The Cape Guineas hopes of Etienne Braun, Braam van Huyssteen and the Truters might not look quite so real this morning now that it looks as if the runaway Dingaans winner Hawwaam is going to be in the line-up on December 15 but One World continues to outbattle the local opposition and Saturday’s Concorde Cup saw the colt stretch his unbeaten run to five.

He showed once again that he has few equals when it comes to a battle. As S’Manga Khumalo on Chimichuri Run threw down the gauntlet approaching the final furlong the former champion’s body language indicated quite clearly that this was going to be his race. Anton Marcus thought the same.

He related: “The first time S’Manga came at me I fought him off but the second time I thought he had me – there was nothing left in the locker. But this horse is so courageous – indeed he reminds me of Jay Peg.”

One World (Liesl King)

The 9-10 shot held on by a hard-fought half a length with Vaughan Marshall wishing he had a pacemaker – “One World is a special horse but I would prefer it if he got a lead.”

Khumalo explained why it was his tank that emptied first – “I think the mile just got Chimichuri Run and then the other horse outstayed him,” he related. “Also I think mine didn’t enjoy going left-handed.”

Twist Of Fate, nearly two lengths further back third, had to switch when beginning his run but Joey Ramsden, far from using this as an excuse, said that he can’t wait to try his luck on the longer straight on Guineas day – “I am sick of this winter course.”

But Hawwaam, a half-brother to Rainbow Bridge, is going to take some beating in the Sun Met let alone the Guineas. Mike de Kock said: “He is a proper horse and going to be good enough to campaign abroad. We will enter him for the Guineas and, if he is going to go abroad, we might think of the Met.”

Also likely to be in the Cape Guineas line-up is the Sean Tarry-trained Cirillo who led throughout the CTS Ready To Run despite being drawn next to the M5. “I said before the race that it is easy to overcome any draw. The secret is to overcome it economically,” said Marcus, adding equally modestly: “I then found myself in a favourable position on the best horse.”

Justin Snaith is toying with a tilt at the Cape Flying Championship on Met day with Kasimir (One World’s previous Durbanville victim incidentally) even though he acknowledges that the 1 000m trip is really too short for the gelding. “It might be my easiest chance of winning a Grade 1 with him.”

There was plenty of confidence behind the horse in the Cape Merchants and this was reflected in the betting – from 5-1 to little more than half that price – while Richard Fourie said: “I thought I wouldn’t have to move on him and I was in a good position the whole race.”

Stable companion Silvano’s Pride runs next in the WSB Cape Fillies Guineas after leading throughout the TAB Telebet Progress Plate to beat Santa Clara.

BLOB Last year’s Cape Derby and Daily News winner Edict Of Nantes managed only sixth of 13 on his Hong Kong debut yesterday. Racing under his new name of Northern Superstar, he was ridden by Grant van Niekerk for Tony Millard in the Chevalier Cup. He soon lost his good early position and, although he made up some ground in the straight, he never looked like posing a threat. However it was his first race for nearly a year.

By Michael Clower

The Kenilworth stipes, envisaging angry punters all over South Africa, were quick to hold an inquiry into the Christmas Market Pinnacle on Saturday. The race was won by 20-1 rank outsider Milton with the riders of the other four runners seemingly making no attempt to bridge the gap when Corne Orffer poached a ten-length lead.

Corne Orffer

What made it worse in the eyes of punters and public was that the winner is trained by Billy Prestage who frequently instructs his jockeys to try and pinch a commanding lead. The shocks he has brought off with these tactics include Red Peril in the Settlers Trophy and Milton in the Premier Trophy, both last year.

He could hardly believe his luck this time and exclaimed: “Were they mad letting my horse go like that?”

The stipes promptly summoned Richard Fourie, rider of odds-on Made To Conquer and the leader of the “chasing” pack, to ask him to explain his riding. As they heard what he had to say, and looked again at the film of the race, they realised that there was no case to answer. From a long way out Milton’s pursuers were cooked as completely as a Sunday braai.

Fourie said: “If I could have sat closer I would have done so but they (the three Justin Snaith runners) were unfit horses and they had only had one 1 400m gallop.”

Senior stipe Ernie Rodrigues, taking this writer through the film, said: “Corne Orffer pinched the race at the 800m mark but the rest were gone by the top of the straight.”

The wily Prestage now has his sights set on a second Premier on December 15 while Snaith will split Durban July second and third Made To Conquer and Elusive Silva, and Cape Summer Stayers winner Strathdon, between the Premier and the January 5 Peninsula Handicap.

