Woolavington winner Bela-Bela begins her Cape campaign in earnest at Kenilworth on Saturday week. She is in both the Jet Master and the Victress Stakes but also has the option of a 1 400m fillies conditions plate where she could come against Silver Mountain.

“We have been waiting for this day for a long time,” says Justin Snaith who complained earlier in the season that there were no suitable races for the star filly. “She is doing well.”

The Joey Ramsden-trained pair A New Dawn and I Travel Light were yesterday supplemented for Saturday week’s Grand Parade Cape Guineas as was Tuesday’s Vaughan Marshall-winner William Longsword. Bernard Fayd’Herbe returns from Mauritius and will partner Craven for Brett Crawford.

Bela-Bela (Nkosi Hlophe)

Last Saturday’s Fillies Guineas winner Just Sensual has been raised 17 points (8.5kg) to a new merit rating of 109 while runner-up Safe Harbour has gone up 11 to 108, but third-placed Querari Falcon has been left on 104.

A little surprisingly Green Point winner Legal Eagle has been upped three to 123 – many observers felt the Horse of the Year simply ran up to somewhere near his best. But Marinaresco, beaten less than half a length, is only on 115 after going up five points. This is because five is the maximum the handicappers were allowed to give him. However Abashiri (fifth) has been dropped 2kg to 113 despite his well-documented travel problems.

Crawford is going to aim Cape Merchants gamble Search Party (upped seven to 103) at the Betting World Cape Flying Championship on January 28. He said: “I will also nominate him for the Diadem on January 14 but I am not sure that he will run.”

Grant van Niekerk has worked out what to do with his three separate seven-day interference suspensions – precisely nothing. Because of the holiday period the Review Board is not due to sit again until February and so, if the jockey does not appeal or state when he wants to take the bans, the Board will rubber stamp the suspensions at a time when all the big Cape races are over.

But Van Niekerk is aggrieved that the suspensions, three in eight days, have been given such prominent treatment in some sections of the media. “When I am riding at a meeting I am in almost every race, and I am often riding animals that can’t keep straight, so I am bound to get suspended from time to time,” he said. “It’s part and parcel of the job.”

In-form Richard Fourie rode the 1 000^th winner of his career when scoring on Step Out for Glen Kotzen at Kenilworth on Tuesday.

BLOB The decision to increase the stakes for the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate by 50% will be widely welcomed. The minimum value of any Grade 1 is now R1 million (a sum, incidentally, that is dwarfed by many sales races) and it is only right that the country’s premier mile event should stand apart.

By Michael Clower

There is an eight race card at Turffontein tonight and it sees the promising Mike de Kock-trained sprinter Rafeef turning out in the highest rated race on the card, the seventh, which is a MR 91 Handicap over 1160m.

This robust four-year-old Australian-bred colt by Redoute’s Choice has had an interrupted career and this will only be his sixth start. However, he is full of class and won a Graduation Plate over 1200m at the Vaal with a bit in hand last time out, despite it being his first outing for seven months. He was raised the maximum number of points to a merit rating of 86. However, it is a capped rating as he ran to a higher mark than that. Therefore, on paper, he has an easier task here in this handicap. He should have benefitted from the run too. He will be hard to beat and is rated the best bet on the card.

Mike de Kock

The value bet on the card could come in the last race in the form of the Sean Tarry-trained Penultimate, a three-year-old colt by Captain Al out of a Fort Wood mare who won over a mile. He won easily over 1200m on debut after being backed and last time out raced quite strongly over 1400m before being run out of it late by the promising Copper Pot. That run suggested he would appreciate the step down in trip and off a mark which has come down from a high of 86 to 79 must have a chance.

