Miss Plumcake might not have the most flattering of names – apparently she gets hers from a shoe blog -but she sure as hell paid handsome tribute to the Brett Crawford Cape Fillies Guineas hopeful Shamrock Wind in the Hollard Maiden at Kenilworth on Saturday.

Just over a month ago the Candice Bass-Robinson trained filly finished a remote third to Shamrock Wind, beaten a staggering 11-plus lengths, yet on Saturday she finished strongly to beat older horses.

Brett Crawford

Needless to say, Shamrock Wind’s next run is eagerly awaited and Crawford reported: “She didn’t winter that well so we eased off with her for a bit but she is looking good again now and I will find something for her towards the end of August.”

Stable companion Grand Silvano made a third successive repayment on all the TLC lavished on him during his laminitis and tendon problem days but, so far as the future is concerned, Valbonne’s success in the Lyall Morgan Pinnacle was probably more significant. The Var colt, carrying the colours of Hong Kong owner Robert Chung, was the only three-year-old in the field yet he was able to surge clear under Greg Cheyne well inside the final furlong.

Could he become a good sprinter next season? “I see no reason why he shouldn’t,” said Crawford. “Certainly he has the potential and he is learning how to race.”

Tevez was only fifth but there were genuine excuses. ”I never thought the race would pan out like it did. They just went slower and slower,” Aldo Domeyer explained. “He didn’t enjoy that. He likes a strong pace to do his work late.”

He will race on as a nine-year-old next season. Bryn Ressell’s racing manager Mark van Deventer said: “We had been tempted to call it a day but we will keep him going.”

Power Grid, who looked like winning as he came up his beloved inside rail a furlong out, was apparently also a victim of the slow gallop. “Robert Khathi told me that they outsprinted him at the end as there was no pace early,” said Andries Steyn.

Greg Cheyne (Liesl King)

Ressell and racing partner Marsh Shirtliff were also on the mark with the Domeyer-ridden all-the-way scorer Elusive Trader in the Coachworks Motor Group Maiden and Greg Ennion has Lanzerac Ready To Run ambitions with the R300 000 purchase.

Sandile Mbhele’s 4kg claim, which has proved such a productive asset this season, came to an end after the talented apprentice registered his 20^th success on the Vaughan Marshall-trained Secretariat’s Girl in the Mortgage Max Handicap.

Morne Winnaar slipped the field on Foxy Princess last month and his rivals (surprisingly and fatally)  again under-estimated the ability of the Paddy Kruyer filly to keep going in the finale while Andile Ndzongo used his experience to good effect for Paul Reeves on 6-1 shot Skidoo in the Work Riders’ Maiden.

But it was Harold Crawford who delivered the shock of the day when 36-1 apparent no-hoper Aldato just held on under Grant Behr in the Guthrie. Colananni Attorneys Maiden.

The 180-member Western Province Nomads, a golf club with no course, filled the vast Peninsula Room – no mean achievement – and sponsored the day as part of its support for beneficiaries of the Project Playground and Reading Room charities.

w Michael Clower’s winners included Miss Plumcake at 11-1. This followed 27-4 scorer Spectra Force at Durbanville last Tuesday.

By Michael Clower

Brett Crawford, on 99 winners for the season and bidding for his fourth Champions’ Cup victory in six years, seems to agree with the bookmakers’ assessment that Gold Challenge winner Undercover Agent (Anton Marcus) is the pick of his three contenders for the World Sports Betting R1 million Grade 1 at Greyville on Saturday. But, possibly significantly, he has niggling reservations about the colt lasting home over the final 200m.

He explained: “Undercover Agent is the one with the scope for improvement, and so far he keeps improving, but there is a little question mark in my mind about the trip. He is a big strong horse and I think he will get it eventually but whether this 1 800m comes a little bit too early for him I’m not sure. That’s why a good draw (he will start from pen three) was imperative. Indeed we weren’t going to run him unless he drew well. If he does get the trip, he will be the horse to beat.”

Undercover Agent (Candiese Marnewick)

Crawford, successful with Jackson in 2013 and Futura the following year as well as with Sail South 12 months ago, also runs last year’s winner (Bernard Fayd’Herbe) and Captain America (Corne Orffer). His trio are all rated 120, 2.5kg and more ahead of the rest of the field.

