The Grade 3 Tommy Hotspur Handicap over 1000m is the headliner at Turffontein on Saturday and Whorly Whorly looks the part.

This rangy three-year-old gelding by Great Britain has snuck into the handicap with the minimum weight. In his penultimate start over this course and distance in the Grade 3 Lebelo Handicap he was up with the pace, but then hit a flat spot before running on well to finish fourth. Next time out he was fitted with blinkers and was duly too keen early, so his finishing speed was blunted. He was 1kg under sufferance in the Lebelo off the same merit rating than this, so it was a stronger race and he finished only 2,25 lengths behind the speedy and classy Alfolk. The blinkers are now off again, so he has a fine chance from quite a high draw. Last year’s winner Wrecking Ball is speedy and classy and goes well for Jarryd Penny, who retains the ride.

Alfolk (JC Photographics)

There can be a draw bias on this course which favours high draws so her barrier position of seven could be tricky. Penny will want something to be left in reserve, as was the case last time, so he won’t be able to afford to use her early in order to move across, so a lot might depend on whether the low draws are unfavourable or not. Sporting Monarch has always had a lot of speed and should have come on from his last start nine days ago. He was finishing strongly then and is now drawn near the standside rail. Mike de Kock does well with Redoute’s Choice sprinters out here and Mujallad won well last time. He could be on the up. Tandava is capable of popping up, as he proved last time over this trip. He was held up off the pace and ate up the ground at the finish so off a four point higher mark can’t be ignored.

The next race is a MR 76 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1160m and is one of the toughest events on the card. However, Regal Graduation is well regarded and proved why last time when scooting in by 3,5 lengths in her maiden over 1200m. She is by Oratorio and can continue to improve, so could rise above her 75 merit rating. Weichong Marwing has stayed aboard, a further plus. The dangers could be Penny Royal and Madam Secretary. Penny Royal is back against her own gender and went close first time out the maidens off only a one point higher mark than she now has. She is by Captain Al and is a half-sister to Princess Victoria so should have plenty of scope. Madam Secretary is a rangy sort with ability and is much better than her last start. Before that she went close to the decent sort Takingthepeace and she has a win and two seconds in five runs over this course and distance, so should bounce back from a nice draw.

The best bet of the day could be Written in the second, which is a workrider’s maiden for fillies and mares over 1600m.  She over-raced last time over 1800m, but still finished second to the hard-knocking Tigerlace. She is now drawn in pole over 200m shorter and has the good rider Joe Gwinghiza aboard, so has everything in her favour.

The first is a fascinating race and the connections of the first-timer Var colt Vardo must now believe they landed a bargain, getting him for just R300,000, as he is out of a full-sister to Snowdance. Craig Zackey rides. Vardo will get 2kg from Van Halen, a Oratorio gelding trained by the top trainer of two-year-olds, Corné Spies. This horse won his debut over 800m by 7,75 lengths and could be anything. Another interesting contender is Chimichuri Run by Trippi out of dual Grade 1 winner Spiced Gold. He is a R1,1 million purchase trained by Sean Tarry, whose two-year-old first timers always have to be considered.

In the third race Frankly is a R4 million filly by Frankel and is sure to have racegoers crowding around to get a glimpse of her in the parade ring. Alec Laird usually brings them on gradually, but she was born in early August and has a weight advantage over the winners in the race. Another interesting first-timer is Sea Venture by Dynasty out of the Sportsworld mare Pacific Princess, who is a sister to Grade 3 winner Pacific Charm and half-sister to another Gr 3 winner Stonehenge and a half-sister also to Grade 2 winner Pacific Warrior.

By David Thiselton

KZN Champion trainer Duncan Howells yesterday pulled the plug on all of his runners for Scottsville on Sunday, citing a suspected virus.

Writing on his website Howells said that, “due to the inconsistent performances of our runners over the last 2-3 weeks I have a strong feeling we have a virus in the yard. Horses are working very well but running below their best form.

“We are assessing blood pictures at present. I feel it is very important not to stress the horses while dealing with the problem.”

