Olma (Nkosi Hlophe)

Kannemeyer stars take on Olma

Greyville’s PinkDrive racemeeting is the place to be tomorrow night because it will not only provide an opportunity to reach into your pockets and support breast cancer awareness but the course should also be abuzz with atmosphere.

Patrons are encouraged to wear pink and the jockeys themselves will all be wearing pink silks for race five, while there will be plenty of on course entertainment as well as spot prizes.

Plenty of excitement will also be provided by the nine races on the polytrack and the clash between the Dean Kannemeyer pair Solar Star and Master James and the Frank Robinson-trained Olma in the Listed Jonsson Workwear Michaelmas Handicap over 1900m is eagerly anticipated.

The other nine contenders in this 12 horse field can by no means be written off but these three have been particularly eyecatching on the poly.

The Dynasty filly Olma has run three times on the poly between 1600m and 2000m and has won these starts by an average of five lengths. She last ran in the Gr 2 Gold Circle Oaks over 2400m at Scottsville in June and was not disgraced in fifth 2,15 lengths behind the winner.

Robinson recently took her to Greyville for a gallop and she has been putting in excellent work at home. She will be fully wound up for this race.

She is drawn well in five under Ian Sturgeon but is eight points higher in the merit ratings than her last win over 2000m here back in February and is now also up against some hardened male handicappers, so won’t have it easy.

Dean Kannemeyer’s pair Solar Star and Master James are doing “exceptionally well” and are coming off a pleasing gallop together on the Summerveld grass on Monday. Kahal gelding Solar Star was travelling well in his last start on June 28 at Greyville in the KZN Breeders Million over 1600m when he suddenly dropped the bit and it was discovered later he had been hit by a clod in the eye. He beat the useful Bold Inspiration in his only poly start over 1600m. He followed up by winning the Listed Sledgehammer over 1750m at Scottsville with something in hand, which suggested he would handle the extra 150m on this faster surface. He is however four points higher in the merit ratings since his last win and ten points higher than his last poly win and he also has a wide draw to overcome. He will be ridden by Warren Kennedy.

Master James, who is by Jet Master, was fancied by the yard last time out in his seasonal reappearance over 1600m on the poly but ran green in his first outing after gelding. The blinkers have now been fitted and Kannemeyer is expecting this to bring big improvement.  Master James will have no problem staying the trip. He has won twice on the poly over 1600m and also went close over 1900m on the surface. He is seven points higher in the merit ratings than his last win but showed his class in his penultimate start when a 0,3 length back in the Gr 2 Track and Ball Derby over 2400m at Scottsville. The gelding operation and blinkers should bring out improvement, so he is an intriguing runner from a fair draw of seven under Luyolo Mxothwa.

Kannemeyer is unable to separate his pair and expected good runs from both of them.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Olma (Nkosi Hlophe)

lyle hewitson site

Thinking caps required

A Workrider’s maiden race meeting, which comprises the first leg of the 2015/2016 Workrider’s Challenge, is hosted by the Vaal Sand track today.

This course has been characterised by big exotic dividends, so punters will need to put their special Vaal Sand thinking caps on for last time in an attempt to find some of those big-priced winners and placed horses.

In the first race over 1450m, the first-timer Leigh Woods makes plenty of appeal from a fair draw as he is by Fort Wood, whose progeny love the sand, and his Mark Of Esteem dam was a fair sort, achieving a merit rating of 83 after a facile maiden win over 1600m and another win over 1800m. Le Clos will be involved in the finish from a good draw having gone close over 1200m on this surface last time. One concern is that he has made breathing noises before, but on pedigree he should enjoy the step up in trip. The Badge has a suitable sand pedigree. He should now be cherry ripe in his third career start, having led in a 1450m turf race last time out before fading, and he is well drawn under last season’s Workrider’s Challenge victor Lyle Hewitson.

In the second race for fillies and mares over 1450m there is not much form to go on but Carole Bouquet makes appeal being by Fort Wood and well drawn. She was beaten by Lindeman Lustre over course and distance three runs ago but there is now a reversal in draw fortunes. Lindeman Lustre only has one good effort to her name in seven starts, but she wasn’t disgraced last time out over course and distance and should be a big runner in this weak field. Gold Rupee wasn’t disgraced in her sand debut last time out over 1200m and showed some improvement in blinkers so could be a threat from pole position over a step up in trip which should suit on pedigree.

In the third race, a maiden over 1000m, Boogaloo has improved and went close to a fair sort last time so is the one to beat. Ziggy’s Boy hasn’t been disgraced behind some fair sorts from 1000-1200m, including on his debut on sand, and runs fresh having pulled up lame last time out in May in a strong turf race. Rock On makes his sand debut for an in form yard and on pedigree will be suited to the course and distance.

The fourth is a maiden over 1000m and Angie The Rebel only just failed over course and distance last time when cruising up and then being surprised by the kick the leader found, meaning she left her run just a fraction too late. She is the one to beat. Arrive At Five could go close in second-time blinkers as he showed some pace last time over course and distance and a horse he beat came out and won next time out, albeit on the turf. Fannalies Girl should love the surface being by Windrush and her best runs were over 1200m so she might enjoy the step down in trip from 1400m. Rain In Africa has blinkers and a tongue tie on having been close up to some promising sorts, but the concern is that she has made breathing noises before. Sister Mary has pace and has some fair turf form and tries sand for the first time.

