Neala, just short of a gallop when runner-up to Pata Pata according to Shame Humby, put her best forward in the Itsarush Pinnacle Stakes at Greyville yesterday. But it was a close-run thing as Captain’s Girl pressed her all the way to the line with the judges forced to resort to a photo to separate the pair.

Donovan Dillon rode a superb race on the winner, making almost all and hardly resorting to the stick as Captain’s Girl loomed alongside with Sherman Brown hard at work. Brown is a hard man to beat in a finish and Captain’s Girl appeared to head Neala a stride before the line. But one jump later she was a millimetre behind.

Louis Goosen has earmarked a Highveld feature for Captain’s Girl during their spring season and she will strip at her peak.

Favourite Kateecador, no slouch when it comes to speed, was seemingly outpaced in a race that was run in a tick under 57 seconds.

Neala (Left) & Captain’s Girl (Candiese Marnewick)

Anton Marcus is a past master on the Greyville poly track and is almost set in they way he rides it. Ping the gate, sit handy, swing to the outside off the turn and keep rolling as best he can.

Goosen had better luck in the card opener. The Ashburton-based trainer is wary of a deep draw on the poly, especially as regards front runners, but this did not faze Marcus. He hopped out Goosen’s grey Wendylle and made all the running to hold the heavily supported Opensea by a nearly two-length margin.

“I knew we would run well,” said Goosen. “But I was wary of all the money coming for the favourite, after all we were taking on a two-time winner – OK barrier trials – so I told Zane (Kirsten) to go softly.”

In the next, Marcus employed almost a carbon copy aboard Ultra Magnus as Brett Crawford’s colt kept finding extra to comfortably hold off the attentions of Global Exposure and the consistent Gordonstoun who finished a fourth successive third in as many outings. Favourite Walterthepeniless was a little one-paced, a short-head back in fourth and may be looking for further at this stage of his career.

Apprentice Khanya Sakayi is one of the most improved riders around and notched the 32^nd win of his career riding a particularly bold race aboard Craig Eudey’s outsider Kilvington in the fourth. He was up-side Marcus on the favourite Roy’s Novice turning for home and pressure his rival from the top of the straight with the younger filly responding well to Sakayi’s urgings.

Serino Moodley and Billy Jacobson were locked in a titanic struggle from a long way out as Spume and Zigi Zagi Zugi locked horns in the third. It was anybody’s call until the last few jumps as Spume got his nose in front for Frank Robinson.

Gunner, a Gr1 winner at the end of his two-year-old career, took two years to win another race and the fact that he was always hovering just behind the placed horses saw his handicap mark stuck in the late 70’s. “He was very precocious as a two-year-old and you have to be wary with those kinds of horses,” surmised Paul Gadsby. “I know he won a Group 1. He’s a good horse but he’s not a group horse but he’s come down in the merit ratings and is now competitive.”

Marchingontogether was all the rage for the fifth but the three-year-old was a little out of his ground turning for home and forced to barge his way through the traffic. Too late however, as Eric Ngwane had pulled the trigger early on Gunner.

O’Keeffe, only once beaten on the poly track and that by a short head, was back in the winner’s enclosure for the sixth. Helped by a strong gallop as Morne Winaar let Star Evolution stride freely up front, Gareth Wright was content to sit off the pace. Serino Moodley made an early move on the grey Kilmokea, hunting for his second win, but Wright was stalking patiently and let O’Keeffe loose at just the right moment, his mount quickening up nicely to win rather cosily.

Touched off earlier on Gareth van Zyl’s Zigi Zagi Zugi, Jacobson went one better for Van Zyl as Calvary was backed as if the result was already known in the last. And so it proved, as Jacobson hopped Calvary out in front and was never challenged, a timely win before Jacobson walks down the aisle on Saturday.

By Andrew Harrison

The racemeeting at the Turffontein Inside track tomorrow is low key but there are some good horses turning out for an MR 104 Handicap which forms the first leg of the Jackpot.

Bankable Teddy will be ridden by Lyle Hewitson in this event from a good draw of two. The six-year-old Bankable gelding made a winning seasonal reappearance last year in September over this same course and distance and can repeat the feat. He is ten points higher in the merit ratings but the six point across the board raise which was given in March must be taken into account so he is effectively only four points higher. He has run three times over the course and distance for a win, a second and a third and he finished last season well with a close second over this trip on the Standside track.

Lyle Hewitson

He is the one to beat against opponents who mostly have bigger fish to fry and will likely be using this as a preparation outing.  Kilrain could be the main danger as he should be fit from a recent outing over 1600m where he ran a close fourth. He now wears first time blinkers over a more suitable trip but does have a tricky draw. Dawn Assault is an improved horse who has won over the trip before and he has won before after a similar length break. Sabina’s Dynasty is drawn in pole and distance suited but has a tough task carrying 61kg against the boys. Crowd Pleaser is talented but is a front running to handy sort and might need it. He also seems to reserve his best for Greyville. Cash Time ran dismally on his seasonal reappearance and now has his second run after a layoff.