Isingamoya

Howells is not to only trainer in Ashburton battling the suspected virus that, according to some trainers that have had affected horses, lasts between five and six days before recovery.

Howells had three runners entered for the Pinnacle Stakes at Scottsville on Sunday, the field now cut to six runners and leaving the way clear for Mark Dixon’s crack mare Isingamoya.

She was up against top class stable companion London Call last time out, a course and distance specialist, and was also possibly just in need of that outing.

Her only possible danger would appear to be the lightly raced Statute. A facile sprint winner on debut, Michael Roberts jumped the full sister to former Vodacom Durban July winner Legislate up to a mile in the Flamboyant Stake at just her second start, but she was no match for the smart Hashtagyolo and finished with just three behind her.

She is back to a sprint on Sunday but Isingamoya will be no push-over.

Red Chestnut Road had the Summerveld dogs barking his name long before making his debut and after a facile winning start to his career he looked headed for much bigger things.

However, such is the fickle nature of racing, his career went pear-shaped and he has been struggling to win again.

After contesting sprints for all of his career, Robbie Hill finally stretched him to 1750m last time out and he was a touch unlucky to find Wild Wicket in top form and was snaffled late.

Given that showing, the extra furlong on Sunday should not trouble him and as he has nearly bottom weight and is 4kg better off with fellow contenders Celtic Captain and Sun On Africa, he should at least have their measure.

Ashburton-based Paul Gadsby battled the virus with Vision To Kill but it paid dividends last Wednesday and he saddles the sometimes difficult Techno Captain. In his last start over 2400m on Sunday’s course, Techno Captain looked a beaten horse as One Man Show loomed on his outside, but apprentice Ashton Arries managed to rally his mount and Techno Captain staved off eminent defeat.

Sunday’s trip may be on the short side but his last victory was a top effort.

Head Honcho is another to consider after also putting one over the luckless One Man Show. Tongue-tie on and blinkers removed appear to have been the recipe for his improved showing but he could also find this tough going at the weights.

By Andrew Harrison

The South African racing community were saddened by the death yesterday of one of the sport’s most loyal servants and passionate owners, Benji Jonsson.

His funeral on Monday is sure to be attended by many jockeys, as Jonsson was revered by them during his many years as Chairman Of The Jockeys Academy.

“He was like a father to them, he was held in such high regard,” said his great friend of decades standing, Bill Lambert.

Benji Jonsson

Jonsson served as a local executive of the Jockey Club, now known as the National Horseracing Authority (NHA), and also as a head executive of the Jockey Club.

Bill said, “He was always highly regarded as a man with absolute and total integrity and was very fair in all of the decisions he ever made in this capacity.”

Jonsson’s love of horseracing included riding in amateur races in the 1940s.

He rode at such venues as Lions River Karkloof, Hilton Road, Greytown, Isipingo, Mooi River and Maritzburg.

He won a few races and extracted much enjoyment from this pastime. He also never missed a professional racemeeting as a spectator and loved to have a flutter. In the 1940s he kept a carefully compiled register of every bet he ever took and also recorded the gate fee in the accounts record.

In his latter years he would still attend virtually every KZN meeting. He was by this time quite a prolific owner together with his son NIck. Benji founded the successful company Jonsson Workwear, which is now owned by Nick.

Jonsson Workwear have also become loyal supporters of South African racing and among the races they sponsor is the prestigious Grade 1 Garden Province Stakes, which is run on Vodacom Durban July day.

Benji is going to be sorely missed by everybody in racing as a man who remained humble and approachable to the last and his love of horseracing never waned.

A saddened Bill Lambert summed it up, “He was a wonderful, wonderful man … this is just too much.”

Gold Circle extends their condolences to his family.

By David Thiselton

The small Doug Campbell-trained Visionaire filly Cascada quickened in eye-catching style to win over 1600m at Scottsville on Sunday, but it was just an ordinary Maiden Plate for fillies and mares and few watching would have guessed how illustrious a group of French connections and followers she had behind her.

Cascada is owned by French couple Xavier and Nathalie Bozo. They have been breeders for over 40 years in France, where they own a stud farm. Xavier is also a bloodstock agent.

