
June 7 South Africa (Greyville) form analysis
(3) BLIZZARD QUEST has found market support in both starts. He steps up to a more suitable trip.
(4) LUNAR DESCENT has improved with each outing and was close-up at long odds when going a mile for the first time.
(2) MATCHA MINT comes with smart Highveld form. She has a good draw and Richard Fourie.
(1) BLACKJACK RANDALL goes this trip for the first time. He took on what has panned out to be a fair field over a sprint last time.
Race 2 (1,600m)
(7) RICH FOLKS HOAX has started a beaten favourite at his first two KZN starts. He shed his maiden over a mile blinkers are on.
(5) PLUS FOUR has run two smart races for his new stable since moving up from the Cape.
Stable jockey Sean Veale has plumped for the well-drawn (1) TYRCONNELL.
(3) MASTER CHRISTMAS is way better than his last effort and makes the trip from the Highveld.
Race 3 (1,900m)
(11) AFROPOLITAN stayed on stoutly last run on the Poly. Though he has top weight, he should be competitive.
(6) BOMBERS IN THE SKY only recently shed his maiden but was staying on well in his first local start over course and distance.
He should turn the tables on (7) CHILL IN THE AIR who finished 0.5 length ahead of Bombers In The Sky last time.
(10) AFRICAN DUSK looks held by Afropolitan on their last meeting but he is also down in class.
Race 4 (1,200m)
(1) VIBE SA may have needed his first run back after a three-month break. He has the best of the draws.
(3) POSITION OF POWER won well on debut over this course. He looks useful and can follow up.
(7) AFRICAN PRINCE was a beaten favourite in his Poly debut but was not far back. The switch to the turf could bring out the best.
(6) HOPE IS POWER finished ahead of African Prince when they last met and from the widest draw. Little between these two.
Race 5 (1,400m)
(1) EDUCATOR was well supported in the market on debut and won comfortably. She stays the trip and has the best of the draws.
(5) CAPTAINS ENVY is now 2kg better off than (3) QUICKSTEPGAL who touched him off in the Strelitzia Stakes. Mike Miller's charge can turn the tables.
(4) LITTLEMISSSPLENDID went close when stepping up in trip.
Race 6 (1,400m)
(8) WHISPERING DEATH finished runner-up on debut and is unbeaten in two since. He looks progressive.
(1) TENJIKU beat Whispering Death when shedding his maiden and followed up with another comfortable victory.
(9) VIKINGS REVENGE won well at long odds on debut. He will come on from that run.
(11) AVERSATOR won well over course and distance when shedding his maiden. Still can win this with natural improvement.
Race 7 (1,600m)
(2) DAVE THE KING made all to show that he was back to best when winning last time. He has the ideal draw and all should be chasing him come the final furlong.
(5) COSMIC SPEED finished close behind Eight On Eighteen in the Group 2 WSB Guineas over course and distance. As one of the best 3YOs, he can test Dave The King.
(3) SEE IT AGAIN showed signs of his best when touched off by Gladatorian in the Drill Hall Stakes. Extra 200m suits.
(8) GLADATORIAN came from well back to win the Drill Hall and must certainly have a chance.
Race 8 (1,400m)
(9) BE MERRY stayed on gamely in the WSB Fillies Guineas and this shorter trip should suit despite wide gate.
(8) CALLMEGETRIX has finished runner-up at her last three and meets Be Merry on similar terms as to when last they met.
(5) GREEN SAPPHIRE was never in the hunt from her wide draw in the WSB Fillies Guineas. She won well over course and distance at her penultimate start.
(1) LUCRATIVE has shown steady improvement of late and has the best of the draws.
Race 9 (1,800m)
(1) POMODORO'S JET steps up in trip but is unbeaten since being fitted with cheek pieces. Fair weight on his back but he will go close.
(5) ON MY HONOUR was just over three lengths off Eight On Eighteen in the Group 2 WSB Guineas. He has been taking on top company in the Western Cape.
(13) ZEITZ flopped in the Group 1 Cape Derby. Not seen since. He will need to win or run up close to have a chance on a run in July.
(10) WILD INTENT has come well since his below-par trip to the Cape. He got a 17-point jump in the handicap for his second to Legend Of Arthur in the Gr1 SA Derby.
