Platinum Prince looks like becoming the latest star to carry the famous Devine colours after sauntering home for his fourth successive handicap win at Kenilworth on Saturday.

The Justin Snaith-trained three-year-old was raised 16 points (8kg) for his previous three victories and the handicappers – not a breed that likes being repeatedly defied – may well test the eight-point rule limit at today’s conference call.

Justin Snaith (Nkosi Hlophe)

All four wins have come in the hands of Aldo Domeyer who finishes the season only one short of his century despite the time off that back problems have cost him. Those problems seem to be largely solved because they came through an uncomfortable test put to them by the antics of the unruly Merysagos on the way to the start of the Racing Association Juvenile Plate. She even threw him off at one point.

“She is not great at home either but she has never behaved like that,” said Chris Snaith. “She is a decent filly, though, believe me.” She certainly won like a good ’un whereas runner-up and main market rival Midnight Moonlight, eased to the back soon after the start, ran in snatches – sometimes pulling, sometimes being pushed. Upset trainer Riaan van Reenen vowed: “The winner will never beat my horse again.”

Snaith Racing completed a quick-fire treble in the Champagne when 25-1 shot Nordic Breeze found more close home to shade stable companion A Time To Dream and give Brandon May,20, his first taste of Graded glory. Ken Truter and owner-breeder Veronica Foulkes promptly confirmed that their filly will race on next season.

The race was delayed ten minutes by a false start, and then by Ahoy Me Matey bursting through her gate. Karl Zechner reported that the fancied South Side (who faded to finish last but one) was hindered by this and then failed to stay. But that was before he heard that the veterinary examination ordered by the stipes revealed that the filly was not striding out on her left fore.

Aldo-Domeyer

Race three was delayed nearly a quarter of an hour. Nothing to do with the horses this time. The gate onto the course was mysteriously locked and the vet, the farrier and some of the starting staff found themselves unable to get to the pens!

Greg Cheyne, given the choice of 19-10 favourite Bendy Bullet and second favourite Rush Hour Girl in race three, correctly picked the Paddy Kruyer filly, reasoning: “Things didn’t go right for her last time – they backed her up and she couldn’t use her stride.”

This was his 150^th winner of the season (he later scored on Spending Spree for Brett Crawford) and he is the Western Cape-based jockey with the biggest total whereas Richard Fourie is the rider with the highest number of winners (95) in the province.

But Cheyne will be sidelined from Wednesday for a week as a result of an interference offence at last Tuesday’s meeting. Jason Smitsdorff was also in trouble that day, in his case for taking his cellphone into the jockeys’ room.

However there were mitigating circumstances – he has been requested to return there as a replacement rider – and so his R2 500 fine has been suspended for six months.

Smitsdorff got his name in print for the right reasons when leading throughout the Fillies Maiden Juvenile on Over Again. The winner started at 25-1 but Ronnie Sheehan, asked if this was a surprise, was indignant.

“Surprise?” he exclaimed. “This horse has had two bloody god runs. I told the jockey he couldn’t lose.”

By Michael Clower

Records were smashed when Hermoso Mundo won the eLan Gold Cup over 3200m at Greyville yesterday as he became the first horse to complete the “Gold” treble and Weiho and Weichong Marwing may well have become the first trainer-jockey brother combination to win the big race.

The crowd were treated to the colourful “woer, woer masjien” victory warcry of part-owner Sean Singleton, while part-owner Neil Patrick Smith, who had travelled all the way from Germany, was overcome with emotion and the other owners NC Smith, GD Cahn, G Morris and W Volschenk also joined in the celebrations.

Hermoso Mundo (Nkosi Hlophe)

The long-striding Mauritzfontein Stud-bred four-year-old gelding by Ideal World won the Grade 3 Gold Bowl over 3200m at Turffontein on May 6, the Grade 3 Gold Vase over 3000m on VDJ day and completed the historic treble yesterday under a cool ride.

Marwing had him tucked away in the running within striking distance and after a tussle in the closing stages with the five-year-old mare Zante, he stretched his neck out to win by neck.

The Marwing-trained Let It Rain finished third ahead of Fortissima and Tote favourite Kinaan.

The race was marred by tragedy as Royal Badge broke down just before they reached the Drill Hall.

Earlier the Dennis Drier Dynasty filly Lady In Black won the Grade 1 Thekwini Stakes over 1600m under Sean Veale, despite nothing going right for her in the running. She beat Rockin Russian by half-a-length to remain unbeaten.

Glen Kotzen won the Grade 1 Premier’s Champion Stakes over 1600m with Dynasty colt Eyes Wide Open, who gave Richard Fourie a Festival Grade 1 double. Kotzen, who had four winners yesterday and five in total at the Festival, had earlier won the Grade 3 Sunlife Vitamins Debutante over 1200m with Captain Al filly Princess Peach, also under Fourie.

