Top horses, no matter whether they develop into sprinters or stayers, generally show ability early and the Storm Bird Stakes may have thrown up a pair of exceptional two-year-olds. Alfolk and Barrack Street were the only two in the market for the Listed Storm Bird Stakes run at Turffontein yesterday although the betting did not accurately reflect the result.

Mike De Kock (Nkosi Hlophe)

Alfolk was the marginal favourite ahead of Barrack Street but the Sean Tarry yard is almost unstoppable when it comes to feature events of late and the half-brother to champion Jay Peg put one over his Mike de Kock-trained rival to run out a comfortable winner and put a disappointing last run behind him. Alfolk, an Australian-bred son of Lonrho is also bred to get a trip and was on his own in second. This pair, if living up to their pedigrees, should be worth following. Their next meeting may come in the Gr1 SA Nursery come the end of April but the pair should also be contenders for Champions Season.

Both were in contention come the 400m mark but Barrack Street showed a better turn of foot and quickly got the upper hand. Alfolk, unable to match strides, lost his action and gave the impression that he would prefer a sustained build-up rather than a dash for home.

The Listed Ruffian Stakes looked to be at the mercy of the Paul Matchett-trained Kissable, who after two victories and on all lines of form, looked nigh unbeatable. But stranger things have happened in racing and after showing tremendous early pace the light on the petrol gauge suddenly glowed red at the 400m mark and Kissable was quickly out of the door, trailing in last.

Sean Tarry (Nkosi Hlophe)

This left the back door open for the Barend Botes-trained Daring Diva with Andrew Fortune pouncing on his opportunity to sail home on the Gerald Kalil-owned and bred King Of Kings filly.

Fortune, who has been slapped with a 10-day ban and a R25k fine for deliberately waving his whip and striking a rival horse across the face last month, was at his sublime best as he tracked the hot favourite waiting to take advantage of any chink in her armour.

So when Kissable turned her cheek he was there with puckered lips.

A Tarry-trained runner was to the fore again in the next as Exquisite Touch snapped a run of indifferent recent form to get the better of a useful field in the Listed Bauhinia Handicap.

Piere Strydom looked to have timed his finish to perfection on top weight Joan Ranger as he hit the front with 50m to go but had an incredulous look on his face as S’Managa Khumalo bulleted home on his outside to snatch victory.

By Andrew Harrison

Last season’s Champions Cup winner Marinaresco has been sent to Durban early in Candice Bass-Robinson’s bid to make amends for the gelding’s near miss in the Vodacom Durban July and gain rich compensation for his winless Cape Town campaign.

Marinaresco (Liesl King)

Mrs Robinson said: “Marinaresco had a break after the Met – not on a farm but at home – and he went to Durban last week. His possible route could be the Drill Hall (May 6), Rising Sun Gold Challenge (June 10) and the July.”

Some of the stable’s other KZN challengers have also travelled and apparently the trainer’s new private yard at Summerveld has made this possible.

She said: “In previous years sending horses to Durban was all a bit of a rush but now that we have our own place, with Robert Fayd’Herbe there, the horses can go earlier and come into the Durban season more gradually.”

Silver Mountain, runaway winner of last season’s Cape Fillies Guineas but only fifth in the Klawervlei Majorca and the Prix Du Cap, will also be making the great trek but she is to be upped in distance.

Mrs Robinson explained: “The Prix Du Cap wasn’t one of her best runs but I am not sure that she isn’t looking for more ground so we are going to try her over a bit further.”

But a different travel plan is to be adopted for the Sceptre and CTS Sprint winner Live Life – “We will get her fit in Cape Town and then raid for the Poinsettia Stakes (at Scottsville on April 30) before she runs in the City Of Pietermaritzburg Fillies Sprint.”

