Kenilworth Saturday Tips and Race Previews by Warren Lenferna

Race 1
Preview: ALNWICK CASTLE (5) has run two fair races thus far and can go close to winning now. MAITLAND MAGIC (10) nearly won on debut but flopped second time out when a well beaten favourite. He can do much better and will be a big runner here. TRACK ATTACK (1) has a place chance and will hopefully win one of these days. (Warren Lenferna 5-10-1)

Race 2
Preview: Trainer Dean Kannemeyer holds a strong hand here. BORN TO BE QUEEN (5) ran well on debut and can improve to go close to winning today. Her stable mate MEET AT THE GEORGE (7) should provide plenty of cheek all the way home under visiting Gavin Lerena – big chance and ACADEMIC GOLD (1) is a must for the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 5-7-1)

Race 3
Preview: ERIK THE RED (3) is quick and has just stretched away from the opposition when winning his last two – I expect we will see him in KZN for the upcoming Champions Season! He is the confident selection to win again. JOSEPH BARRY (4) caught the eye when winning on debut and then running a fair race last time behind Erik The Red – he should be right there and PURPLE CLOUD (5) nearly won on debut and clearly has talent – include him in everything. (Warren Lenferna 3-4-5)

Race 4
Preview: DELTA QUEEN (3) trotted up on debut when well backed and looks the real deal – she is well related and looks set to carry on her winning way. Hard to beat. STUCK ON YOU (10) is still a maiden but has the form to be competitive here and STEPITUPBABY (9) could run well on debut for recently relocated trainer Coerie Lensley. (Warren Lenferna 3-10-9)

Race 5
Preview: NEXUS (8) is way better than his last run suggests and can bounce right back to winning ways. Stable mate KNIGHTS TEMPLAR (11) falls into the same category – he can do much better than he did last time and a big effort can be expected. CHARLES (3) has ability and is another that can do better than he did last time but it is a very hard race – try and include as many as your bank manager will allow you to! (Warren Lenferna 8-11-3)

Race 6
Preview: GOLDEN CHANCE (4) has a good record since arriving in the Cape – she has finished close up to Silvano’s Pride, Front And Centre and Celtic Sea! She deserves to win something nice like this and is the value selection in the race for me. MUSHI STEREK (9) has found the second box in her last two races and should again be right there and FRONT AND CENTRE (1) has obvious claims but her last two efforts are a concern for me – what we do know is she can do much better! (Warren Lenferna 4-9-1)

Race 7
Preview: CHIMICHURI RUN (2) ran a good race in the Cape Flying last time close up to Russet Air and can bounce right back to winning ways here. RUSSET AIR (3) won the Cape Flying at long odds and should again make his presence felt. I have gone for Chimichuri to beat him this time around and KASIMIR (1) has obvious bright claims – he can scoot along with the best of them. (Warren Lenferna 2-3-1)

Race 8
Preview: Well related GOLDEN DUCAT (11) is lightly raced and should relish this Derby distance. He is the first choice. VIVA RIO (1) is the obvious one to beat – he won very well last time and clearly has gears. SUPER SILVANO (7) has been knocking loudly at the door recently and might well have a big one in him soon – big chance. (Warren Lenferna 11-1-7)

Race 9
Preview: NIPPY SWEETIE (10) is improving and rates the one to beat. DANCING SWORD (9) is another that is on the improve and more than likely has more to offer – respect and HALLIBERRY (2) is well tried but consistent. She should set herself free from the maidens soon if not today. (Warren Lenferna 10-9-2)

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Turffontein Saturday Tips and Race Previews by David Thiselton

Race 1
Preview: ZULUONMYSTOEP (5) is a long-striding sort with scope for improvement although he did make a breathing noise last time and now gets blinkers on from a tough draw. OPENING GAMBIT (2) is drawn in pole and although this is his 14th start he could go close if producing his best. CREATION (1) is becoming disappointing but now tries the headgear, albeit from a tough draw, and if that does the trick he has a chance. (David Thiselton 5-2-1)

