Previews and Tips Greyville Sunday 01 January

Race 1
Preview: Keep an eye on the betting but ARGO MAGIC made a promising debut after being well supported in the betting. The experience could give him the edge. Stable companion SUPA MUFTI drifted in the betting behind stable mate Royal Explorer and should also improve. (Andrew Harrison: 1-7-)

Race 2
Preview: GLEN COCO was narrowly beaten last run but has not been far back in all his races. He meets a weak field here and rates the one to beat. FOUNDING FATHER has shown some ability and looks second best. YORKSHIRE DALES and the blinkered ORIOLE could fill the minor placings. (Andrew Harrison: 2-3-4-9).

Race 3
Preview: FLORRICK is a long-time battler but tried hard when runner-up last outing and can finally go one better. DIAMANTE was sent out a weak favourite last start and finished a modest third. That was only her second outing and she can still improve. BURFI is another struggler but has improved in blinkers and now steps up in trip from a good draw. OYSTER POND may just have needed her last start and should prove better over this trip. (Andrew Harrison: 1-11-3-6).

Race 4
Preview: GOOD GRACE is down in class and may just have needed her local debut. Marcus stays with the ride. ONESIE did well first run out of the maidens when second to the progressive Miss Minver. She has a tricky draw but can still go close. SHIRLEY VALENTINE shed her maiden last start but enjoyed the trip. She now races in blinkers and can follow up. SILVER INSPIRATION has a pencil behind her ear and runs every other week. She has been over shorter of late but will be super fit. (Andrew Harrison: 1-5-2-4).

Race 5
Preview: NIGHT CIRCUS was a recent maiden winner but at his third start. He meets a weak handicap field here and looks capable of following up. PRINCIPATE was not too far back on  his handicap debut and stays the trip. ROCKEFELLER has been consistent on the poly. He switches to the turf where he has run his one bad race but that was on debut. He should have a good chance in this field. JAY AGAIN is struggling for his next win but was running on well last start and can finish in the money again. (Andrew Harrison: 1-4-8-9).

Race 6
Preview: MR WINSOME won with a lot in hand at his last start and was given a maximum penalty. He has a big weight here but looks capable of following up. FRIKKIE was second best behind Mr Winsome but is 3kg better off and should finish a lot closer. FRENCH REVOLUTION has been struggling for his next win but has not been far back. With Marcus aboard he could get it right this time around. MARK MY CARD is always game and is back over a trip which may suit her better. (Andrew Harrison: 1-6-4-7).

Race 7
Preview: HEAPS OF FUN has had two sprints since a break and both were good efforts in strong company. This looks to be her optimum trip and she rates a big chance in a competitive field. DAWN CALLING found traffic in the Cape Fillies Guineas and never got a clear run. She has smart form on this course and off a light weight rates a big threat to the selection. FORT EMBER looked a winner before being caught by Patchit Up Baby last run with Negroamaro behind her. Her recent Highveld form is very consistent. LALA has a difficult draw but is never far back and can run into the money again. (Andrew Harrison: 1-12-4-3).

Race 8
Preview: Open race. NAPOLI has improved in blinkers and has been racing over shorter. He can do better this trip. LUCKY LUCIANO has been in good form on the poly. He has some fair Highveld form in stronger company and if taking to the turf should be right there. MR O’NEILL has taken a 6-point drop in the ratings and is back on the turf. His poly form has been consistent and he has a chance in this company. MARRON needed his last start and although drawn a touch wide the extra should suit. SNOWMAN takes a big drop in class but takes a corresponding hike in the weights. He also has a coffin draw but he can improve on current form. (Andrew Harrison: 4-2-7-6).

