She’s A Giver, despite being drawn widest of all and drifting in the market, can give Gavin Lerena his second successive super Saturday in the World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas at Kenilworth tomorrow.

The Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained filly was a revelation in the Starling Stakes at Turffontein, leading just under two furlongs out and drawing further and further away to beat Maleficent by the best part of four lengths without being fully extended.

The handicappers promptly upped her 25 points to the same mark as Querari Falcon. True, she has a bad draw – and presumably this is why punters have allowed her to ease from 4-1 to 11-2 – but when you are riding as well as Lerena few things are impossible.

Favourites have won the last three, and five of the last six, so Querari Falcon should not be ignored at 33-10 even though she was beaten last time. “She was caught a little flat-footed,” Mike Azzie recalls. “Anthony moved very early on her, she pricked her ears and started loafing but I am very impressed with her at the moment.”

Sail has just over a length to find with the favourite on Thekwini running. “She was very immature then but she ran a cracking race,” remembers Dennis Drier. “She has run very well in her last two races but she has a **** draw.”

Final Judgement (12-1) won the Golden Slipper and was only a neck behind Sail in the Choice Carriers despite having to check approaching the final turn. “She fluffed her lines when she was drawn wide in the Thekwini,” says Glen Kotzen. “But she is very talented and her prep has been phenomenal.”

The money continues to come for the unbeaten Quick Brown Fox who was down to 5-1 joint second favourite with Sail in the sponsors’ book yesterday after opening at 8-1. She is untested over the trip and, despite her obvious ability, she looks short enough.

Maleficent has also been backed – 11-1 to 7-1 – but Safe Harbour has drifted disturbingly, easing from 10-1 to 15-1. Dawn Calling (12-1) and Choice Carriers fourth Smokey Affair (20-1) have place prospects, as does fellow 20-1 shot Red Light Girl who jumped a shadow in that race, while Just Sensual (16-1) is on a hat-trick but the rest are hard to fancy.

Legal Eagle finished like a train over a distance far too short for him in his first race for over six months at Turffontein three weeks ago so he should be able to make his class tell in the WSB Green Point Stakes. Captain America has been backed from 11-1 to 7-1, receives a kilo, is fit and comes from a very much in-form stable but the favourite should still win.

Red Ray has shown that he can run well after a lengthy lay off and is 4-1 favourite for the WSB Cape Merchants – or at least he was yesterday – but he faces a horrific task at the weights and it could pay to follow the money.

Search Party has been backed as if there is no tomorrow. He opened at 25-1 last weekend and at the time of writing was 6-1 second favourite. Corne Orffer is understandably keen on his chance and says he will have no trouble getting down to 52kg although his dieting method may be too drastic for many to even contemplate – “It’s simple. I’ve given up alcohol.”

By Michael Clower

The Listed Secretariat Stakes for three-year-olds over 1400m heads an eleven race meeting at Turffontein Standside on Saturday and it looks to be an intriguing race as it is run under handicap conditions.

Matador Man came to the racecourse with a big reputation for his debut and his first two losses, after slow starts, were initially disappointing. However, as the form unravelled it became apparent that the pair he lost to by just over two lengths in his second start over 1200m, Al Fahad and Doosra, were top class. He showed his class next time out, also over 1200m, when coming from off the pace to cruise to victory. The race also showed he will relish the step up to 1400m.

However, equally impressive was the run of Captain Von Trapp on debut. This horse has a giant stride and plenty of scope for improvement. On debut he had to overcome a wide draw over 1200m around the turn at the Vaal and he ran on to just get up and beat Ebony Knight. The latter franked the form by winning his next two starts. This time Captain Von Trapp has a good draw of three, two inside of Matador man, and he is also receiving 0,5kg from the latter. He might get a couple of lengths start too, because Matador Man was slow away yet again last time. These two are predicted to fight it out. Romi’s Boy is also a long striding sort and led from start to finish on his second start over 1160m, having finished a close second to Doosra on debut. Romi’s Boy will also relish the step up in trip, being by Querari out of a Montjeu mare, but a downside to his chances is he has to give 1kg and 1,5kg respectively to Matador man and Captain Von Trapp and he is also drawn just outside of them. Act Of Loyalty is progressing the right way and has a shout, although his wide draw is against him. Tilbury Fort is a fighter who runs all the way to the line and he runs from a plum draw with a light weight. He could be the dark horse.

