The merit rating system in this country has been jerrymandered to a point where it hardly makes sense anymore. As one trainer put it, races have become a handicap within a handicap and far to complicated for the average punter to unravel. Little wonder turnovers are down.

There are a myriad of examples but just one played out at Turffontein on Saturday. Camphoratus had no right winning the wfa Gr1 Empress Club Stakes given the ratings. Gr1 Sun Met winner Oh Susanna is rated 119, Camphoratus a lowly 95, a full 12kg inferior if you believe the handicap. Oh Susanna may not have been at her best but she was only beaten two lengths in a race where she was rated at least 10 lengths superior to the winner.

We can all say yes, “that’s racing” but try and explain that to the layman who will wander off to the casino where all that they are required to do is push a button.

So tomorrow’s handicapping meeting should be interesting and thanks to National Horseracing Authority CEO Vee Moodley’s efforts at transparency, we should get a full explanation.

But the ratings do sometimes work out as they did at Scottsville yesterday where the filly Twice As Smart proved too good for a host of promising three-year-old males. Wendy Whitehead’s charge was rated 4kg superior to another filly, Sweet Mary Lou, and 6.5kg superior to her nearest male rival Vikram but she proved a little too good for the opposition as she should have.

Stuart Randolph was confident enough to take his mount to the front early in the straight and scrubbed her to the line, only resorting to a couple of reminders as Captain Of Tortuga kept her honest.

‘Patience’ is Shane Humby’s second name. His horses arrive at work in the morning as if they are in a coma but they sure know what to do when they get onto the racetrack.

Mr Fitz is a late maturing son of Bold Silvano and he gave notice that he is a horse with a future as he scored a comfortable win in the fourth. Mr Fitz was in a useful field where pre-race commentator Sheldon Peters was hesitant to commit, not so Warren Kennedy who was hunting a gap a long way out with plenty of horse under him. Once in the clear Mr Fitz accelerated through to hold off the year older Dyno Man, Anton Marcus possibly wishing that he could have shed an extra 2kg to make the weight on Mr Fitz who he had steered to his maiden win.

The title chaser did not go home empty handed however, as he brought home the first two on the card.

Justin Snaith opened his winter season account in KZN with Somewhere In Time scoring a bloodless victory in the card opener but it was not all plain sailing for Marcus. Somewhere In Time is obviously a filly with a few temperament issues and went down to the start with a lead pony and ear-muffs and Marcus had his job cut out to keeping her focussed in the race.

“She was not supposed to run here,” commented Snaith, “but when the field cut up to five or six runners, I thought this would be a good R60k gallop.”

Tony Rivalland’s good form continued with the well-supported Fiorano storming home in the second. Great Stohvanen set the pace and was going great guns approaching the two furlong marker, but once Marcus released the brake Fiorano won with plenty of daylight to spare.

Barring accidents, Luke Ferraris should be something of a shoo-in for the apprentice championship. He is a polished rider and all his skills were on display as he produced Tripple Z with a telling late run to deny Marcus a hat-trick, Spring Fling edging out long-time leader Astral Flight.

Alderman Rob Haswell was one of the umpteen thousands in the crowd watching the US Masters at Augusta and Cumulus will have paid for some of his travel expenses as Natie Kotzen’s runner took full toll of the absence of ante-post favourite Woodstock Festival.

By Andrew Harrison

With the solid support of grandfather Ormond Ferraris and leading trainer Sean Tarry who is quick to pounce on any young talent, apprentice Luke Ferraris has had it good so far in his short career. But there will be roadblocks, there always are in this sport, but he has plenty of ammunition at Scottsville on Sunday where he has some plum rides for his grandfather.

The regally bred Captain Of Tortuga, only once out of the money in ten starts and a close but comfortable winner of an Assessment Plate last time out, will be in short order for the Blinkers Bar Graduation Plate but he may have to take a back seat to the year older filly Twice As Smart, the highest rated runner in the field.

Wendy Whitehead’s stable has turned the corner in recent weeks and Twice As Smart has earned her rating in some useful company. She was beaten less than a length in the Flamboyant Stakes and in retrospect and more recently, third to last Sunday’s Beyerly Turk winner Tristful.

She has much in her favour and given that form she can give her male rivals a stich.

Captain Of Tortuga is the obvious danger but Andre Nel has seeded his Summerveld satellite yard with some of the better inmates of his Yzerfontein yard, readying up for Champions Season and the lightly raced Vikram will be a threat. He was quietly fancied for the CTS Mile won by the smart One World but his form prior to that suggests that he will be a mighty contender here.