He said: “All three are in great form and doing exceptionally well. Captain America has come on since the Gold Challenge (his first race since the Met). He had a little setback at the beginning of the Durban season – he had an issue behind, we couldn’t put any pressure on him and we had to give him time to get over it. That’s why he went into the Gold Challenge without a prep run but he has definitely come on since. He looks amazing and you can expect another bold show from him.

“As Sail South has got older he seems to have relished going a bit further and he won it well last year so you would have to think that he has no issues with the Greyville 1800m. After running well over the mile of the Gold Challenge he is definitely going to appreciate the extra furlong on Saturday. All three have run under lights before so that won’t be an issue for them either.”

The sponsors bet 15-4 Undercover Agent, 4-1 Surcharge, 6-1 Tap O’Noth, 7-1 Eyes Wide Open, 10-Captain America, Sail South, 12-1 and upwards others.

w Table Bay, winner of the 2016 Cape Classic for Joey Ramsden and third in that year’s Cape Guineas, won the Mauritius Derby at Champs de Mars on Saturday.

By Michael Clower

The Highveld Hawks retained the Rider Cup at Greyville yesterday as their team of Muzi Yeni, Raymond Danielson, Craig Zackey and Ryan Munger edged out the Cape Eagles – the last leg of the Cup proving crucial.

Cape Eagles rider Aldo Domeyer almost snatched it for the Western Cape team as he brought home Miss Ferris with a telling late run to win the final leg of the challenge, but Ryan Munger’s second place ensured a win for the Hawks who were also victorious last year.

But it was not all doom and gloom for the Cape Eagles as Domeyer, with two victories, finishing well clear of his two closest rivals, Warren Kennedy of the KZN Falcons and Muzi Yeni of the Highveld Hawks.

It was also an afternoon where the smaller Ashburton-based yards held sway in the Cup races with all of Lola Crawford, Paul Gadsby and Julie Dittmer supplying the ammunition.

Domeyer kicked off his Cup quest with a fine win aboard the Tony Rivalland-trained Show Me Your Rosie before stand-in rider Raymond Danielson scooted home on the Crawford-trained Silver Cent. Danielson was a late replacement for Lyle Hewiston who was injured in a fall at Fairview on Friday.

Keagan de Melo was on the board for the KZN Falcons in the third leg of the Cup, getting home aboard Paul Gadsby’s filly Expresso Martini to deny Greg Cheyne on Into The Groove.

The competition was still anyone’s call come the final leg of the Cup but Miss Ferris was not to be denied and she finished with a wet sail to seal the Victor Ludorum for Domeyer.

The lightly raced Love To Boogie may not be off to stud as yet but Andre Nel’s filly ran out a comfortable winner of the (Listed) Off To Stud Stakes that was the feature race of the afternoon. She kept on strongly under Domeyer to hold off the attentions of Final Judgement and Heaps Of Fun.

It was a profitable weekend for Domeyer who returned to Cape Town with a further three winners to his brace on Saturday and a season’s tally of 124 winners.

By Andrew Harrison

Turffontein Inside stages a low key nine race meeting tomorrow and the best way to go appears to be the exotics.

In the first leg of the PA over 1200m Rocky Night has a good draw over a step down in trip which should suit and this scopey gelding by Seventh Rock has a chance in his second start for the Ashley Fortune yard. He only beat his stable companion Winter Storm narrowly over this trip at the Vaal on May and the latter was making his debut that day and showed pace so is likely to have come on from the run.

Winter Storm has a nice big action, so was not surprisingly sent over 1400m last time and he once again showed good pace but didn’t find any extra, so is back to 1200m. There will not be much in it but Rocky Night is selected due to the better draw as Winter Storm has to jump from draw six. Gunston does not have as much scope as the former pair but does have a lot of pace and sticks to his task so he warrants consideration especially with Hewitson now up. However, his draw of eight is going to be against him.

The first leg of the Pick 6 delivered a surprise last weekend over a staying trip and this week the 2000m event could do the same so the suggestion is to include the numbers 1,2,3,4,5, and 6, all who of whom could have a case made for them.  Stormbourne Thunder went close over 2400m last time and now has blinkers on over 2000m with Hewitson keeping the ride so she can be included in the PA along with Lana Turner, a scopey sort who was closing late in that aforementioned 2400m race and was only beaten half-a-length by Stormbourne Thunder.

