The Gr 1 L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate had a farcical pace last year and it is difficult to predict how quicker it will be in the 155^th renewal of the prestigious weight for age mile event at Kenilworth on Saturday.

The key horses to the pace could well be Heartland and Noah From Goa.
Heartland is firstly from the same stable as the two likely favourites Futura and Legislate.  Secondly he is owned by Jack Mitchell and his daughter Nancy, who are part-owners of both Futura and Legislate. Thirdly, his likely best chance of winning the race is to take it by the scruff of the neck, as he is 6,5kg under sufferance with the best rated horse Legal Eagle and 6kg and 5kg out with Futura and Legislate respectively. Next, he showed when winning the Listed Jet Master Stakes over this course and distance and when finishing runner up in the Gr 3 Kuda Matchem Stakes over 1400m that he likes to run from a handy position and there is no reason on that evidence that he can’t lead as he doesn’t appear to be a headstrong type.

Lastly, and possibly the biggest factor of all, is that his draw of seven coupled with Futura and Legislate’s draws inside of him of two and six respectively, gives him the ideal chance to go like a hare out of the gates, allowing his two more fancied stablemates to slot in behind him. However, this is where the prediction of how fast they will go becomes tricky.

Presuming Heartland does take the lead and Futura and Legislate manage to secure the box seats behind him, slowing it up will then play right into the latter pair’s hands as they both possess exceptional acceleration. Futura’s turn of foot was the decisive factor in last year’s Queen’s Plate off a slow pace and Legislate’s turn of foot was the decisive factor in the Gr 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge last year over 1600m at Greyville where he himself set a slow pace.

That is not to say the brilliant pair would not be suited to a fast pace, as they both stay further than the mile.

However, the horse most likely horse to ensure a quicker pace could be the Mike de Kock-trained Noah From Goa, who will be attempting to become only the second three-year-old since Yataghan in 1973 to win the Queen’s Plate, Gimmethegreenlight in 2012 having been the last one to do it. Noah From Goa, who is unbeaten in four career starts on turf, over raced a bit back in October in a MR 74 Handicap over 1450m as Anthony Delpech hit the front early and waited for a horse to come around him, which duly happened. He still won by 6,25 lengths. He had to be reined back again before the turn in his next start in a MR 94 Handicap for three-year-olds over 1450m and once again his fine turn of foot and resolute finish carried him to a comfortable victory of 2,25 lengths over a useful field.

He then had a nice inside draw in the Investec Dingaans and was one again a little bit keen early, but fortunately New Approach took the lead allowing him to sit in the box seat. Noah From Goa one again displayed that fine turn of foot and resolute finish and proved he had the important factor of courage in his armoury too as he emerged victorious after ding-dong struggle down the straight with New Approach. He had a nice draw in the Gr 1 Grand Parade Cape Guineas over the Queen’s Plate course and distance and Delpech read the race superbly as he bounced him out and made a beeline for the first turn where the two obvious pacemakers in the race, Hard Day’s Night and Budapest, slotted in front of him, putting him in the box seat behind a good pace. Despite going around the turn on the wrong foot, he once again displayed his turn of foot and resolve.

However, considering the way all of these wins have panned out, Delpech faces a bit of a dilemma. From a draw of nine aboard a horse with good gatespeed and early pace, he looks to have little option but to go out hard all the way to the turn.

Last year’s pacemaker Ashton Park led more by accident than design as he is a horse who prefers coming from off the pace. However, as a horse who has always seemed more suited to 1400m and consequently tends to pull over 1600m, his draw of 14 could make him a possible leader if they go slowly from the off. However, this is unlikely considering Heartland would probably want to get on with and Noah From Goa will have to get around him. So Noah From Goa looks likely to be leading at the turn and from there, on previous evidence, the likely best option would be to allow him to stride out in front. Whether he settles in front remains to be seen and of course the wind strength and direction on the day is another factor in the equation as nobody would want to lead into the teeth of a South Easter. Unfortunately, Windguru does predict a fresh to strong South Easterly breeze of between 21 and 26 knots and this might be enough to play havoc with the pace of the race.

