The start of Champions Season is still over a month away but the Kings Cup heralds the dawn of three months of championship racing. So too do the hoards of Western Cape raiders that have been arriving by the float-load at Summerveld this past fortnight.

Justin Snaith sends out his first local runner with Platinum Prince lining up at Greyville on Sunday, but Highveld raider Sean Tarry appears to hold the best hand as he saddles Matador Man and Captain And Master who could prove the two to beat in a competitive handicap.

Matador Man is over what is arguably his best course and distance and can follow up in his Christmas Handicap win in spite of top weight. Prior to that he ran an inexplicably bad race behind Dark Moon Rising failing to quicken went popped the question by Anton Marcus.

He does however have to give lumps of weight to his rivals, including 2kg to stable companion Captain And Master. A close-up fourth in the Hawaii Stakes, Captain And Master was sent out a short-priced favourite over the Greyville 1400m last time out, but took time to get into stride by which time the handily weighted Tristful had flown the coop.

He stays the mile comfortably but one assumes that regular stable rider Lyle Hewitson will have had the pick of the rides in spite of Marcus’s presence on Captain And Master.

Platinum Prince is no stranger to Greyville, having run here four times, and he should strip close to peak fitness after two warm-ups at Kenilworth. Richard Fourie is up for the ride and the ever competitive Snaith will like nothing better than to start his KZN winter campaign on a winning note.

Dark Moon Rising was something of a controversial runner in last season’s Vodacom Durban July but Paul Lafferty will no doubt have his charge headed for another dip in the well come Saturday, July 6 and victory here will enhance the gelding’s chances of making the final 18-horse field.

A possible exotic bet banker could come in the form of the filly Flichity By Farr. Second in the SA Oaks and the Gold Vase last season, she has come back well since a break. Her recent win came over a trip many thought would be short of her best but she took full toll of her advantage in the weights.

She is again well weighted in another Pinnacle Stakes over 2200m and can put the boys to the sword again over what should be a more suitable trip. Byron Forster does duty for Andre Nel in KZN and his two charges Silver Rose and O’Keeffe will be threats. O’Keeffe has yet to finish out of the first two since stepping out on the poly but she jumps in trip here and is back on the turf. Stable rider Gareth Wright has elected to partner top weight who stays well but does come off a three-month break.

The Gold Circle Podcast Handicap looks a tricky affair although Ollivander has been battling the handicapper for all of his career and is due another win. He makes his local debut off some smart staying form in the Cape and has his first start for a new stable. He will have a big chance on his best form. The Sultans Bazaar has been consistent over sorter but may now be looking for this trip. He also looks well weighted and along with Paths Of Glory looks the biggest threat to Brett Crawford’s runner.

By Andrew Harrison

Je Ne Sais Quoi has to be the choice for the Tellytrack.com Maiden at Durbanville tomorrow after she came back with more hard luck stories than you would find in the bankruptcy courts when starting favourite at Kenilworth last time.

Craig Zackey tried to come up the rails but, unable to secure anything like a clear run, he had to switch 300m from home only to find his path repeatedly blocked until just inside the 100m pole – and by that time it was too late. The Glen Kotzen filly wore blinkers for the first time that day but presumably they proved more of a hindrance than a help because she races without them tomorrow.

The capable Morne Winnaar takes over and his mount has been installed 5-2 favourite with World Sports Betting. On that last run she should be a good thing but beware – this filly carries a wealth warning. She also started favourite on her two previous most recent starts – she was odds-on when Anton Marcus rode her in January – and was beaten each time. True, she ran well on both occasions but she doesn’t look one to risk too much on.

She is opposed by six of those who took her on last time, most notably Silvery Heights (7-2) who finished over a length in front of her despite being almost as unlucky. Greg Cheyne’s mount lost ground at the start and she was then bumped sufficiently badly for Cheyne to briefly lose an iron. She would have been my selection had she not been drawn widest of all. Mary Moon (9-2), one of four Kotzen runners, also has strong claims.