Race 10 (1,000m)
(7) AYUWI YUWI was narrowly beaten by the veteran sprinter Trafalgar Square last time.
(4) TARA STAR has found form. Apprentice is replaced by Fourie.
(6) GOLDEN CHANDELIER has lost her way of late but gets first-time blinkers. She can pop up at long odds.
(12) MILLION VOICES resumes and is the choice of stable rider Tristan Godden. She will go close on her best form.
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New Paper
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July 12 South Africa (Turffontein) form analysis
Race 1 (1,600m) (1) DAISY JONES confirmed the promise of her debut fourth over 1,500m by finishing second over 1,400m in her last start and this extended trip should unlock further progress. (2) MATCHA MINT would not be winning out of turn after three consecutive seconds, including back-to-back runner-up finishes over 1,600m. (3) REJUVENATE is closely matched with that rival, so she should play a leading role too. (6) STAMPEDE AHEAD has also shown enough to have a say in the outcome. Race 2 (1,160m) (9) SURPRISE PARTY did not go unnoticed on debut over this track and trip, despite showings signs of her inexperience. Newcomers (7) HEAVENLY GOOD, (4) COMIC ARTIST and (3) BABETTE'S FEAST are worth a market check. (1) CYBER SPIRIT has the form and experience to acquit herself competitively but is vulnerable to less-exposed rivals. Fellow 3YO filly (2) ICONIC WINTER would have benefited from a recent comeback and should have more to offer, especially on the evidence of her course-and-distance debut. Race 3 (1,160m) Well-bred newcomers (4) ECHO CHECK, (5) ECHOES OF WAR, (3) BEST CANDIDATE will not need to be special to play leading roles on debut. The same applies to (10) ONCEINABLUEMOON, who is not underestimated under bottom weight. Returning (1) AMANDLA NGAWETHU and Highveld newcomer (2) MONKEY PUZZLE are experienced older geldings vulnerable under top weight. (9) LANNYBOY would have come on from his course-and-distance debut fourth and ought to acquit himself competitively. Race 4 (1,160m) Unexposed (2) MISS ARGONAUT defied a market drift when winning at this level on her Highveld debut. She remains open to further progress and should have a bright future in the province. (1) ONE FELL SWOOP sets a good standard and boasts both the form and experience over track and trip to trouble the selection. (6) BLIZZARD SNOW and (4) KOMATI RIVER also have the means to get involved. Race 5 (1,160m) Last-start winner (8) BLINDFIRE, (7) GOLDEN ASPEN and (3) LADY OF MEMPHIS will be competitive if building on improved recent efforts. (2) VALIEVA was supported last time and had legitimate excuses for that disappointing performance, so she cannot be overlooked. (1) WE WILL ROCK YOU is out of sorts but dangerous to discount off a career-low mark and over this shorter trip under a 1.5kg-claiming apprentice. Race 6 (2,000m) (1) MOLOTOV COCKTAIL confirmed the promise of his fast-finishing debut fifth over 1,400m by winning from the front over 1,600m in his only subsequent appearance. This extended trip should be more to his liking, so it could pay to follow his progress. Well-bred class-dropper (3) DUAL PROPHECY caught the eye over track and trip last time and in his peak outing should pose a threat to the selection. (4) VOLTE FACE is another with earning potential. (5) FLAG BEARER and (9) GAMER are honest hard-knockers with the form and experience to make their presence felt too. Race 7 (1,600m) Course-and-distance specialist (9) JURY'S OUT would have tightened up after a much-needed comeback run over 1,160m and will likely fare better over this trip. (2) BACCHUS, (7) PRESLEY and (5) COMMAND PILOT are better than recent performances suggest and can take home a cheque. (1) WECANGOALLNIGHT acquitted himself competitively under 50kg in a stronger race over track and trip recently. He should have a role to play if reproducing that effort off an unchanged under 60kg. Race 8 (1,600m) Stablemates (3) BIRTHRIGHT and (7) THE PLAYBOY BOMBER are undefeated over track and trip. The latter overcame a wide draw when winning over course and distance last time in impressive fashion and is all set for another forward showing. However, preference is for the consistent former, who caught the eye with a fast-finishing fourth over 1,450m on the Inside track last month and will prefer the Standside track. (5) KING OF NUMBERS and (9) EIFFEL TOWER should be competitive for the places.


