Turf Talk Newsletter – 30 September, 2025

De Kock Star Targeting The HWB Cape Guineas

Jubilation after Jan van Goyen had won the Gr 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Champion Stakes

Jan van Goyen, Dave The King and Spumate Dolce are being readied for feature race campaigns, but it hasn’t gone as well for their Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained stablemate Immediate Edge, while their Gr 2-winning grey stablemate White Pearl has been purchased and retired to stud and the classy Greaterix comes back on Saturday.

The De Kock yard ended the season with a bang when the Master Of My Fate colt Jan van Goyen more than fulfilled his potential by slamming a good field in the Gr 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Champion Stakes over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville by 3,70 lengths under Callan Murray on World Pool Gold Cup day.

Mathew de Kock said, “We are aiming him at the Holywoodbets Cape Guineas. He drew very badly in the Spring Challenge so we’re not running him there and he probably starts on Charity Mile day (in the Gr 3 Betway Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m). It will then probably be the Dingaans (on Betway Summer Cup day November 29) and then the Cape Guineas (on December 13).”

He said Jan van Goyen, who has three wins and a second from four career starts to date, had been doing “very well”.

The 2023/2024 Equus Horse Of The Year Dave The King could have put the cherry on the top for the De Kocks on Gold Cup day by defending his HKJC Champions Cup crown, but he failed to kick on in his usual style after controlling the pace early and then stretching them from a long way out in his customary style.

He finished a 2,95 length fifth, which was no disgrace behind Gladatorian, The Real Prince, See It Again and Fire Attack, but more was expected and Mathew said, “Obviously we were disappointed he never won, but we couldn’t put a finger on it. It just wasn’t his best day.”

Dave The King’s form points to him enjoying KZN and he duly stayed at Summerveld after the Champions Cup.

He will be raiding Cape Town to take in the Green Point Stakes on December 13 and the L’Ormarins King’s Plate on the first Saturday of January.

Both Jan van Goyen and Dave The King will depart for Cape Town close to their first races, which means they run the risk of not being able to travel if there is an African Horse Sickness breakout within a 30km radius of whereever they are traveling from.

Mathew said, “We’re not going to put them out of their comfort zones, so if we get stuck, we get stuck. It is otherwise just a nightmare staff-wise and with the horses comfortable where they are, you will be playing bit of Russian Roulette anyway.”

Immediate Edge looked to be a ready made Betway Summer Cup candidate, but Mathew revealed, “He didn’t come through the July very well. We gave him a holiday and he’s just taking a bit longer to be spot on, so he’s not going to be ready for the Summer Cup.”

The yard’s Gr 2 Wilgebosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas winner Spumante Dolce, who was also runner up in all of the Gr 1 Empress Club Stakes, the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 and the Gr 2 WSB Fillies Guineas, has been in good shape.

Mathew said, “She will probably be our Summer Cup horse. She will have her first run in the Charity Mile and her second run in the Summer Cup.”

White Pearl won the Gr 2 Mike de Kock Ipi Tombe Challenge last season for the ASSM Syndicate and she was sold for R1,2 million at a Filly and Mare Sale in August, purchased by Vendel Civils.

She is currently at Boland Stud.

The classy grey Vercingetorix colt Greaterix comes back from a seven month layoff in a 1450m Conditions Plate at Turffontein Inside on Saturday. The mile seemed to stretch him at the highest level last season, so the trip on Saturday will be ideal and it should answer some questions about where he will go this season.

Highveld Winter Series Hero Aimed At The Charity Mile

Choisaanada just holds on in the Sea Cottage Stakes to land the R500,000 bonus (Fire Attack’s nose can be seen just entering the picture). (JC Photos)

The Highveld Winter Series hero Choisaanada makes his comeback in Saturday’s Gr 2 Joburg Spring Challenge over 1450m at Turffontein Inside.

However, the Erico Verdonese-trained Shadwell Stud-bred Querari gelding will need luck from a wide draw and will come on from the run ahead of his chief target, the Gr 2 Allied Steelrode-Onamission Mile at Turffontein Standside on November 1.

Erico said, “I haven’t set him alight for this race, but he is doing very nicely. He is a very easy horse to train. He’s very light on his feet, and I am quite happy where he is now. He hasn’t got a nice draw for Saturday’s race, that’s the thing. On the Inside track they jump and go, so we will need a lot of luck from out there, but he’s a very nice horse. He’s done the improvement I thought he would do and he’s really one of the better horses I’ve seen around. And another good thing is Callan (Murray) is riding him again.”

