Andrew Harrison

Hot Pearl often lives up to her name and Wendy Whitehead was having anxious moments as the course ambulance came to a halt before the start of the second race at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday. “I was having heart failure because she doesn’t like to wait for anyone. She’s very impatient and it was a long wait for the ambulance.”

Regular rider Calvin Habib had it all under control and managed to keep her quiet. “She handled herself professionally behind the gate,” he said post-race.

However, neither jockey or the filly’s connections needed to worry once the gates opened as Hot Pearl streaked clear and was not for the catching as she put five lengths on her nearest rival, Rapid Fire who just got the better of favourite Vision To Achieve. 

If you want to know why Richard Fourie is champion jockey elect and well on his way to breaking Anthony Deplech’s record of 334 winners in a season, watch the head-on replay of the Fillies Maiden Plate, third race on yesterday’s card won by Canford Queen.

Always handy and on the quarters of pacemaker Lemon Scent, the race was unfolding as expected until Lemon Scent lost her compass under pressure. Fourie found himself hunting running room as Lemon Scent continued to drift outwards and Canford Queen continually blocked.

“She was dead,” commented Gavin van Zyl, assistant to his son Gareth, post-race but Fourie finally managed a clear run and his filly responded gamely, taking off over the final 100m to snatch the decision ahead of City Lights. “You can’t get there without the horse,” said Fourie in a typical understatement. 

Down in class but carrying the ‘grandstand’ Rachel Venniker rode a patient race on Chara Sands from his wide draw in the sixth and gave the gelding a copybook ride as he glided to victory with Venniker posing like a statue. Michael Roberts, recognizing talent, took Venniker under his wing from her first days in the Jockey Academy. A better mentor she could not have asked for. A champion rider on two continents, Roberts is a hard task master but Venniker has repaid with hard work and yesterday rode her 100^th winner for the stable, fittingly aboard a horse bred and owned by Michael’s wife Verna.

The Little Ballerina form lines have been some of the hottest in recent memory with a host of winners finishing behind her. The Mask was another as Glen Kotzen opened his Champion’s Season account, the son of Gimmethegreenlight bounding clear in the straight to win the first unchallenged.

Gelded after his debut behind Little Ballerina where he ran into traffic to finish nine lengths off the winner, there were no mistakes yesterday as Athandiwe Mgudlwa steadied him around the turn. A sling-shot into the straight saw the traffic melt away and The Mask was not for the catching. Always Shining tried gamely but was hard-pressed to hold debutante Bound By Destiny, Dean Kannemeyer’s runner definitely one for the notebook.

Muzi Yeni is possibly the hardest rider to get past in a tight finish. His low centre of gravity allows him to keep balance when throwing the kitchen sink as he showed on Tom’s Act. He had Doug Campbell’s runner poised in midfield before making his challenge and the son of Act Of War responded to Yeni’s vigorous urgings to get his head in front of a closing pack headed by San Marzano.

Lucky Dollar backed up on his recent victory with a strong finish to land the fifth for Stuart Ferrie. The lightly weighted Action Stations with 4kg claimer Brevan Plaatjies aboard, was always in front until challenged by Lucky Dollar, Tristan Godden timing his run to perfection.

The combination of Venniker and Dennis Bosch have been in good form of late and it was back-to-back wins for Venniker as she sent favourite Poursomesugaronme up the inside rail to score a bloodless victory in the seventh.

RACE 1     

5 MOUNTAIN HIGH 4 KEY WORKER 8 VARVARA 7 RADIANT HEAT

Preview: 5 MOUNTAIN HIGH made a good debut and then ran fifth in the Gr 2 SA Fillies Nursery, 0,25 lengths behind You Bring Me Joy, and that form is way superior to any other form in this race. 4 KEY WORKER is a full sister to  Surcharge (Yulong Prince), whose two Gr 1 wins included one in Australia. 8 VARVARA has run three fair races and could earn. 7 RADIANT HEAT is better than her last run and can earn if bouncing back. (David Thiselton 5-4-8-7)  

RACE 2     

2 LEAD THE CHARGE  9 MESSALINA 8 ZIP CODE 6 SERRANO

Preview: 2 LEAD THE CHARGE has finished second in two starts on the Highveld after a decent debut in Cape Town and he is the one to beat from pole position over a suitable course and distance. 9 MESSALINA is knocking on the door over this trip and has a good draw. 8 ZIP CODE made a fair debut and could improve. 6 SERRANO made a fair debut when beaten 8 lengths by two good sorts. (David Thiselton 2-9-8-6)  

