M.J. Byleveld, the latest in a line of leading jockeys sidelined by serious injury, has already resigned himself to missing out on the chance to win the Cape Guineas for a third successive year – but he is just thanking his lucky stars that he is not paralysed.

“Towards the end of August I was getting what felt like electric shocks that ran from my shoulder right through to my fingers,” he relates. The MRI scan showed such a serious picture that he was operated on the following morning. The disc between the C6 and C7 vertebrae was pushing into his spinal cord – hence the electric shocks – and the next fall could have driven the disc through the cord.

MJ Byleveld

“That would have made me quadriplegic, leaving me without the use of my arms and legs. The doctors said it was hard to pinpoint where the injury emanated from. I thought it was when a horse stumbled with me riding work at Summerveld in the Durban season but the doctors said it could have been that fall on the poly at Greyville in July last year.”

On that occasion he was hammered into the hard surface at 50kph and, although the only obvious injury was a broken thumb, apparently there could have been other damage that was not detected at the time.

“They did an MRI scan but only on my brain – I was complaining about dizziness and a pain in my neck – and the specialist said the subsequent Summerveld fall could have affected the damage because I was sore and getting worse and worse.”

In three months’ time the specialist will study up to date x-rays and scans to assess whether further rest is necessary. Byleveld,37, is no stranger to injury and, while he acknowledges that he won’t suffer too much financially (“I know there are issues with some insurance companies not wanting jockeys but I am very well covered”), missing the likes of One World and Tap O’Noth hurts more than the injuries . “It’s not nice – a jockey’s life can be a hard one even though it’s a good one.”

How the other half live

When the likes of Byleveld, Greg Cheyne and Ryan Munger ride in PE they fly out that morning and get the plane back soon after the last race. It’s a luxury that Luyolo (Louis) Mxothwa can seldom afford. When he went there for last Friday’s Fairview meeting he took the 7.00pm bus from Cape Town on the Thursday evening and arrived in PE at 7.00am, dozing off intermittently through the night. He then rode work for local trainers before riding in six races and treating himself to a flight back so that he could ride work on Saturday before taking four mounts at Durbanville.

“Sometimes the flights on Friday are too expensive so I come back on Saturday morning, drive or take the bus again but getting back on Saturday affects my work schedule.”

Mxothwa,25, son of a groom at Fred Crabbia’s former stud, has made a flying start to the season. He is eighth on the national log with 15 winners and in PE he is second only to Cheyne. He was based there for much of his apprenticeship and had a lot of success for Justin Snaith but he moved to Cape Town just under a year ago.

“Glen Kotzen asked me to go him for the season and said he would help me with rides. I am still riding for him and I still go to his place to ride work but I am also riding work at Milnerton and Philippi when arrangements with Glen permit.”

He can comfortably do 54kg and has been taken on by Rob Champion who also acts for Corne Orffer and Donovan Dillon and is impressed by his latest protégé: “Louis is one of the most under-rated jockeys now riding. Just look at his strike rate – and this season he has taken PE by storm.”

This year’s Met runner-up Last Winter leaves Newmarket for Dubai this week and Dean Kannemeyer reckons the break has done him good.

“He has still only raced six times – he was very backward as a two-year-old which has proved to be a blessing in disguise – but he is now maturing nicely.”

The five-year-old will be Kannemeyer’s first Dubai runner but last year’s Durban July winner Marinaresco will be the latest in a year-on-year succession of them for Mike de Kock. “The horse has now been in Dubai for a month. He is happy out there and he is doing well,” says Marsh Shirtliff in whose colours the horse races. “If he is ready he just might go to Hong Kong for the Longines International meeting in December but I doubt it. He is in Dubai for the Carnival.”

By Michael Clower

Turffontein Tuesday Tips and Race Previews by Andrew Harrison

Race 1
Preview: Tricky opener. Of those that have run, FARARANGA (2) has shown flashes of ability. She was a fair second last time out and a repeat should be good enough to see her in the firing line again. ESKIMO KISSES (7) is a nicely bred first timer from a very much in form yard with Gavin Lerena up. Any market support should be respected. RED TARA (4) has shown some ability and can finish in the money. (Andrew Harrison: 7-2-4).

Race 2
Preview: Another tricky race with a number unraced. Of those that have run DREAM ON (3) has not been far back in three outings and experience could count. Piere Strydom stays with SHEZAHOTTI (4) who does show some ability and could prefer this shorter trip. BLOSSOM (7) is an exceptionally well bred first timer. The trip on debut should suit. Watch for any market support. EVER FAIR (9) raced green on debut and should come on from that effort. (Andrew Harrison: 7-3-4-9).