Erico thinks the tough 2000m of the Turffontein Standside track might stretch Choisaanada a bit, so is not sure whether he will put him in the R6 million Betway Summer Cup.

Instead he is going to target the Gr 2 Allied Steelrode Onamision Charity Mile on November 1 at Turffontein Standside and then make a call on the Summer Cup after that.

Choisaanada is owned by Isabella Lombard and BM Jossel and he put them through the emotional mill on July 6 at Turffontein

He had won the firt two legs of the Highveld Winter Series and stood to win a bonus of R500,000 if he completed the treble by winning the Gr 3 4Racing Sea Cottage Stakes over 1800m.

In the first leg, the Non-Black Type Betway Secretariat Stakes over 1400m, he beat the useful Immediate Edge, who ran in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, by a length when receiving only 2kg.

In the second leg over 1600m, the Non-Black Type 4Racing Egoli Mile, he faced another July runner, the Gr 1 SA Classic winner Confederate, and he received only 1,5kg from that 118-rated stalwart. Choisaanada made up a lot of ground to nab Confederate just before the post and win by 0,40 lengths.

In the last leg he was up against the Highveld Horse Of The Year, the Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge winner Fire Attack, and he was receiving just 3kg from this 126-rated galloper.

On the plus side Fire Attack was returning from a layoff and was going to likely need it.

Callan Murray decided to go to the front after Choisaanada had jumped well from draw four and found himself caught one wide alongside the leader of the inside drawn horses.

Erico said later in the interview, “When I saw him in front I needn’t tell you what I was calling this poor jockey!”

However, Choisaanada seemed to be nice and relaxed in front and he duly found plenty in the straight.

By the 400m he was three lengths clear.

Fire Attack is known for his strong finish, but still had five lengths to make up when they passed the 300m mark an it seemed like he would have to much to do.

However, he then began making up the ground ominously.

Choisaanada’s stride began to shorten in the final 50m and Fire Attack surged at him.

However, the line came just in time and Choisaanada held on.

Erico recalled, “I thought he was going to win a little bit easier and then you could just see that other horse was flying!”

He added, “That was 1800m and I always thought that with a bit of time he would get a bit more distance.”

The big question is will he get the Summer Cup trip?

Hopefully the Charity Mile will give Murray and Verdonese a clue.

Narrow Creek Stud Offer Well Bred Colts At Two-year-old Sale

Narrow Creek have become associated with top quality thoroughbreds and have a fine stakes-producing record (Picture supplied)

Established by John Everett in 2011, the Narrow Creek Stud has steadily built a reputation for producing high-quality racehorses. From the globetrotting champion Isivunguvungu to such classy, graded stakes winners as Buffalo Storm Cody and Chronicle King, as well as the classy filly Rifle Queen, Narrow Creek is firmly established as one of South Africa’s leading suppliers of equine talent.

John will be offering a pair of very well-bred colts at the upcoming Two-Year-Old Sale, and he had the following comments to make about his classy duo.

Lot 10: Moonrise – Querari – Hungry Heart (colt):

By the same sire as Gr 1 winners Cosmic Speed, Querari Falcon and Bavarian Beauty, this colt, bred on the same cross as champion Rio Querari, is a half-brother to two winners including the very smart Tomyris. Moonrise’s three time winning dam is a half-sister to Gr 2 KRA Fillies Guineas winner Maybe Yes, the dam of last season’s high-class two-year-old Absolutely Yes. This is an athletic, well-grown half-brother to Tomyris.

Lot 20: Mountain Music – Rafeef – Jin-Go-La-Ba (colt):

By one of South Africa’s top sires, whose sons include Gr 1 winners Aragosta, Master Archie, Thunderstruck and William Robertson, this colt, a full-brother to two winners, is a half-brother to Gr 3 Three Troikas Stakes winner, and Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic runner up Sprinkles. From the family of champion Yorker, this colt’s dam is a three-time winning full-sister to the stakes placed Georgia On My Mind. He is a neat classic type.

For more information on these two colts, interested parties are asked to contact John on (082) 377 2912.

