The double header in KZN this weekend with eight races on the poly tonight and ten races at Scottsville on Sunday provides some good opportunities for punters.

The first tonight is a Maiden over 1400m. Brazzaville returns from a layoff but looks a fair sort with plenty of scope and from pole position over a trip too sharp he could use his long stride effectively. Shreya’s Star ran on well over course and distance last time out and the form has worked out well so from a good draw he should go close.  Destined For Dawn stayed on over 1200m in his last poly start in August and with Anton Marcus up has a chance despite a wide draw. Lancat led over 1200m last time and stayed on quite well and should be involved over a step up in trip she should appreciate. Caprivi has some ability but has made breathing noises before. Neither of the first-timers make particular appeal.

Buster Brown (Nkosi Hlophe)

The second is a fillies and mares maiden over 1400m. Overly Impressed is an imposing sort and ran on in eyecatching fashion on debut when green over 1600m and from a good draw is the one to beat here. Eleven returned coughing last time with first-time blinkers but still managed to stay on well after being left with too much to do when the front runners escaped. She will have a chance from pole position here having gone close in her previous start over the same course and distance. Glimmer Of Silver has some early toe and being by Silvano out of a National Assembly mare who won over 1400m she is interesting here as a possible pacemaker. Young Lass is by Kahal and is full-sister to a three-time winner from 1000-1450m Nordic Lass and a half-sister to the Listed-winning sprinter Mr Mickey Mouse. Spiritos is by Mogok out of a Comic Blush mare and is a half-sister to a three-time winner.

The third is a MR 70 Handicap over 1400m. Buster Brown has thrived since hold up tactics have been used as he has an exceptional turn of foot. He is drawn widely again but should be finishing strongly and is 1kg better off with Ready For Takeoff for a 0,75 length beating if apprentice claims are ignored and 5kg better off if they are counted. Millrace’s only win was over this course and distance and on recent evidence he will relish going over this trip for the first time since. The blinkers remain on. Secret Warning was touched off late over 1600m on the turf last time and should enjoy this trip on her poly debut. Winter Auralius looks to be a progressive sort and has not been unduly punished by the handicapper for his running on maiden win over course and distance. Ready For Take Off is drawn in pole and as a game sort has a chance of doing the double despite a six point raise. Argyle Bay is down to a competitive merit rating and this is a suitable trip. Moi Power stayed on quite well over 1200m last time and might be ready to try this step up in trip.

The fourth is a MR 94 Handicap over1400m and the classy Exit Here could make it five in a row over a suitable distance in a likely preparation race for the CTS Million Dollar. The consistent Just Ask Me was raised three points for his last win and the second and third horses have both won since. Kiss Me Hardy, Waltzed Home and Buffalo Bill make most appeal of the rest.

The fifth is a MR 69 Handicap over 1400m and this looks a good opportunity for Big Si, who was a touch unlucky over 1600m last time when staying on strongly. He will enjoy this trip and has Delpech up from pole position. Keep Your Light On should have come on from his last start and should be finishing strongly over a suitable trip. Vitruvian Man returns to the poly, which he loves, off just a two point higher mark than his last win here over 1600m. In The Trenches returns to the course and distance of his only win. Prof Tiger disappointed last time when found to have made a respiratory noise but if bouncing back has a chance.

Exit Here (Nkosi Hlophe)

The sixth is a Graduation Plate over 2000m for fillies and mares. Work Ethic is officially best in at the weights after a facile maiden win over this trip in her first poly start and could follow up. One Way Ticket is officially 2,5kg under sufferance with Work Ethic but has age and experience on her side and went close over course and distance in her penultimate start when fading late.  Anthony Delpech has stuck with Little Chapel who won a handicap over course and distance last time out but is now officially 6kg under sufferance with Work Ethic.  Lemon Tea has some fair form but looks held by One Way Ticket on their last meeting over course and distance. Barcelona Babe is officially way under sufferance but ran a fair race last time over 1900m against a good sort.

The seventh is a MR 74 Handicap over 2000m. Pure Valor is an improving sort who looks likely to rise above his current merit rating campaigning over this sort of trip. Rio De La Plata also looks better than his merit rating suggests and can fight out the finish. Grey’s A Rockin is better than his last run and will enjoy the step back to this trip. Taegan’s Jet is course and distance suited and drawn well. Night Lock always gives of his best.

