Kasimir will be crowned Equus Champion sprinter if converting 19/10 favouritism in the Grade 1 weight for age Mercury Sprint over 1200m at the eLan Gold Cup meeting at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.

However, Chimchuri Run or Celtcic Sea could wrest it from his grasp if they win the R1 million event. 

Kasimir stamped himself as the best sprinter in the country when winning the Grade 1 Betting World Cape Flying Championship over 1000m at Kenilworth in impressive fashion. He has a magnificent action and proved his courage next time out in the Grade 2 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes over 1200m when seeing off some late challenges despite having been used up to overcome an unfavourable draw. He will have come on considerably from his last start in the Post Merchants and will be hard to beat from a fair draw of eight. 

Celtic Sea displayed her terrific turn of foot when sitting behind the leading line and then taking off in the Grade 1 SA Fillies Sprint over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. She then showed her versatility by winning the Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes over 1600m. She has always had a liking for Hollywoodbets Greyville and from a favourable draw of five will be running on strongly. 

Chimichuri Run proved how good his turn of foot is when winning the Grade 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint over this trip. From his wide draw on Saturday he will likely have to be dropped out so will have to rely on his acceleration again.  

The pace is going to be of importance and it could be provided by Snowdance, whose best career runs have been when allowed to use her big action throughout. From a high draw of 13 Anton Marcus might have no option but to go to the front. She made a bold bid to lead from start to finish in the SA Fillies Sprint when losing by 1,70 lengths to Celtic Sea. However, that was her first run for four months and she be in fine shape coming off a third place finish to Celtic Sea in the Garden Province. Her finishing kick is likely more effective over a bit further, but she can’t be written off.

Bold Respect led from pillar to post when winning the Tsogo Sun Sprint last year so is another possible pacemaker from draw eleven. He has placed in good company in all his starts this season but does have issues and has been a touch disappointing. He has a tough task reversing from with the like of Kasimir but should be thereabouts again.

The most interesting entry is the two-year-old Frosted Gold. He was unlucky in the Grade 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion over 1200m when having to be switched to the outside for a run and only failing by 0,60 lengths. If his innate ability is as good as the like of Kasimir’s he will have just as much chance of winning because he will receive 7,5kg in accordance with the weight for age system which has been tried and tested over one-and-a-half centuries. In fact one of Britain’s top weight for age sprints, The Nunthorpe Stakes, has been won twice by two-year-olds in the last 30 years.  

Alyaasaat showed a good turn of foot when beating a good field over 1400m in his penultimate start. He likely used his last start over 1160m as a preparation for this event. He is six points lower than Kasimir in the merit ratings but has been running over further so is unknown over this trip and is a dark horse.

Van Halen will also be a dark horse. He looked to be top class when winning the Grade 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion last year, but then disappointed in Cape Town this season. However, he has looked like his old self recently and has also learned to settle in the running. He has consequently reeled off two wins in succession at Hollywoodbets Greyville, using his fine turn of foot from off the pace. He is worthy of his 110 rating, which gives him a hard task with Kasimir, but he is proven Grade 1 class.

Last year’s winner Will Pays is another dark horse as this is the first time since that win that he will be dropping back to this trip. He is drawn in pole so will dive down the inside like he did last year. However, it looks to be a stronger field.     

Africa Rising has a big heart and a good turn of foot but has a tricky draw and on Tsogo Sun Sprint form is 1,5kg worse off with Chimichuri Run despite being beaten by 0,95 lengths. The latter as a three-year-old would have made weight for age improvement since then too.

Palace Chapel has pace and a good kick but was beaten 1,65 lengths by Chimichuri Run in the Tsogo Sun Sprint and is now 2kg worse off.

Search Party won the Post Merchants over course and distance two years ago and finished third in the Cape Flying this year but is an unlikely winner here from a wide draw.

Vision To Kill ran on strongly from off the pace for third in the SA Fillies Sprint and will be hoping for a good pace, but she does have 3,80 lengths to find on Celtic Sea. 

La Bella Mia won the Post Merchants in good style but she was well weighted in that race and is officially by far the worst weighted horse here.

By David Thiselton

Aldo Domeyer, now one of the stars of Hong Kong, will be back in South African action at Kenilworth on Saturday when he has four rides for Justin Snaith, two for Andre Nel and one for Candice Bass-Robinson.

