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

Opensea Mhlamvu was the first Black person to be registered as an assistant trainer in South Africa when he worked for now Sydney-based David Payne. Veteran Mhlamvu is currently assistant to Gavin van Zyl and the horse named after him lines up in the second at Greyville today.

The colt has already had five starts, including three at Turffontein when under the care of Chesney van Zyl, but made a pleasing return to home territory when runner-up to the promising Mr Fitz at Scottsville.

On debut, Mr Fitz had finished second to Last Of The Legend who has subsequently run second in the Listed Derby Trial so Opensea has some solid credentials.

He is back to a sprint today and faces the Michael Roberts galloper Dallas who is bidding to snap a string visits to the second box. The handicappers have him rated the equal of Opensea so there is unlikely to be too much between the pair if the handicapper’s sums are correct.

The opening leg of the Pick 6 sees Podcast having his first outing for Kom Naidoo. He does have top weight but also a 2.5kg claimer aboard – if he can keep straight – and some useful form to back his claims. Podcast has had a taste of the poly and looks to be the right one in a competitive handicap.

Secret Dynasty could prove to be a threat as he seemed to do better over the shorter trip last time and jumps from the best draw. A good each-way wager could come in the form of Kingston Boy.  Doug Campbell’s runner has been dropped five pounds in the handicap and is never far back. He also goes very well on the poly. Of the balance, Techno Captain is not the easiest but did well over course and distance last time and can finish in the money again although he does appear to be at his best over a touch further.

The fourth is a treacherous lowly rated fillies handicap. Tombola has consistent form over further but has done well over this trip and tries blinkers for the first time which could see her home. Sheik’s Storm has gone close at her last two and has the best of the draw which counts for a length, maybe two, that can be vital in a handicap of this nature but not a race to go ‘light’ in.

In the sixth, Duke Of Spin showed potential before his New Year break but his two subsequent outings have been a touch disappointing. Duncan Howells has kicked for touch and Duke Of Spin races in blinkers for the first time. He cannot be written off lightly and if he does bring his A-game he will be difficult to beat. Of the balance, Capoeira has been tossed into the deep end but showed up well first run out of the maidens. He has a light weight and can feature while Blackball is 3.5kg worse off at the weights with Duke Of Spin when last they met but was a close-up second to smart stable companion Marchingontogether so cannot be written off lightly. Another with a chance is Amor Ardiente. Belinda Impey’s gelding is never far off them and has done well on the poly.

Young trainer Wayne Badenhorst, shortly to move to the Ashburton Training Centre, sends out Biker Babe in the seventh and appears to have picked her race as she is way down in class and was not far back when trying blinkers against stronger last run.

Finally in the last, Suzi Woo has made steady progress since her barrier trial and Shane Humby’s filly looks primed in a weak field, her only danger possibly On The Bright Side who landed a coup when sent over ground for the first time. The stable is in hot form and over an optimum trip, On The Bright Side must rate a threat.

By Andrew Harrison

A “blood reading” or “blood picture” is a term often used by trainers when assessing the well-being of a horse in the build up to a race.

However, there have not been many articles written in laymen’s terms which explain what this means.

Each trainer has his own methods.

Some will regard blood readings as an important part of a horse’s preparation, others place less importance in it and others don’t do them at all.

A “heart rate” is another measurement which can be taken but this is not a common practice.

The Paul Lafferty yard use blood readings extensively and some of the information below was gleaned from an interview with his assistant trainer Roy Waugh.

The information about the Heart rates is courtesy of three-times national Champion trainer Sean Tarry, who often uses this training aid. 

Athletic performance in thoroughbreds, as in humans, is interlinked with oxygen supply.

Haemoglobin, an iron-containing protein within the red blood cell, carries oxygen to the rest of the body and the more haemoglobin present the more that can be carried.

Red blood cells and haemoglobin thus go hand-in-hand. 

Red blood cells and accompanying haemoglobin are created by bone marrow and the levels are raised through exercise.

The aim of training is to stress the system, so that bone marrow makes more red blood cells/haemoglobin for the workload.

