David Thiselton 

REIGNING national Champion Trainer Sean Tarry had a fine day at Turffontein Standside on Saturday, winning four races including both features. His first call jockey Lyle Hewitson rode both feature winners and scored a treble on the day.

The Klawervlei Stud-bred Tropic Sun cruised to victory in the Grade 3 Sycamore Sprint and this left collateral form studiers excited about some other Highveld sprinters, particularly Sweet Future and Mind Reader.  

On Saturday, Tropic Sun proved she was a lot better than the 96 merit rating she ran off in the handicap event over 1160m. She did admittedly have the probable advantage of an extreme outside draw but after pinging the gates she showed excellent natural pace and only Winter Smoke, who had the disadvantage of a low draw, could match her. Lyle Hewitson just had to give Tropic Sun a couple of backhanders late in the race to keep up her concentration. She beat the closer Rio’s Winter, from whom she received 4kg, by two lengths, and the pacey Winter Smoke, from whom she received 4,5kg, by four lengths.

Tropic Sun treated the rest of the field with as much contempt as Sweet Future had treated her last time. The latter received 2kg from Tropic Sun over 1000m on February 27 and beat her easing up by 3,85 lengths. 

On the other hand Tropic Sun likely stepped up a notch from that run and on a line through All Of Me she certainly did, as she beat All Of Me by 1,90 lengths in the 1000m event and beat her by 6,70 lengths yesterday.

Mind Reader is an interesting 1000m filly who keeps on defying the handicapper. All Of Me was placed fourth despite being 1kg under sufferance, so it was a good performance and Mind Reader beat her by 1,05 lengths last time over 1000m when receiving just 1,5kg, so she looks one to continue following.

Tropic Sun gives the former Tarry-trained Jet Master entire Skitt Skizzle his second stakes winner at stud. This is an outstanding feat for a stallion who never won a stakes race himself and who got just a handful of mares in his first few seasons. 

Tarry’s Al Adiyaat South Africa-owned and bred Seehaam, was also impressive in winning the Listed Jacaranda Handicap over 1800m by five lengths.

The Vercingetorix filly looked likely to get the trip being out of Al Mufti mare Alderry, who won the Grade 2 November Handicap over 1600m and finished a three length second in the Jacaranda with topweight and a three length third in the Grade 2 level weights Gerald Rosenberg over 2000m. Seehaam also gave the impression she would see out this trip in her previous start when staying on for a 3,75 length fifth in the Listed Acacia Handicap over 1600m, which was run in course record time on the Vaal Classic track. She was under sufferance in the latter race so was given a three point raise but it did not stop her doddling yesterday’s race off a 90 merit rating carrying 52,5kg.

Hewitson had her one wide with cover in a handy position after jumping from a plum draw of two and after letting her go at the 400m mark the good looking bay pulled clear effortlessly. Grade 1 SA Fillies Classic fourth-placed Sparkling Water stayed on for second narrowly ahead of the 81-rated Fort Anne. 

Seehaam has substance and can continue to progress. The Gerald Rosenberg on May 1 looks like her next logical step, although it is a weight for age plus Grade 1 and Grade 2 penalties race which will give her a harder task.

Earlier in the meeting there was a notable achievement by Avontuur Stud mare Academia. When the David Nieuwenhuizen-trained Oratorio filly Gifted Gal won the third race over 1160m under Gavin Lerena she became the third of Academia’s four runners to date to win on debut.

Andrew Harrison

DENNIS DRIER, back from his extended stay in Cape Town, will be keen to get the ball rolling back on home soil and can start with Princess Anastasia. Drier has set her a stiff task first up out of the maidens when she lines up in the sixth on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Monday but she could well prove up to the task.

Princess Anastasia boasts a blue-blood pedigree but one that suggested that she should enjoy a stretch in trip which possibly accounted for her winning at long odds at second time of asking.

She made a modest debut over the Greyville short cut in soft ground which gave little indication of her chances at her second start at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. She galloped in the pack for most of the journey before Tristan Godden released the handbrake. Her response was instant and she swept clear of the opposition to win as she liked.

Princess Anastasia takes a jump in class on Monday but also, given current evidence, should be more at home over the 1600m trip. She takes on a useful field and makes her poly debut but looks up to the task at hand.

Her biggest threat could come in the form of Quickstep Lady. Western Cape-based Andre Nel has sent her up to Byron Forster at Summerveld for what could be a tilt at some of the Champions Season features and her Cape form is not too shabby.

