Turf Talk Newsletter – 9 December, 2025

De Kocks Are Out To Claim More Guineas Glory

Will there be another Jan Van Goyen Gr 1 victory celebration at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday? (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Jan van Goyen departed for Cape Town on Tuesday and the Mike and Mathew de Kock yard are bullish about his chances in the Gr 1 Holllywoodbets Cape Guineas.

Mathew said the Master Of My Fate colt had needed his last start in the Gr 2 Jackpot City Dingaans and elaborated, “It was his first run since July, so he had to have needed it and he seems to have come on a bit from the run, so we’re quite excited.”

He added, “He had to do a lot from the gate in the Dingaans. He was drawn wide and Trust actually kept him out, it was a good tactical ride from Serino, so we had to use a bit of petrol early and it took its toll late.”

Jan van Goyen produced a tremendous burst in the straight that took him clear, but Trust had him in his sights and got alongside before finding an extra gear late to win by 0,70 lengths.

It was a fine run by Jan van Goyen, considering he needed it coupled with it not having panned out well, and this was illustrated by the rest of the field being more than five lengths behind the winner.

The De Kocks hold Jan Van Goyen in high regard and Mathew said, “He’s not done anything wrong. He was Champion Two-year-old colt, so we will take on the boys, even if it’s across the country. We’ll give it a bash and see.”

Jan Van Goyen has landed a plum draw of four and he will be out to land a sixth Cape Guineas for the De Kock yard, with the first of them having been the great Horse Chestnut 26 years ago in 1999.

Jan Van Goyen will join the De Kock Cape string at the Dean Kannemeyer yard, where they are being taken care of by Wendy Michel.

The De Kocks run former Equus Horse Of The Year Dave The King in the Gr 2 Green Point Stakes over 1600m and Mathew said he was well.

He added, “He’s been down there for an extended period of time and has really enjoyed it. His weight is spot on. He was actually a bit heavy his last couple of runs, so his weight’s back to his winning weight and I’m expecting a good performance from him.”

Happy Verse Could Be The Snaith's Leading Guineas Hope

Happy Verse has always struck as a top class sort and could prove how good he is on Saturday at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Happy Verse is one of two Justin Snaith-trained colts who could give Vercingetorix a WSB Cape Fillies Guineas/Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas double and he looks to be the leading contender to give Snaith a fourth Cape Guineas victory and a third in the last five renewals.

Jonathan Snaith gave a comment for all five of the yards runner:

Absolutely Yes will be allowed to roll along in his comfort zone – head down, cruising, and galloping freely. As the Langerman winner, he’s dangerous if he gets his own way up front, and could make them all chase.

Happy Verse was luckless last time out, racing wide and hampered at crucial moments. He’s a colt of real substance; if he gets a clean run and the race unfolds in his favour, he’ll be right in the firing line. This son of Vercingetorix looks poised to take off once he finds his feet.

Malmesbury Missile may have dipped in form, but the mile is likely his optimum trip. He’ll need to summon his absolute best to feature in a field of this depth, though his work through the week has been encouraging.

Randolph Hearst was an unlucky loser in the Cape Punters Cup and arrives with unfinished business. His preparation for this Gr1 has been faultless, and connections can expect a bold performance.

Roland Garros should relish the return to the mile and caught the eye with a sharp sprint effort last time out. With the evergreen Andrew Fortune in the irons, he’s a lively outsider who could surprise if things fall his way

Tienie Prinsloo Reflects On His Fillies Guineas Win

Tienie Prinsloo (left) is on cloud nine after landing his first Gr 1 and sharing the moment with two big players, Gavin Lerena and Laurence Wernars, who were both enjoying their first WSB Cape Fillies Guineas victories (Picture: Chase Liebenberg)

Tienie Prinsloo has said Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas heroine Quickstepgal would not be considered for the Gr 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes and would be coming home to Summerveld. Her future program would be decided from there.

Tienie recalled going to the KZN Yearling Sale venue last year to inspect the horses and starting on Lot 1, but after inspecting Lot 5 he said to his wife, “Let’s turn around and go home. She said, ‘Why?’, I said I’ve found my horse.”

