The nine race meeting on the Vaal Classic track tomorrow will highlight the question of how difficult it is for horses to win first time out the maidens as the last three legs of the Pick 6 will have respectively fancied horses in this boat.

In the seventh race the Mike de Kock-trained Mawsoof got better the longer the race lasted in an uninspiring maiden over 1000m and won by 4,75 lengths from Ragnarok, who has fair form but likely needed the run as he was returning from a long layoff. Mawsoof made a respiratory noise, which is always a concern. He was accorded a reasonable 76 merit rating but still has to carry topweight of 60kg and faces a field of toughened sprint handicaps. He has been tipped to win only because he is likely to improve, but cannot be selected with confidence especially as he would likely prefer a touch further in time, being by Trippi out of Western Winter mare Besma whose two wins were both over 1200m. Furthermore, the main danger Exclusively Trendy hails from the flying Paul Peter yard and showed fine pace last time out before being cut down late by Brigtnumberten. The latter then franked the form by running way above his rating in a Graduation Plate over 1000m, so Exclusively Trendy looks to be a big runner here, especially considering Anthony Delpech will now be in the irons. Singaswewin won his maiden in his 33^rd career start but off a merit rating of 58 should not be under-estimated as he went close off a merit rating of 59 in a 1000m handicap on the Vaal Inside track in August.

In the eight race Rock Pigeon also won well on debut over 1000m and runs over the same trip. She was more eye catching than Mawsoof as she showed a fine turn of foot and won cosily by 1,6 lengths without being hard pressed. Yet she was only accorded a merit rating of 75, so has a chance here carrying 58,5kg. On the other hand the form of her win has not stood up well. However, although she will likely have to improve further to win, she had been selected to cross the line first as she does not face an inspiring field. Varsity Princess has showed good pace in her last two races with blinkers on. Last time out the only horse to overtake her was the promising three-year-old Takingthepeace, who looks to be going places. Prosperity is an improved sort who has won three out of her last five races and last time she can be forgiven as she lost two lengths at the start. Celtic Lady is a small filly with a big heart and she is 2kg better off with Prosperity for a recent 0,7 length defeat, so she should also be in the shake up, although she is battling to get her nose in front. Claremorris could also have a say if recapturing her best form.

In the last race Combat Muster came from some way back in a fast paced race on Grand Heritage day to win over 1200m. The form has been franked as the runner up Captain My Captain has won since. Therefore, Combat Muster has a chance off a mere 73 merit rating in this 1200m handicap. However, the tip to win is Dawnbreaker, who has plummeted down to a 58 merit rating and for the first time this year drops to the trip of her only win, which she achieved on her debut.

The meeting starts off with a maiden over 1500m and Eight Cities is the choice. He was slow away and wide last time out over course and distance but was only caught late by the promising Middle Path and there was daylight back to the rest. He now has pole position and faces an uninspiring field.

In the second, a maiden for fillies and mares over 1500m, Circle Of Latitude looks to be going places and is choice for best bet.

Her Australian-bred stablemate Yes We Do is the selection for the first leg of the PA as she did not have much luck on debut over 1400m but was staying on and looks likely to relish the step up to this 1700m trip.

In the first leg of the Pick 6, a Maiden over 2400m, The Await The Dawn gelding Before Noon is bred for this trip and is interesting as he was carded to run on Tuesday night over 2000m.

In the first leg of the Jackpot, a MR 68 handicap for fillies and mares over 2400m, the topweight Dalley is the choice as this trip looks ideal and being a five-year-old mare by Ideal World she is likely to be coming into her own.

By David Thiselton

Pure Logic, out of the money only twice in a dozen starts, can help punters out at a decent price when he lines up in the Itsarush.co.za Handicap on the Greyville turf today. It is a race where nothing is cut-and-dried with the ante-post favourite on offer at 5-2 but Pure Logic has that come-on look about him and off bottom weight, if not winning, should at least give a good account of himself.

His jockey, Jarred Samuel, is a hard-working and useful light-weight rider who makes the most of every bone that’s he’s thrown although there were a few grumpy punters last Friday with Blue Jasmin arriving at 55-1. “I knew she had improved in blinkers, but not by that much,” he laughed while being ragged by his colleagues yesterday.

Pure Logic will not start at those odds but the result could be the same although Dean Kannemeyer’s other runner, One Man Show, bidding for a winning hat-trick, is likely to be the more fancied of the pair.

Pure Logic has been lightly raced this year, this being only his fifth start and his fourth after quite a lengthy break and gelding. He was beaten a long way by One Man Show at Scottsville back in September but followed up with a much better effort behind Viento when back on the poly.

