Celestial Storm at 11-2 could be the answer to the Interbet.co.za Pinnacle Stakes at Kenilworth today, particularly as the M.J. Byleveld-ridden bottom weight is so well treated.

The weights in pinnacles are determined by merit ratings, but in bands of five points at a time, and the best horses tend to come out marginally better than in a normal handicap. However fillies and mares receive a 2.5kg allowance which they don’t get in a handicap and on adjusted ratings here the selection comes out equal top with Bold Respect – and the pair are 2kg clear of the next best (Sergeant Hardy who doesn’t seem to be quite the force he was).

Bold Respect has not raced since the Mercury Sprint three months ago whereas Celestial Storm won a conditions race at Durbanville before taking third to Pacific Trader in a pinnacle there a month ago. She would probably have finished second had she had a clear run.

The danger could well be Bold Respect’s stable companion Traces, the mount of Anton Marcus. This one suffered serious interference in that pinnacle, not once but twice, and Brett Crawford said: “He was in need of the race – it was his first run since having a wind op – and he has come on a hell of a lot since.”

What A Flirt caught the eye on debut at Durbanville earlier in the month and gets the vote to reverse the placings with Silver Tiara in the Play Soccer 6 Maiden (race two). It might seem folly to suggest she can turn the tables on the in-form Glen Kotzen/ Morne Winnaar combination. However Greg Cheyne, who rode Silver Tiara last time, is now on the Paddy Kruyer runner who is bound to have come on from the run and has only half a length to make up.

It could pay to follow the Crawford-Marcus-Ridgemont combination in races three, four and five. It is unlikely that all three will win but they all have chances and the Crawford stable is in tremendous form with 14 winners at the last seven Cape Town meetings.

Duke Of Cards (33-10) in the 2 400m maiden (race three) has the weakest chance of the trio and, being out of a Trippi mare, there must be doubts about him getting the trip but his trainer says: “He is a big horse and he is relishing to go this type of distance.”

In the next Water Spirit (28-10) will be having her second run after an enforced rest (a bad sign!) when she had problems behind the saddle but apparently she has come on since her fourth-placed return seven weeks ago.

Flame Tree (22-10 for race five) was good enough to win first time out but lost ground at the off when tried in handicap company on Matchem day. Her trainer says: “Her work at home has been good.”

By Michael Clower

Turffontein Inside track has a nine race meeting tomorrow and there has been some welcome rain this week which should lead to easier going.

Three-year-old prospect Gin Fizz appears in the fifth race, a Graduation Plate over 1450m, and is best in at the weights. Last time out she just failed to beat the highly regarded Vistula in the Grade 2 Joburg Spring Fillies and Mares Challenge over this course and distance. The concern is that she threatened to over race on that occasion before a strong pacemaker allowed her to drop in and settle in second. There does not appear to be pace in this race and she is drawn wide so she might have to lead. Four-year-old filly Green Top is well regarded by Alec Laird and is only half-a-kilogram under sufferance. The blinkers are back on after she was beaten 9,5 lengths by Gin Fizz in that last race and she also has her third run after a long layoff, so hopefully can bounce back.

Against The Grain is 4kg under sufferance with Gin Fizz and has his second run after a long layoff, but is talented and the trip is ideal. Urban Rock is 11kg under sufferance with Gin Fizz but looks capable of rising above his merit rating and has a plum draw. However, on pedigree, being by Seventh Rock out of Black Minnaloushe sprinter Mary Stuart, there is a slight stamina doubt. Tiger’s Rock is a whopping 12,5kg under sufferance and does not make much appeal. Glider Pilot will find this too sharp and is returning from a 483 day layoff. Over Sharing’s recent form is uninspiring and Shadows Night will be outgunned.

The meeting starts with a Maiden over 1200m and Eppagilia makes appeal as one with plenty of scope and having his second run after gelding from a better draw than last time. 

