Punters have many unwritten rules, and two of them are: do not back horses returning from a break, and do not back two-year-olds in handicaps at this time of the year. This time, however, we are going to ignore both rules. Johan Janse van Vuuren is a smart trainer and when he enters a runner in a handicap, we have to take notice. Time Is Precious can win Race 9, a MR 66 Handicap over 1000m on the Vaal Classic track on Thursday. This two-year-old gelding has had just two starts. The Querari gelding was third on debut behind Status Symbol over 800m on 7 December. He improved on that when beating Buffalo King Cody by 0.40 lengths on 29 January. That was a game victory for jockey Keagan de Melo, who retains the ride. Interestingly, Time Is Precious lacked betting support that day, so the win was full of merit. Trainer Sean Tarry has a decent hand in Race 8, a Graduation Plate over 1000m, with Banff and Rondebosch. Rondebosch is weighted to win the race and does have log-leading jockey Craig Zackey in the irons, but this four-year-old gelding has flattered to deceive on many occasions. One cannot write him off, but the value might lie with Banff. This four-year-old gelding has only had five starts and has won two of them. Banff returned from a four-month lay-off and a gelding operation to win at Turffontein over 1160m on 15 June, beating an in-form Black Egret by 1.20 lengths. He was full of running that day and may have many more wins in his tank Trainer Mike Azzie must be scratching his head in frustration as his four-year-old filly Winds Of Change continues to find one better on the day and has finished runner-up in her last three performances She can win Race 7, an Apprentice Handicap for fillies and mares over 1450m. Clive Robinson

The Non Black-Type Easter Sprint over 1100m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Wednesday pits progressive three-year-olds against seasoned older sprinters in an intriguing contest.

Teflon Man looks the one to beat. The four-year-old has held his own during the Cape Summer Festival features and now drops into a more suitable assignment. Trained by Dean Kannemeyer and ridden by Craig Zackey, he finished a solid fourth in the Grade 2 Cape Merchants before chasing home promising sprinter All The Rage. His latest seventh in the Diadem Stakes reads better than it looks given the dominance of winner Questioning, and this race appears a realistic target.

Promising youngster North Point is capable of bouncing back after a below-par Durbanville effort and is favourably weighted to reverse recent form. Kaiboy, lightly raced but talented, could represent value for the places in a competitive field.

Earlier on the card, Sparkling Star sets the standard in race one after a strong debut second and should prove hard to beat for the in-form Candice Bass yard.

Race two may finally see one of the consistent fillies score, with Swift Serenity narrowly preferred to Iona Castle over 1000m.

Sommerstern drops back to a preferred 1400m in race three and has strong winning claims, while Pentolina looks competitive in race four following several encouraging near misses.

William’s Woman should be in the mix in race five despite strong opposition from Final Call. Race six is open, but recent winner Country Time could follow up.

In race eight, Whirlwind gets a chance to make amends after a narrow defeat and can return to winning ways over 1100m.

Vaughan Marshall has made no secret of what he thinks of his easy debut winner Rich Man’s World. The colt is headed for much better things to come and he rates as the best bet of the day at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Monday in Race 4, a 1000m Juvenile Plate. Rich Man’s World has one of the best pedigrees around being by the great One World whose champion son One Stripe from crop one has been impressive on the world stage. Rich Man’s World came in for support on debut, and the big strapping two-year-old colt made it look easy galloping away easily over 1000m. He should relish going further as he is also out of a mare by Silvano and the upcoming 1200m Grade 1 Gold Medallion at Hollywoodbets Scottsville must be his target. Whatever the case, he is a horse that can be followed until beaten. While Bonny Boy was beaten 8.20-lengths by the Marshall budding star, he could nevertheless be the one for the exacta. He had an issue with the bit in that debut run and is also now 3kg better off so could get to within a reasonable distance this time. Margate (Race 2) could be the other juvenile to follow on the day. The Candice Bass trained filly is from the family of Beach Bomb, a Grade 1 winner locally who has also done well at a high level overseas. Margate caught the eye with a good finish (5th) on debut despite the 1000m trip being too short considering her pedigree. Like Rich Man’s World she meets a field low on experience and the extra 200m could see her get away. All of Volegov (Race 1), Blue Lagoon (Race 5) and Celtic Chief (Race 7) look to be well placed by trainer Andre Nel. Volegov’s last run is best ignored as he had the worst draw. Earlier he wasn’t far off Foudre and Give It Laldy who have won again since and not only is Volegov the best horse on merit ratings but he has drawn well too. Blue Lagoon is also top of the lot on official ratings in her heat. She was ready to win after finishing runner-up in her last two starts but was given a break. At first glance it seems that she will have to concede fitness to her main rival but it turns out that improving Liefling who has a decent Highveld performance to her name is back from a slightly longer break. Celtic Chief could be the one that is easiest to back as his Class 4 1000m handicap appears wide open. The Vercingetorix gelding has been carrying big weights in his last four starts, but is finally given some reprieve and carries one of the lowest this time. He also caught the eye over the distance in his penultimate start and was not disgraced in his second run after a rest, tiring late into third. Both form lines have been franked. Third time out he should fighting fit for the win. Clive Robinson

