The Grade 3 Jubilee Handicap is traditionally an important Vodacom Durban July qualifying race and this year is no different with a number of horses trying to impress the final field selection panellists.

Social Order, who has come into his own with blinkers, stayed on strongly for a 1,75 length third in the Colorado King Stakes over 2000m and that form looks excellent now as he was running at level weights with the winner, Coral Fever, who went on to win the Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge. S’Manga Khumalo rides from a draw of eight and the Count Dubois gelding should be finishing strongly.

Social Order (Candiese Marnewick)

The big Irish-bred filly Cascapedia is unbeaten in four starts over this course and distance and has a plum draw of two. However, she is well up on the July log and connections will likely be viewing this as a July preparation run. Deo Juvente ran a good race in the Champions Challenge considering it was his second run after his well below par Cape Town campaign. From a good draw in his peak run over an ideal trip he could be a big runner, especially as he is unsighted on the July log. Glider Pilot is another one who will need to impress the July panellists.

This long-striding sort is ideally course and distance suited and usually relaxes well in the running so has a chance of overcoming a wide draw. Tilbury Fort is unbeaten in two starts since gelding. He has never won beyond a mile but did finish second last year in the Greyville 1900 so he must have a shout here under Lyle Hewitson despite being raised three points for his last run. Elevated, fourth in the Grade 1 Cape Guinea of 2016, went close in his second and third starts for Mike de Kock but was then rested for six months. He comes in off one outing over a too sharp 1200m and with a light weight could make his presence felt if close to his best.

Wind Chill is a small filly who was a two length fourth in the Colorado King Stakes so she should finish close to Social Order on paper. She has a good draw. Fort Ember finished second in the Summer Cup and second in the Colorado King Stakes so loves this galloping track. In the Champions Challenge she did not have the speed to overcome a wide draw in a fast run race and she was then unlucky in the WSB 1900 at Greyville. The blinkers are on and this is probably in order to help her get to the front from another wide draw. If she is able to get the lead she has a shout. Yakeen has won three out of five starts and should appreciate the step up in trip so can’t be ignored. Tandava is a versatile type capable of a strong finish so has to be considered.

By David Thiselton

There are many pundits who subscribe to the theory of ‘second run after a lay-off’ and will be wary of Snowdance’s chances in the Gr1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge.

The filly takes on males in tomorrow’s Gr1 contest at Greyville and she comes off a bruising battle with Fiorella in the Gr2 Daisy Fillies Guineas, her first run after winning the Klawervlei Majorca Stakes back in January.

It was no doubt not the ideal return to racing, finishing second notwithstanding. Justin Snaith would have preferred a more gentle return to the track but Snowdance hooked up with a rival who was just that much fitter and it was a seriously testing final furlong.

Captain America

That race was a month ago, so there has been time for a little R&R, but Snowdance takes on some seriously good male milers headed by Captain America and this race will be no ‘gimme’.

Captain America will be defending his crown and is as game as they come. His last win came in this race last year but his recent form is impeccable and the break since finishing two lengths back to Oh Susanna in the Sun Met should not be a factor as he has shown that he races fresh.

Crawford said earlier in the week, “He is fine. He had a little problem when arriving in Durban, which is why he has not run yet, but we have done the best we can to have him race fit. Ideally it would have been nice to have had a run but he looks well, his work has been good and he runs well fresh.”

A ’mile’ is his optimum trip and he is a length inferior to Legal Eagle who is unbeaten over the distance. With that in mind, Snowdance will have her work cut out.

Brett Crawford holds a strong hand with Sail South and Undercover Agent also entered. There is very little between Sail South and Captain America over a mile and Sail South has had the benefit of a recent outing when three lengths back to Perovskia in the Drill Hall Stakes which could possibly give him the edge. Bernard Fayde’Herbe has committed to Sail South for the season so little can be read into the riding arrangements here but stable rider Corne Orffer will have had a choice between Undercover Agent and Captain America. Undercover Agent went down narrowly to Perovskia in the Drill Hall and this will be his third run after a break so should be at his very peak.

