Magnificent Seven’s Betting World Algoa Cup bid on October 28 hangs in the balance after the four-year-old failed to score with his customary authority when making it five wins from his last six starts in the Settlers Trophy at Durbanville on Saturday.

Justin Snaith, winning this Listed handicap for the third time in four seasons and the fifth in all, said: “I’m a little worried – and I wonder if this might have taken too much out of him. But take nothing away from the horse – he has done well.”

Richard Fourie (Liesl King)

Nick Jonsson’s gelding ran too freely for his own good early on, and this may been the key to what followed. Certainly those who backed him at 5-8 feared the worst when Richard Fourie, with only three behind him, began to look decidedly uneasy fully four furlongs from home.

Fourie reported: “He dropped the bit and I thought maybe I had burnt him. But it was the right time to get a breather and he is a good horse who wants to win. Going through the 200 I knew I had it won even though I still hadn’t hit the front at that stage.”

Brett Crawford is targeting the R2.5 million of the Lanzerac Ready To Run on 24 November for Vascostreettractor who made all at 5-10 under Corne Orffer in the first, saying: “He has a lot of scope for improvement – his coat is not right yet and he is a much better horse when ridden from off the pace.”

The Philippi trainer also has reason to look forward with Water Spirit who led almost throughout the mile fillies maiden and impressed Anton Marcus in the process – “I like this filly,” said the jockey. “She will go further and there is improvement to come although that will be a couple of months down the line – she is incredibly immature.”

Dan Katz had his first double for Hassen Adams with Skye Lane (Greg Cheyne) and China Wolfe (Louis Burke) with the former heading for the R5 million CTS mile on Met day – “I have high hopes for her but she is looking for ground and you will only see the best of her in three to six months’ time.”

Harold Crawford was also in double form with Ready Steady Go (Cheyne) and 22-1 shot Aldato. Morne Winnaar, who rode the latter, sprang a 66-1 shock when making every metre on the Paddy Kruyer- trained Brandenburg in the Betting World Maiden.

By Michael Clower

Matador Man, quietly fancied to win the World Sports Betting Champions Cup at the end of last season, reverted to one of his favourites courses and his favourite distance to put a smart field to bed over the Greyville turf mile yesterday.

Anton Marcus, who had another red-letter day, had the favourite well back in the early stages in this Pinnacle Stakes contest and came wide into the straight. With Matador Man galloping freely, Marcus had little more to do than a steering job on Sean Tarry’s runner as he cruised home over three lengths clear of Seattle Skyline.

Matador Man (Candiese Marnewick)

American Landing, making his return to the track after a three-month break, was running on well come the final furlong and this race will have done him the world of good when Brett Crawford stretches him over his optimum trip of ten furlongs and further.

Gavin van Zyl was warm in his praised for Perfect Peter after the gelding’s recent maiden win at Scottville and his judgement was on the mark as Perfect Peter made most of the running to beat what looked to be a smart Graduation Plate field.

Warren Kennedy dictated the gallop and Perfect Peter stuck gamely to his guns as he was challenged by raiders Affranchi and the unbeaten filly Nafaayes. Affranchi appeared to head Perfect Peter 50m from home but Perfect Peter came back for more under Kennedy’s urgings to win a neck decision.

It was a tremendously game effort and on that showing a mile and further look well within Perfect Peter’s compass.

The connections of Red Chesnut Road turned down a lucrative offer after making waves early in his career but from there it all went pear-shaped and Robbie Hill’s gelding scored only his third win in three seasons as he held off the game mare Dawn Calling in a driving finish to the second. Dawn Calling looked to have his measure 100 m out but her condition gave out the last bit as Red Chesnut Road plugged on for victory under Marcus.

It was a tremendous effort from Dawn Calling who had been off the track and is prepping for a crack at some of the Highveld features come their season.

Cat’s Legacy, a facile winner of his first crack at 2400m, appears to have found his niche distance although he was forced to work a lot harder in the Track & Ball Gaming Handicap. Crime Victim, beaten six lengths by Cat’s Legacy when last they met, looked to chase down the odds-on favourite who pinched an early lead at the top of the straight as Marcus made a decisive move around the home turn. But the petrol gauge was in the red as Marcus kept Cat’s Legacy to his task to hold the veteran Crime Victim by a fast diminishing neck.

