The dogs are barking about Duc D’Orange, the Duke Of Marmalade colt who makes his debut with Bernard Fayd’Herbe in the irons in the 1 200m Woodhill Racing Maiden at Kenilworth on Saturday.

But Glen Kotzen, who sponsors the race, is making it clear that – much as he likes the colt – he does not expect him to collect on this occasion.

He said: “Duc D’Orange is very smart and very talented but this will be too short for him. However he is one of the better ones and definitely one for the future.”

World Sports Betting, though, were taking no chances yesterday, opening him second favourite at 2-1 and 1-4 for a place. Gimmetherain, second at Durbanville on his only two starts, heads the market at 11-10 with Anton Marcus’s mount Northern Spy (5-2) the only other quoted at less than 12-1.

Kotzen intends changing tactics when Western Cape Fillies Championship runner-up Temple Grafin goes for the WSB Cape Fillies Guineas on 15 December.

He said: “We will probably give her a bit more of a chance and let her run on at the end but she pulled up great and I was delighted.”

The Woodhill trainer, who won the Cape Fillies Guineas with Princess Victoria seven years ago, will also run Coral Bay and neither filly will race again before the classic.

He said: “Coral Bay ran a cracker last Saturday. She got left in the pens but she flew home to finish fifth.”

Clouds Unfold, raised 4.5kg by the handicappers to a new mark of 106 for winning the race, and third-placed stable companion Santa Clara (up 1.5kg to 97) will also go straight to the Fillies Guineas but the disappointing Nous Voila (ninth) will miss the race.

Candice Bass-Robinson said: “We are putting her back up the straight because she doesn’t handle the turn. There is a progress plate coming up and she will run in that.”

Justin Snaith, who will be bidding for his sixth Cape Fillies Guineas in 12 seasons, confirms that Juniper Spring (“She had to be chased up but she still finished fourth”) will be in next month’s Grade 1 line-up. But he says that 20-1 shot Made To Conquer now has only a ten per cent chance of making the Sansui Summer Cup four weeks on Saturday.

He explained: “Going to PE last weekend has put a bit of a dampener on my other travel plans. The travelling there was very hard and hot and it took a lot out of Magnificent Seven. He only scrambled over the line in the Algoa Cup. I will go every easy on him in the Cape summer season and then have him for something in Natal.”

By Michael Clower

There could be two Pick 6 bankers at the Vaal Inside track tomorrow in Noble Princess and Seventh Rule.

Noble Princess is a scopey daughter of Mambo In Seattle who was a touch unlucky over 1600m last time when losing a length and just failing to hold on. In the second leg of tomorrow’s Pick 6 over 1800m she has a plum draw over a step up in trip she should relish. The main danger looks to be Pachanga, who has a big heart but is one paced and has finished second five times in succession. Magic’s First made up some ground from midfield over 1600m last time and the risk averse could consider her for the Pick 6.

In the last leg of the Pick 6 over 1200m Seventh Rule looks to have been waiting for this trip as he has plenty of pace and stays up to 1400m so can lead from start to finish. He did fail over this trip in his first run out of the maidens but is now running off a merit rating a whopping 14 points lower. He lost on that occasion by three lengths to Cumberland and the latter has had strong formlines since, including winning one more race. Beyond Seventh Rule it is wide open. Camel Walk ran well the last time he tried this trip and could be the main danger along with Prince Jordan, who goes well for Lyle Hewitson and will be a big threat if bouncing back to his best after three disappointing runs. Pius Oil, Fly North and Singaswewin are others who warrant consideration.

The Pick 6 starts off with a Maiden over 2000m which looks to be a two horse race. Both Indy Ice and Winter Crusade are rangy types who should relish this trip and the only concern is their wide draws. Aeronautical is the danger on form but is even wider drawn. The two well drawn horses who could come to the party if the main protagonists suffer bad luck in running are Festive Linngari and Tongue Twister.

The third leg of the Pick 6 over 1800m is an Assessment Plate and it provides an easy opportunity on paper for Like A Panther, who is very well treated at the weights according to official merit ratings. However, he has not run for 180 days so his stablemate Hakeem and the up-and-coming Gift For The Gap can also be included. Hakeem ran a fair race over this trip on Saturday considering he set a strong pace and he can do better if ridden more conservatively from a good draw. Gift For The Gap is unbeaten in two starts over further than a mile and is by the exciting sire Master Of My Fate, whose destiny as a stallion will be influenced by how well his three-year-old crop do this season.

