Jean’s Man looks worth an interest in the opening maiden juvenile at Durbanville today even though the big prices have already gone.

Bernard Fayd’Herbe’s mount opened at 6-1 with World Sports Betting over the weekend but this was down to 33-10 yesterday morning when Betting World was offering the same price. Billy Prestage mentioned just before taking on General Franco six weeks ago that his horse had been showing a lot of speed at home and Jean’s Man finished a highly promising fourth of 11. He missed a subsequent Durbanville engagement because of a swollen off-fore.

“He had a scratch that went septic – very common at Milnerton – and it took longer to come right than I would have liked,” said Prestage yesterday before adding about the debut run “I thought he would have been doing better at the end of the race than he did but he was a bit warm in the shins afterwards.”

As Prestage points out, the form of that April 16 race is mixed even if you ignore the General’s subsequent flop. Runner-up Three Two Charlie went on to win emphatically at Durbanville while third-placed Stormin Norman (in opposition again here) was only fourth next time

“Personally I think Grey Ferrari will be a hard horse to beat,” says Prestage. “But I am looking forward to Jean’s Man. He has lots of speed and he should go well.”

Grey Ferrari (9-2) is close with Jean’s Man on a line through Three Two Charlie while Joie De Vivre was a neck behind Grey Ferrari here last time and is 33-10 favourite. The 11-2 shot Stormin Norman also has claims but the selection has the advantage of Fayd’Herbe and that may swing it.

Fayd’Herbe has a favourite’s chance on Scottish Ally in the Tabonline.co.za Maiden Juvenile two races later. The 13-10 shot disappointed last time but had to switch. However Mon Cherie gets marginal preference at 3-1. Greg Cheyne’s mount has been showing signs of improvement and she didn’t get a clear run when beaten five lengths by Roll In The Hay who went on to finish a respectable sixth in the Allan Robertson.

Wadi Rum (5-2) had Kingston Rock nearly a length behind when they met here last month and the in-form Robert Khathi’s mount can confirm the placings in the Betting World Maiden, particularly as his rival is badly drawn and his trainer Mike Robinson showed he has his horses in winning form with Transylvania on Saturday.

Veld Flower went close on debut despite being hampered and is well-nigh impossible to oppose in the Tab Telebet Maiden despite being odds-on with both the big two.

By Michael Clower

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Saturday was a day that young apprentice Jeffery Syster will remember. One can list on one hand apprentices that have ridden a winner on their first ride and fittingly it was for riding legend and now trainer, Michael Roberts, who also rode his first winner at Scottsville. The youngster was overwhelmed as he made for the winner’s enclosure, looking to dismount before even being led in by stalwart owner Nick Labuschagne and Shirley Koster.

Kingsmead looked to be hopelessly out of his ground going through halfway but Syster hunted every gap seamlessly and without going for the stick, Kingsmead rocketed home.

By Andrew Harrison

Elusive Silva, third in last year’s Vodacom Durban July and a member of Snaith Racing’s veritable armada for the great race five weeks on Saturday, arrived at Summerveld last Friday to begin his preparation in earnest.

Jono Snaith said: “He has had a wind operation which is why he travelled late but it worked well – his wind is now clear – and he galloped at Kenilworth last week. We will see how he goes before deciding if and when he runs before the July.”

The stable’s master strategist outlined plans for the others still in the R4.25 million showpiece – “Last year’s winner Do It Again runs in the Rising Sun Gold Challenge on Saturday week, Bunker Hunt in the Daily News this Saturday, Doublemint in the Cup Trial (June 8), Made To Conquer either in the Cup Trial or straight to the July, Magnificent Seven possibly in the Cup Trial but may not run again before the July; he is fit and well and he doesn’t need another run, Myabi Gold will have one more outing while Oh Susanna will not run in the July. Platinum Prince has been scratched. He hasn’t enjoyed Durban and is coming back to Cape Town.”

Mark Khan (Made To Conquer) is the only confirmed riding arrangement so far – so, said Snaith, “jockeys need to get on the phone.”

