Andrew Harrison

Cats Pajamas has always been up there with the country’s top sprinters and he gets a chance to show his mettle when he lines up in the African Holly Stakes over 1100m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday and could prove to be one of the better bets on a bumper 10-race programme in spite of facing some speedy opposition under a big weight.

The Rafeef gelding has his first run for Nathan Kotzen and is the second-best weighted behind regular visitor William Robertson who is something of a course specialist.

Cats Pajamas has not been out since late November where he contested a Pinnacle Stakes race at Turffontein when under the care of Frank Robertson and running a commendable two-lengths off the smart Minogue who was in receipt of 8 kg.

Prior to that he had solid form behind the likes of I Am Giant and Gladatorian but his best recent effort was a two-length fourth in the Gr1 Mercury Sprint  at WFA behind Buffalo Storm Cody.

Given that Kotzen has him close to his best, he could take some beating. But as mentioned he is up against a course specialist in William Robertson.

The gelding has been a soldier for Corne Spies, winning 15 races and getting his just rewards when winning the Gr1 Computaform Sprint last season.

His form since then has been a little patchy since but he has been forced to shoulder big weights. He finished second to surprise winner Captain Bombshell in this race last year and given that he is the best weighted, he should make a spirited bid.

Tony Rivalland saddles the speedy King Of The Gauls who finally showed his true ability last time out when sprinting home unchallenged on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly. If he can carry that form back onto the turf he should also be in the firing line as he is super quick.

Of the balance, Convocation is seldom far back but jumps in class and in spite of her light weight she should be out-gunned.

Wild Justice will be looking to follow up on his recent victory when he lines up in the B Stakes, next on the card.

Gareth van Zyl’s colt has won three of his four starts and still looks to be under the handicapper’s radar. However, he is 3kg worse off with Garth Puller’s runner Major Tommie on their last meeting and will need to up his game if he is going to confirm the placings although the trip also seems to be in his favour. Circumbendibus was a winner all the way to the line at his last start before being snaffled on the line. He has come good of late and should be a contender. Dark horse could be Cowboy Country. He is lightly raced and has shown some promise. With his handy weight he should at least feature prominently.

Mark Dixon sends out Master Du Rouvray in the C Stakes over 1950m and the gelding has not been out of the money in his last five starts including two wins. He has a fair weight but looks capable of going in again. Biggest danger could come from High Queue who has been in good form for his new stable since arriving in KZN and finished runner-up at his last two. The blinkers are back on and this trip suits. Spectacular is seldom far back and with a 4kg claimer aboard should be competitive in this line-up.

An interesting runner on the day comes in the first, the KZN Futurity Plate where two-year-old ace trainer Mike Miller saddles Master Magician. The Summerveld dogs were backing long before he made his debut with touts not slow to clock the gallops in spite of Miller and he assistants back in bed before most start work in the mornings. Master Magician was super impressive on debut and was well supported in the market. He could prove hard to beat unless there is a springer in the form of a couple of unraced runners.

Andrew Fortune makes the trip from Cape Town and Blue Steel can pay for his air fare. The Candice Bass-trained gelding  arrives with some promising Cape form and could prove too strong for this field although it is a competitive line-up where Dubai Dude and Eastern Highlands are among the main contenders.

The opening leg of the Pick 6 is an open maiden over 2400m. Day Two has only had three starts  and steps up in trip. He was not far back in a useful maiden field last run and if he stays he should at least be in the placings.  Doug Campbell saddles Peeping Tom who has shown signs of coming to hand at his last two and the step up in trip may suit. Window To My Soul has been consistent over shorter of late and if he stays the extra he will be a big runner.

In the fifth, Gareth van Zyl sends out La Maddalena in a tricky handicap but his filly has improved since being tried over ground and comes from an in form stable with a handy galloping weight. Curious Girl disappointed when favourite first run out of the maidens but that was on the poly. She can make amends back on turf and is one to watch in the market. Fine Wine caused a major boil-over when winning first up out of the maidens but she has made recent improvement. She gets a 4kg claimer aboard and could go in again.

