Turf Talk Newsletter – 31 January, 2025

Luke Ferraris and Mark Newnham celebrate their Hong Kong Classic Mile success. (Picture: HKJC) 

Luke Ferraris is slowly but surely breaking into the big time in Hong Kong and had a groundbreaking meeting on Friday at Sha Tin with a treble that included his and trainer Mark Newnham’s most important success together to date i.e. winning the HK$13 Million Hong Kong Classic Mile for 4yos with Australian-bred Flying Artie gelding My Wish. Later on they landed an exhilarating victory together on Drakenstein-bred Mid Winter Wind (What A Winter), who was making his Hong Kong debut.

The Hong Kong Classic Mile is the first leg of the HK$52 million Four-Year-Old Classic Series, which continues with the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) on 2 March and the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000) on 23 March.

Read all about My Wish’s victory in the link at the bottom of this article.

Mid Winter Wind’s victory was of particular importance to South African racing.

SA-breds have not been doing well in Hong Kong recently.

However, Mid Winter Wind was the first SA-bred for ages to have landed on the island without having had to endure an arduous journey via Mauritius.

Instead he was able to have a comfortable journey starting with a direct flight to Europe.

His immediate success, in which he came from last and weaved his way through traffic with a devastating finishing burst, must have been noticed by overseas buyers.

The SA-bred has always been viewed as fine value, but with the easier new export protocols they could prove to be better value than ever, which Mid Winter Wind has gone some way to showing with that eyecatching Hong Kong debut victory.

The What A Winter gelding was bred by Drakenstein Stud and raced for them in South Africa, with a win in the Gr 3 Byerley Turk over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville being one of his four victories in nine starts.

Mid Winter Wind is out of the former Gr 1 Thekwini winner, the Dynasty mare Lady In Black, who was runner up in the Gr 1 Paddock Stakes twice, runner up in the Gr 1 Majorca Stakes and a narrow third in the Gr 1 Woolavington 2000.

Mid Winter is now owned by James Lau Po Man & Alice Woo Wai See.

The below article about Friday’s Chinese New Year meeting was written by the Hong Jockey Club scribe and goes some way to describing the importance of Luke’s victory in the Hong Kong Classic Mile.

CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT LUKE’S HK CLASSIC MILE VICTORY

Luke has had 24 wins this season which puts him in a heady fourth place on the log and this is particularly impressive because he is the only rider in the top nine on the log who has had less than 200 rides this season.

Fire Attack is the form choice for the Gr 2 TAB Gauteng Guineas (JC Photos)

Guineas day heralds the start of Johannesburg’s chief feature season and both the Gr 2 TAB Gauteng Guineas and GR 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas are full of intrigue this year.

In the Gauteng Guineas there is a choice between pure form as opposed to visual impression and reputation.

The Mike de Kock-trained Greaterix oozes class and has a lot of speed and a magnificent turn of foot.

Hollywoodbets make him an even money chance.

However, he is held on paper by the Alec Laird-trained Gr 2 SA Nursery winner Fire Attack, who is around 3/1.

Fire Attack beat Greaterix by 2,50 lengths over course and distance in the Gr 2 Betway Dingaans.

Last time out Greaterix beat Fire Attack by 0,70 lengths in the Gr 3 Got The Greenlight Stakes over 1400m but was receiving 2kg, so once again it was Fire Attack who put in the better performance.

Furthermore, Fire Attack was closing fast having been dropped out to last from the widest draw of all.

The reason Greaterix is a shorter price is due to reputation plus the visual impression he creates and he also had excuses for his last two runs. In the Dingaans he was caught in front and just went too fast and finished a bit distressed. His bloods were not right upon getting home. De Kock consequently eased off him completely and said he therefore needed his run in the Got The Greenlight Stakes.

Greaterix showed a terrific turn of foot when Muzi Yeni let him go early in the straight in the Got The Greenlight, which he did because not much had gone well for him in the race until then. Muzi had been teaching him to settle in training and he had intended to put him to sleep in the race, but he firstly had horses on his heels early and the pace later stacked up. De Kock is actually not sure of Greaterix’s classic race suitability, because he possesses so much speed. He said he can’t work him with other horses, because he just leaves them behind.

Fire Attack now has pole position, meaning he willl be closer to the pace.

Greaterix is drawn nine, meaning he will need some luck finding cover, especially considering his speed, although Muzi Yeni is a master at slotting in from wide draws.

However, the bookmakers look to have the prices wrong.

Fire Attack has everything in his favour and form is also usually the best guide.

It is not a two horse race, though.