Race 3
Preview: LIBERADO (2) has been knocking at the door for some time now. He was a beaten odds-on chance over course and distance last time out and can make amends. RIVONIA BOULEVARD (5) returns from a break but has been consistent over shorter. He should much prefer this trip and can race fresh. SHADOW MAN (3) has been racing over further. He does show some ability and the shorter trip could suit. LEFT HOOK (1) returns from a long break but has shown ability and is one to watch in the market. (Andrew Harrison: 2-5-3-1).

Race 4
Preview: OSSETRA (8) has been knocking at the door for some time now. Her best recent run was over course and distance and a repeat should see her close. ANGELIC (9) was not far back over course and distance but does have a wide draw to contend with. Ignore BIG MYTH’S (5) last run. She had shown promise before that and is lightly raced. (Andrew Harrison: 8-9-5-1).

Race 5
Preview: VINE STREET STAR (1) has her first outing for a new stable after a lengthy break. But she has done well in strong company and can go close even under this big weight. ARIKEL (8) is lightly raced but was a promising second last start. ILLEGAL (2) has her third run after a lengthy break and should strip close to her peak. She caught the eye when not too far back last time out. OPERA (5) was narrowly beaten last run and a repeat can see her go close. (Andrew Harrison: 1-8-2-5).

Race 6
Preview: WILLIAM THE SILENT (1) has not been out since May but if anywhere near his best should have this field cold at the weights. ROYAL CAVAIER (2) was a beaten favourite in an Assessment Plate last time out but was not too far back. He can make amends here. SHUFOOG (8) may well have needed her last outing in another Assessment Plate. She is a lightly raced four-year-old who looks set to improve. TOP MAST (5) has been improving all the time. Goes well this trip and should be right there. (Andrew Harrison: 1-8-5-2).

Race 7
Preview: D’ARRIVEE (3) was a smart second to the highly rated Pietro Mascagni and looks the part here. NORLAND (6) was a comfortable winner of an Assessment Plate and Strydom sticks with the gelding in spite of declaring 1 kg over-weight. WHITEHAVEN (5) returns from a break but may well have been outclassed last time out. MAKE YOUR MOVE (7) was a good second in an Assessment Plate last start. He has a light weight and can feature again although he does take on stronger here. (Andrew Harrison: 3-6-5-7).

Race 8
Preview: Johan Janse van Vuuren has been in good form of late and appears to have primed his string for the Highveld spring season. TORIO LAKE (5) made a good come-back run after a lengthy break and should come on from that effort. GUNSTON (1) was a modest fourth over shorter last start and should enjoy this trip if his pedigree is anything to go on.  He could ‘smoke’ home. SLEEP IN SEATTLE (2) is always game and with Strydom up must be respected. Visiting CARDIFF CASTLE (7) takes a major drop in trip but he is a visitor who could surprise. (Andrew Harrison: 5-1-2-7).

It is with great sadness the news of the sudden passing of Raymond Rogers (66) this morning, 8 October 2018.

Raymond was travelling with Bloodstock SA’s Michael Holmes to film Ready-to-Run gallops on the Highveld when he suffered a massive heart attack at OR Tambo International Airport and, despite the best efforts of a team of paramedics, he was declared deceased shortly thereafter.

Raymond enjoyed an illustrious career as Executive TV Producer for Gold Circle and Tellytrack, in recent years responsible for Gold Circle TV and Winning Ways. He was due for retirement at the end of December. He will be sadly missed by all his colleagues at Gold Circle and our thoughts and prayers go out to family and friends.

Apart from horse racing, soccer was Raymond’s first sporting love and he was an active qualified National Football League referee during his younger days.

It is quite within the realms of possibility that the big crowd at Durbanville on Saturday will be able to say that they saw the winners of both the Queen’s Plate and the Cape Guineas in action that day.

Rainbow Bridge and One World both extended their unbeaten records to four and the former was almost unbelievably impressive in the World Sports Betting Matchem Stakes, finishing with the sort of acceleration shown by wonder horse Winx at Flemington earlier in the day.

Bernard Fayd’Herbe, winning the Matchem for the first time, was suitably impressed and said: “He is an exciting horse with a turn of foot which is where he wins his races. He still gets a bit revved up behind the pens, and down at the start I was a bit concerned because it took him a while to switch off, but with racing he is going to get better.”

