Sean Tarry has won three Grade 1 events on one day before but statistically his achievement at Scottsville on Saturday was his best ever day as he sent out the trifecta in the main race and he was arguably unlucky to have not been the first in the country to ever win a Jackpot of Grade 1s.

Tarry joined Dennis Drier as a trainer who had won one of the Festival Of Speed’s Grade 1’s six times this century when Celtic Sea won the SA Fillies Sprint, although Drier’s six wins of the Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion have all come this decade.

In the first leg of Saturday’s Jackpot Tarry’s charge Cavivar managed to produce a late charge but had her momentum affected by the tiring Yessiricanboogie, who hung outward and bumped her about 25 metres from the post. Cavivar managed to rally and was beaten a head by the Justin Snaith-trained Miss Florida, who provided Nic Jonsson with a Grade 1-winning homebred and a first Grade 1 winner for apprentice Luke Ferraris.

Jockey Lyle Hewitson decided to object on the grounds that Miss Florida had hung outward and possibly intimidated Yessiricanboogie into shifting sideways and bumping Cavivar. Tarry was not so confident as he believed Yessiricanboogie was hanging that way anyway, but he encouraged Hewitson to go with his instincts. The stipendiary stewards overruled the objection and Tarry was certainly not upset by the verdict.

Cavivar runs in the famous brown and white Beck colours and two runs later these colours were carried to victory by Celtic Sea, who was ridden by Hewitson. It was the second Grade 1 winner on the day for the late great sire Captain Al as Miss Florida is also by Captain Al. It was the tenth win of the progeny of Captain Al in Scottsville Grade 1’s. 

Celtic Sea produced a swooping run on the outside to overtake another Captain Al filly, the Snaith-trained Snowdance, and beat her by 1,70 lengths.

Tarry said, “I don’t need to run Celtic Sea again this season, but I will consider various options, including the Jonsson Workwear Garden Province and the Mercury Sprint, but if I don’t find a very good option, she may not run again this season.”

Earlier, the Avontuur Stallion Var had his eighth Grade 1 win at this meeting through the Tarry-trained two-year-old colt Eden Roc, who was also ridden by Hewitson.

Tarry said he was always going to be running at them, as he had won well effortlessly 1400m on debut. However, he added the day did not necessarily favour those who came from off the pace, pointing out that there were very few leading contenders on the day who were known to be effective front-runners in the mould of National Colour, Via Africa and Val de Ra etc.

Eden Roc is likely to be seen in the Grade 2 Golden Horseshoe over 1400m on Vodacom Durban July day.

In the big one, the R1 million Tsogo Sun Sprint, Tarry chose his riders carefully. Trip To Heaven had had a new lease of life since partnered by Hewitson and Luke Ferraris had won twice on Africa Rising in two rides. This left the ride open on the favourite Chimichuri Run for Raymond Danielson, who a few years ago gained the nickname “Super Sub” for his unerring ability to win big races when landing chance rides, a number of them for the Tarry yard. Once again Danielson delivered, driving the three-year-old Trippi colt through a gap towards the outside and overtaking the running on Africa Rising. Trip To Heaven ran on well on the very outside, after his customary slow start, to pip Africa Rising for second. It was a memorable moment in Tarry’s career and probably the first trifecta success for one trainer in this race.

Chimichuri Run’s obvious next target is the Grade 1 Mercury Sprint over 1200m on Gold Cup day at Greyville, although Tarry said he would likely not run him from an unfavourably wide draw. 

Trip To Heaven could also be a candidate for the Mercury Sprint. Tarry said in a full field draws were not imperative for him due to his tendency to lose ground and run on.

Tarry pointed out Trip To Heaven had also never been disgraced before in the Grade 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge over 1600m. He lost this race on objection three years ago and finished second two years ago. That weight for age mile is another consideration for him and so is the Grade 2 Post Merchants over 1200m where his current merit rating will be in his favour.

The Post Merchants is also a possibility for Africa Rising and so is the KZN Breeders Million Mile.

Tarry said another horse who might be aimed at the Post Merchants could be Social Order, whom he said had found form again since dropped in trip.

