Greyville stages a nine race midweek meeting on the poly today and there look to be some good opportunities for punters.

In race 1 over 1200m Brigtnumberfive made a promising debut over 1000m at Scottsville and was still green so with natural improvement is the one to beat. Euthenia is having her third run after a layoff and will likely attempt to steal it from a better draw than she had last time when tiring late and finishing second over course and distance. Between The Sheets made a fair comeback after a year’s layoff at Scottsville over 1000m when finishing 4,75 lengths behind a promising sort but is a temperamental sort so a lot will depend on how she behaves in the prelims. Roy’s Dancer is by Western Winter and is a half-sister to the consistent 85 merit rated Mumsy’s Jet. Ntokazi by Mullins Bay looks the pick of the Howells first-timers on riding arrangements and her full-brother Mount Hillaby finished second in the R3 million Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup two years ago.

Master James (Nkosi Hlophe)

In race 2, a Maiden over 1600m, New Hampshire should relish the step up in trip on pedigree, being by Dynasty out of an SA Oaks winner, but can’t be tipped confidently as he shows a fair amount of speed and pulled for his head over 1200m last time. Soldier’s Code has a wide draw but is likely still improving and with Delpech up will make a bold bid as he has done well over course and distance before. Shine Up ran on over 1400m last time and should be thereabouts from a good draw.  Bankable Teddy improved last time with blinkers over this trip on the Turffontein Inside course and stayed all the way to the line.  Team Guys nearly made all over 1800m last time and is probably better suited to that trip, but could earn. Royal Champion is another one who can’t be ignored in an open race.

In race 3, over 1600m, Zaida strikes as a progressive type and with Delpech up could follow up on her maiden win over a step up in trip she should relish. Beautiful Jet has fine form but returns from a nine month layoff. She does not show much at home but has had a couple of gallops. The draw is not a concern as she always drops out and runs on strongly. Classy Looker could earn dropped back to this trip. Le Çhat D’Amour, drawn in pole, has done well over this trip before but would prefer further.  Timeforatiger enjoys the poly from 1600m upward but Sean Veale, who handles her temperamental quirks best, has jumped ship on to Classy Looker. Rock Of Laudium could earn if bouncing back from a tailed off run when the jockey believed something was amiss.

In the fourth over 1600m, Queen Of Credit finished only 3,8 lengths back in a Gr 1 over 1400m on July day and having not been disgraced against the boys last time over 1400m should be cherry ripe and in with a good chance off a mere 71 merit rating. The draw is only a slight concern as she likes to run from off the pace. Jive Session ran a fine race in her penultimate over course and distance and now has Marcus up from a good draw.  Off Ramp has a chance with Delpech up despite a wide draw. She should have benefitted from her last run over 1200m and will likely prefer this trip.

Le Chat D’Amour (Nkosi Hlophe)

In the fifth over 1600m Master James returns to the distance of his wins and should be cherry ripe in his third run after gelding. Buffalo Bill gets a good draw for a chancg and will go close over what now looks to be his ideal trip. Way Of Light is a progressive sort who is also course and distance suited but the handicapper might be getting to grips with him now. Gold Bank is in fine form and has a chance. Tell The Tale has ability and has a chance if reproducing his best from a good draw.

In the sixth over 1600m Petite Master is said to be in a good space by his yard and from pole position over an ideal course and distance off a reduced merit rating is the one to beat. Charles My Boy won in good style last time and the handicapper hasn’t been harsh on him. Peter Piper is always a threat if behaving himself.

In the seventh over 2000m Battle Hammer was slow away and raced wide when going close over course and distance in his penultimate start so could win from a good draw with Fortune up. Spirit Of Dover went close in his first try at this trip. Night Shadow had been a disappointing type until stepped up to 1800m and winning easily so is interesting stepped up to 2000m. Mr Winsome won well but is off a tough merit rating. Avaricious improved last time and Marcus is now up.

In the eighth over 1400m Jade Vine runs off a merit rating almost 30 points lower than her sand merit rating and is hard to oppose from a good draw over a suitable trip. Chennai Babe and Leylani make most appeal of the rest.

