The Gr 3 Christmas Handicap over 1600m on turf heads a ten race card at Greyville on Saturday and the Duncan Howells-trained Saratoga Dancer could claim some richly deserved black type.

The classy Mambo In Seattle gelding is improving rapidly and, off a merit rating he is likely to rise above, could overcome a tough draw. Way Of Light is also progressive and the handicapper might not have him in his grip yet. Stormy Eclipse will be challenging strongly too. Diamond King loves the course and distance and has a touch of class. Joshua’s Crown should also be involved. Those are the five who make most appeal.

Saratoga Dancer (Nkosi Hlophe)

In race one over 1000m on the polytrack Hot Chilli ran a fine race over 1200m last time when just touched off by the promising Master Sam and considering he over raced early he looks likely to relish this step down in trip. He has Anton Marcus aboard which should help nullify his relatively high draw. Bank It is a hard knocking sort who ran well over course and distance last time out for second, beating the first-timer Pyrenees in Spain by 2,25 lengths. The latter won next time out, comfortably beating Hot Chilli, but that was over 1400m and the winner had clearly improved. However, Bank It will still be a big threat and so will Prince George, who narrowly beat Bank It when they met over this trip at Scottsville.

The second is a maiden for fillies and mares over 1000m and the two most appealing horses are both returning from long rests. Saraaba last ran in August and that race can be ignored as the bit broke but before that she had shown good speed on the Highveld and the De Kock yard will have her fit so she is the pick despite her tough draw. Caroline’s Call made a good debut over course and distance in February but hasn’t run since and is very widely drawn. Anton Marcus is aboard Alldressedup who is by Bankable and is a half-sister to twice winner Kelikote Express. The other first timer Kalani is by Kahal out of a four-time winning Labeeb mare. Of the others Sinphonia has pace and could earn, Nam Long could improve and At Variance is another who can’t be ignored.

The third is a MR 78 Handicap over 1000m and Treasure Hunter looks a talented sort so can follow up on his maiden win from a good draw. The useful Big King is course and distance suited and Charles Laird always has them fit returning from layoffs. Fire The Rocket, Panza, Tonto, Faberge Style and El Gallo would not be surprise winners in an open race and Swakopmund could do it to if not tearing away as he does done in two of his races.

Bella Miesque (Nkosi Hlophe)

In the fourth over 1400m Swanee River has more bad luck with the draw but this strong galloper could well appreciate stepping down to 1400m and doesn’t face an inspiring field. She might be able to slot in behind Bare All, who could be dangerous from the front running off a reasonable merit rating with a 2,5 kg claimer up. Waning Crescent finished well last time over course and distance after being dropped out from a wide draw and is slightly better drawn this time. Bella Miesque loves the poly and is distance suited. Queen Justine, Throne and Silver Inspiration make most appeal of the rest.

In the fifth over 1600m on turf Ole Gunnar looks promising and can beat an uninspiring field despite returning from a layoff. Levi Roots will appreciate the step back down in trip. Feel The Volcano, Mighty Mississippi and Napoli make most appeal of the rest.

In race seven over 1800m on turf Maybe caught the eye when winning her maiden over 2000m and can follow up off a reasonable merit rating. Class Mondiale ran a fine race over that trip too and converted the yard’s expectations of improvement, so she could be involved too. Donna Amata should also go close.

In race eight over 2400m on turf Forest looks a talented stayer in the making and could beat home Your Worship and Timeforatiger.

Race nine is a weak maiden over 2400m on turf and provides a good opportunity for Saarikh. Yearofthedragon and Kepler make most appeal of the rest.

In Race ten over 2000m on turf Grand Jury will enjoy the trip and should be improving, so can beat home Caligari Carnival and Velvet Orchid.

By David Thiselton

Turffontein Standside stages an eight race meeting today which kicks off at 12h15 with the last race due at 16h10 in order to cater for the Christmas Eve festivities.

