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Greyville Horse Racing Tips - Get all the racing tips for 2 January 2026

Simon Lewis

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Last updated: 31 Dec 2025

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Simon Lewis 31 Dec 2025

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Winter Blessing is a strong favourite in Race 1.
Maphaka is on track to snatch a win in Race 3.
Ubukhwebezana to take the tape first in Race 6.
In The Bag to run away with the final race of the day.

Expired

Horse racing at Greyville (Getty Images).

Race 1 – Winter Blessing (6)

Jockey: Rachel Venniker | Trainer: Michael Roberts

A small field of seven looks set to create a thriller between Captain Ventura, Winter Blessing, Sargasso Sea and Winter Belle. I’m backing Winter Blessing to pip the trio of challengers. The 3-yr-old bay filly ran 2-4-7-3-4-4-4 before a 79-day break, before coming back in the 1000m sprint at Greyville on 9 December that saw her pull up from the middle of the pack to finish like a rocket and claim 2nd place.

Race 3 – Maphaka (8)

Jockey: Tristan Godden | Trainer: D. Kannemeyer

Plenty of recent race-winners in this field of nine, and it’s likely to be a packed finish. Fortress of fire won his last race, as did Prince of Troy who claimed a maiden win in his first race in a field of five. Mystic Dancer has had a great lead-in to this race, running 2-4-4-1-1 and enjoying a 31-day break before her first race in 2026. Maphaka is my favourite for the win, despite having just one win 18 months ago. The 4-yr-old bay gelding has run 3-5-2-3-2 in his last five outings and should be hungry for a win, especially after his last run when he put up a fierce fight to battle through a packed field to finish a close second.

Race 6 – Ubukhwebezana (4)

Jockey: Callan Murray | Trainer: Matthys Odendaal

Another tight field awaits, with the quartet of Sonata Samaritan, Ubukhwebezana, Siberian Winter and Blue Poppy all likely to be nosing it for the line. The 5-yr-old bay mare Ubukhwebezana has had a 105-day break after a pair of wins, which were preceded by a 3rd place and a win. Three wins and a third place in four races sounds like a horse that knows how to snatch a win… and with a 105–day break behind her she should have that extra bite in the legs to take the win.

Race 8 – In The Bag (1)

Jockey: Tristan Godden | Trainer: Michael Miller

One-armed Bandit, Town Crier, Indecent Proposal and Claymore all have wins in their last five races, but I’m backing In The Bag to take this one home. The 5-yr-old bay gelding ran a disappointing 5th place in his last race, but that was on a Scottsville track that was soft underhoof, while his two previous runs were at Greyville, placing 2nd in both. Both finishes saw him power through from the middle of the pack to claim second place, so back at Greyville he will have the taste for victory to spur him on.

Verdict

Horse racing

Winter Blessing, Maphaka and Ubukhwebezana to snatch tight wins, while
In The Bag looks set to clean the field up at the end of the day’s racing

Race 1

Winter Blessing Win

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Race 3

Maphaka Win

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Race 6

Ubukhwebezana Win

@4.00 - 1 Unit

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Race 8

In The Bag Win

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