The reappearance of Horse of the Year Oh Susanna dominates today’s racing at Kenilworth and on ratings she has the proverbial stone in hand in the Supabets Pinnacle Stakes.

Richard Fourie’s mount was as short as 6-10 with World Sports Betting yesterday and the other bookmakers seem sure to follow suit but this is her first race since she only narrowly won the Woolavington at the beginning of June.

Oh Susanna (Candiese Marnewick)

“Punters should be a little bit cautious because of the strength of the race and because this is Oh Susanna’s first run back,” Justin Snaith warned yesterday. “She has done well and I am happy with everything but she has only been on the grass once since her last race and some of the opposition are super fit.

“We are hoping for a good run but I can’t get her 100% without her having a couple of races. This is a prep and she is not racing fit – and to blow a field like this away she needs to be at her best.”

Lady In Black is second favourite at 9-2, presumably because she was only three-quarters of a length back third in the Woolavington, but she has also not raced since. Furthermore Oh Susanna ran some way below her best that day.

Brave Move could be a bigger threat as she has won her last six starts and during that period nothing has been able to get to the bottom of her. “She is going into this race fit and well but not tuned up to her peak,” said Adam Marcus. “She is so competitive and she has such a big heart that she will really try.

“But one has to be realistic about taking on a filly who oozes class. If we can finish close up behind her it will be a run full of merit.”

Today is Dean Kannemeyer’s 58^th birthday – and he probably doesn’t need reminding about it! – but Hashtagyolo can have little chance of keeping her unbeaten record after being off since New Year’s Eve. Surprisingly, though, she has been backed from 10-1 to 7-1.

Fresnaye (14-1), beaten a length and three-quarters by Brave Move in the Final Fling, has had a more recent run but it is difficult to see her turning the tables. Rider Donovan Dillon, incidentally, was 25 yesterday.

Love To Boogie looks over-priced at 18-1. She and Goodtime Gal (16-1) are close on their Diana running and have the considerable advantage of a comparatively recent race. If the favourite’s lack of fitness catches her out don’t be surprised if victory goes to one of these two.

Mastamgambit and Silva’s Fling, who dead-heated for second on their debuts at Greyville at the end of July, head the market in the opening maiden. But how strong is that poly form? Preference is for 9-2 shot Engage And Beware who can make amends for last time’s Durbanville disappointment.

Jacqueline has been backed from 5-1 to 28-10 for race two but the vote goes to Princess Penelope who made an encouraging Durbanville debut.

By Michael Clower

Dave Byrnes, a courageous and talented jockey who successfully plied his trade in the USA, passed away yesterday after an illness bravely borne. In latter years he had been a valuable workrider in the Dennis Drier yard and had currently been an assistant trainer in the Paul Lafferty yard.

Byrnes was the son of one of the country’s best ever lightweight jockeys, Joe Byrnes, and in 1974 the pair established the unique feat of riding in the Durban July together. Dave was a fifteen-year-old apprentice to David Payne at the time and rode the 33/1 outsider Sea Patrol to second place. The race was famous for the dislodging of Tom Rattley off the second favourite Jamaican Music shortly after the start and for the upstaging of the favourite Elevation by 20/1 stable companion Riboville, whose 4,5 length victory is the widest in July history.

Dave recalled in an interview a few years ago, “It was the first time we had run Sea Patrol in blinkers. He virtually ran away with me and we led all the way until overtaken by Riboville. With more experience I think I could have won the race. The loose horse, Jamaican Music, brushed us and the interference could have cost us. With more experience I would have just let him go in the straight and not waited.”

In 1978 Byrnes rode the Herman Brown-trained World News to win the Grade I SA Guineas at Greyville from draw 14 of 15.

“Dave Byrnes was a very good jockey and it was a pity for our racing that he left for America the next year,” recalled Brown a few years ago.

Byrnes also won the Lady’s Bracelet at Scottsville on a Syd Laird-trained horse called Refreshing and the Hibiscus Fillies Nursery at Greyville on Little Mo.

He left for America in 1979 and made an almost immediate impact when forming a lethal partnership with an English trainer called Roy Waugh.

