RACE 1: Preview: FLASHLIGHT (3) is the one to beat on form and has a plum draw as opposed to last time on the Inside track when caught wide and still managing to stay on quite well. ISLAND MISTRESS (1) has run well in her last two over 1600m which followed a layoff and before that she was often distressed at the races so she looks to have turned the corner. TUSCAN LIGHT (4) has some fair form over further and the yard said she could place if not needing it after a 245 day layoff. (David Thiselton 3-1-4)

RACE 2: Preview:  AL QAQAA (8) was backed into 9/10 on debut over 1200m and ran a fair third, so he should be good enough to go close from a good draw here over a suitable step up in trip. DOMINO RULER (10) was not disgraced in a strong maiden juvenile plate over 1450m last time in his first run around the bend and from the same draw can go close if settling better.  SEA WAYS (13) was slow away on debut over 1450m and ran on strongly for a 4,25 length second and although the form has not worked out well he could improve. (David Thiselton 8-10-13)

RACE 3: Preview: WINTER SMOKE (1) is very quick so will relish this easy 1000m on fast ground. CAPTAIN MORISCO’s (3) win over 1000m last time was his first run as a gelding and the form of that race has been working out well. BOWIE (4) finished strongly last time to beat South East by 0,75 lengths and can confirm the form from a better draw than the latter by trends. (David Thiselton 1-3-4-2-5)

RACE 4: Preview: RAPID FIRE (1) was not disgraced in the Grade 1 Allan Robertson over 1200m last time and on her close up SA Fillies Nursery third she is the one top beat. GREENS (2) ran well in first time blinkers last time and will be a big danger.  RAEESAH (5) is a first-timer by Captain Of All and she is a half-sister to the Grade 2 winner Paterfamilias. (David Thiselton 1-2-5)

RACE 5: Preview: MR FLOOD (2) is drawn on the right side which will give him a chance of reversing a 2,50 length beating in the Grade 1 wfa Computaform Sprint over 1000m by Rivarine, whom he gave 4kg and a 2,50 length beating in his penultimate start over 1000m. Computaform Sprint-winner RIVARINE (1) has come into his own since being held up and running on but from his low draw it is not going to be easy to be dropped out behind horses. OROVAR (5) is quick and should enjoy this course and distance. (David Thiselton 2-1-5)

RACE 6: Preview: OPERETTA (3) is able to turn it on and at last has a good draw over this ideal course and distance so she should be right there. GOLDEN BELLE (1) has fulfilled her potential in her last two starts and can make it a hat-trick from a nice high draw over an ideal course and distance but she does have to give Operetta 4kg. RUNNING BRAVE (2) would prefer further but has speed and class and has won over this course and distance before. (David Thiselton 3-1-2)   

RACE 7: Preview: TAHITIAN ORANA (1) stayed on well for a close third the last time she tried this trip and now has a good draw off the same mark. STRADA STATALE (4) can go close from a fair draw if repeating her penultimate run over this trip at the Vaal Classic track from a wide draw although she is now three points higher for her win over 1400m last time. MAGIC MILA (2) won her maiden over course and distance easily and although off a tough merit rating for one more subsequent win she has a plum draw and should be involved. (David Thiselton 1-4-2)

RACE 8: Preview: BOLD FORTUNE (10) made a good debut over 1600m and being by Flower Alley should enjoy this step up in trip. NABEELA (3) has had tough draws in her last three starts but that has not stopped her from going close and she has another tricky draw. SUPER DUPER (4) has been thereabouts in her last handful of starts from 1800m to 2000m and she now has a good draw. (David Thiselton 10-3-4)

RACE 9: Preview: GREAT ESTEEM (2) has a good draw over the trip he has done well over in his last two starts and he looks to be improving in the typical style of a son of Jackson. ANOTHER PENNY (1) stayed on well over 1600m last time and being by Judpot out of a Fort Wood mare who won over a mile he should enjoy this trip. TURF MASTER (9) has the ability to run well from the front and has the right draw for his style. (David Thiselton 2-1-9)          

RACE 1:  Preview : ROSE OF INDYA (10) looks the right horse in this line up , she set the pace last time out on the grass when running fourth and if she jumps on terms this time around she should be on top of them. SWEET SPRING (9) hung in her last start but should be in the finish if repeating her last run. CINNABAR (2) ran well when narrowly beaten into third and jumps from a reasonable draw and has a shout (Devonne Govender 10-9-2).

RACE 2:  Preview : EDO FURIN’S (2) last run can be ignored when he found himself in front which clearly didn’t suit, his form prior to that shows his capable of winning this. GHALYOON (1) has been costly to follow but should be involved. GIBRAL DE ROCHE (3) has been close up of late and can get close from pole position. MOONLIGHTSTRANGER (4) could be a nice outsider to include if repeating his penultimate with a reasonable draw this time round. (Devonne Govender 2-1-3-5)

RACE 3:  Preview : VIVA LE BLEU (4) is the one to beat on her last run when running on strongly to finish third over 1600m, she jumped from a wide gate and has pole position and the step up in distance may be what she needs. DOUBLED OVER (5) steps up in trip as well and has form to trouble the judge. LATERAL’S FLASH (2) has been close up over these sort of trips and is a trifecta inclusion. SHEZA ROCKSTAR (7) ran a cracker in her last at big odds and can follow up to get involved. PRECIOUS JEWEL (6) can upset especially now that she’s stepping up in distance. (Devonne Govender 4-5-2-7-6)

RACE 4: Preview: MIGHTY ROCK should take a power of beating if fit enough based on his last run. He had to the work last time out when traveling wide and was still game in the finish and the draw of 6 will certainly help. IMPRESSIVE MASTER (1) has excuses and is now drawn in pole compared to his last start when finishing third from gate 11. PHANTOM ROLLS (3) ran a fair race after breaking the maiden and should place. (Devonne Govender 9-1-3)

