Head Honcho was earmarked as the bet of the day come the first Saturday in July but although Andre Nel’s runner landed the odds, it was not without some anxiety. It took all of Anton Marcus’s expertise to get him home, a ride that has been nominated as one of the “Rides of the Season” at the forthcoming KZN Racing Awards next week.

Head Honcho is back in action at Scottsville today in the Racing. It’s A Rush Divided Handicap over 1400m and he can follow up on his latest victory.

Head Honcho (Nkosi Hlophe)

Marcus, who had beaten Antony Delpech to the punch for the ride on Head Honcho, has been called upon by his retained stable to partner Captain Of Rock, and has been replaced by Gareth Wright, the fifth different jockey to ride Head Honcho in his six starts to date.

Head Honcho has a lot in his favour, notably the switch back to turf and a plum draw, but he does face a stern test.

Ashburton-based trainers were to the fore last Wednesday, winning five of the nine races, and Shane Humby has a chance of adding to that tally with Midnight Vision.

The gelding has had a single outing since moving up from the Cape with Humby’s string and it was a fair sprint although he was reported coughing post-race. He is lightly raced, having only had eight starts, but he was in sizzling form before his move, winning twice first up out of the maidens and failing narrowly in his last Kenilworth start. Given that form and a handy weight, Midnight Vision is likely to give Head Honcho something to go one with.

The first appearance on a racecourse by a daughter of Frankel out of the smart sprinting filly Val Da Ra was much anticipated and Miss Frankel was deep in the red when making her debut at Kenilworth back in January. One is not certain whether it was the hype or money, probably a combination of both, that saw her start 5-10 but it was a damp squib on both accounts as she faded tamely to finish six lengths off the winner.

Miss Frankel (Liesl King)

It’s now six months down the line and Miss Frankel makes her seasonal bow in the All To Come Maiden Plate, a five-furlong dash. The opposition does not look to be all that strong, although there are a number of first timers in the line-up, but Miss Frankel may be worth a second chance.

Paul Gadsby had a welcome double last Wednesday and saddles one of the better bets on the card in the filly Diamonds Forever who should be good enough the break her duck in the fourth. “She has the best form and even though she takes on the boys she rates the one to beat,” Gadsby said yesterday. “She has recovered from the virus but I would not run her if I thought she wasn’t ready. The two horses that had it the worst have both won,” he added.

The switch to turf has attracted competitive fields in all eight races, including a host of debutantes in the first two heats.

Stable companions Dame Commander and Continuum are the obvious pair in the card opener although Imagine That and Gimme Hope Johanna are likely to improve on their debut efforts. The betting should be a better guide here.

Mark Dixon’s Summerveld yard has come good in recent weeks as has Asian Star that will have a few supporters in the second. Wolf Killer, touched off at his last start at lengthy odds, has been declared in blinkers by Frank Robinson and can go one better but there are a couple of nicely bred first timers in the line-up so again one should keep an eye on the market.

By Andrew Harrison

Cape Town’s newest trainer has had occupations varying from car salesman to spa manager and restaurant owner yet Dan Katz revels in having the bit between his teeth in charge of a racing stable once more.

“Even at school I wanted to be a trainer,” he recalls. “The first I went to work for was Darryl Hodgson when he was at Philadelphia and I then spent quite a while with Guy Rixon before starting on my own at Philippi in 1989.”

Katz, now 52, shakes his head at the memory and at what he clearly regards as a mistake. “I was the youngest trainer in South Africa. I didn’t do badly considering I only had a small stable of moderate horses and I trained some 28 winners in around two and a half years – but I was too young. I didn’t know enough and I decided to get out of the game.”

Dan Katz (SportingPost)

He switched to selling Toyotas and when that paled he moved to Mthatha (then Umtata) where he found work running a spa before deciding to live in Israel. There he switched direction yet again, this time running his own bistro-cum-restaurant in Eilat and finding a wife.

After eight years the pull of South Africa in general, and racing in particular, brought him back. He joined Greg Ennion before becoming assistant to his original boss. With Hodgson switching to more of a racing manager role, Hassen Adams offered Katz the promotion that he had been aiming for ever since his return.

“He and Darryl have given me this huge opportunity,” says Katz feelingly. “”I will be forever grateful and certainly I am grasping it with both hands.”

