The much-improved Francia can take the Woolavington Handicap – despite a stiff 3kg penalty for her Settlers Trophy win – when racing returns to Kenilworth tomorrow.

The Dynasty four-year-old had already been raised 4kg for her Winter Oaks victory but, although stamina is her forte, she may be more effective over this mile and a half than the two class acts above her.

“It will make things harder for her but she is very well,” says Justin Snaith referring to the 3kg. He is bidding for his third win in this race and also runs forecast favourite Ovidio who triumphed 12 months ago when winning his fourth race off the reel. Favourites have won three of the last five runnings.

Ovidio also triumphed in the J & B Stayers on Met day but he hasn’t raced since finishing fourth in the Gold Cup nearly three months ago. With Richard Fourie still on the sidelines, the in-form Aldo Dromeyer comes in for the mount on the top weight but will the six-year-old need the race?

“Probably, he has only had one gallop and he has a hell of a weight (62kg), ” answers his trainer. ”But with a rating of 105 there is nowhere else to go with him. He will run a good race.”

Kingston Mines has also been off since the Gold Cup but he has changed stables in the interim, leaving Mike de Kock to join Brett Crawford, and seemingly he won’t be in need of the outing. “I have had him since August and he has done his work well since he has been down here,” says Brett Crawford.

Donovan Dillon’s mount won last year’s J & B Stayers and, although his form suggests he is more effective over further than this trip, he should go close. Surprisingly the sahorseracing computer has him finishing last – with victory going to Francia from My World.

The last-named is 3kg better with Francia for 3.4 lengths in the Settlers but that was his first run of the season. “I think he will be slightly fitter this time but whether he is up to the class of horses like Ovidio I am not sure,” says Candice Bass Robinson.

A little surprisingly, Grant van Niekerk has preferred to ride stable companion Three Balloons who was second in the Chairman’s Cup in February but was last in a sprint in his first race of the season 12 days ago.   “It has been a bit of a rush and I think he will probably need his second run back,” is his trainer’s opinion.

Cigar Boy is effective over this trip but not in this class – he is 6kg under sufferance – while Hilaria is more than twice as badly off.

Michael Clower

There is a quality ten race meeting at Turffontein Inside track on Saturday and a number of big guns are stepping out.

Juxtapose is one of them and could get punters off to a good start in race 2, a conditions plate for fillies and mares over 1600m. This four-year-old by Judpot is drawn widest of all, but it should be no problem as she likes to come from off the pace. She is full of class and could mow them down in the straight, the only slight concern being this is her second run after a five month layoff. The dangers are the three-year-old Querari Falcon and the four-year-old Negroamara. Small field races like this one, in which there are only seven runners, tend to favour front runners. Querari Falcon used this to her advantage on 27 September over course and distance, dicating and then stealing a march on Negroamara to win comfortably by 2,75 lengths.

However, Negroamara is now 3kg better off and the highly professional Anton Marcus, who replaces the equally astute Gavin Lerena, will have a reference point from which to work. The wily Marcus is likely to do all in his power to prevent a repeat. However, if the end result is a faster paced race, it will play into the hands of Juxtapose. It is sure to be an intriguing race, one for the purist, and it looks to lie between those three runners. On paper Negroamara is the one to beat, being 3,5kg better off with Juxtapose on official merit ratings. She is also 4kg better off with latter for a mere 0,4 length beating in last season’s Gr 1 SA Classic over 1800m. Querari Falcon is the highest merit rated horse in the field, but taking the weight for age scale into account she is a whopping 7kg under sufferance with Negroamara. However, Juxtapose is the choice as it the race could pan out in her favour and she looks to be the one who could ultimately be the best of the three this season.

There are some good sorts turning out in race 5, a MR 90 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m. The Great Britain three-year-old filly Wrecking Ball looks to have plenty of class and is interesting with a first-time tongue tie on. She is the selection to beat the pole position-drawn top weight Easy Game, who has dropped to a competitive merit rating and has Anthony Delpech up. There is very little between Easy Game and her Mike Azzie-trained stablemate Announcing Rain on their last meeting over 1000m down the straight at Turffontein. The latter was undone by a tough draw on Grand Heritage day and could make amends here from a plum draw. The in-form Johan Janse van Vuuren is represented by Seattle Lady, who won comfortably over 1200m on rand Heritage day from a plum draw. Her merit rating was not effected as she was well weighted in that race. She is held by Easy Game and Announcing Rain on a 1000m event down the straight, but her draw could well have been against her that day and is now drawn five, which is better but still tricky. Bonnie Dawn won her first two races over this trip and the form looks strong, but she disappointed on Grand Heritage day over this same trip and has a tough draw to overcome here.

