Captain’s Flame attempts to make it four in a row in the McNaughtans Handicap at Kenilworth tomorrow as she continues her so far-relentless progress towards the Paddock Stakes.

“I am giving her two prep runs and this is the first of them,” says Andre Nel who has also earmarked the Jet Master on December 17 for his progressive four-year-old who faces a stiff task under top weight – even though the handicappers only raised her half a kilo for her Diana win.

Aldo Domeyer

She won that Durbanville Grade 3 with authority with Aldo Domeyer saluting the crowd as he began pulling her up approaching the line. She was certainly value for more than the official three-quarters of a length, particularly as it was her first race for four and a half months.

“She was pretty ready for that,” recalls her trainer who provides one of the biggest threats in Quine who is on a hat-trick. Can Captain’s Flame beat this one? “It will be tough but I think she can,” answers Nel who is targeting the Victress Stakes with Sihle Cele’s mount.

However Goodtime Gal, unlucky when second in the Diana and now 2kg better, could be a different proposition. “She was baulked early in the straight and she couldn’t get a clear run. I think it cost her the race,” recalls Mike Robinson’s wife Louella. The rerun confirms this view. It’s also worth pointing out that her rider couldn’t claim that day so she is effectively 4.5kg better with the top weight.

She has since chased home Sail and The Secret Is Out, and Richard Fourie (31 today) is in inspired form.

Miss Marker is, in theory at any rate, the best handicapped of all the Diana runners. She was fourth, only 1.3 lengths behind the winner, and is a huge 6g better. But she had the smoothest of passages that day and it was her third run of the season.

You can make some sort of a case for Jane S Piddy and Moonlight ‘N Roses  but it is Harlem Shake’s first outing for four months. Captain’s Flame keeps doing it, she is a class act and she gets the vote.

The sahorseracing computer says she will beat Goodtime Gal a head with Quine a neck away third and Jane S Piddy a well-beaten fourth.

The computer predicts a surprise in the Scout Paints Conditions Plate (race two) with victory going to Adorada who has little chance on adjusted ratings despite last time’s third to In Limine over this 1 800m.

There is precious little between Fear Not and Icy Fire on Final Fling running although that was in the soft. Icy Fire had much the better reappearance run and, with both Brett Crawford and Greg Cheyne doing so well, she gets the vote.

Loadshedder looks good in the first after two promising outings. “We think he is a miler but he is still pretty inexperienced so I am giving him one more run up the straight,” says Nel. “The form is standing up well.”

By Michael Clower

Gavin Lerena and the Geoff Woodruff-trained Master Sabina will attempt to retain the Gr 1 Sansui Summer Cup together at Turffontein on Saturday and the high-flying jockey believed the seven-year-old gelding was going in with a better preparation than he had last year.

Gavin Lerena

Lerena has a number of other good rides at the meeting and it is no coincidence that the majority of them are for two trainers who were mentored by Woodruff, Johan Janse van Vuuren and Candice Dawson. Lerena said about the latter, “They are both very good trainers, they have done amazingly well, they learnt a lot from Geoff.”

Master Sabina is highly regarded by Lerena. The son of Jet Master was a touch disappointing in both the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and J&B Met subsequent to his Summer Cup win last year, but he ran a cracker in the Vodacom Durban July. Lerena said after the July, “I was forced to take him back early, so was considerably further back than I had wanted to be, but he ran on really well in the straight.” He finished a 3,35 length ninth.

He followed up by running a decent fifth in the Gold Cup over 3200m with topweight. That was the fifth consecutive time he had not made the frame, but on the positive side this allowed the handicapper to drop him three points back to 105, the same merit rating he ran off in last year’s Summer Cup.

He made his seasonal reappearance in a MR 104 Handicap over 1800m at the Vaal on October 25 and made eyecatching progress in the straight to finish a 0,8 length second to his stablemate Master Switch. He was raised one point for the run, but still faces the latter on 1kg better terms.

