TAB WEEKEND RACING HIGHLIGHTS: 28 - 30 March

CHAMPIONS DAY SPECTACULAR HEADLINES A CRACKER WEEKEND

What a weekend! It’s headlined by Saturday's Champions Day meeting at Turffontein - a 12-race celebration of high-quality action with no fewer than nine feature events and a multitude of chances to rocket your bank balance through the roof. A R1-million TAB Pick 6 carryover could generate a whopping total pool of some R5 million and TAB Win, Place, Exacta, Quinella and Swinger bets on Races 6 to 11 will be commingled into the gigantic Hong Kong World Pool tote. So you can have a full go on your fancies without denting the payouts. Take your seat in the grandstand or in your lounge in front of channel 240 on DStv and treat yourself to great entertainment! The weekend kicks off as normal on Friday afternoon at Fairview with the scheduled day-night meeting at Hollywoodbets Greyville moving to Sunday because of rain.

FRIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

FAIRVIEW: BANK ON IN-FORM DUO IN THE JACKPOT

The high-riding combination of Alan Greeff and Richard Fourie racked up another four-timer at Fairview last Friday, boosting their March tally to 15 winners. They have standout runners in the four Jackpot legs, comprising consistent Coral Creek (Race 5), course-and-distance specialist Arabian Red (Race 6), long-overdue Sharapova (Race 7) and facile Maiden winner Chili Bomb (Race 8). Take the Greeff-Fourie straight-line TAB Jackpot for luck: 4-2-5-1.

SATURDAY HIGHLIGHTS

ROSEHILL: EIGHT GRADED RACES ON FINAL DAY OF CARNIVAL

If you enjoy top-drawer racing action, it’s worth getting up early to catch the final day of the 2025 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival at Rosehill. There are eight graded races headed by the Grade 1 Vinery Stud Stakes and the Kia Tancred Stakes, in which UK raider Dubai Honour is strongly fancied to win first up since finishing second in last December’s Hong Kong Vase. He’s hard to oppose, but if you are looking for a value each-way bet, go for Arapaho who won two years ago. TAB Win, Place, Swinger and Quinella (first two, any order) bets on Races 8 to 10 will go into the Hong Kong World Pool. Tune in from 04:00. Remember the Hong Kong Place rules:

* Less than 4 runners no PLACE betting

* 4-6 declared runners payouts FIRST, SECOND

* 7 to 20 declared runners payouts FIRST, SECOND, THIRD

TURFFONTEIN: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE CARRYOVER PICK 6

Champions Day at the city track is one of the biggest meetings of the year with four Grade 1 blockbusters and five other feature races, including the third and final legs of the TAB SA Triple Crown and the Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara. The most popular bet of the day will be the carryover Pick 6, so below are brief previews of the six legs.

Leg 1: Race 4 - 1100m 4RACING FM 76 HANDICAP (F & M)

Several have chances in a 15-runner handicap for fillies, so good reason to tread carefully. Quasikat had Divine Moonlight, Blizzard Snow, One Party, Valieva and There She Goes behind her in a narrow win over this 1160m most recently. At the revised weights, any of them could turn the tables. It doesn’t stop there - Juniper Green, Flight Of A Condor and Sheets And Goggles have good form and a few others are capable of upsetting. Consider selecting “Field” in your Pick 6 perm.

Leg 2: Race 5 - 1400m ORMOND FERRARIS INDUCTED INTO THE SA HALL OF FAME MR 82 HANDICAP

Has a tricky appearance, but on closer scrutiny Pressonregardless looks the one to beat. He finished a close second to Hotarubi in a strong Graduation Plate last time - running way above his official merit rating. If that is a reflection of his true ability, Pressonregardless will go close to winning, but that he’s only had one success from 17 starts is a concern. Include Fully Loaded, Palace Dancer, Spirited Girl, King Of Numbers, Libeccio and Shampimpi for cover.

Leg 3: Race 6 - 1600m TAB EMPRESS CLUB STAKES (Grade 1)

If races were won on paper, brave punters could consider taking a flyer with smart Fatal Flaw, who won the Grade 1 Cape Fillies Guineas from the widest of draws. On a line through World Of Alice, she should have the beating of VJ’s Angel and, by implication, Spumante Dolce, White Pearl and the others. But, in reality, every filly in this top-level seven-horse clash of generations has a winning chance.

