Summerveld trainer Gavin van Zyl is the only raiding trainer in either of the two classics at Turffontein this Saturday.

He travels his promising Duke Of Marmalade filly Dancing Feather up on Friday to compete in the Grade 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic. 

He said, “She is doing well, I am happy with her, she is in a good space. If she reproduces either her 1600m maiden win or her following win over 1750m she will be competitive and that is why I am sending her, I think she has a shout. She is a good horse and we have to give her this chance. She was going further and further away and used all of the straight atGreyville and Scottsville in both of those wins so she should enjoy the Turffontein Standside course. She is not big but stands over a bit of ground and although slightly long in the back is nicely made and has a good action. Keagan de Melo has been very happy with her work and is upbeat about her.”

Meanwhile, Van Zyl’s Grade 1-winning Equus two-year-old champion from last season Gabor is set to make her comeback ahead of her SA Champions Season campaign. She had a problem with her knee which was “not serious” but required time off.

He is bullish too about the future of two three-year-olds in the yard, Trippi gelding Guru’s Pride, who has won three in succession, and Silvano filly Voice Of Reason, who won her maiden third time out over 1600m at Kenilworth. Both of their formlines are looking good and they could be possible SA Champions Season campaigners. 

Older stalwart Blackball continues to do his owners proud.

The yard is looking particularly strong in the two-year-old division. 

Van Zyl is already eyeing the Grade 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion and other features with Greenlighttoheaven, who cruised to victory in a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1000m at Scottsville on debut.

Waiting in the wings is the like of R800,000 purchase Secret Is Ours, a Dynasty full-brother to Bela-Bela, who did well in a Barrier Trial recently.

Van Zyl has another superbly bred Dynasty colt called Gotitall, who is out of a USA-bred mare whose dam is a half-sister to a very successful USA-bred sire called Jump Start. Gotitall was scratched from a recent barrier trial as he needs a bit more time

Van Zyl said a full-brother to Rocketball, and therefore a half-brother to Blackball, should be looked out for in a forthcoming barrier trial.

There are others too by the like of Silvano and Global View to keep an eye out for.

By David Thiselton

The Mike de Kock yard have revealed Hawwaam was sent back to Randjesfontein after the Sun Met and has stayed in work.

Meanwhile, they are preparing their contenders for the Grade 1 SA Classic and Grade 1 Wigerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic, both to be run over 1800m at Turffontein this Saturday.

Hawwaam’s ultimate goal is an overseas campaign but it was decided by the connections that rather than subject him to a long an arduous journey straight after his Met run they would wait until after the EU Audit on African Horse Sickness, which is due to take place this year, to see whether there would then become the advantage of a shorter route in the foreseeable future.

Hawwaam has been entered in the Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge, which he won with consummate ease last year, and his route into that race will either be through the Grade 1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes or a Pinnacle Stakes event.

The yard run Frosted Gold and Marshall in the SA Classic.
Matthew de Kock said, “They are both very well, we are very happy, but they have the Tarry duo to beat.”

Marshall will be the one best suited to this trip on pedigree and running style. This big Vercingetorix gelding is held in high regard but to date that is based mainly on his exceptional homework. Matthew said this horse had his problems and was not straightforward and perhaps that was the reason he was yet to bring his homework to the course to its full extent. However, if he does put his best foot forward he will be a big runner.

Matthew said Frosted Gold was a genuine horse who was loaded with ability and always tried his hardest. He has hardly put a foot wrong. He agreed this New Zealand-bred by All Too Hard had a stamina question mark but was quick to add that Sean Tarry’s stalwarts Shango and Ikigai did too.

Shango, who beat Frosted Gold going away in the Dingaans over a mile, is by sprinter Captain Of All out of a Jet Master mare who won from 1200-1400m. However, he runs as if he will stay further.

Conversely, Ikigai is by Vercingetorix out of an Al Muft mare who won over 1600m, which suggests he should stay 1800m, but he has a plenty of speed which creates the stamina doubt.

