Highveld big-hitters Sean Tarry and jockey Gavin Lerena are likely to strengthen their positions as the province’s leading trainer and jockey respectively at the midweek fixture on Turffontein’s Inside track on Thursday 8 May. No trainer has saddled more winners in Gauteng this season than Tarry, while Lerena’s mark of 129 winners in the province this term is 61 better than his nearest pursuer Muzi Yeni (68). Ridgemont’s resident stallion, Rafeef, is enjoying a purple patch, with his progeny finding the winners’ box all over the country, and Tarry-trained Gulf Of America should continue her sire’s hot streak by landing the opener under veteran rider Piere Strydom in Race 1 over 1450m. This two-year-old filly stayed on encouragingly to finish a close-up second on debut in a winners’ race over 1160m on the Standside track and on the evidence of that performance with that experience to count on, the extended trip will be more to the liking of Tarry’s charge, Gulf Of America. Lerena rides Japanese Garden for trainer Tyrone Zackey but this Danon Platina filly finished 1.20 lengths behind Gulf Of America, so including her in Swinger and Exacta bets is probably the safer route to take. Candice Dawson-trained Chronicle King should find the target for Lerena in Race 2, also over 1450m. This well-bred son of Vercingetorix caught the eye on debut when finishing second behind subsequent winner Whispering Dream and any improvement from the promising two-year-old colt should suffice in Leg 1 of the BiPot. Tarry takes the wraps off well-bred Warning Sound on her reappearance in Race 7, again over 1450m. This Lancaster Bomber filly fluffed her lines in a stronger race over 1600m last time out but she would have strengthened and improved in the 15 weeks since, so it would not be a surprise were she to run a forward race on her comeback. However, it could pay to follow the progress of fellow three-year-old filly Gregarious, Lerena’s mount for Tarry’s nearest pursuer Tony Peter. This daughter of Vercingetorix acquitted herself well on handicap debut against male opposition, finishing a creditable fourth over 1400m on the Standside track 14 weeks ago. She, too, would have benefitted from the break. Gregarious receives 1.5kg from Warning Sound and that weight discrepancy could prove the difference. Tarry and Strydom will likely bookend the meeting with improving last-start winner Satyagraha good value to make a winning handicap debut in Race 9, the same course and distance (1450m) over which this son of One World shed his maiden tag. Clive Robinson

Loveisintheair is trending in the right direction and jockey Hugh Bowman hopes John Size’s three-year-old gelding can make further headway when he lines up in the Class 4 The France Galop Cup Handicap (1200m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (7 May). Across three starts, the chestnut has finished sixth, fifth and most recently third, and Bowman – a winner of 58 races in Hong Kong this season – has faith the youngster possesses the right tools to furnish into a quality racer and ascend the city’s handicap. “Last time I was able to build him through his gears and he was better. I would expect a better performance again this week,” Bowman said. “He’s a nice progressive horse, I think, he’s far from the finished article just yet. He has taken really good progression.” Slightly slow away last start at Happy Valley on 9 April, Loveisintheair saved ground before rallying late along the inside rail to miss by under a length. Bowman, 44, is second in this season’s jockeys’ championship. He recently won the HK$24 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) atop Red Lion for Size on FWD Champions Day in April. “He’s (Loveisintheair) a really nice horse. He’s certainly better than Class 4 but he’s still learning. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him move to Sha Tin before the end of the season and perform well over 1400 (metres). I think he’ll get a mile down the track but I’m not suggesting he needs that just yet. “We haven’t seen the best of him but you can see that he’s improving and I’d like to think that we’ll see a good improvement from last start to this start,” Bowman said. A two-time Hong Kong Derby-winning jockey, Bowman takes eight rides at the city circuit’s nine-race programme, including course and distance winner Mighty Commander in the Class 4 Saint-Cloud Handicap (1650m) for trainer Caspar Fownes. “He’s quite a consistent horse. He can have a few little issues at the start getting into stride but from a good draw (four), it’d be lovely if we could land fourth or fifth somewhere. He always runs well,” Bowman said. Keith Yeung is aiming to go one better aboard Perfect Pairing for championship-leading trainer Size in the Class 4 The French May Trophy Handicap (2200m) tomorrow night. “I just sat behind the field and hugged the rail – he (Perfect Pairing) finished off strongly (last start). It was just a bit of bad luck because the winner got going on the outside and we had to wait for a gap to open in the straight. He still finished really nicely,” Yeung said. “It seems like he handles this distance very well.” Luke Ferraris retains the ride aboard Chateauneuf (124lb) in the Class 3 ParisLongchamp Handicap (1200m) for trainer David Hayes after finishing third on 16 April. The Fastnet Rock gelding led last start before missing by three quarters of a length. “It was a good run. It wasn’t really the plan to go to the front but he left the gates really well and there was a lack of speed in the race,” Ferraris said. “It was a better run than it looked. He seems to have come through it well.” Ferraris has 37 wins this term and Chateauneuf faces noted frontrunners Superb Capitalist (135lb) and Lucky Planet (120lb) among the 12-runner finale at Happy Valley. “We have the one draw and the pace in the race should help us. If he can get a nice run in transit and the gaps open at the right time, hopefully he can reproduce it,” Ferraris said. Fortunate Son turned his form around to grab third on 16 April and jockey Harry Bentley reunites with the gelding in the Class 3 Deauville Handicap (1650m). “That day just went nice and smooth and we’re hoping for much of the same again on Wednesday,” Bentley said. “I think if he can get the right conditions in the race then he’s going to run another big race.” Wednesday’s (7 May) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley commences at 6.35pm with the Class 5 Auteuil Handicap (1650m). By Declan Schuster

