Celestial Storm at 11-2 could be the answer to the Interbet.co.za Pinnacle Stakes at Kenilworth today, particularly as the M.J. Byleveld-ridden bottom weight is so well treated.

The weights in pinnacles are determined by merit ratings, but in bands of five points at a time, and the best horses tend to come out marginally better than in a normal handicap. However fillies and mares receive a 2.5kg allowance which they don’t get in a handicap and on adjusted ratings here the selection comes out equal top with Bold Respect – and the pair are 2kg clear of the next best (Sergeant Hardy who doesn’t seem to be quite the force he was).

Bold Respect has not raced since the Mercury Sprint three months ago whereas Celestial Storm won a conditions race at Durbanville before taking third to Pacific Trader in a pinnacle there a month ago. She would probably have finished second had she had a clear run.

The danger could well be Bold Respect’s stable companion Traces, the mount of Anton Marcus. This one suffered serious interference in that pinnacle, not once but twice, and Brett Crawford said: “He was in need of the race – it was his first run since having a wind op – and he has come on a hell of a lot since.”

What A Flirt caught the eye on debut at Durbanville earlier in the month and gets the vote to reverse the placings with Silver Tiara in the Play Soccer 6 Maiden (race two). It might seem folly to suggest she can turn the tables on the in-form Glen Kotzen/ Morne Winnaar combination. However Greg Cheyne, who rode Silver Tiara last time, is now on the Paddy Kruyer runner who is bound to have come on from the run and has only half a length to make up.

It could pay to follow the Crawford-Marcus-Ridgemont combination in races three, four and five. It is unlikely that all three will win but they all have chances and the Crawford stable is in tremendous form with 14 winners at the last seven Cape Town meetings.

Duke Of Cards (33-10) in the 2 400m maiden (race three) has the weakest chance of the trio and, being out of a Trippi mare, there must be doubts about him getting the trip but his trainer says: “He is a big horse and he is relishing to go this type of distance.”

In the next Water Spirit (28-10) will be having her second run after an enforced rest (a bad sign!) when she had problems behind the saddle but apparently she has come on since her fourth-placed return seven weeks ago.

Flame Tree (22-10 for race five) was good enough to win first time out but lost ground at the off when tried in handicap company on Matchem day. Her trainer says: “Her work at home has been good.”

By Michael Clower

Turffontein Inside track has a nine race meeting tomorrow and there has been some welcome rain this week which should lead to easier going.

Three-year-old prospect Gin Fizz appears in the fifth race, a Graduation Plate over 1450m, and is best in at the weights. Last time out she just failed to beat the highly regarded Vistula in the Grade 2 Joburg Spring Fillies and Mares Challenge over this course and distance. The concern is that she threatened to over race on that occasion before a strong pacemaker allowed her to drop in and settle in second. There does not appear to be pace in this race and she is drawn wide so she might have to lead. Four-year-old filly Green Top is well regarded by Alec Laird and is only half-a-kilogram under sufferance. The blinkers are back on after she was beaten 9,5 lengths by Gin Fizz in that last race and she also has her third run after a long layoff, so hopefully can bounce back.

Against The Grain is 4kg under sufferance with Gin Fizz and has his second run after a long layoff, but is talented and the trip is ideal. Urban Rock is 11kg under sufferance with Gin Fizz but looks capable of rising above his merit rating and has a plum draw. However, on pedigree, being by Seventh Rock out of Black Minnaloushe sprinter Mary Stuart, there is a slight stamina doubt. Tiger’s Rock is a whopping 12,5kg under sufferance and does not make much appeal. Glider Pilot will find this too sharp and is returning from a 483 day layoff. Over Sharing’s recent form is uninspiring and Shadows Night will be outgunned.

The meeting starts with a Maiden over 1200m and Eppagilia makes appeal as one with plenty of scope and having his second run after gelding from a better draw than last time. 

