Turf Talk Newsletter – 29 October, 2026

Baffert Can Set New Breeders Cup Record On Friday

Bob Baffert is on 21 Breeders Cup wins and can make it 22 with Hughes (pictured) in the Breeders Cup Juvenile (Picture: Breeders’s Cup)

Ed De Rosa analysed all five of Friday’s Breeders Cup events:

Click here to read comprehensive coverage of Breeders Cup Friday

Reece’s Wish: A Little Help Can Go A Long Way

The Candice and Tammy Dawson-trained Vercingetorix filly Reece’s Wish, who has won three times and finished second four times in just eight starts, was named after the courageous Reece Smith and a portion of her earnings go to him to help pay for his needs (JC Photos)

A passionate disability rights campaigner and horseracing fan who enjoyed an unforgettable day at Hollywoodbets Greyville in March 2024, when he met legendary South African golfer Gary Player, is now appealing for help with much-needed surgery.

A Back A Buddy fundraising page has been created for Amanzimtoti resident Reece Smith, who was born with the rare disability arthrogryposis and has lived with scoliosis throughout his life. His condition has deteriorated in recent years, and without surgery, he faces the prospect of serious long-term respiratory problems and inability to sit properly.

Reece was initially scheduled to undergo surgery at King Dinuzulu Hospital in Durban, but concerns about the risks involved led him to seek treatment in the private sector. After researching his options, he consulted Cape Town-based Prof Robert Dunn in June and believes the specialist can help prevent further complications.

Although a detailed quotation for the procedure is not yet available, the costs are expected to top R500,000, and Reece says any donation would make a valuable contribution towards the surgery.

His memorable meeting with Gary Player came about before the golfing legend’s star runner, Double Grand Slam, won the Grade 3 Umzimkhulu Stakes as a three-year-old. Player promised Reece his trophy if the filly won. Double Grand Slam duly obliged, and Player kept his word, presenting Reece with the trophy.

Candice and Tammy Dawson’s smart filly, Reece’s Wish (Vercingetorix – Rathmor Stud and Gary Player), was named after the likeable young man, and part-owner Larry Nestadt said that a portion of her earnings goes to Reece to help with his needs. Nestadt and Player have also contributed to the fundraising page. Those wishing to help Reece can visit his Back A Buddy fundraising page, to give him the opportunity to undergo the surgery he needs.

Nel On A Zeitz Mission In Joburg

Zeitz is pictured winning the Gr 3 Betgames Cup Trial over 1800m and is also at home over 1600m (Picture: Race Coast)

By Mike Moon (The Citizen)

Andre Nel isn’t a big fan of Joburg. So, we need to pay attention when the ace Cape/KwaZulu-Natal trainer opts to venture upcountry with a horse in tow – as he does on Saturday with grey gelding Zeitz for the Allied Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile (Grade 2) at Turffontein.

Nel, his sole owner/patron Sabine Plattner and the latter’s famous “grass green” silks are rarely seen in the Big Smoke. AI tells us the team has only ever had three winners at Turffontein – the last one being before the rinderpest, as they say in the classics. (Actually, it was in 2019 – before the Covid pestilence.)

Zeitz could be the smart choice at a price of 7.50 in an 18-strong field for a R1-million race that annually spotlights the industry’s philanthropic side.

It seems Nel sees the Charity Mile as a chance too good to be missed.

Not only is the consistent five-year-old in good form, nicely drawn at 8, handily weighted and distance-suited, but he will be travelling up the N3 from Nel’s satellite yard in KZN – a route taken by many a victorious feature race raider to the Highveld in recent years.

Zeitz was not among early entries for the Betway Summer Cup to be run in a month’s time, meaning that, unlike several rivals on Saturday, he isn’t prepping for that bigger race. It is a single-minded mission.

The grey was a whispered longshot fancy for the Hollywoodbets Durban July but didn’t have an easy passage on the day and finished eighth. Thereafter, he comfortably won the 1600m Darley Arabian (Listed) at Greyville and went down narrowly to star filly Quickstepgal over shorter.

Regular rider Serino Moodley has been vocal in his fondness for the big-hearted galloper and accompanies his favourite up from Durbs.

The 2026 Charity Mile boasts a strong lineup and – unlike the fat cheques handed to good causes – no competitive charity will be on offer.

Ruling ante-post favourite at 6.00 is Splittheeights, the Gauteng Guineas winner and one of a trio of good horses from the powerful Mike & Mathew de Kock stable. The betting support must be respected, as must a light weight and No 4 draw, though return from a 238-day layoff poses a ring rustiness question.

Fancily bred British import Calla Lagoon (6.50) is a horse on the upgrade and will attract many backers, while I’m A Fireball, Grand Empire and Chronicle King also command attention – not to mention Eastern Cape raider Zinovi, who has won eight of his last 10 starts and has his usual companion, fearsome competitor Richard Fourie, to help him along.