He carries 56kg in Saturday’s 2000m handicap event off a 106 merit rating, as opposed to 56,5kg off 105 last year, and he jumps from draw six as opposed to draw seven last year.

Lerena said, “He has a fair draw and his prep has gone very well. He had a nice prep run and took the run well. He has been putting up nice work and I am happy with the progress he has made. I think he is in a better place than he was last year. I can’t say I am confident, because it’s a horse race, but he is definitely in with a chance with luck in running.

Master Sabina (Nkosi Hlophe)

“I think his stable companion Deo Juvente and also Saratoga Dancer are big runners and we will also have to be careful of the lightweights, there are some strong lightweight gallopers.”

Lerena rides the exciting Janse Van Vuuren-trained Captain Al colt Doosra from a tricky draw of nine in the Gr 2 Investec Dingaans over 1600m and said, “I certainly think he will get the trip. I have been very happy with his work at home, he keeps on improving nicely. Obviously we don’t have the number one draw we had last time, so will need a little bit of luck.”

He rides the equally exciting Australian-bred High Chapparral filly Being Fabulous for the Janse van Vuuren yard in the Gr 3 Fillies Mile. Like Doosra, she possesses a magnificently long stride, but she also has to overcome draw nine. Lerena said, “I would have been more confident with a couple of weeks and another run under the belt, but having said that she a very nice filly and is doing very nicely at home.”

In the Gr 2 Gauteng Tourism Ipi Tombe Challenge over 1600m Lerena rides the Alec Laird-trained Polyphonic, who was well regarded last year as a three-year-old and now looks to be coming into her own. Lerena said, “She is now having her third run after a rest and her last run was brilliant, carrying that big weight it was full of merit (she finished a 2,5 length second in the Gr 3 Yellowwood Handicap over 1800m under Lerena carrying 60kg and giving the winner Girl On The Run 8kg). She has the number one draw too, but it’s competitive, it’s quite open.”

African Ruler (Nkosi Hlophe)

Lerena rides the Paul Peter-trained African Ruler in the Gr 2 Citizen Merchants over 1160m and this consistent four-year-old Trippi gelding’s form speaks for itself, as he has only once failed to finish in the first three in 15 career starts, six of which he has won. His runs include a runner up finish to Equus Champion Sprinter Talktothestars in the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint over 1200m at Scottsville, but he faces the latter on 0,5kg worse terms here despite being defeated 2,25 lengths in the latter race. It is a very strong field and it remains to be seen whether his low draw of three is disadvantageous, which it can be in rain affected going. There is some more rain expected this week, so it might be on the soft side.

Lerena doesn’t know much about the Woodruff first-timer by Captain Al he rides in the first, Whosethebossnow.

In the second over 1160m, he rides the Candice Dawson-trained Ideal World filly Royal Utopia, who appeared to be going backwards on debut, but then suddenly stayed on well. He said, “She is doing ok, she is still quite green, but it’s not a bad formline and she could be in the places.”

He rides the Dawson-trained Prince Of Orange in the last, a MR 95 Handicap over 1600m. This five-year-old Indigo Magic gelding’s victory under Lerena in the Grand Heritage consolation race over 1475m was full of merit as he jumped from a seemingly impossible low draw of three.

Lerena said, “He is not drawn well again (10 in a field of 10), but is feeling fit and will be running on again.”

By David Thiselton

Summerveld trainers have a few chances of success at the Gr 1 Sansui Summer Cup meeting at Turffontein on Saturday.

No Worries (Nkosi Hlophe)

Gareth van Zyl said a line could be drawn through Summer Cup contender No Worries last run in the Gr 2 Peermont Emperor’s Palace Charity Mile, as not much had gone right for him in the running. The seven-year-old Kahal gedling has been doing well since then at the Van Zyl Turffontein-based satellite yard under the care of Gareth’s brother Chesney.

Gareth felt he had a shout at the weights, running off a merit rating of 105 with 55,5kg on his back. History backs him up as he ran a 5,25 length sixth two years ago carrying topweight of 60kg off a 111 merit rating. He is drawn ten with regular pilot Warren Kennedy aboard.