Cascada (Candiese Marnewick)

Also following Cascada on Sunday was the Bozo’s great friend Aliette Forien, who bred last year’s Epsom Derby winner Wings Of Eagles. She has displayed an interest in taking a share in Cascada. Another follower from France was the Bozo’s friend Emmanuel Chevalier Du Fau, who trained French Oaks winner Dunette, a daughter of Cascada’s fourth dam, Pram. Dunette’s half-sister Godille, who is Cascada’s third dam, was imported to South Africa. Godille’s claim to fame is that she is the grandam of the Summerhill-bred Gold Cup winner Desert Links.

It was little wonder Xavier believed Cascada should be tried over more ground.

He said, “She ran twice over 1000m at Scottsville last year, but just to learn because she was not ready and was very green. Then she had a three month break and came back to finish second over 1200m on the Greyville turf.”

In her next start over 1400m she was too far back from a wide draw and finished fourth. Xavier persuaded Campbell to put her over further and she was duly entered in Sunday’s 1600m event. Unfortunately she landed a wide draw of ten. However, Campbell managed to get in-form Warren Kennedy to ride her. Kennedy knew the main danger, Two Moon Junction, was a handy but somewhat one-paced horse, so he planned to be close to her in the running. He managed to get on to the flank of Two Moon Junction and Cascada duly quickened past her and then found another gear to fend her off.

Xavier reckons Cascada, despite being quite “hot” and possessing plenty of speed, will stay 2000m “easily”. She looks to have a bright future ahead of her.

She was bought for a mere R25,000 at the Summerhill Summer Ready To Run Sale. The chief reason for the purchase was the Bozo’s recognising the French mares in her female line. Nathalie inspected Cascada in the rain before the Sale. Like some of her French ancestors, the filly was small but nicely put together. So the Bozo’s decided to buy her “for fun”.

The Bozo’s approached Richmond-based Doug Campbell at the Sale and asked him to train the filly, having been told he trained the good Visionaire filly Lala.

Nathalie and Cascada (Candiese Marnewick)

The Bozo’s have bred some good horses in France in their time, including the Group 1-winning filly miler Gorella, who was by the British-bred Grape Tree Road (Caerlon). Gorella’s nemesis during her two and three-year-old seasons in France was the brilliant Divine Proportions, who happens to be the dam of Scott Brothers-based sire Eightfold Path.. However, Gorella did win a Group 2 for trainer Jean De Roualle and among her stakes places were a Group 1-second and third. She then departed for the USA to be trained by Patrick L Biancone and won the Group 1 Beverly D Stakes as well as two Group 2s. She was considered good enough to run in the Breeder’s Cup Mile but had no luck and finished seventh.

The Bozo’s first visited South Africa in 2008 to visit some friends and see Cape Town and the KZN Midlands. They stayed at Summerhill Stud and were invited by the TBA to the National Yearling Sale. They ended up buying a Summerhill lot, an Australian-bred by Fantastic Light, for R900,000. This filly, African Love, was trained by Geoff Woodruff and won two races over 1700m and 1600m respectively. Like Cascada, she raced in Nathalie’s dark green and beige colours. African Love now stands at Winterbach Stud in the Cape winelands. Her first foal by Captain Al, African Victory, sold for R1 million at the CTS Premier Yearling Sale (CPYS). In his recent debut as a four-year-old gelding over 1200m at Fairview, African Victory won by 9,5 lengths for Tara Laing. African Love’s second foal, the Var colt Pata Pata, sold for R475,000 at the CPYS. Trained by Brett Crawford, he won his maiden over 1000m at Kenilworth in December.

The Bozo’s enjoyed their first visit to South Africa, so returned in 2009 and without any pre-planned intention ended up buying a small farm in the KZN Midlands. The farm is called Springwater and their goal at present is to buy weanlings, rear them and then pinhook them.

Consequently, the Bozo’s spend a lot of time in South Africa and will be valuable assets to KZN racing. Doug Campbell is enjoying training for them and has already had a TV crew visit his farm to film a piece for a French Racing program.

