WEEKEND RACING HIGHLIGHTS: 2 – 4 OCTOBER
THREE THRILLING DAYS AND A PICK 6 CARRYOVER
An exciting and busy weekend of racing lies ahead with future and established equine stars in action from Fairview on Friday to Longchamp in France on Sunday. Dean Smith saddles a reliable sprint specialist on the Fairview Polytrack on Friday and a few hours later a star filly begins her march towards the summer features at the Hollywoodbets Greyville day-night meeting.
On Saturday smart three-year-olds take on well-performed older rivals in two Grade 2 features at Turffontein, where a R500,000 Pick 6 carryover is expected to push the total pool to R3million. In the UK, a multiple Group 1-winning filly goes for six wins in a row in a Group 1 at Newmarket on Saturday and the next day a champion colt bids to achieve the rare feat of winning the Group 1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe twice running. TAB customers can bet into the Hong Kong World Pool on Flemington and Newmarket races on Saturday.
FRIDAY HIGHLIGHTS
FAIRVIEW: SMITH HAS CRUISE CONTROL IN TOP GEAR
Dean Smith has his runners in very good shape and star sprinter Cruise Control looks the one to beat in Race 7, the Betway Cradock Place Stakes over 1200m. The seven-year-old gelding won the first leg of the Nelson Mandela Bay Poly Challenge over 1200m a few weeks ago, but was a noticeable absentee from the second leg last Friday. Smith clearly felt the 1400m of that second leg would have stretched the Querari gelding, but Cruise Control’s Polytrack record is impressive. “He is a quality horse and extremely well. I rate him the horse to beat,” said Smith.
HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE: BIG GUNS BEGIN SUMMER PREP
No fewer than nine Graded stakes winners start their preparations for the summer features in Race 5, a Conditions Plate over 1400m. Among them are stayers King Pelles, Otto Luyken, Mocha Blend and Madison Valley. It should be a cracking contest with the speed provided by Quickstepgal, Greaterix and Powerandtheglory, who are all highly effective over the extended sprint trip. Greaterix gets a 4kg claim and will be handy off just 52kg, but formidable Quickstepgal – a Grade 1 winner at weight-for-age last season – looks the one to beat from an inside draw. She should be hard to peg back if near best.
ASCOT: HAGGAS SADDLES MELBOURNE CUP HOPEFUL
William Haggas saddles Infraad, the hot favourite in Race 4, the Listed BetMGM Noel Murless Stakes over 2800m. He looks a horse that should deliver. Haggas bypassed the St Leger in September and said: “He’s improving but he’s quite raw. He was a bit juvenile before winning at York and a bit edgy, so he’s still got a bit to learn. He’ll go for the Noel Murless. I think he’s going to develop, he’s only just getting the hang of it. Hopefully he’ll develop into a Melbourne Cup horse.”
SATURDAY HIGHLIGHTS
FLEMINGTON: AUSTRALIA’S BEST LINE UP FOR TURNBULL
Australia’s top thoroughbreds are set to do battle on TAB Turnbull Stakes Day as the build-up to the Melbourne Cup Carnival heats up. The Group 1 Aus$750,000 TAB Turnbull Stakes (Race 8, 2000m) headlines the meeting with some of the biggest names of the spring in action, including Sir Delius and Aeliana, the current favourites for the Cox Plate and Lexus Melbourne Cup. Last year’s TAB Turnbull Stakes winner Sir Delius also lines up with regular jockey Craig Williams aboard as he looks to become the first horse since Winx in 2018 to win consecutive TAB Turnbull Stakes.
Tough competition awaits him, including multiple Group-1 winning mare Aeliana and 2025 Lexus Melbourne Cup hero Half Yours. Chris Waller will saddle five runners in this year’s TAB Turnbull Stakes as he aims to become the most successful trainer in the race’s 79-year history. Meanwhile, Australia’s leading trainer Ciaron Maher will also bring an army of five runners, headlined by Caulfield Cup favourite Zahrann. The meeting starts at 04:25 and TAB Win, Place, Quinella and Swinger bets on Races 7 to 10 will be commingled into the World Pool tote.
