Author Archives: Yegan Kander

ANDREW HARRISON

Tis’ the season of favourites and bombs

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so var
The Gavin van Zyl-trained SO VAR runs in the SOCCER 6 MR 88 HANDICAP at Hollywoodbets Scottsville today. Picture: Candiese Lenferna

ANDREW HARRISON

CHRISTMAS is some months away but tis’ the season of favourites and bombs. With Champions Season behind us, lowly merit rated handicaps are not the easiest even on a good day.

So Var starts for his fortieth race and although only collecting five wins on the way. So Var has shown his best recent form on the poly but he is in good heart and should run a decent race at Hollywoodbets Scottsville tomorrow.

The diminutive Winter Blues is a Louis Goosen stable favourite because he is all heart and seldom gives less than his best. Tomorrow, he is over his best course and distance and cannot be written off.

An interesting runner is Gavin van Zyl’s runner Greenlighttoheaven. Van Zyl has three runners in the race and one would normally assume that Dancing Feather, with stable rider and reigning national champion Warren Kennedy in the saddle, is the stable elect.

The filly may still be the stable number one as she looks seriously talented, but her best form has been over a mile and given the quality of this field, the 1000m-dash could be on the sharp side.

That said, she is loaded with class and cannot be written off lightly.

Stable companion Greenlighttoheaven is lightly raced, but he won smoothly on debut before taking on feature company at his next two. He was probably outclassed in both outings and he’s in another tough one. But he does have a 4kg claimer up and if he can reproduce his debut win, he could be the surprise package.

The Dennis Drier yard is seldom quiet for long and it has been showing signs of returning to top form after a quiet spell of late. But as Drier has said on many occasions, if you don’t have the horses you are always going to struggle no matter how good a trainer you are.

Drier is one of the most respected trainers in the sport and as a result is seldom short of a decent horse or three.

Maiden’s Prayer has had two runs back since returning from the Cape so should strip at her peak and could be good enough to put this field to bed in the seventh. But it is another competitive handicap and if Maiden’s Prayer does not run up to expectations then the que behind her is a long one. Arianos Shadow is over her best distance and showed up well at her last two for Yogas Govender and the Wendy Whitehead-trained Twice As Smart is useful and from a good draw should be thereabouts again.

The regally bred Sanskrift, full sister to champion sire Silvano, enhanced her paddock value enormously by winning her last two over course and distance but it is debatable that she can make it three, even though she only got a two-point raise in the handicap.

This is her first run for her new stable.

Those punters looking to bolster their punting wallets before the exotics may look to Lord Wylie in the card opener as he has improved with each outing and was close-up behind the much-vaunted Hail Columbia last time out. However, there are plenty of first timers in the race so one is never quite sure what you are up against and it may prove prudent to hedge on the side of caution.

 Hawker Typhoon, although nearly surprising on debut when starting at long odds, could be the right one the second and a repeat of her first effort should see her in the firing line again. Irish Belle looks held by a number of her rivals given her debut form but she raced very green on debut when jumping from a difficult draw. She is sure to have come on from that effort and is one to watch in the market.

Gold Circle to host trial run Super Six Racing

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GOLD CIRCLE has agreed to host the trial of a proposed new racing concept called Super Six Racing.

Gold Circle was approached by Super Six Racing Ltd., a UK-based company to trial the concept which will in no way affect the Hollywoodbets Greyville meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, other than in six races in which riders will be wearing designated colours of the team sponsors and not the silks of the registered owners.

Other than the colour changes – where affected owners will be financially compensated –  the meeting will be as normal, called by the local commentator on duty and broadcast on Tellytrack.

The aim of the exercise is to ‘test-drive’ the new concept ultimately aimed at the emerging Chinese thoroughbred racing industry where gambling is prohibited.

The Super Six press release reads: The Super Six product is aimed at taking the sport of horse racing to consumers as a non-gambling proposition. Super Six Racing is in negotiation with distributors to put our programme in front of a global audience, particularly into territories where gambling is currently prohibited, in particular mainland China.

The purpose of the trial (at Hollywoodbets Greyville) is to produce a very high-quality broadcast package of some 40-minute duration which will be used to showcase the Super Six horse racing product to our potential sponsors and partners.

