Andrew Harrison

Sabine Plattner has got to be one of the most patient owners in the sport. Her familiar green and indigo colours are always prominent in the Western Cape, where Plattner has a private training facility up the West Coast, but also in Kwa-Zulu Natal where Byron Forster does duty for boss Andre Nel at Summerveld.  Mostly home bred at Plattner’s La Plaisance Stud, Nel is never one to rush his charges and is afforded the luxury of an understanding owner.

Pleasedtoseeyou is a five-year-old La Plaisance-bred who only had 13 races under his saddle until yesterday but paid his way with his second win in the fifth on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

Serino Moodley has become part of the furniture in Nel’s Summerveld yard and he rode the perfect front-running race. Along with stable companion Mac Hardy, they cut the early fractions before Mac Hardy threw in the towel leaving Ultra Quick the main challenger. However, Ultra Quick’s challenge faded to nothing leaving Got The Word and Navajo Dancer keeping Pleasedtoseeyou honest.

There was a flood of late money for Willow Valli in the first but unfortunately for her backers she also arrived too late. Asgardian Queen made all the running under Calvin Habib with Wendy Whitehead’s charge staying on the lead in a grinding finish to hold off Blazing Belle before Willow Valli arrived late to snatch second.

Gold Gold Baby, dropped back to a mile with first time blinkers, held off a determined challenge from Treasure Island to win the second under Chad Little. Leading for most of the way, Gen Kotzen’s filly kept finding in a pressure-cooker finish to keep Treasure Island at bay.

Princess Trippi looked to be one of the better bets on a tricky card and so it proved as Keagan de Melo waited his turn at the top of the straight before streaking away to win as he liked. It was the second winner for Whitehead and although the opposition did not stack up to much, it was a win full of merit.

Game in defeat, Ebisu was unable to peg back the year older Sesame in the fourth, a Class 4 over 2000m. Giving the winner 8kg, 4kg courtesy of apprentice Anaas Mosaheb, the two fillies joined battle over a furlong out. Sesame appeared to have the upper hand over the final 50m but Callan Murray got Ebisu to rally again but just not enough to deny Glen Kotzen a double on the day.

On the verge of being retired from racing four runs back, blinkers, back-to-front alumites and intensive physio has seen Meerkat Moon reach his full potential as he ran out and easy winner of the sixth.

Sean Veale made the most of his inside draw on Mark Dixon’s runner and made not mistakes. The gelding had the run of the race, slipping up the inside rail before drawing off to win as he liked.

It was also pleasing to see the blinkers removed from Meerkat Moon before the lead-in according the horse some dignity and owners who don’t remove their dark glasses before their interviews should take note.

Nathan Kotzen is a staunch supporter of Dezahn Louw and the promising apprentice delivered a confident front-running ride on the well-supported Chicarito in the seventh. The gelding does not have the best of legs (for the layman – not the best conformed according to strict equine physiology), and has taken to the poly track and recorded back-to-back wins. Ante-post favourite Bangkok Magic drifted in the market but still finished a creditable second to edge out Winter In London.

The judges took their time declaring the winner of the last as pacemakers B Fifty Two and Victor Rail fought out a desperate finish. There was nothing separating the two over the final 50m and little more than a piece of paper as Kom Naidoo’s outsider added a zero onto the Pick 6 payout.

David Thiselton

The highest rated race at Turffontein Inside on Thursday is a MR94 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m and it could go to the progressive Joe Soma-trained Lost For Words.

