Vaughan Marshall is in unstoppable form at the moment and he can trace the roots of it to that desperate day eight weeks ago when he scratched all nine runners because the stable was in the grip of a respiratory  virus.

If that decision sowed the seeds of his current success he is certainly harvesting the rewards. His Kenilworth treble on Saturday was his second of the week and the last six Cape Town meetings have seen him saddle 14 winners.

He recalled: “The virus had been hovering over me for a while but then it got bad for about ten days during which I decided to take the drastic route. It has paid off, the horses are fit and we are cracking on with them.”

Ken Truter was able to celebrate his 60th birthday in style (“My wife told me to pace myself but it’s not easy!”)  with all-the-way scorer Even Better and Paladin while MJ Byleveld completed his own and the stable’s treble on the four-month absent Exelero in the Racing.It’s A Rush Handicap.

Zubbadubbadoo’s bid to make it five in a row in the last-named raced proved an expensive anti-climax. The 16-10 favourite never got into it and finished with only two behind him.

Corne Orffer told the stipes that he felt there was something wrong and Brett Crawford said: “I am sure we will find that he is a little bit sore in the morning. He is not a sound horse.”

Langerman winner Ready To Attack ran a fine race over a distance too short for him to take fourth to the comfortable Glen Kotzen-trained winner Albarakah (Greg Cheyne) in the Mother City Handicap, particularly as he lost ground at the start and came back cut into on his left hind. But Justin Snaith wants to see further evidence before he starts regarding the colt as a Guineas horse.

It’s rare indeed for a Mike Bass winner to start at 50-1 but Spanish King surprised the stable as much as the punters under Jason Smitsdorff in the opening maiden.

Candice Robinson said: “He really disappointed first time out and we gelded him, but I wouldn’t have expected him to win this.”

Grant van Niekerk was seen at his determined best on the yard’s Beautiful Bird two races later although he modestly said he was lucky. Maybe he was but he certainly created his own. After repeatedly trying a succession of virtually non-existent gaps he thrust his mount into one that wasn’t there at all and, miraculously, it opened for him. The 15-20 favourite got up to beat fellow Drakenstein homebred Arabian Winter in the last stride.

Paul Reeves rode four of his near-300 winners on Lady Be Mine and her granddaughter Baby Be Mine brought the memories flooding back when leading just over 100m out under Robert Khathi in the 1 200m fillies handicap.

Michael Clower

Mike Bass is making significant progress in a Cape Town hospital as he recovers from the pneumonia and septic shock that came close to killing him.

His daughter Candice, speaking at Kenilworth on Saturday, said: “He is doing really well and he should be semi-conscious by this afternoon or tomorrow. We have still got a long recovery road ahead but he is doing much better.

“He is back on dialysis today and tomorrow because his kidneys are not yet working properly but he is now breathing quite well.”

Bass,70, had to have the lower part of his right leg amputated and apparently it was this operation that saved his life. According to son Mark, quoted by Mark van Deventer on tabonline.co.za, he would have died within four hours had he not been operated on, and he began to show improvement almost immediately.

There have been some concerns about how Bass will take the loss of his limb – he is a keen golfer and a man for whom the club championship looms almost as large as the Met – but his family have done some research and come up with cases of people who have been able to play just as well with a prosthetic limb as they did before.

Michael Clower

Mike Bass’s condition is showing slight signs of improvement although he remains in intensive care in a Cape Town Hospital.

Rodney was given an emotional reception after the Bass-trained gelding won the Place Your Bets Maiden at Kenilworth yesterday and rider Grant van Niekerk said: “I wanted to win this for Mr Bass. Everyone knows how ill he is but thank God he is coming along the right way.”

Bass’s daughter Candice said that the initial prognosis had been poor but added: “He is now stable and there is a bit of improvement. We are not out of the woods yet but the doctors are a lot more positive.”

– Michael Clower

Greyville stages an eight race meeting on the polytrack on Tuesday and punters will need to have a good look at the horses in the parade ring and the canter past, which will give them an edge at a time of the year when there can be some good value dividends available.

In the first race over 1400m Land Of Legends improved in his second start to run third over 1200m at Scottsville and the form has been franked. This trip should be ideal on pedigree. Master Of Mischief ran a fair race over 1200m at Scottsville last time and the form has worked out reasonably well, so he should be contender over a trip he should relish on pedigree. The Lonsdale has consistent form from 1200-1400m on the poly and should be thereabouts.

