Turf Talk Newsletter – 7 October, 2026

Rich Man’s World gets his three-year-old campaign off to a winning start at Hollywoodbets Durbanville today (Picture: Wayne Marks)

The Vaughan Marshall-trained Rich Man’s World made waves as a two-year-old and his three-year-old campaign, which has been awaited with eagerness by the racing fraternity, began at Hollywoodbets Durbanville today (Wednesday) in a Progress Plate over 1250m.

It did not go smoothly and it was clearly just his quality, coupled with the fact that Richard Fourie is not only world class but knows the horse well, that pulled him through.

The big colt had not raced for four months and as Fourie put it, “He is just an absolute racehorse and he obviously has a lot of energy in him that needs to cook over.”

However, that did not stop bookmakers having him at 3/10 at one stage.

To add to the pressure Vaughan Marshall was not at the races on the day.

To compound matters the horse lost half of a loose tooth on the way to the start.

Fourie said, “He was very fresh and he didn’t switch off. He worked hard going to the start and he worked hard in the race.”

The powerful bay broke well from draw five of five and set off at a strong gallop, opening up a lead of about four lengths.

However as he went past the 400m mark the other four runners were closing rapidly.

The writing looked to be on the wall for favourite backers.

However, Fourie had just been giving him a breather and the big horse kept them at bay all the way to the line.

In the end the favourite backers were pleased to have got a starting price of 67/100.

Fourie explained, “I had to sit and wait and coming through the 300m mark, when they whooshed up to me, I went from doing nothing to asking him and he was already there and waiting. Yes, he did everything upside down, but it was just the quality that brought him through.”

The weights showed it to actually be a fine run by Rich Man’s World, despite the fact that it will clearly bring him on a ton.

He carried 60,5kg off his 115 merit rating, but under the conditions of the race he was officially the second worst weighted runner and was in fact 6kg under sufferance with the best weighted runner, the 110-rated Canford Cliffs four-year-old gelding Fox On The Run, who received 2kg from Rich Man’s World and stayed on for a half-a-length second.

The officially worst-weighted runner, the 100-rated three-year-old Heavenly Blue colt Hero’s Journey, was a 0,80 length third despite being 7,5kg under sufferance with Fox On The Run.

Beware and Shezaripper were beaten 1,80 and 2,10 lengths respectively.

Fourie said he was glad the horse had got a gallop into him, but he added that there was still a lot of work to be done.

The yard’s long-standing assistant Adele Alsop said Rich Man’s World was a gentleman to work with, but added that he kniw when it was race-time.

Part owner Ken Truter pointed out that it was Rich Man’s World’s first visit to Hollywoodbets Durbanville and that he had missed an intended gallop there.

Ken owns the Boland Stud-bred horse in partnership with his wife Jane as well as Reiner and Cheryl Gabler.

Rich Man’s World has now won four of five starts, including a Gr 3, and his only defeat was in the Gr 1 Gold Medallion, where he was beaten 0,30 length by Rafeef colt Haute Couture and he was 6,10 lengths clear of the rest of the field.

He will be an excting horse to follow this season and there is little doubt that his first big target will be the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas. He should enjoy the step up in trip being by Met winner One World out of a Silvano mare whose only win was over 1600m.

Mocha Blend beats Olivia’s Way in last year’s Betway Summer Cup to secure a female exacta. Both mares are among the first entries for this year’s renewal (JC Photos)

Johannesburg, South Africa – 4Racing is pleased to announce that 43 nominations have been received at first entry stage for the 2026 Betway Summer Cup and included among them is the defending champion Mocha Blend, who will raid once again from the Summerveld yard of trainer Frank Robinson.

Mike de Kock is the winning-most trainer in the history of the race with nine wins in Johannesburg’s marquee handicap. Now training in partnership with his son Mathew, the father-and-son team has entered seven runners for this year’s event, including Curious Girl (Gr2 TAB SA Derby), Immediate Edge (Gr3 Jubilee Stakes) and dual Gr1 winner, Jan Van Goyen.

