The Pietermaritzburg Fillies Sprint at Scottsville on June 4 – and a possible rematch with Carry On Alice – is next on the target list for Cuvee Brut who convincingly justified Brett Crawford’s stamina convictions in the Vasco Prix Du Cap at Kenilworth on Saturday.

The 18-10 favourite came within the thickness of a racecard of beating the Sean Tarry star in the Southern Cross (admittedly receiving 2kg) and here she had no difficulty in holding the strong-finishing 33-1 shot Flying Ice. But seemingly it wasn’t as straightforward as it looked.

Anton Marcus reported: “She never wanted to corner all that well and up the straight she hung out quite badly.”

However Crawford added: “She has had an outstanding season and, after having a little break on the farm, we will take her to Durban [for Champions Season]. We will campaign her first in the Gr1  SA Fillies Sprint (now City of Pietermaritzburg) and then we will see whether to go for the Gr1 Garden Province.

“We will do the same sort of thing with Alexis who missed the kick and got a bit further back than I wanted but finished her race well to take fourth.”

Crawford did even better in the Calulo Cape Mile when Big Cat led a furlong out under JP van der Merwe to spring a 25-1 surprise, beating stable companion Sail South by a length. The former Stan Elley-trained gelding spent six months with Dennis Drier before joining Crawford who said: “I am still learning about this horse so I’m not yet sure about Durban. But Sail South was a touch unlucky – he got carried out by the horse in front (Hard Day’s Night).”

Bernard Fayd’Herbe told the stipes that there was something wrong with 4-1 second favourite Heartland who finished last and the vet reported the colt not striding out in front as well as making an abnormal respiratory noise. But a similar check on 33-10 market leader Night Trip (ninth) revealed nothing.

King Of Pain opened up some intriguing distance options when given a chance to show long-suspected stamina by making all in the CTS Chairman’s Cup at 8-1.

Fayd’Herbe plotted his moves, and the expected counter ploys of the opposition, like a grand master at the World Chess Championship – “It was always my game plan to lead. The last thing I wanted was Anton Marcus (on 11-20 hotpot Coltrane) dictating it in front.

“When you swing round the corner here nobody wants to commit until after the junction. If they wanted to go round me then I knew they were probably going to kill themselves.

“I was going a decent pace. Not too fast but not slow enough to give Anton a chance of coming round me.

“When King Of Pain puts it together he is a hard horse to beat. The only problem he’s got is that in a race he thinks even more than I do!”

This was Joey Ramsden’s eighth Chairman’s Cup this century and he introduced a smart-looking newcomer in the Mauritzfontein colours in the Nima Consulting Maiden. Miranda Frost was backed from 20-1 to 11-2 and led from pen to post under Donovan Dillon.

Assistant trainer Ricardo Sobotker said: “She is very stocky and powerful, she showed natural speed from day one and she has a bright future.”

But perhaps the most significant winner for punters was Line Break. He might have only just got home in the Kepu Pinnacle Stakes – indeed Grant van Niekerk feared he was beaten – but apparently he is considerably better than his present 97 merit rating.

He lost valuable ground at the start in last month’s Betting World Cape Flying Championship and from then on his rider had to repeatedly switch this way and that looking for an opening. He covered more ground than Jan van Riebeeck and, while he finished halfway down the field, he was only beaten two and a quarter lengths.

Candice Robinson said: “He was unlucky not to win that day. He is exceptionally talented and has all the ability in the world but we have to get it out of him. He is not the easiest of horses to train, or the soundest, and he has lots of problems.

“I am not 100% sure he will go to Durban – it might not be the right place for him – but, that said, there might not be that much for him here.”

> The course’s fourth prawn festival was an even bigger success that the previous ones and attracted the best crowd outside Met day. Phumelela estimated it at 7 000 and they consumed 2.5 tonnes of prawns. That works out at over 350 grams each!

  The organisers reckon to sell three tonnes at this Saturday’s Turffontein version and, in case anyone thinks racing is single-handedly emptying the ocean, the prawns come from a special farm in India.

