RACE 1     

1 EXCEEDINGLY GLAM 6 DUPONT EMERALD 2 GREAT NOTION 9 NKWENKWEZI

Preview: 1 EXCEEDINGLY GLAM is the form choice and from a nice high draw can go close. 6 DUPONT EMERALD went close on debut but has the tricky number 1 draw here. 2 GREAT NOTION is knocking on the door but does have a low draw to contend with. 9 NKWENKWEZI made a good debut and should improve. (David Thiselton 1-6-2-9)

RACE 2     

1 WINDS OF CHANGE 3 KWAGGA BLITZ  10 RING A LING 8 RINGHO

Preview: 1 WINDS OF CHANGE is very highly rated for a maiden, 107, and should have no problem putting this field away. 3 KWAGGA BLITZ disappointed last time but if repeating his penultimate start he has a chance. 10 RING A LING has run two good races and should improve 8 RINGHO ran a cracker last time at long odds and could earn with a repeat. (David Thiselton 2-3-10-8)

RACE 3     

6 SUKHUMVIT 3 HOTARUBI 2 LET’S GO NOW 1 SLINKY MAPIMPI 

Preview: 6 SUKHUMVIT went close last time in a feature and might appreciate the step down in trip as well as a light weight but does have a tricky five out of six draw. 3 HOTARUBI has class and can bounce back from a disappointing Summer Cup run as he is well weighted here. 2 LET’S GO NOW is a hard-knocker with a good draw over a suitable trip.  1 SLINKY MAPIMPI ran a cracker in the Grand Heritage and should be in the shake up.  (David Thiselton 6-3-2-1)

RACE 4     

10 SPUMANTE DOLCE 8 SOLAR SAIL 1 KUDZU 7 KING OF NUMBERS

Preview: 10 SPUMANTE DOLCE looks to be most promising and can make it two out of two. 8 SOLAR SAIL ran well first time out the maidens and has a chance. 1 KUDZU is knocking hard and will be trying to go one better than usual over this suitable trip. 7 KING OF NUMBERS won very well last time and has a chance. (David Thiselton 10-8-1-7)

RACE 5     

8 FORGIVENESS 1 CAPTAINOFTHEGREEN 4 JORDAN 9 ROYAL EDITION

Preview: 8 FORGIVENESS looks a nice type and can progress further. 1 CAPTAINOFTHEGREEN wasn’t disgraced in the Grand Heritage and will appreciate the step up in trip. 4 JORDAN can be dangerous if things go his way. 9 ROYAL EDITION has ability and can earn if repeating his last start. (David Thiselton 8-1-4-9)

RACE 6     

5 GREEN SAPPHIRE 7 PRETTY PRECIOUS 9 TAKE YOUR PLACE 3 GOLDEN ASPEN

Preview: 5 GREEN SAPPHIRE is on the up and should go close. 7 PRETTY PRECIOUS won well in the maidens and starts on a reasonable mark. 9 TAKE YOUR PLACE has run well both times out the maidens and has a shout. 3 GOLDEN ASPEN has plenty of ability and could be in the shake up. (David Thiselton 5-7-9-3)

RACE 7 

3 RODEO DRIVE 2 ALMOND SEA 4 SORCERESS SUPREME 5 POINTER 

Preview: 3 RODEO DRIVE had a tough draw last time and should have come on  from the run. 2 ALMOND SEA comes off a fine run and can go one better although she would prefer 1000m. 4 SORCERESS SUPREME won in cracking style last time and should be involved. 5 POINTER has ability and is a contender. (David Thiselton 3-2-4-5)

RACE 8     

2 HALCYON 9 SMITH AND WESSON 7 VIRGIN RIVER 6 THE NAVY LARK

Preview: 2 HALCYON won well second time out and the form has been franked. 9 SMITH AND WESSON is an honest sort and is drawn on the right side. 7 VIRGIN RIVER has speed but has to overcome a low draw. 6 THE NAVY LARK is also very quick but is drawn on the low side. (David Thiselton 2-9-7-6)

David Thiselton

The eight race meeting at Turffontein Standside today could be a good one for punters with some good horses turning out.