Waugh trained for Summa Stables which was a partnership formed by oil billionaire and legendary owner-breeder Nelson Bunker Hunt and coin collector millionaire Bruce McNall. Barry Gordy, founder of the Motown record label, was also initially a member of the partnership.

Bunker Hunt, who won such races as the Epsom Derby and the Arc, initially sent Waugh about 14 horses that were all rejects of the sire Vaguely Noble (Arc winner) and his sons, Empery and Mississipian.

Waugh was based in San Fransisco with Byrnes as his stable jockey and in 1980 the pair raided the East Coast.

They were unknowns but had so much success and such a phenomenal strike-rate that they acquired the nicknames “London Express” (Byrnes) and “California Flash” (Waugh). Byrnes nickname related to his driving through on the inside rail, an unusual tactic in the USA.

A couple of years later Bunker Hunt’s empire collapsed when he tried to corner the world silver market and Waugh lost his job.

Byrnes continued to ride with success in the East Coast until a bad fall in 1987 put him out for some time.

The fall co-incided with him becoming “tired” and he lost the drive and ambition he had once had.

He returned to South Africa in about 1994 and among the interesting things he did besides race riding was playing a role as stuntman in a horseracing movie called “The Derby.” In one scene, taken at Clairwood, he was required to veer a horse across the track and dive over the rail, a highly dangerous stunt that fitted in with his reputation as a fearless horseman.

Byrnes retired from riding in 2003 and a subsequent attempt at a comeback in 2009 did not last too long.

He and Waugh’s paths crossed again as Waugh is also currently an assistant trainer to Lafferty.

Byrnes’ time at the South African Jockeys Academy in the 1970s had co-incided with the like of Michael Roberts, Basil Marcus, Felix Coetzee, Patrick Wynne, Steven Jupp, Dennis Bosch and the late Gary Verne, a vintage group who all left their mark.

He leaves his wife Barbara and son Daniel and will be missed by many not only for his horsemanship but his friendly demeanour and approachable nature.

By David Thiselton

A competitive nine race card awaits at Greyville this afternoon, the first race due off 12.50pm. The card opener is a MR 80 Handicap over 1800m which has surprisingly attracted a small field. Trainers Andre Nel and Dean Kannemeyer both have a pair of runners and the winner looks certain to come from one of these trainers. In saying that, the Dennis Drier trained Escape Club has solid form and she looks progressive. Stable rider Sean Veale has made the flight back from Cape Town to do duty for the yard. The Drier yard have already got off to a flying start in the Cape with Anime going from start to finish last Sunday.

Escape Club (Candiese Marnewick)

The second race is a maiden event over the mile and favourite backers could be safe here with Neria from the in-form Brett Crawford outfit run here in KZN by Peter Muscutt. Neria showed early pace in her trial and faded steadily but is well suited to the mile. Her KZN debut looks set to be a winning one. Noble Approach, Lady Sharon and Elegant Eva could press the first choice all the way home and are worth including for the exacta.

The third race looks tough but the winning combination of Johan Janse Van Vuuren and Anton Marcus could continue with Chipofftheoldblock who is a son of Redoute’s Promise. Frozen Tune was the fastest finishing horse last time when fifth to Arrow’s Mark and his formlines are working out well. He might well prove to be the one they all have to peg back.

The opening leg of the Pick 6 is a weak handicap and many runners need to go into the perms. It was encouraging to see Miziara run on well last time and the formline of Barinois last run is working out well enough to give her a bright chance. Eden Gardens Glitz holds the same formline as Barinois and the cheekpieces could do the trick – a tough contest.

Wayne Badenhorst has taken over the training responsibility of Biker Babe after Craig Eudey retired and this mare nearly made a winning stable debut last time. She rates the one they all have to beat in the opening leg of the pot.

Belfry has had more than enough chances and contests the sixth race with apprentice Luke Ferraris in the irons. She should win one of these days but is not one to put the lights out! Secret Dynasty could be the one to beat here and Anton Marcus might think the same as he rode Belfry in his last three starts. Dennis Bosch’s son of Dynasty was an expensive buy at the 2017 Ready T0 Run sales.

