Had there been racing 2 000 years ago the Good Lord might well have changed his famous ‘camel through the eye of a needle’ analogy to it being harder for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven than for a trainer starting from scratch to get off the ground.

Yet ex-jockey and coffee machine businessman Piet Botha looks like making it. The Ossie Noach-ridden Tiger Roll at Kenilworth on Saturday was Botha’s second winner in as many meetings and his fourth since his first runner in September, and his numbers have increased from ten to 18.

“I own half of them so it is not that good,” he said modestly. “But people want to see results and things are now expanding a bit.”

Peter Wrensch, who took over the late Ronnie Sheehan’s horses ( there weren’t many) and had his first runners six months ago, is still at the nervous nought stage but half the racecourse was willing him on as Over Again headed for the line in the Interbet.co.za Handicap. Just when it looked as if he was going to hang on, the Richard Fourie-ridden Spirit Festival came with a wet sail to kick the legs from under the celebration table and the trainer in the teeth. Hopefully “Lester” won’t have to wait much longer for consolation.

The winner was the second leg of a quick Justin Snaith-Fourie double with Frank Lloyd Wright’s victory in the Tellytrack.com Handicap coming too late for Qatar Racing. There were big hopes for this horse and the encouragement that he would give the rulers of the oil-rich country to increase its investment in South African racing. But Qatar Racing is no longer involved and Etienne Braun now shares ownership with the gelding’s breeder Drakenstein.

Chris Snaith said: “The handicapper was brutal with this horse and he lost his form totally. He has now got to the stage where he is competitive again (he has come down 20 points) but it has taken a long, long time.”

More than an inch of rain turned the going to officially good-to-soft (“soft but even, ie soft throughout” was the opinion of the jockeys.). However it played havoc with the form and punters were left feeling like investors in the South Sea Bubble. Six favourites floundered and half the winners started at prices varying from 18-1 to 36-1.

The Candice Bass-Robinson-trained newcomer Arctic Drift was the rank outsider in the Tabonline Maiden Juvenile – “A great surprise,” said Mark Bass. “We chucked him into the race for a gallop.”

Anthony Andrews, who rode the gelding, was fined R1 500 for using his whip more than the permitted dozen – it was his third offence – and Bernard Fayd’Herbe paid the same penalty for the same thing when scoring on the Glen Kotzen-trained Miraculously Ours.

Randall Simons, who came down from Johannesburg at the request of Adam Marcus, doubled his Cape Town score with victories on two-year-old newcomers Late At Night and Templeton (Dean Kannemeyer).

The former carries the colours of Tony Millard patron Robert Ng and so has Hong Kong as his eventual destination. “I was pleasantly surprised even though he has done so well in the last four to six weeks,” said Brett Crawford. “He is going to keep progressing.”

Jabu Jacobs impressed when making all on the Andre Nel-trained Suite Francaise at 28-1 in the last. It was the apprentice’s second winner.

By Michael Clower

Stradivarius (IRE) is the reigning Stayer of the Year in the UK and after back to back victories in the £500,000 G1 Gold Cup (4014m) on soft ground at Royal Ascot last Thursday, he seems unlikely to relinquish his crown any time soon. The dramatic victory by the five-year-old Sea The Stars (IRE) entire, trained by John Gosden, was also the fourth consecutive victory on the card for jockey Frankie Dettori, who famously won all seven races on the card at Ascot in September 1996.

On the rain-soaked course, Dettori chose the shortest way home, keeping Stradivarius on the rail and tucked in behind front runners Dee Ex Bee (GB) and Master Of Reality (IRE). In the home straight it appeared as if Dettori had made a costly mistake with Donnacha O’Brien on Capri and Cross Counter under James Doyle moving up on his outside, effectively shutting the door on the even money favourite. Dettori however, who has now ridden 66 winners at the Royal meeting, was unperturbed and when a small gap opened during the closing stages, he was quick to send Stradivarius through and after the leaders.  

The horse, who apparently “loves getting into a fight” according to Dettori, wasted no time in catching and passing the longtime leaders, to win by a length with Dee Ex Bee in second and Master Of Reality back in third. It was Stradivarius’s seventh straight victory for owner/breeder Bjorn Nielsen, who was on hand to collect the Gold Cup trophy from Her Majesty The Queen. Nielsen admitted that he was a bit concerned after Dettori’s victory in the first three on the card. “I did not believe he could win four races in a row, but he’s riding so confidently, and he rode Stradivarius confidently.  He’s such a good stayer, he has a huge heart, and his mind is so relaxed. I hope it can continue for a while.”

