Johannesburg’s Autumn season begins on Saturday with the Guineas meeting and the three-year-old pecking order will be clearer afterwards.  

The Gr 2 Betting World Gauteng Guineas could see Matador Man emerging as one of the top sophomore colts in the country. This Toreador gelding relaxes beautifully in the running and has a magnificent turn of foot, so looks likely to stay the trip. He will relish a return to the Standside track on which he won the Listed Secretariat Stakes over 1400m in impressive style. Furiosa is a resolute galloping sort, who might attempt to gallop the field into the ground from his fair draw. The trip might turn out to be on the sharp side for him, so he will be favoured if the ground remains soft.

Janoobi pulled and was wide when a decent fourth in the CTS Mile, so will be a big runner if settling from a tricky draw. Piere Strydom has remained aboard. Heavenly Blue is favourite, having gone close from a wide draw in the Investec Dingaans over course and distance. On a line through Singapore Sling there iis not much between him and Janoobi, but he has the widest draw of all. The unbeaten Al Sahem must be included in all bets as he relaxes well in the running and has a superb turn of foot, although an interrupted preparation is against him. Unagi has won four of his five starts over this trip and has a plum draw of two, so cannot be ignored. Doosra has class but 1400m might be his game. Chili Con Carne has improved with blinkers, but looks held by Matador Man. Tilbury Fort usually finds extra when challenged so could be a suprise place getter if taken to the front and dictating, although Furiosa looks a more likely pacemaker.

In the Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas Orchid Island was ultra impressive over 1800m last time and this grandaughter of the brilliant Ilha Da Vitoria looks to be a candidate to land the three-legged Triple Tiara. Safe Harbour has the class to threaten her, but had a busy Cape Town campaign and might just need the run. Anna Pavlova has a tremendous turn of foot” and will appreciate a good pace. Ektifaa has the ability, but there is a stamina question mark. Babbling Brooke has been brought on in fine style by Triple Tiara-winning trainer Ormond Ferraris and is a Triple Tiara candidate. Being Fabulous has always struck as a classic contender and although held narrowly by Babbling Brooke on paper there is a draw reversal in her favour. Belle Rose beat the latter pair last time but has a tough task confirming it at the weights. 

Redberry Lane sparked when blinkers were fitted last time so could be anything. Stablemate Smiling Blue Eyes won the Gr 3 Fillies Mile over course and distance, but has not raced since and is drawn very wide. Al Hawraa looks the part and is interesting over this step up in trip.  Visuality looks held by Anna Pavlova. Santiburi has the class to be a suprise place getter if settling. Pool Party looks held by Last Chirp. Last Chirp is 1kg better off with Anna Pavlova for a length beating over 1450m and could set the pace again. Her half-sister won over 1800m. Maleficent has the ability to win but is an enigmatic sort. Elusive Strike is held on 1400m form, but will relish the step up in trip. 

By David Thiselton

Those pundits with long memories will remember the days of yore when each race club had their own handicappers. Charles Laird was the handicapper at Turffontein before turning his hand to training so he knows a thing or two about placing his runners and Anton Marcus may not necessarily be on the ‘right’ one in the Coalvest Group Handicap at Greyville tonight.

Marcus has been pencilled in to ride the relatively unexposed Yankeedoodledandy while apprentice Diego de Gouveia will be aboard stable companion Captain Of Rock who bids for his third win on the bounce – both horses in the colours of Mayfair Speculators.

The mere presence of Marcus in the saddle has bookmakers automatically slashing the odds on his mounts, regardless of form, consequently he rides many a false favourite. The flip side is his winning strike rate of 27% so one has to have some sympathy for the men of the crossbar.

Yankeedoodledandy has not seen a racetrack since June last year when finishing second to Count Von Count on his handicap debut after a narrow victory on debut. That form is nothing to write home about but in the seven months since he may well have improved.

Captain Of Rock on the other hand made a winning return after a short break under then four-claiming apprentice Serino Moodley. The handicappers saw fit to raise Captain Of Rock by four pounds and with De Gouveia claiming 2.5kg, Captain Of Rock theoretically goes into this race without a penalty.

This is all on paper of course and the reality could pan out quite differently. But given his current form and proven affinity for the poly track, Captain Of Rock looks the right one.

Obvious danger is Roy Royale who finished under a length back to Captain Of Rock at their last meeting and is slightly better off at the weights but possibly not enough to turn the tables.

Tonight’s card is littered with moderate horses so be prepared to do your homework and add in the odd long-shot in your exotics. It could make for a profitable evening.

By Andrew Harrison

National Champion trainer Sean Tarry has a strong hand in the Gr 2 Betting World Gauteng Guineas, but bookmakers have not necessarily got his four charges, Furiosa, Al Sahem, Matador Man and Tilbury Fort, in the right order.

The Toreador gelding Matador Man is only rated third of the Tarry runners by Betting World at odds of 5/1, but makes most appeal. He comes out better than Furiosa on formlines through both Misty Roller and Al Fahad. Matador Man had to come from an impossible position last time out in the Gr 3 Tony Ruffel Stakes over 1450m, but ran on in eye-catching style to be beaten only 0,6 lengths by the classy filly Ektifaa. However, he was receiving 1,5kg from the latter. On the other hand he looks likely to relish the return to the Standside track with its long straight.