Empire Glory (28-10) has been marginally preferred in the market for the opening 1 250m maiden by In Full Power who is blinkered for the first time but the Greg Ennion gelding was having his first run since being cut last time and he lost ground at the start. Even so he finished a neck the better of the pair and can confirm those placings.

Louisa May has some useful form over 1 400m and is preferred to fellow 3-1 joint favourite Silver Dazzle and Spirit Festival in the TAB Telebet Maiden.

The Play Soccer 6 Handicap (race three) is wide open but maybe 11-2 shot Bold Assassin can reverse January placings with Parade March.

In the next Middle Wood and Luxemburg head the market after both suffering interference last time. The former has an appalling draw – even over ten furlongs it has an impact on this course – but hopefully Corne Orffer can work out how to overcome it.

BLOB In the past month 11 of Michael Clower’s 24 selections have won, giving a profit of R112.00 to a R10 stake.

By Michael Clower

The exotics look to be the best way to play the nine race meeting at Turffontein Inside tomorrow, although there are also one or two opportunities for on the nose punters.

In the first leg of the PA Makara makes appeal from pole position as she has some pace and stays on and is receiving 3kg from the promising sorts Sarah and Mawsool. However, all three can be included as this takes away all risk and likely lands a treble up in the PA.

In the fourth race over 1000m Urban Oasis is knocking hard and has faced some decent types without being disgraced. However, she is widely drawn and this is her second run after a ten month layoff so the talented Hartleyfive and the well drawn and course and distance-suited Kindavar can also be included in the PA. For the Pick 6 Brittania Queen and Midnight Top can be included.

In the first leg of the Jackpot Pearl Of Siberia is a consistent sort and can beat the only filly in the race Desert Kitten. Icebreaker is by What A Winter out of Grade 3 Kenilworth Fillies Nursery winner Rose Reserve and has a fine chance too.

In the second leg of the Jackpot Blonde Vision will relish the step up in trip to 1200m. She has fair cruising speed and a good kick and a middle draw. Topweight Regal Graduation is in fine form and goes for a hattrick, although she does have a tricky draw. Winter Watch was staying on over 1000m last time so could be a threat from a good draw with Strydom up and Three Stars and San Fermin have to be considered.

In the seventh race over 1450m Orpheus comes out strongly on formlines and is drawn well over a probably ideal trip considering he is a classy, handy to front-running sort who reportedly makes breathing noises. Rocky Night won well last time at Greyville, but was a touch disappointing on Tuesday and on a line through Epic Dream is held by Orpheus. However, due to the breathing issues of the latter he can be included and so can Polar Ice, Jubilee Line and Victor Forth, who are all capable of winning.

In the next the form of Ghaalla’s win in the Grade 3 Fillies Mile has to be questioned as second-placed I Like It was lowly merit rated and third-placed Ronnie’s Candy did not have a good trip in that race. However, whichever way it is looked at she is well weighted in this event and the 1450m trip is ideal. Her stablemate Firdoas is talented and can be included alongside second best weighted Rockin Russian. The risk averse can consider Skye Lane and Parental Control.

In the last race over 1600m Fife should relish the step up in trip and is the one to beat from a good draw, with Jungle Jane and Tuscan Light being the back up.

By David Thiselton

Turffontein has a tricky public holiday meeting tomorrow as a number of the horses who make appeal on the nine race card are drawn wide.

The meeting should start well for punters as Ehsaan looked to have some class when going down narrowly to a promising sort on debut over this 1200m trip. The Captain Al colt was green and looks to have plenty of scope for improvement. He has a plum draw of two.

In the second race The Sands caught the eye early in his career as one with a nice action and some ability. He continually disappointed until dropped back to a sprint so over this 1200m trip he should have a chance in an uninspiring field despite a wide draw. Captain’s Alpha gets the blinkers on and from a good draw could earn here. One Of Our Own has run two fair races and is the other one to include in the Bipot.

