Ashburton training centre has had its troubles with zebras invading the track in search of green grass this winter and horses and jockeys working on the grass track before sun-up were often confronted with stripped equine roadblocks.

Efforts to relocate the zebras that have multiplied over the years, resulted in a confrontation with local conservationists who put a halt to proceedings but also galloping through the property last week was a herd of a dozen wildebeest.

Zebras (Candiese Marnewick)

But it would appear that Ashburton is not the only racing jurisdiction that has problems with the local wildlife.

racingpost.com reports that track officials awoke to a nasty surprise at Chantilly in France on Tuesday morning when they discovered several wild boar had been having a high old time of it on the racecourse, just days before the Arc trials card.

The boars had dug holes in a section of the track in front of the Grandes Ecuries, near the halfway mark of the mile and a half course which will be used on Sunday for the Prix Vermeille, Prix Niel and Prix Foy.

Ground crews were scrambled to fill in the damage and clerk of the course Matthieu Vincent was quick to offer reassurance there was no danger to the weekend’s action, with the boars having largely left alone the racing line.

“I must stress that everything is fine now,” said Vincent, who in less than a month’s time will be overseeing his second Arc.

“The problem was near the road crossing along the front of the Grandes Ecuries [Royal Stables] but almost all on the outside, stretching for about 50 metres.

“As far as the inside line of the track is concerned, near the rail, there were a few minor traces of activity, but it was nothing really. Everything has now been made good.”

Chantilly is set amid sprawling forest and it is not the first time Vincent and his team have had to confront the boars, who were caught in the act of digging up a section of the Piste des Reservoirs training gallop last October.

It would be no surprise to see sanglier become the dish of the day in the racecourse panoramic restaurant on Sunday.

Horse racing is a fickle mistress and injury, be it horse or jockey, can suddenly be career ending. But perseverance often pays dividends and although apprentice Dennis Schwarz will have had outstanding support and re-hab from the South African Jockey Academy, it is often easier for a young lad to throw in the towel after a career-threatening injury.

Schwarz lost his 4kg claim quickly once trainers cottoned on to his potential and he was on a roll towards the end of last season. But a serious knee injury saw him side-lined for close on six months.

It has taken some time for Schwarz to get back to riding fitness and trainers to pick up on the fact that he was one of the more promising youngsters but he gave notice that he is back with a double at Scottsville yesterday, boosting his seasonal tally to four.

Art Attack (Candiese Marnewick)

His first came on the battling maiden Chilli Affair for Alyson Wright as the six-year-old finally got his act together, much to many punters chagrin, as he got first run on hot favourite Coys and kept rolling to the line.

From a tricky draw, Anthony Delpech was hung out like the washing for most of the early exchanges unable to get close to the rail, and in the straight was not helped as Coys kept looking to run off a straight course.

Schwarz, replacement for fellow apprentice Diego d Gouveia, produced another enterprising ride on out-sider La Gitano in the Track & Ball Gaming Handicap for Tony Rivalland to hold off Captains Moll with favourite Girl In Gold battling to quicken and finishing unplaced.

Ivan Moore was a top jockey in his home country of Zimbabwe before taking out a trainer’s licence and then moving south.

He has a small yard with grandson Darryl, who cut his teeth with top trainer Charles Laird before joining his grandfather, and Art Attack’s victory in the White Horse Function Room Handicap will have been sweet. Consistently place over 1600m but running on empty over the final 100m, Warren Kennedy took advantage of the drop to 1400m, attacked early and pinching a lead before holding on gamely to deny Magic Memory a third straight win.

Delpech had better luck in the second as he produced a well-timed effort on the well-supported Lucky At Last for Nathan Kotzen who, after struggling to saddle his first winner as a licenced trainer, added a quick second after Cumulus broke his duck on Sunday.

Anton Marcus is never one to doubt his ability and an early move on the Mike Miller-trained Fashion Quest paid dividends in the Qualified Maiden Plate. Stepped up to 1600m after a string of placed runs over sprints, Marcus showed faith in that his mount would stay the trip from a tricky draw. Taking up the running before the home turn, he fought off all challengers when at one stage it looked as if he would be swamped.

By Andrew Harrison

Race 1
Preview: THE ROCKETMAN should have a lot of speed being by weight for age Grade 1-winner over 1200m Foxwedge out of a General Niedym mare who won three times as a two-year-old from 1000-1200m, including New Zealand’s richest race, the Karaka Million over 1200m for two-year-olds. He has a plum draw and Strydom is up. MOONEY is improving and was still a bit green last time over 1200m around the turn when running on well. The draw of seven is a bit of a concern, but he should appreciate the long straight and the step up in trip. HARD BALL drops in trip with the blinkers now on and if reproducing his best will be involved. OUTSIDE EDGE has some reasonable form and Khumalo is an eyecatching booking. SOLDAT is never far off and could earn here. MIDNIGHT MESSENGER ran a fair race on debut over 1000m and had excuses last time, so could be thereabouts from a good draw in this uninspiring field. CITY ROCK is by Seventh Rock out of Gr 2 GC Oaks third-placed Santiago, who has produced Listed placed middle distance sort San Trip, but jockey bookings suggest he is not the yard elect. MARIO LANZA is by Judpot out of the Equus champion female stayer Night Diva, who has produced the like of Castle Tankard winner Winter’s Night. (David Thiselton 13-5-3-6-4-9)

