Turf Talk Newsletter – 18 May, 2026

Rich Man’s World free wheels to victory after showing a devastating turn of foot in the Godolphin Barb at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last time out (Race Coast)

The Gr 1 Gold Medallion is the most expensive race at Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Scottsville Festival Of Speed meeting and although the Vaughan Marshall-trained Rich Man’s World looks hard to beat there could be some value for places on one other runner in particular.

The Boland Stud-bred Rich Man’s World was supposed to make his debut on December 21 but he  pulled a muscle behind and he had to have some work done on him before making his belated debut on February 25 over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, starting at 7/2. He led from start to finish and when Richard Fourie was asked whether he felt threatened by the challenger Winter Pirate, who was the well supported 18/10 favourite, he replied, “No, I was absolutely cantering.”

Winter Pirate then came out and won by 2,75 lengths at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth over 1000m and the runner up in that race, Tag And Release,  has won twice since, while the third-placed horse Enticement has won as well.

In his second start Rich Man’s World started at 1/3 odds with Sean Veale up and won by 5,25 lengths without coming off the bit, despite giving 3kg to the rest of the field, who were mostly first-timers.

The runner up Redford was a 2,25 length second to Tag And Release next time out, which is decent form considering Tag And Release’s collateral lines with Rich Man’s World.

Rich Man’s World then traveled to KZN and Vaughan Marshall gave him a sight of Hollywoodbets Scottsville by running him in the Gr 3 Godolphin Barb Stakes over 1100m, in which he was to meet the unbeaten Mike Miller-trained Master Magician, who had won his first two starts over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville by 5,40 lengths and 4,20 lengths respectively.

Rich Man’s World drifted out from 56/100 to even money as Master Magician was given steady support at 14/10 and a horse called Flamethrower was backed in from 14/1 to 8/1.

However, it was no contest with Rich Man’s World cruising in by 7,50 lengths.

He treated Master Magician’s attempt to kick away from the field with contempt and cantered up to him with Fourie still sitting still.

A shake of the reins saw Rich Man’s World kicking clear before free-wheeling for the last 50m.

Richard Fourie said in the interview afterwards that he “eventually had to move” before grinning sheepishly at the owners and saying, “Catch a feel! Sorry.”

He then admitted the horse had hardly come out of first or second gear.

His odds of 8/10 with World Sports Betting could prove to be generous as he looks to be a superstar in the making.

However, when watching replays of the second favourite Haute Couture’s debut the aforementioned price might not be so generous after all as he looks to be a serious racehorse too. He showed good cruising speed and a magnificent turn foot and has a good action.

WSB make him a 5/2 shot.

The place value could lie with the Sean Tarry-trained Egremont, who caught the eye showing a fine turn of foot on debut. The son of Skits Skizzle is out of a Captain Al mare Cals Crush, who won four races over 1000m.

Better Never Ends has a resolute finish and this Gr 2 TAB SA Nursery winner is on the up, so he could also possibly make the frame.

The Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained Time Is Precious is by Querari out of Vercingetorix mare, Twilight Hour, who won on debut over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. He has a fairly big action and finished well when winning the Gr 3 Protea Stakes over 1100m. He could earn a cheque.

Kudikuran should appreciate the step up in trip and could earn.

Those are the ones who make most appeal and they are selected in the order mentioned.

However, the best value could lie in backing 17/1 shot Egremont for the first three.

The full field for the R1,75 million Gold Medallion is:

Asiye Phambili deserves a Gr 1 win and she could be the one in the Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint (Picture: Julia Marnewick)

Hollywoodbets Scottsville Festival Of Speed meeting has a new anchor leg for the Jackpot, the Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint.

The Golden Horse Sprint has always previously been the last leg of the Jackpot, but with that race now being a Gr 2 for the second year running it seems that the SA Fillies Sprint has now replaced it as the most important of the two open events as it now forms the last leg of the always much looked forward to Jackpot of Graded races.

It has the same stake as the Golden Horse, R1 million, and is hence not the most expensive race of the day with the stake for the Gr 1 Gold Medallion now upped from R1.5 million last year to 1.75 million this year.

The Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint is certainly going to be a humdinger this year, although many Jackpot and Pick 6 players will likely be going thin in this leg.

Double Grand Slam and Asiye Phambili are the form horses of the race and reigning champion Mia Moo can be considered too as she did beat both of those horses last year and she also has another important factor on her side i.e. she is trained by Sean Tarry, otherwise known as The King of Pietermaritzburg, having plundered a record 21 Gr 1 victories at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.

Double Grand Slam’s defeat in last year’s SA Fiillies Sprint is one of the reasons trainer Justin Snaith has entered her this year, because she was enormously unlucky in that race and Snaith would like to set the record straight.

Double Grand Slam had the number one draw, which was problematic on the day, if not always at this meeting, because the horses tend to drift over from the outside towards the perceived better going towards the inside.

Richard Fourie decided to stick to his stations and it almost worked out because a gap opened just after the 400m mark and she still looked to have plenty in hand. Unfortunately, it closed as quickly as it opened and after being switched outward the crack filly had nowhere to go and she could only coast home behind a forest of horses to take sixth place, beaten 1,45 lengths.

So it is good news she is drawn ten out of 15 this year, not to mention being in the form of her life.

Her new regular partner Andrew Fortune is back aboard with her rider from her 5,40 length Gr 1 Empress Club Stakes victory, Craig Zackey, now aboard the contender from his guv’nor Dean Kannemeyer’s yard, Princess Of Gaul.

Asiye Phambili has also been plagued by bad luck in this race. Trainer Duncan Howells was ultra confident a couple of years ago only to see Rahcle Venniker dislodged at the start after the filly pecked badly. Then last year her run came just a fraction too late and she went down a shorthead. If she had stayed straight instead of drifting inward she might have won too.

Asiye Phambili has drawn eight and regular rider Sean Veale is aboard.

Mia Moo came into the race last year on the back of a 2,10 length victory in the Gr 2 Camellia Stakes, whereas this year she comes in off a 2,90 length third in the Gr 1 Computaform Sprint.

Interestingly Mia Moo beat Almond Sea by 4,80 lengths in the Camellia Stakes race and beat her by 3,35 lengths in the Computaform, so her form coming in is not actually much worse than it was last year.

However, it is her who has to contend with draw one this year and ironically Richard Fourie is up.

In an another coincidental twist Mia Moo was drawn 8 last year, which is Asiye Phambili’s draw this year, and Asiye Phambili was drawn ten last year, Double Grand Slam’s draw this year.

Princess Of Gaul should be considered by the risk averse as she has a Gr 2 win over this trip as well as a Gr 2 and a Gr 3 over 1400m.

Perfect Miracle is an interesting runner too as she is by Hawwaam, whose progeny seem to improve continuously, just like his father Silvano’s progeny.

Perfect Miracle is proof of that. She has won a Gr 3 and a Gr 2 in her last two starts and the latter was the Camellia Stakes, which produced last year’s SA Fillies Sprint winner.

In this year’s Camellia Perfect Miracle faced Rodeo Drive on terms 1kg better than weight for age and beat her by 0,75 lengths, so on paper there should not be much between them now on wfa terms.

She was on wfa terms with all of Rachel Wall, Whistle The Tune, One Fine Winter and Almond Sea, whom she beat by 1,15 lengths, 2.05 lengths, 2,30 lengths and 3,80 lengths respectively, so has their beating on paper.

Symphony In White is a previous Gr 1 Allan Robertson third-placed achiever, but was beaten 4,55 lengths in this race last year and is well held by Asiye Phambili this year from their previous meeting.

Elegantrix was second in last year’s Allan Robertson, but ran a shocker last time out although she did win a Listed race well two runs before that over 1200m, so she could be a dark horse.

None of the others make much appeal.

The final field for the SA Fillies Sprint:

Sea Cottage dead-heats with Jollify (far side) in the 1967 July 

The July build up of 60 years ago was like no other before it and It is fitting that this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July, carrying a record-breaking stake of R10 million, falls on such an auspicious anniversary date.

In the month of May 60 years ago the great Sea Cottage began his July preparation by running in a race often used by Syd Laird as starting point for his best July contender, the Gr 1 Newbury Stakes over 1200m.