“He is drawn well is in great form and I expect another honest run. He beat most of the opposition here in the Drill Hall so it will be interesting to see how he goes against them over a mile,” said Crawford.

Captain America is the stable darling, so that may have swayed Orffer in his choice and apprentice Lyle Hewitson picks up the ride on Undercover Agent. Hewitson has had a phenomenal season and is way clean on the National Jockey’s table. A win would add more lustre to his feat and he will fancy his chances here.

Perovskia (Candiese Marnewick)

Gold Standard and Roy Had Enough are both Vodacom Durban July entries and with a number of runners that were included in the last July log having defected for one reason or another, both have good chances of making the final field although a forward showing would not do their cause any harm.

The Gr3 Cup Trial is traditionally the last chance saloon for July hopefuls and tomorrow’s event is no different. African Night Sky, after his unlucky second to stable companion Star Express last time out, is an obvious choice and a certainty to make the VDJ field. Given that he is among the top weights in the Trial, victory should not earn him much of a penalty with the July weights due out on Tuesday, June 19.

Perovskia surprised many when willing the Drill Halls Stakes beating hot favourite Undercover Agent and with that win cemented his place in the VDJ field. He will much prefer tomorrow’s 1800m trip and like African Night Sky would not face a huge penalty for victory.

Those on the outside looking in to VDJ selection but with realistic chances of making the field with a win include Head Honcho, Platinum Prince, Wild Wicket, Mambo Mime and the filly Roy’s Riviera.

Platinum Prince, second in the King’s Cup and fourth in the WSB 1900 is a borderline case. Expect a massive run from the Snaith entry and a must for all exotic bets. Head Honcho is unbeaten since being sent over ground and beat Pack Leader, many a pundits July fancy, in the Sledgehammer. Mambo Mime will need a forward showing but Kegan de Melo has defected to Head Honcho which may be telling. Wild Wicket and Crowd Pleaser would need to win while Roy’s Riviera has not been far back in hotly contested fillies features and with 52kg on her back, could surprise.

By Andrew Harrison

Clouds Unfold can become the first filly to win the Cape Of Good Hope Nursery at Kenilworth tomorrow since Empress Crown ten years ago.

Candice Bass-Robinson, whose father trained Empress Crown, won this with Dutch Philip 12 months ago and has an abundance of two-year-old talent to choose from. Aldo Domeyer’s mount was immensely impressive when beating two previous winners in a juvenile plate over a furlong less here eight weeks ago.

Justin Snaith

The selection had drifted slightly to 22-10 by yesterday morning whereas Arabian Air remained firm at 19-10 with World Sports Betting and this is a good race for favourites who have been successful in four of the last seven runnings.

Donovan Dillon’s mount can be excused last time’s below par effort over a furlong further as he was patently not himself after breaking through the pens and then not striding out freely. He finished behind stable companion Carnage with Lucky Dancer (backed from 10-1 to 7-1 here) only fifth but looks the biggest threat.  Carnage’s talented rider cannot claim his allowance so the 5-1 chance is effectively carrying 4kg overweight.

Watch Me Dad, who has already been backed from 10-1 to 17-2, won his maiden as if he could have found a bit more and Ronnie Sheehan was successful with Captain Chaos three years ago.

Justin Snaith, who last won this with Sergeant Hardy in 2016, relies on 10-1 chance Seventh Sea who took seven attempts to win a maiden but is almost certainly better than that would suggest. However Mr Crumford looks a more likely contender at 8-1. He was caught on the wrong side of the course when running below expectations in the Somerset, some four lengths behind Arabian Air.

Sailor Sam is friendless at 28-1. He is much better than his last place in the Somerset would suggest but, even so, it’s hard to see him winning.

The Bass-Robinson stable and Aldo Domeyer also won the Kenilworth Fillies Nursery 12 months ago – with future star Magical Wonderland – and they can repeat the performance with Nous Voila who is favourite at 11-10. She went close in the Perfect Promise and had 16-1 shot Coral Bay four lengths back.

