Harold Crawford is making slow but steady progress in Cape Town’s Groote Schuur Hospital as he battles to recover from a stroke. It happened during the afternoon eight days ago and, according to daughter and assistant Michelle Rix, he collapsed and was found lying on the floor.

Apparently the stroke was caused by a clot in his carotid artery and the doctors operated on him to ease the pressure on his brain. “He has paralysis in his left arm and left side,” said his daughter. “He is having physio every day and they will do further tests this week but he is getting better.”

Crawford, 66, had the biggest win of his near 43-year training career when the now Mauritius-based Perovskia won last year’s Drill Hall. His stable has expanded since Michelle joined the team and set about attracting more owners. “My father is a strong old guy and I am sure he will pull through,” she said.

By Michael Clower

Head Honcho’s odds have tumbled since this page pointed out that he was overpriced at 33-1 following his impressive win in last month’s Premier Trophy and today you will be hard pushed to get much better than 13-1.

The vibes from the stable are good. Andre Nel, not exactly a member of the oozing-confidence brigade, is bullish. “I think the current odds are a fair reflection. He has done very well since the Premier and I believed he has improved.”

Nel had hoped to run the five-year-old in the July. “I tried to get him into the race and qualify him with a galloping weight and I thought I had done so but some of the KZN horses got in above him – and some of those probably didn’t see out the trip.”

Head Honcho ran on July day but in the Betting World 2200 which he won. His win in the Premier was his sixth success from his last seven starts but only his second run of the season – “I was always only going to give him two runs before the Met and if he hadn’t run well in the Premier he would have gone for the Peninsula Handicap.”

Keagan de Melo, who has ridden Head Honcho in five of his last seven races, has only ridden in the Met once before. That was two years ago when he finished down the field on 100-1 shot Cape Speed. The ride made such little impression on him that he can’t even remember it!

Head Honcho, though, is quite a different matter. “He has improved every time I have ridden him. As a young horse he lacked confidence but he has been improving off each win. He was very, very impressive in the Premier and in a way I was quite surprised how well he won but not so ability-wise. I always knew he had a big one in him.”

However the horse is not a straightforward ride. “He seems to pull quite a bit. He is a natural front-runner and he likes to gallop so that is obviously the plan for Saturday.

“This is his biggest test to date and so I would like to have one or two to follow but, if that is not possible, I wouldn’t be afraid to take it up myself.”

And what chance does the jockey give the fourth favourite? “Realistically, it is going to be hard to beat a couple of them but the way he is improving I think he will run in the first four.”

He and Kampala Campari will be Nel’s first Met runners with 2013 winning rider Aldo Domeyer on the second string. “I think he has come on from his last run and he should put in a game effort,” says his trainer. “He has done well and he has earned his place but I have my doubts that he really sees out ten furlongs.”

By Michael Clower

Ashburton’s Duncan Howells is bullish about the chances of his three raiding runners for the Sun Met meeting, Fiorella, Thanksgiving and Mr Greenlight, and Summrveld’s Gareth van Zyl is hoping to earn some black type with Ovation Award.

Howells said, “All three are fit and well and the main concern was how they would travel. They all travelled exceptionally well and have settled in nicely so I am very happy. Choice Carriers did a very good job.”

The horses did pace work at Milnerton on Saturday morning and their big race rider Mark Khan will be there today (Tuesday) to give them all a final blowout. Mr Greenlight last ran just before travelling so is not being asked to do as much as the other pair.

Fiorella runs in the Grade 1 Bidvest Majorca Stakes over 1600m. She is quoted at 20/1 by World Sports Betting, but has never lost to either of the joint 28/10 second favourites Snowdance and Lady In Black. She caught Snowdance in the shadow of the post in the Grade 2 Daisy Fillies Guineas at Greyville, beating her by a head, and Lady In Black was beaten 2,85 lengths into fifth place in that same race. Fiorella later beat Lady In Black by a quarter of a length in the Grade 1 Woolavington 2000 when finishing a narrow second to Oh Susanna. However, in her last start she was a touch disappointing when managing only a 6,2 length fourth in the Grade 2 Ipi Tombe Challenge over 1600m at Turffontein. She will now have blinkers fitted for the first time.

