Turf Talk Newsletter – 18 March, 2025

Picture: Gibraltar Blue was known for her ability to kick off a good pace. (JC Photos).

Hollywood Racing own the first-timer I’m A Fireball, who is the favourite for the first race at Hollywoodbets Scottsville’s Wednesday meeting this week, and tellingly they splashed out a lot to buy I’m A Fireball’s full sister at the select day one of the CRS March Sale last Thursday.

They went to R1.6 million to secure the Vercingetorix filly, who is out of the Irish-bred Rock Of Gibraltar mare Gibraltar Blue.

Gibraltar Blue was purchased by Form Bloodstock for 75,000 Euros at the 2008 Goffs Million Sale and she was initially trained in Ireland by Tommy Stack and raced for “Club Klawervlei”.

Gibraltar Blue made her debut over six furlongs at Fairyhouse in a 17 horse field for two-year-olds and at odds of 4/1 ridden by Wayne Lordan beat the Aidan O’Brien-trained Johnny Murtagh-ridden 6/4 favourite by a neck.

She then ran seventh in the Goffs Million Sprint over six furlongs at The Curagh, before running fourth in a Gr 2 at Newmarket over seven furlongs.

She was then moved to the Mike de Kock yard in SA and had five wins and a second in her first six starts. The wins were in a Progress Plate, the Gr 2 KRA Fillies Guineas, the Gr 2 Tibouchina, the Listed Gardenia and the Gr 2 Ipi Tombe Challenge and the second was in the Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint. She later added the Gr 3 Jo’Burg Spring Challenge to her CV.

Standing at Klawervlei Stud, she has to date had seven runners and six winners and three of the latter are stakes placed, including Battleoftrafalgar (Captain Al), Pillar Of Hercules (Captain Al) and Cullinan Blue (Vercingetorix).

The Vercingetorix-Gibraltar Blue filly at last week’s Sale was vendored by Klawervlei Stud (as agent) and was the first seven figure lot of the Sale.

The full sister Cullinan Blue won by two lengths on debut over 1200m at Turffontein Inside for Brett Crawford back in April 2023.

Could I’m A Fireball repeat that feat in the first over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville today (Wednesday)?

Tristan Godden is the rider and the colt is drawn one out of eight.

He has been backed in to 7/10 favourite and faces six other first-timers as well as Black Frost (What A Winter), who finished second in his third career start, beaten two lengths by Treaty Of Paris.

It will be an intriguing race and Hollywood Racing will be hoping I’m A Fireball vindicates their decision to splash out R1,6 million for the full sister.

Picture: Winning connections celebrate victory in this year’s L’Ormarins King’s Plate. (Picture: Wayne Marks).

Gary Lemke has won the LKP Writers’ Award for the second time.

Entrants must submit articles about the L’Ormarins King’s Plate meeting and his winning submission is shown below:

Gary Lemke

WHEN PLANETS ALIGN

This is what unbridled joy looks, feels, and sounds like. And on days like these, even what it tastes like – an untapped supply coming from the sponsor’s vineyards for those who descended on Hollywoodbets Kenilworth for one of the social events on the Cape Town calendar. Any disappointment from a losing betting ticket is fleeting, like the wispy clouds that appear and disappear just as quickly, leaving nothing but clear blue summer sky.

Joy is the outpouring of emotion, a primal extended scream of “Y-O-H, B-A-B-Y!!!” as a champion jockey goes past the finishing post, his whip in a clenched right fist as he celebrates his 2,502nd career winner like it’s his first. In a sense it is, because it’s his first L’Ormarins King’s Plate victory, the race being a prized jewel in South Africa’s racing crown. This fits right at the top of Gavin Lerena’s career pile.

Joy is the world champion boxer, Kevin, brother of the triumphant jockey, capturing the final strides on his phone from his vantage point near the rails, and posting the footage in a nine-second social media video, complete with colourful audio to turn the air, well, blue.

Joy is watching the maestro 73-year-old trainer, a gentleman of the sport who took out his licence in 1981 after a cricketing-playing career fell through, bouncing like a new-born springbok across the lush turf at the finishing line, to greet horse, jockey and groom. For Vaughan Marshall, this was also a first win in this race.

Joy is that triumphant hand clasp between jockey and trainer, followed by something more intimate, spontaneous. A precise balancing act while leaning down from the saddle of the star racehorse and a sweaty kiss on the cheek. One from jockey to trainer, the other reciprocated.

Joy is the thousands of people at the racetrack, sending off screams and whoops of delight, dancing jigs and randomly hugging strangers. Headwear goes flying, high heels catch in the grass and some of the finest L’Ormarins wines are spilled in the celebrations.

