There will be a feast of racing this Saturday with the Dubai World Cup meeting coinciding with the SA Derby meeting at Turffontein.

The highlight of the local meeting will be the appearance of the Mike de Kock-trained Hawwaam in the Derby. He is not the highest merit rated horse in South Africa, but was accorded the highest ranking among SA horses in the first edition of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for 2019. The ranking assessments were made on three-year-olds and upwards which raced between 1^st January 2019 and 10^th March 2019.

He was assessed to have put in the tenth best performance in the world for that period and was given a rating of 119. Do It Again, Rainbow Bridge and National Park were given 118 ratings.

The South African handicappers have him on a 121 merit rating, behind all of Do It Again (125), Rainbow Bridge (124), Soqrat (124) and Head Honcho (122).  

Matthew de Kock has no doubt Hawwaam will get the 2450m trip on the basis of his pedigree and physical capacity.

However, there is a concern about his “his attitude”, but Matthew added, “We seem to be winning the battle.”

The Silvano colt over-raced a bit in both the Three Troikas over 1400m and the Gauteng Guineas. 

However, he settled in the Grade 1 SA Classic last time over 1800m and this enabled him to produce the same devastating turn of foot he had found in the Dingaans. He won the Dingaans by 3,40 lengths and the SA Classic by 5,75 lengths.

Mike de Kock thanked renowned bit expert “Bomber” Nel for his assistance in getting Hawwaam to deliver his best in the SA Classic. 

He was quoted on www.turftalk.co.za saying the day after the SA Classic, “The way Hawwaam threw his head around after the Guineas was a bit rank, so I called in Bomber’s help, he’s an authority on bits and exports his equipment all over the world. Bomber and I spent a day together, it was fascinating to tap into his knowledge. He made an adjustment to Hawwaam’s bit and it’s the little things that make a big difference, as Hawwaam showed yesterday.”

The legendary De Kock-trained SA Triple Crown winner Horse Chestnut went into the SA Derby with some questioning his stamina, but won at a canter by almost ten lengths. Hawwaam is out of contention for the Triple Crown as he finished second in the Gauteng Guineas, his only career defeat, but it is clear De Kock also rates him something special.

“I came off my chair, I got goose bumps,” De Kock told Turf Talk from Melbourne, Australia, from where he watched the SA Classic in a TAB outlet in the Victoria capital. “I don’t know what to say. It was spooky, actually. That was the Hawwaam I know and he’s a proper horse, even more so because I think the runner-up Barahin is top class, I know what I think of Barahin,” De Kock added.

World Sports Betting are taking no chances and have Hawwaam at 1/6 for Saturday’s race.

Of the other contenders the Tyrone Zackey-trained Gift For The Gap, at 22/1, makes appeal as one who will get the trip and who is on the up.

He caught the eye in his penultimate start over 2000m on Turffontein Standside when getting going late and surging in the closing stages. 

Then in his last start over that same 2000m course and distance he came from near the back of the field with a strong finish to win the Listed Derby Trial by half-a-length carrying 56kg off an 85 merit rating.

However, the most impressive aspect of the win was the horse’s obvious immaturity.

Here is a 16 hands plus individual with plenty of scope for improvement.

Zackey said, “He still has a lot to learn, how much I can’t tell you, but he is one of those nice horses who is going to win a good few races if I place him right. He is going to be a good stayer, I know he will be up against some good horses in the Derby but we like to have a go, we really enjoy it. When you’ve got a stayer it’s a big plus. For races like the July and the Gold Cup you need that type of horse and he’s also got to have a nice turn of foot. When you’ve got one who is able to come from the back the way he did on in the Derby Trial, you know you’ve got a fair horse. We had a big downpour beforehand too and he only has small hooves, so he did very well.”

The Zackey yard’s most loyal supporters are Kevin and Nadine Backos, his son-in-law and daughter respectively, and they have a share in Gift For The Gap.

Zackey recalled, “We went to the sales and Nadine came to me and told me she had seen a Master Of My Fate colt she just loved and I had to come and have a look. She is a lucky girl and has a good eye for a horse. The horse was this lovely dark brown colour and had a very nice walk but I told her and Kevin I thought he would go for a lot of money. She replied that whatever it takes we must get him and she would then set up a syndicate.”

They secured him for R200,000.

Hawwaam’s attitude will be tested from draw 15 of 15, while Gift For The Gap also has a tricky draw of ten.

