Fear Not can make it a 27^th birthday to remember for Adam Marcus in the Vasco Prix Du Cap at Kenilworth’s Prawn Festival meeting tomorrow.

The Majorca fifth has been in cracking form in recent months and her trainer, who won this with Priceless Jewel two years ago, is understandably optimistic.

Adam Marcus

He says: “Fear Not is maturing and getting better all the time. I think this 1 400m is probably her ideal distance because over it she can quicken right to the line which she can’t quite do over a mile.”

Rider Aldo Domeyer has won two of the last five runnings and his mount yesterday opened an appealing 6-1 joint second favourite with World Sports Betting who made Cuvee Brut favourite at 33-10.

No favourite has won this since Mother Russia seven years ago but uncle Anton’s mount is rated the best horse in the race with a kilo to spare. She has only once raced beyond sprint distances – when sixth to Majmu in the 2014 Cape Fillies Guineas – but Brett Crawford will not hear of stamina doubts.

“She won’t have a problem getting the trip,” he insists. “She is doing very well and I think she will be hard to beat.”

Stable jockey Corne Orffer partners 6-1 shot Alexis in preference but mainly because she is owned by Delma Sherrell whose son Lance sponsors Orffer through his firm. “Alexis has finally come back to her best and think this trip is perfect for her,” says Crawford.

However the filly has to concede 3kg to everything because of her win in last year’s KRA Fillies Guineas and that is going to make it tough for her.

No three-year-old has won since Mother Russia but 10-1 shot Acaciawood, on ratings the best of her age group, comes out less than a length behind Fear Not.

Next best Flying Ice (16-1) was a sick horse after disappointing in the Fillies Guineas but Neil Bruss gives her a good chance – “I would think so with that weight, and she has been doing very well.”

Heartland (Liesl King)

The unbeaten Lohnromance is surprisingly short at 8-1. “She is at least 30lb under sufferance but it is going to be interesting,” says Andre Nel. “She is as fit as she has ever been and we will know where we stand with her after this.”

Coltrane should win the CTS Chairman’s Cup for the second year running even if he is not much of a price at 15-20.

Stable companion Hard Day’s Night is 33-10 favourite for the Calulo Cape Mile but this is wide open with Marcus’s mount Night Trip (9-2) top-rated but only a kilo better than Heartland (6-1), Milton (7-1) and 9-1 chance As You Like.

Marginal preference is for Heartland and Justin Snaith says: “Heartland was a bit unlucky in the Queen’s Plate in that he was a bit further back than the jockey wanted. He and Kingvoldt (5-1) are both in good nick and should run well.

“My worry with them, and indeed all our horses, is that the ground is hard and they are getting a bit jarred. The track manager has put on a lot of water but we need rain.”

By Michael Clower

Punters can look forward to another weekend full of racing and there look to be some fair opportunities at the Greyville, Turffontein and Scottsville meetings.

The first opportunity arises at the start of tonight’s Quickfire Twenty/20 meeting. In race 1 the improving filly by Ideal World, Grand Jury, proved she loves this 2000m trip on the turf last time when cruising in behind a wall of horses and having nowhere to go. She could well have won that race and could make amends here.

In race 2 the Overlord filly Overly Impressed defies her cheap purchase price looks-wise and would have come on from her run last Friday as she had an interrupted preparation into that race. She will also appreciate he step up in trip to 1600m. However, Ruby Gem coming from the stronger centre of Cape Town could be a big threat as she did have one or two good runs down there.

Lady Of Kildare (Nkosi Hlophe)

In race 3 over 1600m Velvet Wind was hampered at a crucial stage over this trip on the turf last time and was staying on well all the way to the line, so looks the one to side with.  Vogue Idea quickened well when winning last time over course and distance and could possibly handle a four point raise, while Lady Of Kildare will attempt to make it four out of four on the Greyville poly, although the handicapper is catching up with her.

The fourth over 1600m is a weak race and provides an opportunity for a horse who loves the course and distance, Royal Champion. Nuntius is the likely favourite and could still improve. An interesting runner as far as each/way value is concerned could be Ocean’s Crossing because on pedigree he will love the return to the poly.

