Do It Again will after all attempt to become the first since El Picha at the turn of the century to win the Vodacom Durban July two years running. The stable had previously been hesitant, suggesting the four-year-old would have too much weight, and indicating that the Rising Sun Gold Challenge and the Champions Cup would be more likely targets.

But Justin Snaith, boldly and typically, nailed the horse’s colours to the July mast in a revealing interview with James Goodman on Monday evening’s Winning Ways programme.

The champion trainer, in response to a direct ‘will he run?’ question from Goodman, said: “I think definitely. He just gets better and better, and he is improving all the time. He is one of those horses – and we said it when he won the July last year – that whatever he does at three he will be better next year and, wow, is he doing well. He is kicking out every five minutes. I have to keep him as chilled as possible until the big day.

“I think he can run the July with 60kg on his back and still be very competitive. I have seen the betting (Do It Again is 15-2 with Rainbow Bridge favourite at 6-1 and Buffalo Bill Cody second best on 7-1) and it won’t be that come raceday. Do It Again is a horse you have got to follow – in the Sun Met he was unlucky – everything that could possibly have gone wrong for this poor horse happened in those two minutes.”

Snaith did not have much to say about last year’s runner-up Made To Conquer (currently 28-1) – “It depends how he is weighted” – but he recommended Doublemint (14-1) and 55-1 shot Magnificent Seven. “They are two that you are not going to see much of in the winter season but they will be there on the right day. For those who want a bit of value for money these are two, not just of my runners but of the race in general.”

He also suggested backing Crown Towers next time despite the gelding finishing with only one behind him in last Sunday’s Byerley Turk. “He was fighting at the back, they slowed up the pace and he fought the whole way round the turn. Next time out in a 1 400m or a mile I will send him handy and I think we will see the best of him. Certainly a horse to follow.”

By Michael Clower

A winner on debut, Petra was launched straight into the deep end early in her career and Robbie and Shannon Hill were vindicated in their assessment as the filly got off to a quick start when beaten a length into third in the Strelitzia Stakes.

However, from there on she was against the tide but the memory of her early promise lingers on.

Those that kept faith were nearly rewarded when she was touched off in a desperate finish to her last start by Diamond Noir who held on by the shortest of short heads.

That was Petra’s third run after a break and only the seventh of her career. Doing her best work late, she can go one better when she goes the extra furlong in the fourth on the Greyville poly this afternoon.

Should she fail to run up to expectations then Ooh La La and Heart Of A Legend are the pair mostly likely to pick up the pieces.

Ooh La La is a smart filly who at her last outing, slowly wore down Generous Lady to get up close home in spite of losing a couple of lengths at the start. She has been mostly kept to the turf by Doug Campbell but goes very well over this trip.

Anton Marcus and Glen Kotzen teamed up with Temple Grafin and Hugo Hattingh’s Chrigor Stud to win the Gr3 Umzimkulu Stakes on Sunday and that combination hook up again with ante-post favourite Heart Of A Legend.

Taken to the front by Keagan de Melo over the poly track mile last time out, Heart Of A Legend was caught late by Komeshans Flight. She is drawn on the paint today and with Marcus aboard she could start a lot shorter than the current 33-10 on offer.

Exotic bet punters have not had it easy these past few weeks and it doesn’t get any easier this afternoon where the nine-race card is littered with pitfalls and another substantial Pick 6 dividend is on the cards.

It’s 5-1 the field in the opening leg of the Jackpot with The Private, Philos, March Preview and Grande Maestro all joint favourites.

March Preview won well to stronger last outing but took a five-point rise in the ratings for his efforts. That may not be enough to stop him but Pantsula has come to hand again with the blinkers off and was close-up in a useful field last run. Philos took to the poly last run and could prove even more effective over this shorter trip while The Private is overdue another win. He has smart form over course and distance and apprentice Jason Gates takes over in the saddle from Ashton Arries who is on the side-lines after a car accident.

Chesney van Zyl has had a bit of a slow start since re-locating to KZN with his yard in the grip of a virus but Miss Jagger could break the ice in the sixth. The highest rated runner in this maiden field, she was improving nicely on the Highveld before being shipped to the coast. She has had a barrier trial and will much prefer this trip.

Of the balance, Apple Magic shows some promise and improved nicely second time out while Orient Express is holding form although she was a well beaten second last run.

