The Vaal Classic track is a fair track and offers form studiers the chance of deserved returns so they will be looking forward to tomorrow’s nine race meeting.

However, the card is made tricky by the first three legs of the exotics, which are all over 2400m, as staying events can throw upset results.

The PA starts with a MR 74 handicap over 2400m. The obvious horse is War Legend, an improving four-year-old gelding by Oratorio who has a win and a narrow second at two attempts at staying distances and is only two merit rated points higher than his last win. However, he is drawn widest of all in the seven horse field. Highlander has been running on strongly over 2000m in his last two starts and could be looking for this trip. Zeal And Zest has a chance of staying this trip being by Traffic Guard and this in form horse is only two points higher for his last win, although has a big weight of 60kg to lug.

Santa Vittoria (JC Photographics)

Big Parade ran a close second to Made To Conquer over 2000m at Kenilworth in June and now has his second run after a rest and gelding so could bounce back to form after a string of below par runs on the Highveld. Tapanzee is an enigmatic sort but has ability on his day and is only two points higher for his win last time over 2850m. Miyoshi is drawn in pole and is interesting stepped up to this trip being by the stayer Admire Main. King Of Chaos will need to improve on his Highveld form to date.

The first leg of the Pick 6 is a Maiden for fillies over 2400m. Lalia and Lana Turner are progressive sorts and have the best form so a chance is taken that they are enough to get punters through all of the exotics. One Dollar Massage is the joker in the pack a she might enjoy the step up in trip being by Await The Dawn out of a Jet Master mare who won over 2000m.

The first leg of the Jackpot is a Middle Stakes for fillies and mares over 2400m. Sailor Girl is out of Gold Cup winner Colonial Girl and ran on well to won her first attempt at a staying distance last time. She is drawn in pole and is officially the best weighted horse, although she does have to carry 60kg, which won’t be easy considering she beat the boys last time carrying just 52kg. Just A Jet is a capable sort and has a win and a third in two starts over course and distance and should be involved. Her habit of starting slowly might pan out in her favour in this small field as she will be able to slot in behind them and has a good turn of foot. Glamarous Scandal is 7,5kg better off with Sailor Girl for a 2,9 length beating over 2000m and being by Traffic Guard has a chance of staying this trip. However, she will have to put her last two disappointing starts behind her.

In the fifth race Santa Vittoria caught the eye when winning her maiden over this 2000m trip and she ran well first time out the maidens so can do well here from pole position. Mambo Model won well when stepped up to this trip last time and off a four point higher mark from a good draw can be involved again. Gottalottaluv has some class and her last race was all wrong so from a draw of two she can’t be ignored.

In the sixth race over 1800m Elegancia goes for a hattrick. She is four points higher in the merit ratings after her win last week. The Cape Town horses often have suppressed merit ratings due to the superior strength of the racing there and a succession of victories is feasible. She has gone close over 2000m before so should stay the trip and looks to be a possible banker, although her wide draw is a concern. Beautiful Shay was most disappointing last time and from pole position off an attractive two point lower merit rating this able front-runner warrants consideration. Angelic Appeal went close the last time she had a good draw and she is the other one who can be included.

In the seventh Winter’s Forge is thrown in at the weights and the only question is whether she will stay the trip. She has a lot of speed, but did do well over 1400m in her penultimate start and on pedigree will stay the trip as she is by Western Winter and is a three-parts sister to a horse which won a Listed race over 1900m. If there is to be an upset it could come from Pearl Of Bahrain, who has been disappointing since showing early promise. She is drawn well over an ideal trip and is distance suited.

The last race has a banker consideration in Choir Singer, a scopey sort who will relish the step up to 1600m and she is well drawn. The risk averse can also include Ration My Passion who is well drawn and has her third run after a rest and second run with blinkers over a suitable trip.

By David Thiselton

After making a smart debut, Celebration Rock was tossed in at the deep end by Paul Lafferty when taking on winners and feature company at only his second start. Very little went right in the race, a tardy start and green from an outside draw, but back in maiden company the Australian import can make amends in the first at Scottsville today.