Lot 5 was the Vercingetorix filly Quickstepgal, bred by Marsh Shirtliff’s Greenacres Trust, and she was destined to give him his first Gr 1 win.

He recalled going back to the Sale ground the next day and looking at a few more horses, while noticing nobody else was looking at Lot 5.

He said, “I took Rakesh Singh to look at her and said to him, ‘Rakesh this is the horse you must buy for me, please.’ He said, ‘You want her I am going to buy her for you, it doesn’t matter what she goes for.’ We sat together for the bidding and he just kept on putting his hand up and we got her.”

The price of R450,000 is a lot before a horse has raced, but she soon proved to be a bargain and Rakesh would have profited handsomely when selling her in training to prolific owners, the Laurence Wernars family and Harry Wilsson.

Tienie is still feeling on top of the world after Saturday’s big win.

He said, “It still feels like my heart is sitting outside my body, it is still not totally there yet. But just to stand on that podium, where you have won a Gr 1 and Laurence Wernars is looking at you and then you start getting that something in your throat like you want to cry. It is just unbelievable, I can’t even describe how nice it is. A normal winner is nice, but to have a winner for big owners like them and it is a Gr 1 and you standing there waiting to go on the stage, it touches you. You overflow with happiness, it is just amazing and then everybody just comes to you and says, ‘Well done, well done, well done,’ I mean even Eric Sands had tears in his eyes and I could see too that Laurence was emotional. It meant a lot to him. It was a nice day. Very nice.”

Many would have liked to have trained Quickstepgal but Laurence was adamant that the filly would stay with the small yard of Tienie Prinsloo and the latter has proved it to be not just a gentlemanly decision but a beneficial one for the owners too.

Tienie revealed that Quickstepgal had endured a tough journey down from KZN, which made her run in the Gr 2 Western Cape Fillies Championship, where she finished a 1,75 length fourth, most commendable.

He said, “With all the roadworks she spent 36-and-a-half hours on the float. It took a lot out of her and she was very tired. She almost didn’t want to eat. She was nibbling here and there but we thought we are going to have to go for the Gr 2, because she must see the track. Gavin was not hard on her and I think just gave her one smack in the last 100m and she just stayed on. She was slowly running at them. She had lost 25kg before that race from the journey down and she gained about 13 to 14kg after that race. She regained her weight and she looked so much more happy.”

Tienie had nothing but high praise for caretaker trainer Eric Sands.

He said, “We left her there with Eric. What a great horseman. I couldn’t be more happy for Eric to help me, he is a master of note. He is an unbelievable guy. He has become one of my best friends. He will always be in my good books. He is a guy who will help you with anything and he won’t even blink an eyelid. He looked after her very well. We went down there and I looked at her and I said to Eric ‘Gee whiz this filly is looking very well, hey’.”

He continued, “And she won the race. Once she turned for home and she quickened I said to my wife, ‘Listen here, I don’t think they will catch her.’ Richard came up to her and Eric’s other horse Stormwatch came on the inside. That was 300m out but we just kept on rolling to win the race. She won a very, very nice race.”

Tienie said he had left the tactics to Gavin Lerena and praised him for fine ride and a clever one.

Lerena wanted the filly to use her fine action so was happy to dictate and she was always going to be a hard one to catch once she had relaxed in front.

Tienie and Gavin go back a long way and he remembered him once phoning him when he was training in Kimberley and said, “Tienie I need some winners to win the championship and I said, ‘Come down.'”

On Saturday Gavin leant off his horse as he was being led in and gave Tienie a hug and said, “I am so happy for you.”

The winning trainer described that as the most special moment of all coming from a man he described as the finest of gentleman.

Tienie did reserve some praise for himself too.

He said, “I don’t want to race her too much. She is a special filly. I would rather go for the races which are perfect for her than taking on the big guns, because she is still a three-year-old. She doesn’t have anything to prove anymore. She’s very lighly raced, eight runs for five wins and two places. I really think I have planned it very nicely for her.”

He is going to stick to 1400m to a mile for her for the time being.

Tienie reserved the last word for his wife and was amazed and grateful by how she had been able to stand by him through all all of the many pressurised times that happen in the toughest of professions, training racehorses.