Another value bet could be Seventh Heart in the fifth race, a MR 88 Handicap for fillies and mares. She caught the eye on Grand Heritage day when running from an impossible number one draw over 1475m and only finishing 4,3 lengths back. She was therefore slightly disappointing next time out off a three point lower merit rating from a plum draw over 1400m on the Vaal Inside track. However, finishing only 1,9 lengths back, it was not a bad run. The handicapper has now given her another three points relief and she has a fair draw of five. Furthermore, her best ever run was over this course and distance, when winning a MR 80 Handicap for fillies and mares easily back in March last year in just her fourth career start. She has not won since, but runs here off a mark seven points lower than the mark she won that race off.

Another horse who looks ripe for victory is Mythical Magic in the sixth, a MR 68 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1400m in which only seven of the 12 runners are in the handicap. She has a wide draw but Raymond Danielson is back aboard, having produced a flying finish from her in her penultimate start over 1450m on the Turffontein Inside track after dropping her out from a wide draw. She is not the easiest to settle but if Danielson, who has a fine pair of hands, can manage to find cover again she is the one to beat.

Penultimate, Seventh Heart and Mythical Magic are all from the Sean Tarry yard and he could also win the first and second races with Lolita Delago and Furiosa respectively. The former showed pace throughout on Saturday over 800m, finishing third, and the experience will have helped ahead of this 800m dash. Furiosa strikes as a classy sort with a bright future and he should relish the step up to 1400m tomorrow evening.

By David Thiselton

William Longsword can put some sense into the puzzling Selangor form by returning to his best in today’s Racing.It’s A Rush Handicap.

Vaughan Marshall

This is the first of three consecutive Kenilworth Tuesday meetings and the Vaughan Marshall three-year-old promises to be the star of the show. He made such a big impression when he came right away in the final furlong of a mile handicap here a month ago that Joey Ramsden mentioned him as a possible danger to hot favourite Table Bay in the Selangor.

Both horses ran way below their best but there proved to be a physical reason for MJ Byleveld’s mount. “He had an over-reach and couldn’t walk for four days,” says Marshall who is fitting a tongue tie for the first time “because he is a bit thick-winded.”

The handicappers left him unchanged on 93 and didn’t move Table Bay (108) either. Although they upped the first two (Gold Standard and Edict Of Nantes), they put the pair on marks well below third-placed Table Bay indicating they thought the form was all wrong.

Marshall cautions that he believes William Longsword is going to need further but the colt has already been backed from 3-1 to 5-2 and could have most to fear from 7-2 chance Newlands who ran below his best in the Lanzerac Ready To Run. “He had an impossible draw and he was slowly away,” says Ramsden. “But he is a very nice horse and the form has been franked.”

Second favourite with World Sports Betting is Union Jack at 3-1. Greg Cheyne’s mount is on a hat-trick but he has been raised 2.5kg for his last win which makes him less appealing. Mutzi (9-2) is slightly the shorter of Justin Snaith’s pair and has only gone up a kilo for last time’s success.

Table Bay (Liesl King)

His rider Grant van Neikerk has been presented with a quandary after being given three separate one week suspensions for two Kenilworth interference offences and a third at Turffontein. Fitting in these as he approaches the height of the Cape season is going to be as costly as it will be difficult.

Dennis Drier’s horses are always to be respected in Cape Town – he only brings those he believes he will win – but Lee’s Star is one of the lesser lights. Drier tried a tongue tie last time without success and now puts blinkers on the horse. World Sports Betting are unimpressed and have him on 14-1 but the handicappers have dropped him a kilo and he was considered good enough to run in the Cape Classic.

Incidentally stable companion Lloyd’s Legacy, who proved so expensive on Saturday (he started at 7-10 and only managed fourth) was found to have pulled a muscle.

Waiting For Rain (5-1) invariably runs a good race but he hasn’t the class of William Longsword while the latter’s stable compoanion Zeb, blinkered for the first time, may just be good enough in the opener even though the present 28-10 looks short enough.

Border Control is well-nigh unbackable at 1-3 in race two but it’s hard to see anything capable of beating him while 28-10 chance Curatrix is marginally preferred to 15-10 favourite Step Out in the Racing Association Maiden.

BLOB Michael Clower has won with four of his last five selections.

