There is something much more appealing to races over ground than the helter-skelter of a five-furlong dash. Sprint races, and they are by far the majority, have their place and for punters where only the numbers count, the sooner the race is over the better.

Tactics and the nuances of the different tracks are more in play in staying races and if there were more races for horses blessed with stamina rather than precocious speed, racing would be the better for it.

The Track & Ball Pinnacle Stakes over 2400m on the Hollywoodbets Greyville Turf on Sunday is a chance for stayers to earn a decent cheque for their often, long-suffering owners.

Silver Rose has to give plenty of pudding to his seven rivals but the now seven-year-old has an exemplary staying record, having won seven races, and looks primed for this event.

Byron Forster, KZN assistant to Cape-based Andre Nel, has planned the gelding’s programme to peak in this event after finishing four lengths back to Roy Had Enough in the Track & Ball Derby at Hollywood Bets Scottsville back in June.

Two pipe openers over a mile and 1900m should have brought him close to a peak for this race over a distance that the gelding excels.

Obvious dangers are Jack Of Hearts and Paths Of Victory. The latter stays well and Gareth van Zyl will have been well pleased with his last effort behind Blackball in the Michaelmas Handicap where he finished two lengths ahead of Silver Rose behind his father’s runner.

However, this time around, Silver Rose is 4kg better off in the weights which could be the difference between the two.

Jack Of Hearts is a promising stayer who has only recently come into his own, having won three of his last five starts and placing in the other two for Garth Puller. Apprentice Jabu Jacobs rode an enterprising front-running race in his penultimate start and Thabiso Gumede took full advantage of his 4kg claim for King Of Hearts to score again at his next start. Jacobs is back aboard with his 4kg claim but will need to be as sharp this time around.

Likely to be at long odds is the nine-year-old Crime Victim. Never finishing too far back in his races, it has been a long time since Duncan Howells’s charge visited the winner’s box. Crime Victim may be hard-pressed to win here but cannot be written off lightly given the weights. He was beaten eight lengths at level weights by Jack Of Hearts last time out and is now 6 kg better off with his rival, taking apprentice allowances into account.

The Van Zyl’s, father and son, have a stranglehold on the second where between them they saddle five of the seven runners, four by Gavin and one by Gareth.

Blackball was a comfortable winner of the Michaelmas Handicap over course and distance after returning from a break. He is fairly well treated in the weights and probably rates the one to beat. However, his filly Railtrip is smart and has been tested with some distinction against the best of her generation. She has shown up well in two starts since returning from a break and with a handy weight could make things hot for her stable companion. The Dazzler is 1.5kg better off at the weights with Blackball in what was his third outing for his new stable and Gareth has engaged the wily Anton Marcus. Tactics could play a big part in the outcome.

By Andrew Harrison

One World, beaten only twice in ten starts, is the obvious choice for the Cape Mile at Kenilworth tomorrow.

The Vaughan Marshall four-year-old has a theoretical 2.5kg in hand on adjusted ratings and made a winning return in the Matchem five weeks ago. Little wonder that he is favourite at around 16-10. But what also points to his chance is that Anton Marcus, an astute judge of form and successful on all but one of his five rides on the horse, asked for the mount.

Marshall also saddles his 2017 Cape Guineas winner Tap O’Noth (15-2) who showed his wellbeing with a fine effort on his return at Durbanville. Marshall agrees with the handicappers’ assessments of the pair’s relative merits but adds: “Tap O’Noth is going to need further now.”

That last comment was echoed by trainers of others high up in the betting with Brett Crawford saying of 33-10 second favourite Charles: “I do think he needs more ground but I have always felt that he is a good horse and I am expecting a good run.”

Stable companion Search Party (10-1) is better known as a sprinter but his trainer points out: “He did win over a mile as a three-year-old and I think he is capable over it.”

Bunker Hunt, 9-1 and joint second best with Tap O’Noth on ratings, has been off since July day and Justin Snaith cautions: “He has only had one gallop and he would probably be better over a bit further.”