The Cape champion has made a huge impact in Hong Kong during his short spell there, getting off the mark with a double on his first day and finishing up his abbreviated season (less than three months) with 13 winners from just 116 rides.

Racegoers need to get there early on Saturday because race one has been brought forward to 11.15am so that the first four races can be included on the French tote betting menu. This is expected to generate substantially increased turnover and earn significant – and much needed – income for South African racing.

Eric Sands believes that he has taken the necessary steps to ensure that Rainbow Bridge does not fall victim to any adverse bounce factor when the Vodacom Durban July runner-up attempts to go one better in Saturday’s World Sports Betting Champions Cup.

Finishing second in the July can often take more out of a horse than it shows at home and, while Marinaresco went on to win the Champions Cup in 2016, the two previous July runners-up – Punta Arenas and Wylie Hall – finished second last and third last.

Sands said: “There is always that risk but we purposely went easy with Rainbow Bridge for ten days after the July and he just did light work. He did go off his manger for a little bit but he had had a hard race so that wasn’t unexpected.

“His work last Tuesday was good and on Thursday it was top class. He is fit, he is sound and he is well in himself. I don’t see the two furlong shorter trip worrying him and Richard Fourie is unbeaten in three rides on him.”

Gavin Lerena, who rode Rainbow Bridge in the July, is retained by Mary Slack and so rides Buffalo Bill Cody who continues to attract punter support and the sponsors now have him 17-10 joint favourite with Rainbow Bridge.

Made To Conquer, second in last year’s July but finishing with only two behind him this time, has been sold to Mauritius and will leave after running in the eLan Gold Cup.

Eyebrows were raised in some quarters when Snowdance was declared for Saturday’s Mercury Sprint. Although she ran a great race to take second in the SA Fillies Sprint, Justin Snaith said before her third in the Jonsson Workwear Garden Province that she was not a sprinter and never would be.

He explains: “This is potentially her last run, there is nothing else for her and it was either this race or come home. She is doing well so why not run?”

No more waiting up until after midnight, or sitting through those never-ending Hong Kong previews. The post-race interviews are now shown on the tabonline website and they are posted up quite soon after each race, complete with a clip of the final stages. It’s a marvellous innovation and should do wonders for customer relations. Apparently it was the brainchild of Phumelela racing analyst Germaine Maharaj. He is entitled to take a bow.

By Michael Clower

The KZN Falcons won yesterday’s Rider Cup and one of their members, Keagan de Melo, was crowned Victor Ladorum.

The favourites, the Highveld Hawks, got off to a good start when Muzi Yeni won the opener on the Sean Tarry-trained Highveld raider Over The Limit. De Melo was just touched off on Duchess Lane and that was a boost to the Falcons chances. However, S’Manga Khumalo and Lyle Hewitson finished third and fourth in this race and Ryan Munger sixth, to give the Hawks a tally of 54 after the first with the Falcons on 32 and the Cape Eagles on 26.

In the second race there was another ding-dong tussle down the straight and it was Sean Veale on the Mike Miller-trained Stormbourne Thunder who got the better of Bernard Fayd’Herbe on Spam Alert. Eden Garden Glitz with Munger up finished third. The Hawks collected 28 points to remain in the lead on 82 points but the Eagles and Falcons collected 45 and 39 points respectively to close the gap and were both on 71 points.

The third leg saw another thriller and it was De Melo who exacted a strong finish out of the Paul Gadsby-trained Isla Morada to deny Greg Cheyne on Such A Rush and Muzi Yeni on Bronnie. The Falcons scored 44 points this leg to the Hawks’ 24 and they thus swooped into the lead with a tally of 115 to 106. The Eagles scored 33 points in this leg and now trailed on 104 points.

Anton Marcus brought the favourite Gimmie A Cohiba home in the last to an easy victory from De Melo on Gibraltar Green and Hewitson on Techno Captain.

The Falcons had thus wrapped it up comfortably.

Their tally of 46 points in the last leg took them to a total for the competition of 161 points. The Eagles scored 31 points in the last leg to finish second on 135 points and the Hawks 24 points relegated them to last place on 130 points.     

De Melo collected an impressive 59 points to Bernard Fayd’Herbe’s 47. Yeni was third on 44 points.