The De Kock yard have an interesting runner in the SA Fillies Classic in Virtuosa.

Matthew said, “She turns it on very quickly and hit the front a long way out in the Fillies Guineas. We will have to ride her very patiently this time.”

She is by Visionaire out of the De Kock-trained Checcetti, who won the Grade 2 Gerald Rosenberg over 2000m, so on pedigree she should stay the trip although she finished unplaced in her only attempt at 1800m to date.

By David Thiselton

A maiden winner with a merit rating in the 90’s is either good according to the handicappers, or over rated if you listen to the trainer. So, when set weights race like the Durban View Restaurant Novice Plate come around, trainers with horses with high ratings jump at the opportunity.

Two that stand out are Winter Sun and Dive Captain at Hollywoodbets Greyville today.

Michael Roberts thought well enough of Winter Sun to race her mostly in feature company last season. This earned her a lofty 97 rating but last year’s juvenile feature winners, both male and female, have not set the tracks alight in the current season which makes Winter Sun’s rating appear suspect.

Roberts stepped his filly up to a mile in the Flamboyant Stakes on Boxing Day and it was an experiment that did not have the desired result. Using her light weight, Denis Schwarz had her up with the pace before blowing out of the back door.

Winter Sun’s sprint form is far superior and although she takes to the poly track for the first time she does look capable of notching her second win, and if her rating is correct, it should be a comfortable win.

Dean Kannemeyer’s KZN string is firing nicely and if the ratings hold any water, Dive Captain should pose the biggest threat to Winter Sun. Although rated 3kg inferior, she is in turn rated 4.5kg superior to the next highest rated filly, Cut Loose.

Dive Captain made no show in the soft at Scottsville last time out but prior to that showed good early toe on the poly, only to be run out of it in the last few strides. Her effort behind the useful Petra in a Graduation Plate was a particularly commendable effort and a repeat on her favourite surface could see the opposition chasing shadows.

Tony Nassif will never go home wondering. He wears his heart on his sleeve and when he raids KZN it is always worth taking note. Cut Loose ran out of puff when well fancied at her second start at the Vaal but was reported to be making a respiratory noise. The addition of a tongue-tie appears to have solved that issue as she scored a comfortable win over the Hollywoodbets Scottsville 1400m next time out. She could be anything and probably worth including as a safety measure in the exotics.

 Some quick horses contest the Greyville Convention Centre Handicap and a win for Drunken Sailor would not be out of turn. Yogas Govender’s gelding has earned a cheque in all of his 10 starts and his fourth behind Scottsville specialist Ishnana being his only finish out of the first three.

Regular pilot Billy Jacobson has been signed up by Louis Goosen so the ride goes to Sherman Brown but it was probably on Jacobson’s advice that Govender has declared blinkers for the first time.

The irony is that Jacobson could provide the stiffest opposition as he partners the Goosen-trained poly specialist Di Mazzio, the combination bidding for a winning hat-trick – never an easy feat – but the stable does appear to have turned the corner.

Coldhardcash would appear to be held by Di Mazzio given their last meeting but apprentice Jabu Jacobs claims his 4kg and Coldhardcash will be out and gone when the gates open.

In the fifth, Arrabiata has shown up well in two starts since shedding her maiden over course and distance. She tried further last run but looks more at home over this shorter trip. Diamondsandpearls, Popova and Barinois could feature as the main threats. Diamondsandpearls won well last run and the extra furlong should not hold any fears from her good draw while Popova has been coming to hand slowly for her new stable and caught the eye over course and distance last time out. But judging by the riding arrangements, Arrabiata is the stable elect. Barinois is over her best course and distance but will not have her original 1.5kg claim as apprentice Jason Gates booted home his 60^th winner on Sunday and is now ineligible to claim.

Jacobs landed a treble at Scottsville last week and he could finally see Ziva De Grace into the winner’s enclosure in the first. Kom Naidoo’s filly has been game in defeat in all three of her starts and the five furlongs on the poly with the claim could be enough to see her home.