The seventh is another wide open affair but Paul Peter saddles Quebec Queen who could be good value at 8-1 in the ante-post market. She has been busy, having run nearly every fortnight on the Highveld since late December so will be super fit. She steps up in trip and could defy top weight. Stormborne Thunder has come well for her new stable and has a handy weight while Lady Abigail landed a bit of a coup last start and although she steps up in trip and can go in again. Ante-post favourite is Imperial Royal after her two recent wins. She goes well over the trip and is possibly still improving and cannot be left out of any calculations.

The eighth is another difficult handicap where any number have chances. Oratorina is lightly raced but shows some promise. She was possibly in need of her last sprint and should much prefer this trip. Sweet Preserve was a narrow winner last start with a number of today opposition close-up. However, she looks to have some scope and can follow up. Purple And Gold has gone close at her last two while Josephine Baker is long overdue another win.

By Andrew Harrison

Attention: All Fashion Enthusiasts

It is with great excitement and pleasure that Golden Horse invites you to this year’s Tsogo Sun Sprint Fashion Competition. 

This competition is open to all aspiring, emerging and established fashonistas in the Midlands, Pietermaritzburg and Durban areas and offers the public a wonderful opportunity to be part of the oldest, biggest and richest sprint event in the country.

To be spotted on the day, wear a Race Day Ensemble that is stylish, fashionable and encompasses the spirit of this prestigious horseracing event, The Tsogo Sun Sprint. All aspects of the look, the hat, accessories, shoes and overall grooming are very important, as this is part of the judging criteria.

The theme, ‘Vintage Flair’ must be reflected in your fashion ensemble. It is essential that you understand that this is a fashion competition. Stay away from anything that is too theatrical or Avant Garde and definitely nothing gimmicky. However, the ‘unexpected’ would score you points. The theme ‘Vintage Flair’ will give you freedom to express your individuality without holding back and take us down memory lane to the essence of race day fashion.

Spotters and Judges will be looking for garments that are beautifully executed, with an emphasis on being beautifully dressed. The design is for an upmarket raceday, not an evening event. Please keep this in mind.

Please read through the following information:

1. There are only two categories:

• Classic Race wear – female
• Classic Race wear – male

• Each participant must wear a Race Day Ensemble that is stylish, fashionable and encompasses the spirit of a prestigious horseracing event. The work must be innovative and forward thinking, judges will be looking for a solid interpretation of the theme, which combines creativity with a distinct fashion edge. This is an essential part of the judges’ brief
• During the selection process and final judging, judges will be looking at a finished, complete outfit and will look closely at the following:

• Visual impact, design integrity, originality
  • Is it fashionable and in line with current trend
  • Suitability to the event and theme – it’s a race day not a cocktail function!
  • Interpretation of the brief – this is very important and should be thoughtful
  • Fit / finish / quality
  • Attention to detail

• Finalists must be aware of event sponsors and refer to the event by the correct name in any interview: The Tsogo Sun Sprint Fashion Competition and the race name i.e. The Tsogo Sun Sprint. Participants will be required to make themselves available for shoots for the press, television, and electronic media. Please note that any images taken will be used for editorial and electronic purposes only and remain the property of the event and will be used free of charge

• The panel of spotters and judges will be carefully selected and their knowledge of fashion, the brief and theme and the event will be of prime consideration. Their decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into under any circumstances.

• The winners in each Classic Race Wear category (male and female) will receive R3000.00, the first runner up R2000.00 and the second runner up R1000.00. A total prize money of R12 000 will be won at this year’s competition.

• By entering The Tsogo Sun Sprint Fashion Competition, participants give the organisers, owners and sponsors of the Tsogo Sun Sprint, permission to use any image taken of their work or themselves, before, during and after the event, in editorial and advertorial content and on all official online platforms.

For any additional information on The Tsogo Sun Sprint Fashion Competition contact Merlyn Taylor on 033 395 8126 or merlyn.taylor@tsogosun.com

Glen Kotzen was surprised his Duke Of Marmalade filly Temple Grafin had been overlooked by on course television pundits before winning the Grade 3 Umzimkhulu Stakes over 1400m at Greyville on Sunday and he was looking forward to a good SA Champions Season for her and others in his string, including former Cape Derby winner Eyes Wide Open.

He said, “I thought Temple Grafin could have been mentioned considering she won the Grade 3 Debutante over 1200m at this course last season and she finished second to the highest rated three-year-old filly in the country, Clouds Unfold, over this trip in the Grade 2 Western Cape Fillies Championship.”

He continued, “This filly never cracks a draw and we imagined she would have to go to the front from her draw but Anton Marcus then suggested instead of making it so hard on her why not give her a chance and drop her out.”