Quickstepgal Raised Six Points To 115

Quickstepgal, now rated 115, keeps Reet Petite, now rated 113, at bay in the Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas (Chase Liebenberg Photography)

NHA Press Release

Handicapping Ratings Update

WORLD SPORTS BETTING CAPE FILLIES GUINEAS (Grade 1)

QUICKSTEPGAL has earned a revised merit rating of 115, rising from 109, after her impressive victory in the Grade 1 World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

In assessing the race, the Handicappers identified PRINCESS OF GAUL as the most appropriate line horse, and accordingly her rating remains unchanged at 110.

In addition to the winner, several other runners received increases to their merit ratings.

REET PETITE’S rating was increased to 113 (from 94) for finishing 1.75 lengths – equivalent to 3 points – ahead of the 110‑rated line horse.
WISH LIST, who finished 0.5 lengths (1point) ahead of the same line horse, was raised to 111, up from 103.
LOWVELD LILY received an increase, rising to 108 from 105.
CALL ME SECRET was raised to 105, ensuring she is at least level with KEUKENHOF, whom she narrowly defeated in this event.
Lastly, TULIP FIELDS was adjusted upward to 95.

WORLD SPORTS BETTING SOUTHERN CROSS STAKES (Grade 3)

ASIYE PHAMBILI has had her official merit rating increased to 119, up from 116, following her victory in the Grade 3 World Sports Betting Southern Cross Stakes over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

The Handicappers believed that the runner‑up, SYMPHONY IN WHITE, was the ideal line horse to assess this race, and her rating remains unchanged on 103.

There were no further upward adjustments; however, three horses received merit rating reductions:

CANDY TOWN was lowered to 104 from 105
ARTISTE was reduced to 90 from 92
WILD WILD GREEN also received a downward adjustment, dropping to 93 from 95

WSB CLUB PRIVE CAPE SUMMER STAYERS HANDICAP (Listed)

The official merit rating for HOLDING THUMBS has been raised to 117, up from 113, following his victory in the Listed WSB Club Prive Cape Summer Stayers Handicap over 2500m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

In assessing the race, the Handicappers identified the third‑placed runner, TRIPLE TIME, as the most suitable line horse, leaving his rating unchanged on 108.

The runner‑up, AHEAD OF THE FACTS, was the only other horse to receive a rating adjustment, with his merit rating increasing to 97, up from 94.

Enquiries:

The Handicapping Team

Legal Counsel Can Follow Up

Legal Counsel can follow up on his impressive last victory in the Cape Mile and has been tipped to win the eighth race (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Wednesday Formguides And Selections

Race 1

7 VROOM VROOM ran a great race on debut behind Gimmeanotherviking on the 8th of November at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, she stayed on beautifully to finish second and was only beaten just over one length at the line, there is no doubt that she will improve tremendously going into her second run on Wednesday, she will be very hard to beat in this field. 1 SILVER SALUTE finished just over five lengths behind Call Me Secret on debut, it was a big field, and she was still green, she should improve quite a bit going into this race, watch her closely. 3 LADY ORBIT ran a fair race on debut, she ran just over six lengths behind Vroom Vroom on the 8th of November, she moved up to a point, and then showed signs of needing the run late, with natural improvement expected, she might sneak into the places at a big price. 5 VIVO PER LEI has been well tried in the maiden ranks, she has run two great races in succession, on her best form, she can definitely finish amongst the places. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 1 – 3 – 5)

Race 2

2 BLACK ERIKA improved nicely last time, she ran a great race for third behind Innerbloom on the 8th of November, if she can build on that performance, she will take lots of beating in this field. 5 FANTINE stayed on well for fourth in the same race as Black Erika on the 8th of November, she was beaten just over three lengths by the winner, she can only improve with more racing, watch her closely. 3 WINTER IN AUCKLAND ran a fair race behind Innerbloom in her last start, it was her first run back after a break, with further improvement expected on Wednesday, she might trouble them all in the finish. 1 SWIFT SERENITY is much better than her last run on the 25th of October at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, the drop in trip is key for this filly, include her into all bets. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 5 – 3 – 1)