RACE 3     

6 MASTER CASPER 8 WOLF MOUNTAIN 5 HOWZIT BOET 2 SMASHING

Preview: 6 MASTER CASPER ran two good races in Cape Town and should beat this field. 8 WOLF MOUNTAIN is by Buffalo Bill Cody out of a Silvano mare who won four times from 1200m to 1400m and she has produced two winners from three runners. 5 HOWZIT BOET is by Willow Magic out of a six time winning Galileo mare from 1200m to 2000m, including a Gr 3 and a Listed race, and the best the latter has produced is a three time winner by Gimmethegreenlight.  2 SMASHING has enough form to earn here. (David Thiselton 6-8-5-2)

RACE 4     

10 SICILY 1 ERIMITAGE 11 SCARS OF WAR 3 BREATH OF MAGIC 5 APACHE SON

Preview: 10 SICILY wasn’t disgraced behind two good sorts on Highveld debut after a fair run in Cape Town and this two-year-old should enjoy this trip. 1 ERIMITAGE ran an improved race when dropped to this trip and has a chance although he has a tricky draw. 11 SCARS OF WAR faces older male horses after a good debut in a Maiden Juvenile Plate for fillies and she has a good draw over a step up in trip she should relish. 3 BREATH OF MAGIC has been consistently thereabouts lately and can earn again here. 5 APACHE SON ran an improved race with second time blinkers and could earn here. (David Thiselton 10-1-11-3-5)

RACE 5     

10 SNEAK PREVIEW 1 KYLIE’S ANGEL 9 EASY ON ME 2 SYLVAN LADY

Preview: 10 SNEAK PREVIEW went close second time out and now has a fair draw over the same distance category. 1 KYLIE’S ANGEL was only 0,30 lengths behind Sneak Preview last time but does have a tricky draw. 9 EASY ON ME made a good debut but has not run for eight months, although she has a good draw and Lerena is up. 2 SYLVAN LADY is on the up and can earn if overcoming a tricky draw. (David Thiselton 10-1-9-2)

RACE 6     

3 WILLIAM IRON ARM 1 BARBARESCO 2 PYROMANIAC 7 JORDAN

Preview: 3 WILLIAM IRON ARM is a long-striding sort who will enjoy this trip and he returns from an operation  on a rig issue so could now start to fulfil his obvious potential. 1 BARBARESCO has proven class and a good draw but does have to give William Iron Arm 3kg. 2 PYROMANIAC has class and is distance suited but does need things to go his way and pole position should help them go his way. 7 JORDAN has talent and only just failed over this trip last time. (David Thiselton 3-1-2-7)

RACE 7     

3 THE BRIEF 1 SLINKY MAPIMPI 4 CIRCLE OF GRACE 2 TROIS TROIS QUATRE

Preview: 3 THE BRIEF ran a cracker behind Marauding Horde last time and can go close if able to overcome a wide draw. 1 SLINKY MAPIMPI was doing well up to 1600m before not liking 2400m and he could be right there over this more suitable trip, although he also has a wide draw. 4 CIRCLE OF GRACE is in good form, although he seems to prefer the HWB Greyville poly. 2 TROIS TROIS QUATRE is usually thereabouts and is off a competitive merit rating. (David Thiselton 3-1-4-2)

RACE 8     

12 EMPRESS GAME 3 IN THE ETHER 1 LULU’S BOY 7 CIRCUS LIGHTS

Preview: 12 EMPRESS GAME is knocking on the door and has a fair draw over and ideal trip. 3 IN THE ETHER is capable of a flying finish after being held up but does appear to prefer 1000m. 1 LULU’S BOY has Fourie up and can earn if able to overcome a wide draw. 7 CIRCUS LIGHTS is in good form and has a fair draw over an ideal trip. (David Thiselton 12-3-1-7)

David Thiselton

A Progress Plate over 1800m is the highligt of an eight race meeting at Turffontein Inside on Thursday May 2. 

William Iron Arm is weighted to doddle it, being 7kg better off with any other horse according to official merit ratings. He is returning from rig surgery, which will hopefully sort out his hanging issues. He has run well fresh before and although he would prefer a more galloping track he sould take a lot of beating. Barbaresco is also classy and has a good draw over an ideal trip, but he does have to give William Iron Arm 3kg. Pyromaniac is the sort who needs a good draw and he gets pole. He represents the flying Sean Tarry yard with Richard Fourie up and is a threat. Jordan has some class and could rise above a 91 merit rating in time, but he has a tough task here. Fostinovo and Emporium are fair sorts who should not be disgraced. Scarlett Pimpernel is no slouch either.

