Sha Tin Track Spy: Sunday, 12 April
Ka Ying Rising aims to extend streak as Romantic Warrior faces...
April 12 Selangor Preview By Mark Lydeamore
Mike and Mat’s Mythical mission for Miami Mountain
Malmesbury Missile is locked on target
Big prize money headlines Saturday’s meeting at Hollywoodbets Greyville, featuring the R5 million Race Coast Sales Big Cap and the R3 million Race Coast Slipper, with an added R100,000 bonus for the Slipper winner.
Justin Snaith, fresh off two Grade 1 victories at Turffontein, looks strongly represented in the Big Cap with Malmesbury Missile. The son of Gimmethegreenlight showed early promise before losing form last season but returned as a gelding with an explosive win in the Grade 3 Byerley Turk. A similar performance should make him hard to beat.
Talk To The Master shapes as the main danger after back-to-back victories and now meets Randolph Hearst on 5.5kg better terms. Tin Tin is an intriguing lightweight contender, unbeaten since shedding his maiden, while Vapour Trail represents Vaughan Marshall’s powerful KZN record despite a tricky draw.
The Slipper looks highly competitive where luck in running may prove decisive. Sean Tarry holds a strong hand headed by Turn It Up, a two-time winner partnered again by Keagan de Melo. Stablemate Red Spice arrives in winning form with Craig Zackey aboard, while Champagne Spice can bounce back after a below-par latest effort. Feature winner Secretary Bird adds further depth to Tarry’s powerful quartet.
One of the best bets on the card could be Questioning in race five. Despite a wide draw, his top-class form suggests he can overcome a big weight. Vihaan’s Web and lightly weighted Jerusalema Rain look the main threats, while poly specialist Good Traveller returns to turf.
The Pick 6 opener appears open, with Amelia’s Legacy, local debutant Tulip Fields, Highveld raider That’s My Baby and well-drawn Miss Ladyaterix all holding claims.
The closing handicaps are competitive. Progressive Beyond All Doubt can follow up his maiden win, though veteran Fostinovo and improving Cowboy Country pose dangers. In the finale, Phutulicious enjoys ideal conditions, while Sign Of Fate, Lunch Money and consistent Definitely Yes all have winning chances in a wide-open finish.
Joao Moreira fires in quartet on Hong Kong return for Caspar...
Green Energy may need some wind
Short fields but competitive racing await punters at Hollywoodbets Scottsville next Wednesday, where betting moves could prove significant across the nine-race card.
The opener is particularly intriguing as recent winner Green Energy meets Kazenoyoni again. Green Energy, trained by Adam Azzie, improved sharply to win well at his second start and looks progressive. However, Kazenoyoni produced a stunning late surge to score on debut and should improve further over the extra distance. Pink Skies, carrying a light weight after a solid effort behind Master Magician, also has claims.
Race two features several first-timers, but Royal Crest looks progressive despite taking on older rivals, while Winter Blessing, with blinkers reapplied, should be competitive.
In the first leg of the PA, Quest Of Valor has shown promise against his own age group and now meets older horses, while Mastercrafter is expected to improve after a green debut. Consistent Xiphos could finally find the right opportunity.
Roy’s Grace appeals in the Pick 6 opener after two encouraging comeback runs and benefits from a 4kg claim. Greenlight and last-start winner Lilac In Winter look closely matched at the weights.
Peter Muscutt holds a strong hand in race five with Touched By Angels, Dylan’s Champ and Rollo The Viking all holding winning chances, while consistent filly Forward Motion can earn again despite tougher opposition.
Later on, Donquerari’s consistency and a rating drop make him competitive, though recent winner Circumbendibus and lightly raced Position Of Power pose threats.
The staying handicap over 2400m looks wide open, with Star Of The Future expected to improve over the longer trip alongside Basie Raakvat and Mary Read.
Dean Kannemeyer’s lightly raced Gallic Victor can close the meeting on a winning note, with in-form Next Of Kin the main danger.