But the man who has exercised so much skill and patience with Chris Gerber’s Ideal World gelding (remember how the horse was rested for three months and then a further six when he went repeatedly and unaccountably lame) didn’t even see the race.

Rainbow Bridge (Liesl King)

Eric Sands was in the departure lounge at Cape Town airport about to board a plane for the States when it was due off and, to his bitter disappointment, found that all the screens were showing the South Africa-New Zealand rugby international. He tried to persuade the viewers that events on Channel 239 were more exciting but they refused to switch over.

Once he heard the result from assistant Helen Richardson, and the spectacular manner in which it was achieved, he was making plans and said: “The objectives are the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and the Sun Met, and he might go for the WSB Green Point (December 8) but the programme is not ideal so I might look at the Premier Trophy (December 15).”

Tap O’Noth, who was giving Rainbow Bridge 2kg, finished well to take fourth, beaten less than two lengths, and Anton Marcus reported: “He ran out of real estate – it was too short for him – but he would have been second in another few metres.”

Marcus was mightily taken with the way One World plucked victory from the jaws of defeat in the WSB First Deposit Match Progress Plate, and rightly so because the favourite battled back like a real racehorse when Kasimir appeared to have him beaten a furlong out.

“Wow. That was a testament to the horse’s courage,” exclaimed the four-time champion. “Kasimir passed me and went three-quarters of a length up. I resigned myself to finishing second and then mine fought back doggedly.”

“It was a wonderful run and a fantastic win,” added Vaughan Marshall. “He was way out of the weights and people were criticising us for running him here but we had to start somewhere and there wasn’t anything in the programme.

“I will have a look at the Cape Classic (October 27) but he gets extra weight after this win and the 1 400m might be a bit short for him. The mile of the Concord Cup (November 24 when it replaces the Selangor) might be more suitable.”

But what Fayd’Herbe had to say does slightly temper the Guineas enthusiasm for One World. Asked if he thought Kasimir had it won when he headed One World, the jockey replied: “No. The 1 400m was a bit far for my horse and he got tired.”

Fayd’Herbe won the WSB Diana on 11-1 chance Love To Boogie but Andre Nel, winning the Grade 3 for the second time in three seasons, said: “I was a bit surprised – she galloped here two weeks ago and I thought she needed it – but I am hoping she will go the distance of the Maine Chance Paddock Stakes. I will give her a prep over a mile before that.”

Harold Crawford has made a flying start to the season and Dynamite Jack (Greg Cheyne) was win number seven from just 24 runners – “I reckon I have the highest percentage of winners to runners of any trainer in South Africa.”

BLOB Aldo ‘Usain’ Domeyer comfortably made it five wins in six seasons in the Jockeys’ Chase despite an extraordinary performance from the official starter. Greg Cheyne positioned himself halfway up the 100m course but, once he dropped the flag, he turned and ran for the line. He finished second with the winner commenting drily: “Greg normally shows no pace.” Maybe next year they will have a stipe as well.

By Michael Clower

Punters got off to a favourable start at Greyville yesterday with the Louis Goosen-trained Little Winter ridden to victory by Eric Ngwane. The daughter of What a Winter travelled wide coming into the straight but managed a convincing victory, finishing strongly into the closing stages. Fancied runners continue to roll in with Anton Marcus winning on the 1-4 shot Coyote Girl in the second.

It wasn’t long until the bomb dropped in race three with Chere’s Joy winning at odds of 75-1 which was a knockout blow for favourite backers in the opening leg on the Pick 6. The PA also begun to grow nicely with Adorned by Beauty and Starlight filling in the minor placings and both fancied runners Champagne Gold and Roy’s Novice finishing further down field.

Little Winter (Anneke Akal Kitching)

The day continued to get tougher with Epic Sword claiming the fourth race at a price of 25-1 under a strong driving ride from Stuart Randolf. The gaps failed to open for the unlucky Queen’s Plain who only managed second and could be one to watch on her next outing.

The combination of Anton Marcus and Johan Janse van Vuuren’s rich vein of form continued in the fifth where punters were finally given a lifeline with Ancient Spirit which taken to the extreme outside running rail to win going away. Bon Bon can be considered a touch unlucky as the gap closed abruptly at a crucial stage and he flew up to finish third which was an eye-catching run.

