Local racing this weekend is headlined by a double-header on Saturday - Hollywoodbets Kenilworth stages two competitive features and there’s a tricky Pick 6 at Turffontein. Fairview’s Friday meeting offers a standout banker who shouldn’t be affected by the switch to the Polytrack. And on Sunday Hollywoodbets Scottsville hosts the Listed World Sports Betting Sledgehammer. The local fare is complemented by a blockbuster meeting in Australia on Saturday morning and high-octane action from Hong Kong on Sunday.
In the absence of accomplished stablemate Cruise Control and top sprinter Fairy Knight, Gavin Smith-trained Kingdundee could have Race 7, the Fairview Flying Five over 1000m, at his mercy. This speedy three-year-old has progressed through the ranks rapidly with four wins from seven starts and is still improving. He should have the beating of older rivals Mercantour and Cliff Top at the weights, while fellow three-year-old Anuschka’s World looks held on their recent encounter.
The Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival rolls on with Day 2 of the Championships and once again TAB customers can bet into the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s massive tote pools. TAB Win, Place, Quinella and Swinger bets on all 10 races will be commingled into the Hong Kong World Pool tote, while Exacta, Quartet, Double and Jackpot wagers will go into Tabcorp pools in Australia as usual. No Trifectas will be offered.
The four Grade 1 and three Grade 2 contests on the card are headlined by the Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2000m, widely regarded as Australia’s premier weight-for-age race. Via Sistina, winner of five Grade 1s this season and runner-up in the Queen Elizabeth a year ago, is hot favourite but faces a strong challenge from UK trainer William Haggas’ Dubai Honour. The value bet is eachway on Fawkner Park. Live coverage from Race 2 (04:20) on channel 240 DStv.
The Listed Sweet Chestnut Stakes over 1400m (Race 6) and Grade 3 Variety Club Mile (Race 7) headline a 10-race programme. Promising three-year-olds take on battle-hardened older rivals in both races. Four-year-old Magic Verse could be the right choice in the Mile. Unbeaten in two starts over 1600m, he is 5kg better off for a narrow defeat by Rascallion and had excuses for a poor run in the Cape Met. With the scratchings of Kinda Wonderful and I’m So Pritti, the Sweet Chestnut Stakes could go to Rainbow Lorikeet. She’s best over further, but enjoys the sting out of the ground and is arguably the best filly in the race.
Buffalo Storm Cody looks the part in Race 7, the Mythical Flight Sprint over 1100m. He has long hinted at real ability and finally put it all together after being gelded with a runaway victory on his return to action. It was a performance that suggested the penny has dropped and he now steps into this minor looking every bit a horse with more to come. He’s the banker in a challenging Pick 6.
SUGGESTED R504 (10%) PICK 6 PERM (Leg 1 Race 4 @14:05):
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8,10
Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8
Leg 3: 2, 6, 7, 8
Leg 4: 2
Leg 5: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6
Leg 6: 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 11
Multiple French champion jockey Christophe Soumillon has rides in two of the three Group 3 features on this Premier raceday. He’s on ante-post favourite Simmering in Race 2, the Dubai Duty Free Stakes for fillies over 1400m, and will partner Joseph O’Brien’s Saracen a race later. Simmering won the Group 3 Princess Margaret Stakes at Royal Ascot last year and, with two Group 1 places since, should be too classy in this lesser company. Saracen was hugely impressive on debut at the Curragh.
The curtain comes down on the 2025 UAE racing season at Abu Dhabi and Silvestre de Sousa will be crowned Emirates champion jockey for the first time, denying Tadhg O’Shea his 13th title. De Sousa, fresh from winning last Saturday’s Dubai Gold Cup on Dubai Future, has a strong book of rides and partners smart Daramethos in Race 7, the Abu Dhabi Championship over 2200m. Trained by Julio Olascoaga, Daramethos seeks another major prize at Abu Dhabi, having won the National Day earlier in the season.
Patch Of Theta should enjoy a good run from an inside barrier in Race 8 over 1400m. This race presents an easier task than his two races at Group 1 and 2 level. He put up an impressive trial and Hugh Bowman is back in the irons. Patch Of Theta’s main rival is Taj Dragon, who gets back to his best distance after three runs over an unsuitable 1200m. The meeting starts at 06:30.
Dual Group 1 winner Lucky Magic looks primed to extend his winning streak in Race 7 over 1600m at Kuala Lumpur. Undefeated in two runs over the track and trip, he targets a fourth consecutive win following a 0.75-length win in the Group 1 Perak Derby over 2000m on 2 March. Race 1 is at 06:45.
Champion trainer Justin Snaith starts his annual assault on the KZN Champions Season with four runners, including ready-to-win gelding Gran Canaria in Race 3. He also saddles feature contenders Rapidash and Legal Counsel in Race 7, the WSB Sledgehammer over 1750m. Legal Counsel has been touted as one of Snaith’s HWB Durban July prospects for 2025 and looks smart enough to deal with a tricky draw.