Joy is the delight of those who have backed the winner. No matter that the Tote odds returned were “only” R1.80 for every rand win bet on One Stripe, now the hottest property in South African racing. One Stripe was an even shorter-priced favourite than the majestic Charles Dickens a year earlier. Yes, he was that popular.

Joy is the reaction of the winning breeders’ Drakenstein Stud representation, celebrating inside the big white marquee tent stretching adjacent to the finishing post. And let’s not forget winning owner Rikesh Sewgoolam, a humble man who steers away from the spotlight. “I broke down in tears when One Stripe won the Cape Guineas three weeks before and I wasn’t much stronger when watching the L’Ormarins King’s Plate at home with my family. It was so humbling.”

On this first Saturday of 2025, Cape Town was showing off. Under those clear blue skies, the physically impressive equine and human flesh causing endless rubber-necking. Sporting royalty was dotted everywhere, from legendary golfers Gary Player and Ernie Els to Olympic champion Chad Le Clos.

The fact of this being another year of L’Ormarins sponsorship wasn’t lost on the occasion. Pass the bubbly. Private Cuvée anyone?

At exactly 4.14pm, when the provisional result – 5-12-10-6 – was displayed on the electronic Toteboard, the volume at the racecourse had been cranked up to number 10. If you know, you know.

Heroes and winners everywhere. Despite the emotion and exhilaration of the other eight races on the day, this was after all the main act. Who won the Cartier Sceptre Stakes? Who won the Cartier Paddock Stakes? Who won the Anthonij Rupert Wyne Premier Trophy? The aficionados will confirm they were Asiye Phambile, Double Grand Slam and Rascallion. But, everyone knows One Stripe won the L’Ormarins King’s Pate.

To experience these joyous moments the planets had to align, just as they had when the Springboks won the 2023 Rugby World Cup when they beat France, England and New Zealand by one-point margins in successive knockout matches. It’s easy to go from hero to zero when there’s so much at stake and the modern phenomenon of keyboard trolling is amplified when the spotlight is on an individiual.

And on L’Ormarins King’s Plate day, Lerena was that individual. The jockey in the saddle of the favourite in the most prestigious mile race in South Africa. No pressure.

****

Lerena had arrived in Cape Town from Johannesburg that Saturday morning. He had a lot on his mind, obviously. Less obvious was that at the forefront of his thoughts was his daughter, who had broken her arm in an accident the night before. A loving husband to Vikki, a committed father to their three children, and a devout Christian, the 39-year-old would probably rather have been in Johannesburg with his family given the circumstances, than on work duty in Cape Town. However, he is the consummate professional and horseman from the top of his head to the very tip of his shiny black riding boots.

The acclaimed jockey had five rides before the big one, with two thirds his best returns. As professional as he is, he admitted that One Stripe had dominated his equine thoughts for the entire week’s build-up to the King’s Plate and on the day itself.

“Yes, there was pressure, but it all lifted the moment I climbed aboard One Stripe in the pre-race parade,” Lerena said. “I could sense he knew we were there to make history. He had a different feel to when he played up before the Guineas three weeks before. He knew he was going to do something special. In this moment, I knew our destiny awaited.”

Lerena cantered to the starting gates on the heavily-supported favourite, feeling the sweat in his palms as the sun baked down. When he arrived behind the stalls, he dismounted from One Stripe, to help alleviate the effect of weight the horse would carry for the most important assignment of his young life. He approached a groom and was handed a white towel. “I don’t wear gloves when I ride, so I had pre-arranged that the groom would be there at the start to help me dry off in the heat. And for me to wipe down One Stripe, to clear the sweat from running into his eyes and to clean his mouth.”

The groom’s name at the start was Boxer, which fitted the occasion like a hand in a glove. Because Lerena feels that if One Stripe were a human athlete the closest resemblance would be the greatest-ever boxer, Muhammad Ali. Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, Muhammad, Muhammad Ali. “Yes, that’s exactly what One Stripe is like!”

The planets had aligned.

After a wipe down of human and horse, Lerena got ready to rumble on One Stripe and begin the loading process. He took off his jockey’s skull cap, covered with the owner’s orange silks and matching pom-pom. He looked at it and put it back on. A minute later he took it off, looked at it again and put it back on, tightening the strap. Was this nerves, was the strap not tight enough, was it too tight, would it mean it might slip during the race? Was this cause for concern to those backers watching through their binoculars?

Not at all.

