The Grade 3 Tommy Hotspur Handicap over 1000m is the headliner at Turffontein on Saturday and Whorly Whorly looks the part.

This rangy three-year-old gelding by Great Britain has snuck into the handicap with the minimum weight. In his penultimate start over this course and distance in the Grade 3 Lebelo Handicap he was up with the pace, but then hit a flat spot before running on well to finish fourth. Next time out he was fitted with blinkers and was duly too keen early, so his finishing speed was blunted. He was 1kg under sufferance in the Lebelo off the same merit rating than this, so it was a stronger race and he finished only 2,25 lengths behind the speedy and classy Alfolk. The blinkers are now off again, so he has a fine chance from quite a high draw. Last year’s winner Wrecking Ball is speedy and classy and goes well for Jarryd Penny, who retains the ride.

There can be a draw bias on this course which favours high draws so her barrier position of seven could be tricky. Penny will want something to be left in reserve, as was the case last time, so he won’t be able to afford to use her early in order to move across, so a lot might depend on whether the low draws are unfavourable or not. Sporting Monarch has always had a lot of speed and should have come on from his last start nine days ago. He was finishing strongly then and is now drawn near the standside rail. Mike de Kock does well with Redoute’s Choice sprinters out here and Mujallad won well last time. He could be on the up. Tandava is capable of popping up, as he proved last time over this trip. He was held up off the pace and ate up the ground at the finish so off a four point higher mark can’t be ignored.

The next race is a MR 76 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1160m and is one of the toughest events on the card. However, Regal Graduation is well regarded and proved why last time when scooting in by 3,5 lengths in her maiden over 1200m. She is by Oratorio and can continue to improve, so could rise above her 75 merit rating. Weichong Marwing has stayed aboard, a further plus. The dangers could be Penny Royal and Madam Secretary. Penny Royal is back against her own gender and went close first time out the maidens off only a one point higher mark than she now has. She is by Captain Al and is a half-sister to Princess Victoria so should have plenty of scope. Madam Secretary is a rangy sort with ability and is much better than her last start. Before that she went close to the decent sort Takingthepeace and she has a win and two seconds in five runs over this course and distance, so should bounce back from a nice draw.

The best bet of the day could be Written in the second, which is a workrider’s maiden for fillies and mares over 1600m.  She over-raced last time over 1800m, but still finished second to the hard-knocking Tigerlace. She is now drawn in pole over 200m shorter and has the good rider Joe Gwinghiza aboard, so has everything in her favour.

The first is a fascinating race and the connections of the first-timer Var colt Vardo must now believe they landed a bargain, getting him for just R300,000, as he is out of a full-sister to Snowdance. Craig Zackey rides. Vardo will get 2kg from Van Halen, a Oratorio gelding trained by the top trainer of two-year-olds, Corné Spies. This horse won his debut over 800m by 7,75 lengths and could be anything. Another interesting contender is Chimichuri Run by Trippi out of dual Grade 1 winner Spiced Gold. He is a R1,1 million purchase trained by Sean Tarry, whose two-year-old first timers always have to be considered.

In the third race Frankly is a R4 million filly by Frankel and is sure to have racegoers crowding around to get a glimpse of her in the parade ring. Alec Laird usually brings them on gradually, but she was born in early August and has a weight advantage over the winners in the race. Another interesting first-timer is Sea Venture by Dynasty out of the Sportsworld mare Pacific Princess, who is a sister to Grade 3 winner Pacific Charm and half-sister to another Gr 3 winner Stonehenge and a half-sister also to Grade 2 winner Pacific Warrior.

By David Thiselton

KZN Champion trainer Duncan Howells yesterday pulled the plug on all of his runners for Scottsville on Sunday, citing a suspected virus.

Writing on his website Howells said that, “due to the inconsistent performances of our runners over the last 2-3 weeks I have a strong feeling we have a virus in the yard. Horses are working very well but running below their best form.

“We are assessing blood pictures at present. I feel it is very important not to stress the horses while dealing with the problem.”

Howells is not to only trainer in Ashburton battling the suspected virus that, according to some trainers that have had affected horses, lasts between five and six days before recovery.

Howells had three runners entered for the Pinnacle Stakes at Scottsville on Sunday, the field now cut to six runners and leaving the way clear for Mark Dixon’s crack mare Isingamoya.

She was up against top class stable companion London Call last time out, a course and distance specialist, and was also possibly just in need of that outing.

Her only possible danger would appear to be the lightly raced Statute. A facile sprint winner on debut, Michael Roberts jumped the full sister to former Vodacom Durban July winner Legislate up to a mile in the Flamboyant Stake at just her second start, but she was no match for the smart Hashtagyolo and finished with just three behind her.

She is back to a sprint on Sunday but Isingamoya will be no push-over.

Red Chestnut Road had the Summerveld dogs barking his name long before making his debut and after a facile winning start to his career he looked headed for much bigger things.

However, such is the fickle nature of racing, his career went pear-shaped and he has been struggling to win again.

After contesting sprints for all of his career, Robbie Hill finally stretched him to 1750m last time out and he was a touch unlucky to find Wild Wicket in top form and was snaffled late.

