The Vaal Classic track stages a ten race meeting tomorrow and exotic dividends should be healthy as the racing is competitive.

In the first leg of the PA over 1800m Powered Beauty makes most appeal. The last time he tried this distance he only just failed and is now three points lower in the merit ratings. He does have a wide draw to overcome but in the aforementioned race came from way off the pace under the same jockey, Hennie Greyling. Ryder was not disgraced on Saturday over 1600m in a strong Assessment Plate having stayed on well to be close up in a handicap over 1450m before that. He stays this trip and is drawn in pole so should be involved. He was beaten by Storm Outgoing when they last met. The latter is also well drawn over an ideal trip. However, he does have to bounce back from a poor run last time where he was found to be coughing. Those are the three chosen to get punters through.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1800m Odd Rob used to be a talented but quirky sort who didn’t enjoy being in front and was hard to win with. However, he has become ultra-consistent and didn’t mind the step down to this trip last time, getting up after a late charge. He is only two points higher so can make another bold bid from a fair draw. The Dazzler is a well regarded and progressive sort who is ideally distance suited and he jumps from a plum draw. He does have to carry a big weight though. Yamoto has his third run after a layoff and gelding from a plum draw off a two point lowered merit rating. He should be coming into his own being by Dynasty and should enjoy this trip. Finchatton has fallen to a competitive merit rating and this is an ideal trip, so is hard to ignore. Throng can’t be ignored either as he was staying on in his penultimate start over this trip and is now 2,5kg better off with Odd Rob for a 2,7 length beating and Hewitson is up. He does have the widest draw in the eight horse field though. Come The Day is distance suited and should also be coming into his own so is another one who is tough to ignore. 

The first leg of the Jackpot is even harder being a fillies and mares handicap over 1800m. Big Myth is the choice as she has dropped to a competitive merit rating and will be dangerous from the front under Hewitson, although she does have to come from a wide draw. Mattina disappointed last time when not striding out over 2000m but is now drawn in pole over an ideal trip and has a tongue tie on, having made a respiratory noise when only just failing over this trip in her penultimate start. Ossetra is chosen for third simply because she is the most consistent horse in a race with muddling form. Pretty Border, Angelic, Angelic Appeal, Blue Sage and Santa Vittoria also have to be considered for the Jackpot and Pick 6.

In the sixth race over 2400m Mighty And Magic, as a Twice Over gelding, is likely coming into his own and he is well drawn over a trip he enjoys with the champion jockey up. Village Deep is 1kg under sufferance but is a stayer coming into his own and has only 52kg to shoulder. Highlander can be relied on to be finishing strongly and can be dropped out from a wide draw.

In the seventh over 1450m Queen Moira had some eyecatching Cape Town form and was beaten by a fair sort in her second run on the Highveld last time over 1400m so can go close from a good draw. Invincible Lady drops right down from 2600m but is versatile and well drawn. She has dropped to a competitive merit rating.

In the eight over 1000m Twelve Oaks could cause an upset being just one point higher than her last winning mark and running over a trip she has won over. See You Tyger is in fine form and could claim the hattrick and Opera should also be involved.

In the last leg of the Pick 6 the topweight Arikel has a fine chance on a formline through Ulla. Ilha Da Var has a chance off a two point lowered merit rating. Fly North improved last time and has gone well for Hewitson before. Florence was not disgraced behind Ulla last time in her first run out of the maidens. Ilha Da Var has to be considered too. Queen Of War has dropped to a competitive merit rating and also has a chance.

By David Thiselton

Candice Bass-Robinson has less two-year-olds this season – between 40 and 50 compared with last term’s 60-plus – but they include some good horses and they have won four of the nine Cape Town juvenile races so far.

Cousin Liz, a R2.9 million National Yearling Sale purchase, looks the best seen out yet after being backed down to odds-on and making short work of the opposition in the Kenilworth opener on Saturday. “She is a smart filly loaded with ability and, not to beat about the bush, I think she is the real deal,” said an impressed (and recently bearded) Aldo Domeyer.

