The Vaal straight course stages a ten race meeting tomorrow and the highest rated race, a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1200m, forms the last leg of a Pick 6 which looks catchable.

Mardi Gras is 4,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted horse Pinnacle Peak according to official merit ratings but has class and is starting to come into his win. He won with first-time blinkers on at Scottsville last time and can continue to progress. He has the highest draw in the ten horse field and that is usually the right side to be on at this course. Pinnacle Peak is a consistent sort and is coming off a win in a Pinnacle Stakes race over 1100m in which he proved he can carry this weight of 61,5kg. He has a middle draw of six. Exquisite Touch has plenty of speed and her best races have been run over shorter.

However, she was held up over 1000m last time and finished fastest of all so if this tactic is employed from a nice draw of nine she could get the 1200m trip and surprise. Carbon Atom can’t be ignored despite being 6kg under sufferance with Pinnacle Peak as he is coming into his win and has speed and a touch of class. The three-year-old filly All At Once has twice beaten Mighty High, albeit when receiving weight, and is also a contender despite it being a tough ask to beat the boys. Mardi Gras and Pinnacle Peak should be enough for the PA but all five mentioned should be included in the Pick 6.

The sixth race is a MR 94 Handicap over 1500m and this should be an intriguing race. Warrior’s Rest is breathtaking to watch as long as he finds the front as he continually cranks up the pace and then runs all the way to the line. However, if he is not in the lead and has to sit behind a slower pace he does not have the turn of foot to win. So it is most important he does get to the front and therefore the number one draw might either be a blessing or the opposite. If he breaks well and nobody takes him on it is a blessing as he gets there for free. However, if he doesn’t break well a wider drawn horse will have a chance to come around him and into the lead. Danza could be hoping for the latter scenario as he also likes to be handy or in the front. From the widest draw of all in the seven horse field he is not going to be prevented from making the effort to get to the front. Morning Catch should be included along with Warrior’s Rest in both the PA and Pick 6 and Jackpot because if it does not pan out well for the latter he has the form to pick up the pieces over an ideal trip. 

The Pick 6 banker comes in race 7 in the form of Shezahotti. She has hard knocking form and this 2000m trip is ideal for the daughter of Irish Flame. She is drawn well in three and faces an uninspiring field of maiden fillies. My Elusive showed improvement last time over 1600m and could be dangerous over the step up in trip. She does have a wide draw to overcome but has champion jockey Lyle Hewitson board. 

The first leg of the Pick 6 is a tricky maiden over 1400m. Excellent Al is a hard knocking sort who is the form choice and Colonel Caramel can be included as one capable of a resolute finish, although he would prefer further. The first-timers Hit For Six and Fired Up have to be considered.  Barista and Summer House can’t be left out either.

The second leg of the Pick 6 over 1400m should be contested by three promising sorts I Am Batman, Paddy’s Legacy and Jackpot Jewel, who are all coming off promising runs early in their careers and they should all enjoy the trip.

The eighth race over 1000m could be won by the in form Mike and Adam Azzie yard with the speedy Oravar, who is drawn ten out of eleven. Vardo will be a big danger as he looks well handicapped on his best Highveld form and wasn’t disgraced in his last start down in Cape Town. Premier Show, Brigtnumberten and Scoop all have the form to go close two and should be included in the Pick and Jackpot.

By David Thiselton

Craig Kieswetter confirmed at Kenilworth yesterday that the family’s retainer on Anton Marcus has come to an end but he did not rule out retaining another jockey in place of the four-time champion.

He said: “This is at Anton’s request. His commitments in Durban and at Turffontein don’t fit in with our agreement. A lot clash which is unfortunate but it is his choice and we respect that.”

This Saturday seems to have brought matters to a head. The Kieswetters and their Ridgemont operation have several runners at Durbanville while Marcus is at Turffontein for the SA Classic and SA Fillies Classic, races which totally eclipse those at Durbanville both in terms of class and cash.

Marcus said: “It is basically as Craig said and it was just a short-term clash. I would love to have kept the job, it was working very well and I had an amazing time with them. I am bitterly upset that it has come to an end.

“I really hope that we can find our way back together in the foreseeable future because I would like nothing more than to get our association back on track. If, in the meantime, the opportunity arises to ride any of their horses I would be delighted. Indeed nothing would make me happier and I have nothing but good words to say about the Kieswetters.”

Their association has involved a succession of potentially high class horses, most notably the Cape Fillies Guineas winner Front And Centre.

Craig Kieswetter confirmed that the family will still retain Greg Cheyne and, asked if they are likely to retain another jockey as well, he replied simply: “No comment.”

Vaughan Marshall reported that his latest star two-year-old Captain Of Stealth has taken last Saturday’s impressive debut win in good shape and that, like One World last year, he will have another outing before the Langerman. “Did you see the time?” he enthused. “It was almost two seconds faster than One World’s maiden win.”

