TAB WEEKEND RACING HIGHLIGHTS: 5 - 7 September

A GOOD WEEKEND OF RACING FOR FANS AT HOME AND ABROAD

Racing fans are in for a feast of action this weekend. It kicks off on Friday with a double-header - a value-packed sprint feature at Fairview, and a day-night programme from Hollywoodbets Greyville. On Saturday, an in-form jockey looks primed to provide a possible Pick 6 banker at Turffontein, while Sunday offers plenty more: a champion rider with six strong mounts at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, and at Sha Tin, a former South African trainer saddles his first runner of the new season. Buckle up!

FRIDAY HIGHLIGHTS:

FAIRVIEW: PROGRESSIVE CROWNED HORNBILL COULD SPRING A SURPRISE

With the Eastern Cape’s champion sprinter Cruise Control absent, the R175,000 Speedsters Stakes over 1000m (Race 6) shapes into an open contest. Top-rated Fairy Knight is the class runner and would be the obvious pick over 1200m, but he was beaten in a single previous attempt at 1000m. That leaves the door open for stablemate Cliff Top, along with the progressive Anuschka’s World, to stake their claims. Beyond that, Forest Spy and Crowned Hornbill hold upset chances. The latter takes a step up in class, but he has made good progress through the lower ranks and with trainer Cliffie Miller in top form, could spring a surprise.

HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE: INFINITY EDGE LOOKS BEST OF MILLER’S FOUR

Trainer Mike Miller saddles a strong quartet of fillies in Race 6 over 1400m, the feature event of this twilight meeting. Warrior Royale, Sovereign Grant and Magical View all have claims, but it is three-year-old Infinity Edge who tops the ratings. She returns from a short break after a close fourth in the Grade 2 Debutante Stakes and if the handicapper’s assessment proves correct, her handy weight could give her the edge.

SATURDAY HIGHLIGHTS:

SELANGOR: CLASSY FRIGHT TARGETS ANOTHER WIN

Former Australian galloper Fright wasted no time getting off the mark locally and will bid to make it two on the bounce in Race 5, a Class 4A contest over 1275m at Kuala Lumpur. The four-year-old arrived in Malaysia with three minor placings from four starts and struck immediately, breaking his maiden over 1150m on 17 August. On that occasion he made all the running, coasting home by 3.75 lengths in quick time on soft ground. Drawn in barrier No 5, Fright again shapes as the horse to beat.

TURFFONTEIN: CONFIDENT NHLAPO CAN STRIKE AGAIN ON NYAKA NYAKA

Jockey Louis Nhlapo has made the most of recent opportunities from Tony Peter and Johan Janse van Vuuren, riding three winners from just 16 mounts this season. The seasoned lightweight has another strong chance on Nyaka Nyaka in Race 8 over 1200m. With solid recent efforts against top performers like Shadow Fax, Jan Van Goyen and Rodeo Drive, he may still be ahead of the handicapper and will be tough to beat under just 50kg. Top weight Karate Kid looks ready to strike after a break but is asked to concede 12kg to Nyaka Nyaka and has yet to win beyond 1000m. In the day’s main event, Race 7 over 1450m, Royal Force makes his return from a three-month layoff. His only below-par run came when he was reported to have bled, but if that effort is forgiven, he rates the one they all have to beat.

SUGGESTED PICK PERM (R480 for 25%):

Pick 6 Starts in Race 4 @ 13:55

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

Leg 2: FIELD (1-8)

Leg 3: 3, 8

Leg 4: 3, 5, 6, 7

Leg 5: 1, 9

Leg 6: 4, 5, 7

HAYDOCK: MARKET BACKS LAZZAT IN GROUP 1 SPRINT

A field of 22 will contest Race 5, the Group 1 Betfair Sprint Cup Stakes over 1200m, with bookmakers offering around 8-1 bar Lazzat, who opened favourite at 2-1. The short price reflects strong market confidence in the French-trained star from Jérôme Reynier’s yard. Lazzat was sent off odds-on for last month’s Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest but had to settle for second behind Sajir, his first outing since capturing the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. “He had a very busy campaign as a three-year-old, travelling all over the world,” Reynier said. “This year we’ll keep him in Europe to try to make him the best sprinter on the continent. He’s been training really well, and we’re happy with him.”

SUNDAY HIGHLIGHTS:

PERAK (MALAYSIA): SPEEDY BIG BAD MAMA READY TO LEAD FROM THE FRONT

Big Bad Mama is one of the country’s sharpest beginners and looks ideally placed for a winning return in Race 11 over 1000m at Ipoh. The speedy mare has been freshened up since finishing fifth over 1200m in a feature race at this course last month, when she pulled up with a lameness issue. She profiles as the likely leader and will be tough to run down in Class 4 company. The meeting starts at 06:40.

SHA TIN: CRAWFORD SADDLES HIS FIRST HONG KONG RUNNER

The 2025/26 Hong Kong season opens with an exciting 10-race card, where South African eyes will be on trainer Brett Crawford’s first island runner, Smart Sweetie, in Race 1 over 1200m. A winner at the end of last season, he has reportedly impressed in his lead-up trial. Crawford has reunited with his former Cape stable jockey, Karis Teetan, hoping to launch this new chapter on a winning note. The feature, Race 8 over 1400m, may offer value in the shape of Australian-bred Markwin, the lesser-fancied of Cody Mo’s pair. He showed plenty of ability last season before being sidelined in April with a bleed, and while his trial was low-key, it hinted at encouraging progress. The first race is off at 07:00.

HOLLYWOODBETS DURBANVILLE: LERENA HAS SIX WINNING CHANCES

Champion jockey Gavin Lerena will be teaming up with champion trainer Justin Snaith and Candice Bass-Robinson, and has winning prospects in the first six of eight races on the card. They include Drakenstein Stud’s R5.2-million yearling Trip To Camelot, who makes his debut in Race 1 over 1000m and is considered to have an eachway chance. Red Wave has the best form of all in Race 3 over 1600m and should win despite his deep draw, while improving Red Coral has only Heavenly Mafia to beat in Race 4 over 1400m. Wish List is Lerena’s best ride in Race 6 over 1400m. Touched off by smart Viva La Vida last time, she looks the proverbial blinder on collateral form with five of her seven rivals.