Ryan Curatolo continues to make his mark on the international racing stage, returning from a successful stint in Japan where he booted home 24 winners, including a career-defining victory in the Group 1 Oi Kinen. With momentum on his side, the French-born jockey now shifts focus to Malaysia, where he’ll partner with trainer Simon Dunderdale for three key rides at Selangor Turf Club this Sunday, before heading off for his next assignment in Mauritius. Curatolo’s career reads like a passport full of elite racing destinations. From the tactical turf battles of France, to the speed-focused circuits of the USA, the glamour of Dubai’s Meydan, and the strategic challenges of Singapore and Japan, he has tested himself against the best in the business across continents. His ability to adapt, read pace, and form winning partnerships with trainers in vastly different jurisdictions has seen him evolve into one of the most versatile international jockeys on the scene. His recent campaign in Japan was nothing short of outstanding. Riding primarily at NAR (National Association of Racing) tracks, Curatolo notched up 24 wins, highlighted by a commanding performance in the Group 1 Oi Kinen one of the country’s top dirt races and a prestigious addition to any jockey’s résumé. The Oi Kinen victory served as a reminder of Curatolo’s class and composure under pressure. His Japan stint also further cemented his reputation with owners and stables looking for an internationally experienced, result-driven rider. This Sunday, Curatolo will saddle up for three rides at Selangor Turf Club, teaming up with experienced trainer Simon Dunderdale. It’s a quick turnaround from Japan, but nothing new for the well-travelled jockey, who has always embraced new challenges and environments. His tactical nous and ability to ride to local conditions will serve him well in Malaysia, where punters and racing fans will be keen to see him in action after his recent success abroad. But it will only be a short visit to Selangor. Following his Malaysian appearance, Curatolo heads to the island of Mauritius for another exciting stint adding yet another chapter to his global racing story. Known for its passionate racing culture and vibrant racing calendar, Mauritius will be a new stage for Curatolo to showcase his talent and add to his growing international fan base.

Polytrack racing is back in full swing at Fairview on Friday and there are three runners at this meeting who could shine. Four-year-old filly Smashing has been consistent since joining trainer Alan Greeff and should go close to winning Race 6, a MR 70 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m. Smashing has won two of her seven starts for Greeff, both victories coming under jockey Richard Fourie, who has ridden her four times. He is back aboard after Andrew Fortune finished an unlucky third on her last time out. Smashing was caught wide that day, but this is unlikely to happen again as she jumps from pole position. She could very well make all the running. She is owned by Hollywood Racing as is her main danger, Sweet Julia, who actually finished ahead of Smashing last time. However, Sweet Julia is badly drawn on this occasion, which could tip the scales in Smashing’s favour. Earlier on the card, Fourie could make amends for supporters of Wild Fig, who lines up in Race 3, a Maiden Plate over 1400m. This colt attempted to make all the running last time out and set a very fast pace. He is likely to get a more patient ride this time and looks the one to beat. Trainer Justin Snaith, who won the final race last Friday with the well-backed Elsinore, can strike again this week with Beer With The Boys in Race 8, a MR 66 Handicap over 2000m. This Silvano gelding has not been beaten by far in handicaps in the Western Cape and could get it right now that he is trying the Polytrack. Clive Robinson

S’manga ‘Bling’ Khumalo and Gavin Lerena look set to dominate Thursday’s 10-race Inside track meeting at Turffontein on 17 July. Followers of both former champion jockeys could see up to seven winners between them if all goes to plan.

Lerena, who widened the gap on Richard Fourie and Craig Zackey with a five-timer at Turffontein last week, is well placed to add four more winners as he bids to reclaim the National Jockeys’ Championship.

His day could kick off strongly in Race 2 with Top Division, an impressive debut winner for Johan Janse van Vuuren. The Gimmethegreenlight colt drew clear over 1000m and should relish the extra 200m with that experience in hand.

In Race 4, Lerena partners Wise Counsel for Lucky Houdalakis. This Fire Away filly ran well in two sprints and should enjoy stepping up to 1450m, being out of a Jet Master mare who won up to 1950m.