Short, sharp work is the best way to increase red blood cell/haemoglobin levels.

There are two important measurements to be taken in assessing the efficiency of oxygen transportation in a horse’s blood, the haemoglobin levels and haematocrit. The latter is also known as the Packed Cell Volume (PCV).

The amount of haemoglobin in whole blood is expressed in grams per decilitre (g/dl). The normal haemoglobin level for horses at rest is 8-19 g/dl.

The haematocrit or PCV measures the percentage of red blood cells in blood. A normal PCV reading for horses at rest is between 32-48%. Lower than 30% may indicate anaemia. When the blood sample is taken it is separated into three parts, red blood cells, plasma and buffy coat. The buffy coat is essentially the layer between blood cells and plasma that contains most of the white blood cells and platelets. An abnormally high white blood cell count indicates an infection. 

When the number of red blood cells is too large there is a traffic jam effect and blood flow is restricted.

This is termed haemo-concentrating and is chiefly associated with intact males.

Gelding is the usual solution. Long, slow work can also help.

Haemo-concentration is an unknown term in most racing countries, but is well-known in South Africa. The reason for this is likely due to South African trainers’ tendency to do short, fast work on heavy tracks, which can cause a rapid production of red blood cells/haemoglobin.

Trainers would ideally be looking for a haemoglobin level of from 13,5 to 15 for a horse at rest and a PCV reading from 40 to 43.

An important difference in the physiology of horses and humans is that a horse’s spleen holds approximately a third of its total red blood cells and these are held in reserve until mobilised through exercise, stress and excitement. This is a common physiological design in flight animals, who require a sudden burst of energy to escape from predators. It also explains why a good temperament is so vital in racehorses. Those who get worked up before the race or during the running are releasing some of their splenic blood and wasting their oxygen reserves. However, those who are able to relax until asked for an effort in the straight will still have oxygen in the tank in the final stages and this often makes the difference between victory and defeat.

The horse’s physiology is also one of the reasons a measurement of red blood cell/haemoglobin content in horses at rest can’t always be exact as even the anticipation of the needle can cause excitement and the consequent release of the splenic blood. 

Therefore, the Paul Lafferty yard take the measurement after fast work at which stage the splenic blood will still be in the system.

However, the expected levels will then change.

A good reading for haemoglobin after fast work would be from 23 to 24,5 and a good reading for PCV would be from 72 to 75.

These readings can be a valuable aid to trainers.

If the levels are too low a couple of days before a race, the horse will have no chance and might as well be scratched. However, if there is still two or three weeks to the race the levels can be raised by short, sharp work.

The levels become more important as an indicator the longer the race is.

They become an even more important indicator in races run at altitude (e.g. Johannesburg), where the air is thinner.

The Sean Tarry yard take heart rate readings after grass gallops. A profile of a horse’s heart rate and recovery rate is created over a period of time. When a race is approaching the heart rate and recovery rate readings are compared to the markers on the profile and an assessment is made.

By David Thiselton

The world-renowned Red Mills horse feeds are coming to South Africa and business development director Michael Connolly was at Durbanville at the weekend to outline the company’s plans.

The world-renowned Red Mills horse feeds are coming to South Africa and business development director Michael Connolly was at Durbanville at the weekend to outline the company’s plans.

He said: “We are the number one horse feed supplier in Europe and Asia, supplying 76 countries worldwide, and we have been looking at the South African market for the past ten years. You have world class horses and world class horsemen.”

Apparently one of the key reasons for taking so long was cost because Connolly is determined that his firm’s products are competitive with the local ones and “we have to ensure that they are affordable.”

The Irish-based company- William Connolly & Sons (Michael Connolly is a grandson of the founder) – boasted 97 Group 1 winners in 12 countries last year and supplies many of the top trainers around the world including William Haggas and Nicky Henderson in England, the Aga Khan’s trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre in France and in Ireland Melbourne Cup winner Joseph O’Brien, Cheltenham king Willie Mullins, Dermot Weld and John Oxx.

