There were a handful of horses who caught the eye as ones to follow for the season at Turffontein on Saturday.

August is traditionally the quietest month of the racing season for top horses as they will usually be having a well deserved holiday after the SA Champions Season and it is also a good time to administer the compulsory African Horse Sickness vaccines.

However, the early signs are Sean Tarry has started this season the way he ended the last.

Robbie Sage

He and Robbie Sage scored a double.

Muzi Yeni rode a treble and his eight winners for the season by the end of the day’s play were one behind early national log leader Richard Fourie. Keagan de Melo and 2,5kg claimer Luke Ferraris both rode doubles to make it six and four for the season respectively.

Yeni’s second winner was aboard the well-bred Sage-trained Querari three-year-old Dewali. This R325,000 colt is out of the Mike de Kock-trained Kahal mare Festival Of Fire, who won the Grade 2 KRA Fillies Guineas as well as two Grade 3s over 1400m and 1450m respectively. In Saturday’s maiden for three-year-olds over 1160m Dewali’s odds of 11/10 were generous in retrospect as his three runs to date had all been in features and he had twice finished quite close to the classy Bold Eagle. He duly obliterated the field and won effortlessly by four lengths. He looks set to provide a lot of fun for deserving owner Colin Bird, who will be on a high as the Sage-trained Coral Fever gave him his first Grade 1 winner in 41 years of racing in last season’s lucrative Premier’s Champions Challenge.

In the next race over 1160m the well-bred Sean Tarry-trained In The Dance was easy to back at 10/3. This Gimmethegreenlight filly is a half-sister to the like of three-time Grade 1 winner Capetown Noir, Grade 3 winner Across The Ice and Graded performer Premier Dance. Cape Town Noir was known for his exceptional turn of foot and In The Dance showed she possessed this asset too. She was hampered at the start causing her to lose a couple of lengths. However she was soon travelling well on the outside. She was green when asked for her initial effort but quickened effortlessly when it counted and won easing up by 3,5 lengths under S’Manga Khumalo.

The runner up Rock A Roll Dancer is no slouch as she finished just 1,75 lengths behind Nafaayes over 1000m on debut and the latter followed up with another win over 1400m to remain unbeaten. In The Dance is owned and bred by Lammerskraal Stud. Her dam Akinfeet was named Broodmare Of The Year at the 2013 Equus Awards due to  Cape Town Noir’s feat of doing the Cape Guineas and Cape Derby double. Akinfeet is bred in the purple herself, being by SA Champion stallion Fort Wood out of the top class racehorse Dance Every Dance. The latter was by champion broodmare sire Northern Guest and she won the Grade 2 Golden Slipper and Grade 2 Cape Fillies Guineas. It is not surprising Lammerskraal Stud manager Sally Jourdan chose In The Dance as one of the fillies to keep for racing and breeding.

Dewali (JC Photographics)

Tarry then teamed up with the 2,5kg claimer Luke Ferraris to win a Pinnacle event over 1160m with the five-year-old Visionaire gelding Africa Rising, although another one to definitely take out of the race is the runner up Mardi Gras. Africa Rising, who won the Byerley Turk over 1400m at Greyville last year, has always been well regarded by Tarry but has been a touch disappointing. However, he has now won his last two sprint starts and could be interesting if kept to the shorter distances considering the current relative weakness of the sprinting division around the country.

In his previous sprint win over 1200m Africa Rising came from well off the pace and mowed them down so it was encouraging that he won on Saturday after showing good gatespeed and initially being in the lead as this did not blunt his good turn of foot at the end. On the downside he is merit rated 103 and was well in at the weights, especially when taking Farraris’s 2,5kg claim into account. He only just held off the Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained four-year-old Oratorio grey Mardi Gras. The latter, who would have been receiving 2kg more weight in a handicap, was having his first run after gelding and will come on considerably for the run as it was also his first appearance for more than three months. This Avontuur Stud-bred horse, formerly owned by Mayfair Speculators, is out of the Grade 1 Majorca Stakes winner Sarabande and is a half-brother to the like of stakes winners Chesalon and La Volta and also to the dam of his Graded-winning stablemate She’s A Giver. It is not surprising he fetched R3,2 million at the sales.