He duly dropped her into a midfield position and when he found himself caught one wide he accelerated past Ella’s World and managed to slot her in behind Runaway Gal. So he was in joint fourth place one wide with cover, without having given the filly much to do. She then ran on strongly to win by 0,40 lengths, despite being one of only two contestants to be carrying a 1,5kg penalty.

It was a triumph for Drakenstein Stud stallion Duke Of Marmalade as another of his daughters, Santa Clara, finished runner up.

The Duke Of Marmalades appear to get better with age and Kotzen said, “Ant Mgudlwa rode Temple Grafin in work last season and he couldn’t believe how much she had matured when he saw her for the first time at Summerveld this season. She has really matured and grown bigger and stronger.”

The aim is now the Grade 2 KRA Fillies Guineas.

Kotzen is adamant she will stay the trip.

He said, “She is out of a Grey’s Inn mare who won third time out over 1900m. We just hope she cracks a draw for a change.”

The Grade 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas was her only attempt at the mile and she was rushed to the front from draw 13 of 13 and then began over racing a touch when she was reined back to allow two other horses to go past her. Not surprisingly she compounded in the straight and finished a 7,60 length eleventh.

The SA Fillies Sprint could also be on the menu for Temple Grafin, as she has plenty of speed, and Kotzen said he would be discussing this possibility with owner Hugo Hattingh of Chrigor Stud.

Santa Clara and third-placed Silvano’s Pride can also be taken out of the Umzimkhulu as ones to follow. Santa Clara will be improving continuously, especially as she is out of a full-sister to champion stallion Silvano, whose progeny mature like fine wines. Silvano’s Pide is by Silvano and as one who takes a strong hold she only knows one way of running, from the front, so she did well to finish third in her first KZN start and should come on plenty from it.

Kotzen said Eyes Wide Open, who also runs in the familiar Chrigor Stud colours, had been “cruising” in his work and he will make his first Champions Season appearance in the Sledgehammer. The aim is to get him into the Vodacom Durban July with a nice galloping weight.

He said, “He battled in the Cape Season with haemoconcentration but we have been working on his bloods and he is back to his best.”

He was also hoping to get Herodotus into the July, whom he rates as a “proper” horse. This Trippi colt, who finished third in the Grade 1 GBets Cape Derby, is back in Cape Town and would likely run in the first two legs of the Cape Winter Series before heading for KZN, although Kotzen said he would play it by ear.

Kotzen has a feeling there will be a number of hitherto unknown three-year-olds emerging from various yards during the Champions Season.

He mentioned two among his string could be the promising Ideal World colt Cat Daddy, whom he reckoned would improve as he went over more ground, and the What A Winter gelding Spring Fling, whom he has hopes for over a mile and beyond.

By David Thiselton

Captain Of Stealth makes his eagerly awaited second appearance in the opening Itsarush.co.za Juvenile Plate at Durbanville on Saturday. All due deference to the Candice Bass-Robinson stars, this colt looks the best two-year-old seen out in Cape Town so far this season.

Starting favourite at 6-10 on debut, the R500 000 Captain Al was allowed to take it up after two and a half furlongs and from 400m out he stretched away effortlessly to win by five and a half lengths in impressive fashion with Vaughan Marshall declaring: “I think he is something special.”   True, no winner has come out of the race but the over-riding impression was that the colt’s trainer was spot-on.

The Langerman on June 29 is his aim and on Saturday he has to contend with three other previous winners –Finding Camelot, Marco Polo and Minnesota Dream- as well as concede 3kg to four maidens.

Brett Crawford is considering a tilt at the 1 200m Olympic Duel Stakes at Kenilworth on May 25 for Run Fox Run who had no difficulty in extending her unbeaten run to three at Kenilworth last Wednesday. The handicappers have raised her seven points to a new rating of 91 which should give her a reasonable weight in the Listed handicap.

Crawford intends sticking to sprints with Ridgemont’s Australian-bred for the time being – but he expects stable companion Boomps A Daisy, effortless winner of a 1 000 maiden on the same day, to get further; her sire Zoustar won up to 1 400m and her dam at up to a mile. She will start in handicap company off a mark of 73.

Anton Marcus fell foul of the Rule 62.2.3 – ‘every rider must ride his horse out to the end of a race to the satisfaction of the stipendiary stewards’ – when repeatedly looking round on Run Fox Run in the final furlong. He was fined R1 000.

