RACE 1

(2) TERMINAL VELOCITY is holding consistent form and must be respected in this field. (4) MONT TREMBLANT ran extremely well in his last start and will give the top selection plenty to think about, include in all bets. (1) TWO FOR THE BOYS hasn’t been far and can get closer. (3) AETHELWULF is another who is always in the mix and can get involved, include in larger perms. (Devonne Govender 2-4-1-3).

RACE 2

(3) GREAT NOTION is in top form and will be the firm first selection. (4) HAPPY WIVES won a gutsy race in the last start and could challenge so needs to be respected. (5) KINGS AGAIN is holding consistent form and another honest run is expected. (1) SMASHING is another who is never far back and will be in the mix. (Devonne Govender 3-4-5-1).

RACE 3

(6) KING RAHUL has been racing well and gets the claimer up which brings him right into this. (1) WAROFDYNAMITE is holding solid form and gets the claiming apprentice aboard hence he must be respected. (5) CADENZA had a tough draw in the last start and now gets a much better draw, he will be there. (7) NOTORIX is capable on his day and can go into larger perms. (Devonne Govender 6-1-5-7).

RACE 4

(1) CLIFFIE CLAVIN is holding consistent form and cracks the ace draw, massive runner here. (3) WARRIOR’S SWORD ran well on provincial debut and will build on that, include in everything. (2) BUGLE is capable of running into the money so needs to be respected. (4) BLAME IT ON ME has an eye catching jockey booking, he now goes 1400m and is certainly one that can win this. (Devonne Govender 1-3-2-4).

RACE 5

(5) ANDY COOGLE has been impressive in both his recent wins and is expected to go close again. (4) SILVONIAN is another who is in top form and in with a bright chance. (6) FRENCH FLAME has been consistent and must be included in all bets. (2) MR FOX is very capable on his day and can challenge here but has a big weight to shoulder. (Devonne Govender 5-4-6-2).

RACE 6

(5) RHYTHM is holding solid KZN form and will be a strong contender in this line up respectfully. (1) AADEHYA is very capable over this trip and will be a big runner here, respect. (4) GENERAL PARDON won impressively when exiting the maiden ranks and has scope to go well. (7) FLIGHT ENGINEER hasn’t been far and can get into the placings. (Devonne Govender 5-1-4-7).

RACE 7

Open race. (3) ROYAL CITY GIRL is holding consistent form and rates a strong winning chance. (1) FAMILY POWER returns after a break but if fit will be tough to beat here. (6) WHITE WATERS is in top form, she won a gutsy race in her last start and should be right there again. (2) EXQUISITE won well in her last start and is another that can challenge here. (Devonne Govender 3-1-6-2).

RACE 8

(6) LADY BOMBER is holding excellent form, she won well in her last start and could prove tough to beat. (4) JAMBO SANA is a very honest type and another good run can be expected. (3) SAIGON SUZIE ran a cracker in her last start and will be a big challenger if repeating that performance. (5) UMZOLOZOLO is capable of better and can run into the money. (Devonne Govender 6-4-3-5).

Andrew Harrison

Strutting looked to be one of the better bets on a tricky seven-race programme and she duly obliged at cramped odds in the card opener on a wet afternoon on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly.

Drawn wide, Craig Zackey was forced to press forward on Mike and Mathew de Kock’s diminutive filly with the runners on her inside not giving an inch, but once in front, Strutting was never headed holding off the battling Owner Of Creation and Harpa who stayed on well for the shallow end of the purse.

Kevin and Alyson Wright are both steeped in horse racing, their roots going back to Zimbabwe where Kevin was multiple Champion Jockey and Alyson the daughter of leading trainer Penny Fisher.

The couple, together with equine physio Tessa Zietsman, daughter of trainer Gary Rich, have prolonged the life of many a veteran galloper, highlighted by the win by Hollywood Racing’s eight-year-old Ibutho, who score his tenth win in the second. His stable companions Winter Waves (8-yr-o) and Ulta Quick (7-yr-o) were only separated by six-year-old Rafiki in second from the Andre Nel stable where Hailey Crawford does their physio.