Ferraris’s other winner on the Var gelding Make Your Move was for his grandfather Ormond.

Luke had a good chance of scoring a double for Tarry as he was aboard the fancied Satin Slipper in the eighth. However, ultimately this horse was declared a non-runner after the handler impeded her start causing her to lose a couple of lengths. She ran on from last but faded late to finish sixth. Luckily for PA punters the favourite Abelie finished third and they can also thank their lucky stars Satin Slipper did not run on in to the fourth position as she would then not have been able to be declared a non-runner due to the laws of racing.

By David Thiselton

Yesterday’s race meeting at Scottsville started with an emphatic victory for the unshod Gareth van Zyl-trained Cavalry who looks to have a promising career ahead of him.

The three-year-old Querari gelding races without shoes as he tends to hit himself in stride and the shoes make the impact worse. He was bought for R225,000 and after two good outings in barrier trials and a fair fourth in the Sentinel Stakes over 1000m he was presented in fine shape yesterday and came home 3,75 lengths clear of the favourite Buckleberry.

Blaze Of Silk (Candies Marnewick)

Anton Marcus was aboard the latter and he made amends in the next when keeping the Sean Trained favourite Riptide going to hold on. Marcus had one of the most memorable months of July in his life this year despite riding with a damaged wrist and admitted in the winners enclosure yesterday his July/Gold Cup double and the fact he was now the only rider in history to have ridden five July winners had all not sunk in yet. However, the key to his popularity with punters, who fondly call him “Superman”, is he treats every race like the July and hence his consistently high strike rate, albeit on a selection of the best horses.

The 4kg claimer Khanya Sakayi scored a quick double when bringing home the Tony Rivalland-trained Reactive and the Paul Gadsby-trained Miss Varlicious in races four and five respectively. He later made it treble when scoring on the Lola Crawford-trained Silver Cent in the last.

Eric Ngwane also rode a quick double on the Corinne Bestel-trained Blaze Of Silk and the Kumaran Naidoo-trained Roy’s Magic respectively.

There was also a win early on the card for Brett Crawford and Sean Veale with Elegant Royal.
Highflying apprentice Luke Ferraris attained a bruised hip in the course of the meeting and although advised to go for x-rays appeared to be fine.

By David Thiselton

Last year’s Vodacom Durban July winner Marinaresco is doing well in Britain but apparently there are no firm plans to race him there.

Marsh Shirtliff, in whose famous colours the gelding runs, said on Saturday: “He is doing well in Newmarket and he is a happy horse there but we believe that he is not suited by the English conditions with the ground etc.

“Mike de Kock just might want to give him a run – I have discussed things with him but I am leaving it all to him – and the horse doesn’t take a lot of work.”

Shirtliff confirmed that the international meeting in Singapore and the rich Longines day in Hong Kong in December remain possible for the shopping list but added: “Marinaresco definitely goes to Dubai for the Carnival. We are looking forward to some fun with him and hopefully he can win something before World Cup night.”

By Michael Clower

Featured Image: Marinaresco

“They say horses can make fools of you and this one was a complete surprise,” declared Mike Robinson. “I told the owners she would need the run. She hadn’t shown much at home, she wasn’t tuned up at all and she is bred to get 2 000m.”

The Philippi trainer was speaking after the aptly-named Secret Depths had finished faster than anything under Brandon May to pay R107.10 (75-1 with the bookmakers) on debut in the TAB Telebet Maiden at Kenilworth on Saturday.

Greg Cheyne (Liesl King)

The Elusive Fort filly is one of several that breeder Peter de Beyer has put into partnerships rather than through the yearling sales whereas runner-up Water Spirit was the focus of much attention, having emerged from last year’s Cape Premier with a R2 million price tag on her head.

The Ridgemont filly may yet be worth it. She drifted from 15-10 to 61-20 and Anton Marcus was scrubbing away with over half the race still to run. But once she cottoned on what was required of her – reaching the furlong pole – she fairly flew and she was beaten only a neck.

“I was pleased – to get that close on debut was good,” said Brett Crawford. “Anton said she got lost early on. She needs to go round the turn but he wants to give her another run up the straight first so we will do that.”

Hot favourite Vomandla was a little disappointing in fifth but Andre Nel and Greg Cheyne had much more reason for satisfaction with Pleasedtomeetyou who won easily at the first time of asking in the opening maiden.