By Michael Clower

Anton Marcus had a weekend to remember, winning two of the most lucrative races on the Kenilworth card on Saturday and backing up with a five-timer at Greyville yesterday.

The first three on the Greyville card did not come as a surprise for anyone as all three were odds-on shots, but it all unravelled in the Pinnacle Stakes where the strongly fancied Matador Man finished in the scrum after hardly raising a gallop.

Dark Moon Rising (Candiese Marnewick)

Paul Lafferty expressed some surprise when commenting on television before the race that Dark Moon Rising had come in for some good market support, but it proved to be money on the button as the gelding took full advantage of a good early pace set by London Call to run past Red Chesnut Road and Kazaar. A controversial acceptor for last season’s Vodacom Durban July, this will have been a most satisfying comeback run after his sixth place in the eLan Gold Cup.

Matador Man was tardy out of the gate as is his want but after a furlong there was plenty of daylight between him and the last horse in the pack. Although in touch with the field at the top of the straight the favourite surrendered tamely, the late interference having no material effect on his chances.

Lady Wisteria, in spite of her record of bleeding, proved way too smart for her opposition in the card opener, as did Frozen Tune in the second. 2-0 to Marcus.

Ashburton-based Shane Humby has only had two runners in the past six weeks as he gave his string off for their AHS vaccinations but Socrates is a smart colt and he clocked up his fourth win from only eight starts as he out-gunned the more than useful Buffalo Soldier in the third. 3-0 to Marcus.

Duncan Howells will have been mightily disappointed that he had to bump another Mike de Kock ‘hottie’ in Saturday’s Dingaans with Thanksgiving a gallant runner-up to Hawwaam, but the winner will be a serious Cape Guineas contender while Howells is rather eyeing the Triple Crown for his charge.

The Howells-trained Ninjinsky’s Son has been knocking at the door for some time now and finally got it right under apprentice Luke Ferraris in the fourth. Ferraris is now two winners short of losing his claim.

Marcus was back in the winner’s enclosure in the sixth, scoring a comfortable win on Belinda Impey’s Amor Ardiente. Impey confirmed mid-week that her charge had hit peak form and the gelding did not disappoint as Marcus stalked the early pace and pushed on for a comfortable victory. 4-2 for Marcus.

It was soon 5-2 as hot favourite Cruz Giovanni lathered his field as expected in spite of racing green. This was the second winner for Peter Muscutt and the Brett Crawford yard after Lady Wisteria.

Holy Flame pushed Howells to the top of the local log as far as winners (19) and stakes are concerned but the stable will be rueing the 29 seconds so far this season. Holy Flame was given a copy book ride by Warren Kennedy and comfortable held the challenge from Jamaican Bay.

By Andrew Harrison

Matador Man, 12-10 to win tomorrow, has a smart record over the Greyville 1600m and can add to his resume when he runs in the Rotary Club of Durban Clairwood Park Pinnacles Stakes.

With a wealth of talent in his stable, Sean Tarry has had to box clever with Matador Man, ever game but not quite out of the top drawer. But he does seem to be a length or two better over the Greyville mile, most recently seeing off a competitive field in a Pinnacles Stakes over course and distance.

Even more recently he finished just over two lengths behind Charity Mile winner Coral Fever, coming from way back in the field. He has a plum draw and with Anton Marcus back in the irons he must rate the one to beat.

Matador Man (Candiese Marnewick)

There were a few skeptics about when Mark Dixon stretched his top sprinter London Call to a ‘mile’ in the KZN Breeders but he made all the running only to be nailed on the line by Romany Prince.

There are still a few doubters about and he was easy to back at 11-2 yesterday. He has since had two further outings over sprints in which he has shown his well being and if allowed to get away, Matador Man will have a hard task chasing him down.

Of the balance, Kazaar (4-1) and Red Chesnut Road (9-2), rate obvious dangers while Dark Moon Rising makes his seasonal debut after his sixth place in the eLan Gold Cup. He will need to race fresh to make an impression here.

Marcus has a strong book of rides and should at least head home with a double. The first should come in the card opener where he partners Lady Wisteria for Brett Crawford. The lightly raced Irish bred mare made a smart local debut when caught late and with only three runs under her girth in what looks to be a fairly modest field she should take some beating. She was 11-20 yesterday with 6-1 bar.

If Lady Wisteria does not oblige it should be cash back in the seventh where stable companion Cruz Giovanni looks good value at 11-10 in the ante-post market. A cracking second to the highly rated Sigismund with some other fancied runners behind him, Cruz Giovanni looks the part here.