The meeting starts with an interesting race over 1000m as there are some expensive first-timers. The R1,1 million filly Xplosive Kiss is by Captain Al out of a one-time winning Fort Wood mare who is a half-sister to two Listed winners. She is being ridden by Gavin Lerena and is tipped to beat the R1 million Frankel filly Avantegarde as Frankel is yet to fire with his foals who have raced here to date.

In the second race over 1000m Sean Tarry introduces a very interesting runner in Mythical Bolt, who is a R1,5 million Captain Al colt who is out of a full-sister to the champion printer Mythical Flight. Tarry trained Mythical Flight and Mythical Bolt is tipped to beat the Camelot filly Welsh Harp, who flew home on debut after being outpaced. Lady Jackson looks to be the best of the other raced runners and she jumps from a plum draw under Gavin Lerena.

The third race over 1000m looks a match race between Ottawa and Tricia and the former is tipped as she was beaten only by a well regarded horse in Big Blue Marble last time. The pair should get punters through the Pick 6.

In the fifth race over 2000m Hafla is a progressive sort who finished strongly over 1600m last time and she should stay this trip being by Trippi out of Al Mufti mare Alderry, who won up to 1800m. Emerald Bay has been disappointing lately but has not been cracking good draws and she now gets a good draw off a reduced merit rating over a suitable trip. Royal Utopia was well weighted last time in an Assesment Plate and doddled it. She has a harder task here but is in good form and should be thereabouts.

The next is an Assessment Plate over 2600m and Forest Express has an easy task on paper. He is well in at the weights and gives the impression he will stay this trip. Brand New Cadillac won well over 2400m last time and can be included for the risk averse. The value for a place is Mantracker, who is drawn well and is an improving staying type.

The seventh is a tricky MR 68 Handicap over 2600m. However, War Legend should enjoy the step down from 3000m and looks the one to beat as a progressive stayer by Oratorio. Highlander has taken well to staying events and should be finishing strongly from behind.  Tapenzee, Kamakura and Eastern Pearl can also be included in the exotic bets.

The last race is a typically tricky MR 64 Handicap over 1000m. Nitro Charge is just two points higher for his win over this trip last time and can follow up from a fair draw. Deago Deluxe has improved and can go close from a plum draw with the same 4kg claimer aboard as when running well last time over this trip. River Ayre won narrowly last week over course and distance and has a chance from a good draw off a three point higher mark, although it’s never easy against the boys.

By David Thiselton

Marchingontogether makes his seasonal debut on the Greyville poly today and just how he fares should give some indication of where he is headed.

The signs are good for Gavin van Zyl’s colt, who since being stepped up in trip, is unbeaten and gives the impression that he could be a classic contender.

Gavin Van Zyl

His trainer concurs. “He’s a progressive horse. A nice big-striding Pathfork from a good family. His half-brother ran in the Gold Cup and won about six races for the Bass’s, they trained him so there is a bit of stamina in the family,” said van Zyl post-race.

“He won twice over a mile here and both times won impressively. We can look forward to a bit of fun with this horse.”

He takes on a field of hard-knockers in the fifth including recent winner Gunner, Q The Music and Savuti. Gunner, a Gr1 winner as a juvenile, is finally down to a more competitive rating and showed that by winning his last start. “He was precocious as a juvenile but you have to be careful of those horses,” said Paul Gadsby. “I never thought he was a Group 1 horse but he’s now down to a more competitive rating.”

He won well enough ion the Greyville poly although he did pick up a five-pound penalty for that win.

The KZN Trainer’s Association AGM takes place tomorrow and the issue of barrier trials will be put to the vote and the outcome of what amounts to a referendum will be keenly monitored.

Some trainers are fore, others vehemently against other’s feel that the system can be tweaked to please all. Whatever, it’s the battle of the barrier trials in the card opener where Wendylle and Opensea look the two most likely protagonists. Both have had two trials, both smart efforts. The grey has shown good pace in both is trial and this short-cut on the poly should be right up his alley. Opensea, named after Gavin van Zyl’s head lad who was formerly head lad for now Australia-based David Payne, has trialled well on both occasions and has had the benefit of a sprint on the poly. He also shows a lot of pace and could be a threat to the grey. Duke’s Dozen trialled well enough but Brett Crawford’s gelding is bred to stay much further. A win here will make him a prospect worth following.

In the second, Walterthepenniless, from the very much in-form Dennis Drier yard, has been close-up in both starts and goes well on the poly. He was a touch unlucky last time out and can make amends. The dangers are many however with Great Stohvanen, Ultra Magnus, One Destiny and Gordonstoun all in with a shout.

Spume has a lot in his favour in the opening leg of the Pick 6 and although it could prove risky, he has enough in his favour to suggest that punters can go light in this leg of the exotic. Zigi Zagi Zugi and Stone Tiger look pick of the balance.

