The reappearance of Horse of the Year Oh Susanna dominates today’s racing at Kenilworth and on ratings she has the proverbial stone in hand in the Supabets Pinnacle Stakes.

Richard Fourie’s mount was as short as 6-10 with World Sports Betting yesterday and the other bookmakers seem sure to follow suit but this is her first race since she only narrowly won the Woolavington at the beginning of June.

“Punters should be a little bit cautious because of the strength of the race and because this is Oh Susanna’s first run back,” Justin Snaith warned yesterday. “She has done well and I am happy with everything but she has only been on the grass once since her last race and some of the opposition are super fit.

“We are hoping for a good run but I can’t get her 100% without her having a couple of races. This is a prep and she is not racing fit – and to blow a field like this away she needs to be at her best.”

Lady In Black is second favourite at 9-2, presumably because she was only three-quarters of a length back third in the Woolavington, but she has also not raced since. Furthermore Oh Susanna ran some way below her best that day.

Brave Move could be a bigger threat as she has won her last six starts and during that period nothing has been able to get to the bottom of her. “She is going into this race fit and well but not tuned up to her peak,” said Adam Marcus. “She is so competitive and she has such a big heart that she will really try.

“But one has to be realistic about taking on a filly who oozes class. If we can finish close up behind her it will be a run full of merit.”

Today is Dean Kannemeyer’s 58^th birthday – and he probably doesn’t need reminding about it! – but Hashtagyolo can have little chance of keeping her unbeaten record after being off since New Year’s Eve. Surprisingly, though, she has been backed from 10-1 to 7-1.

Fresnaye (14-1), beaten a length and three-quarters by Brave Move in the Final Fling, has had a more recent run but it is difficult to see her turning the tables. Rider Donovan Dillon, incidentally, was 25 yesterday.

Love To Boogie looks over-priced at 18-1. She and Goodtime Gal (16-1) are close on their Diana running and have the considerable advantage of a comparatively recent race. If the favourite’s lack of fitness catches her out don’t be surprised if victory goes to one of these two.

Mastamgambit and Silva’s Fling, who dead-heated for second on their debuts at Greyville at the end of July, head the market in the opening maiden. But how strong is that poly form? Preference is for 9-2 shot Engage And Beware who can make amends for last time’s Durbanville disappointment.

Jacqueline has been backed from 5-1 to 28-10 for race two but the vote goes to Princess Penelope who made an encouraging Durbanville debut.

By Michael Clower

Dave Byrnes, a courageous and talented jockey who successfully plied his trade in the USA, passed away yesterday after an illness bravely borne. In latter years he had been a valuable workrider in the Dennis Drier yard and had currently been an assistant trainer in the Paul Lafferty yard.

Byrnes was the son of one of the country’s best ever lightweight jockeys, Joe Byrnes, and in 1974 the pair established the unique feat of riding in the Durban July together. Dave was a fifteen-year-old apprentice to David Payne at the time and rode the 33/1 outsider Sea Patrol to second place. The race was famous for the dislodging of Tom Rattley off the second favourite Jamaican Music shortly after the start and for the upstaging of the favourite Elevation by 20/1 stable companion Riboville, whose 4,5 length victory is the widest in July history.

Dave recalled in an interview a few years ago, “It was the first time we had run Sea Patrol in blinkers. He virtually ran away with me and we led all the way until overtaken by Riboville. With more experience I think I could have won the race. The loose horse, Jamaican Music, brushed us and the interference could have cost us. With more experience I would have just let him go in the straight and not waited.”

In 1978 Byrnes rode the Herman Brown-trained World News to win the Grade I SA Guineas at Greyville from draw 14 of 15.

“Dave Byrnes was a very good jockey and it was a pity for our racing that he left for America the next year,” recalled Brown a few years ago.

Byrnes also won the Lady’s Bracelet at Scottsville on a Syd Laird-trained horse called Refreshing and the Hibiscus Fillies Nursery at Greyville on Little Mo.