Marshall won yesterday’s juvenile race too with 22-10 shot Ground Control proving much too good at the weights for 17-10 favourite Minnesota Dream who could only manage fourth.

He said: “I thought it was between the two of them and that the 3kg might make the difference. Mine had shown good improvement at home and MJ is quite hot at the moment.”

By Michael Clower

Ashburton-based Shane Humby has one of the better winning strike-rates in the country but he is a trainer who does not race his horses just for the sake of it. So, when they do step out there is always a plan and you generally get a solid run for your money.

Humby sends out Tribal Fusion in the Fever Tree Stakes (Non-Black Type) at Scottsville today and the six-year-old is not likely to blemish his record of earning a stakes cheque in all but three of his 15 races.

His build-up to this event has been solid and he steps out over what is arguably his best distance. Mr Roy, also in today’s race, got away from him last time out and although closing fast, Tribal Fusion came up just short. Anton Marcus has stayed with the ride and Mr Roy is not likely to get away with those tactics this time around.

Top weight Sniper Shot has been scratched so that leaves the filly Fiorella and Hard To Play as the most likely dangers. A winner of the KZN Fillies Guineas beating Snow Dance and running Met winner Oh Suzanna to a neck in the Woolavington 2000, there is no doubting Fiorella’s ability.

But she has been winless since and her trip to Kenilworth for the Majorca Stakes ended in tears as she faded tamely to finish with just one behind her.

Duncan Howells was left puzzled, as all three of his runners on the day performed way below expectations. “I don’t know what went wrong,” he said yesterday. “I have gone through every possibility and cannot put my finger on it. Thanksgiving pulled a muscle in his race but other than that, I have no idea!”

Fiorella is by far the best rated runner in the line-up and is unbeaten in two starts over course and distance so if she can find her best, Tribal Fusion will need to pick up his feet.

Hard To Play has won five out of 14 starts and Wendy Whitehead’s gelding warmed up nicely for this race with a close-up third to Di Mazzio and the now scratched Sniper Shot, with Tribal Fusion a length back in sixth. Tribal Fusion has had a run since and Hard To Play has his third run after a break.

This looks to be a three-way contest but Tribal Fusion gets the nod ahead of Hard To Play with Fiorella a big runner if she finds her best form.

Pick 6 punters have taken a hit over the past two meetings, the 40-1 chance Silver Cent landing a knock-out bow for most in the last race on Sunday, but things could swing in their favour this afternoon.

In the opening leg, Robbie and Shannon Hill have declared blinkers on the consistent Canadian Bolt who was scratched earlier in the week with this race in prospect but they could be up against it again in Ruby Spirit. The Howells runner was narrowly beaten on debut by the consistent Hondo and although drawn on the wide outside of the Scottsville track, considered by many as a death trap but never proven, he could prove a touch too classy and consign Canadian Bolt to a third consecutive runner-up berth.

Dennis Bosch’s runner Chantyman is a smart five-furlong specialist in spite of his breathing problems and is looking for three on the bounce against old rival Ishnana who also has some smart form over course and distance. Marcus has deserted Chantyman in favour of Garth Pullers runner and with blinkers back on he will be competitive again. With only seven runners in the line-up, it is likely to be a seriously tactical affair.

Marcus will be driving Farm Yard Tractor in the fifth and will be hoping that the gelding is a little quicker than its namesake. If not, then the list of possible winners is a lengthy one with all of Keelan Dynasty, Dancing Moonlight, Roy’s Flash and Stolen Paradise in the mix.

By Andrew Harrison

SA Triple Crown contender Soqrat was a shock scratching yesterday from the Grade 1 SA Classic to be run over 1800m at Turffontein on Saturday and instead will line up in the Grade 2 Hawaii Stakes over 1400m as his chief target now is the Grade 1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes on March 30.

This has left Yvette Bremner’s Gauteng Guineas winner National Park as the only horse able to still win the Triple Crown, but she reported earlier this month that no matter what happens on Saturday he would not run in the last leg, the Grade 1 SA Derby.

Soqrat’s Mike de Kock-trained stablemate Hawwaam will now have an easier task in Saturday’s race although he has to reverse a 2,70 length defeat by National Park from the Guineas. He was drawn wide that day and after being dropped out began over-racing a touch. This meant his finishing effort was not quite as devastating as it had been in the Grade 2 Dingaans over that same Turffontein Standside 1600m course and distance. However, he did still finish well. If the same tactic is employed on Saturday he will have a better draw of settling, being drawn five out of eleven. The field only has nine runners compared to 15 in the Guineas so he will be running on from closer to the front too. However, it should all depend on how well Gavin Lerena can relax him. If he manages to switch him off the classy Silvano colt he will be the one to beat. He has been made the 12/10 favourite by WSB.

