David Thiselton

THE Grade 1 WSB SA Classic over 1800m has attracted a strong field of eleven and will serve as the latest round in the intriguing battle for supremacy among the three-year-old males.

Malmoos is the leading candidate on the Highveld in the race for Equus Champion three-year-old male as he is undefeated at home and in two out of province runs won the Grade 2 Concorde Stakes over 1600m and was unlucky when unplaced in the Grade 1 Cape Guineas.

On pedigree he should stay every inch of Saturday’s race over the tough Turffontein Standside track as he is a full-brother to Captain Splendid, whose two Grade 3 wins were in the East Cape Derby and the  Lonsdale Stirrup Cup, both over 2400m.

On running style he should also see it out as he ran handy in the WSB Gauteng Guineas and then emerged the victor of an eye to eye tussle in the straight with Copper Mountain and still had enough left to ensure the closing Catch Twentytwo could not catch him.

He excellent gatespeed helped him from pole position in the WSB Gauteng Guineas but possibly worked against him in the Cape Guineas from a wide draw as he ended up being caught outside of the frontrunning type Seeking The Stars. He will thus need some luck from a tricky draw of seven here and will hope the two known pacemakers Shah Akbar and Bingwa run alongside each other or a gap opens for him to slot in.     

Catch Twentytwo was staying on strongly for second in the WSB Gauteng Guineas and did not have as good a passage as Malmoos despite being drawn two so did well to finish just a quarter-of-a-length back. He is out of Argonaut one-time-winning sprinter Ignition Lady and is a half-brother to Fly Away who holds the course record for 1000m at The Vaal. However, he is by stamina influence Elusive Fort which gives him hope of staying the trip. He took a while to get going in the straight in the WSB Gauteng Guineas which suggested he was looking for 1800m but on the other hand he takes quite a keen hold early on and is drawn out in barrier position nine.

His stablemate Dr Doolittle is drawn widest of all. He should be up to this class as a typically progressive son of Ideal World’s who has twice carried topweight to victory in open handicaps over this trip, which is no mean feat for a three-year-old. He is one of three horses in this field who look suited to 1800m but were not suited by the muddling pace of the Grade 3 Sea Cottage over this trip. The other pair are the long-striding Al Muthana, who takes an age to get going in the straight, and Bold Jazz, who stays on steadily over shorter. Both of the latter have enough stamina on pedigree and could be outside contenders if they get a better pace.  

Copper Mountain stayed beside Malmoos doggedly for a long time in the straight in the WSB Gauteng Guineas and was being eased at the line so could have got closer than his 1,40 length third. On pedigree, being by Noble Tune out of a Fort Wood mare whose only win was over 2000m he should enjoy this trip and he has a fair draw of five although Raymond Danielson does not retain the ride. Callan Murray replaces him and Danielson is aboard Flying Carpet.

Copper Mountain’s stablemate Second Base, fourth in the WSB Gauteng Guines, has been at his impressive best over this trip and this progressive, big-actioned horse will have a fine chance from a good draw of four.

Flying Carpet is unfortunately drawn wide as he could have represented good value. He is way better than his last start, his first attempt at this trip, when caught wide and then being rushed around the field. He not surprisingly faded and this progressive horse could still be a surprise package if Danielson, who is no stranger to Grade 1 success, is able to get him covered up quickly. On pedigree he should relish this trip being by stamina influence Judpot out of a Kabool mare whose two wins were from 1950m to 2000m.     

Bingwa has some class but was exactly 2,50 lengths back in both the WSB Dingaans and WSB Gauteng Guineas which suggests he is held. One case that can be made for him is that having set the pace in the WSB Gauteng Guineas and being swamped he then proceeded to stay on as well as any of the four in front of him so he might be looking for this trip. He is by Pathfork and his dam by Century Stand won from 1200m to 1600m but there is some stamina further down the pedigree.

Shah Akbar has become disappointing after an easy win over the useful Nartje over this trip and will have to bounce back from two below par runs.

Kingsley’s Heart should enjoy the step up in trip on pedigree but he has not convinced he is this class.

MALMOOS and War Of Athena will be looking to keep their respective challenges for the WSB SA Triple Crown and the Wigerbosdrift Triple Tiara alive at Turffontein on Saturday.

Mike de Kock-trained Malmoos won the Grade 2 WSB Gauteng Guineas last month and will line-up in the Grade 1 World Sports Betting SA Classic over 1800m, the second leg of the Triple Crown, on Saturday. 

By the same token, Paul Matchett-trained War Of Athena will be looking to stamp her authority on the Triple Tiara with a victory in the Grade 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic, also over 1800m.  