Meanwhile, Legal Eagle will run in a Pinnacle event over 1400m on June 9^th as his Vodacom Durban July preparation.

Tarry also warned the public not to write off Tilbury Fort, whose last run he said could have a line completely drawn through it.

Tarry’s form continued into yesterday and his unbeaten Silvano colt Al Mutawakel, a full-brother to SA Derby winner and July runner up Al Sahem, looks to be an exciting prospect after making it two from two. This big horse sauntered through under Hewitson to win a 1400m handicap against older horses in just his second career start. He was only running off a 72 merit rating but is crying out for further.

By David Thiselton

Turffontein Standside hosts a low key eight race meeting on Sunday, although there are some fair opportunities for both on-the-nose and exotic players.

In the first leg of the PA over 1160m Magic School has plenty of substance and caught the eye on debut. She over raced from a wide draw over the Turffontein Inside 1200m before being dropped out to last place and she then ran on strongly. She could reverse form with Flying High in this race down the straight and is made a PA banker.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 2000m, Duke Of Swing is the obvious choice as he should relish the step up in trip on pedigree and he is draw well in two. However, the concern is he took quite a strong held last time when wearing first time blinkers in a slight step up in trip to 1700m and he was not finding a lot at the finish. He will have to settle better in this race than he did then. Mr Cuddles is better than his last start and Humour Me has a chance from pole position. Those three can be included in the PA, but the suggestion is to go wide in the Pick 6.

In the first leg of the Jackpot over 2000m, Evening Bell is a nice looking daughter of Trippi and she has a good draw over a step up trip she should relish, being a half-sister to Grade 1 Daily News 2000 runner up Rake’s Chestnut. She was not disgraced last time in an Assessment Plate over 1600m against the like of the useful Bize so she looks competitively merit rated here off a 70. Big Myth ran well in her third run after a layoff over 1800m last time to win start to finish comfortably despite being 1,5kg under sufferance and with similar tactics she could go close despite an eight point merit rated raise as she has placed off higher marks before. There are plenty of others who have shouts in this competitive race but a chance is taken in making Evening Bell a PA banker and just having the two horses in the Jackpot and Pick 6.

In the fifth over 2400m Hit For Six looks an out and out stayer and nothing went right for him last time over this trip. The run can be ignored and the pilot who won well in the maidens on him, Randall Simons, is back aboard from a good draw. Horace is likely running off a capped merit rating as he cruised in by 6,50 lengths last time, beating Hit For Six by 10,75 lengths, and he must be included in everything despite having to carry a welter 62kg.

In the next race over 1400m Al Mutakawel, a full-brother to Grade 1 SA Derby winner and VDJ runner up Al Sahem, will appreciate further in time but having won well on debut over 1200m he is the one to beat in this step up in trip from a good draw. He can rise above his 72 merit rating and sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight. Lake Kinneret has found his right trip and has come into his own so can also be included in all bets. 

The seventh is a competitive fillies and mares handicap over 1400m. Hafla should be cherry ripe and is ideally course and distance suited and she can beat the hard-knocking Gimme Hope Johanna, although for Pick 6 purposes every horse bar Mwelase has a chance.

The last race over 1600m is also competitive and although Top Rank, Skiminac and Mutrib are the top three choices, going as wide as possible is the advice.

By David Thiselton

Tomorrow’s Winter Classic looks a straight fight between One World and Vardy. There was only a head in it in last month’s Winter Guineas and they meet on the same terms but One World is one of those tough you-won’t beat-me characters who puts his head down and battles whenever defeat is staring him in the face.

Indeed he has only been beaten once in eight outings and that was in the Cape Guineas in December when things did not go according to Vaughan Marshall’s plans – and the Milnerton trainer says that he has no concerns about tomorrow’s extra furlong.

Vardy, who had a race fitness advantage last time, tends to come off a straight line under pressure but he pleased Adam Marcus in his final piece of work yesterday.

Marcus said: “He has done exceptionally well since the Winter Guineas and he is in a very good place at the moment. The 1 800m is an unknown distance for him but, although he is by Var, I have always felt that the further he goes the better he will be. He has the ability to switch off in his races and he has a very good turn of foot.