Connolly continued: “Under phase one of the South African operation we will supply the top trainers and studs direct and in phase two we will operate through a distributor.

“We are proven over time and the advantages of our products, as we see it, are that we use whole grains not extracts, steam for cooking which improves digestibility, a shelf life of ten months minimum that copies mother nature and does not use any nasty chemicals, consistency and state of the art quality control.”

Connolly was accompanied on his trip by global account manager Nicholas Gaumerais and he has recruited Peter Gibson (083-406 4881) as the company’s product adviser in South Africa.

Doubtless the likes of Equi-Feeds will hit back with offers and promotions of their own in a bid to hold on to the market and the competition can only benefit racing stables and studs in this country.

By Michael Clower

The Vaal’s original track stages an eight race meeting tomorrow in which the first three races from 1700 up to 2400m are around the turn and the other five are down the straight.

The draws will play an important part in the races down the straight and it is difficult to tell beforehand whether there will be any draw bias, although if there is it usually favours the high draws.

The meeting kicks off with a maiden over 2400m for fillies and mares and Laconia makes appeal being by the stamina influence Lateral and being trained by the outstanding conditioner of stayers, Weiho Marwing. Last time out she stayed on well over this trip at Turffontein Standside for a close second. Hennie Greyling stays aboard and she has the same good draw of two. Flying Fantasy has had three moderate runs to date but has an eyecatching pedigree for this trip being by stamina influence Irish Flame out of a Bezrin mare who won twice over this sort of trip. Nandi’s Vision should also be thereabouts jumping from pole and coming off a second over this trip.

In the first leg of the PA, a Middle Stakes event over 2400m, Mighty And Magic looked to be a strong tip to win last time but that was before he lost a lot of ground at the start. If he jumps on terms here he will be in the shake up from pole position. The best weighted horse according to official merit ratings is Parisienne Chic, but in December she was similarly well weighted in a Middle Stakes event over this trip against the boys and didn’t feature. Kurt’s Approval proved he enjoys this trip last time and although a touch out at the weights on official merit ratings he has a nice galloping weight and the yard can try a bolder strategy knowing he stays. Yamoto is interesting stepped up in trip from a good draw and can be included in the PA alongside Mighty And Magic and Kurt’s Approval. However, Condor Gulch and Horseplay are also proven over the trip and are hard to ignore.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1700m Ossetra is a potential banker from a good draw. She has topweight but it is alleviated by a 4kg claimer. She always struck as one who would progress with age and her last run shows her to now be coming into her own. However, not many will want to have a banker in a lowly fillies and mares handicap so Poormanslady and Picadilly Square can be included in the PA and Elegancia and Satin Slipper can be included alongside those three in the Pick 6.

The next race is the highest rated event on the card, an Assessment Plate over 1400m and Epic Dream is made the one to beat. He is a nice progressive sort and this trip will be right down his alley. Anneka is the best weighted three-year-old in the field according to official merit ratings and has to be included as she has form behind the like of Mighty High, Clouds Unfold and Cirillo. Captain Of Tortuga is the best weighted male horse in the race and is distance suited, so must also be included in all of the PA, Jackpot and Pick 6. Rocky Night must be included in the Jackpot and Pick 6 as he won well in his first start for this yard so can progress further. Fired Up is also hard to ignore as he won well on debut and could still be anything. Rockin’ Russsian is easily the best weighted horse in the field, so is worth including despite returning from a layoff of nearly a year.

In the fifth race over 1400m the distance suited and in form Danza and the attractively merit rated Wonderwall must be included in the PA. The latter has his second run after gelding and could bounce back to form. Greek Fire, Shogun and Captain Courteous all have ability and can be included in the Pick 6.

The last three races look more cut and dried.

In the sixth over 1000m Rebel Renegade won in commanding fashion last time and off just a two point higher mark can go close again for the flying Magner yard. Vardo is the only other one who needs including as he has speed and class and is attractively handicapped, having been dropped three points for his first run back from Cape Town, which he likely needed.

