Mid Winter Wind comes off a hattrick and can go in again if opting for Turffontein instead of Hollywoodbets Greyville over the weekend (Picture: JC Photos) 

Two Middle Stakes events are the highest rated races at an intriguing nine race meeting at Turffontein Inside on Saturday.

In the second Middle Stakes event over 1200m Mid Winter Wind looks to be on the way to being a feature race campaigner and has indeed been scratched in favour of being run in the Gr 3 Byerley Turk over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday. The best weighted in the Turffontein Middle Stakes event is a filly, Chrome Tourmaline. The latter does have fine sprint form and is drawn four so could be right there. However, Tsar Bomba is preferred as he is consistent and comes off a nice win over course and distance. Aussenkehr is another course and distance suited runner. Zinovi has a breathing issue but can never be ignored as he is talented, but he does have a wide draw.

The first of the Middle Stakes events is over 1700m and Silent War is the one to beat. This horse has a notably good turn of foot, but has never gone this trip before. He is by Gimmethegreenlight out of an Australian-bred sprinter by Commands, so that does not make him seeing out this trip a certainty. However, last time over 1600m he chased the winner home all the way to the line and was 4,25 lengths clear of the rest of the field. That was from a draw of five and he now has a draw of three. Stable jockey Calvin Habib has ridden him three times before and replaces Piere Strydom. On the downside he is 1kg under sufferance with the many who are joint best-weighted. Player was beaten 6,50 by Silent War last time but is better than that. He was drawn ten that time but now has a good draw of four and Muzi Yeni gets the ride, so he should get closer. Supreme Dance had pole poistion over 1800m last time and won. He has pole position again and has won off a 90 merit rating before, so his three point raised mark here of 89 is not insurmountable, even if his win off a 90 came in June 2022. La Moohal looks to be a promising three-year-old and is progressing nicely considering his easy three length win over 1600m last time. On pedigree this Vercingetorix gelding out of a Trippi mare will get the trip, but he does have a tricky draw of seven to overcome. Pyromaniac has a lot of talent and if things pan out well for him is top class. He was beaten just 0,70 lengths last time by the well weighted Gimme A Shot but that was from draw five out of nine and he now has draw nine out of ten. Funky Music usually runs over a 1400m distance category but in three tries over 1600m has won twice and been unplaced behind the classy Barbaresco. Therefore, he is interesting over this trip for a trainer he has thrived for from a draw of five with a 4kg claimer up. The joint best-weighted are all of Pyromaniac, La Moohal, Supreme Dance, Player and Vesuvio.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 There’s A Light is drawn in pole as opposed to having a tricky draw when just failing over this trip category last time on the Standside track. However, And Action and Strewn Sky look to have the ability to progress further and are well drawn so must be included.

In the second leg Halberdier looks to be a banker as he ran just 2,25 lengths behind the talented One Fell Swoop last time when way out at he weights, although he does have a tricky draw so the risk averse can include Circus Light, Twice As Wild, Longsword, Smelting and Wings Of Nike.

In the seventh race Judgement Day imnpressed in his win last time and is on the up, but A Place In The Sun is also on the up and can’t be left out.

In the last leg Run For Cover looks the one to side with, but Feel All Right and Van Meijel have also shown glimpses of ability and can be included.

In the first leg of the bipot Legend Of Arthur can be bankered from pole position in this 1450m event.

In the first leg of the PA Someday Maybe and EmpressofNormany should fight it out.

Kabirkhan pictured winning the Group One Al Maktoum  (Photo by DRC)

From Kazakhstan to the Dubai World Cup at Meydan for rising star horse Kabirkhan

Kabirkhan is trained by Doug Watson and will be ridden by jockey Pat Dobbs in the Dubai World Cup on Saturday. The horse is a son of 2016 winner California Chrome

Melissa Jones (Irish Mirror)

A rags to riches horse raced in Kazakhstan and Russia is a leading contender for the Dubai World Cup.

Kabirkhan chases a £5,480,315 first prize with Irish jockey Pat Dobbs steering at Meydan. A son of the 2016 race winner California Chrome, Doug Watson’s trainee is unbeaten around the circuit.

From his lowly beginnings at Almaty Racecourse, the four-year-old colt then tackled higher quality racing in Russia. Defeated once in the local Derby, from 11 appearances, Kabirkhan’s fairytale story enters the next chapter on Saturday.

In opposition among 12 runners is defending Emirates Airline World Cup champion Ushba Tesoro, Saudi Cup hero Senor Buscador and Breeders’ Cup Classic second Derma Sotogake.

“He has got a high cruising speed when he gallops, moves well and is very tough,” said Group One-winning rider Dobbs. “I don’t think we have seen the best of him yet.”

