L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate hero Vardy is being given a lengthy break following his tough time in the Sun Met when he was nearly brought down as he clipped the heels of Hawwaam early on.

Adam Marcus said: “He got roughed up, and he went a bit quiet on me for a few days. It’s the first time that has happened to him and he is not a straightforward horse. He has a delicate mouth for a start and things have to go his way. I put him on a soft feed, got him relaxed again and he began to freshen up once more.

“He is not going to go to a farm. He will stay with me so that I can keep an eye on him. He can be very playful and I have lovely paddocks at my yard.”

The Durban season is on the agenda and he could run in the big one despite the doubts about him getting the trip. “The Vodacom Durban July is a big option,” says the four-year-old’s trainer. “Nothing is set in stone at this stage but it is the prestige race of the season. That apart, he will go for some of the other big races.”

Stable companion Twist Of Fate, who ran his usual honest race to take fourth in the Met, was third in last year’s July for Joey Ramsden and will also be going to Durban. “He came through his race beautifully and he loves Greyville,” said his trainer who celebrates his 31^st birthday in eight days’ time. “If Twist Of Fate can go into the race with a nice weight he will be a very big runner.”

Saturday week

Justin Snaith has already declared four for Saturday week’s Kenilworth Fillies Nursery – S’Manga Khumalo rides December winner Favorita, Richard Fourie will partner Met day Listed race third Stuck On You and Bernard Fayd’Herbe has been booked for Trickster although no jockey has yet been decided on for Trippin The Stars. Met day Listed race winner Erik The Red (Fourie) has been declared for the Cape Of Good Hope Nursery.

There has been some criticism of the decision to transfer these two Grade 3 races from their traditional June slots, and the critics point to the small entry of 13 in each, but both races have often struggled to get a decent-sized field in the past. The colts’ race has had a field of only five three times in the last seven years and it has not reached double figures since 2008 while the fillies race has averaged only seven in the past eight seasons.

The races were moved because Kenilworth Racing wants to put up as impressive a show as possible for those at next week’s Asian Racing Conference. With the Prawn Festival meeting expected to attract a crowd at least equalling that of the Sun Met, the delegates’ reports home should be extremely favourable – something that can only benefit our industry in the long term.

By Michael Clower

The Vaal stages an eight race meeting tomorrow and it looks to be competitive so the exotics are probably the best way to approach it.

In the first race over 1200m the three that make most appeal are Putins Promise, Bergerac and Bassam. Putins Promise had to be pushed along most of the race last time over this trip but finished strongly, so is probably looking for further but he could mow them down late. Bergerac had a tough low draw in a big field over 1160m on Charity Mile day but was nevertheless backed in to 18/10. He was tired by the end but was not disgraced in fifth, beaten 5,25 lengths, and he should have improved, although he has gone 103 days without a race. Bassam showed fair pace last time over 1200m and on formlines there is not much between him and Bergerac. Qutro Passi showed pace on debut in a fair field and was not disgraced so could earn. Intothemystic hasn’t run for 173 days but has shown signs of ability and has blinkers on. Doublethink and Opening Gambit are two others who are hard to ignore.

In the second race over 1000m Elusive Woman ran a fair 4,75 length second to the promising Varina over this trip in just her second start and she looks the one to beat. Great Stratz stayed on quite well over this trip on debut and was also exactly 4,75 lengths behind Varina in that race so there is nothing in it. There are plenty of first-timers in this race but the one who makes most appeal is the Sean Tarry-trained Ecastatic, who is by Gimmethegreenlight out of a mare who finished second in the Grade 2 Ioi Tombe Challenge.

In the third race over 1000m the first-timer Slalom Queen makes plenty of appeal. She is by Querari out of Blizzard Belle, who broke the Fairview course record over 1000m, so she should have plenty of speed. The only winner in this Juvenile Plate field is Garden Party, who won on debut over 800m back in November. He now has to give the other males 3kg and the females 5,5kg. The only other horses to have run are Sultan’s Daughter and Valyrian King, so with the first-timer rule Pick 6 players can be garunteed to get through by just including those three. However, Slalom Queen is also worth including for those who want to double up.

In the fourth race Makara caught the eye as a juvenile and made a good comeback on January 7 after a nine month layoff. She can get of the mark here, although it is competitive. Allez Les Bleu is a solid sort who has pace and stays on so she could be a threat. Potency is an interesting first-timer being a R425,000 Captain Al filly and a half-sister to the classy Lazer Star, who won her first four races including the Grade 3 Magnolia Handicap and the Listed Swallow Stakes and she later won the Grade 2 Spring Fillies and Mares Challenge. Western Vision has run three good races and also has a chance. Roman Royalty is an eyecatching sort and he did not appear to stay a mile last tie so is interesting back at this trip.