The RM300,000 Group 1 Equine Sanctuary Tunku Gold Cup (1200m) has drawn a quality field of 16 runners at Selangor Turf Club this Sunday, with several genuine contenders in what shapes as a wide-open premier sprint. Under set-weight conditions, the higher-rated runners are expected to hold a slight advantage on paper, and PLATINUM EMPEROR, ANTIPODEAN, and PACIFIC VAMPIRE headline that group. The trio bring closely matched form into the race, highlighted by ANTIPODEAN finishing fourth, three lengths behind PACIFIC VAMPIRE, when they last met. While there is only a 0.5kg weight swing in ANTIPODEAN’s favour, the anticipated strong tempo from a large field should suit his running style and give him every chance to turn the tables—particularly with PACIFIC VAMPIRE profiling as a one-dimensional leader. PLATINUM EMPEROR, meanwhile, overcame a wide draw to edge out PACIFIC VAMPIRE by a head at their most recent clash, and with his explosive turn of foot and outstanding record of five wins and three placings from 12 starts over 1200m, he looks a major player again. An eight-time winner from 19 starts, YES MAN has been dominant in recent outings, leading throughout in four of his past five starts for a combined winning margin of 13.5 lengths. His strong first-up record (two wins from three attempts) suggests he will perform well fresh off an 85-day break. However, this marks his Group 1 debut, and he faces a significant rise in class against proven top-level performers. Since capturing the Group 1 Perak Gold Vase last July, FILIAL DRAGON has been below his best and was hampered by a bleeding episode two runs ago. He returned with a respectable sixth in the Charity On The Turf Trophy over 1300m 35 days ago and is expected to strip fitter second-up. FORTUNE TREE has been remarkably consistent, missing the placings just twice from nine local starts, including four wins. After a solid fifth in the Group 1 Coronation Cup four starts ago, he bounced back with a win in easier company and was last seen finishing runner-up over a mile in January. He has trialled well since and, with just 53kg, looks capable of making an impact fresh. Although still chasing his first Malaysian win, former Singapore galloper CAVALRY has been ultra-consistent, placing in five of six starts. He finished a solid third behind YES MAN last time and had excuses after returning a bleeding attack. While 1200m may be short of his optimal distance, he should be finishing strongly if the pace is genuine. FRIGHT and AI ROCKET emerge as lightweight hopes after finishing first and second respectively at their last meeting, where FRIGHT made all to win by three lengths over 1300m. However, leader-favouring conditions that day may have exaggerated the margin, and the gap between them could be narrower than it appeared. One of the standout four-year-olds last season, DUMA brings strong form against quality opposition. He finished a close second to ANTIPODEAN two starts back and appears well weighted to challenge him again. After a four-month break, he returned with an impressive Class 3 victory 39 days ago and, with further improvement likely, commands respect despite the rise in class. The only three-year-old in this week’s lineup, MEGA ACE is sure to attract attention with an impressive record of four wins from six starts. However, he profiles as a catch-me-if-you-can type, and the final 200m may prove testing.