Sea Cottage beat another famous horse in the 1966 Newbury renewal, the previous year’s Gr 1 SA Guineas winner William Penn, whose story bears repeating.

Willaim Penn had won six Grade 1s up until being retired to stud in 1969 and was a July runner up by half-a-length in 1968, carrying topweight and giving the winner Chimboraa 24 pounds.

His wins included the 1968 J&B Met with topweight. He was 2-1 up in meetings between himself and his more celebrated half-brother Hawaii, who went on to become USA’s Champion Grass Horse as well as a successful sire, standing at Claiborne where he produced 25 stakes winners including Epsom Derby winner Henbit. William Penn proved infertile at stud, siring only nine foals, although they included three stakes winners. He was brought out of retirement as a ten-year-old and the first run of his comeback was in the J&B Met of January 1972. He flew up for second, three lengths behind the winner Force Ten to whom he gave 18 pounds. He went on to race successfully until he was eleven, the best performance of his final season being a 0,2 length second to the great In Full Flight in the Grade 1 Champions Stakes over 2000m at Greyville, beating another champion, Mazarin.

Back To Sea Cottage who was back at Greyville a week after the Newbury Stakes to win the Gr 1 SA Guineas by 3,5 lengths, his eleventh career victory in just 12 starts up until then.

Six days later the country woke up to shocking news.

On that bright Friday morning Sea Cottage had been shot while walking under the Blue Lagoon bridge on the way to the Syd Laird ring on the beach.

The story is well documented with the shooter Johnny Nel being apprehended later the same day. The well-known gangster had foolishly used his easily recognisable yellow-coloured convertible to drive to the shelter on the south side of the bridge, which is still the same structure today as it was back then, to perform the dastardly deed.

He was allegedly acting on behalf of bookmaker Sonny Chislett, who had allegedly approached the owner of the Monaco Club, Monty Labuschagne, with the news that if Sea Cottage won the July he would have to close his business and therefore he demanded the debt he was owed by the latter be paid up.

Labuschagne’s alleged response was what would it be worth if they stopped Sea Cottage from winning the July and Chislett’s alleged reply was he would forego the debt.

It was Nel, a bouncer at the Monaco club, who hatched the plan.

If Nel can be forgiven to any extent it was in his later testimony that he had found it difficult to shoot an animal and had deliberately aimed for the soft flesh of the hindquarter in order to not kill him.

Syd Laird was able to nurture Sea Cottage through the worst of the injury and he had him ready to run in the July three weeks after the shooting.

The big bay was unfortunately severely checked at the 400m mark and ended up running a four length fourth.

It was a bitter-sweet day for Laird because Sea Cottage’s six-year-old stablemate Java Head won the race.

However, the following year saw the July’s most celebrated renewal.

The 1967 SA Guineas winner Jollify, who was receiving 27 pounds from Sea Cottage, stole a march at the top of the straight under a fine ride by John Gorton.

Sea Cottage had a lot of ground to make up, but began eating up the ground.

He had to get around King Willow, who was going straight, before the natural instinct of shifting towards the leader, was able to happen.

A flying Sea Cottage with his enormous stride bore down on the three-year-old, despite the latter showing no signs of stopping.

The two Birch Brothers-bred horses flashed past the post together.

But had Sea Cottage got there in time?

Commentator Ernie Duffield thought not and said, “I think Jollify has held on.”

Minutes later the on course crowd let out a roar when the numbers were put up together to declare a dead-heat.

But the rest of the country apparently had to endure an agonising wait for news as the radio commentary ended and they went back to the  studio.

Craig Peters, who has by the way commentated 38 Julys, nine more than Ernie Duffield’s previous record of 29, recalled that day, at which time he was a young boy living with his parents in Mayfair, Johannesburg.

He said, “It was only sometime later on Pat Carr’s Forces Favourites program that we heard it was a dead-heat and I was absolutely elated (especially considering he had shed tears after Sea Cottage’s defeat the previous year). We saw the photo in the Stop Press and about two weeks later we watched the African Mirror footage of the race at the Drive-In. I remember also being at Sea Cottage’s last ever race, the Cutty Sark at Gosforth Park, which attracted a massive crowd. I watched by standing on the bonnet of my father’s car.”