In the first leg of the Jackpot over 1800m Jet Start has 4kg claimer Luke Ferraris up from a plum draw over an ideal trip and looks to be the one to beat. Invincible Lady is an up and coming sort and has a good draw over a step up in trip she will relish being by Captain Al out of Jet Master SA Oaks runner up First Power who has produced the useful stayer Jay Power. New Zealand looks to have been given a lenient 73 merit rating after her hard-knocking maiden form culminated in a 7,75 length win over 2000m in a workrider’s maiden. She has regular pilot Hewitson up but does have another wide draw to overcome. Gottalottaluv has a touch of class and has Strydom up over an ideal trip although she also has a wide draw. Emerald Bay can’t be ignored over a suitable trip.

In the sixth race over 1200m the up the progressive Copper Jay can follow up on his last win being just three points higher, but he does have a tricky draw to overcome. Concealed Spirit is drawn well off a one point lower mark and will be staying on strongly. Vulcan is interesting running fresh with first time blinkers on from pole position as he has plenty of natural speed and stays further.

Dame Kelly looks the one to beat in the next with Ferraris up over an ideal course and distance. The talented Make Me Happy bounced back last time and has a plum draw.

The eight race over 1450m is a minefield but the principles should be O Lucky Man, Kings Cup, Lock Him Up, Front Rank and Starcraft Prince.

In the last race over 1450m Hungry Heart stands out but ran yesterday (Thursday) and Norland is the other eye catcher but has a tough draw. Hideaway is well dawn but has a stamina doubt. Therefore it could pan out well for the well drawn pair King And Empire and Nottingham Forest, who have dropped down to competitive marks.

By David Thiselton

Tevez should make it win number ten when the gallant eight-year-old races for the 48^th time at Kenilworth tomorrow.

On paper at any rate he has a straightforward task in the Lyall Morgan & Associates Pinnacle Stakes. With the exception of Milton (who would prefer further) he has a minimum of 5.5kg – or four lengths – in hand on ratings and he showed his wellbeing by producing a devastating burst of acceleration to take a similar race over a furlong less five weeks ago. He should be suited by the extra and he is drawn on the faster side of the course

Aldo Domeyer

Regular partner Aldo Domeyer, who preferred third-placed Dutch Philip last time, regains the ride from Bernard Fayd’Herbe and both the betting and that last run suggests that 33-10 chance Nasty Harry could be the main threat to the 19-10 favourite.

Corne Orffer’s mount was beaten a length and a quarter that day but he renews rivalry on the same terms and there seems no logical reason why he should reverse the placings.

Milton (17-2) is a smart sort who frequently makes the frame. His fondness for making the running suggests he just might have enough speed for this but, significantly, he has not raced over such a short distance this season or last.

Olympian (6-1) was beaten a length and a half when fourth on these terms in last month’s Pinnacle and you could argue that he is marginally better suited to this distance. Valbonne (17-2) narrowly won a handicap over course and distance last time but has a fair bit to do at the weights.

However the intriguing one is 15-2 shot Power Grid. The four-year-old’s unfortunate deformity doesn’t stop him galloping and he has managed to win five of his 20 starts including a handicap under top weight over this distance only a week ago.

He has been a bit in-and-out at times but Andries Steyn believes that this is because he always wants to race near the inside rail. When he is not drawn on that side he hangs towards it. Significantly he was drawn one last Saturday and he again has the inside berth here.

Ready To Rumble is short enough at 6-10 in the opening Craig International Work Riders’ Maiden but the Carl Burger-Riaan van Reenen colt is hard to oppose.

Elusive Trader may just confirm previous form with the consistent Shadowing in the CK Coachworks Motor Group Maiden, Captain Of Tortuga should land the odds in the Guthrie. Colananni Attorneys Maiden and Miss Plumcake makes most appeal in the Holland Insurance Maiden.

By Michael Clower

Pearl Glow can get back on the winning trail when she lines up for the fifth at Greyville this evening, the meeting rescheduled from Wednesday because of a combination of rain and a blocked highway.

This will be her third outing back since a three-month break and should strip pretty much at her peak which should be enough for her to master this field.