The final leg of the Pick 6 is an open handicap but Fascination was caught late at her last two and only has 51kg to shoulder. Light Of Gabriel landed the odds narrowly when coming from a long way back to snaffle Fascination on the line. She is now 2kg worse off but given her style of racing, she can deny the handicap as she is lightly raced and still improving. Tomyris goes back to sprinting but is smart on her day. This may be on the short side but she is definitely not out of it. Winter Rainfall has not been out of the money since arriving in KZN. She too is better off at the weights with Light Of Gabriel and can send Fortune back to Cape Town in high spirits.

RACE 1

8 MASTER MAGICIAN   3 SPIRIT OF GABZ   6 BETTER NEVER ENDS   4 JAPURA

Summary: MASTER MAGICIAN (8) was super impressive when winning on debut and was well supported in the market. He could prove hard to beat. SPIRIT OF GABZ (3) has had plenty of experience and shed his maiden against winners. He just got home last time out. BETTER NEVER ENDS (6) improved nicely at second time of asking over course and distance. JAPURA (4) has finished in the money at her last two and should be thereabouts again. (Andrew Harrison: 8-3-6-4).

RACE 2

4 BEST OF ALL   1 WINTER BLESSING   8 WINTER IN LONDON   9 GREEN TICKET

Summary: BEST OF ALL (4) found strong market support on debut over course and distance but found one too good. With that experience he can make amends. The filly WINTER BLESSING (1) has not been out of the money since raced in blinkers. She has a handy weight with a 4kg claimer aboard. WINTER IN LONDON (8) was a little disappointing in the soft last run after a promising previous showing. He gets cheek pieces and a tongue-tie.. GREEN TICKET (9) has put in two fair efforts to date and has a money chance again. (Andrew Harrison: 4-1-8-9).

RACE 3

7 BLUE STEEL   3 DUBAI DUDE   4 EASTERN HIGHLANDS   2 TASK FORCE

Summary: BLUE STEEL (7) arrives with some promising Cape form and could prove too strong for this field although it is a competitive line-up. DUBAI DUDE (3) made good improvement over course and distance second time out from a deep draw. He has a plum draw with a 1.5kg allowance from the saddle. EASTERN HIGHLANDS (4) steps up in trip but has some solid recent form over shorter. This trip should suit. TASK FORCE (2) improved in blinkers and a tongue-tie last run on the poly and could show more. (Andrew Harrison: 7-2-4-2).

RACE 4

8 DAY TWO   1 PEEPING TOM   6 WINDOW TO MY SOUL   10 MAGIC HAT TRICK

Summary: Open maiden. DAY TWO (8) has only had three starts  and steps up in trip. He was not far back in a useful maiden field last run and if he stays he should at least be in the placings.  PEEPING TOM (1) has shown signs of coming to hand at his last two and the step up in trip may suit. WINDOW TO MY SOUL (6) has been consistent over shorter of late. If he stays the extra he will be a big runner. MAGIC HAT TRICK (10) has shown some ability and this extended trip could see him improve further. (Andrew Harrison: 8-1-6-10).

RACE 5

3 LA MADDALENA   1 CURIOUS GIRL   8 FINE WINE   5 ZENA ROSE

Summary:  LA MADDALENA (3) has improved since being tried over ground. She comes from an in form stable with a handy galloping weight. CURIOUS GIRL (1) disappointed when favourite first run out of the maidens but that was on the poly. She can make amends back on turf. ZENA ROSE (5) is back on turf but caught the eye last run with the compression mask removed. FINE WINE (8) caused a major boil-over when winning first up out of the maidens but she has made recent improvement. She gets a 4kg claimer aboard and could follow up again. (Andrew Harrison: 3-1-8-5).