“I have a cross on the outside of my cheek strap and it has become a habit of mine to look at it before a race. It’s to ask the Lord for his blessing to keep me and the horse safe and everyone else in the race, and my family.” And of course, right now, with a special emphasis on his daughter.

Then, all 13 runners loaded in the stalls, with the crowd ready to anoint their new king less than two minutes later.

Second favourite Snow Pilot and the 75-1 outsider Montien were contesting the lead early on and commentator Alistair Cohen’s first mention of the favourite was to say, “One Stripe is locked in a midfield spot as See It Again got just ahead of him”. What was going through Lerena’s mind at that point?

“It was quite a rough race and I had contact coming out the gate. It was noisy out there. As a jockey I can’t hear the commentator and if I do it’s on a day when there aren’t many people on the course and I’m winning by a big margin. I was shouting a bit at Rachel (Venniker) who was close to me on See It Again. She was shouting back. She really gives as good as she gets!”

Cohen mentioned One Stripe once more before the field turned into the home straight. The next call came with 350m remaining. “One Stripe in between horses, got four lengths to make up, he’s getting closer”.

To the naked eye it looked as though the 14-1 chance Gimme A Prince was travelling best and he looked a likely winner with 200m to go. “Not as far as I was concerned,” Lerena confessed. “I knew that I’d won the race from when I got on him in the parade ring!”

Cohen’s commentary confirmed history. “They move to the final 200m, it’s Gimme A Prince, Montien … and One Stripe bursting in between them. In front is Gimme A Prince, but One Stripe snapping away and One Stripe … the prince became a king.”

“Y-O-H, B-A-B-Y!!!”

****

Less than 24 hours later an oasis of calm had replaced the frenzy of the day before. Sunday feels like Sunday everywhere in the world.

One Stripe was eating his hay in his barn at Milnerton’s Koeberg Road stable complex, oblivious to the commotion he had been at the centre of.

An emotionally-drained, but elated, Vaughan Marshall cast his expert eye over his champion colt, the son of his 2020 Cape Town Met winner One World. He had waited 43 years for this moment as a trainer and when it came he acted as graciously and humbly as he has lived his life. After his morning priorities he’d settled down and watched his beloved Proteas cricketers continue their Test progress against Pakistan at a sun-kissed Newlands.

Rikesh Sewgoolam used the day to reflect and respond to the avalanche of well-wishers and give thanks to those who had been part of the emotional journey. “One Stripe is such an amazing horse and certainly a once in a lifetime champion. We all dream of owning a horse such as him and to actually own him is simply surreal.”

Jockey Gavin Lerena? Back with his family on a bleak Johannesburg Sunday, a world removed from the day before. Plans to ride at Turffontein were shelved due to the meeting’s weather-enforced abandonment, but he had attended church, as usual. Wife Vikki had taken their daughter back to hospital for a routine check to her broken arm but the family would spend the rest of Sunday together.

The origin of toasting champagne is to offer thanks to the gods for good health. The Lerenas still have the bottle of L’Ormarins Private Cuvée given to the winning jockey, and soon the cork would be popped and it would be celebrated with family with gusto, appreciation, and joy. All when the planets aligned, of course.

ENDS

Gladatorian could be a big player in the Champions Season. (Candiese Lenferna Photography). 

Gladatorian and Madison Valley will square up in the Listed King’s Cup over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday in what could be a curtain raiser for a fine champions season for both of them.

With One Stripe departing the country the miler form does not look overly strong and Gladatorian will be a leading player for the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge.

Stuart Ferrie has handled his career superbly and this Gr 2 Post Merchants winner is still unexposed over middle distance trips, which his pedigree suggests he could get.

The furthest he has run is over 1750m, in his last start, and he cruised in.

The Gr 1 World Pool Champions Cup will likely also be on his agenda.

But will he have an audacious tilt at the Hollywoodbets Durban July?

Some said retrospectively he could have won the Betway Summer Cup had he been entered, but that is all conjecture and he instead comes into the Champions Season nice and fresh.

The King’s Cup’s benchmark is MR 113 = 62kg and Gladatorian carries 62 off a 123, meaning he is well in at the weights.

The Frank Robinson-trained Madison Valley carries 62kg off a 117 merit rating, meaning he is officially 3kg under sufferance with Gladatorian.

However, he is the second best in at the weights and some say he could also have won the Summer Cup if he had been better drawn and not had to come from so far back.

He finished a flying 2,35 length fourth and hasn’t run since, because Robinson wants to get him into the July with the minimum weight of 54kg for an older horse.

