Back to Race Results

23 December 2025 | Vaal | Race 4

FOR HOSPITALITY BOOKINGS CALL 011 681 1796 MR 74 HANDICAP (Open)

Distance 1500m

Going Good

Win Time 90.21s

Avg Time 89.64s

Stakes R100,000

WFA Weight For Age(SSL) 3yrs:6.0 Weight For Age(SNL) 3yrs:8.5 4yrs:0.5

Pos	Horse	Jockey	Draw	Weight	MR Pre	MR Post	MR Curr	Lengths	Odds	Equip	Owner / Trainer
1	Father Christmas	Mr C Zackey	5	60.5kg	75	83	83	Won	9/4Fav	Y	O: Messrs Jamal Farah, J B Farah & Hyperpaint Syndicate (Nom: Mr D T Peter) T: Mr A P Peter
2	Force Publique	Mr G J Lerena	4	58.0kg	82	81	81	+0.90	4/1	Y	O: Wernars Family T: Mr Lucky Houdalakis
3	Lady Blunt Line	Mr L M van Rensburg	3	59.5kg	85	86	86	+1.30	10/1	Y	O: Mr F Swart T: Mr B Webber
4	Prince Of Kildare	Mr C Murray	7	59.5kg	73	79	79	+4.00	5/2	TT Y	O: Wilgerbosdrift (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mrs M Slack) T: Mr B B Ruiters
5	Elusive Red	Mr D W Schwarz	6	58.0kg	82	75	75	+5.50	20/1	Y	O: Messrs W J Coates & S M Leahy T: Mr R R Magner
6	Johnny Drama	Ms S T Valjalo	2	58.5kg*	79	78	78	+5.75	6/1	Y	—
7	Lava Fire	Mr P Mxoli	8	59.5kg	73	69	69	+6.25	40/1	Y	—
8	Viva De Janeiro	Mr K Matsunyane	1	52.0kg	50	50	50	+11.50	40/1	B Y	—
Code 88	Express Yourself	Miss R A Venniker	10	60.0kg	—	78	78	—	11/2	N	—
Code 88	Oklahoma Twister	Mr J R Syster	9	58.5kg	—	70	70	—	16/1	N	—

Father Christmas

Mr C Zackey · Dw 5 · 60.5kg

Won

9/4 Fav

MR 75 → 83

Force Publique

Mr G J Lerena · Dw 4 · 58.0kg

+0.90

4/1

MR 82 → 81

Lady Blunt Line

Mr L M van Rensburg · Dw 3 · 59.5kg

+1.30

10/1

MR 85 → 86

Prince Of Kildare

Mr C Murray · Dw 7 · 59.5kg

+4.00

5/2

MR 73 → 79

TT Y

Elusive Red

Mr D W Schwarz · Dw 6 · 58.0kg

+5.50

20/1

MR 82 → 75

Johnny Drama

Ms S T Valjalo (True) · Dw 2 · 58.5kg

+5.75

6/1

MR 79 → 78

Lava Fire

Mr P Mxoli · Dw 8 · 59.5kg

+6.25

40/1

MR 73 → 69

Viva De Janeiro

Mr K Matsunyane · Dw 1 · 52.0kg

+11.50

40/1

MR 50 → 50

B Y

Express Yourself

Miss R A Venniker · Dw 10 · 60.0kg

—

11/2

MR — → 78

Oklahoma Twister

Mr J R Syster · Dw 9 · 58.5kg

—

16/1

MR — → 70

THE STARTER REPORTED: a) ELUSIVE RED (D Schwarz) jumped inwards leaving the stalls. THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED: a) As the start was effected, the left side front gate of stall 2 bounced back and made contact with the left shoulder of JOHNNY DRAMA (*S Valjalo). b) Jockey K Matsunyane reported that VIVA DE JANEIRO did not stride out freely in running. The Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine this gelding. c) FATHER CHRISTMAS, the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Trainer AP Peter was advised. (MS) JOCKEY CHANGES: None. RACE CARD CHANGES / OTHER: a) LAVA FIRE raced without blinkers. (declared 17h25 on 20251217). b) K Matsunyane (VIVA DE JANEIRO) rode +0.5kg (52.6kgs). THE VETERINARY SURGEON REPORTED: a) VIVA DE JANEIRO - examined post-race. Not striding out left front. b) LAVA FIRE - blowing post-race. SCRATCHED: a) EXPRESS YOURSELF - urticaria. Rule 53.5 applied. (declared 06h52 on 20251223) A veterinary certificate was received and is suitable for reinstatement. b) OKLAHOMA TWISTER - insufficient recovery time. Rule 53.5 applied. (declared 16h05 on 20251222). DISQUALIFIED / DECLARED NON-RUNNER: None.