The highly rated and still unexposed Red Chesnut Road will run in the Gr 3 Man O’ War Sprint over 1100m at Turffontein on Saturday.

However, his Summerveld-based trainer Robbie Hill said he would not be at “a hundred percent” and the race appears to be a stepping stone towards targets in the SA Champions Season.

Hill said, “He has been doing well in work, but hasn’t run for a while so will be slightly underdone, but he will give a good account of himself.”

Red Chesnut Road (Nkosi Hlophe)

Red Chesnut Road has been at Randjesfontein since mid-January, so has had plenty of time to acclimatise to the high altitude of the Highveld.

The Pathfork gelding might not have won any awards last season as a two-year-old, but his formline stood out. He destroyed the opposition in his first two starts over 1200m and 1100m respectively, both at Scottsville,  and a few winners emerged from those races, including Gr 1 winner Gunner, whom he beat by 11,75 lengths.

However, unfortunately, Red Chesnut Road had to be put away for the season after a hiccup in training.

He made his long awaited come back from an eight month layoff on January 9 on the Greyville polytrack over 1400m, but was defeated half-a-length by the resolute Winter Is Coming, to whom he was giving 4kg. He had the Listed winner Palladium 2,25 lengths behind and was also giving that one 4kg if the claim of Palladium’s apprentice jockey is included. Red Chesnut Road was green around the turn in the race and the conclusion was also that he had needed the run. Furthermore, Winter Is Coming is highly rated by his trainer Frank Robinson and was subsequently entered in the Gr 1 Investec Cape Derby (although he ended up having to be scratched).

Red Chesnut Road will likely attract a lot of market support on Saturday, despite needing it and having to carry topweight under the merit-rated band conditions of the race. His class could pull him through, although it won’t be easy against some top class sorts, including the two fillies Green Pepper and Ektifaa who are both better in at the weights than he is.

The currently 104 merit-rated Red Chesnut Road will be back at Summerveld next week.

Hill will see how he comes out of Saturday’s race before confirming his SA Champions Season targets.

He has always believed Red Chesnut Road would stay a bit of ground and mentioned the Gr 2 Daisy Guineas on May 7 as one of his possible targets. Hill concluded, “I believe he is versatile, but it will be baby steps at a time and a lot will depend on him.”

By David Thiselton

Stipendiary steward Tarquin Norval, a former handicapper and racing journalist, bows out tomorrow after spending his entire working life involved in racing.

Norval, 61, said yesterday: “I am going a year or two earlier than I would have wanted but I opted for this. There are retrenchments at the NHA and they gave me a package.

“I am now going to have to get used to the idea of not working and I know this is something that will be completely foreign to me.”

His first job, starting in September 1977, was with the Natal Mercury and he was assistant racing editor with the Daily News before being transferred to the Cape Argus.

In 1984 he switched direction to become an assistant handicapper with the two Western Province Racing Clubs before being appointed a stipe some 20 years ago.

He said: “I am proud of being part of South African racing in its golden years. In those days racing was huge and racecourses were packed whereas today, sadly, the interest seems to be lacking.”

Norval intends keeping up his endurance activities with mountain running. He is a veteran of 15 Two Oceans half-marathons and 18 Cape Argus cycle races.

Also retiring tomorrow is fellow official Steve Naude, 62, who has been an investigating officer for the past 30 years.

By Michael Clower

Jockey Raymond Danielson believes he is on the horse to beat in the Gr 1 SA Fillies Classic over 1800m on Saturday, Smiling Blue Eyes, but he is concerned about the filly’s Sean Tarry-trained stable companion Safe Harbour.

He said about his own mount, “She is doing well and is herself. We are looking forward to it, but she is the right horse in the race, so there is a bit of pressure.”