Bacchus has a step up in class, but he caught the eye as one who could go places and from draw six he should turn it on in the straight over and ideal course and distance.

Legend Of Arthur is in fact the joint highest rated runner together with Fire Attack and he should relish this tough course and distance being by Lancaster Bomber out of a Galileo mare. He is in fact a half-brother to recent Gr 3 winner over 2500m, King Pelles. It is only his second run of the season and his first run for three months, but he should go well fresh over this trip, which could end up being on the sharp side for him.

Parisian Walkway was fourth in the Dingaans and will make his presence felt.

Chestnut Bomber could stay on into the places.

Musical Score, Choisaanada and Wild At War are better than their last respective runs.

Aristotle is an interesting acquistion from the Cape for the Laird yard as he had decent form in that strong centre.

Waheed, and Diwali Rocket will need improvement, while DantonfromSandton has a stamina doubt based on his previous form.

Fire Attack is selected to beat Greaterix with Bacchus, Legend Of Arthur and Parisian Walkway next best.

The sensational Quid Pro Quo will be hard to beat in the Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas.
A draw of eleven will not bother her as she can be switched on and off in the running and has an exceptional turn of foot.

She could be given some cheek by Spumante Dolce, who has also struck as something special in her two runs to date and over an ideal trip this Vercingetorix half-sister to Hollywoodbets Durban July winner Sparkling Water should be running on strongly from draw three.

VJ’s Angel is in fact officially higher rated than Quid Pro Quo. She enjoys this trip and has Gavin Lerena up, albeit from a tricky draw.

World Of Alice would prefer further but should be running on.

Fiery Pegasus has class and can bounce back from a below par run last time.

Those five are selected in the order mentioned.

Quid Pro Quo is a banker in all bets suggestion, although the risk averse van consider including Spumante Dolce.

Lot 278: Baridi (GB)

The Tattersalls February Sale concluded with significant year on year increases in turnover, median and average. The median of 11,000 guineas was a record for the February Sale, the average the second highest in the sale’s history and customarily strong international demand produced a clearance rate above 85%.

Marconi Takes Centre Stage Again at February Sale

The top lot of the second session of the February Sale was the RMM Bloodstock consigned colt BARIDI at 100,000 guineas with bloodstock agent Alessandro Marconi, a dominant purchasing force on the sale’s first day, continuing in the same vein on the second. The three-year-old son of SERGEI PROKOFIEV was a winner on his second career start over a mile at Lingfield for trainer Stuart Williams in December.

“I am a big fan of the sire,” said Marconi, adding, “I could not afford them in the autumn, so I preferred to get one who has shown some form. This is a lovely horse, hopefully he can train on again. He came highly recommended by Stuart, and he is a very good trainer. When we looked around today he was the pick, but I had hoped to get him for a lot less!”

Marconi was the leading buyer at the February Sale purchasing 29 horses for a total outlay of 833,500 guineas. Expanding on the strategy behind the purchases, the majority of which were horses in training, he revealed;

“Horses are made by the workforce and land. God is not making any more land, and the workforce is expensive. It can be better to buy horses who have been proven in Britain because, hopefully, that form will translate very well when they run in another country.”

On targeting the February Sale, he commented: “It’s the value sale of the year and is the only sale that, at every level of the market, gives you access to the sort of horse who can give you a chance to win races.”

Lot 282: Wanderlust (ITY)

Wanderlust Bound for Spain at 62,000 Guineas

The international buying bench is always a prominent feature of the February Sale and the second highest priced lot of the second session was bought with the Madrid Derby in mind with Stamina Turf securing WANDERLUST for 62,000 guineas on behalf of Sociedad Civil Cuadra Alegria.

Consigned by trainer Marco Botti’s Prestige Place, the three-year-old gelding had run twice in January since catalogue publication and both times finished second, in addition to a third placed effort on debut in December.

Stamina Turf’s Rafael Rojano revealed: “My client Arturo San Jose has a string of nice three-year-olds, but perhaps is missing a Derby horse. We had a good try yesterday on the Frankel colt from Juddmonte, but it is a strong market and it was too much for us.

“This horse is the obvious choice today and he is going into training with Sandro Tseretelli who is based at La Zarzuela, the main racecourse in Spain. As the Derby in Spain is open to geldings he can be targeted at a Classic campaign.”

The three-year-old boasts an international pedigree as an Italian-bred son of German Champion sire SOLDIER HOLLOW. His unraced FOOTSTEPSINTHESAND dam GIADA NERA is a sister to three blacktype performers from the family of last year’s Group 1 Hong Kong Vase winner GIAVELLOTTO, also trained by Marco Botti.

