Two horses displayed their Gr 1 Sansui Summer Cup credentials over the weekend, the Mike de Kock-trained Dynasty colt Alghadeer at Greyville when winning the Listed Jonsson Workwear Michaelmas Handicap over 1900m on the Greyville polytrack under Antony Delpech, and the Joey Ramsden-trained St. Tropez on the Turffontein Inside track, whose magnificent turn of foot saw him cutting through a Pinnacle Stakes field over 1800m like a knife through butter under Andrew Fortune.

Greyville was awash with pink at Friday night’s PinkDrive meeting. The generosity of the sponsors of race 2 to 9 on the card (Klawervlei Stud, Sean Tarry Racing, Investec, Drakenstein Stud, Jonsson Workwear, Varsfontein Stud, Cape Thoroughbred Sales and Gold Circle) enabled Gold Circle’s Racing and Marketing Executive Graeme Hawkins to present a cheque of R300 000 to PinkDrive, who work tirelessly in aid of the worthy cause of breast cancer awareness. Additional money was raised through an auction and donations and the big and appreciative crowd enjoyed a plethora of live entertainment laid on for the night.

In the Michaelmas the four-year-old Dynasty colt Alghadeer didn’t get the best of starts from the widest draw in the 12 horse field but Delpech persisted with the plan of going to the front and once he had got there, at about the 1400m mark, the horse settled well. However, his supporters would have been a tad concerned that too much use had been made of him as he had to come three wide around them on the turn. Meanwhile, the four-year-old Frank Robinson-trained Dynasty filly Olma, who was giving Alghadeer 3kg, had found the perfect position one wide in about fourth place, just behind the fancied Master James.

However, Alghadeer found a fantastic kick in the straight and then kept on resolutely, and Olma, despite running on well on the outside, never quite looked like getting to him. In the end she was beaten a length by her paternal half-sister in what was yet another triumphant result for the leading sire Dynasty. The Royal Rhumba came from last to finish third, just pipping the courageous seven-year-old gelding Penhaligon, who was having his third run after an eight month rest. Alghadeer, who was bred by the Gary Player Stud and is owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, was steady in the betting throughout as 4/1 favourite, while Olma was backed in from 14/1 to 9/2 and Master James, who finished fifth, started 11/2.

Alghadeer (pictured) only ran off a merit rating of 92. However, Delpech rates him a good horse and reckoned he could win a Gr 2 or Gr 3. That does not say much for his Summer Cup hopes but the manner of the victory, in which he found extra after his early exertions, could see him in with a shout if he is able to sneak into the field with a light weight.

The other two most impressive winners on the card were the Garth Puller-trained four-year-old Fort Beluga gelding Sea Urchin and the Paul Lafferty-trained three-year-old Warm White Night gelding Apollo’s Gift.

Sea Urchin was having just his third career start in a 1000m Maiden. He broke well for the first time in his career and strolled to a comfortable victory under Delpech, which suggested he would prefer further. Being a four-year-old and therefore favourably weighted in this maiden according to the weight for age scale, he will not be given a high merit rating and could run up a sequence of victories.

Apollo’s Gift was having only his fifth career start in a MR 74 Handicap over 1000m and won effortlessly to give Delpech a meeting hattrick.

Craig Eudey and Alec Forbes got the meeting rolling when the improved Kildonan gelding Buster Brown powered to an easy victory in a 1400m Maiden in his 17^th career start at odds of 8/1. The Dennis Drier-trained 15/10 favourite Ricochet Flyer faded tamely to finish unplaced.

The Drier yard made amends in the second, another Maiden over 1400m, as the hard knocking four-year-old Ashaawes gelding First Sea Lord finally got it right in second time blinkers in his ninth career start to just get up under a strong ride from Sean Veale at odds of 3/1, beating the Doug Campbell-trained 18/10 favourite Shine Up by a head. The Charles Laird-trained first-timer by Visionaire, Stokvel, ran on well for third and is one to keep an eye on.

