Sean Tarry will be hoping Trip To Heaven makes it third time luck in Saturday’s Grade 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge.

The six-year-old Trippi gelding won the race two years ago, but was demoted after an objection, and he finished second again last year.

Trip to Heaven (JC Photographics)

The top class sprint-miler has run below par in his last two starts but Tarry said, “I feel he has been as good as he’s ever been so I am a little perturbed by his last two runs. But he has shown himself to be in good order and seems to like the course and distance.”

Trip To Heaven is known for his exceptional turn of foot and it was at its best two years ago in this race. He will likely be dropped out, so his wide draw of six out of eight should not be of concern.

Sansui Summer Cup winner Liege had to be scratched from the Gold Challenge due to a local racing rule and will instead take his place in a Pinnacle Stakes race over 1400m at Turffontein on Sunday.

Tarry said the trip was too sharp and he would be pleased if he got within five or six lengths of the winner. Liege will now be prepared out of Johannesburg for the July, a change from the original plan which was to take him to Summerveld after the Gold Challenge.

Tarry runs Heaps Of Fun and Tahini in the Grade 2 Tibouchina over 1400m.

He said, “It seems an open race, I’ve seen stronger, but they are having their last couple of runs before going to stud and I’m hoping for the best. They are both in good shape, especially Heaps Of Fun.”

Barrack Street has been gelded and runs in the Durban Dash over 1100m.

Tarry said, “He had good juvenile form and hasn’t got back to that form yet but we probably made a mistake by not gelding him earlier.” This small horse is drawn well and is well weighted on his best form.

Tarry runs Storm Ruler in the KZN Winter Challenge 2000 and described him as very honest and gave him an each-way chance.

By David Thiselton

Brett Crawford has a strong hand in the Grade 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge at Greyville on Saturday, with defending champion Captain America, Grade 1-winner Sail South and CTS Mile winner Undercover Agent.

The evergreen Captain America has had an interrupted program.

Sail South (Liesl King)

However, Crawford said, “He is fine. He had a little problem when arriving in Durban, which is why he has not run yet, but we have done the best we can to have him race fit. Ideally it would have been nice to have had a run but he looks well, his work has been good and he runs well fresh.”

Three-year-old Captain Al colt Undercover Agent won his SA Champions Season pipe opener in the Grade 3 Byerley Turk over 1400m at Greyville in impressive style and was then touched off as favourite against older horses in the Grade 2 Drill Hall Stakes.

Crawford said, “He is drawn well is in great form and I expect another honest run. He beat most of the opposition here in the Drill Hall so it will be interesting to see how he goes against them over a mile.”

Sail South ran on strongly in this race last season for fourth and could well get the strong pace which suits him on Saturday.

Crawford said, “He needed his first run (fourth in the Drill Hall) and has come on a lot. He likes Greyville and likes the trip so has quite a lot in his favour. He will definitely be finishing the race well and you have got to say he has a chance.”

Crawford runs Runaway Gal in the Listed Devon Air Stakes over 1400m and said she had been doing well and would appreciate the step up in trip.

Phelan Lucky brings some strong Cape Town form into the Cornubia/Phoenix Sun Durban Dash over 1100m and Crawford expected him to run well, although he does have a tough draw.

By David Thiselton

Justin Snaith is bullish ahead of Saturday’s huge Rising Sun meeting at Greyville and will be out to land a big race treble.

In the big one, the Grade 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge, he runs Snowdance and Copper Force.

He said, “Snowdance didn’t take well to being under the lights for the first time last time, it freaked her out a bit especially in the parade ring, and Bernard knew he was in trouble when going down to the start.”

The filly tore off in the race, the Grade 2 Daisy Fillies Guineas, and was caught in the shadow of the post by Fiorella.

Snaith continued, “But she has come on lengths for the run and I wouldn’t be running her if I didn’t think she had a good chance.”