In the second over 1600m Oyster King was caught in second place without cover last time and still stayed on for a close third so could prevail this time from a better draw. Cairon made a good front-running debut over 1450m and with expected improvement should go close from a plum draw. G I JOE quickened well to hit the front over 1200m last time before being run out of it and he has done well over this trip before, but it is his second run after a layoff and he has a tough draw.

In the first leg of the PA Eightfold’s Lass drops back to her favourite 1600m trip and is well drawn. The enigmatic Aurelia Cotta has been consistent over this trip lately and is drawn in pole. Evening Bell is talented and could run well fresh over a trip too sharp.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 2000m Atomic Blonde is well regarded so is interesting stepped up in trip. Festive Linngari will relish the course and distance from a good draw and Rocky Path is ultra consistent. Tough Choice is in good form but was given a four point raise last time and So Long Spring could be involved if reproducing her run in September over course and distance. In For A Penny could be dangerous from a good draw with a 1,5kg claimer up if taken to the front. 

In the sixth over 1450m Hartleyfour might well be looking for this trip and is well drawn. Category Four has a fine chance from a good draw and African Rock should also be involved. Pidgeon Rock must be included although he has to prove he stays the trip and Pop Icon can be considered despite a wide draw as he waltzed home in his first try at this trip. 

In the next Flash Burn has undoubted talent and is well drawn over an ideal course and distance. His stablemate Culture Trip won well last time and is the danger.

In the eighth over 1450m Marygold won well on debut and starts handicapping off a reasonable mark so can remain unbeaten. Golden Spiral is in fine form and Kapama emerges well on formlines, but both have tough draws. Querari Ferrari can be considered from a good draw off a reasonable opening mark and The Sash is capable so could bounce back with this good draw. 

In the last over 1000m Arikel’s form has been franked and she is taken to beat the consistent Claremorris and Black Ferrari, who is better than her last lacklustre outing.

By David Thiselton

Anton Marcus can return to Kenilworth in style tomorrow and win the Cape Classic for the fourth time in seven seasons. He also has a big chance on Pretty Young Thing in the Western Cape Fillies Championship.

His mount Silver Operator is favourite at 5-2 for the Classic, has 2kg in hand on ratings and would have beaten Snow Report (a big price at 12-1 here) in another two strides in the Langerman. He also went close in his prep.

His Achilles heel could be the distance because he has looked as if he needs a bit further, although the rain forecast for this morning should slow things down a bit. “I would say that he is best over 1 600m but this trip should be OK and he has done very well,” says Vaughan Marshall.

The other negative is the record of Cape Classic favourites  – only two of the last nine have won. General Franco comes out next best on official ratings but both bookmakers and the Snaith stable seem a lot keener on the unbeaten Sachdev who is second in the market 9-2.

The Dennis Bosch raider Padre Pio surely has it to do giving weight all round. Seventh Gear (5-1) has long been held in high regard but Snow Report and Sophomore Sprint winner Three Two Charlie have achieved more. “It could be close between them,” says Candice Bass-Robinson. “Three Two Charlie is pretty decent and I think the 1 400m should be OK for him as this is on the old course.”

The big drawback with Pretty Young Thing is her 17 draw. Greg Cheyne, who rode her when she won a fortnight ago, spoke of her good gate speed and Marcus’s unique starting method will ensure she gets over quickly, and with the minimum of exertion, but she will still have to cover more ground that her main rivals. “She has done well, is in good form and I am happy with her,” enthuses an optimistic-sounding Brett Crawford who was successful with Bad Girl Runs in 2005.

The last four favourites for this Grade 2 have all been beaten into second but the previous five all won. World Radar heads the market and, while she has only raced at Fairview, she has won both her starts by wide margins. “I think she is above average although time will tell,” says Alan Greeff who won the race with Tatler back in 2001.

Snaith, bidding for his sixth win, runs three with Casino Queen the shortest-priced at 10-1. Roll In The Hay has been backed from 11-1 to 6-1 and Mrs Bass-Robinson says: “I don’t think she will get further than 1 400 but she should get away with this on the old course from a one draw.”

