Vodacom Durban July winner The Conglomerate is one of the 47 nominations for the R2-million SANSUI Summer Cup (Grade 1) over 2000m at Turffontein on Saturday 26 November.

He is one of four horses trained by Cape-based Joey Ramsden. He overcame the widest draw in the 18-horse field to beat Marinaresco in the country’s premier race in July and will only have to carry 2.5kg more, relatively speaking, if he lines up in the Summer Cup.

Ramsen’s other horses are smart stayer minor feature-race winner Macduff, Coltrane and St Tropez, a close sixth behind Marinaresco in the Champions Cup last season.

Triple Crown winner Abashiri was widely expected to win the Durban July but a tough season told at the 12^th hour and he finished unplaced. He has had a good break and trainer Mike Azzie will be keen for the Go Deputy gelding to set the record straight if he lines up in the Summer Cup.

First entries for the race were taken on Friday and trainer Azzie entered another three horses –Amsterdam, Arctica and Deputy Jud.

Deputy Jud won the 2015 Supreme Cup and more recently finished second behind Dean Kannemeyer-trained entry Cape Speed in the Track and Ball Derby at Scottsville, while Amsterdam is lightly raced five-year-old who showed great promise in finishing second to French Navy in the SA Classic last year but only ran twice as a four-year-old. Arctica has good form in much lesser company.

Champion trainer Sean Tarry has five horses entered but ruling Horse Of The Year Legal Eagle is not one of them. At this early stage his hopes of Summer Cup glory rest on Algoa Cup hero Stonehenge, Samurai Blade, who placed in both the SA Classic and SA Derby, Grade 3 Jubilee Handicap winner Liege, seven-year-old Cagiva and five-year-old Fort Meyers.

Trainer Johan Janse van Vuuren has entered both New Predator and Negroamaro, one of the leading three-year-old fillies last season. New Predator was not well ridden when third behind Legal Eagle in the Horse Chestnut Stakes last season and went on to win the Drill Hall Stakes and finish fourth in the 1600m Gold Challenge.

Two other horses from the stable, Crowd Pleaser and Irish Pride, are also on the list of entries.

Second entries close on 31 October when the weights will be announced, with final entries on Monday 14 November. Final acceptances fall due on Tuesday 15 November and the final field will be announced on Wednesday 16 November.

The entries with trainers for the SANSUI Summer Cup:

ABASHIRI (M G Azzie); AMSTERDAM (M G Azzie); ARCTICA (M G Azzie); BANKABLE TEDDY (B O Wiid); BROOKLYN BRAWLER (G H Van Zyl); CAGIVA (S G Tarry); CAPE SPEED (D Kannemeyer); COLTRANE (J Ramsden); CROWD PLEASER (J A Janse van Vuuren); DEO JUVENTE (G V Woodruff); DEPUTY JUD (M G Azzie); ENAAD (M F De Kock); FLYING ICE (O A Ferraris); FORT EMBER (P A Peter); FORT MEYERS (S G Tarry); FORTISSIMA (J A Soma); HIDDEN AGENDA (S W Kenny); HIGH DRAMA (J A Soma); IRISH PRIDE (J A Janse van Vuuren); JUDICIAL (T Zackey); JUXTAPOSE (S M Ferreira); KILLUA CASTLE (D A McKenzie); KINAAN (M F De Kock); LIEGE (S G Tarry); MAC DE LAGO (W H Marwing); MACDUFF (J Ramsden); MASTER ‘N COMMANDER (G V Woodruff); MASTER SABINA (G V Woodruff); MASTER SWITCH (G V Woodruff); MOGOK MASTER (J A Soma); NEGROAMARO (J A Janse van Vuuren); NEW PREDATOR (J A Janse van Vuuren); NO WORRIES (G H Van Zyl); OLMA (F Robinson); POLYPHONIC (A G Laird); PUNTA ARENAS (D R Drier); RABADA (B Crawford); ROCKETBALL (G H Van Zyl); ROMANY PRINCE (O A Ferraris); RUNALONG (P A Peter); SAMURAI BLADE (S G Tarry); SARATOGA DANCER (D C Howells); ST TROPEZ (J Ramsden); STONEHENGE (S G Tarry); TEN GUN SALUTE (D C Howells); THE CENTENARY (M F De Kock); THE CONGLOMERATE (J Ramsden); YER-MAAN (S J Gray)

Popular South African jockey Barend Vorster reached another major career milestone when he brought up his 700th Singapore winner aboard Mighty Glory on Friday night.