The Canford Cliffs four-year-old filly can be made a banker despite having to jump from a tough barrier position of ten out of ten. Mickaelle Michel’s 1.5kg gender claim alleviates the maximum eight point raise she was given for her impressive last win and the lightly raced filly, who has won three out of six starts, now has her third run after a six month layoff. She can be dropped out from the draw and one can picture her mowing them down late with her big action. The Tony Peter-trained Hathighwaytothesky will make a bold bid from pole position as she is a small, nippy sort who should enjoy this tight track and she is capable of a late kick. Crystal Grove has the ability to contest the finish in this race from a plum draw of two with champion apprentice elect Blaine Marx-Jacobson aboard.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1600m Jimmy Vega ran on well from the back last time over 1400m after being dropped out from a tricky draw and can do the same here. On pedigree, being by Malmoos out of a Dynasty mare, he will relish the step up in trip. The Midnight Show ran well third time out when stepped up to this trip with first time blinkers on but he had a good draw of two then which allowed him to sit behind the vanguard on the rail but he now has to overcome draw eight out of nine. Kovil is by Malmoos out of a Giant’s Causeway mare so will relish the step up in trip. Having done better when stepped up to 1400m last time he could run on after being dropped out from a wide draw.

In the second leg over 1600m Pearl In Her Crown is a nice type and this consistent Soqrat filly has a fine chance from a plum draw over a suitable trip with Muzi Yeni up. There is not much between her and Delaware River on 1400m form, but the latter has a tricky draw to contend with. Kortvandraad has pole position with Gavin Lerena up and she will make a bold bid from pole position over an ideal trip with Gavin Lerena up. Pretty Analia is capable of a strong finish from off the pace, but she needs things to pan out well and she will have to dropped out from a wide draw. Eight Hats should not be far off Pearl In Her Crown and Delaware River on form.

In the fifth race over 1600m Kensal Green is on the up and from a fair draw of four can follow up on her impressive last win, despite being six points higher in the merit ratings. Onetwobucklemyshoe has ability and will have come on from her last run, which followed an eight month layoff. Juliet Tango will enjoy this trip and can make a bold bid from a good draw.

In the sixth race over 2600m Chabal is in good form at present and over a suitable trip with Mickaelle Michel up he should go close. Euphrates could be the one to beat from a fair draw as he has won over 2400m before and has consistent staying form. Gavin Lerena up is a bonus. Full Go has third-time cheekpieces on and could be in the shake up over a trip which should suit as he looks to be capable of better than his last two runs  although he does have a tricky draw.

In the last over 1200m Winter In Auckland made a good Highveld debut over 1160m, winning comfortably, and from a plum draw can follow up despite a seven point raise. Brigitte Ann can go close off a 76 merit rating from pole position as she won by 6,50 lengths last time over course and distance from draw seven under Keagan de Melo and now has Gavin Lerena up from pole position. Plumbago Park has the ability to be involved here despite a wide draw.

In the second race over 1600m Up And Up ran a good second to the highly proming Moana last time and she could outgun this opposition if able to overcome a tricky draw of six out of seven.

In the first race over 1200m the first-timer Jack’s Legacy is a half-brother to the four-time winner Warrior Of Royalty and should make a bold bid under Phenisile Mpngqawa, although it will be tough from a wide draw. Irish Wilma is drawn in pole and should be right there.

RACE 1

ERIK’S GIRL is only modest but she can earn some money in a race of this nature. JACK’S LEGACY makes her debut but would not be a surprise winner on her home track. Her stable companion YOUNG GENERAL did not show much on debut but is likely to be a lot smarter this time. BUFFALO DREAM can improve on a modest debut. IRISH WILMA has some fair form and could fight out the finish.

RACE 2

ME AND YOU showed good improvement in her second start. She can go one place better this time but it is a competitive looking race. EMPRESS OF PEACE has improved with the aid of blinkers and will be a threat. FOREST ACT has only had the two starts so improvement should be forthcoming. REGAL QUEEN is unreliable but could earn some money. TREX ON FIRE has some fair form and could make the frame. UP AND UP has not been reliable but is capable of scoring.

RACE 3

MIDNIGHT SHOW showed improvement with blinkers and the step up in distance. He can go one place better. JIMMY VEGA is improving and should be a real threat yet again. GUS ON THE BUS has only been modest of late but is well drawn and could play a minor role. KOVIL attracted betting support last time out and was not beaten too far so could make the frame with improvement likely.