RACE 6

1 MASTER DU ROUVRAY   7 HIGH QUEUE   2 SPECTACULAR   8 SHINY BOB

Summary: MASTER DU ROUVRAY (1) has not been out of the money in his last five starts including two wins. He has a fair weight but looks capable of going in again. HIGH QUEUE (7) has been in good form for his new stable since arriving in KZN and finished runner-up at his last two. The blinkers are back on and this trip suits. SPECTACULAR (2) is seldom far back and with a 4kg claimer aboard he should be competitive in this line-up. SHINY BOB (8) may have found his last run too far and is back over a more suitable trip. (Andrew Harrison: 1-7-2-8).

RACE 7

2 CATS PAJAMAS   5 WILLIAM ROBERTSON   4 KING OF THE GAULS   1 CONVOCATION

Summary: Cracking sprint. CATS PAJAMAS (2) is the second-best weighted in spite of the 62.5kg on his back. He has his first run for a new stable and is smart on his day. WILLIAM ROBERTSON (5) is something of a course specialist and has good form in strong company. He should be right there. KING OF THE GAULS (4) finally showed his true ability last time out but that was on the poly. If he can carry that form back onto the turf he should also be in the firing line as he is super quick. CONVOCATION (1) is seldom far back but jumps in class. However, she does have a light weight. (Andrew Harrison: 2-5-4-1).

RACE 8

8 WILD JUSTICE   2 MAJOR TOMMIE   1 CIRCUMBENDIBUS   3 COWBOY COUNTRY

Summary: WILD JUSTICE (8) has won three of his four starts and still looks to be under the radar. However, he is 3kg worse off with MAJOR TOMMIE (2) on their last meeting and will need to up his game if he is going to confirm the placings although the trip also seems to be in his favour. CIRCUMBENDIBUS (1) was a winner all the way to the line before being caught late. He has come good of late and should be a contender. COWBOY COUNTRY (3) is lightly raced and has shown some promise. He has a handy weight and should at least feature prominently. (Andrew Harrison: 8-2-1-3).

RACE 9

13 FASCINATION   2 LIGHT OF GABRIEL   14 TOMYRIS   5 WINTER RAINFALL

Summary: Open handicap. FASCINATION (13) was caught late at her last two. She only has 51kg to shoulder here and can go one better. LIGHT OF GABRIEL (2) came from a long way back to snaffle Fascination on the line. She is now 2kg worse off but given her style of racing, she could deny the handicap as she is lightly raced and still improving. TOMYRIS (14) goes back to sprinting but is smart. This may be on the short side but she is definitely not out of it. WINTER RAINFALL (5) has not been out of the money since arriving in KZN. She too is better off at the weights with Light Of Gabriel and rates a strong chance. (Andrew Harrison: 13-2-14-5).

RACE 10

9 MOHAVE PRINCE   4 CHRISTMAS CACTUS   15 SWORD SPEED   10 MOHANDAS

Summary: Tough handicap to finish off the day. MOHAVE PRINCE (9) steps up in trip but is useful. He has a big weight but should be competitive. CHRISTMAS CACTUS (4) shed his maiden in a competitive line-up and has improved with each step up in trip. He looks progressive. SWORD SPEED (15) shed his maiden at second time of asking at cramped odds. He has been rested and has a deep draw but also looks progressive in a well exposed field. MOHANDAS (10) won well in a race he should have won given the opposition last time out but he is holding form and his chances cannot be ignored. (Andrew Harrison: 9-4-15-10).

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RACE 1

Competitive maiden. (4) KENTUCKY LASSIE has been catching the eye in her finishes and is overdue to win hence she will be the top selection. (5) LAYDELAY has been holding her form and will be a real danger to the top selection. (3) TIPSY wasn’t far on debut and is expected to improve and get much closer. (7) SOMBREUIL has been running consistently and should be there again. (Devonne Govender 4-5-3-7).