Race 5 over 2000m looks a potential stumbling block as it is very open unless Canigao can continue upon his progressive ways. An interesting each/way chance here could be Bez-Art as this big horse has caught the eye on occasion and has finally landed a good draw.

Race 6 over 1200m is not an easy heat either at first glance, but a horse who makes plenty of appeal if Roy’s Folly. She was fancied by the yard over 1400m last time but appeared to over race when going to the front so will enjoy the step back down in trip. It all depends on whether she can overcome her tricky draw of eight.

Race 7 over 1000m is also a typically difficult sprint handicap, although Burrwood is course and distance suited and has handled wide draws like this before. All True Man is better than his last two runs and could be the main danger. Hot Chilli looks a fair type and could do well first time out the maidens and Out MY Way and Stampede can also be considered.

Race 8 over 1400m sees an interesting runner in Battle Of Seattle, who runs off a merit rating no fewer than 31 points lower than his sand merit rating. Some say the two surfaces are completely different, but evidence of horses who have raided Greyville off good handicap marks compared to their sand ratings would not back that claim up because they invariably win or go close. Pyrenees In Spain would otherwise look quite a good bet here because he loves the course and distance and is off an attractive merit rating. Son Of Orimandes is a type who can suddenly pop up and, for an in form yard off the same merit rating as his last win, the time looks ripe for him to appear on the stage late in the race as he has been known to do.

Vogue Idea (Nkosi Hlophe)

Race 9 over 1000m is full of pace and might pan out well for the consistent closer Quintella, whose last two wins have been over course and distance.

At Turffontein on Saturday Tobesuretobesure makes plenty of appeal in race one over 2000m from pole position for under-estimated trainer Heather Adamson. She lost her jockey in her penultimate start and a mathematician might be needed to work out her performance because she appeared to win riderless by about 100 metres. Last time out she ran way above her rating over the too sharp 1600m so has a fine chance back in a handicap over a suitable trip.

Some good horses appear at Scottsville on Sunday. Way Of Light was running on in the Listed Michael Roberts Handicap over 1800m last time out so should enjoy the course and distance of the Non-Black Type UmThombothi Stakes over 2000m, although Great Rumpus and Serissa should also go close.

Miss Varlicious is on the up and is officially well weighted in race 4 although African Dream will be a threat if her starting antics don’t bother her and she bounces back to her best.

In the Fever Tree Handicap over 1400m Master James has always been held in good regard and a step down in trip could well be what is required. However, the last time he tried 1400m he ruined his chances at the start, so is worth supporting again.

By David Thiselton

Jockey legend Felix Coetzee believes the time is perfect for Gavin Lerena to take on the Hong Kong Challenge and is looking forward to following his career.

Coetzee, who achieved hero status on the island nation partly through his association with the legendary racehorse Silent Witness, will be in Hong Kong himself for twelve days from tomorrow working with apprentices.

He said, “The competition in Hong Kong right now is as tough as it’s ever been, but Gavin goes there with so many positives, such as the Jockeys Championship and the International Jockeys Challenge victory, and at the age of 30 is in his prime and riding with such maturity. His arrival will also coincide I believe with the departure of Ryan Moore and Silvestre de Sousa (both due to return to the UK for the British flat season) and they have had such good support he could be settling in where they left off.”

Talking about the idiosyncrasies of Chinese culture, Coetzee said a jockey not viewed as lucky would be quickly shunned, but did not expect this to affect Lerena. On top of his own current confidence, trainers will be confident in him having seen him ride in the Challenge. Lerena would also have had his eyes open in the few days he was there so will not be subjected to a complete culture shock.

Meanwhile, Coetzee has been working with Cape Town rider Craig du Plooy and has mentored him on all aspects from tactical awareness to riding style. He has been deeply impressed with Du Plooy’s commitment, especially considering how hard it is to change habits and “muscle memory” as a forty-year-old. He has little doubt it will bring about a change of fortunes in a game which has the catch 22 situation of having the need to be rated before getting good rides and needing good rides to be rated.

Coetzee is also mentoring former champion jockey S’Manga Khumalo and is helping in his drive to win the closely contested Championships.

