Turf Talk Newsletter – 4 December, 2025

Kannemeyer Talks About His Fillies Guineas Quartet

Princess Of Gaul was an impressive winner of the Gr 2 Western Cape Fillies Championship last time out (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Dean Kannemeyer has an enviable Cape Guineas record with six wins, but he has never won the Cape Fillies Guineas before.

However, he has a plethora of good three-year-old fillies this season and has four runners in Saturday’s Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas.

He said about the third favourite, the Vercingetorix filly Princess Of Gaul, “I think Princess Of Gail is a very good filly. The only time she got beat she couldn’t get a run in the Dianne Stakes. And then she won the Grade 2 Western Cape Fillies Championship. very, very well. There’s a lot of speed on her female line, so there’s a question mark on whether she will get a mile. But she’s a lovely filly and she’s doing very, very well. She’s well drawn and we’ll put her to the test. She has earned her stripes, but obviously there are some good fillies in the Fillies Guineas. The Fillies Guineas is always a good race, but you also need a lot of luck in it, the first 300 to 400m of the race can be rough. But Princess Of Gaul is in good shape.”

He said about The United States filly Keukenhof, “She been a bit of an unlucky filly. She was drawn wide in the Diana Stakes and only got into the race in the last 250m and was flying up on the outside. And in some of her Durban races she was flying up from bad draws. Now she has got the widest draw of all. But it is a long straight.”

He continued, “Tulip Fields (Vercingetorix) is running off an 88. It’s a big jump in class, so it is a big test for her.”

He said about One World filly Educator, “You can ignore her last race. She could ‘t get a run in the straight. She’s had a few bad luck races. She is off a 93, so it’s also a big test for her. But she is doing well.”

The general view of this year’s race is that with Golden Palm in the race everybody else is running for second.

However, if Princess Of Gaul does see out the trip she could be a threat and she is rated a 7/1 chance with the sponsor to do it.

She is drawn three and Craig Zackey rides.

Keukenhof is drawn 12 out of 12 with Callan Murray up and she is a 16/1 shot.

Her powerful finish has been eyecatching and she has a fine chance of running in the first three.

Educator has Luyolo Mxothwa up from draw six and she is a 35/1 chance. She represents value considering she had nowhere to go last time when beaten 5,70 lengths by Reet Petite, to whom she was giving 3kg. She might have finished right on top of the latter with a clear run and the latter is second favourite for Saturday’s race at 3/1.

Tulip Fields is drawn four with Muzi Yeni up and is the biggest outsider in the field at 70/1.

De Melo Looks Back On A Worthwhile And Enjoyable HK Experience

Keagan de Melo never managed to breakthrough in Hong Kong and only had 33 wins in two-and-a-third seasons chiefly due to a lack of opportunities, but he still viewed it as a valuable experience and hoped he would be a better rider for it (Picture: HKJC)

Keagan de Melo is even money to land a Gr 1 in his second meeting after his return from Hong Kong as he will be aboard the Alan Greeff-trained champion filly Golden Palm in the Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas on Saturday at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

Asked whether her availability was one of the reasons he returned from Hong Kong he replied, “No, not necessarily. I was always coming back. She became available and we asked for the ride and we got it.”

Keagan’s agents are former Summerveld trainer Lloyd Lunn and Chris Santos.

Keagan was the SA champion jockey with 277 wins in the 2022/2023 season and he followed that with returns of 21 wins in his first season in Hong Kong, 12 wins in his second season and he had not scored a single win this season before departing the island.

So, as far as winners were concerned his Hong Kong stint was quite a downturn from the returns he was enjoying in South Africa, but he revealed that this had not had anything to do with his quality of riding and he added his confidence had not been effected at all.

He said, “Even in my last couple of seasons in Hong Kong, it might not look great, but I still performed well with what I had.”

He said he was as confident in his riding as ever before.

He said the stint in Hong Kong had definitely been worthwhile.

He said, “Experience-wise and financially it was good. They say most people who come out of Hong Kong improve, so hopefully I’ve improved a little bit.”