Hopscotch, from Fanie Bronkhorst’s yard, could add another Lerena win in Race 5 over 1800m. She ran second over 2000m two starts back and should be hard to beat if reproducing that form.

Lerena’s day could end strongly with Phil The Fluter in Race 10. Robyn Klaasen’s gelding opened his account last month and should double up if handling his handicap debut.

Meanwhile, Khumalo’s 25% strike-rate with Mike & Adam Azzie bodes well for Safe Travel in Race 3 over 1450m. The Elusive Fort colt should improve over further after two solid runs at 1000m.

Khumalo also looks strong on last-start winner Miss Hannigan in Race 8 and consistent Play With Fire in Race 9 — both have solid claims to wrap up a big day for ‘Bling’.

Clive Robinson

Selangor Turf Club (SLTC) is proud to announce the appointment of Mr Paul Summers, a globally respected Master Farrier with over 30 years of distinguished service, to lead its farriery operations at the Club. Mr Summers brings unparalleled expertise honed during his employment at the Singapore Turf Club, significantly enhancing SLTC’s commitment to world-class equine welfare and performance. Mr Summers is a cornerstone figure in Asian farriery. As the first international farrier employed by Singapore Turf Club in 1993, he played a pivotal role in transforming their farriery services to internationally recognised standards. His extensive career encompasses: Leadership & Development: Successfully managing and mentoring large teams (up to 12 farriers), implementing structured apprentice training programs, and driving continuous improvement in farriery practices. Strategic Operations: Overseeing all aspects of farriery operations, including inventory control, billing, rostering, performance appraisals, and KPI management. High-Stakes Expertise: Sole farrier responsibility for critical international events, including shoeing all international racehorses entering Singapore (collaborating with quarantine) and serving as the exclusive farrier for the 2010 Equestrian Youth Olympic Games in Singapore. Veterinary Collaboration: Maintaining a close, productive working relationship with veterinary departments, particularly in remedial and corrective shoeing, reporting directly to senior veterinary surgeons. In his new role at SLTC, Mr. Summers will leverage his vast experience to: Lead and Mentor: Build and develop STC’s farriery team, fostering skills development and implementing best practices. Develop local talent: Establish robust training pathways for local farriers and apprentices, mirroring his successful programs in Singapore. Career Development Opportunity for local farriers: To oversees and implement upskilling and reskilling Programs Ensure Excellence: Guarantee the highest standards of hoof care for all horses racing and training at SLTC, directly contributing to their health, performance, and safety. “We are incredibly fortunate to secure someone of Paul Summers’ calibre and experience,” said Chief Executive Officer of SLTC, Dato’ Michael Fong. “His proven track record in building world-class farriery operations and developing talent is unmatched in the region. His leadership will be instrumental in taking our equine care standards to the next level, directly benefiting our trainers, owners, and most importantly, our horses” added Dato’ Fong.

Wednesday’s polytrack meeting at Hollywoodbets Greyville kicks off with Mike and Mathew de Kock’s Gotta Go Eddie, who’s earned a cheque in all three starts and now faces a modest field. Bingo, a Highveld raider, could improve on the poly. Vencedor and Sovereign Command are also competitive.

In Race 2, Act Of Grace takes on males but stays the trip well and enjoys the poly. The Green Mile is lightly raced and suited to this surface, while Carnarvon and Gripen could surprise if handling the step up in trip.

In the Pick 6 opener, Quinn’s Time holds a Gr1 entry for Gold Cup day and could follow up after an easy maiden win with just 52kg to carry. Lexican Point improved with blinkers off and tries the poly, while Papa C enjoys this surface and the shorter trip suits. Eventidor has won two in a row but is up in the ratings and his form needs to hold.

Afropolitan is one of the better bets for Gareth van Zyl, showing steady progress with a 4kg claim. Moola Man and My Boy Lollipop are dangers, with Blazing Light a value chance at a light weight.

The fifth is open. Whereverilaymyhat is consistent and well drawn. Mask On has found form on the poly, Catavar impressed last time and gets a claim, while Victor Rail drops in trip which should help.

