Turf Talk Newsletter – 6 February, 2026

Trust To Prove Himself Something Special

Trust can bounce back to winning ways at Turffontein Standside on Saturday (JC Photos)

The Gr 2 TAB Gauteng Guineas to be run on Saturday at Turffontein Standside is particularly eagerly anticipated this season, because the easy victory of Jan Van Goyen in the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas pointed to the three-year-old strength this season being on the Highveld.

The strength centres around the Candice and Tammy Dawson-trained Trust, as he had defeated Jan Van Goyen in the Gr 2 Jackpot City Dingaans two weeks before the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas.

However, Trust has since suffered defeat in the Gr 2 Got The Greenlight Stakes over 1400m to Splitheeights.

Splittheeights was receiving 2kg, but beat Trust into third by 2,5 lengths, which puts him half-a-length ahead of Trust on paper.

However, Trust is the selection as he will appreciate the step up to 1600m, whereas Splittheeights has a speedy pedigree and has not been tested over a mile yet.

Trust is also reunited with his regular rider Serino Moodley

Trust has a good draw of four.

Splittheeights is a half-brother to the Gr 1-winning speedster William Robertson, but on the other hand is by Vercingetorix, so he might enjoy the trip. He has a good draw of five with Raymond Danielson keeping the ride. He will make a bold bid.

Tin Pan Alley was well beaten by Trust over this course and distance in the Gr 2 Jackpot City Dingaans, but bounced back with a good win over 1450m. He has drawn wide again so won’t have it easy, but at his best and with some luck in running he can earn.

Grand Empire’s only defeat in four starts is to the classy Pressonregardless over this trip. He has a lot of promise and is a contender here.

One Eye On Vegas was just 1,30 lengths behind Splittheeights in the Got The Greenlight and his Fastnet Rock dam won over this trip, so he might enjoy it, but he does have a vey wide draw.

Yippee Kiyay is drawn in pole and should run an honest race, but he will need to show improvement.

Gavin Lerena is aboard Radio Star, who won a handicap easily last time off an 87 merit rating. This is tougher and he has a wide draw.

All Systems Go was third in the Dingaans from pole position and is now drawn three, but he has 5,10 lengths to find on Trust.

I’m A Fireball won easily last time when stepped up to 1450m and it is interesting the De Kocks’ stable jockey Callan Murray is aboard. He is by Vercingetorix who won Gr 1s from 1800m to 2000m, while his dam Gibraltar Blue was a sprint-miler who did win two Gr 2s over 1600m. He does have a tough draw though.

Copper Eagle has 6,30 lengths to make up on Trust from the Dingaans and has a tricky draw.

Golden Warrior was beaten 6,10 lengths by Splittheeights over 1400m last time and has a tricky draw.

King Harald was beaten 3,25 lengths by I’m A Fireball over 1450m last time and is half-a-kilogram worse off and he is held by Tin Pan Alley on juvenile form over this trip, although by just 1,20 lengths and there is now a reversal in draw fortunes in his favour, so he could be an interesting each/way outsider.

Shadowfax looked to have a lot of promise as a two-year-old but on three-year-old form is held by Trust and One Eye On Vegas.

Trust is tipped to beat Splittheeights with Tin Pan Alley, Grand Empire and One Eye On Vegas next best.

Golden Palm Can Get Back On Track To Stardom

Golden Palm will be out to make it a second successful raid of the Big T (JC Photos)

The Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas to be run on Saturday at Turffontein Standside, Golden Palm seemed headed for big things until unplaced in the Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas, but can bounce back with Craig Zackey now aboard over a suitable course and distance.

The East Cape star has visited Turffontein Standside once before when powering clear in the Gr 2 SA Fillies Nursery over 1160m, one of two successful big race raids that helped her to be named Equus Champion Two-year-old filly.

Littlemissmillion is tiny but has a big action and can continue to improve. She can do well despite a wide draw as she has a fine turn of foot.

Hazy Dazy has good formlines and has scope for further improvement, but has to overcome a wide draw.

