1st BILLY SILVER (Arries/Bosch 3yoc 59kgs) – Smart colt. Reportedly doing well at home since returning from the Cape. Did all that he was asked to do, showing good pace throughout, and should be very competitive when resuming his “formal” racing career. 60,32s.
2nd 2,75 lengths MY PAL AL (Murray/Gordon 4yog 60kgs) – Returning from ground-breaking back surgery. Understandably carrying a bit of condition and in definite need of this gallop. Good early pace and stayed on under the hands to finish a clear second. 60,78s.
3rd 3,75 lengths TRULY WICKED (Randolph/Forbes 2yog 57kgs) – Laid back in the parade ring but has a nice big action. Made steady headway through the field from near the rear and looks to have scope. May need further to be most effective. 61,02s.
4th 4,25 lengths EDGE OF THE SUN (Marcus/Howells 3yog 59kgs) – Coming back from a virus. Held up early but ran on well under the hands. Would have needed this outing and further improvement seems a possibility. 61,11s
5th 4,50 lengths A-ROD (Ferraris/Howells 4yof 59kgs) – Rested for 178 days and changed stables in the interim. Raced awkwardly in the early stages but settled well in the straight and stayed on one-paced. Well exposed 1-time winner. 61.16s.
6th 4,60 lengths LINE OF CONTROL (Wright/Nel 3yog 59kgs) – Showed good pace from the jump, settling just in behind the leaders. Has a nice big action and could need further to make an impression, after two moderate 1200m sprints in the Cape. 61,18s.
7th 5,85 lengths HOLY LAND (De Gouveia/Drier 2yoc 57kgs) – Nice type but very coltish in the parade. Outpaced and at the rear from the jump but, given his pedigree, should be most effective over more ground. Certainly not a bad trial under an easy ride. 61,42s.
8th 5,90 lengths RUNAWAY GAL (Jacobson/Crawford 2yof 56kgs) – Medium sized Captain Al filly, who is a three parts sister to Captain America. Hesitant start but improved to race midfield at the rail. No impression in the straight and passed by a few. 61,42s.
9th 8,40 lengths CHANTYMAN (Wrogemann/Bosch 3yoc 59kgs) – Side-lined with wind problems. Went down short and appeared to be not striding out fully in the race. Seems to have issues and may struggle to realise his early potential. 61,90s
10th 13,65 lengths CUMBERBATCH (Pagel/Van Wyk 3yoc 59kgs) – Unraced three year old. Slow start and very green. Moved up wide halfway but failed to run on despite being shaken up quite vigorously. Will need big improvement from this showing. 62,94s.
There are two Grade 2 events at Turffontein Standside on Saturday, a day-night meeting which includes the lucrative Dubai World Cup as race 11 on the 12 race card.
In the Grade 2 Colorado King Stakes, Wind Chill is a small filly with a big heart and she is a resolute galloper who will relish this galloping 2 000m course and distance.
Champagne Haze (JC Photographics)
This SA Oaks winner should make a bold bid from a good draw.
Coral Fever always seems to come into feature races under the radar despite his highly consistent performances.
He finished third in the Summer Cup over course and distance and in this conditions race is one of the best weighted horses.
Abashiri is tailor made for Turffontein Standside with his good turn of foot and long stride. He hasn’t won for a while but is the best weighted male horse here on official merit ratings and should be running on strongly.
Fort Ember finished second in the Summer Cup and is the best weighted horse.
However, she can run a bit strongly sometimes and is best when well drawn.
She is drawn ten this time and will need some luck. Girl On The Run and Social Order can’t be ignored.
In the Grade 2 Senor Santa the two fillies Wrecking Ball and Green Pepper are favoured by the weights. The former has always struck as a classy sort and if things go her way she could bounce back to winning ways.
Green Pepper looked headed for the top as a three-year-old and showed her well-being last time when just failing.
She has a stand side draw which is usually favourable down the straight here.
