Turf Talk Newsletter – 8 May, 2026

Erupt gelding Isivivane, a half-brother to Gr 1 winner Red Saxon, is coming into his own and is an interesting runner in the Gr 3 WSB 1900 (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Andrew Harrison (Race Coast)

We are now at the sharp end of Champions Season and for all trainers that have hopes of landing the R10 million Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July, it is a case of plotting each of their runner’s into the race with a competitive weight.

So it is tricky trying to second guess trainer’s plans but is makes for some head-scratching puzzles especially as the July is now a true handicap. The Gr2 WSB 1900 has waxed and waned as a lead-up race into the July but in recent years it has proved to be good pointer and it could again prove to be come Saturday at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

Peter Muscutt saddles July entry Isivivane who is still under the radar as far as a place in the July field is concerned but a win here will most likely earn him a gate. Of concern is that his last two wins have come on the poly track but he has a handy galloping weight from a good draw. Justin Snaith is well on his way to another national Champions Trainer title and sends out three lively runners. Native Ruler has nothing to lose off his rating as he has top weight although contracted rider JP van der Merwe rides stable companion Regulation for Greg and Gina Bortz who gets 8kg from Native Ruler. The betting could tell a tail but Regulation will need a forward showing.

Candice and Tammy Dawson send out top class Trust, a winner of the Gr2 Dingaans. He has not been out of the money in six outings and his showing here will shed some light on what the current crop of three-year-olds are capable off. Given the conditions of the race, a victory will not come at any major cost to his handicap rating but would indeed almost cement his place in the July field.

Paul Peter gives The Ultimate King a look at Greyville and the gelding has solid Highveld form over the trip. He was narrowly beaten by Fire Attack last time out when racing in first time blinkers and has nothing to lose.

First leg of the Pick 6 is a Conditions Plate that has cut up from an original entry of 27 to just seven runners, dominated by Snaith who sends out four of the seven.

It is a high class field but Snaith’s intentions are not easy to decipher as most of the field is warming up for future features. All four of Snaith’s runners have the July penciled in behind their names and again the market could prove to be your best guide.

Likely pacemaker is Okavango who has run two cracking front-running races at his last two including a game second to stable companion See It Again in the Gr1 Premier’s Champions Cup at Turffontein. He gets the services of last Saturday’s Gr2 WSB Guineas winning rider Mickaella Michel – who incidentally came from last on Star Major – but gets the benefit of her 1.5kg allowance. The gelding is already among the top weights for the July so a win should not come at much cost in the handicap. Stable companion Legal Counsel will also not do his July weight much damage given his rating and was doing his best work late behind Questioning last time out and will strip a fit horse. Of bigger interest are Snaith’s other pair of Note To Self and Eight On Eighteen. Note To Self was runner-up to crack filly Wish List in the Gr1 Cape Derby and a forward showing will enhance his chances of making the July field but a jump in the handicap is a possibility. Eight On Eighteen, a game runner-up in last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July behind The Real Prince, makes his local debut after a disappointing

Cape season. He may just need this to bring him on but he has more than enough class to pull this off. Craig Zackey is an interesting booking as the current log leading rider will surely be aboard The Real Prince in the July, all things going to plan.

Frank Robinson also has the July on the radar for his Gr1 Summer Cup winning filly Mocha Blend and she comes in with a realistic chance as she gets weight from all except the lightly raced and recent maiden winner Ascalon Dancer whose performance will be watched with more than just passing interest.

Past Is Prologue was well beaten in the Gr 1 Empress Club Stakes but can bounce back in an ordinary handicap on Saturday (Picture: Race Coast) 

Hollywoodbets Greyville Saturday Formguides And Selections

R1 Preview: Many first timers. Betting should be your best guide. Of those that have run, TIGER CODY (6) made a promising debut and should come on with the experience. OMKHULU BOSS (8) was disappointing in his local debut in the soft after a smart previous effort. He can do better here. LENOXX (11) was a long way back to promising Rich Man’s World on debut but is likely to come on from that run. COAST OF THE SUN (13) is bred in the purple but has a wide draw to contend with. (Andrew Harrison: 6-8-11-13).

R2 Preview: Little form to go on so keep tabs on the market. TOO FAST TO FIESTA (4) showed promise on debut but disappointed next run. Can do better here. BOOGY (7) found limited market support in a modest debut and can improve. LAGERTHA THE QUEEN (1) was very green on debut but has the best of the draw. PACIFIC MOOD (6) strikes as a likely first timer. (Andrew Harrison: 4-7-1-6).

