TAB WEEKEND RACING HIGHLIGHTS: 10 - 12 APRIL

INTERNATIONAL BLOCKBUSTERS AND BANKER BETS IN SA

Racing this Saturday is set to deliver a compelling mix of spectacle and betting opportunities. At Royal Randwick in Sydney, a star filly bids for a remarkable 12th victory in as many career starts in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Later at Aintree in another hemisphere over 30 brave steeplechasers will line up for the iconic Grand National, facing 30 fences over a gruelling 6940m.

At home, two lucrative sales races headline the card at Hollywoodbets Greyville, supported by a R500,000 Pick 6 carryover set to deliver a pool of about R3 million. There are also Pick 6 opportunities at Fairview on Friday and Turffontein on Sunday. The stage is set - join in the action.

FRIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

FAIRVIEW: TRAINER’S VIEWS THE KEY TO OAKS, FLYING FIVE

The trainers of champion filly Anotherdanceforme (2000m East Cape Oaks, Race 4) and top sprinter Cruise Control (1000m Fairview Flying Five, Race 7) answered the single question mark against each of their runners in interviews on Racing Today’s Track Talk. Anotherdanceforme has not raced beyond 1600m and trainer Alan Greeff said: “All indications are that she will see out 2000m”. Dean Smith said of the rested Cruise Control: “He is fit and well and won’t need the run. He loves the course and distance and goes well fresh.” Both runners look Pick 6 bankers.

AINTREE: NO JONBON - HEART WOOD SET TO CAPITALISE

With dual Grade 1 JCB Melling Chase winner Jonbon ruled out of Race 4, all eyes turn to Heart Wood to land the 2026 renewal of the 4000m contest on the second day of the Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree in Liverpool. Trainer Henry de Bromhead said: “Heart Wood has been flying this season - better than ever - and I’ve been delighted with him since Cheltenham. He came out of the Ryanair bouncing. He’s a very adaptable horse and has done nothing wrong all season.”

SATURDAY HIGHLIGHTS

ROYAL RANDWICK: WALLER’S WONDER FILLY EYES 12 FROM 12

Day two of The Championships presents a 10-race card with four Grade 1 events including Race 9, the A$5-million Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2000m. Chris Waller’s star filly Autumn Glow is all the rage for this premier event. She seeks a perfect 12 wins from 12 starts and could become one of the quickest horses to break through the A$10-million prize money barrier.

Autumn Glow has been spectacular in her preparation, winning the Group 2 Apollo Stakes, the Group 1 Verry Elleegant and the Group 1 George Ryder with relative ease. She races over 2000m for the first time but jockey James Macdonald said: “To be honest we are actually excited by the challenge. Since her three-year-old season I couldn’t wait to see her stretched over a bit further. She’s very, very fit and I think the harder they go, the more it will suit her.”

The World Pool tote will be in operation for all 10 races and TAB Win, Place, Quinella and Swinger bets will go into the massive Hong Kong pools. The meeting starts at 03:45.

SELANGOR: IRONSTORM CAN REGAIN WINNING THREAD

Ironstorm took time to break through this season but struck with successive wins over 1150m and 1020m and looks to have a strong chance of scoring again in Race 7 over 1020m. The five-year-old never recovered from mid-race interference when fifth last time out and now reunites with regular rider Jose De Souza. The meeting starts at 07:30.

HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE: ZAKI RUNNER CAN TRUMP SNAITH ACES

Justin Snaith holds a powerful hand with three runners in Race 7, the R5-million Race Coast Sales Big Cap over 1400m, one of two graded-quality feature events on the card. Distance specialist Great Plains must shoulder a hefty weight but still rates a leading contender, while Roland Garros brings some of the strongest three-year-old form to the race and is well suited to the trip. Snaith’s third runner Randolph Hearst is capable but appears held by Dominic Zaki’s standout charge Talk To The Master.

The Zaki runner measures up favourably on earlier collateral form and looks the one most likely to upset the Snaith challenge.

Speedy and unbeaten World Attraction steps up to 1200m for the first time in Race 6, the R3-million Race Coast Sales Slipper. Drawn wide, he faces a stiff test against erratic but talented World Series, progressive Turn It Up and Cape feature winner Red Spice.

AINTREE: I AM MAXIMUS FAVOURITE BUT BIG MOVE FOR PANIC ATTACK

I Am Maximus, winner of the 2024 Randox Grand National and narrowly beaten last year, heads the betting at 7-1 for the 2026 renewal of the world’s greatest jump race (Race 6 @ 17:00). This is the 177^th running and only seven horses have won it more than once, including Tiger Roll (the victor in 2018 and 2019) and three-time winner Red Rum (1973, 1974 and 1977).

Trainer Willie Mullins, who saddled the first three home last year and is set to field eight runners this year, acknowledged the difficulty of carrying top weight but remains hopeful of a big run from I Am Maximus. While recognising the challenge of landing a second win, Mullins emphasised his runner’s excellent form and pointed to his love for Aintree.

The other well-fancied runner is 10-year-old mare Panic Attack, who was backed from 20s to 8-1 this week. “She’s a phenomenal jumper,” said trainer Dan Skelton.

SUNDAY HIGHLIGHTS

SHA TIN: CRIMSON FLASH CAN STRIKE FROM INSIDE DRAW

Crimson Flash, trained by log-leader Mark Newnham, shapes as the one to beat in Race 11 over 1200m, the feature event on the card. His record over this trip and track is not especially good, but he had poor luck in those outings. From draw three, he should enjoy a much cleaner run and a repeat of his explosive Happy Valley victory should be good enough to win here. The meeting starts at 06:30.

SELANGOR: STAR EIGHTY THREE LOOKS READY TO WIN

Star Eighty Three took time to acclimatise after arriving from Australia, but his most recent gallop suggests he is the one to beat in Race 3 over 1020m at Kuala Lumpur. He clocked a competitive 37.2 seconds over 600m in his preparation and appears to have the measure of rivals Pacific Warlord and Pantong. Race 1 is at 06:40.

TURFFONTEIN: MIAMI MOUNTAIN CAN DELIVER AGAIN

Progressive Miami Mountain had Charming Cheetah, Umzingeli Wenyathi and Zelatoris behind him when he stormed home from well off the pace to win February’s Grade 3 National Currency Sprint over 1100m. While Charming Cheetah is weighted to turn the tables in Race 6, the Betway Mythical Flight Sprint over the same distance, Miami Mountain scored with plenty in hand that day.

With blinkers refitted, he should go close to winning again, although you may want to play it safe in the exotics because Miami Mountain could be vulnerable if the early pace doesn’t suit him.

The closest to a Pick 6 banker looks to be Ruby Whisper, who comes into Race 4 over 1160m with Listed form to her credit. She looks a cut above her opposition.

SUGGESTED R378 (10%) PICK 6 PERM (Leg 1 Race 4 @14:00):

Leg 1: 8

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3

Leg 4: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6

Leg 5: 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8

Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7,10