Procrastination looks good for the Tabonline.co.za Maiden at Kenilworth tomorrow after catching the eye on debut three weeks ago.

She was no match for easy winner Run Fox Run that day but she did have the third over three lengths back and, as Andre Nel aims to have them fit enough to run well first time but not normally quite ready to win, this one can be expected to have come on a fair bit.

The selection was 22-10 favourite yesterday with Fluttering next in the WSB market on 5-1. The Vaughan Marshall filly invariably runs well but is beginning to prove expensive. She started favourite when finding one too good for her on her last two starts and, although she ran as if she would have appreciated 1 000m last time, she performed creditably over 1 400m on her previous outing.

Bitter Lemon (15-2) ran on well last time (only her second start) while Sleeping Single (11-2) and 16-1 shot Sacred Story have place prospects.

In the opening two-year-old race the two that have run don’t look good enough and, given Candice Bass-Robinson’s record this term, Cousin Liz is the obvious one to go for. The 28-10 favourite is by Captain Al out of a half-sister to the Empres Club winner Fair Maiden.

But watch for any support for Look To (currently 33-10). A Captain Al newcomer trained by Marshall should never be left out of calculations. Of the others Bad Habit cost R600 000 and Ferrari Red R400 000.

Gold Pact is 5-2 favourite for the TAB Telebet Maiden on the strength of his short head defeat in a work riders race five weeks ago but the form of those events is unreliable and the price looks too short.  Kingston Rock (28-10) is preferred although it is a concern that he was returned not striding out after his last run, and the ground has not exactly gone any softer in the interim.

Cat Daddy was the forecast favourite for the Betting World Maiden after heading the market on Met day only to finish with just two behind him – he was baulked and forced to ease back. Bernard Fayd’Herbe takes over and is sure to finish a lot closer but he may not beat Engage And Beware who has already been nibbled at and was 22-10 favourite yesterday morning.

Dennis Drier’s comfortable maiden winner Cabo Da Cruz is 3-1 joint favourite for his handicap debut in race seven but I prefer fellow 3-1 shot Mythical Bolt who doesn’t have that first-time-out-of-the-maidens tag to overcome.

However the finale appears to be dominated by two such horses. Window To Africa and Run Fox Run both won easily on debut and it is difficult to split them. Indeed they share top spot at 28-10 with nothing else quoted at less than 11-1. It’s a toss-up but the coin comes up heads for Anton Marcus’s mount.

By Michael Clower

A winning strike rate that counts a winner out of every three rides is testimony to the prowess of Anton Marcus – in the saddle as well as his assessment of form. As a trainer commented recently, “when Anton calls for a ride, you know you must have done something right!”

At this stage of the season Marcus is the current national log leader on 115, four winners clear of Muzi Yeni, and has another book of plum rides at Scottsville on Sunday.

Champion Lyle Hewitson’s defence of his title was dead in the water before it even started as a knee injury saw him start the season on the side-lines. He is currently 92 winners behind Marcus but the two are likely to go head-to-head in a couple of races on Sunday. The first of them is in the card opener where they both have mounts for Garth Puller, Hewitson on Krishnies Jet and Marcus on Hondo.

The two met last time out with the younger Krishnies Jet nearly a length clear of his stable companion, second and third respectively behind Rocket Fire. Both horses will sport blinkers for the first time but Hondo was ridden by a 4kg claimer last time out and even Marcus may not be able to swing the result.

Not so in the second where Marcus’s mount Home Ruler is likely to start a short-priced favourite. Dennis Drier is back from his summer sojourn to the Cape and Home Ruler has caught the eye in both of his starts to date. He was staying on nicely behind Extravargant over course and distance and barring surprises she looks a fair bet.

Hewitson and Marcus could possibly fight out the opening leg of the Pick 6, Hewitson on Lowan Denysschen’s runner, Thru’ The Trees and Marcus riding Amex for Nathan Kotzen.

 Thru’ The Trees is tested over the trip and Hewitson will know what he has under him as he partnered the filly in her last race. The same goes for Amex, but she steps up to a mile for the first time on Sunday, no doubt on the advice of Marcus who will again be in the irons.

The fourth is more difficult. Father’s Frost is a late starter, having only had two outings as a four-year-old but was staying on well behind Last Of A Legend  last time out and he has a plum draw to boot.

Galway has run two improved races of late, both on the poly, and tries blinkers for the first time. Black Warrior, a half brother to the useful Fiorella, is something of a difficult customer but will enjoy this trip on debut from a good draw.

Marcus trekked to Ashburton earlier in the week to put Tribal Fusion through his pace for long-time supporter Shane Humby and the gelding is likely favourite for the Racing. It’s a Rush Pinnacle Stakes. The top weight has had two outings since his break for African Horse Sickness vaccinations and should strip at his peak. He will be up against Amor Ardiente who is a consistent galloper for Belinda Impey who rarely misses a cheque.

Smart filly Arianos Shadow has her first outing for Frank Robinson and must have a chance off her light weight while Flamboyant Stakes winner Camphoratus took a 10-point hit in the handicap for that win which may have scuppered her chances here.

