Yesterday’s race meeting at Scottsville started with an emphatic victory for the unshod Gareth van Zyl-trained Cavalry who looks to have a promising career ahead of him.

The three-year-old Querari gelding races without shoes as he tends to hit himself in stride and the shoes make the impact worse. He was bought for R225,000 and after two good outings in barrier trials and a fair fourth in the Sentinel Stakes over 1000m he was presented in fine shape yesterday and came home 3,75 lengths clear of the favourite Buckleberry.

Blaze Of Silk (Candies Marnewick)

Anton Marcus was aboard the latter and he made amends in the next when keeping the Sean Trained favourite Riptide going to hold on. Marcus had one of the most memorable months of July in his life this year despite riding with a damaged wrist and admitted in the winners enclosure yesterday his July/Gold Cup double and the fact he was now the only rider in history to have ridden five July winners had all not sunk in yet. However, the key to his popularity with punters, who fondly call him “Superman”, is he treats every race like the July and hence his consistently high strike rate, albeit on a selection of the best horses.

The 4kg claimer Khanya Sakayi scored a quick double when bringing home the Tony Rivalland-trained Reactive and the Paul Gadsby-trained Miss Varlicious in races four and five respectively. He later made it treble when scoring on the Lola Crawford-trained Silver Cent in the last.

Eric Ngwane also rode a quick double on the Corinne Bestel-trained Blaze Of Silk and the Kumaran Naidoo-trained Roy’s Magic respectively.

There was also a win early on the card for Brett Crawford and Sean Veale with Elegant Royal.
Highflying apprentice Luke Ferraris attained a bruised hip in the course of the meeting and although advised to go for x-rays appeared to be fine.

By David Thiselton

Last year’s Vodacom Durban July winner Marinaresco is doing well in Britain but apparently there are no firm plans to race him there.

Marsh Shirtliff, in whose famous colours the gelding runs, said on Saturday: “He is doing well in Newmarket and he is a happy horse there but we believe that he is not suited by the English conditions with the ground etc.

“Mike de Kock just might want to give him a run – I have discussed things with him but I am leaving it all to him – and the horse doesn’t take a lot of work.”

Shirtliff confirmed that the international meeting in Singapore and the rich Longines day in Hong Kong in December remain possible for the shopping list but added: “Marinaresco definitely goes to Dubai for the Carnival. We are looking forward to some fun with him and hopefully he can win something before World Cup night.”

By Michael Clower

Featured Image: Marinaresco

“They say horses can make fools of you and this one was a complete surprise,” declared Mike Robinson. “I told the owners she would need the run. She hadn’t shown much at home, she wasn’t tuned up at all and she is bred to get 2 000m.”

The Philippi trainer was speaking after the aptly-named Secret Depths had finished faster than anything under Brandon May to pay R107.10 (75-1 with the bookmakers) on debut in the TAB Telebet Maiden at Kenilworth on Saturday.

Greg Cheyne (Liesl King)

The Elusive Fort filly is one of several that breeder Peter de Beyer has put into partnerships rather than through the yearling sales whereas runner-up Water Spirit was the focus of much attention, having emerged from last year’s Cape Premier with a R2 million price tag on her head.

The Ridgemont filly may yet be worth it. She drifted from 15-10 to 61-20 and Anton Marcus was scrubbing away with over half the race still to run. But once she cottoned on what was required of her – reaching the furlong pole – she fairly flew and she was beaten only a neck.

“I was pleased – to get that close on debut was good,” said Brett Crawford. “Anton said she got lost early on. She needs to go round the turn but he wants to give her another run up the straight first so we will do that.”

Hot favourite Vomandla was a little disappointing in fifth but Andre Nel and Greg Cheyne had much more reason for satisfaction with Pleasedtomeetyou who won easily at the first time of asking in the opening maiden.

“He was carrying a bit of condition and I thought he was a gallop short,” admitted the trainer. “But he is a lovely colt and hopefully he will go on from here.”

Cheyne, who now goes overseas on holiday until the final Fairview meeting of the month, added: “He came out of the gates like lightning and that’s half the battle when there is a tailwind here.”

Justin Snaith was singing home town praises after he and Richard Fourie initiated a treble with hotpot Bunker Hunt to take their tally to nine from the three meetings this term.

“I’ve been around everywhere and there is no doubt that this is by far the best place in the country to raise and race a young horse. It has always been the breeding ground of champions,” declared the champion trainer.

But what about the height of summer when many complain that the ground is too firm? “Yes, it used to be like that but that’s not the case these days,” Snaith answered.

The surprise of the treble was 8-1 shot Angel’s Trumpet, the only filly in the Play Soccer 6 Pinnacle – “She really enjoys the soft but, when I told my brother I wanted to run her in this race, he said ‘You must be mad!’ I knew it was a risk but sometimes in life if you have to take risks if you want to gain.”

By Michael Clower

The Vineyard Hotel recently played host the 2017/2018 Cape Racing and Breeders Awards, where Snaith Racing, Gaynor Rupert’s Drakenstein Stud and Avontuur Stud dominated the awards.

Team Snaith Racing (Liesl King)

Justin Snaith was crowned Cape Trainer of the Year, while his charges Oh Susanna, Snowdance and Do It Again collected seven trophies between them. Oh Susanna, who was crowned Champion 3yr old Filly, Champion Middle Distance Horse and Horse of the Year, dominated the Cape Racing Awards. Her stable companion Snowdance collected the trophies for Champion Miler (Racing) and Champion 3yr Old Filly (Breeding), while Vodacom Durban July winner Do It Again was crowned Champion 3yr old Male (Racing) and Champion Middle Distance Horse (Breeding).