By Michael Clower

She’s A Giver, despite being drawn widest of all and drifting in the market, can give Gavin Lerena his second successive super Saturday in the World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas at Kenilworth tomorrow.

Gavin Lerena

The Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained filly was a revelation in the Starling Stakes at Turffontein, leading just under two furlongs out and drawing further and further away to beat Maleficent by the best part of four lengths without being fully extended.

The handicappers promptly upped her 25 points to the same mark as Querari Falcon. True, she has a bad draw – and presumably this is why punters have allowed her to ease from 4-1 to 11-2 – but when you are riding as well as Lerena few things are impossible.

Favourites have won the last three, and five of the last six, so Querari Falcon should not be ignored at 33-10 even though she was beaten last time. “She was caught a little flat-footed,” Mike Azzie recalls. “Anthony moved very early on her, she pricked her ears and started loafing but I am very impressed with her at the moment.”

Sail has just over a length to find with the favourite on Thekwini running. “She was very immature then but she ran a cracking race,” remembers Dennis Drier. “She has run very well in her last two races but she has a **** draw.”

Final Judgement (12-1) won the Golden Slipper and was only a neck behind Sail in the Choice Carriers despite having to check approaching the final turn. “She fluffed her lines when she was drawn wide in the Thekwini,” says Glen Kotzen. “But she is very talented and her prep has been phenomenal.”

The money continues to come for the unbeaten Quick Brown Fox who was down to 5-1 joint second favourite with Sail in the sponsors’ book yesterday after opening at 8-1. She is untested over the trip and, despite her obvious ability, she looks short enough.

Red Ray (Liesl King)

Maleficent has also been backed – 11-1 to 7-1 – but Safe Harbour has drifted disturbingly, easing from 10-1 to 15-1. Dawn Calling (12-1) and Choice Carriers fourth Smokey Affair (20-1) have place prospects, as does fellow 20-1 shot Red Light Girl who jumped a shadow in that race, while Just Sensual (16-1) is on a hat-trick but the rest are hard to fancy.

Legal Eagle finished like a train over a distance far too short for him in his first race for over six months at Turffontein three weeks ago so he should be able to make his class tell in the WSB Green Point Stakes. Captain America has been backed from 11-1 to 7-1, receives a kilo, is fit and comes from a very much in-form stable but the favourite should still win.

Red Ray has shown that he can run well after a lengthy lay off and is 4-1 favourite for the WSB Cape Merchants – or at least he was yesterday – but he faces a horrific task at the weights and it could pay to follow the money.

Search Party has been backed as if there is no tomorrow. He opened at 25-1 last weekend and at the time of writing was 6-1 second favourite. Corne Orffer is understandably keen on his chance and says he will have no trouble getting down to 52kg although his dieting method may be too drastic for many to even contemplate – “It’s simple. I’ve given up alcohol.”

By Michael Clower

Apprentice Eric Ngwane’s 1,5kg claim could be the difference between winning and losing for Velvet Wind, bottom of the handicap in the City Logistics FM 90 Handicap to be run at Greyville tonight.

Top weights Princess Varunya and Work Ethic have both been tested in feature race company but even though this is a handicap they have to give lumps of weight to Velvet Wind and they may not be up to the task.

Alistair Gordon’s filly has been in good form of late and under Ngwane was beaten a nostril by Playboy Buddy over 1900m on the poly last time out. Dean Kannemeyer’s filly also takes her place in today’s line-up but is 2,5kg worse off and in theory should not be able to turn the tables.

Eric Ngwane (Nkosi Hlophe)

Playboy Buddy has since had another outing, finishing nearly three lengths adrift of the more than useful Lala which underpins Velvet Wind’s form.

Prior to that effort, Velvet Wind finished three lengths back to Crackpot on the Scottsville turf. She has plenty in her favour this evening and should be right up there when the whips are cracking.

