Aldo Domeyer, riding on the crest of a wave, has hit rough water and is sitting out a ten-day suspension for his part in the fall of Greg Cheyne at Kenilworth nine days ago.

The stipes ruled that he “failed to take sufficient corrective measures and was a source of interference” when riding the winner Victorious Jay.

Aldo Domeyer

It is not easy keeping half a tonne of horseflesh straight at nearly 60kph, particularly when it is beginning to tire, your weigh only 55kg and you are perched on little more than a postage stamp but Domeyer is taking the ban on the chin.

He said: “I didn’t have much control of my horse, he is very strong and he tends to do that (hang) but neither I nor MJ Byleveld on Milton (in the lead) was aware that Greg was where he was. However I understand where the stipes are coming from – somebody gets hurt so they have to act – and I am taking the suspension immediately.”

He signed off with an Andre Nel double on Saturday on Straat-Kind and Skip A Beat and then won the finale on River Cam, the first winner in his new role as number one to Candice Bass-Robinson. “It’s nice to be promoted from making tea to being stable jock,” he commented drily – a reference to his early days as a teenage wannabee doing anything at the Bass yard just to be involved.

Cheyne, who missed three of Alan Greeff’s five Fairview winners on Friday, also sat out Saturday explaining: “I never made the improvement I was hoping for during the week.” Indeed jockeys were in as short supply as water in the Steenbras dam. Craig du Plooy was too badly bruised in a fall on the sand track that morning to meet his commitments and Grant Behr, who had a nasty fall on Friday, was forced to call it a day after only one ride.

The day began with a shock victory of almost Trump proportions when Kasimir, supposedly unbeatable at 1-5, could never get in a meaningful blow behind 16-1 shot Al Mariachi on whom Corne Orffer led from pillar to post.

Greg Cheyne (Nkosi Hlophe)

Brett Crawford, just back from Australia where he bought four yearlings for Ridgemont and one on spec, said: “I fancied him the first time but he was as green as grass. I wasn’t sure we could beat the favourite here but he is a horse with a bit of a future.”

Robert Khathi, who leaves for Mauritius on Wednesday, also sprang a surprise bringing 28-1 shot Chisanyama in the Mayfair colours fast and late to snatch the Soccer 6 Handicap. On her most recent start, in December, the Joey Ramsden filly finished 11^th of 12 and rider Ossie Noach reported that she took no interest but the fact that she wore a tongue tie on Saturday could be the key. The stipes advised that she should also wear one in future races.

Former English trainer Gavin Hunter, who bought Quickfire as a yearling, was talking in terms of the Winter Series after the gelding came good at the second time of asking in the 1 200m maiden and Glen Kotzen, sending out his 50^th winner of the season, confirmed this view.

Richard Fourie, who rode the horse, was seen at his skilful best on Gyre who has seen more seconds than a professional boxer. Ten times, including all his last five races, the Adam Marcus gelding has managed to find one too good for him but Fourie got him up on the line, saying: “Everything has to go his way and even here I thought I had hit the front a bit too soon because he began to put the brakes on.”

Piet Steyn recalled picking up Racing Association Maiden winner Lady Vogue for a mere R20 000. Judging by how well she travelled for Heavelon van der Hoven in the 1 400m maiden there is more to come.

By Michael Clower

Horseracing has a habit of stamping milestone moments. The latest occurrence was on Saturday at Turffontein when Mike de Kock registered his 3000^th winner in the Gr 2 Betting World Gauteng Guineas. The colt Janoobi also secured a feature treble for the De Kock yard on the day.

Mike de Kock

Fate could not have ordained a more fitting jockey to have been aboard Janoobi than Piere Strydom.

If there was ever a vote for greatest South African trainer De Kock would probably win it, while Strydom is the only South African to have ever ridden 5000 winners and is peerless in this country in terms of natural talent.

The reason eight-times SA Champion Trainer De Kock would likely win the vote is due to his overseas exploits. He has virtually single-handedly put South African racing on the map.

Therefore the final fitting stamp on the 3000^th winner was the famous blue with white epaulettes colours Janoobi carried.

These colours of Sheik Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum have been carried to victory twice in the world’s most famous flat race, the Epsom Derby, and are synonymous with British racing. Twenty years ago nobody would have dreamed of them being a regular fixture in South Africa.

