It will be a long time if ever that apprentice Jabu Jacobs forgets his first winner. He had been close on a number of occasions, none closer than on Winter’s Coming when touched off by stable companion Q The Music last month.

That had been mostly a straightforward race, the winner just that fraction better. Many would have dumped the youngster but Byron Forster, KZN assistant to Andre Nel, kept faith with young Jacobs, although mid-way through the race he may have been having second thoughts.

Yesterday at Greyville it was a completely different scenario. Trailing the field by a couple of lengths for much of the race, most observers will have written Winter’s Coming off to concentrate on what was unfolding at the head of affairs.

Winter’s Coming (Candiese Marnewick)

Yuzae Ramzan, also hunting his first winner, had The Poet wide for much of the exchanges but struck for home in what looked to be a winning move.

Jacobs at this stage was in all sorts of trouble with a full tank of petrol and seemingly nowhere to go.

First he tried outside, that gap closed, then he tried the middle and that door was shut in his face, in desperation, he pull off the heels of the traffic, switched inside and headed for the line.

It was heart-stopping stuff but Winter’s Coming got out of the pocket in the nick of time and won going away. The Poet was game in second and Ramzan will have to wait another day for his first.

In stark contrast was the end-to-end victory by Storm Ruler, apprentice Jason Gates making all on Alyson Wright’s five-year-old.

The talented Gates has had many run-ins with authority and at one stage was banned by the stipendiary stewards from races around the turn as he was seemingly impervious to instruction, riding with gay abandon with no thought to life or limb, his or that of his opponents.

The penny appears to have dropped. He is no slouch in the saddle and if he can keep it all together he has a future as he appears to be natural light-weight.

At Fairview, Justin Snaith’s decision to let Magnificent Seven take his chances in the G-Bets Algoa Cup (Listed) in spite of the fact that any outside travellers to Port Elizabeth will have to serve quarantine before returning home after an out-break of African Horse Sickness in the area.

It was a calculated gamble but it paid off handsomely although it was a close-run thing. Richard Fourie produced Magnificent Seven with a perfectly time run but with local Wild Briar and Teaque Gould stuck to him like glue. The two fought head-and-head over the final 100m with the favourite prevailing narrowly.

By Andrew Harrison

A survey of racing success as a factor of how much money you spend was recently undertaken in Australia. While its outcomes were “Aussie” specific, it’s probably fair to say, they’re likely to have universal application wherever horse racing is conducted as a serious commercial pursuit. The answer, rest assured, is that the more money you spend, the more success you will have. The only problem is that the spending/success relationship is not a linear one. To boost your success from the bottom of the ladder to the top – a 25 fold increase – requires 300 times more money. But that has always been the way in most markets. Incremental gains come at a premium.

Or at least that’s the way it used to be. Until the “Ready To Run” concept of conducting racehorse sales was invented. You see, the Aussie figures are extrapolated largely from conventional sales, where the bloodstock is presented at the walk. Except there are no “walking” races, so to be able to pick them on the “run” as it were, opens a window of insight to the buyer which was hitherto denied.

And that’s where the difference resides, where the good “eye” for a good horse is often as good as a big wallet. It helps of course, if you have both. You see, in the South African context of the Ready To Run at any rate, there are countless examples of exceptional thoroughbreds being plucked from the less expensive ranks of the catalogue and going on to illustrious (not to mention very lucrative) careers on the racecourse. Naturally, success has come to those at the top end too, the beacon among them Horse Of The Year, Igugu, but the ratio of achievement among the “cheapies” has been wholly disproportionate to the results of the survey.

In recent times, the Emperors Palace version of the Ready To Run (which incidentally, is the original) has spawned close on 40 millionaires, the newest among whom have only just completed their three year old careers. They included three of the best of their generation, one of which, Brave Mary, fetched a modest R40 000. Doubtless as an encouragement to buyers, the sales founding consignor, Summerhill, has over the years punted the “value-for-money” proposition to its customers, no better illustrated by the annual issue of a list of its most accomplished alumni go to the “Hall Of Fame at https://www.summerhill.co.za/ready-to-run-hall-of-fame#ready-to-run-stakes-winners ”. Which is a rich reminder of the rewards awaiting those who are willing to work for them.

The return to the world class Turffontein Standside track starts with a low key meeting on Saturday ahead of the fireworks which begin next weekend.