In the second race, a maiden over 1160m, Winds Of Change will likely start very short being one of the highest rated maidens in SA history. The 107-rated What A Winter colt is drawn on the right side over the 1160m trip and Gavin Lerena is up. Winds Of Change has placed second before in two Gr 3s, was third in a Gr 1 over 1200m and 5th in a Gr 2, so he should have no problem dispatching this field.

In the third race, a Progress Plate over 1600m, Sukhumvit has always struck as one who would get better with age and she showed how much ability she has last time out in a Listed race over 1800m as she pulled badly for a long time in the running and still managed to finish second in a good field. She should appreciate the step down in trip and is the one to beat carrying a light weight, especially if she manages to settle better this time and despite officially not being well weighted. She does have a tricky draw of five out six, so finding cover won’t be easy and she might just be sent to the front. Hotarubi is officially best in at the weights and should run a cracker under Strydom over a suitable course and distance. Let’s Go Now also struck as one who would come into her own this season and she is officially only half-a-kilogram under sufferance with Hotarubi and she is officially 4kg better off than Sukhumvit.

In the next race over 1600m the well-bred Spumante Dolce did not beat much on debut but did it well and this Vercingetorix half-sister to July winner Sparkling Water starts off handicapping off a reasonable 81 merit rating. She will appreciate the step up to 1600m and she only has to carry 55,5kg under the astute Raymond Danielson, although her draw of eight out of eleven is tricky. Solar Sail ran fifth in a good three-year-old handicap last time and could be involved from draw four and the hard-knocking Kudzu should be in the shake up.

In the fifth race over 1800m Forgiveness appears to be an above average and progressive type and she proved herself right up with Sukhumvit last time out at the beginning of November. She is drawn in pole over a suitable 1800m trip with Gavin Lerena up. She is up against the boys in a handicap though so it won’t be easy and Captainofthegreen and Jordan warrant inclusion.

In the sixth over 1160m Green Sapphire looks to be on the up and off an 81 merit rating is another one who can follow up on a maiden win. She is drawn on the right side and can beat Pretty Precious, who has a tough number one draw, and Take Your Place.

In the seventh over 1160m, Rodeo Drive was undone by a low draw last time and 1000m was too sharp. This classy sort can bounce back over 1160m and overtake the speedy Almond Sea late in the day. Sorceress Supreme has to be included too after her fine win last time. Pointer is hard to ignore from a middle draw. Poblano is also talented and is drawn on the right side.

In the eighth over 1000m Halcyon hasn’t raced since his maiden win back in May, where he impressed second time out, and he could do it off an 89 merit rating with Lerena up. Smith and Wesson is drawn on the right side and should be thereabouts. Virgin River, The Navy Lark and Beamonesque are hard to ignore.

The first race should see the hard knocker Exceedingly Glam getting it right from a nice high draw.

Graeme Hawkins

Oriental Charm, ante-post favourite for the R5-million World Sports Betting Cape Town Met at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday 25 January, cracked Gate 3 when the final field of seventeen runners was revealed on Wednesday evening. Oriental Charm who showed great courage when winning the 2024 Hollywoodbets Durban July (Gr1) will be partnered by regular pilot JP van der Merwe. Oriental Charm is one of two runners from the Crawford team, the other being Zapatillas who was less fortunate and has drawn the widest berth of all.

Champion Trainer Justin Snaith is bidding for his third consecutive “Met” victory and has five strings to his bow. Richard Fourie has been booked to partner the only three-year-old in the field, Eight On Eighteen, who will jump out of gate 10. The progressive Eight On Eighteen is currently the second choice in the betting market following his good second behind One Stripe in the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas (Gr1). Rachel Venniker has been booked to ride the enigmatic Pacaya while Grant Van Niekerk will be aboard Future Swing. The Snaith quintet is completed by Royal Aussie (Kabelo Matsunyane) and Magic Verse (Aldo Domeyer).

