Mike Bass will be looking to end his training career on a high when he saddles Marinaresco in the race named in his and his wife’s honour, the Gr1 Mike and Carol Bass Champions Cup to be run at Greyville next Saturday.

Coming from the clouds when runner-up to The Conglomerate in the Gr1 Vodacom Durban July, the Cape Winter Guineas and Winter Classic winner has another tricky draw to contend with but is much better off at the weights in this event and is likely to be in warm order.

In the July Marinaresco pulled one marble inside of The Conglomerate but while Piere Strydom elected to go forward, Grant van Niekerk dropped his mount in which was always the plan.

In the final analysis Strydom managed to pinch enough of a lead to hold on to the line as Marinaresco had his measure three strides past the post.

Tactics are unlikely to be much different this time around and many will be looking to see Marinaresco home in time to give Bass an emotional and rousing send-off.

Marinaresco was lumbered with an eight-pound penalty for his July effort but once again meets his fellow three-year-olds that ran in the July at level weights and all things being equal he should beat them again.

Exit Here was given a cracking ride by Weichong Marwing to win the Gr3 Cup Trial but Charles Laird was of the opinion that he was not quite good enough to contest the July. Given the July result he may have been left rueing his decision but he gets an opportunity here over the same course and distance.

Saratoga Dancer’s presence in the July field was met with derision in many quarters but he proved the neigh sayers wrong, finishing fifth, beaten two short heads for third. He too came from well off the pace and given that he is over his optimum trip he could finish even closer here. Craig Zackey retains the ride for Duncan Howells.

The luckless Ice Machine was touched off by Futura in this race last year and he could be likened to golfer Sergio Garcia, the most talented runner never to win a major. Time is running out for the seven-year-old and this could be his last chance.

Mike de Kock is going all-out in the R1.25-million Gr2 eLan Gold Cup with five entries, including the foursome who filled the first four places in the Gold Vase over 3000m on July Day.

The De Kock quartet finishers were led across the line by Australian-bred gelding Enaad, who chased down the leading pair to win by a neck from Smart Mart, Kingston Mines and Kinaan. With such a strong team it is likely that the same tactics could be adopted in the 3200m marathon.

De Kock’s fifth entrant is the mare The Centenary, runner-up in the Delta Air Lines 2200 also run on July Day.

Andrew Harrison

In the first race over 1200m Escovitch has the form to win over an ideal trip, although the wide draw is a concern especially considering he has hung in badly to his right in his last three starts. Muzi Yeni will have his work cut out to keep him straight in the dash for home, so it would be no surprise to see him using his good gatespeed and early pace to try and find the rail in front. Newyorkstateofmind improved with second time blinkers last time over 1200m around the turn at the Vaal. However, the concern is the slow time and this was excacerbated by the way the leader easily found extra when Newyorkstateofmind moved up to challenge. Majix returns to the distance of his best run but has a wide draw to overcome.  Perpetual Silence has shown signs of ability but hasn’t raced since finishing distressed after a 1200m event last October at Turffontein. Winter Is Coming has found betting support before so must show a lot, but he is yet to place in three starts and has a wide draw to overcome.

In the second race over 1600m, Trinity Hall will relish the step up in trip and will be running on strongly after likely being dropped out from a wide draw. Courageous King was caught  bit wide last time over 1400m but still went close, beating a running on Trinity Hall, and in previous runs has been seen to be staying on over this trip. Osuna is the dark horse as a big, rangy sort who is returning from a layoff over a trip short of his optimum and he has done well over this trip before. Portman Square took well to first-time blinkers over 1400m last time when going handy, while he has a good draw for a change and Delpech is an eyecatching booking, and he should be thereabouts over a trip he has run some fair eaces in before albeit when running on from behind. Naked Truth has a chance if reproducing his best over this course and distance.

In the third over 1600m Willowgrange stayed on well over this trip last time and can do so again here after perhaps being dropped out from a wide draw. Enlightenment did well last time over this trip at Scottsville considering she was caught wide from a high draw and if finding cover under Delpech here from another high draw she should go close. Maggie Muggins was green on debut over 1400m, but was staying on and will appreciate the step up in trip. Streets Of Gold over raced with cheek pieces on when not disgraced the last time she tried this course and distance, so is interesting with the cheek pieces off. Ginger Quill hasn’t raced since the end of March but on form can be involved if overcoming a wide draw. L’Attitude, Back In Town and Secret Garden also have place chances on best form in this open race.

In the fourth over 2000m Avast is quite exposed but has been knocking on the door and, as an honest horse drawn well over a suitable trip with Delpech retaining the ride, she should go close.  Black Flower has his first run after being bought out of the Sean Tarry yard and as a big staying type is interesting with first time blinkers on and Anton Marcus up. Delilah is usually slow away and stays on so is interesting with first time blinkers on, although the wide draw is a concern.

