Candice Bass-Robinson runs three horses at Fairview tomorrow following last week’s successful foray when she won with two of her four Port Elizabeth raiders, and seemingly this is going to be a regular thing.

She said: “I will go on sending horses to PE every week for the next two months because there is less racing in Cape Town. At one time we used to race twice a week there and now it’s often only once a week.”

An analysis on the SA Horseracing website shows that the total number of scheduled racemeetings in South Africa will drop from last year’s 432 to 427 this year with the Eastern Cape losing three (72 to 69) and the Western Cape dropping from 77 to 75. Some of this is due to the way the calendar falls but it is particularly noticeable in Cape Town at the moment with only four meetings this month. Last year there were just five in February but a fixture was inserted at Durbanville on the Saturday after the Sun Met, so preventing this time’s blank fortnight.

Bernard Fayd’Herbe, who won on odds-on shot Big Fish for the stable last Friday, rides two of the three raiders – 4-1 chance Profound in the 1 300m maiden (race three) and Celestial Prince who is 16-10 favourite for the 1 900m maiden (race five). Lyle Hewitson partners 15-2 stable companion Master Design in the latter race.

The betting on the big two in the trainers’ championship is now closer than it has been all season. Justin Snaith, bidding for his third title and with stakes of nearly R11.4 million, is favourite at 11-10 with World Sports Betting but three-time champion Sean Tarry is only R600 000 behind him and is on 12-10. Mike de Kock, champion eight times and on 7-1, has stakes of nearly R9 million and is the only other quoted.

Anton Marcus is beginning to look generous at 15-10 to become champion jockey for the fifth time. He went into last night’s Greyville meeting on 122 winners, nine clear of 28-10 second favourite Muzi Yeni with former champion Gavin Lerena (82) on 33-10, the same price as the current champion Lyle Hewitson (93).

Marcus has five rides at Kenilworth on Saturday but only one is favourite, Red Rascal, a rare ride for nephew Adam in the 1 000m handicap. The four-year-old, who won his last start, heads the market at 4-1. S’Manga Khumalo rides at Kenilworth for the second Saturday in succession and he will be in action in every race except the last. Five of his seven mounts are for Joey Ramsden and the betting would suggest that his best chance is on 7-1 shot Apollo Ace in the 1 000m handicap.  

BLOB Paul Reeves is calling for the present 8.15am official scratching of reserves to be put back to 9.00am, the deadline for declaring blinkers, tongue ties etc, saying: “Sometimes runners are scratched between the two deadlines. Extending the time would give that much more chance of reserves getting a run and so filling the fields. Punters want runners and so do owners.”

However National Racing Bureau boss Aveen Sewpersad is unimpressed and said: “The 8.15 am time is linked to racehorse transport because horses start leaving stables for the racecourse around 8.30am.”

By Michael Clower

Owner and small-time breeder Marius Mostert made a heartwarming gesture in the winner’s enclosure recently when donating the full share of his stakes winnings to trainer Gary Rich.

Marius is the husband of former Gold Circle media liaison manager Gill Mostert nee Simpkins.

The winning horse was Clouds Of Witness and Marius said, “I own 50% of this Master Of My Fate gelding and Gary had given Billy Jacobson the opportunity to ride him regardless. Billy works on our farm and is like family to us, so we won the race with our jockey and our colours and it also flashed through my mind that Gary wakes up early in the morning like every other trainer and goes through the same hardships despite not having the biggest or highest class string so I thought it would be a small gesture and show gratitude for helping our dream come true.”

Marius has his own business which keeps him busy and Gill runs their farm in Summerveld. Billy is the farm manager and Bugsy Saunders is the manager of the horses.

The Mosterts have a small band of broodmares and have recently added a stallion when they retired their part-owned Australian-bred horse Kingdom Come. He will be one of the only raced maidens to be standing in South Africa but is well bred being by Kentucky Derby and World Cup winner Animal Kingdom out of a Listed-placed Not A Single Doubt mare. He showed promise and ran four places in five starts but unfortunately had an entrapped epiglottis and couldn’t breathe.

Kingdom Come’s first cover will be Var mare Qarman who won on debut over 1000m at Turffontein and had nine more unplaced runs.  

Qarman currently has a “beautiful” Captain Of All filly at foot and was last covered by Ideal World, sire of Sun Met winner Rainbow Bridge.