The only difference from a normal raceday would be that Super Six would require fields of exactly twelve runners, with jockeys wearing the colours of our Super Six Racing teams, rather than the owners own colours. We envisage our six races to be part of a normal eight-race card so that there would be minimal disruption to the usual racing product.

Subject to a successful trial, Super Six Racing Ltd will look to enter into formal agreements to stage its first full Super Six Live Racing Series.

Initial thoughts see a series of six meetings, typically with four weeks space between them, which would allow for five qualifying events and a grand Final. Our intention will be to live stream and broadcast the Super Six series internationally and in particular into mainland China.

This very low risk proposition, with minimum disruption, offers the potential for substantial long-term benefits to the South African horse racing industry, including:

Phase One:

• An enhanced broadcast product on Super Six Raceday, showcasing South African racing to a new international audience.

• A partnership with Super Six Global League, presenting a more approachable, inclusive and easy to understand horse racing offer

• A transformational offer engaging with a sector of the population, previously disinterested in horse racing, engaging, entertaining and building a sustainable new audience for the sport. 

Phase Two

• Super Six plans foresee the development of four major new racetrack facilities in China over the next ten years. Each new racetrack in China will require upwards of 600 horses and regular re-supply

• South African racing would act as a feeder or nursery for Super Six Racing in China, with concomitant long-term benefits. Rather than waiting for racecourses to be built over a period of years, staging Super Six in South Africa means that we can move teams seamless to the new tracks as they open.

• This would facilitate the strengthening of the South African breeding industry with a secure long-term demand.  Enabling improvement of the breed with increased budgets for breeding stock acquisition and collaboration in securing stallions to shuttle between the northern and southern hemispheres.

Super Six is delighted to announce team sponsors for this exciting and ground-breaking Inaugural Raceday and their colours as follows:-

Team Body Colour First Cap Second Cap
Autoimmune Warriors Pink Pink Purple
Drakenstein Stud Light Blue Light Blue White
Dromex Yellow Yellow Black
Team G Racing Red with Yellow Circles Red Yellow
Klawervlei Stud White Green Spots on White White Spots on Green
Summerhill Equine Red, White and Blue Dark Blue Grey

Following on from the Inaugural Raceday, Super Six and Gold Circle will work towards staging the first full series of Super Six Racing.

Finally, Super Six Racing would like to thank Gold Circle and all team sponsors for their outstanding support in such difficult and unprecedented times – without which this Inaugural Raceday would not be possible.

Gold Circle to trial run a new racing concept

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GOLD CIRCLE has agreed to host a trial of a proposed new racing concept call Super Six.

Gold Circle was approached by a UK-based company to trial the concept but it will in no way affect the Hollywoodbets Greyville meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, other than in six races, riders will be wearing designated colours and not the silks of the registered owners.

Other than the colour changes – where affected owners will be financially compensated –  the meeting will be as normal and called by the local commentator on duty.

The aim of the exercise is to ‘test-drive’ the new concept ultimately aimed at the emerging Chinese thoroughbred racing industry where gambling is prohibited.

The Super Six press release reads: The Super Six product is aimed at taking the sport of horse racing to consumers as a non-gambling proposition. Super Six Racing is in negotiation with distributors to put our programme in front of a global audience, particularly into territories where gambling is currently prohibited, in particular mainland China.

The purpose of the trial (at Hollywoodbets Greyville) is to produce a very high-quality broadcast package of some 40-minute duration which will be used to showcase the Super Six horse racing product to our potential sponsors and partners.

 The trial will not be broadcast live.

The only difference from a normal UK raceday would be that Super Six would require fields of exactly twelve runners, with jockeys wearing the colours of our Super Six Racing teams, rather than the owners own colours. We envisage our six races to be part of a normal eight-race card so that there would be minimal disruption to the usual racing product.

Subject to a successful trial, Super Six Racing Ltd will look to enter into formal agreements to stage its first full Super Six Live Racing Series.

The trial will inform the format of the series and discussions with our sponsors, partners and marketing teams will fine tune a developing and evolving product. Initial thoughts see a series of six meetings, typically with four weeks space between them, this allows for five qualifying events and a grand Final. Our intention will be to live stream and broadcast the Super Six series internationally and in particular into mainland China.

