Warren Lenferna

Proud owner Francis Carruthers was on course at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth yesterday to lead in both his winners. His first victory came early in the first race with Digby from the Shane Humby yard, who won well despite drifting across the track in the closing stages. Digby was excellently handled by Richard Fourie and is part-owned by Carruthers with Kim Bosman, Janet Hunter, Edward Hector and Ian Robinson. Second-placed Trailfinder can be followed with confidence, as he caught the eye when gaining momentum close to home and should not remain a maiden for much longer.

Ignite The Fire was superbly ridden by apprentice Damyan Pillay for Paddy Kruyer to win the second, the first of the two apprentice races on the card. Kruyer was complimentary of Pillay’s ride, mentioning that he has a racing brain and what appears to be a bright future.

Sommerstern, from the Woodruff yard, landed the spoils in the third. He seems decent and should go on to win more. Prairie Dawn got going when the race was over and should win next time out, which will more than likely be over even further.

It was in the sixth race where Carruthers notched up his second win of the day. This time he took the entire first cheque as the sole owner of the Pomodoro gelding Kebonalesedi, who was given an clever ride by Callan Murray. Eric Sands had Kebonalesedi spot-on in terms of fitness, and it was a ding-dong tussle to the line. Murray got his mount’s nose down at exactly the right moment.

The second and last of the apprentice races was won by Fort Red, who was comprehensively backed and nicely handled by Port Elizabeth–based rider Bavish Soodoo. Mike Stewart has his horses in a good space and, for all the tea in China, it was clear that the support for the evergreen eight-year-old was going to prove correct. The rest of the field chased, but chased in absolute vain.

Speaking of good efforts from the saddle, Grant van Niekerk got the handsome son of Master Of My Fate, Major Master, to lift and grab first prize in the forth race, a B Stakes over 1500m. Major Master was having his third run since a layoff and proved to be a on song for the race. He is trained by Candice Bass.

David Thiselton

A Progress Plate and two fillies and mares high level handicaps are the highlights of the Turffontein Standside’s eight race meeting today.

In the Progress Plate over 2000m Read All About is the joint best in at the weights and and his 0,25 length second to The Ultimate King looks good now as the latter finished third in the Summer Cup. He and Don’t Cry For Me are officially 5kg better off with any of the other runners. Read All About it has a fair draw of three out of six. Don’t Cry For Me  ran on Saturday over this same course and distance and was beaten 13,10 lengths, although the time of the race was a second quicker than the Betway Summer Cup, so he was not disgraced. He now has pole position as opposed to eight on Saturday. He has tended to take a bit of a hold and it was thus the great Piere Strydom who got the best out of him with his sublime hands. Craig Zackey, who is also known for his soft hands, is the perfect choice of rider for him. He should be right there. The one who makes most appeal for third place is Royal Edition.

In the seventh race, a MR 97 handicap for fillies and mares over 1160m, Stars and Bra’s has a chance on form from a nice high draw, but it is wide open. Tuscan Romance has been knocking hard too and also has a light weight to carry, but a low draw could be a slight concern. Frozen Fantasy has to give the former pair a lot of weight but has the class to be involved especially with Zackey aboard. Poblano has been running below her best but her best races have been with Muzi Yeni up and he gets the ride from a nice middle draw. Pointer could also bounce back to form from a nice high draw.

In the fifth. a MR 93 handicap for fillies and mares over 1800m, Accept Cookies goes for a third win in her last four starts and this progressive sort can do it off a three point higher mark. She enjoyed the step up to 1700m last time and being out of a See You Think mare will likely enjoy the further step up to 1800m. Warning Sound disappointed last time but the yard have had some virus issues and she is capable of a lot better and on pedigree should relish the step up in trip. Key Worker is well bred being a full sister to Surcharge and can follow on from her last win over 2000m as the yard is in  form. Arctic Silver is in fine form and can earn again over the distance of her last two wins. Kissing Machine has the form to be a contender from a fair draw.

In the third over 1400m, the first leg of the Pick 6, Jaffa went close to the promising Wayne on debut and can go one better, although he does have a wide draw to overcome. Gavius Maximus improved stepped up to 1600m from sprints and should enjoy this trip too from pole position. Space Mission is improving and can go close with Zackey up.

