TAB WEEKEND RACING HIGHLIGHTS: 7 – 9 AUGUST

COLOURFUL WEEKEND OF RACING AWAITS

A colourful and innovative racing weekend gets underway on Friday with a return to turf at Fairview, while the evening marks the revival of Friday night racing at Hollywoodbets Greyville. The meeting celebrates the visit of a Korean racing delegation and has a Korean theme. Saturday’s action shifts to Turffontein for a nine-race programme, while a former South African champion apprentice represents Hong Kong in the prestigious Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup at Ascot. The weekend concludes at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday, where a competitive feature sees a strong Highveld raider looking to dominate proceedings.

FRIDAY HIGHLIGHTS:

FAIRVIEW: STARS IN HEAVEN RATES VALUE BET

There are three maiden plates and five competitive lower-division handicaps on a challenging card that should reward astute form students prepared to search for value. Cliffie Miller’s recent acquisition, Stars In Heaven, looks an attractive each-way proposition at his opening quote of 6-1 in Race 7 over 1200m. A regular campaigner against stronger opposition in KwaZulu-Natal, Stars In Heaven has recorded four career victories, including two over this trip, and has shown encouraging signs in his three starts for his new stable. “He bears watching and could run a big race. Put him into your exotics,” said Miller’s assistant trainer, Grant Paddock.

HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE: SWIATEK CAN OVERCOME WIDE DRAW

The first of the recently introduced Lucky Fish Night Race Meetings gets underway with a Korean-themed programme featuring eight races, headed by the Listed KRA Cup over 1600m. The feature has attracted a quality field of fillies and mares, including SA Oaks-placed Drumnadrochit, course-and-distance specialists Miss Twinkle, Red Taffety and Warrior Royale, as well as graded performer That’s My Baby. The one to beat, however, is the Justin Snaith-trained Swiatek, whose only previous attempt over the trip produced a commendable second behind star mare Double Grand Slam. She has enjoyed an ideal Western Cape preparation, still appears to have plenty in reserve and should prove hard to beat despite a wide draw.

SATURDAY HIGHLIGHTS:

CHAMP DE MARS: TWO LIVE CHANCES FOR GAVIN LERENA

Hollywood Racing has five horses in training on the island, and retained jockey Gavin Lerena has flown in to partner Old Fashioned in Race 3 over 990m and Isikwishikwishi in Race 4 over 1400m, both trained by Jevin Awotar. Hollywood Racing is also the sponsor of Race 5, the Hollywoodbets Trophy over 2050m. Spokesman Devin Heffer said: “We are proud to support racing in Mauritius and are hoping for good runs from our two runners, both of whom have drawn barrier two.”

TURFFONTEIN: THE EQUATOR HEADS A TRICKY CARD

The Equator has won twice over the Turffontein Standside track 1800m and off his merit rating of 118, has every chance of making it three when he returns to the course and distance in Race 4. On collateral form, there are two runners capable of upsetting the favourite at the weights. Hawkbill is 2kg better off for a 0.80-length defeat in July, while Fire ’N Flames enjoys a full 5kg turnaround for a 2.10-length beating in the same contest. Those taking a larger Pick 6 or Jackpot would do well to include both. There are no other obvious bankers on the card, although Max The Magician (Race 5, 1160m) and veteran Michael Faraday (Race 9, 1400m) both look capable of going close.

SUGGESTED R192 (10%) PICK 6 PERM (Leg 1 Race 4 @ 13:55):

Leg 1:  1, 2, 3, 5, 6

Leg 2:  4, 5, 6, 11

Leg 3:  1, 2, 7

Leg 4:  1, 2, 4, 9

Leg 5:  1, 2, 4, 8

Leg 6:  3, 5

ASCOT: FERRARIS MAKES SHERGAR CUP DEBUT

Former South African champion apprentice Luke Ferraris makes his debut in the 2026 Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, representing the newly formed Hong Kong Team alongside Vincent Ho and Jerry Chau. The trio will compete across six races against three formidable rivals. Great Britain & Ireland is represented by Ryan Moore, Dylan Browne McMonagle and Saffie Osborne, while Europe fields Christophe Lemaire, Marie Velon and Frida Valle Skar. The Rest of the World team comprises Jamie Melham, Yutaka Take and Suraj Narredu. Judging by the opening betting, Ferraris appears to have his best chances aboard Richard and Peter Fahey’s Castle Stuart in Race 3 over 2400m and Jessica Harrington’s Pierre Grosse in Race 5, also over 2400m. Also lining up in Race 3 is South African-bred Frances Ethel, winner of the Grade 2 SA Oaks in 2024. She returns to the track for the first time since finishing placed in a handicap at Lingfield last December and is now trained by William Haggas.

SUNDAY HIGHLIGHTS:

SELANGOR: TRIUMPH BANKER’s CHASES DOUBLE

Former Australian galloper Triumph Banker’s is well placed to make it back-to-back victories when he lines up in Race 9 over 1020m at Kuala Lumpur. The five-year-old arrived in Malaysia in June with a solitary win to his name but made an immediate impression on his local debut, finishing runner-up to subsequent high-class performer Yes Boss Yes. Triumph Banker’s went one better on 26 July, overcoming trouble in running to score by a neck. Drawn favourably, he looks the one to beat. The meeting starts at 06:45.

HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE: PARISIAN WALKWAY POISED TO END DROUGHT

Former Grade 2 Gauteng Guineas winner Parisian Walkway has endured his share of setbacks, but there were encouraging reports before his latest outing and he duly ran a creditable second to Money Heist. Best weighted in the day’s feature, Race 5 over 1600m, he has an excellent opportunity to register his first victory since February 2025. Powerandtheglory, Bangladesh and the progressive Captain West all command respect, but on paper Parisian Walkway holds a clear edge.