This very low risk proposition, with minimum disruption, offers the potential for substantial long-term benefits to the South African horse racing industry, including:

Phase One:

• An enhanced broadcast product on Super Six Raceday, showcasing South African racing to a new international audience

• A partnership with Super Six Global League, presenting a more approachable, inclusive and easy to understand horse racing offer

• A transformational offer engaging with a sector of the population, previously disinterested in horse racing, engaging, entertaining and building a sustainable new audience for the sport

Phase Two

• Super Six plans four major new racetrack facilities in China over the next ten years. Each new racetrack in China will require upwards of 600 horses and regular re-supply

• South African racing acting as a feeder or nursery for Super Six Racing, with concomitant long-term benefits. Rather than waiting for racecourses to be built over a period of years, staging Super Six in South Africa means that we can move teams seamless to the new tracks as they open, perhaps even with the teams existing bloodstock

• Strengthening of the South African breeding industry with a secure long-term demand.  Enabling improvement of the breed with increased budgets for breeding stock acquisition and collaboration in securing stallions to shuttle between the northern and southern hemispheres.

Super Six is delighted to announce team sponsors for this exciting and ground-breaking Inaugural Raceday and their colours as follows:-

Team Body Colour First Cap Second Cap
Autoimmune Warriors Pink Pink Purple
Drakenstein Stud Light Blue Light Blue White
Dromex Yellow Yellow Black
Team G Racing Red with Yellow Circles Red Yellow
Klawervlei Stud White Green Spots on White White Spots on Green
Summerhill Equine Red, White and Blue Dark Blue Grey

Following on from the Inaugural Raceday, Super Six and Gold Circle will work towards staging the first full series of Super Six Racing.

Finally, Super Six Racing recognises Gold Circle and thanks all team sponsors for their outstanding support in such difficult and unprecedented times – without which this Inaugural Raceday would not be possible.

Vaal Classic Thursday 10 September – Previews by David Thiselton

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RACE 1 – Preview: QUNETRA (3) stayed on for second over this course and distance last time in quite a good field and he has scope for further improvement. BREAK THE SILENCE (9) was green on debut when running a good second and with expected improvement will be a big danger here. XENON (13) ran on well last time in a Graduation Plate after being hampered at the start to be beaten by a not disgraced 5,75 lengths. BATTLE FORCE (7) is by Act Of War out of an unraced mare who is in turn out of a French-based USA-bred mare who was a half-sister to a Group 3 winner in France. OAK KING (10) is by Flower Alley out of a Grade 3-winning Jet Master mare whose four wins were from 1400m to 1600m and he is a half-brother to two Grade 3 winners. (David Thiselton 3-9-13-7-10) 

RACE 2 – Preview: VESEO (7) has run two good races over 1200m and if starting better than last time is the one to beat. IN HASTE (8) stayed on for second last time over this trip having previously finished a well beaten fourth to a runaway winner in a race where the form has worked out well. RUBY WOO (14) is by Querari out of a five time-winning Fort Wood mare over 1450m who is Listed placed. (David Thiselton 7-8-14) 

RACE 3 – Preview: SOUTHERN CHARM (4) impressed on debut and should appreciate the step down in trip having been beaten at short odds last time over 1200m after hitting her head in the pens and Danielson is back aboard too. WINTER SMOKE (1) is very quick and has impressed in both wins on either side of her fourth in the Grade 1 Allan Robertson but she does have to give 3kg to Southern Charm. GREENS (2) outpaced the field over 1000m last time and has a chance but also has to give Southern Charm 3kg. (David Thiselton 4-1-2)

RACE 4 – Preview: MAGIC DUKE (2) has shown signs of ability and is drawn in pole over a trip which should suit. BACKSTREET BOSS (10) has an interesting pedigree being by Flower Alley out of a full-sister to Jet Master, but the latter was unplaced in one start and has only produced two runners and one winner from five foals to date. CUSTOM MADE (5) is a full brother to a a five-time Grade 1 winner and is closely related to Dance Class who has improved both with age and a step up in trip so his close second when stepped up to 1800m last time, albeit in an uninspiring field, was encouraging and he is drawn well in this further step up in trip. (David Thiselton 2-10-5-15-12-13-14-6)

