Turf Talk Newsletter – 28 February, 2025

Snaith Barometer: 191

Target: 222

Alec Laird Holds The Key To The Classic

Fire Attack has some fine formlines and is one of three Alec Laird-trained horses with good chances in the Gr 1 SA Classic. (JC Photos)

All eyes will be on Turffontein Standside on Saturday, where there will be three Gr 1 races to look forward to.

In the Gr 1 TAB SA Classic over 1800m Alec Laird has a strong hand. Fire Attack had to be scratched from the Gr 2 Gauteng Guineas as his blood reading was not right. It should not have set his fitness back as his last run was on January 11 and before that he ran in the Betway Dingaans. He stayed on well from a handy position in the Dingaans and ran on well from well back in the Gr 3 Got The Greenlight over 1400m when beaten just 0,70 lengths by Greaterix, despite giving him 2kg. On pedigree he should just about get the trip. Don’t Cry For Me won over course and distance last time in fine style and it heralded a turning of the corner for an always well regarded sort. The Sean Tarry yard is in ominously good form at present. Parisian Walkway was beaten by Fire Attack in the Dingaans but was having his first run as a gelding next time out when winning the Gr 2 Gauteng Guineas. He looks likely to relish the course and distance and he has a good draw of four. Aristotle stayed on well for third in the Gauteng Guineas in his first run for Laird and he should relish the course and distance being by Rafeef out of Fort Wood mare Athina, who won the Gr 1 SA Fillies Classic. Legend Of Arthur should relish the course and distance too and Richard Fourie rides this Tarry charge from a plum draw. The Fabian Habib pair Confederate and Bacchus have a lot of class and could be involved, while Chestnut Bomber is better than his run in the Gauteng Guineas. Grey Jet is not far behind Parisian Walkway and Fire Attack on some collateral form. He should relish the step up in trip too. Busstopinhounslow has a nice big action and has come into his own since being tried over ground. Miss Scaletta is the only filly in the race and improved last time over 1600m and a repeat could see her in the money.

In the Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic over 1800m Spumante Dolce has drawn seven out of eleven and is going to be hard to beat considering her progressive profile and her pedigree which suggests she should relish the step up in trip. VJ’s Angel was only beaten 0.25 lengths by Spumante Dolce in the Gauteng Fillies Guineas and she now has a draw that is not as disadvantageous as her 12 draw was in the latter race. She is drawn eight and on pedigree this Gimmethegreenlight filly should see out the trip. Fiery Pegaus only has 1,90 lengths to find on Spumante Dolce and now has Richard Fourie up, albeit from a wide draw. World Of Alice should relish the step up in trip and the Tarry yard is in fine form. Olivia’s Way has class and is distance suited, but returns from a layoff since disappointing in the Gr 3 Fillies Mile, beaten 4,75 lengths by World Of Alice. Willy Meet Again could still be anything and jumps from pole position. Care Forgot has plenty of ability but is held by a few of these from Fillies Mile form and she has another wide draw here. Gerbera won well over the trip last time but this is a big step up in class. Bakwena began her career with a six length win over 1000m but has 7,10 lengths to find on Spumante Dolce on Gauteng Fillies Guineas form. She should relish the step uip in trip though being by Gimmethegreenlight and a half-sister to Divine Odyssey, who won a Gr 2 over 2000m. Hats Queen is an interesting runner, because she is clearly progressing and she relishes middle distance trips. However, Gavin Lerena has obviously jumped ship to ride VJ’s Angel. Sensoria is improving but has a very tough task at the weights here having been unable to win last time out off her 82 merit rating, although the handicappers did increase her merit rating to 84 after that race.

In the Gr 1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chesnut Stakes Main Defender will take a power of beating. He won this race last year and subsequently went a bit off form, but in his last three runs he has bounced back to his best, and has a fair draw of five under Gavin Lerena. Cosmic Speed was running on in eyecatching fashion last time in a Gr 3 over 1400m when beaten 3,10 lengths by Greaterix. He is now 2kg better off with the latter and he has a good draw of three. Barbaresco has likely come into his own as a four-year-old so from a plum draw of two with the astute professional Aldo Domeyer aboard he is a big runner over his probable optimum trip. Lucky Lad had the fastest 400m to finish time in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate and if he does stay this tougher 1600m he will be using his magnificent turn of foot to fly home. Greaterix has speed and class aplenty, but the question is whether he truly stays this trip because Parisian Walkway came back to beat him in the Gauteng Guineas. He will likely be left alone for as long as possible in the straight before using his turn of foot to rocket home. The others look held, although Imilenzeyokududuma should relish the lomg straight.