Sha Tin Track Spy: Monday, 6 April
The force is with Grant and Des
Jet Force has emerged as an exciting horse to follow after proving he can mix it with top Weight-For-Age performers. His authoritative Listed Jet Master Stakes victory suggests he can make a bold bid in Monday’s Grade 3 Variety Club Stakes over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.
His standout effort came in the Grade 2 Green Point Stakes, finishing close behind Dave The King and just behind future Grade 1 Cape Town Met winner See It Again, while beating Durban July hero The Real Prince home. Despite a tough draw in the Grade 1 L’Ormarins Kings Plate, he held his own, confirming his rise through the ranks. Trainer Des McLachlan has his yard firing, with Grant van Niekerk booked to ride.
Legal Counsel commands respect after pushing See It Again to under a length in the Cape Town Met and looks set for another strong showing before likely heading to Durban for Champions Season. Viva’s Liberte, eye-catching in the Cape Derby after doing the early work, carries a light weight and could be dangerous against older rivals.
In the Listed Sweet Chestnut Stakes, Stormwatch appears at peak fitness after a win and close second in the Prix Du Cap and may prove hard to beat, though Roccapina is better off at the weights and rates a threat.
Among the supporting races, One Spirit is the runner to beat in the opener after a promising debut, while improving filly Shesgotclass can follow up her recent win. Who Is She looks a winner in waiting after an unlucky last run, and La Pulga drops into calmer company over 1800m.
Noble Hero, thriving with two wins from his last three starts, has strong claims again, while Rattlesnake’s inside draw could prove decisive in the finale, with One Liner the main danger.
The Championships Day 1 Review




CHAMPIONS DAY 2026
4Racing continues its Championships journey on Saturday, 4 April, offering a bumper card of nine feature races for Day 3. There is additional gloss for this year’s event with the Corne Spies-trained Hazy Dazy being a lively contender for the Wilgerbosdrift Bridget Oppenheimer SA Oaks, Triple Tiara honours and that attractive R1 million bonus.
While the Triple Crown saw Mr P Murugasa’s Splittheeights take the TAB Gauteng Guineas for the Mike & Mathew de Kock stable under Raymond Danielson and Mrs Heinrich Kuhn’s Grand Empire (Sean Tarry / Craig Zackey) take the World Pool HKJC SA Classic in a tussle, there will be no series winner this year, but nevertheless, an intriguing field has assembled for the 2026 World Pool HKJC SA Derby. Mr M Havenga’s Diogenes has thrived since moving to the Highveld and the care of Weichong Marwing and the 3yo son of Hawwaam announced himself as a Derby contender when he ran out a fitting winner of the WSB Hawwaam Stakes on 14 March.
There are three entries from KZN – Salani Khale (Gareth van Zyl / Sean Veale), Sword Speed (Alyson Wright / Keagan de Melo) and Reign On Impact (Frikkie Greyling / Athandiwe Mgudlwa). While Gavin van Zyl won the race with Seal in 2011, the horse had been based at his Highveld satellite yard under the care of son Chesney and one has to go all the way back to 1986 when Terrance Millard raided with Potomac to find the last winning raider.
This year has one filly in the race, Hollywood Racing’s Curious Girl from the Mike & Mathew de Kock stable, who will be partnered by Gavin Lerena. While the Derby has been won by fillies in the past, the feat has not been achieved since Noble Lady in 1917.
The SA Derby originates in Port Elizabeth, with the inaugural event, run for a stake of 400 sovereigns, dating back to Saturday, 17 October 1885, when it was won by Mr Hilton Barber’s Oxygen (Plunger). By the turn of the century, Johannesburg had become the racing centre of South Africa in the wake of the gold rush and the race relocated to Turffontein where it has remained ever since and with its rich history and illustrious honour roll, the SA Derby remains one of South Africa’s oldest and most prestigious racing events.
WILGERBOSDRIFT BRIDGET OPPENHEIMER SA OAKS
The South African Oaks over 2450m is the oldest and most demanding classic race for three-year-old fillies in the country and dates back to 1914 when it was won by a filly named Pendant (by Sidus), trained by Fred Murray and ridden by William Watson. Murray was a trainer of some repute – the only one so far to have won four successive Durban July Handicaps (1910-1913).