Girl power could hold the key to punters’ wallets when the Race Coast caravan rolls into Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday 29 March for a competitive nine-race programme split between four turf races and five Polytrack contests. The card presents several attractive betting angles, most notably the prospect of doubles for trainer Wendy Whitehead and jockey Rachel Venniker, while a pair of out-of-town raiders also look poised to make their presence felt. Venniker could get punters off to a flyer aboard Lady Godiva in the opening juvenile contest over 1200m. The rider knows the filly inside out, having partnered her in all three career outings, including a deserved maiden breakthrough at Hollywoodbets Scottsville over 1100m last time. The improving daughter of Captain Of All landed a tidy betting coup when backed from 8-1 into 7-2 on that occasion, suggesting connections have always held her in high regard. With natural progression expected and the extra 100m likely to suit, she looks capable of following up. Few trainers stretch a modest budget as effectively as Whitehead, whose knack for sourcing value purchases regularly allows her to punch above her weight in KwaZulu-Natal racing. Her Skipper O’Malley could be reward for consistency in Race 2 over 1900m. This daughter of Fire Away has been knocking on the door and may finally shed her maiden tag, even against male opposition, with Kabelo Matsunyane retaining he ride. Whitehead and Venniker team up in Race 6 over 1400m with the progressive Buttercup Baby, a lightly raced What A Winter filly at the peak of her powers. She produced a career best effort when making all over 1200m last time, blasting across from the widest gate before finding extra under pressure to repel the closers – a gutsy display that earned a five-point ratings hike. Sunday’s step up to 1400m presents a fresh challenge, and rivals Back At The George and Sovereign Grant enjoy favourable weight adjustments, but Buttercup Baby’s progressive profile and improved No 2 draw this time round could prove decisive. In keeping with the theme of the afternoon, World Of Our Own is another last-start scorer capable of defying a penalty. The runner from the yard of Alyson Wright scored stylishly over 1600m on the Polytrack five weeks ago under Keagan de Melo. The son of One World only rises four points in the ratings and, on the evidence of that display, looks more than capable of keeping his winning momentum intact. Elsewhere on the card, leading Highveld conditioner Sean Tarry rarely sends runners south without purpose and his Sakura Hanami makes plenty of appeal in Race 3 over 1200m. Meanwhile Mauritian apprentice Anaas Mosaheb could break his duck on South African soil in the closing race over 1200m aboard One Irish Rover from the yard of MJ Odendaal. If the script unfolds as expected, Sunday’s Greyville meeting may well belong to the ladies — and the punters savvy enough to follow them. Clive Robinson

Saturday’s nine-race Standside meeting at Turffontein offers punters a card loaded with betting angles, not least a trio of last-start winners ideally placed to follow up. Two hail from the powerful Sean Tarry stable, whose exciting juveniles Within Reach and Prayersandpromises make for a potential early double after encouraging recent maiden victories. Within Reach made an eye-catching introduction when scoring over 1450m on the Inside track a little over a fortnight ago. Despite losing ground at the start, she travelled like a filly with above-average ability under Keagan de Melo before asserting late, suggesting there was more in reserve than the margin indicated. The move to the Standside course with its testing 600m run-in should play further to her strengths in Race 1 over 1400m, and the daughter of Malmoos sets a solid standard. Familiar rivals Moana and Doesyourmotherknow, second and third behind her that day, meet the winner on 3kg better terms, tightening the equation. That weight swing makes the trio tricky to split entirely, so Exacta and Trifecta players would do well to keep the trio firmly in the mix. Stablemate Prayersandpromises goes in Race 2, also over 1400m, and this son of Gimmethegreenlight looks another with a clear upside. He was well supported on debut and ran with promise despite greenness probably costing him a first-up score. With that experience under his belt, he improved markedly second time out when only getting the hang of things late over 1160m, while still looking far from the finished article under Ryan Munger. On that evidence, the step up to 1400m looks tailor-made for Tarry’s charge whose progress it should pay to follow. Later on the card, another progressive type likely to extend a winning sequence is Precocious, a Tony Peter-trained three-year-old filly who has thrived since relocating to the Highveld late last year. The daughter of Ideal World has been a revelation for her new stable, rattling off four wins from four starts. Promising apprentice Blaine Marx-Jacobson has partnered her to three of those victories and retains the ride aboard the filly in Race 8 over this sharp 1000m. Her latest success, an emphatic course-and-distance win off a career-high mark, suggested she still has more to offer. With Tarry’s progressive juveniles setting the tone early and Peter’s flying filly primed to strike late, Saturday’s Turffontein programme presents punters with a meeting where stable momentum and progressive form could prove decisive, and where backing the right last-start winners might once again be the key to unlocking the card. Clive Robinson

Unbeaten three-year-old SALON S looks primed to keep his perfect record intact this Sunday when he returns to Sha Tin in the Class 3 Handicap over 1400m. Three from three to date, SALON S won his first two starts in Restricted Class 4 company in dominant fashion before stepping up in grade and producing an even more impressive performance last start. Despite facing a strong field on his Class 3 debut, the son of Zousain jumped well to lead from a slightly awkward draw and put the race beyond doubt near the 200m, drawing clear to score by two lengths over this course and distance. He has since recorded a strong trial win and looks hard to oppose remaining in Class 3 this week, despite carrying top weight. The main danger may be LUCKY SAM GOR, who should relish a return to Class 3, where he is a two-time winner, after being outclassed in the Hong Kong Classic Cup. Highly promising sprinter BULB GENERAL looks poised to pick up where he left off when he returns to Sha Tin this Sunday in the Class 2 Handicap over 1200m. The Jamie Richards-trained gelding heads into his comeback on the back of a three-race winning streak, last seen delivering an emphatic victory against a strong Class 3 field in October. Despite an awkward draw on that occasion, he settled patiently off the pace before unleashing his trademark turn of foot from the 400m, surging past his rivals to score comfortably by 2.75 lengths over this trip. Resuming from an injury-enforced break, BULB GENERAL has been solidly prepared with two trials and appears well weighted to continue his winning run, even stepping up in grade. That said, ultra-consistent PATCH OF STARS looms as a serious danger. With a favourable draw and proven reliability, he could capitalise if BULB GENERAL shows any lingering effects from his layoff.