In the ninth race, a Pinnacle Stakes race over 1400m, Champagne Haze returns to his best trip from a plum draw and will be hard to beat. He is only 1kg out at the weights with the best in. Captain Aldo runs over the course and distance for the first time since winning the Gr 2 Hawaii Stakes and having dropped to a mark of 99 he has happened to end up at the top of one of the merit rated bands here, so is officially the best weighted horse. He has a fair draw and should put in a bold display. Prospect Strike is full of class and thus could well be his ideal trip, so he could be the dark horse, despite returning from a six month layoff and being drawn wide. Will Pays has topweight, but keeps on defying the odds. However, this time will have to do it from draw 11. Mogok Master should be running on from pole position if allowed to settle off the pace.

The best bet on the card is Bush Pilot in the fifth race, a Mr 80 Handicap over 2000m. On pedigree and running style he should relish the course and distance. Furthermore, he might be running off a capped merit, as four-year-old maiden winners are not allowed to be rated higher than 70 and he is exactly on 70. In his second career start, on the Inside track over 1600m, he had a lot to do in the straight to fetch Charleston Hero. He eventually swept past the latter to win going away by 1,6 lengths and the rest of the field were spread out like the washing about six lengths and more back. The Standside 2000m will give him plenty of time to make up the ground this time under astute rider Chase Maujean and he has a good draw. Baracah is the danger for after coming down from a 102 merit rating to a 61, the key to him appears to have been unlocked, and he is on the way up again.

Polly Wolly Doodle caught the eye in a comeback from a layoff over a too sharp 1000m last time out and this long striding sort could win one of the trickiest races on the card, the seventh, which is a MR 63 Handicap for fillies and mare over 1600m. She has a plum draw and is ridden by in form Lyle Hewitson for astute trainer Candice Dawson.

The horse who won the aforementioned 1000m race, Wrecking Ball, looks to have some class and having not been disgraced against some of the best male sprinters around last time, she can win the tenth, a MR 84 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m, with topweight. Paree makes a lot of appeal here too as she might well relish the return to 1000m, having been a bit keen over further lately.

The meeting starts with the first Juvenile race of the season and as always Corne Spies is the man to watch in this 800m scurry. He has two runners, Laurent de Var and Kokachin, although another one who makes appeal on pedigree is the Tony Nassif-trained Snow Boarding.

By David Thiselton

Apprentice Eric Ngwane’s 1,5kg claim could be the difference between winning and losing for Velvet Wind, bottom of the handicap in the City Logistics FM 90 Handicap to be run at Greyville tonight.

Top weights Princess Varunya and Work Ethic have both been tested in feature race company but even though this is a handicap they have to give lumps of weight to Velvet Wind and they may not be up to the task.

Alistair Gordon’s filly has been in good form of late and under Ngwane was beaten a nostril by Playboy Buddy over 1900m on the poly last time out. Dean Kannemeyer’s filly also takes her place in today’s line-up but is 2,5kg worse off and in theory should not be able to turn the tables.

Playboy Buddy has since had another outing, finishing nearly three lengths adrift of the more than useful Lala which underpins Velvet Wind’s form.

Prior to that effort, Velvet Wind finished three lengths back to Crackpot on the Scottsville turf. She has plenty in her favour this evening and should be right up there when the whips are cracking.

Princess Varunya finished a neck behind Velvet Wind in the race won by Crackpot and Kom Naidoo’s filly meets her rival on similar weight terms. That was also her first outing since April and was almost certainly short of peak fitness. She followed up with another good showing in the Michaelmas Handicap behind Celtic Captain and with apprentice Serina Moodley claiming his 4kg from a plum draw Princess Varunya will have her supporters.

Gavin van Zyl saddles Work Ethic who has been up against some strong opposition on the Highveld and has returned home. She has finished behind the likes of Liege, Intergalatic and more recently the smart grey Girl On The Run and she should be much more competitive in this company.

Emperor Niarchos has been a soldier for Frank Robinson, placing in just under half of his 40 starts, and can add to his winning tally when he lines up in the Discovery Ventures Handicap, first leg of the jackpot. The six-year-old’s merit rating has been dropping steadily and in four recent outings has come down from 69 to 62. He should now be competitive off his new mark and a good draw and Anthony Delpech aboard adds to his appeal in an open race.