Anton Marcus takes over in the saddle and Lafferty has declared blinkers on his charge. Given his excellent debut over course and distance his host of connections could be celebrating in the winner’s enclosure.

But this may not be plain sailing. Apprentice Khanya Sakayi is riding with supreme confidence at present and although he lost his 4kg claim on Sunday and Louis Goosen’s filly only gets a 2.5kg relief, she looks primed to make a bold bid.

Vi Va Pi Pa did not get the best of passages when pitted against winners at second time of asking, also her first race over ground. It was probably a calculated risk by trainer Sean Tarry, that race being on Super Saturday, the penultimate day of last season.

Roy’s Magic (Candiese Marnewick)

Vi Va Pi Pa could prove a better proposition over today’s 1400m trip.

Goosen saddles the most obvious danger in Linnger Longer. His filly has been building up slowly to a point where she appears cherry-ripe for Sakayi to continue on his winning streak.

The Blinkers Bar Maiden Plate is something of a punter’s mine-field with a number of runners having solid form to back their claims. There appears to be little between Julie Dittmer’s pair of Purple And Gold and Chatty Cathy while Asiana and Queen Makeda both have promising form, the latter having her third run after a break and being fitted with a tongue-tie.

However, The Duncan Howells yard is starting to hit form and Little Audrey looks primed for this race. She was running on strongly from well back behind Shadow Hunter and although Purple And Gold and Queen Makeda both finished ahead of her on that occasion, the step up in trip could see that form reversed. Writing on his website, Howells said there were concerns aver the filly settling in her race but barring that, should run very well.

The Track & Ball Gaming Maiden has attracted a modest field where Belfry and Prince Ardent look the principal contenders. Belfry has battling Highveld form but did finish runner-up at the Vaal last week and the step up in trip could finally see him home. Blinkers have obviously not had the desired effect on Prince Ardent and they come off today. Roberts has kept the gelding to the poly for all of his recent races and the switch to turf could bring out the best in him.

Shane Humby has had a string of runner-up places over the past fortnight but Neala can go one better for the Ashburton trainer in the sixth. The mare was coming off a long break when ‘winning’ her barrier trial and it was an impressive performance as Tristan Godden never let the mare off the bit to get home ahead of Township Melody – the latter franking that showing by winning next time out.

Neala does shoulder a hefty 62.5kg against some quick opposition so is no certainty by a long chalk and the likes of Gratuity, Di Mazzio and Pata Pata all warrant serious consideration.

Roy’s Magic revelled with the sting out of the ground to win comfortably last time out and with some rain forecast for today Kom Naidoo’s gelding can go in again in a competitive handicap where Silver Cent and Edge Of The Sun look lively threats.

High Altar is a highly-strung mare but Howells appears to have got on top of her and she can round off the meeting with her third win on the bounce. High Altar shoulders joint top weight but is down in class. There is a concern that she may over-race from an outside draw but if she settles she can get the better of Cosima and Mark My Card who has tumbled in the ratings.

By Andrew Harrison

Plans to send African Night Sky to Dubai for next year’s World Cup Carnival have been scuppered after the horse damaged a tendon.

African Night Sky (Candiese Marnewick)

The Vodacom Durban July favourite was due to be put into quarantine in Cape Town and would then make his way to Dubai where he would join the Mike de Kock yard.

When he arrived in Cape Town they discovered the injury and it seems to have happened while the horse was in transit from Durban.

Fred Crabbia’s horse is with Dean Kannemeyer in Cape Town while they decide on his future.

“He will definitely be out of action for at least the whole summer,” said Kannemeyer. “He will be sent to the farm for the next few months to give him time to recuperate and then we’ll have to take it from there.”

It was disappointing for De Kock as African Night Sky had the class to do a bit of damage at the Carnival. “The new horses for me will be Marinaresco, who will be coming in from the UK, as well as Yakeen and Royal Crusade,” said De Kock.