By Michael Clower

Scottsville Sunday March 10 Tips and Race Previews by Andrew Harrison

Race 1
Preview: Both BOBBY’S EXPRESS and BRIGHT BLESSED DAY showed up well on debut. Bobby’s Express raced in soft ground and finished in good time so could prove the pick of the two. HE’S A KEEPER raced green behind Bobby’s Express and has not been fitted with a tongue-tie which could see him make major improvement. EXQUISITE EIGHT made a promising debut also in soft ground and looks certain to come on from that. The betting should prove your best guide given the number of first timers. (Andrew Harrison: 3-4-8-16)

Race 2
Preview: SWIFT DANCER took on colts and winners on debut but found the winner Autumn In Seattle too good. Although well beaten she should come on from that and rates a strong chance. SIMPLY SCRUMPTIOUS made a smart debut on the same afternoon behind the winner who is rated by the stable. GYPSY QUEEN was narrowly beaten when making her debut on the poly. If she takes to the turf she must rate a chance. DANCEALOT found some market support on debut and is likely to improve. (Andrew Harrison: 16-14-7-4).

Race 3
Preview: BURNT CHERRY has improved with every start. She just failed last start but now gets blinkers. She has a tricky draw but should go close again. RHYME OR REASON has consistent Highveld form and has been a beaten favourite on a number of occasions. She has been rested and makes her local debut but if ready will go close. KHETIWE has run two cracking races for her new stable. The rise in trip should suit and Anton Marcus will be aboard. AMADORA was much improved last run in the soft. She needs to repeat that effort. (Andrew Harrison: 1-2-4-3).
Race 4
Preview: AMAZON KING shows some promise and was close-up in a handicap last start. He is better weighted here and although up in trip he should go close. RIKITIKITANA meets Amazon King on the same weight terms as their latest meeting and there should not be much between the two again. CARIBBEAN DAY was a game winner of his last start and has a chance again while the filly TRINI’S COLATERAL has a handy weight and is useful. (Andrew Harrison: 6-4-7-9).

Race 5
Preview: Stable companions SABRE CHARGE and the filly FORBIDDEN JEWEL both go well over course and distance. Forbidden Jewel is now 3kg better off for their last meeting and can turn the tables. MR WINSOME goes this trip for the first time but is on hot form. He is giving away a lot of weight but is still well in. SERISSA is a game front runner and has a canny judge of pace aboard which will make him dangerous. (Andrew Harrison: 6-1-4-2)

Race 6
Preview: MARRIOT shows promise although only shedding his maiden last run. Both runs have been over course and distance and he can follow up. GOOD TO GIVE has his third run after a break. He started favourite at his last two and can make amends. ROY’S AIR FORCE has been knocking at the door. He has a four-claiming apprentice up here and should be thereabouts again.  RESTLESS ROGUE was in need of his last start. He is better than his form suggests. (Andrew Harrison: 6-7-8-10).

Race 7
Preview: LUNAR RUSH has won her last two in good style. She is more than useful but has an inexperienced apprentice aboard looking for his first winner. HOT MAMBO probably needed her last effort on the poly. She shed her maiden over course and distance and that form has since been franked. RAINBOWINTHESKY has improved with every start and shed her maiden in good fashion and could follow up. ABOUND WEST appears to have her problems and returns from a break. Both wins have been on the poly but if near her best she can feature. SPIRITOFADVENTURE has also improved with each outing and is one to keep an eye on. (Andrew Harrison: 1-9-8-3).

Race 8
Preview: INDIAN TRACTOR has gone close at his last two and rates the one to beat. ADMIRAL’S GUEST has come on with every run of late. Will go close. LUNAR TIDE takes on males but has not been too far back. She gets a four-claimer and can finish in the money. LORD HOGAN has shown some improvement in blinkers and can place. (Andrew Harrison: 1-2-9-3).

Sabre Charge can show that he is a horse for the big staying races scheduled for Champions Season when he lines up in a Pinnacle Stakes over 2400m at Scottsville tomorrow.

Duncan Howells has taken things slowly with the son of Golden Sword and Sabre Charge is lightly raced, having only his seventh outing. However, both of the gelding’s wins have come over course and distance and although not particularly well in at the weights, he is still getting a lot of pudding from top weight and likely favourite Mr Winsome whose both recent victories have come on this course.

Mr Winsome (Nkosi Hlophe)

Dean Kannemeyer’s runner has been in mustard form of late but does step out over the extra two furlongs for the first time while most of his obvious dangers are proven over the trip.

Howells is two-handed as he also saddles the filly Forbidden Jewel who ran a cracking race behind Sabre Charge over course and distance and is now better off in the weights and also only has 48.5kg on her back. Given that she stays the trip well she must come into the reckoning.

