Following the abandonment of the last two races at Scottsville yesterday and the jockeys’ concerns with the going on the turn between the 800 and 600 metre marks, Gold Circle has decided to move Wednesday’s (23 December 2015) race meeting to Greyville with all races remaining on the turf.

In addition the two races not run at Scottsville on Sunday will be moved, as carded, to the Greyville turf track this coming Saturday, 26 December 2015.

Racing can be sublime theatre, on an off the track, but no matter that most were willing the filly Silver Mountain to victory, letting sentiment influence sound reasoning can be fatal when it comes to punting. And so it proved as Noah From Goa stamped the Dingaans form in the Gr1 Grand Parade Cape Guineas at Kenilworth yesterday and the diminutive favourite Silver Mountain fell victim to some bullying tactics by her male rivals.

Anthony Delpech rode the perfect race on Mike de Kock’s gelding, tracking the pace and making his move at just the ride moment. But it was not all plain sailing. “He struggled around the turn and was always on the wrong lead. It just goes to show what a good horse he is. He knows how to win,” he commented post-race.

After the scratching of Rabada earlier in the week Anton Marcus replaced Donovan Mansour on Selangor winner Hard Day’s Night and as is Marcus’s want, he pushed forward early to make the pace with Budapest and Noah From Goa tucking in behind with Brazuca also handy.

Silver Mountain broke well enough but was shuffled back to midfield.

Noah From Goa and Silver Mountain (Liesl King)

Hard Days Night and Budapest both folded tamely leaving Noah From Goa clear early in the straight and he stuck to his guns, just as he had in the bruising Dingaans battle.

Silver Mountain looked to have got bullied by her bigger male rivals when being shuffled back in the early running and turned for home out of her ground. She did quicken to threaten briefly before running out of puff inside the last furlong.

Candice Robinson, who saddled Silver Mountain for her father Mike Bass, was philosophical. “We would have liked to have seen her race closer in the early stages and she got a bump on the bend. We may not have beaten Mike’s horse but with better luck I think she would have finished closer,” she said. Under the circumstances it was a great run.

Brazuca looked buried a furlong out but was doing his best work late to snatch second ahead of Nassa, the pair relegating Silver Mountain to fourth.

“The draw killed us,” said Brett Crawford of third-placed Nassa. “We would have sat next to him (Noah From Goa) and it would have been a different race but it was a good run under the circumstances.”

Noah From Goa has only one blemish on his record in six outings and given the manner of victory the Guineas/Investec Derby double is on the cards for the son of Tiger Ridge although Matthew de Kock, standing in for his father Mike, was cautious in his response. “He’s had a hard season and we’ll see how he pulls up tomorrow. There are some nice races in the Cape season but we will see.”

There was some cheer for Duncan Howells as Same Jurisdiction pulverised some high class opposition in the Grand Play Conditions Plate. A labour dispute forced him to scratch all his Greyville runners on Friday night and forfeit his trip to Kenilworth.

But Same Jurisdiction warmed up for either the Paddock Stakes of the Majorca Stakes, still to be decided, in superb fashion as Anton Marcus asked her to stretch 300m out and she responded with a telling run to leave the opposition struggling.

Heartland and Bernard Fayd’Herbe (Liesl King)

Weight, too much of it, is a curse that most jockeys have to contend with, not more so than Bernhard Fayd’Herbe. Staying alive on the sniff of a burger from Burger King to keep his weight under 60kg, there a few finer in the saddle and his talents were on display as he got Heartland home in the Cape Premier Sales Jets Master Stakes (L) in a bruising battle with Smanga Khumalo and Silicone Valley. Heartland gave his rival 6kg and when Silicone Valley slipped his field it looked all over. But Fayd’Herbe, biding his time in a pocket on the rail, squeaked through a gap at just the right moment. Heartland, a full brother to Cape Derby winner Jackson, looked a certain winner as he charged home but Silicone Valley was not done. Khumalo extracted more from his mount when challenged but just not enough as Heartland got up to stave off the unkindest cut of all – for now at least.

