David Thiselton

VAUGHAN MARSHALL sends out two horses with proven class, Rascallion and Linebacker, and an outsider he is quietly confident about, Dubai Lights, in an attempt to land his second Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear Cape Derby on Saturday at Kenilworth ten years after he landed his first.

Marshall won the Cape Derby in 2011 with 22/1 outsider Top Seller, who was by the stallion who has been the foundation of his yard’s success, Al Mufti.

The latter was of course the sire of Captain Al, whom Marshall trained to Grade 1 glory and who later provided him with a number of Grade 1-winning sons and daughters. 

It is not surprising that both of Marshall’s chief runners on Saturday have the Al Mufti influence.

Rascallion, who is by Vercingetorix, is out of Jet Master mare Sofala, whose damsire is Al Mufti.

Linebacker is by a son of Captain Al, Captain Of All.

LInebacker, a big, long-striding individual, finished second last time out in the Grade 1 Cape Guineas. 

However, he does have a stamina doubt on pedigree for Saturday’s 2000m race.

Marshall said, “We are all in the same boat wondering whether he will get the trip but I hope his class carries him through.”

Captain Of All was a top class sprinter, but has thrown some horses who stay, for example Shango, who won the Dingaans and finished second in the SA Derby. 

Linebacker is out of Australian-bred Redoute’s Choice mare Thin Red Line, whose two career wins were both over 1000m, but she did race mainly over a mile and she also had a third over 1800m and a second over 2000m.    

In the Cape Guineas Linebacker was caught wide but still relaxed well and stayed all the way to the line. The run suggested he is easy to switch off and Grant van Niekerk, who replaces Donovan Dillon, will thus have hope he stays. However, he does have another tough draw of 12. 

Rascallion ran un unlucky third in the Cape Guineas, having had to be snatched up halfway down the straight when sandwiched between a couple of horses before rallying to finish just 2,75 lengths back.

Last time out in the Grade 3 Politician Stakes over 1800m he came from near the back to run a 2,75 length third. He was not finding as much as either the winner Kommetdieding or the runner up Legitimate at the line, but was wearing first-time blinkers that day and they have been dispensed with for the Derby.

He was running at level weights with Kommetdieding in the Politician and gave Legitimate 6kg.

Rascallion is by Vercingetorix, who appears to be all about speed, unlike his sire Silvano.

However, Rascallion’s dam Sofala should provide him with enough stamina as her six wins include five over 1800m and she also finished second once over 2600m. 

Marshall said, “I am not at all worried about him staying and think he is a big runner.”

He jumps from draw 4 and Anton Marcus retains the ride.

Dubai Lights is by Gimmethegreenlight out of the Marshall-trained Dubai Destination mare Dubai Gina, whose four wins include two races over 2400m and one of them was at Listed level. He has already proved he stays this trip but has a tough task on paper considering he was receiving 3kg from Kommetdieding in the Politician and was beaten 7,70 lengths. He also has to overcome a wide draw of ten.

However, Marshall was bullish and said, “He has been working very well at home and I would not be surprised if he finishes in the money.” Luke Ferraris rides.

Marshall was very happy with the preparations of all three runners and concluded, “I could not have them any better.”     

THE second leg of the WSB SA Triple Crown and the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara will be staged at Turffontein on Saturday 6 March and both first leg winners will be in action in their respective races. 

Malmoos, who triumphed in the Grade 2 World Sports Betting Gauteng Guineas, has been entered for the Grade 1 WSB SA Classic over 1800m on the Standside track, while War Of Athena, who claimed the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas, will be in action in the Grade 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic.  

However, in both cases, their main rivals who were the runners-up in their respective events, will be there to ensure victory will not come easily. Mike de Kock-trained Malmoos beat Catch Twentytwo by a neck and Paul Peter’s charge will be looking to avenge that defeat. 

War of Athena and Anything Goes are currently considered the two best three-year-old fillies on the Highveld and they will go at it again in the Fillies Classic. War Of Athena, trained by Paul Matchett, took top honours in the Fillies Guineas to level the head-to-head 2-2 with Stuart Pettigrew’s charge and Anything Goes will no doubt be fighting to edge ahead of her arch-rival once again.  

Johan Janse van Vuuren has nominated Guineas third and fourth Copper Mountain and Second Base respectively. The latter found plenty support in the Guineas but will no doubt prefer the extra 200m this time around.       

In the SA Fillies Classic De Kock could throw a spanner in the works with lightly raced Sparkling Water, a well-bred daughter of Silvano who has won two of her three races.   

