Nastergal will continue to be campaigned over shorter distances after Greg Cheyne combined bluntness with enterprise to make most of the running in the 1 200m Champagne Stakes at Kenilworth on Saturday.

Candice Bass-Robinson, winning the race for the second year running, said: “We have been playing around with distances for this filly,  and jockeys were coming back in saying she feels as if she wants 1 800m. But Greg said to me beforehand ‘Are you going to moan if I end up in front?’  When she comes back in the springtime we will keep her to the shorter trips, maximum a mile.”

The Duke Of Marmalade filly carries the same Ridgemont-Kieswetter colours that Run Fox Run would have borne had the ante-post odds-on shot not been withdrawn on account of the soft ground. The unbeaten A$420 000 (R4.1 million) buy will be aimed at a higher level next term.

“Run Fox Run has done everything so well and so easily, and I will keep her in sprints until she gets beaten,” said Brett Crawford who mentioned the Cape Flying Championship in the same breath. He told the Racegoer page earlier in the week that he would not run her on Saturday if the ground turned soft but one Kenilworth regular complained to me that the scratching did not appear on the sahorseracing.co.za website by the time of the 8.30am deadline, something he considered unfair on punters. But apparently procedures are not as straightforward as generally supposed.

“The rule is that you can scratch before 8.30am and after that you have to contact the stipes,” Crawford explained. “I walked the course on Friday but I knew there was a gallop at Kenilworth at 9.00am on Saturday and that Greg Cheyne (who had won on Run Fox Run last time) was riding in it. I wanted to get his feedback. When I did, I got on to the stipes to scratch her.”

Even then he had to make his case, citing penetrometer readings and explaining: “She is too valuable to risk.” The stipendiary board ruled that the request was “reasonable and acceptable” and Ernie Rodrigues informed the National Racing Bureau of the scratching at 9.52am.

Less satisfactory was that the Champagne and the Final Fling ended up with a combined total of only 13 runners and just three trainers – Bass-Robinson (five runners), Glen Kotzen and Justin Snaith (four each) – competing for R500 000 and black type. Nobody seemed able to come up with a realistic reason although Snaith said he should have had an extra runner in the Final Fling. “Instead I sent Red Ginger to PE for black type on Friday, they switched the race to the poly and she finished last. I made a mistake sending her there.”

He won the Final Fling for the fifth time, and the fourth in the last seven seasons, when Richard Fourie easily completed a treble on 7-20 shot Platinum Class to leave the Drakenstein team debating whether she should stay in training for a further season.

Yorktown, though, put up the performance of the day to come right away in the final furlong for a four-length win in the 1 200m maiden juvenile. The Ridgemont-Highlands Dynasty homebred is out of dual Grade 1 winner Overarching.

“He has the genes and that’s half the battle,” said Crawford. “He is still immature and a big baby but Anton Marcus said he did everything right.”

The phrase ‘gift of the gab’ could have been coined with Riaan van Reenen in mind and the former trainer remains an interviewer’s dream in his new role as assistant to Glen Puller, as he demonstrated to Grant Knowles after Miss D’Aray landed the last. But his non-stop prose can make life complicated for jockeys and Ryan Munger reported: “He gave me a whole book of instructions!”

By Michael Clower

The Turffontein Inside track stages a nine race meeting on Saturday and playing the exotics looks the way to approach it.

In the first leg of the PA Machali will dwarf the likely favourite Risk Taker here and also has the advantage of a slightly better draw and a 3kg lighter weight. She caught the eye on debut staying on well over 1200m and should relish the step up in trip. Gavin Lerena significantly stays aboard. Risk Taker was outpaced for much of the way over 1200m on debut before taking off in the final 200m and getting up. She should relish the step up to this 1600m trip and although she is not the biggest of fillies and has a wide draw she does not face a strong field here. Those two should fight it out.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1450m Perfectly Putt was dropped out from a wide draw over this trip on debut and made up good ground in the straight. He gets 3kg from the winners but will likely have to run on again from behind as he is widely drawn again. One-time winner Johnny Hero was not disgraced against stronger last time and if settling from pole position should enjoy this trip. Arapaho, also a one-time winner, has been facing stronger and was staying on over 1100m last time. He is by Elusive Fort so should enjoy the trip although he has made a breathing noise before. 