It will be a not to be missed day of racing.

"Marvels Of Mzansi" - Hollywoodbets Durban July Theme Unveiled

The theme for the Hollywoodbets Durban July was unveiled today at a well attended function in the Silver Ring Room at Hollywoodbets Greyville and “Marvels Of Mzansi” was generally well received.

Racing industry people together with the media, celebrities and sports personalities watched on as Carol Tshabalala hosted the event and Anlia Etzebeth announced the theme.

The theme is an all embracing one at a time in the country’s history when people need to pull together so they can continue to enjoy the marvels of Mzansi, so it was a most timeous theme.

The marvels include South Africa’s rich heritage, cultural diversity, and breath-taking landscapes, as well as the extraordinary achievements of its people in all walks of life.

Since the dawn of the Rainbow Nation, South Africa has had much to celebrate in the sporting arena – from the 1995 Rugby World Cup, when Francois Pienaar lifted the trophy as Nelson Mandela cheered him on in the iconic number 6 jersey, to Bafana Bafana’s 1996 AFCON triumph and Siya Kolisi’s historic back-to-back Rugby World Cup victories. These moments have united and inspired the nation. In the same spirit, the Hollywoodbets Durban July brings people together to celebrate South Africa’s heritage, resilience, and vibrant culture, showcasing the marvels that make Mzansi extraordinary.

Devin Heffer, the Hollywoodbets brands and communications manager, was interviewed on stage by Carol Tshabalala.

He spoke of the imprortance of horseracing to Hollywoodbets, saying they would not have been here today without it, and the importance of the Hollywoodbets Durban July to the Durban economy.

Last year the July event contributed R717 million to the city’s GDP.

The theme is also important for the fashion designers who will use it as inspiration for their designs.

The first prize for the fashion is R75,000.

This year marks the fourth renewal of the Hollywoodbets sponsored July and they have certainly taken the marketing of the event and the professionalism of the event organisation to a new level.

Roll on the big day, Saturday, July 5!

Tickets will go on sale in April on the Ticketpro website.

Turffontein Standside Formguides And Selections

Main Defender pictured winning the Gr 1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes last year and he has been tipped to defend his title at Turffontein Standside on Saturday (JC Photos).

R1 1 ELEGANTRIX won well on debut and could follow up. 5 GREEN DIAMOND is by Gimmethegreenlight out of a Trippi mare. 2 GLASTONBURY has run ywo fine races and should be right there. 3 BACK FROM WAR ran a fair second this week and should have come on from the run. (1-5-2-3)

R2 5 ONE FINE WINTER is well bred being by What A Winter out of a classy and speedy Trippi mare. 1 READ ALL ABOUT IT won well on debut and could be anything. 6 REIGNING ALICE is by Erik The Red out of a Hussonet mare. 2 BINGO has 1,50 lengths to find on Read All about It and is 3kg better off. (5-1-6-2)

R3 3 HOTARUBI is well weighted and shoud be effective over this trip. 1 GIMMEANOTHERCHANCE enjoys this trip and is second best in at the weights. 2 THE AFRICA HOUSE has shown glimpses of being better than his merit rating and this trip is within his rabge and Lerena is up, albeit from a tricky draw. 5 FRENCH BOLT can be involved if bouncing back. (3-1-2-5)

R4 1 JUST BE LEKKER is classy and fairly well drawn over an ideal course and distance. 3 CYMRIC has class and is drawn on the right side. 4 SILVER TUDOR should be running on sttrongly late. 8 ROLLWITHTHEPUNCHES has been in good form lately and is course and distance suited. (1-3-4-8)