Although only successful in a maiden in 15 starts, she has finished runner-up on seven occasions. She makes her poly debut but also takes a drop in class.

In the first race, Johan Janse van Vuuren saddles West Coast Lover who has come on nicely at recent outings and has his third run after a break and a smart showing over the Turffontein 1400m. He should be ideally suited to this course and distance and although facing some consistent older maidens he should have enough to win this. Seventh Song is seldom far back and was narrowly beaten over course and distance last run while the lightly raced Boardmaster made a promising debut at long odds and the experience should count in his favour.

The second is an open handicap and it may prove prudent to go wide in any exotics. Alphamikefoxtrot was not far back to stronger on the turf last outing but his best recent form has been on the poly over this trip. Leslies Pathtofame made sudden improvement in a tough race last start and a repeat can see him go one better while Precious Love and Running Freely can surprise.

It is never easy winning first run out of the maidens but Moobheera, having only her second start and first run for the Paul and Beth Gadsby stable, won well enough suggest that she is good enough to follow up in this company. Mark Dixon has persisted with She’s A Dream and has been trying her over further. She is back over what may well prove to be her preferred trip and she showed improvement when back in weaker company last run. She has also tumbled down the ratings. Purple Nkanyezi has a tricky draw but showed up well when taking a drop in class last start. She got a two-point raise for that effort but has a chance in spite of a wide draw.

The fourth is another difficult filly’s handicap. Capriccio has not been out of the money since shedding her maiden over course and distance and a second win would not be out of turn. Abbey Wood is a recent maiden winner but has shown some promise and goes well over this trip while Bell Jar is not the biggest but seldom runs a poor race. She has been close-up at her last two. Fire Faerie has the widest draw but is consistent and has gone close to stronger.

The card doesn’t get any easier in the fifth but Fireonthetrack has shown up well in his last two starts on the poly. With a four-claiming apprentice up he should make a bold bid. Smart Sox has taken to the poly of late and has been close-up at his last two. He takes a small rise in class but looks good enough to feature prominently. Tiger Tank was a well-beaten fourth last run but is re-united with his regular pilot and from a plum draw can go close. Legislate’s Dance and Mambo Symphony are others to consider.

In the seventh, Mexican Catdance makes some appeal as he has been holding form since his maiden win. He has the best of the draw and the extra should suit. Tarzan has had one outing since a break and showed up well in a competitive sprint. He will prefer this trip and should be a big runner. Major Return has been up against stronger on the Highveld. New stable and is one to watch. Lightning Spirit and Parktown are others to watch.

Louise Goosen can round off the afternoon with Rubondo who made marked improvement last run with a first-time tongue-tie. Deon Sampson has been ‘imported’ to ride. Tienie Prinsloo had success last Monday with Foxy Lady and he saddles the luckless Montana Sky who seldom cracks a decent draw and has another to contend with. Jarred Samuel may well have had success with his objection against Secret Is Ours if he had finished a little closer and one better here would be just reward. Alfredo is always thereabouts and has run his best race over course and distance when allowed to bowl along while Guiseppi’s Song showed up well first run on the poly. Lightly raced he could surprise.

David Thiselton

The Adam Marcus-trained Equus Champion Miler Vardy will miss the SA Champions Season but should soon be able to start light work on the long road to getting him back to his best.

Meanwhile, his Grade 1-winning stablemate Mississippi Burning departs for a stud career in Australia today, whilst the hard-knocking Grade 1 performer Princess Calla is residing at her owner Mario Ferreira’s private KZN establishment and enjoying her work across the road at Summerveld.

Vardy was found to have a small lesion on his suspensory branch while preparing for the Cape Summer Season.

Fortunately, the yard picked it up immediately from the heat and swelling, so it not a career ending injury.

The five-year-old Var gelding has returned from injury before and it did not stop him from performing at the highest level.

After beating One World in the Grade 3 Winter Classic he had an operation to remove chips from both his near fore knee and his off fore fetlock joint. He came back to win both the Grade 2 Green Point Stakes and Grade 1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate, beating big guns of the like of One World, Rainbow Bridge, Hawwaam, Do It Again, Undercover Agent and Twist Of Fate.

The suspensory lesion was scanned again two months after its discovery and the veterinarian advised he could up his exercise routine from walking to trotting. Marcus always adds two weeks before carrying out veterinary advice to up his work routine.