RACE 2

(2) AUGUSTA ROSSO ran a cracker in the last start at decent odds, Richard Fourie is aboard and she will make her presence felt in a big way. (1) ROYAL CITY GIRL won a gutsy race in her last start and has been in good form so will be the main danger here. (4) NORTH STAR has been consistent and gets a top rider up so needs to be respected here. (3) SILVAN MISTRESS is capable on her day and can into larger perms. (Devonne Govender 2-1-4-3).

RACE 3

(3) FRENCH FLAME is holding solid form and will be a strong contender here from a top draw. (2) LAGUNA VERDE ran a cracker in the last start and will be a big danger to the top selection, he is capable of a big finish on his day and can win this. (6) WILD FIG has been racing consistently and another decent run can be expected. (8) KING RAHUL gets the claimer up and will have light mass on his back which makes a contender here. (Devonne Govender 3-2-6-8).

RACE 4

(1) ONE DANCE ran a cracker in her last start at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. She now goes 1400m and will have an outstanding chance here. It must be noted Cape form stands up strong in the province hence she is the top selections. (4) TWILIGHT BAY ran well in her last start, she will be a big challenger if repeating that last run. (9) JUST ONE KISS ran a cracker and needs to be respected here, although her overall form isn’t the most reliable she can feature. (7) GREENLIGHT DANCER has been running consistently so should be included in larger perms. (Devonne Govender 1-4-9-7).

RACE 5

(4) GALILEO STAR is in great form, he looks progressive and will be the narrow first selection after catching the eye in the last start. (3) ONE TOO MANY has been consistent and another good run can be expected. (2) KINGS AGAIN is another who is holding consistent form and will make her presence felt. (1) SPEED RACER is very capable on his day, with the claimer taking valuable weight off his back he needs to be respected here. (Devonne Govender 4-3-2-1).

RACE 6

Open looking race. (2) IZANAMI is lightly raced and has been racing well, she will go very close to winning here. (1) ALEX MILLER has been consistent and another decent run is expected. (3) FARAWAY GIRL placed at big odds in her last start, she has a much better draw this time and cannot be ignored. (4) ENDEARED won on provincial debut and has scope to go well. (Devonne Govender 2-1-3-4).

RACE 7

(8) KINGDOM OF HEAVEN ran well in the last start and is holding good form, he is capable of a big finish on his day and will be a serious contender. (3) GLOBAL STATE was impressive in his last win, and another huge run is expected. (2) FEW DOLLARS MORE is overdue for another career win, he goes well on the poly and could be a nice value bet. He is capable of doing work in a race and still produce a big finish so he cannot be ignored. (6) KEY NEWS ran well in his last start and won’t be far. (Devonne Govender 8-3-2-6).

RACE 8

(2) GREY WARRIOR has been consistent in recent starts hence he is the top selection, although he has a tough draw here he is capable of winning this. (1) PICK A POMODORO was a sudden improver when running second in his last start, he can win this if repeating that. (3) O SPACE O is holding form and is another who can feature. (4) AETHELWULF hasn’t been far in recent starts and can’t be ignored. (Devonne Govender 2-1-3-4).

RACE 9

(9) CANFORD QUEEN is never far back and will run a big race from a decent draw. (4) PYROMANIAC has been consistent in recent starts and needs respect. (7) SPOIL YOURSELF gets a much better draw now and can be included in larger perms. (8) CELTIQUE will have a quartet chance after an impressive maiden win. (Devonne Govender 9-4-7-8)

David Thiselton

 

Reigning KZN Champion Trainer Gareth van Zyl has closed within one win of Alyson Wright in this season’s race for the KZN Trainers Championship and his chances of retaining it were boosted when the useful former Highveld-based horse Barbaresco joined the yard.

 

The yard also has the campaigns of King Pelles, Imposing, Salani Kahle and thes like of Wild Justice to look forward too.

 

The Laurence Wernars and Rikesh Sewgoolam-owned grey gelding by Gimmethegreenlight, Barbaresco, is a versatile sort.

