The Eric Sands-trained Rainbow Bridge was looking a picture at Summerveld yesterday morning having made an exceptional KZN debut in the Grade 2 Drill Hall Stakes on Friday night. Drill Hall winner Undercover Agent has also come through his race well.

There was plenty of feedback from trainers of other horses too.

Rainbow Bridge appeared to be battling to quicken after coming from a handy position over the too sharp 1400m trip on Friday night.

However, at the 200m mark he suddenly got going and his powerful finish under Anton Marcus carried him within a longhead of Undercover Agent.

He split two of the best 1400m horses in the country, as the three-year-old Cirillo finished third.

This eyecatching run will have been just what Rainbow Bridge’s new owner Mike Rattray had hoped for ahead of his two big targets, the Grade 1 wfa Rising Sun Gold Challenge and the Vodacom Durban July. Rattray watched Friday night’s race from his grandstand suite.  

Rainbow Bridge is staying at Brett Crawford’s Summerveld yard. The latter’s assistant trainer Peter Muscutt said the most pleasing aspect of the temperamental gelding’s preparation was that he had settled in well at Summerveld, as not all Cape horses do. 

Undercover Agent has also come through his race “without any issue” and will head for the Gold Challenge and Grade 1 Champions Cup over 1800m.

Lady In Black ran on well for fourth in the Drill Hall over a trip too sharp and the Dennis Drier yard said she would next run in the Gold Challenge and then the July.

Drier’s two-year-olds must always be watched at this time of the year due to his incredible record in the Grade 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion at the Scottsville Festival Of Speed meeting. He had an eyecatching two-year-old debut winner recently, Cartel Captain, but Drier’s assistant trainer Stuart Ferrie said Master Of illusion, who finished a short-head second on Friday night in the Grade 3 Godolphin Barb Stakes over 1100m, is just as good. Both horses will line up in the Gold Medallion.

The winner of the Godolphin Barb, the Dean Kannemeyer-trained African Warrior by Vercingetorix, provided a first ever feature race winner for long-time owner and former Gold Circle director Bruce Armstrong. His D K Kannemeyer Syndicate partner, former Gold Circle chairman John Bescoby, was happy so see the colt had come out of the race well but was not sure of his next step yet. African Warrior will certainly appreciate further than sprints.

Gareth van Zyl hopes his promising filly Yessiricanboogie had just needed the run on Friday night when fading to a disappointing 5,05 length sixth in the Grade 3 Strelitzia Stakes over 1100m. He admitted the feature races can sort out the pecking order but jockey Warren Kennedy felt she had needed the run badly and believed she could bounce back.

Kennedy rode the Paul Lafferty-trained Dark Moon Rising to fifth place in the Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge on Saturday at Turffontein and was a touch disappointed, saying he had not quickened as well as he normally did. Kennedy had expected to finish in the first three and put it down, perhaps, to the travel and altitude.

Candice Bass-Robinson’s assistant Robert Fayd’Herbe was expecting Clouds Unfold to arrive at Summerveld sometime this week after her impressive win in a 1000m sprint at Kenilworth on Sunday. She is being targeted at the Tibouchina and the Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes over 1600m. Her stablemate Santa Clara quickened exceptionally well under Bernard Fayd’Herbe to easily win the Grade 2 KRA Fillies Guineas at Greyville on Friday night. The latter win did not surpise Robert Fayd’Herbe, despite her 11/1 odds. Her pedigree, Duke Of Marmalade out of a full-sister to Champion stallion Silvano, suggests she will continually improve. Her next target is the Grade 1 Woolavington 2000.

The Alyson Wright yard said Flichity By Farr would run in a 2000m event on WSB 1900 day and then go the staying route, the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup, the Track and Ball Oaks, the Gold Vase and the eLan Gold Cup.

The Tony Rivalland-trained Tristful was found to be coughing after his disappointing run in the KRA Guineas and mucus was found in his trachea.

The Glen Kotzen yard were happy with Temple Grafin’s third place finish in the KRA Fillies Guineas but reckon she might not quite get the mile. Her next target is undecided. They said Eyes Wide Open would come on a lot from his fourth place finish in the Sledgehammer.