The fifth over 1800m for fillies and mares represents a good opportunity for Angel Of Mercy, who wears second time blinkers and should be too strong for this field from a fair draw. Oblivion ran a cracker over 1950m at Scottsville last time out and is the danger because being by Announce she will love returning to the sand. Polly Woddle Doodle is a R200,000 first-timer by Judpot and is a half-sister to the Gr 1 Champions Cup winner Master Plan so the betting must be closely monitored.

In the sixth over 1800m Paratus’ only sand start wasn’t a bad effort and he looks perfectly suited to this trip. The race could represent an opportunity for the expensively purchased Umthetho as he should enjoy the sand on pedigree and his disappointing efforts over shorter suggested he would be looking for more ground. However, there are some stamina question marks on pedigree, although he is drawn in pole with Hewitson up and doesn’t face a strong field. Seven Single has to be included in all bets with the blinkers now off after a disappointing sand debut over 1450m. Il Duce ran a fair race behind a classy sort in his penultimate start over course and distance and should be involved in the finish. Lego House is never far off them and has gone close over 2000m on the Greyville poly before so should stay this trip. His pedigree suggests he should take to sand, albeit over a shorter trip.

The seventh over 1600m could be won by Cervantes as he ran a cracker over a too sharp 1200m on the sand and is now drawn in pole over a more suitable trip. Mr Balboa is a consistent sort whose one paced running style suggests he might enjoy this course and distance. Icy Avalanche’s two best sand runs have been over this trip and he could earn from a good draw.

The eighth is for fillies and mares over 1600m and Infinity Knot looks the one to side with having made a fair sand debut over 1450m last time and now jumping from a good draw over a step up in trip that should suit. Seattle Spice stayed on in eyecatching style on her sand debut over 1200m and should love he course and distance although the wide draw is a concern. Peggy Jay is a one paced sort who should enjoy the sand on running style. A Woman’s Will has run three fair races on turf and should also enjoy this surface on running style but she does have a tough draw.  Ginger Sioux has run a couple of fair races over course and distance and should be included in all exotics.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Lyle Hewitson

taarish nh

Taarish could hold some value

Port Elizabeth has its equivalent of the Vodacom Durban July this Sunday at Fairview, the Gr 3 R350,000 Algoa Cup over 2000m, and some good value could possibly be found in the talented but enigmatic Mitch Wise-trained Taarish.

This five-year-old Australian-bred Encosta De Lago gelding has the habit of dropping himself out at the beginning of his races, leaving himself with too much ground to make up in the closing stages. He always finishes well and connections are usually left wondering how much closer he would have been without his early race antics. However, the blinkers have at last been fitted and off a merit rating of 88, which sees him carrying a weight of just 52,5kg, he could be worth a small each/way bet at likely long odds. The cheek pieces didn’t appear to help in his penultimate start over 1800m on the poly, but his tailed off position early on in the race on that occasion had more to do with  dwelling in the starting stalls.

The big race has been won by a Cape Town raider for the last five times in succession.

However, the selection to do best of the Cape-based trainers’ horses is Current Event, a Justin Snaith-trained horse who has run his last three races in Port Elizabeth. He is a similar type to the winner of the last two Algoa Cups, Disco Al, in that he is effective over the 200m trip, but can win over further too. He looks to have been given the perfect preparation and jumps from a plum draw of six under Robert Khathi with just 52,5kg to carry.

Snaith also has a very interesting runner in the Jet Master gelding Masterly, who has improved from a 50-something merit rated horse to an 87 since arriving in PE from a Johannesburg yard earlier this year. He has won his last four starts, all on the poly, in fine style and sneaks into the handicap with bottom weight and from a good draw under the quality rider Keagan de Melo. There is no reason why he should not be just as good on turf.

Another of his stablemate’s Krambambuli announced that he is likely to be at his best this year when running on strongly to win over 1800m at Durbanville in his seasonal reappearance and he could be a big threat under Andrew Fortune, although he has a tricky draw of nine.

The Mike Bass yard send the Jet Master gelding Mountain Master and he has a definite chance as he has dropped back to a competitive merit rating, so only has to carry 52,5kg over a suitable course and distance and from pole position draw under stable jockey Grant van Niekerk.

The Glen Kotzen-trained Cape Town raider Gone Baby Gone is a frustrating sort who can’t be ignored on his best form, although he is 0,5kg under sufferance. His stablemate Political Power, who only has one eye, is an ultra-consistent sort and should be distance suited. His last win was off a one point higher mark, but he does have a tough draw.

The Alan Greeff-trained Kalamein is one of the big local hopes as he is a classy sort who could still be ahead of the handicapper and he has the polished Greg Cheyne aboard, but he unfortunately has to contend with the widest draw of all.

The Dorrie Sham-trained Symbolik should be ideally suited to this trip and in form Karl Zechner rides, although the draw of ten is not easy.

The East Cape polytrack horse of the year Gogetthesherriff is also effective on turf and is distance suited. Being by Go Deputy he is showing no signs of slowing down and is unbeaten in three this season, but he does have a big weight of 61,5kg to lug.

Gothic raids from Cape Town and from a good draw would not be a surprise winner for a trainer-jockey combination who have won this race before, especially considering he is off a two point lower merit rating than his last win. He is a similar type to Disco Al as he is effective over this trip and stays further, so he should be right there.