The headliner is the fifth race, a Pinnacle Stakes race over 1600m, and  the brilliant French Navy could make up for his possibly unlucky SANSUI Summer Cup defeat as he is well in at the weights and his powerful finishing run on this ideal galloping track should be too much for the opposition. Judicial finished half-a-length behind French Navy in the Summer Cup and is now 3,5kg worse off, but he tends to stay at his peak for a while and could surprise. French Navy’s three-year-old stablemate Lunar Approach is worst in at the weights on official merit ratings but is a progressive sort who could go places and he could finish next best.

French Navy (Nkosi Hlophe)

The first race is a maiden over 1000m. Gimmeabreak looks to have plenty of ability. He started slowly on debut and was then a touch outpaced too over 1000m on the Turffontein Inside track but then finished strongly to be beaten just 1,5 lengths into fifth. The form has worked out well and if starting better he could mow down Fidelio, who has some pace and will be dangerous if starting better than last time when finishing second over 1000m at the Vaal. Former Cape Town campaigner Dragoon showed excellent pace on his Highveld debut over 1000m on the Inside track last month when overtaken late and finishing third. He is likely to have come on from the run, it having been his first since July, so he could also be a threat with a 4kg claimer up. First-timer Charltons Announce is a half-brother to the lower division six-time winner Antonius Charm. First-timer Watabout is by Seventh Rock out of a Clash By Night mare who won twice over 1200m.

The second is a MR 80 Handicap over 1000m and the Mike de Kock-trained three-year Wisnaam wouldn’t normally have an easy task off a merit rating of 89 against toughened older campaigners, but he faces an uninspiring field and as a horse who  looks to be going places should score his third win in his fourth career outing.  Benbow is an eight-year-old who has suddenly been dropped seven points by the handicapper to a mark of 64 so he could be a threat having scraped into the handicap with the minimum weight. Manx Park is an in and out sort but if he has a going day could also be a threat as he is only two points higher than his last winning mark.

The third is a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1160m and Tracy’s Legacy makes her seasonal reappearance having  been backed into odds-on on debut last May and running a fair third in a juvenile Plate race which has worked out well. The De Kock yard are sure to have her fit enough. The consistent mare Jay River stayed on well for a close third over this trip on the Inside track and should be involved as she looks to have come into her own after a layoff. Samarra is interesting dropped back to the trip of her good debut run, having been campaigned from 1450m to a mile and she, Pipkin and Welcome Home should also be in the shakeup. The most appealing first-timer is Dalley, who is by Ideal World and is a half-sister to Banbury, who won on debut over 1200m before going on to win the Gr 3 Fillies Mile.

Max The Man (Nkosi Hlophe)

The fourth race is a Maiden Plate over 1400m and the perennial bridesmaid Golden Man has more bad luck with the draw, having to jump from berth 16. The one to beat him this time could be Resolute Captain who has been backed in both starts, not doing badly on either occasion, and is now fitted with blinkers and jumps from draw three.

Emblem King ran well last time out over 1400m despite losing a length and is the third choice. Champions Cup, Shimmering Brook and Crimson Magic also have to be considered. The first-timer Urban Myth is by Judpot out of a Flaming Rock mare and is a half-sister to the like of Lady Kelpie, who has won five times in Cape Town from 1400-1600m.

The sixth race is a MR 68 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1600m and Tobesuretobesure is an eyecatching sort who should be cherry ripe having her third run after a long break and although she stays further this trip should also suit from her good draw. Off The Mark should appreciate the step up in trip and is well drawn, so is the chief danger as an improving sort who looks to be off a reasonable merit rating. Paree won well from a similar draw last time over 1450m and is only four points higher so could follow up with another good run.

The seventh is a MR 72 Handicap over 1400m and the consistent Luca de Lago is widely drawn but should be running on strongly and he has the form to win this over a suitable trip. The up and coming Duke Nukem doesn’t have it easy off an 84 merit rating but has class on his side and could be the biggest danger. Max The Man is well drawn and in a good space so with a 4kg claimer up over an ideal trip he will also be dangerous.

The eighth is a weak Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1400m and Capricious could win it if repeating her last course and distance run three runs ago. Catwalk Tease jumps from a good draw and has gone close over this trip before. Queen Of Arts, Cambridge Choir and Beach Cottage could also be considered.