“The immortal” Sea Cottage won twenty of his 24 races and there was still a reminder of him nearby Hollywoodbets Greyville until recent years.

Syd Laird had always been terrified somebody would “get to” Sea Cottage and had metal plates fitted over the air vents on the road side of his stable.

His old stable served as a vendor stall in recent times at The Stables Lifestyle Market next to the Hollywoodbets KIng’s Park rugby stadium.

His stable was the third one down from the main entrance.

Those rusty metal plates were still in place across the air vents on the roadside of the stall until the closure of the market in March 2020.

Sadly, the building soon became completely dilapidated and an intriguing piece of Durban history went down with it.

The July log is shown above

The July final field panel, who also formulate the logs, was announced last week as:

Chairman: Raf Sheik – Race Coast

Aveen Sewpersad – Race Coast

Kurt Felix – Race Coast

Lennon Maharaj – NHA Chief Handicapper

This week two further members were added:

Gabriel Soma – 4Racing

Luciano Passerini – 4Racing

The panelists have an unenviable task this year as there is sure to be more anticipation than ever of getting into the final field by owners wanting a cut of the R10 million prize money and there will hence be just as much disappointment.

Durban Country Club has always been one of South Africa’s most iconic golf courses and has been taken to a new level by racing doyen Nick Jonsson and his team (Picture: golfbreaks.com)

The Racing Masters is always one of racing’s most fun couple of days and this year the players get to play on arguably South Africa’s greatest championship golf course, Durban Country Club, so with only 18 spots still available for this year’s tournament act quickly to book a place!

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE DETAILS AND BOOK YOUR PLACE  

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE EVENT

In 1993 a small group of fun-loving Highveld-based Owners, Trainers and Jockeys planned a weekend “Golfing & Casino” trip to The Royal Swazi Spa just to get away from Johannesburg’s hectic rat-race-like atmosphere and enjoy some time quality together. There is no record of who won and who lost in the Casino, but Robbie Hill emerged victorious on the fairways and greens of the then famed Royal Swazi Championship golf course.

The success of that mini-junket spawned the idea of an annual golf tournament for Horse Racing’s stakeholders and in November 1994 the Racing Masters was born. With accommodation booked at the Mmabatho Sun, the chase for horse racing’s own Green Jacket was officially launched over 18 holes at the Leopard Park golf course in Mafikeng . Russell Purchase was crowned the first winner of racing’s Green Jacket and who would have believed back then, that more than thirty years later, the Racing Masters remains a firm fixture on horse racing’s annual social calendar.

The event has evolved over the years and attracts competitors from around the country. The 18-hole format was changed within a few years of inception to a two-day 36-hole competition and during its long history the “Masters” has only ever been hosted at four venues. Leopard Park in Mafikeng, Graceland Country Club in Secunda, a lone one-year (1999) return to the Royal Swazi Golf Course, and since 2009 at the Wild Coast Sun on the South Coast.

The Racing Masters has left us with many happy memories over the years and, as one would expect, much hilarity and frivolity, many famous incidents as well as a number of “infamous” incidents, but always great fun and hugely entertaining! But as they say, what goes on tour stays on tour…….

While there have been a number of dual Masters Champions over the years, Grant Knowles stands alone as a three-time winner of the prestigious Green Jacket. Winners over the years include such household names as Neil Andrews, James Goodman, Piere Strydom, Anthony Delpech and Kevin Shea, just to name a few. 

Now in 2026, the 30th renewal of the Racing Masters moves to the iconic Durban Country Club and presents competitors with an opportunity to tackle arguably the most famous of all South African golf courses. A golf course which over the years has hosted the South African Open and seen our country’s hall-of-famers, such as Gary Player, Bobby Locke, Ernie Els and many others, stride to memorable victories. Recently refurbished and re-designed by a team led by Nick Jonsson, the Durban Country Club retains its position as one of South Africa’s most sought after golfing experience.

That begs the question….who will be heralded the first Racing Masters Champion on its debut appearance at the Country’s Home of Golf?