A Pick 6 carryover of R1-million has already been announced for this meeting with a likely pool of R5 million. 

Supplementary entries close on Monday 1 March with declarations on Tuesday 2 March.   

NOMINATIONS 

WORLD SPORTS BETTING S A CLASSIC (Grade 1) (2nd Leg of WSB SA Triple Crown) R750,000 1800m 

1 AL MUTHANA (M F De Kock) 60.0 

2 BINGWA (D Sham) 60.0 

6 BOLD JAZZ (P F Matchett) 60.0 

9 CATCH TWENTYTWO (P A Peter) 60.0 

5 COPPER MOUNTAIN (J J van Vuuren) 60.0 

10 FLYING CARPET (S G Tarry) 60.0 

3 KINGSLEY’S HEART (W H Marwing) 60.0 

7 MALMOOS (M F De Kock) 60.0 

4 SECOND BASE (J J van Vuuren) 60.0 

8 SHAH AKBAR (S G Tarry) 60.0 

WILGERBOSDRIFT S A FILLIES CLASSIC (Grade 1) (2nd Leg Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara) R700,000 1800m 

1 ANYTHING GOES (S T Pettigrew) 60.0 

5 ASTRAL PLANE (G M Alexander) 60.0 

9 CARALLUMA (S G Tarry) 60.0 

7 GEE FOR GO (P F Matchett) 60.0 

4 MAGICAL FLIGHT (S G Tarry) 60.0 

6 MISS ELEGANCE (M N Houdalakis) 60.0 

10 NETTA (P A Peter) 60.0 

2 ONLY THE BRAVE (P F Matchett) 60.0 

11 QUEEN BOMI (P F Matchett) 60.0 

3 SPARKLING WATER (M F De Kock) 60.0 

8 WAR OF ATHENA (P F Matchett) 60.0 

David Thiselton

THE Vaal stages an interesting nine race meeting today and it offers something for both exotic and on-the-nose punters. 

Grappler is made the best of the day and races in the first event over 1000m.

 This Trippi gelding is out of a placed Fort Wood mare who is a half-sister to dual Grade 1 winner Slumdogmillionaire.

Last time in her second start she was not too well away and had a lot of ground to make up at the business end. However, she stayed on strongly and in the end failed by just 0,20 lengths.

Quenetra will be an interesting runner as he finished just 4,50 lengths behind the smart Bartholdi last time over 1160m and the form has worked out well as he had subsequent winner Double Martini and subsequent dual winner Godswood behind him.

The first-timer South Boy should have some speed. He is an Argentinian-bred out of a mare by Grand Slam and the latter finished second in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Furthermore, South Boy is by Grade 2-winner over a mile Equal Stripes, who is out of a half-sister to the immortal Empress Club. South Boy is second favourite in the early market.

There is not much between Grappler and Rock The Kazvar on a line through a horse called Sonny Quinn. However, Lazy Guy looks held by Grappler, who beat him by 3,45 lengths last time out. 

In the first leg of the Bi-Pot, Country Mile is selected to beat an uninspiring field despite returning from an eight-month layoff. Sky Kingdom is the danger having improved considerably since dropped down to this minimum trip with blinkers on. Magic Choice ran well over this trip on debut and after disappointing over 1200m he could be a threat back at this trip. 

In the first leg of the PA over 1000m, Lagertha is still a maiden but she proved she is off a competitive mark in her last start over 1200m in a handicap and the form has been franked. She usually runs handy so should enjoy this step down in trip.

Ramsay is in fine form and will also appreciate the step down in trip. The hard-knocking Ice Eater can’t be ignored either as he goes well for claimer Cole Dicken. Saviour beat the like of Captain Morisco and Garden Party the last time he went over this trip so would not be a surprise winner off just a three-point higher mark with Kennedy aboard, although that win was around the turn from pole position. Alex The Great can never be discounted either. 

In the first leg of the Pick 6, Mind Reader defies her small size as she is ultra consistent and can go one better than her last two starts which were both over this 1000m trip.

Cape Town horses often arrive in other provinces well handicapped as their merit ratings become suppressed when finishing unplaced against higher class horses and thus the newcomer Freedom Seeker will be dangerous. Southern Charm could also be in the shake up if repeating her debut. She never looked in danger of defeat that day over this trip and won by over six lengths. She has only ever been tried over this trip once since then and finished less than a length back off a mark four points higher than her current mark.