In the first leg of the PA Without Limits has the best form and gets blinkers on from a wide draw over a suitable 1200m trip. With luck in running she will go close. Super Fine has caught the eye before and could improve with first time blinkers on. Destiny’s Game disappointed on Saturday but can earn here if bouncing back.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 the improving Glitter Path is the one to beat from a plum draw over an ideal 1450m trip. She is a potential banker but the risk averse can include Jacko Boy and Petite Aime.

In the first leg of the Jackpot Chevron has scope for improvement and having stayed on strongly over 1450m last time he looks likely to relish this step up in trip from pole position. Lasair has substance and stayed on resolutely from well back over this trip last time. He has to be included as one with scope for improvement and he might be ridden handier.

In the sixth race over 1600m Sea Air is made the best bet on the card from a plum draw as this Captain Al colt should now start progressing and this looks to be an ideal trip.

In the seventh over 1200m Mythical Bolt makes a lot of appeal as a hard knocking sort who is held in good regard. He can use his early speed to overcome his tricky draw. The first backup Purple Diamond has a tough draw too, but of the well drawn horses Varimax makes most appeal.

In the eight race over 1000m No More Words should enjoy the step down in trip on the evidence of her last run and she has a 2,5kg claimer up. However, she is widely drawn as are the main dangers Modjaji and Frankly. Illegal can also be included and Queen Rachel could also be involved.

In the last race over 1000m the disappointing Visuality is now off a competitive mark and in good form, so can beat Passion Peach who is well handicapped on her Cape Town form and should be running on. Fictitious must be included with a 4kg claimer on despite a wide draw. Of the well drawn horses I Aint Trippin, Effortless and Upskilled can be included.

By David Thiselton

Donovan Dillon, who had hoped to be back in action some six weeks after his Met day injuries, now looks like facing a total of three months on the sidelines.

He said: “I went to Durban last week for a follow-up appointment with my specialist – he is good and treats many rugby players with their knees. He said that he was happy with the progress I am making but the strenuous sport I am in can be hard on the knees.  He said that I should be back riding at the end of April and I am due to see him once more before then.”

Dillon damaged knee ligaments when Double Alliance reared with him in the pens in the Tattersalls Summer Juvenile. He also damaged a cartilage and bruised his knee bone.

Bernard Fayd’Herbe, back from Dubai, has seven rides at Durbanville on Saturday including Still I Rise (top weight in the Tabonline.co.za Handicap) who is one of four horses being sold by Joey Ramsden’s Goodhope Racing in a special filly and mare sale laid on by Grant Knowles’ Central Route Trading immediately after the last race.

The quartet also comprises last month’s Prix Du Cap winner Rose In Bloom (also second in the Sceptre and third in the Majorca), the useful maiden Lip Service and triple winner Lily Theresa. The only other horse in the sale is an unnamed Greys Inn two-year-old being sold by the executors of the late Chris Gerber.

By Michael Clower

Opensea Mhlamvu was the first Black person to be registered as an assistant trainer in South Africa when he worked for now Sydney-based David Payne. Veteran Mhlamvu is currently assistant to Gavin van Zyl and the horse named after him lines up in the second at Greyville today.

The colt has already had five starts, including three at Turffontein when under the care of Chesney van Zyl, but made a pleasing return to home territory when runner-up to the promising Mr Fitz at Scottsville.

On debut, Mr Fitz had finished second to Last Of The Legend who has subsequently run second in the Listed Derby Trial so Opensea has some solid credentials.

He is back to a sprint today and faces the Michael Roberts galloper Dallas who is bidding to snap a string visits to the second box. The handicappers have him rated the equal of Opensea so there is unlikely to be too much between the pair if the handicapper’s sums are correct.

The opening leg of the Pick 6 sees Podcast having his first outing for Kom Naidoo. He does have top weight but also a 2.5kg claimer aboard – if he can keep straight – and some useful form to back his claims. Podcast has had a taste of the poly and looks to be the right one in a competitive handicap.