Wendy Whitehead’s fantastic recent run continued as the four-year-old Kahal filly Thanda, who started at 15/2, put the bad luck of her last start behind her and under a good ride by Forbes won the third race, a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1400m, after fighting off the Michael Roberts-trained Chinese Whisper. The favourite Queen Of Thrones almost fell to her knees at the jump and finished tailed off.

The fifth race might have seen a world first, because all the jockeys wore the same colour silks, pink. It didn’t stop the great commentator Craig Peters delivering a faultless call with the only the colour of the caps to go on. Doug Campbell kept his good form rolling in this race as the Overlord filly Overlap and jockey Keagan de Melo recorded a quick 1600m polytrack double, having won together over course and distance four weeks earlier. She started at odds of 6/1. However, she ended up Tote favourite after original favourite Let It Rip was scratched at the start.

In the seventh, a MR 82 Handicap over 1000m, the Robbie Hill-trained Tiger Ridge gelding Bengal Boy surged through late to give De Melo a meeting double and deny Campbell’s Fire The Rocket a course and distance double. However, the horse for the notebook is the Sean Tarry-trained Arabian National, who was unable to make use of his  blistering early pace after a tardy start and instead pulled for his head in behind horses. He still looked likely to win when running on well, but had no answer to the winner’s late charge and was just pipped for second.

In the ninth, a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1000m, the hard knocking Kumaran Naidoo-trained Querari filly Simla overcame an outside draw before powering clear and easily converting 16/10 favouritism under Ian Sturgeon.

At Turffontein on Saturday, the classy four-year-old Silvano gelding St. Tropez was having his first start since staying on for second under a bit of a weak ride in the Gr 3 tabGold 2200 on Vodacom Durban July day. He was always travelling well under Andrew Fortune in midfield and turned it on impressively in the straight before staying on resolutely to repel the persistent pacemaker Ahlaam. St. Tropez looks likely to love the 2000m course and distance of the Summer Cup and the long straight should suit his style.

Another impressive winner at Turffontein was the Mike de Kock-trained three-year-old Tiger Ridge gelding Noah From Goa, who overcame a wide draw in a MR 74 Handicap to win by 6,25 lengths,  giving Delpech his fourth winner on the weekend. This was Noah For Goa’s first start on turf and his only defeat in three starts to date has been in a Non-Black Type feature over the too sharp 1000m on the Vaal sand. Saturday’s win could earn him a place in this Saturday’s Gr 3 Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m, although he is unfortunately drawn widest of all among the 27 horses still standing their ground.

– David Thiselton
– Picture: Alghadeer winning the Michaelmas Handicap at Greyville on Friday night (Nkosi Hlophe)

Chevauchee could well jump straight from a maiden to a Grade 2 on Saturday week after fully justifying her exalted home reputation in the opener at Kenilworth on Saturday.

Despite losing significant ground at the start she was able to lead 300m out and come away under not much more than hands and heels to win easing up.

Bernard Fayd’Herbe reported: “This is a very smart filly and she is going to get better over further. We are expecting quite a bit from her.”

The Australian-bred is by the dual Derby winner High Chaparral out of a Danehill daughter of Irish Oaks winner Knight’s Baroness. She is owned by the Ridgemont Stud of Magnum boss Wayne Kieswetter.

Joey Ramsden said: “I have only had one horse before that could outrun the treadmill and that was Variety Club. This one can do it too and I will definitely consider the Choice Carriers.”

Vaughan Marshall is gearing Exelero back towards the big time after the way the Byleveld-ridden 12-1 shot disposed of the big names to win the Pinnacle Stakes in a time only a third of a second outside the course record.

He said: “Exelero is now showing us what he was showing early in his career. I am prepping him for the Cape Merchants on November 14 and then we will see how good he is.”