Howells said, “Mark Khan suggested the blinkers as she battled to quicken in the Ipi Tombe and he reckons she now needs further. But when I saw her going down at Turffontein that day I thought she looked a bit flat and she duly ran a flat race. But right now she is looking as fit and well as I had her for the Guineas so I am expecting a very good run.” She does have a tough draw of eleven to overcome.

Thanksgiving is the top merit rated male in the Cape Derby and the second highest merit rated horse behind the filly Second Request. However, Howells pointed out in retrospect he had run to about 107 when second to the unbeaten star Hawwaam in the Dingaans. He turned it on impressively last time out over 1600m at Greyville and being by Dynasty will be improving all the time. His full brother Stormy Affair won over this 2000m trip. Thanksgiving has the bonus of a plum draw of two and has attractive odds of around 11/1 with bookmakers.

Howells said, “He does like to race from off them but the draw saves us from having to find a position. He will love the step up in trip and is a big runner.”

Mr Greenlight is drawn widest of all in the 13-horse field for the US$500,000 CTS 1600 and is quoted as an outsider at 28/1. This Gimmethegreenlight colt drew away impressively last time out over 1600m on the Greyville poly in a relatively strong Graduation Plate event and won as he liked.

Howells said, “There is speed on the outside so that should help us find a position, but it doesn’t really matter where he comes from. He came from stone last in his first win, although that was just a maiden, and we pressed him last time and had him handy to see whether he was good enough and he improved dramatically. He is on the up and is still unexposed. He has a lot of scope and will be very competitive. I didn’t really have him quite right in his penultimate start over 1800m but Stuart Randolph got off and said ‘You don’t know how good this horse is’, he gave him a helluva good feel. He is fitter now and improving.”

Ovation Award arrived in Cape Town last Friday. This Stagelight colt has won both of his starts this season easily over 1800m and 2200m respectively and is another one who is on the up. In his last start he beat horses of the calibre of Dark Moon Rising, Crowd Pleaser and One Man Show comfortably, although he was only carrying 50,5kg.

Van Zyl said, “He has done his main work already and has been doing nicely at Milnerton. He is better as a three-year-old and has proven himself better over this sort of middle distance. He has also proven himself against some of the better older horses in KZN. So it is worth taking a chance. However, realistically we are hoping to place and a win will be a bonus.”

By David Thiselton

There is an eight race meeting at the Vaal Classic track tomorrow and it should pay dividends to play the exotics.

The first leg of the PA over 1600m sees a banker in Hareer as he ran well on debut over 1200m and now faces an uninspiring field over a step up in trip he will relish. Furthermore, he is drawn in pole and has champion jockey Lyle Hewitson aboard.

In the first leg of the PA over 1600m Pilou with Hewitson up will make a bold bid for his fourth victory in succession. He is a good front runner and although six points higher in the merit ratings from his last run, he is now drawn in pole as opposed to eight out of eight last time over this same course and distance. Morning Catch will be a threat being half-a-kilogram better off for a half-a-length beating last time. He also has a better draw than he did then. Greek Fire is a classy sort who would despatch this field if producing his best as he is potentially better than his 92 merit rating. However, he is a quirky sort and is drawn wide. Those three are chosen to get punters through the exotics, simply because the racing on the day is competitive and risks have to be taken. Nordic Rebel was hard to ignore as he has a fine record over this trip and is consistent. Divine Odyssey also has a chance. 

The next race over 1600m is the toughest on the card and the advice is to go wide. Lock Him Up is chosen as the winner as he has turned the corner since the blinkers were removed and steps back to the trip of his last win. Festive Linngari has improved and should enjoy the step down from 2000m as his only win was over 1700m. Rockstar Child is well drawn over a suitable trip and having been thereabouts lately is two points lower in the merit ratings. Sammi Moosa won well in her penultimate against her own gender with a 4kg claimer up.

However, she ran well last time in a race over 1400m where the winner got away from them and was staying on. It is never easy against the boys but she warrants consideration from pole position with the excellent Warren Kennedy aboard. Molleloa is an interesting runner as he is having his third run after a layoff and after plummeting down the merit ratings he sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight, although he will have to improve on his last two runs. Well Connected has ability and has been in good form over this trip. He has a wide draw but Muzi Yeni is one of the best at finding positions from difficult draws. Street Flyer, Gonnafly and Zerodarkthirty can also be included.

