Peninsula Handicap winner Eyes Wide Open, 16-1 for Saturday week’s Sun Met, will miss the race and will run in the Investec Cape Derby instead.

Glen Kotzen said: “He came out of the Peninsula well but the decision was taken because he is a 26 November foal and the Met is going to come a bit soon for him. We have plenty of time – he can go for the Met next year.”

Eyes Wide Open (Candiese Marnewick)

Kotzen, who has yet to win the Met, will be represented by Gold Standard who has gone out to 15-1 after managing only eighth (admittedly beaten only just over three lengths) in the Queen’s Plate.

The Woodhill trainer said: “Gold Standard needs a bit further than a mile – he has a very stout female line- and the race wasn’t run that fast. I know it looked as if it was but it was really only the one in front (Captain America) who was travelling fast.”

Kotzen’s comment is borne out by the 1 min 38.14 time which was slower than all but two of the last eight runnings.

Impressive Cartier Paddock Stakes winner Oh Susanna is one of 30 horses that Justin Snaith has already declared for the meeting and seemingly she will now run in the Met regardless of whatever draw she is given on Wednesday.

Snaith said: “Oh Susanna came out of the race well, her work is good and she is doing well. If she is declared she must run.”

Last Winter, promoted to 15-4 clear favourite by Betting World in the wake of the Queen’s Plate result, is now only joint favourite at 4-1 with Marinaresco and Legal Eagle. World Sports Betting has Marinaresco favourite at 4-1 and goes 9-2 Legal Eagle, 5-1 Last Winter and 10-1 bar. Legal Eagle seemingly came out of his Queen’s Plate win in fine shape with Sean Tarry declaring on Saturday: “He is good to go.”

By Michael Clower

Bishop’s Bounty sprang the biggest Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes shock this century when coming from last to first at 45-1 at Kenilworth on Saturday. But Michael Leaf’s gelding had no impact on the Cape Flying Championship market because he is one of the seven runners not entered for the Grade 1.

Several of those on the podium said the Diadem should be brought forward a week, preferably two, and Justin Snaith added: “Sergeant Hardy (third) is one of the few that the present date is right for. He is tough, he weighs 580kg and you need to keep running him to keep his wind right.”

Sergeant Hardy was cut from 10-1 to 6-1 third favourite for the Betting World-sponsored race and Tevez (second at 30-1) from 25-1 to 14-1. Trip To Heaven (fifth) is favourite at 4-1 and, perhaps significantly, he finally got away on terms. “We have been working on him and Richard Fourie has been helping us,” explained Sean Tarry.

Bishop’s Bounty (Liesl King)

Dutch Philip started favourite but never got into it and finished halfway down the field. Aldo Domeyer said that he had committed himself to stable companion Magical Wonderland in the CTS 1200 even before this performance.

Snaith and Grant van Niekerk also took the Fairview Wines Sophomore Sprint with an unfancied runner when 15-1 shot Sir Frenchie benefitted from the drop in trip to get up in the last two strides in the now famous Braam van Huyssteen colours – but only after an early morning phone call from jockey to trainer to put blinkers on.

“He had been running over 1 400m and a mile and I didn’t want him to be outpaced,” explained Van Niekerk. “It’s a pity he is not in the Cape Flying because I think he would have gone well in that.”

Sand And Sea, beaten just over three lengths into fourth, was giving the winner 4kg and will be a leading contender for the $500 000 CTS race. “It wasn’t a bad effort and I think he will be spot on for Met day,” said Dennis Drier.

Two races after winning the two features Van Niekerk walked into the parade ring to partner In The Jungle for Piet Steyn who related tongue-in-cheek: “I said to him ‘Can you ride a winner for me?’ Grant replied: ‘I will try my best but I can only ride winners for the top trainers!’”

Needless to say he won this one too but he was lucky to be riding at all. When he was given a ten-day interference suspension on 5 January he elected to begin it last week. It was only when the stipes told him he couldn’t because he already had rides booked that he found he would have to start it yesterday.

