A persistent virus that affected most yards in Ashburton saw Duncan Howells shut up shop for a fortnight and take stock. He saddles three runners at Greyville this evening and has a chance of getting back on track.

“The break has done the horses good and I have also tweaked a few things so hopefully we will soon be back on track,” he said yesterday.

Accidental Tourist (Candiese Marnewick)

Howells saddles two ex-Charles Laird runners in Good To Give and Buffalo Soldier, both in with chances, but his best chance of a winner could come with the filly Accidental Tourist in the sixth. She loves the poly and although shouldering top weight she has yet to miss a cheque since July last year.

Louis Goosen has also been affected by the virus but has kept firing and Shwanky could prove the biggest threat to the top weight.

Paul Gadsby has been hounding the handicappers for months as far as the rating of Miss Varlicious is concerned and his nagging has had some effect as Miss Varlicious now races off a 72 rating, 17 points lower than November last year, but she still has not made it to the winner’s box again.

She had no chance with the impressive Statute last time out but now looks to be competitive off her new rating.

Good To Give has had one outing since a break and makes her debut for Howells in the fifth. She takes on males but was finishing strongly in her last start over course and distance and with a handy galloping weight should be competitive.

Brian Burnard, had he been at Scottsville on Wednesday would have twice visited the winner’s enclosure, will be anticipating another winner when the unbeaten Sir Bernadini lines up in the seventh. Dennis Bosch’s charge made the jump from maiden win to a MR76, both wins coming on the poly and the Aussie-bred looks to be useful.

Sir Bernardini (Candiese Marnewick)

Howells saddles Buffalo Soldier and the change of scenery could bring out the best in the gelding who has threatened in smart company yet remains a two-time winner. He drops in class this evening and from a good draw rates the biggest threat to Sir Bernadini.

After a relatively quiet spell, Sean Tarry is starting to fire again and Esstoora can make a winning local debut in the card opener. The lightly raced filly has shown up well in two starts on the Vaal inside track and could prove too strong for Rosie Bubbles and So Vain.

In the second, Great Dictator gets another chance to shed his maiden after running up a hat-trick of second placings. The blinkers did not seem to have any effect in his last start over course and distance and they have been removed.

Apprentice Ashton Arries should be back in action after his three-timer last Wednesday was spoilt when parting company with Dancing With Tatum in the last race of the day.

By Andrew Harrison

Nothemba Mlonzi is a relatively unknown name in horse racing circles but her CV outside of the sport is impressive. A self-made woman, who rose from nowhere in rural Transkei to become a respected attorney, an acting High Court Judge, an academic, hotelier, philanthropist, has served on several corporate boards, and made history by establishing the first ever 100% black woman-owned oil plant in South Africa.

The magic touch appears to have also extended to horse racing with her fledgling Mwetwood Stud based in Howick in KZN.

Anthony Delpech

Nathan Kotzen went to R100k for her first yearling sold at Nationals and the daughter of Master Of My Fate scored first time out at Scottsville yesterday as Master Keys, in spite of trying to take the scenic route, took apprentice Lyle Hewitson within two winners of equalling Gavin Lerena’s record as the most winners by an apprentice.

“She’s a light framed filly but has shown us a lot,” said Nathan Kotzen of Master Keys. “I told you she could run,” added former Msinduzi Municipal Manager Rob Haswell in whose colours the filly races.

Master Keys gave Hewitson a testing ride as she race very green and then hung badly in the closing stages before picking off well-backed favourite Oratorina. Watching the ride, it is not surprising that Hewitson is where he is in the national jockey’s pecking order

Prolific owner Brian Burnard had a profitable day with a double, the first in the card opener as Across Seattle took advantage of the absence of the well fancied Mastagambit to record a comfortable win for Mark Dixon.

He was chased by the speedy Eastbrook and Anthony Delpech for much of the race but eventually proved too strong for his rival who was making his debut.

Master Keys is by the freshman stallion Master Of My Fate, a feisty customer when racing, but behaved perfectly on her race course debut. Not so sibling Mastagambit.

The smart looking dark bay, who had been well supported in the ante-post market, appears to have inherited his father’s temperament and simply refused to load. Dennis Drier, who also trained Master Of My Fate, was understandably not impressed with the going on’s at the start.

The Burnard colours were back in the winner’s enclosure in the opening leg of the PA as Minaloushe Venture finally shed his ‘professional maiden’ tag after an enterprising ride from Brandon Lerena. Lerena, a vastly under rated heavy-weight rider, took the initiative early and sent his mount to the front, not to be caught.

Eastbrook had to play second fiddle to Across Seattle in the first but Haylor made amends in the opening leg of the Pick 6 for Karen Anthony. “He’s a horse that has had a lot of problems. But we have taken it easy,” she said after he had skated clear of second-placed Iknow.

Root Beer was the toast of most punters who had banked on him in the exotics and Alyson Wright’s charge obliged with the minimum of fuss.