In the sixth, Twenty One May can turn the tables on Thisiswhatitmeanstome, who’s chasing four straight poly wins. Future Flo is reliable, Blue Holly could pop up at a light weight.

Wing Walker, Fate Of Fortune, and Preemptive Strike are all chances in the seventh.

Gimmethegoodlife heads the last for Tony Peter. Super Fast, Hippocrates, and Ibhele are also worth noting.

John Size secured a record-extending 13th Hong Kong trainers’ championship at Sha Tin on Sunday (13 July) as the master trainer embarked on a familiar coronation march with a treble, further burnishing an extraordinary career. Size sealed the championship with the wins of Sight Dreamer, Raging Rapids and Bundle Award to leave the Australian with 69 wins for the season – beyond the reach of compatriot David Hayes (60) – with only nine races left to be run at Wednesday night’s (16 July) Season Finale at Happy Valley. Nearing the end of his 24th season in Hong Kong, Size added to the previous championships he won in 2001/02, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2005/06, 2007/08, 2009/10, 2011/12, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19 and 2022/23, and took his Hong Kong career tally to 1,612 wins – second overall to retired Australian John Moore (1,734). George Moore held the record for the most Hong Kong trainers’ titles with 11 until he was joined in 2018/19 by Size, who has also finished second five times and third three times in the championship. Characteristically modest, Size, 71, was proud and reflective on securing his latest crown. “There’s a lot of satisfaction in that (winning) and probably something I’m very grateful to achieve,” Size said. “It’s a very strong and stiff competition and so therefore you have to rise up to it. “As I’ve said before, I’m surprised that I’ve been so successful in Hong Kong. It’s always been a test of if I can keep performing at that level and, so far, I’ve been able to over 24 years and, God willing, and if my health is still okay, I can do it for a little bit longer.” Rating Red Lion’s HK$24 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) as the highlight of another glorious season, Size said: “That was a really good example of what can happen on a race track and that’s what makes the game go round – the vagaries of racing, the uncertainties and the unpredictability of it. “Owners, trainers and jockeys should take some encouragement from those sorts of performances. It just proves it can be done if everything is right on the night. That was very satisfying.” Likening the art of training to other sports and vocations, Size described the need to constantly improve as a “natural progression, it’s evolution.” “Like every business, every sport’s the same, training racehorses is no different. You have to keep improving to keep up and you certainly have to be improving to stay ahead, so if you’re doing it for a long period of time, I think it’s hard to stay in a good position for a quarter of a century,” he said. “You don’t see it every day. “So, I get some sort of gratification from that in my innovations and my attempt to keep up and stay ahead of the younger ones is working to some degree. Every now and then, I change small things but my approach in general hasn’t changed in training horses, but I have to adapt to different scenarios in order to keep winning and even in 24 years, a lot of things change, so you have to adapt and I’ve managed to survive.” Leading Hayes 66 wins to 60 at the start of the meeting, Size stretched the lead to seven when Sight Dreamer prevailed in the Class 5 Miraculous Handicap (1400m) under Andrea Atzeni before Karis Teetan piloted Raging Rapids to victory in the Class 4 Medic Kingdom Handicap (1400m). Bundle Award shunted Size further clear with a brilliant performance – clocking a searing 21.87s for the final 400m – under Atzeni in the Class 1 The Hong Kong Racehorse Owners Association Trophy Handicap (1600m) to ultimately seal the championship. Zac Purton ended the Sha Tin season as he started with it – with a quartet – after combining with Circuit Mighty, Huge Wave, Bulb General and Tony Cruz’s Beauty Bolt (124lb), who claimed a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million with victory in the Class 3 All You Wish Handicap (1400m). “It’s always nice to be starting well and finishing well. He’s (Beauty Bolt) a nice horse,” Purton said after taking his seasonal haul to 136 wins. “It’s never easy coming into Hong Kong and adapting like he has with the faster speed and the faster track but, on what he’s shown, he’s promising.” The battle for the Tony Cruz Award for the leading homegrown jockey is set for a cliffhanger finish on Wednesday (16 July) after both Matthew Chadwick and Derek Leung sliced further into Matthew Poon’s lead. With one meeting to go, Poon (36 wins) leads Chadwick (35) and Leung (34) after Chadwick triumphed on Chris So’s Devas Twelve to land the Class 4 Pingwu Spark Handicap (1400m) and Leung followed suit on Jimmy Ting’s Happy Universe in the Class 4 Solar Hei Hei Handicap (1600m). Ting scored a double when Huge Wave clinched the Class 3 Sight Winner Handicap (1600m) under before Douglas Whyte’s Celestial Hero claimed a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million with success in the Class 3 Joy And Fun Handicap (1200m) for Hugh Bowman. Manfred Man reached a career-best 45 wins in a season when Circuit Mighty (135lb) triumphed in the Class 5 Mr Award Handicap under Zac Purton. Man’s previous best was 44 victories in 2022/23. Ben Thompson celebrated the final Sha Tin meeting of his stint before returning to Australia at season’s end with victory on Yip’s promising three-year-old All’s Well in the Class 4 Big Profit Handicap (1200m). “It felt quite fitting to win this race. My first ride in Hong Kong (Devil And Gold) was for Dennis Yip, so it’s nice to ride a winner for him at my last Sha Tin meeting,” Thompson said. Jamie Richards hopes Bulb General can continue to improve after the three-year-old posted an impressive win in the Class 4 Victory Marvel Handicap (1200m) after recovering colic surgery in February. “Good win, nice horse,” Richards said. “He raced very well in February (when third to Crossborderpegasus) and the form out of the race was strong and, unfortunately, he did get held up with a little bout of colic after his first run. “He’s made a full recovery and it looks like he’s got a few rating points up his sleeve. We’ll let the horse do the talking next season and hopefully he can work his way through the grades.” Hong Kong racing continues with the Season Finale at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (16 July). By Leo Schlink