By David Thiselton

The Greyville poly track does not suit some horses and Parabola (8-1) was a case in point when she caused an upset in the GCC Fast Tracked Handicap at Scottsville yesterday.

“I think it was the switch to turf,” said Peter Muscutt, who saddled first and second in a tight finish, the more fancied Super Sparkle touched off a hairs-breadth.

“She was wheel-spinning on the poly,” added Muscutt.

Parabola was all at sea on her poly debut but apprentice Craig Bantam rode a confident race to narrowly get the better of the stable companion.

Sunset Eyes (Candiese Marnewick)

However, it was back to the drawing boards for Gauteng Guineas hopeful Fiorella who was having her prep run for the race early next month.

Dropped out to last in the early exchanges, Marco van Rensburg switched her in for a run down the home straight and Fiorella moved past the field in a canter. However, when pressed for an effort, there was nothing to come. “I moved through like she was going to win easily but when I asked her she did not give me the kick I expected,” said the jockey.

Ashburton trainers have been plagued by a low-grade virus over the past couple of months which may account for some below par performances from fancied runners.

“It’s no good pressing the issue,” said an obviously disappointed Duncan Howells. “You are just going to mess up a good horse so it will be back to basics.”

Two others not likely to make the trip to Jo’burg on March 3 are Frank Robinson’s pair of Roy’s Had Enough and Roy’s Riviera. “It’s not hundred percent at his stage but I think we will skip the Guineas and maybe go for the others (races in the Triple Crown and Triple Tiara)”.

“The Triple Crown can take it out of a horse, look at Abashiri, and none of those horses behind him in the Derby have been the same.”

“I might just go for the Derby. Alistair’s horse (Monks Hood) won so well, I don’t know if we will have a chance against him.”

It was a tough day for the starters and their assistants with the afternoon getting off to a bad beginning when Burning Love tried to duck under the gate, damaging both herself and the gate, and having to be scratched. She was followed by Volitaire who refused to load.

Fiorella (Candiese Marewick)

In the second, Captain’s Girl loaded first time but according to apprentice Eric Ngwane, his scull cap hit one of the posts and the vet, thinking that the horse had injured herself, called for the filly to be backed out and checked.

From there on the re-loading of the filly became a shambles as the starters assitants danced around like headless chickens and Captain’s Girl was eventually scratched from the race. Trainer Louis Goosen was less than complimentary about the incident – his comments mostly unprintable.

After all the drama, the race was won in fine fashion by the smart filly Vision To Kill, also a victim of the Ashburton virus. “She was really hard hit,” revealed the trainer’s wife, Beth Gadsby.

“I think she was only 70 to 80% fit,” said Paul Gadsby. “But she often comes back from her races with some heat in a her knee and you have to give her two or three weeks off.”

“You can’t keep grinding her. It’s a bit of a balancing act.”

There are no immediate plans for the filly but Gadsby has his eye on the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint in May.

Deshone Steyn, long-time assistant to Sean Tarry in KZN, has called time on his assistant trainer’s license and starts out on his own at the Vaal next month.

“I’ve had 12 years with Sean and I think that’s enough. It’s just the right time,” he said yesterday. Steyn was active at the Shongweni Sale on Tuesday. “I have 10 nice horses to start with. I am serving out my notice and will slowly move to the Vaal. All my family are up there – I’m just not looking forward to the cold weather.”

By Andrew Harrison

There is a full card of ten races on the Vaal Outside track tomorrow and there look to be one of two opportunities for punters.

In the first race over 1200m Silver Spine can boost the bankroll before the exotic bets start. This gelding is by Silvano out of the Grade 1 Cape Fillies Guineas winner Sparkling Gem and he looks the part. He is a rangy sort and was probably only undone  by the unfavourable high draw last time over this trip on the Vaal Inside track. He showed pace throughout and was caught by the late-charging Seventh Son. He should have come on from that run. He has another high draw and although this used to be an advantage on the Outside course, this is no longer the case. However, it does not appear to be a disadvantage. The main danger is King Of The Bay, who went close over the Vaal Inside track 1200m last time, also from an unfavourable draw. The form of that race has been franked by the runner up State Trooper, who has come out and won twice since. The first-timer Limestone Mass can’t be ignored being by Rock Of Gibralatar and a half-brother to a Listed winner.