The next leg is a classy Assessment Plate over 1100m for fillies and mares. In The Dance was impressive on debut and this Gimmethegreenlight filly could prove to have as good a turn of foot as her half-brother Capetown Noir. She has only had that one start so only has to carry 56kg and looks the one to beat. Xplosive Kiss also made an impressive debut and looks the main threat. Dalai’s Promise has proved how good she is since arriving on the Highveld, winning both of her starts there, but she does have to give the first two choices 3kg. However, she does still warrant consideration and so do Witch Of The West and San Fermin. The former has class and should run well fresh over a trip too sharp and the latter is the best in at the weights on official merit ratings, although it has to be said she has been a disappointment overall considering how highly she was touted after her winning debut.

The eighth race is the trickiest race in the Pick 6, not surprisingly as it is a low grade handicap for fillies and mares. Trip To Ibiza had some fair Cape Town form and was dropped two points after a mediocre Highveld debut. However, she has gone close in both starts off her current mark, both over this trip on the Inside track, and she might prefer running down the straight as she can pack a strong finish. She does have a very high draw so any draw bias on the day will have to be noted. Kissmeinmydreams loves this course and distance so is a must include. Ensemble has placed in both of her post maiden starts and Raymond Danielson stays aboard and others to include are Goodness Me, Count Kournikova, Tricia and Announcing Rain.

The first leg of the PA over 1400m should be fought out by the promising pair Rosario and Sea Venture, who were only a quarter of a length apart over 1200m last time. Rosario has the draw in her favour again, but Sea Venture looks the more likely of the pair to enjoy the step up in trip.

By David Thiselton

Twist Of Fate has been raised 2kg to a new merit rating of 109 by the handicappers for his convincing win in last Saturday’s Cape Classic and Joey Ramsden yesterday said that the Master Of My Fate colt will bypass the Concord Cup (previously Selangor) to go straight for the Forus Cape Guineas on 15 December.

He added: “He came out of the race very well. I still have doubts (about the horse getting the trip). You have to have doubts about everything in this country – nothing is what it seems on paper.”

Twist Of Fate was giving 2kg to half the field and 4kg to the other half. Runner-up Cirillo has been left on an unchanged 102 and at this stage stands out in the R2.5 million CTS Ready To Run on 24 November – assuming he is not drawn next to the M5.

Pleasedtomeetyou, beaten three lengths into third after failing to get the trip, has been put up 1.5kg to a mark of 96. Fourth-placed Majestic Mozart, less than half a length further back, stays on 84.

By Michael Clower

Any top jockey, and Piere Strydom has banged this drum for years, will tell you that they ride many a false favourite, simply because they are aboard. It is obviously testament to their ability but in the final analysis it is up to the punter to sort out what is a worthy favourite and what is possibly a false favourite.

Anton Marcus has almost free rein in KZN and, given his winning strike rate, he is not a bad judge when it comes to picking the plums. Currently lying second on the National Jockey log with a nearly 29% winning strike rate from a third of the number of mounts as log leader Muzi Yeni who is 13 winners clear and flits from centre to centre, the stats tell the story.

Prime example is today’s poly meeting at Greyville where Marcus has fancied rides in all of the seven races where he is pencilled in.

Two of those are for Brett Crawford. First up is Ultra Magnus in the second. Marcus partnered the colt to an easy end-to-end victory over course and distance first up and has stayed with the ride. The form of that race has proved to be a little suspect but the stable have high hopes and Ultra Magnus must surely have come on from the experience. He has also been an early touch, in from 4-1 to 2-1 in the early exchanges on Track & Ball.

The Dennis Drier pairing of JJ’s Captain and Rockcliffe are the most likely threats. Rockliffe was not far back in a decent handicap first up out of the maidens while JJ’S Captain has not been out since early June but has shown potential and stable rider Sean Veale is aboard.

Cruz Giovanni is next up for the Crawford/Marcus combination and they share early 2-1 favouritism with Alistair Gordon’s charge Sigismund. Marcus was aboard the latter when second best behind Blackburn Roc but with Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein retained rider Craig Zackey in town, riding arrangements have been reversed with Zackey aboard Cruz Giovanni on debut.

Both could be upstaged by Paddington’s Luck who was a smart second over 1900m last time out and drops to 1600m with the addition of blinkers.

Bookmakers have been unable to chose between stable companions Kazaar and Sir Bernadini in the Pinnacle Stakes and the betting may prove the best guide for punters as to which is the more fancied. Brandon Lerena is generally first call rider for owner Brian Bernard and has ridden both horses recently but Marcus is seldom short of a word or three when it comes to the art of persuasion. Gunner and Legend look pick of the balance.