De Kock inherited a string of 50 horses in 1988 at the age of 23 when his then boss Ricky Howard-Ginsberg passed away unexpectedly.

The owners had unanimous faith in the young De Kock taking over the string due to the natural affinity he had shown for horses. In his time in the army’s equestrian unit he had learnt how to get horses to peak fitness for both combat and endurance races. In his subsequent stint with Ormond Ferraris he had learnt the importance of attention to detail. These two aspects of training have been the cornerstones of his success today.

His first winner was with Evening Mist in a Listed race at Newmarket on December 21, 1988, a fitting start because it was growing up close to this racecourse which had attracted him to horses and racing in the first place.

Piere Strydom

Evening Mist gave him his first Gr 1 winner in April the following year when beating the boys in the Administrator’s Champion Stakes over 2000m at Turffontein, despite odds of 25/1.

De Kock’s career took off at the end of the last millennium through his training of Horse Chestnut, who is widely regarded as the greatest racehorse in South African history. The versatile colt was a facile winner of the Cape Guineas and followed up by winning the J&B Met by eight lengths. He then went on to land the Triple Crown. He was an easy winner of his only start in the USA. However, a subsequent training injury forced an early retirement, having won nine of his ten career starts.

But, the great horse had given De Kock a penchant for overseas travel.

De Kock had soon boldly set up a yard in Dubai. On a historic night for South African racing at the Dubai World Cup meeting in 2003, De Kock landed the UAE Derby with Victory Moon and the Gr 1 Dubai Duty Free with the filly Ipi Tombe.

De Kock went on to become the second most successful trainer in Dubai Carnival history and is still a force to be reckoned with out there today. He also has a yard in Newmarket in England. Two years ago he became the first South African to have a runner in the Kentucky Derby.

The benefit to South African racing of De Kock’s overseas success will only be truly felt when the iniquitous export protocols imposed on South African horses by most countries around the world are relaxed. This situation remains De Kock’s biggest bugbear and causes him immense frustration.

Janoobi (JC Photographics)

He has been heard to say “the floodgates” for SA racing will be opened once it has been resolved.

De Kock said in the build up to the 3000^th winner, he was not much one for milestones as a person who tended to look ahead rather than backwards.

However, he would have gained great satisfaction from his son Mathew being at the helm for the three feature victories on Saturday, courtesy of Rafeef, Nother Russia and Janoobi, as he himself was away in Dubai.

Mathew also saddled the Gr 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas runner up Al Hawraa and looks ever more capable of filling his father’s huge boots.

De Kock’s most apt statement in exposing what made him tick came in reply to a question posed on South Africa soil on whether he was still learning about British racing. He said, “I am still learning over here.”

David Thiselton

Silvan Star can defy top weight in the Racing.It’s A Rush Handicap at Kenilworth tomorrow after her good performance on Met day.

Richard Fourie’s mount was beaten less than half a length when third to The High Life over this same 2 000m and had Jetano (now half a kilo better) three-quarters of a length behind despite Fourie reporting to the stipes that he felt something was amiss with her.

Richard Fourie (Nkosi Hlope)

The racecourse vet could find nothing physically wrong – other than that she was making a noise – although Glen Kotzen plays it down, saying: “She keeps changing legs and so she tends to roll a bit from side to side.”

Evoke Emotion looks held on that form even though she didn’t get a clear run and has been dropped a kilo but the biggest danger is probably Skip A Beat. The Andre Nel runner was fourth in the Jamaica Handicap over this distance and a line through Nima puts her close with the selection.

Another big plus with Silvan Star is that Fourie is riding so well – and with such confidence – at the moment and he and Kotzen can also take the Play The Pick Six Maiden with Quickfire. This once-raced gelding was a promising fourth to Perovskia three weeks ago with a length further back to  Pop The Question who franked the form with a convincing win here on Tuesday.

Greg Cheyne has found that he needs a bit longer to recover from last Saturday’s bruising so the plum mount on Kasimir in the first is going begging. This colt is almost impossible to oppose after going close in the Listed race on debut on Met day. “He was actually a bit unlucky in that race because he was drawn on the wrong side of the course,” says Justin Snaith who fully expected the horse to run as well as he did.

Just about the only doubt is that Snaith points out: “I have been very easy on him since.” Rikers Island, 40-1 when 11^th of 20 in the Kuda Sprint, could be the one for the forecast.

