Durbanville Saturday race previews Sep 24 by Warren Lenferna

1

Preview: TIGER STAR made an excellent debut when going very close to winning. Her odds were generous that day and she is likely to be one of the shorter priced runners today. She does have a bad draw to deal with but if overcoming it could be hard to beat. ROCK STEWART showed good improvement last time and if continuing to progress should be right there at the finish – big runner. NANNA’S ROCK’S last run is best ignored. She has a chance based on her good debut. (Warren Lenferna 12-11-9)

2

Preview: FOXY PRINCESS is lightly raced and probably still has a lot more to offer. Her first run out the maidens was a good enough one to warrant giving her a big each way chance. LEISURE TRIP ran last of eight runners last time and clearly something was out of order. Her earlier form in KZN was good and she need only repeat those runs to be very competitive in a line up like this. LOUISIANA is always there and thereabouts and must be included in quartet perms. (Warren Lenferna 6-3-1)

3

Preview: SAVUTI made a smart debut finishing third behind One Direction and surely he has tons of scope to improve from that run! He gets a neat draw and tries the mile which could suit him down to the ground. STRATHDON also made a good debut but will have to negotiate a wider draw – he, too, should relish the mile – big chance. LOGAN ran well last time and he is a must for the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 15-16-6)

4

Preview: FIFTY CENTS is ultra consistent and looks ready to record his third career victory. His stable is in red hot form as always. THIS IS SPARTA is seldom far off the action – he is by no means a good thing but in this small field off a light weight could get much closer. RAHVAR has been running in PE but his trainer has raided Cape Town with some success. He has some solid PE form and could run a huge race here – include. (Warren Lenferna 1-7-2)

5

Preview: AZARENKA has been knocking loudly at the door in her last two starts and looks cherry ripe to win. She gets the best draw; her form is solid and might take a power of beating. WHOSE THAT GIRL is lightly raced and doing exceptionally well. She is one of the main contenders for top position. TWINKLE TOES has sparkling form and comes into the race with a very light weight. She too, has a massive chance. (Warren Lenferna 3-4-5)

6

Preview: CALIFORNIA GIRL won impressively on debut and has been selected to remain unbeaten after today’s race. She does have a dreadful draw to overcome but has a more than capable enough rider to put her in a winning position. GIMME SIX won well last time and is worth including. If she had to follow up it would be no shock at all – the same can be said about SCANDOLA – however, my first choice remains CALIFORNIA GIRL. (Warren Lenferna 6-1-5)

7

Preview: LADY REDOUTE is coming back to form fast after her two bad efforts earlier. She gets the best draw and will carry a light weight. Her last run was very good and even though this is a tough field and a feature race she could run well and go very close at a nice price and provide some value for punters. FRANCIA and CAN COPE have consistent form and their usual bold effort can be expected. (Warren Lenferna 10-3-5)

8

Preview: A competitive maiden event to close off the proceedings at Durbanville today. FIGURE OF GREY, COME ON INN, GOLD FORCE and SEATTLE GOLD all have very bright chances of shedding their maiden tags. Include as many as your budget will allow but I am selecting FIGURE OF GREY to win and COME ON INN to fill the exacta position. (Warren Lenferna 4-1-2)

Turffontein (inside) Saturday race previews Sep 24 by David Thiselton

Race 1:

Preview: BABY BEAN runs as if he will enjoy this trip and is by Ecomium who won over ten furlongs. PIPER ARROW ran well with first time blinkers on in over 2000m in his penultimate start and has run a reasonable race over 2400m before so if his last start is ignored he has a chance.  REMINISCENCE has improved with blinkers on and his best recent start was over 2400m. (David Thiselton 2-3-1)

Race 2:

Preview: SIERRA REDWOOD made  a fair debut over 1000m when running on and should enjoy the step up in trip. TIME TO BE GREAT was close up behind a fair sort over this course and distance last weekend so should earn here despite a wide draw. SINGAPORE SLING is by Philanthropist out of a three-time winning Western Winter mare from 1000-1600m and is a half-brother to two winners. DEVADIP is by Captain Al out of a Sadler’s Wells mare and is a half-brother to Listed Oaks Trial third-placed Estimation. CALL TO BATTLE has been backed in both of his starts but he seems a problematic sort as he faded tamely in his last race after seeming to be travelling well and last weekend he dislodged his jockey on the way to the start and bolted so had to be scratched. PRIVATE SWAROVSKI is by Brave Tin Soldier and is a half-brother to the Gr 2 runner up sprinter Pej. TIMEOFTHEVIKINGS has run a some fair races and could earn. (David Thiselton 10-1-11)

Race 3:

Preview: Piere Strydom is aboard FINGERS CROSSED who ran well in a fair 1200m race last time and she was doing good work late so should enjoy this trip. She is well drawn in three. TURN BACK TIME was backed when running well over course and distance last time and duly went close. The form has been franked but she now has a wide draw to overcome. SUGAR CUBE showed some zip on debut and this Miesque’s Approval filly will improve for the run, coming from the Alec Laird yard, and will appreciate the step up in trip, being a half-sister to Bezanova. SEEKING GOLD is by Golden Sword and is a half-sister to four-time winner Bajan Fantasy. DELIGHTFUL DANCER is by Dynasty out of the brilliant Dancer’s Daughter, but the latter has not produced a winner yet from two foals to have raced. (David Thiselton 1-11-10)

Race 4:

Preview: PATRIC flew from last over 1800m last time when dropped out from a wide draw and now has a good draw over a trip he might prefer. He is by Silvano so should be coming into his own. MATCHMAKER tended to take too keen a hold with blinkers on and is interesting with them now off. He showed the benefit of gelding last time and this will now be his third run after gelding. However, he does have a tricky draw to overcome. PAJAMA PARTY made a decent debut over 1450m considering he pulled badly in the early stages. That was in a weak workrider’s maiden and he now has a professional jockey up from pole position so will be a runner if settling. PERSIAN APPROVAL has been knocking on the door and is well drawn over a suitable trip. LUTE SOCIETY wasn’t disgraced against a well regarded sort on debut and has a good draw over a step up in trip he might enjoy, being by New Approach, although on the other hand his half-sister Flying Loot was a 1000m specialist. (David Thiselton 2-1-5)

Race 5:

Preview: DEALER’S CHARM gets a good draw over a drop in trip which should suit and he has snuck into the handicap with the minimum weight off his one point lowered merit rating. DAKIWE, who is a half-brother to Pierre Jourdan, has come into his own and should give another good account of himself despite a four point raise and having to carry topweight. BOY BOY is a consistent type who is competitively merit rated at present and he is affective over this trip. (David Thiselton 8-1-3)

Race 6:

Preview: DELAMERE’s last win was over 1800m on this course and he has run some crackers over 1600m so he should be in the shake up HAMLEY’s shock maiden win over this trip on the Vaal Classic track has worked out well and he is back to the same trip for the first time, albeit from a wide draw. He did not run like a no hoper that day and as a gangly type is likely coming into his own. He has been dropped seven points after his last two starts and has snuck into the handicap with the minimum weight so could surprise again. LISNOBLE is drawn wide but loves this course and  distance and is holding form. (David Thiselton 1-12-6)

Race 7:

Preview: STORM WARNING was unlucky not to get into the Gold Cup field and could prove a point here. COLTRANE is joint best in at the weights and is due a form return. COBY beat Elusive Flyer the last time they met and is joint best in at the weights with Coltrane and Kisseemee. ELUSIVE FLYER is 4kg under sufferance with Coltrane but enjoys the trip and has some eyecatching form. THE ELMO EFFECT could reverse form with Elusive Flyer at the weights considering their last meeting but has a tough draw. (David Thiselton 2-1-9-6-5)

Race 8:

Preview: FORTISSIMA finished second in the Gr 2 SA Oaks and was raised the maximum five points, so is running off a capped merit rating here. She has won two races over this trip, but has had a layoff since finishing downfield in the Gr 1 Woolavngton 2000 on May 28. However, her class should pull her through, especially as he has been said by te yard to have strengthened and matured over the winter. SULTRY won better than the margin suggests last time over 1800m here in just her second career start as she had quite a lot to do coming off the elbow. MY CHERRY is out of a Galileo mare so should enjoy the step up in trip and this will be her third run after a layoff. She was not disgraced in some maiden races in the strong centre of Cape Town before winning her maiden easily on the Highveld and then coming up against a promising sort last time when not disgraced again. TRICIA DUPONT is better than her last start and will enjoy this course and distance. CRANBERRY CRUSH is only 0,5kg under sufferance and ran well first time out the maidens over this course and distance. She is now well drawn. There is not much between her and BLUE SAGE at the weights. (David Thiselton 1-7-6)

Race 9:

Preview: BIRD ALLEY was doing good work late last time over 1800m and will love this trip but from a high draw she will have to be dropped out again and it won’t be easy. YOUNG FLIRT by Announce should enjoy the step up in trip as her dam by Winter Romance won over this distance. EYE THE COUNTESS has not done well beyond a mile before but ran on well over 1600m last time so might do well in this weak event. PEG O’MY HEART ran on well over this trip in her penultimate start and is now nine points lower so could earn in this uninspiring field. BELINSKY enjoyed hold up tactics last time over 1600m and ran on well giving her a possibility of getting this trip and a chance in a weak field from pole position. SAVANNAH JADE stayed on quite well last time over 1600m and won her maiden over 2200m so has a chance here if producing her best. SECRET ANGEL has done well over course and distance before and is off a competitive merit rating. SEAL MY FATE can do better than her first run out the maidens. (David Thiselton 5-3-11-12-6-9-10-2)

Greyville Friday race previews Sep 25 by Andrew Harrison

1

Preview: Wide open. LUCKY BARB is better than her last two. She makes her poly debut and has a chance if she can find her earlier form. MANDOLIN made a fair local debut and has shown some ability on the Highveld. NATIONAL AGENDA made a fair debut but returns from a lengthy break. Delpech rides. MUNGO CHERRY improved nicely second time out and has a chance in this company. (Andrew Harrison: 5-6-4-9)

2

Preview: WINTER IS COMING is knocking hard on the door and it should open here. STORM OUTGOING made a smart debut for his new stable and now tries blinkers. He could prove a big threat to Winter Is Coming. MASTER RUNNER is lightly raced but has some fair Cape form and the switch to poly could bring out the best in him. GOLD DASH has improved back in cheek pieces and can feature. (Andrew Harrison: 6-11-1-8)

3

Preview: LEDIMASPRINCESS drifted in the market last start but was only narrowly beaten. She shows some scope and can go one better. RAES’’ DYNA JET has raced in feature company as a maiden. She has a difficult draw but looks the pick of the Van Zyl trio. TICKY TIN has shown up well of late. She makes her poly debut but can feature. KUDRA made marked improvement last run but Delpech has jumped ship to partner Ledimasprincess which may be telling. (Andrew Harrison: 8-12-5-7)

4

Preview: WESTCHESTER has shown up nicely on the poly at his last two. He is also down in class and can give Liam Tarentaal his first winner. GINGERBRED MAN is a recent maiden winner and took on much stronger in his first run in open company. He can do better in this company. MILLRACE has his third run after a break and has improved with each outing. He also drops in class and has a handy weight. BLUNDERBUSS is back in blinkers and did improve at his last start. (Andrew Harrison: 1-2-6-3)

5

Preview: HARRY DA WHEELS was a beaten favourite in the soft at Kenilworth last time out. He has consistent Cape form and can go close in this line-up. WESKUS KLONG is lightly raced and made a fair local debut. He looks set to improve. TRENDY GUY is never far back. He has consistent recent turf form and the switch to poly could see him find his best. WHAT A SCORCHER has shown his best form on the poly. He has been up against slightly stronger of late and can feature here. (Andrew Harrison: 8-2-10-1)