National champion trainer Sean Tarry sends two raiders down from Johannesburg and Orchestrated must be a runner carrying just 52,5kg from draw two, as he bounced back to form over 1800m on the sand last time in his first outing for over four months.

Stablemate Stonehenge is 2kg under sufferance but actually has Orchestrated beaten on their last meeting over this distance on turf, although that was back in May and the latter ran below par.

Zestful has been off form since arriving in Port Elizabeth and will have to bounce back to form.

Silent Partner finished third last year off a considerably higher merit rating, but is getting a bit long in the tooth now and won’t be carrying many local hopes as he comes into the race 4kg under sufferance.

A chance is taken with Taarish to beat Current Event and Gothic, with Kalamein and Masterly next best.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Taarish (Nkosi Hlophe)

Andrew Fortune (Nkosi Hlophe)

Fortune to follow

The in-form Andrew Fortune rides at Durbanville for the second time in three weeks today and, as on his last visit, the former champion can kick off with a winner.

He has six rides but only one of them is a favourite and Betting World yesterday opened the well drawn Tumbles at 7-2 for the opening maiden. At that price the filly looks value.

This is the last meeting at the country course until February but, so far as Adam Marcus is concerned, the all-important factor is the fast going.

“Tumbles has a lot of natural speed and in her first two starts at Kenilworth the ground was very heavy,” says the Milnerton trainer. “She needs to be settled and Andrew has beautiful hands. I think she is going to be very competitive.”

She is drawn two whereas many of the form horses are drawn wide, notably 5-1 shot Gin For Genius who starts on the outside. Has she the gate speed to overcome that? “I don’t want her to have the speed early,” answers Eric Sands. “I want the speed to pull her along and I think she might be alright.”

Ichkeria, 100-1 on debut in a good Kenilworth maiden last month, ran well enough to suggest she could pose a threat here and she is a 4-1 chance but her 12 draw is hardly a positive.

Molly’s Chambers (14-1) has a bit of form but she failed to show it when making the running here last month. “It was her first time on the course,” explains Piet Steyn. “I think she has a place chance.”

Favourite at 3-1 is the Andre Nel-trained newcomer Skip A Beat, a daughter of Dynasty. This is not an easy course for a first timer and it will be interesting to see if she remains at the head of the market come race time.

Nel has made a sparkling start and his La Favourari is 18-10 favourite for the Soccer 10 Maiden Plate even though the colt’s debut second reads poorly with Roxy Babe (third) and Hammie’s Game (fifth) letting the side down on Saturday.

“La Favourari is a fairly decent horse,” says Andre Nel. “We thought he would win first time if there was nothing special among the other newcomers and he has come on since.”

The form of Heart Of Darkness’s fourth to March On, on the other hand, has been repeatedly boosted with the second, third and fifth all winning next time out and at 7-2 he makes more appeal despite not having raced for almost three months and being drawn seven out of ten.  Knight Of Glory (5-1) looks best of the rest

Fortune’s mount Moment To Shine is 22-10 favourite for the All To Come Maiden Plate but she and last time’s runner-up Excellent (5-2) are drawn wide. The vote goes to Sky Fly whose 7-2 looks reasonable. The Geoff Woodruff-trained filly lost valuable ground at the start on her first run here last month and she is sure to have learnt from that.

Icy Trail is a stingy price at 6-10 in the Place Your Bets Maiden Plate but he looks the one they all have to beat.  Bernard Fayd’Herbe’s mount had to drop back and switch when his path was blocked last time and he ran on as if he will be better suited by the extra distance here.

However if you don’t like betting odds-on,  a good case can be made for Roman Silvanus at 5-1 after  last Saturday  – he was the meat in the sandwich between One Away and Avail on their previous start – and Accountability (28-10) is the one that comes out best on merit ratings.

By Michael Clower 

Picture: Andrew Fortune (Nkosi Hlophe)

tutazela c cormack

Greyville goes Pink!

The PinkDrive Racemeeting, supported by Gold Circle, in aid of breast cancer awareness takes place at Greyville Racecourse on Friday evening, 23 October 2015.

PinkDrive is South Africa´s best-loved Breast Cancer Community Carer and is a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) powering South Africa´s first mobile PinkDrive Mammography Unit and PinkDrive Educational Unit, driving home the fact that `Early Detection Saves Lives´.

Tutazela (Chantal Cormack)

Tutazela (Chantal Cormack)

Night racing at Greyville has become a Friday institution in Durban and this Friday will see non-stop entertainment on-stage and on-track.

In the spirit of the occasion patrons are asked to dress up in pink as roving judges will dish out spot prizes for the best dressed in pink.

There is also a win-if-you-lose competition with four prizes of a weekend getaway worth R14000 up for grabs.

The ever popular Braai Zone will be in operation along with the Kidzone while the Lightning Shot Bar will feature live music and a happy hour.

Restaurant reservations for the Durban View can be made by calling Gail on 031 3141780.

Picture: ‘Pink Angels’ Carey-Ann Radford and Janice Benecke giving retired racehorse Tutazela some well-deserved attention before making his appearance at Greyville Racecourse on Friday evening in support of the Pinkdrive breast cancer awareness programme. (Chantal Cormack)

SEAN TARRY

Final field for Betting World Algoa Cup

Champion trainer Sean Tarry will be taking two horses to Port Elizabeth on Sunday to contest the R350,000 Betting World Algoa Cup. The Grade 3 race is run over 2000m on the turf track.