It is significant that the Snaiths, who have won two of the last three runnings, have chosen this Listed race to introduce Juniper Spring, a Captain Al filly out of the 2006 winner Spring Lilac, a half-sister to Bela-Bela, Rabiya and Secret Of Victoria. “She has a lot of class and we rate her very highly,” said Jono Snaith yesterday. “But it’s a big ask first time up and we would be happy to see her get some black type.”

Juniper Spring is a 4-1 chance and Mixed Signals has been backed from 6-1 to 9-2. Carioca (17-2) was conceding weight all round in the Perfect Promise but the main danger could be the selection’s 33-10 stable companion Santa Clara.

Hopefully the forecast rain won’t wreck the racing and in the first Frank Lloyd Wright may get the better of the luckless Frozen Tune.

By Michael Clower

Featured Image: Candice Bass-Robinson (hamishnivenphotography)

Sean Tarry will be hoping Trip To Heaven makes it third time luck in Saturday’s Grade 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge.

The six-year-old Trippi gelding won the race two years ago, but was demoted after an objection, and he finished second again last year.

Trip to Heaven (JC Photographics)

The top class sprint-miler has run below par in his last two starts but Tarry said, “I feel he has been as good as he’s ever been so I am a little perturbed by his last two runs. But he has shown himself to be in good order and seems to like the course and distance.”

Trip To Heaven is known for his exceptional turn of foot and it was at its best two years ago in this race. He will likely be dropped out, so his wide draw of six out of eight should not be of concern.

Sansui Summer Cup winner Liege had to be scratched from the Gold Challenge due to a local racing rule and will instead take his place in a Pinnacle Stakes race over 1400m at Turffontein on Sunday.

Tarry said the trip was too sharp and he would be pleased if he got within five or six lengths of the winner. Liege will now be prepared out of Johannesburg for the July, a change from the original plan which was to take him to Summerveld after the Gold Challenge.

Tarry runs Heaps Of Fun and Tahini in the Grade 2 Tibouchina over 1400m.

He said, “It seems an open race, I’ve seen stronger, but they are having their last couple of runs before going to stud and I’m hoping for the best. They are both in good shape, especially Heaps Of Fun.”

Barrack Street has been gelded and runs in the Durban Dash over 1100m.

Tarry said, “He had good juvenile form and hasn’t got back to that form yet but we probably made a mistake by not gelding him earlier.” This small horse is drawn well and is well weighted on his best form.

Tarry runs Storm Ruler in the KZN Winter Challenge 2000 and described him as very honest and gave him an each-way chance.

By David Thiselton

Brett Crawford has a strong hand in the Grade 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge at Greyville on Saturday, with defending champion Captain America, Grade 1-winner Sail South and CTS Mile winner Undercover Agent.

The evergreen Captain America has had an interrupted program.

Sail South (Liesl King)

However, Crawford said, “He is fine. He had a little problem when arriving in Durban, which is why he has not run yet, but we have done the best we can to have him race fit. Ideally it would have been nice to have had a run but he looks well, his work has been good and he runs well fresh.”

Three-year-old Captain Al colt Undercover Agent won his SA Champions Season pipe opener in the Grade 3 Byerley Turk over 1400m at Greyville in impressive style and was then touched off as favourite against older horses in the Grade 2 Drill Hall Stakes.

Crawford said, “He is drawn well is in great form and I expect another honest run. He beat most of the opposition here in the Drill Hall so it will be interesting to see how he goes against them over a mile.”

Sail South ran on strongly in this race last season for fourth and could well get the strong pace which suits him on Saturday.

Crawford said, “He needed his first run (fourth in the Drill Hall) and has come on a lot. He likes Greyville and likes the trip so has quite a lot in his favour. He will definitely be finishing the race well and you have got to say he has a chance.”

Crawford runs Runaway Gal in the Listed Devon Air Stakes over 1400m and said she had been doing well and would appreciate the step up in trip.

Phelan Lucky brings some strong Cape Town form into the Cornubia/Phoenix Sun Durban Dash over 1100m and Crawford expected him to run well, although he does have a tough draw.