RACE 5:  Preview: PALO ALTO (1) looks tough to beat on form and goes for four in a row. BARBERTON SILVER (6) is on the up and it will be interesting to see how he handles the step up in class. ARANJUEZ (8) is never far back and could complete the trifecta. (Devonne Govender 1-6-8)

RACE 6: Preview: MARMARA SEA (7) is extremely well bred and clearly the one to beat and should justify favouritism. He is the selection for best bet on the card and his rider T.Gould makes him his best ride on the day. DABULA (6) has consistent form and will be right there if the favourite fluffs his lines. TOLTEC (1) shouldn’t be far off having competed in some features but has top weight to shoulder. (Devonne Govender 7-6-1)

RACE 7:  Preview: MIO GRANDE (1) is holding form well and has excuses in his last start when running second. REACH FOR THE LINE (6) is the main danger after running two close up fourths. TAKATUL (9) will be running on strongly and a hot pace will suit. (Devonne Govender 1-6-9)

RACE 8:  Preview: NEVERLETUGO (9) comes from and inform yard and has the form to win this. BLUE DUCHESS (1) could be the lurker if jumping on terms. SILVER FOUNTAIN (3) is never far back and should be in the frame. (Devonne Govender 9-1-3)

RACE 9: Preview: TOO CUTE (6) brings Cape form into the race and looks the one to beat if fit enough however does return from a lengthy layoff. CIDER (5) last win was very game and a repeat showing could see her fighting this out. EXALTATION (1) shoulders top weight but has a shout in this line up. ANGEL BOUQUET (9) has her third run after a rest and could upset the apple cart. (Devonne Govender 6-5-1-9)

TELLYTRACK, South African horseracing’s exclusive channel on DStv, will be moving from channel 239 to channel 249 from Monday 24 August.

DStv will be streamlining their channels to sports themed channels on SuperSport as of 1 September.

Tellytrack is currently positioned after the Máximo channel and these two channels will move by several slots to allow for additional SuperSport channels.

DAVID THISELTON

PHUMELELA have conducted an inquiry into the incident in race seven at Turffontein on Sunday in which the jockeys were confused by the ambulance siren being activated shortly after the horses had jumped.

In the NHA enquiry it was discovered that seven of the eight jockeys had heard the siren and some of them had consequently stopped riding.

The race was declared null and void.

However, the ambulance company does not fall under the NHA’s jurisdiction so a further inquiry into the matter had to be done by the operator.

Medi Response consequently sent the following report to Phumelela:

1. You requested an investigation into an incident whereby the racing

ambulance’s siren was allegedly activated immediately after the starter

released the gates for Race 7 [of 10 August 2020] held at the Turffontein

Racecourse.

2. This report serves to record the findings of our investigation into the

abovementioned incident.

3. We can confirm that the siren of the racing ambulance was activated after the

gates were released during Race 7 on 10 August 2020.

4. We are further able to report the following findings to you for consideration in

the matter:

4.1 The personnel involved reported the incident to Medi Response

management on the same day as the issue arising. To this extent, a

statement was received from the driver, while the crew was also interviewed

by the undersigned writer.

4.2 Our conclusion is that the siren was activated accidentally while the

ambulance was manoeuvring around a stationary vehicle (now identified as

the veterinary vehicle) in order to follow the string of horses in-running.

4.2.1 TAKE NOTE: emergency vehicle sirens are often wired (via the

vehicle’s steering column) to the hooter on the steering wheel for

ease of activation when needing to respond to an emergency. The

vehicle deployed at Turffontein on 10 August 2020 has such a

configuration (i.e. the siren is activated through the steering wheel).

4.3 In addition to the above-mentioned stationary vehicle, there were some

pedestrians standing (and seated) on the inside track that is generally used

by the ambulance during races.

ANDREW HARRISON

FORMER champion jockey Mark Khan’s lengthy riding career has been punctuated by many injury-induced lay-offs and he recorded his first winner back from his latest setback with a hard-fought victory aboard the Duncan Howells-trained All The Way Up at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday.

Paying R63.50 a win on the tote it was not a popular result for punters but for Khan, who has been riding plenty of work for Howells in his effort to get back to race-riding fitness, it was a welcome return to the winner’s enclosure for both jockey and trainer.

One had to delve back in All The Way Up’s form to realise that he was a horse with potential but as Howells eluded to in his post-race interview, the stable was badly hit by a virus and not all the affected horses had come back to form.

A two-month lock-down break and a big drop in his handicap rating and blinkers saw All The Way Up back to his best as he fought on gamely to hold a hard-charging King Julian and replacement rider Keagan de Melo.

In this age of a battling economy and a huge reduction in stakes, it is not easy for trainers to find new patrons, let alone keep the ones that they have, but Suzette and Basie Viljoen, relatively newcomers to racehorse ownership, have been exceptions with well over 50 horses in training spread amongst a variety of trainers.

They were in the winner’s box twice yesterday as Gavel Strike made short work of the opposition in the third followed by an equally facile win by Good Rhythm in the seventh. Gavel Strike for Lezeanne Forbes and stable rider Serino Moodley and Good Rhythm for Louis Goosen under an inspired ride from apprentice Kyle Strydom.

There was also a double for Gareth Wright. Anmer Hall made a winning local debut for Andre Nel in the second with the imported filly making short work of her opposition and Wright followed up with a similar ride on the Wendy Whitehead-trained Twice As Smart as she rocketed away up the home straight to show her opposition a clean pair of heels in the sixth.