Turffontein Race 3

Betway Mr 80 Hcp

Stake: $12,680

UTSAAH (5) is the runner to beat after turning her Vaal form into a clear Open win over 2400m, scoring by a length and a half as favourite in an open betting contest. The move to 2600m is new, but she beat EUPHRATES and EPIDAURUS there and brings the most positive last-start result into this. APACHE SON (1) has the strongest two-run formline after winning a Benchmark 86 over 2400m before a Benchmark 96 fourth to Best Candidate, and his proven record at this venue keeps him right in the race. EUPHRATES (4) has been behind both key rivals lately, but he was only beaten three and a half lengths by UTSAAH last time and has previous placing form around 2600m. FUTUREWOLFF (2) is hard to promote off two plain runs, yet the class drop and solid turf record leave him as a place-driven danger if he improves at the longer trip.

Distance: 2600m
Class: RBH80
Track: Good
Weather: FINE
Surface: Turf

Racing and Sports™ Trusted form provider for 20+ years

Apache Son (5) 0570543714
Trainer: Tyrone Zackey()
Jockey: Jeffery Syster
Weight: 60kg
Prize Money: $44,932
Win / Place: 17% / 31%

6 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: THE APACHE (SAF)

Dam: SINCRONIZADA (ARG)

Dam's Sire: Southern Halo

Rating

Stats

Career

29: 5-1-3

Distance

1: 0-0-0

Trk/Dst

1: 0-0-0

Track

11: 2-0-1

Season

4: 1-0-1

1st Up

3: 0-0-1

2nd Up

3: 1-0-0

3rd Up

3: 0-0-1

4th Up

3: 1-0-0

Turf

29: 5-1-3

Good

27: 4-1-3

Soft

2: 1-0-0

Clockwise

29: 5-1-3

Handicap Rating

Jockey Stats

Horse

8: 1-0-1

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1600m - 2400m

Gear Changes

alumites, hood

Comments

Won a Benchmark 86 over 2400m at Vaal two back, beating Arlington Action by a long neck, then was fourth in a stronger Benchmark 96 over 2000m behind Best Candidate. The step back up to 2600m is a small query given he was unplaced at his only previous try around this trip, but he has won twice at this track and brings the right recent form to challenge strongly again.

Expected Settling Position: Off Pace

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
4th of 11	17/9/26	Vaal	2000m	BM96	7	Jeffery Syster	52kg	Y	2:04.07	58.0 km/h	6.7L	-	$17	7	$13,739	$652	1. Best Candidate 2. Royal Edition 3. Mission To Mars
1st of 10	10/9/26	Vaal	2400m	BM86	2	Jeffery Syster	56kg	Y	2:32.75	56.6 km/h	0.4L	-	$14	22	$12,681	$7,529	1. Apache Son 2. Arlington Action 3. Positive Attitude
7th of 7	19/8/26	Vaal	1800m	OPEN	3	Jeffery Syster	50kg	Good	1:51.02	58.4 km/h	4.8L	-	$11	18	$14,268	-	1. Olympian Gold 2. Royal Edition 3. Titans Of War
3rd of 8	1/8/26	Turffontein	2000m	BM96	3	Jeffery Syster	53kg	Good	2:04.46	57.8 km/h	8.8L	-	$26	7	$13,739	$1,305	1. Mission To Mars 2. Prince Of Kildare 3. Apache Son
4th of 8	25/7/26	Turffontein	2000m	BM88	7	Jeffery Syster	57kg	Good	2:04.61	57.8 km/h	5.3L	-	$17	14	$13,210	$627	1. Best Candidate 2. Robert Browning 3. Kudzu
5th of 9	11/7/26	Turffontein	1800m	BM96	9	Jeffery Syster	53.5kg	Good	1:51.03	58.4 km/h	2.9L	-	$51	12	$13,739	$326	1. Gimmeachoice 2. Robert Browning 3. Best Candidate

Top Floor (1) 9x21x55
Trainer: Mike & Mathew De Kock()
Jockey: Callan Murray
Weight: 58kg
Prize Money: $10,248
Win / Place: 20% / 40%

4 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: RAFEEF (AUS)

Dam: SKY CAPERS (SAF)