Heartland, the 7-2 favourite, disappointed but the course vet found him short behind. Justin Snaith, though, reckons that Prince Of Wales is an Investec Cape Derby contender even though Donovan Dillon’s mount only got up close home in a blanket finish for the seven furlong maiden.

He said: “This was over the short run-in with a tail wind. Over ten furlongs on the summer course he will be ten lengths better.”

This was Snaith’s 50^th winner of the season and was the fastest half century of his meteoric career. Brother Jonathan reckons this is the fastest 50 that any South African trainer has ever achieved.

Stable companion Petala, who justified favouritism in the 1 400m Progress Plate, goes for the Choice Carriers but Snaith doubts her ability to get a mile in the Fillies Guineas.

Ovidio, who completed a double for Sean Cormack and a treble for Snaith in the Woolavington, was stepping up in trip and is expected to stay further.

Snaith said: “It has taken a lot of work to get him here – it hasn’t been plain sailing by any means – and we have had to do a lot of building.”

Consequentially started favourite for the Place Your Bets Maiden won by Grant van Niekerk on the Bass-trained Seventh Sister but finished plum last. She hit the rail before the straight and fell back as she became unbalanced. Darryl Hodgson, Hassen Adams and Chris Puller had better luck with Valediction in the six furlong fillies maiden.
– Michael Clower
– Picture: Ovidio winning the Woolavington at Kenilworth yesterday (courtesy of SportingPost.co.za)

Three of the last nine Cape Classic winners have gone on to triumph in the Cape Guineas and Greg Ennion aims to make Eighth Wonder the fourth after the way the Captain Al colt totally defied his lack of support in Saturday’s Magnum test to spring the biggest Classic shock in 15 years.

Nobody wanted to know the Moutonshoek-bred who drifted ominously from 12-1 to 20-1. Just about the only ones who showed any interest were owners Ockie Schoeman and Braam van Huyssteen, the latter watching on his phone in the Twickenham rain.

But MJ Byleveld was able to make light of a terrible draw and send his mount on just inside the final furlong (“I was impressed with the way he quickened”) to beat the strong-finishing Rodney by two and a quarter lengths with 5-2 favourite Hard Day’s Night less than half a length away third.

Ennion said: “He won this very comfortably and he is only going to get better from now on. This was his third run for me and today was the first time he wasn’t exhausted afterwards – previously he was absolutely b…ered.

“I don’t know about the Selangor on November 21, although obviously I will have a look at it, but our mission all along has been the Guineas. So too is the Derby because he is going to go over ground.”

Ennion has been training for almost 40 years but big race triumphs have been hard earned – and equally hard to come by – and he is understandably intent on making the most of it now that fortune is smiling on him, reflecting: “We can all train the good ones but it’s a question of getting them – and for small yards that is almost impossible.”

Rodney will go for the Selangor and the Guineas with Aldo Domeyer reporting: “He ran on well but this was too short for him.”

Hard Day’s Night, who went to the front just under 400m out but never looked like pulling away, has the CTS Million Dollar carrot influencing future plans. “The Selangor?” queried Joey Ramsden. “Who knows? The sales race is worth so much money.

“But I was pleased with Hard Day’s Night. While I wouldn’t want to take anything away from the winner, I honestly thought mine ran well because he was totally not wound up.”

Purple Mountain (fourth) and fifth-placed Brilliant Crimson both ran far better than their big starting prices would suggest and Candice Robinson said: “Brilliant Crimson would definitely prefer a mile, he is improving and he will be a better horse in six months’ time.”

Forward Drive, much happier allowed to bowl along in front, coughed afterwards but that may not have been significant as Ian Sturgeon said: “He was a bit bubbly and I am sure this will bring him on.”

Captain Chaos hit the pens as he jumped – he lost five lengths according to the starter although the commentator put it at 12. However Justin Snaith was even more brassed off than Ronnie Sheehan, in his case because of the way the race was run.