He’s returns to the turf today, has a light weight over his optimum trip and could have the measure of his more fancied rivals.

The dangers are many but Liquid Rainbow has not been out of the first two in his last five starts and can follow up on his narrow win on the poly when tried in blinkers for the first time. He goes equally well on the turf and with a handy weight should be competitive again.

Of the others, One Man Show has been racing over further, Saint Marco Goes the trip for the first time, Chrome Blue comes off a lengthy break leaving Roy Had Enough who should come on from his recent pipe-opener and will be more competitive over this trip.

In the opening leg of the PS, Kinsky’s Crusade may just have been short of peak fitness when returning from a break on the quick poly surface and can make amends in the second. Corrine Bestel’s filly had shown promise in a couple of competitive maiden fields before that and from a good draw and back on the turf looks the part.

If there is to be an upset it could come in the form of Dunzie who made an eye-catching debut for Duncan Howells and should come on lengths from that opening effort.

Blaze Of Gold has the worst of the draw in the first leg of the Pick 6 but has improved with every outing and should be good enough to beat home some well exposed older horses that include Asian Star and Mighty Mississippi, his most likely danger being Volcanic Sunset from the Sean Tarry yard.

Alraune has put in two smart efforts since arriving in KZN, first in a million rand feature and then a close-up second to the well-regarded Lady Val last time out. Barring a springer amongst the first timers, Gavin van Zyl’s filly looks a safe PA banker in the fourth.

Mark Dixon is never one to rush his charges and it pays dividends more often than not. The Dixon-trained She’s A Dream was a late starter but won well at second time of asking last month and can follow up in the fifth. Chamber Maid looks the most obvious danger but if this pair does not run up to expectations then things get difficult as there should be very little separating Just Rap, Noodle and Princess Analia while River Ayre pulled up lame last start but had more than useful form before that.

Zen Arcade was deemed good enough by Louis Goosen to make the trip to Turffontein this weekend for the Graham Beck Stakes so Ryker, a close-up second to Zen Arcade last time out, will have plenty of supporters in the sixth.

By Andrew Harrison

…having equalled the late American trainer Bobby Frankel’s previous record of 25 last weekend.

To most O’Brien is a neatly dressed, bespectacled man who is fortunate to train for the owners of Coolmore, which has become arguably the greatest stud operation in history.

However, an article written a couple of years ago by non-racing journalist Conor Pope highlights the incredible attention to detail, which goes into O’Brien’s operation.

On Saturday O’Brien’s charge Saxon Warrior won the Racing Post Trophy for two-year-olds over the straight mile at Doncaster under Ryan Moore.

The Japanese-bred colt by Deep Impact is duly favourite for next year’s Epsom Derby.

O’Brien first broke this record in 2001 with 23 Group 1 winners, but Frankel surpassed it in 2003.

The Ballydoyle farm O’Brien trains out of was made famous by the legendary trainer Vincent O’ Brien, whose purchasing and training skills played a large part in making Coolmore what it is today.

The main gallop at Ballydoyle is based on the turns and undulations of Epsom Downs racecourse, so it is hardly surprising Vincent won six Epsom Derby’s and Aiden O’Brien has already joined him on that number.

O’Brien said humbly to Pope, “I’m just a small part of a massive team. You can have the place and the horses but you need the team working together. It is all about the people.”

However, after reading Pope’s article a more accurate statement would be, “It’s all about the leader of the team.”

In the evening at Leopardstown racecourse, Pope was anticipating the first race, where O’Brien had a filly making her debut. O’Brien said, “I want her to think she’s the best.”

Pope elaborates, “He doesn’t think she’ll win but he wants her to enjoy the experience. She’ll win next time.”

However, before the filly runs, the horse in a neighbouring stall takes fright. O’Brien’s filly gets jumpy in turn. Watching from high in the stands, O’Brien is straight on the phone to his people on the ground. “Take her home. Take her home now and be gentle,” he tells them.

Pope wrote, “She’ll run again, but only when conditions are perfect. Because for O’Brien perfection is the goal. It might be impossible but there’s no one getting closer than he is.”

At dawn Pope had arrived at the stable complex where 40 jockeys, including all four O’Brien children, were getting ready to ride out on mounts selected for them the night before by the maestro trainer.

Pope notices the FM breakfast show booming from speakers hanging from the barn walls and asks O’Brien’s wife Annemarie whether the jockeys like the radio. “It’s not for them, it’s for the horses. When they hear it in the morning, they know it’s time to work. Then at around 12.30pm they’ll have lunch and the radio goes off and they’ll know it’s time to rest.”

