It is back to the Polytrack on Wednesday 11 November for an eight-race card, and trainer Alan Greeff and his jockey Richard Fourie look all set for a number of winners. They have chances in some of the earlier races, but it is Race 4 over 2000m where things could start heating up for them. They combine with the five-year-old mare Kleinzee. She has been a revelation since joining Greeff and switching to the Polytrack, winning her last seven starts. The Gimmethegreenlight mare arrived at the Greeff yard as a two-time winner from 11 starts and made her local debut in March with a merit rating of 73. From a tricky draw of seven, she was dropped off the early pace but quickened nicely late to win by 0.25 lengths under Xolane Ndhlovu at odds of 9-2 over 1600m. Fourie was aboard her for her second local start and had to work very hard to get her home by a head over 1400m. Another win followed over the same distance, and then her next four victories came over 1600m, with Fourie aboard for three of them, including her latest start. This will be her first attempt at 2000m, but she has won over 1600m full of running, and there is every reason to suggest the extra distance will not be a problem. In Race 5, a MR 80 Handicap over 1600m, Pretty Awesome will represent the pair. This Gimmethegreenlight filly is still learning about the game. She was an impressive debut winner in May but has shown signs of inexperience in her last three starts. A wide draw last time out pretty much forced Fourie to drop her out at the back and hope to get lucky in the straight. That did not work out, and although she finished fifth, she was less than a length behind the winner. This distance clearly suits, and it will be interesting to see how Fourie handles a tricky draw of seven. Greeff has a decent chance of a double in Race 6 and 7. Race 6, MR 66 Handicap over 1200m, sees Fourie aboard Whatever Next. The eight-year-old is threatening to win again but will need luck in running. In Race 7, a Say A Prayer, who races handy and can quicken when needed, gets the nod. The Real Gone Kid filly drifted in the betting before her comeback start, so it was not a surprise to many when she finished unplaced over 1000m two weeks ago. She is badly drawn this time around, but she will strip fitter and can bounce back to win. Fourie will need to have his thinking cap on again for the last race, as his mount, the filly Jewel Mule, has a difficult draw of 10 to overcome. The One World filly is improving with each start and must have more wins in her tank. Whether she can beat an in-form Vivo Per Lei, who makes the trip from Cape Town, is open to question.   Clive Robinson

Crowning his emergence as one of Hong Kong’s top jockeys, Jerry Chau produced a masterly ride on Speed Dragon (121lb) to land the HK$4.2 million G3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Handicap (1800m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (8 November), enhancing his chances of participation in the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) next month. Winner of last season’s Tony Cruz Award as the leading homegrown jockey, Chau has continued the form this term and, with 17 wins for the campaign, he is well placed to earn one of the two remaining berths in the LONGINES IJC at Happy Valley on 9 December after a superb display on Speed Dragon. Asked by trainer Francis Lui to show patience on Speed Dragon, Chau followed the instructions to the letter, quietly biding his time behind the moderate pace set by Soleil Fighter (122lb) before steadily making ground along the fence. Approaching the turn, Chau angled Speed Dragon towards the middle of the track and tracked Le Zonda (117lb) deep into the straight. Once clear, the Darci Brahma gelding unleashed a blistering sprint – with a final 400m sectional of 22.60s – to overhaul Gentleman Legacy (115lb) to score by a neck in 1m 47.84s, as luckless Massive Sovereign (123lb) charged through the middle of the field to snatch third place, a further length back. “My first time riding him today. I trialled him in trackwork and he gave me a very good feeling,” Chau said. “He’s very mature and he does what he wants and he teaches me how to do it. As you can see in the race, he just led me into the race and he gave me a very good finish. So, I’m very proud of him. “I was very lucky. The race was very smooth for me today and we got the job done.” With two berths yet to be filled in the LONGINES IJC, Chau hopes he can qualify for the prestigious series and join Ryan Moore, James McDonald, William Buick, Mickael Barzalona, Zac Purton, Saffie Osborne, Dylan Browne McMonagle, Rachel King, Christophe