Race Previews Turffontein Saturday Nov 5 by David Thiselton

Race 1:
Preview: FURIOSA is an Australian-bred by Fastnet Rock and his high draw could be favourable. ROMI’S BOY made a good debut over 1200m when beaten only by a classy sort. PILOU was not far behind Romi’s Boy in third on debut. (David Thiselton 5-9-8)

Race 2:
Preview: END GAME caught the eye on debut as a rangy sort who would relish the step up in trip, although a wide draw is a concern. AL HAMD has been right there in both starts and an improvement. OPTICAL ILLUSION is a Dynasty colt out of National Assembly mare who has produced a winner. (David Thiselton 15-7-10)

Race 3:
Preview: FORTISSIMA has her third run after a rest and should love this galloping track so can go close from a plum draw. INANINSTANT is course and distance suited and capable of rising above her current merit rating, but she has a tough draw. RUNALONG is progressive and course and distance suited but this will be her seasonal reappearance. GIRL ON THE RUN won a good race over this trip last time and has a fair draw off a five point higher mark. ANGELIC APPEAL is 1,5kg better off with Girl On The Run For a 1,25 length beating over this trip on the Inside track, but she has a tricky draw. POLYPHONIC, SHE’S A DRAGON, WORK ETHIC, PATCHITUPBABY, and PERSIAN RUG can’t be ignored. (8-7-6-11-10)

Race 4:
Preview: KINGMAMBO’S LEGACY went close over 2600m last time and now has Strydom up from a good draw. KINAAN should do well especially as the pace in this big field will be better than he got last time and the blinkers which might have caused him to over race there are off. THE ELMO EFFECT is consistently thereabouts in staying events off his current merit rating. ARCH RIVAL loves this galloping track and stays the trip so can’t be ignored despite top weight. SMART MART went close in the Gr 3 Gold Vase over 3000m at Greyville and is drawn well here off an attractive merit rating. NETFLIX is interesting if he stays as he is progressive and has a touch of class, while this course suits his come from off the pace style. (David Thiselton 6-3-10-1-8)

Race 5:
Preview: AFRICA RISING has some class and is distance suited but does have a tough draw. SAFE HARBOUR wasn’t disgraced last time against some of the best males in the country and was staying on late despite over racing a little bit early, so she as a chance if settling from a tough draw. UNAGI has also been impressive on occasion, but also has a tough draw. VISUALITY has a Gr 1 third over 1200m to her name and was doing good work late in a Gr 2 over 1450m last time, so has a chance if settling from a tricky draw. ACT OF LOYALTY has a tough task on official merit ratings but caught the eye last time running on well over 1450m behind a top class sort and he is well drawn with Marcus up. (David Thiselton 1-13-2-14-8)

Race 6:
Preview: AL DANZA stretched away impressively on debut when jumping from a wide draw in a moderate workrider’s event over 1200m and can follow up from a good draw as she looks full of class. ALWAYS A LADY won impressively on debut over 1400m and the form has worked out well so she has a shout from a good draw. MALEFICENT impressed when easily winning the Listed Devon Air Stakes over this trip at Greyville, beating subsequent Gr 1 winner Querari Falcon by 3,25 lengths so she will be a threat if close to her best after a layoff, although her wide draw is a concern. RETURN TO POWER moved up well under the hands on debut and then kicked well to win a 1600m event narrowly with the rest of the field beaten five lengths. AL HAWRAA finished strongly with long strides on the Greyville poly last time over this trip and should enjoy the long straight. SANTIBURI looks a progressive sort and can’t be ignored. (David Thiselton 6-10-1-13-5)

Race 7:
Preview: NEW PREDATOR went close in the Dingaans over course and distance in which he beat Abashiri by 3,1 lengths. CHAMPAGNE HAZE is a classy sort with a good turn of foot and this is his maximum trip so he will be going all out. MOGOK MASTER won his comeback from a year’s layoff impressively and also has a chance. MAC DE LAGO is likely the best miler in the country and his class should take him close despite having to carry top weight and returning from a layoff since July. RABADA is also a top class and is effective over a mile, but he has a tough draw to overcome. SARATOGA DANCER has a big race win in him and this could be his ideal opportunity from a good draw as a lot of the main protagonists will be using this as a preparation for the Sansui Summer Cup. (David Thiselton 2-3-14-1-5)