In the first race over 1450m the flying Sean Tarry yard have two runners and should win it with Mountain High. This Rafeef filly made a good debut and then ran fifth in the Gr 2 SA Fillies Nursery, 0,25 lengths behind fourth-placed You Bring Me Joy, who has come out and won since then. SA Fillies Nursery second-placed Just Reckless beat Mountain High by six lengths but has come out since and won the Gr 3 Strelitzia. So, Mountain High should be hard to beat here with Richard Fourie up over a suitable step up in trip, although the first-timer Key Worker from the Stuart Pettigrew yard could be a threat if anywhere near as good as her full-brother Surcharge, who won one Gr 1 in SA and another in Australia under the name Yulong Prince. Mountain High is drawn three and Key Worker is drawn four. Mountain High’s stablemate Varvara has run three fair races and could earn. Radiant Heat is better than her last run and can earn if bouncing back. African Beauty wasn’t disgraced on debut behind Almond Sea but disappointed over 1400m next time out and will need to bounce back too.

In the second race over 1450m Lead The Charge has finished second in two starts on the Highveld after a decent debut in Cape Town and he is the one to beat from pole position over a suitable course and distance. Messalina is knocking on the door over this trip category and has a good draw, so will be a threat. Zip Code made a fair debut over 1160m and will relish the step up in trip, but he does have a wide draw of eight. Serrano was beaten eight lengths on debut over 1200m, but the pair who beat her, Don’t Cry For Me and Winds Of Change, are good sorts so Serrano could do well stepped up to a more suitable trip, although he does have a wide draw. Spring Tradition has been well beaten in all of his starts but those three events have been won by Almond Sea, Legend Of Arthur and Truth, all classy sorts, so he could earn here.

In the third race over 1000m Master Casper ran two good races in Cape Town and should beat this field. First-timer Wolf Mountain is by Buffalo Bill Cody out of a Silvano mare who won four times from 1200m to 1400m and she has produced two winners from three runners. First-timer Howzit Boet is by Willow Magic out of a six time winning Galileo mare from 1200m to 2000m, including a Gr 3 and a Listed race. The best she has produced is a three time winner by Gimmethegreenlight. Smashing could earn a cheque here from draw five with a 4kg claimer up. Rawalpindi is by Wings Of Desire and is out of Madrisa, a Grey Eminence mare who won five of her first six starts including a Gr 3 and a Listed race.

In the fourth race over 1450m two-year-old Sicily could beat his older rivals from a fair draw of five. He wasn’t disgraced when beaten 8,50 lengths in a race dominated by the classy pair Don’t Cry For Me and Winds Of Change. The Rafeef gelding is out of a Var mare, but he should get this trip. Ermitage ran an improved race when dropped to this trip and has a chance although he has a tricky draw. Scars Of War  faces older male horses after a good debut in a Maiden Juvenile Plate for fillies and she has a good draw over a step up in trip she should relish, being by Heavenly Blue out of a Judpot mare. Breath Of Magic has been consistently thereabouts lately and can earn again here. Apache Son ran an improved race with second time blinkers and could earn here.   

The fifth race over 1450m is an uninspiring event. Sneak Preview went close second time out over 1400m and now has a fair draw over the same distance category. Kylie’s Angel was only 0,30 lengths behind Sneak Preview last time but does have a tricky draw. Easy On Me made a good debut but has not run for eight months, although she has a good draw and Lerena is up. Sylvan Lady is on the up and can earn if overcoming a tricky draw. Tipperary is drawn in pole and could earn if repeating her debut effort.

In the seventh over 1800m The Brief ran a cracker behind Marauding Horde last time and can go close if able to overcome a wide draw. Slinky Mapimpi was doing well up to 1600m before not liking 2400m last time and he could be right there over this more suitable trip, although he also has a wide draw. Circle Of Grace is in good form, although he seems to prefer the HWB Greyville poly. Trois Trois Quatre has been a bit disappointing overall, but is usually thereabouts and is off a competitive merit rating. Clarkson has ability and early in his career seemed to be a middle distance type, so he can earn if producing his best.