Lot 268: Sorbus (GB)

Colbert Stud Strike for Sorbus at 60,000 Guineas

The Ed Walker Racing consigned three-year-old SORBUS had posted a smart catalogue update prior to the February Sale when breaking her maiden on just her second start and proved popular with bidders, eventually knocked down to Jody Keating for 60,000 guineas.

Keating is the stud manager for new bloodstock enterprise Colbert Stud whose principal Emma Colbert, who previously bred dressage horses and rides competitively, revealed;

“We have a new stud in Dullingham Ley and the plan will be to breed from her, but I think she will go back into training now. She is fit and ready to go and could progress. She has a good walk and is a lovely character, and we really like her. Her trainer was very positive about her too.”

Of Colbert Stud, she added: “We bought the stud a couple of years ago, we plan to have about twenty mares and we have eight at the moment. We want to be a boutique stud and have the highest quality we can. We will be breeding commercially and will race a few as well.”

Previously trained by Ed Walker for owner-breeder Rockcliffe Stud, the daughter of NIGHT OF THUNDER is out of the multiple Group and Listed placed mare BLACK CHERRY, already the dam of Listed performer LITTLE ROLLRIGHT, from a deep international blacktype family.

Chairman’s Statement
Following the conclusion of the February Sale, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented;

“The Tattersalls February Sale is firmly established as Europe’s premier midwinter sale and this year’s renewal saw significant year on year increases in turnover, average and median as well as a clearance rate above 85%. These figures represent a positive start to 2025 after last year’s record-breaking Tattersalls sales season and we have welcomed a typically diverse group of buyers, both domestic and from overseas, to Park Paddocks.

“Racecourse success is always a key driver of demand and the Tattersalls February Sale enjoyed a remarkable year in 2024 with Classic winners Los Angeles and Metropolitan and Group 1 winner Facteur Cheval all out of fillies purchased at past renewals of the sale. Their dams all came from large owner -breeder operations and so it was no surprise that the sale-leading consignment from Godolphin was as ever in great demand, with their draft of 36 fillies and horses in and out of training realising almost 1.4m guineas.

“The sale also featured the inaugural Retraining of Racehorses Showcase and the ever-popular Stallion Parade, and it was hugely enjoyable to have such a large crowd in the sale ring to see former stars of the turf looking so well in their second careers.

“We now look forward to the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale which has consistently produced Group 1 winners in recent renewals including Hotazhell who looks an exciting Classic contender.”

Callmegetrix has been tipped to win the Clapham Stakes. (Picture: Wayne Marks). 

Graeme Hawkins (Gold Circle)

The ultra consistent Callmegetrix could register her fourth career victory when she lines up in the R180 000 Clapham Stakes over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. On past collateral form the 4yo daughter of Vercingetorix appears to have the measure of her eight rivals, but not by a wide margin and a competitive finish can be expected. Callmegetrix is trained by Candice Bass-Robinson and will be ridden by JP van der Merwe and, from a decent barrier position, she should get the run of the race.

Stable companion Fun Zone is not without a winning chance, but it has been some time since the 5yo mare by Rafeef has found the winner’s enclosure. She seldom runs a bad race but has tended to be a little one-paced in her recent outings. Hampstead Heath is drawn widest of all but does stake a claim for a minor placing. On the evidence of their last run behind Gimmethatpearl, Hamsptead Heath looks well held by Callmemegetrix but as we all know races are not run on paper and it would not be a huge surprise if Adam Marcus’ runner turned the form around.

My Flower Fate has not raced since early November, but she cannot be lightly discounted. She seems at her best over this track and trip and a repeat of her performance in last season’s Ladies Mile, when runner-up behind the useful Time For Love, will see Lucinda Woodruff’s 5yo daughter of Master Of My Fate make her presence felt in a big way. The three-year-old Goodnessgraciousme is difficult to assess. Trained by Justin Snaith, Goodnessgraciousme won her maiden in her penultimate start before finishing unplaced in the Grade 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas in December. Richard Fourie takes the ride and the well-bred daughter of Gimmethegreenlight could be open to significant improvement.

Fellow sophomores Dixieland Band and Polynomial have shown glimpses of above average potential but need to step up on their most recent efforts. School Policy and Oni San complete the 9-horse field and either would be surprise winners. School Policy has yet to score beyond 1400m while Oni San will be having her first start beyond the sprint distances and it’s difficult to know what to expect from the daughter of Danon Platina.