Malmoos, however, will be lining up against Catch Twentytwo, the runner he beat by a neck in the Gauteng Guineas. 

The same is not true for War Of Athena who will not have to contend with arch-rival Anything Goes, as Stuart Pettigrew’s charge did not stand her ground at final acceptance stage.  

Luke Ferraris is back aboard Malmoos and Muzi Yeni renews his relationship with War Of Athena. 

WORLD SPORTS BETTING SA CLASSIC (Grade 1) R750,000 1800m
1 – 7 MALMOOS (M F De Kock) L J Ferraris 60.0 – 117
2 – 9 CATCH TWENTYTWO (P A Peter) G Lerena 60.0 – 116
3 – 5 COPPER MOUNTAIN (J J van Vuuren) C Murray 60.0 – 113
4 – 4 SECOND BASE (J J van Vuuren) C Maujean 60.0 – 112
5 – 2 BINGWA (D Sham) P Strydom 60.0 – 109
6 – 11 DR DOOLITTLE (P A Peter) W Kennedy 60.0 – 105
7 – 10 FLYING CARPET (S G Tarry) R Danielson 60.0 – 101
8 – 3 KINGSLEY’S HEART (W H Marwing) W Marwing 60.0 – 101
9 – 8 SHAH AKBAR (S G Tarry) L Hewitson 60.0 – 97
10 – 1 AL MUTHANA (M F De Kock) C Zackey 60.0 – 96
11 – 6 BOLD JAZZ (P F Matchett) M Yeni 60.0 – 91
Same Trainer: (1,10) (2,6) (3,4) (7,9) 

WILGERBOSDRIFT SA FILLIES CLASSIC (Grade 1) R700,000 over 1800m
1 – 6 WAR OF ATHENA (P F Matchett) M Yeni 60.0 – 122
2 – 5 GEE FOR GO (P F Matchett) S Khumalo 60.0 – 106
3 – 4 MISS ELEGANCE (M N Houdalakis) P Strydom 60.0 – 106
4 – 7 CARALLUMA (S G Tarry) L Hewitson 60.0 – 101
5 – 3 MAGICAL FLIGHT (S G Tarry) L J Ferraris 60.0 – 92
6 – 2 SPARKLING WATER (M F De Kock) C Zackey 60.0 – 92
7 – 1 ONLY THE BRAVE (P F Matchett) K Matsunyane 60.0 – 88
8 – 8 NETTA (P A Peter) W Kennedy 60.0 – 87
Same Trainer: (1,2,7) (4,5) 

Andrew Harrison

IT could be a case of horses-for-courses in the OPEN A tabGOLD Account Handicap that heads up this afternoon’s poly card at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

Duncan Howells has always rated Coldhardcash as top class but his career has been limited by breathing problems. That has not stopped him from racking up six victories and the gelding has always been game in spite of his impediment. He is back over his favourite course and distance.

Coldhardcash was never in the hunt under 62kg on the Hollywoodbets Scottsville grass last time out, possibly the toughest 1000m in the country, and prior to that the extra furlong on the poly found him out the last bit.

He has a plum draw here and although this is a handicap there is little separating the first six in the weights with only Herecomestherain recieving any significant benefit from a light weight.

Di Mazzio is another old soldier and he too is back on his preferred surface. He has been dropping in the handicap and with accomplished apprentice Kyle Strydom claiming he must have a decent chance.

Kayson is ante-post favourite at around 17-10 and deserves his place at the top of the boards. He has been rested but is smart and could well prove too good quick for his older rivals.

The card opener is a tricky juvenile affair with young horses making big improvement as they gain in experience and maturity. Danse Milord has the widest draw but is quick and looks the part on current form. Route Sixty Six is the current ante-post favourite and although a distant fourth on debut she was short in the market. Judged on the betting she is expected to have come on from that. Bingin Beach made a promising debut and on to watch on the betting.  While Miss Quince is the shortest priced of the debutants.

In the third, East Coast Star has been costly to follow but she may be worth another chance given that she’s back on the poly where she has run her two best races. Peter Muscutt has also declared cheek pieces and a tongue-tie in what could be the last throw of the dice. Umkhomazi just needed her last run and should come on lengths from that effort while My Big Vision showed some improvement with blinkers last time out and can feature again.

The fourth looks fairly open as do the balance of the races on the card. Broadway made a promising debut from a wide draw and the extra should suit. He is a smashing looker and can make the required improvement to win here. Decorated has had two starts over shorter and should much prefer this trip. Command Control comes from an in-form stable. He is lightly raced and can still improve.

The fifth is a difficult affair where Theravada and Bernie’s Dream are vying for favouritism.

