Turffontein Standside stages an eight race meeting on Sunday and there look to be some fair opportunities for punters.

In the first race over 1600m Chitengo was doing her best work late over 1450m last time and is now drawn in pole over a step up in trip she will relish. As a maiden she will be receiving 3kg from the main danger I Like It, so should get punters off to a good start.

Soqrat (JC Photographics)

In the second race over 1600m Mogok gelding Master Magic has some substance and plenty of scope for improvement. He was stubborn loading and still green in the running over this trip last time but was doing his best work late. He does have a tricky draw now but has a 2,5kg claimer up and if it pans out well for him he will go close. Affranchi led last time when beaten 5,25 lengths by the top class Soqrat over 1400m. Being by Elusive Fort out of a mare who has produced an 1800m winner he should enjoy the step up in trip so can be effective from the front this time and is the main danger.

In the third race over 1160m Causeway Cruiser hasn’t been seen out since his debut on Summer Cup day but the form of his fourth place there after a slow start has worked out well and he is the one to beat, considering none of the first-timers make much appeal on pedigree. Two-year-old Chijmes made a pleasing debut over course and distance and was green so can improve. Billy The Kid found some support on debut over 1400m but over raced before fading, so he will relish the step down in trip. Arrows Of Desire faced a stronger field on debut and can improve. The Mackem Slayer by Horse Chestnut is a half-brother to Grade 1 SA Fillies Classic third-placed She’s A Dragon (Jay Peg) and can improve after being green on debut.

In the fourth race over 1160m Twelve Oaks takes a drop in class and has been given another four point drop by the handicap so she should be ready to go close again. Maple Syrup has also been given a four point drop and has blinkers on over a drop in trip, while Inyanga should be right there too over a course and distance she enjoys,

In the fifth the up and coming Rebel’s Champ will be hard to beat at the weights and returning from layoffs Tar Heel and Mawsoof are selected to be the chief threats.

In the sixth over 1400m Infamous Fox’s hattrick of victories over 1600m have good form around them and he can continue on winning ways from a good draw over a trip he should also enjoy. Purple Diamond is ideally suited to this trip and on the weight turnaround with Infamous Fox has a good chance. Shukamisa is a typically improving son of Silvano so must also be included.

In the seventh over 1600m Make Me Happy is beginning to fulfil her potential and can follow up on her recent win. Hafla beat her last time they met over this trip and they face on the same terms but the latter has a worse draw.

In the eighth over 2850m Fortune Fella is in fine form and can fight it out with Brand New Cadillac and Tapanzee.

By David Thiselton

The remarkable Brave Move can make it six in a row in the Final Fling Stakes at Kenilworth tomorrow.

The four-year-old’s winning run has been one of the stories of the season – albeit one of the least highlighted – yet she has climbed in the ratings from 74 to 105, each time scoring with something in hand.

Justin Snaith

“She showed us a lot of ability from very early on and she has got just got better and better, mentally as well as physically,” Adam Marcus recalls. “Having won so many times, she goes into her races with so much confidence and she came through her win in the Ladies Mile very well. She had her head in the manger the next morning and since then she has freshened up nicely.”

But this is her toughest task yet. She has to give Fresnaye a kilo and a half and yet the Joey Ramsden charge – good enough to take third in the Fillies Guineas and the Paddock Stakes – is rated a kilo better than her.  Can she do it?

“I think she can,” says Marcus. “Fresnaye is obviously an exceptionally talented filly and the weights are not in our favour but Brave Move has matured quite a lot and she is doing exceptionally well.”

Brave Move is still favourite at 11-10 with World Sports Betting and Fresnaye is second in the market at 22-10 with the statistics more in her favour – there has only been one winning favourite in the last five years.

Ramsden, curiously, has not won this race in any of the last 17 runnings but he also fields a formidable second string in 5-1 shot Dynasty’s Blossom who ran Fresnaye to a neck in the Winter Oaks over 400m further 13 days ago. She is a kilo worse here.