The 39-year-old has become a well-established jockey in Kranji riding ranks since he first dipped his toes in 2003 before deciding to make a more permanent move that in the blink of an eye has now stretched to 13 seasons – and counting.

That latest landmark win – that came in a $38,000 Kranji Stakes D Division 2 race over 1400m – may pale in comparison with his two most prestigious feats, landing the champion jockey title in 2004 and winning the Group 1 KrisFlyer International Sprint (1200m) aboard Ato in 2012, but the Singapore permanent resident was still rapt to have come that far.

“It’s lovely to get to this score. I’m first of all grateful to be here in this position in Singapore,” said Vorster who hit his last century (600 wins) with the Michael Freedman-trained Mr Armstrong two years ago on 21 February 2014.

“I’ve had great support from all the trainers here, especially Pat (Shaw) from the word go. He has always stuck with me through thick and thin.

“Hopefully, there will be more winners to come after that.”

Vorster, who had wife Nikki by his side to celebrate his milestone, said Mighty Glory ($30) benefitted from a fairly soft lead even if favourite Megusto (Vlad Duric) ranged upsides for most of the way.

“The horse went forward quite well and I was able to hold my ground even when the favourite came camping on our outside,” he said.

“He was always on the bit and kicked very well at the top of the straight. I think the blinkers had him sharper tonight.

“Fit horses win races, simple as that.”

Assistant-trainer Ricardo Le Grange paid tribute to Vorster and his contribution to the Patrick Shaw stable success at the winner’s enclosure.

“Barend never misses a day at the stable. He’s a hard worker and a great jockey and deserves every success that comes his way,” said the fellow South African.

A five-year-old by O’Reilly, Mighty Glory has now taken his record to three wins and 12 placings from 30 starts for stakes earnings past the $200,000 mark for the Tmen Stable. – Singapore Turf Club

The finer details are still to be finalised, but Duncan Howells has booked boxes at Turffontein to raid the Highveld for their spring season with the horses due to leave next Thursday.

“I have horses that I think will be competitive and there are no races for them down here,” said the Ashburton-based trainer yesterday.

So with the Charity Mile and the Sansui Summer Cup on the horizon, Howells will be revving a few engines at Scottsville on Sunday where he saddles four runners in The White Horse Function Room Handicap.

Saratoga Dancer and Ten Gun Salute are both top class but along with Crime Victim should find the seven furlongs on the sharp side leaving Sylvester The Cat the stable elect.

Talented but not always an easy ride, ‘Sylvester’ appears to be lengths better on his home turf where he has recorded all four of his wins.

There were high hopes for the gelding over Champions Season but he had shocking draws in all three of the features he contested and given that once he has a hold of the bit he is almost impossible to restrain.

However, he is a different proposition at Scottsville where he seems at home. In both recent wins on the track he has settled nicely in front and fought to the line. He takes on a smart field on Sunday but given a good draw and a strong pair of hands in Brandon Lerena he could prove the one to beat.

1200m course record holder Humidor had Sylvester The Cat (pictured) behind him when setting that record and is in receipt of 8kg, 3kg more than when last they met. But Humidor is up in trip and ‘Sylvester’ down which should even things out regardless of the weight turnover.

Tony Rivalland’s gelding blotted his copy book a week ago when playing up at the start and the field was sent on their way without him. Humidor was tried over 1600m last time out, the stake of the KZN Breeders Million Mile an obvious carrot, and although the “mile” proved a touch beyond his range he was far from disgraced in fourth behind top performers No Worries and Rabada.

That showing suggests that this trip will be well within his compass and ‘Sylvester’ will have a race on his hands.