Unbelievable Chad appears to be finally producing his best and was a close-up third on the poly last time out. He was doing his best work late and the extra furlong should be right up his ally and Paul Lafferty’s runner is a must inclusion in all exotics.

Robinson was in the winner’s enclosure with Sounds Positive on Sunday and he has a chance of a double this evening as Even Tempo is the likely favourite for the Ketla Braai Maiden Plate, opening leg of the Pick 6.

The daughter of Elusive Fort has been well supported in the market in both starts and was not far behind Go With Flo last time out. Given her pedigree and a pole position draw she has a lot in her favour, including some moderate opposition. Night At The Proms and Crystal River look obvious dangers even though they appear moderate. Wahi had it all to do from a coffin draw at Scottsville at her last outing and is one that could make big improvement in a field of this calibre.

Of the balance of the card, Top Form will have his supporters in the Eagle Fire Control Handicap where Anton Marcus teams up with Charles Laird. The gelding came back well from a three-month break when second to smart stable companion Buffalo Soldier and followed up with another forward showing behind the more than useful Beat The Retreat. He takes a slight drop in class but will need to be at his peak to get the measure of Peter Piper. Dennis Bosch’s charge is also having his third outing after a break and takes a major drop in class. He finished three lengths back to Redcarpet Captain last time out and a repeat showing should see him close.

Apprentice Ashton Arries is being well supported by champion trainer Sean Tarry and the youngster gets another chance to show his worth on Super Guppy in the eighth. The mare made a sudden return to form last time out and with only 48kg on her back must have a strong chance in what looks to be another open affair.

By all accounts, Catherine Of Aragon was no great Spanish beauty but did survive Henry’s axe. Hopefully her namesake with see punters through the final leg of the Pick 6 where Alistair Gordon’s filly can go one better after two close-up seconds on the poly.

By Andrew Harrison

The most intriguing runner in Saturday’s Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas is the Brett Crawford-trained Australian-bred Quick Brown Fox, who has had two career starts, both over 1200m, and won both of them impressively. The big question is whether she will stay the 1600m trip.

Her sire Foxwedge won five races, including a Gr 1, over trips from 1100-1200m. Her unraced dam is the daughter of a mare who won two races over 1200m and 1406m respectively and who has only produced sprinters to date, including a Listed winner. So, Quick Brown Fox’s pedigree has speed and more speed bursting off the page at first sight.

However, her unraced dam is by Hold That Tiger, who won a Gr 1 over seven furlongs in France as a two-year-old, and later that season finished third in the Gr 1 Breeders Cup Juvenile over a mile and one furlong (1800m). He ran on from the back in the latter race and at the finish was staying on under pressure, despite having cornered wide. This gives some hope for Quick Brown Fox staying 1600m. She has used her electric turn of foot to come from off the pace in both of her starts and has won both of them going away by comfortable margins.

However, the list of horses who have failed to stay further despite effortless, running on wins over shorter is a long one. A top class sprinter’s natural speed would allow them to be in cruise in lower grade sprints and Quick Brown Fox has to date only run in a Maiden and a MR 76 Handicap for fillies and mares, where she ran off a merit rating of 82.

However, in her favour is she can be switched off easily, and this has been confirmed by jockey Greg Cheyne. Hopefully, this will mean she will not over race on Saturday. She also has the pole position draw, which should allow her to find a position for free.

The purists will be watching on with more than passing interest and so will punters as she has been backed in from 8/1 to 6/1 already with the sponsors World Sports Betting.

Another strong contender from the Cape is the Joey Ramsden-trained Just Sensual, who will be ridden by Anton Marcus. She is well bred being by Dynasty out of the Equus Champion two-year-old filly Consensual. She relaxed beautifully in her last start when cruising to a 3,5 length victory in a MR 72 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1400m carrying 60kg off an 84 merit rating. On pedigree and racing style she will easily get the trip, so looks the best value in the sponsors betting at 14/1. Her draw of 12 is tough, but being such a relaxed type it should not present an insurmountable problem.

Querari Falcon won the Gr 1 Thekwini over this trip as a two-year-old and did it in impressive style, having had to switch out wide on the turn and again in the straight. She has not disappointed in two outing this season and is duly the favourite at 33/10.