Tina Lovelace has proven class and is well drawn over an ideal trip, but she has not shone this season and needs to bounce back.

Lowveld Lily is an interesting raider from the Champion trainer Justin Snaith’s yard and beat a below par Golden Palm by a length in the Cape Fillies Guineas. She has a wide draw, but has shown a good turn of foot and a resolute finish.

Warm Reception looks to have plenty of potential and would not be a surprise winner in this open race from draw seven under Muzi Yeni.

Charge It has just got a length to find on Hazy Dazy over this trip and won a Listed event over 1800m last time, so she is also a contender.

Elegantrix has class, but does have a stamina doubt.

Drumnadrochit has potential and Richard Fourie will help her overcome a wide draw.

Valentina Balducci has a very wide draw, but is right up there with Warm Reception. However, on the other hand she is well held by Hazy Dazy on their clash in the Fillies Mile.

Daisy Jones has something to find with Valentina Balducci on 1400m form, but ran well in the Gr 2 Ipi Tombe over 1600m last time against older horses and could still be on the up.

Pretty Persuasive has 2,75 lengths to find on Hazy Dazy from the Fillies Mile, but did beat Littlemissmillion there, although the latter was returning from a layoff.

Merryweather is consistent but this is a tougher task than she has been up against and she has a wide draw.

Amazon Queen will need to up her game.

Frangipani is a nice type and was just a shorthead behind Hazy Dazy in the maidens so might be a surprise package, although she officially has a tough task off an 81 merit rating.

Golden Palm is selected to beat Littlemissmillion with Hazy Dazy, Tina Lovelace and Lowveld Lily next best.

Willy Meet Again Can Beat The Boys

Willy Meet Again has been tipped to win the 8th (JC Photos)

Turffontein Standside Saturday Formguides And Selections

R1 2 GRISELDA just failed on debut and can win with the weight advantage. 1 CUSTODIAN impressed last time but has to give Griselda 3kg. 3 LANZAROTE made a fair debut over 800m behind a promising sort and should improve. 6 VIKING LASS is an Erik The Red first-timer and Richard Fourie is an eyecatching booking. (David Thiselton 2-1-3-6)

R2 4 NIGHTSHINE made a good debut and can go one better. 7 SPEED STORM Rafeef first-timer colt with De Melo up. 9 WHATSDAMATTERWITHU Fire Away first-timer colt out of a speedy Rich Man’s Gold mare. 10 WORLD ATTRACTION One World first-timer colt out of a Vercingetorix mare. (David Thiselton 4-7-9-10)

R3 7 FIRE STORM made a good debut and will improve over this trip. 2 BALULE beat Fire Storm ls time and also steps up in trip but has a wide draw. 9 ROYAL ENGAGEMENT has run two fair races and should earn in this line up. 3 HIGHWAYMAN HARRY ran a fair race last time over 1450m from a good draw and now has pole position. (David Thiselton 7-2-9-3)

R4 6 VIXENINTHEVINEYARD is knocking on the door and has pole position over an ideal trip. 1 KNOWMORE is improving and willl enjoy the step up in trip from a plum draw. 2 ROYALE JACKET is always thereabouts and is interesting stepped up in trip. 8 SCARLET O’HARA made a fair debut behind a fair sort and can improve. (David Thiselton 6-1-2-8)

R5 3 TAXI TO THE MOON is the one to beat of repeating his last start. 1 WILLIAM ROBERTSON full of class and still retains his ability so should be finishing strongly. 4 MOUNT PINATUBO has the class to be a contender. 6 ELEGANT ICE has a chance at the weights. (3-1-4-6)

R6 1 GOLDEN PALM seemed headed for big things until unplaced in the Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guinaas, but can bounce back with Craig Zackey now aboard over a suitable course and distance. 8 LITTLEMISSMILLION is full of ability and is improving all the time and so can do well despite a wide draw as she has a fine turn of foot. 5 HAZY DAZY is talented and has scope for further improvement but has to overcome a wide draw. 9 TINA LOVELACE has proven class and is well drawn over an ideal trip. (David Thiselton 1-8-5-9)