Justin Snaith has won three of the last five Final Flings but it is hard to enthuse about either Konkola or Red Ginger. Both are in double figures.

Lady Of The House looks a much more potent threat even though she is as big as 10-1 and has to give away lumps of weight all round.

The Woolavington winner was due to come under the hammer at Durbanville yesterday but there was a lot to like about the way she returned from a seven-month absence to run on into third in the Ladies Mile. It maybe her second run after a rest but she is a class act.

Call To Account, beaten only by Brave Move in the Ladies Mile, has smart form over 1 200m and stands out in the Champagne Stakes.

By Michael Clower

Motor racing and horse racing may be poles apart as far as the participants are concerned but it will be a ‘Day of Thunder’ at Greyville tomorrow with probably the finest day’s thoroughbred racing on the national calendar.

Made To Conquer (Candiese Marnewick)

Ironically the eLan Gold Cup has been steadily down-graded to it’s current status of Gr3 but that has not detracted from it’s status as the most prized staying race on the calendar and this year has attracted a high class field headed by Vodacom Durban July runner-up, Made To Conquer who heads the weights.

Made To Conquer picked up a six-point penalty for his July efforts and will carry top weight of 60kg while in contrast, Gold Vase winner It’s My Turn, possibly a little unlucky not to have cracked an invite to run in the VDJ, was given a two-point relief by the handicappers after his convincing victory and is in receipt of 0.5kg.

It’s My Turn’s Gold Vase win over 3000m is proof that he stays the trip which is a big mark in his favour. Made To Conquer on the other hand is untried over the trip although he has smart staying form up to 2500m. Made To Conquer carried Jeff Lloyd to his best ever finish in the VDJ and the seasoned rider was of the opinion that his mount was a dower stayer and that the Gold Cup would be right up his alley.

Two others that will have their supporters are last year’s winner Hermoso Mundo and Strathdon. Weiho Marwing is an astute trainer of stayers and Hermoso Mundo has only had four outings this term. After a failed crack at the Summer Cup, the gelding was rested for some six months and has put in two promising comeback runs. However, he has 3kg more to shoulder this year and arguably meets a much stronger field.

Strathdon ran an indifferent race in the July consolation behind Head Honcho but did jump from the widest draw.

Prior to that he ran Made To Conquer to a neck in the 2400m Lonsdale Stirrup Cup, giving the winner 2kg. Grant van Niekerk earned a 10-day suspension for leaning on his rival for much of the way up the straight that day but there is a 4kg turn around in the weights and Strathdon should stay the extended trip which will make him many a punter’s first choice.

It’s My Turn (Liesl King)

Last year’s winner and runner-up in the Gr1 Champions Cup, Sail South and Captain America respectively will do battle again. Couple them with Rising Sun Gold Challenge winner, Undercover Agent, Investec Cape Derby winner Eyes Wide Open, Cape Guineas winner Tap O’ Noth, Perovskia, Crowd Pleaser and Heavenly Blue on the comeback trail, victory will be hard-earned. However, Derby winner Eyes Wide Open has had an easy build-up and caught the eye when rattling home in the Thukela Handicap on July day and looks primed for this event.

The Gr1 Mercury Sprint has been moved from a standalone meeting to the Super Saturday undercard and again an Equus award could be on the line with some top sprinters in the line-up.

Victory for Pinnacle Peak, second in both the Gr1 Computaform Sprint and the Gr1 Tsogo Sun Sprint, could well earn national honours for Dorrie Sham’s gelding

With only two Grade One races each for Juvenile males and fillies, the Premier’s Champion Juvenile Stakes and the Thekwini Stakes for fillies are of premium importance.

Soqrat fought a titanic duel against stable companion Barahin in the finish of the Gr2 Golden Horseshoe on July day, touched off in a photo finish. He has the best of the draw and a win will be of paramount importance for Mike de Kock’s colt. De Kock saddles another Australian-bred in Alyaasaat and another one-two is on the cards.