By David Thiselton

Legendary commentator Trevor Denman has announced his retirement from his 33-year long position as chief caller at the flagship Santa Anita racetrack in California and officials will be scouring the planet looking for a replacement knowing they have huge boots to fill.

Denman’s skill could be defined by his call of one of the most exciting races in world racing history, when the hitherto unbeaten Zenyatta won the Breeders Cup Classic at Santa Anita in 2009 in astonishing fashion under Mike Smith after being “dead last” early on and having “a lot, a lot of ground to make up”, halfway around the final turn.

Denman’s words “If she wins this she will be a super horse,” summed up the situation. The gentle giant mare had already become an American icon and a massive crowd had turned up to watch her make history that day in her 14th career start and her first against the boys, which included a selection of the best horses from around the planet. However, her myriad fans seemed muted for most of the way around and officials probably began fearing it would be a repeat of Big Brown’s Triple Crown flop.

Zenyatta’s trainer John Shirreffs could see only glimpses of the famous mare from where he stood near the rail in front of the main grandstand. However, from her hopeless position she had surged through a couple of gaps when coming off the rail and into the straight and suddenly there was hope. Shirreffs knew she had a chance when Denman said “she is starting to pick them off though, Zenyatta’s going to hook to the outside.”

Trevor Denman (insidesocal.com)

Shirreffs could hear the urgency in the commentators voice and said, “Trevor really gets the dynamics of a race. When he starts mentioning a horse, you knew something can happen.” However the crowd were still on tenterhooks until Denman raised his voice at the critical moment, “AND ZENYATTA’S COME TO THE OUTSIDE!” and with that the roof lifted off the grandstand.

To watch this moment at full volume never fails to cause goosebumps due to Denman’s timing and the crowds immediate, spine-tingling response. It was one of those roars so loud it reaches what could be best described as a silent spot at the crescendo. Zenyatta’s enormous stride took her past her rivals and Denman’s Durban roots were evident when he said spontaneously, “THIS IS UN-BE-LEEEEEVABLE!” The crowd continued to roar for minutes afterwards and her lady fans swaggered. The humble Shirreffs could be seen grinning broadly and voicing superlatives. However, there was little doubt the moment could easily have been lost without Denman’s brilliance.

Denman had been using effective changes in voice pitch for decades, a good example being when he called home the great Prince Florimund to win the Gr 1 South African 2000 at Greyville in 1982, abandoning calling the order of horses as they entered the straight and simply emphasising, “PRINCE FLORIMUND!!”. Off-course punters, who enjoyed no visuals in those days, were spared the agony of the final stretch because Denman was a renowned judge and they knew when he emphasised a name it was virtually race over.

On top of this ability to connect with the audience, he is also unerringly fluent and accurate and this is partly due to his consummate professionalism, which includes meticulous preparation and an acute sense of pace.

California trainer Ron Ellis said. “I could sit in the paddock and visually see the race with his call.”
Denman’s signature verse at Santa Anita came to be known as “And away they go,” a well know commentary term in South Africa and “scraping paint” and  “will need to sprout wings” were other examples of his many catch phrases.

Denman was only the fourth incumbent caller in Santa Anita’s history and one punter said last week, “Denman’s calls became etched in our minds. To us, Trevor is Santa Anita.”

Hall of fame jockey Gary Stevens said, “One of a kind, there will never be another like him. He was calling the race as if he was riding the horse I was on, he was calling what I was feeling.”
Santa Anita track Chairman Keith Blackpool said of Denman’s retirement announcement, “We knew this situation would come one day, but we were selfishly hoping it would be many years down the line.”

South African commentator Craig Peters was assistant to Denman for one year in the early 1980s and became a great caller in his own right. He named that year as one of his biggest learning curbs and is ever grateful to Denman for his enthusiastic willingness to share his knowledge. Peters has always kept his commentary box immaculate, having taken on board Denman’s highly professional approach, and gave a clue to the possible reason for the latter’s  immediate impact in the USA, “He once told me that if you can call successfully on South African courses you can call anywhere in the world. In the days when we relied on binoculars we had to deal with the pear-shaped Greyville, the long straight of the Vaal and other difficult courses.”

