David Thiselton

The Tawny Syndicate have two lively contenders for classic trophies in their homebreds Valentino Balducci and Trust, with the former winning the Gr 3 TAB Starling Stakes on Saturday and the latter running a somewhat unlucky second in the Gr 3 Betway Graham Beck Stakes.

Valentino Balducci was bred by Tawny Syndicate co-founder “JJ” van der Linden and is part-owned  by him together with another Tawny Syndicate co-founder Larry Nestadt and also with Tawny Syndicate member Martin Lieveaux.

Trust was bred by Larry Nestadt under the Tawny Syndicate banner and he part-owns him together with Gary Player and Ralphs Racing.

The Valentino Balducci story started when Tawny Syndicate bought the Bosworth Farm Stud-bred Byword filly for R105,000 at the National Two-year-old Sale in 2016.

Goede Hoop was owned by “JJ” and Larry together with SM Nathan and CL Clucas.

Trained by Robbie Sage, Goede Hoop, who was out of Fort Wood maiden Nautical, won four races from 1800m up to 2400m.

Goede Hoop was sent back to Bosworth Farms Stud and covered by their underrated resident stallion Skit Skizzle, who is by the legendary Jet Master.

The first foal was Gideon’s Daughter, who is owned by Fellsmere Pty Ltd (Nom: Ms N Zwane) and trained by Alan Greeff. She won four times in the East Cape before fetching R10,000 at an August Online Sale this year, purchased by Leon Lotter.

Robbie Sage trains the second foal, Valentina Balducci, who is also by Skit Skizzle.

She won her first two starts over 1160m and 1450m before finishing an 8,95 length sixth in the Gr 2 Betway Jo’Burg Fillies and Mares Spring Challenge over 1450m. However, she jumped from a wide draw that day and had too much to do in the straight after being dropped out.

On Saturday in the Gr 3 TAB Starling Stakes over 1400m on Turffontein Standside she had another tough draw of eight out of ten and started at 14/1 odds.

The difference was this time Kaidan Brewer, who has ridden her in all four of her starts, decided to take her to the front.

She enjoyed herself in front and set a fair clip and then kicked well at the top of the straight.

Ovation Star came to challenge her and there was a prolonged tussle between the pair.

Brewer managed to change whip hands in the final stages and after giving her a smack with the left hand she found extra and won by a length.

The Gr 3 Fillies Mile on Betway Summer Cup day looks the obvious target for the filly, who has now accumulated R270,156 with her three wins in four starts and she has already got valuable bold black type.

Trust is by Heavenly Blue and is out of the Frankel may Frankly.

He is a full brother to his useful Candice Dawson-trained stablemate Truth.

Trust won by a length on debut over 1200m on the Turffontein Inside track and the form worked out well as the promising pair Monkey Puzzle and One Eye On Vegas have both come out and won since.

On Saturday, Trust, who was drawn eleven out of 15 in the Gr 3 Graham Beck over 1400m, was taken out early by the favourite Tin Pan Alley, who jumped inwards.

The stipendiary steward report stated, “Shortly after the start, MIAMI MOUNTAIN (C Murray) and TRUST (S Moodley) were bumped in by TIN PAN ALLEY (G Lerena), which jumped inwards leaving the stalls. As a consequence of this, MIAMI MOUNTAIN (C Murray) became momentarily unbalanced.”

This forced Serino Moodley to drop Trust to the back, although he then found the rail and made up a few places.

Trust had to negotiate quite a lot of traffic in the straight coming from near the back, but when seeing daylight at the 250m mark he lengthened his stride impressively and began making inroads in to Tin Pan Alley’s lead.

He was catching Tin Pan Alley fast, but it was too late and he had to settle for a 0,60 length second, a fine run in just his second career start.

The Betway Dingaans over 1600m looks the obvious target for Trust.

His sire Heavenly Blue won the Gr 1 SA Classic over 1800m, but Trust’s full brother Truth has turned out to be a sprinter.

However, Trust does look a different type to Truth with not as much speed and he gave the impression on Saturday that he would see out the mile. He is an exciting classic prospect at present.

The Tawny Syndicate have a lot to look forward to with these two horses, while the 119-rated Truth, whose ownership partners are the same as Trust’s, won a 1000m Pinnacle Stakes event in fine fashion last time out and looks set to have a good sprint campaign.

