The Vaal stages the first leg of the three-legged 2016/2017 Workrider’s Challenge on Thursday. The eight races are all relatively weak maidens, but this will not diminish the annual excitement this meeting generates. There is a prize of R5,000 for the leading rider at each of the three meetings and the overall Challenge prize money is R20,000 for first, R10,000 for second and R5,000 for third. The points format is weighted in favour of consistency. A first place finish earns ten points, a second place seven points, third five points and fourth three points. Last year’s runaway Challenge winner was Sam Mosia on 131 points, beating Francis Semela on 72 points, Chamu Mabaya on 59 points, Joe Gwingwizha on 51 points and Charles Ndlovu on 47 points.

The accomplished Tshepiso Matsoele could get off to a good start. In the first race for fillies and mares over 1200m he rides the Visionaire filly Secret Vision, who ran on well over this trip last time for second, despite having earlier broken through the starting stalls. Mosia rides the hard knocking Goodness Me in this race and she should go close too. In her only unplaced effort last time she still finished close despite jumping from the worst of the draw. She now has the pole position draw going around the bend. There are two interesting first-timers in this race. Ahajeez should have speed and class being by Western Winter out of a promising Australian-bred mare who only ran six times, but won three of them over trips from 1600m to 2400m. She is from the Mike de Kock yard who are famous for having all of their horses fit enough. Al Danza by Captain Al is a full sister to the useful The Captain’s Tune, who has won three races from 1400m to 1600m. Her other siblings are the fair sprinter Night Editor and the sprinter to 1400m horse Due And Payable, so she looks likely to have plenty of speed, but she has a tough draw to overcome. Chimese Whisper has fair form at first sight, but looks to be a moderate sort who is going to struggle to ever win a race.

In the second over 1000m Collabro is by Var and is a half-brother to none other than Horse Of The Year Legal Eagle. He made a good debut on Grand Heritage day over 1200m considering he jumped from the wrong side of the track and had no cover for most of the journey. He finished 8,6 lengths back, but was in fifth place of 16 horses and the winner was the highly promising Doosra. Goodman Dadamisi, who has a fine recent strike rate, is in the irons. Matsoele should be involved in the finish again as he rides the hard knocking Lebanese Tractor. Plum British is one to watch here as he dislodged his jockey on debut, having found some betting support before that.

Ndlovu, who finished second in the Challenge to the now high flying Lyle Hewitson two seasons ago, could win the third over 1000m for fillies and mares aboard the hard knocking and improving At A Glance. Lily Love is an interesting runner here as she has exceptional speed and it didn’t work last time when they tried to hold her up. If allowed to use her pace she can go close. Silver Jay has been backed both starts and must be considered, Berdanine, with Mosia up, would be no surprise winner having run well in her last two. Street Affair, Sea Revenant and Truth Of Beauty are three others who can’t be ignored.

Mosia is aboard the probable best bet of the day in the next race over 1600m, the Ormond Ferraris-trained Rubybay. This weak fillies and mares event over 1600m should be at the her mercy from pole position as none of the others have shown enough to be considered winners. She was a touch disappointing the last time she ran over this trip, but she had to overcome a wide draw that day and will likely be more handy this time. African Rhumba looks the main danger after a fair debut.

The fifth over 1800m is the most competitive race on the card and the whole field might have to be included in the Pick 6. Voodoo is the selection to win as he showed improvement over 2000m last time under this same rider Beto Mundluvo.

The sixth over 2000m for fillies and mares could go to Mosia as he is aboard the hard knocking and improving Malala, who is well drawn over an ideal course and distance.

The seventh over 1450m for fillies and mares is an interesting event. The one who looks to have the most promise is Bi Pot, who ran on well after being green on debut. However, she has a tough draw to overcome under Goodman Dadamisa. Third Dan and Doubly Attractive make most appeal of the others. However, Aerobatic can also be considered and an interesting runner is Pretty Popular, who ran well on debut and now, in her third start from pole position, has the blinkers on for the first time.

The meeting could be wrapped up with an upset win in the 1450m event for fillies and mares by Ndlovu aboard the long time maiden Kings Landing. She caught the eye running on strongly over 1200m last time and does not have a lot to beat here from a good draw. The front running Brave Nation could be dangerous and Payne’s Grey might enjoy the step down in trip. Queen Anne and Just As Frisky also have to be considered.