In the first leg of the Jackpot American Indian is doing well for the Pettigrew yard and although he has to overcome a four point merit rated raise he could follow up on his last win, which was over this trip on the Greyville poly. Jet Start is talented and is interesting over a suitable trip in her first start for the flying Paul Peter yard. Gift For The Gap has always struck as one with plenty of scope and this trip should suit.

In the sixth race Prince Jordan showed what he is capable over 1600m last time and although having to overcome a maximum eight point raise he looks to have turned the corner and this 1200m trip is equally suitable. Master Boulder enjoys this course and distance and looks the main danger.

In the seventh over 1450m Gimmethenight finished just two lengths behind the decent Running Brave over 1400m last time when receiving just 2kg and is drawn in pole, so is the one to beat. Lake Kinneret should enjoy the step down in trip but has a tricky draw. The filly Gimme Hope Johanna has a form chance here over her favourite course and distance from a good draw. 

In the eighth race over 1450m Mighty Storm has shown some ability and is drawn well over a suitable 1450m trip so is the selection in an uninspiring field. Dogliotti doesn’t have much form but ran a fair race last time over 1600m and now in his first run after gelding has a good draw and Gavin Lerena is up. African Adventure was the fastest from the 400m to the finish on debut and can be involved if closer to the pace this time, but he has another wide draw to overcome. Blanco has been disappointing but has a chance here. Cross From Goa can also be included.

In the last the well bred Princess Penelope should be improving and gets a good opportunity. The Jocelyn Tree and the first-timer Forever Flame could be the dangers. 

By David Thiselton

It might sound sacrilege to say so but the unbeaten Run Fox Run could be worth opposing in the Champagne Stakes at Kenilworth tomorrow.

Brett Crawford warned earlier in the week that he would not risk the rising star if yesterday’s rain turns the ground soft but, even if it is not enough to keep her away, she could be vulnerable – and at yesterday’s 4-10 it makes sense to look elsewhere.

Lesedi La Rona may not be the most obvious on adjusted merit ratings – she comes out 5kg behind both Dynamic Diana and Canukeepitsecret – but she showed signs of fulfilling her two-year-old promise with a smooth win in a pinnacle last time and, highly relevantly, she made light of the good to soft ground. “She is back to her best,” confirms Candice Bass-Robinson. Her current 15-2 looks attractive.

Furthermore, while the favourite has won three of the last six runnings, the last three years have seen a succession of upsets with the winners being returned at 11-1, 25-1 and 8-1.

Glen Kotzen is the most successful trainer in this race with four winners and he is represented by the double-figure priced pair Too Phat To Fly and Ostinato. The latter has won twice when the word soft has appeared in the going description.

Only once in the past 15 years has the Champagne seen a smaller field than tomorrow’s nine but the six in the Final Fling is the smallest this century with Justin Snaith responsible for half the runners and Glen Kotzen (two) and Mrs Bass-Robinson the only other trainers represented.

Platinum Class is well-nigh unbackable at 2-7 but Richard Fourie’s mount is hard to oppose despite three of the last four favourites getting beaten. She comes out over three lengths better than the next highest-rated (stable companion Miss Katalin) and she has won in the soft. She was third in the Prix du Cap and the Olympic Duel and in the Ladies Mile last time she had Pearl Jam over a length back third and here she is 8kg better. Miss Katalin and Libra are also well held on that run.

If you are looking for a long shot then Coral Bay, the rank outsider at 22-1, just might be worth an interest. She appears to have completely lost her form but she is a Listed winner, she goes in the ground and Kotzen has won this race four times before.

