
April 25 South Africa (Fairview/Greyville) form analysis
Race 1 (1,400m)
(1) ABOVE THE HORIZON has shown improvement with each start. He tries the Polytrack and should make a bold bid at beating some modest rivals.
(7) SUPREME JUDGE was not disgraced when trying this surface and could go one better.
(2) GREY WARRIOR did not show much on his recent turf debut but does have Richard Fourie in the irons and can make vast improvement.
(3) MATT'S WARRIOR is a son of Querari and he does not have to be too good to beat these rivals on debut.
Race 2 (1,000m)
(4) PRICELESS TREASURE ran creditably on the turf on April 22 when she stuck on for fourth. She may run better over Polytrack just like (1) BUDDLEJA, who did not handle the turf.
Trainer Alan Greeff has a good record with Canford Cliffs-bred juveniles and (2) MAKE BELIEVE is another who could win on debut.
(6) CITY OF DREAMS ran fourth at the same track over 1,200m on April 22. Keep safe.
Race 3 (1,600m)
(1) TWILIGHT BAY was not disgraced on her local debut. She has done well on this surface and should make a bold bid at beating these rivals.
(5) DUCHESS OF SEVILLE is well drawn and can fight out the finish yet again.
(4) MIDWICKET was not disgraced when trying the Polytrack last time and should have more to offer.
(3) LAUGH TILL I CRY is unreliable but is also capable of earning some money.
Race 4 (2,200m)
(2) SLAINTE MHATH is unreliable but is the pick in a very competitive Classified Stakes. He won well first time with blinkers but did not repeat it last time.
(1) HAARLEM has improved under the care of trainer Alan Greeff and should be a serious challenger trying the Polytrack.
(4) HEAD GARDENER has been good all season and would not be a surprise winner.
(5) HOME REEF showed vast improvement last time but is clearly very unreliable.
Race 5 (1,000m)
(1) LE PREMIERE makes her local debut but is well drawn and would not be a surprise winner.
(2) STRATA has quickened up nicely to win her last two starts and is well drawn for her first crack on the Polytrack.
(3) HER ROYALTY disappointed on the turf last time but was good on this surface before that.
(5) ENCHANTING LADY ran well on her local debut but is not well drawn this time.
Race 6 (1,200m)
(8) GOLDEN PAVILION has made good progress under the care of trainer Gavin Smith and looks the right one from pole position draw.
(4) WHATEVER NEXT does not always show his best form but can be involved with the finish once again.
(2) EYJAFJALLAJOKULL needs a patient ride but is capable of winning again.
(3) MOVING IN showed some promise last time. Not out of it.
Race 7 (1,000m)
(8) TREASURE ISLAND might not get an easier opportunity (barring any first timers with talent) to get it all right and is therefore the firm first choice.
(2) CRAFTY CROFTY made a fair debut and can be expected to make huge improvement in this field.
(4) EXPLOSIVE POWER could run well on debut and (1) MISS DANON can improve.
Race 8 (1,600m)
(2) AS FATE HAS IT has shown a liking for the Polytrack and has a winning chance.
(1) HEART PEAKS bounced back with a good win last time and can follow up if the same mood.
(7) CALL TO GLORY was an easy winner last time and does have ability but does not always show it.
(3) CATCH YOUR BREATH has been a bitter disappointment of late but does have Richard Fourie back in the irons.
Race 9 (1,600m)
(5) GRIPEN is well tried but comes from the Cape and brings some fair form. His penultimate effort when second at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth is particularly good. He is the first suggestion.
(3) KING CELTILLUS is making huge inroads and improving with each run - strong each-way chance and a huge danger to the first choice.
(11) EL CAPITAN has a huge place chance and should win soon.
(10) WHITE SEAHORSE is a must for the quartet.
Race 10 (1,400m)
(9) LADY LUCK has been a disappointment of late but has cracked a good draw and is capable of winning a race like this.
(12) MISTER WHISTLE has all done enough of late to hold winning chances.
(2) FIRE ALARM is better than her last run would suggest and has cracked a good draw, so should be a threat.
(5) LUCKY SPIRIT is not reliable but is also not out of it.
Race 11 (1,800m)
(4) RANI TARABAI went close last time and looks cheery-ripe to go one better and win.
(2) ROYAL MERMAID showed last time that her winning turn is near - strong each-way chance.
(1) SHEEZAROCKET can place and (6) GLORIOUS BUTTERFLY could represent some attractive value for the quartet.