RACE 4

A very open looking race. DELAWARE RIVER has not been beaten too far in her recent starts and could win a race like this. PEARL IN HER CROWN put up a decent performance last time out but has tended to be unreliable. KORTVANDRAAD is consistent and has every chance of scoring from her good draw. PRETTY ANALIA, BOLD ACTION and CAN’T CATCH ME are all arriving for this race after scoring but they are not reliable types. LAST GINGER and KYLIE’S ANGEL might earn some minor money.

RACE 5

KENSAL GREEN has won three of her last five starts. She gives weight to all her rivals but can score again. FIRE IN HER SOUL is well drawn and could contest the finish. JULIET TANGO is unreliable but would be a threat at best. RUSSIAN NOBILITY should like this distance and can contest the finish. ONETWOBUCKLEMYSHOE needed her last run and should make good improvement. LADY SABRINA is not reliable but can be competitive when in the right mood. OPERA FAN has a place chance on her best form.

RACE 6

Open event. Trainer Erico Verdonese has his yard in good form and both his runners are capable of scoring. DJ JUNIOR is in better form at the moment but include NUCLEAR FORCE in all permutations. DECEPTION PASS is a one-paced chap but has a chance this course and distance. EUPHRATES, STOP THE TRAFFIC and EMERALD CITY are all in good shape and capable of scoring. FULL GO has only been modest of late but might earn some money.

RACE 7

LOST FOR WORDS is clearly talented and has won three of her last four starts. She can score again. HATHIGHWAYTOTHESKY struggled in a better race than this last time out and can bounce back to beat these rivals on the turf this time. SEASON’S GREETINGS and BLIZZARD SNOW might need to do more to win but can earn some minor money. MYSTICAL MISS is consistent but is battling to actually win it. KAVADY has run in some good races of late but is not well drawn.

RACE 8

BRIGITTE ANNE showed what she is capable of with a very easy maiden win. She may well follow up and beat these rivals. PLUMBAGO PARK disappointed on the Polytrack last time out but should be a threat back on the grass. TRIP OF FAITH is well drawn and should be a threat once again. BLINDFIRE seems better than her last run and has a place chance. SAKURA HANAMI is unreliable but is also not out of it. WINTER IN AUCKLAND ran last Thursday and that run will need to be looked at. CLOUDS CLEARING has a place chance when in the right mood.

In exciting news for the South African horseracing industry it has been announced the UK have opened a direct equine export route from South Africa, which cements two-way trade for the SA Equine Industry.

SA Equine Health & Protocols NPC (SAEHP) sent out the following press release:

UK Opens Direct Equine Export Route from South Africa, Cementing Two-Way Trade for SA Equine Industry

Cape Town, 15 July 2026 — SA Equine Health & Protocols NPC (SAEHP) is pleased to announce that the British Government has confirmed a decision permitting direct import of live horses from South Africa to Great Britain. Following a positive assessment of South Africa’s disease control measures, imports will be permitted from the approved vector-protected quarantine station in Cape Town, for registered equines complying with UK import conditions.

This milestone reflects sustained collaboration between SAEHP, the South African Department of Agriculture, and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture — a powerful demonstration of this public-private partnership’s success in maintaining South Africa’s equine disease control measures to the highest international standard and translating that credibility into real market access.

The announcement follows closely on South Africa’s opening of imports from Dubai, New Zealand, and Australia earlier this year -making genuine two-way trade a reality for the South African equine industry.

Adrian Todd, Managing Director of SAEHP, thanked the Hong Kong Jockey Club for its funding, technical support, and vision in opening South Africa to the world, noting that the growing number of trade partners now opens a world of opportunity for South Africa across all equestrian disciplines.

