The Turffontein Standside nine race meeting tomorrow is headlined by the Listed Swallow Stakes over 1160m and the Mike de Kock-trained Takingthepeace could be the one to beat from a nice high draw.

This Visionaire filly is big and scopey and would have matured a lot since her victory over this course and distance in June. She was still gangly back then and showed pace in a small field before finding extra and drawing clear of the talented London Secret, although she was receiving 3kg from the latter. She won comfortably over  1000m in October, proving she has pace, and she showed her class when staying on strongly from a wide draw for third in the R2,5 million Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Stakes. Winter’s Forge has beaten the classy Winter Watch twice at level weights, including by 5,5 lengths when finishing a one length second in the Grade 2 SA Fillies Nursery. She now receives 4kg from Winter Watch so must have a big shout if anywhere near her best after an eight month layoff.

Mike De Kock

Tamarina won comfortably on debut for a yard who are known to bring horses on steadily, so she could be anything. Winter Watch has always struck as a classy sort and is starting to come into her own as a three-year-old. She is officially the joint-second best in at the weights and has proven worthy of her 95 merit rating. San Fermin is an interesting runner as she was rumoured hard to beat on Summer Cup day in the Grade 3 Fillies Mile after showing an exceptional turn of foot in her debut over 1400m and winning by seven lengths. She went out like a light in the Fillies Mile and was found to be fatigued and striding short. She now has a tongue tie on over a sprint trip, so can’t be ignored, although she does have a low draw which could be unfavourable.

Covered In Snow beat the promising Schippers to win her maiden over this course and distance and then won a handicap easily over this same course and distance next time out off a merit rating of 78. She was raised to 85, but might prove better than that in time and she is also one to include in the exotics. London secret can’t be ignored as she is up with Takingthepeace on paper over this course and distance and followed up that run by running a 2,15 length sixth in the Grade 2 Golden Slipper over 1400m at Greyville. She returns from a 196 day layoff.

Jazaalah is better than her last run when a firecracker led from start to finish over 1000m. She will appreciate the step up to 1160m and can defy her lowly merit rating from a Standside draw, which is usually favourable over this course and distance. Frederico’s Dream has always been well regarded and is 2,5kg better off with Varsity Girl for a 0,7 length beating over course and distance so can make her presence felt. They are selected in the order mentioned.

The best bet is selected to be Excalibur’s Return in race five over 2000m. She goes for a hattrick and the form of her last race has been franked, so this filly by Golden Sword can progress further from a rating of a mere 77. She had a tougher draw than Emerald Bay last time, but beat her by 0,25 lengths and she now faces her on 0,5kg better terms and there is a reversal of draw fortunes in her favour too. Furthermore, she is a three-year-old and Emerald Bay is a four-year-old, so if weight for age is included she is actually 1,5kg better off.

In the seventh over 1400m The Puma has struck as a classy sort and jumps from pole position over an ideal trip with a 1,5kg claimer up. He is returning from a layoff of 121 days though, so the improved 1400m specialist Bold Coast, as well as Bonnie Prince, Al Fahad, Christofle and Full Of Attitude must also be considered.

By David Thiselton

Ryker found one too good for him in the form of Sir David Baird in the KZN Guineas Trial but can get back to winning ways when he runs in the Soccer 13 Handicap at Scottsville on Sunday.

Gavin Lerena, who was aboard Sir David Baird for Mike de Kock, had the race susses before they even jumped, always a sign of a good jockey.

“I knew he was a difficult ride,” Lerena said post-race of Ryker. “I know that he pulls so I slowed it down and made it difficult for Anthony (Delpech).” Garth Puller, who saddled a double at Greyville last Wednesday, has brought Ryker back to a sprint and it may well prove to be a smart move although Delpech has jumped ship to partner Sunset Eyes, the horse he won on for Brett Crawford last time out.

Ryker

Sunset Eyes was making his debut on the poly and picked up a four-pound penalty for his efforts. A tongue-tie appears to have seen him turn the corner and he could well follow up.

Cumulus has consistent form and was a beaten favourite last run. His two best efforts have come on the turf so he cannot be ignored while top weight Amazon King has come down in the ratings. He has four-claiming apprentice Luke Ferraris up and they can upset to give the young rider his first winner.

Verdier made a smart debut for Mark Dixon after showing some useful Cape form in strong company. The extra tomorrow in the Racing. It’s A Rush Handicap should suit and he can go one better. Baltic Amber has been a soldier for Duncan Howells and his owners and is again over his best course and distance and could prove the main threat to Verdier.

