Workrider Francis Semela has been banned from riding in races.

The National Horseracing Authority (NHA) withdrew his “workrider privilege” at an inquiry into his performance on the horse Kindavar in Race 2 at the Vaal racecourse on 28 February.

Semela pleaded guilty at Friday’s NHA hearing and “elected not to divulge any reasons explaining his ride, other than his poor judgment”, said an NHA press release.

“When assessing a suitable penalty, the Inquiry Board viewed Mr Semela’s ride in a very serious light and could not condone a ride of such a nature. At no point in the race did Mr Semela position Kindavar in a position to win or be placed,” said the NHA.

“Kindavar was only provided with clear running at the 180m and, even then, the determination and vigour of Mr Semela’s ride was questionable. Mr Semela also admitted to clearly ignoring the instructions given to him by the connections of the horse, which were to allow the filly to stride out naturally and not be restrained.

“Furthermore, when looking at Mr Semela’s record, it was noted that he was found guilty of a similar offence in 2017, in that he failed to ensure that the horse was given a full opportunity to win or obtain the best possible placing.

“The Inquiry Board felt that the strongest possible sanction was required and imposed the penalty that Mr Semela’s workrider privilege be disqualified.” Semela has the right of appeal against the penalty imposed.

Greyville yesterday was meant to be all about Anthony Delpech. In the end it was all about the weather as the course was hit by a deluge just before the start of the fifth race which was run in pouring rain which continued into the sixth where Collabro and High Green slogged it out through the puddles.

Shortly after the jockeys lodged a protest complaining that an area of the pull-up, which had been compromised by a burst water main over-night, had become unsafe with the extra water.

After a lengthy delay and a track inspection by a group consisting of all interested parties, the jockeys were over ruled. By the running of the seventh, the surface water had drained and the race was run without incident and the meeting completed albeit 40 minutes later than scheduled.

Louis Goosen got his afternoon off to a cracking start with a quick double, apprentice Jason Gates leading all the way on the filly Wishful Words and then Khanya Sakayi riding a driving finish in the second on Bravo Zulu. This was a particularly good effort by the young apprentice who had to continually straighten his mount to prevent interference which could have caused mayhem with five runners closely bunched crossing the line almost as one.

Icing on the cake for Goosen came in the last with Lyle Hewitson getting the best out of Jo Mambo for a stable treble. 

The adage, breed the best to the best and hope for the best doesn’t always work out but the arrival on these shores of the first foal by super sire Frankel out of the cracking mare Val De Ra put pressure on Dennis Drier especially after the filly fluffed her lines on debut.

It’s been a long road back to the winner’s box but things appear to be back on track as she run on smartly under Keagan de Melo to score her second success in six starts.

Elusive Diva has been expensive to follow but finally got her act together under Anton Marcus who had stayed with the filly in spite of her previous four defeats when sent out favourite.

There is not better rider around at present than current champion Hewitson, as his poise, balance and ability to place his mounts is impeccable. He was not deterred by bucketing rain and a sloppy track as he steered Solsbury Hill home for Alyson Wright followed by Collabro for Dennis Bosch. Favourite High Green again finished runner-up, his fifth in succession for Lowan Denysschen with Marcus tracking Collabro all the way but not able to find a way past.

Drier completed a double as Sean Veale got Forehand to skip clear at the top of the straight to comfortable hold the grey Kilmokea.

By Andrew Harrison

Anthony Delpech was one of the country’s great riders and his forced retirement through injury was not only personal but also a blow to his legion of followers.

Saturday, April 7, 2018 was the fateful career-ending day for Delpech. As he hunted a gap on the well-fancied Majestic Mambo in the SA Classic, his mount clipped heels dislodging Delpech who landed on his feet. It was a jackhammer-like landing that caused spinal compression that would eventually force the 49-year-old rider, still at the top of his game, to call time on his riding career.

The three-time South African Champion, whose record of 334 winners in a season is unlikely ever to be challenged let along broken, will be honoured by Gold Circle at Greyville on Sunday where fans will have the opportunity to have autographs signed.

But for a jockey who partnered some of South Africa’s equine greats, it is slim pickings where the Igugu Handicap, a lowly rated MR 81, is top of the menu.

