“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

Anton Marcus will be the focus of much punter attention at Kenilworth tomorrow when he jets in for only one ride, newcomer Water Spirit in the TAB Telebet Maiden.

The four-time champion has been on the crest of a wave since his return from a broken wrist and, in addition to that inspired ride in the July, he has won on half his 12 mounts this season. Indeed he had a 22% strike rate at Kenilworth last term when punters found his trademark Cape Town ride – fast away and going to the front much further out than the local jockeys  – particularly rewarding.

Anton Marcus

True, the Markus Jooste days are no more but Ridgemont (his latest retainer) also have some cracking good horses and the bookmakers had no hesitation in opening Water Spirit as a favourite. This Jackson filly is out of a half-sister to SA Classic winner Divine Jury and was sold by Highlands under the name of Mermaid’s Delight at the Cape Premier Yearling Sale in January last year shortly after Wayne Kieswetter had purchased the stud. She was knocked down to Brett Crawford for a cool R2 million.

She is obviously smart and expected to run a big race – Marcus would hardly be coming down to ride her if this was just a quiet introductory run – and Crawford commented yesterday: “I won’t say I expect her to win but I think she can be competitive. She is doing very well at home and has put up some good work. She is looking for more ground but she won’t need the run from a fitness point of view – it’s more how she breaks and whether she is green.”

But this is a strong maiden and she may not beat Vomandla.  The Andre Nel filly finished fast on debut and failed by only a short head to catch Durty Nelly with Juniper Spring (fifth in the Fillies Nursery) franking the form in third. She promptly went into the Winning Ways notebook with James Goodman predicting: “She should absolutely doddle it next time.”

Greg Cheyne’s mount is 3-1 second favourite with World Sports Betting which has the Snaith runner Fortune Flies on 7-2, Joey Ramsden’s six-month absent Au Revoir at 5-1 and the Vaughan Marshall contender Fluttering on 11-2.

Winning Ways also tipped Bunker Hunt as one to follow and Richard Fourie’s mount is 6-10 for the Tabonline Maiden. He should win but he is no certainty as he was ridden right to the line on debut and may not improve as much as most horses having their second run.

All The Sevens, good enough to run in the Langerman, can make his experience tell in the first while Tevez may recoup last time’s losses in the Pinnacle.

* Michael Clower is on a roll. His selections at the last six Cape Town meetings are showing a profit of R232.60 to a R10 level stake and seven of his last ten tips have won.

By Michael Clower

Backing newly turned three-year-olds against older horses, especially in fixed weight races, at this time of the year can be dangerous. Unless the younger horse is way better than the opposition, it’s likely to get beaten and leave many a puzzled punter who has taken the form at face value.

It is by no means a hard and fast rule but definitely one to consider when working out your bets.

A possible example could come in the first at Scottsville on Sunday where some promising three-year-olds take on a few older horses with some useful recent form.

The WFA scale, the bible of handicappers, says that three-year-olds in August should be in receipt of 7kg from their older rivals in races over 1000m to 1200m. In South Africa three-year-olds only get 2kg relief in Maiden Plates and therein lies the rub.

Brighteyebushytail (Candiese Marnewick)

Horses like Buckleberry and Cavalry have yet to be assigned a merit rating as they have not yet had three races so one needs to work out whether they are 5kg better than their older rivals. Buckleberry has been narrowly beaten in his two starts and with Anton Marcus aboard, Paul Lafferty’s colt is likely to start close to the top of bookmaker’s boards. Cavalry has shown up well in two barrier trials and was not disgraced against winners when making his debut in a small feature.

According to many trainers, our handicappers tend to over-rate maiden winners, dishing out unrealistically high merit ratings, and victory for either of the two mentioned could see them rated in the 80’s.

Pantsula and Leslies Pathtofame have both been knocking on the door and Pantsula especially is a distance specialist with consistent form. Gavin van Zyl is a dab hand in Scottsville sprints and Pantsula could prove more than a match for his younger rivals given these weights.

We have a similar scenario in the second and here it’s a case of whether you rely on the handicapper’s assessment and back Riptide or go with the older runners headed by the best performed Fleek. Louis Goosen’s runner is lightly raced with some patchy form but has turned in some useful performances including a close-up second over 1000m on the poly last time out. Her pedigree suggests that she should prefer Sunday’s trip. She should also be helped in her quest with hot apprentice Luke Ferraris giving her 2.5kg relief from the saddle.

The year younger Riptide, who was a beaten favourite over a mile last time out, is rated 1.5kg better than Fleek and has Marcus in the irons. I’m A Var and Under The Rose must have claims and Star In The Sky, a close-up third on debut, could spoil the argument as she has an exceptional pedigree and should be at home over this trip.

Marcus has picked a lot of low hanging fruit for Sunday and could well go into the opening leg of the Pick 6 with two winners to his credit. He has another plum ride in Prince Charming for Greg and Karen Anthony in the opening leg of the Pick 6. Prince Charming has come on from every run and could have the measure of the younger White Lightning who has pulled a bum draw.

The highly rated Brighteyebushytail has had more problems than the Guptas but can get back to form in the fourth. He was not asked for much when returning from a seven-month break and although this 1600m may still be on the sharp side he could have too much class if finding his best form.

By Andrew Harrison