Previews Turffontein Saturday 31 December

Race 1
Preview: GREEN PLAINS is by Gimmethegreenlight out of a half-sister to the useful Juan Pablo. SANDALWOOD by Great Britain out of Captain Al mare is a half-sister to  Var gelding Peanuts who won twice over 1000m at the Vaal early in his career.

Race 2
MODJAJI has plenty of early speed and from a probably favourable high draw and off a one point lower merit rating than last time looks the one to beat. EFFORTLESS REWARD has speed and class and with first time blinkers on should be right there. LADY ON FIRE is knocking on the door and has a fair draw too.

Race 3
Preview: SURPRISE MOVE is an Australian-bred by New Approach and doesn’t have a lot to beat here. AT SUNSET had some good form before a layoff of eight months and could run well fresh over a trip short of his best from a high draw. MOSS GAS was caught late last time over course and distance and should be involved again.

Race 4
Preview: ANNA PAVLOVA, who packs a powerful finish, looks capable of rising above this class and a wide draw on the Standside course is manageable. MAGICALITY is well regarded and is probably looking for this step up in trip after being a touch one paced last time in a sprint. MOVIE AWARD is well drawn and drops in class so could do well over a course and distance she has won over before. RETURN TO POWER was tried in a feature last time and is merit rated only 78 so can’t be ignored. MY FRIEND LEE and SAMARRA have to be considered too.

Race 5
Preview: RAFEEF is full of class and is interesting stepped up in trip after finding another gear late last time to fend off a challenger comfortably in a sprint, although he does have a tricky draw to overcome. APOCALYPSE NOW won well on debut and should also appreciate the step up in trip. IRISH PRIDE is a classy sort and the best might not have been seen of him yet so he will be a threat over an ideal trip.

Race 6
Preview: CAPTAIN CHIPS is knocking on the door and now has a good draw over this ideal trip. JUST A GIGOLO has a strong finish so is course and distance suited. ACT OF LOYALTY is a classy and progressive sort and can earn despite top weight.

Race 7
Preview: RIVARINE’s last run over this trip when touched off by Green Pepper to whom he conceded 7,5kg looks exceptionally good form and he is the best bet on the card. AFRICAN RULER has Andrew Fortune up so this classy older sprinter can’t be ignored although he has a low draw as oppsed to Rivarine’s probable favourable high draw. WRECKING BALL is going the right way and can earn again. CAPTAIN’S CAUSEWAY is also coming into his own. SEATTLE SINGER is speedy and will appreciate the step down in trip.

Race 8
Preview: SPRING STEEL was caught wide last time around the turn but still won comfortably so can overcome a five point merit rated raise from a likely favourable high draw. BARBEL RUN went close last time over course and distance and off the same mark will likely have the advantage of the Standside rail again. ANALYSE THIS showed speed over 1400m with blinkers on and is an intriguing runner over a step down in trip. JUST AS I SAID showed last time gelding has improved him and can’t be ignored despite a likely tricky draw and a five point raise. FIELDMARSHAL FENIX has a low draw too but was unlucky last time and should be involved.

Lunar Rush, the only horse in South Africa to break her maiden in a million-rand race, can score just her third victory when she runs in an 88 MR Handicap at Greyville this evening. But the handicappers are catching up and things may not be quite as easy tonight although she does look to have scope for further improvement.

Duncan Howells is cautiously optimistic of his filly’s chances. “She’s in good form and has improved on her last start. But,” he cautioned, “she is worse off at the weight’s with Kannemeyer’s filly.”

Red Moon At Night, although seldom out of the money in recent months, has been battling to register another victory and was beaten two lengths into second place by Lunar Rush on the Greyville turf last time out.

They switch to the poly this evening but both have shown that they are comfortable on the surface.