Champagne Haze finished like an express train last time over course and distance to win easily going away and this classy sort will likely be involved again.
Romi’s Boy beat Green Pepper in good style last time but the latter is now half-a-kilogram better off.
Africa Rising has both class and speed and would not be a surprise winner so must also be considered.
KZN has two race meetings this weekend, tomorrow on the poly at Greyville and a feature meeting at Scottsville on Sunday.
On Sunday in the Listed Kwazulu-Natal Stakes over 100m Jo’s Bond can defend her crown as one with plenty of speed and the ability to kick on.
Vision To Kill can always be relied on to run well over this course and distance. Effortless Reward is a speedy sort who is able to stay on and she is only 1kg worse off with Neptune’s Rain having beaten her by 1,35 lengths here in January.
Jo’s Bond (Liesl King)
Neptune’s Rain is a class act and should be finishing strongly, although she has a big weight for a three-year-old and this is likely a preparation race for the SA Fillies Sprint.
Sommerlied is the course record holder but has to bounce back from an overall disappointing Cape Town campaign. Hashtag Strat is a speedy sort who can never be ignored. Those six make the most appeal and are selected in the order mentioned.
In the Sentinel Stakes over 1 000m Master Silva is by the exciting new sire Master Of My Fate and looks to have plenty of natural speed and acceleration.
He was unlucky on debut when slowly away, then short of room and then becoming involved in a bumping and barging match. He can make amends here.
Crown And Country is full of talent and won his second start convincingly over 1 200m on this course to be unbeaten in two starts. However, he has to give weight away all round.
Little Winter caught the eye in a barrier trial over 800m as a strapping sort with a lot of natural speed. Satara showed pace throughout on debut over course and distance to win impressively.
Across Seattle showed good cruising speed over course and distance second time out and then found extra to win cosily. Cavalry put up a good Barrier Trial over 800m at Scottsville when sitting behind Mr Bombastic and then keeping up with him when switched inward.
Van Halen won impressively on debut and has a big reputation, but he has disappointed twice since and finished lame last time.
Star Flyer found no extra over 1 000m at Turffontein last time when up with the pace so will likely have to be ridden more conservatively on this tougher track.
They are selected in the order mentioned.
Glen Kotzen has a high regard for Franking, a King Of Kings three-year-old filly who won by 6,25 lengths first time out the maidens when stepped up to 2 000m. She was unlucky last time over the same Kenilworth course and distance and jumps from pole position over 1 600m on Saturday in race five, a MR 87 fillies and mares handicap.
This rangy sort won her maiden easily over that trip, so has a shout despite having to carry topweight.
Marshall That
Ideal Winter is a typically progressive four-year-old daughter of
Ideal World and this hat-trick-seeker will be a big threat. She has won twice at Scottsville before, over 1 400m and 2 400m respectively, and her last win was over this trip at Greyville. Parabola came from the back to win well over course and distance last time so has a shout from a good draw off an effective four point higher mark and with the same 2,5kg claimer up.
The highlight tomorrow night is a MR 88 Handicap over 1 200m.
Ronnie Rocket is an enigmatic sort but if breaking well his good early pace can build him a lead and he is then hard to overtake.
He was unfortunately slow away last time but is now effectively three points lower in the merit ratings and drawn well again so can make amends.
However, Marshall That and La Ferrari must be included. The value bet on the night is Sail The Bay over 1 200m in race four. His form does not look too good at first sight, but he has faced some good sorts.
He caught the eye in a recent barrier trial when showing a good turn of foot and a long stride to make up ground from the back and he should be finishing well after likely being dropped out from a wide draw.
The sixth is a MR 85 Handicap over 1 600m and could be fought out by two sorts who look to have a touch of class and should start coming into their own, Kapen Pride and Volcanic Sunset.
1st Triple Fate Line (Danielson/Hill 2yoc 57kg) This Master Of My Fate colt is not big but is scopey and has a fine action. After bouncing out well from a wide draw of nine he was under no pressure to be up with the pace and was still doing it effortlessly at the line. 61.25 seconds.
