Samsara appeals at 2-1 for the Andrews family in the Racing Association Maiden at Kenilworth today after running so well on debut.

Bred and part-owned by Terry and Annabel Andrews and ridden by their son Anthony, she was a totally unfancied 35-1 over this trip three weeks ago but kept on take third, only a neck behind second-placed Emerald Gal who re-opposes and is 17-10 favourite with World Sports Betting.

“I hadn’t expected that and it was her first time on grass,” recalls Greg Ennion who has a share in the filly and adds significantly: “She has improved since then.”

Irish import Emerald Gal started favourite last time but ran as if she needs further –indeed as her pedigree suggested she would – but apparently it is not as straightforward as that.

“She gives you that impression but we tried her over further and she didn’t get it,” says Darryl Hodgson. “Her problem is that she wants some give in the ground and at the moment the going is on top. She will be OK when there is a bit of rain.”

However it would be unwise to dismiss her chance – Kenilworth maidens are littered with horses with a string of placed runs to their name finally coming good against better fancied lightly-raced opposition – and Grant van Niekerk now knows her like the back of his hand.  She certainly rates the danger.

Interestingly Joey Ramsden introduces the Western Winter two-year-old Fresnaye and this one opened at 28-10. She could well go close but it is worth noting that she meets the three-year-olds on terms 5.5kg (more than four lengths) worse than weight-for-age.

Rings And Things, at R380 000 the highest-priced of the five sold at auction, has been backed for the first and is now even money. She looks hard to oppose. She had stable companion Hopeful (5-1 here and drawn on the outside) nearly two lengths behind when second to Favola despite racing green on the bend. She had had two good runs up the straight previously.

Richard Fourie gets off Ostinato (supported from 8-1 to 11-2) to ride 25-1 newcomer Gold Kind but explains this is because of owner-retainer obligations. However he adds that he thinks the 1 400m could be a bit far for his former mount.

Varside, backed from 5-2 to 16-10 for race two, has slightly better form than Captain Ram (6-1) and is preferred although it’s worth bearing in mind that the Brett Crawford runner lost valuable ground at the start on debut.  But watch out for Querari’s Secret as he was well backed yesterday morning.

Michael Clower

Made In Hollywood can show that last time’s six-length romp was no fluke by winning the Place Your Bets Juvenile Plate at Kenilworth on Saturday,

The Joey Ramsden filly led two furlongs out on Prix du Cap day and came right away to win in a common canter with Anton Marcus declaring: “She gave me a very smart feel.” True, the form has only been franked by fourth-placed Favola while the runner-up, fifth and seventh have all been well beaten since.

Joey Ramsden (Nkosi Hlophe)

But this R450 000 buy gave the impression of serious potential and she should be able to beat the other four previous winners in Saturday’s field. The Somerset-bound Dutch Philip would have run last week had the race not been scrapped and he was good enough to take third in the Met-day Listed race when starting a hot favourite.

Only two subsequent winners have come out of that 14-strong field but this is a smart colt. So too is Zodiac Jack who has a five-length win to his credit and should be forgiven last time’s odds-on defeat as he was found to be incubating an infection.

This race would have been scuppered for the second week running had not Ramsden put three in it. His juveniles are strong this season and it’s worth bearing in mind that Speedpoint had a bit in hand when springing an 11-1 surprise in a field of 16 that had subsequent winner Pen-Chan three lengths back third.

The stable’s third string Rose In Bloom is more difficult to fancy. She started odds-on last month but had to stretch to hold off Casual Diamond and has more on her plate here.

Ramsden introduces the R650 000 Var filly Ice Queen, whose dam is a sister to Mother Russia, in the first but riding arrangements point to stable companion Fours A Crowd who led on debut but weakened in the final 200m to take fourth to surprise winner Raya Baya.

However the debut form of Angel’s Trumpet suggests that the Snaith filly may prove the stronger. She had Merysagos, Delia’s Delight, Dragonair and Heart Of Legend well behind on her debut third to Regal Ruby and last Saturday’s winner Lily Theresa in a field of 18. But it’s worth noting that Heart Of Legend lost a fair bit of ground at the start that day.