Sail, who was a 1,15 length third in the Thekwini, is a robust filly who always looked likely to come into her own as a three-year-old. She is not the easiest horse to deal with, so it was noticeable how well she relaxed in the running last time over 1400m when taken to the front. From a wide draw here she might have to try the same tactic and connections will be hoping for a slow early pace.

However, Red Light Girl, by Captain Al out of Thekwini winner Roxanne, might ensure a decent pace. She was unlucky from the front in the Gr 2 Choice Carriers over 1400m when jumping a shadow close to home. However, she was being reeled in by eventual winner Ektifaa and it will be even tougher leading from pillar to post on Saturday.

Safe Harbour franked the Thekwini form, where she finished a 2,15 length fourth, by winning the R2,5 million Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes over 1400m two weeks ago from pole position. She looks likely to relish the 1600m trip as it took her a while to reach top gear in the latter race and she has an impressive stride. She has another plum draw of two.

She’s A Giver comes off an impressive annihilation of the Gr 3 Starling Stakes field over 1400m at Turffontein. She has a wide draw to overcome and travelled quite strongly in the Starling Stakes after showing good gatespeed, but on pedigree she should stay the trip. She is by Philanthropist and her half-sister by Captain Al, the 90 merit-rated Val Et Al, has won over 1700m.

The classy Maleficent, should have come on from her Starling Stakes run, where she finished a pleasing running on second.

The long-striding Final Judgement can’t be ignored as she did not have much luck in her seasonal reappearance in the Choice Carriers over 1400m but still managed a close up third and she now has Strydom aboard.

Thekwini runner up Dawn Calling ran a flat race over 1200m on the Greyville poly but now has her third run of the season over her preferred trip.

Lady Of The House has a similar profile to the one Elusive Gold had when winning the Cape Guineas for Brett Crawford three years ago, so can’t be ignored as she is a likely improver.

Smokey Affair also looks to be a progressive sort.

Whose That Girl didn’t have much cover in the Choice Carriers, so could improve, but has another tricky draw.

Captain Gambler went close in a MR 84 Handicap for fillies and mares over this trip off a 90 merit rating in a crawl sprint affair and this long strider looks to have plenty of scope so can’t be ignored.

Visuality’s disappointing effort in the Ready To Run Stakes has put a dampener on her chances here.

This looks like a quality renewal of the prestigious race and is not to be missed.

By David Thiselton

Saturday’s World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas favourite Querari Falcon arrived in Cape Town yesterday morning after taking the 1 400k journey from Johannesburg in good shape.

Mike Azzie said: “She is bright and perky, looking upbeat and seems to have travelled well. She is in a very good space at the moment and in my opinion whatever beats her will win.”

The Thekwini winner has been bought by Gaynor Rupert’s Drakenstein Stud from Adriaan van Vuuren since her last run.

Legal Eagle, second to Smart Call in last season’s Met, heads the 27 entries for the January 28 Sun International-sponsored R5 million feature. He will be opposed by fellow Met entries Abashiri, Marinaresco, Captain America, New Predator and Black Arthur in the WSB Green Point Stakes on Saturday.

Whisky Baron and It’s My Turn both took a significant step nearer the big race when finishing first and second in the Market Toyota Culemborg Allowance Plate at Kenilworth yesterday with Greg Cheyne’s mount particularly convincing, really asserting in the final 400m to score by nearly four lengths.

Brett Crawford said: “I was impressed because he didn’t run anywhere near his 96 rating when he won last time. If they leave him below 100 after this I will keep him to handicaps. If they don’t, maybe the Queen’s Plate.”

Cape Derby winner It’s My Turn looked beaten two furlongs out after disputing it with the winner much of the way but he ran on again to please Justin Snaith who said: “He had only had one 1 400m gallop coming into this so I was very happy with the run.”

Saturday week’s Southern Cross Stakes is under consideration for Our Destiny after Richard Fourie’s mount comfortably justified 12-10 favouritism in the Macsteel Graduation Plate.

Fourie reported: “My main mission was to make sure she had her head down and was relaxed as she tended to over-race at one stage. But I thought she would win easily and she did.”

The Glen Kotzen-trained four-year-old is part-owned and bred by Ralph Rixon for whom Kotzen used to be assistant. “It’s hard training for an ex-trainer,”Rixon admitted. “I taught Glen well but he doesn’t always listen and I went mad when he ran her in last year’s Fillies Guineas. I thought it was too far for her!”

By Michael Clower