TAB WEEKEND RACING HIGHLIGHTS: 21 - 23 March

HONG KONG DERBY THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE LONG WEEKEND

Racing this long weekend starts with two Listed races at Fairview on Friday and Saturday’s double-header at Turffontein and Hollywoodbets Durbanville presents several chances to build a bank for next week’s Champions Day extravaganza at Turffontein. The world highlight is Sunday’s Group 1 BMW Hong Kong Derby (10:05 SA time), in which a South African jockey has a bright chance of winning a race worth more than R62 million, and an afternoon fixture at Hollywoodbets Greyville wraps up the weekend.

FRIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

FAIRVIEW: GREEFF, FOURIE CAN BAG TWO LISTED FEATURES

The formidable team of trainer Alan Greeff and jockey Richard Fourie, 11 winners so far this month, could land both features. Nine-time winner Fairy Knight looks the right choice in Race 6, the Listed Mining Pressure Systems East Cape Sprint Cup over 1200m. Fairy Knight has a potential challenger in talented younger sprinter Kingdundee, but he is a class act and will be hard to peg back. Multiple feature winner My Best Shot is the obvious choice at the ratings in the Listed Bryanston Auctioneers East Cape Guineas.

SATURDAY HIGHLIGHTS

TURFFONTEIN: KARATE KID TO CHOP DOWN HIS OPPOSITION

Karate Kid was well backed to win the recent Grade 3 JJ The Jet Plane Sprint, but dislodged his jockey at the start. Highly regarded, well weighted and blessed with plenty of speed, he has a chance to make amends under Pinnacle conditions in Race 9 over 1160m. Paul Matchett’s three-year-old also appeals as a shrewd banker in a challenging Pick 6. Punters will be safe with Dylan’s Champ and Obsidian in Race 4 over 1400m, but Races 5 to 8 are highly competitive and will require a spread of runners in each leg.

SUGGESTED R350 (25%) PICK 6 PERM (Leg 1 Race 4 @ 13:35):

Leg 1: 1, 2

Leg 2: 2, 3, 4, 6

Leg 3:  1, 2, 4, 6, 9

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8

Leg 5: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Leg 6: 6

HOLLYWOODBETS DURBANVILLE: RIGHT TRACK FOR POWERANDTHEGLORY

Five of the six runners in Race 4, a B Stakes over 1400m, were gelded in the last few months and have shown indifferent form since. They’re all likely to start improving now, but Justin Snaith’s Powerandtheglory looks best treated at the weights. With good gate speed and an inside draw, he is the one most likely to be best suited to this tight track and may present some value in a race in which every runner will have a measure of support.

NEWBURY: JASMINE BLISS BIDS FOR A HAT-TRICK OF WINS

Young trainer Harry Derham saddled his 100th career winner when Jasmine Bliss posted an 11-length triumph under Paul O’Brien over 2400m at Southwell three weeks ago. They team up again in Race 3, the Grade 2 event over 4100m, and early betting suggests that the five-time winning mare is fancied for a third successive win.

ABU DHABI: HM ALCHAHINE CAN STAY UNBEATEN ON TRACK

Eight of the 14 runners in Race 7, the Group 1 Emirates Championship for Arabians over 2200m, are rated above 110. Trainer Helal Alalawi holds a big hand in the race with Hm Alchahine and Joe Star. Hm Alchahine returns to the UAE after finishing a creditable second behind dominant Arabian Al Ghadeer in Qatar last month. Hm Alchahine is unbeaten on the Abu Dhabi turf and bids for a seventh victory at the track.

SUNDAY HIGHLIGHTS:

SELANGOR: OUR SECRET WEAPON HAS THE SPEED TO DOMINATE

Seven-year-old galloper Our Secret Weapon looks primed to claim the major prize in Race 11, a Class 4 contest over 1020m at Kuala Lumpur. The gelding has maintained good form since joining the in-form Nick Selvan stable from Singapore with a win three places from six starts, including a breakthrough victory in Class 4 company in February. He is fast out the pens and expected to be prominent from the outset in a race that lacks early pace. The meeting starts at 06:20.

SHA TIN: RUBYLOT AND MY WISH TO FIGHT OUT HONG KONG DERBY

There’s little separating the leading contenders in the 2025 $HK26-million BMW Hong Kong Derby (Race 7) and much will depend on position in running versus the pace. Rubylot stamped his Derby credentials with two strong performances, including an emphatic Classic Cup success. South Africa’s Luke Ferraris rides his traditional rival My Wish, who exudes consistency. He won the Classic Mile and was only edged out late into second behind Rubylot in the Classic Cup. His tactical speed allows him options, and if the Classic Cup is any guide, he will be the one they all have to gun down late. Race 1 is at 07:00

HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE: GLADATORIAN’S CLASS SHOULD TELL

Sparingly raced and versatile Gladatorian can add the Listed Kings Cup over 1600m to his already impressive eight career victories. Stuart Ferrie’s five-year-old has no easy task under 62kg, but he’s the most accomplished runner in the race and normally runs well when fresh after a rest.

FORTHCOMING ATTRACTION: CHAMPIONS DAY SPECTACULAR

A R1-million TAB carryover Pick 6 adds lustre to the Champions Day meeting at Turffontein next Saturday 29 March, when a pool of R5 million is expected. It’s a cracker 12-race programme including four Grade 1 races, four Grade 2 events and a Listed contest. Book your seats, it’s going to be amazing and you can bet into the mega Hong Kong World Pool on six of the races!