Craig Eudey has handed in his trainer’s brief and Mike Miller will saddled Eetee in the opening leg of the Jackpot, a modest Qualified Maiden. The filly has only run one decent race in nine starts but Marcus takes over from an apprentice and a change of environment can often bring a horse on.

However, this is one race where one is advised to go very wide in your exotics. Shaylen Naidoo makes his first raid on KZN from his Turffontein base and Fuyu, who has shown good pace at her last two starts, should be well suited to the poly track and could prove the pick.

Mark Khan has teamed up with Duncan Howells and Silver Raisin is one of four horses vying for favouritism in the sixth. Laat Lammetjie, Dark Chocolate, Karatage and Pina Colada will all have their supporters.

Mythical Magic is a weak favourite for the seventh, possibly because of the present of Marcus in the saddle as their does not appear to be very much between most of the field. Vallanaut won well on the course last time out and can follow-up while Peggy’s Dream has been dropping steadily in the ratings and looks competitive on this line-up.

Robbie Hill’s filly Generate with Marcus aboard has been priced up 13-10 for the last after making a smart debut at Scottsville but there has been significant ante-post support for Chanel Allure who comes into the race off a barrier trial.

By Andrew Harrison

Greyville Wednesday Tips and Race Previews by Andrew Harrison

Race 1

1 Promising last effort after long break.
2 Two useful recent efforts. Chance.
3 Needs to show more.
4 Poor form. Rested. Has shown promise.
6 Consistent but needs to show more.
7 Useful last run this trip. Not out of it.
8 Needs to show more.
9 Modest trial but can improve on that.
10 Outpaced last run. Better this trip.

1 L’HISTOIRE   5 MYSTERIOUS OMEN   7 BELLS APOSTEL   2 LUCARA
Preview: L’HISTOIRE (1) showed up well when returning from a lengthy break. He trialled well and wears blinkers from a good draw.  MYSTERIOUS OMEN (5) comes off a short break. He took on stronger at his last outing and had shown some promise before that. BELLS APOSTLE (7) improved last run when dropped in trip. Can feature here. LUCARA (2) is starting to come to hand and looks ready. Can go close. (Andrew Harrison: 1-5-7-2).

Race 2

1 In good form. Narrowly beaten last run. Back on poly.
2 Useful recent form over further.
3 Lengthy break but has shown promise.
4 Smart win on debut. Looks progressive.
5 Smart poly form. Can go close.
6 Rested. Met useful field last start.
7 Needs to show more.
8 Tough at these weights.

4 ULTRA MAGNUS   5 ROCKCLIFFE   1 CAPTAIN VON TRAPP   3 JJ’S CAPTAIN
Preview: ULTRA MAGNUS (4) was well supported on debut and won well. Can follow up. ROCKCLIFFE (5) showed up strongly first run out of the maidens. He could prove the pick of the Drier runners with JJ’S CAPTAIN (3) returning from a break but has the stable rider aboard. CAPTAIN VON TRAPP switches to the poly but has smart recent form and is overdue a win. SAND PATH (2) drops back to a sprint and could surprise. (Andrew Harrison: 4-5-1-3).

Race 3

1 Patchy form. Has been trying further.
2 Tries blinkers. Could surprise.
3 Can do better than recent. Marcus rides.
4 Some recent improvement. Chance here.
5 Highveld raider. Improved last two.
6 Shown some ability. Blinkers on.
7 Fair last run. Form stable.
8 Needs to show more.
9 Poor form.
10 Poor form.
11 Poor form. Blinkers on.
12 Poor form. Down in trip.
13 Poor form.

5 FUYU   3 EETEE   2 LEANDRA   7 WATCH ME GO
Preview: Difficult. Highveld raider FUYU (5) has come well at recent outings and could be the right one here. EETEE (3) has her first run for a new stable. Has shown some ability and with Marcus up must have a chance. LEANDRA (2) does not have the best of the draw but the blinkers go on and her better form has been over sprints. WATCH ME GO (7) comes from a very much in form stable and did show improvement last time out. (Andrew Harrison: 5-3-2-7).

Race 4

1 Beaten favourite last two. Better this trip.
2 Coming to hand. Will enjoy the extra.
3 Good last run. Blinkers on and can do better.
4 Poor form.
5 Some improvement last start.
6 Poor form.
7 Gelded. Can improve.
8 Smart debut from wide draw.
9 Modest debut.
10 Modest trial. Up in trip.
11 Showed up well on debut. Not out of it.