African Night Sky had been with Justin Snaith and was one of his five runners in the Durban July. He went off as favourite but Grant van Niekerk was never able to overcome a wide draw and the slow pace did not do him any favours either. In the end he finished fifth behind stable companion Do It Again.

– TABnews

Glen Kotzen expects Cape Derby winner Eyes Wide Open to prove his main hope for the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and the Sun Met.

The four-year-old was the early favourite for the Durban July but was quickly ruled out and he did not reappear until taking sixth in a Listed handicap on July day. He then finished third in the World Sports Betting Champions Cup.

Eyes Wide Open (Candiese Marnewick)

Kotzen explained: “Although he pulled up sound after winning the Derby (beating July winner Do It Again by a length and three-quarters) we saw signs of a chip when we x-rayed his fetlock.

“If we hadn’t done anything about it that chip would have come away on his first gallop in Durban and he would have been out for the season. So we removed it and gave him time off.

“He came back strong and we said then that if we could get him right for just one race that race would be the Champions Cup – and we were delighted with the way he ran. His targets now are the Queen’s Plate and the Met.

“He looks like being our main hope. Gold Standard (fourth in last year’s Met) has been retired and will stand at Drakenstein while Pack Leader (third in the Cape Derby) is going to have a break in the first part of the season and we will send him up to Johannesburg after the Met.”

Kotzen is also hoping for something special to emerge from his 30 still unraced three-year-olds, saying: “With a bit of luck something will pop up out of the woodwork because there are some really nice horses among them and I am excited about their prospects.”

By Michael Clower

Australian legend Winx made history at Randwick on Saturday when breaking Black Caviar’s record of 25 straight victories by winning the race named in her honour, the Group 1 weight for age A$500,000 Winx Stakes over 1400m.

The seven-year-old daughter of Street Cry proved in the process she is deserving of her status as best racehorse in the world as the race didn’t pan out well for her but she still romped home by two lengths under regular pilot Hugh Bowman.

Winx was having her first start since April and started at odds of 1/4. Her chief market rival was the highly regarded Godolphin-trained Group 1 Randwick Guineas winner Kementari. This four-year-old Lonhro colt started at 5/1 and was ridden by ex-pat South African Glyn Schofield.

Winx (Bronwen Healy)

Winx did not break exceptionally well and was in the back half of the field, two lengths behind Kementari. Bowman moved her alongside Kementari at the halfway mark and she was thus trapped wide. Kementari then moved around horses for a run meaning Winx was carried very wide into the 400m straight. The leaders had meanwhile stolen a march down the inside. A lesser horse would have had little chance of making up the five lengths or so she was still required to do and this proved to be the case with Kementari. However, her machine-like stride carried her forward and by the 200m mark she had hit top gear. She was still two lengths down and it was now clear she was going to make up the deficit. By the 100m mark she had hit the front and she won easing up.

An examination of the sectional times is further evidence Winx’s speed and power isn’t diminishing with age.

She ran the final 600m in a stunning 32.33s (wind-assisted), easily the fastest closing sectional of the day despite having to make her run wide out on a track where those on the inside were favoured.

Between the 400m and 200m, Winx was timed to run a blistering 10.48s sectional as she sprinted to the lead and even though Bowman eased up on the great mare 50m out, she still ran her final 200m in 10.79s.

“Her greatest attributes are her will-to-win and her ability to sustain high speed,’’ Bowman said.

Waller indicated Winx won’t race again until the Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on September 15. Winx also became the 14th horse to cross the line first 30 or more times in a career. She broke the world record number of Group 1 wins in March and has now won a further two to make it 19 in all.

Winx’s record-breaking achievements will be celebrated with her image on a A$1 postage stamp available from next week. Coincidentally, this 19th Group 1 success came on the foal date of Black Caviar, who was born exactly 12 years earlier. Winx’s connections have avoided an overseas campaign in favour of going for a record-breaking fourth consecutive Cox Plate, which is Australia’s most prestigious weight for age event.

