WEEKEND RACING HIGHLIGHTS: 23 – 25 OCTOBER

PLENTY TO LOOK FORWARD TO THIS WEEKEND

An action-packed weekend offers plenty for punters – from Dean Smith’s three strong chances at TAB Fairview and Justin Snaith’s trio at Hollywoodbets Greyville this Friday to an appealing Pick 6 at TAB Turffontein on Saturday. And on Sunday, a leading Summer Cup contender continues her preparation in a Conditions Plate at Hollywoodbets Greyville. Internationally, Gai Waterhouse bids for a first Cox Plate success at Flemington on Saturday morning and later in the day Aidan O’Brien targets a 13th win in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy at Doncaster.

FRIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

TAB FAIRVIEW: JACOBS PINPOINTS THREE SMITH RUNNERS

Dean Smith and Craig Zackey have several outstanding chances and assistant-trainer Francois Jacobs pinpointed three runners who should go close. He said Destrega (Race 1) is maturing and improving, adding “what beats her will win!” He described Pointer (Race 2) as doing “really, really well” and being a “big runner”, and warned that Captain Clever (Race 5) should not be left out of exotic bets. “He has a good draw for once and he is doing phenomenally well.” Jacobs also gave eachway chances to Rare Earth (Race 3) and Rhythm (Race 4).

HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE: LOOK OUT FOR SNAITH TRIO

Justin Snaith saddles three runners at the meeting and all have bright chances. Improving Vessel Of Light tries the Polytrack for the first time in Race 2 over 1400m and should provide stiff opposition to likely favourite Roxbury Park. Remuneration looks ready to win and gets his best opportunity yet in Race 3 over 1600m. Charlie Bucket also makes his Polytrack debut in Race 7 over 1600m. He comes off two excellent wins on grass and should complete the hat-trick if he takes to the surface.

SATURDAY HIGHLIGHTS

FLEMINGTON: GAI EYES FIRST COX PLATE TRIUMPH

The 106th running of the Ladbrokes WS Cox Plate (Race 8, 2040m), Australia’s premier weight-for-age contest, has attracted a star-studded field. The 12 runners comprise a mix of proven Group 1 champions, emerging three-year-old stars and international challengers. This year’s race will be run at Flemington for the first time as normal venue Moonee Valley undergoes renovations. A genuine tempo looks likely with Aeliana, Warwoven, Ceolwulf and Birdman all bringing elite-level form to the contest. But Sir Delius gets an ideal setup from barrier five and looks the horse to beat. He could give Gai Waterhouse her first Cox Plate trophy, the only major Australian race she has yet to win. Waterhouse said: “I think the big track will suit him and it’s his home track, which is a big plus. I’ve got a space on the mantelpiece already!” The meeting starts at 03:25 with TAB Win, Place, Quinella and Swinger bets on Races 1 to 9 commingled into the HKJC World Pool tote.

SELANGOR: IN-FORM LEGEND SIXTY-THREE CAN WIN AGAIN

In-form apprentice Ikram Jamaludin rides consistent Legend Sixty-Three for Jason Lim in Race 3 over 1200m. The five-year-old managed just one win from 12 starts last season, but has improved markedly this term, recording two wins and two places from four runs. Clearly over his injury issues, he rates a good chance with the benefit of a 3kg apprentice claim. The meeting starts at 06:45.

TAB TURFFONTEIN: NO BANKERS BUT PICK 6 LOOKS WINNABLE

There are no obvious bankers in the Pick 6, but the bet looks winnable with only a few outstanding contenders in most legs. Perfect Sky and Alpine Jet are rated clear of their rivals and should fight out Race 4 over 1000m.

On a line of form through Utsaah and having dropped 30 points below his original rating, Golden Warrior looks the right choice in Race 5 over 2400m. Euphrates is the danger. Sparingly raced Lost For Words looks ready to resume winning ways in Race 6 over 1160m, but Captain Selvie and Ocean Mistress will be on her heels.

Well-bred Matinee was unfancied when making a smart winning debut and goes straight into a Class C handicap in Race 7 over 1160m, suggesting trainer Sean Tarry has a lot more confidence in her this time. Staggerwing and Minerva Fae renew rivalry in Race 8 over 1160m and it could go either way. Promising three-year-old King Solomon has not been harshly treated for a good maiden win and can follow up in Race 9, in which Surreal Song, Major Arcana and Matroosberg are potential back-ups.

SUGGESTED R288 (25%) PICK 6 PERM (Leg 1 Race 4 @ 14:00):

Leg 1: 2, 3

Leg 2: 3, 6

Leg 3: 1, 3, 4

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Leg 5: 1, 3, 4, 5

Leg 6: 2, 7, 8, 9

DONCASTER: O’BRIEN HOPES FOR 13TH FUTURITY TROPHY

Frankel colt Noble Exhibit is an exciting prospect and has been priced up favourite for the Group 1 William Hill Futurity Trophy Stakes over the straight 1600m (Race 2). He showed plenty of promise when third on his Curragh debut in August and then opened his winning account at Punchestown before landing the Group 2 Beresford Stakes. Trainer Aidan O’Brien has won this race 12 times and is hoping to retain his British Flat Trainers’ Championship title in the face of a strong challenge from Andrew Balding. A win here could secure it.

SUNDAY HIGHLIGHTS

SELANGOR: AUSSIE-BRED LOOKS SET TO RECOVER LOSSES

Australian-bred colt Loyalty Banker’s looks the one to beat on exposed form in Race 6 over 1250m. Heavily backed on debut three weeks ago, the Johnny Lim-trained three-year-old was far from disgraced in finishing runner-up to Navarre Crow. He should go one better. The first race is off at 06:20.

SHA TIN: RAGING BLIZZARD CAN THWART KA YING ATTACK

Ka Ying Attack is the new kid on the block after three straight wins and gets a chance to strengthen his reputation up in Group 2 company in Race 7 over 1200m. But seasoned seven-year-old Raging Blizzard is a serious rival. He finished second in this race last year and will be hard to hold out from barrier three, despite carrying more weight. The meeting starts at 06:40.

HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE: MOCHA BLEND WEIGHTED TO WIN

Mocha Blend is weighted to win Race 4, a Conditions Plate over 1800m, on her way to defending her 2025 Betway Summer Cup title. Frank Robinson’s mare receives weight all round from lesser-rated rivals and, while her trainer is likely to have left something to work on ahead of this year’s Summer Cup on 28 November, she should be hard to beat.