“He was carrying a bit of condition and I thought he was a gallop short,” admitted the trainer. “But he is a lovely colt and hopefully he will go on from here.”

Cheyne, who now goes overseas on holiday until the final Fairview meeting of the month, added: “He came out of the gates like lightning and that’s half the battle when there is a tailwind here.”

Justin Snaith was singing home town praises after he and Richard Fourie initiated a treble with hotpot Bunker Hunt to take their tally to nine from the three meetings this term.

“I’ve been around everywhere and there is no doubt that this is by far the best place in the country to raise and race a young horse. It has always been the breeding ground of champions,” declared the champion trainer.

But what about the height of summer when many complain that the ground is too firm? “Yes, it used to be like that but that’s not the case these days,” Snaith answered.

The surprise of the treble was 8-1 shot Angel’s Trumpet, the only filly in the Play Soccer 6 Pinnacle – “She really enjoys the soft but, when I told my brother I wanted to run her in this race, he said ‘You must be mad!’ I knew it was a risk but sometimes in life if you have to take risks if you want to gain.”

By Michael Clower

The Vineyard Hotel recently played host the 2017/2018 Cape Racing and Breeders Awards, where Snaith Racing, Gaynor Rupert’s Drakenstein Stud and Avontuur Stud dominated the awards.

Team Snaith Racing (Liesl King)

Justin Snaith was crowned Cape Trainer of the Year, while his charges Oh Susanna, Snowdance and Do It Again collected seven trophies between them. Oh Susanna, who was crowned Champion 3yr old Filly, Champion Middle Distance Horse and Horse of the Year, dominated the Cape Racing Awards. Her stable companion Snowdance collected the trophies for Champion Miler (Racing) and Champion 3yr Old Filly (Breeding), while Vodacom Durban July winner Do It Again was crowned Champion 3yr old Male (Racing) and Champion Middle Distance Horse (Breeding).

Snaith, who has had the year of his life, was also awarded the Exceptional Achievement Award for his victories in the Gr 1 Sun Met, where Oh Susanna became the first 3yr old filly to win in over a hundred years and the Gr 1 Vodacom Durban July, where he trained the first three home.  He also won seven Grade 1 races during the season.

Snaith graciously thanked his team for their immense effort during the year, commenting that “to be a great trainer you need a good team – and I have a great team”. Never one to rest on his laurels, Snaith concluded by pointing out that Snaith Racing is here for the long haul and that he cannot wait to see what the new season will bring. Head Groom Jabu Mdludlu, speaking on behalf of team Snaith Racing concurred: “It is not easy to win, so we work hard to make sure the boss is on the right track!”

Gaynor Rupert’s Drakenstein Stud, owner and breeder of the outstanding Oh Susanna and part owner of Snowdance, was crowned Champion Owner, while the award for Champion Breeder went to Klawervlei Stud.  Avontuur Stud also walked away with a number of trophies, courtesy of Attenborough being crowned Champion Sprinter in both the Racing and Breeding categories, while the Avontuur-bred Legal Eagle was awarded Champion Older Male and Horse of the Year by the Cape Breeders.

Cape Racing Awards

Champion Juvenile Male – One World
Champion Juvenile Filly – Temple Grafin
Champion 3yr Old Male – Do It Again
Champion 3yr Old Filly – Oh Susanna
Champion Older Male – Captain America
Champion Older Female – The Secret Is Out
Champion Sprinter – Attenborough
Champion Miler – Snowdance
Champion Middle Distance – Oh Susanna
Champion Stayer – It’s My Turn
WP Grooms’ School Workrider of the Year – Andile Ndlebe
Cape Apprentice of the Year – Sandile Mbhele
Cape Jockey of the Year – Aldo Domeyer
Cape Trainer of the Year – Justin Snaith
Exceptional Achievement Award – Snaith Racing
Horse of the Year – Oh Susanna
Owner of the Year – Drakenstein Stud (nom: Mrs. G A Rupert)