David Thiselton

Visitors to the winner’s enclosure at Scottsville on Sunday October 16: 

SCOTTSVILLE RACE 1 [WEBBWASTE 101 MAIDEN PLATE 1000m R85 000] 1ST: 5 LIL RED ROOSTER (3 Ch g Noordhoek Flyer (SNL) – Chantal) (W Kennedy; 7/1).
Owned by: Mr B D Burnard. Trained by: Gavin van Zyl. Bred by: Gary Player Stud (Pty) Ltd.

SCOTTSVILLE RACE 2 [HELI ENGINEERING MAIDEN PLATE (F & M) 1000m R85 000] 1ST: 16 VISION TO KILL (3 B f Kildonan – Royal Vision) (S Veale; 16/1).
Owned by: Messrs M J R Mauvis & Sam Osman. Trained by: Paul Gadsby. Bred by: Mr M J R Mauvis.

SCOTTSVILLE RACE 3 [MICHAEL AZZIE RACING STABLES MAIDEN PLATE (F & M) 1400m R85 000
1ST: 14 SPRING IN SEATTLE (3 B f Mambo In Seattle (USA) – Spring Lilac) (E S Ngwane; 50/1).
Owned by: Mr V W Koster. Trained by: Alistair Gordon. Bred by: Cheveley Stud.

SCOTTSVILLE RACE 4 [SYSPRO FM 84 DIVIDED HANDICAP (F & M) 1600m R98 000] 1ST: 3 FANTASY LADY (4 B f Kahal (GB) – Silver Fantasy) (K de Melo; 14/1).
Owned by: Messrs G N Cumming, C N Larsson & R D Samuelson. Trained by: Mark Dixon. Bred by: Mr Bruce Le Roux.

SCOTTSVILLE RACE 5 [MOUNT EDGECOMBE RETIREMENT VILLAGE FM 67 DIVIDED HANDICAP (F & M) 1600m R75 000] 1ST: 10 LUNA SEA (4 Ch f Admire Main (JPN) – Bellucci) (S Moodley; 16/1).
Owned by: Messrs C Gordon, T Quigley & TMR Syndicate (Nom: Mrs T A Mitchley). Trained by: Therese Mitchley. Bred by: Summerhill Stud (Pty) Ltd.

SCOTTSVILLE RACE 6 [GARTH PULLER RACING PINNACLE STAKES 1400m R120 000] 1ST: 2 LONDON CALL (6 B g Kahal (GB) – Fancy Fantasy) (B Lerena; 4/1).
Owned by: Messrs C N Larsson, G N Cumming & R D Samuelson. Trained by: Mark Dixon. Bred by: Mr & Mrs Bruce Le Roux.

SCOTTSVILLE RACE 7 [KZN 3YO SERIES 1400 (Non-Black Type) brought to you by ASHBURTON TRAINERS 1400m R150 000] 1ST: 4 ROY’S MAGIC (AUS) (3 Br c Foxwedge (AUS) – Wild Storm (CHI)) (W Kennedy; 6/1).
Owned by: Mr Roy Moodley. Trained by: Duncan Howells. Bred by: S F Bloodstock L L C, NSW.

SCOTTSVILLE RACE 8 [KAJAL BUNWARIE TRUST & MR NAGESUR DHEORAJ MR 74 HANDICAP 1200m R80 000] 1ST: 7 ALBERT (7 B g Albert Hall (GB) – Tempter (ARG)) (A Delpech; 6/1).
Owned by: Messrs A Sukhraj & S Sukhraj. Trained by: Kumaran Naidoo. Bred by: Dr G Baitz & Mr C Baitz.

SCOTTSVILLE RACE 9 [GADSBY TEAM RACING MR 74 HANDICAP 1200m R80 000] 1ST: 7 ROY’S AIR FORCE (4 B g King’s Apostle (IRE) – Middle East) (D De Gouveia; 14/1).
Owned by: Mr Roy Moodley. Trained by: Paul Lafferty. Bred by: Wicklow Stud.

Free State has a point to prove when she lines up in the Association Of Clean Communities Graduation Plate over 1200m at Greyville on Wednesday, a race that has attracted some crack fillies.

Three weeks back Free State was deemed to be the main culprit in some late scrimmaging down the Scottsville straight and demoted in the boardroom where Shezaleader was the beneficiary but A Womans Way the chief sufferer, squeezed out of the back door and eventually finishing fifth.

