Soccer 4 : SFF – 23 FEBRUARY 2025.
Match 4 (M4): SUPERSPORT UNITED VS GOLDEN ARROWS. Postponed Due to Power issues.

Soccer 6 : 6II – 23 FEBRUARY 2025.
Match 6 (M6): SUPERSPORT UNITED VS GOLDEN ARROWS. Postponed Due to Power issues.

Soccer 10 : SLL – 23 FEBRUARY 2025.
Match 8 (M8): SUPERSPORT UNITED VS GOLDEN ARROWS. Postponed Due to Power issues.

Soccer Any13 : Z13 – 22 FEBRUARY 2025.
Match 25 (M25) : SUPERSPORT UNITED VS GOLDEN ARROWS. Postponed Due to Power issues.

All results (the field) will qualify for the above match.
In terms of TABGOLD rules, all choices (the field) will apply in determining results and payouts.

Graeme Hawkins

Predictably, the warm order favourite Eight On Eighteen (11/20) followed up on his sensational WSB Cape Town Met (Gr1) victory over 2000m four weeks ago by taking out the R1,5-million Grade 1 SplashOut Cape Derby over the same track trip at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. But whereas Eight On Eighteen’s “Met” success was hugely impressive, it is probably fair to suggest that his Derby victory over the weekend was “workmanlike” rather than eye-popping, but the 3yo son of Lancaster Bomber got the job done as Champions do. 

In his post-race interview, Justin Snaith expressed the view that Eight On Eighteen is still very much on the immature side and a long way from being the finished article. On that basis owners Nick Jonsson and Johan Rupert have lots to look forward to but in the meantime, they can bask in the glory of a second Grade 1 success in the space of a month. On a day when times were generally faster than average, Eight On Eighteen stopped the clock at 126,01 seconds, exactly two seconds slower than standard, and well outside the 123,68 seconds he put up when winning the “Met”.

Now the Handicappers face the unenviable task of trying to make sense of the result, but perhaps they will conservatively accept that Eight On Eighteen ran nowhere close to his official rating of 127 and show some leniency to the placed horses Sail The Seas (103), Garrix (97) and Native Ruler (91). Eight On Eighteen, bred by the Drakenstein Stud, has now won four of his eight starts to date with career earnings of R4,7-million and has been partnered to all his victories by Champion jockey Richard Fourie.

Gimme A Prince was all the rage to win the Grade 2 R600 000 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes over 1200m and he duly delivered under Craig Zackey in the colours of the race sponsor for trainer Dean Kannemeyer. Gimme A Prince tracked the slower than expected pace set by Royal Aussie and Seeking The Stars but the 6yo son of Gimmethegreenlight quickened smartly when called for his effort and was never really in danger of defeat, although the winning margin fell way short of his spectacular victory in the Cape Flying Championship (Gr1) a month ago. Café Culture stayed on strongly to grab the runner-up berth with Questioning completing the Trifecta.

Earlier in the day, Gimme A Prince’s full brother, The Real Prince, showed a clean pair of heels to his rivals in the R275 000 City Of Cape Town Jet Master Stakes (Listed) over 1600m. See It Again drifted ominously from 5/10 to start at 2/1 as the money came in buckets for The Real Prince who eventually went off as the tote favourite. Disappointingly, See It Again was a spent force approaching the final 300m and The Real Prince accelerated smartly from the back half of the field to win unextended by five lengths. This was his first attempt at 1600m, and the manner of victory suggests that the team of Lady Laidlaw, Craig Zackey and Dean Kannemeyer have plenty more to look forward to with The Real Prince.

Zackey and Kannemeyer also took out the R250 000 Schweppes Cape Fillies Classic (Listed) over 1800m with the progressive Give Me Everything (9/2) for Owner/Breeder Varsfontein Stud. Give Me Everything has now won three on the bounce and she leaves the impression that the further she goes, the better she will be.

The R250 000 SplashOut Prix Du Cape (Gr3) over 1400m produced a thrilling finish with less than a length covering the first four home at the line. Siddeley, yet another Stakes winner for the ill-fated Lancaster Bomber, was given a perfect ride by Gavin Lerena and the Lammerskraal owned and bred 4yo filly stayed on strongly to deny Princess Izzy, Mon Petite Cherie and Mia Moo in a driving finish. The odds-on favourite Roccapina had no luck in running when travelling strongly and searching for a way through down the inside, but for which she would almost certainly have gone close to winning.

