A ban of the whip has been gaining momentum in the UK and Phumelela have showed their support for this movement by staging a race at Turffontein on Saturday in which jockeys will not be permitted to use whips.

Saturday sees the running of the R1-million Peermont Emperors Charity Mile and Clyde Basel, on-course sales and marketing executive for Phumelela, views the meeting as an ideal opportunity to introduce whip-free racing to the public. “Being Charity Mile we want to show that we are willing to take a positive step forward for those who support a welfare approach to the role of animals in our lives,” he said.

“As a responsible operator/regulator there is a view that the current rules and penalties around the use of the whip are simply not good enough and can be both improved and made clearer.

“Obviously much research still needs to be done but this is a perfect trial for Charity Mile day with the newbies (celebrities and the like) all watching, and in particular all the horse-related charities who will welcome this concept with open arms.”

Jockey Piere Strydom has been a keen exponent of the innovative move. “While the whips do not inflict pain on the horse, it still does a lot of damage to the image of the sport.

“I feel this is a very positive move and I congratulate the operator for coming up with the concept,” said Strydom.

Coral Fever (JC Photographics)

Trainer Mike de Kock is another staunch supporter. “The first question we get from newcomers to the sport is ‘why do we whip horses’. It gives the sport a very poor image and I’ve been pushing his idea for months.

“There are no negatives. It can only be positive for horseracing.”

In 2011 The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) had a ten month review of the use of the whip and as a result they made new whip restrictions and instituted more severe penalties for whip offenses.

However at the time racing pundit John McCririck believed the sport had missed an ideal opportunity to boost its image by failing to ban hitting horses with the whip.

He described the BHA as ‘gutless’, but believed it would be just a matter of time before hitting horses would be a thing of the past.

‘We’ve been talking about the whip for 30 years and the fact is the whip is on the way out,’ he said. “There’s no other living creature on the planet you are legally allowed to hit.’

The restrictions soon had consequences as top jockey Richard Hughes threatened to hand in his jockey’s license after receiving two bans in less than a week. However, he did not follow through with the threat and won the British Jockeys Championships the following season.

The permitted number of uses of the whip with hands off the reins was restricted to seven times for Flat races and eight times for Jumps race in Britain.

Riders could only carry a specifically designed and approved energy absorbing whip.

This whip has cushioning and does not inflict nearly as much pain as the old whip did although it does make a loud noise. The use of this standardised whip is also compulsory in South Africa.

However, welfare groups want the whip banned completely and the petition Care 2 started three years ago in the USA was an eye opener in how racing outsiders view the whip.

They said, “The whip is used in horse racing to beat horses towards the end of the race when they’re tired or sore and want to slow down. This is cruel and inhumane. Yet, the horse racing industry gets away with it. Just like the bullhook, the whip is another torture device for animals. During Victor Espinoza’s ride on American Pharoah in the Kentucky Derby, he hit the horse 32 times with his whip.”

In horseracing mad Australia a poll was conducted on whether the whip should be banned and the results were interesting. Of people who never attended racing 90% said it should be banned, of those who attended once or twice a year 77% said it should be banned, those who attended more than monthly but less than weekly the figure was 47% and those who attended more than weekly it was 31%. These figures appear to show how detrimental to the sports image the whip is and with administrators around the world attempting to win new fans to the races the whip regulations probably need to be revisited.

The whip might help a horse on occasion, but is often detrimental to its cause. The best riders in the world know how to use it correctly and this is summed up by legendary South African jockey Michael “Muis” Roberts. He said he would usually give a horse a few light taps to test the response and if it was positive he would whip more freely, but would otherwise use it sparingly or not at all. “Fillies often don’t take kindly to the whip”, he said. However, Roberts also mentioned another use for the whip which most experienced racegoers would probably regard as its most important asset: when a horse begins floundering or hanging, the changing of the whip to another hand and giving it one smack can see it changing legs and finding another gear.

Hands and heels races, mainly for claiming apprentices, are regularly held in the UK. Saturday’s race at Turffontein is a welcome innovation and will likely lead to more such races.

By David Thiselton

Crown Towers, who left punters stunned and painfully poorer when beaten at 1-3 five weeks ago, has the chance to redeem his reputation in the Bradbury Finance Handicap at Kenilworth today.