6

Preview: Open. MARK MY CARD has been showing good form and is due a change of fortune with a claiming apprentice up and a plum draw. WIND SINGER only got gong late last run over a sprint and will much prefer this trip. She has a handy weight and should put in a good effort. PEACH DELIGHT needed her last run and should come on from that. Stable companion LITTLE CHAPEL has excellent form on the poly but has been rested and may need it. OVERLAP is a course and distance specialist but also returns from a short break. (Andrew Harrison:  4-5-3-2)

7

Preview: AIR CHIEF MARSHALL made a promising local debut when send out favourite. He has a good draw and although he makes his poly debut he looks to have a strong chance. DOUBLE CLUTCH has improved with a tongue-tie and goes well on the poly although this may be a touch on the short side. SECRET WARNING has his third start after a short break. He has been up against stronger of late and from a good draw should be right there. THIRTYTWO SQUADRON has just been beaten at his last two over further. He must have a chance in this field.  (Andrew Harrison: 7-1-4-2)

8

Preview: MR O’NEILL looks to have some scope and has been running on late in both recent starts. He could do better this trip. ROY’S PAST has been close-up in his last two on the poly and steps up in trip again. PRINCIPATE improved last run and looks to be coming to hand. He makes his poly debut. PATROCLUS has come good on the poly and he should handle the step up in trip. He does have a tricky draw to overcome. (Andrew Harrison: 5-2-6-1)

A field of 28 runners plus two reserves was announced today for the inaugural running of the R750,000 World Sports Betting (WSB) Grand Heritage.

The event, which has become a major talking point in South African racing, will take place at the Vaal on October 1 over 1475m, using the full width of both the Inside and Outside tracks combined.

The selection of the field was based on current form and this ensured representation in all three of the different weight tiers. Tier 1, (57kg and above) has 14 horses in the field, Tier 2 (53kg to 56,5kg) has 9 horses and tier 3 (50kg to 52,5kg) has 5 horses.

The topweight is the 103 merit rated Gary Alexander-trained Pivotal Pursuit, who will carry 64kg, and the two lowest rated horses due to line up are the 75 merit rated Paul Peter-trained pair Analyse This and Urgent Fury. David Thiselton

World Sports Betting’s odds: 9-2 Miracle Bureau; Bulleting Home, Donny G; 8-1 Moofeed; 10-1 St Tropez, Chepardo; 12-1 Bold Rex, Arctica, Belenos; 14-1 Budapest, Celtic Captain, Awesome Adam; 16-1 Pivotal Pursuit, Alexa; 20-1 and upwards others

FINAL FIELD R750 000 WORLD SPORTS BETTING GRAND HERITAGE (Non-Black Type)
1st R406250, 2nd R130000, 3rd R65000, 4th R32500, 5th R16250, 6th R10000, 7th R10000, 8th R10000, 9th R10000, 10th R10000
Open – WFA: 3yrs-8kgs 4yrs-0.5kgs  – No Apprentice Allowance

The Vaal has an eight race card tomorrow on the Classic Track, where the seventh event is down the straight over 1000m and all of the other races from 1200m upward are around the turn.

In straight races here the high draws are favourable by trends. Around the turn the horses tend to make a bee line for the outside, meaning low draws are sometimes trapped on the unfavourable inside going. Therefore middle to outside draws tend to not be much of a disadvantageous, at least for horses who settle well.

The best bet on the card looks to be Querari Viking, who runs in the fifth race, a Maiden over 1450m. He was the victim of a well documented incorrect upheld objection last time out. Previously he was defeated by 1,25 lengths by Sabre Dance over this trip on the Turffontein Inside track, but the latter had the run of the race in an event which turned into a crawl-sprint affair. Querari Viking has a nice stride on him and in his first ride for the powerful Mike Azzie yard has the astute Anthony Delpech up, who should put him in a handy position from his draw of two from where he can find the better going in the straight.