He left for America in 1979 and made an almost immediate impact when forming a lethal partnership with an English trainer called Roy Waugh.

Waugh trained for Summa Stables which was a partnership formed by oil billionaire and legendary owner-breeder Nelson Bunker Hunt and coin collector millionaire Bruce McNall. Barry Gordy, founder of the Motown record label, was also initially a member of the partnership.

Bunker Hunt, who won such races as the Epsom Derby and the Arc, initially sent Waugh about 14 horses that were all rejects of the sire Vaguely Noble (Arc winner) and his sons, Empery and Mississipian.

Waugh was based in San Fransisco with Byrnes as his stable jockey and in 1980 the pair raided the East Coast.

They were unknowns but had so much success and such a phenomenal strike-rate that they acquired the nicknames “London Express” (Byrnes) and “California Flash” (Waugh). Byrnes nickname related to his driving through on the inside rail, an unusual tactic in the USA.

A couple of years later Bunker Hunt’s empire collapsed when he tried to corner the world silver market and Waugh lost his job.

Byrnes continued to ride with success in the East Coast until a bad fall in 1987 put him out for some time.

The fall co-incided with him becoming “tired” and he lost the drive and ambition he had once had.

He returned to South Africa in about 1994 and among the interesting things he did besides race riding was playing a role as stuntman in a horseracing movie called “The Derby.” In one scene, taken at Clairwood, he was required to veer a horse across the track and dive over the rail, a highly dangerous stunt that fitted in with his reputation as a fearless horseman.

Byrnes retired from riding in 2003 and a subsequent attempt at a comeback in 2009 did not last too long.

He and Waugh’s paths crossed again as Waugh is also currently an assistant trainer to Lafferty.

Byrnes’ time at the South African Jockeys Academy in the 1970s had co-incided with the like of Michael Roberts, Basil Marcus, Felix Coetzee, Patrick Wynne, Steven Jupp, Dennis Bosch and the late Gary Verne, a vintage group who all left their mark.

He leaves his wife Barbara and son Daniel and will be missed by many not only for his horsemanship but his friendly demeanour and approachable nature.

By David Thiselton

A competitive nine race card awaits at Greyville this afternoon, the first race due off 12.50pm. The card opener is a MR 80 Handicap over 1800m which has surprisingly attracted a small field. Trainers Andre Nel and Dean Kannemeyer both have a pair of runners and the winner looks certain to come from one of these trainers. In saying that, the Dennis Drier trained Escape Club has solid form and she looks progressive. Stable rider Sean Veale has made the flight back from Cape Town to do duty for the yard. The Drier yard have already got off to a flying start in the Cape with Anime going from start to finish last Sunday.

The second race is a maiden event over the mile and favourite backers could be safe here with Neria from the in-form Brett Crawford outfit run here in KZN by Peter Muscutt. Neria showed early pace in her trial and faded steadily but is well suited to the mile. Her KZN debut looks set to be a winning one. Noble Approach, Lady Sharon and Elegant Eva could press the first choice all the way home and are worth including for the exacta.

The third race looks tough but the winning combination of Johan Janse Van Vuuren and Anton Marcus could continue with Chipofftheoldblock who is a son of Redoute’s Promise. Frozen Tune was the fastest finishing horse last time when fifth to Arrow’s Mark and his formlines are working out well. He might well prove to be the one they all have to peg back.

The opening leg of the Pick 6 is a weak handicap and many runners need to go into the perms. It was encouraging to see Miziara run on well last time and the formline of Barinois last run is working out well enough to give her a bright chance. Eden Gardens Glitz holds the same formline as Barinois and the cheekpieces could do the trick – a tough contest.

Wayne Badenhorst has taken over the training responsibility of Biker Babe after Craig Eudey retired and this mare nearly made a winning stable debut last time. She rates the one they all have to beat in the opening leg of the pot.