In the ninth over 1000m Wishful Heart runs off a merit rating 20 points lower than his sand rating and is drawn well with Marcus up over a suitable trip. Super Guppy had a sudden form return when beating a fair sort over this trip easily on the Vaal sand last time out and is running off a merit rating 18 points lower than his sand rating. Thunder Run should make a bold bid from the front.

By David Thiselton

Legal Eagle, who was sent out favourite for this year’s Vodacom Durban July, has been nominated to make his comeback in the Grade 2 Victory Moon Stakes over 1800m at Turffontein on Saturday 14 November.

The Sean Tarry-trained four-year-old is one of 39 runners entered in the R400,000 race on a day that also sees the staging of the International Jockeys’ Challenge. The race is the main warm-up event for the Grade 1 SANSUI Summer Cup which will be run on Saturday 28 November.

Tarry has indicated Legal Eagle (pictured – JC Photos) would either be aimed at the Summer Cup or the J&B Met at Kenilworth early next year. This year’s SA Derby winner is well drawn at No 10 for the Victory Moon and will come in even further when the final field is announced.

Tarry has also entered Whiteline Fever, Halve The Deficit, The Hangman, Orchestrated and Stonehenge.

Muwaary, an impressive winner of Saturday’s Grade 3 Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m, is also among the nominations, however, Mike de Kock’s charge was landed No 36 draw so it will be interesting to see if De Kock takes a chance and runs the three-year-old.

Import Flying The Flag finished 12^th in the Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile on Saturday so with the jury still out, De Kock may decide to give him another run, something he was not keen to do.

The former champion trainer was hoping for a forward showing and could then go directly into the Summer Cup.

Alghadeer was an impressive winner of the Michaelmas Handicap at Greyville but might need to do more to book a Summer Cup berth so De Kock might decide to have a crack at this event, despite No 30 draw.

Last year’s winner, Judicial, is also among the entries. After leading the pack home last year in heavy going, the Tyrone Zackey-trained runner finished third behind Louis The King in the Summer Cup.

Declarations for the Victory Moon Stakes close on Thursday at 11am.

Also run on the day is the Listed Gardenia Stakes for fillies and mares over 1000m and that could see a clash between Carry On Alice and Winter Star if they both accept.

Entries, weights and draws for the R400,000 Victory Moon Stakes (Grade 2) over 1800m at Turffontein on Saturday 14 November.

10 LEGAL EAGLE (S G Tarry) 62.0; 17 HOT TICKET (D Kannemeyer) 58.0; 27 JUDICIAL (T Zackey) 58.0; 16 FLYING THE FLAG (M F De Kock) 57.0; 3 HALVE THE DEFICIT (S G Tarry) 57.0; 37 KILLUA CASTLE (G V Woodruff) 57.0; 15 MASTER SABINA (G V Woodruff) 57.0; 4 RAMPANT ICE (W H Marwing) 57.0; 24 YER-MAAN (S J Gray) 57.0; 7 DISCO AL (J Ramsden) 55.0; 26 KINGSTON MINES (M F De Kock) 55.0; 18 DOUBLE CLUTCH (P V Lafferty) 54.0; 14 EASY LOVER (S T Pettigrew) 54.0; 1 HEAVY METAL (S G Tarry) 54.0; 12 JOSHUAS CROWN (A D Gordon) 54.0; 13 MAC DE LAGO (W H Marwing) 54.0; 19 THE HANGMAN (S G Tarry) 54.0; 22 WHITELINE FEVER (S G Tarry) 54.0; 35 AHLAAM (M F De Kock) 51.5; 30 ALGHADEER (M F De Kock) 51.0; 5 AS YOU LIKE (A G Laird) 51.0; 23 COOL CHARDONNAY (W H Marwing) 51.0; 38 CRIME VICTIM (D C Howells) 51.0; 25 DEO JUVENTE (G V Woodruff) 51.0; 20 EARL OF DERBY (A G Laird) 51.0; 9 FULCRUM (W H Marwing) 51.0; 39 GREEK LEGEND (M G Azzie) 51.0; 21 JOHNNY ROCKETS (S J Snaith) 51.0; 28 MASTER JAMES (D Kannemeyer) 51.0; 36 MUWAARY (M F De Kock) 51.0; 34 ORCHESTRATED (S G Tarry) 51.0; 2 PIVOTAL PURSUIT (G Alexander) 51.0; 29 PLATINUM JET (G H Van Zyl) 51.0; 6 PRINCE OF ORANGE (M G Azzie) 51.0; 31 RUSHMORE RIVER (J A Soma) 51.0; 11 SARATOGA DANCER (D C Howells) 51.0; 33 ST TROPEZ (J Ramsden) 51.0; 32 STAVINSKY (L J Erasmus) 51.0; 8 STONEHENGE (S G Tarry) 51.0

