David Thiselton

There is an eight race meeting at Turffontein Standside today which officials were confident would go ahead after assessing the weather forecast.

In the first race, a workriders event over 1400m, Lava Lamp ran well over this distance category on debut and on a line through Chieftain’s Shield has Golden Alexia beaten, although that includes a 1600m race for Golden Alexia which might not have suited her. Golden Alexia ran on well over 1200m in her penultimate start before finishing 9,15 lengths behind Immediate Edge over 1600m. Back at this level of competition she has a chance, but does have a tricky draw of eight out of nine, although she might enjoy the step down in trip. Sasha Lee looks capable of improvement and could place from a fair draw. Doubleyouessbee returns from a layoff of eleven months, but if able to repeat her best run at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth over this trip she will have a chance. Madame Pompadour has some ability and Phenisile Monqawa appears to have chosen her above Sasha Lee.

In the second race over 1000m Opera Fan has run three decent sprints, but against her is she has a low draw, which is usually the unfavourable side. On formlines she holds Vanakkam by more than five lengths. All of the others are first timers and the race favourite is in fact the Mike and Adam Azzie-trained One Tiger, who is by One World and is a half-brother to the Gr 2 winner Invidia and the Gr 3 winner Meridius among others.  Gavin Lerena rides the latter from a fair draw of six. Alpha World is also by One World out of one-time winning Querari mare Mon Cherie and has a plum Standside draw. Kaalvoet is by Elusive Fort out of an Ideal World mare and might need further. 

In the third over 1000m another Mike and Adam Azzie-trained first-timer, Winter Belle, is prominent in the betting and is second favourite. She is by What A Winter out of a four time-winning Captain Al mare who won first time out and Lerena is up, albeit from a tricky draw of three out of eight. The favourite is the Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained first-timer Spiritrix, who is by Vercingetorix out of a five-time winning Fastnet Rock speedster called Ancient Spirit and she has draw four with Khumalo up. Far Beyond ran a fair third on debut. Hotaru has faced good opposition and not been disgraced and could improve. My Eyes Never Lie is by New Predator out of an A.P. Answer mare.

In the fourth over 1400m Green Street ran a fair second last time when leading from pole position over this trip and she should have come on from that run, so can go close from a fair draw of five out of nine. Ichacha has plenty of ability and has Lerena up, albeit from a tricky draw of seven, but he does return from a layoff of four months following a below par run. Shamoon ran an improved race last time and the form has worked out well.

In the fifth over 1800m Lerena once again has a good ride as he is aboard Art Nouveau, who ran well on her debut for the Tony Peter yard over 1400m and she will relish the step up in trip on pedigree. Nkwenkwezi will also relish the step up in trip and has run second in her last two starts, so will be a big runner here too, especially as she has a better draw than Art Nouveau, draw two versus draw five. Inclusion makes most appeal of the others having run an improved race second time out over 1400m and he is another one who should relish the step up in trip on pedigree. 

In the sixth race over 2400m Romeo’s Magic goes very well for Gavin Lerena and of his nine wins Lerena has been aboard on five of them. Lerena and Romeo’s Magic are two from two over this trip together and although he is now ten points higher in the merit ratings after those two wins, he first tried this trip only in December this season so could still have more to come. He is drawn five out of ten and could beat To THe Rescue, a progressive sort who has become consistent and is drawn in pole over a suitable trip. Mo Ment has always struck as one who would improve over a trip and with age and as he won easily last time over 2600m he can be followed despite being given a seven point raise. Taxhaven ran fifth in the SA Derby as a maiden so is capable and off a 75 merit rating must have a shout. Rosy Lemon is 3,5kg better off with Romeo’s Magic for a 4,10 length beating so is not out of it. 

In the seventh over 1160m Bob’s Your Uncle ran a cracker last time from a tough low draw over this course and distance and now has a middle draw of six out of eleven. Night Bomber only has 0,40 lengths to find on Bob’s Your Uncle and has a nice draw of seven. Buffalo Storm Cody impressed last time with a runaway victory over 1200m, but he has been given a six point raise and has a low draw. Passage of Power is not far off Bob’s Your Uncle and  Night Bomber. Roll With The Punches has pace and can use it from draw eight out of nine.

