Turf Talk Newsletter – 17 April, 2025

Picture: Musco Lighting did the lighting at Sha Tin racecourse in Hong Kong among other race tracks around the world. 

Lighting at the city track is being upgraded by world experts. Musco Lighting are associated with international tracks such as Happy Valley, Sha-Tin, Cheltenham, Wolverhampton and Meydan.

Derek Field, MD of Musco Lighting South Africa was interviewed by Gold Circle’s Michele Wing and explained, “Five years ago we probably would have been asked just to light the track. Now we’re asked to make the lights flash and asked what can we do from an entertainment point of view? So our whole mandate really has changed from providing lighting for TV to providing lighting for TV plus entertainment for the spectators and for the fans. So it’s going to be quite exciting what we can do here. It’s probably the biggest lighting project that’s been undertaken in Africa to date as a single individual project. Hollywoodbets Greyville will be the 21st track that we’ve converted to LED worldwide. Probably the biggest tracks we’ve done have been Happy Valley and Sha Tin in Hong Kong. We’re currently working on Wolverhampton, which was actually our first international track that we lit 30 years ago, so we’re upgrading that to LED. Cheltenham and Southwell in the UK are obviously two big ones, as well as several of the big tracks in the Middle East.”

He continued, “There’s not just a stark difference in appearance between the old metal halide lights and the new LEDs or light emitting diodes, but most significantly there’s a difference in functionality. Obviously there are energy reductions, but from an eventing point of view the big thing is it’s instant on, instant off. So there’s no need to have lights warm up to get to the right level, so you’re not using the lights as often. But also there’s flexibility that the lights are controllable individually. So at a lot of sports events you’ll see entertainment and flashing lights, so there is the ability to run shows for fans and race goers. So it just gives you a bit of extra, I suppose, entertainment for the public. One thing that Musco takes great pride in, even with our old HID technology, is our ability to control light. So we’ve been in the sports lighting industry for over 50 years now and all of our focus has been in terms of getting as much light as possible onto the playing surface or onto the track. So we’re quite unique in the fact that we use a combination of reflectors and downward shifts to bring light onto the playing surface, where we probably have a thousand different combinations of beams that we can use to create light specifically on the track itself.”

He said about Hollywoodbet Greyville, “We first installed an HID floodlighting system here just over 10 years ago. This is really to update the system to LED, to the latest technology that’s available in the market, and that’s in line with a lot of the top racing tracks that we’ve already lit around the world. 56 lighting poles and 9 lighting stations across the tops of the grandstands are being refitted or replaced. We’re looking to do about three poles a day. It’s probably about four hours a pole, although of the 56 poles, 13 had to come down and be replaced.”

Derek continued,  “It’s more about uniformity as opposed to light levels. So if we can create a consistent light level across the track, then it’s good for the horses and hopefully it will help the jockeys as well. The biggest thing you’ll see is the colour temperature. The LED’s got much more of a blue spectrum of light, so it’s going to appear lighter, and everything will be a bit sharper, so from a broadcast point of view, it’ll be a much better picture, the colours will be much more vibrant, and stand out more. Besides the white light on the track, coloured lighting will be installed across the front of the grandstand for light shows on the straight. We’ve got a dynamic team coming in to do the controls programming, so we’re really looking forward to putting on a show for the fans.”

Derek concluded,  ” If everything goes according to plan, which it has to date, we should be complete by the end of May.”

Click here to wacth the interview

Picture: Get Impressed has a good record at Hollywoodbets Greyville and could bounce back to form in the seventh race, an A Stakes event over 1600m. (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

There is a nine race meeting on Sunday at Hollywoodbets Greyville and there should be some intriguing racing with some of the Cape horses having arrived in KZN.

The first race is an open handicap, meaning the better horses carry more weight, but Firelighter, despite having to carry topweight, should still be too good. Long Street is the one who could give some cheek.