However, the danger of a reputation for patching up retreads is that you can miss out on building a yard from two-year-olds up. Superb horsewoman, the late Anne Upton, would have born testament to that trend, frustratingly hamstrung by her reputation.

Ibutho was always on the bridle travelling under Keagan de Melo as Ultra Quick set brisk fractions and if there was in-race betting, it collect at the top of the straight.

Apprentice Dezahn Louw is still a 4kg claimer but I don’t think for long. It is seldom that a seasoned jockey gives an apprentice kudos but Keagan de Melo was generous in his praise after he was made to work hard on Isivivane to get the better of Sundance Kid in the third. A furlong out, the race looked to be a formality as Isivivane challenged pacemaker Sundance Kid, but Louw had saved something in reserve and De Melo and Isivivane had to work hard for victory with the balance well beaten.

In the fourth, favourite Malshana Mou was under pressure from the jump as Million Voices set a blistering gallop and she finally ran out of steam over the final 200m as Wings Of Josephine and Magical Sky took off together in a ding-dong battle. Race caller Devonne Govender was not tempted into calling a winner but Magical Sky prevailed by the shortest of short heads with Call Me Jane a further length back.

Axis Power did not have many supporters in the D Stakes over 1000 m but Siphesihle Hlengwa, ‘Spare’ to his mates, jumped Garth Puller’s charge out from the wide draw to lead early. It was a lead that he did not relinquish in spite of challengers coming  from all sides with another turf veteran Trafalgar Square flashing up for second but well beaten. It was a quick double for the under rated Hlengwa who edged out Cole Dicken in a tight finish to the previous race.

S’Manga Khumalo is never shy when it comes to the use of the crop and he gave Good Traveller a few reminders that the gelding will not remember fondly as he got Good Traveller home for Gareth van Zy. In a desperate finish to the B Stakes with three horses nose-to-nose on the line, Good Traveller got his nose in front ahead of favourite Circumbendibus with visiting Wild At War  denied two short heads from giving the sister partnership of Candice and Tammy Dawson their first winner in KZN.

De Melo may be missing the lucrative pickings of Hong Kong but finishing in the pack on mostly modest horses is not where one wants to be in a highly competitive sport. A champion in his own right, De Melo’s experience in Hong Kong will have honed his skills and they came to the fore in the last as he rode a canny race on Garth Puller’s charge Izibulo to round off the afternoon with a treble. The win gave Puller a double and Hollywood Racing a treble with log leader Craig Zackey adding one more to his tally.

Race 1

3 BLOOD OF EDEN 5 CHICKASAW  1 CODEWORD 4 HUBERTUS HUNT

Preview:  3 BLOOD OF EDEN should be distance suited and has good form and a fair draw. 5 CHICKASAW can win if she reproduces her penultimate start over this trip but she does have a wide draw. 1 CODEWORD has pole position and has struck as a middle distance to staying type so should start improving now. 4 HUBERTUS HUNT has improved in her last two starts but has to prove she stays this trip, although it is just 200m further than last time. (David Thiselton 3-5-1-4)

Race 2

13 THE REASON 6 BRIGITTE ANNE 1 FALCONFLY

Preview: 13 THE REASON has also been showing promise and was also due to have run. 6 BRIGITTE ANNE should enjoy the step up in trip and this well bred sort can improve. 1 FALCONFLY improved last time over 1600m and can earn again with a repeat. (David Thiselton 13-6-1)

Race 3

5 ROYALE JACKET 3 LANCE A LOT GO 9 JOHNNY GO 10 HIGHWAYMAN HARRY

Preview: 5 ROYALE JACKET went close last time over 1500m with second time blinkers on and has a fair draw. 3 LANCE A LOT went close last time over 1600m after a good performance before that and is a big runner if able to overcome a tricky draw. 9 GO JOHNNY GO just failed last time over this trip and should be right there if able to overcome a tricky draw. 10 HIGHWAYMAN HARRY can be involved if bouncing back to the form of his first run and he should relish the step up in trip. (David Thiselton 5-3-9-10)