The Joey Ramsden pair Act Of War and King Of Pain are two others who could influence the pace. Ramsden was understandably furious after the Gr 2 Lanzerac Alta Mater Green Point Stakes when Act Of War’s hold up and run on plan was scuppered by the second and third horses in the running allowing the eventual winner Captain America a lead of a few lengths despite going at a crawl. Even Act Of War’s exceptional turn of foot was not enough to make up the deficit under those circumstances. It is unlikely there will be a repeat of such riding in a race of the Queen’s Plate’s prestige. However, the yard are unlikely to want to risk Act Of War parking at the back again, despite a wide draw of 14. That said, Act Of War is a completely different horse to Ramsden’s 2013 Queen’s Plate winner Variety Club in that he does not possess a ton of gatespeed or early pace. Nevertheless, Anton Marcus will likely waste no time in going to the front if they go slowly from the off.

King Of Pain’s best career result was when Bernard Fayd’Herbe correctly predicted a slow pace in the 2014 Gr 1 Gold Challenge and took him to the front from where he was too good to be caught by the best milers in the land, which included the like of Beach Beauty, Yorker and Capetown Noir. He showed signs of a return to form when running on strongly for fourth in the Gr 2 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes over 1200m last time out. The race would have sharpened him up and, with that Gold Challenge victory in mind, Vodacom Durban July-winning jockey Stuart Randolph will likely seize any opportunity to go to the front if it is slow early as he has an ideal draw of five to do so.

Captain America is a big horse who likes to use his big stride, so is usually handy. He proved he can settle in the lead in the Green Point, so is another possible pacemaker from a wide draw of ten.

By David Thiselton
Picture: Heartland (Liesl King)

In race one, a Maiden Plate over 1400m, Profit Ratio caught the eye making late progress over 1200m in his second start and is drawn towards the right side. Cherokee Grey has some nice formlines and is a full-brother to a Gr 2 winner over this trip, Chekilli, although one concern is the breathing noises he has made twice in three starts. De Lujo is a big, long-striding sort and despite this being his 20^th run the course and distance and draw give him an ideal chance to get a place at a likely attractive price. Runalong was gaining late over 1200m in his second start and looks to have scope for further improvement but does have quite a tough draw. Kanonkop has been caught late in two career starts to date over 1400m and 1600m respectively, but the concern is that he has made breathing noises both times and is now drawn on the wrong side according to trends. Wine Country made a fair debut over 1000m and should improve over this trip especially as this will be Piere Strydom’s comeback ride from a long suspension. The two first-timers that make some appeal are Druid’s Temple, who is by Oracy out of a useful four-time winning 99 merit-rated Jet Master sprinter, but the number one draw makes it tough, and Encountered, who is by Count Dubois and is half-brother to a four-time winner who reached a merit rating of 99.

In race two, a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1400m, Tricia Dupont, a long-striding sort, used her good pace to overcome a tough draw over this course and distance last time and was staying on well late when squeezed out, so she could make amends here from a good draw. Cosmo Russe has caught the eye over shorter and should relish the step up in trip so should go close from a favourable draw. Spring Dance is talented and found betting support on debut when having no luck and then beat Cosmo Russe over 1200m, so it depends on whether she can overcome her tough draw as she should stay the trip on pedigree. Tracy’s Legacy by More Than ready out of a Redoute’s Choice mare has plenty of natural speed and now tries 1400m so is an interesting runner from a good draw. Khetiwe is drawn on the right side and will appreciate the step down in trip after failing over 1600m having shown good pace on debut over this trip.

In race three, a Maiden Plate over 1000m, Watabout has a tough draw but faces an uninspiring field and could use his touch of class to overcome it. Minnesota is drawn well and has good pace so should be thereabouts. Rock On has been knocking on the door and is drawn on the right side over his ideal trip. Gimmeabreak is talented but he clearly has a problem jumping anything but slowly which in two starts to date has given him too much to do and he has also given the impression he would prefer further. Sister Mary has shown signs of ability over this trip and this is the first time she has blinkers on in a turf race.

In race four, a MR 72 Handicap over 1000m, Manx Park is an enigmatic sort but if having another going day could follow up on his win last time out because due to the apprentice weighing out 1,5kg overweight in that race he is effectively only one point higher in the merit ratings. Clean Cut has a fair chance if starting better than last time as he is having his third run after a rest over an ideal trip and has a fair draw. Daspoort has an attractive merit rating and his pace should be effective from an ideal draw and the jockey being carded to weigh in 0,5kg overweight shouldn’t be a significant factor. Gun Fighter should go close from an ideal draw over an ideal trip having made late headway when going close over this trip last time out, but he is only 0,5kg better off for a 1,9 length beating by Manx Park. The improved Atso Cool won his maiden well over this trip and the form has worked out well so he has a chance from an ideal draw despite quite a tough merit rating of 79.

