Turf Talk Newsletter – 18 September, 2026

Drumnadrochit can beat the boys in the sixth race (JC Photos)  

A Pinnacles Stakes race over 1800 meters is the headliner at Turffontein Inside on Saturday and the one to beat could be the talented Drumnadrochit.

In her last race in a Listed event at Hollywoodbets Greyville she was running on strongly for a 1,20 length third. She should have come on from that run and has a plum draw of three here, so should go close over a suitable trip. Palace Prince is in fine form and proved himself suited to this trip last time, cruising in by 4,30 lengths. He was given a six point raise and has a wide draw, but should be in the shake. Diogeneses will enjoy the course and distance and from a good draw should be thereabouts.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 Over 1450m the one to beat could be Storm Avalanche, who has run two decent races and was staying on over 1160m last time and should enjoy the step up in trip, although her draw of five out of eight is tricky. The hard-knocking Empress of Peace is a contender, although she does have to overcome a tough draw. Scented Alley is drawn in pole and on debut was making late progress over 1200m, so should be right there.

In the fifth race over 1000m Fierceness should be improving being by Hawwaam and he has the pace to go close. African Prince is a consistent sprinter and should be in the shake up. Continental King might well enjoy the step down to this trip, although he is returning from a long layoff.

In the seventh race over 1800m Guerrilla Warfare only just failed last time and should make another bold bid, although his draw of five out of eight is once again tricky. Special Envoy was staying on over 1600m last time and should enjoy the step up in trip. Aint No Doubt was staying on over 1500m last time and if overcoming the draw should be right there. Naretoi is drawn in pole and is only 2kg worse off with Guerrilla Warfare for the 2,10 length beating he gave him last time, so he has every chance again. It’s Now Or Never should not be far off Guerrilla Warfare and Naretoi.

In the eighth over 1450m Elusive Red won going away over 1200m lasst time, so should enjoy the step up in trip and has a fair draw under champion jockey Craig Zackey. Camillo Cavour won going away over 1200m on debut and starts off on a reasonable merit rating, so after being dropped out from a wide draw he could run on and go close. Super Awesome is drawn in pole position and could bounce back to form with Richard Fourie aboard.

In the last race over 1450m Max The Magician is in fine form and from a good draw should go close under Richard Fourie over a trip he will enjoy. Quickfreeze looks to have a lot of talent and if able to overcome a wide draw and set the pace he will be in the shake up. Wayne is talented and over a suitable trip from a fair draw he should be right there too.

In the third over 1450m Jimmy Vega is in hard-knocking form and should make a bold bid under Richard Fourie from a fair draw. Quirky by Querari is a full-brother to Gr 2 winner over this trip Cockney Pride and has Keagan de Melo up on debut from a fair draw. Purple Rain is well drawn and if repeating her last start she should be in with a shout.

In the second over 1450m Timeless will be hard to beat from a good draw having romped home on debut, although that is taking his fitness on trust as he returns froma layoff. Lightinthewoods looks to be the back up.

In the first race over 1200m Tenareef is hard-knocking and is taken to win it.

CRESCENT TO SHINE IN THE HINTERLAND

Graeme Hawkins

Unbeaten in his last nine starts, Crescent (Danielson) is all the rage to land the 1400m Hinterland Cup (G3) at Champs de Mars on Saturday. Raymond Danielson has a wonderful opportunity at this meeting to surge past the suspended Manoel Nunes in the race for the Jockeys’ Championship, as he also partners the red-hot favourite New World in Race 3, the opening leg of the Pick 6.

The first of 8 races is due off at 10:30 SA time and the nature of the fields suggests that the “players” should have the upper hand over the “layers”.

Race 1: (10:30) – BM25 Handicap – 1400m:

Flag Champ debuts on the Island for the Vicky Ruhee stable and he would not have to be overly special to beat his five rivals in this low-grade handicap restricted to Mauritian jockeys and apprentices. His preparation has been positive and with the experienced Swapneel Rama in the saddle, the 4yo son of Canford Cliffs could strike first up. River Hawk is limited but has won three times from ten starts locally and represents the powerful Gujadhur team. Dinesh Sooful retains the ride following a narrow victory over Kola Tonic last month. San Andreas, who drops in class, and Kaisarrisa should fill up the minor placings.