Snowdance (left) Fiorela (right) – Candiese Marnewick

He said, “Copper Force didn’t raise a gallop last time as he got a lot of kick back and hated it. But he will strip fitter and the racetrack will probably be in good nick on Saturday, so don’t surprised to see him running on very well. He needed it last time and is a bit in and out but I think I have him spot on.”

He runs Vodacom Durban July favourite African Night Sky and Platinum Prince in the Grade 3 Cup Trial over 1800m and said, “They are both doing very well. They were both unlucky last time in the 1900 and from these draws will both have to have luck in running again.”

He reckoned African Night Sky would have to be dropped out from his draw and pointed out at Greyville it was tough to make up ground rom such a draw but he expected both horses to be fighting out the finish.

His pair Star Express and Gimme Six have both proven their liking for Greyville and will go into the Grade 2 Tibouchina over 1400m fit and well. They are able to turn it on so will be big runners despite wide draws.

He was hoping for positive returns to form for Quinlan and Sir Frenchie in the Durban Dash ahead of a target race on Vodacom Durban July day, but admitted he did not fancy either of them “too strongly.”

However, he expected a big run from Dynamic Diana in the Beach Beauty Pinnacle Stakes over 1600m because with horses going for other races she had ended up reasonably well weighted.

By David Thiselton

Gunter Wrogemann , in the intensive care unit of Johannesburg’s Milpark Hospital after being kicked in the face in a fall at Turffontein on Sunday, underwent a four hour operation yesterday .

His wife Sam said afterwards: “It took much longer than anticipated. I have so far only seen the anesthesiologist who says the operation went well. I am happy that the surgery is over and the road to recovery can commence.

“Gunter will remain under heavy sedation which is a good thing to allow him to heal and remain calm for the next few days.”

Wrogemann was on the rails five lengths off the leader when his mount Ancient Code suddenly fractured a front fetlock and came down. “When Gunter was lying on the ground the horse was struggling to get up and she got him full force in the face,” said trainer and family friend Louis Goosen.

His jaw was broken in two places and his arm was crushed. However the arm now looks reasonably OK and Mrs Wrogemann said: “The blood flow has improved  so he will not need it operated on. They have also taken the arm out of suspension and icepacks.”

Wrogemann had been on the crest of a wave. He rode his 100^th winner of the season last week and, after winning the Daily News on Surcharge on Saturday, he said: “I have been blessed. It has been a phenomenal season – which goes down to all the support I get from trainers and owners – and long may it continue.”

By Michael Clower

“He’s one of the strongest jockeys around,” was Mark Dixon’s verdict on Brandon Lerena as Isingamoya got the better of bottom weight Scrabble in the Capital Security Handicap at Scottsville yesterday. “I don’t know why more people don’t use him.”

This was Isingamoya’s sixth win and Lerena’s first since his return to the saddle after “knee chip” surgery. The mare was back over her favourite course, five of her six wins coming at Scottsville, but this time with the addition of blinkers. “I think the blinkers made all the difference,” reckoned Dixon. “She was just not going through with it so I think the blinds did the trick.”

Isingamoya (CM)

“I avoided the Group 1 (SA Fillies Sprint) because I think she is just below that class and went with this race instead.”

It proved an inspired move although Lerena had to call on all his skill to get her home.

“She just needed it,” was Lyle Hewitson’s verdict to Tony Rivalland on second placed Scrabble. “Otherwise she would have gone past.”

Favourite She’s A Dream didn’t go on with her effort. “There’s something wrong with her,” confided Dixon. “She was going all right but when the boy let her down there was nothing to come.”

Hot favourite Jardin got the meeting off to a winning start as Vaughan Marshall’s runner kept his clean sheet, making it two-from-two. The luckless Good Buddy pushed him to the line but MJ Byleveld was never in any trouble and Jardin won comfortably.

“Looking in the paddock there were a couple of nice horses so I got a little bit nervous. But he brought his work to the track,” said Marshall.