RACE 5 – Preview: SOUL CONNECTION (1) has been in fine form and was beaten last time by a horse who has been a revelation in headgear but he does now have a tricky draw. WHAT A STORY (10) has been staying on in his last two over 1200m and 1450m and has a good draw here.  VARIMAX (6) is drawn well and over a course and distance where he has a win, a second and a third from four runs he has a chance from a good draw. (David Thiselton 1-10-6)

RACE 6 – Preview: THE MAKWAKKERS (10) will appreciate the step down in trip and is off a competitive mark considering his penultimate run but it all depends on whether he can find cover from a wide draw and he is also under sufferance against the females in the race. GOLDEN DUKE (3) has a shout if able to get to the front from draw seven as he looks to be improving in the typical style of a Duke Of Marmalade four-year-old. LORALEI (7) has a fair draw over a suitable trip and has a shout under the conditions which favour females although she has a habit of losing ground at the start which is a concern. WAY OF THE WORLD (9) fought on to win over 1200m last time so is interesting from pole position over a step up in trip in a race which favours females under the conditions. SERENITY (12) has been given a reasonable opening handicap mark and also gets the female weight allowance. HEART OF A LEGEND (8) is a disappointing sort but has dropped to competitive mark and with the female allowance over a suitable trip and a good draw she can’t be ignored. (David Thiselton 10-3-7-9-12-8)

RACE 7 – Preview: FISTS OF FIRE (2) should enjoy the step back down in trip and from a good draw over a suitable trip has a shout. FRESH FROM THE US (4) ran well last time over this trip in a normal maiden and in this maiden handicap has a chance from a fair draw as he receives weights from Fists Of Fire and has some scope. CONFESSOR (3) improved last time when stepped up from sprints to 1600m and should enjoy this trip but does have a tricky draw. NUSSPLY (1) has a chance on the form of his last race although he does have to carry topweight and has a tricky draw. BROOKLYN BRIDGE (7) has a definite shout carrying only 54,5kg on the form of his best run over this trip and Strydom will help him overcome a wide draw. (David Thiselton 2-4-3)

RACE 8 – Preview: OKSANA (2) only just failed last time over 1200m and on pedigree should enjoy this step up in trip. EXTRAVERT (1) has relatively good form and although she has not raced for over a year she should enjoy this trip running fresh. ST JOSEPH’S LILY (3) can earn under these maiden handicap conditions. (David Thiselton 2-1-3) .

CAPTAIN FONTANE - CANDIESE LENFERNA

Captain Fontane leaves them standing

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The Garth Puller-trained CAPTAIN FONTANE, with Lyle Hewitson up, wins the Hollywoodbets Bright Future MR 78 Handicap at Hollywoodbets Greyville today. Picture: Candiese Lenferna

Andrew Harrison

CAPTAIN FONTANE had garnered a reputation before he even set foot on a racetrack and he gave credence to those views with a smashing victory in the last at Hollywoodbets Greyville today.

A comfortable winner on debut, that form was rubber-stamped when runner up Hail Columbia hacked up at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last Sunday.

Today’s performance was something out of the top drawer as Garth Puller’s charge spread-eagled the opposition, putting five lengths of daylight between them.

Missing the kick, Lyle Hewitson managed to slot him in on the rail and hold his position. But once off the false rail, Captain Fontane extended like a really good horse to win as he liked.

A pricey yearling purchase, Captain Fontane is owned by Hong Kong-based trainer David Ferraris and his partner C.W. Hui. With Hewitson having completed an extended if fruitless spell in Hong Kong, he will be in a position to give Ferraris valuable feedback and the green light for the Far East may well be flickering.

 There are few riders that can get a horse out of the gate quicker than the rest. Anton Marcus is a past master and anything drawn wide that prefers to race handy and is on the rail before the opposition has woken up to the fact that they are in a race.

The Ghan may have, in the end, have proven to be a touch superior to his rivals as Marcus made plenty of early use of him, giving him a breather up the hill before skating away to win the second.

The race was the second leg of a double for the rider and Brett Crawford’s assistant Peter Muscutt as Marcus had employed similar tactics in the card opener as he catapulted odds-on favourite Deep Thought out of the gate and was never there for the catching.

That was two favourites home before the wheels came off as far as many punters were concerned.

