There were two top division Sprint Handicaps on the Greyville poly yesterday for punters to enjoy and both were won by 2,5kg apprentice claimers.

In a MR 94 Handicap over 1200m, the Mark Dixon-trained Scent Of The Tiger started 9/2 favourite and turned for home in front under Ashton Arries. The field could only chase in vain and the four-year-old Tiger Ridge gelding ran out a 0,75 length winner from Great Value and Mr Roy.

Later, the speedy Hashtag Strat was caught close to home by a flying Paul Gadsby-trained Vision To Kill in a MR 91 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m. The four-year-old Kildonan filly’s topweight of 62kg was relieved by the claim of Serino Moodley and she converted odds of 21/2 for her fourth win in just ten starts.

In the first, a Maiden over 1200m, the Michael Roberts-trained four-year-old Dan De Lago gelding Lupo is an impressive specimen and won at odds of 21/2 under 2,5kg claimer Ashton Arries. He jumped from a draw of 12 out of 12 and did well to kick on and win by a comfortable 1,5 lengths, especially considering Arries had brought him around the field from near the back before they had reached the straight. Lupo looks capable of winning more races.

In the second, a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1200m, Torrey Pines started 12/10 favourite and the first-timer Rapid Roxy was backed in from 20/1 to second favourite before drifting out to 5/1. There was also money for the Paddy Lunn-trained Antonius Pius filly Fair Antonia, who had made a moderate debut over 1000m. She shortened from 20/1 to 10/1 and, jumping from a wide draw, tugged Stuart Randolph to the front. She stayed on well in the straight and Torrey Pines, coming from near the back, failed by a neck to catch her.

In the third, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1200m, the Charles Laird-trained four-year-old Great Britain filly Sapphire Petunia impressed in the parade ring and led from start to finish under Tristan Gooden to convert 26/10 favouritism.

Randolph made it a double in the fifth, a MR 77 Handicap over 1200m, when coming from near the back on the Wendy Whitehead-trained 5/1 shot Hard To Play. The three-year-old Curved Ball colt is now unbeaten in two starts.

There was an upset in the seventh, a MR 70 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m, when the Greg and Karen Anthony-trained five-year-old Lion Tamer mare Class Act stayed on strongly from a handy position under Alec Forbes, having overcome a draw of ten. The favourite Tweed Valley failed by 1,25 lengths to reach the 17-1 chance.

In the last race, a MR 61 Handicap over 2000m, punters watched in disbelief as the jockeys who were in a position to do anything about it just allowed the James Goodman-trained eight-year-old Silvano gelding Priceless Gem to escape in front after jockey Doctor Lembethe had decided the pace was far too slow. Not surprisingly, Lembethe kept going on the 55/1 shot and the fancied Viking Red, who was caught on the rail behind the slow pace, could only chase in vain.

By David Thiselton

Legal Eagle was voted Equus Horse of the Year for the second year running at a glittering function held at Emperor’s Palace in Johannesburg last night.

Legal Eagle, owned by Mayfair Speculators, who were once again the country’s leading owners, and bred by Avontuur Stud, faced some stern opposition from the likes of Sun Met winner Whisky Baron, Vodacom Durban July winner Marinaresco and the mare Carry On Alice.

However, Legal Eagle’s victories in the Gr1 L’Ormarins Queens Plate and Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes, plus runner-up berths in the Gr1 Sun Met and Gr1 Premier’s Champion’s Challenge carried the day. Legal Eagle was also voted Champion Miler and Champion Older Male, which further enhanced his credentials.

Carry On Alice, a winner of a Grade 1 in every season she races, finally got just rewards being voted Champion Sprinter and Champion Older Female.

The voting panel comprised of Andrew Harrison, Matthew Lips, Jason Dedekind, Roger Smith, Michael Clower and RA chairman Larry Wainstein as non-voting chairperson. There were a couple of dead-heats in the voting and Wainstein had a casting vote.

The main racing awards were:

Champion Two-year-old Colt – distance immaterial: Mustaaqeem.

Champion Two-year-old Filly – distance immaterial: Lady In Black

Champion Three-year-old Colt – distance immaterial: Edict Of Nantes.

Champion Three-year-old Filly – distance immaterial: Just Sensual.

Champion Older Male –
distance immaterial: Legal Eagle.

Champion Older Filly/Mare – distance immaterial: Carry On Alice.

Champion Sprinter – (1000 – 1200m; age/gender immaterial): Carry On Alice.

Champion Miler – (1400 – 1600; age/gender immaterial): Legal Eagle.