However, acceleration is a weapon in the arsenals of both horses and jockeys Gavin Lerena and Marco van Rensburg respectively can afford to drop them out.

By David Thiselton

The Vaal straight course has a competitive eight race meeting tomorrow, although the exotics look catchable.

The first race will form the first leg of the Bipot and some of the many first-timers look to be the ones to side with. Upcloseandpersonal by Captain Al, Blessed Rain by Soft Falling Rain and Capetown Dream by Capetown Noir are the three which make most appeal on pedigree.

In the first leg of the PA In The Dance can be bankered. This Gimmethegreenlight filly has an exceptional turn of foot, like her half-brother Capetown Noir, and is weighted to win this Assessment Plate over 1200m easily.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 2000m both Julep and Hit For Six are up and coming three-year-olds who will relish this step up in trip and they can fight it out with Mighty Rock who is proven over the trip.

In the first leg of the Jackpot over 1600m Latin Opus is a scopey son of Pomodoro and he should relish the step up to this trip after staying on last time over 1400m. He is still maturing so should continually improve and is the one to beat. He could be a banker consideration from a good draw. Verdi ran well in his penultimate start over this trip but has a wide draw to overcome. The Makwakkers was beaten by Verdi in that race but was a touch unlucky and could reverse form from a plum draw here, so he can also be included. The Greatest Wish has shown signs of ability and should be ideally distance suited so he warrants consideration from a good draw. Colonel Caramel is a long-striding sort who is capable of a strong finish and he is a probable outsider to include.

In race five over 1600m Approach Control makes appeal from a fair draw. He was not disgraced in either the Gauteng Guineas or SA Classic and before that was touched off by useful sorts Green Haze and Hero’s Honour in two respective races over this trip. Officially he is 3,5kg under sufferance with Alyaasaat but he beat the latter at level weights in both the Guineas and the Classic and now receives 3kg from him. Alyaasaat beat Soqrat over 1450m at the beginning of the season but has disappointed in the Graham Back, Guineas and Classic since then. He could bounce back in this lesser company. Protea Paradise is a progressive sort who will find this a touch sharp but he should be running on and can be considered. Ghaalla is the best weighted horse but gained her rating from her Grade 3 Fillies Mile win where the form could be questioned as second-paced I Like it was lowly rated and third-placed Ronnie’s Candy did not have luck in running that day. She was also well beaten into third when well weighted on Saturday, although she was nearly brought down in that race so could be forgiven. Anjom disappointed badly last time having struck as one who did have scope for improvement.

In the sixth race over 1600m Dame Kelly has always struck as one with class and she won going away in commanding fashion last time over this trip. She can follow up off a merit rating of 82, which she has proven before to be better than. My Dream Chaser also has a touch of class and is progressing. She can rise above a 77 merit rating and is well drawn. Flying Fable carries topweight but has ability and is well drawn over a suitable trip. Believe Me is progressing in the typical style of a Silvano filly and is capable of coming from off the pace from a tough draw, so she has to be included in the Jackpot and Pick 6. Only To Win is an honest sort who can’t be ignored either, despite a wide draw, and Lady Val is well regarded so could also be in the shake up. State Star should be right there too.

In the seventh over 1000m Dalai’s Promise caught the eye in the preliminaries last time and then only just failed behind the promising Mr Whatson, so she should go close with a 2,5kg claimer up. Miss Khalifa is well regarded and this speedster will have a chance of blitzing the field now that she is back on a relatively quick Highveld track. Dancing Queen has come into her own and can go close too. For wider Elbi, Opera and Ulla can also be considered.

In the last race over 1200m Palace Assembly is capable of still improving and gets the vote over an ideal trip. Certifiable has to be included over a course and distance he enjoys. Sugoi is a well built sprinter and on pedigree he should enjoy stepping up to 1200m. Moon Warrior is close to Certifiable on form and Sporting Monarch also has to be included in the Jackpot and Pick 6 over an ideal course and distance.

By David Thiselton

Joey Ramsden is aiming Fresnaye at the Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes at Turffontein on April 13, hence the filly’s run in a 1 400m conditions plate at the Johannesburg course nine days ago when she ran on into third behind Celtic Sea.

Ramsden said: “I was very pleased with that. I had done nothing with her yet she quickened quite nicely.”

