It has been a long wait to single out Dennis Drier’s chief Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion contender this season. But, yesterday’s first race winner at Scottsville, Horse Guards, could be the one.

Drier has won five of the last six runnings of the Medallion and the Horse Chestnut colt looked the real deal when powering home to win yesterday’s Juvenile Plate by 2,25 lengths under stable jockey Sean Veale despite carrying a 3kg penalty for his debut win.

The second race over 1200m was won in fine start-to finish style by the Duncan Howells-trained Muzi Yeni-ridden Toreador filly Blaze Of Mystery, who also carried a 3kg penalty for a win, and Howells said she was “underdone”, so should do even better in the Gr 1 Allan Robertson Championship, although she will face a strong field there.

However, the most eyecatching winner on the card was possibly the Alistair Gordon-trained Royal Life. The talented gelding fought most of the way on the quarters of the leader Mountain Master in the fifth over 1600m, but still bounded away to win easily under apprentice Eric Saziso Ngwane and is now one to follow.

The Garth Puller-trained Asstar later downed Guiness and Tar Heel in a 1000m Pinnacle event and it will be interesting to see whether he is supplemented for the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Horse Guards (Nkosi Hlophe)

The Durban July plunge on Marinaresco continues with a vengeance following his win – with scarcely believable ease – in the Winter Classic at Kenilworth on Saturday.

Eight days ago he was as big as 28-1 but now you will be lucky to get more than 10-1. Indeed Betting World slashed him from 18-1 to 8-1 joint second favourite with Abashiri on Saturday evening. Black Arthur still heads the market for the great Vodacom race, albeit easing from 7-2 to 9-2, while Friday night’s 1900 winner Solid Speed has been cut from 22-1 to 10-1 and runner-up St Tropez from 50-1 to 14-1.

Grant van Niekerk, beaten a short head on 55-1 shot Smanjemanje in the 2012 July, reckons this could be the one to put the record straight and said: “He gives me goose bumps. He is probably the best I’ve ridden, he is still maturing and he will be a big runner in the July.”

Mind you, it wasn’t all plain sailing. Marinaresco saw too much daylight early on and fought for his head with a race-losing intensity. “At one stage I was three wide and I panicked a bit,” said the jockey, echoing the nail-biting anxiety of those who backed the favourite down to 17-20. “But then I managed to get in and he switched off.”

Van Niekerk cruised up with a double handful a furlong out and never had to ask his mount any sort of question. Indeed he was easing up well before the line – doubtless mindful of what the handicappers will do when they discuss it in video conference today –  and put out his left hand, palm up, in a gesture that had the riders in the stands scratching their heads in bemusement.

“It was just a salute,” he said but the stipes took exception as well as R1 000 of his R14 000 percentage.

There are 40 above the Mauritzfontein-bred Silvano gelding in the July log but a five point increase – the official margin was less than half a length so it’s hard to see him getting more –  would take out 14 of them.  The selection panel have two wild cards at their disposal and Mike Bass’s last hurrah would surely present an impossible-to-ignore case, particularly carrying the famous Marsh Shirtliff colours.

 

“He’s got to get a run now and he comes in nicely (at the weights). He’s a little machine,” said the trainer who was winning his eighth Winter Classic.   “He’s only 15.1 or 15.2 but he has an amazing turn of foot,” added daughter Candice.

Captain’s Flame, who made much of the running in the Stormsvlei Mile, decisively regaining the lead briefly held by Goodtime Gal, will also skip the final leg of the Winter Series to go to Durban – in her case for the Garden Province.

Aldo Domeyer, who rode her with such confidence, said: “I thought it would be best to pick up the lead with the winter course having such a short straight and I let Richard Fourie on Goodtime Gal get first run rather going for the doctor. We had been travelling quickly and I knew mine was winding into another gear.”

Corne Orffer won the weightwatcher of the month award for shedding 4.5kg in ten days to ride Chevauchee at 52.5kg in the Olympic Duel Stakes. His drastic diet consisted of fruit for breakfast, salad for supper and nothing else at any other time.