Tarry’s two runners are Orchestrated, to be ridden by S’manga Khumalo, and Stonehenge, who will have Donavan Mansour aboard. Orchestrated has won four of his 15 starts and has placed on another eight occasions. The son of Jay Peg is one of those horses who performs well on the sand and on the turf.

This could be a shrewd move by Tarry because if, as has happened before, inclement weather results in the meeting being moved to the Polytrack, he has a horse who could win on either surface. Orchestrated four wins have been over 1600m and 1700m and he has yet to prove he stays 2000m. In fact, the last time he raced over the trip he was beaten 8.25 lengths by stable companion Stonehenge.

However, Orchestrated did run well enough in the Listed Aquanaut Handicap over 2450m at Turffontein in heavy going when a 4.25-length fourth behind Cool Chardonnay.

In the Algoa Cup he is well drawn at No 2 and has just 52.5kg to carry.

Stonehenge has raced 11 times for two wins and four places but his best effort came in the Listed Derby Trial over 2000m at Turffontein last season when he finished a 2.25-length second behind Legal Eagle. Unfortunately Stonehenge has drawn No 14 but over this distance that should not be too much of a disadvantage.

Justin Snaith saddles three runners in Krambambuli, Current Event and Masterly, while Glen Kotzen sends out Political Playboy and Gone Baby Gone.

There are two other visiting trainers with runners in the main event. Vaughan Marshall has sent Gothic while the Mike Bass yard will be bringing Mountain Master. MJ Byleveld and Grant van Niekerk are the respective jockeys on the two runners.

Top weight is local star Gogetthesheriff, trained by Jacques Strydom and to be ridden by Raymond Danielson. They have been allotted 61kg and will jump from barrier No 8. The five-year-old son of Go Deputy has won seven of his 14 starts since arriving in Port Elizabeth, of which six have been on the Polytrack.

Final field for the R350,000 Betting World Algoa Cup (Grade 3) over 2000m at Fairview (turf track) on Sunday 25 October.

1 – 8 GOGETTHESHERIFF (JVA Strydom) R Danielson 61.0 – 105

2 – 9 KRAMBAMBULI (S J Snaith) A Fortune 57.5 – 100

3 – 4 GOTHIC (V H Marshall) M Byleveld 56.0 – 95

4 – 13 POLITICAL PLAYBOY (G S Kotzen) A Domeyer 54.5 – 92

5 – 10 SYMBOLIK (D Sham) K Zechner 54.5 – 92

6 – 15 KALAMAIN (A C Greeff) G Cheyne 53.5 – 92

7 – 5 ZESTFUL (JVA Strydom) X Ndlovu 53.0 – 89

8 – 6 CURRENT EVENT (S J Snaith) R Khathi 52.5 – 88

9 – 1 MOUNTAIN MASTER (M W Bass) G van Niekerk 52.5 – 88

10 – 2 ORCHESTRATED (S G Tarry) S Khumalo 52.5 – 88

11 – 12 TAARISH (M Wiese) J P v’d Merwe 52.5 – 88

12 – 3 MASTERLY (S J Snaith) K de Melo 52.0 – 87

13 – 7 GONE BABY GONE (G S Kotzen) C Zackey 52.0 – 86

14 – 14 STONEHENGE (S G Tarry) D Mansour 52.0 – 85

15 – 11 SILENT PARTNER (M Wiese) …………… 52.0 – 79

Same Trainer: (1,7) (2,8,12) (4,13) (10,14) (11,15)

RELEASED BY: PHUMELELA GAMING AND LEISURE LIMITED

Picture: Sean Tarry 

French Navy (Nkosi Hlophe)

Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile weights

Dual Grade 1 winner French Navy has been allotted top weight of 60kg for the R1-million Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile over 1600m at Turffontein on Saturday 31 October.

The Grade 2 race will be run over 1600m on the standside track. Unfortunately for the SA Classic and Daily News 2000 winner, he has drawn No 28 of the 34 runners.

The news was better all round for visiting trainer Dean Kannemeyer who has nominated Vodacom Durban July winner Power King, Afrikaburn and Solar Star.

Power King was given 58.5kg to carry and has landed No 12 draw while Afrikburn will have only 55.5kg to carry and has drawn beautifully at No 5. Solar Star, though, has drawn poorly at No 25.

There was mixed fortunes for the Mike de Kock yard. Toro Rosso has drawn perfectly at No 1 and, from that draw and with just 52.5kg on his back, will be one of the strongly fancied runners for the big race.

His impressive victory over 1450m at Turffontein on Saturday demonstrated that he was not only capable of winning on the sand.

The two Grade 3 features on the card, the Graham Beck Stakes and HSH Princess Charlene Of Monaco Starling Stakes, for three-year-olds and three-year-old fillies respectively, have been well supported and no doubt trainer Alistair Gordon will be delighted as highly rated runner Bunker Bill has drawn No 1 for the R250,000 Graham Beck Stakes.

However, the De Kock-trained Entisaar will have to jump from wide out in the fillies’ event, having drawn No 20 among the 32 entries.