The race meeting opened with a super impressive performance by the Gqeberha based 2yo daughter of Canford Cliffs, Direct Hit, who ran her local rivals ragged to land the R1-million SplashOut Cape Of Good Hope Nursery (Gr3) over 1200m in the very quick time of 69,47 seconds – faster than Gimme A Prince recorded when winning the Diadem. Trained by Alan Greeff and ridden by Richard Fourie, Direct Hit was never headed and had nearly three lengths to spare over Winter Snap at the winning post. Direct Hit was bred at Ridgemont who race the filly in partnership with Hollywood’s Devin Heffer.

Craig Zackey completed his four-timer in the final event when steering home the Adam Marcus-trained My Only Weakness to a narrow but cosy victory in this Class 4 Handicap (F&M) over 1400m. Sporting blinkers for the first time, the consistent My Only Weakness showed improved resolution to hold off Miraculous by less than half-a-length.

David Thiselton

Isivunguvungu put up a fine preparation run for the Gr 1 Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night when staying on for a close up third in the US$117,500 Turf Dash over five furlongs at Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday.

The Graham Motion-trained Narrow Creek Stud-bred What A Winter gelding won the Da Hoss Stakes at Colonial Downs on debut in the USA last September and then ran a most unlucky seventh in the Gr 1 Breeders Cup Turf Sprint in early November, before being given a month’s break as he fell ill after the latter race.

So he would have needed Saturday’s run and carried joint second topweight of 120 pounds from the widest draw of all in the nine horse field.

He was in midfield on the outer before the turn and then started making up ground under a hands drive from Samuel Marin.

He started making inroads in the straight after being given a couple of slaps by Marin, but that he needed it was shown in that he didn’t find extra after reaching Horsepower, who was in second place.

The winner Rouki, who was prominent throughout after getting a good break was tiring, but still doing enough on their inside.

Rouki beat Horsepower by half-a-length and there was then a neck back to Isivunguvungu.

It was the perfect run for the five-year-old Isivunguvungu as it should put him in just the right place for his continued preparation towards his April 5 engagement in Dubai.

Meanwhile, the world’s richest race, the US$20 Million Saudi Cup over 1800m on dirt produced possibly the race of the millennium between Forever Young (Real Steel) of Japan and Romantic Warrior (Acclamation) of Hong Kong on Saturday night at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse,.

From an inside draw Romantic Warrior was switched wide for the final turn from a prominent position and after sweeping around he hit the front in the straight ahead of the always prominent Forever Young.

It looked race over as he opened a gap but the imposing Forever Young switched to the outer and his giant stride started eating into the leeway.

The rest of the field were a mile back as they drove to the line with Forever Young prevailing by neck.

It was the seven-year-old Romantic Warrior’s first ever race on dirt, which is the regular surface for four-year-old Forever Young.

In Hong on Sunday the horse regarded as the world’s best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress), stepped up to 1400m for the HK$13 million Gr 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup and with Zac Purton out injured Karis Teetan rode him for the second time. Ka Ying Rising found extra from the front to win the weight for age event by 1,50 lengths to record his tenth successive victory and his eleventh overall.

David Thiselton

The 4Racing National Currency Sprint over 1100m is the headliner at Turffontein Standside today and could see Pistol Pete land a second grade three victory in succession. 

This Buffalo Bill Cody colt has put in some of the best three-year-old performances of the season and can prove himself up to having a go at the Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Sprint by winning convincingly under Gavin Lerena. He is the joint best in the weights in this three-year-old event event together with Chocolate Soldier and has a nice middle draw. The main danger could be the Heavenly Blue gelding Truth who has a lot of class and in his recent runs preferred the 1400m trip to the 1600m one,  so he is interesting dropped further in trip. His class could pull him through from a disadvantageous low draw by trends. Karate Kid is another progressive sort who should be in the shake up, although the draw of one is against him. His last win was with Rachel Venniker up and she takes over the ride again. Rodeo Drive has plenty of class and has good natural pace too. She will be cherry ripe as this is her third run of the season. She was just 3.1 lengths behind the classy Almond Sea last time and should have come on from the run, so should be right there. Chocolate Soldier has a lot of pace but might prefer 1000m to 1100m. Rondebosch from a nice draw of seven can’t be ignored as he is an honest sort. DantonfromSandton is also an interesting runner with Piere Strydom taking the ride, although he has a tough task with Pistol Pete on the form of their last clash. However, he does have a nice high draw again and if he repeats his run when a close-up third to Barbaresco he could be in the  shake up. 