“I have to decide whether she will stay here for the Nursery or go to Durban,” said her trainer. “I don’t want her to get too hot so my gut feeling is to stay put. She cost a lot so I can sleep easy now but I do think she has a bright future.”

Bernard Fayd’Herbe’s future includes a lot of air travel. He flies back to Dubai next week for Marinaresco in the Zabeel Mile (Feb 21) and is considering returning for South African meetings before the July winner’s next run in the Jebel Hatta on March 9.

He is in blistering form. The Pocket Power room punters were still marvelling at Friday’s Fairview treble when he notched up a quick Glen Kotzen double on Cat Daddy and Sommersonne. A painful coming together between his foot and the metalwork left him sore enough to miss the last two races but did nothing to diminish his enthusiasm. “I’m fine – nothing is broken,” he reasoned as he rather tenderly walked back into the jockeys’ room.

Unusually for racing at Kenilworth six of the eight races were won by favourites with Anton Marcus making it look deceptively easy on Nastergal and Run Fox Run (“She looks the real deal,” said Stan Elley, taking a leaf out of the Domeyer quotes book) but the one punters noted was Boomps A Daisy in the Tabonline.co.za Maiden. The newcomer took off when she finally cottoned on to what her rider was asking and she was only beaten a head by Fluttering. She will be backed off the boards next time.

All credit to Fluttering though. The Fosters’ homebred made every metre and bravely answered her rider’s every call to make her critics eat their words. Interestingly both trainer and jockey seemed to blame themselves for last time’s defeat. “I let her go a bit too early and she got found out,” said M.J. Byleveld while Vaughan Marshall, full of praise for his stable jockey here, added: “I was worried that she hadn’t run for quite a while that last time – and the race brought her on.”

Joey Ramsden’s decision to fly in S’Manga Khumalo proved fully justified when the dual champion rode a peach of a waiting race to snatch the TAB Telebet Maiden in the last stride on 11-1 shot November Storm, described by his trainer as “a hard ride who can be quite reluctant.”

“The pace was on and I thought that giving him a chance – and not rushing him – should do the trick,” explained Khumalo, adding modestly: “I managed to get my head down at the right time.”

By Michael Clower

Eric Sands is aiming to make Rainbow Bridge the first horse to win the Met and the Vodacom Durban July in the same season since Pocket Power 11 years ago.

The Milnerton trainer said: “At this stage we are planning towards Natal, ending up with the July, and then bringing him back to Cape Town. The provisional programme is the Drill Hall, the Rising Sun Gold Challenge and then the July but it will depend on the timing of these races proving suitable for the horse.”

The Ideal World four-year-old is enjoying a well-deserved break at Julia Pilbeam’s Soetendal Estate near Wellington. “He does a light trot in the morning and comes in at night,” said his trainer. “He spends the rest of his day in a field with a 32-year-old pony for company.”

Cape Flying Championship winner Kasimir will step up a furlong for the Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes which is being run six weeks later this year on Saturday week. “He is in a very good place at the moment,’ said Justin Snaith who also has last year’s third Sergeant Hardy in the R400 000 Grade 2.

Fresnaye heads the 23 entries for the Vasco Prix du Cap while the Kenilworth Cup has been moved from November to boost this hugely popular Prawn Festival meeting which also includes the Jet Master.

By Michael Clower

Handicap ratings are a handy spanner in the toolbox of any serious punter and when a runner starts to come down in the handicap, it more often than not pays to follow.

Mr Roy was one such runner at Scottsville yesterday, down from a rating high of 104 to yesterday’s 96 in a Pinnacle Plate and with apprentice Jason Gates claiming 4kg, Mr Roy was the equivalent of an 88. That said, it was a fixed weights race but the inference was obvious and Gates, a talented rider not lacking in confidence or an opinion, got the best out of Alyson Wright’s charge to hold off favourite Tribal Fusion and Anton Marcus.

Give Gates the microphone and he is not short of a word or three and this being the 20^th win of his career and his claim cut to 2.5kg, he was not going to let the opportunity pass forcing Wright to forego her interview in order to saddle her next runner.

