Magnificent Seven’s Betting World Algoa Cup bid on October 28 hangs in the balance after the four-year-old failed to score with his customary authority when making it five wins from his last six starts in the Settlers Trophy at Durbanville on Saturday.

Justin Snaith, winning this Listed handicap for the third time in four seasons and the fifth in all, said: “I’m a little worried – and I wonder if this might have taken too much out of him. But take nothing away from the horse – he has done well.”

Richard Fourie (Liesl King)

Nick Jonsson’s gelding ran too freely for his own good early on, and this may been the key to what followed. Certainly those who backed him at 5-8 feared the worst when Richard Fourie, with only three behind him, began to look decidedly uneasy fully four furlongs from home.

Fourie reported: “He dropped the bit and I thought maybe I had burnt him. But it was the right time to get a breather and he is a good horse who wants to win. Going through the 200 I knew I had it won even though I still hadn’t hit the front at that stage.”

Brett Crawford is targeting the R2.5 million of the Lanzerac Ready To Run on 24 November for Vascostreettractor who made all at 5-10 under Corne Orffer in the first, saying: “He has a lot of scope for improvement – his coat is not right yet and he is a much better horse when ridden from off the pace.”

The Philippi trainer also has reason to look forward with Water Spirit who led almost throughout the mile fillies maiden and impressed Anton Marcus in the process – “I like this filly,” said the jockey. “She will go further and there is improvement to come although that will be a couple of months down the line – she is incredibly immature.”

Dan Katz had his first double for Hassen Adams with Skye Lane (Greg Cheyne) and China Wolfe (Louis Burke) with the former heading for the R5 million CTS mile on Met day – “I have high hopes for her but she is looking for ground and you will only see the best of her in three to six months’ time.”

Harold Crawford was also in double form with Ready Steady Go (Cheyne) and 22-1 shot Aldato. Morne Winnaar, who rode the latter, sprang a 66-1 shock when making every metre on the Paddy Kruyer- trained Brandenburg in the Betting World Maiden.

By Michael Clower

Matador Man, quietly fancied to win the World Sports Betting Champions Cup at the end of last season, reverted to one of his favourites courses and his favourite distance to put a smart field to bed over the Greyville turf mile yesterday.

Anton Marcus, who had another red-letter day, had the favourite well back in the early stages in this Pinnacle Stakes contest and came wide into the straight. With Matador Man galloping freely, Marcus had little more to do than a steering job on Sean Tarry’s runner as he cruised home over three lengths clear of Seattle Skyline.

Matador Man (Candiese Marnewick)

American Landing, making his return to the track after a three-month break, was running on well come the final furlong and this race will have done him the world of good when Brett Crawford stretches him over his optimum trip of ten furlongs and further.

Gavin van Zyl was warm in his praised for Perfect Peter after the gelding’s recent maiden win at Scottville and his judgement was on the mark as Perfect Peter made most of the running to beat what looked to be a smart Graduation Plate field.

Warren Kennedy dictated the gallop and Perfect Peter stuck gamely to his guns as he was challenged by raiders Affranchi and the unbeaten filly Nafaayes. Affranchi appeared to head Perfect Peter 50m from home but Perfect Peter came back for more under Kennedy’s urgings to win a neck decision.

It was a tremendously game effort and on that showing a mile and further look well within Perfect Peter’s compass.

The connections of Red Chesnut Road turned down a lucrative offer after making waves early in his career but from there it all went pear-shaped and Robbie Hill’s gelding scored only his third win in three seasons as he held off the game mare Dawn Calling in a driving finish to the second. Dawn Calling looked to have his measure 100 m out but her condition gave out the last bit as Red Chesnut Road plugged on for victory under Marcus.

It was a tremendous effort from Dawn Calling who had been off the track and is prepping for a crack at some of the Highveld features come their season.

Cat’s Legacy, a facile winner of his first crack at 2400m, appears to have found his niche distance although he was forced to work a lot harder in the Track & Ball Gaming Handicap. Crime Victim, beaten six lengths by Cat’s Legacy when last they met, looked to chase down the odds-on favourite who pinched an early lead at the top of the straight as Marcus made a decisive move around the home turn. But the petrol gauge was in the red as Marcus kept Cat’s Legacy to his task to hold the veteran Crime Victim by a fast diminishing neck.

Highveld raiders did not go home empty handed as Copenhagen, in spite of giving apprentice Luke Ferraris a difficult ride, prevailed in the opening leg of the Pick 6 ahead of recent barrier trialist and outsider Cruz Giovanni.

By Andrew Harrison

Magnificent Seven is a confident choice to end the ten-year hoodoo on favourites in the Settlers Trophy at Durbanville tomorrow.

Since Justin Snaith scored the second of his four wins in this 2 400m handicap with Caseys Son in 2008 every favourite has been beaten (and four of them didn’t even make the frame) but Richard Fourie’s mount is an improving sort who looks well handicapped.

He has won four of his last five starts and, while the assessors have pushed him up six kilos, they have only raised him 2kg for last time’s length and a quarter victory – despite Fourie making most of the running and having enough in reserve to ease up close home.

Richard Fourie (Nkosi Hlope)

This is an extra two furlongs and a slightly more competitive race but the Horse Chestnut gelding looks as if he will have no problems with the trip, he is already a course winner and four-year-olds have won three of the last four runnings. He eased from an opening 17-20 to 11-10 yesterday and his in-form trainer reports: “He is in very good shape.”

Red Peril’s opening 20-1 looked too good to last and, sure enough, you could only get 15-1 about last season’s winner yesterday morning. Billy Prestage’s gelding is the oldest horse in the field but Posh Boy was also eight when he won five years ago and Red Peril likes the course and relishes bowling along in front.