Champion Middle Distance – (1800 – 2200; age/gender immaterial): Legal Eagle, Marinaresco, Whisky Baron

Champion Stayer – (2400 and up; age/gender immaterial): Al Sahem, Hermoso Mundo

Voting Criteria
The awards are based on graded races and in particular Gr 1 races.

Champion Apprentice: Lyle Hewtiston

Champion Jockey: Anthony Delpech

Champion Owner (based on stakes earned): Mayfair Speculators

Champion Trainer (based on stakes earned): Sean Tarry

Horse of the Year Award: Legal Eagle

The Vaal stages a low key meeting on the Inside track tomorrow and low draws are favourable by trends.

Varsity Princess could be a banker in the first leg of the Pick 6 as she has good speed and is still unexposed so should be improving. She has a plum draw and Weichong Marwing is an eyecatching booking. Surfer’s Paradise could be the biggest threat as an improving sort who ran well first time out the maidens

The second leg of the Pick 6 has an interesting topweight in Marmook as he looks to be progressive. It is never easy for a three-year-old to carry topweight first time out the maidens at this time of the year, but he might be classy enough to still win. The backup is Cannes, who is course and distance suited and has a fair draw under Piere Strydom, and Roman Evening, although the latter is admittedly quite frustrating to follow as he appears better than his form suggests and the fact he never wears alumites is a concern. Cold Front and Minnesota make the most appeal of the rest.

Duzi Moon is an interesting runner in the next leg of the Pick 6 over 1700m. He won his last start at Turffontein Inside and in his previous start over this course and distance flew up and just failed against the decent sort Wild Brier. He now has the identical draw. Silver Peg ran on over shorter last time so should enjoy the trip. Elusive Flyer was not far behind Duzi Moon in the Wild Briar run, so is interesting dropped back to this trip after below par efforts over much further in his last two starts.

In the sixth over 1400m, Tokyo Drift has everything in his favour including a plum draw over a suitable trip and off a reduced merit rating, so can defy top weight. Hideway has dropped to a competitive merit rating and this is his ideal trip but there is not much between him and Lauren Of Rochelle on formlines. Crazy Vision has the form to go close if able to overcome a high draw and William Grace has always struck as one with some ability and can’t be ignored off his current lowly merit rating, despite a high draw.

In the seventh race over 1400m Captain Chips is well drawn over an ideal course and distance and is bang in form so should be right there. However, an interesting runner here is Just A Gigolo, who has always struck as one with plenty of ability, but he used to over race in his early days. He now did well over 1600m last time with blinkers on so with the equipment back on over this probably more suitable 1400m he should be right there from a fair draw.

In the last race Juba could surprise and is chosen as the value horse of the day. He was dropped to this trip last time and the blinkers were fitted. However, he raced quite strongly and then found no extra, but was still quite close up at the line, so this trip without the blinkers might be what the doctor ordered and he also has a plum draw. Main Roll has dropped to a competitive mark and Legend Seeker has a good draw coming off an easy win in the maidens. Shine Bright has ability but is enigmatic and All Done could be anything.

By David Thiselton

There are some good horses turning out at Greyville today in the eight race polytrack meeting and the PA and Pick 6 will be popular bets.

In the first keg of the PA, a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1200m, Torrey Pines jumps from draw three and should have too much class here.

In the first leg of the Pick 6, a Maiden over 1200m, the first-timer Clique is well drawn and this Oratorio half-brother to Barbosa should make his presence felt. Of the raced runners, there is little between Sapphire Petunia and Laters Baby.

The fourth race is a MR 94 Handicap over 1200m and Buffalo Soldier makes appeal with a 2,5kg claimer up from a good draw over a suitable trip. Mr Roy handles this trip and with Delpech up from a good draw off the same merit rating as his last win he will go close. Donny G has speed aplenty and will appreciate the step down in trip so will be a factor from draw six. The speedy Miss Varlicious showed she can run on from behind too last time so is a big runner from pole position. Waltzed Home could be a factor if overcoming a high draw. The classy Monte Christo can’t be ignored and neither can Over Sure.

In the fifth, a MR 77 Handicap over 1200m, Var Du Bois has dropped to a mark three points lower than his last wining mark and cracks pole position draw, so he should be right there if starting on terms. Peter Piper has dropped to a competitive merit rating and has won over course and distance from this draw before, so has a chance with Delpech up. Yankeedoodledandy has gone close in his last two over 1400m and now gets the blinkers on over a touch shorter from a good draw with a 2,5kg claimer up. Fire The Rocket is in good from and well drawn over a suitable trip. Wynkelder will be running on from a wide draw and Hard To Play could be anything, but won’t have it easy off an 82 merit rating.