Marcus looked set for a red-letter afternoon as he booted home the first two winners on the card and in direct contrast to Gates in what has become the norm, he was not back for the interview, leaving the limelight to the owners and trainer.

Marcus partnered Hondo in the card opener for Garth Puller, the gelding having his second run for Puller who took over after the sudden death of Lennie Taylor last year. Always in the vanguard and travelling in first-time blinkers, Hondo kept running to hold off the first timer Ruby Spirit who showed pace and kept running to hold off Krishnies Jet for second. It was another second for Duncan Howells who is currently top of the KZN trainers log courtesy more to his 40 second places than his 29 winners.

Marcus was back in the winner’s circle for Dennis Drier in the second aboard favourite Home Ruler although he had to work a touch harder than expected as Mantle refused to give in and chased him hard all the way to the line.

The third turned into a duel between Marcus aboard another favourite Amex, and reigning national champion Lyle Hewitson. It was a case of two of the best riders in the country up against each other this time it was Hewitson who triumphed narrowly. The two left the balance of the field chasing shadows, Thru’ The Trees in front, then Amex and Thru’ The Trees when it counted to give Lowan Denysschen a welcome winner.

There were more than a few patrons hanging on to the lead rope as King’s Cove made his way into the winner’s box for Doug Campbell. Under a smart ride from Warren Kennedy, who made a telling move to the outside rail in the straight, the Campbell home-bred won comfortably from Frankie Two Shoes with favourite Father’s Frost fourth but reported lame after the race.

If Howells was cursing his luck with his run of seconds, he was joined by Ashburton colleague Shane Humby whose runners finished runner-up in successive races. Top weight Tribal Fusion, game in defeat, was unable to give Mr Roy 6.5kg while Wayward was unable to peg-back the speedy Ronnie Rocket who ran all the way to the line for Pat Lunn and Keagan de Melo.

From the day Solid Gold won his first heat, Michael Roberts knew he had a good horse on his hands and the gelding confirmed that view with a solid win in the seventh, fighting off a determined challenge from favourite Exclusive Quantity with the rest a long way behind. Ante-post favourite Sacred Castle didn’t make it to the track as both Paul Peter runners on the day were scratched – injured in transit.

Marcus and Puller rounded off the meeting, with Jack Of Hearts tracking the pace all the way before Marcus delivered his mount with a telling run to win cosily from pacemaker, Roy’s Physco and stretch the riders tally to 120, a lead of eight over Muzi Yeni in the championship race.

By Andrew Harrison

The ten race meeting on the Highveld tomorrow should favour punters as there are only three handicaps, but on the other hand the Turffontein Inside track can produce upsets.

In the first leg of the PA over 1450m Shanghai Tang has done well against some fair sorts and should have benefitted from his comeback run in December. He does not face an inspiring field and is distance suited although he has a tricky draw of eight out of 14. Colonel Caramel is a rangy type who is improving and last time he stayed on well over this trip to finish a close third in a similar field. He has a fair draw and should be involved. Over Sharing has a tough draw but has the form to earn. Chevron is another one who warrants consideration. Tyrell by Silvano is a full-brother to the top class Tellina and makes his debut from pole position.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 Redberry Lane has overcome tough draws before and this Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes winner is well treated at the weights over her ideal mile trip. Tamarina is an up and coming sort and could be a threat from a fair draw and there is not much between her and the well drawn and consistent Being Fabulous.

In the next race Nimcha is the one to beat over what should be an ideal trip of 1800m. Last time over 2000m he moved up and found no extra and has a similar middle draw. The Honey Badger could be the chief threat. He is a sort who has ability but needs things to go his way and they should go   his way from pole position under Muzi Yeni over an ideal trip. Verdi also warrants consideration having beaten The Honey Badger last time, although there is now a reversal in draw fortunes.

The sixth race over 2600m is the first handicap on the card. Long Pond strikes as one who will enjoy the step up in trip and she gets the blinkers on after finding no extra in her last two starts, both over 2000m. Cantata Mundi stayed on well over 2000m in her first start out the maidens and the jockey who won on her, Ryan Munger, is back aboard. Emily Hobhouse has caught the eye on occasion and will be coming into her own being by Ideal World. She sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight and is a dark horse.