In the second over 1600m Oyster King was caught in second place without cover last time and still stayed on for a close third so could prevail this time from a better draw. Cairon made a good front-running debut over 1450m and with expected improvement should go close from a plum draw. G I JOE quickened well to hit the front over 1200m last time before being run out of it and he has done well over this trip before, but it is his second run after a layoff and he has a tough draw.

In the first leg of the PA Eightfold’s Lass drops back to her favourite 1600m trip and is well drawn. The enigmatic Aurelia Cotta has been consistent over this trip lately and is drawn in pole. Evening Bell is talented and could run well fresh over a trip too sharp.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 2000m Atomic Blonde is well regarded so is interesting stepped up in trip. Festive Linngari will relish the course and distance from a good draw and Rocky Path is ultra consistent. Tough Choice is in good form but was given a four point raise last time and So Long Spring could be involved if reproducing her run in September over course and distance. In For A Penny could be dangerous from a good draw with a 1,5kg claimer up if taken to the front. 

In the sixth over 1450m Hartleyfour might well be looking for this trip and is well drawn. Category Four has a fine chance from a good draw and African Rock should also be involved. Pidgeon Rock must be included although he has to prove he stays the trip and Pop Icon can be considered despite a wide draw as he waltzed home in his first try at this trip. 

In the next Flash Burn has undoubted talent and is well drawn over an ideal course and distance. His stablemate Culture Trip won well last time and is the danger.

In the eighth over 1450m Marygold won well on debut and starts handicapping off a reasonable mark so can remain unbeaten. Golden Spiral is in fine form and Kapama emerges well on formlines, but both have tough draws. Querari Ferrari can be considered from a good draw off a reasonable opening mark and The Sash is capable so could bounce back with this good draw. 

In the last over 1000m Arikel’s form has been franked and she is taken to beat the consistent Claremorris and Black Ferrari, who is better than her last lacklustre outing.

By David Thiselton

Anton Marcus can return to Kenilworth in style tomorrow and win the Cape Classic for the fourth time in seven seasons. He also has a big chance on Pretty Young Thing in the Western Cape Fillies Championship.

His mount Silver Operator is favourite at 5-2 for the Classic, has 2kg in hand on ratings and would have beaten Snow Report (a big price at 12-1 here) in another two strides in the Langerman. He also went close in his prep.

His Achilles heel could be the distance because he has looked as if he needs a bit further, although the rain forecast for this morning should slow things down a bit. “I would say that he is best over 1 600m but this trip should be OK and he has done very well,” says Vaughan Marshall.

The other negative is the record of Cape Classic favourites  – only two of the last nine have won. General Franco comes out next best on official ratings but both bookmakers and the Snaith stable seem a lot keener on the unbeaten Sachdev who is second in the market 9-2.

The Dennis Bosch raider Padre Pio surely has it to do giving weight all round. Seventh Gear (5-1) has long been held in high regard but Snow Report and Sophomore Sprint winner Three Two Charlie have achieved more. “It could be close between them,” says Candice Bass-Robinson. “Three Two Charlie is pretty decent and I think the 1 400m should be OK for him as this is on the old course.”

The big drawback with Pretty Young Thing is her 17 draw. Greg Cheyne, who rode her when she won a fortnight ago, spoke of her good gate speed and Marcus’s unique starting method will ensure she gets over quickly, and with the minimum of exertion, but she will still have to cover more ground that her main rivals. “She has done well, is in good form and I am happy with her,” enthuses an optimistic-sounding Brett Crawford who was successful with Bad Girl Runs in 2005.

The last four favourites for this Grade 2 have all been beaten into second but the previous five all won. World Radar heads the market and, while she has only raced at Fairview, she has won both her starts by wide margins. “I think she is above average although time will tell,” says Alan Greeff who won the race with Tatler back in 2001.

Snaith, bidding for his sixth win, runs three with Casino Queen the shortest-priced at 10-1. Roll In The Hay has been backed from 11-1 to 6-1 and Mrs Bass-Robinson says: “I don’t think she will get further than 1 400 but she should get away with this on the old course from a one draw.”