It was last night that Brett Crawford was due to return from supervising Whisky Baron in Dubai and Barry Donnelly fired off a quick treble for him on Saturday.  Anthony Delpech is retained by both Mary Slack and Mauritzfontein and he won on Luna Child and Love Dove for them.

Joey Ramsden took his two-year-old race tally to three (there have only been seven races in Cape Town so far ) with the Anton Marcus-ridden Lucky Dancer while Harold Crawford shrewdly backed his 11-1 winner Ready Steady Go (Grant Behr).

By Michael Clower

The top eight in the Kaya Stables Diadem Stakes at Kenilworth tomorrow are limbering up for the Cape Flying Championship in a fortnight’s time but the well-backed Dutch Philip has a much more lucrative target that day in the CTS 1200.

At current exchange rates this restricted race carries a first prize of R3.1 million, five times what the Cape Flying winner receives and some R200 000 more than the Sun Met winner gets.

Trip to Heaven (JC Photographics)

The in-form Candice Bass-Robinson stable, which won it with Live Life 12 months ago, is awash with talent for the CTS race and the appropriately-named Magical Wonderland will start favourite unless Dutch Philip wins convincingly.

He could well do so because his Merchants second confirmed the promise of his fine juvenile record. True, he has it to do on adjusted ratings – officially he should not beat any of the top six – and he comes out 4.5kg inferior to Trip To Heaven.

“It’s not an easy race for him,” his trainer acknowledges. “But he is doing very well.” He is doing well in the market too, having been backed from 5-1 to 33-10 joint-favourite with World Sports Betting in the last three days. That said, no three-year-old has won this since 2006.

The obvious choice is Trip To Heaven who has drifted from 22-10 to 33-10 as the money has come for Dutch Philip. He won this by nearly four lengths last year despite – as is his trademark – giving the others several lengths start coming out of the pens.

Richard Fourie, who is in inspired form, rides him for the first time but he will doubtless have studied the unruffled manner in which S’Manga Khumalo (and Lyle Hewitson last time) allows the horse to make up the leeway.

He would be a confident selection but for this being his second run after a rest. This – and the money going on the next time – is not just some magical formula to use against the bookies but part of many trainers’ preparation. Sean Tarry explained it after winning the Green Point, saying: “In the second race back you have to leave the horse a little bit underdone.”

That just might make Fourie’s mount vulnerable and hand it to Dutch Philip who, in the circumstances, gets the vote.

Always In Charge (7-1) was only a length behind Dutch Philip in the Merchants and is a kilo better while Sergeant Hardy (8-1) is on a roll, although his breathing problems could start to take their toll in the final 100m. Both horses are in the right age group because four-year-olds have won half the last ten runnings.

Search Party (9-1) is five but he is much better than his Merchants run would suggest. He was third 12 months ago and second in the Mercury Sprint.

As regards the rest it is perhaps worth noting that only one winner has started at a longer price than 10-1 in the last ten seasons. However don’t forget Tevez. At eight he is the oldest in the field by two years but he was second last year and last time out he was fourth in the Merchants. He is worth a few rands, each way at 28-1 or 4-1 a place.

By Michael Clower

The Turffontein Standside nine race meeting tomorrow is headlined by the Listed Swallow Stakes over 1160m and the Mike de Kock-trained Takingthepeace could be the one to beat from a nice high draw.

This Visionaire filly is big and scopey and would have matured a lot since her victory over this course and distance in June. She was still gangly back then and showed pace in a small field before finding extra and drawing clear of the talented London Secret, although she was receiving 3kg from the latter. She won comfortably over  1000m in October, proving she has pace, and she showed her class when staying on strongly from a wide draw for third in the R2,5 million Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Stakes. Winter’s Forge has beaten the classy Winter Watch twice at level weights, including by 5,5 lengths when finishing a one length second in the Grade 2 SA Fillies Nursery. She now receives 4kg from Winter Watch so must have a big shout if anywhere near her best after an eight month layoff.

