Charles Laird is bullish about Exit Here in Saturday’s CTS Million Dollar. The 6-1 chance is on a roll and has won his last five.

Laird said yesterday: “He arrived in Cape Town around 7.00pm last Saturday evening and he settled in well. I worked him on the racecourse on Tuesday morning because I wanted to show him a left-handed track and he went very well.”

Anthony Delpech takes over from Anton Marcus who has ridden the colt in all his five wins but has decided to stick with Seventh Plain – but apparently only after some deliberation.

Racing manager Derek Brugman said: “Anton gave it a lot of thought and seriously considered riding Exit Here.”

Cape Guineas runner-up Brazuca is 18-10 favourite for the Investec Cape Derby but there are stamina doubts – the colt’s dam is by a sprinter. However trainer Johan Janse van Vuuren does not share them.

He said: “There is no stamina in the pedigree and at one stage I thought he wouldn’t even get a mile but I now believe he will definitely stay the trip.”

Politician winner Black Arthur is 33-10 joint second favourite with Rabada but will be 5kg worse for just over two lengths. Justin Snaith believes his horse has enough improvement left in him to confirm the placings although on Saturday the colt will not come from some far back.

He said: “We don’t want to be doing that again and anyway Black Arthur has a good draw this time.”

By Michael Clower

Picture: Exit Here (Nksoi Hlophe)

National Champion trainer Sean Tarry regarded his well-drawn Dynasty filly Swift Sarah as a “nice outsider” for the CTS Million Dollar at the Investec Day of Dreams meeting on Saturday and he also gives the higher merit rated but wider-drawn Right Approach colt Lunar Approach a shout.

Sean Tarry

Both horses arrived in Cape Town about ten days ago.

He said, “Swift Sarah has good gatespeed and is well drawn. In her only attempt at this 1400m trip she burst through the stalls and raced wide, everything went wrong, but on pedigree she should get the distance. She travelled exceptionally well and her work has been very good.”

Swift Sarah will jump from a plum draw of three with Cape Town-based jockey Grant Behr up.

Lunar Approach has won over 1600m before and was an impressive winner over 1400m at Turffontein last time out. The form of that last outing has been franked too. Tarry reckoned he could rise above his current merit rating of 96 and said, “I wouldn’t say he is a 110, but is close to 100. He has a shout but will need luck from the draw.”

If the four reserves come out, he will jump from draw ten in the 16 horse field and is to be ridden by S’Manga Khumalo.

Khumalo also rides the Tarry-trained Western Winter filly Bichette in the R1 million Gr 1 Klawervlei Majorca Stakes over 1600m and the Tarry-trained Dynasty colt Liege in the R1 million Gr 1 Investec Cape Derby over 2000m.

Tarry was still assessing whether Bichette had fully recovered from her 3,75 length eighth in the Gr 2 Sceptre Stakes over 1200m last weekend. If she takes her place, she should stay the trip, having finished a close second to subsequent Paddock Stakes winner Smart Call in the Gr 2 Ipi Tombi Stakes over 1600m at Turffontein. However, she will need luck from a wide draw.

Tarry regards the 2000m Cape Derby trip as perfect for Liege. This scopey colt bounced back to finish third in the Gr 3 Cartier Politician Stakes over 1800m last time out, having had legitimate excuses in his first two Cape Town outings. However, he is another one who has a wide draw to overcome and Tarry admitted he faced a tough field.

By David Thiselton

The Gr 1 R1 million Klawervlei Majorca Stakes over 1600m at Saturday’s Investec day Of Dreams meeting looks to be at the mercy of the Duncan Howells-trained Same Jurisdiction, who is now drawn perfectly, having not had things go her way last time from a wide draw in the Gr 1 Maine Chance Farms Paddock Stakes over the less suitable trip of 1800m, which looks to only just be beyond her stamina range.

Inara (Liesl King)

A tongue tie was tried for the first time in the Paddock Stakes and the first hiccup was when  this came off down at the start and had to be refitted. The tongue tie has been dispensed with for the Majorca. The second hiccup in the Paddock Stakes occurred when she was shuffled outward on the turn, thereby losing the cover she had. She consequently over-raced for a couple of strides and this likely contributed to her relatively flat finishing run. It was still a good effort to finish fourth. She was reported to have returned with an overreach injury, but her part-owner and veterinarian Ralph Katzwinkel said it had just been a “scrape” and was unlikely to have affected her performance.

