The Dean Kannemeyer-trained Trippi three-year-old Summer Sky showed the benefit of gelding at Scottsville on Sunday and offers the hope of a SA Champions Season classic contender for the top yard.
Dean Kannemeyer (Nkosi Hlophe)
Kannemeyer said Summer Sky had become a real handful during the summer and he had battled to saddle him in his previous start on Sun Met day. He wore first-time blinkers that day and produced a late surge to win a MR 78 Handicap over 1400m by a short-head under Anthony Delpech. Kannemeyer was then granted permission by owners Drakenstein Stud to geld him.
On Sunday Summer Sky was well drawn in three and Delpech soon had him in a handy position. He galloped on resolutely in the straight and won easing up by five lengths from a field which consisted mainly of older horses, including the Listed winner Way Of Light. Summer Sky was a bit keen in the running and Kannemeyer confirmed he would improve for the outing. However, he said he would not be ready in time for the Gr 3 Byerley Turk over 1400m, which is usually used by classic contenders as a springboard into the Gr 2 Daisy Guineas. The Byerley Turk will be run at Scottsville next Sunday and the Daisy Guineas is on May 7 at Greyville. However, Kannemeyer said he would nominate him for the Guineas and decide at the time whether it would be wise to run him. That race will represent Summer Sky’s last opportunity to run in a classic as races beyond a mile will likely stretch him.
Kannemeyer’s SA Champions Season string looks a “bit thin”, but this was also the case two years ago and he ended up winning the Vodacom Durban July with Power King.
Summer Sky (Nkosi Hlophe)
His string thus year has been weakened by one of his July runners from last year Mambo Mime having a bout of colic, which has put him out for the season.
He admitted his chances of winning the July this year, or even having a runner, looked remote but added, “You never know what can happen.”
Last year he arrived in KZN thinking his five-year-old Dynasty gelding Solid Speed would campaign in staying races. However, this classy sort ended up jumping as joint-third favourite for the July, where he unfortunately went wrong and had to be retired.
A horse with a similar profile is Kannemeyer’s four-year-old Ideal World gelding Cape Speed. Kannemeyer said he would be aimed at the big staying events and defending his Gr 3 Track And Ball Derby crown will be one of his goals. Four of Cape Speed’s five career wins have been in KZN and he is a horse to keep an eye on.
Another Kannemeyer horse who thrives in KZN is his Gr 1-winning sprinter Real Princess.
He said her last start when finishing last in the Gr 1 Klawervlei Majorca Stakes over 1600m on Sun Met day could be ignored as it coincided with a virus in his yard and she returned with “muck” in her lungs.
She hasn’t run since, but Kannemeyer put her on the Summerveld grass the other day and she went well. He will prepare her for the defence of her Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint crown.
Real Princess’s six career wins have all been in KZN and five of them have been at Scottsville.
Silver Coin will be the subject of considerable attention in the first at Kenilworth today as this Silvano colt is the highest–priced yearling to race in South Africa.
The half-brother to Halve The Deficit attracted some ferocious bidding at last year’s Cape Premier Yearling Sale before the hammer came down at R6 million. The owners are Mayfair Speculators, Sue Magnier, Diane Nagle and D.M. Graham.
Halve The Deficit (Nkosi Hlophe)
But what matters to punters today is whether he will be ready enough to go close first time out. “Yes, I think he will – and I like him a lot,” says Joey Ramsden.
The colt opened 33-10 favourite with World Sports Betting and he has a lot more riding on him than he will have when the gates open at 12.40pm. The Coolmore involvement is of the utmost importance for this country’s racing and breeding industries and it is likely to mushroom if this one proves a star.
So is the trainer feeling under any pressure? “I would feel more pressure if I didn’t have the horse,” answers Ramsden, echoing the response given by Aidan O’Brien when he was asked the same question in his early tentative days at Ballydoyle.
Mind you, Ramsden has been in this position before with Brutal Force who at R4.5 million was the highest-priced of his day and he found one too good for him in his first two races.
Perhaps more significantly not one of Ramsden’s six Cape Town two-year-old winners this season has won first time so, while Silver Coin should go close, it might be prudent to look elsewhere for the winner.