Betting: 11/10 Flag Champ; 3/1 River Hawk; 7/1 San Andreas, Kaisarissa; 10/1 and better the balance.

Selection: (1) Flag Champ, (4) River Hawk, (2) San Andreas, (3) Kaisarissa.

Race 2: (11:05) – BM25 Handicap – 1400m – (1st Leg Place Accumulator):

A small but competitive field lines up for the opening leg of the Place Accumulator. Kola Tonic (Schwarz) has been a model of consistency and gets the nod but the 5yo son of What A Winter can expect plenty of cheek from all of Midnight Flyer (Danielson), New York City (Ramsamy) and Cape Cannery (Juglall). Midnight Flyer was below best last time but rates a huge threat on his previous effort. New York City is 1,5kgs better off with Kola Tonic for a two-length beating over 1650m in July and the step back in trip could favour New York City. Cape Cannery has shown some promising signs but his most recent effort was disappointing.

Betting: 16/10 Kola Tonic; 22/10 New York City, Midnight Flyer; 5/1 Cape Cannery; 40/1 Alpenhorn.

Selection: (3) Kola Tonic, (2) New York City, (1) Midnight Flyer, (4) Cape Cannery.

Race 3: (11:40) – BM46 – 1500m – (1st Leg Pick 6):

New World (Danielson) has won four on the bounce and the improving 4yo son of One World is obviously the one to beat, and is not surprisingly very short in the market. The presence of newcomer Arbitration (Schwarz) adds a touch of interest but the 5yo son of Vercingetorix, last seen at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in January, may need just one run to bring him to his peak. Opague (Curatolo) was a good winner of his penultimate start when beating the talented Summer Snow and there were excuses for his below-par effort last time. Though 9yrs of age, the Vincent Allet runner could again surprise. Comedy Club has been placed in all four starts this season but without ever threatening to land a serious blow.

Betting: 4/10 New World; 5/1 Arbitration; 10/1 and better the balance.

Selection: (6) New World, (3) Opague, (5) Arbitration, (7) Comedy Club.

Race 4: (12:15) – BM56 Handicap – 1650m:

Only four runners line up for this mid-division Handicap and the Carl Hewitson-trained Brave Bomber will take all the beating. With Manoel Nunes serving a suspension, Tejesh Juglall gets the opportunity to pilot the 5yo son of Lancaster Bomber to victory. But, as bitter experience has often taught us, there is seldom such a thing as a one-horse race and We Have Touchdown and Menelaus are not without some claims. We Have Touchdown will be partnered by visiting rider Mukesh Kumar and the 5yo son of Gimmethegreenlight will be having his peak run on the Island. Menelaus was a touch disappointing last time but was runner-up behind Bugalugs and Spelling Bee prior to that.

Betting: 4/10 Brave Bomber; 17/10 We Have Touchdown; 12/1 Menelaus; 66/1 Colour My Fate.

Selection: (2) Brave Bomber, (1) We Have Touchdown, (3) Menelaus, (4) Colour My Fate.

Race 5: (12:50) – Middle Stakes – 1365m – (1st Leg Jackpot):

The early market suggests a boat-race between Spirit’s Unite (Ramsamy) and the promising Secret Passage (Mansour). The latter has won his last three starts and the 5yo son of Futura is very highly regarded by the stable. Spirit’s Unite failed narrowly behind Stated last time and could go one better here but Secret Passage appears to be a progressive type and is slightly preferred. Just Var, stable companion to Secret Passage, may be the pick of the balance.

Betting: 13/10 Secret Passage; 15/10 Spirit’s Unite; 15/2 Daring Dash, Moonlight Trader; 10/1 and better the balance.

Selection: (4) Secret Passage, (3) Spirit’s Unite, (5) Just Var, (2) Moonlight Trader.

Race 6: (13:25) – The Hinterland Cup G3 – 1400m:

Crescent (Danielson) is bidding for his tenth consecutive victory and the sway-backed son of Legislate is not surprisingly at very restricted odds to fend off his three rivals. Royal Wulff (Curatolo) is 1,5 kgs better off with Crescent for a 1,75-length beating last month and the 9yo son of Crusade showed he has lost none of his zest for racing with a fast-finishing second behind Formagear two weeks ago. Air Raid (Corrales) makes his local debut following a career in South Africa that failed to reach the heights expected of the son of Lancaster Bomber.

