Andy O’Connor, former chairman of the NHA, will lead a commission mandated to review the track management systems for Phumelela.

This follows after Phumelela Group CEO John Stuart last week announced the review in light of the meeting held on Thursday, October 4 on the Vaal Classic track being called off owing to an “uneven and inconsistent track” as well as other recent track inconsistencies.

According to Stuart, O’Connor’s independence and integrity is above reproach, making him the perfect candidate to lead a team tasked with making recommendations to Phumelela.

Part of O’Connor’s mandate will be to investigate current track management processes and the ways in which they could and should be improved, to draw up Standard Operational Procedures regarding the implementation of improved track management processes, and to ensure the alignment of the maintenance of training and racing tracks, with the feature race calendar at the various racing courses.

Apart from serving as chairman of the NHA, O’Connor also has a five-year stint as director on the Racing Association on his CV.

As far as the Vaal course is concerned, Clyde Basel, Racing Executive for Phumelela, yesterday invited stakeholders to inspect the course ahead of this weekend’s Grand Heritage.

The inspection was to be held late afternoon.

“We will walk the course from around the 2000m mark to the winning post to ensure that it is track ready,” said Basel.

“We will give feedback after completion of the track inspection.”

– TAB news

Cascapedia has shot to the top of the WSB Summer Cup betting boards after her impressive win in the Grade 2 Jo’burg Spring Fillies and Mares Challenge over 1450m at Turffontein Inside on Saturday. She is currently 5-1 with sponsors World Sports Betting. It’s My Turn is 6-1 second favourite in the ante-post market.

The Irish-bred daughter of High Chaparral is six months younger than her five-year-old contemporaries, being Northern Hemisphere-bred, so will be coming into her own now.

On Saturday she jumped to the right at the start and ended up near the back of the field as Wrecking Ball set a strong pace in front.

Cascada (Candiese Marnewick)

She had many lengths to make up in the straight but once in top gear her long stride ate up the ground and she got up to beat Al Danza by 0,3 lengths.

It was her first run since the L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate and she improved her career record to six wins from eight starts.

She will relish the step up to 2000m and the patience the yard have shown, which saw her missing a few engagements including the Vodacom Durban July, looks to have paid dividends.

Her stablemate Ghaala by Var was in third place in the running and stayed on to be beaten just 0,6 lengths into third but it remains to be seen whether she will see out a mile.

Sixth-placed Candice Dawson-trained Sylvan On Fire ran on in eyecatching style to beaten just 2,6 lengths. She has a lot still to do to get into the Summer Cup, as she is only merit rated 91, but being by Silvano she will improve further and will appreciate a step up in trip. She is as long as 66-1 for the Summer Cup.

The De Kock-trained Takingthepeace, winner of the Grade 2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas and the Grade 1 SA Fillies Classic, needed the run and was beaten 4,3 lengths. She is 16-1 fourth favourite for the Summer Cup with the sponsors.

Later, the De Kock-trained Noble Secret ran on well from last in the Grade 2 Joburg Spring Challenge over 1450m for a good fifth and this big, rangy type is the deserved third favourite for the Summer Cup on 7-1.

De Kock’s three-year-olds Alyaasaat and Soqrat were second and third respectively to St. John Gray’s 1400m specialist Captain Aldo in the Spring Challenge. They put up their hands for the Investec Dingaans over 1600m, which is to be run this year on November 24, a week earlier than the Summer Cup. Soqrat’s run was especially eyecatching as he was carrying a 2kg Grade 1 penalty and was doing his best work late.

By David Thiselton

Dean Kannemeyer’s Equus Champion Stayer It’s My Turn has the Grade 1 WSB Summer Cup “on the table” although his participation will depend on how well his barrier trial next Sunday and a subsequent preparation outing go as well as on discussions with owner Fred Crabbia.

Meanwhile, Kannemeyer’s promising filly Hashtagyolo will arrive in Cape Town for the Summer Season tomorrow (Wednesday) and his Sun Met runner up Last Winter has arrived in Dubai.

Dean Kannemeyer

The six-year-old Dynasty gelding It’s My Turn had a break on Jane Thomas’s spelling farm after his magnificent feat of winning three Grade 3 staying races in the space of five weeks at the end of last season, the Track And Ball Derby over 2400m at Scottsville, the Gold Vase over 3000m at Greyville and the Gold Cup over 3200m at Greyville.

The question is whether the Summer Cup trip of 2000m will be too sharp for him, although he did win the Grade 1 Cape Derby over that trip at Kenilworth as a three-year-old having won on debut over 1300m a few races earlier. Furthermore, Turffontein Standside has the toughest 2000m in the country which will be in his favour.

Kannemeyer said, “Obviously he’s a brilliant stayer, that’s his real game. We will see how the preparation goes and I will discuss it with Fred, but the Summer Cup is definitely on the table.”