Mike De Kock

Tamarina won comfortably on debut for a yard who are known to bring horses on steadily, so she could be anything. Winter Watch has always struck as a classy sort and is starting to come into her own as a three-year-old. She is officially the joint-second best in at the weights and has proven worthy of her 95 merit rating. San Fermin is an interesting runner as she was rumoured hard to beat on Summer Cup day in the Grade 3 Fillies Mile after showing an exceptional turn of foot in her debut over 1400m and winning by seven lengths. She went out like a light in the Fillies Mile and was found to be fatigued and striding short. She now has a tongue tie on over a sprint trip, so can’t be ignored, although she does have a low draw which could be unfavourable.

Covered In Snow beat the promising Schippers to win her maiden over this course and distance and then won a handicap easily over this same course and distance next time out off a merit rating of 78. She was raised to 85, but might prove better than that in time and she is also one to include in the exotics. London secret can’t be ignored as she is up with Takingthepeace on paper over this course and distance and followed up that run by running a 2,15 length sixth in the Grade 2 Golden Slipper over 1400m at Greyville. She returns from a 196 day layoff.

Jazaalah is better than her last run when a firecracker led from start to finish over 1000m. She will appreciate the step up to 1160m and can defy her lowly merit rating from a Standside draw, which is usually favourable over this course and distance. Frederico’s Dream has always been well regarded and is 2,5kg better off with Varsity Girl for a 0,7 length beating over course and distance so can make her presence felt. They are selected in the order mentioned.

The best bet is selected to be Excalibur’s Return in race five over 2000m. She goes for a hattrick and the form of her last race has been franked, so this filly by Golden Sword can progress further from a rating of a mere 77. She had a tougher draw than Emerald Bay last time, but beat her by 0,25 lengths and she now faces her on 0,5kg better terms and there is a reversal of draw fortunes in her favour too. Furthermore, she is a three-year-old and Emerald Bay is a four-year-old, so if weight for age is included she is actually 1,5kg better off.

In the seventh over 1400m The Puma has struck as a classy sort and jumps from pole position over an ideal trip with a 1,5kg claimer up. He is returning from a layoff of 121 days though, so the improved 1400m specialist Bold Coast, as well as Bonnie Prince, Al Fahad, Christofle and Full Of Attitude must also be considered.

By David Thiselton

Ryker found one too good for him in the form of Sir David Baird in the KZN Guineas Trial but can get back to winning ways when he runs in the Soccer 13 Handicap at Scottsville on Sunday.

Gavin Lerena, who was aboard Sir David Baird for Mike de Kock, had the race susses before they even jumped, always a sign of a good jockey.

“I knew he was a difficult ride,” Lerena said post-race of Ryker. “I know that he pulls so I slowed it down and made it difficult for Anthony (Delpech).” Garth Puller, who saddled a double at Greyville last Wednesday, has brought Ryker back to a sprint and it may well prove to be a smart move although Delpech has jumped ship to partner Sunset Eyes, the horse he won on for Brett Crawford last time out.

Ryker

Sunset Eyes was making his debut on the poly and picked up a four-pound penalty for his efforts. A tongue-tie appears to have seen him turn the corner and he could well follow up.

Cumulus has consistent form and was a beaten favourite last run. His two best efforts have come on the turf so he cannot be ignored while top weight Amazon King has come down in the ratings. He has four-claiming apprentice Luke Ferraris up and they can upset to give the young rider his first winner.

Verdier made a smart debut for Mark Dixon after showing some useful Cape form in strong company. The extra tomorrow in the Racing. It’s A Rush Handicap should suit and he can go one better. Baltic Amber has been a soldier for Duncan Howells and his owners and is again over his best course and distance and could prove the main threat to Verdier.

Apprentice Ashton Arries is full value for his 1.5kg claim and that could just make the difference between first and second.