2nd 0,5 lengths Noemi (Godden/Puller 2yof 56kg) This athletic Crusade filly took a keen hold from the off and was under a tight hold when sitting behind the eventual winner. When switched out she displayed a nice daisy cutting action and was still under a tight hold at the line. She appears to have plenty of natural speed and some scope. 61.34 seconds.
3rd 0,6 lengths Boeing City (Mgudlwa/Puller 2yof 56kg) This Sail From Seattle filly showed fair gate speed and pace to go to the front and threw the front toe out nicely but signalled she was under pressure to maintain her position when changing legs at the 150m mark. 61.36 seconds.
4th 1,1 lengths Miss Divine (Wrogemann/Goosen 2yof 56kg) This Admire Main filly threw her head up in the first few strides and was then green. She showed fair pace and a fair stride but did have to be kept up to her work in the closing stages and changed legs close to home. 61.46 seconds.
5th 1,2 lengths Caliente (Veale/Drier 2yoc 57kg) This strongly built Visionaire colt was green around the turn in midfield and displayed some acceleration and a nice big action when asked for an effort in the straight. 61.47 seconds.
6th 1,25 lengths Not Now Pussycat (Moodley/G Kotzen 2yof 56(-1.5)kg) This Oratorio filly had her head up and over-raced when restrained in the beginning from the widest draw. She has a quick action and stayed on quite well from last. 61.48 seconds.
7th 2,25 lengths Adona (De Gouveia/Howells 2yof 56(-1.5)kg) This athletic Noble Tune filly showed fair early pace and was doing it easily throughout without being asked a lot. 61.67 seconds.
8th 2,3 lengths Velvet Honey (Schwarz/Eudey 2yof 56(-1.5)kg) This tall Brave Tin Soldier filly showed signs of inexperience around the turn but strode out quite well in the straight from a midfield position. 61.68 seconds.
9th 2,35 lengths Ontopoftheworld (Ngcobo/Drier 2yoc 57kg) This Jackson colt was cramped for room and green early from draw five and ended up caught wide. However, he let himself down in the straight and tried hard. There is stamina in his pedigree, although on the other hand his dam is a full-sister to Grade 1 Golden Slipper winner All Afire, who was effective up to 1800m. 61.69 seconds.
10th 3,6 lengths Imperial Royal (Kennedy/Badenhorst 2yof 56kg) This smallish Potala Palace filly showed some zip and a fair action but had to be kept up to her work throughout. 61.93 seconds.
11th 4,85 lengths Reymundo (Randolph/N Kotzen 2yoc 57kg) This Jackson colt was green and outpaced but has a fair action and likely needs further despite having speed in the female line. 62.17 seconds.
2nd Barrier Trial Greyville poly 1000m 25/03/2018
1st Sovereign Master (Marcus/Howells 3yog 59kg) This Dynasty gelding finished second in a maiden over 2000m on the Greyville turf in his third start last November. In this trial he sat in a handy position before quickening to take the lead and at the finish was stretching out very well. 60.5 seconds.
2nd 1,25 lengths Mystical Summer (Schwarz/Eudey 3yof 58(-1.5)kg) This unraced Ashaawes filly was a bit keen from draw six and went around them to take the lead. She stayed on in a slowly run trial. 60.73 seconds.
3rd 2,5 lengths Rippling Music (Gouveia/Howells 3yof 58(-1.5)kg) This Black Minnaloushe filly finished a fair fifth over 1200m at Scottsville on debut but was 12,3 lengths behind the classy Hashtagyolo next time out. In this trial she was held up in a handy position and strode out nicely in the straight. 60.96 seconds.
4th 3 lengths Colour Crusade (Mgudlwa/Bestel 3yog 59kg) This unraced Crusade gelding is nicely put together and has some scope. He strode out well through without being put under pressure. 61.06 seconds.
