WEEKEND RACING HIGHLIGHTS: 6 - 8 Sep

WALL-TO-WALL ACTION AND SOME GOOD BETS

This weekend is packed with excellent racing from around the globe, starting with a small sprint feature at Fairview in which many reckon the result is as good as in the frame. Saturday sees the penultimate Group 1 event at Kranji before the curtain comes down on racing in Singapore and there is a local double-header at Hollywoodbets Durbanville and Turffontein. The Cape meeting features two hot runners from trainer Vaughan Marshall’s stable in the Pick 6, and trainer Corne Spies likes one of his runners to post her third consecutive victory in Johannesburg. And on Sunday the 2024-25 racing season in Hong Kong commences with a rich feature at Sha Tin.

FRIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

FAIRVIEW: CRUISE CONTROL RARING TO GO IN SPEEDSTERS

Eleven-time winning five-year-old Cruise Control looks a notch above his rivals in Race 7, the R175,000 Speedsters Stakes over 1000m, a race he won as a three-year-old in 2022. He has returned to Gqeberha following a good spell in KZN, where he was only run out of it in the closing stages of the Grade 1 Golden Horse Sprint and finished a close fourth.

News from trainer Gavin Smith is that Cruise Control is fit and ready after a rest: “The horse is flying. He looks an absolute picture.” Cruise Control’s stablemate Slim Jannie, is also in good shape, but Justin Snaith’s seven-year-old Speed Machine will probably prove the danger, especially if the track comes up soft.

SATURDAY HIGHLIGHTS

KRANJI: THREE LOCAL STARS TO FIGHT OUT GROUP 1 CUP

Singapore’s three best thoroughbreds will go to post in the $300,000 Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup over 1800m. Local champion Lim’s Kosciuszko was beaten into second by Lim’s Saltoro in the Group 1 Raffles Cup over 1600m last time, but was very game in defeat and ran on strongly. He should turn the tables on his stablemate over the extra 200m, but Golden Monkey will ensure an additional challenge. He is at the top of his form and should get every chance from barrier four. The meeting starts at 06:30.

HWB DURBANVILLE: MARSHALL HOLDS TWO TRUMP CARDS

With two potential bankers, the Pick 6 at the country track appears more straightforward on paper than the Turffontein equivalent. Marshall sends out two strong contenders in Cumbre Vieja (Race 4) and Questioning (Race 8). Cumbre Vieja, who boasts seven places from seven starts, is certainly due for a win and should be tough to beat with Richard Fourie in the saddle and a favourable draw.

Questioning, a classic contender last season, is unbeaten over the course and distance and is in a race with several 1600m runners having prep runs, while most of his proven sprinting rivals are poorly drawn. He’s changed owners to a prominent racing partnership recently and there is no doubt that fireworks are expected from him this season.

SUGGESTED PICK 6 (R297 for 10%):
Starts in Race 3 @ 13:45

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

Leg 2: 4

Leg 3: 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8

Leg 4: FIELD (1-11)

Leg 5: 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13

Leg 6: 7

TURFFONTEIN: HIERKOMMIEBOKKIE SET FOR THREE IN A ROW

Hierkommiebokkie is fancied to complete a hat-trick of wins in Race 6 over 1000m and is a potential Pick 6 banker. She has won both her starts on the Highveld with strong front-running tactics and more of the same can be expected. Trainer Corne Spies said on Thursday: “The handicapper has slapped us with 16 points for her wins, but we’re hoping she’s still ahead. She is drawn on the outside but will probably go around them to the front. There are others in the race that may chase her on the pace, but she’s been winning with a bit in hand. She’s well, we’re expecting a good run. I think our mare Golden Aspen will finish in the money too.”

HAYDOCK UK: INISHERIN CAN MAKE AMENDS IN GROUP 1 CLASH

Group 1 Commonwealth Cup winner Inisherin is the ante-post favourite for the Group 1 Betfair Sprint Cup (Race 5) over 1200m at Haydock. He was rested after a below-par effort in the Group 1 July Cup, but trainer Kevin Ryan reported this week that his runner was in good shape. He said: “Inisherin is in great form. We've had an uninterrupted preparation and all his work has gone to plan. He is very fresh and well.” Inisherin likes the track and trip, having won the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes on his only appearance at the course last May.

SUNDAY HIGHLIGHTS

SHA TIN: BEAUTY WAVES TO SHINE AS NEW SEASON KICKS OFF

The new season starts with an exciting feature, the Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup over 1200m on turf (Race 3). This race is traditionally a pointer to the region’s Group 1 sprints and trainer David Hayes fancies the prospects of his promising runner Ka Ying Rising. “He’s the highest-rated horse and has had a really good break in the off-season. He needs the run, but every challenge we’ve asked him to do he’s handled very easily,” said Hayes.

The connections of Ka Ying Rising have most to fear from Pierre Ng-trained Beauty Waves, who slots in nicely at the weights in a race that historically favours those at the lower end of the scale. The speedy, Irish-bred gelding has a kind draw in barrier two and could give a flying start to Ng, who was second on the trainer’s table last season. The meeting starts at 06:50.

SELANGOR: GROUP 1 FEATURE LOOKS A TWO-HORSE RACE

The Group 1 Selangor Gold Cup over 1600m tops the bill on an 11-race programme that kicks off at 06:35. Malaysia’s most progressive gallopers, Antipodean and Golden Pegasus, are set to do battle. Four-year-old Antipodean suffered his first defeat in eight starts over 1300m and will be looking to atone as he steps up to 1600m for the first time. But year-older Golden Pegasus is in career best form and it should be a cracking contest.

HWB SCOTTSVILLE: COUNT ON DECENT SPRINTER LUNARCAM

This is the most challenging card of the weekend and healthy TAB payouts can be expected. Exactas and Swingers look the way to go and there are some interesting pointers that may help to unravel the puzzles. Watch the betting on first-timer Queen Of The Air in Race 3), a first filly foal sired by Vercingetorix out of talented Dynasty mare Hashtagyolo, who won three of six including a Grade 3 race before she was retired due to injury.

Amigo (Race 4) looks ready to win after a good third to Mvelelo, who is reportedly fancied to follow up on that win in Race 5 over 1750m. Lightly raced six-year-old Lunarcam has matured into a decent sprinter and looks the one to beat in Race 6. Silver Savage (Race 8) steps into a handicap after a maiden win, but comes from strong form lines and could follow up at a tempting odds.