Donovan Dillon boosted his chances of getting more of the Bernard Fayd’Herbe mounts by booting home his first four-timer at Durbanville on Saturday.

Fayd’Herbe, 34 today, is taking three weeks off on doctors’ advice to help heal the knee he damaged in the KZN season and so the mounts on the Justin Snaith winner-producing machine are up for grabs.

Dillon has taken to Durbanville like a duck to water – “It takes a different style of riding, you’ve got to get your position early and I feel I am getting the hang of it” – but on Aspara in the mile handicap he broke one of the most important of the Snaith Ten Commandments: Thou shalt not win too far.

He set the 22-10 favourite alight fully 400m out and rode him to the line to score by six and a half lengths with commentator Jehan Malherbe announcing to the world: “This horse races off 83 and he shows that’s all wrong.”

Snaith, promptly envisaging a 13 point hike, said: “Donovan’s a young jockey and I don’t think he knows there is a handicap system in South Africa. You certainly don’t want to expose a horse too much and when you win that far the handicappers nail you.”

To be fair, Dillon was only keeping to the letter and spirit of rule 62.2.3 which requires jockeys to ride their mounts right to the end. The rule is presumably intended to avoid all the trouble that Piere Strydom got himself into but trainers regard it as helping the handicapper. Most are intent on keeping as much up their sleeves as possible. Karl Neisius would have got there with half a length to spare and two more victories still in the tank.

Dillon is too talented to make this mistake more than once, and too dedicated. The time between the second and third legs of the four-timer was spent in the sweat box. He rides work on the Snaith battalions almost every day as well as for as many other trainers as he can, and second string on Thursdays involves a mad rush to Durbanville to ride racecourse gallops. Of course many other jockeys are just as busy but it shows his commitment to making the grade in Cape Town.

Three of the Snaith winners – Jo’s Bond and Fifty Cents as well as Aspara – are eligible for the  CTS Million Dollar (R13.5 million), prompting their trainer to remark: “You are not worried about the Guineas when you’ve got a race like that. What’s the Guineas worth?  A million?”

He was promptly reminded by one owner that for those operating at the top end of the bloodstock market the status and prestige of the Grand Parade-sponsored classic are more important than mere money!

Donavan Mansour has had less opportunity to display his talents to the Western Cape than Dillon but the way he made all on Arachne – repeatedly asking for more, and getting it, when the pursuers came at him – was inspired stuff. An impressed Adam Marcus commented: “Donavan rode exactly to instructions. It was a great ride.”

Mike Stewart emerged from a cough-induced six weeks in the wilderness to score with Casey’s Jet (Heavelon van der Hoven) to delight his ex-MI5 brother Paul while Shane Humby and Neil Bruss also got off the mark for the season with outsiders Exploracy (Neisius) and Argun to give punters little chance. The former started at 30-1 and Devin Ashby’s mount at 50-1.

– Michael Clower

Andre Nel has been appointed trainer to the Plattner Racing operation, filling a post left vacant since Sabine Plattner split with Yogas Govender over six months ago.

Nel, 36, is a long-serving Plattner employee. He worked in the yard at Yzerfontein for four years before spending the next four in the Summerveld satellite yard. He then switched to the breeding side and was manager of the La Plaisance Stud near George for more than five years.

He said: “I got my licence just over a fortnight ago and my first runners could possibly be at Durbanville on the 23rd^st but more probably on the 26^th. We did nominate horses for this Saturday’s meeting but it doesn’t now look as if any of them will run.”

His initial entries included the useful I Am The Law and Ma Choix who won on her last appearance (on J & B Met day) as well as three newcomers. Ma Choix has been entered for the Settlers Trophy on the 26^th.

– Michael Clower

Ian Sturgeon (pictured) was in fine form on Greyville’s polytrack on Friday night and rode an unlikely treble, two of them for Ashburton-based Des Egdes, while up and coming Summerveld-based trainer Lezeanne Forbes scored another double of her promising career and her husband Alec also rode a double.

The polytrack showed its value as the meeting was completed despite continual rain.
The first of Sturgeon’s winners, the Bruce le Roux-owned and bred Just As Well filly Just Rap, was allowed to open at odds of 50/1 despite having been green and staying on well on debut in a strong juvenile fillies maiden over 1200m at Scottsville behind the promising Tony Rivalland-trained Judpot filly Not A Word.