Glen Kotzen has deliberately not given Third Runway a prep run, recalling that he did the same with Princess Victoria when she won in 2011 and adding: “She will be ready – her gallops have been phenomenal.”

By Michael Clower

After a two-month break and having various appendages stitched back together, multiple champion Anton Marcus is back in full-time action at Hollywoodbets Greyville this evening. Never one to sit back and let others dictate his course of action, Marcus has had two barrier trials to test fitness and booked himself some competitive rides that will hopefully announce his return.

First up he partners Valiente for Brett Crawford in the card opener where the switch back to the poly should prove beneficial after disappointing on turf last time out. Assistant Peter Muscutt has removed the blinkers and Valiente looks the part in a field that shows modest form.

Marcus has taken advantage of Warren Kennedys absence due to the latter’s seven-day suspension and partners a few hot runners for Gavin van Zyl including the first timer Whizz Of Odds in the second.

“Whizz Of Odds barrier trialled well but unfortunately has a bad draw. But we are taking our chances because she is very quick. I rate her and she has a good winning chance,” commented Van Zyl to colleague David Thiselton mid-week.

Vying for favouritism are Another Secret and Royal View, the two finishing within a head of each other when last they met. Another Secret has the better draw this time around and that may give her the edge. Also in the mix is Katie’s Treasure who makes her poly debut but has shown some ability. The switch of surfaces could bring out the best in her.

Marcus has another plum ride in Wave, also for Gavin van Zyl. Wave is another that makes his poly debut but although returning from a break he has strong form in feature company. He had the worst of the draw over a mile in the Gr1 Premier’s Champion Stakes last start but prior to that was up with the best of his generation. Tonight’s trip is possibly on the short side but Van Zyl has declared blinkers and Wave could prove a little too smart for this line-up even though he is up against some useful opposition and Marcus will have to trim to 56kg!

Railtrip is another that Van Zyl is warming up for bigger things and he appears to have picked the ideal race for her second outing of the season in the Concorde Cranes Graduation Plate. Although taking on males, Railtrip is well in at the weights and is a smart filly who should come on lengths from her last run. About the obvious dangers; What A Blast is back on his favourite surface while Dennis Drier saddles a lively pair in Walterthepenniless, who is possibly the stable elect, and Bank Robber who has his third run after a break and improved nicely last time out.

If not making the winner’s enclosure by the fourth, Marcus should be on the mark in the fifth where he partners La Duchesse for Paul Gadsby. Placed in her last five starts, she is due a change of fortune and outside of a possible threat from the disappointing – to date at least – Tarocco, La Duchesse should be hard to beat.

The sixth is a tricky handicap with many in with chances but On The Double has her third run after a break and has been up against stronger in those two starts. She tries blinkers and should be cherry-ripe. Barinois has been consistent and her last win was over course and distance. She takes a small rating drop and with a claiming apprentice aboard will be a threat. One to watch is American Princess. She scrambled home on debut but was expected to do it a little easier so may have more to come.

The seventh has an impossible look about it but Agent Murphy is lightly raced and does appear to have some scope. He was in need of his last run when taking on stronger and can feature prominently in a tough contest. There is very little separating the likes of Grande Maestro, Sovereign Soldier, Roy’s Taxi, Rumbleinthejungle and Jonathan while the honest soldier Putchini, out for the 99^th time, hardly ever runs a bad race and was less than a length behind Sovereign Soldier last run. Do Or Dare let the side down last time out has been costly to follow but should be worth another chance in the last where Academy Award and Man In The Moon look the most likely dangers.

By Andrew Harrison

Adrian Todd’s bid to persuade the European Union to send officials to conduct an audit of protocols, and so pave the way for South Africa to be allowed to export horses direct once more, has run into problems from poultry.

Todd said: “The EU has stated that no audit regarding horses will be forthcoming while poultry exports to South Africa are closed after the 2017 Avian influenze outbreak.”