After a long overdue refurbish, the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly will be back in use come Wednesday and a number of trainers have delayed in the interim to get their poly specialists into action again. This could be a telling pointer to the performance of some runners but the revamped surface should be fair for all. Punters may have to wait for the best bet on the card where Justin Snaith saddles  African Prince in the ninth who boasts solid Cape form. He is well drawn in pole and looks the part. A threat could be Hope And Power who has a wide draw but goes very well over course and distance while MJ Odendaal brings back Grand Appeal after a lengthy break after his maiden win that came at just the third time of asking. Watch the betting here. Mike and Mathew de Kock can get the meeting off to a winning start with Cherry Oh Baby who has been camped in the second box for her last four starts. She meets a modest field and likely to start at cramped odds. The only danger appears to be the long-time maiden Long Street. She does get weight in this open maiden and has a handy galloping weight but she has had 18 bites at the cherry. Silver Platter makes his poly debut in the second and has been close-up in his last three. He stays the trip and should feature prominently. Visiting Master Bomber steps up in trip on the poly but was narrowly beaten over a mile last run at Durbanville. He will be a big threat.  These two look pick for the first leg of the Bi-Pot. Veteran mare Juliet Tango drops in class and has improved at recent outings. She should take to the poly and can get the PA off to a winning start.  One Path took on much stronger in feature company first up out of the maidens and is one to watch. Woza Nawe has improved in blinkers and should run well while Flying Hafla has shown up well in two starts since her maiden win but still got a rating drop. The first leg of the Pick 6 has a small field but plenty in with chances. Frank Robinson looks to have a smart gelding in Field Marshal but will have to step up again if he is to beat the handicappers. He won well last time out but is 1.5kg worse off with Trois Trois Quatre who was less than a length back. On paper the latter should have his measure but Field Marshal has won on the poly. Johnny The Thief is also better off in the weights with Field Marshal and the stable have high hopes for him this winter while the filly Forgiveness, although a distant third in The Scarlet Lady, can feature in this line-up. Tricky handicaps round off the card. Frikkie Greyling sends out Numzaan in the fifth. The gelding has shown good form for his new stable and although he has to defy a big weight he should be a big runner. Kom Naidoo’s runner Porfirio is the best performed and loves the poly which puts him in with a strong chance. Eventidor is holding form well and his 4kg claimer will help. Count Marsh is way better than his last run from a poor draw and could be a threat along with Shiny Bob who has come to hand at recent starts and looks primed for this. In the sixth, Gentleman Joe has a tricky draw but comes with solid Cape form and is much improved in cheek pieces. This stable does well on the poly. Bristol Hercules is a July entry and will need to step up if he is to make a bid for the July berth. Given that he is now with the Mike de Kock yard one must take note. Of the balance, Plaza Accord is up in the handicap but is in good form and the step up in trip could see him in again. French Flame is coming to hand and he has gone well on the poly and is another to consider.

An inquiry into the post-race urine sample coded “33318” taken from REMO MAMA, who finished second in Race 3 (MRA 0150) over 1400m (lc) at the Perak Turf Club on Sunday, 2nd March 2025, has concluded with a disqualification and a substantial fine.

The sample, upon analysis, tested positive for methamphetamine, a prohibited substance under the Malaysian Racing Association (MRA) Rules and Regulations.

At the hearing held on Friday, 25th April 2025, the Panel of Stewards reviewed evidence from Trainer WC Lim, Dr Chan Sue Hay (Chief Analyst, UsainsBiomics Laboratory), and Dr Reza Singam (Senior Veterinary Surgeon, PRTC).

Trainer WC Lim pleaded guilty under MRA Rule 134(6)(a), read with Rule 134(13) and punishable under Rule 134(7), as the person responsible for presenting REMO MAMA to race while carrying a prohibited substance in its system. Taking into account his guilty plea, clean record, and mitigating circumstances, the Panel imposed a RM20,000 fine. He was advised of his right of appeal at 3:35pm.

In accordance with MRA Rule 134(11), REMO MAMA was disqualified from the race, and official results will be amended accordingly.

A follow-up urine test taken on Sunday, 13th April 2025 returned a negative result, and the horse has now been cleared to race by the Stewards under MRA Rule 134(12).

The Panel of Stewards concluded an inquiry on 26th April into the running and handling of PERFECT MISSION, trained by HY Cheng and ridden by apprentice N Shahronnizam.

Evidence was taken from both Trainer HY Cheng and App N Shahronnizam, alongside his master Trainer T Asogan. All available video angles of the race were reviewed.

Trainer HY Cheng pleaded guilty to a breach of MRA Rule 35(5) for failing to provide adequate instructions to his rider, thereby not ensuring that PERFECT MISSION was run on its merits. Taking into account his guilty plea and mitigating factors, the Stewards imposed a fine of RM10,000. He was informed of his right to appeal at 6:35pm.

App N Shahronnizam also pleaded guilty, under MRA Rule 44(10), to failing to ride to the satisfaction of the Stewards. Specifically:

1. He did not make sufficient effort to begin on level terms with the field; and

2. Between the 1200M and 400M marks, he failed to ride in accordance with his instructions.

The Stewards, considering his clean record, guilty plea, and mitigating circumstances, handed down a 2-month suspension effective 27 April 2025 to 26 June 2025 (inclusive), along with a RM10,000 fine. He was informed of his right to appeal.