The seventh race is competitive and has upset written all over it! The advice is to be cautious and to include as many runners in the exotics as your budget will allow.

The inform combination of Andre Nel and Gareth Wright are selected to bring the curtain down in the last race. Red Shift was ultra impressive when winning last time and could still be well treated by the handicapper. He looks to have a lot more to offer. The high draw for me, is the only concern. Edge Of The Sun has finally learnt to race and put his best foot forward and is now starting to get into the winner’s box more often. If he were to win again, it would not be a shock. Galaxy Tunes finished fourth to Perfect Peter last time and that post maiden run is impressive.

By Warren Lenferna

Justin Snaith wants to see the present whip rules made easier to understand and made more specific.

The champion trainer spoke about abuse of the whip during an interview with Andrew Bon at Durbanville early last month. The whip extract was shown on Tellytrack last week and, to put it mildly, raised a good many eyebrows.

Justin Snaith

He said: “We all know the rules about riding a horse to the finish but the stick work in South African racing has gone out of control. It is something that is becoming a bit of an issue and I think we need to get on top of it. I am making sure that it doesn’t cause too much hassle with my young horses and my jockeys are given strict instructions.”

When questioned about this at Kenilworth on Sunday, Snaith said: “I have noticed over the years that jockeys have got worse with using the whip and that the young riders coming through follow their example. In the minor centres the situation is even worse.

“When I looked at the rules I was surprised to see how vague they are. They are not strict enough for the stipes to take action and they are not sufficiently to the point.”

The relevant rule (58.10.2) states: “No rider shall misuse a crop or use a crop in an unnecessary or excessive manner, or use a crop on any part of the horse’s head.”

Snaith added: “Everyone in the racing industry wants change, including the jockeys, and the NHA is on board with this. What we change the rules to I don’t know. Equally I am not sure what we will end up with but people can’t watch a horse being hit 17 times anymore.”

It is rare, certainly in Cape Town, for senior jockeys in South Africa to be had up for excessive use of the whip. Occasionally they are accused of hitting a horse more than once in a horse’s stride, so not giving their mount a chance to respond, but otherwise the transgressors are normally over-enthusiastic apprentices.

To be fair to the jockeys, whip abuse in South Africa is far less common than it is in many other countries. You only have to watch British racing on Tellytrack to see how many riders hit a horse seven or eight times in a race while French ace Christophe Soumillon was hammered in the press for his whip use at the recent Breeders’ Cup meeting. In last week’s Melbourne Cup no less than six jockeys (including the first three) were in trouble over the whip.

The Turffontein no-whip race, according to Snaith the brainchild of Mike de Kock, continues to make waves around the world. American sports broadcaster ESPN yesterday interviewed Snaith about his views on it, and on the whip generally.

Snaith said: “Personally I think no-whip races are a bit drastic. For the moment we just need to change the rules and then possibly review them after a year or so.”

By Michael Clower

The Grade 3 Victory Moon Stakes over 1800m to be run at Turffontein Standside on Thursday night is a difficult race to assess as it is run under merit rated band conditions and also includes penalties and allowances and it involves exposed horses, some of whom will want to be leaving something in reserve for the Summer Cup.

Takingthepeace is the best weighted horse according to official merit ratings, although she is only 0,5kg better off with Sabina’s Dynasty, Zouaves is 1kg under sufferance with Takingthepeace, Cash Time is 1,5kg under sufferance, Bankable Teddy is 2kg under sufferance, Arctica is 2kg under sufferance but carries 0,5kg overweight, Bulleting Home and French Navy are 2,5kg under sufferance, Gambado is 3kg under sufferance, Like A Panther, Dawn Assault and Deo Juvente are all 3,5kg under sufferance and Liege, Full Mast and Tandava are all 4kg under sufferance.

Sabina’s Dynasty has the advantage of pole position and Piere Strydom, who knows her well, aboard. She is 4kg better off with Dawn Assault for a one length beating over 2000m on the Inside track so should reverse the form.