Coetzee, who is steeped in the methods of Monty Roberts, also “breaks-in” young horses for a number of Cape Town yards.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Sportingpost

Richard Fourie is to cut short his Hong Kong contract and return to South Africa. He looks set to resume his position as first jockey to Justin Snaith.

Bernard Fayd’Herbe, who took over the plum job at the beginning of the season, hinted at the changes after winning the first race at Kenilworth yesterday on the Snaith-trained Bishop’s Bounty. He quipped, tongue only partly in cheek: “I’ve got the boot.”

Snaith then elaborated, saying: “The agreement with Bernard was only up until Met day. He has commitments to another yard and his weight is also a problem. My operation is too big to have that [in a stable jockey] and Richard is coming back. But Bernard will ride the odd one from now on.”

Fayd’Herbe added: “There are no hard feelings – obviously you can’t have a stable jockey who can only do 58.5kg – and I will continue to be first jockey for the Ridgemont Stud.”

Fourie has enjoyed spectacular success for Snaith, including winning the 2014 Vodacom Durban July on Legislate, but things have not gone well for him in Hong Kong this season. He has only ridden six winners and is currently out of action with ligament and muscle problems in his back, the result of schooling a horse through the pens.

He recently flew home for treatment but is now back in Hong Kong. His application to be released from his contract is due to be heard today.

By Michael Clower

South African Champion Jockey Gavin Lerena leaves for Hong Kong on Sunday where he will free lance as a Jockey Club rider.

Lerena will be up against the like of Joao “Magic” Moreira, commonly regarded as the best jockey in the world.

However, he confirmed it was every sportsman’s ultimate dream to test themselves against the best and added, “He is probably the best jockey the world has ever seen and there will never be another like him, but I am mentally and physically prepared to take him on.”

Lerena has proved his mental toughness and it is well documented how his darkest moment, when reflecting upon a Championship which had somehow slipped through his grasp, took just three years to erase. His winning of the Championship last year included an astonishing streak of form when the pressure was at its highest, including  a record-breaking 42 winners in one month.

Lerena is grateful to Felix Coetzee, a veteran of 16 seasons in Hong Kong, for the “fantastic advice” he has provided ahead of his sojourn. He has also received pointers from Weichong Marwing and Anthony Delpech.

He is thus aware not only of aspects pertaining to his profession but also of Hong Kong life in general, including the important role luck plays in Chinese Culture and of the need to conduct oneself in a manner acceptable to the Culture.

He said, “Luck is everything over there but you can also make your own luck.”

Lerena confirmed the strictness of the Hong Kong stipendiaries placed added pressure on jockeys, especially as the two racecourses were relatively tight.

He has never been short of confidence and quipped, “It’s very different over there and hard to adjust, but it took me three races to win so I think I adjusted quite well!”

He was referring to the International Jockeys Challenge he took part in last December, where he won both the third and fourth legs to emerge as overall winner.

His South Africa Championship combined with his Jockeys Challenge victory no doubt helped him secure the contract with the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Lerena has only had four rides at Happy Valley but has already grasped the ins and outs. He said, “Its much faster than South African racing and you’ve got to ride the race from the jump and find the right position and the right passage. If you make one wrong move, or just one hesitation, it will be the difference between winning or running fifth, you must have the best passage and a flowing passage. Sha Tin also has a short straight but is fairer.”

Lerena will be provided with an interpreter for the first few weeks, but will otherwise be left on his own to secure rides.

However, trainers are unlikely to be slow in offering him mounts, considering his two winning rides in the Challenge were brilliant, and on the night he downed eleven of the best jockeys from around the world, including Moreira, Ryan Moore, Douglas Whyte, Brett Prebble, Victor Espinoza, Hugh Bowman, Silvestre de Souza, Derek KC Leung, Keita Kosaki, Maxine Guyon and James McDonald.

Furthermore, South Africans have a reputation in Hong Kong which dwarves all other nations considering the dominance of the Championship by Basil Marcus (seven times champion), Robbie Fradd (one championship) and Douglas Whyte (thirteen championships) since Bartie Leisher laid the foundation by winning it in 1988. Coetzee, Delpech, Marwing, Glyn Schofield, Jeff Lloyd, Piere Strydom, Anton Marcus, Richard Fourie and Karis Teetan, a Mauritian who learnt his trade at the South African Jockeys Academy, have also all made a big impact on Hong Kong racing.

