The promising Alistair Gordon-trained pair of three-year-olds Beat The Retreat and Bunker Bill will have a gallop at Scottsville this morning (Tuesday) ahead of their respective engagements in the Listed R150,000 KZN Guineas Trial on the Greyville turf on November 8 and the Gr 3 R250,000 Graham Back Stakes over 1400m at Turffontein on October 31.

Meanwhile, Paul Lafferty reported that Anthony Delpech had been “very impressed” with the Graham Beck-bound Unbelievable Chad’s gallop at Scottsville on Sunday, in which he was given a lead over 1400m and strode all the way to the line in eyecatching fashion. Lafferty had spoken to Piere Strydom about riding the Toreador colt in the Graham Beck a while ago but has been unable to confirm the engagement as the latter is currently on honeymoon. The pair will be attempting to retain their respective crowns in the race having combined to win it last year with Harry’s Son. Unbelievable Chad, who is part-owned by swimming legend Chad le Clos, has drawn eight out of 30 nominations and Bunker Bill, who is by Dupont and is expected to enjoy the step up in trip, has drawn pole position.

Argonaut colt Beat The Retreat found his last start over 1200m too sharp and will relish the step up to 1600m in the KZN Guineas Trial.

Unbelievable Chad and Bunker Bill will both be using the tried and tested travel routine of leaving Summerveld late on the Friday night and arriving at Turffontein on the morning of the race.

Two of a few other Summerveld horses who will be making the journey to the Johannesburg meeting on October 31 are the Dennis Drier-trained Gr 1 Golden Slipper winner Chestnuts N Pearls and the classy Gavin van Zyl-trained Redcarpet Captain, who will both be running in the R2,015,000 Bloodstock South Africa Ready To Run Cup over 1400m.

Chestnuts N Pearls by Horse Chestnut made her seasonal reappearance in a Conditions Plate for fillies and mares over 1200m on Sunday and flew late to finish a 1,5 length second to the exciting four-year-old speedster Miss Varlicious, to whom she gave 3kg if apprentice claims are included. The 100 merit-rated filly will palpably prefer the 1400m trip and, having come out of the race very well, will likely be cherry ripe on October 31. A KZN filly she will have to face in the Ready To Run Cup will be the Duncan Howells-trained Lauderdale, whom she beat in the Golden Slipper but lost to in the subsequent Gr 1 Thekwini Stakes over 1600m.

The Captain Al colt Redcarpet Captain ran on well at Scottsville on Sunday in a MR 90 Handicap over 1200m in which he had to carry 60kg off his merit rating of 101 and finished a 1,15 length fifth to a horse who has developed a winning habit, Talktothestars. In his only start over 1400m Redcarpet Captain was not at all disgraced, finishing 3,8 lengths behind Seventh Plain in the Gr 1 Durban Golden Horseshoe having had to jump from a very wide draw. He should be ideally suited to the 1400m distance at this stage of his career. He has come out of Sunday’s race well and the yard are hopeful of a big run in the Ready To Run Cup. He is the joint highest merit rated horse in the Cup together with Lauderdale and the Justin Snaith-trained Australian-bred Star Witness colt Lineker.

Van Zyl’s other contender in the big October 31 meeting at Turffontein will be the four-year-old Jet Master gelding M L Jet, who fought back well to win a Graduation Plate over 1600m at Turffontein last week, although he was weighted to win it. He will be running in the Gr 2 Peermont Emperor’s Palace Charity Mile and, having enjoyed the blinkers off and tongue tie on last time, there will be no changes to his equipment declarations. He has come out of the race well and Van Zyl hoped that the win heralded a return to form for the 101 merit-rated bay.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Beat The Retreat (Nkosi Hlophe)

Korea is to stage two rich international races next September – a US$700 000 sprint and US$ 1 million 1 800m event, both with substantial travel allowances – and has invited Mike de Kock to send horses from his British base.

The Korea Racing Association has close ties with South Africa through its sponsorship of the two Greyville Guineas races and for a time it was thought that these new international races could be the long-awaited key to opening up the protocols.