Bernard Fayd’Herbe, who won this 12 months ago on favourite Rainbow Bridge, this time partners 14-1 shot Majestic Mozart but if you are optimistically looking for a big price 20-1 about Priceless Ruler is generous for a Dennis Drier horse who has won his last two.

The Laisserfaire Stakes, despite its name, is a handicap and the hat-trick seeking Boomps A Daisy is favourite at 9-2 but she has been off for nearly five months. The other Ridgemont runners, Nastergal and Mushi Sterek, are both 13-2 chances as is top weight Freedom Charter who was second 12 months ago and also runner-up more recently in the Diana.

She has big chance but in what looks an open race it could pay to go for the 12-1 Drier-trained In The Stars who is on a hat-trick.

The weights in the Woolavington Stakes are calculated on merit ratings, bracketed together in bands of five, and top weight Kampala Campari (17-2) comes out best, a kilo above Elusive Silva and Man About Town. But this is his first race of the season.

“He is not the type of horse that needs a run,” says Andre Nel. “It’s more a question of whether he will get the trip.”

And will he? Nel grins and shakes his head. “I dunno – but there is only one way to find out!”

Winter Derby winner Dharma (13-2) will like the distance and is probably still on the upgrade. Strathdon is favourite at 9-2 but this is his first appearance since the Gold Cup and the vote goes to 5-1 chance Herodotus.

By Michael Clower

The Grade 2 Victory Moon Stakes to be run at the Vaal over 1800m tomorrow is a good pointer to the Grade 1 Gauteng Summer Cup and although the weights have been set for the latter race a condition of that event states that the weights may change up to the time of declarations on 19 November. 

Soqrat carries topweight but is the ultimate professional, a horse who relaxes beautifully in the running and then runs on strongly in the straight. He has a plum draw and can make it another Graded success. AL Mutakawel is a full-brother to the SA Derby winner Al Sahem and although officially out at the weights the best has not yet been seen of him and he can rise above his current rating. He has a sustained finishing run and was not suited to the tight Turffontein Inside track last time. He will relish the step up in trip on this galloping course and has a fine chance.

Shenanigans was also not suited to the Turffontein Inside track last time and should be staying on strongly down the long straight if he is able to find cover. He proved when running on well in the Jubilee Handicap that he is effective over this trip. Roy Had Enough is capable of a strong finish too although he should come on for the run being an entire whose target is the Summer Cup. Green Haze won emphatically when tried over 1800m again last time and is interesting stepped up in trip again.

Divine Odyssey is capable of a strong, sustained finish and is well drawn over a suitable trip in his second run of the season. Noble Secret often disappoints but with the blinkers now on he might start showing the class he has always possessed. Seville Orange should come into her own this season being by Duke Of Marmalade and not only is she distance suited but she is the best weighted horse according to official merit ratings. 

In the Listed Gardenia Stakes over 1000m Dancing Queen could be the one to beat over a course and distance she has had two wins and a second on in three starts. Ulla is a decent, consistent sort and steps back up to the trip of her penultimate win. Singforafa is capable of blitzing a field and will be dangerous over this quick 1000m track. Green Plains deserves topweight and can never be ignored. Dalai’s Promise has speed and class and has won twice over the course and distance. Montreal Mist ended off last season well and makes her seasonal reappearance here. 

A difficult day’s racing starts with a workrider’s maiden over 1200m where the improving Malteza has a chance and Madame Patrice should also be right there.

The next over 1000m can be fought out by two promising sorts, Capitiana and Masaaqaat. 

The third over 1400m sees the debut of the French-bred five-year-old Tzaritza, who is a half-sister to Whisky Baron. She does not have a lot to beat and Flower Of Scotland and Emerald Crest are the two raced horses who make most appeal.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 Tulip Way is an improving daughter of Captain Al and is selected to beat hard-knocking Virtuosa and first-timer Intimidate, a Pomodoro filly who is a half-sister to stakes-placed speedster Leta’s Bonnet. 

In the fifth race Illusion should be fit after his first two outings and looks likely to relish the step down in trip. True To Life has plenty of class but it is her seasonal reappearance. Ikigai also has promise although it will be a touch on the sharp side. 