Dennis Drier spoke earlier this week of the “magnificent” condition Summer Cup contender Punta Arenas is in, so he will have his supporters from a good draw of five under Keagan de Melo.

Mark Dixon runs the four-year-old Muhtafal filly Isingamoya in the Gr 3 Magnolia Handicap over 1160m and hopes the forecast rain does not mean her number one draw will be unfavourable. He said about the 94 merit rated horse, “She is exceptionally well going into the race and has had a good prep. I wouldn’t be going if I didn’t think she had a good chance. We are up against a very good three-year-old (Green Pepper), but she will give her a run for her money.”

Kumaran Naidoo runs the four-year-old Rebel King filly Deep Down Rebel in the same race. She is 3,5kg under sufferance off her 79 merit rating and is also 4,5kg worse off with Isingamoya despite being beaten 0,5 lengths by the latter over 1200m last time out.

Isingamoya (Nkosi Hlophe)

Naidoo said, “She has a stiff task, but is very, very well. She has been to Turffontein once before and travelled well on that occasion.” Naidoo has kept apprentice Tristan Godden aboard, despite not being able to claim his normal 1,5kg, as he knows the horse well.

Alistair Gordon runs the long-striding Captain Al gelding My Pal Al in the Gr 2 Investec Dingaans over 1600m and his assistant trainer Nicolette Roscoe said, ”He is doing fine and we have been happy with his work. We didn’t think he would get in off his 80 merit rating, but he did so we are going to take our chances as we think highly of him and didn’t want to give up that pole position draw. He might be green first time at the track, but he should enjoy its galloping nature and the long straight as he takes time to get going.” Marco van Rensburg rides him for the second time in succession.

Gavin van Zyl runs two horses, Odd Rob and Estimation, in the Gr 3 Racing Association Handicap over 3200m and said, “Odd Rob is a nice, big strong horse, he has ability and if he reproduces his last run, he must have a chance.” The five-year-old Mambo In Seattle gelding received 1,5kg from The Elmo Effect last time over 2450m and lost by 0,25 lengths. He is now 0,5kg better off and is drawn well in six again with Muzi Yeni remaining aboard.

Distorted Humor four-year-old filly Estimation was 3,6 length behind Odd Rob last time, but is now 1kg better off and Van Zyl also expected the fitting of blinkers to make a difference. “She looks to be competitive,” he said. Stable jockey Warren Kennedy remains aboard. The form of the last race the Van Zyl pair took part in has worked out well as 1,05 length fourth-placed Smart Mart came out and won in Cape Town.

Mike Miller runs the four-year-old Warm White Night gelding Executive Power in the Gr 2 The Citizen Merchants over 1160m, where he is 1kg under sufferance off his 97 merit rating. He has won two of his last three starts over this trip, including one in slightly soft going. He should acquit himself well under Alec Forbes from draw five of eleven 11, but he does face a top class field.

By David Thiselton

Craven stormed into the Cape Guineas picture with a most convincing return to form in the Place Your Bets Handicap at Kenilworth yesterday despite drifting right in the closing stages.

Richard Fourie rode the 18-10 shot differently this time, saving him for a strong run in the straight to hit the front a furlong out and beat Dancer by two and a half lengths.

Fourie, although noncommittal about riding the colt in the Guineas, said: “He is still a bit green – that’s why he went right with me after we passed horses – but he is really starting to mature. He would love to go further and the Derby trip would be right up his alley.”

Richard Fourie (Nkosi Hlope)

Brett Crawford, watching from Randjiesfontein, added: ”That was a good run and I just hope he has done enough to get into the Guineas – I think he will now go up to a 91 – because I don’t really want to run him again before then.”

Horizon, surprisingly preferred in the market, covered himself in future promise by running on to take third in a manner that shouted out that he needs more ground and could be really in his element over the Derby trip.

Candice Bass-Robinson said: “As he goes further he will improve all the time and in the meantime we have just got to be a little patient.”