Western Province RA chapter chairman Vidrik Thurling said: “When I was in Korea in June their racing director told me they wanted to attract South African horses and I felt this could be our opportunity. However, after some discussion and deliberation, they decided that they should wait for Europe to take the lead on the protocol issue.

“I then suggested they invite Mike de Kock and I mentioned the international meeting to him. His initial reaction was positive.”

The Korea races will fill the gap left by Singapore’s decision to drop the Krisflyer International Sprint and the Singapore International Airlines Cup.

By Michael Clower

The highlight of yesterday’s meeting at Scottsville was a Conditions Plate over 1200m for fillies and mares and the lightly weighted Paul Gadsby-trained four-year-old Var filly Miss Varlicious confirmed herself a sprinter to be reckoned with when finding a strong finish to win comfortably. The course manager Sthembiso Dlamini has worked wonders with the track and the infamous sprint track draw bias, that used to palpably favour low draws, was shown in this meeting to be just about insignificant. Miss Varlicious only had to carry 48kg, if the 4kg claim of apprentice Eric Ngwane was included, and after jumping from a draw of five she didn’t appear to be doing herself any favours by drifting wide at about the 500m mark.

However, she then stormed home to beat the Gr 1-winning 22/10 favourite Chestnuts N Pearls by 1,5 lengths, with Beloved Country staying on for third. The fancied African Dream had to concede lumps of weight and likely needed the run ,being beaten 5,15 lengths into fifth just behind LittleBlacknumber. Chestnuts N Pearls finished strongly over too sharp a trip, carrying 51kg, and this was a fine preparation for the R2,015,000 Bloodstock South Africa Ready To Run Cup over 1400m at Turffontein on October 31. In the next race, a MR 90 Handicap over 1200m, apprentice Ngwane completed a quick double and weekend treble when winning aboard Kimberley-based trainer Coenie de Beer’s raider Talktothestars, an amazing four-year-old gelding by Overlord, who won off a 93 merit rating to land his sixth win in his last seven starts and seventh career victory overall. Runner up Highway Explorer from the Tony Rivalland yard ran on well for second, pipping the nine-year-old topweight Royal Zulu Warrior who had to lug 64kg even including the 2,5kg apprentice claim. The Fort Wood filly Nikki easily converted odds of 1/3 in the first race over 1200m to give Mike de Kock a weekend double and Anthony Delpech his third of his five winners over the weekend. She showed good speed throughout. The Alistair Gordon yard have a number of promising three-year-olds at present and the runner up Cause Célèbre by Argonaut is another to follow. The Mark Dixon-trained Muhtafal filly Isingamoya found some early betting support in the second over 1200m after an eyecatching debut and never looked in danger of defeat, despite a high draw.  She ran handy and kicked clear to win easily by 2,75 lengths from the favourite Seventh Moment and give Keagan de Melo a weekend double. Dixon also trained Isingamoya’s dam, Shoot The Breeze, who was a facile winner on debut over this course and distance six years ago.

In the third over 1200m Tony Rivalland landed the second leg of a weekend treble when the Miesque’s Approval gelding Humidor, who is a half-brother to the useful Caviar, returned from a layoff of nearly a year to win cosily under Anton Marcus in just her second career start. In the fourth over 1200m, the R900,000 purchase by Captain Al, the Rivalland-trained first-timer gelding Spanish Captain, won cosily under Delpech from a high draw after being backed from 5/1 Into 4/1. The first-timer by Second Empire from the Paul Lafferty yard, Neruda, is a half-brother to two speedsters Dennis The Menace and Battle Of Alma, and caught the eye running on well for second from a high draw Later, the Colin Scott-trained six-year-old Count Dubois gelding Innate Quality bounced back to his best to easily win a 2400m handicap under Muzi Yeni. The Sean Tarry-trained three-year-old colt Forest showed himself to be a promising stayer when winning the eighth, a maiden over 2400m, in good style under Delpech in just his fourth career start. The last race, a maiden over 1600m for fillies and mares, was won by the improving King’s Chapel filly Reigning Wave under Alec Forbes to give Paul Gadsby a meeting double.

