Graeme Hawkins

The Cape Turf Club Syndicates Class 3 Handicap over 1400m heads the 9-race programme at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth this afternoon and the much-improved Tyrion Lannister will be seeking to round off a hat-trick of victories for trainer Piet Botha and the Dare to Dream Racing Syndicate.

In his penultimate start over the track and trip Tyrion Lannister beat Fibonacci by nearly a length and now meets Vaughan Marshall’s runner on 5,5kgs worse terms which should be more than enough for Fibonacci to turn the tables on Tyrion Lannister. But in the their most recent encounter Tyrion Lannister finished comfortably clear of Fibonacci, suggesting that Tyrion Lannister is a very much on an upward curve. But that most recent race was over 1600m and Fibonacci may be more effective over today’s 1400m and it would be unwise to completely ignore his chances.

Cheeky Laddie, Aspect, Magic Verse and Hat’s Pride are worthy of respect. Cheeky Laddie is gradually dropping to a mark off which he could be competitive while Aspect has been in terrific form and has won his last three starts over this course and distance. From pole position and with just 54kgs to shoulder, Aspect can be expected to make another bold bid for top honours. Hat’s Pride has run against some of the best around but may find it tough to concede weight all round.

In summary, Tyrion Lannister appears to have a touch of class and is given the benefit of the doubt to land his fifth career victory in a competitive heat but he is unlikely to have matters all his own way. JP van der Merwe has ridden Tyrion Lannister in his last three starts, but he is contractually obliged to ride Magic Verse and Grant Van Niekerk rides the 3yo son of Royal Mo for the very first time.

The first race, a Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies) over 1200m, is due off at 12:05 and the well-bred Artiste is expected to show good improvement on her promising debut. Interestingly though, Louis Mxothwa, who usually has the choice of rides for the Brett Crawford yard, is aboard the stable companion Sweetsummerlove on debut and any market support for the daughter of Querari must be respected.

The Bipot gets under away in the second race, a Maiden Plate over 1200m, and Eight On Eighteen will be the popular choice. He finished second on debut four weeks ago and on the evidence of that form the Justin Snaith-trained son of Lancaster Bomber should have the measure of the Greg Ennion-trained Surge Of Power who was more than two lengths adrift of Eight On Eighteen. Ennion also saddles Late December who caught the eye when third on debut behind O’Tenikwa.

Charlotte Bronte, half-sister to the Champion Charles Dickens, is gradually finding her feet and she should give a good account of herself in the third race, an Open Maiden over 1400m. Tom’s Diner, Congressman and Tsunami Waring are the immediate dangers while Golden Grey should be considered for Trifecta and Quartet permutations.

Enchanting Choice was a convincing winner of her last start when allowed to dictate the gallop and could follow up in Race 5, a Class 4 Handicap (F&M) over 1600m. She has more to do at the weights this time but could again hold Philosophise and Hampstead Heath if similar tactics are employed, as I feel she won rather more easily than the official margin suggests. Enchanting Choice was only raised 3 rating points for that victory and must hold a strong chance of going back-to-back. Among The Clouds has improved in her last two starts and is another for the short-list.

The sixth race is a very competitive Cape C Stakes over 2200m and nothing in particular stands out. Marshall Field has been priced up favourite in the ante-post market and he should give his supporters a good run for their money but there are many in the 10-strong field with winning claims, including recent maiden winner Heliotrope.

Radicchio has been in fine form of late and could register his third consecutive success in the seventh race, a Class 4 Handicap over 1400m. Richard Fourie takes the ride and will no doubt give him every chance but keep an eye on Steadfast and War Chariot. Steadfast, who beat the talented Coastal Commander when shedding his maiden ticket, is dropping rapidly in the ratings and could prove to be the “lurker” in the pack. Slurricane and Sooty are not without winning chances in another competitive handicap.