Orion Quest warmed up for Saturday week’s Cape Merchants in encouraging style. He lost ground at the start in the All To Come Graduation Plate but ran on well to take a length and a half-second to the useful Attenborough. He will be one of the bottom weights in the R400 000 handicap.

Attenborough, who has run so many good races in defeat but often appeared to run out of steam close home, showed the benefit of waiting tactics with Donovan Dillon keeping him covered up until well inside the 400m mark and not hitting the front till 100m out.

Dillon said: “He is a classy animal and I rate him very highly. The aim was to give him cover – last time we found it but unfortunately it opened up quite early.”

Joey Ramsden confirmed that the colt will stick to sprinting, saying: “He is best ridden patiently.”

The Milnerton trainer added that Table Bay “is absolutely fine” after his Selangor third and said he is still convinced that the reason for the horse’s rather disappointing performance was because many in the field, him included, went too fast.

Sihle Cele, who won the first for Crawford on Stopthinkingofme, has been suspended for a week for causing interference to 15-10 favourite Always In Charge in last Saturday’s Lanzerac Ready To Run. The NHA Inquiry Board ruled that he was not sufficiently clear when shifting inwards on Purple Tractor after a furlong.

Justin Snaith has booked Piere Strydom for Canon Guineas winner Black Arthur in the Green Point Stakes at Kenilworth on Saturday week. Snaith won the race with Legislate two years ago.

By Michael Clower

Geoff Woodruff has experienced enough Summer Cup success to know his twin spearhead from four stable runners – Master Sabina and Deo Juvente – can between them provide an unprecedented fourth consecutive triumph for the personable Englishman in the Sansui Summer Cup at Turffontein on Saturday.

The pair fought out a memorable finish to the R2-million race twelve months ago, when Master Sabina won by a long nose. And it is entirely feasible that history could repeat itself at 5.10pm on Saturday, as both are going into battle off what their trainer believes are ideal preparations.

Master Sabina (JC Photos)

That was not the case last year when Master Sabina went to post a gallop short, but still managed to fend off his younger stablemate under a classic Gavin Lerena ride.

Now the Jet Master gelding is, at seven, the joint second-oldest contender in the 20-runner field.

Woodruff, who landed two Summer Cups out of his original base at the Vaal and is looking for a sixth victory overall in the Grade 1 race, says: “Master Sabina’s preparation has gone much better than last year when we were very unsure of whether we had him fit enough.

“I leant towards Deo Juvente, who was flying, but Master Sabina beat him a short head.”

There has been no repeat of those hiccups this year. “Master Sabina has had four grass gallops and a race at the Vaal, in which he finished second to Master Switch. He’s pleased me in his work, looks very well in his coat and is much closer to his fighting weight.

“He’s what I call a Gary Player seven-year-old. He might be a year older, but Gavin gets on incredibly well with him and he can still be competitive,” said the trainer.

Woodruff has brought Deo Juvente off the injury list and is encouraged by his third placing in the Charity Mile at the beginning of the month.

Of the Trippi gelding he comments: “He sustained a nasty cut to a stifle in Cape Town that was nine inches long. It was a huge setback right before the Met. It explains his poor runs here in the winter, but the Charity Mile was a nice comeback over a trip that’s short of his best.

“We have Anton Marcus in the saddle and for me he is one of the greatest riders this country has produced.

Deo Juvente (Sporting Post)

“He said that when I ran Deo over 2000m we would see the best of him and that’s exactly what happened here a year ago.”

Yorker and Louis The King preceded Master Sabina as Cup winners for Woodruff, who confesses he loves to target his best horses at the race, more so than any of the other marquee contests on the South African calendar.

He continues: “I always try to get them into the Summer Cup. It’s such a great race day and everyone is up for it. It’s a bit like the Johannesburg Met.”

The Woodruff challenge is completed by Master Switch and Master ‘N Commander. “I’m pleased we have Delpech on Master Switch, who had to win at the Vaal to get into the Cup,” he says.

“He’s a roughie but I’m leaning towards him as the better of these two.