There have been signs that Let It Be Said can scoop a big race. Perhaps not in the short term but his improvement, gallant style of racing and versatility are attributes that could make him an interesting horse to follow. He has plenty in his favour in race 8 over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Tuesday. The breakthrough came in his penultimate run over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville when Richard Fourie threw caution to the wind and asked Let It Be Said to set a crazy pace but he stayed in front for the whole race. He fell across the line but lasted and claimed victory over Fatal Gem, a well-performed filly who had the edge according to the handicappers due to a sex allowance in that particular race. The following start was in the Grade 3 Variety Club Mile at this course when tactics changed but he finished the race smartly from last behind Garrix, a seriously exciting individual. That runner-up berth led absolutely no disgrace. On that occasion he finished ahead of Gallic Dream who he reopposes. He is 1kg worse off and there was 1,25 lengths between them. The key is the drop in distance. His style of racing should make this trip far more favourable for Let It Be Said. Richard Fourie is carded to take the ride for Justin Snaith. Let It Be Said could be an interesting horse towards the end of the year, seeing as he stays at home rather than Durban to progress organically. The temptation for bigger prizes this winter must have been tempting. Naturally, Gallic Dream stacks up as a danger. He has found form and he too is noticed as an upwardly mobile horse. He is also at his best over 1400m so the drop in distance will not be a hindrance to him either. Craig Zackey aboard will also give followers some confidence. He will be a danger. Silver Falcon has seen better days but his last run gave the seven-year-old a reason to be considered. He finished a well-beaten fourth behind Tenango in the Grade 3 Champagne Stakes. However, Tenango won with ease so the 3,25-length deficit is hardly disgraceful. He has the edge above Seeking The Stars from that run so he should be in the money. A good bet on the card could be Gold Dust in race 5 over 1600m. He won a weak maiden with ease at his last run over 1400m but he has a lot more to come and he struck as a developing, lightly-raced three-year-old. His penultimate run came behind Dubbelosix who was a fluent winner last Monday. He has a light weight of 52kg to shoulder and there must be a huge effort in the tank under Muzi Yeni, the leading light weight jockey in South Africa. Major Master could pose a threat. It is easy to be a fan because he is such a dashing horse. His last start came over 1200m and he was never going to lift in time. If this start does not come too soon, he is worth considering as a danger. Three Tigers put up a pleasing debut in mid-April. He was off the mark slowly and he made his way to the inside of the course, covering extra ground in the process. He made headway late and he finished less than a length behind Gimmeathrill in fourth. Andrew Fortune takes the ride for Michelle Rix and Harold Crawford. He should take all the beating in race 1 over 1000m. Father Christmas is an unconvincing pick in race 2 over 1400m. It is not a race that will take much winning and he is low mileage with improvement from his first start to his second. He ran behind Gold Dust in his last run, beaten by 5,25 lengths. It is his second run after a long break and he tries extra distance for the first time. He must have a fighting chance. Signor Dante and Ocean Sky are also winning chances. There is a dearth of form in race 3 over 1400m. Future Prospect has one start to her name so she could be open to improvement. Her debut was fair when she came 3,9 lengths behind Gimmeathrill over 1000m last month. Corne Orffer is back aboard for Andre Nel. Her opposition is exposed so she will not need to make dramatic improvement to win. Recent maiden winner Landoftherisingsun has a chance of going back-to-back in race 4 over 1600m. He was long overdue his maiden win after a string of near misses. He has underdelivered because Justin Snaith has always sung his praises. Confidence and time is perhaps all that he needed to find his stride and develop into a useful horse. He will not find it easy because Two A Penny is in form while Sail To The Moon is a rating dropper with a jockey strike as Muzi Yeni replaces an apprentice. Golden Angel has also under-delivered but she has a huge chance to win race 6 over 1600m. She started her career with a bang and an appealing win at Hollywoodbets Durbanville but since then, a matter of different distances, bad draws and hard luck stories have counted against her. She does not have an ideal draw again but she does at least take on a moderate field. Her last start was a solid fourth behind the rapidly progressing Kleinzee. There is nothing that jumps off the page in race 7. A chance is taken with the evergreen Fly To Rio. She ran a week ago and she finished fourth, albeit well beaten by Ischryo, 5,2 lengths behind. Craig Zackey sticks with her which is a good sign. Jet Force has the makings of a smart horse. In two starts he has a debut win but a very pleasing third post-victory when staying on very strongly behind Paratrooper at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth over 1200m. He should have enough progress to make a strong case for him in race 9 over the same course and distance.

Progressive four-year-old Bundle Award might have earned a start at Group 1 level after displaying impressive staying talent with victory in the HK$4.2 million G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup Handicap (2400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (4 May) for trainer John Size and jockey Zac Purton. Triumphant at 1400m and 1800m at Sha Tin this year, Bundle Award (123lb) handled the rise to 2400m with aplomb to defeat Noisy Boy (121lb) by a short head in 2m 29.72s after a stirring battle, with Winning Dragon (125lb) third, three-quarters of a length away. While the winning margin was slender, there was a sense of inevitability about the outcome when Bundle Award fanned to the outside of the six-horse field at the home turn accelerating from the tail of the field to power to the line in 21.67s over the final 400m as Noisy Boy resisted bravely for Jerry Chau and Winning Dragon refused to yield under Alexis Badel. Bundle Award’s performance leaves master trainer Size with the potential option of starting the gelding – the winner of three races in Australia when he raced as Prince Prawn for Allan & Jason Williams before export to Hong Kong – in the HK$13 million G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) on 31 May at Sha Tin. “We’ll see how he is. He’s not rated up to that (Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup) at the moment, but let’s have a look and see what’s available for him,” Size said of the 86-rater. “He’s been really good for us and he’s performed admirably today. It was a big job for him to do that to go to another distance and still win. “It was hard to predict how they would run the race, but it probably was always going to be a slow-run affair but, a long way from home, he looked like he might be able to win the race. It was just a matter of whether he was in the frame of mind to go on with it. “He’s physically fine, I think he’s just got to learn to a little bit more about racing and a little bit more about how to win a race.” Size last won the Queen Mother Memorial Cup with Dr Well in 2006, while Purton added to his wins in the race on Dominant (2013) and Exultant (2018) after his left foot was dislodged today from the stirrup when the gates opened. “He came out sideways and banged the gate and it’s my sore foot, too, so it’s in a bit of pain,” Purton said. “They went really slow, which was always going to play into my hands because he’s got the best turn of foot of any horse in the race. “It became a sprint home. He had it won a fair way out but he just didn’t know how to put them away. He’s learning he did a good job.” Bundle Award, who finished seventh in the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) to Cap Ferrat on 23 March, is the first horse out of this season’s Classic to win a Group race. Tony Cruz swept to another towering milestone with a double at Sha Tin, taking his combined career haul as a trainer and jockey in Hong Kong to 2,500 wins. The six-time champion jockey rode 946 winners and his successes today with Liveandletlive, who earned a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million by winning the Class 3 Chatham Handicap (2000m) under Angus Chung, and Winning Ovation, who also snared a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million under Badel in the Class 3 Austin Handicap, took his tally as a trainer to 1,554. “I’m very happy with that. It’s great,” Cruz, a dual Hong Kong champion trainer, said. Chris So-trained Hong Lok Golf (121lb) continued his striking progress with victory in the Class 2 Hillwood Handicap (1600m) for Harry Bentley to earn a PPG Bonus of HK$1 million. Posting his fifth win from six starts, the Grunt gelding impressed with his tenacity under a strong Bentley ride to defeat Cody Mo-trained Pray For Mir (119lb). “Wow. In the straight when I saw Cody’s horse, I thought he would beat us. But I spoke to Harry and he just said that he wasn’t that worried. The last 100m, he did it easy,” So said. So indicated the HK$4.2 million G3 Lion Rock Trophy (1600m) on 31 May could be an option for Hong Lok Golf. David Hayes and Brenton Avdulla combined with Contributer three-year-old Fortune Boy to snare the Class 4 Kowloon Cricket Club Centenary Cup Handicap (1600m) after Size’s Crossborderpegasus made it three wins from four starts, triumphing narrowly in the Class 3 Gascoigne Handicap (1200m) for Purton despite racing erratically. “He’s just a really difficult horse to ride,” Purton said of the Rich Enuff gelding. “He’s got bad habits and it’s very hard to keep him straight and it might be better for him at 1400m, too.” Britney Wong rode her first winner since March with a clever front-running ride on Manfred Man’s Circuit Victory in the Class 5 Jordan Handicap (1200m). “It’s really great and I really appreciate all the support from Manfred. He’s been a big supporter even since I was a trainee,” the 10lb-claiming apprentice said. “It’s a nice feeling to reward him and his team in this way.” Lucky Symphony delivered on the promise he had displayed in three previous runner-up efforts with victory for Jamie Richards and Andrea Atzeni in the Class 4 Hung Hom Handicap (1200m). “Andrea gave him a beautiful ride. He won it at the start. Barrier 14 looked a bit tricky but 10 out of 10 from Andrea,” Richards said. Quick Money prevailed for Dennis Yip in the Tsim Sha Tsui Plate (1000m) for Griffins under a patient ride by Chau before Matthew Poon slotted his 30th win of the season when Mo-trained Ka Ying Superb held off Shamus Storm to land the second section of the Class 4 Cox’s Handicap (1400m). David Eustace’s talented Dazzling Fit made another favourable impression by winning the first section of the Class 4 Cox’s Handicap (1400m) for Luke Ferraris. Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday (7 May). By Leo Schlink

