Alistair Cohen

Jet Force emerged as an interesting horse to follow in the coming months because he came of age and mixed it with the very best Weight For Age horses around. His recent win was full of authority and he could turnover a good field that will assemble for the Grade 3 Variety Club Stakes over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth today.

His run in the Grade 2 Ridgemont Green Point Stakes in December truly put him on the radar. He finished less than two lengths behind Dave The King therefore just a shade behind subsequent Grade 1 World Sports Betting Cape Town Met winner, See It Again. Also in that race was the reigning Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July winner, The Real Prince who was behind him. His rating was given a severe hike from 93 to 120. He kept his head above water when he was tested in the Grade 1 L’Ormarins Kings Plate when he finished just over six lengths behind The Real Prince. From a wide gate of No 12, he was always going to be up against it.

His last run came in late February when he kept I Salute You at bay in the Listed Jet Master Stakes over this course and distance. That race has produced some big names like See It Again over the years.

Des McLachlan has his yard in good heart and he is deliberating whether Jet Force and a couple of others are worthy to travel to Durban for Champions Season this winter. Grant van Niekerk is carded to take the ride.

Legal Counsel ran his career best in the World Sports Betting Cape Town when he pushed See It Again to 0,75 lengths in second. That trip was always touted to test his limitations. He proved himself of high quality. He will surely head to Durban after this because he won the KZN Breeders Mile last year and he would be an aimer if he went again if he does not aim higher. On the basis of his brilliant run in the Met, he has to be respected. Aldo Domeyer is back aboard after his faultless job last time.

Viva’s Liberte ran a ripper in the Grade 1 Lucky Fish Cape Derby over 2000m because he missed a fair chunk of his three-year-old campaign after gelding. He finished three lengths behind Wish List. Something had to set the pace and he did the donkey work. He could be well setup going forward and with a fair galloping weight of 54kg, he could be dangerous as the aged three-year-old versus older horses debate heats up. He could be a contender.

Stormwatch and Gavin Lerena are becoming good mates. He has ridden this Eric Sands-trained filly twice for a fluent win and a close-up second in the Grade 3 SplashOut Prix Du Cap over 1400m. She has always promised ability and she seems to be at the peak of her powers. She runs in the Listed Sweet Chestnut Stakes over 1400m and she could take all the beating. 

Roccapina is a good filly and she can mix with the best despite the odd indifferent performance thrown together. She is 1kg better off with Stormwatch for just over one-length between them in the Prix Du Cap. That should close the deficit between them so she is respected. 

Watch the betting on first timers who could be of interest in race 1 over 1200m. Rubee King, Earn The Weekend and Stealth Master all make appeal on pedigree. The best of the raced runners is easily One Spirit who ran admirably on debut when she finished fourth behind Lady Jean over this course and distance just over a month ago. Oswald Noach retains the ride for Vaughan Marshall who has his yard in good spirits.

Shesgotclass is on the up and she could follow up her last victory and win race 2 over 1100m. She also gets the services of van Niekerk for McLachlan. She was well backed in her last run into 14/10 favourite and she obliged in style. There is also a word of debate whether she will head to Durban this winter. This looks like the right place for her to enhance her confidence and her reputation.

Who Is She was desperately unlucky in her last run when she was caught out of her ground and ran out of runway to finish third behind Miss Attitude over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. Surely less will go wrong this time and she could confirm her profile that fits as a winner in waiting. She runs in race 3 over the same distance. Callan Murray is aboard for James Crawford.

La Pulga grinds away at a good level and runs honestly. His last effort was behind subsequent winner Tenpenny when beaten by 0,75 lengths over 2000m. He was not beaten by far when he lined up in the Premiers Trophy and the Peninsula Handicap during the Cape Summer Festival Of Racing. He had Regulation and I Salute You too good for him. He finds himself in calmer waters in race 4 over 1800m with Aldo Domeyer aboard for Candice Bass.

