Frankie Dettori will be at Kenilworth for South Africa’s richest-ever race day on Saturday, January 28, when the legendary jockey will ride Durban July-winner The Conglomerate for trainer Joey Ramsden and owners Mayfair Speculators in the R5-million Sun Met celebrated with Mumm.

Dettori, famous for his flying dismounts, will also partner the highly regarded Table Bay for Ramsden in the Investec Cape Derby and Cape Fillies Guineas winner Just Sensual for the same trainer in the $500,000 CTS Mile as well as the Dennis Drier-trained Seventh Plain in the Betting World Cape Flying Championship.

Ramsden has gone close in the Sun Met on more than one occasion and The Conglomerate has an obvious chance although he will have to respond positively to Dettori’s brilliance if he is to topple warm favourite Legal Eagle who also carries the colours of Markus Jooste’s Mayfair Speculators.

Justin Snaith has the biggest hand with three runners – last year’s Investec Cape Derby winner It’s My Turn, Baritone and exceptionally high-class filly Bela-Bela. Other notable runners include heavily backed Whisky Baron and Marinaresco, who went so close in the Durban July.

The draws will be decided after the 15 runners gallop at Kenilworth on Thursday morning (7am Tellytrack DSTV 239).

– TABNews

Final field for the Grade 1 Sun Met Celebrated With Mumm over 2000m at Kenilworth:

1 – 0 LEGAL EAGLE (S G Tarry) A Marcus 60.0 – 123

2 – 0 MAC DE LAGO (W H Marwing) A Domeyer 60.0 – 112

3 – 0 THE CONGLOMERATE (J Ramsden) L Dettori 60.0 – 107

4 – 0 MARINARESCO (C L Bass-Robinson) G van Niekerk 59.5 – 115

5 – 0 IT’S MY TURN (S J Snaith) P Strydom 59.5 – 106

6 – 0 CAPTAIN AMERICA (B Crawford) C Orffer 58.0 – 116

7 – 0 FRENCH NAVY (S G Tarry) W Marwing 58.0 – 113

8 – 0 WHISKY BARON (B Crawford) G Cheyne 57.5 – 110

9 – 0 BRAZUCA (J A Janse van Vuuren) G Lerena 57.5 – 109

10 – 0 BARITONE (S J Snaith) A Fortune 57.5 – 105

11 – 0 CAPE SPEED (D Kannemeyer) K de Melo 57.5 – 101

12 – 0 MAMBO MIME (D Kannemeyer) G Behr 57.5 – 99

13 – 0 MACDUFF (J Ramsden) D Dillon 57.5 – 90

14 – 0 BELA-BELA (S J Snaith) A Delpech 57.0 – 109

15 – 0 GOLD STANDARD (G S Kotzen) R Fourie 52.0 – 108

Same Trainer: (1,7) (3,13) (5,10,14) (6,8) (11,12)

Final field and draws for the Grade 1 Betting World Cape Flying Championship over 1000m at Kenilworth:

1 – 2 TRIP TO HEAVEN (S G Tarry) …………… 60.0 – 120

2 – 1 RED RAY (J Ramsden) A Marcus 60.0 – 117

3 – 17 TALKTOTHESTARS (F C De Beer) S Pasquier 60.0 – 116

4 – 5 BRUTAL FORCE (J Ramsden) D Dillon 60.0 – 112

5 – 11 TEVEZ (C L Bass-Robinson) A Domeyer 60.0 – 112

6 – 8 GULF STORM (B Crawford) G Cheyne 60.0 – 108

7 – 14 CAPTAIN ALFREDO (S J Snaith) W Marwing 60.0 – 107

8 – 16 GENERALISSIMO (D R Drier) A Delpech 60.0 – 107

9 – 9 SEARCH PARTY (B Crawford) C Orffer 60.0 – 106

10 – 15 ASSTAR (G R Puller) …………… 60.0 – 104

11 – 6 TAR HEEL (J Ramsden) …………… 60.0 – 104

12 – 18 SEVENTH PLAIN (D R Drier) L Dettori 60.0 – 100

13 – 10 DARING DAVE (D R Hodgson) A Fortune 60.0 – 98

14 – 7 CARRY ON ALICE (S G Tarry) S Khumalo 57.5 – 114

15 – 3 JO’S BOND (S J Snaith) R Fourie 57.5 – 102

16 – 4 RIVARINE (M G Azzie) G Lerena 56.5 – 105

Reserve Runners

17 – 13 PERCIVAL (W A Nel) Reserve 1 60.0 – 94

18 – 12 LINE BREAK (C L Bass-Robinson) Reserve 2 60.0 – 93

Same Trainer: (1,14) (2,4,11) (5,18) (6,9) (7,15) (8,12)

