Graeme Hawkins

Gavin Lerena struck three times and Richard Fourie twice at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth yesterday as the race for the Jockeys’ Championship heats up. At the close of business yesterday Craig Zackey maintained his position at the summit with 209 winners, but Fourie (207) and Lerena (206) are in his slipstream, and we are in for an exciting 11 weeks before the season ends on 31 July.

Follow Your Heart (11/2), having his first start as a gelding, took out the opening event, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1200m, coming with a sustained run from off the pace to collar Star Major (11/2) over the final 50 metres. The money came in a big way for Bugle Boy (8/1 into 28/10) but the 2yo son of Elusive Fort weakened in the closing stages and could only finish fourth, a head behind third-placed Ashikule. The impeccably bred Rockanrollin (Aus) caught the eye on debut, finishing on the heels of the placed runners and only a shade more than two lengths adrift of the winner Follow Your Heart, and the 2yo son of Wootton Bassett (GB) is likely to win soon.

Take It As Red had run fourth in all four previous career starts but the 2yo daughter of Hawwaam was fitted with blinkers for the first time and she ran out a pillar-to-post winner of the second race, a Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies) over 1400m. Easy to back at 10/1, Take It As Red quickly overcome a wide barrier position under Chad Little and despite racing very green had enough in hand to hold off the late-charging Mighty Mary (12/1) by a diminishing half-a-length. Take It As Red is owned by the Turf Talk Syndicate and trained by Piet Steyn.

Three Tigers (8/10) looked the nap of the day in the third race, a Maiden Plate over 1000m, and the 2yo son of One World duly delivered with a comfortable victory over Iko Iko (11/2) and Red Wave (4/1). Ridden by Gavin Lerena for the Harold Crawford/Michelle Rix stable, Three Tigers was winning at the third time of asking and he should prove competitive beyond the maiden ranks.

There were no surprises in the opening leg of the Pick 6, a Maiden Plate over 1400m, as One Stripe’s half-brother, Vapour Trail (33/10), scored a comfortable end-to-end victory at the expense of the favourite New World (18/10). Trained by Vaughan Marshall, Vapour Trail gave Gavin Lerena a quick race-to-race double and his 205^th winner of the season in his quest for Championship honours.

Richard Fourie got on the board in the fifth race, an Open Maiden (F&M) over 1400m, steering Sweet Conifer (9/2) to a hard-fought victory over Club Captain (4/1). The winner’s stable companion, Miss William, drifted sharply in the market as race time approached and faded away tamely after setting the early pace.

Beneath The Clouds (2/1) gave Lerena his third success of the day when coasting to a wide-margin victory in the sixth race, an Open Maiden (F&M) over 1800m. Touched off by English Mistress a month ago, Beneath The Clouds made no mistakes this time around and from a handy position turning for home, raced away from Sesame (8/1) and Loui’s Star (6/1) to win easing up.

Fourie completed a double for owners Ridgemont and Devin Heffer with Strawberry Thief (9/2) coming from the tail of the field to score fluently in the seventh race, a Class 4 Handicap (F&M) over 1800m. Lavendar Bay took up the running early in the stretch but was no match for Strawberry Thief over the final 200m and the improving 3yo daughter of Canford Cliffs drew clear to beat Lavendar Bay by more than a length.

Babelicious (9/4) was rewarded for consistency with a well-deserved victory in the eighth race, a Middle Stakes (F&M) over 1100m. Aldo Domeyer had to pull out all the stops to keep Pink Pigeon (7/1) and Winter Rainfall (10/1) at bay, but Babelicious stuck to her task well to score by under a length.

Apprentice Brevan Plaatjies is making waves in Cape Town and his mount Avignon travelled sweetly throughout the ninth race, a low-grade D Stakes over 1200m, landing a tidy gamble as the 4yo son of Master Of My Fate shortened from 14/1 to 5/2 before the off. Avignon was never in danger of defeat and strolled home nearly two lengths ahead of Becky Sharp. With fancied runners dominating proceedings the Pick 6 returned a modest R6371-60.