About SAEHP:SA Equine Health & Protocols NPC is a South African public-private partnership established to ensure the sustainability and security of the African Horse Sickness control zones through risk mitigation measures and controls, operating under the authority of the South African National Director of Animal Health in partnership with the National Department of Agriculture and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture.

Soccer13 Wednesday 15 July 2026. Carryover R1 763 908. R3.5 Million (All-13-Correct Jackpot Pool). Pool Closes at 19h45. Sport 11 Pool 1.

Please note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Bath and Yarmouth (UK) – 15 July 2026.

David Thiselton

One of the intriguing questions that will be answered on World Pool Gold Cup day is whether the champion sire Vercingetorix can break his own South African record of 23 individual stakes winners in a season.

He is currently on 21 individual stakes winners and it will hinge on the big turf meeting on the last Sunday of the month as to whether he can break the record or not, because he does not have a runner in the only other stakes race still to be run this season, the Listed Champion Juvenile Cup at Fairview.

Vercingetorix will have many runners representing him on Gold Cup day such is his phenomenal influence on big races in the country.

However, the only ones that will count for this particular record will be the ones who have not previously won a stakes race this season.

A defending champion of one of the big races on the day actually falls into that category i.e. Gladatorian.

It is often said that horses coming fresh into the Gr 1 wfa HKJC Champions Cup have an advantage over those who have run in the July, but Gladatorian ran in the July last year and still managed to win the Champions Cup.

The Stuart Ferrie-trained six-year-old gelding has not had the best of luck with draws in his career, but in last year’s Champions Cup he landed draw three and for once his well known late charge did not come too late. This year he has drawn three out of the 12 horses who are still standing their ground, so will have every chance of defending his title. The man who knows him best, Sean Veale, looks likely to take the ride again as he is contracted to Hollywood Racing and hence rode the Hollywood Racing-owned Isivivane in the July.

In the opening race of the meeting, the Listed Tote Stakes Darley Arabian over 1600m, the Alyson Wright-trained four-year-old Vercingetorix gelding Position Of Power is out of an unraced Horse Chestnut mare who was in turn out of an Elliodor mare who won four times from 1200m to 1600m, so he is interesting stepped up from sprints if taking his place here. His sprints record is six wins, three seconds and a third from 12 starts. He is drawn 18 out of the 35 entries still standing so his final barrier position all depends on how it cuts up.

In the Gr 2 World Pool Bet With Tote Umkhomazi Stakes over 1200m the Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained Vercingetorix two-year-old colt Rising Eagle won comfortably over 1160m on the Turffontein Standside track in his second career start on Saturday. His time did not compare favourably on the day but on the other hand he jumped from an unfavourable low draw and still won. He now has a very wide draw of 40 among the many entries and will need some luck in the running if he lines up in this race.

In the Gr 2 Douglas Whyte Thekwini Stakes over 1600m the Louis Goosen-trained Ferrari Flair is still a maiden but has been performing well in stakes races, including finishing a close third in the Gr 3 Strelitzia Stakes over 1100m and a 2,30 length third in the Listed Amusnet Devon Air Stakes over 1400m. She was not disgraced when a 3,25 length eighth in the Gr 2 Amusnet Golden Slipper over 1400m, but she does not have as good a draw here and she has a bit to find on those who beat her in the latter race.

In the Gr 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Premiers Champion Stakes over 1600m Rising Eagle is also an entry here and on pedigree should enjoy this 1600m trip as he is out of a New Approach mare who won up to 1800m. However, he has a draw of 23 among the many entries so has a tough task.

The Gr 1 wfa Mercury Sprint sees the hard-knocking Andre Nel-trained four-year-old Vercingetorix gelding O’Tenikwa having an outside chance if able to find a couple of extra lengths on his best form. He has a fair draw of seven.

In the Gr 3 World Pool Gold Cup over 3200m the Dean Kannemeyer-trained five-year-old Vercingetorix gelding Continentalexpress has some fair staying form and carries a lightweight from a plum draw, so he can’t be written off.