Race 2
Preview: SOFII’S MIESQUE made a good debut when running on for second behind a promising sort and she looks to have scope for plenty of improvement. QUICK GLIMPSE ran a fair third on debut after being bumped at the start. PRETTY PENNY is by champion sprinter What A Winter out of Listed Off To Stud winner Magic Penny. ILHA DA VAR has run three fair races and could earn. SAHEERA is an Argentinian-bred by Grade 2 seven furlong winner on the dirt Exchange Rate, but jockey bookings suggest Quick Glimpse is the stable elect. LA BASTIDE is by Dan De Lago out of a Fort Wood two-time winner over 1000m who has produced a couple of one-timer winners. (David Thiselton 15-12-11-2-13-9)

Race 3
Preview: MUTUWAARY is a consistent sort who ran well over course and distance last time. ALL OVER THE WORLD has some class and proved she can mix it with the boys in sprint handicaps last time with a close third.  REBEL’S CHAMP has a touch of class and being a sprinter shouldn’t be hindered by a three month layoff, but he might need to find his feet in handicaps starting off a tough merit rating of 87. HOT AUGUST ran a cracker last time behind a promising sort, despite being dropped out from a wide draw over 1000m on the turn, and that race revealed that hold up tactics might be best for him, although the number one draw can sometimes be disadvantageous here. VULCAN has pace and is interesting dropped down to a sprint again. (David Thiselton 8-5-4-6-1)

Race 4
Preview: CLARET CUP is on the up and can make it a hattrick despite carrying topweight, as the opposition is uninspiring. The pacey QUEEN AT WAR is 7,5 kg better off with Claret Cup for a three length beating over 1200m, if the apprentice claim is taken into account, and could be dangerous over this fast course and distance. GOLDEN ATTITUDE is 3kg better off with Claret Cup for a 2,3 length beating over 1200m and showed pace that time, so should be thereabouts over this course and distance. CATWALK TEASE is 3,5kg better off with Claret Cup for a 4,1 length beating over 1200m and could earn here. QUEENIE is 3kg under sufferance but did look a promising sort as a young two-year-old and if she rediscovers her form in this reversion to a sprint she could surprise. (David Thiselton 1-6-7-5-10)

Race 5
Preview: PILLAROFTHEEARTH is a promising sort who has Lerena up over a suitable course and distance, although making a handicap debut off an 83 merit rating is never easy for a young three-year-old. SECRET HARBOUR was only 1,9 length back off a 90 merit rating on his handicap debut over this trip and off a one point lower mark he could make his presence felt as he likely benefitted from that run. MOSHAV can never be ignored over 1000m down the straight and with Strydom up he can follow up on his latest win off just a three point higher mark. LE TIGRE is 1kg better off with Moshav for a 0,8 length beating and if things go his way this speedster always has a chance. MAGIC will be a big runner if reproducing his run over course and distance in July. ROMAN EVENING has often struck as an underachiever and his win last time out might signal him coming into his own, so he has a chance off just a three point higher merit rating. LIKE ASTAIR looks to have some class and can’t be ignored in his first run after gelding. (David Thiselton 6-1-4-8-2-9)

Race 6
Preview: CELTIC LADY has a good opportunity here off a one point reduced merit rating over an idea course and distance. VARSITY PRINCESS has to carry 62kg but looks to have the ability to go close here. BURGUNDY ROSE is disappointing in that she does not appear to find the necessary extra in the closing stages, but she is always thereabouts. AIMEE SWEET is better than her last run and if bouncing back should be right there. PHILLYDELPHIA improved to win her maiden over this trip and a repeat will see her involved, although her 74 merit rating doesn’t make it easy. (David Thiselton 3-1-2-6-4)

Race 7
Preview: DEFY GRAVITY is well drawn over a suitable trip and should enjoy the long straight on the evidence of his staying on performance over 1900m at Greyville on Gold Cup day. EDISSON is drawn in pole and on pedigree should enjoy the step up in trip. STUNNED is a fair sort who has his third run after a short layoff over a trip which is on the sharp side for him, but he will enjoy the galloping track and Khumalo is an eyecatching booking. AMERICAN INDIAN could be anything after his facile win in a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1700m in June and he starts off an 82 merit rating in his first outing for just over two months. MAN AT WAR stayed on well over 1600m last time and should enjoy the course and distance. CASCAPEDIA won on debut over 1400m in April, but made a breathing noise and has to carry topweight in her first outing since then. (David Thiselton 7-5-2-6-4-1)

Race 8
Preview: BECKONING is capable and from a good draw over an ideal course and distance could go close as Khumalo and Gray are in good form together. LEBANESE TRACTOR was a touch unlucky over course and distance last time and should be running on under Lerena. ONAMISSION returns from a three month layoff having shown some good form in juvenile races over this trip, although she does have to overcome an 82 merit rating on her handicap bow, which is never easy for a young three-year-old. (David Thiselton 3-1-2-9-6)

The Turffontein eight race meeting tomorrow sees an interesting first-timer stepping out in race one and there are a number of other intriguing races to look forward to.