Japan’s dirt titan Forever Young will break from stall 6 under Ryusei Sakai in a field of nine for Saturday’s $12m Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates. Trainer Yoshito Yahagi drew the gate number during the post-position ceremony at Meydan racecourse on Wednesday morning, as he prepares Forever Young for his bid to improve on lasty year’s third-placed effort. Defending champion Hit Show is drawn alongside Forever Young in gate 5, while Magnitude and Walk Of Stars, two of the potential pace angles in the race Quotes from the connections in draw order: 1 Magnitude Scott Blasi, assistant trainer: “It’s a short field and I think [gate] 1 of 9, with our pace, gives us a lot of options. I thionk he likes to be forwardly placed and we’ve won a lot of big races from the one hole.” 2 Meydaan Simon Crisford, joint-trainer: “I think we would have preferred to be a little bit further out. But we don’t really want him to get shuffled back. The pace will be more intense in this race than on Super Saturday. But happy enough. ” 3 Walk Of Stars Bhupat Seemar, trainer: “It’s a pertfect draw. He’s got a lot of speed and from stall three he can dominate and display his natural speed.” 4 Heart Of Honor Jamie Osborne, trainer: “Walk Of Stars is inside us; he’ll go fast, we won’t! I was thinking beforehand I’d like to be a bit wider but on balanace I think it’s okay. I wouldn’t want to be one or two, trapped down the rail. But we might well end up on the rail because of the pace inside us.” 5 Hit Show Florent Geroux, jockey: “It doesn’t matter for him really.” 6 Forever Young Yoshito Yahagi, trainer: “I wanted middle to outer, so I’m pleased.” 7 Imperial Emperor Bhupat Seemar, trainer: “It’s perfect in seven. Forever Young is on the inside of him and he is going to be the favourite. He’s the right horse to follow. Tadhg can just jump and follow him, hopefully all the way to the line, and hopefully we can be a head or a length in front.” 8 Tap Leader Doug Watson, trainer: “We wanted to be on the outside. A couple of times he got in the middle of it and we had to check him a couple of times in his last race. Form stall eight he should be able to keep his momentum up for the entire race.” 9 Tumbarumba Hamad Al Jehani, trainer: “Very happy. It’s not a big field with only nine horses. Stall 9 gives us options, we can choose the best place for our horse during the race. Hopefully it will be useful.” The draw for the other four Group 1s on the $30.5m card also took place on Wednesday morning. The 2025 World’s Best Racehorse Calandagan will break from stall 2 in the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic, though post position is unlikely to play a major role in a field of six. Dual Group 1-winner Ombudsman drew gate 7 in the $5m Dubai Turf sponsored by DP World, while 2024 winner Facteur Cheval is next door in stall 6. Breeders’ Cup Sprint hero Bentornato drew well in gate 2 for the $2m Dubai Golden Shaheen sponsored by Nakheel, while Lazzat is housed in stall 7 – two away from his Riyadh conqueror Reef Runner in 5 – for the $2m Al Quoz Sprint sponsored by Azizi Developments.