Snaith said: “It turned into a sprint – Bernard Fayd’Herbe (sixth on Aspara) said he had never been so fast round the turn – and I don’t train horses for races like that.”
– Michael Clower
– Picture: Eighth Wonder winning the Cape Classic at Kenilworth yesterday (courtesy of SportingPost.co.za)

Hard Day’s Night stands out in the Magnum Cape Classic when racing returns to Kenilworth tomorrow and the talented colt can become the third in succession to win this test for Joey Ramsden in the famous Jooste colours.

He was most impressive against older horses over a furlong further at Durbanville last time, giving weight all round, having everything else in trouble a long way out and winning pulling up. He seems sure to start favourite and that’s a positive with favourites winning half the last 12 runnings.

His biggest danger is probably his habit of drifting right in the closing stages. Donovan Mansour (pictured) reckons this is psychological because he remembers the sore shins he has had in the past. Ramsden says the horse had this slightly after Durbanville but adds: “He is doing very well.”

Captain Chaos and Eighth Wonder are the equal of Mansour’s mount on adjusted merit ratings but the draw puts them at a serious disadvantage.  Ronnie Sheehan reckons his Cape Nursery winner is only 80% ready but Eighth Wonder is fighting fit.

“I do think he is more of a Derby horse and I wasn’t going to run him here from that draw,” says Greg Ennion. “But he has come out of his last run so well and he does have a lot of natural speed.”

The Stone Thrower is rated little more than a length behind the top three but he has not run since July. “We cut him since then, he has had a slightly interrupted preparation and he wouldn’t be quite where I want him,” says Ramsden.

The penalty structure is hard on Baritone for winning his last three and Bernard Fayd’Herbe has opted for stable companion Aspara. “There was very little in it between them but it was the draw that decided us,” says Justin Snaith. “But I’m worried about the trip. They would both be better over a mile.”

Forward Drive, another handicapped by a wide draw, did not race with his usual flair when held up last time although Paul Reeves reckons the educational value was considerable.

“If he pops the gate he will be up handy and hopefully he will then run a better race,” says the trainer. “But I will leave it to the jock. Making the running only to hit a brick wall 200m out wouldn’t be ideal.”

Mike Bass is bidding for his sixth Cape Classic in 14 seasons and Grant van Niekerk has opted for Ernie in preference to Rodney and Brilliant Crimson. “It was very difficult to choose,” he admits. “But Ernie ran very well in a sprint the other day.”

Seymour was impressive when winning a Greyville polytrack maiden and, although the handicappers were not taken – they only rated the gelding 79 when they could have gone up to 91 – Dennis Drier has not got where he is today by mistaking his geese for swans.

Purple Mountains has not raced for nearly four months and, as Xavier Cartsens cannot claim his allowance, the colt is effectively putting up 1.5kg overweight while Roman Discent is the lowest rated horse in the field.

Icy Fire appeals in race five as does Marinaresco 40 minutes later.

The PinkDrive meeting at Greyville tonight will be abuzz with atmosphere in support of the good charity-raising cause of breast cancer awareness and there look go be a few good opportunities on both that card and at the Turffontein meeting on Saturday.

The tips for tonight are Ricochet Flyer to beat Dark Avenger and Oracle Kingdom in the first, First Sea Lord to beat Shine Up in the second, Queen Of Thrones to beat Red Seductress and Gordon’s Cungee in the third, Sea Urchin to beat Lord Luton and Bank It in the fourth, Let It Rip to beat Mission Rapids and Royal Denise in the fifth, Master James to beat Olma and Solar Star in the Listed Michaelmas Handicap, Arabian National to beat Harrison and Tonto in the seventh and Heart Of Christmas to cause an upset in the eighth at the expense of Chapel Queen and Simla.

Turffontein has a nine race card.