Brett Crawford completed a fine Festival weekend by winning the Grade 3 Avontuur Umkhomazi Stakes over 1200m with Great Britain colt Al Mariachi ridden by Corne Orffer.

By David Thiselton

Weiho Marwing has a knack with staying horses and he underlined that fact when Hermoso Mundo became the first horse in history to land the unofficial staying triple crown when the Ideal World gelding got the better of the mare Zante in a tight stretch in the Gr3 eLAN Gold Cup at Greyville yesterday. This was the gelding’s third start for Marwing who had done all of his early racing with Alec Laird and Marwing was magnanimous in victory. “Thanks to Alec. The horse came to me in great condition and he’s also a great trainer.”

Hermoso Mundo (Candiese Marnewick)

The Gold Bowl over the Turffontein 3200m turned into an exercise gallop as Hermoso Mundo put five lengths over the opposition. The 3000m SABC Gold Vase was the complete opposite as the result was decided in the boardroom, Hermoso Mundo the beneficiary of the stipendiary board’s decision, Captain Splendid on the receiving end.

There was possibly some vindication in that decision as Captain Splendid finished well beaten and it was the mare Zante, also a daughter of the Mauritzfontein-based sire Ideal World, who turned up the wick.

Crossing the subway, a wall of horses moved in to challenge pacemaker Francia who had pulled herself to the front as a result of a slipped saddle and it was a case off anyone’s race. But with a furlong to run, the tangerine colours of Hermoso Mundo hit the front as the gelding shook off challengers down the centre but Zante was not done. She just wouldn’t go away as Gavin Lerena drove her through on the gelding’s inside, a head in it at the wire.

“He’s a super horse,” concluded Marwing. I haven’t got to the bottom of him yet. He gets better with every run.”

At about the 1400m mark Royal Badge was pulled out of the race result in Krambambuli being forced to check with Fortissima and Trophy Wife also suffering interference.

Weiho Marwing (Nkosi Hlophe)

The Equus Award for stayers has over the years been a contentious category. On many occasions the country’s staying ranks have been tissue thin and the award inevitably going to the winner of the Gr1 SA Derby. Although Hermoso Mundo’s three victories have come in Grade 3 company, he threw his hat into the ring as they are genuine staying events.

Glen Kotzen rounded off SA Champions Season with a bang as he landed the final Grade 1 juvenile race of the season as Eyes Wide Open edged out the luckless Ancestry in the Premiers Champion Juvenile Stakes.

Coming off a maiden win at Scottsville, Richard Fourie rode a confident race and was up in the irons as he crossed the line. “I rode him in work in Cape Town and knew he had potential. He has tons of ability.”

Second-placed Ancestry came from a long way back for another runner-up berth but Joey Ramsden was a little miffed with the ride by Bernard Fayd’Herbe. “He said he could have squeezed Richard out! His words not mine. So why didn’t he?” queried Ramsden.

Ideal World sired the first two across the line in the Gold Cup but super-sire Dynasty went one better, being responsible for both Eyes Wide Open and Grade 1 Thekwini Stakes winner Lady In Black. Dennis Drier, beaten to the line in the KZN Trainer’s Championship, gained just reward as Lady In Black kept her clean sheet and looks to be a filly to be reckoned with. She raced wide for most of the race, took a bump at the top of the straight but motored away to beat a fast-finishing Rockin Russian. “She took a nudge from S’Manga at the top of the straight and she didn’t like it,” said Sean Veal. “She’s very good and I rated her from day 1.”

By Andrew Harrison

Brett Crawford, quizzed a week before yesterday’s Grade 1 World Sports Betting Champions Cup, had all the conversation centred around Captain America. At the conclusion of the interview, he piped up, “don’t forget about my other horse!”

Sail South (Candiese Marnewick)

It was information mostly ignored but Sail South made short work of the opposition, including Captain America, as he stormed to victory over Captain America and Matador Man with the filly Bela-Bela in her swansong kicking on late for fourth. Of last year’s winner Marinaresco, there was no sight.

Bela-Bela eventually started favourite with Captain America friendless in the market, all the money coming for Sail South. From an opening call of 33-1, he jumped at 16-1, and those that followed the money were smiling all the way to the pay-out que.

“I couldn’t understand the betting,” said Crawford. “He was flying in the Queen’s Plate (behind Legal Eagle and Captain America) and was only two lengths off Captain America in the Rising Sun. He was 2 kilos better off at the weights here.”

“I wanted to sit up second or third,” said winning rider Richard Fourie. “It didn’t quite work out as I wanted because Captain America does his fractions quite hard. But I was happy in second. Turning into the straight with three-and-a-half lengths to make up I knew he would get there.”

Captain America (Wayne Marks)

“He’s a strong horse but he’s never had a draw. He was a fit horse today and the stable is on fire.”