By David Thiselton

The National Horseracing Authority has moved to lessen the growing rumour and speculation about the number of dope test positives by releasing the figures. It is also stepping up the testing.

But the increase in the number of samples returned positive is disturbing – 18 so far this year compared with only five in the whole of the 2013/14 season and nine the previous season.

NHA chief executive Colin Hall said: “Of the 18 specimens which were found to contain prohibited substances, 12 were specimens taken immediately after the race, two shortly before the race and four from horses which were not entered to race – ‘out of competition’ specimens as they are commonly known.

“The NHA has increased the number of out of competition and pre-race tests being conducted.”

Only six of this year’s 18 cases have got as far as a completed inquiry and the NHA will not release the details of the remainder until they reach that stage, with Hall explaining: “Due to the nature of inquiries into the presence of a prohibited substance found in a specimen, some take longer than others and it would be inappropriate to report on the incomplete inquiries at this time.”

The matter was brought out into the open when the Sporting Post published an email sent to Hall by Brett Maselle.

The advocate said: “Rumour is rife in the industry and horseracing websites that a sizeable amount of horses have been found to have prohibited substances in their systems.

“The talk is a trainer has already been fined and a horse suspended as a result of a positive in a Group race, and that a positive has been found in a horse relating to Durban’s biggest race.”

Hall has at least been able to knock the last point on the head, saying: “The NHA can confirm that all specimens taken from horses on 4 July have been tested and no prohibited substances were found by the laboratory.”

Only one of the six completed cases was the result of a pre-race test – the Leon Erasmus-trained Captain Ali who finished sixth at 25-1 at the Vaal in May. This was also the only one in which a substance was found that could be regarded as a stimulant (caffeine).

One of the five post-race positives, 4-1 winner Redcarpet Captain (Gavin van Zyl) at Turffontein in February, showed traces of the antibiotic procaine. Samples of the other four contained anti-inflammatories or pain-relievers – Cool Anne (K.G. Naidoo) 25-1 winner at Greyville in March, Gogetthesheriff (Jacques Strydom) 33-10 winner at Fairview in April, Liquid Ice (Cliffie Miller) 12-1 when last at Flamingo Park in January and Pennington Sands (Tyrone Zackey) 28-10 favourite when fourth at Turffontein in August.

In none of the six cases was there anything in the betting trends to suggest that the horse had been the subject of a gamble. The horses concerned have been disqualified and the trainers fined amounts varying from R20 000 to R60 000.

By Michael Clower

The double header in KZN this weekend has two nine race cards, a much anticpated 20/20 meeting at Greyville tonight, and a Scottsville meeting in which some good horses are being turned out.

The selections for tonight are Swiss Note to beat Chronological in the first, Kolinsky to beat Mighty Mississippi in the second, Translunar to win the third from Just Ask Me and Diamond King, Surrey to beat Military Leader in the fourth, Intergalactic to beat Khonza in the fifth, Yell to beat Cherry Orchard and Fashion Talk in the sixth, Grey’s A Rockin to beat Capel Top in the seventh, Quintella to beat Jolo and Lucky Packet in the eighth and Fareeq to beat Blue Ocean and Sunshine City in the ninth.

Mark Dixon turns out the classy sprinter African Dream in the fifth race at Scottsville, a Conditions Plate over 1200m for fillies and mares, and he said that while she would not be “fully wound up” he believed she would be at her best this season as she has strengthened and improved. She will take a power of beating, but two horses who will definitely be tough nuts to crack at the weights will be the Charles Laird-trained Beloved Country and the Paul Gadsby-trained Miss Varlicious. Beloved Country will arrive fit from a three month break, being from the Charles Laird yard, and this classy sort receives 6,5kg from African Dream. Miss Valicious has struck as one with a bright future and she not only receives 8kg from African Dream, but also has a 4kg claimer up, which makes it a 12kg advantage in all. Miss Varlicious is therefore the tip to win with Beloved Country second under Anthony Delpech and African Dream third under regular pilot Keagan de Melo. Littleblacknumber is useful but has a tough task at the weights and the Gr 1 winner Chestnuts ‘N Pearls is likely a bigger threat, although the GR 1 two-year-old form of last season is not standing up too well to date.

