Weekend Horse Racing Highlights: Fairview, Kenilworth, Turffontein And Scottsville

This weekend’s racing across South Africa was filled with action and excitement. Fairview, Kenilworth, Turffontein, and Scottsville all saw impressive performances, with notable victories and competitive finishes. Here’s a recap of the standout results from each venue.

Fairview – Friday 2 August

Race 6: Rainbow Lorikeet Lands East Cape Paddock Stakes in Gutsy Performance

Milnerton trainer Candice Bass-Robinson and jockey Aldo Domeyer finally hit the jackpot at Fairview on Friday. After a frustrating start to the day, their well-bred Rainbow Lorikeet scored her second career stakes win in the R150 000 East Cape Paddock Stakes. The four-year-old mare fought off Time For Love for a solid three-quarter length victory, clocking 97.92 seconds over the mile. Luna Halo took third, while Rainbow Lorikeet, owned by the Yuppie Syndicate and bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, has now earned R464 701 from four wins and six places in 13 starts.

Race 7: Cherry Ano Clinches Maiden Stakes at Fairview

After a long wait, Gavin Smith’s five-year-old Cherry Ano finally bagged his first stakes win at Fairview on Friday, clinching the R175 000 Listed Memorial Mile with a gutsy late surge. The absence of Fairy Knight and a below-par run from Cape raider Sugar Mountain left the field open for Cherry Ano to snatch his eighth career win. With a slick ride from Calvin Habib, he edged past Bush Tracker to win by a neck in 97.79 seconds.
Glen Kotzen’s Hat’s Pride ran a strong race, finishing third, while Sequoia completed the quartet. Cherry Ano, bred by Summerhill Equestrian and owned by Henning Pretorius, has now won 8 of 18 starts, earning R628 638. In other news, Summerhill Equestrian will stand Celestial City, a promising new stallion for the season.

Kenilworth – Saturday 3 August

Race 6: Beneath The Moon Triumphs in Winter Country Championship Final

Piet Botha’s five-year-old Beneath The Moon scored a surprise win in the Winter Country Championship 1200 Final at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. After 23 starts, the MR 58-rated mare clinched her second career victory and the R118,750 top prize. Guided by Keanen Steyn, she finished 1.5 lengths ahead of Look Forward in a time of 75.38 seconds, with Tres Chic in third. Bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, Beneath The Moon has now earned R228,088 from two wins and seven placings.

Race 7: Night Bomber Blazes to Victory in Class 4 Feature

The Zurnamer colours were back in the winner’s circle as Night Bomber, a Lammerskraal-bred four-year-old, grabbed his second victory in the R200,000 Winter Country Championship 1200 Final at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. The Brett Crawford-trained colt surged ahead at the 300m mark to secure a 2.75-length win over Lunch Money. Night Bomber, who cost R700,000 at the National Yearling Sale, clocked 74.01 seconds and now has R256,800 in earnings from two wins and three placings.

Race 8: Sudden Song Sprints to Victory in 1800 Final

Cape Racing concluded their Winter Country Championship at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on a high note, with Sudden Song claiming the R200,000 1800 Final on Saturday. The six-year-old, who hadn’t won since January 2023, was a surprise at 10-1. With favourite Prime Venture facing issues, Sudden Song, ridden by Louis Mxothwa, took advantage of the chaos and finished strongly to beat King Pelles by a narrow margin. Twice The Master took third. Sudden Song, bred by Riverworld Stud, now has three wins and 16 places from 29 starts, earning R486,213.

Turffontein – Saturday 3 August

Race 6: Sail The Sky

Sail The Sky emerged victorious in the five-runner race, with jockey Marco Van Rensburg guiding the four-year-old to a winning prize of R50,002. The horse demonstrated a commanding performance to secure the top spot, while Spring Tradition finished in second place and Guardia Regine took third. Circus Lights and Mescal completed the field in fourth and fifth, respectively. Sail The Sky’s impressive run highlighted a competitive race, with the four-year-old clearly showcasing his abilities.

Race 7: Wings Within Me Wins with Smanga Khumalo

Wings Within Me, ridden by Smanga Khumalo, took top honours in a thrilling race, securing victory and a prize of R62,491. The four-year-old displayed impressive stamina and speed to cross the line first. On Cue, with Muzi Yeni in the saddle, came in a strong second, while What A Lucy rounded off the podium in third. The race showcased an exciting contest, with Wings Within Me proving too strong for the competition in a well-judged performance.

Scottsville – Sunday 4 August

Race 7: Mascherina Claims Maiden Stakes Victory at Scottsville

Mascherina, a half-sister to 2021 SA Triple Crown winner Malmoos, secured her first stakes win at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday in the R200,000 Listed Off To Stud Stakes. The four-year-old, bred by Varsfontein Stud, was expertly ridden by Tristan Godden, coming from behind to beat Quantum by 0.40 lengths in 96.43 seconds. Elembee took third, with Perilla in fourth. Trained by Peter Muscutt and ridden by Godden, Mascherina has now earned R361,625 from four wins and three places in eight starts.