Born in 2020 during the early stages of the pandemic, Kabirkhan was purchased for around £10,000. After outrunning local opposition for Turganzhan Yuldashev, he spent a year at Arslangirey Shavuev’s stable in Russia and is now with multiple UAE Champion trainer Doug Watson.

A cosy four and three quarter length success in the Group One Al Maktoum Challenge, carrying owner Tlek Mukanbetkaliyev’s colours, earned him a shot at his big weekend target.

“He’s got to step up his game and we think he can,” said Watson via The National.

“He has been impressive in his work and electric on the track. It’s very exciting for everyone.”

Epsom Derby and Breeders Cup turf winner Auguste Rodin (Deep Impact) will be out to add a 6th Gr 1 to his CV in the Dubai Sheema Classic (Sporting Life)

Mark Brocklebank (Sporting Life)

Our man highlights half a dozen fascinating clashes at Meydan on World Cup Saturday as the 2024 Dubai Carnival comes to a conclusion.

SAUDI CROWN v ISOLATE – Godolphin Mile (14H05 SA Time)
Isolate sprouted wings when stepped up to this trip for the first time in last year’s Godolphin Mile, poaching an early lead from stall two and kicking clear for a five and a half length victory. He’ll no doubt be happier back over the distance after struggling in the nine-furlong Saudi Cup in Riyadh last month, but now has to turn the tables on the third from that hugely valuable contest, Saudi Crown.

Brad Cox’s 2023 Pennsylvania Derby winner didn’t cut it in the Breeders’ Cup Classic in November but, fresh on the back of a prep run in the States, produced a massive effort from the front in the Saudi Cup and could take all the beating if winning the battle for early supremacy here.

TOWER OF LONDON v TRAWLERMAN – Dubai Gold Cup (14H40 SA Time)
Trawlerman brings the strongest form credentials to the table after a memorable victory over Kyprios under an inspired Dettori on Champions Day, but there are obvious drawbacks with him too given he only beat one home in last year’s Dubai Gold Cup and has tended to get better as the year has gone on in previous campaigns.

Tower Of London needed a run to put him straight first time out as a three-year-old but he was fit enough to land a valuable handicap on the Saudi Cup undercard late last month and arguably ran right up to his St Leger fourth that day.

Aidan O’Brien’s colt has the more potential of the two and it’s no surprise to see him edging it in the market.

STAR OF MYSTERY v CALIFORNIA SPANGLE – Al Quoz Sprint (15H15 SA Time)
A three-year-old filly representing Godolphin with Frankie Dettori doing his minimum weight, against a six-year-old champion miler from Hong Kong – this has the makings of a fascinating match-up.

Charlie Appleby’s Star Of Mystery won at Listed level as a juvenile before coming unstuck when upped to Group 2s but, much like her half-siblings Althiqa and Mysterious Night, she’s evidently continued to progress with age and earnt a shot at this prize when winning a C&D Group 2 at the end of January.

She wasn’t quite at the same level when turned over at 4/9 here earlier this month but that might have teed her up for the big day and she’s clearly got a high cruising speed and a smart turn of foot. The minimum trip may end up being her specialist distance, though.

Conversely, raw speed is the big question mark against California Spangle, who famously beat Golden Sixty in the 2022 Hong Kong Mile to put a dent in that horse’s incredible sequence of victories.

California Spangle got back to winning ways when making all in the G2 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup over seven furlongs at Sha Tin recently and now drops back to six in an audacious move from connections. He’s got plenty of winning sprint form from earlier in his career but not at this sort of level and will need to go hard from the get-go if he’s to see off the stalkers.

DO DEUCE v MEASURED TIME – Dubai Turf (17H10 SA Time)
With all due respect to Lord North, Nashwa and the other European raiders declared, the Dubai Turf is all about Do Deuce and Measured Time for many.

The former, who edged out none other than Equinox when victorious in the Japanese Derby at three, was firmly put in his place by that goliath on a couple of occasions last year but he got his own day in the sun when back to winning ways in the Arima Kinen in December.

All of his top-level form back home is over longer distances and the Appleby-trained Measured Time may have too many guns having taken to this track so well earlier in the Carnival. He’s bred for middle-distances himself but continues to race with so much enthusiasm and it’s hard to imagine a strongly-run nine furlongs in a big-field scenario won’t play to his strengths.

The son of Frankel looks one of the most progressive horses on the card and could be bound for the top if continuing his career back in Europe later in the year.

LIBERTY ISLAND v AUGUSTE RODIN – Dubai Sheema Classic (18H00 SA Time)
Auguste Rodin was one of the most talked about horses of 2023 and has arguably proved to be one of the most important colts of Aidan O’Brien’s exceptional training career so far.

