Joey Ramsden can continue his extraordinary domination of the Somerset 1200 by taking tomorrow’s Kenilworth Listed race with the cheaply bought Morning Catch. Stable companion Speedpoint should also make the frame.

The pair were bought in successive lots at the Emperors Palace Select just over 12 months ago and R200 000 Morning Catch, despite starting at 16-1, led a furlong out on debut and increased his advantage to the line. He gave the impression that he should have no difficulty confirming the form with second-placed Captain Ram despite being 2kg worse.

Joey Ramsden (Nkosi Hlophe)

Speedpoint was only beaten half a length by Dutch Philip in a strong juvenile plate over a furlong less than this three weeks ago and he is now 2kg better. The way they both quickened suggests that Speedpoint may well reverse the placings at these weights.

However both Candice Bass-Robinson and Aldo Domeyer were adamant that their horse will be far more effective over this trip and the colt is expected to start favourite which is a positive pointer  – favourites have won three of the last six runnings.

However Speedpoint’s pedigree is also a long way from being pure speed. He might be by Var but his Grade 3-winning Casey Tibbs dam is a full sister to July winner Big City Life.

There is a line of form which suggests that Morning Catch could be slightly better than Speedpoint. Certainly he has more scope for improvement.

Zodiac Jack looked good when winning three races back and, while there were valid excuses for his odds-on defeat next time, he was well beaten in the Dutch Philip race.

However Kasimir finished in front of Dutch Philip when second in the Met day Listed race, an extraordinary performance for a newcomer. Although he then met with a shock 2-10 defeat he was shin-sore afterwards. He receives all the allowances and if he can reproduce his debut form the rest might as well stay at home.

Pen-Chan’s maiden win has not really been franked and, although it is obviously significant that Victorious Captain now runs without blinkers, it is hard to see him justifying his name in this company.

For what it’s worth the sahorseracing computer has Dutch Philip beating Morning Catch by just under half a length with Kasimir third. But was it told that Ramsden had won the last four runnings?

It predicts victory for the erroneously-named Too Phat To Fly in the Perfect Promise and that could be spot-on despite the strong claims of Rose In Bloom who ran so well in the Dutch Philip race.

By Michael Clower

Champions Day at Turffontein is one of the highlights of the racing calendar and the Pick 6 will be worth taking as there will be a guaranteed pool of R4, 5 million and an expected pool of R5,1 million.

French Navy (Nkosi Hlophe)

Legal Eagle will attempt to write himself into the record books as the first horse since the great Sea Cottage to defend three Gr 1 crowns in one season. He should dominate the R4 million Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge over 2000m in his usual handy style before producing his usual winning kick. French Navy’s form looks a bit inconsistent, but that is simply due to him taking a while to reach his peak. When he is at his peak, as he will be tomorrow, he can mix it with best. Unlike last year, when runner up, he does not carry a Gr 1 penalty. On paper he could even go close to winning it, being 2kg better off with Legal Eagle for a 2,1 length beating and drawn three as opposed to eleven last year. The filly Nother Russia improves everytime she runs and comes off a good win in the Gr 1 Empress Club Stakes. Her dam Mother Russia was unlucky to not have won at least one J&B Met, so Nother Russia will enjoy this trip. Brazuca has proven his class in Gr 1 company often enough and last time out he proved he stay this course and distance with an easy win in the Gr 2 Colorado King Stakes. Master Sabina’s two Gr 1 Summer Cup wins were over this course and distance, but the latter race is a handicap and he has a tougher task here. Celtic Captain has a good draw, which is important, because when he settles well he is capable of a superb turn of foot and a strong finishing effort. He is the dark horse. Deo Juvente has not always had the best of luck and has the class to earn here too. Juxtapose finished fifth in the Summer Cup and is up against it despite her class. Stonehenge could well play an important pacemaking role for his stablemate Legal Eagle.