He was an impressive winner of the Listed Secretariat Stakes over 1400m on the Standside track in his penultimate start. He looks likely to stay the 1600m trip, despite his sire Toreador and dam Sahara (Mogok) both being sprinter-to-1400m types. Matador Man relaxes beautifully in the running and has a fine turn of foot. His wide draw is of little concern as he invariably loses a length or two at the start and slots in behind the field. Lyle Hewitson rides.

The most fancied of Tarry’s runners in the betting is the Australian-bred colt by Fastnet Rock, Furiosa, who is second favourite with the sponsors at 3.75/1. S’Manga Khumalo will be aboard. This rangy sort has always given the impression that he would both improve with age and be best suited to a galloping track like Turffontein Standside. He was possibly a reluctant leader last time in a MR 80 Handicap over 1800m in very soft going on the Turffontein Inside track. However, he relaxed well and being in front enabled him to use his big action. He then stayed on resolutely under a typically strong ride by Khumalo and won by two lengths from the useful

older horse Amsterdam, from whom he was receiving only 2,5kg. So, it will no surprise to see him going to the front again from a good draw of four, especially as it is a small field, a scenario which often favours front runners.

Furiosa’s distance is not easy to predict on pedigree. On the one hand his sire Fastnet Rock was a twice Gr 1-winning sprinter, and furthermore Furiosa is a full-brother to a Listed winner over 1100m. However, Furiosa’s dam is by stamina influence Woodman and is a half-sister to a Gr 2 winner over 2040m. Visually, Furiosa strikes as one who is looking for 1800m and beyond. However, if the ground remains on the soft side on Saturday, it will favour him.

The unbeaten Tarry-trained Silvano colt Al Sahem is out of Alderry, who finished a narrow third in the Gauteng Fillies Guineas in 2010 and went on to win the Gr 2 November Handicap over 1600m. Both of Al Sahem’s eye-catching wins have been over the Gauteng Guineas course and distance. He is another who relaxes well in the running and has a superb turn of foot. On a line through Amsterdam there is not much between him and Furiosa. He will be improving being by Silvano. Anthony Delpech up and a plum draw of three are two further pluses. However, against him is he has had an interrupted preparation. He is 4/1 with Betting World.

Tilbury Fort, a colt by Horse Chestnut, has a touch of class and is a gallant sort, who keeps finding extra when challenged. He is distance suited too. In his last Highveld start he received 4kg from Guineas contender Chili Con Carne and gave him a 3,9 length beating, so his odds of 25/1 are more attractive than the latter’s 10/1. Raymond Danielson will be aboard Tilbury Fort.

Chili Con Carne has done better since the aforementioned race, but is well held by Matador Man on their last meeting. Tilbury Fort is also well held by Matador Man, having been given 3,5kg and a 1,75 length beating by him in the Secretariat. Therefore, it is interesting to note that on Cape Town 1600m form there is only 1,75 lengths between Saturday’s favourite Heavenly Blue and Tilbury Fort on a line through William Longsword.

All in all it points to Matador Man being the one to side with in Saturday’s Gauteng Guineas, which constitutes the joint first leg of the SA Triple Crown.           

David Thiselton

Doosra has been beaten by Matador Man, Chili Con Carne and Heavenly Blue in the past and has become a difficult customer before the start of his races. But he has plenty of talent and Johan Janse van Vuuren’s runner will have his supporters in the R1-million Betting World Gauteng Guineas (Grade 2) over 1600m at Turffontein on Saturday.

He is an 8-1 shot with the race sponsor, Betting World, and his trainer seems to believe his price is fair because both the Gauteng Guineas and the Wigerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas “look like tough races”.

Doosra showed his ability in the Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m in November when beating top-rated weak favourite Heavenly Blue by a head.

His feisty character then started to develop and he was stubborn going into the pens when fourth behind Singapore Sling, Heavenly Blue and Bold Rex in the Dingaans, his only previous race over 1600m. He was again unruly before a Graduation Plate next time out but won anyway, beating Daffiq by 1.60 lengths with Furiosa (renews rivalry) 4.10 lengths away in fourth place. His next two starts were over shorter and yielded thirds behind Chili Con Carne and Ektifaa respectively.

Janse van Vuuren will saddle Being Fabulous in the Fillies Guineas. This two-time winner is a classy individual who likes to be in control in her races nowadays.

Her second career win came in handicap company where she beat Eloquence by five lengths, which saw her merit rating upped eight points. She then started favourite but might have hit the front a bit too soon when third behind Belle Rose and Babbling Brooke, both of who renew rivalry.

One horse Janse van Vuuren is much more keen on is New Predator in the Hawaii Stakes (Grade 2) over 1400m. “New Predator is very well,” he confirmed. This is a preparatory run for the New Approach four-year-old, who will be bidding to win the HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes (Grade 1) over 1600m later this autumn. That is a race in which he finished third to Legal Eagle last year.