Secret Dynasty could prove to be a threat as he seemed to do better over the shorter trip last time and jumps from the best draw. A good each-way wager could come in the form of Kingston Boy.  Doug Campbell’s runner has been dropped five pounds in the handicap and is never far back. He also goes very well on the poly. Of the balance, Techno Captain is not the easiest but did well over course and distance last time and can finish in the money again although he does appear to be at his best over a touch further.

The fourth is a treacherous lowly rated fillies handicap. Tombola has consistent form over further but has done well over this trip and tries blinkers for the first time which could see her home. Sheik’s Storm has gone close at her last two and has the best of the draw which counts for a length, maybe two, that can be vital in a handicap of this nature but not a race to go ‘light’ in.

In the sixth, Duke Of Spin showed potential before his New Year break but his two subsequent outings have been a touch disappointing. Duncan Howells has kicked for touch and Duke Of Spin races in blinkers for the first time. He cannot be written off lightly and if he does bring his A-game he will be difficult to beat. Of the balance, Capoeira has been tossed into the deep end but showed up well first run out of the maidens. He has a light weight and can feature while Blackball is 3.5kg worse off at the weights with Duke Of Spin when last they met but was a close-up second to smart stable companion Marchingontogether so cannot be written off lightly. Another with a chance is Amor Ardiente. Belinda Impey’s gelding is never far off them and has done well on the poly.

Young trainer Wayne Badenhorst, shortly to move to the Ashburton Training Centre, sends out Biker Babe in the seventh and appears to have picked her race as she is way down in class and was not far back when trying blinkers against stronger last run.

Finally in the last, Suzi Woo has made steady progress since her barrier trial and Shane Humby’s filly looks primed in a weak field, her only danger possibly On The Bright Side who landed a coup when sent over ground for the first time. The stable is in hot form and over an optimum trip, On The Bright Side must rate a threat.

By Andrew Harrison

A “blood reading” or “blood picture” is a term often used by trainers when assessing the well-being of a horse in the build up to a race.

However, there have not been many articles written in laymen’s terms which explain what this means.

Each trainer has his own methods.

Some will regard blood readings as an important part of a horse’s preparation, others place less importance in it and others don’t do them at all.

A “heart rate” is another measurement which can be taken but this is not a common practice.

The Paul Lafferty yard use blood readings extensively and some of the information below was gleaned from an interview with his assistant trainer Roy Waugh.

The information about the Heart rates is courtesy of three-times national Champion trainer Sean Tarry, who often uses this training aid. 

Athletic performance in thoroughbreds, as in humans, is interlinked with oxygen supply.

Haemoglobin, an iron-containing protein within the red blood cell, carries oxygen to the rest of the body and the more haemoglobin present the more that can be carried.

Red blood cells and haemoglobin thus go hand-in-hand. 

Red blood cells and accompanying haemoglobin are created by bone marrow and the levels are raised through exercise.

The aim of training is to stress the system, so that bone marrow makes more red blood cells/haemoglobin for the workload.

Short, sharp work is the best way to increase red blood cell/haemoglobin levels.

There are two important measurements to be taken in assessing the efficiency of oxygen transportation in a horse’s blood, the haemoglobin levels and haematocrit. The latter is also known as the Packed Cell Volume (PCV).

The amount of haemoglobin in whole blood is expressed in grams per decilitre (g/dl). The normal haemoglobin level for horses at rest is 8-19 g/dl.

The haematocrit or PCV measures the percentage of red blood cells in blood. A normal PCV reading for horses at rest is between 32-48%. Lower than 30% may indicate anaemia. When the blood sample is taken it is separated into three parts, red blood cells, plasma and buffy coat. The buffy coat is essentially the layer between blood cells and plasma that contains most of the white blood cells and platelets. An abnormally high white blood cell count indicates an infection. 

