Parachute Man has a big chance of making it three in a row in the Settlers Trophy at Durbanville tomorrow.

Normally you would bet against a horse who is attempting to defy the handicappers like this – and Greg Cheyne’s mount has been raised 4.5kg for his last two wins – but there are grounds for believing that he is still quite well treated.

He finished nearly two lengths in front of Seize The Throne in the Winter Derby and they again meet at levels. He beat Arezzo a length last month and gives him the same half kilo.

“He has improved and I don’t think he is badly handicapped,” says Darryl Hodgson. “Indeed he should have won the Winter Classic. He went many lengths clear and tired close home.”

What is also in favour of Hassen Adams’gelding is that the bottom four are all under sufferance albeit not by very much. His biggest negative is that the last seven favourites have all been beaten and he seems certain to head the market.

There is no common denominator amongst the weights and ages of recent winners but MJ Byleveld has won four of the last six runnings and he is again on Desert Swirl who attempts to follow the example of Sun City, the only dual winner in the past 18 years.

The five-year-old has been raised only 3kg since, not bad considering he also won the Woolavington. “He will run very well,” says Vaughan Marshall who confirms that last time’s outing over 1 400m was a prep for this.

However Justin Snaith’s pair Seize The Throne and Arezzo could prove a bigger threat because both are in form and neither is fully exposed. “I should have a good Saturday and these two both have chances,” says Snaith, bidding for his third Settlers in nine seasons. “Seize The Throne is an out-an-out stayer. Arezzo is a little under sufferance (1.5kg) but most of the good stayers are not in the race.”

Friendly Tibbs runs over this trip for the first time since last year’s Winter Derby but Piet Steyn is adamant that this should not be taken to mean a doubt about the five-year-old’s stamina – “There is no problem with the distance. He was running against Power King and Dynastic Power in that race and he was not far off them. I am also expecting a good run from Forte De Ouro who needed his last run here.”

However there are doubts about Can Cope getting the trip. Her last two wins were over 1 800m and 2 000m. “She tends to pull,” says Harold Crawford. “If Lucien can get her settled behind something she might be alright but she won’t stay if she fights.”

A Time To Kill, a half-brother to Durban July winner Dunford, tackles this distance for the first time since his well-beaten fifth in last year’s East Cape Derby and is 2kg under sufferance. But Mike Bass has won two of the last nine runnings and Grant van Niekerk is a cracking good jockey.

No horse has won this with 60g or more this century and Paddy O’Reilly’s 64.5 surely rules him out, particularly at the age of nine and after three months off.

By Michael Clower

Picture: Greg Cheyne (Liesl King)

Act Of War has been supplemented for the Kuda Matchem Stakes at Durbanville on Saturday week but last season’s Cape Guineas winner has once again drawn badly- 19 out of 27 – and he is far from certain to run.

Racing manager Derek Brugman said yesterday: “We’ll see. It will depend on who runs and who doesn’t but it’s intended to be the start of his summer campaign and he is only 80% ready. I don’t want him to have high pressure by having to overcome, say, a ten draw.”

Joey Ramsden has also supplemented La Rebel (Fairview Listed placed when with Yvette Bremner) for the Diana Stakes on the same card.

The jockeys will race on foot after the last at Durbanville on October 10 when they are turning the meeting into a charity event for the Western Cape Equine Trust and the WP Grooms School.

Some owners are sponsoring jockeys to run in their own colours and the public can also “buy” individual riders to support the charities. Such events normally turn into an Aldo Domeyer benefit and 12 months ago he was so superior that he was able to turn round and taunt the opposition by running the last few metres backwards.

MJ Byleveld said: “We want to give something back to retired racehorses as well as to the grooms and we have a whole series of sponsors to benefit the cause.

“We are inviting the public to come and meet the jockeys after racing and perhaps join us in watching the rugby. It’s the Wales-Australia game that day.”

Richard Fourie is lending his support from Hong Kong by becoming one of the sponsors.

Grant Behr, taken to hospital after being kicked on the arm in the parade ring on Saturday, made the journey there again yesterday. He was kicked on the leg at the start for the first race and said he expected to have stitches inserted.

By Michael Clower

Picture: Act Of War (Liesl King)

The supporting features at the Vaal on Saturday will be full of intrigue and getting them right will help punters land a piece of the Pick 6 pool which is expected to reach close to R5 million.

The first leg of the Pick 6, the Non-Black Type Investec Sophomore Fillies 1000 sees the reappearance of the exciting Lucky Houdalakis-trained Var filly Speedy Gonvarlez, who converted all the talk into reality on debut when scooting in by eight lengths over course and distance. She could improve further but the field she faced last time was uninspiring and she might not quite be a banker.

