David Thiselton

Turffontein stages an eight race stand alone meeting on tomorrow and there look to be some fair opportunities for punters.

The highest rated race on the card is the seventh, a MR 96 handicap over 1600m, and The Contractor could claim a hat-trick. This Time Thief gelding got the run of the race last time over 1450m and made no mistake, staying on strongly from a one out and one back position with cover. He beat a fair sort in Bowie, so could overcome the four point raise he was given and he has already proved he stays the mile. Dark Tide packs a strong finish so can afford to be dropped out from a wide draw. He is ultra consistent but does have a three point raise to contend with for his close second last time. Category Four has shown glimpses of class in the past but is yet to recapture his best form since returning from a five-and-a-half month layoff in March. He should be cherry ripe and is 3.5kg better off with The Contractor for a 1,60 length beating which gives him a winning chance on paper, although he has a tough draw of ten. Nordic Rebel can not be ignored in this line up. Dan The Lad is capable and is interesting stepped up in trip off a competitive merit rating. 

In the last race over 1800m Lyrical Dance makes plenty of appeal despite a wide draw. She finished strongly for second last time over 1600m and although her sire Vercingetorix seems to be a speed influence her dam is by stamina influence Jallad and she herself is a half-brother to Summer Cup winner Liege so she should handle the step up in trip. The improving Queen Bomi looks to be the chief danger but Jive Express, Pun Up, Fire Flower and Veld Flower are not out of it either.

The first leg of the Pick 6 over 1200m should be won by Specially Selected who caught the eye on debut when running on strongly late over this trip after being bumped and losing two lengths at the start. This Duke Of Marmalade colt is out of Grade 3 Prix du Cap winner Cuvee Brut and jumps from a plum draw this time.     

The second leg of the Pick 6 over 1200m is tricky as the three horses with the most form to go on, Voltron, La Fille and Lil Wahoo are no great shakes. It could be fought out by two well-bred first-timers, Toto’s Dream, who is by Duke Of Marmalade out of a full-sister to Grade 3 winner and Grade 1 placed One Fine Day, and Night Lily, who is by Byword and is a half-sister to three-times Grade 1 placed Tierra Del Fuego. 

In the fifth race Quantum King is an interesting debutant as he is a half-brother to the Daily News 2000 contender Kommetdieding. He does not have much to beat on debut as the best of those to have run are the like of South Boy, Right Choice and Gimmethepurplelight. Global Vision can also improve and the other first-timer, Samuel L, is by Jackson out of a Listed placed horse in Zimbabwe so can’t be ignored from draw five.

In the sixth race over 1600m the hard-knocking Indlamu should enjoy the step up in trip and is drawn in pole, but does have to carry topweight. The well-bred Archer’s Girl, by Dynasty out of twice Grade 1-winning Dubawi mare Happy Archer, can progress off a lowly mark of 74 awarded for her workmanlike victory over this trip second time out. Oyster King has turned the corner and goes for a hat-trick so can’t be ignored.    

David Thiselton

The Paul Matchett-trained Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara heroine War Of Athena faces the strongest field of her career in the Grade 1 Woolavington 2000 today but she should pass the test.

She is drawn in pole and has her reliable stablemate Only The Brave in the race again to help ensure a suitable pace. 

War Of Athena has a superb turn of foot that she has displayed at the tight Hollywoodbets Greyville turf track when just failing to fetch the classy Anything Goes in the Grade 1 Thekwini over 1600m last year. This time she is not only drawn better but on pedigree this could well be her best trip. This small filly can march on to her sixth win in succession and eighth win of the season.

She does have an acid test however as she has only ever bumped the cream of Johannesburg’s three-year-olds and has not met the best from Cape Town.

Captain’s Ransom might not be in the field but she will still have to see off Princess Calla and Chat Ching. Princess Calla ws runner up to Captain’s Ransom in both the Grade 1 WSB Cape Gillies Guineas but also the Grade 2 WSB Fillies Guineas at Hollywoodbets Greyville recently.

Furthermore, she finished a 2,30 length third in the Grade 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes behind the two stalwarts Queen Supreme and Clouds Unfold and then followed that with a fine fifth place finish in the Cape Town Met.