The eighth is a weak Maiden over 2000m and Smart World looks hard to beat as he caught the eye staying on strongly over 1400m on the turf last time and being by Ideal World should relish the step up in trip.

At Scottsville on Sunday Barbosa should win the second and Miss Argentina looks the one to side with in the fifth, the highest rated handicap on the day.

By David Thiselton

The Pick 6 for Kenilworth’s big Gr 1 Grand Parade Cape Guineas meeting will include a R400,000 carryover and the pool is expected to reach R2,1 million, which will be a nice carrot for punters.

Silver Mountain (Liesl King)

The first leg is a Maiden over 1200m. Recently there does not appear to have been any draw bias down the straight at Kenilworth and the side they end up taking over towards appears to have more to do with the pace of the race than anything else. Anton Marcus has chosen Arctic Blast above Overshadow. The former showed good natural pace last time and stayed on well to record his third runner up spot in four outings. He could be a banker, although another one to possibly include could be Impressed, who was a well beaten third on debut but caught the eye as one with plenty of scope for improvement.

The second leg is the Non-Black Type Racing Association Need For Speed Sprint over 1000m, a conditions race in which Western Storm and Tar Heel are officially best and second best in respectively. However, they were both well beaten by Captain Chaos when they last met over this course and distance. That was back in June, but since then Captain Chaos has only been tried over further, possibly in preparation for the R2,5 million Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes over 1400m, in which he finished a cracking third. He looks likely to enjoy the step back to this trip and is the one to beat. Forward Drive is highly regarded and won well over course and distance last time out so is another who must be included. Juan Two Three has put in some impressive performances in Port Elizabeth and is another to include, especially considering he is now being trained by the masterful Dennis Drier. Tar Heel could possibly be a consideration and of the others the filly Just Felicity is worth considering.

The third leg is the Listed Jet Master Stakes and Justin Snaith holds the trump cards. Kingvoldt makes most appeal as he has always been talented and has now had the gelding which he badly needed. However, Snaith’s stable jockey Bernard Fayd’Herbe has opted for Heartland, another talented type, who was slow maturing and should now be coming into his own. The capable Light The Lights is best in at the weights and is another one who is sure to have benefitted from gelding as he became a difficult customer in the latter half of last season and continually disappointed. He should be cherry ripe after two good recent sprints. Those three make most appeal and beyond them the entire field has to be considered.

Inara (Liesl King)

Next up is the big one and Silver Mountain looks a special horse who is going to be hard to beat. The Mike Bass yard continually delivered the meeting banker in the days of the great Pocket Power and the filly will be prepared to the tee so is worth taking a chance with as a sole Pick 6 inclusion.

The next leg is the Gr 3 Cape Summer Stayers Handicap over 2500m and a small field of eight faces the starter. The pace of Kenilworth staying races is notoriously difficult to predict due to the varying wind conditions and jockeys reluctance to lead into the prevailing headwind. This usually plays havoc with the form so it might be worth including the whole field in this race.

The last leg is a high class Conditions Plate over 1400m. The brilliant Same Jurisdiction and the twice Gr 1-winner Inara, who is unbeaten in two starts over this trip this season, are the stand out must-includes. Alexis is full of class and speed, making this trip her probable optimum, and she is also best in at the weights so is worthy of inclusion. Fear Not is a highly progressive sort who is drawn in pole over an ideal course and distance and she must be considered despite having a tough task at the weights on official merit ratings. Eventual Angel is also full of class and the best has likely not been seen of her yet, so she can’t be ignored. The courageous Siren’s Call has proven form against the best so must be considered as the Champion Sean Tarry yard will have her ready for her seasonal reappearance.

By David Thiselton

The Vaal has an interesting nine race card today as some useful sorts will be seen in action.

Gavin Lerena

In the first over 1200m, Red Heart is an imposing filly by Trippi and is a full-sister to the useful Listed winner Sunset Tripp, who has won up to 1400m. With a better start than last time she could use her natural sped to overcome her high draw. Spring Dance was backed on debut in a strong maiden and had no luck throughout. Bally Swiss showed pace on debut, when finishing second, but over raced a bit in the opening stages and had no answer to the finishing run of the promising Jungle Mist. The form has worked out well. Matresse is by Silvano out of a four-time winning sprinter by Model Man. Lady Yahoo is by Jay Peg out of a one-time winner over 1200m who dam is a half-sister to the champion filly Arabian Lass.