Pace, or the lack of it, is always a concern in races of this nature but Serissa is a confirmed front-runner and with Anton Marcus aboard, the opposition will need to be wide awake.

The Howells-trained Amazon King shows promise and steps up to a ‘mile’ for the first time in another Pinnacle Stakes event. Howells has high hopes for the gelding saying earlier in the week; “He steps up every time I run him. We will see if he stays a mile on Sunday and if he does he will go for the Daisy Guineas. Whatever happens he will go for the Byerley Turk.”

He will certainly be tested as Rikitikitana meets him on the same weight terms as their latest meeting where there was just a neck in it so there should not be much between the two again tomorrow. Of the balance, Caribbean Day was a game winner of his last start and has a chance again while the filly Trini’s Colateral has a handy weight and is useful.

Lunar Rush (Nkosi Hlophe)

Michael Roberts looks to have a promising runner in the form of Marriot who has shown promise in spite of only shedding his maiden last run. The form of his debut when second to Wynkelder has been franked and both of his runs have been over course and distance. Charles Laird is back in form and Good To Give has his third run after a break and looks a lively threat as he started favourite at his last two and can make amends. Also in the mix is Roy’s Air Force who has been knocking at the door and with a four-claiming apprentice up here he should be thereabouts again. If there is to be an upset it could come in the form of Restless Rogue who was in need of his last start and appears better than his form would suggest.

Apprentice Dylan Lerena is another member of the Lerena racing family and Howells has placed a lot of faith in the young rider who has still to record his first victory by giving him the ride on Lunar Rush in the seventh.

Lunar Rush is a talented filly having won her last two in good fashion and is a candidate for the big fillies sprints come Champions Season. The 4kg claim will have been in the back of Howell’s mind with stable rider Keagan de Melo aboard recent maiden winner Rainbowinthesky. Lightly raced and winning from a difficult draw, the stable companion to Lunar Rush looks to have some scope and this race could confirm that view with Respect At Bay and Hot Mambo both tried and tested.

Indian Tractor and Admiral’s Guest are the two most likely to fight out the last and can cut down on PA and Pick 6 expenses.

By Andrew Harrison

Turffontein Saturday March 11 Tips and Race Previews by David Thiselton

Race 1
Preview: Piere Strydom stays aboard the front-running QUEEN ANNE, who went clear over 1450m last time before finding no extra, and he is likely to have learnt from the run so has a good chance from a good draw. FLAMINGO VLEI should be improving being by Silvano and on the evidence of her last run is interesting over a step down in trip. GREAT SOUND has improved with blinkers and a repeat of her penultimate over course and distance gives her a shout. (David Thiselton 3-2-4)

Race 2
Preview: BI POT ran a cracker against the boys over 1600m last time and should relish the Standside track with its long straight. HIGH SEAS BEAUTY over raced over 1400m last time which doesn’t augur well for her chances of enjoying this step up in trip, but it might have been racing under lights which unsettled her and if she settles here she looks to have the class to go close. DALAAL will be improving being by Silvano and looks likely to produce a strong finish over this course and distance. EMILY JAY goes well for Strydom and from a fair draw should be suited to this course and distance. SUN SENTINEL is 1kg better off for a one length beating by High Seas Beauty over 1400m and on pedigree should stay this trip, although she didn’t go on with it the last time she tried the course and distance. (David Thiselton 6-3-7-4-5)

Race 3
Preview: CHEAT THE CHEATERS full sister Caitlin’s Answer has won over this trip and he has the best form in this race so is the one to beat. SO SWIFT was staying on strongly last time over 1800m from a wide draw, beating Voodoo by 6,2 lengths, and being by A. P. Arrow he will relish this trip and could be a threat despite another wide draw. VOODOO had the run of the race last time from a low draw over 2600m on the Inside track and stayed on well, just failing, and he should be thereabouts again despite a tougher draw. DISCOVERER went close over this course and distance in January and although he has 2,85 lengths to find on Voodoo on their meeting over 2600m there is now a reversal in draw fortunes in his favour. MIESQUE’S RHUMBA has beaten Discovered twice at the Vaal in staying trips but in their last two meetings, both at Turffontein, the latter was comfortably ahead. (David Thiselton 1-5-2-3-4)

