It might sound sacrilege to say so but the unbeaten Run Fox Run could be worth opposing in the Champagne Stakes at Kenilworth tomorrow.

Brett Crawford warned earlier in the week that he would not risk the rising star if yesterday’s rain turns the ground soft but, even if it is not enough to keep her away, she could be vulnerable – and at yesterday’s 4-10 it makes sense to look elsewhere.

Lesedi La Rona may not be the most obvious on adjusted merit ratings – she comes out 5kg behind both Dynamic Diana and Canukeepitsecret – but she showed signs of fulfilling her two-year-old promise with a smooth win in a pinnacle last time and, highly relevantly, she made light of the good to soft ground. “She is back to her best,” confirms Candice Bass-Robinson. Her current 15-2 looks attractive.

Furthermore, while the favourite has won three of the last six runnings, the last three years have seen a succession of upsets with the winners being returned at 11-1, 25-1 and 8-1.

Glen Kotzen is the most successful trainer in this race with four winners and he is represented by the double-figure priced pair Too Phat To Fly and Ostinato. The latter has won twice when the word soft has appeared in the going description.

Only once in the past 15 years has the Champagne seen a smaller field than tomorrow’s nine but the six in the Final Fling is the smallest this century with Justin Snaith responsible for half the runners and Glen Kotzen (two) and Mrs Bass-Robinson the only other trainers represented.

Platinum Class is well-nigh unbackable at 2-7 but Richard Fourie’s mount is hard to oppose despite three of the last four favourites getting beaten. She comes out over three lengths better than the next highest-rated (stable companion Miss Katalin) and she has won in the soft. She was third in the Prix du Cap and the Olympic Duel and in the Ladies Mile last time she had Pearl Jam over a length back third and here she is 8kg better. Miss Katalin and Libra are also well held on that run.

If you are looking for a long shot then Coral Bay, the rank outsider at 22-1, just might be worth an interest. She appears to have completely lost her form but she is a Listed winner, she goes in the ground and Kotzen has won this race four times before.

BLOB The Durbanville meeting on Tuesday, July 30 has been switched to Kenilworth.

By Michael Clower

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

The Highveld Hawks, defending their title for the third time in succession, are set to get off to a smart start in New Turf Carriers Rider Cup at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday. Muzi Yeni has drawn the plum ride on the Sean Tarry-trained Over The Limit while ‘stable companion’ Gavin Lerena will be aboard first timer Sacred Blues for Garth Puller, second and third favourites in the first leg and third race on the card.

Early favourite for the opening leg is Glacier Girl, Richard Fourie also having landed a plum draw on Alyson’s Wright’s filly. A close-up second in a work rider’s race for Mike de Kock last time out, Glacier Girl has her first run for Wright and the blinkers come off.

Over The Limit boasts some consistent Highveld form and with Tarry and Yeni both contenders for their respective national championships, both will be keen on a victory.

With riders and runners having been drawn out of the hat, nothing can be read into the riding arrangements but the bonus is that we have a dozen of the country’s premier riders in action.

Duncan Howells holds a strong hand in the second leg with Mocha Rose and La Valette, Lyle Hewitson and Keagan de Melo doing duty for the stable. Mocha Rose did not get the best of passages when down the field behind stable companion Barinois last time out with her recent form over course and distance more than useful.

La Valette started at long odds when making her poly track debut and appeared to take to the synthetic surface, staying on well behind the older Missibaba. A win for Hewitson would be further good news for the Hawks.

Sean Veale can strike back for the KZN Falcons aboard the Howells runner Barinois in the next. The synthetic surface seems to bring out the best in her, her last effort coming over course and distance when coming from last to win going away.

Miss Sabina looks a likely danger while Imperial Royal has a tricky draw to contend with but was a close-up third when up against stronger at her last start.

The final leg of the Cup could see the giant Haddington record the eighth win of his career. He is back over his favourite course and distance and Bernard Fayd’Herbe is sure to get the best out of Louis Goosen’s runner.

At around 13-1 in the market he looks fair value for money with Gimme A Cohiba and Anton Marcus weak 3-1 favourites in the early betting with O’Reilly and Don Pierro 6-1 chances according to bookmakers.

