Cersei, not far back in her barrier trial ‘won’ emphatically by James Peter, came in for a ton of market support on debut and it was a coup nearly landed as she finished a length off the winner.

Kom Naidoo’s filly takes on winners in the opening leg of the Pick 6 on Workers Day and with a solid race under her girth could be the filly to beat in spite of taking on winners.

Best of the winners could be Mike Miller’s charge Ardenne who has been priced up as joint 33-10 favourite with the selection in the ante-post market.

Cersei is in receipt of a handy 3kg from Ardenne, but carries the same weight as Ardenne’s stable companion Centre Stage who was much improved when tried in blinkers. She has drawn well and could pose the biggest threat to Cersei

On a difficult programme, Emerald Band could help fill the wallet in preparation for the rest of the card when he lines up in the first. Dean Kannemeyer’s runner was a close-up second in a strong juvenile stakes race on Sun Met day and although he has been rested since, he looks more than just useful at this stage of his career.

But he will not have things all of his one way. Ninotto raced very green when a beaten favourite on debut and is a smart looking colt form a very much in form Dennis Drier yard. He looks the most likely threat.

The Durban View Restaurant Handicap is the main course on the day’s menu but again punters are faced with a difficult choice. Runaway Gal heads the ante-post betting but 5-2 looks relatively skinny odds given the opposition. She was not too far back in feature company last start in spite of fading over the last furlong. However, she does seem better on the poly and can go close here. Sweet Mary Lou was relatively friendless in the market in the last race on Sunday but was not far back in a strong field where she was also out at the weights at her previous start. Sean Tarry’s filly looks to be coming to hand slowly and cannot be overlooked lightly. Of the balance, Classic Guard is lightly raced but took to the poly last run but took a hefty penalty for her efforts while Heart Of A Legend won well and had her consistency rewarded when winning recently and from a good draw should be right there again. Not one to leave out of any calculations.

By Andrew Harrison

The Candice Bass-Robinson-trained star filly Clouds Unfold will start off her winter campaign in a 1000m Pinnacle Stakes event against the boys at Kenilworth on Sunday before travelling to KZN to run in the Grade 2 Tibouchina Stakes over 1400m at Greyville on June 8 and the Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes over 1600m on Vodacom Durban July day.

Bass-Robinson explained why she avoided the Grade 2 KRA Fillies Guineas to be run on SA Champions Season opening night this Friday, “I didn’t want to start her in a 1600m and then come down to 1400m and back to 1600m, so she starts in a 1000m sprint.”

Bass-Robinson does still have a runner in the KRA Fillies Guineas, the well-bred Santa Clara, who is by Duke Of Marmalade out of a full-sister to champion stallion Silvano. The progeny of both Duke Of Marmalade and Silvano tend to improve all the time and she should follow suit. Bass-Robinson said, “She is a nice little filly, although not as good as Clouds Unfold, and unfortunately she is drawn in the bush on Friday night.””

Santa Clara started off her KZN campaign with a fine 0,40 length second in the Grade 3 Umzimkhulu Stakes over 1400m at Greyville on April 7. She was drawn two there as opposed to eleven on Friday night and will also be 1,5kg worse off with the Umzimkhulu winner Temple Grafin. However, she will relish the step up in trip, as she was seen to stay on resolutely in the GBETS Cape Derby over 2000m, where she finished a 3,45 length sixth. Bernard Fayd’Herbe replaces the sidelined Aldo Domeyer on Friday night.

Bass-Robinson’s SA Champions Season prospects are a bit thin this season. 

Her two-year-old fillies Vandah’s Spirit and Miss Honey are being targeted at the Grade 1 Allan Robertson Championship and she believes they are up to that class. They start out in the Grade 3 Strelitzia Stakes over 1000m at Greyville on Friday night. The race was originally due to be held at Scottsville on April 28 but had to be switched to Greyville due to the heavy recent rains. So it is not an ideal preparation for the Scottsville Grade 1. Bass-Robinson said she could not separate them. Miss Honey has won two of three starts and last time out won the Listed Summer Juvenile Stakes over 1000m on Sun Met day.