By David Thiselton

Image Caption: The KZN Falcons claimed the New Turf Carriers Rider Cup at Hollywoodbets Greyville in convincing fashion yesterday. Led by captain Anton Marcus, their tally of 46 points in the last leg took them to a total of 161 points for the competition.

The Cape Eagles scored 31 points in the last leg to finish second on 135 points and the Highveld Hawks 24 points relegating them to last place on 130 points.     

De Melo collected 59 individual points to Bernard Fayd’Herbe’s 47. Yeni was third on 44 points.         

The Highveld Hawks were bidding for their third straight win in the annual competition.

KZN riders won three of the four legs, De Melo, Veal and Marcus obliging with Muzi Yeni claiming the first leg on the Sean Tarry-trained Over The Limit. From left: Michael Sham from New Turf Carriers, Victor Ladorum Keagan de Melo, Falcons captain Anton Marcus, Warren Kenney, Sean Veal and Matthew Sham of New Turf. (Image Credit: Candiese Marnewick)

The Grade 1 weight for age Champions Cup, to be run on eLan Gold Cup day this Saturday, is always an intriguing race as it attracts a top class field but often the fresher horses perform better than those who have taken part in the Vodacom Durban July, which is not only the country’s premier race but also one of the roughest and toughest.

Joint-favourite Buffalo Bill Cody has always been regarded by Mike de Kock as “a little better” than Hawwaam. He has won six out of seven and has won all four of his mile starts with ease. He has never run in a feature before but last time out slammed the Grade 1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut and Grade 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge runner up Cirillo by 3,25 lengths and probably needed that run too. De Kock has a fine record with sons of the top shuttle sire Redoute’s Choice and this colt looks capable of becoming another of this stallion’s champions. He will be coming into his own now being an Irish-bred four-year-old who is six months younger than his contemporaries and he should relish the step up to 1800m considering his running style. On pedigree his dam by Sri Pekan was a sprinter, but she produced a horse who came third in a Group 1 over a mile and two furlongs (2000m). Buffalo Bill Cody has a plum draw of three and will be ridden by Gavin Lerena.   

His stablemate Soqrat has not raced since finishing fourth in the Gold Challenge, so will be relatively fresh. He is able to relax well in the running and then has a good turn of foot and a sustained finish so he should enjoy this step up in trip. A wide draw was his undoing in the KRA Guineas and he has another wide draw here but over 1800m it should be easier to overcome.

Cirillo had to be dropped out the day he was well beaten by Buffalo Bill Cody but he now has pole position and will be able to take up his favourite front-running role. He will be dangerous although he will likely have to keep up a good momentum as Undercover Agent does not like to hang around.  

The other deserved joint-favourite is Rainbow Bridge, who is drawn in pole and will enjoy the 1800m trip. He has settled well in his last few starts and has an electric turn of foot. However, he peaked for the July and that took place only three weeks before this race, so there has not been a lot of time to freshen him up. There is no doubt he will give it his all though as he has proven courage.

Undercover Agent finished second in this race last year and will once again come in fresh having avoided the July after running fifth in the defence of his Gold Challenge crown. He has a middle draw and should be right there, although this field is considerably stronger than last year’s.

Twist Of Fate is a courageous sort who was able to overcome a wide draw in the July and still run third. He will have to overcome another wide draw here. He looks to be a tough horse so can be involved in the finish despite his July exertions.

Eyes Wide Open was the unlucky horse in the July where he was well weighted, He rallied again after being squeezed out and finished a fine fourth. He now has a much tougher task at the weights.

Matador Man is an enigmatic sort who usually loses ground at the start. He is best over a mile but has a devastating turn of foot and running fresh here he could make a bold bid to repeat his third place finish of two years ago, although this is a much stronger field.  

Infamous Fox loves Greyville and proved his class last time when waltzing home in the WSB 2200. However, he faces a much stronger field this time.

Kampala Kampari is the joint lowest rated horse along with Eyes Wide Open but he showed his liking for this course and distance when beating the latter to win the Grade 3 Cup Trial. He comes in fresh but is now 1kg worse off with Eyes Wide Open for a head beating and this field is also a lot stronger.  