The Barry Burn is Bernard Fayd’Herbe’s first ride since his return from Dubai but Justin Snaith is not optimistic about the 8-1 shot being a winning one. “He is a nice type but this will be a gallop for him,” he says. “I have no gallops at the moment.”
The Brett Crawford-trained Valbonne is a Var colt out of the Prix Du Cap and Final Fling winner Sunsational. He was entered for last year’s National Yearling Sale but was withdrawn. He is joint second favourite at 5-1.
The twice-raced Victorious Captain is also on 5-1. He started favourite last time but was returned shin sore and now wears blinkers. He could be the one.
Herodus, nibbled at from 8-1 to 6-1, is also expected to get into the shake-up despite disappointing when upped to 1 400m last time. “That was too far for him and this time we are going to give him a chance,” says Candice Bass-Robinson.
Whatever Ramsden’s fortunes with Silver Coin he should win the Itsarush.co.za Handicap with the vastly improved Professor Brian who has gone up ten kilos for three straight wins. He gave away a lot of ground at the start last time and didn’t get a clear run so his 2 ¼ length win looks value for more than the 3kg the handicappers put him up. He is favourite at 28-10 and probably has most to fear from Bobby Dazzler (7-2), Greenflashsunset (5-1) and the blinkered 10-1 chance Seven Wood.
The Frank Robinson-trained dual Gr 3 winner Olma is in foal to Trippi, but there is a plan to run her while in foal on Vodacom Durban July day. She will run in the Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes, in which she was runner up last year.
Meanwhile, Robinson’s Antonius Pius filly Under The Stars impressed on her debut on the Greyville poly on Friday night and the yard have high hopes for her. Olma was bred to Northern Hemisphere time and will travel later in the year to Europe. Her owner Zalim Bifov has a breeding operation in Ireland. Robinson said there was also a plan in the pipeline to send Olma to the mighty Frankel.
Olma (Nkosi Hlophe)
Racing a mare in foal is not unusual and they sometimes actually show significant improvement. The USA-based record stakes earner Spain won a Gr 2 while in foal to Storm Cat and there are many other examples, a South African one being the Ormond Ferraris-trained Overarching, who finished second to Ilha da Vitoria in the Gr 1 Horse Chestnut Stakes while in foal to Fort Wood.
Spain’s trainer D. Wayne Lukas said back in 2002 after Spain was impregnated that little had changed in her training regimen. He added, “Since she got in foal, from knowing her and being around her her entire career, I could see that she was really blossoming. Her hair coat was unbelievable and her whole glow and demeanour were excellent.”
Dr Michelle LeBlanc, a veterinarian specializing in equine reproductive issues, said at the time that this wouldn’t have been a coincidence.
She said, “Progesterone is a wonderful calming drug. Once they get pregnant, you have high levels of progesterone, so you don’t have to deal with the nervousness or the finickiness and they become less high strung.”
On Friday night the rangy Under The Stars was backed into 9/2 in a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1000m. She was slow away before using her big stride to get within striking distance under Muzi Yeni.
She ran on strongly in the straight and at the line was pulling away from the running on Pathfork first-timer Tweed Valley. She won by 1,75 lengths and there was a further 2,5 lengths back to the third-placed horse, the Querari first-timer So Vain. The rest of the field were spread out like the washing, which is often the sign of good form. On the downside the time was nearly half-a-second slower than the following race, which was a weak maiden plate contested mainly by three-year-olds.
However, Under The Stars was extending at the line and Robinson confirmed she is definitely looking for further. He will be looking at Juvenile races over 1400m for The Alchemy-bred filly and how she performs will determine whether she goes for the Gr 2 R600,000 Golden Slipper over 1400m or the Non-Black Type KZN Yearling Million over 1300m. Both race are run on Vodacom Durban July day and the one carries a black type opportunity, while the other is more lucrative.
The Under The Stars’ formline should be worth following, such was the impression she created.
Former national champion trainer Justin Snaith said recently his KZN campaign this year had panned out to be the most important period of his current season. He duly got his feature race campaign off to a good start at Scottsville yesterday when winning the Listed KwaZulu-Natal Stakes over 1000m with the speedy Captain Al filly Jo’s Bond, who was ridden by Richard Fourie.