Michael Clower
Picture: Cuvee Brut (Liesl King)

Following 40mm of rainfall over the past few days in the KwaZulu-Natal region and with further rain forecasted for the weekend, Gold Circle has taken a decision to change racing venues for Sunday, 21 February 2016, from Scottsville to Greyville Racecourse.

Please note that race times remain unchanged and all races will be run on the polytrack.  Race 5 distance has been amended to 2000 metres.

Ends

Jockey Anton Marcus has landed two top rides for the Johan Janse van Vuuren stable on Guineas Day. Marcus will be riding Brazuca in the R1-million Betting World Gauteng Guineas and Negroamaro in the R500,000 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas at Turffontein on Saturday 27 February. Both races are Grade 2 events.

The Gauteng Guineas is the joint first leg of the SA Triple Crown which carries a R2-million bonus for any runner capable of winning the Cape or Gauteng Guineas over 1600m, the Grade 1 SA Classic over 1800m and the Grade 1 SA Derby over 2450m in the same season.

The Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara carries a R1-million bonus and goes to any filly who can win the Cape or Gauteng Guineas, the SA Fillies Classic and the SA Oaks.

Van Vuuren has a strong hand in both races as he has New Predator to back up Cape Guineas and Cape Derby runner-up Brazuca. Stuart Randolph has the ride on New Predator.

However, the horse they might all have to beat is Abashiri from the Mike Azzie yard. The son of Go Deputy is in top form currently and unlike the other two who have drawn at Nos 10 and 11, Abashiri, to be ridden by Karl Zechner, jumps from barrier No 3.

It is interesting to note that trainer Sean Tarry did not declare Prospect Strike as a runner in the Guineas. The son of Toreador was making his first appearance in 201 days and Tarry would have been forced to make the declaration before his charge ran on Thursday. Prospect Strike has also been entered in the Grade 2 Hawaii Stakes on the same day and Tarry has until Tuesday to make a final decision.

Prospect Strike finished third in a Graduation Plate over 1000m at the Vaal on Thursday, 5.75 lengths behind Seattle Lady.

Negroamaro has drawn No 5 in the Fillies Guineas and on paper looks hard to beat. However, KwaZulu-Natal-based trainer Kom Naidoo will fancy the chances of Princess Varunya who has won her last four starts but those were over 1900m and 2000m. She could be a Triple Tiara contender if she can win the Fillies Guineas.

Final field and draws for the R1-million Betting World Gauteng Guineas (Grade 2) (1st Leg SA Triple Crown) over 1600m at Turffontein on Saturday 27 February.

1 – 3 ABASHIRI (M G Azzie) K Zechner 60.0 – 109

2 – 10 BRAZUCA (J A Janse van Vuuren) A Marcus 60.0 – 109

3 – 11 NEW PREDATOR (J A Janse van Vuuren) S Randolph 60.0 – 107

4 – 6 CHAMPAGNE HAZE (G M Alexander) A Fortune 60.0 – 106

5 – 13 ROCKETBALL (G H van Zyl) M Yeni 60.0 – 103

6 – 16 SUYOOF (M F de Kock) A Delpech 60.0 – 103

7 – 1 MUWAARY (M F de Kock) C Murray 60.0 – 102

8 – 15 ROMANY PRINCE (O A Ferraris) B Fayd’Herbe 60.0 – 101

9 – 8 LE CLOS (M G Azzie) M Thackeray 60.0 – 99

10 – 4 LUNAR APPROACH (S G Tarry) S Khumalo 60.0 – 95

11 – 2 CELTIC CAPTAIN (G H van Zyl) B Lerena 60.0 – 94

12 – 9 LIEGE (S G Tarry) J P van der Merwe 60.0 – 93

13 – 7 RIKITIKITANA (S G Tarry) C Zackey 60.0 – 93

14 – 5 MALAK EL MOOLOOK (S G Tarry) M van Rensburg 60.0 – 91

15 – 12 OLE GUNNAR (P V Lafferty) K de Melo 60.0 – 87

16 – 14 CORAL FEVER (R R Sage) R Danielson 60.0 – 79

Same Trainer: (1,9) (2,3) (5,11) (6,7) (10,12,13,14)

Final field and draws for the R500,000 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas (Grade 2) (1st Leg Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara) over 1600m.