However, punters quickly snapped up that price upon viewing her striding out superbly going down to post and she started at 20/1. The filly was once again green but showed a touch of class when quickening well at the top of the straight and holding on to beat Swan Dance by half-a-length with the perennial bridesmaid Masked Girl a short-head further back. Later Sturgeon scored on another Bruce le Roux-bred horse, the Egdes-trained Fort Beluga gelding Keep Your Light On, who ran on strongly to win a MR 66 handicap over 1200m by one-and-a-half lengths having been backed in from 10/1 to 11/2. Sturgeon’s other winner was aboard the Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained raider Princess Tantan, who won the last race over 1400m after being backed in from 12/1 to 8/1.

Lezeanne Forbes won the sixth race over 1400m with Mogokity, who was ridden by 4kg claimer Tristan Godden, and this was the Mogok filly’ second win over course and distance since being purchased into the yard at the Mike Holmes Bloodstock Shongweni Horses in Training Sale in February. Forbes followed up by winning the next race over the same course and distance with Mission Rapids, ridden by her husband Alec, and this was an amazing victory considering she had lost a few lengths at the start. All seemed lost when Forbes was seen glancing angrily over his shoulder at the handler who had held on to the horse for a few moments after the starter had pressed the button. However, this allowed the filly to use her big action early and she was soon sitting in the back seat travelling comfortably. She scythed through the middle in the straight to win easily by 2,75 lengths and the key to her might now have inadvertently been found.

Alec had earlier scored on the Alistair Gordon-trained Triptronic, who looked a picture going down to the start of the 1200m maiden. Like many Trippi’s this gelding loved the poly and was at last able to bring his excellent home work to the racecourse.

Friday’s racing was characterized by starting woes with the worst of them being in the R100,000 Founders Trophy over 1600m at Fairview. The starter pressed the button while the fancied topweight Gogetthesherrif was still standing behind the stalls being readied for loading. The starter had apparently been misled by a couple of the horse’s hoods having been removed too early and jockeys shouting “let’s go”. Two jockeys drawn next to Gogetthesherrif as well as a third jockey immediately began pulling their horses up expecting a false start to be called. However, no false start was called so they had to be declared runners despite being tailed off at the finish. The race was won by the favourite Symbolik, one of four winners on the day for trainer Dorrie Sham with three of them including this one being ridden by Karl Zechner. However, an enquiry will be held into the action of the starter and the riding of the three jockeys.

At Greyville the outsider Oracle Kingdom was declared a non-runner in the fourth race as the handler was still holding him at the off, understandably, as the horse reared just as  the starter pressed the button. Later, Mission Rapids was also still being held by the handler at the off but went on to win the race.

– David Thiselton

Piere Strydom was yesterday handed a 90 day suspension by the National Horseracing Authority for the error of judgement he made when riding Dublin Rebel in race 3 at Turffontein on  August 27, which cost the horse almost certain victory, although forty of the days have been suspended.

The legendary 5000-winner jockey has the right to appeal against the penalty imposed and said yesterday (Wednesday), “I have seven days in which to appeal but am still in two minds whether to do so, so will take a couple of days to decide.”

Strydom is riding at The Vaal today (Thursday) and if he takes the suspension from after the meeting onward, he will be back in time for the Gr 2 Peermont Emperor’s Palace Charity Mile racemeeting at Turffontein on October 31.

A press release was sent out by the NHA after the inquiry in Johannesburg yesterday.

It stated:

Inquiry – Jockey Piere Strydom

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held in Johannesburg on Wednesday 9 September 2015, Jockey Piere Strydom was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.3 in that he failed to ride the horse DUBLIN REBEL out to the end of Race 3, run at the Turffontein Racecourse on 27 August 2015, thereby prejudicing his chances of obtaining first place.

Jockey Strydom pleaded guilty to the charge.

The Inquiry Board found Jockey Strydom guilty and imposed a penalty of a suspension from riding in races for a period of ninety days, of which forty days are wholly suspended for a period of two years, provided that during the period of suspension he is not convicted of a contravention of Rule 62.2.3 prejudicing his chances of finishing in the first, second or third position.

Jockey Strydom has the right of appeal against the penalty imposed.