Betting: 4/10 Crescent; 4/1 Air Raid; 9/2 Royal Wulff; 33/1 The Mauritian.

Selection: (1) Crescent, (2) Royal Wulff, (3) Air Raid, (4) The Mauritian.

Race 7: (14:00) – BM36 Handicap – 1400m:

Eight runners line up for this BM36 Handicap but the clear favourite is the promising 4yo Blackjack Randall (Mansour) who has cracked a neat draw. Blackjack Randall has had a busy season with 2 wins and 3 places to show for his 5 starts since making a winning debut at Champs de Mars on 25 April. Military Force (Schwarz) has plenty of upside and the 4yo son of Act Of War should make his presence felt while Paved With Gold (Danielson) has won his last two starts but arguably takes on stronger here. Ignore Unsung Hero’s last run over 1850m which was patently too far for the 5yo son of Master Of My Fate.

Betting: 7/10 Blackjack Randall; 7/2 Paved With Gold; 6/1 Military Force; 8/1 Unsung Hero; 12/1 and better the balance.

Selection: (6) Blackjack Randall, (3) Military Force, (5) Paved With Gold, (8) Unsung Hero.

Race 8: (14:40) – BM36 Handicap – 1850m:

All About Love (Mansour) has been a very consistent place-getter but has yet to win from 7 starts in Mauritius. He is ideally distance suited here and could finally pay a visit to the winner’s circle. Lomu (Schwarz) is improving with each and every run and the 4yo son of Captain Of All could follow up on his recent 1650m victory over Indigenous. Zacatoo (Kumar) races beyond 1500m for the first time and this extended trip could be exactly what the son of Act Of War is looking for – could be the lurker in the pack. Iditarod Trail and High Key, both from the Shirish Narang team, have claims on their best form.

Betting: 11/10 Lomu; 2/1 All About Love; 11/2 Zacatoo; 10/1 and better the balance.

Selection: (1) All About Love, (2) Zacatoo, (5) Lomu, (4) Iditarod Trail.

Betting correct at 17:00 on Thursday 17 September.

Suggested Pick 6 (Races 3-8):

6 x 1,2 x 3,4,5 x 1 x 3,6 x 1,2,5 (R36)

Saffie Osborne is hoping to follow up on her history-making success last weekend in the St. Leger by winning the Ayr Gold Cup on Twilight Calls (Picture: The Guardian)

 

Saffie Osborne hoping to win Ayr Gold Cup (click to read)

 

Formguides and selections for Saturday’s big meeting at Ayr 

At The Races

1 2:20 PM SA Time – Ladbrokes ‘Bet 5 Get 30 New Customer Offer’ Handicap
The handicapper has yet to get to grips with Mcmurray, who made a winning reappearance at Chester back in May and bids for a five-timer. Thunder Roar beat Theoryofeverything by a length to land last year’s renewal, but he was well beaten by SPOKEN TRUTH at Ripon last month. David O’Meara’s charge won a shade cosily in a first-time tongue strap and with the headgear remaining in place, the Frankel gelding may well defy a 5lb rise.

Top Tip: Spoken Truth (7)
Watch out for: Mcmurray (9)

2 2:55 PM SA Time – Ladbrokes ‘Get Racing Bet Builder Winnings Boosts’ Doonside Cup Stakes (Listed)
ECUREUIL SECRET made a winning seasonal debut last term and Richard and Peter Fahey will likely have him primed for action for this year’s reappearance. The son of Wootton Bassett finished third behind a couple of subsequent Group 1 winners at York last summer and a repeat effort would see him bang there at the finish. Fast Tracker reverts to this longer trip with solid claims, while Sea Scout also merits plenty of respect.

Top Tip: Ecureuil Secret (1)
Watch out for: Fast Tracker (3)

3 3:30 PM SA Time – Ladbrokes Ayr Silver Cup Handicap
DESERT FALCON was struck into at Doncaster last week, so his sixth in the Portland can be marked up. Beaten only a neck in the Gold Cup here last year, Julie Camacho’s sprinter looks set to make a bold bid only 2lb higher. Stablemate Havana Blue arrives at the top of his game having won at Ascot recently to land a double, but Deep Havana makes more appeal having made a winning debut for new connections when scoring at Thirsk. Commanche Falls, Trilby and Jungle Drums are others for the shortlist.