Race 4

15 WAR TALK 1 NARETOI 8 EMERALD CITY

Preview: 15 WAR TALK ran a cracker when stepped up to this trip last time and has a plum draw. 1 NARETOI is in good form and should earn again. 8 EMERALD CITY has been in good form over further and could earn here. (David Thiselton 15-1-8)

Race 5

5 GERBERA 7 COPPER EAGLE 6 READ ALL ABOUT IT 3 CHESTNUT BOMBER

Preview: 5 GERBERA has some class and can convert her fine recent form into a win. 7 COPPER EAGLE has not been disgraced in some top fields and has a chance in this easier race. 6 READ ALL ABOUT IT is a progressive sort who should start coming into his own and will be dangerous. 3 CHESTNUT BOMBER is threatening to return to his best form and has a chance. (David Thiselton 5-7-6-3)

Race 6

9 LITTLEMISSMILLION 3 ACCEPT COOKIES 4 BAKWENA 6 ACROSS THE POND

Preview: 9 LITTLEMISSMILLION is a tiny filly with a big stride and this represents an easier task than last time where she was not disgraced in a Gr 3 after a five month layoff. 3 ACCEPT COOKIES is in fine form and should be right there again. 4 BAKWENA is knocking on the door and is distance suited. 6 ACROSS THE POND is a capable sort and can bounce back over a suitable trip from a good draw. (David Thiselton 9-3-4-6)

Race 7

4 SPECIAL STAR 6 AMAZON QUEEN 7 PRETTY ANALIA

Preview: 4 SPECIAL STAR won her maiden well over 1800m and from pole position off a reasonable 82 merit rating she could follow up over this suitable 1600m trip. 6 AMAZON QUEEN has 3,20 lengths to make up on Special Star and is half-a-kilogram better off. 7 PRETTY ANALIA is capable of a strong finish so could overcome a tough draw. (David Thiselton 4-6-7)

Race 8

3 PRINCESS ILARIA 4 CAPE SAFFRON 5 PRINCESS KEIRA 7 VAMANOS

Preview: 3 PRINCESS ILARIA went close over this trip last time and has a plum draw again. 4 CAPE SAFFRON is in fine form and should go close if able to overcome a wide draw. 5 PRINCESS KEIRA ran a cracker last time over course and distance and now has a better draw. 7 VAMANOS looks to have plenty of ability and should go close if able to overcome a wide draw. (David Thiselton 3-4-5-7)

Race 9

2 INSPIRATION 7 PALACE REVOLT 8 PROPHET 3 NEVER NEVER LAND

Preview: 2 INSPIRATION won her maiden in fine style and can follow up off a reasonable 81 merit rating. 7 PALACE REVOLT ran a cracker last time with blinkers on and will go close with a repeat. 8 PROPHET is a former top class Gr 3-winning performer and he showed signs of a form return last time having dropped to a 73 merit rating and he is now a further point down to 72. 3 NEVER NEVER LAND has shown ability and might well enjoy the step down in trip so has a chance from pole position. (David Thiselton 2-7-8-3)

David Thiselton

Mike and Mathew de Kock will be heroes if they land the Gr 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate on Saturday with either Jan Van Goyen or Dave The King, which is as opposed to the yard’s first win in this prestigious mile race in 2011 with the top class mare Mother Russia, because she shattered the hopes of many by ending the great Pocket Power’s chances of equaling a modern day world record.

After the Mike Bass-trained Pocket Power had won his fourth successive L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate in 2010 pundits delved into the record books and discovered that in the modern era only one horse had ever won the same Gr 1 race five times in succession and that was the American legend Kelso, who won the Jockey Club Gold Cup over ten furlongs at Saratoga every year from 1960 to 1964.

Kelso’s feats happened before the pattern came into being in thoroughbred horseracing, so the Gr 1 status given to the Jockey Club Gold Cup behind Kelso’s name was retrospective.

So, Pocket Power would have in fact become the first to win the same actual Gr 1 race five times in succession.

The Jet Master gelding was bred by Zandvliet Stud and fetched the second highest price of R190,000 at the 2004 Grand West Yearling Sale.