This is the horse who Paul Lafferty said “Could be the Guineas favourite” so impressive was he when winning on debut, yet he proved unable to win a six-runner Durbanville handicap. Justin Snaith was as shocked as the horse’s backers that day but he put the defeat down to the colt being caught flat-footed in a tail wind.

Pearl Tiara (Candiese Marnewick)

Richard Fourie’s mount seems sure to maintain his record of starting favourite each time he has raced – World Sports Betting opened him at 15-10 -but Snaith has reservations and explains: “He is doing very well and I am expecting a big run but he is going to have to be as good as we think he is if he is to win this.

“He was raised three points for finishing second and he has to give 4kg and 3.5kg to the other three-year-old maiden winners (Herodotus and Capoeira). Also I have been quiet with many of my horses as I have had a lot of two-year-olds coming in.”

What Snaith means is that two-year-olds are rather like small children going to school. They pick up every bug that is going and these infections can spread to the other horses. Three-year-olds are particularly at risk whereas four and five-year-olds have had more time to develop immunity.

Herodotus and Capoeira are joint second favourites at 4-1 with Aldo Domeyer’s mount What A Joker on 9-2. However what is suggested is an each way bet on Brandenburg. He was available at 25-1 yesterday and anything like those odds could prove better value each way than taking a skimpy price about the favourite. True, the four-year-old took ten races to win his maiden but he made all the running over this trip last time and both Paddy Kruyer and Morne Winnaar are in great form.

Silvano’s Pride in the Astra Maiden is another Snaith three-year-old with losses to recover. She started favourite at Durbanville on the same day as Crown Towers but she ran on too late. It looked as if Fourie had given her too much to do – how could you write such sacrilege, he will say! – but the stipes report’ reveals that his path was blocked for several strides at a crucial stage approaching the furlong marker. She is 2-1 favourite here and is preferred to both the badly drawn Star Fighter and Vomandla.

In the last there is precious little to choose between the main Snaith hope Minona and Cantata. The latter was caught on the line ten days ago and is marginally preferred.

In the Samson Foundation Maiden (race two) 18-10 favourite Almost Captured may have come on enough to account for 28-10 shot Au Revoir who returned from a lengthy absence to run well at Durbanville on Matchem day.

By Michael Clower

The Grade 2 Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile to be run this Saturday on Turffontein Standside has gained a reputation for upsets and in the last six renewals only one winner has started in single figure odds.

The reason for this is likely due to the race being used by a few as a stepping stone into the Summer Cup and this year there looks to be a couple of value runners who could upset the applecart again.

The favourite is Noble Secret and according to trends he does not make appeal at around 33/10 as he looks to have the Summer Cup as his chief target. However, this classy sort will surely go close carrying just 55kg from a plum draw as he will be coming into his own and does not face a vintage field.

The next in the betting is Matador Man whose optimum trip is a mile so he ticks one important box as this is his likely chief mission. His Turffontein Standside record is dismal without a single place in seven starts. However, he has been prepared where he is happiest this year, in KZN, and comes off a superb win at Greyville. He is drawn in pole and will likely sit off the pace and with a nice galloping weight of 56kg it’s just a question again of whether he can reproduce his Greyville form.

Noble Secret (JC Photographics)

The third favourite is Coral Fever. Last year he ran well in the Victory Moon Stakes in his second run of the season and this will be his second run of the season here so he could surprise. He was staying on very well in the Spring Challenge over 1450m and much prefers the Standside track with its long straight so this much improved horse can’t be written off despite having to carry 61kg from draw 14 as he has class and is ultra consistent.

The fourth favourite at 7/1 is the winner of two years ago New Predator, who was a close fourth last year. He has been off form but has consequently come down the merit ratings and carries 3kg less than he did two years ago. However, he has quite a tough draw of eleven and might not be quite the same horse he once was.

The fifth favourite is last year’s winner Hat Puntano, who carries the same weight as last year and is drawn one wider in eight if the reserves come out. He did not enjoy the best preparation last year either, but his reappearance this season after a nine month break in the Spring Challenge was too lacklustre for him to be fancied here.

Champagne Haze is next in the betting. He won over 1600m early in his career but since then it has become apparent he is better up to 1400m.

Tilbury Fort at odds of 16/1 is an interesting contender as he responded to gelding last season by reeling off two good wins in succession over this course and distance, so goes well fresh and this is his first outing of the season. However, he does have a tricky draw of nine and the handicapper might have caught up with him.