All horses purchased off the RCS Two-Year-Old Sale qualify for the RCS Slipper. The Slipper is run over 1200m for qualifying 2yo graduates of Race Coast Sales. This lucrative race will be run in mid-April for a purse of R3 Million in 2026 at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

Questioning Raised Just One Point

The Vaughan Marshall-trained five-year-old Querari gelding Questioning is led in by part-owners Greg Bortz and Gina Goldsmith after retaining his crown in the Gr 3 Race Coast Matchem Stakes (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Handicapping Ratings Update

RACE COAST MATCHEM STAKES (Grade 3)

QUESTIONING’s rating has increased from 122 to 123 after his impressive performance, running on from the back of the field to easily defend his title in the Grade 3 Race Coast Matchem Stakes over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday. The Handicappers determined that OUTLAW KING, who finished third, was the most suitable line horse for assessing the race, resulting in his rating remaining unchanged at 112.

There were no other rating increases, but two runners received reductions. The runner-up, CAFE CULTURE, was lowered from 124 to 122, while LET IT BE SAID dropped from 104 to 103.

SCHWEPPES DIANA STAKES (Grade 3)

SHE’S MY WORLD has had her rating increased from 96 to 104 following her victory in the Grade 3 Schweppes Diana Stakes over 1400m. The Handicappers unanimously agreed to use the third-place finisher, SWIATEK, as the line horse for assessing the race, leaving her rating unchanged at 100.

Due to the specific conditions of this race, the winner’s rating increase was capped at a maximum of eight points, and placed runners could not receive more than a four-point adjustment. As a result, SHE’S MY WORLD was limited to a rating of 104, despite running to a higher mark. Similarly, the runner-up, STORMWATCH, was only raised from 94 to 98, although she performs to her a higher mark.

The following horses received downward adjustments in their ratings: SCARLET MACAW was lowered from 110 to 108, SOHOT SOWHAT was reduced from 101 to 98, and TRIP TO MAPUTO dropped from 99 to 96.

SETTLERS TROPHY (Listed)

LANDOFTHERISINGSUN’s rating has been increased from 92 to 99 following his comfortable victory in the Listed Settlers Trophy over 2000m. The third-place finisher, TIME FOR LOVE, was deemed the most suitable line horse for assessing the race, resulting in her rating remaining unchanged at 105.

CONGRESSMAN, the runner-up, received a seven-point rating increase, moving from 86 to 93. This adjustment was because he was four points under sufferance at the weights, given the race benchmark of 52kg equating to a rating of 90, meaning he effectively ran off a rating of 90, and he finished 1.25 lengths ahead of the designated line horse, TIME FOR LOVE, warranting an additional three-point increase.

CALL TO UNITE was the only runner to receive a ratings drop, decreasing from 98 to 96.

Enquiries:
The Handicapping Team

Honorable Member Can Do It On The Poly

Rabada filly Honorable Member’s only win was at the Vaal, but she has been knocking hard on the poly for Sharon Kotzen (JC Photos)

Jack Milner (Tab4Racing)

There is some exciting racing coming up at Fairview in the next few days and racing fans are no doubt anticipating the return of unbeaten star filly Anotherdanceforme at Friday’s meeting.

But while that meeting is on the turf track, Wednesday’s meeting takes place on the Polytrack and there are some decent runners in action.

Perhaps the best bet on the card comes up in Race 3, a Novice Plate over 1600m, where trainer Sharon Kotzen sends out Honorable Member.

The stable is in top form and this daughter of Rabada has been very consistent of late. This filly has taken on far stronger than she will meet in this race and has had no problem on the Polytrack, finishing runner-up in all three her runs on the surface.

Based on merit ratings alone she looks a shoe-in to win this because had this been a handicap, she would have been conceding at least 7.5kg to her closest rival.

She has been running in local features and has run behind the likes of Bosnay, Red Sash, Epikleros and even My Best Shot.

Jockey Louie Mxothwa has also been in fine form of late, he knows her well and they do look a winning combination.

Danish Dynamite obviously has her issues, but she is very speedy and can make all the running in Race 6, a MR 84 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m. She has won two of her four starts so far and had excuses for both defeats. She met a decent filly on debut when outpaced late by Sports Girl, who has progressed very nicely since then and was an impressive winner earlier this month.