A son of Deep Impact, out of Galileo mare Rhododendron, he was obviously bred to be a champion but didn’t always behave like one and connections were left scratching their heads after lacklustre runs in the 2000 Guineas and King George at Ascot last year.

However, he’s won seven of his 10 lifetime starts including the Derby double at Epsom and the Curragh, plus the Irish Champion Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Turf.

No doubt he’ll sharpen up for the run but big things are expected this year and this horse is simply Box Office when bringing his A-game. Let’s hope that’s the case on Saturday.

British and Irish punters may be surprised to learn Auguste Rodin isn’t favourite, that mantle currently being held by Japanese sensation Liberty Island, last seen finishing second (four lengths) in Equinox’s farewell Japan Cup romp back in November.

A winner of four Group 1s in Japan, she’s evidently a rare talent and, like her main market rival, is well proven over the 12-furlong distance. Flat fans across the world will be watching this one with bated breath.

USHBA TESORO v KABIRKHAN – Dubai World Cup (19H10 SA Time)
The locals won’t like the suggestion but for European observers the Dubai World Cup is often a case of ‘after the Lord Mayor’s show’.

There’s no British or Irish involvement in the top 10-furlong dirt race again this year but there are four Japanese runners including two of the three at the head of the betting which isn’t a great surprise after Ushba Tesoro became the first Japanese-based horse to win the big one here since Victoire Pisa in 2011 when successful last year.

The reigning champ is the clear favourite to do the double having flown from the back of the field to gun down Simon and Ed Crisford’s Algiers and win going away 12 months ago, while he went on to finish a creditable fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita later in the year.

Everything points to the seven-year-old son of Orfevre being just as strong as he was, although the fresh new challenge this time is posed by Doug Watson’s locally-trained four-year-old Kabirkhan.

The son of the 2016 Dubai World Cup winner California Chrome has emerged from the handicap ranks earlier on at this year’s Carnival after beginning his career with a sequence of wins in Kazakhstan and Russia, and looked destined to be pitched into this battle after multiple UAE champion trainer Watson claimed he was the best 10-furlong horse he’d ever trained on winning the Al Maktoum Challenge in January.

Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner Snow Pilot has his Champions Season pipe opener in the Gr 3 Byerley Turk (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Justin Snaith’s Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner Snow Pilot appears in Sunday’s Gr 3 Byerley Turk over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville and will take on the Mike de Kock-trained Gimmeanotherchance, who is just off the best in Johannesburg, as well as the Sean Tarry-trained The Africa House, who is also just off the best on the Highveld and the ideally distance suited Red Bomber from the Johan Janse van Vuuren yard. Tarry has also entered the promising Mid Winter Wind, who has won his last three from 1200m to 1400m in impressive style. The local threat to Snow Pilot will come from the Frank Robinson-trained Sovereign State, who was unbeaten in three starts in KZN before running twice against the best on the Highveld and not earning a cheque. The Mike Miller-trained Winter Games will have to bounce back from a disappointing run last time. Snow Pilot is not the only Cape Town horse in the race as Snaith also sends out the hard-knocking Querari colt Underworld, who looks ideally distance suited and is drawn in p0le, so he could upset the applecart.

Andrew Harrison of Gold Circle wrote the below preview:

The official start of Champions Season is still a month away but trainers are already starting to warm up their big guns. The Gr3 Byerley Turk and the Gr3 Umzimkhulu Stakes to be run at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday are traditional warm-ups for three-year-olds and both races have attracted small but classy fields.

Justin Snaith fires the first salvos of the expected Champion Season raiders as he saddles Underworld and Gr1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner Snow Pilot who line up in the Byerley Turk.

Snow Pilot is the highest rated runner in the race but given the conditions he has to give 6kg to all of his rivals who are bracketed on 54kg. However, although Snow Pilot has garnered a rating of 116 and giving weight to all his rivals, he still looks well in with all but Gimmeanotherchance. Mike de Kock appears to have picked the right race for his charge who is rated 111 and who, on paper at least, looks well in.

The race should also give some indication as to where the Cape three-year-old form stands in relation to their Highveld counterparts. Snow Pilot was far from disgraced in the Gr1 L’Ormarins Kings Plate where he also found some significant market support in the face of rivals Charles Dickens and See It Again.

Gimmeanotherchance on the other hand has shown steady form behind the top Highveld sophomores, Main Defender, Sandringham Summit and Purple Pitcher without threatening either of the trio so this makes for an interesting contest.

Underworld gives Snaith a second string to his bow. He was a close-up second to older horses at his last two outings and from the best of the draw he could upset the two more fancied runners.

Red Bomber, Mid Winter Wind and Sovereign State are there to keep them honest.