Top Tip: Desert Falcon (1)
Watch out for: Deep Havana (4)

4 4:05 PM SA Time – Ladbrokes ‘New Customers Get 50/1 Old Firm Offer’ Firth Of Clyde (Fillies’ Group 3)
Dark Issue was only beaten half a length into second in the Dick Poole at Salisbury at the start of the month and commands respect with Tom Marquand now doing the steering. However, SILENT BEAUTY readily took care of her nearest rival by three lengths when victorious in Listed company at Ripon and she could make it three wins from four career appearances. Duchess Of Cambridge fourth Ruby Moon is another to keep a close eye on.

Top Tip: Silent Beauty (7)
Watch out for: Dark Issue (3)

5 4:40 PM SA Time – Ladbrokes Ayr Gold Cup (Heritage Handicap)
Richard Spencer has proven to have a dab hand in these highly competitive sprint handicaps in recent years, including when saddling last year’s winner Run Boy Run. He has four contenders this time around and Twilight Calls is arguably his leading hope after his runner-up effort in the Portland at Doncaster, but his battalion might be worth taking on with FAR ABOVE DREAM. James Owen’s charge had eight of these rivals behind when denied a nose into second in a contest that is working out very well at York and that looks the key piece of form to focus on. At a price, Volterra might be one to watch out for.

Top Tip: Far Above Dream (13)
Watch out for: Twilight Calls (25)

6 5:15 PM SA Time – British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race)
Gold Key showed marked improvement from his debut ninth at Newcastle when headed in the closing stages at Thirsk last month. Kevin Ryan’s colt could step up again and must enter calculations, but the 82-rated AMIR LEHBAB edges the vote. The son of No Nay Never arrives on the back of a close-up second in a similar contest at Doncaster and compensation may beckon. Golden Souk and Rogue Constelation are the pick of the newcomers and merit a check in the betting.

Top Tip: Amir Lehbab (1)
Watch out for: Gold Key (4)

7 5:50 PM SA Time – Jordan Electrics Handicap
Having landed the spoils on five of his last six appearances, Classy Clarets merits the utmost of respect given his current vein of form. That said, the five-year-old is effectively 12lb higher with Tom Marquand taking over, which could leave the door open for fellow in-form rival QUEST FOR FUN. Tim Easterby’s charge has posted several creditable efforts in defeat this season and a 2lb rise for his narrow defeat at York recently appears fair. The relatively unexposed Blakefell also catches the eye.

Top Tip: Quest For Fun (3)
Watch out for: Classy Clarets (5)

Uzwano has been tipped to win the Middle Stakes race (Picture: Race Coast)

Hollywoodbets Greyville Sunday Formguides And Selections

RACE 1

Wide open race

3 TRIP TO VENUS has good form and is well-bred being by three times champion sire GIMMETHEGREENLIGHT out of dual Gr 1 winner LADY WINDERMERE, but the latter’s Gr 1 wins were from 1200m to 1600m and he is not certain to enjoy this step up in trip. 1 JUDICIARY (LEGISLATE) beat Trip To Venus over 1600m, but his subsequent runs were disappointing, although he should relish the step up in trip as he has a sibling by ELUSIVE FORT who has won up to 2600m. 7 FIRE FORCE has done well over this trip before and is not out of it. 6 PREUX CHEVALIER is capable of better than last time and should relish the step up in trip being by RAFEEF out of a DYNASTY mare who won a Listed race over 2400m.

RACE 2

12 PREDATOR’S CROWN has been knocking hard and went close over this trip last time, so she is the one to beat but does have to overcome a wide draw. 7 BLAZING BELLE was not striding out last time after fly jumping, but on previous form she is a big runner and being by POMODORO she could enjoy the step up in trip despite being out of a VAR mare. 2 YEAH BABY is well drawn and only has 1,30 lengths to find on BLAZING BELLE on 1200m form and on pedigree she will relish this trip, although she was a touch disappointing over it last time. 5 FLORAL KINGDOM has the form to possibly earn.

