Justin Snaith, unhappy about losing out on a second trainers’ championship, is going all out to regain his crown this season and he underlined the point by taking four of the first five races at Kenilworth yesterday.

He said: “The Ready To Run races knocked the wind out of us last season but they won’t count this time and I am going to have a full go at the title.”

Alpha Pegasi, as expected, proved to be the easiest of the Snaith winners and the evens favourite came up the stands side under Greg Cheyne to lead 150m out in the itsarush.co.za Graduation Plate and score far more convincingly than the near two-length verdict would suggest.

Snaith said: “It’s very hard to find races for horses of his high rating (96) – even now he has only won three – but he will go for the Matchem when he could have a fitness advantage.”

He will need it because one of his opponents in the October 3 Kuda-sponsored Durbanville highlight will be Captain Chaos who could be one of the three-year-old stars this term.

Veteran trainer Ronnie Sheehan, on the mark with Mambo Fever and Rush For Roses, said: “He has been on holiday but he has had a couple of canters and he has improved.”

That’s not the only cloud on the Snaith horizon either and the ex-champion disclosed that one of his big concerns is that Cape Town could go the way of Durban and Port Elizabeth by installing a polytrack.

He said: “If that happens they would switch the races from the grass course when it rains to save the turf and for those horses that like the soft the winning days would be gone.”

It was the victory of Ovidio, the second for new stable jockey Bernard Fayd’Herbe, that brought these fears to the surface. The top weight may be Australian-bred – and therefore likely to want it fast – but he is by the Irish sire Danehill Dancer.

Snaith’s opening winner, the Grant van Niekerk-ridden Baritone, drifted from 7-2 to twice that price thanks in no small measure to all the money that poured on the Brett Crawford-trained Midnite Zone. Corne Orffer’s mount was backed at all prices from 12-1 down to 7-2 joint favourite yet he never looked like collecting and finished halfway down the field.

Crawford said: “We thought he would run better than that. At home he is a bit stronger than My Man Alex who finished fourth. He only started to come into it at the end so I think he now needs to go round the turn.”

Dynastic Power, winner of the Betting World 1900 and last year’s Winter Derby, is recuperating from a virus infection and is the only one of Stan Elley’s string that has not been allocated to a new trainer.

Elley said: “He has had a virus that is affecting his nerve endings and he is having a break on a farm. No decision has been taken about him.”

Mike Bass has taken over three of the now-retired trainer’s Philippi team including the useful My World. Dogmatism has gone to Alan Greeff in Port Elizabeth where Yvette Bremner has also been sent one. Vaughan Marshall has one and another is now under the care of Lucy Woodruff at Milnerton. Dennis Drier has three that have been campaigning in Durban including the July runner-up Punta Arenas.

By Michael Clower

Picture: Justin Snaith (Nkosi Hlophe)

Sean Tarry broke through for his first National Trainer’s Championships this past season having finished in the top ten for the previous ten seasons in succession and having been runner up on three occasions. In the process his yard set a new South African stakes earnings record of R25,924,250, which surpassed the mark of R22,191,845 set by Mike de Kock in the 2009/2010 season.

He said when asked what the title meant, “It was important to achieve the goal we set and worked hard for and it has left me with a sense of achievement.”

Champion Trainer status probably opens doors for overseas opportunity, but this is not on Tarry’s current list of priorities.

“International racing is very attractive and lucrative and there is talk of things getting easier for us but there is no evidence of it happening. Until the restrictions on movement are relaxed I think I will sit on the fence. Michael (De Kock) has been successful under very tough conditions that only look to be getting tougher.”

Tarry usually pays tribute to the loyal team behind him in his post-race interviews and also occasionally mentions he is not always easy on them. He did not go as far as saying he was a “hard task master” but said he was definitely not a “soft touch.” He added, “There is only one way and that’s the right way. Each time you drop the ball that’s an opportunity lost. It is always going to be a game where 90% is not good enough. There is a recipe and it has to be followed 100%.”