That was no mean feat for a three-year-old filly especially when considering that three of the horses who beat her have won three Vodacom Durban Julys and two Mets between them. Princess Calla is a progressive sort by Flower Alley so can continue to improve and the only downside is having a tricky draw of five which could be made trickier by the fact that War Of Athena’s pacemaker is drawn two.

The latter could claim the rail early and keep others wide if they try and go to the front or she could slow it down if they drop out, so it has to be said her and her boss, as it were, have landed perfect draws from a tactical point of view. 

Chat Ching was just a length behind Princess Calla in the Paddock Stakes and is better than her last start over 1600m. She is by Duke Of Marmalade, so will be improving, and is a half-sister to the Grade 2 New Turf Carriers Western Cape Stayers (2800m) winner Snapscan (Oratorio) so should relish this step up in trip. 

Netta is also a very interesting runner. She has been beaten comfortably twice by War Of Athena, in the Grade 1 SA Fillies Classic over 1800m and the Grade 2 SA Oaks over 2450m. However, she bolted in by six lengths last time in the Grade 2 Gerald Rosenberg Stakes over the 2000m, so the Woolavington trip looks to be her optimum.

She beat Sparkling Water in the Gerald Rosenberg and the latter was only beaten 4,50 lengths by War Of Athena in the SA Fillies Classic and two lengths in the SA Oaks. On paper that points to Netta being highly progressive.

However, it has to be said War Of Athena was never under any real pressure to win any of the Triple Tiara legs. 

Scented Mistress is the other runner and although consistent she will need a big step up on form to be a threat.

David Thiselton

THE Vaal Classic track holds an eight-race meeting today and the headliner is the seventh, a Progress Plate over 1600m.

Tree Tumbo finished placed in both the Grade 2 Charity Mile and Grade 1 Summer Cup so could hold too many guns here despite carrying top weight. He can be dropped out from a tricky draw before mowing them down.

Bold Jazz, who is a lot better than his last start, is also capable of turning it on over this trip and can take advantage of a good draw. Willow Express has a good draw and could also go close in his bid for a hattrick.

In the first race, a Workriders’ event over 1000m, the first-timer by Elusive Fort, Aurora’s Light, has been priced up as favourite. Elusive Fort was also sire of two of her dam’s siblings and one win in Kimberley was the best return, so on pedigree evidence Aurora Light is up against it. However, Paul Peter-trained first-timers in workrider’s events always have to be respected.

Nevertheless, Abalus ran well second time out over this trip, staying on for second and looks the one to beat. Smelting has enough ability to earn here too. The most interesting runner is Talladega, who is priced up as biggest outsider. She has a lot of pace but tends to fade late. She looked booked for a place on Saturday at Turffontein over 1160m but faded late as usual, so she will relish the step down to this trip. The problem however, is that she tends to jump hesitantly, so it all depends on how much ground she loses at the start. 

The second race over 1000m should see Imitation Game being hard to beat. The Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained first-timers Connection (by Greys Inn out of multiple stakes-race runner up Crystal Glamour (Seventh Rock)) and Constitutional (by Querari and a full-brother to three-times Listed placed Champery) look to be the chief dangers.

In the third race over 1450m, the Irish-bred Sybaris has a fine pedigree, being by Fastnet Rock out of a Galileo mare who is a half-sister to Group 1 winning sire Dutch Art. She only has to beat Ocean’s Pride, still a maiden at the age of six but one who has blossomed this season.

Stormy Weathers looks the one most likely to pick up the pieces if those two fail.

In the fourth over 1450m blinkers should help Grace From Above get to the front and as one who looks the part he could get off the mark. Castle Corner has finished second multiple times and can do so again over a suitable trip in his first run after a layoff. Laird Of Breedon could be in the shake up too.

In the fifth over 2000m, Siren Of Greece is getting the hang of it and could get off the mark at the expense of another hard knocker who has to overcome a wide draw, Sophia’s First.

In the sixth over 1600m Enigma Code has the chance to prove his last few runs were all wrong as he now has a plum draw of two and blinkers could help. He is attractively weighted in this maiden handicap.

However, Passing Shot and Nussply also look to have good chances. Mister Blue Sky should be staying on and Curfew is not out of it either.

In the last race over 1000m, Belle Of Belize flew through late over this trip after a slow start last time and can go one better. Look To The Sky has plenty of pace and over this optimum trip could hold on despite officially being 2.5kg under sufferance with the best weighted horses. Alex The Great, Magic Choice and Love Lies make most appeal of the rest.      

