The Fever Tree Handicap over 1400m was won by the enigmatic Colin Scott-trained Stolen Destiny under Sean Veale and the pacemaker Royal Zulu Guard held on for second. The seven-year-old grey gelding by Grey Eminence has always been best suited to 1400m and has had the class to be competitive in features, but he does need things to go his way and everything went perfectly yesterday after he had jumped well.

The Paul Lafferty-trained Double Clutch ran out an easy winner of the umThombothi Stakes over 2000m, despite being 4,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted horse, Candy Moon. Keagan de Melo cleverly took him to the front in a slow run race. The courageous Stronghold gelding has always been well regarded and is improving all the time since recovering from serious illness.

In the last race, a Conditions Plate over 1200m, the classy Mark Dixon-trained Mogok filly African Dream proved too good and under her regular rider De Melo was able to hold off Lady Carter cosily for her fifth career win in eleven starts.

The first race, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1000m, was won by the Gavin van Zyl-trained first-timer filly by Warm White Night Miss Nightingale under Billy Jacobson. Van Zyl has a powerful string of carefully selected two-year-olds and they should be followed.

In the second race, a Maiden Plate over 1000m, the Doug Campbell-trained King Jay was swinging on the bridle behind the two market leaders Corresolve and High Maintenance rounding the turn and duly found the necessary extra under Ian Sturgeon. This was a deserved winner for passionate racing man Malcolm Draper.

This five-year-old gelding by King Of Kings has quite a story behind him as he was originally given to Draper as a two-year-old for polo purposes and became a much loved family pet on his smallholding. King Jay was backed by Draper and a decision was made to try him in racing after he began showing speed on the polo field.  Draper gathered a syndicate of first-time owners together and they are now “having a ball” as newcomers to the sport of kings.

In the third over 1000m the speedy Charles Laird-trained Var filly Varlotone jumped much better than she did last time and that was the key to her easy victory at generous odds of 7/1 as she proved hard to catch under an enterprising ride by 2,5kg claimer Callan Murray.

Punters are pleased to have the peerless Anton Marcus back in the saddle and he was the toast after the next race, a maiden over 1400m when finding a handy position on the rail aboard the Dennis Drier-trained favourite Hassen’s Bid and then getting the Greys Inn gelding up in an exciting tussle with the 25/1 outsider Mystery Leader.

Marcus did it again in the next when the well backed Frank Robinson-trained Imperial Stride gelding Eddie Sweat got his nose down on the line to deny pacemaker Al Ciberano by the narrowest of margins in a 1200m MR 86 Handicap.

The Mauritfontein Stud-bred liver chestnut is regarded by many as the greatest racehorse to ever set foot on the South African turf and his importance is also contained in that he put his trainer Mike de Kock well and truly on the map, as the latter used the opportunity to pave a path to overseas pastures, where he has been a fantastic ambassador for South African racing.

However, there is always a tinge of sadness attached to discussions of Horse Chestnut’s career as injury prevented him from fulfilling a plan to take on the world’s best.

When he put almost ten lengths between himself and the opposition in his final South African start in the Gr 1 SA Derby over 2450m, he gave the impression that he had not come out of a canter.

Nine months late in his first and only start overseas in the Gr 3 Broward Handicap over 1700m on the dirt at Gulfstream Park in the USA, the good natured scoffing about the “zebra” from South Africa with the unusual name ended abruptly when he crossed the line 5,5 lengths clear with the commentator admitting, “He is everything  they said he was!”.

One of the American clockers subsequently commented on the phenomenal times Horse Chestnut recorded while appearing to be cantering.

Tragically, the Browyard proved to be his final start of a ten race career (nine victories) as he fractured a lateral splint bone and damaged a ligament in his left foreleg during a training gallop in preparation for the US$500,000 Donn Handicap at Gulfstream.

De Kock, upon first seeing Horse Chestnut at Mauritzfontein, described him as a “mug’s horse”, because “any mug could like him”. One of De Kock’s tests when analysing a young horse was to put his first between the jowels to measure the potential breathing capacity, and he was amazed to find he could fit almost two fists in Horse Chestnut’s throat area.

The match Of Fort Wood (Sadler’s Wells) to the Col Pickering mare London Wall was made by Mauritzfontein stud manager Gavin Schafer, who said in retrospect that the mare was perhaps slightly weak in her first dam.  He added, “But when you get excellence in the form of Fort Wood coupled with the looks of Horse Chestnut you know you are in for a good time. He was certainly the most balanced horse we had that year.”

De Kock said that in his early work Horse Chestnut seemed almost “too good” and remembered thinking that if he were able to reproduce it he “would be the most sensational thing I have ever seen in my life.” Therefore there was tremendous tension before his first start on December 20 1997, but he duly stretched clear to win the Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1000m at Turffontein by 5,75 lengths under Johnny Geroudis.