Jardin’s win was a good pointer to the next as JJ’s Captain franked the form. Second to Jardin last time out, Sean Veale had Dennis Drier’s charge handy throughout and kicked away smartly. Second placed Pickawinner made a cracking debut for Duncan Howells, racing green under apprentice Luke Ferraris, and his turn will not be long in coming.

Howells had a change of luck in the opening leg of the Pick 6 where favourite Silver Raisin finally got her act together and cruised home under Muzi Yeni. Sitting just of the pace in the early exchanges, Silver Raisin extended effortlessly to win as she liked from Lowan Denysschen’s runner Such A Rush.

“Muzi rode a confident race,” commented Howells. “She is a bit tricky and has a mind of her own so I decided to put on the blinkers. But when I told the jockey she would hang right, she hung left,” he shrugged.

Scottsville is a horses-for-courses type track as shown by Trippi’s Girl who has recorded all three of her wins on this track. She cut through the field late under Craig Zackey to score in the fourth for staunch stable supporter Hugo Hattingh for Glen Kotzen.

It’s been a frustrating wait between winners for Gary Rich but Connect Me, brought back to a sprint and racing in blinkers for the first time, came out on top in a tight finish under apprentice Jason Gates. “She’s not the easiest filly but if you go back in her form she finished three lengths of Fiorella so she has ability. Jason rode a nice race on her even though she was shifting about.”

By Andrew Harrison

The Vaal Inside track stages a nine race meeting tomorrow and in the highest rated race, a MR86 Handicap over 1400m, the Candice Dawson-trained three-year-old Kahal gelding D’Arrivee could win first time out of the maidens.

Purple Diamond (right)

This strapping bay won his maiden in eye-catching style over this trip in his first run after gelding. He didn’t beat much and has duly been given a 77 merit rating, which he looks capable of winning off with expected improvement. He has been chosen as a banker for the Pick 6, but this is only due to it being a competitive card and one has to be found somewhere. Dan The Lad has shown a good turn of foot before and this is likely his ideal trip, so he can be included in the Jackpot. He has drawn low, which is usually favourable over this course and distance, and he also has a first-time tongue tie on. Huyssteen has always been well regarded and looked set to start fulfilling his potential after a good effort from a wide draw over 1500m around the turn in March.

However, he was then disappointing again last time. He can be given another chance down the straight here, as his only win in six career starts was over this trip and it remains the only time he has ever raced down the straight. Danza has always been best suited to this trip. His win last time was only his second career victory in 26 starts, so he is hard to win with. However, he has only been unplaced six times and should give another good account of himself. Purple Diamond is a Grade 2 winner over this trip and has been facing much stronger fields. He has dropped to an 89 merit rating and is an interesting contender. Tokyo Drift disappointed last time but before that had shown marked improvement over this trip with blinkers on. He finished a short-head behind Danza over this trip the last time they met but if apprentice claims are included he is 1kg worse off. Manitoba, Till Dawn and Nephrite are three others to consider in a tricky event.

The last race over 1700m is an interesting one as it sees Lady Val having her third run on the Highveld. She was well regarded by her original trainer, the now retired James Goodman, and was staying on well in first-time blinkers last time over this trip. She now has a plum draw under the same 1,5kg claimer and has been dropped two points, so has a fine chance.

In race five over 1000m the topweight Clairemorris has a fine form chance. She went close over this course and distance in her penultimate start and last time was doing good work late from a wide draw on the Turffontein Inside track. She is two points higher than her penultimate start and also has a high draw, which by trends is not the right side to be. However, she still looks the one to beat in a typically open fillies and mares sprint handicap.

By David Thiselton

The Grade 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge over 1600m is one of the highlights of the SA Champions Season and will see eight top class horses going to post on Saturday.

Dual Grade 1-winner this season over this trip, the three-year-old Snowdance, will have a fine chance. Trainer Justin Snaith was concerned about her before her Champions Season pipe opener in the Daisy Fillies Guineas. He said she had returned from a rest “almost too well” and needed the gallop she was given to “burn off” some of that pent up energy. After that gallop he had said that if she won the Daisy Fillies Guineas the boys had “better watch out” in the Gold Challenge as he knew she would not be at her peak against the fillies. She was duly only just touched off by Fiorella after going like the clappers in the front. She will have come on a lot from that race and this time will likely be more relaxed out in front meaning her renowned kick will be more telling.