Dam's Sire: Jet Master

Rating

Stats

Career

5: 1-1-0

Track

2: 0-1-0

Season

2: 0-0-0

1st Up

3: 0-1-0

2nd Up

2: 1-0-0

Turf

5: 1-1-0

Good

4: 0-1-0

Soft

1: 1-0-0

Clockwise

5: 1-1-0

Handicap Rating

Jockey Stats

Horse

4: 1-1-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1600m

Gear Changes

alumites

Comments

Has finished fifth at both runs back from a spell, most recently beaten five lengths in a NOV over 1600m at this track after starting an outside chance. He now gets to peak third-up and receives genuine weight relief, while barrier one suits a runner who can take up a forward role. The sharp rise to an untried 2600m remains the main obstacle to him lifting into the major money.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
5th of 7	12/9/26	Turffontein	1600m	NOV	2	Callan Murray	60kg	Good	1:40.59	57.3 km/h	5.0L	-	$9.50	9	$10,566	$251	1. Palace Attack 2. Knowmore 3. Sands Of Valhalla
5th of 8	3/9/26	Vaal	1600m	NOV	1	Callan Murray	60kg	Good	1:37.23	59.2 km/h	3.8L	-	$11	182	$10,566	$251	1. Peace Treaty 2. Rock My Boat 3. Gallic Victor
182 Day Spell
1st of 6	5/3/26	Vaal	1600m	MPLTE	1	Callan Murray	60kg	Soft	1:39.78	57.7 km/h	5.0L	-	$1.36f	14	$12,435	$7,384	1. Top Floor 2. Pompeii Shield 3. Rock My Boat
2nd of 10	19/2/26	Turffontein	1600m	MPLTE	7	Callan Murray	60kg	Good	1:39.33	58.0 km/h	1.5L	-	$11	278	$12,435	$2,363	1. Status 2. Top Floor 3. Pompeii Shield
278 Day Spell
9th of 12	17/5/25	Turffontein	1160m	PLATE 2	1	Luyolo Mxothwa	60kg	Good	1:08.28	61.2 km/h	5.4L	-	$3.80	-	$9,323	-	1. Victory In Orleans 2. Shadowfax 3. Balule

Euphrates (6) 305x538154
Trainer: Tony Peter()
Jockey: Kabelo Matsunyane
Weight: 57.5kg
Prize Money: $22,552
Win / Place: 9.52% / 33%

5 yo Chestnut Gelding

Sire: WINGS OF DESIRE (GB)

Dam: RUNALONG (SAF)

Dam's Sire: Mogok

Rating

Stats

Career

21: 2-0-5

Distance

2: 0-0-1

Trk/Dst

2: 0-0-1

Track

4: 0-0-1

Season

3: 1-0-0

1st Up

4: 0-0-0

2nd Up

4: 0-0-1

3rd Up

2: 0-0-1

4th Up

2: 1-0-0

Turf

21: 2-0-5

Good

16: 2-0-5

Soft

5: 0-0-0

Clockwise

21: 2-0-5

Handicap Rating

Jockey Stats

Horse

4: 1-0-1

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

2400m - 2600m

Gear Changes

alumites, blinkers

Comments

Worked into a better result when fourth to Utsaah in Open company over 2400m at Vaal, beaten three and a half lengths, after being firmer in betting before his fifth behind Apache Son. He has placed once from two previous attempts around 2600m and gets weight relief from that latest run. The winning case is not as strong as the top pair, but he has enough substance to be competitive for a placing.

Expected Settling Position: Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
4th of 10	17/9/26	Vaal	2400m	OPEN	10	Kabelo Matsunyane	60kg	Y	2:34.52	55.9 km/h	3.5L	-	$11	7	$10,566	$502	1. Utsaah 2. Golden Warrior 3. Party Punch
5th of 10	10/9/26	Vaal	2400m	BM86	9	Kabelo Matsunyane	54.5kg	Y	2:32.75	56.6 km/h	6.1L	-	$7.50	35	$12,681	$301	1. Apache Son 2. Arlington Action 3. Positive Attitude
35 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 13	6/8/26	Vaal	2400m	OPEN	1	Kabelo Matsunyane	58kg	Good	2:32.25	56.7 km/h	1.9L	-	$14	21	$10,566	$6,274	1. Euphrates 2. Rosy Lemon 3. Cartagena
8th of 10	16/7/26	Turffontein	2600m	BM72	4	Gavin Lerena	58.5kg	Good	2:48.79	55.5 km/h	11.3L	-	$4.00f	11	$10,566	-	1. Nuclear Force 2. Party Punch 3. Deception Pass
3rd of 3	5/7/26	Turffontein	2400m	OPEN	3	Kabelo Matsunyane	54kg	Good	2:33.38	56.3 km/h	4.0L	-	$14	17	$15,855	$1,506	1. Enflame 2. Mo Ment 3. Euphrates
5th of 13	18/6/26	Vaal	2400m	BM76	8	Kyle Strydom	57kg	Good	2:31.61	57.0 km/h	6.8L	-	$17	84	$11,624	$276	1. Repetition 2. Samuel Sharpe 3. Stop The Traffic
84 Day Spell

