The Listed Michael Roberts Handicap over 1750m is fittingly the feature event at Scottsville on Sunday as the great jockey became one of the first horseracing inductees into the South African Hall Of Fame this week.

The enigmatic Pietro Mascagni makes the trip down from Johannesburg and has pole position draw under Anton Marcus. He appeared to shirk the issue last time in the Grade 3 London News Stakes over 1800m, despite having first time blinkers on, as he had glided up to the leaders but then didn’t want to assert when asked to. He has the class to win this and Marcus might drive him past the leader when challenging this time and then keep him going. Hero Quest is an imposing Ideal World gelding who runs strongly from the front and he should enjoy this course and distance, although he is three points higher for his last win. Divine Odyssey is in good form and will enjoy this trip. Dark Moon Rising has topweight but has carried big weights before and this trip will suit him. The good draw of two might not suit him as he likes to be on the outside of horses. He should be finishing strongly.

Dawn Calling was most unlucky in the Flamboyant Stakes over 1600m at Greyville when climbing all over them but not being able to get through. She is interesting stepped up in trip from a good draw. Blackball ran a fine third in the July consolation race behind Head Honcho and the yard have him in good shape for this race. However, he does have a tough draw to overcome. Wealthy is 1,5kg under sufferance but if Hero Quest sets good fractions up front he has a chance as he can run on well when the pace is on. Affranchi might help ensure a good pace as he runs handy over shorter. He is interesting stepped up in trip being by Elusive Fort and might keep going. Amor Ardiente is in good form but does have a three point raise to contend with. However, he was staying on in an 1800m race on the poly in August and could be the dark horse. Sir Bernadini was well beaten by Amor Ardiente over 1600m last time and has a wide draw to overcome. He is consistent but has not placed in two runs at Scottsville which is a concern. Techno Captain has a hopeless task at the weights. Nicklaus’ sand rating dropped to 82 when he was in Kimberley but upon return to KZN he had to run off his turf rating and he finished downfield in the Christmas Handicap off this 94 rating. They are selected in the order mentioned.

Punters should get off to a good start the first race over 1000m with the Alyson Wright-trained Agent Murphy, who looks to be promising and will have come on from his debut where he was green.

Marcus could also win the second on the Nathan Kotzen-trained Amex who was green last time and now has blinkers on. The yard are confident of a good run. However, it is competitive and a few are in with chances.

In the first leg of the PA Cosmic Cutter was unlucky on debut and could make amends over this same course and distance.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 the unbeaten Born To Perform is on the up and after a comfortable win over 1600m last time can make it a hattrick over a 1400m trip which should suit as he has got into a handy positions easily from wide draws over 1600m and is now drawn well.    

In the fifth race over 1600m Leanna was mentioned by the Dennis Drier yard as one of their best chances on the day as she cracks a pole position draw over a suitable trip against an uninspiring field. However, Jo’burg raider Giglio has Marcus up and having run third to Blossom last time must have a shout.

In the sixth over 1200m Mardi Gras has class and could beat the honest and consistent Unbelievable Lad and the rangy speedster Captain Von Trapp.

The eighth is a competitive race over 1200m but the in form Nathan Kotzen yard have a strong coupling in Spring Breeze and Heart Of A legend who have to be included. Rocking Ruby will also be a big runner here.

In the last over 1000m Mademoiselle is a hard knocker in Jo’burg and can fight it out with Dieci.

By David Thiselton

Featured Image: Pietro Mascagni (JC Photographics)

Turffontein has a ten race meeting tomorrow and it looks to be a tricky card for exotic punters so the dividends will likely be handsome.

The first leg of the PA over 2600m is a staying maiden with not much form to go on. Born Rich lost narrowly to Flame Fella last time they met over 2400m but then ran a nice race with first time blinkers on over 2200m at Greyville, leading and then staying on to place third. Flame Fella is bred to go this trip and has run two fair races since being stepped up in distance. Smart Deal was a hard knocking sort at one stage over this trip and after a recent downturn inform gets the blinkers on. He is well dawn and is a must include in the PA.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 2600m Invincible Lady is by Captain Al out of a Jet Master mare who won over 2450m. She stayed well over 2000m last time and has the galloping action of one who should stay this trip. Pilgrim’s Progress has turned the corner since being sent over staying trip and has won twice over 2400m. She is five points higher in the ratings after the second win but won that last race comfortably so can go close again. Emerald Bay has to be included too as she went close under Warren Kennedy in her penultimate and he is back on board. She is 3.5kg better off with Pilgrim’s Progress for a mere 0,9 length beating over 2400m so should be right there. Redberry Wood was staying on over 2000m last time and struck as one who would enjoy this trip. Sunshine Silk has to be included despite carrying topweight as she is a proven stayer.