Snowdance

Captain America is the defending champion and should go close. He is a big horse but has run well fresh before. From draw four he might have a bit of a problem getting into his favourite box seat. Snowdance, who is drawn three, is likely to lead and three-year-old Undercover Agent, drawn two, is thus in the ideal position to slot in behind her as he also likes to be handy. Captain America thus might have to run one wide outside of his younger stablemate. However, he has relaxed well as he has gotten older so it should not be too much of a problem. Both he and Undercover Agent can turn it on in the straight and will be big players.

The third Brett Crawford-trained horse, Sail South, is at his best when dropped out as he is capable of a blistering finish. He comes off a reasonable fourth place pipe-opening run in the Drill Hall.

Gold Standard is said to be moving better than he has the whole season but is still likely to need the run against more tuned up rivals. He showed himself top class when finishing a narrow second in the Cape Guineas as a three-year-old but he is yet to recapture that form after returning from a joint chip operation.

Roy Had Enough’s best form has been over course and distance and he is capable of running on strongly from off the pace. He has a better draw than he has been having and is a dark horse, although this is much tougher opposition than he has beaten here.

Trip To Heaven lost this race on objection two years ago when showing an exceptional turn of foot before the distance just got to him in the closing stages. However, it appears that his best days are behind him.

Copper Force showed in the Queen’s Plate what he can do when the pace is on, producing a flying finish to be narrowly beaten and he has won a Listed race over this course and distance before.

By David Thiselton

Anthony Andrews, the missing man of the Cape Town weighing room, expects to be out of action for a further two months.

When his right foot was crushed in the pens by a panicking Happy Girl at Kenilworth on April 28 x-rays revealed only soft tissue damage and Andrews expected to be out for not much more than a week. But the real damage proved to be in his right shoulder.

He said yesterday: “The foot was swollen for quite a long time – a week and a half to two weeks – as the ligaments were damaged.

“Initially I only had a bit of a niggle in my shoulder but, when it didn’t go away, an MRI scan revealed ligament and tendon damage that required an operation to repair. When the horse reared and fell, trapping my foot between her and the metalwork, I grabbed whatever I could to pull myself clear and that is when I did the damage. With the adrenalin pumping I didn’t realise anything was wrong.

“The doctors said I would be out for three or four months. It was four weeks ago that I had the operation, and I am doing intense physio three times a week, so I should be back in the saddle two months from now.”

By Michael Clower

Picture by Liesl King

Smart filly She’s A Dream is back to a sprint and could be the right one in a competitive line-up for the Capital Security Handicap that heads the field at Scottsville today.

After an easy maiden win, Mark Dixon’s filly was most impressive in her handicap debut, stamping herself as a filly with above average ability.

Given a break and it was a barrier trial and then two feature events over further. “There were not other races,” said Dixon candidly.

“She is back over what looks to be her best distance and with a low weight I give her a big chance.”

She’s A Dream (Candiese Marnewick)

Dixon also saddles the mare Isingamoya and his pair could make it a one-two over the boys. The daughter of Muhtafal is rarely far back and has been up against some smart opposition at recent outings.

However older horses that seem to have gone a little flat often produce their best when fitted with blinkers for the first time and Isingamoya fits into this category. She has won five races and has competed against some of the best fillies around including the Poinsettia Stakes over course and distance last time out where. Although finishing mid-field, was beaten three lengths by Sommerlied, Neptune’s Rain and Magical Wonderland.

Isingamoya has a big weight to shoulder but that form can see her finish ahead of the two gelding’s Wynkelder and Rock Of Africa, who finished together behind subsequent Tsogo Sun Sprint winner Bold Respect in the In Full Flight Stakes. That’s useful form in anyone’s book but the talented She’s A Dream with only 52kg on her back could prove too quick for them all.