He doesn’t expect it to be plainly sailing and he is prepared for the knockers. “Cape Town is a difficult centre in which to win races and there is no shortage of detractors. People approach Hassen or Darryl and say: ‘Why are you doing this or that? Are you crazy?’ But I’m ready for them. They, and their comments, only make me work all the harder.”

Lalena, Katz’s first winner in his new role, came home at 25-1 last Saturday with capable but out-of-fashion Jason Smitsdorff in the irons. “The boy is hungry but he is not getting the rides. I told him to come and ride work for me. Then I approached Hassen and Darryl – they gave me a chance and I saw this as an opportunity for me to give him one. I love the underdog in life.”

He is also keen on Lalena. “I like her a lot and another filly called Rocksette who is a half-sister to Gimme Six. I have some useful recently-turned three-year-old colts plus Shadow Warrior who was second on Saturday and Dex Dexter, a Dynasty who won the second of his two starts.

“At least I think they are nice – we will have to see if I’m right. This game tames lions and it can easily bring you down a peg. I just want to keep them sound and win some decent races for Hassen.”

By Michael Clower

This year marks the centenary of the birth of one of the greatest racehorses of all time, Man O’ War. To honour him, the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, into which he was inducted in 1957, opened a special exhibit in his honor, “Man o’ War at 100”, on his 100th birthday, March 29 this year.
Fittingly this year also marks the 150th anniversary of one of America’s greatest races, the Belmont Stakes, which is named after the family who bred Man O’ War. 
Man O’ War’s sire Fair Play was a good racehorse and was a three-time leading North American sire. His dam Mahubah by Rock Sand was no star, but was well thought of in breeding circles.

Man O’ War inherited the violent disposition of his grandsire, Hastings, and was a handful as a youngster.

However, after his trainer Louis Feustal had cooled his temper to a manageable level, he made a stunning debut at Belmont Park, winning a two-year-old maiden hard held by six lengths.

Man o’ War

His subsequent feats on the racecourse are best summed up by the National Museum Of Racing and Hall of Fame, who said:

“The 1920s are considered a golden age for sports heroes in America. However, no athlete in the land was more revered than horse racing’s greatest marvel, the mighty Man O’ War. Babe Ruth had charisma. Jack Dempsey had power, Red Grange had speed and was known as the “Galloping Ghost.” Man o’ War had all of those attributes. But instead of being a galloping ghost, Man O’ War was an equine freight train. In 1920, Man O’ War won all eleven of his starts to conclude a two-year run in which he won 20 of 21 starts and compiled an all-time earnings record of $249,645. When all was said and done, Man O’ War had established three world records, two American records, seven track records and equaled another track standard.”

In his only loss he was standing sideways when the tape was released and lost many lengths. He was then hampered in the closing stages. Fittingly the winner’s name was Upset, and legend has it that the race popularised the sporting term “upset”.

Man O’ War was not entered in the 1920 Kentucky Derby because his owner, Samuel Riddle, did not believe in racing at the distance of ten furlongs so early in a young horse’s career. However, he won the Preakness by 1,5 lengths, beating Upset, and won the Belmont Stakes by 20 lengths, setting a world record. 
Man O’ War was retired to stud after his dominant three-year-old year. He had already carried as much as 138 pounds (63kg) in a race and conceded as much as 34 pounds (15 kg). Had he raced at four he would have started at 140 pounds.

Riddle has often been criticised for the quality of mares he allowed to be bred to Man O’ War. However, according to “Thoroughbred Heritage”, this, in retrospect, appears to be as a result of a “sour grapes”. In actual fact Riddle had taken the advice of expert horsemen like John Madden and bloodlines specialist William Allison in selecting the broodmares that were to be his first mates. Consequently, the crop produced three champions, American Flag (Belmont, Dwyer, Withers Stakes), Florence Nightingale (C.C.A. Oaks) and Maid At Arms (Alabama Stakes, Pimlico Oaks).

Man O’ War was the leading sire in North America of 1926 and was runner-up in 1928, 1929 and 1937, despite Riddle restricting him to about 25 mares a year,
The Jockey Club credits him with 62 stakes winners from 381 named foals,

Man O’ War’s most successful sons at stud were War Admiral and War Relic. War Relic’s branch of the male line has survived today through the like of  Tiznow, one of the very few modern stallions who does not trace back on his sire line to Eclipse.