Scorpion Queen looks another for Fourie in the Racing Association Maiden, particularly as Nel says that newcomer Lady Li Lay “is a staying type and probably a month away” from being ready for her first outing. She runs because he feels he could not throw away the chance of starting in such a modest race.

BLOB Michael Clower is on a roll with seven winners from his last 13 selections and a R60 profit (to a R10 stake) over the last four Kenilworth meetings.

By Michael Clower

Johannesburg’s Autumn season begins on Saturday with the Guineas meeting and the three-year-old pecking order will be clearer afterwards.  

The Gr 2 Betting World Gauteng Guineas could see Matador Man emerging as one of the top sophomore colts in the country. This Toreador gelding relaxes beautifully in the running and has a magnificent turn of foot, so looks likely to stay the trip. He will relish a return to the Standside track on which he won the Listed Secretariat Stakes over 1400m in impressive style. Furiosa is a resolute galloping sort, who might attempt to gallop the field into the ground from his fair draw. The trip might turn out to be on the sharp side for him, so he will be favoured if the ground remains soft.

Lyle Hewitson will be aboard Matador Man

Janoobi pulled and was wide when a decent fourth in the CTS Mile, so will be a big runner if settling from a tricky draw. Piere Strydom has remained aboard. Heavenly Blue is favourite, having gone close from a wide draw in the Investec Dingaans over course and distance. On a line through Singapore Sling there iis not much between him and Janoobi, but he has the widest draw of all. The unbeaten Al Sahem must be included in all bets as he relaxes well in the running and has a superb turn of foot, although an interrupted preparation is against him. Unagi has won four of his five starts over this trip and has a plum draw of two, so cannot be ignored. Doosra has class but 1400m might be his game. Chili Con Carne has improved with blinkers, but looks held by Matador Man. Tilbury Fort usually finds extra when challenged so could be a suprise place getter if taken to the front and dictating, although Furiosa looks a more likely pacemaker.

In the Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas Orchid Island was ultra impressive over 1800m last time and this grandaughter of the brilliant Ilha Da Vitoria looks to be a candidate to land the three-legged Triple Tiara. Safe Harbour has the class to threaten her, but had a busy Cape Town campaign and might just need the run. Anna Pavlova has a tremendous turn of foot” and will appreciate a good pace. Ektifaa has the ability, but there is a stamina question mark. Babbling Brooke has been brought on in fine style by Triple Tiara-winning trainer Ormond Ferraris and is a Triple Tiara candidate. Being Fabulous has always struck as a classic contender and although held narrowly by Babbling Brooke on paper there is a draw reversal in her favour. Belle Rose beat the latter pair last time but has a tough task confirming it at the weights. 

Redberry Lane sparked when blinkers were fitted last time so could be anything. Stablemate Smiling Blue Eyes won the Gr 3 Fillies Mile over course and distance, but has not raced since and is drawn very wide. Al Hawraa looks the part and is interesting over this step up in trip.  Visuality looks held by Anna Pavlova. Santiburi has the class to be a suprise place getter if settling. Pool Party looks held by Last Chirp. Last Chirp is 1kg better off with Anna Pavlova for a length beating over 1450m and could set the pace again. Her half-sister won over 1800m. Maleficent has the ability to win but is an enigmatic sort. Elusive Strike is held on 1400m form, but will relish the step up in trip. 

By David Thiselton

Those pundits with long memories will remember the days of yore when each race club had their own handicappers. Charles Laird was the handicapper at Turffontein before turning his hand to training so he knows a thing or two about placing his runners and Anton Marcus may not necessarily be on the ‘right’ one in the Coalvest Group Handicap at Greyville tonight.

Captain Of Rock (Nkosi Hlophe)

Marcus has been pencilled in to ride the relatively unexposed Yankeedoodledandy while apprentice Diego de Gouveia will be aboard stable companion Captain Of Rock who bids for his third win on the bounce – both horses in the colours of Mayfair Speculators.

The mere presence of Marcus in the saddle has bookmakers automatically slashing the odds on his mounts, regardless of form, consequently he rides many a false favourite. The flip side is his winning strike rate of 27% so one has to have some sympathy for the men of the crossbar.

Yankeedoodledandy has not seen a racetrack since June last year when finishing second to Count Von Count on his handicap debut after a narrow victory on debut. That form is nothing to write home about but in the seven months since he may well have improved.