5th 3,25 lengths Truly Proud (Godden/Badenhorst 3yog 59kg) This unraced Brave Tin Soldier gelding is athletic and looked to be relaxed throughout. He stayed on well without being asked a lot. 61.11 seconds
6th 3,75 lengths Wishful Words (Pagel/Goosen 3yof 58kg) This unraced Byword filly broke well but over raced in front and duly tired late. 61.2 seconds.
7th 5 lengths Combat Captain (Veale/Drier 2yoc 57kg) This unraced Brave Tin Soldier colt is strongly built and has a nice, big action. The age difference between him and the rest told, so this was a fair trial.
8th 9,25 lengths Kheelan Dynasty (Jacobson/N Kotzen 3yog 59kg) This Dynasty gelding is an impressive specimen and has plenty of scope. He duly started second favourite on his debut last November on the Greyville turf over 1400m, but lost ground at the start and then raced green in the straight, finding little. In the trial he was green early and displayed a nice stride but in the straight he continually swished his tail and lost touch with the others despite being given a reminder, so appears to need ground and also does not appear to be an easy customer. 62.26 seconds.
Miss Katalin looks good to get back on the winning trail in the Supabets Progress Plate at Kenilworth on Saturday.
The Justin Snaith filly is something of a specialist over this 1 400m trip and won both the valuable Lanzerac Ready To Run and a conditions plate before taking third to Elusive Heart in the Vasco Prix Du Cap after losing as much ground as she was beaten by dawdling out of the pens.
Bernard Fayd’Herbe (Liesl King)
According to the sahorseracing computer she will win by five lengths!
Just about the only certainty is that she won’t score by anything like as much as this.
Snaith hates seeing his horses prejudicing their ratings by winning too far and, partly for this reason, they are seldom asked to make the running.
Bernard Fayd’Herbe takes over from Grant van Niekerk who switches to the other Drakenstein runner Platinum Class, on a hat-trick and a winner over the trip on Met day.
She went up six points for that but she should not be far away.
On adjusted ratings, though, the danger is most likely to come from Robert Khathi’s mount Rings And Things who is well treated by the conditions and theoretically has more than a length in hand.
She was third in the CTS 1600 after finishing ninth in the Fillies Guineas.
Stable jockey Aldo Domeyer rides Freedom Charter who had a rough passage when only tenth in the CTS race.
As so often at this stage of the season, the most intriguing races on the card are the juvenile events and in the first Fabian looks the one they all have to beat.
The Candice Bass-Robinson runner lost ground at the start when beaten five lengths by the ill-fated Zinedine on debut and holds Tarsus and Pearly Rock on that run.
Indeed the computer predicts Fabian to win from Tarsus with the rest five lengths and more behind but it’s worth noting that Seventh Sea suffered some interference when disappointing in the Kuda Sprint while Perfect Symmetry is sure to have improved from his first run.
In race three Frozen Tune has the sort of consistent form that often proves best in Kenilworth maidens but, while Dean Kannemeyer has snapped up Bernard Fayd’Herbe for the promising Never Fear, stable companion Seattle Kid showed better form on his only start and gets the nod.
Belinda Haytread of Pocket Power fame gets a rare chance to show her talent in the Work Riders Maiden and Cradleofgratitude is taken to win while in race four Due Volte may just get the better of Streetfighting Man who has been off for almost three months.
By Michael Clower
– Warren Lenferna gave five winners out of eight at Durbanville last Saturday, showing a profit of R135.50 to a R10 level stake.
The Vaal Outside track has a ten race meeting tomorrow and their look to be a few opportunities for punters and exotic players.