A MR92 Handicap over 1800m is the highest rated race on the card and forms the first leg of the Pick 6. Silver God is a half-brother to the Grade 1-winning miler William Longsword and the speedy Grade 1 winner Real Princess but he is by Silvano and the way he runs suggests he will relish the step up in trip. He won over 1400m last time when staying on resolutely. He did have the advantage of the 1,5kg claim of Luke Ferraris to help him, but twice South African champion jockey S’Manga Khumalo replaces him. The Rising Legend has become well known for his turn of foot followed by a resolute finish. He usually sits in last place before delivering his challenge but last time on the tight Inside track he was ridden quite handy by his regular pilot Gavin Lerena.

Gavin Lerena

He still won after going for home quite early. He is well regarded by Geoff Woodruff and will relish the return to the Standside track where he can afford go sit further back. The draw of eleven will not pose a problem as he can be dropped out. Orpheus is 0,5kg better off with The Rising Legend for a half-a-length beating last time. He is a big, good looking sort and it will be no surprise to see him winning this race from a plum draw. The only concern is the breathing noises he is reported to make. Piere Strydom stays aboard which is a plus. Those three should be enough to get punters through the Pick 6.

The Pick 6 legs are tricky and the last leg over 1000m has been chosen as the one to go thin in. Gimme A Wave is made the best bet on the card but this is really due to it being a tricky card and one has to be found somewhere. It is not the norm for Alec Laird horses to win on debut as he brings them on slowly but this strongly built gelding by Gimmethegreenlight scooted home by 3,80 lengths on his debut over 1200m in a Maiden Juvenile Plate at the end of July. Raymond Danielson keeps the ride and they can get away with a 93 day layoff over this trip. Royal Cavalier is another imposing sort and is chosen as the only other one to include in the Pick 6. He finished just 2,15 lengths behind the SA Nursery winner William The Silent last time out and should now be cherry ripe. Dewali was bumped from a wide draw last time out over 1000m on the Inside track and ran out of steam late but he has looks to have the class to be involved here and holds the speedy Vardo on earlier form. Big Blue Marble is well regarded and will have plenty of supporters considering the way he won last time over this trip.

In the second leg of the Pick 6 over 1400m Bien Venue should be cherry ripe and is a potential banker from a plum draw over an ideal course and distance. However, Gunston went close last time over 1450m and could make a bold bid from a better draw over 50m shorter. Rivonia Boulevard, Iditarod Trail and How Does It Taste can also be included in the Pick 6.

In the sixth race Dame Kelly has class and is interesting stepped down to 1160m off a lowered merit rating which now looks attractive. Image Award has shown ability over the minimum trip and is the chief threat and Eleni, Celestina, La Bastide and An Air Of Success can also be included.

In the seventh race over 1160m Concealed Secret has dropped to an attractive mark and could win on his reappearance from the improved Autumn Rain. Snow In Seattle, Tudor Manor and Baahir can also be included.

The eighth race over 1160m can be fought out by Professor Brian, who should love the return to a straight course, and the progressive pair Copper Jay and Schippers.

The first leg of the PA over 1600m sees an outsider in Pilou being tipped as he just went too fast the last time he ran and now has a plum draw, the blinkers are off and he has been lowered three points in the merit ratings. Atyaab and Morning Catch can also be included.

By David Thiselton

Clouded Hill can bounce back from last time’s Sophomore disappointment to become a rewarding and potentially significant winner of the Cape Classic at Kenilworth tomorrow.

Justin Snaith believes that the selection – available at 11-2 yesterday – was caught a bit flat-footed when starting joint favourite at Durbanville last month. On his previous start he trounced stable companions Seventh Sea and Clipper Captain despite losing a front shoe. Those two take him on again but Snaith has an explanation for punters puzzling over Richard Fourie’s apparent choice of Seventh Sea.

“All three horses are doing well but the riding arrangements are bit different from normal,” says the champion trainer. “Richard is on Seventh Sea because that horse is our main hope for the CTS Ready To Run and he wants to teach him to settle.”

Justin Snaith

Anton Marcus, who steps in for the Clouded Hill ride, has won three of the last five runnings of the Cape Classic which is not a particularly good race for favourites – seven of the last ten have been beaten.

It was surprising to see Pleasedtomeetyou heading the market at 3-1. True, he is unbeaten but he only just got home against Elusive Trader (6-1 here) in the Sophomore with Lanza (17-2) fourth, and some of the gloss came off his reputation in the process.

Andre Nel says: “Pleasedtomeetyou is doing well and he worked well on Tuesday but his draw is a concern and on the ratings he is not well in.”

Tyrone Langdon, who rode the colt in Tuesday’s work, also rides him in most of his home work and was impressed with the way he went in that final gallop.

