WEEKEND RACING HIGHLIGHTS: 6 - 8 December

AWESOME GROUP 1 RACING ACTION AND PICK 6 MILLIONS

This weekend, the racing world lights up with awesome action and betting opportunities! Hollywoodbets Kenilworth takes centre stage with the first classic of the season for three-year-old fillies and a R1-million Pick 6 carryover with an anticipated pool of R4-million. The feast of local action continues with a twilight meeting at Turffontein and there’s top-tier racing over jumps at Sandown Park in the UK. The excitement doesn’t stop there. On Sunday, the global spotlight shifts to Sha Tin in Hong Kong for four electrifying Group 1 contests. Don’t miss your chance to join in and cash in ahead of the Festive Season!

FRIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

FAIRVIEW: EAST COAST SET TO SHINE IN HIS NEW HOME

Trainer Alan Greeff has an excellent record with runners relocating to the Eastern Cape and the connections of former Gauteng feature-contender East Coast are looking forward to his new career in Gqeberha. He’ll be having his first start on the Polytrack in Race 7, the Founders Trophy over 1600m, and Greeff is quietly confident of a good run. East Coast’s former trainer Mike de Kock, who also owns a share in the gelding, said: “His rating has dropped and I think he will enjoy the Polytrack.”

MEYDAN DUBAI: CHAMP SPRINTER TO MAKE WINNING RETURN

Tuz, champion sprinter of the UAE and winner of the Group 1 Golden Shaheen, returns to action in Race 5, the Listed Al Garhoud Sprint over 1200m. The Oxbow gelding has a good record fresh and should start his campaign with a bang under regular jockey Tadgh O’Shea, before targeting the major dirt sprint prizes later in the season. The meeting starts at 15:30.

SANDOWN UK: MURPHY’S GREY IS FIT AND READY FOR GRADE 2 CHASE

Olly Murphy’s Resplendent Grey has had two excellent runs in preparation for the Betfair Esher Novices' Chase over 4800m and looks the part in this Grade 2 contest. “He is a horse that we have always liked and he is still on an upwards trajectory,” said Murphy of the six-year-old. In-form Sean Bowen has been booked for the ride.

SATURDAY HIGHLIGHTS

JEBAL ALI DUBAI: BILLY WEBSTER TO BUILD ON WINNING DIRT DEBUT

Irish-bred Billy Webster made an immediate impact on his UAE debut over 1000m on sand at Jebel Ali last month. The son of Profitable travelled powerfully before Pat Dobbs sent him clear in the closing stages to win easily on his first start for Doug Watson. He has strong claims of following up in Race 4, the Emirates Airline Cup over 1000m, one of seven races on a competitive card at the Dubai track. The meeting starts at 11.30.

HOLLYWOODBETS KENILWORTH: GIMMIE’S COUNTESS LOOKS THE CLASS

In the absence of champion filly Quid Pro Quo, the Grade 1 World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas looks likely to be contested by three runners who placed behind her in various graded races last season. Gimmie’s Countess, Symphony in White and Fatal Flaw all have excellent form to Quid Pro Quo and Symphony In White got the closest to her in the Allan Robertson Championship. Of the three, however, Gimmie’s Countess could have the most quality. She has been lightly raced by trainer Dean Kannemeyer and produced a fast finish in the recent Grade 2 Cape Fillies Championship over 1400m. Of the others Mon Petit Cherie, Beware The Bomb and Kinda Wonderful have fair claims on exposed form. The suggested Pick 6 banker is Magic Verse, who ticks all the boxes in Race 9 over 2000m.

SUGGESTED R172.80 (10%) PICK 6 PERM (Leg 1 Race 4 @ 13:40):
Leg 1: 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 14

Leg 2: 2, 4, 5, 7

Leg 3:  2, 3, 4, 5

Leg 4: 1, 3, 6, 10, 11, 13

Leg 5: 1, 3, 7

Leg 6: 8

TURFFONTEIN: EARMUFFS DOING THE TRICK FOR QUATERMAIN

Trainer Robyn Klaasen’s Quatermain raced prominently when fitted with earmuffs last time and was game in a close contest won by Sugar Blast. He is handily weighted in Race 6 over 1600m, the meeting’s topliner, and could get back to winning ways. His main danger at the weights is Southern Blaze, who takes his time to get going but gallops with some determination and will be suited to 1600m. Command Control found 1800m a touch too far last time when beaten by subsequent Summer Cup-placed Rule By Force. He has a shout again, along with Whafeef who comes from the same line of form.

SANDOWN UK: JONBON TARGETS HIS 16^TH CAREER VICTORY

There are two Grade 1 races at this Premier meeting, including the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase over 3200m, in which eight-year-old champion Jonbon will seek a 16th career win. He has been priced up as short as 4-7 and will be as exciting as ever to watch.

SUNDAY HIGHLIGHTS

SHA TIN HONG KONG: ROMANTIC WARRIOR POISED TO MAKE HISTORY

Local hero, Romantic Warrior, looks ready to write himself into history as the first three-time winner of the HK$40 million Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Cup over 2000m (Race 8). “Romantic Warrior is in superb form and he’s going to be awfully hard to beat. He’s probably peaking up better than he did last year for the same race,” said jockey James McDonald. There are three other Group 1 races on Longines Hong Kong International raceday. Aiden O’Brien’s Luxembourg profiles well in Race 4, the Gold Vase over 2400m. Kay Ying Rising broke Sacred Kingdom’s long-standing 1200m track record at Sha Tin in his latest outing and looks hard to beat in Race 5, the Hong Kong Sprint over 1200m, and Galaxy Patch looks poised to secure his maiden Group 1 victory in the Hong Kong Mile. The first race starts at 06:25.

SELANGOR MALAYSIA: RED DRAGONFLY HAS HAT-TRICK IN HIS SIGHTS

Red Dragonfly is set to maintain his unbeaten record in Malaysia in Race 3 over 1275m at Kuala Lumpur. He arrived from Singapore as a 20-start maiden, but has made rapid progress with two commanding wins, the latest a 3.25-length success under a 4.5kg penalty. Red Dragonfly has developed a strong rapport with apprentice CK Khaw and they should maintain the momentum.  The meeting starts at 07:15.

HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE: IN-FORM HABIB AIMS FOR TOP FIVE

Jockey Calvin Habib, still on a high following his Betway Summer Cup win last Saturday, is making a bid to get into the top five on the national log. He has several good rides at this meeting and will be hoping to add to his current tally of 38 winners. Habib’s best rides are Treasure Island (Race 1), Mr Fixit (Race 4) and Gorgeous Guy (Race 8). He also has an upset chance on Record High (Race 6), who is improving in his new stable.