RACE 1

(3) TANZANITE made solid improvement in her last start when running extremely well, she could be a tough nut to crack. (1) CHEEKY CRANBERRY is well bred and any market support must be taken seriously. (5) SOMBREUIL hasn’t been far in recent runs and can place on best form. (2) FRENCH ROMANCE is another well-bred individual and its best to use the market as a guide. (Devonne Govender 3-1-5-2)

RACE 2

(8) MISSOURI FLAME made decent progress in her last start and looks ready to strike here. (4) BUGLE wasn’t beaten far in his last start and will have a chance against this line up respectfully. (2) CADENZA comes from a yard who knows how to get them ready, although the stable rider is aboard Miss Mackie, any support for Cadenza must be respected. (7) MISS MACKIE represents Cape form which generally stands up strong here hence she must be included in all bets. (Devonne Govender 8-4-2-7).

RACE 3

(3) OH MANDY has had many chances but is overdue for the win and could get it right in this field respectfully. (5) ROYAL MISSY ran a cracker in the last start and will be a strong contender here. (1) ROYAL MERMAID has the scope to improve in the province and must be included in larger perms. (6) LACRYMA CHRISTI will have a quartet chance on best form. (Devonne Govender 3-5-1-6).

RACE 4

Open race. (4) WILD FIG ran in strong company in his last start and will be a strong contender for top honours here. (7) KING RAHUL is holding top form and will be a huge challenger to the top selection. (6) SUPREME JUDGE is capable of winning this contest on best form, his overall form is good and he needs serious consideration. (9) ARIVIDICIO is a very honest type and shouldn’t be far. (Devonne Govender 4-7-6-9).

RACE 5

(3) BAIE MOOI needed the last start, she was very impressive in both her wins and will take a power of beating. (4) SILVONIAN has been racing well and will be the main danger to the top selection, could be the exacta horse here. (1) SPEED RACER ran a cracker in the last start and a repeat performance will see him in the firing line. (6) FIERY COUNTESS wasn’t far in the last start and can get into the quartets. (Devonne Govender 3-4-1-6).

RACE 6

(1) TINTAMARRE is in excellent form and will be the banker in all bets. He goes well on the poly and he should be hard to beat. (7) HALCYON wasn’t far in the last start and can certainly get much closer. (8) SWISS WALT is never far back, he is a very honest type and another good run is expected. (9) TRAVEL MASTER is another who is capable of running a big race so include in larger perms. (Devonne Govender 1-7-8-9).

RACE 7

(1) GOLDEN LINK has been running against some hard knockers and will run well in this field from the top draw. (3) FINAL TRY is holding solid form, he was impressive in both his recent wins and will challenge the top selection. (7) EYJAFJALLAJOKULL is never far back and is capable of a big finish on his day and must be respected. (2) WECANGOALLNIGHT wasn’t far in his last start and should be in the mix. (Devonne Govender 1-3-7-2).

RACE 8

(2) FEW DOLLARS MORE has performed well on the poly, he has shown plenty of guts and determination in KZN and is capable of doing work in a race and still finding hence he will be the value choice. (4) GEORGE HANDEL is holding good form and another huge run is expected. (9) ALADO’S PRIDE will be on the firing line based on collateral form, include in everything. (11) RICHARDTHEFEARLESS is another who has been racing well and won’t be far. (Devonne Govender 2-4-9-11)

David Thiselton

The outside rail is in by ten metres in the races down the straight at the Vaal meeting today and there is a ten metre spur at the 600m mark and this structure has favoured low draws in the past, although recently it has been more favourable to the low numbers when the rail is in by 14m, so at 10m the first two races need to be monitored before a draw bias can be said to be present.

The highest rated race is a MR 90 Handicap over 1500m and Zanthar is an interesting runner here as he has a possibly favaourable low draw and has not only come down to a competitive merit rating but also has in-form 2,5kg claimer Girish Samo-Burthia aboard. Last time out over 1200m at Turffontein Inside he was caught a touch wide and was beaten a respectable 4,30 lengths by the promising three-year-old Miami Mountain with Graded performers Charming Cheetah, Zalatoris and Aristotle splitting them. He should have come on from that run and will appreciate the step up in trip. If the high draws turn out to not be unfavourable then Zanthar’s Mike Azzie-trained stablemate Deception Pass could be in the mix if repeating his last start when beaten just a neck by Palace Prince over 1450m, although this Ideal World gelding is none too reliable. Jordan would prefer further but has some class and was not disgraced over 1600m last time. This is also his second run of the season, so he should have come on from that last run and he has a potentially favourable number one draw. The topweight Presley comes off a good run over 1400m and two winners have come out of that race already. He has a high draw but Gavin Lerena is up and will give him every chance. Dylan’s Champ is in good form and is distance suited and drawn in the middle, so should be in the shake up.

