Rated the 87^th best trainer on the TRC Global rankings, champion trainer Sean Tarry can move up a notch or two if Heaps Of Fun can crack the Flamboyant Stakes at Greyville on Sunday. The Grade 3 event is the traditional New Year opener and has attracted a smart field headed by the Gr2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas winner.

Tarry is in lethal form at present and add Anton Marcus to the mix and you have to add another length or two to the filly’s chances.

Heaps Of Fun (Nkosi Hlophe)

The daughter of Visionaire looks to have had the ideal preparation into this race. Given an extended break after finishing a couple of lengths back to Inara in the Gr1 Garden Province Stakes on July day, she has been given to sprints as a warm-up into this race. She bumped the ultra-promising Green Pepper in her comeback run and showed the benefit of that outing when second to the more than useful Joan Ranger over 1200m at the Vaal.

The mile will be right up her ally and she will have more than just a few supporters.

However, she does face a talented field. Dawn Calling has still only recorded a single win in her 10 starts but has been runner-up in two important features as a juvenile. With that in mind Duncan Howells built her up for a crack at the Gr1 CTS Cape Fillies Guineas last month but she ran into all sorts of trouble as Piere Strydom, battling a slipped saddle aboard Final Judgement, ripped across her bows and denied her any chance she may have had. It was a long and expensive trip spoilt by no luck in running.

Howells won this race two years back with now UK-trained Same Jurisdiction and is confident of her chances. Dawn Calling is in receipt of 5kg from her older rivals and the one gate over the Greyville turf mile is a huge plus.

Vaal-based Paul Peter saddles the consistent Fort Ember who looked a winner before being caught by Patchit Up Baby in a recent conditions race at Turffontein. Behind her that day was the luckless grey Negroamaro. Her recent Highveld form is very consistent but Howells will know what he is up against in Fort Ember as he trained Patchit Up Baby before she was moved to the Highveld.

Olma and Lala finished first and second respectively in this race last year and Frank Robinson is confident that Olma has finally turned the corner after a string of disappointing results.

“I gave her a break after her run in Johannesburg in August, so she needed the run at Scottsville. It was a preparation race for the Flamboyant and the ground was also a bit hard for her,” said Robinson earlier in the week. “She likes a bit of sting out of the ground and Greyville is in good condition at present. We have also worked on her joints since that last race and she has turned the corner. She has been working well and moving very well.”

Robinson went on to add, “If she is herself she will win this race.”

Lala comes into the race off good form, beaten a neck by the in form Little Chapel over the Scottsville mile giving the winner 5kg. Against her is a difficult draw.

By Andrew Harrison

Previews and Tips Greyville Sunday 01 January

Race 1
Preview: Keep an eye on the betting but ARGO MAGIC made a promising debut after being well supported in the betting. The experience could give him the edge. Stable companion SUPA MUFTI drifted in the betting behind stable mate Royal Explorer and should also improve. (Andrew Harrison: 1-7-)

Race 2
Preview: GLEN COCO was narrowly beaten last run but has not been far back in all his races. He meets a weak field here and rates the one to beat. FOUNDING FATHER has shown some ability and looks second best. YORKSHIRE DALES and the blinkered ORIOLE could fill the minor placings. (Andrew Harrison: 2-3-4-9).

Race 3
Preview: FLORRICK is a long-time battler but tried hard when runner-up last outing and can finally go one better. DIAMANTE was sent out a weak favourite last start and finished a modest third. That was only her second outing and she can still improve. BURFI is another struggler but has improved in blinkers and now steps up in trip from a good draw. OYSTER POND may just have needed her last start and should prove better over this trip. (Andrew Harrison: 1-11-3-6).

Race 4
Preview: GOOD GRACE is down in class and may just have needed her local debut. Marcus stays with the ride. ONESIE did well first run out of the maidens when second to the progressive Miss Minver. She has a tricky draw but can still go close. SHIRLEY VALENTINE shed her maiden last start but enjoyed the trip. She now races in blinkers and can follow up. SILVER INSPIRATION has a pencil behind her ear and runs every other week. She has been over shorter of late but will be super fit. (Andrew Harrison: 1-5-2-4).

