Today’s Cape Town meeting has been switched to Kenilworth from Durbanville where the waterlogging problems that resulted in last week’s abandonment have been exacerbated by all the recent rain.

Just over 100mm has fallen at Kenilworth although the official going is no worse than soft (penetrometer 30 in the straight and 29 on the round course). However yesterday’s drying, followed by more this morning, could make the ground holding and put stamina at a premium.

Lyle Hewitson

Lyle Hewitson, now virtually certain to join the select few who have become champion jockey while still an apprentice, makes a rare out-of-season visit.  “Adam Marcus rang me, said he had three nice rides and there is no racing in Durban today,” he explains. It is this type of ‘have saddle, will travel’ approach to life that has played a big part in his path to the top.

The three Marcus rides are in three of the last four races and Marcus sees them more as place chances than banker bets. “We haven’t been able to do much of a preparation with Gyre (8-1 and off for nearly five months) but he did put up a good gallop at Kenilworth two weeks ago and he has done sufficient to run a nice race. The soft ground is not too much of a worry with him and he is a horse with a big heart.

“Red Rascal (9-2) has been doing well since his last run but has a wide draw to overcome so he will be tucked in and running on at the finish. Elusive Touch (9-2) ran a good race in the soft last time. She takes very little work and is in great form. Her winning chance is slim -she is drawn 12 out of 13 – but with luck in running she can run into the money.”

Hewitson’s other rides include longshots Princess Kika and Burano for Geoff Woodruff and 4-1 second favourite Chatuchak for Andre Nel in race seven, the Interbet.co.za Handicap. This one won over a furlong less in May but has yet to be tested in the soft.

He also has a chance on Sailor Sam (5-1) in the first but preference is for Greg Ennion’s other runner Rock Of Asia (2.4-1) who made much of the running when winning over the trip last time. Fellow joint favourite Tarsus was not disgraced when pitched in against older horses in a handicap a month ago.

Star Angel impressed when scoring here on her last start nearly two months ago – she led and was soon three or four lengths clear – and the 7-2 chance can defy a 3kg penalty in the TAB Telebet Juvenile Fillies. Vodka Lime (also 7-2) looks a big danger but 33-10 favourite Be Yourself is returning after a six-month absence.

Joey Ramsden has scratched Sparkeling Fire from race three, citing “change of venue.” She had a winning chance and now the vote goes to Valderrama. Grant van Niekerk, who rides her, can follow up on Black Indy in the next. His good draw may enable him to beat More Magic.

By Michael Clower

The Grade 2 Samsung Golden Slipper on Vodacom Durban July day is as tricky as ever this year and an upset would be no surprise.

Anneka found extra gears when necessary second time out around the turn over 1200m on the Vaal Classic track. She looked to have a bit in hand at the finish and from a fair draw over a suitable trip will be right there.

Celtic Sea ran on well from off the pace and looked the winner before being caught late in the Grade 1 Allan Robertson over 1200m with first-time blinkers on. She should enjoy this trip but has a tough draw to overcome and the blinkers have remained on.

Believe The Best is a scopey sort and beat a field of older maidens in commanding style second time out over this trip when having to overcome a wide draw at Scottsville. She has another tricky draw.

Believe The Best (Candiese Marnewick)

Canukeepitsecret was fourth in the Allan Roberston when running on from a high draw and she should be staying on if Byleveld is able to slot her in from a high draw.

Ronnie’s Candy showed a good turn of foot when winning the SA Fillies Nursery and was a touch unlucky when moving up in the Allan Robertson. However, she was well beaten in the latter race and has a tough task with Celtic Sea and Canukeepitecret.

Temple Grafin is small but won well on debut over 1200m. However, she now has a tough draw of 15.

Can You Feel It was narrowly beaten by Temple Grafin on debut but looks to have plenty of scope and could be the dark horse under Fayd’Herbe from a draw which could come into eight if the reserves come out.

Captain’s Princess is another scopey sort. She beat Firdoas and Ronnie’s Candy on debut over 1200m and then stayed on well for third in the SA Fillies Nursery. She should enjoy the step up in trip and has pole position for an in form yard.

Firdoas won the Listed Devon Air Stakes over course and distance when producing a telling kick and this classy Bernadini filly has scope for further improvement. However, she was drawn in pole that day and now has to overcome the widest draw of all.

Mazari is quite exposed but was only beaten 0,75 lengths by Firdoas in the Devon Air, despite having to give the latter 2kg. However, earlier she was well beaten in both the SA Fillies Nursery and Allan Robertson.