The second is a maiden over 1600m and Flying Silver looks the one to beat having finished strongly over 1400 second time out and now drawn well. Sao Paulo is by Trippi and is a full-brother to Listed KZN Guineas Trial runner up Trip To Rio, so could improve over this trip. Gains Tax is drawn in pole and should appreciate the step up in trip and Peg O’ My Heart and Topography could also earn.

The third is a maiden over 1600m. O’Brien The Lion has done well from the front in his last two starts over 1400m and has been tried over as far 2400m, so should be suited to this trip and his formlines are relatively strong. Hermoso Mundo is by the promising sire Ideal World out of the champion mare Escoleta Fitz and should not only improve on his decent debut over 1400m but will relish the step up in trip. Koncealed was taken out at the 150m mark last time over this trip at Turffontein when staying on strongly so would have got closer and his overall form has worked out well. Kanonkop was caught late over 1400m on debut and on pedigree should enjoy the trip although the concerns are another high draw and a breathing noise made on debut. Beunos Aires was 2,35 lengths behind Kanonkop last time and could improve. Like A Master was not much further back and should enjoy the step up in trip. A P Emblem made a fair debut and could improve.

The fourth is a Graduation Plate over 1200m. Jolie Roger is third best in at the weights and could be the one to beat from a fair draw coming back down to this trip of his impressive maiden win. Buckland has good early pace and is unbeaten in two starts over course and distance but has a tough draw. African Ruler beat Buckland over 1400m and has good form over shorter. Joe Malone is the best in at the weights on official merit ratings and could be a factor despite having his second run after a suspension for epistaxis. Machismo has some eyecatching form and could also be thereabouts.

The fifth is a MR 92 Handicap over 1400m and Bulleting Home over raced last time over 1600m, yet still won easily. He looks to have come into his own and can handle an eight point raise over a step down in trip he should appreciate. Brad’s Surge could be a threat having landed a good draw for a change. Prince Jazeem returns from a layoff but is drawn n pole over an ideal trip and the Tarry yard always have them fit enough. Move Like Jagger is course and distance suited and consistent. Captain Aldo is a consistent sort but has to handle a merit rating six points higher than he’s ever run off after his recent win. Rock Me Var is talented but might be stretched by this trip. Be Mine Tonight is the only female involved and can’t be written off over this suitable trip.

African Ruler (Nkosi Hlophe)

The sixth is a MR75 Handicap over 1400m. Var Bay is in good form and went close over 1450m at Turffontein last time so looks ready to win again. There is not much between Var Bay and Wottahottie on form. Both these first two selections have tough draws which is a concern. Son Of Approval is 1,5kg under sufferance but appears best at this trip and has a good 1,5kg claimer up, so could provide good place value from a plum draw. Mann’s Inn, who also has an unfavourable high draw, narrowly beat Wottahottie last time over course and distance but is 0,5kg worse off. Angelus Belle could be a factor from a fair draw if reproducing his run in September over course and distance.

The seventh is a MR 74 handicap over 1400m where Gavin Lerena is booked to ride My Treasure who has a touch of class and should have benefitted from his last run. Rock On Rebel is well drawn and finished fast last time over course and distance. Bah, who has always been held in good regard, is running off an attractive merit rating and a suitable trip so could get closer than last time when hampered late. Nkomo loves this course and distance and will produce a strong finish, so could be thereabouts if not starting too slowly. Russian Steward goes well for jockey Munger and stayed on well over course and distance last time.

The eighth is a MR 72 Handicap over 1000m and Manx Park is in and out but from a good draw and a 4kg claimer up is the one to beat if he has a going day. Cannes could make a bold bid from the front from pole position. Clean Cut and Dream Leader should be involved if overcoming high draws and Atso Cool has to be included after an easy maiden win over course and distance.

The last is a fillies and mares MR 68 Handicap over 1000m and Shiver N’ Shake looks to be the one to side with from a good draw with Lerena up. Vanda could be a contender from a good draw over a suitable trip. Cute Lady could feature if bouncing back off a much reduced merit rating. It’sgottobeme is down to a winning mark and has a good draw over a suitable trip. Stairway to Heaven improved without blinkers last time and if repeating could go close again. Lena Laptev and Ride Of Honour have to be considered too.