Silver Prancer is long overdue a win and although a distant second last time out she could have the better of Roy’s Novice and the lightly raced Reactive Glaze who should enjoy the extra furlong.

Star Evolution and O’Keeffe appeal most in the sixth. O’Keeffe has come well on the poly but Star Evolution went down narrowly when trying to make all the running in first-time blinkers and can give Morne Winnaar his first winner since moving up from Cape Town for the Glen Kotzen satellite yard.

Kateecador has smart form over course and distance, winning her last two, but could find Shane Humby’s mare Neala too hot to handle. She was just short of a gallop when second behind Pata and has useful form on the poly.

Finally, Marshal That is back on his best surface. He was possibly just short of a run when returning from a break last time out. Of the balance, Real Vision has a light weight and was much improved in blinkers while Timeous goes well on this surface and should be a contender.

By Andrew Harrison

Aldo Domeyer shone in the PGI Jockeys Challenge sponsored by Phumelela at Kranji today, taking home the prize for top individual jockey.

Aldo Domeyer

He had produced a brilliantly timed finish to win Race 4, and briefly bring Team SA right back into things.

Fittingly with each race in the series being named after one of the teams, this was titled the PGI Jockeys Challenge South Africa, and that proved prophetic.

Joao ‘Magic’ Moreira hit the front halfway up the straight on Solaris Spectrum, and looked to have done everything right.

But Domeyer produced his mount Safeer at just the right time, and pounced late to win going away by half a length.

Earlier Team SA had got off to an encouraging start in the first leg of the challenge, with Yeni (second), Domeyer (third) and Hewitson (sixth) all finishing in the points.

The first and third proved enough for Domeyer (56  points) to pip the UK’s Rab Havlin (54) and Australia’s Kerrin McEvoy (51) to the individual prize.

Australia walked off with the team honours on 119 points, just pipping the UK with 117. Team SA ended on 102, with Asia a distant last on 76.

– TAB news

Rainbow Bridge impressed in a gallop yesterday and Eric Sands promptly confirmed that the unbeaten Queen’s Plate and Met hope will begin his campaign in the Matchem Stakes at Durbanville on Saturday week.

He added: “The horse won’t be at his peak but then we wouldn’t expect him to be until later in the season.”

Bernard Fayd’Herbe has landed the plum ride on Chris Gerber’s colt. He takes over from Richard Fourie who, although officially freelance, has considerable commitments to Snaith Racing this season. Fayd’Herbe, who partnered Rainbow Bridge in the gallop, said: “He is a very nice horse but it is going to be tough this season because there are a lot of good horses around. He is going to need to prove himself.”

Eric Sands (hamishNIVENPhotography)

Fourie rode four more winners at Durbanville yesterday – including three for the Snaiths – but the one that got away was hotpot Crown Towers in the Interbet.co.za Handicap. It looked just a question of how far when the 1-3 shot hit the front two furlongs out but Fayd’Herbe on 27-4 chance Sacred Arrow promptly went a length up and, try as he might, Fourie could not peg him back.

Justin Snaith was philosophical but far from down-hearted, saying: “Don’t rule him out yet. He is going to be a very nice horse. It was just that he was caught flat-footed in a tail wind and he is still learning.”

Stable companion Juniper Spring, considered good enough to make her debut in a Listed race but a beaten favourite in her last two starts, got it right at the fourth attempt when leading from over two furlongs out in the TAB Telebet Maiden. She started at 5-10 but Fourie was pulling up before the line.

Snaith said: “She is a lovely quality filly, a full sister to Snowdance and the spitting image of her. But we had to downgrade Juniper Spring to this level to win and we were fortunate to find a race like this one. That said, she won well.”

If Fourie does win the championship this season it is going to be due as much to the sort of enterprising tactics he showed on Ben-Hur in the Potjie Competition Handicap as to the support of the Snaith powerhouse.

The first half of this 2 000m race was run at the sort of pace donkeys go on the beach. Fourie, deciding there was no point in continuing with the crawl, then dashed Ben-Hur to the front, kicked again early in the straight and was promptly gone beyond recall. Fourie is now on the 32-winner mark, just one behind log leader Muzi Yeni.

This was one of four successes for Candice Bass-Robinson who also trains Sacred Arrow and who is on a busman’s tour of Newmarket – Monday was Abington Place and yesterday Sir Mark Prescott’s stables. She will be back on Friday.

That celebrated maiden won by Pleasedtomeetyou at Kenilworth last month was given yet another boost when runner-up Trippi’s Express won the first under Corne Orffer just as easily as his 2-10 price suggested he should – and seemingly there is plenty more to come.

Brett Crawford said: “He has always shown good form at home and here he quickened up and did everything right. He has the scope to go on and, while I am not sure what trip he is going to get, I know he will keep improving.”

By Michael Clower