By David Thiselton

Nastergal will continue to be campaigned over shorter distances after Greg Cheyne combined bluntness with enterprise to make most of the running in the 1 200m Champagne Stakes at Kenilworth on Saturday.

Candice Bass-Robinson, winning the race for the second year running, said: “We have been playing around with distances for this filly,  and jockeys were coming back in saying she feels as if she wants 1 800m. But Greg said to me beforehand ‘Are you going to moan if I end up in front?’  When she comes back in the springtime we will keep her to the shorter trips, maximum a mile.”

The Duke Of Marmalade filly carries the same Ridgemont-Kieswetter colours that Run Fox Run would have borne had the ante-post odds-on shot not been withdrawn on account of the soft ground. The unbeaten A$420 000 (R4.1 million) buy will be aimed at a higher level next term.

“Run Fox Run has done everything so well and so easily, and I will keep her in sprints until she gets beaten,” said Brett Crawford who mentioned the Cape Flying Championship in the same breath. He told the Racegoer page earlier in the week that he would not run her on Saturday if the ground turned soft but one Kenilworth regular complained to me that the scratching did not appear on the sahorseracing.co.za website by the time of the 8.30am deadline, something he considered unfair on punters. But apparently procedures are not as straightforward as generally supposed.

“The rule is that you can scratch before 8.30am and after that you have to contact the stipes,” Crawford explained. “I walked the course on Friday but I knew there was a gallop at Kenilworth at 9.00am on Saturday and that Greg Cheyne (who had won on Run Fox Run last time) was riding in it. I wanted to get his feedback. When I did, I got on to the stipes to scratch her.”

Even then he had to make his case, citing penetrometer readings and explaining: “She is too valuable to risk.” The stipendiary board ruled that the request was “reasonable and acceptable” and Ernie Rodrigues informed the National Racing Bureau of the scratching at 9.52am.

Less satisfactory was that the Champagne and the Final Fling ended up with a combined total of only 13 runners and just three trainers – Bass-Robinson (five runners), Glen Kotzen and Justin Snaith (four each) – competing for R500 000 and black type. Nobody seemed able to come up with a realistic reason although Snaith said he should have had an extra runner in the Final Fling. “Instead I sent Red Ginger to PE for black type on Friday, they switched the race to the poly and she finished last. I made a mistake sending her there.”

He won the Final Fling for the fifth time, and the fourth in the last seven seasons, when Richard Fourie easily completed a treble on 7-20 shot Platinum Class to leave the Drakenstein team debating whether she should stay in training for a further season.

Yorktown, though, put up the performance of the day to come right away in the final furlong for a four-length win in the 1 200m maiden juvenile. The Ridgemont-Highlands Dynasty homebred is out of dual Grade 1 winner Overarching.

“He has the genes and that’s half the battle,” said Crawford. “He is still immature and a big baby but Anton Marcus said he did everything right.”

The phrase ‘gift of the gab’ could have been coined with Riaan van Reenen in mind and the former trainer remains an interviewer’s dream in his new role as assistant to Glen Puller, as he demonstrated to Grant Knowles after Miss D’Aray landed the last. But his non-stop prose can make life complicated for jockeys and Ryan Munger reported: “He gave me a whole book of instructions!”

By Michael Clower

The Turffontein Inside track stages a nine race meeting on Saturday and playing the exotics looks the way to approach it.

In the first leg of the PA Machali will dwarf the likely favourite Risk Taker here and also has the advantage of a slightly better draw and a 3kg lighter weight. She caught the eye on debut staying on well over 1200m and should relish the step up in trip. Gavin Lerena significantly stays aboard. Risk Taker was outpaced for much of the way over 1200m on debut before taking off in the final 200m and getting up. She should relish the step up to this 1600m trip and although she is not the biggest of fillies and has a wide draw she does not face a strong field here. Those two should fight it out.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1450m Perfectly Putt was dropped out from a wide draw over this trip on debut and made up good ground in the straight. He gets 3kg from the winners but will likely have to run on again from behind as he is widely drawn again. One-time winner Johnny Hero was not disgraced against stronger last time and if settling from pole position should enjoy this trip. Arapaho, also a one-time winner, has been facing stronger and was staying on over 1100m last time. He is by Elusive Fort so should enjoy the trip although he has made a breathing noise before. 