A MR99 Handicap over 1600m forms the fifth leg of the P6 and Gavin Lerena could be in the winner’s enclosure again on Jury’s Out. This horse has run well with blinkers on and is off a competitive mark and is drawn well in two. Artist’s Model was not disgraced last time out when beaten 5.4 lengths into third by Don’t Cry For Me, who is well regarded. He might well appreciate the step down to 1600m, but he does have a wide draw to overcome. Master Christmas is a consistent sort who will relish this course and distance and he has draw three with Zackey up. Storm Brasco is none too reliable but on his day is capable of producing a strong finish. Command Pilot disappointed last time, but if producing his best he could earn. Deception Pass is another one who is capable of earning and having a 2,5kg claimer up might help. Whafeef can never be ignored and Argo Alley is another one who is capable of a classy performance. Zuzan is another one who can never be ignored. 

In the first leg of the P6 over 1160m DuPont Emerald looks hard to beat. She has a touch of class and plenty of scope and should be too good for this field despite having jump from a low draw of four. The chief danger could be Saudi Sweep who disappointed last time over 1400m but whom has been shown to have some ability.

In the second leg of the P6 over 1600m Chieftain’s Shield has a a tricky draw of nine, but did well last time despite being caught wide in the running. Ryan  Munger is up and he looks the one to beat. Page Boy was most disappointing last time and is probably better than that and from draw two could be a big runner if fulfilling the potential he has shown. 

In the sixth race over 1000m Night Vigil won well on his Highveld debut over a 1000m on the Vaal Classic track. Second time out he was not disgraced over that same course and distance and the form of that race looks to be strong considering Chrome Tourmaline, who was 2,55 lengths ahead of him, came out and won comfortably. Troppo Veloce might well have benefited from the layoff of close to three months. Simply Majestic has dropped to a competitive merit rating and could bounce back in her third run after a layoff, although she has gone completely off the boil. Bosum Buddy is 2kg under sufferance, but has the advantage of Rachel Venniker’s 1,5kg claim so could be right there if producing her best. One Fell Swoop has gone a bit off form overall but did run a cracker last time and a repeat of that effort should see her going close. 

In the last leg of the pick six Vesuvio is knocking hard and enjoys this 2,400 meter trip, so he should go close with Ryan Munger up from a good draw. Twenty Drachma’s has always struck as a progressive staying type and so has To The Rescue. United Council is usually in the shake up and enjoys this trip and Littlemarysunshine won the first time she tried this trip since being unplaced in the Oaks, but she does have a six point raise to overcome.

In the first leg of the Bipot over 1160m Emerald Forge, Crystal Grove and Dondoyaki make most appeal of the first-timers, who would not have to be superstars to win this.

In the first leg of the PA over 1160m Kaleesh Cyborg should appreciate the step down in trip and does not face an inspiring field. Cronus and Empress Wu look to be the dangers.

The first race over 1160m could be won by Arashi.

The last race over 2400m could see a few fighting it out, but Royal Mazarin makes most appeal.

RACE 1     

7 ARASHI 8 BACK FROM WAR 1 BLIZZARD QUEST 6 TIME WILL TELL

Preview: 7 ARASHI has run good races in both starts and is drawn on the right side. 8 BACK FROM WAR ran a fair fourth on debut in a decent field and is a contender. 1 BLIZZARD QUEST is by Querari and is a half-brother to the useful speedster Slalom Queen. 6 TIME WILL TELL is by William Longsword out of a Silvano mare. (7-8-1-6)

RACE 2     

3 EMERALD FORGE 1 CRYSTAL GROVE 2 DONDOYAKI 11 VEGAS GIRL

Preview: 3 EMERALD FORGE is by Gimmethegreenlight out of a Western Winter mare and Lerena is up. 1 CRYSTAL GROVE is by The United States out of a Windrush mare and is a half-sister to a  number of winners. 2 DONDOYAKI is by Danon Platina out of a Noordhoek Flyer mare. 11 VEGAS GIRL ran a moderate fifth on debut but could improve. (David Thiselton 3-1-2-11) 

