Ashburton-based Duncan Howells, currently leading the KZN trainer’s log in both number of wins and stakes, has had a string of second places behind his name this season – 30 to be exact.

He again had to resign himself to the second box when Thanksgiving found Hawwaam to hot to handle in the Gr2 Dingaans at Turffontein on Saturday.

Thanksgiving was another addition to his list of second places on the Highveld where Via Africa ran second in the Gr1 Computaform Sprint, Same Jurisdiction second in the Gr1 SA Fillies Classic and Saratoga Dancer in the Gr2 Charity Mile.

Fiorella (Candiese Marewick)

Howells raids with three runners on G-Bets Summer Cup day at Turffontein on Saturday looking for a change of fortune.

Top of the list is star filly Fiorella who put one over the fancied Snowdance in the Gr2 KZN Fillies Guineas and ran Gr1 Sun Met winner Oh Susanna to within a length in the Gr1 Woolavington 2000 last season before finishing down the field in the Vodacom Durban July.

She has had two warm-up sprints leading into Saturday’s Gr2 World Sports Betting Ipi Tombe Challenge. Fiorella was staying on nicely behind smart sprinter Wynkelder (a runner in the Merchants on Saturday) in her seasonal debut and followed up with a good second to the useful Royal Frost over the Greyville 1400m last time out.

“She has prepped well and will give a good account of herself,” said Howells yesterday adding that she will be much better suited to the ‘mile’.  One of her final workouts was with Dingaans second Thanksgiving a fortnight back so the omens are good although she does face stiff opposition in the form of Gr1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes winner Redberry Lane, Al Danza and bottom weight Dagmar.

Other Howells runners on the day are Accidental Tourist in the Gr3 Epol Magnolia Handicap and Procal Harum in the Gr2 Goldrush Derby Run Merchants, fifth and sixth races on the card respectively.

“Procal Harum had a nice comeback run,” said Howells after his narrow defeat over the Scottsville 1000m to Golden Loom Handicap runner-up Rebel’s Champ and he will enjoy the extra 160m of this race. “He has a money chance,” said the ever-cautious Howells.

Of Accidental Tourist he said the step up in class may find her out, “but she is well and we are hoping for the best.”

By Andrew Harrison

The Vaal stages an eleven race meeting tomorrow and the last three legs of the Pick 6 consist of two Assessment Plates and a Maiden Plate so it is catchable.

In the first of the Assessment Plates over 1000m Scoop is tipped to win having returned from a layoff and gelding to slam the opposition over this trip last time. The form of that race has worked out well with the runner up American Hustle having come out and won by three lengths and the third-placed horse Mega Lee proving her 100/1 odds third place was no fluke by placing again yesterday. Scoop is the best weighted male in the line up on official merit ratings.

Summer Afternoon was accorded quite a lowly merit rating after winning comfortably on debut but this filly has a smooth action and plenty of scope so is likely to improve although the step down in trip from 1200m to 1000m might not be in her favour. Elbi has pace so will be suited to the step down in trip and she is officially the best weighted horse. Sugoi is an interesting runner. His sire Noordhoek Flyer has been a disappointment but this one looks like a chip off the old block, being a well muscled and handsome chestnut, and the form of his maiden win over this trip was franked when the runner up Queen Rachel came out and won. Royal Cavalier looks to have some ability too and if repeating his effort behind William The Silent in an Assessment Plate two runs ago he could earn.

Summer Afternoon (JC Photographics)

In the second Assessment Plate over 1800m Sweet Red will be hard to beat if she takes her place. She was scratched from her engagement on Tuesday so it remains to be seen whether she runs here. She didn’t face a strong field last time but cruised in by nine lengths and before that she had good form in strong maidens. She jumps from a fair draw over an ideal trip. Cashel Palace is a big filly with plenty of scope and she should come into her own this season. She was only 3,15 lengths back in the Yellowwood Handicap last time and from pole position should make her presence felt. She is officially the best weighted horse in the race. Elusive Butterfly has not been disgraced in her last two starts having won her first two and she should enjoy the step up in trip.