In the first race, a maiden for fillies and mares over 1200m, Nikki reverts to a sprint, having been beaten as favourite over 1600m. She finished 6,75 lengths back to the highly promising Rock On Baby when third on debut over 1000m and the runner up Elephant Matriarch, who was only 0,5 lengths in front of her, won next time out so she will take a lot of beating. Juds Express makes most appeal of the rest having been slow away on debut over course an distance before running on well and the Duncan Howells yard horses usually come on from their first runs.

The second is also a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1200m and here Seventh Moment could be the one to beat from a favourable draw. She made a fine debut over course and distance and her saddle then slipped second time out over 1000m. Anthony Delpech has kept the ride. Bella Miesque has run against some fair sorts and her form has stood up well so she could be a big danger from a favourable draw for an in form yard. Diamond League showed pace on debut over 1200m on the poly in May before finishing just under five lengths back to a very promising sort, so should be thereabouts from a favourable draw. Isingamoya could improve on her debut in which she was slow away and not disgraced over 1000m. Aventurine is from the champion trainer Sean Tarry’s yard and should also improve, although Delpech has defected to ride Seventh Moment. Anton Marcus is an eyecatching booking for the first-timer Poise, who is by Kahal out of a Fort Wood three-time winner from 1400-1800m.

The third is a Maiden over 1200m and of those to have raced the hard-knocking Destined For Dawn could get it right at last for an in form yard.  Re-Examined is an interesting runner as the form of his debut looks quite strong. Bacca Laureate improved considerably last time in a weak field and Delpech now rides from a favourable draw. Roy’s Power could earn another cheque in this uninspiring field. Humidor returns from a one year layoff after making a reasonable debut and Anton Marcus is a significant booking from a plum draw. None of the first-timers make much appeal.

The fourth is a Maiden over 1200m and Protea Power returns to the course and distance of his excellent effort in early August and this time runs from a better draw so is the one to beat. Brave Knight was green on debut and ran on well and although the form does not look strong he should improve considerably being from the Howells yard. Powder Keg is back to the course and distance of his best run and has first-time blinkers on from a plum draw. Purple Splash made a fair debut here over 1000m and could earn. Delirious Nomad could also be in the frame. Neruda is by Second Empire and is a half-brother to the useful sprinter Dennis the Menace and the speedy battle Of Alma.

The sixth is a MR 90 Handicap over 1200m and  Gavin van Zyl said that this would be a preparation run for Redcarpet Captain for the forthcoming Bloodstock South Africa Ready To Run Cup on October 31 at Turffontein, so he won’t be fully wound up. Hunting Owl will enjoy the course an distance and is tipped to beat Talktothestars, who jumps from a favourable draw with a 4kg claimer up, and Redcarpet Captain could be next best.

In the seventh over 2400m Battle Hammer looks well weighted over a suitable trip and Depech rides. Your Worship and Sugarbuzz make most appeal of the rest.

In the eighth over 2400m Forest caught the eye last time behind a good sort over 1600m when caught wide from a high draw before running on well and he should relish the step up in trip. Desert Sunset should enjoy the trip and looks be the danger alongside Roy’s Horse, who stayed on for third over course and distance last month.

The last over 1600m could be won by Estimation, who was green when backed on debut and is now well drawn over a step up in trip she will appreciate and Marcus is up. Zilla and Coastal Spell look to be the dangers.

By David Thiselton

Picture: African Dream (Nkosi Hlophe)

Our Destiny should get punters off to a winning start in the opening Welcome To Durbanville Maiden at the country course tomorrow.