1 – 5 NEGROAMARO (J A Janse van Vuuren) A Marcus 60.0 – 104

2 – 2 SHE’S A DRAGON (C Mayhew) R Munger 60.0 – 101

3 – 13 JUXTAPOSE (S M Ferreira) C Maujean 60.0 – 98

4 – 9 PRINCESS VARUNYA (K Naidoo) A Delpech 60.0 – 98

5 – 6 HEAPS OF FUN (S G Tarry) S Khumalo 60.0 – 95

6 – 4 PERSIAN RUG (M F de Kock) B Lerena 60.0 – 94

7 – 14 FROSTY FRIDAY (G H van Zyl) M Yeni 60.0 – 93

8 – 10 LALA (D I Campbell) I Sturgeon 60.0 – 92

9 – 15 MELLIFLORA (M G Azzie) M Thackeray 60.0 – 90

10 – 8 CRYSTAL GLAMOUR (G M Alexander) A Fortune 60.0 – 88

11 – 11 ALEXA (G V Woodruff) R Danielson 60.0 – 87

12 – 7 KHONZA (W H Marwing) C Murray 60.0 – 87

13 – 17 JUNGLE MIST (M G Azzie) K Zechner 60.0 – 85

14 – 12 BELLA SONATA (G H van Zyl) C Zackey 60.0 – 84

15 – 3 CHRISTMAS CAROL (G V Woodruff) B Fayd’Herbe 60.0 – 83

16 – 1 PENNY SERENADE (M G Azzie) J P van der Merwe 60.0 – 82

17 – 16 POLYPHONIC (A G Laird) R Simons 60.0 – 82

Same Trainer: (7,14) (9,13,16) (11,15)

RELEASED BY: PHUMELELA GAMING AND LEISURE LIMITED

Fear Not can make it a 27^th birthday to remember for Adam Marcus in the Vasco Prix Du Cap at Kenilworth’s Prawn Festival meeting tomorrow.

The Majorca fifth has been in cracking form in recent months and her trainer, who won this with Priceless Jewel two years ago, is understandably optimistic.

He says: “Fear Not is maturing and getting better all the time. I think this 1 400m is probably her ideal distance because over it she can quicken right to the line which she can’t quite do over a mile.”

Rider Aldo Domeyer has won two of the last five runnings and his mount yesterday opened an appealing 6-1 joint second favourite with World Sports Betting who made Cuvee Brut favourite at 33-10.

No favourite has won this since Mother Russia seven years ago but uncle Anton’s mount is rated the best horse in the race with a kilo to spare. She has only once raced beyond sprint distances – when sixth to Majmu in the 2014 Cape Fillies Guineas – but Brett Crawford will not hear of stamina doubts.

“She won’t have a problem getting the trip,” he insists. “She is doing very well and I think she will be hard to beat.”

Stable jockey Corne Orffer partners 6-1 shot Alexis in preference but mainly because she is owned by Delma Sherrell whose son Lance sponsors Orffer through his firm. “Alexis has finally come back to her best and think this trip is perfect for her,” says Crawford.

However the filly has to concede 3kg to everything because of her win in last year’s KRA Fillies Guineas and that is going to make it tough for her.

No three-year-old has won since Mother Russia but 10-1 shot Acaciawood, on ratings the best of her age group, comes out less than a length behind Fear Not.

Next best Flying Ice (16-1) was a sick horse after disappointing in the Fillies Guineas but Neil Bruss gives her a good chance – “I would think so with that weight, and she has been doing very well.”

The unbeaten Lohnromance is surprisingly short at 8-1. “She is at least 30lb under sufferance but it is going to be interesting,” says Andre Nel. “She is as fit as she has ever been and we will know where we stand with her after this.”

Coltrane should win the CTS Chairman’s Cup for the second year running even if he is not much of a price at 15-20.

Stable companion Hard Day’s Night is 33-10 favourite for the Calulo Cape Mile but this is wide open with Marcus’s mount Night Trip (9-2) top-rated but only a kilo better than Heartland (6-1), Milton (7-1) and 9-1 chance As You Like.

