The Dubai World Cup is beckoning for Al Shaqab’s Mshawish (Todd Pletcher/John Velazquez) after the six-year-old powered home for his first Grade 1 victory on dirt in the Donn Handicap at Gulfstream.

Formerly trained in France, the son of Medaglia d’Oro had been campaigned on turf for much of his globe-trotting career and won the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap on the same card 12 months previously.

However, Mshawish had shown his aptitude for dirt on a couple of previous outings before scoring by two lengths over front-running Valid to claim the $500,000 Donn – the race won by the great Cigar in 1996 before he won the inaugural Dubai World Cup. Captain Steve (2001) and Invasor (2007) also won here before claiming the world’s richest race.

Trainer Todd Pletcher said the plan for the winner was Meydan on March 26, with the World Cup looking a more likely target this time than the Dubai Turf (former Duty Free), in which he finished third to Solow in 2015.

“We’ll go to Dubai and make a decision but hopefully it will be the World Cup,” said Pletcher, who was winning his fifth Donn.
Racingpost.com
Picture: Mshawish (MiamiHerald.com)

The future racing career of both Legislate and Futura hangs in the balance after they showed signs of haemo-concentrating following their below-par performances in the J & B Met nine days ago.

Justin Snaith said on Saturday: “Their bloods are a bit thick, and we need to sit down and discuss things but I think it could be a good idea to get them ready for their stud careers.

“If they go to Jo’burg or Durban they won’t look like stallions by the time they have finished racing. But this is in the hands of the owners. It’s not a decision I should play a part in. If I did, I might be biased into keeping them racing.”

Legislate (left) and Futura (John Lewis)

John Freeman, who is a part-owner of both horses and is due to manage their stallion careers, appeared to be singing from much the same hymn sheet in the newsletter he sent to clients at the end of last week.

He said: “We always knew the time would come when our two five-year-old entires would tell us that their manhood was going to get in the way of their racing form. They have nothing more to prove. They each won four Grade 1s, both earned the ultimate accolade of Horse of the Year and both have a track record to their credit.”

Snaith also referred to the hurt of the Met after Five Star Rock won the Klawervlei Stud Maiden in the Futura colours at Kenilworth on Saturday.

He said: “It was not an easy pill to swallow. These horses are champions and nothing went our way.”

Cape Fillies Guineas winner and Million Dollar runner-up Silver Mountain has recovered well from the latter race and the Mike Bass stable is already looking forward to pastures new.

Candice Robinson said: “It’s all good with her and she will go to Natal.”

Last season’s Choice Carriers and Sceptre winner Cold As Ice found the early pace too hot when starting 9-4 favourite for the Listed Unibet Cleves Stakes at Lingfield on Saturday but she ran on well for Joe Fanning in the closing stages to snatch third.

Kenilworth Racing has issued an apology for some of the music on Met day being so loud that it upset the horses, adding: “Measures to prevent a repeat will be part of the planning for all future J & B Met days.”

By Michael Clower

Solana looks good for the Bishops Handicap at Kenilworth tomorrow despite this being her first run out of the maidens.

Aldo Domeyer’s mount ran out a comfortable winner over this course and distance last month and the handicappers gave her a rating of 78 which was what the bare result justified. However they did not add anything for what she appeared to have in hand – at least a length and quite possibly twice that.

Andre Nel confirms her in good shape and, although World Sports Betting are giving nothing away at 12-10, she should be able to concede a kilo to probable danger Arabian Winter.

Justin Snaith has won five of the six Cape Town two-year-old races in which he has had a runner this season and R300 000 Var newcomer Contessa Confessa is 12-10 for the opening Maiden Juvenile. He also introduces Alpha Girl (7-1) who riding arrangements indicate should be the second string.

Snaith, speaking at Durbanville on Wednesday and stressing that yesterday’s final gallop might change things, said: “Contessa will probably need the run and Alpha Girl might finish the closer.”

