Author Archives: Nikita

Inara (Liesl King)

Follow the Bass string

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Mike Bass’ South African Champions Season string will be worth following this winter as they have all been doing well at Summerveld.

Inara (Liesl King)

Inara (Liesl King)

The string at present consists of Inara, Silver Mountain, Nightingale, Tafferty Tart, Helderberg Blue, Mountain Master, Three Balloons, Lanner Falcon, Ernie, Fly By Night and Night Trip. Paterfamilias is still in Cape Town but will be entered in the Vodacom Durban July and it hasn’t been decided yet when he will join the string. There are others who might also still make the journey and these include the exciting Var filly Wake Up Maggie, who was bred by rival Milnerton trainer Joey Ramsden and is unbeaten in two starts.

Inara is being prepared for the Gr 1 Empress Club Stakes over 1600m at Turffontein on April 16. This Trippi filly is a leading light of possibly the best female crop in South Africa racing history.

In her last two starts she finished runner up in the Gr 1 Maine Chance Farms Paddock Stakes over 1800m to Smart Call, who is currently rated the joint sixth best racehorse in the world, and she then successfully defended her crown in the Gr 1 Klawervlei Majorca Stakes, her third career Gr 1.

She was not herself in KZN last year and was reportedly found to have had a lung infection, but all seems well so far this year and she put up a pleasing gallop yesterday (Tuesday).

Silver Mountain (Liesl King)

Silver Mountain (Liesl King)

Lanner Falcon is another older female who must be followed. Assistant trainer Robert Fayd’Herbe said this Trippi five-year-old is just getting better and better. He reckoned she has the ability to win the Gr 1 City Of Pietermaritzburg Sprint in what might be a below par season in the female sprinting division and other races like the Gr 2 Tibouchina over 1400m and Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes over 1600m will likely be on her agenda too. In her last two starts she won the Gr 2 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes over 1200m comfortably, beating Gr 1-winning stablemate Fly By Night, and then finished third in the Majorca.

Fly By Night, who won the Mercury Sprint two seasons ago at Clairwood, has become difficult to predict, but appears to be in a good space at present and the City Of Pietermaritzburg Sprint is her obvious target.

Silver Mountain stamped herself as the best three-year-old filly in the country when demolishing the Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas field by five lengths. She was subsequently narrowly beaten into fourth in the Gr 1 Grand Parade Cape Guineas and was then a 0,75 lengths runner up in the CTS Million Dollar. The latter two performances were disappointing to those who are willing her to greatness, but in the context of her SA Champions Season tasks, they were peerless. She is a diminutive filly with an electric turn of foot and will be ideally suited to the tight Greyville track. The yard are considering finding a race for her before her first big target, the Gr 2 Canon Fillies Guineas on the Friday night of May 6.

Helderberg Blue (Nkosi Hlophe)

Helderberg Blue (Nkosi Hlophe)

Tafferty Tart is just below the best three-year-old fillies, while Nightingale is a progressive sort who could develop into a Woolavinton 2000 or Oaks type.

Helderberg Blue will likely have a similar program to last year where he raced in the Drill Hall,  the Betting World 1900, Cup Trial, July and Champions Cup, finishing fourth in both the Cup Trial and Champions Cup.

Ernie always goes to the races with the words “Believe in Ernie” ringing in his ears due to the fun characters of his owners and such will be the case on Friday night when he runs in the Gr 3 Byerley Turk over 1400m at Greyville. This is his maximum trip and he will subsequently be kept to sprints with the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint over 1200m at Scottsville on June 4 a possibility.  This Elusive Fort gelding has a fine turn of foot and as Cape Town merit ratings tend to be suppressed due to the superior class of horse it would be no surprise to see him win on Friday night as he is officially the third highest rated horse in the race off 101.

Mountain Master’s aim is to win races, without taking in big features, and he is one to follow in handicaps off an attractive merit rating of 82.

Three Balloons is a stayer who was raised 13 points to 89 after his Gr 3 CTS Chairmans Cup runner up finish over 3200m and the big staying features culminating in the Gold Cup are his obvious targets.