Princess Varunya finished a neck behind Velvet Wind in the race won by Crackpot and Kom Naidoo’s filly meets her rival on similar weight terms. That was also her first outing since April and was almost certainly short of peak fitness. She followed up with another good showing in the Michaelmas Handicap behind Celtic Captain and with apprentice Serina Moodley claiming his 4kg from a plum draw Princess Varunya will have her supporters.

Gavin van Zyl saddles Work Ethic who has been up against some strong opposition on the Highveld and has returned home. She has finished behind the likes of Liege, Intergalatic and more recently the smart grey Girl On The Run and she should be much more competitive in this company.

Emperor Niarchos has been a soldier for Frank Robinson, placing in just under half of his 40 starts, and can add to his winning tally when he lines up in the Discovery Ventures Handicap, first leg of the jackpot. The six-year-old’s merit rating has been dropping steadily and in four recent outings has come down from 69 to 62. He should now be competitive off his new mark and a good draw and Anthony Delpech aboard adds to his appeal in an open race.

Unbelievable Chad appears to be finally producing his best and was a close-up third on the poly last time out. He was doing his best work late and the extra furlong should be right up his ally and Paul Lafferty’s runner is a must inclusion in all exotics.

Robinson was in the winner’s enclosure with Sounds Positive on Sunday and he has a chance of a double this evening as Even Tempo is the likely favourite for the Ketla Braai Maiden Plate, opening leg of the Pick 6.

The daughter of Elusive Fort has been well supported in the market in both starts and was not far behind Go With Flo last time out. Given her pedigree and a pole position draw she has a lot in her favour, including some moderate opposition. Night At The Proms and Crystal River look obvious dangers even though they appear moderate. Wahi had it all to do from a coffin draw at Scottsville at her last outing and is one that could make big improvement in a field of this calibre.

Of the balance of the card, Top Form will have his supporters in the Eagle Fire Control Handicap where Anton Marcus teams up with Charles Laird. The gelding came back well from a three-month break when second to smart stable companion Buffalo Soldier and followed up with another forward showing behind the more than useful Beat The Retreat. He takes a slight drop in class but will need to be at his peak to get the measure of Peter Piper. Dennis Bosch’s charge is also having his third outing after a break and takes a major drop in class. He finished three lengths back to Redcarpet Captain last time out and a repeat showing should see him close.

Apprentice Ashton Arries is being well supported by champion trainer Sean Tarry and the youngster gets another chance to show his worth on Super Guppy in the eighth. The mare made a sudden return to form last time out and with only 48kg on her back must have a strong chance in what looks to be another open affair.

By all accounts, Catherine Of Aragon was no great Spanish beauty but did survive Henry’s axe. Hopefully her namesake with see punters through the final leg of the Pick 6 where Alistair Gordon’s filly can go one better after two close-up seconds on the poly.

By Andrew Harrison

Saturday’s World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas favourite Querari Falcon arrived in Cape Town yesterday morning after taking the 1 400k journey from Johannesburg in good shape.

Mike Azzie said: “She is bright and perky, looking upbeat and seems to have travelled well. She is in a very good space at the moment and in my opinion whatever beats her will win.”

The Thekwini winner has been bought by Gaynor Rupert’s Drakenstein Stud from Adriaan van Vuuren since her last run.

Querari Falcon (Nkosi Hlophe)

Legal Eagle, second to Smart Call in last season’s Met, heads the 27 entries for the January 28 Sun International-sponsored R5 million feature. He will be opposed by fellow Met entries Abashiri, Marinaresco, Captain America, New Predator and Black Arthur in the WSB Green Point Stakes on Saturday.

Whisky Baron and It’s My Turn both took a significant step nearer the big race when finishing first and second in the Market Toyota Culemborg Allowance Plate at Kenilworth yesterday with Greg Cheyne’s mount particularly convincing, really asserting in the final 400m to score by nearly four lengths.

Brett Crawford said: “I was impressed because he didn’t run anywhere near his 96 rating when he won last time. If they leave him below 100 after this I will keep him to handicaps. If they don’t, maybe the Queen’s Plate.”