Like its counterpart, the race has a rich and colourful history, with the 1916 running a particular stand-out. The winner was Opera Cloak, a filly bred by AE Passmore by St Maurice out of Pellerine. The same mating had produced Passmore’s 1912 SA Derby winner, Van Raalte. Opera Cloak was a diminutive individual. So much so that she was eligible for Galloway races. Accordingly, ‘AE’ chose to keep and race her for his own account and trained her himself. After a good win in a Flying Handicap at the Johannesburg Turf Club on 23 December 1916, ‘AE’ entered her for the Oaks, to be run over a mile and a half on 30 December. While it is fairly remarkable for a mare to produce full siblings who both go on to be classic winners, the story gets more remarkable still. ‘AE’, who was in his fifties by now, held a gentleman rider’s license and is down in the history books as the breeder, owner, trainer AND rider of the 1916 Oaks winner, beating in the process, Ike Strydom, the champion jockey of his day.
The late Mrs Bridget Oppenheimer accumulated a phenomenal SA Oaks record, having won it a total of 14 times, so it is fitting that the race carries her name.
With impressive wins in the first two legs, the connections of fairytale filly Hazy Dazy are confident of another good effort and she will be partnered by her regular jockey, apprentice Trent Mayhew.
There have been 5 winners of the SA Triple Tiara to date (Igugu in 2011, Cherry On The Top in 2013, Summer Pudding in 2020, War Of Athena in 2021 and Rain In Holland in 2022) and there will be a R1 million bonus if Hazy Dazy can add her name to the list on Saturday.
There are three Group 1’s on the day’s card, the TAB Empress Club Stakes, the World Pool HKJC Premier’s Champions Challenge and the TAB Computaform Sprint.
TAB Computaform Sprint
The TAB Computaform Sprint is one of only two Group 1 contests on the SA calendar. It was first run as the Castrol National Sprint in 1970, a race which virtually overnight became SA’s premier test of speed and its honour roll is a true embarrassment des riches, littered with the names of SA turf greats such as Sentinel, Senor Santa, Taban, Tommy Hotspur, dual winner Golden Loom, National Colour, J J The Jet Plane and recent winners Shea Shea and Isivunguvungu. Comptutaform added its name to the race and it has stayed there ever since.
Corne Spies ward, 7yo William Robertson, teams up with jockey Ryan Munger to defend their 2025 title, but there will be plenty trying to deny them the double, including Buffalo Storm Cody, one of the highest rated horses in the country, and East Cape raider Kingdundee, who is currently on a four race winning streak.
TAB Empress Club Stakes
The Empress Club Stakes, previously run as the Turffontein Fillies and Mares Stakes, was renamed for one of the greatest female talents to grace the South African turf. Bred in Argentina by Haras Abolengo, Empress Club was foaled in 1988. She was a daughter of Farnesio out of the El Gran Capitan mare Elysee, making her a half-sister to Gr1 fillies, Ecurie and Epoque. Empress Club raced in the interests of Laurie and Jean Jaffee and was trained in South Africa first by Terrance Millard and from her 3yo career onwards by his son, Tony.
Nicknamed ‘The Galloping Goldmine’, she was nothing short of a phenom on the track, concluding her career with 16 wins – which included a staggering nine Gr1s – from 26 starts in South Africa and the USA. She was ARCSA Champion 3yo Filly as well as SA Horse Of The Year for 1992 and ARCSA Champion Older Female in 1993, retiring with record earnings of R3.1 million.
The 2026 renewal of the TAB Empress Club Stakes has attracted a high quality 10 horse field representing some of the best distaff talent from around the country. There is a dual threat from the Western Cape comprising SA Champion Trainer Justin Snaith’s recent Majorca Stakes winning charge Double Grand Slam and Candice Bass’s narrow Majorca Stakes bridesmaid, Rainbow Lorikeet. From the Eastern Cape, Alan Greeff returns his Equus Champion 2YO filly Golden Palm, while Gareth van Zyl represents KZN with Past Is Prologue. The Highveld is represented by big race heavyweight Sean Tarry who saddles stablemates Callmegetrix and Rodeo Drive, the Candice and Tammy Dawson training team with Minogue, Tony Peter saddles Kisshoten, David Nieuwenhuizen fields Famous Lady and Fanie Bronkhorst completes the field with Scarlett Heart.
