Miranda Frost looks good for the Racing.It’s A Rush Conditions Plate at Kenilworth tomorrow and the Joey Ramsden-trained filly should notch up the third success of her career.

She was giving weight all round when second over the trip last time, her Cape Town stable is on song with three winners here on Tuesday and only Felicity Flyer comes out better at the weights.

Felicity Flyer ran below her best when starting third favourite for the Olympic Duel last time but the Bass-Robinson stable is in the sort of form that makes anything possible. Never mind the July, it even had a winner at 25-1 on Tuesday.

Richard Fourie (Nkosi Hlope)

South Side is the TAB sheet forecast favourite after winning a conditions plate over the trip at the end of April but Richard Fourie’s mount is 3kg wrong with Miranda Frost and 4kg wrong with Felicity Flyer.

Greg Cheyne, who rides the last-named, may start off on a winning note with Bendy Bullet who can be expected to step up on her first-time second to Lanark in the Juvenile Fillies Maiden. She probably has most to fear from stable companion Pumeza even though the Bass-Robinson Mainland would appear to be on the upgrade.

“Pumeza and Bendy Bullet both worked well this morning and their jockeys each fancy their chances,” said Eric Sands yesterday. “My newcomer Ladysmith is not bad either.”

Heart Of A Legend is expected to head the market in the 1 400m Racing Association Maiden Juvenile Fillies as she took third against older maidens over the trip and is well drawn. Fourie’s mount looks the one they all have to beat even though Wine Festival runs here on the strength of a good first run and Above Eleven also has form claims.

In the 1 400m maiden Cossack Guard carries a health warning both to punters and to his rivals. He is the sort of horse bookmakers dream about – he has finished second on each of his last seven starts, going off either favourite or second favourite each time. Two races back he threw in the towel when he appeared to have things at his mercy and last time most of his effort went into trying to take a piece out of the horse he was challenging.

If Corne Orffer can succeed where the likes of Bernard Fayd’Herbe, Anthony Delpech and Piere Strydom failed he will deserve a medal even though the grey is rated 1.5kg and more better than the rest. The Justin Snaith-trained Mister Colin, whose encouraging last run was his first since February, could be the answer.

By Michael Clower

Vaal Trainer Louis Goosen has built up a reputation as a fine trainer of sprinters and the filly Effortless Reward is the latest of them to build up a sequence of victories.

Mike de Kock

This speedy Australian-bred has revelled in the current fast going conditions in the Highveld winter and will be hard to peg back in Saturday’s headliner at Turffontein, the Cullam’s Pinnacle Stakes over 1000m. However, she won’t have it all her own way as she faces an equally talented sprinting filly in Wrecking Ball. The latter is the best in at the weights, although just 0,5kg better off than Effortless Reward, and she is coming off an outstanding fifth place in the Grade 1 weight for age Computaform Sprint. The pair looks to be a ready-made exacta, as both are progressive three-year-olds and they are 2,5kg and 2kg better off respectively with the next best weighted horse Greasepaint, who is a six-year-old gelding. Roquebrune looks held by Effortless Reward on their previous meeting. Golden Man is close to Roquebrune on their last meeting, but the 1000m might be a touch sharp for him. The speedy Isphan has a chance if reproducing his penultimate start, but he is held by Effortless Reward on their last meeting and has become a touch inconsistent.

Punters should get off to a good start with Battle Front in the first over 1600m. On debut over 1400m when running a decent second from an unfavourable draw down the Vaal straight, this rangy sort was green and looked to be crying out for further. He has a good draw over this step up in trip. However, he will not have it all his own way as Wheel Of Time is proven over the trip already in his two good efforts to date and is also well drawn. Gambado, a big horse with plenty of scope, could also make his presence felt having run on over a sprint trip on debut. He should relish the step up in trip. Vacquero should improve over the trip too. Hello is another to consider for quartets as he has always bumped good horses and has never been far off them.