It is run over 2040m at Moonee Valley racecourse in Melbourne in late October and with a stake of A$5million is Australias’s second richest weight for age race. The great Phar Lap won it twice and all of Winx, Kingston Town (1980-1982), Rising Fast (1954-1956) and Chatham (1932-1934) have won it three times in succession.

Monee Valley is a highly unusual track as it is rectangular in shape but one of the short sides is used as the straight. It is only 1805m in circumference and the straight is a mere 173m long, the shortest in Australia. Yet the best horse invariably wins the Cox Plate. An explanation is that the pace is always hot and the best horses manage to get on to the back of the “trains” which are caused by horses going wide towards the end of the back straight in order to get a run.

Winx is trained by New Zealand-born Chris Waller, whose headquarters are at Rosehill in Sydney, but he also has bases in Flemington, Warwick Farm and on the new Gold Coast in Queensland.

She was sold as a yearling for $230,000 at the 2013 Magic Millions Gold Coast sale. She was part of a draft of horses from Coolmore Stud and was selected by Mulcaster Bloodstock to be purchased “to a budget” by a partnership of Magic Bloodstock Racing (owned by Peter Tighe and his wife Patty), Richard Treweeke and Debbie Kepitis. As her dam is named Vegas Showgirl, the partners named the filly for a Las Vegas burlesque show from the 1970s and 1980s. She races in Magic Bloodstock’s silks: dark blue with white epaulettes and a large white “M”.

Her earnings of A$19,290,420 is an Australian record.

By David Thiselton

The Vaal Inside track stages a nine race meeting tomorrow and any draw bias must be noted in the early races, although the low draws are usually favourable on this course.

The first race is interesting as it features the Sean Tarry-trained Perfect Pursuit, who is a full-brother to King’s Temptress, who won the SA Fillies Nursery on debut at odds of over 100-1 a few years ago. He jumps from a nice low draw with Keagan de Melo up. Tycoon is the choice to be the first home of the raced horses as he is a scopey sort who should come on from his fair debut when running out of steam late.

The next race is the first of the Assessment Plates to be run and the improved Strawberry Pavlova looks set to beat Nautic Spirit. The young horses Sally Called and La Lucia look to have promise but have it quite tough at the weights and Free and Easy also showed promise in her first two starts but now returns from a long layoff.

In the first leg of the PA Elusive Coral and Dream On have both shown promise and have scope for improvement, while Bullsade is an older horse with some hard-knocking form who is drawn number one. That trio should get punters through.

Peppermint Tea (JC Photographics)

The first leg of the Pick 6 over 1200m sees the promising Operetta going for a hattrick. She looked a picture before her last start and although not an imposing sort at all she romped to a 3,25 length victory. On the downside the form is questionable and she was given a seven point raise. Esploratore looks to be a progressive sort and she was staying on well over 1160m last time from a tricky low draw. Her highish draw here is not ideal but she should be in the mix. Gold Dawn is the type who can stay on well over this trip and she could have come on from her last start which followed a three-and-a-half month layoff. Colombina always catches the eye in the preliminaries and as one with speed who has stayed on over this trip before she will be a threat from a nice draw. Last Girl Standing made a fair comeback from a seven month layoff last time and if recapturing her best form has a chance.

In the next leg over 1200m Peppermint Tea showed last time she is at her best when held up over this sort of trip and producing a late rattle. She looks to be coming into her own too having turned four and can follow up despite being given a five point raise. La Bastide drops in class here and will be a lively contender over a trip she is effective over. These two stand out on form and a chance is taken that they can get punters through the exotics.

In the sixth race over 1000m Copper Jay is taken to win as a progressive distance suited horse who is drawn on the right side. He looked the winner last time so will appreciate the step back from 1200m to 1000m and is a banker consideration. However, Brigtnumberten is a useful sprinter who drops in class and this consistent sort has a nice low draw too. Isphan has speed and class on his day and can never be ignored. Pillaroftheearth has always been well regarded and his last run suggests he is coming into his own. Greasepaint is an evergreen sort who has now dropped back to a competitive mark so he could also be a candidate.