In the seventh over 1400m Elusive Butterfly did well last Thursday against a stronger field than this and is the first choice. The back up is Florida Quays who caught the eye as one who has come into her own in her last win, although it remains to be seen whether the number one draw will be a disadvantage.

In the eighth over 1400m Boutique is made the best bet of the day, despite being up against some talented sorts. The form of her maiden win has worked out exceptionally well and she is held in good regard, so will be hard to beat over an ideal trip from a nice high draw and off a lowly merit rating of just 64.                               

By David Thiselton

Cape Fillies Guineas and Majorca winner Snowdance is to revert to sprint distances for the first time since she won over 1 100m on her debut as a two-year-old.

Jono Snaith said: “We have always believed that she is a sprinter but that it is her class that carries her through over further and she will run in the SA Fillies Sprint at Scottsville on May 25.”

Apparently there is still a chance that Do It Again could attempt to repeat last year’s win in the Vodacom Durban July even though the four-year-old would be likely to have top weight.

Snaith explained: “He will run in the Independent on Saturday Drill Hall (at Greyville on May 4) but no decision about the July will be made until after he has run in the Rising Sun Gold Challenge (June 8). The owners (Nic Jonsson, Bernard Kantor and Jack Mitchell) will then decide whether he goes for the July or runs in the Champions Cup (July 27). He won’t go for both.”

Plans for last year’s Sun Met winner Oh Susanna are up in the air. “Drakenstein (who owns and bred the filly) have not made a final decision as to whether or not she goes to Durban,” said Snaith.

By Michael Clower

Piet Steyn’s dire predictions about the future – or rather lack of it – for the Western Cape’s small trainers had already come home to roost for Riaan van Reenen when Steyn issued his heartfelt plea for support of others like him.

The Philippi trainer quietly handed in his licence eight days before Steyn’s Tellytrack interview sent shock waves through the South African racing industry, warning that there would only be a handful of trainers left in Cape Town in a couple of years.

The general public knew nothing about Van Reenen’s surprise decision until he appeared alongside Glen Puller for Fee Ramsden’s interview and explained his position after the Robert Khathi-ridden Celestial Storm had defied top weight in the Interbet.co.za Handicap at Durbanville on Saturday.

Shortly before the race he said to the writer: “I only had ten horses at the end and it just wasn’t financially viable to continue but the writing was on the wall a long time ago. The market has gone to the big trainers.

“I have joined Glen as his assistant so I am no longer in the Premier division but my clients moved over to him. Really, I don’t mind because my health was being affected by the strain. I felt it was either join Glen or get a heart attack and die.”

Van Reenen had been training for almost 15 years and he met with immediate success, winning the Winter Classic, Winter Derby and Final Fling with Sweet Virginia. A Daughters Legacy won the Final Fling twice, the Victress and Ladies Mile and he trained Diana’s Choice to win a string of races including the Olympic Duel before she was sold to race in Dubai. At one stage he had over 35 horses but more recently he went into a training partnership with Carl Burger in an abortive effort to rebuild the numbers.

He said: “I was doing well and I was competitive for a long time yet I couldn’t survive. I ask myself how are those who are not doing well going to manage?”

But back to Saturday’s racing. Surely one of the most informative performances came from Helen’s Ideal who followed up her fifth in the Cape Derby with a convincing win under Aldo Domeyer in the 1 250m Rugby Handicap. “This was prep run for the (fillies) Winter Series,” said Paul Reeves. “The first leg is over 1 400m so I wanted to sharpen her up a bit.”

Unusually the last four races were all won by favourites but for those who believe in following the money the day began disastrously with 13-20 shot Rio Querari run out of it close home by the completely unconsidered 50-1 stable companion Marco Polo who was well handled by Louis Mxothwa.

“This was a big surprise,” said Justin Snaith. “The race didn’t quite go Rio Querari’s way and Richard Fourie found himself in front too soon, while the winner really wants further.”

But the five owners of Marco Polo were understandably delighted. The Pathfork gelding races in the blue, shocking pink diamonds colours of Kimberley-based Suzette Viljoen who has recently gone into horses in a big way and has 22 of them split between yearlings and two-year-olds. This was her first success while the winner is the first horse that farrier Robbie Miller has part-owned.