Miss Khalifa impressed on debut over 1000m but has not raced since January so is hard to assess. She does have speed and jumps from a good draw under Jeff Lloyd.

Running Brave is a courageous sort who keeps on finding but this is tougher than she’s faced before.

Red Al won a Juvenile Plate well third time out over 1500m when wearing down the opposition and is improving. However, she was receiving weight in that win and might also prefer further.

Awesomely Tuned was beaten 2,5 lengths by Red Al in the aforementioned race and is now 3kg better off. However, she is quite exposed and faces a tough task.

By David Thiselton

The Grade 2 Golden Horseshoe over 1400m is often a Pick 6 stumbling block on Vodacom Durban July day but this year three highly promising horses stand out in a race which which will be one of the day’s highlights, although there are two relatively unknown quantities who punters will have to be wary of too.

Cue The Music has a superb pedigree, plenty of substance, is very laid back, has a good cruising speed and an exceptional turn of foot. He is a half-brother to the champion sprinter Val De Ra but the latter did win over this course and distance second time out.  Furthermore, Val De Ra was by the champion sprinter Var, whereas Cue The Music is by Oratorio, who won a Group 1 over this trip as a two-year-old and won the Group 1 Coral Eclipse over a mile and two furlongs as a three-year-old. Last time out in the Grade 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion Cue The Music had no cover throughout and after moving up very well he was scythed down in the final strides. Anton Marcus now rides him from a plum draw of two and he is sure to find cover before using his turn of foot.

Cue The Music (Candiese Marnewick)

Barahin is a R2,6 million Gimmethegreenlight colt who has won two from three. Last time out he won the Listed Gatecrasher Stakes comfortably over the Golden Horseshoe course and distance, running on strongly from midfield to win easing up by 3,25 lengths. He still looked immature so there is plenty of improvement to come.  Bernard Fayd’Herbe keeps the ride and they jump from stall eight, as opposed to the six draw in the Gatecrasher.

Soqrat has won both of his starts over 1160m and 1400m respectively by wide margins and showed a fine turn of speed in the latter race. This classy looking colt is by Epaulette, who won two Group 1s in Australia over 1400m, and is out of a twice-winning Hussonet mare who is a three-quarters sister to a Group 2 winner who won from 1200m to 1500m. Soqrat should therefore be ideally distance suited and has a plum draw of four.

Tobie Spies upset the applecart when winning the Grade 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion with Van Halen and he has an unknown quantity in Basilius. This gelding won in commanding style over 1200m on debut down the straight at the Vaal and the form has been franked. His sire Potala Palace won the Grade 1 Premier’s Champion Stakes over 1600m at Greyville as a two-year-old and his dam by Spectrum won in the December of her two-year-old year over 1000m. Therefore, Basilius should have precocious speed and should be course and distance suited. A further plus is Jeff Lloyd is aboard.

Confessional is a good looking colt by Oratorio out of a full sister to Dynasty and he won his maiden well over this course and distance last time. He has scope for further improvement but on the downside he now has a wide draw to overcome and his time was 0,73 seconds slower than Barahin’s.

Provocateur is the second of the unknown quantities. He overcame a wide draw and sat in second without cover in the maiden won by Confessional, so did well to stay on for a one length second. In his next start with blinkers on over 1400m on the poly he went to the front and stayed on strongly to win by four lengths. Unfortunately he has another tough draw of eleven but he could be the pacemaker and is the dark horse.

Clifton Crusher ran on strongly in the Gatecrasher from draw 12 of 14, after being dropped out, and finished a 3,75 length third. However, he has to overcome a similar draw this time.

Across Seattle was a bit keen in the Gatecrasher from pole position so did well to stay on for fourth, a short-head behind Clifton Crusher, so if he settles better from a draw of seven he could earn again.

Goliath Heron was beaten 4,25 lengths by Cue The Music when fourth in the Grade 1 Tsogo Sun Gold medallion over 1200m. He has plenty of speed but on pedigree, being by Master Of My Fate out of a Silvano mare who won on debut over 1450m on the Vaal sand, he should stay the trip so has an outside chance from a good draw of six.

Sulka was staying on nicely in the Gold Medallion when a 5,75 length sixth so should enjoy this trip. However, he has a tough task reversing form with Cue The Music, although he does have pole position.

Crown Guardian produced a late surge to win over 1000m on debut at Kenilworth and came from some way off them to finish third over 1200m next time out in the Listed Somerset. However, the form was let down when Somerset winner Twist Of Fate ran downfield in the Gold Medallion.