The Mosterts also stand the five-time winning Jet Master mare Jet Intombi, who is in foal to Twice over, sire of Vodacom Durban July winner Do It Again.

The farm is also used to spell young horses and as a holiday place for horses in training needing rests.

Marius has about nine horses in training including the talented colt White Lightning and the Australian-bred gelding Celebration Rock, both trained by Paul Lafferty.

He also has a share in a promising Lafferty-trained Silvano out of a Visionaire mare, who will be coming out in a barrier trial soon.

One of Gill’s favourite horses was July winner Legislate and fittingly the first horse she has ever owned by herself is his first progeny to be sold at public auction. The Mosterts’ “Lovinglife Stables” bought this Legislate colt out of Listed-winning Lundy’s Liability mare Bursary for R100,000 at the recent Cape Premier Yearling Sale. Marius gave the colt to Gill for her birthday and he will run one day in her newly registered colours.

Marius has done the full circle in racing. As a student he had a job on course as a “paper boy”. These are the helpers who are on hand to fit the rolls of paper into the Tote machines. He then progressed on to Tote machine operator and then became a supervisor. From a long time ago he enjoyed punting but his passion extends far beyond just betting. 

Gill was also known during her time at Gold Circle for her passion for the sport. 

The couple are certainly living the dream in the “dream industry”.

By David Thiselton

Last Of The Legend has a mighty reputation to live up to if he is to emulate the feats of his illustrious sire but he is on the right track as the son of Horse Chestnut kept his clean sheet in the seventh on the poly at Greyville yesterday.

From maiden triumph into winning an 80MR Handicap is no easy assignment but Champion trainer Sean Tarry knows his oats and Last Of The Legend delivered as he got the better of Lowan Denysschen’s luckless favourite High Green, his fourth successive runner-up berth.

Bottom weight and aided by a pedestrian gallop that largely nullified his position two off the fence for much of the race, Last Of The Legend was given a peach of a ride by Luke Ferraris who, in only his second year as an apprentice, is mature beyond his age when it comes to race-riding. He nursed his mount until challenged by multiple champion Anton Marcus on High Green, and then extracted just enough to win cosily in what turned into a sprint for the line.

It was not a win that earmarks a champion but it was still a very decent effort.

Yesterday was one of those days for punters as favourites got ‘rolled’ regularly and those backers that went wide in the exotics will have been well rewarded.

The upset trend was set in the card opener, although the winner Yaas, was not entirely unexpected with the Louis Goosen stable almost invincible at present.

Goosen was aided by apprentice Jason Gates, ‘up-graded’ to a 2.5kg claim last Sunday after recording the 20^th winner of his fledgling career. He was worth every gram of his claim on Yaas as he kept the filly going just long enough to edge out two fast-finishers in Missibaba and favourite Sarabi, short heads covering the first four home.

Gates was back in the winner’s box two races later, as he scored a comfortable win on Miesque Sunrise for Wayne Bardenhorst, the first boil-over in the Pick 6 with the winner starting at 25-1.

Gates tracked the early pace with the balance of the field playing the waiting game, but once he set his mount alight, the pack was left flat-footed and his filly was never challenged.

If Yaas didn’t set the trend, then Flexible Fugitive did as Robbie Hill’s charge arrived at 30-1 in the second, Gareth Wright getting the gelding up on the line to edge out favourite and pacemaker Captain’s Alpha.

Final Attempt was the next favourite to go by the wayside as Donnan took command at the top of the straight under Muzi Yeni and hold off the attentions of the grey Master Sam, Mark Dixon’s yard showing a welcome return to form after a long battle with a virus. Favourite Final Attempt scraped into third to keep the majority of Place Accumulator punters in the hunt.

Red Shift was sent out favourite for the fifth but he was not striding out when the field crossed the line as Euphoric got the better of the well-fancied Collabro.

Bold Beauty, a 22-1 shot, added salt into any punter’s wounds who may still have been running in the exotics. Often a tardy starter, Bold Beauty got way on terms under Mark Khan in the sixth and after a ding-dong battle up the straight eventually got the better of Awesomely Tuned and Josephine Baker in a tight finish. It was a welcome winner for Duncan Howells who has languished in the second box on more occasions than he would care to remember this season.

