Reigning national champion jockey S’Manga Khumalo started riding work this week as he looks forward to being back at the races at the beginning of next month.

Khumalo regretted the error of judgement which led to his 60-day suspension, but said the enforced holiday had brought welcome relief after a punishing schedule which had continued unabated for four years.

He said, “I most definitely needed this break. I had a couple of falls in that period and didn’t give my back or body a proper chance to recover. The travelling really takes it out of you too.”

Khumalo has thus given himself a complete holiday for the last seven weeks.

He appears to be a natural athlete and was not too concerned about any loss of fitness.

He admitted fitness in certain areas was important before saying jockeyship was chiefly about “skill” – the skill to control a horse without putting any pressure on its mouth and thus allowing it to relax in the running and reserve it for the finish. He added that another important area was “training with the horses”, getting to know them and bringing out the best in them in their races.

Khumalo said he would “most definitely” be continuing to receive mentorship from jockey legend Felix Coetzee.

This partnership signifies how professional Khumalo has become. Coetzee’s role can be likened to that of a swing coach in golf in that he is available for Khumalo to phone or sit down and talk to whenever the latter feels the need to discuss any aspect of his profession. The dividends were plain to see as Khumalo’s confidence had never been so consistently high as it was last season.

Except for that one infamous ride of course. On 24 June at Fairview he appeared to have the race in safekeeping on the Justin Snaith-trained Captain Courteous. He was sitting low in the saddle with what appeared a double handful looking around at the only danger, Seattle Light, while maintaining a comfortable lead of a length. However, a few strides before the line he sat up and to everybody’s horror this enabled Seattle Light to get up on the line.

He said, “It was an error of judgement, although the horse did have problems (it was Captain Courteous’ first outing for nearly a year).  I sat down and knew I would have to face the music. But on the other hand something like that has to happen before you can learn from it. Going forward I now have that experience and won’t be caught out again. There have been a couple of other similar incidents before and after my one. We are human, we are not robots, and it was not as if we aimed to do it.”

Khumalo has thought about overseas possibilities while on holiday, but it is one or two incomplete ambitions in South Africa that will keep him here for the time being.

Winning the eLan Gold Cup was a long held ambition which he can now tick off his list and his chief focus is now the Met. Interestingly, he would jump at the offer to ride Enaad, his Gold Cup winner, in the Met, so clearly doesn’t view him as an out-and-out stayer.

He recalled the memorable Gold Cup victory. “After winning the Gold Vase on him I knew what type he was, you can go fast or slow on him, he doesn’t pull. In the parade ring Mike de Kock said I had handled him well in the Vase and said he would leave everything to me. I rode him the way I found him, gave him a chance and then used that sustained finish of his.”

He also gave credit to the De Kock team as he knew the Australian-bred High Chaparral gelding would be supremely fit.

However, Khumalo named the tremendous Gr 1 Computaform Sprint winner Carry On Alice as the best horse he had ridden last season.

Khumalo will be sitting down with Felix Coetzee soon to devise a strategy for the season and will obviously be hoping his successful partnership with national champion trainer Sean Tarry starts off from where if left off.

However, he concluded by simply saying, “I hope all goes well and I get the support professionalism deserves.”

David Thiselton

Francia can become the first of her sex to win the Settlers Trophy for 13 years at Durbanville tomorrow and upset better fancied stable companion Captain Splendid in the process.

She won the Winter Oaks in June as if stamina is her forte and this view appeared to be confirmed by her only managing third when starting favourite over a mile last time. It’s a bit disconcerting that she now has a different jockey for the fifth time in as many races but Greg Cheyne is as good as they come.

Captain Splendid, similarly bidding to become Justin Snaith’s fourth Settlers winner in ten years, is expected to start favourite. He won the East Cape Derby over this trip in May but last time’s success over the same distance has resulted in him being raised 1.5kg and there are grounds for believing that he could struggle to confirm the placings with Jeremy on the revised terms.

“Jeremy was unlucky not to win that day,” recalls Greg Ennion. “They went too slowly for him and, had they gone a decent pace, I think he would have won comfortably. He has been doing well and he is strengthening up nicely”

Corne Orffer’s mount has only a length to find but Ennion is also expecting a good run from Roman Discent even though this one  was nearly four lengths further back in last month’s race – “I thought he would fight out the finish with Jeremy but the slow pace didn’t suit him either. He pulled hard and burned himself out. However there won’t be a slow pace this time, I can assure you!”

Ennion runs four but says that Chrome Blue is better at Kenilworth and prefers 400m less, while Irish Dynasty is a whopping 8kg under sufferance.