Final field and draws for the Grade 1 Klawervlei Majorca Stakes over 1600m at Kenilworth:

1 – 5 REAL PRINCESS (D Kannemeyer) K de Melo 60.0 – 106

2 – 20 SILVER MOUNTAIN (C L Bass-Robinson) G van Niekerk 60.0 – 105

3 – 16 NIGHTINGALE (C L Bass-Robinson) A Delpech 60.0 – 104

4 – 19 ALEXIS (B Crawford) G Cheyne 60.0 – 103

5 – 9 OLMA (F Robinson) I Sturgeon 60.0 – 103

6 – 18 A TIME TO DREAM (S J Snaith) A Fortune 60.0 – 102

7 – 13 STAR EXPRESS (S J Snaith) P Strydom 60.0 – 102

8 – 6 CAPTAIN’S FLAME (W A Nel) A Domeyer 60.0 – 100

9 – 4 BEACH GODDESS (B Crawford) C Orffer 60.0 – 99

10 – 3 GOODTIME GAL (M J Robinson) G Lerena 60.0 – 99

11 – 10 TAHINI (S G Tarry) …………… 60.0 – 97

12 – 12 MOONLIGHT ‘N ROSES (C L Bass-Robinson) M Byleveld 60.0 – 96

13 – 17 NEALA (S W Humby) D Dillon 60.0 – 90

14 – 11 SAIL (D R Drier) S Veale 55.0 – 102

15 – 1 LADY OF THE HOUSE (B Crawford) A Marcus 55.0 – 100

16 – 2 FINAL JUDGEMENT (G S Kotzen) R Fourie 55.0 – 99

17 – 15 CHESTNUTS N PEARLS (D R Drier) Reserve 1 60.0 – 97

18 – 14 QUINE (W A Nel) Reserve 2 60.0 – 90

19 – 7 MISS MARKER (C L Bass-Robinson) Reserve 3 60.0 – 87

20 – 8 PARTY CRASHER (G S Kotzen) Reserve 4 55.0 – 83

Same Trainer: (2,3,12,19) (4,9,15) (6,7) (8,18) (14,17) (16,20)

Final field and draws for the Grade 1 Investec Cape Derby over 2000m at Kenilworth:

1 – 2 TABLE BAY (J Ramsden) L Dettori 60.0 – 106

2 – 3 EDICT OF NANTES (B Crawford) A Marcus 60.0 – 99

3 – 4 ELEVATED (C/R Burger/van Reenen) G Cheyne 60.0 – 99

4 – 1 HORIZON (C L Bass-Robinson) G van Niekerk 60.0 – 98

5 – 5 ZODIAC RULER (S J Snaith) …………… 60.0 – 97

6 – 6 NEWLANDS (J Ramsden) D Dillon 60.0 – 94

7 – 9 WINTER IS COMING (F Robinson) I Sturgeon 60.0 – 90

8 – 10 OLLIVANDER (C L Bass-Robinson) A Domeyer 60.0 – 85

9 – 7 OMAHA TRIBE (V H Marshall) M Byleveld 60.0 – 80

10 – 8 CAPTAIN GAMBLER (J Ramsden) R Fourie 57.5 – 90

Same Trainer: (1,6,10) (4,8)

Final field and draws for the $500,000 CTS Mile over 1600m at Kenilworth:

1 – 12 WILLIAM LONGSWORD (V H Marshall) A Marcus 60.0 – 109

2 – 16 JANOOBI (M F De Kock) P Strydom 60.0 – 100

3 – 1 SINGAPORE SLING (G V Woodruff) C Maujean 60.0 – 98

4 – 5 AFRICAN NIGHT SKY (S J Snaith) R Fourie 60.0 – 91

5 – 6 I TRAVEL LIGHT (J Ramsden) D Dillon 60.0 – 87

6 – 2 DANCER (J Ramsden) …………… 60.0 – 86

7 – 9 A NEW DAWN (J Ramsden) …………… 60.0 – 85

8 – 17 COPPER FORCE (S J Snaith) A Delpech 60

9 – 15 TILBURY FORT (S G Tarry) …………… 60.0 – 84

10 – 11 KENNY TRIX (V H Marshall) M Byleveld 60.0 – 83

11 – 18 JUST SENSUAL (J Ramsden) L Dettori 57.5 – 109

12 – 7 SAFE HARBOUR (S G Tarry) …………… 57.5 – 108

13 – 4 SHE’S A GIVER (J A Janse van Vuuren) G Lerena 57.5 – 104

14 – 3 EPONA (J Ramsden) S Pasquier 57.5 – 98

15 – 8 WHOSE THAT GIRL (C L Bass-Robinson) G van Niekerk 57.5 – 90

16 – 14 PRIMROSE LANE (D R Hodgson) A Fortune 57.5 – 88

17 – 10 BIG BANG THEORY (B Crawford) Reserve 1 57.5 – 78

18 – 13 CANDID (C L Bass-Robinson) Reserve 2 60.0 – 82

Same Trainer: (1,10) (4,8) (5,6,7,11,14) (9,12) (15,18)