He comes into the Champions Season nice and fresh too and he would have matured further, so can hopefully use his fine turn of foot to maximum effect.

The next highest rated is Formagear. This Peter Muscutt-trained horse has a lot of class and if it pans out well for him he could be a threat.

The full field is shown below:

Erik The Red colt King Harald was backed on debut and won well under Gavin Lerena for the Roy Magner yard. (JC Photos).

Varsfontein Stud’s Erik The Red leads the freshman sire standings with three winners of three races, although he has already had 15 individual runners.

DeclarationOfPeace has only had three runners, but already has two winners.

Hawwaam has had two runners and one winner.

It should be an intriguing race for the honour.

The leading two-year-old sire so far this season is Querari, who has had five winners of seven races.

Both What A Winter and Master of My Fate have had four winners apiece.

Below shows the two-year-old stats so far this season:

* denotes stallions that are deceased

** denotes stallions standing overseas

Lexican Point has been tipped to win his first run with the Frikkie Greyvling yard, having been moved from Cape Town. (Picture: Chase Liebenberg).

Andrew Harrison (Gold Circle)

Rain has been a bugbear for Hollywoodbets Scottsville this Summer with a number of abandoned meetings, but with a dearth of local racing on the current calendar, Gold Circle were able to reschedule last Sunday’s Hollywoodbets Scottsville meeting to today.

However, punters need to take into account that the track is currently rated as soft.

One of the better bets on the card could come in the fourth where Mark Dixon saddles Master Du Rouvray. The gelding may just have needed his last run, his first back after a lengthy break and he meets some modest opposition. He should be able to go one better. O Space O could be his biggest threat although he was a little disappointing when send out a short-prices favourite last time out. MJ Odendaal’s charge has improved in blinkers and this shorter trip may suit. Vencedor has not been far back in his last two on this course and this appears to be his ideal trip. Doin’ Time is a long-time battler having his 24th start but his last run was much improved although that was on the poly.

Beautiful Rania in the sixth could come home at decent odds as she has come down in the handicap and now looks to be off a more competitive mark. She is never too far behind. Fort J’Dore is the best performed in the race going for her sixth win and although she has the widest draw she is back on her more favoured surface and should feature in this company. Siberian Winter also has a wide draw to contend with but has shown up well in her two recent sprints and the extra furlong could suit. Buttercup Baby looks progressive and has only had three starts. She was not far back in her handicap debut and could prefer this shorter trip.

Golden Chandelier has her first run for Dennis Bosch in the seventh and is one to watch in the market. Her Highveld form had gone off at recent outings but the change of environment could bring out the best although she does return from a lengthy break. Happy Analia found stable companion One Smart Cookie just too smart at her last run but it was an improved effort. Tienie Prinsloo’s filly goes well on this course. Mamas Baby could be a threat as she has started favourite in four of her last five starts. Her last two were on the poly where she won and was a close-up second at her most recent so is one to include in most calculations.

In the eighth Lexican Point makes his local debut for Frikkie Greyling after showing some fair Cape form. That form has recently proven stronger than local and the change of environment and a big drop in the ratings could see him home for his second win. Mar Del Plata has been in good form over course and distance and should give another good account. All The Time has run two big races over course and distance of late and is now 1.5kg better off with Abaddon who jumped five points in the handicap for his last win with All The Time less than a length back.

In the opening leg of the Pick 6, Ms Galore has not had much luck in running in both starts. She made a smart debut and if building on that could be the one to beat in an open affair although she does take on males. Verification made some improvement second time out and her first on turf. She can do better in this field while Life On The Tides improved nicely second time at the races. He should have a god chance in this field. Upset material is Sovereign Command who has been disappointing since showing early promise but could surprise on his best showing.

In the opening leg of the jackpot, a maiden plate, Call Me Harriet got a big shunt up the ratings after her second to the promising Mocha Blend but disappointed next time out on the poly. She stays the trip and should be competitive in this line-up. Danger could be Royal Mermaid who has only had three starts, two of those on the poly where she did not shape. However, her one effort on the turf showed some promise and she meets a modest line-up. Umzolozolo has not been far back at recent outings over shorter. The step up in trip should suit while Magic Maverick put in a much better showing last time out when running on late. This trip should suit.

Black Frost is the only runner to have been in a race in the card opener and has shown some ability. Experience could count but I’m A Fireball got a thumbs up from the De Kock stable and given a good each-way chance.

In the first leg of the PA, Captain’s Pride has shown up well in both starts to date and does rate the one to beat while Malshana Mou found some market support on debut but did not handle the soft ground and is likely to improve.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin with Caoimhe O’Brien as he parades at Skryne GAA club on TuesdayCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos).