The Snaith family are bidding for their fifth July. Chris was successful with Flaming Rock in 1991 while Justin scored with Dancer’s Daughter in 2008, Legislate in 2014 and Do It Again who is the shortest priced of this season’s challengers at 5-1. The Mike de Kock-trained favourite Hawwaam has been the main mover in the past week, shortening from 7-2 to 28-10 with Betting World.

By Michael Clower

Run Fox Run stole the Winter Classic’s thunder, and had Greg Cheyne dreaming of big race glory, when extending her unbeaten run to four with a display of almost blinding speed in the Olympic Duel Stakes at Kenilworth on Saturday.

Run Fox Run stole the Winter Classic’s thunder, and had Greg Cheyne dreaming of big race glory, when extending her unbeaten run to four with a display of almost blinding speed in the Olympic Duel Stakes at Kenilworth on Saturday.

The 17-20 shot came out of the pens like a greyhound after a hare and, while she appeared to be doing little more than saunter, nothing was able to get near her as she scorched home five lengths clear.

“Going through the 600, Sceptre Stakes was going through my mind and passing the post I was I thinking ‘I will be at Scottsville next year,’ ” said a thrilled Cheyne. “When the gates opened I had two lengths for nothing, the fractions I set were pretty decent and it’s been a long time since I’ve ridden a horse that can cruise at this speed.”

The Kieswetter family were away at a wedding – how they would have loved this – while for Brett Crawford it was some compensation for a largely frustrating Scottsville. “There is a possibility that she may run in the Champagne on July 27 and after that she will obviously have a break,” he said practically.

Most trainers are equine psychologists to a certain extent but Adam Marcus dedicates as much time to the minds of his charges as a top psychiatrist in the Panorama and he was privately convinced that Vardy’s defeats by One World were due to something other than inferior ability. The Winter Classic proved his point.

“Vardy has a severe parrot mouth and a very soft palate – anything with a link presses on that and is uncomfortable for him so he doesn’t settle,” Marcus explained. “I was convinced he would have beaten One World in the Winter Guineas had he done so.

“I felt the dressage world was the place to look and I found a flexible plastic bit in Italy. I then had to get it passed by the NHA. They only gave me the go-ahead three days before the race.”

Rather than look a fool if it didn’t work, he kept quiet until after the win but he then declared,  “It has made the world of difference to the horse.”

“I knew I had One World just before the straight – it was as early as that,” said a delighted Craig Zackey who had to contend with heckling from punters (“mind you keep straight this time”) as he went out on to the course.

One World, who to be fair was conceding 2kg, was beaten two and a quarter lengths. “Beaten by a better horse on the day,” M.J. Byleveld sportingly conceded while Vaughan Marshall will now give the CTS 1600 winner a rest – “He has had a tough season.” The Winter Derby on June 29 beckons for Vardy and his Italian mouthpiece.

That day Helen’s Ideal will bid to complete the fillies Winter Series in the Winter Oaks after adding a hard-fought Stormsvlei Mile to last month’s Sweet Chestnut. “I thought we were in a bit of trouble when I saw her tail swishing,” admitted Paul Reeves who paid tribute to Donovan Dillon for promptly putting his stick down and riding her out with hands and heels.

Breeder Peter de Beyer, who shares ownership with Paul Barrett, believes she will stay the extra 600m “even though she shows so much speed that you always ask yourself.”

The rest of the day belonged to Robert Khathi who landed a treble and Harold Crawford who is battling his way back from his stroke with the help and encouragement of his daughter Michelle Rix. They had an emotional win with Alfred’s Girl (the last horse bred by Gwen Heyns’ late husband Alfred) and followed up with Ready Steady Go –“A rebellious child who gives us all grey hairs.”

By Michael Clower

Sean Tarry has won three Grade 1 events on one day before but statistically his achievement at Scottsville on Saturday was his best ever day as he sent out the trifecta in the main race and he was arguably unlucky to have not been the first in the country to ever win a Jackpot of Grade 1s.