“He’s drawn No 18, which is the same gate as Deo had last year so it’s not impossible. Turffontein is such a fair track. There’s plenty of room and they tend to fan out.

“But when he beat Master Sabina in his prep he was much the more forward.”

Of Master ‘N Commander he observes: “2000m is the absolute ceiling for him and he has to be ridden as a non-stayer, stone cold.

“Last time over 1800m he was trapped three deep and raced much too handily. But, like the other three, he’s thrown a perfect blood count and that’s particularly important at this time of year when viruses lurk and can be contracted no matter what precautions you take.”

Courtesy of TABnews

Craven can earn his Cape Guineas ticket by bouncing back to form in the Place Your Bets Handicap at Kenilworth today.

This colt, bought to race in Hong Kong, has a huge reputation and has started favourite in all three starts but it all went pear-shaped in his first handicap run here four weeks ago. He was odds-on but managed only an expensive and disappointing fifth.

Brett Crawford (Liesl King)

Admittedly he was twice brushed by the winner, Mega Secret. “I think it was more that the race was a bit hard on him,” says Brett Crawford, referring to it being his third run in six weeks. “He is very well and he has been working well.”

Crawford still believes that Richard Fourie’s mount is good enough to take his chance in next month’s classic but obviously he has to win this and he probably has most to fear from Horizon.

This R5.2 million record-breaker has also had his ups and downs. Most disappointing when heavily backed first time, he redeemed himself in convincing fashion over this trip next time even though the form was hardly boosted by runner-up Crompton Court managing only seventh last Saturday.

“Horizon is doing well and working well,” reports Candice Bass-Robinson. “I suppose we have Craven to beat but this will tell us where we are with Horizon.”

Dancer won a mile novice 35 minutes before Horizon scored over the same trip but his time was about half a second slower. However he has some fair form and could win if neither of the big two produce the expected step up in form.

Silver Chalice scored twice over 1 800m before disappointing in a sprint. Eric Sands believes that he will need another run, saying: “We are restricted as to gallops.”

Craven opened 12-10 favourite with World Sports Betting which put Horizon in at 18-10 and Dancer on 28-10. Silver Chalice is a 10-1 chance and Aviemore on 14-1 while the Bass-Robinson second string Rocket Master is the rank outsider of the party at 20-1.

Strictly on the book Crawford should also win the All To Come Graduation Plate with 2-1 shot Orion Quest who has 2kg in hand over Attenborough on adjusted ratings and finished a neck in front of him on these terms when they were second and third behind Always In Charge over a furlong further at the beginning of the month.

However this is Orion Quest’s second run after an injury-induced rest (he had knee surgery) so the alarm bells are ringing. “I’m basically using this as a stepping stone as he is going for the Cape Merchants on Saturday week,” says Brett Crawford.

Attenborough, second to Lanzerac Ready To Run runner-up Sergeant Hardy on his previous start, has a fair bit of speed and is taken to reverse the placings. Significantly he is already favourite at around 15-10.

La Favourari (3-1) also comes into the reckoning after starting favourite and going close against Pillar Of Hercules ( 7-2) over the trip here four weeks ago. The Andre Nel runner is 3kg better.

But don’t overlook 14-1 outsider Horse Guards. Dennis Drier’s colt has no chance on his running in that Always In Charge race but he is a lot better than that and it was his first run for nearly five months.

By Michael Clower

Kenilworth (Old Course) Wed Nov 23 Race previews by Warren Lenferna

Race 1
Preview: SEATTLE OAK caught the eye on debut and can improve to go close to winning. SECOND NATURE showed good improvement in her second start and can get even closer today – big runner. STOPTHINKINGOFME has a quartet chance – her stable companion is preferred. (Warren Lenferna 13-3-14)

Race 2
Preview: ORION QUEST has solid and good form. His last run to Always In Charge should be way too powerful for this field and he is the one they all have to beat. ATTENBOROUGH is consistent and was not far behind Orion Quest when they last met. LA FAVOURARI has a strong place chance. (Warren Lenferna 1-3-2)