An MR 84 Handicap over 1600m is the highest rated race and the value bet of the day runs here, Notting Hill. This is a striking looking horse who now has his third run on the Highveld since moving up with the Dorrie Sham yard from Port Elizabeth. He faced a stronger field last time over 1700m and put up a bold display from the front before fading late. He would have come on from the run, will appreciate the slight step down in trip and is effectively two points lower in the merit ratings. He has a plum draw of 14 out of 14 by trends on this course. The three-year-old Ghost Town was a facile winner of his second start over this trip and could be anything, so his merit rating of 83 is reasonable and it would be no surprise to see him following up from a fair draw of eleven. Zerodarkthirty has some eyecatching form and was running on strongly in his first attempt at this trip last time in the Egoli Mile. However, he is drawn on the wrong side by trends. Those three are taken to get punters through the exotics and Notting Hill could represent good each-way value.
Baahir
The best bet on the card could be Sirtain in the seventh, a MR 80 handicap over 1000m. This four-year-old Australian-bred by Not A Single Doubt started his career with two ordinary runs, but blinkers then turned him around and, after winning his maiden by 4,1 lengths, he won a handicap last time cosily. Both of his wins have been over this trip and he still looks to be learning so has plenty of scope for further improvement. However, Baahir has been knocking on the door since relocating to the Highveld with the Sham yard and from a high draw has a shout. Copper Jay disappointed last time in a minor feature but if bouncing back to the form of his maiden win could be a threat from the stands rail draw.
The meeting starts off with an interesting maiden as the R1,6 million Fort Wood colt Carbon Atom steps out. He is out of the speedy sprint-miler type Welwitschia so should have speed and is from the yard of national champion trainer Sean Tarry. However, a low draw is against him. My Boy Caloi could be the value here because on debut over 1200m he was tailed off last at one stage but then ran on well for a fair 4,15 length fifth to Affranchi. A low draw is also against him.
In the second Awayinthewoods caught the eye on debut and is drawn on the right side so will go close.
In the third Words stayed on well last time over 1600m and should be thereabouts from a high draw. However, Tortola should be included in the PAas she stayed on well last time over 1800m and the form has been franked.
In the fourth over 1600m Nuntius Oratorion has plenty of scope and this rangy type has a fair draw so should be doing his best work late.
In the sixth, Melinda’s Garden is a striking looker, being a big and athletic filly and as she looks to have found her niche over 1400m she can follow up on her last win.
The last two legs of the Pick 6 are tough but Some Song and Alphamikefoxtrot are the ones given the vote, although Picture Me will likely give a lot of cheek.
Surcharge, who beat all except the brilliant Hong Kong-bound Monks Hood in the Gauteng Guineas at the beginning of the month, is 28-10 favourite for Saturday week’s SA Classic despite being drawn widest of all.
Surcharge (JC Photographics)
But Royal Crusade, only a quarter of a length further back, is 11-2 with World Sports Betting to add to Mike de Kock’s fine record in the Classic. He won it with the great Horse Chestnut in 1999, Greys Inn (2004), Forest Path (2009) and Heavenly Blue last year. He has five others still in the race – 7-1 chance Noble Secret who was fourth in the Guineas, Like A Panther (8-1), Yakeen (16-1), Pietro Mascagni (25-1) and 33-1 shot Alshibaa.
Favourites have won two of the last four runnings and six of the last 16. Only three times during this period has the winner started at longer than 10-1. Kings Gambit sprang a 40-1 shock ten years ago, the Mike Bass-trained English Garden was a 16-1 chance in 2011 and Love Struck scored at 22-1 for Paul Lafferty in 2013.
De Kock’s Gauteng Fillies Guineas winner Takingthepeace is 9-2 joint second favourite with runner-up and stable companion Silver Thursday for the Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic. Since Ipi Tombe scored at odds-on in 2002 de Kock has won the race five times, most recently with Orchid Island 12 months ago.
Favourite at 4-1 is the Paul Peter-trained Folk Dance who also started favourite for the Fillies Guineas but finished only fourth after over-racing early and being caught wide. Gavin Lerena said he felt there was something amiss with her and the course vet reported the filly in post-race distress.