BLOB The Durbanville meeting on Tuesday, July 30 has been switched to Kenilworth.

By Michael Clower

To take a bet go to www.tabgold.co.za or www.trackandball.co.za

The Highveld Hawks, defending their title for the third time in succession, are set to get off to a smart start in New Turf Carriers Rider Cup at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday. Muzi Yeni has drawn the plum ride on the Sean Tarry-trained Over The Limit while ‘stable companion’ Gavin Lerena will be aboard first timer Sacred Blues for Garth Puller, second and third favourites in the first leg and third race on the card.

Early favourite for the opening leg is Glacier Girl, Richard Fourie also having landed a plum draw on Alyson’s Wright’s filly. A close-up second in a work rider’s race for Mike de Kock last time out, Glacier Girl has her first run for Wright and the blinkers come off.

Over The Limit boasts some consistent Highveld form and with Tarry and Yeni both contenders for their respective national championships, both will be keen on a victory.

With riders and runners having been drawn out of the hat, nothing can be read into the riding arrangements but the bonus is that we have a dozen of the country’s premier riders in action.

Duncan Howells holds a strong hand in the second leg with Mocha Rose and La Valette, Lyle Hewitson and Keagan de Melo doing duty for the stable. Mocha Rose did not get the best of passages when down the field behind stable companion Barinois last time out with her recent form over course and distance more than useful.

La Valette started at long odds when making her poly track debut and appeared to take to the synthetic surface, staying on well behind the older Missibaba. A win for Hewitson would be further good news for the Hawks.

Sean Veale can strike back for the KZN Falcons aboard the Howells runner Barinois in the next. The synthetic surface seems to bring out the best in her, her last effort coming over course and distance when coming from last to win going away.

Miss Sabina looks a likely danger while Imperial Royal has a tricky draw to contend with but was a close-up third when up against stronger at her last start.

The final leg of the Cup could see the giant Haddington record the eighth win of his career. He is back over his favourite course and distance and Bernard Fayd’Herbe is sure to get the best out of Louis Goosen’s runner.

At around 13-1 in the market he looks fair value for money with Gimme A Cohiba and Anton Marcus weak 3-1 favourites in the early betting with O’Reilly and Don Pierro 6-1 chances according to bookmakers.

Punters are reminded that there is tote betting on the outcome of the Cup “twelfth” race on the card, there will be win, place and swinger options on the outcome where the jockey who accumulates the most points will be declared Victor Ludorum. The pools close at the start of race 3 (13.25).

By Andrew HarrisonTo take a bet go to www.tabgold.co.za or www.trackandball.co.za

The Rider Cup takes place over four legs on the Greyville poly on Sunday and it should be a thriller.  

The KZN Falcons team is made up of Anton Marcus, Warren Kennedy, Sean Veale and Keagan de Melo.

The Highveld Hawks consists of Lyle Hewitson, Muzi Yeni, Gavin Lerena and S’Manga Khumalo.

The Cape Eagles team comprises Greg Cheyne, Richard Fourie, Bernard Fayd’Herbe and Corne Orffer.

The predicted order of finish in the first leg, an uninspiring maiden race is Over The Limit (Yeni), Sacred Blues (Lerena), Magic Bean (Marcus), Glacier Girl (Fourie), Tallulah Jet (Orffer), Retail Therapy (Veale), Duchess Lane (De Melo), Masters Beauty (Cheyne), Lady Clementine (Kennedy), Spanish Oasis (Khumalo), Amberbell (Fayd’Herbe), Jamie’s Joy (Hewitson). 

Over The Limit did well when dropped to this trip last time and has a plum draw. Sacred Blues makes her debut after catching the eye in a barrier trial. She is by Oratorio and is from the family of the useful sprinter Down To Zero. Magic Bean has a fair action and can improve on her debut which did not pan out well. Glacier Girl has some of the best form in the race and makes her debut for the Alyson Wright yard having been sold out of the Mike de Kock yard. First-timers Tallulah Jet and Retail Therapy are both bred for further but did it easily in a barrier trial and should be staying on. Duchess Lane showed pace last time with first time blinkers on over 1400m and should appreciate the step back down to 1200m.