It is an open affair but Lowan Denysschen’s gelding High Green has been knocking on the door for some time now and due a change of fortune. He goes well over course and distance and has a good draw to add to his appeal.

The Duncan Howells-trained Legend was hopelessly out at the weights in a conditions race contested by a smart field of three-year-olds last time out. Prior to that he was a fast-finishing third when coming from a long way back and from a better draw he should be a big runner.

Of the balance, Collabro, touched of last run, goes well on the poly and the extra will suit while Saltoro Ridge may find this mountain too high but has shown his best current form over course and distance.

In the card opener, Cosmic Cutter is the best rated and shows some promise. He was a close-up second when tried in blinkers for the first time and should make a bold bid. Winter Twilight, demoted from second when making his poly debut, is a possible threat.

One always needs to take cognisance of Highveld raiders and Clinton Binda saddles Sugoi in the second. He has useful Highveld form over the trip and although he makes his poly debut, he should have a big chance. Bravo Zulu goes well over course and distance and has a light weight while Spring Breeze takes on males but was a beaten favourite last run. She now tries a tongue-tie and drops in trip and rating. 

The opening leg of the Pick 6 is a wide open affair but Boeing City goes well over course and distance and with a 4kg claimer up should be right there. Bonnie Dawn was running on well behind Making Waves over course and distance last time out and is now 1kg better off and can turn the tables.

Dancing Princess and Elusive Diva will be popular choices in the fourth but a lively outsider is Misty Heath who has shown some recent improvement and from a good draw can feature prominently.

Stuart Pettigrew and Diego De Gouveia have gelled into a formidable combination and they team up with Oona in the fifth. She does take on males but has improved in blinkers and was narrowly beaten on this course last time out. Daredevil Aviator and Solsbury Hill are others to consider.

In the seventh, Pettigrew and De Gouveia team up with Zulu Dawn who is way better than her last run and goes very well over this trip. Adorable Analia and Forehand look the biggest dangers.

The last is another tricky affair but Gareth van Zyl is in good form and Second To None took on stronger at her last start. She has also shown up well in two outings since her maiden win and can still improve. Jo Mambo has improved steadily since arriving in her new stable and Louis Goosen’s mare looks primed for this race.

By Andrew Harrison

There are five Listed features at Turffontein Standside tomorrow as well as two Non-Black type races and they will provide pointers to some top forthcoming events. 

One of the most talked about youngsters of the season, Gin Fizz, makes her second racecourse appearance in the Listed Ruffian Stakes over 1000m and she will be hard to beat. This Mike de Kock-trained daughter of Soft Falling Rain has plenty of natural speed and a kick to match. She won effortlessly by 7,40 lengths on debut and the form was franked on Thursday when the third horse Makara was only just touched off by a well regarded sort in Mill Queen. Gin Fizz can be bankered in all bets. Considering Makara’s good run on Thursday then Allmloving, who was second to Gin Fizz, can be tipped to finish second to her again. She has plenty of scope for improvement and gets 3kg from Gin Fizz. Basadi Faith has won both of her starts in good style but as a two-time winner has to give Gin Fizz 2kg.

De Kock also has a live wire in the Listed Storm Bird Stakes over 1000m in the form of Frosted Gold. This New Zealand-bred colt by All Too Hard was green on debut but drew away to win easily. The form was then franked when the 2,20 length runner up Got The Greenlight won next time out beating a well regarded De Kock horse. Frosted Gold can be bankered in the first leg of the PA. Look To The Sky won easily on debut and could be the chief threat. The horse who Look To The Sky beat, Twlight Moon, is 3kg better off for a 1,50 length beating and could earn again.

The sixth race is the Listed Derby Trial over 2000m and Protea Paradise won comfortably over this trip last time from a wide draw. He has another wide draw but is capable of coming from off the pace. He looks to be promising and is improving in the typical fashion of a son of Dynasty. He will be ridden by Gavin Lerena, who is in top form and is made a banker. The risk averse might want to include more but beyond this horse it is wide open.