Purple Diamond (Nkosi Hlophe)

Zerodarkthirty wears second time blinkers and in the second race over the fast 1160m course and distance he could lead from start to finish as he has plenty of pace. However, Manitoba will be running at him late and Riding Shotgun should improve and should be right there too. Greenwood Drive is well bred and betting support must be respected, while a debutant by Var can never be ignored, so the betting on Cape Wildcat must be also be watched.’

The third is fascinating as it features the promising Flying Fable up against the well-bred Mike de Kock-trained first-timer Awaafy.

The next race also features a well-bred De Kock-trained first-timer in Mujaafy, while the promising Lobo’s Legend is the best representative of the raced horses.

In the fifth Skiminac is tipped as his form was boosted by Purple Diamond’s victory in the Grade 2 Durban Golden Horseshoe on Saturday.

The speed horses will be favoured in the current fast going conditions in the seventh over 1000m, so Captain’s Girl and Levi Lady look to have fine respective chances. However, Jameson Girl is tipped to mow them down.

Daffiq has always struck as a classy sort and attempts to prove he stays further than 1400m in the eighth over 1800m. If he fails to stay Amsterdam and Stonehenge are tipped to pick up the pieces.

The last is the most difficult leg of the Pick 6, being a MR 67 handicap for fillies and mares over 1800m. Dawn Flight makes most appeal, although all of Juba, Miss Bulsara, Bright Bronte, Cape Infanta, Emerald Bay and Burning Rock have to be considered.

By David Thiselton

Jannie Bekker bridged a nine-year gap when booting home 14-10 favourite Apollo Star for Joey Ramsden at Kenilworth yesterday.

This was the 45-year-old’s first winner since one for George Scott at Turffontein shortly before constant, and increasingly-agonising, pain forced him out of racing and into the computer business.

He said: “I had a lot of problems with my back. I’d had the pain to some extent since I was a kid but it got worse and worse and eventually I had to stop riding.

“But some three years ago the doctors discovered the cause. They found that my muscle structure was not strong enough to support the skeletal structure. I went to a biokineticist who said he could cure me.

“A year ago I resumed riding work and a few weeks back I began race-riding. To ride a winner again is a magic feeling. I got the best posie (position) in the race on Apollo Star and he kicked when he was supposed to.”

Bekker, who rode for two years in Dubai and had spells in Mauritius and Zimbabwe (where he finished second in the championship), has been riding for Ramsden since his comeback but is expected to pick up mounts for other trainers now that he has broken the ice.

By Michael Clower

Chantyman, a touch unlucky on debut after a tardy start and wide throughout, was an emphatic winner of the first at Scottsville yesterday. “It wasn’t Alec’s fault, it was just one of those things,” opined Dennis Bosch but the son of first season sire Oratorio certainly stamped himself as a horse with a future after his seven-length romp.

Joey Ramsden has had numerous winners at Scottsville but he revealed surprisingly that he had never had a winner when on course.

Joey Ramsden (Nkosi Hlophe)

That change when Anton Marcus booted home hot favourite Rock My Soul, giving him the first of his treble. Rock My Soul is by leading first season stallion Twice Over. “I think he’s a serious sire,” said Ramsden. Rocky My Soul, a rig before being gelded ahead of his season opener, battled hard for victory but speaking to Ramsden post-race Marcus said, “I he’s a fighter. He’s got plenty of guts. I don’t think he will stop here.”

A string of winning favourites had bookmakers shedding tears and they took further punishment when Miziara landed the odds for Duncan Howells in the fourth. “She’s still green and all over the course,” said Keagan de Melo demonstrating with his hands.

Stretched to a more suitable trip, the daughter of Kahal was always travelling comfortably and inched Howells into a two-winners lead in the battling for the KZN trainer’s championship over perennial rival Dennis Drier.

In spite of fighting off the symptoms of a heavy cold, De Melo was also successful on the well supported Marsala for Michael Roberts in the second, getting the better of another debutante, the Andre Nel-trained Parade’s End.