Race 12 (1,800m)
(3) NATIONAL DREAM could be teed up for a huge effort and has not been far off the action since returning from a rest. He could be the one they all have to fear the most.
(1) TWILIGHT WARRIOR is a maiden but can be competitive in this field and is a must for all bets.
(5) FUTURE SAINT and (2) SACRED LILY can finish in the first four.
Race 13 (2,200m)
(2) KADIZORA is ultra-consistent and looks ready to record her next career win. She gets a neat draw and Muzi Yeni again.
(5) BASIE RAAKVAT ran an attractive race last time, has solid overall form and should, again, give a very good account of himself.
(8) KING BAVARIAN can finish in the first three and is a natural inclusion for the trifecta play and (1) MOUNTAINSOFTHEMOON should be in the shake-up.
Race 14 (1,600m)
(9) SILKY JET brings solid Highveld form. Rates a bright chance despite the high draw.
(2) ENGLISH PRIMROSE keeps running second and is the exacta choice - another honest run can be expected.
(7) FIREBURST and (4) THESUPERNOVASTAR are musts for the quartet.
Race 15 (1,600m)
(3) GIVERS GRACE has in-form rider Andrew Fortune up. Brings solid form into the race.
(2) SUNSHINE DAY has been sliding down in the ratings and should go close to getting it all right.
(7) FORWARD MOTION clearly has ability and is one for the shortlist and (8) ALPHABETTY should be in the first four.
Race 16 (1,000m)
(4) VICTOR RAIL ran a good race last time and can be expected to get much closer now. Bright winning chance.
(3) PURPLE POWAHOUSE nearly won on April 6 and should go very close again.
(5) ARVERNI PRINCESS is the value for the places and should be worth including in all bets.
(8) GRIFFIN PARK showed last time that he is on the comeback trail - quartet must.
Race 17 (1,200m)
(11) DRIVE BY has solid form and despite the high draw, can win.
(5) QUENTASIA is taking time for the next win - small win chance but a big place one.
(6) GLAMORZ is banging loudly at the door and can go one better - serious claims.
(10) COPACABANA is a must for the quartet as the value play.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New Paper
04-06-2025
- New Paper
Gold Medal Rose within a whiff of maiden victory
With Malaysians celebrating the King's birthday on June 1 and, with the revelry flowing into June 2, there was no "official" trackwork at the Sungai Besi racetrack on the usual Tuesday. Of course, the horses who are down to contest the races on June 7 would not have had much of a break and many would have been given fast work. That being the case, it was - understandably and expectedly - rather quiet on the morning of June 4, when the order of the day would have been to keep it simple. So it was, fast gallops were few and far between but, for those at trackside, there was enough speed to whet the appetite. Impressive among them was Gold Medal Rose. The Wrote filly from the stables of Ooi Chin Chin was in a galloping mood and she covered the 600m in a smart time of 38.2sec. Still looking for that elusive first win, Gold Medal Rose will be having her seventh race start in the Open Maiden event over the 1,200m. On the strength of her most recent gallop, she should give her rivals something to think about. The New Zealand-bred is still a three-year-old and her most impressive showing was when she finished a head second to Defeater on debut in a 1,200m sprint way back on Sept 8, 2024. Ooi has since put her through the grinder. He sent her to the races five times where she added money to the kitty by finishing third on two occasions. In addition, she has been to the trials twice this season. Yes, she looks sufficiently topped up for this assignment coming up and it could pay to include her in that list of "horses to follow". Also turning on the style - but not in a sprinting sort of way - was Zero Five Five. The handsome-looking chestnut loosened up with some solid cantering and will come into the action in a Class 4B (1,150m) on June 7, looking primed and poised for a good showing. Prepared by Richard Lines, who pulled off a win with Seson on June 1, Zero Five Five came close to a first Malaysian win in Ipoh on May 11. But he had to be content with second, finding one better in Prince Lonhro. However, make no mistake about it, Zero Five Five knows a thing or two about racing and has a win to show. When based at Flemington before being flown out here, Zero Five Five - then racing as Wirrapanda - won a 1,130m race in Geelong on March 26, 2024. No doubt the Wandjina four-year-old's last-start ninth in a Class 4B (1,400m) back on his home track was a let-down, but on his smart workout, he can bounce back. It could also pay to keep an eye on Navy Seals, who is set to contest the Class 4 (B) race over the 1,700m. Trainer Frank Maynard sent the US Navy Flag four-year-old out for some fast work on