Cape Derby winner It’s My Turn looked beaten two furlongs out after disputing it with the winner much of the way but he ran on again to please Justin Snaith who said: “He had only had one 1 400m gallop coming into this so I was very happy with the run.”

Saturday week’s Southern Cross Stakes is under consideration for Our Destiny after Richard Fourie’s mount comfortably justified 12-10 favouritism in the Macsteel Graduation Plate.

Fourie reported: “My main mission was to make sure she had her head down and was relaxed as she tended to over-race at one stage. But I thought she would win easily and she did.”

The Glen Kotzen-trained four-year-old is part-owned and bred by Ralph Rixon for whom Kotzen used to be assistant. “It’s hard training for an ex-trainer,”Rixon admitted. “I taught Glen well but he doesn’t always listen and I went mad when he ran her in last year’s Fillies Guineas. I thought it was too far for her!”

By Michael Clower 

The Vaal Outside track stages a ten race meeting tomorrow and outside draws will be favourable by trends.

There are a couple of “penalty kicks” on the card in the form of the race two contender Alaadel and the race five contender Samurai Blade, but they are likely to be at cramped odds.

The Candice Dawson-trained Jay Peg filly Jameson Girl has been chosen as the best bet on the card and she races in race four, a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1000m. She has plenty of speed and Gavin Lerena stays aboard from a plum draw.

St John Gray

The downside is she was seen to be hanging inward last time out. However, she does not have a great deal to beat.  Gunship made a fair debut behind a couple of promising sorts and could improve, so she looks the main threat from a good draw. The exposed Blazing Berry showed pace last time over 1200m with the blinkers back on and she looks likely to enjoy returning to the minimum trip and could earn.

The highest rated handicap on the card is the sixth race, a MR 80 affair for fillies and mares over 1600m. Inaninstant is the selection despite her disappointing last start. She has always struck as having class and she now has her third run after a layoff over a suitable trip. She will have the advantage of a 4kg claimer aboard and this might help her get over to the favourable standside in the lead, as she is usually right up there.

There is not much to separate her and Angelic Appeal on form. The latter has a tricky draw to overcome, but Marco van Rensurg is aboard so she should have every chance of doing so. Sisters Of Mercy usually makes breathing noises, but can never be ignored as she is capable of a strong finish. She has plenty in her favour as she is drawn on the standside rail and is three points lower in the merit ratings than her last win. She might also appreciate the slight step down in trip from her last few runs.

Nother Russia has inherited some of the class of her outstanding multiple Gr 1-winning mother Mother Russia and is another danger. It is her first run since March and she has a tricky draw, but she is from the Mike de Kock yard, who always have them fit enough and she is off an attractive merit rating of 79. Readyforyourlove has some useful form and can’t be ignored, although this is her second run after a long layoff and she has a tough draw.

The value bet of the day could be the St. John Gray-trained Thewaywemaykem, who runs in the 9^th, a MR 68 Handicap over 1200m. The 1000m last time was a touch sharp and he couldn’t make much leeway in the closing stages when poised to strike. He now has a plum draw again and will relish the step up in trip. Furthermore, he has come another four points down the merit ratings. Tough old campaigner Flag Of France also has a good draw off a competitive merit rating over a suitable trip. However, the most interesting runner in this race is the Trippi gelding Dawnbreaker. On debut he showed a lot of pace from a plum draw and just got up. The form was franked and Gavin Lerena stays aboard off a reasonable merit rating of 74, but they now have to overcome a tough low draw.

One of the most interesting runners on the card is the Var filly La Roquette in the last over 1200m and she was almost chosen as the best bet on the card. On debut this imposing filly won effortlessly over this trip by 3,3 lengths. However, the downside is the time she recorded, which was not great and the form also looks weak. However, she won ever so easily and has plenty of scope, so it would be no surprise to see her follow up off a mark of 76 with Van Rensburg staying aboard. She will have to beat the year older and in form Shwanky, who is very well drawn.