The enigmatic Night Trip has been accompanied to KZN by his retired lead pony Epic Tale and his chief ambition will be to win the Listed Darley Arabian over 1600m on the poly on Super Saturday for the third year in succession.

By David Thiselton

Uncle Tommy (Nkosi Hlophe)

Uncle Tommy retires

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After seven seasons of sterling service top sprinter Uncle Tommy has been retired.

“I think he’s had enough,” said trainer Weiho Marwing at Ashburton yesterday morning.

Uncle Tommy (Nkosi Hlophe)

Uncle Tommy (Nkosi Hlophe)

Uncle Tommy had his last race in the Senor Santa Stakes at Turffontein last month but was never in the hunt, finishing last, an obvious sign that he had come to the end of his racing career.

“You can’t keep squeezing. I gave him one last run and the next suitable race would be the Thukela Stakes at the end of July,” he reasoned.

“We have found him a very nice place in Cape Town. I think he will be happy there.”

Racing throughout his career in the well-known blue and silver silks of Hassen Adams, Uncle Tommy was a real soldier, winning 13 of his 63 races and placing 28 times for stakes of over R1.74 million.

By Kahal out of the Badger Land mare cousin Linda, was bred by Summerhill Stud.

Uncle Tommy’s last win came at the Vaal at one of the last meetings on the now defunct sand track in October last year. The win came hard on the heels of his runner-up berth behind Deputy Jud in the Gr2 Supreme Cup on the sand giving the winner 6kg.

With a highest MR of 105 Uncle Tommy was at home on turf but as he got older the sand and the Greyville poly became his preferred surfaces with possibly his best effort being second to Tommy Gun in the Gr2 Emerald Cup, run in its final year under the banner of the Supreme Cup.

By Andrew Harrison

Muscatt (Nkosi Hlophe)

Strong KZN sprint contingent

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The KZN challenge for the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint to be run on June 3 over 1200m at Scottsville is looking increasingly strong.

The Michael Roberts-trained Muscatt showed his breaking of the recent Scottsville 1000m course record was no fluke when winning just as impressively over the same course and distance on Sunday in a time of 56,18 seconds, just 0,37 seconds off his own record.

Muscatt (Nkosi Hlophe)

Muscatt (Nkosi Hlophe)

He downed another Tsogo Sun candidate, the Dean Kannemeyer-trained Captain Alfredo by 0,75 lengths despite starting at odds of 17/10 compared to the latter’s even money. Muscatt was ridden by apprentice Calvin Habib and had the latter’s 2,5 kg claim as the only weight advantage over Captain Alfredo. However, Captain Alfredo will appreciate the extra 200m of the Tsogo Sun (he looks likely to be a huge runner), while the jury will be out on Muscatt in that regard as his form suggests he prefers the minimum trip.

The Roberts-trained Natal will be another big runner if he lines up in the Tsogo Sun as expected and will certainly enjoy the 1200m trip.

Mark Dixon’s London Call was beaten 2,5 lengths into second place by Muscatt when the latter broke the Scottsville 1000m record, although he was giving the latter 1.5kg. He might go straight for the Tsogo Sun due to his soundness issues and is another who will love the 1200m trip.

The Dennis Drier-trained Triptique likely needed his run on Sunday and was 3,5 lengths behind Muscatt, but he is classy and progressive and will also relish the step up to 1200m. His stablemate Barbosa has had a cracking season and is another who could bolster the KZN challenge.

Meanwhile the recent Scottsville 1200m record breaker Humidor has been entered by trainer Tony Rivalland in a MR 82 handicap over 1200m at Scottsville this Sunday. He is only merit rated 80, despite his debut in a four start career to date being his only defeat, so has his work cut out to make it into the Tsogo Sun field.

By David Thiselton

Mike Miller (Nkosi Hlophe)

Clear sailing for Miller

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The Mike Miller-trained Argonaut filly Clear Sailing became the latest in a long line of mares in foal to succeed on the racecourse when winning the Listed Kwa-Zulu Natal Stakes over 1000m at Scottsville on Sunday and she completed a feature double for Miller in the process.