Apprentice Ashton Arries is full value for his 1.5kg claim and that could just make the difference between first and second.

In the opening race the unfamiliar name of D Muscutt appears behind the name of Falkland, a winner of a barrier trail.

Peter Muscutt is the KZN assistant trainer to the powerful Brett Crawford yard and his son Daniel will be riding for their stable and Ivan and Darryl Moore. The twenty-two-year old has four rides, three for Crawford and one for the Moores. Daniel has ridden in South Africa before. He started in Cape Town early in his career as an apprentice and now rides in the United Kingdom for trainers James Fanshawe and Marco Botti and is in South Africa on a three-week busman’s holiday. Last season he rode 45 winners in the UK including two Listed races.

Muscutt may have to wait awhile for his first holiday winner as the lightly raced Shantytown races in blinkers for the first time and his two best efforts have been at Scottsville.

Staying races, and especially those in the higher divisions, often attract disappointingly small fields but punters will have their work cut out in the Itsarush.co.za Handicap where five of the six runners have obvious chances in the 2400m event and pace will be crucial.

Anthony Delpech is 17 winners clear of his nearest rival on the national jockey’s log, apprentice Lyle Hewitson, and seems well set for his second consecutive jockey’s championship. He more than likely had the choice of the two Kannemeyer runners, Mr O’Neill and One Man Show, and has picked the latter whose last win came over course and distance beating Techno Captain who is now 5kg better off in the handicap.

In theory that should be more than enough to turn the tables but the likes of Chicago Beat, Pyrenees In Spain and Mr O’Neill all come into the reckoning in what will be a tactical encounter.

By Andrew Harrison

Seasoned horseman Peter Muscutt is the KZN assistant trainer to the powerful Brett Crawford yard and his son, Daniel Muscutt, will be riding for their stable and Ivan and Darryl Moore’s on Sunday at Scottsville. The twenty-two-year old has four rides on the eight-race programme, three for Crawford and one for the Moore’s. Daniel has ridden in South Africa as he started in Cape Town early in his career as an apprentice. Muscutt rides in the United Kingdom for trainers James Fanshawe and Marco Botti and is in South Africa for a three-week busman’s holiday. Last season the youngster rode 45 winners including two Listed races. His first ride in a Group One was in America in the Arlington Million where he failed narrowly, flying up to run second, beaten a neck on Fanciful Angel.

By Warren Lenferna

The Grade 2 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes over 1200m at Kenilworth, a weight for age plus penalties event, is always a good pointer to the Grade 1 Betting World Cape Flying Championships and on Saturday all eyes will be on the Diadem defending champion Trip To Heaven.

Trip to Heaven (JC Photographics)

Trip To Heaven put up probably the performance of the season last year in the Cape Flying. He is a notoriously slow starter and was left tailed off after dwelling in the stalls. However, he has excellent cruising speed and a devastating turn of foot. He showed it that day, as he went within 0,3 lengths of catching the subsequently named Equus Champion Sprinter Carry On Alice, despite having experienced traffic problems. This 1200m trip is more down his alley as it gives him more time to make up the leeway as he does see out the distance. He disappointed in three runs subsequent to the Cape Flying last season, but made an excellent comeback recently over 1160m at Turffontein. He lost about three lengths in the latter race and was flying home for a 1,2 length third, despite carrying 61,5kg and giving the winner Kangaroo Jack 1,5kg. He looks to be back in form and the six-year-old Trippi gelding will be attempting to repeat his effort last year, when losing two lengths yet still cruising in by 3,75 lengths.

Sergeant Hardy has won six out of ten starts at Kenilworth and won the Listed Southeaster Sprint last time over 1100m with 61kg on his back by a comfortable 1,75 lengths. He has a lot of pace and is ominously drawn one. He was drawn one for the Southeaster and Bernard Fayd’Herbe took him straight to the rail which he used to his advantage throughout the race.

A most interesting runner will be the three-year-old Mujaafy. Officially he is way out at the weights, but is unexposed. This good looking, rangy colt will relish the step up to this trip and will be able to use his big stride, as he is drawn two so will be able to sit behind Sergeant Hardy.

Wonderwall and Dutch Phillip are two other three-year-olds with both speed and class and they are sure to be thereabouts.

Always In Charge is a Grade 1-winning sprinter who now dons blinkers. He is capable of winning and Anton Marcus is aboard.