He said, “There is no rush so we just give him the benefit of any doubt.”

Vardy has been trotting for two months and the next scan is now due. It is hoped he will then be able to resume light work, which will gradually be increased.  

Princess Calla is being ridden work by Anton Marcus at Summerveld. 

Adam expects her comeback run to be in the Grade 3 Umzimkhulu Stakes over 1400m at Scottsville on April 4. He said this was the natural stepping stone race into the Grade 2 WSB Fillies Guineas. He said there were many options open to a filly during the SA Champions Season so the connections could afford to take it one step at a time. He felt the 2200m of the Vodacom Durban July might stretch her at this stage. However, he added considering the light weight a three-year-old filly would carry participation was not out of the question, although he said any thoughts of this were yet to be discussed by the connections.  

Adam will raid the Grade 1 SA Fillies Sprint with Grade 2 Khaya Stables Diadem runner up Hello Winter Hello before she retires to stud. She is not the soundest so prefers the Cape Town training tracks and rings which consist of natural sand and are thus softer.

David Thiselton

TURFFONTEIN STANDSIDE hosts an intriguing nine-race meeting today that is headlined by the Grade 3 Sycamore Sprint over 1160m and the Listed Jacaranda Handicap over 1800m.

In the Sycamore Sprint Tropic Sun has plenty of pace and is drawn on the usually favourable stand side. She is potentially well handicapped as she finished 3,85 lengths behind Sweet Future last time on 1kg better terms than weight for age and the latter looks to be a star in the making. In her previous start she burst through the stalls and then got into a speed duel with Forever Mine, so finishing 2,75 lengths behind MK’S Pride was no disgrace, although she was receiving 5,5kg from the smart three-year-old. On her start before that she gave Rio’s Winter half-a-kilogram and lost to her by 0,75 lengths. She now gets 4kg from Rio’s Winter.

Winter Smoke would have been the choice if it was not for her draw of one, which is usually unfavourable. However, she has plenty of pace, which will allow her to overcome it, and she is able to kick on, so she is still a big runner despite having to carry 58.5kg.  

Rio’s Winter has a middle draw and although this is a touch on the sharp side she is capable of a strong finish and could mow them down. 

Mill Queen is 7kg better off with Winter Smoke for a 4,25 length beating in November, although the latter would have made 2,5kg improvement since then according to the weight for age scale so still holds Mill Queen. However, Mill Queen does have a high draw so has a chance.  

Spring Break has talent and carrying only 53kg will be dangerous from a nice draw of nine with Kennedy up.

Risk Taker has a terrific turn of foot so can also be considered although her four draw is on the low side.

Double “O” Eight loves this course and distance but her low draw is against her and the same can be said for the capable Che Bella.

In the Jacaranda Handicap Seehaam is the selection to win. This daughter of Vercingetorix is out of Alderry, who won the Grade 2 November Handicap over 1600m and finished a three length second in the Jacaranda with topweight and a three length third in the Grade 2 level weights Gerald Rosenberg over 2000m. Therefore, Seehaam should stay on pedigree and gave that impression when staying on for a 3,75 length fifth in the Listed Acacia Handicap over 1600m, which was run in course record time on the Vaal Classic track. Seehaam has a plum draw of two and Lyle Hewitson, who scored a double on her in December and February over 1400m and 1600m respectively following a six month layoff, is back aboard. 

Seehaam’s Sean Tarry-trained long-striding Stablemate Magical Flight looks to be the chief danger. She showed in the Grade 1 SA Fillies Classic, where staying on for third, that she gets the trip and also showed that she does not necessarily have to lead. 

Saragon won the Grade 3 Yellowwood Handicap over this course and distance off just a one point lower mark than her current merit rating. She  can give Gary and Dean Alexander, who are soon departing for Australia, a nice going away present by making a bold bid from a good draw. 

Sparkling Water looks to have some class and although half-a-kilogram under sufferance she was not suited by the slow pace of the SA Fillies Classic and was beaten just a quarter of a length by Magical Flight.

Shivers is talented and course and distance suited but does have a tricky draw.

Topweight Jet Start can’t be ignored over a suitable trip as she has always possessed class and is in a rich vein of form.

 ANDREW HARRISON

FEEDBACK; feedback; feedback. That’s the oft repeated cry from trainers when asking their jockeys and work riders, whether it be morning work or after a race. Few trainers have the luxury of riding their own work so they rely on info from those aboard their charges.

