Brett Crawford will take it one step at a time with Nebula, who won Port Elizabeth’s biggest race, the Gr 3 Algoa Cup over 2000m at Fairview on Sunday under Richard Fourie.

The four-year-old Wilgerbosdrift Stud-bred Silvano gelding is owned by Hong Kong-based Edmond Siu.

Richard Fourie (Nkosi Hlope)

There is a possibility the gelding, who is a full brother to J&B Met winner Martial Eagle, might be exported to race on the South East Asian island one day and if he does he will likely be trained by South African ex-patriot Tony Millard, who signed for him at the 2014 BSA National Yearling Sales for a massive R3,75 million.

However, his immediate aims are likely to be races like the Gr 2 Premier Trophy and the Gr 2 Peninsula Handicap, both over 1800m at Kenilworth.

“We will take it from there,” said Crawford.

On Sunday he snuck into the handicap with the minimum weight of 52kg off only a 90 merit rating.

However, he won cosily, so it would be no surprise to see him make the further step-up necessary to win a Cape Summer Of Champions feature.

He started well on Sunday from a good draw and was handy throughout in a race run at a fair pace.

He was full of running throughout the straight and the first time the whip was used was at about the 50m mark.

Nebula (Nkosi Hlope)

He finished 0,75 lengths clear of a flying Justin Snaith-trained Captain Splendid, from whom he received 1,5kg.

Fourie said, “He won very comfortably, he has a nice stride on him and is a lovely horse who being by Silvano will get better with time.”

Fourie believes the gelding’s best trip at this stage would be 1800m, so regards him as one who would be “a big danger” in the Premier Trophy and/or the Peninsula Handicap.

Nebula was the first runner Crawford had ever had in the Algoa Cup.

The Algoa Cup trophy has now returned to Cape Town for seven years in succession.

By David Thiselton

Former stalwart Cape jockey Karl Neisius said he had not seen a three-year-old performance as good as Table Bay’s on Saturday for “a long time.”

Table Bay (Liesl King)

“To carry that weight and do what he did was a special achievement,” he said about the Joey Ramsden-trained Australian-bred colt’s exhilarating victory in the Gr 3 Drakenstein Vet Clinic Cape Classic over 1400m at Kenilworth under Anton Marcus.Neisius was sort after as a jockey not only for his race riding skills, but also due to his gifted judgement on the training tracks.

The latter asset included a good eye for a horse. Proof of this is that he is currently involved in a pin-hooking syndicate, which is enjoying success to date. The horses are usually bought at early year sales and then pin-hooked on the Ready To Run Sales.

Otherwise, Neisius is “enjoying his retirement”, although he is staying as close to the game as possible.

“I go racing, and to the track in the morning now and again, to keep my eye in. I will be going more now because this is the time of the year you can enjoy watching the good horses come out. I saw the Guineas winner on Saturday (Table Bay).”

He is currently cautious about ever becoming a trainer.

By David Thiselton

Craven, so disappointing when starting odds-on for his handicap debut at Kenilworth six days ago, will wait a bit longer before trying again.

Brett Crawford said: “He was fine afterwards but he is definitely better than that run. I now think that three races inside six weeks may have been stretching it a bit and I will freshen him up before he runs again.”

The colt, bought to join Tony Millard in Hong Kong is he proves good enough, was so impressive in his Durbanville maiden win that Andrew Fortune committed himself to riding the horse in the Cape Guineas and the Investec Cape Derby.

By Michael Clower

Always In Charge warms up for the R2.5 million Lanzerac Ready To Run in the Racing Association Graduation Plate at Kenilworth today and he is going to start favourite.

Vaughan Marshall

This is his first outing since his triumph in the Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion five months ago and Vaughan Marshall indicates that he might need it a bit, assessing the colt as “about 80%,” but the fact that Anton Marcus has come here to ride him suggests he will be ready enough. He has 2.5kg in hand on adjusted ratings.

World Sports Betting opened him odds against on Sunday but that was quickly snapped up and he was even money yesterday morning. Second favourite at 33-10 is Attenborough who has also been nibbled at, has the advantage of a previous outing this term and looks a big danger.