R7 1 TRUST has his regular rider back aboard and can display his fine turn of foot from a great draw. 12 SPLITTHEEIGHTS has fine formlines and will be a big threat. 2 TIN PAN ALLEY has proven class and courage and should be in the shake up from draw despite a wide draw. 3 GRAND EMPIRE has shown a lot of ability and has Zackey up from a fair draw. (David Thiselton 1-12-2-3)

R8 9 WILLY MEET AGAIN has plenty of ability and could be the one to beat. 4 BUSSTOPINHOUNSLOW should be running on strongly and is a big threat. 3 CHOISAANADA can go close if reproducing his best. 5 GREATERIX is talented and is due to bounce back. (David Thiselton 9-4-3-5)

R9 3 ERROL FLYNN impressed second time out over 1450m and can follow up over a suitable step up in trip. 4 WINSTON’S WONDER is in good form and will enjoy the trip. 5 TROMBOLINES was a touch disappointing last time but can bounce back over a slight decrease in trip. 1 GOT THE FEELING has shown enough to be able to earn here. (David Thiselton 3-4-5-1)

Lucky Fishes Hollywood Racing Score Win Number 100

Izibulo gives Hollywood Racing their 100th win of the season and is led in by Lesley and Devin Heffer and Ian Stangroom (left) (Picture: Race Coast)

Hollywood Racing had been on 99 wins for the season for eight days when the afternoon/night meeting on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly started at 16H15 today (Friday).

However, it was a most appropriate meeting in which to get number 100, because Owen, Lesley and Devin Heffer were all on course for an on course announcement about the new online betting entity Lucky Fish, a Race Coast initiative in which profits will be returned to racing.

A parade ring announcement informed the betting public about Lucky Fish and how it will operate and those who love racing and care about its future are sure to have been impressed by this initiative.

The wait for the 100th of the season after the 99th had stretched to 22 runners by the time the night meeting had reached race 5.

Garth Puller and Sean Veale were the lucky recipients of R10,000 each for the 100th winner when the Lancaster Bomber filly Izibulo won the fifth race, a Class 5 event over 1400m.

Izibulo’s groom Lovemore Mpukane received R3,500 in total, made up of the R1000 he would normally receive from Race Coast for the win and a R2,500 bonus from Hollywoodbets for being groom of the horse who recorded the 100th win.

Craig Peters and Sanele Mchunu received R2,500 each for being respective commentators of the race.

Hollywood Racing made it 101 when Kaapse Klopse won the last race. This Rafeef gelding gave both Sean Veale and MJ Odendaal individual doubles for the meeting.

Hollywood Racing were not he only owners to have a double on the night as there was also one for Howard Schwegmann, who is on an unbelievable run at present. His double tonight was via two Gareth van Zyl-trained horses Future Flo (Futura) and Good Traveller (Visionaire).

Garth Puller also had a double.

Gareth van Zyl, the reigning KZN Champion Trainer, has now taken the lead in the KZN Trainers championship as he goes to 29 wins in KZN, two ahead of Alyson Wright.

Salani Kahle Could Wave The Opposition Goodbye

The exciting Salani Kahle could score a hattrick at Holllywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Hollywoodbets Scottsville Sunday Formguides And Selections

Race 1: Preview: GREEN ENERGY (1) was good on debut and with natural progression, should win. In saying that, plenty of cheek can be expected from the raiding runner, BUFFALO KING CODY (6) He nearly won last time and will be a huge danger here. DOG SOLDIER (2) and BON APPETITE (3) could run well on debut – watch the betting trends as race time looms. (Warren Lenferna 1-6-2-3)

Race 2: Preview: JAPURA (6) is improving with racing and posting promising performances. She looks hard to beat. AMC ROY’S FANTASY (3) improved at the second time of asking and can go very close to getting it all right. MEKONG (8) and FORCE OF AIR (7) could place on debut. (Warren Lenferna 6-3-8-7)