O’Brien then arrives and comments, ““They’re really relaxed right now. But if something small changes, even a coat being hung in a different place, that can unsettle them.”

O’Brien gauges the horses’ moods as they pass by.

He is joined by Tom Curtis, who keeps a close eye on the horses’ vital signs using heart rate monitors strapped to their chests. He’s checking heart consistency and recovery rates.

But the monitors also tell Curtis what the horses are thinking. Horses are so sensitive to their surroundings and Curtis so tuned in to their sensitivities that if a horse is paired with a new jockey or is having a bad day for some other reason, the subtle shift in its heart rhythms will alert him.

O’Brien addresses each jockey by name. Every horse has a different schedule and O’Brien remembers their specific requirements without referring to notes.

“It’s just what I do,” he says when asked about his memory.

O’Brien’s in constant contact with jockeys and ground staff through walkie-talkies. The first gallop done, he addresses each rider by name again. “All good Aidan” they respond.

O’Brien leaps into his black Land Rover and races to another track. “I want to get there quickly,” he explains. “I don’t want the horses waiting. I don’t want them getting anxious.”

“It’s all about the horses. Always,” write Pope.

At this session O’Brien drives alongside, watching every muscle and sinew move. All sessions are taped and jockeys’ thoughts recorded as they dismount.

“The attention to detail is extraordinary,” writes Pope.

Later, O’Brien discusses horse psychology. “When you think something, they feel it. They’re remarkable. They feel everything. You can see the disappointment in their faces when they lose or when something’s not right. You’d pull a horse out of a race if his mood wasn’t right.”

They pass a colt having its morning shower.

“See how happy he is,” O’Brien says with a smile. “You can tell straight away if a horse is feeling down. He’s not feeling down.”

Later he points to top horse Gleneagles. He’s the only one with his bridle removed. “He likes it taken off as soon as he’s finished his work. None of the other horses want their bridle off. If we thought he liked being put in that tree over there, we’d do it, whatever they want, they get.”

There is also a horse spa on the farm, consisting of a treadmill and swimming pool, a cold salt water tank, a sauna and a solarium with heated lamps plus a vibrating plate to get horses’ legs warmed ahead of their go on a new underwater treadmill.

O’Brien also has a highly professional relationship with owners, the press and the racing public.

Those who have worked close to the like of Mike de Kock and Sean Tarry would have a similar story … it is attention to detail that separates the greats from the rest.

By David Thiselton

The Play Soccer Pinnacle dominates today’s Kenilworth meeting – some big names return to the fray including the Mercury Sprint runner-up Search Party and Brutal Force who holds the course record for this 1 200m.

Indeed there is talent all the way down the line and the 14 runners boast 61 wins and 90 placings between them although only four have the advantage of a race in the past two months.

Al Mariachi has opened favourite at 11-2 and understandably so. This winner of the KZN Million on July day had stable companion Bold Respect (winner of a similarly valuable race on Met day) a neck behind on their reappearance at Durbanville and is now 3kg better. Bold Respect is a 7-1 chance with World Sports Betting and the sahorseracing computer has him finishing second to Al Mariachi.

“Both are a lot fitter than they were in that race and there is not much between them” says Brett Crawford who is also responsible for 10-1 joint top weight Search Party – “A good horse but it’s the start of his campaign and I think he will need it slightly.”

Justin Snaith also runs three, saying: “They are all nice horses but Sergeant Hardy (10-1) and Bishop’s Bounty (6-1) may need their runs. Heartland has had a race and is more ready than the other two.”

Heartland is the only one of the 14 to have run in this race 12 months ago. He finished last that day and had only two behind him when starting favourite the year before. This time he is one of the outsiders at 22-1.

Joey Ramsden has the biggest hand with four – 8-1 shot Brutal Force, 10-1 chances Macduff and Ancestry plus Attenborough who is quoted at 20-1. Ancestry is particularly interesting as he showed top form as a two-year-old even though he will almost certainly need further than today’s trip. Mayfair Speculators have bought into the colt.

Brutal Force is a cracking good horse and quite capable of overcoming both a three-month absence and joint top weight but perhaps the biggest danger to Al Mariachi is 8-1 chance La Favourari who has won his last four and has had a racecourse gallop – he smashed through the pens in the Matchem and covered the 1 400m at a brisk pace before being scratched.

Dual Merchants winner Tevez, eight-year-old veteran of 41 races and available at 10-1, is invariably a threat in this type of event. “He has had a gallop, he always runs well and I think he will do so again,” says Candice Bass-Robinson.