Belfry has had more than enough chances and contests the sixth race with apprentice Luke Ferraris in the irons. She should win one of these days but is not one to put the lights out! Secret Dynasty could be the one to beat here and Anton Marcus might think the same as he rode Belfry in his last three starts. Dennis Bosch’s son of Dynasty was an expensive buy at the 2017 Ready T0 Run sales.

The seventh race is competitive and has upset written all over it! The advice is to be cautious and to include as many runners in the exotics as your budget will allow.

The inform combination of Andre Nel and Gareth Wright are selected to bring the curtain down in the last race. Red Shift was ultra impressive when winning last time and could still be well treated by the handicapper. He looks to have a lot more to offer. The high draw for me, is the only concern. Edge Of The Sun has finally learnt to race and put his best foot forward and is now starting to get into the winner’s box more often. If he were to win again, it would not be a shock. Galaxy Tunes finished fourth to Perfect Peter last time and that post maiden run is impressive.

By Warren Lenferna

Justin Snaith wants to see the present whip rules made easier to understand and made more specific.

The champion trainer spoke about abuse of the whip during an interview with Andrew Bon at Durbanville early last month. The whip extract was shown on Tellytrack last week and, to put it mildly, raised a good many eyebrows.

He said: “We all know the rules about riding a horse to the finish but the stick work in South African racing has gone out of control. It is something that is becoming a bit of an issue and I think we need to get on top of it. I am making sure that it doesn’t cause too much hassle with my young horses and my jockeys are given strict instructions.”

When questioned about this at Kenilworth on Sunday, Snaith said: “I have noticed over the years that jockeys have got worse with using the whip and that the young riders coming through follow their example. In the minor centres the situation is even worse.

“When I looked at the rules I was surprised to see how vague they are. They are not strict enough for the stipes to take action and they are not sufficiently to the point.”

The relevant rule (58.10.2) states: “No rider shall misuse a crop or use a crop in an unnecessary or excessive manner, or use a crop on any part of the horse’s head.”

Snaith added: “Everyone in the racing industry wants change, including the jockeys, and the NHA is on board with this. What we change the rules to I don’t know. Equally I am not sure what we will end up with but people can’t watch a horse being hit 17 times anymore.”

It is rare, certainly in Cape Town, for senior jockeys in South Africa to be had up for excessive use of the whip. Occasionally they are accused of hitting a horse more than once in a horse’s stride, so not giving their mount a chance to respond, but otherwise the transgressors are normally over-enthusiastic apprentices.

To be fair to the jockeys, whip abuse in South Africa is far less common than it is in many other countries. You only have to watch British racing on Tellytrack to see how many riders hit a horse seven or eight times in a race while French ace Christophe Soumillon was hammered in the press for his whip use at the recent Breeders’ Cup meeting. In last week’s Melbourne Cup no less than six jockeys (including the first three) were in trouble over the whip.

The Turffontein no-whip race, according to Snaith the brainchild of Mike de Kock, continues to make waves around the world. American sports broadcaster ESPN yesterday interviewed Snaith about his views on it, and on the whip generally.

Snaith said: “Personally I think no-whip races are a bit drastic. For the moment we just need to change the rules and then possibly review them after a year or so.”

By Michael Clower

The Grade 3 Victory Moon Stakes over 1800m to be run at Turffontein Standside on Thursday night is a difficult race to assess as it is run under merit rated band conditions and also includes penalties and allowances and it involves exposed horses, some of whom will want to be leaving something in reserve for the Summer Cup.

Takingthepeace is the best weighted horse according to official merit ratings, although she is only 0,5kg better off with Sabina’s Dynasty, Zouaves is 1kg under sufferance with Takingthepeace, Cash Time is 1,5kg under sufferance, Bankable Teddy is 2kg under sufferance, Arctica is 2kg under sufferance but carries 0,5kg overweight, Bulleting Home and French Navy are 2,5kg under sufferance, Gambado is 3kg under sufferance, Like A Panther, Dawn Assault and Deo Juvente are all 3,5kg under sufferance and Liege, Full Mast and Tandava are all 4kg under sufferance.