Tarry joined Dennis Drier as a trainer who had won one of the Festival Of Speed’s Grade 1’s six times this century when Celtic Sea won the SA Fillies Sprint, although Drier’s six wins of the Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion have all come this decade.

In the first leg of Saturday’s Jackpot Tarry’s charge Cavivar managed to produce a late charge but had her momentum affected by the tiring Yessiricanboogie, who hung outward and bumped her about 25 metres from the post. Cavivar managed to rally and was beaten a head by the Justin Snaith-trained Miss Florida, who provided Nic Jonsson with a Grade 1-winning homebred and a first Grade 1 winner for apprentice Luke Ferraris.

Jockey Lyle Hewitson decided to object on the grounds that Miss Florida had hung outward and possibly intimidated Yessiricanboogie into shifting sideways and bumping Cavivar. Tarry was not so confident as he believed Yessiricanboogie was hanging that way anyway, but he encouraged Hewitson to go with his instincts. The stipendiary stewards overruled the objection and Tarry was certainly not upset by the verdict.

Cavivar runs in the famous brown and white Beck colours and two runs later these colours were carried to victory by Celtic Sea, who was ridden by Hewitson. It was the second Grade 1 winner on the day for the late great sire Captain Al as Miss Florida is also by Captain Al. It was the tenth win of the progeny of Captain Al in Scottsville Grade 1’s. 

Celtic Sea produced a swooping run on the outside to overtake another Captain Al filly, the Snaith-trained Snowdance, and beat her by 1,70 lengths.

Tarry said, “I don’t need to run Celtic Sea again this season, but I will consider various options, including the Jonsson Workwear Garden Province and the Mercury Sprint, but if I don’t find a very good option, she may not run again this season.”

Earlier, the Avontuur Stallion Var had his eighth Grade 1 win at this meeting through the Tarry-trained two-year-old colt Eden Roc, who was also ridden by Hewitson.

Tarry said he was always going to be running at them, as he had won well effortlessly 1400m on debut. However, he added the day did not necessarily favour those who came from off the pace, pointing out that there were very few leading contenders on the day who were known to be effective front-runners in the mould of National Colour, Via Africa and Val de Ra etc.

Eden Roc is likely to be seen in the Grade 2 Golden Horseshoe over 1400m on Vodacom Durban July day.

In the big one, the R1 million Tsogo Sun Sprint, Tarry chose his riders carefully. Trip To Heaven had had a new lease of life since partnered by Hewitson and Luke Ferraris had won twice on Africa Rising in two rides. This left the ride open on the favourite Chimichuri Run for Raymond Danielson, who a few years ago gained the nickname “Super Sub” for his unerring ability to win big races when landing chance rides, a number of them for the Tarry yard. Once again Danielson delivered, driving the three-year-old Trippi colt through a gap towards the outside and overtaking the running on Africa Rising. Trip To Heaven ran on well on the very outside, after his customary slow start, to pip Africa Rising for second. It was a memorable moment in Tarry’s career and probably the first trifecta success for one trainer in this race.

Chimichuri Run’s obvious next target is the Grade 1 Mercury Sprint over 1200m on Gold Cup day at Greyville, although Tarry said he would likely not run him from an unfavourably wide draw. 

Trip To Heaven could also be a candidate for the Mercury Sprint. Tarry said in a full field draws were not imperative for him due to his tendency to lose ground and run on.

Tarry pointed out Trip To Heaven had also never been disgraced before in the Grade 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge over 1600m. He lost this race on objection three years ago and finished second two years ago. That weight for age mile is another consideration for him and so is the Grade 2 Post Merchants over 1200m where his current merit rating will be in his favour.

The Post Merchants is also a possibility for Africa Rising and so is the KZN Breeders Million Mile.

Tarry said another horse who might be aimed at the Post Merchants could be Social Order, whom he said had found form again since dropped in trip.

Meanwhile, Legal Eagle will run in a Pinnacle event over 1400m on June 9^th as his Vodacom Durban July preparation.