He was fourth to Table Bay in the Langerman when he didn’t get the trip and looked sure to beat Sergeant Hardy when he reappeared at Durbanville five weeks ago only to falter in the last 50m. “I’ve got some work into him since and he has come on a lot,” says Joey Ramsden. “He has had respiratory problems in the past but he is over them now. We are coming up against a good horse and we will see how far off that one he is.”

The sahorseracing.co.za computer says he will upset the favourite but it also predicts that 5-1 Horse Guards will flop and finish last. However this is a much better horse than either the computer or the bookmakers give him credit for.

He won his first two and was fancied for the Gold Medallion only to rip off a front shoe and damage the wall of his hoof in the process. “It was very bad,” recalls Dennis Drier. “That was why he hasn’t run since. Also the saddle slipped that day.”

Always In Charge (Nkosi Hlophe)

Interestingly Drier doesn’t think that Sean Veale’s mount will need the outing. This time last year many of his Cape Town runners did but this season most are firing on all cylinders from the word go.

The hat-trick seeking Purple Tractor is also a 5-1 chance but has plenty to do on ratings whereas stable companion Orion Quest (4-1) is the one closest to Always In Charge on ratings even though he hasn’t raced for six months. “He had knee surgery,” explains Brett Crawford. “I am sure he will need it but he has been working well.”

Crompton Court is 16-10 favourite for the All To Come Maiden (race three) after being knocked sideways 100m out when fancied at Durbanville last time and has obvious claims but it could be worth taking a chance with Horizon at 15-2, particularly as you can back him each way at that price.

This is the record-breaking colt who was so heavily backed on debut. He proved a big disappointment, finishing with only four behind him, but he had obviously shown plenty to warrant that kind of market support.

“He has had quite a bit of work and he did a very good gallop the other day,” says Candice Bass-Robinson. “Hopefully the penny has dropped. I am sure he will run well but it’s just the draw – 11 out of 13 – on his first time round the turn.”

By Michael Clower

Turffontein Tuesday (standside) Race Previews by David Thiselton

Race 1:

Preview: MESS found some support on debut and ran a fair race and Gavin Lerena remains aboard from a fair draw. PAJAMA PARTY has run three good races from 1400-1600m and is well drawn. He has either over raced or made breathing noises all three times but still managed to go close so he might be allowed to go the front and stride out freely. The Mike de Kock-trained ALADEEL is a Sheik Hamdan-owned USA-bred by Sebring, who produced nearly 50 stakes horses in his first four Australian crops including Horse of the Year and Champion Sprinter Dissident. DEVADIP made a fair debut from a wide draw over the Inside 1200m but has another tough draw. FANTASY VIEW by Visionaire is drawn in pole and is half-brother to a twice winner from 1000-1200m. CRAZY VISION by Visionaire is a full brother to Mr Wise Guy, who has won three times from 1400-1600m in Cape Town, but he has a wise draw to overcome. Hamaan is by Silvano out of an Australian-bred mare who has not produced much to date. (David Thiselton 14-1-5-9-10)

Race 2:

Preview: FRENCH LEGEND went close in her only start in June over 1200m and on formlines is the one to beat. SHA-BOOM SHA-BOOM has gone close in her last two over 1200m and the form has worked olut very well so she should be right there. STAR HALO by Kahal is a half-brother to the promising Trippi colt Orion Quest who has won two in Cape Town for  Brett Crawford in just four starts. ANTAYKA by Silvano is half-sister to three winners. SALMON RUN by Kahal is out of the Gr2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas winner Glenrossal. KNYSNA ROSE has run two fair races over 1200m and could earn. SUBTLE FORCE made a fair debut in a workriders event over 1450m when running green around the turn and Delpech is an interesting booking. (David Thiselton 9-4-13-8-12)

Race 3;

Preview: UNREHEARSED was blowing heavily after a decent debut in yielding going over 1200m when backed into 13-10 and over racing a touch from a wide draw around the Inside track turn. He  looks likely to appreciate this fast 1000m. JAMESOM GIRL made a fair debut on Grand Heritage day when showing pace over this trip and Gavin Lerena is now up. MIND SHADE is better than his last run. In his previous two he was undone by bad draws, but had gone close three times over this trip before that, so he is interesting with Strydom now up. MR RAMBO has a chance if reproducing his penultimate start when showing pace over 1200m. ROYAL VARIETY by Var made a fair debut and could improve. (14-16-4-1-11)