Lemaire and Joao Moreira in the 12-rider series. There are only five meetings remaining until the final selection cut-off and, with Nichola Yuen (18 wins) ineligible as a seven-pound claiming apprentice, Chau, Vincent Ho (14), Andrea Atzeni (12), Derek Leung (11) and James Orman (10) are all in contention for the final two spots. Lui is likely to target winning a second consecutive HK$4.2 million G3 January Cup Handicap (1800m) on 13 January at Happy Valley with Speed Dragon, who now has four wins over the trip. Lui posted a double when Young Archer (122lb) snared a last-stride victory in the Class 3 Suisse Programme Handicap (1200m) under Luke Ferraris. Formerly known as Melian when trained in Australia by Anthony and Sam Freedman, Young Archer earned a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million for connections. Atzeni vaulted into fifth place in the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship, slotting a treble with Beauty Bolt (118lb) in the Class 2 Santa Monica Handicap (1400m) for Tony Cruz, while also sharing a double in tandem John Size with Prime Ace (131lb) in the Class 4 Kate Tokyo Handicap (1200m) and Beauty Award (128lb) in the Class 4 Elizabeth Arden Handicap (1400m). Beauty Bolt, who finished third in last season’s Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m), earned a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million. Dylan Mo posted his first double since 2022 with the wins of Chris So’s Celestial Strider (128lb) in the Class 5 Neogence Handicap (1200m, dirt) and Ricky Yiu’s Panacea (113lb) in the Class 3 La Estephe Handicap (1400m). The lightweight was elated with the brace, which came from only four rides. “I’m very happy,” Mo said after triumphing on 43/1 chance Panacea, who was last early before charging late. “We wanted to ride this horse very relaxed and let him finish off and he did. “It’s great to get these opportunities. My last double was a long time ago, so I am very happy now.” Caspar Fownes-trained Pejibaye (132lb) made a triumphant return to racing after arthroscopic surgery to both knees in July with a four-and-a-half length win in the Class 4 Grace One Handicap (1200m, dirt) in class record time. Taken directly to the front by Ellis Wong, the Per Incanto gelding clocked 1m 07.66s to shatter Sha Tin’s Class 4 1200m dirt record of 1m 08.14s, set in 2018 by Happy Tour. “I have to thank the (Hong Kong) Jockey Club vets for the great job on his knee surgery during the summer break. He’s a lot more comfortable; we always felt that this horse had ability. He has come back and been very, very impressive, so hopefully we now go to Class 3 with a 5lb penalty and hopefully he’ll be very strong in Class 3 as well,” Fownes said. Nine-time Hong Kong Champion Jockey Zac Purton claimed his 30th win of the season with the success of Danny Shum’s Gorgeous Victory (121lb) in the Class 4 Canmake Tokyo Handicap (1600m) to maintain a 12-win buffer over Yuen, who scored on Kingly Demeanor (126lb) for Cruz in the Class 5 L’Oreal Paris Handicap (1800m) to boost her tally to 18 wins. Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (11 November). By Leo Schlink

Track Spy Video Stars Race 5 – 8 LUCKY YEAR Trapped wide from the 600m last start, he covered extra ground and was entitled to weaken in the straight, eventually beaten by 7.5 lengths over 1800m. In addition, the trip may have been beyond his best, and that performance is better than it appears on paper. The drop back to 1600m should suit and, with a more economical run in transit, he could finally break through. Race 8 – 6 ENSUED He showed little first-up two weeks ago, carrying 135lb and settling off the speed throughout. However, his previous two starts carried plenty of merit, finishing a solid fourth in a Group 3 feature before finding one too good at the highest level two starts ago. The drop in weight and rise in distance are both positives, and with added fitness second-up, he looks capable of causing an upset. Sectional Stars Race 3 – 11 KING’S ARROW He comes off an improved first-up effort over this track and distance 28 days ago, reeling off the third-fastest final sectional to finish fifth behind the in-form AMOUR WAR EAGLE. Remaining well weighted in this week’s wide-open contest, he looks a strong chance of finishing in the top three. Race 6 – 12 MIGHTY FIGHTER After a fast-finishing sixth on his seasonal debut, he showed further improvement last start, charging home strongly to finish third in a slowly run race over this distance. Had he not been crowded near the 500m, he may well have gone even closer, having been beaten by only half a length.