The eighth race, a Class 4 Handicap over 1100m, could be fought out by the two Khaya Stables’ runners, Explosive Speed and Speed Racer, the former trained by Dean Kannemeyer and the latter by Brett Crawford. Speed Racer is slightly preferred while others to consider are recent course and distance winner, Mighty Mac, along with Kaapse Klopse, The Tinkerman and Dragonfly. On best form Bluff On Bluff and Benjamin could surprise but they would both likely benefit from a little give in the ground and no rain is forecast.

Girl Like Us and Great Cat make most appeal in the final race, a Class 4 Handicap over 1200m, but the booking of Fourie for Ticket To Vegas is significant and perhaps Ricky Maingard’s filly must be added to the short-list of potential winners. Mia’s Harper has been very disappointing of late but she could show sudden improvement and make her presence felt – perhaps she also needs kinder going to be most effective.

Race 1: Preview: ARTISTE (6) ran an absolute cracker on debut finishing second to Tanneron and with natural improvement, can go one better. BACK AT THE GEORGE (2) improved from run one to run two and surely has more to offer – big chance. VIXENINTHEVINEYARD (10) gets a top rider on debut which could be worth taking note of – watch the betting as race time looms and MARITZBURG MEMORY (1) can improve to get much closer with the one run under the belt – quartet chance. (Warren Lenferna 6-2-10-1) 

Race 2: Preview: EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN (4) nearly won on debut, clearly has ability and could be a tough nut to crack this time around – firm first suggestion. SURGE OF POWER (3) caught the eye on debut when friendless in the market – he can feature in the finish again and is a must for all bets. LATE DECEMBER (11) finished third on debut and is another that is a must for all bets – strong claims and THE US OF A (10) has a strong place chance. (Warren Lenferna 4-3-11-10) 

Race 3: Preview: CHARLOTTE BRONTE (4) is improving and improving quickly. Her last run, she nearly won! She is selected as the one they all have to fear the most. MO YAY (1) was far from disgraced first up and should have gained experience from the race – could be the value for the exactas. TOM’S DINER (5) is worth considering for the shortlist and CONGRESSMAN (6) should love the rise in trip and could be the lurker in the race – serious claims. (Warren Lenferna 4-1-5-6)

Race 4: Preview: TYRION LANNISTER (8) has won his last two impressively, showing guts and determination. He can certainly reel off the hat trick. ASPECT (1) has just reeled off the hat trick and it would be no surprise if he were to make it four-in-a-row. It will be tough, but not impossible – respect and include. CHEEKY LADDIE (3) is never too far adrift the action and can be seriously considered for the first four positions. FUTURE TURN (9) can earn and feature in the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 8-1-3-9) 

Race 5: Preview: HAMPSTEAD HEATH (1) gets the best starting gate and caught the eye in her post maiden run. She has a strong winning chance. Richard Fourie now takes over the reins. PHILOSOPHISE (2) is holding form and despite a hefty weight, should fight out the finish – strong each way claims. AMONG THE CLOUDS (9) nearly scored last time and should be right there at the finish – obvious chance. F EIGHT (4) is the value selection. (Warren Lenferna 1-2-9-4) 

Race 6: Preview: MARSHALL FIELD (2) boasts consistent form, an encouraging last run and is therefore the warm first choice. IGNATIUS (1) ran a cracker last time and can get closer – serious claims. TWICE THE MASTER (3) can be forgiven for his below par last run and judged on his earlier, solid form – big chance. MOHANDAS (10) will boost the quartet dividend if lurking into the first four – he can! (Warren Lenferna 2-1-3-10) 

Race 7: Preview: SOOTY (10) despite the wide draw, has strong winning claims. His post maiden effort was hugely encouraging and he more than likely has a lot more up the cuff! Strong win chance. WAR CHARIOT (4) boasts useful form and has obvious claims – a must for all bets. DANCINGTOTHELIGHT (3) has been far from disgraced in both his post maiden runs and should be able to go close – serious claims. RADICCHIO (7) can reel off the hat trick – respect and include. (Warren Lenferna 10-4-3-7) 