Sean Tarry currently has five Summer Cup trophies to his credit and holds a four-strong entry including Grand Empire (Gr1 HKJC World Pool SA Classic) and Legend Of Arthur (Gr1 TAB SA Derby).

Alec Laird won the race with Malteme in 2006 and Atticus Finch in 2024 and has two entries: Fire Attack (Gr1 HKJC World Pool Premier’s Champions Challenge) and Parisian Walkway (Gr2 TAB Gauteng Guineas).

Joe Soma, who won the race with Wagner in 2012, has three entries in Errol Flynn, Jimmy Don and Rule By Force.

Stuart Pettigrew, who saddled Tyson to victory in 2004, fields the enigmatic Calla Lagoon (GB) and Mission To Mars and St John Gray, who bred, owned and trained 2011 winner Dancewiththedevil, has another homebred hopeful in Palace Prince.

There is a strong contingent of KZN raiders besides the defending champion Mocha Blend. They include two entries from 2023 Betway Summer Cup-winning trainer Nathan Kotzen in Field Marshal and Madison Valley, as well as recent Betway Joburg Spring Challenge winner Gladatorian from the Stuart Ferrie stable. Frikkie Greyling, Peter Muscutt, Robbie Hill and Gareth van Zyl have also entered runners.

The Cape challenge is headed by Justin Snaith, Glen Kotzen and James Crawford, who have entered Magic Verse and Native Ruler, Holding Thumbs, and Otto Luyken respectively.

Full list:-

BETWAY SUMMER CUP (Gr1)

Stakes Breakdown

Total Stakes: R6,000,000.00

1st R3,450,000, 2nd R1,200,000, 3rd R600,000, 4th R300,000, 5th R150,000, 6th R60,000, 7th R60,000, 8th R60,000, 9th R60,000, 10th R60,000 Total: R6,000,000.00

0 ALADDIN’S LAMP Mike / Mathew de Kock 110
0 BUSSTOPINHOUNSLOW Grant Maroun 110
0 CALLA LAGOON (GB) Stuart Pettigrew 107
0 CHOISAANADA Erico Verdonese 120
0 CHRONICLE KING Candice / Tammy Dawson 115
0 CURIOUS GIRL Mike / Mathew de Kock 100
0 DRUMNADROCHIT Mike / Mathew de Kock 111
0 ERROL FLYNN Joe Soma 114
0 FIELD MARSHAL Nathan Kotzen 110
0 FIRE ATTACK Alec Laird 124
0 FIRST WISH Candice / Tammy Dawson 93
0 GLADATORIAN Stuart Ferrie 127
0 GO GRAYSON GO Frikkie Greyling 98
0 GRAND EMPIRE Sean Tarry 111
0 HAZY DAZY Xander / Corne Spies 117
0 HOLDING THUMBS Glen Kotzen 119
0 I SALUTE YOU Peter Muscutt 113
0 IMMEDIATE EDGE Mike / Mathew de Kock 108
0 INDIAN OCEAN Mano Pandaram 105
0 ISIVIVANE Peter Muscutt 108
0 JAN VAN GOYEN Mike / Mathew de Kock 118
0 JAZZ CAFE Robbie Hill 101
0 JIMMY DON Joe Soma 112
0 KING PELLES Gareth van Zyl 122
0 LEGEND OF ARTHUR Sean Tarry 110
0 LITTLEMISSMILLION Tyrone Zackey 114
0 MADISON VALLEY Nathan Kotzen 113
0 MAGIC VERSE Justin Snaith 115
0 MASTER SPY Sean Tarry 97
0 MISSION TO MARS Stuart Pettigrew 94
0 MOCHA BLEND Frank Robinson 120
0 NATIVE RULER Justin Snaith 121
0 OLIVIA’S WAY Roy Magner 114
0 OTTO LUYKEN James Crawford 113
0 PALACE PRINCE St John Gray 108
0 PARISIAN WALKWAY Alec Laird 107
0 REET PETITE Mike / Mathew de Kock 114
0 RULE BY FORCE Joe Soma 117
0 SOLAR SAIL Paul Matchett 109
0 THE ULTIMATE KING Tony Peter 117
0 TINTIN Sean Tarry 93
0 TOMYRIS Tony Peter 99
0 WILD INTENT Mike / Mathew de Kock 107