It took eight races for some relief for favourite backers as Sean Veale got the Dennis Drier-trained Forthelastime home comfortably. Coming from off the pace, the gelding quickened smartly to out-pace Sovereign Solder and South Paw, who turned in an improved performance fitted with blinkers.

The PA payout of R43.30 belied the reality of the day as only a .09 percentage was paid out on the Pick 6.

By Andrew Harrison

The Vaal stages a nine-race meeting on the straight course and it looks to be competitive racing so the exotics might be the best way to play it.

The Egoli Mile is the headliner and Captain Of Tortuga looks the one to side with. This progressive Captain Al gelding is out of the top-class Ebony Flyer and caught the eye staying on over 1450m last time. He has plenty of scope for improvement. Lumber Jackaroo has caught the eye in both of his starts and including a win over this trip last time and can be a threat off a reasonable 77 merit rating. Indy Ice had some good maiden form and is also a threat with a low weight. Protea Paradise was beaten just a head at level weights by subsequent Cape Derby winner Atyaab over 2000m in December but this might be on the sharp side and he has to carry a big weight. The filly Mazari was not disgraced on Saturday against some good sorts and can earn.

In the first leg of the PA over 1200m the Grade 1 Allan Robertson winner Mighty High is well in at the weights on official merit ratings but might not have it all her own way. She has been touched off in her last two starts over 1160m when having to give lumps of weight away to the promising All At Once but could make amends here. She has pace, a good turn of foot and stays all the way to the line. Palace Chapel was not disgraced in fourth in the CTS 1200 when held up off the pace and running on so has a fine chance of upsetting Might High. In his penultimate start over this course and distance he beat Old Man Thyme, who then franked that form by winning a strong handicap next time out over 1100m. The imposing State Trooper has come into his own and is another who is in with a shout. Anneka is not far off Palace Chapel on Met day times if the weight she is receiving is taken into account. Witch Of The West is also a talented sort and should have benefitted from her last run, although that was over three months ago on November 1 when not far off a very promising sort. Mighty High looks to be a PA banker but there is a lot of talent in that race so going wider would not be foolish.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 Flapjack looks to be the best horse in the race and it is just a question of whether he will stay the 2400m trip. His sire Await The Dawn should have given him the necessary stamina genes although he is out of a Jet Master sprinter. He has a good record over 2000m so if ridden patiently from a high draw should get the trip. Born Rich ran well last time over course and distance and being by Noble Tune should be improving. Adolpho has run on well over 1800m in his last two starts and is another in with a shout. French Leave’s best recent run has been over 2000m so he might enjoy a further step up. Smart Deal had fine earlier form over staying trip and last time was just 0,25 lengths behind Born Rich over course and distance.

In the first leg of the Jackpot over 1000m Sugoi is by the disappointing sire Noordhoek Flyer but is a chip off the old block, being a well-muscled red chestnut and he has also been blessed with the speed of his father so he can make it a third win over this course and distance off a merit rating which still looks competitive. Brigtnumberten had his third run after gelding last time and bounced back to form when beaten 1,40 lengths by Sugoi. He is now 2kg better off and he will be involved off a merit rating which has dropped to an attractive mark. Heavenly Risk should be right there as he has not been disgraced in two Assessment Plates lately and has his third run after a layoff off a competitive handicap mark.

In the sixth race over 1600m, Manitoba looks the one to beat in a competitive handicap. He has been knocking on the door from 1400m to 1600m and now gets a 4kg claimer aboard. Divine Connection won his penultimate start comfortably over this trip and although raised six points he caught the eye next time out when staying on over this trip from a wide draw, beaten just 1,4 lengths by Manitoba who was better drawn. Arlington’s Revenge goes for a distance hattrick in ordinary handicaps. His last run in the Gauteng Guineas can be ignored as he was not suited to a pace-making role. Those three should get punters through the exotics.

In the eighth over 1400m, Prince Jordan has the strongest form and relished the step up to this trip last time so is the one to beat off just a two-point higher mark. Cherokee Grey ran well from a tough draw last time and also has a chance on the weight turnaround with Prince Jordan. Street Flyer and Refuge both enjoy the course and distance and should be thereabouts. Wottahottie and Rocky Path are others to consider. The Tin Man probably has the most ability here but is hindered by breathing issues. 