BLOB All three of Michael Clower’s selections won last Saturday including Pen-Chan at 4-1.

By Michael Clower

Nicklaus has cost himself victory in the boardroom on more than one occasion and Duncan Howells will be looking for a change of fortune for his runner in the sixth at Greyville on Friday evening.

Nicklaus (Nkosi Hlophe)

Thirtytwo Squadron was the steward’s beneficiary four runs back and then it was the turn of Last Tiger who took the slightest of nudges but enough to convince the stewards that Nicklaus was at fault.

Keagan de Melo made sure that Nicklaus stayed away from trouble at his next start but Just Ask Me got first run and he was unable to haul him in before the line.

1400m on the Greyville poly is the gelding’s optimum trip and although he takes on a useful field he is due a change of fortune.

The Slade is no stranger to the poly track having shed his maiden on the course before being shipped off to Cape Town for the summer where he contested the Selangor Cup and the Politician Stakes. He was well beaten in both events but was not far off the winners. He strikes as a progressive gelding and Dean Kannemeyer’s runners have an enviable record on the poly track.

Ashton Arries is full value for his 4kg claim and can break a string of runners-up places for We’re Watching You for Michael Roberts and confirm the form behind Icy Spirit. At time of writing, Arries was four winners away from 20 and having his claim reduced to 2.5kg.

By Andrew Harrison

The Vaal Inside track has a low key eight race card tomorrow and the exotics could be the way to go. Low draws are favourable by trends in all races on this course.

In the first leg of the PA, the classy Querari colt Wonderwall looks hard to oppose. He has outstanding form, having finished second over 1000m on debut and then following up with a fine second in the R1 million Kuda Sprint over 1200m. He beat Barrack Street by five lengths in the Kuda and the latter has won a Listed and a Gr 3 sprint since returning to the Highveld. However, there are a couple of interesting first-timers in the field. These include the Australian-bred Naaher, who is by Lonhro out of Listed-winning and Gr 1-placed  sprinter.

Piere Strydom

The highest rated race on the card is the sixth, which is an Allowance Plate for fillies and mares over 1800m. The best weighted horse on official merit ratings is American Story. This long-striding galloper is 4,5kg better off with Pennington Sands for a 3,25 length beating last time they met, if apprentice claims are ignored. She has never run badly at the Vaal and as a handy sort carrying only 52kg in a small field she is selected to win over a trip she will relish. Against her is a wide draw. Pennington Sands has a touch of class, and considering her good turn of foot can afford to be dropped out from her wide draw. However, she does have a welter burden to carry. Inaninstant looked to be a horse who would reach the top class at one stage, but she then put in a number of lacklustre efforts. She showed some sign of a return to form last time, so can’t be ignored.

The seventh is an interesting MR 72 Handicap over 2000m. Porcupine Creek overcame a wide draw to win over 1800m last time, having won his maiden over the same trip. He is now drawn in pole position and is off just a two point higher mark, so can go close over a step up in trip he should handle. However, he will likely have his work cut out to keep Hamaan and Stunned at bay. Hamaan proved he was crying out for this sort of trip when running third in the Listed Derby Trial. This is a weaker field and he will likely be doing his best work late as he has a tricky draw to overcome. Stunned was unlucky in the Derby Trial but has some fine form in ordinary handicaps. He is distance suited and is off a still attractive merit rating. Those three could be enough to get punters through the Pick 6.

The most competitive race in the Pick 6 is the fifth race, the third leg. In this MR 79 Handicap over 1700m, the eight-year-old Baracah has been selected to win as he is drawn well over a suitable trip and has come down a couple of points in the merit ratings. He goes well for Piere Strydom, who has ridden him in his last three starts. However, Starret City won well last time in his third run after a rest and can progress further. Bold Viking is another one who can progress further, but Dawn Assault, Kanonkop, Trip To Rio, Cockade and Hieronymus are all capable of winning too.

In the last leg of the Pick 6, Don Christo has come into his own and Gavin Lerena stays aboard, so he can win yet again. However, the blinkers strike Side Show as well as Dragon’s Breath are both talented sorts, if not enigmatic, and have to be included.