Royal Italian, Rule The Night and In Cahoots look held.

By David Thiselton

It’s Justin Snaith who is the record-breaking trainer but younger brother Jonathan is the stable’s master strategist and the acknowledged form expert in the family. These are his views on the stable’s five runners in Saturday’s Vodacom Durban July:

“At the weights African Night Sky is a worthy favourite.  His preparation has been flawless – and you couldn’t ask for a fitter horse.

African Night Sky (Candiese Marnewick)

“Do It Again is a high class individual. You can ignore his last run as it was his second run after a long rest and he didn’t produce his form. He is much better than that and you can expect him to return to his best on Saturday. He is a huge runner.

“Made To Conquer is a progressive sort and the type of older horse that often wins the July. He is a tough, hard-knocking individual and is sure to be competitive.

“Elusive Silva (Jono Snaith is a part-owner) was at one stage ante-post favourite for last year’s race but he got injured. He has had a fantastic prep and is a bit of a fairytale horse in that he was retired from racing with a tendon injury yet here he is back for the same race and with a realistic chance. He is a good horse and he has the class to win.

“Star Express has great form coming into the race but there are stamina doubts. She is best over 1 400m to a mile but, if she should get the trip, she will be a serious contender.”

Asked to single out one or two of the stable’s runners in the other races, he said: “Snowdance looks our banker of the day, the distance of the Betting World 2200 is a little bit short for Strathdon but he is so well in himself. We are very competitive in that race with Platinum Prince as well.”

By Michael Clower

The strict liability rule that holds a trainer responsible for almost anything that happens in their yard, or in some cases even out of it, is a major bone of contention worldwide.

Paul Gadsby

The rule most often applies to horses testing positive for prohibitive substances, and trainers presumed guilty no matter protestations of innocence.

Ashburton-based trainer Paul Gadsby fell foul of this draconian rule when he was found to be responsible and found guilty after his groom was caught kicking one of his horses in the belly in the wash bay at Greyville after a race.

According to the original charge sheet, the groom in his employ was caught kicking the horse Patroculus in the belly region, which horse was in his care and under his control as the trainer of that horse, thus mistreating the horse in question.

The Inquiry Board imposed a penalty of a fine of R40 000, of which R20 000 was suspended for a period of 12 months, provided that he is not found guilty of a contravention of Rule 10.5.1, or a similar offence involving the abuse and/or ill-treatment of any horse during that period.

Gadsby lodged an appeal against both the finding and the penalty imposed and after considering all the evidence the appeal board ruled that strict liability was not applicable in Gadsby’s case.

The appeal board accordingly upheld the appeal, set aside the finding and the penalty imposed and refunded Gadsby’s appeal deposit fee.

Lyle Hewitson, now virtually certain to join the select few who have become champion jockey while still an apprentice, rides at Durbanville for the first time for six months tomorrow.

“Adam Marcus rang me, said he had three nice rides and there is no racing in Durban that day,” says Hewitson, explaining his presence at the country course. It is this type of ‘have saddle, will travel’ approach to life that has played a big part in his path to the top.

Lyle Hewitson

The three Marcus rides are in three of the last four races and Marcus sees them more as place chances than banker bets. “We haven’t been able to do much of a preparation with Gyre (8-1 and off for nearly five months) but he did put up a good gallop at Kenilworth two weeks ago and he has done sufficient to run a nice race. The soft ground is not too much of a worry with him and he is a horse with a big heart.

“Red Rascal (9-2) has been doing well since his last run but has a wide draw to overcome so he will be tucked in and running on at the finish. Elusive Touch (9-2) ran a good race in the soft last time. She takes very little work and is in great form. Her winning chance is slim -she is drawn 12 out of 13 – but with luck in running she can run into the money.”

Hewitson’s other rides include longshots Princess Kika and Burano for Geoff Woodruff and 4-1 second favourite Chatuchak for Andre Nel in race seven, the Interbet.co.za Handicap. This one won over a furlong less in May but has yet to be tested in the soft.

He also has a chance on Sailor Sam (9-2) in the first but preference is for Greg Ennion’s other runner Rock Of Asia (7-2) who made much of the running when winning over the trip last time. Favourite at 15-10 is Tarsus who was not disgraced when pitched in against older horses in a handicap a month ago.

Star Angel impressed when scoring at Kenilworth on her last start nearly two months ago – she led and was soon three or four lengths clear, showing the sort of speed which helps tremendously on this course – and the 7-2 chance can defy a 3kg penalty in the TAB Telebet Juvenile Fillies. Vodka Lime (also 7-2) looks a big danger but 33-10 favourite Be Yourself is returning after a six-month absence.