In the Gr 2 Bet With The World Gold Bracelet over 2000m the Candice and Tammy Dawson-trained Minogue will make a last ditch bid to win bold black type before being retired to stud and she will certainly deserve it. On the form of her run in the Gr 2 Woolavington 2000 she has a definite chance. She is sure to revert to the handy to front-running tactics that suit her best from a pole position draw, having not being suited to being dropped out to last in the July. The Candice Bass-trained four-year-old Vercingetorix filly Rahhabba won the non-Black type WSB Scarlet Lady over 1750m and was just touched off in the Listed IOS Insider East Coast Cup over 2000m. So carrying just 55kg from a plum draw in the Gold Bracelet she has an outside chance, although she officially has a tough task at the weights.

In the last feature of the season, the Listed HKIR In December Umngeni Handicap over 1000m, the Glen Kotzen-trained four-year-old Vercingetorix gelding Circumbendibus is a hard-knocking sort who has a definite chance. His draw is unknown at the time of writing, but he enjoys this course and distance. The James Crawford-trained Dame Of Trix is an interesting runner here as she won impressively over this trip at Turffontein last time and she could be better than her 98 merit rating suggests. She could land a fair draw when it cuts up as she is drawn 14 out of the 35 entries still standing. Position Of Power, mentioned earlier in the article, has hard-knocking sprint form and is also an entry here, although he is drawn 24, so will likely have a tough barrier position on the day. The Tony Rivalland-trained five-year-old Vercingetorix gelding King Of The Gauls is course and distance suited as he is very quick and he won this race from a wide draw two years ago, but the problem here is he has to do it from another wide draw off an eight point higher merit rating. The Louis Goosen-trained three-year-old Vercingetorix gelding Blazing Fury is a hard-knocking sort who has a two length fourth in a Gr 3 Sprint to his name, but he will officially have a tough task at the weights if he gets in here and he has a wide draw.

Andrew Harrison

Small fields but it is competitive racing on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville today and there are no ‘gimmes’ as they say in golf.

Headlining the card is the Lucky Fish Silver Run Class  where Justin Snaith’s Bangkok Magic is a two-year-old taking on older horses. However, he won well second time out and although he does face stronger he shed his maiden with authority and can follow up. None of Ricky Maingard’s visiting string have finished out of the money and Seven No Trump can keep up the form. The gelding makes his local debut on the poly but boasts some useful Cape form over the trip and is one to watch in the market. Darryl Moore has done wonders with poly specialist United Nation but does appear to be tested over this trip so preferred is Red Bomber who has started favourite at his last two but has been close-up in both. He should be right there again.

Punters face a tricky opener with a couple of Cape raiders relatively unexposed and it could pay to follow the betting. However, Stuart Ferrie’s filly Predator’s Crown, although having the widest draw, has put up two smart efforts to date and has run on the poly. Blazing Belle may just have needed her last run after a lengthy break but both her starts have been in the soft so the poly should suit. Yeah Baby was at long odds when make her debut on the poly but was not far back and should come on lengths from that run. Interstellar makes her debut for Adam Azzie and is one to watch in the market.

The first leg of the PA is wide open but Dancing In Demark has good poly form and has a light weight and should feature prominently. Peace Rose enjoyed the poly and the step up in trip when shedding her maiden and meets slightly stronger here but can follow up. Treasure Island is never far back and the drop in trip on the poly could see her home. Gold Gold Baby was close-up in her poly debut and now gets first time blinkers while Blue Poppy was narrowly beaten first up on the poly and has been consistent since. She is another in with a strong winning chance.

If there is a standout on the card it could come in the first leg of the Pick 6 with Princess Trippi. Wendy Whitehead’s filly has been knocking on the door for some time now and goes well this course and distance and is the one to beat. Of the balance, Chooks Kiss is seldom far off the winner and goes well on the poly and has a good draw to help her cause while Chihiro may just have needed her last run when making her poly debut and must have a strong chance if improving on that effort.