He is currently the Summer Cup 6/1 second favourite with the sponsors having been usurped at the top of the boards by Cascapedia, who won the Jo’burg Spring Fillies and Mares Challenge over 1450m at Turffontein in fine style on Saturday.

Kannemeyer reckoned the barrier trial would “bring him on tremendously” and was happy he would need just one more subsequent run.

He said, “He is a tall, light-framed horse and comes back to himself quickly. He is doing well and moving well and we will take it day by day.”

The four-year-old Dynasty filly Hashtagyolo is unbeaten in three career starts which included impressive wins in the KZN Fillies Guineas Trial and the Grade 3 Flamboyant Stakes, both over 1600m at Greyville. She was ante-post favourite for the Gauteng Fillies Guineas in March before picking up a nasty virus and which saw her having two spells in a Johannesburg equine hospital. She recuperated on part-owner Bruce Le Roux’s Spring Valley Stud farm in Mooi River and showed her well-being three weeks ago when winning a Barrier Trial effortlessly over 1000m at Scottsville.

Kannemeyer is not yet sure what route she will take in Cape Town but said she was a 1600m to 2000m horse and pointed to her exceptional collateral form, in which she has met Fiorella twice and beaten her both times unextended by 1,75 lengths and 4,25 lengths respectively. The latter did improve subsequently and went on to be named KZN Champion three-year-old filly.

Kannemeyer said, “Hashtagyolo has a wonderful pedigree and is an exciting prospect.”

Hashtagyolo is out of placed Jallad mare My Guiding Star, who is a half-sister to the top class racehorse and now promising sire, Master Of My Fate.

Last Winter, a now five-year-old entire by Western Winter, finished a flying second in the Sun Met in just his sixth career start.

He stayed at Mary Slack’s Abington Place in Newmarket during his journey long journey to Dubai and is now in a box in Mike de Kock’s yard.  However, Kannemeyer remains the trainer and will probably fly out to see the Khaya Stables-owned horse next month.

By David Thiselton

M.J. Byleveld, the latest in a line of leading jockeys sidelined by serious injury, has already resigned himself to missing out on the chance to win the Cape Guineas for a third successive year – but he is just thanking his lucky stars that he is not paralysed.

“Towards the end of August I was getting what felt like electric shocks that ran from my shoulder right through to my fingers,” he relates. The MRI scan showed such a serious picture that he was operated on the following morning. The disc between the C6 and C7 vertebrae was pushing into his spinal cord – hence the electric shocks – and the next fall could have driven the disc through the cord.

MJ Byleveld

“That would have made me quadriplegic, leaving me without the use of my arms and legs. The doctors said it was hard to pinpoint where the injury emanated from. I thought it was when a horse stumbled with me riding work at Summerveld in the Durban season but the doctors said it could have been that fall on the poly at Greyville in July last year.”

On that occasion he was hammered into the hard surface at 50kph and, although the only obvious injury was a broken thumb, apparently there could have been other damage that was not detected at the time.

“They did an MRI scan but only on my brain – I was complaining about dizziness and a pain in my neck – and the specialist said the subsequent Summerveld fall could have affected the damage because I was sore and getting worse and worse.”

In three months’ time the specialist will study up to date x-rays and scans to assess whether further rest is necessary. Byleveld,37, is no stranger to injury and, while he acknowledges that he won’t suffer too much financially (“I know there are issues with some insurance companies not wanting jockeys but I am very well covered”), missing the likes of One World and Tap O’Noth hurts more than the injuries . “It’s not nice – a jockey’s life can be a hard one even though it’s a good one.”

How the other half live

When the likes of Byleveld, Greg Cheyne and Ryan Munger ride in PE they fly out that morning and get the plane back soon after the last race. It’s a luxury that Luyolo (Louis) Mxothwa can seldom afford. When he went there for last Friday’s Fairview meeting he took the 7.00pm bus from Cape Town on the Thursday evening and arrived in PE at 7.00am, dozing off intermittently through the night. He then rode work for local trainers before riding in six races and treating himself to a flight back so that he could ride work on Saturday before taking four mounts at Durbanville.

“Sometimes the flights on Friday are too expensive so I come back on Saturday morning, drive or take the bus again but getting back on Saturday affects my work schedule.”

Mxothwa,25, son of a groom at Fred Crabbia’s former stud, has made a flying start to the season. He is eighth on the national log with 15 winners and in PE he is second only to Cheyne. He was based there for much of his apprenticeship and had a lot of success for Justin Snaith but he moved to Cape Town just under a year ago.

“Glen Kotzen asked me to go him for the season and said he would help me with rides. I am still riding for him and I still go to his place to ride work but I am also riding work at Milnerton and Philippi when arrangements with Glen permit.”