Royal Rose

The second race over 1200m is intriguing, as there are no standout horses. Quick Glimpse is the selection as she showed pace over this trip back in September and drops back to it after a couple of races over 1400m, including going close last time. Peppermint Tea had a wall of horses in front of her last time over 1000m, so had to switch inward and was making up some ground late. She looks a fair sort and will likely relish the step up in trip. Ticktacktoe stayed on well for second in yielding going over 1160m last time. The concern is she was already a four-year-old when making her debut and she had to pushed along for almost the entire race. However, if the latter fact was just due to inexperience, rather than a lack of pace, she should be right there.

The first leg of the PA over 1400m should be fought out by two progressive Silvano fillies, Amanika and Believe Me. However, the former is the more imposing looking of them and is tipped to win and be a banker for the PA.

In the next race it is easy to see why Kentucky Blue cost over a million rand on the looks front and he is chosen as a Pick 6 banker. He started awkwardly last time over 1200m but was stretching out well at the line for a fast-finishing 1,75 length fifth. Being by Dynasty he will be improving and will relish the step up in trip. Dreamsaremadeof, who nearly made all at Greyville last time over 1600m, and What A Story, who chased home a promising sort over 1200m last time and should enjoy this trip, are the dangers.

The handicaps start in the first leg of the Jackpot, where Emily Jay could make it four-in-a-row having lately begun fulfilling the talent she has always had. She has also proven suited to the drop down to 1400m and a mile and can defy the handicapper again with Lyle Hewitson remaining aboard. Alileo and Sylvan On Fire should also be in the shake up. Tammany Hall is an eyecatching daughter of the good sire Await the Dawn, so can’t be ignored in her comeback run. Maleficent once looked destined for big things so has to be considered in her second run after a long layoff.

The next race is open and going wide is advised, although Shelly ran well over this trip last time and now has Strydom up off a one point lowered mark.

In the seventh, Well Connected is in fine form and should be improving being by Silvano so is tipped to beat Boatswain, Pillaroftheearth, Baahir and Seven Lives.

The last leg of the Jackpot is tricky but Mademoiselle won well on debut despite playing up a bit in the preliminaries, so she can follow up off a reasonable 72 merit rating and can beat Opera, Shifting Shadows, Amajory and Moggie Brown.

The last leg of the Pick 6 is a lower division sprint and all of Thewaywemakem, Seventh Son, Supanova, Bling Ball, King Of Mani and King Of Shaka are suggested for the Pick 6, although going wider if possible would be even better.

By David Thiselton

Justin Snaith looks at first sight to be running away with the National Trainers Championships, as he was unofficially R6,777,525 clear of defending champion Sean Tarry at time of going to press and more than R10 million clear of Mike de Kock.

Sean Tarry

However, a look at which stage of the season these three trainers earn their money shows that the championship is in fact still very much alive.

Sean Tarry has earned over R10 million in each of the last three Highveld Autumn seasons and Mike de Kock has earned huge amounts in two of those three Autumn seasons too. This pair could close the gap on Snaith, who has earned between R8 million and R10 million less than Tarry during this phase of the season for the last three years. However, Snaith looks the strongest of the trio for the SA Champions Season and this is outlined by the record amounts he earned during the Cape Summer, so he will still be the firm favourite.

The season can be divided into four segments. Segment 1 is from August up to and including the Sansui Summer Cup meeting (incorporates Highveld Spring Season); Segment 2 is from the beginning of December up to and including the Sun Met meeting (incorporates Cape Summer Season); The third segment runs from February up to and including the country’s richest race meeting, Champions Day at Turffontein (incorporates Highveld Autumn Season); Segment 4 is the remainder of the season (incorporates SA Champions Season).

In 2015 the Gold Cup was run on August 1, so that will be included within the 2014/2015 statistics.

In the tables below the sequential numbers represent segment 1, segment 2, segment 3 and segment 4 figures plus the season total.