Highveld raiders did not go home empty handed as Copenhagen, in spite of giving apprentice Luke Ferraris a difficult ride, prevailed in the opening leg of the Pick 6 ahead of recent barrier trialist and outsider Cruz Giovanni.

By Andrew Harrison

Magnificent Seven is a confident choice to end the ten-year hoodoo on favourites in the Settlers Trophy at Durbanville tomorrow.

Since Justin Snaith scored the second of his four wins in this 2 400m handicap with Caseys Son in 2008 every favourite has been beaten (and four of them didn’t even make the frame) but Richard Fourie’s mount is an improving sort who looks well handicapped.

He has won four of his last five starts and, while the assessors have pushed him up six kilos, they have only raised him 2kg for last time’s length and a quarter victory – despite Fourie making most of the running and having enough in reserve to ease up close home.

Richard Fourie (Nkosi Hlope)

This is an extra two furlongs and a slightly more competitive race but the Horse Chestnut gelding looks as if he will have no problems with the trip, he is already a course winner and four-year-olds have won three of the last four runnings. He eased from an opening 17-20 to 11-10 yesterday and his in-form trainer reports: “He is in very good shape.”

Red Peril’s opening 20-1 looked too good to last and, sure enough, you could only get 15-1 about last season’s winner yesterday morning. Billy Prestage’s gelding is the oldest horse in the field but Posh Boy was also eight when he won five years ago and Red Peril likes the course and relishes bowling along in front.

Durbanville suits front-runners and they can be hard to peg back up the straight. His trainer likes to change the jockeys and Corne Orffer is the seventh different pilot in eight races. It’s worth noting that here early last month he was a two-length second to Magnificent Seven and renews rivalry on 4.5kg better terms. He looks the biggest danger despite his big price.

However Benjan is the main threat according to the market and the 4-1 second favourite is 1.5kg better with Magnificent Seven for the length and a quarter he was beaten last time. Sister Soozie is weighted to confirm last time’s course and distance placings with fellow 9-1 shot The Silver Fox but history is against top weight Master’s Eye. No horse has won this with more than 59.5kg in at least the last 17 runnings.

Water Spirit stands out in race three. This R2 million filly really flew once she grasped what was required of her on debut and she will be suited by the mile. The 2-1 favourite also has a better drawn than her main market rivals.

By Michael Clower

The Grand Heritage has been postponed for two weeks but a nine race meeting will go ahead in its place at Turffontein tomorrow.

Three Non-Black Type races provide the highlights.

In the R150,000 Heritage 1200 Handicap Prince Of Kahal looks the one to beat. He needed his last start over 1200m but proved too classy for a field which included some useful sorts. The key race in his form is the Drill Hall Stakes in which he was unlucky against some of the best in the country but still finished sixth.

Prince Of Kahal (JC Photographics)

Considering that run he looks underrated on a mere 87 merit rating. He should have come on from that last run too and in form Gavin Lerena can help him overcome a tricky draw of eight in the ten horse field. Winter’s Forge has class and although this race has been called a handicap the special conditions allow her a 2,5kg gender allowance so she comes in well weighted over an ideal trip and is well drawn. She will be a big runner. The progressive Mount Keith has a light 52,5kg to carry and he can defy the handicapper again.

In Cahoots showed some class as a two-year-old and has snuck into the handicap with the minimum weight of 50kg, although his rider Luke Ferraris will carry 0.5kg overweight. Just As I Said’s low draw will suit his front-running to handy style and he could be dangerous off a reduced merit rating. Catkin is always thereabouts in his Cape Town races from 1200-1400m and could run well fresh from a good draw over a trip which is sharper than ideal. Professor Brian has a nice big stride and if it pans out well he will be finishing strongly. Clever Guy wasn’t disgraced last time against Chimichuri run and could earn. Tar Heel has speed but disappointed from a good draw last time. Peppermint Tea has a tough task at the weights.

The Heritage 1200 Fillies and Mares handicap sees Regal Graduation and Schippers renewing rivalry after a close battle over course and distance two weeks ago. Regal Graduation is 1kg better off for a 0,75 length beating but she moved up like a winner in that last race before suddenly becoming one-paced so she likely needed it. Schippers also had a right to need that last race, especially as she is a more robust sort than Regal Graduation, so it will be an intriguing contest. La Bastide is chosen as the main danger to them as she won nicely over this trip in her penultimate start when making her seasonal reappearance and now has her third run after a layoff.