R5 7 ANDI’S GIRL has a tough draw but is course and distance suited and deserves a change of luck. 1 LET’S GO NOW is coming into her own and should be right there. 2 LADY FALLON is in fine form and is course and distance suited. 8 GIMMEFABULOUS is on the up and should enjoy the step up in trip. (7-1-2-8)

R6 1 SPUMANTE DOLCE is full of class and still improving and she is bred for this trip. 2 VJ’S ANGEL has 0,25 length to make up on Spumante Dolce from the Gr 2 over 1600m and she is not as disadvantaged by the draw as she was that time. 3 FIERY PEGASUS has class and should get the trip and has just 1,90 lengths to make up on Spumante Dolce from the Fillies Guineas. 5 WORLD OF ALICE should relish the course and distance and is progressive. (1-2-3-5)

R7 3 FIRE ATTACK is full of class and beat Parisian Walkway in the Dingaans and should enjoy this trip. 8 DON’T CRY FOR ME impressed over course and distance last time and has always seemed classy. 1 PARISIAN WALKWAY won a fine race in the Gr 2 Gauteng Guineas and should relish this further trip. 2 ARISTOTLE stayed on well in the latter race and should also enjoy the trip. (3-8-1-2)

R8 1 MAIN DEFENDER will be hard to beat in the defence of his title from a fair draw under Lerena 9 COSMIC SPEED was running on well in a Gr 3 over 1400m last time and has a shout. 2 BARBARESCO is classy and should be coming into his own and has a good draw over a suitable trip. 3 LUCKY LAD is capable of a strong finish but there is a slight stamina doubt. (1-9-2-3)

R9 9 WINDS OF CHANGE is on the up but does have a tricky draw thats on the low side. 7 DREAMLAND loves this course and distance and should make his presence felt from a high draw. 2 WILLIAM ROBERTSON is speedy and classy and should be running on strongly. (9-7-2)

R9 7 WAR OF KINGDOMS is by Gimmethegreenlight out of a Kahal mare who won a Gr 3 over 1800m who has produced three winners and two of them multiple winners from four runners. 2 AMANDLA NGAWETHU brings some fair form from Cape Town. 8 GIMME A STORM disappointed last time but will enjoy the step back in trip although number one draw could be tricky. 9 BLUE QUARTZ has run some fair races and has the ability to earn here. (7-2-8-9)

Follow Appleby on Super Saturday

Mountain Breeze can get the ball rolling for the Charlie Appleby yard on Super Saturday – she runs in the Jumeirah 1000 Guineas. (Picture: Godolphin)

Ed Marnane

Super Saturday promises to be cracking night of racing at Meydan, featuring a card laden with Group races and can provide plenty of clues for the Dubai World Cup next month.

Charlie Appleby, operating at a remarkable 29.8% strike-rate at Meydan this season, is the trainer to follow and saddles seven runners in four of the nine races.

Mountain Breeze, Appleby’s first runner, can claim the Jumeirah 1000 Guineas, Race 2. The Godolphin owned homebred is a smart filly, most recently ran out a resounding winner of the Mawj Stakes on her Meydan debut. She has the measure of the reopposing Octans and Lhakpa and it is hard to see her getting beaten.

Champion trainer Bhupat Seemar is responsible for three of the 16 runners in the Al Maktoum Classic, a key local trial for the Dubai World Cup.

Stable jockey Tadhg O’Shea rides progressive Imperial Emperor, winner of two of his three races since joining Seemar. He ran well when second to Walk Of Stars in the Al Maktoum Challenge (Group 1), his sole defeat of the season. Imperial Emperor has a wide draw (15) to defy but he’s a horse blessed with early pace and should go well.

Qareeb, winner of the Jebel Ali Mile last month, is improving and is at the top of his game. He’s equally effective at Meydan, winning three times and rarely running a poor race since joining Musabbeh Al Mheiri.

Qareeb is bidding to give Al Mheiri back-to-back wins in the race after Military Law caused a big upset 12 months ago. Qareeb holds solid each-way claims in the hands of the red-hot Silvestre de Sousa.