Seven-year-old TANGESH is attracting the title of perennial bridesmaid at the moment after finishing runner up at his past five outings but is a chance of breaking through in the 1275m Rebound Stakes (Race 1). A two-time winner at the track/distance, he is a fast   beginner who will take catching if he finds the front in the opening race at Selangor Turf Club on Saturday. Another fast beginner is BIG MAX, a beaten favourite in his past two starts and like TANGESH, will be looking to break the twelve-month winning drought. The Simon Dunderdale stable, fresh from the G1 Perak Derby victory with Guru fight last week, will be represented with several chances over the two days of racing and FRIEND OF HONOR can deliver on the downgrade in the 1275m Class 5A (Race 2). The five-year-old performed well finishing 2nd on two occasions from three runs at Class 4 level since breaking the maiden tag on January 24. SUMMER WIND is a proven performer in this grade but has not won since January last year. The nine-year-old is a fast beginner and is drawn to figure prominently. PRINCE LONHRO is a recent winner and appears well weighted. The Banker’s Stable are currently the leading owners this season with 19 winners and will be well represented with a couple of genuine chances in the 1020m Class 4B (Race 5). Four-year-old mare BANKER’S BABY is working up to a win following four runs in the country and her last start 3rd behind the inform Cheval Pegasus suggests the hoof is on the till. Stable mate BANKER’S RISING defeated subsequent winner Yes Boss Yes in a Restricted Maiden on February 28 and will be looking to maintain that unbeaten local record. The three-year-old has since won a trial by 12 lengths last Tuesday week and will be one of the popular elects come race time. It took IRONSTORM twenty starts to finally break through which he did in a Class 5 contest on February 8 prior to buttering up on the upgrade over the 1020m a month later. He remains in the same grade and is a chance to chalk up the hat trick. Four-year-old galloper NAVARRE will be looking to bounce back for the Dunderdale camp in the 1300m Max Two Stakes (Race 9). Scoring by 4.75L on his local debut, the former Australian was far from disgraced finishing runner up in this class three weeks ago and is likely to take up a forward roll in Saturday’s contest. TO REMEMBER delivered a neck victory on his Malaysian debut however, he goes up 4.5kg from the win and will have to overcome the wide gate. He looks a speedy type also capable of going back-to-back. BANKER’S SECRET has performed well against the high graders since a Class 4 win back in January and will appreciate the class drop. The 1400m iRace Trophy (Race 10) has attracted some quality Class 3 gallopers with in-form mare BANKER’S BEATIFUL heading the weights. The four-year-old sprinted well to chalk up her third win from seven starts in the country and apprentice G Farhan has been aboard the mare in those three wins from five rides. IRISH GOODBYE appears to be the distance specialist with three wins from three starts over 1400m and will be looking to improve on recent outings against the higher graded opposition. The Brazilian bred has won four from eight locally and will appreciate the drop in journey. KIM POWER has finished runner up at his past two starts behind Tunku Gold Cup aspirants Pacific Energy and Duma respectively, reeling off fast closing sectionals each time. The five-year-old could provide the value at good odds. GRAPHETJET EXPRESS has never missed a place in three runs when produced second up and looks a chance at good odds for trainer HY Cheng and visiting Australian jockey Liam Riordan.

2026 CHAMPIONS DAY BARRIER DRAW  Courtesy of 4 Racing Johannesburg, South Africa — 4Racing channelled the spirit of Power, Grace and Speed at a barrier draw event for Day 3 of The Championships at its Centenary Room on Monday, 23 March. The barrier draws were conducted for the HKJC Premier’s Champions Challenge, TAB Empress Club Stakes and TAB Computaform Sprint. R1 million TAB Computaform Sprint The event kicked off with the draw for the Computaform Sprint and saw defending champion, William Robertson, represented by Xander Spies, draw stall gate 10. Naqeeb Munshi did the honours for Dean Smith’s East Cape challenger, Kingdundee and drew 4. Neil Walters stood in for Gareth van Zyl and pulled gate 6 for KZN entry, Luhamba Phambili. Candice and Tammy Dawson charge Truth drew gate 13. Last Saturday’s Pinnacle Stakes winner Buffalo Storm Cody drew 8 for the Tony Peter stable. R1 million TAB Empress Club Stakes Cape representative Rainbow Lorikeet from the Candice Bass stable drew 2, Craig Zackey did the honours for Justin Snaith’s Double Grand Slam and drew gate 8, while the Eastern Cape’s Golden Palm got an 11 draw, courtesy of Naqeeb Munshi. R2 million HKJC World Pool Premier’s Champions Challenge There are currently 13 entries for the HKJC World Pool Premier’s Champions Challenge and Justin Snaith charge Okavango secured pole position, while his WSB Met winning stable companion See It Again drew gate 6. Tony Peter’s enigmatic Betway Victory Moon Stakes winner The Ultimate King drew stall gate 5, while Sean Tarry’s HKJC World Pool SA Classic winner Grand Empire drew 8. The field includes two former Betway Summer Cup winners in Atticus Finch (Alec Laird) who drew 12 and Royal Victory (now in the care of Weichong Marwing) who drew gate 11. Gerald Sadlier drew 4 for 2025 Betway Summer Cup runner up, Olivia’s Way.

Champion Season begins to take shape as out-of-province raiders arrive for Friday evening’s meeting at Hollywoodbets Greyville, highlighted by the Grade 3 Byerley Turk and Grade 3 Umzimkhulu Stakes, both over 1400m for three-year-olds.

The Byerley Turk may fall to local hope Wild Justice. The Gareth van Zyl-trained colt made an immediate impact, winning three of his first four starts before a narrow defeat in a Turffontein feature last month. He tries 1400m for the first time but has the advantage of race fitness over several rivals returning from breaks. I’m A Fireball rates a danger after a recent win over the trip, while Dean Kannemeyer’s Green Gateway arrives off a victory but returns from a layoff. Fortress Of Fire is consistent and could improve over the extra distance, while Gold Medallion winner Good For You must concede weight.