Horse Chestnut wasn’t himself when suffering his only defeat in his next start in the Gr3 Morris Lipschitz Juvenile Plate over 1000m, beaten 1,6 lengths into third by the subsequent Gr 1 South African Guineas winner Clifton King.

De Kock then sent him KZN as he felt the change of environment would be “an important part of his maturing process”. He came out of a comfortable win in the Listed Natal Free Handicap over 1200m at Clairwood “like a lion” and his first two starts as a three-year-old saw emphatic seven and 4,25 lengths wins respectively in the Listed Graham Beck Three-Year-Old Handicap over 1400m and the Gr 2 Dingaans over 1600m, both at Turffontein. The runner up on both occasions was Pablo Zeta, who became infamous as the horse whose heart was broken by Horse Chestnut.

In his next start in the Gr 1 Argus Cape Guineas at Kenilworth he beat the unfortunate Pablo Zeta by 7,15 lengths and the latter was 5,6 lengths clear of the rest.

Horse Chestnut then attempted to become the first three-year-old in nearly 50 years to win the prestigious Gr 1 J&B Met over 2000m and put an amazing eight lengths between himself and the opposition, which was headed by Horse Of The Year Classic Flag.

Horses often improve while in Cape Town and Horse Chestnut showed exactly that as he then became the first horse to complete the Triple Crown (the alternate first leg was the Cape Guineas) by winning the Gr 1 SA Classic by 3,8 lengths and the SA Derby by 9,45 lengths.

Horse Chestnut was by this stage a national hero and Weichong Marwing, who rode him in all of those seven successive victories, stood up in the saddle and blew a kiss to the roaring crowd as he crossed the line in the Derby, a signature moment in the great horse’s career.

He was retired to stud after his injury in the USA and produced a Gr 1 winner, Lucifer’s Stone, in his first crop. However, being a grass horse he was never going to be fashionable in North America and the Horse Chestnut Syndicate took the opportunity to bring him home. He stood six seasons in South Africa at Drakenstein Stud and through the like of Chestnut’s Rocket, Rake’s Chestnut, Silent Force, Banbury and Catkin, was becoming increasingly popular.

Another key to Horse Chestnut’s racing success was his laid back temperament, which allowed his jockey to take him up handy or to the front knowing that he would never over race and waste any of his incredible engine capacity. At stud he formed an unusual friendship with his colleague Trippi. Stallions usually have to be kept apart with iron bars but this pair used to muzzle each other and neigh for one another when taken outside.

Mike de Kock always lets out a deep sigh at some stage during a conversation about Horse Chestnut as nobody will ever know exactly how good he was. Could he have become a worldwide legend?

The Rising Sun Gold Challenge winner was running for the first time since an emergency colic operation to save his life in September and, while he didn’t manage to repeat last year’s Cape Mile win, the way he bravely moved up into a challenging third was typical of the gallant grey and filled his trainer with hope.

Joe Ramsden said: “I was very pleased with that. He will quite possibly go to Durban for the sort of races he ran in last season but he might also have a crack at the HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut on 28 March.”

The race was won in good style by 12-1 shot Ze Kaiser who was brought with a smooth run from last by Grant van Niekerk whose constantly-improving riding since landing the Bass job has been a revelation. But plans for his mount are up in the air.

Bass said: “I don’t know about Durban because he is a 1 400m/mile horse and there is not that much for him there. He has come right now after having problems with his feet and rather losing his way in the process.”

Power King, beaten less than half a length, leaves for Durban shortly but Dean Kannemeyer felt he could have won and explained: “He drifted across the width of five horses in the last half furlong. That cost him the race.”

Hammie’s Hooker returned to her best to win the Breco Seafoods Prix Du Cap with ease but it was difficult to tell who was more surprised, her trainer of her jockey. Bernard Fayd’Herbe had got off her on Thursday and bluntly informed Bass: “That’s the worst she has ever felt!”

Bass, winning this Grade 3 for the fourth time in nine seasons, said: “She made the others look ordinary today and that’s how good she is. She should have won a few Grade 1s but things just haven’t worked out for her in those races. There is the Garden Province to come but I will have to talk to the owners about whether I take her there or whether she should go straight to stud.”

A crack at the Gold Cup is on the cards for Coltrane who led a furlong out to justify 18-10 favouritism in a slowly run CTS Chairman’s Cup to give Joey Ramsden his seventh win in this two-miler in 16 years and Fayd’Herbe his first.

Ramsden was equally taken with Kingvoldt and Happy Forever, second and third to Gulf Storm in the Pinnacle Stakes.

He said: “I will have to check with Kevin Sommerville but the obvious target for Kingvoldt is the Tsogo Sun Sprint at Scottsville on 23 May. Maybe we will go to Turffontien again with Happy Forever.”

Gulf Storm goes to Durban and Brett Crawford said: “I am going to keep him to sprint distances and I think 1 200m is his trip.”