Sparkeling Fire can recoup last time’s losses in the Tabonline.co.za Maiden Juvenile Fillies and Black Indy’s good draw may enable Grant van Niekerk’s mount to beat More Magic in the Betting World Maiden Juvenile.

By Michael Clower

Stalwart Cape trainer Vaughan Marshall lamented the tough draws he had landed on Vodacom Durban July day but said all of his charges were in fine shape.

He has a strong hand on the day and when asked which his best runner was, replied, “I am not prepared to put my head on the block from those draws.”

MJ Byleveld

Captain Al filly Canukeepitsecret jumps from draw 12 of 14 in the Grade 2 Samsung Golden Slipper over 1400m under MJ Byleveld. The small but tenacious two-year-old moved up well from a probably unfavourable high draw last time in the Grade 1 Allan Robertson over 1200m at Scottsville and stayed on well for a 3,75 length fourth. Her full sister All Is Secret won the Allan Robertson in 2012 but then failed in the Gold Slipper when going handy from a wide draw. However, she then came back and won the Grade 1 Thekwini over 1600m from a good draw. Marshall and Byleveld might have those two results in mind when planning Saturday’s race.

Another full sister of Canukeepitsecret’s, The Secret Is Out, will attempt to go a mile for the first time in the Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes over 1600m but has to jump from a draw of 13 under Byleveld. Last time out she used her speed to go handy from a plum draw of two in the Grade 2 Tibouchina Stakes over 1400m and stayed on well to beat July runner Star Express by a quarter of a length at level weights. The blinkers remain on so Byleveld will have a tough task reserving enough for a final surge over this step up in trip. There looks to be plenty of pace in this race so he might have a problem trying to find a handy position. Dropping her out won’t be easy either as she has plenty of speed.

In the Grade 2 Golden Horseshoe over 1400m Marshall runs Provocateur from a draw of 11 out of 14. Byleveld took this Var colt handy from a draw of 8 out of 12 in early May over course and distance. He showed a fine turn of foot in the straight and ran all the way to the line. He faces the impressive winner of that race, Confessional, on the same terms for a one length beating, but the latter now has a much tougher draw to overcome. This race is full of class with the like of Cue The Music, Barahin and Soqrat also lining up but Provacateur could be the dark horse as he settled nicely despite having no cover in that aforementioned race and followed up by winning a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1400m on the poly by four lengths with first-time blinkers on. The blinkers are back on.

Marshall has two runners in the Compendium Insurance Brokers eThekwini Sprint over 1200m on the poly, Woljayrine jumping from draw nine under Byleveld and Magic Sailor jumping from draw seven under Craig Bantam. Woljayrine won well over 1100m on the Greyville turf last time and is second best in at the weights here. Dutch Phillip, who is top class, is the one to beat.

In the last race, the Listed Greyville Convention Centre Handicap over 1600m on the turf, Marshall runs Lord Balmoral from a draw of ten. This horse likes to be handy over shorter so will not be a surprise pacemaker in his first attempt at this trip. However, he jumps slowly so Byleveld faces another tough task especially with the like of Eyes Wide Open in the field.

By David Thiselton

Jeff Lloyd hopes he has chosen the right horse in the Vodacom Durban July in which he will be aboard the Justin Snaith-trained four-year-old colt Made To Conquer.

Lloyd, a six-time South African champion jockey, has always been a particularly good rider of Greyville, where the uphill section from the 1000m mark up to the 450m long straight has found out many a lesser rider.

Jeff Lloyd (Supplied)

However, the July has always eluded him, although he has often gone close, finishing third on no fewer than eight occasions.

Made To Conquer has the pedigree to win the July.

He is by Dynasty, who won the big race in 2003 and produced the July winner of 2014, Legislate.

Dynasty’s progeny have a noticeable liking for the tight Greyville track due to their inherited ability to accelerate off the mark.

Made To Conquer is out of the Casey Tibbs mare Festive Occasion, who won the Grade 2 SA Oaks. Amomg Festive Occasion’s three Grade 1 placed efforts was a third place finish in the Woolavington 2200 over the July course and distance. Furthermore, she produced the Silvano filly Do You Remember, who won the Woolavington 2000 and followed up by finishing third in the July in 2013.

Lloyd was due to be in South Africa anyway in order to see how his son Jaden had been doing at the South African Jockeys Academy. He was given a few options for the July but plumped for Made To Conquer.