Final declarations for the Charity Mile close at 10am on Tuesday 20 October but the final fields will be embargoed and will only be announced on Wednesday 21 October, when the charities and celebrities will also be announced.

As far as the Grade 3 and Listed races are concerned, supplementary entries close at 9am on Friday 23 October with final declarations at 10am on Tuesday 27 October.

Draws and weights for the R1-million Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile (Grade 2) over 1600m

28 FRENCH NAVY (S G Tarry) 60.0

12 POWER KING (D Kannemeyer) 58.5

20 BOUCLETTE TOP (A G Laird) 58.0

18 FLYING THE FLAG (M F De Kock) 58.0

9 BEZANOVA (A G Laird) 57.5

22 DEPUTY JUD (M G Azzie) 57.0

23 BOLD INSPIRATION (C Laird) 56.5

31 HALVE THE DEFICIT (S G Tarry) 56.5

34 MASTER SABINA (G V Woodruff) 56.5

11 RAMPANT ICE (W H Marwing) 56.5

15 KILLUA CASTLE (G V Woodruff) 56.0

5 AFRIKABURN (D Kannemeyer) 55.5

21 MAC DE LAGO (W H Marwing) 55.5

16 WHITELINE FEVER (S G Tarry) 55.5

3 HEAVY METAL (S G Tarry) 55.0

4 ZAMBEZI RIVER (S G Tarry) 55.0

17 DISCO AL (J Ramsden) 54.5

29 DYNAMIC (S J Snaith) 54.5

24 ULTIMATE DOLLAR (S J Snaith) 54.5

10 ML JET (G H Van Zyl) 54.0

32 THE HANGMAN (S G Tarry) 54.0

33 SHADOW OFHIS SMILE (G V Woodruff) 53.5

25 SOLAR STAR (D Kannemeyer) 53.0

2 THE CAPTAIN’S TUNE (G V Woodruff) 53.0

7 ANJAAL (M F De Kock) 52.5

1 TORO ROSSO (M F De Kock) 52.5

30 MITRAAD (M F De Kock) 52.0

14 SARATOGA DANCER (D C Howells) 51.0

26 PRINCE OF ORANGE (M G Azzie) 50.0

13 MASTER ‘N COMMANDER (G V Woodruff) 49.5

19 PIVOTAL PURSUIT (G M Alexander) 49.5

6 NATIONAL KEY (B O Wiid) 49.0

27 KINGMAMBO’S LEGACY (M F De Kock) 48.5

8 FULCRUM (W H Marwing) 46.5

Draws and weights for the R250,000 Graham Beck Stakes (Grade 3) over 1400m

20 ENTISAAR (M F De Kock) 56.5

23 ABASHIRI (M G Azzie) 54.0

18 AFRICAN RULER (P A Peter) 54.0

10 ALACA (R R Magner) 54.0

24 ANGEL’S POWER (B O Wiid) 54.0

29 BRAZUCA (J A Janse van Vuuren) 54.0

21 BUCKLAND (S G Tarry) 54.0

13 BULL VALLEY (D Zaki) 54.0

1 BUNKER BILL (A D Gordon) 54.0

17 CAMPS DRIFT (C E Erasmus) 54.0

16 DELFTSHAVEN (J A Janse van Vuuren) 54.0

11 DUKE NUKEM (G M Alexander) 54.0

4 EL MAESTRO (S G Tarry) 54.0

19 ISCA (G H Van Zyl) 54.0

27 JUST AS I SAID (D J Nieuwenhuizen) 54.0

2 LIEGE (S G Tarry) 54.0

6 LUNAR APPROACH (S G Tarry) 54.0

26 MALAK EL MOOLOOK (S G Tarry) 54.0

3 MUWAARY (M F De Kock) 54.0

28 NEW PREDATOR (J A Janse van Vuuren) 54.0

30 NOAH FROM GOA (M F De Kock) 54.0

12 PROSPECT STRIKE (D Zaki) 54.0

9 ROMANY PRINCE (O A Ferraris) 54.0

7 ROSSLYN CHAPEL (W H Marwing) 54.0

15 ROY’S STRIKE FORCE (P V Lafferty) 54.0

5 TRADING PROFIT (O A Ferraris) 54.0

8 UNBELIEVABLE CHAD (P V Lafferty) 54.0

14 NEGROAMARO (J A Janse van Vuuren) 51.5

25 PERSIAN RUG (M F De Kock) 51.5

22 SHAAMA (M F De Kock) 51.5

Draws and weights for the R250,000 HSH Princess Charlene Of Monaco Starling Stakes (Grade 3) over 1400m