The last leg of the Pick 6 is a maiden over 2000m and Two Of Us looks to be a staying type who will enjoy the step up in trip. However, the breathing noise he made last time is a concern. Mr Cuddles ran on well last time over 1700m and now has a good draw over a step up in trip which will suit. Wild Fire made late progress over this trip last time and should continue to improve. Flame Fella has to be included as he ran on when just behind Mr Cuddles last time and on racing style and being by Irish Flame he should relish the step up in trip. Brave Detail beat Wild Fire the last time they met over this trip so must be included and Noble Emblem is on the up and can also be considered.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 Folk Dance is a filly who looked to be top of the tree at one stage. She has been disappointing lately but she has consequently dropped to a 99 merit rating and has her easiest task for some time in this handicap in which the 4kg claim of apprentice Klink will alleviate the 62,5kg burden she is set to carry. The 1400m trip is ideal as she can be strong in the running over a mile. I Like It is an interesting contender a few days after coming within a whisker of pulling off a major shock in the Grade 3 Fillies Mile and she has to be included carrying just 52kg. It is competitive but the next most fancied is Dame Kelly as she has always struck as one with ability and 1400m has always been her ideal trip. Last time she showed herself to be back in form. However, the other three, Rouge Allure, Strawberry Pavlova and Vivir, are tough to ignore and a field selection has to be considered with only six runners involved.

In the second leg Lake Kinneret did not have the race pan out for her perfectly last time over this 1400m trip as she was jostled early and then ran without cover throughout. She can do better if finding cover and running on and is 2kg better off with Danza for a 2,9 length beating. Danza and Sail For Joy are ideally distance suited and must be included.

The third leg over 1400m is a tough one but Quebec Queen only just failed last week over 1600m and should be involved. Sammi Moosa has dropped to a competitive merit rating and can be involved. Silvez has scope and should come into her own this season. She is capable of running them into the ground from the front here although it is her first outing for three months. Samarra, Believe Me, Words, Kick Butt, Elegancia and Durban Bourbon are others to consider.

By David Thiselton

Kenilworth on Saturday sees the first Cape Town two-year-old race of the season and, intriguingly, Sean Tarry is among those with runners.

The meeting is being run in aid of Western Cape racing’s very own charity, the WC Equine Trust which retrains and finds new homes for retired racehorses.

Grant Knowles will auction a number of star prizes including a service to top stallion Twice Over (advertised fee R50 000 plus VAT and sire of this year’s Durban July winner Do It Again), a VIP day at next year’s Glorious Goodwood meeting including a box and cocktails with the Duke Of Richmond, a game drive and a one hour flight around the Cape Peninsula.

The jockeys have already donated the proceeds of last month’s charity chase race at Durbanville and the Equine Trust will also benefit from Saturday’s race sponsorship contributions from studs, trainers and bookmakers.

By Michael Clower

The Boston Rose makes a lot of appeal in the Supabets Handicap at Kenilworth today and she can resume her winning streak now that she is back to her own level.

This four-year-old won three off the reel before returning from a three-month lay-off to contest the Laisserfaire Stakes two and a half weeks ago. She made little impression in that 15-runner Listed race and finished with only two behind her, some eight lengths adrift of the winner.

Township Melody (Candiese Marnewick)

It is significant that Richard Fourie rides her because Justin Snaith also runs Township Melody who was fifth in the Laisserfaire, five lengths in front of The Boston Rose, and is only a kilo worse. The pair have both been around the 7-2 to 4-1 mark with World Sports Betting which opened Golden Chance at the head of the market on 5-2.

Dennis Drier’s charge romped home seven lengths clear on her Scottsville debut in early September and, judging by that performance, first time out of the maidens may not prove quite the difficulty that so many find it.

Drier and stable jockey Sean Veale can start off with a winner as Via Salaria looks the part in the opening Itsarush.co.za Welcomes Maiden. This colt was second in a barrier trial and again in the real thing when odds-on for his Kenilworth debut 17 days ago. He opened a warm 16-10 shot here.

