#De Melo

Racing in the Western Cape reverts to the Southern Suburbs venue on Saturday where the Gr3 Cape Classic for three-year-olds over 1400m tops the nine-race card, with three minor features presenting some testing options. The Hollywoodbets Punters' Challenge has proven a hit since being introduced in the Cape and on Wednesday one desperately unlucky…

The high-riding combination of Turffontein trainer Paul Peter and jockey Warren Kennedy lauded the Narrow Creek Stud-bred 3yo, who produced what is probably her finest performance to date. Giving kilo's to some decent older fillies, Big Burn (3-1) cruised a length off the pace before galloping powerfully into the lead at the 300m, drawing clear to…

After the disappointment of Desert Miracle's defeat - labelled'a debacle' by the champion trainer - in the fairer sex equivalent, Mike de Kock must fancy his chances of making it a SA Triple Crown double after the recently retired new Ridgemont Highlands stallion Malmoos' dramatic success a year earlier. "Safe Passage is a helluva horse - I still…

Dubbed'The Golden Summer' as a tribute to the City of Gold's return to bustling events and activity, punters and racegoers heeded the theme with fashion that was a glittering sight, as racegoers embraced the Golden Summer theme on an entertaining race day hosted by racing operator, 4Racing. The 2022 Betway Summer Cup was won byPuerto Manzano, who…

On a memorable day, South Africa's leading first season sire of 2020/21, Rafeef not only produced a Gr1 winner over 2450m, his sons filled the exacta in a Gr31100m contest to demonstrate his versatility and exciting ability. Going off at 4-1, Rafeef's son Aragosta (4-1) benefitted from another superbly judged ride by the rampant Richard Fourie to…

While they come from different worlds, there are plenty of parallels between MK's Pride's owner Koos Nkale and Ashwin Reynolds, who races the well-beaten favourite Kommetdieding. Both come from humble beginnings and have become popular ambassadors for a sport struggling to reach a wider market and to transform. On the day, it was Koos Nkale's MK's…

One person who won't need much "charity" on Charity Mile Day at Turffontein Racecourse on Saturday is jockey Keagan de Melo. South Africa's new star of the saddle is able to rely purely on his burgeoning talent and fabulous run of form to get himself - and the punters - into the money. In just the past five days, De Melo, 28, has ridden nine…

When trainer Corné Spies saw the draw for the Topbet Mike O'Connor Joburg Spring Challenge, he may have shouted out "Vat so, jou mooi ding!" His star performer, William Robertson, will jump from pole position and this could result in the four-year-old notching the sixth win of his career. The terms of this newly sponsored 1450m grade 2 event favour…

Rain In Holland won the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks at Turffontein on Saturday and in doing so became the fifth Triple Tiara champion. The Sean Tarry-trained filly was pushed all the way to the line by Light Of The Moon but in the end class prevailed, as did Rain In Holland, ridden once again by Richard Fourie. Going off at 9-20, the daughter of…

On Saturday at the revamped country course, Galactic Path went off a popular 17-10 choice in the final race of the day, the Hollywoodbets Bright Future MR 74 Handicap over 2000m, and made it three in a row under the in-form Louis Mxothwa for the Dare To Dream Team. "The plan was to aim him at the 2021 Cape Winter triple crown but he wasn't ready.…

SA Champion trainer Paul Peter could have a massive say in both the Spring Spree Stakes and The Lady's Stakes over 1200m. Peter saddles Gr2 Post Merchants winner Val D'Orcia in the Spring Spree and is expecting a massive run from his charge. "He's a smart horse with a good draw," said Peter, who added punters should ignore Val D'Orcia's last run in…