In the Sophomore 1000 Dewali had good form as a two-year-old and won in impressive style first time this season over this trip on the Standside track. This well bred Var colt has a tough draw to overcome but looks the one to beat after the scratching of Big Blue Marble.

The filly Dalai’s Promise was not disgraced in two starts in Cape Town and proved how strong the racing is down there when trotting up on her Highveld debut. Those two should get punters through.

The rest of the racing on the day is competitive but the exotics look the way to play as they all look catchable.

By David Thiselton

Older runners, especially those with mileage on the clock, often show improved form on the poly track and Highveld trainers Gary Alexander and Dorrie Sham are raiding the Greyville poly this evening with some seasoned campaigners.

Alexander starts his evening in the fourth where he saddles the mare Musette. She has patchy form but her last run was an improved effort and she did find some long shot support. The poly track and first-time blinkers could bring the best out in her but she does face a competitive field. Roman Courtesan was touched off over course and distance at her penultimate start and she was far from disgraced last time out behind the progressive Duke Of Spin. After Sunday’s Greyville meeting, Shane Humby will be shutting up shop for the next few weeks with his entire stable having their AHS vaccinations so he will be keen to make hay before the break.

Roman Cortesan (Candiese Marnewick)

Expresso Martini and Quakeshake are others to consider.

Alexander’s other runner comes in the sixth where Zeal And Zest faces a tricky assignment although his recent Vaal form is solid. He has had a turn on the poly, finishing just over two lengths back to Bank The Cash and winning next time out. He has a handy weight advantage over likely favourite Hero Quest. Brett Crawford’s runner returns from a short break and is back in handicap company after taking on feature company, including champion stayer It’s My Turn in the Gold Vase. Another likely contender is Stream Ahead. Gavin van Zyl steps the colt up an extra three furlongs this evening and if he can carry his current form over the extra he will have plenty of supporters.

Sham has a mixed bag but her best chance of a winner should come in the seventh where she saddles top weight Baahir. The six-year-old has some solid Highveld form and has plenty of early toe that should suit the poly. Sentido and Fieldmarshal Fenix are obvious dangers.

By his own admission, Dennis Drier has one of the best crops of young horses that he has had in a long time as his winning strike-rate bares testimony. Drier’s filly Leanna should be in warm order for the card opener after making a smart debut. She is certain to enjoy the extra furlong and the opposition form looks a little thin.

Belfry has a busy weekend ahead with an engagement in the second and again on Sunday should he miss out on his maiden win tonight. He was beaten a long way out when starting favourite at Scottsville recently and although consistent his form is not inspiring. That’s not to say he can’t win but Dirty Harry and Thomas Jefferson look better propositions. Thomas Jefferson has blossomed since Mike Miller has put him over ground while Dirty Harry also appears to have come to hand and should appreciate the step up in trip for Yogas Govender.

By Andrew Harrison

Aldo Domeyer returned to South Africa yesterday after being crowned victor ladorum against all the odds in Tuesday’s PGI Jockeys Challenge South Africa in Singapore and said his experience out there had been different to anything he had expected.

He also reckoned he had turned the corner as a jockey and believes he can now compete against any rider without being concerned.

He said, “We see Singapore racing but we don’t hear about it. They are years and years ahead of us. Everything is efficient and disciplined and everybody is doing their bit to sustain the level. It is a different world, They are moving forward together and have a fluid way of running things.”

The Kranji turf course was in perfect condition with just a little bit of “sting” out of the ground.

Aldo Domeyer

Domeyer said by common consensus he had the worst rides of any of the jockeys on the night.

He said, “Lyle (Hewitson) said to me ‘I know you don’t have the best rides but just try and beat a few home.’ I replied ‘I’m going to do some magic out there tonight.’”

Although his response was said in a jestful tone, inside he was determined not to be one of the also rans.

He said he had always loved riding in fast paced races on fast tracks and also pointed out his high rate of success in previous Jockeys Internationals. In his winning ride over 1200m his mount Safeer was always travelling well just behind the leaders. He then got the necessary extra out of him by riding him vigorously all the way to the line.

Out in Singapore all eyes are on the legendary Joao “Magic” Moreira both on the course and in the stands. So it was no mean feat to have got the better of Moreira in that race, considering Domeyer was only on the fifth most fancied horse. However, he did admit having no weight of expectation on him had helped.

