, he caught the eye late for third behind DIAMOND ROCK on the 12th of August at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. The blinkers have been fitted, and he gets a good draw. He will run a massive race. 4 FERRYMAN needed his last run badly, he should be much fitter going into this race on Wednesday. Watch for sharp improvement. 5 SUTHERLAND did well to finish just over two lengths behind IRELAND FOREVER on the 22nd of August, even though he has a big weight to shoulder here, he should improve stepping up in trip.

RACE 6

1 MEG’S LEGACY stayed on well for third behind SPARKLING STAR on the 22nd of August, she will be given every chance from a good draw, include her into all bets. 2 RED FLAG powered away from the field to win her maiden in style on the 15th of August, she is open to any amount of improvement, she can win again from a good draw. 7 TAKE IT AS RED will love the drop in trip, if she gets some luck in running from a tricky draw, she will be amongst the places at a decent price. 8 EASY MONEY won a top race up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 15th of August, she was given six points for that win. If she finds herself in front with no challenges early, she can easily go from start to finish.

RACE 7

1 GOLD DUST ran a great race for second behind LYRICAL GANGSTER on the 5th of August, he will be just off the speed early, and he will be flying at them late. He can absolutely win from a good draw. 5 AVIGNON quickened away from his field impressively last time, he was given eight points for that victory at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 22nd of August. His chances must be respected again on his current form. 6 LIKE DYNAMITE finished fourth in the same race as GOLD DUST last time, he is a young horse with lots of ability, there is no doubt that he will run a big race here, include him into all bets. 3 VERCICAT stayed on well for second behind IRELAND FOREVER on the 22nd of August, he will be right there in the finish late. Watch him closely with top jockey Richard Fourie.

RACE 8

2 ALL ABOUT AL had absolutely no luck in running last time, he finished third behind his stable companion (OLIVER) on the 15th of August. Champion jockey Craig Zackey knows this gelding well, he will go close to winning from a neat draw. 1 DREAMWORLD needed his last run up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, he was beaten just under a length by the talented SUGAR MOUNTAIN on the 15th of August. He will be much fitter going into this race, include him into all bets. 8 TROIS SEPT HUIT stayed on strongly for third behind ALL ABOUT AL on the 18th of July, he looks progressive, keep a close eye on him late. 4 PINK PIGEON never runs a bad race, she is honest, and she tries hard.

MEDICAL UPDATE: KAIDAN BREWER 15 SEPTEMBER 2026

We are pleased to share that Kaidan has made remarkable medical improvement, and his surgeon and Medical team are very happy with his progress.

* 100% body functionality with no limb fractures( in fact absolutely nothing broken, didn’t even chip a tooth. Not a single cut on his body just facial bruising which has significantly decreased.

* Physiotherapy: His surgeon has scheduled a session with the physiotherapist for late this afternoon so we hoping we can see him off the bed for the first time today.

* Recovery & Rest: While Kaidan appears physically fine, doctors explain that after an injury or concussion, keeping his eyes closed and retreating into sleep is a natural psychological self-defense mechanism. It is the brain’s way of avoiding emotional overwhelm, painful thoughts, and sensory fatigue following the incident.

* Psychological Support: A psychologist will also be seeing him later today to support his overall recovery.

On a lighter note half asleep he did say that I need to get him to work on Sunday as his riding a horse that will win on the 24th😂

Once again, heartfelt thanks to everyone for the continued prayers, well-wishes, and overwhelming concern—both locally and from friends and supporters far and wide across Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.

Seven Barrows ace set to run at Ascot or Newbury before possible trip to the Middle East.

At The Races

Nicky Henderson has identified options at Ascot and Newbury for Constitution Hill’s next appearance – before an intriguing overseas trip to Bahrain enters the picture later in the autumn.

The Seven Barrows superstar saw his official Flat rating raised to 108 despite a first defeat on the level in Kempton’s September Stakes on his latest outing, a hike which effectively rules out handicaps on home soil for one of the sport’s flagship names.

Having since spent time pouring over the programme book, Henderson is looking at a couple of October Group Three prizes for the nine-year-old’s next start ahead of a possible international adventure the following month.

Henderson told the Press Association: “The two races in England look to be the Cumberland Lodge at Ascot (October 3) or the St Simon (Stakes, October 24) at Newbury, I would have said.

“There are races abroad and there is a race in Bahrain, but I would have said one of the two English races (next), they are both Group Threes and are probably the obvious ones.”

With the Cumberland Lodge clashing with the Sun Chariot at Newmarket as well as high-ranking contests on day one of ParisLongchamp’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe fixture, Henderson is hoping Constitution Hill might avoid meeting the same calibre of opposition as he did at Kempton, where he was beaten into fourth place behind the now 117-rated Pride Of Arras.

“You would think the Group One horses will be emigrating for the Arc and not going there,” he continued.

“The Cumberland Lodge is on Arc weekend, while in the September Stakes we ran into a trial for a lot of Group One and Group Two horses that might otherwise be running elsewhere.

“Ascot is not too far away, but he’ll be ready and he’s in good shape. Ground will enter the equation as well, but it will be nice to get him back on turf again and that will be a main thing. So far on the Flat he thinks everything happens on a beach!”

Defeat at Kempton may have curtailed dreams of a run in the Melbourne Cup, but another international option may have been discovered for Constitution Hill in the form of the newly created Gulf of Bahrain Cup.

The valuable handicap is run on Bahrain International Trophy undercard on November 13, which clashes with the opening day of the November meeting at Cheltenham, where Henderson is expected to saddle Jonbon in the Shloer Chase.

He added: “We are looking at it and Goblet Of Fire could even go there. I’ve no idea about the ground over there but it’s worth $400,000 or similar.”