David Thiselton

There is a ten race meeting at the Vaal today and the highest rated race is a MR 96 Handicap over 1000m which could be won by the speedy Sorceress Supreme.

The Erupt filly won second time out on the Highveld by three lengths off a merit rating of 95 in a Graduation Plate over 1,200 metres. She has since only run in feature races and last time out was far from disgraced when 3.2 lengths behind Cape filly Mai Sensation in the Gr 3 Dennis Drier Poinsettia Stacks over 1200m. She has been dropped two points since then and is drawn on the right side by trends, so should make a bold bid. Richard The First is a decent sort and should also be right there over a suitable course and distance.

Passage Of Power has a nice high draw and comes off a close up finish over 1160m off the same 95 merit rating. Halberdier has a lot of ability and from a nice high draw under an in-form Malesela Katjedi could bounce back to form. Warm Winter Night is in good form at present but was beaten 2,85 lengths by Passage Of Power last time and they face each other on the same terms and Passage Of Power looks to have a draw advantage too. 

In the first leg of the pick six, Pioneer Square has been knocking on the door since his first start and now steps up to 1800m which could suit being by Querari out of a Mambo in Seattle mare, although his dam only won once over 1400m. Phil the Fluter is a hard knocking sort who went close last time over 1600m and being by Vercingetorix out of an Al Mufti mare he could get the trip, although the mare did only win once over 1200m. Heroic Act has gone close in his last two over 2000m so will have no problem with the trip but does have a wide draw to overcome. Bold Action has shown some fair form including a second place finish over 1700m metres and she has drawn in pole. She’s an interesting runner as a two-year-old filly against older males.  Future King has shown enough to be involved in the finish.

In the fifth race over 2,400 metres, Stop the Traffic has run some fair races over middle distances and being out of a mare by stamina influence Traffic Guard could see out the trip, despite being by Willow Magic. The mare did win second time out over 1600m. Alakanani has placed twice over staying trips before and could be in the shake-up here, although he would have to confirm his recent form. Blurred Vision has done well in two starts since being stepped up to 2000m and is interesting over a further step up being by Potala Palace out of a Daylami mare. Rainy Season has always looked to be a staying sort and has gone close over this distance before. He is interesting here carrying bottom weight after an improved run with blinkers on last time, although he is officially 2kg under sufferance. Flag Bearer bounced back last time after two below par runs and the last time he went over course and distance he finished a fair second.

In the sixth race over 1,600 metres Unsolved Riddle made a good Highveld debut and is now drawn in pole position with Craig Zackey up and he should make a bold bid based on his fair Cape Town form. After Hours is a consistent sort who comes off a good close-up second over 1,500 metres and from a good draw he should enjoy this trip. Sneak Preview did well over 2000m last time but is also suited to this course and distance, although she does have a tricky draw of 7 out of 10 to contend with. Sail the Sky has the form to be there but she does have a tricky draw. Viva de Janeiro is capable of earning in this line-up. 

In the seventh race over 1600m Tried And True is drawn in pole over an ideal trip and can bounce back to form despite remaining seven points higher than her last win which was over this trip. Pretty Analia will find a strong finish as usual after being dropped out from a draw of seven. Quantum has run some fair races over this trip and could be involved. Accept Cookies has a wide draw to overcome but is ultra consistent, although she does still have to prove she stays the trip. Silver Parasol disappointed last time, but should relish the step back down in trip.

In the ninth race over 1,000 metres Hemisphere makes plenty of appeal having now had three starts on the Highveld and doing well in all of them, including winning over this trip. It’s Personal is a hard-knocking sort who is distance suited, but he does have the trickiest draw of all from barrier position one. Phantom Express has a low draw too, but has the form to be involved. Prince of Kildare only has a low weight to carry and is  interesting stepped down in trip having earned numerous times over 1,200 metres and beyond. What A Tiger could be involved if bouncing back under Piere Strydom.