The two Cape horses Aversator and Indigenous should fight out race 2 over 1400m. They met in Cape Town over 1200m and Indigenous beat Aversator by two lengths, but Aversator was making his debut then and likely needed it more and looks to have more scope so from a good draw he is taken to winn it, although there should not be much in it.

The third is a tricky contest because the form horses are all drawn wide. Terminal Velocity, Roy’s Grace and Nautical Landing will all enjoy the 1400m distance and are hard knocking and Terminal Velocity is preferred. KMV Retrofit is not far off them and has a better draw and Street Talk could improve.

In the next race over 1800m Apache AG caught the eye on debut as a nice looking sort with plenty of upside and he will have come on from that debut run. Silver Platter and Harun Al Rashid are both proven over the trip and are big dangers, although they both have wide draws to overcome.

In the fifth race over 1400m Magical View was beaten by Malcolm’s Dream the last time they met and she is now 3kg worse off at the weights, so on paper Malcolm’s Dream should beat her. However, Magical View likely needed that run and next time out performed well in a Gr 3 over this course and distance, so she should give a good account of herself from draw three. One Smart Cookie and always be relied on to run wll too and she has a fair draw.

In the sixth over 1600m Porfiro is drawn in pole under Andrew Fortune and this consistent sort will enjoy tghe step down in trip from 1800m. Richardthefearless found 2400m too far last time and could blounce back over this shorter trip with Muzi Yeni up. Pongola is in good form and distance suited and can earn if managing to overcome a tricky draw.

In the seventh over 1600m Get Impressed has some class and his two career best performances were over this course and distance, so he should do well from pole poistion. Madison Valley has plenty of class and that clkass could pull him rhrough over a trip shorter than ideal. Underworld has class too and should be coming into his own, so he could also be involved in what is a competitive race contested by good horses.

In the eighth over 1800m Okovango’s Cape form could prove superior. El Rey Viene and Blackberry Breeze make most appeal of the rest.

In the last race over 1800m Among The Clouds is also a Cape horse with some fair form and she could prove to be some way better than her 73 merit rating. Plum Pudding was beaten 2,50 lengths by Among The Clouds last November over this trip and meets her on the same terms, but she might prove superior to the KZN horses. Flying Hafla can do better than last time and will enjoy the step up in trip.

Seeking The Stars can land a deserved victory in the Gr 3 Champagne Stakes (Picture: Wayne Marks). 

Alistair Cohen

Trainer Vaughan Marshall will saddle nearly 20 horses at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Monday, including three lively chances in the Grade 3 Champagne Stakes over 1200m. Seeking The Stars has long been one of the stable favourites and being seven years old, he has seemingly not lost any zest for racing. He could claim a richly deserved ninth career win under Gavin Lerena.

When Lerena travels to Cape Town for Marshall, one needs to take notice. He was associated with One Stripe for nearly the last 12 months for the same owner, Rikesh Sewgoolam. Seeking The Stars has almost been hidden in the shadows of other big-name Marshall horses like One World, Rascallion and One Stripe, but his efforts have never gone unnoticed.

During the Cape Summer Festival of Racing, he kept the best company at Grade 1 and Grade 2 levels. He was hardly going to be a threat to Gimme A Prince, who is the highest rated horse in South Africa, but that Grade 1 dust has settled and Seeking The Stars may have found the right landing spot to win again.

In January, he was run off his feet in the Grade 1 World Pool Cape Flying Championship over 1000m, but when one considers Gimme A Prince was a facile five-length winner, he was just behind some A-Grade sprinters beaten by 7,2 lengths overall. Seeking The Stars followed up with a good 2,15-length fourth behind Gimme A Prince in the Grade 2 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes over 1200m a month later. One could argue that Gimme A Prince ran a level below himself but it was still an admirable performance.