The Vaughan Marshall-trained Jardin can get the ball rolling in the first. He ran out a facile winner on debut after trotting up in a barrier trial and he looks more than just useful.

Pickawinner hacked up in his barrier trial and the bookies were wide awake as Track & Ball have him 18-10 favourite for the second ahead of JJ’s Captain, second to Jardin last time out, and fellow debutante Roman Dancer next in the market.

Silver Raisin is short-priced to break a string of runner’s up berths in the opening leg of the Pick 6 and could give Duncan Howells a quick double. Silver Raisin has made marked improvement in blinkers but has a tricky draw to contend with and it may be worth including Louise Goosen’s runner Linnger Longer who has her third outing after a break and a better draw. MJ Byleveld takes over in the irons from an injured Gunter Wrogemann.

Howells has a chance of a treble as he saddles Sorceress in the fourth. She has a difficult draw in the extreme outside gate but has been up against the likes of Lady In Black and Dawn Calling at recent starts and has been far from disgraced.

However, Howells will know exactly what he is up against as ante-post favourite Ashfahan got the better of the Howells-trained Girl In Gold at her penultimate start and has since finished a close-up second to the well thought of Miyabi Gold. Ashfahan has the better draw but the early money has been for Sorceress and along with Breaking Barriers, may be the three to get you through this leg of the exotics.

From there on things get a lot trickier. Lovely Lucca is the marginal 7-2 favourite for the sixth. Doug Campbell’s filly has yet to finish out of the money and with four-claiming apprentice Luke Ferraris in the irons, she may be the right choice.

A Graduation Handicap (a handicap for two-time winners) could turn into a boat race between the improving Antony Hotspur and Gat Henshaw, the two having met early in their careers although a lot of water has flowed under the bridge since. Tom Collins and the filly Meryl could also feature.

The now blinkered Crown Charka and top-rated Press My Button could fight out the last but it’s not a race to go light in.

By Andrew Harrison

Glen Kotzen said he expected a good performance by Gold Standard in Saturday’s Rising Sun Gold Challenge over 1600m at Greyville, although he felt he might still need the run.

He said about the four-year-old Trippi colt, “He has been syndicated to go to stud and my instructions from the partners was to not run him unless he was really moving well. The good news is he has never moved better his season. He has had three gallops at Greyville and the Trippi’s enjoy running fresh although I’m not sure whether he might just need it running against the best who will all be tuned up.”

Gold Standard (Liesl King)

However, Kotzen expected the race to bring Gold Standard to his peak for a tilt at the Vodacom Durban July. However, he said if Gold Standard did win the Gold Challenge he would probably skip the July and go for the Grade 1 Champions Cup.

He said, “It is important to land a Grade 1 for the stud syndicate, although all 50 of the shares have already been bought.”

Gold Standard will stand at Drakenstein Stud together with his father Trippi.

The big bay proved himself a top horse as a three-year-old. He finished a narrow second in the Grade 1 Cape Guineas with the rest of the field well beaten and followed that with an unlucky fourth in a vintage Sun Met field.

However, he did not race again that season due to a chip in the fetlock and has been a touch disappointing this season.

He finished fourth in the Grade 3 Matchem Stakes and eighth and ninth respectively in the L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate and Sun Met.

Meanwhile, Kotzen said Pack Leader was still on course for the July. On Saturday the Philanthropist colt finished sixth in the Grade 1 Daily News 2000 but was only beaten 3,5 lengths. However, Kotzen said he had suffered a rough race and might just have needed it. He said he had been knocked around “like a ping pong ball” at the top of the straight and had then moved up to win the race but then looked like he needed it as he found no extra late. He surmised the reason must have been the combined effect of the colic incident which had caused him to be scratched from the WSB 1900 and the fact he had missed that race, because he had felt before Saturday’s race he had him ready. However, he now expected him to be “spot on” for the July and as he escapes a merit rating raise his July weight will be “bang on” the one they had wanted for him.

By David Thiselton