 

He has class, but also plenty of speed.

 

Van Zyl will have plenty of options with him.

 

Gareth said, “It is an exciting prospect to train him.”

 

Barbaresco is out of the useful Fort Wood mare Negroamaro, who won the Gr 3 Fillies Mile and she was second in both the Gr 1 SA Fillies Classic and Gr 1 Woolavington 2000, among other stakes places.

 

Barbaresco himself has followed in her footsteps to some extent under the guidance of the same trainer, Johan Janse van Vuuren. Like her he has earned many cheques in stakes races, although unlike her he is yet to win a black type race.

 

Interestingly, Gavin Lerena reckoned he would have gone close to winning his penultimate start over 1160m in the Gr 3 New Turf Carriers Merchants had he not been taken out just as he was beginning his run.

 

Lerena was not able to make amends over the same course and distance next time out, because Keagan de Melo has now become the retained rider for Laurence Wernars.

 

De Melo actually rode Barbaresco in his first two starts, both over the Turffontein 1160m course and distance, finishing second in both, and his last start was the first time he had ridden him since, a gap of two years and eight months.

 

Barbaresco was disappointing and unplaced last time, but Van Zyl and De Melo are likely to get the best out of him in his new KZN career.

 

Barbaresco’s best performances have been third in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000, tie second in the Gr 2 Betway Jo’Burg Spring Challenge over 1450m and third in the Gr 2 Allied-Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile.

 

Subsequent to his Daily News run he came in for a ton of support for the 2024 Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July and actually started third favourite at 8/1. However, the distance seemed to stretch him and he finished a 3,50 length eighth. However, he was only a three-year-old at the time and now as a five-year-old he might get the 2200m distance. It will be interesting to see whether the lure of the R10 million stake, together with the longer handicap, will prompt Van Zyl, Wernars and Sewgoolam to have another tilt at the country’s biggest race.

 

Van Zyl does not know what Barbaresco’s program will be yet, but he did speak about the July and was in favour of the longer handicap, which will see topweight being upped to 62kg and bottom weight lowered to 52kg.

 

He said, “It opens it up as it will make it harder for the good horses and will give the less proven horses a chance, it will be an exciting race to be part of. The thing about the July has always been the speculation … in the build up every horse seems to start having a chance even though it’s not the best horse in the race and now it’s going to be even more like that.”

 

A new environment can sometimes bring out the best in a horse and this can not be better illustrated than by the six-year-old Visionaire gelding Imposing, who has won five out of his six starts since joining the Van Zyl yard.

 

He arrived there at the beginning of this season as an 82-rated horse and he is now rated 107 after four victories over 1400m and one over 1600m, with all of them being on the turf except for one on the poly.

 

Imposing shows no signs of stopping either as he won his last start on poly the going way by 3,20 lengths under Van Zyl’s stable jockey S’Manga Khumalo.

 

Gareth said, “We will start asking bigger questions of him and step him up in company and see how he does.”

 

Imposing was obviously well regarded from day one as he was aimed high from day one by his first trainer.

 

He has at last started coming into his own as a six-year-old and shown his true potential, so there is exciting times ahead with him too.

 

Meanwhile, the yard have drawn a line through the Betway Summer Cup run of the stable star, the Equus Champion Stayer King Pelles.

 

He is being targeted at the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

 

Gareth said, “He’s doing very well and we are excited to get him going again. We would like to go for the July, he will just need to do well over one of the shorter distance races to get his confidence back, but the July is the race we would like to go for.”

 

He added, “”The Hollywoodbets horse Salani Kahle looks to have a bright future too.”

 

The Master Of My Fate colt has three starts and won his last two, both over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Greyville, one on turf and one on the poly, by 6,30 and 4,20 lengths respectively.

 

Gareth also mentioned the Vercingetorix colt Wild Justice, whose four starts, all over 1200m, have yielded three wins.