“That said, taking on One World is never an easy task. He is the same style of horse as Jay Peg – they like to dictate and, if something comes, they dig deeper and keep finding more – but we will give it our best shot.”

M.J. Byleveld takes over from Marcus’s uncle Anton and in some ways he is on a hiding to nothing. If he wins everybody will praise the horse and if he gets beat they will blame the jockey. But MJ, who is bidding for his third Winter Classic, was three for three on the colt before being sidelined by injury and he is riding particularly well at the moment.

His mount has to be the selection – although generally odds-on you could still get evens (Betting World) yesterday morning – and the stats point to him. The last five Winter Guineas winners who went on to the Classic all won and the favourite has taken the last three runnings whereas no Winter Guineas runner-up has landed the Classic since 2010.

Majestic Mozart (best-priced 8-1) will be suited by the extra distance but he has nearly three lengths to find on the big two. Herodotus (9-1) will similarly be helped by the trip but he has even further to make up.

Helen’s Ideal looks good for the Stormsvlei Mile and Run Fox Run can extend her unbeaten record in the Olympic Duel.

BLOB Over the last 20 Cape Town racemeetings 33 (43%) of Michael Clower’s 76 selections have won, showing a profit of R195.90 to a R10 level stake.

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

By Michael Clower

Chimichuri Run, beaten favourite in the Gr1 Computaform Sprint, is at the top of the boards for tomorrow’s Gr1 Tsogo Sun Sprint. But 4-1 with Track & Ball doesn’t inspire any confidence and a better option could be the 11-2 about top weight Undercover Agent.

Brett Crawford, successful with Pacific Trader in the Computaform, is not short of ammunition for the Scottsville showpiece with four runners, three of which are accomplished sprinters.

Last year’s winner Bold Respect has been winless since although close up during the Cape summer. Search Party was under two lengths back to Pacific Trader in the Computaform and Sunset Eyes, who warmed up nicely in a Pinnacle Stakes, is carrying joint bottom weight.

That leaves top weight Undercover Agent. He is the class horse in the field but there are concerns in some quarters that 1200m may be on the sharp side given his recent form. He was far from disgraced in the Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and the Gr1 Sun Met but it may have been his class that carried him so close. Prior to those races, his last win was in a 1200m sprint at Kenilworth before warming up for tomorrow’s event with a game win over Rainbow Bridge in the Gr2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m.

The testing Scottsville straight has found out many a good speed horse but suits a galloper with speed and a touch of stamina, a perfect profile for Undercover Agent.

Stable rider Corne Orffer, whether out of sentiment or choice, has stayed with Undercover Agent which is a further tick in the right box.

The balance of the field is evenly matched. The grey Mardi Gras appears to have had the ideal preparation. After running up a hat-trick of wins, he was given a short break by Johan Janse van Vuuren. His warm-up was at Greyville earlier this month where he gave away lumps of weight and he should strip at his peak.

Last year’s winner Bold Respect is handily weighted and carries only 1kg more than last year with the added advantage of Anton Marcus in the saddle.  He boasts solid Cape summer form so will have many supporters.

It is not surprising that Chimichiri Run is at the top of the boards given his recent record and cannot be left out of any calculations while fellow three-year-old Palace Chapel looks fair each-way value at 20-1.

The three other Gr1 sprints are equally difficult. Snowdance is a luke-warm ante-post favourite for the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint. Justin Snaith has specifically targeted this race, believing that she is more of a sprinter than a ‘miler’. Like Undercover Agent, her stamina will come into play and she could land the odds.

She is up against last year’s Allan Robertson Championship winner Mighty High and recent Camelot Stakes winner Schippers. The two met recently in the Camelot Stakes with Schippers running out a comfortable winner. Schippers got a hefty shunt up the handicap for that win but they meet on almost identical terms here so Geoff Woodruff’s runner can confirm that form.

The Juvenile races are a completely different kettle of fish. With young horses maturing at different rates and full fields of 16 runners lining up in both the Gr1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion and the Gr1 Allan Robertson, it is something of a guessing game.