In the fourth, Ebisu was an easy winner first up on the poly for Lucinda Woodruff and the form has held up. The extra furlong should not trouble her but she did get a seven-pound raise in the handicap which is a concern. However, she is progressive and can deny the handicap. The year older Golden Angel was a beaten favourite last run but has been in good form on the poly. She gets 4.5kg from Ebisu so there is a lot on her favour while Sesame was well beaten by Ebisu last time out but now gets a 4kg claimer aboard and is 7kg better off for a seven-length beating.

Dennis Bosch could hold the key to the fifth where Pembury is likely to start at long odds. He has not been far back in recent starts but has dropped markedly in the ratings. The blinkers are back on and he gets a 4kg claimer aboard. Run To Rio was a beaten favourite last run but finished close-up in third while Pleasedtoseeyou  is relatively lightly raced and was a beaten favourite over course and distance last time out. Navajo Dancer is up in class but goes well on the poly and has a light weight.

The sixth is another wide open handicap but Meerkat Moon has the best of the draw and has improved in blinkers. He was narrowly beaten over course and distance last time out Sail To The Moon goes well on the poly and has been knocking at the door while William Of Orange as shown up well in two post-maiden efforts on the poly. He has drawn well and the stable is in form. Music Of Life has the widest draw but ran a cracker under an inexperience apprentice last start and is seldom far back.

Yadav Singh can round off the day when he saddles Victor Rail who goes well over course and distance and was less than two lengths back to Bless Me Fred when last they met. He is now 7kg better off taking the apprentice claim into account. Cappellino has good form over course and distance and was a close-up second to Bless Me Fred last time out and is now 1.5kg better off so the tables should be turned. One can never write of veteran galloper Trafalgar Square who has been consistent under big weights and should be competitive again.

David Thiselton

The big news at the end of last week was the scratching of Star Major from the Gr 1 HKJC Champions Cup which effectively takes him out of the running for the Equus Horse Of The Year Award.

The connections have renounced the false rumour that he had been sold and said the temperature he was shown to have had before his scratching from the Hollywoodbets Durban July had remained in flux and had put him out of work for eleven days, which was no way for a horse to go into the Gr 1 weight for age Champions Cup.

See It Again is in the pound seats for the Equus Horse Of The Year award having won the Gr 1 wfa Sun Met and the Gr 1 wfa Premier’s Champion Challenge. If he can add a third Gr 1 weight for age race he will surely be a shoe-in.

However, Questioning and The Real Prince are also still in the running.

Questioning is the most in-form horse in the country and could add the G1 weight for age Mercury Sprint to his Gr 1 wfa Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge win. He has also won two Gr 2s, the Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes over 1200m and the IOS Drill Hall stakes over 1400m.

In fact Questioning might even be considered if not winning the Mercury provided See It Again does not win the Champions Cup. The reason for the consideration would be that he narrowly beat See It Again when a short-head second in the King’s Plate and he beat an admittedly below par See It Again by 5,45 lengths when winning the Gold Challenge.

However, open Gr 1 weight for age wins usually carry the day in the Equus Horse Of The Year award.

The Real Prince could join See It Again on two Gr 1 wfa wins if landing the Champions Cup as he was the winner of the King’s Plate. If he wins the Champions Cup he will also have levelled the tally between himself and See It Again this season to 3-3.

Both horses have had two Gr 1 wfa places besides their wins, with See It Again finishing a 0,25 length third in the King’s Plate and a 3,75 length second in the Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes, while The Real Prince was a 1,25 length third in the Met and a 2,95 length fourth in the Gold Challenge. So See It Again will probably edge it between those two even if The Real Prince wins the Champions Cup.

However, Questioning could spoil the party for both of them.

The five-year-old Querari gelding has transformed this season from a hard-knocking Gr 1 sort into a horse with the X-factor and he will be going for his fifth victory in succession in the Mercury, presuming he takes his place.

