July 23 South Africa (Scottsville) form analysis
Many first-timers, so keep an eye on the betting.
Of those that have run, (12) TULIP FIELDS caught the eye on debut when running on stoutly on the Poly. She is down in distance but should run well.
(13) BELLIGERENT improved nicely second time and should be primed for this.
(1) LOVE THE USA has not been far back in two starts and gets a 4kg claimer aboard.
(3) WINTER BLESSING has had a few chances, but has also shown some ability and run well on this course.
Race 2 (1,000m)
Many first-timers.
(7) MFETHU made a smart debut on this course and jockey Gavin Lerena picks up the ride from the suspended Sean Veale.
(9) BOARDWALK BREEZE has been knocking on the door and must have a strong chance on his best effort.
Debutants (8) EXOCET and (3) COWBOY COUNTRY have got favourable comments from their trainers and could be best of the first-timers.
Race 3 (1,400m)
(3) DIRECTOR improved nicely at his second time of asking and, with a handy draw, he should put in a good run.
(10) GOOD OMEN has drawn wide, but improved in his last run behind Group 1 Premier's Champion Stakes nominee Ziyan's Pride.
(1) GALLIC VICTOR comes from a strong stable and is one to watch in the betting.
(8) THIRTEEN FOURTEEN found some market support on debut. Although a well beaten fourth, he should come on with the experience.
Race 4 (1,400m)
(11) RALPH THE RASCAL has a wide draw to contend with, but came good last run over the course and distance. Although he steps up in class, he still has leading apprentice Brevan Plaatjies aboard with his 1.5kg claim.
(1) KIMBALL O'HARA has the best draw, but is 3kg worse off at the weights with Ralph The Rascal for a half-length beating, and seems unlikely to turn the tables.
(3) DANCING ON A CLOUD has been disappointing since his maiden win, but gets first-time blinkers which could bring out his best.
(7) ROOSTER BRADSHAW came from a long way back to win his last start nicely on the Poly. This longer straight will suit him even better. Watch him.
Race 5 (1,600m)
An open handicap. (5) UZWANO has won his last two on the Poly with blinkers, but he has also won on the turf. He looks progressive and can do it again.
(6) BRISTOL HERCULES is seldom out of the money and goes well over the course and distance.
(11) GO GRAYSON GO has a tricky draw to contend with, but gets the benefit of Rachel Venniker's 1.5kg allowance over what looks to be his optimum trip.
(7) THE BRIEF has his first outing for a new stable. He comes with useful Highveld form and is one to watch in the betting.
Race 6 (1,100m)
(8) PRANKSTER was a comfortable winner in his last start on this course and could be difficult to beat in this line-up.
(9) TERIYAKI seldom runs a poor race and his last two have been on the Poly starting at long odds. He looks better suited to this trip.
(3) NOW I GOT YOU has a handy 4kg claimer on board and is holding form, while (1) JANE'S VISION can be dangerous.
Race 7 (1,200m)
(1) GOOD TRAVELLER is long overdue, but the handicappers have been reluctant to drop his rating given his consistency. That could change after this.
(2) KHETHIWE'S DESTINY is relatively lightly raced, but has some useful from in good company. She gets first-time blinkers and a tongue-tie, and should be competitive in this line-up.
(10) MAPHAKA has not been out since January and Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, so his fitness must be taken on trust. However, Cape form is generally a lot stronger than local and he has shed his maiden over course and distance.
(11) GORGEOUS GUY has consistent form and won his last start comfortably, but he is up in class.
Race 8 (1,200m)
Terry Fripp has been looking after Candice Bass-Robinson's runner during Champions Season and he could lead in another winner in (12) MASTEROFTHEDESERT. The gelding has shown up nicely in his two local starts, but has been dropped two points in the handicap, which could be enough to see him home.
(9) MAR DEL PLATA seldom runs a bad race and loves this course.
(6) IN THE BAG may just have needed his first run for his new stable, while (5) MOYA WA LALIGA has been consistent and gets a 4kg claimer up, which will help his chances of a sixth win.