By Andrew Harrison

Hollywoodbets Greyville Wednesday Tips and Race Previews by Andrew Harrison

Race 1

6 ZIVA DE GRACE   8 KINSKEY’S TUNE   3 GALACTICO   2 WINTER WHISTLE
Preview: The 4kg claim by apprentice Jabu Jacobs who booted home a treble at Scottsville last week, could finally see ZIVA DE GRACE (6) into the winner’s enclosure. Kom Naidoo’s filly has been game in all three of her starts and the five furlongs on the poly with the claim could be enough to see her home. KINSKEY’S TUNE (8) found good betting support last time out after making a promising debut but took on males in a small field but she looks a threat. GALACTICO (3) was not too far back in her Highveld debut and is sure to improve. WINTER WHISTLE (2) trialled well and is one to watch. (Andrew Harrison: 6-8-3-2).

Race 2

9 HOT MONEY   8 RETAIL THERAPY   2 SPANISH OASIS   4 INGAKARA
Preview: Open race with weak form. HOT MONEY (9) was a beaten favourite at his last two but has been consistent and it could be third time lucky. RETAIL THERAPY (8) boasts some fair Cape form and was not too far back in her recent Vaal debut. She looks a threat. SPANISH OASIS (2) has done better than her last run and a tongue-tie has been added to her equipment. INGAKARA (4) made a modest debut last Wednesday but can come on from that. (Andrew Harrison: 9-8-2-4).

Race 3

6 COZY DOT COM   4 TEETOTAL   8 AMBERBELL   1 PLAMHEART
Preview: COZY DOT COM (6) improved nicely at her second start when making her poly debut. She meets a weak field here and could have a little more scope. TEETOTAL (4) is a battling maiden but goes well on the poly and has not been far back. She will never get an easier chance. AMBERBELL (8) is another struggler nut has shown her best over coursed and distance PALMHEART (1) is down in trip and the blinkers go on. She may be one to keep an eye on. (Andrew Harrison: 6-4-8-1).

Race 4

11 JONATHAN   5 FINAL ASSEMBLY   1 ENTERTHEDEBUTANTE   6 PETER PIPER
Preview: JONATHAN (11) was due to run last Friday night. He has a tricky draw but is much better than his last effort on the turf and is back on his favourite surface where he has shown consistent form. He does step up in trip. FINAL ASSEMBLY (5) was close-up in a blanket finish last run and a repeat can see him close again. ENTERTHEDEBUTANTE (1) takes on males but showed up well from a poor draw last run. Blinkers, a light weight and a plum draw sees a lot in her favour. PETER PIPER (6) is always game and was a fair second to Roy’s Physco who finally managed a second win last time out. (Andrew Harrison: 11-5-1-6).

Race 5

10 ARRABIATA   3 DIAMONDSANDPEARLS   9 POPOVA   11 BARINOIS
Preview: ARRABIATA (10) has shown up well in two starts since shedding her maiden over course and distance. She tried further last run but looks more at home over this shorter trip. DIAMONDSANDPEARLS (3) won well last run and the extra furlong should not hold any fears from her good draw. POPOVA (9) has been coming to hand slowly and caught the eye over course and distance last time out. BARINOIS (11) is over her best course and distance. She was a close-up second last run and Jason Gates takes 1.5kg off her back. (Andrew Harrison: 10-3-9-11).

Race 6

2 WINTER SUN   8 DIVE CAPTAIN   9 SANSKRIFT   7 CUT LOOSE  
Preview: WINTER SUN (2) feature placed last season and has shown her best form over this distance. Her run in the Flamboyant Stakes is best ignored. DIVE CAPTAIN (8) is back on her favourite surface and can do much better than her last showing. CUT LOOSE (7) was a comfortable maiden winner last run but is lightly raced. SANSKRIFT (9) has been over further at her last two. She was a beaten favourite last run and can make amends. (Andrew Harrison: 2-8-9-7).