In the second over 1800m Kitty’s Destiny has caught the eye before as one with plenty of scope for improvement and the form of her last start over 1400m at Scottsville has worked out well. She is out of a Sportsworld mare so should enjoy the step up in trip and is the one to beat. Scots Party loves this course and distance and this solid, reliable sort looks sure to be involved. Roy’s Rolls Royce has faced some good horses without being disgraced and could also earn.

In the third over 1800m Sword Storm was perhaps a bit handy last time and this blunted her strong finish but she still stayed on well and with Anton Marcus now up she is the one to beat. The wide draw should not be a concern as she is at her best when dropped out. Roy’s Doctor has run well from 1600-2000m on the poly and should be thereabouts from a good draw. Queen Of Thrones, Fly Away With Me and Dellavera have to be considered too.

In the fourth over 2000m Princess Beach is back against her own gender and is off a lowered merit rating, so this could hopefully allow a filly who has recently flattered to deceive to fulfill her potential. Lady Ami is an improving sort who did well when stepped up to this course and distance last time so she should be involved despite a wide draw. Ethylene has been disappointing in her last two but could shape here at her best and Sean Cormack is an eye catching booking.

In the fifth over 2000m Night Lock ran a cracker over 1950m at Scottsville last time and Anthony Delpech is now up. Discourse is back to a competitive merit rating and could do well if overcoming his wide draw. Jay Boy should be a contender as he has won over 1800m on the tough Turffontein course before. Told You So is one to consider with a 4kg claimer up from a good draw over a suitable trip. Savethelastdance has some fair Port Elizabeth form and is an interesting raider. Hamelin Bay can never be ignored as he seems to pop up when least expected to.

In the 6th over 2000m Fulcrum will love the return to this trip and with Delpech up is the one to beat. Jet Avenger looks to be on the up and Jet Masters go well on the poly so he should be right there with a 4kg claimer up. Baracah has some class and has returned to form so he should do well over a suitable trip.

In the seventh over 1000m Respect At Bay went close over course and distance in a competitive race on Super Saturday and Marcus is now up from a plum draw of three. Kept Secret has gone close the last twice she has tried the course and distance and should be involved again. Golden Mirabilis loves the course and distance and goes well for this 4kg claimer.

In the eighth over 1600m Big Bird should appreciate the step back to this course and distance and goes well for this rider. Pure Valor is interesting on his poly debut as Dynastys enjoy the surface and he is reunited with Ian Sturgeon who rode him to his maiden win over this trip on the Greyville turf. Bizjet is course and distance suited and should be thereabouts with Delpech up.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Discourse, contests the fifth at Greyville tomorrow (Nkosi Hlophe)

Andrew Fortune (pictured) scored a treble including a feature race double at the Flamingo Park Festival on Saturday, but Kimberly’s biggest annual race, the R200,000 RA Flamingo Mile was won by the combination of Sarel Von Willingh Smit and Francois Herholdt for the second year in succession, this year with the seven-year-old Spectrum gelding Stone Pine.

Stone Pine has thrived since arriving at Von Willingh Smit’s yard from Port Elizabeth towards the end of last year and this was his fifth win in Kimberley and his 3rd win in his last four starts. However, he was still allowed to go off at 10/1 due to the presence of the Mike de Kock-trained raider Capricorn Ridge, who started 11/10 despite having to carry joint topweight.

There was also support for the Tienie Prinsloo-trained Latino’s Jet, who was backed in from 7/1 to 9/2. Stone Pine was chased around runners from a wide draw and found second place in the running. Latino’s Jet was on the rail in about fifth place and Capricorn Ridge was in midfield. Stone Pine was sent for home early and had struck the front by the 300m mark with Latino’s Jet chasing hard. Capricorn Ridge was traveling comfortably when entering the straight and looked dangerous but was then crossed by Il Palio, a quirky horse who seems to run better when taken to the Flamingo Park stand side rail.

This affected Capricorn Ridge’s momentum and he had to be picked up again. Stone Pine kept going well although Latino’s Jet closed in late to finish 0,25 lengths back in second. Capricorn Ridge was next best ahead of Kingofmountain and Trade Emblem.
Von Willingh Smit and Herholdt won the race last year with Taqdeer, who could only manage tenth out of the eleven runners on Saturday.
Stone Pine was bred by Highlands Farms Stud and is owned by P Barrett.