Katzwinkel is now very happy with her indeed from a veterinary perspective, describing her as “spot on”, and added by all accounts she had “come on” from her last start. She will jump from draw two over a much more suitable trip on Saturday, so will take a power of beating under the ever professional Anton Marcus.

The chief danger will be the Mike Bass-trained Inara, who failed by two lengths to defend her Paddock Stakes crown and will now attempt to defend her Majorca title under her trusted partner Grant van Niekerk. Last year she jumped from pole position and this year gets another good draw of six. She produced a magnificent late lunge last year to deny the top class Cold As Ice, who had a stamina doubt over the trip. Same Jurisdiction is going to be a tougher nut to crack, especially considering she slammed Inara by 3,25 lengths over 1400m in the build up to the Paddock Stakes, despite giving the latter 2kg. However, Inara’s form over the Kenilworth 1600m is exceptional, and as a Bass-trained horse is also sure to arrive in peak condition.

Same Jurisdiction (Nkosi Hlophe)

The Bass yard will also have the classy sprint-miler Lanner Falcon in the race and she is a dark horse from a plum draw of five under Bernard Fayd’Herbe. The five-year-old mare finished like a train to win the Gr 2 Diadem against the boys over 1200m last time out and has a Listed win and Gr 1 place over 1600m to her name.

Bass’ other  contender Tafferty Tart was third in the Cape Fillies Guineas but comes from a crop who appear to overall be below par, so this will be tougher.

An interesting contender will be the Glen Kotzen Double Whammy, who finished third in the Cape Fillies Guineas last season, which subsequently proved to be one of the best form races of the season. Kotzen said she would now be having her peak run and added the jockey had battled to pull her up last time over 1400m after she had run on well. He said she had not over raced in first time blinkers in that race, but she was obviously going to need a lot of luck on Saturday from her wide draw.

A fascinating contestant is the Andre Nel-trained Lohnromance, a classy and unbeaten five-year-old mare, who will only be having her third career start. She had a 15 month layoff between her debut over 1400m in September 2014 and her victory over 1200m last month, but Nel said her problems were now behind her. She is in the deep end but he said in her favour was she settles well and doesn’t need to be handy due to her fine turn of foot.

The Brett Crawford-trained Alexis won last season’s Gr 2 KRA Fillies Guineas in fine style. Due to her good gatespeed and early pace, she should be handy and has a good kick, but she will find it tough to keep Same Jurisdiction at bay, having been beaten 4,4 lengths by her in the GR 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes over this trip.

Double Whammy (Liesl King)

National champion trainer Sean Tarry said the yard were still assessing whether Bichette had fully recovered from her 3,75 length eighth in the Gr 2 Sceptre Stakes over 1200m last weekend. If she takes her place, she should stay the trip, having finished a close second to subsequent Paddock Stakes winner Smart Call in the Gr 2 Ipi Tombi Stakes over 1600m at Turffontein. However, she will need luck from a wide draw.

The Dennis Drier-trained Eventual Angel was rated one to watch for the summer by Sean Cormack before he was sidelined and she proved it with a good win over Alexis last time out over 1400m, when fighting back, which showed she would likely enjoy the 1600m trip. She is well drawn in three with Piere Strydom up.

Entisaar was a Gr 1-winner over 1200m as a two-year-old and ran the brilliant Silver Mountain to 1,5 lengths in the Gr 2 Choice Carriers Championship over 1400m, so is another dark horse, although she is drawn in ten and her useful dam was speedy so there could be a slight stamina doubt.

Of the rest Fear Not has proved herself a progressive sort who can mix it with the best and, being by the excellent sire Ideal World, should have more to come. She has a fine turn of foot and can’t be ignored with Weichong Marwing up, despite a tricky draw of nine.

By David Thiselton

The Vaal has a nine race meeting today and punters who have done their homework could reap the rewards of some likely handsome exotic dividends.