Keagan has many followers in South Africa and a lot of them were astonished to see the lack of support he was given on the island.

He explained, “The guys that are in demand have been there for a while, know the system very well and it’s a very hard system to get used to. it’s just hard to get going. When you think you’re getting going, it slows down a little bit.”

He said his highlights on the island were his first win on the island on Valhalla in just his second meeting and his win last season in the Group Three Premier Cup (1,400m) on Copartner Prance.

Considering he earned a cheque in his first five rides on the island, including a win, coupled with his obvious skills as a rider, his career over there looked set to take off. But it was not the case.

His association with Copartner Prance, which yielded a Gr 3 win, a Gr 2 second and a Gr 3 second in just five rides also looked to be a launching pad, but that was also not to be.

Besides being a good experience for his career, Keagan thoroughly enjoyed his time in Hong Kong.

He said he had been able to have a lot of family time, which is much more difficult to do with the more busy race-riding schedule in South Africa.

He and family had done such things as visit China, Vietnam and Thailand, went on hikes in Hong Kong, went to Hong Kong Disneyland, to Ocean Park and to all of the beaches.

He concluded by expressing his gratitude, “I had a great time, I built some great relationships and the Hong Kong Jockey Club was great to me and my family – I can’t thank them enough.”

Keagan will be based in Durban.

For the first month he will be staying with family in Johannesburg while his house in Durban gets sorted out.

He is sure to be in demand around the country and will get ample support if deciding to chase the championship next season.

Besides the ride on Golden Palm, other big horses he has landed rides on are Snow Pilot in the WSB Green Point Stakes and on Malmesbury Missile in the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas.

Gimmie Rules Gallops, Gimme A Prince Retires

Gimmie Rules, pictured winning easily last time out, put in a fine gallop at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Wednesday in preparation for the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas (to be run on Saturday 13 December) (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Gimmie Rules remains the favourite for the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas.

Dean Kannemeyer, who will be out to land a seventh Cape Guineas and a tenth for the Kannemeyer stable, said, “He galloped yesterday. He came to Kenilworth for a 1400m gallop, a bit of pace work. Craig flew down for the gallop and was very, very happy with his gallop. He goes into the Guineas next week and we’ll see if he’s good enough to compete against them, because he’s unexposed. He was going to run in the Punters Cup but he drew wide, so I took him out and put him in the B Stakes race over 1400m. But he’s looking for the mile, that’s what I think. But he put up a good gallop and it will be the first time he competes with the best three-year-olds in the country and we’ll see if he’s up to. But he is doing very well.”

Dean said about the dangers, “I believe Michael de Kock will be bringing Jan van Goyen. He’s a very, very good horse. I was most impressed with his run the other day.”

Meanwhile, the Equus Champion Sprinter Gimme A Prince has been retired and this gelding will no doubt now live a life of luxury in Lady Christine Laidlaw’s paddocks.

Dean said, “I spoke to Lady Laidlaw and we’ve decided that he’s been such a great soldier to us, but has always had issues through his whole career, he’s a very difficult horse to train, but he’s been a mighty soldier and a mighty horse for us, so we’ve decided to retire him.”

Il Etait Temps The One To Beat In Tingle Creek

Picture: Hollywood Racing and Barnane Stud’s stalwart Willie Mullins-trained chaser Il Etait Temps can add another Gr 1 victory to his CV at Sandown on Saturday (Sporting Life).

Sporting Life’s Racing Podcast team discuss who will come out on top in Saturday’s big clash for the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase, for which Il Etait Temps is an odds-on favourite..

ED CHAMBERLIN: ‘He has major questions to answer’
I haven’t changed my mind since we first talked about this post the Shloer. I love Jonbon to bits and would love for him to bounce back but I do feel he has major questions to answer after that performance at Cheltenham.

Watch the start of the Tingle Creek very closely, Harry Skelton will be Vinnie Jones against Paul Gascoigne again down at the start. Skelton is clever, very clever.