Given that showing, the extra furlong on Sunday should not trouble him and as he has nearly bottom weight and is 4kg better off with fellow contenders Celtic Captain and Sun On Africa, he should at least have their measure.

Ashburton-based Paul Gadsby battled the virus with Vision To Kill but it paid dividends last Wednesday and he saddles the sometimes difficult Techno Captain. In his last start over 2400m on Sunday’s course, Techno Captain looked a beaten horse as One Man Show loomed on his outside, but apprentice Ashton Arries managed to rally his mount and Techno Captain staved off eminent defeat.

Sunday’s trip may be on the short side but his last victory was a top effort.

Head Honcho is another to consider after also putting one over the luckless One Man Show. Tongue-tie on and blinkers removed appear to have been the recipe for his improved showing but he could also find this tough going at the weights.

By Andrew Harrison

The South African racing community were saddened by the death yesterday of one of the sport’s most loyal servants and passionate owners, Benji Jonsson.

His funeral on Monday is sure to be attended by many jockeys, as Jonsson was revered by them during his many years as Chairman Of The Jockeys Academy.

“He was like a father to them, he was held in such high regard,” said his great friend of decades standing, Bill Lambert.

Jonsson served as a local executive of the Jockey Club, now known as the National Horseracing Authority (NHA), and also as a head executive of the Jockey Club.

Bill said, “He was always highly regarded as a man with absolute and total integrity and was very fair in all of the decisions he ever made in this capacity.”

Jonsson’s love of horseracing included riding in amateur races in the 1940s.

He rode at such venues as Lions River Karkloof, Hilton Road, Greytown, Isipingo, Mooi River and Maritzburg.

He won a few races and extracted much enjoyment from this pastime. He also never missed a professional racemeeting as a spectator and loved to have a flutter. In the 1940s he kept a carefully compiled register of every bet he ever took and also recorded the gate fee in the accounts record.

In his latter years he would still attend virtually every KZN meeting. He was by this time quite a prolific owner together with his son NIck. Benji founded the successful company Jonsson Workwear, which is now owned by Nick.

Jonsson Workwear have also become loyal supporters of South African racing and among the races they sponsor is the prestigious Grade 1 Garden Province Stakes, which is run on Vodacom Durban July day.

Benji is going to be sorely missed by everybody in racing as a man who remained humble and approachable to the last and his love of horseracing never waned.

A saddened Bill Lambert summed it up, “He was a wonderful, wonderful man … this is just too much.”

Gold Circle extends their condolences to his family.

By David Thiselton

The small Doug Campbell-trained Visionaire filly Cascada quickened in eye-catching style to win over 1600m at Scottsville on Sunday, but it was just an ordinary Maiden Plate for fillies and mares and few watching would have guessed how illustrious a group of French connections and followers she had behind her.

Cascada is owned by French couple Xavier and Nathalie Bozo. They have been breeders for over 40 years in France, where they own a stud farm. Xavier is also a bloodstock agent.

Also following Cascada on Sunday was the Bozo’s great friend Aliette Forien, who bred last year’s Epsom Derby winner Wings Of Eagles. She has displayed an interest in taking a share in Cascada. Another follower from France was the Bozo’s friend Emmanuel Chevalier Du Fau, who trained French Oaks winner Dunette, a daughter of Cascada’s fourth dam, Pram. Dunette’s half-sister Godille, who is Cascada’s third dam, was imported to South Africa. Godille’s claim to fame is that she is the grandam of the Summerhill-bred Gold Cup winner Desert Links.

It was little wonder Xavier believed Cascada should be tried over more ground.

He said, “She ran twice over 1000m at Scottsville last year, but just to learn because she was not ready and was very green. Then she had a three month break and came back to finish second over 1200m on the Greyville turf.”

In her next start over 1400m she was too far back from a wide draw and finished fourth. Xavier persuaded Campbell to put her over further and she was duly entered in Sunday’s 1600m event. Unfortunately she landed a wide draw of ten. However, Campbell managed to get in-form Warren Kennedy to ride her. Kennedy knew the main danger, Two Moon Junction, was a handy but somewhat one-paced horse, so he planned to be close to her in the running. He managed to get on to the flank of Two Moon Junction and Cascada duly quickened past her and then found another gear to fend her off.

Xavier reckons Cascada, despite being quite “hot” and possessing plenty of speed, will stay 2000m “easily”. She looks to have a bright future ahead of her.

She was bought for a mere R25,000 at the Summerhill Summer Ready To Run Sale. The chief reason for the purchase was the Bozo’s recognising the French mares in her female line. Nathalie inspected Cascada in the rain before the Sale. Like some of her French ancestors, the filly was small but nicely put together. So the Bozo’s decided to buy her “for fun”.

The Bozo’s approached Richmond-based Doug Campbell at the Sale and asked him to train the filly, having been told he trained the good Visionaire filly Lala.