Senior stipe Ernie Rodrigues explained to the writer that the relevant rule is not, as is widely supposed, to lay things on a plate for the handicappers but to ensure that jockeys are not caught napping by something finishing unexpectedly fast. The rule is common in the southern hemisphere but does not exist in many parts of Europe. In Britain and Ireland, for example, the only stipulations are that a horse must be run, and be seen to be run, on its merits and to be given a full opportunity to achieve the best possible placing. Ensuring that the winning margin is less than it could be is not an offence provided the placing is unaffected.

Robert Khathi has been given a ten-day suspension for causing interference on Trip To The Sky to second-placed Russet Air in the Tellytrack.com Handicap at Kenilworth last Wednesday whereas Craig Zackey on the winner Vardy was given seven days (April 14-20) for essentially the same offence – both riders switched their whips to the outside hand causing their mounts to veer inwards. According to the stipes Khathi’s actions were much more pronounced.

By Michael Clower

The Vaal Classic track tomorrow sees the return of the good prospect Fired Up, who runs in an Assessment Plate over 1600m and  is made the meeting banker.

This Rock Of Gibraltar gelding is a typically robust progeny of a Galileo mare and will relish this step up in trip in the second leg of the Pick 6 and first leg of the Jackpot. On debut he showed a good turn of foot and then galloped on resolutely to win a maiden over 1400m. That was despite running from the number one draw, which is often unfavourable on the Vaal straight course.

He impressed the handicappers, who gave him a merit rating of 80, and is thus officially the best weighted horse in this Assessment Plate for three-year-olds. On a line through a horse called Lasair he comes out better on formlines than the second choice Flash Burn, who will enjoy the step down in trip after failing over 2000m last time. Flash Burn is an athletic type and won his maiden in fine style over 1600m. He also has the advantage of a plum draw of three, while Fired Up has to contend with a wide draw of nine, so some will consider including him.

In the second leg of the Jackpot over 1600m Royal Italian goes for his fourth win on the trot. He is a versatile type who can win from handy or rely on his fine turn of foot from off the pace. Last time he won going away over 1500m and the son of Pomodoro should relish the step up in trip. Nordic Rebel is a consistent type but does tend to lose ground at the start. If the 4kg claim of his apprentice is included then he is a whopping 8kg better off with Royal Italian for a 2,25 length beating over 1500m so has a fine chance on paper. Ragoon looks to have a touch of class and he wasn’t suited to a front-running role last time. He still beat Nordic Rebel in that race, although the latter did lose three lengths. Ragoon is drawn in pole and the distance should be ideal.

The third leg of the Jackpot is a tricky 1200m handicap. Only To Win looks to be better than her merit rating suggests as she has been consistently thereabouts in decent fields. She might enjoy this trip as she likes to sit behind horses before turning it on and the faster pace of a race over this trip might well suit her. She could be a banker consideration. However, beyond her a few must be included. It Takes Two was only just touched off by a good sort over this trip in her penultimate start and then won next time, so off a reasonable merit rating here has a chance. Florence, Shadow Queen and Illegal have shown signs of ability and also have to be considered.

The last leg of the Pick 6 could also be won by Mike de Kock, who trains both Fired Up and Only To Win. His charge Gimme Hope Johanna is ultra consistent and is drawn in pole over a suitable 1450m trip. Last time over this trip, also from pole, she went close to the decent gelding Orpheus, so has a big shout back against the girls here. Walnut Dash flashed past the line together with Boutique last time over 1400m and the latter looks to be a good prospect, so she must be included despite a four point merit rated raise. Mistressofmyfate caught the eye on debut so was most disappointing last time. She finished distressed in the latter race and can bounce back. Lady Lexington has caught the eye before as one who would enjoy this step up in trip. Kentucky Blue has a form chance so can also be considered.

The first leg of the Pick 6 is an uninspiring maiden over 1600m. Verdi makes the most appeal as one who was staying on well over this trip last time and went close over this distance three runs ago. The Russian Sailor is improving and looks likely to appreciate the step up in trip after staying on when stepped up to 1400m last time. Mighty Rock would likely prefer further but has fair form and could attempt to gallop them into the ground from a fair draw.

The last leg of the Pick 6 is tough but Royal City looks the one to beat as he won his maiden well over 1160m and is bred to go this 1450m trip. He has faced strong assessment plate fields in his last two and has duly been dropped to a reasonable looking merit rating and is also drawn well. However, it looks to be a contest in which punters will have to go as wide as possible in.

By David Thiselton

Trainer Gordon Elliott was overcome with emotion as Tiger Roll, ridden by Davy Russell, returned after winning his second consecutive Randox Health Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.