Boeing City from the Garth Puller yard met a much stronger field this time round but did everything that was expected of her winning going away in the FM 84 Handicap over the sprint trip of 1000m for apprentice Serino Moodley who has partnered her in all three of her victories. The daughter of Sail From Seattle looks to be improving with every start and could be one to watch. The second placed Essenceoflife only got going when the race was over as it looked like Kanye Sakayi had his reins tangled up coming into the straight followed by Dame Commander who finished third.

As the saying goes, the smaller the field the the upset, as Rich Harvest romped home for trainer Greg and Karen Anthony in the seventh. In what looked bigger to be an armchair ride for Muzi Yeni Rich Harvest scored by four lengths and returned a healthy R14.70 on the tote.

It’s was a tough day for punters overall as there were only 1.73 Pick 6 tickets going into the last and 1.24 on Brandon Lerena’s mount Carefree who duly obliged. The Dennis Bosch trained daughter of Marchfield had an easy lead and gave a good kick into the straight to pull away from her rivals. The Pick 6 paid a massive 1.18 million.

By Devonne Govender

Tap O’Noth has statistics as well as the form book on his side in the World Sports Betting Matchem Stakes at Durbanville tomorrow. Four-year-olds have won five of the last six runnings and the favourite has been successful in three of the last five.

Anton Marcus’s mount, who has drifted from 8-10 to a more realistic 12-10 with the sponsors, has not won a race since his Cape Guineas triumph last December but he made the frame in all three Durban starts and, while Vaughan Marshall says that this 1 400m is really too short, he has taken the precaution of fitting blinkers – not so much to sharpen the horse up but “because he tends to lose interest early on.” The main negative is that he has to give weight all round.

Tap O’ Noth (Liesl King)

The only other four-year-olds in the field are the 22-1 outsider Bernie and the unbeaten second favourite Rainbow Bridge who has not raced for over four months but has already been supported from 4-1 to 3-1. “I haven’t got him at his peak and he is not drawn well,” says Eric Sands who, even so, would not be all that surprised to see the gelding extend his unbeaten record.

If the stats end up proving irrelevant tomorrow the horse most likely to be the cause is 11-2 chance Fifty Cents who has a kilo to spare over the favourite on adjusted merit ratings. He is so effective here that he has won on all his four previous visits. Very much against the six-year-old is his 11 draw but Justin Snaith will not insist that Richard Fourie ‘gives him a chance’ – tactics which might work but which equally could prove fatal if Anton Marcus’s mount keeps up the gallop.

“I will leave all that to Richard,” says the champion trainer. “The horse is very well and he is a big runner but the draw is a problem and we will have our work cut out.”

Of the others Premier Trophy winner Milton has a better chance than his 25-1 price would suggest although Billy Prestage believes the trip is on the short side. Our Mate Art (10-1) won last year but it is hard to see him following up. Copper Force (14-1) has, theoretically anyway, as big a chance on ratings as the favourite but the latter should win.

Marcus’s mount Goodtime Gal is 3-1 favourite to become the first dual winner of the WSB Diana Stakes since Forest Ivory 17 years ago and Mike Robinson reports her on song – “I took her to Durbanville for a gallop last Thursday. She is fit and very well.”

Love To Boogie (11-2) is best on adjusted ratings. Lesedi La Rona (13-2) is the only unbeaten horse in the field and the only three-year-old. Candice Bass-Robinson is using this as a stepping stone to the Western Cape Fillies Championship.

But the vote goes to Angel’s Trumpet who might have little chance on ratings but she won hands and heels easing up over this course and distance last time and she really appeals despite being cut to 7-2.

By Michael Clower

Soqrat had tongues wagging after he concluded his two-year-old career on a high, winning the Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes at Greyville, putting a high-class field to bed in impressive fashion.

Mike de Kock’s colt makes his seasonal debut in the Gr2 Joburg Spring Challenge at Turffontein tomorrow and faces the acid test against some smart older opposition. Just how he fares should give some indication of his chances in this season’s classics.

The Spring Challenge is the traditional opener for the Highveld summer season and trainers have stepped out a few of their big guns in both the Spring Challenge and the fillies and mares equivalent.

Soqrat suffered his only defeat last season when touched off by stable companion and Dubai-bound Barahin in the Golden Horseshoe, the latter winning under an inspired ride by Bernard Fayd’Herbe.

Soqrat (JC Photographics)

A well beaten second in the Premiers was another stable companion, Alyaasaat, who made a winning debut this season beating Iditarod Trail comfortably. He is in receipt of 2kg from Soqrat but given current form he still looks held.

Of the older runners, Africa Rising and New Predator look the pick but could be hard-pressed to beat their younger rivals who ooze class.