The Ferraris combination can kick off the Pick 6 with Tripple Z who has shown good improvement since again being sent over a bit of ground.

He looks primed for this event but Glen Kotzen has started off his Champions Season raid in good style with Temple Grafin winning the Gr3 Umzimkulu Stakes last Sunday and Spring Fling looks a serious contender after making marked improvement at his last start and Anton Marcus booked for the ride.

But it’s not an easy race and the local contingent of Frankie Two Shoes, At The Opera and Just Prime must also be contenders.

The fourth is an intriguing race with a number of three-year-olds out to prove that they deserve a place in the KRA Guineas come the first day of Champions Season.

Run To Denmark made a smart local debut behind Tristful in a Progress Plate and is sure to come on from the effort but he could be hard-pressed to get the better of Shane Humby’s Mr Fitz. The lightly raced colt caught the eye when a close-up second to The Last Of The Legend on debut and followed up with a bloodless victory next time out. That form has held up well and Mr Fitz looks to have plenty of scope. Off bottom weight will have plenty of supporters. Dyno Man, Marchetto and Mr Greenlight are other contenders in a race that could sort out some wheat from the chaff come live contenders for the classics in Champions Season.

Darryl Moore has a smart gelding in Woodstock Festival and he rates the horse to beat in the sixth although he does face some stiff opposition. Woodstock Festival steps up to 1200m for the first time but given his pedigree and the presence of Anton Marcus in the saddle the extra furlong is unlikely to compromise his chances.

Marcus has jumped ship from Cumulus, on whom he beat Woodstock Festival two runs back, so the inference is obvious. However, Muzi Yeni was aboard when Cumulus fourth behind the speedy Di Mazzio on the Greyville poly last time out. Cumulus also steps up to 1200m but does seem to be a better horse on the turf and could again put one over his rival and be some compensation for Alderman Rob Haswell who was looking forward to a Rolling Stones concert in New Orleans before Mick Jagger pulled up lame. Fleetwood Mac are a second-rate replacement for a seasoned ‘rocker’.

Roy’s Magic is a hard knocker and Kom Naidoo has been in good form of late while surprise package could come in the form of Affranchi. Down in class, weight and trip, Gavin van Zyl’s gelding bears all the hallmarks of a sudden improver and may be worth including in all calculations.

By Andrew Harrison

The Royal Race Day presented by HSH Princess Charlene Of Monaco at Turffontein Standside tomorrow features the Grade 1 wfa Empress Club Stakes for fillies and mares and this 1600m event is full of class.

Oh Susanna, as a high class filly, is sparingly raced and is unbeaten in her last three Grade 1s against fillies and mares. These included two wfa Paddock Stakes’ over 1800m and one Woolavington 2000 over 2000m. So this is a touch on the sharp side but considering she has a tendency to over race the tough Turffontein 1600m should be right down her alley. The pole position draw will be a big help as she can either get to the front for free or find cover. 

Celtic Sea will be a threat considering the way she won hand and heels, easing up over 1400m last time. This three-year-old struck as top class when winning the Grade 2 Golden Slipper over 1400m as a two-year-old because nothing went right in the running yet she still got up. She has to reverse form with Ghaalla from the Fillies Mile and with Nafaayes and Running Brave from the Gauteng Fillies Guineas but she was not at her best in the former race and lost three lengths at the start in the latter. She is blossoming now and is a big runner.

Cascapedia looked threatening when moving up to Oh Susanna in the Paddock Stakes but the latter had extra and drew away to beat her by four lengths. However, she might prefer this trip, whereas Oh Susanna is suited to further so this big and classy sort has a shout. 

Nafaayes is a courageous sort who proved she can stay on resolutely from handy positions when winning both the Ipi Tombe and Gauteng Fillies Guineas over this course and distance, but she was well drawn there and now has a tough draw. 

Al Danza brings the Geoff Woodruff factor. The five-times champion trainer is known for his ability to peak horses for big races and last year Al Danza came within a whisker of upsetting the top class Nother Russia in this race. She has to reverse form with Nafaayes from the Ipi Tombe and Cascapedia also narrowly beat her in the HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes last time over the course and distance, but she does have a plum draw and can’t be ignored. Running Brave just has a short-head to find on Nafaayes from the Gauteng Fillies Guineas and from a fair draw is a dark horse. Fresnaye has some top form in Cape Town but would prefer further and comes off a slamming by Celtic Sea in her first Highveld start. She will improve from that run though. Fiorella beat a good field in last season’s Grade 2 Daisy Fillies Guineas at Greyville and has a chance if reproducing that run. Redberry Lane won last season’s Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes over this trip at Greyville so also can’t be ignored. She has come into her own but has a tough draw, particularly considering she is a handy to front-running sort.