Race 3
Preview: MINI LOUSHE is coming to hand quickly and looks ready to win his maiden. CHOIR OF ANGELS should improve many lengths over the 1400m trip and is one that has to be taken seriously – bad draw to deal with as does Mini Loushe. GSTAAD did well on debut but disappointed last time – must be given another chance. (Warren Lenferna 1-9-11)

Race 4
Preview: CRAVEN has a big reputation and showed his ability when winning his maiden in a common canter. He then battled to quicken in his post maiden run and disappointed many of his followers. I believe that a horse can have an off day and it is best to draw a line right through that run – he is better than that and is selected to bounce right back to best here. DANCER and SILVER CHALICE look set to fight out the minor money. (Warren Lenferna 3-2-1)

Race 5
Preview: NAVASHA has consistent form and comes into this race with strong each way claims. TENDER TRIP was slow out last time and finished just off the action. This is her peak run and she is more than capable of winning a race like this but the weight she has to shoulder is a small concern. MAKE THE MAGNET has been selected as the value bet on today’s card. (Warren Lenferna 2-1-9)

Race 6
Preview: CAPTAIN’S VERSION had to check last time at a crucial stage but still managed to run well – his chances look bright here. MR JAY might be able to get away from them at the top of the straight with a valuable 4kg’s off his back. CORTADA impressed when backed on debut and has to be better than his last run shows. If CAPTAIN COURTEOUS were to win again, it would be no shock at all! (Warren Lenferna 5-4-7)

Race 7
Preview: MIRANDA FROST caught the eye when having her comeback run 22 days ago. She won her first two starts in the manner of a good horse – I believe she is a good horse and should be very hard to beat and has been selected as the best bet on today’s card. SOMMERLIED returns from a rest and is making her local debut – she thumped the opposition on debut in KZN on the grass and clearly has ability or else would not have been travelled to the Cape for the season – exacta choice. HANABI has a place chance. (Warren Lenferna 4-7-5)

Race 8
Preview: STRIKEITLIKEAMATCH ran second last time and can go one better. SPRING GOLD is coming to hand and is worth considering for the shortlist. EDGE OF GLORY can improve a ton on his debut effort. (Warren Lenferna 5-9-12)

KZN trainer Duncan Howells said his two Sansui Summer Cup hopefuls, Saratoga Dancer and Ten Gun Salute, had put in pleasing gallops over 1800m at Turffontein last Thursday and they were both “fit, sound and very well in themselves”.

He is also pleased with his Investec Dingaans pair Secret Captain and Roy’s Magic, although his one concern was whether the latter would stay the 1600m trip.

Saratoga Dancer put up an eyecatching preparation for the Summer Cup when staying on from a handy position to finish a 0,6 length second in the Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile. The long striding five-year-old gelding by Mambo In Seattle proved he would like the galloping Turffontein Standside course and that, as expected, he would come into his own with age. Saratoga Dancer ran a superb fifth in the Vodacom Durban July, so the tough 2000m of Turffontein Standside should be ideal.

Saratoga Dancer (Nkosi Hlophe)

On the downside he was drawn well in three in the Charity Mile, but now has a tricky draw of 13 in Saturday’s 20 horse field. Howells said how the draw was managed would all depend on the pace. A fast paced race would play into Saratoga Dancer’s hands, whereas a slow pace would make it tough. He added Craig Zackey knew the horse well and he would leave the ride to him.

Saratoga Dancer was raised one point for his Charity Mile second to 104 and will carry 55kg in the Summer Cup.

Ten Gun Salute, an Australian-bred four-year-old colt by Henrythenavigator, was described by Howells as one with a lot of ability but “things have to go right for him.”

In the Charity Mile he become upset when having to have  a shoe refitted at the start.

Howells revealed jockey Grant van Niekerk had not actually been happy about participating when trotting up after the reshodding. However, the course veterinarian had passed the horse.