In race eight over 1600m Aquaboy should have a good chance as a front running sort who went close from a tough draw last time and now has a plum draw.

By David Thiselton

Kenilworth Wed Nov 30 Race Previews by Warren Lenferna

Race 1
Preview: MOON PRINCESS has solid form and should be unbeatable in this race. FIGURE OF GREY returns from a rest but has the second best form but a very wide draw to overcome. MOONSABALLOON went close last time and comes into this race with strong claims but they should all battle to beat number one! (Warren Lenferna 1-2-3)

Race 2
Preview: LA REVERE makes her local debut and it can be a winning one. She returns from a rest but her form is solid and Delpech rides – a lot points to her winning. MISS MALBEC impressed when winning again straight out the maidens – watch. LIVE LIFE has a say as well – in a small but hot field. (Warren Lenferna 5-3-2)

Race 3
Preview: GREENFLASHSUNSET takes a drop in distance which I find interesting – he didn’t quicken last time when tried over 1400m so that must be the reason for going back in trip. His two runs thus far have been good and with Strydom up should be very hard to beat. ICON KING is now starting to become disappointing and costly to follow but always has a chance. (Warren Lenferna 6-2-3)

Race 4
Preview: MTOROSHANGA is improving and meets a moderate field today – hard to beat. SILVER MASTER is coming along slowly but should relish the good draw – place chance. CHINA EXPRESS has strong each way claims. (Warren Lenferna 11-4-5)

Race 5
Preview: BLARNEY BAY comes from a good and ever in form stable. He is as evergreen as the day is long and ran an absolute cracker last time. He is my firm and confident first choice. OVERSHADOW just keeps winning and is now going for four in a row. HE can do it if not in too much need of the run. DESERT FIGHTER never shone when making his local debut but he can improve big time today. (Warren Lenferna 1-2-8)

Race 6
Preview: STREAK OF SILVER (solid form), CREAM SODA GREEN (making stable debut and has ability) and TURBULENT AIR (either wins or runs unplaced) look to be the three main contenders here. (Warren Lenferna 1-3-2)

Race 7
Preview: MOGOSTAR won in the manner of a good horse last time. She is in Cape Town from KZN for a reason and must be followed. She is selected to win again. KIRUMBO is never far off the action and in a race like this can get much closer. SOWETO MOON put in a bold but late effort last time and based on that should make his presence felt again. (Warren Lenferna 3-2-6)

Race 8
Preview: WHISKY BARON is a smart sort, has more to come and should be very hard to peg back. IT’S MY TURN is rested but is well in and more than capable of winning a race such as this. KRAMBAMBULI gets 4kg’s off and could lurk into the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 7-6-3)

Race 9
Preview: ONE LIFE LIVE IT made a smart debut and can improve to go very close to winning – strong each way chance. HERNANDO’S PROMISE could enjoy the trip and might be worth including. MAKE A MEMORY is on the up and should be involved when the judge is looking at the photo. (Warren Lenferna 14-4-7)

Quick Brown Fox, the only unbeaten runner in Saturday’s World Sports Betting Fillies Guineas, came in for further support yesterday. The sponsors opened her at 8-1 and she is now fourth favourite at 6-1.

But she has never been further than 1 200m and neither her trainer nor her jockey know how good she actually is even though they both rate her highly.

Greg Cheyne said: “She had always shown us a lot and we were very impressed with her maiden win. It was after that race that Brett Crawford told me we would have a go at the Fillies Guineas if she won the next time – which she did.

“She has an incredible stride and that is her biggest attribute but she does it all so effortlessly and she can really quicken. I am happy with the extra distance – she is not a speed merchant and she is so switched off – but she is still an unknown quantity. Although she is in at the deep end she has made great improvement since her first run.”

Crawford, who won the 2005 Cape Fillies Guineas with Bad Girl Runs, added: “We were always hoping with her and it was a good start when she won on debut, even more so when she won again. If she hadn’t won that day I wouldn’t have run her on Saturday but from a one draw we are taking our chance. She has a lot of speed in her pedigree but I think she will like the extra distance.”