‘The whole county seems to have backed him so how did Galopin go off so short?!’- Gold Cup hero returns home after Cheltenham glory

Racing Post‘s deputy Ireland editor David Jennings visits Skryne GAA club to see Inothewayurthinkin get a warm welcome

The most audacious and arduous spring double is officially off the cards. Inothewayurthinkin will not have a go at emulating Golden Miller by winning the Gold Cup and the Grand National in the same season so it’s 91 years and counting now, but this was not a day for what ifs. It was a day for celebrating an astounding achievement in its own right.

On a gloriously sunny spring evening at Skryne GAA club in the heart of County Meath, the guts of a thousand people turned up for the homecoming of a new hero.

Inothewayurthinkin is the new kid in town now and there will have to be a thorough investigation into the betting patterns of the 2025 Cheltenham Gold Cup to figure out how on earth Galopin Des Champs was sent off 8-13 given every single person here had the winner backed – one chap got 50-1, another 33-1 and there were others who told me they got 25s and 20s. Well, you are always told to shop local.

We didn’t know what Gavin Cromwell was thinking for a lot of the season with Inothewayurthinkin, but that decision to supplement him for the Gold Cup at a cost of £25,000 was arguably the best bargain JP McManus has ever got. And there have been a few of those over the years.

Putting Inothewayurthinkin into the Gold Cup at the last minute was a big decision and taking him out of the Grand National at the eleventh hour was, in many ways, an even bigger one. He was 15lb well in off his new Irish mark of 175 and would probably have been the hottest favourite in the history of the famous race. The carrot was dangling but Cromwell didn’t bite.

That is not to say the trainer won’t win his first Grand National next month, by the way. Cromwell still has Stumptown, Vanillier and Perceval Legallois, and that three-pronged attack on the Aintree showpiece should not be underestimated. The trainer thinks all three have big chances in their own right and anything he touches is turning to gold these days, as you well know. More about those in a moment, but we are not finished reflecting on the greatest day of Cromwell’s career. And Mark Walsh’s, for that matter.

“When Majborough got beaten I said to myself, ‘Jesus, this is going to be a long week’, I was gutted,” admitted Walsh, exactly a week on from being beaten on the shortest-priced favourite of the festival in the Arkle. “But, look, it’s Cheltenham and anything can happen. I know that by now.

“You have to get over setbacks like Majborough quickly. Once that race is over you have to forget about it straight away. You can’t dwell on anything over there, you have to block out all the outside noise and focus on the next one.”

Majborough could easily have set the tone for Walsh’s week, but he didn’t let it. He dusted himself down and delivered a masterclass for the remainder of the festival.

Walsh was happy the whole way in the Gold Cup, but Cromwell wasn’t. Their personal recollections of the race were very different indeed.

“Yeah, I was happy everywhere.” Walsh said. “We went a good gallop. Paul [Townend] was on my outside and I knew by his body language that he wasn’t happy from a long way out, so I knew that if I could hang on in there that Paul mightn’t be on a going day. I got a clear run around and he jumped great.

“I couldn’t believe how much I had underneath me going to the second-last. He had loads left. I know it was still a long way from home, but he jumped the last two so well and just went by Paul so easy.”

Cromwell was going through contrasting emotions.

“I watched it down on the track, at the bottom of the chute, with Jake [son],” Cromwell said. “Mark said he was happy the whole way but, I won’t lie, I thought he was flat out the whole way!

“His jumping was good, though, and he does race behind the bridle. I wouldn’t usually be one for shouting, but myself and Jake fairly roared him home after the last!”

Let’s hear from teenage son Jake, who led in Inothewayurthinkin last Friday along with groom Caoimhe O’Brien.

So, then, what was he like during the race?

“He was good. He was sitting on Galopin Des Champs’s heels the whole way,” replied Jake.

Perhaps I should have clarified that I was wondering what his father was like during the race rather than the horse himself!

“Ohhhh. Sorry. He was shouting. We were both shouting. It was nervous coming to the second-last, but then when he passed us and he was clear it was very exciting. We started jumping around the place.”

Jake’s dream is to become a jockey. His idol? “Keith Donoghue.”

His mother Kiva still can’t quite believe what has happened. Her father Tom O’Brien captained Skryne to championship glory in Meath back in 1954 so to see Inothewayurthinkin parade around the same football pitch he played on meant a lot.

“Gavin is still as calm as ever. You wouldn’t know any difference in him,” Kiva replied when asked how her husband has been coping since Friday.