The base of Tarry’s team have been with him for a long time. Further evidence they are happy in their positions was seen one day this season at Summerveld in the week of The July, when the harmonious singing of the Tarry yard grooms riding a string back to the stables rose above the early morning mist.

Tarry lists his highlight of the season as being the entire Johannesburg Autumn Season, in which he enjoyed considerable success. March 28 was a particularly good day as Siren’s Call won the Gr 1 R1 million Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic, French Navy won the Gr 1 R2 million SA Classic, Amber Orchid won the Gr 3 Jacaranda Handicap and Carry On Alice won the Gr 3 Man ‘O War Sprint. Siren’s Call later failed by one stride to land the Triple Tiara. She lost a shoe and played up at the start that day in the Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks and this could have cost her victory. However, her other wins, including victories in the R2,5 million CTS Book 2 Graduates Race over 1400m at Turffontein and the Gr 2 R500,000 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas saw Tarry walking away with a R1 million bonus as trainer of the highest earning three-year-old from the 2013 Book 2 Sale.

Another highlight was the overall brilliance of his three-year-old string. Seven of them earned 50% of his entire season’s stakes.

Therefore he has much to look forward to this season with only one of them, the filly Tamaanee, having been retired to stud.

Asked on his lowlight he said, “We did Durban a little differently with a couple of my Gr 1 horses. I didn’t have the confidence to move the whole string like we used to at Clairwood and I don’t think we fired as well as we usually do, although we did still win two Gr 1s (French Navy won the Daily News 2000 and Carry On Alice won the City Of Pietermaritzburg Sprint).

Tarry added being unlucky in the July with a number of his horses hadn’t helped.

Tarry pointed out that historically the July was a race where 18 to 20 horses fanned out at the top of the straight and generally had fair chances from then on in. However, he said it should now be accepted that it was a different race and sincerely believed the size of the field should be reduced to 16 on a track which is narrower than it used to be.

He said, “The July is the race the whole Champions Season revolves around and it is going to lose some of its sparkle if we continue to have rough races with sad luck stories and objections.”

Tarry praised the proactive approach of Tony Rivalland in his position at Summerveld and said he might approach the Champions Season differently next season, although he was hoping one or two changes would still be made at the KZN training centre, where he also has a permanent satellite yard.

He said of the yard’s jockeys for this season, “Raymond (Danielson) and S’manga (Khumalo) have done well for the team and I hope the relationships continue, but we have a big string (about 180) and we might look at a couple of other jockeys to spread it around a bit.

Tarry recently submitted an affidavit in favour of Khumalo regarding the 60 day suspension the latter was given after being charged of being in contravention of Rule 62.2.1 in that “he failed to take all reasonable and permissible measures to ensure that SUPERTUBE (a first-timer) was given a full opportunity to win or obtain the best possible placing” in a race on November 5 2013. The case went on appeal but Tarry submitted the affidavit on the grounds that the belief in a first-timer (he was trainer of Supertube) was largely about “speculation”, whereas a few runs down the line form and jockeys comments give a much better idea of what the horse was all about.

Tarry is also looking forward to the stud career of Pomodoro, who became the second horse he has trained after Fort Beluga to have made it into the stallion ranks.

He believes the July-winning Pomodoro “ticks all the boxes” although he is mindful that only 5% of all stallions “make it.”

Tarry’s ability as a trainer is chiefly seen in the loyalty shown to him over many years by his chief owner Chris van Niekerk, because it is well known that top businessman like the latter are results driven.

Tarry looks to be in a strong position to add a few more championships to his CV in years to come, although it is never going to be easy in a country which boasts many top class trainers.

By David Thiselton

Greyville stages an eight race meeting on the polytrack on Tuesday and punters will need to have a good look at the horses in the parade ring and the canter past, which will give them an edge at a time of the year when there can be some good value dividends available.