In the last race over 1160m Hong Kong has the Standside draw over a suitable trip and this promising sort can go one better and complete what could be a fine day for Gavin Lerena. Longsword enjoys this trip and is capable of a strong finish, so a high draw plays into his hands provided he can find a clear path in the latter stages. Open Highway has a lot of ability and having dropped down the merit ratings he finished in the frame last time and can earn here off a one point lower mark. Hair Trigger has shown ability and might have benefited from a layoff. Warm Winter Nite is in fine form and would not be a surprise winner despite having been given an eight point raise for his last easy win.  

Please be advised that the race meeting scheduled for Turffontein on Tuesday, 8 April 2025 has been postponed to Wednesday, 9 April 2025.

We are confident that with no further rainfall expected today, the track will be in optimal racing condition for tomorrow.

New Race times below:

Race 1: – 12:35

Race 2: 13:13

Race 3: 13:48

Race 4: 14:23

Race 5: 14:58

Race 6: 15:33

Race 7: 16:10

Race 8: 16:45

David Thiselton

Craig Zackey was on fire for the whole of last week which first saw him claw back a deficit in the national jockeys championship and then saw him forge clear.

After the Champions Day meeting, at which both Richard Fourie and Gavin Lerena scored four-timers, the standings were Fourie 176, Lerena 174 and Zackey 171.

However, Zackey has since scored a double at last week’s Hollywoodbets Greyville Monday meeting, a treble at the Hollywoodbets Scottsville Wednesday meeting, he won both races at the Vaal Classic meeting last Thursday which was abandoned after the 2nd race, he rode a treble at the Fairview turf meeting on Friday and he rode a double at the Hollywoodbets Greyville meeting on Sunday.

The standings are now Zackey 183, Fourie 177 and Lerena 174.

Zackey’s 12 winners in the week came at a strike rate of 37,50%, while Fourie had only eight rides in the week for one win and Lerena had a blank from seven rides.

Fourie might have to up his travel rate to beat Zackey, but probably remains the favourite due to the devastating form his East Cape guv’nor Alan Greeff is in. Greeff has had 122 wins this season, 120 of them in the East Cape, and he should pass his own East Cape record of 176 wins in season, which he set in 2019.

Fourie should also easily beat his own East Cape record of 119 wins he set last season as he is already on 103.

Lerena has been handed a 90 day suspension of which 60 are suspended for the Jason Gates whipping incident. So he will be out of the title race unless he is able to stretch out the process in order to only take the effective 30 days next season. SA jockeys seem to be able to delay the taking of a suspension through the appeal process and the slowness and lack of uniformity in setting inquiry or appeal dates. 

Fourie is leading the way this season for Gr 1 wins and black type wins.

He has had six Gr 1 victories this season already. The record is thought to be Weichong Marwing’s 13 Gr 1 wins in the 1998/1999 season.

Lerena has had four Gr 1 wins this season and Zackey has had three, so the three leading riders are also leading the Gr 1 count.   

The other Gr 1 scorers are Calvin Habib, Piere Strydom and Ryan Munger.

Fourie has had 19 stakes race (black type) successes this season, including the six Gr 1s, Lerena has had 12, Zackey had had eleven, Strydom has had seven, Rachel Venniker has had six, Sean Veale has had five, Aldo Domeyer has had five, Muzi Yeni has had four, Munger has had four, Habib has had four, Kabelo Matsunyane has had four, Raymond Danielson has had three, Serino Moodley has had three, JP van der Merwe has had two, Marco van Rensburg has had two and Grant van Niekerk has had two.

Deryl Daniels is the only other jockey with more than one stakes success, although all three of his black type successes have been in Zimbabwe.

The East Cape Jockeys championship sees Fourie on 103 wins, Zackey on 56 and Chase Maujean on 21.

The KZN Jockeys championship is being led by Rachel Venniker on 46 wins with Sean Veale next best on 45 and Zackey is on 38.

The Gauteng Championship is led by Lerena on 122, Yeni on 63 and Strydom on 56.

The Western Cape Championship is being led by Fourie on 66, Van der Merwe on 44 and Domeyer on 42.

Trent Mayhew leads the national Apprentice Championship this season with 20 wins and is followed by Nirvan Nastili and Brevan Plaaitjies who each have eleven wins.

Meanwhile, in Hong Kong SA Jockey Academy (SAJA) graduate Karis Teetan rode a treble at Sha Tin on Sunday. 