Final field and draws for the $500,000 CTS Sprint over 1200m at Kenilworth:

1 – 17 SERGEANT HARDY (S J Snaith) R Fourie 60.0 – 110

2 – 8 ALWAYS IN CHARGE (V H Marshall) A Marcus 60.0 – 108

3 – 4 ATTENBOROUGH (J Ramsden) P Strydom 60.0 – 101

4 – 16 ELUSIVE PATH (V H Marshall) M Byleveld 60.0 – 96

5 – 6 BUFFALO SOLDIER (C Laird) A Fortune 60.0 – 95

6 – 3 STARFLASH (V H Marshall) G Cheyne 60.0 – 90

7 – 18 LE HARVE (S J Snaith) A Andrews 60.0 – 86

8 – 7 LIVE LIFE (C L Bass-Robinson) G van Niekerk 57.5 – 101

9 – 11 CLOTH OF CLOUD (S G Tarry) S Khumalo 57.5 – 99

10 – 20 MYFUNNYVALENTINE (S G Tarry) …………… 57.5 – 97

11 – 15 EXQUISITE TOUCH (S G Tarry) …………… 57.5 – 96

12 – 13 BLAZE OF MYSTERY (D C Howells) K de Melo 57.5 – 92

13 – 9 A WOMENS WAY (D C Howells) I Sturgeon 57.5 – 91

14 – 10 RED LIGHT GIRL (S J Snaith) A Domeyer 57.5 – 90

15 – 19 AL DANZA (G V Woodruff) G Lerena 57.5 – 89

16 – 5 HASHTAG STRAT (L W Goosen) J Sampson 57.5 – 89

17 – 12 EXTRADITE (C L Bass-Robinson) A Delpech 57.5 – 88

18 – 14 WAKE UP MAGGIE (C L Bass-Robinson) D Dillon 57.5 – 88

19 – 1 CLIFTON SUNSET (B Crawford) C Orffer 57.5 – 84

20 – 2 FRENCH LEGEND (S G Tarry) …………… 57.5 – 83

Same Trainer: (1,7,14) (2,4,6) (8,17,18) (9,10,11,20) (12,13)

Final fields for the R1-million Kuda Sprint (Non-Black Type) over 1200m

1 – 2 BARRACK STREET (S G Tarry) …………… 60.0 – 83

2 – 8 BOLD RESPECT (B Crawford) C Orffer 60.0 – 84

3 – 10 PUGET SOUND (M F De Kock) G Lerena 60.0 – 80

4 – 18 SIR FRENCHIE (S J Snaith) P Strydom 60.0 – 79

5 – 3 APOLLO STAR (J Ramsden) D Dillon 58.0 – 75

6 – 16 BERNIE (C L Bass-Robinson) G van Niekerk 58.0 – 75

7 – 14 BIG MISTAKE (C L Bass-Robinson) A Marcus 58.0 – 77

8 – 20 CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN (M F De Kock) A Delpech 58.0 – 85

9 – 17 HENRY TUDOR (S J Snaith) A Domeyer 58.0 – 76

10 – 12 RIKERS ISLAND (V H Marshall) M Byleveld 58.0 – 0

11 – 11 SNOW BOARDING (A Nassif) C Zackey 58.0 – 74

12 – 1 SUNDAY FALLS (V H Marshall) …………… 58.0 – 64

13 – 13 VARSIDE (S J Snaith) A Fortune 58.0 – 75

14 – 9 VOLCANIC SUNSET (S G Tarry) …………… 58.0 – 79

15 – 15 VORTEX STAR (S G Tarry) …………… 58.0 – 74

16 – 6 WALL STREET TRADER (C L Bass-Robinson) S Veale 58.0 – 64

17 – 19 WARRIOR’S REST (S G Tarry) …………… 58.0 – 73

18 – 4 WONDERWALL (S G Tarry) …………… 58.0 – 86

19 – 7 GOLD IMAGE (G S Kotzen) R Fourie 57.5 – 84

20 – 5 LACERTA (S J Snaith) …………… 55.5 – 76

Same Trainer: (1,14,15,17,18) (3,8) (4,9,13,20) (6,7,16) (10,12)

 

The Turffontein Inside track stages an eight race card on Tuesday and there look to be one or two potential bankers in the exotics.

