2025 FWD Champions Day Preview
John Size pleased as quartet ready for FWD Champions Day
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April 26 Perak Preview By Mark Lydeamore
The 2025 Quokka: Perth’s $5 Million Sprint Showdown
Take a punt on Fortress Of Fire
The last feature is the Gr3 Dennis Drier Poinsetta Stakes where Andrew Fortune teams up with the Justin Snaith-trained Summer Lily. The daughter of Gimmethegreenlight has twice finished behind the smart Asiye Phambili and is now 6.5kg better off at the weights with her rival that should be more than enough to turn the tables. However, Asiye Phambili is back with Duncan Howells after a successful trip to the Cape. She shoulders a big weight but on her best form she could again prove a little too good for her younger rivals. Gimmie’s Countess has been costly to follow and was a beaten odds-on chance last run behind Green Sapphire when seemingly having it all in her favour. She was run out of it late that day and the drop in trip could better suit. Gareth van Zyl sends out Shipholia who started favourite against males last run finishing behind Teflon Man. However, she goes will on this course and can do better than her last effort.
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France Express Form & Race Previews (ParisLongchamp) – Sunday, April 27

South Africa Express Form & Race Previews (Turffontein / Scottsville) –...

Race Summary: CAPTAIN’S PRIDE (1) started favourite when second best to I’m A Fireball who won with authority. With three runs under her girth on this course she could well prove a match for her male rivals. MALSHANA MOU (9) made good improvement second time out when narrowly beaten but S’Manga Khumalo has opted to partner Captain’s Pride which could be telling. WAROFDYNAMITE (7) finished six lengths off comfortable winner Fortress Of Fire last time out but was right behind the placed runners. He gets first time blinkers. STAR IN MOTION (5) was due to run on Wednesday and is one to watch should he line up here.
Selections: #1 CAPTAIN’S PRIDE, #9 MALSHANA MOU, #7 WAROFDYNAMITE, #5 STAR IN MOTION
Turffontein Inside, 27.04.2025, Race 2, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R130.000, 12:45GMT+2 Race Summary: Fillies VIPINGO and PRINCESS KEIRA receive a handy 2.5kg sex allowance and have both the form and experience to give their male rivals something to fear. Well-bred first-timers ALPHA WORLD, BALULE, ZALATORIS, GEOSTORM and ON AN IMPULSE must be monitored in the betting and market support would speak volumes of their chances on debut. Selections: #9 Vipingo, #8 Princess Keira, #4 Geostorm, #1 Alpha World HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 27.04.2025, Race 2, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R125,000, 13:05GMT+2Race Summary: HAPPY ANALIA (8) is in smart form at present and only got a three-point ride in the handicap for her last win. ICY ELEANOR (7) has not been out since making a winning debut nearly a year back. She was well fancied that day and can make a winning return. WINGS OF JOSEPHINE (1) cruised to a comfortable victory last time out. She took a seven-point rise in the handicap but does get another 4kg claimer aboard. VISION TO ACHIEVE (4) was caught late when going a furlong further last time out. She can do better this shorter trip.
Selections: #8 HAPPY ANALIA, #7 ICY ELEANOR, #1 WINGS OF JOSEPHINE, #4 VISION TO ACHIEVE
Turffontein Inside, 27.04.2025, Race 3, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R105.000, 13:20GMT+2 Race Summary: WINDS OF GRACE and CONCORDIA appeal most of those with experience, though preference is for the younger latter who needn’t improve much over this extended trip to open her account. ON A JET PLANE, MILO’S MILLIONAIRE and newcomer WITCHING HOUR complete the shortlist in a race that won’t take much winning. Selections: #7 Concordia, #2 Winds Of Grace, #10 Witching Hour, #3 Milo’s Millionaire HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 27.04.2025, Race 3, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R125,000, 13:40GMT+2Race Summary: PHIL THE FUTER (9) has his first run for a new stable. He boasts some fair Cape and PE form and should be competitive in this line-up. DANUBE (3) has never been far back in his six starts to date. He may just have needed his last effort and should have a bright chance here. SERGEANT SOQRAT (6) made a modest debut at long odds but does come from a visiting stable that does well on this course. WINDOW TO MY SOUL (4) looks capable of improving on his debut run and the extra furlong should suit.