There was plenty of incentive to win the last of the day’s three features, the R135,000 World Sports Betting Sprint over 1000m, as this formed the first leg of the Super Supreme Series, which carries a R500,000 bonus for any horse that can win all three legs. Vaal-based raider Louis Goosen pulled off a fine training feat with the four-year-old Var gelding Varbration, who started 17/10 favourite despite carrying joint topweight.

The Avontuur Stud-bred horse had lost his way a bit until joining Goosen towards the end of last season and his win on Saturday followed two seconds in his first two starts for the yard. Fortune timed his run to perfection to win by 0,7 lengths from the Von Willingh Smit-trained 30/1 outsider Beez Brothers, who was ridden by Herholdt. The Corne Spies-trained filly Sarve finished a fine third considering she carried joint topweight.

Varbration will likely face some stiff opposition in the second leg of the Super Supreme Series, the R250,000 World Sports Betting August Stakes over1200m on the Vaal sand on August 29, and his stamina reserves might be stretched by the third leg, the R1 million SAP Supreme Cup over 1450m on the Vaal sand on September 26.

Earlier, Fortune displayed immaculate judgement of pace when leading from start to finish in the RA Diamond Stayers over 2200m on the the Tienie Prinsloo-trained five-year-old Judpot gelding Pontedera. Pontedera carried topweight but was still sent off 22/10 favourite and won easing up by 2,25 lengths from the 35/1 outsider Steady As Rock. The 3/1 shot Wimoweh was a well beaten third.

Fortune, a former national champion jockey, weighed 70kg three months ago and has once again managed to beat the battle of the bulge after resolving to get back to doing what he does best.

World Sports Betting presented a R50,000 cheque to the Horse Care Unit after the running of the World Sports Betting Sprint to cap an enjoyable day for a big crowd in perfect sunny conditions.

By David Thiselton

The entire dining room rose to its feet to give Stan Elley a standing ovation when the now-retired trainer was announced the winner of the Acknowledgement of Achievement Award at Stellenbosch’s Lanzerac Hotel on Friday evening.

Justin Snaith, tongue firmly in cheek, caused laughter when he said: “Enjoy your green pastures, Stan. I am sure your wife will kick you out and send you to the races.”

There were also Special Service presentations at the Cape Racing & Breeding Awards Dinner to yearling inspection legend John Kramer and Robert Bloomberg.

The latter’s award was presented by Vidrik Thurling who paid tribute to his fellow Kenilworth Racing director for all he has done for Cape Town racing and added: “His daily punting makes a substantial contribution to the coffers of the racing operators!”

Bloomberg countered: “I thought that if I ever received an award like this it would be posthumously.”

Futura was named Horse Of the Year and is widely expected to follow up at tomorrow evening’s Equus Awards in Johannesburg.

Kenilworth general manager Dean Diedericks was not present but he was singled out for special mention by Markus Jooste’s racing manager Derek Brugman who said: “It is so important for us that our horses come back sound and in Dean we have somebody at the helm who does a wonderful job.”

Cape Breeders’ chairman Vaughan Koster, whose Cheveley Stud bred award-winner Legislate, pointed to the high success rate of Western Cape breeders and stallions – over 60% of last season’s Grade 1 races – and singled out Main Chance and its stallion Silvano’s achievement of accounting for the first three in the Vodacom Durban July.

He said: “This has never been done by a breeder or a stallion before and the question begs whether it will ever be done again.”

The theme of the importance of the horse was initially underlined – and subsequently reinforced by several award recipients – by leading breeder John Koster who said: “Here we all sit when in actual fact our tables should be graced by Seventh Plain, Futura, Legislate, Captain Of All and all the other nominees.

“It is because of these noble animals that we are able to rise from ordinary lives and feel a wonderful sense of achievement. It is because they run their hearts out for us – unconditionally and without expectation of personal glory – that we are so fortunate.”

Koster, whose Klawervlei organisation took a whole host of awards, also had words of encouragement for smaller breeders, saying: “It matters not the size of your broodmare band, nor that of your budget but – with the right skill, passion and commitment – we can all breed the horse of our dreams.”

By Michael Clower