The first leg of the Bipot sees Tenjiku returning from a three month layoff, but the form of his win last time when stepped up to 1400m has been franked and he could be the one to beat. Mighty Eagle won easily over this trip category last time, but does have a wide draw to overcome. Red Amber flew up late from well back in the running last time to win and is not out of it. Royal Jacket has shown ability and getting weight from the winners could be a big runner. Redlightgreenlight only has 1,40 lengths to make up on Royale Jacket.

In the first leg of the PA Lunar Rainbow has some fair form and her best run was over this trip. World Tour improved last time when stepped up to this trip, but does have a tricky draw to overcome. Nkwenkwezi has shown enough to go close in this race. 

The first race over 1500m could be won by Miss Novax, who made a good winning debut and the form has been franked, and on pedigree she will enjoy the step up in trip and is drawn in pole. 

The tenth race could be won by the ten-year-old mare Samoa, as she is drawn on the right side with Gavin Lerena up and has gone close a couple of times over this trip recently.

Race 1     

2 MISS NOVAX 3 SISTER GOLDEN HAIR 1 LITTLEMISSSPLENDID 7 REJUVENATE

Preview: 2 MISS NOVAX made a good debut and the form has been franked and on pedigree she will enjoy the step up in trip and is drawn in pole.3 SISTER GOLDEN HAIR is proven over this trip category and has some decent form but does have to overcome a wide draw. 1 LITTLEMISSSPLENDID has some good form and should enjoy the step up and trip but has a tricky draw of six. 7 REJUVENATE  improved last time and could earn. (David Thiselton 2-3-1-7)

Race 2

1 MIGHTY EAGLE 2 TENJIKU 3 RED AMBER 5 ROYALE JACKET (1-2-3-5)     

1 MIGHTY EAGLE won easily over this trip category last time but does have a wide draw to overcome. 2 TENJIKU won well over this trip in February and returns from a rest from a fair draw. 3 RED AMBER flew up late last time to win and is not out of it. 5 ROYALE JACKET went close last time and is well drawn over a suitable trip. (David Thiselton 1-2-3-5)

Race 3     

3 LUNAR RAINBOW 4 WORLD TOUR 2 NKWENKWEZI 1 ARTIC SILVER

Preview: 3 LUNAR RAINBOW has some fair form and her best run was over this trip. 4 WORLD TOUR improved last time when stepped up to this trip but does have a tricky draw to overcome. 2 NKWENKWEZI has shown enough to go close in this race.1 ARTIC SILVER has shown some ability over this trip and could earn. (David Thiselton 3-4-2-1)

Race 4     

1 PIONEER SQUARE 2 PHIL THE FLUTER 4 HEROIC ACT 10 BOLD ACTION

Preview: 1 PIONEER SQUARE should go close in this lineup over a suitable trip. 2 PHIL THE FLUTER has been knocking on the door and has a good draw over a suitable step up and trip. 4 HEROIC ACT has shown enough to be able to contest the finish here but he does have a wide draw. 10 BOLD ACTION has drawn in pole and is an interesting juvenile filly up against the boys. (David Thiselton 1-2-4-10)

Race 5     

5 STOP THE TRAFFIC 6 ALAKANANI 3 BLURRED VISION 10 RAINY SEASON

Preview: 5 STOP THE TRAFFIC has run some fair races over middle distances and from a good draw with Craig Zackey up could be in the shake-up.6 ALAKANANI disappointed last time out but is capable of better. 3 BLURRED VISION  is close to Ella Kanani on form and should be in the shake up. 10 RAINY SEASON is capable over this trip but will need to bounce back. (David Thiselton 5-6-3-10)

