WEEKEND RACING HIGHLIGHTS: 17 - 19 May

GOOD BETTING PROSPECTS AROUND THE WORLD!

This racing weekend includes two South African meetings on Saturday plus exciting Group races in the UK and Singapore. There’s a solid all-to-come bet at Fairview on Friday and that could yield the cash for a Pick 6 bet at Turffontein and a couple of punts into the Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool tote on Races 1 to 5 at Newbury in the UK on Saturday. Let’s take a look.

FRIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

FAIRVIEW: PLAY A TAB ALL-TO-COME ON THESE TWO

There are two worthwhile bets at this Polytrack meeting. Both are likely to start at short odds, but you can secure a decent payout if you combine them in a TAB All To Come bet. In-form trainer Sharon Kotzen should win Race 2 over 1400m with Golden Link. He was only touched off when running on well after stubborn behaviour at the start of a 1200m race here last month. With a tongue-tie fitted now, he is expected to win over the extra 200m. Trainer Alan Greeff’s Arturo was pipped over 1200m a fortnight ago and returns to the same track and trip in Race 6. On that run, he holds his strongest form rivals by a few lengths.

YORK: TOWER OF LONDON HAS CLASS ON HIS SIDE

Trainer Aiden O’Brien’s Tower Of London comes into Race 4, the Grade 2 Yorkshire Cup Stakes over 2800m, off an easy success in the Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup on World Cup night. The son of Galileo is 3.5kg worse off with Giavellotto, but appeared to have a length or two in reserve as he came from off the pace for an easy win that night. Class should carry him through in this stayers’ feature.

SATURDAY HIGHLIGHTS

KRANJI: LIM’S READY TO DEFEND KRANJI MILE CROWN

A small field of 10 runners will go to post for the final renewal of the Group 1 Kranji Mile. Singapore’s star horse, Lim’s Kosciuszko, is expected to defend his crown successfully. Trainer Daniel Meagher commented: “The Kranji Mile has been his aim in the first half of the year. His two races in preparation for this were excellent. He carried 59kgs at the handicap conditions in the EW Barker Trophy, so obviously he will be hard to beat carrying 57kgs at set weights on Saturday.” The first race is off at 06:30.

TURFFONTEIN: PROMISING TRUTH TO MAKE IT TWO FROM TWO

Trainer Candice Dawson fields a promising young colt in Truth, a striking grey who won his debut in eye-catching style and a fast time. He makes his second racetrack appearance in Race 4 over 1400m and is held in high regard by his trainer. He ranks a Pick 6 banker and star sprinter Thunderstruck makes similar appeal in Race 9 over 1000m, although he will have to contend with 62kg and some hard-knocking rivals.

SUGGESTED R3,600 PICK 6 (R360 for 10%):

Leg 1: 4

Leg 2: 1, 2, 10

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Leg 5: FIELD (1-10)

Leg 6: 1, 2, 4, 11

HOLLYWOODBETS KENILWORTH: SAN PEDRO CAN MAKE HANDY WEIGHT COUNT

Top-level performer Zapatillas returns to the track following a 10-month absence in the topliner, Race 7 over 1400m. He races well fresh and is well treated at the weights, but if he’s ring-rusty expect up-and-coming distance specialist San Pedro to pose a threat.

San Pedro won impressively from a deep draw recently and has winning prospects on his handy galloping weight alone. Sugar Mountain returns after an out-of-sorts run in Gauteng and is unbeaten over the course and distance in four starts. He makes some appeal, as do San Pedro’s well-performed stablemates Look For Hounds and Silver Operator.

NEWBURY: HIT IT BIG WITH SENSATIONAL INSPIRAL

The Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool tote will be in operation on Races 1 to 5 and all TAB Win, Place, Exacta, Quinella, Swinger and Trifecta bets on these races will be commingled into the huge Hong Kong pools. So if you have a strong fancy, here’s your chance to have a dip without denting the payout.

John and Thady Gosden are taking sensational mare Inspiral to Newbury and she has won Group 1 races in the UK, France and the USA. She hasn’t raced since her Breeders’ Cup success last October, but the Gosdens are masters at bringing horses back fit from layoffs and she should pack too much ability for her male rivals in Race 4, the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes on the straight 1600m.

SUNDAY HIGHLIGHTS

PIMLICO: DERBY HERO CAN TAKE LEG 2 OF USA TRIPLE CROWN

Following the scratching of Bob Baffert’s ante-post favourite Muth, the Group 1 Preakness Stakes over 1900m (01:01 SA time Sunday) looks an easier assignment for trainer Kenny McPeek’s Mystik Dan. He won last month’s Group 1 Kentucky Derby and has enjoyed a flawless preparation into this second leg of the USA Triple Crown. The field has cut down to just eight runners.

SHA TIN: TRUST IN POWERFUL WINGS TO TAKE OFF

Trainer Ricky Yiu’s six-year-old Powerful Wings had an indifferent end to the 2023 season. But he has improved steadily in all four of his runs in 2024, including a close third over this course and distance on 28 April. He looks back to best and, reunited with jockey Alexis Badell, is the main contender at the weights in Race 7, the Members Cup Handicap.

HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE: DAVE THE KING CAN RULE IN JULY PREP

Trainer Mike de Kock said on Thursday that workmanlike Dave The King is in a good space and is expected to give a good account of himself in his preparation race for the Hollywoodbets Durban July. He runs in Race 7, a Pinnacle Plate over 1500m, and should go close to winning, given he’s the highest-rated three-time winner in the land. Summer Cup and Champions Challenge winner Royal Victory is reportedly also close to best and is the main danger to Dave The King.