Leg 4: Race 7 - 1000m TAB COMPUTAFORM SPRINT (Grade 1)

In a high-speed showdown, the spotlight is on evergreen 14-time winner William Robertson, who recently proved that he has the pace to win over 1000m. He is in top form and has a big chance of landing his first Grade 1 success, especially since trainer Corne Spies and jockey Ryan Munger believe he’s still improving. With class, experience and race conditions on his side, he’ll take some beating. Collateral form shows that the talented but recently erratic Lucky Lad has a chance, while Cruise Control has blistering pace and is likely to enjoy the course and distance on his first Highveld visit.

Leg 5: Race 8 - 2000m HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB WORLD POOL PREMIER’S CHAMPIONS CHALLENGE (Grade 1)

Former Summer Cup winner Royal Victory and regular top-level challenger Purple Pitcher could arguably have shown a little more enthusiasm in their prep runs. Both have been aimed at this race and while improvement and solid showings are expected, the advantage lies with the younger and steadily improving Fire Attack. He ran on powerfully in the SA Classic and should enjoy the extra 200m here. This is an early test of his ability against older horses, and that trainer Alec Laird has booked Richard Fourie speaks volumes.

Leg 6: Race 9 - 2450m TAB SA DERBY (Grade 1)

A quality renewal of a great Turffontein classic. Legend Of Arthur came from last to finish third behind Confederate in the SA Classic. He was the fastest finisher in the race and had Parisian Walkway, Grey Jet, Bacchus and Don’t Cry For Me treading water behind him. The unbeaten Immediate Edge showed heart and determination when beating Wild Intent in the Listed Hawwaam Stakes, but a 3kg swing at the weights favours Wild Intent. Solar Sail could be a surprise package over this trip and useful filly Olivia’s Way bypasses the Oaks for this tough match with colts. Her connections must think her good enough to win it.

SUGGESTED R504 (for 10%) PICK 6 PERM (Leg 1 Race 4 @13:15):

Leg 1: FIELD (1-15)

Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10

Leg 3: FIELD (1-7)

Leg 4:  1

Leg 5: 10

Leg 6: 1, 2, 6, 7, 10, 13

DONCASTER: 2025 UK FLAT RACING SEASON GETS UNDER WAY

The 2025 British flat racing season kicks off with a pair of Listed contests including Race 4, the William Hill Doncaster Mile Stakes. Karl Burke saddles likely favourite Liberty Lane, who faces George Boughey’s Botanical and Roger Teal’s stable star Dancing Gemini. Liberty Lane looks to resume his progress, having ended 2024 with an easy win in the Cambridgeshire and a solid second to Lead Artist in the Group 3 Darley Stakes.

SUNDAY HIGHLIGHTS:

SHA TIN: THIS LOOKS MUCH EASIER FOR GALAXY PATCH

Galaxy Patch finds a much easier contest in the Group 2 Chairman’s Trophy (Race 5) over 1600m, than in recent starts in which Voyage Bubble has proven a tough nut to crack. His latest effort in the Gold Cup is best overlooked, as he raced too keenly and didn’t settle. Back to 1600m after a 35-day freshen-up and a sharp trial between runs, this is his chance to return to winning ways. The meeting starts at 06:45.

HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE: GIMMIE’S COUNTESS SHOULD ROMP THIS

With 28mm of rain Tuesday through Friday morning and more forecast, this meeting has been moved from Friday to Sunday. Consistent high-level performer Gimmie’s Countess, rated 108, is weighted to win the Grade 3 Umzimkhulu Stakes with a minimum of fuss. Already a Grade 3 winner over 1400m, she looks ideally placed here and has the benefit of an inside draw. In the Grade 3 Byerley Turk over 1400m, the weights favour 115-rated Cats Pajamas, though Cymric is potentially a few points better than his current rating of 106 and poses a danger.

MONDAY HIGHLIGHTS:

HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE: ROMAN AGENT CAN SHINE FOR NAIDOO

Scheduled for Sunday but now moved to Monday 31 March. Three-year-old Roman Agent can make a winning debut for trainer Kom Naidoo in Race 8 over 1000m, the afternoon’s topliner. Winner of last season’s Listed Summer Juvenile Stakes and Grade 3-placed in the Winter Nursery at Kenilworth, he’s a hard-galloping grey who should hold his own in his new surroundings and looks a cut above his rivals.