8 CRUZ GIOVANNI   1 SIGISMUND   3 PADDINGTONS LUCK   2 STONE TIGER
Preview: Competitive. CRUZ GIOVANNI (8) made a smart debut from a difficult draw on the Greyville turf. He has drawn well here and looks progressive. Wilgerbos-retained rider Craig Zackey replaces Marcus on SIGISMUND (1). Beaten favourite at his last two but can do much better over this trip. PADDINGTONS LUCK (3) was a little one-paced when second over further. The blinkers go on over this shorter trip. STONE TIGER (2) is coming to hand slowly and should enjoy the extra. All four have winning chances. (Andrew Harrison: 8-1-3-2).

Race 5

1 Seldom far back. Can go close.
2 Rested. More than useful.
3 Smart trial. Always in the money.
4 Unpredictable. Can surprise.
5 Rested. May need it.
6 Back in form but up in the handicap.
7 Rating drop. Can go close.
8 Chance on best effort.
9 Always game but in a tough one.

3 SIR BERNADINI   7 LEGEND   1 MR ROY   6 GUNNER
Preview: SIR BERNADINI (3) has yet to finish out of the money. He put in a cracking trial and will go close on his best form. LEGEND (7) has dropped nicely in the ratings and now looks competitive. MR ROY (1) has his third run after a break. He has a 4kg claimer up and will go close on his best showing. GUNNER (6) has come well of late and beat a smart colt last time out. However, he earned a five-pound penalty for that win. (Andrew Harrison: 3-7-1-6).

Race 6

1 Rested and has been trying further.
2 Promising last effort. Go close.
3 Holding form. Will be right there.
4 Useful last two on the turf. Should run well.
5 Two smart sprints. Jumps in trip.
6 Has been trying further. Can surprise.
7 Needs to improve on recent.
8 Surprised last run but has ability.
9 Trialled well. Needs to show more.
10 Back on poly. Upset chance.
11 Rating drop. Upset chance.

3 SILVER RAISIN   4 KARATAGE   5 KEEP IT REAL   8 PINA COLADA
Preview: SILVER RAISIN (3) has been in good form since her maiden win. From a good draw she should be competitive. KARATAGE (4) has shown up nicely at her last two. He best recent effort has been over course and distance. KEEP IT REAL (5) has put up two smart sprints. She jumps in trip and class but looks progressive. PINA COLADA (8) in never far back and only got a small penalty after her last win. (Andrew Harrison: 3-4-5-8).

Race 7

1 Disappointed in Kimberley.
2 First run new stable. Has done well on the poly.
3 Patchy form. Not out of it.
4 Much improved last run. Drops further in class.
5 Seldom far back. Go close.
6 Looks held on last two.
7 Better than attest. Can surprise.
8 Surprised last run. To hand now.
9 Consistent. Up in trip.
10 Smart last win. Can go in again.
12 Down in class. Switches to poly.
13 Long layoff.

4 MYTHICAL MAGIC   10 VALLANAUT   5 PEGGY’S DREAM   2 LIVERPOOL LASS
Preview: Open. MYTHICAL MAGIC (4) is down in class and caught the eye last time out. VALLANAUT (10) won well last start. She showed consistent form before that and can go in again.  PEGGY’S DREAM (5) goes well over course and distance and has not been far back at recent starts. LIVERPOOL LASS (2) shed her maiden on the poly. Her recent Highveld form is not too bad and she has a decent chance in this line-up. (Andrew Harrison: 4-10-5-2).

Race 8

1 Overdue. Should go close.
2 Failed narrowly last run. Big chance.
3 Much improved last start. Needs to repeat.4 Poor form.
5 Improved last two. Tongue-tie back on.
6 Trialled well. One to watch.
7 Smart sprint debut. Drawn well.
8 Two modest trials.
9 Poor debut.
10 Two modest trials. Better this trip.

1 SILVER PRANCER   2 ADORNED BY BEAUTY   7 GENEREIGHT   6 CHANEL ALLURE
Preview: SILVER PRANCER (1) has been expensive to follow but may be worth one more chance as she has a better gate than what looks to be her biggest threat ADORNED BY BEAUTY (2) who was narrowly beaten over course and distance last time out. GENEREIGHT (7) made a smart sprint debut and with Marcus up needs to be respected. CHANEL ALLURE (6) caught the eye in her trial and is another to watch in the market. (Andrew Harrison: 1-2-7-6).