By David Thiselton

Top echelon KZN jockey Sean Cormack has been booked off riding, pending further medical tests and a second medical opinion.

Cormack, who has represented South Africa in his chosen profession, is chief stable jockey to the KZN Champion trainer Dennis Drier with whom he has formed a formidable partnership over the last few seasons.

Drier’s second choice stable jockey Sean Veale will be replacing Cormack for many of the yard’s forthcoming Cape and KZN engagements.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Sean Cormack (Liesl King)

In shock news the popular Highveld conditioner Dominic Zaki has decided not to renew his trainer’s license.

Vaal-based Zaki had a good season in 2014/2015, finishing 16^th on the national log, and was in 22^nd place on the current log.

He said, “It is a very tough industry, a very expensive industry and it is hard to make money. I had 95 odd horses, a great string and great owners, but even then the business was just not financially viable and I lost my passion for it. I would like to thank my clients who stuck with me throughout. I am going to miss the game, but was forced into the decision. We will see what happens in time to come.”

Zaki will now put his energy into his family’s business.

He named the sprint-miler National Spirit as his “best memory” in racing. This National Emblem gelding, bred by KZN Midlands couple, Dr Alan and Robyn Bechard, won the Gr 2 Golden Horseshoe (now a Gr 1) as a two-year-old, then won the Gr 2 Dingaans, the Gr 2 Gauteng Guineas, the Gr 2 Drill Hall Stakes, the Gr 1 Gold Challenge and the Gr 2 Emerald Cup on sand. He was a much loved by the public due to his courage, as a front runner who refused to be overtaken, and he was named KZN Breeders Horse Of The Year in 2006.

In 2008 Zaki won the Gr 1 R3,5 million GommaGomma Challenge over 2000m, which was at that stage the richest race ever run in South Africa, with the three-year-old Model Man gelding Eddington.

His best position on the national log has been 6^th, achieved in both the 2004/2005 and 2006/2007 seasons from his own private training centre, and in the latter of those seasons he had his highest seasonal earnings of R7,213,175. He began pressing this yard record last season shortly after relocating to the Vaal and had earnings of R6,259,275, which is one of the reasons the news of his departure from the game came as such a shock as he seemed set to break into the top echelon again.

Zaki is known as a cheerful and approachable individual, so it is not only his expertise in training horses which will be much missed.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Dominic Zaki

Not many thoroughbred mares have their best seasons as seven-year-olds, but such is the case with the Paddy Lunn yard’s “ATM”, Quintella.

The mare has loved running on the poly, which is not surprising considering she is by Miesque’s Approval, and was the overall series winner of the recent KZN Summer Chapter Challenge series, accumulating 36 points. This season Quintella has run eight times for one win, three seconds, two thirds and two fourths. Her merit rating has consequently risen from 54 to 61 and having been on the edge of retirement she is now very much still in training.

Quintella (Nkosi Hlophe)

The Lunns have actually put her recent consistency not down to the poly, but down to a love of the tight Greyville track, which perfectly suits her hold up style and short run in. She has a fine turn of foot and her recent win over 1000m on the Greyville poly was only her second career victory, and was a long time in coming, having won her maiden over 1200m on the Greyville turf way back in April 2012.

The Lunns know all about preparing horses suited to Greyville Sprints as Paddy was the conditioner of one of the most loved Greyville specialists of modern times, The Barbican. This chestnut speedster by Volcanic out of Kiki Bar was virtually unbeatable over the Greyville 1000m, winning the Gr 2 Concord Stakes over that course and distance three years in succession between 1986 and 1988.

He was named ARCSA Champion Sprinter in 1987, a year after the yard scooped the ARCSA Horse Of The Year award with Model Man. The latter won four Gr 1s including the J&B Met in a glittering career, yet his possibly most talked about performance was in an A Division Handicap over the Greyville 1100m, a distance palpably too short. He gave weight to some of the best sprinters around that day and produced one of the most devastating finishing runs the course has ever witnessed from a seemingly hopeless position to get up in the last stride.

Quintella, despite her love of Greyville, will still be interesting over 1000m at Scottsville on December 23 as she has landed a plum low draw. One of the countries best up and coming riders Keagan de Melo has moulded a successful relationship with the mare and knows exactly how to bring the best out of her. Punters should not be concerned if they see her sitting well off the pace early as she is sure to be finishing strongly and De Melo has learnt exactly the best moment to deliver her telling challenge.