In race 6, a MR 91 Handicap over 1450m for three-year-old fillies, the Mike de Kock-trained Australian-bred New Approach filly Dame Eleanor has her second start after winning in eye-catching style on debut from a tough draw over 1200m at Scottsville. She will relish the step up in trip and can follow up from a good draw under Anthony Delpech.

In race 7, a MR 96 Handicap for three-year-olds over 1450m, De Kock runs a classy Australian-bred colt by Redoute’s Choice called Al Fahad. His maiden win is probably the form race of the season to date. He beat Doosra by 0,2 lengths, with the promising Matador Man 2,45 lengths back, and there was then more than ten lengths back to the rest. Doosra has since won impressively and had the field spread out like the washing. Mexican Sun, who was beaten 12,25 lengths by Al Fahad, has also won. Al Fahad should be up to his 89 merit rating and is drawn well over a step up in trip he should relish with Delpech aboard.

In race 8, a MR 100 Handicap over 1450m, Lunar Approach looks to be back to himself and is well drawn off what could prove to be an attractive merit rating.

David Thiselton

Kenilworth Saturday (old course) Race Previews by Warren Lenferna

1

Preview: LLOYD’S LEGACY is by a very good stallion and could well be anything – trainer Dennis Drier has not taken him to the Cape to see Table Mountain! He must be there for business – watch the betting – he could make a winning debut. SCRIPTWRITER showed good improvement last time and of the raced runners looks the right one. GLORIOUS GOODWOOD returns from a rest but does have the form to be competitive if not in too much need of the run. (Warren Lenferna 9-10-1)

2

Preview: COUNT HENRY has run two good races thus far and now looks ready to score. COPPER FORCE returns from a rest but did make a good debut before that – he came back from well off the pace to finish fourth – big runner. The exact same thing can be said about VERDIER. (Warren Lenferna 7-6-12)

3

Preview: PRIMROSE LANE clearly has tons of ability as she is unbeaten in two starts. She has an incredible turn of foot and I can find no reason why she cannot reel off the hat trick and remain unbeaten. MAKE IT RAINE has won two from three and also clearly has tons of ability. She is returning from a rest and if not in too much need of this run should be able to go very close once again. ROCK ON BABY was impressive when winning her penultimate start but disappointed last time – she is in Cape Town for the season and whatever happens today she will be one to watch for the future. (Warren Lenferna 8-7-4)

4

Preview: ROYAL GINGER has been knocking hard at the door recently and today looks to be his day – he should be very hard to beat in this field. PADDINGTON can improve to find a place and SEA PASS improved when tried over this trip and is a must for the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 1-10-6)

5

Preview: STAR CHESTNUT has very consistent form, the best draw and a lot points to him winning this race – he is the firm first choice. He also seems best over this distance. If he does not win – he should be right there. BRILLIANT CRIMSON got going when the race was over last time and the extra distance today should suit him down to the ground – big runner. ROYAL BADGE ran a cracker last time but has been rested since. If he is not too much in need of the run he should be very competitive – blinkers helped last time. (Warren Lenferna 4-5-3)

6

Preview: AFRICAN NIGHT SKY was very impressive when making a winning debut 24 days ago and should be even better over the distance he tries today. He has been confidently selected to remain unbeaten after this race today. FREE AGENT and SUMMER SKY have solid form and they both have undeniable chances – it would be silly to ignore their chances for the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 6-1-8)

7

Preview: COLOUR MAGIC is holding her form well and has a very strong each way chance and could well be the horse they all have to fear most. ESSENCEOFLIFE has improved with racing, won well last time and if she were to follow up it would be no shock at all. TENDER TRIP did okay in KZN – she will have to do a bit more to win this race but nevertheless she can be given a very strong place chance. (Warren Lenferna 1-10-3)