In the second leg, a fillies and mares MR 72 Handicap, the predicted order of finish is Spam Alert (Fayd’Herbe), Myelisha (Khumalo), Stormbourne Thunder (Veale), La Valette (De Melo), Mitra Music (Orffer), Song Of The Forest (Marcus), Mocha Rose (Hewitson), Mambo Lyric (Yeni), Rock Pigeon (Fourie) , Eden Gardens Glitz (Lerena), Give Me A Break Nate (Kennedy) and Senorita Amor (Cheyne).

Spam Alert has only had one run in KZN and likely needed it. If reproducing her Cape Town form she will go close, although she hasn’t raced since April 5 and that also followed a three month layoff. Myelisha is a filly with some substance and enjoys the poly. She was given an eight point raise for her win last time out in February and hasn’t raced since, but on collateral formlines she comes out well. Stormborne Thunder, whose form is quite hard-knocking, will likely go to the front and under a nice galloping weight can stay on. La Valette was dropped out from a wide draw over 1200m last time and ran on well. Mitra Music did quite well last time in a relatively strong workrider’s event over 1100m and should be involved over a more suitable trip. Song Of The Forest could contest the early lead under Marcus.  

In the third leg the predicted order of finish is More Than A Dime (Fayd’Herbe), Barinois (Veale), Isla Morada (De Melo), Princess Analia (Hewitson)  Imperial Royal (Khumalo), Berry Flambeau (Fourie), Such A Rush (Cheyne), Bronnie (Yeni), Miss Sabina (Orffer), Jo Mambo (Kennedy)  Green Caviar (Marcus) and Keep It Real (Lerena),  

More Than A Dime looks to have scope so can follow up on her maiden win. Barinois comes from a yard who is out of form but at her best is able to run on strongly. Isla Morada is a courageous sort who should finish close to More Than A Dime on paper. Princess Analia is course and distance suited and has dropped to a competitive mark. Imperial Royal would prefer further but if getting to the front from a wide draw could be dangerous. Barry Flambeau bolted home in a workrider’s maiden in Jo’burg when stepped up to this trip and starts off handicapping on a reasonable mark.

In the last leg over 1900m the predicted order of finish is Gimmie A Cohiba (Marcus), Three Dog Night (Lerena), Techno Captain (Hewitson), O’Reilly (Yeni),  Gibraltar Green (De Melo), Sea Sponge (Cheyne), Al Jackman (Veale), Master Sam (Orffer), Don Pierro (Fourie), Everlasting Love (Khumalo), Hyaku (Kennedy), Haddington (Fayd’Herbe), 

Gimmie A Cohiba has a wide draw but Marcus knows this horse well and if positioning him well his long stride will be effective in the straight. Three Dog Night won a maiden over 1600m at Turffontein with a sustained finish last time and will appreciate the step up in trip. Techno Captain is widely drawn but has come down to a nice mark and steps back up to a more suitable trip. O’Reilly ran a cracker last time over 2000m on turf considering he was considerably under sufferance and caught wide in the running. However, he does have another wide draw. Gibraltar Green won well over 1600m on the poly three runs ago albeit off a six point lower mark. This is a more suitable trip and his last run can be ignored as he was squeezed out in the straight. Sea Sponge has a chance on formlines with Gimmie A Cohiba. 

It is going to be tight but on these predictions the Highveld Hawks will narrowly beat the KZN Falcons with the Cape Eagles third.

The top jockey will be very tight on these predictions. Anton Marcus and Sean Veale emerge as joint-winners and Bernard Fayd’Herbe is just one point further back in third.

There is all to play for and it should be an intriguing event.

By David Thiselton