By Michael Clower

Anthony Delpech has been made 7-2 favourite to win the Cape Fillies Guineas for the third time in five years. Race sponsors World Sports Betting have installed the former champion’s mount Querari Falcon at the head of the market for Saturday’s Kenilworth classic.

Gavin Lerena, out to follow up his Sansui Summer Cup triumph, rides 4-1 second favourite She’s A Giver. Sail is next on 11-2 while the unbeaten Quick Brown Fox has already been nibbled at from 8-1 to 7-1.

Fortissimus (Liesl King)

The WSB Green Point Stakes threatens to steal the Grade 1’s thunder with Legal Eagle (16-10) up against local hero Marinaresco (2-1), 4-1 chance Black Arthur, New Predator (9-2) and Abashiri (14-1).

“It’s a mini Queen’s Plate,” says Brett Crawford who reckons he has a big shout with 11-1 chance Captain America. “He is doing very well at home and one of the things in his favour is that he has a win under his belt whereas some of the others haven’t.”

Like last year’s Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut winner, Marinaresco has not been to the course for a gallop since his last run. “He doesn’t need a huge amount of work,” explains Candice Bass-Robinson. “He is doing well and working well although he will be at his best for the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate.”

She has nominated last year’s Fillies Guineas winner Silver Mountain for Saturday week’s Southern Cross Stakes in which Carry On Alice could attempt to repeat last year’s win. But Silver Mountain may wait.

“There is a 1 400m conditions race a bit later and she might start in that instead,” said her trainer. Stable jockey Grant van Niekerk is expected to take over the mount. Aldo Domeyer, for whom Silver Mountain went so well last season, has commitments to Andre Nel and Bernard Fayd’Herbe (who rode her in her last three starts) looks like staying in Mauritius for a bit longer.

Red Ray has been installed 7-2 favourite for the WSB Cape Merchants despite his huge task under 62kg. Tevez, bidding for his third win in this race, is a 12-1 chance.

Greg Cheyne joined the sidelined Andrew Fortune at the top of the log on 57 with an inspired four-timer at Kenilworth on Saturday.

He was particularly effective on Rocketeer in the Steelbank Maiden, dashing the 8-1 chance into the lead just before the straight and building up what proved to be decisive lead. The winner gave a boost to the Guineas hopes of Cape Classic runner-up Elevated.

Icy Fire (Liesl King)

“Rocketeer is the only horse that can work with Elevated in the sand at home so he had to be able to win a maiden,” pointed out Riaan van Reenen. “But last time he hung badly so the next day we had his balls off.”

Two of the four Cheyne winners were for the Bass-Robinson yard but perhaps the most significant was Icy Fire’s narrow defeat of old rival Fear Not in the Scout Paints Conditions Plate.

Crawford said: “She will run next in the Victress Stakes (December 17) but she would have to do very well in that for us to think of the Paddock Stakes. However I am considering putting blinkers on her at home because at the moment she is always doing only just enough. Once she gets her mind on the job we will have a bit of fun with her.”

Richard Fourie is also enjoying a rich vein of form and a first and sixth race double took his tally to 45. Peter de Beyer, owner-breeder of the Glen Kotzen-trained Elusive Singer, is hopeful of a big run from stable companion Final Judgement (Piere Strydom) in the Fillies Guineas. Surprisingly the Golden Slipper winner is the only Cape Town-based horse in the top eight on merit ratings.

Etienne Braun’s Fortissimus, the second Fourie winner, took Justin Snaith’s total to 78 and benefited from some uncharacteristic generosity on the part of the handicappers who originally put the filly on 92 on the strength of her fifth to Querari Falcon in the Thekwini. Three subsequent unplaced runs saw her dropping to 77.

This poses an intriguing question. Is Saturday’s favourite grossly over-rated?

By Michael Clower