Utsaah (2) 4213955441
Trainer: Sean Tarry()
Jockey: Keagan De Melo
Weight: 56.5kg
Prize Money: $19,884
Win / Place: 14% / 35%

4 yo Bay Mare

Sire: CAPETOWN NOIR (SAF)

Dam: EUPHORIA (SAF)

Dam's Sire: Kahal

100

Rating

Stats

Career

14: 2-1-2

Track

1: 0-0-0

Season

3: 1-0-0

1st Up

2: 0-0-1

2nd Up

2: 0-0-0

3rd Up

1: 0-0-0

4th Up

1: 0-1-0

Turf

14: 2-1-2

Good

11: 1-1-2

Soft

3: 1-0-0

Clockwise

14: 2-1-2

Handicap Rating

Jockey Stats

Horse

4: 1-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1450m - 2400m

Gear Changes

alumites, blinkers

Comments

Returned to winning form at Vaal last start, taking out an Open over 2400m by a length and a half from Golden Warrior after being sent out favourite in an open market. That followed a fourth over 1800m at this venue, so the extra ground clearly helped. She is new to 2600m, but the class drop, winning rider staying aboard and latest result make her the runner they have to beat.

Expected Settling Position: Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 10	17/9/26	Vaal	2400m	OPEN	4	Keagan De Melo	56kg	Y	2:34.52	55.9 km/h	1.6L	-	$5.50f	5	$10,566	$6,274	1. Utsaah 2. Golden Warrior 3. Party Punch
4th of 10	12/9/26	Turffontein	1800m	OPEN	7	Keagan De Melo	58kg	Good	1:53.99	56.8 km/h	7.3L	-	$15	30	$10,566	$502	1. Naretoi 2. Guerilla Warfare 3. Itsnowornever
4th of 8	13/8/26	Vaal	1800m	RBH81 FM	8	Keagan De Melo	56kg	Y	1:51.06	58.3 km/h	2.8L	-	$14	14	$11,624	$552	1. Scarlet O'hara 2. Azaleas For All 3. Surprise Party
5th of 9	30/7/26	Vaal	2000m	BM73 FM	2	Keagan De Melo	59.5kg	Good	2:06.82	56.8 km/h	2.5L	-	$7.50	25	$10,566	$251	1. Play With Fire 2. Chariklo 3. Be My Fate
5th of 6	5/7/26	Turffontein	1600m	BM80	1	Craig Zackey	57.5kg	Good	1:39.80	57.7 km/h	2.9L	-	$14	10	$12,152	$289	1. Sky Pilot 2. Harun Al Rashid 3. After Hours
9th of 10	25/6/26	Vaal	1450m	BM80 FM	10	Mickaelle Michel	56kg	Good	1:26.86	60.1 km/h	7.6L	-	$17	35	$10,246	-	1. Reece's Wish 2. Southampton 3. Winds Of Grace
35 Day Freshen-Up

Samuel Sharpe (4) x443212536
Trainer: Fabian Habib()
Jockey: Blaine Marx-Jacobson (a0)
Weight: 55kg
Prize Money: $12,956
Win / Place: 10% / 50%

4 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: FLOWER ALLEY (USA)

Dam: MISS CHANCE (SAF)

Dam's Sire: Mambo In Seattle

Rating

Stats

Career

10: 1-2-2

Distance

1: 0-0-0

Trk/Dst

1: 0-0-0

Track

5: 0-1-2

Season

2: 0-0-1

1st Up

2: 0-0-0

2nd Up

1: 0-0-0

3rd Up

1: 0-0-1

4th Up

1: 0-1-0

Turf

10: 1-2-2

Good

8: 1-1-2

Soft

2: 0-1-0

Clockwise

10: 1-2-2

Handicap Rating

Jockey Stats

Horse

6: 0-2-2

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1800m - 2600m

Gear Changes

alumites, cheekpieces

Comments

Was below his better form when sixth behind Apache Son in a Benchmark 86 over 2400m at Vaal, beaten just over seven lengths after easing near the top of betting. His previous third at this venue over 2000m was much more competitive, and his overall place record is solid. The 2600m record and extra weight from last start leave him needing conditions to fall his way.