In the next race over 1800m  Anahita is a full sister to Rascallion and should relish the step up in trip but she does have a tricky draw. Real Stunner has the form to be a contender but does have a wide draw, although Gavin Lerena could help him overcome it. Onceinabluemoon could be in the shake up here as she should relish the step up in trip on form. Stokesy went close when stepped up to 1700m second time out and has a chance if able to overcome a wide draw. Naretoi has a fine chance from a fair draw if able to repeat his last run.

In the sixth race over 1800m Duchess Of Paloma is a progressive sort who will relish this trip and she starts off handicapping off a nice mark of 71, although her draw of six out of eleven is tricky.  Surprise Party went close in her first try at a middle distance and has a plum draw. Scarlett Heart was not disgraced first time out the maidens and could earn. Lady Blunt is going for a hattrick but does have a four point raise to overcome. Red Sparrow is capable of popping up from a good draw.

In the eighth race over 1160m Victory In Orleans comes from a strong form race and should be in the shake up. Vamanos won her maiden well and starts on a reasonable mark. She’s All Mine has the form to be right there.

In the second race over 1400m, the first leg of the Bipot, Winds Of Change is knocking hard and gets a 4kg claimer up but does have a tricky draw. Kortvandraad was never far back in Cape Town and can improve on her Highveld debut. Delaware River is knocking on the door but does have a tricky draw. Pleiades Star stayed on for second over 1200m last time and should enjoy this trip. Utsaah is improving but does have a wide draw to overcome.

RACE 1

1 DON’T CRY FOR ME 6 READ ALL ABOUT IT 4 ROYAL EDITION 7 TAKE NO PRISONERS

Preview: 1 DON’T CRY FOR ME will be ridden by Craig Zackey, who will suit her perfectly as she can ruin her chances by taking too strong a hold but if relaxing she has class and she should enjoy this trip from a plum draw. 6 READ ALL ABOUT IT looks to be coming into his own and should be a runner from a fair draw. 4 ROYAL EDITION is capable of popping up. 7 TAKE NO PRISONERS improved with blinkers last time and can improve again. (David Thiselton 1-6-4-7)

RACE 2

1 WINDS OF GRACE 2 KORTVANDRAAD 3 DELAWARE RIVER 7 PLEIADES STAR

Preview: 1 WINDS OF GRACE is knocking hard and gets a 4kg claimer up but does have a tricky draw. 2 KORTVANDRAAD was never far back in Cape Town and can improve on her Highveld debut. 3 DELAWARE RIVER is knocking on the door but does have a tricky draw. 7 PLEIADES STAR stayed on for second over 1200m last time and should enjoy this trip. (David Thiselton 1-2-3-7)

RACE 3

12 JAFFA 4 GAVIUS MAXIMUS 5 SPACE MISSION

Preview: 12 JAFFA went close to a fair sort on debut and can go one better. 4 GAVIUS MAXIMUS is improving and should be a threat. 5 SPACE MISSION went close over 1700m last time but should handle this trip too. (David Thiselton 12-4-5)

RACE 4

15 ANAHITA 1 REAL STUNNER 14 ONCEINABLUEMOON 12 STOKESY

Preview: 15 ANAHITA is a full sister to Rascallion and should relish the step up in trip but she does have a tricky draw. 1 REAL STUNNER has the form to be a contender but does have a wide draw. 14 ONCEINABLUEMOON could be in the shake up here. 12 STOKESY went close when stepped up to 1700m and has a chance. (David Thiselton 15-1-14-12)

RACE 5

2 ACCEPT COOKIES 5 WARNING SOUND 4 KEY WORKER 8 ARTIC SILVER

Preview: 2 ACCEPT COOKIES goes for a third win in her last four starts and this progressive sort can do it off a three point higher mark. 5 WARNING SOUND disappointed last time but the yard have had some virus issues and she is capable of a lot better. 4 KEY WORKER is well bred being a full sister to Surcharge and can follow on from her last win as the yard is in  form. 8 ARTIC SILVER is in fine form and can earn again. (David Thiselton 2-5-4-8)

RACE 6

3 DUCHESS OF PALOMA 5 SURPRISE PARTY 4 SCARLETT HEART 2 LADY BLUNT

Preview: 3 DUCHESS OF PALOMA looks to have plenty of scope for improvement and starts handicapping off an attractive mark. 5 SURPRISE PARTY went close in her first try at a middle distance and has a plum draw. 4 SCARLETT HEART was not disgraced first time out the maidens and could earn. 2 LADY BLUNT is going for a hattrick but does have a four point raise to overcome. (David Thiselton 3-5-4-2)

