Sabre Charge can show that he is a horse for the big staying races scheduled for Champions Season when he lines up in a Pinnacle Stakes over 2400m at Scottsville tomorrow.

Duncan Howells has taken things slowly with the son of Golden Sword and Sabre Charge is lightly raced, having only his seventh outing. However, both of the gelding’s wins have come over course and distance and although not particularly well in at the weights, he is still getting a lot of pudding from top weight and likely favourite Mr Winsome whose both recent victories have come on this course.

Mr Winsome (Nkosi Hlophe)

Dean Kannemeyer’s runner has been in mustard form of late but does step out over the extra two furlongs for the first time while most of his obvious dangers are proven over the trip.

Howells is two-handed as he also saddles the filly Forbidden Jewel who ran a cracking race behind Sabre Charge over course and distance and is now better off in the weights and also only has 48.5kg on her back. Given that she stays the trip well she must come into the reckoning.

Pace, or the lack of it, is always a concern in races of this nature but Serissa is a confirmed front-runner and with Anton Marcus aboard, the opposition will need to be wide awake.

The Howells-trained Amazon King shows promise and steps up to a ‘mile’ for the first time in another Pinnacle Stakes event. Howells has high hopes for the gelding saying earlier in the week; “He steps up every time I run him. We will see if he stays a mile on Sunday and if he does he will go for the Daisy Guineas. Whatever happens he will go for the Byerley Turk.”

He will certainly be tested as Rikitikitana meets him on the same weight terms as their latest meeting where there was just a neck in it so there should not be much between the two again tomorrow. Of the balance, Caribbean Day was a game winner of his last start and has a chance again while the filly Trini’s Colateral has a handy weight and is useful.

Lunar Rush (Nkosi Hlophe)

Michael Roberts looks to have a promising runner in the form of Marriot who has shown promise in spite of only shedding his maiden last run. The form of his debut when second to Wynkelder has been franked and both of his runs have been over course and distance. Charles Laird is back in form and Good To Give has his third run after a break and looks a lively threat as he started favourite at his last two and can make amends. Also in the mix is Roy’s Air Force who has been knocking at the door and with a four-claiming apprentice up here he should be thereabouts again. If there is to be an upset it could come in the form of Restless Rogue who was in need of his last start and appears better than his form would suggest.

Apprentice Dylan Lerena is another member of the Lerena racing family and Howells has placed a lot of faith in the young rider who has still to record his first victory by giving him the ride on Lunar Rush in the seventh.

Lunar Rush is a talented filly having won her last two in good fashion and is a candidate for the big fillies sprints come Champions Season. The 4kg claim will have been in the back of Howell’s mind with stable rider Keagan de Melo aboard recent maiden winner Rainbowinthesky. Lightly raced and winning from a difficult draw, the stable companion to Lunar Rush looks to have some scope and this race could confirm that view with Respect At Bay and Hot Mambo both tried and tested.

Indian Tractor and Admiral’s Guest are the two most likely to fight out the last and can cut down on PA and Pick 6 expenses.

By Andrew Harrison

Turffontein is the place to be on Saturday as there are no fewer than six features races in a competitive ten race meeting.

In the Listed Storm Bird Stakes over 1000m Alfolk has a classy pedigree and won effortlessly on debut over 1000m so can follow up. His stablemate Punta Cana has scope for improvement too. Tribal Force, Barrack Street and Alpine Echo all possess speed aplenty but the De Kock pair look good enough to get punters through the exotics.

Mike De Kock (Nkosi Hlophe)

In The Listed Ruffian Stakes over 1000m Kissable has tremendous cruising speed and has not been stopping at the line in her two facile wins over 800m and 1000m respectively. She looks impossible to oppose against those who have raced, although La Bella Mia is a typically progressive daughter of Gimmethegreenlight and could get closer to her this time. The first-timer Eurythmics is a full sister to the Gr 1-winning sprinter Gulf Storm and receives 5kg from Kissable, so she could perhaps be included in the Jackpot.

The Listed Bauhinia Handicap over 1000m could be won by last year’s Ruffian Stakes winner Exquisite Touch. In November she was beaten a length by Joan Ranger over 1160m, but if weight-for-age is included she is now effectively 3,5kg better off. Furthermore, she will enjoy the step down in trip. On the downside this is her first outing since returning from a disappointing run at Kenilworth over 1200m. Joan Ranger has speed and a kick and will be a tough nut to crack. The consistent Crystal Glamour beat both of these horses in the aforementioned race last November. She is 2,5kg worse off with Joan Ranger for a one length beating, so there is not much in it.

In the last leg of the Pick 6, the Gold Rush Sprint over 1100m, Clever Guy looks well handicapped on his last run. However, the main opposition there might well have had off days. Therefore, the progressive Raasmaal, who is having his third run after a layoff and going for a hattrick, should be considered for exotics.

In the first leg of the Pick 6, the Sun Chariot Handicap over 2450m, Silver Stripe can reverse form with Patchit Up Baby at the weights, although the latter will enjoy the long straight and can’t be ignored. Zafira is a big, classy stayer and is preferred for third ahead of the capable Zante and the disappointing Inaninstant.