Mike Miller (Nkosi Hlophe)

Mike Miller (Nkosi Hlophe)

Miller had earlier sent out the Argonaut colt Rob’s Jewel to land the Non-Black Type Sentinel Stakes over 1000m at odds of 1/3, although he beat home just three opponents in a disappointingly small field.

Being by Argonaut was not the only thing the two horses had in common as both were originally owned by Robert and Robin Muir.

Argonaut was also originally wholly owned by the Muirs. Shares in Argonaut were sold after he had won two Gr 1s as a two-year-old for Geoff Woodruff, including a start to finish five-length destruction of the Gr 1 Premier’s Champion Stakes field over 1600m at Clairwood.  He was exported to Australia, where he was injured and never raced. He then returned to South Africa to stand at Cheveley Stud, who bred him. Argonaut, who was ultimately shunned by breeders and recently sold on, is now suddenly beginning to fire. Clear Sailing and Rob’s Jewel follow the like of Natal and Beat The Retreat as horses to have recently put their hands up for the sire.

Clear Sailing’s former trainer Dennis Drier revealed she had cracked a pelvis as a weanling and later developed a breathing issue. Argonaut was not firing as a sire either, so the Muirs decided to put her up for sale after just three career starts, which included a debut win over 1200m at Clairwood.

Well known Durban owner Cecil Baitz then bought her together with his son Gary, a veterinarian practicing in Australia. Upon moving her to the Miller yard Gary advised the use of a “spoon bit”, which is used in Australia to keep the tongue down. Whether the bit is the reason Miller has been able to extract another three wins from her is open to question because it did not solve the same breathing issue found in another Drier horse named Eternal Jet. The latter’s claim to fame, on top of being promising as a youngster, was being the fastest horse the Onderstepoort veterinary team have ever witnessed on their Overground Exercise Laryngoscope. He is now battling in Port Elizabeth.

Clear Sailing (Nkosi Hlophe)

Clear Sailing (Nkosi Hlophe)

Clear Sailing showed her class in her second victory for Miller, in a handicap over 1000m at Scottsville, as she downed the useful Paul Gadsby-trained sprinter Miss Varlicious. However, she was found after the race to have bled. The connections consequently decided to have her covered by the former Pat Shaw-trained Singapore dual Gr 1-winning sprint-miler Ato, who now stands at Summerhill Stud. She then returned to training at Summerveld.

Miller believes she has been more relaxed since being scoped in foal.

She enjoyed the forgiving conditions on Sunday and loves running down the rail, so the low draw suited. Anthony Depech also gets on well with her and she finished 0,75 lengths clear of the hot favourite, the Wendy Whitehead-trained Free State. The latter lost her unbeaten record but a lot more will be heard of this Ideal World three-year-old as that was her first run for five months.

Clear Sailing will be scoped again and if proven to still be in foal, as opposed to the possibility of having absorbed the foal, she will be retired. Otherwise she will remain in training.

Rob’s Jewel was bred by the Muirs and they sold him after a promising fourth place finish in the Listed Storm Bird Stakes over 1000m at Turffontein, which followed a debut win over 800m. Miller believed he had needed the Turffontein run as he moved up well and only ran out of steam in the last few yards.

Gold Circle CEO Michel Nairac bought a share in him together with Miller’s son Sterling and Mauritian ML Jean Hardy. The purchase yielded immediate dividends on Sunday, as Rob’s Jewel repelled the only other previous winner in the field, Skip The Red, to win by a comfortable 1,75 lengths under Alec Forbes. His time of 57,58 seconds was 27 seconds quicker than the subsequent winner of the Non-Black Type King’s Pact Stakes, the Mike de Kock-trained New Approach filly Al Hawraa, who ran on strongly under Anton Marcus.

Executive Power (Nkosi Hlophe)

Executive Power (Nkosi Hlophe)

Miller might now aim Rob’s Jewel at the Gr3 Godolphin Barb Stakes over 1100m at Scottsville on May 1. However, he is reluctant to enter him in the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion over 1200m in early June, regarding it as too tough a race and one which can effect a horse’s future.