The absence of Gr2 Golden Slipper winner Celtic Sea has detracted a little from the Thekwini Stakes line-up and with Gr1 Allan Robertson winner Mighty High also a non-starter the door is open, but just who will be first home it is anyone’s guess.

By Andrew Harrison

South African Equine Health and Protocols (SAEHP), led by Adrian Todd, was charged with spearheading the equine industries efforts to implement long term sustainable export protocols in 2017. The equine industry has suffered due to onerous export requirements and SAEHP has been working hard in conjunction with the South African Dept. of Agriculture (DAFF) to improve exports for horses.  South Africa has been unable to export directly to most countries and horses currently have to embark on an arduous journey that takes a minimum of three months via Mauritius to reach Europe.

SAEHP and DAFF have made great strides towards resolving the issues and the onerous export requirements. Improvements in disease control and reporting have been made at home, and scientific advancements coupled with international lobbying and awareness campaigns are starting to show results.

“We are now in the audit process. RSA DAFF has officially communicated with the EU with an update on the implementation of recommendations from the 2013 audit. Furthermore there have been no cases of AHS within the control zone for a period of two years”, said Todd

“A new EU Commission Implementing Regulation has recently been published in the official journal of the EU. The existing protocol requires 40 days of quarantine in the free zone.  Once direct trade between South Africa and the EU resumes, direct export to the EU will require either 40 days quarantine in a vector protected quarantine station or 14 days in a vector proof (lockdown) quarantine station. This is keeping in line with the OIE recommendations and the risk assessment study and is a major achievement towards our goal. We are confident of the improvements that have been made and our efforts are ongoing”, he added.

Todd concluded by confirming that the intention is for horses to be exported directly to the EU in 2019.

By Liesl King

Featured Image: Adrian Todd (hamishNIVENPhotography)

The Grade 3 eLan Gold Cup is always a thrilling race to watch and is the highlight of the purists’ favourite SA Champions Season meeting, Super Saturday.

Made To Conquer will be attempting to be the first horse for 27 years to carry topweight to victory but he is up to it as he has a perfect racing temperament and plenty of class. He will stay the trip on pedigree being by Dynasty out of SA Oaks winner Festive Occasion. His rider Piere Strydom need no introduction, although he has only won the Gold Cup once.

It’s My Turn, also by Dynasty, showed in the Gold Vase when running on strongly that staying is what he has always been looking for and he has come down two points in the merit ratings. Anton Marcus’s only win in this race was 27 years ago on topweight Icona but he knows It’s My Turn well.

Made To Conquer (Candiese Marnewick)

Let It Rain was unable to get to the front in the Gold Vase from pole position and had to sit one wide. If he finds the lead, or the rail behind a good pace, he will be a runner as he likes to stride out and stays well.

Hermoso Mundo defends his title, although he has to lug 3kg more than last year and has a tougher draw. However, he has his third run after a long layoff and comes in relatively fresh so has a fine chance.

Witchcraft is talented and on a line through Flichity By Farr has a fine chance on paper against the like of It’s My Turn. She has a big weight for a mare and appears to be at her best at Scottsville, but if she has a confident air about her before the start, like she did before her T&B Oaks win at Scottsville, she will likely run accordingly.

Strathdon disappointed in the Betting World 2200 on July day but that was partly due to him fighting during the attempt to drop him out from a wide draw. This time he is well drawn so there is unlikely to be a repeat and he is 3,5kg better off with Made To Conquer for a neck beating in the Lonsdale over 2400m at Greyville so is a huge runner.

Dark Moon Rising was well beaten in the VDJ but the muddling pace was against him. He has struck both his trainer and a couple of top jockeys as a stayer and could well relish this trip and is well drawn.