Lunar Rush was given a five-point penalty for that last success whilst second-placed Red Moon At Night escaped unscathed but with apprentice Eric Ngwane claiming his 1.5kg, Lunar Rush is only 2kg worse off. Theory has it that Red Moon At Night should finish a lot closer but if Lunar Rush has come on from that run as indicated then the result could remain the same. Incidentally, Howells, who takes few prisoners when it comes to jockeys, was full of praise for Ngwane’s ride on Amazon King at Greyville last Friday. “I thought he rode a cracker.”

However, Ngwane owes his place aboard Dawn Calling to the fact that there were no jockeys available which gives the apprentice an opportunity of a first feature victory.

Howells has a second string to his bow in Accidental Tourist but was less confident of her chances. “She will battle at the weights,” he said.

On a card that ‘boasts’ five maiden races, the Michael Roberts-trained Cabinda looks the obvious choice in the card opener but the son of Seventh Rock has the unenviable record of having played second fiddle in his last five outings which casts some doubt on that form leaving the door open for the likes of Ground Breaker and Raw Courage.

The former has improved with every outing and was doing his best work late behind Interferometer over course and distance last time out. Ground Breaker has also pulled a plum draw at two while Raw Courage has to do it from gate 14. Lezeanne Forbes’s runner took some interference when behind Interferometer and Ground Breaker after starting favourite. His best effort came over course and distance behind Newyorkstateofmind and that form has panned out well.

Arran Isles is another possible for the Kannemeyer yard where she is sure to start a short priced favourite in the second. She took a wander in the market at her last start but came on late for second. None of the opposition are likely to get their names on jam tins.

Hard working Marco van Rensburg has taken advantage of the dearth of jockeys over this holiday period and has been busy jetting around the country. From the Vaal yesterday, to Greyville tonight, Turffontein tomorrow and back to Greyville on Sunday. His two best rides tonight could come in the third where he partners Aznerak for Colin Scott and Plymouth Rock in the last for Doug Campbell.

Aznerak has come well under Van Rensburg, finishing fourth at long odds on his first ride on the filly and then a close-up second last time out. She has a lot in her favour here although she also has plenty of opposition.

With Stuart Randolph out of action after finally having a troublesome hip replaced, Van Rensburg takes over on the home-bred Plymouth Rock. The gelding has caught the eye in both starts and with cheek pieces on from an inside gate he can round off the year on a winning note for punters.

By Andrew Harrison

Previews and Tips Greyville Friday 30 December

Race 1
Preview: GROUND BREAKER has improved with each run and comes from a yard that has great success on the poly. CABINDA is long overdue and has been runner-up in his last five starts. The blinkers come off and he is due a change of fortune. RAW COURAGE does not have the best of draws but was disappointing when a beaten favourite last time out and can do better than that judged on his previous form. SPY FICTION comes from a small stable but his best effort has come on the poly and he now tries blinkers. (Andrew Harrison: 6-1-3-4)

Race 2
Preview: ARRAN ISLES rates the one to beat after her runner-up effort last time out and on that showing should have the measure of SONIC AP who has improved of late but is struggling and finished behind Arrann Isles last time they met. SARI made a promising Scottsville debut from a tricky draw and did find some solid market support. She is sure to come on from that effort. EQUESTRIS was much improved at her second start. She is lightly raced and is probably capable of further improvement. (Andrew Harrison: 1-10-7-2).

Race 3
Preview: The Duncan Howells pair of LUNAR RUSH and ACCIDENTAL TOURIST could fight this one out. Lunar Rush is smart and won as she liked last time out. She has a light weight and is possibly the pick of the pair. Accidental Tourist took on a useful field first up out of the maidens and can improve in this field. RED MOON AT NIGHT was well beaten by Lunar Rush when last they met but that was on the turf. The change of surface could count but unlikely. SHEZALEADER is always game. Her recent form has all been on the turf but she is quick and cannot be written off. (Andrew Harrison: 5-6-4-1).