Entries for the R150,000 Listed Gardenia Stakes (F&M) over 1000m

9 CARRY ON ALICE (S G Tarry) 61.5; 6 SARVE (C Spies) 61.5; 10 WINTER STAR (J A Janse van Vuuren) 61.5; 2 CROWN OF ROSES (D Zaki) 60.0; 13 LITTLE GENIE (D Zaki) 60.0; 12 DRIFTING DUSK (M N Houdalakis) 58.5; 8 KWINTA (S M Ferreira) 58.5; 16 MISS DECEMBER (R R Magner) 58.5; 14 SEVENTH SYMPHONY (L W Goosen) 57.0; 23 TWILIGHT TIGER (R R Magner) 57.0; 20 WOLVERINA (C Spies) 57.0; 11 SEATTLE LADY (J A Janse van Vuuren) 55.5; 17 SPEEDY SUZY (C Spies) 55.5; 15 A MILLION DREAMS (L W Goosen) 54.0; 21 BOARDING CALL (C Spies) 54.0; 24 CLOSE RELATIVE (G V Woodruff) 54.0; 1 CUTE LADY (L W Goosen) 54.0; 22 EASY STREET (L W Goosen) 54.0; 7 PERFUMED LADY (M F De Kock) 54.0; 18 USISI (R R Magner) 54.0; 3 VA BENE (J A Janse van Vuuren) 54.0; 19 LADY AL (C Binda) 52.5; 4 BRIGTNUMBERFOUR (R R Magner) 50.0; 5 ROXY LADY (L W Goosen) 50.0; 5 HA LUCY (M N Houdalakis) 50.0

Racegoers will have a sense of déjà vu on Saturday at Kenilworth when seeing national log-leading jockey Andrew Fortune climb aboard the classy Glen Kotzen-trained filly Princess Royal, as he was unbeaten in four starts on her champion half-sister Princess Victoria, two of them in Gr 1s.

Princess Royal is running in the Gr 2 R400,000 Choice Carriers Championship over 1400m and Fortune is replacing Kotzen’s stable jockey Greg Cheyne on her because the latter is retained along with Bernard Fayd’Herbe by Ridgemont Stud and was unable to commit early.

Fortune has duly flown to Cape Town twice to gallop the Captain Al filly and Kotzen said the veteran jockey had been “very excited” with the workouts.

She has gained a reputation as a temperamental sort who can misbehave badly on the course on occasion.

However, Kotzen said, “She had a nice long break after the Champions Season and is exceptionally well. She didn’t enjoy Durban at all but has never put a foot wrong in Cape Town. We chose Andrew to ride her as he should suit her quirkiness and of course he was unbeaten on Princess Victoria. She has matured beautifully but we will still take precautions and take her down early. Andrew said she has the equine equivalent of being bipolar as she will suddenly throw her toys for thirty seconds and will then come through it and behave as if nothing had happened.”

Princess Royal was a touch unlucky when losing by a length to Entisaar in the Gr 1 Allan Robertson Championship over 1200m at Scottsville as she was forced to switch around runners and ended up on the unfavourable outside going. In the Gr 1 Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper over 1400m on Vodacom Durban July day she moved up ominously in the straight and then didn’t go through with it, but none of the yards runners appeared to run to their best on the day.

Princess Royal has landed a fair draw of eight in the 16 horse field on Saturday and on a merit rating of 105 is the second highest rated contestant behind Entisaar.