That looked a bit short and the price (2-1 yesterday) might ease a bit further, particularly given the high regard in which Glen Kotzen holds Duc D’Orange. He started favourite for a race sponsored by his trainer at the beginning of the month and finished a promising fifth. He has been backed from 5-1 to 4-1 but the one negative is that Kotzen said before his first run that he would need further.

The TAB Telebet Handicap half an hour later is a tricky-looking affair but top weight Love Supreme has some fair form if you are prepared to ignore her last run. She started favourite and finished last with Anton Marcus reporting that she changed stride continually and so he did not persevere with her in the final furlong. The course vet found her to be not striding out in front. She is weighted to reverse previous placings with Ontenderhooks who also ran below form last time.

Elusive Victor has eased from 7-2 favourite to 9-2 for the Tabonline Maiden (race three) as punters have taken cognisance of his terrible draw and so the vote goes to the Vaughan Marshall-trained Rochester who looks reasonably priced at 5-1. The lightly raced 17-10 favourite Au Revoir makes most appeal 40 minutes later.

By Michael Clower

Summerveld trainer Frank Robinson raids Turffontein on Saturday with a few horses, including GBets Summer Cup hopeful Roy Had Enough.

He said, “His preparation has gone well as there has been nice weather and he looks amazing. During the Champions Season he had hind lameness of the stifle which affected him as it was off and on and we were continually patching him and we only got him well at the end of the season (when he won the Listed Avontuur Darley Arabian over 1600m on the poly). He came right and has been perfect since.”

Frank Robinson

Robinson has been happy with his two comeback runs since then including when moving up well for second over 1900m on the Greyville turf last time carrying 61,5kg.

Robinson wonders how he got such a high rating of 109, especially when considering Noble Secret and Like A Panther both beat him in the Grade 1 SA Classic last season but are rated four and five points lower respectively. However, he pointed out that Roy Had Enough had run to his rating in the Grade 1 Gold Challenge and added, “If he really is that good he has a chance. I am extremely happy with him and think he is a big runner.” On pedigree he should get the trip being by miler Pierro and having a second dam who was a Grade 1 VRC Oaks winner.

Robinson said Roy’s Riviera, who runs in the Grade 2 Ipi Tombe Challenge over 1600m was always going to be a filly who needed time. He said she was very well and was surprised to see her at 20/1 odds considering her close up finishes during the Champions Season behind the like of Oh Susanna, Lady In Black, Redberry Lane, Snowdance and Fiorella.

However, he made Top Classman in the Listed Racing Association Handicap over 3200m his best runner on the day. This colt finished just 3,80 lengths behind Equus Champion Stayer It’s My Turn in the Track And Ball Derby and has proved that was no fluke by winning twice since over 1900m and 2400m respectively.

Serino Moodley became the stable jockey a month or so ago and Robinson said about the youngster’s lack of big race experience, “He has done well for us so far, he’s done nothing wrong, he is a good rider who is going to get there. He is quite calm and confident and I will tell him to just go out and ride it like it was any other race and not to panic.”

His raiders all had gallops last week and will just have blow outs this week before travelling through Friday night and arriving at about 6 o’clock on Saturday morning.

He concluded by saying all of his runners were sound and well.

By David Thiselton

Robbie Sage said yesterday his stalwart six-year-old gelding Coral Fever owed the connections nothing and believed he would give a good account of himself in the GBets Summer Cup on Saturday despite having to carry 60kg and give the opposition 5,5kg and more.

On the plus side only 12 of the 19 runners are in the handicap according to their official merit ratings, the other seven are under sufferance.

Coral Fever (JC Photographics)

Sage said, “Weight is weight and he has earned his. He is fine and will have a workout tomorrow (Tuesday).”