The Glen Kotzen-trained filly really caught the eye in her first start proper, racing prominently and coming again in the closing stages to finish second to Sails Set with subsequent winner Taffety Tart in third.

Kotzen sent her down early that day, explaining: “The first time she ran she wouldn’t go in the pens so I wanted her to get into a routine and get things right.

“I think she is a special filly and, while I could have run her over 1 200m again, I want to find out if she gets the 1 400m and see where we are going with her.”

The Var filly will have Greg Cheyne in the irons and should get the trip as her dam won over it. She has already been to Durbanville for a gallop and is part-owned by former trainer Ralph Rixon whose long list of big race winners includes the 1976 Durban July with Jamaican Music.

The obvious danger is Qing who lost a lot of ground at the start on debut last month and will obviously know much more about it this time.

Qing is trained by Justin Snaith who has a favourite’s chance with Bora Bora in the next although there are distance doubts. “It’s a bit short for him and that’s why I am putting blinkers on,” says the former champion trainer who is again setting a hot pace.

However punters should not be put off by stable jockey Bernard Fayd’Herbe riding newcomer Benji’s Dynasty instead – “Bernard was meant to be riding for Joey Ramsden (Ridgemont has first claim on Fayd’Herbe) but the horse was scratched and I had already confirmed Sean Cormack for Bora Bora.”

The Brett Crawford-trained Winter Prince is the danger on form but his nine draw lessens his chance. However stable companion Carrie Bow Cay has 5kg in hand in the Place Your Bets Maiden if the handicappers have got it right

The mare has much in common with Gift Of Rain in that she is also well bred but was not quite good enough to win in Britain or Ireland, even when dropped down to the all-weather. Gift Of Rain started off here on a mark of 67 but had dropped to 62 by the time she managed to win at the fourth attempt.

Carrie Bow Cay ran well on her South African debut off a rating of 72 and has remained on that. Whether she is as good as the handicappers think is open to question but she is probably good enough to win this and five runs at Dundalk – tight by our standards – should ensure Durbanville holds no fears.

Andre Nel has hit the ground running and Arctic Teon looks another for the Western Cape’s newest trainer in the Soccer 10 Maiden. This gelding would have lost his maiden tag months ago but for the Plattner-Govender split and his run a fortnight ago should have brought him on.

By Michael Clower

Picture: Greg Cheyne (Liesl King)

Greyville stages the second of its 20-20 meetings tomorrow night, whereby all nine races are only twenty minutes apart, and the races will be once again be ridden alternately by jockeys and apprentices.

In the first race starting at 6.15pm is a Maiden for three-year-old fillies over 1400m to be ridden by jockeys. Swiss Note has caught the eye running on well over 1200m on three occasions and looks likely to enjoy the step up in trip, although the wide draw is a bit of a concern. Chronological had excuses when going close over this course and distance in July without blinkers and the blinkers have come off after a disappointing race over 1000m last time, so she should go close with Anton Marcus up from a suitable trip. Martita Ridge ran a disappointing race last over 1600m last time after catching the eye over 1200m on debut, but she might appreciate the step down in trip so is a runner, especially if she starts on terms for a change.

In the second, an Apprentice Maiden for three-year-olds over 1400m, Kolinsky has faced good sorts in all three of his runs and hasn’t been disgraced in the last two of them over 1200m and 1400m respectively, so looks hard to oppose in this weak field from a good draw. Mighty Mississippi has also faced good sorts in three runs and should appreciate the step up in trip after running a fair third over 1200m last time out. Jabuticaba improved with first time blinkers in his second start over this course and distance in an uninspiring field and he could earn again from pole position with a 2,5kg claimer up.

In the third, a MR 94 handicap over 1400m, Translunar has performed admirably against good sorts from 1400-1600m and is a decent, consistent horse who is tipped to beat a fair field here from a good draw as he should now be cherry ripe having his third run after a two month layoff. Just Ask Me has a touch of class and is ideally course and distance suited so should do well from a good draw. Diamond King has always had plenty of class and found consistency after some of his problems had been resolved, so he should be involved from pole position with Marcus up. Buffalo Bill has been knocking on the door from 1400-1600m but this is his first run for two months. Eddie Sweat did well in his only start over course and distance and the old soldier Stolen Destiny can’t be ignored either over his favourite trip.