RACE 7

10 STARS AND BRA’S 11 TUSCAN ROMANCE 1 FROZEN FANTASY 2 POBLANO

Previews: 10 STARS AND BRA’S has been knocking on the door here and gets a good opportunity here from a nice high draw. 11 TUSCAN ROMANCE has some useful form too and can also be in the shake up.  1 FROZEN FANTASY has the ability to be right there too. 2 POBLANO can do a lot better than last time but needs to bounce back. (David Thiselton 10-11-1-2)

RACE 8

2 VICTORY IN ORLEANS 9 VAMANOS 8 SHE’S ALL MINE

Preview: 2 VICTORY IN ORLEANS comes from a strong form race and should be in the shake up. 9 VAMANOS won her maiden well and starts on a reasonable mark. 8 SHE’S ALL MINE has the form to be right there. (David Thiselton 2-9-8)

David Thiselton

The package of mares bought into South Africa by Cape Thoroughbred Sales just over ten years ago included Fastnet Rock mare Little Fastnet. who was in foal to Frankel and the resultant filly was Frankly, dam of Saturday’s Gr 2 Jackpot City Dingaans winner, the Heavenly Blue colt Trust.

The mares were looked after by Klawervlei Stud, who took the progeny to the Sales too.

Frankly fetched R4 million at the Premier Yearling Sale, purchased by an agent who must have been acting on behalf of owners Larry Nestadt, Gary Barber and the late Chris Gerber.

The small filly only won one race, but did display a nice turn of foot.

However, the purchase is now paying dividends, because Frankly is turning out to be a fine broodmare.

Larry Nestadt ended up owning Frankly on his own because Gary Barber pulled out of South African racing and Chris Gerber passed away.

However, he then brought Gary Player and Lindsay Ralphs into the partnership.

Frankly now stands at Ascot Stud in the East Cape, which is where the sire that Larry Nestadt has shares in, Heavenly Blue, stands.

Frankly’s first foal was Courageous by Canford Cliffs and she had one win and 19 places in 34 runs.

Larry raced the Australian-bred Heavenly Blue with Mike de Kock and he won the Gr 1 SA Classic over 1800m among other good performances.

It made sense from a cost point of view for him to send Frankly to Heavenly Blue and the results have been explosive.

Frankly’s second foal, the first produced by Heavenly Blue, was the colt Truth.

He has tremendous pace and has the capacity to stay further, but tends to take a bit of a hold.

He won his first two starts over 1160m and 1400m respectively by 4,25 lengths and 7,25 lengths respectively.

He has not been the luckiest of horses, but has added three more victories since, including the Gr 3 National Currency Sprint over 1100m.

Then along came the third foal, Trust.

Larry pointed out about Trust, “If you look at all of his races, his acceleration is incredible. On debut he looked like he wouldn’t run a place and won. Then in his next start in the Gr 3 Betway Graham Beck over 1400m he was taken out at the start by the eventual winner. He was knocked to the back of the field and he still finished second (with another impressive late burst taking him within 0,60 lengths of the winner). He’s a nice horse, good looking horse, and he’s got an incredible turn of foot.”

Trust showed a fine turn of foot again on Saturday. He was the only horse able to go with Jan Van Goyen when the latter burst into the lead. He then once again showed his ability to produce extra late as he got the better of the tussle for the line and was drawing away at the end, winning by 0,70 lengths with the rest of the field in a different race.

Candice Dawson has trained all of Courageous, Truth and Trust.

Trust will not be traveling to run in the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas with Larry saying it came too soon after the Dingaans.

Jan Van Goyen is set to run in the Guineas and he will be a good representative of the Highveld three-year-olds.

The Cape three-year-old form has been muddled with the swapping of winners and placings and no standout performers to date.

There could still be horses who will improve and possibly stand out with one of them being the ruling Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas favourite Gimmie Rules. He might have only won a B Stakes event last time, but he was clearly still green and had to come around horses from the back on the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Winter Course in the 1400m event and yet won effortlessly.

Horses that ran in the Gr 2 Race Coast Cape Punters Cup could still improve with one example being Happy Verse, who had no sort of luck being caught wide without cover in the running and then being squeezed out late.

However, one of the country’s guru racing analysts, Karel Miedema, has not given any three-year-olds high ratings this season.