The Egoli Mile looks wide open but Alaadel has been chosen. If he settles he should be affective over this trip and can beat Bold Viking and Copper Pot.

By David Thiselton

Nicklaus has been a frustrating horse to follow but can finally reward his supports at Greyville this evening. The Duncan Howells-trained gelding has developed an alarming habit of shifting ground under pressure which has twice cost him and his supporters in the boardroom so they will still be wary of a plunge when the gelding runs in the Michael Cocks & Associates Handicap.

Keagan De Melo (Nkosi Hlophe)

However, stable rider Keagan de Melo is now painfully aware of this trait, having been aboard when on the wrong end of the latest protest, and will no doubt have been issued specific instructions by Howells.

Nicklaus is something of a poly track specialist and has finished ‘first’ in his last two starts over the surface split by a disastrous showing in the soft at Scottsville in a race where five horses finished tailed off.

That said the gelding is in good form and can finally earn a fifth victory in the face of some useful opposition.

Charles Laird saddles three runners, best of which could be Main Submission that belied his long odds when a close-up second in a strong handicap under Lerato Mohapi. He is sure to be a lot shorter in the market tonight and will be a threat to Nicklaus.

Winter Auralius can add to Howells’s growing list of winners as he has his third run after a lengthy break when lining up in the CMH Honda Pinetown Handicap. Winter Auralius is the choice of De Melo ahead of top weighted stable companion Chicago Beat who finally got it all together to skate home by eight lengths when shedding his maiden over course and distance.

A major threat could come in the form of Roy’s Taxi. Kom Naidoo has called on the services of Anton Marcus with Anthony Delpech deserting to ride recent winner Napoli, but Roy’s Taxi has some useful recent form to stronger and from pole position will make Winter Auralius gallop to the line.

The game mare Kept Secret is long overdue and can finally get it right in the PMB Auto Sales Handicap. She is a victim of her consistency as the handicappers have been reluctant to drop her rating but two of her most obvious dangers, Sarabi and Hot Chilli, have had their four-claiming apprentices replaced by jockeys which could be to their detriment and give Kept Secret the edge.

Nicklaus (Nkosi Hlophe)

Turffontein-based Tony Nassif will be hoping that Icy Avalanche can go to the well once again when the gelding lines up in the Sealit Handicap, opening leg of the Pick 6 on the eight-race card. Icy Avalanche got a hefty nine-point shunt up the handicap for his last win but he has taken to the poly track, winning his last two races on the surface. His last run got a major boost when runner-up, Chrome Blue, got up in the dying strides to deny a strong handicap field at Scottsville on Wednesday. This being a lowly bottom division handicap, Nassif must fancy the chances of his runner.

Of the others, the ‘Roy’s’ could be in news again as Roy’s Sailor comes into the race off some consistent recent form but of concern is that Alyson Wright’s runner finished last of 12 when sent over tonight’s trip.

Charles Laird has had some recent health issues but he is firmly back in the saddle at his Summerveld yard and the results are showing. Laird sends out the lightly raced Variety Romp who steps u

p in trip and is sure to improve on his last run and could push Icy Avalanche to the wire.

But in all, punters are faced with a competitive card where exotic bet bankers are in short supply.

By Andrew Harrison

Smokey Affair stands out at Kenilworth tomorrow because she has the proverbial stone in hand in the Racing.It’s A Rush Handicap.

The Mike Robinson-trained filly was a four-length sixth of 15 to Just Sensual in the Cape Fillies Guineas – and there was no fluke about it because she had previously finished a creditable fourth in the Choice Carriers – yet she is still on the same 86 handicap mark. Had she finished half a length closer she would have been fifth and the handicappers would have been free to up her rating to around 99.

Michael Robinson

Over this trip the 13 points she has in hand represent more than five lengths! Of course, it’s seldom as simple or as foolproof as this and the big negative is that she has not raced in the intervening 14 weeks.

“She had a nasty cough and a snotty nose,” recalls Robinson’s wife Louella. “We also felt that we needed to get a bit more condition on her so we gave her a break. She has come back well and her work is phenomenal.”

The next best on the card could well prove to be Sister Soozie in the Place Your Bets Maiden. The Andre Nel filly started second favourite for a mile maiden last month but had a bad draw and was among the backmarkers until well into the straight. She finished strongly but she had too much to do.

The extra two furlongs here will be much in her favour and should enable Grant van Niekerk to christen his association with Plattner Racing. Janice’s Secret is similarly lightly-raced and rates the main danger.

The opening Juvenile Fillies looks between Believethisbeauty, Rose In Bloom and Casual Diamond assuming that Joey Ramsden adopts his usual patient introduction with R4.5 million newcomer Dynasty’s Blossom. You could argue that Rose In Bloom’s form is marginally the best – and she is the choice of the sahorseracing computer – but Vaughan Marshall spoke highly of his charge last month (“talented, shows a lot of speed”) and there was plenty of money for her. She gets the vote.

The computer goes for Gadget Man 35 minutes later but he disappointed last time as did Come On Sonny whereas Risky Rambo showed significant improvement. He looks the part.