By David Thiselton

Justin Snaith is bullish ahead of Saturday’s huge Rising Sun meeting at Greyville and will be out to land a big race treble.

In the big one, the Grade 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge, he runs Snowdance and Copper Force.

He said, “Snowdance didn’t take well to being under the lights for the first time last time, it freaked her out a bit especially in the parade ring, and Bernard knew he was in trouble when going down to the start.”

The filly tore off in the race, the Grade 2 Daisy Fillies Guineas, and was caught in the shadow of the post by Fiorella.

Snaith continued, “But she has come on lengths for the run and I wouldn’t be running her if I didn’t think she had a good chance.”

Snowdance (left) Fiorela (right) – Candiese Marnewick

He said, “Copper Force didn’t raise a gallop last time as he got a lot of kick back and hated it. But he will strip fitter and the racetrack will probably be in good nick on Saturday, so don’t surprised to see him running on very well. He needed it last time and is a bit in and out but I think I have him spot on.”

He runs Vodacom Durban July favourite African Night Sky and Platinum Prince in the Grade 3 Cup Trial over 1800m and said, “They are both doing very well. They were both unlucky last time in the 1900 and from these draws will both have to have luck in running again.”

He reckoned African Night Sky would have to be dropped out from his draw and pointed out at Greyville it was tough to make up ground rom such a draw but he expected both horses to be fighting out the finish.

His pair Star Express and Gimme Six have both proven their liking for Greyville and will go into the Grade 2 Tibouchina over 1400m fit and well. They are able to turn it on so will be big runners despite wide draws.

He was hoping for positive returns to form for Quinlan and Sir Frenchie in the Durban Dash ahead of a target race on Vodacom Durban July day, but admitted he did not fancy either of them “too strongly.”

However, he expected a big run from Dynamic Diana in the Beach Beauty Pinnacle Stakes over 1600m because with horses going for other races she had ended up reasonably well weighted.

By David Thiselton

Gunter Wrogemann , in the intensive care unit of Johannesburg’s Milpark Hospital after being kicked in the face in a fall at Turffontein on Sunday, underwent a four hour operation yesterday .

His wife Sam said afterwards: “It took much longer than anticipated. I have so far only seen the anesthesiologist who says the operation went well. I am happy that the surgery is over and the road to recovery can commence.

“Gunter will remain under heavy sedation which is a good thing to allow him to heal and remain calm for the next few days.”

Wrogemann was on the rails five lengths off the leader when his mount Ancient Code suddenly fractured a front fetlock and came down. “When Gunter was lying on the ground the horse was struggling to get up and she got him full force in the face,” said trainer and family friend Louis Goosen.

His jaw was broken in two places and his arm was crushed. However the arm now looks reasonably OK and Mrs Wrogemann said: “The blood flow has improved  so he will not need it operated on. They have also taken the arm out of suspension and icepacks.”

Wrogemann had been on the crest of a wave. He rode his 100^th winner of the season last week and, after winning the Daily News on Surcharge on Saturday, he said: “I have been blessed. It has been a phenomenal season – which goes down to all the support I get from trainers and owners – and long may it continue.”

By Michael Clower

“He’s one of the strongest jockeys around,” was Mark Dixon’s verdict on Brandon Lerena as Isingamoya got the better of bottom weight Scrabble in the Capital Security Handicap at Scottsville yesterday. “I don’t know why more people don’t use him.”

This was Isingamoya’s sixth win and Lerena’s first since his return to the saddle after “knee chip” surgery. The mare was back over her favourite course, five of her six wins coming at Scottsville, but this time with the addition of blinkers. “I think the blinkers made all the difference,” reckoned Dixon. “She was just not going through with it so I think the blinds did the trick.”

Isingamoya (CM)

“I avoided the Group 1 (SA Fillies Sprint) because I think she is just below that class and went with this race instead.”

It proved an inspired move although Lerena had to call on all his skill to get her home.

“She just needed it,” was Lyle Hewitson’s verdict to Tony Rivalland on second placed Scrabble. “Otherwise she would have gone past.”

Favourite She’s A Dream didn’t go on with her effort. “There’s something wrong with her,” confided Dixon. “She was going all right but when the boy let her down there was nothing to come.”