Race 9
Preview: DEEP DOWN REBEL is a smart filly and although she has a big weight she could prove a cut above this opposition. WINTER AURALIUS has been trying further but has not been far back and the drop in trip could suit. ZLOTY POTOK has yet to run a bad race but make his poly debut. He has the best of the draw. NEWYORKSTATEOFMIND has very good poly form but switches back to the turf from a wide draw.  (Andrew Harrison: 1-7-3-6)

In spite of extensive lobbying, quarantine regulations have scuppered any chances of Mauritian champion Parachute Man competing in the Gr1 Sun Met at Kenilworth on 28 January.

In a notice to the horse’s owners, trainer Ricky Maingard said that, “it is with regret that we have had to call off Parachute Man’s participation in the forthcoming Sun Met.

Parachute Man (Le Express)

This is due mainly to the South African Directorate of Animal Health refusing to consider the use of the Kenilworth quarantine (officially approved as an outgoing quarantine station) for our use on arrival in the RSA where Parachute Man and his travelling companion could be trained each day preceding the race.”

There were hopes of the Gauteng autumn season after the Met but those plans have also fallen through.

“The next opportunity for Parachute Man to fly out to South Africa is only in March and quarantine in Johannesburg (30 days with no training facility), is far too late.”

There were also plans for Champions Season in KZN. “But he would be an unfit horse leaving quarantine mid-April, with only two and a half months to get him to his peak which is very tight, even assuming that nothing goes wrong with his preparation,” summed up Maingard.

“After the July season, there would of course be the Gauteng Autumn carnival in October/November followed by a crack at the Met in January 2018 if all went well.

“The drawback is the fact that Parachute Man will then be a year older and most probably past his very best,” he concluded.

The owners of Parachute Man will meet early in the New Year to discuss the various options but for the immediate future, the horse will come out of isolation, put out of work and given a well-earned rest at Floreal.

By Andrew Harrison

A number of South African’s feature in the latest TRC Global Rankings and with the Western Cape season in full swing there is a chance of Ingrid and Markus Jooste moving up the leading owner table along with retained jockey Anton Marcus.

The Jooste’s, who now race under the Mayfair Speculator’s banner, are currently 11th in the world rankings.

The only other South African’s to feature in the top 100 are Drakenstein Stud owned by Gaynor and Johan Rupert who are this week ranked in 87th place, up four places from 91.

Anton Marcus

Not surprisingly Ireland-based Coolmore Partners, consisting of John Magnier, Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor, are way ahead on that table followed by Godolphin and Al Shaqab Racing.

Coolmore partners are spearheaded bytheir trainer, Aiden O’Brien.

The master of Ballydoyle has notched an incredible 51 Group 1 winners in the period under review.

His closest rivals as far as Group 1 success are concerned are Australia’s leading trainer, Chris Waller with 34, and Americans Bob Baffert and Todd Pletcher tied on 31 each. Another American, Chad C Brown is second behind O’Brien on the trainer’s log ahead of Waller and Baffert.

The only South African trainer to feature in the world’stop 100 is champion trainer Sean Tarry who, like Drakenstein Stud, has moved up from 91st to 87th on the table.

Ryan Moore, recently officially crowned the world’s best jockey, is not surprisingly at the top of the riders table followed by Hugh Bowman of Australia and Frank Dettori, the UK-based Italian.

Anton Marcus is rated 19th on the global log, up from 23rd position last week.

The only other South African rider to feature is Piere Strydom who currently sits in 87th place on the table.

With the Jooste-owned and Marcus ridden Legal Eagle out to defend his Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate title and hopefully for his connections, go one better in the Gr1 Sun Met, there is opportunity for both owners and jockey to move up the rankings.

The TRC Global rankings work in a similar fashion to the world golf and tennis rankings where points are award according to the status of races won and the tables are updated weekly.

By Andrew Harrison

The Turffontein Standside track stages an eight race meeting tomorrow which features the Gr 3 Lebelo Sprint over 1000m and there are also some quality horses turning out in an eight race meeting at the same venue on Monday.