In the Listed Oaks Trial over 2000m Bize ran on well to win her debut over 1600m and on that evidence will relish the step up in trip. The wide draw should not be a concern as she can come from off the pace. However, her lack of experience is a concern so she can’t be a confident choice. African Daisy won her maiden well over 1800m under Luke Ferraris and was then not disgraced when finishing third, 5,40 lengths behind Protea Paradise, over this course and distance. She has a good draw of two and is reunited with Ferraris. The topeweight Seville Orange has to give lumps of weight away but has earned it as she has a touch of class. She should be thereabouts. However, the suggestion is to go as wide as possible in this race.

In the Listed Bauhinia Handicap over 1000m Lawdy Miss Clawdy is in fine form and can improve further with blinkers now on. Winter Watch has some class and is 1kg better off with Lawdy Mis Clawdy for a one length defeat last time so there is not much in it. Blonde Vision would have been the choice as she has obvious talent but her number one draw might be tricky.

By David Thiselton

Immeasurable can give Sean Tarry his first Cape Town two-year-old winner of the season in the R225 000 Klawervlei Farm Sale Stakes at Durbanville tomorrow.

Greg Cheyne’s mount raced green when a five and a half length-second to Captain Of Stealth on debut a fortnight ago but the winner is the best juvenile seen out so far down here this season and the third was nearly three lengths back.

Stable companion Rock The Globe (bought for only R25 000) has a good chance on his second to smart all-the-way winner Ground Control but is likely to be handicapped by his poor draw.

Path Of Choice has run two good races and should again go well but, on what he has shown so far, you would expect one or both of the Tarry runners to finish in front of him.

Immeasurable opened favourite with World Sports Betting on Wednesday at 22-10 and Rock The Globe came next at 3-1. The filly Don’t Be Blue (5-1) is bound to have come on from her promising debut while the bargain-basement buy (only R12 000) newcomer Seventh Express has been nibbled at from 10-1 to 17-2.

Candice Bass-Robinson has won the most two-year-old races in Cape Town so far this term and Sweet Karma should make it number six in the opening Streamline Agencies Maiden Juvenile. Aldo Domeyer’s mount is short at 15-20 but she went close first time and was then a decent third to ultra-smart stable companion Vandah’s Spirit in a winners’ race.

The Equi-Feeds Maiden Juvenile has a much more open appearance. Midwinter is favourite at 12-10 but gets only a tentative selection. He has been placed in all his three runs but it is significant that Vaughan Marshall is putting blinkers on 22-10 second favourite Lasata and Capkuta (33-10) could easily have come on enough.

Punters have been waiting for Boomps A Daisy ever since that eye-catching debut four weeks ago and even at odds of 13-20 many will plunge – and why not? If ever a horse looked certain to win next time it was this one. Starting second favourite she took time to understand the meaning of Anton Marcus’s urgings but, once she did, she accelerated like a good ’un, making up five lengths inside the final furlong and going under to Fluttering by only a head.

Trap Queen finished one and a half lengths back third that day and didn’t get an entirely clear run so, if there is to be a danger, it could be this 6-1 shot.

By Michael Clower

Willie Mullins is the most successful trainer in Cheltenham Festival history and should have another good week at the famous four day meeting in the Cotswolds next week.

The Festival’s biggest race, The Gold Cup, has always eluded Mullins but that could change this year. 

He has a trio of lively candidates, Kemboy, Al Bourn Photo and Bellshill, as well as an outsider in Invitation Only.

Kemboy caught the eye as a young horse and is currently one of the most progressive chasers in Britain and Ireland.

Mullins was quoted by Martyn Thomas of The Mirror, “The ground in Leopardstown at Christmas, where Kemboy put in a huge performance, was very, very good. If it comes up like that on the fourth day at Cheltenham, which it can, he must have a very good chance and the further he’ll go, the better he’ll be.”

He continued, “I think Al Boum Photo shouldn’t have any problem with the trip. I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him yet.”

Bellshill and Invitation Only have both won on their only outings in 2019.

“Bellshill has lots of stamina, he jumps particularly well,” said Mullins. “That’s a huge plus for him. We can see him improving all the time. He’s always gone on soft or heavy and I took a chance running him on the ground the other day but I felt we had to and he’s by Kings Theatre, they love good ground and he can handle it well, even though he’s a big, heavy type of horse.

He added, “Invitation would probably have to step up a good bit.”