Todd is still convinced that he can succeed and has adopted a slogan from UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, declaring: “Let’s push this over the line.”

By Michael Clower

The Cape Mile at Kenilworth on November 9 could be on the agenda for Tap O’Noth as he heads towards the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and after the encouraging way he ran on into third behind Head Honcho in last week’s Durbanville pinnacle.

It was the five-year-old’s first outing since the Sun Met in January, and his first since being gelded, and Vaughan Marshall said: “I was very pleased. He might run next in the Cape Mile even though the conditions are ridiculous. If your horse is rated 101 he has to carry 60kg.”

Tap O’Noth is on an unchanged 120 after his run and, unless there are any of the real stars in the race, he could benefit from the conditions of the R135 000 1 600m non-black type event as he will meet anything rated above 100 at levels. There is a 2kg penalty for Grade 1 winners but this only applies if they won at the top level in the last 18 months.

Marshall also has One World for the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate but he is keen that the two stable companions should not clash before the big one. Last year’s Cape Mile was won by Rainbow Bridge en route to third in the Queen’s Plate and victory in the Met.

By Michael Clower

Eking out a living at the bottom end of the food chain when it comes to training thoroughbred race horses is no bed of roses. Even those at the top of the food chain don’t have it easy in this country’s shrinking economy with well-heeled owners who enjoy the sport increasingly hard to come by.

Gary Rich operates a small string out of Ashburton and is no mug when it comes to horses. Born into a racing family, his father Des, won the July with Lightning Shot ridden by Gary’s brother-in-law Leslie Mustard.

It has been a rewarding week for Rich who saddled Clouds Of Witness to win last Sunday and he followed up with Stormy Miss in the second at Hollywodbets Greyville yesterday.

Stormy Miss may not have been a hit with punters, given that she was friendless in the market at 45-1, but given her nature she is well named. A handful in the mornings, pacifiers will have given some indication of her nature but not her ability.

Going head-to-head with short-priced favourite Ode, Keagan de Melo with first to pull the stick. “When Keagan pulled his stick first, I knew a had him,” enthused Billy Jacobson, a journeyman rider who has stuck loyally with Rich.

“She’s a bit dippy,” Rich confided. “But she’s shown us that she can run.”

Owner Geoff Perkins has also been a staunch supporter of the yard and was on hand to lead the filly in. “We didn’t expect much although Billy and Gary said she had worked well at home. I wish that I had a little bit more on!”

Rumours of the Ashburton Training Centre closing have been doing the rounds for years and given the current financial state of affairs, there are a few that would like to see the centre mothballed.

However, there is no doubt that it is a prime facility, three of yesterday’s eight winners coming out of Ashburton, Kom Naidoo and Duncan Howells also on the bandwagon. Juniper Lane scored for Naidoo in the first and Coldhardcash staying on gamely to dead-heat with Kingsmead in the fourth for Howells.

Ashburton’s only fault is that it is situated a long drive from the Umhlanga playground.

Seasoned trainer Doug Campbell, privately based on his farm outside of Richmond, has never been tempted to move to one of the two training centres although he makes use of Ashburton to pass his runners through the pens and give them a good blow-out on the grass track.

It worked a treat in the Greyville Convention Centre Handicap with Kentucky Spur finishing too strongly for Merlin From Berlin, a recent addition to the Nathan Kotzen stable.

Kotzen makes a rare raid on Fairview this weekend where he has Tommy Grand in the Algoa Cup on Sunday and three other runners, all owned or in partnership by Alderman Rob Haswell, former mayor of Msunduzi (Pietermaritzburg), and a staunch supporter of the sport.

In addition, there will be the full Kotzen family of trainers, Glen from Cape Town, Nathan, from Durban, and Sharon, who will be on home soil.

By Andrew Harrison

Anton Marcus will make his long awaited comeback to race riding on Friday night at Greyville and among his six rides are three talented Gavin van Zyl-trained horses, Wave, Railtrip and Whizz Of Odds.