Justin Snaith
Fourie travelled from Cape Town for just the one ride and sat just off the pace. Jo’s Bonds powerful turn of foot saw her drawing clear of the favourite Elusivenchantment to win by a length. Our Destiny and Cosmic Burst ran on well for third and fourth and Vision To Kill was next best.
Earlier, the Gavin van Zyl-trained Oratorio gelding Arianos Bagofgold produced a good finish from off the pace to win the Non-Black Type Sentinel Stakes over 1000m under Eric Saziso Ngwane. Autumn In Seattle was giving the winner 2kg and had to be switched, so did well to finish a 0,5 length second. Northern Rebel was next best.
The first round of the newly introduced KZN Breeders “Levelling the Playing Fields” series of races kicked off at yesterday’s meeting. Trainers were invited to nominate one KZN-bred horse with a rating of 78 and below to compete in three races over 1200m, 1400m and 1600m respectively.
In Round 1’s first heat the Chris Erasmus-trained outsider Putchini just got up under Billy Jacobson to deny the Tony Rivalland-trained Reactive. The Garth Puller-trained Cipher, the Greg and Karen Anthony-trained Poivre and the Paul Gadsby-trained Roy’s Power were next best. The favourite Beckedorf dwelt in the stalls and lost many lengths.
Jo’s Bond (Nkosi Hlophe)
In the second heat, the Glen Kotzen-trained three-year-old filly Royal Agree won cosily by 1,25 lengths under Athandiwe Mgudlwa from the Wendy Whitehead-trained Brave And Bold, with the Doug Campbell-trained Fire The Rocket, the Paul Lafferty-trained Tropical’s Son and the Sean Tarry-trained favourite Kahula next best.
Both Putchini and Royal Agree are effective up to 1600m at least.
Later, the Dean Kannemeyer-trained three-year-old Summer Sky won a MR 86 handicap over 1400m by five lengths under Anthony Delpech. On that showing the Trippi gelding could develop into a feature campaigner.
There were also wins at the meeting for Wendy Whitehead and Alec Forbes, Paul Gadsby and Sean Veale and Mark Dixon and Marco van Rensburg.
Anthony Delpech will be reunited with CTS Mile runner-up Copper Force in the Byerley Turk at Greyville on Sunday…
Anthony Delpech (Nkosi Hlophe)
Delpech rode the gelding for the first time in the Met day $500,000 sales race and came from a bad draw to beat all except Cape Guineas winner William Longsword. “Anthony has other commitments but he comes to ride work for me every day at Summerveld,” said Snaith.
Vaughan Marshall will gallop The Secret Is Out tomorrow before deciding whether last season’s Allan Robertson winner contests the Umzimkhulu Stakes on the same card. The filly has only raced once since an epistaxis ruled her out of the Cape Fillies Guineas and she managed only fifth of eight despite starting favourite although, to be fair, she was giving weight all round.
Marshall said: “I was quite happy with that run. She had had no gallops and she was only beaten just over two lengths.”
Bernard Fayd’Herbe returns to South African action at Kenilworth tomorrow after stints in Mauritius and Dubai. He rides in all eight races with five mounts for Snaith, two for Joey Ramsden and one for Candice Bass-Robinson.
Mayfair Speculators racing manager Derek Brugman said the reigning Equus Horse Of The Year Legal Eagle, who won his sixth career Gr 1 at Turffontein on Saturday, would be “unlikely” to take part in the SA Champions Season.
Legal Eagle (Liesl King)
Meanwhile, their best three-year-old William Longsword will not race again as it has been decided to retire him to stud.
Legal Eagle’s next race will be the defence of his Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge crown at Turffontein on May 6.
Brugman said he would thereafter follow the same route as he had done this season i.e. the L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate and the Sun Met.
If Legal wins the Premier’s Champions Challenge he would have successfully defended three separate Gr 1s in one season. On Saturday he defended his HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes crown, having defended his Queen’s Plate crown in January.
Variety Club (Liesl King)
The last horse to successfully defend three Gr 1s in one season might well have been the immortal Sea Cottage, who in 1967 defended his crowns in all of the Queen’s Plate, the Newbury Stakes over 1200m at Greyville and in the Clairwood Winter Handicap over 1800m.
Legal Eagle remains unbeaten in six starts over a mile, and this includes four Gr 1 weight for age events and one Gr 2.
