Owners and trainers will be on tenterhooks today as they await the final field announcement of the Grade 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint to be run as the last leg of the Jackpot of Grade 1 1200m sprints at Scottsville on Saturday. 

This race has often been won by top class sorts carrying big weights but in a non-vintage year for sprinters the lower weights will be right in the reckoning so there are sure to be some hard luck stories when the field is announced.

The ante-post second favourite Mardi Gras should be a big runner carrying just 53kg as he has a lot of class and has clearly being aimed at this race. He avoided the Computaform Sprint, where a placed run could have landed him a big merit rating raise. He has plenty of pace coupled with the ability to kick on and he has won over 1450m before so the relatively tough Scottsville 1200 should not phase this good looking grey.

The ante-post favourite Chimichuri Run is standing his ground at present despite Sean Tarry having said a couple of weeks ago that he felt the Grade 1 wfa Mercury Sprint would be the right race for him  due to his high merit rating. Tarry has likely been swung by the 120 merit rated Undercover Agent having still been among the entries at the time of the setting of the weights a week ago. This means three-year-old Chimichuri Run only has to carry 54,5kg. He placed in both the Diadem over this trip and the Computaform Sprint and will be a big runner.

Undercover Agent will also be a big runner if he lines up as he is packed with class and always shows good pace.

Last year’s winner Bold Respect has been a touch disappointing this season despite having finished second in the Cape Flying and fourth in the Diadem as he did strike as one who could develop into a champion sprinter. He has issues, although if any yard can get him right for the day it will be the Brett Crawford yard and he does also enjoy KZN.

The enigmatic Attenborough carries a light weight of 53kg and if he has an on day he will be flying at them in the finish.

His Joey Ramsden-trained stablemate Speedpoint showed he is capable too when flying at the finish and just failing in the Diadem.

Trip To Heaven will hopefully be loaded later than he was in the Computaform and he is capable of a flying finish from off the pace so has to be respected carrying 55kg.

Russian Prince had to be scratched at the start of the Computaform but looks to be upset material as he has scope for a lot of improvement. However, if Undercover Agent stands his ground he will be 2,5kg under sufferance.

Van Halen won the Grade 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion last year in fine style and if he produces his best will have a chance, although he is not one to rely on.

Africa Rising is an admirable sort who is capable of a strong finish from off the pace and he should be cherry ripe so has a shout carrying just 53,5kg.

The athletic Sniper Shot also has a chance carrying just 53kg.

The eyecatching Tribal Fusion can’t be ignored also carrying 53kg as things stand.

Prince Of Kahal and Sunset Eyes are tough handicappers who could earn and as things stand they are only half-a-kilogram under sufferance. 

Palace Chapel is a three-year-old with class and scope for further improvement.

Sand And Sea is a former Gold Medallion winner whose latent ability is out of the top drawer but he has become unreliable since suffering from breathing problems and since having a successful wind operation. However, he will be a threat carrying bottom weight and being just half-a-kilogram under sufferance.

Dutch Philip had lost his way a bit before his last run and sneaking into the handicap with 52kg can’t be ignored.

Search Party has made a habit of slipping under the radar but his third place in the Cape Flying and close up sixth in the Computaform make him a contender. 

The connections of Alyaasaat, New Caledonia, Down To Zero, Red Chesnut Road, Social Order, Wynkelder, Captain And Master, Hard To Play, On That Boulevard, Valbonne, Ishnanna and Silver Maple will also believe their charges deserve a berth in the starting line up. 

By David Thiselton

What went wrong with General Franco? The R4 million supposed future superstar served up one of the shocks of the season when trailing in last at odds of 7-20 in the Suburban Spares Juvenile Plate at a stunned Kenilworth on Saturday – and seemingly everybody is still scratching their heads.

The Frankel colt took a strong hold early as Greg Cheyne settled him towards the rear but when the button was pressed he was as empty as an overdrawn bank account and his shocked rider reported: “It was a very slow run race, he came out well and I let him run into the bridle but I was beaten at the 600m mark. I thought he might find his feet late on but he didn’t.  His work leading up to the race was no problem and he definitely didn’t run like he worked.”