Race 5
Preview: NIGHT CIRCUS was a recent maiden winner but at his third start. He meets a weak handicap field here and looks capable of following up. PRINCIPATE was not too far back on  his handicap debut and stays the trip. ROCKEFELLER has been consistent on the poly. He switches to the turf where he has run his one bad race but that was on debut. He should have a good chance in this field. JAY AGAIN is struggling for his next win but was running on well last start and can finish in the money again. (Andrew Harrison: 1-4-8-9).

Race 6
Preview: MR WINSOME won with a lot in hand at his last start and was given a maximum penalty. He has a big weight here but looks capable of following up. FRIKKIE was second best behind Mr Winsome but is 3kg better off and should finish a lot closer. FRENCH REVOLUTION has been struggling for his next win but has not been far back. With Marcus aboard he could get it right this time around. MARK MY CARD is always game and is back over a trip which may suit her better. (Andrew Harrison: 1-6-4-7).

Race 7
Preview: HEAPS OF FUN has had two sprints since a break and both were good efforts in strong company. This looks to be her optimum trip and she rates a big chance in a competitive field. DAWN CALLING found traffic in the Cape Fillies Guineas and never got a clear run. She has smart form on this course and off a light weight rates a big threat to the selection. FORT EMBER looked a winner before being caught by Patchit Up Baby last run with Negroamaro behind her. Her recent Highveld form is very consistent. LALA has a difficult draw but is never far back and can run into the money again. (Andrew Harrison: 1-12-4-3).

Race 8
Preview: Open race. NAPOLI has improved in blinkers and has been racing over shorter. He can do better this trip. LUCKY LUCIANO has been in good form on the poly. He has some fair Highveld form in stronger company and if taking to the turf should be right there. MR O’NEILL has taken a 6-point drop in the ratings and is back on the turf. His poly form has been consistent and he has a chance in this company. MARRON needed his last start and although drawn a touch wide the extra should suit. SNOWMAN takes a big drop in class but takes a corresponding hike in the weights. He also has a coffin draw but he can improve on current form. (Andrew Harrison: 4-2-7-6).

Race 9
Preview: DEEP DOWN REBEL is a smart filly and although she has a big weight she could prove a cut above this opposition. WINTER AURALIUS has been trying further but has not been far back and the drop in trip could suit. ZLOTY POTOK has yet to run a bad race but make his poly debut. He has the best of the draw. NEWYORKSTATEOFMIND has very good poly form but switches back to the turf from a wide draw.  (Andrew Harrison: 1-7-3-6)

In spite of extensive lobbying, quarantine regulations have scuppered any chances of Mauritian champion Parachute Man competing in the Gr1 Sun Met at Kenilworth on 28 January.

In a notice to the horse’s owners, trainer Ricky Maingard said that, “it is with regret that we have had to call off Parachute Man’s participation in the forthcoming Sun Met.

Parachute Man (Le Express)

This is due mainly to the South African Directorate of Animal Health refusing to consider the use of the Kenilworth quarantine (officially approved as an outgoing quarantine station) for our use on arrival in the RSA where Parachute Man and his travelling companion could be trained each day preceding the race.”

There were hopes of the Gauteng autumn season after the Met but those plans have also fallen through.

“The next opportunity for Parachute Man to fly out to South Africa is only in March and quarantine in Johannesburg (30 days with no training facility), is far too late.”

There were also plans for Champions Season in KZN. “But he would be an unfit horse leaving quarantine mid-April, with only two and a half months to get him to his peak which is very tight, even assuming that nothing goes wrong with his preparation,” summed up Maingard.

“After the July season, there would of course be the Gauteng Autumn carnival in October/November followed by a crack at the Met in January 2018 if all went well.

“The drawback is the fact that Parachute Man will then be a year older and most probably past his very best,” he concluded.

The owners of Parachute Man will meet early in the New Year to discuss the various options but for the immediate future, the horse will come out of isolation, put out of work and given a well-earned rest at Floreal.