Tenango was a winner all over last time but he was snared at the line by Gem King by a nose. He reopposes Gem King and he meets on 2kg better terms which should be enough to turn the tables. Trainer Candice Bass-Robinson has maintained that Tenango has a feature race within and since a wind operation, he has done sweet little wrong. He has a smart turn of foot and the latest conditions after some rain could help him finish his race better than the hard going through summer. Andrew Fortune is riding very well and he is carded to take the ride.

Marshall also has Lion Rampart and All Out For Six in the race. Both are promising three-year-olds. The former probably has more going for him as a proven sprinter but the latter has the scalp of the HSH Princess Charlene Big Cap last month and he is easily the highest earner in the field. Watch both for good runs.

Marshall has good winning chances in races 1 and 2. Ireland Forever in the opener might be a little tentative because some rivals have a lot to come but are unproven. But his debut win should set him up. He followed that win up in the Listed Cape Of Good Hope Nursery over 1200m and although he failed to fire, to the eye, his debut showed his hand as a useful two-year-old to follow. He is back to the same 1000m trip that he won in his debut. That could be the key.

Better Man makes a ton of appeal in race 2 over 1400m. He stormed home late to be beaten 2,75 lengths by Pay The Palace at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. The track did not suit horses coming from off the pace and he made inroads when the race was all over. With that further education under the belt he must take a power of beating for the same connections as Seeking The Stars.

Umfula has a lot to recommend as a smart stayer in the making. He strikes as one of the better bets on the card in race 7 over 2200m. It might have taken him four frustrating runs to win but he was always burning towards his peak trip and now that he has found his groove, there could be

seriously exciting things in the pipeline. He sauntered to victory at his last run when he smashed Ahead Of The Facts, who is no mug, by 2,75 lengths. Richard Fourie is obliged to ride because his sponsors own a share in the horse and one would be certain that he is pleased to partner up again. Brett and James Crawford train.

There is a paucity of form in race 3 over 1100m. Duchess Of Paloma makes the most appeal of those who have experience but it is hardly form to sing from the rooftops about. Check the market on all debutantes, especially the well-bred Ukuduma and Lowveld Lily.

If Ocotillo was drawn better than Gate No 11, she would stack up as a huge play of the day, but she could still get away with it in race 5 over 1400m. She is out of Grade 1 winning mare Camphoratus and there has been steady improvement throughout her career. Trainer Eric Sands is in terrific form and log-leading jockey Craig Zackey takes the ride. Her last run form was well franked because Kleinzee stepped out and won her post-maiden in style last Wednesday.

There are a few winning chances in race 5 over 1700m, but Past And Present could be set up for his overdue maiden exit. He tried 2400m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville last month and although he stuck around for second behind Wood World, he did not look like winning. This more sympathetic trip could do the trick with him. He keeps finishing second. His penultimate run was behind Umfula, who received a glowing report.

Bass-Robinson has a strong hand in race 9 over 1200m. Rahhabba and October Fest make plenty of appeal. The former is fresh off her maiden win, so she could have slightly more to come despite rising in class. She beat Miss William in good style by 1,75 lengths over this course and distance when last seen in February.

Father-daughter team Michelle Rix and Harold Crawford could also saddle a double with lively chances on the card. Beneath The Clouds has finally got into a consistent vein of form and she has learned the trade after starting her career a bit wayward in terms of how she did things. She is overdue and she could crack it in race 6 over 1700m. She is also from the Kleinzee form which might spark up a race earlier and that will add some confidence.

Firingonallengines is as gutsy as they come and this overachiever could score in race 10 over 1200m. He races handy and he is able to find which is testament to his character. He takes on some upwardly mobile opposition who needs to be considered but as far as effort goes, Firingonallengies often gets a thumbs u

Royal Patronage has been in good form in Australia.

A horse that runs in the colours of big Johannesburg owner Larry Nestadt will be running in the HK$24 million FWD Champions Mile on April 27. Read report below:

Adrian Bott upbeat about Royal Patronage

By Andrew Le Jeune (HKJC)

Excited ahead of having his first overseas runner when Royal Patronage contests the HK$24 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on 27 April, Adrian Bott hopes to join co-trainer Gai Waterhouse in celebrating a monumental breakthrough.