The Umzimkhulu Stakes brings together a classy fillies’ field. Justin Snaith’s progressive Gimme What I Want meets Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas winner Quickstepgal again after narrowly defeating her in the Sceptre Stakes and finishing a strong fourth in the Majorca Stakes. Quickstepgal should appreciate the extra distance, while Kannemeyer’s Keukenhof is now better treated at the weights after solid Cape feature form. Infinity Edge is a lightly raced runner capable of surprising.

Earlier, Lady Nancy looks a strong chance in the opener despite a wide draw, while Viking Leader can improve enough to win a competitive maiden. Higher Love appeals in the first Pick 6 leg on the poly, and Sail The Horizon and Light The Fire renew rivalry in race four with little between them.

Acasia’s Blossom, narrowly beaten at her last three starts, is the obvious pick in race five, while Blue Poppy looks progressive enough to land the closing handicap despite a wide gate.

Saturday’s autumn features at Rosehill and Flemington have a little bit of everything emerging fillies on the rise, proven international staying quality and a weight-for-age contest that looks deep enough to shape the next phase of the carnival. The Vinery Stud Stakes is one of those races that often tells you plenty about the staying fillies, and this year’s edition looks a particularly interesting clash of New Zealand depth and local opportunity. Ohope Wins brings the most obvious staying profile into the race after reeling off wins in the Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes, the Lowland Stakes and then the New Zealand Oaks over 2400 metres. That sequence alone gives her a strong edge on exposed stamina, and the move back to 2000 metres does not look a negative given she also owns a win at the trip. With Chris Waller training and James McDonald aboard, she has the profile of a filly arriving at exactly the right time. She is not the only filly to bring strong form across the Tasman. Belle Cheval has done little wrong in a short career, winning three of six starts and most recently finishing second in the Kiwi after earlier victories in the Almanzor Trophy and Uncle Remus Stakes. She has not yet raced beyond 1500 metres, so the trip is the obvious question, but her overall record suggests she deserves her place among the main hopes. Then there is Salty Pearl, who gives the race an important local formline. Her VOBIS Guineas win and consistent Melbourne form mean she comes into the Vinery with race fitness and a platform that should keep her competitive if she handles the rise to Group 1 level. She may not yet have the same staying résumé as Ohope Wins, but she looks one of those fillies capable of improving again in the right race. If the Vinery is about potential and progression, the Tancred Stakes is about proven staying quality. It is hard to look past Dubai Honour as the class runner. William Haggas’s globetrotter returns to Rosehill with an imposing record, more than $9.6 million in prizemoney, two wins from two starts at the track and a previous victory in this race already on the page. He has won at 2400 metres, placed multiple times at the distance and, more importantly, has repeatedly shown he can absorb the pressure of elite staying races against top opposition. On exposed form, he is the benchmark. That said, this is not a race that ends with him. Vauban has added real depth to the field and looks to have returned in strong order. His record shows wins at 2400 metres and beyond, including over extended staying trips, and his recent Sky High Stakes victory suggests he is ready to make his presence felt the former Melbourne Cup fancy. He brings a different profile to Dubai Honour perhaps not the same international polish at the very top level, but certainly enough staying strength to make him a genuine threat. Soul Of Spain also commands respect after chasing Vauban home in the Sky High. He has already proven himself around staying trips, including a placing in the Metropolitan, and his recent Rosehill run suggested he is close to producing another major performance. Aeliana, the lone runner in the field with 56.5kg, adds further intrigue. She comes into the Tancred with a high rating and excellent recent form, and while she is taking on older, seasoned stayers, she does not look out of place. Down in Melbourne, the Australian Cup looks one of the most fascinating races of the afternoon because there are multiple winning chances and more than one possible shape to the race. Tom Kitten heads the market on profile after his All-Star Mile win and comes into the Cup with eight wins from 31 starts, more than $7.5 million in prizemoney and a Group 1 placing at 2000 metres already on his record. He has been around the best horses for a long time, but there is a sense this preparation could be the one where he fully stamps himself as a genuine weight-for-age force at the trip. Birdman is another who demands serious respect. He comes in off back-to-back wins, including the Peter Young Stakes, and his form at 2000 metres has become increasingly hard to knock. He might not yet carry the same star power as Tom Kitten, but he is in form, well placed and clearly thriving. Apulia also looks ready to run a big race after finishing second in the Peter Young, and from a low draw he should get every chance to make his presence felt. And then there is Pride Of Jenni, who ensures the race will not lack theatre. Few horses in Australia are more effective when allowed to roll, and her best form has come when she takes control and forces others out of their comfort zone. Her overall record, her Group 1 victories and her ability to stretch a field make her impossible to dismiss, even in a race where there are several strong closers waiting to pounce if the tempo becomes too aggressive. Taken together, the three races offer a strong snapshot of the carnival at this point in the season. The Vinery brings upwardly mobile fillies trying to turn promise into Group 1 status and onto Oaks status. The Tancred revolves around hard-earned staying quality and the return of an international star with unfinished Australian business. The Australian Cup, meanwhile, looks a race where class, tempo and grit will produce a top theatre finish. By Scott Bailey  