Lerena will be accompanied by wife Vicky and young son Ashton on the venture.

In Hong Kong the jockeys and trainers all live together in an apartment block near Sha Tin racecourse, another factor which adds pressure.

He said, “Living side by side with your competitors and the people you ride for is not going to be easy, but luckily we’re a quiet family.”

Ashton currently attends nursery school in Gauteng, but Gavin and Vicky will play it by ear before rushing him into a new educational institution.

Gavin concluded, “It’s a big step in life but I’m mentally and physically ready for it, although obviously we going to miss the family, we’re a very close family.”

By David Thiselton

With his turf rating of 111, four-year-old Ertijaal (AUS) will race under top weight of 60kg in Thursday evening’s Land Rover Discovery Sport Handicap over 1900m at Meydan.

This is a sand (dirt) contest, however, and the question that needs to be answered is whether the 2015 Gr1 Cape Derby winner will be similarly effective in his first run on the new surface in the hands of jockey Paul Hanagan.

Ertijaal’s pedigree suggests that he is likely to enjoy racing on sand. He is by Hard Spun, a terrific top-level performer who raced only on dirt and the Polytrack, winning seven of 13 starts from 1100m to 1800m, including the Gr1 King’s Bishop over 1400m on dirt at Saratoga.

Hard Spun’s places included a second in the 2007 Kentucky Derby (2000m) to Street Sense and he was runner-up to the star Curlin in both the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic (2000m) and the Pimlico Stakes (1900m).

Nothing is clear-cut however, and while the outcome of this race will determine the rest of Ertijaal’s Carnival campaign, Mike de Kock wasn’t too fazed on Tuesday, saying: “He will either go well on dirt or he won’t and if he doesn’t we’ll switch him back to turf. He’s fit and very well, it’s a competitive handicap, a real test but he is well drawn and I think he is massive runner even under his big weight.”

Judging by apparent stable confidence this could be “a good night at the office” – De Kock was bullish too about the chances of Sanshaawes (Christophe Soumillon) and Tellina (Wayne Smith), his contenders in the Gr3 Dubai Millennium Stakes over 2000m on turf.

“This doesn’t look like the best ever renewal of the race and we have two runners who are very fit and well. They should both get their share of the action here.”

Another runner considered to have a winning chance is Prayer For Relief (Soumillon), who was touched off by Le Bernardin on his seasonal debut in Gr2 mile on dirt; then beaten over seven lengths by the smart Frosted over 1900m on dirt.

“We’re bringing Prayer For Relief back to the mile, he seems to fade when he races beyond 1800m. He drops in class and we fancy he’ll be right there to contend this one.”

Seven-year-old Pylon is in the same race, making his own seasonal debut. The big sand galloper is short of his best and De Kock commented: “Pylon has suffered a few setbacks so this run after his long break will serve to bring him on, he will improve for it.”

Mastermind (Hanagan), is effective over 1400m on turf and will be yet another stable ace to be reckoned with in the Range Rover Trophy (Race 2).

“Mastermind gives of his best, he is doing well at home but he was penalised 8 pounds for his Gr2 placing last time so has a big weight to shoulder and there are several other hard knockers in the race. He has eachway prospects.”

Mikedekockracing.com

Picture: Ertijaal (Liesl King)

Trainer Frank Robinson scratched his classy filly Olma from her last start out of concern for the betting public, while in the Summerveld training ring next door to his Dennis Drier’s expectedly strong South African Champions Season string could well be bolstered by the up and coming filly Mater Familias.

Olma missed some crucial work in the lead up to her intended last race on February 10 due to rain affected training tracks, so Robinson asked permission from the stipendiaries to scratch her because in his opinion the 5/10 price would likely be misleading to the public.

The classy four-year-old Dynasty filly has come into her own and made it two in a row when winning the Gr 3 Flamboyant Stakes over 1600m at Greyville last time out in cosy fashion. She is now being targeted at the Gr 3 Acacia Handicap over 1600m at Turffontein on Guineas day, February 27, where she will run off a 101 merit rating.  Olma has run twice at Turffontein before, finishing tenth in the Gr 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas against an ultra strong field, and then sixth in the Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks over 2450m, a distance which Robinson now believes was too far.