In the first leg of the Jackpot over 1800m Warrior’s Rest is a resolute galloper who will be the one to beat if he gets to the front. Silver Thursday is the best weighted horse and her last run can be ignored as she was caught wide throughout. She now has a good draw and the blinkers are on. Orpheus is effective over this trip despite making breathing noises and has to be included.

In the sixth race over 1800m Drop Kick ran a fair race last time over this trip first time out the maidens. He should have come on from the run and has a plum draw now. Top Rank was just behind Drop Kick in that race and is now drawn in pole. Hakeem went close in that race from a good draw but is now drawn wide. Gone With The Wind is distance suited and well drawn but does make breathing noises. Corrido and Kurt’s Approval also have to be included. 

In the next race over 1600m Arlington’s Revenge won well over this trip last time and can follow up from a good draw off two point higher mark. Throng is on the up and can go close, although he would prefer further. Obvious Child did well first time out the maidens and has a 4kg claimer up from pole position. Tammany Hall raced a bit strongly over 2000m last time and might enjoy coming down to this trip, although she has a tough draw. Spring Poetry should also enjoy this trip.  Whosethebossnow has ability and a good draw.

In the last leg of the Jackpot Pale Lilac could prove to be well weighted having won well last time with first time blinkers on over this sort of trip. She has another wide draw so will likely go to the front again. Dame Kelly is ideally distance suited and drawn in pole. Mar Del Seur, Gimme Hope Johanna and Regal Graduation make most appeal of the rest.

In the last leg of the Pick 6 Quebec Queen makes most appeal over a suitable trip but it is a tough race. Jailhouse Jazz should make a bold bid too as an unexposed progressive sort. 

By David Thiselton

Je Ne Sais Quoi can make it third time lucky in the Betting World Maiden at Kenilworth tomorrow. Ridden by Anton Marcus for the first time, the Glen Kotzen filly is the 16-10 favourite and has the form to win after two good runs over a furlong shorter.

She was only beaten a neck when starting favourite last time and, being by five-time Group 1 winner Duke Of Marmalade, she should appreciate the extra.  She holds Sparkeling Fire (8-1) on last time’s run and, while 9-2 shot Epic Storm looks the obvious danger, stable jockey Aldo Domeyer rides Happy Girl and so this 13-2 chance is suggested for the forecast.

Marcus’s mount Run Fox Run is 2-1 joint favourite with World Sports Betting to make a winning debut in the opener and, while riding arrangements suggest she is preferred to the other Ridgemont first-timer Natural Jade, the price does not really allow for the Australian bred’s inexperience.

Also three-year-old first-timers at this stage of the season may not necessarily be that good. If they were, why didn’t they run earlier? The same reservation applies to the 3-1 shot Procrastination. I prefer to take a chance with Makaranga Love who, possibly significantly, has already been backed from 7-2 to 2-1.  Captain’s Legacy (7-1) will hopefully run well enough to provide a much-needed tonic for Harold Crawford.

However the Ridgemont-Brett Crawford-Marcus combination should win the Hospitality Maiden with Engage And Beware. This 22-10 favourite had The Perfect Wave (17-2) two lengths behind over a furlong less a fortnight ago.

The Snaith-trained River Thames is second favourite at 5-2 but is badly drawn and over this 1 400m the draw is important. True, he ran well over it from a poor draw in November but he disappointed from a good one on his only subsequent start. Cash Call (9-2) ran well in a fair-sized field from a wide draw three weeks ago and could prove the main danger.

The bookies, invariably good judges – their livelihoods depend on getting it right, reckon that Twice To Sydney is a shoe-in for race three even though the sahorseracing computer says the Andre Nel runner won’t finish in the first six.

She gets the nod from this quarter as there was a fair bit of promise about her sixth of 12 behind Wallis Simpson on debut three weeks ago. Those who prefer to rely on proven form may care to note that Au Revoir (5-2) is 4.5kg top-rated.