Race 2
Preview: FIRE AND ICE (4), who is by Noble Tune and is a half-brother to Cape Fillies Guineas winner Missisippi Burning, has a shout here on his form to date. SOUTH EAST (11) went close over 1160m last Wednesday but he is drawn in pole and was beaten by a horse whom both Fire And Ice and Stormy Seas beat. BOWIE (1) ran a fair second on debut at Kenilworth after being backed. (David Thiselton 4-11-1)

Race 3
Preview: DUBAWI PRINCESS (3) has a strong finish and lands an ideal draw over a step up in trip which should suit. ULULATE (12) made a fair debut from a similarly advantageous draw over this course and distance despite losing a length at the start. LIVERPOOL LEGEND (5) is by Coup De Grace, a Group 2 winner over 1300m, and she is a half-sister to Graded winner African Warrior. (David Thiselton 3-12-5) 

Race 4
Preview: INTOTHEMYSTIC (2) showed good pace last time over 1200m with blinkers on so should enjoy this trip and can use his pace to overcome the disadvantageous number one draw. WESTERN VISION (11) has a disadvantageous low draw but has ability and doesn’t have a lot to beat. BLOW ME DOWN (1) didn’t have much go his way last time but is capable of finishing well so can go close from an advantageous high draw. (David Thiselton 2-11-1)

Race 5
Preview: DOUBLE O’ EIGHT (7) is in fine form and lands a favourable draw with a 4kg claimer up so has a shout. REBEL’S CHAMP (2) doesn’t mind running in isolation so the unfavourable draw of one might not be as big a disadvantage as it would to other horses. MARDI GRAS (1) is classy and will be coming into his own but he does have a tricky low draw. BASADI FAITH (6) won her first four starts including the SA Fillies Nursery and would have benefited from her recent comeback run from epistaxis. MIGHTY HIGH (5) has plenty of ability and would have benefited from her last start. (David Thiselton 7-2-1-6-5)

Race 6
Preview: GAIAN GLORY (1) has a proven ability to relax before turning it on and can be dropped out from a wide draw over this ideal course and distance. KAY TEE PERRY (6) looks like a fine prospect having shown good cruising speed and a fine turn of foot when beating the promising Cornish Pomodoro cosily over 1160m second time out and she will enjoy this step up in trip on pedigree. STAGE DANCE (5) has good form and pole position over a suitable trip and she wears a first time tongue tie. (David Thiselton 1-6-5)

Race 7
Preview: HEART STWINGS (2) is on the up and proved last time she can run on well from off the pace so she can afford to be dropped out from this tricky draw. SECRET DREAM (1) can reverse form with Wild Date on paper but the concern is she has choked up twice in recent starts including once when wearing her now regular tongue tie. WILD DATE (3) should enjoy the step up in trip and has good a chance as the first two mentioned horses. (David Thiselton 2-1-3)

Race 8
Preview: THEREVADA (2) has her third run after a layoff from a good draw over a suitable trip and is off a competitive mark. MAGIC MILA (1) goes for a hattrick from a good draw over a step up in trip which might be a problem on pedigree as she is by the sprinter Rock Of Rochelle out of a sprinter by Royal Academy but on the other hand it is only 200m further than her two wins. BOUNCING TIGGER (9) went close over 1600m last time and a good draw will help him get home here if he goes handy again. (David Thiselton 2-1-9)

Race 9
Preview: SACRED DAWN (16) made a fair debut over 1600m when staying on should relish this step up in trip, being by Await The Dawn out of a Galileo mare, but he does have a tough draw. IDEAL MAN (1) had a nasal discharge last time so can be excused that run and on his previous two runs he can go close. TURF MASTER (8) has earned a cheque in all three of his starts over this course and distance and could do so again if able to get to the front easily enough from a tricky draw. (David Thiselton 16-1-8)

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The mare Connect Me has been a solid earner for Ashburton-based Gary Rich and can add to her already impressive tally of five wins when she lines up on the poly track at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday.