The fifth is a Progress Plate over 1200m for fillies and mares and Silver Class is second best in at the weights, albeit by only 0,5kg and has been a bit unlucky lately over this sort of trip, which she has proven very talented over, so she could get it right here from a favourable draw. Swift Sarah’s last run can be ignored as she broke through the stalls and she could be better than her merit rating suggests so could have a shout here. Negroamara is best in at the weights and has class so can’t be disvcounted over a trip short of her optimum.

In the sixth, a MR 80 Handicap over 1200m, High Game has dropped to an attractive merit and should use his pace and ability to stay further effectively over this trip.  Tabreek is interesting stepped down in trip off a lowered merit rating from a favourable draw as he has tended to over race over further.  However, the entire field has a chance in this race so all should be included in the Jackpot and Pick 6 if possible.

In the seventh, a MR 72 Handicap over 1600m, Trees Of Green is suited to this trip and the form of his last close second has been franked in no uncertain terms, so he will be hard to beat from a reasonable draw.  Hawaiian Sun is drawn well over what looks to be an ideal trip and he could be well handicapped on the form of his last run over this distance. Steelwing could earn over an ideal trip off a competitive merit rating. Reef Of Fortune has talent but has a tough draw. Mutakayyef, Analyse This, Regal Force, Lundy’s Star and Mann’s Inn have to be considered too for minor places.

In the eighth, a MR 72 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1600m, the progressive Khonza will be hard to beat as she put in a fine effort over this trip last time out from a tough draw at Turffontein and the form has been franked in no uncertain terms and she is now well drawn. Escudo has a chance having had to be eased late in that same race and finishing just a short-head behind Khonza, but there is now a reversal in draw fortunes. Miracle Rising is talented and bounced back last time when stepped up to 1700m so has a chance here. Miss Tweedy could earn as she was only about five lengths behind Khonza last time when caught too far back from a wide draw and she is now 2,5kg better off and has a favourable draw. Star Of Love won a good race last Thursday over 1600m at Turffontein off a 69 merit rating and has a chance if not given to much of a raise in the merit ratings, although the draw makes it tough.

David Thiselton

Greg Cheyne hopes to have an operation on the multiple fractures in his right foot tomorrow. Previously it was too swollen for the surgeon to operate.

Cheyne (pictured) suffered the injuries when the subsequently scratched hot favourite Mount Keith was in the pens for the two-year-old race at Kenilworth on December 27.

He said yesterday: “When the horse became fractious my foot got trapped between the stirrup iron, the starting stalls and the horse. When he became more unruly the pressure was such that my foot was basically crushed. There are seven fractures and two displacements.”

Donavan Mansour has been out of action since Boxing Day when he was injured riding Geoff Woodruff’s  Sansui Summer Cup winner and J & B Met candidate Master Sabina in trackwork at Milnerton.

He said: “I was waiting for the tractor to come past but, when it did, Master Sabina went from being totally relaxed to stressed and I half fell off. When I was trying to stay on, and get my leg back over the saddle, I tore my groin and lower abdominal muscles quite badly.

“The doctor said that, judging from the x-rays, I would be out for three months but I am trying everything to speed that up including jet therapy and an oxygen chamber. I don’t want to miss out on the Triple Crown in Jo’burg. If I can get back in time, I can ride Brazuca in the Gauteng Guineas (Feb 27).”

By Michael Clower

Intriguing Lady blitzed home almost five lengths clear of her opposition on her 800m Scottsville debut yesterday and her connections are suitably impressed.

The two-year-old chestnut daughter of New Approach (IRE) and a Green Desert mare was bought at the 2014 Inglis Sale in Melbourne, knocked down to Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, who will be watching her progress with interest.

Assistant trainer Nathan Kotzen commented: “Well done to Sheikh Mohammed. Intriguing Lady showed good work at home, she has plenty of pace and room for improvement as she matures. Well done also to jockey Brian Nyawo, he’s been riding her in her exercise gallops and deserved to get the mount in a race.”