Captain Of Rock on the other hand made a winning return after a short break under then four-claiming apprentice Serino Moodley. The handicappers saw fit to raise Captain Of Rock by four pounds and with De Gouveia claiming 2.5kg, Captain Of Rock theoretically goes into this race without a penalty.

This is all on paper of course and the reality could pan out quite differently. But given his current form and proven affinity for the poly track, Captain Of Rock looks the right one.

Obvious danger is Roy Royale who finished under a length back to Captain Of Rock at their last meeting and is slightly better off at the weights but possibly not enough to turn the tables.

Tonight’s card is littered with moderate horses so be prepared to do your homework and add in the odd long-shot in your exotics. It could make for a profitable evening.

By Andrew Harrison

Ruling champion trainer Sean Tarry has yet to win the R1-million Betting World Gauteng Guineas (Grade 2) over 1600m but, in Furiosa and Al Sahem, he has two of the favourites for the alternate first leg of the SA Triple Crown at Turffontein this Saturday.

Betting World has priced Furiosa up at 15-4, marginally behind 7-2 favourite Heavenly Blue, with Al Sahem on offer at 4-1. Tarry has two other runners in the race – Matador Man at 5-1 and 25-1 outsider Tilbury Fort.

Sean Tarry (Nkosi Hlophe)

Asked whether he believes any of his four runners is capable of winning the Triple Crown, which also comprises the 1800m SA Classic and the 2450m SA Derby, he replied: “I don’t think it is about a horse being good enough to win the Triple Crown, it’s more about whether they will get the Classic and Derby distances. Furiosa and Al Sahem are suited to all three distances.”

Furiosa is the choice of Tarry’s No 1 jockey S’manga Khumalo, having won an 1800m race on the Inside Track at Turffontein three weeks ago. Tarry believes his fitness influenced the rider’s decision because Al Sahem is coming off a break and has missed work because of the rainy weather.

“Furiosa has done very little wrong,” he continued. “He did appreciate the step up in distance to 1800m and is coming back to 1600m, but showed a lot of speed early on for us to think he’d win a 1200m race.

“He’s on the up and hopefully he’s improved enough to get a blow in.”

Al Sahem has won both his races to date in weaker company and Tarry said: “I’m sure everyone would agree he’s a really nice horse. I’m not too fazed about him going up in class – he’s certainly good enough. But coming here off a break is not ideal. Unfortunately it just panned out this way.

“We had to scratch him from a race and he’s missed work in a very important week in terms of race prep.

“Matador Man just didn’t get there in time in a feature on the Inside Track last time out but was beaten by a very good filly in Ektifaa. That was a good prep run after a short break.”

He’s not ideally drawn at No 9 in the 10-horse field, but Tarry is not too concerned, because “he misses the break and comes from off them”.

Furiosa (JC Photographics)

He will also be travelling this far for the first time, but “the way he ran on in his last start gives me every reason to believe he will get a 1600m – though I’m not sure he’ll go further.”

He described Tilbury Fort as “a nice horse, maybe not in this class as yet, but certainly on the up. He could get a blow in here.”

His pick? “It’s hard to split Furiosa, Al Sahem and Matador Man. Furiosa has got fitness and a draw, while Al Sahem is also well drawn but is coming off a break and Matador Man doesn’t have a draw.

“All three have chances, but I’m not bullish. It’s an open and competitive race and the opposition needs to be respected. It’s an exciting start to the Triple Crown.”

Tarry-trained Safe Harbour is the highest-rated runner in the Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas, the first leg of the Triple Tiara but is drawn “out by Wemmer Pan” in No 16 stall. Betting World have her 4-1 third favourite.

“I would imagine Safe Harbour will be in need of the run,” said Tarry. “Looking at the programme I couldn’t find a more suitable start to her autumn campaign – I would have sidestepped this race if there was an easier route to the SA Fillies Classic. But we know she’s classy and it would be nice if that got her through.”

Khumalo picked the lowest-rated of Tarry’s four runners in Redberry Lane, who frustrated her trainer until blinkers were added to her equipment. Once her concentration was honed, she started realising the potential Tarry knew she had, winning a Maiden Plate by eight lengths.

Al Sahem (JC Photographics)

She is the best-drawn of Tarry’s four runners in No 3 stall and is also among the fittest.