Howells reckoned this chain of events, together with a slowing up of the pace, had explained the horse’s antics around the turn that day. Van Niekerk had dropped him out and moved on to the rail from a wide draw. However, around the turn Ten Gun Salute’s head was up in the air and twisted sideways. Howells added that even without those contributing factors Ten Gun Salute “is not the easiest ride in town,” on the best of days. Ten Gun Salute did well under the circumstances to stay on for a 6,2 length sixth in the Charity Mile.

Howells concluded, “He is distance suited and pretty well handicapped. The draw (nine) is just about right for him.”

He will carry 53,5kg off his 102 merit rating and Van Niekerk remains aboard.

Saratoga Dancer is currently a 10/1 shot with Betting World and Ten Gun Salute is at 15/1.

In the Investec Dingaans over 1600m Randall Simons has kept the ride aboard the well-bred colt Secret Captain, who is by Captain Al out of the amazing matriarch Mystic Spring, whose best progeny include last year’s Equus Champion three-year-old filly Bela-Bela as well as the like of Gr 1-winner Rabiya.

Howells took Secret Captain up to Johannesburg as he felt at this stage of his career the run in at Greyville was too short for him.

Ten Gun Salute (Nkosi Hlophe)

He elaborated, “He becomes unbalanced and needs to strengthen within his big framework before he can cope with a tight track like that. I can’t fault what he has done to date and he has plenty of scope for improvement.”

In his first start at Turffontein he flew up to run a head second to the decent sprinter Buckland in a 1200m Progress Plate. Then in the Gr 3 Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m he came from the back of a ten horse field to run a decent two length fourth to the highly touted pair Doosra and Heavenly Blue, with Singapore Sling in between. There was 3,75 lengths back to the rest of the field, so it was a fine effort.

Howells said the long-striding grey had “come on from the run.” He added he had initially been a bit disappointed as he had appeared to get to the leaders and then tire. However, in retrospect he had changed his view and said, “He has had to make up ground to decent horses from a wide draw, while the others were up there for free. It was also a bit of a false run race as the leader sped well clear and the second horse eased it up a bit. Secret Captain travelled very well on the turn. He over raced a bit, and that is not like him, he usually switches off. Now he has a good draw (six in a 16 horse field) which will help big time, he won’t have to sit back.”

Secret Captain looks likely on pedigree and running style to enjoy the step up in trip to 1600m.

Howells said about the Australian-bred Foxwedge colt Roy’s Magic, whose two wins in four career starts have been over 1200m and 1400m respectively at Scottsville, “He is well above average and was disappointing in the Graham Beck (11,75 length 7^th). He was probably too handy and battled to quicken. Now he faces a real test from a wide draw (16) and my one concern is the distance. He is laid back and has given the impression he will stay the mile. But he is by a sprinting stallion and I wonder whether this is a touch too far.”

Warren Kennedy has ridden him in all of his starts to date and remains aboard.

The Howells yard are due some luck on the Highveld. Having gone to the extent of setting up a satellite yard there for the current campaign this might be the meeting where it changes in their favour.

By David Thiselton

Queen’s Plate winner Legal Eagle and Triple Crown hero Abashiri may both travel from Johannesburg to take on Marinaresco and Captain America in the Green Point Stakes at Kenilworth on Saturday week.

Mike Azzie said yesterday: “At this stage Abashiri is going to run. We want him to have a good look at the track because he has never raced on a left-handed course before.

Abashiri (Nkosi Hlophe)

”Anthony Delpech will ride the horse but he won’t be fancied and we will let him come on from the run.”

Sean Tarry added: “It’s not definite but we are seriously considering the Green Point for Legal Eagle and, if he does run, he will stay in Cape Town for the L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate and the Sun Met.”

Azzie, who intends doing the same with Abashiri, added that Delpech has also been booked for Thekwini winner Querari Falcon in the World Sports Betting Fillies Guineas on the same card. She is joint top-rated with She’s A Giver who won Turffontein’s Princess Charlene Of Monaco Starling Stakes on her return earlier this month. Johan Janse van Vuuren has already declared Gavin Lerena.