Eric Sands and Greg Cheyne took the other two-year-old race with 6-1 shot Driving Miss Daisy but it was the performance of runner-up Sanskrift that went into the notebook. The R800 000 newcomer, a full sister to Santa Clara, unexpectedly made the running and was only caught on the line.

Candice Bass-Robinson said: “She is not the biggest but she is strong and the family has quite a lot of speed considering their stout pedigrees. I was pleased.”

By Michael Clower

The lightly raced Tristful made short work of odds-on favourite Captain And Master and a useful field of gallopers as Tony’s Rivalland’s gelding out-gunned the field in the Morris Vee Sports Betting Progress Plate at Greyville yesterday.

There were few willing to bet against Captain And Master who was backed deep into the red, but Lyle Hewitson was never able to get close to the rail and stayed three-wide throughout as Run To Denmark towed the field along from his inside draw.

Sean Veale made an early move at the top of the straight on Tristful, catching the field flat-footed, and hitting the line nearly two lengths clear of Captain And Master, letting Hewitson know that he had been well beaten.

This was only the fourth start for Tristful and given that this was a Plate race he could still be flying under the handicapper’s radar with the Champions Season classics beckoning.

It was also just reward for owner Mary Liley who has a number of horses in training with Rivalland and who has been a staunch supporter of the sport for decades.

Most publicity in horse racing – and any sport for that matter – is centred around the high and mighty but there is always place for those at the bottom, for without them the sport becomes just another boring procession.

Lowly Leicester’s win in the British Premier League two seasons back created more column inches than Manchester City’s follow-up because it was a great story of David vs Goliath.

Michael Clower writes elsewhere on this page of Riaan van Reenen being forced to join Glen Puller due to lack of support and in order to keep going in a sport that they love.

Ashburton-based Julie Dittmer’s roots in the sport go back to race-riding at Richmond in KwaZulu-Natal and other long-closed venues, but has stayed staunch ever since taking out her trainer’s licence. She will be first to admit that there are no superstars in her string and has not had the good fortune of a really smart horse.

But more importantly than that, she has a band of staunch owners and Vanessa Williams – especially Michael Salter will have been ecstatic the way See The Prize dusted off her rivals in the DPG Logistics Maiden.

This was only the third start for the filly, bred by former Supreme Court judge Alan Magid and raised at Summerhill, and the manner of victory belied her 36-1 odds.

She was tailed off on the home turn with apprentice Khanya Sakayi in a seemingly hopeless cause as he scrubbed away. But he kept hard at the filly and she responded with a great turn of foot, reeling in the opposition from way back to win going away.

Granted, the field was not the finest, but it was a tremendous performance no less.

Sakayi, 45 winners, edged another three closer to losing his apprentice claim as he was also successful on Love Button for Glen Kotzen and Ooh La La for Doug Campbell, another graduate of the Richmond races. Not to be out-done, Sean Veale also registered a treble, Tristful and the also Liley owned Clara for Rivalland and Dieci for his regular boss, Dennis Drier.

By Andrew Harrison

The Turffontein Standside meeting on Saturday features the Grade 2 Senor Santa Stakes over 1160m where Cirillo will be hard to beat as long as the low draws do not prove unfavourable on the day. 

Cirillo is the highest earning thoroughbred in the country this season having won two expensive sales races down in Cape Town, including the CTS 1200 last time. He showed good speed there and then drew away in the manner of a top class sprinter.

He is only 1kg out at the weights with the best weighted male Bull Valley, but the latter is returning from a layoff of more than a year.

However, the low draws can sometimes be disadvantageous down the Turffontein straight, so the earlier races must be monitored for any draw bias.

Mardi Gras has not had the opportunity to rise above his current 100 merit rating, which he potentially looks to be better than. So being officially 4kg under sufferance with Bull Valley can’t be taken on face value. Furthermore, this progressive sprinter has a nice high draw. Prince Of Kahal has speed and some class. He should be running on as usual but his low draw might be a concern.