Race 8:
Preview: DOOSRA is an exciting prospect and this classy, long striding sort is drawn in pole over a course and distance which should be perfectly suitable for his third career start.  HEAVENLY BLUE is a much touted horse who has won both starts over 1600m and 1400m respectively comfortably. The form of the latter race hasn’t worked out well, but he was caught wide and won effortlessly by 3,6 lengths. He could be anything and coming from the De Kock yard should be fit enough in his seasonal reappearance, although his draw of seven is tricky in a 12 horse field. ORAPA looks to have some potential and cantered to victory over this course and distance when winning his maiden. He is well regarded and likely needed his last start. ROY’S MAGIC has impressed in his last two in KZN and should love the course and distance. AGGRESSIVE stayed on well to make it two out of two last time over 1200m and should get this trip from a plum draw. JIFFY was unbeaten in three starts as a juvenile, including one over this course and distance, and is the highest rated horse in the race, but has to give weight away and has a tough draw. (David Thiselton 5-4-6-7-3)

Race 9:
Preview: BULL VALLEY is full of speed and class and won a good race last time when returning from a layoff so can repeat the dose from a high draw, which is usually favourable on this day. TAR HEEL is 2,5kg better off with African Ruler for a 1,75 length defeat over 1000m on Grand Heritage day. It was an especially meritorious run as he had broken through the stalls and had to be reloaded. This speedy sort should come into his own this season. AFRICAN RULER is a Gr 1 runner up and from a high draw can carry top weight. RIVARINE would be a possible first choice if he had a higher draw. DONNY G is very speedy and is another one who has a winning chance if low draws turn out to not be disadvantageous. (David Thiselton 5-6-1-12-7)

Race 10:
Preview: FORT MEYERS won well with first time blinkers and is drawn well. FRONT RANK has a good darw and should be finishing strongly. EASY LOVER looks to be coming back to his best. (David Thiselton 2-8-7)

Race Previews Kenilworth Saturday (Old Course) Nov 5 by Warren Lenferna

Race 1
Preview: OH BEHAVE ran well last time and looks ready to go one better. BORDER CONTROL caught the eye on debut when running second and with natural improvement can now go very close to winning. The trainer and jockey combination are in red hot form. MY WORD MY BOND placed last time and a similar performance can be expected again today. (Warren Lenferna 2-6-3)

Race 2
Preview: WEALTHY makes his seasonal debut and he will no doubt be looking for further but in saying that, his form is good and if he were to reel off the hat trick it would be no shock at all hence I have made him the first choice and the value bet on the card. CATKIN and BLACKMORE are in fair form and they look to be the ones that are the main dangers in this race. (Warren Lenferna 5-1-2)

Race 3
Preview: BIG BANG THEORY showed fair improvement from run one to run two – fair enough to suggest that she has more to come and if this is the case she could end up very hard to beat. WHISPERING LIGHT tried hard last time but had to settle for second – she will be a big runner this afternoon again. SYLVANITE is coming along the right way and gets the best draw – it would be foolish to leave her out the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 8-1-3)

Race 4
Preview: WILLIAM THE BRAVE has been narrowly beaten in his last two starts and now looks very hard to oppose – the firm first choice. SEA PASS is improving with each and every run – he should be right there at the finish. PADDINGTON showed smart improvement in his second start and should be in the first three today. (Warren Lenferna 4-5-8)

Race 5
Preview: FOXY PRINCESS is lightly raced and doing well – she probably has more improvement to come and comes into the race with strong each way claims. ICY FIRE returns from a rest but could go close if not in too much need of this run. DON’T STOP DANCING seems to have lost the plot since making a winning debut – in saying that, she could show huge improvement over the mile she tries today for the first time. (Warren Lenferna 6-4-7)

Race 6
Preview: STRATHDON was unwinding nicely last time and finished second – with that run under his belt, he can go one better here. WILLIAM LONGSWORD looks a serious horse – he has won his last two well! He does return from a short rest and if not in too much need of this run will go very close. HAMMIE’S GAME is a must for the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 3-2-4)

Race 7
Preview: VARSITY CUP won well last time and could follow up. STARFLASH is consistent and did well first time out the maidens – this is a good sign and his chances cannot be taken lightly. CAPTAIN’S VERSION could find a first four position. (Warren Lenferna 4-1-5)