Trainer Comments:

Sean Tarry: (3) PANDORA FORT: will need the experience.

Alyson Wright: (4) HAILEY PEBBLES: will need the run

RACE 3:

2 FORT USHER over raced last time and now has a good draw over his winning distance, so should be right there. 6 DANUBE is course and distance suited and should be right there. 4 MY BOY LOLLIPOP can be involved if breaking well and finding cover, unlike last time when caught wide. 8 ULTRA QUICK is an honest sort, who could be in the shake up over a suitable trip, but he does have a wide draw. 3 SLYTHERIN has a form chance provided the race is run as programmed i.e. on turf and not switched to the poly.

Trainer comments:

Gareth van Zyl: 1 MUSIC IS LIFE is an old campaigner who is questionable over the trip and it is hard to be confident with him, but he is in a good space, so I’m hoping things go his way and he could then be thereabouts.

Alyson Wright: 3 SLYTHERIN – is better on the grass and I give him a chance if it stays on grass, but he will be at a disadvantage if it is changed to the poly.

8 ULTRA QUICK – I think there is a bit of pace in the race and if he can get over from that draw I think he will run into the money. He enjoys running both on grass and on the poly.

RACE 4: 

4 PRIZED POSSESSION looks to be promising and looks capable of winning off an 88-merit rating. 8 ZAGREB has more bad luck with draws but should be flying home over an ideal trip. 2 DRICUS ran well off this merit rating last time and if breaking better he will be right there. 1 CARDINAL CHIEF should be staying on from pole position.

Trainer comments:

Garth Puller: 1 CARDINAL CHIEF is doing well and has got the pole position draw in a very competitive field. He has a 1,5kg claimer on and and I’m expecting him to run into the quartet.

Byron Forster: 2 DRICUS is doing well and has come on from his last run, but he’s probably wanting a mile.

Doug Campbell: 3 QUEST OF VALOR is working well at home and should be in the places.

Gareth van Zyl: 10 PLAZA ACCORD will probably need this run. It is his first run for the stable and he’s coming back from a rest.

RACE 5:

1 BLUE STEEL will go close if breaking better than he did last time and will be hard to catch if taking up his favourite front-running role. 6 BANGKOK MAGIC should enjoy the step up in trip and can overcome a three point raise for his last win. Expect a strong finish under Keagan de Melo and those two look likely to fight it out.

Trainer comments: 

Gareth van Zyl: 5 DUBAI DUDE had a little rest after his previous run. He is quite a big horse and might need this a touch, but he is working well and there is a chance he can finish in the money.

RACE 6:

6 SILVER SALUTE ran on well from last over this trip last time and off a one-point lower mark with Keagan de Melo up he can do the same from a tricky draw in a smaller field.

Trainer comments:

Doug Campbell: 7 ARCTIC FURY will need the run after a res

RACE 7:

3 UZWANO is well drawn and should be right there as he is officially the best weighted runner. 6 CLEAR THE RUNWAY has 1,30 lengths to find on TUNGUSKA and is 1,5kg better off so there won’t be much in it, but he is officially 1kg under sufferance with UZWANO. 2 TUNGUSKA is in devastating form and even a six point raise for his last win might not stop him, although is officially 1.5kg under sufferance with UZWANO under the conditions of this race, so has a tough task. 4 BRUH should be cherry ripe and has been looking for this trip, but he is officially 1kg under sufferance with UZWANO. 5 MASTER DE ROUVRAY comes off a hattrick but is returning from a short layoff.  1 MOHAVE PRINCE is drawn in pole and could be in the shake up if not needing it as he is officially only half-a-kilogram under sufferance with UZWANO.

Trainer comments:

Garth Puller: 1 MOHAVE PRINCE has not run for a while and I’m putting him over 2000m. I don’t think the distance is a problem, but just the fact that he is carrying a heavy weight coupled with him not having run for a while means he might just come up needing it.

RACE 8:

6 SPLASH OF LOVE has improved and will go close over a trip that should suit. Stablemate 3 COOL WIND is by HAWWAAM, so should be improving and should be right there too. 5 HEAVENLY MAFIA has stayed on in her last two over 1600m and being by HEAVENLY BLUE she might enjoy the step up in trip, although she is out of a VICTORY MOON mare who was kept to sprints.