Duncan Howells said last week that he was reluctant to run A Womans Way on the poly but when another meeting was added to the Scottsville programme with a suitable race, he gained permission to scratch for today leaving accomplished stable companion Dawn Calling representing the yard.

Dawn Calling has not been out of the money in seven starts, finishing runner-up in both the Gr2 Golden Slipper and the Gr1 Thekwini Stakes at the end of last season. That form has held up well but this will be Dawn Calling’s first outing since the end of July.

The daughter of Trippi is obviously top class but the Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas will be on the agenda and 1200m on the quick poly surface does already look to be on the short side. Her proven class could see her through but she may be hard pressed to hold a fit and distance suited Free State.

Wendy Whitehead’s runner is lightly raced and was returning from a three-month break when demoted at Scottsville. That she was running around in the finish could be attributed to her being leg-weary over the final 50m but it was still a cracking run.

Shezaleader (left) and Free State (Nkosi Hlophe)

The second-run-after-a-layoff theorists will be having a field day with this one. A hard run back may well take the edge off the filly but she has earned a cheque at every start which is in her favour and she is also proven on the poly.

Dean Kannemeyer’s runner Impala Lily is also a winner on the poly but like Dawn Calling is returning from a break and does appear to be looking for further at this stage of her career. She has not been out since the first week in July and the fitter Free State could also have here measure.

Cosmic Burst would appear to be the only other runner with winning credentials but does look outclassed.

The race would appear to rest between Free State and Dawn Calling but racing fitness and a suitable distance could give Free State the edge.

Fashion Quest enjoyed the step up in trip when runner-up at her last start over course and distance and is a possible banker in the opening leg of the PA.

The first leg of the Pick 6 looks more tricky. Distant Place caught the eye behind the promising Scent Of The Tiger on debut and is sure to improve while Brave Knight, back from a wind op, made major improvement last time out. Zloty Potok and Ice Emperor look pick of the balance.

The form behind Accidental Tourist is proving to be fairly solid so Go With The Flo is expected to come on nicely from her debut when three lengths back to Accidental Tourist. But if anything, this is an even more open race and the best advice is to fill up in the exotics as far as finances allow bringing all of Even Tempo, Swiss Note, Jollerie and At Variance into the equation.

The same goes for the sixth where the entire field is not without a squeak. Roman Carnival could cut expenses in the seventh as he was a touch unlucky last time out but the lightly raced Sea Urchin steps out over a more suitable trip and is having his third run after a break and is from an in form yard.

Kannemeyer could round off the meeting with Tanjiro in the eighth who takes a major drop in class after finishing a close-up third in a competitive handicap last time out.

Andrew Harrison

Greyville polytrack Wednesday Oct 19 Race Previews by Andrew Harrison

1

Preview: TERABYTE made good improvement at his second start. Will enjoy the extra and has a plum draw. STORM OUTGOING over raced when tried in blinkers last time out. He had made a promising debut for the stable before that. The blinkers come off and he can make amends. Stable companion COSSACK GUARD improved in blinkers and makes his poly debut. PATROL MISSION made a promising sprint debut. He has a tricky draw but should enjoy the extra. (Andrew Harrison: 11-2-1-7).

2

Preview: FASHION QUEST improved when stepped up in trip and can go one better.  QUEEN DIVA caught the eye after a break when beaten a length in her comeback run. She should be in the shake-up. MAXIMUM REFUND jumps from a tricky draw but came on well from her debut effort. MERMAID SIREN can do better than her last effort on the turf. She races in a tongue-tie for the first time and is set to make good improvement. SHE’S A JO also has a difficult draw but also improved on her debut effort. (Andrew Harrison: 1-2-6-7).

3

Preview: DISTANT PLACE caught the eye on debut behind the promising Scent Of The Tiger. If he can improve on that effort he will be in with a big chance. BRAVE KNIGHT made good improvement after a wind op. This is his second run after a lengthy break. ZLOTY POTOK has had to deal with two tricky draws in his first two outings. He has pulled another wide gate but is on the up.  SCARRABEAST is improving and looks ready now. (Andrew Harrison: 7-1-12-10).

4

Preview: GO WITH FLO was close-up on debut in a competitive maiden. She meets little of note here and from the best of the draw should be right there. EVEN TEMPO found good market support on debut but raced green. She should come on with the experience. SWISS NOTE has been knocking on the door for some time now. This is a weak field and she should finish close-up.  JOLLERIE was possibly in need of her last start. She has shown some ability and tries blinkers for the first time. (Andrew Harrison: 11-10-2-1).