Race 6     

2 UNSOLVED RIDDLE 1 AFTER HOURS 5 SNEAK PREVIEW 4 SAIL THE SKY

Preview: 2 UNSOLVED RIDDLE looks the one to beat on her overall form which includes some decent cape form and she is drawn in pole over a suitable trip with Craig Zackey up. 1 AFTER HOURS  is an honest sort who is best suited to this trip these days and from a good draw should be in the shake-up.5 SNEAK PREVIEW has some fair form and will enjoy this trip although she does have a tricky draw to overcome.4 SAIL THE SKY  has the form to be there but she does have a tricky draw. (David Thiselton 2-1-5-4)

Race 7     

2 TRIED AND TRUE 5 PRETTY ANALIA 6 QUANTUM 1 ACCEPT COOKIES

Preview: 2 TRIED AND TRUE  has the ability to be there from pole position. 5 PRETTY ANALIA is an honest sort who made a bold bid last time against some decent male runners and back against her own gender she should go close. 6 QUANTUM is capable of being in the shake up in this line up. 1 ACCEPT COOKIES has a wide draw to overcome but if Gavin Lerena can negotiate it she should be thereabouts. (David Thiselton 2-5-6-1)

Race 8     

2 SORCERESS SUPREME 7 RICHARD THE FIRST 4 PASSAGE OF POWER 9 HALBERDIER

Preview: 2 SORCERESS SUPREME is very quick and against this lesser company could be the one to beat. 7 RICHARD THE FIRST is a decent sort and looks to be off a competitive merit rating here over an ideal trip. 4 PASSAGE OF POWER  should make a bold bid from a nice high draw. 9 HALBERDIER has a lot of ability and could bounce back from a nice high draw. (David Thiselton 2-7-4-9)

Race 9     

6 HEMISPHERE 3 IT’S PERSONAL 10 PHANTOM EXPRESS

Preview: 6 HEMISPHERE is drawn on the right side here and should make a bold bid. 3 IT’S PERSONAL has consistent form and enjoys this trip but has the number one draw to overcome. 10 PHANTOM EXPRESS has a low draw but has the form to be involved. (David Thiselton 6-3-10)

Race 10    

6 SAMOA 8 JET CAT 12 TWICE AS WILD 2 WAITFORGREENLIGHT

Preview: 6 SAMOA is drawn on the right side with Gavin Lerena up and could get back to winning ways. 8 JET CAT is drawn on the right side and has the ability to be there. 12 TWICE AS WILD does not have a bad draw and has good pace. 2 WAITFORGREENLIGHT is capable of earning if bouncing back. (David Thiselton 6-8-12-2) 