Using times to find winners can be risky, but in Race 6 at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Tuesday, the clock clearly favours Churchillian over October Storm. Despite soft going, Churchillian clocked 58.71 for his 1000m maiden win, nearly two seconds quicker than October Storm’s 60.36.

Churchillian’s pedigree adds confidence — he’s a full brother to Master Archie, a top-class Grade 1 sprinter. He’s drawn perfectly in gate 1 and always does best over the minimum trip. Aldo Domeyer rides for Candice Bass-Robinson.

October Storm, under Gavin Lerena for Vaughan Marshall, is highly rated too. He’s built to handle testing ground and, as a full brother to Grade 1 winner October Morn, he has potential but may still be maturing.

Marshall has a strong hand throughout the card. Better Man (Race 1) returns as a gelding and is expected to improve. Nightrain (Race 3), a brother to Thunderstruck, should go close after a smart debut. United Front (Race 4) ran well on debut and is one to follow, despite a wide draw.

Promettere (Race 8) could end the day well for Marshall. He was unlucky last time and has the turn of foot to trouble favourite Sugar Mountain.

Stormwatch (Race 2) impressed on debut and can improve further. Pacific Waters (Race 5) comes from the same formline and should stay the extra distance.

Bass-Robinson’s Trip To Maputo looks the pick in Race 7, with Domeyer choosing her over stablemates.

Race 9 looks open — Azzurri can follow up a good comeback, but watch War Chariot and Happy Days.

Race 10 is tough; King’s Quest is improving but faces dangers in Water Dragon and Arbitration.

Video Stars Race 1 No 1 EURO ROCKS His most recent run doesn’t reflect his true ability, having been caught wide throughout and left with nothing in reserve upon straightening. A closer look at his prior form reveals a fast-finishing fourth and a solid sixth four and three starts back, respectively. Dropping into Class 5 company for the first time, he meets a more manageable field and could surprise at value. Race 11 No 4 SOUTH STAR He had no luck last start, travelling smoothly early before striking traffic from the 400m to the 250m. Once clear in the concluding stages, he battled on gamely to finish fifth, beaten just two lengths over this track and distance. Having shown consistent form of late, he appears well placed to make amends with a smoother run this time. Sectional Stars Race 3 No 2 GOLDENTRONICMIGHTY Drawn wide last start, he was restrained early and settled well off the speed before flashing home late to grab third over this track and distance. With the race run at a crawl — allowing the winner to dictate from start to finish — his closing effort was all the more impressive. Race 9 No 2 MICKLEY He nearly caused an upset in Class 2 company last time out, unleashing the fastest final 400m to finish a close second, beaten only a head over 1400m. Dropping to Class 3 this week, he shapes as a strong contender despite a notable rise in weight.