Star sprinter Red Ray has been given the steadier of 62kg in the Cape Merchants and has to concede 2.5kg to Gulf Storm who is the next highest rated. Third top is Tevez who has won the sprint handicap twice before.

Tarry said that he plans to bring back his SA Nursery winner Cloth Of Cloud early next month, adding: “She is a million dollar horse so we are aiming her at one of the two CTS $500 000 races on January 28. Unfortunately not much has changed with her behaviour!”

The daughter of Captain Al is something of a wayward individual and has a disconcerting habit of pulling herself up the second she reaches the line.

By Michael Clower

There is an eight race meeting on the Vaal Outside track tomorrow, where high draws are favourable by trends, and there look to be some good opportunities for punters.

The first opportunity comes in race two, a Maiden over 1200m, where Bockscar is the choice. He jumped from a favourable low draw on debut on the Vaal Inside Track over this distance and was continually shuffled backwards as the field jostled to get over to the far rail. The King’s Chapel colt was angled outward when it eventually became possible and with daylight finally in front of him he ran on strongly to finish just 4,25 lengths behind his promising stablemate Matador Man.

Gavin Lerena

He looks likely to reverse form with the exposed Amber Flash, who had the run of the race that day from a good draw. The main danger could be Clever Guy, who has the very much in form Gavin Lerena up. This good looking Argonaut colt also made a good debut over 1200m. He is drawn only one inside of King’s Chapel and may get first run on him, as he was handy throughout on debut, but Bockscar is still the choice due to the impression he created when finishing so strongly.

The best bet comes in race four, a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1000m, where Lady Of The World is fancied as hard to beat. This improved daughter of the promising sire Great Britain has both pace and the ability to stay on. She ran a cracker on Grand Heritage day from the worst draw of all. She followed up with another fine run over this trip from a good draw on the Vaal Inside track.

Unfortunately, an unheralded first-timer called All Over The World mowed her down. The latter remains unbeaten after two starts, so the form has been franked. Lady Of The World is drawn close to the favourable side and regular rider Marco van Rensburg is up.

The danger will be the KZN horse Rainbowinthesky, who finished just five lengths back in a feature on debut over 1200m, and then was well clear of the rest when mowed down by a first-timer over 1000m at Scottsville. She has a plum draw, unlike the bad one she had in that last race, so it won’t be easy for Lady Of The World.  Rainbowinthesky did hang inward in that last race. However, she was being brought over from the high draws to the low, so the hanging antic might just have been due to her inexperience.

The highest rated race on the card is the sixth, a Graduation Plate over 1200m. Angel’s Power is the joint-best in at the weights on official merit ratings with Sporting Monarch. Angel’s Power, merit rated 89, was raised to a 92 after a cracking effort from a tough draw in the Gr 3 Spring Spree Stakes over 1200m on the Turffontein Inside track, where she was a 1,75 length second to the top class Kangaroo Jack.

He was unsurprisingly fancied in his next start in a handicap over the same trip at the Vaal so he was disappointingly unplaced. However, the draw that day palpably favoured the low draws and he was drawn wide. Last time Angel’s Power was over a too sharp 1000m against classy sorts in the Golden Loom handicap and he was unplaced again.

He is now favourably weighted and drawn on the right side over a suitable course and distance with Piere Strydom up, so should go close. The Stone Thrower has class and won comfortably last time from a favourable draw in a Novice Plate over this trip on the Vaal Inside track. It would be no surprise to see him follow up despite being officially 1,5kg under sufferance with Angel’s Power. However, against him is a low draw. Sporting Monarch is also drawn low but could come on from his last race, which was his first after a layoff.

Oracle Of Delphi could get punters off to a good start in race one over 1600m if taking his place. He ran third behind two promising sorts on Saturday when stepped up to this trip and faces an uninspiring field.

In race seven over 1400m Analyse This is drawn on the right side and might enjoy the step down to this trip, as he did hit the front in the Grand Heritage over 1475m before being run out of it. Gavin Lerena has kept the ride, an obvious bonus.

By David Thiselton