8

Preview: FRANCIA has won two out of her last three starts and looks very much on the up – she could be a hard horse to beat this afternoon. MY WORLD is always there and thereabouts and nothing should be different today – strong chance. CIGAR BOY is coming to form again and is worth including in the quartet in a small but fairly competitive race. (Warren Lenferna 3-4-6)

9

Preview: CORKER has solid form and has shown in her last two starts that she is ready to win her second career start. HARAKIRI gets four valuable kg’s off her back from the apprentice and this should put her right there at the finish – chance. STATE BALLET is lightening fast and bidding for the hat trick – if she were to win it would be no shock at all. (Warren Lenferna 7-2-1)

Turffontein Saturday (inside track) Race Previews by David Thiselton

Race 1:

Preview: CIDADA by Galileo has her third career start over a step up in trip she will relish and she could now be ready to show the promise her pedigree suggests she should have. VOGUE’S WOOD had some fair Cape Town form and should have come on from his last run which followed a layoff of over a year. CAITLIN’S ANSWER is knocking on the door over this trip and doesn’t face an inspiring field. (David Thiselton 4-1-2)

Race 2:

Preview: JUXTAPOSE is full of class and was flying late over 1450m last time in her seasonal reappearance, so is the one to beat from pole position over a step up in trip she will appreciate. QUERARI FALCON is 3,5kg under sufferance with Juxtapose on official merit ratings, but won well over course and distance last time and is progressive. NEGROAMARA is 3kg better off with Querari Falcon for a 2,75 length beating so there shouldn’t be much in it. (David Thiselton 1-4-5)

Race 3:

Preview: CAPTAINOFMYHEART has been knocking on the door off this merit rating and loves this course and distance so can go close from a good draw. MORPHEUS is only three points higher than his last win and is drawn well with a 1,5kg claimer up. MR MULLINER won the last time he tried this course and distance, albeit off a six point lower mark, and has a fair draw. (David Thiselton 11-1-3)

Race 4:

Preview: RACETHEGREENLIGHT has gone close in both starts and should be improving being by Gimmethegreenlight. He was doing good work late last time over 1000m and can overcome a wide draw here with Marcus up. STEAL A MARCH was also making inroads in that 1000m event to finish just a length behind Racethegreenlight. He now has a better draw than the latter. UNREHEARSED is by New Appproach out of a Danehill mare who has produced a five-time winning sprinter by Hussonet. (David Thiselton 9-4-10)

Race 5:

Preview: WRECKING BALL looks a fair sort in the making and can prove it here with a first-time tongue tie on. EASY GAME is topweight but is drawn in pole over course and distance with Delpech up and she has dropped to a competitive merit rating. ANNOUNCING RAIN had a tough draw to overcome on Grand Heritage day and can do better here from a good draw. SEATTLE LADY won comfortably last time over 1200m and represents a very much in form yard. At the weights she looks held by Easy Game and Announcing Rain on their meeting over 1000m down the Turffontein straight, but on the other hand her low draw might not have been favourable that day so she can’t be ignored. BONNIE DAWN disappointed on Grand Heritage day, but the form of her first two career starts, both victories over 1000m, is very good. PERFUMED LADY is one point lower after running a fair race over course and distance last time. (David Thiselton 4-1-8)

Race 6:

Preview: DAME ELEANOR won well on debut over 1200m from a tough draw at Scottsville and has a good draw here over a step up in trip she will relish. SWEET LADY JADE is going the right way and is well drawn over a suitable trip. INTRIGUING LADY has disappointed twice when stepped up to 1400m, but on pedigree she should enjoy it, so is worth another chance.  (David Thiselton 3-5-2)

Race 7:

Preview: AL FAHAD beat a good sort on debut over 1200m and should appreciate the step up in trip. BOLD VIKING, who won well on debut over 1200m, has a light weight to carry over a step up in trip he will appreciate and can do better than last time when slow away and casting a shoe. OOMPH hasn’t displayed his best since leaving PE, but should come on from his decent last run and this is also his second run after gelding. (David Thiselton 2-5-1)

Race 8:

Preview: LUNAR APPROACH is back to himself after a necessary rest and in his third run back is the one to beat off an attractive merit rating, a good draw and the blinkers on. MOOFEED ran well over course and distance two runs ago from a similar low draw and a repeat should see him involved. DEPUTY JUD should run well fresh over a trip too sharp from a good draw as he is handy type who can gallop on resolutely. JANOOBI has class and will appreciate the step up in trip, so is interesting in his reappearance, but on the downside he is 1,5kg under sufferance on official merit ratings. MASTER N’COMMANDER could do well from a good draw over a trip he has won over, although it is his second run after an eight month layoff. (David Thiselton 8-5-4)