Race 3: Preview: SOVEREIGN GEM (2) is showing signs of wanting to win. She is lightly raced, her last run excellent and is therefore the first choice. TIPPERARY (3) is taking time to win but is doing well and can be given serious each way claims. I just believe that Sovereign Gem might have more to offer in the improvement department. HEY DIDDLE DIDDLE (5) ran an improved race last time and surely has more to come – strong place chance. BELLIGERENT (8) can be forgiven for the last run – quartet chance. (Warren Lenferna 2-3-5-8)

Race 4: Preview: PEACH MELBA (9) has run two fair races thus far and now gets the services of the Whitehead yard regular rider, Calvin Habib. PAST IS PROLOGUE (8) caught the eye in the second run and should go very close to winning. An obvious inclusion for all bets. LUTHANDO (12) can improve on the debut run and could be the value for the places. SIYABAMBELELA (14) is one for the shortlist – first four claims. (Warren Lenferna 9-8-12-14)

Race 5: Preview: ETZEBETH (1) caught the eye on debut and faces a very weak field today and from gate 1 over the extra distance, should be hard to oppose. OWNER OF CREATION (8) is well tried but will not get much more of an easier opportunity at getting it all right and has obvious serious winning claims. QUINCY TIME (9) has a huge place chance and TASTE THE RAINBOW (2) could be the value for the quartet play. (Warren Lenferna 1-8-9-2)

Race 6: Preview: SALANI KAHLE (9) has won both his maiden and post maiden races in the manner of a very progressive and talented horse. Despite the deep draw, he should reel off the hat trick. BRUH (6) has ability and solid form – each way chance. GOTTA GO EDDIE (2) and ROYAL SWORD (3) are natural inclusions for trifectas and quartets. (Warren Lenferna 9-6-2-3)

Race 7: Preview: FRENCH TRIP (1) ran an absolute cracker in the Michael Roberts Stakes and on that run alone, is the firm first suggestion. He gets the ace gate so should have a smooth run in transit and the weight off will again be a help. The one to beat. CONTINENTALEXPRESS (3) won well last time and it would be no shock if he were to follow up – bright chance. ACTOR (5) has a place chance and if THE MIKADO (4) does not need the run, could finish in the first four. (Warren Lenferna 1-3-5-4)

Race 8: Preview: DOWN BY THE RIVER (2) put the Michael Roberts Stakes to bed with consummate ease and is confidently selected to follow up. KING PELLES (1) needs absolutely no introduction, we know he is good and it would be silly to ignore his chances – strong win chance. Ignore the last run. AMOR FATI (3) showed guts and determination when winning on the Highveld last time and will be a serious runner here. ISIVIVANE (4) bounced back to winning ways last time and should be right there at the finish. Big runner. (Warren Lenferna 2-1-3-4)

Race 9: Preview: DAWN SURPRISE (9) is in healthy red-hot form currently and showed guts and determination to win last time. She can follow up. DAISY ROCKER (1) is the interesting runner – she could be absolutely anything – watch and include. LITTLEBLACKGEM (4) is taking time for the next win but is ultra-consistent and a must for everything – big chance. RUBY CLAIRE (6) could represent some place value. (Warren Lenferna 9-1-4-6)

Race 10: Preview: FASCINATION (8) has solid form and is way better than her last run. SCARLET STARLET (11) was impressive on debut and could be anything and might well remain unbeaten after this race. Serious claims. MOSCOW MISS (10) is never far adrift the winners and can give a good account of herself. TLADI MOTHWANA (12) looks useful and has a bright chance. Include in all bets. (Warren Lenferna 8-11-10-12)

Loyal Bright Can Light Up Sha Tin

Loyal Bright has been tipped to win Race 7 (Picture: HKJC)

The Group 3 Centenary Vase headlines at Sha Tin on Sunday where At The Races tipster Tim Carroll previews all eleven races and gives three best bets with the action starting at 06H30 SA Time.

This Sunday sees a highly competitive 11-race card from Sha Tin on both the Turf and All-Weather tracks and the feature of the meeting is race 8, the Group 3 Centenary Vase (Handicap), over 9 furlongs, offering more than £415,000 in prize-money.

Now onto this week’s selections.