She has an electric turn of foot, just like her half-sister, and looks to have the potential to follow in the latter’s footsteps by winning both the Choice Carriers Championship and the Gr 1 R1 million World Sports Betting Fillies Guineas on December 5.
– David Thiselton

Mike de Kock will send his Allan Robertson winner Entisaar (Anthony Delpech) for the Choice Carriers Championship at Kenilworth on Saturday.

The filly is officially the best horse in the 16-strong field – a kilo better than the Glen Kotzen-trained Princess Royal (Andrew Fortune) who was a length second in the Allan Robertson – and a minimum 4kg better than any of the others. De Kock last won this Cape Fillies Guineas trial with Phillipa Johnson 12 years ago.

Justin Snaith, who has won half the last eight runnings, fields four but not R1.4 million purchase Bela-Bela who made such a big impression when scoring on debut in August.

Chris Snaith explained that the team were not willing to run her from a wide draw but she needs to run (and win) again to be sure of getting a run in the World Sports Betting-sponsored classic on December 5. Her engagements include two 1 400m handicaps at Kenilworth next Wednesday.

Neil Bruss is bringing down Keagan de Melo for his Thekwini Stakes fourth Flying Ice while former champion Delpech also has four rides for Dean Kannemeyer.
– Michael Clower

Arniston has over four lengths in hand in the All To Come Graduation Plate at Kenilworth today if he can be persuaded to produce his best form – and he has disappointed in his last two starts.

There were legitimate excuses when  he finished plum last on July day – he was found to be not striding out on his left fore – but the reasons for his dropping back in the closing stages of the Matchem were less obvious.

However stable confidence is higher now that he is back at Kenilworth. “He hated Durbanville,” says Chris Snaith, referring to the Matchem performance, “and he will run well here.”

The main threat, certainly on adjusted merit ratings and probably also on form, is the Dean Kannemeyer-trained Lord Marshal who was second to Ready To Attack in both the Langerman and at Durbanville last time. He opened favourite at 18-10 with Betting World yesterday and Arniston was a 2-1 chance.

Half the 16 in the opening maiden are newcomers and Twenty Four Carat, who opened 7-2 favourite,  looks the pick of those that have raced even though Auditorium didn’t do much for the selection’s last Kenilworth run when only fourth on Saturday.

Grant van Niekerk (pictured) has opted for 5-1 first timer Mr Piscato in preference to stable companion Barnstable (10-1) whose form is in the book. Significant? “Not really,” answers Candice Robinson. “Grant quite likes Mr Piscato but I think the horse is going to need it. Barnstable is not the easiest ride and Robert Khathi has ridden him twice before.”

The in-form Adam Marcus introduces Gyre (10-1) and Saint Roch (14-1) with Sean Cormack booked for the latter. “They are both nice sorts and I’ve put Sean on Saint Roch because this is a progressive sort and I’m hoping that Sean will be able to stick with him,” Marcus explains. “But I haven’t wound up either of them so I’m not expecting that much.”

One of the basic Kenilworth punting principles is not to back those drawn wide over 1 400m but Mulher De Branco (woman In white in Portuguese and big in monster movies) has shown so much promise in her two starts that she might well be able to cope with pen eight out of ten in the Place Your Bets Maiden. She is 12-10 favourite with Durbanville runner-up Kryptonite next best on 5-2.

Ma Choix was raised 2kg for her Durbanville win but, as that was her first outing for eight months, she should be able to confirm the placings with Elusive Wave despite being 1.5kg worse for just over a length.

“It’s her second run after a rest which is a concern,” cautions Andre Nel. “But she is doing well and the extra furlong this time is definitely in her favour. We are aiming her at the Victress Stakes in December.”

Aldo Domeyer’s mount is attractively priced at 9-2. The hat-trick seeking Sea Glass and Durbanville scorer Good Grace dispute favouritism on 4-1 but the latter has been raised 2.5kg for her win.

Roman Silvanus lost his Durbanville race in the boardroom but he could be hard-pushed to beat three-year-olds Nebula and Bora Bora in the concluding maiden. Preference is for the Snaith horse who ran on well from some way back over two furlongs less last time and is 5-2 second favourite.
– Michael Clower