Expected Settling Position: Off Pace

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
6th of 10	10/9/26	Vaal	2400m	BM86	3	Blaine Marx-Jacobson	52kg	Y	2:32.75	56.6 km/h	7.3L	-	$4.30	12	$12,681	-	1. Apache Son 2. Arlington Action 3. Positive Attitude
3rd of 8	29/8/26	Turffontein	2000m	BM84	4	Blaine Marx-Jacobson	53.5kg	Good	2:08.94	55.8 km/h	2.0L	-	$8.00	51	$12,681	$1,204	1. Orange County 2. Guerilla Warfare 3. Samuel Sharpe
51 Day Freshen-Up
5th of 5	9/7/26	Turffontein	2600m	BM90	5	Blaine Marx-Jacobson	50.5kg	Good	2:45.68	56.5 km/h	8.4L	-	$4.50	21	$13,210	$314	1. Corrupt 2. Green Machine 3. Chabal
2nd of 13	18/6/26	Vaal	2400m	BM76	6	Blaine Marx-Jacobson	54.5kg	Good	2:31.61	57.0 km/h	3.3L	-	$4.30	23	$11,624	$2,209	1. Repetition 2. Samuel Sharpe 3. Stop The Traffic
1st of 6	26/5/26	Vaal	1800m	MPLTE	3	Savanna Valjalo	58.5kg	Good	1:50.76	58.5 km/h	4.3L	-	$1.56f	19	$7,774	$4,706	1. Samuel Sharpe 2. Epidaurus 3. Heroic Act
2nd of 6	7/5/26	Turffontein	2000m	MPLTE	6	Blaine Marx-Jacobson	57.5kg	Y	2:13.50	53.9 km/h	2.3L	-	$3.80	49	$11,919	$2,309	1. Green Machine 2. Samuel Sharpe 3. Emerald City
49 Day Freshen-Up

Epidaurus (7) 7652223216
Trainer: Weiho Marwing()
Jockey: Kendall Minnie
Weight: 53kg
Prize Money: $17,510
Win / Place: 6.67% / 40%

4 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: ELUSIVE FORT (SAF)

Dam: ESTIMADA (ARG)

Dam's Sire: Ride The Rails

Rating

Stats

Career

15: 1-4-1

Track

4: 0-1-0

Season

3: 1-1-0

1st Up

1: 0-0-0

2nd Up

1: 0-0-0

3rd Up

1: 0-0-0

4th Up

1: 0-0-0

Turf

15: 1-4-1

Good

12: 0-4-1

Soft

3: 1-0-0

Clockwise

15: 1-4-1

Handicap Rating

Jockey Stats

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1450m - 2400m

Gear Changes

alumites

Comments

Won a small-field MPLATE over 2400m at Vaal two runs ago, beating Clairwood Breeze by just over half a length, then finished sixth behind Utsaah in Open company over the same trip. The class drop and weight relief are positives, but he remains untried around 2600m and has already been beaten by the top pick. A sharper staying performance is required.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
6th of 10	17/9/26	Vaal	2400m	OPEN	9	Kyle Strydom	56kg	Y	2:34.52	55.9 km/h	7.2L	-	$11	35	$10,566	-	1. Utsaah 2. Golden Warrior 3. Party Punch
35 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 4	13/8/26	Vaal	2400m	MPLATE	3	Kyle Strydom	60kg	Y	2:35.80	55.5 km/h	0.7L	-	$3.00	7	$11,870	$7,219	1. Epidaurus 2. Clairwood Breeze 3. Comic Artist
2nd of 7	6/8/26	Vaal	2000m	MPLTE	1	Marco V'rensburg	60kg	Good	2:07.67	56.4 km/h	1.8L	-	$6.00	14	$12,152	$2,309	1. Twelfth Of Never 2. Epidaurus 3. Korcula
3rd of 5	23/7/26	Vaal	2000m	MPLTE	1	Nkosithandile Ngqwangi	60kg	Good	2:07.13	56.6 km/h	3.6L	-	$3.00f	21	$12,152	$1,155	1. Heroic Act 2. Comic Artist 3. Epidaurus
2nd of 6	2/7/26	Vaal	1800m	MPLTE	6	Marco V'rensburg	60kg	Good	1:52.10	57.8 km/h	1.3L	-	$6.50	21	$12,152	$2,309	1. Cover Charge 2. Epidaurus 3. Eratosthenes
2nd of 7	11/6/26	Turffontein	2000m	MPLTE	3	Marco V'rensburg	60kg	Good	2:08.67	56.0 km/h	2.5L	-	$14	16	$12,152	$2,309	1. Doctor Strangelove 2. Epidaurus 3. Evening News