In the first leg of the Jackpot, Bella Black has shown promise recently and has scope for further improvement. The two form choices to challenge her are Informative and Corvette Captain, although it must be said this leg has the potential for an upset as there are no stand outs.

In the sixth race over 1200m, Harry’s Secret showed ability from day one but had bad luck with draws. When he finally got a good draw in the maidens over 1200m he scooted in by four lengths. His first race out of the maidens was around the turn over 1200m and he got a bad draw again. Now down the straight again and from a fair middle draw he should make his presence felt.

Putin’s Promise is capable of a strong finish if getting cover and so will likely appreciate the step down to this trip. Battle Force always struck as one with ability and scope so now that he is out of the maidens he could progress further. Louis The Seventh has a form chance of placing. Procrastinator has come down to a competitive mark. 

In the seventh over 1400m, Full Mast has been in good form this season and looks the one to side with over a suitable trip. In Cahoots has always had ability and was a 2,10 length second to the talented Vars Vicky last time over 1450m.

Nordic Rebel was just a head further back and they face each other on the same terms. Putontheredlight is an honest sort who is ideally distance suited but he looks held by Full Mast on their last meeting over 1400m. Seven Patriots is capable of stealing a race from the front but he is returning from an 87-day layoff and has to carry topweight.

In the eighth race over 1400m, the talented Bold Jazz won his first handicap start and has subsequently been running in feature races without being disgraced. Back in a handicap he is the one to beat over a suitable trip. Stormy Winter is a resolute galloper who will be dangerous from the front dropped to this trip. Against The Grain could also be involved in the finish.

In the last race, Irish Rain was handy over this course and distance and finished second in his penultimate start. The form suggests he can go one better this time although he could be challenged by Prince Alf and Light Warrior. Nussply and Star Effect can also earn and Enrico Ceccetti is one to consider with Strydom up.  

Andrew Harrison

SNIPER SHOT has come down to a more realistic handicap rating and he can repay his owners for their patience with victory in the Fever Tree Stakes (Non-Black Type) at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday where punters face another tricky card.

Sniper Shot paid dearly in handicap terms for his win the Gr2 Post Merchants and it has taken all of three years since that victory to see his merit rating drop from a career high of 110 to Sunday’s more realistic 94.

With his rating dropping he has become more competitive and was low-flying when second behind Ad Altisima over 1200m on the Greyville poly last time out.

Against him is that he has yet to win over Sunday’s distance but on the evidence of his last showing, with Anton Marcus up and the benefit of a good draw, Paul Lafferty’s runner should be there when the whips are cracking.

Solid Gold is something of a Scottsville specialist, having scored all of his six wins on the track where his trainer, Michael Roberts, won his first race as a jockey.

Solid Gold has his quirks but has an exemplary record on this course. One can draw a line through his last outing when 15 lengths back to Pearl Of Asia where he was ‘done’ just over a furlong out and Serino Moodley did not persevere once his chances were compromised.

He has pulled a favourable marble and Raymond Danielson takes over in the saddle.

The mare Master Keys is another that the handicappers have taken pity on and she comes into this race with a handy galloping weight in spite of taking on males. She has been up against some smart members of her own sex of late and in the past has not been far off the likes of Pretty Young Thing, Silvano’s Pride and Running Brave at level weights.

If she can find that form, she will be worth an each-way wager.

Priceless Ruler is the best weighted but still has to shoulder top weight and was well beaten by Solid Gold when last they met after being sent out an even money favourite. The soft going that day may have been to blame for his disappointing effort so he cannot be written off lightly.

The national lottery has been described as a wager for the mathematically challenged but without a ticket you do not have a chance.

In horse racing terms, the Pick 6 can be similarly described, but your chances of winning are far greater given that very few punters make random choices.

On the other hand, horses with random form often scupper the majority of Pick 6 hopefuls.

The trick is to identify those races that the possibility of an upset result is most likely.

There are some difficult races on Sunday but there are a couple that many will be banking on to help cut expenses.

Abbey Wood will be a popular banker in the opening leg of the Pick 6. Lezanne Forbes’s filly was a beaten favourite at her last two but may have found her last effort too far at this stage of her career. Over this shorter trip she should go close.

Biggest threat could come from Perfect Display who was narrowly beaten on the poly last outing in just her second start in KZN.

The second leg could develop into a boat-race between Grimaldi and Secret Giver as they look to be the two principal runners given form and draw. Warren Kennedy rides for both trainers but Gavin van Zyl is possibly his loyal option. Include both in your exotics and you should make it through.