He ran in the colours of March Shirtliff, who owned him in partnership with  Arthur and Rina Webber.

Pocket Power was gelded before he ever raced and Mike Bass said it was necessary due to his temperament and added without it he would not have been able to race beyond four years of age.

This was a particularly wise decision considering he only came into his own as a four-year-old.

His first win was in his fourth start on 15 November 2005 over 1600m at Kenilworth ridden by Gerrit Schlechter.

Subsequent to his maiden win he remained undefeated around the turn at Kenilworth until he was beaten into third place by his full-sister River Jetez in the 2010 Met.

He had an unbeaten ten race streak over the Kenilworth 1600m, which ended when finishing fourth in the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate of 2011.

Pocket Power earned R25,000 in his last race, an  eighth place finish in the 2011 Met, and that left him about R32,000 short of R10 million in earnings.

He only failed to earn a cheque twice, in a Maiden Plate over 1400m in November 2005 and then almost five years later in the 2010 July.

Pocket Power had a massive stride, but became infamous for his “flat spot”. He took a long time to wind up into top gear, but his devastating kick, usually at roundabout the 200m mark, will always be part of his legend.

He usually idled when in front, but with his huge stride he was very difficult to pass.

In fact in the 2010 Met his full sister River Jetez became the first horse to ever overtake him in the straight.

His first Gr 1 was in the December 2006 Queen’s Plate and besides winning that race four times in succession he also won the Met three times in a row.

His other two Gr 1 wins were a dead-heat in the 2008 July and winning the Gold Challenge at Clairwood in 2009, a race he had been very unlucky to lose two years earlier.

Jeff Lloyd rode him for his first two Gr 1s and Bernard Fayd’Herbe was aboard for his other seven.

In fact Pocket Power and Fayd’Herbe became famously close companions.

Bernard knew all the tricks to coax his quirky friend to cooperate, such as feeding him a clump of grass before mounting him at home otherwise he would become difficult.

Pocket Power’s other quirks which endeared him to the public were his dislike of parading in front of the grandstand, meaning Bernard had to be alert for his habit of suddenly whipping around and making his way to the start, his refusal to enter the winner’s enclosure, his tendency to back up whenever encountering something he disliked, rushing into the starting stalls, only going into his stable at home when he was ready to do so and, despite his tremendous will to win, he liked to have a lead when going to track in the mornings. He also spooked at the slightest disturbance.

Mike Bass’s patience in his early years was part of the reason Pocket Power was so successful. He resisted the temptation to go to Durban in the 2006 winter, but it was actually during that winter the yard realised he was something special as he reeled off the Cape Winter Triple Crown.

The other masterful feat of Mike Bass and farrier Greg Dabbs was managing Pocket Power’s very soft feet, which bruised easily, specifically the inner corn of his near fore. They were treated with rubberised concussion pads apart from other caretaking measures.

The build up to the 2011 LQP was immense with everybody talking about Pocket Power’s bid to join one of the greatest thoroughbreds in history, Kelso, with a fifth successive win.

However, Mother Russia started 18/10 favourite from a pole position draw and Pocket Power, drawn 2, was at 3/1 together with the crack three-year-old filly Ebony Flyer.

Pocket Power’s stablemates Blue Tiger and Captain’s Secret ensured a blistering pace, but it might have actually played into Mother Russia’s hands because she managed to find a position one in front of Pocket Power on the rail in fourth place. She was able to use her stride and at the age of eight Pocket Power was always going to battle to match the mare’s turn of foot.

Mother Russia duly quickened superbly under Anton Marcus in the straight and went on to win by 2,25 lengths from Tales Of Bravery and Ebony Flyer.

Pocket Power staying on down the inside rail for a 4,25 length fourth.

Mike Bass admitted afterwards Pocket Power was probably better at that age over 2000m but the Met three weeks later proved to be his final race.

David Thiselton

The Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained Jan van Goyen will be out to become only the sixth three-year-old to win the L’Ormarins King’s Plate since World War II, but he will on the other hand become the third three-year-old to do it this decade and the second three-year-old in succession.

He is a 2/1 chance with Hollywoodbets to pull it off.