The seventh over 1400m should see In The Game staying on over an ideal distance off a mark just two points higher than his last win. Seventh Rule is interesting as he has a lot of speed and managed to hang on in his maiden over this trip. He will appreciate the step down in trip from the 1600m he tried last time and since his maiden win, in just two more starts, he has been dropped eight points by the handicapper so has a shout. Hideaway could be involved if ridden more conservatively. Sovereign Rein has fine recent form and this is his best trip, but his high draw could be a concern. River Ayre ran well the last time he tried this trip and has the number one draw which is plum by trends.

The eighth over 1400m could be fought out by a trio who stand out on form and distance suitability. They are Monty Python, Private Ruler and the mare Quebec Queen. The risk averse should look for more contenders as it is by no means cut and dried.

The last race over 1700m is a maiden but it is still tough. Wishing Stone is chosen as a PA banker as he was staying on well in a fair field last time over 1450m and will relish the step up in trip. However, Robusto looks to have scope for improvement and has a plum draw as opposed to last time over 1800m when having to be dropped out before running on. Skiminac has the best form and is drawn in pole but returns from a long layoff.

By David Thiselton

Justin Snaith has ruled out suggestions that he might send horses to Johannesburg for the Sansui Summer Cup and other valuable features in the first half of the season as he seeks to retain his trainers’ championship.

He said: “I have tried this before and it’s simply not worth it. I have to take 50kg off a horse in order to run it at altitude. Often the horses come back sore and it can do irreparable damage. They could pay the stakes as US dollars and it still wouldn’t be worth it!”

Ridgemont was the buyer of the R1.2 million Pathfork filly that topped last week’s National 2-Y-O sale and racing manager Craig Carey confirmed at the weekend that the Highlands-consigned filly will be trained by Brett Crawford who signed the docket.

The R90 246 average was 11.7% up on last year but well short of the 2016 figure of R120 808.

By Michael Clower

Featured Image: Brett Crawford (Liesl King)

Ridgemont intend producing more of the calibre of Front And Centre in the next few weeks and their runners could prove profitable for Anton Marcus followers.

“We are hoping that some of the fillies will prove good enough to compete in the big races in the Cape season,” said racing manager Craig Carey at Kenilworth on Saturday. “So it’s nice for Anton to get a feel of them and know if they are going to be good enough.”

Front And Centre in the TAB Telebet Maiden was the four-time champion’s first Ridgemont-retained winner and she drifted from 5-1 to what turned out a richly rewarding 11-1, making up three lengths inside 150m to win going away by a length and a half.

Ostinato (Liesl King)

Marcus said: “I didn’t want to get after her too soon as Brett asked me to ride her to finish. This cut into my normal riding instructions as I like to get the run of things. She is a very nice filly but incredibly immature and going down to the start I thought she was probably going to need it.”

Crawford, also on the mark with Hudoo Magic later, thinks a lot of the half-sister to Potala Palace and said: “Her two grass gallops were exceptional, she has heaps of improvement to come and she has the pedigree to go further.”

Sandile Mbhele was at the forefront of much of the rest of the action and landed his first treble (at 353-1) on his three rides for Vaughan Marshall who was understandably full of praise, saying: “He is a rider with a lot of talent and I think he is going places.”

In some ways the most interesting of the three Marshall winners was The Silva Fox in the Interbet.co.za Handicap because Etienne Braun’s gelding was still a maiden.

Running maidens in handicaps is quite common in some European countries but it is relatively rare in South Africa. However Marshall said: “More people should do it because you get the weight advantage. I myself have often done it, especially over ground.

Mbhele, now on the 26-winner mark, had to sweat on it for quarter of an hour while the stipes deliberated whether he should keep the Tabonline.co.za Maiden on Sandy Sport after his mount had carried Carlas Mambo halfway across the course.