Rivarine (Nkosi Hlophe)

Rivarine went down to the top class sprinter Green Pepper last time out over this trip at the Vaal by just a head despite giving her 7,5kg, so looks hard to beat in the Lebelo Sprint, despite the presence of the older Gr 1-performing sprinter African Ruler. Swinging it in Rivarine’s favour firstly is his high draw, which tends to be favourable on this straight course. Secondly the race is run under handicap conditions. Rivarine is capable of rising above his current merit rating of 98 and this is especially in light of Green Pepper now being rated 106. Rivarine has in form Lyle Hewitson up. African Ruler can’t be written off especially as he has the magician Andrew Fortune aboard. Captain’s Causeway and Wrecking Ball could earn as the form of their last clash over 1160m has been franked. The speedy Seattle Singer will appreciate the step down to 1000m, so could be dangerous having snuck into the handicap with the minimum weight.

The value bet of the day is Anna Pavlova in the fourth race, as she has impressed in her wins and looks capable of going places, although she does have a tough draw here.

On Monday the classy Being Fabulous returns in a MR 76 Handicap over 1600m after running third in the Gr 3 Fillies Mile in just her third career start. She looks capable of rising above her merit rating of 83 and will be hard to beat from a draw of six under regular pilot Gavin Lerena.

The sixth is an intriguing Graduation Plate over 1400m. The long-striding Doosra looks likely to appreciate the step down to this trip at this stage of his career and is the one to beat under Lerena, despite a wide draw. Furiosa looks to have some class and could be a threat receiving 3kg from Doosra, while Daffiq is a classy sort who looks ideally distance suited and he should be fit enough despite returning from a six month layoff as he comes from the Mike de Kock yard.

The seventh is an intriguing Graduation Plate over 1160m for fillies and mares. French Legend is a classy sort who looks capable of going places and her best effort to date has come over this trip. Arissa has ability and Queenie was bought into the Mike Azzie yard after her impressive last run, but is back with Tony Nassiff after a dispersal sale and is returning from a nine month layoff.

By David Thiselton

African Night Sky and Ngaga can finish the year in style at Kenilworth tomorrow. Both are unbeaten in two starts and look the goods.

The former was described by the sidelined Craig du Plooy as “something special and he turns it on like you can’t believe” after his win in October when he came with a strong run to get up 50m and win convincingly. Justin Snaith thought him good enough to run in the Selangor only for the horse to meet with a setback.

Richard Fourie (Nkosi Hlophe)

“He had an accident at the track,” recalls the trainer who is now eyeing one of the two CTS $500 000 races in four weeks’ time. “It was nothing serious but he had to be scratched and there have been no suitable races since.”

Richard Fourie takes over in the 1 400m handicap and, despite a five-point rise for his last win, his mount should complete a hat-trick.

Ngaga, an AUS$250 000 half-sister to Met winner Igugu, has legs like your dining room table but that doesn’t stop her galloping and Andre Nel reckons that the step up to a mile in the Summer Of Champions Handicap is much in her favour.

Glen Kotzen runs three here and Fourie, who rode all of them last time, provides the key – although not in the way you might think. “He wanted to stick with Party Crasher,” says Kotzen. “But he is retained by Peter de Beyer and Hugo Hattingh so he rides White Rose.”

Mike de Kock has yet to win a Cape Town two-year-old race this term but Captain My Captain should be hard to beat in the opener after accounting for all except Gold Image early last month. He had Henry Tudor (expected to be scratched) 3.5 lengths behind with the slow-starting Why Wouldn’t Yew in fourth.

However it just might be worth taking a chance – at a much bigger price – with the topically-named State Capture who met all sorts of interference when still travelling well first time. “He was just about to hit the front when he was turned sideways,” recalls Darryl Hodgson. “Thank God he didn’t get injured.”

The horse was promptly bumped twice more. Little wonder that he only managed seventh of eight.

Nel’s newcomers have been doing well but the trainer reckons that Q Tibb “needs a lot further” than the 1 400m of race three. However Kampala Campari is expected to go well in the next. He could be worth a few rands.

