High Hopes For Gold Cup Day Runners
2023 World Pool Gold Cup Winner, Future Pearl
The Sean Tarry Yard looks set to be strongly represented at Hollywoodbets Greyville this Sunday, when the curtain comes down on the South African feature race season for 2025-2026.
Below is a brief description of the Tarry runners in each of the nine races that the yard is represented in:
Race 1: Tote Stakes (1600m)
Care Forgot
The four-year-old daughter of The United States was beaten just over four lengths last time, when finishing behind top fillies Quickstepgal and Mon Petit Cherie in the G2 HKJC World Pool Tibouchina Stakes (1400m) last time out. Gets the services of world-class jockey Lyle Hewitson on Sunday.
Golden Operator
Held in high regard by connections, the three-year-old Declarationofpeace gelding ran fourth in the KwaZulu-Natal Breeders Mile (1600m) last time out. He does not have the best of draws but does have just 53.5 kgs to carry on Sunday.
Race 2: World Pool With Race Coast Debutante (1200m)
Perfect Sky
Beautifully bred daughter of Vercingetorix looks to be progressive, having won two of four starts and finished fourth to classy stablemate Alice B Toklas in the Listed Amusnet Devon Air Stakes (1400m). Drops back in trip on Sunday and has the services of Lyle Hewitson.
Ocean Mistress
Beaten just over two and a half lengths in the G2 Amusnet Golden Slipper (1400m) but has a poor draw to contend with in the Debutante. She does, however, benefit from the services of top jockey Keagan De Melo.
Race 3: World Pool With Tote Stakes (1200m)
Grande Hawaii
The well-bred daughter of Hawwaam caught the eye when winning at the second time of asking by three lengths. Was only ninth in the 4Racing SA Sales Cup (1160m) last time out. Nicely drawn in gate four in Sunday’s G2 feature and does have a sex allowance here.
Status Symbol
The son of Gimmethegreenlight and the stable’s former top-class performer Trophy Wife finished a good second In the G3 TAB Protea Stakes earlier (1100m) this season but is drawn widest of all on Sunday.
Race 4: Douglas Whyte Stakes (1400m)
Alice B Toklas
The Master Of My Fate, half-sister to classy filly World Of Alice, made a big impression when winning the Listed Amusnet Devon Air Stakes (1400m) and looked a little unlucky when second next time out in the G2 Amusnet Golden Slipper (1400m) on July Day. Jumping from a good draw on Sunday, and with Richard Fourie up, Alice B Toklas looks to be a big runner.
Viking Lass
The daughter of Erik The Red was beaten less than three lengths in the G2 Amusnet Golden Slipper (1400m) last time out but does have a wide draw to contend with here.
Race 5: World Pool Moment Of The Day Champion Stakes (1600m)
Secretary Bird
Smart daughter of Rafeef who gets a sex allowance in Sunday’s G1 contest. Nicely drawn in four, Secretary Bird comes into the race off an eye-catching third against males in the G2 Omoda Golden Horseshoe (1400m) where she was beaten less than three-parts of a length. She benefits from a good draw and gets the services of Callan Murray on Sunday.
Prayersandpromises
The son of Gimmethegreenlight caught the eye when finishing fifth in the Golden Horseshoe last time out despite having to overcome a wide draw. He is set to be partnered by log leading jockey Craig Zackey on Sunday.
Race 6: Mercury Sprint (1200m)
Mia Moo
Winner of the 2025 G1 South African Fillies Sprint, Mia Moo ran third, two starts back, in the G1 TAB Computaform Sprint when beaten less than three lengths by Buffalo Storm Cody. Drawn in pole position on Sunday, the five-year-old will be partnered by Mickaëlle Michel for a first time in the Mercury Sprint.
Green Diamond
She beat the exciting Esteemed in last season’s G2 TAB SA Nursery (1160m) and caught the eye last time out when fourth in the G1 TAB Computaform Sprint (1000m).
Cosmic Speed
This top-class performer, whose wins included the 2025 G1 Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes, showed a return to his better form when finishing fifth, behind fellow Mercury contender Questioning, in the G1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge. Unfortunately, he is drawn widest of all on Sunday.
Race 7: World Pool Gold Cup (3200m)
Future Pearl
Former champion stayer who won this race in 2023. Gets the services of Mickaelle Michel for Sunday’s feature.
Race 10: HKIR In December Umngeni Handicap (1000m)
Quantum Theory
Dual winner of the Listed Betway Spring Spree Stakes, Quantum Theory is set to have just his second start at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday, with the son of Querari having run third in the 2022 G1 Premiers Champion Stakes. Nicely drawn, he will be ridden by Craig Zackey, who knows him well.