SELECTION:
8 Zeitz, 11 Calla Lagoon, 17 Splittheeights, 5 I’m A Fireball

Mullins Quietly Upbeat On Chance Of Ethical Diamond Repeat

Ethical Diamond pictured winning last year’s Breeders Cup Turf (Picture: Breeders Cup)

At The Races

Champion jumps trainer broke new ground at last year’s Breeders’ Cup.

After a momentous visit to Del Mar 12 months ago, Willie Mullins is back at the Breeders’ Cup with Ethical Diamond seeking more US glory, this time in Keeneland.

The six-year-old stormed home late in the hands of Dylan Browne McMonagle to down Rebel’s Romance and give the leading force in jumps racing a historic first victory at the end-of-season world championships.

Now having had his season geared towards a return Stateside, he will attempt to defend his Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf on Saturday.

“I think it’s a much more competitive race this year, but I think we have trained for it while a lot of the others have had a busy autumn,” said Mullins.

“I just had a look at him and he is in great shape. He’s been doing everything well, going into the stalls and drinking well.

“He’s drawn one which means different tactics and we might have to jump and go, but we will leave that to Dylan. He’s more mature this year and easier to ride while he settles better.”

Ethical Diamond was second to Sir Mark Prescott’s reopposing Tiffany when last seen, but Mullins is undeterred and added: “He got into a lot of traffic problems at Kentucky Downs, but we are here. I never dreamed I’d have one good enough to run at the Breeders’ Cup with the type of horses we have.”

Play The Challenge And Trigger A Much Needed Donation

The Allied Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile always provides a memorable day for a host of charities and playing the Punters Challenge On The Day will add to the spirit of giving (JC Photos)

The ever popular Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge will be hosting a special edition entitled ‘Play For A Purpose’ on the Allied Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile meeting at TAB Turffontein on Saturday.

Each entry will trigger a R2 donation to the Highveld Horse Care Unit.

A spokesman for Hollywoodbets said that they were aiming for 25 000 entries, which would mean a donation of R50 000.

A Jackpot prize of R1,3 million is on offer, with R18 000 guaranteed and R5 000 shared by the top 20 on the leaderboard.

The sum of R13 000 will be shared by the players who tip the most winners on the day.

The minimum wager of R50 on the programmatically generated betslip will ensure the leaderboard prize is multiplied a ‘lucky’ 13 times!

www.punterschallenge.hollywoodbets.net.

William Robertson Looking For Win Number 18

Gr 1 winner William Robertson has a good record raiding KZN and will be looking to bounce back to form after a deserved break (Picture: Race Coast)

Andrew Harrison (Race Coast)

Can WILLIAM ROBERTSON add to his 17 wins and can he find his best form in a tricky A Stakes over 1200m heads Friday night’s turf card at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

With the Highveld sprint features on the horizon, the two class runners, WILLIAM ROBERTSON and CATS PAJAMAS are likely using this race as a warm-up which makes punters ‘labelling’ them dangerous. WILLIAM ROBERTSON was off form before a five-month break, but Corne and Xander Spies’ veteran is by far the best weighted and although he makes the trip from the Highveld, this was possibly the best prep race on the national calendar. However, he is well in at the weights and if anywhere near his best he should make his presence felt. CATS PAJAMAS comes off a three-month break but was not far back in a couple of Champions Season features including the Mercury Sprint Gr 1. He has the benefit of a 4kg claimer aboard and like WILLIAM ROBERTSON, if near ready he should be competitive. This pair are the class runners in the race but if they do not put in their best things get difficult.

POSITION OF POWER is not well in at the weights but does have a good draw and has come good of late and is not out of it. LION RAMPART was touched off in his last two and is also not well in at the weights but in good form.

There are some other interesting races on the card, not least the sixth, a competitive three-year-old handicap that could sort out some sort of local pecking order leading into the Classics.

First up is REIGN MAN who was an impressive maiden winner second time out for Lucinda Woodruff and first run over a mile. That form has since been franked and he has the best of the draw. WO ZAI was beaten by REIGN MAN on debut and made the step up when winning narrowly next time out. He also looks progressive. So does SENSEI OF SPIN who also won well second time of asking when stepped up in trip. He too looks progressive but has a wider draw to contend with. NATIONAL INSIGNIA beat ROXBURY PARK at long odds last time out although the latter disappointed when hot favourite first up on the poly last Friday. This trip should suit.