In summary, Callmegetrix gets the vote, with a fair degree of confidence, to take top honours with My Flower Fate, Hampstead Heath and Goodnessgraciousme the immediate dangers.

The sixth race, a Cape B Stakes over 1000m, is one of the better races on this generally low-grade programme and should provide for an interesting contest between Kelp Forest, The Abdicator and Elusive Winter. The race could set up nicely for the hattrick-seeking Kelp Forest who likes to be held up for a late charge. The opposite is the case for The Abdicator and Elusive Winter, both of which like to “blitz” from the start. Elusive Winter found 1100m a touch too far last time but was a good winner over Tenango prior to that. The Abdicator was second behind Tenango in his last start but was conceding Tenango 1,5kgs on that occasion, whereas Elusive Winter was in receipt of 7,5kgs when getting the better of Tenango.

The Abdicator has to concede Elusive Winter 6 kgs on Saturday and, on a line through Tenango, there should not be much to choose between the pair. The Abdicator has his first start for the Piet Steyn stable and one can only assume that the “catch-me-if-you-can” tactics will be deployed. Kelp Forest takes a steep rise in class but is unbeaten since being fitted with blinkers and Fourie is a notable jockey booking. If The Abdicator and Elusive Winter cut each other’s throats, Kelp Forest will be in the perfect position to mow them down. The upset in the race could be the lightly weighted Porque Te Vas and she could be worth throwing into the mix.

The first of nine races, Leg 3 of the Work Rider’s Series, could again see Louis Burke and Luke Coleman finish 1-2, as was the case in the first two legs. In this Maiden Plate over 1100m, Burke rides Wild Applause for the Snaith team and it’s very difficult to oppose the 3yo daughter of Vercingetorix. Coleman is aboard Peanut Pops who came close to landing a huge gamble when runner-up behind Elsinore in a similar contest back in December. But Wild Applause brings stronger form lines into the race and Peanut Pops may struggle to match strides with her. Consideration can also be given to Rosa Osiria and Indebe Mayibuye for minor money, but Burke looks set to complete his hattrick on Wild Applause.

Kelp Forest has been tipped to win the 6th race. (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Saturday Formguides And Selections (Picture: Wayne Marks)

R1     4 WILD APPLAUSE was heavily backed in the market in her last start behind Englefield Green when she stayed on late for fifth, she now drops back in trip which should help her chances, on her best form, she will be very hard to beat here. 8 PEANUT POPS ran a much-improved race on the 5th of December when finishing second, if he can back that performance up here on Saturday afternoon, he should be able to earn some money for the connections again. 6 ROSA OSIRIA will need to improve quite a bit on her last start to win a race like this, but she is definitely capable of running into the places on her best form, watch her closely. 7 INDEBE MAYIBUYE drops significantly in trip, she could sneak into the Quartet at a big price. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 8 – 6 – 7)

R2     6 CLIFFSCAPE takes on the boys here, her first run on the 11th of January was incredible, she ran on strongly for third behind a very nice horse, if she has made the necessary improvement back at home, she will go very close to winning. 1 EXALTED LOVE ran 4th on debut behind Orbit, he was very green in running and should improve quite a bit in his second start at the races, the yard is in good form, he must have a nice each way chance. The balance of the field are all first timers, watch the market closely, watch them in the parade ring and watch them move down to the start before striking your bets. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 1 – 2 – 3)

R3     4 SCOTTISH LINKS ran a cracking second last time from a poor draw behind Bounceback, the drop in trip shouldn’t be a problem for this gelding, from a good draw here, he will get the run of the race and will be tough to beat. 11 ARBITRATION unfortunately draws poorly for this competitive Open Maiden, he will need lots of luck in running, if the race works out for him, he could sneak into the places with a big weight on his back. 6 MASTER BOMBER needed his last run, he ran a fair race behind Secret Passage, even though he was beaten 8 lengths, he should tighten up quite a bit from that run, include him into all bets now that he steps up in trip. 3 AMANDLA NGAWETHU improved beautifully in his second start, he will love the step up in trip to 1400m, watch him closely. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 11 – 6 – 3)

R4     11 SUGARBUSH finished her race off strongly to run second on debut behind Shesgotclass, she is a well-bred filly that should improve quite a bit with her second start at the races, she will be very hard to beat here with natural improvement. 2 HAPPY WIVES almost got it right on the 15th of January, she showed plenty speed from the barrier gates and got reeled in late by Secret Passage, if she can build on that performance, she will be a danger in the finish. 8 BENEATH THE CLOUDS ran a fair race on the 11th of January, she was in the firing line right up until the last 200m and then she got tired late, she will get stronger and better with more racing, include her into all bets. 3 ALESSIA ASHEVILLE will love the drop in trip, she could be the value in what looks a tricky race on paper. (Brandon Bailey: 11 – 2 – 8 – 3)