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July 23 South Africa (Scottsville) form analysis
Race 1 (1,100m) Many first-timers, so keep an eye on the betting. Of those that have run, (12) TULIP FIELDS caught the eye on debut when running on stoutly on the Poly. She is down in distance but should run well. (13) BELLIGERENT improved nicely second time and should be primed for this. (1) LOVE THE USA has not been far back in two starts and gets a 4kg claimer aboard. (3) WINTER BLESSING has had a few chances, but has also shown some ability and run well on this course. Race 2 (1,000m) Many first-timers. (7) MFETHU made a smart debut on this course and jockey Gavin Lerena picks up the ride from the suspended Sean Veale. (9) BOARDWALK BREEZE has been knocking on the door and must have a strong chance on his best effort. Debutants (8) EXOCET and (3) COWBOY COUNTRY have got favourable comments from their trainers and could be best of the first-timers. Race 3 (1,400m) (3) DIRECTOR improved nicely at his second time of asking and, with a handy draw, he should put in a good run. (10) GOOD OMEN has drawn wide, but improved in his last run behind Group 1 Premier's Champion Stakes nominee Ziyan's Pride. (1) GALLIC VICTOR comes from a strong stable and is one to watch in the betting. (8) THIRTEEN FOURTEEN found some market support on debut. Although a well beaten fourth, he should come on with the experience. Race 4 (1,400m) (11) RALPH THE RASCAL has a wide draw to contend with, but came good last run over the course and distance. Although he steps up in class, he still has leading apprentice Brevan Plaatjies aboard with his 1.5kg claim. (1) KIMBALL O'HARA has the best draw, but is 3kg worse off at the weights with Ralph The Rascal for a half-length beating, and seems unlikely to turn the tables. (3) DANCING ON A CLOUD has been disappointing since his maiden win, but gets first-time blinkers which could bring out his best. (7) ROOSTER BRADSHAW came from a long way back to win his last start nicely on the Poly. This longer straight will suit him even better. Watch him. Race 5 (1,600m) An open handicap. (5) UZWANO has won his last two on the Poly with blinkers, but he has also won on the turf. He looks progressive and can do it again. (6) BRISTOL HERCULES is seldom out of the money and goes well over the course and distance. (11) GO GRAYSON GO has a tricky draw to contend with, but gets the benefit of Rachel Venniker's 1.5kg allowance over what looks to be his optimum trip. (7) THE BRIEF has his first outing for a new stable. He comes with useful Highveld form and is one to watch in the betting. Race 6 (1,100m) (8) PRANKSTER was a comfortable winner in his last start on this course and could be difficult to beat in this line-up. (9) TERIYAKI seldom runs a poor race and his last two have been on the Poly starting at long odds. He looks better suited to this trip. (3) NOW I GOT YOU has a handy 4kg claimer on board and is holding form, while (1) JANE'S VISION can be dangerous. Race 7 (1,200m) (1) GOOD TRAVELLER is long overdue, but the handicappers have been reluctant to drop his rating given his consistency. That could change after this. (2) KHETHIWE'S DESTINY is relatively lightly raced, but has some useful from in good company. She gets first-time blinkers and a tongue-tie, and should be competitive in this line-up. (10) MAPHAKA has not been out since January and Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, so his fitness must be taken on trust. However, Cape form is generally a lot stronger than local and he has shed his maiden over course and distance. (11) GORGEOUS GUY has consistent form and won his last start comfortably, but he is up in class. Race 8 (1,200m) Terry Fripp has been looking after Candice Bass-Robinson's runner during Champions Season and he could lead in another winner in (12) MASTEROFTHEDESERT. The gelding has shown up nicely in his two local starts, but has been dropped two points in the handicap, which could be enough to see him home. (9) MAR DEL PLATA seldom runs a bad race and loves this course. (6) IN THE BAG may just have needed his first run for his new stable, while (5) MOYA WA LALIGA has been consistent and gets a 4kg claimer up, which will help his chances of a sixth win.
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Kingscote, Crawford new additions to HK ranks in 2025-26
British jockey Richard Kingscote and South African trainer Brett Crawford are the two new faces to join the roster in the upcoming Hong Kong 2025-26 season. Kingscote is licensed to ride from July 17, 2025 to Feb 17, 2026, while Crawford has been licensed for the whole 2025-26 season. Kingscote enjoyed success when he booted home four winners - including a treble at Sha Tin on March 26 - over 10 meetings at his short-term stint in Hong Kong from Feb 19 to April 2. The 38-year-old jockey boasts five Group 1 race wins, with the 2022 Epsom Derby (2,400m) aboard Desert Crown his career highlight. His first Group 1 triumph came in the Irish St Leger (2,800m) on Brown Panther in 2014, before he went on to score with Havana Grey in the 2018 Flying Five Stakes (1,000m), and Bay Bridge in the 2022 Champion Stakes (2,000m). Currently based in the UK, Kingscote won his latest Group 1 race aboard the Harry Eustace-trained Time For Sandals in the Commonwealth Cup (1,200m) at Royal Ascot on June 20. Since his debut in 2004, he has now tallied 1,612 wins across the UK, Hong Kong, Australia, Ireland, United Arab Emirates, Japan, France, Bahrain and Turkey. Kingscote goes to scale at 54kg. All jockeys have been granted a full-season licence except for Kingscote, Keagan de Melo and James Orman, whose terms last until Feb 17. A winner of over 1,400 races in South Africa, Crawford, 53, who was born in Zimbabwe, will begin training in Hong Kong on July 17, a