Of his draw of three, Sage said, “It’s like the July, he is in a sense drawn too well, but it is better than a draw of 20. But he will be dropped out anyway, that’s the way he likes to run, off the bit where he is comfortable. Muzi will also only let him go when he wants to go.”

The six-year-old Judpot gelding has made a habit of flying under the radar and never lets his supporters down.

In last year’s Summer Cup he finished third at odds of 22/1, when carrying only 52kg. He went in to win Joburg’s richest race, the Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge, at odds of 71/10 and last time out won the Grade 2 Peermont Emperor’s Palace Charity Mile over 1600m with topweight at odds of 18/1.

Sage later runs another Judpot gelding, Horseplay, in the Listed Racing Association Handicap over 3200m.

He is 3kg under sufferance so is up against it but last time out when stepped up to a staying trip for the first time in an Assessment Plate over 2400m he won easily by three lengths.

Sage said, “He can be a bit difficult and can take a hold, so we are hoping for a bit of pace.”

He is drawn two so should find cover if the pace is on. Muzi Yeni rides both horses.

By David Thiselton

Hawwaam may have caught the imagination of the South African racing world with the supremely impressive way he won the Dingaans on Saturday but – according to the handicappers – he is still 2.5kg inferior to the unbeaten One World. That represents two and a half lengths over the mile of the Forus Cape Guineas on December 15.

Senior handicapper Lennon Maharaj said yesterday: “We have Hawwaam running to 111 in the Dingaans and the way he won we would probably have given him 112 but we are restricted to ten points in a Grade 2 so he is now officially on 100.”

Legal Eagle (Liesl King)

One World has been raised eight points to a new rating of 117 for his Concorde Cup win with half-length second Chimichuri Run a convenient line horse remaining on 116 while CTS Ready To Run scorer Cirillo has been upped four points to 106. He is also likely to run in the Cape Guineas.

Meanwhile Legal Eagle has been installed 16-10 favourite by the sponsors to win his third consecutive WSB Green Point Stakes at Kenilworth on Saturday week but the unbeaten Rainbow Bridge is only a point behind on 17-10.

Undercover Agent, winner of the Rising Sun Gold Challenge and of his 1 200m pinnacle reappearance a month ago, is a 5-1 chance while last season’s Cape Derby winner Eyes Wide Open and Guineas winner Tap O’Noth are both 9-1 chances.

Justin Snaith’s Vodacom Durban July winner Do It Again is quoted at 14-1 while Hat Puntano, who won last year’s Charity Mile for Mike and Adam Azzie and joined Joey Ramsden a month ago, is a 28-1 outsider.

Candice Bass-Robinson will be three-handed in the Southern Cross Stakes on the same card with 5-2 favourite Magical Wonderland, 8-1 shot Freedom Charter and Nous Voila who looks a big price at 14-1.

Snowdance, second favourite at 11-2, is set to miss the race with Snaith explaining: “She runs in the 1 400m pinnacle on the same day. I only put her in the Southern Cross so that I have a back-up should they cancel the pinnacle.”

Stable companion Strathdon is 7-2 favourite to repeat last year’s win in the Cape Summer Stayers Handicap.

Last Friday’s CTS Ready To Run Sale showed a 12.7% fall in average to R205 252 even though the number of horses going through the ring was down by a fifth. “This was the first Ready To Run sale in Cape Town in the post-Mayfair era,” was the telling comment of sales boss Wehann Smith. Top price was R1.1 million paid by Brett Crawford on behalf of a 20-strong syndicate for a colt by the 2012 dual Derby winner Camelot.

By Michael Clower

The Vaal stages an eight race meeting tomorrow which provides a few interesting opportunities for punters.

In the first race over 1000m Mega Lee does not have fashionable breeding and comes from the small yard of Heather Adamson but she has some substance and despite starting at odds of 100/1 on debut she showed good natural pace and stayed on to finish a 4,05 length third to Scoop. The time rating was not great but the runner up American Hustle has since come out and won by three lengths so the form has been franked and she should improve for the run so is tipped to win. Queen Rachel is one of the dangers being a hard knocker whose best recent run was over this trip. Lyle Hewitson rode her last time over 1200m and is likely in agreement that she should drop back to 1000m as he is back aboard. However, the most interesting runner here is the Geoff Woorduff-trained Trippi filly Trip To Nantes As she is a half-sister to the top class Edict Of Nantes and makes her debut with Marco van Rensburg up.