However, Brugman still rates the great Variety Club as Mayfair Speculators’ best ever horse and doubts whether they will ever have one as good as him again.
Variety Club was a facile winner of a Gr 1 overseas (in Hong Kong) and Brugman believes Legal Eagle could also win at the highest level overseas. However, unfortunately his efforts to get him to the Breeder’s Cup this year were thwarted by travel costs. Brugman has not given up on an overseas campaign for legal Eagle, but said the champion racehorse would never go the Mauritius route.
William Longsword’s retirement coincides with his sire Captain Al nearing the end of his stud career.
The latter did a lot to put Klawervlei Stud on the map. Markus Jooste, the owner of Mayfair Speculators, is a major shareholder in Klawervlei.
Life Life warmed up for her assault on Scottsville’s Poinsettia Stakes and South African Fillies Sprint by convincingly overcoming a rushed preparation in the Golden Bulls Allowance Plate at Kenilworth on Saturday.
Aldo Domeyer, riding the CTS Sprint winner for the first time for ten months, said: “She drops it in the first half of a race but the better she switches off the better she turns it on.”
Aldo Domeyer
Candice Bass-Robinson added: “She was classy enough to beat these even with top weight, she has a great turn of foot and she has improved tremendously. I will send her up to Durban a week to ten days before the Poinsettia. Scottsville is a tricky track but hopefully she will handle it.”
Piet du Toit’s filly will be on a four-timer in the April 30 Grade 3 and seemingly there is a possibility that she may not stay on in KZN after Scottsville’s Grade 1 meeting four weeks later as her trainer explained: “I don’t want to kill her for next season.”
Stable companion Extradite, less than a length back third, stays at home for the Sweet Chestnut on April 22.
Mike Stewart’s R5 000 bargain buy Icon King will be upped to Grade 3 in the Winter Guineas that day. He was receiving weight all round in the Bolands Promotions Pinnacle Stakes but Akshay Balloo was able to make all at 20-1.
“My stable is in shocking form and I don’t think my brother-in-law Hattie Zeppel had any faith in me,” said Mike Stewart, grinning as broadly as if he had won the Horse Chestnut. “He said ‘What are you doing, running him against a horse (Milton) who was second to the Met winner?’
“Indeed I wasn’t going to but the NRB rang me, said there were only seven in the race and asked me to put him in.”
Our Mate Art, who overcame a 19-week absence to grab second close home, will also be in the Winter Guineas line-up as will Elevated despite dropping out in the closing stages – “He needed it badly but it will be a different story next time,” said Riaan van Reenen.
MJ Byleveld
The Craig Bantam-ridden Raya Baya became the first two-year-old in Cape Town to win first time out since Valedictorian six weeks earlier when coming home at 30-1 in the opener but seemingly Tap O’Noth 35 minutes later is the one for the notebooks.
The Fosters’ homebred Captain Al newcomer was heavily backed and, although MJ Byleveld only gained the advantage in the final furlong, Vaughan Marshall left no doubt, saying: “William Longsword goes to stud this week but I am hopeful that this one will follow the same route – I think he is very special.”
Domeyer made it 60 for the season on Waitingfortonight in the OFYT Maiden to leave owner Ron Caris wistfully reflecting that the only previous horse he had with Piet Steyn was Sanshaawes who he bought for R30 000 and sold to Mike de Kock for more than R1 million. As Caris indicated, this one has a bit to go to attract the maestro!
Mind you, he was breaking his duck at only the seventh attempt and the Eric Sands-trained Cautiontothewind had 17 races before finally getting her head in front in the Lavender Blue Maiden. She is the first winner for Belinda Edmonds and her son Justin Offord and was ridden by Donovan Dillon who doubled up in the last on the Shane Humby-trained Waywood while Gyre booked his Durban ticket by coming from the back under Corne Orffer in the Glasfit Handicap.
Sean Tarry’s seven winners at Turffontein on Saturday fell one short of Justin Snaith’s world record equaling eight winners at one meeting, which he achieved at the J&B Met meeting last year.
Both Tarry and Snaith won the first six races on the card on the way to their personal best hauls.
Sean Tarry (Nkosi Hlophe)
There were 12 races on both occasions and Snaith’s 32 runners on the day constituted 21,5% of the total of 149 runners at the meeting, while Tarry’s 23 runners constituted 21,1% of the 109 runners at Saturday’s meeting.