20 ENTISAAR (M F De Kock) 59.0

31 ALLEGORICAL (M N Houdalakis) 54.0

22 ANGIE THE REBEL (W H Tolmay) 54.0

24 BAJAN FANTASY (G M Alexander) 54.0

11 BEAUTIFUL SHAY (S Moffatt) 54.0

3 CASEY CAN (S G Tarry) 54.0

7 FINDING ALICE (M N Houdalakis) 54.0

29 FIRSTIMESACHARM (M N Houdalakis) 54.0

27 INTERGALACTIC (S G Tarry) 54.0

8 JOAN RANGER (M N Houdalakis) 54.0

6 KILAUEA (D J Nieuwenhuizen) 54.0

4 LEILA’S CHARGER (D Zaki) 54.0

26 MADAME DUBOIS (R R Sage) 54.0

1 MELLA MARIA (M G Azzie) 54.0

5 MELLIFLORA (M G Azzie) 54.0

9 MIRACLE RISING (P A Peter) 54.0

23 NEGROAMARO (J A Janse van Vuuren) 54.0

25 PACIFICA (J A Janse van Vuuren) 54.0

16 PERSIAN RUG (M F De Kock) 54.0

30 SAPSAN (D J Nieuwenhuizen) 54.0

12 SCANDAL (C Spies) 54.0

32 SHAAMA (M F De Kock) 54.0

18 SHIRAZ CABERNET (W H Marwing) 54.0

10 SILVAN JAZZ (C Spies) 54.0

14 STRATEGIC MOVE (S G Tarry) 54.0

2 SWEET PAINTED LADY (C Spies) 54.0

19 SWEET PICKINGS (L J Erasmus) 54.0

17 SWIFT SARAH (S G Tarry) 54.0

13 TIDE IS TURNING (J M Goodman) 54.0

21 TRINI’S COLATERAL (D C Howells) 54.0

15 WHATAWONDAFULWORLD (T A Mitchley) 54.0

28 WITCHCRAFT (S G Tarry) 54.0

Draws and weights for the R250,000 Yellowwood Handicap (Grade 3) over 1800m

4 AHLAAM (M F De Kock) 60.0

13 LOVE TO SAIL (M F De Kock) 59.0

9 OLMA (F Robinson) 59.0

14 WILD ASH (G V Woodruff) 58.5

19 BILATERAL (W H Marwing) 57.5

3 MARMALADY (O A Ferraris) 55.0

10 THE CENTENARY (M F De Kock) 55.0

16 DREAM GALAXY (S Moffatt) 54.0

11 EPSOM DOWNS (S G Tarry) 54.0

2 PEEP SHOW (M G Azzie) 53.0

6 HAWKER HURRICANE (O A Ferraris) 52.5

5 PENNINGTON SANDS (T Zackey) 52.5

18 PERSIAN RUG (M F De Kock) 52.5

15 SHE’S A LOOKER (B D Botes) 50.0

8 RIO FILO (S G Tarry) 48.0

12 SISTERS OF MERCY (G V Woodruff) 48.0

17 ELIZA DOOLITTLE (P A Peter) 47.5

1 ALESSIA (M F De Kock) 45.5

7 MISS TEE (J M Goodman) 45.0

Draws and weights for the R150,000 Golden Loom Handicap (Listed) over 1000m

28 TRIP TEASE (L W Goosen) 62.5

23 BELONG TO ME (J A Janse van Vuuren) 58.0

7 BRUTAL FORCE (J Ramsden) 57.5

15 DOLLAR DAZZLER (A G Laird) 57.0

27 MOOFEED (M F De Kock) 57.0

19 SARVE (C Spies) 57.0

16 ZAMBEZI RIVER (S G Tarry) 57.0

8 GREASEPAINT (R R Magner) 56.5

2 SHEIK’S BRASHEE (A Wright) 56.5

5 DOING IT FOR DAN (L W Goosen) 56.0

12 TIGER TERRITORY (M F De Kock) 56.0

25 VALBERG (D Zaki) 56.0

24 ISPHAN (M G Azzie) 55.5

1 ONE MAN’S DREAM (L W Goosen) 55.5

10 VARBRATION (L W Goosen) 55.5

29 AURUM POT (A G Laird) 55.0

17 DE VAR HYT (W H Marwing) 53.0

4 VIVA LA VAR (C Laird) 53.0

22 BAD BOY BUDDY BOY (D Zaki) 52.0

26 EDDIE SWEAT (F Robinson) 52.0

6 MOD BARLEY (P A Peter) 52.0

9 SPLENDID GARDEN (M G Azzie) 50.5

21 CAPTURED WIND (C Spies) 49.5

20 OLYMPIC OWEN (C Spies) 49.5

18 VICTORIOUS (D Zaki) 49.5

13 VIKING HERO (G J Maroun) 49.0

3 HUNTING OWL (D C Howells) 48.5

11 PIANO MAN (J M Goodman) 48.5

Draws and weights for the R150,000 World Sports Betting Java Handicap (Listed) over 2450m

7 DISCO AL (J Ramsden) 60.5

20 KINGSTON MINES (M F De Kock) 60.5

2 STORM WARNING (D Zaki) 58.5

13 SAVAGE WIND (J A Soma) 58.0

17 WILD ASH (G V Woodruff) 57.5

21 LIONS EMBLEM (E Verdonese) 56.5

18 HENRY HIGGINS (P A Peter) 56.0

3 SHIMMERING GEM (D Zaki) 55.5

14 ARCH RIVAL (G V Woodruff) 54.5

9 ALGHADEER (M F De Kock) 54.0

5 J’S OUTSIDER (S T Pettigrew) 54.0

22 MARMALADY (O A Ferraris) 54.0

10 LEEULOOP JET (S Moffatt) 53.0

6 THE CENTENARY (M F De Kock) 53.0

15 KOLKATA (S G Tarry) 52.5

12 NOBLE STAR (M N Houdalakis) 52.5

4 GOLDEN HIGH (S G Tarry) 52.0

1 SMART MART (M F De Kock) 52.0

11 SHEA DEVON (G V Woodruff) 51.5

19 SUPERTUBE (S G Tarry) 50.5

8 ENAAD (M F De Kock) 48.5

16 FORTUNE FELLA (D Little) 42.5

14 WILL PAYS (J A Janse van Vuuren) 48.5

RELEASED BY: PHUMELELA GAMING AND LEISURE LIMITED

Picture: French Navy (Nkosi Hlophe)

Free State (Nkosi Hlophe)

An ideal world for Free State

The ever-improving Paul Gadsby-trained four-year-old speedster Miss Varlicious will not be embarking on a feature race program until next year’s Champions Season.