One of Mullins best chances of the meeting comes on day one, Tuesday, with Benie Des Dieux in the Grade 1 OBLG Mares’ Hurdle over two miles and four furlongs. Mullins’ legendary mare Quevega created a Cheltenham record by winning this race six times in succession and Benie Des Deux can begin following in her footsteps. She upset Apple Jade last year and the latter looks likely to be going the Champion Hurdle route this year which will make it easier for her. Ben Des Dieux hasn’t been seen on the track since winning at the Punchestown Festival in April last year. However, that was the way Quevaga used to do it. In the last five years of her career, Quevega only ran twice a season, at Cheltenham and Punchestown. In those ten runs she was only defeated once, in her final race at Punchestown. So it should be no problem for Benie Des Deux to be running fresh.  

On the same day Mullins has a good chance with Ballyward in the Grade 2 National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Riders’ Novices’ Chase over three miles and seven-and-a-half furlongs. Mullins must think highly of Ballyward as he is his only entry and is the current second favourite. His son Patrick is likely to take the ride. Ballyward was last seen winning a Grade 3 novice chase over three miles in decent fashion and he can go close here in a race that will all be about stamina. He is by the stamina influence Flemensfirth out of a mare who won over three miles.

On the Wednesday Uradel will have a fine chance in the Grade 3 Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle over two miles and five furlongs. Mullins sent out Bleu Berry to victory in last season’s Coral Cup, Uradel is entitled to be heading the betting at the moment. He is entered in a few handicaps over the four days, but the Coral Cup looks an ideal fit for a horse that finished second in a Cesarewitch on the Flat and warmed up for this race with a decent fifth place finish in a competitive handicap hurdle at Leopardstown over a trip on the sharp side.

On the Thursday Mullins has Min in the Grade 1 Ryanair Chase over two miles and four furlongs. He might well run here in preference to taking on the top class Altior in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. A winner over 2m 4f at Punchestown this season, Min lacks the pace needed at Championship level over two miles, so the Ryanair is ideal for him and with question marks hanging over Cyrname’s participation then this classy performer can strike gold on the third day of the festival.

Also on the Thursday Mullins has Faugheen in the Grade 1 Sun Racing Stayers’ Hurdle over three miles. Paisley Park is the favourite after romping the Cleeve Hurdle. The latter is an exciting stayer but Faugheen is the forgotten horse in the field and could cause a minor upset. Faugheen was the star hurdler a few years ago and won the Champion Hurdle in memorable fashion. However, following a litany of injuries he has fallen down the pecking order. A faller when trying to close down Apple’s Jade at Leopardstown over Christmas, the horse once dubbed ‘The Machine’ can bounce back to form and be a major player over three miles in the Stayers’ Hurdle on March 14. His last win was in the Grade 1 Champion Stayers Hurdle over this same three mile trip at the Punchestown Festival last year. In that race he beat the Cheltenham Stayers Hurdle winner Penhill by 13 lengths, so his form over this trip is good.

Mullins will have less runners than usual at this Festival but still brings over a string of about 40. He has had 61 Festival winners, one more than his English contemporary Nicky Henderson.

By David Thiselton

The Sean Tarry-trained Immeasurable, second to the Vaughan Marshall star Captain Of Stealth on debut,  has been installed 22-10 favourite for the R225 000 Klawervlei Farm Sale Stakes at Durbanville on Saturday and importantly has a good draw at three.

Tarry is also responsible  for 3-1 second favourite Rock The Globe who is drawn ten out of eleven while World Sports Betting makes the Justin Snaith representative  Don’t Be Blue – at R500 000 easily the highest priced horse in the field – a 5-1 chance.

Aldo Domeyer, who rides Rock The Globe, looks like starting off with a winner because Candice Bass-Robinson’s Sweet Karma has easily the best form in the opening Streamline Agencies Maiden Juvenile and is 7-10.

Boomps A Daisy, already many people’s idea of the biggest certainty of the day, is quoted at 13-20 for race three with Greg Cheyne taking over from Anton Marcus.

By Michael Clower

There are few more passionate owners than former Msunduzi Municipal manager Alderman Rob Haswell, and given the current treacherous state of affairs in the KZN Capital, he is probably relieved that he doesn’t have anything to do with it anymore.