Mike de Kock, speaking from Dubai, said: “The Melbourne Sale has been very lucky for us. The nice thing about Intriguing Lady is that she has a scopy pedigree. She has lots of stamina in her female line so the fact that she shows so much pace is very encouraging. She’s a prospect for the Highveld Autumn Season and for KZN later this year.”
– Mikedekockracing.com
Picture: Intriguing Lady (Nkosi Hlophe)

The Million Dollar pot of gold is now only 19 days away and this morning three stables are convinced they are that much closer to the end of the rainbow after what happened in the Fairview Wine Sophomore Sprint at Kenilworth on Saturday.

Ernie won the race and, despite being by the SA Derby winner Elusive Fort (Peter de Beyer would say because of it!), he had the speed to win with authority.

Mike Bass also has probable CTS favourite Silver Mountain and Candice Robinson said: “I was using the Sophomore as Ernie’s prep for the race but it’s nice to now have two runners in it with a chance.”

So how will this one fare over the extra 200m? Grant van Niekerk who, like his boss, was in treble form, seemed to have slight doubts. “I don’t know – Ernie just loves it up the straight,” he explained. “But the way he is feeling at the moment I don’t see why he shouldn’t be alright.”

Mrs Robinson, though, has already worked this one out – “Ernie likes to be dropped out and given a chance. Ridden like that, he will get the extra no problem. In the Cape Classic we rode him too close to the pace and he didn’t like it.”

Illuminator finished only three-quarters of a length behind -admittedly receiving 2kg that he won’t get in the big one – but Glen Puller reckons his charge will fare better in the CTS despite his blood problems.

He said: “On Saturday they were going slow and then sprinting. You want to be up there when the pace is like that and mine came from behind. The pace is normally good over 1 400m. The haemo-concentrating has more effect the further you  travel but normally only after 1 400m.”

Seventh Plain, run out of second close home, might have looked a bit disappointing if you had your money on. But he will be 4kg better with Ernie and 6kg better with Illuminator on January 23 and over seven furlongs that translates into nearly four lengths and over five.

“I am over the moon,” said Derek Brugman who had already done the calculations. “This was many lengths better than his Ready To Run race performance and I though it a brilliant prep for the Million Dollar.”

Joe Ramsden also has his eyes on at least a minor part of the pot– you get over R600 000 even for finishing fifth – with Prince Of Thieves who completed a Marcus-ridden treble for the Milnerton trainer in the Itsarush Handicap.

Justin Snaith’s record for the fastest 100 in a season was established on Met day last year and the prolific-scoring team reckon they have already smashed it, following up a New Year’s Day double with two Fayd’Herbe-ridden winners on Saturday.

The NHA website statistics, prudently marked “not audited,” suggest they are still on 99 but the Sporting Post figures indicate that the list on the Snaith Racing office wall is correct.

By Michael Clower
Picture: Ernie winning the Sophomore Sprint (Liesl King)

The useful Charles Laird-trained Beloved Country proved her suitability to the minimum trip at Scottsville yesterday when winning the Non-Black Type African Holly Handicap over 1000m under Anton Marcus.

She was backed into odds-on and, running off a merit rating of 93 and carrying 57,5kg, it seemed race over when she took control close to home, but she then had to survive a late rally from Muscatt, who was one of a number horses over the weekend who showed that the lean spell of the Michael Roberts yard looks to be over. Muscatt, who started second favourite in the small six horse field, was only a quarter of a length back at the line and then there was two lengths back to third-placed Miss Varlicious.

Trainer Dennis Bosch had earlier scored a double and later made it a treble. The hard knocking Silvano gelding Red China converted 2/1 second favouritism in a Maiden over 1000m under Anthony Delpech. The talented Regardstobroadway then proved too good for a fillies and mares MR 77 handicap field over 1000m, despite odds of 13/2, and she thereby franked the form of two classy types, Free State and Beloved Country. Brandon Lerena, who had scored a treble at Greyville on Friday night, was aboard.

Later, in an unusually weak Graduation Plate for fillies and mares over 1200m, the Overlord filly Shezaleader destroyed them by 5,75 lengths to give Marcus a double. Marcus clinched a treble when winning the last race, a Maiden over 1200m, on the Gavin van Zyl-trained Western Winter colt Eternal Ice, who enjoyed the step back in trip.