R3 Summary: Open maiden. HOP HOP SPINNEKOP (7) was much improved last run and the step up in trip should be right up her alley. ANNIE’S SONG (3) is lightly raced but has shown some ability. She gets first time blinkers. GREEK HEIRESS (1) is proven over the trip and from the best of the draw should feature prominently. BRIGHTSUNNYDAY (4) has had one good sprint in five outings but the step up in trip could suit. (Andrew Harrison: 7-3-1-4).

R4 Preview: High class field but form not easy to decipher with the entire field warming up for future features. Justin Snaith saddles three of the six runners still standing and with the Hollywoodbets Durban July in prospect for all three. NOTE TO SELF (3) was runner-up to crack filly Wish List in the Cape Derby and a forward showing will enhance his chances of making the July field but a jump in the handicap is a possibility. OKAVANGO (5) is the likely pacemaker and is already among the top weights for the July. EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN (6) make his local debut after a disappointing Cape season and may just need it. (Andrew Harrison: 2-5-3-6).

R5 Review: Competitive handicap. PAST IS PROLOGUE (2) took her chances in the Gr1 Empress Club Stakes last time out but was out-classed. She takes a big drop in class and should feature given her previous efforts. ALLTHEBOYSIVELOVED (10) has consistent Cape form over the trip and improved in a tongue-tie. HAPPY FORTUNE (9) shoulders top weight but is over her optimum trip. GORGEOUS GIRL (6) has found form and only got a four-point rise in the handicap for her latest win. (Andrew Harrison: 2-10-9-6).

R6 Preview: JAZZ FESTIVAL (2) has been consistent over shorter but this step up in trip could bring out the best. SERPENTINE FIRE (4) showed up well from a wide draw last run and is better of with both NO PRESSURE (7) and FAST AND FREE (6) who look the biggest threats to his chance. (Andrew Harrison: 2-4-7-6).

R7 Preview: Tricky trying to second guess trainer’s plans. ISIVIVANE (2) is still under the radar as far as a place in the Hollywoodbets Durban July is concerned but a win here will most likely earn him a place in the field. NATIVE RULER (9) has nothing to lose as he has top weight although contracted rider JP van der Merwe rides stable companion REGULATION (8) who gets 8kg from Native Ruler. TRUST (10) is a top class three-year-old. Winner of the Gr2 Dingaans he has not been out of the money in six outings. THE ULTIMATE KING (6) has solid Highveld form and was narrowly beaten by Fire Attack last time out. (Andrew Harrison: 2-8-9-6).

R8 Preview: Very little went according to plan on is Cape raid but COGNAC (7) showed potential before making the trip. He takes on a host of seasoned gallopers but if fit and well could prove a cut above them. UMZINGELI WENYATHI (3) is never far back and gets first time blinkers. PLUS FOUR (2) is over his best trip from a good draw and has consistent Highveld form to commend him. DONQUERARI (4) is always dangerous and seldom out of the money. (Andrew Harrison: 7-3-2-4).

R9 Preview: THE MASK (7) may be the pick of Glen Kotzen’s pair given that he is in smart form, goes well on the ply and stable rider Chad Little is aboard. MIGHTY ZAMBEZI (3) was a maiden winner last time out but showed marked improvement in first time cheek pieces and was well supported in the market. FROST BITE (6) was a comfortable winner at just his second start outings in the soft. He should have more to come. SUPER FAST (5) is over his best course and distance and has been touched off in useful company at his last two. (Andrew Harrison: 7-3-6-5).

R10 Preview: HAH LAH LAH (8) was well supported in the market on debut and duly obliged. He looks progressive and can follow up. JP’S PALACE (3) has been mixing it with the big guns of late and has been far from disgraced. He should be right there from a favourable draw. WHAT A FORTUNE (9) showed up well in useful company in his local debut. The stable is on good form and he should make a bold bid. WILD AT WAR (7) goes well on the poly and has a definite money chance. (Andrew Harrison: 8-3-9-7).