The Highveld’s weekday Vaal meeting on Thursday 26 March could turn into a jockeys’ benefit meeting, with four riders – Calvin Habib, Craig Zackey, Keagan de Melo and Muzi Yeni – holding particularly strong books across the eight-race card on the Classic track. Punters could do worse than keep the quartet onside. On paper at least, each looks capable of leaving Vereeniging with a brace. Habib may get the ball rolling in the opener over 1000m aboard Midnight Show, trained by Alec Laird. The two-year-old son of Declarationofpeace shaped with promise when finishing third on debut on the Turffontein Standside track over the same trip. With that experience under the belt and facing largely unraced opposition again, natural improvement should make him tough to contain. Keagan de Melo takes over the narrative in Race 2 where Lanzarote, from the yard of Johan Janse van Vuuren, drops back into maiden company after acquitting herself admirably against winners in Listed company over 1000m last time. Back against her own generation over the same distance, she brings the best form into the race and looks primed to capitalise. Race 3 presents a similar opportunity for Sean Tarry and The Reason, a daughter of Skit Skizzle who has been knocking firmly at the door. She won’t need to find much improvement to shed her maiden tag over 1450m and appeals as one of the more solid bets on the programme. Stablemate Night Skizzle, from the Brett Warren camp, could clinch Race 4. Her debut third was full of encouragement and she should be considerably sharper for the outing. With normal progression expected over the same 1450m trip, she rates a lively chance to open her account. The middle of the card could belong to Muzi Yeni, who looks poised for a race-to-race double courtesy of Military Moves in Race 5 and Scarlett Heart in Race 6. The latter, in particular, stands out as one of the day’s most attractive betting propositions. Her last-start third came in a three-year-old fillies’ Grade 1 over 1800m – a serious piece of form in this context. She reappears over the same trip here and, despite racing off a 17-point higher mark and conceding weight all round, the significant drop in class should still make her extremely hard to beat. Habib and Laird may then complete a neat stable-rider double in Race 7 with Dark Silver. The son of Heavenly Blue caught the eye when finishing strongly from well back for third over 1600m on his return from a break. That run had the look of a pipe-opener and the step up to 1800m off an unchanged rating should play directly to his strengths. The finale could fall to Craig Zackey aboard Falconfly, trained by Lucky Houdalakis. The lightly raced filly impressed when scoring over this same 1800m trip last time and returns to identical conditions carrying a seven-point penalty. That rise may not be enough to halt her momentum if she continues on the same upward trajectory. Clive Robinson

Small fields dominate Wednesday’s meeting at Hollywoodbets Durbanville as the summer-autumn season winds down, but competitive racing is still expected.

Signor Dante could offer value in race 7 over 1600m. His recent form reads well, most notably finishing 4,6 lengths behind Note To Self, who later ran second in the Grade 1 Cape Derby. That effort looks stronger in hindsight, and Signor Dante has previously beaten Note To Self when fresh at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. With Luyolo Mxothwa aboard for James Crawford, the combination looks well placed to strike.

Prairie Dawn shapes as the main danger after a maiden win over course and distance followed by a solid second to In A Timely Manner. The lightly raced runner has scope for improvement but faces tougher, more seasoned rivals. Stablemate Show Off is another contender, having been unlucky when second to Boogiefied two runs back before disappointing as favourite last time. Gareth Wright retains the ride and improvement is expected.

Earlier on the card, Snowbird should improve sharply in race 1 after an encouraging debut when doing too much early. Future Red also appeals in race 2 stepping up to 1400m after a promising first outing, though Hazel Green, Theleia and Little Nimbus have claims.

District Master seeks to follow up an impressive post-maiden victory in race 3 despite a wide draw, while Beautiful Side may edge a modest race 4 aided by a useful weight allowance.

Tothemoonandback looks one of the stronger chances on the programme in race 5 after a dominant staying win last time and arrives in peak form. Given To Fly rates a leading contender in a competitive race 6 after consistent recent efforts.

