Sean Tarry and Brett Crawford have won three of the last four running of the R2.5-million Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes between them, so it was no surprise to see the two top trainers on the prowl and sharing a table as they watched the pre-CTS RTR Sale gallops at Durbanville on Thursday morning.

Sean Tarry

The auction got under way on Friday evening in front of a packed sales tent and what was to end up the sale-topper came up in the opening 15 minutes, as Lot 5 was knocked down for R1.1 million.

The first produce of multiple Grade 1 winner All Is Secret was always going to command plenty of attention. And so it proved, as her Dynasty colt was snapped up by Alesh Naidoo.

Bass Racing were the leading buyers, splashing out a smidgeon under R2.5-million on their five purchases. Priciest of those was a Dynasty half-brother to Sergeant Hardy, which fetched R750,000.

Justin Snaith has purchased standouts like Sergeant Hardy, Bishops Bounty and Cap Alright at this sale in past years. He said this sale was “like buying a car but first looking at the engine. It also comes a bit later, so you have a better idea how the stallions are doing.”

Most trainers agreed the sale was “strong”, reflected in an average price of R236,279 for the 129 lots sold, and an aggregate spend of R30,480,000.

Bloodstock South Africa also held a mixed sale in Johannesburg this week. A more compact affair saw just 25 lots under the hammer, with an average of just over R50,000.

The sales topper was the currently Mike de Kock-trained gelding Mutawaary, who was sold to Manie Pillay for R220,000.

    –    tabnews.co.za

Gimme Six has a favourite’s chance in the Interbet.co.za Conditions Plate at Kenilworth today and at the weights she is hard to oppose, particularly as she has had a run under her belt.

Last season’s Daisy Fillies Guineas winner was beaten two and a quarter lengths by Goodtime Gal on her reappearance in last month’s Diana Stakes and is now 4.5kg better. “The track was running very quick that day,” recalls Justin Snaith who adds: “She has been doing very well at home.”

Gimme Six

She opened at 28-10 with World Sports Betting on Monday and has since shortened to 22-10.  Snaith confirms that Grant van Niekerk’s mount is regarded as the stable’s main hope but adds: “Francia (25-1) needs further although Star Express (nibbled at from 25-1 to 18-1) could pop up in trifectas and quartets. She is a good mare and, like the other two, she is better in Cape Town than she is in Durban.”

Bernard Fayd’Herbe, who rode Gimme Six in the Diana, has switched back to Goodtime Gal on whom he won a Pinnacle two races back. “She has her work cut out at the weights but she is spot on,” says Mike Robinson of the 6-1 chance.

Gimme Six is only third best on adjusted merit ratings and 7-1 shot Lady Of The House comes out top although she has not been seen since beating the Snaith filly a head in the Woolavingtin at the beginning of June. “She will need this run to get to her peak but she is fit enough to be competitive and she is very well in,” is the opinion of Brett Crawford who is three-handed and adds: “Louisiana (22-1) will just need it while Seattle Gold (35-1) needed her run in the Diana last time.”

Safe Harbour, only just beaten in last season’s Cape Fillies Guineas, is second best at the weights and 5-1 second favourite. She has the benefit of a recent run. “She is in good shape but it’s more of a prep for the Victress Stakes and the Paddock Stakes,” says Sean Tarry.

Lyle Hewitson’s mount is a talented filly and looks a big danger while 8-1 chance Nightingale comes out only half a kilo behind Gimme Six. However this is the Majorca winner’s first outing since her second in the Gold Bracelet nearly four months ago. Candice Bass-Robinson believes she will need it.

Anthony Delpech has already been booked to ride Nightingale in the big races and, as Aldo Domeyer has opted for 9-1 Diana third Whose That Girl, MJ Byleveld gets the call.

The Ramsden pair Epona (20-1) and Captain Gambler (33-1) have it do at the weights as their prices would suggest. So too does Silvan Star who has eased from 6-1 to 8-1. She is set to give lumps to all bar Goodtime Gal. “She doesn’t take a lot of work but she is out of the weights,” Glen Kotzen acknowledges.

Pata Pata is a prohibitive 7-10 in the first but is hard to oppose while 15-10 favourite Vase has Omega Force (28-10) to beat in race two.

By Michael Clower

Impressive Western Cape Fillies Championship winner Snowdance has been installed 15-10 favourite with the sponsors for the World Sports Betting Fillies Guineas at Kenilworth on Saturday week. Victory would be the fifth win in the classic for Justin Snaith and the second for Bernard Fayd’Herbe.