Smiling Blue Eyes has won the Gr 3 Fillies Mile and Gr 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas in her last two starts, despite them being three months apart. She is by Dynasty out of a Badger Land mare, so will stay the 1800m trip on pedigree. In fact she has already proved she stays it by winning her maiden over 2000m by 5,75 lengths from an older filly Cidada, who went on to win two of her next three starts. In the Gauteng Fillies Guineas Smiling Blue Eyes had to jump from draw 16 of 16 and ran in the three lane, but she did have cover the whole way. She showed a fine turn of foot before staying on resolutely. This time she is drawn in six.

Raymond Danielson

Danielson named the Gauteng Fillies Guineas runner up, Al Hawraa, as a danger along with Safe Harbour.

He said, “Al Hawraa found trouble in the Guineas.” This Australian-bred by New Approach was making a telling forward move when her stablemate Ektifaa drifted across her just before the 300m mark, forcing her to switch. She then had to bide her time before a gap opened and by the time it had the bird had flown. However, she was 2,6 lengths back at the line and would likely not have caught Smiling Blue Eyes anyway as the latter won comfortably and was being eased down at the line. Al Hawraa is by the Epsom Derby winner New Approach out of a Redoute’s Choice mare and gave the impression in that last start she would enjoy this trip.

Danielson revealed Smiling Blue Eyes and Safe Harbour had worked together last week. Based on that work together with Safe Harbour’s best form, he rated her a danger. He said Safe Harbour appeared to be back to herself.

Safe Harbour, a long-striding daughter of Elusive Fort, had a tough campaign in Cape Town. She won the R2,5 million Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes over 1400m, was a narrow runner up in both the Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas and the Gr 1 Maine Chance Farms Paddock Stakes over 1800m, before finishing fifth to the boys in the US$500,000 CTS Mile and was the first filly home. In the Gauteng Fillies Guineas she jumped from a wide draw and her 8,55 length tenth was clearly below par. Safe Harbour is by Elusive Fort out of an unplaced Rakeen mare, who is a half-sister to a five times-winning Listed victor, whose wins were from 1800-2000m. Furthermore, her full-brother won over 2400m, albeit in a maiden race in Port Elizabeth. So on pedigree she should enjoy the tough Turffontein 1800m. Indeed, in the Paddock Stakes over the easier Kenilworth 1800m she burst through well and was only caught on the line.

Safe Harbour has a tough draw of eleven to overcome in the 13 horse field on Saturday and champion jockey S’Manga Khumalo replaces her regular pilot Weichong Marwing.

Danielson rides the Tarry-trained Tilbury Fort in the Gr 1 SA Classic over 1800m. He believes this Horse Chestnut colt is looking for this ground and will ride him with confidence. He rode him in his last two starts, to a 2,8 length fourth in the Gr 2 Betting World Gauteng Guineas and a 0,5 length second in a MR 84 Handicap over 1600m last time out. However, he was only running off an 84 merit rating in that last start. Therefore, there must be a question whether he is up to Gr 1 class, although on the other hand it was likely a preparation outing. Danielson pointed out that in his belief the three that beat him in the Gauteng Guineas, Janoobi, Al Sahem and Heavenly Blue, would all enjoy the step up in trip to 1800m, so he will have a tough task to reverse the form.

Danielson has always been a good big race rider, being cool, calm and collected as well as an astute tactician. He does particularly well on those he has ridden before as one with both a good affinity for horses who quickly learns their ins and outs.

by David Thiselton

Piere Strydom said there would have to be a concern about Janoobi staying the 1800m trip of the Gr 1 SA Classic over 1800m on Saturday.

He said, “He has some speed and the two dangers, Heavenly Blue and Al Sahem, will both enjoy the step up in trip.” He added the wide draw of eight in the nine horse field was also a worry, “particularly for the type of horse he is.”