Tarry also warned the public not to write off Tilbury Fort, whose last run he said could have a line completely drawn through it.

Tarry’s form continued into yesterday and his unbeaten Silvano colt Al Mutawakel, a full-brother to SA Derby winner and July runner up Al Sahem, looks to be an exciting prospect after making it two from two. This big horse sauntered through under Hewitson to win a 1400m handicap against older horses in just his second career start. He was only running off a 72 merit rating but is crying out for further.

By David Thiselton

Turffontein Standside hosts a low key eight race meeting on Sunday, although there are some fair opportunities for both on-the-nose and exotic players.

In the first leg of the PA over 1160m Magic School has plenty of substance and caught the eye on debut. She over raced from a wide draw over the Turffontein Inside 1200m before being dropped out to last place and she then ran on strongly. She could reverse form with Flying High in this race down the straight and is made a PA banker.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 2000m, Duke Of Swing is the obvious choice as he should relish the step up in trip on pedigree and he is draw well in two. However, the concern is he took quite a strong held last time when wearing first time blinkers in a slight step up in trip to 1700m and he was not finding a lot at the finish. He will have to settle better in this race than he did then. Mr Cuddles is better than his last start and Humour Me has a chance from pole position. Those three can be included in the PA, but the suggestion is to go wide in the Pick 6.

In the first leg of the Jackpot over 2000m, Evening Bell is a nice looking daughter of Trippi and she has a good draw over a step up trip she should relish, being a half-sister to Grade 1 Daily News 2000 runner up Rake’s Chestnut. She was not disgraced last time in an Assessment Plate over 1600m against the like of the useful Bize so she looks competitively merit rated here off a 70. Big Myth ran well in her third run after a layoff over 1800m last time to win start to finish comfortably despite being 1,5kg under sufferance and with similar tactics she could go close despite an eight point merit rated raise as she has placed off higher marks before. There are plenty of others who have shouts in this competitive race but a chance is taken in making Evening Bell a PA banker and just having the two horses in the Jackpot and Pick 6.

In the fifth over 2400m Hit For Six looks an out and out stayer and nothing went right for him last time over this trip. The run can be ignored and the pilot who won well in the maidens on him, Randall Simons, is back aboard from a good draw. Horace is likely running off a capped merit rating as he cruised in by 6,50 lengths last time, beating Hit For Six by 10,75 lengths, and he must be included in everything despite having to carry a welter 62kg.

In the next race over 1400m Al Mutakawel, a full-brother to Grade 1 SA Derby winner and VDJ runner up Al Sahem, will appreciate further in time but having won well on debut over 1200m he is the one to beat in this step up in trip from a good draw. He can rise above his 72 merit rating and sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight. Lake Kinneret has found his right trip and has come into his own so can also be included in all bets. 

The seventh is a competitive fillies and mares handicap over 1400m. Hafla should be cherry ripe and is ideally course and distance suited and she can beat the hard-knocking Gimme Hope Johanna, although for Pick 6 purposes every horse bar Mwelase has a chance.

The last race over 1600m is also competitive and although Top Rank, Skiminac and Mutrib are the top three choices, going as wide as possible is the advice.

By David Thiselton

Tomorrow’s Winter Classic looks a straight fight between One World and Vardy. There was only a head in it in last month’s Winter Guineas and they meet on the same terms but One World is one of those tough you-won’t beat-me characters who puts his head down and battles whenever defeat is staring him in the face.

Indeed he has only been beaten once in eight outings and that was in the Cape Guineas in December when things did not go according to Vaughan Marshall’s plans – and the Milnerton trainer says that he has no concerns about tomorrow’s extra furlong.

Vardy, who had a race fitness advantage last time, tends to come off a straight line under pressure but he pleased Adam Marcus in his final piece of work yesterday.

Marcus said: “He has done exceptionally well since the Winter Guineas and he is in a very good place at the moment. The 1 800m is an unknown distance for him but, although he is by Var, I have always felt that the further he goes the better he will be. He has the ability to switch off in his races and he has a very good turn of foot.