By David Thiselton

Met winner Rainbow Bridge will renew rivalry with his Drill Hall conqueror Undercover Agent in the Rising Sun Gold Challenge at Greyville on June 8 and last year’s Vodacom Durban July hero Do It Again will also be in the line-up.

The way Rainbow Bridge flew home to be beaten little more than a head in his first race for more than three months was a revelation even though trainer Eric Sands had predicted that he would be competitive.

Sands said yesterday: “He has matured physically and hopefully that maturity is coming through because he travelled to the course the best he has ever done. He was very well in himself but I was concerned about his going right-handed for the first time, that it was his first night meeting and he was dropping back to seven furlongs.

“Anton said they were getting away from him going through the 700m and when he turned for home the horse was last. He said he could have given him a smack but he didn’t see the point until he found his legs and, when the horse did, he didn’t have to give him a smack.”

Brett Crawford confirms that Undercover Agent will go for a second successive Gold Challenge and that there will be no July run. Instead the four-year-old will wait for the Champions Cup in which he was second to stable companion Captain America last season.

Do It Again will have just three races in KZN, all Grade 1s and starting with the Gold Challenge – nothing to do with avoiding an increase in ratings prior to the July apparently. “He is a horse that is quite light and doesn’t take a lot of racing so we decided only three races,” Jono Snaith explained. “It will be tough first time back in the Gold Challenge but he will be at his best on July day, and then he goes for the Champions Cup. His gallop on the course last Friday was outstanding – he came from off the pace of Made To Conquer.”

Snaith confirmed that Snowdance will take on the female speedsters in the SA Fillies Sprint at Scottsville on May 25 “and then Drakenstein will decide whether or not she runs in the Garden Province. Oh Susanna is in full work at Summerveld but the trip to Jo’burg for the Empress Club took a lot out of her. We will discuss with Drakenstein what she will do.”

Saturday’s Computaform Sprint winner Pacific Trader did not do well in Durban last year and so he will now have a well-earned break. “He will come back to Cape Town and wait for the summer season here,” said Crawford who adds that Cape Fillies Guineas winner Front And Centre will bid to make amends for being beaten in last Friday’s KRA version in the Tibouchina on June 8 and the Garden Province on July day.

He said: “It was very tough for her from her outside draw but I also think she was a bit green under the lights for the first time.”

Santa Clara, who beat Front And Centre by nearly three lengths, will step to 2 000m for the Woolavington on June 1 while Poinsettia-winning stable companion Freedom Charter goes for the SA Fillies Sprint. Candice Bass-Robinson will also run both Strelitzia third Vandah’s Spirit and Miss Honey (fifth) in the Allan Robertson that day.

Glen Kotzen is toying with alternative options for KRA Fillies Guineas third Temple Grafin, saying: “She ran well on Friday but I might freshen her up for the SA Fillies Sprint. Otherwise it will be the Tibouchina and the Garden Province.”

BLOB Grant Behr has been suspended for a fortnight (May 9-22) after traces of Furosemide were found in his system when he was tested at Kenilworth on February 26. Furosemide is a diuretic but it is also used to treat high blood pressure and is banned by the NHA. Behr took it as a pee pill three days earlier under the impression that it would have cleared his system by raceday.

By Michael Clower

The Vaal has a competitive eight race meeting on the Vaal Classic track tomorrow and the exotics are usually catchable on this fair track. 

The first race over 1450m is the first leg of the Bipot and it looks likely to be fought out by On My Mind and Ehsaan. There is little between them on form lines but on visual evidence On My Mind looks more likely to enjoy the step up in trip.

In the first leg of the PA Candle Rock moved up well on Saturday over 1600m when coming from a tricky draw and then faded late. This trip should be right down her alley if she lines up and she is now drawn well. Masaaqaat disappointed last time when dropped out from a wide draw over 1400m and plugging on in to fourth place. He could still go close in this uninspiring field though with first-time blinkers on and can be included in the PA.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 Stockbridge has been knocking on the door and is interesting stepped down to 1200m after being run out of it over 1400m last time. He can be bankered as the main danger looks to be the first-timer Al Mutawakel, a Silvano colt who is a full brother to the SA Derby winner and July runner up Al Sahem.