In the fifth race over 1450m Blonde Vision is chosen as the best bet on the card. She finished close up in the Listed Secretariat Stakes over 1400m and is the best weighted horse in this race. Monopolize is distance suited and has some class so could be a danger. Only To Win is second best in at the weights and is only half-a-kilogram out with Blonde Vision on official merit ratings but is more exposed.

The sixth race over 1200m is another tricky contest. Seattle Tango finishes well and is interesting dropped in trip. Twelve Oaks has ability and had excuses last time so Kennedy might bring out the best in her. Last Girl Standing drops back to her best trip. Those three are selected for the Pick 6 but for the less risky Jackpot the suggestion is to go wider.

In the seventh race over 1200m Carbon Atom is chosen as the value bet of the day. He has talent and was a touch unlucky last time when narrowly beaten by Regal Graduation, who came out and won on Saturday. He is a banker consideration but for the risk averse the well regarded Whitehaven can be included and Sporting Monarch has always been a fair sort and his win last time could have been confidence building.

In the last race over 2400m Flirty Girty is hard knocking and distance proven. Eternal Summer is not far off her and was staying on over 2000m last time so will enjoy coming back to this trip. Poison Ivy will relish the step up to this trip being by Golden Sword and was ahead of Eternal Summer over 200m last time. Laconia is by Lateral so will enjoy the step up in trip. Viserion was staying on and finished narrowly behind Poison Ivy and Eternal Summer last time over 2000m, so can also be included.

By David Thiselton

Last year’s Sun Met winner Oh Susanna, generally available at 13-2 and 7-1, took Justin Snaith’s breath away with a spectacular gallop on Saturday morning.

The champion trainer said: “She worked the house down. She went 1 000m and she would have gone another 1 000. She wouldn’t stop and we battled to pull her up. She was super-impressive and on what I saw there is not much in it between her and Do It Again. She has gone to another level.”

Anton Marcus tried out his big race mount, second favourite Rainbow Bridge, last Thursday. “He did pace-work over 1 200m and Anton was happy with the horse,” said Eric Sands who has mapped out his programme for the final few days: “Rainbow Bridge will do pace-work on Monday and Tuesday and on Thursday he will do short, sharp work over two and a half to three furlongs.”

World Sports Betting has opened a market on the winning trainer. Snaith (“I am leaving no stone unturned and I still have almost a week of sleepless nights to go”) is 9-20 to win with one of his four runners, Sands 15-4, Andre Nel (Head Honcho and Kampala Campari) 7-1, Sean Tarry (Legal Eagle) 14-1 and Brett Crawford (Undercover Agent) 18-1.

Hat Puntano is 2-1 favourite to finish last closely followed by Milton at 22-10. If you want to take a chance and believe that something could go seriously wrong with Do It Again you can get 150-1 that he will trail in with the rest of the field in front of him.

Harold Crawford is making slow but steady progress in Cape Town’s Groote Schuur Hospital as he battles to recover from the stroke he suffered a week ago. It happened during Monday afternoon and, according to daughter and assistant Michelle Rix, he collapsed and was found lying on the floor.

Apparently the stroke was caused by a clot in his carotid artery and the doctors operated on him to ease the pressure on his brain. “He has paralysis in his left arm and left side,” said his daughter. “He is having physio every day and they will do further tests this week but he is getting better.”

Crawford, 66, had the biggest win of his near 43-year training career when the now Mauritius-based Perovskia won last year’s Drill Hall. His stable has expanded since Michelle joined the team and set about attracting more owners. “My father is a strong old guy and I am sure he will pull through,” she said.

By Michael Clower

Glen Kotzen warmed up for Eyes Wide Open in the Sun Met with a 123-1 double courtesy of Parade March and the Luyolo Mxothwa-ridden Count Dubucks at Kenilworth on Saturday. But the Woodhill trainer’s attentions, like that of most of his rivals, are focussed on Wednesday’s sale and Saturday’s hoped-for fireworks.

“It’s nice to have two winners going into the big meeting. It gives us a little bit of confidence,” said the Woodhill trainer who will have 13 runners on Saturday.