The only reason for him not to take his place would be the unfortunate wide draw he has landed.  However, such have his performances been of late coupled with his obvious zest for racing that it would be no surprise to see him storming to victory, provided he can find some cover around the turn. However, he will need plenty of luck and even then he is up against the highest rated horse in the land, Buffalo Storm Cody.

The latter demonstrated his class last time out in his preparation run for the Mercury when eating up the ground late with his huge stride in the Gr 3 Post Merchants. That was run over the same 1200m course and distance as the Mercury and the weight turnaround will see him 2kg better off with Post Merchants winner Jet Force for a half-a-length beating.

However, Buffalo only beat Tenango by a short-head in the Post Merchants and faces him on the same terms. Furthermore, Tenango has landed a plum draw. Tenango was a 1,60 length second to Buffalo in last year’s Mercury when jumping from draw 13 compared to Buffalo’s 9, so on the draw reversal from that race he has a chance too.

Buffalo has a fair draw of nine this year out of the 24 entries still standing their ground, so should come into a nice draw.

The Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint winner Asiye Phambili also comes into it with her 2,5kg gender claim and she has landed draw eleven among the entries.

Others to consider are the in-form Taxi To The Moon, while Cosmic Speed and Cats Pajamas are capable sorts who have not landed favourable draws.

In the Champions Cup See It Again’s chief opposition could come from his own stablemate Eight On Eighteen.

The Lancaster Bomber gelding is the reigning Equus Horse Of The Year, but has had an interrupted season. His run in the Gold Challenge can be ignored as he was caught wide behind an unsuitable slow pace. He put up a fine workout at the Hollywoodbets Durban July Gallops and Richard Fourie has since been quoted as saying it would require a crowbar to separate him from Eight On Eighteen, so good did he feel in the gallop.

Eight On Eighteen will appreciate the step up in trip and has drawn a fair six out of 12. He will come in nice and fresh having not run in the July.

Running in the July did not stop Gladatorian from winning the Champions Cup last year and he has landed a plum draw again.

Legal Counsel can’t be ignored either having run a short-head second to Questioning in the Gold Challenge and second to See It Again in the Met. In the July he was asked to lead with topweight and it proved too much. He should appreciate the step down in trip in the Champions Cup and is a tough horse.

Former Equus Horse Of The Year Dave The King has won this race before, but is not in the best form, while Main Defender would have been capable of winning this race at his best, but also needs to bounce back.

Alistair Cohen

Justin Snaith is positively cruising towards another Champion Trainer title but he is certainly not resting on any laurels to take his foot off the gas towards the end of the season. In A Timely Manner hails from his yard and this underachieving son of boom sire, Legislate could be on his way to a breakthrough win. He runs in race 8 over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Tuesday.

He has come up against some good opposition lately and remains consistent. Perhaps a rating relief would have gone a long way, but the handicapper has been impressed enough against good company to leave him rated 92. Digging deep, he is out of a Silvano mare and the great sire only had his progeny hit their straps as older horses. He is riding four-years-old now and that hints that better days lie ahead.

The recent company he has kept includes a trip to Gqeberha where he finished behind the brilliant Anotherdanceforme. There is no disgrace finishing 5,5 lengths behind one of the stars of the Eastern Cape giving her 2kg. He was given a two-month layoff after that run and he found Chasingtherainbow too good over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. Again, he fell short by 3,8 lengths which sounds like a good beating but one needs to keep in mind that Chasingtherainbow has won subsequently against far stronger. In A Timely Manner then went very close to beating Blind Date in his most recent appearance in the middle of June. The 0,4-length deficit behind a horse evidently on the up must give him a good leg up against this division.

These are the calmest waters that In A Timely Manner has been in for a while. He gets the services of JP van der Merwe. From a good gate of No 3, plenty is stacked in his favour.