Mike de Kock was champion in the 2012/2013 season and the segmental figures for that season were as follows:

De Kock: R4,562,212.50; R2,327,375; R3,734,825; R6,241,900 = R16,866,312.50

Tarry: R4,290,100; R2,018,525; R4,969,825; R5,701,062 = R16,517,350

Snaith: R3,732,585; R2,280,675; R2,229,500; R5,238,900 = R13,943,822.50

Snaith was the champion in the 2013/2014 season.

Snaith: R4,142,275; R4,217,875; R2,406,112.50; R8,724,462.50 = R19,490,725.00

Tarry: R3,363,600.00; R3,106,287.50; R4,665,125; R3,392,650 = R14,527,662.50 (3^rd)

De Kock: R3,110,687.50; R1,785,437.50; R3,654,175; R4,620,475 = R13,170,775.00 (4^th)

Tarry was the champion in the 2014/2015 season (August 1, 2015 figures included):

Tarry: R5,755,500; R3,961,925; R10,760,575; R5,526,525 = R26,004,525.00

De Kock: R5,330,162.50; R4,589,150; R6,174,075; R4,448,325 = R20,541.712.50

Snaith: R4,751,950; R3,543,712; R2,582,175; R6,174,525 = R17,052,362.50

Tarry was champion in the 2015/2016 season (August 1, 2015, figures excluded):

Tarry: R5,259,812.50; R4,954,525; R12,932,925; R4,772,725 = R27,919,987.50

Snaith: R5,764,025; R4,735,237.50; R2,081,887.50; R5,770,837.50 = R18,351,987.50 (3^rd)

De Kock: R4,527,300; R2,453,800; R2,758,175; R3,796,150 = R13,535,425.00 (4^th)

Tarry was champion in the 2016/2017 season:

Tarry: R7,741,675; R8,414,525; R10,289,075; R9,598,525 = R36,043,800

Snaith: R6,376,825; R5,513,775; R3,016,825; R6,203,425 = R21,110,850

De Kock: R3,440,775.00; R2,487,550.00; R8,677,250; R1,876,650 = R16,482,225 (5^th)

For the first two segments this season the figures read:

Snaith:R5,807,600; R12,167,200 = R17,974,800

Tarry: R5,516,650; R5,165,550 = R10,682,200 (3^rd)

De Kock: R4,296,000; R2,329,450 = R6,625,450 (5^th)

*Please note that all of these figures include restricted race stakes, which currently are officially not included in the Trainer’s Championship.

By David Thiselton

The 2016 Rising Sun Gold Challenge winner Mac De Lago will have his first start for Dan Katz in the Jet Master Stakes at Kenilworth on Saturday week.

Dan Katz (SportingPost)

The six-year-old, who carries the colours of Hassen Adams, went to take third in the Vodacom Durban July for Weiho Marwing but rather lost his way this season and last, only making the frame once when fourth of seven behind Romany Prince in the London News Stakes 13 months ago.

Katz said yesterday: “He was a very good horse but he seemed a bit disinterested in his last couple of runs and came to me about three months ago. He has had a lot of small niggles and aches and pains that we have been working though while we try to get his mind back on racing to see if we can rejuvenate his career.

“He is enjoying himself at the moment and seems a happy horse. He should be able to show us that he still wants to do it in the Jet Master. Greg Cheyne rides.”

Joey Ramsden yesterday confirmed that his Klawervlei Majorca third Rose In Bloom will run in the Vasco Prix Du Cap on the same card.

He said: “She has improved but she has been pretty consistent all season and I thought her sixth from a wide draw in the Cape Fillies Guineas was also pretty special.”

Ramsden, bidding for his sixth Prix Du Cap in the last 14 seasons, has also nominated last season’s Fillies Guineas winner Just Sensual who won this 12 months ago but disappointed in the Majorca. No decision has yet been made on whether she runs.

By Michael Clower

Fiorella’s participation in the Gr2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas hangs in the balance after she drew 20 out of 23 when the computer spat out the draws at nominations on Monday. The first leg of the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara will be run at Turffontein on Saturday, March 3, and a lot may depend on how the daughter of Captain Al performs at Scottsville this afternoon where she is due to run in the GCC Fast Tracked Handicap over 1600m.