Favourites have won six of the last 16 runnings but only twice during that period has the winner started at longer than 12-1 – Spiced Gold was a 40-1 chance when she dead-heated with Here To Win in 2010 and two years ago Juxtapose started at 50-1.
The Greyville polytrack meeting today is headed by an MR80 Handicap over 1000m, which is the first leg of the Pick 6.
The big six-year-old chestnut gelding Big King’s effective 16 point drop in the merit ratings since his last win was due to a sequence of five poor runs on the Highveld. However, his record shows he much prefers running around the turn and in 15 starts at Greyville has only once failed to earn a cheque. He strode out well in a recent barrier trial and looked well, so with Anton Marcus up from a plum draw of four can win despite a layoff since last July. On Your Life beat Yaas in November over course and distance by 2,9 lengths and is now effectively 2,5kg better off if weight for age changes are taken into account.
Anton Marcus
Winter Blues is an improving son of What A Winter who has won his last three and well drawn. However, he is not the biggest and must shoulder 60,5kg. His stablemate Yaas is a speedy three-year-old filly who jumps from pole with a 4kg claimer up, but running against older males is not going to be easy. Panza has a chance on a favourable weight turnaround with Winter Blues, but that was at his favourite Scottsville track. They are selected in the order mentioned.
The meeting opens with a fascinating Maiden Juvenile Plate for fillies over 1200m. Lateral filly Bequia put up one of the most eye-catching recent barrier trials, displaying a big action, quickening well and being kept on a tight hold. Torbenite won that trial and displayed good gatespeed and a nice daisy cutting action. Arianos Shadow is a strongly built Querari filly who digs her toe in and she won her barrier trial over 1000m on the poly in a time 1,84 seconds faster than Torbenite’s. Cashmere Mist is a slightly built but rangy Philanthropist filly who stayed on well for second in her trial, but looks to need further. Easy Ginger strode out well in her trial. Of those to have raced Miss Calypso is also a strongly built Querari filly and after a fair barrier trial showed good natural pace over 1200m at Scottsville on soft ground and quickened well before finding no extra late and finishing second. However, the vote goes to Bequia.
In the second over 1200m Majestic Mary, an impressive daughter of Dynasty, took a keen hold when restrained over 1000m last time, but finished strongly from last for second and now from a better draw she will hopefully settle better and run on to win under Marcus.
Marcus can win the fourth too o the King Of Random, whose handy-running on style is suited to the pole position draw he has.
Fonteyn should relish the 1800m trip of the fifth.
Sunny Bill Du-Toy was caught wide on debut, but looks a nice type and is selected to win the sixth.
Champenois is tipped to win the seventh and Under The Stars is selected for the last, although the wide draw is a concern.
Brett Crawford’s SA Champions Season string have arrived at Summerveld and look to have traveled well.
He said the big horse Captain America, winner of last season’s Grade 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge and second in the Grade 1 Champions Cup, would likely go the same route as last year and thus avoid the Vodacom Durban July. He said, “I think it’s just too far and he will have too much weight, so rather stick to the weight for ages.” Therefore, Captain America will likely start in the Grade 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m on Champions Season opening night, a race he finished a narrow fifth in last year. This twice weight for age Grade 1-winning seven-year-old Captain Al gelding has shown no sign of slowing down and has earned a cheque in every one of his last 21 starts.
Sail South (Liesl King)
Sail South, who scored his sole career Grade 1 when winning the Champions Cup last year, will go the same route as Captain America again. However, he will not be receiving 2kg from the latter this year in the Champions Cup as he will now have to carry a 2kg Grade 1 penalty.
An interesting inclusion in the string is Rabada, a twice Grade 1 winner, who has not raced since November 2016, when finishing second last in the Peermont Emperor’s Palace Charity Mile. He has been out with an injury and Crawford said, “He is on the road back, but has not had any major gallops yet, so it is a long road back. But he is doing fine.” Crawford said he would likely nominate Rabada for the July.