Justin Snaith relinquished his championship title to Sean Tarry last term but things are looking bright nearly half-way through the current season. Snaith leads the log with 89 winners, R1 million and 25 winners ahead of Tarry, and there have been ominous signs for his title rivals as he has already palmed the first two juvenile scurries of the season and bagged four winners on yesterday’s card.

Var Ahead got the ball rolling last Saturday and Snaith and stable rider Fayd’herbe struck again in the first yesterday as The Merry Widow had too much toe for the opposition. It was the first leg of a treble for Drakenstein Stud as the Dean Kannemeyer-trained filly Impala Lily showed the benefit of experience as she got home ahead of debutant Leisure Trip in a tight finish to the third and Same Jurisdiction rounding off a memorable day.

At Turffontein Dominic Zaki, who handed in his trainer’s brief last week, gave an emotional farewell speech on Thursday but had one more fish to fry as he signed off on a winning note at the same venue yesterday.

Apprentice Craig Zackey, who has been riding as first call rider for the yard for the past few months and who comes out of his time at the end of January, showed just why he is a rising star. Showing nerves of steel, he timed his run to perfection on the aptly named Last Battle to give Zaki the perfect send-off.
– Andrew Harrison

Silver Mountain looks a worthy favourite to beat her male opponents and complete a famous Guineas double in the Grand Parade version at Kenilworth tomorrow.

Aldo Domeyer’s mount has done pretty well everything right so far, she has a good draw this time  and the advantage of her 2.5kg allowance – worth two and a half lengths – should not be underestimated.

For Mike Bass it’s a last throw of the dice at the only big Cape Town race he has never won. “Silver Mountain has definitely got more to do this weekend,” he says. “I would like to think she is good enough but obviously I’m guessing. You can’t tell from their work at home. Only when they race do they show you how good they actually are.”

Silver Mountain (Liesl King)

She is 11-10 (with Betting World) and 33-10 second  favourite is the Dingaans winner Noah From Goa who has won four out of five and represents Mike de Kock, bidding for his fourth Cape Guineas and his first for 12 years. Is the colt good enough to beat Silver Mountain?

“That’s a difficult question but it’s what we are coming to find out,” says De Kock’s son and assistant Matthew. “She will be hard to beat but I don’t think she will be as comfortable as she has been against the fillies and the form of this year’s crop could be a little bit suspect.”

Brazuca (6-1) is the highest-rated male – although three and a half lengths behind the filly at the weights – and has won both his starts since going close in the Golden Horseshoe. Johan Janse van Vuuren sent him to Brett Crawford (successful with Elusive Gold two years ago) for the last part of his preparation.

The Selangor winner has gone on to take this race five times in the last ten and Joey Ramsden has won two of the last four Guineas, both pointers to 14-1 shot Hard Day’s Night. Agonisingly for Donavan Mansour, the draw-defying big race ace Anton Marcus is waiting in the wings now that Rabada has gone down with pharyngitis. A decision will be made today.

“I gave the colt a little break after the Selangor and freshened him up. He has done very well since,” Ramsden reports. “Silver Mountain looks exceptional and will be hard to beat but Budapest also impressed me. He put up some performance in the Ready To Run and he could be a major opponent.”

A line through Anglet puts Budapest (14-1) only a length and a half behind the favourite, albeit there are a good few ifs and buts involved. “Silver Mountain has the draw and the class,” says Gavin van Zyl. “But my horse has done well since his win and he has the speed to overcome his 14 draw.”

However the first seven in the Selangor were covered by little more than the width of a horse blanket. Victorius Jay (16-1) finished closest but the ones that really caught the eye were Nassa and Illuminator who both finished like a train. They are 16-1 chances and Andrew Fortune has already said that his mount would have finished closer had he had more experience.

Nassa would appear to be stymied by his dreadful draw and the gremlins have similarly struck 25-1 chance Eighth Wonder who was fancied and unlucky that day. Purple Mountains and Rodney were also close up in the Selangor. They could again finish on the heels of the placed horses but they don’t look like Guineas winners.