The Sea Urchin form has worked out quite nicely which should see Curva in with a strong chance in a competitive handicap in the sixth.

Paul Peter raids and Hewitson teams up with his colt Sacred Castle in the seventh. A facile end-to-end winner on debut he looks a fair proposition but Farland and Exclusive Quantity will be there to pick up the pieces should Sacred Castle not run up to expectations.

Peter will have his supporters in the last where he saddles Mighty Rock, but Toronto, up for sae at the end of the month and the Marcus-ridden Jack Of Hearts may prove his match.

By Andrew Harrison

Andre Nel could be the trainer to follow at Kenilworth on Saturday if the early World Sports Betting prices are any guide. He has only four runners and three of them are favourites – Procrastination, Twice To Sydney and Window To Africa who shares top spot at 28-10 with the Brett Crawford-trained Run Fox Run in the last. All three Nel horses are ridden by Aldo Domeyer.

Domeyer, second only to Richard Fourie in winners at Kenilworth this season, also partners  3-1 favourite Cousin Liz in the opening two-year-old race for Candice Bass-Robinson who has won the most Cape Town juvenile races so far this term. She has won three out of eight and none of her rivals has won more than one.

Anton Marcus rides two favourites and two-joint favourites – two for Crawford, one for Mrs Bass-Robinson and Mythical Bolt who is on a loss-recovery mission for Sean Tarry in race seven.

It was Hassen Adams who initially set about securing maximum returns from Kenilworth’s extensive and valuable property and now Kenilworth Racing has appointed a property sub-committee to further explore all avenues, investigate the best use of the assets and create annuity income.

Robert Bloomberg (chairman) has been joined on the committee by Vidrik Thurling, Jonathan Snaith, Greg Bortz, Gaynor Rupert and Phumelela CEO John Stuart.

By Michael Clower

Gauteng Guineas winner National Park will stay in Johannesburg until the second leg of the SA Triple Crown, the Grade 1 R2 million SA Classic over 1800m to be run on March 2.

He is set for an almighty clash with Soqrat, who is also a Triple Crown contender having won the other joint first leg, the Grade 1 Cape Guineas.

Soqrat is by the sprinter to seven furlong horse Epaulette and has a lot of speed in his female line too. However, he has an ideal racing temperament and switches on and off at the jockey’s command so will have a chance of getting the trip.

National Park is by Gimmethegreenlight, who was best at a mile, but did finish third in the Met. His dam won from 1400-1600m. However, he also has a good racing temperament and should stay 1800m. He will not be staying for the third leg, the SA Derby over 2450m even if he wins the SA Classic., 

The last time National Park stayed on the Highveld he appeared to run a flat race in the Dingaans. This corresponded with a theory that coastal horses staying at high altitude hit a flat spot for about a week at roundabout the 19 day mark. However, trainer Yvette Bremner believes that disappointing run had more to do with him being forced to go to the front as he was in danger of being caught wide. She believes under the circumstances he did well to finish fourth. So, she is not concerned about him having to spend four weeks on the Highveld until the SA Classic. Top jockey Richard Fourie will keep the ride.

The handicappers assessed Soqrat to have run to a 118 merit rating in the Cape Guineas and gave National Park a 117 for his run on Saturday. However, Soqrat was later raised to 124 after his narrow loss in the Grade 1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate.

CTS 1600 winner One World, whose only loss to date was in the Cape Guineas, is merit rated 117. Politician Stakes winner and Cape Guineas and CTS 1600 runner up Twisted Fate is rated 115. However, neither of that pair are likely to travel to the Highveld for the SA Classic.

Dingaans winner Hawwaam is merit rated 112 but cannot be written off. He over raced for the second time in succession in the Guineas on Saturday and this blunted the devastating finish he is capable of and which was seen at its best in the Dingaans. Hawwaam does not have the immaculate temperament of his stablemate Soqrat, but he does probably have more latent ability. If he gets a good draw and settles well in the SA Classic he will be a huge threat. 

The SA Triple Tiara is unlikely to be landed this season. Saturday’s Gauteng Fillies Guineas-winner Nafaayes is by speed influence Exceed And Excel out of a Grade 3-winning Dehere mare who was a seven-furlong to miler type, so 1800m might stretch her. Mike de Kock said, “The 1800m of the Fillies Classic will be okay for her, probably just within her reach, but beyond that we’d be stretching it.” However, the yard might be tempted to run her in the SA Oaks over 2450m if she does win the SA Fillies Classic as there will be a R1 million bonus at stake.

The winner of the WSB Cape Fillies Guineas, Front And Centre, is resting after a tough campaign and will next be seen in the KZN Champions Season.

The strength of the fillies crop clearly resides in Cape Town this season.