Fiorella carries top weight in a competitive handicap and given a good showing, Duncan Howells may well be tempted to let his filly take her chances in the Fillies Guineas in spite of the draw – after all there is only one crack at the classic.

Fiorella was a game winner when getting the better of luckless stable companion Dawn Calling at Scottsville last month and although well beaten by Hastagyolo in the Flamboyant Stakes, it was more of a warm-up after running Dean Kannemeyer’s highly rated filly to within two lengths prior to that.

Kannemeyer has not had much luck with barrier draws in feature races recently with Last Winter drawing 20 in the Sun Met and Hashtagyolo pulling one gate further out than Fiorella in the Fillies Guineas.

Fiorella (Candiese Marewick)

But Hastagyolo is a definite runner and Kannemeyer has already booked Piere Strydom.

Hashtagyolo was ridden by Anthony Delpech in all of her three wins from three starts in KZN, but due to contractual commitments, Kannemeyer was obliged to find a new rider.

“I was extremely pleased to secure the services of Piere Strydom to ride this very promising filly in Anthony’s absence,” said Kannemeyer. “She has been in Johannesburg a few weeks and has settled well. She did some pace work over 800m last week. She will be given a gallop at Turffontein over 1400m about ten days before the big race. All going well, she will be aimed at the Triple Tiara. She is a filly who is looking for ground,” he added.

A further plus in Fiorella’s favour today is that her last win came in soft ground and the forecast for Scottsville today does appear to be damp and with the Greyville poly currently undergoing a revamp, there is no chance of a venue change.

Fiorella’s obvious danger is likely to be Kannemeyer’s filly Pearl Glow, a winner of two of her last three outings and a close-up second to the useful Ideal Winter last time out. Only once out of the money in six outings, she should give Kannemeyer and Howells an inkling to where they are headed.

Sunset Eyes will be looking for a hattrick of win in the GCC Takeover Handicap but is up against some smart younger horses in the form of Varallo, Ryker and Sniper Shot.

Sunset Eyes has come well since his move to Brett Crawford’s KZN satellite yard where he arrived a one-time winner from a dozen outings. He gave notice of his improvement first time out and has since built on that showing with two smart wins.

He does face a much stiffer task this afternoon and Ryker and Varallo will be no push-overs.

Ryker disappointed behind Sunset Eyes at their last outing, finishing last of the seven runners, but it was a well below par performance judged on his earlier form. He is now 3g better off, given apprentice Denis Schwarz’s 1.5kg claim, and he should come up with a better showing this afternoon.

Varallo gives weight to the field and boast some smart form in useful company. However, he has not been out since early December and this will be his second outing for Dennis Bosch. It will also be his first start since gelding so he may be just short of a gallop.

By Andrew Harrison

Alistair Gordon was hopeful of a good draw and good ground for the Gr2 Betting World Gauteng Guineas after Monks Hood scored a facile victory at Scottsville on Sunday. The first of Gordon’s wishes was realised when his Gr2 Dingaans winner drew 7 of 23 nominations yesterday.

The handicappers rate Monks Hood the equal of Stuart Pettigrew’s impressive recent winner Surcharge with Mustaaqeen still top of the pile in spite of his recent defeat when making his seasonal debut.

Assistant Matthew de Kock was of the opinion that his Gr1 SA Nursery winner was in need of the outing after a lengthy break and recovering from knee surgery, however, he was done no favours in the draw.

Mustaaqeen will jump from the extreme outside no matter what.

But De Kock has plenty of options with eight of the 23 entries.

Hastagyolo has similarly bad luck for the Gr2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas, drawing 21 out of 23 and after Last Winter drew 20 out of 20 in the Sun Met, Dean Kannemeyer will not be particularly pleased.

Fellow KZN raider Fiorella did not fare much better in the draw as Duncan Howells’s filly drew on inside of Hashtagyolo at 20.

Frank Robinson’s filly Roy’s Riviera was more fortunate and should come in a few spots from her initial draw of 11.