Aquae Sulis, second at her penultimate start but never sighted last time up, started the rot as she got home comfortably for Mike Miller with Ashton Arries breaking an extended drought.

Born To Perform was the next favourite to bite the dust and was never in the hunt as Hexatonic and champion jockey Warren Kennedy got the better Special Blend inside the last 50m.

Hexatonic and Aquae Sulis (R42 on the tote) both returned 14-1 on the books.

One can count on one hand horses that have made it past 100 visits to the track in the past two decades, but at nine years old Putchini is still playing the right tune as he notched his 11th success from 112 starts. Ivan van Wyk has never been shy to run his charge who at times has run twice a month for six months in succession, testimony the geldings iron constitution.

St John Gray

Dance Class en route to the big league

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DAVID THISELTON
ST. John Gray (pictured) and Sherman Brown both rattled off hattricks at Turffontein Inside yesterday and one leg of the double they had together was Dance Class, who has now won five in a row and is threatening to become the next black-type earner in a Gray-owned family whose star member was Dance Class’s close relative, Dancewiththedevil.
The latter looked to the casual observer to be a useful handicapper halfway through her four-year-old season before beating a Grade 1 winner in a Graduation Plate and then proving that was no fluke by winning the Grade 3 Acacia Handicap, the Grade 1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes and the Grade 1 Laurie Jaffee Empress Club Stakes within a period of six weeks. 
She later won the Grade 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge and the Grade 1 Sansui Summer Cup.
Dance Class, who won over 2000m yesterday carrying 57,5kg off an 87 merit rating, has a long way to go to match those feats.
However, being a late maturer is not the only similarity she has to Dancewiththedevil.
Firstly, she is by the same sire, Modus Vivendi, and is out of the five-time winning Jam Alley mare Dance Alley, who is a half-sister to Dancewiththedevil.
She is not quite as classy as Dancewiththedevil was but like her, she is not tall but is strong and has a tremendous turn of foot.
She took a while to get going from a handy position yesterday but once she hit top gear she passed her full-sister Jive Express and then fetched the topweight Heartstwings to win by a comfortable 1,50 lengths.
Gray said in the post-race interview that her acceleration indeed reminded him of her famous three-parts relative and he concluded by saying she was not far off Dancewiththedevil’s class and would also be especially effective on the Turffontein Standside track.
Gray won the first two races at the meeting with the progeny of Bezrin.
The first-timer colt After Hours, who is a half-brother to the three-time winner Grindelwald, started favourite in the first over 1200m and ran on well under Brown to win by 0,75 lengths.
The filly Feather The Nest, who is out of three-time winning Announce mare Nesting Call, ran on well in the second over 1200m and just held on under S’Manga Khumalo to convert odds of 5-1, having been backed in from 13-1.
Gray owns and bred all three of his winners. 
Brown’s other winner was the favourite for the third over 1200m, the Paul Peter-trained Var filly Way Of The World. 
Peter scored a treble for the second time in five days and both Khumalo and Piere Strydom rode doubles. 

CORAL BAY - Chase Liebenberg

Coral Bay is the value bet

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The Glen Kotzen-trained CORAL BAY runs in the seventh at Fairview today.
Picture: Chase Liebenberg and Woodhill Racing

DEVONNE GOVENDER
GLEN Kotzen takes Coral Bay and Je Ne Sais Quoi to PE for the Jockey Club Stakes (Listed) at Fairview on Friday. Coral Bay could be the value bet of the day at ante-post odds of 11-1. She has run in strong company, finishing third in her penultimate run behind Myabi Gold.
Her las run can be ignored as Kotzen said, ‘’she over raced, but she is eating up well and I expect a decent performance with a big run .”
Je Ne Sais Quoi will probably prefer this 2000m and could be on her way to stud after this run.
Others to watch are Elusive Heart, who should be involved if she stays the trip. Another to keep an eye on is American Princess who tops the betting boards at 3-1. She does have solid form to recommend in an open betting race where there could be healthy dividends all round.
Modakhar in Race 2 is the best bet of the day with current odds of 22-10. The son of Flower Alley will love the step up in trip and will take a power of beating on current form with jockey Wayne Agrella aboard.