Dates to diarise:

Second Entries Close: 11:00 Tuesday 3 November 2026
Final Entries Close: 09:00 Monday 16 November 2026
Weights: Monday 16 November 2026
Declarations: 11:00 Tuesday 17 November 2026
Final Field: Embargoed & announced on Tuesday 17 November at an event TBA
Barrier Draw: Tuesday 17 November at an event TBA

Please note: the determination of the final field is at the discretion of the NHA in consultation with 4Racing.

A series of logs will be published, with the first log due on 13 October and the second after second entry stage on 5 November.

This year’s Betway Summer Cup takes place at Turffontein Racecourse on Saturday, 28 November 2026 and invites racegoers to “Celebrate Summer” with a day of top-class racing, entertainment and hospitality.

TICKET PRICES

General Admission: R100
Summer Garden: R450
Turffontein Decks: R2,400
Turffontein Room: R2,950

Tickets can be purchased online at: https://summercup.howler.co.za/events/betway-summer-cup-2026-9a8f

Above The Law (Legislate) looks to have a bright future ahead of him after his eyecatching win on debut on Wednesday (Picture: Wayne Marks) 

Justin Snaith and Richard Fourie, who combined for a double, both scored trebles at the Hollywoodbets Durbanville meeting on Wednesday.

Above The Law got the Snaith ball rolling in the first as Fourie got the big-striding son of Legislate to pick it up from well back and finish with a flourish to get the better of Running Shoes and Stichintime.

Snaith was looking for a quick double with short-priced favourite Miss Arizona in the second but after racing handy she was a spent force a furlong out as Future Engagement quickened up the inside rail under Callan Murray and James Crawford’s filly getting the better of long-time leader Jane Austin close home. Future Engagement, a three-year-old filly by Futura, is a full sister to Gr 2 winner Pink Tourmaline and a half-sister to two Gr 2 winners, Green Sapphire (Gimmethegreenlight) and King Of Gems (Kingsbarns).

Lantern Jack was the preferred Snaith runner in the third but over-raced and never got going as stable companion Bright Fate (Master Of My Fate) led all the way and quickening smartly under JP van der Merwe in spite of never really settling. Given some time he could be a horse to follow.

Keagan de Melo was denied his fiftieth win of the season as Fourie got Frozen Asset (What A Winter) to finish off her race strongly to nab the pace-making Desert Ice on the line to give Snaith his third winner of the afternoon.

Not to be denied, De Melo waited until the last to reach his milestone as he produced Grey Ennion’s lightly raced gelding Daley Park (Danon Platina) with a telling late run to round off the meeting.

It was the turn of Candice Bass in the D Stakes as favourite Bolero (Rafeef) made light of top weight giving Athandiwe Mgudlwa something of an armchair ride. Always handy, Bolero fired out of the pack at the top of the straight and went to the line unchallenged.

Dean Kannemeyer moved most of his big horses from his KZN yard for the Western Cape season and for some time did not have a runner given AHS vaccinations, but the stable is starting light up. Continue The Dream, full brother to The Real Prince and Gimme A Prince, made an eye-catching debut last Sunday and Soho Heartthrob (Gimmethegreenlight) did duty under Van der Merwe on Wednesday as the gelding rattled home to collar Diamond Rock in the seventh.

Fourie’s other winner was Rich Man’s World (see first article of today’s newsletter).

Snaith leads the Luck Fish Trainers Championship with 36 wins at a strike rate of 18.37%, five clear of Alan Greeff on 31 wins (22.14%) with Dean Smith next best on 27 (16.88%).