Her stablemate Howdulikeit showed sudden improvement to win her maiden over 1200m on the sand and then beat her well regarded stablemate Firstimesacharm easily over 1300m on turf, admittedly when receiving 2,5kg. She went to the front in both those wins and is interesting stepped down to this trip. Speedy Suzy has speed and class and being by Trippi should love the sand. There is not much between her and Mella Maria, who also makes her sand debut. Perfumed Lady also won easily on debut on turf and could improve further.

In the second leg, the Non-Black Type SAP Sophomore 1000, Sean Tarry rates Faberge Style, who is the only filly in the field, his best chance on the day and she has a shout having won her maiden over course and distance by over ten lengths. However, Haddington ran a comfortably quicker time than her when winning on debut over course and distance and being by Ideal World he will likely have a lot of scope for improvement. Noah From Goa converted yard confidence over course and distance on debut and could also improve and for wider the two topweights Alaca and Kingoftheworld should be considered.

The third leg is the Listed Britehouse Supreme Fillies and Mares Stakes and the ever improving Walking On The Air has been unfortunate to have a merit rating that falls at the very bottom of one of the weight bands, meaning she is officially 2kg under sufferance with some of the opposition, but that might not stop her from a draw of two that will suit her handy style of running down to the ground.

Peep Show should be on top of Walking On Air at the line according to the weight turnaround from their last meeting and showed last time when winning in commanding style over course and distance that she is improving, which is not surprising being by Ideal World. Topweight Antonia’s Fortress is an interesting sand debutant being by Fort Wood and having been close behind the Equus award winner Hammie’s Hooker in the Prix du Cap over this sort of distance, so she must have a shout with Andrew Fortune up over a suitable trip.

Maria Theresa is interesting on this surface for the first time being by Dynasty and it is a suitable trip, although she does have a wide draw to overcome. Run For Revelry comes in at the top of one of the merit rated bands, so is officially well weighted and she could improve on her last start over course and distance when well beaten by Peep Show as she jumps from pole position instead of draw ten.

The fifth leg of the Pick Six is the Listed SAP Hampton Handicap over 1000m and the brilliant Trip Tease has to lug 63,5kg off a merit rating of 114 but this might not stop him considering how well he won last time over course and distance despite banging his head on the starting stalls. This day often suits ultra speedy types so the pacey Victorious, who is only 0,5kg under sufferance carrying 52kg, could be good each/way value especially considering he should love the surface on pedigree.

Trip Tease’s stablemate Varbration has Andrew Fortune up and showed he handles sand when comfortably winning the World Sports Betting Sprint over this distance at Flamingo Park, so he could be a threat off just a three point higher merit rating and receiving 7kg from Trip Tease. Another stablemate Wishful Heart is improving and is 4kg better off with Trip Tease for a 3,5 length beating so could get closer. Doing It For Dan is yet another stablemate in with a chance considering he won comfortably over course and distance in his penultimate start, despite breaking through the stalls. The fifth of the Louis Goosen runners is the talented One Man’s Dream who makes his sand debut over his ideal trip. Tiger Territory can never be ignored over course and distance as he is very quick on his day and has won six times from eleven starts over course and distance.

The final leg of the Pick 6 is the Listed Banyana Handicap and the flying Judpot filly Little Genie might still be running off a capped merit rating having once again destroyed them in a 1000m handicap on the turf to record a hattrick last time out. Drifting Dusk is a big powerful sort who is sure to be running on strongly. Brigtnumberfour is all heart and there is not much between her and Drifting Dusk. Easy Street showed her liking for the course and distance when winning easily on her sand debut and she could continue to progress. Sarve has a touch of class and can’t be ignored despite carrying topweight as she has won twice over course and distance before.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Faberge Style (Nkosi Hlophe)

Greyville’s eight race meeting could herald a return to form for private Richmond-based trainer Doug Campbell, who has some strong winning chances.

In the first, a maiden for fillies and mares over 1000m, the well-bred Mogok filly Race Me Home is well regarded by Campbell and has caught the eye in two starts over this trip. One concern is that she has jumped slowly both times, but Campbell is hoping she will be well placed from a good draw with Anthony Delpech up. Campbell could hardy separate her from Dark Rose who is best suited to this trip and on formlines has a fine chance from a good draw. Chapel Queen has pace but has 1,75 lengths to make up on Race Me Home from their meeting, where both were making their debuts, and she is drawn wide. However, she improved in her second start and can’t be written off. Glimmer Of Silver showed pace over 1200m last time and is an improving sort who is interesting stepped down to this trip with a tongue tie on, although she does have a wide draw to overcome. Antarctica is improving and runs for an in form yard. None of the first-timers make particular appeal.

The second is a Maiden over 1000m. Y’retheone was squeezed out late last time over 1000 last time when showing pace so could have got closer and he now has a 4kg claimer up from a good draw, so looks the one to beat. Shreya’s Star has caught the eye running against some good sorts and last time made up a lot of ground after losing a few lengths at the start and could be excused for running out of puff late. Bank It has fared well against some useful sorts and has early pace and Anthony will help him overcome a wide draw.  Lord Luton’s best run was over course and distance and he now has a tongue tie on after making a respiratory noise in that race. Roy’s Power should be running on well over a suitable course and distance. Strummer is by Var out of the Sportsworld mare Hello Margarita, who was placed third in both the Gr 1 Allan Robertson over 1200m and the Gr 1 Cape Guineas, and he is a half-brother to the useful Cruzwithmecaptain, but Campbell believes he will be better from 1200m upward.