RACE 4 HUDDL HOBART (1) has done little wrong in two Malaysian outings to date and finished runner up to a potentially smart type in Rapid Strike here two weeks ago. The former South Aussie gets his chance to shed the maiden tag. One galloper worth watching first-up is PERFECT INVINCIBLE (3), another former Australian which looked quite sharp winning a trial here Tuesday week ago. RACE 5 LOYALTY BANKER’S (1) is also on the verge of breaking through and should atone for his head defeat last start. PACIFIC SPLASH (8), a beaten favorite on local debut, should not be dismissed either and sis well served by the barrier draw. From the recent trials, FAST FAMOUS (6) and IT’S DA BOMB (7) have shown ability and are worth throwing in to the exotics. RACE 7 One galloper which deserves a win is THUNDER LOTUS (6), runner up in his past two runs and profiles well to break the Malaysian tag on the distance drop. Connections have switched back to a senior jockey to ride the five-year-old which is looking to break the 17-month winning drought also. RACE 8 The G3 Sports Toto Supreme Challenge Cup highlights the 13-race card and an enthralling clash is expected amongst the high graders. CHOICE IS MINE (7) has won three from five in the country and seems to thrive on the big space between runs. Returned to winning form in a Combined Class 2/3 on September 26 and deserves a feature win. BANKER’S TWO SIX (1) will be resuming from a successful campaign and appeared on track fitness wise with a dashing trial win on Tuesday. ANJOU CROWN (8) ran home powerfully in that same trial and is also a definite winning chance. RACE 9 HAPPY LEGEND (5) has undergone the complete makeover with a change of ownership, trainer and change of name. Formerly known as One Alakazam, the four-year-old returns to original trainer Frank Maynard and looks a chance to atone for his narrow defeat in a Benchmark 45 contest at Ipoh last month. MILITARY AWARD (7), despite not scoring in the grade previously, has shown rapid improvement recently and could provide the value. RACE 10 Promising galloper, STRATEGISE (9) has overcome all obstacles during his progress through the grades and will be attempting to keep his unbeaten record intact against the Class 2 performers. The gelding produced a devastating turn of speed to blouse his rivals in a Max Two Stakes event here two weeks ago and is on target to go four on the bounce. IRISH GOODBYE (1) will resume, is a first up winner previously and remains unbeaten in four starts over the 1400m trip. The gelding is proven at this level and appears to be the main danger. RACE 12 LEGEND SIXTY-THREE (1) may be testing the patience of his followers but has the hoof on the till with current leading jockey, SU Lim returning to the saddle. The five-year-old has improved vastly this campaign and draws perfectly for a winning return. IRON SAMURAI (2) and SHOW ALL SIXTY-ONE (3) are both eight-year-olds but continue to race competitively at this level and are worthy trifecta chances.