Cape Breeders Awards
Champion 2yr Old Colt – Barahin (Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein)
Champion 2yr Old Filly – Return Flight (Mike Sharkey)
Champion 3yr Old Colt – Undercover Agent (Moutonshoek Stud)
Champion 3yr Old Filly – Snowdance (Cheveley Stud)
Champion Older Male – Legal Eagle (Avontuur Stud)
Champion Older Female – Nother Russia (Wilgerbosdrift Stud)
Champion Sprinter – Attenborough (Pippa Mickleburgh)
Champion Middle Distance – Do It Again (Northfields Stud)
Champion Stayer – It’s My Turn (Mr. WJ Engelbrecht)
Broodmare of the Year – Strawberry Lane (Lammerskraal Stud)
Stallion of the Year – Silvano (Maine Chance Farms)
Outstanding New Stallion – Pomodoro (Klawervlei Stud)
Champion Breeder – Klawervlei Stud
Outstanding Breeder – Northfields Stud
International Horse of the Year – Janoobi (Maine Chance Farms)
Horse of the Year – Legal Eagle (Avontuur Stud)

By Liesl King

Turffontein Standside stages a low key meeting tomorrow although there are some useful horses taking part.

The Pick 6 banker looks to be Deerupt in the sixth race, a Maiden for three-year-old fillies over 1450m. This Australian-bred filly by Snitzel ran on well from the back in the Devon Air Stakes over 1400m at Greyville last time and was just 2,75 lengths behind the well regarded Firdoas and two lengths behind Mazari, who went on to finish second in the Grade 2 Golden Slipper. Huddle could get close to Deerupt on a line through On The Double, but she disappointed last time and Deerupt looks to be more progressive. The one the risk averse could include is Choir Singer, as she looks to have scope and the Lucky Houdalakis yard bring them on slowly but surely.

Lucky Houdalakis

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1160m the well-bred first-timer In The Dance is the selection. This Gimmethegreenlight filly would not have to be as good as her half-brother Capetown Noir to beat this field. Rock A Roll Dancer looks to be the best of those to have run as the form of her second to Nafaayes over 1000m was franked when the latter won next time out. Miss Pinkerton will improve on her fair debut and now has the valuable 2,5kg claim of Luke Ferraris to help her cause. Rock Sensation has the form to be in with a shout and Chouette and Greener Pastures make most appeal of the other first-timers.

The first leg of the Jackpot is the highest class race of the day, a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1160m. The last time Africa Rising returned from a layoff he mowed down a good field over 1200m at the Vaal carrying 61kg and he now carries 60kg minus the 2,5kg claim of Ferraris. Mardi Gras returns from a layoff and gelding but this talented sort will also be finishing strongly and is a horse to follow this season. Arabian Beat must be included as he will be fit from his run on July 1 and can hardly be separated from Mardi Gras on their last meeting. Those three are selected to get punters through the exotics although the risk averse should consider including the whole field.

Race seven should be fought out by Chipofftheoldblok, Vartanium and Make Your Move. The joker in the pack is Maroon Bells and Indy Ice makes most appeal of the first-timers.

In race eight over 1600m Satin Slipper wasn’t given a hard time on debut over this course and distance and should come on a lot from the run so is a banker consideration with Ferraris up. Abelie is the form danger and Irish Wonder Girl is the one who can surprise as she will relish this step up in trip. Awayinthewoods, Oona and A Little Luck warrant consideration too.

The last race over 1600 should be fought out by Roll Of Drums, Fort Carol and Stars and Bars, who will all be improving.

By David Thiselton

Anton Marcus will be the focus of much punter attention at Kenilworth tomorrow when he jets in for only one ride, newcomer Water Spirit in the TAB Telebet Maiden.

The four-time champion has been on the crest of a wave since his return from a broken wrist and, in addition to that inspired ride in the July, he has won on half his 12 mounts this season. Indeed he had a 22% strike rate at Kenilworth last term when punters found his trademark Cape Town ride – fast away and going to the front much further out than the local jockeys  – particularly rewarding.

Anton Marcus

True, the Markus Jooste days are no more but Ridgemont (his latest retainer) also have some cracking good horses and the bookmakers had no hesitation in opening Water Spirit as a favourite. This Jackson filly is out of a half-sister to SA Classic winner Divine Jury and was sold by Highlands under the name of Mermaid’s Delight at the Cape Premier Yearling Sale in January last year shortly after Wayne Kieswetter had purchased the stud. She was knocked down to Brett Crawford for a cool R2 million.

