Apprentice Luke Ferraris is hot property at present. The talented youngster has been quick to the 40^th win of his career as he guided Ella’s World to an easy victory at Scottsville yesterday and in future will step out as a 1.5kg claimer.

Ferraris, son of successful Hong Kong-based trainer David and grandson on legendary Ormond Ferraris, is as thin as a reed but as tall as a weed. Although driven in his chosen career the acid test will come after he has ridden out his claim and the fight with the scale begins.

That’s all in the future and in the meantime he gave Ella’s World a polished ride for Dennis Bosch as the filly took the step up in trip in her stride and put daylight between herself and the opposition.

“I’m just worried what the handicapper will give her now,” said Bosch.

Driving home his talent, Ferraris was successful on Val-La-Ree for Doug Campbell in the sixth. The Richmond-based trainer has a stable that is hitting form and in the lightly raced daughter of Var he has a filly that can be competitive in the sophomore sprints. She showed pace throughout and kept finding under a welter burden.

By his own admission, Dennis Drier has one of the better young strings that he has had the privilege of training in his lengthy career and he stepped out another as Francisco put his field to the sword in the card opener. Sean Veale had another armchair ride and was looking for shadows a long way out as Francisco geared down to a five-length victory.

Beaten favourite at his last two, Drier removed all the suggested paraphernalia and it was back to old-school basics that saw the gelding deliver of his best.

Merlin From Berlin made a promising debut when third to the progressive Marchingontogether and although it took a further four outings to break the ice, he beat a competitive maiden field in the second. Blinkers obviously did the trick for Ivan van Wyk’s runner as he out-lasted Cloud Of Witness who came from last at the top of the straight only to go down a nostril at the line. However, rider Bill Jacobson incurred the wrath of the stipes and was lumber with a fine for his excessive use of the stick.

Mela Stregata was hot in the ante-post market for the third but she drifted like a loose badge in the current as the money poured onto Gavin van Zyl’s filly Cape Bluebell. Warren Kennedy had no hesitation taking the new favourite to the front tracked by Mela Stregata. As the betting suggested, it turned into a boat race at the top of the straight but the money was on the mark as Cape Bluebell kept on the stronger.

Mela Stregata was still green and one-pace in the finish and gives the impression that at mile and further will be more to her liking.

Mela Stregata may have disappointed for Duncan Howells but High Altar has been something of a money spinner for the yard as she notched her fourth win on the bounce in under three months in the seventh. Howells has chosen her races carefully and she came home smoothly under Muzi Yeni.

After the earlier disappointments, Duke Of Spin rounded off the meeting for Howells as the progressive son of Duke Of Marmalade scored his second victory back-to-back on his maiden win. Yeni had little more to do than keep his mount to his task under hands as he wore down Highveld raider Bosphorus and going on to win comfortably.

Wynkelder has always been held in high regard by Tony Rivalland and he made amends for his recent defeat when favourite to get the better of course and distance specialist and super consistent London Call in the Pinnacle Stakes. Rivalland generously gave long-time assistant Terry Fripp the mic after the race as he moves to Cape Town to take up a position with Justin Snaith.

Barrier trials have been a bone of contention ever since their introduction and their popularity will be put to the vote at the KZN Trainer’s Association AGM this coming Wednesday. But what ever the outcome, there are here to stay for at least the next four months.

Star filly Hashtagyolo stepped out in the second trial yesterday after missing most of her three-year-old career. She contracted a virus when sent to the Highveld for their season in January.

“She got it very badly,” said co-owner Bruce le Roux of the virus. “She had inflamed lungs and it was touch and go. At one stage she looked like an SPCA case.”

“But she’s come back strong and looks well. We just hope that the virus has not taken anything out of her.”

She certainly trialled well, ‘winning’ with the minimum of fuss.

By Andrew Harrison

Image provided by Annke Kitching