Tarry had no fewer than five seconds on Saturday, including in three races where his horse did not win. However, one of his winners, Brave Nomad, did not cross the line first but was on the right side of an upheld objection. Tarry’s haul with his 23 runners included seven wins, five seconds, one third, two fourths and a fifth. He won four features races, one Gr 1 and three Gr 3s, and his total earnings for the day were R2,294,375.
On Snaith’s record day he scored eight wins, two thirds, two fourths and five fifths.
He won two features on the day, a Listed event and a Gr 2, and his total earnings for the day were R741,450.
Tarry had previously regarded his career best day at the races as last year’s Champions Day in which he won three Gr 1s and a Gr 2. Considering his total stakes haul on that day was R5,047,000, it might still remain his best day.
Tarry is well on his way to breaking his own record of R27,999,562 stakes earnings in a season, which he set last season.
At this time last year he had earned R14,951,912.50 in the season, whereas his earnings this season stand at R21,627,700.
Sean Tarry, Mathew De Kock, Geoff Woodruff, Paul Matchett, Alson Ndzilana and Robbie Sage share their views on Classic Day runners – Turffontein Apr 1 – by Andrew Bon
SA CLASSIC Sean Tarry
Every run has got to help Al Sahem with regards to experience. He seems to have come on from a greenness aspect and fitness aspect. The distance is right up his alley. Ignore Furiosa‘s last run. It’s safe to say he ran below par. I’ve put a tongue tie on which did help. The way Tilbury Fort ran his last race he could now looking for further. The Standside track seems to suit him better and he could improve a bit.
Mathew de Kock (for Mike de Kock)
Heavenly Blue’s preparation has gone 100% flawlessly. He’s now very close to his best and the 1800m is probably the minimum of his best distance. Janoobi was at a peak that day and is still doing just as well. I’m not saying he won’t stay, I just think Heavenly Blue will be more effective over the 1800m. Alaadel is in to set a true-run, honest pace. That will help my other two horses, Heavenly Blue and Janoobi. In this small field Randall Simons will have more control pace-wise.
Andre Nel
Kampala Campari is a very nice horse. We’ve been planning this raid for a while and have brought horses up to Joburg twice in preparation for this trip north.
Gary Alexander
Unagi is working well so I am hoping he earns a cheque.
Johan Janse van Vuuren
Crowd Pleaser is very outclassed here. With the work this horse shows at home, you’d be happy to take on any horse, any day and feel you have a chance. He’s thriving right now but I’d be happy with a minor stake.
WILGERBOSDRIFT SA FILLIES CLASSIC Sean Tarry
Smiling Blue Eyes’ Guineas win was very good. She came into that race fresh following a rest and won so she should have come on since then. Improvement is expected. She will prefer this distance and should have no problem with the SA Oaks trip of 2450m. If anybody thinks Safe Harbour’s last run was an indication of her ability they are in for a surprise. I knew she would need it and has come on and I’m expecting her to run closer to her best. The two fillies have worked together and before the Guineas Smiling Blue Eyes would beat her easily. Now there is not a lot in it.
Mathew de Kock
Al Hawraa was a bit in-and-out earlier in her career but she’s doing well now she’s older and stronger. She’s showing us more at home, giving us confidence. It’s all positive for her. She’s at a peak and has a good draw. I expect her to be right there at the finish. Orchid Island has a hard task from draw No 13. Don’t get me wrong, she’s classy but it’s hard to give other classy fillies start. Belle Rose won the Oaks Trial last weekend and she’s come out of the race sound and happy. She should have a top-five chance.
Johan Janse van Vuuren
The decision to run Being Fabulous in the Fillies Guineas was probably not my finest moment as a trainer as she was severely underdone. She has improved a lot from that race, but I still feel she is only around 80% fit right now.
Andre Nel
Philae is a very nice filly, a bit of a late maturer which is why she didn’t get to run in the features during the Cape season. But I think her three starts to date have been good.
Ormond Ferraris
Babbling Brooke did not run badly in the Fillies Guineas and was running on at the finish. This longer distance will suit her and she has a bit of a chance.
Joey Ramsden
Captain Gambler is in a tough race but I am hopeful.