Candice Bass-Robinson is hopeful that My World’s near two-month absence will not count against him and, while the statistic that no horse has won this with 60kg this century (and probably never) owes a lot to the steady rise in the maximum weight, victory in recent years has tended to go to those lower down the scale. That said, Grant van Niekerk’s mount likes this trip and has been dropped half a kilo.

Can Cope was unlucky not to win her last two starts over a mile but this is half as far again and the last time she raced this far was 12 months ago when she finished plumb last. “Her best distance is 1 800 -2 000m and in last year’s race she was three wide all the way and didn’t see it out,” recalls Harold Crawford. “But I’m sure she will this time if Grant Behr can restrain her early on and give her a chance.”

Riaan van Reenen’s Settlers record is on a par with Snaith’s – indeed far better if you take into account the size of their respective strings. He has won three of the last 11 while brother Reza won the 2003 running. “With a bit of luck we can do it again,” he says, pointing out that recent course winner Barossa Valley found 1 800m too short last time and is in good form.

Lady Redoute has run well over course and distance and stepped up considerably last time, her third run after a rest. However the handicappers promptly hit her with a huge 4kg rise.

Oh So Modus stays well but disappointed on his last visit to Durbanville a year ago. In January he was 11^th of 15 in the J & B Stayers but only a head behind My World and is 2.5kg better. Even so, it’s hard to see him winning.

Michael Clower

The Turffontein Inside track has another competitive nine race card tomorrow and punters can look forward to some attractive dividends. The stand out horse on the card is the Joe Soma-trained Fortissima, who runs in the eighth race, a MR 76 Handicap for fillies and mares over 2000m.

This four-year-old Fort Wood filly ran to about a 96 merit rating when finishing a 2,25 length second to the top class Juxtapose in the Gr 2 SA Oaks in her penultimate start. However, the rules allowed for a maximum five point raise, so she will run off only an 82 merit rating tomorrow. Her subsequent run in the Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 can have a line drawn through it because she had to take evasive action to avoid a horse which had gone wrong.

Soma always expected her to be better as a four and five-year-old. He confirmed she had duly strengthened and matured over the winter and will be aiming her at bigger events during the season. He said, “She is carrying a big weight (62kg) and is coming back from a rest (172 days) but she is very classy, we have always rated her highly, and in this field she should be classy enough. Don’t be scared to banker her in all bets.” She is drawn well in five and Gavin Lerena is up. Sultry could be the main danger, although faces a tough task as an experienced three-year-old running off a 79 merit rating.

The highest rated race on the card is a Pinnacle Stakes event over 2600m. Storm Warning looked to have enjoyed a perfect preparation into this year’s Gold Cup but was then excluded from the final field. He is the fourth best in at the weights tomorrow on official merit ratings, but has a plum draw of two over a suitable course and distance. Coltrane is the joint best in at the weights. His form suggests he is better on galloping tracks, but he should make his presence felt from draw four with Strydom up.

Elusive Flyer has twice gone close over course and distance. In November last year he gave Fortune Fella 1,5kg and lost by 0,6 lengths and is now 4,5kg better off. In his last start on August 27 he gave Penteliko 4,5kg and lost by 1,75 lengths and is now 3kg better off. He looks to have a chance here, despite officially being 4kg under sufferance with the best weighted horses. The Elmo Effect beat Elusive Flyer over course and distance last time by 1,25 lengths and is now only 0,5kg worse off, so also has a good chance, although he has a tough draw to overcome.

Penteliko is by Go Deputy so will be coming into his own now as a four-year-old. He came from last when winning last time so can be dropped out from his wide draw. Kingmambo’s Legacy has only tried a staying trip once, at the beginning of last year, and finished a close third over 2450m. He will be coming into his own now being by Ideal World and should now relish this sort of trip. He is officially 3,5kg under sufferance with the best in. The mares Kissimmee and Coby are the joint best weighted horses on official merit ratings together with Coltrane and they only have to carry 52kg and 50,5kg respectively.

Coby gave Elusive Flyer 5kg and a 4,85 length beating the last time they met over 2450m and represents the in form Gary Alexander yard. She has a fair draw of five under in form Lyle Hewitson, so looks to have a shout, although further back in her form Storm Warning beat her comfortably twice, including over this course and distance. Kisseemee has only ever taken the boys on once in a staying trip, over 2450m, and Storm Warning and Elusive Flyer have her measure on the form of that race.

However, she is drawn in pole, so can’t be ignored. Pyramus and Talbec both looks held at the weights. Fortune Fella would probably prefer a more galloping track and the weight turnaround with Elusive Flyer makes it tough. The selection is Storm Warning to beat Colrane, with Coby, Elusive Flyer and  The Elmo Effect next best, although it is hard to leave Penteliko, Kingmambo’s Legacy and Kisseemee out of the Pick 6.