In the first leg of the Jackpot over 1450m Eightfolds Lass packs a strong finish and can mow them down from off the pace after being dropped out from a wide draw. Aideen will be a threat from a fair draw as she was one paced in the finish over 1200m last time when not disgraced and being by Irish Flame will relish the step up in trip. Golden Spiral is improving and can also be included although she does have a tough draw to overcome.

In the next over 1400m Live In Love is a promising stayer in the making and is the choice carrying a light weight. She will be vulnerable though as a handy to front running type. Both Bated Breath and Chariot Of Gold come off decent form and can also be included. However these female staying races are tough to predict and Glamarous Scandal, Emerald Bay and Animal Lover can also be included in the Pick 6 and Jackpot.

In the sixth over 2400m Hit For Six looks to be an out and out stayer who can continue to improve. From pole position and off a reasonable opening handicap mark of 70 he is a banker consideration. Beyond him the ultra consistent Kings Cup can also be considered as can Horace who comes off a good win over 2000m and should stay this trip. Mighty And Magic can’t be ignored from a good draw and Plucky Plunderer could also do well from a good draw.

The next is a wide open handicap over 1600m. Norland is a consistent sort who has a plum draw over a suitable trip. Missouri should be staying on after being dropped out. Skiminac will be dangerous from the front with a 4kg claimer up. Defy Gravity, Responsible and Mutrib can also be included. Jackman also warrants consideration from pole position. Lainsberg Blue won his maiden by over ten lengths but has not been seen for two years and on jockey bookings Missouri appears to be preferred.  

In the last race over 1800m Long Pond could be good value. She caught the eye last time out staying on over the too sharp 1400m trip. She will relish this step up in trip and has a fair draw. Crystal Stream has the ability to relax well in front before producing a kick in the straight and she could be the main danger. Targaryen Queen came from last with a good run to win going away in her first attempt at this trip in the maidens. She starts off reasonable merit rating and has a good draw this time so could be closer to the pace. She can also be included in all bets.

By David Thiselton

Brett Crawford rounded off his memorable weekend in some style when Armando accelerated like a good’un to add yesterday’s Somerset 1200 to the stable’s Computaform and Drill Hall triumphs.

The What A Winter colt started odds-on for the Kenilworth Listed race but when Corne Orffer pressed the button at the furlong marker he seemed to hang fire for a few ominous seconds. He then switched into another gear to beat the strong-finishing Captain Tatters rather more impressively than the length verdict might suggest. “He had never been here before so he was having a look around,” explained Orffer. “When I gave him a back-hander he took off.”

The 9-10 winner is bound for Hong Kong in the long term as he is owned by Tony Millard client R. Ng but Crawford said: “It’s in our mind to take him to Scottsville for the Gold Medallion. If not he will run in the Kenilworth Nursery. This is something I have to discuss with Tony but it has been a massive weekend – to win big races in three different provinces is a mighty achievement.”

Snaith Racing and Sue Rowett are already talking in terms of next season’s Fillies Guineas with Amy Johnson who finished like a rocket to pip Drama Queen on the post in the Perfect Promise Sprint. “We have got something good here – she is mind-blowing in her work at home,” enthused Richard Fourie while Jono Snaith added: “She is a high class filly, a three-parts sister to Bella Bella. We have put away most of our Fillies Guineas winners after they have won so I doubt this one will run in next month’s Fillies Nursery.”

Clouds Unfold has already achieved Grade 1 heights and the Majorca winner won the TAB Telebet Pinnacle accordingly. This was a significant part of her preparation for the Tibouchina on June 8 and an impressed Bernard Fayd’Herbe said: “It’s a long time since I have sat on one as good as this.” Candice Bass-Robinson will despatch her next week.

In his days as racing correspondent of the Independent Richard Edmondson was known as much for his ability – he was Britain’s Racing Journalist of the Year – as for his stories of personal disaster with which he entertained the racecourse press rooms of England and Ireland.