Race 4:

Preview: SHIVERING SEA is knocking on the door off her current attractive merit rating and loves this course and distance, where her record reads four runs for a win and three seconds. EBTIHAAL has decent 1000m form and should enjoy this fast 1160m. PUBLIC PROTECTOR looks a decent sort in the making and with Delpech up off an attractive opening handicap mark she should make her presence felt. MODJAJI goes for a hattrick and has only been raised three points for her last win over 1000m, but the going down the straight should be monitored in the earlier race because the number one draw can sometimes be unfavourable. SPICE LADY should appreciate the step down in trip and TELL MY STAR can’t be ignored. (David Thiselton 1-5-6-7-4-2)

Race 5:

Preview: SENSIBLE LOVER is the best in at the weights and has a plum draw over a suitable trip and although she is returning from a layoff since July she should be fit enough coming from the Weiho Marwing yard. FORT EMBER is a progressive sort who is held in high regard and now has her third run after a layoff, having won her two comeback runs against weaker opposition. She is only 0,5kg under sufferance but the wide draw makes it tough. TAHINI, who is only 0,5kg under sufferance on her new six point higher merit rating, won a good race last time over 1600m despite being 5,5kg under sufferance. The good fillies she beat there were likely having preparation runs, but she is also probably coming into her own being by Silvano. However, the wide draw will make it tough. PAREE was undone by a bad draw on Grand Heritage day and this progressive filly has some class so can still rise above her 82 merit rating so can’t be written off despite being 3,5kg under sufferance with the best weight horse. PENNY SERENADE and BE MINE TONIGHT are 2,5kg and 1,5kg under sufferance respectively but from good draws over and ideal trip can’t be written off. (David Thiselton 1-2-3-10-4)

Race 6:

Preview: CHEROKEE GREY is a progressive sort and he was closing in late over 1450m last time so should get this trip from a plum draw. KONCEALED looks a nice type of horse who should be effective from the front on a galloping rack which will suit him, but his chances might depend on how much he will have to be used uo from a wide draw. SILVER PEG is drawn in pole and drops back to her ideal trip. COUNT TASSILO is having his third run after a rest and steps up to a more suitable trip and she should be coming into her own being by Silvano, but the breathing noises she makes are a concern and he has a tricky draw. ESCAPE ROUTE has her problems but certainly had the ability to go close from a good draw here. (David Thiselton 6-8-2-4-7)

Race 7:

Preview: DEALERS CHARM was unlucky in first time blinkers last time as she hung out and cast a shoe but she can make amends from a fair draw over an ideal trip. CAPTAIN CHIPS is knocking on the door and on recent evidence should stay this trip from a pole position draw. COPPER POT won easily last time and although this is stronger she clearly ;oved the step up to this trip and has a chance from a good draw. PISTOLERO is interesting over this trip from a good draw as she often stays on over shorter trip from 1200-1400m. FANGIA is better than her last start. AQUABOY has a tough draw to overcome but Delpech is an eye catching booking after she went close last time in a weaker event. (David Thiselton 7-3-6-1-4-10)

Race 8:

Preview: HERMOSO MUNDO, who should be coming into his own being by Ideal World, won a good race over 2600m last time and Strydom remains aboard. TALBEC ran well in a slow run 2600m last time. CHARMING CHARLIE won a weak maiden race comfortably over 2000m on Saturday and looks a decent staying type in the making so  has a chance from a fair draw if taking his place. PENSTOCK did well in a 3000m race in penultimate and has to be considered as he is 1,5kg better off with TEAGAN’S JET for a 1,3 length beating. ROYAL HONOUR is consistently thereabouts over staying trips. UMTHETHO is 4kg under sufferance but these staying handicaps often produce upsets and from a good draw he strikes as one who could do well over this trip. (David Thiselton 2-6-8-5-4)