The 40-1 about Liege is almost an insult for a horse from the stable of the champion trainer and ridden by a former champion jockey but, even if you ignore his last run, his form does not look good enough.

By Michael Clower

The double header in KZN this weekend with eight races on the poly tonight and ten races at Scottsville on Sunday provides some good opportunities for punters.

The first tonight is a Maiden over 1400m. Brazzaville returns from a layoff but looks a fair sort with plenty of scope and from pole position over a trip too sharp he could use his long stride effectively. Shreya’s Star ran on well over course and distance last time out and the form has worked out well so from a good draw he should go close.  Destined For Dawn stayed on over 1200m in his last poly start in August and with Anton Marcus up has a chance despite a wide draw. Lancat led over 1200m last time and stayed on quite well and should be involved over a step up in trip she should appreciate. Caprivi has some ability but has made breathing noises before. Neither of the first-timers make particular appeal.

Buster Brown (Nkosi Hlophe)

The second is a fillies and mares maiden over 1400m. Overly Impressed is an imposing sort and ran on in eyecatching fashion on debut when green over 1600m and from a good draw is the one to beat here. Eleven returned coughing last time with first-time blinkers but still managed to stay on well after being left with too much to do when the front runners escaped. She will have a chance from pole position here having gone close in her previous start over the same course and distance. Glimmer Of Silver has some early toe and being by Silvano out of a National Assembly mare who won over 1400m she is interesting here as a possible pacemaker. Young Lass is by Kahal and is full-sister to a three-time winner from 1000-1450m Nordic Lass and a half-sister to the Listed-winning sprinter Mr Mickey Mouse. Spiritos is by Mogok out of a Comic Blush mare and is a half-sister to a three-time winner.

The third is a MR 70 Handicap over 1400m. Buster Brown has thrived since hold up tactics have been used as he has an exceptional turn of foot. He is drawn widely again but should be finishing strongly and is 1kg better off with Ready For Takeoff for a 0,75 length beating if apprentice claims are ignored and 5kg better off if they are counted. Millrace’s only win was over this course and distance and on recent evidence he will relish going over this trip for the first time since. The blinkers remain on. Secret Warning was touched off late over 1600m on the turf last time and should enjoy this trip on her poly debut. Winter Auralius looks to be a progressive sort and has not been unduly punished by the handicapper for his running on maiden win over course and distance. Ready For Take Off is drawn in pole and as a game sort has a chance of doing the double despite a six point raise. Argyle Bay is down to a competitive merit rating and this is a suitable trip. Moi Power stayed on quite well over 1200m last time and might be ready to try this step up in trip.

The fourth is a MR 94 Handicap over1400m and the classy Exit Here could make it five in a row over a suitable distance in a likely preparation race for the CTS Million Dollar. The consistent Just Ask Me was raised three points for his last win and the second and third horses have both won since. Kiss Me Hardy, Waltzed Home and Buffalo Bill make most appeal of the rest.

The fifth is a MR 69 Handicap over 1400m and this looks a good opportunity for Big Si, who was a touch unlucky over 1600m last time when staying on strongly. He will enjoy this trip and has Delpech up from pole position. Keep Your Light On should have come on from his last start and should be finishing strongly over a suitable trip. Vitruvian Man returns to the poly, which he loves, off just a two point higher mark than his last win here over 1600m. In The Trenches returns to the course and distance of his only win. Prof Tiger disappointed last time when found to have made a respiratory noise but if bouncing back has a chance.

Exit Here (Nkosi Hlophe)

The sixth is a Graduation Plate over 2000m for fillies and mares. Work Ethic is officially best in at the weights after a facile maiden win over this trip in her first poly start and could follow up. One Way Ticket is officially 2,5kg under sufferance with Work Ethic but has age and experience on her side and went close over course and distance in her penultimate start when fading late.  Anthony Delpech has stuck with Little Chapel who won a handicap over course and distance last time out but is now officially 6kg under sufferance with Work Ethic.  Lemon Tea has some fair form but looks held by One Way Ticket on their last meeting over course and distance. Barcelona Babe is officially way under sufferance but ran a fair race last time over 1900m against a good sort.