The inclusion of Saratoga Dancer in the field for the Vodacom Durban July was widely criticised but as co-owner Chris Winter said before the race, “If Leicester can win the Premier League then we have a chance in the July.”

It didn’t quite work out for Saratoga Dancer but he ran a cracker from a tough draw finishing fifth.

It was previously thought that he was at his best over a ‘mile’ so Sunday’s trip is not beyond him although he will more than likely be short of peak fitness given bigger fish to fry on the Highveld.

Prolific owner Heinrich Kuhn has signed up Grant van Niekerk for his two runners on the day, Brave Knight in the opener and Ten Gun Salute but the former has not been out since January while the latter should find the 1400m well short of his best.

Stayers get a rare chance to spar for good money in a Pinnacle Stakes over 2400m, seventh on the card, where top weight Serissa could hold the key. With only nine runners carded there is a danger of the race turning into a “wag-‘n-bietjie’ canter and sprint for home by the front-runner Serissa could keep all honest. Sean Tarry’s runner takes a drop in class but the question is whether he can give weight to Rap Attack and Frikkie, both proven over the trip and in good form. Frikkie has improved since Weiho Marwing has decided on blinkers and he was a facile winner last time out. He does face stronger here but with apprentice Eric Ngwane claiming 1,5kg. Frikkie will be under the impression that he’s running loose under 51kg.

Andrew Harrison

Race Previews Scottsville Sunday Sep 18 by Andrew Harrison

Race 1:

15 PHANTOM ROCK   14 CAPTAINS MOLL   7 ELYSIAN FIELDS   12 ZLOTY POTOK

Preview: Open with a host of first timers. Of those that have run, PHANTOM ROCK has improved at recent starts and tries blinkers with a claiming apprentice up. She takes on males as does CAPTAINS MOLL who was a touch disappointing behind the heavily backed Sommerlied last time out. She can do better here if she can repeat her first two showings. ELYSIAN FIELDS raced green on debut. He has been rested since but looks set to improve. ZLOTY POTOK made a fair debut on the poly and should improve. (Andrew Harrison: 15-14-7-12)

Race 2:

13 RECALL DAWN   11 OYSTER POND   10 ONESIE   1 ANDERMATT

Preview: Some nicely bred fillies line up here and the betting should be a good guide. RECALL DAWN made a smart debut from a tricky draw on the poly and is sure to have come on from that showing. OYSTER POND caught the eye on debut and will prefer this trip. She also jumps from a good draw. ONESIE nearly surprised when making good improvement on a modest sprint debut but the stable jockey has sided with Recall Dawn. ANDERMATT shows some promise but has a tough draw. (Andrew Harrison: 13-11-10-1)

Race 3:

3 ARCHILLES   2 MY PAL AL   1 KING OF SCOTS   5 CHECKTHEGREENLIGHT

Preview: ARCHILLES jumped from a difficult draw on the poly when first tried in blinkers. He has a better draw here and can do better over this shorter trip back on the turf. MY PAL AL has shown some promising sprint form and should enjoy the extra here. He has a difficult draw to overcome. KING OF SCOTS has shown promising form on the poly. He goes this trip for the first time but has a plum draw and should be competitive. CHECKTHEGREENLIGHT made sudden improvement when dropped back to a sprint and Delpech rides. (Andrew Harrison: 3-2-1-5)

Race 4:

8 ON LINE   12 CATHERINEOFARAGON   4 QUEEN’S BEACH   7 LUNA SEA

Preview: ON LINE was a recent maiden winner but she jumped from a deep draw and looks to have some scope. She looks good enough to go in again. CATHERINEOFARAGON showed up well first run out of the maidens. She has a light weight and a good draw which puts her in with a strong chance. QUEEN’S BEACH improved smartly when tried in blinkers for the first time and although she has a difficult draw she must rate a chance. LUNAR SEA has improved of late and a light weight and a good draw also puts her in with a shout. (Andrew Harrison: 8-12-4-7)

Race 5:

4 SCHOOL RUN   7 REIGNING WAVE   3 CRACKPOT   1 MISS VARLICIOUS

Preview: Difficult race with many in with chances. SCHOOL RUN goes well over course and distance and is holding form well. She should feature. REIGNING WAVE ran well below form last start and had been consistent before that. She has a good draw and a light weight which puts her in with a strong chance. CRACKPOT is well named as she is a difficult filly even on a good day. She does have ability and if keeping her lid on will make a bold bid. MISS VARLICIOUS is a top filly and is down in class. The blinkers come off and the trip should not be a problem. (Andrew Harrison: 4-7-3-1-)

Race 6:

3 SYLVESTER THE CAT   10 HUMIDOR   1 SARATOGA DANCER   6 BEAT THE RETREAT

Preview: Duncan Howells holds a strong hand with four runners but two at least will find this too short. SYLVESTER THE CAT loves Scottsville. He was a narrow winner last start but can follow up. HUMIDOR was scratched from his last intended race after playing up at the start. He has a light weight and a good draw. SARATOGA DANCER has been campaigning at the top level with some success. This may be a touch short but he has enough class to pull him through. BEAT THE RETREAT is better than recent showings and can place. (Andrew Harrison: 3-1-10-6)

Race 7:

4 FRIKKIE   3 RAP ATTACK   1 SERISSA   2 QATAR SPRINGS

Preview: FRIKKIE has come good in blinkers and shown up well in his last two on the poly. He stays every yard of the trip and can follow up. RAP ATTACK goes well over course and distance and should go close in this company. SERISSA is a dangerous front runner and has been up against stronger at recent outings. He has a fair weight but is not out of it. QATAR SPRINGS goes well over course and distance and will go close on his best form. (Andrew Harrison: 4-3-1-2)

Race 8:

1 KALI’S KING   3 NAKED TRUTH   4 SHINE UP   6 HANDSOME HARVEY

Preview: KALI’S KING was touched off in a desperate finish to his last start and has improved in blinkers. A repeat showing should see him go close again. SHINE UP is lightly raced but never far back. He goes this trip for the first time and will go close if he stays the distance. NAKED TRUTH ran his best race over the course and distance and a repeat should see him close again. HANDSOME HARVEY is battling to win but is another with consistent form and must be considered. (Andrew Harrison: 1-3-4-6)

 

Unless you have the means and prepared to ‘buy’ money, you are unlikely to get rich backing Rodney in the All To Come Graduation Plate at Durbanville tomorrow – but you may at least add to your bank for the exotics to follow.

Although only having won twice in nine starts, the stable has pitted him against some useful opposition and given that the gelding comes from a top yard he should prove difficult to beat. Rodney started odds-on for his first outing under the new stable banner of Candice Bass-Robinson but cast a shoe in the running and emptied out over the final furlong. That was his first run since June and he should strip a much fitter horse in a race that under handicap conditions he would be giving lumps of weight.

If there is to be an upset then it could come in the form of Bishop’s Bounty although Justin Snaith’s charge could be short of a gallop or two. The country’s current leading trainer will no doubt be warming up his charge for the Cape summer after the colt showed smart juvenile form. However, he has not been out since May where he finished fourth in the Cape Nursery. Bishop’s Bounty does have scope to improve but given the conditions of tomorrow’s event it can only be class that carries him through.

Snaith is in for a busy afternoon saddling 15 runners and although things did not work out quite as expected last Wednesday where he only had a single winner from what looked to be a solid card, he can still add to his total with Overshadow in the eighth. The Trippi gelding has hardly put a foot wrong in a career spanning 10 starts including wins in his last two outings. He was given a short break after a hard-fought win over Solar Night at his penultimate outing but took a four-point rating rise in his stride, winning comfortably next time out.

He has been shunted up a further five pounds for tomorrow’s race but from a good draw looks capable of a winning hat-trick. Stable companion Star Chestnut strikes as the most likely danger but with stable first call Richard Fourie aboard Overshadow the inference is obvious.

Joey Ramsden could round off the Pick 6 with I Travel Light in the ninth but although showing promise after winning two of his first three, he has a tricky draw of 13 to overcome on the notoriously sharp Durbanville turn. Victory will stamp him as a horse for the Classic notebook.

Andrew Harrison