The third is a MR 74 Handicap over 1000m. Fire The Rocket is coming off a fine 0,75 length third over course and distance last weekend in a Pinnacle Stakes and after being  freshened up he is so well in himself that he Campbell is keeping him in the race. A repeat of that last performance in this handicap will make him hard to beat. However, he is only 1kg better off with National Approval, who beat him over course and distance recently and has landed another plum draw. Ho’oponopono has plenty of speed and is interesting stepped back to this trip. However, he is an unsound type which is always a concern.  All True Man was slow into stride when beaten 0,9 lengths by National Approval last time and is now 1kg better off so should be thereabouts. Antwerp is a talented but difficult sort who could go well fresh over this trip and Frisket has scope for further improvement.

The fourth is a very open MR 86 Handicap over 1400m. Mackdesi won well over course and distance last time and being by Galileo will be continually improving. Silva Hawk has a touch of class and was hanging late when going close over 1600m last time, so is interesting stepped back to this trip. Mumsy’s Jet is a reliable sort who jumps from a good draw over an ideal course and distance and the trainer described him as “fit, fit, fit”, despite having last run at the beginning of July, as he is a smallish horse who “trains himself.”  Way Of Light must overcome a six point raise for his last win but won his only start over course and distance and represents an in form yard. Just Ask Me, Cinema Scope and Tuscan can’t be ignored.

In the fifth over 1600m Peace Again was unlucky last time when running on as usual and she now has a plum draw. Lertasha has come into her own and can overcome an eight point raise for her easy last win over this ideal trip. Gr 1-winner Bilateral is coming to hand and this is her ideal trip. Supercede would prefer further but can’t be ignored running fresh with a 4kg claimer up. Kileigh is talented but enigmatic and in the right mood could easily cause an upset.

In the sixth over 1600m Alzerra has hard-knocking Cape Town form, where horses’ merit ratings are often suppressed by the class of horse they are up against, so she is the one to beat from pole position. Campbell expects a good run from Swanee River, who loves the poly and has come down to a competitive merit rating over a suitable trip after being unlucky over 1900m last time. Lemon Tea would prefer further but is coming into her own and will be running on strongly.

In the seventh over 1600m Leopard Lily faces weaker than she has been and is well drawn over a suitable trip. Mark My Card was not disgraced against a strong field last time over 1200m and should not only enjoy the step up in trip but being by Miesque’s Approval should love the poly.  Campbell expects a good run from Overlap who was unlucky the last time she went this course and distance.

In the last over 2000m the hard-knocking Princess Varunya will relish the step up in trip on pedigree and will be hard to beat provided she settles, as she has over-raced over 1600m before. Ravishing Romance is an improving sort who is proven over this trip. Wind Trader runs as if she would enjoy the step up in trip and could plug on into the money.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Doug Campbell (Nkosi Hlophe)

Alec Laird runs the improved Trippi gelding Solar Triptych in the Gr 2 R1 million Supreme Cup sponsored by SAP, but both he and the yard’s other feature race runner on the day Walking On Air are not officially well weighted in their respective events.

However, he did say both horses had been working well. Both horses will be ridden by KZN Champion Apprentice Callan Murray.

Solar Triptych carries bottom weight of 50kg, but is weighted 2kg below the top of his particular merit rated band and is therefore 3,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted horse in the race, the filly Jade Vine, and 2kg under sufferance with the best weighted males in the race, Deputy Jud and Isphan. Solar Triptych has improved as he has strengthened but is now five-years-old, so does not have much further scope despite being relatively lightly raced. However, he is an honest sort and would have come on from his last run, so could earn from a fair draw of seven.

Walking On Air contests the Listed Britehouse Supreme Fillies and Mares Stakes over 1450m. Her merit rating is also at the bottom of one of the merit-rated bands, which immediately puts her 2kg out. However, this five-year-old A.P. Arrow mare has shown amazing improvement this season with her turf rating improving from 62 to 79 and her sand rating improving from 62 to 84.

In her last two sand starts over 1450m and 1600m respectively, both handicaps, she has won by 6,8 lengths and 3,25 lengths respectively. In the 1450m start she beat Peep Show by 6,8 lengths, but is now 7kg worse off so they should finish on top of each other on paper, considering margins on the Vaal Sand are treated at 75 % of the normal length/distance factor by the handicapper. However, draws have become important over the course and distance and Walking On Air has cracked a fine draw of two, which will particularly suit her front-running style.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Solar Triptych (Nkosi Hlophe)