Arctica (Nkosi Hlophe)

Geoff Woodruff admitted not being quite sure whether Zouaves would stay the trip. He is by Sail From Seattle, who won up to 1400m, and although his dam is by Jallad his female line is generally quite speedy. His five wins have been from 1160m to 1450m but he was staying on strongly last time over 1475m in the Grand Heritage series race when just failing. Woodruff said he would be ridden “quietly” by Marco van Rensburg and a draw of five should allow him to find cover.

His stablemate Deo Juvente is a seven-year-old but looks four, according to Woodruff. On ability he is the one to beat considering he won the Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge over 2000m at this course, beating the like of Legal Eagle and Nother Russia. He was rested after that race but then became “very sick” when campaigning in Cape Town and his high merit rating also made it tough for him. However, he has dropped from 116 down to 103 and in his last start he was staying on in eyecatching style over this trip on the Inside track. Woodruff confirmed Deo Juvente was on and upward trend and he will be looking to book his place in the Summer Cup. He has a tricky draw of nine but has overcome tough draws before.

Bulleting Home did not find much extra in the Charity Mile but he should be cherry ripe having his third run of the season and he might be looking for this trip these days. Anton Marcus is aboard which is an obvious bonus.

His Sean Tarry-trained stablemate Liege ran below par in this race last year, finishing only tenth, but went on to win the Summer Cup. There will be no pressure on him to qualify for the Summer Cup and this run will likely bring him to his peak, although he could still earn.

Stablemate French Navy has not won for three years and will need to improve on his recent showings, despite being well weighted on his best form and well drawn.

Like A Panther is an imposing horse with a big stride and a lot of class. He disappointed in the SA Derby but began his four-year-old campaign in fine fashion when returning from a six month layoff and cruising to victory in an Assessment Plate over 1800m, where he was admittedly well weighted. He has a tough draw of 15 out of 15 but can use his long stride to eat up leeway after likely being dropped out.

Arctica was caught wide for a bit in the Charity Mile, but still managed to stay on strongly to be beaten just 0,55 lengths carrying 53kg. He has a wide draw here but has Gavin Lerena up, albeit riding 0,5kg overweight. He will be right there if the Charity Mile, run just 12 days earlier, did not take too much out of him and he will be trying to book his Summer Cup place.

His Mike Azzie-trained stablemate Full Mast was used up to overcome a wide draw in the Charity Mile and was then sent for home early so not surprisingly faded badly. He is well regarded and now has a good draw. He is by Go Deputy out of a Western Winter miler who has produced a winner over 2000m so on pedigree he should stay the trip but there could still be a stamina doubt considering his career to date.

Dawn Assault used his big stride to run away from a challenging Sabina’s Dynasty last time and he has a good record over course and distance. He is a consistent sort who has come into his own and has a chance if able to overcome his wide draw.

Tandava is capable of strong finishes from sprints up to this distance. He did not wear his usual blinkers when running on steadily in the Jubilee but now has them on. That should waken him up and he is a dark horse as he will likely be staying on strongly after being dropped out from a wide draw.

Cash Time finished fourth in the SA Derby but will need to improve on his recent form and a wide draw won’t help.

Bankable Teddy has a good draw and enjoys this course and distance so if bouncing back to form could upset.

Gambado is a big horse who won well over course and distance last time and he should have come on from that run too so has a shout if able to overcome a tough draw.

Like A Panther is taken to win it from Deo Juvente and Gambado with Arctica and Takingthepeace next best. Sabina’s Dynasty and Dawn Assault are tough to ignore and Tandava makes most appeal of the outsiders.

By David Thiselton

Last season’s Cape Fillies Guineas and Majorca winner Snowdance will start off at Kenilworth on December 8, either in the Southern Cross over 1 000m or in a 1 400m fillies pinnacle, after pleasing in a racecourse gallop yesterday.

Justin Snaith said: “I wouldn’t mind trying her in a sprint but I will have a look at the pinnacle. She then goes for the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate (Jan 5) before aiming for a second Majorca.”

Snowdance (left) – Candiese Marnewick

She was ridden by Richard Fourie in a solo spin over 1000m after being accompanied to the start by a companion who followed her home a furlong behind. The gallop didn’t reveal much other than that she is good shape.

