Leading Highveld trainer Sean Tarry has made a subdued start to the 2025/26 season, saddling just four winners from 48 runners since 1 August. But with Gauteng’s feature season and Cape Town’s Summer Festival of Racing looming, a turnaround may be imminent for a yard that delivered three Grade 1 victories last season with Legend Of Arthur, Mia Moo and Cosmic Speed.
Saturday’s nine-race card at Turffontein Inside, featuring the Grade 2 Betway Spring Challenge double-header, could provide the springboard. Tarry’s powerful hand in both 1450m contests suggests a strong chance of success.
Star attraction Lucky Lad spearheads his challenge in the Spring Challenge (Race 7). A dual Grade 1 winner at two and three, the son of Gimmethegreenlight endured a winless six-race campaign last season but held his own in top company. Absent for six months, he returned with a pleasing third in a 1200m Vaal sprint and should strip fitter this time. Significantly, Richard Fourie, aboard for all seven of Lucky Lad’s wins, is reunited with him. Best-weighted in the 14-horse field, he looks primed to snap a 454-day drought.
Backing him up are Quantum Theory, who landed the Listed Spring Spree Stakes for the second year running, and Tin Pan Alley, gelded after finishing runner-up in a juvenile Grade 1 over 1600m. Together they give Tarry a formidable trio.
In the Spring Fillies & Mares Challenge (Race 6), Tarry saddles Rodeo Drive and Callmegetrix, with the latter looking the stronger prospect. The Vercingetorix filly, newly relocated to the Highveld, made an eye-catching stable debut when second over this course and distance against males. Drawn well in gate three and back against her own sex, she appears well placed to secure her first feature for the yard.
