Andrew Harrison

MARCHINGONTOGETHER has always been on the verge of being one of the country’s top stayers, but whenever he has looked to have an outstanding chance, he has fluffed his lines. He appeared to have had the perfect prep for the WSB Gold Cup but came up short behind Paths Of Victory last season.

In his defence, the race was a peculiar affair, being run some seven seconds slower than average time, that suggests that he was beaten by a lack of pace rather than any lack of ability.

He is unlikely have things all his own way at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday but he does have a longer straight in which to wind up for his finishing effort and stable rider Warren Kennedy should have a good idea of what to expect.

Stuart Randolph was aboard in the Michael Roberts Handicap with Kennedy holed up in Cape Town, and the gelding was nearer last than first turning for home. But Marchingontogether got it all together in the home stretch, passing all but the two lightweights News Stream and Mr Fitz.

Van Zyl also has the game soldier Blackball in the race who races in the same silks as Marchingontogether, and he may well be used as the hare.

Marchingontogether stretches to a more suitable 1950m and given a decent gallop he should be running at them late.

But it will not be easy going. Paul Lafferty has always held Share Holder in high regard and while he may not have reached the heights expected he is more than just useful.

He got caught in the dying strides by Marchingontogether, beaten a head, and is now 3.5kg better off so in theory he should have his rival’s measure. What’s at play here is that Share Holder is untested over the trip while it holds no fears for Marchingontogether.

Alyson Wright has two live contenders in the mare Flichity By Farr and Matterhorn. The latter was in mustard form before a lay-off, his last run in October last year, but he has a handy weight and cannot be written off. Flichity By Farr needed her last run and will enjoy the extra. She has a handy weight and like Marchingontogether will benefit from a solid gallop.

The opening leg of the PA is a tricky sprint where the one-eyed Traces will be looking to get back on the winning trail.

It has taken time but Traces has finally produced the form he showed early in his career. He was a beaten favourite last run after winning two on the bounce but is now 4kg better off with the winner Fillipo and should be able to turn the tables. Winter Chill was quietly fancied in a tough handicap last time out but ran a ‘flat’ race. He could possibly prefer Greyville but is way better than that last showing. Louis Goosen is a master at training sprinters and veteran galloper Di Mazzio will think he’s running loose with only 48.5kg to shoulder. Although this is a fixed weights event, he has taken a further drop in the ratings and if he finds his best form the rest could be chasing shadows.

The opening leg of the Pick 6 will have punter’s treading warily after Legislate’s Dance let the side down. He started favourite last run but was upstaged by stable companion Fat Cigar. However, now that he has had a look at the Scottsville track, he can make amends in an open race. Dry Var finished ahead of Legislate’s Dance so that needs to be taken into consideration however, Legislate’s Dance should have improvement to come. Of the balance, Valencia has a tricky draw but has improved in blinkers and was narrowly beaten over the distance last time out.

The fifth is another competitive maiden. Jacob’s Ladder appears to have come to hand and showed up well over course and distance and with Goosen booking Anton Marcus for the ride, the inference is obvious. Let’s Go Fly has drawn wide and makes his turf debut but has put in two useful recent efforts. The blinkers go on so there could be more to come. Jackinapot found heavy market support at his second start when tried in blinkers and only just failed. A repeat should see him in the firing line but he has not been out since October last year which is a concern. The regally bred and cleverly named Broadway looks the pick of the Forbes pair, her comment being; “Very nice horse may just need the experience but could run in the money.”

The sixth has upset written all over it and punters may well be advised to load up in the exotics. Mambo Symphony appears to be coming along the right way and has his third run after a lengthy break but Techno Captain has been up against much stronger at recent outings and not been far back. He goes well this trip and at best should make a bold bid. Presumptuous disappointed last run after an improved previous effort and takes a slight drop in class. Rainbow Rising was a narrow maiden winner last start but that form has been franked. He jumps in trip from a difficult draw but on pedigree should see this out.

Another open affair faces punters in the eighth. Avenir enjoyed the extra last run and from a good draw so should at least be competitive. High Velocity has a difficult draw but won second time out and appears to have some scope which may be good enough to see him home. Tromso steps up in trip again after two good showings over shorter while the joker in the pack could be Greenlighttoheaven who has been a little disappointing but has shown flashes of ability and is one to keep an eye on.

If getting through to the last in the exotics, tighten your seat belt because you could be in for another torrid ride. Final Destiny, may be aptly named here, but has come on nicely in three starts. He was narrowly beaten over course and distance last run and can go one better. Cupid’s Song was close-up last start and is improving quickly. The blinkers go on and he can make further improvement. Casimiro made a cracking debut over course and distance at long odds and if he comes on from that he will be competitive again. Another with a chance is Cauldron who has come on nicely with blinkers and is another in with a strong winning chance.