Love Lyric brought some relief for the bookies as Yogas Govender’s 10-1 shot denied Roberts a double in a tight duel with Wonder Worker.

The relief was short-lived however, as New Fort under Marcus kept up his exception form for Glen Kotzen, winning his fourth race from five starts for his new stable and Marcus added further salt to the bookmakers dwindling profits when riding an inspired finish on hot favourite Clifton Sunset to finally snap a sequence of runner-up placings although she was hard pressed to collar long-time leader Rainbowinthesky.

By Andrew Harrison

The Rider Cup interprovincial jockeys competition takes centre stage this weekend at Scottsville.

The KZN Falcons team of Anthony Delpech, Anton Marcus, Alec Forbes and Warren Kennedy look to hold the trump cards, so they could make it two out of two having won the inaugural event last year.

The first leg is a Maiden over 1200m and KZN look particularly strong here.

Anthony Delpech (Liesl King)

Biometric jumped awkwardly and was then green on debut when beaten six lengths on the Greyville poly over this trip and the form has worked out quite well to date. He is by Judpot and is a half-brother to useful sorts like Control Freak and Greys Inn Control. He should show considerable improvement and could be the one to beat under Forbes if jumping on terms.

Asian Star should also go close under Marcus. The form of his penultimate start over course and distance has worked out well and last time, also over course and distance, he showed good pace and when switched out from behind runners ran on well. The form of that race looks fair in the context of this event.

His Mark Dixon-trained stablemate Edge Of Glory was not disgraced in his penultimate start over 1000m at Kenilworth and his KZN debut over 1000m at Scottsville confirmed he would probably enjoy the step up to 1200m as he stayed on without being punished. He is a full-brother to a horse who won five times from 1200-1600m and he should be right there under MJ Byleveld (Cape Eagles) in this uninspiring field.

Strong ‘N Brave showed good pace with first time blinkers on over this trip on the poly and finished fifth. He beat Luckdragon by seven lengths and the latter, who is a battling maiden, had earlier finished second to the promising Leslie Shadowliner when leading and staying on over 1200m on the Greyville turf. Therefore, Strong ‘N Brave must have a chance under Delpech in a race of this quality.

First Mate showed good pace second time out over 1000m before being outgunned in the final stages and finishing fifth. However, on pedigree he should enjoy the step up in trip and has possibilities under Kennedy.

Luckdragon, who is ridden by Gavin Lerena (Highveld Hawks), might appreciate being back on a turf surface and can’t be ignored.

Ku Du Tu, a Jay Peg gelding, is an interesting two-year-old debutant as he is a half-brother to a Windrush colt who won on debut over this trip and reached a merit rating of 90 after further placed runs behind good horses. He will be ridden by Greg Cheyne (Cape).

Greg Cheyne (Nkosi Hlophe)

The other first-timer Hard To Play is a two-year-old colt by Curved Ball out of a Kahal mare who has produced two moderate winners and will be ridden by Craig Zackey (Highveld).

Bluemoonrising, ridden by Marco van Rensburg (Highveld), made a fair debut and is another to consider.

Marcus also has a good ride in the second leg on the two-year-old Dynasty colt Eyes Wide Open, who was caught wide on debut over 1400m at Scottsville but still stayed on for third. He will appreciate the step up in trip to 1600m in this maiden event and has a fair draw of six. However, he could be given a good run by another two-year-old, Visionaire colt Volcanic Sunset, who has some decent 1200m form and on pedigree will appreciate the step up in trip. Richard Fourie(Cape) rides him from a plum draw of two.

River Garden has finished second in all three of his starts to date, all at Scottsville from 1200m to 1600m , and will have a chance here from draw eight under Corne Orffer (Cape).

Lucky At Last was green on debut from a wide draw on the poly over 1400m but stayed on well and looks to have scope, so he has a chance under Delpech over a step up in trip he will enjoy.

Time Travel made a fair KZN debut on the poly and could also earn here under Forbes.