In the sixth a MR 91 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m, La Revere has speed and class and from pole position having her third run after a rest should go close under Anthony Delpech. Old Em is 5,5kg better off with Hashtag Strat for a 3,05 length beating over this trip at the Vaal and is now drawn well. Hashtag Strat has exceptional cruising speed and at her best will be a big runner, but this is her sixth run in just under twelve weeks and her last two runs were below par. She doesn’t have the easiest draw either. The youngster Virga was impressive in her only start over course and distance and although officially 1,5kg under sufferance she is well drawn with a 2,5kg claimer aboard. A Vision To Kill is drawn well, so will do better than on July day when drawn wide. Anime can’t be ignored either.

 

 

In the seventh race, a MR 70 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m, Vargraves led from start to finish to win her maiden over course and distance and on formlines it would be no surprise to see her following up from a good draw under a 2,5kg claimer. Tweed Valley has a tricky draw but has a strong finishing run and is a threat. Seatops will also be finishing strongly as he did when finishing just behind Tweed Valley on Gold Cup day from a similar draw. Zadora has always possessed a touch of class and should be staying on strongly from a wide draw. Var Agtig has been disappointing but is interesting with first time blinkers on off a reduced merit rating.

The last leg of the Pick 6 is a MR 61 Handicap over 2000m. Racing Socks won easily the last time he ran over course and distance and off a five point higher mark should go close despite a draw of eight. Courageous King was an unlucky second last time over 1900m on the poly. He has been given a four point raise and has to jump from a wide draw, so will likely have to come from the back again. Viking Red is a son of Go Deputy, whose progeny often turn the corner after their fourth birthdays and he could follow suit. He was unplaced the last time he tried this trip, but the form of that race is not bad and he now has a good draw, so if settling well should go close.

Ian Sturgeon remains aboard after finishing strongly on him last time for a narrow second over 1600m, although he has been given a three point raise for that run. Strategic’s Pride won easily over course and distance last March and is now three points lower in the merit ratings. On the evidence of his last 1900m and 2000m poly runs respectively he has a chance from a good draw. The Money Man beat Strategic’s Pride by 1,5 lengths the last time they met over 1900m here and is only 0,5kg worse off, but the reversal in draw fortunes is against him. Lebeoana is a former Kimberley Horse Of The Year and can’t be ignored.

By David Thiselton

Alec Laird has an exciting prospect in the unbeaten Moutonshoek-bred Trippi colt Broadway Trip, who won the BSA Million Colts and Gelding at Scottsville on Sunday and has recouped his purchase price in just two runs.

Robbie Hill was thrilled to win the BSA Million Fillies with bargain buy Fullfillyourdream and her time over the 1400m trip compared favourably with the boys.

Broadway was still green and, after jumping from a draw of 12 in a field of 13, he threw his head up once or twice when approaching the turn. However, once jockey Randall Simons had successfully slotted him in near the back he travelled nice and relaxed and was able to lope along behind a fair pace. In the straight his big stride had carried him to the front by the 150m mark and he then stretched away to win by 2,25 lengths from the Louis Goosen-trained first-timer Zen Arcade and the well regarded debut winner Silva’s Bullet.

In a race in which the weights are set by purchase price, Broadway Trip carried 58kg and was receiving 2kg from the second and third-placed horses. He was backed into 37/10 second favourite following an eye catching debut in which he ran all over the place in a 1450m event at Turffontein yet still managed to just get up in the shadow of the post.

He was bought for R300,000 at the Bloodstock South Africa National Two-Year-Old Sale last year and is owned by Peter White and Chris Gerber. He has plenty of scope and looks to be a fine prospect for the season’s classics.

Fullfillyourdream, an Oldlands Stud-bred daughter of Indigo Magic, came into Sunday’s race with just one fourth place finish over 1000m to her name and she started at odds of 36/1. Sean Veale slotted her in from a draw of six and she was relaxed in the running. She turned for home near the back and ran on resolutely to win by half-a-length from the second favourite Mind Your Business from the Duncan Howells yard. She only had to carry 54kg, but so did the second and third-placed horses, so she looks to have a promising future.

Fullfillyourdream was also bought at the BSA National Two-Year-old sale. Hill said he had really liked her at the sale and despite having no buyer clinched her for a paltry R25,000. He is owned by Gerald Kalil and her time on Sunday was only 0,34 seconds slower than Broadway Trip’s.

By David Thiselton