Magical Wonderland, who started favourite in last month’s Grade 2 but has over four lengths to make up, is second favourite at 11-2 with Lady In Black and the Mike de Kock-trained Silver Thursday both on 10-1.

Legal Eagle (Liesl King)

Legal Eagle is 11-10 favourite to repeat last year’s win in the WSB Green Point Stakes with the Brett Crawford pair Captain America and Edict Of Nantes next on 9-2, while De Kock’s Naafer is favourite at 7-1 for the WSB Cape Merchants on the same card.

Meanwhile the Western Cape Equine Trust is switching the emphasis from raffles to auctions for its fundraising meeting at Kenilworth this Saturday.

Star prize is a trip for two to next year’s Epsom Derby. Kuda Insurance is paying for the air tickets, WCET chairman Ken Truter is footing the bill for accommodation in a London hotel and race sponsors Investec  (Bernard Kantor) provide VIP raceday hospitality as well as free admission.

The whole lot will be auctioned as one package mid-afternoon and anyone can bid, not just those at the R375 lunch. Other items to be auctioned include a game drive at the former Arc-En-Ciel stud near Wellington.

Aldo Domeyer, who rides in all eight races, has been hit with a R7 500 fine for an inexplicable loss of weight at Durbanville a month ago. After finishing fifth on Sassy Lady in the 1 000m fillies handicap he weighed in light by more than the permitted half kilo. It was a hot day and a number of jockeys came back in with sweat pouring down their faces but, other than that, Domeyer was unable to account for the loss of weight.

The stipes held a lengthy inquiry and their report, issued on Saturday evening, stated that they held Domeyer responsible. The fine was R15 000 but half is suspended for 12 months. His mount was disqualified.

By Michael Clower

Pietro Mascagni is a well-bred colt by Silvano and is held in high regard. He was accorded a surprisingly low merit rating of 79 after his excellent winning debut over 1160m at Turffontein. He is out of a full sister to the champion Ice Cube and Jagged Ice, who were both top class over a mile. Coupled with Silvano’s influence, he will relish the step up in trip and has a plum draw of four. Champion Jockey Anthony Delpech, who rode him in his debut win, is retained by Wilgerbosdrift Stud, who have Monks Hood in the race. Therefore, former champion jockey Gavin Lerena is a significant booking. Pietro Mascagni looked professional on debut and should handle the turn from a plum draw of four. The Mike de Kock yard are in top form and have an incredible strike rate of 22,35% this season.

Big Bear (Candiese Marnewick)

Big Bear was most impressive when spread-eagling the field in The Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup over 1400m. He is a galloping type who has a deceptive turn of foot and will also relish the step up in trip. Against him is a draw of twelve, while the Sean Tarry yard are also going through a rare dry spell. However, Tarry runs a highly professional operation and it would be no surprise to see his runners doing well this week and the yard can then go into Saturday with confidence.

The De Kock-trained Alshibaa is by the great sire Street Cry and is unbeaten in two starts. Last time out over 1600m in a three-year-old handicap on the Vaal Classic track he over raced early as the jockey reined him back from a wide draw, but he then settled nicely and stormed through to win going away off a merit rating of 82. It was not the strongest of fields, but he is drawn in pole under Bernard Fayd’Herbe and could build on that performance. He struck a one who would appreciate a strong pace.

Alwahsh is also unbeaten in two starts and won a handicap easing up over 1200m against older horses off a merit rating of 84 in his second start. He is by the four-time Gr 1-winning sprinter Sepoy, but is out of a full sister to an Australian champion filly who won from 1200-2400m, so is interesting over this trip. He also has a wide draw of eleven and has not run for 88 days.

The Robbie Sage-trained Vacquero took three runs to win his maiden, but followed up when deservedly winning on objection over 1800m last time out against the classy Elevated. He is by Silvano so should be improving all the time and his long stride is eye catching. He will relish the long Turffontein straight and has a plum draw of two.

The De Kock-trained Like A Panther won a maiden over 1600m third time out by 6,5 lengths and followed up by comfortably beating older horses in a handicap over 2000m despite running off an 89 merit rating. He is full of class but looks likely to appreciate further than a mile. He will likely be dropped out from a wide draw of 14 and will be running on strongly.

Monks Hood (Candiese Marnewick)

Ideal Secret stayed on well for second in the Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m and being by Ideal World should both be improving and appreciate the step up in trip. He has a good draw of six and is 3,5kg better off with Big Bear for a 3,2 length beating over 1450m.

Seerite ran on in eye-catching style in the Graham Beck and looks likely to relish the step up in trip. However, he has a wide draw to overcome.