Race 8
Preview: CHOIR OF ANGELS was making steady head way last time on debut and can improve a lot this time around. His chances look bright here if not still a bit green. LLOYD’S LEGACY ran a cracker on debut and with natural improvement should be a big runner here. GSTAAD can improve on his good debut in what looks a very competitive closing event on the card. (Warren Lenferna 7-11-9)

Race Previews Greyille Sunday (poly) Nov 6 by Andrew Harrison

Race 1

Preview: MISSIBABA has some useful Highveld form. This will be her poly debut and first run for new stable but rates the one to beat. DUNDRUM is lightly raced but her best effort has been over course and distance. A repeat will see her in the firing line. BACK IN TOWN has a tricky draw to overcome but has run two smart races over course and distance and should be thereabouts. LIL GAMBLER has had two runs since a break. She goes well on the poly and looks set to improve. (Andrew Harrison: 5-1-2-6).

Race 2

Preview: PATH TO GLORY has had two outings since returning from a lengthy break. She shows some promise and from a good draw is a big runner. ZINZARA was a beaten favourite last run but was a close-up third on her poly debut. A repeat showing will see her go close again. BABY IN BLACK has had a few chances but is in good form. He best showing shave been over course and distance. LOAST WITHOUT YOU has shown up well in two outings for her new yard. This is her third run after a lengthy break and should be primed. (Andrew Harrison: 6-1-2-3).

Race 3

Preview: BLETCHLEY has run two smart races to date. He was narrowly beaten at his second start and can go one better. SILVER RIDGE has had two starts in the Cape and made good improvement at his second start. He has a good draw here and is in with a strong chance. SECRET SERVICE is struggling to shed his maiden but has good form on the poly track. Distance suited from a good draw he could get it right this time ANGEL LANDING shows some promise. He has drawn a little deep but is progressive and another in with a chance. (Andrew Harrison: 4-9-1-2).

Race 4

Preview: Weak field. JE SUIS SILVER has shown some promise and made a smart poly debut when just beaten. She gets Marcus up and should be right there. SHE DONE GOOD has been running on strongly at recent outings. With Delpech up we could be in for a good finish. SWIIS NOTE has been knocking at the door for some time now but is struggling to win. TROPICAL WONDER has been trying further but does show some ability and can place. (Andrew Harrison: 5-7-1-6).

Race 5

Preview: Wide open. CALL ME WINTER made no show when returning from a break in soft ground at Scottsville. She has shown ability and can make major improvement here. FLY PEG FLY is back over what looks to be her optimum trip. She has been taking on stronger at recent outings and with a claiming apprentice up from a good draw should be a big runner. GINGER BISCUIT is never far back and has also been up against stronger fields at recent outings. WINTER DARLING could prove best of the Bosch runners with her light weight. She is overdue another win. (Andrew Harrison: 6-3-4-12).

Race 6

Preview: Tricky. SWAKOPMUND has come back well from a lengthy break and goes well over this course and distance. He took on much stronger last run and was far from disgraced. OUT MY WAY has run two crackers over course and distance and there should be little between him and HO’OPONOPONO who have finished on top of each other in their last two. The latter has the better gate. MR MCSTEAMY takes a ride in class but has a postage stamp to carry and has been in good form since back in blinkers. (Andrew Harrison: 3-7-5-10)

Race 7

Preview: THE ROYAL RUMBA is having his third start after a lengthy break. He is right down in the ratings and has shown up well in two starts over shorter. This is his optimum trip and he should go close. UNBELIEVABLE CHAD has been a touch disappointing but a matter to time before he finds his best form. He is also well down in the ratings and now looks competitive. JAMA never runs a poor race. He was a game winner last time out and has a strong chance again. MERCADO comes with some fair Highveld form. If he takes to the poly with a handy weight he could be dangerous. The grey PENHALIGON is always game. He has been up against stronger at recent outings and is not without a chance on his best effort. (Andrew Harrison: 3-6-4-5)

Race 8

Preview: DAWN CALLING is top class and failed narrowly in her comeback run in a useful field. She will much prefer this trip and although taking on colts she could prove more than a match. MY PAL AL went down narrowly to the highly rated Roy’s Magic last time out. He shows promise and a repeat should see him in the money again. PALLADIUM was caught late last run but has shown up well in two strong races. He makes his poly debut. WINTER IS COMING took a hefty kick up the ratings after winning his maiden by eight. This race should tell if that was justified as he takes on much stronger. He does have the best of the draw and Delpech up. (Andrew Harrison: 7-4-1-2).