An interesting runner here is the Lucky Houdalakis-trained Rebel Baron, who was outpaced on debut over 1200m before staying on well. He is drawn in pole and might be dropped to the rear before making his run up the outside rail. The other Houdalakis runner is Aristocat, who certainly fits the bill on looks. However, it is difficult to judge how this Var gelding will enjoy the step up in trip as his full-brother is a sprinter, whereas his half-brother by Captain Al has won over 2000m. Aristocat himself  has been a touch one-paced over 1200m. Sabre Dance is likely to give another honest account, but Querari Viking looks to have more scope and can reverse form with him.

The highest rated race on the card is the second, a Graduation Plate for fillies and mares over 1200m. Myfunnyvalentine is a Gr 1 performer, having followed her excellent second in the Gr 2 SA Fillies Nursery with a close fourth in the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion. In her seasonal reappearance she showed a fine turn of foot and won cosily over this trip on the Turffontein Inside track. Her class should be telling here.

An interesting runner is the four-year-old Horse Chestnut filly South Atlantic, whose Western Winter half-sister Hurricane Bertha won on debut over the weekend. South Atlantic won a fine race back in January when thrashing Runalong by 3,5 lengths over 1400m, in which she showed good pace coupled with a good turn of foot. Runalong went on to win her next four races, which puts the merit of that performance into perspective. As only a one-time winner South Atlantic gets 3kg from Hollie Point and 1kg from Myfunnyvalentine. However, she has only been accorded a 72 merit rating, so is officially 5kg under sufferance with the latter pair, who are the two best weighted horses in the race on official merit ratings. However, South Atlantic looks a sort who could rise above that merit rating.

The Mike de Kock yard always have them fit so she should get away with this 1200m trip returning from an eight month layoff. Another interesting runner is Hollie Point, who is 2kg better off with Myfunnyvalentine for a 2,5 length beating. Furthermore, she had to be dropped out that day from a wide draw before running on. She could get closer, but Myfunnyvalentine did win that race quite cosily and has probably come on from it too.

Champion trainer Sean Tarry rated Myfunnyvalentine as having an excellent chance. He added he expected a good run from De Nimes in the third, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1200m, despite her returning from a layoff of about a year-and-a-half. However, he expected the De Kock-trained Ektifaa to be impossible to oppose in this event. The latter is likely the best bet on the card but has not been chosen as such because the odds will likely be prohibitive. Last time out in May she duelled for a long way down the straight with Seattle Singer before being pipped in the final strides. The latter went on to finish an excellent third in the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion against the boys. Ektifaa looks to have plenty of scope and being from the De Kock yard should not be short of fitness.

The Tarry yard could also have a winner in the last race, a MR 68 Handicap over 2000m, with Wild Horizon, although this does look an event to go wide in. Furthermore, Wild Horizon has to carry topweight of 61,5kg. Tarry confirmed the tactics on Wild Horizon last time out, when used up early to overcome a wide draw over 1800m on the Inside Track, had not panned out well and added he had shown his best form when held up with cover. A return to those tactics with a 4kg claimer up could give him a shout, although it would likely be wise to go wide in the exotics.

The most intriguing race on the card could be the sixth, a MR 72 Handicap over 1450m. Crowd Pleaser looks a decent sort having dominated a 1900m event on the Greyville poly last time. However, he was a November foal, so is not actually three yet in real terms and another question is whether he will have the necessary pace to dominate over this shorter trip, His penultimate run over 1600m at Scottsville when not beaten far by the promising Legend, suggests he does have some pace and he will also be running fresh here. However, all things considered, the topweight Street Flyer is tipped to beat him, one reason being he has the wily Piere Strydom up.

Another reason is the blinkers are off after he over raced over this trip last time out. He still ran a fair race in the latter event and so should perform better if the removal of the blinkers duly sees him settling in the running. A Greater Power has a chance here too, although Tarry was concerned about his wide draw as one who tends to over race and thus needs cover. Cherokee Grey has some fair form and can’t be ignored. Neither can Woza Madoda, who like Street Flyer has a wide draw, but if they settle they should enter the straight in a favourable position.

David Thiselton