Flying Free found no extra from a wide draw over 1400m in the Graham Beck Stakes, so another wide draw over a step up in trip is a concern.

KZN raider Monks Hood stayed on well for third in the Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Stakes over 1600m on Gold Cup day, despite jumping from a wide draw, but the form of that race has not worked out too well. He will need to step up although Delpech aboard helps his cause.

Another KZN raider Roy Had Enough appears to be a sort who needs a fast pace and he will also need some luck from a wide draw.

The De Kock-trained Puget Sound is held on paper by Big Bear.

Silver God, Darkest Hour and Missouri look held by Ideal Secret and Seerite on Graham Beck form.

Loyal Lieutenant’s form does not look strong enough on paper, but he was still very green in his maiden win and looks a nice, long-striding type who has plenty of scope.

Big Bear makes the most appeal but a lot depends on the Tarry yard form this week. Pietro Mascagni is a big runner too and Alwahsh, Alshibaa, Vacquero and Like A Panther should make their presence felt.

By David Thiselton

The Vaal Outside track stages a nine race meeting tomorrow. The draw bias used to favour high drawn horses here but this seems to have evened out and the jockeys were tending to stick to the middle and inside last week.

The highlight of the meeting will be the return to action of the unbeaten Mawshoof, who hails from the flying Mike de Kock yard and runs in the sixth race, a MR 83 Handicap over 1200m. This three-year-old Trippi colt beat a moderate workrider’s maiden field by 4,75 lengths on debut over 1000m and was accorded only a 76 merit rating by the handicappers. However, second time out he showed much improvement and stormed to victory full of running to win by 2,75 lengths. The handicappers could only raise him a maximum of eight points to an 84, but he gave the impression he could rise well above that mark. He carries a nice galloping weight of 55,5kg, although on the evidence of last Thursday’s racing the connections might have preferred him to be drawn lower than seven out of nine.

The main danger could be Arabian Beat, who was a classy sort as a two-year-old for this yard and won the Grade 1 SA Nursery. He does have breathing issues these days but having won by 2,25 lengths over this trip last time he can do well again with Keagan de Melo retaining the ride. Another classy sort in the field is the three-year-old Laurent Du Var, who beat the like of the useful So Var comfortably over 1000m at level weights as a two-year-old in March. He could run well fresh after a 107 day layoff, having been found to not be striding out in his last start in August. Mujallad is another speedy and classy three-year-old and he was only caught late by the useful sprinters Exquisite Touch and The Thinker over 1000m last time, although off a 92 merit rating he has to give Mawshoof 4kg and Laurent Du Var 3kg. Torre Del Oro has the ability to be in the shake up too.

Lauren Of Rochelle (JC Photographics)

The best bet on the card could be Star Of Joburg, who looks hard to beat in a drop in trip to 1000m in the second race. He showed exceptional pace over 1160m last time and was only overtaken by two classy sorts with the rest of the field beaten by 5,75 lengths.

Fans will be hoping to see the Sean Tarry yard bouncing back to form before the Sansui Summer Cup meeting and he could win the first race over 1600m with Piaget Prince. He showed pace over 1400m in his penultimate start and was then not striding out over 1600m last time. This Philanthropist colt should enjoy the 1600m trip on pedigree and does not have a lot to beat. The main danger could be the well-bred first-timer Circle The Sun, who is by Await The Dawn out of Fisani, a Kahal mare who won the Grade 2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas. She later won another Grade 2 over 2000m and a Grade 3 over 1800m.

Tarry could also win the last race on the card over 1600m with Pachuco. This horse was flying at the finish last Thursday over 1400m when a close sixth and should relish the step up in trip.

The third race is the first leg of the PA and in this uninspiring affair Mizshowbiz and Ultimate Shamrock should fight it out.

In the next race there is a very interesting debutant, the R1,2 million Captain Al filly Penny Royal, who is a half-sister to the brilliant champion sprint-miler Princess Victoria and she does not have a lot to beat in this 1200m maiden. Kitty Coo makes the most appeal of those to have raced.

In the fifth race Lake Kinneret is interesting dropped in trip to 1200m with blinkers on as he fared well in a string Progress Plate last time over 1450m.

The seventh also produces an interesting runner in Lauren Of Rochelle as he was not far off them last time after a tardy start. Weichong Marwing has stayed aboard and this horse has now dropped three points since his handicap debut.

In the eighth over 1000m Ilha Da Var improved to win his maiden comfortably and could follow up. He could beat home the consistent Osculation and the honest little mare Celtic Lady.

By David Thiselton