Morne Winnaar only has three rides on Met day but he once again demonstrated that he deserves more. In addition to scoring on Parade March, he stole the Tabonline Maiden from the front, kicking early in the straight and securing an advantage just big enough to hold on.

The winner drifted from 15-2 to twice that price and was the first leg of a double for the crutch-supported Piet Steyn who was busily showing people some (rather gruesome) shots of his knee-replacement operation. His second winner was the Aldo Domeyer-ridden Man About Town and the trainer related how he had bought the two winners, plus Hammie’s Fan (seventh in the last), for a total of R70 000 for Marsh Shirtliff and Bryn Ressell. The three horses have now won almost R500 000. However their owners are unused to shopping at bargain basement level and when Ressell was informed of the bill he asked “Is that the VAT?”

Brett Crawford, who numbers Majorca joint favourite Front And Centre among his 12 runners, was also in double form with Principessa (Greg Cheyne) and the Anton Marcus-ridden newcomer Run Fox Run who was by far the easiest winner of the day.

Marcus, who is restricting himself to six rides on Saturday– all in features, said: “I’m not sure of the depth of this field but she did it impressively.”

Candice Dawson had her first Cape Town winner when MJ Byleveld added to Friday’s Fairview success by getting up almost on the line on Infamous Fox in the 1 400m handicap. The 18-1 winner was rather out of his depth in the Queen’s Plate and is one of eight horses that the trainer and her sister Tammy brought down for the Cape season. They run three on Saturday.

Justin Snaith runs 32 and Richard Fourie rides for him in every race except the third which he sits out. The pair combined for a convincing win with River Thames in the 1 400m maiden.

By Michael Clower

Michael Roberts spoke yesterday of his pleasure at seeing horseracing finally being recognised as a sport at the annual Scottsville race meeting which is named in his honour.

Roberts became the first jockey inducted into the South African Hall Of Fame last week.

In the Listed Michael Roberts Handicap the Dennis Drier-trained Wealthy was 1kg under sufferance and the trip of 1750m was considered on the sharp side so he was ignored in the betting and went off at 22/1. However, he relished the decent pace and stormed home from last under Sean Veale to win going away by a comfortable three-quarters of a length from the topweight Dark Moon Rising. Affranchi handled the step up in trip well and finished third ahead of Amor Ardiente. The favourite Pietro Mascagni finished a disappointing fifth. He looked to be over racing in the early stages and did not move up as well as he did last time in the London News over 1800m at Turffontein. Wealthy has turned the corner since a wind operation and might be able to read racecards as he has made a habit of winning when the prize money is good.

Anton Marcus kept up his phenomenal strike rate with a treble. Punters were holding their breaths in the final stages of the opening race as the 1/3 favourite Agent Murphy was being challenged by the well supported Thomas Shelby and by Mr Minister. However, Marcus had left enough in reserve for the Alyson Wright-trained What A Winter colt to win by a quarter of a length.

In race five, a Maiden over 1600m, Marcus rode the first leg of a quick double for Highveld trainer Johan Janse Van Vuuren. The Oratorio filly Giglio is immature, but the penny dropped yesterday as she travelled well throughout and then pulled away from her market rival Leanna to win as she liked. Thru The Trees ran on strongly to claim second place.

In the next race over 1200m Marcus won on Mardi Gras and this classy grey sprinter showed his credentials for the Grade 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint to be run over this trip in May as he found another gear under pressure to win impressively.

Veale rode a double having won the third race over 1200m on the Drier-trained debutant Sacred Journey.

Tony Rivalland also had a debut winner in Extravargent who was brought home by Stuart Randolph.

Both of those debutant winners had run decent barrier trials.

Louis Goosen’s yard is in fine form having been through a bleak spell and outsider Shwanky never looked like losing the eighth over 1200m under Deon Sampson.

The Sean Tarry Play The Night is on the up and won the fourth over 1400m well under Luke Ferraris.

The last race saw a stampede for the finish line and Ferraris made it a double and Drier a treble when Daydream Believer got up.

By David Thiselton

The Listed Michael Roberts Handicap over 1750m is fittingly the feature event at Scottsville on Sunday as the great jockey became one of the first horseracing inductees into the South African Hall Of Fame this week.