Justin Snaith, who introduces the Dynasty gelding C’Est La Vie here, may win race three with Dawn Rising who finished well to get second last time on her first run for four months and had Waterbaby a length back fourth.

By Michael Clower

Mike de Kock has decided to close his permanent operation at Summerveld.  All the runners in the stable will forthwith be based under one roof at Randjesfontein in Johannesburg like they had been for the first half of De Kock’s training career.

De Kock commented: “This is a business decision. It makes no economic sense for us to keep the Summerveld stable going all year round. We will still be raiding for three or four months in winter with a small, exclusive string during the Champions Season.

“We have been allocated 25 extra stable at Randjesfontein, the total string will be about 160 horses. We may also send a small string to Cape Town for a few months, though travelling with horses within our own country has become almost as difficult as travelling overseas.”

In his spell as a trainer officially based at Summerveld, Mike won the KZN Trainers’ Title nine times between 2002 and 2012.

De Kock also announced that his long-time assistant trainer, Nathan Kotzen, has left the stable to take out his own licence.  He said: “Nathan was with the stable in KZN for 16 years and he worked with some of the best horses in the world, let alone the country.  He’s a top horseman in his own right, he has the credentials and is well placed to make his mark. He won’t start off without support, I have left a few of my own horses with him and so has the Slack family. We wish Natie all the best in his new career.”

– Mikedekockracing.com

The Mike de Kock stable are keeping their options open with Janoobi, with both the SA Classic and HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes on Saturday 1 April pencilled in as possibilities, according to assistant trainer Mathew de Kock.

Janoobi won the first leg of this year’s SA Triple Crown, R1-million Betting World Gauteng Guineas (Grade 2) over 1600m at Turffontein last Saturday, with the 1800m SA Classic forming the middle leg and the 2450m SA Derby on 6 May the third.

Janoobi (JC Photographics)

A R2-million bonus is offered to a horse who wins all three legs but De Kock does not believe the Triple Crown bonus will be paid out this year. “In my opinion Heavenly Blue will be the one to beat in the SA Classic, plus I’m not convinced Janoobi will go more than 1800m.”

Janoobi, he said, “took the race very well and is taking it easy this week because he was at a peak and really well on Saturday. We’ll keep him ticking over until next month.”

Heavenly Blue, on the other hand, was “not as well or as ready” as Janoobi for the Gauteng Guineas because his main mission is the SA Classic. “I can’t afford to be too soft on him because I’ve got to help him come on a little bit,” said De Kock. “I’m over the moon with his third placing. He’s going to make a lot of improvement. We’ll finally see the best of him in the Classic over a distance he’s always wanted, 1800m and more.”

Janoobi gave Mike de Kock his 3,000th career winner after wins earlier in the meeting by Rafeef and Nother Russia.

De Kock said: “The obvious next stepping stone for Rafeef is the Horse Chestnut Stakes. The 1600m is his maximum, I think. He also took his race well and is very fresh.”

In terms of Acacia Handicap winner Nother Russia, De Kock said: “I think the older she’s got the better she’s got. A big thanks to Jess Slack (of owner Mauritzfontein Stud) for giving her that time. She was very well going into Saturday’s race and if she’d drawn in single figures I would have been much more confident.

“You can see by that performance she’s definitely better than her rating. It’s gone up the maximum eight points (4kg), but I’m happy to take what the handicappers give her after a win like that.”

Her stable companion Shaama was a weak favourite but finished seventh and De Kock said her performance confirmed she’s best at 1200m and 1400m.

“I think a true-run 1600m would find her out,” he said. “She took the race well and we’ll be bringing her back to 1160m.”

Fillies he saddled finished second, third, fifth and sixth behind easy winner Smiling Blue Eyes in the R500,000 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas.

Mike de Kock

The race is the first leg of the Triple Tiara, which offers a R1-million bonus and also comprises the SA Fillies Classic on 1 April and the SA Oaks on 6 May.

He had given second-placed Al Hawraa a “money chance” in the preliminaries because “she’d improved in her work”, but even he was impressed with the run.

“She only got going late and will be better in the 1800m Fillies Classic next month. She’s a straightforward filly, easy to work with.”

Was he a bit disappointed with favourite Orchid Island’s third placing? “Not at all. I think 1600m is too short for her, plus she had six weeks between runs and missed work. She’s a small filly, so the going last Saturday was not her best – she prefers it a little bit on top. She’ll also be going for the Fillies Classic.

“I think Belle Rose ran a cracker in fifth. She was stone last at the 400m mark and ran fifth, so made up a lot of ground. On pedigree, she is crying out for more ground so will definitely go for the next leg of the Triple Tiara.”

As for sixth-placed Ektifaa, who came in off a four-run winning sequence which included beating the boys in the Tony Ruffel Stakes, he said: “She wasn’t disgraced. The stamina doubts were there and she just didn’t see out the ‘mile’. We’ll re-programme her to see if she’s good enough for a top-class 1200m race.”

He believes his three Classic fillies are even in the ability stakes, but said when pressed: “If I had to put my head on a block this far ahead of the Fillies Classic, I’d still side with Orchid Island – providing she gets better going – because she’s got more class than the others.”

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