There look to be a number of fair bets on the card.

The choice for best bet is Jetorio in the 8th over 2400m. This daughter of River Jetez needed her last run over 1800m and was staying on well. Her mother stayed this trip and further so she has a big shout from pole position and is made a banker.

Zillzaal will be hard to beat in the second race over 2000m as an improving sort who went close in the SA Derby.

Eskimo Kisses is a nice type with plenty of substance and she should enjoy the step up to 1400m in the third, although the draw of seven could be tricky as the best scenario will be for her to find cover and run on. 

In the next race Stockbridge is a progressive sort who is well drawn in this race over an ideal 1400m trip.  

In the ninth race Fire And Rescue also looks to have a touch of class and should be ahead of the handicapper off a mere 69 merit rating. He should also enjoy the step up in trip to 1600m and has a fair draw. 

By David Thiselton

Justin Snaith confirmed yesterday Do It Again’s SA Champions Season priority would be the defence of his Vodacom Durban July crown.

He is also looking forward to reigning Equus Horse Of The Year Oh Susanna’s raid of Turffontein on Saturday for the Grade 1 HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes over 1600m.

Do It Again was magnificent as a three-year-old and has developed into a monster of a horse this season. The Twice Over gelding is likely to have a titanic clash with his arch rival Rainbow Bridge in the July and the outcome will almost certainly decide this season’s Horse Of The Year title. Rainbow Bridge’s chief Champions Season target became a forgone conclusion when purchased in training by owning and breeding doyen Mike Rattray, whose lifelong dream has been to win South Africa’s greatest race.

Snaith’s only uncertainty at present is whether Do It Again will have a pipe opening run in the Drill Hall Stakes on Champions Season opening night, Friday May 4. His definite targets are the Grade 1 wfa Rising Sun Gold Challenge and the July.

There will also be an Equus Award-deciding clash of the titans in the Rising Sun between Do It Again and Soqrat. Do It Again is in pole position to be named Equus Champion Miler, being the winner of the Grade 1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and the Grade 2 Green Point Stakes. However, Soqrat was a narrow runner up in the Queen’s Plate and has won two Grade 1 miles, the Cape Guineas and the wfa HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes. Their Rising Sun clash on June 8 will likely decide the Miler award.

Snaith said Do It again had been doing very well since arriving at Summerveld.

He also has high hopes for his other two July candidates, Doublemint and Magnificent Seven, and was particularly bullish about the latter.

He said, “They are both well weighted and I intend keeping them well weighted. Doublemint is doing well and will likely run in the WSB 1900. Magnificent Seven has an 80% chance of going in that race but I might try and find something a bit further, as he is better over more ground. He is an all rounder and is doing really well. He has taken to Durban like a duck to water. They are two dark horses, but won’t be dark horses come race time. Magnificent Seven’s current July price is particularly ridiculous.”

In the WSB July book Do It Again is 15/2, Doublemint is 14/1 and Magnificent Seven is 55/1.

Magnificent Seven won the Grade 2 New Turf Carriers Stayers over 2850m on Sun Met day. However, Snaith said the winner of this race was always severely punished, so he was viewing the Gold Cup as a bonus race to be considered later. Magnificent Seven received eight points for that win and went to 104, the same rating as Doublemint.

Snaith said a stayer to watch out for though would be Strathdon, “He is going to be a big runner in the Champions Season staying races.”

He said raiding Johannesburg with Oh Susanna would be possible from Summerveld. However, he wondered whether she had been at Summerveld for long enough to be able to deal with the altitude factor. Summerveld is approximately a third of the altitude of Jo’burg, but she has only been there since March 23. He said, “Her work has been phenomenal, although there has been a lot of rain, so she did miss two days work. Her run in the Met can be ignored as she was carved up and returned lame with slices on her back legs.” He was not concerned about the over-racing antics she has displayed in recent starts. He pointed out the pace of races in Johannesburg was generally fast enough.

Oh Susanna’s program after Saturday is still in the air.