The seventh is a Pinnacle Stakes event and the three fillies Cascapedia, Silver Thursday and Fort Ember should fight it out. Cascapedia is the tip having proved how good she is over this distance when a close third in the G-Bets Summer Cup, although she might actually prefer 1800m. Silver Thursday should be thereabouts. It was not necessarily the blinkers which helped last time but rather a good draw allowed her to find a better position than she had done in her previous two starts. She over raced last time and still won so if settling well from pole position she could cause an upset. Fort Ember worked hard to get to the front in the Summer Cup when beaten 3,1 lengths by Cascapedia but in this smaller field should be able to get there easier and she has a chance too.

Hakeem is made the value bet of the day in race eight over 1600m from draw two. He stays 2000m but has some speed and this distance looks ideal so as a handy sort from a good draw he should go close.

In the next race Only To Win goes for her second 1600m win of the week and she could fight it out with Aurelia Cotta who should enjoy this course and distance and is drawn well.

By David Thiselton

Procrastination looks good for the Tabonline.co.za Maiden at Kenilworth tomorrow after catching the eye on debut three weeks ago.

She was no match for easy winner Run Fox Run that day but she did have the third over three lengths back and, as Andre Nel aims to have them fit enough to run well first time but not normally quite ready to win, this one can be expected to have come on a fair bit.

The selection was 22-10 favourite yesterday with Fluttering next in the WSB market on 5-1. The Vaughan Marshall filly invariably runs well but is beginning to prove expensive. She started favourite when finding one too good for her on her last two starts and, although she ran as if she would have appreciated 1 000m last time, she performed creditably over 1 400m on her previous outing.

Bitter Lemon (15-2) ran on well last time (only her second start) while Sleeping Single (11-2) and 16-1 shot Sacred Story have place prospects.

In the opening two-year-old race the two that have run don’t look good enough and, given Candice Bass-Robinson’s record this term, Cousin Liz is the obvious one to go for. The 28-10 favourite is by Captain Al out of a half-sister to the Empres Club winner Fair Maiden.

But watch for any support for Look To (currently 33-10). A Captain Al newcomer trained by Marshall should never be left out of calculations. Of the others Bad Habit cost R600 000 and Ferrari Red R400 000.

Gold Pact is 5-2 favourite for the TAB Telebet Maiden on the strength of his short head defeat in a work riders race five weeks ago but the form of those events is unreliable and the price looks too short.  Kingston Rock (28-10) is preferred although it is a concern that he was returned not striding out after his last run, and the ground has not exactly gone any softer in the interim.

Cat Daddy was the forecast favourite for the Betting World Maiden after heading the market on Met day only to finish with just two behind him – he was baulked and forced to ease back. Bernard Fayd’Herbe takes over and is sure to finish a lot closer but he may not beat Engage And Beware who has already been nibbled at and was 22-10 favourite yesterday morning.

Dennis Drier’s comfortable maiden winner Cabo Da Cruz is 3-1 joint favourite for his handicap debut in race seven but I prefer fellow 3-1 shot Mythical Bolt who doesn’t have that first-time-out-of-the-maidens tag to overcome.

However the finale appears to be dominated by two such horses. Window To Africa and Run Fox Run both won easily on debut and it is difficult to split them. Indeed they share top spot at 28-10 with nothing else quoted at less than 11-1. It’s a toss-up but the coin comes up heads for Anton Marcus’s mount.

By Michael Clower

A winning strike rate that counts a winner out of every three rides is testimony to the prowess of Anton Marcus – in the saddle as well as his assessment of form. As a trainer commented recently, “when Anton calls for a ride, you know you must have done something right!”

At this stage of the season Marcus is the current national log leader on 115, four winners clear of Muzi Yeni, and has another book of plum rides at Scottsville on Sunday.