In the first race Silvery Dream is by Silvano and is a half-sister to the useful Living With Heart who won over this trip on debut. She is drawn in pole and doesn’t have much to beat and S’Manga Khumalo is an eyecatching booking. Another first-timer Green Goddess is by Invincible Spirit out of a Majmu mare but her wide draw will make it tricky. Sweet Chestnut ran on well from behind over 1200m on debut in a similarly weak field and should appreciate the step up in trip. Nesspresso has found betting support twice in similar fields and Gavin Lerena has kept the ride from a fair draw over a trip the horse should appreciate. Russian Friend was in with a winning chance last time when going clear over 1200m but faded and was found to have bled so looks to have some ability. Catwalk Tease is a hard knocking but exposed sort who could earn. Lingerie could earn after a sluggish start on debut and not much luck thereafter.

In the second over 2600m, Aszkaban is trained by Weiho Marwing, whose renowned for his ability to win staying races, and this horse caught the eye when staying on resolutely over 2000m in May and giving the impression he would enjoy this trip. Yours And Mine should enjoy the step up in trip too and could be a threat. Beaufort Sea makes most appeal of the rest.

In the third over 1600m, Neptune’s Jewel could win if reproducing his first start over 1400m when green and staying on well because the form of that race looks reasonable. He disappointed over this trip last time but was found to not be striding out. Trippi colt Magical Moon stayed on well for a narrow loss over 1200m when backed on debut and as a half-brother to Jackson he should enjoy this trip. The form of that first run is not great, but he does jump from pole position. Izbdaba stayed on  over 1400m last time and has scope for improvement. Belenos could improve over this trip and is well drawn. Kinaan disappointed last time over 1400m but was staying on late and could earn over this step up in trip. William Nicol could also earn. Matchmaker is by Dynasty out of the Gr 1 Cape Fillies Guineas winner Sports Chestnut and cost R850,000 so is interesting from a good draw.

The fourth sees some classy sorts clashing in a Novice Plate and Al Azraq looks the one the side with as his only two defeats on the Highveld have been to the highly promising Bull Valley and his tremendous speed should make him suited to the minimum trip.  Captain Nemo made an impressive debut over 1160m and will likely appreciate stepping back to a sprint after disappointing over 1450m, so he will be a threat.

In the fifth over 1800m St. Tropez is a classy sort who should be staying on strongly. Master Sabina also has plenty of class and Gavin Lerena is an eyecatching booking in his return to the course after a layoff of a year. It’s an open contest and Deo Juvente, Easy Lover and Disco Al could also be included.

In the sixth over 1450m Love Token looks to have the class to rise above a 77 merit rating so looks the one to side with from draw three over a suitable course and distance. She returns from a 180 day rest but being by Silvano has likely strengthened and benefitted from the rest. Cape Marigold is an honest sort and Andrew Fortune could help her overcome her wide draw, while Modern Muse has her third run after a rest and could earn off a lowered merit rating.

The seventh over 1450 Regal Force is well drawn over a suitable trip under Weichong Marwing and has a good chance considering her strong finish. Noah From Goa looks to have some class and doesn’t face an inspiring field so could go close despite a wide draw. Steel Wing is drawn wide but is suited to this trip and will be running on. Var Bay goes for a hattrick and will be suited to this course and distance, although the draw is a concern. Aza Arrow would prefer further but should be finishing strongly.

The eighth over 1200m China Beach has come class and is interesting stepped back in trip. Sharp Princess did well in the Golden Slipper over 1400m but the form of the two-year-old fillies Gr 1s from last season are suspect and her 89 merit rating makes it tough. Inyanga looks to be useful and should be in the shakeup.

The ninth over 1200m Dolphin is improving and has caught the eye lately so is the one to beat under Andrew Fortune. Fiedelio and Colmant make most appeal of the rest.
– David Thiselton
– Picture: St Tropez, on the right, contests the fifth at Turffontein tomorrow (Nkosi Hlophe)