Relatively lightly raced, Pearl Glow looked to be going places after winning first up out of the maidens and following up with a close second to the useful Ideal Winter.

Pearl Glow (Candiese Marnewick)

Sent out favourite for her next start at Scottsville, she disappointed behind Parabola after which she was examined by the vet and subsequently rested for three months.

Dean Kannemeyer has brought her back slowly and from an ideal draw should make her presence felt.

With less than a fortnight to run to the end of the season, Dennis Drier has his nose in front of perennial rival Duncan Howells for the KZN Trainer’s Championship and will be looking to extend his seven-winner lead with Breaking Barriers who could prove the biggest threat to Pearl Glow.

The change of dates put paid to Fabian Habib’s first KZN raid, all three of his intended runners scratched, including Jubilee Line, likely favourite for the sixth.

Jubilee Line’s defection has left the way clear for Brighteyebushytail and a chance for Howells to keep the pressure on Drier. The stable holds the lightly raced Dynasty gelding in high regard but he does have his problems as can be deduced by the seven months off since his last start.

He trialled well enough behind Wednesday’s winner Double ‘O’ Eight and will much prefer this trip. Fit and well he could prove more than a match for the opposition. If not, then things get tricky.

Gunner rounded off his three-year-old career with victory in the Gr1 Premier’s Champion Stakes to give first season sire Gimmethegreenlight his first stakes winner.

It has been tough going since as he has not managed to fins the winner’s enclosure since that day, almost a year ago.

Paul Gadsby was hopeful of Gunner breaking his seasons duck last time out but Gunner was left with too much leeway to make up and was beaten into third behind the front-running Savuti.

Savuti is in opposition again today but is 1.5kg worse off and unlikely to be given a soft lead.

Sean Tarry sends out Riptide in the seventh and with apprentice Lyle Hewitson riding with supreme confidence of late, this could be another winner added to an already impressive total.

Riptide was touched off in a 1200m sprint last time out. She steps up to a mile this time around but does have a plum draw and highest rated runner Silver Prancer a non-starter.

Biggest danger could be Bold Beauty who had the worst of the draw last time out and looking set to make big improvement.

By Andrew Harrison

Dual Cape Merchants winner Tevez has been installed 19-10 favourite to follow up last month’s Pinnacle Stakes success in the Lyall Morgan & Associates Pinnacle at Kenilworth on Saturday.

Nasty Harry, beaten a length and a quarter by Tevez last time, is 33-10 second favourite with World Sports Betting which goes 6-1 Olympian and 7-1 Power Grid who beat Tevez in this race 12 months ago. Premier Trophy winner Milton is an 8-1 chance.

Aldo Domeyer, who regains the ride on Tevez from Bernard Fayd’Herbe, rides two other favourites on the card – Elusive Trader (race two) and Strawberry Fire (eight).

The early betting suggests that he and Richard Fourie could dominate as the latter also rides three favourites – Captain Of Tortuga (odds-on in race three), Sommersonne (four) and Hotel Cipriani in race five.

By Michael Clower

Featured Image: Tevez (Liesl King)

The New Turf Carriers Rider Cup has become a looked forward to meeting of the SA Champions Season and will take place on Sunday at Greyville.

The KZN Falcons team consists of Keagan de Melo (captain), Warren Kennedy, Sean Veale and Brandon Lerena.

The Highveld Hawks team will led by National Champion Jockey elect Lyle Hewitson and also includes Muzi Yeni, Craig Zackey and Ryan Munger.

Keagan De Melo

The Cape Eagles will be represented by Aldo Domeyer (captain), Bernard Fayd’Herbe, Greg Cheyne and Richard Fourie.

The competition will be contested over four races and the points allocated will be 20 for first, 16 for second, 14 for third, 12 for fourth, ten for fifth, eight for sixth, six points for seventh and a one point decrease from five down to one for the remaining five positions.

The inaugural Rider Cup in 2015 was won by the KZN Falcons and the Highveld Hawks won in 2016. New Turf Carriers came on board as sponsors last year and in an exciting contest at Scottsville the Highveld Hawks, represented by Gavin Lerena (captain), Hewitson, Zackey and Marco van Rensburg beat the KZN Falcons by five points, although Anton Marcus was the victor ladorum on his home turf with 60 points.