However, she has to jump from draw eight of eight on Friday night. Vandah’s Spirit has also won two of three starts. She was all the rage for the Summer Juvenile Stakes but ran a disappointing 3,80 length sixth. However, she bounced back to win a Juvenile Plate race over 1200m at Kenilworth by four lengths on February 23. Vandah’s Spirit is by Trippi out of the speedy Sean Tarry-trained Captain Al mare Mana Mou, who won a Grade 3 over 1100m. She is a full-sister to Flying Myth who won the Listed Storm Bird Stakes over 1000m. Miss Honey is by Pathfork and is the first foal of Fort Wood mare Honey Bun, who won one race over 1400m. 

Freedom Charter runs on Friday night in the Poinsettia on her way to the Grade 1 SA Fillies Sprint. She finished third in both the Grade 2 Southern Cross Stakes over 1000m and the Grade 2 Cartier Sceptre Stakes over 1200m, so is just off the best and will be a Champions Season dark horse. 

Bass-Robinson’s stayer Ballad Of The Sea, who has placed in the top three in four staying stakes races in Cape Town, arrived at Summerveld last week. 

Her other useful stayer Pacific Chestnut, who won the Listed Kenilworth Cup over 3200m, will be arriving next week.

Both of these stayers will be running in the big SA Champions Season staying races.

By David Thiselton

The Vaal stages a low key eight race meeting and the Pick 6 looks catchable as it includes three plate races.

The first leg is an Assessment Plate over 1400m for fillies and mares and Vistula is a nice type who comes off a good effort over 1200m, running second to the decent La Bella Mia. She is by Ideal World so should not only be improving but should also enjoy the step up in trip. She has already proved the latter as she finished a close fourth in the Grade 3 Three Troikas over this distance. It is hard to choose between her and Anneka, a progressive sort who ran a cracker in her penultimate start over this course and distance against the boys. Vistula gets the nod only due to her slightly better draw. Both have low draws which tend to be unfavourable but only a small field of eight face the starter so it will hopefully not have a dramatic effect. If it does then Westwing Belter could pick up the pieces as she has caught the eye in both of her starts to date and could rise above her lowly current merit rating of 70.

In the next race, an Assessment Plate for fillies and mares over 1000m, Dalai’s Promise was undone by a low draw last time in a handicap and has an easier task here at the weights and also has a plum high draw of seven out of seven so she should bounce back. The only filly better in at the weights is topweight Summer Afternoon, who unfortunately has draw one. Operetta can also be included in the Pick 6 as the form of her recent races has worked out well.          

The third leg of the Pick is a handicap over 1000m but punters needn’t go to wide as Scoop and Topmast stand out on form and have fair draws. Gallactic Warrior can be included by the risk averse as a hard knocker who is competitively merit rated and distance suited.

The next race is a difficult fillies and mares handicap over 1600m and punters will have to go as wide as possible. Topweight Abelie is the choice as a progressive sort with good form. She is also drawn well over a suitable trip and Muzi Yeni looks to have chosen her above Rabia The Rebel. The latter is also improved and can be included. Virginia is well regarded and has some class, but has been a touch disappointing so is interesting returning from a rest as such types can benefit from a layoff while maturing. Those are the first three choices but going as wide as possible is the suggestion.

In the next race over 1600m Private Ruler is distance suited and drawn high and comes off an unlucky second. He can beat home the progressive Gone With The Wind, who has talent but makes breathing noises. Norland is always thereabouts so is a must include. Winter Crusade could still improve and Sovereign Reign can never be ignored as one with plenty of ability. Molleloa and Refuge can also be considered.

The best bet on a tricky card is chosen to be Kayla’s Eagle in the last over 1600m. She has a fair draw and having not been disgraced last time in fifth when doing the donkey work in her first attempt at this trip she can do better with a more conservative ride. However, she cannot be made a banker and Oh So Cold and Wild Thoughts must also be included.

By David Thiselton

Vaughan Marshall said yesterday One World would “definitely” not travel to KZN for the Grade 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge or any other race during the SA Champions Season, although Adam Marcus was leaving his options open and said there was a “slim chance” Vardy would be seen in Durban over the winter.

The pair fought out a thrilling duel in the first leg of the Winter Series, the Grade 3 Winter Guineas, at Kenilworth on Saturday.

One World prevailed by a head under Anton Marcus.

An objection was lodged by Adam Marcus but the head on replay showed Vardy initiating the continual bumping in the final stages when hanging inward on to One World, so it never looked likely to be upheld.

Vardy was receiving 2kg from One World but on official merit ratings was still 6,5kg under sufferance with the 117 merit rated favourite.