Wednesday’s scheduled meeting on the track was abandoned due to torrential overnight rain that flooded the course and even Noah would have been rounding them up two-by-two as a precaution.

Connect Me has yet to win on the synthetic surface but has finished second twice in three starts and was staying on well behind On The Double in soft ground at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last time out.

That said, she takes on a seriously competitive field and one can make out a case for many of the runners.

Jackson Wells finished close-up in her first two starts after ‘winning’ a barrier trial and when Mark Dixon stretched her to a mile at her third start on the poly, she cruised to a five-length win.

The opposition on Sunday is far stronger but she is an improving filly with a good draw and a handy galloping weight.

Arizona Sunset is seldom far off the pace and kept on well for a deserved win on the poly last time out. That form has worked out well with two subsequent winners behind her so she must be in with a strong chance.

Philae was much improved last run behind On The Double and Connect Me but does appear to be better on the turf which is a concern for her supporters.

Collabro may not have achieved the heights of his half-brother and champion Legal Eagle but he has still managed five visits to the winner’s enclosure and can make that six for Dennis Bosch come Sunday. He had a difficult draw last run in the soft at Scottsville and came from a long way back to finish two lengths off the winner. He switches to the poly with a good draw and he does appear to have found his best with the addition of blinkers.

The mare Oloye has been kept to the poly track by Brett Crawford since arriving in KZN from Eric Sands and obviously has some issues. She was given two barrier trials before making a smart return to proper racing in a useful field of fillies and mares and she has the benefit of a light weight.

Ralph The Rascal was a recent maiden winner but won well enough to suggest that he will be competitive off his light weight while Karoo Lark and Mount Anderson also appear to have scope.

In the last, Rocket Fire was sent out favourite last run but was slow to begin and cast a shoe in the running. He can make amends. Mokoko has been trying further but the blinkers go on and his form is consistent while Bravo Zulu is always game and has been consistent of late and can do better than his last run when sent out a luke-warm favourite.

By Andrew Harrison

Long-time favourite Viva Rio rates no more than a tentative selection for the ARF Commemorative Cape Derby at Kenilworth’s Prawn Festival meeting tomorrow. The form of the 18-10 chance is much the best – his Cape Guineas second sees him rated a minimum of 4.5kg clear of the rest – but this is a bad race for favourites.

Every one of them has been beaten in the last six runnings when the winners have included a 28-1 shock as well as others starting at 16-1 and 13-1 – and the gelding’s stamina could well have a hole in it. True, he is by Oratorio who won the Eclipse and Irish Champion Stakes over this trip, but most of the wins chalked up in the first three generations on the dam’s side have been over 1 200m.

This could open the race right up. King Of Gems (9-1) won the Concorde Cup and can be excused his disappointing effort in the Guineas as things didn’t go his way that day. Sachdev (9-2) also has strong form claims while Politician-winning stable companion Silver Host is preferred by both Richard Fourie and punters who backed him from 11-2 to 15-4 during the week.

The best outsider could well be Golden Ducat at 16-1. This is a half-brother to both Hawwaam and Rainbow Bridge and last time’s Pinnacle fourth was his first run since being gelded. He is almost certainly a lot better than that.

Kasimir is a confident choice to repeat his victory in last year’s Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes when he became the first successful outright favourite in six seasons. In the Cape Flying Championship he was a race short, and not fully tightened up, but he was still less than a length third to Russet Air and his main threat – at least so far as the betting was concerned – was removed when Run Fox Run was scratched yesterday with an abnormal blood count.

Of course Russet Air could do it again, particularly with Aldo Domeyer once more in the irons, as could Bold Respect who was only beaten on the nod while Chimichuri Run just might be a little bit better than last time’s fifth would suggest.