Wild Wicket is capable of a strong finish if left alone in the running and his draw of two will allow him to be ridden like that. His second dam produced a Gold Bowl winner and his sire Dynasty produced a Gold Cup winner and his damsire Jallad produced two Gold Cup winners, so he has the pedigree and is a dark horse.

Kitty’s Destiny has a wide draw and looks held by Let It Rain and Hermoso Mundo, although not by far and on Gold Bowl evidence he will be handy and staying on.

One Man Show had every chance in the Gold Vase but after quickening well was beaten 1,6 lengths by It’s My Turn and is now 0,5kg worse off. However, he now has his third run after a layoff.

Dark Moon Rising (Candiese Marnewick)

Desert Wisdom is 3,5kg worse off than he would be if this was a normal handicap and he faces stronger than he has been in Port Elizabeth. The same can be said of Frikkie, who is 5kg worse off than he would be in a normal handicap.

One Direction stayed on well in the Gold Vase after going handy and has a chance as he is 1kg better off with It’s My Turn for a 1,55 length beating and is now drawn in pole.

Royal Utopia is 6kg better off with Witchcraft for a 4,5 length beating in the T&B Oaks and being by Ideal World out of a Fort Wood dual Grade 3 winner over 1800m she looks to have the class and the stamina in her pedigree. She does have a tough draw though.

The only three-year-old, Ballymaine would officially be 8,5kg under sufferance if this was a normal handicap. However, he is 4,5kg better off with It’s My Turn for a 3,25 length beating in the T&B Derby. If weight for age changes are included he is actually 5,5kg better off. That puts them together on paper. Furthermore, Ballymaine looks to be an out and out stayer who will relish the step up to 3200m. In his last start, an excellent preparation run over 1950m at Scottsville, he produced a good finish from off the pace.

Sheet Weaver is 2kg worse off with It’s My Turn from the Gold Vase despite being beaten 1,3 lengths, so has a tough task. However, he ran all the way to the line from a handy position and could earn.

It is an interesting race but Justin Snaith could make history by doing both the July and the Gold Cup trifecta as Made To Conquer, One Direction and Strathdon are selected to run one-two-three. It’s My Turn and Hermoso Mundo should also be included in the Pick and Jackpot. However, for back end of trifectas and quartets Ballymaine, Let It Rain, Dark Moon Rising, Wild Wicket, One Man Show, Witchcraft and Royal Utopia cab be considered in that order.

By David Thiselton

Four-time champion Anton Marcus, for so long first jockey to Markus Jooste and his Mayfair Speculators team, will be retained by Ridgemont from the start of next season. The expanding operation already retains Greg Cheyne whose contract will be continued.

Ridgemont’s Craig Kieswetter, still best known for his cricketing prowess- he was a member of England’s T20 team until injury ended his career, said: “Bringing Anton on board is another step in the right direction. We have an exciting crop of young horses entering the training yards and having both Anton and Greg on our team provides us with invaluable experience and expertise.”

By Michael Clower

Featured Image: Anton Marcus (Liesl King)

The prolific-scoring Brave Move warmed up for her showdown with Fresnaye in the Final Fling Stakes at Kenilworth on Saturday with an impressive piece of work yesterday.

Adam Marcus said: “It was her final work before the race. She went beautifully and I couldn’t be happier with her.”

Aldo Domeyer’s mount has been installed 11-10 favourite with World Sports Betting which has Fresnaye on 22-10. The latter’s stable companion Dynasty’s Blossom is on 5-1 and it’s 10-1 and upwards others.

By Michael Clower

Scottsville is a happy hunting ground for Summerveld-based Mark Dixon and he went home a contented man after scoring a treble that could so easily have been a four-timer yesterday.

Galaxy Tunes upset in the card opener as the gelding fought out a tight finish with stable companion and long-time leader Peacock Alley with short-priced favourite Kingdom Come a disappointing fourth.

Kingdom Come was reported to have got his tongue over the bit so he is sure to make amends.