Race 3

5 LOUI’S STAR ran a super race for third behind Rose Woott at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 19th of November, the blinkers stay on, and she gets a decent draw on Wednesday, this looks like the right field for her to exit the maiden ranks. 8 PACIFIC WATERS stayed on well for fifth last time behind Boozy Susie on the 2nd of November, she was drawn wide on that occasion, and she still managed to run a good race, unfortunately she has a tricky draw again here, with some luck in running, she could trouble them in the finish late. 6 CASSANDRA was a touch disappointing behind World First on the 19th of November, top jockey Richard Fourie has been booked to ride this filly on Wednesday, on her best form, she definitely has a winning chance. 2 BEAUTIFUL ONE is much better than her form suggests, she ran fifth in her last start behind Saachi One on the 18th of October, the step up in trip should help her improve, watch her closely with jockey Gavin Lerena in the saddle. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 8 – 6 – 2)

Race 4

8 PEACHES AND CREAM absolutely flew home late for fourth last time behind Kattekwaadkwadraad on the 10th of November, she will love the step up in trip to 1600m, watch her late, she will be storming home. 6 HOMING PIGEON has run two excellent races in succession, she has improved nicely with every start, the drop in trip to 1600m on Wednesday should be no problem at all, she will run a big race, include her into all bets. 1 HER WORLD ran a fair race behind Rose Woott on the 19th of November at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, she ran fifth and was only beaten just under three lengths at the line, from a neat draw, she can definitely finish amongst the places. 2 LILTING SONG is much better than her last run on the 19th of November, if she can bounce back to her best form, she will be right there in the finish. (Brandon Bailey: 8 – 6 – 1 – 2)

Race 5

5 ERIC LIDDELL ran a lovely race for third behind Wehaveasituation on the 19th of November, he has improved tremendously since being gelded on the 26th of August, the blinkers stay on, and he steps up in trip to 2000m on Wednesday, he will be hard to beat in this field. 6 FAST AND FREE ran a terrific race for second behind World First on the 19th of November, the blinkers did the trick with this gelding last time, he will be right there in the finish with Jockey Andrew Fortune. 11 SEAFARER improved in a big way at Fairview Racecourse on the 31st of October, he stayed on well for second behind Clouds Clearing, if he brings that performance to the track on Wednesday, he could trouble them all. 10 PHANTOM MAN ran a better race on the 19th of November, unfortunately the wide draw here will make it tough for him, if he gets the right run, he could sneak into the Quartet. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 6 – 11 – 10)

Race 6

7 PUSHING LIMITS ran a good race for third in her last start behind Dawn’s Early Light on the 29th of October, she is in great form at the moment, she will be just off the speed early, and she will be thundering home late, she has a big winning chance in this field. 1 COUNTRY TIME won a good race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 15th of October, she was given three points for that win, champion apprentice Brevan Plaatjies gets a good tune out of this mare, on her best form, she will be competitive. 4 MORFELIHA won really well at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 2nd of November, the form of that race has worked out nicely, she is clearly still improving, watch her closely. 2 CHAMPAGNE MAC will need to improve quite a bit to win, but he has dropped even further in the ratings, and top jockey Keagan De Melo gets the ride, watch for sharp improvement. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 1 – 4 – 2)

Race 7

3 WINTER SNAP quickened up like a smart horse to win a good race on the 15th of November, he was given five points for that impressive victory, even though he carries top weight for this Middle Stakes on Wednesday, he is packed with ability, and he will go very close to winning again. 6 DEMANDING DAVE was given a top ride by jockey Andrew Fortune last time, he won a great race beating Churchillian on the 15th of November, he was given three points for that win, the yard thinks highly of this gelding, he should run a big race again. 4 ELUSIVE WINTER could be the value play in this tricky race, he is lightning fast, he stayed on well for third behind Winter Snap on the 15th of November, the 4kgs apprentice claim could play a huge role for this geldings chances on Wednesday, watch him closely, he will run a cracker at a decent price. 2 BLACK CHEETAH caught the eye late for second on the 15th of November, that was his first run back after a long break, he can only improve. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 6 – 4 – 2)