Miller also has another promising two-year-old in the superbly bred filly Call Me Winter, who is by Western Winter out of a mare the Miller yard trained, Outcome by Muhtafal, who won the prestigious Gr 1 Garden Province Stakes over 1600m. Call Me Winter impressed on debut with a fluent win over 1200m on the poly. The form has been franked and Miller is now targeting the Listed Devon Air Stakes over 1400m at Greyville on June 11, although she is due to race again before then.

Miller will run the promising Warm White Night gelding Executive Power in Friday night’s Gr 3 Byerley Turk over 1400m in order to “find out how good he is.”

He won over the course and distance last time out.

By David Thiselton

Dean Kannemeyer

Chant for Gregorian

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Gregorian Chant, his form boosted by Caballo Blanco’s win last Saturday, can start the afternoon on a winning note at Kenilworth today.

The Dean Kannemeyer colt divided Le Harve and Caballo when the latter pair made their debuts last month and he probably has most to fear from Bernard Fayd’Herbe’s mount Cream Soda Green who went close first time.

“I thought Cream Soda Green had a good chance that day but we weren’t 100% sure,” recalls Harold Crawford. “He has improved a bit since and they are going to have to be quite good to beat him.”

Dean Kannemeyer

Dean Kannemeyer

All but five of the 16 runners are newcomers but watch out for R2 million buy A New Dawn, an Australian son of Epsom Derby winner New Approach. “He is a very nice horse,” says Joey Ramsden, “although I’m four weeks behind where I would like to be with him.”

A New Dawn opened at 10-1 with World Sports Betting who went 33-10 Cream Soda Green, 4-1 Gregorian Chant, 9-2 the once-raced Moonrise Sensation and 6-1 the Vaughan Marshall newcomer Always In Charge.

Half the 14-strong field in race two are unraced with 11-2 chance Don’t Stop Dancing (a Dynasty daughter of Majorca winner Sarabande) among the most expensive at R900 000. Trip The Willow (3-1 favourite) and 4-1 shot Rock On Wood have the right credentials, and Justin Snaith’s booking of in-form Grant van Niekerk for the former looks significant.

Arctic Blast has proved expensive and frustrating, starting favourite or second favourite in his last four starts. He has often shown tremendous early speed only for something to cause him to fade. Three races back part of his breastplate broke and last time MJ felt there was something wrong although the racecourse vet reported only “poor recovery.”

Mighty Hash (13-2) is an obvious danger in the Itsarush.co.za Maiden but Arctic Blast looks worth one more chance at 16-10 even though Vaughan Marshall cautions: “He is a very light-framed horse. He will win a maiden but he is not very good.”

Ramsden, with a string of two-year-olds ready to run, has two in each of the first two races and pits four against three-year-olds in races three and four. “Everything was coming back sore but now the rain has come I’m running them. I’m fully aware that it [racing them against older horses] is not the right thing to do.”

The weights are against them. They should be receiving between 8.5kg and 9.5kg according to the weight-for-age scale but they get only 3kg in race three and 4kg in race four.

Even so, many punters will want to side with Moonsaballon (33-10) after the filly was nominated as a horse to follow on Winning Ways, particularly if Trip The Willow franks her form by winning race two. “I worked her quite hard to get her where she was first time,” Ramsden points out.

She certainly looked useful but then she is going to need to be and prudence suggests 5-2 favourite Peonie Rock in particular, and Variance at 9-2, may prove better value.

By Michael Clower

Princess Royal and jockey Anthony Andrews (Liesl King)

Princess Royal aimed at Fillies Sprint

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Glen Kotzen is going to aim Princess Royal at the Gr 1 Fillies Sprint at Scottsville on June 4 and last year’s Gr 1 Allan Robertson runner-up boosted her claims by producing a spectacular turn of foot to sprint away from the opposition at Kenilworth on Saturday.

Admittedly the Sceptre winner had nothing of the calibre of Carry On Alice to contend with this time but, as part-owner Peter de Beyer put it, “She did it far better and far easier than I thought she would.”

Anthony Andrews, who gets on so well with what can apparently be a tricky customer, said: “The key to her is keeping her calm beforehand. If she plays up with you down at the start you’ve as good as run your race.

“This was only an allowance plate whereas the Sceptre last time was a Group 2 but I wouldn’t think she was 100% – it was a prep before going to Durban and she would have needed it.”