Be that as it may, Cumulus obliged in his colours at Scottsville last weekend and Master Keys came to the fore at Greyville yesterday, both for Nathan Kotzen. Also, in the Master Keys partnership was novice breeder Nothemba Mlonzi whose fledgling stud is based in Birnham Wood on the outskirts of Howick in KZN.

It was a stable double for Kotzen with Anton Marcus successful on Amex a half-hour earlier.

Amex snapped a string of runner-up berths, coming from off the pace to win going away, but Marcus had a more difficult time on Master Keys. Racing well off a good pace in the early exchanges, Master Keys showed an alarming tendency to hang in under pressure, threatening runners on her inside as is Marcus’s custom to head for the outside rail on the poly track. Fortunately for her supporters, Master Key was travelling far better than her opposition and once clear of the traffic, Marcus allowed her to shift ground and she won convincingly.

Walterthepenniless appeared to be named after the punters that sent him off as favourite twice before landing his maiden win, but he made amends yesterday as Charlie Touzel’s home-bred went in again in the sixth – not penniless anymore.

Dennis Drier’s decision to fit blinkers has paid dividends as the son of Crusade is unbeaten in two as Sean Veale took the shortest way home and ‘Walter’ finished with a wet sail.

Grecian Laurel, after surprising all on debut, appears to have found her surface as Duncan Howells’s filly out-duelled Laat Lammertjie in the seventh. Grecian Laurel’s pedigree suggests that she should go a bit of ground and the way she stuck to her guns under Mark Khan in a mile suggests that this may be the way forward.

By Andrew Harrison

The Vaal stages a nine race meeting down the straight and the exotics look catchable.

The first race of the day is a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1200m and the Soft Falling Rain filly Makara has some pace and will appreciate the step up in trip, having been up there and staying on when not disgraced against the exciting Gin Fizz. Mill Queen was staying on strongly over 1000m on debut behind a fair sort and the form has worked out well, so it would be no surprise to see her beating the first choice. Dive Captain showed pace on debut over 1000m and although she does not have as much substance as the first two choices she should earn here as none of the first-timers make much appeal. Black Tie was staying on from well back on debut over 1000m and can not only improve but will enjoy the step up in trip. However, she is held on formlines by Mill Queen. Margot’s Magic finished ahead of her there and could possibly confirm the form as she was staying on well late. Malteza was green on debut when three lengths behind Makara and can improve.

The first leg of the Bipot will be fought out by three promising sorts, Comaneci, Lady Lexington and Dancing Queen. They are chosen in that order as that is how their form reads.

The first leg of the PA over 1400m yields a banker in Undiscovered Gem. She has been close up to three fair sorts from 1160m to 1400m and the form has worked out well. She faces an uninspiring field and will be hard to beat despite being the only filly in the field.

The first leg of the Pick 6 over 1600m could be fought out by the trio Josi Di Nero, Cape Ash and Bated Breath. All three have some substance and scope for improvement and will enjoy the trip. They are selected in the order mentioned. The others do not have much to enthuse about.

The first leg of the Jackpot also looks straight forward on paper. Hafla is a talented horse and might have benefitted from her 110 day layoff as she has a touch of class which she is yet to fulfil. This will be a suitable trip running fresh. Saints Alive likely did no stay the 2000m trip last time and before that was well beaten in both the Gauteng Fillies Guineas and the Three Troikas. However, her form in this sort of company reads well and this is an ideal trip. State Star is best in at the weights and should enjoy this trip, so has to be included.

In the sixth over 1500m Royal Italian created a good impression last time as he was expected to lead or be handy and then kick on as he had done in his previous start, but instead he was dropped out and produced a flying finish. This shows a versatility associated with class and he is on the way up so can overcome a three point raise and win off an 81 merit rating. Nordic Rebel is the one to beat on paper as he is 2,5kg better off with Royal Italian for a one length beating over 1450m. However, he is a five-year-old and will not be improving like Royal Italin is. Lake Kinneret has to be considered too as he has been close up to some decent sorts this season and was a touch unlucky in the Grand Heritage over 1475m.