PAST RACING MASTERS’ CHAMPIONS;

1994 – Russel Purchase

1995 – Ronnie Casey

1996 – Terry Assness

1997 – Dustine Wilken

1998 – Paul Marks

1999 – Graeme Hawkins

2000 – Piere Strydom

2001 – Ramon Rahme

2002 – Grant Knowles

2003 – Coenie de Beer

2004 – Ramon Rahme

2006 – Neil Andrews

2007 – Christopher Goosen

2008 – Neil Andrews

2009 – Grant Knowles

2011 – Keith Williamson

2012 – Pierre du Toit

2013 – Larry Southwood

2014 – Pierre du Toit

2015 – Nelson Odaya

2016 – Keagan Reddy

2017 – Anthony Delpech

2018 – Anthony Seur

2019 – Kevin Shea

2021 – Pradeep Rambaras

2022 – James Goodman

2023 – Grant Knowles

2024 – Theo Muthasamy

2025 – Ruan Neethling.

Lucky Lad’s win in the Gr 1 Gold Medallion was particularly impressive (Chase Liebenberg Photography)

Dual Grade 1 winner Lucky Lad will retire to stud at Suzette and Basie Viljoen’s Hopes and Dreams Stud in Wellington in the Western Cape, where he will commence stallion duties at the start of the 2026 breeding season in September.

Lucky Lad started his career with four successive wins as a two-year-old, including the 2023 World Sports Betting Grade 2 SA Nursery over 1160m and the Grade 1 Gold Medallion at Hollywoodbets Scottsville by 5.30-lengths.

He raced only five times as a three-year-old for three victories, including the 2024 Grade 2 Senor Santa Stakes over 1160m at Turffontein and a sensational triumph in the Grade 1 Golden Horse Sprint at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. On that occasion, Lucky Lad defeated established older stars such as Dyce, At My Command, I Am Giant and Cruise Control with a barnstorming late run from a seemingly impossible position.

In the same season, he finished second with a strong performance in the Grade 2 Hawaii Stakes over 1400m, proving his versatility against Sandringham Summit, the champion three-year-old.

Lucky Lad was twice Grade 1-placed at four, including a third to star sprinter Gimme a Prince in the Grade 1 HKJC World Pool Cape Flying Championship over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. While not at the peak of his ability, he again finished ahead of top sprinters including Dyce, Questioning, Asiye Phambile and Café Culture, reminding everyone of the depth of his ability.

Avignon has been tipped to win Race 7 (Picture: Wayne Marks)

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

RACE 1

5 SNOWBIRD has run two excellent races in succession, the yard thinks highly of this filly, she will be hard to beat with more improvement to come.

4 IN HOT WATER ran a great race on debut, she caught the eye late behind Mystic Inferno on the 1st of April, she has a big winning chance in this field.

12 EL COHETE showed tremendous speed in her last start behind Fog In Finland, even though she was a touch disappointing on that occasion, the conditions turned up very soft and that didn’t help her, in hope that we get firmer conditions for this meeting on Tuesday, she can easily bounce back to her best form and be competitive.

7 JULIET OF VERONA ran well on debut, she will appreciate the extra 200m, watch her closely at a decent price.

RACE 2

11 REDFORD must have a big winning chance in this field, he has run two excellent races behind two smart horses, there is no doubt he will be super competitive with more improvement to come.

5 RUBEE KING travelled like a winner on debut when finishing just over one length behind Earn The Weekend, he will improve tremendously going into his second run on Tuesday, include him into all bets.

10 BLACKBIRD ran a fair race on debut, he will love the step up in trip to 1200m.

1 ROYAL LIGHT was beaten just under nine lengths by his stable companion (Kalahari King) up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 30th of March, even though he wants further, he will be doing some good work late, watch him closely.

RACE 3

9 RABDAN just needed his run back after a lengthy break on the 18th of April, he was only beaten just over six lengths by the very smart Tag And Release, this race lacks consistent and strong form, with natural improvement still to come from this young horse, he will be hard to beat.

7 PITERAQ never runs a bad race, she has been frustrating to follow from a win aspect, but she tries hard and her form is consistent, she will be right there amongst the places again.

3 RACHETTU ran a much better race behind Hedrivesmecrazy last time, if he brings that performance to the track again, he will be competitive.