day after the current season ends. Training with his son James on the Western Cape, Crawford senior has amassed 38 Group 1 wins, including two Durban July's (2,200m) with Winchester Mansion in 2023 and Oriental Charm in 2024, as well as three The Met's (2,000m) in Cape Town with Angus (2003), Futura (2015) and Whisky Baron (2017). However, three jockeys and one trainer will also exit the scene. French jockey Antoine Hamelin will return to France, while Australian jockey Ben Thompson will head back to Brisbane for good at the end of the season. In his five years of riding in Hong Kong, Hamelin has clocked 109 wins, albeit with only 10 winners this season. His latest success came atop Rising From Ashes at Sha Tin on June 28. Thompson, who rode at Kranji in 2018-2019, winning 30 races, netted 15 wins in Hong Kong, eight of them in the current term. Just like Hamelin, Thompson has struggled to get a win since his last aboard Fallon on April 23. He will wrap up his 18-month stint at the season's last meeting at Happy Valley on July 16. Local jockeys were not spared lean times either, with Alfred Chan even being forced into retirement at 31. In 10 rides this season, he won only one race on Super Legends, taking his six-year-old career tally to 66 wins. Veteran Hong Kong trainer Benno Yung will call it quits after 12 years of training. The 66-year-old - who began his journey in racing as an apprentice jockey in the 1970s - retires after being licensed as a trainer since 2013-14. He has trained 359 winners, including stable stars like the gigantic grey Pingwu Spark, who finished third to Beauty Only in the 2018 Group 2 Chairman's Trophy (1,600m) and Romantic Touch, who ran third to Luger in the 2015 Hong Kong Derby (2,000m). However, Yung probably scored his biggest win, over cancer in 2023. He made a successful recovery from acute myeloid leukaemia and returned to training. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Jockey Club's licensing committee has also confirmed that trainer Tony Cruz, 68, is eligible for an extension beyond the end of the 2026-27 season, during which he will turn 70, until the conclusion of the 2029-30 season, "provided he continues to satisfy the benchmarks set down by the club". sharonzhang@
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June 16 South Africa (Scottsville) form analysis
Race 1 (1,000m) Many first-timers but, of those who have raced, (8) HOLY STAR was a beaten favourite last time and has two promising runs under the belt. (1) RAGING MOON raced greenly on debut at long odds and was not far back, while (7) RATTLE THE PEACE and (6) CARDINAL CHIEF may be worth following in the betting. Race 2 (1,000m) (1) BELLIGERENT has started at long odds in her two starts but improved nicely the second time. (3) ENGELANDPARK comes from a very much in-form stable and was not far back in her Hollywoodbets Kenilworth debut. She is sure to have come on from that. Duncan Howells' fillies (7) PERFUME POWER and (10) OLIVE GROVE have the benefit of experience and should come on from their last efforts. Race 3 (1,200m) (2) PRIORY TERRACE was well fancied in the betting on debut and finished a close-up second. That run should have brought her on. (5) LUCIENNE has yet to run a bad race and will be a big threat. She was touched off on this course last run in soft ground. (4) ARE YOU SURE has run her best race over course and distance. She has been consistent and should run another good race. (7) CAPRICIOUS MISS will have come on from her debut effort and Gavin Lerena stays with the ride. Race 4 (1,100m) (8) ULTRA QUICK has a wide draw in a small field. He gets 4kg off his back and should be competitive in this line-up. (3) ARVERNI PRINCESS takes on males but has been consistent and is down in class. (2) FATE OF FORTUNE has useful recent form but mostly on the Poly, which is a concern. (4) WHEREVERILAYMYHAT has been close-up at recent starts and has a strong money chance. Race 5 (2,400m) (6) BAD MEDICINE has run two smart races since shedding his maiden. If he can repeat his penultimate start behind July runner Okavango, then he should be good enough in this line-up. The filly (7) ARTIC SILVER cruised home in her maiden win. She looks promising and does not meet a strong field over this trip. (2) ESCAPOLOGIST is not the easiest and gives weight to all, but is down in class and goes well for Cole Dicken. (1) KING BAVARIAN was a runaway winner on the Poly last outing but got a six-point rise in the handicap. He has a light weight. Race 6 (1,400m) (8) PLAZA ACCORD has come well of late and goes well this course and distance. He should put in another honest effort. (7) LOCK AND KEY takes on males but has improved with each outing since arriving in KZN and looks primed for this. There should be very little between (4) TIRPITZ and (5) IMPOSING, given their last meeting, while (6) MOJO MAN steps up in trip and the extra can suit. Race 7 (1,000m) (10) CYMRIC has some smart form in useful company. He has a handy weight and could well be the horse to beat. (4) LUHAMBA PHAMBILI has been in good form since returning from the Cape. He was close-up in a strong field last time. (7) UN BEL DI just needed his last run when making his local debut. He has only 48kg to shoulder. (6) LION RAMPART makes his local debut and comes with some useful Cape form. Race 8 (1,000m) (12) BLACK CHEETAH looks to be a promising juvenile who could prove too classy for this field. (6) MAJOR TOMMIE returns from a lengthy break but shed his maiden at the second time of asking after making a smart debut. If not ring-rusty, he looks capable of a forward showing. (1) TRIPPI T took an age to shed his maiden but, once the ice was broken, he followed up nicely. He has been rested but is consistent. (9) IBHELE is down in class but knocking at the door. One to watch.