Gavin Lerena

The second is a Workrider’s maiden over 1200m. The hard-knocking Minnesota ran on well for a good second last time over 1000m behind a well-bred sort and from a good draw should be able to stay the 1200m in this weak field under a good workrider. Chosen Al stayed on bravely over 1400m last time, having been forced on to the wrong side, and should earn here but doesn’t have as good a draw as the first selection. Great White Fleet ran an improved race last time over 1400m and looks likely to enjoy this trip. He has a top rider aboard but is drawn on the wrong side.

The second is a Maiden over 1600m. Masterofthestars has found some betting support in both starts and is interesting with first time blinkers over a suitable trip. Kanonkop has the ability and form to win but makes breathing noises which is a concern. Divar is interesting from a good draw as he did well when sent to the front last time over this trip at Turffontein. Seven League Boots disappointed last time but the form has worked out fairly well and he is drawn on the right side over a suitable course and distance. Coptic Cross has not done badly over shorter and should relish the step up in trip. He has a tough draw but Fortune is up which should help. Mississippi Rising is having his third run after a layoff and has Gavin Lerena up over a trip he should enjoy on pedigree. He also has a tough draw to overcome.

The third is a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1600m and Tricia Dupont is an eyecatching sort who looks the one to side with from a fair draw, having been unlucky over 1400m last time when first fly jumping and then being baulked for a run before running on strongly. The hard-knocking Cosmo Russo will also relish the step up in trip and is drawn on the right side. Gains Tax, Dalley, Shelly, Eyetunes, Aesculus and Cambridge Choir could all earn but the selection for third is the first mentioned due to a combination of form and draw.

The fourth is a MR 80 Handicap over 1600m and Lock Him Up was a bit disappointing over 1400m last Saturday but should enjoy this course and distance and is drawn on the right side. Belenos looks promising and will also enjoy the course and distance but does have a tricky draw. Masnoon has come down to an attractive merit rating and should relish this course and distance from a fair draw. Raise The Red has come down to an attractive mark and Gavin Lerena rides over what should now be a suitable course and distance. Oreo Shake was unlucky last time and could earn with Fortune up. Crevasse can’t be ignored as he hasn’t been disgraced against stronger and has come down the merit ratings but he has a tough draw.

The fifth is a MR 86 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1600m and Peep Show is the one to beat having not been disgraced in strong fields in her last two starts. She is six points lower than her last winning mark on the sand but goes well on the turf too. Escudo is knocking on the door over this trip and gets a good draw off just a one point higher merit rating than her close miss last time. Cassie O’Malley is drawn on the right side and has been knocking on the door over this trip. Fortitude has a touch of class and over a suitable trip from a fair draw Gavin Lerena is a significant booking. Dover Beach is 1kg worse off with Escudo after beating her by 0,9 lengths and she has a chance again.

Crevasse (Nkosi Hlophe)

The sixth is a MR 69 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1600m and Nkomo should be running on strongly over a suitable trip, after her usual slow start, as she is well drawn. Allegorical is only one point higher than her last win, which was over course and distance, and she is drawn well. Hatfield Square looks to have promise and she hasn’t been harshly treated by the handicapper considering the form of her maiden win has worked out well, but she does have a tough draw to deal with. Dangerous Diva should stay this trip now and has Delpech up from a good draw. Wensleydale is under sufferance by 1kg but will likely be staying on from a good draw with a low weight. Peg O’ My Heart won her maiden well but this trip might be a touch sharp.

The seventh is a MR 78 Handicap over 1000m and Clean Cut could be the one to side with as long as he breaks better than last time and has more luck in running. Nevada won his maiden cosily and could follow up from a good draw despite a merit rating of 79. Salute The Sun is rated some 30 points higher on sand but from a good draw could be dangerous over a step down in trip which should suit. Gun Fighter is in good form and Lerena is an eyecatching booking from a fair draw, but he has a five point higher merit rating than his win over course and distance last time where he made breathing noises then. Katch has come down to an attractive merit rating and is well drawn.

The eighth is a MR 76 Handicap over 1000m and the well-bred Extreme Dubai brought his good homework to the course last time when stepped down to this trip, despite having to contend with the worst of the draw, and he is now drawn on the right side off a merit rating of a mere 73. Manx Park is in and out sort but has the ability to win this even off a four point high merit rating than his last success, so he has to be included from a good draw. Turbo Tom is reunited with Gavin Lerena, who won on him three runs ago over course and distance, and they are drawn on the right side having just been run out of it last time, although he is now three points higher.