June 4 and he came through that 600m sprint in 39.2sec. Already a four-time winner - three of which came when he was under the care of Tan Kah Soon at Kranji - Navy Seals won once for Maynard. That was on April 5 when he showed racing fans at Sungai Besi just how good a stayer he was. That day, when partnered by Nuqman Rozi, he came from near last at the 400m mark to power home for a narrow win over the 2,000m. He goes over 1,700m on June 7 and, while it might seem a tad short, he is in that kind of form which makes all things possible. Maynard can also count on Star Victory, who ran over the 600m in 40sec. The Vancouver six-year-old is still winless in Malaysia, but do not hold it against him. While housed at Kranji under the helm of English trainer James Peters, he posted six wins - over trips ranging between 1,100m and 1,400m. His last win was on Sept 28 when he came with a pounding run over the concluding stages of that 1,200m race to score by half-a-length. That day, he had five-time Singapore champion jockey Manoel Nunes doing the steering. The 1,500m he has to cover on June 7 should be right up his alley and, with the benefit of that solid piece of work, he could be anything he wants to be. brian@


New Paper
01-06-2025
- New Paper
Elite Prince holds court again
Relative newcomer Elite Prince overcame his outside barrier in the RM200,000 (S$61,000) 3-Year-Old Sprint Championship (1,200m) to score back-to-back wins at Sungai Besi on June 1. Trained by Singaporean Richard Lim, the son of Bon Hoffa faced 12 other runners in the highlight race in Kuala Lumpur, including several last-start winners like Duma, Yes Man, Defeater, Release The Spirit and Rocky Bhai. Elite Prince was no pushover among his peers, though. After an unplaced run on debut on April 20, the Australian-bred opened his account with a handy win in a Restricted Maiden race (1,200m) at his second and last start on May 18, when he beat Singha Bay by 1¾lengths. Although he won from gate 11 then, Lim was still worried the wide barrier 9 this time could work against his positive tactics, but the promising Elite Prince dispelled his concerns shortly after the start. The three-year-old chestnut galloper showed plenty of speed under Shafiq Rizuan to cut across and lead on the rails from Sakura (Mohd Zaki) and Yes Man (Oscar Chavez) in the back straight. Turning for home, Elite Prince ($30) quickly put a two-length margin between him and Yes Man. Duma (Andre da Silva), who had been buried in fifth on the rails, switched to the outside at the 400m to launch his challenge. But Elite Prince was in no mood to relinquish his advantage and held on all the way to the line. Duma ran more than two lengths behind in second while Yes Man finished another length away in third. The winning time was 1min 9.28sec for the 1,200m on the short course. Lim was relieved with Elite Prince's second win over the 1,200m trip, which he has raced over in all three starts in Malaysia, but reckoned the Mahalinggam Palanisamy-owned gelding could have his job cut out for him in the 3-Year-Old Mile Championship (1,600m) on June 29. "We were quite worried before the race, not just (the highest-rated) Duma, but many other runners too because they've all done quite well," said the Penang-born conditioner. "There's a lot of speed in the race and he (Elite Prince) has drawn wide, so we thought he could be caught wide. Luckily, he got across quite easily. "The 1,600m might be a bit too long for him. I would have to discuss with the owner and Shafiq again to decide if we run him then." First-time race partner Shafiq said a change of racing pattern could suit Elite Prince should he go over the mile. "I worked the horse in the week and I know he's got ability, because he won easily at his last start," said the former two-time Singapore champion apprentice. "Today, I was a bit worried because we drew wide, but the race worked out very well for him as he led easily. He kept going in the straight. "I think he can stay the 1,600m but we might have to change how we ride him." Lim has brought up his first hat-trick of wins in Malaysia since he relocated to Kuala Lumpur in Dec 2024. Before Elite Prince's victory in Race 7, Southern Speed ($52) took out the RM38,000 Class 5A contest (1,400m) for comeback jockey Troy See in Race 2, while King's Gambit ($15) saluted in the other Class 5A event (1,400m) under da Silva in Race 3. From seven rides at his first meeting in Malaysia on June 1 after eight years, See has racked up a winning double. After D's Secret ran fourth in the opener, the 36-year-old Singaporean jockey steered Southern Speed to a nose victory on his second ride. He then booted home another winner - The Wild Hero ($11) - for trainer Jason Ong in the RM38,000 Class 5A race (1,020m) in the last race. The 2018 