Captain Aldo is a specialist 1400m horse so is hard to fancy here.

Full Mast had to overcome quite a wide draw in the Spring Challenge to go handy, but his stride was shortening late and he now has an even wider draw over 1600m.

Doosra looked promising early in his career but became disappointing, although blinkers have livened him up and he is in good form. However, it is questionable whether he is good enough to win this race.

Romany Prince showed his class when winning the KZN Breeders Million Mile carrying 60kg and he needed his last run. He is a miler and has landed what by trends is just about a perfect draw of six, so he should be in the shake up carrying 55,5kg.

Social Order finished second last year carrying 52kg and now carries 55kg and is drawn ten as opposed to two. He is suited to the Standside track and ran a good recent preparation race, but the Summer Cup is likely his aim as this is just his second run of the season.

Bulleting Home has a plum draw and is one to consider as he has never quite fulfilled his potential and a mile is his best trip. However, his lacklustre last run over 1400m, his third run after a year long layoff, was a touch off putting.

Unagi comes off a good preparation but has a tough draw and appears better on the Inside track.

Infamous Fox is an improved sort who reeled off four on the trot last season and he needed his last outing when a touch strong in the running before moving up well and fading. Unfortunately he has a tough draw to overcome.

Arctica is the joint biggest outsider but represents fair value as he had no luck in running last time out and now has a good draw and carries just 53kg with in form Ryan Munger up.

The three top horses in the betting should be in the mix, and the value contenders look to be Arctica and Romany Prince. Infamous Fox would have been included if it were not for his tough draw.

By David Thiselton

Oh Susanna may begin her campaign in a mares and fillies Pinnacle at Kenilworth on 15 November after comfortably coming out on top in a 1 400m gallop at the Cape Town course on Saturday morning.

The Sun Met winner was ridden by Richard Fourie in the work-out and went with 20-1 Summer Cup hope Made To Conquer (Athandiwe Mgudlwa) and Elusive Silva (Robert Khathi).

Oh Susanna (Candiese Marnewick)

Justin Snaith said: “It was a good first gallop of the season for all three of them. I want to get a couple of races into Oh Susanna as she hasn’t had much racing this year and Natal didn’t suit her. She didn’t like the fast tracks at Summerveld and it was very crowded there. She didn’t enjoy that either.

“I will see how she comes out of this gallop but I will nominate her for the Pinnacle and I might well have a dip at that.”

The mile race could be a hot affair as the unbeaten Hashtagyolo is on course for it and Brave Move may also be in the line-up.

Front And Centre, ante-post favourite for last Saturday’s big fillies race until being scratched with an abnormal blood count early the previous morning, will run in an MR 88 handicap on 21 November.

Brett Crawford said: “The blood count was abnormal enough to cause concern and one thing I have learnt is that if you go into a Group race not 100% you will always come off second best. There is time to get another race into Front And Centre before the Fillies Guineas (15 December) and in the MR 88 handicap she will receive her full wfa allowance.”

By Michael Clower

Joey Ramsden has won the Cape Guineas twice in the past seven years and, if there was any betting on the race, Twist Of Fate would now be favourite to give him a third in the Forus-sponsored classic on 15 December.

The R20 000 bargain buy did it the hard way in the Cape Classic at Kenilworth on Saturday, overcoming the widest draw of all and leading throughout the rest of the journey to score convincingly.

Ramsden, landing his fourth Cape Classic in six seasons, said: “There is plenty more to come – he wasn’t fully wound up – but I was quietly confident provided he got across.”

Twist Of Fate (Liesl King)

Surprisingly Ramsden appears to have some slight concerns about the Master Of My Fate colt lasting the extra furlong in the Cape Guineas, saying: “He would win a Graded race over five furlongs. But I will speak with everyone involved. If he didn’t go for the Guineas he would go sprinting. That, said, though, there is only one Cape Guineas.”

Bernard Fayd’Herbe, whose enterprising tactics had many of the opposition in trouble some way out, has no such doubts – “This is a serious horse. We worked him with Attenborough the other day and we beat him. That was good enough for me and a mile shouldn’t be a problem – his temperament is good.”

But make a note of Cirillo. The favourite was having his first race for three months yet he finished best of all to take second with Lyle Hewitson reporting: “This is a proper horse. He will have no problem with the extra furlong.”