The races will be run at Turffontein on Saturday, March 3.

By Andrew Harrison

R1,000,000  1600m     0

BETTING WORLD GAUTENG GUINEAS (Grade 2)

For 3 year-olds (1st Leg SA Triple Crown)

23 MUSTAAQEEM (AUS)   (3C) 60.0 109   Mike de Kock

7 MONKS HOOD         (3G) 60.0 104   Alistair Gordon

18 SURCHARGE          (3C) 60.0 104   Stuart Pettigrew

6 GREEK FIRE         (3C) 60.0 100   M G Azzie/A A Azzi

12 ROY HAD ENOUGH (AU (3C) 60.0 100   Frank Robinson

8 IDEAL SECRET       (3C) 60.0  98   M G Azzie/A A Azzi

11 MAJESTIC MAMBO     (3C) 60.0  98   Paul Peter

22 WONDERWALL         (3C) 60.0  97   Sean Tarry

15 SEERITE            (3G) 60.0  96   Robbie Sage

9 NOBLE SECRET       (3G) 60.0  95   Mike de Kock

19 SIR DAVID BAIRD    (3G) 60.0  95   Mike de Kock

3 PUGET SOUND        (3G) 60.0  92   Mike de Kock

1 ROYAL CRUSADE      (3C) 60.0  92   Mike de Kock

10 VACQUERO           (3C) 60.0  92   Robbie Sage

20 BIG BEAR           (3C) 60.0  91   Sean Tarry

17 YAKEEN (AUS)       (3C) 60.0  91   Mike de Kock

5 CASH TIME          (3G) 60.0  90   Gary Alexander

14 ALSHIBAA (AUS)     (3G) 60.0  89   Mike de Kock

13 PIETRO MASCAGNI    (3C) 60.0  87   Mike de Kock

4 SILVER GOD         (3C) 60.0  87   Sean Tarry

2 STATE TROOPER      (3G) 60.0  81   Roy Magner

16 ALSSAKHRA          (3C) 60.0  80   Paul Peter

21 LOYAL LIEUTENANT   (3G) 60.0  79   Robbie Sage

(23)

R500,000    1600m 

WILGERBOSDRIFT GAUTENG FILLIES GUINEAS (Grade 2)

3yof (1st Leg Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara)

21 HASHTAGYOLO        (3F) 60.0  99   Dean Kannemeyer

16 FOLK DANCE         (3F) 60.0  97   Paul Peter

10 FISH RIVER (AUS)   (3F) 60.0  96   Mike de Kock

2 SILVER THURSDAY    (3F) 60.0  95   Mike de Kock

11 ROY’S RIVIERA (AUS (3F) 60.0  92   Frank Robinson

8 TAKINGTHEPEACE     (3F) 60.0  92   Mike de Kock

19 CASHEL PALACE      (3F) 60.0  90   Alec Laird

20 FIORELLA           (3F) 60.0  90   Duncan Howells

18 DAME KELLY         (3F) 60.0  88   Ormond Ferraris

14 TAMMANY HALL       (3F) 60.0  88   Paul Peter

9 AURELIA COTTA      (3F) 60.0  87   Sean Tarry

3 ROCKIN RUSSIAN     (3F) 60.0  85   Sean Tarry

6 RADIANT SPLENDOUR  (3F) 60.0  83   Gary Alexander

5 GREEN TOP          (3F) 60.0  82   Alec Laird

15 SECRET POTION      (3F) 60.0  81   Geoff Woodruff

12 AWFAA              (3F) 60.0  80   Mike de Kock

13 JET START          (3F) 60.0  79   Ormond Ferraris

1 PALE LILAC         (3F) 60.0  79   Alec Laird

22 DRESSED TO IMPRESS (3F) 60.0  77   Geoff Woodruff

23 SCHIPPERS          (3F) 60.0  76   Geoff Woodruff

17 REDBERRY WOOD      (3F) 60.0  74   Geoff Woodruff

7 PEARL OF BAHRAIN   (3F) 60.0  73   Mike de Kock

4 PRETTY BALLERINA   (3F) 60.0  71   Ormond Ferraris

(23)