The first leg of the Pick 6 over 1200m yields a banker opportunity in Aerobatic, who showed good pace over 1400m last time and finished just 2,25 lengths back against some promising sorts. She has very little to beat here and jumps from a good draw with Andrew Fortune up.

In the second leg over 1200m Prince Of War had his best run over 1000m at this course. He was staying on that day from a handy position, so can do well here from a good draw in his third run after a layoff. The two obvious choices are Brave Nation and Bandanna. The latter is better than his last run and is likely improving being by Silvano. Mr Rambo and Flying Russian are on top of those three on form, so also have to be considered.

The third leg is a typically competitive 1000m handicap, but the three which make most appeal are Kapitan, Magic and Captainofmyheart, who all have speed as well as fair draws and good jockeys. Rafa can’t be ignored, while Tommy Waterdevil is capable of running on from behind from a wide draw, and course and distance-suited Gun Fughter is only two points higher for his good last win. Topweight Fidelio is 1kg better off with Gun Fighter for a 0,5 length beating, but does have a tough draw.

The next leg is an E division handicap for fillies and mares over 1600m. Dancing Wall was well regarded earlier in her career and has dropped to a merit rating of 70. She over raced with blinkers on last time and they have been removed, so she is an interesting contender. Winning Sister goes well for Chase Maujean and if able to settle over a trip which is at the upper limit of her stamina range she could make a bold bid from a handy position. This looks sharper than ideal for Dawn Flight, but the strength of S’Manga Khumalo could give her a chance from pole position. However, to make sure of getting through, the whole field will have to be included.

The fifth leg is competitive, but Arlington impressed in his maiden win and with Piere Strydom up from a good draw could be a banker consideration. However, Bush Pilot, Just Cruised In, Smartifact, My Treasure and Patric could give him a lot to think about.

The last is a competitive fillies and mares handicap. Ribbonofmoonlight looks to be crying out for this trip and could score for Strydom from a good draw. Cosmo Russe Fish River Canyon, Bank The Bill, Spring Indeed, Cool Fantasy and Vogue’s Wood also warrant consideration.

By David Thiselton

The Listed Michael Roberts Handicap over 1750m at Scottsville yesterday fittingly saw a top ride by Anthony Delpech aboard the Dean Kannemeyer-trained gelding Mr Winsome.

Mr Winsome usually starts slowly, but Delpech wasn’t concerned, especially as he found himself sitting behind Anton Marcus’s mount Stormy Eclipse.

The horse showed a fine turn of foot in the straight and made up a lot of ground to convert 2/1 favouritism, getting up to beat 18/1 shot Open Heir. Run Rhino Run was third with Caribbean Day, who was 2kg under sufferance, next best and Stormy Eclipse fifth. Gr 3 Christmas Handicap winner Rikitikitana could only manage sixth.

Mr Winsome is yet another son of Silvano who is coming into his own as a four-year-old. He has also benefitted from the layoff he was given during last year’s SA Champions Season, which allowed him to overcome a few issues.

This was Delpech’s third meeting on his return from a broken collarbone and he has already had four winners in just ten rides.

In the first race yesterday, a Juvenile Maiden over 1000m, the Paddy Lunn-trained Sail From Seattle first-timer gelding Autumn Breeze won by 0,25 lengths under Athandiwe Mgudlwa from first-timer Calladdi, who was backed in to 7/20.

The second over 1000m was won by the Tony Rivalland-trained Tiger Ridge gelding La Ferrari under Anton Marcus. The horse is so named because all of his owners drive Ferrari’s and built on his good debut, even though the latter was over three months ago.

The third race over 1200m saw the favourite Danish Cross having to be scratched due to an incident at the start. The Paul Gadsby-trained Rebel King filly Sarabi, having just her second start, remained calm as the horses waited to be reloaded and won comfortably under Lyle Hewitson. Fortunately, the new favourite Fashion Quest came second to help exotic punters.

The fourth over 1200m saw a good win for the big Mark Dixon-trained filly Spiritofadventure, a homebred of Avison and Mary Carlisle’s who was ridden by Marco van Rensburg.

In the fifth over 1200m the course record holder Humidor proved in need of the run and faded late. The Chris Erasmus-trained Yellow Star Stud-homebred Panza, a five-year-old Right Approach gelding, just prevailed from the gallant Albert with Roy’s Airforce flying for third.