The stipes immediately ordered a veterinary examination but the colt trotted out sound and showed no sign of anything wrong so Ernie Rodrigues had a specimen taken for analysis – not, he said, because he suspected foul play (he didn’t) but because he wanted to cover every eventuality and he asked Chris Snaith to report back on the colt’s condition at home.

“We will get him checked out by our vets on Monday morning,” said Jono Snaith. “It was a slow run race but he was never in it. He was the let-down of the day and he was hugely disappointing.”

The bright chestnut with the three white socks certainly looked fine beforehand and he walked calmly round the parade ring with that curious flexing of his front legs that was one of the characteristics of last month’s sensational debut.

After the race there were more theories among punters than parties in the general election. One of the most interesting came from a knowledgeable racegoer, the son of a former trainer, who pointed out that Tom Queally always allowed Frankel to pull his way to the front and run the opposition ragged.

This racegoer said that the famous horse’s son could have felt disappointed by being restrained and have gained the impression that he was not there to race but to settle at the back. He (the theorist) felt that things would have been very different had the General been allowed to stride on from the start. True, the favourite came from behind on debut but that was before he knew what racing was all about. If the vets can find nothing there could well be something in this.

But for the connections of Fearless Warrior, who came home in front under MJ Byleveld at the huge odds of 18-1, it was vindication of their faith after the colt had finished with only two behind him when second favourite for the Somerset.

Vaughan Marshall explained that things did not go according to his plans that day, adding: “I was bitterly disappointed and this has confirmed that the run was all wrong. This is a good horse but the Cape Nursery (June 8) might come too soon as he has now had two quick races.”

Cheyne, four winners at Fairview on Friday, landed three more here including two of the Snaith quartet but perhaps the most important was Boomps A Daisy in the Burchwood Hotel Handicap. The Ridgemont filly had run two cracking races under Anton Marcus here but disappointed both times Cheyne rode her at Durbanville.

She comfortably reverted to her previous Kenilworth form and Brett Crawford said: “I think it is that she is not yet mature enough to go round the turn – but I will try to keep her at Kenilworth for now.”

Morne Winnaar is making the most of the improved opportunities he has received in recent weeks and he added two more to his tally on the Glen Kotzen-trained Rock Spirit and 18-1 longshot Black Belt for Eric Sands.

The whip issue continues to raise its ugly head and Corne Orffer was fined R1 000 for hitting Wallis Simpson – runner-up in the Chris Gerber Memorial – more than the maximum permitted 12 times and Anthony Andrews on second-placed Crimea in race two was fined the same. This was his second offence since the rule was introduced ten days ago.

By Michael Clower

Eyes Wide Open was slashed from 5-1 to 16-1 for the Vodacom Durban July by World Sports Betting yesterday following his triumph in Saturday’s WSB 1900 but rival firm Betting World took a much more relaxed view about the Glen Kotzen four-year-old clipping him from 66-1 to 40-1.

Both firms left the market leaders unchanged. Betting World has Hawwaam favourite at 7-2 with Do It Again and Rainbow Bridge on 5-1. WSB offers much the same, the only difference being Rainbow Bridge half a point longer at 11-2.

One World is odds-on at 17-20 with WSB to become the fourth successive horse to complete the Winter Guineas-Classic double at Kenilworth on Saturday.

M.J. Byleveld retakes the mount from Anton Marcus – presumably on the Grade 1 trail at Scottsville – and Vaughan Marshall has put in longshots Rochester and Blackbeard to stop the race being cancelled through lack of support.

Only four other trainers have entered horses for the R250 000 race, and then only one apiece. Second favourite at 15-10 is One World’s great rival, the Adam Marcus-trained Vardy (Craig Zackey) who was beaten a head in the Guineas and again receives 2kg.

Candice Bass-Robinson has booked the in-form Greg Cheyne for 8-1 Guineas third Majestic Mozart. Kotzen has yet to declare a jockey for 15-2 shot Herodotus although S’Manga Khumalo, who rode him into fourth in the Guineas, will be at the meeting and Louis Mxothwa will be on Justin Snaith’s 28-1 shot Clouded Hill who was only fifth in the Guineas.