Race 8: Preview: DRAGONFLY (8) went close to winning last time and is selected to get it all right this time. MIGHTY MAC (5) trounced the opposition last time and Richard Fourie retains the ride – a positive sign – he can follow up. THE TINKERMAN (7) is becoming a tad erratic but on very best efforts can feature in the first three. SPEED RACER (11) is ultra-consistent and it would be silly to exclude him from the shortlist. (Warren Lenferna 8-5-7-11) 

Race 9: Preview: GREAT CAT (9) is making huge threats of notching up her third career win and she seems cherry ripe for it today. GIRL LIKE US (5) ran a vastly improved race last time when second to Nordic Quest and on that run alone, should be able to go close – big runner. TICKET TO VEGAS (6) and TRIED AND TRUE (8) have solid place chances and are worth including in trifectas and quartets. (Warren Lenferna 9-5-6-8) 

David Thiselton               

Sean Tarry is a bit like the Springbok rugby team, who are at their most dangerous just when their star appears to be waning, and the dynamic trainer bounced back from a season that had not yet reached the heights of last season to record a five-timer, including three Graded features, at the big meeting at Turffontein Standside on Saturday.

Richard Fourie rode four winners on the day, including three for Tarry, and he is now an 8/100 shot to break Anthony Delpech’s famous 334 wins in a season, which was often regarded as the safest record in South African sport.

Tarry came from a hopeless position on the trainers log last year to be within one race of overtaking Justin Snaith on  the last big race meeting of the season.

If he is to do the same this season the turning point happened on Saturday.

Furthermore, he looks set to add to his record number of 18 Gr 1s at Hollywoodbets Scottsville because his candidates for the Festival Of Speed meeting are emerging at just the right time as usual.

However, he does face a quandry with the top class Gimmethegreenlight Varsfontein Stud-bred Gimmethegreenlight colt Lucky Lad.

Lucky Lad won last year’s Gr 1 Gold Medallion at Hollywoodbets Scottsville by more than five lengths and after a delayed reappearance to this season he had his third run after a layoff of close to seven months on Saturday in the Gr 2 Senor Santa Stakes over 1160m. 

He delivered a memorable victory under a memorable ride from Fourie.

Lucky Lad’s gate-speed has always made him vulnerable over sprint trips and he once again dwelt slightly meaning Fourie found himself sitting at the back. 

He made the immediate decision to track over and sit behind the inside batch of horses, which would have surprised many as the high draws are viewed as advantageous down the Turffontein straight.  

However, Fourie must have been mindful that the outside channels become overcrowded as jockeys seeks to be in the perceived best going.

Lucky Lad ended up making his run inside of the whole field and still had at least five lengths to make up as they reached the 400m mark.

At that stage his big stablemate Winter Greeting, a four-year-old filly by What A Winter who was officially the best weighted runner, was about to hit the front and was going ominously well.

However, Lucky Lad displayed his devastating turn of foot to change the outlook of the race in a matter of strides.

Fourie managed to pull off two deft changes of whip-hand in the final 200m to prevent the hanging that had earned him a suspension in the Gold Medallion.

Lucky Lad won easing up by 0,40 lengths from a running on I Am Giant, who put his hand up as a contender for the Hollywoodbets Scottsville Gr 1 Golden Horse Sprint. 

I Am Giant’s Brett Crawford-trained stablemate Surjay was beaten just 0,60 lengths into third and is on track for another Graded campaign in KZN, which yielded a Gr 1 second and third last season as well as a Gr 2 third. 

Winter Greeting was beaten just a length in fourth place and will likely be targeted at he Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint.

Unzen, who is best over 1400m, was fifth ahead of Rulership.

The quandary Tarry faces is Lucky Lad’s effectiveness over classic distances is yet to be tested and he is entered in next Saturday’s Gr 2 WSB Guineas at Hollywoodbets Greyville. From their the route could either be a drop back to the Gr 1 Golden Horse or a step up to the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 and July, for which he has been entered. 