Mrs Plattner informed Govender early in the season that she intends cutting down on her previous near 100-horse string but the split came as a surprise when Govender announced it at Kenilworth on Saturday.

He said: “It was a mutual decision and I feel this is the right time for me to go on my own. My wife Ronelle and I want to move back to Durban and I have applied for boxes at Summerveld.

“I realise this may not be easy with the Durban season about to start but I may be able to get some private boxes outside the training centre.

“I have already had a lot of people ringing me to inquire so things are looking positive. I am proud of my achievements with Plattner Racing and my good strike rate with the horses. I’ve had around 315 winners including several Graded races, notably the 2013 J & B Met with Martial Eagle.”

Govender, 41, took over when Brett Crawford quit the post in August 2009. He had been assistant trainer there for four years and previously worked for Glen Kotzen and the legendary American-based Michael Dickinson.

Mrs Plattner was unavailable for comment yesterday.

There looks to be some fair Pick 6 banker prospects tonight.

In the first leg over 1600m Roy’s Selvan has run some fair races on turf and is drawn well over a step up in trip he should relish.Temple Rock finished just seven lengths behind the classy Forries Waltz over 1400m before going close over 2000m on the poly. Charles Laird always has them fit so this trip running fresh from pole position with Anton Marcus up should be ideal for Temple Rock. Those two make most appeal. Putchini had some fair Cape form and has not been disgraced in two better fields than this in two KZN runs over 1600m. All For The Money, who also hails from the Cape, looks to have some ability having placed in maidens against some useful sorts. However, he returns from an epistaxis (bleeding) suspension and this is his first try beyond 1000m, so he can be included but can hardly be backed with confidence. Spirit Of Dover will relish the step up in trip, but Dennis Drier’s stable jockey Sean Cormack is aboard Slewsgate, so both could be considered.

In the second leg, a MR 70 Handicap over 1600m for fillies and mares, the Drier-trained Art Deco looks to have some class and has a reasonable 77 merit rating considering her easy and impressive maiden win over course and distance. She is a possible banker. It Wasn’t Me will be good place value if jumping ok as she is drawn well under an in form 4kg claimer and could enjoy the step down in trip. Dancing Arrow could feature if jumping on terms, despite being under sufferance. Karelia has some fair polytrack maiden form and can be considered. Danish Zealot, Nanojet and Artistically Done can ‘t be ignored.

In the next leg, a MR 74 Handicap over 1000m, Prince Of Magic finished close to some fair sorts in Cape Town over 1200m and showed pace on his poly debut over 1200m when finishing third despite rearing and being hampered. He now has a good draw. Burrwood can be included from a good draw with Marcus up over his ideal trip and Risky Rosco could possibly threaten with a late run.

Victory Emblem makes appeal in the next leg, a MR 70 Apprentice Handicap over 1900m, as he has always been well regarded and has a good record over course and distance. His 4kg claimer is in good form. Merits Conceded ran a fine race when front running tactics were employed last time and that might be the key to him, so he could have another chance despite a seven point raise. Caprivi Strip, on a dispersal sale on Wednesday, will offer good place value as he is a fair sort on his day and better than his form suggests. Pilgovan Star took ages to win his maiden but is distance suited and clearly enjoys the poly. Lebeoana, Born To Rule and Hamelin Bay also have to be considered.

D’Vash has been a frustrating sort to follow but could finally get it right in the fifth leg of the Pick 6, a maiden over 1900m, a trip he will enjoy. Count Zafonic and Nishac can be included if wishing to go wider.

In the last, a fillies and mares maiden over 1900m, Likeness was close up to three promising sorts last time and had the rest of the field well beaten, so should get it right here and is a banker consideration. Imperial Star is improving and will relish the step up in trip. Mullins Model also looks likely to enjoy the trip. Seventh Joy’s best run was over course and distance so she can be included in the quartet along with Dellavera, Smart Mamba Chalcedony and Amoyi.

Duncan Howells could win the first race with Pena Palace, who will likely relish the step back to 1400m.

The second race could see Regal Ransom follow up on his KZN debut victory over this 1400m course and distance as he had some fair Cape form against far better, but his wide draw is a concern. Vavasour and Buffalo Bill make most appeal of the rest and Melson can be considered while Storm Surf can never be ignored over course and distance.

On Sunday the Non-Black Type Fever Tree Handicap over 1400m on turf could be won by Lake Arthur who loves this course and distance. He is well drawn in two and has come down the merit ratings. He returns from a layoff but has run well fresh before. Kingston Boy and Goldie Coast are classy sorts and make appeal as the dangers.

The Non-Black Type unThombothi Stakes over 2000m could be won by the best weighted horse Candy Moon over a suitable course and distance. He has a fine turn of foot so the wide draw should be manageable. The Howells-trained Zestful is only 0,5kg under sufferance and in his only previous attempt beyond a mile he finished just 4,3 lengths behind Futura here over 1900m, although the latter was still inexperienced at the time.