Race 7, the Dubai City of Gold, a trial for the Sheema Classic, has been won six times by Appleby and Arabian Crown and Silver Knott, the choice of William Buick, represent the Godolphin trainer. Not seen since finishing third in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes (Grade 1) at Belmont Park, Silver Knott is the class act and holds leading claims on his Meydan debut.

Lightly raced Arabian Crown, winner of four of his five races, can’t be ignored under James Doyle, who won the 2015 Dubai City of Gold on Sky Hunter for Godolphin. He was a progressive colt in the spring last year and Godolphin’s leading hope for the Derby until a setback ruled him out of the Epsom showpiece. He commands respect.

George Scott’s much-improved West Acre created a big impression in the Blue Point Stakes (Group 2), building on his narrow defeat in the Al Wasl Stakes on his UAE debut. He smashed the track record when easily defeating Ponntos and Cover Up, producing a spectacular turn of foot under a confident ride from Callum Sheppard.

West Acre can follow up in Race 4, the Nad Al Sheba Sprint, a trial for the Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night. He’s an exciting sprinter and can prove too good for his 14 rivals.

Admirable Tuz, the UAE’s champion dirt sprinter and winner of the Golden Shaheen (Group 1) last year, has been unbeaten at Meydan this season and should prove hard to beat in Race 8, the Mahab Al Shimaal (Group 3).

Trained by Seemar, he has impressed in all three starts since returning from his summer break and continues to find plenty under pressure. He’s a tough horse, better than ever and is ideally drawn in stall No 5. Tuz can give Seemar his third successive Mahab Al Shimaal.

Racing concludes with the Jumeirah 2000 Guineas and Godolphin’s hopes rest with Appleby-trained pair Ruling Court and Hallasan, recent winner of the Jumeirah Guineas Trial. Ridden by Richard Mullen, he showed a likeable attitude to get better of the odds-on favourite Al Qudra. The runner-up, trained by Appleby, gave the form a boost when winning the valuable Al Rayyan Mile on his Qatar debut next time.

Buick has chosen to ride Ruling Court, winner of a minor event at Sandown on his racecourse debut last July. The son of Justify, a €2.3m (R44m) breeze-up purchase in France, has something to prove after disappointing when warm favourite for Acomb Stakes (Group 2) at York’s Ebor Festival. He has been off the track since but it is encouraging Buick keeps faith in the lightly raced colt.

Appleby and Buick team up in Race 5, the Singspiel Stakes (Group 2), with the globe-trotting Nations Pride, winner of two of his three races at Meydan. By Teofilo, Nations Pride needs to bounce back after disappointing trip to the USA, where he met minor traffic before dropping away to finish a poor ninth in the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes at Gulfstream Park in late January.

He can easily rediscover his best form over a track that suits.

Mickael Barzalona has picked up the ride on unexposed First Conquest, replacing Buick who partnered the colt to victory in the Dubai Millennium Stakes (Group 3) in January. First Conquest is a progressive four-year-old unbeaten at Meydan and has more to offer on just his seventh start of his career.

The most open race on the card is the Burj Nahaar, over a 1600m on dirt. A full field of 16 run and Japan, fresh from winning four races at the Saudi Cup meeting last Saturday, are represented by T O Saint Denis. Rated 106, he has the services of Oisin Murphy and should enjoy the drop in grade having contested the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile in November.

Wathnan Racing are presented by Cagliostro, trained by Hamad Al Jehani. He ran well in defeat on his UAE debut in the Firebreak Stakes, over the same course and distance, finishing a close third behind shock winner King Gold. He’s entitled to improve for that run and is one for the shortlist.

Charles Hills saddles Ancient Rome and has booked Callum Sheppard to ride the War Front gelding. Winner of six of his 23 races, he was soundly beaten in the Jebel Hatta and is readily dismissed switching to dirt in this grade.

The pick of the home team is Rawy, trained by Doug Watson for RRR Racing and Pat Dobbs rides. Formerly trained by Julio Olascoaga, he has progressed with racing this season and caught the eye in the Jebel Ali Sprint (Listed), keeping on nicely in the closing stages having been slowly away to finish less than four lengths behind Royal Commando.

The ability to see out the mile is an obvious query but he could reward each-way support at big odds if his stamina holds up. Watson has a good record in the Burj Nahar, winning four of the last 10 renewals, three were ridden by Dobbs.