In the opening race the unfamiliar name of D Muscutt appears behind the name of Falkland, a winner of a barrier trail.

Peter Muscutt is the KZN assistant trainer to the powerful Brett Crawford yard and his son Daniel will be riding for their stable and Ivan and Darryl Moore. The twenty-two-year old has four rides, three for Crawford and one for the Moores. Daniel has ridden in South Africa before. He started in Cape Town early in his career as an apprentice and now rides in the United Kingdom for trainers James Fanshawe and Marco Botti and is in South Africa on a three-week busman’s holiday. Last season he rode 45 winners in the UK including two Listed races.

Muscutt may have to wait awhile for his first holiday winner as the lightly raced Shantytown races in blinkers for the first time and his two best efforts have been at Scottsville.

Staying races, and especially those in the higher divisions, often attract disappointingly small fields but punters will have their work cut out in the Itsarush.co.za Handicap where five of the six runners have obvious chances in the 2400m event and pace will be crucial.

Anthony Delpech is 17 winners clear of his nearest rival on the national jockey’s log, apprentice Lyle Hewitson, and seems well set for his second consecutive jockey’s championship. He more than likely had the choice of the two Kannemeyer runners, Mr O’Neill and One Man Show, and has picked the latter whose last win came over course and distance beating Techno Captain who is now 5kg better off in the handicap.

In theory that should be more than enough to turn the tables but the likes of Chicago Beat, Pyrenees In Spain and Mr O’Neill all come into the reckoning in what will be a tactical encounter.

By Andrew Harrison

Seasoned horseman Peter Muscutt is the KZN assistant trainer to the powerful Brett Crawford yard and his son, Daniel Muscutt, will be riding for their stable and Ivan and Darryl Moore’s on Sunday at Scottsville. The twenty-two-year old has four rides on the eight-race programme, three for Crawford and one for the Moore’s. Daniel has ridden in South Africa as he started in Cape Town early in his career as an apprentice. Muscutt rides in the United Kingdom for trainers James Fanshawe and Marco Botti and is in South Africa for a three-week busman’s holiday. Last season the youngster rode 45 winners including two Listed races. His first ride in a Group One was in America in the Arlington Million where he failed narrowly, flying up to run second, beaten a neck on Fanciful Angel.

By Warren Lenferna

The Grade 2 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes over 1200m at Kenilworth, a weight for age plus penalties event, is always a good pointer to the Grade 1 Betting World Cape Flying Championships and on Saturday all eyes will be on the Diadem defending champion Trip To Heaven.

Trip to Heaven (JC Photographics)

Trip To Heaven put up probably the performance of the season last year in the Cape Flying. He is a notoriously slow starter and was left tailed off after dwelling in the stalls. However, he has excellent cruising speed and a devastating turn of foot. He showed it that day, as he went within 0,3 lengths of catching the subsequently named Equus Champion Sprinter Carry On Alice, despite having experienced traffic problems. This 1200m trip is more down his alley as it gives him more time to make up the leeway as he does see out the distance. He disappointed in three runs subsequent to the Cape Flying last season, but made an excellent comeback recently over 1160m at Turffontein. He lost about three lengths in the latter race and was flying home for a 1,2 length third, despite carrying 61,5kg and giving the winner Kangaroo Jack 1,5kg. He looks to be back in form and the six-year-old Trippi gelding will be attempting to repeat his effort last year, when losing two lengths yet still cruising in by 3,75 lengths.

Sergeant Hardy has won six out of ten starts at Kenilworth and won the Listed Southeaster Sprint last time over 1100m with 61kg on his back by a comfortable 1,75 lengths. He has a lot of pace and is ominously drawn one. He was drawn one for the Southeaster and Bernard Fayd’Herbe took him straight to the rail which he used to his advantage throughout the race.

A most interesting runner will be the three-year-old Mujaafy. Officially he is way out at the weights, but is unexposed. This good looking, rangy colt will relish the step up to this trip and will be able to use his big stride, as he is drawn two so will be able to sit behind Sergeant Hardy.