It is a very difficult card for the Vaal on Tuesday but there are a few runners that could be worth looking at. Trainer Sean Tarry has a decent hand in Race 6, a MR 85 Handicap over 1500m. Turbo Power is not reliable but is always capable of scoring, and the young and improving Golden Operator also makes some appeal. The Twice Over gelding has raced 25 times for four wins, with numerous minor places. His last win was at Hollywoodbets Greyville over 1200m on 24 May. The six-year-old did show improvement last time out when ridden by Ryan Munger and he retains the ride. Stable companion Holden Operator has the one victory to show for his five starts. He is rarely far off at the finish and blinkers have been fitted for the first time. His jockey, Craig Zackey, knows him well and was aboard him when he won. Play With Fire is clearly not an easy ride and is unreliable, but jockey S’manga Khumalo knows her well and they should contest the finish in Race 7, a FM 78 Handicap over 1600m. It is worth noting that Khumalo was aboard her when she last won and that was at Turffontein nearly a year ago. It does look an open race, so an each-way bet may be the way to go with her. The last race, a MR 66 Handicap over 1200m, is extremely open but it is Taking A Risk that catches the eye. This three-year-old filly is fit and she has improved in her last two starts. Clive Robinson

Mark Newnham could scarcely have hoped for a better lead-in to the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) and was in buoyant mood after Invincible Ibis was handed the plum draw at Thursday’s (19 March) barrier draw. Fresh from a career-best quintet at Happy Valley in the penultimate meeting ahead of Sunday’s (22 March) blue-riband contest, the Australian handler’s charge gained a significant edge in drawing gate three. Newnham, who came within a short head of BMW Hong Kong Derby success at the first attempt last year with the mercurial My Wish, was asked if Invincible Ibis, to be ridden by Hugh Bowman, now has a good chance of providing him with a first Derby win. “He certainly does,” Newnham said. “The draw’s going to help him enormously. It just means that Hugh’s got options to put him where he wants to be, not where he’s dictated to by the barrier. With gate three, he can determine that on the pace of the race.” A four-time winner this season, Invincible Ibis was slightly disappointing when he ran sixth in the first leg of the Classic Series, the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m), after going off as the 3.2 favourite, the first time he’d finished outside the frame in his nine-race career. However, he bounced back with a terrific run in the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m), dashing home late along the rail to finish second, a length behind deserved winner Stormy Grove, who was drawn in gate seven for Sunday’s race. “We’ve had a good look at that race,” Newnham said. “It’s a lot different going around the two bends. From the 1800-metre start, they go on a long straight line for a bit. But with the short run to the first turn here, there’s pressure on horses that are drawn wide and getting trapped wide into the first corner. From the good draw, he’s going to find a nice position without having to push forward or drag back. “The way he finished off on the 1800m (in the Hong Kong Classic Cup), he does look like he’ll run the trip. We can only prepare him as well as we can, and he’s going there in good order.” Reuniting with the Tony Cruz-trained Beauty Bolt, and filling James McDonald’s boots on the Kwok family-owned galloper, Brenton Avdulla was optimistic about the Night Of Thunder gelding’s chances. “I’m looking forward to getting on him,” Avdulla said. “He’s so far been racing really consistently, and from his debut run, I always thought he’d be a horse that measures up in the Four-Year-Old (Classic) Series. So it’s nice to get on him for the Derby.” Despite not yielding a win since the 2002 edition, when Olympic Express triumphed, Avdulla was upbeat about his prospects of tailing the presumed pace horse, Numbers, from gate 11. “I’ve not had a good look at the field yet,” Avdulla said, “but my immediate reaction would be: Numbers is actually pretty well drawn from 13, and he might be able to get along in his own pace. So, whether we follow him across or ride by him, I’m not sure – I’d have to ask Tony and the connections. But it’s a race that I don’t think has a lot of pace in it, with a lot of horses that want to be just behind the pace. “The main thing with my horse is to relax and help him run the trip. I think if he does that, he can run good.” One handler who cut a less confident figure was David Eustace, whose two runners, Dazzling Fit and Seraph Gabriel, were handed difficult assignments from gates 14 and 12, respectively. “Obviously, it’s frustrating. But we can’t control it,” Eustace said. “We’ll just have to make a plan as to how we ride them. “I think they’re probably horses that would have had place chances before the draw, and it makes it harder. But not impossible.” The remainder of the field features Little Paradise (drawn in gate 10), Sagacious Life (2), Patch Of Cosmo (6), Emblazon (8), Top Dragon (1), Regal Gem (4), Juneau Pride (5) and Pope Cody (9). Sunday’s (22 March) 10-race fixture at Sha Tin starts at 1pm with the Class 4 Luger Handicap (1600m). The 149th BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) jumps at 4.05pm.