Race 4
Preview: SILVER STRIPE is 4,5kg better off with Patchit Up Baby for a 1,5 length beating over 2200m on the Inside Track and will appreciate the step up in trip. PATCHIT UP BABY probably prefers this Standside track due to her sustained finish and she still has a chance, but carrying 61kg and giving 9kg to Silver Stripe is a hard ask. ZAFIRA is a big and classy stayer and is course and distance suited, so she will be a big runner from pole position, although on the downside this is first outing since returning from Cape Town. (David Thiselton 6-1-2)

Race 5
Preview: ALAADEL disappointed over 1800m last time but before that produced a resolute finish over 1400m and can be involved here if settling from a wide draw. BOLD VIKING is well regarded and might be looking for this trip so can do well off a competitive looking merit rating. COPPER POT is drawn in pole over a suitable trip but won’t find it easy giving weight al round. Khumalo rides the maiden PILOU, who was finishing strongly over 1700m last time, but this is his return from a three month layoff and the strength of his form is questionable. WHOSETHEBOSSNOW flew up to win his maiden over 1600m last time, but the form is questionable. BIBLICAL SUSAN ran a good race last time over this trip but was over racing early and it is not going to be easy here giving weight to all the boys except one. RAYDAVERIC has been disappointing but could still improve. (David Thiselton 3-4-1-6-7-2)

Race 6
Preview: ALFOLK won impressively on debut and being by Lonhro out of a three-quarter sister to a Gr 1 winner over 1000m he should have the class to become a leading two-year-old feature contender. Stablemate PUNTA CANA also impressed over 1000m on debut. TRIBAL FORCE’s formline compares favourably with Alfolk considering he was slow away on his winning debut. BARRACK STREET by Dynasty is a half-brother to Jay Peg and although small has speed and can be a contender if starting better than he did over 1200m last time In the R1 million Kuda Sprint. ALPINE ECHO was backed on debut and showed good speed throughout to win and the form has worked out quite well. CRASSUS is 3kg better off with Alfolk for 2,25 length beating but the latter won easier than the margin suggests. (David Thiselton 1-4-6-3-2-7)

Race 7
Preview: KISSABLE has destroyed the opposition in two starts over 800m and 1000m respectively and looks hard to beat. EURYTHMICS is a full sister to Gr 1 winner Gulf Storm and receives 5kg from Kissable on her debut. LA BELLA MIA looks to be an improving sort and will likely show pace throughout. STAR PROFILE beat La Bella Mia over 1200m but the latter showed pace there and will prefer the 1000m trip. DARING DIVA has won both her starts but has to give weight to all except Kissable. (David Thiselton 2-7-3-6-1)

Race 8
Preview: EXQUISITE TOUCH has a good chance at the weights on her best Jo’burg form if she starts well over her favoured trip. JOAN RANGER has good speed and a kick and looks capable of rising above her 100 merit rating. CRYSTAL GLAMOUR is on the up and on form lines and weights there is not much between her and Joan Ranger. (David Thiselton 6-1-3-9-14)

Race 9
Preview: CLEVER GUY was given the maximum six points for his easy Graduation Plate win over 1000m last time and he looks well weighted here. RAASMAAL is an improving sort and looks the biggest danger. FLEMINGTON won his maiden well second time out despite a slow start and starts handicapping off a reasonable merit rating (David Thiselton 2-3-9-1-5)

Race 10
Preview: DAN THE LAD has stayed on well in his last two starts over 1200m and 1160m so should enjoy this step up in trip and is drawn well. SYLVAN SAINT is by Silvano and is a half-brother to the multiple-winning speedsters Mysterio, Fun To Fly and Giant Strides. KING OF MANI is ideally draw in pole for his front-running style and could be a threat as he has gone close in his last two over this trip and on formlines there is not much between him and Dan The Lad. INTREPID SILVA has run two good sprints and should enjoy this trip on pedigree. THAROOS was running on quite well over 1200m on the Inside Track last time but was overtaken and narrowly beaten by Dan The Lad, and there is now a reversal in draw fortunes. (David Thiselton 2-10-3-7-1)