Punters are reminded that there is tote betting on the outcome of the Cup “twelfth” race on the card, there will be win, place and swinger options on the outcome where the jockey who accumulates the most points will be declared Victor Ludorum. The pools close at the start of race 3 (13.25).

By Andrew HarrisonTo take a bet go to www.tabgold.co.za or www.trackandball.co.za

The Rider Cup takes place over four legs on the Greyville poly on Sunday and it should be a thriller.  

The KZN Falcons team is made up of Anton Marcus, Warren Kennedy, Sean Veale and Keagan de Melo.

The Highveld Hawks consists of Lyle Hewitson, Muzi Yeni, Gavin Lerena and S’Manga Khumalo.

The Cape Eagles team comprises Greg Cheyne, Richard Fourie, Bernard Fayd’Herbe and Corne Orffer.

The predicted order of finish in the first leg, an uninspiring maiden race is Over The Limit (Yeni), Sacred Blues (Lerena), Magic Bean (Marcus), Glacier Girl (Fourie), Tallulah Jet (Orffer), Retail Therapy (Veale), Duchess Lane (De Melo), Masters Beauty (Cheyne), Lady Clementine (Kennedy), Spanish Oasis (Khumalo), Amberbell (Fayd’Herbe), Jamie’s Joy (Hewitson). 

Over The Limit did well when dropped to this trip last time and has a plum draw. Sacred Blues makes her debut after catching the eye in a barrier trial. She is by Oratorio and is from the family of the useful sprinter Down To Zero. Magic Bean has a fair action and can improve on her debut which did not pan out well. Glacier Girl has some of the best form in the race and makes her debut for the Alyson Wright yard having been sold out of the Mike de Kock yard. First-timers Tallulah Jet and Retail Therapy are both bred for further but did it easily in a barrier trial and should be staying on. Duchess Lane showed pace last time with first time blinkers on over 1400m and should appreciate the step back down to 1200m.

In the second leg, a fillies and mares MR 72 Handicap, the predicted order of finish is Spam Alert (Fayd’Herbe), Myelisha (Khumalo), Stormbourne Thunder (Veale), La Valette (De Melo), Mitra Music (Orffer), Song Of The Forest (Marcus), Mocha Rose (Hewitson), Mambo Lyric (Yeni), Rock Pigeon (Fourie) , Eden Gardens Glitz (Lerena), Give Me A Break Nate (Kennedy) and Senorita Amor (Cheyne).

Spam Alert has only had one run in KZN and likely needed it. If reproducing her Cape Town form she will go close, although she hasn’t raced since April 5 and that also followed a three month layoff. Myelisha is a filly with some substance and enjoys the poly. She was given an eight point raise for her win last time out in February and hasn’t raced since, but on collateral formlines she comes out well. Stormborne Thunder, whose form is quite hard-knocking, will likely go to the front and under a nice galloping weight can stay on. La Valette was dropped out from a wide draw over 1200m last time and ran on well. Mitra Music did quite well last time in a relatively strong workrider’s event over 1100m and should be involved over a more suitable trip. Song Of The Forest could contest the early lead under Marcus.  

In the third leg the predicted order of finish is More Than A Dime (Fayd’Herbe), Barinois (Veale), Isla Morada (De Melo), Princess Analia (Hewitson)  Imperial Royal (Khumalo), Berry Flambeau (Fourie), Such A Rush (Cheyne), Bronnie (Yeni), Miss Sabina (Orffer), Jo Mambo (Kennedy)  Green Caviar (Marcus) and Keep It Real (Lerena),  

More Than A Dime looks to have scope so can follow up on her maiden win. Barinois comes from a yard who is out of form but at her best is able to run on strongly. Isla Morada is a courageous sort who should finish close to More Than A Dime on paper. Princess Analia is course and distance suited and has dropped to a competitive mark. Imperial Royal would prefer further but if getting to the front from a wide draw could be dangerous. Barry Flambeau bolted home in a workrider’s maiden in Jo’burg when stepped up to this trip and starts off handicapping on a reasonable mark.

