This weekends preview checks out two of the stronger races in Joburg and Durban respectively.

The career top speed figure is provided for each runner, followed by a form summary, then grades which rank the chances of the contenders.

RACE 8: 1000M PINNACLE STAKES AT TURFONTEIN ON 2ND AUGUST 2025

WILLIAM ROBERTSON s/s 110; high class sprinter who won the Gr 1 Computaform over this course and distance in March but has been below that since and now totes 62kg’s.

ZIYASHA s/s 106; capable of hitting smart numbers on his day. Pulling at last two starts over six furlongs when below best. Erratic/ hard to catch right. The turn back to 1000m is in his favour so is not one to toss out.

CHOCOLATE SOLDIER s/s 103; is offered at upwards of 14/1 ante post which seems to reflect his chances fairly based on dull recent tries.

MOUNT PINATUBO s/s 104 +; one of the main players (four wins from nine starts) comes back after 12 weeks off track. Seems likely to run well for top-jock Lerena over a c/d which suits ideally. And the van Vuuren stable has been firing lately.

READY TO CHARGE s/s 103; an interesting alternative at 10/1 to shorter priced candidates on his best form. But he cannot afford to give away start over this fast five furlongs.

QUANTUM THEORY s/s 105; handicapped to just about win this. Can be a “stiff” horse, (just 4 victories from 32 starts) and is trying to snap a string of five seconds from his last six outings.

DREAMLAND s/s 103; solid sprinter with back-up claims carrying 54.5 kg’s.

FROZEN FANTASY s/s 97; ran to her peak level on a foray to KZN yet her speed figs are a touch low to harass the big guns.

SHELDON s/s 101; rank outsider at 25/1 with a few lengths to make up to get involved. Been many moons since last winning (104 weeks.

GRADES: A = 6 4 B = 2 5 C = 1 7.

RACE 7: 1600M OFF TO STUD STAKES AT GREYVILLE ON 3RD AUGUST 2025.

FORGIVENESS s/s 95; two from two this distance but must bounce back after duff tries when not striding out and finishing distressed. Been laid off since April 2025.

TWO G’S s/s 96; Progressive 4YO filly with good form that rates a potential winner going handy from a low draw.

WHITE PEARL s/s 102: this mare sports a class edge and is officially best weighted as she drops down after contesting stronger races.

SOVEREIGN GRANT s/s 95; she is running up to her rating, including in a Gr 2 last time. But the burden of 61.5kg’s makes life hard.

HODGEPODGE s/s 92; solid form at this venue. Moves up in class so this is altogether harder.

ACACIA’S BLOSSOM s/s 95; 92 weeks since last win and her recent runs to weaker rivals have been uninspiring.

FATAL GEM s/s 100; mixes her form yet is talented on her day and can finish strongly. Respected.

PERILLA s/s 92; unlikely to bother the scorer on dull recent efforts.

CALLMEGETRIX s/s 97; rare for her to miss completely as she did last start (in her defence it was a Gr 1) as her prior form was ultra consistent. Threat racing handy.

TOMYRIS s/s 99; in hot form and now rises in class. Is tactically versatile but will need some luck from an outside stall.

GRADES:  A = 2    B = 3 7 9 10 C = 1.

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Enjoy the weekend’s racing.

Sunday’s horseracing blog, exclusive to Interbet, will provide a topical take on thoroughbred action in SA, with a focus on the upcoming Equus Awards.