There were two huge upsets in the Pick 6 legs. The Mike Pappas-trained seven-year-old King Of Kings gelding Highland Fling won a MR 70 handicap over 1200m under 2,5kg claimer Erico Saziwo Ngwane despite running off a 40 merit rating and being sent off at 110/1 odds. Later, the Corinne Bestel-trained three-year-old Fort Wood filly She’s A Fortress comfortably won a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1200m at odds of 66/1, but is entitled to be good as she is out of She’s A Winner, who won the Gr 3 Godolphin Barb Stakes over the same course and distance.

By David Thiselton
Picture: Beloved Country (Nkosi Hlophe)

Futura and Legislate dominate the betting for the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate at Kenilworth on Saturday and Justin Snaith is adamant that he has the pair primed to perfection.

Last year’s winner is 2-1 with Betting World and 19-10 with World Sports Betting. Legislate, odds-on when a virus victim 12 months ago, is 22-10 and 5-2.

Futura impressed when galloped on the course eight days ago and Legislate did a similar spin on his own over 1 400m last Tuesday with Futura’s rider Bernard Fayd’Herbe in the irons. Piere Strydom will be on board on Saturday when Snaith expects to have 33 runners.

Snaith said: “They are both spot on and it will take a very good horse to beat them. Legislate’s best run last year was in the Green Point after four and a half months off when he broke the course record and we are replicating what we did then with him.”

Both horses were checked out by Snaith’s vet towards the end of last week and given an unqualified thumbs-up  – “I always do that and I give them a blood test as well to make sure there is no haemo-concentrating because that is something that can sneak up on you.”

Ominously for the opposition one of the pair has always won when they have both run in the same race in the past. The score stands at Legislate three, Futura two.

Captain America, third favourite at a best-priced 13-2, was ridden by big race jockey Corne Orffer in a gallop with three others over 1 400m on the course last Tuesday and Brett Crawford said: “He worked well and I am very happy with him.”

Anton Marcus’s mount Act Of War (15-2) “worked fantastic” according to Joey Ramsden when ridden by Donovan Dillon in a seven furlong racecourse spin on Saturday accompanied by The Conglomerate (Keanan Steyn) and Brutal Force who was partnered by a groom.

Inara (Grant van Niekerk), bidding to repeat last year’s win in the Maine Chance Farms Paddock Stakes, also saw Kenilworth  1 400m action on Saturday and pleased Candice Robinson in a gallop with Come Fly With Me (Dillon).

Premier Trophy winner Paterfamilias (15-1 for the J & B Met) misses the Queen’s Plate to go straight for the January 30 spectacular. “He was drawn very wide this Saturday and in any case he doesn’t really need to have another race before the Met,” explained Mrs Robinson.

Stable companion Tevez, who ran way below form when fancied for the Diadem, was found to have been cut into behind and was quite sore afterwards.

By Michael Clower
Picture: Legislate (Liesl King)

The Frank Robinson-trained Dynasty filly Olma deservedly earned bold black type for the first time when comfortably winning the Gr 3 Flamboyant Stakes over 1600m on the Greyville turf on New Year’s Night under a faultless ride by Ian Sturgeon.
Robinson’s contention that he had overestimated the four-year-old’s ability to stay was proven correct.
She raced hard on the steel after Sturgeon had expertly placed her in the box seat in the eleven-horse field behind Cassey O’Malley, who sat in second place in the running and wasn’t interested in chasing the good pace set by Lertasha.
There might have been one or two anxious moments in the stands when Lertasha skipped about three lengths clear as they entered the straight.
However, the punters who had backed Olma in from 7/2 to 16/10 were breathing easily seconds later as she showed a blistering turn of foot and made up the deficit in a matter of strides before opening up a three length lead and showing no signs of stopping.
It was race over by the 200m mark and it was left to the Doug Campbell-trained Lala to run on strongly for a two length second and then there was a 2,75 length gap back to Cassie O’Malley who just touched off Brown Sugar and Lertasha for third. Olma’s market rival In Other Words was dropped out from a wide draw and was just too far out of her ground as she ran on well but could only manage sixth place. The disappointment was the third favourite Sabaha, who seems to be a temperamental sort and to date hasn’t lived up to her early promise.
Robinson had always believed Olma would come into her own as a four-year-old being a light-framed filly. He secured her for R450,000 at the National Yearling Sales and, despite it being revealed that she had cysts on her stifle at the time, he said she had turned out to be one of his soundest horses in training.
She is owned by Russians Ruslan and Aslan Bifov and was bred by Vaughan Koster’s Cheveley Stud.
Robinson said he would likely give Olma a break now, but she will be a filly to be reckoned with in the Champions Season.
Later in the meeting the Tony Rivalland-trained New Zealand-bred three-year-old Rip Van Winkle filly Killer Woman proved herself one to be reckoned with too when slamming a decent bunch of males, all bar one of whom were older horses, in a six-horse field Graduation Plate over 1800m after showing a superb turn of foot. The win completed a double on the night for Delpech. The three-year-old fillies crop appears to lack depth countrywide this season, so Killer Woman could be a contender for a race like the Gr1 Woolavington 2000.
The Michael Roberts-trained three-year-old Ashaawes filly Durban Blues did well against some of the best fillies of her age in KZN last season and got off the mark on Friday night in her sixth career start in a 1600m fillies and mares maiden under Brandon Lerena. The win gave the Roberts yard a double on the night, ending a lean spell, and it was the first leg of a treble for Lerena. Durban Blues looks to have the scope to go on and win more races.

