This Christmas long weekend offers a busy racing programme, including Graded and Listed features locally and abroad.
The action starts on Friday, when the Listed Flamboyant Stakes (Race 6) and Listed Christmas Handicap (Race 7) top the bill on a nine-race card at Hollywoodbets Greyville.
The 1600m Flamboyant Stakes looks an ideal picking for the well-bred, Michael Roberts-trained Ladyofdistinction, who has won three of six career starts. On the strength of her recent second place to Cape Fillies Guineas winner Quickstepgal, she looks progressive enough to have a big say in this contest.
Following the scratching of Field Marshal from the 1600m Christmas Handicap, Gareth van Zyl’s Imilenzeyokududuma could be the one to beat. He has an excellent record in this race, having finished a close second to Formagear in 2024 and easily beating Selukwe in last year’s renewal.
Hazy Dazy renews rivalry with Kwazulu-Natal raider Charge It in Race 5, the Listed War Of Athena Handicap over 1800m at Turffontein’s Standside track on Saturday.
Hazy Dazy had a length to spare over Charge It in the Ladies Mile on Summer Cup Day, but will have to jump from the widest of draws this time and may run out of steam if she is forced to race wide early. Sean Tarry’s year-older filly, Gerbera, looks to have a handy weight and could upstage the pair of three-year-olds.
Tony Peter saddles two ace sprinters in Race 6, the Grade 3 Lebelo Handicap over 1000m and both have clear winning chances. Pistol Pete was an impressive winner of the recent Grade 3 Merchants Sprint and had Taxi To The Moon behind him when he won this contest last year. But his stablemate has improved since and a line of recent collateral form through Cosmic Star suggests he can turn the tables. Include both in the Pick 6 and Jackpot.
Corne Spies takes smart filly Elegantrix to HWB Scottsville on Sunday for Race 5, a Middle Stakes over 1100m. She won the Grade 3 Godolphin Barb against male runners when last seen in action over this track and trip, and should take a power of beating.
There are several highlights on the jumps calendar in the UK this long weekend with Premier Raceday meetings at Kempton and Aintree on Friday. The Grade 1 Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (Race 3, 3200m) and Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (Race 4, 4800m), take pride of place at Kempton. The Grade 1 William Hill Formby Novices' Hurdle is Race 3 over 3300m at Aintree.
Trainer Nicky Henderson’s unbeaten Sir Gino is 4-7 favourite to reel off his seventh victory in as many starts in the Christmas Hurdle.
On Saturday there are two Grade 1 races at Leopardstown followed by two more on Sunday.
Other international fare includes racing from Sha Tin in Hong Kong on Saturday (Race 1 at 07:00) and Perak in Malaysia on Sunday (starts at 06:30).