By David Thiselton

The Cape Guineas is one of the few big races to have eluded Mike Bass during his near 40-year training career and he has an open mind about whether hot favourite Silver Mountain can put the record straight in the Grand Parade-sponsored classic on Saturday.

He said: “I don’t really know how good she is, and I’m not sure that the press aren’t getting a little bit ahead of themselves.  I can only see what happens on the racecourse which is where it counts.

“At home she just goes along nicely like any other horse and in any case you can’t really tell how good they are at home unless you put them with something really talented and try them.”

Silver Mountain gave the 70-year-old training legend his fourth Cape Fillies Guineas win 11 days ago but he wasn’t really expecting her to win by five lengths. “I was hoping for something like that but I wasn’t sure. She was drawn badly, I thought she might get a bit far back and only get out late.

“I remember Sun Classique running from a 13 draw in 2006, coming from last and only just winning – and she was pretty good. But things went well for Silver Mountain and she won quite comfortably.”

So, how does he expect her to fare on Saturday?  “Whether she is up to beating the colts is debatable. It’s a bit of an ask,” he replied.” I think we can manage the averagely good ones but there are some who haven’t really been exposed and there are also some pretty smart proven colts, big strong horses.

“There are the obvious ones like Mike Azzie’s colt Rabada (who was scratched yesterday) and Johan Janse van Vuuren’s Brazuca while that horse of Gavin van Zyl’s (Budapest) ran a pretty smart race in the Ready To Run, getting away from them like that – although I don’t know if he will be able to do that again. Hopefully it will be a different story on Saturday.”

By Michael Clower

Picture: Mike Bass

Greyville has an interesting eight race meeting on Wednesday’s public holiday, although plenty of homework will be required by punters in order to return a profit.

The first three races are on poly and the last five on turf, weather permitting.

Run Rhino Run (Nkosi Hlophe)

In the first race over 1600m, Open Your Heart went close over 1400m last time when taken to the front by Anton Marcus and the latter now keeps the ride over a trip the filly should appreciate on pedigree. Liquorice Moon ran a fair race when racing wide from a high draw over 1400m last time and, if finding cover this time, could earn. Belarus, L’Attitude and Mad Pushpa make most appeal of the rest.

In the second over 1600m, Live On The Moon caught the eye running on over this course and distance last time and will have come on from the run. It was his first outing for over a year but many of the Nel yard’s horses were off the course in such a manner, not for soundness reasons or for a lack of fitness, but rather because Sabine Plattner was without a licensed trainer for that period. Jullidar steps back to the distance of one of his best runs and should be thereabouts. Stokvel has run two good races over 1400m when not having much luck and is interesting over this trip.

In the third over 1000m Ostentation looks the one to beat from a good draw having run two fine races from tougher draws over course and distance recently and having excuses in both. Roy’s Gul Gul Ha ran a fine race first time out the maidens and should be a threat. Rasta’s Jet could place at likely nice odds.

In the fourth over 1400m on the turf, Redcarpet Captain is drawn in pole over a suitable trip and faces a generally uninspiring field. Cutting Edge has some class and will also enjoy this trip. Fully Charged has a wide draw to overcome but will love the return to the turf and should be running on strongly.

Redcarpet Captain (Nkosi Hlophe)

In the fifth over 2400m on the turf, Worship Dancer has always been an eyecatching sort and looks likely on racing style and pedigree to relish this trip, so he could be the one to side with despite a three point raise for his last win. Kentucky Guest has come down to an attractive merit rating and was staying on over 2000m last time. Pioneer Spirit as always struck as a horse who would enjoy  this trip and being by Go Deputy should be coming into his own. Great Rumpus is in fine form and has proven staying power. Supercede and Seeking The Dream can’t be ignored.

In the sixth, a Graduation Plate over 1600m on turf, Marcus has abandoned Willoughton in favour of the promising Run Rhino Run, who has landed a good draw over a suitable trip and is best in at the weights. He can overcome a five month layoff as he has plenty of class.

In the seventh over 1600m on the turf, Delpech remains faithful to Killer Woman, who is well drawn and looks likely to relish this course and distance. Roy’s Academy won her maiden easily and has not been unduly punished by the handicapper so should be thereabouts over a step up in trip that should suit. Thaler Point is interesting back over the trip of her best run this year. Beautiful Jet should be running on well in her second start after a long break. Syringa could be a big threat if settling in the running.

