The strapping Wesley Ward-trained American filly Acapulco, who was highly impressive when winning the Gr 2 Queen Mary Stakes over five furlongs at the Royal Ascot meeting in just her second career start, will attempt to become the third two-year-old in the last 25 years to win the Gr 1 weight for age Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes over five furlongs at York tomorrow (Friday) and has been priced up as the 6/4 favourite with William Hill.

Legendary South African jockey Michael Roberts won the race on the two-year-old Richard Hannon-trained filly Lyric Fantasy in 1992.

Roberts recalled, “She was only two bricks and a tickey high, she was so small I could actually sit in the saddle and touch her ears, but she was very quick and I just sat off the pace and let them cut throats in front. I remember the owner Lord Carnarvon, who was the Queen’s racing manager, telling me that he had always told Sir Gordon Richards that no rider was allowed to ride any of his horses more than one pound overweight. I said ‘Thankyou Sir’ but still had to do a lot of wasting to make the weight!”

Roberts eventually did indeed ride the horse one pound overweight the carded 7 stone 7 pounds (about 47,5kg).

Due to the weight for age scale, which has only undergone minor alterations since formulated by Admiral Henry John Rous in 1860, Acapulco as a two-year-old filly will also be receiving a massive 27 pounds from older males, 25 pounds from three-year-old males and 24 pounds from the older females. However, as the weights are set higher across the board these days she will have to carry 7 stone 12 pounds (about 50kg).

The USA-bred Acapulco is by Scat Daddy (Johannesburg), who was the USA champion first season sire in 2011. Fittingly Scat Daddy is a Coolmore-owned sire and Acapulco is owned by the Coolmore partners Derrick Smith, John Magnier and Michael Tabor. Acapulco, unlike Lyric Fantasy, is an imposing “monster” who looks more like a four-year-old. However, she has tremendous speed and dominated the Queen Mary in the same way Lyric Fantasy did 23 years earlier to win impressively by 1,5 lengths (Lyric Fantasy won it by five).

Acapulco only ran once in the USA before flying over for the Queen Mary and she could only manage a 7,75 length third over 4,5 furlongs at Churchill Downs, but clearly needed it as she was rushed into the lead before fading. The defeat didn’t stop her from starting 5/2 favourite in the 20 horse field in the Queen Mary and duly converting those odds under the brilliant Ryan Moore. Ward took Acapulco back to the USA after Royal Ascot and she has been flown back in for the Nunthorpe. He had hoped Hall Of Fame jockey John Velazquez would take the ride, but he was unavailable, so another top class lightweight rider, the up and coming Puerto Rican 23-year-old youngster Irad Ortiz, has reportedly been engaged although he is yet to be declared.

Ward was lyrical about Acapulco’s preparation and said, ““Her coat is in amazing condition. She looks like a leopard, all dappled out and with spots everywhere. She is still doing some sensational breezes, just as she was before Ascot. She is doing everything right. I’m so excited. This would trump everything else I’ve achieved in racing, even at Ascot. To race a two-year-old against older horses is something that would never be contemplated in the States. People don’t believe it’s possible when I tell them what we’re planning. I’ve never felt I’ve had the right horse to do it in the past. This time I do have the right horse.”

The second favourite for the Nunthorpe at 5/1 with William Hill is the William Haggas-trained Muthmir, who finished a narrow third in the Gr 1 King’s Stand Stakes over five furlongs at Royal Ascot before being well beaten in the Gr 1 July Cup over six furlongs at Newmarket and then winning the Gr 2 King George Stakes over five furlongs at Goodwood.

The amazing Edward Lynam-trained five-time Gr 1-winning eight-year-old Sole Power, who won the Nunthorpe at odds of 100/1 as a three-year-old in 2010 and won it again as 11/4 favourite last year, is the third favourite at 6/1.

Muthmir will be ridden by Paul Hanagan and Sole Power, who was fifth in the King’s Stand and fourth in the July Cup, will have Frankie Dettori aboard as his regular rider Richard Hughes retired from the saddle after the Glorious Goodwood meeting in order to prepare for his new career as a trainer.

The first two-year-old to win the Nunthorpe was High Treason in 1953 and the last one to do it was Kingsgate Native in 2007. The race is littered with famous names, including “the flying filly” Mumtaz Mahal (1924), the great Abernant (1949,1950), Sharpo (who became the second horse to win the race three times (1980-1982), the filly Habibti (1983) and Dayjur (1990).

The race will be shown live on Tellytrack at 16h20 South African time tomorrow.

