logo
May 15 South Africa (Vaal) form analysis

May 15 South Africa (Vaal) form analysis

New Paper14-05-2025
Race 1 (1,000m)
(2) ACT ON SNOW has the form and experience to play a leading role while youngster (7) BLINDFIRE is improving and is also likely to be competitive.
(3) EMPRESS WU should also be prominent.
Watch well-bred newcomer (8) HURRICANE POWER.
Race 2 (1,600m)
(3) CHRONICLE KING and (4) FIRE STARTER showed promise on debut and would have come on with that experience. Both could well fight out the finish.
(5) GOLDEN WARRIOR and (6) SERGEANT SOQRAT have also shown enough to run a place.
Race 3 (1,600m)
(5) MATCHA MINT and (9) WITCHING HOUR have shown promise over shorter distances and are likely to improve over this extended trip.
(6) OPERA FAN and (8) REJUVENATE fit a similar profile but have more of a place chance than a winning one.
Race 4 (1,000m)
(8) EIGHT HATS and (7) SUNSET WARRIOR have twice run well over this trip and neither would have to improve a great deal to open their account.
Keep an eye on any betting support for newcomer (6) CAPTAIN FRANK.
(4) SUMMER WINTER is worth a shot.
The unexposed (1) JET QUERARI and the experienced (2) RINGHO are not to be underestimated.
Race 5 (1,600m)
(9) MOLOTOV COCKTAIL caught the eye on debut when running on well from a long way back. With that run under the belt, it should pay to follow his progress over this extended trip.
(4) CHIEFTAIN'S SHIELD, (2) BRIGHAM and (1) PHIL THE FLUTER have the means to trouble the selection, ahead of (6) MISS TAKES and (5) FOLLOW THE MASTER.
Race 6 (2,000m)
(4) GAMER is consistent and will be rewarded sooner rather than later.
Last-start winner (10) BOB LEE SWAGGER and class-dropper (3) SNEAK PREVIEW are genuine candidates for honours.
(9) THE MERCIFUL is to be included in calculations while recent maiden winners (1) BLURRED VISION, (6) STOP THE TRAFFIC and (8) CITY LIGHTS remain competitive on their handicap debut.
Race 7 (2,000m)
Well-bred (1) WAGRAM is open to any amount of improvement over this trip and it could pay to follow her progress.
Hard-knockers (2) IDEAL FUTURE and (4) ROSY LEMON have the form and experience to trouble the selection, as does (12) SILVER FLARE.
Race 8 (2,000m)
(1) AVOONTOAST sets a good standard and ought to remain competitive despite a penalty for an emphatic last-start success.
Fellow recent scorer (2) DIMAKO'S JET is progressive and could have the edge over a distance that she is unbeaten.
(7) I AM REGAL and (4) KEY WORKER are not taken lightly.
Race 9 (1,500m)
This is a tricky handicap, but it could pay to side with class-dropper (4) KOTINOS who races off a reduced mark.
(6) SAIL THE SKY and (8) PERINI PALACE will be competitive if taking their place in the line-up.
(12) STROKE OF MERCY appeals most of the remainder.
Race 10 (1,000m)
A tricky last race in which last-start scorers (1) ARILENA, (3) IN THE ETHER, (7) SYLVAN WARRIOR and (9) INAFIX should remain competitive off their revised ratings.
(8) GAELIC DANCER and (5) LONELY AS A CLOUD also have legitimate each-way chances.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Warrior Gladatorian finally takes Group 1 centre stage
Warrior Gladatorian finally takes Group 1 centre stage