The long-striding National Park had the advantage of pole position in the Guineas and found the box seat. Unlike Hawwaam he was relaxed throughout and proved his wide margin Graham Beck Stakes win was no fluke when turning it on effortlessly and stretching out all the way to the line. His sire Gimmethegreenlight was essentially a miler but finished a narrow third in the Met and his six-time winning dam Fancy Park (Camden Park) was a miler. However, on that last performance he should have no problem with the 1800m trip. He is drawn seven out of nine so Richard Fourie will have his work cut out this time. He is the 5/2 third favourite with WSB.

The 22/10 second favourite is the De Kock-trained Barahin, who stayed on from last in the Guineas for third. That was his seasonal reappearance and this Gimmethegreenlight colt out of a Silvano mare should improve from the run and should also get the trip. He will have the advantage of pole position and Anton Marcus aboard so will be a big runner.

All of the other six runners are double figure odds.

The De Kock-trained Grade 1 Cape Derby winner Atyaab is a 12/1 shot. He will enjoy this tough course and distance and jumps from draw three. However, it was not a vintage Derby field and he will have to reverse a 12,10 length defeat by Hawwaam from the Dingaans.

The Sean Tarry-trained Zilzaal finished a 5,3 length fourth in the Guineas but has always struck a one who would improve continuously and who would be looking for middle distance trips. He will be ridden by champion jockey Lyle Hewitson from draw four and is the dark horse of the race at odds of 14/1.          

The De Kock-trained Australian-bred Alyaasaat is comfortably held by National Park having been beaten 8,9 lengths and 10,45 lengths in the Graham Beck and the Gauteng Guineas respectively. However, being by Dawn Approach he should appreciate the step up in trip.

The 50/1 shot Owlinthetree was beaten 7,70 lengths into sixth in the Gauteng Guineas. He has ability but was beaten a head by Atyaab over this course and distance in the Listed Sea Cottage Stakes and is now 2kg worse off so has a tough task.

Approach Control is also 50/1 but has a tough task having been beaten 10,40 lengths in the Gauteng Guineas although he should enjoy the trip being by Potala Palace out of a Jet Master mare who won over 1950m.

The biggest outsider is Roll Of Drums, who is by Seventh Rock out of Galileo mare who won the Grade 3 Fillies Mile. He could only manage a 6,30 length ninth in the Secretariat and is now 2kg worse off with the 0,9 length runner up in in that race, Atyaab, so his long odds are justified.

A lot could depend on the pace and it is difficult to tell where is going to come from. Perhaps Atyaab will be sacrificed to set it as he is under the same Sheik Hamdan ownership as Hawwaam and Barahin.

Otherwise, National Park is a relaxed type who might gain an advantage by dictating in front if able to get their easily enough. In the Dingaans he led but had to work hard to get there and not surprisingly found little extra.

It is going to be a strategic tussle featuring three top class horses and one or two others who could still emerge as horses to reckon with. All in all, a race to savour and not to be missed. 

By David Thiselton

Made To Conquer, second to stable companion Do It Again in last year’s Vodacom Durban July, can apparently be excused his flop in the Sun Met and he is now being lined up for a second crack at the country’s most famous race.

The six-time winner ran his first bad race since his maiden days in the Met, finishing with only two behind him, and Justin Snaith explains: “We chased him up to get the pace going but he didn’t like it. We will get him ready for Durban when he will go for the little races to start with, although he was rated 87 when he went up there last year and he is now on 108. But he loves it in Natal and he comes good there.”

Last Winter, who jarred himself when worked in Newmarket after completing his quarantine, has had a further setback in Dubai and, as a result, he will miss the whole of the Carnival season. He has not raced since finishing a half-length second to Oh Susanna in last year’s Met.

Lady Laidlaw’s racing manager Jehan Malherbe said: “He has just started trotting again. We have still to decide what he does next but it will be some form of overseas campaign.” 

Dean Kannemeyer added: “We could have rushed him back but we thought it was better not to. He is still not an over-raced horse – he has only had six runs.”

Joey Ramsden, whose Turffontein haul last season included the Computaform Sprint with Attenborough, is sending a team of ten or twelve to the Highveld including Attenborough and the Victress winner Fresnaye who was fourth in both the Paddock and the Majorca.

Cape Classic and Politician winner Twist Of Fate, second in both the Cape Guineas and the CTS 1600, goes to Durban “Although I haven’t yet decided which races he will run in.”

The lightly raced Vardy, third in the CTS 1600, stays in Kenilworth to go for the Winter Series. “He is still a big baby and Greyville could dent his confidence,” reasons Adam Marcus. Stable companion Brave Move, who again disappointed in Saturday’s Jet Master, is destined for stud although Marcus is toying with the idea of sending her to a farm to see if that will rekindle her enthusiasm.

By Michael Clower