Race nine is a MR 86 handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m and Seattle Lady has been in fine form, losing narrowly to two promising sorts in her last two starts, and she can go one better here from a reasonable draw with blinkers on. Drifting Dusk is a decent sort who is drawn on the right side with Lerena up and her best recent form has been over this trip. Cataluga is drawn on the right side over a suitable course and distance and should be thereabouts.

By David Thiselton

Tannaaf has returned to Dubai after dead-heating in the Qatar Derby and Mike de Kock has entered him for Thursday night’s Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum District One Handicap over 2435m at Meydan, a different ball-game following the Derby’s 2000m at Al Rayyan, but there is enough confidence in the camp to suggest that the colt has a fair chance of a follow-up win.
De Kock, who flew in to Cape Town on Tuesday for this week’s Cape Premier Yearling Sale, said: “We don’t foresee a problem with the trip, Tannaaf will stay. It’s a competitive line-up, however and if there are to be any concerns they will be that he had to spend time in quarantine coming back and that this will be his second run following a lay-off.

“Tannaaf looks the part though and his work is good. We’ll see how the Qatar form works out at Meydan but of course he has good UK form to back him up. He is possibly still under-rated and should be a big runner.”

Stable jock Christophe Soumillon will be taking the reins from Wayne Smith on Tannaaf, he will also be partnering Sanshaawes in the District One Trophy over 2000m on turf, a race in which Whistle Stop (Paul Hanagan) will also come under starter’s orders.

De Kock gave Sanshaawes a slight preference and said: “He impressed us with a good third when Star Empire won, he was staying on late off a good pace and he has been doing well at home since, he can fight it out.

“Whistle Stop needed it over 1400m last time out and he was plugging away late, we’re expecting lots of improvement over the longer distance.”

The evening’s topliner is the Al Fahidi Fort, a Gr2 feature De Kock has won six times since 2003. He regards this as an average renewal of the contest, yet believes it won’t be easy to win with any of the stable’s runners Royal Ridge (Richard Mullen), Mastermind (Smith) Tellina (Sam Hitchcott) and Anaerobio (Soumillon).

“Royal Ridge is out at the ratings, he ran well on dirt last time and reverts to turf, we’ll be looking for a fair run and some more improvement, but not expecting him to challenge for top honours. Mastermind is a nice horse with good form, he ran very well at last year’s Carnival, won over the course and distance and was Listed placed, but he takes a massive step up in class. Time will tell if he’s up to it.

“Tellina will be having his first run for us and his first in Dubai. We’re happy with him, he seems to have settled in well but this is a trip too short. We have other races in mind for him this season and he hasn’t shown us much in work so far, but he has class. I have a feeling he is the type of horse who reserves his best for race days and we’re looking forward to seeing what he has to offer.

“As far Anaerobio, he’s a game old soldier, eight years old and still going strong. He and Christophe won this race in 2014 so he is capable. If he can produce near his best at this stage of his career he will be in with a chance.”

Banaadeer seems much better than his recent form and Mike agrees that the four-year-old has been disappointing. He’ll go to post in the District One over 1000m on turf and De Kock commented: “Banaadeer didn’t try a yard last time. We’ll be fitting him with blinkers so he can show more early interest. He certainly has the ability and we’re expecting better.”
– Mikedekockracing.com

Picture: Christophe Soumillion rides Tannaaf at Meydan tomorrow evening

There is some good racing to look forward to on the Turffontein Inside track tomorrow as some classy sorts will be turned out in two Graduation Plate races and there is also an MR 88 handicap on the card.

The first is a Workrider’s Maiden over 1450m. Seattle Prince over-raced early last time over 1600m before settling behind a fast pace and running on well, so will likely relish this step down in trip from pole position. Profit Ratio is drawn well after going close over this trip at the Vaal. Just A Gigolo unfortunately didn’t settle last time over this course and distance from a wide draw. Having run on in eye-catching fashion from a wide draw on the Standside 1400m before that, and from this better draw will be a big runner if settling. Lokshina ran a good race over this trip in penultimate and could earn. American Gladiator has shown some promise befoe and now runs for a new yard from a good draw with a classy jockey aboard.