However there will be no Guineas for third-placed Pleasedtomeetyou who weakened into third, confirming Andre Nel’s original suspicions that this could be another sprinting Querari. Rider Greg Cheyne said: “He never hit the line and he had every opportunity of doing so. A smart horse but better in sprints.”

Majestic Mozart came from well back to take an encouraging fourth and demonstrate why Candice Bass-Robinson holds him in such high regard but the Justin Snaith runners finished a disappointing eighth, ninth and tenth. Clouded Hill, the last of them, had a valid excuse because Anton Marcus reported that his saddle slipped almost from the start.

Five of the last eight winners of the Western Cape Fillies Championship have gone on to land the Fillies Guineas and Clouds Unfold looks the one they all have to beat in the WSB version in mid-December after coming from well back to lead over 50m out.

The What A Winter filly was the second successive winner of the Grade 2 for Gaynor Rupert’s Drakenstein and the second for Aldo Domeyer who won on Silver Mountain and said: “She was impressive. She will really enjoy both the extra furlong and the longer straight in the Guineas.”

Candice Bass-Robinson will also run third-placed Santa Clara in the classic while the Chrigor Stud connections of runner-up Temple Grafin will be there too with Glen Kotzen saying: “A very good filly beat us here but it will be interesting to see how they both stay the mile.”

Canukeepitsecret (tenth) was a disappointment but the in-form Vaughan Marshall (five winners at the last two Cape Town meetings) said: “It wasn’t the trip – that is no problem for her. She ran flat and she was gone a long way from home.”

Brett Crawford, who had three of the first four in the Pinnacle, said that Undercover Agent will go Green Point, Queen’s Plate and possibly Met while Valbonne (third) and fourth-placed Search Party will stay sprinting with the Diadem and the Cape Flying the prime targets for the latter.

Strong-finishing runner-up Dutch Philip has the Merchants, Diadem and Cape Flying as his objectives after Aldo Domeyer reported: “I was very encouraged by that. At one stage he wasn’t going anywhere but then he found another gear.”

Finally 27 October will go down as a never-to-be-forgotten date for Piet Botha as Head Of The Pack (William Bambiso) gave him his first winner as a trainer in the Work Riders’ Maiden.

By Michael Clower

It will be a long time if ever that apprentice Jabu Jacobs forgets his first winner. He had been close on a number of occasions, none closer than on Winter’s Coming when touched off by stable companion Q The Music last month.

That had been mostly a straightforward race, the winner just that fraction better. Many would have dumped the youngster but Byron Forster, KZN assistant to Andre Nel, kept faith with young Jacobs, although mid-way through the race he may have been having second thoughts.

Yesterday at Greyville it was a completely different scenario. Trailing the field by a couple of lengths for much of the race, most observers will have written Winter’s Coming off to concentrate on what was unfolding at the head of affairs.

Winter’s Coming (Candiese Marnewick)

Yuzae Ramzan, also hunting his first winner, had The Poet wide for much of the exchanges but struck for home in what looked to be a winning move.

Jacobs at this stage was in all sorts of trouble with a full tank of petrol and seemingly nowhere to go.

First he tried outside, that gap closed, then he tried the middle and that door was shut in his face, in desperation, he pull off the heels of the traffic, switched inside and headed for the line.

It was heart-stopping stuff but Winter’s Coming got out of the pocket in the nick of time and won going away. The Poet was game in second and Ramzan will have to wait another day for his first.

In stark contrast was the end-to-end victory by Storm Ruler, apprentice Jason Gates making all on Alyson Wright’s five-year-old.

The talented Gates has had many run-ins with authority and at one stage was banned by the stipendiary stewards from races around the turn as he was seemingly impervious to instruction, riding with gay abandon with no thought to life or limb, his or that of his opponents.

The penny appears to have dropped. He is no slouch in the saddle and if he can keep it all together he has a future as he appears to be natural light-weight.

At Fairview, Justin Snaith’s decision to let Magnificent Seven take his chances in the G-Bets Algoa Cup (Listed) in spite of the fact that any outside travellers to Port Elizabeth will have to serve quarantine before returning home after an out-break of African Horse Sickness in the area.

It was a calculated gamble but it paid off handsomely although it was a close-run thing. Richard Fourie produced Magnificent Seven with a perfectly time run but with local Wild Briar and Teaque Gould stuck to him like glue. The two fought head-and-head over the final 100m with the favourite prevailing narrowly.