He said the bay colt had given him a good feel in the July gallops last Thursday and he was also pleased to discover the type of temperament he had.

He said, “He’s a good mover, he has a good temperament, but he’s not a horse who does more than he has to do. He is very laid back. I’ve ridden many horses who wait for the racecourse to do their best and I think he is one of them.”

Lloyd had admitted on the day of the gallops that he believed Made To Conquer would probably be at his very best in six months time. However, the veteran jockey certainly looks to have a fine chance of getting across the line first in his likely final bid to win the July.

He is due to retire soon but at the age of 56 is still at the top of his game. He broke the Queensland Metropolitan and State records for the number of winners in the 2016/2017 Australian racing season and is well clear in those championships again this season.

Made To Conquer is currently the 9/1 joint-third favourite with Betting World.

Lloyd will be hoping to make it a 95^th Group 1 winner and will jump from a fair draw of 11 if the reserve runners come out.

By David Thiselton

Justin Snaith, odds-on to win a third Vodacom Durban July with one of his five runners in the great race, has the favourite in a third of the 12 races at Greyville on Saturday.

In addition to African Night Sky (2-1 in the big one), Betting World makes Sergeant Hardy 5-2 for the tabGold Pinnacle, Platinum Prince 7-2 in the Betting Word 2200 and Snowdance a prohibitive 1-2 for the Jonsson Workwear Garden Province.

Interestingly two of those who didn’t make the cut for the July’s final field head the market in their respective consolation races. The Dean Kannemeyer-trained It’s My Turn is 4-1 favourite for the DStv Gold Vase and Perovskia is 5-1 joint favourite with Cape Derby winner Eyes Wide Open in the concluding Greyville Convention Centre Handicap. Jeff Lloyd will have his final South African ride on Harold Crawford’s Drill Hall winner.

Perovskia (Candiese Marnewick)

World Sports Betting, which has Snaith at 11-20 to win the July, quotes Sean Tarry next best at 15-2 and goes 10-1 Brett Crawford, 11-1 Paul Peter, 12-1 Mike and Adam Azzie,22-1 Paul Lafferty, 25-1 Mike de Kock, 33-1 and upwards others.

WSB is even betting on which horse finishes last. Secret Potion and the Snaith-trained Star Express share an unenviable favouritism at 9-2 while other leading contenders are the 11-2 shots Gold Standard, Liege, Fiorella and Rocket Countdown.

The threat by the Public Servants Association union to stage a protest at the meeting over Markus Jooste’s possible involvement has proved to be an empty one.

Last Friday the PSA issued a press release stating that it had written to both the National Horseracing Authority and Vodacom stating that horses linked to Jooste should not be allowed to run, with general manager Ivan Fredericks saying: “Vodacom, as an international brand, has a responsibility to society not to be associated with, or perceived to be purporting, the unethical behaviour that Mr Jooste is known for.”

However there is not one horse in the 12 races owned or part-owned either by Jooste or his Mayfair Speculators racing company.

Most of the PSA’s 240,000-plus members belong to the Government Employees Pension Fund which invested heavily in Steinhoff International and which has seen its investment virtually wiped out by the collapse in share price since Jooste’s shock resignation as CEO last December.

Last Friday the company published its results for the first time since Jooste’s departure. These show a total loss for the six months to March 31 of R9.6 billion. It was also revealed that the total value of overstated assets, coupled with the reversal of non arms-length transactions, was R98 billion. Even in international terms (€6.1 billion) this is a staggering figure.

BLOB Smart Call won for the first time since her triumph in the 2016 Met when scoring at Newcastle on Friday evening. The ten furlong Stobbart Energy Hoppings Fillies Stakes was her ninth race since leaving South Africa and was only a Group 3, and on the all-weather at that, but she quickened well when looking boxed in to lead inside the final furlong and justify 7-4 favouritism. She was ridden by Jim Crowley for Sir Michael Stoute.

By Michael Clower

The Highlands Stud Winter Derby meeting, including all its supporting features, will now be run on Saturday week (July 14), previously a blank day in the Cape Town racing calendar. The programme will be sent out this morning.

Last Saturday’s Kenilworth card was abandoned at 7.30am following further rain. “More was forecast to start around the time racing was due to begin and trying to get through just one or two races would have been ridiculous,” said Duty Manager Teresa Esplin.

Last Wednesday’s Durbanville meeting was also abandoned after parts of the course became waterlogged and, if the forecast of further rain today proves correct, Wednesday’s fixture at the country course could come under threat.

By Michael Clower