In the last leg over 1900m the predicted order of finish is Gimmie A Cohiba (Marcus), Three Dog Night (Lerena), Techno Captain (Hewitson), O’Reilly (Yeni),  Gibraltar Green (De Melo), Sea Sponge (Cheyne), Al Jackman (Veale), Master Sam (Orffer), Don Pierro (Fourie), Everlasting Love (Khumalo), Hyaku (Kennedy), Haddington (Fayd’Herbe), 

Gimmie A Cohiba has a wide draw but Marcus knows this horse well and if positioning him well his long stride will be effective in the straight. Three Dog Night won a maiden over 1600m at Turffontein with a sustained finish last time and will appreciate the step up in trip. Techno Captain is widely drawn but has come down to a nice mark and steps back up to a more suitable trip. O’Reilly ran a cracker last time over 2000m on turf considering he was considerably under sufferance and caught wide in the running. However, he does have another wide draw. Gibraltar Green won well over 1600m on the poly three runs ago albeit off a six point lower mark. This is a more suitable trip and his last run can be ignored as he was squeezed out in the straight. Sea Sponge has a chance on formlines with Gimmie A Cohiba. 

It is going to be tight but on these predictions the Highveld Hawks will narrowly beat the KZN Falcons with the Cape Eagles third.

The top jockey will be very tight on these predictions. Anton Marcus and Sean Veale emerge as joint-winners and Bernard Fayd’Herbe is just one point further back in third.

There is all to play for and it should be an intriguing event.

By David Thiselton

Rich overseas races could be an option for the dual Vodacom Durban July winner Do It Again in the second half of next season if the European Union agrees to relax South Africa’s equine export protocols.

Jono Snaith said: “If the protocol opens up before the end of this year then we could discuss an international campaign – but not until that happens.”

The now world-famous gelding is due to head back to Cape Town later this month and Snaith Racing’s master strategist outlined immediate plans, saying: “He will have about a month off at our farm just relaxing. He has the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and the Sun Met on his radar so we have plenty of time.”

The 2018 Met winner Oh Susanna has been scratched from the WSB Champions Cup but she will stay in training as a five-year-old and has a third consecutive Cartier Paddock Stakes win as a prime target.

In the meantime Justin Snaith seeks an elusive first eLan Gold Cup and he has booked last year’s winning jockey Anton Marcus for Doublemint and Bernard Fayd’Herbe for Made To Conquer while Richard Fourie rides last year’s fourth Strathdon. If recent history is any guide the one to be on is the favourite because the best-backed horse has won the last four runnings.

Brett Crawford is aiming for his fifth Champions Cup in seven seasons and he reports last year’s runner-up Undercover Agent in good shape: “That was a good run in the Gold Challenge. There were top horses around him and he has been doing well at home since.”

Crawford will be two-handed in the Mercury Sprint with Corne Orffer on Bold Respect and Donovan Dillon on Search Party. Last year’s fourth Sunset Eyes goes for a possibly easier option in the Umngeni Handicap.

By Michael Clower

Piere Strydom has been booked to ride the topweight in the eLan Gold Cup, the Frank Robinson-trained Roy Had Enough.

Robinson noticed there was a gap in the Mauritius program so contacted Strydom. The latter agreed to fly over from his current island base.

Roy Had Enough finished a fantastic 2,75 length seventh in the Vodacom Durban July. 

The winner Do It Again shoved him outward at the top of the straight but he regathered and ran on strongly from near the back.

The Australian-bred four-year-old Pierro colt remains on a merit rating of 108 but that means he has to carry topweight in the Gold Cup.

However, Robinson revealed Anton Marcus had got off Roy Had Enough after his running-on win in the Grade 3 Track And Ball Derby over 2400m, which was run just two weeks before the July, and immediately suggested he go for the Gold Cup.

Robinson was excited to have booked Strydom for the ride.

The maestro 5000-winner-plus jockey has won the Gold Cup just once before but is known as a master tactician and judge of pace.    

Roy Had Enough has a good draw of eleven among the 26 entries still standing and is quoted at 16/1 with Track And Ball.

By David Thiselton

The smaller yards mostly find it tough going during Champions Season with out-of-province trainers raiding with their best horses. But it does pay to take them on occasionally as Captain Demonami put one over the fancied Wolfgang in the first at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday.