Princess Royal (Liesl King)

Princess Royal (Liesl King)

But keep an eye on Captain’s Flame. The lightly raced second favourite would have been closer than fourth had she not been hampered and twice forced to switch.

Mike Bass has the Cape Of Good Hope Nursery on May 28 as his objective for the highly regarded Caballo Blanco who comfortably landed the odds in the first.

“He shows a lot of ability at home and I’m very excited to see how he progresses,” said Candice Robinson while Grant van Niekerk, who rode five winners for his boss in two days, added: “This horse is talented and he will go places.”

The Kenilworth Fillies Nursery on the same day is the target for stable companion Live Life who also justified odds-on and is a half-sister to Cold As Ice.

Mike Stewart reckons he will make winter hay with Al Wahed who was sent to him from Duncan Howells to avail of the daily benefits of sea-water. But, according to his new trainer, the vet’s knife has also improved the four-year-old who certainly came good under Brandon May in the Soccer 6 Handicap.

The Noordhoek trainer explained: “Al Wahed has an offset knee but it’s since I gelded him three weeks ago that he has begun moving nicely. This is going to be a serious horse to follow over the winter.”

Cape Town-born Ralton Peters is optimistic that a long-awaited first South African winner will open up new avenues of opportunity.

Peters, 31, said: “I was sent to Zimbabwe by the Jockey Academy in 2001 because they had very few apprentices there and I stayed until I joined Brett Crawford two years ago.”

Newcomer Make It Raine in the 1 200m fillies maiden was Peters’ first winner since Approval Rating in the 2013 Zimbabwe Guineas and only his sixth ride of the season. He had to sit and suffer when he found his path blocked approaching the 200m mark and he then coolly switched the 25-1 shot through a gap to look as impressive as his mount.

Wayne Kieswetter and his Ridgemont manager Craig Carey were impressed with both horse and rider. “Ralton does a hell of a lot with the horses at Brett Crawford’s. We were a bit worried about this filly because she has taken a long time but she suddenly seems to have come good,” said Carey.

But the hero of the hour was racehorse owner Dr Sarembock. The failure of the booked medical officer to turn up  caused consternation both at Kenilworth (“The start of racing has been delayed indefinitely,” announced the public address) and Turffontein where race times had to be put back with Clyde Basel assessing his various options as busily as punter working out the bipot. Sarembock calmly stepped into the breach and, not surprisingly, was welcomed like manna from heaven.

> Aldo Domeyer, successful on Tripinthemist for Paddy Kruyer in the last, has been suspended for a week (April 6-12) for interference when winning on Streaming the previous Saturday.

By Michael Clower

adam marcus

Op for Fear Not

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Fear Not, fifth in the Klawervlei Majorca and the Vasco Prix Du Cap, has had a throat operation.

Adam Marcus said: “She was showing signs of having an entrapped epiglottis which means she could choke up in her races.

“There are some suitable features for her at Kenilworth over the next few months so I won’t be taking her to Durban. On her day she is only just off the best although she does need things to go her way.”

By Michael Clower

Picture: Adam Marcus

London Call (Nkosi Hlophe)

Turk test for Chaos

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Summerveld trainer Mark Dixon will begin sizing up his South African Champions Season hopes after Friday night’s Greyville meeting (April 8), where his gelding Captain Chaos runs in the Gr 3 Byerley Turk over 1400m on the turf and his filly Isingamoya runs in the Umzimkhulu over the same course and distance.

Mark Dixon (Nkosi Hlophe)

Mark Dixon (Nkosi Hlophe)

However, Dixon’s chief SA Champions Season hopes probably lie with his sprinter London Call.

Captain Chaos is a former Cape-based horse who won the Gr 3 Cape Of Good Hope Nursery over 1200m at Kenilworth by 3,5 lengths in just his third career start, having won over 1100m on debut. He beat the like of Tar Heel and Eighth Wonder in the Nursery, so must possess some class.