Last year’s runner-up, Rascallion, comes into the race in very good form but no doubt trainer Vaughan Marshall will be disappointed that his veteran campaigner is drawn out wide in Gate 16. Sean Veale knows the 7yo son of Vercingetorix inside out and will likely attempt to go forward and find a position one off the fence not too far behind the pacesetters.

See It Again (Piere Strydom) and Green With Envy (Craig Zackey) come into the race having blotted their copybooks badly in their most recent outings but, aside from Oriental Charm and Eight On Eighteen, are the only other two runners quoted in single figures. Red Palace, the only filly in the race, will jump out of pole position and is to be partnered by high-flying Gavin Lerena.

The WSB Cape Town Met, due off at 16:05, has been billed as the eighth race on a bumper 12-race programme. Races 6 through 12 have been declared as World Pool events which will lead to massive tote pools and huge International interest for these races. The first race on Saturday 25 January, The R600 000 Heineken Sumer Juvenile Stakes (Listed) over 1100m is due off at 11:50 and gates open at 10:00.

Latest Betting from the Sponsors:-

33/10 Oriental Charm

9/2      Eight On Eighteen

5/1      See It Again

11/2   Green With Envy

12/1   Red Palace

14/1   Rascallion

20/1   Future Swing; Magic Verse; Montien

22/1   Atticus Finch; Royal Aussie

33/1   Litigation; Baratheon

55/1   Pacaya

66/1   Master Redoute; Zapatillas

75/1   Al Muthana.

Graeme Hawkins

The R160 000 “Buy Tickets to WSB Cape Town Met on Quicket” Class 3 Handicap over 1600m is the highest-rated event on a 10-race programme at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth today and Future Turn should welcome a return to his best trip following a disastrous effort over 2000m at the beginning of December. On that occasion Grant Van Niekerk essentially pulled the 5yo son of Futura out of the race as he “felt something amiss” but, when judged on his prior 1600m form, Future Turn rates an undeniable chance of registering a long overdue fifth career victory.

JP van der Merwe reunites with Future Turn for his “boss” Greg Bortz & Partners and the Justin Snaith inmate should make his presence felt in a small but evenly matched field of nine runners. Stable companion Call To Unite is an interesting runner as he steps back sharply in distance, but he has won over 1800m and could be the surprise package in the race. It is a worry that Call To Unite appears to have respiratory problems, but he is a useful sort and cannot be lightly disregarded.

Promettere showed signs of returning to best form when fourth behind The Grey King a month ago. The 5yo son of Pomodoro seldom runs a bad race and will enjoy the services of Champion Jockey Richard Fourie. In that same race Hat’s Pride finished third and is now 1kg better off with Prometerre which suggests that Glen Kotzen’s runner should comfortably confirm the form. It remains a concern though that the Kotzen stable is having to contend with a lingering virus and the Woodhill-based trainer has endured a tough few months of late.

Willie John was not too far behind Hats Pride and Promettere in the race won by The Grey King and has been given slight relief by the handicapper. He jumps from pole position and rates an obvious threat although he tends to be a little one-paced. Aspect is far better than his last run when things went badly awry from a wide draw but, as a winner of six of his last eight starts, Vaughan Marshall’s runner commands respect in a trappy contest. He beat Future Turn by a length over the track and trip back in November, but the latter is now 2kgs better off which could be enough for Snaith’s runner to turn the tables.

It’s not an easy race, and much will depend on the pace and how the contest pans out, but Future Turn should give us a good run for our money and could prevail over Aspect, Hat’s Pride and Promettere.

The impeccably-bred and very well-named Hoerikwaggo could get Jackpot punters off to a good start in the fifth race, a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1200m. Hoerikwaggo, bred by Ridgemont, is out of the quality mare Our Table Mountain and thus a half-sister to two Equus Champions, namely the former Cape Fillies Guineas (Gr1) winner, Silver Mountain, and former SA Nursery (Gr1) winner Cloth of Cloud, who was subsequently exported. Hoerikwagga, named after a trail on Cape Town’s most famous landmark, is raced by Ridgemont in partnership with Hollywood’s Devin Heffer and will be ridden by Richard Fourie. She caught the eye on debut when third behind From A Distance and she should have benefitted enormously from the experience.