Race 7

4 DRUNKEN SAILOR   10 DI MAZZIO   9 COLDHARDCASH   3 MR FITZ
Preview: DRUNKEN SAILOR (4) is seldom out of the money. The blinkers go on from a good draw. DI MAZZIO (10) goes for a winning hat-trick. He has drawn wide but is over his best course and distance. COLDHARDCASH (9) is quick and with a 4kg claimer aboard can make all. MR FITZ (3) is smart but is returning from a break and may just need it. (Andrew Harrison: 4-10-9-3).

Race 8

3 LORD CARO   6 KING CYRUS   12 SOLICITOR GENERAL   11 TRANSONIC
Preview: LORD CARO (3) made sudden improvement last run. Good chance if he can repeat. KING CYRUS (6) was a little disappointing last run but is back on the poly where he showed some improvement. He’s lightly raced. SOLICITOR GENERAL (12) has shown his best form on the poly but has again drawn wide. TRANSONIC (11) has also drawn wide and returns from a break but he has shown some ability and has a chance in a weak field. (Andrew Harrison: 3-6-12-11).

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Mercurana has been raised a massive 20 points (10kg) for his shock 45-1 win in last Saturday’s Kenilworth Cup.  His new 97 merit rating should give the Candice Bass-Robinson four-year-old a good chance of getting into the DStv Gold Vase and the eLan Gold Cup.

Swift Surprise, headed almost on the line, has gone up four to a new mark of 95 but Troop The Colour, who earned only R7 500 for finishing fourth, has been hit with a 13 point-rise to 80.

Strathdon (third) and fifth-placed Cedar Man have been left unchanged as has top weight Tap O’Noth who would surely have finished a lot closer than last – admittedly only beaten just over three and a half lengths – had he not been repeatedly denied a clear run. Last year’s Gold Cup winner Dynasty’s Blossom, who made a lot of the running before finishing sixth, is the only one of the eight runners to have been dropped and she comes down from 108 to 106.

Durbanville, forced to switch to Kenilworth on the morning of the racemeeting a week ago, has been given the go-ahead to resume on Saturday.

Racecourse manager Dean Diedericks said yesterday: “We are fine for Saturday and we could do with a few drops of rain.” None is forecast but the problem area – 50m from the winning post and in the centre of the track – is now back to normal.

The MR 78 1 000m handicap had only five acceptors when declarations closed at 11.00m and has been scrapped. The fillies 1 250m maiden and the 1 400m MR94 handicap have each attracted only six runners but the rest of the card has held up well. Candice Bass-Robinson has the most runners with ten while Justin Snaith has nine and Brett Crawford eight. Richard Fourie and Greg Cheyne are the only jockeys with a ride in every race but Sandile Mbhele and Corne Orffer each have seven mounts.

King Of Gems, winner of the Concorde Cup in November but only eighth in the Cape Guineas and last but one in the Cape Derby, has been diagnosed with a wind problem and is to have an operation.

Stable companion Front And Centre goes to Durban even though it was thought that the 2018 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas winner wasn’t at her best there last year. “She will continue racing until the end of the season and she will probably just have two races – in the Tibouchina (June 13) and the Jonsson Workwear Garden Province on July day,” Crawford reports. She started second favourite for last year’s Garden Province but finished only seventh.

Ready Steady Go could also be making the Great Trek after running such a good race in the Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes ten days ago. Despite being continually held up for a clear run and having to be switched, the 40-1 shot was only beaten a length and a quarter in fourth.

Michelle Rix said: “We decided to run him fresh, he flew up from last and was unlucky. We weren’t planning to send him to Durban but we will now look at the KZN season with him. We will talk to the owner (Francis Carruthers) and, if he agrees, we will send the horse.”

Prawns

The estimated 3 700 crowd at Kenilworth’s Prawn Festival meeting consumed a total of 2.1 tonnes of prawns. That works out at just over half a kilo per person. Interestingly Kenilworth’s events supremo Clinton Theys reveals that it was the racecourse which footed the bill and then sold the prawns to the public at cost. He is now trying to come up with a similar promotion for Durbanville – not prawns but something (he doesn’t yet know what) that is likely to be just as appealing to the general public.

By Michael Clower