Mark Khan has teamed up with Duncan Howells and owner Dave MacLean and that combination can come to the fore in the second. Coldhardcash found good market support on debut but you back first timers at your peril. Coldhardcash was all over the course when finishing fourth to Misys J but with that experience under his girth and an extra furlong to travel he looks the horse to beat.

However, he is relatively easy to back at 3-1 with favourite for the race, Frozen Tune, another Marcus mount, at 22-10.

Another Marcus possible is Amore Ardiente (7-2) for Belinda Impey in the Natal Stainless Steel Handicap. Never far back, Impey believes the gelding is over his best distance and with a pole position draw and Marcus up she is at least confident of a big showing. “He has come really well after his last race,” she said yesterday. “I just hope Anton can tuck him in and not go off to the front. He likes to come from off them.”

With Reactive and Savuti both possible pace-setters Impey should get her wish.

By Andrew Harrison

The Grade 2 Dingaans over 1600m and the Grade 3 Fillies Mile will both be run on the Turffontein Standside track tomorrow and earlier there will be seven races on the Inside track.

The Yvette Bremner-trained National Park slammed Chimichuri Run in the Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m and his participation in the Dingaans will depend on a sale to Hong Kong which might go through today (Friday). He is full of class and might have even more to come. A wide draw and a step up in trip should not bother him as he has the perfect racing temperament and is the sort who relishes the long Turffontein straight. Hawwaam is by Silvano and is a half-brother to the exciting Rainbow Bridge, so he should improve on his fine winning debut. He showed a good turn of foot in that race so can afford to be dropped out from a wide draw.

Hawwaam (JC Photographics)

Reach For The Line is a tall and long-striding son of Potala Palace and was only overtaken late by Hawwaam on debut over 1400m in a hands-and-heels event. He is highly regarded and should be right there. The best outsider is Thanksgiving as he is an impressive specimen by Dynasty and ran a fine race last time in the KZN Guineas trial over this trip at Greyville considering he was rushed around the field midway through the race yet still managed to stay on for a narrow second. Perfect Peter is a full-brother to Along Came Polly who won the Grade 1 Empress Club Stakes over this course and distance for this same trainer Gavin Van Zyl. He has a wide draw but Van Zyl 2010 Dingaan’s winner

The Apache jumped from the widest draw of all. Samurai Warrior is a typically progressive son of Ideal World and after bolting up with first-time blinkers last time he could be a surprise package, although he does have a very wide draw.  Gift For The Gap is a rangy gelding by Master Of My Fate and has scope for plenty of improvement, although he also has a wide draw. Bien Venue was unlucky last time and o previous evidence should stay this trip.

The Fillies Mile can be won by Ronnie’s Candy, whose easy win in the Starling Stakes over 1400m last time proved that her win in the SA Fillies Nursery was no fluke. She has stayed on well in both of her last two starts over 1400m and this classy filly by King Of Kings should also relish the step up in trip on pedigree. The Sean Tarry yard have said Return Flight is fit and well and she will enjoy the Turffontein mile more than the Greyville one where she won the Grade 1 Thekwini comfortably. She runs on resolutely and has a fine draw so should go close under champion jockey Lyle Hewitson.

Storm Destiny won a good race last time over this trip and looks to be going places, but she does have a tough draw. Railtrip is having his third run after a layoff and showed her class in the Thekwini where she finished a 1,75 length second. She should also enjoy the Standside mile as she ran on well in the Thekwini and was also running on well last time in the Ready To Run Cup over 1400m. She was beaten 2,5 lengths in the latter race by Vi Va Pi Pa but it was her second run after a layoff and the latter had a good draw that day. Nevertheless Vi Va Pi Pa is improving and can earn. Ghaalla finished 2,6 lengths behind Ronnie’s Candy in the Starling when receiving 2kg, so has a tough task but she should enjoy the course and distance.

Running Brave is well regarded and comes off two fine runs over 1450m and 1400m but she still has to prove she stays this trip. Celtic Sea has class but might be better suited to 1400m and comes off a disappointing comeback run in the Starling. The dark horse is the unexposed Afrostar who impressed in her last start at Greyville over 1400m. Isle De France is well bred and will relish the step up in trip from the Starling Stakes. Her famous grandmother Ilha Da Vitoria was at her best as a mare and she might follow suit. Virginia is another of the dark horses as she is an impressive specimen and is highly regarded. I Like It won well in her last start but looks held and so does Sand Princess.

By David Thiselton