The talented but enigmatic Attenborough can never be written off, for if things go his way he packs a strong finish.

Search Party is ideally course and distance suited and has his third run after a layoff.

Eight-year-old Tevez proved last time out he is still capable of producing his familiar flying finish and he finished second in this race last year.

By David Thiselton

Dean Kannemeyer is to take the unbeaten Hashtagyolo to Turffontein for the Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas and possibly for the SA Fillies Classic.

Hashtagyolo

He said: “Hashtagyolo is a November foal so we went the easy Durban route rather the Cape Town one. Her last win was impressive, she is a big rangey filly with scope and I know she will like Turffontein.

“So she will run in the Fillies Guineas there on 3 March. If she performs well and comes through it alright she will then go for the Fillies Classic (also sponsored by Wilgerbosdrift) five weeks later.”

The Dynasty filly is unbeaten in three starts, most notably in the Flamboyant Stakes at Greyville on New Year’s Eve.

By Michael Clower

A run under the belt is mostly invaluable and although Miss Trust still made something of a meal if it in winning her maiden, she learnt just enough at her Scottsville debut to get the better of a game Breaking Barriers in the Itsarush.co.za Maiden at Greyville yesterday.

Peter Muscutt, assistant to Brett Crawford, was still impressed with her win. “Clearly she didn’t learn much from her first start. She was still very green. She is only just learning her trade and I think there is significant improvement to come. I think she was just a little bit better than Sean’s (Veale) filly.”

Anthony Delpech (Liesl King)

Breaking Barriers came into the straight with what at first looked to be a ton in hand and shifted to the outside fence in front of Miss Trust who was the only other runner making any headway.

Anthony Delpech, who had won the card opener on Mark Tapley for Garth Puller, switch his mount in from behind Breaking Barriers and worked hard to get past when it counted.

Kazaar, an easy maiden winner at second time of asking for Dennis Bosch, made a smart handicap debut winning the Track & Ball Fixed Odds Handicap. Owner Brian Burnard’s gelding has clearly made significant improvement since finishing runner-up to Drageda at Scottsville and easily turned the tables, although the latter doesn’t look too genuine as Anton Marcus was at him a long way out and he never seemed to find his stride.

Jumping from a sprint to nine furlongs at only a third start is always a risk and the well-fancied Autumn Rain was run out of it by Barking Irons, a second for Puller, and Secret Service. The favourite was given every chance by Delpech but was one-paced late.

Geoff Perkins has a multitude of horses in training, in partnership and on his own, and although Secret Service came up short and Naked Truth fifth behind Barking Irons, he had a change of fortune in the tabGOLD Information App Handicap when Madame Excess got the better of her rivals in a titanic struggle to the line. She looked a lost cause 400m out but Keagan de Melo kept her hard to her task and she got up close home to deny favourite Queenie and Gorgeous Guest with two short-heads the finishing margins.

“I put blinkers on her and she showed exceptional work at home on the sand,” said Duncan Howells. “She’s not an easy ride and doesn’t quite give 100%,” commented De Melo. However, Howells revealed that Madame Excess had, had a couple of “niggly” back problems.

Anton Marcus is one jockey who is never afraid to commit early and has often come in for criticism from many a grandstand jockey when beaten. However, the ‘riders in the stand’ were happy when he made a bold move at the top of the straight on Hidden Thought and Glen Kotzen’s filly slowly pulled away from the opposition in the Track & Ball Gaming Handicap to register back-to-back wins. The daughter of Lateral has made steady improvement and on yesterday’s performance she could get further than a mile.

By Andrew Harrison

The Vaal stages a low key nine race meeting tomorrow on the Inside track but there could nevertheless be one or two opportunities for punters.

The highest rated race is a MR 76 Handicap over 2000m and the under rated Ali Bon Dubai can make it two wins on the trot and his fourth victory in his last six starts. Last time out over this trip he started on terms for the second time in succession, so was able to come from a midfield position. He showed his usual good turn of foot in the straight to make up the leeway. He then became involved in a three-way tussle, but he took care of it quickly, finding another gear and drawing away to win easily by 1,3 lengths. In his previous start he finished a narrow second over 3000m to Dromedaris, who has gone on to win his next two races over staying trips in comfortable fashion.