Selections: #9 PHIL THE FLUTER, #3 DANUBE, #4 WINDOW TO MY SOUL, #6 SERGEANT SOQRAT
Turffontein Inside, 27.04.2025, Race 4, Gallops, 1450m, Turf, R120.000, 13:55GMT+2 Race Summary: CURTISS CONDOR caught the eye when a fast-finishing third on debut over 1200m and on the evidence of that display, this extended trip with that experience to count on should serve his interests. GOLDEN ALEXIA, AMANATTO and youngster MIGHTY EAGLE have shown enough to trouble the selection while MISS TAKES is another open to improvement, especially over the longer trip he is bred to appreciate. Selections: #2 Curtiss Condor, #8 Mighty Eagle, #4 Miss Takes, #5 Golden Alexia HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 27.04.2025, Race 4, Gallops, 1100m, Turf, R225,000, 14:15GMT+2Race Summary: ISIVIVANE (1) made a winning return to racing after a year’s lay-off, winning comfortably. He jumps in class but appears to be under the handicappers radar and with only 52kg to shoulder he should at least be competitive in a competitive handicap. FASTNET FILLY (7) is lightly raced and has only been out of the money twice in 10 outings. She beat the smart Green Sapphire two runs back and she too has a light weight in her favour. Kannemeyer has two runners serious runners. OUTLAW KING (5) won the Cape Merchants last run but stable rider Craig Zackey partners TEFLON MAN (8) who gave his supporters a few anxious moments before sewing up his race last time out. KING OF THE GAULS (11) is way better than his Cape form. Back on home turf her could surprise.
Selections: #1 ISIVIVANE, #7 FASTNET FILLY, #8 TEFLON MAN, #11 KING OF THE GAULS
Turffontein Inside, 27.04.2025, Race 5, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R135.000, 14:30GMT+2 Race Summary: TOO LATE MY MATE acquitted herself well at a higher level against males last time. She races off a reduced mark with first-time cheekpieces fitted and needs only to produce a similar performance against her own sex to resume winning ways. Fellow 3yo filly GLAMOROUS LADY also bounced back to form last time out and will likely have a role to play if repeating that display. MISS HANNIGAN, SOLDIER’S EYE, ONE RELIGION, ELEMBEE and PRINCESS ILARIA are consistent hard-knockers with the ability to trouble their younger rivals. Selections: #3 Too Late My Mate, #2 Soldier’s Eye, #5 Glamorous Lady, #1 Miss Hannigan HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 27.04.2025, Race 5, Gallops, 1100m, Turf, R250,000, 14:50GMT+2Race Summary: KEUKENHOF (4) strolled to a comfortable maiden win on debut clocking a useful time. She faces a lot stronger here but could well be something special. WILD GREEN (1) was a beaten favourite in the Cape Nursery last run. She also looks to be well above average. QUICKSTEPGAL (6) made the required improvement when hacking up second time of asking. A repeat should see her in the firing line. WINTER BELLE (2) makes the trip from the Highveld to make her debut. She could be a candidate for the Gr1 Allan Robertson so should be worth following in the market.
Selections: #4 KEUKENHOF, #1 WILD WILD GREEN, #6 QUICKSTEPGAL, #2 WINTER BELLE Turffontein Inside, 27.04.2025, Race 6, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R105.000, 15:05GMT+2 Race Summary: Improving last-start winners WAGRAM and TANA MAREE are genuine candidates for success on handicap debut. The latter opened her account over track and trip last month so is slightly preferred with that experience to count on. Fellow recent scorers SECRET RECIPE and GHOSTBUSTER are lightly raced 5yo mares with the form and experience to make their presence felt. STREISAND and PERINI PALACE are others with legitimate Eachway claims. COUNT YOUR CHANCES has earning potential too. Selections: #3 Wagram, #5 Tana Maree, #6 Streisand, #7 Ghostbuster HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 27.04.2025, Race 6, Gallops, 1100m, Turf, R300,000, 15:25GMT+2Race Summary: FORTRESS OF FIRE (2) also cruised to an easy debut victory in good time. He looks more than useful and can follow up. I’M A FIREBALL (1) lived up to his name on debut winning comfortably. He takes on stronger but looks progressive. MILITARY COMMAND (5) makes his local debut after two comfortable Hollywoodbets Kenilworth victories. He cannot be left out of any exotics. ELEGANTRIX (6) takes on males in what looks to be a warm-up for the Allan Robertson.