Tiger Roll, a nine-year-old, became the first horse since Red Rum in 1974 to win two back-to-back Randox Health Grand Nationals. He was sent off the 4-1 favourite, and beat 66-1 chance Magic Of Light.

Elliott, for whom it was a third Randox Health Grand National success – he also trained Silver Birch to win the 2007 renewal of the £1-million race, said: “We work very hard for this the whole time. I’ve got a brilliant team behind me, and all my family at home. Davy Russell’s mother died last year, and this was for her, and my uncle Willie Elliott died this year and this was for him.”

Asked to sum up his brilliant horse, who now has four Cheltenham Festival wins and two Randox Health Grand National victories to his name, Elliott shook his head and just said: “Tiger.”

Tiger Roll is owned by Gigginstown House Stud, the racing and breeding operation of Ryanair supremo Michael O’ Leary.

O’Leary said: “It’s just unbelievable. I thought that he genuinely had no chance today carrying that weight, but it was a beautiful ride and a phenomenal training performance by Gordon. It’s brilliant he keeps bringing this horse back to Cheltenham better than ever and Aintree better than ever. What a ride by Davy – fantastic!

“Tiger Roll has got a stage now where you just want to mind him. You run the risk every time he runs, you think ‘Oh my God, please don’t let anything happen to him’ and it is unbelievable to win two Grand Nationals. It’s incredible. It’s a great result for the punters; it’s fantastic.”

Elliott, in tears, reacted: “Everyone loves him. He is the people’s horse. I cannot believe it.”

O’Leary commented: “They don’t win for a second year in a row – the odds are so heavily against it. I don’t know what Gordon has done this year but Tiger Roll has come back stronger and better than ever.

“I was thinking Davy don’t go too early, so well was he going. It is just incredible – I thought we had absolutely no chance.”

Russell reacted: “What can I say, Tiger Roll is just an unbelievable horse. I was running away for most of the race. It was marvellous – he gave a couple of stumbles and I think the blinkers lit him up.”

– racenews@racenewsonline.com

Sleeping Single, sold twice before she had even seen a racecourse, could yet live up to early expectations. Despite being six months wrong with the opposition, she ran out a convincing winner of the Betting World Maiden at Durbanville on Saturday and Snaith Racing is talking of putting her away for the big prizes of next season.

Jono Snaith said: “She is a classic-type and she could be in the Paddock Stakes next year.”

Bred in Britain by the Nagles, she is by dual Derby winner Australia out of a half-sister to an American Grade 1 scorer and was bought for Markus Jooste for €220 000 (now nearly R3.5 million) at the 2017 Goffs Orby Sale. When she came up again at last July’s Central Route Trading Sale she was purchased for R1.8 million for Nic Johnsson and Jack Mitchell.

Anton Marcus’s response to an SOS to replace the sidelined Greg Cheyne on five rides may not have resulted in any immediate winners but Rigemont’s Pretty Young Thing looks good for next time.  The 13-1 chance made up ground hand over fist in the straight in the Play Soccer 6 Maiden Juvenile and only failed to overhaul all-the-way winner Hidden Strings by a rapidly-disappearing head.

“Thank heavens I’ve got cat gut for my heart,” joked Greg Ennion who had bought the winner for a mere R50 000 at last year’s TBA Mistico Sale and told a complicated story about not knowing who the breeder (W.J. Engelbrecht) was only to later sell a share in the filly to Engelbrecht’s son. The latter recouped his costs in a bet while the pair’s fortunes were further boosted by a R50 000 Bloodstock SA juvenile winner cheque.

The first two winners similarly benefitted (owner R39 500, trainer R5 000, breeder R5 000 and groom R500) and for JP Cuvelier, owner of the Robert Khathi-ridden Captain Tatters in the first, it doubtless helped with the expenses as he was hosting his daughter’s wedding in Hong Kong. Apparently proceedings were interrupted so that they could all watch the race on TV and the result was greeted with a huge cheer.

Brett Crawford’s applause was rather more muffled despite two winners but newcomer Armando, the first leg of a Corne Orffer treble, was the stable’s second juvenile scorer of the season from just four individual runners. He also qualified for the R50 000 bonus and was backed from 6-1 to 19-10 favourite.

The recently gelded Retro Effect showed the benefit of the operation to spearhead a Woodruff one-two in the Tellytrack.com Maiden while Lucky Dancer benefitted from a step-up in trip to give part owner Gisela Burg “the biggest surprise we have had in a very long time.”