RACE 3     

1 KALEESH CYBORG 6 CRONUS 9 EMPRESS WU 2 MIZZEN SWORD

Preview: 1 KALEESH CYBORG should appreciate the step down in trip and does not face an inspiring field. 6 CRONUS has run two fair races and could be in the shake ip. 9 EMPRESS WU should be plugging on into the money. 2 MIZZEN SWORD has enough form to be able to earn in this race. (David Thiselton 1-6-9-2)

RACE 4     

1 DUPONT EMERALD 2 SAUDI SWEEP 14 WEARINGOFTHEGREEN 7 CHILLI MARMALADE

Preview: 1 DUPONT EMERALD has good form and will take a lot of beating here. 2 SAUDI SWEEP has shown some ability and will appreciate the step down in trip. 14 WEARINGOFTHEGREEN has run two fair races but does have a tricky low draw. 7 CHILLI MARMALADE has the ability to earn in this line up. (David Thiselton 1-2-14-7) 

RACE 5     

5 CHIEFTAIN’S SHIELD 9 PAGE BOY 3 BRIGHAM 2 SOVEREIGN CROWN

Preview: 5 CHIEFTAIN’S SHIELD did not have much luck in running last time and can bounce back is able to find cover from another tricky draw. 9 PAGE BOY has caught the eye before and the drop in trip might help. 3 BRIGHAM has sown enough to be able to earn here. 2 SOVEREIGN CROWN could earn if reproducing his best run. (David Thiselton 5-9-3-2)

RACE 6     

4 NIGHT VIGIL  3 SIMPLY MAJESTIC 1 TROPPO VELOCE 5 BOSUM BUDDY 

Preview: 4 NIGHT VIGIL won her Highveld debut before disappointing last time out over 1000m on the Vaal Classic track and in cab bounce back from a high draw. 3 SIMPLY MAJESTIC has talent and is off a competitive mark. 1 TROPPO VELOCE disappointed last time but could have benefited from a short layoff. 5 BOSUM BUDDY is 2kg under sufferance but has the 1,5kg claim of Venniker to alleviate it and has fair form. (David Thiselton 4-1-3-5)

RACE 7     

2 PISTOL PETE 3 TRUTH 5 KARATE KID 7 RODEO DRIVE

Preview: 2 PISTOL PETE is a potentially top class sprinter and is the one to beat here. 3 TRUTH has a lot of class and that could pull him through in this drop in trip. 5 KARATE KID has been showing a lot of ability and would not be a surprise winner. 7 RODEO DRIVE has speed and class and should be cherry ripe. (David Thiselton 2-3-5-7) 

RACE 8     

7 JURY’S OUT 8 ARTIST’S MODEL 3 MASTER CHRISTMAS 1 STORM BRASCO

Preview: 7 JURY’S OUT has hard-knocking form and is distance suited and well drawn with Lerena up. 8 ARTIST’S MODEL has class but will have to overcome a wide draw again. 3 MASTER CHRISTMAS is an honest sort who can earn here. 1 STORM BRASCO is none too reliable but on his day he is able to produce a telling finish. (David Thiselton 7-8-3-1) 

RACE 9     

5 VESUVIO 7 TWENTY DRACHMA’S 9 TO THE RESCUE 3 UNITED COUNCIL

Preview: 5 VESUVIO is knocking hard and enjoys this trip. 7 TWENTY DRACHMA’S has always struck as a progressive staying type. 9 TO THE RESCUE is another one who stays and is likely to improve as he gets older. 3 UNITED COUNCIL is usually in the shake up and enjoy this trip. (David Thiselton 5-7-9-3)

RACE 10    

5 ROYAL MAZARIN 3 IDEAL FUTURE 4 ROMEO’S MAGIC 8 POPLAR PARK

Preview: 5 ROYAL MAZARIN is a capable stayer and should be right there over the course and distance of his last win. 3 IDEAL FUTURE is capable of a strong finish over this trip if the race pans out well, so the wide draw is a bit of a concern. 4 ROMEO’S MAGIC won easily last time but does have a five point raise to overcome. 8 POPLAR PARK steps up to a trip which could suit her well. (David Thiselton 5-3-4-8)