The Gr 1 Computaform Sprint over 100m could well be the most exciting race of the day as some world class sorts square up. Trip To Heaven put up a phenomenal performance in the Gr 1 Cape Flying Championship when losing a lot of ground at the start and still getting with 0,2 lengths of his stablemate Carry On Alice. He can come from any draw as he can be dropped out due to his devastating turn of foot. Rafeef is undoubtedly the value in this race as he is full of class and has plenty of speed too. Carry On Alice is drawn close to the standside, as she was when winning this last year, and her speed coupled with her kick will take her close again. Rivarine has the ability to be a threat but does have to bounce back from his disappointing Cape Flying run and he hasn’t run since. Brutal Force will be spot on but the question is whether his low draw will be a disadvantage? Only the day will tell. If high draws are advantageous the like of Dollar Dazzler and Pivotal Pursuit could earn. Talktothestars was runner up last year and was named Equus Champion Sprinter but he has had a downturn in form this season.

Al Sahem (JC Photographics)

The Gr 1 SA Derby should be won by Heavenly Blue who ran on strongly last time out to win the Gr 1 SA Classic over 1800m. He looks likely to enjoy this trip and Mike de Kock has a fine record in this race. The SA Classic runner up Al Sahem is by Silvano, so should be improving and should enjoy the trip so he looks the main danger, although Furiosa has always truck as a staying type and could also go close. Pagoda and Captain At Sea are others who can’t be ignored.

The Gr 1 SA Nursery could fall to Rafeef’s full-brother Mustaaqem, who obliterated the opposition on debut, although Wonderwall and Barrack Street could also win it.

In the Gr 2 SA Fillies Nursery Daring Diva is not the most visually impressive specimen but will attempt to remain unbeaten. Green Plains and the big striding Silver Thursday could be the biggest threats.

In the Gr 2 SA Oaks, Orchid Island won the SA Fillies Classic from the widest draw of all and now has a good draw over a trip she should enjoy. She can beat Belle Rose and Oriental Oak. Bi Pot, Smiling Blue Eyes and Wind Chill are also possible winners.

Later, Trophy Wife can defend her Gr 2 Gerald Rosenberg crown and once again emphasise how good the fillies crop she hailed from was.

The Gr 2 Camelia Stakes will see an intriguing clash between Exquisite Touch and Green Pepper and Joan Ranger could be a threat too.

By David Thiselton

Royal Air Force gelding Copper Force could land the Gr 2 Daisy Guineas on the SA Champions Season opening day at Greyville on Sunday.

One clue which points to him is the booking of Anthony Delpech at the expense of his Justin Snaith-trained stablemate Zodiac Ruler as well as the Dean Kannemeyer-trained Summer Sky.

Africa Rising (Nkosi Hlophe)

Copper Force needed his KZN debut in the Gr 3 Byerley Turk over 1400m where he finished a 0,75 length second to the Visionaire colt Africa Rising. The latter pair are drawn well again, but Copper Force could reverse the form, considering he should have come on plenty for that run and he also beat Africa Rising by 3,9 lengths over this trip in the CTS Mile when finishing runner up.

Africa Rising has a fine turn of foot, but this race will be the acid test to prove whether he is as affective over 1600m as he is over 1400m.

Zodiac Ruler, winner of the Gr 2 Golden Horseshoe and runner up in the Gr 1 Investec Cape Derby, had his first run as a gelding recently over 1400m and was unable to catch Horizon. However, he went down by just a head, and will relish the step up in trip. He has a good draw of five and world class jockey Richard Fourie is aboard.

Horizon should also appreciate the step up in trip as the winner of the Gr 3 Politician Stakes over 1800m. He has a fine turn of foot and is suited to Greyville, as one would expect of a son of Dynasty out of a full-sister to Silvano.

Summer Sky had his first run as a gelding in a handicap against older horses at Scottsville over 1400m and quickened exceptionally well to win by five lengths. He was racing off just an 82 merit rating, but looked the part and a Listed winner has come out of the form. He is drawn in two and Gavin Lerena is aboard is another bonus.

Janoobi has the ideal pole position from which to attempt a repeat of his start to finish win of the Gr 2 Gauteng Guineas. Master of pace judgement Piere Strydom will give him a good chance of doing so.

Horizon (Liesl King)

Matador Man has class and couples a relaxed running style with a fine turn of foot, so should enjoy Greyville. A wide draw is not of much concern as he usually loses a length or two at the start.

Gunner won the Gr 1 Premier’s Champion Stakes over course and distance, when showing a fine turn of foot, but on this season’s form has plenty to find with a few of these.