The unbeaten SA Fillies Nursery winner Basadi Faith will have her supporters in the Allan Robertson but she was hard pressed to hold on to her lead that day as Cavivar challenge hard. The extra 100m on the Scottsville track could find out Basadi Faith but they may all have to get to Travelling Light. Garth Puller, a multiple Gr1 winner as a jockey, has yet to repeat as a trainer but in Travelling Light he has a lively contender. She cruised home on debut beating the well-regarded Talia Al Ghul by nearly five lengths with the balance of the field a further five lengths back.

Owner Dave MacLean has four runners engaged in the Gold Medallion, all four in with chances. Recent Highveld awards winner Frosted Gold from the Mike de Kock yard is at the top of the boards but MacLean has three smart runners from the Duncan Howells yard which gives him a strong hand.

Dennis Drier bids for an unprecedented seventh win in this race over the past decade and pins his hopes on Cartel Captain and Master Of Illusion. The former may prove the pick which brings African Warrior and High Voltage into the picture.

In all, this will be a fascination day’s entertainment and a highlight of Champions Season.

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

By Andrew Harrison

Scottsville’s holds its annual speed race meeting this Saturday with four Grade 1 races on the day that includes the Gr1 Tsogo Sun Sprint as the main feature.

The country’s talented sprinters from the Highveld, Cape Town and KZN will compete for the huge stakes pot.

Search Party is a horse that I have been following closely and he looks to come into this race with an ideal prep. In his last start in the Grade 1 Computaform Sprint, he jumped from a wide draw and was holding his line on the extreme outside. He did have some trouble in the running because he was switched from the outside to the inside and was low flying late and only hit top stride when the race was over. It was an eye-catching performance.

It’s never easy for a horse to keep finding especially when switching in sprint races. This won’t be an easy task for Search Party as there are some high-quality athletes in this race however the 55kgs on his back will help accompanied by a strong rider in Richard Fourie.

Brett Crawford has four runners in the race and all look to be in with a shout, however Search Party looks a solid place bet at the 28-10 that is currently on offer.

The South African Fillies Sprint looks open with Snowdance from the Justin Snaith yard topping the betting boards at 4-1. The second favourite Schippers from the Woodruff yard comes in with excellent recent form. The speedy daughter of Var will be ridden by Chase Maujean and comes from a yard who are famous for training top sprinters.

The place double Search Party and Schippers works out at inviting odds of 7-1.

The day hosts a variety of events like fashion shows combined with high quality racing not forgetting the two Grade 1 races for two-year-olds and racing pundits will be eager to see the unbeaten filly Basadi Faith in the Allan Robertson Championship.

Scottsville is the place to be come this Saturday.

By Devonne Govender

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

Betting World is sticking its collective neck out with One World in the Winter Classic at Kenilworth on Saturday offering the Vaughan Marshall star at even money whereas main market rival World Sports Betting has the colt odds-on at 17-20.

WSB is more generous with second favourite Vardy despite clipping the Adam Marcus runner from 15-10 to 14-10 yesterday. The gelding has no more than a head to find with One World on Winter Guineas form and he is only 12-10 with South Africa’s biggest bookmaker.

The one that has been backed, though, is Greg Cheyne’s mount Majestic Mozart who was third, beaten nearly three lengths, in the Winter Guineas. His price has tumbled from 9-1 to 11-2 with WSB while Betting World was still offering 8-1 yesterday afternoon.

Marshall and his jockey M.J. Byleveld look set for a good day according to the market -they have three favourites and two joint favourites. WSB is taking no chances with Run Fox Run (Cheyne) who puts her unbeaten record on the line in the Olympic Duel Stakes and has opened her at even money. The Paul Reeves-trained Helen’s Ideal is, as expected, favourite for the Stormsvlei Mile at 5-2.

By Michael Clower

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

Sean Tarry has a strong hand in all four of the Grade 1 features at Scottsville’s Festival Of Speed meeting on Saturday.

In the R1 million Tsogo Sun Sprint he has three contenders and has kept Lyle Hewitson aboard Trip To Heaven, who has had a new lease of life since the champion jockey first climbed aboard him towards the end of last season. He said loading him early had not helped his cause in the Computaform Sprint, as he had lost more ground than his customary couple of lengths, so he is hoping he is one of the last to load on Saturday. The 1200m trip allows him plenty of time to make up the ground and he is attractively weighted on his best form. 