New Paper

time28-07-2025

  • New Paper

Warrior Gladatorian finally takes Group 1 centre stage

The four Grade 1 races at Greyville in South Africa on July 27 were hotly contested affairs, even if they did not always deliver the hottest results. Top picks got off to a flying start when odds-on fancy Golden Palm ($7) scored an authoritative win under champion jockey Richard Fourie in the first of the quartet of elite contests, the Douglas Whyte Stakes (1,600m), to cement trainer Alan Greeff's reputation as this season's king of juveniles. That trend was, however, bucked in the next three events of the 10-race programme, with all favourites biting the dust. A two-time winner from three starts, Jan Van Goyen (Callan Murray) did draw some support ($38) in the Champion Stakes (1,600m), but the interest was centred more around Tin Pan Alley, Chronicle King and Malmesbury Missile. The Sean Tarry-trained Tin Pan Alley (S'manga Khumalo) briefly poked his head in front, but was left paddling away when Jan Van Goyen shot straight past for the Mike and Mathew de Kock father-and-son team. Grade 2 Golden Horse Sprint winner Tenango (Aldo Domeyer) was the overwhelming favourite in the next, the Mercury Sprint (1,200m), but was upstaged by Buffalo Storm Cody ($49) under an inspired ride by Gavin Lerena for trainer Tony Peter. With two race meetings left in the South African season, Lerena has all but clinched his second title. On 270 wins, he is 17 wins clear of Fourie (253) - despite a double by Fourie, having opened proceedings with I Salute You ($12) for ex-Kranji trainer Peter Muscutt in the Listed Michel Nairac Appreciation Stakes (1,600m). Fittingly, the Mauritian-born Nairac, who was being farewelled as the retiring chief executive officer of Gold Circle and one of South Africa's leading bloodstock agents over many decades, received the perfect send-off with a Group 1 win in the highlight of the day, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Champions Cup (1,800m). Under a vigorous ride by Sean Veale, Gladatorian ($53) came with a well-timed run to touch off Durban July winner and favourite The Real Prince (Craig Zackey) by a neck. Often unlucky with seconds and thirds in Grade 1 and 2 events, the Vercingetorix five-year-old finally beat the jinx in the one that mattered the most for Nairac. The latter shares the 10-time winner with fellow Mauritians, including the estate of late ex-trainer Agasthamuni Gujadhur, in whose burgundy and blue hooped colours the gelding races. When Tellytrack presenter Deez Dayanand referred to the Grade 1 victory as the cherry on the top, Nairac did not skip a beat by recalling a funny anecdote. "I don't like the expression 'cherry on the top'. A friend once pushed my head into the cake," he said. "But, I couldn't ask for better. You couldn't script this any better." The de Kocks would not quite agree with that statement, though. Saddling an unusually small squad of only two runners at the marquee KwaZulu-Natal day, a rare 100 per cent strike rate in Grade 1 events looked on the cards after Jan Van Goyen saluted. Their strongest card remained second favourite Dave The King in the Champions Cup. But, after leading, in search of a three-in-a-row under Murray, South Africa's Horse of the Year wilted to fifth. Much less used to Grade 1 accolades than the de Kocks, winning trainer Stuart Ferrie was having a first taste of such success since taking over his boss Dennis Drier - who bought Gladatorian as a yearling and was his first trainer - two years ago. "To win the Champions Cup, it's unbelievable," he said. "He's run against the best in all his starts since I took over him, except for a few prep runs. "You've got to have the horse. This guy has been our flag bearer, he's been a soldier. "He never puts a foot wrong. Every time you come, you're in with a shout. It's always a bit close, but that's him." manyan@

July 24 South Africa (Vaal) form analysis
July 24 South Africa (Vaal) form analysis

New Paper

time23-07-2025

  • New Paper

July 24 South Africa (Vaal) form analysis

Race 1 (1,200m) (3) EMPRESS WU is overdue for a maiden win. She would not be winning out of turn after four second-place finishes in a row. (1) TRAIL RUNNER was recently gelded and has the form and experience to fight out the finish. (4) SHIMMERING also has a role to play. (2) FIRE STARTER will not need to improve much over this shorter trip to make his presence felt too. Race 2 (1,600m) (5) TRIP TO STATES was a well-beaten second last time but needs only to repeat that performance over this extended trip to play another leading role. (4) CODEWORD finished a career-best second in this headgear three weeks ago under the same rider and could fight for victory if confirming that improvement. (6) WINCHESTER and (1) JOHNNY DRAMA appeal most of the remainder. Race 3 (1,600m) Last-start scorer (8) TOMMY SHELBY and debut winner (7) COPPER EAGLE are promising 2yo colts with scope to improve over this extended trip that should suit. (2) WAR REPORTER confirmed his previous outing by running second over 1,800m recently. He should go well again over a course and distance he is unbeaten. Hard-knocker (3) LAUGHING WILLIAM bounced back to form last time and could be hard to peg back if adopting similar tactics. Race 4 (1,000m) Consistent (5) KIA KAHA fared slightly better than (1) COSMIC QUEEN in a stronger 1,000m race last time but the latter was drawn wide around the turn that day and with any improvement should turn the tables. (2) BOSUM BUDDY had excuses for a disappointing last start and should not be underestimated on her Highveld return. (4) STARS AND BRA'S is not taken lightly off her reduced mark. Race 5 (1,200m) (4) FALCON STRIKE took advantage of a drop in the ratings when winning last time and a four-point penalty is not likely to prevent another forward showing. Runner-up (3) ALONE TIME is 1.5kg better off, so he could avenge that 1.10-length defeat. Highveld newcomer (1) PEREGRINE FALCON should not be underestimated on his reappearance off a career-low mark. Hard-knockers (8) PHALA MILLIONS has the form and experience at this level to also acquit himself competitively. Race 6 (2,400m) Progressive (4) LAVA LAMP and the thriving (7) CARTAGENA are both last-start winners, though preference is for the latter whose experience over this distance will stand her in good stead. (2) ARTIC SILVER finished third in her sole 2,400m appearance at a higher level and won her only start on this course, so she is not taken lightly either. (1) ORDER OF HOPE has claims. Race 7 (2,000m) Top-weight (1) SNEAK PREVIEW will appreciate the step-up to this distance and is worth siding with off her career-low mark. (2) HAT FURIOUS and (3) RED SPARROW have performed moderately since opening their accounts but are not underestimated off their reduced marks. (4) CREPUSCOLO has earning potential too. Race 8 (1,450m) (4) RED AMBER got going late to finish a close-up third in a stronger race over 1,400m against male opposition last time and this extended trip will be more to her liking. Will be hard to beat against female-only rivals. (5) GHOSTBUSTER will likely pose the biggest threat, as she remains open to improvement on her return from a break. (6) SHEETS AND GOGGLES and (9) LADY LOXTON complete the shortlist.