Tony Cruz will bid for a remarkable sixth HK$4.2 million G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup Handicap (2400m) victory when he saddles a trio of runners in the staying feature at Sha Tin on Sunday (4 May). A legendary figure in Hong Kong as a six-time champion jockey and dual champion trainer, Cruz has posted a combined 2,498 wins in Hong Kong – 946 as a rider and 1,552 as a trainer – and has won virtually all of the city’s elite feature races, often on multiple occasions. Cruz, 68, hopes to add to his tally this weekend when he chases a fifth victory as a trainer in the Queen Mother Memorial Cup with La City Blanche and Five G Patch – who finished first and second, respectively, in last season’s running of the race – and Winning Dragon. Cruz won the Queen Mother Memorial Cup as a jockey on Always Win in 1988 for Lawrie Fownes before striking as a trainer with Supreme Rabbit (2003), Super Pistachio (2011), Exultant (2018) and La City Blanche (2024). Cruz’s trio will face three opponents – Bundle Award, Bravehearts and Noisy Boy – in preparation for potential tilts at HK$13 million G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) at Sha Tin on 25 May, when international stars Dubai Honour, Stellenbosch and Al Riffa are entered to run, with champion miler Voyage Bubble also a likely starter. Cruz bypassed last Sunday’s HK$28 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) with La City Blanche, who will be ridden by Brenton Avdulla this weekend, Five G Patch (Hugh Bowman) and Winning Dragon (Alexis Badel) and hopes the decision pays off. “I always seem to have a lot of stayers and I don’t want to miss this opportunity, I know they can win this type of race. I think Five G Patch is the best of my three horses, but Winning Dragon and La City Blanche can run well,” Cruz said. “Last year, La City Blanche and Five G Patch had a great battle in the Queen Mother Memorial Cup and I think they will again.” La City Blanche (135lb) and Five G Patch (135lb) top the weights for Sunday from Winning Dragon (125lb), Bundle Award (123lb), Noisy Boy (121lb) and Bravehearts (119lb). Mark Newnham combines with Matthew Poon and Bravehearts, a Group 1 winner over 2400m in Argentina in 2022, who bids for his fourth win from only seven appearances this season. “This race has always been on his agenda after his first couple of starts for me,” Newnham said. “He looks a horse who will run out a strong 2400m. You don’t get too many opportunities to do that in Hong Kong. “I gave him a short break and then a ‘prep’ run two weeks ago and everything has gone smoothly. He’s got a nice, big relaxed stride. He saves energy during the race. I rode him work on Tuesday (29 April) and he strode through the line strongly and I’m happy with the way he’s going into it.” Master trainer John Size chases a second win in the Queen Mother Memorial Cup with Bundle Award, having savoured success in the race with Dr Well under Chris Munce in 2006. To be ridden by Zac Purton, Bundle Award steps to 2400m for the first time after showing strong staying promise with two wins up 1800m during his maiden Hong Kong campaign, which includes a seventh placing in the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) behind Cap Ferrat. “I’m confident he (Bundle Award) should be in the race, whether the race tests his stamina or not remains to be seen,” Size said. “I think he will acquit himself well, I think he’ll run well. “He’s been good this season, he’s won a race and done everything right. He qualified himself for the Derby and he ran well in that, so I think he’s been good.” Dennis Yip will be represented by Noisy Boy on Sunday as he seeks a third success in the Queen Mother Memorial Cup, having won it as a jockey on Wonderful World in 1991 and as a trainer with Fat Choy Ichiban in 2010. Noisy Boy, a two-time winner this season up to 2200m, will be ridden by Jerry Chau from barrier four. Sha Tin’s 11-race card on Sunday (4 May) starts with the Tsim Sha Tsui Plate (1000m) for Griffins at 12.30pm. By Leo Schlink