– David Thiselton

The Vaal stages a ten race meeting on the Outside turf track today and there look to be one or two opportunities for punters.

In the first race over 1000m Oculus was backed on debut in a similar field and finished a close second despite losing a length at the start. The Houdalakis yard are in fine form and although Oculus is now drawn on the wrong side by trends he has Strydom up and looks to be good enough to win. The Berry Lady has been knocking on the door and over this trip from a favourable draw can get away with her breathing issues. Antagonist has improved since dropped down to sprints and should be finishing strongly again.

In the second, a maiden for fillies and mares over 1400m, Nowuseeme Nowudont caught the eye going down last time and in the race over 1200m in which she was unlucky, being baulked for a run before finishing strongly. She should love the step up in trip and has a favourable draw. Angel Of Mercy has run two good races, including on debut over course and distance and should be thereabouts from a favourable draw. Elusive Prophecy represents the in form Houdalakis yard and finished well to be close up last time despite making a breathing noise.

In the third, a Maiden over 1400m, Kununata is a talented but difficult sort and he over raced over 1600m last time. He will appreciate the step down in trip but is drawn on the wrong side according to trends so won’t have it easy. Sands Of Time pulled up lame last time but if back to his best has a form chance. De Lujo could be involved if reproducing his best run. Bridegroom Bertie has run two fair races and was still green last time so can improve. William Nicol made a good debut over 1200m in an uninspiring field and should enjoy the step up in trip, although he does have a tricky draw.
In the fourth, a Maiden over 1400m, Kinaan comes from strong KZN maiden formlines and is drawn on the right side over a step up in trip he should enjoy. Baylisiana was green on debut when staying on over 1450m for a 1,6 length third so with natural improvement will be right there. Seven League Boots is by Mambo In Seattle and is a half-brother to the useful Star Jet.

In the fifth, a MR 86 Handicap over 1300m, African Ruler won well second time out over 1200m having finished second in a maiden where the form has worked out very well. This well-bred Trippi gelding should improve over this trip. Angel’s Power has won both of his starts over 1000m and will relish the step up in trip, but he has to give 1,5kg to African Ruler. Roman Calamity beat a fair sort over 1450m in a maiden in June and then finished eight lengths back in the Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Stakes over 1600m. He faded late in the latter event so might enjoy the step down in trip.

In the sixth, a MR 90 Handicap for fillies and mares, Gain Ground is a well regarded, progressive sort who is drawn on the right side with Delpech up and starts off on a reasonable merit rating. Firstimesacharm won convincingly on debut and can improve further, but does have to give the first selection 1,5kg and has a low draw. Intergalactic was hampered last time on the Greyville poly but had shown signs of good ability before that and could also earn.

In the seventh, a MR 91 Handicap over 1200m, Talktothestars, having faced a good field at Scottsville last time when beaten 2,3 lengths over this trip, might appreciate a return to this easier track and could resume winning ways. Gambol will appreciate the step down in trip and could be a threat. Dennisthemenace showed he is competitive off this merit rating last time and could earn.

In the eighth, a merit rated 72 handicap over 1200m, Supanova rallied back to win his debut over course and distance and the form has been franked so he could win off a lowly Merit rating of 63. Cosmic Tom, who represents the in form Houdalaksi yard, ran a good second over course and distance last time and jumps from a favourable draw off the  same merit rating with Weichong Marwing now up. The Gobi bounced back with a fine run over 1160m last time and a repeat of that effort under S’Manga Khumalo could see him involved in the finish.

In Race nine, a MR 68 Handicap over 1600m, Limited Edition ran on well over this trip on the Turffontein Inside track last time and is interesting from a favourable draw. Flaming Ace is in good form but was raised five points for his second place over 1800m last time. Lundy’s Star won a maiden well over course and distance last time and starts his handicap career off a reasonable merit rating.

In Race ten, a MR 69 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1600m, Miristocrat has loved the step up to this trip and looks to have promise so could win this from a favourable draw with Gavin Lerena up.

– David Thiselton

The answer to the oft posed question; ‘is it possible to make a living from betting on horseracing?’ would probably be ‘yes’ – provided the occupation is treated like any normal business and with equal dedication.