A delighted Dettori, who launched himself skywards in his famous flying dismount, was full of praise for the gutsy stayer. “Stradivarius does not know how to lose. All I have to do is get him amongst other horses and he does the rest – what a horse.  Everyone loves him, including me.  Every time he runs, he delivers, he is unbelievable.  I wasn’t worried about the trouble in the home straight as I just had to wait for the split. It got tight, but when I got the split, it was all over.”

Interestingly, the dam of Stradivarius, Private Life (FR) only produced one filly before her untimely death and that filly, an Oratorio daughter named Magical Eve (IRE), resides at Ridgemont Highlands Stud in Robertson. According to the Stud, Magical Eve currently has a lovely weanling filly by Silvano (GER).

By Liesl King

The selection panel for the Vodacom Durban July will need to do some head-scratching this morning given the result of Saturday’s Gr3 Track And Ball Derby. It is an unenviable job as there will always be disappointed connections and political finger-pointing.

The question at the top of their list will be whether Roy Had Enough did enough to warrant inclusion in the final field of 18 or alternatively make it onto the two-berth reserve bench.

When the final VDJ log was released, Roy Had Enough was amongst the ‘also rans’ and his unplaced run in the Cup Trial would have ruled him out although things did not go his way.

The Cup Trial field was arguably stronger than the one that Roy Had Enough beat on Saturday but there were mitigating factors. The Cup Trial was run at a muddling pace that did not suit Roy Had Enough as he struggled to quicken even with a fresh tailwind helping the runners’ home.

On Saturday, Roy Had Enough came from a long way last in the straight to win rather comfortably ahead of another VDJ hopeful, Charles. On the face of it, it was an impressive performance but Charles didn’t appear to genuinely see out the 2400m trip and the quality of the opposition could be a deciding factor.

It will be a difficult decision for the selection panel but the connections are fairly certain that they will get a run in two weeks’ time.

Their chances will be enhanced with the scratching of Hero’s Honour which would move the filly Camphorates into 18^th place so one can reasonably assume that Roy Had Enough would at least make the reserves along with Zillzaal.

While the final log may pretty much spell out what the final line-up will be, another runner whose place may be in jeopardy is veteran galloper Legal Eagle in spite of his eighth place on the log. He does not appear to be half the horse that he was in his heyday borne out by his drop in the merit ratings. On top of that his last run in a Pinnacle Stakes on the same afternoon as the Jubilee Handicap, was disappointing.

On the flip side, Sean Tarry is a master with older horses and if Legal Eagle does run and find form, he will be a major threat to the more fancied runners with only 55kg to shoulder.

Final acceptances are due by 11am this morning with the field and the draws to be announced at a public function at Gateway Shopping Mall around noon on Tuesday.

The public gallops will take place at Greyville on Thursday, the first gallop off at 7am. The traditional coffee and sticky buns will be served. Those hungrier and looking for a slap-up breakfast, can book for the Durban View Restaurant.

By Andrew Harrison

Vodacom Durban July ante-post betting provided by Track And Ball.

Hawwaam 18-10
Do It Again 3.85-1
Rainbow Bridge 5.5-1
Barahin 7-1
Eyes Wide Open,Twist Of Fate 16-1
Head Honcho 22-1
Magnificent Seven 25-1
Doublemint 28-1
Made To Conquer 36-1
Bunker Hunt 40-1
Legal Eagle, Tilbury Fort 50-1
Divine Odyssey 66-1
Fresnaye 70-1
Lady In Black, Return Flight 80-1
Zillzaal 90-1
Elusive Silva, Roy Had Enough, Insignis, Charles 150-1
Miyabi Gold, Roy’s Riviera, Camphoratus, Dark Moon Rising, The Dazzler 250-1
Banner Hill, Secret Potion, Top Classman 300-1.

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

The Turffontein Inside track stages a low key nine race meeting on Sunday and the highlights will be a MR94 Handicap over 1600m and a MR92 Handicap over 1000m.