“I think I’m still in disbelief. He was up against a champion in Galopin Des Champs. You never expect to win against a horse like that. For us to actually do it was unbelievable. I still can’t believe it.”

One man who can believe it is Pat Martin. After holding a training licence for decades, he decided to call it a day recently in order to join the Cromwell team.

“It’s no surprise to see all the success when you see what happens around here,” Martin said. “To progress from just being one of the guys to getting to the next level is tough, but to go from that level to a higher level again is extremely tough. But when I see the operation and the way it works, it’s not a shock to me at all. Gavin was always very enterprising. He was always an entrepreneur, even when he was a blacksmith.

“A lot of his earlier horses used to come in and work with mine in Slane, but he got the hang of it very quickly and he’s come a long way since those days.”

He certainly has, and could the next chapter of the fairytale be penned at Aintree?

“Ah, it was a no-brainer, really. I’m very happy with the decision,” Cromwell said of taking Inothewayurthinkin out of the Grand National.

On his new Aintree team, he added: “I’m happy with the three of them. I know Stumptown and Vanillier both ran at Cheltenham, but they both ran really well and they seem to have come out of it in great shape. It’s a short turnaround, which is a concern, but if they can bounce back from it, both have a chance and so does Perceval.”

Cromwell is a man on a mission once again. That mission is usually accomplished.

M Unicorn was a prolific winner last season and can get back to winning ways. (Picture: HKJC).

Happy Valley Wednesday formguides and selections

Tim Carroll (At The Races)

It was a ‘Magnificent Seven’ winners for Tim on Saturday and he returns with three more best bets for Happy Valley on Wednesday.

This Wednesday sees a competitive nine-race card from Happy Valley getting underway at 10.35am – live on Sky Sports Racing. The feature of the meeting is race 9, the Class 2 Sports Handicap, over 6 furlongs, with prize-money of more than £284,000

Now onto this week’s selections.

Race 1: Class 5 Bowrington Handicap (12:35pm SA Time) (1 mile)
4 CALIFORNIA MOXIE is a fourteen-start maiden that was well supported when having his first spin in a Class 5 last time, finishing fourth over 1 mile 2 furlongs. He was sent straight to the front that night but didn’t see out the trip, which was his first try over the distance. He’ll appreciate dropping back to the mile having had just the one try over this trip when picking up the bronze in a stronger race than this last December. Whilst he is still toward the top of the handicap, he does drop a further 2lbs here, and Hugh Bowman sticks solid having been on top for the first time at his most recent start.

Dangers:
2 En Perfecto has been unplaced in eight starts, but he takes a drop in grade and didn’t run too badly when in fourth here when last seen on this track in January and will find the waters a tad calmer at this level.
9 Harry’s Hero bombed last time but he’s the only recent winner in the contest having been successful over 7 furlongs at Sha Tin the start prior and he ran better than the bare result when last seen on this track having been set alight early.
8 Windicator Family is a long-standing maiden but in the context of the contest he has run well enough in defeat his last two when doing his best work late over 7 furlongs at Sha Tin and he drops a further 2lb in the handicap with a first-time visor fitted.

Race 2: Class 3 Percival Handicap (105pm) (5 furlongs)
2 YOUTHFUL SPIRITS arrives having been unplaced over 6 furlongs last time but he’s a very quick horse that is far better suited to the minimum trip. The selection has just the one local success to his name, which came over course & trip from a 12lb lower mark last June. Now normally you’d steer clear of one so far above their last winning mark when that win was some time ago, but he has been very consistent and often in stronger races than this. It must be said that apart from the selection, there are no natural leaders here, and if he’s left alone on the front, he should take some catching.

Dangers:
6 Watch This One makes his local debut having won a Gold Coast All-Weather maiden on his only start in Australia and he has been tuned up for this with two recent wins at the trials, thus a market watch is advised.
1 Celestial Colours, who will be making his return after a setback having not been seen since October, but he had run well in defeat all three starts late last year, and he did win on debut and after a similar layoff when with Ciaron Maher in Australia.
5 Sparkling Fellow, who was a twice winner over similar trips at a lower level in Australia, has run with promise both local starts and you can tact some on for his most recent effort when fourth at Sha Tin having not enjoyed the rub of the green, but he has been ridden to close late at both starts and may need some luck.