Man O’ War was bred by August Belmont Jr.

Belmont’s father of the same name financed the Jerome Park Racetrack which staged the first running of the Belmont Stakes in 1867. Belmont Jr was the first president of The Jockey Club and was chairman of the New York State Racing Commission. In 1905 he built a new racecourse on Long Island in New York and it was named Belmont Park. The Belmont Stakes is still held there today.

Belmont Jr inherited Nursery Stud, established in 1867 by his father in New York. Belmont Sr later leased a farm property in Kentucky, located about three miles outside Lexington, and after transferring all of the breeding business there, Belmont Jr developed a stud farm, Kentucky Nursery Stud, which bred 129 American Stakes winners. The greatest of these, Man o’ War, was born while Belmont Jr was serving overseas in World War I. In his absence, his wife Eleanor named the new foal “My Man o’ War”. However, Belmont Jr was in his mid-sixties and decided to disband the stable. The “My” was dropped from the name and Riddle bought Man O’ War at the Saratoga Yearling Sale for what turned out to be a bargain $5,000.

Man O’ War stood 16.2 ¹⁄₂ hands, with prominent withers and a high croup, but was sometimes faulted for a dipped back. He had virtually flawless legs and solid bone, traits he passed on to his offspring. He had a slightly Roman nose and notably high head carriage. His nickname was “Big Red”.

Man o’ War will be remembered for capturing the non-racing public’s attention in a way no horse had before and few have since. The men of the First Cavalry Division awarded him the rank of honorary Colonel, and upon his death accorded him full military honours. Man O’ War received up to a hundred visitors a day at Faraway Farm in Lexington, Kentucky.

His beloved stud groom Will Harbut introduced him as “The Mostest Hoss there ever was”. Harbut was buried alongside his great friend.

By David Thiselton

The Vaal stages an eight race meeting on the Inside track tomorrow and the last meeting indicated little draw bias on a track which usually favours low barrier positions so there look to be a few opportunities for punters.

Forest Fox (JC Photography)

The highest rated race is a MR 94 Handicap over 1400m and this an ultra competitive event in which any of the ten contestants could win. Forest Fox represents the in form Paul Peter yard. This horse used to be an enigmatic sort but has become consistent with age and is ideally distance suited. He is only three points higher than his last win, which was a 2,5 length romp over this course and distance last October, where he jumped from an unfavourable high draw. He has another tricky draw of eight by trends, but last week’s meeting gave horses a chance no matter where they were drawn. He will be ridden by in form Weichong Marwing, a further plus. National Key has dropped to a competitive merit rating and his penultimate start over this course and distance can be ignored as he pecked badly at the start and was never in it.

He followed with a fair run at Turffontein over this trip from a wide draw and is now drawn in the middle. Trading Profit has showed lately what can be done when a horse drops to an attractive merit rating and has reeled off two wins on the trot over 1400m and 1600m respectively. He has gone up seven points in total for the two wins but he is still 12 points lower than his highest winning mark. This is likely his ideal trip and he has a low draw of two. Kings Archer is another one who is ideally distance suited and he is knocking on the door off his current 89 merit rating.

Raymond Danielson

Another late charge can be expected in the cool hands of Raymond Danielson. Arctica returns from a layoff since March and this is an ideal course and distance for his return and Piere Strydom is aboard from draw one. This decent sort has won after a layoff before. Just As I Said is a speedy and ultra consistent sprinter and can’t be written off in the fast current conditions, despite 1400m likely stretching his stamina reserves. The rest of the field all have the ability to win but might need their respective runs.

Earlier, there is an interesting MR 84 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m. Jameson Girl has the speed and the ability to stay on so should go close carrying just 54,5kg from the number one draw. She is held by Lady Starlett on the form of their last meeting at Turffontein, but on the form of their last meeting over this course and distance Jameson Girl is comfortably ahead of the latter on paper. Levi Lady has a lot of speed and in the current fast conditions will be a threat carrying 54kg. Spring Wonder beat a good field last time over 1160m and has only been given a two point raise, but she has to carry 62,5kg which will not be easy against some of the speedsters here. La Roquette won her maiden well and her last run, after being backed, can be ignored, as she had no sort of luck.