In the first race over 1400m Land Of Legends improved in his second start to run third over 1200m at Scottsville and the form has been franked. This trip should be ideal on pedigree. Master Of Mischief ran a fair race over 1200m at Scottsville last time and the form has worked out reasonably well, so he should be contender over a trip he should relish on pedigree. The Lonsdale has consistent form from 1200-1400m on the poly and should be thereabouts.

In the second over 1800m Kitty’s Destiny has caught the eye before as one with plenty of scope for improvement and the form of her last start over 1400m at Scottsville has worked out well. She is out of a Sportsworld mare so should enjoy the step up in trip and is the one to beat. Scots Party loves this course and distance and this solid, reliable sort looks sure to be involved. Roy’s Rolls Royce has faced some good horses without being disgraced and could also earn.

In the third over 1800m Sword Storm was perhaps a bit handy last time and this blunted her strong finish but she still stayed on well and with Anton Marcus now up she is the one to beat. The wide draw should not be a concern as she is at her best when dropped out. Roy’s Doctor has run well from 1600-2000m on the poly and should be thereabouts from a good draw. Queen Of Thrones, Fly Away With Me and Dellavera have to be considered too.

In the fourth over 2000m Princess Beach is back against her own gender and is off a lowered merit rating, so this could hopefully allow a filly who has recently flattered to deceive to fulfill her potential. Lady Ami is an improving sort who did well when stepped up to this course and distance last time so she should be involved despite a wide draw. Ethylene has been disappointing in her last two but could shape here at her best and Sean Cormack is an eye catching booking.

In the fifth over 2000m Night Lock ran a cracker over 1950m at Scottsville last time and Anthony Delpech is now up. Discourse is back to a competitive merit rating and could do well if overcoming his wide draw. Jay Boy should be a contender as he has won over 1800m on the tough Turffontein course before. Told You So is one to consider with a 4kg claimer up from a good draw over a suitable trip. Savethelastdance has some fair Port Elizabeth form and is an interesting raider. Hamelin Bay can never be ignored as he seems to pop up when least expected to.

In the 6th over 2000m Fulcrum will love the return to this trip and with Delpech up is the one to beat. Jet Avenger looks to be on the up and Jet Masters go well on the poly so he should be right there with a 4kg claimer up. Baracah has some class and has returned to form so he should do well over a suitable trip.

In the seventh over 1000m Respect At Bay went close over course and distance in a competitive race on Super Saturday and Marcus is now up from a plum draw of three. Kept Secret has gone close the last twice she has tried the course and distance and should be involved again. Golden Mirabilis loves the course and distance and goes well for this 4kg claimer.

In the eighth over 1600m Big Bird should appreciate the step back to this course and distance and goes well for this rider. Pure Valor is interesting on his poly debut as Dynastys enjoy the surface and he is reunited with Ian Sturgeon who rode him to his maiden win over this trip on the Greyville turf. Bizjet is course and distance suited and should be thereabouts with Delpech up.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Discourse, contests the fifth at Greyville tomorrow (Nkosi Hlophe)

The Paul Lafferty-trained champion colt Harry’s Son is in good spirits in Mauritius on the second leg of his arduous five month journey to Dubai.

Harry’s Son has been accompanied from day one of the journey by one of the Lafferty yard’s head grooms, Paulus Ntlali, who drew high praise from the Johannesburg quarantine station staff for his horse care skills and his organised approach.

Top Mauritian trainer Ricky Maingard has also been keeping an eye on Harry’s Son in Mauritius and has been providing his popular Capstone feed.
The colt has been able to make use of the cantering track at the Mauritius quarantine facility.

Lafferty’s Summerveld assistant Roy Waugh will be leaving for Mauritius on August 21 and will stay with Harry’s Son for a month.
The Australian-bred colt is a laid back character but will need to keep up his base fitness.

Waugh will be an integral part of Lafferty’s plans to establish a yard in Dubai. He helped Herman Brown set up a yard in Chantilly at the outset of his Dubai sojourn and spent time in his yard in Dubai on a number of occasions. This coupled with his experience of dirt tracks in the USA, where he was a successful trainer, will make Waugh an invaluable asset in the current Dubai racing climate considering Meydan switched from a tapeta surface to dirt last year.