In the last over 1600m on the turf, Off Ramp should appreciate the course and distance as she flashed up late over 1400m last time, having been a touch disappointing before that in two poly runs, so she probably prefers this surface. Money Penny has some good form and being by Silvano should enjoy the step up in trip, although her Fort Wood dam was speedy. Lobelia has drawn in pole which will suit her handy style but on pedigree she is not certain to enjoy this step up in trip.

By David Thiselton

Paterfamilias has been cut from 20-1 to 14-1 by World Sports Betting for the J & B Met after giving Mike Bass his third Premier Trophy in ten seasons at Kenilworth on Saturday. He remains a 16-1 shot with Betting World.

The six-year-old was always travelling like a winner and led a furlong out to justify 14-10 favouritism, scoring by a comfortable length and a quarter from last season’s Met runner-up Gold Onyx. The latter was having his first race for four and a half months and ran on most encouragingly.

Winning rider Grant van Niekerk reckons there is more to come and said: “Paterfamilias is a horse to follow for the Met. He ran very well here despite getting cut into behind.”

Paterfamilias (Liesl King)

Candice Robinson added: “He was drawn wide in last season’s Met and hopefully he will have better luck this time. He has loads of ability, although he has had two tendon injuries, and I don’t see why he shouldn’t run in the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate first.”

Gold Onyx has been clipped from 66-1 to 50-1 and S’Manga Khumalo said: “He wants further than this 1 800m but I was pleased with his run.”

Third-placed Helderberg Blue, 50-1 for the Met, will first tackle the Peninsula Handicap on January 9. Master’s Eye (now 150-1) would have finished a lot closer than fourth if he had not clipped the heels of the winner early on and then stumbled badly when doing the same to the runner-up just over a furlong out.

King Of Pain (eighth and now as big as 50-1) also had a hard luck story because he was repeatedly baulked when trying to get a clear run. But there were no such obvious excuses for Punta Arenas who managed only fifth and has been pushed out from 25-1 to 33-1.

Andre Nel had been planning the Victress Trophy for Ma Choix ever since Sabine Plattner’s mare gave him his first winner at the end of September. She fairly romped home at 20-1 with stand-in Brandon Lerena reckoning that this was his first visit to Kenilworth since the 2013 Met.

This was Nel’s first Graded success and he promptly upped the target, saying: “Ma Choix will get a proper penalty for this win so she may now have a go at the Maine Chance Paddock Stakes (Jan 9).”

Grant Behr, unplaced on Indaba, has been suspended for a week (Dec 16-22) for interference to Sublime Lady 300m out. Sensible Lover and Zante also suffered.

Justin Snaith made an impassioned plea for more competition in the two-year-old races after the Bernard Fayde’Herbe-ridden Var Ahead booked his Met day ticket by outclassing the opposition from the start in the first juvenile race of the season.

Snaith said: “At this time of year 60-70% of a trainer’s yard consists of two-year-olds and they are doing nothing. We need to get them running and the handicappers need to slow down on the handicapping of young horses so we can. Then owners can have a quick return like they do in Australia.”

By Michael Clower

Picture: Paterfamilias (Liesl King)

Mike Bass is to retire at the end of the season when his daughter Candice Robinson will take over the Milnerton yard.

Bass, 70, informed his staff at their pre-Christmas party on Friday and Mrs Robinson confirmed the announcement in a Tellytrack interview at Kenilworth on Saturday, saying: “I will take out my licence for the new season – it’s exciting – and my father will still be there in an advisory capacity.”

Bass’s health has been hit hard by the savage attack of pneumonia in August that nearly killed him and led to the loss of part of his right leg. Candice has worked with him for the past 13 years.

Bass’s training career started in 1976 and since then he has been Western Province champion trainer nine times, won the Durban July three times, the Met on five occasions and six Queen’s Plates. The legendary Pocket Power has been a major contributor.

Meanwhile, an ominous question mark hangs over Sean Cormack’s career and Dennis Drier’s stable jockey decided to forego his six rides at Kenilworth on Saturday.

Cormack, 45, said: “I’ve got a health issue, I will be sidelined for quite a while and it doesn’t sound positive. It has all happened very quickly and it has come as a shock.”

By Michael Clower

Picture: Mike Bass (Nkosi Hlophe)