The Empress Club has proved a happy hunting ground for Cape Town horses on occasion in the past. Justin Snaith won the mile Grade 1 with Dancer’s Daughter ten years ago, Brett Crawford scored with Thunder Dance in 2013 and Mike Bass won with Inara three years later. Fresnaye, who carries the same Drakenstein colours as Inara, has a string of recent high class performances to her name winning the Victress, Stormsvlei Mile and Winter Oaks last year while this year she was fourth in both the Paddock Stakes and the Majorca.

Ramsden has a 24 % strike rate in Gauteng this season (“I must be picking the right ones to send up there”) and he is targeting a second Computaform Sprint on May 4 with last year’s first and third, Attenborough and Speedpoint. The plan is to give both just one prep run beforehand.

On the Durban front Cape Guineas runner-up Twist Of Fate (winner of the Cape Classic, Politician and nearly R2 million) leaves Cape Town at the end of this month and will probably begin his campaign there in the KRA Guineas on May 3.

BLOB The stable’s recent Prix Du Cap winner Rose In Bloom (also second in the Sceptre and third in the Majorca) looks like staying with Ramsden for the rest of her racing career after being bought for R800 000 by stud owner Stefan Moller at Saturday evening’s small Central Route Trading sale.

By Michael Clower

Marinaresco steps up to two miles on Saturday when the 2017 Vodacom Durban July winner tackles the Dubai Gold Cup and regular rider Bernard Fayd’Herbe is expecting a big run.

He said: “It’s his first time over the trip and he is obviously taking on the best but he is fit and doing really well. We are expecting him to run a game race and if we run in the money we will be very happy – but we will take the win!”

The six-year-old has, somewhat understandably, taken time to find his form after extensive travel and quarantine following his last South African run when third in the 2018 Sun Met. He has had three runs at Meydan, all in Group 2 races – finishing an always rear ninth of 13, fifth of nine when weakening in final furlong and a sixth of ten nearest at finish – but his jockey’s enthusiasm bodes well. 

Fayd’Herbe was in double form on his brief return home to ride at Durbanville on Saturday when he won the last for Mike Stewart on Dave Curran’s Icon Princess and steered four-year-old Ancestry to victory for the first time since the horse’s heady juvenile days when he came within little more than half a length of wining both the Premiers Champion and the Durban Golden Horseshoe.

A delighted Joey Ramsden said: “Ancestry is a hard horse to ride. He just drops the bit and he has been doing that ever since he came back from Durban as a two-year-old.  Running him over a mile and a half here was a last resort.”

Saturday was a red-letter day for the able Sandile Mbhele who rode his 40^th winner on Miss Plumcake (backed from 8-1 to 10-30) and reduced his claim to 1.5kg. “I think there is plenty more to come from this kid – he is a natural,” commented Stan Elley who knows talent when he sees it.

This was the second leg of a double for Marinaresco’s former trainer Candice Bass-Robinson who was also on the mark with the Aldo Domeyer-ridden Naturalist in the first and whose initial Durban contingent arrived at Summerveld on Friday. They include Santa Clara and What A Summer while Clouds Unfold is among those still to travel.

Sorry to relate, Je Ne Sais Quoi cost favourite backers dear for the fourth successive race. Morne Winnaar had her well away in the Tellytrack.com Maiden  but she got shuffled back into the rear of mid-division and, while she quickened well when the tap was turned on, the 21-10 shot couldn’t match 9-1 chance Big Suze and was beaten an expensive fifth of a length.

“It was a slow-run race and that didn’t suit her,” Winnaar reported. “She then took time to get going but, if it had been a true-run race, I would have won.”

Big Suze’s Brett Crawford-Corne Orffer combination were also on the mark with Middle Word 35 minutes earlier whereas the Justin Snaith-Richard Fourie team had to be content with just one, Spirit Festival, and that was a tense affair for the man in the irons – “As we jumped out of the gates my saddle slipped backwards. I thought ‘I’ve got to be cautious, sit tight and just look pretty.’”

MJ Byleveld attracted plenty of favourable comment for his handling of Kenny Trix in the Interbet.co.za Handicap. Intriguingly Jane Truter revealed that the Vaughan Marshall-trained five-year-old was named after her husband but he was more impressed with the way the horse had regained his form after being off for nearly 18 months through injury – “To be honest, I didn’t think he would make it back.”