St. Peters Bay has run a fair race over course and distance before and could also earn points under Zackey.

The third leg is a 1200m MR 82 Handicap and once again KZN look to have a good hand. Rock Of Africa (Marcus) and Roy’s Air Force (Delpech) should be right there. However, the Shane Humby pair Midnight Vision (Zackey) and Waywood (S’Manga Khumalo (Highveld) bring some fine Kenilworth form and off mere 72 merit ratings they have fine chances returning from layoffs over trips short of their best. Out My Way (Fourie) and Bengal Boy (Van Rensburg) could also earn points.

In the last leg Marcus has another good ride on the talented Princess Analia in the MR 66 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m. Online (Van Rensburg) has a good chance too and others who make most appeal are Russian Girl (Zackey), Storm Kitten (Cheyne), Le Suerte De Matar (Byleveld) and Royal Kaitrina (Fourie).

The points earned for each race are 1^st 20, 2^nd 16, 3^rd 14, 4^th 12, 5^th 10 and 6th 8.

By David Thiselton

The teams competing for the 2017 Rider Cup are:

Cape Eagles: Greg Cheyne, Richard Fourie, MJ Byleveld, Corne Offer

Highveld Hawks: Gavin Lerena, S’Manga Khumalo, Craig Zackey, Marco van Rensberg

KZN Eagles: Anthony Delpech, Anton Marcus, Alec Forbes, Warren Kennedy

Clifton Sunset has been knocking at the door for some time now and after finishing runner-up in five of her ten starts she is due a change of luck. But Brett Crawford’s filly faces some tough opposition in the Itsarush.co.za FM Handicap at Scottsville this afternoon and another second would not come as a major surprise.

However, her last two starts have been on the Greyville poly track, the first over 1000m where she was held up for a run and her second over 1400m where she tried to make all the running.

Anton Marcus, who has partnered the filly in both those starts, should by now have a pretty good idea of what his mount is capable of, so back on turf over 1 200m she gets the benefit of the doubt.

Dennis Drier and Duncan Howells are engaged in a tight contest for KZN’s trainers’ championship with Howells one clear of his rival at the time of writing. They both have runners in the race, Drier saddling La Revere and Howells Rainbowinthesky, both in with outstanding chances.

Brett Crawford (Liesl King)

La Revere showed plenty of promise early in her career, winning on debut and following up with a close-up third in Gr3 Debutante.

She was not seen out again until November at Kenilworth where she was a touch disappointing in a Graduation Plate.

This will be her first outing in sixth months so obviously has her problems but comes from a yard that knows how to bring them back racing fit.

Rainbowinthesky, on the other hand, has only missed the money once in six starts down the Scottsville straight and last time out was a narrowly beaten fourth behind Timeous when tried in blinkers for the first time. Racing fit and getting 3kg from La Revere and 4kg from Clifton Sunset may be enough to see her home.

Marcus could be in for a quick double if New Fort continues his good form in the Racing It’s A Rush Handicap over 2400m, in a race that is likely to develop into a tight tactical battle.

On paper, there is absolutely nothing between New Fort and top weight Night Circus, the two having met last time out with New Fort prevailing by less than a length. New Fort has been a changed horse since moving yards and the blinkers coming off and has only been beaten once in four starts for his new stable.

He is a confirmed front runner so just how Marcus plays his hand will be interesting. Anthony Delpech has been aboard Night Circus in his last six outings and his most recent victory came on the poly when handy throughout. Delpech has since employed waiting tactics but just not able to close when it counts.

New Fort is tested over the trip while Night Circus steps up for the first time so the odds do seem to favour the old campaigner.

Sabre Charge was a buy-back at last week’s Super Sale but steps out in the same colours for the first time for Kom Naidoo. He stays the trip well but was comfortably beaten by New Fort last time out. However, he gets 2.5kg relief from apprentice Ashton Arries and that could prove significant.

By Andrew Harrison