Preview Of The Umzimkhulu Stakes & Byerley Turk
By Mark van Deventer
The
Byerley Turk and
Umzimkhulu Stakes for 3YO’s signal the start of the KZN season. Both are classed as Grade 3’s, to be run over 1400m, on Friday night at Greyville.
Quickstepgal and
Gimme What I Want s/s 104 dispute favoritism at slightly shorter than 2/1 for the
Umzimkhulu, having clashed before in the
Sceptre Stakes when Justin Snaith’s entry finished quicker to score by a neck receiving 2kg’s. She now gets 3kg’s from Tienie Prinsloo’s
Cape Fillies Guineas heroine.
This will be a tactical battle –
Quickstepgal s/s 103 could be the lone speed in a race devoid of other front runners. If allowed too much leeway she can blast away down the short Greyville straight.
Keukenhof s/s 100 has only won once from 10 starts, with a litany of hard luck stories. Drawn 10 she will probably be dropped out by Craig Zackey and come on powerfully.
Drawing just one stall inside her is the
Gimmethegreenlight filly,
Infinity Edge s/s 95. She’s been off track for six months having shown smart ability at her four starts, and a liking for the Greyville circuit.
This is a hard call to make given fitness queries about the principals.
Quickstepgal (off for 76 days,)
Gimme What I Want and
Keukenhof (not raced for two months and relocated from the Cape to KZN) might not be fully tuned. Yet, they stand out on the ratings.
If the track is running fast and a tailwind is blowing, then
Quickstepgal is the play. If “fairer” conditions prevail,
Gimme What I Want would crack the nod.
There are no doubts about the pace in the
Byerley Turk though as tearaway,
Good for You s/s 96, seven-panel specialist,
I’m a Fireball s/s 96 and well-drawn, antepost favorite at 18/10,
Wild Justice s/s 103 are confirmed speedballs who should ensure a brisk gallop.
This could tee things up for the very talented closer,
Green Gateway to make a bold late bid. He got a fine figure of 101 + when running down
Roland Garros s/s 99 in November 2025 – a key race which has yielded subsequent victories by top notch sprinter,
All the Rage s/s 106,
Black Eagle s/s 98,
Sardinia Bay s/s 98 + and
Spirit s/s 93.
Dean Kannemeyer chose to put his highly regarded charge away (and be gelded) since that eye-catching win over the stiff 1200 at Kenilworth. So,
Green Gateway has not raced for 125 days.
Wild Justice has proven fitness on his side and should get a perfect trip racing handy from gate 1 under Callan Murray. The
Vercingetorix colt trained by Gareth van Zyl has already won four of six starts and is respected stretching out beyond sprints. But he will need to dig deep to stave off
Green Gateway’s stretch run.
Ascalon Dancer (already backed in early trade down to 12/1) scored 92 + when sauntering to victory at his only start back in September 2025. He is open to any amount of improvement and rates a dark horse.
Fortress of Fire s/s 96 has confirmed fitness on his side after hitting a career top a month ago. But that 96 falls shy of what it will take to win this contest. Nevertheless, the 20/1 longshot is a reasonable inclusion underneath in trifectas/quartets.
Bio: Mark van Deventer has been refining his speed figures for thoroughbred racehorses over three decades. A full-time racing journalist since 2013, he’s known for his integrity and imaginative handicapping, adapting the principles of Andrew Beyer’s figures to South African racecourses.
Enjoy the thrill of every race by
betting on the latest racing events with
Interbet’s Racing Zone.
Every bet placed on the
Interbet Tote
goes directly into the
Tote Pools, helping to sustain the sport we love. You can also experience our improved
Racing Exchange
—
mobile-first, fast, and offering 0% commission.