Sabina’s Dynasty has the advantage of pole position and Piere Strydom, who knows her well, aboard. She is 4kg better off with Dawn Assault for a one length beating over 2000m on the Inside track so should reverse the form.

Geoff Woodruff admitted not being quite sure whether Zouaves would stay the trip. He is by Sail From Seattle, who won up to 1400m, and although his dam is by Jallad his female line is generally quite speedy. His five wins have been from 1160m to 1450m but he was staying on strongly last time over 1475m in the Grand Heritage series race when just failing. Woodruff said he would be ridden “quietly” by Marco van Rensburg and a draw of five should allow him to find cover.

His stablemate Deo Juvente is a seven-year-old but looks four, according to Woodruff. On ability he is the one to beat considering he won the Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge over 2000m at this course, beating the like of Legal Eagle and Nother Russia. He was rested after that race but then became “very sick” when campaigning in Cape Town and his high merit rating also made it tough for him. However, he has dropped from 116 down to 103 and in his last start he was staying on in eyecatching style over this trip on the Inside track. Woodruff confirmed Deo Juvente was on and upward trend and he will be looking to book his place in the Summer Cup. He has a tricky draw of nine but has overcome tough draws before.

Bulleting Home did not find much extra in the Charity Mile but he should be cherry ripe having his third run of the season and he might be looking for this trip these days. Anton Marcus is aboard which is an obvious bonus.

His Sean Tarry-trained stablemate Liege ran below par in this race last year, finishing only tenth, but went on to win the Summer Cup. There will be no pressure on him to qualify for the Summer Cup and this run will likely bring him to his peak, although he could still earn.

Stablemate French Navy has not won for three years and will need to improve on his recent showings, despite being well weighted on his best form and well drawn.

Like A Panther is an imposing horse with a big stride and a lot of class. He disappointed in the SA Derby but began his four-year-old campaign in fine fashion when returning from a six month layoff and cruising to victory in an Assessment Plate over 1800m, where he was admittedly well weighted. He has a tough draw of 15 out of 15 but can use his long stride to eat up leeway after likely being dropped out.

Arctica was caught wide for a bit in the Charity Mile, but still managed to stay on strongly to be beaten just 0,55 lengths carrying 53kg. He has a wide draw here but has Gavin Lerena up, albeit riding 0,5kg overweight. He will be right there if the Charity Mile, run just 12 days earlier, did not take too much out of him and he will be trying to book his Summer Cup place.

His Mike Azzie-trained stablemate Full Mast was used up to overcome a wide draw in the Charity Mile and was then sent for home early so not surprisingly faded badly. He is well regarded and now has a good draw. He is by Go Deputy out of a Western Winter miler who has produced a winner over 2000m so on pedigree he should stay the trip but there could still be a stamina doubt considering his career to date.

Dawn Assault used his big stride to run away from a challenging Sabina’s Dynasty last time and he has a good record over course and distance. He is a consistent sort who has come into his own and has a chance if able to overcome his wide draw.

Tandava is capable of strong finishes from sprints up to this distance. He did not wear his usual blinkers when running on steadily in the Jubilee but now has them on. That should waken him up and he is a dark horse as he will likely be staying on strongly after being dropped out from a wide draw.

Cash Time finished fourth in the SA Derby but will need to improve on his recent form and a wide draw won’t help.

Bankable Teddy has a good draw and enjoys this course and distance so if bouncing back to form could upset.

Gambado is a big horse who won well over course and distance last time and he should have come on from that run too so has a shout if able to overcome a tough draw.

Like A Panther is taken to win it from Deo Juvente and Gambado with Arctica and Takingthepeace next best. Sabina’s Dynasty and Dawn Assault are tough to ignore and Tandava makes most appeal of the outsiders.

By David Thiselton