Snaith could get his feature race campaign off to a winning start when he sends out Double Grand Slam in the Umzimkhulu Stakes. She gave notice of her ability when finishing third behind Princess Calla in the Majorca Stakes when stepped up to a mile for the first time and following up with a facile victory in the Vasco Prix du Cap over the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth 1400m where she came in for a ton of market support.

In the absence of a suspended Grant van Niekerk, Richard Fourie picks up the ride.

A big danger is Glen Kotzen’s filly Rascova. She finished ahead of Double Grand Slam in the Majorca Stakes where she had the worst of the draw and although soundly beaten next time out in the Vasco Pix du Cap she was giving her rival 2kg for a three-length beating.

These two look to dominate and the race could turn into a tactical battle between Fourie and Craig Zackey.

Remorse (Pic – ERA)

The Dubai World Cup night’s second event is the Gr 2 Goldolphin Mile on the dirt and the Bhupat Seemar-trained seven-year-old gelding Remorse has a South African connection as he is out of a Trippi mare.

His dam was the smart racehorse Jealous Again, who won a Gr 3 in the USA over five furlongs before going to Royal Ascot and winning the Gr 2 Queen Mary Stakes over five furlongs.

Remorse finished second in the Gr 1 Al Maktoum Challenge over a mile and two furlongs on the dirt on Super Saturday in 2022 and was beaten by only 4,75 lengths by Country Grammar in the Dubai World Cup that year.

However, he was beaten 19,25 lengths in last year’s World Cup and in his only run since was beaten 17 lengths in the Gr 2 Al Maktoum Classic over a mike and one-and-a-half furlongs at this year’s Super Saturday meeting.

He is drawn 13 out of 13 on Saturday and Pat Cosgrave rides.

Grail Seeker (Iffraaj) (Race Images Photo)

By Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

It will be a case of youth versus experience at Ellerslie this Saturday when Wexford Stables lines-up their two representatives in the Gr.1 NZEA New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m).

Three-year-old filly Grail Seeker, who will be ridden by premiership-leading jockey Warren Kennedy for the first time, will test her talents at weight-for-age for the first time after being a consistent force against her age group this season, while five-year-old mare Karman Line will be seeking her first stakes scalp.

Grail Seeker, a daughter of Iffraaj, has accrued an enviable record of two wins and four placings from her eight starts to date, including victory in the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) at Trentham earlier this month.

Her win in the Trentham Classic wasn’t a surprise to her trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, with the filly having already placed in the Listed Trevor & Corallie Eagle Memorial 3YO (1500m), Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m), and Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m).

She will be two years the junior of her next youngest rival on Saturday, and while her handlers are very aware of the challenge ahead of her, they believe she is up to the task.

“Grail Seeker put in a very strong performance last start. She has travelled home from Wellington and had a good few days out on the farm, she has been back in the barn and she has continued to do very well,” Scott said.

“She has run well over the mile. We are taking the opportunity with a fit and sound filly, who is in good form, to take her place in the Group One. This is quite a step up. We think she is capable of getting to this level, it’s just whether it’s this preparation or next preparation.”

Karman Line also takes solid form into Saturday’s feature, having won the Lisa Chittick Plate (1400m) at Matamata last month before finishing fourth over 1400m at Tauranga last start.

The daughter of Myboycharlie finished fifth in the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes last year and her trainers are hoping for a better result in this year’s running.

“We think she will run better this year, we think she is in better form going in,” Scott said.

“Her last run was good and she was in the mix with some of these. We know that she has got to lift a little, but she has been improving right through the preparation and she certainly warrants another go at this race.

“Her work on Tuesday morning suggests she is going as good as she has all her career thus far, which she needs to be in order to be competitive, and we are confident that she is going to be competitive.”

Siberian Steel (What A Winter) ridden by apprentice Nirvan Nastili gives the Tony Peter yard a treble (Picture: JC Photos)

Gavin Lerena had an individual treble at the Vaal today.

Tony Peter also had a treble, two of them ridden by stable jockey Calvin Habib, and Brett Webber had a double.

Lerena goes to 108 wins for the season achieved at a strike rate of 19.08%.

Habib is on 103 wins at 12.38%.

Peter is on 71 wins at 21.98%.

Webber’s welcome double came with Linngari gelding Nkandla Gold, who was backed in from 16/1 to 8/1 in a workriders maiden and won by 5,25 lengths under Anathi Feni, and the talented six-year-old Noble Tune mare Lucy In The Sky, who had fallen to a 77 merit rating and won for the first time in a year under Gavin Lerena to become a seven-time winner.

The Brett Webber-trained 2017-born Lucy In The Sky (Noble Tune) scored her 7th career win today under Gavin Lerena (pictured above). What was unusual about this mare’s 2011-born half-brother?