Turffontein Race 1 - Welcome To The Allied Steelrode Charity Mile Mdn Plate
SMOKE AND SHADOWS (12) First time at the races 3yo by Gimmethegreenlight for Sean Tarry. K De Melo is a bonus. Keep your eye on the market. BUFFALO KING CODY (1) Resumes after a break. Below par when 13th last start at Vaal but has a good draw. Will be positive in the run early. Must respect. THE LIVING YEARS (13) Mike Kock & Mathew De Kock trained 3yo debutant by Vercingetorix. Respect the betting. THE BUFFALO (2) Not competitive when 4th last start around here. Jockey Richard Fourie and trainer Clinton Binda have shared plenty of success together. Capable of a running a place.
Jockey: Raymond Danielson
Weight: 60kgs
Stats
Comments
Returns from a lengthy spell after ending his last campaign with a plain last at Vaal, beaten over 12 lengths after firming from a bigger opening quote. His previous fourth as a dominant odds-on favourite was also well held, so the recent race form has to be treated carefully. He has placed three times from six starts and owns a placing at this track, which leaves him as a place hope rather than a horse to trust strongly fresh.
Last Starts 158 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13/13 | 26/05/2026 | 22 | MPLTE 2 | $10,530.00 | Vaal | 1000m | Good | Kyle Strydom | 60kg | 0:56.15 | - | 2 |
| 11.7L | $6.50 |
| 4/8 | 04/05/2026 | 85 | MPLTE | $6,320.00 | Vaal | 1000m | Good | Phenisile Mongqawa | 57kg | 0:58.13 | - | 7 |
| 9.1L | $1.30 |
| 2/6 | 08/02/2026 | 10 | MPLTE 2 | $11,794.00 | Scottsville | 1000m | Y | Calvin Habib | 60kg | 0:57.97 | - | 6 |
| 2.2L | $2.30 |
| 2/6 | 29/01/2026 | 30 | MPLTE | $10,952.00 | Vaal | 1000m | Good | Blaine Marx-Jacobson | 56kg | 0:57.61 | - | 3 |
| 0.4L | $5.50 |
| 3/9 | 30/12/2025 | 31 | PLATE 2 | $10,952.00 | Turffontein | 1000m | Good | Mickaelle Michel | 58.5kg | 0:58.00 | - | 6 |
| 5.6L | $8.00 |
| 5/15 | 29/11/2025 | - | MPLTE 2 | $25,274.00 | Turffontein | 800m | Y | Savanna Valjalo | 56kg | 0:46.37 | - | 7 |
| 5.3L | $9.50 |
Jockey: Richard Fourie
Weight: 60kgs
Stats
Comments
Has built a solid platform this campaign and was beaten just over a length when fourth at Turffontein Inside last start after firming into favourite. That followed a Vaal second behind Kings Mountain, where he finished ahead of Frederico Cagishas despite hanging out late. Race fit now, proven around this trip and partnered by Richard Fourie, he looks well placed to break through.
Last Starts 16 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/6 | 15/10/2026 | 14 | MPLTE | $10,060.00 | Turffontein | 1200m | Good | Calvin Habib | 59kg | 1:14.22 | - | 1 |
| 1.3L | $2.10 |
| 2/12 | 01/10/2026 | 35 | MPLTE | $10,060.00 | Vaal | 1200m | Good | Calvin Habib | 59kg | 1:08.48 | - | 5 |
| 7.5L | $34.00 |
| 9/12 | 27/08/2026 | 93 | MPLTE | $9,880.00 | Vaal | 1000m | Good | Gavin Lerena | 58kg | 0:58.20 | - | 4 |
| 7.0L | $5.50 |
| 12/13 | 26/05/2026 | - | MPLTE 2 | $10,530.00 | Vaal | 1000m | Good | Marco V'rensburg | 60kg | 0:56.15 | - | 3 |
| 11.4L | $34.00 |
Jockey: Blaine Marx-Jacobson
Weight: 60kgs
Stats
Comments
Returns from a six-week freshening after finishing fifth at Turffontein Inside, beaten two and a half lengths as an outside chance in the betting. The run prior was stronger, going under by just under a length at Scottsville after being well supported. He has only one placing from four tries around this distance, but that recent peak gives him a genuine top-three profile.
Last Starts 42 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/7 | 19/09/2026 | 41 | MPLTE 3 | $9,880.00 | Turffontein | 1200m | Good | Calvin Habib | 60kg | 1:13.88 | - | 5 |
| 2.5L | $11.00 |
| 2/8 | 09/08/2026 | 24 | MPLTE | $12,030.00 | Scottsville | 1200m | Good | Calvin Habib | 60kg | 1:09.79 | - | 3 |
| 0.8L | $3.25 |
| 8/8 | 16/07/2026 | 21 | MPLTE 2 | $10,740.00 | Turffontein | 1600m | Good | Kobeli Lihaba | 60kg | 1:39.41 | - | 4 |
| 7.3L | $26.00 |
| 6/9 | 25/06/2026 | 152 | MPLTE 2 | $10,740.00 | Vaal | 1200m | Good | Kobeli Lihaba | 60kg | 1:09.26 | - | 7 |
| 7.8L | $6.50 |
| 5/8 | 24/01/2026 | 25 | MPLTE 2 | $10,952.00 | Vaal | 1200m | Good | Calvin Habib | 60kg | 1:10.81 | - | 2 |
| 5.2L | $7.00 |
| 5/9 | 30/12/2025 | - | PLATE 2 | $10,952.00 | Turffontein | 1000m | Good | Calvin Habib | 60kg | 0:58.00 | - | 3 |
| 10.8L | $17.00 |
Jockey: Kabelo Matsunyane
Weight: 60kgs
Stats
Comments
Returns from a two-month freshening after a costly fifth at Vaal, where he was crunched into a prohibitive odds-on quote but finished beaten just under five lengths. His debut fifth at this track was fair without threatening, and he remains unplaced from two starts at the distance. The stable commands respect, but he has to find a sharper finish to trouble the main chances.