In the last over 1400m, Manhattan Cocktail ran on strongly last time over this trip and if closer to the pace can get it right. Melchizedek has talent but has issues and he is interesting returning from a layoff which would likely have benefitted him. Gone With The Wind, Master Boulder and Savannah King also warrant consideration in a competitive event.     

By David Thiselton

Duncan Howells once had high hopes for Brighteyebushytail, to the extent that he may have been good enough to aim for the Vodacom Durban July. However, a string of injuries and particularly hard hit by the virus that affected the yard last year, all plans were resigned to the dustbin.

It has been slow progress but Brighteyebushytail has shown signs of being back on track at recent outings although he will need to raise his game even further if he is to triumph in the seventh at Greyville today where he is on offer at a tempting 6-1.

He was hard-pressed to beat stable companion Who Says (Mauritius-bound) two runs back and was given a break. In his most recent start, he was running at them late, when third behind Hero Quest.

Winners have been difficult to come-by for the Howells yard this season and although the tally stands at a healthy 29, more telling are the remarkable stats of 40 second places and 35 third placings.

Brighteyebushytail’s last win was over course and distance so if he doesn’t manage to win, he should at least finish second!

He does face a competitive field including recent maiden winner Last Of The Legend, 3-1 favourite in the ante-post market and a smart winner on debut. Sean Tarry has tossed him in at the deep end and although he only has 52kg to shoulder, it remains to be seen whether he can take the rise in class and distance in his stride. Should he manage it he will definitely be a horse for the notebook.

Paul Gadsby’s mare Sarabi (5-2) is at the top of the boards in the card opener but given that the balance of the field is clustered around 5-1 in the market, bookmakers expect more than a few challengers. Missibaba is always game and Louis Goosen, whose yard is in mustard form at present, sends out recent winner Yaas and the speedy Imbali, the latter down four points in the ratings.

Candice Dawson is not a regular off-season raider but saddles Captain’s Alpha (5-2) in the second and has booked Anton Marcus for good measure. If one ignores Captain Alpha’s last two, and there were excuses, he could prove difficult to beat.

Robbie Hill, as a jockey will have ridden more odds-on chances that he would care to remember, but he saddles one in the form of 8-10 favourite Hey Jude in the third. Racing in the colours of former trainer Pat Shaw, who plied his trade in Singapore for many years and trained the now Summerhill-based stallion Ato, was no doubt swayed by Hey Jude’s breeding.

The daughter of Ato is well overdue for a victory and with Marcus staying aboard, she looks the part in the third.

Marcus rides another ante-post favourite in Final Attempt (2-1) in the fourth. Glen Kotzen’s runner has been consistent since shedding his maiden and was close up when taking on much stronger last time out. He looks the part in a weak field. There looks to be little between stable companions L’Histoire and Sharpe’s Eagle. Riding arrangements would indicate that L’Histoire is the pick of the pair but Sharpe’s Eagle looks more progressive.

In the fifth, there was only a neck separating Collabro (7-2) and Red Shift (16-10) when the two last met behind Sea Urchin. This was Collabro’s third run after a break and he could be the more progressive of the two and can turn the tables. Red Shift was the beaten favourite in that race. He is in hot form of late so there should again be very little to choose between the two.

Josephine Baker (15-10) is another due a change of fortune when she lines up in the sixth, a handicap over 2000m. She has not been out of the money since shedding her maiden and was a close-up third against stronger opposition last time out. She should put in a bold showing for Dean Kannemeyer. Shane Humby was content with his two seconds at Scottsville on Sunday, “they did all that was expected of them,” he said yesterday, but a win is better than second and he pins his hopes on the mare Roman Courtesan (28-10) who has her third run since a break and is back over a more suitable trip. Also strongly in the mix is Janice’s Secret (7-2) who was touched off at long odds last time out and has an undeniable chance if she can repeat that showing. This trio look to be the principal contenders.

In the last, the aptly named for this meeting anyway, Forethelastime (22-10), showed up well first run out of the maidens when taking on stronger and is still improving. He does not face a strong field and should make a bold showing. Of the balance, Line Of Control (10-1) found some betting support at his last start and did show improvement while South Paw (10-1) is an old campaigner who has not been far back at recent outings. He tries blinkers for the first time and this equipment sometimes has a sudden rejuvenating effect on older horses.

By Andrew Harrison