Turf Talk Newsletter – 2 October, 2026

Flower Island is fancied to score in the Joburg Spring FM Challenge. (Picture: JC Photos).

An exciting and busy weekend of racing lies ahead with future and established equine stars in action from Turffontein to Durbanville to Longchamp in France on Sunday.

On Saturday smart three-year-olds take on well-performed older rivals in two Grade 2 features at Turffontein, where a R500,000 Pick 6 carryover is expected to push the total pool to R3million.

In the UK, multiple Group 1-winning filly Blue Bolt goes for six wins in a row in a Group 1 at Newmarket on Saturday and the next day champion colt Daryz bids to achieve the rare feat of winning the Group 1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe twice running.

TAB customers can bet into the Hong Kong World Pool on Flemington and Newmarket races on Saturday.

Play into the Carryover Pick 6 Pool at Turffontein – the only way to increase the pool is to play on the tote – which you can also do with most online bookmakers.

Below is a leg-by-leg guide to the carryover Pick 6. Structure correctly, take a few perms, use percentage betting:

Leg 1 (13:55): Race 4 – 1800m BETWAY MIDDLE STAKES

Promising four-year-olds 10 DAWSON’S ANVIL and 11 DOCTOR STRANGELOVE step up to stronger company, but both have raced only a few times and look well ahead of the handicapper. They are expected to fight out the finish off their bottom weights. Justin Snaith’s raider 2 LANDOFTHERISINGSUN let his supporters down when backed into favouritism last time, but he is better than that and is not out of it on his first Highveld start. 4 BEST CANDIDATE is in the best form of his career but has to give away a chunk of weight to Dawson’s Anvil and Doctor Strangelove. 7 FIRST WISH makes her debut for Candice and Tammy Dawson. She is effective over this trip, nicely weighted and one for bigger perms.

Leg 2 (14:30): Race 5 – 1600m BETWAY MR 92 OPEN HANDICAP (three-year-olds)

8 KOVIL is a handsome individual with ability. He acquitted himself well after a rest in open company last time and, in receipt of weight all round, has the looks of a good-value bet. There are others with chances. 2 GOTTHETIGER’s trainer Joe Soma will have a line through his runner Raptor King, who defeated 3 TROJAN HORSE in a Maiden Plate last season. They reappear after a rest with the same ratings and there should not be much between them. 1 ONE STATE is very fit following two wins this season, including a handicap against older runners. He may be good enough to go in again. 7 HOT CHOICE is bred to enjoy this distance and further, and is worth considering if you’re playing wide.

Leg 3 (15:05): Race 6 – 1450m BETWAY JOBURG SPRING F&M CHALLENGE (Grade 2)

Three-year-old fillies don’t have a good record in this traditionally competitive feature, with only Peter Racing’s Big Burn successful in the last 10 renewals. She set the pace under 52kg in 2021 and galloped the older mares off their feet. Sean Tarry can do it with another exceptionally speedy filly in 11 GET UP, a Grade 2 winner last season. She has just 51.5kg to shoulder and may well employ similar tactics. Another talented three-year-old 12 FLOWER ISLAND will race with only 50.5kg in the saddle and also has winning prospects. Among their older rivals 2 WHISTLE THE TUNE, 3 KISSHOTEN and 9 WARM RECEPTION are all good enough to have a say at the finish. Go light with the younger generation or cover with the established older fillies and mares.

Leg 4 (15:40): Race 7 – 1450m BETWAY JOBURG SPRING CHALLENGE (Grade 2)

Three-year-old colts have won three of the last six renewals, among them 1 TIN PAN ALLEY who won it off a rating of 113 last year. He faces a big task from a wide draw this time. Louis Goosen’s Grade 1 winner 14 ERIK DUBOIS is the only three-year-old in the race this year and is rated 111. He is considered a Cape Guineas prospect, had a good pipe-opener to start his seasonal campaign recently and looks a class act. He has a winning chance off 52.5kg. There are plenty of dangers among the older runners, including stalwart 3 GLADATORIAN, capable 4 MAIN DEFENDER (the 2023 winner), 6 CHOISAANADA (fourth last year), 7 TEXAS RED (in-form stable, always thereabouts), 10 TALK TO THE MASTER (new stable, good form), 11 SUNSET RIOT (upset chance on recent form), 12 CHRONICLE KING (talented and suited to the course and distance) and 13 I’M A FIREBALL (speedy and could get away). A good spread of runners is advised.