However, another potentially exciting KZN-based sprinter, the Wendy Whitehead-trained three-year-old Ideal World filly Free State, is eyeing the Gr 3 R250,000 Magnolia Handicap over 1160m at Turffontein on Sansui Summer Cup day November 28.

The Var filly Miss Varlicious gave the impression when winning a Conditions Plate over 1200 at Scottsville on Sunday that she had hung to the left just before making her final charge, but that was due to apprentice Eric Ngwane overcorrecting when attempting to straighten her as she had begun drifting right towards the horses on the far side. However, when she quickened she impressed all and sundry, even if she was only carrying 48kg, and she had a flying Chestnuts N Pearls, who is a Gr 1-winning three-year-old, beaten by 1,5 lengths at the line.

Gadsby believes Miss Varlicious’s best trip is undoubtedly 1200m, as opposed to the 1000m distance of her previous two wins, and her chief target will be the Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint over 1200m next May. The handicapper has dictated the route he is taking with her as he would like to at least get five wins out of her, in order that the owners can recoup their investments, before taking on the best. She was given an 82 merit rating for winning a 1000m maiden in her second career start in March by six lengths and she was increased from an 85 to a 91 after winning a 1000m handicap at Scottsville by 1,5 lengths three runs later. She was then given another three points for a second place finish over 1000m, which took her merit rating to 94. She showed she had improved further on Sunday and Gadsby will likely be looking for another conditions race like Sunday’s one, because being still only a three-time winner she will come in well weighted again.

Another promising Var filly from the Gadsby yard, the three-year-old Royal Kaitrina, also won in her second career outing over the Scottsville 1000m. She impressed in that 2,75 length victory, which took place on the second weekend of September, and the form has worked out exceptionally well, with three horses behind her having won next time out.  However, she was also accorded an 82 merit rating. Gadsby will try and find more wins for her before embarking on a Champions Season feature race program.

In other yard news the useful 100 merit-rated six-year-old Lundy’s Liability gelding Candy Moon has returned from a stint with Noordhoek Beach-based trainer Mike Stewart, where the therapeutic qualities of the sea helped him overcome a tendon injury. Fortunately one of Candy Moon’s owners, Dr Ralph Katzwinkel, was present when he pulled a tendon while preparing for last season’s Betting World 1900 and was able to administer treatment immediately. The yard had fancied the gelding’s chances in the Betting World 1900 and were hoping to qualify him for the July. However, instead he had to be box-rested for two months, before being transported down to Cape Town. Mike Stewart apparently commented that Candy Moon had not seemed like a horse that had ever had a tendon injury, so sound was he while down at his Noorhoek Beach yard. Candy Moon’s best effort last season was a narrow second in the Gr 3 Kings Cup over 1600m and he also had close up fourths in the Gr 3 Christmas handicap and the Listed Sledgehammer over 1800m and 1750m respectively. He will likely be targeted at similar races this season.

Meanwhile, Whitehead will be giving Free State an outing in a fillies and mares MR 76 1000m handicap at Scottsville on November 6 before committing her to the Magnolia Handicap. The strongly-built filly was given an 83 merit rating for her impressive debut victory over 1000m at Scottsville on October 11, in which she was backed from 33/1 into 33/10 favourite before winning full of running by 2,25 lengths. Ideal World’s progeny usually improve with experience and over ground. However, Free State looks like a sprinter, being quite short-coupled, and Whitehead believes the minimum trips will be her game. However, she is a full-sister to the Adam Marcus-trained Fear Not, who finished a fine 1,1 length third to the dual Gr 1-winner Inara in the recent weight for age plus penalties Gr 3 Diana Stakes over 1400m at Durbanville.

Whitehead is having a fine spell at present, having had six winners in a three week period between September 18 and October 11.

She added that the yard had a number of promising unraced youngsters to look forward to.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Free State (Nkosi Hlophe)

gunter wrogemann

Wrogemann rides Chaos

Ronnie Sheehan is flying down Gunter Wrogemann for the mount on Cape Of Good Hope Nursery winner Captain Chaos in the Magnum Cape Classic at Kenilworth on Saturday.

He said yesterday: “I couldn’t find a local jockey who could ride the horse in both this race and the Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes on November 21. Gunter is a good rider and says he will come for that too.”

Sheehan, who has also booked Wrogemann for Mambo Fever in the Racing.It’s A Rush Progress Plate, stresses that Captain Chaos will not be fully wound up for Saturday’s test.

He said: “Captain Chaos is about 80% as I am aiming him at the R2.5 million race and I would like him to peak there. Also he has never been round the turn at Kenilworth and he is drawn terrible. Twelve out of 13 is not a good place to be over 1 400m.”