Dean Kannemeyer’s runner looked all over a winner inside the final furlong, but Captain Demonami, who led at the top of the straight, came right back at him to land the spoils for Lezeanne Forbes and Mark Khan.

“He’s still a big baby and this trip is still short of his best,” said Forbes. That said he is nominated for the Gr3 Umkhomazi Stakes over 1200m in 10 day’s time.

The won was tempered with the news that Wolfgang had pulled up lame behind which probably accounted for him not going through with his effort that last bit.

She’s A Crusade is something of a 900m specialist, having finished runner-up in her previous four starts after running out of puff inside the last 100m. But Corrine Bestel’s filly had much in her favour yesterday and Lyle Hewitson, having his third go on the filly, judged this one to perfection, asking for an effort at just the right moment and She’s A Crusade responded with a game effort to the line but winning rather comfortably in the end.

Opensea was not so lucky in the next as his followers had to be content with another placed run as the younger Knight Warrior proved far too smart. “He’s a smart horse,” commented Dennis Bosch. “He wrapped himself quite badly in his last race but I said to Des that I thought he would be too good for this field.”

And so it proved as Richard Fourie rode a super confident race, pulling wide into the straight, A la Anton Marcus, and roaring up the outside rail.

His next target is the R2.5 million CTS sales race at Kenilworth in January but there is still a lot of water to pass under that bridge. “He will now have his African Horse Sickness and then another race. He will have to win that if he is to go to Cape Town,” said Des Gonsalves, racing manager to Mario Ferreira.

Bosch was leading in another winner as Born To Perform completed the double. The grey son of the smart racemare Dancer’s Daughter has been a late starter, this only his fifth start, but the four-year-old’s only two defeats have come on the turf and is now three-from-three on the poly for Warren Kennedy.

Kennedy, one of the team members of the KZN Falcons in the New Turf Carriers Rider Cup this Saturday, was back in the limelight as he eased Gavin van Zyl’s Pantsula through on the inside rail to snaffle Eternal Words and apprentice Jason Gates.

Van Zyl used the opportunity to question the merit of the 10-point merit rating increase due for all runners come August 1, reasoning that trainers would have great difficulty placing their higher rated horses in the off season with few options open to them.

Travelling Light was widely expected to atone for her disappointing effort in the Allan Robertson Championship and she was given a forward ride by title-chasing Hewitson. But the 61kg on her back told over the last 100m as the seasoned veteran Zadora finished with a flourish. Given that Travelling Light was giving 3.5kg to her older rival, it was still an effort full of merit.

Donovan Dillon is slowly working his way into the top echelon of the KZN jockey ranks after his recent move from Cape Town. He rounded off the meeting with a double, leading all the way on Triple Fate Line for Robbie and Shannon Hill, the winner looks to have a decent future ahead of him as he met a useful field.

Lady Abigail was not that easy to find in the last. Having her first run for Doug Campbell, the filly finished down the field in her last two, but took advantage of a drop in class to hold on gamely.

By Andrew Harrison

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

The Vaal Classic track usually produces favourable results and punters can have a good day there tomorrow.

The best bet is chosen as Snorting Bull in the fifth race, a Middle Stakes event over 2400m, The fillies Western Dance, Factor Fifty and Parisienne Chic are all well weighted in this event and have to be respected. However, Snorting Bull was not at all disgraced last time when finishing six lengths behind the exciting prospect Al Mutawakel over 1600m. He should now be cherry ripe to return to his winning trip of 2400m. On that occasion he lost two lengths but won by 3,10 lengths without coming out of second gear and Gavin Lerena is an eyecatching booking. Snorting Bull is by the underrated sire Traffic Guard, whose progeny enjoy this sort of ground and continually improve. Kurt’s Approval is chose to finish second as he enjoys this course and distance and is drawn well with a 2,5kg claimer up.