Leg 5 (16:20): Race 8 – 1200m BETWAY MR 96 HANDICAP

Once again, it is tempting to side with the up-and-coming three-year-olds in the form of Grade 3 winner 5 TIME IS PRECIOUS and Grade 2-placed 3 BISOU BISOU. Both are correctly weighted for their high ratings, have performed well at this track and are likely to be very competitive. Among the older runners 1 PLUS FOUR has some class about him, while 2 IT’S PERSONAL is a course-and-distance ace with Richard Fourie aboard. Another close finish is anticipated.

Leg 6 (16:55): Race 9 – 1200m BETWAY MR 84 HANDICAP

4 LITTLE BOY BLUE appears to have turned the corner in Tony Peter’s stable after treading water in KZN. He looked confident and in full control when winning his second start for his new trainer a fortnight ago and could go close again with further improvement. Stablemates 2 CONTINENTAL KING and 6 HIGHWAYMAN HARRY ran well after lengthy breaks and the former, in particular, looks to have wins in him this season. 3 FOSTINOVO had a valid excuse for his poor performance last time and is expected to show his useful old form. 8 ELUSIVE RED won a good race when tried over this distance two starts ago and looks a factor under Craig Zackey.

Congratulations to our Interbet Betting Voucher winners – four winners of R2,500 each. We will be sending your names and details to Interbet, who will be in touch.

The answer to the question, ‘Who is South Africa’s oldest and most established betting exchange’, was of course, INTERBET.

Thanks to all who entered and well done to those who got the answer right. Best of luck to those who didn’t, there may be a few hard years ahead for you.

The four winners are:

NIRVAAN SINGH
NOLAN VAN VUUREN
SAMESH NAIDOO
MICHAEL PIENAAR

Enjoy your prizes!

There are glowing reports for the first foals sired by Maine Chance Farms’ multiple Group-winning stallion, Point Lonsdale (IRE), with an early view that the son of Australia is complementing his mares and stamping their progeny with the same quality and precocity he possessed as a young racehorse.

Maine Chance’s seasoned stud manager, Ross Fuller, says he hasn’t seen foals of this high a standard in years, with the class remarkably consistent throughout the crop.

“I am unable to single out particular foals, because they’re simply all impressive. They are light-framed, well-balanced and correct, with depth. We’ve been watching them running around. There are several precocious ones, they look like speedballs. We’re smiling!”

John Koster said about his Point Lonsdale foals born at Klawervlei Stud: “They are showing immense quality and are very well balanced. They look extremely athletic and I am impressed.”

Point Lonsdale had a brilliant juvenile career before developing into a high-level middle-distance performer. He won seven races, including Group races at two, four and five years of age. Read more here.

Below are images of some of Point Lonsdale’s first foals, by Troy Finch:

Colt x Articuno (Klawervlei Stud)

Colt x Key Element (Klawervei Stud)

Colt x Miss Putin (Normandy Stud)

Filly x Blue Holly (Maine Chance)

Colt x Conscientious (Maine Chance)

Filly by Gregarious Girl (Maine Chance)

Filly x Feliciana (Maine Chance)

Filly x Mersault (Maine Chance)

4Racing is pleased to announce that ticket sales for the 2026 Betway Summer Cup are now open.

Taking place at Turffontein Racecourse on Saturday, 28 November 2026, this year’s Betway Summer Cup invites racegoers to “Celebrate Summer” with a day of top-class racing, entertainment and hospitality.