Marcus said last week his wrist and knee had “improved” from the state they were in before surgery and believed fitness would be his main obstacle.

However, Van Zyl had no concerns about the latter and said, “When Anton Marcus is riding your horse you know he will be ready. He is a professional. He will start off where he left off from and will be a force to be reckoned with for as long as he puts his backside on a saddle.” 

Ironically, Marcus was able to pick up those three rides because the national log leading jockey, Warren Kennedy, who is Van Zyl’s stable jockey, is sitting out a one week suspension.

KZN racing can look forward to a fierce rivalry between the pair as Kennedy has recently looked more and more capable of filling the gap left by the retirement of Marcus’s arch rival Anthony Delpech. 

Van Zyl has no doubt Kennedy will fill the gap and added, “He will give Anton a run for his money. But Warren’s agent will have to sharpen his pencil and be quick on the draw to outmanoeuvre Anton for the best spare rides. Anton picks his rides himself and is very choosy. He is as sharp as a two-edged blade. You know anything he asks to ride has a chance, especially when he phones, because you know he will have done his homework and handpicked the horse. His ability to pick them out is why he has such a phenomenal strike rate in KZN.”

Kennedy’s one advantage over Marcus will be the strength of the Van Zyl strings.

Gavin probably has the strongest string in KZN at present and his son Gareth, who also has Kennedy as his stable jockey, also has some good horses.

Gavin is currently in joint second place on the log with twelve winners and Gareth is in joint seventh with seven.  

Gavin said about his three Marcus-ridden horses on Friday night, “Whizz Of Odds barrier trialed well but unfortunately has a bad draw. But we are taking our chances because she is very quick. I rate her and she has a good winning chance.”

“Wave is Grade 1-placed and comes back from a rest. He is not quite where I want him but is good enough to run well in this competitive field. If they have a place chance, they have a winning chance. He was caught wide in the Grade 1 Premier’s Champion Stakes without cover and didn’t stay so we are going to stick to sprints with him. We have fitted him with blinkers so he should get out of the pens quicker. A couple of times at Greyville he has been sluggish, especially at night.”

“Railtrip finished second in a Grade 1 as a two-year-old and we have sorted out some problems with her, so she is back to her best. She is looking for further than this 1700m but she is well prepared and should be competitive.”

By David Thiselton

The Vaal Classic track has an eight race meeting tomorrow and hopefully the rainfall earlier in the week should have eased the ground.  

In the first over 1200m the first-timer Karino is by Duke Of Marmalade out of Grade 1 Empress Club Stakes winner Stratos, meaning she is a half-sister to Orpheus, the runaway winner of the Listed Sledgehammer. The Azzie yard have described Karino thus, “A nice filly, could run a decent race, will be a bit green.” She will not have to be a superstar to beat this field and jumps from a fair draw with S’Manga Khumalo aboard, so is selected to win on debut. Orchid Express could improve on her first two starts over a step up in trip she will appreciate, provided she gets a better start. Varnica showed pace with first-time blinkers on over 1200m last time and finished third, although she now has a tougher draw. Stormy Weathers will be dangerous with a 4kg claimer on from a good draw. Sapphire Rock has been highly tried so must be well regarded but she still has to live up to it and has a wide draw.

In the second race, a maiden for three-year-old fillies over 1600m, Flower Season has a nice long-striding action and has scope for improvement. She has been thereabouts in all three of her starts from 1160m to 1450m and should appreciate the step up in trip, so is selected to win under S’Manga Khumalo, despite a tricky draw of eight. Fluorescent stayed on from way back over 1200m on debut and will relish the step up in trip, although she has a tricky draw. Bat Orchid stayed on quite well over this trip last time from pole position on the Turffonftein Inside track and could be involved with a repeat from a good draw of two. Flaming Opal ran a cracker in her last start as a juvenile when stepped up to this trip and has a chance on that form, but she has not raced for 131 days and has a tough draw. Super Duper is another to consider having shown improvement to finish third when stepped up to 1600m.