6 GIMME MORE APACHE wouldn’t need to be special to win on debut in this field, watch the market closely.

RACE 4

7 REDLIGHT LANE unfortunately lost her race last time in the boardroom, she drops in trip to 1400m on Tuesday, with some luck in running from a tricky draw, she will run a big race here.

2 NICCI’S LAW finished just behind Redlight Lane on the 27th of April, she is better off at the weights here, even though she is well tried in the maiden ranks, this looks an ideal opportunity for her to finally get it right from a neat draw.

6 SCANDALIZE has run two nice races with the blinkers fitted, she could improve even further now that she steps up in trip to 1400m, watch her closely.

8 AUTUMN RUSH will need a patient ride from a tough draw, if she settles early and she finds herself in a good rhythm turning for home, she will be right there in the finish at a decent price.

RACE 5

1 KING’S QUEST won impressively at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 21st of March, he was given four points for that smart victory, even though he steps up in class now, he looks extremely progressive, include him into all bets from a neat draw.

2 MENTE ET MANU is a beautiful gelding with a great action, he has no weight on his back, and he drops in trip for this race on Tuesday, he has a big winning chance on his current form.

9 CHASINGTHERAINBOW has been rested and he has changed stables, top jockey Richard Fourie gets the ride on this smart gelding, he will be switched off early, and he will be storming home late, there is no doubt he can win a race like this quite easily.

3 IN A TIMELY MANNER was far from disgraced in the Listed East Cape Guineas at Fairview Racecourse on the 20th of March, his chances must be respected from a good draw.

RACE 6

2 BACKINTHEFASTLANE quickened up smartly to win well with the blinkers fitted on the 18th of April, he was given six points for that impressive win, the form of that race has worked out well, he has a big winning chance again.

3 BATON ROUGE stayed on well for third in a tough on the 3rd of May, if he brings that run to the track again on Tuesday, he will go very close to winning.

8 LOUI’S STAR ran a lovely race straight out of the maiden ranks at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 25th of March, her form is good with the blinkers on, if she gets some luck in running from a tricky draw, she should be amongst the places.

7 HEAVENLY PRINCE did well to finish just under six lengths behind Backinthefastlane last time, on his best form, he can sneak into the Quartet.

RACE 7

10 AVIGNON won a good race on the 18th of April, he was gutsy in the finish, he absolutely loves the straight course at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, he should be competitive again.

11 OZARK is knocking on the door for his next career victory, top jockey Richard Fourie has been booked to ride this beautiful gelding on Tuesday, on his current form, he has a massive winning chance in this field.

7 VERCICAT was given a terrific ride by jockey Tristan Godden on the 27th of April, this young gelding looks progressive, he can win again, include him into all bets.

3 SHIFTING PATH might be the value play in this tricky race, he has dropped even further in the ratings, he will be doing some good work late, watch him closely at a fair price.

RACE 8

10 MAGICAL PLACE won like a smart sprinter in the making on the 15th of April, that was his first run back after a lengthy break and gelding, even though he was given six points for that good win last time, he could be absolutely anything, include him into all bets.

5 DEMANDING DAVE always comes to the track with a big reputation, he was a touch unlucky when finishing just over one length behind Dance Variety in the Easter Sprint on the 1st of April, he will be just off the speed early, and he will be flying at them late.

6 NORTH POINT is held in high regard, he loves this trip of 1000m, at the weights on his last run, he should finish much closer to Magical Place.

3 FLYING FINLEY has improved tremendously with every start, he has furnished into a nice sprinter, he should be right there in the finish on his current form.

RACE 9

3 ALL ABOUT AL is as honest as they come, he tries hard, Adam Marcus has done a superb job with this gelding, he will be competitive in this race on his current form.

4 LYRICAL GANGSTER is much better than his last run, if he bounces back to his best form, he can win a race like this quite easily.

6 TAKE THAT quickened up smartly to win impressively on the 3rd of May, that was her first run back after a long break, she has lots of scope for further improvement, include her into all bets, it would come as no shock if she were to win again.

10 FORT RED is tough, he has no weight on his back here, if he gets away from the field at the right time, he will be hard to peg back.