Piere Strydom

Strydom took Janoobi to the front from draw six in the Gr 2 Gauteng Guineas and the gallant bay ran on well in the straight before holding on in a thriller to beat Al Sahem by 0,2 lengths. Heavenly Blue stayed on strongly for a 1,5 length third. At first sight the pedigree of Janoobi, Silvano out of a Rakeen mare, suggests he will easily get the 1800m trip. However, there is a lot of speed in the female line, with one of the chief influences being his second dam Scented Royal, who won the Strelitzia Stakes and was second in the SA Fillies Sprint.

Strydom has no worries about his Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic mount Babbling Brooke staying the 1800m trip. She was staying on in the Gr 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas for fourth from a draw of eight. Furthermore, she now has a plum draw of three. However, Strydom reckoned it would be hard to reverse form with the impressive Gauteng Fillies Guineas winner Smiling Blue Eyes.

Strydom said his probable best ride on the day would be Kings Archer, who is topweight in the 12^th and last race, a MR 93 handicap over 1600m. Strydom rated this horse with a good chance if he ran to his recent form. He is drawn well in three.

Strydom rides the talented filly Polyphonic in the Gr 3 Jacaranda Handicap over 1800m. He said it wouldn’t be easy with topweight, but she had run an improved race last time to finish fourth in the Gr 3 Acacia handicap over 1600m. That was the first time he had ridden her and he had her settled and covered in a handy position on the rail. In some of her races before that she had apparently been reported by riders to be a bit headstrong, so a draw of eleven on Saturday cold be a concern.

Strydom rides Whorly Whorly in the Gr 3 Protea Stakes over 1100m and simply said two-year-old events are unpredictable.

He rides Spring Breeze in the Gr 3 Pretty Polly Stakes over 1100m, also a two-year-old event, and said although she had only won a weak maiden juvenile plate, her work at home had reportedly been good.

He rides Iridium Silver in the eleventh race and said, “She wouldn’t have been my first choice.”

By David Thiselton

Lily Theresa is a big price at 5-1 for the opening Maiden Juvenile Fillies at Kenilworth tomorrow considering the way Joey Ramsden has been dominating the Cape Town two-year-old races.

True, she was beaten over six lengths when only sixth on debut but 12 ran that day and this R1.2 million purchase (she is by Var out of a half-sister to the Golden Horse Casino winner Contador) seems sure to have improved.

Strictly on the book Regal Ruby has her measure – she finished three and a half lengths in front of her in that January race which is still best remembered for the eclipse of the much-touted Miss Frankel – but it was her second run so she does not have the same scope for improvement.

Glen Kotzen

World Sports Betting makes Regal Ruby favourite at 3-1 and has the Justin Snaith newcomer Angel’s Trumpet sharing 5-1 second spot with the Ramsden filly while the Glen Kotzen first-timer Heart Of Legend is next on 6-1.

All but two of the 16 runners are appearing for the first time and it is worth noting, particularly in the absence of any market move of note, that all the last nine two-year-old races at Kenilworth have been won by a horse who has already had a run.

Seven of the 13 in race two are newcomers and Ramsden is responsible for two of them – Bayeto (an Oratorio half-brother to Nocturnal Affair who won the Byerley Turk and also the Portland Handicap at Doncaster in Britain) and True Words, a R2 million Byword colt whose dam was second in the SA Fillies Classic.

“They are two really nice horses but I couldn’t prefer one above the other,” says Ramsden. “Their chances depend on what else is in the race but it is hard to win over six furlongs first time at Kenilworth.”

Why Wouldn’t Yew, fourth to Al Mariachi and Kasimir on the second of his two starts, has the best form and opened joint favourite at 7-2 with Brett Crawford’s newcomer Captain Ram and Justin Snaith’s debutant Fritz Nobis. True Words is on 11-2 and Bayeto on 7-1.

However the one that makes the most appeal is Strategic Power. This 8-1 chance carries the Mayfair colours and started third favourite when ridden by Anton Marcus on debut in January. He managed only 11^th of 15 but the reason soon materialised – “he pulled up very shin-sore,” explains Vaughan Marshall.