Race 8

2 LEGAL COUNSEL won impressively at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 8th of November, he was given four points for that good win in the Grade 3 Cape Mile, he definitely has a big winning chance again from a neat draw. 3 GALLIC DREAM stayed on nicely for fifth behind Outlaw King on the 18th of October at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, that was his first run back after a long break, he is very consistent, on his best form, he will be right there in the finish. 6 CAPTAIN WEST ran a terrific race for second behind Native Ruler on the 2nd of November, he is a quality gelding with a super action, he will be competitive in this field on Wednesday. 5 HIS MAJESTY powered home late to finish just over three lengths behind It Is My Time on the 19th of November, he looked magnificent on the way to the gates last time, the step up in trip to 1500m will help his chances. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 3 – 6 – 5)

Race 9

3 CHANCE ENCOUNTER must have a big winning chance in this field, he got going late for fourth behind Signor Dante on the 19th of November, the blinkers have been fitted, from a neat draw, he will run a big race. 1 CHARLIE BUCKET stayed on nicely for third behind Man Of Consequence on the 19th of November, that was his first run back after a long break, he should be much fitter on Wednesday, from a good draw, he will be competitive. 11 LOMU never runs a bad race, he stayed on strongly for second behind Diogenes on the 18th of October, unfortunately the wide draw here will make it hard for him, if he gets some luck in running, he should finish amongst the places. 5 FORT LIAM could be the value horse for the Quartet, he ran a beautiful race behind Signor Dante on the 19th of November, he finished just over one length behind the winner on that occasion, the blinkers have been fitted, he will be doing some good work late. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 1 – 11 – 5)

Mr Desira Can Land Last Leg Of The IJC

Mr Desira to be ridden by Hollie Doyle has been tipped to win the all important 8th race, the last leg of the International Jockeys Challenge (Picture: HKJC)

Tim Carroll hit the Placepot on Sunday and has another for Wednesday’s Longines International Jockeys Challenge meeting at Happy Valley.

The coming week sees the pinnacle of racing on the Hong Kong calendar with Sunday’s Sha Tin International meeting featuring four highly valuable Group 1s. But before we get to the main course, we are off to Happy Valley for Wednesday’s Longines International Jockeys’ Challenge featuring some of the greatest riding talent in the world.

Watch the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship from Happy Valley live on Sky Sports Racing (Sky 415 | Virgin 519) on Wednesday 10th December.

Twelve elite jockeys will contest four selected races (4, 5, 7 & 8) with the winning rider taking home HK$550,000, making the IJC the richest jockey challenge in the world.

This year’s contingent of internationals riders is as follows, Ryan Moore, William Buick, James McDonald, Joao Moreira, Hollie Doyle, Rachel King, Umberto Rispoli, Christophe Lemaire and defending champion, Mickeal Barzalona, whilst Zac Purton, Hugh Bowman and Vincent Ho, will fly the flag for the locals.

Now onto this week’s selections.

Click here for a comprehensive guide to Happy Valley’s meeting.

United Nation Remains Unbeaten On The Poly

United Nation makes it four wins from four starts over 1000m on the poly (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

The Darryl Moore yard won again with United Nation on Tuesday and this former Capetonian horse is now unbeaten in four starts over 1000m on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly.

The One World gelding had his first run for Moore on 24 September this year.

Mxolisi Mbuto put him in a handy position on Tuesday and he then kicked on in the straight to win by 0,30 lengths.

He had risen from a 64 merit rating upon arrival in KZN to the 79 rating he ran off today.

He will be due another raise so it will be difficult next time.

His margin of victory in KZN is steadily diminishing as the handicapper raises the merit rating and has been 4 lengths, 1 length, 0,40 lengths and 0,3 lengths.

Today was a fifth career win for the gelding, who is a full brother to useful filly Educator, who was deemed good enough to run in the Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas on Saturday.

The Moore yard have had nine wins this season and their strike rate is 20.93%, which is the second highest on the log for trainers with more than five wins.

Hollywood’s Ashburton trainer Vengi Masawi has also had nine wins and his strike rate of 29.03% is the highest.

There was only one double scorer at today’s (Tuesday’s) meeting, Alyson Wright, who is now on 22 wins for the season at 13.75%.

Wright is in the lead in the KZN Championship, four wins clear of reigning champ Gareth van Zyl.