By David Thiselton

Sean Tarry is almost unstoppable in his charge to a second National Trainer’s Championship and Newyorkstateofmind can add to his already burgeoning tally at Greyville tomorrow.

Newyorkstateofmind (Nkosi Hlophe)

The gelding took an age to shed his maiden but once that was behind him he was quick to reel off a further two victories. He has been campaigned relentlessly with at least one outing per month since October last year and although he lost a little of his form after his last win back in November, he is now showing a glimpse of his better form. He was third in a stronger handicap field at his last start and with Anthony Delpech taking over in the saddle Newyorkstateofmind can give Eddie Sweat a run for his money.

Eddie Sweat, named after the groom of the legendary Triple Crown winner Secretariat, has been out of the winner’s box for some time now and although the five-time winner is hardly in the league of ‘Big Red’, Frank Robinson has been patient and the gelding’s time could come again this afternoon.

It has been over two years since his last victory but the handicappers have finally relented and the gelding’s rating has been dropping rapidly from a high of 94 to 67 and to a point where he now looks competitive again. He is also showing signs of a return to form.

Although Eddie Sweat can hardly be backed with any confidence Robinson looks to have picked the right race for him. He has seldom been far off the winner even though his losing streak stretches back 780 days he was staying on nicely in the soft ground at Scottsville last time out when three lengths behind Great Value.

He is well suited – like many of the older brigade – to the more forgiving and even poly track surface and although he takes on some fairly promising younger rivals, today could be his day.

Kept Secret (Nkosi Hlophe)

Belinda Impey survived a savage attack by a disgruntled former employee a fortnight back but her stable hands and her Ashburton colleagues stepped into the breech to help out while she was in hospital and she will be back to saddle her smart mare Kept Secret, winner of both her recent starts. In form apprentice Ashton Arries, aboard Newyorkstateofmind last time out, has stuck with Kept Secret and a winning hat-trick will be welcomed by all.

Seatops and Damali look pick of the younger brigade but Eddie Sweat could provide for a good priced winner in what looks to be another tricky card.

In the Lightning Shot Handicap, Mr Mcsteamy comes into this race holding his form and does his best over course and distance. He takes a slight drop in class and Anton Marcus is back aboard. Toonani was well supported in the market last time out but may have been short of a run after returning from a break. He should improve on that showing and looks a threat. Of the balance, Roy Royale is back over his best surface and is down in the ratings while All True Man improved last run and has his third start after a break.

Ideal Duel is a recent maiden winner but has improved with every outing, shedding her maiden at third time of asking. She appears to have some scope and meets little of note in the SA Racing App Handicap.

By Andrew Harrison

Piet Botha has come out of retirement and rides two horses for Glen Puller at Kenilworth on Saturday – Love To Fly in the Juvenile Plate and Jay Rock in the Racing Association Maiden.

Glen Puller

Botha, 40, said yesterday: “I resumed riding work on December 27. I wanted to ride one horse and see how it feels. I haven’t looked back since, and I aim to continue for as long as I stay fit and healthy. My weight is pretty good – I was 56kg when I stepped on the scales last Saturday.”

A bad fall at Summerveld in 2010 ended his career the first time round when a broken rib caused endless pain and led to his being medically boarded with supposedly-permanent nerve damage.

He rode two Grade 1 winners in Mauritius and has a string of Grade 2 and 3 winners in Cape Town to his credit including the Green Point and Matchem on Roman Charger, Peninsula Handicap (Dunford),  Chairman’s Cup (Selous trained by Puller), Odessa ( Joshua’s Princess), Sceptre (Joshlin) and J & B Reserve Stayers.

Since his retirement he has been concentrating on building up his coffee machine business.

By Michael Clower

Summerveld trainer Paul Lafferty is enjoying a fine run at present, especially with his juveniles, and despite having a string which totals just 45 horses he said there were more promising youngsters waiting in the wings.

Lafferty has one of the most exciting two-year-old fillies in the country, Touch Of Magic, who was landed for a bargain price at a Magic Millions Sale in Australia last year.