GLEN Kotzen takes Coral Bay and Je Ne Sais Quoi to PE for the Jockey Club Stakes (Listed) at Fairview on Friday. Coral Bay could be the value bet of the day at ante-post odds of 11-1. She has run in strong company, finishing third in her penultimate run behind Myabi Gold.
Her las run can be ignored as Kotzen said, ‘’she over raced, but she is eating up well and I expect a decent performance with a big run .”
Je Ne Sais Quoi will probably prefer this 2000m and could be on her way to stud after this run.
Others to watch are Elusive Heart, who should be involved if she stays the trip. Another to keep an eye on is American Princess who tops the betting boards at 3-1. She does have solid form to recommend in an open betting race where there could be healthy dividends all round.
Modakhar in Race 2 is the best bet of the day with current odds of 22-10. The son of Flower Alley will love the step up in trip and will take a power of beating on current form with jockey Wayne Agrella aboard.

Chantyman (Candiese Lenferna)

Fortune’s Gold Cup day contenders work well

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Chantyman (Candiese Lenferna)
The Ashley Fortune-trained CHANTYMAN. Picture: Candiese Lenferna

DAVID THISELTON

ANDREW Fortune, assistant trainer to his wife Ashley, brought down a couple of horses to gallop on the Hollywoodbets Greyville polytrack before the racemeeting yesterday including Grade 1 contenders Invidia, Chantyman and Validus.

Fortune learnt a lot from the trainer he regarded as the best he had ever worked with, Joey Ramsden, and believes it is important for the lungs to be cleaned out properly in a hard workout ten days before a big event.

Therefore Invidia and Chantyman were galloped together and Validus was worked hard with a companion.

Invidia and Chantyman both put in good workouts and will be ridden by S’Manga Khumalo and Ant Mgudlwa respectively in the Grade 1 Mercury Sprint over 1200m. They were drawn eleven and four respectively among the 15 who were still standing their ground at time of writing.

Invidia won the CTS 1200 on Sun Met day and in his reappearance after lockdown finished a half-a-length second to Eden Roc in the Grade 2 Post Merchants over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. In the Grade 1 Golden Horse Sprint over that same course and distance he was shifted continually outward from a seemingly good low draw and finished a 1,85 length sixth. He was carrying only 52kg that day so now faces a much tougher task under weight for age conditions.

Chantyman had to give Invidia 4kg in the Post Merchants and was beaten 3,65 lengths by him. He subsequently won a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1100m on the poly on Vodacom Durban July day. However, under weight for age conditions he also has it all to do. 

Invidia will be 8,5kg under sufferance in the Mercury with the highest rated horse Kasimir and Chantyman will be 4,5kg under sufferance.

Validus did nothing wrong under Anton Marcus in yesterday’s workout but the companion he worked with, a first-timer, was particularly eyecatching.

Dynasty colt Validus made his debut in the Grade 1 Golden Horse Medallion over 1200m and finished a not disgraced 8,50 length eighth after opening at 13-2 and drifting out to 14-1. He followed that up with a 1,90 length win over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville at odds of 9-10. He was ridden by Craig Zackey on both occasions but Anton Marcus has been booked for the ride in the Grade 1 Premiers Champion Stakes over 1600m on WSB Gold Cup day. Validus was drawn 12 out of the 15 horses still standing their ground at the time of writing.  

PRINCESS-CALLA - CANDIESE LENFERNA

Marcus preps for the Thekwini

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The Adam Marcus-trained PRINCESS CALLA. Picture: Candiese Lenferna

DAVID THISELTON

ADAM Marcus sent the Grade 1 Thekwini contender Princess Calla to Hollywoodbets Greyville today for a gallop on the polytrack and the classy looking daughter of Flower Alley strode out well on her own under Anton Marcus.

Marcus also spoke about some of the other big guns in his yard.

The chief reason for Princess Calla’s move to the Adam Marcus yard is that she will be targeted at the Grade 1 Cape Fillies Guineas.

The Mario Ferreira-owned filly made a fine debut for Dennis Bosch over 1200m on the poly and, using her big action, pulled away from them in the closing stages to win by 3,20 lengths.

She is rated a 14-1 chance by Track And Ball for the Thekwini.

However, Anton Marcus commented after today’s gallop that she was still very green.