He has now added another to his repertoire thanks to his part ownership of Roi Querari. For each of the colt’s first three runs he enthusiastically flew out from his Istanbul home, backed the horse and treated defeat like a martyr being burned at the stake. Yesterday he decided to ease the pain by staying in Turkey and, as he is now telling all and sundry, sod’s law prevailed.

His co-owners, Bryn Ressell and Jill Warner, are planning to add insult to injury by jokingly suggesting that his absence was the deciding factor! Dr Warner and her husband John are both medical specialists. Although best known on the racecourse as owners of star sprinter Carry On Alice, they are lecturers at London’s Imperial College and are honorary professors at the University of Cape Town.

By Michael Clower

A potentially serious situation was diffused at Turffontein on Saturday when racing officials persuaded a group of about 50 protestors assembled on the racetrack to leave the course so that racing could continue following its interruption after the second race on Champions Day.

While racing resumed after a delay of about an hour – the result of a grooms’ protest against working conditions – one sad and unfortunate consequence was the decision by veteran trainer Ormond Ferraris to hand in his license.

The 87-year old Ferraris, upset and severely stressed by the grooms’ actions, had to be taken to hospital for a check-up and observation when his staff decided to desert the yard around 4am on Saturday morning. He was released on Saturday afternoon and told Turf Talk on Sunday: “I have made my decision, I am giving up training.”

Grooms prevented horses from cantering up the straight before the start of the third race.

Ferraris, who has served the horseracing industry with great distinction for 70 years, said that trainers at Turffontein were aware of the pending strike on Friday. “I arranged with my 20 grooms to come to work Saturday at 3am, an hour earlier, so they could attend their meeting which was scheduled for 5am.

“All I wanted them to do was the bedding, and to feed and water the horses. Just a few came along at three but soon disappeared leaving me and my Head Lad of 40 years, John Sibeko, to get by on our own. I was distressed, they had to take me to the Union Clinic but I am feeling better now. This is it, this is the third protest action of this nature we’ve had to endure recently and I am not prepared to put up with this any longer. I am out.”

Ferraris said that there were “troublemakers” in the grooms’ ranks who have stirred up the rest with a variety of demands, including higher wages and for an office to be allocated to one of their faction officials at Turffontein.

“I would love to pay the grooms what they want, big salaries, but it is simply not possible. The sport of racing cannot sustain this. The costs of feeding and training horses today are astronomical and stakes haven’t increased in proportion to the high expenses. The few millionaires in racing can afford it, but I fear for the middle man, the smaller owner. This kind of pressure is going to hit them and the smaller stables the hardest. They are battling to feed themselves, let alone their horses. There is just no way they can survive!”

Ferraris recalled when he first started: “In those days, training racehorses was a relatively cheap profession. We could buy 150 pounds of feed for just 10 shillings and our workers were paid well because everything was affordable. In the 60s and 70s the big trainers had 30 horses in their stables, the smaller ones had 10 or 12, but we all made a good living. We raced twice a week and the sport was simply great. But the good times are over now.“Today, costs are out of hand and this has had various ramifications. Racing is in trouble with escalating expenses and all the demands from workers. Look at the outcome of this issue. I have 10 horses leaving tomorrow for Durban. They are owned by Hong Kong Syndicates who want to see their runners in barrier trials. My son David sent them a list of KZN trainers and they decided on Garth Puller. A further 20 horses will be sent to other trainers. Thereafter, my grooms will be paid off. They will be unemployed.”

Reflecting on his career, Ferraris said: “I’ve had a marvellous time, I wouldn’t have it any other way. To come to the end of my career in this way is disappointing, to use a moderate word. But perhaps making the break, seeing things from the outside without involvement will be good for my health.”

Phumelela’s Racing Executive, Patrick Davis, said that Saturday’s strike had nothing to do with the racing operator. “We are not going to comment on the matter at this stage, it happened as a result of friction between grooms’ factions. We will, however, be issuing a statement in the course of next week.”

Vee Moodley, CEO of the National Horseracing Authority, said that he, too, preferred not comment at this point and referred us back to Davis.

– Turf Talk