TICKET PRICES

General Admission: R100

Summer Garden: R450

Turffontein Decks: R2,400

Turffontein Room: R2,950

Tickets can be purchased online at:

https://summercup.howler.co.za/events/betway-summer-cup-2026-9a8f

With the 2026 Betway Summer Cup set to bring the country’s racing community together at Turffontein, racegoers are encouraged to secure their tickets early!

Please visit our website https://www.summercup.co.za or follow our social media platforms https://www.facebook.com/summercupracing, https://www.instagram.com/summercupracing/ and https://x.com/summercupracing for more.

United Front may lead the pack in Race 8 ([Picture: Chase Liebenberg/Race Coast).

MAGICAL PLACE’S luck turned when winning his last start at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, after a couple of tough trips previously kiboshed his chances.

Callan Murray got him settled into a smooth rhythm, then switched towards clear running in the middle of the track where he fought off perennial bridesmaid, PINK PIGEON.

18 days later, they met again. Race 5 will be staged over the same course and 1000m distance. At the weight turnaround, there should be little between Eric Sands’s smart sprinter and the ultra-consistent mare trained by Justin Snaith.

MAGICAL PLACE, better drawn than last time, is a slight preference to follow up. This is a circuit he loves – sporting three wins from five starts at the Country Course. When switching off early, he can finish super-swiftly and that closing burst could again prove decisive.

Apart from the persistent threat of PINK PIGEON, other dangers include OLIVER and DEMANDING DAVE. The latter comes back after 78 days off track. He really hit form this time last year when the ground firmed up and has competitive back figures for this class level.

OLIVER is still going strong, at the age of seven. Watch for a big late surge from Adam Marcus’ gelding, who dashed past PINK PIGEON at his only ever try over the trip, though the weight differential slightly favors the mare this time around.

UNITED FRONT has twice run nicely since an abortive trip to Durban during Winter. He outdueled LOVING PRAGUE in August, then made a big move from the tail of the field only to get lumbered on the line by an even swifter deep-closer, CEDAR POINT, just 18 days ago

Both those Hollywoodbets Durbanville runs were at this class level and over the same distance as Sunday’s eighth race. His official merit rating has not shifted since that fine last try, so with preferred circumstances fitting his profile neatly, Vaughan Marshall’s 4YO should go close.

CORK BAY, stretching out after being kept to sprints, is his main danger. Going an extra panel looks like the right move as he doesn’t quicken, he just grinds it out over shorter trips. Muzi Yeni will probably place him relatively handy from a wide draw, but there is lots of speed in this race with DEVIL A SAINT, AVIGNON, ELUSIVE GIFT and SPINNAKER all pacey types.

They will hope to sustain their bids down the straight and stave off swoopers, such as the afore-mentioned UNITED FRONT, plus DIAMOND BARON.

Race 3, opening Leg of the P6, is an especially interesting Maiden Plate over 1400m. Stunningly bred firster, CONTINUE THE DREAM (by Gimmethegreenlight ex Real Princess) and thus a brother to Gr 1 equine stars, GIMME A PRINCE and THE REAL PRINCE, steps out for the Dean Kannemeyer/Craig Zackey partnership.

Meanwhile, CONFIRMED had an eye-catching debut when closing briskly from a hopeless position to get near to SPINNAKER. It is a concern that he was reported as making respiratory noises, but champion trainer Justin Snaith is no doubt on top of things.

Snaith also saddles COSMIC DAN, who improved second up to HAVOC, even if it was a false paced affair.

GODRIC GRYFFINDOR resumes after a four-month spell. He’s run to some smart horses in a series of key Maiden’s and if fit enough and taking to the track from a wide gate, could enter the fray.

Race 6, a wild scurry over 1000m, is exclusively booked for Apprentice riders. CHAMPAGNE CASTLE, AXIS POWER and MOODY BLUE could be the trio to keep onside.

CHAMPAGNE CASTLE was excellent as a juvenile, completely outpacing high-class, RED SPICE on two occasions. But she does not seem to have grown much since, and is still weighing in at a diminutive, 438kg’s. That said, the Rafeef filly now drops dramatically down the class ladder and after a sighter at the track a few weeks ago, could be ready to shine under apprentice, Sfiso Bungane.