The value bet is chosen to be Pink in the eighth race over 1500m. This Master Of My Fate filly has always struck as one with ability but has not enjoyed the best of luck. In her last two runs she has proven to be competitive off her current lowly mark of 62. She was unlucky in her penultimate start over this trip and has a chance to make amends here from a good draw under Craig Zackey, who is getting on well with her. Florida Quays is talented and will be a threat from pole position. However, her easy win last time was against a below par field and she now has to overcome a seven point merit rated raise. The hard-knocking Sammi Moosa is also in with a shout under Lyle Hewitson, although she does have a wide draw to overcome.

The meeting starts off with a good chance for El Patron in a 1000m Maiden Juvenile Plate. He has some pace and was not far behind a fair sort last time. Aristachus and the first-timer by Vercingetorix, Kwikstix, look to be the dangers.

Later in the first leg of the PA over 1600m Aziri Sun steps up to a more suitable trip of 1600m and if reproducing her best Cape Town form this Silvano filly should go close under Lyle Hewitson despite a wide draw. Charmz Luck is improving and is the back up from a good draw over a trip which should suit ideally.

The first leg of the Pick 6 has a banker possibility in Madida, but he does have a tough draw and beyond him Tunneloflove, Sell High, Eppagila and G I Joe have to be included.

In the second leg of the Jackpot many overlooked Lily Starlette last time and she was allowed to go off at 12/1 before winning in fine style. She had shown promise early in her career and the cornel collar worked in that last race so she can follow up despite being given a five point raise. Claremorris is off a competitive mark and should enjoy 1200m in the current fast conditions.

In the seventh race over 1500m Copenhagen goes for a hattrick having enjoyed the step up to this distance category. He is four points higher than his last win but won comfortably that day and has another good draw. The filly Promise beat the boys last time over 1450m and Warren Kennedy stays aboard so she could be a danger off a six point higher mark.

The last race is tricky. Tendre could be a value each way bet as he ran on well from last in his penultimate start and is now six points lower in the merit ratings. Chase Maujean suits horses who come from off the pace. However, the suggestion is to go as wide as possible in this race.

By David Thiselton

Greg Cheyne reached the 150-winner mark for the fourth time in his illustrious career when landing the Betting World Handicap on the Andre Nel-trained 93-20 chance Silver Dazzle at Durbanville yesterday.

The Met and July-winning jockey had his best total four seasons ago when he booted home 156 winners and finished third on the national log. The closest he has yet come to the championship was in 2016/17 when he rode 152 but his second place was 46 behind Anthony Delpech.

Cheyne, 43 last month, said: “There are still quite a few meetings left this season and the way things are going I should beat 156. But otherwise it’s unbelievable – I should end up riding more winners than I have ever done yet I will only finish fifth. It just shows how competitive it is.”

Six millimetres of rain is forecast for the Kenilworth area tomorrow and there are fears that this could be enough to rule the unbeaten Run Fox Run out of Saturday’s Champagne Stakes.

Brett Crawford said yesterday: “I will be keeping a close eye on the penetrometer and if the ground is soft I won’t run her. She has too nice an action for soft going and it’s not worth risking her just for one race.”

Anton Marcus’s mount is expected to open odds-on when the first prices are posted today. In her absence Lesedi La Rona would be the likely favourite after returning to form in a pinnacle over the 1 200m trip three weeks ago.

Deshone Steyn, assistant trainer to Sean Tarry for the past 12 years, has joined Candice Bass-Robinson in the same capacity. He is to succeed Robert Fayd’Herbe who returns to Madagascar at the end of next month.

Steyn, 52, after greeting the Keagan de Melo-ridden Elusive Rain in race two yesterday, said: “Before joining Sean I trained at the Vaal for five years and sent out 64 winners but I had to give it up for financial reasons. I was offered this new job by Candice and, as my mother-in-law had passed away, my wife Dickie and I decided to move to Cape Town.” 

Joey Ramsden yesterday confirmed that he will be keeping open his Milnerton yard – and his operations in other centres – at least until the end of the year, adding: “I want to reassure my owners that I am here working for you until I get more clarification regarding my visa application in Singapore.

“We are hopeful that export will open in that time (between now and the year end) and we want to be on the coal face to export our product to an international stage.”