And to me I just thought Jonbon might be on the downgrade. I’m worried about him, he just didn’t look in love with it in the Shloer and has questions to answer. I couldn’t back him even at 4/1 or 9/2.

This time last week I said Impose Toi could rival Strong Leader for favouritism at Newbury and he actually went off market leader and I can see these two, Il Etait Temps and L’Eau Du Sud, ending up much closer together than they are right now.

For me, 4/7 Il Etait Temps, the way the Willie Mullins horses are being campaigned again, is too short. We know L’Eau Du Sud loves Sandown, we know he loves this time of year and was very, very good last time. And we know what the Skeltons are like, every weekend they are banging in these big-race winners and I think the two of them will come much closer together (in the betting) before the off on Saturday.

I think you’re a brave, brave punter if you’re backing Il Etait Tempts at 4/7 even though he was brilliant in the Celebration Chase here in April. At the prices I’m very much in the L’Eau Du Sud camp.

Tingle time as big clashes continue…
MATT BROCKLEBANK: ‘I don’t like him at odds-on’
I agree with Ed here. I suppose the important thing to remember is I’m not making the case for L’Eau Du Sud being the all-conquering champion two-mile chaser for the season.

I just think if he’s ever going to beat Il Etait Temps, it’s in this race. He won four in a row as a novice, including the Grade One on this card, and while this is a different calibre altogether, he couldn’t have done any more than he did in the Shloer.

He beat Jonbon by 15 lengths and if you were a little worried about Jonbon having the legs for two miles after the Celebration Chase, then the Shloer really hammered it home.

I think L’Eau Du Sud is the one for this weekend. He’s going to handle any further easing of the ground if we get that too.

I have full respect for Il Etait Temps but at the beginning of last season I was making a case for him running in the King George. I’ve always liked him but it took a while for Paul Townend to fully come round to him, Danny Mullins was magic on him a couple of times.

No, I like the horse but I don’t like him at odds-on for the Betfair Tingle Creek, a British Grade One before Christmas. I just think if there’s a horse who’s going to be cherry-ripe on Saturday then it’s L’Eau Du Sud.

I know Dan Skelton said there wasn’t any physical improvement to come from Cheltenham but there might not have to be to give the favourite a real race.

FRAN BERRY: ‘I don’t think anyone knows how good he is’
The thing with Il Etait Temps is I don’t think anyone knows how good he is really. He’s not a horse who seems to show up at all at home on the gallops and to an extent has been under-rated in the main.

But his win at the end of last season at Sandown, given the length of time he’d been off the track, was so good. Willie Mullins said he was barely ready to go but with the trainers’ championship and the fact it was the last race for him that season, they rolled the dice and he duly went and won over course-and-distance in a really good manner.

I think he’s a wonderful horse for connections and the fact he has started earlier this year, with regular racing, means he can only improve off that and he can develop into one of the leading two-milers.

At the odds I’d be happy to watch him and see what happens but I think it’s only this winter that we’ll see the best of him and begin to respect how good he is.

Sweetie Darling Can Return To Winning Ways

Sweetie Darling has been tipped to win the the third race (Pauline Herman Photography)

Fairview Poly Friday Formguides And Selections

R1 5 GREY WARRIOR is knocking hard and gets a good opportunity here from a plum draw. 6 BUGLE has finished second in his last two starts and is drawn in pole. 3 FORT IMPREZA has shown some ability in the strong centre of Cape Town and has a good chance here under open maiden conditions. 8 FREE TO RUN earned in an open maiden last time and with a repeat can do so again. (5-6-3-8)

R2 8 GIMME THE BEST hasshownsomeability in CapeTown and has a fine chance here carrying 53kg under open maiden conditions. 2 WITCHING HOUR has some fair form in Joburg and could be a contender in this open maiden. 6 AETHELWULF has done well in his last two starts in open maidens and can go close again. 1 BAHAMIAN BEAT improved last time and show further improvement here. (8-2-6-1)