Hot favourite Jardin got the meeting off to a winning start as Vaughan Marshall’s runner kept his clean sheet, making it two-from-two. The luckless Good Buddy pushed him to the line but MJ Byleveld was never in any trouble and Jardin won comfortably.

“Looking in the paddock there were a couple of nice horses so I got a little bit nervous. But he brought his work to the track,” said Marshall.

Jardin’s win was a good pointer to the next as JJ’s Captain franked the form. Second to Jardin last time out, Sean Veale had Dennis Drier’s charge handy throughout and kicked away smartly. Second placed Pickawinner made a cracking debut for Duncan Howells, racing green under apprentice Luke Ferraris, and his turn will not be long in coming.

Howells had a change of luck in the opening leg of the Pick 6 where favourite Silver Raisin finally got her act together and cruised home under Muzi Yeni. Sitting just of the pace in the early exchanges, Silver Raisin extended effortlessly to win as she liked from Lowan Denysschen’s runner Such A Rush.

“Muzi rode a confident race,” commented Howells. “She is a bit tricky and has a mind of her own so I decided to put on the blinkers. But when I told the jockey she would hang right, she hung left,” he shrugged.

Scottsville is a horses-for-courses type track as shown by Trippi’s Girl who has recorded all three of her wins on this track. She cut through the field late under Craig Zackey to score in the fourth for staunch stable supporter Hugo Hattingh for Glen Kotzen.

It’s been a frustrating wait between winners for Gary Rich but Connect Me, brought back to a sprint and racing in blinkers for the first time, came out on top in a tight finish under apprentice Jason Gates. “She’s not the easiest filly but if you go back in her form she finished three lengths of Fiorella so she has ability. Jason rode a nice race on her even though she was shifting about.”

By Andrew Harrison

The Vaal Inside track stages a nine race meeting tomorrow and in the highest rated race, a MR86 Handicap over 1400m, the Candice Dawson-trained three-year-old Kahal gelding D’Arrivee could win first time out of the maidens.

Purple Diamond (right)

This strapping bay won his maiden in eye-catching style over this trip in his first run after gelding. He didn’t beat much and has duly been given a 77 merit rating, which he looks capable of winning off with expected improvement. He has been chosen as a banker for the Pick 6, but this is only due to it being a competitive card and one has to be found somewhere. Dan The Lad has shown a good turn of foot before and this is likely his ideal trip, so he can be included in the Jackpot. He has drawn low, which is usually favourable over this course and distance, and he also has a first-time tongue tie on. Huyssteen has always been well regarded and looked set to start fulfilling his potential after a good effort from a wide draw over 1500m around the turn in March.

However, he was then disappointing again last time. He can be given another chance down the straight here, as his only win in six career starts was over this trip and it remains the only time he has ever raced down the straight. Danza has always been best suited to this trip. His win last time was only his second career victory in 26 starts, so he is hard to win with. However, he has only been unplaced six times and should give another good account of himself. Purple Diamond is a Grade 2 winner over this trip and has been facing much stronger fields. He has dropped to an 89 merit rating and is an interesting contender. Tokyo Drift disappointed last time but before that had shown marked improvement over this trip with blinkers on. He finished a short-head behind Danza over this trip the last time they met but if apprentice claims are included he is 1kg worse off. Manitoba, Till Dawn and Nephrite are three others to consider in a tricky event.

The last race over 1700m is an interesting one as it sees Lady Val having her third run on the Highveld. She was well regarded by her original trainer, the now retired James Goodman, and was staying on well in first-time blinkers last time over this trip. She now has a plum draw under the same 1,5kg claimer and has been dropped two points, so has a fine chance.

In race five over 1000m the topweight Clairemorris has a fine form chance. She went close over this course and distance in her penultimate start and last time was doing good work late from a wide draw on the Turffontein Inside track. She is two points higher than her penultimate start and also has a high draw, which by trends is not the right side to be. However, she still looks the one to beat in a typically open fillies and mares sprint handicap.

By David Thiselton