Race 3: Class 4 Wong Nai Chung Handicap (135pm) (6 furlongs)
1 POWER KOEPP hasn’t won for nearly two years, which is hardly a strong selling point, but he’s now 19lb below his last mark having only been beaten 1.25 lengths at his most recent start when dropped into this grade. The selection will be having his first start for Mark Newnham, a yard having a wonderful second season and a trainer that has been responsible for getting a good tune out of a few castoffs. The draw in 2 should ensure the son of Equiano has all the favours, and Hugh Bowman is a notable rider booking.

Dangers:
5 Excellent Peers hasn’t been seen in the winner’s circle since November 2022, but he continues to descend the handicap having not finished outside the top four at his last four starts, all over course & trip, and he’s far better drawn here than a couple of those.
8 Good Prospect is a seven-start maiden that looks a winning in waiting after finishing runner-up over course & trip at his last two, but he does draw high and will probably be ridden for luck from out there.
9 Young Horizon is hard to catch, but he ran well in defeat when third over course & trip last time, he has no weight on his back with Ellis Wong claiming 7lb, but he once again draws high is will probably be ridden cold, similar to last time.

Race 4: Class 4 Craigengower Cricket Club Cup () (205pm) (6 furlongs)
1 PERFECT GENERAL is a low mileage 4yo that won over course & trip in September at just his second start and has been solid in defeat in three subsequent spins. The selection had genuine excuses when picking up the bronze, although he was. a tad underwhelming when fourth here last time as a beaten favourite. However, he was only beaten 1.25 lengths that night and the winner has since come out and gone in again. The Caspar Fownes 4yo likes to roll forward and he did lead when he won, thus the draw in 4 looks ideal.

Dangers:
5 Loveisintheair, who represents the leading yard of John Size, was doing his best work late without threatening when midfield on debut over course & trip earlier this month and is likely to be sharper for the run.
10 Telecom Power, who won two from three in Australia, is yet to break his local duck after fourteen starts but ran a local best last time when runner-up over course & trip & a similar performance under first-time booking, Andrea Atzeni, would see him in the mix.
2 Our Lucky Glory defied a double figure quote when runner-up over course & trip last time and he was two spots in front of the selection that day, but he’s on 2lb worse terms and will have to overcome a high draw.

Race 5: Class 4 Lockhart Handicap (235pm) (1 mile)
9 SUNDAYS SERENADE, who can be forgiven an unplaced effort last time when planted wide without cover, is a ten-start maiden, but this will be having his first spin on the city track, and he has run with promise in defeat several times at Sha Tin. Prior his last start he had been knocking on the door, finishing runner-up his previous two in races that ran deeper than this, and races that have produced subsequent winners. The Jamies Richards 4yo is no leader, but they were able to ride him closer to the pace a couple of times recently, and he looks worth a play in what is an open contest.

Dangers:
2 Red Majesty is a veteran that has recorded nine wins over course & trip and although those wins are few and far between these days, he’s only just recently dropped down to this level having run well in defeat last time & he drops another 1lb in the handicap.
5 Blue Baron is a difficult one to line up as he hasn’t been seen since finishing fourth over 6 furlongs on debut in November at Sha Tin, a race that has produced plenty of winning form, but he has looked anything but sharp in two recent trials, however a market watch is advised.
1 Casa Rochester, who won his only start over 7 furlongs in New Zealand, has been unplaced all four local spins, but he ran better than the bare result last time when doing his best work late, which was his first try over the mile, and he has scope for further improvement.

Race 6: Class 4 Hong Kong Football Club Centenary Cup (Handicap) (305pm) (5 furlongs)
4 PARENTS LOVE was runner-up over course & trip last time when in behind Plentiful, and he was beaten 2 lengths that night, but he should be able to turn the form around here. With connection booking a 3lb claimer, he meets his rival on a massive 12lb better terms, and any numbers person worth their salt will know that that alone should be enough to turn the form around. But not only that, the selection has plenty of pace and had to work across from a high draw last time, but he has drawn the plumb 1 gate here and although there’s a few pacey types in the contest, he should be able to grab his favoured front running spot easily enough.

Dangers:
7 Plentiful, who has been a big improver recently, had a few of these in behind when winning over course & trip last time and he did win with authority that night, but the handicapper hasn’t missed him, handing out a 10lb penalty.
8 Super Sixty goes up 5lb having won over six-furlongs last time and although he drops back in trip, they will go quick here, and he should be picking up the pieces late.
2 Northern Fire Ball is a low. Mileage 3yo that won over 6 furlongs in December and although he’ll be trying the minimum trip for the first time, he’s a pacey type & with the 7lb claim, he is effectively only 1lb above his winning mark.