– Last year’s much-travelled Sun Met runner-up Last Winter has left Dean Kannemeyer’s care to join Sir Michael  Stoute at Newmarket. Jehan Malherbe, racing manager for Lady Laidlaw’s Khaya Stables, said: “Last Winter has been in England since early April, initially at a spelling farm, and he went to Michael Stoute last week. He is a long way off running.”

Stoute also trained the 2016 Met winner Smart Call when she was in England.

By Michael Clower

With the Vodacom Durban July in mind and less than three lengths separating ten of the 11 horse’s home, one wonders what can be read into the result of the World Sports Betting 1900 run at Greyville on Saturday.

For a number of years, the race lost some of its lustre as a pointer to the July when shunted around the calendar but now its positioning and the fact that the winner is guaranteed a July place, has restored its importance as a big-race pointer – but one does have to read between the lines.

Eyes Wide Open may have had his July ticket stamped, no doubt a relief for Glen Kotzen, but the trainers of those hopefuls behind him will have been equally pleased given the blanket finish.

It is seldom that it’s the trainer that is reluctant to geld, it’s more often the owners with stars in their eyes that are the problem when it comes to an underperforming colt.

But Kotzen has obviously worked wonders with Eyes Wide Open, the colt’s blood picture more the problem than an ornery disposition which is usually the case for gelding, and Eyes Wide Open could well make a stallion given his pedigree and now enhanced racing record.

But reading on a local website, there were respondents to the argument that races like this should not be used as a ‘practice’ race. Horses should not be raced ‘unfit’ was the writer’s reasoning.

Extrapolate this to the Comrades Marathon that will be run early next month and the legendary ten-time winner Bruce Fordyce. Fordyce ‘practiced’ hard before the Comrades but was always content to finish in the pack in his build-up races. He timed his preparation to peak on Comrades day.

So too racehorse trainers. None of Saturday’s runners would have gone out ‘not trying’ or unfit and given the blanket finish, ‘unfit’ is a bit harsh.

Not for nothing is horse racing labelled the ‘brain game’ as punters need to understand the mechanics of training and racing to make informed decisions.

Eyes Wide Open may well have won on Saturday, and he needed to given his recent record if he was to be sure of a place in the 18 horse July field as he was outside of the 20 runners published in the initial July log.

Others in Saturday’s field were already high up on the July log and certain of their place but did they need to peak on Saturday or on Saturday, July 6.

Similarly, Head Honcho in the Pinnacle Stakes that followed, looked the proverbial certainty given the weights. But former Racing Editor of the Daily News, Stewart Ramsay, pointed out that all Head Honcho’s good recent form had been over further and that he had not run since the Sun Met.

So, the question punters will have needed to ask is whether the weight advantage would be enough to overcome the lay-off and course and distance specialist Matador Man?

The answer was no!

By Andrew Harrison

The eight race meeting at Turffontein Inside tomorrow features the Listed Syringa Handicap over 1600m and Rockin Russian deserves a change in luck after interference close to home last time appeared to have cost her victory in a 1400m Assessment Plate.

The side on view of that incident showed Rockin Russian moving up to win but then having her momentum suddenly taken away so it was surprising when the head on proved she was intimidated and bumped that the objection was overruled.

However, the run proved that she was in a good space and drawn two off a competitive merit rating over a suitable trip she should go close under Lyle Hewitson.

Regal Graduation has improved as a four-year-old and has been consistent from 1160m up to 1450m. She was staying on well last time over 1400m against some decent males so should now start enjoying this trip.

Folk Dance looked to be a top prospect at one stage when winning the Grade 3 Fillies Mile easily but she never had much luck with draws. She then started becoming disappointing as she did have one or two races where the draw was in her favour. However, last time out in the Scarlet Lady over 1750m at Scottsville she bounced back to form by finishing a 2,60 length third to the useful Miyabi Gold. The ground was soft that day, whereas it is likely to be fast tomorrow, so there are question marks whether that run heralded a real turning of the corner or not.

Penny Royal is a well-bred daughter of Captain Al and from a good draw she can make her presence felt as she has done well in two runs with pacifiers fitted. She should get this trip.

High Seas Beauty was staying on after a slow start last time when just a head behind Penny Royal. She has won over a mile before.