Arumugam (3) 0480356728
Trainer: Kobus Roux()
Jockey: Muzi Yeni
Weight: 53kg
Prize Money: $89,649
Win / Place: 6.15% / 29%

8 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: DUKE OF MARMALADE (IRE)

Dam: FREUDIANA (SAF)

Dam's Sire: Black Minnaloushe

Rating

Stats

Career

65: 4-7-8

Track

8: 0-0-0

Season

4: 0-1-0

1st Up

6: 0-0-1

2nd Up

6: 0-1-0

3rd Up

5: 0-1-2

4th Up

4: 0-1-0

Turf

51: 2-3-4

Good

42: 1-2-4

Soft

9: 1-1-0

Synthetic

14: 2-4-4

Firm

6: 2-1-2

Clockwise

65: 4-7-8

Handicap Rating

Jockey Stats

Horse

1: 0-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1600m - 2000m

Gear Changes

alumites, blinkers

Comments

Was heavily backed when eighth over 1800m at this track last start, but the result was plain as he was beaten over 15 lengths. His prior second in a Benchmark 66 at Vaal reads better, even if the margin was still just over six lengths. He gets weight relief and has stronger historical form than recent results show, yet his record at this venue makes him a risky each-way proposition.

Expected Settling Position: Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
8th of 10	12/9/26	Turffontein	1800m	OPEN	2	Gavin Lerena	56kg	Good	1:53.99	56.8 km/h	14.9L	-	$4.50f	9	$10,566	-	1. Naretoi 2. Guerilla Warfare 3. Itsnowornever
2nd of 11	3/9/26	Vaal	2000m	BM66	9	Gavin Lerena	60kg	Good	2:04.32	57.9 km/h	6.3L	-	$4.30	15	$9,508	$1,807	1. Itsnowornever 2. Arumugam 3. Ghostbuster
7th of 11	19/8/26	Vaal	1800m	BM84	10	Jacey Botes	49.5kg	Good	1:50.75	58.5 km/h	7.0L	-	$34	18	$12,681	-	1. Diwali Rocket 2. Boundless Love 3. Eiger Sanction
6th of 9	1/8/26	Turffontein	1600m	BM84	8	Girish Samo-Burthia	51kg	Good	1:38.68	58.4 km/h	3.5L	-	$34	23	$12,681	-	1. Winding Power 2. After Hours 3. Sky Pilot
5th of 9	9/7/26	Turffontein	1600m	OPEN	7	Girish Samo-Burthia	47.5kg	Good	1:37.55	59.0 km/h	2.8L	-	$101	21	$14,268	$338	1. Palace Prince 2. Oklahoma Smokeshow 3. Orange County
3rd of 14	18/6/26	Vaal	1700m	BM74	6	Girish Samo-Burthia	56kg	Good	1:41.75	60.1 km/h	5.7L	-	$81	21	$10,566	$1,004	1. Best Candidate 2. Sky Pilot 3. Arumugam

Race Review Abbreviations

3WNC: Three wide no cover, Awk: Awkwardly away, Bk: Back, Blkd: Blocked, Btld: Battled, Chal: Challenged, Chkd: Checked, Cvr: Cover, Fdd: Faded, Fght: Fought, Fin: Finish, Hdd: Headed, Hld up: Held up, Hmprd: Hampered, Hndy: Handy, Kikd: Kicked, Kn: Keen, Ld: Led/Lead, Midf: Midfield, Mod pc: Moderate pace, Otf: On the Fence, ROS: Ran on strongly, Slow: Slow away, Snagd: Snagged, Stld: Settled, Tn: Turn, Trld: Trailed, Under pres: Under pressure, Under rd: Under riding, Urgd: Urged, Wd: Wide, Wdr: Wider, Weavd: Weaved, Wknd: Weakened, Wrkd: Worked

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