By Andrew Harrison

A survey of racing success as a factor of how much money you spend was recently undertaken in Australia. While its outcomes were “Aussie” specific, it’s probably fair to say, they’re likely to have universal application wherever horse racing is conducted as a serious commercial pursuit. The answer, rest assured, is that the more money you spend, the more success you will have. The only problem is that the spending/success relationship is not a linear one. To boost your success from the bottom of the ladder to the top – a 25 fold increase – requires 300 times more money. But that has always been the way in most markets. Incremental gains come at a premium.

Or at least that’s the way it used to be. Until the “Ready To Run” concept of conducting racehorse sales was invented. You see, the Aussie figures are extrapolated largely from conventional sales, where the bloodstock is presented at the walk. Except there are no “walking” races, so to be able to pick them on the “run” as it were, opens a window of insight to the buyer which was hitherto denied.

And that’s where the difference resides, where the good “eye” for a good horse is often as good as a big wallet. It helps of course, if you have both. You see, in the South African context of the Ready To Run at any rate, there are countless examples of exceptional thoroughbreds being plucked from the less expensive ranks of the catalogue and going on to illustrious (not to mention very lucrative) careers on the racecourse. Naturally, success has come to those at the top end too, the beacon among them Horse Of The Year, Igugu, but the ratio of achievement among the “cheapies” has been wholly disproportionate to the results of the survey.

In recent times, the Emperors Palace version of the Ready To Run (which incidentally, is the original) has spawned close on 40 millionaires, the newest among whom have only just completed their three year old careers. They included three of the best of their generation, one of which, Brave Mary, fetched a modest R40 000. Doubtless as an encouragement to buyers, the sales founding consignor, Summerhill, has over the years punted the “value-for-money” proposition to its customers, no better illustrated by the annual issue of a list of its most accomplished alumni go to the “Hall Of Fame at https://www.summerhill.co.za/ready-to-run-hall-of-fame#ready-to-run-stakes-winners ”. Which is a rich reminder of the rewards awaiting those who are willing to work for them.

The return to the world class Turffontein Standside track starts with a low key meeting on Saturday ahead of the fireworks which begin next weekend.

A MR92 Handicap over 1800m is the highest rated race on the card and forms the first leg of the Pick 6. Silver God is a half-brother to the Grade 1-winning miler William Longsword and the speedy Grade 1 winner Real Princess but he is by Silvano and the way he runs suggests he will relish the step up in trip. He won over 1400m last time when staying on resolutely. He did have the advantage of the 1,5kg claim of Luke Ferraris to help him, but twice South African champion jockey S’Manga Khumalo replaces him. The Rising Legend has become well known for his turn of foot followed by a resolute finish. He usually sits in last place before delivering his challenge but last time on the tight Inside track he was ridden quite handy by his regular pilot Gavin Lerena.

Gavin Lerena

He still won after going for home quite early. He is well regarded by Geoff Woodruff and will relish the return to the Standside track where he can afford go sit further back. The draw of eleven will not pose a problem as he can be dropped out. Orpheus is 0,5kg better off with The Rising Legend for a half-a-length beating last time. He is a big, good looking sort and it will be no surprise to see him winning this race from a plum draw. The only concern is the breathing noises he is reported to make. Piere Strydom stays aboard which is a plus. Those three should be enough to get punters through the Pick 6.

The Pick 6 legs are tricky and the last leg over 1000m has been chosen as the one to go thin in. Gimme A Wave is made the best bet on the card but this is really due to it being a tricky card and one has to be found somewhere. It is not the norm for Alec Laird horses to win on debut as he brings them on slowly but this strongly built gelding by Gimmethegreenlight scooted home by 3,80 lengths on his debut over 1200m in a Maiden Juvenile Plate at the end of July. Raymond Danielson keeps the ride and they can get away with a 93 day layoff over this trip. Royal Cavalier is another imposing sort and is chosen as the only other one to include in the Pick 6. He finished just 2,15 lengths behind the SA Nursery winner William The Silent last time out and should now be cherry ripe. Dewali was bumped from a wide draw last time out over 1000m on the Inside track and ran out of steam late but he has looks to have the class to be involved here and holds the speedy Vardo on earlier form. Big Blue Marble is well regarded and will have plenty of supporters considering the way he won last time over this trip.