Luke Ferraris has ridden Africa Rising twice for two wins so Tarry has put him back aboard this honest five-year-old gelding. Tarry said his win three runs back in the Grade 2 Merchants over 1160m at Turffontein had been impressive, while his following run could be ignored as he did not pull up well. His last outing was very much a preparation run for Saturday’s big race. 

The consequence of those two riding arrangements is that Raymond Danielson lands the ride on the ruling Track And Ball favourite, Chimichuri Run. Tarry pointed out Danielson had had Grade 1 success with him in the past.

Tarry said it had probably been a mistake to put the blinkers on Chimichuri Run last time as he had hung a bit worse than usual. He had originally thought of avoiding this race for the three-year-old due to his high merit rating but when he was surprisingly set to carry only 54,5kg, due to the presence of Undercover Agent, he kept him in. He said 1200m was arguably his best trip.  He added he was tailor made for 1200m around the turn or 1400m at Greyville but said there had been little wrong with his form down the straight. He finished third in the Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion last year. 

Tarry said all three runners had enjoyed good preparations.

Tarry believes the Johannesburg two-year-old form could well be the strongest in the country particularly among the fillies. He pointed out the time of the Grade 2 SA Fillies Nursery had been faster than that of the SA Nursery. He has thus kept SA Fillies Nursery runner up Cavivar against the girls in the Allan Robertson Championship, but has put his other good filly Spring Break in the Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion against the boys. 

He said Cavivar’s penultimate start could be ignored as she did not settle with a tongue tie on. He said watching her 0,3 length second in the SA Fillies Nursery, where switching inward might have been costly, he believed Scottsville might well be to her liking and hoped she could turn the tables on Basadi Faith.

Spring Break was much talked about before staying on strongly to get up on debut and she must have a shout receiving 2,5kg from the boys in the Gold Medallion.

Tarry said it would have been pointless putting his well beaten SA Nursery unplaced runners in this race. He decided instead to opt for Eden Roc who did admittedly win over the further trip of 1400m on debut but Tarry pointed out he had won effortlessly in that Juvenile Plate event.

He said all three of his SA Fillies Sprint contenders Celtic Sea, Green Plains and Exquisite Touch had been doing well and had enjoyed good preparations.

He said Celtic Sea’s most disappointing runs had been when stepping her up to a mile, so maybe he had misinterpreted her strong finishes over 1400m and had thus decided she might be effective over 1200m. 

“She is a very good filly and will be right there,” he said.

He believed Green Plains had hit the front quite early last time out when finishing a 2,75 length third in the Grade 2 Camellia Stakes with topweight and he believed she would benefit from a more patient ride. 

In that same race he pointed out Exquisite Touch was unable to get a run so it could be ignored. She had previously been doing well against the boys.

Green Plains ran a 2,40 length sixth last year and Exquisite Touch a 5,65 length ninth, while Celtic Sea was a half-a-length second in the Allan Robertson.

By David Thiselton

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

Paul Matchett will arrive at Scottsville tomorrow (Friday) with the unbeaten Basadi Faith. 

He will walk her on the course ahead of her attempt to convert favouritism in the Grade 1 Allan Robertson Championship over 1200m on Saturday. Matchett first saw this Master Of My Fate filly before the CTS April Yearling Sale at Durbanville last year.

Her second dam, Kaleido, is a full-sister to the brilliant sprinter and broodmare National Colour.

Matchett said, “She was a good specimen and from a family like that I just had to buy her.” National Colour was known for her exceptional gatespeed and natural pace coupled with a finishing kick. 

At her best she was just about unbeatable in South Africa. She ended her three-year-old season by winning the Grade 1 Computaform Sprint (by 4,25 lengths), the Grade 1 SA Fillies Sprint and the Grade 1 Mercury Sprint. Overseas she won in Dubai and finished a narrow second in one of Europe’s top sprints, the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes. 

At stud National Colour has produced Grade 1 Computaform Sprint winner Rafeef and Grade 1 SA Nursery winner Mustaaqeem.