The last, a MR 58 Handicap over 2000m, is another nightmare for punters. However, Bird Alley is the choice despite a wide draw as she was surging at the finish over 1800m last time at the Vaal and should relish the step up in trip.

In the second over 1200m Sierra Redwood caught the eye running on over 1000m on debut so will appreciate the step up in trip and is drawn in pole. Soma described his first-timer in this race Devadip as a nice horse, but added he might be green from a wide daw and he would prefer further in time.

In the third race over 1450m, Soma said Turn Back Time had been doing well and had improved from her last start but the draw would be a concern. Fingers Crossed caught the eye last time, in a fair maiden over 1200m, as one who would enjoy this trip and is well drawn with Strydom up, so she is tipped to beat Turn Back Time.

In the fifth race, a MR 81 handicap over 1600m, Dealer’s Charm, who looks a nice type, has been lowered one point and has snuck into the handicap with the minimum weight. Last time out over course and distance he had to be dropped out from a wide draw and ran on well from last.

Significantly he is now well drawn and can turn for home closer to the pace so is chosen to win. Soma is preparing Old Oak Tree for a tilt at a big ready To Run Sales race so is not too concerned about him being 2kg under sufferance.  He said he had been working well and with Muzi Yeni up from pole position he expected him to be competitive.

David Thiselton

Wayne Badenhorst only as a small string under his care at his Richmond yard next door to Doug Campbell and he will be pinning his hopes on his useful mare Mark My Card in the Itsarush.co.za Handicap that heads up the first of the regular Greyville Friday night meetings that will run for the next seven months.

Mark My Card has been battling from coffin draws in her last five outings and finally cracked pole position this evening. Badenhorst has also booked the useful 2,5kg claimer Diego de Gouveia and the combination of a good draw and a claim could be enough to see the mare home.

Duncan Howells saddles Wind Singer who could prove the biggest danger to Mark My Card. She won her penultimate start on this course very easily but was then dropped back to a sprint and was caught for finishing speed. She will much prefer tonight’s trip.

Anthony Delpech, who has been confirmed to ride Met winner Smart Call in her UK debut, is beholden to the Kannemeyer yard and rides Little Chapel so Kegan de Melo gets the leg up on Wind Singer.

Harry Da Wheels can get Candice Bass-Robinson’s satellite yard off the mark in the Download The SA Racing App Handicap. The gelding has some consistent Western Cape form and makes his local and poly debut this evening. Weskus Klong has his second outing since arriving from the Cape and can improve over this extended trip while Des Egdes thinks Trendy Guy will be suited to the poly and will trouble the judges.

Scottsville was washed out last Sunday and the meeting moved to the Greyville all weather. The forecast for Sunday’s 10-race card looks more promising with today’s forecast of light rain due to clear by tomorrow. But as a consequence of last Sunday’s wash-out trainer’s looking for the turf have emptied out their yards.

Duncan Howells has a busy afternoon ahead with 16 runners to saddle but unfortunately for punters Magic Memory, a winner without a penalty and probably a cast iron exotic bet banker, has been scratched from the Electric & Pump Services Maiden.

However, A Womens Way is one of the stable stars after her victory in the Gr2 The Debutante and can give further notice of her ability when she takes on a more than useful field in the White Heart Décor Handicap where Howells also saddles the top weight in Littleblacknumber.

Although starting at long odds for The Debutante, the stable was quietly confident, the optimism tempered only by a wide draw on the tight Greyville turn. It proved to be a dog fight to the end with A Womans Way prevailing by the narrowest of margins.

On Sunday she has a handy galloping weight and although taking on some smart and seasoned older horses she has a lot in her favour.

Littleblacknumber and the lightly raced Free State are obvious dangers but are giving lumps of weight to a filly that seemingly has plenty of scope and a bigger threat could come from Call Me Winter. Mike Miller has saddled relatively few runners this past winter but is starting to step them out.  Call Me Winter landed her first two starts at short odds and found plenty of market support in a Gr3 at her next outing. That was over seven furlongs and she didn’t feature from a tricky draw.

She has not been out since June but has obvious ability and is in receipt of a kilo from A Womens Way.

The Niresh Gayadin Financial Planner open sprint has attracted some seasoned geldings and a lot could rest on how the top weight Asstar takes to blinkers and is able to lump 62kg to victory.

A month back Garth Puller’s charge was all the rage in the market for a Pinnacle Stakes but had an off day, finishing last of the 12 runners, that after winning the Umgeni Handicap and finishing third in a strong Gr2 Post Merchants line-up.

If blinkers put him back on track he rates the one to beat. Alec Forbes, who was aboard Asstar in his last three starts, partners stable companion Saint Marco but that may have more to do with the weights rather than anything else as Gavin Lerena goes to scale at around 57kg.