Flying Fable was a touch unlucky in the Grade 1 Empress Club Stakes over this trip and before that won over a a mile at the Vaal in fine style. She should bounce back here but against her is a tough draw of 16.

Bullsade is much improved and interesting over this trip. She is 1,5kg worse off with Penny Royal for a length beating and she is drawn in pole.

Cashel Palace has always shown some class and over an ideal trip should have a chance despite having to carry top weight.

Those are the one which make most appeal and they are selected in the order mentioned.

The previous race is an interesting Pinnacle Stakes event over 1800m which has a number of Vodacom Durban July entries involved.  

Cash Time is the selection as he is drawn in pole and should continue his improved form with blinkers. The main danger looks to be Cape Derby winner Atyaab. The front-runner Pilou should also have a fine chance at this tight track as he appeared to go too slowly in front the last time he tried this trip and was swamped, so he could make amends here and stretch them out in front.

By David Thiselton

General Franco can pay his own tribute to the late Jack Mitchell by turning in a second mind-blowing performance in the opening Suburban Spares Juvenile Plate at Kenilworth tomorrow.

The son of Frankel, only the fourth by the great horse to race in South Africa, took the breath away with the sustained acceleration he produced to power through the field to slam the best of the opposition by three and a half highly impressive lengths a month ago. Admittedly most of them were fellow newcomers but second-placed Three Two Charlie franked the form in no uncertain fashion at Durbanville last Sunday.

The General (now as short as 4-10 with WSB) looked as if he would be a worthy opponent for Captain Of Stealth in next month’s Langerman but Jono Snaith says that was never the plan – “It was always our intention to run him in something like Saturday’s race and then put him away. He has done really well since his first run and has improved a lot.”

Snaith added that he has a lot of respect for 5-1 second favourite King Of Gems who also won first time out, admittedly by a narrower margin and in much less spectacular manner. “That was a good effort to win on debut,” says the in-form Brett Crawford. “He is working well and he has done well.”

Captain Of Stealth’s trainer Vaughan Marshall is represented by 11-1 shot Fearless Warrior who also won on debut but disappointed when starting second favourite for the Somerset 12 days ago. The course vet could find nothing wrong but it is perhaps significant that he is being asked to turn out again so soon.

The Joey Ramsden pair Double Alliance (8-1) and Minnesota Dream (9-1) also won at the first time of asking. The former has been off since his fifth in the Met day Listed race and Minnesota Dream was fourth in the Somerset.

Marco Polo (15-1) is the Snaith second string and drops back a furlong after finishing over seven lengths behind Captain Of Stealth at Durbanville. His running will provide an interesting comparison with the Marshall star.

Boomps A Daisy cost punters dear in her two runs at Durbanville but she has looked a different proposition at Kenilworth and she seems well-treated with a mark of 73 (not to mention odds of 15-10) in the Burchwood Hotel Handicap.

Rock Spirit (7-2) holds Capkuta on their running earlier in the month and can get the better of the frustrating Salt in the Model Liquor Distributors Maiden.

By Michael Clower

Justin Snaith will be a little closer to sorting out his contingent for the Vodacom Durban July after the races at Greyville tomorrow. Snaith has nine entered for the race come the first Saturday in July, three of those at the bottom of the log published by Gold Circle a fortnight back.

Currently, Doublemint is 16^th and a guaranteed place for a run according to the first July log, with Magnificent Seven and Miyabi Gold two slots lower in what is a maximum field of 18.

All three are set to do duty tomorrow, Doublemint and Magnificent Seven in the Gr2 World Sports Betting 1900 and Miyabi Gold in the Listed East Coast Cup.

With the Vodacom Durban July in mind, there is a lot at stake for a host of runners, some borderline cases and others, almost certain of a place in the field, warming up.

Being a borderline case, Doublemint will cement his place with victory in the WSB 1900 and Snaith has booked master pilot Anton Marcus to do the job. Marcus partnered the colt in a 1400m spin at Greyville last week so will know exactly what he has under him and also what he is up against as there appears to be very little between Doublemint and Kampala Campari, although Andre Nel’s runner is not nominated for the July.

Double Mint was a neck clear of his rival in the Gr3 Peninsula Handicap and a similar distance ahead in the Sun Met. Doublemint is a little closer in the weights this time around so the race could pan out into a battle of wits between two of the best, Marcus and Bernard Fayd’herbe.