Emerald Gal, 4-1 for the Racing Association Maiden, wears blinkers for the first time and this should enable her to finally get her head in front. Bookmaker prices suggest she should not beat Lindleys Lane (5-2) or Le Claire (28-10) who was a head in front of her last month but the Darryl Hodgson filly makes real appeal.

Race Four, the 1 400m maiden, is wide open and you can find valid reasons why each of the seven runners should not win. Strikeitlikeamatch was far from disgraced in the Sophomore and, with Aldo Domeyer on board, he gets a wholly tentative vote.

By Michael Clower

Joe Ramsden can continue his recent domination of the Cape Town two-year-old races by taking the opening Maiden Juvenile Fillies at Kenilworth today with Lily Theresa.

Donovan Dillon’s mount was beaten over six lengths when only sixth on debut but 12 ran that day and this R1.2 million purchase (she is by Var out of a half-sister to the Golden Horse Casino winner Contador) seems sure to have improved.

Just Sensual (Liesl King)

Strictly on the book Regal Ruby has her measure – she finished three and a half lengths in front of her in that January race which is still best remembered for the eclipse of the much-touted Miss Frankel – but it was her second run so she does not have the same scope for improvement.

World Sports Betting makes Regal Ruby favourite at 7-2 and has slightly shortened the Ramsden filly from 5-1 to 9-2. The Justin Snaith newcomer Angel’s Trumpet is next on 11-2 and the Glen Kotzen first-timer Heart Of Legend is on 13-2.

All but two of the 16 runners are appearing for the first time and it is worth noting that all the last nine two-year-old races at Kenilworth were won by a horse who had already had a run. That said, there has been significant market support for Candice Bass-Robinson’s Public Prosecutor (14-1 to 13-2) and the Brett Crawford-trained Delia’s Delight (16-1 to 15-2).

Seven of the 12 in race two are newcomers and Ramsden is responsible for two of them – Bayeto (an Oratorio half-brother to Nocturnal Affair who won the Byerley Turk and also the Portland Handicap at Doncaster in Britain) and True Words, a R2 million Byword colt whose dam was second in the SA Fillies Classic.

“They are two really nice horses but I couldn’t prefer one above the other,” says Ramsden. “Their chances depend on what else is in the race but it is hard to win over six furlongs first time at Kenilworth.”

Why Wouldn’t Yew, fourth to Al Mariachi and Kasimir on the second of his two starts, has the best form and opened joint favourite at 7-2 with Crawford’s newcomer Captain Ram and Snaith’s debutant Fritz Nobis. True Words is on 11-2 and Bayeto on 15-2.

The Conglomerate (Liesl King)

However the one that makes the most appeal is Strategic Power. This already supported 13-2 chance carries the Mayfair colours and started third favourite when ridden by Anton Marcus on debut in January. He managed only 11^th of 15 but the reason soon materialised – “he pulled up very shin-sore,” explains Vaughan Marshall.

Emerald Gal, backed from 4-1 to 28-10 for the Racing Association Maiden, wears blinkers for the first time and this should enable her to finally get her head in front. Early bookmaker prices suggested she should not beat Lindleys Lane or Le Claire who was a head in front of her last month but the Darryl Hodgson filly makes real appeal.

Race Four, the 1 400m maiden, is wide open and you can find valid reasons why each of the seven runners should not win. Strikeitlikeamatch was far from disgraced in the Sophomore and, with Aldo Domeyer on board, he gets a wholly tentative vote. But make a note of Richard Fourie’s mount C’Est La Vie as this lightly-raced gelding was yesterday backed from 6-1 to 9-2.

By Michael Clower

The outstanding Summerhill Stud mare Vin Fizz added two more accolades to her glittering record when her son Champagne Haze won the Gr 2 Senor Santa Stakes over 1160m at Turffontein on Saturday and her daughter Belle Rose won the Listed Oaks Trial over 2000m.