DAVID THISELTON

MATTERHORN (7) is progressive and impressed in his last start in the Grade 2 WSB 1900 when running on strongly for a close second. The conditions of the race did not allow him to be raised in the merit ratings and he otherwise would have copped a ten point raise and carried 5kg more weight in this race.
He is thus well handicapped and, furthermore, is held in high regard by his yard, so he could book his place in the Vodacom Durban July here by winning under Serino Moodley over a trip he enjoys from a fair draw.
SILVER HOST (13) is held in high regard and has proved his ability over staying trips so is an interesting runner in his comeback from a layoff under Richard Fourie and the wide draw should not be too much of a problem as he is capable of running on strongly.
BLACK KNAP (4) looks capable of progressing beyond his current merit rating mark and he should enjoy this course distance from his nice draw. He is by Dynasty whose progeny always enjoy this tight track thanks to their inherited turn of foot.
BAYBERRY (15) is a good looking son of the stamina influence Flower Alley and will be continuing to improve. If it pans out well for him from a wide draw he could be right there.
CROME YELLOW (14) has the ability to be a contender despite carrying 59kg and returning from a layoff although he also has to overcome a tough draw. MARCHINGONTOGETHER (11), last year’s winner, could bounce back to form off a lowered merit rating and warrants consideration.
PATHS OF VICTORY (8) should be cherry ripe to produce his best and, as the winner of the prestigious Gold Cup over 3200m at this course, he must have a shout. BLACKBALL (5) is an enigmatic horse who is capable of producing classy performances but he is not reliable, so he can’t be ignored from a good draw.

INDIVIDUAL HORSE ANALYSIS

1. CATCHAFALLINGSTAR finished a fine third in the Grade 2 New Turf Carriers Western Cape Stayers over 2800m in her penultimate start and although raised five points for that effort she can be a contender here stepping back up in trip after a warm up in the KRA East Cost Cup over 2000m last time.
2. MERLIN FROM BERLIN is an honest sort who carries just 52kg but he is 1.5kg under sufferance so it will be tough.
3. PAYBACKTHEMONEY finished a fine second in last season’s prestigious Grade 3 Gold Cup over 3200m but has only had one run since and might still need this outing.
4. BLACK KNAP finished a good second in the Listed Sledgehammer over 1750m recently and has gone close before over this trip so is an interesting runner carrying just 54kg.
5. BLACKBALL gets a good draw and if recapturing the form of his easy win over 2200m here in December he could feature but he does have to put a poor last run behind him.
6. HOLY WARRIOR has finished a close up second in a Listed race over this trip before but this is his second run after a layoff which might be a concern and he is also 3.5kg under sufferance.
7. MATTERHORN ran to 110 when second last time in the WSB 1900 and owing to the conditions of that race he remains on a 100, so this talented progressive type who has gone close over this course and distance before, looks the one to beat.
8. PATHS OF VICTORY, winner of last season’s Gold Cup, would have needed his last three runs and is an interesting contender.
9. FAVOUR was beaten 1,60 lengths by Matterhorn when they last met over 1950m and is now 4kg better off but will have to improve on his 2400m form.
10. SHARE HOLDER has always been well regarded and has overcome a hoof problem but he looks held by Favour on their meeting over 2200m.
11. MARCHINGONTOGETHER is a talented stayer who won this race last year but he has been disappointing lately and needs to bounce back although he has consequently come down in the merit ratings and champion jockey Warren Kennedy rides.
12. SAINT PHILIP has won his last two over this trip but is 8kg under sufferance so needs a further step up.
13. SILVER HOST was labelled by trainer Justin Snaith “the best stayer in the country” recently and this Listed Ardmore Jamaica Handicap winner and Grade 2 New Turf Carriers Western Cape Stayers (2800m) runner up will be out to prove it here although it is his first run for four months.
14. CROME YELLOW, also having his first outing for four months, is 2.5kg better off with Silver Host for a 2,95 length beating in the Reserve Stayers.
15. BAYBERRY has claims having won the Listed Kenilworth Cup over 3200m and recently running a fine third in the WSB Highland Night Cup with top weight meaning he 5.5kg better off with Saint Philip for a half-a-length beating.