Frustrated ex-jockeys who have out-grown their breeches can be the most demanding.

There was a mighty plunge on Euphoric in the first apprentice race at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday as Kyle Strydom rode the perfect race to land the gamble.

Any price at the start of the day, the money came in spades. In a post-race interview, trainer Alyson Wright, whose assistant and husband is former Zimbabwean champion jockey Kevin, pointed out that Stuart Randolph had advised that the blinkers should be put back on.

Strydom, nephew of Piere Strydom who is one of the best jockeys ever to grace a dock in this country and possibly the world, has plenty of experience to call on and earned dormitory boasting rights as he completed the apprentice double with State Of Mind getting home for Gavin van Zyl in the seventh.

Strydom rode perfectly to instruction and came home lonely.

Highveld trainers are arriving thick and fast of late in search of easy pickings and Candice Dawson struck with Luke Ferraris earning his keep aboard Herstel in the second, edging out Candy Galore and Freedom Seeker.

It is well documented that Shane Humby takes his time with his charges, but when he does decide that they are ready they generally run a forward race. Good Girl looked dead-and-buried at the two-furlong marker as Ryan Munger hunted a gap, but once in the clear, Good Girl responded like her name suggests to nail Uncomplicated two jumps from home.

Lyle Hewitson replaced an ill-disposed Donovan Dillon – broken hand – on the well supported Peter Muscutt-trained Mr Pigalle and it nearly all ended in tears as original favourite Sergei almost nailed him on the line.

Hewitson kicked clear a long way out and looked to have the race under control, but Mr Pigalle was one-paced over the final 100m and Anton Marcus, who never gave up, almost snaffled a win but Sergei just not able to get there in time.

Hewitson made his trip to KZN worth while as he booted home Burning Wings in a tight finish to the sixth denying arch rivals Warren Kennedy and Marcus.

David Thiselton 

THE Turffontein Inside course stages an eight race meeting today and the exotics look catchable.

The highest rated race is the seventh, a MR 96 handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m, and the talented Celestial Love can continue on her winning ways. She bet a decent field on Saturday over 1100m without being stretched. She can thus overcome a six point merit rated raise and as she has a good turn of foot she can afford to be dropped out from a high draw. Sheer Talent will appreciate dropping back to sprint trips and as she has a good turn of foot and a better draw than Celestial Love she could try and steal a march on this tight track. The latter appears to be on an upward curve though so is preferred. Thumbs Up has a win and a second in three starts over this course and distance but has a wide draw to overcome. 

In the first race over 2600m, the first leg of the Bipot, Sophia’s First is a banker. She ran on well last time over 2400m to finish a 0,40 length second with the rest of the field more than six lengths further back. She comes out well on collateral form in this uninspiring contest and looks likely to get the trip. Rockpapersciccors jumped from a wide draw over 2000m last time and it did not pan out too well for her so she did well to run on from way back for a close third and she looks the main danger now stepped up to a staying trip.

In the second race over 2600m Ideal Wolff went close in his first try at a staying trip over 2400m last time and can be ridden with more confidence this time knowing he stays. The concern is he has not raced since that run three months ago, in which he was 0,25 lengths behind So Long Spring. He is now weighted to reverse the form, being 1kg better off plus 0,5kg of weight for age improvement. Cash Time comes off two fine seconds over 2400m behind two respective decent stayers and he should be in the shake up. Gold Griffin was well beaten by Cash Time last time but enjoys this course and distance. However, it is tough to ignore any of the runners in this field, so an upset result would be no surprise. 

In the third over 2000m Senescence has come into her own and looks capable of overcoming a five point raise considering the ease of her running on win over 1600m last time. She is by Elusive Fort and is a half-sister to a horse who went close over 2000m on the Greyville poly recently so should stay the trip. She has tried this trip before and could only manage fourth in the maidens but she was not shaping over any trip at that stage and has for some reason suddenly turned the corner and been eyecatching in both of her last two starts. Last Cheer ran a fair fourth over this trip on Tuesday and a good second before that over 1800m so could be the chef danger from the same draw as Tuesday. The Brass Way has done well in two starts since stepped up to this trip and can also be involved as can others like Liverpool Legend and Chevron. However, Senescence looks to be a banker.