In the first leg of the Pick 6, a Maiden Plate over 1400m, Wayne made a cracking debut over 1200m in September and should appreciate the step up in trip so looks hard to beat here from draw one with Gavin Lerena up as both of the horses who beat him in the aforementioned race, Miami Mountain and Trajanus, have come out and won since. Amandla Ngawethu has run well in his last three races and from a low draw this improving sort should be right there. Arizona Magic has not been disgraced in three decent maidens but does have a very high draw. If high draws are not unfavourable he should be in the shake up. Battle Of The Bulge showed big improvement last time and if confirming it could earn. First-timer Go Johnny Go is by Gimmethegreenlight out of a Listed-winning Jet Master mare who is out of the Equus Champion broodmare Mystic Spring, so he is an interesting runner on debut.

In the second leg of the Pick 6, Trident King was beaten 3,20 lengths by Arlington Action over this 2400m trip last time and is now 3kg better off, so there should not be much in it and he is given the vote. Arlington Action won well over this trip of 2400m last time in a Classified Stakes race and now has a plum draw.  Cartagena was beaten 2,50 lengths in that race and faces Arlington Action on the same terms. Cartagena is a progressive sort and has won over this trip before, so should be involved in the finish with Craig Zackey now taking the ride. Sky Pillar Rock went close over 2000m last time and is out of a Galileo mare, so should enjoy this step up in trip. Chabal won easily over 2000m last time and being by Gimmethegreenlight out of a Duke Of Marmalade mare who won twice, over 1800m and 2000m respectively, he is also a lively contender in a race where all five of the aforementioned horses would have to be included in the Pick 6.

The fifth race over 1000m is also wide open. Lonely As A Cloud had a tricky draw of six out of eight last time on the Turffontein Inside track and before that was unfavourably drawn over 1000m on the Vaal Classic track in draw two, so was not disgraced in either start and now from draw four of eight should be involved. In The Ether is an honest distances-suited mare who has a form chance. Michael Faraday would find this too sharp on form, but he could be well handicapped having once been rated as high as 91 in Cape Town and having won once on the Highveld in four starts to put him on a 69 rating. He disappointed over 1450m last time and is now tried with blinkers, which he has only worn twice before over 1400m and 1200m without great success. Tiger Storm has the form to be a contender off  a merit rating that has come down considerably. Oriental Bouquet continues to disappoint but could earn from draw one.

In the sixth over 1200m Ice Dragon impressed in his winning debut and 86 does not look to be an unreasonable mark. The form has not worked out well at all, but the manner of the victory gave reason to believe he could amount to something.  Vibe SA is capable of better than his last two starts and from draw five out of ten over an ideal trip should be thereabouts. Antonio Gaudi went close over this trip last time and from number one draw cold be in the shake up. Secret Chord has talent and over this trip might get away with a seven month layoff. Turbo Power has a nice low draw and his recent form could see him earning again.

In the last race over 1600m Sunshine Day has a good form chance especially as she has a nice low draw. Vava Vegas ran well over 1800m last time and is interesting over this trip running off a seven point lower mark than her last win. Blurred Vision has come down to an eye-catching merit rating and from a nice low draw should be a big runner. Commander Of All is drawn one and has the form to be a contender. Madame Pompadour is in fine form over this trip and if high draws are not disadvantageous she could be in the shake up.

In the first race over 1000m Slender Silhouette comes from good formlines and from a middle draw might prove hard to beat.

In the second over 1000m Emerald Forge has a potentially tough high draw and returns from a five-and-half month layoff, but she had good juvenile form and could still make a bold bid. Kortvandraad was not disgraced in seven starts in Cape Town and considering the strength of the form there she has a good chance. Varachino’s Champ by Soqrat is a full-sister to the Listed winner I Salute You and she should be respected especially if money comes for her.