SATURDAY’S GR1 DAILY NEWS 2000 has attracted the cream of the country’s Classic three-year-olds in what is one of the most important pointers going in to the Gr1 Vodacom Durban July.

This year’s crop of sophomores has proved to be vintage in every sense of the word and it is a shame that Hollywoodbets Greyville will be closed to the public due to the on-going Covid restrictions.

Likely favourite will be recent Gr2 WSB Guineas winner Linebacker. Vaughan Marshall’s Gr1 Jonsson Workwear Cape Derby winner was most impressive in the Guineas, winning rather comfortably after running into traffic early in the straight.

The hard luck story in that race was Kommetdieding. Unbeaten until the Guineas he was caught in an argument at the back of the field with Gr1 Cape Guineas winner Russian Rock, losing valuable ground. He was finishing like a train from last into the straight to run into third and will have pleased the father and daughter training combination of Harold Crawford and Michelle Rix.

Johan Janse van Vuuren saddles Second Base and Copper Mountain.

Second Base is currently seventh on the VDJ log and this will be his first look at the Greyville circuit. However, he ran a cracker in the Gr1 Premier’s Champions Challenge over the stiff Turffontein 2000, running Got The Greenlight to under a length. Gavin Lerena has kept the ride and the Highveld form will be fully tested.

Copper Mountain goes this trip for the first time but also gave Got The Greenlight a fright in the Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes, only going down a head at the death. (Lerena)

The Gatekeeper, a full brother to former VDJ winner Legislate, has been touted as Justin Snaith’s big hope for the VDJ. His local KZN debut in the WSB Guineas was below his Western Cape form where he finished second to Linebacker in the Gr1 Jonsson Workwear Cape Derby.

The defection of Captain’s Ransom from the Gr1 Woolavington has left a big hole and the race that has cut up into a seven-horse field. However, what it lacks in numbers is made up in quality.

Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara winner War Of Athena heads the field and given the ease of her three wins, Paul Matchett’s will be a strong fancy. However, given the respective handicap ratings, she will be tested by the likes of the Paul Peter-trained Netta, rated only two pounds inferior and Princess Calla, four pounds inferior.

War Of Athena and Netta are both Vodacom Durban July entries and Matchett has a second runner in Only The Brave, possibly there to make up the numbers in case of the race being abandoned, but also to ensure a decent gallop for her better performed stable companion.

DAILY NEWS 2000 (Grade 1) 2000m

For 3 year-olds

 1  1 RUSSIAN ROCK       60.0 119   A   K de Melo         Dean Kannemey

 2  2 DR DOOLITTLE       60.0 108   A   M Yeni            Paul Peter  

 3  3 RASCALLION         60.0 111   A   S Veale           Vaughan Marsh

 4  4 FLYING CARPET      60.0 108 T A   L J Ferraris      Sean Tarry  

 5  5 SHAH AKBAR         60.0 108 T A   L Hewitson        Sean Tarry  

 6  6 LINEBACKER         60.0 124   A   G van Niekerk     Vaughan Marsh

 7  7 SECOND BASE        60.0 122   AM  W Kennedy         J A Janse van

 8  8 KOMMETDIEDING      60.0 120   A   S Cele            HWJ Crawford/

 9  9 THE GATEKEEPER     60.0 110   A   R Fourie          Justin Snaith

10 10 COPPER MOUNTAIN    60.0 121   AM  G Lerena          J A Janse van

11 11 FULL BLAST         60.0  86  BA   S Moodley         Michael Mille

12 12 INFINITE WONDER    60.0  92   A   R Munger          Ashley Fortun

(3,6) (4,5) (7,10)

WOOLAVINGTON 2000 (Grade 1) 2000m

For 3 year-old Fillies

1  1 WAR OF ATHENA      60.0 122   A   M Yeni            Paul Matchett

2  2 ONLY THE BRAVE     60.0  97 T A   K Matsunyane      Paul Matchett

3  3 EMERALD PALACE     60.0  91   AM  R Danielson       Gareth van Zy

4  4 SCENTED MISTRESS   60.0  91  BA   L J Ferraris      Vaughan Marsh

5  5 PRINCESS CALLA     60.0 118   A   G van Niekerk     Adam Marcus 

6  6 CHAT CHING         60.0 114   A   K de Melo         Candice Bass-

7  7 NETTA              60.0 120   A   W Kennedy         Paul Peter  

(1,2)