In the fourth over 1600m Diamonds N Dollars is the selection as she looks to have scope and also looked to have a little bit still in the tank when beating an admittedly uninspiring field in the maidens. She has a fair draw of six and this field is not inspiring either. Furthermore, she is the jointed best in at the weights in this Classified Stakes event. Perfect Angel is another of the joint best-weighted and is a full-sister to the talented but difficult Christmas Flower. Last time out she moved up well over 1450m on the Vaal Classic track but did not go through with it so is interesting over this tighter track over a trip she should get on pedigree. Golden Spoon improved with blinkers last time and starts off handicapping having to carry topweight off a 76 merit rating and the horse she beat Belle Of Belize failed to beat an uninspiring field on Tuesday. However, Golden Spoon can still improve and could earn. 

In the fifth race it looks to be a question of whether Me Time will stay the trip and she should do considering she was running on strongly from way back over 1450m last time and just failed.  Her pedigree creates some doubt as she is by Gimmethegreenlight out of a speedily bred Tiger Ridge mare but she does now have a plum draw as opposed to the high draw she had last time. In Limbo has a wide draw but as a full-sister to Hawwaam and a half-sister to both Rainbow Bridge and Golden Ducat she is entitld to improve. She showed last time when winning her maiden over this trip she has gears so can overcome that draw. Bella Rosa can never be ignored. Now You See Me made a fine comeback last time and has a fair draw over a suitable trip. Pin Up also has ability and should be as effective over this trip as she is over 1800m.

 In the sixth over 1600m Aflame stretched out nicely to win her maiden over 1400m in eyecatching style. She beat Diamonds N Dollars comfortably and the latter won next time out. She starts off handicapping off a reasonable 67 merit rating. Anatura will be running on again from a tricky draw and Un Deux Trois also has a form chance but has to overcome a tough draw. 

In the last race Full Velocity flew home in her comeback over 1000m and just failed. She now has a fair draw over 200m further so will be hard to beat if reproducing, although it is her second run after a six month layoff. It is wide open beyond her, but Emerald Crest looks to be the chief danger.   

ANDREW HARRISON

APPRENTICE races are often something of a lottery with inexperienced riders hunting boasting rights amongst themselves. With the SA Jockey Academy based in KZN, it is local trainers who mentor those green apprentices that have qualified to ride in races.

However, any apprentice that looks capable of making the grade is suddenly whipped off to Gauteng, ostensibly because they get more chances with bigger fields and racing three times a week. This leaves the KZN trainers lumbered with another book of greenhorns.

The Highveld hordes are in force in two races at Hollywoodbets Greyville today and Joshwin Solomons could snaffle the first.

Solomons, son of talented rider Morne Winnaar, showed early promise before being shipped to the Western Cape. But with the Covid complications and the closure of the apprentice academy in Cape Town, he was sent to Jo’Burg. Quiet and unassuming, he does not have the ‘mouth’ of an Andrew Fortune, but his riding skills have been quickly recognised and his 4kg claim has quickly reduced to 1.5kg.

He may not need his claim in the fifth where Dennis Bosch’s consistent Theravada can get out of the placings and visit the winner’s box for the third time. Best of the opposition could be Wendy Whitehead’s old campaigner Sovereign Soldier who was a close-up third last outing and has been consistent of late.

The second apprentice handicap could be trickier with a number of runners in with chances. The draw should not be a problem in this small field. The list of possible winners is a long one. State Of Mind has run her two best races over course and distance and was narrowly beaten last run. Ice Imperial took on stronger last start but was well beaten in the soft. She is never far back and goes well on the poly. So They Say made a smart handicap debut. She is distance suited and if taking to the poly should put up a good showing.

In the first leg of the PA, Candy Galore has her third run after a break. She gets a 4kg claimer up from a good draw. Blush Of Dawn loves the poly and can do much better than her last two in the soft. Candice Dawson is in town. The best of her two runners here could be Herstel who is lightly raced and has useful form over this trip.

In the third, Simply Complicated improved nicely with cheek pieces and races in blinkers. She has a strong chance on that last showing. The danger could be Good Girl who has shown a preference for the poly and was showing promising form over sprints before being sent over ground with the blinkers off. They are back on here and the extra did seem to suit. Princess Thiana has come on from each run and looks primed for this. She is a full sister to Legal Eagle.