The obvious threat to Hoerikwaggo is the Lucinda Woodruff-trained Another Dream who has been sidelined since her promising debut in August behind subsequent Grade 2 winner Mon Petit Cherie, due to recovering from a spider bite. She may just need her comeback run and the betting market could be the best indicator as to her current wellbeing.

Fourie could also land the honours in the seventh race, a Maiden Plate over 1800m, in which he partners Landoftherisingsun, who should enjoy stepping up in trip. He has been placed in his last five starts and his maiden victory is clearly imminent. Future Frequency, Ahead Of The Facts and Bombers In The Sky all have useful form coming into this race but I fancy that Landoftherisingsun has a little more to offer.

The first of the ten races, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1000m, is due off at 12:00 and the field of eight runners is largely made up of newcomers. Keep an eye on the market as race time approaches with particular regard to Nicostratus and Winter Snap. Another debutante to keep a close eye on is Sugarbush in the fourth race, a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1200m. Trainer Andre Nel reports that she has had a gallop and a “good run is expected”.

RACE 1

1 CAPTAIN JON SNOW was heavily supported in the market on debut, he was very green and stayed on strongly towards the end of the race, he should improve quite a bit from that run and will go very close to winning here. 6 NORTH POINT was gelded on the 26th of November 2024, he ran a fair race on debut behind the unbeaten Black Cheetah, he should enjoy the step up in trip to 1000m, watch him closely. The balance of the field are first timers, watch them in the parade ring, watch the market and watch them closely when they move to the start. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 6 – 8 – 3)

RACE 2

5 OKAVANGO ran a lovely race behind his stable companion last time when finishing third, he hasn’t had the best of draws in his last two starts, now that he gets a decent draw and drops back in trip to 1600m, he should go very close to winning. 2 WEHAVEASITUATION gets the blinkers fitted, she ran on strongly in her most recent start behind Warbird, from a good draw, there should be absolutely no excuses for this filly, include her into all bets. 6 WAR HAWK loved the step up in trip on the 23rd of November behind Beer With The Boys, this looks to be a good race for him to be very competitive again. 4 COSMIC RHYTHM is much better than his most recent start, he should enjoy the drop in trip, include him into the Quartets at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 2 – 6 – 4)

RACE 3

10 CIRCUMBENDIBUS gets the blinkers fitted on Saturday afternoon, he has been very consistent, he should have a massive winning chance in this field. 17 PALANCAR ran a much better race last time when staying on nicely for third, he is clearly improving with every start and must be included into the play. 4 TRIPPING THUNDER drops in trip and gets the blinkers fitted, he is a lovely looking individual that should get better with every start, on his best form, he will have a good place chance here. 2 MR FOX was gelded on the 10th of December, he never really got into the race last time when finishing just over six lengths behind Native Ruler, the drop in trip and the gelding could help him improve. (Brandon Bailey: 10 – 17 – 4 – 2)

RACE 4

4 POETIC PRINCESS ran a decent race last time when finishing second behind the improving Casa Estiva, with a similar performance on Saturday afternoon, she would naturally have a good each way chance. 10 SHESGOTCLASS stayed on really well on debut behind Sohot Sowhat, she was very green and still managed to run a super third, with natural improvement on the cards, she should go very close to winning. 12 LILY BOMB improved big time from her first start to her second start, she ran fourth last time in a competitive maiden plate, with further improvement likely, she will run a big race here. 3 STU’S GIRL will need to improve quite a bit to win this race, if she can bring her Roccapina run to the track, she could certainly finish in the money. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 10 – 12 – 3)