The win added to an earlier third place and that was enough to win the victor ladorum.

Domeyer spoke of mixing it with some of the best jockeys from around the world, “It is not everyday in one jockey’s room you have the like of Hugh Bowman, Joao Moreira, Kerrin McEvoy, Hayley Turner , Aldo Domeyer …”

On a more serious note he commented on how all of the best jockeys both overseas and at home had a common demeanour. He used Hugh Bowman, the regular rider of the world’s best racehorse, Winx, as an example, describing him as so composed it was as if he was “floating on a cloud.”

This season Domeyer will be aiming to win as many big races as possible as he felt he had not yet left his mark on Cape Town as strongly as he would have liked to.

He then aims to start early next season and go for the championships as that is when “doors really open for a jockey.”

He said, “They say you need 10,000 hours before you start understanding your craft. I have been listening to my father (Andrew Fortune) for a long time and had been kind of getting it but also kind of not and last season everything just clicked. I think a lot of it is just trusting your instincts and listening to yourself. The last thing you want to be doing is questioning yourself. So now I am no longer thinking of the big names I’m riding against, I’m just riding against myself. It is all coming together and I know what I am doing.”

By David Thiselton

The unbeaten Pleasedtomeetyou could step up to seven furlongs for his next start as he possibly heads towards the Cape Guineas in December.

Andre Nel said: “While I am not yet sure where he will run next I am going to nominate him for the Cape Classic (October 28). He relaxes well enough at home to suggest he will get the 1 400m.”

Nel added that the colt “has taken his last race well.” This is good news considering the accusations levelled against Bernard Fayd’Herbe of giving the colt an unduly hard race in the Sophomore Sprint.

Fayd’Herbe has been metaphorically hanged, drawn and quartered by his critics, most of whom were not even at Durbanville that day. Nor was I (on holiday overseas at the time) but I do know that the jockey will have been hurt and upset by the criticism. He has long prided himself on his love and understanding of the horses he rides, qualities which he believes he possesses more than most riders.

Andre Nel

True, he sometimes does appear more forceful than many of them but this is at least partly because he is a fair bit taller than they are.

Significantly stipes Nick Shearer, Cecil van As and Tarquin Norval did not consider that he was guilty of any offence and, even  more significantly, nor did they when the NHA drew their attention to the criticism and invited them to look again.

It is an unfortunate aspect of racing life that most thoroughbred horses, despite being bred to race and wanting to do so, will not give their all without the whip. For many it is enough just to see it but others will not quicken unless they actually feel it.

Fortunately the whips permitted today are a lot kinder than the old criss-cross leather covered whale bone which could both mark and hurt. The manufacturers of today’s whips claim that they do not hurt (although I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end!) and that it is the noise that stirs the horse to maximum action.

Perhaps it is time for the NHA to take the lead here because the noise sounds frightening to the public, let alone the horses, and it is in danger of giving racing a bad name. The media room at Durbanville is adjacent to the 50m marker and when the horses reach this point it sounds like a volley of machine gun fire. If the crowds were bigger there would be cries of cruelty from the uninformed.

The authorities might also consider reducing the length of the whips. In Scandinavia this is barely half that of our whips and, while they are derided by the rest of the racing world, a reduction would have a corresponding increase in the inability to hurt.

Elusive Trader, beaten less than a neck in the Sophomore, is not certain to race again before the R2.5 million Lanzerac Ready To Run at Kenilworth on November 18.

Greg Ennion said: “He was unlucky in running in the Sophomore, and also he was in front both shortly before the line and just after it. However he was shin-sore afterwards. If he does run before the Lanzerac it would have to be in a plate race. I am not going to run him in a handicap.”

Magnificent Seven, winner of four of his last five starts, is already odds-on for the Settlers Trophy at Durbanville on Saturday. World Sports Betting yesterday opened the Snaith-Fourie hope at 17-20 with the Candice Bass-Robinson trained Benjan (Greg Cheyne) second favourite at 4-1. The Billy Prestage-trained Red Peril, who sprang a 14-1 surprise 12 months ago, is the 20-1 outsider of the party this time.

By Michael Clower

Bloodstock South Africa were sad to learn of the death of world-renowned auctioneer Clive Gardner recently.