She is obviously smart and expected to run a big race – Marcus would hardly be coming down to ride her if this was just a quiet introductory run – and Crawford commented yesterday: “I won’t say I expect her to win but I think she can be competitive. She is doing very well at home and has put up some good work. She is looking for more ground but she won’t need the run from a fitness point of view – it’s more how she breaks and whether she is green.”

But this is a strong maiden and she may not beat Vomandla.  The Andre Nel filly finished fast on debut and failed by only a short head to catch Durty Nelly with Juniper Spring (fifth in the Fillies Nursery) franking the form in third. She promptly went into the Winning Ways notebook with James Goodman predicting: “She should absolutely doddle it next time.”

Greg Cheyne’s mount is 3-1 second favourite with World Sports Betting which has the Snaith runner Fortune Flies on 7-2, Joey Ramsden’s six-month absent Au Revoir at 5-1 and the Vaughan Marshall contender Fluttering on 11-2.

Winning Ways also tipped Bunker Hunt as one to follow and Richard Fourie’s mount is 6-10 for the Tabonline Maiden. He should win but he is no certainty as he was ridden right to the line on debut and may not improve as much as most horses having their second run.

All The Sevens, good enough to run in the Langerman, can make his experience tell in the first while Tevez may recoup last time’s losses in the Pinnacle.

* Michael Clower is on a roll. His selections at the last six Cape Town meetings are showing a profit of R232.60 to a R10 level stake and seven of his last ten tips have won.

By Michael Clower

Backing newly turned three-year-olds against older horses, especially in fixed weight races, at this time of the year can be dangerous. Unless the younger horse is way better than the opposition, it’s likely to get beaten and leave many a puzzled punter who has taken the form at face value.

It is by no means a hard and fast rule but definitely one to consider when working out your bets.

A possible example could come in the first at Scottsville on Sunday where some promising three-year-olds take on a few older horses with some useful recent form.

The WFA scale, the bible of handicappers, says that three-year-olds in August should be in receipt of 7kg from their older rivals in races over 1000m to 1200m. In South Africa three-year-olds only get 2kg relief in Maiden Plates and therein lies the rub.

Brighteyebushytail (Candiese Marnewick)

Horses like Buckleberry and Cavalry have yet to be assigned a merit rating as they have not yet had three races so one needs to work out whether they are 5kg better than their older rivals. Buckleberry has been narrowly beaten in his two starts and with Anton Marcus aboard, Paul Lafferty’s colt is likely to start close to the top of bookmaker’s boards. Cavalry has shown up well in two barrier trials and was not disgraced against winners when making his debut in a small feature.

According to many trainers, our handicappers tend to over-rate maiden winners, dishing out unrealistically high merit ratings, and victory for either of the two mentioned could see them rated in the 80’s.

Pantsula and Leslies Pathtofame have both been knocking on the door and Pantsula especially is a distance specialist with consistent form. Gavin van Zyl is a dab hand in Scottsville sprints and Pantsula could prove more than a match for his younger rivals given these weights.

We have a similar scenario in the second and here it’s a case of whether you rely on the handicapper’s assessment and back Riptide or go with the older runners headed by the best performed Fleek. Louis Goosen’s runner is lightly raced with some patchy form but has turned in some useful performances including a close-up second over 1000m on the poly last time out. Her pedigree suggests that she should prefer Sunday’s trip. She should also be helped in her quest with hot apprentice Luke Ferraris giving her 2.5kg relief from the saddle.

The year younger Riptide, who was a beaten favourite over a mile last time out, is rated 1.5kg better than Fleek and has Marcus in the irons. I’m A Var and Under The Rose must have claims and Star In The Sky, a close-up third on debut, could spoil the argument as she has an exceptional pedigree and should be at home over this trip.

Marcus has picked a lot of low hanging fruit for Sunday and could well go into the opening leg of the Pick 6 with two winners to his credit. He has another plum ride in Prince Charming for Greg and Karen Anthony in the opening leg of the Pick 6. Prince Charming has come on from every run and could have the measure of the younger White Lightning who has pulled a bum draw.