However, a secondary question would be whether the returns justify the time spent? The returns would likely range from extremes of handsome winning months to demoralising losing ones.  Most mortals would not be able handle that sort of pressure. Therefore, the majority of serious punters view the game rather as a means towards supplementing their incomes. However, even this group seldom make a profit from punting and they would likely not need this article to remind them.

Horseracing is a viable betting medium due to the consistency of the thoroughbred. A horse losing by a length over a mile has performed 99,8% as well as the winner. The job of the handicapper is to ensure that they finish even closer next time. This makes it tougher for the punter, but also allows those who do their homework to have “an edge”. Handicappers can slip up and in South Africa they are also bound by certain conditions. This edge is what separates horseracing betting from games of chance.

“Value”  is the cornerstone principle of the most successful professional punters. It is possible to work out that a horse which is paying R10 a win should actually be paying R5, because detailed form analysis reveals that it is better handicapped than its more fancied rivals. The punter who only ever backs these types will make a profit according to the theory of the law of averages. Those who believe the secret is simply to pick the winner no matter the price will likely bet on more races and their strike rates will have to be higher than the value seekers’.

Tote exotics like Jackpots and Place Accumulators are very popular and here once again value plays an important role. Punters looking for a banker who calculate that a third favourite should actually be the favourite will immediately be in the pound seats if this horse converts their confidence. Successful punters would seriously consider making such a horse a banker and if they don’t they would likely only include even bigger priced horses in the betting, having already formed the opinion that their choice will beat the two most fancied horses. Conversely, lesser punters will likely include the first and second favourites for safety’s sake. Therefore their profits will be cut considerably and once again they would likely have to win the exotics more often than the value seekers in order to match the latter’s returns.

The first few races on the card are not part of the Jackpot and Pick 6 exotics, and fittingly are also the best races on which to place win and place bets. This is simply due to the fact that in plate races like Maidens the best horses will come out on top, which is not always the case in handicaps. However, Maidens require serious study and in this regard previous race replays are a valuable tool. In South Africa race replays can be watched on www.racingassociation.co.za while KZN races can be watched on Youtube by searching for “Gold Circle Racing”. Those inexperienced horses which will likely improve in their next starts can be picked out in these replays. Furthermore, collateral form analysis in formguides like Computaform or www.gallop.co.za can enable punters to ascertain the strength of relevant Maiden races. Therefore, excellent value can often be found in these races. Recently, a horse called Antagonist finished third at odds of 75/1 when suddenly dropped down to 1000m from a string of races run over distances between 1600m and 2600m. He was sent out at odds of 45/1 in his next start, also over 1000m, on the grounds that his third place finish had occurred in a weak workrider’s event. However, the replay of the latter race told a different story. Firstly, he had jumped from an unfavourable high draw on the Vaal Inside track and at the business end had been carried even further outward by a compounding horse. He then charged home to finish 1,5 lengths back. He was now jumping from a favourable high draw at Turffonten and collateral form study revealed that this field was not much stronger. The place was paying R8,50, excellent value, and he duly ran on well for a 0,5 length second.

On the other end of the spectrum a horse called Balado started favourite for a maiden at The Vaal over 1400m about a year ago on the grounds he was trained by Sean Tarry, ridden by top workrider Lyle Hewitson, owned by Chris van Niekerk and had improved in just his third start last time out to finish a close second over this trip. However, he was already a six-year-old and the replay of that last start revealed he had had the run of the race and was a decidedly one-paced sort. Collateral form evidence suggested the previous race had been just as weak as this one. He duly finished unplaced and well beaten.

The lesson learnt from the above two examples is that a properly studied race will include analysis to some degree of every horse in the race and not just of the first few in the betting, while betting on a whim must be avoided at all costs.

In this regard the respected UK-based professional punter Alan Potts advises, “Make a plan – what races will you bet on, how many bets, what stakes and so on. The basics since I stopped being a loser have been to watch a lot, listen a little, ignore ‘inside information’, be cynical about hype and rely on my own judgement.”

Most punters probably do arrive at the course with the best laid out plans, but the majority will soon abandon them and end up off the rails.