Bengal Boy

Ali Bon Dubai looks to have more in the tank and can rise above his current lowly merit rating of 70. He has the same draw of six as last time. Scotland is usually a reliable sort and is better than his September run when beaten 7,2 lengths by Ali Bon Dubai over this trip. He is now 4,5kg better off and could earn from a good draw of two. Three-year-old colt Walter Smoothie has always caught the eye as one who could develop into a fair middle distance type and he is 1kg better off with Ali Bon Dubai for a 2,3 length beating last time over this trip. If weight for age is taken into account, he is 2kg better off, but Ali Bon Dubai did win cosily and should confirm the placings.

The best bet on the card could be Ghost Rider in the third race over 1200m, although he will face stiff opposition from the beautifully bred Silver Spine. Last time out Ghost Rider showed zip but was a bit hampered. When seeing fresh air in the closing stages he ran on strongly for a 4,5 length fourth to State Trooper. That was the Captain Al gelding’s first run since his decent debut eight months earlier when an eight length third to the classy Flying Free in a maiden juvenile plate. He should have benefitted from the run and the in form 1,5kg claimer Dennis Schwarz remains aboard. Silver Spine is by Silvano out of the Grade 1 Cape Fillies Guineas winner Sparkling Gem. The latter had plenty of speed, so Silver Spine is interesting stepped down to this trip after showing pace over 1400m on debut. In the latter race he was not at all disgraced in finishing a 6,5 length fifth to Mike de Kock’s Australian-bred debutant by Mutrib, a classy looking son of Street Cry. Silver Spine covers a lot of ground and will make a good race of it under Gavin Lerena, although his high draw could be against him on this course.

It is never easy to win first time out of the maidens but two Paul Peter-trained horses have been tipped to do so.

In the sixth race Peter sends out the four-year-old Count Dubois gelding Party Beat with top weight of 60kg, and adding to the difficulty is he has a wide draw of 13. However, this big and rangy chestnut was up with the pace in his second start over 1400m and then stretched clear to win by 4,4 lengths over a trio which was palpably too sharp as he had to be kept to his task throughout. The third-placed horse that day was well behind the second, so it was not bad form for a moderate maiden. He starts off on a 69 merit rating and will relish this step up in trip, although Keagan de Melo will have his work out to find a nice position for him in the running.Volcanic Sunet is a fair sort who could be a threat and Stay With Me has always struck mas one who would improve with age when sent over this sort of trip so is interesting in his first run as a gelding.

In the eighth race over 1200m Peter sends out Ouro, who showed pace third time out over 1000m and extended to win by 4,8 lengths. The Toreador three-year-old filly should handle the step up to 1200m and has a plum draw of two on a course where low draws are usually favourable down the straight. Sean Tarry’s debutant winner Colour Of Light could be anything too, but does have a tough draw. Patchouli Queen makes most appeal of the older horses as a pacey sort who is slightly better drawn than she was last time off her current attractive merit rating.

Corne Spies is an expert in traing two-year-olds and has been tipped to win the first two races on the card with Miss Boomerang and Star Flyer.

By David Thiselton

The gallops have always been a bone of contention for some trainers, especially Justin Snaith who has been a sharp critic in the past.

The gallops were at the discretion of the operators and not a condition of entry as is the case for the Vodacom Durban July.

The operators feel that most of the Met contenders have had runs this month and have proved their fitness so the gallops were not necessary.

The field for the Sun Met will be finalized on Monday, January 15 with a draw function to be held at the V&A Waterfront on Wednesday January 17.

Last Winter, 15-4 clear favourite for the Sun Met with Betting World but only 9-2 joint favourite with Legal Eagle and Marinaresco in the books of World Sports Betting, will do his final piece of serious work at Kenilworth tomorrow week.

Dean Kannemeyer said yesterday: “I will put him over 800m. At home he doesn’t exert himself – he keeps himself fit and does just enough. But he is doing exceptionally well and he is in good shape. We are on track for the race.”

Confidence is also growing in the Marinaresco camp and both Aldo Domeyer and part-owner Marsh Shirtliff stressed yesterday that he was unlucky not to finish closer than fifth (albeit beaten less than a length) in last Saturday’s L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate.

Last Winter

Candice Bass-Robinson spelt it out, explaining: “Silicone Valley carried him out quite a bit and close home the winner did the same. Had he been able to keep going and keep his momentum he would have finished even closer. But he has taken his run very well and he looked amazing this morning.”

The in-form Milnerton trainer – she won the first three at Durbanville yesterday – also had encouraging news of Horizon who was reported lame by the racecourse vet after finishing fourth to Eyes Wide Open in the Glorious Goodwood Peninsula Handicap.