Paul Reeves is also calling on an out-of-province jockey, booking Gauteng-based Ian Sturgeon for four rides including Forward Drive in the Classic.

Joey Ramsden, who has won the last two runnings with Red Ray and Act Of War, runs The Stone Thrower (Greg Cheyne) as well as the hat-trick seeking Hard Day’s Night (Donavan Mansour).

Dennis Drier has his first Cape Town runners of the season including the Sean Cormack-partnered Seymour in the Classic and Space Launch in the Pinnacle Stakes in which dual Cape Merchants winner Tevez and Heartland (second to Act Of War in the Matchem) will take on top-rated Gulf Storm.

The Vaughan Marshall-trained Desert Swirl (MJ Byleveld) will attempt to become the first horse to win the Woolavington Handicap twice since Northern Dignity 12 years ago.

Justin Snaith, who has yet to win the Algoa Cup, is responsible for three of the 15 runners in Sunday’s Betting World-sponsored feature with Andrew Fortune booked for Krambambuli.

Cape Town trainers have won the last five runnings and account for almost half the field but this time champion trainer Sean Tarry has thrown his hat into the ring with Orchestrated (S’Manga Khumalo) and Stonehenge (Mansour).

By Michael Clower

Picture: Gunter Wrogemann (Nkosi Hlophe)

Miss Varlicious (Nkosi Hlophe)

Brilliance put on hold

The ever-improving Paul Gadsby-trained four-year-old speedster Miss Varlicious will not be embarking on a feature race program until next year’s Champions Season.

However, another potentially exciting KZN-based sprinter, the Wendy Whitehead-trained three-year-old Ideal World filly Free State, is eyeing the Gr 3 R250,000 Magnolia Handicap over 1160m at Turffontein on Sansui Summer Cup day November 28.

The Var filly Miss Varlicious gave the impression when winning a Conditions Plate over 1200 at Scottsville on Sunday that she had hung to the left just before she making  her final charge, but that was due to apprentice Eric Ngwane overcorrecting when attempting to straighten her as she had begun drifting right towards the horses on the far side. However, when she quickened she impressed all and sundry, even if she was only carrying 48kg, and she had a flying Chestnuts N Pearls, who is a Gr 1-winning three-year-old, beaten by 1,5 lengths at the line.

Gadsby believes Miss Varlicious’s best trip is undoubtedly 1200m, as opposed to the 1000m distance of her previous two wins, and her chief target will be the Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint over 1200m next May. The handicapper has dictated the route he is taking with her as he would like to at least get five wins out of her, in order that the owners can recoup their investments, before taking on the best. She was given an 82 merit rating for winning a 1000m maiden in her second career start in March by six lengths and she was increased from an 85 to a 91 after winning a 1000m handicap at Scottsville by 1,5 lengths three runs later. She was then given another three points for a second place finish over 1000m, which took her merit rating to 94. She showed she had improved further on Sunday and Gadsby will likely be looking for another conditions race like Sunday’s one, because being still only a three-time winner she will come in well weighted again.

Another promising Var filly from the Gadsby yard, the three-year-old Royal Kaitrina, also won in her second career outing over the Scottsville 1000m. She impressed in that 2,75 length victory, which took place on the second weekend of September, and the form has worked out exceptionally well, with three horses behind her having won next time out.  However, she was also accorded an 82 merit rating. Gadsby will try and find more wins for her before embarking on a Champions Season feature race program.

In other yard news the useful 100 merit-rated six-year-old Lundy’s Liability gelding Candy Moon has returned from a stint with Noordhoek Beach-based trainer Mike Stewart, where the therapeutic qualities of the sea helped him overcome a tendon injury. Fortunately one of Candy Moon’s owners, Dr Ralph Katzwinkel, was present when he pulled a tendon while preparing for last season’s Betting World 1900 and was able to administer treatment immediately. The yard had fancied the gelding’s chances in the Betting World 1900 and were hoping to qualify him for the July. However, instead he had to be box-rested for two months, before being transported down to Cape Town. Mike Stewart apparently commented that Candy Moon had not seemed like a horse that had ever had a tendon injury, so sound was he while down at his Noorhoek Beach yard. Candy Moon’s best effort last season was a narrow second in the Gr 3 Kings Cup over 1600m and he also had close up fourths in the Gr 3 Christmas handicap and the Listed Sledgehammer over 1800m and 1750m respectively. He will likely be targeted at similar races this season.

Meanwhile, Whitehead will be giving Free State an outing in a fillies and mares MR 76 1000m handicap at Scottsville on November 6 before committing her to the Magnolia Handicap. The strongly-built filly was given an 83 merit rating for her impressive debut victory over 1000m at Scottsville on October 11, in which she was backed from 33/1 into 33/10 favourite before winning full of running by 2,25 lengths. Ideal World’s progeny usually improve with experience and over ground. However, Free State looks like a sprinter, being quite short-coupled, and Whitehead believes the minimum trips will be her game. However, she is a full-sister to the Adam Marcus-trained Fear Not, who finished a fine 1,1 length third to the dual Gr 1-winner Inara in the recent weight for age plus penalties Gr 3 Diana Stakes over 1400m at Durbanville.

Whitehead is having a fine spell at present, having had six winners in a three week period between September 18 and October 11.

She added that the yard had a number of promising unraced youngsters to look forward to.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Miss Varlicious (Nkosi Hlophe)