Click here for a detailed guide to the meeting

Lulamba Ready To Test His Mettle in Game Spirit

Nicky Henderson’s novice is following a well-trodden path

At The Races

Lulamba is following a tried and tested route to next month’s Arkle for Nicky Henderson by stepping out of novice company for Saturday’s William Hill Game Spirit Chase.

Seven Barrows superstar Sprinter Sacre claimed the Grade Two prize en-route to striking gold at the Cheltenham Festival in 2012, while the brilliant Altior also completed the Game Spirit-Arkle double in 2017. He would go on to win the Newbury race three times in all.

Lulamba has been foot perfect in winning his first two starts over fences at Exeter and Sandown, but Henderson is keen to get more experience into his five-year-old and plumped for William Hill Super Saturday at Newbury over the Kingmaker Novices’ Chase at Warwick on the same afternoon.

He said: “It’s a warm heat and we’re meeting older horses and coming out of novices, mainly because I want to go to Newbury and it’s a good track for him.

“He doesn’t need the race but he needs the experience as he hasn’t had a lot. The first chase he ran in he only jumped half a dozen fences because of low sun and he was very good at Sandown, but I would like to see him jump another dozen fences in competition.

“We’ve been discussing it day in, day out at home and we’re pretty sure we’re right not running Jango Baie (in the Denman Chase), but this lad is nearly always fresh and sometimes too fresh and I think he might need this to bring him under control a little bit. I just hope the ground isn’t desperate.

“Whether it is the right race or not, that is another question. Warwick is there and you look at the two, but I would rather just take him to Newbury.

“We’ve taken Jonbon and Long Run to the Kingmaker, but we’ve also used the Game Spirit for our Arkle horses in the past. This time last year Sir Gino was going to do the same thing and Lulamba is in good form.”

Saint Segal is enjoying a fine season for Jane Williams, winning at Chepstow and Kelso as well finishing second to Thistle Ask in both the Haldon Gold Cup and the Desert Orchid Chase.

Williams is expecting another positive performance from her stable star, but is wary of the threat posed by Lulamba.

“We’re pleased with him, I’m not sure what he’ll make of the ground, but he likes Newbury,” she said.

“He’s a horse I was trying to run a bit less this year but he’s quite difficult to train, so he’s happier racing.

“I have to say Nicky Henderson’s horse is the most beautiful horse, so I shall enjoy looking at him. I don’t really want to see his heels, but I expect we will!

“I’m looking forward to it, even if we have to come second to Lulamba. If he’d gone to Warwick instead it would have been much better for me!”

Master Chewy and Libberty Hunter were first and second in last year’s Game Spirit and both are in the mix once more.

Master Chewy is fitted with a visor for the first time as he steps back in trip after finishing second in the Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton last month.

Willy Twiston-Davies, who trains the nine-year-old in partnership with his father Nigel, said: “He’s in good form and we’ve stuck a visor on him as we will probably ride him a bit differently.

“He looks really well at home, he’s pulling up the gallops every day – he’s just a pleasure to train. A very straightforward, consistent horse.

“He won it last year and it’s easier than going up to three miles in the Denman Chase.”

Libberty Hunter was last seen finishing a well beaten fourth in the Tingle Creek for Evan Williams, who said: “Lulamba looks a superstar, doesn’t he? He looks a very, very good horse.

“We’ll go and have a little day out and see what happens. It was somewhere we wanted to go and a drop of rain won’t be against us.

“He’s got a bit of age about him now, but we’ll go and enjoy the day and see how we get on.”

The small but select field is completed by Dan Skelton’s Calico, the Anthony Honeyball-trained Brookie and Meetmebythesea, who is two from two over fences for trainer Ben Pauling.

Pauling said: “I’d like to get three runs into him to qualify him for the novices’ handicap chase at the Cheltenham Festival and I thought running against mature horses would teach him a bit, as he has floated round at Wetherby and won and then turned up in a small-runner race at Ayr.

“It’s obviously a proper race with the likes of Lulamba and some proper experienced horses in this division, but hopefully he will run a nice race and he goes there in decent form.”