Champion Lyle Hewitson’s defence of his title was dead in the water before it even started as a knee injury saw him start the season on the side-lines. He is currently 92 winners behind Marcus but the two are likely to go head-to-head in a couple of races on Sunday. The first of them is in the card opener where they both have mounts for Garth Puller, Hewitson on Krishnies Jet and Marcus on Hondo.

The two met last time out with the younger Krishnies Jet nearly a length clear of his stable companion, second and third respectively behind Rocket Fire. Both horses will sport blinkers for the first time but Hondo was ridden by a 4kg claimer last time out and even Marcus may not be able to swing the result.

Not so in the second where Marcus’s mount Home Ruler is likely to start a short-priced favourite. Dennis Drier is back from his summer sojourn to the Cape and Home Ruler has caught the eye in both of his starts to date. He was staying on nicely behind Extravargant over course and distance and barring surprises she looks a fair bet.

Hewitson and Marcus could possibly fight out the opening leg of the Pick 6, Hewitson on Lowan Denysschen’s runner, Thru’ The Trees and Marcus riding Amex for Nathan Kotzen.

 Thru’ The Trees is tested over the trip and Hewitson will know what he has under him as he partnered the filly in her last race. The same goes for Amex, but she steps up to a mile for the first time on Sunday, no doubt on the advice of Marcus who will again be in the irons.

The fourth is more difficult. Father’s Frost is a late starter, having only had two outings as a four-year-old but was staying on well behind Last Of A Legend  last time out and he has a plum draw to boot.

Galway has run two improved races of late, both on the poly, and tries blinkers for the first time. Black Warrior, a half brother to the useful Fiorella, is something of a difficult customer but will enjoy this trip on debut from a good draw.

Marcus trekked to Ashburton earlier in the week to put Tribal Fusion through his pace for long-time supporter Shane Humby and the gelding is likely favourite for the Racing. It’s a Rush Pinnacle Stakes. The top weight has had two outings since his break for African Horse Sickness vaccinations and should strip at his peak. He will be up against Amor Ardiente who is a consistent galloper for Belinda Impey who rarely misses a cheque.

Smart filly Arianos Shadow has her first outing for Frank Robinson and must have a chance off her light weight while Flamboyant Stakes winner Camphoratus took a 10-point hit in the handicap for that win which may have scuppered her chances here.

The Sea Urchin form has worked out quite nicely which should see Curva in with a strong chance in a competitive handicap in the sixth.

Paul Peter raids and Hewitson teams up with his colt Sacred Castle in the seventh. A facile end-to-end winner on debut he looks a fair proposition but Farland and Exclusive Quantity will be there to pick up the pieces should Sacred Castle not run up to expectations.

Peter will have his supporters in the last where he saddles Mighty Rock, but Toronto, up for sae at the end of the month and the Marcus-ridden Jack Of Hearts may prove his match.

By Andrew Harrison

Andre Nel could be the trainer to follow at Kenilworth on Saturday if the early World Sports Betting prices are any guide. He has only four runners and three of them are favourites – Procrastination, Twice To Sydney and Window To Africa who shares top spot at 28-10 with the Brett Crawford-trained Run Fox Run in the last. All three Nel horses are ridden by Aldo Domeyer.

Domeyer, second only to Richard Fourie in winners at Kenilworth this season, also partners  3-1 favourite Cousin Liz in the opening two-year-old race for Candice Bass-Robinson who has won the most Cape Town juvenile races so far this term. She has won three out of eight and none of her rivals has won more than one.

Anton Marcus rides two favourites and two-joint favourites – two for Crawford, one for Mrs Bass-Robinson and Mythical Bolt who is on a loss-recovery mission for Sean Tarry in race seven.

It was Hassen Adams who initially set about securing maximum returns from Kenilworth’s extensive and valuable property and now Kenilworth Racing has appointed a property sub-committee to further explore all avenues, investigate the best use of the assets and create annuity income.

Robert Bloomberg (chairman) has been joined on the committee by Vidrik Thurling, Jonathan Snaith, Greg Bortz, Gaynor Rupert and Phumelela CEO John Stuart.