Richard Fourie on the neck runner-up lodged an objection for intimidation and interference. The head-on in the boardroom showed two incidents. In the first the apprentice had his whip in his left (ie wrong) hand but by the time of the second one he had pulled it through to the correct hand.

Stipe and ex-jockey Nick Shearer explained that they decided to let the result stand because the winner had started his run behind the second horse, the verdict was a neck rather than a head and, above all, that under the rules they had to be satisfied that the second would have won had there been no interference – and they could not be certain of this.

Justin Snaith, trainer of Carlas Mambo, did not have his expected field day and had to be content with only the first in which Clouded Hill led a one-two- three despite losing a front shoe. Bountiful Strength ran so badly in this – he finished over six lengths last – that Joey Ramsden promptly scratched all his remaining five runners.

The course vet reported that the gelding had an elevated heart rate and Ramsden said: “My horses haven’t been right since I vaccinated them. They ran like drains at the previous two meetings and this one did the same.”

By Michael Clower

The little bit of rain that fell at Scottsville on Friday night was manna from heaven for Peter Muscutt as Monte Christo revelled in the going to run out a comfortable winner of the Racing.It’s A Rush Handicap.

“He’s had his problems,” said Muscutt, KZN assistant to Brett Crawford, “and the rain definitely helped.”

It was the first official run for Crawford who acquired the gelding after Charles Laird retired. “The (two) barrier trials were a big help. We would warm him up without any pressure and we didn’t have to smash him on the track.”

It was a comfortable win by the favourite who got home ahead of Tribal Fusion, giving Shane Humby his third runner-up finish in two meetings.

Monte Christo (Candiese Marnewick)

Monte Christo’s win was a tonic for backers of favourites as they were in short supply in the opening exchanges.

Francisco started a short-priced favourite in the first but the strapping son of Fort Wood still has a bit to learn. He was tardy out of the gate and never got his act together. Winner, Flying George, had finished a neck behind Francisco when last they met but Mark Dixon’s runner made the necessary step up. “He didn’t take to the poly track last time and is much better on the grass.”

La Valette was the next favourite to go “missing” only managing fourth behind the first timer Le Bella. The going down the inside of the Scottsville straight again appears to be something of an issue. Whether it’s just perceived or a reality is hard to tell with jockeys ducking for the inside and horses drawn towards the outside rail appearing to struggle.

Le Bella had an inside draw and Garth Puller’s filly ran on strongly to beat Second Request, both horses coming off barrier trials. La Valette was drawn 15 and seemed to battle to get going.

Bronnie took a squeeze shortly after the start dislodging apprentice Eric Ngwane. He escaped battered and bruised but otherwise unscathed.

Tactics played a vital role in the third as Muzi Yeni Duke Of Spin to the front and the opposition had a lengthy view of his backside as he went all the way and never looked like stopping.

“He’s a nice horse. He has a big stride and we didn’t want to have him stop starting in the pack,” said Duncan Howells.

“So, we decided to take him to the front and it paid off. He’s a horse that will go 2000m. I think you will hear a lot more about him.”

Mark Khan is becoming a regular at KZN tracks and paid for his flight from Gauteng, getting home on 11-1 chance French Legend for Mike Miller in the Track & Ball Gaming Handicap. This was the five-year-old mare’s second win.

Apprentice Khanya Sakayi is riding with supreme confidence at the moment. He scored a treble last Saturday and is proving full value for his 4kg claim as he notched a double for Garth Puller, giving the Summerveld trainer a treble.

Both wins came after titanic struggles. He stalked the pace on Los Barbados and came together with Crime Victim nearly two furlongs out. The pair drove head-to-head for the wire with Sakayi’s 4kg claim probably the difference between winning and losing.

Next up he took Rio De La Plata to the front and 400m out was in danger of being swamped. But Sakayi kept hard at his mount and took on favourite Verdier who was challenging strongly. Again it was a desperate finish with Rio De La Plata lasting home by a short head.

By Andrew Harrison