Place Accumulator: (R432)
Leg 1: 7,3,1
Leg 2: 2,5
Leg 3: 2,10
Leg 4: 2,4,7
Leg 5: 2,8,9
Leg 6: 7,3
Leg 7: 7,3

Pick 6: (R576)
Leg 1: 2,5
Leg 2: 2,10,9
Leg 3: 2,4,7,6
Leg 4: 2,8,9,6
Leg 5: 7,3
Leg 6: 7,3,6

Gimme Some Luck won by eight lengths on debut and the form has worked out well (JC Photos) 

The Turffontein Standside meeting on Sunday is headlined by two R400,000 Sales races and a three-year-old feature, the Non-Black Type Betway Secretariat Stakes over 1400m, and there are plenty of other good class races to look forward to, including the appearance of the like of Jan Van Goyen and Main Defender.

In the 4Racing SA Sales Cup over 1160m Gimme Some Luck could be the one to beat. The Gimmethegreenlight colt is a half-brother to Listed winner Ululate (Ideal World) and to the five-time winner New Mexico (Ideal World) He stretched out impressively on debut over 1000m at the Vaal Classic track to win by eight lengths and from a middle draw of five out of nine under Muzi Yeni should take some beating. The most interesting runner is Heath House, who is unbeaten in three starts. He is ultra quick and somewhat of a tearaway and the question is whether he will see out the trip. His excellent gatespeed and early pace will allow him to get some ground in the bank from the standside draw , but the field are likely to be bearing down on this Erupt gelding late. Catfish took six runs to win his maiden, but faced some good sorts and he eventually got out of the second box with an easy 5,75 length win over 1000m. In that race he beat a horse called Stage One by 14 lengths, while Gimme Some Luck only beat the latter by 10,40 lengths. Better Never Ends is the Gr 2 SA Nursery winner and should be running on well, although he only faced four horses in the Nursery and this is tougher.  Prayersandpromises does not come out as well as Gimme Some Luck and Catfish on formlines but he should enjoy the step back down to this trip and has the Sean Tarry factor.

In the 4Racing SA Sales Cup for fillies over 1160m Alice B Toklas faces an acid test, but looks promising and from a nice high she can go close. Flower Island won impressively on debut, beating Catfish by 3,70 lengths with the rest beaten seven lengths and more, so she should be a threat. Stablemate to Alice B Toklas, Griselda, went close in the Gr 2 SA Fillies Nursery last time out and has the standside draw with Craig Zackey up, so she should be right there. Grande Hawaii is a third stablemate and has Keagan de Melo up after winning by three lengths second time oiut with the rest of the field beaten 15 lengths and more. Kavady could earn if producing her best.

In the Secretariat over 1400m Golden Operator could be the one to beat. He beat King Harald at level weights last time in a Graduation Plate and now faces him on 1,5kg better terms. Golden Operator is continually improving and has Craig Zackey up, although his wide draw is a concern. King Harald has a good draw and shoud be in the shake up too. Fire Storm won by an impressive six lengths last time over 1600m and should also be involved, although Craig Zackey has preferred to ride Golden Operator. Dawson’s Anvil made a fine debut over 1400m and could be anything. He hasn’t raced since last November, but carries bottom weight in this handicap and the De Kock team get them fit. Stablemate Ovation Star is a promising filly taking on the boys and she has also not raced since last November. Kensal Green has won his last two starts impressively and will be dangerous carrying just 55,5kg, although his draw of six is not the easiest to negotiate.

Main Defender runs in a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1400m and at his best he will carry too much class for this field. Money Heist has been fine form and from a fair draw should give his stablemate some cheek. Texas Red, who is ideally course and distance suited,  receives 2kg from Main Defender but has a tough draw. Musical Score has some class and should make his presence felt from a plum draw. Care Forgot could also give some cheek from a good draw carrying a light weight.

Jan Van Goyen has his first run as a gelding in a Pinnacle event over 1800m and should bounce back. The Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guiness winner has shown a lot of class at his best and might be too good for this field. Pressonregardless has class and with his long stride he loves this course and distance but he was well held when running at Gr 1 level a couple of starts back. Wild Intent is a classy sort who is on the comeback trail and he should have come on from his first run for five months last time out.

The first race mainly has first timers, but Haute Couture is a Rafeef colt who is a full brother to the useful City Of Love and half-brother to the useful Francilien, so could be the one to beat.

The second over 1600m could see two-year-old The Name Of Dladla beating home the two hard-knocking and well drawn runners Quevano and the filly The Reason.

In the third over 1400m Master’s Rose is on the up and from a good draw should go close. Nicolson Landing and Life And Letters could be the chief dangers.

In the ninth race over 1800m Kudzu should go close from a good draw.

Wayne could bounce back and Diwali Rocket also has a chance. Diogenes and Jordan make most appeal of the rest.