Singapore champion apprentice last rode in New South Wales, Australia on Jan 21, 2023, when he incurred the wrath of the stewards for his conduct. He had a mobile phone in his possession during a random search performed in the jockeys' room at his last meeting at Murwillumbah. See, who rode 12 winners in Australia, pleaded guilty to three charges - possession of a mobile phone in the jockeys' room, refusal to obey a stewards' direction and hindering stewards in the exercise of their powers and duties. He was disqualified for 22½ months, from Jan 29, 2023 to Dec 15, 2024. Before he relocated to Australia, he had been riding in Singapore since his debut in 2012. See, who rode in six races for one third in Malaysia back in 2017, has since returned to riding in the barrier trials at Kuala Lumpur on April 2. sharonzhang@


New Paper
31-05-2025
- New Paper
June 1 Prix du Jockey Club form analysis
1 Azimpour Close to winning a Group 3 at ParisLongchamp in his second career start. But his fourth place - as favourite - in a Listed 2,000m at Chantilly this month means that more is needed especially from his high gate. 2 Ridari Looked very smart when winning a Group 3 at ParisLongchamp, then - with this longer Classic in mind - running a fine and close fifth in the French 2000 Guineas (1,600m) there. A major player. 3 King Of Cities Promising in all three 2024 starts but raised his game according to facts and figures when a strong second in a Listed 1,800m event at Newmarket in April, with the first two clear of the rest. Supplemented. 4 Al Aali Has run better than his odds suggested on his three 2025 starts, most recently when a fast-finishing second - though no threat - in a Group 3 over 1,800m at Chantilly. An outsider again. 5 Leffard Kicked off his career with two victories at provincial French tracks, proving himself over this trip then. Then only narrowly failing to win a Listed event over 2,000m at Chantilly this month. Stable gunning for a seventh win in this feature. 6 Cualificar Unbeaten this year, most recently comfortably asserting in the last 400m of a Group 3 1,800m at Chantilly, a major trial for this Classic. Bred for this trip, he is a live contender. 7 Detai nHas won three of his five starts and though not making enough impact in his two Group 1 starts, he was making good late headway into sixth at ParisLongchamp, and this rise in trip could be a big plus. 8 Heybetli Twice a winner last season but vulnerable at Group level and, after a slow start, never threatened in a Group 1 at ParisLongchamp this month. The rise in trip needs to help a lot. 9 Bowmar kRises in class and trip but much to like about his three starts with two wins and a narrow second in Listed company at Newcastle. Not without ability, but he may just be looking inexperienced and will have to lift at this level. 10 Curragh Camp A French-bred racing in the Lucky colours of Singaporean owner Robert Ng. All three starts have been at Chantilly, the first two on the all-weather track. Did some good late work when third in a Group 3 1,800m on turf on May 6. 11 Luther Could not summon an extra effort in the closing stages but still ran way above his odds of 45-1 when only 1.3L fourth in a Group 1 1,600m Classic at ParisLongchamp. His pedigree offers mixed messages for this longer trip. 12 Trinity College Might have won a Listed trial for the Epsom Derby in April had he not hung in the home straight. This slightly longer trip should suit but he looks safely held. 13 Parachutiste Although he steps up sharply in class, he is one of only a few who is absolutely proven over 2,100m, narrowly winning over further at ParisLongchamp last month. But more needed from a tricky gate. 14 Tipinso Though his trainer's record in this race is strong, it is not encouraging that he has been a beaten favourite at French provincial tracks in both starts this season. 15 Camille Pissarro Plenty of classy form from 1,200m to 1,600m including a Group 1 win at ParisLongchamp last year. His fast finish from a wide gate in a 1,600m Group 1 Classic this month was also very good. Big chance. 16 Nitoi Showed a good attitude and also an aptitude for this 2,100m trip when second in a ParisLongchamp Group 3 in April, again fighting hard when winning a Chantilly Listed event. Possibilities provided he can overcome his wide gate. 17 Sinileo Interestingly has been supplemented for this despite only having run once, easily winning a 1,600m maiden at Chantilly this month. Takes a huge rise in class but stamina in his pedigree and with top class connections. 18 Frankly Good Cen A Deauville winner at his only start last year, and kicked off 2025 when runner-up at Compiegne over 1,600m recently. Up sharply in class and an unlikely winner. Comments courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club