Durbanville suits front-runners and they can be hard to peg back up the straight. His trainer likes to change the jockeys and Corne Orffer is the seventh different pilot in eight races. It’s worth noting that here early last month he was a two-length second to Magnificent Seven and renews rivalry on 4.5kg better terms. He looks the biggest danger despite his big price.

However Benjan is the main threat according to the market and the 4-1 second favourite is 1.5kg better with Magnificent Seven for the length and a quarter he was beaten last time. Sister Soozie is weighted to confirm last time’s course and distance placings with fellow 9-1 shot The Silver Fox but history is against top weight Master’s Eye. No horse has won this with more than 59.5kg in at least the last 17 runnings.

Water Spirit stands out in race three. This R2 million filly really flew once she grasped what was required of her on debut and she will be suited by the mile. The 2-1 favourite also has a better drawn than her main market rivals.

By Michael Clower

The Grand Heritage has been postponed for two weeks but a nine race meeting will go ahead in its place at Turffontein tomorrow.

Three Non-Black Type races provide the highlights.

In the R150,000 Heritage 1200 Handicap Prince Of Kahal looks the one to beat. He needed his last start over 1200m but proved too classy for a field which included some useful sorts. The key race in his form is the Drill Hall Stakes in which he was unlucky against some of the best in the country but still finished sixth.

Prince Of Kahal (JC Photographics)

Considering that run he looks underrated on a mere 87 merit rating. He should have come on from that last run too and in form Gavin Lerena can help him overcome a tricky draw of eight in the ten horse field. Winter’s Forge has class and although this race has been called a handicap the special conditions allow her a 2,5kg gender allowance so she comes in well weighted over an ideal trip and is well drawn. She will be a big runner. The progressive Mount Keith has a light 52,5kg to carry and he can defy the handicapper again.

In Cahoots showed some class as a two-year-old and has snuck into the handicap with the minimum weight of 50kg, although his rider Luke Ferraris will carry 0.5kg overweight. Just As I Said’s low draw will suit his front-running to handy style and he could be dangerous off a reduced merit rating. Catkin is always thereabouts in his Cape Town races from 1200-1400m and could run well fresh from a good draw over a trip which is sharper than ideal. Professor Brian has a nice big stride and if it pans out well he will be finishing strongly. Clever Guy wasn’t disgraced last time against Chimichuri run and could earn. Tar Heel has speed but disappointed from a good draw last time. Peppermint Tea has a tough task at the weights.

The Heritage 1200 Fillies and Mares handicap sees Regal Graduation and Schippers renewing rivalry after a close battle over course and distance two weeks ago. Regal Graduation is 1kg better off for a 0,75 length beating but she moved up like a winner in that last race before suddenly becoming one-paced so she likely needed it. Schippers also had a right to need that last race, especially as she is a more robust sort than Regal Graduation, so it will be an intriguing contest. La Bastide is chosen as the main danger to them as she won nicely over this trip in her penultimate start when making her seasonal reappearance and now has her third run after a layoff.

In the Sophomore 1000 Dewali had good form as a two-year-old and won in impressive style first time this season over this trip on the Standside track. This well bred Var colt has a tough draw to overcome but looks the one to beat after the scratching of Big Blue Marble.

The filly Dalai’s Promise was not disgraced in two starts in Cape Town and proved how strong the racing is down there when trotting up on her Highveld debut. Those two should get punters through.

The rest of the racing on the day is competitive but the exotics look the way to play as they all look catchable.

By David Thiselton

Older runners, especially those with mileage on the clock, often show improved form on the poly track and Highveld trainers Gary Alexander and Dorrie Sham are raiding the Greyville poly this evening with some seasoned campaigners.

Alexander starts his evening in the fourth where he saddles the mare Musette. She has patchy form but her last run was an improved effort and she did find some long shot support. The poly track and first-time blinkers could bring the best out in her but she does face a competitive field. Roman Courtesan was touched off over course and distance at her penultimate start and she was far from disgraced last time out behind the progressive Duke Of Spin. After Sunday’s Greyville meeting, Shane Humby will be shutting up shop for the next few weeks with his entire stable having their AHS vaccinations so he will be keen to make hay before the break.

Roman Cortesan (Candiese Marnewick)

Expresso Martini and Quakeshake are others to consider.

Alexander’s other runner comes in the sixth where Zeal And Zest faces a tricky assignment although his recent Vaal form is solid. He has had a turn on the poly, finishing just over two lengths back to Bank The Cash and winning next time out. He has a handy weight advantage over likely favourite Hero Quest. Brett Crawford’s runner returns from a short break and is back in handicap company after taking on feature company, including champion stayer It’s My Turn in the Gold Vase. Another likely contender is Stream Ahead. Gavin van Zyl steps the colt up an extra three furlongs this evening and if he can carry his current form over the extra he will have plenty of supporters.

Sham has a mixed bag but her best chance of a winner should come in the seventh where she saddles top weight Baahir. The six-year-old has some solid Highveld form and has plenty of early toe that should suit the poly. Sentido and Fieldmarshal Fenix are obvious dangers.

By his own admission, Dennis Drier has one of the best crops of young horses that he has had in a long time as his winning strike-rate bares testimony. Drier’s filly Leanna should be in warm order for the card opener after making a smart debut. She is certain to enjoy the extra furlong and the opposition form looks a little thin.

Belfry has a busy weekend ahead with an engagement in the second and again on Sunday should he miss out on his maiden win tonight. He was beaten a long way out when starting favourite at Scottsville recently and although consistent his form is not inspiring. That’s not to say he can’t win but Dirty Harry and Thomas Jefferson look better propositions. Thomas Jefferson has blossomed since Mike Miller has put him over ground while Dirty Harry also appears to have come to hand and should appreciate the step up in trip for Yogas Govender.

By Andrew Harrison