In the fourth, a MR 78 Apprentice Handicap over1400m, Surrey over raced early on his poly debut before fighting back in the straight to win over 1600m, so he should appreciate the step down in trip. The four point raise he was given looks unlikely to stop him with the same 4kg claimer up, although the wide draw is a little bit of a concern. Military Leader is back to his favourite course and distance and has an astute apprentice up for an in form yard. Furthermore, his merit rating has also been lowered by two points after two disappointing runs over 1600m. Ready For Take Off has not been disgraced against some good sorts recently and has a 2,5 claimer up from a good draw over a suitable course and distance.

In the fifth, a Novice Plate over 1600m, Intergalactic will be attempting to cement her place in the Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup and from a good draw over the course and distance of her facile maiden win she is the one to beat. Khonza should also go close as she struck as being a decent type when finishing powerfully to win over course and distance last time out in the maidens. Way Out Front was not disgraced against good sorts in her first two starts and then beat another promising type over course and distance last time, so she should be thereabouts.

In the sixth, an Apprentice maiden for fillies and mares over 1800m, Yell has the form to succeed in this uninspiring field and should be finishing strongly from a good draw. Cherry Orchard is a consistent earner and this trip on the poly should suit. Fashion Talk showed some improvement last time when stepped up to 2000m with second time blinkers on and she could earn again.

In the seventh, a MR 70 Handicap over 1900m, Grey’s A Rockin has impressed in his last two starts with a change to hold up tactics and Marcus is up. Capel Top should be cherry ripe having his third run after a rest and will appreciate the step up in trip having had to be ridden to stay in touch over slightly shorter last time. Rocketball only just failed last time over 1600m when running on and is interesting stepped up to a trip he should enjoy.

In the eighth, a MR 64 Apprentice Handicap for fillies and mares, Quintella loves this course and distance and will go close if ridden from well off the pace before running on strongly, which is the effective tactic employed by her regular rider. Jolo jumps from pole position and has been knocking on the door over this course and distance. Lucky Packet won over 1000m on debut so is interesting stepped down in trip for the first time in ages having run well for second over 1400m here last time when handy throughout.

In the ninth, a Maiden over 1600m, Fareeq flew for a good second after losing two lengths over 1200m at Scottsville on debut and should appreciate the step up in trip, so is the one to beat in an uninspiring field. Blue Ocean has only run once in the last two years but did have some fair form and ran a fair race fresh last time out in February. Sunshine City’s debut has been a fair form race and he could earn with expected improvement.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Intergalactic (Nkosi Hlophe)

Brazilian Silvestre de Sousa will be crowned British Flat Jockey Champion on Saturday as he currently has an unassailable lead of 36 over nearest challenger William Buick.

The controversial decision to change the starting point of the championships from the Guineas meeting at Newmarket in early May, and the ending point to the Champions Day meeting at Ascot in mid-October, has not had the intended effect of bringing the elite jockeys to the forefront.

However, an injury at a crucial stage to Ryan Moore and the retirement of the pre-season favourite Richard Hughes after the Glorious Goodwood meeting also contributed to the runaway win by De Sousa.

The championship previously ran from the beginning of the turf flat season in March through to its end in November, although All Weather wins do also count during the championship period.

However, as part of the statement made when announcing the change, Great British Racing said, “The new Jockeys’ Championship will replace a title contest which, on occasions, has seen leading jockeys either publicly rule themselves out from competing due to its attritional nature or who are absent on overseas riding duties at its start and end.”

De Sousa, who counted the like of leading Northern trainer Mark Johnston as well as Mick Channon and David Elsworth as his chief supporters, had three Gr 3s and the Gr 1 Juddmonte International as his only Group winners during the championship period.