The 1600m Chairman’s Trophy (Race 9) will headline the twelve-race program from Selangor Turf Club this Sunday commencing at 12.15pm. Progressive performer, GOLDEN PEGASUS will head the weights in the RM100,000 Listed feature and will strip fitter second up this campaign. The five-year-old resumed from a four-month break when finishing 4th behind one of the country’s best in Antipodean over 1400m here on April 5, beaten 2.5 lengths. With a record of six wins from sixteen starts, including minor placings in two Group Ones last year, GOLDEN PEGASUS appears well handicapped against his own age bracket and looks a measuring stick with former premiership jockey, KC Wong riding the gelding for the first time. CINNAMON BLAZE is a lightly raced five-year-old who is gradually working his way through and has created a big impact despite winning his Maiden in January. The Charles Leck trained gelding has come a long way in a short space of time and will be competitive despite facing his toughest assignment so far in his short career. PACIFIC VICTORY has established a good record of four wins and two placings from seven Malaysian starts and his rich vein of form can continue in the 1300m NZB Walter Vijay Trophy (Race 8). The four-year-old has always shown promise, even when racing in Singapore, with his versatility to handle any track conditions over a vast range of distances. Apprentice Jerlyn Seow has ridden PACIFIC VICTORY in five wins from seven mounts and the formidable combination should come to the fore once again. SUPER SALUTE rediscovered his best form winning a high-grade contest at Ipoh last start at start number six in the country. The six-year-old has had his share of minor injuries throughout his career but he looked back to his best with that 3.5 length victory three weeks ago. MR BLACK BACK should also be primed third up this campaign and his early pace should place him in good stead from the good barrier. BRANSOM is aiming for the hat trick and is an outside chance despite the tougher opposition. From the trial session here Tuesday weeks ago, WAR STAR looked the most impressive and will be attempting to atone for his last start defeat in the 1020m Class 4A contest (Race 10). Winning the trial by an effortless eight lengths, he appears on track for a winning return, WAR STAR scored on his Malaysian debut over Sunday’s track and distance on March 23 where he was heavily supported to start an even favourite. The four-year-old goes up against the consistent OUR SECRET WEAPON, which is a fast beginner and is suited by the tighter inner track while another consistent performer SUPER POSH was runner up to WAR STAR and can easily reverse the result on current form.

The current good run of leading trainer, Jason Ong continued with a stable treble at the Selangor Turf Club last Sunday and once again will be represented by several winning chances this Saturday on the eleven-race program commencing at 12.45pm. One of those is the ultra-consistent six-year-old, OUTFIT which is yet to miss a place in six Malaysian starts and steps out in the 1020m Class 4B event (Race 4). Whilst the gelding won a couple of Class 5 contests at his first two runs in the country, he has maintained a strong presence at Class 4 level with four minor placings in succession. OUTFIT will have to overcome the outside barrier in the twelve-horse lineup but he has the early pace to counteract that obstacle as displayed in previous performances on the inner track. TYPHOON could be his biggest rival with a slight advantage at the weights from pole positon. The five-year-old is coming off a fast-finishing 4th after being trapped deep throughout over 1150m and unlike OUTFIT, he has already scored at Class 4 level. The Ricky Choi stable is also going strong currently lying fifth on the trainers’ premiership strike rate of 20% and another galloper to win at his Malaysian debut, DRAGON CLAW gets his chance for a winning return in the 1200m Class 3 contest (Race 7). That debut win has been the five-year-old’s sole victory in the country so far but he has retained solid form since despite a couple of blemishes against the higher graders recently. Returning to Class 3 level last start, DRAGON CLAW closed off well when finishing runner up over 1200m here a fortnight ago indicating he has recaptured his best form and strikes a winnable race there on Saturday. BOY XANDER does look to be the likely leader in a race devoid of early speed and could be the one to catch if the breaks go his way. The seven-year-old should be primed third up and will benefit from the apprentice claim also. ENGINE START is due for another win in the 1500m Class 4A contest (Race 8) after finishing in the bridesmaid spot at his past three outings. Punters may be starting to lose faith in the six-year-old as he was a beaten favourite in each of those runs. After failing to show up at his local debut in February, ENGINE START was freshened prior to an impressive 3.75L victory over the mile in a Class 5 contest on March 1. Carrying the 53.5kg with R Shafiq astride, the gelding could add another victory for the Jason Ong team. GRAND AVANTE on the class downgrade is one to watch however as he won at this level on his local debut back in January The gelding does possess a good second up record of three wins from seven preparations and finished runner up to Duel Group One winner, Lucky Magic during his last campaign.