In the first leg of the Jackpot American Indian is doing well for the Pettigrew yard and although he has to overcome a four point merit rated raise he could follow up on his last win, which was over this trip on the Greyville poly. Jet Start is talented and is interesting over a suitable trip in her first start for the flying Paul Peter yard. Gift For The Gap has always struck as one with plenty of scope and this trip should suit.

In the sixth race Prince Jordan showed what he is capable over 1600m last time and although having to overcome a maximum eight point raise he looks to have turned the corner and this 1200m trip is equally suitable. Master Boulder enjoys this course and distance and looks the main danger.

In the seventh over 1450m Gimmethenight finished just two lengths behind the decent Running Brave over 1400m last time when receiving just 2kg and is drawn in pole, so is the one to beat. Lake Kinneret should enjoy the step down in trip but has a tricky draw. The filly Gimme Hope Johanna has a form chance here over her favourite course and distance from a good draw. 

In the eighth race over 1450m Mighty Storm has shown some ability and is drawn well over a suitable 1450m trip so is the selection in an uninspiring field. Dogliotti doesn’t have much form but ran a fair race last time over 1600m and now in his first run after gelding has a good draw and Gavin Lerena is up. African Adventure was the fastest from the 400m to the finish on debut and can be involved if closer to the pace this time, but he has another wide draw to overcome. Blanco has been disappointing but has a chance here. Cross From Goa can also be included.

In the last the well bred Princess Penelope should be improving and gets a good opportunity. The Jocelyn Tree and the first-timer Forever Flame could be the dangers. 

By David Thiselton

It might sound sacrilege to say so but the unbeaten Run Fox Run could be worth opposing in the Champagne Stakes at Kenilworth tomorrow.

Brett Crawford warned earlier in the week that he would not risk the rising star if yesterday’s rain turns the ground soft but, even if it is not enough to keep her away, she could be vulnerable – and at yesterday’s 4-10 it makes sense to look elsewhere.

Lesedi La Rona may not be the most obvious on adjusted merit ratings – she comes out 5kg behind both Dynamic Diana and Canukeepitsecret – but she showed signs of fulfilling her two-year-old promise with a smooth win in a pinnacle last time and, highly relevantly, she made light of the good to soft ground. “She is back to her best,” confirms Candice Bass-Robinson. Her current 15-2 looks attractive.

Furthermore, while the favourite has won three of the last six runnings, the last three years have seen a succession of upsets with the winners being returned at 11-1, 25-1 and 8-1.

Glen Kotzen is the most successful trainer in this race with four winners and he is represented by the double-figure priced pair Too Phat To Fly and Ostinato. The latter has won twice when the word soft has appeared in the going description.

Only once in the past 15 years has the Champagne seen a smaller field than tomorrow’s nine but the six in the Final Fling is the smallest this century with Justin Snaith responsible for half the runners and Glen Kotzen (two) and Mrs Bass-Robinson the only other trainers represented.

Platinum Class is well-nigh unbackable at 2-7 but Richard Fourie’s mount is hard to oppose despite three of the last four favourites getting beaten. She comes out over three lengths better than the next highest-rated (stable companion Miss Katalin) and she has won in the soft. She was third in the Prix du Cap and the Olympic Duel and in the Ladies Mile last time she had Pearl Jam over a length back third and here she is 8kg better. Miss Katalin and Libra are also well held on that run.

If you are looking for a long shot then Coral Bay, the rank outsider at 22-1, just might be worth an interest. She appears to have completely lost her form but she is a Listed winner, she goes in the ground and Kotzen has won this race four times before.

BLOB The Durbanville meeting on Tuesday, July 30 has been switched to Kenilworth.

By Michael Clower

To take a bet go to www.tabgold.co.za or www.trackandball.co.za

The Highveld Hawks, defending their title for the third time in succession, are set to get off to a smart start in New Turf Carriers Rider Cup at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday. Muzi Yeni has drawn the plum ride on the Sean Tarry-trained Over The Limit while ‘stable companion’ Gavin Lerena will be aboard first timer Sacred Blues for Garth Puller, second and third favourites in the first leg and third race on the card.

Early favourite for the opening leg is Glacier Girl, Richard Fourie also having landed a plum draw on Alyson’s Wright’s filly. A close-up second in a work rider’s race for Mike de Kock last time out, Glacier Girl has her first run for Wright and the blinkers come off.