By David Thiselton

The Vaal stages an eight race meeting on the sand today and there could be one or two opportunities for punters.

In the first race She’s A Flirt is by Announce, whose progeny love the sand, and she duly went close on her sand debut over this course and distance when staying all the way to the line. Andrew Fortune rides and she is selected despite quite a wide draw.

Mystify Me caught the eye on debut over 1000m when running on after a slow start and probably has more scope than She’s A Flirt, but this is her first start around the turn and she will need to jump on terms. She has the advantage of an accomplished 1,5kg claimer aboard and is well drawn. Buddy’s Falcon could be in the money and others to consider are Love Tryst and River Empress.

The second is an intriguing Pinnacle Stakes event over 1600m. Ahlaam appears to have come into his own considering his last start when winning unextended over course and distance by four lengths despite jumping from a wide draw. This appears to be his optimum trip and draw six will allow him to employ his favoured front-running tactics.

However, the concern is that Lavender Landscape drawn two outside of him also enjoys running from the front, so the race could set up nicely for Solar Triptych, who could sit in behind them and pounce under Fortune. Prince Of Orange, who has faced the best on turf without being disgraced and has won the sand before, could also go close. He is well drawn with Anton Marcus up and is selected to run second with Ahlaam third and they could be followed by Killua Castle and Capricorn Ridge, who was unlucky at Flamingo Park last time.

The third is a weak maiden over 1600m. The temperamental Rose Of Castille could be calmer in the fine hands of Andrew Fortune and will see out the trip. Pride In Battle looks to be a sand specialist who should be right there, although she would probably prefer slightly shorter. Susquehanna ran quite well second time on the sand over 1800m and could also be considered along with Sweet On You and Eastside.

In the fourth over 1600m, topweight Cristal Arrow has come three points down the merit ratings and faces a much weaker field than in her last two. She is also well drawn. Polar Secret is course and distance suited and wasn’t disgraced in a stronger race last time out over the too far 1800m. Madame Alexis disappointed over 1200m last time but will appreciate the step up in trip. Pearlware, Knock Knock, Arabian Arrow, Embrasiatic and Nkomo make most appeal of the rest.

The fifth is a maiden over 1450m. Racing Red should improve over this distance and could be the one to side with from a good draw. Blue Blazer ran a good race last time over course and distance from a similar draw and Ian Sturgeon remains aboard. De La Vere is by Sarge, whose progeny go well on the sand, and he could improve on his reasonable turf form. Pera Hur has Strydom up from a good draw and on best form should be a contender. Mystic Realm stayed on well over course and distance last time and is now better drawn.

Marsden could do well if repeating his best run over course and distance. Roving Jet did well on the turf last time over this trip, but Jet Masters don’t appear to enjoy the Vaal sand and Roving Jet’s only start on the surface was duly poor. De Lujo’s sire is Ravishing, who is by Jet Master, which makes his suitability to this surface questionable.

In the sixth over 1000m, Brigtnumberfour has ability and is the one to beat over a suitable course and distance. Wishful Heart ran a good race last time over course and distance in a strong field, despite losing a length, and now has Strydom up. The speedy Battle Of Alma can never be ignored over course and distance but is five points higher in the merit ratings after his last win. Call Kelly is a solid sort who can always be relied on. There is plenty of pace in the race and it could pan out well for Gems A Plenty, so he has to be considered.

In the seventh over 1000m Nomvula is interesting dropped back to this trip and has the class to win. Ballerini has been thereabouts against some fair sorts and should be right there. Lizzie’s Legs is off an attractive merit rating. Defining Looks bounced back with an easy win over 1200m last time and could be a runner with Fortune up. Strydom remains faithful to easy turf winner A Million Dreams, but for a young three-year-old he has a tough task off a merit rating of 82. Star Empress actually has Ballerini beaten on their last meeting over course and distance, but is inconsistent. Slick Deputy is off an attractive merit rating and could earn.

In the last over 1800m Commodore Al will attempt to make it two wins from two starts over course and distance and the handicapper hasn’t been harsh on him. Big Shot looks to be an improving sort and will be course and distance suited. Escudo was staying on well last time over 1600m behind the much improved Walking On Air. There is not much between Colonel Rockjaw and Commodore Al. Lord Windsor stayed on well to win his penultimate over 1600m here, so should enjoy the step up in trip.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Andrew Fortune

Five top runners destined for the Dubai Carnival in 2016 are presently based in Mauritius on their way to the UAE.