He can comfortably do 54kg and has been taken on by Rob Champion who also acts for Corne Orffer and Donovan Dillon and is impressed by his latest protégé: “Louis is one of the most under-rated jockeys now riding. Just look at his strike rate – and this season he has taken PE by storm.”

This year’s Met runner-up Last Winter leaves Newmarket for Dubai this week and Dean Kannemeyer reckons the break has done him good.

“He has still only raced six times – he was very backward as a two-year-old which has proved to be a blessing in disguise – but he is now maturing nicely.”

The five-year-old will be Kannemeyer’s first Dubai runner but last year’s Durban July winner Marinaresco will be the latest in a year-on-year succession of them for Mike de Kock. “The horse has now been in Dubai for a month. He is happy out there and he is doing well,” says Marsh Shirtliff in whose colours the horse races. “If he is ready he just might go to Hong Kong for the Longines International meeting in December but I doubt it. He is in Dubai for the Carnival.”

By Michael Clower

Turffontein Tuesday Tips and Race Previews by Andrew Harrison

Race 1
Preview: Tricky opener. Of those that have run, FARARANGA (2) has shown flashes of ability. She was a fair second last time out and a repeat should be good enough to see her in the firing line again. ESKIMO KISSES (7) is a nicely bred first timer from a very much in form yard with Gavin Lerena up. Any market support should be respected. RED TARA (4) has shown some ability and can finish in the money. (Andrew Harrison: 7-2-4).

Race 2
Preview: Another tricky race with a number unraced. Of those that have run DREAM ON (3) has not been far back in three outings and experience could count. Piere Strydom stays with SHEZAHOTTI (4) who does show some ability and could prefer this shorter trip. BLOSSOM (7) is an exceptionally well bred first timer. The trip on debut should suit. Watch for any market support. EVER FAIR (9) raced green on debut and should come on from that effort. (Andrew Harrison: 7-3-4-9).

Race 3
Preview: LIBERADO (2) has been knocking at the door for some time now. He was a beaten odds-on chance over course and distance last time out and can make amends. RIVONIA BOULEVARD (5) returns from a break but has been consistent over shorter. He should much prefer this trip and can race fresh. SHADOW MAN (3) has been racing over further. He does show some ability and the shorter trip could suit. LEFT HOOK (1) returns from a long break but has shown ability and is one to watch in the market. (Andrew Harrison: 2-5-3-1).

Race 4
Preview: OSSETRA (8) has been knocking at the door for some time now. Her best recent run was over course and distance and a repeat should see her close. ANGELIC (9) was not far back over course and distance but does have a wide draw to contend with. Ignore BIG MYTH’S (5) last run. She had shown promise before that and is lightly raced. (Andrew Harrison: 8-9-5-1).

Race 5
Preview: VINE STREET STAR (1) has her first outing for a new stable after a lengthy break. But she has done well in strong company and can go close even under this big weight. ARIKEL (8) is lightly raced but was a promising second last start. ILLEGAL (2) has her third run after a lengthy break and should strip close to her peak. She caught the eye when not too far back last time out. OPERA (5) was narrowly beaten last run and a repeat can see her go close. (Andrew Harrison: 1-8-2-5).

Race 6
Preview: WILLIAM THE SILENT (1) has not been out since May but if anywhere near his best should have this field cold at the weights. ROYAL CAVAIER (2) was a beaten favourite in an Assessment Plate last time out but was not too far back. He can make amends here. SHUFOOG (8) may well have needed her last outing in another Assessment Plate. She is a lightly raced four-year-old who looks set to improve. TOP MAST (5) has been improving all the time. Goes well this trip and should be right there. (Andrew Harrison: 1-8-5-2).

Race 7
Preview: D’ARRIVEE (3) was a smart second to the highly rated Pietro Mascagni and looks the part here. NORLAND (6) was a comfortable winner of an Assessment Plate and Strydom sticks with the gelding in spite of declaring 1 kg over-weight. WHITEHAVEN (5) returns from a break but may well have been outclassed last time out. MAKE YOUR MOVE (7) was a good second in an Assessment Plate last start. He has a light weight and can feature again although he does take on stronger here. (Andrew Harrison: 3-6-5-7).

Race 8
Preview: Johan Janse van Vuuren has been in good form of late and appears to have primed his string for the Highveld spring season. TORIO LAKE (5) made a good come-back run after a lengthy break and should come on from that effort. GUNSTON (1) was a modest fourth over shorter last start and should enjoy this trip if his pedigree is anything to go on.  He could ‘smoke’ home. SLEEP IN SEATTLE (2) is always game and with Strydom up must be respected. Visiting CARDIFF CASTLE (7) takes a major drop in trip but he is a visitor who could surprise. (Andrew Harrison: 5-1-2-7).