Over The Limit boasts some consistent Highveld form and with Tarry and Yeni both contenders for their respective national championships, both will be keen on a victory.

With riders and runners having been drawn out of the hat, nothing can be read into the riding arrangements but the bonus is that we have a dozen of the country’s premier riders in action.

Duncan Howells holds a strong hand in the second leg with Mocha Rose and La Valette, Lyle Hewitson and Keagan de Melo doing duty for the stable. Mocha Rose did not get the best of passages when down the field behind stable companion Barinois last time out with her recent form over course and distance more than useful.

La Valette started at long odds when making her poly track debut and appeared to take to the synthetic surface, staying on well behind the older Missibaba. A win for Hewitson would be further good news for the Hawks.

Sean Veale can strike back for the KZN Falcons aboard the Howells runner Barinois in the next. The synthetic surface seems to bring out the best in her, her last effort coming over course and distance when coming from last to win going away.

Miss Sabina looks a likely danger while Imperial Royal has a tricky draw to contend with but was a close-up third when up against stronger at her last start.

The final leg of the Cup could see the giant Haddington record the eighth win of his career. He is back over his favourite course and distance and Bernard Fayd’Herbe is sure to get the best out of Louis Goosen’s runner.

At around 13-1 in the market he looks fair value for money with Gimme A Cohiba and Anton Marcus weak 3-1 favourites in the early betting with O’Reilly and Don Pierro 6-1 chances according to bookmakers.

Punters are reminded that there is tote betting on the outcome of the Cup “twelfth” race on the card, there will be win, place and swinger options on the outcome where the jockey who accumulates the most points will be declared Victor Ludorum. The pools close at the start of race 3 (13.25).

By Andrew HarrisonTo take a bet go to www.tabgold.co.za or www.trackandball.co.za

The Rider Cup takes place over four legs on the Greyville poly on Sunday and it should be a thriller.  

The KZN Falcons team is made up of Anton Marcus, Warren Kennedy, Sean Veale and Keagan de Melo.

The Highveld Hawks consists of Lyle Hewitson, Muzi Yeni, Gavin Lerena and S’Manga Khumalo.

The Cape Eagles team comprises Greg Cheyne, Richard Fourie, Bernard Fayd’Herbe and Corne Orffer.

The predicted order of finish in the first leg, an uninspiring maiden race is Over The Limit (Yeni), Sacred Blues (Lerena), Magic Bean (Marcus), Glacier Girl (Fourie), Tallulah Jet (Orffer), Retail Therapy (Veale), Duchess Lane (De Melo), Masters Beauty (Cheyne), Lady Clementine (Kennedy), Spanish Oasis (Khumalo), Amberbell (Fayd’Herbe), Jamie’s Joy (Hewitson). 

Over The Limit did well when dropped to this trip last time and has a plum draw. Sacred Blues makes her debut after catching the eye in a barrier trial. She is by Oratorio and is from the family of the useful sprinter Down To Zero. Magic Bean has a fair action and can improve on her debut which did not pan out well. Glacier Girl has some of the best form in the race and makes her debut for the Alyson Wright yard having been sold out of the Mike de Kock yard. First-timers Tallulah Jet and Retail Therapy are both bred for further but did it easily in a barrier trial and should be staying on. Duchess Lane showed pace last time with first time blinkers on over 1400m and should appreciate the step back down to 1200m.

In the second leg, a fillies and mares MR 72 Handicap, the predicted order of finish is Spam Alert (Fayd’Herbe), Myelisha (Khumalo), Stormbourne Thunder (Veale), La Valette (De Melo), Mitra Music (Orffer), Song Of The Forest (Marcus), Mocha Rose (Hewitson), Mambo Lyric (Yeni), Rock Pigeon (Fourie) , Eden Gardens Glitz (Lerena), Give Me A Break Nate (Kennedy) and Senorita Amor (Cheyne).

Spam Alert has only had one run in KZN and likely needed it. If reproducing her Cape Town form she will go close, although she hasn’t raced since April 5 and that also followed a three month layoff. Myelisha is a filly with some substance and enjoys the poly. She was given an eight point raise for her win last time out in February and hasn’t raced since, but on collateral formlines she comes out well. Stormborne Thunder, whose form is quite hard-knocking, will likely go to the front and under a nice galloping weight can stay on. La Valette was dropped out from a wide draw over 1200m last time and ran on well. Mitra Music did quite well last time in a relatively strong workrider’s event over 1100m and should be involved over a more suitable trip. Song Of The Forest could contest the early lead under Marcus.  