By Michael Clower

Devonne Govender Selections

Race 1
(1) Captain My Captain (5) Henry Tudor (13) Varside

Race 2
(2) African Night Sky (6) Rinjani (1) Boldly Respectable

Race 3
(1) Wicked Kiss (2) Moonsaballoon (3) So Enchanting

Race 4
(12) Waitingfortonight (1) Cossack Guard (6) Baffert

Race 5
(1) Sun At Midnight (3) Pink Rock (8) Queen At War

Race 6
(7) Ngaga (5) Seattle Gold (6) Party Crasher

Race 7
(1) Gyre (4) Jabu (6) Top Of The Rock

Race 8
(12) Seattle Oak (2) Light Charger (1) Gypsy Beauty

Devonne Govender perms

PA (R128)

Leg 1: 2 x 6

Leg 2: 1 x 2

Leg 3: 12 x 1

Leg 4: 1 x 3

Leg 5: 7 x 5

Leg 6: 1 x 4

Leg 7: 12 x 2

PICK 6 (R810)

Leg 1: 1 x 2 x3

Leg 2: 12 x 1 x 6

Leg 3: 1 x 3 x 8

Leg 4: 7 x 5

Leg 5: 1 x 4 x 6 x 3 x 2

Leg 6: 12 x 2 x 1

JACKPOT (R90)

Leg 1: 12 x 1 x 6

Leg 2: 1 x 3 x 8

Leg 3: 7 x 5

Leg 4: 1 x 4 x 6 x 3 x 2

BEST BET

Race 6: 7

VALUE BET

Race 4: 12

Lunar Rush, the only horse in South Africa to break her maiden in a million-rand race, can score just her third victory when she runs in an 88 MR Handicap at Greyville this evening. But the handicappers are catching up and things may not be quite as easy tonight although she does look to have scope for further improvement.

Lunar Rush (Nkosi Hlophe)

Duncan Howells is cautiously optimistic of his filly’s chances. “She’s in good form and has improved on her last start. But,” he cautioned, “she is worse off at the weight’s with Kannemeyer’s filly.”

Red Moon At Night, although seldom out of the money in recent months, has been battling to register another victory and was beaten two lengths into second place by Lunar Rush on the Greyville turf last time out.

They switch to the poly this evening but both have shown that they are comfortable on the surface.

Lunar Rush was given a five-point penalty for that last success whilst second-placed Red Moon At Night escaped unscathed but with apprentice Eric Ngwane claiming his 1.5kg, Lunar Rush is only 2kg worse off. Theory has it that Red Moon At Night should finish a lot closer but if Lunar Rush has come on from that run as indicated then the result could remain the same. Incidentally, Howells, who takes few prisoners when it comes to jockeys, was full of praise for Ngwane’s ride on Amazon King at Greyville last Friday. “I thought he rode a cracker.”

However, Ngwane owes his place aboard Dawn Calling to the fact that there were no jockeys available which gives the apprentice an opportunity of a first feature victory.

Howells has a second string to his bow in Accidental Tourist but was less confident of her chances. “She will battle at the weights,” he said.

On a card that ‘boasts’ five maiden races, the Michael Roberts-trained Cabinda looks the obvious choice in the card opener but the son of Seventh Rock has the unenviable record of having played second fiddle in his last five outings which casts some doubt on that form leaving the door open for the likes of Ground Breaker and Raw Courage.

Red Moon At Night (Nkosi Hlophe)

The former has improved with every outing and was doing his best work late behind Interferometer over course and distance last time out. Ground Breaker has also pulled a plum draw at two while Raw Courage has to do it from gate 14. Lezeanne Forbes’s runner took some interference when behind Interferometer and Ground Breaker after starting favourite. His best effort came over course and distance behind Newyorkstateofmind and that form has panned out well.

Arran Isles is another possible for the Kannemeyer yard where she is sure to start a short priced favourite in the second. She took a wander in the market at her last start but came on late for second. None of the opposition are likely to get their names on jam tins.