Keagan de Melo leads the Lucky Fish Jockeys Championship with 50 wins (22.12%) from Craig Zackey 34 wins (18.48%), Muzi Yeni 33 (15.71%), Kabelo Matsunyane 33 (18.54%) and Richard Fourie 24 (24%).

The Soetendal Estate is well established as one of South Africa’s leading vendors at thoroughbred auctions. Soetendal have fared particularly well at the October Two Year Old Sale, and were the leading vendors (by aggregate) at the 2025 auction.

The 2025 Two Year Old Sale saw Soetendal Estate, as Agent, sell 15 lots for a total of R5.69 million, with the draft headed by a Rafeef colt who was knocked down to Hollywoodbets for R800 000.

Julia Pilbeam will be bringing another choicely bred draft to the 2026 October Two Year Old Sale, with her consignment including two-year-olds sired by the likes of Digital Age, Erik The Red, Fire Away, Futura, Jet Dark, One World, Rafeef and What A Winter.

While understandably keen on all the horses she is bringing to the upcoming auction, Julia picked out the following two-year-olds as being particularly exciting:

Lot 4: Elusive Fort f Konfessional
All six of her siblings are winners of multiple races, and her full sister, Encryption is a five time winner and Listed-placed. This athletic filly’s third dam is Secret Pact, who needs no introduction. She’s ridden away and ready to go!

Lot 19: MOJO BELLE – Royal Mo f Memphis Belle
Her dam is a half-sister to both Captain Chaos and Sacred Arrow.
The full sister is already a winner, and this powerful, well-grown filly looks sure to be hot on her heels.

Lot 66: CHARM AWAY – Fire Away c Souk
He is a half-brother to Hollywoodbets Durban July Gr 1 winner Oriental Cham and three other winners of multiple races – muscular, athletic colt that is a bundle of energy, a must-see.

Lot 20: Rafeef f Mercury Rising
A Rafeef filly with eye catching action, out of tough race filly Mercury Rising (Gimmethegreenlight) who won 4 races including the Perfect Promise Sprint Listed, and was 3rd in the Western Cape Fillies Championship Gr 2. This is the current and active family of Taikonaut, Francia and Earth’s Orbit.

Lot 22: Danon Platina f Miss Cool
Great opportunity to buy the first foal of the talented Heineken SA Nursery Gr 2 Miss Cool (What a Winter). She is a racy filly who moves well – with her second dam a half-sister to Futura she’s also a great investment!

Lot 28: WINTER WONDERLAND – What A Winter f Nala
This filly is from a two-time winning full sister to the ultra-speedy Ha Lucy. Her granddam is champion Bold Ellinore and this balanced, correct filly looks as though she carries this family’s speed.

Lot 68: STARS IN YOUR EYES – Jet Dark c Star Evolution
This superb colt by Jet Dark is out of a winning Var half sister to Star Express (dam of Bless My Stars and Let’s Go Now). This is a November foal, and we’ve watched him improve month by month leading up to this sale. With Var making waves as a broodmare sire, this colt is an exciting prospect.

Lot 96: ONCE CARIBBEAN JEWEL – Royal Mo f Antigua
A full sister to the promising From The Island (two wins at 2 and 3rd Langerman Gr 3), this is a classy, well-grown filly with good substance. The dam has a 100% record of winners to runners, and this filly is from the prolific family of Pointing North, Rodoille, Blue Tiger, Louvre, Sand And Sea, Trip Of Fortune and Winchester Mansion.

Lot 148: One World c Goa
This colt out of a full sister to Trip To India (dam of lightning-fast Sheela and Wild Wild Green) – this is an incredibly potent female line, and this exciting colt certainly looks early with his solid build and elastic action.

For more information on this draft, please speak to Julia on (082) 317 9474.