In the fifth over 1200m Leading Fast has been given a lenient looking opening handicap mark after an easy win over this trip. However, it’s never easy first time out the maidens and a few others warrant consideration, including Royal Lily, who has faced some of the best of her crop without ever being disgraced and now runs in a handicap off a mark which has come down from a high of 98 to 86. Encryption was drawn wide last time over this trip on the Vaal Classic track and was just 1,25 lengths back at the line.  Malteza is knocking hard and The Fifth Wave was not disgraced last time against the cLassy Sarah at level weights, but she consequently copped a five point raise. Glowtoria is another one to consider. 

In the sixth over 1400m. Oden was not disgraced in a strong field in his penultimate start over 1475m and then stayed on well over 1100m last time so this trip should be down his alley. He is selected s a banker in the PA, although the trip might still just stretch him so going wide is the suggestion for the Pick 6.

In the seventh race the suggestion to go thin despite it being competitive as there have to be some budget saving legs. Written In Stone might have a slights tamina doubt on pedigree but on running style he should get this 1600m trip from a good draw of two. He has fair crusing speed and always runs on late in races over 1200m up to 1450m and in his only attempt at this trip he was drawn very wide. He can handle a four point raise for his win last time. War Jewel has faced two good sorts in his last two without being disgraced and runs off a one point lowered mark. Norland is hard knocking and must be included despite being given another two point raise for his close second last time.       

In the last race a chance is taken on getting through with just two horses Duke’s Game and Crank It Up, who bot look to be improving sorts who will be distance suited, although the first mentioned has a good draw and the latter is drawn wide.

By David Thiselton

Liverpool Champ has not been out of the money since being ‘run over’ by Justfortheepenny prior to shedding his maiden but Gavin van Zyl obviously believes that the gelding is better than his last two starts would suggest.

Not too many horses are capable of backing up their maiden win but Liverpool Champ did just that when beating the consistent Techno Captain first up in a handicap.

Since then, Liverpool Champ has got himself on the wrong side of the handicappers as his handicap rating was pumped up from an 86 to a current 91 rating courtesy of a second-placed finish to Merlin From Berlin in spite of giving the winner 3kg.

The mechanics of the MR system are a mystery to most but Liverpool Champ, blinkered for the first time, does look capable of registering his third victory and defying top weight of 61kg.

Anton Marcus has ben loyal to Brett Crawford’s colt Baby Shooz after a facile maiden win. The son of Jackson has since been touched off in two races over 1600m and the step up to today’s trip of 2000 on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly may be what he is looking for.

Greek Sword and Walterthepenniless are others to consider along with the filly American Princess who was a fast-finishing second over course and distance last time out but Marcus has deserted in order to partner Baby Shooz.

Garth Puller could hold the key to the fifth where he saddles Noemi and First Sighting.

The latter has been priced up favourite by Track & Ball

after her close-up third behind Mai Tai and the presence of Anton Marcus in the saddle along with first-time blinkers will also have trimmed some of the odds. However, stable companion Noemi may prove a better proposition. She is over her best course and distance and with a 4kg claimer up should be right there.

Lady Legend is young and improving filly that Wayne Badenhorst – who has since joined forces with his sister Barbara, now Kennedy and former KZN assistant to Dean Kannemeyer – felt was good enough to contest a Highveld feature. It was a trip in vain as Lady Legend faded out behind the smart Mill Queen, a fancied runner in the Gr2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas at Turffontein tonight, but she recouped expenses with a game win next time out on the Greyville turf.

With Gareth Wright on the injured list, Calvin Habib takes over in the saddle from a pole position draw. T&B are quoting 11-1 in the ante-post market but that will all change after the scratching of ante-post favourite Marsanne who spiked a temperature over the weekend.

By Andrew Harrison

Paul Peter has been unable to work his string ahead of the rescheduled Gauteng Guineas meeting at Turffontein Standside on Wednesday as the tracks are waterlogged but he doesn’t believe they could have lost much fitness.

He said, “They are looking bright, eating well and we have been taking them for long works.”

Summer Pudding is the favourite in the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas and he is bullish about her chances.

Although she is unbeaten in three starts some have questioned the strength of her formlines.

However, he said, “She is a very smart filly and is improving all the time. Her mission is the Triple Tiara and the further she goes the better she will be. So this race is going to be her most difficult leg as it is over a mile, but I’m sure her class will pull her through.”