Clive, who had previously been involved with many BSA sales, died on Monday night at the age of 71. He had remained active on the rostrum until shortly before his sad passing.

A popular face at many National Yearling Sales, he acquired international fame and recognition when a guest auctioneer at the Goffs Orby and November Sales between 1981 and 2012.

Among the many to pay tribute to Clive Gardner were Goffs’ Group’s Henry Beeby, who described the late auctioneer as a “wonderful friend and character.”

Bloodstock South Africa would like to send out condolences to Clive’s family and his numerous friends –he will be missed!

Neala, just short of a gallop when runner-up to Pata Pata according to Shame Humby, put her best forward in the Itsarush Pinnacle Stakes at Greyville yesterday. But it was a close-run thing as Captain’s Girl pressed her all the way to the line with the judges forced to resort to a photo to separate the pair.

Donovan Dillon rode a superb race on the winner, making almost all and hardly resorting to the stick as Captain’s Girl loomed alongside with Sherman Brown hard at work. Brown is a hard man to beat in a finish and Captain’s Girl appeared to head Neala a stride before the line. But one jump later she was a millimetre behind.

Louis Goosen has earmarked a Highveld feature for Captain’s Girl during their spring season and she will strip at her peak.

Favourite Kateecador, no slouch when it comes to speed, was seemingly outpaced in a race that was run in a tick under 57 seconds.

Neala (Left) & Captain’s Girl (Candiese Marnewick)

Anton Marcus is a past master on the Greyville poly track and is almost set in they way he rides it. Ping the gate, sit handy, swing to the outside off the turn and keep rolling as best he can.

Goosen had better luck in the card opener. The Ashburton-based trainer is wary of a deep draw on the poly, especially as regards front runners, but this did not faze Marcus. He hopped out Goosen’s grey Wendylle and made all the running to hold the heavily supported Opensea by a nearly two-length margin.

“I knew we would run well,” said Goosen. “But I was wary of all the money coming for the favourite, after all we were taking on a two-time winner – OK barrier trials – so I told Zane (Kirsten) to go softly.”

In the next, Marcus employed almost a carbon copy aboard Ultra Magnus as Brett Crawford’s colt kept finding extra to comfortably hold off the attentions of Global Exposure and the consistent Gordonstoun who finished a fourth successive third in as many outings. Favourite Walterthepeniless was a little one-paced, a short-head back in fourth and may be looking for further at this stage of his career.

Apprentice Khanya Sakayi is one of the most improved riders around and notched the 32^nd win of his career riding a particularly bold race aboard Craig Eudey’s outsider Kilvington in the fourth. He was up-side Marcus on the favourite Roy’s Novice turning for home and pressure his rival from the top of the straight with the younger filly responding well to Sakayi’s urgings.

Serino Moodley and Billy Jacobson were locked in a titanic struggle from a long way out as Spume and Zigi Zagi Zugi locked horns in the third. It was anybody’s call until the last few jumps as Spume got his nose in front for Frank Robinson.

Gunner, a Gr1 winner at the end of his two-year-old career, took two years to win another race and the fact that he was always hovering just behind the placed horses saw his handicap mark stuck in the late 70’s. “He was very precocious as a two-year-old and you have to be wary with those kinds of horses,” surmised Paul Gadsby. “I know he won a Group 1. He’s a good horse but he’s not a group horse but he’s come down in the merit ratings and is now competitive.”

Marchingontogether was all the rage for the fifth but the three-year-old was a little out of his ground turning for home and forced to barge his way through the traffic. Too late however, as Eric Ngwane had pulled the trigger early on Gunner.

O’Keeffe, only once beaten on the poly track and that by a short head, was back in the winner’s enclosure for the sixth. Helped by a strong gallop as Morne Winaar let Star Evolution stride freely up front, Gareth Wright was content to sit off the pace. Serino Moodley made an early move on the grey Kilmokea, hunting for his second win, but Wright was stalking patiently and let O’Keeffe loose at just the right moment, his mount quickening up nicely to win rather cosily.

Touched off earlier on Gareth van Zyl’s Zigi Zagi Zugi, Jacobson went one better for Van Zyl as Calvary was backed as if the result was already known in the last. And so it proved, as Jacobson hopped Calvary out in front and was never challenged, a timely win before Jacobson walks down the aisle on Saturday.

By Andrew Harrison