Vaughan Marshall’s plans for his unbeaten Allan Robertson winner The Secret Is Out have been thrown into doubt by a wide draw in the Choice Carriers Championship at Kenilworth on Saturday week.

The Milnerton trainer said: “She is drawn 24 – you might get away with that on the summer course but this is the winter course. I am undecided at the moment and I will make a decision during the week.”

Thursday morning is the declaration deadline. Marshall, who had mapped out the R400 000 Grade 2 many weeks ago, last won the race in 2012 with All Is Secret (a full sister to The Secret Is Out) who had also won the Allan Robertson and went on to finish fourth to Rumya when starting favourite for the Cape Fillies Guineas.

Golden Slipper winner Final Judgement, joint top-rated with the Marshall filly in the 34 Choice Carriers entries, is a confirmed runner after pleasing Glen Kotzen when put through her paces last Thursday.

The Woodhill trainer said: “It was a nice gallop and the first one she has had since her break. She is very athletic and doesn’t take much work.”

Cape Speed, winner of five out of eight last season, has been ruled out of the Sansui Summer Cup after his trainer switched plans.

“I have changed my mind about going for the Summer Cup,” explained Dean Kannemeyer. “ I brought him back to Cape Town last week for the summer season. He is in the Woolavington at Kenilworth this Saturday but he won’t run because he is not ready for that yet.”

Michael Clower

It’s still early days for any sort of pecking order to have emerged amongst the three-year-old males but given the muddling results from last season there is still a lot of water to flow under the bridge before a pattern surfaces.

That said, Gr1 Premier’s Champion Stakes winner Gunner makes his seasonal debut at Scottsville tomorrow in the second of the KZN 3YO Series races, this over 1400m. Paul Gadsby is aiming him at the $500 000 CTS Mile to be run at Kenilworth in January but said, “He’s got to start somewhere and I don’t want to send him down to Cape Town a fat little butterball. I’m just hoping for a good race on Sunday.”

The race has attracted a smart field that contains a number of unknowns outside of Gunner and Palladium who are both relatively exposed. Scent Of The Tiger, Roy’s Magic, Marshall That, Great Value and Sarah’s Secret are recent maiden winners but all on the up and get a hefty 6kg from Gunner and 2kg from Palladium which should make for an interesting contest.

One hardly expects Gunner to be anywhere near his peak at this stage of the season and given that he gives plenty of pudding to rivals that have recently shown their wellbeing he could find it tough going.

The luckless Cabinda has been a victim of both Roy’s Magic and Scent Of The Tiger and Duncan Howells could hold the key to this puzzle. Scent Of The Tiger finished four lengths adrift of the Howells-trained Restless Rogue before going on to beat Cabinda.

You could write your own ticket about Scent Of The Tiger that day but Restless Rogue is a member of the Howells Highveld raiding party and caught the eye when fourth at Turffontein this Thursday passed.

Roy’s Magic shed his maiden at second time of asking and Howells says he’s a nice horse. “He does everything I ask of him at work but he only does just enough. That’s usually the sign of a decent horse but I don’t want to get ahead of myself,” he cautioned.

Marshall That showed a glimpse of what he was capable off when a close-up third at his second start. Alistair Gordon then put him away for three months and he came out firing after the break, putting five lengths over the luckless but consistent Newyorkstateofmind. Sean Tarry’s runner paid tribute to that form, winning at his next start. Marshal That has the benefit of having twice been around the Scottsville turn and proven over the trip.

Great Value shed his maiden over course and distance at second time of asking while Palladium, although twice beaten by Gunner, was a good third behind the smart colt Legend in the BSA Million Mile from a difficult draw and jumps from gate three tomorrow.

Gunner would be the obvious choice given his Gr1 win but with bigger fish to fry and having to give 6kg to his rivals, Roy’s Magic is preferred with Scent Of The Tiger and Marshall That all in the scrum.

The Garth Puller Racing Pinnacle Stakes over 1400m will have punters scratching their heads. Veteran Punta Arenas is well in at the weights but is more at home over ten furlongs rather than tomorrow’s seven and this looks to be a warm-up for a possible trip to Jo’Burg. Similarly, No Worries has shown his best recent form over further but is versatile. Fitted with blinkers he slapped up odds-on favourite Rabada in the KZN Breeders Million Mile and followed with a close-up third to budding champion Marinaresco in the Gr1 Champions Cup.

On that form and the fact that he is best in at the weights he cannot be written off even over this trip.