Hard working Marco van Rensburg has taken advantage of the dearth of jockeys over this holiday period and has been busy jetting around the country. From the Vaal yesterday, to Greyville tonight, Turffontein tomorrow and back to Greyville on Sunday. His two best rides tonight could come in the third where he partners Aznerak for Colin Scott and Plymouth Rock in the last for Doug Campbell.

Aznerak has come well under Van Rensburg, finishing fourth at long odds on his first ride on the filly and then a close-up second last time out. She has a lot in her favour here although she also has plenty of opposition.

With Stuart Randolph out of action after finally having a troublesome hip replaced, Van Rensburg takes over on the home-bred Plymouth Rock. The gelding has caught the eye in both starts and with cheek pieces on from an inside gate he can round off the year on a winning note for punters.

By Andrew Harrison

Previews and Tips Greyville Friday 30 December

Race 1
Preview: GROUND BREAKER has improved with each run and comes from a yard that has great success on the poly. CABINDA is long overdue and has been runner-up in his last five starts. The blinkers come off and he is due a change of fortune. RAW COURAGE does not have the best of draws but was disappointing when a beaten favourite last time out and can do better than that judged on his previous form. SPY FICTION comes from a small stable but his best effort has come on the poly and he now tries blinkers. (Andrew Harrison: 6-1-3-4)

Race 2
Preview: ARRAN ISLES rates the one to beat after her runner-up effort last time out and on that showing should have the measure of SONIC AP who has improved of late but is struggling and finished behind Arrann Isles last time they met. SARI made a promising Scottsville debut from a tricky draw and did find some solid market support. She is sure to come on from that effort. EQUESTRIS was much improved at her second start. She is lightly raced and is probably capable of further improvement. (Andrew Harrison: 1-10-7-2).

Race 3
Preview: The Duncan Howells pair of LUNAR RUSH and ACCIDENTAL TOURIST could fight this one out. Lunar Rush is smart and won as she liked last time out. She has a light weight and is possibly the pick of the pair. Accidental Tourist took on a useful field first up out of the maidens and can improve in this field. RED MOON AT NIGHT was well beaten by Lunar Rush when last they met but that was on the turf. The change of surface could count but unlikely. SHEZALEADER is always game. Her recent form has all been on the turf but she is quick and cannot be written off. (Andrew Harrison: 5-6-4-1).

Race 4
Preview: Tough race. AZNERAK has done well since returning from a lengthy break. This is her third and she should strip at her peak. CATHERINEOFARAGON is in good form and won well enough last time out but is 3kg worse off with second-placed MISS BRODY so they could swop places. TYRON’S JET has improved in blinkers and was a length off Catherinofaragon two starts back. She has a four-claimer up and is another that can reverse that form. SOUL OF SPAIN has shown her best recent form on the poly so her last is best ignored. (Andrew Harrison: 5-3-2-1).

Race 5
Preview: PRINCE MYSHKIN finally shed his maiden last outing and has a big weight. However, he does not meet a strong field and can follow up. EL BOMBERO has improved on the poly and has been close-up in all three starts on the surface. He has a handy weight and should be right there. ZINZARA was a recent maiden winner and also takes on males. But she has shown some promise and can feature in this line-up. OVER SURE has been taking on stronger at recent starts and has raced in feature company. He is one to watch here. (Andrew Harrison: 1-9-3-7).

Race 6
Preview: GUSHESHE has been in good form over course and distance and may be worth another chance although she will have to fight off SAZERAC who, although not fancied in the market at her last start, enjoyed the extra and made good improvement. ROY’S KAITRINA has been improving with each outing and her last two on the poly give her a strong chance. PRINCESS RATATTOEE makes her poly debut but did show improvement last run and could be coming to hand. (Andrew Harrison: 1-6-8-7).