By Andrew Harrison

A number of South African’s feature in the latest TRC Global Rankings and with the Western Cape season in full swing there is a chance of Ingrid and Markus Jooste moving up the leading owner table along with retained jockey Anton Marcus.

The Jooste’s, who now race under the Mayfair Speculator’s banner, are currently 11th in the world rankings.

The only other South African’s to feature in the top 100 are Drakenstein Stud owned by Gaynor and Johan Rupert who are this week ranked in 87th place, up four places from 91.

Anton Marcus

Not surprisingly Ireland-based Coolmore Partners, consisting of John Magnier, Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor, are way ahead on that table followed by Godolphin and Al Shaqab Racing.

Coolmore partners are spearheaded bytheir trainer, Aiden O’Brien.

The master of Ballydoyle has notched an incredible 51 Group 1 winners in the period under review.

His closest rivals as far as Group 1 success are concerned are Australia’s leading trainer, Chris Waller with 34, and Americans Bob Baffert and Todd Pletcher tied on 31 each. Another American, Chad C Brown is second behind O’Brien on the trainer’s log ahead of Waller and Baffert.

The only South African trainer to feature in the world’stop 100 is champion trainer Sean Tarry who, like Drakenstein Stud, has moved up from 91st to 87th on the table.

Ryan Moore, recently officially crowned the world’s best jockey, is not surprisingly at the top of the riders table followed by Hugh Bowman of Australia and Frank Dettori, the UK-based Italian.

Anton Marcus is rated 19th on the global log, up from 23rd position last week.

The only other South African rider to feature is Piere Strydom who currently sits in 87th place on the table.

With the Jooste-owned and Marcus ridden Legal Eagle out to defend his Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate title and hopefully for his connections, go one better in the Gr1 Sun Met, there is opportunity for both owners and jockey to move up the rankings.

The TRC Global rankings work in a similar fashion to the world golf and tennis rankings where points are award according to the status of races won and the tables are updated weekly.

By Andrew Harrison

The Turffontein Standside track stages an eight race meeting tomorrow which features the Gr 3 Lebelo Sprint over 1000m and there are also some quality horses turning out in an eight race meeting at the same venue on Monday.

Rivarine (Nkosi Hlophe)

Rivarine went down to the top class sprinter Green Pepper last time out over this trip at the Vaal by just a head despite giving her 7,5kg, so looks hard to beat in the Lebelo Sprint, despite the presence of the older Gr 1-performing sprinter African Ruler. Swinging it in Rivarine’s favour firstly is his high draw, which tends to be favourable on this straight course. Secondly the race is run under handicap conditions. Rivarine is capable of rising above his current merit rating of 98 and this is especially in light of Green Pepper now being rated 106. Rivarine has in form Lyle Hewitson up. African Ruler can’t be written off especially as he has the magician Andrew Fortune aboard. Captain’s Causeway and Wrecking Ball could earn as the form of their last clash over 1160m has been franked. The speedy Seattle Singer will appreciate the step down to 1000m, so could be dangerous having snuck into the handicap with the minimum weight.

The value bet of the day is Anna Pavlova in the fourth race, as she has impressed in her wins and looks capable of going places, although she does have a tough draw here.

On Monday the classy Being Fabulous returns in a MR 76 Handicap over 1600m after running third in the Gr 3 Fillies Mile in just her third career start. She looks capable of rising above her merit rating of 83 and will be hard to beat from a draw of six under regular pilot Gavin Lerena.

The sixth is an intriguing Graduation Plate over 1400m. The long-striding Doosra looks likely to appreciate the step down to this trip at this stage of his career and is the one to beat under Lerena, despite a wide draw. Furiosa looks to have some class and could be a threat receiving 3kg from Doosra, while Daffiq is a classy sort who looks ideally distance suited and he should be fit enough despite returning from a six month layoff as he comes from the Mike de Kock yard.

The seventh is an intriguing Graduation Plate over 1160m for fillies and mares. French Legend is a classy sort who looks capable of going places and her best effort to date has come over this trip. Arissa has ability and Queenie was bought into the Mike Azzie yard after her impressive last run, but is back with Tony Nassiff after a dispersal sale and is returning from a nine month layoff.

By David Thiselton