Galaxy Tunes (Candiese Marnewick)

Galaxy Tunes was bred by Nothemba Nlonzi who has a fledgling stud outside of Howick in the KZN Midlands and is slowly gathering a band of choice bred mares.

Dixon missed out on a quick double as the Belinda Impey-trained Swift Move out-gunned Asiana in the second, but a more satisfying win came in the fourth were the ever-game Isingamoya out-pointed a tough Pinnacle Stakes field, scraping home ahead of Anneline and an ever game Lunar Rush.

Unbeaten since being tried in blinkers, this was the mare’s eighth win. “She’s bloody game,” said Dixon while singing the praises of jockey Brandon Lerena. “He really gets behind them,” he said. “I don’t know why more people don’t use him.”

Dixon rounded off a fine afternoon’s work as Admiral’s Guest got the better of Captain Courteous in the seventh.

In a sport where all are quick to criticise without first confirming the facts, it was heartening to see the jockeys come to the party after a ‘sink-hole’ was fortunately discovered at around the 1500m mark before the first race.

Peacock Alley stepped into the hole while circling behind the gate and Brandon Lerena reported it to the relevant authorities.

After an inspection by jockey representative Warren Kennedy, the area was cordoned off and the meeting continued without further incident.

Initial inspection of the area indicated termites having attacked the grass root system but the track will be thoroughly inspected before the next meeting.

By Andrew Harrison

The Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Stakes over 1600m represents a chance for a banker in the Pick 6 at Saturday’s big Gold Cup meeting as it all points to Soqrat.

The Australian-bred colt has a big reputation and ran on well for a narrow second in a strong Grade 1 Golden Horseshoe field over 1400m. He is now drawn in pole and is odds on favourite in the ante-post market. On the close up pedigree there must be a stamina doubt as his sire Epaulette won two Group 1s and a Group 3 over 1400m and his dam by Hussonet was kept to sprints and won one over 1000m and one over 1200m. However, Epaulette did finish third in a Group 1 in his only attempt at a mile and Soqrat’s dam is a three-quarters sister to a Group 2 winner over 1500m. Soqrat certainly ran all the way to the line in the Golden Horseshoe and has a nice length of stride and also appears to have a good temperament.

Soqrat (JC Photographics)

Stablemate Alyaasaat is of the progressive sort Mike de Kock excels with and having thrashed a field of moderate older maidens last time he will enjoy this step up in trip, but does have a tricky draw.

Cirillo showed a good turn of foot at Turffontein Standside over 1400m on July day and won comfortably. His dam was a maiden by sprinter Lake Conistion, but his sire, the July winner Pomodoro, should provide him with the necessary stamina. He relaxes well in the running but his draw of ten is tricky.

Twist Of Fate, an impressive specimen by Master Of My Fate, showed a fine turn of foot in the Somerset Stakes over 1200m at Kenilworth in early May, He did the same in the Grade 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion at Scottsville but his effort then petered out and he was not persevered with. His dam by Counteraction won a Listed race over this trip so he should stay and he has a nice middle draw of seven.

Crown Guardian also showed a good turn of foot from behind in the Somerset but was beaten 3,2 lengths by Twist Of Fate, despite receiving 2kg. However, he then stayed on well in the Golden Horseshoe after being held up from a wide draw and, finishing fourth, was only four lengths behind Soqrat. He now has a good draw of five and this Gimmethegreenlight colt will enjoy the step up in trip.

Master Thief by Just As Well won his maiden well from the front over this trip at Scottsville and with Strydom up from a draw of six can’t be discounted as that was a fair field he beat and the time was good.

Confessional plugged on gamely in the Golden Horeshoe but was beaten eight lengths by Soqrat and four lengths by Crown Guardian.

Bold Eagle needed his last run over 1400m when beaten 5,9 lengths by Cirillo over 1400m. He was giving the latter 4kg and on pedigree will relish this step up in trip. However, he has a tough draw to overcome and Cirillo did win that last race with ease.