At Kenilworth yesterday the Listed Sophomore Sprint over 1200m provided a good preparation or qualifying race for a number of CTS Million Dollar contenders and it was the Mike Bass trained Elusive Fort gelding Ernie who pulled clear late in the race to win under Grant Van Niekerk and ensure his place in the lucrative 1400m event’s final field. Illuminator was a borderline case for qualifying according to the last Million Dollar log so gave his connections hope by finishing second. The dual Gr 1-winner Seventh Plain had to concede lumps of weight to the whole field and ran a fair third, although his backers would have been disappointed as he started hot favourite. Psycho Syd was the only runner who doesn’t qualify for the CTS Million Dollar and finished fourth, while borderline cases Forward Drive and Western Prince did their chances of getting in the field no favors by finishing well beaten as did the hopeful Astrapi. Tar Heel looks to have qualified for the race already as he was high up on the last log but yesterday’s race will add to the doubts over his stamina as he was well beaten in fifth place after being prominent early.

In Johannesburg yesterday Grant Maroun pulled off a fine training feat when the six-year-old Mullins Bay gelding Viking Hero ran on strongly to win the Gr 3 Lebelo Sprint over 1000m under Karl Zechner. At this time last year the sprinter was a battling one-time winning handicapper merit rated only 68. However, he then reeled off three wins on the trot and followed that with four more seconds, so came into yesterday’s event merit rated 88. He carried only 54kg yesterday due to the presence of 100 merit-rated One Man’s Dream. Zechner timed his run, made towards the outside of the nine horse field, to perfection to win by a quarter-of-a-length from Tiger Territory with Mod Barley a further 1,5 lengths back in third.
Earlier, an eye catching performance was put in by the Sean Tarry-trained Right Approach colt Lunar Approach who came from third in the running in a MR 93 Handicap for three-year-olds over 1400m and hit the front early in the straight before powering clear to win by 3,5 lengths under S’Manga Khumalo from the lightweight Neuf de Pape and second topweight Rikitikitana. The favourite, the Gary Alexander-trained Champagne Haze, was having his first run since easily winning the R2,5 million CTS Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup and was carrying top weight of 61,5kg from the widest draw of all in the six horse field, so the price of 5/10 seemed way too short against these promising sorts.And so it proved as he was never in it and finished fifth, but he will no doubt bounce back and be a contender for the Autumn classics along with Lunar Approach.
The Alexander yard had consolation later when the Seventh Rock filly Crystal Glamour, who was runner up in only her second outing in the R2,015,000 Bloodstock SA Ready To Run Cup, put in a sterling performance to win a MR 89 Handicap over 1400m for three-year-old fillies. Andrew Fortune had to bring her wide around runners to take the lead and she then held on bravely in the straight to win in a tight three way finish from the promising Jungle Mist and the topweight Juxtapose. All three are likely to make there presence felt in the Autumn classics.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Snaith Racing (Futura and Legislate with Bonang Matheba)

Racing can be sublime theatre, on an off the track, but no matter that most were willing the filly Silver Mountain to victory, letting sentiment influence sound reasoning can be fatal when it comes to punting. And so it proved as Noah From Goa stamped the Dingaans form in the Gr1 Grand Parade Cape Guineas at Kenilworth yesterday and the diminutive favourite Silver Mountain fell victim to some bullying tactics by her male rivals.