His two best three-year-olds, Undercover Agent and White River, are with the string. The former is coming off a fine win in the US$500,000 CTS Mile on Sun Met day. This Captain Al colt will be aimed at the Grade 2 Daisy Guineas on Champions Season opening night on May 4. Crawford has his doubts about him staying the 2000m of the Grade 1 Daily News 2000. However, the latter race will be the target of Trippi colt White River, who stayed on in eye-catching style for a half-a-length second in the Grade 1 Cape Guineas. He then disappointed when starting favourite for the Grade 1 Investec Cape Derby over 2000m. However, middle distances look to be his game and he should be improving all the time. He will also run in the Daisy Guineas.
Crawford has gone close in the Grade 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint in two of the last three seasons, finishing second with Gulf Storm in 2015 and second with Search Party last year. The latter, a five-year-old Captain Al gelding, appears to love Scottsville, not surprisingly as he has good early pace and a telling kick. He will be a strong contender for Crawford again this year. However, if the recent six point across the board merit rating raise is taken into account, he is off a merit rating which is four points higher than the one he ran off in last year’s Tsogo Sun, so he is going o have his work cut out.
Sunset Eyes (Candiese Marnewick)
Crawford will also be targeting Sunset Eyes at the Tsogo Sun. This four-year-old Western Winter gelding has won his last four races in KZN, including his last three over the 1200m Tsogo Sun Sprint distance. Two of those last three wins were at Scottsville, so he will have a shout if he manages to get in with a low weight. His current merit rating of 98 includes the obligatory six point raise, so he will likely need to perform well again before the big date on May 26 to ensure a berth.
Crawford could also have a big two-year-old runner at the Festival Of Speed meeting on May 26 in the form of the Australian-bred two-year-old Snitzel colt Traces, who romped to an impressive victory on Sun Met day in the Listed Tattersalls Summer Juvenile Stakes over 1000m.
Crawford had a fine SA Champions Season last year, winning four Grade 1s with four different horses, Captain America, Sail South, Edict Of Nantes and Lady Of The House. The latter pair were both owned by the beleaguered Mayfair Speculators so will not be campaigning for the yard this Champions Season. However, assistant trainer Peter Muscatt will once again be taking care of the string, so the ingredients are there for another fine campaign.
Brett Crawford has decided against keeping his CTS 1600 winner Undercover Agent in Cape Town for the Winter Series and has sent him to Durban.
Crawford said: “He is the sort to find his feet as he gets older and matures, and I think Greyville will suit him. He will run in the Byerley Turk on Sunday week and then go for the Daisy Guineas.”
Professor Brian
Kenilworth Racing has increased its number of charity racemeetings from four to 13 and Clinton Theys, a key member of the events team, points out that the reasoning behind the increase is not purely benevolent.
He said: “I am convinced that we can get more people interested in racing – and so increase attendances – and charity meetings have proved to be a good way of getting new people to the races.”
Grant Knowles, encouraged by the success of last Thursday’s Horses In Training Sale in the Kenilworth parade ring, intends staging more such sales.
He said: “People there told me that it was a great idea as, at the moment, there are few sales where people can turn over horses and we had a great turn out. There was seating for 120 but still some people had to stand.
“But you have got to have a couple of good ones in the catalogue to generate interest. It won’t work if such sales prove to be just a dumping ground.”
The 1400m Progress Plate at Kenilworth on Saturday has been scrapped as it attracted only four runners, three of them trained by Candice Bass-Robinson. However the Fillies Progress Plate over the same trip stands even though only six have been declared, half of them trained by Mrs Robinson. Justin Snaith (2) and Vaughan Marshall are the only other trainers represented in the race. The first of what is now a seven-race card is due off at 12.05pm
In-form Richard Fourie forsakes the meeting to take nine rides at Turffontein including the Mike de Kock-trained Dame Eleanor in the Sycamore Sprint and Professor Brian for Joey Ramsden in the Senor Santa Stakes.
By Michael Clower
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