The seventh is a MR 74 Handicap over 2000m. Pure Valor is an improving sort who looks likely to rise above his current merit rating campaigning over this sort of trip. Rio De La Plata also looks better than his merit rating suggests and can fight out the finish. Grey’s A Rockin is better than his last run and will enjoy the step back to this trip. Taegan’s Jet is course and distance suited and drawn well. Night Lock always gives of his best.

The eighth is a weak Maiden over 2000m and Smart World looks hard to beat as he caught the eye staying on strongly over 1400m on the turf last time and being by Ideal World should relish the step up in trip.

At Scottsville on Sunday Barbosa should win the second and Miss Argentina looks the one to side with in the fifth, the highest rated handicap on the day.

By David Thiselton

The Pick 6 for Kenilworth’s big Gr 1 Grand Parade Cape Guineas meeting will include a R400,000 carryover and the pool is expected to reach R2,1 million, which will be a nice carrot for punters.

Silver Mountain (Liesl King)

The first leg is a Maiden over 1200m. Recently there does not appear to have been any draw bias down the straight at Kenilworth and the side they end up taking over towards appears to have more to do with the pace of the race than anything else. Anton Marcus has chosen Arctic Blast above Overshadow. The former showed good natural pace last time and stayed on well to record his third runner up spot in four outings. He could be a banker, although another one to possibly include could be Impressed, who was a well beaten third on debut but caught the eye as one with plenty of scope for improvement.

The second leg is the Non-Black Type Racing Association Need For Speed Sprint over 1000m, a conditions race in which Western Storm and Tar Heel are officially best and second best in respectively. However, they were both well beaten by Captain Chaos when they last met over this course and distance. That was back in June, but since then Captain Chaos has only been tried over further, possibly in preparation for the R2,5 million Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes over 1400m, in which he finished a cracking third. He looks likely to enjoy the step back to this trip and is the one to beat. Forward Drive is highly regarded and won well over course and distance last time out so is another who must be included. Juan Two Three has put in some impressive performances in Port Elizabeth and is another to include, especially considering he is now being trained by the masterful Dennis Drier. Tar Heel could possibly be a consideration and of the others the filly Just Felicity is worth considering.

The third leg is the Listed Jet Master Stakes and Justin Snaith holds the trump cards. Kingvoldt makes most appeal as he has always been talented and has now had the gelding which he badly needed. However, Snaith’s stable jockey Bernard Fayd’Herbe has opted for Heartland, another talented type, who was slow maturing and should now be coming into his own. The capable Light The Lights is best in at the weights and is another one who is sure to have benefitted from gelding as he became a difficult customer in the latter half of last season and continually disappointed. He should be cherry ripe after two good recent sprints. Those three make most appeal and beyond them the entire field has to be considered.

Inara (Liesl King)

Next up is the big one and Silver Mountain looks a special horse who is going to be hard to beat. The Mike Bass yard continually delivered the meeting banker in the days of the great Pocket Power and the filly will be prepared to the tee so is worth taking a chance with as a sole Pick 6 inclusion.

The next leg is the Gr 3 Cape Summer Stayers Handicap over 2500m and a small field of eight faces the starter. The pace of Kenilworth staying races is notoriously difficult to predict due to the varying wind conditions and jockeys reluctance to lead into the prevailing headwind. This usually plays havoc with the form so it might be worth including the whole field in this race.

The last leg is a high class Conditions Plate over 1400m. The brilliant Same Jurisdiction and the twice Gr 1-winner Inara, who is unbeaten in two starts over this trip this season, are the stand out must-includes. Alexis is full of class and speed, making this trip her probable optimum, and she is also best in at the weights so is worthy of inclusion. Fear Not is a highly progressive sort who is drawn in pole over an ideal course and distance and she must be considered despite having a tough task at the weights on official merit ratings. Eventual Angel is also full of class and the best has likely not been seen of her yet, so she can’t be ignored. The courageous Siren’s Call has proven form against the best so must be considered as the Champion Sean Tarry yard will have her ready for her seasonal reappearance.

By David Thiselton