AXIS POWER did not corner comfortably at his first try here. Nevertheless, he showed speed for a long way, only caving it late. His penultimate, in a tougher Class 4 at Hollywoodbets Scottsville, gives him a shake.

MOODY BLUE has the inside draw, and on stats, one of the best apprentices, Mosaheb, who is clicking at a 12% strike rate. This course and distance suited gelding should give a good sight assuming the track remains firm, as he detests the slush.

Marginal cases might be made for BLACK ERIKA and PAPILLON BLU, but P6 players may be able to lock up Leg 4 and shave costs, by using the three previously suggested entries.

Race 6 also forms part of both Jackpots, the PA and Bipot.

Egyptian Mau caused an upset in G3 Sprint. (Picture: Horse Racing Nation).

The classy Egyptian Mau, a R425 000 buy from the 2022 National Yearling Sale, showed her class when she won the G3 Belmont Turf Sprint Stakes at Belmont Park on Thursday.

The daughter of Fire Away made a mockery of her 31-1 starting price with a convincing display.

An almost six-month layoff and facing males could not stop 6-year-old mare from winning her first U.S. graded stakes in the $200,000 feature. The Neil Drysdale trainee posted her first graded stakes win since the 2023 G3 HSH Princess Charlene Starling Stakes in her native South Africa.

Breaking from post 4 under Antonio Fresu, Egyptian Mau raced in sixth behind the leaders on the rail through a quarter-mile in :23.19 and a half-mile in :45.83. Still fifth in the stretch, Fresu and Egyptian Mau took advantage of a gap on rail to run down second-choice Walaro for a neck score.

Egyptian Mau has now won four of 15 starts, having also claimed an allowance optional claiming race at Santa Anita Park last October.

Bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, Egyptian Mau races for Team Valor International.

The mare, a half-sister to G3 Godolphin Barb Stakes winner Cymric, was produced by the winning Fort Wood mare Savannah Cat. The latter, in turn, is a half-sister to G3 Kings Cup winner Bulleting Home and hails from the same family as multiple champion sire Western Winter. – Bloodstock SA.

Former South African trainer Jarett Rugg has moved to the United States on the US government’s refugee programme. He has been given start-up support, including a furnished apartment and household devices.

Jarrett has not been able to settle down since the Kimberley racecourse was closed in 2020. He tried to set up a yard at Ashburton and later at Fairview, but gave up for lack of support and has been journeying between jobs and cities since.

He received approval from the Trump administration earlier this year and, like in the Marc Cohn song, ‘put on his blue suede shoes and boarded a plane, touched down in the land of the Delta Blues…’

Jarrett won’t be ‘Walking In Memphis’ just yet, however. He has been relocated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and, whilst waiting for his driver’s licence, has to travel over two hours to work by bus at 530am, and back at 5pm.

Jarrett has created ‘SA Ginger in the USA’ with near 1,000 followers on Facebook, and has already come under the whip for referring to South Africa as a hidden body part that rhymes with ‘patrol’.

The man has always been a loner, however, he’s a good guy and a searcher looking for better. It’s going to be interesting looking at the way he views the world from the Land Of The Free.

Jarrett is away from Julius Malema, taxi violence, looting and potholes now, but will have to contend with scary things like adults wearing nappies, face masks and dog collars, preening celebrities, school shootings, Antifa terrorists and Ilhan Omar. One has to wonder what is worse?

Oh, and we’ll be getting some lekker food updates too, as Jarrett has never been averse to a good chow.

He reported:

“Had KFC box for the first time in the USA.

“They call the burger a chicken sandwich but it is a burger. Burger taste slightly different but is very nice.

“Their hot wings are HOT wings.

“I had their wedges and not chips. I am not a fan of the wedges.

“They give you a massive dip in the box. That was lekker.

“I’m not a 100% sure yet which is better, SA or USA. I’ll have to have one or two more different dishes to make the final decision but at the moment, I think SA is winning this one, for now.”