TURFFONTEIN: THREE-YEAR-OLDS STAND OUT IN FEATURES
Two quality features kick off the summer feature season at the city track with several high-profile classic prospects beginning their preparations for the major races ahead. Two potential classic stars take on older fillies in the Betway Joburg Spring F&M Challenge, while a young Grade 1 winner faces some quality older horses in the equivalent open race. Below is a leg-by-leg guide to the carryover Pick 6.
Leg 1 (13:55): Race 4 – 1800m BETWAY MIDDLE STAKES
Promising four-year-olds 10 DAWSON’S ANVIL and 11 DOCTOR STRANGELOVE step up to stronger company, but both have raced only a few times and look well ahead of the handicapper. They are expected to fight out the finish off their bottom weights. Justin Snaith’s raider 2 LANDOFTHERISINGSUN let his supporters down when backed into favouritism last time, but he is better than that and is not out of it on his first Highveld start. 4 BEST CANDIDATE is in the best form of his career but has to give away a chunk of weight to Dawson’s Anvil and Doctor Strangelove. 7 FIRST WISH makes her debut for Candice and Tammy Dawson. She is effective over this trip, nicely weighted and one for bigger perms.
Leg 2 (14:30): Race 5 – 1600m BETWAY MR 92 OPEN HANDICAP (three-year-olds)
8 KOVIL is a handsome individual with ability. He acquitted himself well after a rest in open company last time and, in receipt of weight all round, has the looks of a good-value bet. There are others with chances. 2 GOTTHETIGER’s trainer Joe Soma will have a line through his runner Raptor King, who defeated 3 TROJAN HORSE in a Maiden Plate last season. They reappear after a rest with the same ratings and there should not be much between them. 1 ONE STATE is very fit following two wins this season, including a handicap against older runners. He may be good enough to go in again. 7 HOT CHOICE is bred to enjoy this distance and further, and is worth considering if you’re playing wide.
Leg 3 (15:05): Race 6 – 1450m BETWAY JOBURG SPRING F&M CHALLENGE (Grade 2)
Three-year-old fillies don’t have a good record in this traditionally competitive feature, with only Sean Tarry’s Big Burn successful in the last 10 renewals. She set the pace under 52kg in 2021 and galloped the older mares off their feet. Tarry can do it again with another exceptionally speedy filly in 11 GET UP, a Grade 2 winner last season. She has just 51.5kg to shoulder and is likely to employ similar tactics. Another talented three-year-old 12 FLOWER ISLAND will race with only 50.5kg in the saddle and also has winning prospects. Among their older rivals 2 WHISTLE THE TUNE, 3 KISSHOTEN and 9 WARM RECEPTION are all good enough to have a say at the finish. Go light with the younger generation or cover with the established older fillies and mares.
Leg 4 (15:40): Race 7 – 1450m BETWAY JOBURG SPRING CHALLENGE (Grade 2)
Three-year-old colts have won three of the last six renewals, among them 1 TIN PAN ALLEY who won it off a rating of 113 last year. He faces a big task from a wide draw this time. Louis Goosen’s Grade 1 winner 14 ERIK DUBOIS is the only three-year-old in the race this year and is rated 111. He is considered a Cape Guineas prospect, had a good pipe-opener to start his seasonal campaign recently and looks a class act. He has a winning chance off 52.5kg. There are plenty of dangers among the older runners, including stalwart 3 GLADATORIAN, capable 4 MAIN DEFENDER (the 2023 winner), 6 CHOISAANADA (fourth last year), 7 TEXAS RED (in-form stable, always thereabouts), 10 TALK TO THE MASTER (new stable, good form), 11 SUNSET RIOT (upset chance on recent form), 12 CHRONICLE KING (talented and suited to the course and distance) and 13 I’M A FIREBALL (speedy and could get away). A good spread of runners is advised.
Leg 5 (16:20): Race 8 – 1200m BETWAY MR 96 HANDICAP
Once again, it is tempting to side with the up-and-coming three-year-olds in the form of Grade 3 winner 5 TIME IS PRECIOUS and Grade 2-placed 3 BISOU BISOU. Both are correctly weighted for their high ratings, have performed well at this track and are likely to be very competitive. Among the older runners 1 PLUS FOUR has some class about him, while 2 IT’S PERSONAL is a course-and-distance ace with Richard Fourie aboard. Another close finish is anticipated.