David Thiselton

THE Grade 2 WSB Gauteng Guineas and the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas form the respective first legs of the WSB SA Triple Crown and Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara and both races are full of class and intrigue.

War Of Athena looks the one to beat in the fillies race where she faces arch rival Anything Goes. War Of Athena has more stamina in her pedigree than Anything Goes and takes a while to wind up in the straight so will want a fast pace. This is particularly in view of Anything Goes’ terrific turn of foot. War Of Athena has two stable companions in the race and all three of this coupling have the same ownership.

Therefore, it could be that the lowly rated Only The Brave is in to ensure a decent pace. War Of Athena has only beaten Anything Goes once in three outings and that was last time out in the Three Troikas over 1400m where she won by a cosy 1,75 lengths. However, she was giving the latter 1kg and Anything Goes probably needed it too as she was returning from a layoff. However, another clue to this race can be taken from the Grade 1 Thekwini over this 1600m trip. War Of Athena had a bad draw that day compared to Anything Goes’s good draw and the former simply ran out of straight in her bid to catch the latter.

This time War Of Athena has the better draw and the long straight will give her more time to make up the deficit. Miss Elegance is improving and has the form to fill the trifecta. Castle Durrow is a long-striding sort who is improving and she could also be in the shake up. Caralluma has some class but still has to prove she stays this trip. Gee For Go won the Grade 3 Fillies Mile over this course and distance but was beaten six lengths by Mis Elegance over this trip last time at these same weights. Only The Brave ensured a good pace in the Three Troikas by challenging Caralluma in front but as far as winning chances go she has a double figure number of lengths to find. 

In the WSB Gauteng Guineas Second Base is the selection. He might well have benefitted from the one week postponement because that means he has had a three week gap between races instead of two which was a bit close up. Thus he is promoted from third in last weekend’s selection to first. This Gimmethegreenlight gelding is a long-strider who showed a fine turn of foot when winning the Grade 3 Sea Cottage Stakes over 1800m last time out, so this shorter trip should not bother him and neither should the tricky draw of seven as he can afford to be dropped out. Interestingly his only defeat was when beaten 5,5 lengths into fourth by his stablemate in this race Copper Mountain but that was over 1200m on the Inside track and he was outpaced. Catch Twentytwo is blossoming and proved his WSB Dingaans win was no fluke by following up in the Grade 3 Tony Ruffel Stakes over 1400m.

He will enjoy the step back up to the WSB Dingaans distance and has landed a plum draw. Copper Mountain was staying on in the Tony Ruffel where he finished a two length third to Catch Twentytwo at level weights. He is by Noble Tune out of a Fort Wood mare whose only win was over 2000m so should relish the step up in trip. He is drawn three and could be the surprise package. Malmoos has won all three of his starts at Turffontein impressively and followed up by winning the Grade 3 Concorde Cup over this trip at Kenilworth. He was then unlucky when unplaced in the Cape Guineas eight weeks ago although he did not look likely to win. He has pole position in his first start back at altitude.

Mount Pleasant is easily the highest rated horse in the race but the jury is out because he flopped in his first try at this trip having beaten older horses of the like of Cirillo over 1450m before that.  It might have just been an off day and he must be included in all exotics. Eliud has shown glimpses of class and could earn and Bingwa was a 2,50 length third in the WSB Dingaans but only fifth in the Tony Ruffel. Kingsley’s Heart looks held by Copper Mountain and this is a big step up in class for Namib Desert.   

GOLD CIRCLE is pleased to announce that at their AGM held on 28 January 2021, Members voted to approve a Member’s Resolution tabled by past Chairman, Robert Mauvis, for an extra allocation of R10 million from the Clairwood ring-fenced funds, towards stakes of minor races in KZN. From 1 March 2021, where stakes were R50 000 they will be increased to R60 000 and those that were R70 000 will be increased to R80 000.

“Gold Circle exists to sustain the Horseracing Industry in KZN”, said Neil Butcher, Chairman of Gold Circle. “To do that, we need to assist our stakeholders which include owners, trainers, grooms and breeders. This increase in stakes will benefit everyone directly, hopefully going some way to easing the economic impact which Covid-19 has had on our industry.”

Andrew Harrison

WHEN a fancied runner starts drifting in the betting, it is always a sign for the alert punter that all is not well with their fancy. That’s not to say that it could be a false drift, but more often than not there is a vital point that has been over-looked by many.

Television pundit Graeme Hawkins alluded to this when summing up the third race at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday. He pointed out that on the weight-for-age scale (WFA), hot favourite Rock Flight was way out at the weights on the WFA scale with her older rivals in spite of looking to have the better form.

He also alluded to the fact that Gavin van Zyl may have fitted blinkers to his charge to get Rock Flight into the race a little earlier. The half-cups were on.