BEST BET

Race 6 No 11 Imperial Emperor

VALUE BET

Race 3 No 12

BEST SWINGER

Race 9: 3 Hallasan and 8 The Fingal Raven

JACKPOT

(Races 6-9)

R24

Leg 1: 11, 16

Leg 2: 6, 7

Leg 3: 3, 6, 11

Leg 4: 3, 6

Lammerskraal Stud Seek More Success At Premier Sale

Lot 3 is a Querari half-brother to Listed Racing Association Stakes runner up Famous And Rich, he is out of the Jet Master sired dual Listed Jamaica Handicap winner Gathering Fame, with his granddam a half-sister to multiple G1 winning sprinter Cordocelli.

Lammerskraal Stud, home to some of South Africa’s best bred broodmares, had a notable win at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth recently. The Lammerskraal bred Siddeley showed her class when she stormed home to land the G3 SplashOut Prix Du Cap, with the Lancaster Bomber filly taking her earnings to nearly R600 000 in the process.From the family of champion Imperious Sue and her G1 winning daughter Imperious Star, Siddeley looks a very attractive broodmare prospect.

Also breeders of this season’s promising two-year-old Winter Snap, Lammerskraal will be bringing a small but quality line-up to the Premier Yearling Sale. The farm’s five-strong draft is made up of yearlings sired by Futura, Gimmethegreenlight, Malmoos and Querari.

Lammerskraal’s Lindi Garlicki is confident that buyers will like what they see, and had the following comments to make about the draft:

Lot 3: Gather Quick c Querari -Gathering Fame
A half-brother to Listed Racing Association Stakes runner up Famous And Rich, he is out of the Jet Master sired dual Listed Jamaica Handicap winner, with his granddam a half-sister to multiple G1 winning sprinter Cordocelli. The only colt on our draft, he is a big, good looking, impressive sort with a good walk.

Lot 43: Marchland f Malmoos -Marcheline
From the first crop of Malmoos, she is out of the Western Winter mare Marcheline who has had 100% winners to date. A super filly, almost pitch black (her first three dams are by Western Winter, Badger Land and Foveros), she has little to fault and will attract attention..

Lot 58: Gimme Perfect f Gimmethegreenlight -Perfect Air
She is a filly breeders should be taking note of. She is by Gimmethegreenlight out of Perfect Air (G2 runner up and ¾ sister to dual G1 winner Make It Snappy).
This filly is a half sister to Winter Snap who won first time out and was runner up in the Cape Nursery Gr3 at his second start.

Lot 67: Hot Choice f Futura -Red Flame
This filly is a good looking daughter of Futura – also neat and correct. She is a half sister to Warhead (a winner of his only start) and Gr3 placed Red Bomber. Her dam has 100% winners and hales from the fabulous Tawny Red female line.

Lot 108: Ocean Mistress f Querari -Varsity Lover
This filly’s dam is a three-parts sister to Equus Champion and G1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winner Vardy and her granddam is the globetrotting champion Captain’s Lover.
This is a stunning filly – big, strong and correct with an excellent walk. Her full brother made R1.9 million at last year’s National Sale.
She should prove very popular.

For more information on this draft, interested parties are asked to speak to Lindi Garlicki on 084 527 1257.

Ferraris And Mondial Fly SA Flag At Sha Tin

South African eyes will be on Luke Ferraris on My Wish (pictured above) in the HK$13 million HK Classic Cup on Sunday at Sha Tin, but also on the Wilgerbosdrif and Mauritzfontein-bred Flower Alley gelding Mondial. (Picture HKJC)

Jim McGrath with three selections at Sha Tin on Sunday (Racing Post)

My Wish
R7 Sha Tin
2pts win

Talents Ambition
R9 Sha Tin
2pts win

Masterofmyuniverse
R10 Sha Tin
2pts win

Trainer Mark Newnham takes early aim at next month’s Derby when sending worthy contender My Wish for his final prep in the 1m1f Hong Kong Classic Cup (8.05) on a challenging ten-race card at Sha Tin.