“That said, taking on One World is never an easy task. He is the same style of horse as Jay Peg – they like to dictate and, if something comes, they dig deeper and keep finding more – but we will give it our best shot.”

M.J. Byleveld takes over from Marcus’s uncle Anton and in some ways he is on a hiding to nothing. If he wins everybody will praise the horse and if he gets beat they will blame the jockey. But MJ, who is bidding for his third Winter Classic, was three for three on the colt before being sidelined by injury and he is riding particularly well at the moment.

His mount has to be the selection – although generally odds-on you could still get evens (Betting World) yesterday morning – and the stats point to him. The last five Winter Guineas winners who went on to the Classic all won and the favourite has taken the last three runnings whereas no Winter Guineas runner-up has landed the Classic since 2010.

Majestic Mozart (best-priced 8-1) will be suited by the extra distance but he has nearly three lengths to find on the big two. Herodotus (9-1) will similarly be helped by the trip but he has even further to make up.

Helen’s Ideal looks good for the Stormsvlei Mile and Run Fox Run can extend her unbeaten record in the Olympic Duel.

BLOB Over the last 20 Cape Town racemeetings 33 (43%) of Michael Clower’s 76 selections have won, showing a profit of R195.90 to a R10 level stake.

To take a bet go to www.tabgold.co.za or www.trackandball.co.za

By Michael Clower

Chimichuri Run, beaten favourite in the Gr1 Computaform Sprint, is at the top of the boards for tomorrow’s Gr1 Tsogo Sun Sprint. But 4-1 with Track & Ball doesn’t inspire any confidence and a better option could be the 11-2 about top weight Undercover Agent.

Brett Crawford, successful with Pacific Trader in the Computaform, is not short of ammunition for the Scottsville showpiece with four runners, three of which are accomplished sprinters.

Last year’s winner Bold Respect has been winless since although close up during the Cape summer. Search Party was under two lengths back to Pacific Trader in the Computaform and Sunset Eyes, who warmed up nicely in a Pinnacle Stakes, is carrying joint bottom weight.

That leaves top weight Undercover Agent. He is the class horse in the field but there are concerns in some quarters that 1200m may be on the sharp side given his recent form. He was far from disgraced in the Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and the Gr1 Sun Met but it may have been his class that carried him so close. Prior to those races, his last win was in a 1200m sprint at Kenilworth before warming up for tomorrow’s event with a game win over Rainbow Bridge in the Gr2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m.

The testing Scottsville straight has found out many a good speed horse but suits a galloper with speed and a touch of stamina, a perfect profile for Undercover Agent.

Stable rider Corne Orffer, whether out of sentiment or choice, has stayed with Undercover Agent which is a further tick in the right box.

The balance of the field is evenly matched. The grey Mardi Gras appears to have had the ideal preparation. After running up a hat-trick of wins, he was given a short break by Johan Janse van Vuuren. His warm-up was at Greyville earlier this month where he gave away lumps of weight and he should strip at his peak.

Last year’s winner Bold Respect is handily weighted and carries only 1kg more than last year with the added advantage of Anton Marcus in the saddle.  He boasts solid Cape summer form so will have many supporters.

It is not surprising that Chimichiri Run is at the top of the boards given his recent record and cannot be left out of any calculations while fellow three-year-old Palace Chapel looks fair each-way value at 20-1.

The three other Gr1 sprints are equally difficult. Snowdance is a luke-warm ante-post favourite for the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint. Justin Snaith has specifically targeted this race, believing that she is more of a sprinter than a ‘miler’. Like Undercover Agent, her stamina will come into play and she could land the odds.

She is up against last year’s Allan Robertson Championship winner Mighty High and recent Camelot Stakes winner Schippers. The two met recently in the Camelot Stakes with Schippers running out a comfortable winner. Schippers got a hefty shunt up the handicap for that win but they meet on almost identical terms here so Geoff Woodruff’s runner can confirm that form.