All horses purchased at the Race Coast Sales October Two Year Old Sale qualify for a suite of lucrative incentives. These include the Race Coast Sales Juvenile Bonus of R100 000, with R70 000 payable to the owner and R15 000 each to the vendor and the trainer.

Graduates from the sale are also eligible for the prestigious R3 Million Slipper, a 1200m race exclusively for two-year-old Race Coast Sales graduates, to be run in 2027 with a total prize purse of R3 million.

In addition, graduates qualify for the three-year-old races in 2028, which include the R1 Million Sprint and the R1 Million Mile.

Sunday’s G1 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere winner Amusingly (No Nay Never) is out of the dual stakes winning Oasis Dream mare Joyeuse, who is a half-sister to Kikkuli (Picture: Sky Sports Racing)

Paardeberg Stud’s regally bred new stallion Kikkuli gained another handsome boost to his stellar pedigree on Sunday.

Kikkuli’s close relative Amusingly showed her class when she defeated males in Sunday’s G1 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (1400m) at ParisLongchamp. Francis-Henri Graffard surprised many when switching his Juddmonte-owned filly from the Prix Marcel Boussac against her own sex, but the decision was well and truly vindicated. Colin Keane dropped Amusingly last in the early stages and she tracked the odds-on favourite Folsom Blues, with both travelling ominously well.

Joseph O’Brien’s National Stakes winner had no answer to the finishing burst of Amusingly, though, and the daughter of No Nay Never pulled away to win in tremendous fashion.

Winner of two of just three starts, the regally bred Amusingly is out of the dual stakes winning Oasis Dream mare Joyeuse, which makes her a full-sister to G2 Mill Reef Stakes winner Array.

Joyeuse (whose sire is very closely related to Kikkuli’s outstanding sire Kingman) is in turn a half-sister to three group winners headed by legendary racehorse and sire Frankel.

Joyeuse also numbers G3 Jersey Stakes runner up and exciting young sire Kikkuli as a half-brother, while her half-sister Chiasma is the dam of 2026 G3 Tattersalls Musidora Stakes winner and G1Betfred Oaks runner up Legacy Link.

The opening day of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale was highlighted by a new European record for a yearling with Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin going  to 4,600,000 guineas to secure a Norelands-bred Night Of Thunder colt (pictured above). The strong trade continued on day two. 

The electric trade that was seen on the opening day continued into day two of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. The day was topped by Newsells Park Stud’s FRANKEL colt, who was purchased by M V Magnier and White Birch Farm for 4,000,000 guineas. The strong trade was reflected in further rises in both the average and median.

Newsells Park Stud’s Frankel Colt Makes 4,000,000 Guineas

A packed sale ring welcomed Newsells Park Stud’s FRANKEL colt, who realised 4,000,000 guineas to M V Magnier, signing the docket in partnership with Peter Brant’s White Birch Farm.

The colt is out of the Stakes-placed SHAMARDAL mare SHAMBOLIC, making him an own brother to YLANG YLANG, winner of the Group 1 Fillies’ Mile, as well as a half-brother to ACT OF KINDNESS, who finished third in this year’s Group 3 Nell Gwyn Stakes.

The colt was bred in partnership by Newsells Park Stud and Merry Fox Stud. Newsells’ owner Graham Smith-Bernal enthused: “When your stud manager describes the colt as the finest horse he’s ever produced, and you have the Juddmonte team saying he is the spitting image of Frankel, it is a great feeling.”

“For me, it was his temperament that was so special”, Smith-Bernal continued. “He has always been a horse more interested in interacting with humans rather than other horses. You could see he wanted to know what you’re all about.”

To the successful bidders he commented: “I wish Coolmore all the best. Of course they have already done well with the family through Ylang Ylang. In my book, this colt is a couple of notches up from her.”

Merry Fox Stud’s Craig Bennett added: “There is real pride in earning the respect of the industry through what you produce. I’m over the moon.” Of the mare he updated: “Shambolic is in foal to Frankel and does not have a foal at foot.”