Handicap good thing Singfonico – 9.5kg better-in than his rating – duly made all at 13-10 in the Interbet.co.za Handicap but what was interesting was Anthony Andrews’ views on the difference between riding a front-runner in a sprint at Durbanville and one at Kenilworth.

He said: “At Durbanville they like to ride in single file, or one off the rails, and if you are in front they will leave you alone (until well into the straight) so you can hold your horse up and then let him go. But at Kenilworth they spread out and you can be having to fight them off from the 800m mark.”

By Michael Clower

Horse of the Year Oh Susanna is 15-10 favourite for the HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes at Turffontein on Saturday but Snaith Racing is concerned that punters, seeing Richard Fourie’s mount rated 4.5kg clear of the next best (Fresnaye), will rush in blindly without taking sufficient notice of the negatives.

Jono Snaith said on Saturday: “Oh Susanna may not need to run to her best form as she is weighted to win but punters need to be cautious and tread lightly. The factors against her are the altitude, that she is coming off a rest and that the mile is short of her best.”

The stable, which won this Grade 1 with Dancer’ Daughter ten years ago, sent last year’s Met winner to Summerveld a month ago and she will travel to Turffontein on Friday evening in a bid to minimise the effects of the  course’s near 1 800m altitude.

Fresnaye is an 11-1 chance with World Sports Betting which sees the Mike de Kock-trained Cascapedia (9-2) and Nafaayes (13-2) as the biggest dangers to the favourite. De Kock has won three of the last four runnings and seven of the last 13. The Sean Tarry-trained Celtic Sea (15-2) is the only other in single figures.

By Michael Clower

Some top horses have raced in the colours of Mary Liley, one the springs to mind being Queen’s Plate and Champion Stakes winner Bold Monarch back in 1979. She has had some good horses since but none as good, until maybe yesterday.

The lightly raced gelding Tristful gave notice that he will be a horse to be reckoned with over the last few months of the season but as Tony Rivalland, caution, “the pressure’s on now,” after the gelding scored an eye-catching win in the Gr3 Byerley Turk at Greyville yesterday.

Sean Veale rode a faultless race as he tracked a slow early pace set by Solid Gold, but when he asked for an effort, Tristful responded with a smart turn of foot.

“You haven’t seen the best of him yet,” said Veale. “Wait until he goes 2000m, that’s his game.”

Given those words, Tristful will probably go the traditional route for three-year-old males, the KZN Guineas, Daily News 2000, and all going well, a possible tilt at the Vodacom Durban July.

The July is still 88 days away and a lot can happen in the interim, but Liley and Rivalland got proof yesterday that they are in with a shout at least.

Temple Grafin, winless since The Debutante at the end of last season, opened her seasonal account in the Gr3 Umzimkulu Stakes under another tremendous ride from Anton Marcus. Inching his way into a challenging position from his outside draw, Marcus had Temple Grafin within striking distance coming off the false rail and the filly came forward gallantly to outgun Santa Clara and Silvano’s Pride.

Richard Fourie had no hesitation taking favourite Silvano’s Pride to the lead and she set a strong pace, tracked by Santa Clara who had the run of the race. These two hooked up at the top of the straight with Santa Clara slowly wearing down her rival, but neither had an answer to the late challenge from Temple Grafin, Glen Kotzen’s filly getting up close home.

Champion jockey Lyle Hewitson is making a bold attempt in defence of his title and took the lead ahead of Muzi Yeni and Anton Marcus for the first time this season with a double at Fairview on Friday. He added to his lead by winning the first on Elnora for Wayne Badenhorst but not before having to survive an objection.

In the lead, Hewitson pulled his stick through to his right and Elnora took exception, shifting sharply onto the well-fancied Rose Dance.

Sean Veale objected on the grounds of interference in the latter stages, but although he was well within his rights, the stipendiary board ruled that Rose Dancer would not have got past the winner and the result stood.

Ishnana, bred and owned by Robert Smith, finally snapped a string of second places with a superb victory in the fourth where he took on a really smart field.

Drawn wide, apprentice Luke Ferraris was hard pressed to get the gelding to settle early on, but once in behind runners he dropped the bit nicely as Calvary set off at a blistering gallop.

Not for nothing was Garth Puller nicknamed “The Headwaiter” when he was a jockey, often pouncing late when all looked lost, and he would have been proud of Ferraris. Last into the straight, he shot through a big gap and Ishnana pulled him through to win smartly.

By Andrew Harrison