Oh Susanna, second in the Fillies Guineas before going on to take the Paddock and Sun Met, begins her campaign in a mile fillies pinnacle at Kenilworth on Thursday when the opposition includes Brave Move, Lady In Black and the unbeaten Hashtagyolo.

Snaith also worked Durban July winner Do It Again (Fourie) with the Grade 2 Kuda Gold Bracelet winner Miyabi Gold (Athandiwe Mgudlwa) over 1 500m at a good clip. Do It Again tracked the filly but was always going the better. He drew upsides in the straight and eased past over a furlong out. He was impressive.

The champion trainer said: “Do It Again will start in the Green Point (Dec 8) and I will use the race as a prep for the Queen’s Plate. He should be 90% for the latter and 100% for the Met.”

Vaughan Marshall worked his unbeaten Cape Guineas hope One World (Anton Marcus) over 1 400m with last season’s Guineas winner Tap O’Noth. The older horse led and, although One World had to be ridden to join the leader, he appeared to be going the better once he did get upsides.

Marshall said: “I was very happy with both horses. One World runs in the Concord Cup (November 24) while Tap O’Noth starts in the Green Point before going for the Queen’s Plate and the Met.”

By Michael Clower

Rainbow Bridge paid tribute to the late Chris Gerber in the only way he could by producing his devastating trademark turn of foot to extend his unbeaten record to five in the Cape Mile at Kenilworth yesterday.

But he did it the hard way, turning the preliminaries – and indeed the whole time since he left his Milnerton stable – into nervous, sweating and energy-sapping anxiety. Eric Sands, amazingly now almost accustomed to this alarming behaviour, repeatedly threw buckets of water over him to cool him down.

But in the parade ring the favourite jig-jogged round in a manner that had the bookmakers rubbing their hands in glee. They lengthened him from 10-15 to 16-10 in a bid to get in as much money as they could.

Rainbow Bridge (Liesl King)

Bernard Fayd’Herbe deliberately took the horse much further down the course than any of the others in the parade and by the time he reached the start a lot of the nerves had dissipated into the atmosphere.

“I wasn’t too concerned,” he reported afterwards. “The most important thing for me was to get him relaxed and enjoying the race. Indeed he was travelling so well that when we turned into the straight I was looking to put on the handbrake.”

Instead he pressed the accelerator. Not even Lewis Hamilton could have got a better response. The four-year-old slipped into another gear and 150m from home he was in front. The length and three-quarter margin over second-placed Silver Maple does little justice to the ease of victory.

Eric Sands said: “The sweat was dripping off him when we got here but he is better than he was and, as he settles, he shows more and more of his ability. He runs in the Green Point next.”

But the trainer was so overcome that he was having to fight back the tears as he was interviewed by Stan Elley. “It’s Chris’s death and also Rainbow Bridge’s groom who committed suicide a month ago,” he explained.

So just how good is the Ideal World four-year-old? “As good as they get,” was Fayd’Herbe’s unhesitating reply and he has ridden more top horses than most of us have had holidays.

But that nervous sweating hangs over the bay’s future like a threatening cloud. He might get away with it in races like this but the Queen’s Plate and the Met are a different matter. No matter how good you are, you cannot afford to burn up lengths beforehand. Sands’ task is going to be as difficult as anything he has faced in his long career.

Those who can hardly wait to take him on in the Grade 1s include Glen Kotzen and Hugo Hattingh whose Eyes Wide Open gave weight all round and finished an encouraging fifth. “We were delighted,” said the Woodhill trainer. “He’d been off for months. Now it’s the Green Point, Queen’s Plate and the Met which is his real target.”

Dennis Drier and Sean Veale won last year’s Laisserfaire with Sommerlied and this time Anime – backed from 16-1 to 9-1- made much of the running to repeat the performance.

Significantly Veale said: “I am hoping to have some fun this season because we have brought down some nice horses.”

Candice Bass-Robinson ran three in the Woolavington Handicap and they took the first three places. But, sadly for punters, it was the outsider of the party who won with 31-4 shot Benjan leading over a furlong out to give Sandile Mbhele his first feature.