By Michael Clower 

The barrier draw ceremony for the Sun Met was held yesterday and the big three, Do It Again, Oh Susanna and Rainbow Bridge, would all have been happy with their positions.

Rainbow Bridge is the type who needs cover as he can over race so the connections would have been thrilled with his draw of two.

Oh Susanna will want a fast pace or otherwise she will have to go to the front herself and draw five gives her a couple of options.

Do It Again relaxes well and can come from off the pace if necessary so his draw of seven also gives him options.

Legal Eagle shouldn’t be written off as he ran a flat race in the L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate and he did not have good luck in running in the Met last year when finishing fourth. He has finished second twice in this race before but does now have to overcome a tough draw of eleven.

July runner up Made To Conquer drew well in four.

The likely pacemaker Milton drew six.

By David Thiselton

Do It Again, bidding to end the run of six beaten favourites in the Sun Met, will start from a mid-division seven in the R5 million Kenilworth showpiece on Saturday week.

Justin Snaith himself picked the straw (in the form of a Mumm champagne bottle) at yesterday’s GrandWest Casino barrier draw ceremony and later demonstrated a new-found skill by opening the bottle with a knife.

Brother Jono secured stall five for Oh Susanna who started from gate four when she won 12 months ago. The last four winners, and eight of the last 12, have started from single figure pens.

Legal Eagle, second from gates three and nine but only fourth from 13 last year, will this time break from stall 11.

Piere Strydom, who won on Angus in 2003, picked pen three for 20-1 shot Doublemint.

Eric Sands, the first man up to the table that carried all the numbered bottles, was well pleased with two for his 7-2 second favourite Rainbow Bridge. But M.J. Byleveld drew the 13 short straw for his mount Tap O’Noth.  Byleveld started from the same pen six years ago and was beaten only a neck on Hill Fifty Four.

By Michael Clower

Anton Marcus and apprentice Khanya Sakayi both rode trebles at the eight race Scottsville meeting yesterday.

Marcus was at his best in the first race on the hot favourite Uncle Charlie from the Garth Puller yard. The big horse had a lot of ground to make up in the straight of the 1400m Maiden event and looked to have too much to do as the horses towards the inside had stolen a march and he was taking a while to get going. However, Marcus got him into top gear in the last 200m and he got there in the nick of time.

Puller and Marcus scored a double when the decent sort Mashari won the last race, a MR 63 Handicap over 1400m, with ease and looks to be one to follow.

Marcus had earlier won the second race aboard the Louis Goosen-trained odds-on favourite Song Of The Forest, who enjoyed first time blinkers and converted 19/20 odds comfortably.

The hardworking 2,5kg claimer Sakayi rode the last three legs of the Jackpot, winning the fifth race aboard the Paul Gadsby-trained topweight Expresso Martini, the sixth on the Glen Kotzen-trained Chestnut’s Charm and the seventh on the Duncan Howells-trained Silver Raisin.

The easiest winner of the day was the Dennis Drier-trained Silver Prancer, who is improving in the typical fashion of a Silvano four-year-old filly and won the fourth race over 1950m by 5,40 lengths despite it being her eleventh start in the maidens.

There was also a win for Dennis Bosch and Warren Kennedy with Ella’s World, who looks to be another one to follow. 

By David Thiselton

The first horseracing inductees into South Africa’s Hall Of Fame were announced yesterday and they are Michael Roberts (jockey), Syd Laird (trainer), Sea Cottage (horse) and Harry and Bridget Oppenheimer (owners).

Michael “Muis” Roberts was a shoe in as the jockey. He held the record for the most winners as an apprentice for many years and won the first of his eleven South African Jockeys Championships while still an apprentice. He later became only the sixth non-British or Irish jockey to win the British Jockeys Championship, which began in 1840 and is regarded as the hardest championship to win in world racing. In doing so he became only the third jockey in history after Sir Gordon Richards and Pat Eddery to ride over 200 winners in a British flat racing season.