Saint Marco is obviously talented, winning his first two sprints before going down narrowly over a mile. However, he has not been out since November last year.

Andrew Harrison

Scottsville Sunday race previews Sep 25 by Andrew Harrison

1

Preview: ACCIDENTAL TOURIST has shown up well in both starts and should be right there again. DELECTABLE DESIRE found good market support on debut but found one too good on the day. She can go one better here. FASHION QUEST raced green in a promising debut and the form of that race has worked out well. HOT MAMBO showed up well on debut and is another that is sure to improve. (Andrew Harrison: 6-9-10-12)

2

Preview: Some nicely bred first timers here. Will pay to watch the betting. CABINDA has put in two smart efforts over course and distance since returning from a break and gelding. He should go close again. SCENT OF THE TIGER improved nicely at his second outing and can feature. CHICAGO BEAT blew the start when favourite last outing and was then hampered on the turn. Back to a sprint and has a chance on previous. UP AND UNDER returns from a long break but made marked improvement when tried in blinkers and switching to the turf. (Andrew Harrison: 8-14-1-3).

3

Preview: RAND HEDGE also returns from a break. He has been a beaten favourite at his last three starts but has been racing in useful company. AMAZON KING improved nicely at his second start and can improve further. VARADISO also showed good improvement on his debut run. He has had a short rest since but the stable is in very good form. GOOD TEAM needed his last run. He has gone well over course and distance and can place. (Andrew Harrison: 4-7-16-1)

4

Preview: INTERFERMETER has improved with each run and should enjoy the extra. He looks to have a bright chance. CAPTAIN OF ROCK didn’t feature when tried in blinkers. Blinkers are off. He made a smart debut and has a big chance on a repeat showing. AIR SALUTE made a promising debut at long odds. He switches to the turf but can feature again. SABRE CHARGE has not been too far back in his first two starts and can still improve. (Andrew Harrison: 8-1-4-12)

5

Preview: MAGIC MEMORY was a very easy winner last time out only for the race to be abandoned with all the jockeys not heeding a call for a false start. She does not have the best of draws here but a repeat of her last showing will make her hard to beat. JAY JAY’S GIRL has shown some promise in two starts and has a much better draw this time around. KUTLWANOSLOVE was green in a fair sprint debut and will much prefer this trip. BLUE HYDRANGEA raced green on debut and is another who will do better over this trip. (Andrew Harrison: 13-11-12-8)

6

Preview: Competitive fillies handicap. A WOMENS WAY had to dig deep to win the Gr2 Debutante Stakes but is unbeaten in two. She has a light weight and could have too much class. FREE STATE is lightly raced but has yet to finish out of the money. She should be right there. LITTEBLACKNUMBER returns from a break but has good form in strong company and goes well for this jockey. WELL IN FLIGHT has been competitive in useful company of late and with a claiming apprentice up she can feature. CALL ME WINTER made no show in a stakes race last outing but won well in her first two and is one to keep an eye on. (Andrew Harrison: 9-2-1-5)

7

Preview: Wide open with very little separating the older brigade. LILY GRAY is way overdue for her third win but always finds one or two better. She has dropped a further point in the ratings and that may just be enough. VINE STREET STAR showed up nicely first time out of the maidens and there should not be much between her and POSTER GIRL who showed signs of a form return last time out. KINGSVIEW has improved in blinkers but needs to repeat her last showing. (Andrew Harrison: 12-10-6-14)

8

Preview: ASSTAR hardly raised a gallop when sent out favourite for his last start but has smart form before that. He has a big weight but now wears blinkers and at best he is the horse to beat. SAINT MARCO returns from a very long break but is useful and has a light weight. MUSCATT is at his best over course and distance but has not been out since April and could need this outing. SWAKOPMUND found his best form when returning from a break. He is out at the weights but could still be slightly ahead of the handicappers. (Andrew Harrison: 1-5-2-8)

9

Preview: Wide open. MISS MINVER returns from a break but has shown ability and scope to improve. She tries blinkers and jumps from a plum draw. LA GITANO has been consistent and goes well this trip. She had a tough draw last time out and can do better here. TYRON’S JET has a tricky draw to overcome but showed up well to stronger last time out and can feature here on her turf debut. OVERLY IMPRESSED is lightly raced but has yet to run a bad race and can feature although she too has a difficult draw.  (Andrew Harrison: 4-3-7-6)

10

Preview: FLORRICK has a tricky draw but showed up well in her local debut and may be the one to beat. PIPPIN also has a wide draw to contend with but has improved in blinkers and should be running on at the death. CRYSTAL RIVER improved nicely at her second outing and should much prefer this trip. She jumps from a good draw. MERMAID SIREN raced green on debut but will much prefer this trip and should improve. (Andrew Harrison: 1-2-8-15)