By Michael Clower

Athletes who struggle to breath are usually consigned to the couch in front to the television dreaming of what might have been. On the other hand, racehorses that have difficulty breathing can often be surgically corrected. The mighty Jet Master an example. He was superb up to a ‘mile’ – beyond that he ran out of oxygen.

Chantyman is not in the same league as Jet Master, incidentally, both ridden by Anton Marcus, but according to Dennis Bosch, “If he could breathe, he would be a top horse. He’s actually a seven-furlong horse.”

Marcus, in a superb display of horsemanship, got Chantyman home in the Track & Ball Gaming Handicap at Greyville on Friday night and was lavish in his praise. “This is one of the most courageous horses that I have ever ridden.”

Little Audrey (Candiese Marnewick)

“I said to Dennis that he was wasting his time with this horse. He can’t get any wind. It sounds as if there is an anaconda in his oesophagus.”

I’m not sure what an anaconda sounds like but Marcus nursed Chantyman all the way to the line. Taking the lead early in the straight, Marcus kidded to the gelding until it became obvious that Ishnana was threat. 50m out Marcus released the brake to get home with a neck to spare.

Ovation Award’s triumph in the sixth was not entirely unexpected by his connections but there were many reservations. “He galloped with Zigi Zagi Zugi and lined him,” said Gareth van Zyl. “But when he ran a dirty third, we weren’t all that confident anymore.”

“All the jockeys have been telling me that they feel something. Muzi (Yeni) rode him in the feature and although he finished far back, he still said there was something there.”

“This was his third time to the course. The first time it was washed out, then he kicked the back gate and was scratched. When he lost a shoe on the way to the start, I thought he was jinxed.”

Ovation Award quickened smartly on the straight to hold off Subtropical and Amor Ardiente, both not making any impression on Ovation Award’s lead.

“He’s still a boytjie (entire) but he has clear ability,” opined rider Warren Kennedy. “He has his days. One day he works like a rocket and the next you battle to drag him up the straight.”

Little Audrey finally went one better in the Gold Circle Podcast Maiden, breaking a string of runner-up places. Co-owner Dennis O’Connor, on course for all three of those seconds, decided that bowls would take precedent on Friday.

Duncan Howells was a little concerned the Little Audrey would prefer the turf but Craig Zackey rode a confident race to hold off the improving Sweet Preserve.

Peter Muscutt, KZN assistant to Brett Crawford, is a man of few words, preferring to let his horses do the talking and he got the Marcus ball rolling in the first as Negma smoked home. “She had some decent Cape form but she’s only a little thing, barely 400kg,” he said.

Carlburg, home bred by Verna Roberts and trained by husband Michael, caught most Pick 6 punters by surprise as he held off a late challenge from Tierra Del Fuego and Zgi Zagi Zugi. “I though Ashton (Arries) gave him a peach of a ride,” said Roberts. “I asked him to drop in, the last time a kid rode him and he bolted. I can’t say we didn’t fancy him, but I can’t say that we fancied him strong.”

“Verna bred him and it’s good for the mare. Ideal World onto a Fort Wood mare. To be honest he should go a lot further.”

By Andrew Harrison

The Highveld season may be in full swing but the big race days are interspersed with some ordinary fare that does not make things easy for punters. Tomorrow’s Turffontein card is littered with pitfalls but many will look to Green Top to see them through the fifth, an assessment plate where she is rated lengths superior to the opposition.

Storm Destiny (JC Photographics)

Alec Laird’s filly took on the cream of the Highveld fillies last term and although never making it to the winner’s enclosure in the features that she contested, she was never far back either, running Takingthepeace to a short head in the Gr1 SA Fillies Classic.

She appeared to have had enough after a hard season when down the field in the SA Oaks and Laird put her away for a well-earned five-month break.

She made her seasonal debut in an assessment plate where she was running on nicely behind last season’s Garden Province winner Redberry Lane. She should come on from that effort and given her rating will be a popular banker.

The balance of the card is tricky.

Apprentice Luke Ferraris has been given a flying start to his career from training legend and grandfather Ormond and it has not been only a case of nepotism. Young Ferraris is driven to up his game and Ferraris senior does not entertain slackers, be they blood relations or not.