Race 4
Preview: Tough race. AZNERAK has done well since returning from a lengthy break. This is her third and she should strip at her peak. CATHERINEOFARAGON is in good form and won well enough last time out but is 3kg worse off with second-placed MISS BRODY so they could swop places. TYRON’S JET has improved in blinkers and was a length off Catherinofaragon two starts back. She has a four-claimer up and is another that can reverse that form. SOUL OF SPAIN has shown her best recent form on the poly so her last is best ignored. (Andrew Harrison: 5-3-2-1).

Race 5
Preview: PRINCE MYSHKIN finally shed his maiden last outing and has a big weight. However, he does not meet a strong field and can follow up. EL BOMBERO has improved on the poly and has been close-up in all three starts on the surface. He has a handy weight and should be right there. ZINZARA was a recent maiden winner and also takes on males. But she has shown some promise and can feature in this line-up. OVER SURE has been taking on stronger at recent starts and has raced in feature company. He is one to watch here. (Andrew Harrison: 1-9-3-7).

Race 6
Preview: GUSHESHE has been in good form over course and distance and may be worth another chance although she will have to fight off SAZERAC who, although not fancied in the market at her last start, enjoyed the extra and made good improvement. ROY’S KAITRINA has been improving with each outing and her last two on the poly give her a strong chance. PRINCESS RATATTOEE makes her poly debut but did show improvement last run and could be coming to hand. (Andrew Harrison: 1-6-8-7).

Race 7
Preview: ROY’S PAST races off the same rating and his recent form has been steady. He can still improve and possibly rates the one to beat. MEDIA CIRCUS is a battler but meets a weak field and will not get a better chance to shed his maiden.  SWEET REFRAIN has made recent improvement but met a weak field last start when second. ENCHANTED DRAWING  made sudden improvement with the blinkers off. He has a smart draw and a repeat will see him competitive. (Andrew Harrison: 2-1-6-3)

Race 8
Preview: PLYMOUTH ROCK has only had two starts and has shown some promise. He meets a weak field here and should be a big contender. KINNERET found some long shot support at his second outing and can come on from that. SECRET SERVICE has had plenty of chances but his best recent form has been on the poly. In a field of this nature he will never get a better chance to shed his maiden. MASTER SHOGUN was green in a useful enough debut and would not be a surprise winner. (Andrew Harrison:  12-9-1-11)

Defending champion Legal Eagle has sights firmly set on claiming another L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate crown with the reigning Horse of the Year headlining an 11 horse field for the 2017 renewal at Kenilworth Racecourse on Saturday 7 January.
The 1600m contest will have an increased stake of R1.5-million for this year’s event has drawn a Triple Crown winner, a Vodacom Durban July winner, several Grade One winners and a couple of pretenders to the throne.

Race-6 (Turf) R 1,000,000  1800m  16:00   

MAINE CHANCE FARMS PADDOCK STAKES (WFA) (Grade 1)                                              

Sc# Horse               Mass   MR   Dr   Jockey          Trainer

1  BELA-BELA           60.0  107    6   A Marcus        J Snaith

2  SILVER MOUNTAIN     60.0  105    3   G van Niekerk   C Bass-Robinson

3  GOODTIME GAL        60.0   99   11   G Lerena        M Robinson

4  NIGHTINGALE         60.0   99    9   A Domeyer       C Bass-Robinson

5  CHEVAUCHEE          60.0   98   12   G Cheyne        B Crawford

6  STAR EXPRESS        60.0   98    1   P Strydom       J Snaith

7  TAHINI              60.0   97    5   S Khumalo       S Tarry

8  ICY FIRE            60.0   94    8   C Orffer        B Crawford

9  SAFE HARBOUR        54.5  108    2   W Marwing       S Tarry

10  SAIL                54.5  102   10   S Veale         D Drier

11  FINAL JUDGEMENT     54.5   99    7   R Fourie        G Kotzen

12  WHOSE THAT GIRL     54.5   90    4   M Byleveld      C Bass-Robinson

 