The first leg on Sunday is a handicap for fillies and mares over 1400m and the Hawks look to have a good chance of taking the lead as Munger on pole position-drawn Queenie and Hewitson on the course and distance-suited Summer In The City have good rides.

The second leg is a handicap over 1400m and Fourie will be aboard the one who could start favourite, Aldo’s Chase. Beyond him it is wide open.

The third leg is a fillies and mares handicap over 1900m and De Melo on Expresso Martini and Munger on Pumpkin Queen look to hold the trump cards.

The last leg is a maiden over 1800m and Veale, Zackey and Fourie look to have the best mounts in this uninspiring event on Sunny Girl, Call Me Tonight and Summer Day.

All eight races on the day will be on the polytrack including the headliner, the Listed Off To Stud Stakes over 1600m.

By David Thiselton

Spargo returned to Australia last year after a career that was highlighted by his tenure as the chief broadcaster in Dubai for 17 years.

His first Gold Coast call was back in April of 1976, before he was made the full-time caller at the course in mid-1977. He held the post until August 1993, when Terry Bailey took over.

Spargo has lived on the Gold Coast since returning home and said it was a straight forward decision to accept the offer to return to his old role.

“I grabbed it with both hands,” he said.

“I live just a few minutes from the track, if I wasn’t working I’ve been there every Saturday as a punter.

“It was a great place to me when I kicked off, when I was the number three coming through and it certainly helped me get to where I did internationally and I’m very chuffed to be back,” he said at the time.

By David Thiselton

It was not an afternoon for the faint-hearted punter at Scottsville yesterday with long-shots making for big exotic bet pay-outs.

But that would not have bothered the husband and wife combination of Greg and Karen Anthony. They are not high on the totem pole when it comes to statistics but do well enough from a small string and racked up a quick double in yesterday’s opening exchanges.

In the card opener, Francisco, a smart looking son of champion sire Fort Wood’s last crop, was all the rage after an eye-catching barrier trial, but there is no substitute for experience.

Kilmokea (Candiese Marnewick)

It took time for Francisco’s penny to drop but by the time it did it was all over bar the shouting as Eastbrook, under champion jockey elect Lyle Hewitson who had kept faith with the ride, skated home leaving Francisco to battle it out for second ahead of rank outsider Flying George.

The Anthony’s were back in the winner’s circle a half-hour later as late starter Double ‘O’ Eight, was on the mark.

The daughter of Eightfold Path had put up an eye-catching trial, finishing ahead of the speedy Khetiwe, and carried that form through to a convincing victory over Jaydene’s Shreya and favourite Boundless Deep.

A third consecutive winner for the stable was on the cards when Prince Charming was sent out favourite for the opening leg of the Pick 6 but was denied in a tight finish. Keagan de Melo squeezed the best out of Bravo for Dean Kannemeyer’s charge to edge out a fast-finishing White Lightning with Prince Charming and Internet Kid in close attendance, a neck covering the first four past the post.

With two scratchings, the fourth race field was cut to just five runners with Rock Of Africa the ruling favourite. But Hewitson was on the mark again as he got Joey Ramsden’s gelding Macduff home ahead of the lightly weighted Gratuity with Rock Of Africa having every chance in third.

The sixth was a nightmare handicap for fillies and mares and so it proved with little more than a piece of paper separating the first three past the post, Just Vogue narrowly holding off the attentions of a game Rani with Geographe Bay also concerned in the judge’s photo.

The real exotic bet rot started in the sixth where 12-1 shot Impact Zone got the better of a tight tussle with The Money Man, three wide for most of the race, but Doug Campbell’s runner finding another gear under Donovan Dillon.

Dillon repeated the dose for beleaguered punters with a polished ride on Robbie Hill’s runner Kilmokea in the seventh who made light of her 15 draw to keep a fast-finishing Roy’s Stingray at bay.

The highly strung High Altar is not the easiest to handle at home but she did the honours for Duncan Howells in the last as Muzi Yeni tracked to the outside to win well from Regent Seven and Secret Success. Howells is reigning KZN champion trainer but is six winners behind perennial rival Dennis Drier with a handful of meetings left to the end of the current season.

By Andrew Harrison