By Michael Clower

The Paul Lafferty-trained Dark Moon Rising was considered once to be a staying prospect but he has turned out to be a useful miler and yesterday produced his usual strong finish to land the Listed Kings Cup over 1600m at Greyville under Keagan de Melo.

The five-year-old Ideal World gelding’s two previous best runs this season were over the same course and distance, an easy win in November and a third in the Listed Christmas Handicap,

Yesterday, he was 1,5kg better off with Christmas Handicap-winner Matador Man for a 1,6 length beating and shortened into 26/10 favourite, while Matador Man drifted out to 4/1.

Matadotor Man was dropped out to his usual last place and Dark Moon Rising, who likes to run around horses in the straight, was just ahead of him.

Royal Armour set a steady pace.

Dark Moon Rising and Matador Man rounded the field together at the top of the straight. The 16/1 shot Roy’s Riviera burst through a gap just inside of them and Platinum Prince was running on down the inside.

However, it turned into a thrilling tussle between the trio on the outside. Dark Moon Rising found the necessary extra to deny topweight Matador Man a head with Roy’s Riviera a head further back. 

It was a double for Lafferty who had earlier teamed up with Warren Kennedy to win with Romanesca.

Dark Moon Rising should also be effective over further and it will be no surprise to see him having another crack at the Vodacom Durban July.

Roy’s Riviera’s settled well for the first time since donning blinkers three runs ago. The SA Champions Season fillies mile division will be competitive but she could surprise one or two pundits as she has blossomed.

Earlier, Andre Nel’s Silver Rose won a strong Pinnacle Stakes race over 2200m under a clever ride by Gareth Wright. The slow pace did not suit the favourite Flichity by Farr, who ran a bit flat in third, but she remains a useful staying prospect for Champions Season.

Dean Kannemeyer’s The Sultan’s Bazaar won a MR84 Handicap over 1900m in fine style.

Dennis Drier and Sean Veale got the meeting rolling with the R900,000 two-year-old Master Of My Fate first-timer Master Of My Illusion. The gelding stretched out well late to just get his nose down in the 1200m Juvenile Plate event.

Tony Rivalland and Stuart Randolph then teamed up to score with the progressive Extravargant, who has now won two from three starts.

There were also wins for Alistair Gordon and Anton Marcus, Wayne Badenhorst and Jason Gates and Sean Tarry and Lyle Hewitson.

By David Thiselton

The start of Champions Season is still over a month away but the Kings Cup heralds the dawn of three months of championship racing. So too do the hoards of Western Cape raiders that have been arriving by the float-load at Summerveld this past fortnight.

Justin Snaith sends out his first local runner with Platinum Prince lining up at Greyville on Sunday, but Highveld raider Sean Tarry appears to hold the best hand as he saddles Matador Man and Captain And Master who could prove the two to beat in a competitive handicap.

Matador Man is over what is arguably his best course and distance and can follow up in his Christmas Handicap win in spite of top weight. Prior to that he ran an inexplicably bad race behind Dark Moon Rising failing to quicken went popped the question by Anton Marcus.

He does however have to give lumps of weight to his rivals, including 2kg to stable companion Captain And Master. A close-up fourth in the Hawaii Stakes, Captain And Master was sent out a short-priced favourite over the Greyville 1400m last time out, but took time to get into stride by which time the handily weighted Tristful had flown the coop.

He stays the mile comfortably but one assumes that regular stable rider Lyle Hewitson will have had the pick of the rides in spite of Marcus’s presence on Captain And Master.

Platinum Prince is no stranger to Greyville, having run here four times, and he should strip close to peak fitness after two warm-ups at Kenilworth. Richard Fourie is up for the ride and the ever competitive Snaith will like nothing better than to start his KZN winter campaign on a winning note.

Dark Moon Rising was something of a controversial runner in last season’s Vodacom Durban July but Paul Lafferty will no doubt have his charge headed for another dip in the well come Saturday, July 6 and victory here will enhance the gelding’s chances of making the final 18-horse field.

A possible exotic bet banker could come in the form of the filly Flichity By Farr. Second in the SA Oaks and the Gold Vase last season, she has come back well since a break. Her recent win came over a trip many thought would be short of her best but she took full toll of her advantage in the weights.