Kasimir will start fast work next week at Summerveld and Snaith might look for a warm up race before running him in the Grade 1 Mercury Sprint on July 27.

He said Silver Maple was nicely handicapped. He said if he ran well in his opening race the Tsogo Sun Sprint would then be targeted. He said, “I saved him for the Durban season.”

He continued, “Juniper Spring is a very nice three-year-old sprinter who will get a three-year-old allowance in the Poinsettia and this will be a very nice race for her. If all goes well there she will go for the SA Fillies Sprint.”

He said, “Snowdance will also go for the SA Fillies Sprint. The Queen’s Plate took a lot out of her so I rested her after the Majorca and now have her the best I have had her since her three-year-old season. She has been unlucky and is not done yet.”

Snaith then spoke about his three-year-olds, “Bunker Hunt will only come into his own over 2000m, so he will need the outing in the KRA Guineas and then be ready for the Daily News where he could be competitive.

Madonna will run in the East Cape Oaks and if she runs well she will go for the Woolavington 2000.

Silvano’s Pride ran a good race in the Umzimkhulu as she is not a 1400m horse. She had it all to do and was on the wrong leg the whole way in her first try at a right hand track so under the circumstances it was a good effort to finish a close third. She can’t carry on doing it the hard way from the front though, so I want to try and teach her to settle.”

Snaith said he had his best ever two-year-old crop and had brought some of them to KZN. He said the best of them would avoid the Scottsville Festival Of Speed meeting and go for the big Greyville two-year-old features.

By David Thiselton

Seventh on the national log with 91 winners to his credit before yesterday’s Greyville meeting, Warren Kennedy took full advantage of two chance rides to ease his way three closer to the top of the standings, one behind Richard Fourie, with a treble.

Season rider Mark Khan took a tumble from third-pleaded Noble Beat shortly after the finish of the first and was carted off to hospital with a suspected hip injury.

This left the way open for the first of Kennedy’s winners as he produced Kom Naidoo’s filly Call Me Tonight with a telling run up the inside to get the better of Allez Les Bleu and favourite Hey Jude.

Anton Marcus also cried off his rides for the day and Kennedy proved to be a more than capable replacement as he steered Heart Of A Legend to a convincing win in the fourth at the expense of Petra who got going late but never a threat to the winner.

The lightly raced Vase, a comfortable winner of her maiden on her KZN debut, was never able to get in from a wide draw when making her handicap debut behind Beat It, but Gareth Wright make no mistakes from his better gate yesterday to get Andre Nel’s filly home ahead of the lightly weighted Noemi.

Apprentice Luke Ferraris looked to have pinched a winning margin on March Preview, a comfortable winner of his last start, but Kennedy had him in his sights from a long way out on Gavin van Zyl’s Pantsula. The addition of blinkers can have an instant effect in improving a horse’s performance but horses can also go ‘sour’ and with the ‘scoops’ removed Pantsula had made marked improvement and was rewarded here. Kennedy pounced a furlong out and March Preview had no answers to Pantsula’s telling challenge.

Ferraris was on the wrong end of another photo in the sixth as Apple Magic lost out in a driving finish with Keagan de Melo extracting just that little bit extra out of the favourite Orient Queen.

The pair hooked up at the top of the straight with Dean Kannemeyer’s filly pulling out just that little bit more when it counted.

Mark Khan missed out on a double as Eric Ngwane, recently out of his apprenticeship, produced Lady Abigail with a perfectly timed run to win the seventh in a carbon copy of Khan’s victory aboard Lezeanne Forbes’s filly when landing an inspired gamble at the filly’s previous start. Apprentice Jason Gates was bidding for a third success on the bounce aboard Wayne Badenhorst’s Imperial Royal as he took them on up front, but Ngwane’s patient tactics pay dividends and he ran down the pacemaker when it counted.

Josephine Baker has been costly to follow but a sweeping late run when just out of the money and only a length behind at her last start may have been the key to her success yesterday. De Melo produced Dean Kannemeyer’s filly with a telling late run to snaffle the race inside the last 50m, five of the opposition covered by a blanket a neck back in a handicapper’s dream.

Barinois has such an awkward high head carriage in work that it seems impossible that she can run but she won her third race for Duncan Howells and owners Ricky and Thora Nidd as Muzi Yeni gave her a peach of a ride in the last. Drawn wide, Yeni hunted a gap in the straight and drove the mare through to win smartly.

By Andrew Harrison