Ryan Moore, regarded by many as the best jockey in the world, had seven Gr 1 wins, seven Gr 2 wins and three Gr 3 wins in Europe during his curtailed championship period, and was in the title race until a neck injury attained when unseated in the stalls at Newmarket on July 9 put him on the sidelines for a while.

Moore is currently in 13^th place in the championship, but his strike rate of 22% is the highest on the log. However, his 61 winners are not even half those of the 132 winners to date of De Sousa, who has ridden to a strike rate of 18%.

William Buick’s chief obligations have been to Godolphin and he is currently on 96 winners ridden at a strike rate of 20%, one clear of the twice champion Paul Hanagan.

De Sousa’s previous best finish was as runner up to Hanagan in 2011 when riding 161 winners to the latter’s 165.

The championship race lost a lot of its spark when Richard Hughes, who had won the previous three titles, announced he would retire after the Glorious Goodwood meeting, which takes place at  the beginning of August. Hughes was still in the title hunt when he made the announcement in July and apologised to those who had backed him for the title before adding that he felt his first year as a trainer next year would be his most important, so he needed to devote all his time to the pending Sales.

Brazilian De Sousa joins the like of Australia’s Scobie Breasley (1957, 1961, 1962 and 1963), South Africa’s Michael Roberts (1992) and Frankie Dettori (1994, 1995 and 2004) as Non-British or Irish jockeys to have won the title.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Silvestre de Sousa (Independent.co.uk)

Turffontein stages a nine race midweek meeting on the Inside track and some fair sorts are being turned out.

The most interesting event could be the eighth, a Graduation Plate over 1600m, which has attracted some Johannesburg Spring feature season hopefuls.

Anjaal showed the benefit of a breathing operation when easily winning over 1400m last April and he then split Mac De Lago and Rampant Ice when finishing a three length fourth in the KRA Guineas. However, he is an unreliable sort and has not set the world alight in two runs since gelding. However, he could perhaps bounce back to his best in his third run since the operation as he was not disgraced last time in the Jo’burg Spring Challenge over 1400m in a strong field, despite reportedly not striding out. He will appreciate the step up in trip and also has the blinkers back on. His draw of seven is tricky but Anthony Delpech is likely to find him a good position in the running.

MLJet is a talented but disappointing sort. However, he did stay on well last time from the front without blinkers when only three lengths behind the brilliant Same Jurisdiction over 1400m at Scottsville and the headgear remains off. He also has a first-time tongue tie and a perfect draw of two over a suitable trip. He has the benefit of having had a run in both August and September and could be a threat, but he has not won since opening his account with two victories as a juvenile.

Front Rank showed his class in the KZN Breeders Million when going within 0,35 lengths of Bezanova when receiving only 4,5kg. That run proved he is capable of running above his 88 merit rating, so he can’t be written off.

Another interesting event is the seventh, a MR 80 Handicap over 1000m, as the progressive Thrust will attempt to make it four in a row. He can progress further and will be running on strongly but his wide draw might just be his undoing. Will Pays is a talented sort who has a combination of speed and gears so he is the selection from an ideal pole position draw off a merit rating of 82 which he can still rise above. Isca has a lot of class but is returning from a six month layoff and his wide draw and topweight might find him out in the closing stages. Lady Al has had genuine excuses in some of her recent runs so can place here from a good draw off a lowered merit rating with a 1,5kg claimer up. Dream Leader is 1kg better off for a 0,5 length beating by Thrust so could earn.

The meeting begins with an intriguing Workrider’s fillies and mares Maiden over 1800m. Racey J stayed on over 1400m on debut and looks likely to relish the step up in trip on both racing style and pedigree. Peg O’ My Heart could challenge if jumping on terms as she lost three lengths last time so did well to finish just 6,25 lengths back in decent maiden field over 2000m. Fortissima had to be urged along virtually all the way over 1400m last time and could be interesting if the penny drops over a step up in trip she will appreciate.

Spurwing Summer choked up over 2000m last time but has some fair form over this trip. Rose Of Castille beat Peg O’My Heart narrowly last time but is a temperamental and unreliable sort.