By PA Sport Reporters Charlie Appleby’s Notable Speech is to have his first race over six furlongs in the Al Basti Equiworld July Cup at Newmarket on Saturday. Last year’s 2000 Guineas winner impressed connections enough in a gallop over the weekend to earn his place in the premier sprint. A post on Godolphin’s X account read: “Update from Moulton Paddocks: Following a very pleasing piece of work over the weekend, the decision has been made to supplement Dubawi’s 2,000 Guineas hero Notable Speech for the G1 July Cup @NewmarketRace.”

Since he made his debut on the all-weather in January 2024, Notable Speech has been campaign exclusively over a mile, with his career highlight coming on the Rowley Mile last May. At the time he was still unbeaten and while he has found things tougher since then, he did win the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. This season he has been fourth in both the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury and the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot. Notable Speech features among 16 contenders for the July Cup following the confirmation stage and is one of two supplementary entries for owners Godolphin, with Sheikh Mohammed’s operation also stumping up the required £36,000 to add John and Thady Gosden’s Jersey Stakes runner-up Spy Chief to the field.

The Godolphin blue could also be carried by Notable Speech’s stablemate Symbol Of Honour, who has won four of his five starts this year and was last seen edging out Arabian Dusk in the Group Two Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock in May. Andrew Balding’s Flora Of Bermuda, who finished third in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, is one of three potential runners for Wathnan Racing along with the Tom Clover-trained Rogue Lightning and Night Raider from Karl Burke’s yard. The latter faltered after making much of the running in the King Charles III Stakes at the Royal meeting and his trainer hopes he can fare better over a furlong further this weekend.

Six is the ideal trip, whether he’s up to a Group One at this stage of his career we’ll find out on Saturday

Burke said: “Night Raider is a very quick horse, there’s no doubt about it, but I think he’s a horse that likes to get into a rhythm and he’s more chance of getting into that rhythm over six furlongs than he does over five. “I think over five at the top level they jump and go so hard early and he’s a horse that likes to jump and get into a nice rhythm, which I think he has more chance of doing over six and he obviously can stay seven as well. “Six is the ideal trip, whether he’s up to a Group One at this stage of his career we’ll find out on Saturday.” Other leading hopes include Kevin Ryan’s Inisherin, Aidan O’Brien’s Whistlejacket and top-class mare Believing, who is in foal to Frankel and is set to make her final career start before retirement for trainer George Boughey.