Marginal preference is for Heartland and Justin Snaith says: “Heartland was a bit unlucky in the Queen’s Plate in that he was a bit further back than the jockey wanted. He and Kingvoldt (5-1) are both in good nick and should run well.

“My worry with them, and indeed all our horses, is that the ground is hard and they are getting a bit jarred. The track manager has put on a lot of water but we need rain.”

By Michael Clower

Punters can look forward to another weekend full of racing and there look to be some fair opportunities at the Greyville, Turffontein and Scottsville meetings.

The first opportunity arises at the start of tonight’s Quickfire Twenty/20 meeting. In race 1 the improving filly by Ideal World, Grand Jury, proved she loves this 2000m trip on the turf last time when cruising in behind a wall of horses and having nowhere to go. She could well have won that race and could make amends here.

In race 2 the Overlord filly Overly Impressed defies her cheap purchase price looks-wise and would have come on from her run last Friday as she had an interrupted preparation into that race. She will also appreciate he step up in trip to 1600m. However, Ruby Gem coming from the stronger centre of Cape Town could be a big threat as she did have one or two good runs down there.

In race 3 over 1600m Velvet Wind was hampered at a crucial stage over this trip on the turf last time and was staying on well all the way to the line, so looks the one to side with.  Vogue Idea quickened well when winning last time over course and distance and could possibly handle a four point raise, while Lady Of Kildare will attempt to make it four out of four on the Greyville poly, although the handicapper is catching up with her.

The fourth over 1600m is a weak race and provides an opportunity for a horse who loves the course and distance, Royal Champion. Nuntius is the likely favourite and could still improve. An interesting runner as far as each/way value is concerned could be Ocean’s Crossing because on pedigree he will love the return to the poly.

Race 5 over 2000m looks a potential stumbling block as it is very open unless Canigao can continue upon his progressive ways. An interesting each/way chance here could be Bez-Art as this big horse has caught the eye on occasion and has finally landed a good draw.

Race 6 over 1200m is not an easy heat either at first glance, but a horse who makes plenty of appeal if Roy’s Folly. She was fancied by the yard over 1400m last time but appeared to over race when going to the front so will enjoy the step back down in trip. It all depends on whether she can overcome her tricky draw of eight.

Race 7 over 1000m is also a typically difficult sprint handicap, although Burrwood is course and distance suited and has handled wide draws like this before. All True Man is better than his last two runs and could be the main danger. Hot Chilli looks a fair type and could do well first time out the maidens and Out MY Way and Stampede can also be considered.

Race 8 over 1400m sees an interesting runner in Battle Of Seattle, who runs off a merit rating no fewer than 31 points lower than his sand merit rating. Some say the two surfaces are completely different, but evidence of horses who have raided Greyville off good handicap marks compared to their sand ratings would not back that claim up because they invariably win or go close. Pyrenees In Spain would otherwise look quite a good bet here because he loves the course and distance and is off an attractive merit rating. Son Of Orimandes is a type who can suddenly pop up and, for an in form yard off the same merit rating as his last win, the time looks ripe for him to appear on the stage late in the race as he has been known to do.

Race 9 over 1000m is full of pace and might pan out well for the consistent closer Quintella, whose last two wins have been over course and distance.

At Turffontein on Saturday Tobesuretobesure makes plenty of appeal in race one over 2000m from pole position for under-estimated trainer Heather Adamson. She lost her jockey in her penultimate start and a mathematician might be needed to work out her performance because she appeared to win riderless by about 100 metres. Last time out she ran way above her rating over the too sharp 1600m so has a fine chance back in a handicap over a suitable trip.

Some good horses appear at Scottsville on Sunday. Way Of Light was running on in the Listed Michael Roberts Handicap over 1800m last time out so should enjoy the course and distance of the Non-Black Type UmThombothi Stakes over 2000m, although Great Rumpus and Serissa should also go close.

Miss Varlicious is on the up and is officially well weighted in race 4 although African Dream will be a threat if her starting antics don’t bother her and she bounces back to her best.

In the Fever Tree Handicap over 1400m Master James has always been held in good regard and a step down in trip could well be what is required. However, the last time he tried 1400m he ruined his chances at the start, so is worth supporting again.

By David Thiselton