Van Niekerk and McLachlan are at it again in race 5 over 1800m with Noble Hero who has found a new lease of life. Winner of two from his last three runs over this trip, he has his confidence up and he seems to be getting more impressive as the runs and wins pass by. He has every chance of adding to his tally.

Rattlesnake has the perceived all important draw of No 1 over 1200m in race 8 and that could give him the winning advantage for Domeyer and Bass again. He is not the easiest on the eye when he moves to the start but he does enough in his races as demonstrated when he beat Peace Of Mind over this track and trip last time. His main danger is One Liner but he has pulled the extreme outside gate of No 10 but this little horse with a big heart has a propensity to punch above his weight and he should not be disgraced under Corne Orffer for Michelle Rix.

RACE 1

A race where the newcomers could hold the upper hand. Of those with experience, 2 ONE SPIRIT produced a very encouraging debut behind Lady Jean on the 22nd of February, he is sure to come on nicely from that run. However, with several well-bred first timers in the lineup, the market and parade ring will be key indicators. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 1 – 4 – 7)

RACE 2

4 BABELICIOUS stayed on beautifully late in the Grade 3 SplashOut Prix Du Cap behind Princess Of Gaul at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 28th of February, she is very consistent this filly, the drop in trip and the 2.5kg apprentice claim on Monday will help her chances, she will be just off the speed early, and she will be flying at them late. 5 SYMPHONY IN WHITE quickened up smartly to win a good race at Fairview Racecourse on the 20th of February, she is very talented, include her into all bets. 2 SHESGOTCLASS won a gutsy race on the 22nd of February, she was given four points for that victory last time, she is honest, and she tries hard, she will be right there in the finish again. 1 PINK PIGEON has the services of top jockey Richard Fourie, she is super consistent, on her best form, she can sneak into the places. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 5 – 2 – 1)

RACE 3

2 WHO IS SHE didn’t have much luck in running behind Miss Attitude at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 21st of March, her form of late is very good, she will be hard to beat from a neat draw on Monday. 6 SEE THE SIGN quickened up nicely to finish second in the same race as Who Is She last time, if she brings her last run to the track again on Monday, she will be competitive, watch her closely. 4 FATE OF PACE was a touch disappointing behind Lady Orbit on the 21st of March, she is much better than that performance, she steps up in trip now to 1600m, and she gets the services of top jockey Grant van Niekerk, watch for sharp improvement. 7 AUTUMN RUSH steps up in trip now, and she gets the 2.5kg apprentice claim, she might sneak into the places at a fair price. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 6 – 4 – 7)

RACE 4

7 LA PULGA ran a great race for second behind Tenpenny on the 11th of February, the yard thinks highly of this gelding, he will be switched off early from a bad draw, and he will be storming home late, include him into all bets, he can definitely win. 6 TIME FOR LOVE has been rested for 65 days, she won the Grade 3 World Sports Betting Summer Fling Stakes impressively on the 31st of January, she was given three points for that victory last time, she can be dangerous from the front, if she doesn’t need the run back from a small break, she will go close to winning. 3 SHERIFF JOHN STONE pulled with the blinkers fitted at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 18th of March, he was beaten just over four lengths by Boogiefied, the blinkers now come off, and he steps up in trip, watch for sharp improvement from this beautiful gelding. 2 KATSU never runs a bad race, he will be doing some good work late from a neat draw. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 6 – 3 – 2)

RACE 5

4 CHANCE ENCOUNTER ran a great race for second behind Noble Hero on the 11th of February, the cheek pieces have been fitted to this gelding on Monday, he will go very close to winning from a good draw. 2 NOBLE HERO won a good race beating Chance Encounter last time, he was given five points for that victory at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, even though he has more to do now at the weights, he will run a big race from a nice draw, include him into all bets. 3 SCOTTISH LINKS has been rested for 65 days, he stayed on well to finish second behind Note To Self at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 31st of January, if he doesn’t need the run back from a small break, he will be competitive, watch him closely. 6 ERIC LIDDELL could be the value play in this tricky race, the yard thinks highly of this gelding, the drop in trip is key for this individual on Monday, he will be flying at them late. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 2 – 3 – 6)