The sixth race is a tricky sprint handicap but Old Man Thyme, Life Is Good and Chief Of State have looked the part lately.

The last leg of the Pick 6 is also tricky and as many as possible should be included. 

By David Thiselton

South African horseracing will bid farewell to one of its great characters and leading trainers at the end of this month.

Former Cape champion trainer Joey Ramsden has decided to close down his South African operation.

Whatever his personal reasons for making this sea change in lifestyle, there is little doubt that he will go down in history as some of the collateral damage, which includes many individuals and sectors of the racing and breeding industry here, of the Joostegate scandal.

While he was a top trainer long before Markus Jooste’s arrival, Joey was one of the men most exposed when the former Steinhoff boss hit a brick wall back in December 2017.

“We’re taking a sabbatical as both Steph and I feel that this is the right decision for ourselves and our family to take a step back for a while and reassess in the future. Goodhope Racing will be closing its doors on 30 November 2019.We thank you all for your understanding in what has been an extremely testing time and an extremely hard decision we’ve had to make,” writes Joey in an email that has done the rounds of racing’s unforgiving bush telegraph in the past few hours.

He goes on to say that they need to reiterate that this is not a knee jerk reaction to any ‘news’ that’s been released – ‘we simply needed to take the time to speak with our family, friends, staff and owners before we made anything public’, he writes.

He adds that naturally the horses in their care will be looked after as per their usual high standards until new homes are found.

“Having been lucky enough to have trained many Champion racehorses it has been the staff behind me that have made it all possible and it has been heartbreaking to tell them and I can’t thank them enough for their loyalty and their understanding. It’s been a privilege and an honour to train in this beautiful country and I’m going to miss Cape Town very much,” he says in closing.

Joey obtained his trainers licence in 1995 and has been Cape Champion Trainer four times. He has trained 20 Gr1 winners of 26 Gr1 races, including Variety Club, Attenborough, Just Sensual, Winter Solstice, The Conglomerate and Red Ray.

He has three young daughters, Holly, Zara and Ruby who he once said keep him busy and broke!  His partner Stephanie Grentell worked for Inglis in Australia before meeting Joey.

– Sporting Post

Captain Tatters, only a dwindling four-tenths of a length behind Silver Operator in the Cape Classic at Kenilworth 12 days ago, will renew rivalry with the Vaughan Marshall star in the Cape Guineas on December 21.

As he was bought to race in Hong Kong there were fears that the gelding would be put into quarantine now that he has shown he is good enough but Justin Snaith has been given the go-ahead to prepare him for next month’s classic and he is understandably delighted.

He said: “Captain Tatters has to be a big runner. If you watch his races you will see that he has flown home in them and that the line has come just in time for the opposition. He will be suited by the extra 200m and by the summer course.”

Snaith has won the Cape Guineas only once with Solo Traveller nine years ago but he has taken two of the last four runnings of the Woolavington and his Strathdon is 9-2 favourite for Saturday’s 2 400m test.

Anton Marcus, who rides the gelding, is reunited with One World in the Cape Mile and the Marshall colt has opened favourite at 16-10. Marcus won four out of five on One World last season including the Concorde Cup, CTS 1600 and Winter Guineas.

MJ Byleveld, successful on the four-year-old in the Matchem last month, is this time on stable companion Tap O’Noth on whom he won the 2017 Cape Guineas. Tap O’Noth is third favourite at 15-2 with the Brett Crawford-trained Charles on 7-2.

The hat-trick seeking Boomps A Daisy (Greg Cheyne) heads the market for the Laisserfaire Stakes at 7-2.  Marcus, who cannot get anywhere near the filly’s allotted 52kg, rides fellow Ridgemont runner Nastergal who is a 13-2 shot.

Aldo Domeyer, on paternity leave from Hong Kong, has seven rides and his best chances (at least according to the opening betting) would appear to be on the Candice Bass-Robinson trained Mayfern in race three and on What A Lover for Piet Steyn in the last.