Piere Strydom (Nkosi Hlophe)

The second race is a fillies and mares maiden over 1450m. Span Die Seile showed a fine turn of foot over 1600m last time and only lost the race in the boardroom. She looks likely to enjoy this trip and can come from off them from a wide draw. Sapphire Girl showed promise on debut after being backed and was not given a punishing ride and should show considerable improvement with Strydom up from a good draw. Eversilver had the pace to overcome a wide draw three runs ago over course and distance and stayed on resolutely so is interesting back to this trip from a good draw. Catwalk Tease stayed on for second over1400m in her penultimate and is ridden by Fortune, who has interestingly been replaced by Strydom on Sapphire Girl. Tangerine Lady appears to love this course and distance and has run on strongly from a similar wide draw before. She’s A Flirt could earn.

The third is a Maiden over 1800m and Nawab is drawn well after doing his best work late over 1700m at the Vaal last time to finish second and now has a plum draw with Lerena up. Smartifact at his best will be a big runner here if taking his place although he is known to have his problems and ran below par last Thursday. Spring Lodge was only just behind Smartifact last Thursday over 1700m when wearing first-time blinkers and staying on well and is now drawn in pole with Marwing up. Champions Cup’s full-sister has run a fair race over this trip before. Secunde’s Victor made late headway to earn the last time he tried this course and distance. Zillionaire has the ability to earn but has pulled or made breathing noises when raced beyond a mile. Frappachino can improve being by Ideal World but has made breathing noises in his last two starts.

The fourth is a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1000m.Musical Romance returns from a three month bleeding suspension but has shown ability and this is a weak field. Gimmeabreak has ability but often ruins her chances with slow starts. However, her best run was over this course and distance when running on from a wide draw and she is now well drawn. Honeybush Tea is usually thereabouts and should earn here.

The fifth is a strong Graduation Plate over 1600m. Buckland has class and should love the step up in trip. Rainy Day Blues is a progressive sort whose formline is strong. Romany Prince was only beaten by top class Abashiri on Saturday over 1800m. Trading Profit did well against older horses over course and distance in a handicap off a merit rating of 94 and has a chance back in a plate race. The distance-suited Neuf De Pape is under sufferance on official merit ratings but is well regarded and the form of his last run in a handicap over 1400m has duly been franked. Danza is a progressive sort who should love the trip and is drawn well. Coral Fever ran a fine race last time over 1450m despite bolting before the start and Strydom is up.

The sixth is a Graduation Plate for fillies and mares over 1450m. Penny Serenade looks promising, has good formlines and is drawn in pole over a step up in trip she should relish. London goes well for this jockey and should be thereabouts. Silver Class has been doing well since dropped to sprints from a mile and further, so is interesting over this trip. Joan Ranger disappointed last time over a mile having finished strongly for a close third in a Gr 3 over this trip before that. Frosty Friday is improving and can’t be ignored despite her two wins being over further. Jungle Mist over raced last time and could earn if settling. Tahini is better than her last start.

The seventh is a MR 88 Handicap over1450m. The promising Fort Meyers has his second run after a long break over a suitable trip and is well drawn. Cumberland is course and distance suited and proved last time he is up to this merit rating. Var Bay is 2,5kg better off with Cumberland for a 1,75 length beating over course and distance. His last run can be ignored as he reared in the pens. Tabreek is 1,5kg under sufferance but is drawn in pole and faces Cumberland on the same terms for a 0,5 length beating. Mr. Mulliner has the form to earn. Cockade can’t be ignored.

The eight is a MR 68 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1800m and Tobesuretobesute is widely drawn but usually travels well and stays on well and is distance suited. Indzaba’s maiden form has worked out well and Fortune is up from a good draw over a suitable course and distance. Ruby Ruby stayed on well over 1600m last time and is drawn well over the trip of her maiden win.

By David Thiselton

For Anthony Andrews it was his finest hour but for all those who backed Carry On Alice down to 9-10 favouritism Saturday’s Sceptre Stakes was an unmitigated – and expensive – disaster.

The talented favourite saw no need whatsoever for S’Manga Khumalo’s call for early restraint and fought for her head, burning up so much energy that she didn’t have enough in the tank when her rider said go.

This was two furlongs out when Andrews also elected to press the button but from a position several lengths in front of her. Khumalo made up all bar a length and a half but it was only enough for fifth place, worth a mere R10 000. Andrews won R250 000 for his grateful employers.