A fantastic card awaits punters at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday headed by the Grade 3 Legal Eagle Stakes over 1800m. This is the second leg of Cape Town’s winter feature campaign. The first leg was won by Garrix, an exciting prospect who looks set to back-up his Grade 3 Variety Club Mile victory. His last start was his first as a gelding, something he needed badly. He had no luck when he ran at a high level during the Cape Summer Festival of Racing. Slow-run races, bad draws and erratic behaviour took its toll. Despite all this, his runs were admirable in January. The day he took a pleasant turn was in the Grade 3 City Of Cape Town Politician Stakes over this distance. From a deep draw of No 10, he was forced to be used off a very slow pace but he stuck around to finish a 2,75-length third behind Zeitz. He followed up to finish third behind Eight On Eighteen in the Grade 1 Splashout Cape Derby over 2000m a month later. He had every chance but he was run out of it late by one of the best three-year-olds in the country. Gelded and mature, he turned up last month at this course and he looked impressive when easily accounting for Let It Be Said by 1,5 lengths in the Grade 3 Variety Club Mile. Many pundits are surprised that he has skipped being entered for Africa’s Greatest Race, the Hollywoodbets Durban July but trainer Piet Steyn has remained stoic that his charge will stay in Cape Town as a three-year-old, strengthen up further, stay happy at home before considering spreading his wings in a year from now. Gavin Lerena is carded to take the ride. At 55,5kg, that is a huge effort from Lerena to commit to that weight. Billy Bowlegs ran in the July as a three-year-old, although never a factor, he has run at the highest level. He must be a threat to Garrix on the evidence of his last run. He blew the start badly but he recovered to finish 3,25 lengths behind Garrix. The extra distance would be an advantage before considering his poor luck at the stalls last time. He has not had many runs in Cape Town but he has stepped forward with every start. Craig Zackey is carded to take the ride. La Pulga is entered for the July. He has also come along with every start and this will go far to how quickly he has improved. Gutfeel is that he will come of age in six months’ time but it is hard to knock a horse who continues to step up. Rascallion is always worthy of a mention. Evergreen, honest and tough as they come, he will be a popular choice even if Garrix has him held on their last meeting to the tune of 5,25 lengths. The Grade 3 Winter Nursery over 1100m always gives clues for the future and again, some highly promising runners will line up. Dreamland was undone by Military Command in the CRS Slipper in mid-March but inexperience might have counted against him. He is held in high regard by trainer Vaughan Marshall who is formidable with his two-year-olds. Lerena is carded to take the ride. Keep an eye on All The Rage, a half-brother to La Pulga. He made a sparkling winning debut in mid-April when he looked like a true professional. He was not green, did not hesitate to aim in between horses and shot away like a smart youngster. This is a huge step up in class but he could be up to the task. Aldo Domeyer is carded to take the ride. North Point has done little wrong lately and he, too, needs to be considered. He has a high cruising speed and a convincing turn of foot. He has more to beat than who he smashed in his last two runs but he cannot be left out. Race 6, the Listed Ladies Mile is the final feature on the card. Kinda Wonderful was scratched from the first of the fillies features of this campaign when she was given a strong winning chance. She was last season’s Champion Two-Year-Old Filly who came alive this time of the year when the sting was out of the ground. Her last two runs came in good company. The Grade 1 Maine Chance Farms Majorca Stakes, she looked outgunned but she was not disgraced behind Rascova when she finished fourth. Her last run came in the Schweppes Summer Oaks when second behind subsequent winner, Give Me Everything over 2000m. Zackey will be aboard. Time For Love is as gallant as they come and she should provide stiff opposition under Lerena. Deadly from the front, she is often hard to fetch and she has dropped in class. She has not run since January but she did have a gallop at the course just over two weeks ago. She’s My World is given the narrow verdict in race 1 over 1000m. She needed her last run when she was undone by Match That, who runs in the Nursery later in the day. She has good feature race form without winning so this could be her turn under Richard Fourie. Beautiful One ranks as a massive danger. Her debut was pleasing behind Una The Unicorn when she was stuck on the wrong side of the course and still finished third. Now drawn in No 1 and with experience under the belt, she is worth tons of respect. Clair De Lune started her career impressively and she is now due a maiden win. She is also in her calmest waters to date in race 2 over 1200m. In four starts, she has three runner-up finishes to her name. Her last run was her worst on paper but it was in a strong renewal of the CRS Cape Slipper. She ought to get the job done. Past And Present is a tentative selection in race 3 over 1800m. It is hard to sway from a horse who has run second three times in succession and who seems to finally be mature enough to win. It has taken some time for him to develop. He is a big guy who should mature into a reasonable four-year-old. But there should be stiff competition from Jet A One and Moment Of Truth who are both trained by Des McLachlan and both have shown a positive turn in form lately. The well-bred Air Raid looked the part when coming back from a break last time out when winning over 1200m at this course. He has given himself a lot of hope going forward and he should be among the list of winners in race 4 over the same trip. He won hands and heels by 2,5 lengths from Arctic Wizard, whom he meets again and the weights tell that deficit should not be reversed. If he builds on that performance he will be hard to beat. The rest of the card becomes much trickier and much less quality will take part. Country Time carries 50,5kg in race 8 over 1100m. If apprentice Sifisokuhle Bungane can keep her balanced and neatly placed, she could score victory. Bungane rode her in her last start when she came second, less than a length behind Golden Ideal. Tanneron is consistent and she has a positive swing at the weights with Captain’s Destiny which should give her an advantage in race 9 over 1100m. She is 1kg better off for 0,9 lengths. Tanneron is a one-time winner from nine starts but she has six places to her name. She could be rewarded for consistency now. Domeyer and Bass-Robinson team up again. The Us Of A must be a leading candidate to win race 10 over 1000m. He might have needed his last run back from a three-month break. He ran a cracker to finish 0,4 lengths behind Crowned Hornbill when filling second place. His turn of foot is his biggest asset but he is not the easiest to ride because he can take the bit. If Richard Fourie can hold him together and get him to quicken at the right time, he could take all the beating.