But there are others with fish to fry. The experiment with blinkers in the Sun Met did not work for Made To Conquer but he is still 12^th on the July log after finishing second with Jeff Lloyd aboard last year and he galloped along with Doublemint on the course last week. A forward showing should keep him from slipping down the list.

An interesting runner is recent The Sledgehammer winner, Orpheus. His easy end-to-end victory is still under the microscope but his performance prompted a supplementary entry into the July on Tuesday.

Others that need good showings are former Cape Derby winner Eyes Wide Open, Dawn Assault, Magnificent Seven and the filly Fiorella.

Fiorella, down the field in last year’s July but a head back to Oh Susanna in the Gr1 Woolavington 2000, will need a similar showing if she is to make this year’s line-up. Duncan Howells has been at pains to point out that there have been no races over a suitable trip for his filly because of her high merit rating, so although she has the worst of the draw she cannot be written off.

Miyabi Gold, 18^th on the July log, overcame heavy underfoot conditions in The Scarlet Lady at Scottsville before the meeting was abandoned but Sabina’s Dynasty was rattling home behind her and possibly put up the better showing.

The two meet again at level weights in the Listed East Coast Cup and considering that Sabina’s Dynasty was having her first run for Brett Crawford, one can expect a similar performance tomorrow where the extra 250m may swing things in her favour.

Possibly best bet on an otherwise tricky card is July entry Head Honcho in the Pinnacle Stakes, eighth race on the card. Although he has not run since the Sun Met where he looked a possible winner before being caught late by Rainbow Bridge and Do It Again, beaten less than a length, he looks a cut above this field in spite of the mile possibly being a touch on the short side for him.

Andre Nel made sure that this race held up for Head Honcho, saddling four of the seven runners, and even though he is up against course and distance specialist Matador Man and a lively Snaith runner in Platinum Prince, he should prove too classy.

By Andrew Harrison

18 May – Greyville (WSB 1900)

Alyson Wright and Wendy Whitehead are two stalwart lady trainers at Summerveld and both are confident of good runs from their respective charges Flichity By Farr and Twice As Smart in the Listed East Cost Cup over 2000m on Saturday, although they are up against strong opposition with the like of Summerveld-based Roy’s Riviera and a host of decent Cape-trained fillies involved.

Flichity By Farr is in fine shape and is known for her fine finishing effort. Most progeny of Go Deputy appear to step up a gear on the day they turn four years of age, so she should have come into her own. Flichity By Farr won a Pinnacle event over 1800m in good style on March 3 and then three weeks later in a Pinnacle event over 2200m the race was run at a crawl and this did not suit her. She jumps from a tricky draw of ten on Saturday and Lyle Hewitson retains the ride.

Whitehead was pleased with Twice As Smart, who tries the trip for the first time. She pointed out she is bred to go this far and in her last start she had won extending over 1500m. She is drawn well in two and this Twice Over filly should be a big runner under Stuart Randolph.

By David Thiselton

Duncan Howells said Fiorella had been crying out for a step back up in trip and the WSB 1900 to be run on Saturday had finally provided her with such an opportunity.

He said, “She is exceptionally well in herself. It was hard to find races for her over this sort of distance due to her merit rating being so high.”

Unfortunately, the Captain Al filly has drawn widest of all in the 12 horse field.

Howells said Muzi Yeni was the best rider for her at her allocated weight of 55,5kg. 

Yeni has ridden her once before, in the Grade 1 Woolavington 2000, and she only just failed to hold on that day against Oh Susanna.

She is the joint-third best weighted horse in the race according to official merit ratings. However, she is 2kg under sufferance with the best weighted Fresnaye, whom she beat by a quarter of a length in the Grade 1 Empress Club Stakes and lost to by 8,80 lengths in the Grade 1 Majorcas Stakes, both over 1600m.

Howells runs High Altar in the Listed East Coast Cup over 2000m.

He said, “It is a big step up for her and she seems to be better at Scottsville. I am not sure she is quite up to it, but I want to try and get some black type so hope she runs into the money.”

All races will be on the turf on the day.