The experiment with blinkers didn’t work for Raiseahallelujah and he is back on the poly without the blinkers and may be worth another shout especially as Warren Kennedy has left his Paul Peter ride to arch rival Anton Marcus who partners.

who appears to have come to hand with each outing and looks primed for this.

The sixth looks tricky but Herecomestherain took on stronger last start and was close-up. His two best recent efforts have been on the poly and he drops in class. Tambora has been in good form since arriving in KZN. He drops in trip but has won well on the poly. Fly The Coup won well over course and distance on debut. He could have plenty more to come. Stable companion Princekaresh was hampered out of the gate last start and never really in it. Marcus has jumped ship for Fly The Coup.

In the last, Superior Leader makes his local debut. He comes off some useful Kenilworth form and has a plum draw which could see him home Gimme A Rainbow has a difficult draw but has improved nicely of late while Don’t Touch Me has shown signs of coming to hand and faces a modest field here.

DAVID THISELTON

FORTY YEARS AGO a final field debacle in the Vodacom Durban July led to a change being made in the selection process starting from 1981 onward and today whilst there are still gripes from the connections of those who don’t get in the system does at least give all entries a chance.

Legendary three-times July-winning trainer Mike Bass remembers the newspaper billboards which pronounced the devastating news that his charge Cracker Lily, who was just about the ante-post favourite for the 1980 race, had been eliminated.

In 1980 the system was simply to select the top 20 horses in weight order and as Cracker Lily had been set to carry a low weight of around 49kg he was eliminated.

Bass was known for his expertise in bringing horses on slowly but surely to their peak and he seldom took three-year-olds to KZN in the winter.

He allowed the tall Cracker Lily plenty of time to mature in his three-year-old year and to overcome his issues. His chief issue was his “stringhalt”. This condition refers to a gait abnormality which is characterized by involuntary, exaggerated upward movement of one or both of the hindlimbs. Cracker Lily had no problem when galloping but when walking one of his hind-legs would often suddenly shoot up involuntarily, sometimes making contact with his stomach.

When the new season began the now four-year-old Cracker Lily was only a one-time winner but he was progressive and Bass targeted the July.

The colt by Palm Beach II (GB ) out of the good broodmare Lily started his campaign superbly, winning three Progress Plates in succession from 1600m to 1800m.

He then finished 4th, 3rd, 2nd and 2nd in four B Division handicaps over 1500m, 1600m, 1700m and 1700m respectively.

He followed that by winning a B Division Handicap over 1800m at Kenilworth.

Bass then entered him in the Grade 1 weight for age (wfa) Queen’s Plate over 1600m.

He finished a fine 4,25 length fourth to reigning July champion Over The Air.

In the process he beat Deep Magic by two lengths, World News by 4,25 lengths and Outswinger by 5,25 lengths.

Bass then ran him in the Grade 3 wfa South Easter Stakes over 1800m.

He waltzed in under regular pilot Paddy McGivern, winning by two-and-a-half lengths with the 1978 SA Guineas winner World News finishing third, beaten 4,75 lengths.

Cracker Lily then won the Cape Town Festival Handicap over 1900m at Kenilworth by an easy 1,75 lengths. 

It is not clear from the archives how the weights were set for his next start in the Grade 2 Republic Day Handicap over 1900m at Greyville, which is today’s equivalent of the WSB 1900.

However, it seems absurd that having thrashed World News in his two previous starts, both wfa events, he was now set to carry 3.5kg less than the World News. 

Cracker Lily was set to carry only 50kg and the Form Turf Guide and Blood Horse analyst said, “Cracker Lily looks to be the horse to beat at the weights as long as Robbie Sham can overcome a wide draw.”

As it happened he was beaten three-quarters of a length into second place by the top class Anytime Baby, who carried 56kg. Anytime Baby had shown how good he was by beating the celebrated Bold Tropic in the 1979 SA Guineas. The latter is commonly regarded as one of the best three-year-olds in South African history and he went on to win seven races in the USA including four Grade 2s.

The horse that finished third in the Republic Day, one -and-a-quarter lengths behind Cracker Lily, was six-year-old Beau Art, whose hitherto biggest claims to fame had been a runner up finish to the great Politician in the 1978 July and a third place finish to Politician in the 1979 Met.

Among the other horses Cracker Lily comfortably beat in the Republic Day were World News, Forty Winks, Outswinger and Statesman although he did receive weight from them.      

Nevertheless, the top twenty in the weights for the July all accepted. 