Harry’s Son himself has only raced on grass to date and will likely stick to the grass in Dubai. However, being by a Mr Prospector line sire out of a dam who is by a Danzig line sire, he looks to have a very suitable dirt pedigree.

By David Thiselton

Andrew Fortune (pictured) scored a treble including a feature race double at the Flamingo Park Festival on Saturday, but Kimberly’s biggest annual race, the R200,000 RA Flamingo Mile was won by the combination of Sarel Von Willingh Smit and Francois Herholdt for the second year in succession, this year with the seven-year-old Spectrum gelding Stone Pine.

Stone Pine has thrived since arriving at Von Willingh Smit’s yard from Port Elizabeth towards the end of last year and this was his fifth win in Kimberley and his 3rd win in his last four starts. However, he was still allowed to go off at 10/1 due to the presence of the Mike de Kock-trained raider Capricorn Ridge, who started 11/10 despite having to carry joint topweight.

There was also support for the Tienie Prinsloo-trained Latino’s Jet, who was backed in from 7/1 to 9/2. Stone Pine was chased around runners from a wide draw and found second place in the running. Latino’s Jet was on the rail in about fifth place and Capricorn Ridge was in midfield. Stone Pine was sent for home early and had struck the front by the 300m mark with Latino’s Jet chasing hard. Capricorn Ridge was traveling comfortably when entering the straight and looked dangerous but was then crossed by Il Palio, a quirky horse who seems to run better when taken to the Flamingo Park stand side rail.

This affected Capricorn Ridge’s momentum and he had to be picked up again. Stone Pine kept going well although Latino’s Jet closed in late to finish 0,25 lengths back in second. Capricorn Ridge was next best ahead of Kingofmountain and Trade Emblem.
Von Willingh Smit and Herholdt won the race last year with Taqdeer, who could only manage tenth out of the eleven runners on Saturday.
Stone Pine was bred by Highlands Farms Stud and is owned by P Barrett.

There was plenty of incentive to win the last of the day’s three features, the R135,000 World Sports Betting Sprint over 1000m, as this formed the first leg of the Super Supreme Series, which carries a R500,000 bonus for any horse that can win all three legs. Vaal-based raider Louis Goosen pulled off a fine training feat with the four-year-old Var gelding Varbration, who started 17/10 favourite despite carrying joint topweight.

The Avontuur Stud-bred horse had lost his way a bit until joining Goosen towards the end of last season and his win on Saturday followed two seconds in his first two starts for the yard. Fortune timed his run to perfection to win by 0,7 lengths from the Von Willingh Smit-trained 30/1 outsider Beez Brothers, who was ridden by Herholdt. The Corne Spies-trained filly Sarve finished a fine third considering she carried joint topweight.

Varbration will likely face some stiff opposition in the second leg of the Super Supreme Series, the R250,000 World Sports Betting August Stakes over1200m on the Vaal sand on August 29, and his stamina reserves might be stretched by the third leg, the R1 million SAP Supreme Cup over 1450m on the Vaal sand on September 26.

Earlier, Fortune displayed immaculate judgement of pace when leading from start to finish in the RA Diamond Stayers over 2200m on the the Tienie Prinsloo-trained five-year-old Judpot gelding Pontedera. Pontedera carried topweight but was still sent off 22/10 favourite and won easing up by 2,25 lengths from the 35/1 outsider Steady As Rock. The 3/1 shot Wimoweh was a well beaten third.

Fortune, a former national champion jockey, weighed 70kg three months ago and has once again managed to beat the battle of the bulge after resolving to get back to doing what he does best.

World Sports Betting presented a R50,000 cheque to the Horse Care Unit after the running of the World Sports Betting Sprint to cap an enjoyable day for a big crowd in perfect sunny conditions.

By David Thiselton