Syd Laird was the nephew of the great horseman Syd Garrett. He became a great horseman himself and holds the record for the most Durban July wins, seven in all. He trained South Africa’s first racehorse inducted into the Hall Of Fame, Sea Cottage, and expertly nursed him back from a bullet wound to the soft flesh of the hindquarters, which happened just three weeks before the 1966 July. He also trained the like of Colorado King, Mazarin and Politician who are all mentioned when the greats of the SA turf are discussed. His son Alec went on to become a fine trainer who also won the July.  

Sea Cottage won 20 of 24 starts and was known for his devastating finish from off the pace. He had won eleven of 12 starts when disaster struck three weeks before the 1966 Durban July. A lone gunman shot him in the soft flesh of the hindquarter while he was walking under a bridge on to the Blue Lagoon beach where he was trained. Trainer Syd Laird still managed to have him ready for the July but he suffered bad luck in running and finished fourth. The following year with topweight he had to produce an electrifying finish to catch the lightweight Jollify and he just managed to do so. The result was a dead-heat.  He won the Queen’s Plate twice, the Clairwood Winter Handicap twice, the SA Derby, the SA Guineas, the Champions Stakes and also won the Grade 1 Newbury Stakes over 1200m twice, showing his versatility.

Harry and Bridget Oppenheimer owned and bred the great Horse Chestnut, who would have been the chief opposition to Sea Cottage for the first equine Hall Of Fame inductee. The popular couple won the July six times among many other great races. They founded Mauritzfontein Stud and this breeding operation together with Wilgerbosdrift Stud, which are today owned and run by their daughter and granddaughter respectively Mary and Jessica Slack, continues to make an enormous impact on the thoroughbred breed in this country. The two stud farms bring in quality stallions and broodmares from overseas and breed to high standards. Bridget was fondly known as “The Queen Mum of South African racing” in her last years. The couple’s famous yellow and black silks, today running under the banner of Mauritzfontein Stud, are still a regular fixture in SA racing and were carried to victory by Smart Call in the 2016 J&B Met.

By David Thiselton

Saving the best wine until the last? The Biblical phrase could ring true for punters at Kenilworth today when Vforvictory is taken to justify favouritism in the concluding 1 800m maiden.

This was the one, remember, who got that ringing endorsement on Winning Ways (Kevin Shea: “He could be a Derby horse”) when catching the eye on his debut in early November. In retrospect it doesn’t look that good a maiden and he was beaten five lengths. He finished pretty much the same margin behind the winner when fourth just before Christmas but that looked a much stronger affair.

Anton Marcus, who rode the Brett Crawford colt on debut, is back on board and that looks significant because this is not a Ridgemont horse. Draw 11 will present no problems to the four-time champion and at 5-2 the colt looks worth an interest.

Crawford also runs two of the main dangers:  6-1 shot Middle Wood who is ridden by stable jockey Corne Orffer while Greg Cheyne is on 9-2 chance Marauding. Cheyne rode Vforvictory last time and there are few better jockeys in the whole country. Big Fish (5-1), the only four-year-old in the field, and Retro Effect (13-2) also have claims.

Somewhere In Time was as short as 7-10 for the opening Juvenile Fillies with World Sports Betting yesterday morning and fellow newcomer Sweet Karma (the only other seriously considered in the betting) on 12-10. The three that have raced were all beaten a minimum of ten lengths and so, with first timer Orferd’s Flash available at 18-1, it seems safe to conclude that this is going to be between the two big guns.

The Justin Snaith-trained favourite was knocked down to Nick Jonsson for R1.2 million at last year’s Cape Premier and could hardly be better bred – he is by Captain Al out of a half-sister to Mother Russia.

In contrast his Candice Bass-Robinson rival cost only R15 000 at the CTS April Sale and is by Biarritz out of the Western Winter mare Tin Legs who was fourth in the Southern Cross and is the dam of the smart Olympian. This, coupled with the stable’s good record with first-timers, suggests that she can floor the favourite.

The consistent Fluttering may just be good enough to give M.J. Byleveld his comeback winner in race two while Gavin Lerena’s mount Merkaba can overcome his bad draw and justify 19-10 favouritism in the fourth.

By Michael Clower

The Turffontein Standside night meeting looks to have one or two opportunities for punters and taking full bets in the exotics looks affordable.

The first race is the first leg of the Bipot and the two big, scopey sorts African Rock and Dry Your Eyes should fight it out over a suitable 1600m trip.

In the first leg of the PA Dancing Queen looks to be a good prospect and is well in at the weights so can be bankered.