He might be a twice Gr 1 winner already, but is in fact still relatively unexposed, because he won both of his Gr 1s by comfortable margins and without being put under undue pressure by his regular rider Callan Murray.

The winning margins were 3,70 lengths in the Gr 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Premiers Champion Stakes and 2,75 lengths in the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas.

In the Champion Stakes his time was 97,63 seconds, which was a touch slower than the 97,39 seconds recorded by the Gr 1 Douglas Whyte Stakes winner Golden Palm and was a lot slower than the 95,63 seconds recorded by I Salute You in the Listed Michel Nairac Stakes Darley Arabian, although the latter was carrying 4,5kg less than Jan van Goyen.

However, Jan van Goyen’s Cape Guineas time of 98.45 seconds was quicker than the Gr 2 Ridgemont Green Point Stakes time of 98.77 seconds by his stablemate Dave The King.

Furthermore, he looked to still have plenty in hand, while Dave The King was at the end of his reserves and being challenged on all sides.

Jan van Goyen’s only defeat over 1600m came in the Gr 2 Jackpot City Dingaans, but that was his first run for four months and he was caught wide without cover.

Jan Van Goyen will receive 5kg from the top rated horse Eight On Eighteen on Saturday, but off an official 118 he is 5,5kg under sufferance with the 129-rated Equus Horse Of The Year.

However, he has not yet had an opportunity to prove himself against older or higher rated horses. The LKP will be his acid test.

Eight On Eighteen, who achieved his high rating over 2000m and 2200m,  is making his reappearance and has in fact not run since finishing second in the Hollywoodbets Durban July six months ago. He would obviously prefer further, but did finish a 1,25 length second to One Stripe in last season’s Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas and the latter then went on to win the King’s Plate.

However, Eight On Eighteen was beaten by Sail The Seas in the Gr 2 WSB Guineas the last time he came back from a layoff and he was only a long-head in front of Cosmic Speed in that race. He is a 5/1 shot with Hollywoodbets for the LKP, while Sail The Seas is 25/2 and Cosmic Speed is 33/1.

Dave The King won the Gr 1 wfa Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge and the Gr 2 Ridgemont Green Point Stakes, despite carrying a Gr 1 penalty in the latter race and achieved his 128 rating over this trip and over 1800m.

He is a 10/1 shot whilst See It Again, whom he beat by 0,35 lengths in the Green Point and with whom he will now be 2kg better off with, is 6/1. However, See It Again was coming back from a long layoff in the Green Point and lost two lengths at the start after fly-jumping. Furthermore, See It Again’s downfield finish in the Gold Challenge was due to him being severely hampered. He did later beat Eight On Eighteen by 1,35 lengths in the Gr 1 wfa HKJC Champions Cup over 1800m. The bookmakers might also be viewing new trainer Justin Snaith’s Champion Trainer status as worth a point or two on the betting boards.

Dave The King beat The Real Prince by 2,50 lengths in the Green Point and will face him on the same terms in the King’s Plate and yet is 10/1 compared to The Real Prince’s 6/1. The 126-rated The Real Prince was returning from a four-and-a-half month layoff in that race and had caught the eye with an effortlessly fast finish in the Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m before his Hollywoodbets Durban July win. He also beat Dave The King in the Champions Cup by 2,55 lengths. However, his 126 rating was achieved over that 1800m trip.

If the Champions Cup is a good measure of form for The LKP then it is questionable why the 127-rated Gladatorian is out at 14/1 odds. He won the Champions Cup but was already a 127 from his Gold Challenge run. He was said to have been unusually strong in the Green Point, where he was beaten 3,25 lengths. He was only 0,35 lengths behind Dave The King in the Gold Challenge and was closing fast. That should be a more accurate assessment of his mile ability and he should be more settled on Saturday having experienced the course.

Without delving any further into the form, it has become clear already from the above discussion that it is somewhat muddled among the older horses and they look to be ripe for a beating by a top newcomer.