Cracker Lily was thus eliminated simply due to his low weight, whilst those he had easily beaten in various build up races, World News, Deep Magic, Outswinger, Forty Winks and Statesman,  were all included. 

The gentlemanly Bass recalls accepting Cracker Lily’s fate matter-of-factly. 

The subsequent July result saw the two horses Cracker Lily had split in the Republic Day, Beau Art and Anytime Baby, finishing first and second. The handicappers were given some vindication when Cracker Lily could only manage a 2,25 length second in the Sea Cottage Handicap over 1900m on July day, although he was giving 3.5kg to the winner Lagin.

However, Cracker Lily subsequently won the Grade 2 Clairwood Winter on the last Saturday of the season. He carried 49.5kg, and received 1kg from Lagin whom he beat into second by 1.5 lengths. July runner Forty Winks, carrying 56.5kg, was beaten 15,25 lengths. 

From the following year onward the final field panellists were apparently allowed to select at their own discretion. This was likely in order to prevent what was becoming a familiar scenario, i.e. has-beens having one more crack at the July and effectively preventing the inclusion of young horses who had the form to win the big race.

The July fields in the 1970s were characterised by the lack of three-year-olds, which emphasised how difficult it was for a young horse to be included in the final field. 

From 1970 to 1980 inclusive only 23 three-year-olds ran in the July and yet three of them won and two of them were runner ups, while one of them crossed the line first but was demoted after an objection.

Under today’s merit rating system Cracker Lily would likely have been among the twenty top-weighted horses among the entries on the grounds of his Queen’s Plate run alone.    

However, more importantly he would have been near the top of the July log with such form and would thus have been an automatic inclusion in the final field.  

TO say that today’s Hollywoodbets Greyville poly meeting lacks a little quality is an understatement but without those horses in the lower echelons being given a chance, horse racing would be much the poorer. And for owners with those horses in training, they all need a bite of the cherry.

That said, in an effort to cut down costs on a card that has many races to keep punters guessing, Secret Is Ours in the fourth and Broadway a race later could provide anchors.

The cleverly named Broadway has a blue-blood pedigree and made a promising debut when racing green at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.  There should be plenty of improvement to come from Lezeanne Forbes’s colt when he lines up in the fifth and he is up against a host of struggling maidens.

With expected improvement he could prove difficult to beat.

It must have been a difficult decision to geld Secret Is Ours given his pedigree but evidence is that it was the correct move. Secret Is Ours has had two outings since and is finally adding some lustre to that pedigree and was a close-up second last run. He meets very little of note in the fourth and could possibly be another banker on the day with only Montana Sky overdue a change of fortune. Tienie Prinsloo’s runner gets his chance here. It may prove prudent to keep an eye on the betting.

In the first, Crimson Causeway was only run out of it late when making her debut and should tighten up considerably from that outing. Danse Milord has been a little costly to follow but did have a wide draw in her poly debut. Red Juniper is also likely to come on lengths from her debut and with Anton Marcus aboard Federica any market support is likely to prove significant.

The second is just a case of ‘what will get me through the PA’ in a seriously open race. Beat It is an older mare taking on males but she has been dropping in the ratings and did well from a difficult draw last run. Florence has been coming on nicely and was a close-up second last start and could prove the best of the Clinton Binda stable trio. Hampton Court, Life Goes On and Stanton Street are others to consider.

In the third, Perfect Display is lightly raced but her best effort has been on this surface. The tongue-tie stays on and she may be the one to beat although Airbuzz and Princess Sabrina should be included as insurance.

Another weak field faces punters in the sixth. Proud Warrior was well beaten by Fever when last they met but he takes a four-point drop in the ratings which can make him competitive again. Smart Sox enjoyed it back on the poly last run and a repeat can see him back in the money while Fever has made steady improvement in blinkers. He takes a small rise in the handicap but can go in again.

The seventh is not easy either. Sea Sponge is an old hand but never far back. This may just be his best chance of a third win. Philispiel was a recent maiden winner but has come to hand of late and looks progressive while Straight Up is always thereabouts and comes from an in-form stable.

In the last, Enrapture has the best of the draw after two wide marbles. She found some inspired betting support last run and should go close. The tough mare Colour Of Light is due a change of fortune and was a touch unlucky last run and should be right there again. Hereinafter was much improved in blinkers last outing and Marcus retains the ride while Not Now Pussycat has not been too far back and has a better draw.