In the second is a Maiden over 1200m and Perepetual Silence was green when making an eyecatching debut so should take care of those to have raced from a fair draw. Atso Cool, draw in pole under Fortune, showed pace over 1000m last time but found no extra.  Red Special has run well over this trip before and could earn. There are two interesting first-timers. Lunar Approach is by Right Approach out of a four-time winning Doowaley mare from 1600-1800m and he is drawn well in two. Miracle Bureau is by Trippi out of a Listed six=time winner by National Emblem, but he does have a tough draw.

In the third, a Maiden for fillies over 1450m, Monarch Air will be attempting to qualify for the Emperor’s palace Ready To Run Cup so will need a big run and should run a big race having only just failed when charging home over 1200m last time out. Fortune has kept the ride. However, the well-bred Silvano filly Bella Sonata, who is a half-sister to the winner of two Gr 2s in Britain, looks to have more scope for improvement having finished strongly over 1200m on debut to be just 2,8 lengths behind a well regarded sort.

The fourth is a MR 84 Handicap over 1800m for three-year-olds and the easy winner last time Samurai Blade look to be the one to beat. Off To Gaul and Scheme of Things could be the dangers.

The fifth is a MR 76 handicap for fillies and mares over 1800m. Gain Ground looks a fair sort in the making and is only 0,5kg under sufferance so could win as long she doesn’t over race like she did last time over 1600m. The improving Paris Princess took well to course and distance last time and is now only four points higher in the merit ratings for the victory. Sisters Of Mercy appears to have breathing issues but is a talented sort who goes well for Gavin lerena.

The sixth is a Conditions Plate over 1000m and Drifting Dusk, who strikes as one with plenty of class, is drawn ideally so is the one to side with carrying only 52kg. Kwinta has speed and class and is drawn in pole so will be a threat. Sarve has performed well against some of the best and could earn despite having to carry 60kg. Winter Star makes most appeal of the rest.

The ninth is a Maiden over 1600m and Liege has caught the eye before so could win with a strong late run from a wide draw. Gladiatore looks set to go close from pole position over a suitable course and distance. Elusive Seven is another one who should be running on from a wide draw.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Will Pays (Nkosi Hlophe)

The Paul Lafferty-trained stalwart Unbelievable Chad will gallop over 1400m at Scottsville on Sunday half-an-hour before the first race, with a pacemaker, in preparation for the Gr 3 Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m on October 31.

Unbelievable Chad, a highly promising Toreador colt who is part-owned by the Olympic Gold medal swimming legend Chad le Clos, will represent Lafferty in the yard’s defence of their  crown in this race as they won it last year with the Australian-bred colt Harry’s Son.

Meanwhile the apple of Lafferty’s eye Harry’s Son is still doing extremely well in Mauritius and Lafferty added, “Perhaps too well”, implying that he is itching to race.

The Haradasun colt will land in England at the beginning of November and will be staying in trainer Jim Boyle’s yard at Epsom. Boyle, a great friend of Lafferty’s, is in his thirties and is also a qualified veterinarian so Harry’s Son will be in good hands.

Furthermore, Lafferty’s house in the UK is close to the Epsom race track, which will make Harry’s Son’s base in England convenient for Lafferty’s assistant trainer Roy Waugh. Waugh will be taking care of Harry’s Son and training him on the Epsom Downs during the final leg of the horse’s journey to his destination of Dubai. Lafferty will be an official trainer at next year’s Dubai Carnival and has secured another horse to campaign with, the three-year-old USA-bred Warfront colt Royal Navy Ship.

This colt won on debut as a two-year-old for Aiden O’Brien over seven furlongs at The Curragh and followed up by finishing second over the same trip in a Gr 3 at Leopardstown. Royal Navy Ship has not won as a three-year-old yet, but has an official turf rating of 102 and all weather rating of 97, which qualifies him for Dubai. He will land in England at the same time as Harry’s Son and join him at Epsom under the care of Waugh.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Unbelievable Chad (Nkosi Hlophe)