Corker is the one to get excited about on pedigree. The R480 000 Pathfork filly is out of a half-sister to In The Fast Lane (Cape Fillies Guineas and Woolavington) and Met fourth Light The Lights.  She is a 6-1 chance and Glen Kotzen says: “She has only had the one gallop but she is a lovely filly who has come on by leaps and bounds. She will be competitive.”

But the vote goes to Extradite who has the advantage of experience and was quoted at evens yesterday. It was no disgrace to be beaten by the potentially high class The Secret Is Out and the Mike Bass filly should benefit from the in-form Grant van Nierkerk who won the first four at Durbanville on Wednesday.

Vaughan Marshall, who really rates The Secret Is Out, can win the Bishops Cricket Maiden with 11-10 shot Arctic Blast. The once-raced Q Behind Me (33-10) is an obvious danger. “She has come on a little bit,” reports Nel but he doubts her ability to come home in front in this.

Kado (10-1) drops back in trip after disappointing over 1 400m. “He was caught wide that day,” explains Eric Sands. “He is bred for a lot further but I thought I would give him another run up the straight. It’s not his game but he is not without a chance.”

Don’t ignore Torchman at 7-1 either. The form of his seven-length second to Orion Quest seemed to take a knock when Knight Of Glory (fifth) flopped on Wednesday but that horse was reported not striding out.

Mr Bond, 28-10 joint favourite with the hat-trick seeking Al Dangeur, gets the vote in the Snaith Racing Handicap. I Am The Law (15-4) is weighted to reverse the placings with Al Dangeur but is he is as good over 1 200m? “I’m not sure,” says Nel. “But he went to win his race over 1 400m last time and didn’t quite finish.”

Due West is 22-10 favourite for the Klawervlei Stud Maiden but the consistent Five Star Rock is rated slightly better and gets the vote at 28-10.

By Michael Clower

There are two eight race meetings in KZN this weekend, a polytrack card at Greyville tonight, and racing around the turn makes its comeback at Scottsville on Sunday.

There look to be one or two opportunities for punters on both cards and the Pick 6 (carryover pool estimated R1.1million) looks catchable tonight.

The first race tonight is a Maiden over 1900m and Jullidar is knocking on the door and is course and distance suited so is the one to beat with Anton Marcus up despite a wide draw. Roy’s Tiger stayed on at one pace over 1800m last time on the turf  and could earn. Tayaar looks likely to relish the step up in trip having stayed on over 1600m last time and he should finish in the first three, although he is yet to justify the betting support he has sometimes received.

The second is a MR 80 Handicap over 1900m and Night Shadow has really come into his own, not surprisingly being by Silvano, and looks the one to beat from a good draw because recently he has struck as one who can rise above his current merit rating of 82. Kitty’s Destiny is also a progressive sort and was unlucky last time out over 2000m on the poly when hampered at a crucial stage in the straight. Mr Winsome is another progressive sort by Silvano and will likely give plenty of cheek over this suitable course and distance.

The third is a MR69 Handicap over 1900m. The Alec Laird-trained Gauteng raider Arabian World has caught the eye before over this sort of trip and enjoys the Vaal sand so, as a possibly  still improving son of ideal World, makes appeal from a good draw. Willoughton won his maiden by six lengths over 1600m and is reunited with Anton Marcus for the first time since. He is a half-brother to an Opera King gelding who won over 2400m so should stay the trip.

Avaricious could benefit from having Muzi Yeni aboard as he is capable of winning a race like this if he settles over this sort of distance. Royal Lance is interesting as one who was tried over further early in his career and ran on well over 1600m last time, but he is worse off at the weights with Willoughton despite being beaten by him last time. Told You So could be involved off a reduced merit rating over an ideal trip as long as he doesn’t lose Too much ground at the start.