The small Dennis Drier-trained Toreador filly Plume del Toro showed the size of her heart to win the next over 1000m under Sean Veale.

The staying race saw the Duncan Howells-trained Golden Sword gelding Sabre Charge repeating his maiden win over this 2400m trip with Keagan de Melo up again.

Howells and De Melo made it a double by winning the last, a fillies 1600m maiden, with Mambo In Seattle filly Pippin.

By David Thiselton

The heavily backed Whisky Baron is beginning to remind Brett Crawford of his 2003 Met winner Angus.

Futura, his winner of two years ago, might seem a more logical comparison – like Whisky Baron, he was a constantly improving four-year-old – but Crawford said: “No, they are two different types of horse and Futura had already proved himself as a three-year-old when he was third in the July.

“But Whisky Baron and Angus have come much the same route even though Angus won the Premier rather than the Peninsula.”

The handicappers raised Whisky Baron seven points to 110 for his impressive two-length win in the Peninsula – ten points was the maximum permitted under the handicapping rules. Sun Met favourite Legal Eagle (123) has to concede 2.5kg of which half a kilo is weight-for-age.

“Whisky Baron started the Cape season off 96 and we still have to improve him another eight points to have a chance of beating Legal Eagle,” said the Philippi trainer. “But he is still improving and, although it’s going to be difficult, I don’t think it’s impossible.”

Whisky Baron, named after Ridgemont Stud owner Wayne Kieswetter who has substantially increased his bloodstock interests by purchasing Highlands, is the main Crawford runner but Queen’s Plate runner-up Captain America was only a length behind Legal Eagle when third in last year’s Met.

“He ran a great race that day – he never stopped,” recalled Crawford. “He has come out of the Queen’s Plate exceptionally well but his best performances have been at a mile.”

BLOB Miss Frankel, so far the only horse in training in South Africa by the undefeated wonder horse, will make her much-awaited debut at Kenilworth on Saturday.

By Michael Clower

Trip To Heaven fairly romped away with the Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes at Kenilworth on Saturday but the good news for those left trailing almost four lengths and more in his wake is that he is far from certain to return for the Betting World Cape Flying Championship on Saturday week.

The 3-1 joint favourite has an alarming tendency to lose lengths at the start but S’Manga Khumalo made light of this and bided his time until inside the final furlong. His mount promptly put daylight between himself and the rest despite not even being shown the whip.

Khumalo said: “The plan was to ride him as confidently as possible, all went well and the gaps opened when I wanted them.”

Sean Tarry, calculating that this was his 100^th winner of the season, added: “From day one Trip To Heaven has shown us blistering talent and speed but unfortunately he has issues. I don’t want to detract from the horse by going into them. We’ll see about running in the Cape Flying – it’s not definite.”

Second-placed Tevez had the heavily backed Search Party a short head back third with Red Ray (3-1), racing for the first time for six months, less than half a length away fourth. All are due to renew rivalry in the Cape Flying.

Red Ray’s trainer Joey Ramsden said: “For me it was perhaps a little disappointing but Anton Marcus (“I thought it was a grand run”) was happy and he is the man that counts. He felt he could have been second had he sat closer.”

Lord Balmoral took the Fairview Wines Sophomore Sprint in the manner of a horse that could go close in next year’s Cape Flying when completing a treble for Vaughan Marshall with the Milnerton trainer declaring: “He is a serious horse with massive cruising speed and I think he breaks the others’ hearts.”

Rider MJ Byleveld even rued the absence of Grade 1 winner Cloth Of Cloud (she waits for Met day), saying: “I would love to have taken her on with this one.”

Marcus followed up Friday evening’s Greyville treble with two more winners including the Power King Maiden for Eric Sands who was so confident that he texted the four-time champion to book him for Choir Of Angels the day the entries came out.

Geese tend to become swans when they win – at least in the eyes of those closest to them – but nobody had a good word to say about the apparently inappropriately-named Saint Janine after she came home at 4-1 in the Solid Speed Maiden.

“She’s a real cow,” declared Derek Brugman and he was polite compared with members of the Candice Bass-Robinson team. Seemingly the little madam has a mind of her own and leaves the farriers in no doubt that she won’t have shoes on her hind feet. She takes a similarly violent view about tongue ties and injections. Only assistant trainer Mel Arnold can get near her.

Bold Respect showed his rivals a more conventional pair of heels under Corne Orffer to collect R50 000 for Delma Sherrell in opening Cape Speed Maiden and on Saturday week the Brett Crawford-trained colt will compete for R1 million in the Kuda Sprint.

By Michael Clower