He was rewarded with victory even though stable companion Beach Goddess came within a head of ruining his long-dreamed of dinner – “I hit the front a little bit too soon and that’s why mine stopped at the end.”

Brett Crawford will now try the Australian-bred round the turn and he will run Friday evening’s winner Alexis in the Tibouchina on June 11 before taking on all the talent in the Garden Province.

Second favourite Lohnromance finished plum last, much to the disappointment of Andre Nel who said: “We fancied her every bit as much as we did Captain’s Flame.”

MJ Byleveld, who reported to the stipes that he felt something was wrong with the mare, reached the 50-winner mark with a Vaughan Marshall double that included an impressive performance from R2.2 million purchase William Longsword. But this one won’t be going to Durban.

Derek Brugman said: “He is a big horse and it would be a futile exercise to send him down there on those tight tracks. We will probably nominate him for the Langerman but I’m not sure he has got it all together for a race like that and I don’t want to spoil him.”

By Michael Clower

Black Arthur, 14-10 favourite with World Sports Betting for Saturday’s Daily News, is not certain to run.

Justin Snaith said on Saturday: “It’s 50:50 and it’s a tough decision, one that Alec Foster has to make. Obviously I have my opinion – and I want to protect the horse.

“When Legislate won the Daily News two years ago he then had to carry 56k in the July and that is a big weight for a three-year-old. It also takes a lot out of a horse.”

Black Arthur has been favourite for the July since winning the Canon Guineas earlier this month. Snaith confirmed that his Cape Derby winner It’s My Turn is definite runner in Saturday’s Greyville Grade 1, adding: “He is doing very well.”

By Michael Clower

Solid Speed had his Gr1 Vodacom Durban July odds slashed by half after converting favouritism in the Gr2 Betting World 1900 at Greyville on Friday evening. 20-1 before the event, Solid Speed was cut to 10-1 by the sponsors while the odds on runner-up St Tropez were slashed from 55-1 to 14-1 after running the favourite to a neck.

Dean Kannemeyer and rider Anthony Delpech had to chew their nails on the outcome of a race review but although Solid Speed did shift off a straight course, he did so following St Tropez, and there was no further action.

It was a race were many had chances but Solid Speed hammered his peg into the ground as far as the July goes.

A winner of the Gr2 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup this time last year, but Power King the preferred July runner,

Kannemeyer aimed Solid Speed at the then Gr1 eLan Gold Cup rather than the July. Starting favourite for the Gold Cup he finished with just three behind him after pulling up lame behind.

 

Since then he has won three of his four starts, two over a ‘mile’ – a distance deemed short of his best – and on Friday night’s performance he will have gained a host of new supporters for the July, a race that Kannemeyer has won three times, first up with champion sire Dynasty, the sire of Solid Speed.

St Tropez put a disastrous Gr1 Summer Cup behind him as Kegan de Melo followed Solid Speed through the traffic and chased him hard to the line to enhance his July credentials.

A piece of paper separated Dynamic and The Conglomerate although both were given every chance. But with the July in mind, it was a decent showing by both from tough outside draws.

Also catching the eye was the grey King Of Pain. A former winner of the Gr1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge over 1600m at Clairwood, he looks to have matured into a solid stayer. He won over two miles last time out and was doing his best work late on Friday. The Gr3 Gold Vase and the Gr2 eLan Gold Cup look tailor made.

Earlier Sail, in spite of getting herself into a stew before the start, put her hand up for the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship in a fortnight’s time with a game performance in a Juvenile Plate. She bounced her way to the start but once in the race settled nicely and quickened through into the lead as pacemaker Announcing Rain folded. She was chased hard by Dawn Calling, the line coming just in time, but it was a top effort.

This was a seven-furlong event but previously she had doddled her maiden over the Allan Robertson course and distance which augurs well for her chances.

By Andrew Harrison

The Gr 2 Betting World 1900 turned out to be the best pointer to last year’s Vodacom Durban July so will be watched with keen interest by punters tonight, although it is overall a slightly weaker contest than last year’s event according to official merit ratings.