In a later race, Newnham also tests his second string for the Derby in Talents Ambition, who takes the handicap route, bidding to earn a rating high enough for entry to local racing’s top race. He is the one to beat in the Class 3 handicap (9.15) over 1m2f.

My Wish is by the smart Australian sprinter Flying Artie and any pretensions to stamina come from his dam, who could stay 1m5f, but the style of his four wins this season suggests he should get this trip without any bother. He is the highest-rated of the 14 runners.

He won the Classic Mile well for Luke Ferraris, sitting handy to the leaders and taking advantage of the pace slackening past half-way. Runner-up Divano flew home late after being dropped out, as too did Mickley (fifth), and they both reoppose with strong claims.

Joao Moreira is back in town and rides Packing Angel, who could prove best of the five runners sent out by champion trainer Francis Lui. Although yet to race beyond 7f, he is a son of Shocking, the 2m Melbourne Cup winner, and still has improvement to come.

Other major players in an open race are Andrea Atzeni’s mount Noisy Boy, Packing Hermod with Blake Shinn aboard, as well as the ex-Coolmore Australia four-year-old Cap Ferrat, to be partnered by Craig Williams.

Shinn, who ride rode Newnham’s first winner as a trainer back in Australia, takes the mount on the trainer’s Talents Ambition, who has drawn awkwardly in stall 12 from the 1m2f start but has the class to land Race Nine.

The gelding has an American pedigree and has had several runs in Hong Kong on dirt but he also shows plenty of ability on the turf and is set to win his Derby entry. Sharpen Bright is capable of running into a place.

Ryan Moore continues to be popular with local owners and punters alike, and should conclude another lucrative day by landing the finale, the Class 3 6f handicap sprint (9.50) on the John Size-trained Masterofmyuniverse.

Sha Tin Placepot perm

R5
10 Sight Dreamer
12 Lucky Fionn

R6
3 Precision Goal
11 Spangle Fortune

R7
1 My Wish
11 Packing Angel

R8
4 Young Champion
5 Dancing Code

R9
2 Talents Ambition
10 Sharpen Bright

R10
1 Fast Network
5 Masterofmyuniverse

2x2x2x2x2x2 = 64 lines

Bets can be placed into Hong Kong pools with the Tote. The first race atSha Tin on Sunday is at 07H00 SA Time

Splicethemainbrace Clinches 5th Listed Success - Fourie Four-timer

Splicethemainbrace ran out a cosy 1,25 length winner of the level weights Breeders Guineas for three-year-old on the Fairview turf today. It was the Varsfontein-Stud-bred Master Of My Fate filly’s fifth Listed success and her first over a mile. (Pauline Herman Photography)

Richard Fourie rode a four-timer at Fairview today, includingb winning the Listed Breeders Guineas on the Alan Greeff-trained Splpicethemainbrace, who proved she stays a mile, although she was officially 10,5kg better off with the second best-weighted runner, her stablemate Can’t Say No (Canford Cliffs), who finished second.

Greeff had a treble, while Craig Zackey rode a double for Gavin Smith.

Fourie is now on 144 wins for the season and he has achieved it at a strike rate of 24.91%.

Zackey is eleven clear of Gavin Lerena at the top of the log and has 160 wins at 18.71%.

Greeff is on 97 wins at 17.41%.

Smith is on 74 wins at 12.96%.

One of Greeff’s wins has been out of province so he is 22 wins clear of Smith in the East Cape trainers championship.

Kelly Mitchley is in third place on 30 wins.

Today's Question

Which horse has been the most successful non-resident sire in South African racing history?

The picture above gives a clue to the answer.

FIELDS, Saturday, 1 March

Turffontein Standside

FIELDS, Sunday, 2 March

Hollywoodbets Scottsville

Today’s Question Answer

MONTROSE (1930: Coronach – Accalmie by Pilliewinkie) won 13 (16 places) of 40 starts in England. He was the third, but most successful, non-resident sire to top the South African Sires List which he did in 1950/51. He was in the top 3 over four consecutive seasons from 1947/48. He sired the winner of four “July’s” and six Durban Gold Cups. Thirty nine of his sons were imported into South Africa with thirty seven winning 163 races.