Robbie Sage
Oriental Oak is in a difficult race and might place. She did win a nice race last time out.
Lucky Houdalakis
My Friend Lee is taking a big jump in class and first time over 1800m so I am looking to see how she goes against this class.
Geoff Woodruff
Bi Pot takes a steep jump in class. She is working very well so I am hopeful of a good run.
HF OPPENHEIMER HORSE CHESTNUT STAKES Sean Tarry
Legal Eagle is the right horse in the race and everything is on track. The Champions Challenge is his main mission and there is still a bit to work with but I’m not saying he is not fit enough to win this race. This race is similar to last year’s Horse Chestnut and the Green Point Stakes at Kenilworth. He needed that run in the Cape but he still won. French Navy is doing very well, moving better than ever. I think he moved a little too early last week and got cleaned up. The mile is a bit short of his best, but I’m expecting a big run.
Mathew de Kock
Rafeef’s preparation has gone very well and I feel he’s made more improvement. Of course, it’ll be hard to beat Legal Eagle, but he’ll give it his best. Fareeq is in there as a pacemaker.
Johan Janse van Vuuren
New Predator is showing some of his best ever work at the moment, although it is a tough race.
Gary Alexander
Kangaroo Jack is doing well at home. It will be hard to beat Legal Eagle but I am hoping for a place or perhaps better.
Weiho Marwing
Mac De Lago is being prepared for the Presidents Champion Challenge later this season and this run will bring him on.
Ormond Ferraris
Romany Prince is in a tough field.
Paul Peter
Fort Ember has come through her prep very well and looking good. I feel she has a strong place chance.
PRETTY POLLY STAKES Sean Tarry
Celestina – I’m hoping the tongue tie helps. She has shown us a lot more at home but I would be happy with a place. Desert Rhythm is doing well. I’m not sure whether up to these horses but she deserves a chance. I suppose the race depends on whether the right Kissable turns up. Green Plains is not out of it based on her run to Delightful Diva. We’ve been waiting for this race. Her previous run was over 1000m and this is over 1100m and she could prove to be a runner.
Paul Matchett
Kissable is working well. She got her tongue over the bit last time but we’ve used a different bit and it seems to be working well. She did slip coming out of the stalls last time and made up ground quickly but she choked up in the running and that is why she ran badly.
Mike Azzie
Spring Breeze won well last time out and Piere Strydom retains the ride. She’s stepping up in class and I’m hoping for a good run. This filly is doing well at home and I’ll be happy if she runs in the money.
Corne Spies
Outlander did well last time behind Daring Diva and should run well but has Kissable to beat. Star Profile ran on nicely last time. This extra distance will be better for her but she is looking for further.
PROTEA STAKES Sean Tarry
Barrack Street is now carrying a bit of pudding, He’s doing well but he’s got so much speed, even with his pedigree not sure he will get six furlongs (1200m). This 1100m should be fine. The question is how much he had in hand last time. Silver God is doing very well and I’m not sure if Barrack Street can give him 5kg. It might be enough to sway the result.
Mathew de Kock
Alfolk should be right there, getting 2kg from Barrack Street.
Corne Spies
Laurent Du Var was full of running when winning last time and I give him a helluva chance. Obviously I do respect the opposition. Quinlan ran well enough behind Barrack Street and is better off at the weights so is not out of it.
Robbie Sage
Boatswain is having his first run and is against winners. This is an educational run but I do hope to see him doing his best work late and he could earn some money.
MAN O’ WAR SPRINT Sean Tarry
Exquisite Touch was very impressive last time and she’s back on right track. This is a very strong race but I’m confident of a good run.
Mathew de Kock
I’m also looking for good runs from Raasmaal and Ektifaa.
Johan Janse van Vuuren
Green Pepper was one of the horses more severely affected by the virus, but we fortunately had a lot of time to get her over it. We’ve got two decent gallops in and she’s working really well. I’m expecting a big run from her. It’s a tough race for British Royale at the weights. He is working very well, but this race was not my first choice for him. He’s here because his owner Ian Levitan wanted him to run.
Mike Azzie
Aussie Austin once again is taking a step up in class and is in the company of a lot stronger on this occasion. He’s consistent, he’s working well at home however this asking for a win could be a little too much of an ask. I am expecting a decent run and will be happy if he too runs in the money.