Successful purchaser Magnier remarked: “He’s a lovely horse and Newsells do a great job. They’ve bred a lot of good horses, including his sister, who we bought here a few years ago. She was a very good filly and is in foal to Justify. Aidan and Dad were here the other day, and they both liked him a lot.”

Lot 276: Night Of Thunder (IRE) / Sweety Dream (FR)

Ace Stud Add Night Of Thunder Colt to Their Purchases

New England Stud’s NIGHT OF THUNDER colt was bought by Ace Stud for 1,600,000 guineas. The colt is out of the DREAM AHEAD mare SWEETY DREAM, winner of the Group 3 Prix Miesque. She is the dam of the Group 3 Prix Imprudence winner ROMANTIC STYLE, as well as black type winners TOWN AND COUNTRY and ARE WE DREAMING.

“He was the standout for us all week”, said Ace Stud’s Paul Curran. “We were in the market to buy a nice one by the sire. He is from a good farm, and we simply liked everything about him. “

“There is a premium on the Night Of Thunders”, Curran continued when asked about the price of the colt. “Those that are here at Book 1 are the best-bred horses in Europe. The price was around what we thought we’d have to spend.”

Of the colt’s future plans he revealed: “He will go to Andrew Balding, who has had great success for us with Night Of Thunder. Obviously, he had Gewan, who won the Dewhurst for the team this time last year. We hope we will have a nice one again with Andrew, and this colt could be it.”

Marlhill House Stud’s Justify Colt Makes 1,600,000 Guineas 

Marlhill House Stud sold their second seven figure lot ever at Book 1 of the October Yearling Sale when their JUSTIFY colt out of the GALILEO mare STARS AT NIGHT commanded 1,600,000 guineas from M V Magnier and White Birch Farm.

The colt is a half-brother to POKER FACE, a dual Group 2 winner and Group 1 placed, as well as the American Stakes winning STAR DEVINE. The family traces back to BLUE BUNTING, a triple Group 1 winner including Classic victories in the 1000 Guineas and the Irish Oaks.

Reflecting on expectations in the lead up to the sale, stud manager Brian McConnon explained: “Based on the people who were looking at this colt, we were hopeful of a good price. We got more of an idea that he was going down well when we heard people talking about him around the sales complex.”

“We had three exceptional Justify colts to sell this year and knew we had to split them up, thankfully the plan worked out and this one is the icing on the cake,”,” McConnon continued. “I just want to thank M V Magnier.”

Godolphin Strike for Another Night Of Thunder Colt

Hascombe & Valiant Stud’s NIGHT OF THUNDER colt was purchased by Godolphin for 1,500,000 guineas. The colt is out of the Listed placed PURPLE RIBBON, a daughter of CRIMSON RIBBON who is the dam of COURAGE MON AMI, winner of the Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup and Champion Older Stayer.

“He has always been a straightforward colt, and we’ve always thought he was a bit special”, explained Hascombe & Valiant’s stud groom James Frank. “She’s a very young mare so it is a great result for her. The boss is starting to plan the matings, and I think she will be entitled to a good stallion!”

Offering an insight into the colt’s journey to the sale ring, he elaborated: “The mare has a great temperament, and this colt was the easiest to do in the yard. The boys loved him and I remember the first day we put him on the lunge, we thought wow, he is going to be something!”

Frank also paid tribute to the rest of the team at home: “We are a small team, there are only seven of us, and everyone chips in. Everyone has done something to that horse for it to be here today. We are all very proud.”

Lot 277: Frankel (GB) / Swirral Edge (GB)

Redpender Stud’s Frankel Filly Bought For a New Partnership

Bred by Redpender Stud, the FRANKEL filly out of SWIRRAL EDGE was bought for 1,500,000 guineas when knocked down to Paddy Twomey Racing, Jason Kelly Bloodstock and Bond Thoroughbreds.