Race 7
Preview: ROY’S PAST races off the same rating and his recent form has been steady. He can still improve and possibly rates the one to beat. MEDIA CIRCUS is a battler but meets a weak field and will not get a better chance to shed his maiden.  SWEET REFRAIN has made recent improvement but met a weak field last start when second. ENCHANTED DRAWING  made sudden improvement with the blinkers off. He has a smart draw and a repeat will see him competitive. (Andrew Harrison: 2-1-6-3)

Race 8
Preview: PLYMOUTH ROCK has only had two starts and has shown some promise. He meets a weak field here and should be a big contender. KINNERET found some long shot support at his second outing and can come on from that. SECRET SERVICE has had plenty of chances but his best recent form has been on the poly. In a field of this nature he will never get a better chance to shed his maiden. MASTER SHOGUN was green in a useful enough debut and would not be a surprise winner. (Andrew Harrison:  12-9-1-11)

The Frank Robinson-trained Olma defends her crown in the Gr 3 Flamboyant Stakes over 1600m at Greyville on New Year’s Day and her trainer boldly said, “If she is herself she will win this race.”

Robinson expects her to be around her best, although he is concerned by her draw of eleven in a thirteen horse field.

Last year she won comfortably from a draw of four.

Olma (Nkosi Hlophe)

She went into the race last year off the back of two preparation races at Greyville over 1900m on the poly and 1800m on the turf respectively in which she finished second and first respectively.

This year she goes in off just one preparation race, an unplaced run over 1600m at Scottsville on December 4.

Robinson said, “I gave her a break after her run in Johannesburg in August, so she needed the run at Scottsville. It was a preparation race for the Flamboyant and the ground was also a bit hard for her. She likes a bit of sting out of the ground and Greyville is in good condition at present. We have also worked on her joints since that last race and she has turned the corner. She has been working well and moving very well.”

Furthermore, the five-year-old Dynasty mare has been unplaced in all three of her runs at Scottsville, but loves Greyville.

Olma had tended to pull early in her career, but the application of a tongue tie was a key move as she then settled well, enabling her to use her superb turn of foot.

She proved in the Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes on Vodacom Durban July day she can settle even from a wide draw. She was dropped out in that race from a draw of ten in a fourteen horse field and ran on strongly to finish second to the champion Inara.

Marco van Rensburg, an accomplished jockey whose professionalism is now receiving just rewards, rides her for the first time in the Flamboyant.

Under the conditions of the race Olma is 2,5kg well in with Lala on official merit ratings and 3kg well in with Heaps Of Fun, the latter pair being the next best weighted horses.

In last year’s race Olma beat Lala by a cosy two lengths and the latter is once again draw two barrier positions outside of her.

Dawn Calling (Nkosi Hlophe)

Heaps Of Fun has a nice draw of six with Anton Marcus up. She won last season’s Gr 2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas at Turffontein from the same draw. She looks to have enjoyed an excellent preparation. In her seasonal reappearance on Sansui Summer Cup day she ran a 6,75 length fifth in the Gr 3 Daily Sun Magnolia Handicap over 1160m at Turffontein, not a bad comeback effort considering she had a tricky low draw and was conceding 8kg to the top class three-year-old winner Green Pepper. Then two weeks later on December 10 she ran a 2,75 length second at level weights to her classy contemporary Joan Ranger in a Progress Plate over 1200m at the Vaal, where she was staying on with long strides at the line.

Last season she was beaten 2,15 lengths in the Garden Province by Olma, but was caught wide the whole way without cover, whilst Olma had cover throughout further back.

Heaps Of Fun, considering her preparation, will be a tough nut to crack.

The three-year-old Dawn Calling can’t be ignored either. She is highly regarded and suffered rotten luck last time in the WSB Cape Fillies Guineas. She now has the pole position draw with Eric Ngwane up.

The like of Impala Lily, Fort Ember and Well In Flight will also provide threats in what will be an intriguing contest.

By David Thiselton