Ryan Curatolo: From Tokyo to Selangor, the Global Jockey Keeps Charging
It’s Smashing to have Beer With The Boys
‘Bling’ to shine as Lerena leads way to seventh heaven
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
SLTC appoint Master Farrier Paul Summers
Take a chance on Gotta Go Eddie
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.
Season’s unbeaten star Ka Ying Rising claims Horse of the Year...
Award | Winner | Owner | Trainer |
---|---|---|---|
Horse of the Year | Ka Ying Rising | Ka Ying Syndicate | David Hayes |
Champion Jockey | Zac Purton | ||
Champion Four-Year-Old | Ka Ying Rising | Ka Ying Syndicate | David Hayes |
Champion Sprinter | Ka Ying Rising | Ka Ying Syndicate | David Hayes |
Champion Miler | Voyage Bubble | Sunshine And Moonlight Syndicate | Ricky Yiu |
Champion Middle-Distance Horse | Romantic Warrior | Peter Lau Pak Fai | Danny Shum |
Champion Stayer | Voyage Bubble | Sunshine And Moonlight Syndicate | Ricky Yiu |
Most Improved Horse | My Wish | Ada Che Xiao Hong, Suki Tang Xianfang & Ruby Hui Like Sea | Mark Newnham |
John Size claims 13th Hong Kong trainers’ championship with Sha Tin...
Churchillian to win the battle
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.
Sha Tin Track Spy: Sunday, 13 July
Guineas hero Notable Speech to add spice to July Cup

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
Super Salute and Filial Dragon Set for Perak Gold Vase Showdown
July 12 Selangor Preview By Mark Lydeamore
David Hayes hopes to keep alive trainers’ championship ambitions
Mercantour can pull off his hat-trick
Mxoli, Habib unmatched at Turffontein
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 RobinsonWishes And Dreams are on Splicethemainbrace
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