The Juvenile races are a completely different kettle of fish. With young horses maturing at different rates and full fields of 16 runners lining up in both the Gr1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion and the Gr1 Allan Robertson, it is something of a guessing game.

The unbeaten SA Fillies Nursery winner Basadi Faith will have her supporters in the Allan Robertson but she was hard pressed to hold on to her lead that day as Cavivar challenge hard. The extra 100m on the Scottsville track could find out Basadi Faith but they may all have to get to Travelling Light. Garth Puller, a multiple Gr1 winner as a jockey, has yet to repeat as a trainer but in Travelling Light he has a lively contender. She cruised home on debut beating the well-regarded Talia Al Ghul by nearly five lengths with the balance of the field a further five lengths back.

Owner Dave MacLean has four runners engaged in the Gold Medallion, all four in with chances. Recent Highveld awards winner Frosted Gold from the Mike de Kock yard is at the top of the boards but MacLean has three smart runners from the Duncan Howells yard which gives him a strong hand.

Dennis Drier bids for an unprecedented seventh win in this race over the past decade and pins his hopes on Cartel Captain and Master Of Illusion. The former may prove the pick which brings African Warrior and High Voltage into the picture.

In all, this will be a fascination day’s entertainment and a highlight of Champions Season.

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By Andrew Harrison

Scottsville’s holds its annual speed race meeting this Saturday with four Grade 1 races on the day that includes the Gr1 Tsogo Sun Sprint as the main feature.

The country’s talented sprinters from the Highveld, Cape Town and KZN will compete for the huge stakes pot.

Search Party is a horse that I have been following closely and he looks to come into this race with an ideal prep. In his last start in the Grade 1 Computaform Sprint, he jumped from a wide draw and was holding his line on the extreme outside. He did have some trouble in the running because he was switched from the outside to the inside and was low flying late and only hit top stride when the race was over. It was an eye-catching performance.

It’s never easy for a horse to keep finding especially when switching in sprint races. This won’t be an easy task for Search Party as there are some high-quality athletes in this race however the 55kgs on his back will help accompanied by a strong rider in Richard Fourie.

Brett Crawford has four runners in the race and all look to be in with a shout, however Search Party looks a solid place bet at the 28-10 that is currently on offer.

The South African Fillies Sprint looks open with Snowdance from the Justin Snaith yard topping the betting boards at 4-1. The second favourite Schippers from the Woodruff yard comes in with excellent recent form. The speedy daughter of Var will be ridden by Chase Maujean and comes from a yard who are famous for training top sprinters.

The place double Search Party and Schippers works out at inviting odds of 7-1.

The day hosts a variety of events like fashion shows combined with high quality racing not forgetting the two Grade 1 races for two-year-olds and racing pundits will be eager to see the unbeaten filly Basadi Faith in the Allan Robertson Championship.

Scottsville is the place to be come this Saturday.

By Devonne Govender

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Betting World is sticking its collective neck out with One World in the Winter Classic at Kenilworth on Saturday offering the Vaughan Marshall star at even money whereas main market rival World Sports Betting has the colt odds-on at 17-20.

WSB is more generous with second favourite Vardy despite clipping the Adam Marcus runner from 15-10 to 14-10 yesterday. The gelding has no more than a head to find with One World on Winter Guineas form and he is only 12-10 with South Africa’s biggest bookmaker.

The one that has been backed, though, is Greg Cheyne’s mount Majestic Mozart who was third, beaten nearly three lengths, in the Winter Guineas. His price has tumbled from 9-1 to 11-2 with WSB while Betting World was still offering 8-1 yesterday afternoon.

Marshall and his jockey M.J. Byleveld look set for a good day according to the market -they have three favourites and two joint favourites. WSB is taking no chances with Run Fox Run (Cheyne) who puts her unbeaten record on the line in the Olympic Duel Stakes and has opened her at even money. The Paul Reeves-trained Helen’s Ideal is, as expected, favourite for the Stormsvlei Mile at 5-2.

By Michael Clower

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