The Rocketman is a three-year-old colt by Foxwedge, who won a weight for age Grade 1 event, defeating the like of Hay List, who was the biggest rival of the great undefeated 15-time Grade 1-winning mare Black Caviar. The Rocketman is out of the General Niedym mare Sister Havana, who comfortably won New Zealand’s richest race, the Karaka Million over 1200m for two-year-old graduates of the Karaka Sale. The Rocketman comes from the family of other successful South African-based horses like Brazuca, Rich Girl, Global News and Suyoof, and he was purchased for Aus $126,364. Piere Strydom rides him in tomorrow’s Maiden over 1400m and they jump from a plum draw of two. He does not look to have a lot to beat. Mooney is improving and should relish the step up in trip as well as the long straight as he was staying on well over 1200m on the tight Inside track last time. Hard Ball has shown glimpses of promise and after showing no interest over 2000m last time he is dropped to this trip with the blinkers fitted. However, he does appear to have his problems.

Sovereign Reign

One of the most interesting races on the card is the seventh, a Novice Handicap over 1800m. Defy Gravity was staying on resolutely over 1900m at Greyville last time for a 5,25 length fourth. Two promising horses, Roy Had Enough and Opera Royal, were the front pair there, so he could feature over a course and distance he should enjoy from a good draw. However, it is an open race. Edisson covers quite a lot of ground and on pedigree might well enjoy the step up in trip. He is by Vodacom Durban July winner Bold Silvano and his dam, an Argentinian-bred by Orpen called She’s So Cold, won on debut over 1200m as a juvenile and next time out went close over 1500m.

Edisson did not enjoy much luck last time when staying on from near the back over 1450m on the Inside track and gave the impression he would prefer this more galloping track. Stunned would likely prefer further, but S’Manga Khumalo has been doing well for St. John Gray and this horse has dropped to a competitive merit rating. He should enjoy this galloping track too. The one who could prove to be a cut above the rest in time is the three-year-old American Indian, who won a Maiden Juvenile Plate by 4,4 lengths over 1700m at the Vaal in June and the third placed horse was a further six lengths back. However, the form is questionable and Defy Gravity did beat him, albeit by a short-head in an earlier meeting over 1600m.

Furthermore, Defy Gravity had a run at the end of July, while American Indian has not run since June. On the other hand American Indian does appear to be a more scopey sort. Both have hard tasks running off 82 merit ratings as young three-year-olds. Man At War stayed on well over 1600m last time from a favourable draw on the Vaal Outside track and this rangy type looks likely to enjoy the step up in trip and the galloping track. He does have a tough draw though. Cascapedia won on debut over 1400m in April, but made breathing noises and hasn’t run since. She has a tough task carrying topweight against the boys, although she has been given a Northern Hemisphere allowance as an Irish-bred who is six months younger than her four-year-old contemporaries.

The best bet has been chosen as Sofii’s Miesque in the second as she looked to have scope in her good debut over this 1160m course and distance and she is being ridden by the unstoppable S’Manga Khumalo.

Beckoning, running in the last, is not the most reliable, but Khumalo and St. John Gray team up with her in the last over 1400m. This capable sort is ideally course and distance suited and is chosen as the value bet.

Celtic Lady has been made a PA banker in race 6 over 1000m as she has proven competitive off her lowered merit rating and she has come down a further point. This is an ideal course and distance and Gavin Lerena is aboard.

By David Thiselton

Record-priced R6 million purchase, Silver Coin, may yet make it into the big time despite his flop in the Langerman.

Hopes were high when the Silvano half-brother to Halve The Deficit made a winning debut in early April and he started favourite for the Langerman only to finish plumb last. There was an excuse – the veterinary examination ordered by the stipes revealed that the colt was not striding out behind – but seemingly there was more to it than that.

Silver Coin (Wayne Marks)

Joey Ramsden said: “The run was too bad to be true. He obviously had something not right but he faced an impossible task. He could have done with another run up the straight and the race came at the end of a spell of elevated temperatures when our horses weren’t running up to their best.”

The colt was given a break afterwards but he is now back in although Ramsden has yet to decide when he will reappear. However Dan Katz, making a hot start to his second training career with three winners in as many meetings, has his eye on Graded targets for Dex Dexter who made it two out of three when quickening well to land a mile handicap at Kenilworth a week ago.

Katz said: “I must keep my feet on the ground but I really do believe I’ve got something in Dex Dexter. Jason Smitsdorff told me that he thought Commander Bond had him beaten last week. Then he gave his horse a smack and it was all over.

“I would eventually like to run him against good horses in something like the Green Point but he is only rated 76 and he will have to tell me he is good enough by winning his next two starts.”

By Michael Clower