He has had a quiet time lately by his standards and the treble took him to 30 wins for the season and sixth on the Jockeys Log, one position behind ex-pat South African and SAJA graduate Luke Ferraris, who is having his best season on the island and is on 33 wins.

Lyle Hewitson and Keagan de Melo, the other two ex-pat South African SAJA graduates, are on 18 and eight wins respectively in seasons they will both be disappointed with to date. They lie 13^th and 18^th on the log respectively.

Race 1: 

1 GOLDEN ALEXIA     8 LAVA LAMP      3 POTATO SALAD     5 MADAME POMPADOUR 

Preview: GOLDEN ALEXIA (1) can be forgiven for her last run and judged on first two efforts. She could be difficult to oppose. LAVA LAMP (8) caught the eye when making a pleasing debut and with natural improvement, can be very effective. POTATO SALAD (3) has a strong place chance and MADAME POMPADOUR (5) can improve and is the value for the quartet – chance. (Warren Lenferna 1-8-3-5) 

Race 2: 

4 ONE TIGER      6 OPERA FAN      1 ALPHA WORLD      3 KAALVOET 

Preview: ONE TIGER (4) is by One World whose progeny are winning races and he could be anything. Gavin Lerena gets the ride on debut. Watch the betting. OPERA FAN (6) is improving and quickly – bright win chance. ALPHA WORLD (1) and KAALVOET (3) might be able to threaten first time at the races today. (Warren Lenferna 4-6-1-3) 

Race 3: 

1 EIGHT HATS      8 WINTER BELLE      7 SPIRITRIX      4 HOTARU 

Preview: EIGHT HATS (1) made a pleasing debut and with natural progression, can win. WINTER BELLE (8) is nicely bred and could feature first up. SPIRITRIX (7) could be anything and HOTARU (4) can improve to place. (Warren Lenferna 1-8-7-4) 

Race 4: 

6 GREEN STREET      1 ICHACHA      7 SHAMOON      8 CHICAGO LASS 

Preview: GREEN STREET (6) showed last time when second, that the winning run is near. ICHACHA (1) can be forgiven for his last effort and must be respected and included in all bets. SHAMOON (7) ran the best race of her career thus far last time and can earn again. CHICAGO LASS (8) is a must for the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 6-1-7-8) 

Race 5: 

10 ART NOUVEAU      7 INCLUSION      11 NKWENKWEZI      1 GIFT OF ROYAL 

Preview: ART NOVEAU (10) finished 2^nd over 1400m last time out in her first run on the Highveld and is selected to go one more. INCLUSION (7) is improving and surely has plenty more to offer. Strong place chance. NKWENKWEZI (11) and GIFT OF ROYAL (1) must be included in trifectas and quartets. (Warren Lenferna 10-7-11-1) 

Race 6: 

3 ROMEO’S MAGIC      1 TO THE RESCUE      9 MO MENT      7 ROSY LEMON 

Preview: ROMEO’S MAGIC (3) is in terrific winning form and clearly goes for Gavin Lerena. He is the firm first choice. TO THE RESCUE (1) is ultra-consistent and the obvious, immediate danger – strong each way chance. MO MENT (9) trotted up last time and can follow up and ROSY LEMON (7) is always a quartet inclusion. (Warren Lenferna 3-1-9-7) 

Race 7: 

2 BUFFALO STORM CODY      1 MINOGUE      7 NIGHT BOMBER      9 BOB’S YOUR UNCLE 

Preview: The way BUFFALO STORM CODY (2) won last time, it is hard not to selected him to follow up. MINOGUE (1) ran like a typical second run back from a rest last time and way more can be expected now. She is a talented sort. Expect a huge effort. NIGHT BOMBER (7) is holding form and can earn as is and can BOB’S YOUR UNCLE (9) (Warren Lenferna 2-1-7-9) 

Race 8: 

1 WARM WINTER NITE      4 HONG KONG      2 LONGSWORD      8 PAUL REVERE 

Preview: WARM WINTER NITE (1) Won cozily last time and can follow up. HONG KONG (4) is clearly talented and has to be taken seriously – big each way claims. LONGSWORD (2) can never be ignored from any bets and PAUL REVERE (8) is a big runner. (Warren Lenferna 1-4-2-8) 

Race 1: 