When the number of red blood cells is too large there is a traffic jam effect and blood flow is restricted.

This is termed haemo-concentrating and is chiefly associated with intact males.

Gelding is the usual solution. Long, slow work can also help.

Haemo-concentration is an unknown term in most racing countries, but is well-known in South Africa. The reason for this is likely due to South African trainers’ tendency to do short, fast work on heavy tracks, which can cause a rapid production of red blood cells/haemoglobin.

Trainers would ideally be looking for a haemoglobin level of from 13,5 to 15 for a horse at rest and a PCV reading from 40 to 43.

An important difference in the physiology of horses and humans is that a horse’s spleen holds approximately a third of its total red blood cells and these are held in reserve until mobilised through exercise, stress and excitement. This is a common physiological design in flight animals, who require a sudden burst of energy to escape from predators. It also explains why a good temperament is so vital in racehorses. Those who get worked up before the race or during the running are releasing some of their splenic blood and wasting their oxygen reserves. However, those who are able to relax until asked for an effort in the straight will still have oxygen in the tank in the final stages and this often makes the difference between victory and defeat.

The horse’s physiology is also one of the reasons a measurement of red blood cell/haemoglobin content in horses at rest can’t always be exact as even the anticipation of the needle can cause excitement and the consequent release of the splenic blood. 

Therefore, the Paul Lafferty yard take the measurement after fast work at which stage the splenic blood will still be in the system.

However, the expected levels will then change.

A good reading for haemoglobin after fast work would be from 23 to 24,5 and a good reading for PCV would be from 72 to 75.

These readings can be a valuable aid to trainers.

If the levels are too low a couple of days before a race, the horse will have no chance and might as well be scratched. However, if there is still two or three weeks to the race the levels can be raised by short, sharp work.

The levels become more important as an indicator the longer the race is.

They become an even more important indicator in races run at altitude (e.g. Johannesburg), where the air is thinner.

The Sean Tarry yard take heart rate readings after grass gallops. A profile of a horse’s heart rate and recovery rate is created over a period of time. When a race is approaching the heart rate and recovery rate readings are compared to the markers on the profile and an assessment is made.

By David Thiselton

The world-renowned Red Mills horse feeds are coming to South Africa and business development director Michael Connolly was at Durbanville at the weekend to outline the company’s plans.

The world-renowned Red Mills horse feeds are coming to South Africa and business development director Michael Connolly was at Durbanville at the weekend to outline the company’s plans.

He said: “We are the number one horse feed supplier in Europe and Asia, supplying 76 countries worldwide, and we have been looking at the South African market for the past ten years. You have world class horses and world class horsemen.”

Apparently one of the key reasons for taking so long was cost because Connolly is determined that his firm’s products are competitive with the local ones and “we have to ensure that they are affordable.”

The Irish-based company- William Connolly & Sons (Michael Connolly is a grandson of the founder) – boasted 97 Group 1 winners in 12 countries last year and supplies many of the top trainers around the world including William Haggas and Nicky Henderson in England, the Aga Khan’s trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre in France and in Ireland Melbourne Cup winner Joseph O’Brien, Cheltenham king Willie Mullins, Dermot Weld and John Oxx.

Connolly continued: “Under phase one of the South African operation we will supply the top trainers and studs direct and in phase two we will operate through a distributor.

“We are proven over time and the advantages of our products, as we see it, are that we use whole grains not extracts, steam for cooking which improves digestibility, a shelf life of ten months minimum that copies mother nature and does not use any nasty chemicals, consistency and state of the art quality control.”

Connolly was accompanied on his trip by global account manager Nicholas Gaumerais and he has recruited Peter Gibson (083-406 4881) as the company’s product adviser in South Africa.

Doubtless the likes of Equi-Feeds will hit back with offers and promotions of their own in a bid to hold on to the market and the competition can only benefit racing stables and studs in this country.

By Michael Clower