In the fifth over 1400m Dynamic Force moved up well in his first try at this course and distance and Delpech, who won on him before that over 1200m, is back aboard albeit from a tough draw. Buster Brown is capable of running on strongly and is only one point higher than his last win over course and distance so should go close from a good draw. Black Tractor should enjoy the step up in trip and from a good draw off a competitive merit rating has a fine chance with Marcus up. Tipo Tinto is capable of running on well and Khumalo will likely drop him out from a tricky draw. Roy’s Air Force is well regarded and has a four point reduced merit rating and a 4kg claimer up, but a wide draw is a concern for a horse who tends to over race. Surrey goes well for apprentice Ngwane and can’t be ignored.

In the sixth over 1400m, Wandie’s won well last time over 1600m at Scottsville and looks capable of overcoming a four point merit rated raise from a good draw, having gone close over this course and distance in her penultimate start. Off Ramp will be running on strongly from a wide draw under Delpech. Bella Miesque has dropped to an attractive merit rating and is drawn in pole over an ideal course and distance. Pearl Emblem has a chance over a trip she handles with an accomplished 4kg claimer up. Royalsecuritybaby has a form chance over a suitable trip from a good draw. Silver Inspiration can’t be ignored either.

In the seventh over 1400m Breakfast Club’s maiden win over 1600m has been franked and he looks to have a reasonable merit rating. Roy’s Saint also caught the eye winning his maiden over course and distance and should be involved from a good draw. Argo’s Jet just failed over course and distance last time and will be running on again off a one point higher merit rating with the same 4kg claimer up.

In the eighth over 1400m Diamond League looks a fair sort who should be improving and is interesting with first time blinkers on over a suitable trip from pole position. Alzerra is not too reliable but at her best has a good chance. Brave And Bold, Durban Blues and Mogokity can’t be ignored either.

In the ninth over 1000m Mr McSteamy has dropped to a competitive merit rating and has Marcus up over the course and distance of his facile maiden win. Vampirella has often caught the eye and was only beaten by the bob of a head last time over course and distance so can go close again from another good draw off just a one point higher mark. Y’retheone returns from a three month suspension for epistaxis but has talent and the Charles Laird yard always have them fit enough.

David Thiselton

The victory of Red Ray in Saturday’s Gr.1 Mercury Sprint was a bittersweet occasion, as just four days earlier, Lammerskraal Stud had lost his dam Nacarat.

According to stud manager Sally Bruss, the 20-year-old mare had been suffering from Cushing’s disease (a dysfunction of the pituitary gland) and suddenly foundered very badly in the days leading up to her death.

Founder is the layman’s term for Laminitis, an acutely painful affliction of the feet where the laminae, which lie between the horny wall of the hoof and the pedal bone, become inflamed. This notoriously dreaded affliction has claimed the lives of many prominent thoroughbreds, amongst which the great Secretariat.

A Lammerskraal homebred herself, Nacarat, one of just a handful of daughters of Pas De Quoi at stud, showed ability on the track by winning four races as a three-year-old. However, it was as a broodmare that she was destined to make her mark. Red Ray is one of seven stakes performers amongst her ten winning foals, of which six were sired by the late resident champion stallion Western Winter.

A sibling to Gr.1 Thekwini winner Nania and Listed East Cape Oaks victress Valor Red, Red Ray is also an own brother to Brutal Force, winner of this season’s Gr.2 Merchants in the same Jooste silks, and to the Listed Summer Juvenile Stakes third, Bishops Bounty, all of which must surely now put Nacarat in line for the Equus award of Broodmare of the Year.

The mare’s last two foals are a yearling own brother by Go Deputy to the triple stakes winner Adobe Pink and a weanling colt by Western Winter’s champion sprint son What A Winter.

Nacarat’s legacy as a broodmare looks assured, as Red Ray is destined to exchange the rigours of a racing stable for life as a stallion. More importantly though, at least four daughters are treasured members of the Lammerskraal broodmare band: Valor Red, Adobe Pink, Gr.3-placed Vermillion and Chambre, who is already the dam of Gr.3-placed three-year-old Mr Roy.

Nacarat’s demise counts not just as a huge loss to the stud’s broodmare band, she has also taken a piece out of Sally’s heart: “She was a great mare to me and I will not only miss her grand presence, but also her extremely loving nature.”

Ada van der Bent

FINAL FIELD for the R1,25MILLION Gr2 ELAN GOLD CUP to be run over 3200m on Saturday July 30:  

DRAWS TO BE TELEVISED LIVE @ 5:18pm ON TELLYTRACK THIS EVENING (19 JULY 2016)