World Pool HKJC Premier’s Champions Challenge
The Premier’s Champions Challenge is something of a melting pot, having evolved from remnants of the ‘old’ Summer Handicap. It has been run as a conditions race and latterly at WFA plus penalties, has moved around the calendar and even alternated venues between Turffontein and the old Gosforth Park before disappearing from the calendar completely for a number of years. When the calendar was restructured in the late 1990’s, the race was reimagined as the Champion Stakes (WFA) and included as part of the newly launched Champions Day line-up. It underwent a few more changes before finally settling as the Premier’s Champions Challenge.
This year’s event promises a clash for the ages and features defending champion Fire Attack (Alec Laird / Calvin Habib), 2025 Premier’s Champions Challenge runner up Royal Victory who will be aiming to go one better for his new conditioner Weichong Marwing, 2026 WSB Cape Town Met hero See It Again (Justin Snaith / Craig Zackey), 2024 Betway Summer Cup victor Atticus Finch (Alec Laird / Gavin Lerena), 2025 Betway Summer Cup runner up Olivia’s Way (Roy Magner / Marco van Rensburg) and Sean Tarry’s 2026 TAB SA Classic winner Grand Empire (Ryan Munger) among others.
And it doesn’t end there. The card also offers the Gr2 Hawaii Stakes (named for George Azzie’s globetrotting champion – read more about him in last week’s edition of Off The Record – https://news.4racing.com/off-the-record-115), the Gr2 SA Nursery, Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery and 2850m Caradoc Gold Cup (Listed), named for another George Azzie star whose big race wins included the 1966 Summer Cup and 1968 Gold Cup. He retired to become a lead horse at Turffontein and was fittingly laid to rest in the Champions Graveyard in the Turrfontein infield.

JP Can Hammer It Home
Darryl Moore’s JP’s Palace stayed competitive until the closing stages of the Listed Kings Cup at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and looks well placed under another favourable weight in Sunday’s World Sports Betting Sledgehammer at the same venue. With slightly weaker opposition, he is expected to produce another bold showing.
I Salute You, returning from a successful Western Cape campaign, must concede 9.5kg to JP’s Palace which may prove decisive. Bruh, fitted with first-time blinkers and carrying a light weight, could surprise, while Field Marshal should improve after a promising comeback run behind Okavango and JP’s Palace.
In the fillies and mares’ WSB Scarlet Lady, Ice Rain carries top weight but meets Rahhabba on 1.5kg better terms after a narrow defeat and can reverse the result. Ladyofdistinction should improve on firmer ground, while Miss Twinkle also enjoys a pull at the weights, though stable rider Serino Moodley’s choice of Ice Rain is notable.
The Scottsville straight often suits inexperienced runners, and both opening races feature large juvenile fields where betting will be key. De Gulden impressed when third on debut in the Cape and could be the one to beat, while Iceberg Rose, Sei Bella, and Liz Hurley are capable of improvement. In race two, Predator’s Crown and Bison Warrior bring strong form, while Tommy Greaney is expected to progress from a green debut.
Lilting Song looks a solid Place Accumulator option after consecutive runner-up finishes, with Lolly Willowes and improving Chooks Kiss among the dangers.
Quarter Master can open the Pick 6 despite a wide draw, while Good Omen is overdue a win and Taylor’s Version, with blinkers reapplied, can bounce back.
Over 2400m, Continentalexpress has strong course-and-distance form but faces serious threats from Royal Invitation and in-form Plum Pudding, while Son Of Raj adds class despite recent struggles.
Arverni Princess rates a chance in a competitive eighth, alongside last-start winner Jane’s Vision.
The meeting may conclude with City Of Love, who drops sharply in class and is well suited to course and distance, though Who Blinked and Military Command could challenge.