Secret Captain is merit rated only 84 and has to prove he enjoys this trip. However, he is a dark horse as a well regarded sort who might not have showed his best yet.

Gimme The Stars has won his last four in PE including an easy win in the Listed East Cape Guineas when making up five lengths in the final 200m and winning easily. However, this will be tougher.

Gingerbread Man has won five of his last eight starts, but his last six starts have been on the poly where the standard is generally a touch weaker.

Mess ran above his 70 merit rating when second is a Graduation Plate over this trip last time, but still needs a considerable step up.

By David Thiselton

Craig du Plooy, sidelined for over half last month and at least the rest of this month, had cortisone injected into his spine yesterday.

Craig Du Plooy (Nkosi Hlophe)

He said: “I have been battling with a problem in my back since I returned from my last injury three months ago. It’s basically the result of wear and tear over the years – I have broken a lot of bones in the past including fracturing my spine.

“This problem is not really getting any better so I had the facet blocks done again. I have a slight tear in the disc between the L4 and L5. The cortisone goes into the facet joint under local anaesthetic and I’d already had it done on the L4. This time it was the L5. It’s not a solution but purely for pain relief.

“Apparently you have got to let the back heal – you can’t work your way through it – and so I’ve had to take it easy. I find that hard and I’m hoping that it is not going to take more than a few months otherwise they may have to operate.”

Du Plooy’s resurgence under the Snaith Racing banner, with the help of coaching from Felix Coetzee, was painfully interrupted when he broke bones in his hand at the beginning of November. He was out of action until early February.

He plays an important role in the Snaith operation, riding work every day as well as being second jockey, and the stable has engaged Brandon May to help fill the gap.

But Du Plooy’s injury has not prevented him continuing in his part-time job as tutor of the Cape Town work riders and he plans to be at Kenilworth on Saturday to watch his pupils in action in the opening race.

By Michael Clower

Dennis Drier took the wraps off a smart juvenile in Sand And Sea in the All To Come Juvenile Plate at Scottsville yesterday and the son of first season sire Twice Over did it in a fashion that says, “plenty more to come but …!”

Sand And Sea (Nkosi Hlophe)

Al Mariachi, a winner second time of asking at Kenilworth, found plenty of support on course but Sand And Sea was not friendless, the word out that he was smart, and indeed started tote favourite.

He is a magnificent specimen of a thoroughbred and pranced around the paddock like he owned the place.

But backing juveniles first time out, especially against more seasoned runners, is a risky business at the best of times and those that plunged on Sand And Sea will have been reaching for the blood pressure pills a long way out.

The colt was all over the race course with Anton Marcus every time he was let off the bit. However, it was a measure of his ability that once pulled away from the opposition and racing on his own, he picked up smartly to beat Al Mariachi. Had Sand And Sea got beaten there would have been plenty of valid excuses.

Drier is attending the National Yearling Sales and when assistant Stuart Ferrie was quizzed on when the vet would be called in, his answer was a grin.

The mare Bump ‘N Grind has been a gold mine for owner/breeder Andre Hauptfleisch with champion Via Africa putting her on the map. Her three subsequent foals have all been winners including Al Wahed, Elusive Enchantment and yesterday’s first race winner, Swift Dancer.

Elusivenchantment (Nkosi Hlophe)

Elusive Enchantment will be out to go one better than Via Africa and win Saturday’s Computaform Sprint while Al Wahed will be lining up at Kenilworth on Saturday.

Swift Dancer gave notice of her ability with two promising efforts in soft ground so was well suited to the firmer going yesterday. Stable rider Keagan de Melo had her up with the pace from the jump but just when she looked to have the race in the bag she came under pressure from the first timer Tsessebe and had to grind it out to the line.

“She’s still immature and weak,” said Duncan Howells, an opinion confirmed by De Melo. “She needs to strengthen up. I will put her away now. She will be a much better filly come next season.”

Howells was not impressed by the stipendiary steward’s decision to take the race away from favourite Silent Obsession in the Racing.It’s A Rush Maiden Plate, giving it to second-placed Enticer in the boardroom.

The winning margin of a short head is what probably swayed the panel in favour of jockey Warren Kennedy’s protest but to most it was a 50/50 call.

This was the fourth time that Howells has been on the wrong side of an objection in the past few months.

By Andrew Harrison