Princess Royal & jockey Anthony Andrews (Liesl King)

A visibly upset Khumalo refused to answer press questions but Sean Tarry said: “She missed the break, got crossed and her head was in the air for 200m – and it was very hard to come from so far back.”

By this stage, though, Andrews was on the winner’s podium basking in adulation. “He puts in a lot of work and he is a young kid who is on the way up,” enthused Glen Kotzen.

Not so much of a kid. Andrews is 27 but everybody thinks he is a lot younger because he started late. But he has a better pedigree than most of his rivals. His sire rode at the Cheltenham Festival and won the South African Champion Hurdle while his dam was the racing correspondent of the Cape Times. What more could you ask for!

Mind you, his Sceptre-winning partner Princess Royal is also bred in the purple – a half-sister by Captain Al to Princess Victoria – and this win vindicated both Kotzen’s belief in her and his perseverance with a filly who is apparently a bit of a madam.

Kotzen, seemingly impervious to the ire of the whole feminist movement, declared: “She is a typical lady – she can throw her toys out of the pram now and again. But I always said that she has loads of talent. It’s just a matter of getting it out of her.”

Andrews preferred to concentrate on thanking the injured man whose advice played a big part in his first Grade 2 winner, saying: “Greg Cheyne told me exactly how to ride her. He said that, if she started to find her feet, I should go with her rather than holding her up – and that’s what I did.”

Plans for Princess Royal are fluid but the Dennis Drier-trained Gathering Fame, who repeated last year’s win in the Claremart Auction Group Jamaica Handicap under a confident Aldo Domeyer, will skip the rest of the Cape season to return to Durban.

By Michael Clower 

Dual Grade 1 winner Seventh Plain is reported in great shape for Saturday’s CTS Million Dollar but he has been hammered with a nightmare draw – 19 out of 20 – and over the Kenilworth 1 400m that is a huge handicap. Four inside him will come out to leave a field of 16 but even so Anton Marcus’s legendary starting skills face meeting their Waterloo.

Dennis Drier said: “Seventh Plain might have a little stride-along on the course on Wednesday but he is spot-on and it will be his third run after a rest – although I don’t believe in that theory.

“I thought he put up a hell of a good performance in the Sophomore. It’s hard to give up-and-coming three-year-olds the weight that he did. It’s a pity about the draw but we do have the right jockey for it.”

Seventh Plain wore a tongue tie for the first time in the Sophomore and will do so again on Saturday, with Drier explaining: “I saw him with his tongue out two races back so, rather being safe than sorry, I put one on and he enjoyed it.”

Silver Mountain, on paper the one they all have to beat, galloped at Kenilworth over 1 400m before her runaway Cape Fillies Guineas win but at Kenilworth last Wednesday Mike Bass only put her over 1 000m.

Candice Robinson explained: “She doesn’t need a lot of work. Aldo Domeyer rode her and she went with Rodney (second reserve in the CTS). I think it’s going to be a rough race with everybody jostling for position. It’s up to Aldo now but we will need a bit of luck.”

With nearly R16.8 million up for grabs for the first five and the winner taking half, it’s not hard to see some of the jockeys throwing normal caution and respect for each other to the four winds.

But Seventh Plain is not the only strong contender to collect a bad draw. Gavin van Zyl’s Redcarpet Captain is drawn only one better at 18 and Cape Guineas fifth Victorious Jay just two places inside him.

Abashiri, joint highest-rated of the 18 declared for the Investec Cape Derby, was ruled out by Mike Azzie after outclassing the opposition in Saturday’s Sea Cottage Stakes – scoring by two and a half lengths even though he drifted halfway across the course in the final furlong.

Azzie said: “This is the best I have trained since National Currency but taking him to the Cape after this would be a bad move due to his poor draw (16). We will let Rabada fight for us there and keep this boy at home for the Triple Crown.”

Justin Snaith, dubious about letting Politician winner Black Arthur take his chance, is now totally positive and said: “Black Arthur came out of the race really well and he is a definite runner.”

By Michael Clower

Photo (Nkosi Hlophe): Seventh Plain

French Navy, 15-1 for the J & B Met, looks most unlikely to be included when the final field is announced today despite powering home under top weight in the London News Stakes at Turffontein on Saturday.