She is again well weighted in another Pinnacle Stakes over 2200m and can put the boys to the sword again over what should be a more suitable trip. Byron Forster does duty for Andre Nel in KZN and his two charges Silver Rose and O’Keeffe will be threats. O’Keeffe has yet to finish out of the first two since stepping out on the poly but she jumps in trip here and is back on the turf. Stable rider Gareth Wright has elected to partner top weight who stays well but does come off a three-month break.

The Gold Circle Podcast Handicap looks a tricky affair although Ollivander has been battling the handicapper for all of his career and is due another win. He makes his local debut off some smart staying form in the Cape and has his first start for a new stable. He will have a big chance on his best form. The Sultans Bazaar has been consistent over sorter but may now be looking for this trip. He also looks well weighted and along with Paths Of Glory looks the biggest threat to Brett Crawford’s runner.

By Andrew Harrison

Je Ne Sais Quoi has to be the choice for the Tellytrack.com Maiden at Durbanville tomorrow after she came back with more hard luck stories than you would find in the bankruptcy courts when starting favourite at Kenilworth last time.

Craig Zackey tried to come up the rails but, unable to secure anything like a clear run, he had to switch 300m from home only to find his path repeatedly blocked until just inside the 100m pole – and by that time it was too late. The Glen Kotzen filly wore blinkers for the first time that day but presumably they proved more of a hindrance than a help because she races without them tomorrow.

The capable Morne Winnaar takes over and his mount has been installed 5-2 favourite with World Sports Betting. On that last run she should be a good thing but beware – this filly carries a wealth warning. She also started favourite on her two previous most recent starts – she was odds-on when Anton Marcus rode her in January – and was beaten each time. True, she ran well on both occasions but she doesn’t look one to risk too much on.

She is opposed by six of those who took her on last time, most notably Silvery Heights (7-2) who finished over a length in front of her despite being almost as unlucky. Greg Cheyne’s mount lost ground at the start and she was then bumped sufficiently badly for Cheyne to briefly lose an iron. She would have been my selection had she not been drawn widest of all. Mary Moon (9-2), one of four Kotzen runners, also has strong claims.

Empire Glory (28-10) has been marginally preferred in the market for the opening 1 250m maiden by In Full Power who is blinkered for the first time but the Greg Ennion gelding was having his first run since being cut last time and he lost ground at the start. Even so he finished a neck the better of the pair and can confirm those placings.

Louisa May has some useful form over 1 400m and is preferred to fellow 3-1 joint favourite Silver Dazzle and Spirit Festival in the TAB Telebet Maiden.

The Play Soccer 6 Handicap (race three) is wide open but maybe 11-2 shot Bold Assassin can reverse January placings with Parade March.

In the next Middle Wood and Luxemburg head the market after both suffering interference last time. The former has an appalling draw – even over ten furlongs it has an impact on this course – but hopefully Corne Orffer can work out how to overcome it.

BLOB In the past month 11 of Michael Clower’s 24 selections have won, giving a profit of R112.00 to a R10 stake.

By Michael Clower

The exotics look to be the best way to play the nine race meeting at Turffontein Inside tomorrow, although there are also one or two opportunities for on the nose punters.

In the first leg of the PA Makara makes appeal from pole position as she has some pace and stays on and is receiving 3kg from the promising sorts Sarah and Mawsool. However, all three can be included as this takes away all risk and likely lands a treble up in the PA.

In the fourth race over 1000m Urban Oasis is knocking hard and has faced some decent types without being disgraced. However, she is widely drawn and this is her second run after a ten month layoff so the talented Hartleyfive and the well drawn and course and distance-suited Kindavar can also be included in the PA. For the Pick 6 Brittania Queen and Midnight Top can be included.

In the first leg of the Jackpot Pearl Of Siberia is a consistent sort and can beat the only filly in the race Desert Kitten. Icebreaker is by What A Winter out of Grade 3 Kenilworth Fillies Nursery winner Rose Reserve and has a fine chance too.

In the second leg of the Jackpot Blonde Vision will relish the step up in trip to 1200m. She has fair cruising speed and a good kick and a middle draw. Topweight Regal Graduation is in fine form and goes for a hattrick, although she does have a tricky draw. Winter Watch was staying on over 1000m last time so could be a threat from a good draw with Strydom up and Three Stars and San Fermin have to be considered.

In the seventh race over 1450m Orpheus comes out strongly on formlines and is drawn well over a probably ideal trip considering he is a classy, handy to front-running sort who reportedly makes breathing noises. Rocky Night won well last time at Greyville, but was a touch disappointing on Tuesday and on a line through Epic Dream is held by Orpheus. However, due to the breathing issues of the latter he can be included and so can Polar Ice, Jubilee Line and Victor Forth, who are all capable of winning.