The three-year-old Trippi filly Mater Familias powered to a 5,75 length victory over 1400m on the Greyville poly last Friday night under Anton Marcus and still looked to have plenty in hand at the line. On debut she dwelt at the start before running on over a too sharp 1000m, but a subsequent re-schooling session did the trick because she jumped on terms on Friday night. The yard are not getting carried because she did not beat much and said they would take it “one step at a time”.

The horse she beat on Friday night, The Alyson Wright-trained Ovelord four-year-old filly Overly Impressed, now has two seconds and a third to her name, not bad for one who cost a mere R10,000. She started 7/10 favourite on Friday night, but was coming off an interrupted preparation and the yard also believes she is looking for 2000m.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Olma (Nkosi Hlophe)

Anton Marcus flies into Cape Town on Saturday for six rides at Kenilworth’s Prawn Festival meeting including last year’s winner Coltrane in the CTS Chairman’s Cup.

Coltrane’s trainer Joey Ramsden traditionally dominates this two-miler – he has won it seven times this century – and he is responsible for half the six runners with Bernard Fayd’Herbe on Grade 1 winner King Of Pain and Donovan Dillon partnering Gallica Rose.

Lohnromance, despite being officially the worst horse in the race, will be one of the focus points in the Vasco Prix Du Cap. She has won her only two starts with ease and Andre Nel was thwarted in his bid to run her in the Klawervlei Majorca when she suffered an over-reach.

J & B Met hero JP van der Merwe will also be in town. He has three rides including the Paul Reeves-trained Sea Cat in the Smart Call colours in the Prix Du Cap.

The Juvenile Plate was scrapped yesterday morning when the 12 entries attracted only three acceptors. There will be draws throughout the day for household appliances worth R50 000.

By Michael Clower

Bishop’s Bounty is odds-on for the opening maiden juvenile at Kenilworth today and understandably so. Justin Snaith fancied him to make a winning debut in the Listed race on Met day and he almost certainly has much less on his plate here.

He started evens favourite last month and, despite not being able to get a run when he needed it, he was beaten less than a length into third.

“Bishop’s Bounty was a bit green that day but he has done very well since and we think he is a decent horse,” says Chris Snaith. “This is 200m further which will probably suit him.”

World Sports Betting opened him at 9-10 on Monday and he shortened to 4-10 yesterday with the twice-raced In Your Face second favourite at 6-1. “He has come on a bit and, if there is no superstar among the first-timers, I think he will finish on top of them,” says Paul Reeves.

Mike Bass, who has won the last three Cape Town two-year-old races, has no runner but three of the seven newcomers carry the Jooste colours including the Joey Ramden-trained R2 million purchase Attenborough (7-1).  “All three are nice horses and we are hoping for the best but I think Justin’s will be hard to beat,” says Derek Brugman.

Starrett City opened evens favourite for race two and has since hardened to 9-10. Although he was only eighth first time, it was a good maiden and he was only beaten four lengths. He looks the form horse. “He was a little shin-sore after his run but he is fine now and he has come on a bit,” says Neil Bruss. “Looking at the field I think he should go very close.”

Newcomer Hero Quest is second favourite at 33-10 while Mike Robinson’s pair The Best Of Me (4-1) and Zama (backed from 12-1 to 7-1) showed form before disappointing last time. Declarator (4-1) was third to runaway winner Orion Quest but the form of that maiden has a question mark over it.

Andre Nel’s once-raced Liberal Sally is 22-10 joint favourite with Prize Peg for the fillies’ maiden (race three) but Pixelate at 9-2 makes more appeal. Shane Humby’s filly has been off since the end of December but she had Prize Peg half a length behind when second that day.

The handicappers left Cuban Emerald on an unchanged 79 after his close third in the opener on Met day and, while Shadlee Fortune may not be in the same league as S’Manga Khumalo, he is good value for his 2.5kg claim and the top weight looks the one to beat in race four. His opening price of 13-10 was short enough and he has since eased to a more realistic 15-10.

By Michael Clower