He countered that by sticking with Rock Flight in his summation as he felt that Golden Duck had not been striding freely to the gate. That said, he also pointed out that her rider had been warming her up behind the gate before the start.

Post-race, trainer Paul Lafferty confirmed those observations, but also pointed out that it was normal for his charge and nothing untoward.

As they say in the Classics, ‘Rock Flight drifted like a loose barge’ in the market, from odds-on to a last call of close to 14-10 before the off with money coming for eventual winner Golden Duck.

The tired cliché of ‘weight stops trains’ held true in this case with Rock Flight struggling a long way out as apprentice Kyle Strydom, full value for his 2.5kg claim, skated home comfortably to smash the field out of the park with Rock Flight a distant second.

No doubt, Rock Flight will have her day but it does pay to take some not-so-obvious factors into account when things look obvious.

Turffontein-based Paul Peter was in town and his first-call hatchet man Warren Kennedy had little trouble executing the opposition in the first two races on the card with both Space Race and Queen Anne’s Lace winning comfortably. Both were maiden plates and although Space Race was slightly out at the weights her form was strong and Queen Anne’s Lace looked to be a penalty kick and the result expected.

The Peter-trained favourite Lotus came up short in the fourth when out-run by Wendy Whitehead’s mare Keep On Dancing. Again, the WFA scale came into play and the winner, according to the stats, had a 3.5kg weight advantage.

David Thiselton

THE Turffontein Inside track is never easy for punters to negotiate but there look to be some fair opportunities for them in today’s nine race meeting.

In the sixth race over 1600m Ivalo’s Prince should be good value. He has always struck as one who possesses ability but has faced some good sorts since his comeback from a nine-and-a-half month layoff. Last time he was stepped up to 1600m for the first time but had a wide draw so the rider opted to drop him to last. He stayed on and was doing some fair work late. He now not only has pole position but has been dropped two points in the merit ratings and has a 2,5kg claimer up. The Noble Tune gelding should make a bold bid and has been made a PA banker. However, there is stiff opposition and in the Pick 6 August Rain can be included. This big rangy type led over this trip last time and stayed on to be beaten by two promising three-year-olds. However, he is 1,5kg worse off with Ivalo’s Prince for a length beating. Elusive Force is three points higher for his last win over this course and distance but has a 4kg claimer up and could still progress. Crank It Up is well drawn over a suitable trip and this is the easiest field he has faced for a while. Against The Grain still needs to bounce back to his best and if he does he will be a big runner. Call Me Master is 1,5kg better off with Ivalo’s Prince for a 3,25 length beating so looks held but could earn. 

In the first leg of the PA over 1800m Heart Stwings thrived in Cape Town and went close in the Grade 3 Victress Stakes to Silvano’s Pride when receiving just 2,5kg. The rest of the field were well beaten and if she is in as good shape after the journey back she is the one to beat over this ideal trip. Sidonie is drawn in pole and this half-sister to the like of Viva Maria should handle the step up in trip. Spice Market will be dangerous from the front and might enjoy the step up in trip because she is a full-sister to SA Oaks runner up Pomander. 

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1500m Kay Tee Perry is on the up and can follow up on her fluent last win over 1600m off a merit rating that has only been raised three points. Sparkling Water is a rangy and progressive sort with a good turn of foot and she can go close in just her third career start. Ululate is better than her last start and is also distance suited so can’t be ignored.

In the first leg of the Jackpot over 1600m Storm Commander ran well last time and is off a competitive merit rating despite being raised two points and he also has a plum draw. Banha Bridge has not been unduly punished for his last win and can be a threat. Waqaas, El Romiachi and Lear Jet are also worth including.    

In the seventh over 1200m Dubawi Princess has always had a touch of class and could still be ahead of the handicapper despite a win last time. Persica is distance suited and capable of turning it on so is the danger from a good draw.

In the eighth the exciting prospect Var’s Vicky faces some seasoned sorts and it will be challenging. Spring Break relishes any 1200m around the turn and comes off a good win over course ad distance. Down To Zero has mixed it with the best and is off a competitive merit rating over a suitable trip and he is well drawn.

The last race is a Classified Stakes race over 2000m and Governor’s Glory is interesting. He has caught the eye and although by Soft Falling Rain, who is a more of a speed influence, his dam is by Fort Wood and won the Grade 2 Gold Circle Oaks so he could do well off a reasonable opening merit rating of 80. Cairon has also struck as one with ability and could now show it with the yard having been in good form. Rabia The Rebel’s last win was over course and distance and she is better treated here than she was in that race. Twice The Act is the best weighted and also has a 2,5kg claimer up. In The Game has done well on the three occassions he has been tried over 1800m, so he is interesting stepped up even further. Romeo’s Magic looks held by In The Game but is drawn in pole and has a shout if bouncing back from a below par run.