In the third race over 1600m, a MR 88 handicap, Ragoon comes off a run over 2000m where he pulled, brushed the rail and cast a shoe. However, his record over this course and distance is three wins, a second and a third in five starts so he can bounce back. Nordic Rebel looks to be the main danger being 3,5kg better off with Finchattion for a one length beating over this distance. Hidden Agenda has been ultra consistent lately and proved he was up to his current merit rating last time out.

In the first leg of the Jackpot, a MR 72 handicap over 1800m, the promising Heart Stwings has a plum draw and will relish the step up in trip. Big Myth is an effective front-runner and this distance looks ideal but she does have a wide draw. Itsmydarlin has been in fine form, but does have a tough draw here. Plum Field stayed on over 1600m last time and should enjoy this step back up in trip.  Passion Peach ran an encouraging race over 1600m last time and could earn here with a repeat. Picadilly Square is also worth considering.

In the fifth race over 1800m Jive Express has mixed it with the talented Jacko Boy recently and on that form is the one to beat from a good draw under 2,5kg claimer Juglall. Littlewood was a head in front of Jive Express in the latter race but is effectively 2,5 kg worse off due to Juglall’s  claim. Illuminate ran a good race with first time blinkers on over 2000m last time and is 1,5kg bettter off with Circle Of Latitude for a 1,15 length beating. Circle Of Latitude is well drawn but was well beaten by Jive Express and Littlewood last time out over 2000m. Pink and No More Words can be considered.

The sixth race, a Graduation Plate over 1000m, Crown Guardian is a talented speedster and is the best weighted male in the race. The race sees the return of Grade 2 Golden Horseshoe third-placed Invidia. He has won over this trip and is the second best weighted male. Scoop is only half-a-kilogram worse off with Invidia accoridng to official merit ratings and can earn. Snow Palace is the best weighted runner but might find this a touch sharp. Singforafa is better weighted than any of the males and will enjoy this trip. 

In the seventh race over 1200m Hear The Trumpet has dropped to a competitive mark and has a 4kg claimer up so looks the one to beat. Rosalina and Nordic Queen come off good races over this trip and look to be the chief dangers.

In the last race, a Maiden Handicap over 1450m, Gentleman’s Wager has caught the eye a couple of times. This long-striding sort should not mind the drop in trip considering he quickened some way from home last time out when just failing over 1800m. He does have a tricky draw but jockey Chase Maujean is particularly good when coming from off the pace. Stone Judgement ran two good races over sprints and then found little extra 1600m, so he should enjoy the step down in trip. Whipping Boy has also disappointed over 1600m, twice, but if reproducing his previous run over 1400m when running on from far back he could be in the shake up.

By David Thiselton

Justin Snaith, despite uncharacteristically meeting with defeat in the first three maidens at Durbanville yesterday, is keen on the chances of several of his 15 runners at Kenilworth on Saturday and, intriguingly, some of those he considers value are at big prices.

He said: “I have some high quality runners on Saturday including in the maidens. Richard Fourie enjoys riding  Sachdev but in the Cape Classic he might have his work cut out from that draw (ten). The horse would have to be the next Do It Again to win from there – but then he might be!”

Snaith also runs Captain Tatters (Robert Khathi) and the highly rated General Franco (S’Manga Khumalo) ïn the Classic and added: “Captain Tatters needed the run last time but he is really well now and I am expecting a big run from him. At 12-1 he is the one I think is the best value.

“In the Western Cape Fillies Championship I am a bit worried about Casino Queen being drawn 11 but Richard is very good from there.”

Khumalo rides Somewhere In Time but apparently it could be 20-1 shot Amy Johnson (Khathi) that punters should bear in mind – “She is the dark horse and she could be the best value. She cuts through her field better than anything I have seen this year but, while she quickens well, she then stops so I have put a lot of work into her and I am now happy with her.”

By Michael Clower