Tony Peter has the ammunition to dominate Sunday’s 10-race TAB Turffontein Standside programme, with the in-form trainer strongly represented across the card and potentially poised to land a feature-race double among four possible winners for his stable. Three features headline the meeting, including the Grade 3 Victory Moon Stakes, a significant 1800m trial for the Grade 1 Betway Summer Cup on 28 November. For several contenders, this could represent their final opportunity to secure a place in the R6-million showpiece. The supporting attractions are two Listed contests for fillies and mares, the National Colour Stakes and Summer Pudding Handicap, named in honour of former champions of South African racing. However, Main Defender, Peter’s principal hope in the Victory Moon Stakes (Race 7), is not a Summer Cup candidate and could have been specifically targeted at this Grade 3 prize. Runner-up in the 2024 renewal, the six-year-old has a strong chance of going one better this time under reigning Champion Jockey Craig Zackey. The son of Pathfork endured a wide draw in gate No 11 of 13 when finishing eighth behind Gladiatorian in last month’s Grade 2 Joburg Spring Challenge. That was his first outing following a 10-week break after finishing third in the Grade 1 Champions Cup over 1800m at the end of last season. He should strip considerably fitter for that comeback outing and need only reproduce something approaching his Champions Cup performance to end a 589-day winless drought and register an 11th career victory. He is a compelling betting proposition. Earlier, stablemate Taxi To The Moon, last season’s Grade 2 Golden Horse Sprint winner, is weighted to make a successful return in Race 4 over 1160m and looks poised to provide Peter and Richard Fourie with the first leg of a possible race-to-race double. A nine-time winner from 24 starts, the accomplished speedster won his only previous engagement with Fourie aboard over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Greyville. Although his record suggests that the shorter trip is his optimum, he is a two-time winner over TAB Turffontein’s 1160m so if ready to fire after a 15-week absence, he will be hard to hold out. Fourie partners Peter-trained Precocious in the National Colour Stakes (Race 5), where the daughter of Ideal World looks particularly hard to oppose over 1000m. She has thrived since joining the Highveld stable, winning five of eight starts for Peter, including both previous course-and-distance appearances. While Fourie takes the reins on the four-year-old filly for the first time, her natural early speed should make his task relatively straightforward. She has the gate speed to secure a favourable position before unleashing a potent turn of foot, demonstrated last time when conceding weight and giving a beating to male opposition over 1200m. The drop back to 1000m holds no fears, and with a top-class jockey in the irons, she has the credentials to add another feature success to Peter’s growing tally. The Summer Pudding Handicap (Race 6), over 1600m, presents a different challenge, with progressive Reece’s Wish looking capable of extending the winning sequence for the in-form Candice and Tammy Dawson stable. The lightly raced daughter of Vercingetorix took time to find her feet but is now making rapid progress through the ranks, having won both starts this season. She passed her stiffest test last time, stepping up in class off a career-high mark to demolish male opposition over 1600m on the Inside track. A six-point penalty for that emphatic success is unlikely to halt her momentum, even in Listed company. Ideally drawn in gate No 1 and reunited with this season’s leading jockey, Keagan de Melo, she looks well equipped to handle the challenge after a 12-week break. Peter could yet have the final say in the closing stages, with Blizzard Snow among five stable representatives capable of completing a memorable afternoon for the yard in Race 10 over 1160m.   Clive Robinson

Trainer Alan Greeff continues to produce a stream of winners at Fairview every week, and he holds a very decent hand yet again on Friday. Golden Palm in Race 2, Powder Day in Race 3 and US Ranger in Race 4 all look hard to beat. Golden Palm is on a recovery mission after some costly defeats this year. The Master Of My Fate filly won five of her first six starts, but it has been just over a year since her last victory, which came on 24 October 2025. The four-year-old filly clearly did not enjoy the Polytrack in her last two starts. Although she was not beaten far on either occasion, she is clearly better than those performances suggest. Jockey Richard Fourie has stuck with her, and it is worth noting that Greeff has four of the six carded  runners. The Real Gone Kid filly Powder Day drifted in the betting on debut but still ran a cracker when finishing runner-up behind the consistent Green Point. That was on the Polytrack, and she did good work in the closing stages. Trying the grass this time, she can go one place better. US Ranger has not always shown his best side, but he has won four of his seven starts so far. Returning from a break during which he was gelded, he was an impressive winner over 1000m on the Polytrack. The operation has clearly worked a treat. Although he was slowly away, he made up ground quickly and drew right away at the finish, beating the speedy filly Danish Dynamite. He takes on even tougher rivals this time around, including his stable companion, the 13-time winner Fairy Knight. He will also need to fend off a likely late challenge from Astronomical Boy. That Dean Smith-trained rival quickened nicely when winning over this course and distance in his penultimate start, and his latest run on the Polytrack can safely be ignored. Another runner in the race who could surprise after disappointing twice on the Polytrack is Mount Pilatus. He is talented and at his best over this distance.   Clive Robinson