The best weighted runner is the multiple Argentinian-bred Gr1 winner Hat Puntano. He arrived in this country with a big reputation but has not made much of an impression since his arrival barring a smart effort second time out when beating Social Order.

Mike Azzie ascribed that win to a change of bit but Hat Puntano subsequently disappointed in two further outings, the last in the L’Oramarins Queens Plate behind Legal Eagle.

That was back in January. He is obviously talented and if Azzie has him in the right space tomorrow he is upset material.

Joey Ramsden has successfully raided the Highveld on numerous occasions and got his latest foray off to a winning start with Rose In Bloom. She was most impressive when getting the better of Rings And Things over tomorrow’s course and distance and with some smart Western Cape form to back her credentials she can take toll on some useful opposition, many of whom are returning from a break, including Gr1 SA Fillies Classic winner Takingthepeace.

Mike de Kock’s filly has not been out since the SA Oaks back in May, a race that may have proven to be beyond her compass. Prior to that she had won the first two legs of the Triple Tiara. She is definitely a class act and tomorrow’s trip should not be beyond her racing fresh. However, she does take time to build up a head of steam and the inside track could see Rose In Bloom home before she gets into full stride.

By Andrew Harrison

With Anthony Delpech side-lined, possibly permanently after his tragic and debilitating fall last season, and a dearth of opposition in the ranks, Anton Marcus has had free rein picking the plums in KZN.

Delpech kept the rivalry honest, but as a one-man business Marcus has no peers among our jockey ranks. A rider of undoubted talent and an astute student of form, no agents for him, and as any trainer will attest, if Marcus calls for a ride you know you may have done something right.

Marcus has booked himself a top book of rides on the Greyville poly this evening. Some may end up false favourites but he has a number of strong mounts for local trainers and visiting trainer Johan Janse van Vuuren has also tapped into his talent and the pair can make hay to night.

River Ayre (Candiese Marnewick)

The combination should get off to a winning start with El Sereno in the first although the gelding is deep in the red and probably not a betting proposition unless you are in to buying money. El Sereno has made steady improvement since making his debut back in May and came from way back to run second last time out. He looks cherry-ripe for this contest where Gordonstoun is the most likely threat. Duncan Howells was of the opinion that his charge was one-paced over the shorter sprint last time out and he can prove better over the extra furlong.

Marcus teams up with the Van Vuuren runner Torrey Pines in the fourth. The lightly raced filly is rated lengths superior to any of the opposition according to the merit ratings and should win as far as you can hit a golf ball.

Van Vuuren and Marcus could well be on track for a winning treble with Mademoiselle in the sixth. She finished a close-up second to River Ayre last time out and who has subsequently franked that form with another victory and is one of the fancied runners in the tenth at Turffontein tomorrow.

Mademoiselle takes to the poly for the first time and although she faces a mixed bag, 11-10 in the ante-post market looks a fair reflection of her chances.

Marcus looks to have picked another plum in the form of Antony Hotspur in the second. Alistair Gordon’s gelding has come back well after fracturing a bone his hock first time out. Recently rested, he was beaten two short-heads in his come-back run and with Marcus and a good draw in his favour he looks the right one in what is a competitive handicap field.

The opening leg of the Pick 6 is a tough race. Blinkers are not always a magic trick but they worked for Nathan Kotzen’s runner Virtuous who made major improvement last time out. That form has held up although the race is still wide open. The Grey Crusader has threatened for some time and the booking of Marcus has him favourite in the ante-post betting but the race goes a lot deeper than that. Captain Snell shows some promise and is a must include in all bets.

By Andrew Harrison

Cape Guineas winner Tap O’Noth, who will wear blinkers for the first time, has been installed 8-10 favourite with the sponsors for the World Sports Betting Matchem Stakes at Durbanville on Saturday. Favourites have won three of the last five runnings.

Rainbow Bridge is second favourite at 4-1 to remain unbeaten while Fifty Cents is next and as big as 8-1 even though Richard Fourie’s mount has won on all his four previous visits to the course. Last year’s winner Our Mate Art is a 10-1 chance as he was 12 months ago.

Tap O’Noth (Liesl King)

Goodtime Gal, like Tap O’Noth to be ridden by Anton Marcus, is 3-1 favourite to repeat last year’s success in the WSB Diana Stakes with Freedom Charter, Angel’s Trumpet and the three-year-old Lesedi La Rona all sharing second favouritism on 9-2. Langerman winner One World, yet another big Marcus ride, is 5-10 for the First Deposit Match Progress Place.