By Mark Lydeamore Sunday’s highlight will be the running of the time honoured Group 1 Perak Gold Vase and with the straight course out of action permanently due to a recent land sale, the vase will be contested over the 1100m trip on the short course for the first time. The 2025 edition may not be as strong as previous years however, a strong contingent from Selangor has ensured that the event does contain some classy performers. SUPER SALUTE, a G2 and G3 winner originally from Singapore heads the weights while the country’s most progressive performer in recent months, FILIAL DRAGON appear to be the main contenders.  SUPER SALUTE has the advantage with two runs on the Ipoh circuit, including a 1300m win with the benefit of a 4kg apprentice claim back in April. The Penang Farewell Trophy winner has maintained good form since and does possess the class factor hence he will be the testing material under the set weights conditions.  FILIAL DRAGON has a golden opportunity to win the Group 1 contest and his recent displays suggest he is capable of going four in a row despite his first visit to Ipoh. The five-year-old is in career best form since making his Malaysian debut with a rating of 64 and four months later, has risen to 83 points on the CRS with four wins from ten local starts. Jockey Troy See has the perfect record from two mounts aboard the gelding and will be a major player. WITNESSIMPACT has finished outside the placings in two races won by FILIAL DRAGON this preparation but has changed stables recently and improvement is expected. MAN OF ACTION is building a handy resume with three wins from five Malaysian starts and appears best of the local chances with the 54kg. On the odd occasion a horse imported from overseas arrives in the country as a maiden performer but is capable of breaking its maiden status against Class 4 opposition and WILSING may fit into that category in the 1100m Class 4 contest (Race 8). Placed on its local debut as an odds-on favourite here on June 14, the former New Zealander was parked outside the leader throughout in finishing 3rd, a neck behind the winner. The booking of KC Wong should enhance its chances and looks on track to break the maiden tag on Sunday. The Kevin Coetzee trained two-year-old O THRYLOS will get his chance to break through in the 1100m Restricted Maiden (Race 10). The juvenile covered extra ground when debuting here two weeks ago and had a tendency to hang inwards when trying to chase down the eventual winner, Authority. O THRYLOS may still be green but should gain plenty of benefit from his debut performance. SPEEDY SAMURAI will find this a much easier assignment compared to his debut run when finishing unplaced in the 1200m 3YO Sprint Championship in KL on June 1. The three-year-old has since trialed well and is also capable of breaking through at his second race start.

The 1400m Mitavite Asia Cup (Race 8) will headline the eleven-race program at the Selangor Turf Club this Saturday commencing at 1.00pm. PLATINUM EMPEROR (1), which only started twice for his initial Malaysian campaign, returns from a four-month break and enters the feature with the highest rating. The former Macau galloper created an immediate first impression here with a devastating victory in the Wilyah Silver Bowl back in February. It was his first run for eleven months and was freshened up prior to his third placing in the G1 Tunku Gold Cup six weeks later. Prepared by Ricky Choi, PLATINUM EMPEROR (1) should maintain his good first up record and will be a major player in Saturday’s feature. Another interesting runner is CAVALRY (3), first up since his unplaced effort in the G1 Singapore Gold Cup last year and debuts for the Jason Ong stable. CAVALRY (3) is a classy type which competed at Singapore’s top level for most of his ten runs in the Lion City, including a second placing in the 2023 G1 Raffles Cup. Coming off a couple of fair trials at Selangor, he is a definite watch for his Malaysian debut. JANUARY (5) finally delivered a victory for his followers in a Class 3 contest over 1400m here on June 22 defeating subsequent winner, Latin Legend. Looks a chance of going back-to-back despite the wide draw while LIM’S CRAFT (12) travelled strongly at the trials on Tuesday and looks well placed on the light weight. Mitavite Asia Cup Selections: (3) Cavalry   (1) Platinum Emperor   (5) January   (12) Lim’s Craft STRONG DRAGON is only a two-year-old but based on his Restricted Maiden win here on June 15, he appears capable of beating his more seasoned opponents in the 1200m Class 4B contest (Race 4). Coming with a late flourish from a clear last at the 400m mark in the nine-horse lineup, STRONG DRAGON produced one of the best performances for a debutant ever seen in recent months and his quick turn of high speed will place him in good stead for a forward showing come Saturday. V’INVINCIBLE, FATAL ATTRACTION and INTREPID finished 2nd, 3rd and 4th respectively behind the inform Trees Of Valinor in a 1400m Class 4 last month and are set for the rematch in the 1600m Class 4A contest (Race 9). V’INVINCIBLE does possess the more consistent form of the trio as he steps up to the mile for the first time and finished on gamely when 3rd (beaten 2L) to Fortune Wheel here a fortnight ago. The six-year-old is coming off four successive placings and is well and truly overdue for another local win. FATAL ATTRACTION ran 7th in that same race but is expected to improve while INTREPID has proven herself with a previous win over the journey but can be unreliable sometimes at barrier rise and tends to give away big starts.