One of the biggest recognised pitfalls is the “Pot of Gold” mentality” and tied in with this is “FOMO”, which stands for “Fear Of Missing Out.” Having taken a trifecta a punter’s mind will suddenly picture a “roughie” finishing fourth, or two of the outsiders in the aforementioned trifecta finishing one-two. Quartets and exactas are then taken and maybe swingers, all-to-comes and Pick 3s too … just in case. This sort of error will likely put undue pressure on the budget.

However, the probable biggest pitfall of all is to “chase.” A punter makes a handsome profit on Friday and later spends it with abandon. He or she arrives on Saturday with the  remaining money but quickly loses it. Suddenly that spending spree is looking expensive, so he/she draws more money. However, his/her tried and tested theories now tend to go out of the window. Rather, the aim becomes to look for bets that will bring the balance back to square. Logic takes a back seat and it becomes an exercise in throwing away hard earned cash.

– David Thiselton

Durban’s curry hangouts have a tendency to shout out loud for everyone to hear. Who doesn’t know Florida Road’s House of Curries, Govender’s Original House of Curries and Britannia Hotel’s Capsicum (Red Pepper) Restaurant?

But a small pub, Bartab No 56, hidden away at The Atrium mall (formerly Overport City), might well be the city’s best-kept secret.

Not only does it serve the best curries – the venue’s samp and mutton curry special is irresistible and the briyani is up there with the best in town – but they are dirt cheap, and that applies to the drinks as well as the food.

If curry is not your thing, then the grilled hake, which comes with a generous portion of chips, is a steal at R30 a portion. A burger sells for R40.

Bartab No 56 is not your traditional restaurant. Far from it. It’s actually a sports-betting pub. But don’t let that conjure up images of a seedy, smoke-filled, dimly lit dungeon. The venue is modern, with a laid-back vibe, modern furnishings, exposed brick walls and raw-wood tables and benches. Top that with the hospitable manager and excellent service and you’ll forget you’re in the company of ageing, shabby punters.

Beers cost less than R15, and if you manage to make it in time for happy hour (between 5pm and 6pm) then expect to pay only R10.50 for a dumpie. The same costs R25 in Florida Road.

The other night I turned up for some Phuza Thursday sundowners with seven colleagues, who all agree that this is the best deal in town. A fair number of rounds and about five meals later, the bill came to a princely R560.

While Bartab might not be the kind of place to take your better half on a date, it is perfect for chilling over a few pints with friends.

NEED TO KNOW:

When to go: Around 5.30pm, after the horses have run the last race and the punters, who can be noisy, have left.

Who to take: Your cash-strapped colleagues. Loads of food and laughter, at a fraction of the amount you’d ordinarily spend.

What not to do: Pop in on your way to a dinner. Bartab’s food is irresistible.

What to drink: At those prices, as much as possible.

Whatever you do: Don’t try this spot for a romantic first date. Unless her name is Beauty.

How much do you need: R50 will get you a proper meal and a drink.

Address: Shop 56, The Atrium Mall (Overport City), Durban

– Sibusiso Ngalwa for Timeslive.co.za

*Bartab No.56 is open 7 days a week from 10am to 8pm (later on select nights).
And features include:
– a sports lounge,
– 15 HD televisions broadcasting live racing and sports,
– slot machines (5 LPM),
– full Tote facilities (11 terminals)
– with fixed odds (bookmaker) facilities coming soon (November 1)
You can contact Bartab No.56 on 031 207 5508

The Vaal stages a low key eight race meeting on the sand today and there look to be one or two good opportunities for punters.

In the first, a workrider’s maiden over 1450m, Rose Of Castille hit the front too early over 1600m on the sand last time before falling in a hole and is worth another chance from a good draw, although she is a difficult customer. Pride Of Battle enjoys the sand and is better than her last run when fading after setting the pace. She might appreciate the step down in trip and is well drawn. Angel’s Smile can win this on the form of her last race over 1600m and on her running style should have a chance of taking to the sand although her pedigree is not convincing in that regard. Ginger Sioux has gone close in her last two sand starts over 1600m and 1800m respectively, but this might be a touch sharp and she has a wide draw to overcome. Carole Bouquet could earn on form but is returning from an eleven month break.

The second is a MR 68 handicap over 1200m. All I Want has won both of his starts over this course and distance. The last of them was convincing so he is the tip to win from a good draw despite being seven points higher in the merit ratings. Captain’s Cup is a lightly race five-year-old who is with his second trainer but on ability he could go close from pole position over the trip that to date appears to suit him best. He has early pace and will have come on from his last start. Where’s My Chop has good form over course and distance and is off a competitive merit rating so should be right there too.