Earlier, in the Gr 2 TAB Colorado King Stakes over 2000m, the Fanie Bronhorst-trained Laurence Wernars homebred New Predator gelding Pure Predator won in cosy fashion by 0,75 lengths under Fourie from the Tarry-trained three-year-old Hotarubi.

Puerto Manzano bounced back to a semblance of form by finishing third, although he was beaten four lengths, narrowly ahead of older horses Aragosta and Safe Passage.

It was a fine training feat by Bronkhorst, because he would have had to freshen the horse up after his respective fourth in the Gr 1 TAB SA Classic and second in the Gr 1 SA Derby with his targets the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 and Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July in mind.

In the Gr 2 TAB Igugu Stakes over 2000m the Stuart Pettigrew-trained Ridgemont-bred Rafeef filly Beating Wings produced a fine finish under Calvin Habib to deny fellow three-year-old My Soul Mate with Bellevarde, Gilded Butterfly and Perfect Witness next best.

Tarry had earlier caused an upset when the Wilgebosdrift and Mauritzfontein Stud-bred Rafeef filly Mrs Browning won the Gr 2 Camellia Stakes over 1160m under Craig Zackey from Time Fo Orchids and the perennial feature-placed horse White Pearl. Mrs Browning is part-owned by Laurence Wernars, who had a feature treble on the day.

Wernars also won the Gr 3 Protea Stakes over 1160m with the progressive Tarry-trained homebred Gimmethegreenlight Proceed, who put his hand up for the Gr 1 Gold Medallion at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on June 1.

The Gr 3 TAB Pretty Polly Stakes was won by the Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained Ridgemont-bred Canford Cliffs filly Simply Majestic under Gavin Lerena.

The Listed TAB Gold Bowl over 3200m was won by the Ridgemont-bred Brett Crawford-trained six-year-old Dynasty gelding Crimson King under Kabelo Matsunyane.

Tarry had two early impressive winners over 1600m and the respective Lancaster Bomber colt and One World filly, Legend Of Arthur and World Of Alice, ridden by Fourie and Zackey respectively, have promising potential for the two-year-old mile features. 

The last race over 1400m was won by the De Kock-trained Muzi Yeni-ridden Heavenly Blue colt Zinovi, whose successful wind op has seen him score two in a row.  

Andrew Harrison

The last weekend in April is always important as far as pointers go to Hollywoodbets Scottsville’s big meeting – this year on Saturday, June 1 – as trainers look forward to the four Gr1 races in the Festival of Speed.

Yesterday, the four features gave up pointers to the form of those races, none more so than Asiye Phambili who made short work of the opposition in the Gr3 Dennis Drier Poinsettia Stakes over 1200m, the distance of the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint.

Duncan Howells has always held the filly in high regard after arriving in his stable from another yard and a close-up second first time out followed with three straight wins.

Rather than making the trip to Cape Town for the season with one horse, he handed over the reins to Cape Town-based and Hollywoodbets-sponsored Gareth van Zyl. Asiye Phambili stared at long odds in all three of her starts for Van Zyl, her best being a runner-up berth in the Gr2 Sceptre Stakes. 

It has been telling that locally-based horses returning from trips to Cape Town for the summer have come back in fine fettle and it appears the Asiye Phambili is continuing that trend.

Rachel Venniker, having her first winner for Howells, was never in any difficulty allowing Asiye Phambili to use her big action from an outside draw. When the chips were down she strode away to win as she liked.

The balance of the field, that included the well-performed Kwinta’s Light, were hardly in the race and probably using it as a warm-up for the SA Fillies Sprint, but they have been given early warning.

King Of The Gauls also put his hand up for a crack at the Festival of Speed. The gelding has always been highly rated by his trainer, Tony Rivalland, and his faith in the son of Vercingetorix is starting to vindicate his view as he scored a most comfortable victory in the Listed In Full Flight Handicap.