Danish Dynamite then thrashed Sylvan Mistress, who has won twice since and followed that with a good win over Buffalo Bill. She meets some useful opposition but back on the Polytrack Craig Zackey will make good use of her early speed.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 6 All Systems Go, 2 Cadenza, 4 Pick A Pomodoro, 7 Lacryma Christi

Race 2: 5 East Coast Girl, 6 Golden Croc, 9 Zara Diva, 1 Lana View

Race 3: 7 Honorable Member, 8 Just One Kiss, 1 One Scotch, 2 Always Shining

Race 4: 2 Outback Express, 3 Grey Warrior, 5 Sempre Bella, 4 Global Scene

Race 5: 1 One Religion, 3 Hat Montera, 5 Lady Zultanite, 4 Pyro Edition

Race 6: 6 Danish Dynamite, 4 Hot Sauce, 3 Priscilla Maisey, 9 Arabian Blue

Race 7: 6 Sweet Julia, 1 North Star, 9 Jet Set Run, 2 Happy Wives

Race 8: 4 Palancar, 6 Charlie Malone, 3 Silvonian, 7 Royal Kingdom

BEST BET

Race 3: 7 Honorable Member

VALUE BET

Race 8: 4 Palancar

BEST SWINGER

Race 6 4×6

BIPOT

R216

Leg 1: 2, 4, 6

Leg 2: 5, 6, 9

Leg 3: 7

Leg 4: 2, 3, 5

Leg 5: 1, 3, 4, 5

Leg 6: 4, 6

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R324

Leg 1: 5, 6, 9

Leg 2: 7

Leg 3: 2, 3, 5

Leg 4: 1, 3, 5

Leg 5: 4, 6

Leg 6: 1, 6

Leg 7: 3, 4, 6

PICK 6

R1200

Leg 1: 7

Leg 2: 2, 3, 4, 5

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Leg 4: 4, 6

Leg 5: 1, 2, 3, 6, 9

Leg 6: 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9

JACKPOT 1

R200

Leg 1: 2, 3, 4, 5

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Leg 3: 4, 6

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 6, 9

JACKPOT 2

R300

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Leg 2: 4, 6

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 6, 9

Leg 4: 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9

Invincible Ibis Is The One For The Morning (9:30 a.m. SA Time)

Tim Carroll’s best bet is Invincible Ibis (pictured) in Race 6 at 9:30 a.m SA Time

At The Race’s stalwart tipster Tim Carroll landed all three of his best bets plus the placepot on Sunday and is back with Wednesday selections for Sha Tin.

This Wednesday sees a competitive 10-race card from Sha Tin getting underway at 7am SA Time and the feature of the meeting is race 7, the Group 3 National Day Cup (Handicap), over 5 furlongs, offering prize-money of more than £420,000.

Click here to see Tim Carroll’s selections

Harry's Charm Part 2 Triumphs, Trials And Racing Glory

Above: Harry’s Charm (Piere Strydom) wins the Mondi Sprint (image: supplied)

Charl Pretorius has written a fascinating series on the great Mike Azzie-trained sprinter Harry’s Charm and he published Part 2 on his Off The Record column this week.

Click here to read Part 1 if you missed it

At the close of the 1994/95 season, Michael Azzie chose to give Harry’s Charm an extended break. By then she was already well developed and close to her full growth, so the spell wasn’t about physical maturing – it was simply a well-earned rest for a filly who had already given so much on the track. “She’d won seven of eight starts in a busy campaign, gave us her all, and was already a beast of a horse,” Azzie noted.

Harry’s Charm only returned to the track eight months later, in March 1996, and she was stronger and better than ever. In her comeback run in the hands of Piere Strydom, she galloped her rivals dizzy in the Grade 3 Henry Eatwell Memorial over 1000m at Newmarket, leaving quality sprinting fillies like Studio Star and Sydney’s Dream in her wake.

Click here to read Part 2

Today's Question

The great George Azzie-trained Charles Engelhard-owned Hawaii (pictured) was bred by AL Dell at the Platberg Stud and cost Engelhard 4,300 guineas at the Yearling Sale.

How much was the son of Utrillo syndicated to stud for in the USA?

FIELDS, Tuesday, 1 October

Fairview Poly

Today’s Question Answer

Hawaii was syndicated to stud for US$1.12 million and he went on to have great success, including producing the Epsom Derby winner Henbit.