Race 7: Class 3 Canal Handicap (340pm) (1 mile)
1 M UNICORN goes from the top of the handicap but there’s only 11lb top to bottom. The selection is yet to get on the board during the current campaign, but he was a five-time winner last season with four of those wins coming over course & trip and he arrives after a strong effort in defeat, beaten a nose here last time by an unexposed type that he was conceding 7lbs. The draw is 4 looks helpful, and Hugh Bowman, who I think is in for a good night, sticks solid having ridden the selection for the first time this season at his most recent start.

Dangers:
2 Excellence Value, who was a twice winner from fourteen starts in Australia, broken his local duck at just the fourth time of asking when having his first try over course & trip last time and although he goes up 6lb for that and into a stronger Class 3, he could have more to offer.
8 Devas Twelve won over 7 furlongs at Sha Tin at a level below this in January and although he’s been unplaced all three goes in this grade, he hasn’t been beaten far a couple of times, and he looks the likely leader in a race offering no more than a. moderate gallop.
10 Sturdy Ruby moves up in grade under a 6lb having won over course & trip last time and although he dives into deeper waters, he has shown improvement this campaign and he will carry 12lb less at this level.

Race 8: Class 3 Tin Lok Handicap (415pm) (6 furlongs)
9 PRAWNS ELEVEN, who was a thrice winner in Western Australia, has just the one local win from seventeen starts but he’s only 3lb above his winning mark and has been placed in two of his last three including last time out when runner-up over course & trip with Gallant Valour one spot back in third. The selection came from off the pace that night in a race that was largely dominated by the pace runners, but he’ll get a decent gallop to aim at here, which should see him afforded every opportunity.

Dangers:
1 Wonder Kit hasn’t won since November 2023, but he has mostly been campaigning at a level above this and will find this a bit more to his liking from the 1 draw.
4 Gallant Valour, who has won three times over course & trip during the current campaign including at his penultimate start, was third here last time when running from a mark in the 70’s for the first time & although now higher in the handicap, he draws stall 4 again (same as last two) and should once again have all the favours.
6 Regal Gem, who was a twice winning juvenile for Tony Coyle last year, makes his local debut having looked sharp at the trials, the most recent of which he won, and from an opening mark of 68, a market watch is strongly advised.

Race 9 Class 2 Sports Handicap (450pm) (6 furlongs)
5 BEAUTY DESTINY is a 5yo that’s been progressing at a rate of knots this season and arrives having won four of his last five starts, including last time out when winning with a bit in the locker over course & trip. The selection has been handed a 9lb for that, and he does move up in grade, but he carries 10lb less at this level. He does have what looks a tricky draw in 10, but he’s a hold-up type that would be ridden from the second half of the field no matter the draw, and he’s two from two from stall 10. Andrea Atzeni, who was on board both selection and Aurora Lady for their most recent wins, sticks with the selection.

Dangers:
3 Aurora Lady is another in top form and arrives with a 7lb penalty having recorded his fourth course & trip win this season last time, and from he’s perfectly drawn in 1 given he’ll like to lead.
7 Swift Ascend has won three of his six starts this season and whilst he arrives on the back of two unplaced efforts, he certainly hasn’t run poorly, and he’ll enjoy some weight relief now that he moves back up in grade.
2 Full Credit, who ran with plenty of merit to place down the straight course over 5 furlongs at Sha Tin last time, is better suited to this trip and although he does most of racing at Sha Tin, he did hit the frame his only start here last November.

WEDNESDAY’S PLACEPOT
Today’s Tote Place Pot will be races 4 through to 9. All up we will be playing 54 combinations (3x3x1x1x3x2), which will cost £5.40 for a 10p stake and so on. Good luck.

LEG 1 – 1 PERFECT GENERAL 5 LOVEISINTHEAIR 10 TELECOM POWER

LEG 2 – 2 RED MAJESTY 5 BLUE BARON 9 SUNDAY’S SERENADE

LEG 3 – 4 PARENTS LOVE

LEG 4 – 1 M UNICORN

LEG 5 – 1 WONDER KIT 4 GALLANT VALOUR 9 PRAWNS ELEVEN

LEG 6 – 3 AURORA LADY 5 BEAUTY DESTINY

TIM’S BEST BETS (scale 1-5 points)
11.35am HAPPY VALLEY
2pts each-way POWER KOEPP

1.05pm HAPPY VALLEY
3pts win PARENTS’ LOVE

1.40pm HAPPY VALLEY
2pts win M UNICORN

Which twice champion sire in South Africa had a mother who was a juvenile Gr 1 winner and she is regarded as one of the most influential broodmares in the world in the last 60 years?

The subject is pictured above.