Selections: #2 FORTRESS OF FIRE, #5 MILITARY COMMAND, #1 I’M A FIREBALL, #6 ELEGANTRIX
Turffontein Inside, 27.04.2025, Race 7, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R90.000, 15:40GMT+2 Race Summary: Veteran WHISPERS OF WAR has found form and consistency since dropped in the ratings and has won over this distance, so he gets the nod ahead of fellow hard-knockers CARNELO, STORM AHEAD, GAMER and JAPANESE MAPLE. Last-start scorer HAT FURIOUS landed a betting coup on his reappearance seven weeks ago and cannot be underestimated. Selections: #4 Whispers Of War, #7 Hat Furious, #2 Carnelo, #6 Gamer HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 27.04.2025, Race 7, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R250,000, 16:05GMT+2Race Summary: SUMMER LILY (2) has twice finished behind Asiye Phambili and is now 6.5kg better off at the weights which should be more than enough to turn the tables. ASIYE PHAMBILI (6) is back with Duncan Howells after a successful trip to the Cape. She shoulders a big weight but on her best form she could again prove a little too good for her younger rivals. GIMMIE’S COUNTESS (12) has been costly to follow and was a beaten odds-on chance last run when seemingly having it all in her favour. She was run out of it late that day and the drop in trip could better suit. SHIPHOLIA (11) started favourite against males last run finishing behind Teflon Man. However, she goes will on this course and can do better than her last effort.
Selections: #2 SUMMER LILY, #8 ASIYE PHAMBILI, #12 GIMMIE’S COUNTESS, #11 SHIPHOLIA
Turffontein Inside, 27.04.2025, Race 8, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R100.000, 16:20GMT+2 Race Summary: Consistent BOSUM BUDDY has the form and experience to fight out the finish but concedes weight to all. Fellow 3yo filly HEAVYLIESTHECROWN showed a willing and professional attitude when making a winning track-and-trip debut and she would’ve come on appreciably, so it could pay to follow her progress. Stablemate HALCYON and the returning PENNSYLVANIA (gelded) are lightly raced male rivals with scope to improve so they could also have roles to play. Selections: #4 Heavyliesthecrown, #3 Halcyon, #2 Pennsylvania, #6 Espinoza HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 27.04.2025, Race 8, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R160,000, 16:40GMT+2Race Summary: BRISTOL HERCULES (2) has his first outing for a new stable and Richard Fourie rides. He has been close-up in all five of his recent outings and jumps from a favourable gate. RICH FOLKS HOAX (13) has a difficult draw to overcome but he made a smart local debut and the step up in trip coupled with a handy galloping weight could see him home. KING OF SPIN (11) has also drawn wide but was just over a length back to Rich Folks Hoax when last they met. He has come to hand for his new stable. TYRCONNELL (14) is drawn one off the outside but goes very well on this course and with some luck in running he should be a contender.
Selections: #2 BRISTOL HERCULES, #13 RICH FOLKS HOAX, #11 KING OF SPIN, #14 TYRCONNELL
Turffontein Inside, 27.04.2025, Race 9, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R100.000, 16:55GMT+2 Race Summary: This looks a good opportunity for THERE SHE GOES to be rewarded for consistency, especially after consecutive unlucky third-place finishes off a higher mark and over slightly shorter on the Standside track. She is awkwardly drawn but the addition of first-time pacifiers could prove a masterstroke. Stablemates TWICE AS WILD and ORIENTAL BOUQUET are consistent with the ability to have a say in the outcome. The former is ideally positioned in gate 1 whereas the latter is unfavourably drawn in the widest stall. KOTINOS, NAZARE and SAHARA DAWN appeal most of the remainder. Selections: #7 There She Goes, #12 Twice As Wild, #5 Kotinos, #10 Oriental Bouquet Best Win: #4 HEAVYLIESTHECROWN #4 KEUKENHOF Best Value Bet: #4 WHISPERS OF WAR #9 PHIL THE FLUTER Best Longshot: #4 WHISPERS OF WAR #11 KING OF THE GAULSFrance Express Form & Race Previews (Angers) – Saturday, April 26