In the first leg of the Pick 6, African Daisy is by Captain Al out of a Sadler’s Wells mare who won over a mile-and-a-half so she should relish the step up to this 1800m trip. Oh So Cold stayed on well over 1600m last time and looks the main danger. Magic’s First is an effective front runner who will stay this trip. Ever Fair might have hit the front too soon last time over this trip after moving up well. Midnight In Paris was run out of it when stepped up from 1000m to 2000m last time and will have come on from the run. Those three can also be included in the Pick 6.

In the first leg of the Jackpot Wonderous Climber has taken well to staying races and can defy the handicapper again over this 2400m trip. He is a progressive son of Dynasty and is made the best bet on the card and an exotic banker. The risk averse might consider including Earth Sky, who also looks to be a progressive stayer.

In the next race over 2400m Cash Time has Noble Secret beaten on paper. Last time they met over 1800m and Noble Secret beat Cash Time by 0,90 lengths. However, there is now a reversal in draw fortunes and Cash Time is 1,5kg better off. Furthermore, when they met in the SA Derby Cash Time was beaten only a head by Noble Secret and he is also 1,5kg better off from that run. Come The Day also looks to be one who is looking for this trip.

The sixth race is a tricky fillies and mares handicap over 2000m. Angelic Appeal returns to the trip of her facile win in her penultimate start and should be able to handle the six point raise based on that effort. Knysna Rose disappointed last time but the last time she ran over this trip was on the tight Turffontein Inside track and she only got going late. She should enjoy this trip on the Standside track. Glamarous Scandal has the ability to be involved too. However going as wide as possible is the suggestion and the ones of the rest who make most appeal are Regal Girl, Purdey, African Sunbird, Ezieza and Pretty Polly.

In the next race Kissmeinmydreams has always seemed promising and showed last time that she was looking for ground. That might have been the key and she can follow up. Mattina has to be included too in the Pick and Jackpot as a hard knocker who also enjoyed the step up in trip. Musette is also capable of popping up carrying a light weight over a suitable trip from a good draw.

In the last race over 1000m I Ain’t Trippin has fair natural speed and should enjoy this course and distance. She doesn’t face a strong field and the one who makes the most appeal of the rest is the speedy Queen Of War, who has a 4kg claimer up but will need to bounce back from a poor recent run when found to be coughing. The consistent Ilha Da Var has a big shout too from a nice Standside draw.

By David Thiselton

Bunker Hunt has been installed 6-1 G-Bets Cape Derby favourite to make amends for his Politician disaster when he stumbled out of the pens unseating Richard Fourie and then sent Justin Snaith crashing to the ground when he was trying to catch the horse. Both jockey and trainer are bidding for their fourth Cape Derby win.

World Sports Betting makes Anton Marcus’s mount Charles and Duncan Howells’ raider Thanksgiving joint second favourites at 7-1.

Snowdance, almost unbackable at 1-4 when she won last year’s Majorca, is now on offer at 22-10 for a repeat in the Bidvest-sponsored Grade 1. Lady In Black, who came out of the Sun Met to go for this, is on 28-10 with the WSB Fillies Guineas winner Front And Centre seemingly on the drift. She opened a clear favourite at 18-10 but was out to 22-10 by mid-afternoon yesterday.

Kasimir and Bold Respect, first and third in the Cape Merchants in November, are both on11-2 for the Betting World Cape Flying Championship but Pacific Trader, who beat both of them in a Pinnacle at the end of last month, has been backed from 6-1 to 5-1 favourite..

One World, who lost his unbeaten record when third to Soqrat in the Cape Guineas, is 2-1 favourite to gain huge compensation in the R5 million CTS 1600. Twist Of Fate, who finished half a length in front of him in the Guineas, is second favourite at 22-10 while fourth-placed Cirillo dominates the market for the CTS 1200. The Sean Tarry runner is on 19-10 with 8-1 and upwards available about the rest.

For many punters the New Turf Carriers Stayers is seen as the traditional getting-out stakes, being the last of the features on the marathon 12-race card, and here the Snaith-trained Strathdon has been installed favourite at 2-1. Intriguingly last year’s winner Let It Rain is on offer at 25-1. Dan Katz has laid Greg Cheyne’s mount out for this since the start of the season!

By Michael Clower