Sylvester The Cat missed the float to Jo’burg as Howells thought his temperament may get the better of him and he is back over his favourite course and distance. Sylvester The Cat possesses a tremendous turn of foot and even though he is not well in at these weights, if the “right” Sylvester pitches on the day he could prove difficult to peg back.

Mark Dixon has done a sterling job with London Call who is not the easiest of horses to train as his tens starts in four season’s bares testimony. But perseverance has paid off and the gelding has been successful on five of those starts. He doddled a Pinnacle Stakes sprint last time out and although he has not won further than 1200m he is at the peak of his form.

Sylvester The Cat is taken to bring his best to the track and get home ahead of London Call with No Worries a serious threat.

Andrew Harrison

Scottsville Sunday Oct 16 Race Previews by Andrew Harrison

1

Preview: Many first timers but of those that have run SIR EDMUND has yet to finished unplaced but now tries blinkers and should be thereabouts again. LIL RED ROOSTER made major improvement at his last start but has been rested since. That form has held up so he must rate a strong chance if ready. VARADISO has run his best race over course and distance and a repeat should see him in the firing line. Of the first timers ARABIAN EMPEROR and OLIVER QUEEN have strong sprinting pedigrees. (Andrew Harrison:  4-5-6-13).

2

Preview: Open. Duncan Howells has two runners with promising form. DANISH CROSS made a smart debut behind stable companion Blaze Of Mystery but has not been out since May and may need this run. RAINBOWINTHESKY caught the eye on debut and there doesn’t look to be much in this line-up. CAPTAINS MOLL has been disappointing since two excellent efforts to start with. Her best form is on this course and she will be competitive if finding her best. BUBBLY NIGHT didn’t feature first up on the turf but she has some fair poly form. (Andrew Harrison: 14-12-7-6).

3

Preview: TROPICAL BLOW came from well back to take second to favourite Accidental Tourist on debut. She should appreciate the extra ground and with a claiming apprentice up and a plum draw she should go close. MALHAMA raced green on debut and will much prefer this trip although she has a difficult draw to overcome. EXPRESSO MARTINI found inspired market support at her second outing but found one too good. She has a chance to go one better. MADAME EXPRESS has not been far back in two starts and looks set to improve. (Andrew Harrison: 15-12-9-11).

4

Preview: WELL IN FLIGHT was close-up in a strong sprint field last time out. She has been kept to sprints but should not have any trouble seeing out the extra. WAITY KATIE caught the eye when making her local debut and will much prefer this trip. She had some useful Cape form. SEEK THE SUMMIT has come consistent form on the Greyville poly. She has a light weight and a good draw.  LALA is a smart filly and goes well this trip. She has a big weight but four-claiming apprentice Dennis Schwarz will ease her burden. (Andrew Harrison: 2-5-11-1).

5

Preview: MISS TEE has been threatening for some time now. She was a close-up second when taking on stronger last time and rates a strong chance. JUDS EXPRESS has improved with each outing of late and should be at her peak here. She was running on strongly from a tough draw last time out. ROY’S TWILIGHT needed her last run. She has a tricky draw here but goes well this course and distance. B TWENTY ONE returns from a break and is lightly raced. She shows some ability and could improve after being given time to mature. (Andrew Harrison: 7-12-8-9).

6

Preview: SYLVESTER THE CAT is not particularly well weighted here but goes very well over course and distance. He can be difficult so not always reliable. LONDON CALL is top class on his day and was an easy winner last time out. He does step up in trip but if he puts it in her should be right there. NO WORRIES has shown himself to be very versatile. He is quite well weighted here and has a good draw. Even though he returns from a short break he should at least be competitive.  ASHTON PARK made a smart local debut on the poly. He had consistent Cape form and Marcus sticks with the ride. (Andrew Harrison: 5-2-3-6).

7

Preview: ROY’S MAGIC won well at second time of asking. He looks progressive and can follow up. GUNNER was a Gr1 winner last time out but returns from a break and gives weight all round. He may just need it. MARSHALL THAT impressed as a very easy maiden winner last time out and that form has been franked although he does take on much stronger here. SCENT OF THE TIGER has improved with every run. He shed his maiden in good fashion beating the luckless Cabinda who was also beaten by Roy’s Magic. (Andrew Harrison: 4-1-6-3)

8

Preview: AMAZON KING has improved with each outing. He was close-up behind the promising Roy’s Magic at his second start and looks to have more to come in a weak field. ARAMOUSE has put in two big efforts on the poly but has also done well on the turf and looks a threat. The veteran ALBERT is always dangerous and back on the turf could upstage them all. SEMONKONG has not been far back at recent outings and with a light weight rates a strong chance. (Andrew Harrison: 1-5-7-13)