5

Preview: FREE STATE lost her last start in the boardroom and was the chief offender in putting paid to A Womens Way’s chances. However, she is much better off at the weights here and can confirm that form. Duncan Howells saddles two smart fillies. A WOMENS WAY was the meat in the sandwich when fifth last time out. That was her first run back from a break. She is a smart filly and can defy the weights. DAWN CALLING is Gr1 placed but returns from a break and should need further. However, she has class and that could carry her through. COSMIC BURST was second best last run and has the best of the draw. She can place again. (Andrew Harrison: 1-4-9-3).

6

Preview: TRIPLE O SEVEN has shown up well in two starts since returning from a lengthy break. She should be at her peak now and has a light weight in a tricky race. SPECIAL ENCOUNTER drops in class and caught the eye over course and distance last time out. He has a big weight but a good draw. KING DJANGO has shown up well in two recent starts over further. He was narrowly beaten last run and can go close again. BUBKA was backed at long odds when put back over a sprint and sent out in blinkers for the first time. He could feature again. (Andrew Harrison: 10-1-6-3)

7

Preview: Wide open. ROMAN CARNIVAL was a touch unlucky last run when hampered. His best recent effort has been over course and distance and he rates a strong chance. SEA URCHIN has had two outings since a lengthy break. He has ability and looks ready now. AIR CHIEF MARSHAL has been a beaten favourite at his last two. He could prove better this trip. FIREWOOD is never far back. He takes a step up in trip and should be competitive again. (Andrew Harrison: 6-4-3-8).

8

Preview: Tricky race. TANJIRO showed up well to much stronger last start. He may just have needed the outing and should make a bod bid here. THIRTYTWO SQUADRON was up against stronger last start but was close up at his previous two. He will go close on his best form. PURE VALOR’s last win was over course and distance and he was running on late last outing when trying further. He does not have the best of draws but is in good form. BORN TO RULE is a strong front runner but had no chance with the lightly waited Newtons Spark last run. He goes well on the poly but also has a difficult draw. (Andrew Harrison: 2-1-4-3).

Anton Marcus is rated the 18^th most successful jockey in the world in the global rankings published last week by the Thoroughbred Racing Commentary website which also classifies trainers and owners.

Markus and Ingrid Jooste come in number nine in the owners’ category – Coolmore and their partners head the list followed by Godolphin – but otherwise South Africans have been placed a long way down the various logs.

Six times champion Piere Strydom (91^st) is the only other South African-based jockey to be rated in the top 100 and Hong Kong’s  multiple champion Dougie Whyte has been put only two places higher.

The refusal of European interests to relax the African Horse Sickness quarantine regulations probably has more to do with the lowly treatment of the South Africans than any real assessment of their ability. As our horses cannot compete on the international stage, except by sacrificing a significant part of their racing careers to overseas quarantine, few of our jockeys and trainers have much opportunity to show the rest of the world what they are capable of.

Mike de Kock is rated only 80^th in the trainers category (which is headed by Aidan O’Brien) despite his ground-breaking successes around the world with horses far cheaper and nothing like as well bred as those handled by many of those above him. One owner-breeder with close Coolmore connections and who sometimes has horses at Ballydoyle told me last year “We rate De Kock one of the best trainers in the world.”

Current champion Sean Tarry is rated 83rd, the now-retired Mike Bass is 115^th, Dennis Drier and Joey Ramsden are joint 125^th, Justin Snaith 134^th and Brett Crawford 167^th.

Frankie Dettori, who captains the visitors in the Air Mauritius International Jockeys’ Challenge at Fairview on November 18 and Turffontein two days later, is rated second only to Ryan Moore. The other members of his team are Robert Havlin (104), Pat Cosgrave (166), Aurelian Lemaitre (172), Fergus Sweeney and Hayley Turner.

The last two are not in TRC’s top 200 and nor are S’Manga Khumalo, Andrew Fortune, Muzi Yeni and Gavin Lerena. The other two South African team members are Anthony Delpech (121) and Grant van Niekerk (144). It will be interesting to see if TRC revises its estimations of the South Africans after next month’s competition which, sadly, has given Cape Town the cold shoulder for the second successive year.

Michael Clower