The favourite in the Vasco Da Gama Prix Du Cap has been successful in three of the last four years but this looks a hotter renewal. The 2-1 favourite Front And Centre is under something of a cloud after failing to fire for no apparent reason in the Majorca and the same applies with Santa Clara. Golden Chance has claims on her Sceptre third but she was beaten more than five lengths.

I prefer to take a chance with 15-2 shot Larentina who was fourth in the Cape Fillies Guineas and who ran as if this could be her trip when finishing like a train under top weight in a 1 200m handicap four weeks ago.

It seems pointless looking beyond Erik The Red in the Kepu Cape Of Good Hope Nursery. The price (6-10) may look prohibitive but the way he won the Met day Listed race – making most and seemingly not all out at the finish – was particularly impressive.

Delta Queen is favourite for the Capetown Noir Kenilworth Fillies Nursery after toying with the opposition on debut but Stuck On You (third to Erik The Red in a good field) is the one with the form in the book and accordingly she gets the vote.

By Michael Clower

Turffontein Standside’s nine race meeting tomorrow includes a Pinnacle Stakes event and two Graduation Plates which have attracted class horses. The Pinnacle Stakes event over 1 100m is very difficult to read as many of the horses will not be at their peaks and, furthermore, the ones who make most appeal have landed disadvantageous low draws. 

Double O’ Eight is in fine form and has not only landed a good draw of eight but has 4kg claimer Philasande Mxoli aboard. Rebel’s Champ has landed the unwanted number one draw. However, he has won here from a similar draw before. As a younger horse he did not enjoy racing among other horses but preferred to be on his own.

He can thus take the shortest way home tomorrow and should not be concerned about racing in isolation. His class could do the rest.

Mardi Gras is a top class sprinter who has always struck as one who would get better and better with age. He duly won with ease in November over 1160m here despite returning from a six month layoff.

He did have a high draw that day so could afford to take a sit and run on. Tomorrow it will be tricky from draw two and apprentice Luke Ferraris is going to have his work cut out. Mighty High is the best weighted horse and would have benefited from her last outing, which was her first of the season.

She has a reasonable draw of six. Basadi Faith won her first four starts as a juvenile including the SA Fillies Nursery and would have needed her recent comeback from a suspension for the epistaxis she suffered in the Grade 1 Allan Robertson last May. She jumps from draw five and has 2,5kg claimer Jeffrey Syster aboard.

Mombela can’t be ignored as he proved last time he enjoys a bit of cut in the ground when finishing second to the top sprinter Mr Flood in the Grade 3 Tommy Hotspur.  His low draw might not be that much of a disadvantageous as he hung in badly in that race.

In the first of the Graduation Plates, for fillies and mares over 1400m, Gaian Glory has a tough draw of eight out of eight but this Visionaire filly relaxes well in the running and has a fine turn of foot. Piere Strydom will be aware that in the Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup over this course and distance she made up a lot of ground far too quickly and consequently hit the front too soon.

He will be able to afford to sit on her for a while in the long straight.

Kay Tee Perry beat the promising Cornish Pomodoro cosily second time out over 1160m after showing good cruising speed and a fine turn of foot. This Argentinian-bred is by Orpen, who was top class over six furlongs as a two-year-old and later became a useful miler. Kay Tee Perry thus should enjoy the step up in trip and from draw two is the dark horse. Stage Dance has good form, is drawn in pole over a suitable trip and wears a first time tongue tie.

Gallic Princess charged late to win last time over 1160m with first time blinkers on. Considering she settled well with the headgear on and stays this trip she can be dropped out from draw six of eight and then run on. Frosted Steel is officially the best weighted horse. She still has to prove she enjoys this trip and now gets blinkers on from a tricky draw of five. In the second Graduation Plate over 1800m Heart Stwings has caught the eye from day one and this distance suited horse is now coming into her own.

Secret Dream lands a good draw over a suitable trip and as she is 3,5kg better off with Wild Date for a half-a-length beating over 1600m, so she should reverse the form on paper.

However, the concern is she has choked up a couple of times in her races, including once with her now regular tongue tie on.

By David Thiselton

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