Race 9

Preview: ON THAT NOTE makes her local debut can comes off some promising Cape form. She looks to have a bright chance from a good draw. QUEEN DIVA was caught late when favourite for her last start. She has improved at recent outings. UNDER THE ROSE has improved in blinkers. She has been trying further and could appreciate the drop in trip. KUDRA was a beaten favourite at her last start. Her best effort has been over course and distance and she cannot be written off. (Andrew Harrison: 5-3-8-4)

What are the chances of Pearl Emblem continuing on her run of victories at Greyville tonight? Paul Lafferty’s mare bids for her fifth straight win and seventh of the season when she lines up in the Greta Schoeman Memorial Handicap over her favoured 1400m on the poly track.

Statistics are against her and it will be harder as the handicappers have upped the ante but many of those in opposition have already fallen victim to her relentless galloping. As any jockey will tell you, winning from the front is never easy and always a risk, especially when the opposition is wise to the tactic.

But Lafferty has placed his mare well and taken full advantage of the 4kg claim of apprentice Denis Schwarz. Schwarz was recording the sixth win of his career when winning on the mare back in September and has more than doubled his tally of victories in under two months.

Pearl Emblem (Nkosi Hlophe)

Schwarz gets on particularly well with his mount who has enough gate speed and pace to make it to the front and settle into a rhythm, but holding onto that lead will be fully tested this evening.

Off Ramp was well beaten when last the two met but that was the first outing for Dean Kannemeyer’s mare in two months and she looked short of an edge that day. She has shown good form over the trip and with apprentice Eric Ngwane taking 1,5kg off her back there is a 3,5kg swing in the weights with Pearl Emblem. Off Ramp is expected to strip a little fitter this time around and should make things difficult for Pearl Emblem.

Kannemeyer has a second string to his bow in the form of Peach Delight who ran a cracking sprint behind the progressive Isingamoya at Scottsville last time out. She will much prefer today’s trip and from a plum draw will be running at Pearl Emblem come the line.

Anton Marcus gets the leg up on Waity Katie for Candice Bass-Robinson and the daughter of Jay Peg has had two outings since arriving in KZN. She showed up well in both and although she makes her poly debut she will not be without her supporters.

It’s a difficult race to call with any certainty but Pearl Emblem’s winning streak could come to an end. Kannemeyer looks to hold the key with his two runners and Peach Delight is taken to get home ahead of Off Ramp with Pearl Emblem and Waity Katie also in the scrum.

Marcus can get the Pick 6 ball rolling aboard Napoli in the third. Glen Kotzen’s gelding has been up against much stronger at recent outings and a two-pound relief in the ratings and a drop in class should make him ultra competitive.

Gingerbread Man won well last time out and a rise in class may not be enough to stop him in the Klinger Mzansi Handicap, first leg of the Jackpot. He seems to have some scope and can follow up in what is not a strong field. Sharp Seattle was doing his best work late when making his poly debut and could prove the biggest threat but a possible upset could come in the form of Singh Is King. The gelding proved extremely difficult at the start of his last intended race, refusing to load before dropping his rider and being withdrawn. He has however, he has quickly dropped 20 points in the ratings and with apprentice Tristan Godden taking a further 2,5kg off his back he could surprise if getting to start.

The Alyson Wright-trained Diamond In The Sky has been lumbered with a high rating from the outset but her form since her debut victory has been a touch disappointing. However, the ratings do tell a story and she does look to have enough scope to win the E Snell & Co Handicap. She has the best of the draw here and should contest the finish. Maggie Muggins shed her maiden at third time of asking and that form has panned out well. She has been a late starter but also appears to have something to come and will be a threat. As will Chill Baby Chill who has her second outing for her new stable and is sure to be better for the run.

By Andrew Harrison

Leading apprentice Lyle Hewitson was on 99 winners in the professional ranks going into today’s meeting at the Vaal.

If he clinches the milestone 100^th it will likely be in record breaking time.

He only had his first professional ride eight months ago on March 6.

He regards Persian Approval in race 5 and Water Lily Lake in race 2 as his best rides today.

Regarding Water Lily Lake he said, “We only have the stable companion (Rebel To The Fore) to beat.”

By David Thiselton