1 BACK FROM WAR      2 CONCORDIA      8 WITCHING HOUR      7 REJUVINATE 

Preview: BACK FROM WAR (1) ran is a strong race last time but back down in grade, looks hard to beat. CONCORDIA (2) looks the immediate danger. She showed encouraging progression at the second start and surely has plenty more to come. WITCHING HOUR (8) could run a place on debut and REJUVINATE (7) can improve to get much closer – quartet value. (Warren Lenferna 1-2-8-7) 

Race 2: 

4 MISS TAKES      3 CURTISS CONDOR      1 OLD FASHIONED      6 MISTY METAL 

Preview: MISS TAKES (4) ran a fair race on debut under the apprentice and now gets the services of a senior rider. He can improve a ton and is therefore the winning suggestion. CURTISS CONDOR (3) ran well first up finishing third and can improve to win. OLD FASHIONED (1) keeps running second – strong place chance, should win soon. MISTY METAL (6) is improving with racing – big chance. (Warren Lenferna 4-3-1-6) 

Race 3: 

2 TRAIL RUNNER      7 BRIGHT AND BRAZEN      6 BLINDFIRE      8 CAPTAIN SELVIE 

Preview: TRAIL RUNNER (2) is lightly raced, coming along the right way and looks ready to win. BRIGHT AND BRAZEN (7) was in a feature last time and back in this class, will be able to go close – serious chance. BLINDFIRE (6) has a place chance and CAPTAIN SELVIE (8) might be able to feature on debut. (Warren Lenferna 2-7-6-8) 

Race 4: 

1 ARISTOTLE      3 ROYAL FORCE     4 THE AFRICA HOUSE      7 SHINTO SHRINE 

Preview: ARISTOTLE (1) nearly won last time and looks hard to beat this time and is suggested as a possible banker. ROYAL FORCE (3) is obviously very talented – strong each way chance. THE AFRICA HOUSE (4) is back in form and should win soon – bright chance. SHINTO SHRINE (7) can finish in the first four. (Warren Lenferna 1-3-4-7) 

Race 5: 

3 FRANCILIEN       2 POINTER      1 FROZEN FANTASY      6 GLAMOROUS LADY  

Preview: FRANCILIEN (3) is holding form and rates the one to be with. POINTER (2) finished behind Oxalis Gold last time whom has since won a feature in Durban – huge chance. FROZEN FANTASY (1) was a winner last time and could follow up – chance. GLAMOUROUS LADY (6) is a must for the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 3-2-1-6) 

Race 6: 

2 JUST VAR      4 CORRUPT      6 THERES A LIGHT      1 KEY NEWS 

Preview: JUST VAR (2) is winning well and has an undeniable hat trick chance. CORRUPT (4) can do way better than last time and is clearly packed with ability – serious chance. THERES A LIGHT (6) and KEY NEWS (1) have strong place chances. (Warren Lenferna 2-4-6-1) 

Race 7: 

2 FLASHY APACHE      9 TWO MILES WEST      1 LA MOOHAL      7 ROYAL EDITION 

Preview: FLASHY APACHE (2) caught the eye last time when second and has solid overall form. He comes from an inform stable and is the one to be with. TWO MILES WEST (9) can provide cheek all the way home – each way chance. LA MOOHAL (1) has a serious place chance and is a must for all bets. ROYAL EDITION (7) neatly won last time and another huge, honest effort can be expected. Respect and include. (Warren Lenferna 2-9-1-7) 

Race 8: 

3 DJ JUNIOR      4 DIESEL’S SHADOW      2 DANCE KING      6 DARK SILVER 

Preview: DJ JUNIOR (3) is holding form and comes into the race with obvious, strong each way claims. His stable mate looks to be the main danger DIESEL’S SHADOW (4) DANCE KING (2) has won two out of his last three and must, again, be taken seriously. DARK SILVER (6) has a bright place chance. (Warren Lenferna 3-4-2-6)

Race 9: 

3 GREGARIOUS      5 IN THE ETHER      2 RATTLE BAG      1 EXCEEDINGLY GLAM 

Preview: GREGARIOUS (3) ran a cracker first time out the maidens which bodes well for the future. She could end up being anything. IN THE ETHER (5) can never be dismissed from any bets – it would be silly to do that as she is consistent and winning. RATTLE BAG (2) the stable companion is not out of the equation either. EXCEEDINGLY GLAM (1) has a first four chance. (Warren Lenferna 3-5-2-1) 

Ends