Theravada goes well on the poly and is overdue a win while Bernie’s Dream has been showing steady improvement in blinkers and should be right there again.  Knights Warrior is the rank outsider in the field but he has been up against stronger at recent outings and 20-1 about his chances may be worth a small each-way wager.

Winter Waves and Fly The Coup are lightly raced and look to have some scope. Winter Waves has made steady progress to shed his maiden and that form has since been franked. Fly The Coup won well enough on debut to suggest that he can take this small step up in class. Majorca Palace and Gentleman’s Way may be worth including in larger exotic perms.

Vivid Jet takes to the poly for the first time and has drawn wide but she came from well off the pace to win first time out after a break. Mark Dixon’s filly looks to be more than useful.

The two older fillies Wizz Of Odds and Georgina Rose are never too far back but a bigger threat could be Stella Act. She was never headed when winning over the Scottsville 1200m last time out and that bodes well for a similar effort this afternoon.

The last could develop into a two-way contest between Preferential and Diamonds And Pearls. They renew rivalry with the latter 2 kg better off at the weights but does have the worst of the draw to contend with. These two look the pick but the betting suggests a difficult fillies handicap. Marsanne steps up in trip and has a smart turn of foot. If the pace suits she will be dangerous while Silva Magic, Vihaan’s Pie and weak ante-post favourite Invisible are all in the shake-up.

Andrew Harrison

TRISTAN MUSTARD, grandson of July winning jockey Leslie who scored on Lightning Shot for Dessie Rich, has taken up a job as groom come workrider for top UK jumps trainer Nicky Henderson.

Mustard has already made a name for himself as a fearless rider, partnering some of the yards more difficult inmates in work. He used to ride Mot A Mot at work but said; “I don’t ride Mot A Mot any more. He’s a quiet ride with a lovely temperament.”

 Mot A Mot made headlines after winning at Chepstow last week when jockey James Bowen produced one of the rides of the season according to the television pundits.

Moments after the start in the Pertemps MPS Maiden Open National Hunt Flat Race, his rein broke. The 18-year-old looked down at the tack problem, which seemed to encourage the 9-2 shot to go faster and take the lead.

Bowen adjusted his balance aboard the grey, firstly to keep the partnership intact, but he then had to deal with the horse veering to his right on the bend.

“There seems to be some sort of issue with the leader who is hanging badly around the turn,” said the commentator.

With just one hand steering the horse, at a top speed of more than 40 kmph, he managed to guide him towards the rail.

Fortunately, the pair were able to navigate the final bend in a straighter fashion, but the drama wasn’t over.

Bowen looked behind him to see where their rivals were and nearly collided with the ‘wings’ that bordered the course.

Mustard was a pleased as punch groom in the winner’s circle.

Watch the race on youtube.

ANDREW HARRISON

THE stipendiary stewards who were officiating at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday, will have had their hands full and we could be looking to import jockeys for the next few meetings. Like cockroaches scattering in the kitchen when the lights are turned on, they were all over the course, whether it be bowling horses out of the gate or losing their compass in the straight.

The stipes would have had a hard time sorting through the culprits in the third. Lowan Denysschen looked to have had a change of fortune when the meeting was switched to the poly track with Crusade’s Star out-gunning the opposition in the second.

Two races later he was cursing his luck as High Green ended up the meat in the sandwich just as he was moving through to make his run.

Replacement rider Muzi Yeni was not entirely blameless as he allowed his mount to shift out slightly but he got hammered from both sides and would certainly have finished a lot closer than he did as he was shunted out of the race.

Anton Marcus was on the receiving end as Prince Karesh go ‘done’ out of the pens in the sixth and his mount never raising a gallop, not that he would have had any chance with winner Valiente who barrelled out of the gate and was not for the catching.

These were just a few instances that caught the eye.

A mile-and-a-half on the turf is a different race to ten furlongs on the poly but yesterday’s switch benefitted Dream Destiny, who in spite of carrying joint bottom weight and still under sufferance, took advantage of the switch in surface and a good ride from Yeni to land the fifth for Kom Naidoo.

  Favourites were in short supply yesterday and there is little to enthuse about in today’s Hollywoodbets Greyville meeting and advice to punters is to tread carefully.  The majority of runners are well exposed but are mostly limited which makes the handicap races a minefield and the maidens are similarly competitive.

But we soldier on.

In the first, Life Goes On was a well beaten second last time out but meets a modest field here and must have a strong chance and could be one of the better bets on the card.

In the fourth, Good Girl has useful form in sprints but is bred to stay this trip. She is lightly raced and if she stays the distance, she could be hard to beat but Two For Tea was deemed good enough to take to Cape Town for the season. She has had two runs back in sprints and should be much better suited to this trip and could prove a threat.