The family pair team up with Vivir in the opening leg of the Pick 6. The filly was reported not to have been striding out after her last effort in an assessment plate to the run is best ignored. Prior to that she showed promise, beating the useful Railtrip on debut and last time over tomorrow’s course and distance finishing two lengths off Desert Rhythm. She has a feather-weight to shoulder here and should at least be competitive.

Low-rated staying races are often difficult to predict by Weiho Marwing is a master at these marathon events and Desert Sunset ticks many of the boxes. He looked to have run out of real estate when just failing to catch Brand New Cadillac at his last two and the extra furlong should be too his liking. However, the shorter Turffontein inside straight could find him out so Mighty High and Kamakura may be worth including in Pick 6’s as insurance.

The last three races on the card are all tricky affairs. There were excuses for Kurt’s Approval last run after hitting his mouth in the gate. He has come good in blinkers and although drawn badly he must have a chance in a difficult race. Psychic has been taking on slightly stronger at recent outings and looks a threat.

Varimax nearly made all over course and distance last start. With a better draw and a stronger rider aboard, he could prove the pick ahead of O Lucky Man and Cumberland.

Perfect Tigress can round off proceedings. In spite of only being a narrow winner last run she take a drop in class although also a corresponding rise in weight.

By Andrew Harrison

All eyes will be on Rainbow Bridge at Kenilworth on Sunday when the exciting four-year-old bids to make it five in a row in the Cape Mile in what could well prove to be emotional circumstances.

This gelding could turn out to be the best horse the late Chris Gerber ever had and the noted owner-breeder’s tragic death from malaria adds a sad poignancy to the occasion.

The betting – he had shortened still further to 9-20 with World Sports Betting yesterday morning – suggests Rainbow Bridge is a good thing despite merit ratings indicating the complete opposite. No less than six of the ten up against Bernard Fayd’Herbe’s mount should beat him according to the handicappers’ assessments.

Rainbow Bridge (Liesl King)

But his preparation has gone smoothly in marked contrast to that of the Matchem whose build-up turned into a trainer’s nightmare. “I had gallops planned and then there were all those cancellations,” Eric Sands recalls. “We ended up with a month when we couldn’t gallop at all. I had to force him on the sand tracks at home – and he went into the race with only half a gallop, and needing another.”

Yet the gelding was able to produce a truly devastating final burst, the like of which is not seen that often on a racecourse.

“Afterwards he was off for a week with a snotty nose,” relates his trainer. “However he has done very well since and, while I don’t want him at his peak yet, he has come on.”

Asked about what he sees as the dangers, Sands singles out not a horse but “traffic.”

Adjusted merit ratings put the Cape Derby winner Eyes Wide Open (8-1) and 9-1 shot Fifty Cents on top, six points clear of the favourite. But the former has been off for three and a half months and Craig Zackey’s mount was beaten over two lengths in the Matchem and is half a kilo worse.

So is 15-1 chance Copper Force who has three and a half lengths to find on that last run. Horizon (25-1) was beaten seven lengths (admittedly he was slowly away) and needs further. A New Dawn (33-1) has been off since May but watch out for Silver Maple. This ex-Mayfair horse came to Justin Snaith from Geoff Woodruff and has won three out of four. The 9-1 chance gets in with a feather weight and could prove the biggest threat.

That leaves only the four that the handicappers say should not beat the favourite. Rocket Countdown, The Slade and Platinum Prince are all having their first race of the season while Man About Town is the 50-1 outsider of the party.

In the Laisserfaire 5-2 favourite Magical Wonderland has been off since May and has been given a steeplechasing burden. Forget about the race’s grand-sounding name and its Listed status – this is a glorified handicap – and better value can be found further down the field. The Boston Rose may be 1.5kg under sufferance but she keeps winning. She has proved profitable for this column and she can do it again although it is hard to believe that the present 45-1 will still be available on Sunday.

Ryan Munger is riding out of his skin and he may take the Woolavington on Settlers runner-up Ballad Of The Sea. Stable companion Ollivander looks the main danger.

By Michael Clower