Race 9:

Preview: TRICIA DUPONT disappointed last Saturday over 1800m when finding no finish. However, she is now one point lower than her last winning mark and her best performances recently have come over this trip and beyond. COOL FANTASY ran an improved race last time out over course and distance when drawn well for a change. She is now drawn in pole and the same jockey is up. FLIRTING AROUND, SEAL MY FATE, BRIGHT BRONTE, CRANBERRY CRUSH and CONSEQUENTIALLY also have to be considered in an open race. (David Thiselton 3-10-4)

Race 10

Preview: BLUE DIAMOND ROAD is drawn in pole and proved his suitability to this trip last time. SINGAPORE SLING doesn’t face an easy task carrying topweight against older horses in just his second career start, but he looks classy and faces an uninspiring field.  KING GERARD has snuck into the handicap with the minimum weight and is drawn well over a trip he can handle. (David Thiselton 2-1-12)

 

The highlight of yesterday’s eight race Greyville meeting was a Graduation Plate over 1200m and it produced a thrilling finish with the Dean Kannemeyer-trained four-year-old Trippi filly Impala Lily denying the favourite Dawn Calling, having been brought from well off the pace by Anthony Delpech.

Dawn Calling, who was officially the best weighted horse in the race, appeared to have it wrapped up when catching the second-best weighted horse Free State close to home. The latter had been taken to the front from a wide draw. However, Dawn Calling could not find any extra to repel a flying Impala Lily, who was officially 2kg under sufferance with the runner up.

Punters got off to a good start when the even money favourite Terabyte held on to win a maiden for three-year-olds over 1600m. The Dennis Drier-trained Jay Peg colt’s headstrong antics were solved by a noseband and a decision to take him to the front. He settled beautifully and jockey Sean Veale later allowed Storm Outgoing to take it up. Terabyte held on by 0,5 lengths despite being green in the straight.

However, three-year-old males in major centres are not allowed to be rated less than a net 64 if they win their maiden in their first five starts, even if it’s a weak polytrack event, so the minimum rating Terabyte will be awarded is an 80. This will make it tough for him in his first handicap.

In the second, a maiden for three-year-old fillies over 1600m, the Duncan Howells-trained Kahal filly Miss Suey came with a storming run from off the pace to win by 1,5 lengths under Keagan de Melo, despite starting odds of 100/1. She had been beaten 21,9 lengths over 1200m on debut. However, Howells had told De Melo to expect a good run in the parade ring. The 22/10 favourite Queen Diva finished second. This saved place accumulator and bipot punters, as the winner’s 40/1 shot stablemate Roy’s Kaitrina finished third.

In the third, a maiden over 1200m, the Gareth van Zyl-trained Sail From Seattle three-year-old gelding Zloty Potok was given a finely judged ride by Warren Kennedy, coming from off them to sweep past the favourite Prince Myshkin and win by 1,75 lengths at odds of 4/1.  Gareth will be acquiring his own official licence in a week’s time.

In the fourth, a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1200m, the Michael Roberts-trained three-year-old King’s Chapel filly Go With Flo built on a fair debut by wearing down the leader Sonic AP and winning by a length. She started 22/10 second favourite. Sonic AP finished second and the 16/10 favourite Gusheshe was third.

The sixth, a MR 62 handicap over 1200m, was won comfortably by the Dennis Bosch-trained 33/10 favourite King Django, a typically improving four-year-old colt by Go Deputy, who was ridden by Anton Marcus.

The seventh, a MR 74 Handicap over 1400m, saw a deserved win for the Gavin van Zyl-trained eight-year-old Australian-bred Hussonet gelding Tipo Tinto and this clinched a double for De Melo.

The eighth, a MR 74 Handicap over 2000m, was run at a crawl and the Alyson Wright-trained Brave Tin Soldier colt Jama ridden by Brandon Lerena just got the better of the Dean Kannemeyer-trained favourite Tanjiro. Jockey Anthony Delpech objected on the grounds of interference in the closing stages, but it was overruled.

David Thiselton