Adam Marcus was thrilled with the improvement Vardy showed and said, “He is very immature and has a lot to learn so my initially feeling was to not take him to Durban as they have to go the opposite way around there and it is also a different style of racing, but the improvement he has shown has been really incredible, so we will keep our options open and take it race by race. But there is only a slim chance he will go to KZN and I will prepare him with the Winter Classic in mind. I think he will be much better as a four-year-old.”

Marshall said One World’s next engagement will also be in the Grade 3 Winter Classic, to be run over 1800m at Kenilworth on May 25.

So, the rivalry will be renewed and it is a race for the notebook.

One World is yet to be tried beyond a mile. However, being by Captain Al out of a Giant’s Causeway mare who placed over a-mile-and-two-furlongs in England he should get 1800m.

Marcus said about Vardy’s stamina range, “He is by Var but has classic looks and a beautiful length of rein and I’ve always been of the opinion he would be a 2000m horse.”

By David Thiselton

One World and Vardy, separated in Saturday’s Winter Guineas by only a head – as hard-fought in the boardroom as it was on the racecourse, may well meet again over a furlong further in the Winter Classic on May 25. Hopefully it won’t be quite such a rough affair.

Anton Marcus’s mount, starting a prohibitive 4-10, led after 200m but two furlongs from home main market rival Vardy began to move up travelling ominously easily. He joined the favourite and looked sure to win as he went a head up.

But One World has only been beaten once in eight starts and, as many will remember, no less a horse than the Cape Flying Championship winner Kasimir also once dared to head him only to be battled out if it. Vardy was given the same treatment and was the first to wilt.

He came off a straight line and bumped the favourite. From then on it was no holds barred, with the pair touching several times, but Craig Zackey had his whip in his right hand. Horses tend to drift away from the whip and towards the ones they are battling and Vardy did just that. True, Marcus also switched his crop to his outside hand in the heat of battle but the stipes took the view that he was doing this to stop Zackey’s mount from bumping him again.

There was only a head in it at the line and Vardy’s trainer Adam Marcus promptly lodged an objection against his uncle for interference, leaving one wit in the weighing room to quip: “You can choose your friends but you can’t choose your relations!”

The objection was over-ruled and jockey Marcus commented: “I thought it was straightforward – he hit me four times.” No action was taken against Zackey – he had been given a week when Vardy caused interference winning on his previous start – but Marcus was fined R1 000 for hitting his mount more than three times in consecutive strides.

The Klawervlei-bred Captain Al winner, bought by his trainer for R425 000, has now won nearly R3.4 million for Ken and Jane Truter, Etienne Braun and Braam van Huyssteen. “He is a very good horse and a very game one,” said Vaughan Marshall.

In the Sweet Chestnut 35 minutes earlier Bernard Fayd’Herbe and Helen’s Ideal made light of their 11 draw to delight Paul Barrett and breeder Peter de Beyer and book her ticket for next month’s Olympic Duel Stakes.

“Blinkers turned the corner for this filly and there are bigger things to come,” said Paul Reeves. “Hopefully she gets a draw next month. Every time I have a runner in a feature they seem to be drawn on another planet.”

By Michael Clower

Marco van Rensburg is a journeyman jockey who seldom gets the opportunities of the higher profile riders. But give him a chance and he’s as good as any as he showed when giving the field the slip in The Sledgehammer (Listed) at Greyville yesterday.

Marco van Rensburg is a journeyman jockey who seldom gets the opportunities of the higher profile riders. But give him a chance and he’s as good as any as he showed when giving the field the slip in The Sledgehammer (Listed) at Greyville yesterday.

It was probably a plan discussed with Mike Azzie and perfectly executed by Van Rensburg as he took Orpheus to the front, extending his lead with every stride and was way out of reach come the home turn with the balance of the field bobbing like corks in his wake.

Roy Had Enough, a late entry after the race was originally abandoned because of a soggy Scottsville track last Sunday, threw out a belated challenge but Orpheus was home and hosed long before he got to the line, some seven lengths adrift.

Of the Vodacom Durban July contenders, Eyes Wide Open was admittedly underdone as Glen Kotzen alluded to before the race and I doubt if the poly track suited, while Silva’s Bullet never looked comfortable on the surface.

In the card opener, Mai Tai confirmed her barrier trial showing as Warren Kennedy drove Wayne Badenhorst’s filly home ahead of the slightly more experienced Another secret.

Anton Marcus picked up a seven-day holiday courtesy of the stipendiary stewards after being found guilty of interference last week, but he banged home a treble to keep bread on the table and himself in contention for the national jockey championship.