Later there is a Graduation Plate over 1800m in which Jubilee Line is weighted to win. This horse was held in high regard by the Mike de Kock yard, but never fulfilled his potential and now has his first run for Scott Kenny. He is drawn in pole over an ideal course and distance as he winds up before staying on strongly so the long straight will suit him.

Sam Mosia

The meeting starts with a Workrider’s Maiden Plate over 1200m in which Tammany Hall will be hard to beat on the form of her debut when mixing it with the like of subsequent Grade 2 Golden Slipper runner up Let It Flow. Her rider Phelisile Mongqawa had a winner last month, so will be confident. However, the first-timer by Silvano Penny From Heaven, who is a full sister to the useful Penny Serenade, will have the good workrider Chamu Mabaya aboard and Orinoco Rock, who could be a threat if reproducing her Cape Town form, has former champion workrider Sam Mosia aboard.

In the third over 1400m, Kitty Pride was beaten just over three lengths by subsequent Grade 1 runner up Rockin’ Russian in a 1200m race on debut and the form has worked out exceptionally well. She showed pace there and in the current fast conditions can stay on despite debatably having a slight stamina doubt. Ninjara caught the eye staying on strongly over 1200m on debut after being slow away and outpaced, so will relish the step up in trip. San Fermin is a well-bred Australian-bred with Strydom up, so is another interesting runner.

In race five Goodytwoshoes has turned the corner and is still merit rated only 67 so can continue on her winning ways.

In race six Open Road has some decent form and was even tried in a Grade 2 race as a two-year-old. He has proved competitive off her current lowly mark of 65 and can score her second career victory over a suitable trip.

The meeting closes with a staying event over 2400m and Houston Rocket makes appeal here as a typically progressive son of Ideal World, who looks likely to relish the step up in trip having stayed on well over 2000m last time. His stablemate Inn A Million was ahead of him in that last mentioned race but is now 1,5kg worse off for a 0,75 length beating. Eastern Pearl ran well over 2450m last time and before that was a 1,25 length third to Inn A Million over 2000m and is now 1,5kg better off and carrying only 52,5kg, so will also be a big runner.

By David Thiselton

Summerhill Stud owner Mick Goss, so often a pace-setter in the South African bloodstock industry, has taken the drastic step of slashing the fees of several of his stallions by between 33 and 40%.

Brave Mary’s sire Brave Tin Soldier comes down from R15 000 to R10 000 while Capetown Noir, Linngari and Willow Magic are reduced from R20 000 to R 12 000. Seemingly substantial discounts are available on others.

Mick Goss

Goss said: “Too many horses are not making their production costs in the sales ring and we invite you to talk to us about your needs so that we can see what we can do to accommodate them. We’d like to think we have the capacity to surprise.”

But Goss has also reiterated his belief that export protocols will soon open up and in May he said: “I will be pretty bullish that we’ll have something concrete in place by December.” He was buoyed by a prominent French breeder saying that the European Union will look again at South Africa’s equine export position before the end of the year.

Indeed there is growing optimism among many in South Africa that the Export Task Team will be able to make a breakthrough in the near future and the ETT has been boosted by the recent addition of Cape Thoroughbred Sales boss Adrian Todd.

It is not just in Europe that the breakthrough could come. Two months ago thoroughbrednews.com.au boss Rob Burnett wrote on this page how Hong Kong is eyeing South Africa for the purchase of 1 500 horses needed to expand the Chinese racing industry.

The Sydney-based Burnett, a regular visitor to the July and the Met, believes that there is a realistic possibility of Hong Kong admitting South African horses without first having to undergo quarantine elsewhere.

By Michael Clower

Cuban Emerald displayed the sort of acceleration Usain Bolt wishes he still had when powering home in the Buco Handicap at Kenilworth on Saturday but, for the moment at least, Justin Snaith has no intention of upping him in class.

He said: “The next level is a big jump and I am happy to keep the horse in this company. He is still a big immature type and he hated every minute of the hard training tracks in P.E. Indeed he disliked the whole environment there.

Justin Snaith (Nkosi Hlophe)

“Then Kevin Sommerville (Drakenstein racing manager) identified that he was looking a bit awkward behind. We brought in a physio and that has made all the difference.

“We also found that he was losing his races at the start as he is such a big horse so we now trot him round behind the pens to warm him up.”