In the second leg of the Pick 6 over 1400m Bien Venue should be cherry ripe and is a potential banker from a plum draw over an ideal course and distance. However, Gunston went close last time over 1450m and could make a bold bid from a better draw over 50m shorter. Rivonia Boulevard, Iditarod Trail and How Does It Taste can also be included in the Pick 6.

In the sixth race Dame Kelly has class and is interesting stepped down to 1160m off a lowered merit rating which now looks attractive. Image Award has shown ability over the minimum trip and is the chief threat and Eleni, Celestina, La Bastide and An Air Of Success can also be included.

In the seventh race over 1160m Concealed Secret has dropped to an attractive mark and could win on his reappearance from the improved Autumn Rain. Snow In Seattle, Tudor Manor and Baahir can also be included.

The eighth race over 1160m can be fought out by Professor Brian, who should love the return to a straight course, and the progressive pair Copper Jay and Schippers.

The first leg of the PA over 1600m sees an outsider in Pilou being tipped as he just went too fast the last time he ran and now has a plum draw, the blinkers are off and he has been lowered three points in the merit ratings. Atyaab and Morning Catch can also be included.

By David Thiselton

Clouded Hill can bounce back from last time’s Sophomore disappointment to become a rewarding and potentially significant winner of the Cape Classic at Kenilworth tomorrow.

Justin Snaith believes that the selection – available at 11-2 yesterday – was caught a bit flat-footed when starting joint favourite at Durbanville last month. On his previous start he trounced stable companions Seventh Sea and Clipper Captain despite losing a front shoe. Those two take him on again but Snaith has an explanation for punters puzzling over Richard Fourie’s apparent choice of Seventh Sea.

“All three horses are doing well but the riding arrangements are bit different from normal,” says the champion trainer. “Richard is on Seventh Sea because that horse is our main hope for the CTS Ready To Run and he wants to teach him to settle.”

Justin Snaith

Anton Marcus, who steps in for the Clouded Hill ride, has won three of the last five runnings of the Cape Classic which is not a particularly good race for favourites – seven of the last ten have been beaten.

It was surprising to see Pleasedtomeetyou heading the market at 3-1. True, he is unbeaten but he only just got home against Elusive Trader (6-1 here) in the Sophomore with Lanza (17-2) fourth, and some of the gloss came off his reputation in the process.

Andre Nel says: “Pleasedtomeetyou is doing well and he worked well on Tuesday but his draw is a concern and on the ratings he is not well in.”

Tyrone Langdon, who rode the colt in Tuesday’s work, also rides him in most of his home work and was impressed with the way he went in that final gallop.

Joey Ramsden is bidding for his fourth Cape Classic in six seasons but, despite Bernard Fayd’Herbe’s enthusiasm, it’s hard to see Twist Of Fate winning after a three month absence from such a wide draw and at the weights. He has drifted out to 10-1.

Cirillo (11-2) has also not raced since the Premiers Champion but significantly Sean Tarry supplemented him. Candice Bass-Robinson holds Majestic Mozart in high regard but he is another who has been done no favours by the draw.

Marcus can also win the Western Cape Fillies Championship on the unbeaten Front And Centre who takes a massive step up in class but has looked something really special in her two races. “She has done very little wrong and is a very decent filly,” says Brett Crawford, hopefully with masterly understatement. “I am expecting a big run.”

Marcus can be relied upon to take care of her ten draw and the fact that she is favourite, at 17-10, is statistically very much in her favour. The first five of the last eight favourites for this race all won and the other three were second.

Snaith has won five of the last 11 runnings but 14-1 chance Juniper Spring has so far not looked as good as either her pedigree or her reputation.

Aldo Domeyer has opted to ride 6-1 shot Clouds Unfold in preference to Candice Bass-Robinson’s other four but the trainer makes the point that “Nous Voila (a huge price at 25-1) didn’t enjoy the winter going.”

Anneka (13-1) has no chance on ratings but she is race fit and the Sean Tarry-Lyle Hewitson pairing is a champion combination in every sense of the word.

Temple Grafin is, on paper at any rate, the best horse in the race and seemingly there is no need to worry that the 8-1 shot hasn’t raced since she won the Debutante three months ago. “She is ready, she is working like a machine and she will run right up to her rating,” enthuses Glen Kotzen.

Lastly, if you are looking for a good price, Canukeepitsecret is provenly race-fit and her form is better than it looks. Admittedly she is unproven over the trip but at 12-1 you can’t have everything.

By Michael Clower