Clinging to hopes of a late-season miracle, David Hayes has not conceded in the battle with John Size for the 2024/25 Hong Kong trainers’ championship, but admits his faint chances of landing a third title hinge on a string of favourable results at Sha Tin on Sunday (13 July). Trailing Size by six wins with only two meetings and 20 races left in the season, dual Hong Kong champion trainer Hayes will saddle nine runners across nine races at Sha Tin this weekend, while 12-time champion Size has 12 starters engaged in 10 races. Having trimmed Size’s lead from eight with three winners to his fellow Australian’s one over the past two meetings, Hayes acknowledges the enormity of the challenge ahead as he attempts to add to the championships he collected in 1997/98 and 1998/99 during his first Hong Kong stint. “It’s possible (to win the championship), but probably difficult. I’ve got solid chances on the weekend. What I basically need is for John not to win any races and I have to train a lot of winners. It’s highly unlikely, but we’ll try our best,” said Hayes, who has produced 60 wins this season with eight of his tally delivered by champion sprinter Ka Ying Rising. Typically optimistic, Hayes is hoping to emulate Francis Lui’s incredible effort to claim the 2023/24 championship with a quartet at the season finale – with the decisive victory in the last race of the season giving the veteran a 70-69 margin over Pierre Ng, who led Lui by 16 at one stage of the campaign. “When you see Francis came from nowhere last year and won it – we’re just at the stage now where we need John to not train winners and I need to keep training them. It’s a longshot – possible but unlikely,” Hayes said. “I’ve got a couple of good chances on Sunday, two that wouldn’t surprise me if they won. We’re going for it and there could be a couple of surprises.” Size and Hayes clash in nine races on Sunday, including the HK$4,075,000 Class 1 The Hong Kong Racehorse Owners Association Trophy Handicap (1600m) where Size is represented by G1 FWD Champions Mile winner (1600m) winner Beauty Eternal (131lb) under James Orman, Bundle Award (116lb) for Andrea Atzeni and Young Champion (115lb), who will be ridden by Karis Teetan. Hayes has Soleil Fighter (115lb) for Ben Thompson. Beauty Joy (135lb) heads the weights from Chancheng Glory (133lb), while Happy Together (129lb), Patch Of Theta (128lb), Massive Sovereign (126lb), Winning Dragon (115lb) and Keefy (115lb) complete a quality field. David Eustace will be represented by Massive Sovereign as the 2024 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) victor makes his return since undergoing left hind fetlock surgery in December. “It’s good to get him to the races. We’ve taken our time and naturally he’s going to improve for the run, but his trials have been good,” Eustace said. “He’s fit and well. He’s obviously not 100 per cent fit but he’s fit enough to run and I think it will really benefit him having a run before the season finishes instead of having a really extended break and going back to the track. “I’m looking forward to him getting there. He hasn’t missed a beat in his training. It’s a very tough race – it’s a really good race, which you’ve got to expect. I think the mile is a good kick-off point for him.” With 36 wins in an impressive debut season, Eustace will attempt to boost that number when Mister Dapper bids for a third successive win in the Class 3 Sight Winner Handicap (1600m) under Teetan. “He’s three weeks between runs and he seems to go really well fresh off four or five weeks, but this race was there and he’s going really well. He’s in great form and he’s obviously going to drop in weight, but he’s going to need to step up,” Eustace said. With 360 career wins, Benno Yung is preparing for his final Sha Tin meeting as a trainer before retiring at the end of the season on 16 July and will saddle eight starters. “There’s quite a few who are chances and thankfully some of them have got a good draw,” Yung said. Sunday’s (13 July) Sha Tin 11-race card starts with the Class 5 Miraculous Handicap (1400m) at 4pm. By Leo Schlink