The enigmatic Pietro Mascagni makes the trip down from Johannesburg and has pole position draw under Anton Marcus. He appeared to shirk the issue last time in the Grade 3 London News Stakes over 1800m, despite having first time blinkers on, as he had glided up to the leaders but then didn’t want to assert when asked to. He has the class to win this and Marcus might drive him past the leader when challenging this time and then keep him going. Hero Quest is an imposing Ideal World gelding who runs strongly from the front and he should enjoy this course and distance, although he is three points higher for his last win. Divine Odyssey is in good form and will enjoy this trip. Dark Moon Rising has topweight but has carried big weights before and this trip will suit him. The good draw of two might not suit him as he likes to be on the outside of horses. He should be finishing strongly.

Dawn Calling was most unlucky in the Flamboyant Stakes over 1600m at Greyville when climbing all over them but not being able to get through. She is interesting stepped up in trip from a good draw. Blackball ran a fine third in the July consolation race behind Head Honcho and the yard have him in good shape for this race. However, he does have a tough draw to overcome. Wealthy is 1,5kg under sufferance but if Hero Quest sets good fractions up front he has a chance as he can run on well when the pace is on. Affranchi might help ensure a good pace as he runs handy over shorter. He is interesting stepped up in trip being by Elusive Fort and might keep going. Amor Ardiente is in good form but does have a three point raise to contend with. However, he was staying on in an 1800m race on the poly in August and could be the dark horse. Sir Bernadini was well beaten by Amor Ardiente over 1600m last time and has a wide draw to overcome. He is consistent but has not placed in two runs at Scottsville which is a concern. Techno Captain has a hopeless task at the weights. Nicklaus’ sand rating dropped to 82 when he was in Kimberley but upon return to KZN he had to run off his turf rating and he finished downfield in the Christmas Handicap off this 94 rating. They are selected in the order mentioned.

Punters should get off to a good start the first race over 1000m with the Alyson Wright-trained Agent Murphy, who looks to be promising and will have come on from his debut where he was green.

Marcus could also win the second on the Nathan Kotzen-trained Amex who was green last time and now has blinkers on. The yard are confident of a good run. However, it is competitive and a few are in with chances.

In the first leg of the PA Cosmic Cutter was unlucky on debut and could make amends over this same course and distance.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 the unbeaten Born To Perform is on the up and after a comfortable win over 1600m last time can make it a hattrick over a 1400m trip which should suit as he has got into a handy positions easily from wide draws over 1600m and is now drawn well.    

In the fifth race over 1600m Leanna was mentioned by the Dennis Drier yard as one of their best chances on the day as she cracks a pole position draw over a suitable trip against an uninspiring field. However, Jo’burg raider Giglio has Marcus up and having run third to Blossom last time must have a shout.

In the sixth over 1200m Mardi Gras has class and could beat the honest and consistent Unbelievable Lad and the rangy speedster Captain Von Trapp.

The eighth is a competitive race over 1200m but the in form Nathan Kotzen yard have a strong coupling in Spring Breeze and Heart Of A legend who have to be included. Rocking Ruby will also be a big runner here.

In the last over 1000m Mademoiselle is a hard knocker in Jo’burg and can fight it out with Dieci.

By David Thiselton

Featured Image: Pietro Mascagni (JC Photographics)

Turffontein has a ten race meeting tomorrow and it looks to be a tricky card for exotic punters so the dividends will likely be handsome.

The first leg of the PA over 2600m is a staying maiden with not much form to go on. Born Rich lost narrowly to Flame Fella last time they met over 2400m but then ran a nice race with first time blinkers on over 2200m at Greyville, leading and then staying on to place third. Flame Fella is bred to go this trip and has run two fair races since being stepped up in distance. Smart Deal was a hard knocking sort at one stage over this trip and after a recent downturn inform gets the blinkers on. He is well dawn and is a must include in the PA.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 2600m Invincible Lady is by Captain Al out of a Jet Master mare who won over 2450m. She stayed well over 2000m last time and has the galloping action of one who should stay this trip. Pilgrim’s Progress has turned the corner since being sent over staying trip and has won twice over 2400m. She is five points higher in the ratings after the second win but won that last race comfortably so can go close again. Emerald Bay has to be included too as she went close under Warren Kennedy in her penultimate and he is back on board. She is 3.5kg better off with Pilgrim’s Progress for a mere 0,9 length beating over 2400m so should be right there. Redberry Wood was staying on over 2000m last time and struck as one who would enjoy this trip. Sunshine Silk has to be included despite carrying topweight as she is a proven stayer.