In the last race, a Middle Stakes event over 1160m, Karate Kid is not particularly well weighted but has been in fine form and should make a bold biid, while Zalatoris is in good form and should be in the shake up. Max The Magician has Richard Fourie up and should make his presence felt.

Alan Greeff and Richard Fourie landed a third successive Listed East Cape Derby when Anotherdanceforme converted prohibitive odds on Friday at Fairview.

It was the third time Greeff had won the race with a  Master Of My Fate filly.

The Varsfontein Stud-bred Anotherdanceforme’s Derby victory follows the Derby victory of the Varsfontein Stud-bred Fire Away gelding My Best Shot last year and the Derby victory of the Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein-bred Master Of My Fate filly Joy And Peace in 2024.

Greeff also  won it with the Varsfontein Stud-homebred American Princess in 2020, although she was ridden by Shadlee Fortune.

Anotherdanceforme is owned by Peter Moor and she extended her unbeaten run at Fairview to nine wins.

In her only two other career starts she won the Gr 2 Splashout Golden Slipper over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville and was unplaced in the Gr 2 Western Cape Fillies Championship over 1400m.

Anoterdanceforme has completed both a Fillies Guineas/Guineas double and an Oaks/Derby double.

She won the Listed Breeders Guineas for fillies by 4,25 lengths on the Fairview turf on February 27, then won the Listed Bryanston Auctioneers Listed East Cape Guineas by 5,25 lengths on the turf on 20 March, she then won the Non-Black Type East Cape Oaks over 2000m on the turf by a length on April 10 and won today’s Listed WSB East Cape Derby over 2200m on the poly by 7,25 lengths.

The 110-rated filly was ridden by Richard Fourie on all of those occasions.

Today’s race was switched to the poly due to recent heavy rains and the distance was changed from 2400m to 2200m.

The second highest rated horse in the race was her 91-rated stablemate Silvan Mistress.

Anothedanceforme jumped from pole position and Fourie was content to hold her up at the back of he field where she ambled along comfortably.

Fourie took his time to press the button in the straight, but when he did it was over in a matter of strides.

World Choice and Wild Fig were second and third and next best were Above The Horizon and Royal Missy.

Silva Mistress ran a disappointing seventh and Stokesy was last.

Anotherdanceforme is a full-sister to Listed Sweet Chestnut Stakes winner Princess Izzy, and was a R650 000 buy from the 2024 National Yearling Sale.

She is out of the What A Winter mare Destiny Dancer and has now won 10 races from 11 starts for stakes of R1 216 345.

Roc Dino pulls away to convert long odds-on favouritism by a wide margin (via Twitter @WilliMullinsNH)

Hollywood Racing and Barnane Stud were put on the jumps racing map by the incredible eight-times Gr 1-winning champion Il Etait Temps and they now have an exciting prospect called Roc Dino.

Roc Dino, like Il Etait Temps, is also French-bred and is also trained by Willie Mullins.

He had three runs in France over hurdles for a seventh on debut followed by a second and a third.

He then joined Mullins and after two seconds in maiden hurdles at Fairyhouse and Thurles respectively, both over two miles, he was rated good enough by Mullins to have a go at the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle over two miles, five furlongs and 180 yards at the Cheltenham Festival.

He was in contention all the way up to the final hurdle after moving up smoothly to join the leaders two hurdles out, but he found no extra in the flat section up the hill after the final jump and finished a far from disgraced tenth, beaten 10,25 lengths.

The winner of that race went on to finish fourth in a Gr 1 hurdle race at Aintree.

Today (Friday) Roc Dino was sent out as 1/8 favourite for a maiden hurdle over two miles and six furlongs at Downpatrick.

He led from the off and although joined by another horse on the final  circuit he eased away from the latter in the run in to win by nine lengths under Paul Townend.

It was only a maiden hurdle, but he looks to be full of promise and should pay to follow.

Gold Patch gave Zac Purton his 100th win of the season and can win again on Sunday at Sha Tin (Picture: HKJC)

On the back of a winning NAP, tipster Tim Carroll previews Sha Tin’s 11-race Saturday card, live on Sky Sports Racing, nominating his best bets.

This Saturday sees a highly competitive 11-race card from Sha Tin getting underway at 5.30am. The feature of the meeting is race 11, The Class 2 Sai Wan Shan handicap, over 6 furlongs, offering prizemoney of more than £280,000.

At the Races tipster Tim Carroll’s selections below:

Click here for a comprehensive guide to the meeting