Trainer Alan Greeff is enjoying his best season yet, and with a few weeks still to go, he has time to extend his already mammoth lead. He currently stands on 166 winners, with an excellent 24% win strike rate. He looks set to add more winners to that tally at Fairview on Monday afternoon for the Polytrack meeting, and the toughest decision may be choosing the banker bet for exotics like the Pick 6. The most solid option appears to be Mercantour in Race 7, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1400m. The Var gelding arrived at Greeff’s yard as a six-time winner, and the trainer has already added another two victories to his name. He looks like he still has more to offer. The five-year-old gelding wasn’t beaten far on local debut behind stable companion and high-class sprinter Fairy Knight in March, and he was soundly beaten by star sprinter Kingdundee in April. Even so, he finished third that day and was not disgraced over the 1000M, especially considering it was his first run on the Polytrack. The step up to 1200m saw him win easily over the Fairview Polytrack, and he followed up with another smooth victory over 1400m a couple of weeks later. Jockey Richard Fourie has partnered him in all three starts and retains the ride. The wide draw of No 10 is clearly not ideal, but he quickens well, and if he’s within striking range, he can win again. Earlier on the card, Fourie is aboard the stable’s Mr Fox, who has found his form of late. He was a wide-margin maiden winner on this surface and even more impressive last time out on the turf over 1900m, winning with ease. Those two wins have seen his merit rating climb by 15 points, so it might be worth opposing him with Jack In The Green, a solid and still improving stable companion. Jack In The Green arrived in the yard as a maiden winner and has since added two more victories. He is proven over this sort of distance and could offer better value in the betting. Unlucky but consistent Aticuno could also finally break through for a win under Fourie. The jockey has had four rides on the gelding without a win but has finished runner-up twice. A winning turn is surely near. Clive Robinson

Philasande Mxoli and Calvin Habib hold strong cards for Saturday’s eight-race Standside meeting at Turffontein on 12 July and could share up to four winners.

Mxoli partners Paul Matchett’s duo — Rejuvenate in Race 1 over 1600m and Iconic Winter in Race 2 over 1160m. Rejuvenate meets stablemate Matcha Mint, who looks hard to oppose after three seconds in a row. But Iconic Winter could deliver in Race 2. The What A Winter filly impressed on debut last year with a strong finish for third over this course and trip, and should strip fitter for her recent comeback run after a year off.

Mxoli also rides In The Ether for Grant Maroun in Race 5 over 1160m. The veteran mare, back among fillies and mares, should be more competitive than in recent mixed fields. Mxoli knows her well, with three wins and multiple placings together, and she’ll appreciate the return to her preferred trip.

In Race 3, Mxoli’s Onceinabluemoon holds each-way claims but may struggle to topple Clinton Binda’s Amandla Ngawethu — Habib’s mount — who has run well over the same track and trip before and could open the Pick 6.

Habib’s day could peak with Birthright in Race 8 over 1600m. Alec Laird’s runner has an unbeaten course-and-distance record and comes in fit after a solid run over 1450m on the Inside track. The switch to the longer Standside run-in should suit him perfectly.

With strong rides across the card, Mxoli and Habib look set to dominate the Turffontein action once again.

Clive Robinson

Trainer Alan Greeff has a decent hand in both of the feature races at Fairview on Friday. Bournemouth looks a strong candidate to win Race 6, the Port Elizabeth Gold Cup over 3200m while in Race 7, the East Cape Paddock Stakes (Listed) over 1600m, he has multiple runners, but it could be Splicethemainbrace who gets the job done. Greeff is represented by five runners in this race – Luna Halo, Lady Silvano, Zinkel, Call To Glory, and Splicethemainbrace. The latter was a bitter disappointment last time out when well beaten by Sweetie Darling in the first leg of the Fillies And Mares Challenge, but that effort confirmed she really detests a wet track. The concern, however, is that conditions may come up wet again. Stable jockey Richard Fourie has opted to ride Luna Halo, with whom he has a good record. Lady Silvano, the mount of Craig Zackey, has been very consistent since joining the Greeff yard and won’t go down without a fight. It is a very open-looking race, with five runners making the trip from the Western Cape – each of them capable of winning. Time For Love has run at this course and was game in defeat when finishing second on this track in August. She can go one better. Gimmethatpearl, representing trainer Justin Snaith, does not always produce her best form but is capable of winning. Fun Zone is consistent, and from a good draw should be right there at the finish. Trainer Glen Kotzen sends out two runners. Royals has been disappointing of late but does have the ability, while stable companion Greenlitealltheway showed what she is capable of with an impressive win last time out. Earlier on the card, Greeff-trained Wishes And Dreams, running in Race 2, gets her first outing on the turf and could show the necessary improvement to win. Clive Robinson