After opening his KZN career with a sprint, the good looking bay by Captain Al stayed on well from some way back for a 5,5 length second to Beat The Retreat in a Progress Plate over 1300m on the Greyville Turf a couple of weeks ago. He was giving the winner 2kg and Dixon said, “He has come on from the race and I think he will get the mile, so might go for the Canon Guineas although I don’t know whether he is good enough.” Captain Chaos is drawn 27 of 35 entries in the Byerley Turk and as a two-time winner will carry the minimum weight.

Isingamoya by Muhtafal caught the eye when running on fluently to comfortably win her maiden over 1200m at Scottsville second time out and she has finished close up thirds in all three of her subsequent starts from 1200-1300m.

However, the last two of those runs were in Plate races against some promising sorts and Dixon said, “She is still building up and can improve.”

She has drawn well in three of 32 entries in the Umzimkhulu.

London Call (Nkosi Hlophe)

London Call (Nkosi Hlophe)

Dixon said he would make his five-year-old Kahal gelding London Call a “massive” runner in the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint to be run on June 4 at Scottsville if he were able to get into the field off his current merit rating of 101. He might in fact send him straight into the race due to his soundness problems.

While he is not a horse who can be raced often, he is on the other hand one who is easy to get ready for a race.

London Call deserves to line up in the Tsogo Sun, having won four of his eight career starts and being placed second twice.

Of others in the yard, the four-year-old Kildonan gelding Blessed Release could be one to follow in the lower divisions. He was accorded only a 66 merit rating after winning his maiden in very soft going over 1400m at Scottsville by 7,5 lengths against an admittedly uninspiring field. That was his seventh career start but Dixon said the best had not yet been seen of this gelding.

By David Thiselton

kegan de melo

Caballo Blanco to strike

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Caballo Blanco should get Kenilworth punters off to a winning start in the opening maiden juvenile tomorrow.

His first run three weeks ago was packed with promise (Mike Bass: “He got left a little bit but he is a smart horse”) and the form of his third place was boosted when the fourth, Dancer, won last Saturday. He already holds both Starflash and Telamon.

However things are not so straightforward from this point on. Bass and Grant van Niekerk should, in theory at any rate, follow up with Cold As Ice’s half-sister Live Life who was backed from 5-1 to 18-10 favourite when second on debut. But China Pearl was only half a length away despite starting at 35-1 and costing less than an eighth of her rival’s R2.5 million. Who is to say she won’t have come on by at least that margin? Gypsy Beauty also has good first run-based claims.

Joey Ramsden throws a potential spanner in the works 35 minutes later by pitching two superbly bred juveniles against Kegan De Melothe three-year-olds in the All To Come Maiden. Red Granite is a half-sister to Guineas winner Act Of War and R900 000 purchase Arctic Green is a daughter of Allan Robertson heroine Silver Arc.

Both are bred to be much better than tomorrow’s opposition but it’s worth pointing out that they meet the three-year-olds on terms 5.5kg (more than four lengths) worse than weight-for-age and also that it is difficult for Milnerton trainers to get horses ready to win on debut.

Dark Chocolate is the form horse and is tentatively preferred despite the way she ran last time suggesting that she needs further than this 1 200m.

The Racing.It’s A Rush Allowance Plate is even more tricky. Sceptre winner Princess Royal would appear to stand out, and is the forecast favourite, but she comes out level with longshot Sapsan when you adjust for the weights and weight-for-age while Night In Tahiti is only a point behind.

It just might pay to side with Captain’s Flame even though she has 2.5kg to find. She has won two of her three starts and was described by Andre Nel as “pretty talented” when she scored over the trip three weeks ago.

Keegan de Melo, who won on Black Arthur for Justin Snaith in November, flies in for six rides for the former champion trainer. The best of them could be Prince Of Wales in the Itsarush.co.za Handicap but Snaith is cautious, saying: “He is a horse to follow but this 1 400m is a bit on the short side. Also he is coming back from gelding so he may just need it.”

The biggest danger is probably Silver Snaffles who came home 3.5 lengths clear when making all over this trip four weeks ago.

By Michael Clower
Picture: Keegan de Melo rides at Kenilworth on Saturday

r abashiri

Abashiri all the way

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Abashiri and Heaps Of Fun will have the support of many at Turffontein on Saturday where they will embark on the second legs of their Triple Crown and Triple Tiara missions respectively.