Met winner Whisky Baron, fresh from that stunning second in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood, now travels to France for the Qatar Prix Dollar at Longchamp on Saturday. William Haggas has still to finalise riding arrangements for the Group 2 test.

Charles, a R6 million record-equaller when bought as a yearling for Sue Magnier and Markus Jooste, still races In Mrs Magnier’s dark blue but the Mayfair Speculators’ share has been taken over by Diane Nagle, Linda Shanahan, Dina Sherrell and B.L. Rae.

The colt managed only a well-beaten fourth behind runaway winner Hemmingway in the Settlers Trophy Handicap at Durbanville yesterday but Brett Crawford still had a good day with three winners including a future star in Front And Centre who started 15-10 favourite for the 1 400m fillies handicap and made up six lengths inside a furlong to win pulling up.

Anton Marcus said: “I am pretty excited about her. She is just so professional – she put herself into position.”

Crawford is now considering the Western Cape Fillies Championship at Kenilworth on the 28^th saying, with masterly understatement, “She is a very smart filly.”

The winner is owned by the Kieswetter brothers and the Ridgemont Highlands Stud of their father Wayne who piloted himself to the course in his own helicopter and who was also on the mark with stable companion Heaven’s Embrace in the 1 400m fillies maiden. The 4-1 newcomer showed an impressive turn of foot under Marcus.

Crawford said: “I expected her to run very well but not to win – she is still very immature and has a lot to learn. I will give her another run and then make a decision about plans 15-10“

By Michael Clower

Punters face a few tricky decisions at the Vaal tomorrow. There are a number of races that are impossible to predict with any confidence and there are a couple that look to be obvious bankers. The quandary is whether you take a chance and bank the like of Aeronautical in the seventh and Pachanga in the eight and load up in the other legs of the exotics, or do you load all legs with as much as finances allow.

The lightly raced Aeronautical out of the Mike and Adam Azzie yard has only had three starts and finished runner-up in his last two. He stays the trip well and if merit ratings are anything to go by, he should prove difficult to beat.

Mike Azzie

However, there are a pair of three-year-olds that caught the eye on debut and both are stepping up to a trip which, on pedigree anyway, looks more suitable. Blame Game comes from the powerful Sean Tarry yard and was staying on nicely on debut over 1400m while Popsicle Toes was only run out of it late when making his debut over 1800m. Both should improve so it may be prudent to include both to provide back-up to Aeronautical.

Pachanga has not been out of the money since joining Ashleigh Fortune’s yard but it is a little worrying that she never seems to make it past the eventual winner, finishing runner-up in her last five outings. She was touched off a piece of paper last time out and maybe this time Gavin Lerena can get her home as she tries 2000m for the first time.

These two will be popular exotic bet bankers for the smaller investor as they will be hard-pressed to get through the balance of the card unscathed.

The opening leg of the PA is an Assessment Plate for fillies and mares where Railtrip is likely to be a popular choice. However, Chesney van Zyl’s filly has shown her best form over further and is returning from a break which could open the door for the likes of the lightly raced Captain’s Princess who contested strong feature races last season. She is smart and at best should feature prominently along with Vivir, who should be more at home over this trip.

In the opening leg of the Pick 6 Bien Venue sprinted up well in his seasonal debut and has shown plenty of ability. The extra should also suit. Of the balance, Orpheus showed up well first time back after gelding. He is lightly raced but has potential. Deerupt takes on some useful males but cannot be written off even though she took a little time to shed her maiden. She has not been out of the money in five outings.

The fifth is a tough handicap made even more difficult it being a race exclusively for apprentice riders. Endofmarch started a short-priced favourite for his new stable but finished down-field but he had some useful Cape form before that and may be worth another chance. Pachuco came from a long way back to finish third last time out. He has a light weight and an experienced apprentice aboard. Gonnafly has been taking on stronger at recent outings. He takes another merit rating drop and with a 4kg claimer up can be dangerous while Trip To Paradise came from well back to finish in the money last run and a repeat should see him competitive again.

The sixth is wide open. Come The Day continues to improve and was a game winner last time out. He is bred for this trip and can follow up. Odd Rob is an obvious danger having been in the money in his last four. He was closing fast on Come The Day last time out but didn’t quite get there so there should not be much between these two again. American Indian tried to make all in that same race but faded late. Given a more patient ride he could do better. Psychic ran well below ability last start at Turffontein but his best showings have been on this course so can make amends

By Andrew Harrison