In the first leg of the Jackpot over 1800m Warrior’s Rest is a resolute galloper who will be the one to beat if he gets to the front. Silver Thursday is the best weighted horse and her last run can be ignored as she was caught wide throughout. She now has a good draw and the blinkers are on. Orpheus is effective over this trip despite making breathing noises and has to be included.

In the sixth race over 1800m Drop Kick ran a fair race last time over this trip first time out the maidens. He should have come on from the run and has a plum draw now. Top Rank was just behind Drop Kick in that race and is now drawn in pole. Hakeem went close in that race from a good draw but is now drawn wide. Gone With The Wind is distance suited and well drawn but does make breathing noises. Corrido and Kurt’s Approval also have to be included. 

In the next race over 1600m Arlington’s Revenge won well over this trip last time and can follow up from a good draw off two point higher mark. Throng is on the up and can go close, although he would prefer further. Obvious Child did well first time out the maidens and has a 4kg claimer up from pole position. Tammany Hall raced a bit strongly over 2000m last time and might enjoy coming down to this trip, although she has a tough draw. Spring Poetry should also enjoy this trip.  Whosethebossnow has ability and a good draw.

In the last leg of the Jackpot Pale Lilac could prove to be well weighted having won well last time with first time blinkers on over this sort of trip. She has another wide draw so will likely go to the front again. Dame Kelly is ideally distance suited and drawn in pole. Mar Del Seur, Gimme Hope Johanna and Regal Graduation make most appeal of the rest.

In the last leg of the Pick 6 Quebec Queen makes most appeal over a suitable trip but it is a tough race. Jailhouse Jazz should make a bold bid too as an unexposed progressive sort. 

By David Thiselton

Je Ne Sais Quoi can make it third time lucky in the Betting World Maiden at Kenilworth tomorrow. Ridden by Anton Marcus for the first time, the Glen Kotzen filly is the 16-10 favourite and has the form to win after two good runs over a furlong shorter.

She was only beaten a neck when starting favourite last time and, being by five-time Group 1 winner Duke Of Marmalade, she should appreciate the extra.  She holds Sparkeling Fire (8-1) on last time’s run and, while 9-2 shot Epic Storm looks the obvious danger, stable jockey Aldo Domeyer rides Happy Girl and so this 13-2 chance is suggested for the forecast.

Marcus’s mount Run Fox Run is 2-1 joint favourite with World Sports Betting to make a winning debut in the opener and, while riding arrangements suggest she is preferred to the other Ridgemont first-timer Natural Jade, the price does not really allow for the Australian bred’s inexperience.

Also three-year-old first-timers at this stage of the season may not necessarily be that good. If they were, why didn’t they run earlier? The same reservation applies to the 3-1 shot Procrastination. I prefer to take a chance with Makaranga Love who, possibly significantly, has already been backed from 7-2 to 2-1.  Captain’s Legacy (7-1) will hopefully run well enough to provide a much-needed tonic for Harold Crawford.

However the Ridgemont-Brett Crawford-Marcus combination should win the Hospitality Maiden with Engage And Beware. This 22-10 favourite had The Perfect Wave (17-2) two lengths behind over a furlong less a fortnight ago.

The Snaith-trained River Thames is second favourite at 5-2 but is badly drawn and over this 1 400m the draw is important. True, he ran well over it from a poor draw in November but he disappointed from a good one on his only subsequent start. Cash Call (9-2) ran well in a fair-sized field from a wide draw three weeks ago and could prove the main danger.

The bookies, invariably good judges – their livelihoods depend on getting it right, reckon that Twice To Sydney is a shoe-in for race three even though the sahorseracing computer says the Andre Nel runner won’t finish in the first six.

She gets the nod from this quarter as there was a fair bit of promise about her sixth of 12 behind Wallis Simpson on debut three weeks ago. Those who prefer to rely on proven form may care to note that Au Revoir (5-2) is 4.5kg top-rated.

By Michael Clower