Abashiri will be hard to beat from a good draw in the Gr 1 R2 million SA Classic over 1800m. He had to be sent for home early in the Gr 2 Betting World Gauteng Guineas over too sharp a trip. The turn of foot he displayed surprised many as he was being rousted seconds earlier. Once he had hit the front he was always going to be difficult to catch as he has a giant stride and a big engine. He will likely be ridden more conservatively this time and should mow down those who attempt to get first run on him.

Brazuca has a nice stride on him too and will relish the course and distance and Anton Marcus will help him R1 Abashiriovercome a tricky draw of nine.

Liege is fancied for third over a suitable course and distance. Others who have to be considered for the placings are Champagne Haze, Muwaary and Suyoof.

Samurai Blade is also worth considering for a place as he has some class and should enjoy the faster pace of a Gr 1 race over an ideal course and distance. Heaps Of Fun ran with ears pricked in the front in the Gr 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas and held on courageously. She displayed her class and can be ridden from anywhere, so over this likely suitable trip she is going to be a tough nut to crack.
However, the Geoff Woodruff-trained Alexa is tipped to beat her as she caught the eye in the Fillies Guineas running on strongly. She had to continually switch inward as no gaps were opening and finished right on the inside rail. She was only 4,75 lengths back at the line and is now slightly better drawn in nine. She will relish the step up in trip and will be hoping for a quicker pace too.

Witchcraft, Negroamara, Frosty Friday, Princess Varunya and Christmas Carol will also enjoy the course and distance, while She’s A Dragon also has to be considered.

The other Gr 1 on the card is the HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m. The KZN raider Ice Machine is a joy to watch as he has a pehenomenal turn of foot and this could finally be his day. He has a fair draw in a big race for a change and Anthony Delpech will be able to keep an eye on the only likely danger Legal Eagle. The latter showed how good he is over a mile when galloping them off their feet in the L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate. Captain America won this race in bottomless ground last year. This big horse proved when winning this season’s Green Point Stakes he can settle in front and can handle fast ground, so is still likely to be involved in the finish from the pole position draw. However, he is unlikely to get the soft ground which would given him his best chance.

The first race on the card is a fillies and mares handicap over 1600m. Wukkin’ Up is a courageous sort and will attempt to make it four wins in five starts, but is not going to have it easy. Bountiful Harvest and Star Of Love should make bold bids over a suitable course and distance.

The second is the GR 3 Pretty Polly Stakes over 1100m and Cloth Of Cloud, an exciting half-sister to Silver Mountain, is going to be hard to beat considering the manner of her six length win on debut.

In the third, the Gr 3 Man O’War Sprint over 1100m, Bull Valley is another one full of speed and class and back to the sprint trip he will be hard to beat receiving 2kg from the top two, despite not having run since November. Al Azraq and Isca are well regarded and could provide place value.

In the fourth, the Gr 3 Protea Stakes over 1100m, He’s A Var created a fine impression on debut with his speed followed by a kick and looks the one to beat. However, the filly in the race, Seattle Singer, has a weight advantage being still a maiden and on form she has a big shout.

The sixth, the Gr 3 Jacaranda Handicap over 1800m is the toughest race on the card. The talented Patchit Up Baby should now be fully acclimatised to the Highveld and looks ready to bounce back to her best. Peggy Jay is in fine form over further, but is effective over this trip too. Pennington Sands will enjoy the fast conditions and the others who make most appeal are front-running sorts Cassie O’Malley, Ahlaam and Dream Galaxy, as well as Gr 1 winner Bilateral, last year’s runner up Fortitude, who is only one point higher in the merit ratings, the course and distance suited Zrinski and the well drawn and distance suited Mamasita, who has Gavin Lerena up.

The ninth is the Gr 3 Caradoc Gold Cup over 2850m and the class over this testing course and distance lies at the top of the weights with Cool Chardonnay and Storm Warning and with the only female in the race Marmalady.

The last is a tricky MR 84 handicap over 1160m and Captain’s Causeway looks to be on the up. Thrust keeps on defying the handicapper and should go well fresh. Manx Park has come into his own and has to be considered.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Abashiri (Nkosi Hlophe)