Katsu must be respected with only 50kg to carry. Eduan Muller takes a valuable 4kg off his back. After running to the likes of Tenpenny, La Pulga and Major Master lately, he too plummets in class. Two of those named ran in the Grade 3 Magical Zulu Kingdom Campanajo 2200 last Saturday. Major Master was carded to run in a Listed feature. Katsu does not win too often which is his biggest query. Despite some good numbers and largely consistent runs suggesting he should run another solid race, it is hard to have full faith in him. This is his first run in three months so fitness might not be at his peak. Lucinda Woodruff trains. She is probably the most in-form yard in the country at the moment.

It Is My Time is never far behind In A Timely Manner and he is picked to get into the money. It would be unfair on It Is My Time to tip the latter strongly and ignore the chances of the former. There should be little between them again.

A fun rivalry is starting to form between Objet D’Art and Give It Laldy. Both are improving young horses with good days ahead. Both of them are held in high regard by their connections. They meet in race 6 over 1250m.

The scoreboard shows 1-1 between them. Both of the have been off for nearly three months but both of them should end up running at a fair level during the Cape summer.  Preference is for Objet D’Art using their last meeting as a guide. He is 2kg better off with Give It Laldy when there was 0,3 lengths between them. The counter to that is Give It Laldy is drawn in gate No 1 and he has Gavin Lerena in the irons. Give It Laldy has the Champion Jockey in waiting, Craig Zackey aboard.

Warrior Of Destiny makes appeal in race 1 over 1600m. His main danger looks to be Royal Light and they met last time when Warrior Of Destiny finished two lengths ahead. It is hard to motivate that deficit to be turned around. It is not a strong race by any stretch. Pedigree suggests that this trip should suit ideally too.

Race 2 is the first of two apprentice races. Le Concierge stands out as the horse to beat with Varun Jodhee in the saddle. Every run has been better and his last start was pleasing when beaten less than a length by Another Hero at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth over 1200m. His last run is easily the best run on offer throughout the entire field.

Trainer Adam Marcus has a strong hand in race 3 over 1000m with Ruby Rex and Black Erika. Interesting jockey bookings are at play because Craig Zackey has gone with Ruby Rex who won a weak maiden last time. Zackey rode Black Erika to a narrow win last time. Ruby Rex defeated Miss Smiley by 1,25 lengths. She had the race sealed a long way out but that is not a race to easily hang much faith in. It could be a tip in itself from Zackey so Ruby Rex is given the verdict.

Trip To Camelot is on the up and he finally gets to run over 2000m for the first time. He looks set to complete a hat-trick of wins in race 4 under Zackey. He is a real grinder who looks like he is making hard work of his wins but he is related to SA Derby winners so his running style is no shock. He could develop into a very smart four-year-old now that his wheels are in motion. If he steps into this trip as expected, it could give connections plenty of hope for the future. He will face hard opposition from Chance Encounter, Fort Liam, Phantom Man and Backinthefastlane who all have their capabilities.

It has been many moons since Beer With The Boys last won but his form has turned for the better and he must stand a huge chance in race 5 over 2000m. Jumping from draw No 1, he gets the services of Gavin Lerena. He takes on a field of horses either straight out of the maidens of battling to find direction after a string of wayward efforts. He seems most reliable to at least run into the money and with some luck, win it.

The second apprentice event is race 7 over 1250m where Take It As Red can take advantage of a return to form. She has finished fourth in her last three runs while her rating continues to slowly drop. Eduan Muller is carded to take the ride for Piet and Elbert Steyn. She could not have found a more winnable race.

A very nice race awaits in the last. Race 9 over 1400m has some interesting dynamics attached. Highly rated Miami Summer returned from a six month break last time and he clearly needed the run finishing three lengths behind Clark Griswold in fourth. He is 2kg better off. Clark Griswold is also rated by his yard and his last win was commanding. The addition of recent winners Signor Dante and Gold Dust adds to the intrigue of the race.