WEEKEND RACING HIGHLIGHTS: 10 - 12 Jan 2025

ASTUTE PUNTERS GEAR UP FOR A WEEKEND OF RACING RICHES

We’re just over a week into the New Year, and Saturday’s double-header at Turffontein and Kenilworth promises to reignite punters’ enthusiasm after several meetings were postponed or cancelled due to rain. Turffontein features three rescheduled highlights, including the Got The Greenlight Stakes, where three exceptional three-year-olds will do battle with a few others for top honours. Meanwhile, a Gauteng raider aims to confirm his prowess over coastal rivals in Sunday’s African Holly Stakes at Scottsville, a meeting enhanced by the addition of an extra feature race. For those looking further afield, a selection of thrilling international racing action completes a weekend poised to delight sharp-eyed punters eager to seize their share of the spoils.

FRIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

FAIRVIEW: BANK ON LUNA HALO TO SHINE BRIGHT IN LADY’S BRACELET

Local star filly Luna Halo was touched off by Gold Poker Game when her saddle slipped during last year’s running of the Lady’s Bracelet, but she can set the record straight in Race 5, the 2025 renewal of the 1400m contest. A nine-time winner from 25 starts and proven at the highest level, she is weighted to win this race with a minimum amount of fuss and rates a banker for the exotics.

MEYDAN: PROMISING GALEN COULD UPSET APPLEBY DUO

Godolphin’s Charlie Appleby saddles the unexposed pair First Conquest and Arabian Light in Race 5, the Lord North Handicap over 1800m on turf. William Buick’s mount Arabian Light impressed when winning at Kempton last August and holds strong claims of scoring on his handicap debut off a five-month break. Joseph’s O’Brien’s lightly raced Galen looks best of the overseas contingent. He was beaten just four lengths in Group 2 company at Irish Champions Festival last September, has more to offer and commands respect stepping down in grade.

SATURDAY HIGHLIGHTS

TURFFONTEIN: THREE EXCITING FEATURES RESCHEDULED

Vulcanite, who gallops with determination and has a high cruising speed, is the filly to beat in the rescheduled Race 5, the Grade 3 Betway Mother Russia Stakes over 1400m on the Standside track. In Race 6, the Grade 3 Betway Got The Greenlight Stakes over 1400m, another speedy sort Greaterix, drops back to 1400m. From a good draw, the talented grey could have the edge over the two highest-rated runners Cosmic Speed and Fire Attack, who are both drawn deep but will be staying on late in the race. Chestnut Bomber was not disgraced behind Quid Pro Quo in the Grade 2 Dingaans and gets a chance to validate his trainer’s high regard in Race 4, the Listed Wolf Power 1600.

SUGGESTED PICK 6 PERM (R448 for 10%)
Starts in Race 4 @ 13:40

Leg 1: 1, 2, 8, 9

Leg 2: 1, 4

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 6

Leg 4: 2, 3, 5, 10

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

Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10

HWB KENILWORTH: MISS WORLD POISED FOR VICTORY WITH FOURIE ABOARD

One World’s daughter, Miss World, earned Black Type in her last two starts, the latest a close-up fourth to subsequent Grade 2 winner Asiye Phambile in the Southern Cross Stakes. That line of form has already been franked, and with Richard Fourie engaged to ride Miss World for the first time in the topliner, Race 3 over 1200m, trainer Greg Ennion clearly means business.

KEMPTON: ALL EYES ON PIC D’ORHY IN GRADE 2 CHASE

The Grade 2 Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase over 4200m (Race 5) tops the bill at this Premier jumps’ meeting. Paul Nicholls saddles the long odds-on favourite Pic D’Orhy, who has won two of the last three renewals of this event and comes into the race off an easy win in the Grade 2 Copybet Chase. There are no runners of the same calibre entered in opposition, so this looks cut and dried.

SUNDAY HIGHLIGHTS

SHA TIN: JOHANNES BRAHMS STRIKES A POWERFUL CHORD

Packing Hermod is a serious talent on the rise and can solidify his Classic Mile credentials in Race 7, the Racing Club Cup Handicap over 1400m. However, he has work to do with another Mile prospect Rubylot, looking to turn the tables after finishing a close runner-up to Packing Hermod last time. The connections of both have plenty to fear from Johannes Brahms, a highly promising four-year-old who is also on the Classic Mile trail. He broke through for his first Hong Kong win in style under a big weight last time and looks progressive enough to follow up. The first race is off at 07:00.

SELANGOR: ANTIPOEDEAN FACES FORMER STABLEMATE IN COMEBACK RUN

A quality 11-race programme sees the welcome return of Antipodean, Malaysia’s top performer of 2024. He will be lining up in Race 8, a Supreme A contest over 1200m. Antipodean dominated the local scene last year with his trademark burst of acceleration, winning nine of his ten starts, including a Group 1 victory in the Selangor Gold Cup over 1600m. Now a four-year-old, he has moved to the stables of KC Tiang and will face his former stablemate, Witnessimpact, who looked sharp in his trial win here on 31 December and could give the champion some cheek. The meeting starts at 07:45.

HWB SCOTTSVILLE: WILLIAM ROBERTSON TO MAINTAIN WINNING FORM

William Robertson, the 12-time successful sprinter, has winning momentum going into Race 6, the African Holly Stakes over 1100m, rescheduled. The son of Rafeef enjoys this track and, with his high merit rating, his races are hand-picked for optimal performance. Ace galloper Royal Victory has shown his best form at other venues but he, too, looks a class above his rivals in the back-up feature Race 7, the Michael Roberts Stakes over 1750m.