The Gary Alexander-trained Champagne Haze, who has not won beyond 1450m, proved speed was what he was all about when bursting through under Gavin Lerena to win going away by two lengths from the speedy Gr 3-winning three-year-old filly Wrecking Ball. The favourite Bull Valley, who is a bull of a horse, was pipped for third but will come on from the run and will no doubt be a big runner in the Gr 1 Computaform Sprint over 1000m on May 6.

Champagne Haze (JC Photographics)

In the Listed Oaks Trial Belle Rose carried joint-topweight and showed a lot of heart under Callan Murray to stave off the persistent challenge of the other topweight Wind Chill and win by 0,2 lengths. The unexposed Silvano filly Parabola, to whom they were giving 5,5kg, was a further 1,3 lengths back in third. Consequently, Belle Rose put herself in the Gr 1 SA Fillies Classic (1800m) picture. The form will also put Oriental Oak in with a chance next Saturday, as she beat Wind Chill by 1,75 lengths over 2000m last time when receiving 1,5kg. However, both fillies will have to go some to beat the comfortable Gr 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas winner Smiling Blue Eyes, as well as the like of Orchid Island and Babbling Brook, who will both appreciate the step up to 1800m.

Champagne Haze is by Kahal and Belle Rose is by the stamina influence Golden Sword. Their half-brother Pierre Jourdan (Parade Leader) was the first to give notice of Vin Fizz’s influence, winning the first two legs of the Triple Crown in 2010, among other feature race successes.

In the Gr 2 Colorado King Stakes on Saturday, the Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained Australian-bred Teofilio colt Brazuca proved he stays the testing Turffontein 2000m when winning by a comfortable 3,1 lengths under Gavin Lerena. The runner up Deo Juvente, who was giving the winner 1kg, should come on from the run and will be a runner in the lucrative Gr 1 Premier’s Champion Challenge over the same course and distance on May 6. Third-placed French Navy clearly takes a while to get to his peak and master trainer Sean Tarry will no doubt have him spot on again for the Champions Challenge.

In the other big races on Saturday, the Corne Spies-trained Sail From Seattle filly Seattle Singer bounced back to her best to win the Gr 3 Sycamore Sprint over 1160m under Craig Zackey at odds of 28/1.

The Geoff Woodruff-trained Mogok gelding Pagoda easily won the Listed Derby Trial over 2000m under Gavin Lerena, signalling his SA Derby credentials, although he was only running off an 84 merit rating.

Lerena’s feature race treble thrilled his many fans, who were becoming concerned about the national log-leading jockeys rare drought of 71 rides without a winner.

He is now seven clear of Greg Cheyne in the race for the National Championship.

By David Thiselton

Dynasty’s Blossom is a confident choice for the Fillies Maiden Juvenile at Kenilworth tomorrow. This R4.5 million purchase looked a certain future winner when making a promising debut a fortnight ago and the extra furlong should be in her favour.

The Joey Ramsden filly ran on nicely after making a slow start and had the much more experienced Cosmic Dust over four lengths behind. She is drawn on the rails and is rated 2kg clear of the next best, Rings And Things.

Joey Ramsden (Kenilworth Racing)

The handicappers don’t normally release any two-year-old ratings until the handicaps start next month but on this occasion the results of their calculations slipped through the net.

The other two-year-old race is much more problematical. Pen-Chan, well beaten when over four lengths-second to the admittedly smart Valedictorian, is top-rated of those that have raced and would have to be the tip unless there is significant money for any of the newcomers.

Those that appear to be the choice of the top stables cost between R500 000 (Supreme Orator) and R100 000 (Pinwheel and the appropriately-named Endofmarch) although Querari’s Secret (R280 000) commands the most respect at this stage even though her pedigree suggests she wants further.

The sahorseracing computer goes for Pen-Chan – but it conveniently ignores all the unraced horses!