RACE 6

6 STORMWATCH was gutsy behind Princess Of Gaul in the Grade 3 SplashOut Prix Du Cap at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 28th of February, she was given seven points for finishing second, if she beats the tricky draw here, she will go close to winning. 2 KINDA WONDERFUL has been rested for 65 days, she is much better than her last run in the Grade 1 Maine Chance Farms Majorca Stakes at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 31st of January, the drop in trip is key for this filly on Monday, she should bounce back to her best form from a good draw. 5 ROCCAPINA ran a terrific race last time, she was unlucky on the 28th of February behind Princess Of Gaul, she has lots of ability this filly, there is no doubt that she can win a race like this on her best form. 4 QUEEN REGENT flew home late for second behind Beach Verse in the Listed OTT Cape Fillies Classic on the 28th of February, this trip of 1400m might be on the short side for her, but she will be running on strongly late. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 2 – 5 – 4)

RACE 7

4 JET FORCE quickened up like a smart horse to win a good race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 28th of February, he was given two points for winning the Listed Play ‘N Go Jet Master Stakes, the yard thinks highly of this gelding, he will be running on strongly late, include him into all bets from a good draw. 2 TENPENNY won the Listed Masks Of Fire Kenilworth Cup in terrific fashion on the 28th of February, he can definitely win again. 1 VIVA’S LIBERTE stayed on strongly for third in the Grade 1 Lucky Fish Cape Derby last time, he is a beautiful gelding with lots of ability, he could be hard to beat from a good draw. 3 LEGAL COUNSEL has been rested for 65 days, he ran a cracker in the Grade 1 World Sports Betting Cape Town Met on the 31st of January, unfortunately he was given 12 points for running second in that race, if he doesn’t need the run back from a small break, he will be competitive. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 2 – 1 – 3)

RACE 8

3 OBJET D’ ART is much better than his last run behind What A Fortune, he has dropped in the ratings, and he is back sprinting up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, he should bounce back to his best form on Monday, include him into all bets. 10 ONE LINER has been rested for 83 days, he was only beaten just over two lengths in his last start by Demanding Dave on the 13th of January, even though he carries a big weight for this Class 4 event, he will run a big race. 1 RATTLESNAKE has been rested for 61 days, he quickened up beautifully to win a good race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 4th of February, he will be just off the speed early, and he will be flying at them late, watch him closely with this new rating of 85. 8 GIVE IT LALDY has been rested and gelded, ignore his last run completely, the yard thinks highly of this individual, if he doesn’t need the run back after a small break, he will be right there in the finish. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 10 – 1 – 8)

Andrew Harrison

A promising career once headed for the annals of what could have been, has enjoyed a resurrection. See It Again, prematurely consigned to the dustbin of history after repeated refusals to enter the starting stalls, is on track for another crack at the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July, a race that has eluded him in spite of his obvious talent.

Since his relocation to the Western Cape where renown horse behaviorist Malan de Toit and trainer Justin Snaith have got the gelding to refocus and bring out his ability, their efforts were rewarded with victory in the Gr1 WSB Cape Town Met.

With his starting stall issues seemingly behind him, See It Again made the trip up to what was home ground in KZN before raiding Turffontein where he finished a good second in the Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m behind smart three-year-old Tin Pan Alley who saw his rating jump from 117 to 128 after the race much to the chagrin of Sean Tarry.

That said, See It Again faces another test on his journey into Champions Season in KZN when he lines up in the Gr1 HKJC Premier’s Champion Stakes over the testing Turffontein track on Saturday.

The Turffontein 2000m is not unfamiliar territory, See It Again finishing two lengths off winner Atticus Finch in last season’s Gr1 Betway Summer Cup giving the winner 6kg.

Saturday’s race is WFA which suggests that all being equal, Atticus Finch has it all to do at level weights.