It gets a lot more difficult from here on. In the sixth, Clinton Binda makes many successful raids in KZN and Phinda Mzala has consistent Highveld form in useful company. With a 4kg claimer up he should make another bold bid. Brazil Nut tried further last run but has not reached his PE form so far. This may be the race that gets him back on track. Letaba had his consistency rewarded last run and only got a two-pound penalty so can go in again while Quant Master is never far off them and won well last start. He should be right there again.

The eighth has a ‘field’ look about it but Alsflamingbeauty steps up in trip from a good draw and has her third outing back in KZN. She is not the easiest but does have ability.

Jackson Wells, Alfonse Baby, Conchita and Song Of The Forest should all be in the hunt.

Punters face a similar puzzle in the last leg.

Shastina won well on the poly last run but does go well on the turf. She took a big rise in the handicap after her last win but still looks progressive. Connect Me has come down progressively in the ratings and has not been far off in stronger company. With a 4kg claimer up and blinkers on, she could be the surprise package. Futuristic Dame has drawn in Woodhouse Road but shows consistent recent form.

Time To Roll ran a cracker first up out of the maidens at only her second outing and is a must inclusion in all exotic bets.

David Thiselton

David Thiselton 

NATIONAL CHAMPION trainer Sean Tarry is set to bounce back to form at Turffontein Standside on Saturday where he has good chances throughout the nine-race meeting.

Many fans have questioned the current form of the yard and Tarry responded, “I don’t think we have the horses this season but they would have a point. We have been a bit quiet. There has been mucous around for the last couple of months and the tracks with all the rain have not been ideal and I haven’t taken any chances. So we have faced our challenges. However, the mucous problem seems to be clearing and we are hoping we will get going now.”

Tarry starts with Social Image in the second race over 1000m and said, “I think she has a place chance.” It could be argued she is the best contestant of those to have raced as she showed pace on debut and has recorded the fastest time over this trip. However, There She Goes looks the one to beat.

Tarry has a fine chance in the third over 1400m with the long-striding Byword filly Diamonds N Dollars and he confirmed, “She made a fair debut and will improve over the extra.”

He could also win the fourth over 1800m with Maple Sugar.
He said, “Nothing went right for her last time and she will be competitive.”
The Ideal World filly has been expensive to follow but overraced over 1800m last time and should appreciate the step back to 1400m.
In the fifth over 1160m he runs his two Grade 1 sprinters Chimichuri Run and Eden Roc and also Captain And Master.
He said, “Eden Roc beat Chimichuri last time but is worse off now so it all points to Chimichuri.”
Chimichuri Run is 2kg better off with Eden Roc for a 0,40 length beating. However, he does have a low draw, which by trends makes his task tougher, whereas Eden Roc is drawn on the right side.
Tarry said Captain And Master would need the run and added he had healthy respect for the bottom weights in this Pinnacle sprint.
Tarry has a fine chance in the next over 1800m with the talented Flying Carpet. The judpot colt has a tough task on paper as he is officially 6.5kg under sufferance with the best weighted Barahin. However, Flying Carpet has class and has not had many opportunities yet to prove how good he is. With 2.5kg claimer Joshwin Solomons aboard he will be carrying just 47.5kg of actual weight. He should enjoy the step up in trip to 1800m and can fight it out with Barahin.

Tarry said, “If Flying Carpet equips himself well I will consider running him in the SA Classic.”

Tarry’s other runner in the 6th race, Cornish Pomodoro, also has a shout.

He said, “The soft going didn’t suit him last time.”

The 7th race is the Non-Black Type  Egoli Mile and Tarry is strong-handed again with Shah Akbar and Invincible Warrior.

He said, “Shah Akbar is better than his last run and I don’t think this will be too sharp. This is a stepping stone to the SA Classic. At the weights Invincible Warrior is not out of it either.”  
Tarry has a good chance in the eighth with Seehaam and said, “She is a nice filly and has that come on look so will be a decent runner. It is her second run after a rest but there has been a big gap from the comeback to this race so it won’t be an issue.”

In the last race Tarry has a chance with Senescence. He confirmed, “She beat a very weak field last time but could not have done more.”

Senescence in fact caught the eye with the manner of that easy win and off a lowly 62 merit rating carries just 53kg minus the 2.5kg claim of Solomons.

Tarry will be hoping for improvement from Encore in this race.

The meeting could mark the turning point for the Champion Trainer.