Michael Roberts has opted to avoid VIKING LEADER’s peers in a mile and instead has pitted him against a field of solid handicappers in the B Stakes over 1200m, eighth race on the card. The gelding ran well below form when ridden by an apprentice last time out and with Serino Moodley aboard he can improve although he finished nearly five lengths behind KLEIN KAROO when last they met. Ricky Maingard’s runner has been in smart form since arriving from the Cape and should put in another good shift although Keagan de Melo has deserted to ride the late maturing MAPHAKA who bids for a fourth straight win. He was finishing strongly over course and distance last time out and got a further five pounds added to his handicap rating. KALAHARI ROLLER is never too far back and has a light weight at add to his chances.

CLEVER KID can get the PA off to a solid start as he has gone close in both outings to date. He steps up in trip but should see it out. An interesting prospect is SLIGHTLY MO who improved first run when sent over ground. Can do better this trip and has a handy galloping weight when taking on males. Stable companion AFTER THE FIRE was touched off on the poly over the distance last time out and should be competitive again while the older FUTURE PROSPECT is struggling a little but is never far back and goes well this trip so cannot be written off lightly. The opening leg of the Pick 6 is a tricky handicap. SWIATEK has a tricky draw but was not far back when making her local debut and was touched off in a Highveld feature last time out. She is better off at the weights with both GRAND OCCASION and MISS TWINKLE but there should not be much between the trio. PERIWINKLE was pacemaker for highly rated stable companion COAST OF THE SUN last time out after shedding her maiden. That maiden form has since been franked and she can finish a lot closer in this line-up.

In the fifth, GREEK HERITAGE was narrowly beaten in her post maiden run on this course. The form of her maiden win has since been franked and this only being her fourth start she can still show further improvement. AMC ROY’S FANTASY will be a threat after making a winning return to the track after contesting feature events in Champions Season. That win was on the poly but she can follow up. SILVER SALUTE was a beaten favourite at her last two on the poly and has the best of the draw. The switch to turf should see her close again.

TUSCAN ROMANCE could round off the evening for Mike and Mathew de Kock. The mare made a promising local debut behind the consistent ARVERNI PRINCESS and is now slightly better off in the handicap from the best of the draw. Interesting is GLOBAL TREND who is two-from-two but has not been out since March. Mike Miller likes to give his top runners time to find their feet and if anywhere near racing fit, she will be a strong contender. Watch the market here. ANUSHKA was close-up behind ARVERNI PRINCESS last run and a repeat showing should see her in the firing line.

George Handel Can Get Back To Winning Ways

Picture: George Handel has not won since this time last year, but he has been knocking at the door off his current mark (Pauline Herman Photography)

Jack Milner (Tab4Racing)

Jockey Richard Fourie continues to set a high standard, with his strike rate around the 20% mark.

Much of that success is due to his continued stream of winners at Fairview for trainer Alan Greeff. They team up in all eight races on Friday, but it will be the filly in Race 4, Pretty Awesome, who attracts the most interest from punters, especially for the exotics.

Pretty Awesome has had just three starts so far and won her second outing. The well-bred daughter of Gimmethegreenlight is improving and should be at her best over this course and distance, a MR 68 Handicap over 1400m on the turf.

A bad draw might force Richard Fourie to drop her out early, but she has already shown a good finishing kick. Provided she gets luck in running, she looks the banker bet.

Racing returns to the turf, and there are a number of tricky races, but George Handel in Race 5 and Red Birch in Race 8 should give us a run for our money.

George Handel is on a long losing run, but jockey Muzi Yeni knows how to get the best out of him, and he has been very consistent of late. He is probably even better on the grass and should be doing his best work late.

Trainer Dean Smith has his yard in decent form, and Red Birch is clearly improving. This daughter of Erik The Red is unbeaten in two starts since cheekpieces were applied, and she wears them again.

Jockey Craig Zackey has got her to quicken nicely in both those wins, and she can overcome a difficult draw to score.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 9 American Gem, 1 Stone Of Scone, 2 Winika, 7 Among The Willows

Race 2: 7 Lightning Red, 10 Gimmethebeatboys, 1 Monkey’s Wedding, 3 Palme D’Or

Race 3: 4 Lady Elliot, 1 Globetonic, 3 Definitely Yes, 5 Rules Of Conduct

Race 4: 1 Pretty Awesome, 5 Qondanekukhanyeni, 2 Redlight Lane, 9 Chroniclesofnania, Ice Cap

Race 5: 4 George Handel, 5 Too Late My Mate, 9 Show Off, 2 Augusta Rosso

Race 6: 5 Wait For Me, 1 Silvan Mistress, 6 Ocean Flame, 2 Streisand

Race 7: 5 Crimson Clover, 8 Ain’t No Sunshine, 10 Diamond Maker, 4 Real War

Race 8: 1 Red Birch, 6 Lightscameraaction, 5 Midnight Music, 3 Jewel Mule

BEST BET

Race 4: 1 Pretty Awesome