Second-placed Power Grid put last time’s flop behind him and indeed looked all over the winner until Richard Fourie pressed the detonator to such explosive effect. “He had a speedy cut and an over-reach last time. Here he was back to his best,” said Andries Steyn’s wife Jennifer but the horse continues to confound veterinary opinion, not least with the way he walks round the parade ring as if he is lame.

New Caledonia, though, has had more than his share of injury and he twice did a lower suspensory ligament last year. The five-year-old bounced back to make Lucy Woodruff’s 23^rd birthday in the Isotherm Handicap with Grant van Niekerk throwing accepted tactics to the wind by going on just under two furlongs out.

“My stomach went to my mouth and I nearly had a heart attack,” said Geoff Woodruff’s daughter, mixing her medical metaphors. “New Caledonia likes to run at horses but I couldn’t have asked for a better birthday present.”

It was also a memorable day for Dan Katz who had his first winner since his appointment as Hassen Adams’ private trainer when Jason Smitsdorff sprang a 25-1 shock on Lalena in the Medal Paints Maiden.

Ken and Jane Truter are doubtless wishing they had chosen a more peaceful place than Barcelona for their European holiday but their Vaughan Marshall-trained Flash Twice had no problem landing the odds in the last to complete a double for Aldo Domeyer who was also on the mark on Queen Moira in the Matus Maiden.

Glen Puller was another to double up with Piet Botha on Steel Rose wearing down the luckless Varside in the first and Akshay Balloo on 15-1 shot Miss D’Aray again showing his talent for slipping the field two races later.

In-form Piet Steyn had his fourth winner in three meetings when  Sihle Cele on Call Me Darling got up in the last three strides of the Steinbuild Handicap.

By Michael Clower

The Duncan Howells-trained, seven-year-old gelding, Nicklaus proved yesterday he is a horse to be ignored at one’s peril as he downed his stablemate Wild Wicket in a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1600m on the Greyville polytrack.

It was a good day for Ashburton trainers as both Howells and Paul Gadsby landed doubles and Des Egdes also had a winner.

The rangy Brazilian-bred Nicklaus, by Point Given was officially 0,5kg under sufferance with Wild Wicket but ended favourite at 3/1 as Wild Wicket drifted out to 32/10.

Nicklaus (Candiese Marnewick)

Wild Wicket tracked Nicklaus around the final bend but Howells’ chief stable jockey Keagan de Melo switched him inward and made his run down the middle. Anthony Delpech hooked Nicklaus on to the outside rail. It would be  no surprise to see Wild Wicket fitted with blinkers next time out as he is a classy sort who tends to become reluctant when hitting the front. On this occasion Nicklaus was hidden behind the horses on Wild Wicket’s outside. Consequently, when Nicklaus suddenly swept past Wild Wicket, the latter had no time to respond and was beaten by 0,75 lengths. The admirable Mumsy’s Jet was going for a poly hattrick and finished third, albeit well beaten by 3,25 lengths. He was followed home by Secret Warning and Breakfast Club. The best weighted horse, the mare Lala, ran disappointingly for the third time in succession and finished last.

The meeting opened with a head bobbing thriller in a Maiden over 1600m. The outsider Mighty Mississippi, returning from a long layoff, only just failed to hold off the Howells-trained 9/2 shot Zenzero ridden by De Melo. Zenzero is by Byword, as was the disappointing favourite Bypass, who finished downfield.

The second, a Maiden over 2000m, saw the favourite Lucky At Last just failing to catch the Paul Gadsby-trained Ideal World three-year-old gelding Ataturk, who was given a well-timed ride by Sean Veale.

However, favourite backers had consolation in the next when the seemingly beaten Joey Ramsden-trained Australian-bred Yess produced a sudden late surge under Anthony Delpech to win the Maiden for fillies and mares over 2000m by the narrowest of margins from the 8/1 chance The Matador.

The first leg of the Pick 6, a MR 70 Handicap for fillies and mares over 2000m, produced yet another thriller and it was the Dennis Drier-trained Dynasty filly Russet Roses who just got the better of Ideal Winter, despite starting at odds of 21/2. The winner was ridden by, 1,5kg claiming apprentice, Diego de Gouveia.

The first leg of the Jackpot, a MR 60 handicap for fillies and mares over 2000m, saw a duel down the straight between Peggy’s Dream and Eina. The former, a four-year-old Jay Peg mare, gave Gadsby and De Melo a double each.