By Michael Clower

Exciting news emerging from Mike de Kock’s six winners at Turffontein Standside on Saturday is that he is “seriously” thinking of running the impressive four-year-old Irish-bred filly Queen Supreme in the Grade 1 Gauteng Summer Cup on November 30.

On Saturday she became the third stakes winner for her USA-bred Gone West dam, Call Later, when cruising to a 4,25 length victory in the Grade 3 Yellowwood Handicap over 1800m, beating two classy fillies in Ronnie’s Candy and Roy’s Riviera.

It was her fourth win in five starts.

Queen Supreme is by Darley shuttle stallion Exceed And Excel, who was Australian champion sire in 2012/2013.

De Kock said, “She didn’t beat much but I have been impressed with the way she has gone through the divisions and am seriously thinking of running her in the Summer Cup. She will go down to Cape Town for the Paddock Stakes and Sun Met later.”

Queen Supreme was originally bought at Ireland’s foremost yearling sale, the Goffs Orby Sale, in September 2017 on behalf of Markus Jooste.

She was landed for 130,000 Euros.

De Kock bought her back at a later dispersal sale and she is currently owned by a syndicate consisting of Mauritzfontein Stud, De Kock himself, Larry Nestadt, JR van der Linden and Noeline Malherbe. 

Queen Supreme is six months younger than her contemporaries, being Irish-bred, and will be improving continually.

She wears a sheepskin band on her forehead to solve a habit she had developed of rearing up.

De Kock’s Grade 2 Peermont Emperor’s Palace Charity Mile winner Barahin sounded a warning to his Summer Cup opponents.

Jockey Callan Murray said after the 3,50 length win on Saturday, “The blinkers made a massive difference. We just tracked the speed and when we turned into the straight it felt like a five furlong race the way he quickened up. I just held on to him, he extended to the line impressively.”

The maestro trainer added, “Barahin has always been a nice horse, in fact he’s a proper horse. He was unlucky as a three-year-old to be bumping Hawwaam all the time. But today the rain helped him, he’s never been the greatest mover or strider. The sting out of the ground was fantastic for him.”
Barahin was raised nine points by the handicapper to 131, which is going to make his Summer Cup task tough. The weights for the big race were set on Monday and he was allotted joint topweight of 60kg together with his stablemate Soqrat. They will have to give the field 5,5kg and more. On the other hand there are only 13 horses in the handicap as it stands, the rest are under sufferance. 

Before Saturday, a mile was considered to be a touch on the sharp side for Barahin, but three of his earlier wins were from 1200m to 1400m. However, he ran on strongly when winning the Jubilee Handicap over 1800m last season so should enjoy the Summer Cup trip.

Queen Supreme was raised from a 97 to 110, but she will nevertheless be 3,5kg under sufferance as it stands if she lines up in the Summer Cup. 

Another impressive winner for the yard on Saturday was the three-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding Frosted Gold. This strongly built grey is by All Too Hard, a four-time Group 1 winner in Australia from 1400m to 1600m, and he is out of a stakes-placed sprint-miler by Verglas. Frosted Gold won the Grade 2 SA Nursery last season and also looks to be a sprint-miler, although his second dam produced the winner of the Grade 1 Grand Prix de Saint Cloud over 2400m.  

De Kock said, “He is a nice horse although he is temperamental. He will go for the Dingaans and we will take it from there.”

Frosted Gold was raised two points to 114, which puts him level with last season’s Equus Champion two-year-old male Got The Greenlight. 

One of De Kock’s maiden winners on the day, the Noble Tune colt Hellofaride, looks a possible SA Derby prospect as he is an imposing horse who won effortlessly over 1600m in just his second start despite still being green. 

However, De Kock is never one to jump the gun and said, “It was a weak field, but I liked the improvement he made from one run to the next, it was impressive. But he needs to improve again. I am not one to overrate a horse like the handicappers do. He is definitely looking for further though.”   