In the eighth over 1200m Empress Game is knocking on the door and has a fair draw over an ideal trip. In The Ether is capable of a flying finish after being held up but does appear to prefer 1000m. Lulu’s Boy has Fourie up and can earn if able to overcome a wide draw. Circus Lights is distance suited and in good form and has a fair draw over an ideal trip. Dancing Dora is capable of popping up from a good draw. 

Andrew Harrison

Barend Botes is a recent addition to the ranks of Summerveld-based trainers and he sends out one runner on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville today and it could be a winner.

He saddles Ntombenhle in the third and can get the Pick 6 off to a good start. The daughter of Noble Tune is overdue a win and this looks to be the right race as she stays the trip and has run well on the poly. She could also prove to be the best bet on the card but she is up against a couple of younger rivals. Gareth van Zyl sends out Canford Queen who is the most likely danger. She has run two promising races on the poly and was a close-up second over course and distance from the widest draw last outing. Richard Fourie, who can hardly put a foot wrong in his charge for the national championship and a record number of wins, can add another winner to his fast-growing total.

Fanie Bronkhorst sends out City Lights who makes the trip from the Highveld with some steady form to back her claims. She could improve further first up on the poly. Floral Fantasy has run her best race on the poly in a maiden handicap but is lightly raced and is definitely not out of it.

In the first, Always Shining has been improving steadily. The Bosch/Vennilker combination has been in good form of late but Fourie has deserted to ride General Byng who made a promising debut for the Kom Naidoo stable when returning from a break and he has shown some ability. Feather Dancer was much improved when tried on the poly last run. The blinkers are back on and she is better off in the weights with Regina Argento. Bound By Destiny is a well-bred first timer. The comment from the stable is “include in all exotics.” 

First time blinkers saw Vision To Achieve go down narrowly last time out. She has good form on the poly and from the best of the draw and Fourie aboard she must have a strong winning chance in the second for Paul Gadsby. Louis Goosen saddles War Empress is never far back and goes well on the poly. She will strip super fit and should contest the finish. Rapid Fire only has 51kg to shoulder courtesy of apprentice Brevan Plaatjies and she has been close-up in her recent starts on the turf. 

The fourth is a wide open handicap but Fine Admiral was a beaten favourite last run coming off a win over course and distance. Fourie stays with the ride which is a bonus. Mark Dixon’s runner Bunting faced a tough one first up out of the maidens and is down in class. He goes this trip for the first time but the form of his maiden win has worked out quite well. Tom’s Act has shown up well at his last two, his last win coming on the poly. He has a handy weight to help his chances. 

In the fifth, Tony Rivalland’s charge Cupids Song is something of a poly specialist, his last two wins coming on this surface. He has a big weight but has his third run after a break. Teichman is a Wendy Whitehead soldier. He is always game and is due another win. He is also over his preferred trip. Night Jar was a recent maiden winner but has improved with every step up in trip. He is lightly raced and makes his poly debut. Bom Bom has steady sprint form for his new stable. He steps up to what may well be a more suitable trip. 

Michael Roberts sends out Chara Sands in the sixth. In spite of the widest draw he takes a big drop in class. He has a big weight to shoulder but gets 1.5kg relief from Rachel Venniker’s allowance. Mask On looks held by Chara Sands on their last meeting but is also down in class and has the best draw. Two surprise runners are Granddaddy Purple who improved last run when back in blinkers in his second run after a break. He has a light weight and could be the surprise package along with Anotherdayinafrica needed his last run. He has a featherweight to carry and go all the way. 

The last two races are Fillies and Mares Handicap sprints and never easy. In the first of them, Emerald Green showed up well first time out of the maidens and has improved in blinkers. She is down in class and takes on a modest field. Perfect Trust has been knocking at the door and is back to a sprint but goes well on the poly. French Princess has had two runs since a break. She is not the easiest but is quick and has a chance on her best behavior. Poursomesugaronme has been consistent over further in recent starts on the poly but the drop in trip should not bother her

In the last, visiting Cerulean Dancer comes with consistent Highveld form over a furlong further. The switch to the poly should suit as she was narrowly beaten in the soft last time out. Vision Of Will may have found her last start too far and is back over a more suitable trip.  All of her recent form has been on the poly. Chelsea Flower has the widest draw but has shown up well in her last two including a win over course and distance. Puff Of Smoke has her first run for Kom Naidoo but was narrowly beaten on the poly last start and should be in the shake-up.

Rugby8 WIN MARGIN, Carry Over R 60724, Pool Closes on Friday, 3 May 2024 at 20h45 Sport 65 Pool 1.

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