9

Preview: Open. GOOD TO GIVE appeared in need of his last outing. He has shown some promise and meets a weak field. LILY GRAY takes on males but has been knocking on the door for some time now and is due a change of fortune. BECKEDORF showed his best form with the blinkers removed for his last start. He can follow up. PANGA PANGA was not far back when making his local debut. The was his first outing in three months and he rates a chance in this weak field. (Andrew Harrison: 5-6-3-1)

First Timer comments Scottsville Sunday Oct 16 by Warren Lenferna

DUNCAN HOWELLS:

Race 1 – ARABIAN EMPEROR (8): Quite a speedy horse but could be green – could run into the back end of the quartet if not too green.

MARK DIXON:

Race 1 – ASIAN STAR (9): Very quick but will need the experience.

Race 3 – DIAMANTE (8): Nice filly but will need the experience.

LLOYD LUNN FOR PAT LUNN:

Race 1 – KILDONAN GOLD (10): Is speedy but will be very green.

CORRINE BESTEL:

Race 1 – KINGS CUP (11): Is looking for much further but I need to start racing with him. He will need the experience.

GARTH PULLER:

Race 1 – SHANTYTOWN (14): A nice big horse with a big action. He will need a few runs and a bit further.

MICHAEL ROBERTS:

Race 1 – LEAGUE OF SHADOWS (12): A nice type but is bred for further.

Race 2 – HURRY HOME (13): Speedy but will benefit from this outing.

Race 2 – SUMMER FASHION (15): Speedy but will benefit from this outing.

DENNIS BOSCH:

Race 1 – OLIVER QUEEN (13): A very nice horse, I would have preferred the poly – Anton Marcus likes him but I am of the opinion that he might just need it.

PAUL GADSBY:

Race 2 – VISION TO KILL (16): Will need one run and will be better over 1200m.

IVAN MOORE:

Race 3 – DAZZLING TOKEN (7): I really think she will need the run and be green – she will need a trip hence her making her debut over 1400m. I am just hoping she runs a decent race.

WEIHO MARWING:

Race 3 – FLOWEROFEDINBURGH (10): Will need the run.

DES EGDES:

Race 3 – REMEMBERING RUTH (13): Is a nice staying type of filly but will be in need of the run and it will be very tough from the draw. She should be finishing well.

 

A New Dawn, the forgotten member of Joey Ramsden’s powerful three-year-old line-up, takes on Lord Balmoral when he reappears in the All To Come Graduation Plate at Durbanville today – and it won’t be easy.

Donovan Dillon’s mount has to overcome a near six-month absence and, although the handicappers rated him 4kg behind Vaughan Marshall’s hope, he has to give his rival half a kilo.

Looking at what the R2 million Australian-bred beat over the Kenilworth 1 400m that day in April you might not rate him even as high as the official assessors but trainer and jockey left no-one in any doubt about the colt’s potential.

“He is a smashing horse, looking for this trip and more,” said Ramsden while Dillon added: “There is a lot of improvement to come. After every race he will get better and better.”

But the lesson of recent weeks is that the Ramsden class acts are vulnerable on their first runs back, particularly when they are conceding weight. Attenborough looked a certainty a furlong out only to falter and Table Bay could only manage third. Both started favourite and this time it could be the turn of Lord Balmoral to inflict the defeat

Also Australian-bred, but a fair bit cheaper at A$53,000, this colt justified odds of 1-3 on his second start in the manner of a future star, coming right away in the final 300m to win by four lengths easing up.

True, he was a big disappointment when he reappeared seven weeks ago, starting at even money and finishing a well-beaten sixth to a 25-1 shot. But he should be a different proposition this time.

In terms of sheer class these two dominate the race but Edict Of Nantes has done everything right in his last two starts, his stable is on song and if he were to complete the hat-trick it wouldn’t exactly be a shock of earthquake proportions.

Stable jockey Corne Orffer again has the mount but, a little surprisingly, he partners Varonella in the first while Greg Cheyne comes in for the mount on Brett Crawford’s other runner Varsity Cup whose form reads much better and is the selection.

Richard Fourie is on the sidelines after that horrific fall here on Wednesday when his mount Rock Stewart suffered a fatal cranial trauma. He had a number of fancied rides and Aldo Domeyer may benefit on Midtown Manhattan in race four. This one has the Crawford-trained Lady Diddeo to beat.

Michael Clower