Top KZN trainer Duncan Howells is expecting a fine run from Thanksgiving in the Grade 2 KRA Guineas at Greyville on Friday night.

The meeting heralds the opening of the SA Champions Season and there will be eight feature races for fans to look forward to.

Ashburton-based conditioner Howells said, “Thanksgiving’s Cape Derby run can be ignored as he pulled up lame behind and in retrospect it was a huge mistake to go down to Cape Town anyway but we took a chance. He needed his last start (in the Byerley Turk over 1400m) and was caught flat footed in a slow run race. He put up an extremely good recent gallop and is drawn well on Friday night so I expect him to give a very good account of himself. Look, it is a tough race. This is one of the strongest three-year-old crops in recent times but he is up with the best of them and will finish right on top of them.”

The Dynasty colt caught the eye early in his career but was an unconsidered 33/1 shot when travelling up to Johannesburg to run in the Grade 2 Dingaans over 1600m last November in just his fifth career start. He was backed in to 15/1 and justified the support. He produced a fine turn of foot in the straight and ran all the way to the line. Unfortunately he was up against a firecracker in Hawwaam, who has since been rated the highest South African Horse on the Longines World rankings.

Thanksgiving finished a 3,40 length second in the Dingaans. He had KRA Guineas candidates National Park 8,60 lengths behind him.

On Friday night he jumps from draw two of 13. He is up against the highest merit rated three-year-old in the country, Soqrat, whose three Grade 1 wins have all been over a mile. The latter does have the widest draw of all to overcome, but has the perfect racing temperament, so should relax well wherever he is. He also has a fine turn of foot coupled with a resolute finish and extra gears. His first Grade 1 win was over this course and distance as a two-year-old in the Premier’s Champions Stakes.

Howells has a few other runners on the night in a not to be missed meeting which is always full of thrilling racing and one which always has an effect on the three-year-old pecking order.

Neptune’s Rain runs in the Grade 3 IOS On Saturday Poinsettia Stakes over 1200m, where she has a wide draw of ten.

Howells said, “She needed her last run and was a little unlucky not to win, it was a great run. The weights are in her favour on Friday night. It not a good draw but she is not a quick starter so it will give us the opportunity to tuck her in and she finishes extremely well.”

He runs High Voltage in the Grade 3 IOS Affluence Godolphin Barb Stakes over 1100m and said, “The going caught him out last time. He is improving all the time and has not been beaten by two bad colts. He is capable and can run in the first three.”

Howells runs Coldhardcash in the IOS Sports and Racing Dash over 400m. This gelding shows a tremendous amount at home and Howells said he had recently realised he should have been running him over five furlongs (1000m). He said, “He is a very fast, strong and solid horse and can get going quickly. He will be competitive, he has just got to run like he works.”

He runs Buffalo in the IOS Arts and Pleasure Pinnacle Stakes over 1200m and said, “It has been difficult to find races for him.”

By David Thiselton

Horse racing is not always about the rich, famous and the best. Just as in any other sport, tactics, courage and a little luck make for riveting viewing, be it an Under 15 C schools rugby match or a lowly handicap on the Greyville poly.

Race riding is often a matter of split-second decisions, the best riders making the least mistakes. To add spice, there is often a little needle in the competition as was evident in the Durban View Restaurant Handicap yesterday.

In a race of muddling fractions, Warren Kennedy and title chasing Muzi Yeni had a right royal battle on the Glen Kotzen pair of Heart Of A Legend and Be Yourself, the more fancied of the two just prevailing under Kennedy.

With no pace on in the early fractions, Yeni slowed it down to a point where Kennedy was fighting an over keen Heart Of A Legend. But coming up the hill, Kennedy let loose and Heart Of A Legend, the brake released, strode clear to open up a clear lead on her rival.

With 25 starts under her girth, one would have expected Heart Of A Legend to have learnt the ropes. She took a good lead into the straight but started to run around when asked the question and Yeni looked to count coup as he set about cutting down the leeway.

50m out Be Yourself was up-sides Heart Of A Legend, looking all over a winner, but Kennedy regathered his mount and she stuck her head in front just when it counted.

Although nothing but a lowly handicap, it was a tactical battle to savour with two horses giving their all and two jockeys at the top of their game.

Dean Kannemeyer was reluctant to reveal any plans for Emerald Band after the gelding had held off a determined challenge from Justaguything in the card opener, but the red and white silks of Mike and Norma Rattray will be in the glare of the spotlight on Friday night when the recently acquired Rainbow Bridge takes his first step towards the Vodacom Durban July in The Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes in a card littered with features, supported by a ‘no whips’ race and a 400m dash to round off the evening.

On a personal note, colleague Warren Lenferna took time off from his television presenting to lead in Marsanne in the Greyville Convention Centre Maiden.

At last year’s National Yearling Sales, the daughter of Mogok tried to take a piece out of Lenferna’s arm in the company of Dave MacLean. It was decided that the filly should be bought and she races in partnership with MacLean, Frank da Ascencao, Lenferna and trainer Duncan Howells.

Marsanne had a setback after a smart barrier trial but got it all together yesterday to win rather comfortably and the partnership could be in for a bit of fun.

By Andrew Harrison

Sun Met winner Rainbow Bridge heads the ten declared for the Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes at Greyville on Friday evening and, while Eric Sands reports him in good order, he points out that there are several factors not in the horse’s favour.

Sands said: “I had planned for him to see the course last week and I wanted him to have an easy gallop there but it was flooded. He is doing well but it’s a night meeting (his first), a right hand turn and a new course. He will be competitive, unless he is completely off the bit because of the strange surroundings. It is his first run back and he must come through it and enjoy it.”

It will also be the four-year-old’s first run in the distinctive red and white quartered colours of new owner Mike Rattray who is a former chairman of Greyville. Anton Marcus’s mount is 15-4 second favourite with World Sports Betting which makes the Brett Crawford-trained Undercover Agent – just over two lengths back fourth in the Met – the market leader at 5-2. Sean Tarry’s CTS 1200 winner Cirillo is on 9-2 while 8-1 shots Matador Man and Lady In Black are the only others in single figures.

The no whip race experiment returns this week with the Eden Rock Estate Maiden at Greyville on Friday and the Hands ‘N Heels Handicap at Turffontein the following day. There is a subtle difference in the two race conditions as stated on the sahorseracing website. Whereas those for the Greyville event stipulate that ‘riders will not be permitted to use crops’ the corresponding wording for the Turffontein race says ‘no crops will be allowed.’  This would suggest that the jockeys at Greyville, unlike those at Turffontein, will be allowed to carry their whips but not wave them or hit their mounts.

However senior racing control executive Arnold Hyde, when this was put to him yesterday, was unequivocal, saying: “The riders will not be permitted to carry crops in both races.”

The initial no whip race at Turffontein in November was well received by some of the leading trainers – notably Mike de Kock and Justin Snaith – and made headlines around the world with South Africa seen as setting the standard for other major racing countries. It is good that the experiment is being continued.

Candice Bass-Robinson, bidding for her third successive Perfect Promise win, runs three in the two-year-old fillies Listed race at Kenilworth on Sunday with Keagan de Melo retaining the ride on last time’s convincing Durbanville winner Sanskrift. Justin Snaith also runs three but Greg Ennion (Hidden Strings) is the only other trainer represented.

Vaughan Marshall has the biggest hand in the Somerset 1200 with three while Joey Ramsden, who has won five of the last six runnings, relies on Minnesota Dream and has also gone for De Melo.

By Michael Clower

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