The third is a maiden over 1200m. Coptic Cross has run two fair races against much stronger fields than this and has Gavin Lerena (pictured) up, so is tipped to win despite a wide draw. First Sign is a battling maiden but could earn another cheque here. Run For Roses is a full-brother to a consistent earner in Vaal sand maidens.

The fourth is a weak MR 64 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m. Slick Deputy has come down to an attractive merit rating. Last time out over 1000m she was bumped at the start but wasn’t far back at the line, so could be the one to side with as she has started looking capable of staying this trip lately. Lizzie’s Legs beat Slick Deputy by 1,75 lengths last time out over 1000m but is now 1,5kg worse off. She has a tricky draw and is not certain to enjoy the step up in trip, but could still earn. Wensleydale is usually thereabouts and is now off an attractive merit rating although she is widely drawn and might prefer a touch further. Knock Knock is interesting stepped down in trip off a merit rating now down to 64 from a high of 78. Danielle can’t be ignored here and Quiana comes from the in for Luck Houdalakis yard so must also be considered.

The fifth is a MR 74 handicap over 1000m. There is a lot of speed in this race so it could set up well for Thrust who looks promising and starts off in handicaps with a low merit rating. Just Africa, who ran a fair race on Saturday, could get closer this time from a possibly more favourable draw for his speedy style. The speedy Battle Of Alma proved up to this merit rating last time when beaten 2,95 lengths over course and distance by a progressive sort.

In the sixth over 1800m Big Shot strikes as one who can keep on improving and in his hattrick bid here he should enjoy the step up in distance. Guy From Dubai should go close with this weight and should relish the course and distance. Mirage Drive won on the turf over 1600m from start to finish when coming back from a nine month layoff last time out and will be dangerous off a lowered sand merit rating over a suitable trip. All The Bids ran a cracker in his penultimate over 1600m and is now three points lower in the merit ratings. Lavender Landscape has some class, is better drawn than his last start and might now be looking for this trip. Africain can’t be ignored as the form of his last win has been franked.

In the seventh over 1600m Battle In Seattle was an easy winner over 1450m in his second career sand start and has Lerena up from pole position off a possibly capped merit rating as he was given the maximum eight point raise. Masnoon won in taking style over course and distance last time and should do well despite a six point merit-rated raise. Nero has the form to go close in this race from a good draw.

In the last over 1600m Inala has just her second career sand start, having finished a close up second in her first attempt over 1400m in April, and she is now three points lower in the merit ratings and will prefer this trip. Furthermore, she is by Windrush whose progeny love the Vaal sand. Mind Games has been given a four point raise for his good second over 1200m last time out. However, he has found consistency lately and drawn in pole over a more suitable trip. White Christmas enjoys this course and distance and should earn again.

David Thiselton

The unbeaten Duncan Howells-trained Querari filly Cosmic Light is one of the most exciting three-year-old fillies in the country and her Ashburton-based trainer said it would take a good horse to beat her tomorrow in the sixth race over 1200m at Scottsville, despite this being a preparation event before she is taken down to Cape Town for the Cape Summer Of Champions Season. Howells has travel plans to either Cape Town or Johannesburg for a number of his best horses, including the brilliant filly Same Jurisdiction.

Regarding Cosmic Light’s run tomorrow Howells said he was repeating the successful preparation he gave to the champion sprinter Via Africa before her two successful journeys down to Cape Town. He believes Cosmic Light would be best from 1400-1600m and is aiming her at the Gr 1 Avontuur Estate Cape Fillies Guineas. The imposing Maine Chance Farms-bred filly is out of a Silvano mare who won once over 1200m. There is a lot of speed in Cosmic Light’s pedigree and her dam Cosmic Dream is a half-sister to the useful sprinter Cosmic Tom (Black Minnaloushe) as well as to the five-time winning sprint-miler Showroom. Furthermore, her third dam Blushing Dove is by the speed influence Comic Blush and won the Gr 2 Southern Cross Stakes over 1000m.