She is drawn nine of the 18 entries. The field will be cut to a maximum of 14 at the declaration stage tomorrow.

She is also entered in the Grade 2 Debutante Stakes over 1200m.

She will be the Adam Marcus yard’s only runner on Gold Cup day.

However, he is looking after two WSB Gold Cup contenders from the Geoff Woodruff yard, Dharma and Sunshine Silk, who have both landed good draws.

He said they had both been doing well.    

Marcus explained the reason for Vardy to return home to Cape Town and thus miss the Champions Cup.

He said Hollywodbets Greyville in fast going had not suited the big 17 hands horse especially when the race was turned into a canter and sprint for home. He also said shortly after the July that it had now been confirmed he did not stay that sort of trip.

He added, “The Champions Cup would have been the best race for him but I spoke to the owners and told them by the time he gets home after that race and then has his African Horse Sickness Vaccinations there would not be enough time for him to prepare for the Cape Summer Season so we opted to skip the race and send him home.”

He said Twist Of Fate’s disappointing KZN campaign this season could be put down to increasingly problematic haemoconcentrating. He has duly been gelded.

VIHAAN'S PIE - Candiese Lenferna

Dillon looking forward to Gold Cup day

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The Kumaran Naidoo-trained VIHAAN’S PIE. Picture: Candiese Lenferna

DAVID THISELTON

DONOVAN Dillon was at Hollywoodbets Greyville well before today’s meeting to ride the Kumaran Naidoo-trained Grade 1 Thekwini contender Vihaan’s Pie in a gallop on the poly.

He will have some other good rides on Gold Cup day including the Vodacom Durban July-trained Golden Ducat in the Grade 1 Champions Cup and he spoke at length about the potential of this Eric Sands-trained stalwart.

Vihaan’s Pie put up a good workout and Dillon said she was a lot better than the form of her last run suggested.

In that race, the Grade 2 Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper over 1400m, she was caught wide early from a high draw and although she did eventually find cover her finishing effort was not strong enough and she passed the line in ninth place, 5,35 lengths behind the winner. 

The good looking chestnut is by Futura and is a half-sister to the Grade 1 Cape Guineas third-placed MacThief (Time Thief), so should enjoy this trip. Her mother, Yellow Card by Trippi, only had seven starts and won two of the first four of them over distances of 1200m and 1400m respectively.

Vihaan’s Pie is drawn ten out of 18 entries and is rated a 36-1 shot by Track And Ball. The field will be cut down to a maximum of 14 at the declaration stage tomorrow and this race will undoubtedly have one of the strongest fields on the day. 

Meanwhile, Golden Ducat has drawn nine out of eleven entries in the Champions Cup and Track And Ball have him as the 10-1 fourth favourite.

Dillon said this Philanthropist half-brother to Hawwaam and Rainbow Bridge did not yet know how good he was and reckoned he would win next year’s July.

Golden Ducat’s performance in the July this year was incredible considering he raced handy behind a blistering pace and had no cover virtually the whole way around and yet still managed to stay on for a 1,90 length fourth. 

Dillon said the strong pace had suited the big galloper as he was a horse who liked to use his action. 

Golden Ducat’s July run suggests he has oodles of stamina and Dillon agreed he would have been a big runner in the Gold Cup, a race he might be aimed at in time to come. However, Sands is wisely sticking to the classic distance Grade 1 races at present considering he has been showing enough speed to be a contender and is improving all the time. The Cape Derby winner did not handle Hollywoodbets Greyville in his first two starts this season but the fitting of a new noseband did the trick for the July.

Dillon’s successful effort in slimming down to 53kg to make the weight for Golden Ducat in the July did not receive the accolades it deserved. Although his official riding weight is 56,5kg the tall youngster had been walking around at 59kg in some stages of this season. He said he had taken advice from experienced jockeys and formulated a three meal a day routine with a limited number of calories and the pounds had come off. He said he had not felt any weaker for it but had fallen ill a couple of weeks after the July, so his body had obviously felt the effects. Today’s meeting was his first since August 5.

Dillon felt Golden Ducat had a tough task at the weights in the Champions Cup against the like of Rainbow Bridge and Do It Again but he was confident this horse would have a fine season and he was obviously hoping to keep the ride for his Cape campaign.