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David Thiselton
The crack Lancaster Bomber Gr 1-winning filly Rascova is all set to have her first start for the Sean Tarry yard and will attempt to give the King Of Pietermaritzburg his ninth win in the Gr 1 weight for age SA Fillies Sprint over 1200m.
Tarry is the best trainer in Hollywoodbets Scottsville history, having won 20 Gr 1s at the Pietermaritzburg venue and after first entries were published yesterday he once again looks to have a chance in all four of the big races, although sadly there is no longer a jackpot of Gr 1s as the Golden Horse Sprint has been downgraded to a Gr 2.
Rascova has not raced since winning the Gr 1 Maine Chance Farms Majorca Stakes where she beat her arch rival Double Grand Slam by a shorthead.
The pair will have their twelfth clash in the SA Fillies Sprint with the score currently 6-5 in Double Grand Slam’s favour. 
Double Grand Slam has the potentially tricky draw of one, considering the field often drifts over to the inside leaving the inside horses cramped for room.
Rascova is drawn five out of the 14 entries still standing.
Tarry said Gavin Lerena, who has ridden her in her last two starts, would retain the ride.
He said, “Obviously 1200m is not her thing and just looking at her form she appreciates a turn. But she is in a good space, I am happy with her. Looking at her form she was beaten 3,30 lengths by October Morn last year and as a juvenile in the Allan Robertson she was beaten 6,60 lengths by Mrs Geriatrix.”
However, Rascova has speed and class and won two of her first three starts down the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth straight. The Tarry Hollywoodbets Scottsville magic will see her in with a chance. 
However, Tarry has two fine back ups in Mia Moo and Mrs Browning.
Mia Moo comes off impressive victories in the Gr 3 4Racing Sycamore Sprint over 1160m and the Gr 2 TAB Camellia Stakes over 1160m.
Tarry said, “She is coming along the right way and I am very happy with her.”
Mrs Browning was beaten just a neck last year in the SA Fillies Sprint, but has been off form for most of this season. Encouragingly, she ran a 1,70 length second to the smart Chasing Happiness in the Gr 2 TAB Senor Santa Stakes last time, a fine performance against the boys and she was also giving Chasing Happiness 2kg.
Tarry said, “Mrs. Browning had a lovely prep run for this race and is headed in the right direction. She was unlucky to lose last year, but she’s only just managed to regain form now and we’re hoping that will bring her on for the next run.”
Tarry has entered the two crack juvenile fillies Green Diamond and One Fine Winter in both the Gr 1 Allan Robertson  and Gr 1 Gold Medallion.
Green Diamond has won two out of three starts including the Gr 2 TAB SA Nursery over 1160m against the boys by two lengths and the Gr 3 TAB Protea Stakes over 1100m by 6,50 lengths.
One Fine Winter also comes off an impressive victory. She was a 2,30 length runner up in the Gr 2 TAB SA Fillies Nursery over 1160m before winning the Gr 3 TAB Pretty Polly Stakes over 1100m by 4,50 lengths.
Both of them have drawn in the middle in the Allan Robertson, while Green Diamond has a low draw of three in the Medallion and One Fine Winter is in the middle.
Tarry is favouring running Green Diamond in the Medallion, where she will get a 1,5kg gender allowance, because he is of the opinion that juveniles run away from the Hollywoodbets Scottsville grandstand, especially those who have never run there before, so her inside draw should in that case be favourable.
Tarry has four entries in the Gr 2 Golden Horse Sprint and is not concerned that all four of them are slightly under sufferance. All four of them are set to carry the minimum weight of 52kg.
The 104 merit rated filly Rodeo Drive is an interesting runner as she has shown a lot of class before and might not yet have shown her best this season. Tarry agrees she is a big runner.
He said, “She hasn’t really got going. She improved last year and then she had a little bit of a break again and needed her last run.” 
He continued, “Troppo Veloce (105) has come along the right way. She’s definitely run against decent horses and would have a chance at the weights.”
He added, “DantonfromSandton (108) found his form last time out. He’s run against some of these three-year-olds, who are now giving him weight.”  
He continued, “Green Sapphire’s (104) done nothing wrong. Last time she was trapped wide in the Fillies Guineas so put a line through that run. Otherwise her form is spot on and she will have no problem stepping down in trip.”
He concluded, “We now just need to see who gets in at the end of the day. I’m not too sure if it’s a panel or who decides, but at this stage I’m really happy with the horses that I’ve entered on the day.”
Tarry has twice gone close to doing the Hollywoodbets Scottsville Festival Of Speed grand slam, winning three of the Gr 1s and coming second in the other one on two separate occasions. 
The grand slam today might not have as much glamour attached to it with the downgrade of the Golden Horse Sprint, but Tarry’s record is going to take a halcyon effort from somebody to ever match it.
He lamented the loss of another Gr 1 and pointed out that when people talked about the great Gr 1-winning feats of jockeys and trainers from the past they had some 36 Gr 1s to aim at and now there were only about 27.
He also questioned whether any races would ever be upgraded and pointed out the high class of this year’s Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes, which had no fewer than eight horses rated between 129 and 123.
“Will that race now get upgraded to a Gr 1?” he asked.