South Africa’s Champion Season starts officially at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday with the running of the Gr2 IOS On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes and the Gr2 Guineas and Fillies Guineas. The day also marks the march towards the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July with trainers plotting their way into Africa’s greatest horserace with their lowest possible weight. With the July just two months away, this year on Saturday 5 July, it is always intriguing to watch how trainers navigate the pitfalls for their charges but it is also an opportunity for punters to try and second-guess them and possibly land a lucrative ante-post bet on the race which always adds to heightened excitement on the big day. That said, the Gr2 IOS On Saturday is a cracking contest as it has attracted one of the strongest fields in many a year in spite of many of the runners having a pipe-opener for the Hollywoodbets Durban July. Those that are seemingly best suited to the 1400m trip and not July entries are Café Culture and Questioning both over their preferred trip. The two last met with Lucinda Woodruff’s charge a length clear of his rival and also a winner over the distance so that from looks solid. Stuart Ferrie is sure that the 2200m of the July is within Gladatorian’s compass although never being tested over the trip. Recently he has been giving away lumps of weight and although he takes a jump in class he is fully effective over this trip. Royal Aussie looks held by these two given his last showing but has had been trying further in his previous starts and may now be back over a more suitable trip. Piet Botha’s gelding Montien is hardly ever out of the money and was a close-up third in the Gr1 Cape Met at lengthy odds. He is no slouch over this trip while Dean Kannemeyer’s charge The Real Prince is lightly raced but classy. Mike and Mathew de Kock could hold the key to the Gr2 WSB Fillies Guineas field with their combination of Oxalis Gold and Spumante Dolce. The former put a useful field of males to bed in the Gr3 Byerly Turk at Hollywoodbets Scottsville at her last start. Cat’s Pajamas is a high-class winner and third-placed O’Tenikwa franked that form last Sunday. Spumante Dolce has a big reputation and with a tongue-tie fitted last time out, showed her better form in the Gr1 Empress Club behind Cape Fillies Guineas winner Fatal Flaw. Mon Petit Cherie boasts smart Cape form for Brett and James Crawford and has a favourable draw while Give Me Anything  has pulled the widest gate as she goes for five on the bounce. A wide draw has been the downfall of many a champion on this course but Dean Kannemeyer likes his horses to come on late so maybe the draw may not be too much of a factor. Green Sapphire and VJ’S Angel are both in with chances. The WSB Guineas could best be described as a north vs south contest with a supporting cast. Eight On Eighteen, winner of the Gr1 Cape Met and the Gr1 Cape Derby with close-up finishes to One Stripe over a mile is the ‘boom’ horse and likely favourite. However, Fire Attack ran a cracker to win the Gr1 Champions Cup beating Cup and Gr1 Betway Summer Cup winner Royal Victory. Both appear best over 10 furlongs so this is not a nailed-down contest that could leave the way for Cosmic Speed  who went down narrowly to champion Main Defender in the Hawaii Stakes and is more than at home over this trip. Peter Muscutt took out the lightly raced Isivivane from his intended race and although way out of contention on handicap ratings, he could be the surprise in the race.

Glory Elite (121lb) underlined his sprinting potential with a triumphant return to Happy Valley on Wednesday night (30 April) with victory in the Class 2 Seoul Handicap (1000m) under Derek Leung to earn a PPG Bonus of HK$1 million. Having contested the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) on 31 January when he finished 10th behind My Wish, Glory Elite has since been restricted to shorter contests with tonight’s scamper being the Russian Revolution’s first test over 1000m since last season. Jumping cleanly from barrier five, the four-year-old crossed smoothly to the rails and controlled the race for Leung to defeat Colourful King (120lb) by three quarters of a length in 56.08s, with Whizz Kid (122lb) third. “He’s good. He was a bit more relaxed than at Sha Tin. He stood well in the gates and there weren’t many 1000m horses in the field and I made sure in the first 400 metres he didn’t make any mistakes,” Leung said. “He’s very honest, very straightforward.” Glory Elite has had 19 starts for four wins and six minor placings with his previous three wins all over 1200m at Sha Tin and had started only once previously at Happy Valley. Harmony Galaxy continued his excellent form for Danny Shum with an impressive win in the Class 4 Korea Racing Authority Trophy Handicap (1800m) for Brenton Avdulla. Group 1-placed in Brazil, the four-year-old Courtier gelding made it successive course and distance triumphs with an excellent staying performance, finishing powerfully from the tail of the field out wide. “He was good, he’s been racing well. He won with ‘Hughy’ Bowman on him the other day and he had to carry the big weight (135lb) tonight, but obviously they went a good gallop so it suited him,” Avdulla said. “He chimed into it nicely and I was able to get to the outside and rip home. I think there’s still a bit of upside to him when he gets up to Class 3 – he’ll drop a lot in weight and still be competitive.” Me Tsui’s Everstar landed the first section of the Class 4 Yeongcheon Handicap (1200m) for James Orman as Happy Fat Cat continued a tremendous season with success in the second section of the Class 3 Busan Handicap (1200m). Jumping from barrier 12 under Antoine Hamelin, the Cody Mo-trained gelding slotted his second win from his past three starts to claim his ninth win from 46 appearances in Hong Kong, while taking his earnings beyond HK$9 million. A Americ Te Specso struck for the second time in as many starts for John Size and Andrea Atzeni with success in the Class 3 Jeju Handicap (1650m). A four-time winner over 1200m at the city circuit, the Per Incanto gelding has added a pair of 1650m triumphs since being tried over extra ground. Dropping in grade, Kaholo Angel (128lb) edged to a narrow victory in the first section of the Class 3 Busan Handicap (1200m), notching his second win in third starts under Ellis Wong. Ridden conservatively, the grey steamed along the rails to deny Victory Sky (120lb) in another tight finish. Tony Cruz and Hugh Bowman combined with California Moxie (130lb) to land the Class 5 Daegu Handicap (1650m). Winless in 15 previous starts, the Mehmas gelding finished stoutly to down Harry’s Hero (124lb) before Zac Purton drove Frankie Lor’s The Azure to victory by a nose over Dragon Star in the Class 4 Incheon Handicap (1650m). Purton sealed a double with Francis Lui’s Loving Vibes in the second section of the Class 4 Yeongcheon Handicap (1200m) to have 102 winners for the season – 44 clear of second-placed Bowman (58). Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday (4 May) with the running of the HK$4.2 million G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup Handicap (2400m). By Leo Schlink

Very seldom do you see a meeting in the Eastern Cape go by without two winners for the Alan Greeff-Richard Fourie combination, and very often it is three or more winners. On Friday 2 May, two particular runners from this formidable team catch the eye: Holocene in Race 3 and Mercantour in Race 5. Holocene takes his place in a MR 74 Handicap over 1600m on the Polytrack. This gelding has had some poor draws of late and is again not well drawn this time round, but he does seem better than his rivals over this distance. Mercantour competes in a Pinnacle Stakes over 1200m. This gelded son of Var has won six of his 33 starts and hinted he is ready to win again with some cracking recent runs. The five-year-old was fourth on his local debut when just 1.6-lengths behind local star sprinter Fairy Knight over 1200m on the turf. He followed that up with a good third, 3.5-lengths behind Kingdundee over 1000m on this surface. He is better over this distance and should go close to winning. When it comes to racing in the Eastern Cape, it is usually very difficult to find a winner in the last race, as they are usually big-field handicaps. That is again the case for this meeting, but it might be worth going each-way with Perfect Trust. This seven-year-old mare was hampered in her penultimate by an unfortunate saddle slip, so that run can be safely ignored. She is also clearly better than her last run and is at a career-low handicap mark, from which she might just make the frame. Clive Robinson

