TAB WEEKEND RACING HIGHLIGHTS: 19 – 21 JUNE

GREAT LOCAL FARE AND MAJESTIC RACING IN UK

This weekend’s highlights include competitive feature-race programmes at Fairview on Friday, Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday and Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday. The local fare is backed by majestic action at Royal Ascot on Friday and Saturday. TAB Win, Place, Exacta, Quinella, Swinger and Trifecta bets on all Royal Ascot races over the two days will be commingled into the Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool, boosting prospects of landing a big win.

FRIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

FAIRVIEW: SONG OF MYSELF IN TUNE WITH SURFACE

The switch from turf to the Polytrack adds an intriguing dimension to the East Cape Breeders Stakes over 1200m, Leg 1 of the Eastern Cape (F&M) Challenge. Ante-post favourite Pink Pigeon has yet to prove herself on the surface and was well beaten in her only previous Polytrack run at HWB Greyville. Song Of Myself, by contrast, boasts winning course-and-distance form. She has won five of 13 career starts and is favourably drawn on the inside. With proven Polytrack credentials, she could prove the value in a race that may not be as straightforward as the betting suggests.

ASCOT: PRECISE LOOKS A ROYAL PROSPECT

There are four Group races on Day Four of the 2026 Royal Ascot Festival, including Race 4, the Group 1 Coronation Stakes over 1600m. Aidan O’Brien’s Precise is a short-priced favourite and with good reason. After running uncharacteristically below best in the Betfred 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, she looked jet-propelled when reversing the form with stable companion True Love in the Irish equivalent.

SATURDAY HIGHLIGHTS

MAURITIUS: BLACKJACK RANDALL CAN CLINCH TRIAL

The Sophomore Trial over 1365m is the first leg of the island’s three-year-old championship and Soon Gujadhur saddles two hot prospects in Diamond Days and Ashikule. But it is the Subu Gujadhur yard that may emerge victorious with Blackjack Randall. Donovan Mansour is booked to ride Blackjack Randall who has delivered two eye-catching performances this season, including beating Ashikule on the opening day in April. Race 1 is at 10:30.

HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE: LAST CHANCE FOR CURIOUS GIRL

Curious Girl gets a final opportunity to force her way into the Hollywoodbets Durban July picture in Race 6, the Grade 3 Lucky Fish Winter Fillies Stakes over 2400m. Trainers Mike and Mathew de Kock indicated this week that participation in South Africa’s flagship race remains on her radar, suggesting that she will be approaching this assignment close to peak fitness. A proven performer over the distance, Curious Girl boasts an enviable staying record and has already demonstrated her class by winning a Grade 2 Derby against male opposition. She is expected to give a bold account of herself and is difficult to oppose.

ASCOT: AUSSIE RAIDER CAN SPARKLE IN JUBILEE

Top Australian trainer Chris Waller has declared his well-performed mare Joliestar in perfect order for Race 3, the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes over 1200m. She is a strong favourite for the race and will be ridden by James McDonald. Waller said from his temporary training base at Lambourn: “Joliestar is doing great. Her preparation has been faultless. She’s bright, has a spring in her step and the team couldn’t be happier.”

SUNDAY HIGHLIGHTS

SELANGOR: RECENT FORM POINTS TO ZED OR ALIVE

Trainer Simon Dunderdale’s five-year-old Zed Or Alive looks a major player in Race 7 over 1800m. Following a good third over 1700m in May, Zed Or Alive was a close second in similar company over the same distance this month. The meeting starts at 06:40.

SHA TIN: SIZE AIMS AT PREMIER DOUBLE

John Size, the 13-time Hong Kong champion trainer, is hoping to continue his typically strong finish to the season which has delivered four wins, seven seconds and three thirds in the last five meetings.

He saddles two more potential winners in the Premier Cup (Race 7, 1400m) and Premier Plate (Race 9, 1800m). He said about Premier Cup hopeful Raging Blizzard: “He’s been really great. He’s so consistent and he’s so honest. He deserves to win a decent race.”

British-bred Nautical Force will attempt to get back to winning ways in the Premier Plate after a disappointing last run. Size commented: “Maybe he wasn’t comfortable in the rain. It was only his second run in Hong Kong and it was certainly a big ask to put him in the 2400m. He’s had some time to get over that and hopefully he can run well.” The meeting starts at 10:00.

HOLLYWOODBETS KENILWORTH: CHASINGTHERAINBOW CAN LAND FIRST FEATURE

Chasingtherainbow made a striking impression when scoring with authority over Please Be True on his first start for trainer Robert Barrett after a break. The manner of that victory suggests more to come and he looks capable of securing a first feature success in the Winter Mile.

A perfect three-from-three over the course and distance, Chasingtherainbow does meet Please Be True on 2kg worse terms, but the Justin Snaith-trained runner has developed a habit of flattering to deceive. Veteran miler Sugar Mountain may prove a greater danger, having shown signs that a return to best is imminent.

SUGGESTED R240 (25%) PICK 6 PERM (Leg 1 Race 3 @ 13:55):

Leg 1: 1, 2, 4, 6

Leg 2: 4, 5, 6, 7

Leg 3: 2, 3, 5, 6, 7

Leg 4: 1

Leg 5: 1, 6, 8

Leg 6: 2, 3, 4, 8