Front And Centre beat Clouds Unfold in the Grade 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas but trainer Candice Bass-Robinson was of the opinion the latter had a better preparation going into the Grade 1 Bidvest Majorca Stakes and she duly gained her revenge, but only by 1,7 lengths. The meat in the sandwich was the four-year-old Grade 1 bridesmaid Lady In Black and further back was the defending champion and twice Grade 1-winning miler Snowdance, so there was no doubting the merit of the performance.

However, the form of the Johannesburg crop has not been altogether consistent, which points to questionable strength.

Nafaayes stayed on resolutely from a handy position to pip Running Brave in Saturday’s Gauteng Fillies Guineas with Celtic Sea third and Ronnie’s Candy fourth. Nafaayes did convert favouritism as was coming off a victory in the Grade 2 Ipi Tombe Stakes over the course and distance against useful older horses. The form of the latter race makes her look as strong as her Cape Town counterparts.

However, it falls apart when looking at other formlines from the Gauteng Fillies Guineas. Running Brave and Celtic Sea were earlier beaten 3,55 lengths and 2,75 lengths into seventh and sixth respectively in the Grade 3 Fillies Mile on G-Bets Summer Cup day. That race was won by Ghaalla and the form always looked suspect as Ronnie’s Candy had no luck in the running, yet still managed a close up third, and the runner up I Like It was an exposed 88 merit rated filly. Ghaalla was duly beaten 5,35 lengths into eighth place in the Cape Fillies Guineas.

Furthermore, Ronnie’s Candy gave Nafaayes 2kg and a 2,2 length beating in the Starling Stakes on November 3 last year.

Ronnie’s Candy was in fact a touch unlucky on Saturday. She settled well and looked set to use her tremendous turn of foot, but never had daylight in front of her and thus never had a chance to truly let herself down. An inquiry has also been held into the jockey’s riding of her in the closing stages as he appeared to ease her down before the line which likely cost her third place.

The handicappers have accorded Clouds Unfold a 115 merit rating, Front And Centre a 112 and Nafaayes on 109. The best sprinting three-year-old filly, the Johannesburg-based Mighty High, is also rated 109.

By David Thiselton

Summerveld-based Mark Dixon was pulling out his diminishing thatch as he battled through a virus that resulted in elevated liver enzymes, but his patience has paid off in recent weeks as the stable has come well. Dixon saddled a double at Scottsville yesterday, one expected, the other not so.

Expected was News Stream in the second. Not the easiest to handle, giving his rider a difficult time on debut, but there were no such issues yesterday as Keagan de Melo got her home ahead of the well fancied Cosmic Cutter with the balance of the field out with the washing.

The two shook off all opposition with a furlong to run, but News Stream, bred and owned by SA Jockey Academy Chairman Avison Carlisle and his wife Mary at their Kinmount Stud in the KZN Midlands, finished just the stronger to get home by a neck.

The two Dixon-trained fillies Diamante and She’s A Dream fought out the finish of the fourth, Diamante paying R52 a win on the tote with the exacta paying a healthy R450. Both fillies had been in the doldrums recently, especially She’s A Dream who looked to be going places early in her career.

“She just lost her way,” said Dixon on She’s A Dream who is on the Shongeweni Mixed Sale at the end of the month. On this showing she may not be up for auction any longer.

The meeting kicked off with a smart showing by the Paul Lafferty-trained Aussie import Share Holder. After a promising barrier trial, he was well supported in the market and duly arrived. “He’s a very nice horse,” said Lafferty. Lafferty had some difficulty putting together owners for the colt as the many bloodstock agents said “he didn’t walk too well.”

Well if he doesn’t walk to well, he certainly gallops well as he showed yesterday.

Maa Nonu, named after the classy All Black midfielder, lived up to his name as he came with a telling run for Lezeanne Forbes. Mark Khan time his run to perfection as he out-duelled the blinkered Mana Santana.

The outside of the Scottsville straight track is often labelled a ‘minefield’. However, so few runners take that route that it’s a perception that will linger until jockeys and trainers decide that it’s not necessary a ‘roadblock’.

Apprentice Jason Gates ignored all, sticking to the outside rail on the Brett Crawford-trained Hashtagthemost, to cause another boil-over in the exotics. Spring Breeze was the ‘money’ horse but after looking dangerous a furlong out, she kept on one-paced for third as rank outsider Sheik’s Storm ran her out of second.

Louis Goosen held a strong hand in the Pinnacle Stakes and a trainer in form coupled with a jockey in form, made no mistakes. Anton Marcus kept the favourite just off the pace as stable companion Effortless Reward set a good pace, before pouncing when it mattered. Vision To Kill, who did not enjoy the best of the Cape Summer, found some of her best form to pressure Captain’s Gal, but it was a little too late.

The two teamed up again in the seventh with Marcus having to work a lot harder on the favourite. Asked about the early pedestrian pace Goosen replied, “when you have got Anton on you don’t have to worry.”

Siberian Husky, after a local warm-up on the poly, ran out a convincing winner of the last to give Brett Crawford a double, running on strongly to beat the Lafferty pair of White Lightning and top weight Our Coys with pacemaker Jet Stream staying on for the shallow end of the purse.

By Andrew Harrison