The Listed East Coast Cup over 2000m is another classy race the purist can look forward to.

Big things were expected of Greek Legend in the three-year-old classics last year, but he was side-lined with a suspensory injury. He showed his class last time out at Turffontein over 1600m when rocketing home from a seemingly beaten position to end the unbeaten record of Chepardo. Trainer Mike Azzie regards him as “way better” than his 91 merit rating, so he could overcome his official weight disadvantage. Judging by his relaxed gait, he should not be bothered by the new course or running under lights, and his usual blinkers should help too. His tremendous turn of foot should make him suited to the track and a false rail of three metres should ensure his good draw of two is favourable. He is a half-brother to Gold Cup winner Wavin’ Flag so should have no problem seeing out the trip.

Master’s Eye is an eyecatching individual and having looked at the stands for virtually the entire length of the straight at Scottsville last time, the fitting of blinkers make him an interesting contender. He has a good draw and gets the trip.

Solid Speed possesses a touch of class and although best suited to further his easiest career win was over tonight’s distance on the Greyville poly.

The Conglomerate stayed on quite well in the IOS Drill Hall and will be ideally course and distance suited, but has a tricky draw.

St Tropez has class and being by Silvano should come into his own this season. He has won returning from a layoff before.

Dynamic should be cherry ripe and the yard would have made him a big runner from a better draw.

Master Switch won well over 2000m last time, beating Greek Legend comfortably, but the latter likely needed it in his first race for six months and will now be 3,5kg better off.

Halve The Deficit will be a big runner if reproducing his Vodacom Durban July run off this lowered merit rating. He wasn’t disgraced in the Premier’s Champions Challenge last time and is better suited to Greyville.

His stablemate Gold Onyx is well known for his short run in and can never be written off at Greyville.

Serissa should ensure a good pace for his stablemates.

Last year’s winner Dynastic Power jumps from an even wider draw and has it a bit tougher at the weights but has enjoyed a good preparation.

King Of Pain has proven class, but is unpredictable. His best career victory followed a similar layoff.

It Is Written will be a runner provided he settles in his first attempt at this trip as he tends to be a bit headstrong, but has a fine turn of foot.

Night Shadow is 4,5kg under sufferance but has been an immature sort who is on the way up and there is not much between him and both Dynastic Power and It Is Written.

The selection is Greek Legend to beat Master’s Eye with Solid Speed, Halve The Deficit and St. Tropez next best.

The East Coast Cup could also produce a good value winner in Zante. Her fourth place finish in last year’s Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 was against some of the best of a vintage crop and she had too much to do when finishing strongly in the Scarlet Lady last time over the too sharp 1750m.

Gallica Rose has plenty of class and will be a worthy favourite over an ideal course and distance.

Deputy Ryder is also course and distance suited and seems to thrive in KZN.

Intergalactic is an improving sort who is proven over the trip.

Tonya is also on the way up and caught the eye last time when winning well at Scottsville over 1950m.

They are selected in the order mentioned.

There are some good horses in the other six races on the card, which starts with two interesting Juvenile Plates over 1400m.

Secret Captain was green and far from tuned up when running on to win over 1200m on debut at Scottsville and will appreciate the step up in trip in the first. He is likely to improve and will need to in order to beat Misty Birnam and Lee’s Star.

Sail will relish the step up in trip in the second and can exact revenge on Princess Analia.

Alexis thrives in KZN and loves Greyville so is the one to beat in the third over an ideal 1400m with Marcus up from a good draw.

Paterfamilias has shown this season why he has always been well regarded and can win the fourth running fresh over too sharp a trip, but if he fluffs his lines his stable mate Night Trip can go in.

Captain’s Vista caught the eye with a fluent finish to win a 1600m maiden at Scottsville and from pole position has a chance in the seventh over 1400m as he should progress. The step down in trip might not be ideal and Fantasy Art and a few others could also be included.

Lookamee looks likely to relish the course and distance of the last and is well drawn with Marcus up.

By David Thiselton