The yard’s Australian-bred gelding Atyaab won for the first time since his victory in a weak renewal of the Grade 1 Cape Derby at the beginning of the year. He stayed on to win the Listed Java Handicap over 2400m. De Kock said he had “come well” and gelding him in June had made a big difference. However, he admitted he was no more than “a handicapper.”

His other winner on the day was the Australian-bred Snitzel gelding Alameery who won a maiden over 1160m. De Kock said this horse was looking for further.

By David Thiselton

Class told yesterday as Sunset Eyes ran out a comfortable winner of the Gold Circle Podcast Handicap at Hollywoodbets Greyville. Competitive at the highest level, the three-month break was of minor concern for Brett Crawford’s runner and his supporters.

Taking the ‘golden highway’ as Anton Marcus has dubbed the outside of the Greyville synthetic track, the six-year-old went to the line virtually unchallenged.

Elusive Heart chased shadows for second with the lightly weighted Hey Boy staying on for second. Fillipo, expected to make some impression, folded early to finish out with the washing.

The question of soundness is of major concerns for trainers. Vets bills are an unwelcome attachment to training bills, but find a solid and sound horse and you have a ‘champion’, no matter what the horse does to make it to the top.

Big King, an eight-year-old gelding, turned the tables on the three-years younger Mutawaary when landing the fifth. Greg and Karen Anthony’s gelding winning his seventh race from 40 starts.

Multiple champion Marcus is not a man to be run down easily but Joshwin Solomons, son of Western Cape jockey Morne Winnaar, came from a long way back on the Dennis Drier-trained Dune Dance to out-point race favourite Captain Of Colour when the race looked all over.

Jason Gates is one of the more driven apprentices in the SA Jockey Academy. “He even wants to win barrier trials,” commented one trainer who was looking for an easy introduction to the track for his charge.

With that in mind, one would do well to take cognisance of all Gates’s mounts although Dust Storm gave little early notice that he was a contender in the card opener.

Gates had ridden Garth Puller’s charge in both his barrier trial and one debut, finishing down the field in both outings. A four-year-old that pulled up lame on debut, it was little wonder that he started at 45-1 yesterday but finished like an even money shot.

Favourite James Peter, later reported to have pulled up lame, and visiting Touch Of Fate set quick early fractions and when James Peter fell away, Touch Of Fate looked set for victory. But Gates coaxed a finishing burst that took Dust Storm past his rival.

Warren Kennedy started the day 20 winners clear of nearest rival Greg Cheyne in the jockey championship, and although there is still a long way to go before the cock crows, Kennedy rarely goes a meeting without a winner. He restored some confidence in favourites with a hard-fought victory on Arianos Spinner for Robbie and Shannon Hill, holding off a game challenge from At Your Request, having her first run for Dean Kannemeyer.

Desolate Road looked very much the best bet on the card in the third but Anton Marcus earned his riding fee as he was hard-pressed on Tony Rivalland’s gelding to keep The Master at bay.

Lowly Fillies and Mares Handicaps are notorious for results that don’t necessary correspond with current form although Je Na Sais Quoi’s win was not entirely unexpected as she was going over her prefer trip. Up from the Western Cape, Glen Kotzen’s filly was given a pipe-opener from a poor draw on her KZN debut, but sent over 2000m yesterday, Stuart Randolph waited until the final furlong to pull the trigger and Je Ne Sais Quoi responded with a burst of speed to overhaul Abbey.

By Andrew Harrison

The Turffontein Inside track stages an eight race meeting tomorrow and the exotics look the best way to approach it.

In the first race Creation makes his comeback having last been seen in March. This Vercingetorix gelding is a half-brother to the Listed placed Querari filly Champery. In his two starts to date he has not been disgraced finishing 4,60 lengths behind Guantanamo Bay over 1000m and 6,90 lengths behind the Equus Two-year-old champion male of last season, Got The Greenlight, over 1200m. He looked to have class and will have matured in his eight months off. He is thus preferred to those who have run before as none of them look to be world beaters. Crazy Charlie stayed on well last time over this trip, showing a good turn of foot. That was a weak workrider’s race but he does have a good draw here and has gone close with Muzi Yeni up before. Trend Master has done well in all three of his starts and has proved effective over this trip. However, a place in the trifecta positions must also be found for the R4,5 million Mike de Kock-trained Dynasty colt Oscar Wilde. He is out of the Western Winter mare Lady Windermere, who won both the Grade 1 SA Fillies Sprint and the Grade 1 Garden Province Stakes. He jumps from a fair draw of six under Gavin Lerena. Temenee is another interesting first-timer. She is the only filly in the race but is by Var out of the Grade 2 Gerald Rosenberg winner Tamaanee.