Joey Ramsden is bidding for his fourth Cape Classic in six seasons but, despite Bernard Fayd’Herbe’s enthusiasm, it’s hard to see Twist Of Fate winning after a three month absence from such a wide draw and at the weights. He has drifted out to 10-1.

Cirillo (11-2) has also not raced since the Premiers Champion but significantly Sean Tarry supplemented him. Candice Bass-Robinson holds Majestic Mozart in high regard but he is another who has been done no favours by the draw.

Marcus can also win the Western Cape Fillies Championship on the unbeaten Front And Centre who takes a massive step up in class but has looked something really special in her two races. “She has done very little wrong and is a very decent filly,” says Brett Crawford, hopefully with masterly understatement. “I am expecting a big run.”

Marcus can be relied upon to take care of her ten draw and the fact that she is favourite, at 17-10, is statistically very much in her favour. The first five of the last eight favourites for this race all won and the other three were second.

Snaith has won five of the last 11 runnings but 14-1 chance Juniper Spring has so far not looked as good as either her pedigree or her reputation.

Aldo Domeyer has opted to ride 6-1 shot Clouds Unfold in preference to Candice Bass-Robinson’s other four but the trainer makes the point that “Nous Voila (a huge price at 25-1) didn’t enjoy the winter going.”

Anneka (13-1) has no chance on ratings but she is race fit and the Sean Tarry-Lyle Hewitson pairing is a champion combination in every sense of the word.

Temple Grafin is, on paper at any rate, the best horse in the race and seemingly there is no need to worry that the 8-1 shot hasn’t raced since she won the Debutante three months ago. “She is ready, she is working like a machine and she will run right up to her rating,” enthuses Glen Kotzen.

Lastly, if you are looking for a good price, Canukeepitsecret is provenly race-fit and her form is better than it looks. Admittedly she is unproven over the trip but at 12-1 you can’t have everything.

By Michael Clower

Chantyman has had his fair share of problems since shedding his maiden in eye-catching fashion. A year later he still only has that single win to his credit but that can change at Greyville tonight when he steps out onto the poly again.

Since a barrier trial, Dennis Bosch’s charge has run close over the Scottsville shortcut although most recently a six-length drubbing in a Progress Plate. He faced a useful field that day with talented Red Chesnut Road and Dawn Calling ahead of him.

If anything, he faces slightly weaker this evening over what looks to be his optimum tip.

In the line-up is a promising youngster in top weight Desolate Road but Chantyman may just have the edge in fitness.

Chantyman (Candiese Marnewick)

Tony Rivalland’s colt has only had three starts, winning on debut and more recently finishing second to the smart Chimichuri Run. That last out in was some two months back and he may be caught short of peak fitness.

Of the balance Whorly Whory has put up two smart efforts over course and distance and with a 4kg claimer up must also have a shout.

In the opening leg of the Pick 6, Elusive Diva should take a power of beating. She improved nicely at her second local outing on the poly and is rated way better than anything else in the line-up.

Champagne Gold finished runner-up behind Oratorina on Wednesday. It was a smart effort in a race that was run at a pedestrian pace but she may not take her place here.

A weak field is carded to face the starter in the fourth where it may prove prudent for exotic bet punters to load up. Wendy Whitehead and Stuart Randolph teamed up for a double on Sunday and send out Sovereign Soldier. He was not far back from a tricky draw last run and has pulled a better gate here. He has consistent form over course and distance. Likely dangers are Slightly Scottish who is seldom too far back and has a decent chance in this line-up, while Haddington has been off form of late but he takes a rating drop and as a five-time winner warrants serious consideration.

Another wide-open affair faces punters in the fifth. Master Sam has dropped in the ratings and is also down in class which adds to his appeal. Caddy Master, who cased a major boil-over when shedding his maiden, has not been far back at recent outings. A light weight and a decent draw puts him strongly into the picture. Eccellerate is battling for another win but has dropped a long way in the ratings and could be competitive again while Lord Of Glencoe took an age to shed his maiden but did so in a competitive field and can follow up.

Anton Marcus is back aboard Fieldmarshal Fenix in the seventh who has been knocking at the door for some time now. He goes well over course and distance and with a decent draw can be rewarded.  Dangers are many but Subtropical has improved in blinkers and ran a cracker first up from a break over course and distance while Play The Night has been up against stronger since his maiden win and off his light weight should be ultra-competitive.

The last is another tricky race but Cherry Pop was a recent maiden winner but that form has been franked so she can go in again. Sheik’s Storm comes from a very much in form stable but does have a big weight while Mitra Music has her third run after a break and with a claiming apprentice up should be right there from a good draw.

By Andrew Harrison