Mrs Robinson said: “Horizon is fine. In fact he wasn’t lame. He was the same after the race as he was before it.”

Fillies Guineas winner Snowdance, her performance boosted by the Cartier Paddock win of runner-up Oh Susanna, looks like starting one of the shortest-priced favourites in the history of the Klawervlei Majorca.

WSB opened her at 1-2 and even at that price she was backed. She is now 4-10! Just Sensual and Nother Russia are next on 7-1 with 16-1 and upwards the rest.

Cape Guineas winner Tap O’Noth, predictably, is favourite to follow up in the Investec Cape Derby and 7-2 is the best available. White River is 6-1 and Peninsula Handicap winner Eyes Wide Open on 7-1 even though he is expected to run in the Met instead.

This Saturday’s Diadem will have a big bearing on the Cape Flying Championship with many engaged in both races including Trip To Heaven who is 33-10 favourite for the 27 January Grade 1.

Former West Indian cricket star, and now top commentator, Michael Holding was at Durbanville yesterday to see Domeyer batting home winner after winner as well as some particularly promising performances from Indian Song and Marion Belle.

By Michael Clower

Drageda has been expensive to follow, a beaten favourite in three of his first four starts, before landing the odds at Scottsville last time out.

He makes his handicap debut at Greyville today and now that he has broken the ice he does look capable of following up in the Track & Ball Fixed Odds Handicap.

Anton Marcus, who rode a superb race on Legal Eagle in the l’Ormarins Queen’s Plate on Saturday, has been making the long drive from Umhlanga to Ashburton to put a few of the Duncan Howells horses through their paces in the morning and he wasted no time on Drageda, bouncing the gelding out of the gate and keeping him going to hold Kazaar who he faces again this afternoon.

Kazaar paid tribute to that form, coming home and easy winner of his next outing for Dennis Bosch and under Marcus.

Drageda (Candiese Marnewick)

Marcus has kept faith with Drageda which may prove significant.

Howells, was of the opinion that Drageda would get further, an opinion shared by Marcus, and with a smart draw over the Greyville seven on the poly. He can go in again.

Kazaar and Master Sam will have their supporters but chief threat could come in the form of Air Chief Marshall. He takes a major drop in class and has also dropped significantly in the ratings which should make him a serious threat.

Frank Robinson has been in a rich vein of form of late and if the form comments in the Computaform are to be relied upon then Autumn Rain should be difficult to beat in the Racing. It’s a Rush Maiden. However, he does take a major jump in trip which may be a reason for caution. Anthony Delpech has stuck with the ride and no doubt gave Robinson advice after their close-up second in a 1200m sprint so one needs to show some faith.

Lord Of Glencoe on the other hand is a lightly raced four-year-old who is bred to go two miles and made good improvement when Belinda Impey sent him out in blinkers for the first time. Along with Barking Irons and Itdawnedonme, he could upset.

A more optimistic trainer you will never meet than Tony Nassif and when he makes his way into town from his Turffontein base you had better take note.

He saddles Queenie in the tabGOLD Information App Handicap and along with Madame Excess could make for a good boxed exacta. Queenie has put in two smart efforts since shedding her maiden and with apprentice Ashton Arries claiming his 1.5kg Queenie could prove difficult to peg back.

Howells has declared Madame Excess in blinkers for the first time and her best form is on the poly. Joint bottom weight and a good draw should make her a serious contender.

The Track & Ball Gaming Handicap has a wide open look about it but as the old saying goes, “when in doubt, back the top weight”.

Hidden Thought shed her maiden last time out but that was only her fifth visit to the track. She has improved with each outing and with Marcus in the saddle for good measure, she must warrant serious consideration. Lady Lisha comes from an in-form yard and although only a narrow winner in a qualified maiden she is showing signs of improvement. Eina, Salsa Queen and Summer In The City are others to consider in a tricky handicap.

Trainers are slowly cottoning on to the fact that barrier trials, far from leaking information, are a valuable opportunity to get in a solid gallop before a race. Ideal Winter won her barrier trial but considering that 1000m is far from her optimum trip, the blinkers she wore for the first time did seem to sharpen her up. She has a tricky draw over the mile in the Gold Circle Facebook Handicap but first-time blinkers may be the key.

She will however, have to be sharp as the Louis Goosen / Gunter Wrogemann combination is proving lethal at present and they team up with Shifting Gears who was narrowly beaten over course and distance last time out. With a better draw than her rival and possibly more at home over this trip, she will be a major threat.

By Andrew Harrison