On the other hand, the horses Jan Van Goyen beat in the Cape Guineas have the same sort of muddled form and the Dingaans form is not looking too good. Trust does look visually exceptional but was only 5,10 lengths ahead of an East Cape horse and 5,40 lengths ahead of Shadowfax, who was subsequently beaten 3,50 lengths in a Graduation Plate by a 98 rated horse at level weights.

In conclusion there are still question marks about Jan Van Goyen, but the visual appearance of his Guineas win make him an exciting prospect and he could give the De Kock yard a second win of the iconic L’Ormarins King’s Plate.

Andrew Harrison

With race meetings coming thick and fast over the holiday season, local trainers are running out of suitable horses as punters face a seven-race card on the poly today. However, it is a card that punters will need to do their homework.

The programme is headed by a B Stakes over 1200m where Glen Kotzen’s runner Circumbendibus tries for a winning hattrick. He has won comfortably at his last two but has gone up 12 points in the handicap for those wins. However, both were impressive and he can go in again. A likely danger is Mvelelo who is hunting his fourth straight win. He got a five-point shunt up the handicap  for his last effort which could be enough to halt his winning streak. Visiting Wild At War is the first KZN runner for the sister combination of Candice and Tammy Dawson and is their only runner on the day. The gelding has been making steady recent improvement and has come down in the ratings to what could be a more competitive mark. Buttercup Baby is a smart filly with a handy weight who goes well this course and distance. The form of her last win has been franked and one can expect another forward showing.

Best bet on a tricky card could come in the first where Mike and Mathew de Kock saddle Strutting. She was caught in the last strides last time out and drops back in trip. She looks the part in this mostly modest field.

Of the balance, Harpa was a close-up second last run without the blinkers but they are back on and this trip should suit. Anemie has patchy form but has shown some form over course and distance.

The second is a competitive handicap. Rafiki returns from a break and goes well on the poly. He was close-up under a big weight last start and has a better galloping weight here. Ibutho was due to run last Wednesday but won well last time out and can follow up depending on that latest outing. Stable companion Winter Waves meets him at level weights and should be able to turn the tables given their last meeting.  Another Alyson Wright runner Ultra Quick is back on his favourite surface and with a 4kg claimer up could be the stable pick.

The Pick 6 starts in the third where Isivivane finished second best last run in the Christmas Handicap but goes well on the poly. He steps up in trip but should see it out. Sundance Kid was back to best when an easy winner last time out. He goes well on the poly and again has the 4kg claimer aboard. Gotta Go Eddie was a touch disappointing last run but now has a light weight from the best of the draw and can do better. Eventidor has come good of late as he bids for a hattrick. He is up in class but should still be competitive. One to watch in the market is Star In Motion. Back in KZNB after some modest performances in Cape Town, he only has 52.5kg to shoulder and Cape form is often much stronger than local.

The fourth is a competitive sprint with many in with chances. Adam Azzie is still hunting his first KZN winner but it could come in the form of Summer Winter. She has the widest draw to overcome but has had two runs back from a break and should now be at her peak. She has also run well on the poly. Tienie Prinsloo saddles Miss Munroe who was disappointing first run for her new stable after two Highveld wins. The compression mask is back on and she can make amends. Louis Goosen has two chances. Arverni Princess who steps up in class but only got a one-point raise in the handicap for her last win. She only has 49.5kg to shoulder and is over her optimum trip. Stable companion Malshana Mou was a recent maiden winner and has a hefty handicap rating. However, she goes well over course and distance and can follow up.

The fifth is wide open. Grand Force took an age to shed his maiden but followed up with a solid handicap effort. He has a 4kg claimer aboard and should be competitive in a modest line-up. Cappellino was a neck behind Grand Force when last they met and meet on the same handicap terms and there should be very little between the two. Axis Power is lightly raced and has dropped significantly in the handicap and could be the surprise package while Trafalgar Square has not been far back at recent outings and goes well this course and distance.

The last is another open contest but although Izibulo has the widest draw he has come to hand of late when taking on stronger and should be a big runner. Copacabana was a game winner over the distance last time out and she only got a three-point raise in the handicap that has been offset by a 2.5kg claimer. However, there should be little between her, Blind Speed, Futano and Amafort who all should be considered in exotic calculations.