By Michael Clower

Wolfgang made a promising debut at Hollywoodbets Scottsville recently and can build on that efforts with a bold showing in the first at Hollywoodbets Greyville today. The form of that race has proved solid with second placed Impressive Duchess winning by eight lengths at Flamingo Park on Monday and third-placed Shango winning for Sean Tarry and is among the nominations for the Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes in a fortnight’s time.

Given that form, the 33-10 on offer with Track & Ball look fairly generous about Dean Kannemeyer’s charge, especially as the stable is on hot form at present.

Nearest market rival and ante-post favourite at 3-1 is Johan Janse van Vuuren’s gelding Gladstone. A close-up third in both recent starts on the Turffontein inside track, Van Vuuren obviously feels that he has not got the best out of his charge and has declared first-time blinkers.

Both horses make their poly debut but given the depth of Wolfgang’s form and barring a ‘springer’ he is a confident selection.

She’s A Crusade in a 900m specialist, the final 100m having found her out in her last four starts. She has been beaten by some fairly progressive fillies so back on the poly from a plum draw she can finally get it right for Corrine Bestel and is worth another chance.

Opensea was another to let the side down when favourite at his last start, but the 1950m appeared to test his stamina and he was caught one-paced over the final two furlongs, but staying on for fourth.

Gavin van Zyl has dropped him back to 1400m today and with blinkers on for the first time his supporters will be looking to him to recoup some of their losses.

But it will not be easy. Knight Warrior has not been out of the money in his four starts, the last two runner-up when starting favourite. Dennis Bosch has booked Richard Fourie for the ride and these two could fight it out.

Hidden Influence is no stranger to the poly track, his last win coming over the course and distance of the fourth. He has had two starts since, both times finishing behind Via Salaria, but the addition of blinkers could see him improve enough to put one over his rivals that include recent winner Celebration Rock who found form with first-time cheek-pieces and Born To Perform who possibly found his last start over 1950m on the turf beyond his compass. Both wins have come on the poly and the drop to 1400m could see him back to form.

Nathan Kotzen saddled a double at Scottsville on Sunday and just how Hidden Influence in the previous race fares could shed some light on the chances of his charge Donnan in the fifth.

Donnan finished ahead of Hidden Influence when both were beaten by Via Salaria but the former takes a drop in class. That has pushed him to the top of the handicap and he has to concede 1kg to Pantsula who has backed up the Hidden Influence form.

Travelling Light made short work of her opposition on debut which seemingly put her in with a fair chance in the Gr1 Alan Robertson Championship. She was never travelling that day although a subsequent examination by the course vet didn’t shed any light.

She is obviously much better than that showing and could prove a cut above the opposition in the sixth where an obvious threat will be Kom Naidoo’s charge Satara who found form in blinkers at her last start behind the seasoned campaigner Winter Blues who was winning his sixth race.

Silva’s Bullet has been costly to follow and again found one too good for him in the Highveld raider American Indian last time out. Kannemeyer has dropped him down to a mile today but he faces three smart three-year-olds in Triple Fate Line, Cat Daddy and Mr Greenlight, either of who could give their older rival another stich.

Triple Fate Line was not far back to the progressive Mastagambit over course and distance last time out while Cat Daddy comes off a recent victory over GG’S Dynasty and Mr Greenlight caught the eye behind GG’S Dynasty prior to that.

Blue Flower didn’t do this column any favours when down the field last time out, but Andre Nel’s runner could be better suited to the step up in trip today although she can hardly be labelled a safe bet in a field where the form is a little thin.

By Andrew Harrison

Anton Marcus rides in Cape Town for the first time for a month at Kenilworth on Saturday when the four-time champion restricts himself to just two mounts. Both are for Brett Crawford and for his Ridgemont retainer.

He renews his partnership with the unbeaten Run Fox Run in the Champagne – he rode her in the first three of her four victories – and is also on the once-raced Yorktown in the Tabonline.co.za Maiden Juvenile Plate.

Ryan Munger, a much rarer visitor to Cape Town these days, rides in six of the eight races. His mounts in the two features – Coral Bay and Too Phat To Fly – are both for Glen Kotzen for whom he was briefly first jockey earlier in the season and he has also been booked by Joey Ramsden, Mike Robinson and Glen Puller.

By Michael Clower