Anthony Delpech rode the perfect race on Mike de Kock’s gelding, tracking the pace and making his move at just the ride moment. But it was not all plain sailing. “He struggled around the turn and was always on the wrong lead. It just goes to show what a good horse he is. He knows how to win,” he commented post-race.

After the scratching of Rabada earlier in the week Anton Marcus replaced Donovan Mansour on Selangor winner Hard Day’s Night and as is Marcus’s want, he pushed forward early to make the pace with Budapest and Noah From Goa tucking in behind with Brazuca also handy.

Silver Mountain broke well enough but was shuffled back to midfield.

Noah From Goa and Silver Mountain (Liesl King)

Hard Days Night and Budapest both folded tamely leaving Noah From Goa clear early in the straight and he stuck to his guns, just as he had in the bruising Dingaans battle.

Silver Mountain looked to have got bullied by her bigger male rivals when being shuffled back in the early running and turned for home out of her ground. She did quicken to threaten briefly before running out of puff inside the last furlong.

Candice Robinson, who saddled Silver Mountain for her father Mike Bass, was philosophical. “We would have liked to have seen her race closer in the early stages and she got a bump on the bend. We may not have beaten Mike’s horse but with better luck I think she would have finished closer,” she said. Under the circumstances it was a great run.

Brazuca looked buried a furlong out but was doing his best work late to snatch second ahead of Nassa, the pair relegating Silver Mountain to fourth.

“The draw killed us,” said Brett Crawford of third-placed Nassa. “We would have sat next to him (Noah From Goa) and it would have been a different race but it was a good run under the circumstances.”

Noah From Goa has only one blemish on his record in six outings and given the manner of victory the Guineas/Investec Derby double is on the cards for the son of Tiger Ridge although Matthew de Kock, standing in for his father Mike, was cautious in his response. “He’s had a hard season and we’ll see how he pulls up tomorrow. There are some nice races in the Cape season but we will see.”

There was some cheer for Duncan Howells as Same Jurisdiction pulverised some high class opposition in the Grand Play Conditions Plate. A labour dispute forced him to scratch all his Greyville runners on Friday night and forfeit his trip to Kenilworth.

But Same Jurisdiction warmed up for either the Paddock Stakes of the Majorca Stakes, still to be decided, in superb fashion as Anton Marcus asked her to stretch 300m out and she responded with a telling run to leave the opposition struggling.

Heartland and Bernard Fayd’Herbe (Liesl King)

Weight, too much of it, is a curse that most jockeys have to contend with, not more so than Bernhard Fayd’Herbe. Staying alive on the sniff of a burger from Burger King to keep his weight under 60kg, there a few finer in the saddle and his talents were on display as he got Heartland home in the Cape Premier Sales Jets Master Stakes (L) in a bruising battle with Smanga Khumalo and Silicone Valley. Heartland gave his rival 6kg and when Silicone Valley slipped his field it looked all over. But Fayd’Herbe, biding his time in a pocket on the rail, squeaked through a gap at just the right moment. Heartland, a full brother to Cape Derby winner Jackson, looked a certain winner as he charged home but Silicone Valley was not done. Khumalo extracted more from his mount when challenged but just not enough as Heartland got up to stave off the unkindest cut of all – for now at least.

Justin Snaith relinquished his championship title to Sean Tarry last term but things are looking bright nearly half-way through the current season. Snaith leads the log with 89 winners, R1 million and 25 winners ahead of Tarry, and there have been ominous signs for his title rivals as he has already palmed the first two juvenile scurries of the season and bagged four winners on yesterday’s card.

Var Ahead got the ball rolling last Saturday and Snaith and stable rider Fayd’herbe struck again in the first yesterday as The Merry Widow had too much toe for the opposition. It was the first leg of a treble for Drakenstein Stud as the Dean Kannemeyer-trained filly Impala Lily showed the benefit of experience as she got home ahead of debutant Leisure Trip in a tight finish to the third and Same Jurisdiction rounding off a memorable day.

At Turffontein Dominic Zaki, who handed in his trainer’s brief last week, gave an emotional farewell speech on Thursday but had one more fish to fry as he signed off on a winning note at the same venue yesterday.

Apprentice Craig Zackey, who has been riding as first call rider for the yard for the past few months and who comes out of his time at the end of January, showed just why he is a rising star. Showing nerves of steel, he timed his run to perfection on the aptly named Last Battle to give Zaki the perfect send-off.
– Andrew Harrison