Trainer comments:

Gareth van Zyl: 1 LA MADDALENA has been a bit disappointing. On her day she can run into the money, but we won’t be holding our breath on her.

Duncan Howells: 8 ZENA ROSE is racing consistently and can run into the money.

Exocet needed his last start after an injury-enforced break and is the one to beat in Monday’s Hollywoodbets Bright Future Middle Stakes race (Picture: Race Coast)

Andrew Harrison (Race Coast)

The weather forecast for Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Monday predicts soft going. Being the last meeting on the course before undergoing its annual spring treatment, it could be a meeting for the ‘mudlarks’ to come to the fore but things can change before Monday.

The card is headed by a B Stakes over 1600m but most eyes will be centered on Mike and Mathew de Kock’s Exocet in the last on the eight-race card.

Returning from a long break, the colt showed up well for the first 800m before running out of condition, beaten under two lengths back in fourth. That run should have been hugely beneficial and barring a mud-bath, his class should carry him through.

However, it will not be easy as he takes on some useful older handicappers that includes Licence To Thrill and Donquerari. Licence To Thrill has his third run back from a short break and was narrowly beaten over course and distance last time out. Donquerari is a hard-knocking veteran who goes well over course and distance and could be the main threat. Sean Tarry’s filly Mystical Miss can also be a threat as she has drawn on the wide outside but has a light weight and comes with useful Highveld form. The wide draw in soft going could be to her advantage.

The B Stakes is an open handicap where Garth Puller could have found the right race for veteran galloper Queue Wing. Up in class he has been dropping in the handicap and now gets a 2.5kg claimer aboard which could be the right recipe. Down By The River goes well over course and distance and was staying on well for second last time out. Kom Naidoo’s runner has the best of the draw. Pinot Grigio returns from a lengthy break and makes his local debut for Ricky Maingard. He comes with fair Cape form but mostly at long odds. Landoftherisingsun shoulders top weight but has not run a bad race since arriving in KZN and the stable is in good form.

There are many first timers in the first so keep an eye on the betting but of those that have run, One Pepper showed good improvement first time after gelding and should run another forward race while AMC Roy On Fire has run two smart race on this course. He is on the up and should make a bold bid. Hollywood Racing have a number of first timers in the race and going on jockey booking, best of them could be Sensei Of Spin and Escape Velocity.

Punters face a similar dilemma in the first leg of the PA that has mostly first timers so keep a close eye on the betting. Of those that have run, One Flight improved nicely at her second outing over course and distance and should be a factor while Gavin Lerena has stuck with Fleur Delacour for Paul Lafferty who has run two promising races over course and distance. Nothing Cooler is a lightly raced four-year-old and returns from a long lay-off. She had promising form before the break and may be worth following in the market. Celeritas is a well-bred Sean Tarry first timer who is another that may be worth keeping a close eye on.

Joy N Hope can get the Pick 6 off to a winning start as he has improved with each outing over sprints. He steps up to what could be a more suitable trip with Keagan de Melo aboard. Clever Kid has the widest draw but showed up well when second on debut and with expected improvement he should be competitive. United Tides was not too far back in third over course and distance last time out and can still improve along with Wo Zai who made a promising debut over course and distance at long odds and should come on with the experience.

Sparrow Man won well first up over a mile to shed his maiden. He has a handy weight and looks progressive and can follow up in some fair company in the fourth. War Reporter has taken a new lease on life at recent outings for Sean Tarry and has useful Highveld form and will be a threat. The Marquee was close-up behind the very promising Coast Of The Sun last time out and is never far back and the extra furlong could suit.

The seventh is a wide open handicap but French War Lord, although a recent maiden winner, came with strong maiden form and beat a progressive gelding in One Pepper. He can follow up. Lunch Money won well over course and distance last time out and had solid poly form prior to that He could be the biggest threat. Of the balance, Connoisseur is showing signs of his best form and with a light weight he should be competitive along with One Irish Rover who does seem better over a furlong shorter but with De Melo up he can get the extra.

Back to a sprint, Eric’s Legacy won well over course and distance last time out. He is smart and can follow up. Second that day was the lightly raced Fire Chief who was having his first run after a short break. He is much better off at the weights given the 4kg apprentice allowance and there should not be much between the two. Into Red Space won first time out in PE and then took on feature company. He gets a tongue-tie and is one to watch. Yannakis took a six-point raise in the handicap after his third successive win over course and distance and the handicapper may now have got his measure but he cannot be written off lightly.