Master Jay was the first of his two winners for Glen Kotzen as Master Jay followed up on his recent victory, holding off a fast-finishing Knight Warrior in the second race.

The belated addition of blinkers brought out the best in favourite Spring Fling in the third to give Kotzen and Marcus a quick double. The blinkers were added on the advice of Marcus who was run out of what looked to be certain victory at Scottsville a fortnight back as Tripple Z arrived late on the scene.

Not to be outdone brother, Nathan Kotzen saddled two-year-old Kaydens Pride to a comfortable win in the fourth, celebrated by national log-leader Muzi Yeni adding to his three victories at Turffontein on Saturday. This win took him four clear of current champion Lyle Hewitson, now facing a 14-day suspension, and seven clear of Marcus who is also facing seven days on the side-lines.

By Andrew Harrison

The Turffontein Inside track stages a low key nine race meeting tomorrow and most of the races are competitive, so the exotics could be the way to go.

The first leg of the Bipot should be fought out by Keep Smiling and Flying High who both made fair debuts when staying on over this same 1200m trip. They both have scope for improvement but Keep Smiling was up against males on debut so will appreciate being against her own gender now and she has a better draw.

In the first leg of the PA Super Fine can be bankered. She made the pace from a wide draw over this 1200m course and distance last time and just failed. This time she is well drawn and being by Duke Of Marmalade would have improved. However, Jay Bomb will be a big threat as she ran on well from draw ten of ten to be beaten just 1,80 lengths by Super Fine last time and this time from a fair draw under Gavin Lerena should be closer to the pace.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 Petroni Vini ran on well over 1000m last time with first time blinkers on to finish a 1,90 length third. He is a rangy type with scope and should relish the step up in trip so has a shout from pole position. The two-year-old Union Castle has plenty of scope and ran on well last time over this trip so he will be the biggest danger, despite having to face Petroni Vini on terms 5,5kg worse than weight for age. Written In Stone beat Petroni Vini easily over this trip in his penultimate start but now has a tough draw, although he can be included in the Pick 6 and PA.

In the first leg of the Jackpot Deerupt is not the most imposing but her 79 merit rating looks attractive considering her from against some good sorts in Assessment Plates. She has a plum draw of three over this 1200m trip. Topweight Casual Wear usually runs over shorter but has some class and as a handy type will be dangerous from draw two. Peppermint Tea, Mazari and Generous Notion can also be included although it is an open race and others can also be considered.

In the sixth race over 1600m Flash Burn is going the right way and makes appeal from a plum draw despite being officially out at the weights with the two fillies. Bize has class but will find this a touch sharp and Captain’s Princess was unlucky last time when stepped up to this trip for the first time. 

Trip To Troy makes appeal in the seventh over 1450m as he is distance suited, well drawn and has come down to an attractive merit rating. Shortstop and Missouri can also be included.

In the eighth over 2000m Slay The Dragon stayed on resolutely over 1600m last time and should enjoy this trip so is the one to beat. Jose Di Nero has hard-knocking form from 1200m to 1600m and tries a step up in trip and will be thereabouts if he stays, although on pedigree there is a stamina doubt. Vetri Vel, Dry Your Eyes and Mr Cuddles have to be included too.

In the last race over 2000m Jive Express and Ideal Cut will relish the step up in trip and hard knocking Jungle Jane can also be included.

By David Thiselton

One World is hard to oppose in the Winter Guineas at Kenilworth tomorrow even though there are grounds for thinking he is not such a certainty as his prohibitive 11-20 price would suggest. On the plus side he has only been beaten once in seven starts – when third in the Cape Guineas – and on ratings he has a theoretical six lengths in hand.

However more recent form book evidence puts his advantage at considerably less than this, at less than two lengths in fact. In the CTS 1600 three months ago he had Vardy three and three-quarter lengths back third and here he has to concede 2kg. Furthermore he has not raced since whereas his principal rival had a pipe-opener three weeks ago and won it.

But Vaughan Marshall, who surprisingly has not won the Winter Guineas this century, has not got where he is today by running his horses a couple of gallops short and Anton Marcus has won on three of his last four rides in this race. The stats also favour the favourite. While the last two market leaders failed to make the frame, five of the previous six came home in front.