Wonderwall and Dutch Phillip are two other three-year-olds with both speed and class and they are sure to be thereabouts.

Always In Charge is a Grade 1-winning sprinter who now dons blinkers. He is capable of winning and Anton Marcus is aboard.

The talented but enigmatic Attenborough can never be written off, for if things go his way he packs a strong finish.

Search Party is ideally course and distance suited and has his third run after a layoff.

Eight-year-old Tevez proved last time out he is still capable of producing his familiar flying finish and he finished second in this race last year.

By David Thiselton

Dean Kannemeyer is to take the unbeaten Hashtagyolo to Turffontein for the Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas and possibly for the SA Fillies Classic.

Hashtagyolo

He said: “Hashtagyolo is a November foal so we went the easy Durban route rather the Cape Town one. Her last win was impressive, she is a big rangey filly with scope and I know she will like Turffontein.

“So she will run in the Fillies Guineas there on 3 March. If she performs well and comes through it alright she will then go for the Fillies Classic (also sponsored by Wilgerbosdrift) five weeks later.”

The Dynasty filly is unbeaten in three starts, most notably in the Flamboyant Stakes at Greyville on New Year’s Eve.

By Michael Clower

A run under the belt is mostly invaluable and although Miss Trust still made something of a meal if it in winning her maiden, she learnt just enough at her Scottsville debut to get the better of a game Breaking Barriers in the Itsarush.co.za Maiden at Greyville yesterday.

Peter Muscutt, assistant to Brett Crawford, was still impressed with her win. “Clearly she didn’t learn much from her first start. She was still very green. She is only just learning her trade and I think there is significant improvement to come. I think she was just a little bit better than Sean’s (Veale) filly.”

Anthony Delpech (Liesl King)

Breaking Barriers came into the straight with what at first looked to be a ton in hand and shifted to the outside fence in front of Miss Trust who was the only other runner making any headway.

Anthony Delpech, who had won the card opener on Mark Tapley for Garth Puller, switch his mount in from behind Breaking Barriers and worked hard to get past when it counted.

Kazaar, an easy maiden winner at second time of asking for Dennis Bosch, made a smart handicap debut winning the Track & Ball Fixed Odds Handicap. Owner Brian Burnard’s gelding has clearly made significant improvement since finishing runner-up to Drageda at Scottsville and easily turned the tables, although the latter doesn’t look too genuine as Anton Marcus was at him a long way out and he never seemed to find his stride.

Jumping from a sprint to nine furlongs at only a third start is always a risk and the well-fancied Autumn Rain was run out of it by Barking Irons, a second for Puller, and Secret Service. The favourite was given every chance by Delpech but was one-paced late.

Geoff Perkins has a multitude of horses in training, in partnership and on his own, and although Secret Service came up short and Naked Truth fifth behind Barking Irons, he had a change of fortune in the tabGOLD Information App Handicap when Madame Excess got the better of her rivals in a titanic struggle to the line. She looked a lost cause 400m out but Keagan de Melo kept her hard to her task and she got up close home to deny favourite Queenie and Gorgeous Guest with two short-heads the finishing margins.

“I put blinkers on her and she showed exceptional work at home on the sand,” said Duncan Howells. “She’s not an easy ride and doesn’t quite give 100%,” commented De Melo. However, Howells revealed that Madame Excess had, had a couple of “niggly” back problems.

Anton Marcus is one jockey who is never afraid to commit early and has often come in for criticism from many a grandstand jockey when beaten. However, the ‘riders in the stand’ were happy when he made a bold move at the top of the straight on Hidden Thought and Glen Kotzen’s filly slowly pulled away from the opposition in the Track & Ball Gaming Handicap to register back-to-back wins. The daughter of Lateral has made steady improvement and on yesterday’s performance she could get further than a mile.

By Andrew Harrison