On debut over 1000m at Scottsville on March 1, this strongly built bay sat in behind the leaders, showing good cruising speed, and after being switched out by Diego De Gouveia quickened effortlessly to win by 3,75 lengths. The runner up Rose Hill finished a close second next time out to frank the form.

Paul Lafferty

Lafferty described Touch Of Magic as a “real machine” and was thrilled for owners Brian Riley, Michael Leaf and Sherwin Jerrier, whom he described as “absolute gentleman to train for.”

He added, “The Allan Robertson is her aim. She is a bomb and we are just keeping her ticking over. If we find the right race she could come out before then, but I wouldn’t worry at all about sending her straight into the Allan Robertson.”

Touch Of Magic already has considerable paddock value.

Earlier this year her dam Moccasin Bend, who is by the USA-bred Majestic Light stallion Eternity Range, made headlines.

Her Not A Single Doubt colt fetched Aus$725,000 at the Magic Millions sale on the Gold Coast knocked down to the Shadwell Stud of Sheik Hamdan’s.

Three years earlier new breeder Gary Castledine had bought Moccasin Bend, a Gr 2 W A Guineas winner, for Aus$135,000 in foal to four-time Gr 1-winner Sepoy. The latter was both the champion two-year-old and three-year-old colt in Australia.

Lafferty liked the look of the resultant foal, Touch Of Magic, and with Brian Riley accompanying him secured her for what now looks a bargain Aus$75,000.

Lafferty has five young Judpots in his string as he regards him as an excellent value stallion.

On Sunday his Judpot colt Sniper Shot won a Juvenile Plate over 1200m at Greyville from pillar to post under 4kg claimer Ashton Arries, beating among others the smart Cape colt Sir Frenchie into third by 1,5 lengths.

Touch Of Magic (Nkosi Hlophe)

That was his second win in succession and Lafferty said, “He is useful and speedy. Our Captain Al colt Freddie Flint, who finished fourth in the Sentinel Stakes, is also promising. But we have some unraced two-year-old colts who are better than them, including a couple of Australian-breds and one by Count Dubois.

He hoped some of his two-year-old males would prove to be Gr 1 class, although he recognised the strength and depth of the Cape and Gauteng campaigners among the crop.

The yard’s Elusive Fort filly Crymeariver “could be anything” after winning a Juvenile Plate over 1200m at Scottsville on debut, beating the well regarded winner Neptune’s Rain. On paper her form compares favourably with her Maiden Juvenile Plate-winning stablemate, the Rebel King filly Simply Scrumptious. However, Lafferty believes these fillies are not up to the class of Touch Of Magic.

Lafferty has sent out eleven winners since March 1 at a strike rate of 27,5%.

His puts his recent success down to team effort and also made particular mention of the benefit of a Faradic Machine. This impulse therapy machine treats horses every day at the yard. It has double benefit to owners, who are not charged for its use, as it keeps the veterinarians at bay. An example of its positive affect can be seen in the filly Pearl Emblem. She was transformed from a battling one-time winner into a horse who won a further six races in the space of six months.

Lafferty’s horses have been turned out in magnificent condition lately and he attributed this partly to the two very good “clippers” (who could be termed equine hairdressers) he has working for him.

By David Thiselton

Cape Town handicapper Ken Nicol, handed the retrenchment red card by the National Horseracing Authority, aims to stay in racing either as a handicapper overseas or as a journalist.

Ken Nicol (hamish NIVEN Photography)

He said yesterday: “I’ve been in racing for quite a while, firstly in computers and as a jockey’s agent. I also owned a couple of horses and spent five years with the Sporting Post before becoming a handicapper in 2010. Now I want to continue my involvement with the game.”

Nicol, 55, will be a serious loss to the local handicapping scene. He made a point of going into the parade ring before each race to study the horses, see which were fit and which weren’t, and which were playing up, showing signs of nerves or anything else that might stop them running up to their best. Those taking over his job from TV screens in their offices in Johannesburg and Durban won’t find this so easy.

By Michael Clower