World’s best Ka Ying Rising goes for 19th consecutive win in...
April 5 Selangor Preview By Mark Lydeamore
Master Du Rouvray can pull off a performance
Punters face a competitive programme on the Hollywoodbets Greyville polytrack on Friday evening, where an early highlight could come in race 1 with Dean Kannemeyer’s Flying Fate. The daughter of Master Of My Fate showed greenness on debut but finished strongly and is expected to improve. Peace Rose, who has progressed with each run and was narrowly beaten last time, looks the main danger, while Siyabamelela and Vaan’s Spirit also hold claims from favourable circumstances.
Dream Decision can start the Place Accumulator after consistent runner-up finishes in open handicaps and now meets modest opposition. Can We Start may improve switching to the poly, while Cali Bullet has place prospects.
Master Du Rouvray is a strong contender in the first Pick 6 leg. Despite top weight, he is consistent and suited to course and distance. High Queue is ultra-reliable, while Sesame steps up after a solid win but must overcome a ratings rise.
Competitive handicaps follow. Magic Maverick looks well weighted with an apprentice allowance and top rider aboard, though Takeyourbestshot and Chasing Gold remain threats. National Dream, now fitted with blinkers, could surprise.
Race 5 is wide open. My Lucky Charm impressed on local debut and drops in class, while Ragnar The King could feature at odds and Deandre’s Dream returns to more suitable company.
In race 6, Thought Control makes her poly debut after a promising post-maiden effort and meets Spirit Of Shimla on better terms. Oklahoma Girl is improving, while lightweight Oh My Gucci Girl could attempt to dictate from a good draw.
Queen is well suited in race 7 over her preferred course and distance, with consistent Grue Of Ice, improving Time In Paris, and Rafeef’s Choice all in contention.
The meeting may conclude successfully for Catch A Penny, who brings solid Cape form and was narrowly beaten last start. Magical Sky, a dual course-and-distance winner, along with Summer Winter and Ruby Rising, complete the main chances.
Champions Day showdown at Turffontein

France Express Form & Race Previews (Lyon-Parilly) – Monday, April 13
RACE 1: CRAPONNE HANDICAP (TURF TRACK) – 2000M – TIME: 17:51 PRIZE MONEY: EUR13400
User Kindly A winner of three Claimer this year, the latest at Marseille-Borely over 2600m on 3 April. Can add another win to the tally. Amrita (FR) Very consistent and finished third in a Handicap at Compiegne over 2400m on 27 March. Should be right there at the finish yet again. Bosioh (FR) Did not show his best when seventh at this level at Le Croise-Laroche over 2400m on 4 April. Could prefer the PSF but can contest the finish. Interstella (GER) Not reliable and was fifth in this division at Marseille-Borely over 2600m on 3 April. Can make the frame.
RACE 2: CHAMP LIBRE CLAIMING STAKES (TURF TRACK) – 1600M – TIME: 18:23 PRIZE MONEY: EUR14400
Le Doc (FR) Has only been modest of late and finished seventh in a Condition at Marseille-Borely over 1800m on 18 March. Did a lot better last year and can bounce back to score. Le Landin (IRE) Did not show his best when seventh in a Claimer at Chantilly over 1300m on 27 February. Likely to do better this time and has claims. I Am Still Standing (FR) In good form and was runner-up in a Claimer at Marseille-Vivaux over 2000m on 22 March. Should fight out the finish. Zakiyyah Gold (FR) Finished fifth in a Claimer at Chantilly over 1400m on 30 March. Capable of improvement and could make the frame.
RACE 3: DESIR DE MAI MAIDEN STAKES (TURF TRACK) – 2000M – TIME: 18:55 PRIZE MONEY: EUR19200
Swift Magic (FR) A good third on debut in a Condition at Saint-Cloud over 2000m on 19 March. Big chance in this line-up. Alter Meister (GER) A 3YO colt by Japan out of Artemisia who is making his debut. His mother won a race in Germany and was placed in a Group 2. Well bred and could be a threat. Rigel Blue (FR) Has run well in both starts so far and was fourth in a Condition at Fontainebleau over 2200m on 28 February. Can contest the finish. Axiokersa Disappointing last run when sixth in a Condition at Bordeaux-Le Bouscat over 1800m on 10 March. Did better on debut and can make the frame.