Glen Kotzen has deliberately not given Third Runway a prep run, recalling that he did the same with Princess Victoria when she won in 2011 and adding: “She will be ready – her gallops have been phenomenal.”

By Michael Clower

After a two-month break and having various appendages stitched back together, multiple champion Anton Marcus is back in full-time action at Hollywoodbets Greyville this evening. Never one to sit back and let others dictate his course of action, Marcus has had two barrier trials to test fitness and booked himself some competitive rides that will hopefully announce his return.

First up he partners Valiente for Brett Crawford in the card opener where the switch back to the poly should prove beneficial after disappointing on turf last time out. Assistant Peter Muscutt has removed the blinkers and Valiente looks the part in a field that shows modest form.

Marcus has taken advantage of Warren Kennedys absence due to the latter’s seven-day suspension and partners a few hot runners for Gavin van Zyl including the first timer Whizz Of Odds in the second.

“Whizz Of Odds barrier trialled well but unfortunately has a bad draw. But we are taking our chances because she is very quick. I rate her and she has a good winning chance,” commented Van Zyl to colleague David Thiselton mid-week.

Vying for favouritism are Another Secret and Royal View, the two finishing within a head of each other when last they met. Another Secret has the better draw this time around and that may give her the edge. Also in the mix is Katie’s Treasure who makes her poly debut but has shown some ability. The switch of surfaces could bring out the best in her.

Marcus has another plum ride in Wave, also for Gavin van Zyl. Wave is another that makes his poly debut but although returning from a break he has strong form in feature company. He had the worst of the draw over a mile in the Gr1 Premier’s Champion Stakes last start but prior to that was up with the best of his generation. Tonight’s trip is possibly on the short side but Van Zyl has declared blinkers and Wave could prove a little too smart for this line-up even though he is up against some useful opposition and Marcus will have to trim to 56kg!

Railtrip is another that Van Zyl is warming up for bigger things and he appears to have picked the ideal race for her second outing of the season in the Concorde Cranes Graduation Plate. Although taking on males, Railtrip is well in at the weights and is a smart filly who should come on lengths from her last run. About the obvious dangers; What A Blast is back on his favourite surface while Dennis Drier saddles a lively pair in Walterthepenniless, who is possibly the stable elect, and Bank Robber who has his third run after a break and improved nicely last time out.

If not making the winner’s enclosure by the fourth, Marcus should be on the mark in the fifth where he partners La Duchesse for Paul Gadsby. Placed in her last five starts, she is due a change of fortune and outside of a possible threat from the disappointing – to date at least – Tarocco, La Duchesse should be hard to beat.

The sixth is a tricky handicap with many in with chances but On The Double has her third run after a break and has been up against stronger in those two starts. She tries blinkers and should be cherry-ripe. Barinois has been consistent and her last win was over course and distance. She takes a small rating drop and with a claiming apprentice aboard will be a threat. One to watch is American Princess. She scrambled home on debut but was expected to do it a little easier so may have more to come.

The seventh has an impossible look about it but Agent Murphy is lightly raced and does appear to have some scope. He was in need of his last run when taking on stronger and can feature prominently in a tough contest. There is very little separating the likes of Grande Maestro, Sovereign Soldier, Roy’s Taxi, Rumbleinthejungle and Jonathan while the honest soldier Putchini, out for the 99^th time, hardly ever runs a bad race and was less than a length behind Sovereign Soldier last run. Do Or Dare let the side down last time out has been costly to follow but should be worth another chance in the last where Academy Award and Man In The Moon look the most likely dangers.

By Andrew Harrison

Adrian Todd’s bid to persuade the European Union to send officials to conduct an audit of protocols, and so pave the way for South Africa to be allowed to export horses direct once more, has run into problems from poultry.

Todd said: “The EU has stated that no audit regarding horses will be forthcoming while poultry exports to South Africa are closed after the 2017 Avian influenze outbreak.”

Todd is still convinced that he can succeed and has adopted a slogan from UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, declaring: “Let’s push this over the line.”

By Michael Clower