By Michael Clower

Gauteng Guineas winner National Park will stay in Johannesburg until the second leg of the SA Triple Crown, the Grade 1 R2 million SA Classic over 1800m to be run on March 2.

He is set for an almighty clash with Soqrat, who is also a Triple Crown contender having won the other joint first leg, the Grade 1 Cape Guineas.

Soqrat is by the sprinter to seven furlong horse Epaulette and has a lot of speed in his female line too. However, he has an ideal racing temperament and switches on and off at the jockey’s command so will have a chance of getting the trip.

National Park is by Gimmethegreenlight, who was best at a mile, but did finish third in the Met. His dam won from 1400-1600m. However, he also has a good racing temperament and should stay 1800m. He will not be staying for the third leg, the SA Derby over 2450m even if he wins the SA Classic., 

The last time National Park stayed on the Highveld he appeared to run a flat race in the Dingaans. This corresponded with a theory that coastal horses staying at high altitude hit a flat spot for about a week at roundabout the 19 day mark. However, trainer Yvette Bremner believes that disappointing run had more to do with him being forced to go to the front as he was in danger of being caught wide. She believes under the circumstances he did well to finish fourth. So, she is not concerned about him having to spend four weeks on the Highveld until the SA Classic. Top jockey Richard Fourie will keep the ride.

The handicappers assessed Soqrat to have run to a 118 merit rating in the Cape Guineas and gave National Park a 117 for his run on Saturday. However, Soqrat was later raised to 124 after his narrow loss in the Grade 1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate.

CTS 1600 winner One World, whose only loss to date was in the Cape Guineas, is merit rated 117. Politician Stakes winner and Cape Guineas and CTS 1600 runner up Twisted Fate is rated 115. However, neither of that pair are likely to travel to the Highveld for the SA Classic.

Dingaans winner Hawwaam is merit rated 112 but cannot be written off. He over raced for the second time in succession in the Guineas on Saturday and this blunted the devastating finish he is capable of and which was seen at its best in the Dingaans. Hawwaam does not have the immaculate temperament of his stablemate Soqrat, but he does probably have more latent ability. If he gets a good draw and settles well in the SA Classic he will be a huge threat. 

The SA Triple Tiara is unlikely to be landed this season. Saturday’s Gauteng Fillies Guineas-winner Nafaayes is by speed influence Exceed And Excel out of a Grade 3-winning Dehere mare who was a seven-furlong to miler type, so 1800m might stretch her. Mike de Kock said, “The 1800m of the Fillies Classic will be okay for her, probably just within her reach, but beyond that we’d be stretching it.” However, the yard might be tempted to run her in the SA Oaks over 2450m if she does win the SA Fillies Classic as there will be a R1 million bonus at stake.

The winner of the WSB Cape Fillies Guineas, Front And Centre, is resting after a tough campaign and will next be seen in the KZN Champions Season.

The strength of the fillies crop clearly resides in Cape Town this season.

Front And Centre beat Clouds Unfold in the Grade 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas but trainer Candice Bass-Robinson was of the opinion the latter had a better preparation going into the Grade 1 Bidvest Majorca Stakes and she duly gained her revenge, but only by 1,7 lengths. The meat in the sandwich was the four-year-old Grade 1 bridesmaid Lady In Black and further back was the defending champion and twice Grade 1-winning miler Snowdance, so there was no doubting the merit of the performance.

However, the form of the Johannesburg crop has not been altogether consistent, which points to questionable strength.

Nafaayes stayed on resolutely from a handy position to pip Running Brave in Saturday’s Gauteng Fillies Guineas with Celtic Sea third and Ronnie’s Candy fourth. Nafaayes did convert favouritism as was coming off a victory in the Grade 2 Ipi Tombe Stakes over the course and distance against useful older horses. The form of the latter race makes her look as strong as her Cape Town counterparts.