Waterhouse, 70, and Bott, 37, formed a training in partnership in 2016/17 and have since conquered some of Australia’s most important races including the G1 Golden Slipper (1200m), G1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) and G1 VRC Oaks (2500m).

Included in the pair’s 27 Group 1 credits is Royal Patronage’s Canterbury Stakes (1300m) triumph on 8 March and Bott hopes the European-bred six-year-old can deliver a first Group 1 win on foreign soil for Waterhouse, who has previously campaigned abroad in New Zealand, Great Britain, the United Arab Emirates, France and Hong Kong.

Royal Patronage will be Waterhouse’s first runner in Hong Kong since her champion warhorse Grand Armee finished 11th in the 2005 G1 QEII Cup (2000m) behind Vengeance Of Rain in a star-studded field also containing Super Kid, Bullish Luck, Elvstroem and Elegant Fashion.

“This is my first overseas runner,” Bott said. “I’m looking forward to next week, it will be exciting. It does bring its own set of challenges but I feel he is the right type of horse and the timing is right to take him to Hong Kong.

“He will be going fourth-up into the Hong Kong race and is bringing the right form.

“He won very well first-up at Group 1 level (Canterbury Stakes) over 1300m, he was very competitive in the (G1) George Ryder Stakes (fourth) at 1500m when he wasn’t beaten far around the right horses then ran an excellent race (when second) in the Doncaster Mile (G1, 1600m).

“Over the weekend, we saw the Doncaster form stand-up with the winner, Stefi Magnetica running a close second in the Queen of the Turf Stakes (G1, 1600m). Then Tom Kitten came off a seventh in the Doncaster to run third in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1, 2000m) behind Via Sistina and Dubai Honour, so that is the best form around.”

Due to face Voyage Bubble, fellow Australian-trained Mr Brightside, Beauty Eternal and BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) runner-up My Wish, Royal Patronage is due to arrive in Hong Kong on Friday night (18 April).

“He likes three weeks between runs, that’s ideal, as he does race well on the fresher side,’’ Bott said. “We also have the trip to get over as well. I will head up next week and oversee the horse’s preparation.

“Royal Patronage is a good traveller but I don’t think he will need to do too much once he’s there to be ready for the race. There is a whole group of owners going there to enjoy the experience.

“I’ve been to Hong Kong before and I know the lay of the land to an extent but it will be different taking a horse there. Gai is always thinking internationally and is keen to take up the challenge.

“We both feel Royal Patronage is the right horse so it would be quite special for Gai and I if he can run well. Royal Patronage is very genuine, he makes his own luck racing on-speed, and he’s tough, under pressure he responds, so we are looking forward to the Hong Kong race with him.”

Tim Clark, who has ridden 59 winners in Hong Kong, will partner Royal Patronage in the FWD Champions Mile.

Bob’s Your Uncle (Royal Mo) secures a treble for Craig Zackey and a double for Lucky Houdalakis. (JC Photos)  

Craig Zackey seized an opportunity to go further ahead in the national jockeys championship at the Vaal on Thursday by riding a treble.

Gavin Lerena is on suspension for a week and Richard Fourie’s first meeting for a week will be at Fairview on  Friday, so this allowed Zackey to open a 12 win lead over.

Zackey is now on 190 wins for the season, achieved at a strike rate of 18.91%, while Richard Fourie and Gavin Lerena are both on 178 wins (at strike rates of 26.18% and 26.10% respectively).

Andrew Fortune has been in good form this week and rode another double to go to  15 wins since his comeback at a strike rate of 17.86%.

Lucky Houdalakis and Paul Peter both scored doubles.

Houdalakis is now 42 wins at 19.27%.

Peter is on 68 wins at 16.46%.

Who is considered the greatest ever Irish racehorse?

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