Warrior’s Rest is a possible banker in the first of these events. This big horse is an effective front-runner as he is able to continually up the pace in the front and he runs all the way to the line. He usually has the field off the bit some way from home and the tight Turffontein Inside track should suit his style. He should be able to get to the front from a good draw of four over a suitable trip of 1600m. Lake Kinnaret only just failed over this trip last time on the Standside course and is drawn well so he could get a tow from Warrior’s Rest and looks the main danger. Gift For The Gap also looks a danger as he has struck since day one as one who would continually improve. He is at his best over a bit further but has a good turn of foot and should be running on. Emily Jay was not striding out last time over this trip when 2,75 lengths behind the promising Vistula. She has 4kg claimer Juglall aboard now and the trip is suitable, although her draw of nine is tricky especially being a handy type with a front-runner in the field. Shukamisa ran well over this trip in his second start for this yard and has a fair draw over an ideal trip.

In the MR 92 Handicap over 1000m, which is the last leg of the Jackpot, Winter Storm is made the best bet on the card. This powerful sprinter has the early pace to be in touch coupled with a good kick so will be hard to beat from a plum draw of two. His Paul Peter-trained stablemate American Hustle has a tricky draw of seven but also has some class. He suffered a speedy cut last time but still got within 1,10 lengths over this trip at Scottsville last time when carrying 64kg minus a 4kg claim. Mythical Bolt has always been held in high regard but just seems to find one better. However, he now has blinkers on and a fair draw of five so should be right there. Singfonico has been in fine form and was 0,40 lengths ahead of American Hustle last time out. If the 4kg claim carried by American Hustle is included then Singfonico is now 4,5kg better off so he is a contender, although his draw of six is tricky. Donny G and Galactic Warrior will also be dangerous from good draws with claimers aboard.

In the second race over 1450m the promising John Hancock caught the eye staying on well over 1200m last time and he could reverse form with Gladstone who also ran on well from a wide draw in that race. 

In the third race over 2600m Await The Sunset is drawn in pole and should enjoy this trip having stayed on over 2400m last time out from a wide draw, especially as she is by Await The Dawn.

In the sixth race over 1450m Boutique returns from a 90 day layoff but this filly has class and should make it a hattrick off just a 68 merit rating.

By David Thiselton

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

Bernard Fayd’Herbe, six winners in the last week, has an outstanding chance on Round The Horn in the Betting World Maiden at Kenilworth tomorrow.

The Andre Nel filly showed improved form when fitted with blinkers and dropped back to this 1 200m last time and the booking of the in-form Fayd’Herbe is significant. His mount is rated is 4kg superior to It’s My Life and has already been backed down to favouritism.

The lightly raced Maravalliso could be the biggest threat as she has two good runs to her credit and has obvious scope for improvement. It’s My Life also has claims after dropping back to this distance at Durbanville and taking an encouraging fourth, only half a length behind Maravalliso.

Justin Snaith has a string of fancied runners and kicks off with the odds-on newcomer Queensbarns in the opening Maiden Juvenile Fillies. The champion trainer has been particularly pro-active with his two-year-olds this season, making sure they make the racecourse, and this daughter of Racing Post Trophy winner Kingsbarns will be the 60^th to have run in Cape Town.

However Snaith has continued to exercise the patience that has paid such dividends in the past and only four of the 14 that have won did so at the first attempt. In other words stable statistics are against the 17-20 shot scoring tomorrow.

Scottish Ally is second in the market at 28-10 but she has cost punters dear  on her last two runs and was reported in post-race distress after the most recent one. It could pay to take a chance with the 4-1 Vaughan Marshall newcomer Fynbos, a daughter of the 2009 Cape Fillies Guineas winner Field Flower.

Snaith introduces the superbly bred Wild Coast in race two. This filly is the first foal of the champion Beach Beauty and is by Trippi. Little wonder that she opened favourite. However she has eased since and Hubble is preferred. The Glen Kotzen filly has the priceless benefit of racecourse experience. She showed speed when leading in a 1 400m here last time and reverts to 1 200m over which she has some decent form.

The Brett Crawford-trained Kursk is 15-10 favourite for the 1 800m TAB Telebet Maiden (race five) but it is a toss-up between Greg Cheyne’s mount and Winter Shadow (3-1) who showed significantly improved form over a mile last month, was raised nine points as a result to make him officially a kilo better. He gets the vote.

By Michael Clower

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