In the second race over 2600m Romantic Sea has run two fair races over 1600m and 1800m respectively and should relish the step up to this 2600m trip being by stamina influence Lateral out of a Caesour mare who won up to 2400m. Poppycock is proven over staying trips having narrowly failed in two outings over 2400m. Magic Vision has shown some ability and steps up in trip. However, on pedigree there is a stamina doubt as he is by Visionaire out of the Grade 1-wining Jet Master miler Little Miss Magic and he also has a wide draw to overcome. 

The third race over 2600m could be won by Glamorous Scandal who has never quite lived up to her potential and has only won one race in 26 starts. However, she has dropped to a competitive mark and is the one to beat based on the form of her penultimate start. One factor against her is her wide draw. Perfect Light beat Glamorous Scandal by 3,25 lengths over 2400m last time, but she was raised four points, and before that was beaten two lengths by Glamorous Scandal over this course and distance. Cranberry Crush won the latter race and followed up with another good effort over this same course and distance off her current mark of 72. However, her last run puts her on the back foot and she has to carry 60kg from a wide draw. Ritchi is thus preferred for third with a 4kg claimer up off a reasonable opening merit rating. It hard ignore the rest, especially Flying Fantasy and Shezahotti. 

In the fourth race, also over 2600m, Gentleman’s Wager has always struck as one with some ability and has a long stride and a good turn of foot. He won a maiden handicap over 1450m easing up by 3,25 lengths last time out. He is by Oratorio out of the Var mare Princess Of Light, who won over 2450m and finished second in the Gold Cup, so has a chance of staying this trip and with bottom weight will be hard to beat if he does. Gold Griffin has drawn well and this consistent stayer makes most appeal of the rest. 

In the fifth over 1600m Waqaas was raised two points for just failing to beat the improving Captain Flynt over this course and distance, although he has to come from another wide draw. Marshall Foch was progressing nicely last season after being stepped up to this trip and can continue from where he left off, although he also has a wide draw. Supa Mufti’s win last time has been franked by Captain Flynt and Waqaas. He is half-a-kilogram under sufferance but 4kg claimer Cole Dicken, who carries 1kg overweight, is aboard. He is another with a wide draw. Tokyo Drift and Gimme The Fire should be considered as horses with runs under their belts.

In the sixth, a Graduation Plate over 1600m, Spero Optima is not officially well in but impressed second time out and looks to have plenty of scope. This Dynasty gelding is well drawn too and might be making a bid to qualify for the Dingaans. The best weighted horse is Glider Pilot but he was beaten 15 lengths last time in a comeback from a layoff of more than a year. Promiseofmyheart is the best weighted three-year-old and has some good form up to this trip. The filly Frosted Steel looks to have class and should enjoy the step up in trip. Informative has decent form over sprints and is also interesting stepped up in trip from pole position, being by Greys Inn out of a Jet Master mare who won over 1300m and placed second over a mile once.

In the seventh over 1000m Madamoiselle is a form choice and should get away with returning from a five month layoff over this trip. Ocean City will make a bold bid from the front from draw two. Arikel comes off a good win over course and distance. 

In the last over 1200m Chainsaw has a chance on some of his best form although he ran badly in his only start over course and distance. King Of The Delta is in good form and is well drawn and distance suited. Gemcutter, Strikeitlikeamatch and Perfectly Putt also have to be included. 

By David Thiselton

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Dennis Drier got off the mark for the Cape season in some style when newcomer Croisette made a winning debut – and like a real good horse – in the Tabonline.co.za Maiden at Kenilworth yesterday.