Smiling Blue Eyes has won two races in a row including a 1600m feature last time out. “She’s a lovely filly and will probably run in all three legs of the Triple Tiara because she’ll improve over the 1800m of the SA Fillies Classic and maybe even more over the 2450m of the Oaks,” said Tarry. “I’d be optimistic if she had a decent draw because she can race up there with the pace, but from that wide draw, we’ll have to take our medicine and come from off them.

“But this is a starting point and if you haven’t got a ticket, you haven’t got a chance.”

He said Visuality had “lost her way badly in Cape Town where she didn’t put one decent run together”.

However, he conceded she is being stretched over 1600m and said “it’s hard to have confidence in her from a stall only one inside Smiling Blue Eyes”.

The other Grade 2 race is the Hawaii Stakes in which Tarry will saddle French Navy and Bulleting Home.

“The 1400m is now a bit sharp for French Navy, but I’m expecting a good run. Bulleting Home has a tough task at the weights, but his last run was good from a deep draw. He’s in good order and should be competitive.”

* Other news from the Tarry stable is that talented but temperamental Cloth Of Cloud has had a colic operation. “Hopefully she’s on the mend,” said Tarry. Cloth Of Cloud last raced in the CTS Sprint over 1200m on Sun Met Day but missed the break, refused to gallop and cantered home. She then got colic on her way back to Johannesburg from Cape Town.
– TABnews

William Longsword is the toast of the Western Cape sophomore colts after victory in the Gr1 CTS Cape Guineas and the CTS 1600 while the Highveld brigade should be sorted into some sort of pecking order come Saturday with the running of the Gr2 Gauteng Guineas. As far as KZN goes, it is likely to stay up in the air for at least another month or so without any specific features for three-year-old males and no trainers seemingly willing to raid.

Gr2 Dingaans winner Singapore Sling is a notable absentee from the Gauteng Guineas field but he, and both Janoobi and Heavenly Blue, were soundly beaten by William Longsword when raiding the Cape.

Roman Emperor (Candiese Marnewick)

It would be disappointing if Vaughan Marshall’s star does not make the trip to KZN for Champions Season as there is speculation that he may be retired to stud as an early replacement for his aging sire Captain Al although he only has a merit rating of 109, six pounds shy of top rated three-year-old Gold Standard rated 115.

Be that as it may, Mr O’Neill and Roman Emperor are way down the pecking order if their ratings are to be believed but could still be contenders come the winter features but they will need enforce that view when they run in the itsarush.co.za Middle Stakes at Scottsville today – Middle Stakes races being restricted to horses with a nett MR of 80 and below.

Mr O’Neill is much improved since being gelded and sent over ground by Dean Kannemeyer and he was far from disgraced when runner-up, beaten less than a length, by the progressive Heir Line giving the winner 3.5kg, this after winning two on the bounce.

The step up to 1950m should hold no fears and he will start as one of the fancied runners.

Duncan Howells saddles the lightly raced Roman Emperor who was just over a length back to Heir Line and Mr O’Neill when they met in early February but looks capable of a lot better. He did not handle the soft ground well and hung badly when under pressure. The going today should be perfect and although he is 2kg worse off with Mr O’Neill he strikes as a horse with plenty of scope and should be a threat.

Unbelievable Chad (Nkosi Hlophe)

Silver Rose is a lightly raced four-year-old who has been in good form on the Greyville poly. He stays the trip well and if he handles the switch to turf he too should be right there.

Of the balance, Captain At Sea was hammered with a hefty rating after his maiden win and on a line through Silver Rose and Lucky Luciano, looks well held – the switch to turf possibly the only point in his favour.

Air Chief Marshal carries top weight in the All To Come Handicap where he can take advantage of a drop in class. He jumped a division when fourth, beaten four lengths by Caribbean Day over the course and distance, but prior to that was a fluent winner on the Greyville turf. He has the worst of the draw but it is only a ten-horse field so should not be too disadvantaged.

Unbelievable Chad has been disappointing and is definitely better than his record of a single victory would suggest. Paul Lafferty’s charge does appear to have a few behavioural issues but was a close-up second on the poly last time out and can finally go one better.

Also in with a chance is Baltic Amber. He was caught for pace over the Greyville 1400m last time out and Duncan Howells will be more confident of his chances over the course and distance where he recorded his last win.

With bright sunshine over the past two days, Scottsville should be in prime condition after the recent rains.