Robbie Hill
Red Chestnut Road has come over his injury but is underdone for this race and his main targets are later this season.
Joey Ramsden
Pillar Of Hercules is a good sort and I am hopeful.
Stephen Moffatt
Clever Guy is very well. It is a competitive field but I am expecting a bold showing.
Corne Spies
Seattle Singer bounced back and showed us the ability we knew she had. Hopefully she repeats that run. No 11 Favour’s Pride has a tough task but she has a light weight and hopefully she can earn a cheque.
JACARANDA HANDICAP Sean Tarry
We took a chance last time by running Inaninstant over 2450m last time based on pedigree but it was a bridge too far. She’s doing well at home and I would not be surprised if she gets a place. I think Redberry Lane has the class to win. The question mark is the distance. I’m not sure if she finished it off last time over 2000m. She’s very effective over 1600m but this 1800m could be her limit.
Johan Janse van Vuuren
I’ve been battling to get Negroamaro’s red cell count where I want it – it’s been tough due to the constant loss of blood. She is still super-talented and on this merit rating, must always be competitive. But there’s no telling, with her condition.
Ormond Ferraris
Patchit Up Baby stays well enough so she must have a chance.
Lucky Houdalakis
Banking April is in a tough race but is a gutsy filly.
Candice Dawson
Polly Wolly Doodle is out at the weights but deserves a shot at getting Black Type behind her name.
CARADOC GOLD CUP Sean Tarry
Supertube stays well so we will take our chances in staying races.
Paul Matchett
Royal Honour ran a good race last time and I expect him to be in the money again. He will enjoy the extra 400m.
Mathew de Kock
Smart Mart has reached his mark in the handicap.
Ormond Ferraris
Save The Rhino is a good horse and stays well so must have a chance.
Weiho Marwing
Zafira is running against the colts but stays well and I am hoping for a decent run. Let It Rain is trying this longer distance for the first time but has been running on well over shorter. Frikkie is a genuine stayer and is fit and well.
Gary Alexander
Coby always gives of her best and has a good Eachway chance
Jurgen van Heerden
Ilitshe is doing well and is fit. It is his first time this far but I am hoping for a good run.
Milton ticks all the boxes in the Boland Promotions Pinnacle Stakes at Kenilworth tomorrow and Billy Prestage’s admirably consistent five-year-old should win for the first time in almost a year.
He is officially the best horse in the race, he comes out top (admittedly by the narrowest of margins) at the weights and he has shown good class form this year – he beat all except Whisky Baron in the Peninsula Handicap when was receiving only 1.5kg from the subsequent Met winner.
Candice Robinson (hamish NIVEN Photography)
The one negative is that he seems to be marginally better over a furlong further even though he frequently makes the running. “I would have preferred 1 600m,” his trainer confirms. “But he is working well, I think he has an outstanding chance and I’m debating whether to send him to Durban.”
Perhaps the most intriguing of his seven rivals is Our Mate Art who was expected to challenge for the Guineas and Derby but chipped a splint bone when bumped in the Selangor and hasn’t been seen since. Potentially he is a fair bit better than his rating.
“He was out of work for quite a while after chipping that bone but he has been gelded and is doing really well,” says Candice Bass-Robinson. “I think he will run well too but he will need it a bit.”
The Selangor was 19 weeks ago, Turbulent Air has been off for 17 weeks and Dynamic for 15. Elevated is also expected to need the outing, Catkin won over the trip two races back but finished last on his most recent start. African Night Sky, who goes particularly well for Craig du Plooy, could prove a threat but, according to the handicappers, the hat-trick seeking Icon King has the worst chance of the eight.
Live Life faces a stiff task at the weights in the Golden Bulls Allowance Plate – China Pearl comes out her equal and Miranda Frost half a kilo better than either of them – but her own stable companion Extradite looks the biggest threat of all and may well beat her.
Sihle Cele’s mount was five lengths behind Live Life at levels in the CTS Sprint and receives 6kg here, theoretically evening out their respective chances. But it is Extradite who has had the better lead-up.
“Live Life had a break after the CTS and it has been a rushed preparation. I am throwing her in here for a gallop,” says Mrs Robinson. “Extradite, who always tries hard, is a bit more ready.”
By Michael Clower
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