However, Blushing Dove was effective over a mile and produced the Gr 1 J&B Met runner up Lion Tamer, who is now a sire, so there is a chance that Cosmic Light will see out the mile. In her two impressive career starts to date, she won over 1200m at Scottsville and then was hugely impressive when winning the Gr 2 Debutante over 1200m at Greyville. In the latter race she was climbing all over them around the turn after being dropped out from a wide draw, and this was a clear sign of her natural speed. However, she ran on well in the straight, an indication of her class and reason to be optimistic she will stay further.

Howells is under no illusions regarding how difficult a task it is for a young three-year-old to win off a merit rating of 92, the task which faces Cosmic Light tomorrow, and he mentioned the presence of the unbeaten Ivan Moore-trained four-year-old Mark Your Card, who has won both of her career starts over the course and distance. However, Howells added, “She hasn’t taken on the best horses yet but is well above average and if she reproduces her grass work last Tuesday it will take a good horse to beat her.”

Howells runs the decent five-year-old mare Surefire in the same race and described her as a problematic horse but “good if you can catch her right on the day.” However, even at her best he did not think she would be good enough to give Cosmic Light 5kg and match her.

Meanwhile, Howells is planning to give Same Jurisdiction a preparation run in a forthcoming Pinnacle Stakes event over 1400m and was hoping the field would stand up. She will then be taken down to Cape Town, where her big targets will be the Gr 1 Maine Chance Farms Paddock Stakes and the Gr 1 Klawervlei Majorca Stakes. She proved how good she was when winning the Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes over 1600m at Greyville on Super Saturday, after a luckless Johannesburg campaign, and there are not many who would back against her doing the Paddcok Stakes/Majorca double, despite there being some top class fillies around, including her cotemporary Inara, who achieved that very double last season.

Howells is also intending to take a horse he thinks a lot of, the three-year-old Black Minnaloushe colt Sylvester The Cat, down to Cape Town to compete in the Gr 1 Grand Parade Cape Guineas. This horse won his second start over 1200m at Scottsville by 6,75 lengths and although Howells admitted he still had a lot to prove, he added, “He shows exceptional work and is well above average.”

Howells’ three-year-old Elusive Fort filly Lauderdale, who won the Gr 1 Thekwini Stakes over 1600m on Super Saturday, will be aimed at two big sales races which she qualifies for, the R2 million Ready To Run Cup over 1400m at Turffontein on October 31 and the Cape Thoroughbred Sales Million Dollar over 1400m at Kenilworth on January 23, 2016.

The yard will be aiming their ever improving Mambo In Seattle gelding Saratoga Dancer at the Gr 2 Peermont Emperor’s Palace Charity Mile. He was only a length back to the useful Brutal Force over the too sharp 1200m in his seasonal reappearance at Scottsville. He is only merit rated 95 at present, so he might need to win his forthcoming preparation race in order to get into the Charity Mile, but he might well do so, because the best has not yet been seen of this horse yet.

Howells also rates the lightly raced four-year-old Dynasty filly Sabaha, who has won three out of five starts from 1200-1600m and beat a promising sort in Deputy Ryder comfortably over 1600m last time out. He said, “She is making her comeback over 1400m at Scottsville on Sunday and will need the run, but she is above average. Unfortunately, she is a temperamental filly so is difficult to work with, but she will be aimed at the weight for age Gr 2 Joburg Spring Fillies and Mares Handicap over 1450m at Turffontein on October 3.”

Howells will raid for the Johannesburg races and his Cape Town string will as usual stay at Eric Sands’ Milnerton yard.

Howells said his string was very well at present and most of them had completed their African Horse Sickness vaccine obligations. He added some horses whom the yard had sat back with during the winter would now be in a good place for the new season.

Howells failed to defend his KZN Trainer’s Championship crown last season and this was partly due to his initially relatively below par results on the Greyville polytrack. However, he believes he is now on top of that hiccup and said, “I panicked a bit when our results weren’t good on the poly and maybe started giving the horses the wrong type of work, but they are running a lot better on the surface now. Also the poly surface is being much better maintained now that it was, I think there were a few teething problems in the beginning, but now the horses are all pulling up very sound.”

Howells said he would not be targeting the KZN Trainer’s Championship and said, “If it happens it happens but I won’t be putting myself before the well-being of the horses.”

– David Thiselton