Sean Tarry said: “It’s doubtful. There is a R4 million race (President’s Champions Challenge) in Johannesburg in April and that will be his target. He may have a race or two before that.”

The champion trainer added that Legal Eagle has come out of his Queen’s Plate win very well. The four-year-old is 11-10 favourite for Saturday week’s highlight, having touched evens during last week.

Bouclette Top, No Worries, Forest Indigo and Marmalade Tycoon have all been scratched and Vodacom Durban July winner Power King will join their number after being retired.

Dean Kannemeyer said yesterday: “We have decided to call it a day. He has not been easy to train but he is such a courageous little horse, done everything we have asked and given us a tremendous amount of pleasure. Lady Christine Laidlaw has the most wonderful stables on the slopes of the mountain and he will spend the rest of his days there with his old mate Cape Royal.”

Captain America, 16-1 to give Brett Crawford his second successive win and his third in all, has pulled up well from his Queen’s Plate fourth.

Crawford said: “He will run in the Met and he will definitely get the trip. He is much more relaxed these days.”

Last year’s Cape Guineas winner Act Of War, who weakened into sixth in the closing stages of the Queen’s Plate, has been supplemented for the Betting World Cape Flying Championship on the same card. However Joey Ramsden said a definite decision on running him has still to be taken. Stable companion Brutal Force is high on the 23-strong initial entry list.

The Secret Is Out, so impressive on debut last Wednesday, could be doubtful for the Summer Juvenile Stakes.

Vaughan Marshall said: “She pulled up a bit shinny. I will wait until later in the week before deciding but we may give it a miss. I would have taken my chances otherwise.”

By Michael Clower

Photo (JC Photo): French Navy

Carry On Alice warms up for the Betting World Cape Flying Championship in the Sceptre Stakes at the Horses For Causes meeting at Kenilworth tomorrow.

Carry On Alice (Nkosi Hlophe)

S’Manga Khumalo’s mount will be a short-priced favourite – she opened at 14-10 with World Sports Betting yesterday – and she is hard to oppose, particularly as it’s her third run after a rest and she has two and a half lengths in hand on adjusted merit ratings. Her biggest negative is the poor record of favourites in recent seasons. Cold As Ice 12 months ago was the first to win for six years.

Sean Tarry also trains the next highest-rated, Bichette, who started favourite for the Diadem three weeks ago but dropped out to finish last and is an 8-1 chance here. “She went to the outside on her own and then Exelero joined her and they cut each other’s throats,” explains the champion trainer.

Cuvee Brut finished strongly to very nearly beat Carry On Alice in the Southern Cross and will appreciate the extra furlong. Seemingly last time’s Laisserfaire disappointment is best forgotten and at 11-2 you can back her each way.

“She had 61kg but even so I thought it was a bit of a flat run,” says Brett Crawford who is bidding for his fourth Sceptre. “Our horses were going through a flat patch at the time – they weren’t running as well as they could – but they are fine now. I don’t expect Cuvee Brut to beat the favourite but she will be in the money.”

The Fly By Night who won the 2014 Mercury Sprint would have these for breakfast and Mike Bass is bidding for his third Sceptre in six seasons. She showed signs of returning to form in the Diadem but both the form book and her 8-1 price indicate that she needs to improve a bit more to win this.

Fly BY Night (Liesl King)

Real Princess is quite short at 9-2 but she was less than a length behind Tarry’s star in the Southern Cross. “She ran a great race that day and another over 1 100m in the Laisserfaire,” enthuses Dean Kannemeyer who has yet to win this. “She will love this trip – she is bred to get at least a mile.”

Princess Royal (7-1) was only inches further back in the Southern Cross and apparently has improved since. “She has come on by leaps and bounds and I have never seen her work like she did this week,” reports Glen Kotzen.

Cosmic Light, also 7-1, has an outside draw and the penetrometer readings suggest that the ground is slightly faster on the inner. However she would have been in the shake-up in the Southern Cross had she not lost ground at the start.

“The instructions to the rider were to race from off the pace and that could be why she was a bit sluggish,” Duncan Howells recalls. “She has improved since and I think she will be better suited to this trip. But it’s going to be a tough race.”

By Michael Clower