Billy Silver (Candiese Marnewick)

The next race over 1400m sees the return to action of the classy looking Zaahed. This Australian-bred Redoute’s Choice colt is a full brother to Grade 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) winner Absolutely and to Grade 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) winner Abbie Marie. On his debut in April he was up just off the pace in the Grade 3 Protea Stakes before fading and had reportedly choked up. The De Kock yard would have addressed the issue. They said he might need the run after a seven month layoff but give him an each-way chance. Paused showed good pace last time over this trip and was then carried out so did well to rally just as he looked likely to be swamped. He stayed on well for second and with better luck should go close, although the form of the aforementioned race, won easily by the promising Against The Grain, is questionable. Captain Of Tortuga is an interesting runner as he is by Captain Al out of the top class race mare Ebony Flyer (Jet Master). She is rangy and is still furnishing and brings decent maiden form from Cape Town up to this trip, although on the downside she has not run since July. What A Blast by Visionaire is a scopey sort who was not disgraced last time in the Ready To Run Cup so he could earn in this weaker field, although he does not have a great deal of pace and might need further in time. Karakoram can’t be ignored despite being out of a poorly performed Parade Leader maiden as his sire Skit Skizzle has made a good start to his career at stud.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1400m Comaneci was backed over 1160m last timer and ran on well. The form has been franked and Khumalo stays aboard over a step up in trip which should suit. Out Of Sight was making eye catching late progress over  1600m last time and has some substance so is interesting dropped in trip with blinkers on and is chosen as the main danger ahead of Veritas, who stayed on over shorter last time. Comet Crystal and Targaryen Queen have claims too.

In the first leg of the Jackpot Melchizidek is an interesting runner and provides the value bet of the day. He is an eyecatching looker who won his maiden easily over 1450m second time out and has faced good fields since. He has been dropped to a 72 merit rating and faces an uninspiring handicap field with Hewitson aboard. Savannah King and Ready To Strike make the most appeal of the rest. Stop And Stare is ideally distance suited and can also be included alongside Lute Society.

The fifth race over 1600m is an Assessment Plate and Protea Paradise is bred in the purple being by Dynasty out of the Grade 2-winning sprinter Honorine (Redoute’s Choice). Second time out he faced the breeze the whole way over this trip but still galloped on to win easily so that was a god performance. The officially best weighted horse is King Of The Sky, who proved he was up to his merit rating in a handicap last time, so he has to be included. Sweet Red, second best in at the weights, strikes as a filly with some class and can’t be ignored either.

The sixth over 1200m will likely be fought out by two speedsters on the up, Mardi Gras and Prince Of Kahal, although Billy Silver can’t be ignored as a talented horse who has had problems and returns from a layoff for a new yard.

The last two races are tough 1200m sprint handicaps. Patrol Officer doesn’t have an easy merit rating of 81 to contend with but has caught the eye before and is tipped to win the first of them and Hear The Trumpet is tipped to win the next as one who has shown speed over 1000m but is bred to go further. However, punters are advised to go as wide as possible.

By David Thiselton

The Cape Guineas hopes of Etienne Braun, Braam van Huyssteen and the Truters might not look quite so real this morning now that it looks as if the runaway Dingaans winner Hawwaam is going to be in the line-up on December 15 but One World continues to outbattle the local opposition and Saturday’s Concorde Cup saw the colt stretch his unbeaten run to five.

He showed once again that he has few equals when it comes to a battle. As S’Manga Khumalo on Chimichuri Run threw down the gauntlet approaching the final furlong the former champion’s body language indicated quite clearly that this was going to be his race. Anton Marcus thought the same.