Gelded after his third start, King Of The Gauls made a winning appearance first up at Kenilworth but was then stepped up in trip, a plan that did not work out as expected. Back to a sprint, he left Cape Town with a close-up third.

He made a winning return on home soil over the Hollywoodbets Scottsville short-cut and followed up with an impressive victory yesterday which must surely have booked him a place in the Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint on June 1.

Sean Veale, deputising for regular rider Richard Fourie who was unable to make the 52.5kg, had King Of The Gauls in a good rhythm from the jump and it was clear a long way out that it would take a good horse to beat him. Travelling sweetly, he quickened up smartly under the hands and Veale was posing for the judges a long way out.

Quasiforesure is no slouch and chased hard for second but was never a threat although he was giving the winner 11kg and Peter Muscutt will have been well pleased with the run.

Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery winner Little Ballerina must rate as one of the best juvenile fillies racing at present and her form lines are riddled with subsequent winners. One of these was SA Fillies Nursery second Just Reckless who was surprisingly, given Little Ballerina’s form, priced up at 5-1 in the ante-post market for the Gr3 Strelitzia Stakes. That price did not last long as she went through the gate deep in the red to land a ‘touch’ for those who queued up to take the generous odds.

It was money on the mark as Mike Miller’s charge was never seriously threatened. Going through the 400 m mark, Fourie pulled the trigger on Dark Winter followed by Grey Fantasy, but Kabelo Matsunyane, who kept the ride after their Nursery second, still had plenty in hand. Punched out hands-and-heels, Just Reckless quicky had their measure and strode clear to win as she liked with the minimum amount of encouragement. The Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship must surely be on her radar.

Prolific owner Lawrence Wernars had a great week with four feature race winners leading into yesterday’s Godolphin Barb Stakes and Cymric rounded it all off with a smart win in the Gr3 sprint and surely a pipe-opener for the Gr1 Gold Medallion. Johan Janse van Vuuren’s smart looker gave leading sire Vercengeterix a feature double after King Of The Gauls, showing pace throughout and finding plenty under Gavin Lerena to keep Cats Pajamas and Chinaberry at bay. 

Runner-up at his first two starts, Van Vuuren finally listened to the pleading from his jockeys that the horse needed gelding as he was getting far too heavy for his under carriage. “I’m not scared to ‘cut’ them,” said Van Vuuren, “but I liked this horse and was a little pig-headed about it. I finally listened.”

First up after gelding, Cymric hacked up in a maiden and continued his improvement with a solid win yesterday. A look at the course is always a bonus as the experience, and on occasion, can prove to be the difference between winning and losing in a tight finish. 

Not happy on the day was Fine One who gave Tristan Gooden a difficult ride and was never going well.

Andrew Harrison

The start of South Africa’s three-month Champion Season is just a week away with the Independent on Saturday raceday kicking off the season. But there is still business at hand and punters face a testing card on the turf at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday which could provide some valuable pointers to the months ahead but it will be with one eye on the weather as there is a prediction of significant rain starting today but a clear Sunday.

The card is headed by three Gr3 races, two for juveniles and the G3 Dennis Drier Poinsettia Stakes for fillies and mares, the race named in honour of Drier who was regarded as the ‘King of Scottsville’ before he retired.

The opening feature is the Gr3 TABGold Strelitzia Stakes over 1100m where Mike Miller sends out Just Reckless who ran a cracker behind the highly rated Little Ballerina in the Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery in a strong field. Both her wins have come over this course which is always a plus and Miller has stayed with Kabelo Matsunyane who rode her in the Nursery. Justin Snaith sends out Dark Winter who was never comfortable around the Hollywoodbets Greyville turn when favourite and making her local debut. She should have benefitted from that outing and her Cape form is useful. Siberian Winter was well-fancied in the market on debut and duly obliged for Michael Roberts. The run should have brought her on a little more while Prom Queen made good improvement on her feature race debut to shed her maiden next time out. She looks to be on the up. 