R5     5 ELECTRIC FEELS is as honest as they come, she needs a particular ride, if she gets the cover needed early, she will be storming home late. 1 GRAVITY ran a good race behind his stable companion on the 15th of January, he looks to be racing off a dangerous mark at the moment, on his best form he can win a race like this quite easily. 7 LOVERS LANE was only beaten just over three lengths in his last start over 1400m, the drop back in trip could help him get closer, include him into all bets at a decent price. 6 TRUE HORIZON had a few hard luck stories in her race behind Palace Gift on the 11th of January, she is very consistent and should be competitive again. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 1 – 7 – 6)

R6     2 KELP FOREST has won his last two starts super impressively, he absolutely loves these sprint races, even though his rating has gone up again, he will be very hard to beat in this Class B stakes. 3 THE ABDICATOR bounced back to his best form on the 4th of January, he ran a lovely second behind Tenango, he has changed stables, if the race works out for him, he will be hard to catch, include him into all bet types. 7 ELUSIVE WINTER tried to lead them from start to finish last time, he is speedy and very talented, there is no doubt he will have a good each way chance again. 6 PORQUE TE VAS is much better than her recent run behind Kyalami Girl, she has dropped further in the ratings, watch for improvement. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 3 – 7 – 6)

R7     4 CALLMEGETRIX never runs a bad race, her form is ultra consistent, she carries top weight here which will make life tough for her, but she is honest and should be involved in the finish. 9 HAMPSTEAD HEATH made up good ground last time behind Gimmethatpearl to run fourth, the yard has always held this filly in high regard, unfortunately she has drawn wide for this race, but she will be running on powerfully, watch her closely. 3 GOODNESSGRACIOUSME is a gorgeous looking filly, she is much better than her recent start in the Cape Fillies Guineas, from a good draw with champion jockey Richard Fourie in the saddle, she will get the run of the race and could easily bounce back to best form. 5 FUN ZONE has run some fair races lately, if the race works out for her, she could sneak into the Quartet. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 9 – 3 – 5)

R8     7 COSMIC RHYTHM stayed on nicely behind Okavango on the 18th of January, even though he was well beaten, that form looks to be good enough to win a race like this. 9 DAWN’S EARLY LIGHT has unfortunately drawn widest of all for this Class D Stakes, if he gets some luck in running, he could finish amongst the places. 5 GOLDEN GREY has been very frustrating to follow, there is no doubt that he has the ability to win a race like this, but he needs everything to go right on the day, include him into all bets, he could certainly surprise. 3 GRIPEN drops back in trip to 1400m, from a good draw, there should be no excuses for him, he could be some value in a difficult race. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 9 – 5 – 3)

R9     2 DREAM SEARCHER won very well on the 4th of December, it was a good ride from jockey Craig Bantam, she was only given three points for that victory, from a good draw again over the same trip as she won last time, she could be very hard to beat on Saturday afternoon. 3 MARITZBURG MEMORY could be all the value in this Class 5 event, she got left in her last start and then made up good ground quite early at the top of the lane, she only really got quite tired the last 200m of that race, she now drops in class and gets a decent draw, she will be a huge runner here. 6 LADY LOXTON has dropped a further two points in the ratings and she steps back up in trip, watch for big improvement. 9 VERONIQUE has been disappointing in her last two races, if she returns to form, she will be competitive. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 3 – 6 – 9)

Bournemouth (Canford Cliffs) was a comfortable winner of the Non-Black Type Lakeside Handicap over 2400m on the Fairview turf today and the victory gave Alan Greeff and Richard Fourie a double for the day. (Pauline Herman Photography)

Richard Fourie rode a double for Alan Greeff and Craig Zackey rode a double for Gavin Smith on the Fairview turf today.

Zackey drew level with Gavin Lerena at the top of the national jockeys log, as the latter had a blank at the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly night meeting, which had to be abandoned after six races due to floodlight failure.

Zackey is on 130 wins for the season and has achieved it at a strike rate of 18.06%.

Lerena’s 130 wins have come at a strike rate of 26.97%.

Fourie went to 121 wins at 27.74%.

Greeff is on 78 wins at 16.32%.

Smith is on 63 wins at 12.48%.

How did the chaser Lift Me Up, who has had two wins from just five starts under rules, get his name?

The subject is pictured above.