RACE 5

11 HOERIKWAGGO finished like a train on debut when running third behind From A Distance, she looks progressive and will take tons of beating if she has made the necessary improvement back at home. 12 ANOTHER DREAM returns to the races from a break of 140 days, her debut run at Hollywoodbets Durbanville was very impressive behind Mon Petit Cherie when finishing second, if she doesn’t need her comeback run badly, she will have a massive winning chance. 7 PAPILLON BLU showed good speed last time in a big field, she is getting better with every start, watch her closely, she could be the value in the race. 4 LHASA ran a decent race behind Love Story on the 26th of November, she has been consistent of late and could sneak into the money again. (Brandon Bailey: 11 – 12 – 7 – 4)

RACE 6

11 ENGLEFIELD GREEN has been knocking on the door for quite some time now, she has some excellent form to her name, if she gets some luck in running from a bad draw here, she will go very close to winning. 4 WILD APPLAUSE has been rested for 64 days, she ran a terrific second last time in a big field behind Back At The George, she should enjoy the step up in trip to 1400m again from a good draw, there is no doubt she will be competitive in this tricky race. 5 LOUI’S STAR had no luck in running on the 28th of December when she finished fast for third, she has a lovely action, in hope that she gets the right run in transit here, she will go close. 7 RAHHABBA ran a fair race behind Exquisite on the 11th of December, she is still improving and must be included into all bets. (Brandon Bailey: 11 – 4 – 5 – 7)

RACE 7

1 FUTURE FREQUENCY has improved with every start, he should love the step up in trip to 1800m from a good draw, he looks to be one of the better bets on the card. 4 LANDOFTHERISINGSUN was given every chance by jockey Richard Fourie last time when staying on for third behind Green Garnet, the yard thinks highly of this individual, if he puts his best foot forward on Saturday afternoon, he will be a major threat for Future Frequency. 6 BOMBERS IN THE SKY fought hard to the line on the 11th of December when running a short head second to Ardabil, his form is excellent, and he must be included into all bets. 5 AHEAD OF THE FACTS improved nicely with the step up in trip in his last start, with a similar performance again, he will be right there in the money. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 4 – 6 – 5)

RACE 8

9 CALL TO UNITE is as honest as they come, he has done well in the staying races, with some luck in running on Saturday from a tricky draw and dropping in trip, he will be one of the leading lights in a very tough race. 1 WILLIE JOHN ran a fair race behind The Grey King on the 22nd of December, he is quite a tricky horse to ride, on his day, he could win a race like this easily, include him into the play from a good draw. 5 FUTURE TURN is much better than his last start, ignore that, he is a consistent gelding that enjoys this trip of 1600m, he should bounce back to form and run a cracker for the connections. 4 PROMETTERE ran a much better race last time when beaten just over two lengths by the winner, he will be given every chance by champion jockey Richard Fourie, watch him. (Brandon Bailey: 9 – 1 – 5 – 4)

RACE 9

4 FROM A DISTANCE won like a smart filly on the 14th of December, she raced just off the speed and then quickened up in excellent fashion to win a convincing race, she is progressive and should love the step up in trip from a good draw, she could quite easily win again off this rating. 6 LA DIVINA won a gutsy race last time, she controlled the race from the front and stayed on strongly to win well, from a decent draw again in a very similar field, she will be competitive. 9 SWIATEK gets a pull in the weights with La Divina on Saturday, she has been so consistent since winning her maiden on the 8th of October, there is no reason why she shouldn’t run a huge race again, include her. 11 ALLTHEBOYSIVELOVED can be aggressive in her races, if she relaxes early from a wide draw, she will be doing good work late. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 6 – 9 – 11)

RACE 10          

7 FLY FUTURA ran a much better race on the 18th of December behind the progressive Groovejet, he stayed on well to finish third just under two lengths behind the winner, racing off the same rating of 74, he should go well in this very difficult race. 11 PINOT GRIGIO looks to be improving with every start, he ran a great race last time when finishing fourth, at the weights and from a tricky draw, life won’t be easy for him, but he is still very much immature and improving, with the right run in transit, he could be a factor in the finish. 9 HELIOTROPE never runs a bad race, she has done exceptionally well for the connections, she stays well enough and her form is good, include her into all bets. 5 TOUCHDOWN has run some decent races of late, the step up in trip could help him get closer. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 11 – 9 – 5)