The highly rated Brighteyebushytail has had more problems than the Guptas but can get back to form in the fourth. He was not asked for much when returning from a seven-month break and although this 1600m may still be on the sharp side he could have too much class if finding his best form.

By Andrew Harrison

Adam Marcus has decided to keep stable star Brave Move in light work over the next quiet couple of months rather than send her off to a farm for a complete rest.

He said: “I am in a catch-22 situation. I have got to give her a break but she is so well she could run. I just wish I could fast-forward time.

“She has pulled up so well since her last win and I think she is still on the up. Indeed every time Aldo Domeyer rides her he says that she has got better.”

The five-year-old has won all her last six starts, including the Ladies Mile and the Final Fling Stakes, going up in the ratings from 74 to 107. Her objectives include the Paddock and the Majorca Stakes.

By Michael Clower

The Turffontein Inside track stages a typically competitive August nine race meeting although the purists can look forward to a couple of good horses turning out, including Lord Silverio, who looks to be on the way to the top.

This four-year-old grey has a lovely big action and being a Silvano colt will be improving all the time. Sean Tarry will be wanting to qualify him for the big summer features so will be keen to get his merit rating, which is currently a relatively lowly 86, up to a good mark. This looks to be another step up the ladder for this quality R1,1 million colt.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 Stormbourne Thunder went close in his penultimate start over this course and distance and is drawn in pole. The top 2,5kg claimer Luke Ferraris looks to have some good rides on the day and this is one of them. However, this horse did disappoint last time so the pair Lana Turner and Lalia can be included in exotics as they have scope for improvement.

Lord Silverio (JC Photographics)

In the next leg Barbie Doll is rated as the value bet of the day as she has run well in her last two starts over 1700m and 1600m respectively and she will relish the step up to 2000m. The only concern is her wide draw. She did overcome a wide draw in her last win, over 1800m on the Vaal Inside, but that track has a straight which is a lot longer than this one. Pretty Ballerina went close over this trip at the Vaal last time and now has the advantage of the 2,5kg claim of Ferraris so should go close from a good draw of five. Spring Poetry has been dropped to a competitive mark and could also be in the mix. Noceur has always struck as a nice type and is difficult to ignore despite a tough draw and having a hard task with Pretty Ballerina at the weights. The latter beat her by 1,4 lengths last time and if apprentice claims are included is 2kg better off. Animal Lover will relish the step back to this trip and is another once who has to be considered from a plum draw of two.

In the sixth race over 1600m Shogun is ideally distance suited and not only has pole position but also has Ferraris with his valuable claim up. He is the one to beat. Puget Sound has some eyecatching form over this trip including close up finishes to the like of Yakeen and Royal Crusade. He does have to overcome a three point raise for his win last win over 2000m but could be up to it. D’Arrivee is a big scopey sort and perhaps didn’t stay 1800m last time when moving up and finishing no extra. However, he was beaten by a highly promising horse in Lord Silverio and could also enjoy the step down in trip, so should be given another chance.

In the seventh over 1450m Tammany Hall gets a chance to show how good she is. She looked to be promising early in her career and has not quite lived up to expectations but now being a four-year-old by Await The Dawn she should start coming into her own. She is drawn in pole with Ferraris up so can take full advantage over this ideal trip. Saragon is also a classy sort and the only thing against her is a wide draw of eight and it will also be difficult to beat Tammany Hall due to Ferraris’s claim. However, this Ideal World filly has shown a lot of promise and will also be coming into her own. Strawberry Pavlova is difficult to ignore due to her good comeback run over this course and distance, where she won going away, and she has only been given a two point raise.

The next race is difficult but young Ferraris is aboard a four-year-old Silvano filly Amanika who will be improving so can build on her last two good runs. However, she has a tough draw of eight. Pearl Of Bahrain has shown promise in the past and can do better than recently as the merit rating has come down, the blinkers are off and he is drawn in pole. Gimme Hope Johanna is a progressive sort who has to be included. Waity Katie also can’t be ignored as she has ability and give of her best. Kirconnel Lass can be included in wider permutations.

In the last leg the front runner Beautiful Shay has everything in her favour. She is in fair form, has come down to an attractive merit rating and is course and distance suited. However, it is a competitive fillies and mares handicap and as many as possible must be included.

By David Thiselton