Basadi Faith was born at Favour Stud but was brought up at Philip Kahan’s The Alchemy Stud.

Matchett’s determination to buy her saw him approaching Kahan after the sale, as she went through the ring unsold at R45,000, and he secured her for R100,000. 

The tall bay showed Matchett a lot from day one.

Before her debut over 800m at Turffontein on 15 December he told jockey Devin Habib and owners Joe Abreu and Juanita Van der Merwe that this was “a very good filly and not just for now but for the future.”

She was backed in from 16/1 to 8/1 that day and swooped late to win going away by 2,75 lengths under a clearly excited Habib.

Next up at the Vaal she had to give 3kg to the rest of the field in a Juvenile Plate over 1000m but won just as easily at odds of 8/10.

However, in her third start in the Listed Ruffian Stakes over 1000m at Turffontein she was allowed to start at odds of 6/1 as she faced the exciting prospect Gin Fizz and had to give her 2kg. She slammed the 1/4 shot by 4,50 lengths and the country suddenly had a star in the offing.

She made it four on the trot by winning the Grade 2 SA Fillies Nursery over 1160m in a quick time of 66,98 seconds, 0,28 seconds faster than the SA Nursery time.

Matchett is regarded as a small yard trainer but has had an illustrious career. He was the three times champion trainer of Zimbabwe and his Grade 1 successes in South Africa include two at Scottsville. In 2006 he won the Grade 1 Golden Horse Casino Sprint (Tsogo Sun Sprint) with the Zimbabwean-bred Let’s Rock’n Roll and he caused an exotics meltdown two years ago when his 30/1 outsider Brave Mary spread-eagled the field in the Allan Robertson.

Matchett goes in to Saturday’s race fancying Basadi Faith’s chances and said the improving Cavivar, whom she only beat by 0,3 lengths in the Fillies Nursery, and the unknown strength of the Cape Town horses, were his chief concerns.

By David Thiselton

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

Dean Kannemeyer has been relatively quiet these past months but his stable sounded a warning with a treble at Greyville yesterday.

Favourite Caprera opened their account in the card opener as stable rider Keagan de Melo benefitted from Land Of Mystery taking the scenic route home.

As Land Of Mystery ducked wide out on the bend, De Melo slipped the favourite through inside of him and the race was over in a few strides.

The Sultans Bazaar provided the second as he scored a bloodless victory in the fourth where scratchings reduced the field to six runners. De Melo simply settled at the back of the bunch but once he turned The Sultans Bazaar loose it was just a matter of how far with favourite Blackball chasing shadows as he battled to quick ahead of his younger rival.

Bernard Fayde’herbe is one of the riders who has been roundly criticised for his seemingly over-use of the stick but he remains one of the finest around.

Land Of Mystery may have proved difficult to pilot in the first but he sent Scarlet Chill through the middle of the pack to land the second. This was the filly’s first outing for Alyson Wright and Fayd’herbe took full advantage of his one draw, always an advantage over the Greyville mile.

Orient Express will come under scrutiny of the handicappers after she rounded off the Kannemeyer treble in the sixth.

Fresh from her maiden win and escaping a penalty, she got home narrowly from the two Duncan Howells-trained fillies Bold Beauty and Crystal Ball who were both closing fast on the winner.

The maxim in tough handicaps the world over for the betting desperados is; ‘when in doubt back the top weight’ they obviously being the best performed. In KZN the refrain changes to; ‘when in doubt back Anton Marcus’. His presence in the saddle generally trims a few points off any horse that he rides but you most often get value for money.

Glen Kotzen’s filly Anuchke’s Wings was not an obvious choice judging on form in what was a lowly maiden but Marcus, who does his homework and is one of the hardest working riders in the mornings, is generally a good option if you are in a quandary.

Anuchke’s Wings, who’s last two runs were in the wet after making a smart debut, made short work of her opposition

Similarly, those that set store of on one-runner one-trainer on the day, cashed in with the Johan Janse van Vuuren. He struck with his only runner with Marcus aboard as filly Giglio cruised to a four-length win in the fifth.

By Andrew Harrison