RACE 4: H. ROSSI MAIDEN STAKES (TURF TRACK) – 2400M – TIME: 19:27 PRIZE MONEY: EUR19200
Ledesma A 3YO gelding by Almanzor out of Incendiere who is making his debut. His dam won once in 11 starts. Well bred and can score. Landolfo (GER) Returned from a break and was runner-up at Mulheim over 2000m on 22 March. Can go one better this time around. Sansuro (GER) Consistent and finished third in a Condition at Lyon-La Soie over 1800m on 21 March. Should fight out the finish once again. Monte Cupolino (SWI) Not disgraced when fifth in a Condition at this track over 2200m. Capable of contesting the finish once again.
RACE 5: MARCY L’ETOILE STAKES (TURF TRACK) – 1350M – TIME: 20:12 PRIZE MONEY: EUR13700
Unwavering Monarch (FR) Finished eighth in a Listed at Fontainebleau over 2000m on 22 November. A good winner on debut and could score on local debut. Thor Lightning (FR) Not disgraced when fifth in a Class 2 Condition at Chantilly over 1600m on 19 December. Should contest the finish. Alpha Wonder (IRE) Needed his comeback when fifth in a Class A Condition at this track over 1600m on 29 March. Fitter this time and has claims at scoring. Lavender Breeze (IRE) Needed her last run when sixth in a Class 1 Condition at La Teste- de-Buch over 1400m on 21 March. Fitter this time and could be competitive.
RACE 6: CHARBONNIERES HANDICAP (TURF TRACK) – 3150M – TIME: 20:47 PRIZE MONEY: EUR16300
Summer Way (FR) Successful in a Class 4 Handicap over this course and distance on 15 March. Carries a penalty but can double up. Mission Secrete (FR) Victorious in a Class 4 Handicap at Nancy over 3000m on 4 April. Much improved of late and could follow up. Glori Leader (FR) In good form and finished third in a Class 3 Handicap at Fontainebleau over 3000m on 31 March. Can be competitive once again. Embiez A winner of her last two starts, the latest in a Class 4 Condition over this course and distance on 7 October. Returns from a break but is not out of it if fit.
RACE 7: Y. PARENTI HANDICAP (TURF TRACK) – 2200M – TIME: 21:22 PRIZE MONEY: EUR19200
Terfaas Desert (USA) Has improved with each start and finished third in a Condition at Lyon-la Soie over 2400m on 2 March. Can score on Handicap debut. Paul De Tarse (IRE) Improving and was runner-up in a Handicap at Bordeaux-le Bouscat over 1800m on 27 March. Can go one better. Damabiah Angel (FR) Very consistent this year and was runner-up in a Claimer at Fontainebleau over 2000m on 31 March. Should contest the finish once again. The Fist (FR) In good form and was runner-up in a Handicap at Cagnes-Sur-Mer over 2200m on 18 February. Should be a threat to these rivals.
RACE 8: BELLERIVE HANDICAP (TURF TRACK) – 1600M – TIME: 21:57 PRIZE MONEY: EUR19200
Cape Cannon (FR) Kept to the PSF of late and finished seventh in a Class 3 Handicap at Chantilly over 1400m on 26 March. Probably better on the grass and has claims. Bois Regny (FR) Has some fair form and finished fifth in a Class 4 Condition at Marseille-Vivaux over 1500m on 22 March. Can contest the finish. Joury (FR) Consistent last year and finished third in a Handicap at Deauville over 1800m on 28 November. Returns from a break and could be a threat if fit enough. Nofix (IRE) Only modest of late and finished ninth in a Class 3 Handicap at Chantilly over 1800m on 8 March. Capable of doing better and could make the frame.