In the seventh over 1500m Electromagnetic has caught the eye before and has his third run after a layoff off a merit rating dropped three points. He is usually slow way but this should allow him to get a tow in a big field and he is capable of running on well. This trip could be ideal too. Orapa looked to have plenty of promise early in his career so has been disappointing overall. However, he has dropped to a mark just two points higher than his last win and if he can reproduce that effort, which was over a 1450m trip, he should go close. Snorting Bull is an interesting runner having his third run after a layoff and gelding. He has presence and will appreciate the step up to this trip, although it will still be on the sharp side for him. Those three could be enough to get punters through, although others to consider are Manitoba, Baahir and Visigoth.

In the eighth race over 1200m Mythical Bolt had some good form in Cape Town and is held in good regard. State Trooper has always had ability and is coming into his own so those two should fight it out.

In the last race Soul Of Wit was unlucky from a tough draw around the turn last time and has a high draw down the straight now so can make amends. Generous Notion is fulfilling the promise she had always shown and it would be no surprise to see her make it two wins on the trot. Florence ran well first time out the maidens over the too sharp 1000m and now steps back up to her winning trip. Gold Dawn has excellent recent form over this trip so can’t be ignored. Arikel didn’t enjoy blinkers last time and on pedigree should enjoy this step up in trip. Colour Of Light and Ninjara were two former talented sorts who have become disappointing but they are off lowered merit ratings and could bounce back. Rock Pigeon, Twelve Oaks and I Ain’t Trippin are also capable of winning it.

By David Thiselton

There is often a fine line between ‘race-riding’ and reckless riding with stipendiary stewards taking a dim view of the latter as illustrated at Greyville a fortnight back.

While making what was possibly a winning move, Mokoko was cut-off in midstride with Anton Marcus accusing young apprentice Jason Gates of “attempted murder”. Gates was already facing a pending 14-day suspension for a similar offence and faces a further inquiry for this latest indiscretion.

Gates is an intelligent and talented rider but if he keeps emulating an unguided missile, he will be spending more time on the bench than in the saddle.

Mokoko and Marcus can make amends when they line up in a seven-horse field at Greyville today and as 13-10 favourite in the ante-post market, Paul Lafferty’s runner is widely expected to finally get off the mark after a string of placed efforts.

He was promoted to third behind Alfonso Spagoni and he should be able to stay out of trouble in this small field.

Garth Puller rode many a winner for Milnerton-based Greg Ennion in Cape Town before hanging up his boots and he saddles the Ennion and Terry and Annabel Andrews owned Samsara in the opening leg of the Pick 6. The mare has steady Cape form and not too far back in her local debut. However, the switch to the poly is probably the reason that she has been sent to Puller.

Samsara is in a tough handicap where the Paul Peter-trained Afro Star is currently ante-post favourite at 9-2 with apprentice Yuzae Ramzan giving her 4kg relief.

Amex will be a popular choice to break her string of runner-up berths in the Greyville Convention Centre Qualified Maiden and Marcus could well be in line for an opening treble as he partners Natty Kotzen’s filly. Marcus has been aboard at her last two outings when narrowly beaten and today’s 1400m should be right up her alley.

Major threats are Kir, who barrier trialled well for Dennis Bosch after an opening spell on the Highveld, and the often lethal Hewitson/Paul Peter combination with Destiny’s Game.

The fifth is another tricky affair but Kotzen and Marcus team up with the consistent Master Keys. The filly has been running on nicely in both recent outings over a mile and the drop to 1400m could bring out the best in her.

Peter sends out Quebec Queen, who never got a look in when confronted by more traffic than the N2 Highway in rush hour last time out, and Hewitson is unlikely to get himself into that position.

A possible upset could come in the form of Mela Stregata who has been consistent but a little disappointing. The switch to the poly could be what she is looking for.

Marcus switches brothers in the sixth where he partners Final Attempt for Glen Kotzen. The gelding is currently 28-10 favourite in the ante-post market but there will be many changers with Lotsa Silver from the very much in form Tony Rivalland yard a major contender along with the Mark Dixon pair of The Poet and Master Sam.

The seventh is another minefield. Path To Glory is seldom far back and Mike Miller has declared blinkers on his mare. Older runners often benefit from the headgear first time out and as a five-time winner she is not short of ability.

Stable companion Sheza Rockstar also has claims along with On The Bright Side and Grecian Laurel.

Josephine Baker has a tricky draw in the last and also faces a competitive field where Green Ice and Crystal Ball will be contenders.

By Andrew Harrison