Inside barrier draw favours Lady Shenandoah in G1 Sir Rupert Clarke

HKJC

A prospect of race favourite Lady Shenandoah being scratched from Saturday’s (19 September) Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield has been avoided after the mare drew a favourable draw in the Group 1 feature.

Waller had threatened to withdraw the three-time Group 1 winner and instead leave her in Sydney to race if she drew an outside barrier, but she will jump from gate one.

“I’d like to see a good draw, it’s a long way to come if she’s going to draw wide,” Waller said. “She ran in the Manikato this time last year and had no luck from the wide draw.”

Lady Shenandoah drew the extreme outside barrier in last year’s G1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) and finished fourth at short odds when trapped wide.

Waller has three of the runners in the 16-horse capacity field, and is hoping for a smoother run for Angel Capital, who was desperately unlucky not to win last year’s edition of the race.

Conditions and race tactics are expected to favour Angel Capital, who needs a maiden Group 1 victory to enhance his value as a stallion prospect.

Waller was happy with the son of Harry Angel’s second-up performance in the G1 Memsie Stakes (1400m), when he finished 10th, beaten around five-and-three-quarter lengths after jockey Ben Melham said the five-year-old over-raced and didn’t like the soft Caulfield track.

“Speed, good track, he’s ready to go,” Waller said of Saturday’s assignment. “His run in the Memsie was good, it was just tempo-related and soft track. He’s more tractable now and doing everything right.

“It looks like he’s got a good weight. Obviously, had no luck in it last year. I’ve been happy with his runs, and he should be ready to peak third up on Saturday.

“We’ve got to win that Group 1, he was very unlucky in it last year.”

Waller’s other runner, Sun God, is rated as an outsider, but he said the former European galloper has excelled since being campaigned as a sprinter.

“He’s done nothing wrong since being in Australia. We actually learned he’s a sprinter not a stayer. Since he’s been trained that way, he’s been lethal fresh and putting a good record together,” Waller said.

Tom Kitten is top weight with 130lb and is aiming for his fourth Group 1. His chances are helped by a record of a win and a second from his three attempts at the track and distance.

Sam Freedman, who trains in partnership with his father Anthony, admitted that Tom Kitten did little in his first-up run when finishing 11th of 12 in the G1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield.

“He’ll have a big weight, but I think good speed will suit. First-up, he didn’t really have a run, so he’s still got some freshness in him,” Freedman said.

Former European galloper Warnie has gathered plenty of support after the six-year-old gelding’s last start Group 3 victory at Sandown over 1300m.

Ciaron Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said it was a dominant win.

“To see Warnie have a few lengths to make up, quicken the way he did, then ease down late, it was impressive,” he said.

Regal Award goes into the race first-up and Tommy Stokes, who trains in partnership with his father Phillip, believes the Group 3 1400m winner has his best chance of a maiden Group 1 success.

“Both trials have been super and he’ll go into next Saturday pretty cherry ripe,” Stokes said.

In a race with many chances, last year’s winner Sepals tackles the 1400m first-up for trainer Cliff Brown, who will also saddle Von Hauke in the race.

The barrier draw wasn’t kind to co-trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes after the talented Evaporate drew barrier 17 and War Machine barrier 18.

The G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) is carded as S1-9 and will be run at 8.50am (South African time) on Saturday, 19 September.

Leo Schlink (HKJC)

Ka Ying Rising has completed final preparations before travelling to Australia for a second tilt at the AU$20 million (approx. HK$111 million) G1 The Everest (1200m) at Randwick Racecourse on 17 October after a faultless track gallop at Sha Tin on Friday morning (18 September).

Exercising pre-dawn on the turf course, the world’s highest-rated horse galloped over 1200m under the watchful eye of David Hayes, clocking 1m 21.70s and rounding off the work with a final 400m sectional of 22.6s.

Triumphant in his past 21 starts, including setting a Sha Tin track record of 1m 06.11s in the G3 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m) on 6 September, Ka Ying Rising delighted Hayes ahead of the champion’s departure on Sunday night (20 September) for Sydney, where he will attempt to win the world’s richest turf race for the second time.