The filly is a half-sister to MILL STREAM, winner of the Group 1 July Cup and currently standing at Yeomanstown Stud, as well as the Group 2 Richmond Stakes winner ASYMMETRIC and the 2026 Listed Prix Yacowlef winner CROWNBREAKER, all of which were bred by Redpender Stud.

“She’s an exciting acquisition,” said Paddy Twomey. “Obviously she’s by Frankel and the mare has bred very fast horses. She’s just the type, if you were lucky enough, to become a foundation mare. She’s for a new partnership of existing owners.”

Adding to the number of consignors achieving their first seven figure result at this sale, Redpender Stud’s owners, the Murphy family, also reached the milestone for the first time.

Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale continues at 11am on Thursday, 8th October.

Buffalo Storm Cody looks to potentially be drawn on the wrong side for his seasonal reappearance at the Vaal on Thursday (JC Photos)

The Vaal stages an interesting eight race meeting today and with the outside rail in by only two metres the high drawn horses should be favoured in the races down the straight.

The highest rated race is a Pinnacle Stakes race over 1100m and on paper it should be at the mercy of the Equus Champion Sprinter Buffalo Storm Cody as he is officially 3kg better off than any other horse in the field. However, the five-year-old three-time Gr 1-winnig gelding is making his seasonal reappearance and has a low draw of two. He night need it and as a hold up horse it won’t be easy to find good cover from that draw so he might be a touch vulnerable carrying 62kg under Kabelo Matsunyane, who is riding him in a race for the first time. Therefore, it might be worth also including the talented Truth, who has a nice high draw and would likely have come on from his last start in which he ran well below par. Ziyasha makes his seasonal reappearance, but could also make his presence felt from a high draw.

In the first leg of the P6, a Maiden Plate over 1800m, the hard-knocking Giddy Up Grace is well drawn and looks the one to beat. She failed in her only try at this trip, but that was in the strong centre of Cape Town and it was before she had ever worn headgear, which has brought about improvement. Furthermore, her dam, Africa Blue by Horse Chestnut, won twice over 1600m and 2400m respectively, so she should get the trip being by Met winner One World. Dreadnought has run well in all three starts, one over 1200m and two over 1600m, and he should enjoy the trip being by Gimmethegreenlight out of a High Chaparral mare. However. he does have a tough draw of seven out of nine. Lance Attack has four lengths to make up on Giddy Up Grace. He is by Lance out of Sarge Mare Formation, whose eleven wins included one over 2000m. Furthermore, he is drawn in pole so could be a threat in this step up from 1600m to 1800m.

In the second leg of the P6 over 1200m Cool Gambler looks to be have a lot of potential and he is drawn on the right side so is the one to beat off a merit rating of 75. Rachettu brings good maiden form from Cape Town, including a nice win last time. He is drawn on the right side and his merit rating of 76 looks attractive. He returns from a layoff, but the Tony Peter yard get them fit. The in-form St. John Gray yard have Willow Charm, who is drawn on the right side but has to overcome a four point raise for his last win. However, all three of the horses who followed him home last time have won since, so he must have a fine chance.

In the sixth over 1000m Sakura Hanami.won well at the end of last season and can start off where she left off from as she has a favourable draw. Apparition is drawn on the right side and looks to have ability. The form of her last run has not worked out too well and she returns from a layoff but she should continually improve this season. Power Of Pearls has been in tremendous form but has a low draw.

In the last race over 1400m Sail The Sky is in relatively good form and is drawn on the right side, so should be in the shake. Kylie’s Angel is better than her last run and from a high draw over a step up in trip which will be appreciated she has a chance. Berry Lancer won easily in the maidens and can follow up from a nice high draw. He earned in his only run over this trip and is in with a shout.

In the second over 1000m Rafeef’s Queen is knocking hard and will be hard to beat from a high draw.

In the first over 1000m Thanksgiving looks the best of those to have run, but does have a low draw. Eastwood makes most appeal of the first-timers as he is by Buffalo Bill Cody and his half-brother by What A Winter, Blue Waters, won on debut.