Leg 6 (16:55): Race 9 – 1200m BETWAY MR 84 HANDICAP
4 LITTLE BOY BLUE appears to have turned the corner in Tony Peter’s stable after treading water in KZN. He looked confident and in full control when winning his second start for his new trainer a fortnight ago and could go close again with further improvement. Stablemates 2 CONTINENTAL KING and 6 HIGHWAYMAN HARRY ran well after lengthy breaks and the former, in particular, looks to have wins in him this season. 3 FOSTINOVO had a valid excuse for his poor performance last time and is expected to show his useful old form. 8 ELUSIVE RED won a good race when tried over this distance two starts ago and looks a factor under Craig Zackey.
SUGGESTED R240 (10%) PICK 6 PERM (Leg 1 Race 4 @ 13:55):
Leg 1: 2, 4, 10, 11
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 7, 8
Leg 3: 11, 12
Leg 4: 3, 4, 10, 12, 14
Leg 5: 2, 3, 5
Leg 6: 2, 3, 4, 8
NEWMARKET: BLUE BOLT BIDS TO EXTEND UNBEATEN SEASON
Andrew Balding’s star filly Blue Bolt is unbeaten in five starts this season, including three Group 1 victories, and lines up in Race 3, the Group 1 BetMGM Sun Chariot Stakes over 1600m on the Rowley Mile. Her jockey, Colin Keane, said this week: “Blue Bolt’s record speaks for itself this year, she’s gone from strength to strength. All the fillies that are running she has taken on and she handled the track there last year, when she bumped into Fallen Angel. If she turns up like she has done all year, she’s the one they all have to beat.” The Hong Kong World Pool will be in operation on Races 1 to 4 with TAB Win, Place, Exacta, Quinella, Swinger and Trifecta bets going into the mega pools.
SUNDAY HIGHLIGHTS
SELANGOR: TRIDENT RISING SET TO STRIKE AGAIN
Former Australian galloper Trident Rising will be out to keep his unbeaten local record intact when he lines up in Race 8 over 1200m at Kuala Lumpur. He scored on his Malaysian debut on 13 September, showing dazzling speed from barrier three to score comfortably over 1200m. Despite a 2.5kg rise in the weights, he should prove hard to beat with Troy See retaining the ride. The meeting starts at 06:10.
SHA TIN AND MAURITIUS: GLITTERING LEGEND ONE TO BEAT
Glittering Legend looks the one to beat in the Sha Tin topliner over 1800m (Race 8) on an 11-race programme that kicks off at 06:30. There’s also a seven-race programme in Mauritius that starts at 10:30. Fields for both meetings were not finalised at time of writing.
HOLLYWOODBETS DURBANVILLE: PINK PIGEON THE PICK ON FORM
Computaform collateral formlines suggest that Justin Snaith’s Pink Pigeon could be the right choice in the topliner, Race 5 over 1000m. On the swing in weights from their 15 August encounter, Pink Pigeon should finish 2.30 lengths clear of Oliver and several lengths ahead of Magical Place and Inside Voice. Pink Pigeon should also reverse the form with Magical Place on their 16 September duel. With Richard Fourie back in the irons for the first time since April, she could post a well-deserved fourth career success.
LONGCHAMP: DARYZ ON TRACK TO MAKE ARC HISTORY
Last year’s winner Daryz is red-hot favourite to become the first colt in 48 years to win the Arc de Triomphe over 2400m back-to-back. This year he has captured two more Group 1s and a Group 2 with his only defeat coming when third in the Group 1 Prince of Wales Stakes at Ascot.
Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard, who also saddles Varandir in the 16-horse line-up, is confident of another big performance and said: “I think Daryz has the experience, he has the strength and he has an amazing turn of foot. At the moment, I am more confident with Daryz than Varandir, but the other one is really improving.”
Graffard, who runs the biggest stable in France with 228 horses in his care, said Daryz is the best horse he has trained and rates him above Calandagan. “Daryz has impressed me with his amazing turn of foot. Calandagan is a champion, but he lengthens and can accelerate for a long time, whereas Daryz, when you push the power button, he’s just incredible. I hope he can prove that again.”