New Paper
03-07-2025
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July 5 Durban July form analysis
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New Paper
02-07-2025
- New Paper
Eight On Eighteen aims to be No.1 of 18
DURBAN Trainer Justin Snaith and owners Nick Jonsson and Johann Rupert have taken the plunge. Their star colt Eight On Eighteen heads the list of 18 runners for the Grade 1 five million rand (S$360,000) Hollywoodbets Durban July to be run over 2,200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on July 5. The field announcement and barrier draw took place at a glittering function in the Hollywoodbets Greyville parade ring where Eight On Eighteen drew 11. The son of Lancaster Bomber will make history should he win and become the first three-year-old to win the Grade 1 WSB Cape Town Met (2,000m) and the Durban July in the same year. All the signs are good with current South African champion jockey Richard Fourie hunting his fourth July win and Snaith his sixth. Eight On Eighteen's victory in the Grade 1 Daily News 2000 on May 24 was breathtaking as he made short work of many of the country's top three-year-olds. He was equally impressive in this year's Cape Town Met on Jan 25 when he took on and beat the country's top older horses at weight-for-age. The five-time winner has been set to carry top weight for a three-year-old male in 57kg, the highest since Abashiri lumped 59kg into 13th place behind The Conglomerate in 2016. While Eight On Eighteen is likely to start one of the shortest-priced favourites in the long history of the race, he will not be short of opposition. Current second favourite is last year's winner Oriental Charm, who goes into this year's race off an exceptional prep. The Vercingetorix five-year-old was beaten half-a-length by Eight On Eighteen in the Cape Town Met and now meets his younger rival on 5.5kg better terms. In his comeback run, he was touched off a head in the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge over 1,600m by reigning Equus Horse of the Year, Dave The King, on June 7. It would be an emotional win for James Crawford, who recently took over his father's string with Brett soon to ply his trade in Hong Kong. See It Again races in the same Jonsson pink, green and white silks as Eight On Eighteen and has his third attempt after finishing second to Winchester Mansion two years back and fifth last year behind Oriental Charm. Piere Strydom has been replaced in the irons by Raymond Danielson as Michael Roberts tries for a win as a jockey and trainer. Stuart Ferrie sends out his first July runner in the hard-knocking Gladatorian. A fast-finishing third behind Dave The King and Oriental Charm in the Gold Challenge, he tries the July 2,200m trip for the first time. Also by Vercingetorix, Gladatorian is a horse with a smart turn of foot and will be charging at the leaders come the home straight. Another one who likes to charge late is The Real Prince. Dean Kannemeyer knows what it takes to train a July winner, successful with Dynasty, Eyeothetiger and Power King. The Real Prince has been brought along quietly and is sure to peak on the day. Royal Victory will have his supporters as Nathan Kotzen's charge has also had an ideal preparation. A winner of the Grade 1 Betway Summer Cup (2,000m) and the Grade 1 Champions Challenge (2,000m) at Turffontein last season, he finished third in the July last year behind Oriental Charm. He was doing his best work late behind Dave The King in a warm-up over 1,500m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last start and will strip at his peak. He has drawn 17. Highveld raiders are a little thin on the ground this year but their best chance could lie with Confederate. Relatively lightly raced by Fabian Habib, Confederate has won four of his nine starts but has never finished further back than second. The Fire Away four-year-old won the Grade 1 SA Classic (1,800m) on March 1, beating subsequent Champions Challenge winner Fire Attack and will be ridden by two-time South African and current New Zealand champion jockey Warren Kennedy who has made the trip to ride in the race. Champion trainer Mike de Kock boasts a stellar record in this race and has now joined forces with his son Mathew. They have their first July runner together in the three-year-old and recent Grade 3 Jubilee Stakes (1,800m) winner Immediate Edge. He carries bottom weight for a three-year-old male of 53kg and has won four of his six starts to-date. He has drawn alongside Eight On Eighteen in gate 10. Snaith has two other runners in the race, namely Okavango and Native Ruler while Alec Laird pins his hopes on Grade 1 Betway Summer Cup winner Atticus Finch. GOLD CIRCLE