Race-7 (Turf) R 1,500,000  1600m  16:40
L’ORMARINS QUEEN’S PLATE (WFA) (Grade 1)                                                            

Sc# Horse               Mass   MR    Dr   Jockey         Trainer

1  LEGAL EAGLE         60.0  123     3   A Marcus       S Tarry

2  FRENCH NAVY         60.0  115     7   W Marwing      S Tarry

3  MARINARESCO         60.0  115    10   G van Niekerk  C Bass-Robinson

4  CAPTAIN AMERICA     60.0  114     8   C Orffer       B Crawford

5  ABASHIRI            60.0  113     1   G Lerena       M Azzie

6  SAIL SOUTH          60.0  112     5   R Fourie       B Crawford

7  SILICONE VALLEY     60.0  111     2   D Dillon       G Puller

8  THE CONGLOMERATE    60.0  107    11   P Strydom      J Ramsden

9  MIDNITE ZONE        60.0  102     9   M Byleveld     B Crawford

10  FIFTY CENTS         60.0   95     4   G Cheyne       J Snaith

11  BOLD REX            55.0  101     6   R Simons       M de Kock

The Frank Robinson-trained Olma defends her crown in the Gr 3 Flamboyant Stakes over 1600m at Greyville on New Year’s Day and her trainer boldly said, “If she is herself she will win this race.”

Robinson expects her to be around her best, although he is concerned by her draw of eleven in a thirteen horse field.

Last year she won comfortably from a draw of four.

She went into the race last year off the back of two preparation races at Greyville over 1900m on the poly and 1800m on the turf respectively in which she finished second and first respectively.

This year she goes in off just one preparation race, an unplaced run over 1600m at Scottsville on December 4.

Robinson said, “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. 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.”

Furthermore, the five-year-old Dynasty mare has been unplaced in all three of her runs at Scottsville, but loves Greyville.

Olma had tended to pull early in her career, but the application of a tongue tie was a key move as she then settled well, enabling her to use her superb turn of foot.

She proved in the Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes on Vodacom Durban July day she can settle even from a wide draw. She was dropped out in that race from a draw of ten in a fourteen horse field and ran on strongly to finish second to the champion Inara.

Marco van Rensburg, an accomplished jockey whose professionalism is now receiving just rewards, rides her for the first time in the Flamboyant.

Under the conditions of the race Olma is 2,5kg well in with Lala on official merit ratings and 3kg well in with Heaps Of Fun, the latter pair being the next best weighted horses.

In last year’s race Olma beat Lala by a cosy two lengths and the latter is once again draw two barrier positions outside of her.

Heaps Of Fun has a nice draw of six with Anton Marcus up. She won last season’s Gr 2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas at Turffontein from the same draw. She looks to have enjoyed an excellent preparation. In her seasonal reappearance on Sansui Summer Cup day she ran a 6,75 length fifth in the Gr 3 Daily Sun Magnolia Handicap over 1160m at Turffontein, not a bad comeback effort considering she had a tricky low draw and was conceding 8kg to the top class three-year-old winner Green Pepper. Then two weeks later on December 10 she ran a 2,75 length second at level weights to her classy contemporary Joan Ranger in a Progress Plate over 1200m at the Vaal, where she was staying on with long strides at the line.

Last season she was beaten 2,15 lengths in the Garden Province by Olma, but was caught wide the whole way without cover, whilst Olma had cover throughout further back.

Heaps Of Fun, considering her preparation, will be a tough nut to crack.

The three-year-old Dawn Calling can’t be ignored either. She is highly regarded and suffered rotten luck last time in the WSB Cape Fillies Guineas. She now has the pole position draw with Eric Ngwane up.

The like of Impala Lily, Fort Ember and Well In Flight will also provide threats in what will be an intriguing contest.

By David Thiselton