He has had one preparatory run already, when beating Kings Archer over 1400m at this track last month. Bulleting Home (3kg better off), Kangaroo Jack (6kg better off) and Will Pays (6kg better off) were behind him that day. He is drawn at No 1 and looks likely to start favourite.

TABnews

Ruling champion trainer Sean Tarry has yet to win the R1-million Betting World Gauteng Guineas (Grade 2) over 1600m but, in Furiosa and Al Sahem, he has two of the favourites for the alternate first leg of the SA Triple Crown at Turffontein this Saturday.

Betting World has priced Furiosa up at 15-4, marginally behind 7-2 favourite Heavenly Blue, with Al Sahem on offer at 4-1. Tarry has two other runners in the race – Matador Man at 5-1 and 25-1 outsider Tilbury Fort.

Asked whether he believes any of his four runners is capable of winning the Triple Crown, which also comprises the 1800m SA Classic and the 2450m SA Derby, he replied: “I don’t think it is about a horse being good enough to win the Triple Crown, it’s more about whether they will get the Classic and Derby distances. Furiosa and Al Sahem are suited to all three distances.”

Furiosa is the choice of Tarry’s No 1 jockey S’manga Khumalo, having won an 1800m race on the Inside Track at Turffontein three weeks ago. Tarry believes his fitness influenced the rider’s decision because Al Sahem is coming off a break and has missed work because of the rainy weather.

“Furiosa has done very little wrong,” he continued. “He did appreciate the step up in distance to 1800m and is coming back to 1600m, but showed a lot of speed early on for us to think he’d win a 1200m race.

“He’s on the up and hopefully he’s improved enough to get a blow in.”

Al Sahem has won both his races to date in weaker company and Tarry said: “I’m sure everyone would agree he’s a really nice horse. I’m not too fazed about him going up in class – he’s certainly good enough. But coming here off a break is not ideal. Unfortunately it just panned out this way.

“We had to scratch him from a race and he’s missed work in a very important week in terms of race prep.

“Matador Man just didn’t get there in time in a feature on the Inside Track last time out but was beaten by a very good filly in Ektifaa. That was a good prep run after a short break.”

He’s not ideally drawn at No 9 in the 10-horse field, but Tarry is not too concerned, because “he misses the break and comes from off them”.

He will also be travelling this far for the first time, but “the way he ran on in his last start gives me every reason to believe he will get a 1600m – though I’m not sure he’ll go further.”

He described Tilbury Fort as “a nice horse, maybe not in this class as yet, but certainly on the up. He could get a blow in here.”

His pick? “It’s hard to split Furiosa, Al Sahem and Matador Man. Furiosa has got fitness and a draw, while Al Sahem is also well drawn but is coming off a break and Matador Man doesn’t have a draw.

“All three have chances, but I’m not bullish. It’s an open and competitive race and the opposition needs to be respected. It’s an exciting start to the Triple Crown.”

Tarry-trained Safe Harbour is the highest-rated runner in the Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas, the first leg of the Triple Tiara but is drawn “out by Wemmer Pan” in No 16 stall. Betting World have her 4-1 third favourite.

“I would imagine Safe Harbour will be in need of the run,” said Tarry. “Looking at the programme I couldn’t find a more suitable start to her autumn campaign – I would have sidestepped this race if there was an easier route to the SA Fillies Classic. But we know she’s classy and it would be nice if that got her through.”

Khumalo picked the lowest-rated of Tarry’s four runners in Redberry Lane, who frustrated her trainer until blinkers were added to her equipment. Once her concentration was honed, she started realising the potential Tarry knew she had, winning a Maiden Plate by eight lengths.

She is the best-drawn of Tarry’s four runners in No 3 stall and is also among the fittest.

Smiling Blue Eyes has won two races in a row including a 1600m feature last time out. “She’s a lovely filly and will probably run in all three legs of the Triple Tiara because she’ll improve over the 1800m of the SA Fillies Classic and maybe even more over the 2450m of the Oaks,” said Tarry. “I’d be optimistic if she had a decent draw because she can race up there with the pace, but from that wide draw, we’ll have to take our medicine and come from off them.

“But this is a starting point and if you haven’t got a ticket, you haven’t got a chance.”

He said Visuality had “lost her way badly in Cape Town where she didn’t put one decent run together”.

However, he conceded she is being stretched over 1600m and said “it’s hard to have confidence in her from a stall only one inside Smiling Blue Eyes”.

The other Grade 2 race is the Hawaii Stakes in which Tarry will saddle French Navy and Bulleting Home.

“The 1400m is now a bit sharp for French Navy, but I’m expecting a good run. Bulleting Home has a tough task at the weights, but his last run was good from a deep draw. He’s in good order and should be competitive.”

* Other news from the Tarry stable is that talented but temperamental Cloth Of Cloud has had a colic operation. “Hopefully she’s on the mend,” said Tarry. Cloth Of Cloud last raced in the CTS Sprint over 1200m on Sun Met Day but missed the break, refused to gallop and cantered home. She then got colic on her way back to Johannesburg from Cape Town.
– TABnews