In the third leg the predicted order of finish is More Than A Dime (Fayd’Herbe), Barinois (Veale), Isla Morada (De Melo), Princess Analia (Hewitson)  Imperial Royal (Khumalo), Berry Flambeau (Fourie), Such A Rush (Cheyne), Bronnie (Yeni), Miss Sabina (Orffer), Jo Mambo (Kennedy)  Green Caviar (Marcus) and Keep It Real (Lerena),  

More Than A Dime looks to have scope so can follow up on her maiden win. Barinois comes from a yard who is out of form but at her best is able to run on strongly. Isla Morada is a courageous sort who should finish close to More Than A Dime on paper. Princess Analia is course and distance suited and has dropped to a competitive mark. Imperial Royal would prefer further but if getting to the front from a wide draw could be dangerous. Barry Flambeau bolted home in a workrider’s maiden in Jo’burg when stepped up to this trip and starts off handicapping on a reasonable mark.

In the last leg over 1900m the predicted order of finish is Gimmie A Cohiba (Marcus), Three Dog Night (Lerena), Techno Captain (Hewitson), O’Reilly (Yeni),  Gibraltar Green (De Melo), Sea Sponge (Cheyne), Al Jackman (Veale), Master Sam (Orffer), Don Pierro (Fourie), Everlasting Love (Khumalo), Hyaku (Kennedy), Haddington (Fayd’Herbe), 

Gimmie A Cohiba has a wide draw but Marcus knows this horse well and if positioning him well his long stride will be effective in the straight. Three Dog Night won a maiden over 1600m at Turffontein with a sustained finish last time and will appreciate the step up in trip. Techno Captain is widely drawn but has come down to a nice mark and steps back up to a more suitable trip. O’Reilly ran a cracker last time over 2000m on turf considering he was considerably under sufferance and caught wide in the running. However, he does have another wide draw. Gibraltar Green won well over 1600m on the poly three runs ago albeit off a six point lower mark. This is a more suitable trip and his last run can be ignored as he was squeezed out in the straight. Sea Sponge has a chance on formlines with Gimmie A Cohiba. 

It is going to be tight but on these predictions the Highveld Hawks will narrowly beat the KZN Falcons with the Cape Eagles third.

The top jockey will be very tight on these predictions. Anton Marcus and Sean Veale emerge as joint-winners and Bernard Fayd’Herbe is just one point further back in third.

There is all to play for and it should be an intriguing event.

By David Thiselton

Rich overseas races could be an option for the dual Vodacom Durban July winner Do It Again in the second half of next season if the European Union agrees to relax South Africa’s equine export protocols.

Jono Snaith said: “If the protocol opens up before the end of this year then we could discuss an international campaign – but not until that happens.”

The now world-famous gelding is due to head back to Cape Town later this month and Snaith Racing’s master strategist outlined immediate plans, saying: “He will have about a month off at our farm just relaxing. He has the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and the Sun Met on his radar so we have plenty of time.”

The 2018 Met winner Oh Susanna has been scratched from the WSB Champions Cup but she will stay in training as a five-year-old and has a third consecutive Cartier Paddock Stakes win as a prime target.

In the meantime Justin Snaith seeks an elusive first eLan Gold Cup and he has booked last year’s winning jockey Anton Marcus for Doublemint and Bernard Fayd’Herbe for Made To Conquer while Richard Fourie rides last year’s fourth Strathdon. If recent history is any guide the one to be on is the favourite because the best-backed horse has won the last four runnings.

Brett Crawford is aiming for his fifth Champions Cup in seven seasons and he reports last year’s runner-up Undercover Agent in good shape: “That was a good run in the Gold Challenge. There were top horses around him and he has been doing well at home since.”

Crawford will be two-handed in the Mercury Sprint with Corne Orffer on Bold Respect and Donovan Dillon on Search Party. Last year’s fourth Sunset Eyes goes for a possibly easier option in the Umngeni Handicap.

By Michael Clower