He was not overly impressed with the Dingaans form and only awarded Trust an ability rating (AR) of 100.

However, as Ashley Parker of Ascot Stud said about Trust, “He is a nice horse who is still inexperienced, but he is learning fast.”

Not many horses can brag they have won the Dingaans on just their third career start, beating an Equus Champion in the process, so Trust looks to be an exciting prospect.

John Koster, who recalled looking after Frankly at Klawervlei, mentioned that Trust’s pedigree had the “reverse cross” of Danehill via Schnitzel on to Galileo that has done so well.

Trust’s next target will likely be the Triple Crown series of the Gr 2 Gauteng Guineas, Gr 1 SA Classic and Gr 1 SA Derby.

Ashley Parker has revealed that Frankly  has a yearling full sister to Trust, who is “magnificent”, and she has a Gimmethegreenlight filly foal at foot. She was covered by Heavenly Blue again this season.

There are many examples of big spending at the Sales being worthwhile in the long run and Larry Nestadt is a deserved beneficiary of Frankly’s early success as a broodmare. Her value and the value of her progeny will be burgeoning.

Meanwhile, Little Fastnet has been standing at Advocate Nigel Riley’s Haversham Stud, having previously been with Maine Chance Farms. Her Jackson filly fetched R100,000 at the BSA National Yearling Sale this year.

Warren Lenferna

Hollywoodbets Kenilworth is where the action will be today. Eight races, brought to you by Race Coast, are on the card, with the first getting underway at 13:15 and the lucky last at 17:20. It is a wonderful time of the year to be in Cape Town, as the evenings remain bright and warm.

More and more Apprentice races are being staged around the country, giving the emerging talent from the world-class South African Jockey Academy greater opportunities to showcase their skills and improve through race-riding experience. There are two such races today — races two and seven. Race two is a Class 5 over 1600 metres and opens the Place Accumulator, while race seven is a D Stakes over 1200 metres and serves as the penultimate event on the programme.

In race two, seven runners will face the starter, with Diogenes an early scratching. Beer With The Boys, for Lucinda Woodruff and Brevan Plaatjies, jumps from gate one and makes his stable debut. He brings decent form and should run well, making him a definite inclusion for quartet punters. State Capitol, from the Glen Kotzen yard with Jacey Botes aboard, is taking time to win again and will need to improve to threaten, and is likely to be an outsider. Sesame, also trained by Kotzen, has caught the eye in both her runs since breaking her maiden and should relish the claim from Sifisokuhle Bungane. She looks a solid first-four contender.

Gold Index, ridden by Varun Jodhee for Herman Brown and the Social Squad ownership group, finished behind Hiawatha Goldberg last time but looks set to get much closer now. He could be the lurker in the pack and offers some value. Hiawatha Goldberg, also from the Brown stable and representing the same connections, showed huge improvement in his stable debut. With that run under his belt, he should be much fitter and can go on to win. In A Timely Manner is lightly raced and clearly progressive; this is his second run since being gelded and he has a major chance of putting it all together today for Justin Snaith, Nicola Yuen and their owners. Ignite The Fire, for Paddy Kruyer and Damyan Pillay, will start from the widest draw. He recently shed his maiden and now steps up in class, but could still be up to the challenge.

Hiawatha Goldberg is preferred, ahead of In A Timely Manner, with Sesame and Gold Index also expected to run well.

The second Apprentice race of the day is race seven over 1200 metres, where eight runners will charge down the Kenilworth straight. True Horizon caught the eye when running on strongly last time and looks capable of another bold effort with Adam Marcus and Damyan Pillay combining. Avignon, for Piet Botha and Brevan Plaatjies, should be cherry-ripe for his third run after a layoff. Très Chic had excuses last time but must show improvement on current form, and others are preferred. Varun Jodhee takes the ride.

Fort Red, an eight-year-old campaigner, is seldom far off the action and seems to have found the ideal field in which to run a big race, perhaps even securing another victory. Gravity found one better last time and looks the horse they all have to beat. United We Stand remains a maiden and appears held by stronger opposition. Lovers Lane, from the Reeves stable with Nicola Yuen aboard, has been consistent and, despite taking time to win again, looks ready now. He has earned in most of his recent runs. Black Path is ultra-consistent and cannot be ignored in any calculations.

Gravity is the narrow choice, ahead of Lovers Lane, with Black Path and Fort Red expected to make their presence felt.