In the seventh, a MR 70 Handicap over 1400m, the Egdes-trained Just As Well mare Just Rap flew up late under Ian Sturgeon to just deny Noodle.

In the eighth, also a MR 70 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1400m, the Alyson Wright-trained Roy Is Second kept going well under Delpech to win by a comfortable two lengths.

In the last, a MR 66 Handicap over 1400m, Candice Bass-Robinson and Gareth Wright combined to win with the six-year-old Jet Master gelding Rocket Master, who just held on from the fast finishing Fantasy Art.

By David Thiselton

Power Grid could be worth another chance in the Buco Handicap at Kenilworth tomorrow despite his disappointing run ten days ago.

Mike Stewart (Nkosi Hlophe)

Hopes were high after his scintillating Pinnacle performance but he never got into the race. The stipes reported that he was hanging in the closing stages but Andries Steyn was left scratching his head.

“The ground wasn’t that soft and maybe he was feeling something on that leg of his although I don’t think he was,” says the trainer. “Maybe I had him a bit short of work and possibly the 1 000m was too short for him. But he worked very well on Tuesday and I think he will be a different horse this time.”

The number two draw should help, as the ground has been slightly faster towards the inside on the sprint course. Forecast favourite Cuban Emerald, on the other hand, is likely to have to tack across.

Different tactics are going to be adopted on Icon King when he steps up to a mile in the Isotherm Handicap. The bargain buy’s good last run suggested that the handicappers have taken his measure but Mike Stewart does not agree, saying: “I think there are a couple more races in him.

“They went too fast for him last time and, if he doesn’t get to the front, he doesn’t try because he doesn’t want to go past horses. This time he goes to the front from the start and I think he will stay the trip.”

Perhaps the most important negative is that the horse has never won in the soft whereas Captain Courteous, New Caledonia and Solar Night have all won twice in it. Solar Night has been off since March and it could a be a bit far for New Caledonia so Captain Courteous rates the danger and he is closely handicapped with old rival Perovskia.

The opening Swartland Maiden Plate looks particularly difficult but Herodus has some solid form – ignore last time because it was in a work riders race. He holds Varside and Seventh Rule and may account for the badly drawn Steel Rose. Don’t ignore Varside, though, because he wears blinkers for the first time.

Sean Veale flies down for five rides for Eric Sands. He could get into the shake-up on Seventh Rule but his best prospects are on Bendy Bullet in the Medal Paints Maiden 35 minutes later. The filly is not well drawn but she may be good enough to beat Snow Crystal and Platinum Class.

By Michael Clower

The highest rated race at the Greyville polytracks’s nine race meeting on Sunday is a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1600m and the Duncan Howells-trained Wild Wicket looks the horse to beat.

Wild Wicket (Nkosi Hlophe)

Howells said about the Dynasty gelding before the SA Champions Season, “He is decent and progressive and the Guineas and Daily News will be on his agenda if he shows us he’s that quality as he has been difficult to place with his high merit rating.”

He is now even higher in the merit ratings on 90 after another win over 1600m, but that makes him the best weighted of the male runners in this contest. He is drawn well and being by Dynasty looks cherry ripe to start showing the class the yard believe him to have. In his last start on the poly he finished third behind two decent sorts in What A Poet and Unbelievable Chad, a good effort considering it was his first run out of the maidens. The best weighted horse is Lala, but she is a female taking on the boys. She does enjoy the course and distance though and has a plum draw of two with a 2,5kg claimer up.

Seventh Plain has been a disappointing sort after winning two Grade 1s over 1200m and 1400m respectively in fine style as a two-year-old. It is interesting to see Dennis Drier now trying him over a mile as he did fight on in that Grade 1 1400m win on the Greyville turf. Mumsy’s Jet goes for a polytrack hattrick and has a good record over this course and distance, so this honest sort has a chance from pole position with in form 2,5kg claimer Ashton Arries up. Nicklaus finished second in the Listed Darley Arabian over course and distance last time and Anthony Delpech is up, albeit from a tricky draw. Breakfast Club can’t be ignored either, as he loves the poly and is distance suited.

The meeting opens with a Maiden Plate over 1600m, where Might Mississippi is the form horse but returns from a layoff. He is still the one to beat and Turf Conqueror and Zenzero are the dangers.