In the next the form of Ghaalla’s win in the Grade 3 Fillies Mile has to be questioned as second-placed I Like It was lowly merit rated and third-placed Ronnie’s Candy did not have a good trip in that race. However, whichever way it is looked at she is well weighted in this event and the 1450m trip is ideal. Her stablemate Firdoas is talented and can be included alongside second best weighted Rockin Russian. The risk averse can consider Skye Lane and Parental Control.

In the last race over 1600m Fife should relish the step up in trip and is the one to beat from a good draw, with Jungle Jane and Tuscan Light being the back up.

By David Thiselton

Turffontein has a tricky public holiday meeting tomorrow as a number of the horses who make appeal on the nine race card are drawn wide.

The meeting should start well for punters as Ehsaan looked to have some class when going down narrowly to a promising sort on debut over this 1200m trip. The Captain Al colt was green and looks to have plenty of scope for improvement. He has a plum draw of two.

In the second race The Sands caught the eye early in his career as one with a nice action and some ability. He continually disappointed until dropped back to a sprint so over this 1200m trip he should have a chance in an uninspiring field despite a wide draw. Captain’s Alpha gets the blinkers on and from a good draw could earn here. One Of Our Own has run two fair races and is the other one to include in the Bipot.

In the first leg of the PA Without Limits has the best form and gets blinkers on from a wide draw over a suitable 1200m trip. With luck in running she will go close. Super Fine has caught the eye before and could improve with first time blinkers on. Destiny’s Game disappointed on Saturday but can earn here if bouncing back.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 the improving Glitter Path is the one to beat from a plum draw over an ideal 1450m trip. She is a potential banker but the risk averse can include Jacko Boy and Petite Aime.

In the first leg of the Jackpot Chevron has scope for improvement and having stayed on strongly over 1450m last time he looks likely to relish this step up in trip from pole position. Lasair has substance and stayed on resolutely from well back over this trip last time. He has to be included as one with scope for improvement and he might be ridden handier.

In the sixth race over 1600m Sea Air is made the best bet on the card from a plum draw as this Captain Al colt should now start progressing and this looks to be an ideal trip.

In the seventh over 1200m Mythical Bolt makes a lot of appeal as a hard knocking sort who is held in good regard. He can use his early speed to overcome his tricky draw. The first backup Purple Diamond has a tough draw too, but of the well drawn horses Varimax makes most appeal.

In the eight race over 1000m No More Words should enjoy the step down in trip on the evidence of her last run and she has a 2,5kg claimer up. However, she is widely drawn as are the main dangers Modjaji and Frankly. Illegal can also be included and Queen Rachel could also be involved.

In the last race over 1000m the disappointing Visuality is now off a competitive mark and in good form, so can beat Passion Peach who is well handicapped on her Cape Town form and should be running on. Fictitious must be included with a 4kg claimer on despite a wide draw. Of the well drawn horses I Aint Trippin, Effortless and Upskilled can be included.

By David Thiselton

Donovan Dillon, who had hoped to be back in action some six weeks after his Met day injuries, now looks like facing a total of three months on the sidelines.

He said: “I went to Durban last week for a follow-up appointment with my specialist – he is good and treats many rugby players with their knees. He said that he was happy with the progress I am making but the strenuous sport I am in can be hard on the knees.  He said that I should be back riding at the end of April and I am due to see him once more before then.”

Dillon damaged knee ligaments when Double Alliance reared with him in the pens in the Tattersalls Summer Juvenile. He also damaged a cartilage and bruised his knee bone.

Bernard Fayd’Herbe, back from Dubai, has seven rides at Durbanville on Saturday including Still I Rise (top weight in the Tabonline.co.za Handicap) who is one of four horses being sold by Joey Ramsden’s Goodhope Racing in a special filly and mare sale laid on by Grant Knowles’ Central Route Trading immediately after the last race.

The quartet also comprises last month’s Prix Du Cap winner Rose In Bloom (also second in the Sceptre and third in the Majorca), the useful maiden Lip Service and triple winner Lily Theresa. The only other horse in the sale is an unnamed Greys Inn two-year-old being sold by the executors of the late Chris Gerber.

By Michael Clower