Popular television presenter Paul Lafferty, on duty for the day, had difficulty interviewing himself but will have been well pleased with his double, Majestic Glory and Sniper Shot, both hitting bull’s eye.

By Andrew Harrison

Featured Image: Dennis Drier (Liesl King)

The Vaal stages a nine race card tomorrow and punters will be looking to boost their bankrolls ahead of the big Guineas meeting on Saturday.

A fillies and mares MR 84 Handicap over 1000m is the headliner. Myfunnyvalentine was a bit outpaced last time over this trip in a race dominated by the speedy Frederico’s Dream, but she flew at the finish and was only 0,9 lengths back in third at the line. The Tarry yard have hit form at last lately and in this weaker field the rangy Captain Al filly can defy topweight of 61kg under regular pilot Lyle Hewitson. Movie Show was also out the back in that aforementioned race but when she began her telling late run she was cramped for room so should have finished closer. She has been in good form as a five-year-old and has won twice over this course and distance. Kissable looked to be a top sprinter in the making as a two-year-old, winning her first two starts over 800m and 1000m respectively by 6,4 and 7,5 lengths.

Lyle Hewitson

However, she then went off the boil and it was only six runs later, after dropping to a 77 merit rating that she managed her third career win. That was also the first time 1,5kg claimer Mpumi Mjoko had ridden her and he is back aboard. She is 4 points up in the merit ratings and her confidence will be up, so she could be a threat. Levi Lady has plenty of speed and is now 2,5kg better off with Kissable for a 1,4 length beating, so should be thereabouts. Daring Diva was among the best two-year-olds of her crop, but she has run well below par in her last two starts. She has dropped to an 85 merit rating from an original mark of 97 so if bouncing back can go close and is worth considering. Singing In Seattle had some good Port Elizabeth form and has not been disgraced in three starts on the Highveld, so she could earn too having been dropped three points in the merit ratings.

Punters should be given a good start with Rivonia Boulevard in the first race over 1200m. Last time out this rangy Count Du Bois colt stayed on well for an excellent third in the Kuda Sprint over 1200m at Kenilworth on Sun Met day. Good horses always contest that race and she will be hard to beat in a much weaker field and with a nice middle draw.

The second will likely see Matanuska being all the rage, but she might have been flattered by her debut where she was making late progress as the time was slow. Generoso is having her 46^th start but if things go her way she can run on quite nicely and she seemed to appreciate the step down from staying trips to 1400m last time and ran third to a promising sort. Hurricane Lass can also go close if settling better than she did last time when fresh from a layoff. Petite Aime could represent place value and Keep It Hot and Sea Like Glass could be quartet considerations.

In the third over 1200m Running Brave kept on finding extra over 1000m on debut despite long odds and a possibly unfavourable low draw, so she looks likely to enjoy this trip and is the one to beat. Riptide showed fine pace on debut over 1000m before displaying signs of inexperience and also getting tired. She was reported to have made a breathing noise which is a concern and her low draw is also a possible worry. However, she should have come on from the run and is tipped to fight out second place with Cloud Break, who stayed on over 1000m on debut.

Gavin Lerena

In the first leg of the Pick 6 Silvano filly Believe Me was not overly impressive second time out when staying on for second over 1200m but in this uninspiring field over a step up in trip she will appreciate she could be a banker. Hartleyone made a fair debut after a slow start but was found to have a hairline fracture and is coming back from a layoff.

It gets tough in leg 2 but Gold Dawn created a good impression last time when running on strongly to win her maiden and Gavin Lerena is up so she can beat Eleni and Moss Gass. Goodness Me and Jamra warrant consideration too.

In the seventh over 1600m Dressed To Impress looks a fair sort in the making and is a banker consideration.

In the eighth over 1400m Momo has dropped to a competitive mark but the low draw might be against her so going as wide as possible is the suggestion, although Shelley, Fish River Canyon, Flowing Gown, Sammi Moosa and Piccadilly Square are the one which make most appeal.

In the last the R1,1million Dynasty filly Kentucky Blue stayed on well over 1200m last time and will relish the step up to 1400m, but the number one draw might be a concern. Son Of A Legend and Hard Ball might also have to be considered. Two Guns and Timkat make most appeal of the higher drawn horses.

By David Thiselton

Nous Voila could be Allan Robertson-bound after putting up a hugely impressive performance to beat the much-vaunted and superbly bred Canukeepitsecret on debut in the TAB Telebet Maiden Juvenile at Kenilworth yesterday.

The Judpot filly, owner-bred by the Niarchos family’s Jagessar, went for home two furlongs out and she found another gear when the favourite came out of the pack to give chase. A length and a quarter was as close as she could get – and seemingly that was without the winner being asked for everything – while the third horse was another four lengths away.

Aldo Domeyer

Aldo Domeyer said: “This filly has shown us a great deal at home and to win in this fashion was impressive. I am really excited about what the future holds.”