By Andrew Harrison

It’s business as usual for Dean Kannemeyer’s Milnerton string after battling a low-grade virus that put the yard out of commission for nearly a month.

Dean Kannemeyer (Nkosi Hlophe)

In early February Kannemeyer shut down his Milnerton operation after discovering that many of his horses were infected with a low-grade virus. Yesterday, Kannemeyer said that things had returned to normal with his horses jumping out of their skin and training in full swing.

Kannemeyer said that in hindsight, quick and assertive action had been the saving grace.

“It has been a trying time for our team. A racing yard not racing and spending hours with slow long canters and medicating and tending ill horses is not the happiest place to be – but things have turned for the better and the spirit and vibe is back.”

He said that he had stepped up the training routine and expected to send out his first runners in Cape Town in the next ten days.

Kannemeyer added that given the firmness of the going in the Cape that the break may have come as a blessing in disguise.

“As we always do in the first two weeks of March, preparations will soon be under way for the movement of our SA Champions Season contenders to KZN for the winter feature season there.”

By Andrew Harrison

The Roy Magner-trained three-year-old filly Anna Pavlova has become the latest South African-bred horse to be bought by renowned American bloodstock agent, owner and breeder, Barry Irwin.

She will be seen in the familiar red and green colours of Team Valor International on Saturday at Turffontein in the Gr2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas.

Barry Irwin

The original owners, Courtney and Megan Soal, have retained a share in the Summerhill-bred daughter of St Petersburg.  Magner remains the trainer, at least for the time being, as there are also overseas aspirations for her.

Anna Pavlova was originally brought for just R45,000 at the Summerhill Farm Sale, despite a classy pedigree. St Petersburg is an unfashionable sire, but Anna Pavlova’s British-bred dam Shatrang is by Royal Applause out of a full-sister to the successful KZN-based sire Kahal.

Irwin said about the well-named filly, “My main reason for the purchase is that filly’s incredible turn of foot. She also has a very powerful body.”

Irwin continued, “The filly was bought to race a few more times in South Africa, with the Gauteng Fillies Guineas first and probably the Gr1 Empress Club on April 15 next. The Gr1 SA Fillies Classic is possible, but I think she is a miler and will have to show us she wants to run further. We plan to send her to Europe by way of Mauritius. We will decide in the fall if we want to give her to Mike de Kock to go to Dubai, or leave her in France to be trained by Andre Fabre.”

Anna Pavlova burst into the classic picture when winning the Gr3 Three Troikas Stakes over 1450m at Turffontein Inside track under JP van der Merwe in her last start on February 11. The slow pace did not suit her that day and she also had to be eased at one stage in the straight.

However, she then displayed an effortless turn of foot and beat the Gr 1-placed Visuality by a head, despite giving her 2kg.

Magner said yesterday (Monday) that she had come out of the Three Troikas fine and had been “doing well” at home. He believed she would get the mile as long as she was “ridden cold”, which is her normal strategy and from her wide draw she would have little other option anyway.

Anna Pavlova (JC Photographics)

Magner was also confident they would go “a proper gallop” on Saturday owing to the prestige of the event which constitutes the joint first leg of the SA Triple Tiara.

In Anna Pavlova’s only meeting with Saturday’s likely favourite, Ektifaa, last October, she received 3,5kg and was beaten two lengths over 1450m.  She has improved since then, but reversing the form is going to be a tough ask. Ektifaa does have a wide draw at least.

The Three Troikas was Anna Pavlova’s third win in succession and her fourth overall in ten career starts. She started at healthy odds of 9/1 and this was probably due to her having taken five starts to win her maiden.

However, Magner knew from day one she would go places. “She was very green in her early starts and used to duck around a lot, otherwise would have won her maiden earlier. It is really her turn of foot near the finish which makes her special,” he said.

She won on the first occasion she was stepped up beyond 1200m. Her wins have all been between 1400m and 1450m and she is yet to attempt further.

JP van der Merwe retains the ride on Saturday.

By David Thiselton

Greg Cheyne has cancelled his four booked rides at Kenilworth today following his crashing fall on Nebula at the Cape Town course last Saturday.

He said yesterday: “I am taking a few days off for treatment but I have accepted rides for Friday and Saturday. Luckily there were no breaks, just a few aches and pains to sort out.”

By Michael Clower