Checkpoint Charlie by Brave Tin Soldier is an impressive specimen and won very well over 1400m on the poly. He showed speed that day, not surprisingly as he is out of a Grade 3-winning sprinter by Muhtafal. However, he is a half-brother to a horse who won twice over this trip so he could go to the front from a wide draw and is one of the dark horses.

Cyber Special was beaten 4,2 lengths by Soqrat over 1400m last time. He has a tough task here as Soqrat toyed with them that day.

Play Another Tune and Ovation Award have tough tasks on formlines, considering how easily the subsequent Golden Horseshoe winner Barahin won the Gatecrasher Stakes.

Whitehaven wore down the opposition to win over 1200m last time and should stay the trip. On 1200m form he is alongside Alyaasaat but the latter looks to have more scope for improvement.

The more one looks at this race the more Soqrat stands out as top class and he is going to be hard to beat. Cirillo, Crown Guardian and Alyaasaat should be thereabouts and the dark horse is Checkpoint Charlie.

By David Thiselton

Unbeaten since Mark Dixon decided on blinkers, Isingamoya returns to what is arguably her best course and distance when she lines up in the Pinnacle Stakes at Scottsville today.

The mare will be bidding for the eight victory of her career, five of which have been over course and distance and under the conditions of the race, is fairly favourably weighted.

She shows tremendous pace and plenty of intestinal fortitude as she displayed when holding off the attentions of Kiteecador on the Greyville poly last time out.

She appears much better suited to the turf track and Scottsville in particular and although she faces some seriously talent opposition, she has a lot in her favour.

Lunar Rush

The dangers are many but Lunar Rush, Too Phat To Fly and Statute look the most likely threats.

Lunar Rush has done her connections proud as victory today will see her earnings breech the R1 million mark. She is just below top class as her recent form suggests but Duncan Howells has been astute in picking her races and although she will shoulder top weight, her last win came at the expense of Isingamoya back in September last year.

Young apprentice Luke Ferraris has got his fledgling career off to a flying start and came within one race of riding the jackpot at Turffontein last Saturday. He partners Too Phat Too Fly for Glen Kotzen but will only be allowed to claim 2.5kg.

She was running on strongly in the recent Post Merchants, finishing three lengths off the winner Sniper Shot who is one of the fancied runners in Saturday’s Gr1 Mercury Sprint.

The lightly raced Statute has had a bit of and in-and-out career so far but she has twice won convincingly over course and distance. She is obviously talented and looks to be over her preferred course and distance.

Ferraris will be aboard Cumulus in the opening leg of the Pick 6 and Nathan Kotzen’s charge should make a bod bid. The gelding has yet to run a bad race and was just in need of his last outing when two lengths back to Unbelievable Lad. The latter is again in opposition but is now 2.5kg worse off at the weights, taking the apprentice allowance into consideration.

A bigger threat could be Amazon King who was a neck behind Unbelievable Lad in the same race and appears to have found his better form in blinkers.

Silvan Saint is due a change of luck in the fifth after finishing close-up in his last two outings where he started favourite. He has a plum draw and is taken to get home ahead of the giant Haddington and the temperamental filly High Altar who put her best foot forward to win last time out.

Rio De La Plata takes a drop in class in the sixth where he is way better than his last effort after finding traffic and can do better here. Season trainer Ormond Ferraris is giving his grandson Luke plenty of opportunities and American Indian makes the trip after finishing second in a strong handicap field at Turffontein and looks a serious threat.

Trojan Harbour and Baltic Amber have been scratched from the seventh where Captain Courteous can make amends from being a beaten favourite last run. Justin Snaith’s runner only got going late in that race and he can do better over this extended trip. The Ferraris’s team up again with Shogun who was an easy winner on the Highveld last time out. With a light weight from a good draw he can make it tough for Captain Courteous.

By Andrew Harrison