The Bozo’s have bred some good horses in France in their time, including the Group 1-winning filly miler Gorella, who was by the British-bred Grape Tree Road (Caerlon). Gorella’s nemesis during her two and three-year-old seasons in France was the brilliant Divine Proportions, who happens to be the dam of Scott Brothers-based sire Eightfold Path.. However, Gorella did win a Group 2 for trainer Jean De Roualle and among her stakes places were a Group 1-second and third. She then departed for the USA to be trained by Patrick L Biancone and won the Group 1 Beverly D Stakes as well as two Group 2s. She was considered good enough to run in the Breeder’s Cup Mile but had no luck and finished seventh.

The Bozo’s first visited South Africa in 2008 to visit some friends and see Cape Town and the KZN Midlands. They stayed at Summerhill Stud and were invited by the TBA to the National Yearling Sale. They ended up buying a Summerhill lot, an Australian-bred by Fantastic Light, for R900,000. This filly, African Love, was trained by Geoff Woodruff and won two races over 1700m and 1600m respectively. Like Cascada, she raced in Nathalie’s dark green and beige colours. African Love now stands at Winterbach Stud in the Cape winelands. Her first foal by Captain Al, African Victory, sold for R1 million at the CTS Premier Yearling Sale (CPYS). In his recent debut as a four-year-old gelding over 1200m at Fairview, African Victory won by 9,5 lengths for Tara Laing. African Love’s second foal, the Var colt Pata Pata, sold for R475,000 at the CPYS. Trained by Brett Crawford, he won his maiden over 1000m at Kenilworth in December.

The Bozo’s enjoyed their first visit to South Africa, so returned in 2009 and without any pre-planned intention ended up buying a small farm in the KZN Midlands. The farm is called Springwater and their goal at present is to buy weanlings, rear them and then pinhook them.

Consequently, the Bozo’s spend a lot of time in South Africa and will be valuable assets to KZN racing. Doug Campbell is enjoying training for them and has already had a TV crew visit his farm to film a piece for a French Racing program.

By David Thiselton

The Greyville poly track does not suit some horses and Parabola (8-1) was a case in point when she caused an upset in the GCC Fast Tracked Handicap at Scottsville yesterday.

“I think it was the switch to turf,” said Peter Muscutt, who saddled first and second in a tight finish, the more fancied Super Sparkle touched off a hairs-breadth.

“She was wheel-spinning on the poly,” added Muscutt.

Parabola was all at sea on her poly debut but apprentice Craig Bantam rode a confident race to narrowly get the better of the stable companion.

However, it was back to the drawing boards for Gauteng Guineas hopeful Fiorella who was having her prep run for the race early next month.

Dropped out to last in the early exchanges, Marco van Rensburg switched her in for a run down the home straight and Fiorella moved past the field in a canter. However, when pressed for an effort, there was nothing to come. “I moved through like she was going to win easily but when I asked her she did not give me the kick I expected,” said the jockey.

Ashburton trainers have been plagued by a low-grade virus over the past couple of months which may account for some below par performances from fancied runners.

“It’s no good pressing the issue,” said an obviously disappointed Duncan Howells. “You are just going to mess up a good horse so it will be back to basics.”

Two others not likely to make the trip to Jo’burg on March 3 are Frank Robinson’s pair of Roy’s Had Enough and Roy’s Riviera. “It’s not hundred percent at his stage but I think we will skip the Guineas and maybe go for the others (races in the Triple Crown and Triple Tiara)”.

“The Triple Crown can take it out of a horse, look at Abashiri, and none of those horses behind him in the Derby have been the same.”

“I might just go for the Derby. Alistair’s horse (Monks Hood) won so well, I don’t know if we will have a chance against him.”

It was a tough day for the starters and their assistants with the afternoon getting off to a bad beginning when Burning Love tried to duck under the gate, damaging both herself and the gate, and having to be scratched. She was followed by Volitaire who refused to load.

In the second, Captain’s Girl loaded first time but according to apprentice Eric Ngwane, his scull cap hit one of the posts and the vet, thinking that the horse had injured herself, called for the filly to be backed out and checked.

From there on the re-loading of the filly became a shambles as the starters assitants danced around like headless chickens and Captain’s Girl was eventually scratched from the race. Trainer Louis Goosen was less than complimentary about the incident – his comments mostly unprintable.

After all the drama, the race was won in fine fashion by the smart filly Vision To Kill, also a victim of the Ashburton virus. “She was really hard hit,” revealed the trainer’s wife, Beth Gadsby.

“I think she was only 70 to 80% fit,” said Paul Gadsby. “But she often comes back from her races with some heat in a her knee and you have to give her two or three weeks off.”

“You can’t keep grinding her. It’s a bit of a balancing act.”

There are no immediate plans for the filly but Gadsby has his eye on the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint in May.

Deshone Steyn, long-time assistant to Sean Tarry in KZN, has called time on his assistant trainer’s license and starts out on his own at the Vaal next month.

“I’ve had 12 years with Sean and I think that’s enough. It’s just the right time,” he said yesterday. Steyn was active at the Shongweni Sale on Tuesday. “I have 10 nice horses to start with. I am serving out my notice and will slowly move to the Vaal. All my family are up there – I’m just not looking forward to the cold weather.”

By Andrew Harrison