The Var filly, a half-sister to SA Fillies Classic and SA Oaks winner Juxtapose, was surprisingly easy to back considering the promise she had shown in a Scottsville barrier trial, and she went off at 8-11. Sean Veale had her first away and, although the more experienced Cyber Blossom soon headed her, it was only on sufferance. The favourite came away from two furlongs out to win in a common canter with her rider patting her admiringly down the neck.

Veale said: “I know she didn’t beat much but it was the way she did it. I rate her highly and I think she is very special and very classy.”

Drier echoed this, saying: “I am thrilled with this run. I think she could be something special although I will take it slowly with her.”

He has brought 15 others down from Durban “but no Beach Beautys or Master Of My Fates this time.”

However he had some disturbing words – disturbing that is if you are an owner or trainer with horses in Cape Town – about the comparative level of the stakes in the two centres. “Most of the 16 are Cape Town-owned and I am very grateful to their owners for allowing me to bring their horses down here because they are not going to be racing for the stakes we have in Durban.”

Apparently several of his owners based elsewhere were not keen for their horses to race for the prize money now on offer at Kenilworth. 

BLOB The Eric Sands-trained Bitter Lemon, who was Anton Marcus’s only ride of the day when a disappointing seventh of eight in the 1 400m fillies handicap at Kenilworth last Saturday, has been suspended for 60 days.  The 11-2 shot was found to have suffered a bilateral epistaxsis (burst blood vessel with blood coming from both nostrils).

By Michael Clower

The arrival of many long-shots at recent Hollywoodbets Greyville meetings these past couple of weeks has made it difficult for an army of punters. However, the flip side is decent pay outs for those that got it right. But it is another one of ‘those’ cards on the poly at the same venue today and although the field sizes are relatively small, it has not made finding winners any easier.

With the Western Cape Summer season on the horizon one could reasonably speculate that Sunset Eyes would have a date with some of the big sprint races during their season. But Brett Crawford elected to keep the gelding in KZN with assistant Peter Muscutt after his win in the Umgeni Handicap on the last Saturday of last season.

Sunset Eyes romped home in that race, beating Filippo who will be in opposition again today. In contrast, Yogas Govender has kept Filippo on the boil since the Umgeni Handicap and may strip the fitter horse this afternoon. He followed up his Umgeni second with victory at Scottsville and turned in a useful effort in a strong Pinnacle Stakes last time out, finish just over a length back to the promising Ultra Magnus.

Govender has declared blinkers on his charge for the first time, no doubt on the advice of regular pilot Sherman Brown, so there should be very little between Filippo and Sunset Eyes.

The balance of the eight-horse field have smart sprint credentials so it would be unwise to write any of them off lightly although it would be pointless going through their individual credentials, but Filippo and Sunset Eyes look the principal contenders.

After two good showings in barrier trials, admittedly eight months apart, James Peter made his debut as favourite early last month over course and distance and can get punter’s off to a good start. In spite of his two educationals in barrier trials, the penny still had to drop for Gavin van Zyl’s runner on debut and he arrived on the scene too late to trouble Treading Water.

With that experience under his girth he can make amends in the card opener.

The second is something of a head-scratcher. Annaberg has shown up well in both starts to date and from a good draw should contest the finish although she faces difficult opposition. Arianos Spinner has improved at her last two on the poly and has a good draw while At Your Request needed her last run, her first for a new stable. She makes her poly debut and is one to watch in the betting. Trap Queen makes her local debut after showing some improvement at her last two in the Cape and is another in with a winning chance.

Unlike some trainers with big strings where the attrition rate is not always of paramount importance, small yards have to nurture what they have. Mai Tai has been off the track since June after pulling up lame in the Devon Air stakes, some four lengths off the winner, that after making a winning debut. Wayne Badenhorst will have been ever cautious with what is possibly the best horse in his small string and has picked a race with a favourable draw.

Dive Captain and Accidental Tourist should be there to pick up the pieces should Mai Tai let the side down.

By Andrew Harrison

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