July 12 South Africa (Turffontein) form analysis
July 12 South Africa (Turffontein) form analysis

New Paper

time11-07-2025

  • New Paper

July 12 South Africa (Turffontein) form analysis

Race 1 (1,600m) (1) DAISY JONES confirmed the promise of her debut fourth over 1,500m by finishing second over 1,400m in her last start and this extended trip should unlock further progress. (2) MATCHA MINT would not be winning out of turn after three consecutive seconds, including back-to-back runner-up finishes over 1,600m. (3) REJUVENATE is closely matched with that rival, so she should play a leading role too. (6) STAMPEDE AHEAD has also shown enough to have a say in the outcome. Race 2 (1,160m) (9) SURPRISE PARTY did not go unnoticed on debut over this track and trip, despite showings signs of her inexperience. Newcomers (7) HEAVENLY GOOD, (4) COMIC ARTIST and (3) BABETTE'S FEAST are worth a market check. (1) CYBER SPIRIT has the form and experience to acquit herself competitively but is vulnerable to less-exposed rivals. Fellow 3YO filly (2) ICONIC WINTER would have benefited from a recent comeback and should have more to offer, especially on the evidence of her course-and-distance debut. Race 3 (1,160m) Well-bred newcomers (4) ECHO CHECK, (5) ECHOES OF WAR, (3) BEST CANDIDATE will not need to be special to play leading roles on debut. The same applies to (10) ONCEINABLUEMOON, who is not underestimated under bottom weight. Returning (1) AMANDLA NGAWETHU and Highveld newcomer (2) MONKEY PUZZLE are experienced older geldings vulnerable under top weight. (9) LANNYBOY would have come on from his course-and-distance debut fourth and ought to acquit himself competitively. Race 4 (1,160m) Unexposed (2) MISS ARGONAUT defied a market drift when winning at this level on her Highveld debut. She remains open to further progress and should have a bright future in the province. (1) ONE FELL SWOOP sets a good standard and boasts both the form and experience over track and trip to trouble the selection. (6) BLIZZARD SNOW and (4) KOMATI RIVER also have the means to get involved. Race 5 (1,160m) Last-start winner (8) BLINDFIRE, (7) GOLDEN ASPEN and (3) LADY OF MEMPHIS will be competitive if building on improved recent efforts. (2) VALIEVA was supported last time and had legitimate excuses for that disappointing performance, so she cannot be overlooked. (1) WE WILL ROCK YOU is out of sorts but dangerous to discount off a career-low mark and over this shorter trip under a 1.5kg-claiming apprentice. Race 6 (2,000m) (1) MOLOTOV COCKTAIL confirmed the promise of his fast-finishing debut fifth over 1,400m by winning from the front over 1,600m in his only subsequent appearance. This extended trip should be more to his liking, so it could pay to follow his progress. Well-bred class-dropper (3) DUAL PROPHECY caught the eye over track and trip last time and in his peak outing should pose a threat to the selection. (4) VOLTE FACE is another with earning potential. (5) FLAG BEARER and (9) GAMER are honest hard-knockers with the form and experience to make their presence felt too. Race 7 (1,600m) Course-and-distance specialist (9) JURY'S OUT would have tightened up after a much-needed comeback run over 1,160m and will likely fare better over this trip. (2) BACCHUS, (7) PRESLEY and (5) COMMAND PILOT are better than recent performances suggest and can take home a cheque. (1) WECANGOALLNIGHT acquitted himself competitively under 50kg in a stronger race over track and trip recently. He should have a role to play if reproducing that effort off an unchanged under 60kg. Race 8 (1,600m) Stablemates (3) BIRTHRIGHT and (7) THE PLAYBOY BOMBER are undefeated over track and trip. The latter overcame a wide draw when winning over course and distance last time in impressive fashion and is all set for another forward showing. However, preference is for the consistent former, who caught the eye with a fast-finishing fourth over 1,450m on the Inside track last month and will prefer the Standside track. (5) KING OF NUMBERS and (9) EIFFEL TOWER should be competitive for the places.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store