Snaith, who has had the year of his life, was also awarded the Exceptional Achievement Award for his victories in the Gr 1 Sun Met, where Oh Susanna became the first 3yr old filly to win in over a hundred years and the Gr 1 Vodacom Durban July, where he trained the first three home.  He also won seven Grade 1 races during the season.

Snaith graciously thanked his team for their immense effort during the year, commenting that “to be a great trainer you need a good team – and I have a great team”. Never one to rest on his laurels, Snaith concluded by pointing out that Snaith Racing is here for the long haul and that he cannot wait to see what the new season will bring. Head Groom Jabu Mdludlu, speaking on behalf of team Snaith Racing concurred: “It is not easy to win, so we work hard to make sure the boss is on the right track!”

Gaynor Rupert’s Drakenstein Stud, owner and breeder of the outstanding Oh Susanna and part owner of Snowdance, was crowned Champion Owner, while the award for Champion Breeder went to Klawervlei Stud.  Avontuur Stud also walked away with a number of trophies, courtesy of Attenborough being crowned Champion Sprinter in both the Racing and Breeding categories, while the Avontuur-bred Legal Eagle was awarded Champion Older Male and Horse of the Year by the Cape Breeders.

Cape Racing Awards

Champion Juvenile Male – One World
Champion Juvenile Filly – Temple Grafin
Champion 3yr Old Male – Do It Again
Champion 3yr Old Filly – Oh Susanna
Champion Older Male – Captain America
Champion Older Female – The Secret Is Out
Champion Sprinter – Attenborough
Champion Miler – Snowdance
Champion Middle Distance – Oh Susanna
Champion Stayer – It’s My Turn
WP Grooms’ School Workrider of the Year – Andile Ndlebe
Cape Apprentice of the Year – Sandile Mbhele
Cape Jockey of the Year – Aldo Domeyer
Cape Trainer of the Year – Justin Snaith
Exceptional Achievement Award – Snaith Racing
Horse of the Year – Oh Susanna
Owner of the Year – Drakenstein Stud (nom: Mrs. G A Rupert)

Cape Breeders Awards
Champion 2yr Old Colt – Barahin (Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein)
Champion 2yr Old Filly – Return Flight (Mike Sharkey)
Champion 3yr Old Colt – Undercover Agent (Moutonshoek Stud)
Champion 3yr Old Filly – Snowdance (Cheveley Stud)
Champion Older Male – Legal Eagle (Avontuur Stud)
Champion Older Female – Nother Russia (Wilgerbosdrift Stud)
Champion Sprinter – Attenborough (Pippa Mickleburgh)
Champion Middle Distance – Do It Again (Northfields Stud)
Champion Stayer – It’s My Turn (Mr. WJ Engelbrecht)
Broodmare of the Year – Strawberry Lane (Lammerskraal Stud)
Stallion of the Year – Silvano (Maine Chance Farms)
Outstanding New Stallion – Pomodoro (Klawervlei Stud)
Champion Breeder – Klawervlei Stud
Outstanding Breeder – Northfields Stud
International Horse of the Year – Janoobi (Maine Chance Farms)
Horse of the Year – Legal Eagle (Avontuur Stud)

By Liesl King

Turffontein Standside stages a low key meeting tomorrow although there are some useful horses taking part.

The Pick 6 banker looks to be Deerupt in the sixth race, a Maiden for three-year-old fillies over 1450m. This Australian-bred filly by Snitzel ran on well from the back in the Devon Air Stakes over 1400m at Greyville last time and was just 2,75 lengths behind the well regarded Firdoas and two lengths behind Mazari, who went on to finish second in the Grade 2 Golden Slipper. Huddle could get close to Deerupt on a line through On The Double, but she disappointed last time and Deerupt looks to be more progressive. The one the risk averse could include is Choir Singer, as she looks to have scope and the Lucky Houdalakis yard bring them on slowly but surely.

Lucky Houdalakis

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1160m the well-bred first-timer In The Dance is the selection. This Gimmethegreenlight filly would not have to be as good as her half-brother Capetown Noir to beat this field. Rock A Roll Dancer looks to be the best of those to have run as the form of her second to Nafaayes over 1000m was franked when the latter won next time out. Miss Pinkerton will improve on her fair debut and now has the valuable 2,5kg claim of Luke Ferraris to help her cause. Rock Sensation has the form to be in with a shout and Chouette and Greener Pastures make most appeal of the other first-timers.

The first leg of the Jackpot is the highest class race of the day, a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1160m. The last time Africa Rising returned from a layoff he mowed down a good field over 1200m at the Vaal carrying 61kg and he now carries 60kg minus the 2,5kg claim of Ferraris. Mardi Gras returns from a layoff and gelding but this talented sort will also be finishing strongly and is a horse to follow this season. Arabian Beat must be included as he will be fit from his run on July 1 and can hardly be separated from Mardi Gras on their last meeting. Those three are selected to get punters through the exotics although the risk averse should consider including the whole field.

Race seven should be fought out by Chipofftheoldblok, Vartanium and Make Your Move. The joker in the pack is Maroon Bells and Indy Ice makes most appeal of the first-timers.

In race eight over 1600m Satin Slipper wasn’t given a hard time on debut over this course and distance and should come on a lot from the run so is a banker consideration with Ferraris up. Abelie is the form danger and Irish Wonder Girl is the one who can surprise as she will relish this step up in trip. Awayinthewoods, Oona and A Little Luck warrant consideration too.

The last race over 1600 should be fought out by Roll Of Drums, Fort Carol and Stars and Bars, who will all be improving.

By David Thiselton