Summer Pudding is by Silvano out of the Strike Smartly mare Cherry On The Cake, who is a half-sister to Triple Tiara heroine Cherry On The Top, so it is not surprising she is progressive.

Peter runs three in the Grade 2 Gauteng Guineas and said both Riverstown and Astrix should definitely be included in the Pick 6 and Arapaho should be included in quartets etc. 

Peter’s admiration for Riverstown is well documented but he pointed out, “There is not much between Riverstown and Astrix at home. Astrix is much better than his last run (in the Dingaans) as he was caught wide and needed gelding at the time. Arapaho has had a wind op and has improved so can also be thrown into the exotics.”

He concluded, “All three runners are well in themselves.”

He runs the talented What A Winter filly Fly Away as well as Chief Of State in the Grade 3 Tommy Hotspur Handicap over 1000m and said, “Fly Away is a very fast filly. My only concern with her is that she would prefer the going to be on top. She has a perfect action so doesn’t enjoy soft ground. Hopefully it will have dried out a bit by the time of the race. If it has she is a massive runner. Chief Of State has improved with blinkers and has been working exceptionally well.”

Fly Away hasn’t run since October 31 due to a persistent mouth abscess but the lack of a recent run doesn’t worry Peter.

He said, “She is hard on herself at home so doesn’t need much racing.” 

Peter’s meeting starts with Fromheretoeternity in the first over 1160m and he said, “She is drawn on the wrong side but she could still place.”

In the second he has South East and said, “”He is drawn on the right side. He needed his first start and I will be disappointed if he does not finish in the first three.” 

He continued, “My best runner on the day is Diamond Dancer (fourth race 2000m). We have been trying him over further but those distances stretched him. He is now ideally distance suited. He is very well, fit and sound and has been working so well. He doesn’t have to go to the front, he can sit second or third.”

In the fifth over 1600m he runs Shukamisa and said, “I am quietly confident with him. He likes the wet and it’s his third run after a rest and is the best I have had him since acquiring him. He doesn’t take much work so the interruption to the preparation in the last few days shouldn’t affect him.”

In the last race over 1160m he runs Var filly Carioca and said, “It’s her third run after a rest and she has been doing exceptionally well at home. If she had been drawn on the outside I would have made her a massive runner but she unfortunately has draw 2. But she should still run into the quartets.”

By David Thiselton

David Nieuwenhuizen has three feature runners at the rescheduled Gauteng Guineas meeting, which is now to be run at Turffontein Standside tomorrow evening.

Nieuwenhuizen’s Querari filly Mill Queen has not had an ideal preparation but he is still upbeat about her chances.

He said, “We couldn’t get Gavin Lerena for the Three Troikas and she was drawn wide so we decided it would be an unnecessarily hard race and pulled her out. But she is very well, although it is a bit unsettling to have a postponement as it is not easy to keep a horse in the right place for the extra few days. This is the biggest race of her career to date and I think we have The Paul Peter filly Summer Pudding to beat. Paul Peter is quite confident but we hope we can do it. Mill Queen might go for the second leg too over 1800m, and a sprint-miler type like her might get it depending on how the race is run. But we are not thinking of that right now.”

Mill Queen ended her campaign as a two-year-old with a 0,80 length second in the Grade 1 Thekwini Stakes to the subsequently named Equus Champion two-year-old Gabor. However, she had to come from a wide draw that day and did not know the track, which was unlike the winner on both counts.

In her only start this term she won the Grade 3 HSH Princess Charlene Starling Stakes over 1400m on November 2, despite not having enjoyed a smooth preparation into the race.

Nieuwenhuizen said after that win, “Thank goodness Gavin (Lerena) has a good feel for a horse. He rode her with a bit in reserve and it looked like she did need it. She still has to mature mentally and physically, she is a late maturer who is still furnishing, so hopefully she will get a lot better. She is doing extremely well despite being backwards and that is just down to her ability, so we have to look after her. She is a filly who gives her all, so we also have to be careful with her in work.”

Lerena will be back aboard tomorrow evening.

Nieuwenhuizen is bullish about the chances of Factor Fifty and Flichity By Farr in the Non-Black Type Allez France Stakes over 2400m. Lerena was unable to stay aboard Flichity By Farr, as he is contracted to ride for the owners of Chitengo, and he is replaced by high-flying Craig Zackey.  

Nieuwenhuizen said, “They are both very well and I expect two big runs. Factor Fifty is an up and coming filly and is the stronger of the two so takes more work, but Flichity has proven class. They are very close and I hope we can have a win with either of them.”

By David Thiselton