Turffontein’s Standside track hosts an eight-race Public Holiday meeting on Thursday 1 May and there are several attractive betting propositions throughout the Workers Day fixture, particularly Jackpot ONE (Race 4 to Race 7) which leading Highveld jockey Gavin Lerena could make his own. At the same venue on Charity Mile Day in November 2016, Lerena joined an illustrious list of jockeys to ride all four legs of the Jackpot. And lightning will likely strike twice for the National Championship-chasing rider. Tony Peter-trained Palace Dancer hasn’t missed the money in her five starts under Lerena, winning twice. He maintains his association with the consistent three-year-old Potala Palace filly, a winner for the third time in eight starts when beating male opposition over 1500m on Vaal’s Classic track in late March. She takes on female-only rivals over 1400m in Leg 1 of the first Jackpot (Race 4) and a three-point penalty for her last-start success isn’t likely to halt her momentum. The same trainer-jockey combination should go to the fore in the following event, Race 5 over 1600m, with another improving three-year-old, Shinto Shrine. This grey son of Danon Platina stayed on gamely to finish fourth over 1400m in his last start 12 days ago when resuming after a six-month absence, during which he was gelded. Peter’s charge would’ve tightened up with the benefit of that comeback outing so should improve, especially over the extended distance and with blinkers refitted. Lerena steered American Rebel to a resounding 3-length win over 2000m on the Inside track six weeks ago and retains the ride aboard Weichong Marwing’s runner in Race 6 over the same distance. The maturing, lightly raced four-year-old gelding races off a career-high mark in slightly stronger company but, given the manner of his last-start success, neither is likely to prevent American Rebel from winning again and completing a Pick 3 for the jockey. Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained Cymric fits a similar profile and is good value to follow up his 1 March last-start victory over 1160m with another course-and-distance score in Race 7 that will close out a Jackpot cleansweep. Clive Robinson

Mark Newnham’s ascent of the training ranks in Hong Kong has been swift and significant. The jockey-turned-handler has already eclipsed his first season total of 31 wins to currently sit on 37 in only his second campaign and he has big targets in mind when his exciting four-year-old stable star My Wish returns next season. Assistant to both Bart Cummings and Gai Waterhouse in Australia, Newnham’s career in racing spans over 30 years. He rode turf greats Campaign King, Kingston Rule, Pierro and Fiorente in trackwork. As a jockey, Newnham, 57, rode over 500 winners. He switched to training in 2016 and won four Group 1 races based out of Sydney. Making his Group 1 debut in Sunday’s (27 April) HK$24 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m), Newnham’s My Wish was a brave fourth behind Red Lion and Voyage Bubble by one length as the contest’s least-experienced runner, having commenced this campaign rated 54 before reaching his current peak of 105 after last weekend. “I thought he did us proud as he has done all season. He’s been a very consistent horse right from day one of the season. That’ll do him now but he gives us every indication that we can aim pretty high with him next season,” Newnham said. Diminutive in size, My Wish won the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) and was second in both the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) behind Rubylot and HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) to Cap Ferrat, where he posted the fastest final 400m over 2000m at Sha Tin since 2008, clocking 21.39s, 0.03s quicker than California Memory’s second to Ambitious Dragon. Newnham pinpointed the HK$36 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) at the year-end LONGINES Hong Kong International Races as his first major aspiration for My Wish, who now goes for a well-earned break after winning four times this season. “He led all the way over 1200 metres at the first meeting of the season. He’s done a really good job and hopefully next season we can aim for the international mile in December and then the same race (FWD Champions Mile) again at the end of April,” Newnham said. Heading to Happy Valley on Wednesday night (30 April), Newnham saddles four runners, led by Mission Strike in the Class 4 Korea Racing Authority Trophy Handicap (1800m) from barrier nine with champion jockey Zac Purton in the saddle. Newnham has applied blinkers to his inexperienced gelding, who has twice placed over tomorrow night’s course and distance across four career starts. “He was just reluctant to come between horses and finish the race off. We’ve gone with the blinkers this time and his previous couple of runs at Happy Valley over 1800 metres were both good. He gets the blinkers on and back to Happy Valley – it should be a nice race for him,” Newnham said. “He’s only a young horse with limited experience. It’s understandable that he’s still learning his craft but he’s got enough talent to be winning races already, we’ve just got to help him on his way.” Cody Mo, 47, is also in his second season of training in Hong Kong. He is thriving with 33 wins and saddles last-start winner Flying Fortress when the Shamexpress galloper contests the Class 3 Jeju Handicap (1650m) with jockey Harry Bentley. Bentley said: “I thought it (last-start victory) was a good performance. We got a beautiful run through and once he struck the front, he was able to put the race to bed – albeit a little bit green. He does race a little bit keen at the moment, he’s still sussing the whole thing out and once he relaxes that bit, he’ll be a little bit more effective.” Colourful King has burst onto the scene with two wins from his initial three starts after arriving in Hong Kong as a two-time Australian winner. Andrea Atzeni reunites with David Eustace’s rapidly rising sprinter in a hot Class 2 Seoul Handicap (1000m). “These Class 2s are never easy. I know it’s a small field but don’t forget he’s only a three-year-old taking on older hardened horses who have been there and done it. “But he’s done nothing wrong and he’s in there with a light weight (120lb) and he’s improving every run and David seems to be very happy with him – he thinks he’s improved again, which he will need to. He’s a lovely horse,” Atzeni said. Wednesday night’s (30 April) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley kicks off at 6.40pm with the Class 5 Daegu Handicap (1650m). By Declan Schuster