David Thiselton

Muzi Yeni not only had a fine day as a jockey on Saturday, scoring a double including the Grade 2 Senor Santa Stakes over 1160m on the Stuart Pettigrew-trained Vars Vicky, but also as a tipster as he tipped the Pick 6 among other exotics in his Johannesburg newspaper column.

Yeni made Vars Vicky a banker in his column and the Gary Player Stud-bred Var gelding pulled it off by the skin of his teeth, deservedly, as runner up Bohica’s hanging antics in the final 100 metres have to be weighed up against Vars Vicky having to be eased at a crucial stage.

Vars Vicky, who runs in the colours of prominent Mauritian owner Vicky Veeramootoo, came into the race with a record of four wins from 1000m to 1450m in seven starts.

His last defeat, over 1400m, was too the exciting unbeaten colt, Paisley Park.

On the downside his last defeat in a sprint was by 4,25 lengths by Winter Stories, from whom he was now going to receive 4kg.

However, that race followed a four-month layoff and he likely needed it. 

Winter Stories was then scratched to make his task easier.

He was still officially 4,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted horse True To Life, but this filly was then also scratched and he went into the race 3.5kg under sufferance with the now best weighted Singforafa.

On the plus side he had won his last two starts over 1450m and 1200m respectively in impressive style and was clearly on the up.

He also had a nice high draw of 12, which is favourable by trends.        

Vars Vicky jumped well enough and got a tow from the long-striding Bohica, who jumped from draw eight.

He moved in at the 300m mark but Yeni then had to ease him as Bohica and Gallic Princess started drifting in different directions, closing a wide open gap.  

This left Yeni having to rebuild his momentum from the 220m mark and having to make up at least two lengths on Bohica. 

Vars Vicky displayed his fine action to eat into the lead. 

Bohica hung right over to the inside under a left-handed stick between the 100m mark and the 20m mark and this enable Vars Vicky to get up on the line.

Gallic Princess was a well beaten three length third ahead of Eden Roc and Singforafa. 

Earlier, Yeni rode Running Brave in the Listed Drum Star Handicap over 1800m The top mare had to carry second topweight of 60.5kg against the boys but had most of the field beaten on the form of the WSB Summer Cup and Grade 3 London News Stakes. However, Yeni’s warning that a lot of runners should be included told a story that the gallant Fanie Bronkhorst-trained mare would likely need the outing after her tough campaign in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Yeni himself put the whole field in his suggested Pick 6. She duly ran well below par, finishing unplaced, and Yeni reported he had felt something amiss with her in the running. The race was full of horses who were perhaps past their best or had bigger fish to fry, so the fact that the 76 merit rated Phillip Vermeulen-trained Savannah Storm, who was officially a whopping 13kg under sufferance, won the race, under Marco van Rensburg, was perhaps not as much of a surprise as it had first seemed. The Sudden Storm gelding had won his last two and in his last start beat the classy three-year-old Puerto Manzano, although he had received 6kg from him.

A stranger result at first sight might have been the Sean Tarry-trained Aryaam gaining bold black type by winning the Listed Ormond Ferraris Oaks Trial over 2000m under Lyle Hewitson despite having previously failed to win her maiden in four attempts. However, this hard-knocking Dynasty filly had every right to win Saturday’s race as it was a handicap and she was in the handicap carrying 54kg. Therefore, the only question should be whether the race deserved Listed status. Such a black type three-year-old event should not be a handicap in the first place, but as the merit ratings ranged from 88 to 72 it is likely to be downgraded to Non-Black Type anyway.

The winner of the Listed Derby Trial over 2000m, the Alec Laird-trained Louis The King gelding Pamushana’s Pride, has now won four races including his last three and looks as if he could justify being a bold black type horse in time. His regular pilot S’Manga Khumalo just got him up from Baymax and Ushuaia.

The Non-Black Type Gold Rush Sprint was won in cosy fashion by a classy sprinter in the making, the Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained Celestial Love, under Warren Kennedy. This What A Winter filly was receiving 8.5kg from the disappointing favourite Forever Mine and beat him by 4,5 lengths and she was receiving 6.5kg from the speedy Valyrian King and beat him by a length.

Yeni also won the last race on the Paul Matchett-trained Act Of War gelding Battle Force, who has now won three in a row and looks to be going places.

Yeni’s R800 Pick 6 suggestion returned a cool R53,953.30.