Candice Bass-Robinson added: “I think she is a special filly and I might take her to Scottsville for the Allan Robertson. Aldo is keen for her to go for that.”

In the Itsarush.co.za Maiden Juvenile half an hour earlier it was R3.25 million buy Frank Lloyd Wright who stole the thunder even though he was beaten a head by the comparative bargain buy (R100 000) Sailor Sam.

The runner-up looked sure to score inside the final furlong but, fatally for those who backed him at 71-20, the billboards on the inside of the course caught his eye at quite the wrong time.

Justin Snaith said: “Every time he has come here he has looked at those boards. If he had challenged the winner on the other side it would have been a different result. But I was very happy with the run and, while we will have to see how he pulls up, we may earmark him for Durban.”

But back to the Greg Ennion-trained winner. He was the most experienced horse in the field but Corne Orffer said the colt would have won last time had he known him better while Braam van Huyysteen put his money on at 16-1. It must have been a fair bit because the horse was returned at less than half that at 27-40!

The well-supported Deepston put up a performance full of promise in fifth but 17-10 favourite Quick Star was a little disappointing in sixth considering his previous experience..

There was considerable speculation when it was announced shortly before the off that newcomer All Aboard had been scratched because of a “passport discrepancy.” Dean Kannemeyer promptly dismissed suggestions that this could be the wrong horse, pointing out that the correct chip number had been shown when the colt was scanned on arrival from the sales and again when he passed his stalls test.

It was senior stipe Ernie Rodrigues who ordered the scratching and he explained: “The chip scanning shows it is the right horse but the markings are very different from those in the passport and I am mystified why this wasn’t picked up by our people.”

By Michael Clower

The Summerveld dogs have been barking the name Mastagambit for some time now and he finally lines up in the first at Scottsville this afternoon.

Dennis Drier is a veteran of a sport where anything can go wrong at any time so was cautious in his comment. “Nice horse but may be a bit short”.

Mastagambit is a son of the once Drier-trained Master Of My Fate, a hugely talented colt whose feisty temperament gave his trainer many a sleepless night, but if he has imparted any of his talent to Mastagambit, it will take a good one to beat him.

Also in the first race line-up is the son of the smart race-mare Sunshine Lover, bought by one of the shrewdest horsemen around, Barry Irwin. The well-named Bronzed, a son of Oratorio, also opens his account but at the top of the Track & Ball boards yesterday was Across Seattle.

Gunner

Mark Dixon’s runner has had valuable experience over course and distance where he took on winners on debut. He finished a creditable third to the promising Val-La-Ree so Mastagambit will need to be all that he is cracked up to be as experience generally counts for a few extra lengths.

The barrier trial debate rages on relentlessly but their value to punters is not conclusive as at the time of writing they were optional. From Thursday they become compulsory in KZN for all first-timers and horses that have been off the track for 120 days so one should get a clearer picture and with all relevant information available, the form of the trials may work out. The ryder being that punters will need to watch these trials closely as there is no winner or loser, but some trial ‘form’ could prove stronger than others. The value of the trials will be tested again in the opening leg of the PA where Minaloushe Venture is rated way above anything else in what has stacked up into a fairly modest field. Dennis Bosch’s runner is overdue a maiden win and barring a ‘springer’ he should prove difficult to beat. He is the current ante-post favourite at 14-10 but Desert Thief, making his racing debut for Brett Crawford after putting up a prominent showing in a barrier trial, is not short of support at 2-1.

Without the trial, the only public guide would be the betting and the generosity of the connections when approached for first-timer comments.

Crawford’s Western Cape-based stable jockey, Corne Orffer, will be aboard Desert Thief but Anthony Delpech steps aboard the Crawford runner Game Changer in the opening leg of the Pick 6. Game Changer has had two barrier trials, first in his latest effort with steel shoes, and has been priced up 12-10 favourite in the ante post market ahead of Mark Dixon’s runner, Two Stroke, at 33-10.

Surprise package could be the rank outsider Don Pierro. The Gary Rich-trained gelding can be a nightmare getting onto the track in the mornings but once over his tantrums he puts in some decent work.

Don Pierro behaved perfectly in his race course debut and did all that was asked of him. But Rich is still on edge. “That was all new to him so he behaved himself. Now that he knows what’s going on he could start his nonsense again. He has come on from that run so we are holding thumbs.”

Des Egdes hands in his trainer’s licence tomorrow and saddles his last runner in Le Cheik in the fifth. Dessie’s face will be missed after over three decades in the sport but he will be aiming to sign off on a winning note. Le Cheik goes well over course and distance but there are no prisoners in this game and Le Cheik may have to play second fiddle to Alyson’s Wright’s Root Beer who finished three lengths ahead of Le Cheik last time out. It was a reversal of form with Le Cheik having finished ahead of Root Beer at their previous meeting. In a seven-horse field over 2400m, pace will be the crucial factor between winning and losing.

By Andrew Harrison