The fourth is a Maiden over 1600m and Alec Laird could claim a quick double as Seattle Prince has been knocking on the door on the Highveld and his formline looks relatively strong here. Soldier’s Code has ability and his best poly run was over this trip so he could bounce back. Le Cheik was outpaced and pushed along throughout over 1200m last time but finished well and will relish the step up in trip. King’s Wager stayed on well for third from this identical draw over course and distance last time. Dhaamer finished second over course and distance last time in a similar field but is drawn much wider now.

The fifth is a MR 66 Handicap over 1200m and Eternal Ice looks well handicapped on his best performances and proved last time out his suitability to this trip. Dreamy Forest is interesting as one who has run two decent races in his last two, including from a tough draw at Scottsville, and is now drawn well. Moonlite Mist is in good form and will enjoy the step up to 1200m.

The sixth is a MR 74 Handicap over 1400m and Buster Brown, as one who moves up effortlessly but doesn’t enjoy being in front, can go in again off just a two point higher mark than his last course and distance win. Spanish Captain has talent and is looking for this step up in trip so should be thereabouts from draw two with Delpech keeping the ride. Ferdnand The Bull should earn over an ideal course and distance from pole position.

The seventh is a MR 64 Handicap over 1400m for fillies and mares and Zaida has always struck as a sort who would improve as she got older so she should be a big runner stepped back in trip having won her maiden over 1200m. Hunger Games is an interesting runner off a competitive merit rating as she was unlucky the last time she ran on the poly over 1600m and was caught wide last time out so that run can be excused. She is now well drawn with a good rider aboard and this trip suits her as she is quite strong in the running and has a turn of foot if finding cover. Just Rap caught the eye when winning and being dropped seven points after her last run should see her in with a shout over a trip which should suit.

The eighth is a MR 64 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1400m and Tigeress Dance had some fair Cape Town form, including finishing just 3,45 lengths behind the top class Silver Mountain over this trip. She is the one to beat as she looked to need her first start in KZN and was affected by a bump at the start. Spiritos was not harshly treated by the handicapper after winning her debut over course and distance and the form has worked out well.  She does have a wide draw to overcome but should be thereabouts. Love Conquers All is distance suited and proved last time she is now off a potentially winning merit rating.

At Scottsville on Sunday the highlight will be the return of the classy Unbelievable Chad in a MR 87 Handicap over 1600m, his first run since being scratched at the start of the Investec Dingaans after running away with his jockey down to the start. He has to carry topweight but could still do it. However, Team Guys has always been well regarded and has come into his own so could be the one to beat receiving 6kg plus a 2,5kg apprentice claim from Unbelievable Chad. Olympic Bolt won well over course and distance last time and has a chance too from a good draw.

By David Thiselton

Picture (Nkosi Hlophe): Eternal Ice

A meeting will be held on Friday by the connections of Futura and Legislate to discuss the futures of the two Justin Snaith-trained superstars.

However, bloodstock agent and stallion manager John Freeman, who has shares in both horses, will advise retirement to stud and believes most partners will agree.

Freeman said, “They were always going to be stallions one day and they were going to tell us when the time had come. I believe the time has now come. They are both sons of a top stallion in Dynasty, both are Equus Horses Of The Year Award winners and both have won four Gr 1s, so they have nothing left to prove.”

Legislate ran on well to finish a 1,5 length second in the Gr 1 L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate behind the 120 merit-rated Legal Eagle, but was unable to repel the closers in Saturday’s J&B Met after surprisingly setting the pace and could only manage 6th place.

Futura did not find his usual blistering turn of foot in the Queen’s Plate when finishing fifth. The explanation he had needed it had seemed spot on when he was turned out at the Met looking magnificent. However, he once again failed to quicken and only beat three horses home.

Freeman described Saturday’s Met as a fair race and offered his congratulations to the connections of the winner Smart Call, who put up the best performance by a filly in this country since the merit rating system was introduced just before the turn of the century.

Futura and Legislate will likely stand at Darkenstein Stud, who own shares in both horses.

By David Thiselton
Picture: Legislate winning the 2015 Rising Sun Gold Challenge (Nkosi Hlophe)