Vardy (9-2) is on the upgrade. He was raised ten points for his CTS performance and a further two for last time’s handicap top weight success. In other words he is closer to the favourite than Met day running would suggest. “I think he has improved,” said Anton’s brother Basil yesterday as he fielded calls while son Adam was at the sales. “He is maturing, and also learning more about it, with each run. He has a tough competitor – in fact a couple of them – but his prep has gone very well and we are holding thumbs.”

Herodotus (8-1) is presumably the other one he had in mind. S’Manga Khumalo’s mount has only once finished out of the first four in seven starts, his trainer Glen Kotzen won this with Irish Assembly in 2005 but he was five lengths behind One World in the Concorde and is only 2kg better.

The Bass stable has won this race eight times in the last 21 runnings and Majestic Mozart (who has drifted from 8-1 to 12-1) probably has the strongest claims of Candice’s three. Rider Bernard Fayd’Herbe is bidding for his fourth Winter Guineas and, although over six lengths behind One World in the CTS, his mount was only two and a half lengths behind him in the Cape Guineas – and he is 2kg better.

Helen’s Ideal has a favourite’s chance in the Sweet Chestnut Stakes and looks a decent bet at 33-10 despite her 11 draw. “That is a concern,” acknowledged Paul Reeves yesterday. “Obviously we have to try and get her over as quickly as possible but Bernard is more than capable of getting her in the right place. As long as he can have her relatively handy I will be pleased.

“This 1 400 is not a problem although she will be even better over 1 600m. We dropped her to 1 200m last time to sharpen her up but she has natural gate speed and she can turn it on. She has come on heaps since that last run, she is in top form and I don’t think I could have got her any better.”

By Michael Clower

Dean Kannemeyer is a man for the big event, his horses have won South Africa’s premier race on three occasions, Dynasty, Eyeofthetiger and Power King who races in the silks of Lady Christine Laidlaw’s Kaya Stables silks.

The talent in his stable has been a little thin on the ground in recent season’s but Kannemeyer will have some indication on what his chances are for this year’s Vodacom Durban July when Silva’s Bullet lines up in The Sledgehammer on the Greyville poly on Sunday.

The race was abandoned last Sunday at Scottsville after persistent rain rendered the track around the turn un-raceable. It was re-scheduled for Greyville on Sunday but the switch to the poly has seen the defection of the two Snaith runners, Made To Conquer and Platinum Prince.

Entries were re-opened and Frank Robinson took advantage entering Roy Had Enough and Top Classman, as did Johan Janse van Vuuren who will saddle Doosra.

 However, the Snaith defections have left the way clear for Silva’s Bullet who gets an opportunity to enhance his prospects of a place in the VDJ. Silva’s Bullet has some smart recent Cape form and has not been out of the money in seven starts. He is an improving gelding and just how far he has come and his prospects for Champions Season should be revealed come Sunday.

Cape Derby winner Eyes Wide Open is the proven class in the field but he has been winless since beating Do It Again in that Grade 1 event

In his defence, he was up against the cream during the Cape summer and was only five lengths back to Rainbow Bridge and Do It Again in the Sun Met at his last outing.

He is not the greatest traveller and this his first outing in three months carrying top weight could be a bridge too far at this stage of his prep for the VDJ.

Shenanigans is a lightly raced five-year-old having his third outing after a break and was close-up last start and along with Orpheus who won his last two against weaker can finish in the money.

After a stuttering start to his training career where he switched from Summerveld, to Richmond and back, Wayne Badenhorst appears to have settled in at Summerveld and one needs to take all his runners into account.

That said, picking winners out of barrier trials is fraught with danger but Badenhorst’s filly Mai Tai

caught the eye in a smart trial at Scottsville. In a quality trial field, she struck is a big solid filly with plenty of scope, a fine example of the progeny of first season sire Vercingetorix who has tongues wagging. She finished off her gallop smartly and could be good enough to get punters off to a winning start.

Glen Kotzen’s colt Master Jay can follow up in the second. He started favourite in both starts and although fluffing his lines on debut there were no mistakes next time out as he ran out an easy winner. A son of Jay Peg, he should enjoy the extra 300m and may be the one to beat in a competitive field.

Spring Fling looked a winner at Scottsville last outing at Scottsville when starting favourite but was run out of it of late as Tripple Z arrived on the scene late. He can do better in the opening leg of the PA but in Al Jazeera, he faces a two-year-old who showed up well from a poor draw on debut. This field is not filled with stars and Gavin van Zyl’s colt could prove too good for most of this line-up. 

By Andrew Harrison