Ertijaal, Al Mashooqa, Tellina, Liquid Mercury and Mutamakkin will be in quarantine on the island until 3 November when they will be shipped to Newmarket, UK, for another stint in quarantine before they travel to Dubai.

A sixth, Majmu, has been earmarked for Shadwell Stud in the UK, she is also holidaying in Mauritius with her stablemates.

Mike de Kock, recently back from Mauritius, reported on Wednesday that his small 2016 contingent is doing very well in the Mauritius sun. He said: “The facilities are very good, we’ve gone via the same quarantine base that Soft Falling Rain and Variety Club travelled through previously. There is an exercise track and a walker, Declan Cronin is overseeing their stint on the island and they’re all in excellent shape.”

He commented on individual horses, saying: “Ertijaal is bred for sand, we’re confident he’ll take to the Dubai track and fulfil his potential. Mutamakkin is a solid horse, perhaps better than his rating and Al Mashooqa too is the type we expect to improve in Dubai.

“Liquid Mercury is a smart sort. He was purchased for the stable from Joey Ramsden’s yard by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, while Tellina was given to us for this campaign by Dr Andreas Jacobs.”

De Kock added that Mubtaahij was another one who is enjoying his rest and finds himself in super condition at Newmarket, where in due course he will be joined by the new jet-setters from South Africa.

• Mikedekockracing.com

Picture: Tellina (JC Photos)

Mike Bass’s condition is showing slight signs of improvement although he remains in intensive care in a Cape Town Hospital.

Rodney was given an emotional reception after the Bass-trained gelding won the Place Your Bets Maiden at Kenilworth yesterday and rider Grant van Niekerk said: “I wanted to win this for Mr Bass. Everyone knows how ill he is but thank God he is coming along the right way.”

Bass’s daughter Candice said that the initial prognosis had been poor but added: “He is now stable and there is a bit of improvement. We are not out of the woods yet but the doctors are a lot more positive.”

– Michael Clower

Glen Puller may have been out of luck with Western Storm on Saturday but he had compensation with Harlem Shake in the last and he can strike again with Solar Night in the Midweek Winter Racing Maiden at Kenilworth tomorrow.

Brandon Morgenrood’s mount has finished in the first three on all his three starts and now steps up from 1 200m to a mile. “He should be a better horse going round the turn and I think this trip is what he needs,” says the trainer.

Solar Night, somewhat understandably, opened 15-10 favourite with Betting World today when League Of Legends and Bora Bora were next best at 3-1. Justin Snaith’s colt was considered good enough to go to Durban but League Of Legends may prove a bigger danger. He is rated Solar Night’s equal and, although drawn widest of all, his trainer Paul Reeves does not see this as a problem, saying: “He has plenty of gate speed and he is doing very well at home. I think he is a big runner.”

La Flambee looked a certain future winner when second at 100-1 on debut but she coughed after working on Saturday and Adam Marcus has scratched her from the opening maiden. Variance (who opened big at 10-1) comes from the in-form Vaughan Marshall stable and raced green when showing promise on debut. But Silver Banshee makes more appeal – despite being unfavourably drawn – and she opened favourite at 5-2.

Corne Orffer’s mount finished fourth to Star Academy on debut when Like Janis and Sandton Rocker (both placed on Saturday) were second and third.

“She was working well before her first run and she has done well since,” says Brett Crawford. “With normal improvement she should run a good race.”

Hard Day’s Night caught the eye first time – he ran on well from a long way back and was not given a hard race – and is a Winning Ways horse to follow. That run was nearly three months ago but the Joey Ramsden-trained colt may still win the Place Your Bets Maiden. He is a huge price at 10-1.

Rodney (7-2), who lost ground at the start on debut, seems sure to go close while Union Jack (also 7-2) and Marshall’s 8-1 shot Banderos also have claims. Don’t ignore Salinger (8-1) either despite last time’s expensive Durbanville outing. “He didn’t like Durbanville and we want to see if he can do better here,” says Justin Snaith who cautions: “But this is a very competitive race.”

Donovan Dillon may get off the mark in Cape Town on Ilium in the next. The Snaith filly is the best on merit ratings – although she is meeting the four-year-olds on terms 5kg worse than weight-for-age which nullifies that advantage – and she had Preoccupation a length and a quarter behind when they met over a mile at the beginning of last week.

She is favourite at 5-2 with the consistent but luckless Make The Magnet next best at 3-1 and Preoccupation on 7-2.

By Michael Clower

Picture: Brandon Morgenrood