Howells runs two-year-old Master Of My Fate gelding All The Way Up in the first race, a Maiden over 1000m.

He said, “He is a smart horse but may need a bit further.” He was a touch outpaced in his only racecourse appearance in a barrier trial over 1000m on the poly. Craig Zackey rides from a good draw of four and he should improve.

Howells run two horses in the third over 1400m, Frosty Princess and Trip To Freedom, and both have wide draws. He said Trip To Freedom was the better of the pair and if Lyle Hewitson is able to overcome the draw he expected her to be in the first three.

He runs Jet Stream in the fifth over 2200m and said, “She will appreciate the step up to this trip. She ran a good race on the poly the other day (over 1600m) and I expect her to finish in the first three.”

He runs Silver Raisin and Barinois in race nine over 1600m.

He said, “Hey are both hard-kocking and have chances but it is an open race.”

By David Thiselton

Justin Snaith believes his trio of Grade 2 WSB 1900 runners, Made To Conquer, Doublemint and Magnificent Seven, would be contenders at Greyville on Saturday despite having not raced since Sun Met day on January 26.

Snaith won this race last year with Elusive Silva, who came in off a fifth placed run in the Sledgehammer. 

Asked on whether his trio would need it on Saturday, Snaith replied, “No they have all had a grass gallop at Greyville, and that is what they needed. I’m very happy, they are all in a good place. Doublemint won the Peninsula over this trip and the other two are better over around 2200m, so he would be the yard elect. But Made To Conquer could fire up. So, it is going to be interesting.”

Anton Marcus rode Twice Over colt Doublemint in the recent gallop at Greyville and is aboard on Saturday from a good draw of four. Under the merit rated band conditions, he carries 58kg off a 104 rating. On Sun Met form he looks well handicapped, although on Pensinsula form he is 0.5kg worse off with Kampala Campari for a neck beating. 

Bernard Fayd’Herbe had the option of riding either Made To Conquer or Magnificent Seven, but decided not to ride either and has instead elected to ride the Andre Nel-trained Kampala Campari.

Apprentice Luke Ferraris rode Magnificent Seven in a recent Greyville grass gallop and stays aboard for Saturday’s race. Snaith, asked whether this meant Ferraris would be aboard Magnificent Seven for the Vodacom Durban July, said, “If the horse wins with him, we are not the type of people to take somebody off.” This four-year-old Horse Chestnut gelding took nine runs to win his maiden but has won seven of his last nine starts, including the Listed Algoa Cup over 2000m and the Grade 2 New Turf Carriers Stayers over 2800m. He has a fair draw of five and should run well fresh.

Made To Conquer, runner up in last year’s July, will have stable jockey Richard Fourie up on Saturday from draw seven. He won his first start in KZN last season over 1950m at Scottsville, so this five-year-old Dynasty gelding should give a good account of himself.

Snaith runs Miyabi Gold in the Listed East Coast Cup over 2000m, where she carries joint topweight of 61,5kg from draw six under Fourie. On official merit ratings she is 0,5kg under sufferance with joint-topweight Sabina’s Dynasty but is otherwise well in.

Snaith said, “She’s carrying a lot of weight but she carried it last time and she needed that last outing, so she has got to be a huge runner. She’s a Group 1 level filly.”

Snaith said Platinum Prince would likely go under the radar this year and he is running in a Pinnacle Stakes race over 1600m on Saturday and then going for the Cup Trial.

Oh Susanna is also entered in the Pinnacle Stakes race but had not been declared yet. Snaith said she was denied the opportunity to have a grass gallop at Greyville recently, so he would likely start her over a distance short of her best in the Tibouchina over 1400m.

Snaith has first-timer Innogen (two-year-old Master Of My Fate filly) in race two and one-time winner Ladder Man (three-year-old Twice Over gelding) is third reserve in race four.

He said on Monday, “They are so well, but have got bad draws. From good draws they would have both been huge runners. They have done all the work at home, they are ready and they go and draw bush. I was thinking they would both be bankers in everything, but from the draws I couldn’t have been more unlucky. Innogen is a nice little filly, she can run a bit, and my idea is to run her in some features here. She had a very good barrier trial and the horse who won it came out and won by three.”  

By David Thiselton