Green Plains has trained on and is consistent. She is the best weighted horse in the race according to official merit ratings. It is never easy against the boys but she has a nice high draw.

Romi’s Boy is a talented sprinter who ran a fine race last time after a five month layoff. He should be able to run well fresh again.

Trip To Heaven will be left alone as he is better when coming from way off the pace. He is drawn on the right side and if producing his best will be right there.

Bull Valley has a lot of class and has run well fresh before so could be a threat from a high draw.

Billy Silver has class and has run two good races on the Highveld so is capable of surprising from a nice high draw.

Red Chesnut Road was highly regarded early in his career and has found consistency lately from sprints up to a mile.

Down To Zero won a good race last time but the extra 160m might stretch him. They are selected in the order mentioned.

The Listed Drum Star Handicap over 1800m provides another opportunity for the quirky Pietro Mascagni. He is full of class but appears to shirk the issue when challenging for the lead. He is well drawn over an ideal trip and a tongue tie has now been fitted.

Cash Time is in good form but has a tricky draw considering first time blinkers are on.

The Dazzler is on the up and Dawn Assault and Hero’s Honour have earned their big weights.

The second race is an interesting Conditions Plate and although Redberry Lane would prefer further than this 1400m trip, she will be a threat from pole position as she is an effective front runner and is well in at the weights with all except Fresnaye, who might need her first run on the Highveld and would prefer further.

Celtic Sea is perfectly distance suited and there won’t be much between her and her stable companion Redberry Lane here.

By David Thiselton

Justin Snaith has a strong hand at Durbanville tomorrow, particularly in the first four races when he has three favourites and a joint favourite, and the champion trainer may win both the two-year-old events.

Cyber Blossom, already backed from 2-1 to 14-10 for the Tabonline Maiden Juvenile (race three), was good enough to run creditably in the Listed race on Met day and probably has most to fear from Mike Robinson’s 22-10 shot Stylish Icon and the Eric Sands-trained 7-2 chance Driving Miss Daisy who both made promising debuts last month.

Six of the other seven are first-timers and, while nine of the first 12 two-year-old races in Cape Town this season were won by newcomers, experience is beginning to count and all the last five races went to horses who had had a run.

Vaughan Marshall’s Captain Of Stealth aside, it is Candice Bass-Robinson who appears to have the strongest hand so far and riding arrangements point to Sanskrift, an R800 000 Duke Of Marmalade full sister to Santa Clara and half-sister to Horizon. “I think she is going to be a little bit too green, especially to take on those raced fillies,” says her trainer. “She could maybe run a place but she probably needs a little bit more time.”

Rio Querari is 17-20 for the first and, while the form of his debut hardly warrants him being odds-on, he looks marginally the best. The entire field was running for the first time and he was just one of four that were slowly away while the winner let the form down by managing only fourth ten days later. But Rio Querari did run on well and Richard Fourie has stuck with him.

All Black, fourth of six on debut when totally unfancied and hampered at the start, has been backed from 7-1 to 9-2. Hexatonic (22-1) and Pick Eight Captain are both R400 000 Captain Als and, with Brett Crawford’s juveniles getting into gear, the latter is probably the danger to the selection. Perhaps significantly, he has already been backed from 5-1 to 33-10 second favourite.

The Bass-Robinson stable introduces 25-1 shot Doppio Oro and Tree Of Wisdom (11-2) who has been nibbled at but his trainer feels he will need the run – “I think he will probably need the experience and that he is not wound up enough.”

Destin (7-10 with World Sports Betting) is rated 4kg the best in the mile Betting World Maiden but, while he is taken to beat 3-1 shot Var Express, it is more than  a little disturbing that his last two runs have been over ten furlongs and an extended mile and a half.

Blush Scarlet appeals at 5-1 in the TAB Telebet Maiden. The Glen Kotzen filly was badly drawn when only a fifth of a length behind second-placed Lip Service at Kenilworth last month and has much the better of the draw here.

By Michael Clower