Dalibhunga, bred in the purple – by Var out of dual SA Fillies Sprint winner Joie De Grise, has a lot to make up on the top three in the finale on a strict form interpretation of his Valentine’s Day debut but there was a lot of promise about the performance. He lost several lengths at the start after playing up in the pens but he made up six lengths in the last 300m.  He should be good enough.

Arctic Green started favourite when fourth to Miss Stake a month ago – probably because rider Anton Marcus was on a roll – but she did suffer some interference and she finished only half a length behind Daring Miss who re-opposes in the Racing Association Maiden. The Tab sheet has her at 10-1 and at that price you can back her each way. Weston has some decent form but has been off since early January while the Inspired Choice form has not worked out that well.

BLOB Last year’s Woolavington winner Bela-Bela leaves Cape Town for Durban tomorrow morning and will have her first race of the KZN season in the City Of Pietermartizburg Fillies Sprint at Scottsville.

By Michael Clower

Meydan Selections  Saturday Mar 25

Race 1 (13) KAFUJI TAKE (3) Le Bernadien (8) Heavy Metal (include 2-6-7)

Race 2 (1) FAUCON DE LOUP (10) Sniper De Monlau (12) Handassa (include 11-9-13-7)

Race 3 (12) HEARTBREAK CITY (7) Big Orange (8) Kingfisher (include 1-11-3)

Race 4 (13) THUNDER SNOW (3) Lancaster Bomber (10) Epicharis (include 6-5-9-2)

Race 5 (6) ERTIJAAL (11) Limato (1) Amazing Kids (include 5-3-12)

Race 6 (14) MIND YOUR BISCUITS (11) St Joe Bay (5) Cool Cowboy (include 8-2-6)

Race 7 (2) ZARAK (4) Decorated Knight (6) Mutakayyef (include 13-1-7)

Race 8 (3) HIGHLAND REEL (7) Postponed (5) Prize Money (include 6-2)

Race 9 (9) ARROGATE (5) Gun Runner (12) Hoppertunity (include 7-4-14)

For downloadable Meydan racecards visit www.tabgold.co.za OR http://www.emiratesracing.com/node/3?id=2788

The Gr 1 R1 million weight for age Empress Club Stakes has been moved from 15 April to 22 April for the reason Phumelela are hoping to be graced by the on course presence of HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco.

Princess Charlene of Monaco

The prestigious Turffontein Standside 1600m event for fillies and mares will also be named the HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes. Furthermore, the two maiden plate races of R250,000 which Princess Charlene sponsors and which were previously run on Peermont Emperor’s Palace Charity Mile day have been moved to this meeting.

The later date of the race will be welcomed by Highveld trainers of top three-year-old fillies as this will give them three weeks recovery time after the Gr 1 SA Fillies Classic, which is to be run on April 1. On the other hand, the race will now be only two weeks before the Gr 2 Daisy Fillies Guineas at Greyville in KZN, which is to be run on May 7.

One top three-year-old filly who will be in the Empress Club Stakes is the Roy Magner-trained Anna Pavlova and she will arrive relatively fresh as she is skipping the SA Fillies Classic.

Anna Pavlova, by St Petersburg, was purchased in-training by Barry Irwin’s Team Valor International before her last start in the Gr 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas, although a share in her was retained by original owners Courtney and Megan Soal.

She has a magnificent turn of foot, which was evident when she won the Gr 3 Three Troikas Stakes over 1450m on the Turffontein Inside track.

However, from a wide draw in the Fillies Guineas, she was simply too far out of her ground turning for home. She did run on well in the very soft conditions for a six length seventh, so connections will be hoping for a better draw this time.

Anna Pavlova is only merit rated 93, so is going to face a tough task at the weights. However, it will be fitting to have her in a race on the same day of the visit of Princess Charlene as she was named after one of the most graceful ballerina’s of all time.

By David Thiselton