Last Starts 44 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/10 | 17/09/2026 | 82 | MPLTE | $6,440.00 | Vaal | 1200m | Y | Phenisile Mongqawa | 58kg | 1:14.74 | - | 10 |
| 4.9L | $1.33 |
| 5/17 | 27/06/2026 | - | MPLTE | $9,880.00 | Turffontein | 1160m | Good | Kabelo Matsunyane | 57kg | 1:06.95 | - | 13 |
| 4.0L | $11.00 |
Jockey: Chase Maujean
Weight: 60kgs
Stats
Comments
Makes his debut from barrier one for Alec Laird and has a pedigree note of interest as a half brother to G1 performer Undercover Agent. The trainer's supplied debut profile shows more placegetters than winners, so the family gives him some appeal without making him easy to declare first time out. A forward showing would not surprise, but others bring stronger race claims.
Jockey: Trent Mayhew
Weight: 60kgs
Stats
Comments
Was unwanted in the market on debut at Vaal and finished last, beaten over 16 lengths behind Dog In The Fog. The R425,000 yearling has a decent enough family, including half siblings Copacabana and Carioca, but his only race effort leaves a clear gap to close. Second-up improvement is possible, though the exposed form says he must lift sharply.
Last Starts 23 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/10 | 08/10/2026 | - | MPLTE | $10,060.00 | Vaal | 1000m | Good | Trent Mayhew | 59kg | 0:56.10 | - | 10 |
| 16.1L | $26.00 |
Jockey: Kyle Strydom
Weight: 60kgs
Stats
Comments
Returns from a one-month freshening after improving into third at Vaal, albeit beaten seven and a half lengths behind Kings Mountain and still behind The Buffalo. His debut seventh had market support, so there has been enough in two runs to suggest more is to come. Third-up for a leading yard, he remains a strong winning chance if he takes another step forward.
Last Starts 30 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/12 | 01/10/2026 | 21 | MPLTE | $10,060.00 | Vaal | 1200m | Good | Kabelo Matsunyane | 59kg | 1:08.48 | - | 3 |
| 7.8L | $11.00 |
| 7/9 | 10/09/2026 | - | MPLTE | $9,880.00 | Vaal | 1200m | Y | Kabelo Matsunyane | 58kg | 1:11.53 | - | 5 |
| 7.5L | $8.00 |
Jockey: Craig Zackey
Weight: 60kgs
Stats
Comments
Debutant with a strong winning profile on paper, being by What A Winter out of Fromafar and closely related to Distant Winter, a G3 winner and G1 placegetter. Lucky Houdalakis has a 25% strike-rate with debutants in the supplied sample, and Craig Zackey is listed as the leading jockey at this track. He has the right combination of stable, rider and family to run boldly first time out.
Jockey: Calvin Habib
Weight: 60kgs
Stats
Comments
Starts his career from barrier three for Clinton Binda, with Calvin Habib taking the ride. The pedigree has some substance, with full siblings Sky Pilot and Greenlight Skye both winners and Sky Pilot also listed as a same-trainer sibling. Even so, the confidence around him is measured, and he shapes as one who may need to show more before he becomes a leading betting play.
Jockey: Kobeli Lihaba
Weight: 60kgs
Stats
Comments
Debuts for Alec Laird from barrier five and is by One World out of Kiss And Ride. The family includes Kissing Machine, a three-time winner, while the trainer-sire combination has a useful supplied place profile. That gives him some grounding for a fair first showing, but he sits below the better credentialed debutants and exposed runners on the available evidence.
Jockey: Muzi Yeni
Weight: 60kgs
Stats
Comments
Begins from the outside barrier with Muzi Yeni aboard for Lucky Houdalakis. The stable's debut record is a positive from the supplied sample, and there is family depth through Champion Warrior, who won on debut, while full sibling Gavius Maximus was fourth over 1160m at this venue on debut. The draw tempers enthusiasm, so he looks a watch-and-assess type first time out.
Jockey: Keagan De Melo
Weight: 60kgs
Stats
Comments
Makes his debut for Sean Tarry, the leading trainer at this track in the supplied rankings, and gets Keagan De Melo, who is also strongly ranked here. The trainer's debut figures read 12 wins and 34 places from 72 starters, while the Gimmethegreenlight combination has produced plenty of placings. That profile gives him a genuine chance to run well on debut.
Jockey: Callan Murray
Weight: 57.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Debuts for Mike & Mathew De Kock with a 57.5kg impost and a middle draw, and the pedigree is the key attraction. She is from My Sanctuary's family, with G1 performers Safe Passage, Silver Sanctuary and Winds Of Change giving the page real depth. The trainer-sire figures with Vercingetorix are also strong, so she profiles as a first-starter with legitimate each-way claims.