“He galloped and he ran on well down the straight and he did it nicely, he did it all well – and his recovery was very good,” Hayes said. “He’s eating the food. He’s ready to go after his last piece of work.”

Ka Ying Rising will spend two weeks in quarantine at Canterbury Racecourse before trialling at Randwick Racecourse on Tuesday, 6 October. Retired stablemate Ka Ying Glory will travel to Australia with Ka Ying Rising as a companion.

Hayes hopes the preparation, which is a carbon copy of last season’s victorious raid, will again deliver the major spoils.

“He’s really in great shape. Probably ahead of last year, I would say,” Hayes said. “He doesn’t need another horse to work with in quarantine in Australia. Ka Ying Glory will go for company and they can eat together.”

Ka Ying Rising, the only foreign-trained horse to win The Everest, again runs in The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s The Everest slot.

Ridden by Zac Purton, Ka Ying Rising defeated Tempted and Jimmysstar in last year’s The Everest.

Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday (23 September).

Darkness Falls winning the Gr 1 HKJC World Pool Golden Fleece Stakes (Picture via X)

Ballydoyle handler considering drop in trip for Constitution River.

At The Races

Aidan O’Brien believes his impressive Irish Champions Festival winner Darkness Falls could potentially be his first realistic Triple Crown contender since Camelot.

Camelot was famously denied becoming the first horse since Nijinsky in 1970 to win the 2000 Guineas, Derby and St Leger in the final leg by Encke in 2012.

John Oxx’s Sea The Stars won the Guineas and Derby three years earlier, but the season’s final Classic at Doncaster was never really on his radar as he instead signed off his brilliant career in the following month’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

It is therefore approaching 60 years since Nijinsky achieved British Flat racing’s Holy Grail, but O’Brien feels he has another possible candidate on his hands, one appropriately sired by Camelot.

“Darkness Falls could be our first Triple Crown horse since Camelot. He looks to have the capacity to stay, he has that speed,” he told www.coolmore.com.

“The next place to go with him is the thing. Do we go to the Dewhurst or the Futurity Trophy? It’s possible he could go to the Dewhurst, he could have the pace for it.

“He is unusual, he has a super mind, he’s a great traveller and he quickens so we’ll see how he is, but he’s obviously really exciting.”

Constitution River was this year’s big hope for O’Brien after winning the French Guineas, French Oaks and the Eclipse, but defeats at York and in the Irish Champion Stakes have dented his reputation and he could potentially drop down to a mile next for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.

He said: “There’s a chance that we’ve been doing the wrong thing with him and he’s the miler and Gstaad is the mile-and-a-quarter horse. They are both top colts, we just have to decide with him do we go to Ascot.

“It’s possible he could go to the mile, and does Gstaad go to Ascot and go up to a mile and a quarter (Champion Stakes)? At the start of the year we always thought he would go up (in trip).”

One who did live up to expectations last weekend was Sun Goddess, who romped to victory in the Moyglare Stud Stakes.

“Sun Goddess looks a freak, that’s all you can say,” said O’Brien. “There was a good chance she wouldn’t get the seven (furlongs) but instead of it exposing her it exposed everybody else. If everything is well she could go back for the Cheveley Park, why not.”

Looking ahead to the Arc, O’Brien’s team does not looks as potentially strong as it did in the first half of the season, but he could still be well represented, especially as several in his yard have been affected by a low grade infection.

“Benvenuto Cellini, we felt in the race in France (fifth in Prix Niel) the pacemaker went off and none of the others followed him so it became a tactical race which didn’t suit him,” said O’Brien.

“He did give a few coughs for a few days when he got back. His coughing is starting to disappear, but his scoping is perfect and he should be fine come Arc time if the ground is nice, if not he’ll go to America.

“Minnie Hauk will probably go to the Arc and it looks like she’ll be at her best of the year come Arc weekend as long as she doesn’t give a cough or anything.

“Diamond Necklace is in great shape, she has a choice of either the Arc or the Prix de l’Opera, she is in good order.

“I might have backed her up too quick in Deauville and not had enough respect for the competition. I thought she would win, but she got a bit tired in the bad ground so she’s probably better than that.”