Denman also helped mentor Craig’s son Sheldon, who sent him tape recordings requesting advice.

Trevor influenced many, including, no doubt, his brother Eric, who also became a fine caller in his own right.

Trevor had wanted to become a jockey but grew too big and felt the next best thing would be commentating.
In the early 1970s he rented a flat overlooking Greyville and began calling races into a tape recorder and the Durban Turf Club eventually gave him a start as assistant commentator to another legend, Ernie Duffield. The latter called his last Durban July in 1976 and Denman then took over.

Trevor will continue to call at Del Mar but his working days at the Great Race Place (Santa Anita) will end on December 26. The 63-year-old will instead spend more time on his Minnesota Farm and travelling around the USA.

By David Thiselton

Justin Snaith has snapped up Piere Strydom for Legislate in the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate on January 9. The six-time champion won the 2012 race for him on Gimmethegreenlight.

Legislate, winner of last year’s Vodacom Durban July, started odds-on for last season’s Queen’s Plate but finished last. He was found to be suffering from a virus and has not raced since finishing third to stable companion Futura in the Champions Cup at the beginning of August.

Snaith said: “Legislate is doing very well. I gave him a racecourse gallop last Wednesday, he went with a nice horse and won the gallop. He will have another next Tuesday.

“My only regret is that I couldn’t run him in the Diadem but that race is now too close to the Queen’s Plate.”

The Mike de Kock-trained Noah From Goa, winner of last Saturday’s Grand Parade Cape Guineas, is the only three-year-old among the 23 entries for the Queen’s Plate. The handicappers raised him 1.5kg to 111 for his classic win.

They left second-placed Brazuca unchanged on 109 but raised the Hong Kong-bound Nassa 6.5kg to 109 for finishing third. Silver Mountain (fourth) was left on 111 while Victorius Jay (fifth) was put up 3.5kg to 104.

Ken Nicol, commenting on Silver Mountain, said: “She might not have run up to her very best but the race was only two weeks after the Fillies Guineas and she did find a little bit of trouble in running.”

Silver Mountain was reported by the course vet to have suffered a cut on her right hind in the race but Candice Robinson said yesterday that she is fine.

By Michael Clower

Geoff Woodruff has reluctantly sent his SANSUI Summer Cup winner and runner up, Master Sabina and Deo Juvente, down to Cape Town earlier than intended and they arrived at the Milnerton training centre over the weekend.

Master Sabina (JC Photos)

The chief target for both is the J&B Met and Woodruff had wanted to train them out of Randjesfontein, but became “panicky” due to a recent positive African Horse Sickness case in North Pretoria, which fell only just outside a 40km radius from Randjes. If the case had been within the 40km radius they would not have been allowed to travel.

Both horses have also been nominated for the Gr 1 L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate but Woodruff is not sure yet whether they will take their places.

He admitted both Master Sabina, as a Gr 1 winner with a 108 merit rating, and Deo Juvente, off a 104 merit rating, had tough tasks under the conditions of the Met, which is basically a weight for age race with a Gr 1 penalty. Both horses would be 6kg under sufferance with the 120 merit rated Legal Eagle if the weights were set today.

However, he added the six-year-old Jet Master gelding Master Sabina should have come on from the Summer Cup, for which he was “only just ready enough and I think he got away with it”, while the four-year-old Trippi gelding Deo Juvente was a “big strong” young horse who was improving.

Woodruff faced a dilemma when Deo Juvente’s jockey Sean Cormack objected against Master Sabina in the Summer Cup, but fortunately the stipendiary stewards allowed him to remain neutral.

It was the third time in succession Woodruff yard had achieved the Summer Cup exacta and this included doing the trifecta two years ago.

This year’s result saw the five-time championship winning yard soaring from 18^th place on the National Trainer’s log to 7^th.

The two horses will be staying at the Woodruff satellite yard in Cape Town which is run by his daughter Lucinda.

By David Thiselton