However, it falls apart when looking at other formlines from the Gauteng Fillies Guineas. Running Brave and Celtic Sea were earlier beaten 3,55 lengths and 2,75 lengths into seventh and sixth respectively in the Grade 3 Fillies Mile on G-Bets Summer Cup day. That race was won by Ghaalla and the form always looked suspect as Ronnie’s Candy had no luck in the running, yet still managed a close up third, and the runner up I Like It was an exposed 88 merit rated filly. Ghaalla was duly beaten 5,35 lengths into eighth place in the Cape Fillies Guineas.

Furthermore, Ronnie’s Candy gave Nafaayes 2kg and a 2,2 length beating in the Starling Stakes on November 3 last year.

Ronnie’s Candy was in fact a touch unlucky on Saturday. She settled well and looked set to use her tremendous turn of foot, but never had daylight in front of her and thus never had a chance to truly let herself down. An inquiry has also been held into the jockey’s riding of her in the closing stages as he appeared to ease her down before the line which likely cost her third place.

The handicappers have accorded Clouds Unfold a 115 merit rating, Front And Centre a 112 and Nafaayes on 109. The best sprinting three-year-old filly, the Johannesburg-based Mighty High, is also rated 109.

By David Thiselton

Summerveld-based Mark Dixon was pulling out his diminishing thatch as he battled through a virus that resulted in elevated liver enzymes, but his patience has paid off in recent weeks as the stable has come well. Dixon saddled a double at Scottsville yesterday, one expected, the other not so.

Expected was News Stream in the second. Not the easiest to handle, giving his rider a difficult time on debut, but there were no such issues yesterday as Keagan de Melo got her home ahead of the well fancied Cosmic Cutter with the balance of the field out with the washing.

The two shook off all opposition with a furlong to run, but News Stream, bred and owned by SA Jockey Academy Chairman Avison Carlisle and his wife Mary at their Kinmount Stud in the KZN Midlands, finished just the stronger to get home by a neck.

The two Dixon-trained fillies Diamante and She’s A Dream fought out the finish of the fourth, Diamante paying R52 a win on the tote with the exacta paying a healthy R450. Both fillies had been in the doldrums recently, especially She’s A Dream who looked to be going places early in her career.

“She just lost her way,” said Dixon on She’s A Dream who is on the Shongeweni Mixed Sale at the end of the month. On this showing she may not be up for auction any longer.

The meeting kicked off with a smart showing by the Paul Lafferty-trained Aussie import Share Holder. After a promising barrier trial, he was well supported in the market and duly arrived. “He’s a very nice horse,” said Lafferty. Lafferty had some difficulty putting together owners for the colt as the many bloodstock agents said “he didn’t walk too well.”

Well if he doesn’t walk to well, he certainly gallops well as he showed yesterday.

Maa Nonu, named after the classy All Black midfielder, lived up to his name as he came with a telling run for Lezeanne Forbes. Mark Khan time his run to perfection as he out-duelled the blinkered Mana Santana.

The outside of the Scottsville straight track is often labelled a ‘minefield’. However, so few runners take that route that it’s a perception that will linger until jockeys and trainers decide that it’s not necessary a ‘roadblock’.

Apprentice Jason Gates ignored all, sticking to the outside rail on the Brett Crawford-trained Hashtagthemost, to cause another boil-over in the exotics. Spring Breeze was the ‘money’ horse but after looking dangerous a furlong out, she kept on one-paced for third as rank outsider Sheik’s Storm ran her out of second.

Louis Goosen held a strong hand in the Pinnacle Stakes and a trainer in form coupled with a jockey in form, made no mistakes. Anton Marcus kept the favourite just off the pace as stable companion Effortless Reward set a good pace, before pouncing when it mattered. Vision To Kill, who did not enjoy the best of the Cape Summer, found some of her best form to pressure Captain’s Gal, but it was a little too late.

The two teamed up again in the seventh with Marcus having to work a lot harder on the favourite. Asked about the early pedestrian pace Goosen replied, “when you have got Anton on you don’t have to worry.”

Siberian Husky, after a local warm-up on the poly, ran out a convincing winner of the last to give Brett Crawford a double, running on strongly to beat the Lafferty pair of White Lightning and top weight Our Coys with pacemaker Jet Stream staying on for the shallow end of the purse.

By Andrew Harrison