Andrew Fortune rode a masterful race on See It Again to win the Met and he would dearly have loved to be aboard on Saturday but for a heavy fall at Fairview that saw him sidelined with broken ribs and collar bone. Speaking at Summerveld last Saturday he said things were on track for a return to the saddle in three weeks’ time.

Fortune has been replaced by Craig Zackey, an interesting call as Richard Fourie partnered See It Again in the Horse Chestnut and is now booked for stable companion Okavango while Zackey may well have had the choice of Grand Empire and Madison Valley. Okavango was game in a front-running display in the Listed Kings Cup when holding off the more than useful King Pelles at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and as both See It Again and Okavango are owned by Nic Jonsson, Okavango may be the sacrificial lamb with Fourie a master judge of pace.

Grand Empire and Trust fought a desperate duel in the Gr1 HKJC SA Classic, a nose separating the pair. Both go this trip for the first time but current crop of three-year-olds have yet to be solidly tested against top older horses and this race should give some indication of the depth. Both go this trip for the first time and both Tarry and Candice and Tammy Dawson have a knack for preparing their changes for the big days so it will be interesting.

In all, if See It Again puts in his best, he should be difficult to beat with the three-year-olds his most likely challengers.

It is a big day at Turffontein as their summer season draws to a close with a host of feature races on the 12-race card.

Main supporting feature is the Gr1 TAB Computaform Sprint that has attracted a big field of 17 runners where luck in running could play a pivotal role. The two most obvious contenders are Buffalo Storm Cody and last year’s winner, the ever game William Robertson, but they will be challenged by Fairview raider Kingdundee who comes off a four-race winning sequence and victory in the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship where he made a mockery of his 33-1 odds with favourite for the race Buffalo Storm Cody, well beaten, just over two lengths back.

Tony Peter’s charge has since made amends back on the Highveld where he got the better of William Robertson in a Pinnacle Stakes, the two meeting at level weights. Fourie replaces regular rider Gavin Lerena who will partner Clinton Binda’s gelding Ziyasha who goes into the contest of a recent victory. He is a horse who has had his ups-and-downs and although he looks safely held at the weights he could ride to the occasion. Lerena took a crashing fall at The Vaal midweek so his participation is uncertain at time of writing.

Buffalo Storm Cody is super quick and the Flying Championship was the only blemish in a five-race winning streak and goes for his 10^th success in 17 outings.

William Robertson on the other hand was won 17 races from 56 starts and Corne Spies is not shy to saddle up. He has had two further outings since finishing second to Buffalo Storm Cody, winning and then finishing two lengths off Ziyasha in a Pinnacle Stakes, giving the winner 4kg.

Last season’s Computaform victory was a deserved maiden Grade 1 success for William Robertson and if anything, he will strip fit.

Kingdundee is a 1000m specialist and runners from the Eastern Cape can never be ignored. Dean Smith’s runner comes with more than creditable form given his Flying Championship win and although Buffalo Storm Cody may have run below par on the day, form is form.

The SA Derby will be run as a Gr2 for the first time and has attracted a bigger than usual field. It is a highly competitive contest where Mike and Mathew de Kock’s filly Curious Girl will be out to become the first filly in over 100 years to put one over the colts. In her favour is that she has won over the distance and cruised home in the Oaks Trial. Lerena is penciled in to ride. Of the males, Texas Missile strikes as a progressive stayer and comes from the right stable as Alec Laird is a master of staying horses.

Spies has his hopes pinned on William Robertson for the Computaform and Hazy Dazy in the Wilgerbosdrift Bridget Oppenheimer SA Oaks. The daughter of Act Of War has the trophies for the first two legs of the Triple Tiara in the cabinet and the Oaks will see her follow in the footsteps of some of South Africa’s champion fillies. Spies has stayed loyal to apprentice Trent Mayhew who rode an exception front-running race in the SA Fillies Classic to hold off the smart Golden Palm. On that showing the extended trip should hold no fears.