He related: “The first time S’Manga came at me I fought him off but the second time I thought he had me – there was nothing left in the locker. But this horse is so courageous – indeed he reminds me of Jay Peg.”

One World (Liesl King)

The 9-10 shot held on by a hard-fought half a length with Vaughan Marshall wishing he had a pacemaker – “One World is a special horse but I would prefer it if he got a lead.”

Khumalo explained why it was his tank that emptied first – “I think the mile just got Chimichuri Run and then the other horse outstayed him,” he related. “Also I think mine didn’t enjoy going left-handed.”

Twist Of Fate, nearly two lengths further back third, had to switch when beginning his run but Joey Ramsden, far from using this as an excuse, said that he can’t wait to try his luck on the longer straight on Guineas day – “I am sick of this winter course.”

But Hawwaam, a half-brother to Rainbow Bridge, is going to take some beating in the Sun Met let alone the Guineas. Mike de Kock said: “He is a proper horse and going to be good enough to campaign abroad. We will enter him for the Guineas and, if he is going to go abroad, we might think of the Met.”

Also likely to be in the Cape Guineas line-up is the Sean Tarry-trained Cirillo who led throughout the CTS Ready To Run despite being drawn next to the M5. “I said before the race that it is easy to overcome any draw. The secret is to overcome it economically,” said Marcus, adding equally modestly: “I then found myself in a favourable position on the best horse.”

Justin Snaith is toying with a tilt at the Cape Flying Championship on Met day with Kasimir (One World’s previous Durbanville victim incidentally) even though he acknowledges that the 1 000m trip is really too short for the gelding. “It might be my easiest chance of winning a Grade 1 with him.”

There was plenty of confidence behind the horse in the Cape Merchants and this was reflected in the betting – from 5-1 to little more than half that price – while Richard Fourie said: “I thought I wouldn’t have to move on him and I was in a good position the whole race.”

Stable companion Silvano’s Pride runs next in the WSB Cape Fillies Guineas after leading throughout the TAB Telebet Progress Plate to beat Santa Clara.

BLOB Last year’s Cape Derby and Daily News winner Edict Of Nantes managed only sixth of 13 on his Hong Kong debut yesterday. Racing under his new name of Northern Superstar, he was ridden by Grant van Niekerk for Tony Millard in the Chevalier Cup. He soon lost his good early position and, although he made up some ground in the straight, he never looked like posing a threat. However it was his first race for nearly a year.

By Michael Clower

The Kenilworth stipes, envisaging angry punters all over South Africa, were quick to hold an inquiry into the Christmas Market Pinnacle on Saturday. The race was won by 20-1 rank outsider Milton with the riders of the other four runners seemingly making no attempt to bridge the gap when Corne Orffer poached a ten-length lead.

Corne Orffer

What made it worse in the eyes of punters and public was that the winner is trained by Billy Prestage who frequently instructs his jockeys to try and pinch a commanding lead. The shocks he has brought off with these tactics include Red Peril in the Settlers Trophy and Milton in the Premier Trophy, both last year.

He could hardly believe his luck this time and exclaimed: “Were they mad letting my horse go like that?”

The stipes promptly summoned Richard Fourie, rider of odds-on Made To Conquer and the leader of the “chasing” pack, to ask him to explain his riding. As they heard what he had to say, and looked again at the film of the race, they realised that there was no case to answer. From a long way out Milton’s pursuers were cooked as completely as a Sunday braai.

Fourie said: “If I could have sat closer I would have done so but they (the three Justin Snaith runners) were unfit horses and they had only had one 1 400m gallop.”

Senior stipe Ernie Rodrigues, taking this writer through the film, said: “Corne Orffer pinched the race at the 800m mark but the rest were gone by the top of the straight.”

The wily Prestage now has his sights set on a second Premier on December 15 while Snaith will split Durban July second and third Made To Conquer and Elusive Silva, and Cape Summer Stayers winner Strathdon, between the Premier and the January 5 Peninsula Handicap.

By Michael Clower