WEEKEND RACING HIGHLIGHTS: 10 – 12 OCTOBER

BETTING OPPORTUNITIES GALORE ON A BUSY WEEKEND

TAB BiPot punters can start the weekend on a high note on the Polytrack at Fairview on Friday with likely bankers in the early. Later in the day the spotlight shifts to the Polytrack at Hollywoodbets Greyville, where a title-chasing jockey looks set to extend his lead in the table.

The Pick 6 at Turffontein on Saturday is a tempting prospect, while a consistent five-year-old bids for feature-race success at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday. High-level international action includes exciting Hong Kong World Pool meetings at Newmarket on Friday and Saturday, and Caulfield on Saturday.

FRIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

FAIRVIEW: MASTER MTOTO SET TO TURN THE TABLES

There are potential bankers in the first two legs of the afternoon’s BiPot. Alan Greeff sends out Net Zero in Race 1 over 1000m. He expects this R550,000 yearling to be doing her best work late in the race and said: “She is nice and progressive, one to keep an eye on.” Dean Smith saddles Master Mtoto in Race 2 over 1000m, and this consistent gelding is likely to employ pillar-to-post tactics. Master Mtoto has a tough rival in Slash ’N Burn, who came up trumps in their previous encounter. But this is the younger runner’s peak outing and Smith said: “Master Mtoto was unlucky last time. I hope we can swing the result.”

HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE: DE MELO SET FOR A DOUBLE

Keagan de Melo became the first jockey to reach 50 winners for the 2026-27 season at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Wednesday. He drew a rare blank at the Vaal on Thursday but looks set for a double at this meeting aboard Gallic King (Race 1) and Deonarie (Race 3). Gallic King needed a good blowout at the Vaal in August after a long rest. He’ll be much fitter now and is the one to beat from the plum draw.

Deonarie, three times a beaten favourite, meets an average field in his first run on the Polytrack and it will come as a surprise to see him beaten once more.

NEWMARKET: MUSICAL TIMES CAN END SEASON ON A HIGH

Unbeaten juvenile Musical Times bids to crown a superb season and lay down a strong marker for next year’s classics with victory in Race 4, the Group 1 bet365 Fillies’ Mile. The filly has impressed on all three starts for Charlie Appleby, including a 7.50-length success over the same distance in the Group 2 May Hill Stakes at Doncaster’s St Leger Festival. Appleby said: “Musical Times ticks a lot of boxes. She is pretty versatile when it comes to ground, having won on good to soft and a quicker surface, while she can lead or drop in. She has also won over the trip, which is a big bonus. She looks a worthy favourite and the one to beat.” TAB Win, Place, Exacta, Quinella, Swinger and Trifecta bets on Races 1 to 8 will be commingled into the Hong Kong World Pool tote.

SATURDAY HIGHLIGHTS

CAULFIELD (AUSTRALIA): SHEZA ALIBI CHASES FOURTH G1

Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman’s Sheza Alibi chases her fourth Group 1 success in Race 7, the Sportsbet Might And Power Stakes over 2000m. Coleman said: “I’ve been really, really pleased with her. I think this is probably the best she’s been all preparation. She just seems very happy within herself and her work has been really good. Obviously, it’s our first go at 2000m, which is always a little bit of a question mark until they tick that box under race conditions, but she’s given us every indication that she’s going to come here in tip-top shape.” The meeting starts at 06:15 and TAB Win, Place, Quinella and Swinger bets on Races 4 to 10 will be commingled into the World Pool tote.

TURFFONTEIN: HAZY DAZY TO BEAT WEIGHT IN ALLEZ FRANCE

Hazy Dazy, narrowly beaten in last Saturday’s Grade 2 Joburg Fillies and Mares Challenge over 1450m, will be back in action in Race 4, the Allez France Stakes over 2200m. She has 62kg, a big ask, but is a class act and looked exceptional in the parade last week. She is talented enough to give older rivals Into Dancing and Scarlet O’Hara weight and a beating. Another Grade 1 winner at three, Grand Empire returns from a rest in Race 6 over 1600m and his fans will be looking for a forward run ahead of the forthcoming features.

SUGGESTED R324 (50%) PICK 6 PERM (Leg 1 Race 4 @ 13:50):

Leg 1: 1

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7

Leg 3: 3, 7, 11

Leg 4: 3, 5, 10

Leg 5: 1, 8, 9

Leg 6: 1, 4, 10, 11

NEWMARKET: DESERT CASTLE CHASES DEWHURST GLORY

Charlie Appleby’s unbeaten Frankel colt Desert Castle will be out to preserve his unbeaten record when he takes on four rivals in Race 4, the Group 1 Darley Dewhurst Stakes over 1400m at the Rowley Mile. An impressive debut winner in August, he oozed class when sprinting clear to win the Group 2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster last time out. Appleby is aiming for a fourth win since 2019 in this Group 1 contest, which usually goes a long way to deciding the leading juvenile of the season. The Hong Kong World Pool will be in operation on Races 1 to 5 with TAB Win, Place, Exacta, Quinella, Swinger and Trifecta bets going into the mega pools.

SUNDAY HIGHLIGHTS

SELANGOR: PERFECT SERDANG CAN MAKE IT THREE IN A ROW

Locally unbeaten four-year-old Perfect Serdang is trainer Frank Maynard’s only runner at the meeting in Race 4 over 1200m. The former Australian galloper arrived as a three-start maiden and has made an immediate impression with successive victories at Ipoh, the most recent being a Benchmark 65 contest on 20 September when he won despite a slow start. He has the benefit of a 3kg claim for apprentice Ikram Jamaludin, who has ridden three winners from seven rides for the stable this year. The meeting starts at 06:10.

SHA TIN: JUMBO TREASURE HAS MUCH IN HIS FAVOUR

Trainer Cody Mo’s Jumbo Treasure takes a leap in grade in Race 11, a hot Class 2 over 1200m, but is thriving and can make his presence felt. A pole-position draw, a light weight and the way the race should unfold all look in his favour. His main danger is Turquoise Velocity, who ran a game second first-up this season and will be looking to go one better. The meeting starts at 06:30.

HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE: UZWANO LOOKS ON RIGHT MARK

With five wins from 18 starts, lightly campaigned Uzwano gets a good opportunity to notch his first feature success in Race 7, the Michaelmas Handicap over 1900m. Dean Kannemeyer’s gelding is a versatile customer with wins from 1600m to 1900m to his name. He is a regular contender in this class and is better off at the weights with Saxon Dynasty, Mohave Prince and Cleartherunway. He looks on the right mark in what promises to be a keenly contested handicap.