Lord Balmoral (12-1) has a bit to find at the weights while the gallant Power Grid has the most to do and is the complete outsider at 33-1.

In the first newcomer Perfectproportions opened 15-4 favourite but 9-2 Travel Guide’s experience may give him the edge. However don’t disregard London Spirit as the Kotzen runner has been backed from 11-2 to 4-1.

Red Ginger won pulling up last time and the 16-10 favourite can confirm placings with Leaves Of Grass in the next despite being 2kg worse.

By Michael Clower

Only twice this century have the winners of the Cape Classic and what is now the Western Cape Fillies Championship both gone on to land that season’s Guineas races – but you might not want to bet against it happening a third time after events at Kenilworth on Saturday.

Tap O’Noth made it three out of four in a manner that confirmed Vaughan Marshall’s long held view that this could be the natural successor to William Longsword while fellow Captain Al product Snowdance didn’t just beat her 14 rivals, she annihilated them.

Her four-and-a quarter length winning margin was the biggest this Fillies Guineas prep has seen in more than 16 years, and at 15-1 she served up the race’s biggest shock since Andries Steyn stunned Cape Town with 66-1 supposed no-hoper Our Girl in 2006.

Bernard Fayd’Herbe certainly helped make Jack Mitchell and Gaynor Rupert’s day by producing a masterclass in how to overcome a bad draw. Admittedly he was helped by being on a free-running horse but how refreshing to see a positive approach instead of the usual easing back, tacking across and guaranteeing the leaders a ten-length start.

The trainers of some of the other fillies maintained that their jockeys gave him too much rope but Fayd’Herbe’s advantage was only two lengths early in the straight. From that point on, though, the Cheveley-bred left them for dead and, when her rider looked back 150m out, he was five lengths clear and still coasting.

He said: “I wanted her to extend them and show off her beautiful action. Another furlong isn’t going to be a problem and I think she will come on from this.”

Justin Snaith, winning this race for the fifth time and confirming that the WSB Cape Fillies Guineas will be next, added: “Every jockey that has got off her says she is the real deal. She has everything – pedigree, temperament, the lot.”

Even money favourite Magical Wonderland fared best of the rest but on this evidence she and all the others have a mountain to climb on the first Saturday in December.

Tap O’Noth’s victory might have looked ordinary by comparison but the 3-1 favourite quickened with real authority when asked and his connections are convinced that Alec and Gillian Foster’s years of dedicated breeding are set to reap a rich reward.

MJ Byleveld, also successful on Eighth Wonder in the 2015 Cape Classic, said: “I was caught a bit flat-footed at one stage but he was only gathering himself up. When he picked it up he ran to the line.”

Vaughan Marshall added: “He is one hell of a horse. The winter course and 1 400m was too sharp for him – a mile, possibly further, will be his trip. We will put him in the Selangor (18 November) but running him in it is not cast in stone.”

Undercover Agent was only beaten three-quarters of a length with Corne Orffer reporting: “This was too short for him. He needs a mile-plus and it will be a different story on the new course.”

A full-of-hope Brett Crawford added: “He will improve with racing – he is still a big baby and he never had cover. He could be better given more of a chance. He goes for the Selangor and the Guineas.”

Snaith is thinking of giving the Selangor a miss with Cot Campbell (third) and fourth-placed Sir Frenchie’s main target is not the Guineas but the R2.5 million of the Lanzerac Ready To Run a fortnight on Saturday.

Dutch Philip, last two furlongs out, ran on well to take seventh despite his near-impossible task at the weights and Candice Bass-Robinson said: “We didn’t learn much from that – he had too much ground to make up – but I think he could be a sprinter.”

Interestingly Aldo Domeyer is singing from much the same hymn sheet, saying: “He was only four lengths off them, giving away four and five kilos, but I think there are a lot of sprint races he could win.”

Copper Force, carrying the Etienne Braun colours, earned a tilt at the Queen’s Plate by landing the Pinnacle under Grant van Niekerk who has been stung by recent press criticism, particularly when it made its way onto Facebook. He hit back by going on to land a treble, taking his score from the last four Cape Town meetings to ten.

Guineas hope Eyes Wide Open pleased Glen Kotzen by keeping on to take a close-up fifth in the Pinnacle – “He was rated to finish five lengths off them yet he was only beaten two with the jock not hard on him. It’s the Selangor next.”

Not many people win on their first ride but Sivuylie (known as Levis) Kuse did just that on Gimme Katrina in the Work Riders’ Maiden. “I’m relieved,” declared the 34-year-old but he didn’t elaborate on whether this was because he had justified his own expectations or those of his boss.

By Michael Clower