R3 2 SWEETIE DARLING has disappointed in her last two starts but she is well weighted here and is the one to beat. 3 MONTELENA has just a length tomake up on Sweetie Darling from their last clash and the weights are the same. 4 UNCONQUERABLE LADY has gone close in her last two starts over 1400m and can earn here although it could be on the sharp side. 5 VIRGIN RIVER is capable of being in the shake up here. (2-3-4-5)

R4 6 TIMELINE is knocking on the door and has a good opportunity from pole position over an ideal trip. 10 MISS MACKIE has shown some ability in Cape Town and from a good draw carrying 52kg has a chance. 4 RIVER FERN has the form to be a player but does have a wide draw. 3 SMIDDYBURN can improve on his fair debut. (6-10-4-3)

R5 11 COASTAL PATH is knocking on the door and has a plum draw over a suitable trip. 3 NELSON BAY can go close if repeating his East Cape debut but this is a touch on the sharp side and he has a tricky draw. 7 RIVERSTONE has the ability to be a contender from a plum draw. 5 EYJAFJALLAJOKULL is consistent and should be right there again. (11-3-7-5)

R6 1 WILD FIG has gone close in his last two and has a plum draw over a suitable trip. 6 KING RAHUL is in fine form with three wins in his last four starts and he could be in the shake up again. 3 CHEERFUL CHARLIE B has a tricky draw to overcome but has the form to be a contender. 7 PORFIRIO is usually thereabouts and is off a competitive mark. (1-6-3-7)

R7 5 GUY GIBSON has class and can run on after being dropped out over a trip he has done well over before. 7 HAT’S PRIDE is knocking on the door and has a plum draw. 8 FINAL TRY is better than his last start and has a nice draw. 1 BINGWA is top classbut needs things to go his way. (5-7-8-1)

R8 2 GINGER DELIGHT has been knocking on the door since arriving in the East Cape and she gets a good draw over a suitable trip. 3 BACK FOR MORE could bounce back over a drop in trip which will suit. 4 ONE GIANT LEAP is interesting stepped up in trip being by One World out of a Silvano mare. 11 TAKE YOUR TIME is consistently thereabouts but does have a tough draw to overcome. (2-3-4-11)

Treaty Of Paris Can Follow Up

Treaty Of Paris can claim his third career win under highflying Tristan Godden (Picture: Candiese Lenferna)

Andrew Harrison (Race Coast)

Treaty Of Paris can keep Tristan Godden on a high after his success in the Gr 1 Summer Cup on board Mocha Blend last Saturday, when he partners Treaty Of Paris in the Class 3 over a mile that heads a nine-race card on the turf at Hollywoodbets Greyville this evening.

Mike Miller’s charge is still improving and his last win was not out of turn. He has a handy galloping weight from the best of the draw and can go in again. Frikkie Greyling saddles Go Grayson Go who is never far off and was close-up in a recent feature. He has to give weight but looks more than capable and will be a threat. Wiccan Warrior has been coming to form with each outing and although drawn wide he looks the pick of the Gareth van Zyl runners with Imposing having stepped up another six points in the handicap.

Van Zyl can get the ball rolling with Double Causeway in the card opener. The colt was friendless in the betting on debut but from a wide draw was only two lengths off the winner. He has a better draw and the experience and step up in trip will be in his favour. Danger could be Hammerhead who although he has a tricky draw to negotiate and a well beaten third last time out, it was a much improved effort on his debut and should be competitive.

Punters face a tricky start to the Bi-Pot. Michael Roberts sends out the lightly raced Ladyofdistinction who has shown top class ability. She was badly in need of her last outing after coming off a lengthy break and that effort should see her close to her peak. Going on ratings, Limitless Sky should be difficult to beat as she has gained her rating in Graded company. But that could be a little misleading and although she is not slouch she should be competitive. Siesta Sunset has solid form over sprints and steps up in trip with the best of the draw and if staying the trip will be a factor while Amelia’s Legacy shed her maiden in fine style from a wide draw and Keagan de Melo with his Hong Kong experience will prove invaluable.