Seventh Plain (Nkosi Hlophe)

In the second over 2000m Lucky At Last ran a good race last time from a wide draw over 1800m and is the one to beat here from a good draw under champion jockey Delpech. Francesco could be a threat under the same 2,5kg claimer who went close on her last time over 1600m.

Roy’s Kaitrina and Miss Ferris could fight out the next race over the same course and distance, although the former is preferred.

Ideal Winter could be the one in the first leg of the Pick 6, but it is competitive and Star Of Caesour, Iced Up, Crystal Ball and Osprey have to be included too.

Eina is interesting in the next with Delpech riding for the Wright yard and could be dangerous despite a wide draw. Peggy’s Dream makes the most appeal of the rest.

Princess Analia makes appeal over a likely suitable step up in trip in the seventh, Colour Your Dreams could follow up on her maiden win in the eighth and the topweight The King Of Random makes appeal from pole position in the ninth.

By David Thiselton

Turffontein has a typically competitive early season nine race meeting on the Inside track, but there look to be some fair chances for punters.

In the first leg of the Bipot over 1600m, Rolled Silver showed a good turn of foot over 1450m last time and after hitting the front was only caught late. She is a daughter of Go Deputy so will be coming into her own having just turned four and she should stay the extra 150m from a good draw. However, it will be worth including the consistent and hard knocking King’s Creek, who will definitely stay the trip and is drawn in pole.

Mike Azzie (Nkosi Hlophe)

In the first leg of the PA over 1450m, the Mike and Adam Azzie-trained Artax makes appeal as an improving sort who was a touch unlucky last time over the course and distance and he now jumps from the identical draw. Weichong Marwing takes over from Lyle Hewitson, who is aboard the Spike Lerena-trained first-timer by Oracy, Two Guns. A first-timer who does make appeal here is Artax’s stablemate Greek Fire, a three-year-old Dynasty colt who is a half-brother to Gold Cup winner Wavin’Flag and to the useful Greek Legend. Piere Strydom is aboard from a good draw of two and betting support must be respected. The four-year-old gelding Over Easy, a Tiger Ridge half-brother to the like of St. Tropez and Tan Can, made a promising debut in a stronger field than this on May 28 over 1160m. He should have the class to be a big runner, although this is his first start around the turn, he has a wide draw, and he hasn’t run since making that belated debut.

Darkest Hour should be good enough to win the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1200m. He admittedly had the run of the race when drawn in pole last time over course and distance, but this looks to be a weaker field and he was relaxed in the running last time, so should be able to overcome a draw of seven. S’Manga Khumalo, who is likely to be chasing a third National Jockeys title, is aboard which is a big plus.

The first leg of The Jackpot is a competitive MR 93 Handicap over 1000m and Piere Strydom has retained the ride on Angel’s Power, despite his disappointing run at Greyville last time out. Strydom has a fine record on this horse and they should be staying on strongly from a draw of seven. Aramouse is a reliable sort who sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight and is well drawn, so he makes appeal as the main danger together with Tandava. The latter has a touch of class and beat the like of Champagne Haze the last time he tried this distance, so he should be running on strongly after being dropped out from a wide draw. Isphan has bounced back to his best recently, and is hard to ignore despite a tough draw. Alpine Glacier could be dangerous from a good draw as another one who has snuck into the handicap with the minimum weight.

Piere Strydom (Nkosi Hlophe)

The sixth race over 1000m sees Secret Harbour being asked to carry topweight as a young three-year-old off a merit of 90 and the toughened older handicappers like Gun Fighter and Mission Control are preferred. Bono and Cumberland can’t be ignored either.

The classy Runalong looks to have it well set up for her in the seventh from pole position over 1600m, despite it being her second run after a long layoff. Shatoosh also has class and could pick up the pieces if Runalong fluffs her lines.

In the eighth, Collabro by Var is a half-brother to Legal Eagle and won his maiden easily over 1600m last time, albeit in his seventh career start and his third for Geoff Woodruff. He could follow up over a likely suitable 1800m off a merit rating of only 71. Beyond him it is a wide open race and Trip To Rio, Trip To Troy, King’s King, Full Mast and Artemisia make most appeal of the rest.

The last race over 1800m is competitive but September Bloom has come into her own and can follow up on her recent win over 2000m. Blue Berry Pie, Subtle Force, A P’s Lily, Rose Water and Monarch Air make most appeal of the rest.

By David Thiselton