Sc# Horse               Mass   MR       Draw   B  A  T  Jockey         Trainer

1   MASTER SABINA       60.0  107 (107)    0      A  T  G Lerena       Geoff Woodruff

2   HELDERBERG BLUE     59.5  105 (105)    0      A     G van Niekerk  Mike Bass

3   OVIDIO              59.5  105 (105)    0      A     P Strydom      Justin Snaith

4   COLTRANE            58.5  102 (102)    0   B  A     B Lerena       Joey Ramsden

5   KINGSTON MINES      58.5  102 (102)    0   B  A     D Dillon       Mike de Kock

6   BALANCE SHEET       57.5  101 (100)    0   B  A     K de Melo      Dean Kannemeyer

7   THE CENTENARY       57.0   99 ( 98)    0      A     W Marwing      Mike de Kock

8   ARCH RIVAL          56.5   97 ( 97)    0   B  A     R Danielson    Geoff Woodruff

9   SOLAR STAR          56.5   96 ( 96)    0      A     S Randolph     Dean Kannemeyer

10  CAPE SPEED          55.5  100 ( 93)    0      A     A Delpech      Dean Kannemeyer

11  STEBBINS            54.5   98 ( 91)    0   B  A  T  …………   Weiho Marwing

12  FORTUNE FELLA       54.0   90 ( 89)    0      A  T  …………   Devin Little

13  ENAAD               53.5   89 ( 88)    0      A     S Khumalo      Mike de Kock

14  ZAFIRA              53.0   93 ( 86)    0      A    *C Murray       Weiho Marwing

15  KINAAN              53.0   84 ( 77)    0      A     D David        Mike de Kock

16  SMART MART          53.0   83 ( 82)    0   B  A     M Yeni         Mike de Kock

Reserve Runners

17  THREE BALLOONS      53.0   85 ( 84)    0   B  A     Reserve 1      Mike Bass

18  STORM WARNING       56.5   96 ( 96)    0      A     Reserve 2      Johan Janse van Vuuren

ends

 

Voting in some categories for this season’s Equus Awards is going to be tough on the judges and there will likely be plenty of soul searching and arguments come Saturday night, July 30, when voting takes place.

With three Gr1 races and the Gr2 eLan Gold Cup to be decided on Super Saturday along with three other Gr2’s, voting could be made easier or more complicated and there are sure to be a few contentious decisions in the mix.

As far as the two-year-old colts go it looks a straight fight between Gr1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion winner Always In Charge and Gr2 Golden Horseshoe winner Zodiac Ruler. With only three Gr1 races on offer in this category and the filly Cloth Of Cloud winning the Gr1 SA Nursery it could all come down to the Gr1 Premier’s Champion Stakes in a fortnight’s time. Both Always In Charge and Zodiac Ruler are entries with the latter drawn 1 and the former at 10, a gate that is likely to come in a few spots at final acceptances. If both run the result could very well decide where the award is headed.

The filly’s category is a little more complicated. Cloth Of Cloud won the SA Nursery beating the colts and is unbeaten to date while The Secret Is Out won the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship and Gr3 Strelitzia Stakes. Neither filly is nominated for Super Saturday but Seattle Singer is. Corne Spies’s filly, second on debut behind The Secret Is Out and second in the Gold Medallion, is nominated for three races. She is drawn 27 in the Premiers Champion Stakes over 1600m, 11 in the Thekwini Stakes over the same distance and 5 in the Gr2 Umkomazi Stakes over 1200m. Fursa, winner of the SA Fillies Nursery, is also an absentee on Super Saturday but Final Judgement, Dawn Calling and Sail, first, second and third respectively in the Gr2 Daisy Golden Slipper are among the nominations

Of the three-year-old fillies Bela-Bela, third in the Gr1 Paddock Stakes behind Smart Call, winner of the Gr1 Woolavington 2000, the Gr2 Daisy Fillies Guineas and sixth in the Gr1 Vodacom Durban July is an obvious candidate along with Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas winner Silver Mountain.

The colt’s award will be hotly debated. Triple Crown winner Abashiri will be in the mix along with Gr1 Cape Guineas and Gr2 Dingaans winner Noah From Goa and Gr2 Canon Guineas and Gr1 Daily News winner Rabada. Marinaresco put his hand up when second to The Conglomerate in the Vodacom Durban July after winning two legs of the Winter Challenge Series in the Western Cape. He is an entry for the G1 Mike and Carol Bass Champions Stakes on Super Saturday but has drawn wide and may not take his place although a win would be fitting as this will be Bass’s last meeting before retiring.

In the Older Male category, it will be difficult to look past Legal Eagle after his wins in the Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate, Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes and the Gr1 Premier’s Champion Challenge even though sprinter Talktothetstas is officially rated one-pound superior.

Older Filly or Mare throws up an intriguing contest with the likes of G1 J&B Met winner Smart Call, multiple Gr1 winner Inara and top sprinter Carry On Alice at the top of most people’s list. Inara has won five races this season including three Gr1’s.

Top sprinter could rest between Talktothestars and Carry On Alice with Red Ray also in contention after his Mercury Sprint win.

For Champion Miler it will be difficult to look past Legal Eagle but Middle Distance throws up a puzzle. Smart Call easily beat Legal Eagle in the J&B Met but the latter has since come out and won the Gr1 Premier’s Champion Challenge. His season is done but a win for The Conglomerate in the G1 Mike and Carol Bass Champions Stakes could make it interesting.

Champion Stayer is often a category with thin form and many times has hinged on the outcome of the Gold Cup. The category is judged at 2400m and further so Abashiri’s win in the Gr1 SA Derby makes him a solid contender in a wide open category.

So while some are obvious candidates for an Equus Award there are other categories that are up for serious and possibly contentious debate.

Andrew Harrison