In the first leg of the PA Salani Kahle raced green in s promising debut and that experience and the step up in trip should see him close in a modest maiden field. Carnival Park was a beaten favourite last outing but has struggled to shed his maiden although never far back over course and distance. Window To My Soul was a close-up second on the poly last run. He has steady form over the trip prior to that and should be involved while the mare Intro is hardly ever out of the money and her best recent form has been on the turf on this course.

Pied Piper can open the Pick 6 for Wengi Masawi. The gelding made a smart handicap debut on the poly and his maiden form has been franked. The switch back to the turf could see him go in for his second win. Councillor shed her maiden on the poly when taking on males and has improved with each outing and the blinkers go on. Phaka Imali and Mohandas are others to consider.

The fifth is tricky but Paul Lafferty’s runner Bruh showed up well last start and has taken on much stronger since shedding his maiden. He may well have needed his last run and gets a 2.5kg claimer aboard . Danger may well be Gotta Go Eddie who has not been out of the money in nine starts. He was a well beaten favourite on the poly last run but the step up in distance back on the turf should suit. Gurkha has been sent back from the Cape by Dean Kannemeyer after two modest efforts but the change could bring out the best as he has shown some ability.

The lightly raced Position Of Power has not been out of the first two in four starts and although Alyson Wright’s runner faces a lot stronger he still looks to be under the handicappers radar. Icy Blast was not disgraced behind the progressive Major Tommie last outing and his latest win was over course and distance so he can follow up. Soho Star has drawn wide but goes very well over course and distance and is high highly consistent. With a smart 4kg claimer up he should be competitive.

The seventh is an open handicap but Turbo Twenty has shown up well in two starts since arriving from the Cape. He is down in class and gets a more seasoned rider aboard so should be competitive. Sign Of Fate is back on turf and seldom runs a bad race. She has good form over the trip and has a smart 4kg claimer aboard. Of the balance, Royal Sword is lightly raced and was not disgraced in his handicap debut. He has a handy weight and has a chance while Targaryen Knight also showed up well in his handicap debut. He had consistent form leading into that race and gets Rachel Venniker’s 1.5 kg allowance.

Finally Golden Angel can round off the meeting as she comes off an easy win in PE and has some steady Cape form before that. With a 4kg claimer up she should have a strong chance in this line-up. Ms Galore is still a maiden but does seem better than her form would suggest. Given some luck in running she should be competitive. Saint Brigid has shown up well in two starts since arriving from the Cape and has a much more favourable draw now and goes well this trip. De Vlugge is in smart form for Gary Rich but does have a big weight in spite of Rachel Venniker’s 1.5 kg allowance.

Lerena Four-timer, Matsunyane, Crawford Trebles

Real Stunner secures a four-time for Gavin Lerena after just four races at the Vaal Classic track today and it was the first leg of a treble for James Crawford (JC Photos)

Gavin Lerena rode a four-timer at the Vaal Classic eight-race meeting today (Thursday) and Kabelo Matsunyane rode a treble, while James Crawford saddled a treble.

Lerena is on 28 wins for the season at a strike rate of 21.05%.

Matsunyane is on 28 wins too at a strike rate of 9.40%.

They are way behind the leading trio of Craig Zackey, Richard Fourie and Serino Moodley, who are on 94, 82 and 61 wins respectively.

James Crawford is on 34 wins at 14.59%

Eleven of these have been on the Highveld at 17.19% and 23 have been in the Western Cape at 13.69%.

Today's Question

What are the newest Gr 1s in the UK?

Picture: Trawlerman won on of the subject races this season (Pic- Megan Coggin)

FIELDS, Friday, 5 December

Fairview Poly

Today’s Question Answer

The most recent races in the UK to be upgraded to Group 1 (Gr 1) status were the City of York Stakes and the British Champions Long Distance Cup. Both were promoted to top-level status in February 2025, with the new status taking effect for their 2025 running.

Click here to read about the City Of York Stakes

Click here to read about the British Champions Long Distance Cup