In the males equivalent, the Gr3 TABGold Godolphin Barb Stakes Snaith holds a strong hand in with Impact Investor and Makazole. The former made good improvement on his debut effort and won well. He looks to be the stable elect and likely to start favourite. Miller sends out Fine One who ran a disappointing race in the Gr1 SA Nursery in soft ground but his form before that over course and distance is difficult to fault. He should be in the firing line. Louis Goosen saddles Ibhele who is well acquainted with this course and was narrowly beaten last time out. He should make a bold bid while Cymric was a runaway maiden winner last start after two forward showings. He looks to be more than useful. 

Snaith could well be in line for a feature race treble when he sends out Kwinta’s Light in the Gr3 Dennis Drier Poinsettia Stakes. Kwinta’s Light was up against some of the finest sprinters in the country in the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship at her last start and she was not disgraced behind top sprinter Dyce. Her form before that to slightly weaker is hard to fault and if at her best she rates the one to beat. Asiye Phambili is back on home turf with Duncan Howells after a spell in the Cape season. Narrowly beaten in the Sceptre Stakes over 1200m, her step up in trip did not yield any rewards. She appears to race fresh and this trip on this course will suit her well. Snaith has a second string to his bow in Baltic Secret who was less than two lengths back to Kwinta’s Light in the Southern Cross Stakes at her penultimate start. She was all at sea around the Hollywoodbets Greyville turn when making her local debut and that run coupled with a straight course will make her dangerous. 

In the Listed In Full Flight Handicap, a race named after one of South Africa’s champions, King Of The Gauls will be looking to build on his recent success. Tony Rivalland holds his charge in high regard and gelding appears to have had the desired effect. He has a wide draw to contend with but only has 52.5kg to shoulder. Cliff Hanger will be a threat as he has some smart Highveld form in good company and Johan Janse van Vuuren has declared first time blinkers. Raven Black is unbeaten since shedding his maiden but returns from a lengthy break. Kabelo Matsunyane has made the trip from the Highveld to stay with the ride and any betting support for Brett Crawford’s runner must be respected. Quasiforsure is a class act and has been up against stronger in the Cape. Peter Muscutt’s runner has a big weight but is effective over this trip and if not short of a gallop he will make his presence felt. 

The first is a tricky maiden. Hurricane Cat started favourite on debut but finished six lengths behind the winner. Close -up in third in the race was Izbulo that started a lengthy odds along with Cape Capri who was only a length further back. All three runners should come on from their debut efforts. Disting has shown up well in two runs in the Cape. With Richard Fourie aboard she is likely to start favourite. Add Diyarani to the mix who also put up a promising showing on debut. Judging by trainer’s comments, not much is expected of the first timers. The betting may well prove your best guide. 

The opening leg of the Place Accumulator is another competitive maiden. Flyingcool and Field Marshal met last time out with the older runner finishing a length ahead after the benefit of one outing. Well drawn, both go the turn for the first time and should be competitive. The grey Professor Lupin has been a touch disappointing but has not been far back in all five of his starts. He stays the trip and the stable is in mustard form at present which is in his favour. 

Dean Kannemeyer could hold the key to the first leg of the Pick 6. Spelling Bee was well supported in the market when making his local debut and shed his maiden in good fashion. That form has worked out quite well although he does take on a useful field in his handicap debut. Stable rider Craig Zackey puts up over-weight when he will have had the choice of the well performed stable companion Mister Master Starter who was a close-up third on the poly last time out. Nelson Bay has the best of the draw but Richard Fourie has deserted to ride stable companion The Shepherd. Nelson Bay is 2kg better off with Master Josh on the last meeting. Alyson Wrights gelding is holding form well but got a six-point hit in the handicap for his last win. 

The last is a wide open handicap but Political Party has run two cracking races over a furlong shorter and the step up in trip should suit. Mr Molony has a tough draw to contend with but has been in good form of late and can go one better. With cheek pieces back on, Jazz Festival was running on late from a tough draw last time out. Fourie picks up the ride from a much better gate.