Sail South has been a soldier for Crawford, this his ninth win from 37 starts and a fitting win for a horse that has earned in 21 of his races.

Captain America, always suspect over the trip, plugged away in second after being caught wide in the early exchanges while Bela-Bela, backed in to a luke-warm favourite, never threatened. Disappointment was Vodacom Durban July winner Marinaresco. Last for most of the race, he just didn’t fire in the straight and finished with just one behind him.

With the season drawing to a close, Crawford has had the season of his life, this his sixth Grade 1.

Vaal-based trainer Paul Peter had a profitable afternoon, winning the Listed Avontuur Darley Arabian before saddling Fort Ember to an upset victory in the Grade 2 Prosport International Gold Bracelet although the betting told another story. Fort Ember, in from 20-1 to 10-1 before the off, saw Nightingale’s odds drift from an ante-post call of 7-10 to 12-10.

Persian Rug set blistering early fractions and was a spent force early in the straight as the pack closed. Nightingale appeared to be going well enough but once the chips were down she battled to quicken. Fort Ember, on the other hand, found another gear and sped clear to win as she liked with Nightingale edging home ahead of Witchcraft.

By Andrew Harrison

South Side and Karl Zechner can give Glen Kotzen his fourth Champagne Stakes in nine seasons at Kenilworth tomorrow.

This improving filly with the bad knees has won four of her last five starts and she was most impressive when making every metre in a conditions plate here three weeks ago. The snag is that this, along with all her four previous wins, was over 1 000m.

Karl Zechner (Nkosi Hlophe)

Indeed Kotzen said afterwards that he thought it was probably her best trip and tomorrow she has another furlong to travel, on rain-softened ground into the bargain.

“She loves the soft,” says the three-year-old’s trainer, seemingly negating the latter doubt, “and Richard Fourie doesn’t think the trip is going to be a problem. He reckons she is a natural.”

Kotzen also runs last month’s 14-1 course and distance winner Anneline but this one surely has little chance on ratings. The stand-out from that point of view is A Time To Dream who comes out 3kg  (two and a half lengths) superior to South Side and even more above all the others.

She failed to last home over the 1 800m of the Final Fling last Saturday and, although she has twice won over 1 400m this season, she has not won – or even raced – over tomorrow’s trip for more than two years.

“It’s not a strong race and she is coming towards the end of her career,” says Justin Snaith, explaining why he is running her. “In the soft conditions this 1 200m will be like a 1 400m and I do think she can be in the money.”

Varumba and Felicity Flyer (third best on adjusted ratings) are both well held on South Side’s last run although Greg Cheyne’s mount failed to run up to her best in that race.

Hanabi won the Olympic Duel over this trip and her last run is best ignored because she threw away her chance by fighting for her head, while Love To Boogie may also be a little better than her most recent run would suggest.

By Michael Clower

The Summerveld dogs were barking Billy Silver from the rooftops before yesterday’s meeting at Scottsville and they must have been watching a few gallops. All the money came for Dennis Bosch’s runner in the Download The tabGold Information App maiden and those who plunged were standing in the pay-out que even before ‘Billy’ hit the furlong marker.

“He’s a very, very smart horse,” enthused Anthony Delpech and one who looks to be something of a bargain buy.

Billy Silver (Candiese Marnewick)

“He was passed through the ring at R450k but I liked the look of him,” said Bosch, always an astute judge. “I checked him out at the back and although he turned out a little I still liked him.”

“He’s taken time. He has flat feet and we had to fit wedges but he’s a smart horse.”

He was entered for a feature on Sunday’s eLAN Gold Cup card but this was probably a better decision to take on maidens at their own game as he cruised to a five-length victory.

Duncan Howells has been sending out winner after winner in his quest for his second KZN trainer’s championship and reigning champion Dennis Drier will have been wondering what he had to do to retain his crown.

Howells, won the card opener with rank outsider Fiorella to push his lead out to 10. “Duncan’s on fire,” commented a frustrated Drier after an umpteenth second as Sacred Flame played second fiddle to Billy Silver.

Dennis Drier(Nkosi Hlophe)

There was some relief on the horizon as Drier broke his run of second placings as Texas Sky got the better of Toltec and a well-supported Tommy Grand in the White Horse Function Room maiden. Sean Veal set a cracking pace on Texas Sky, tracked by Toltec and Tommy Grand in what looked to be a suicidal pace. But the trio kept finding. Tommy Grand was the first to cry enough but Toltec went by Texas Sky and looked to be going the better. “He let the other horse go passed him, but he came back strong,” said stable rider Sean Veale.

Owner Nic Jonsson has caught the racing bug from father Benji, a doyen of KZN and South African racing, and as Drier commented, “If you haven’t got the boys to back you, you’re history,” a bell that rings true in every racing yard.

Drier pulled another back on Howells as bottom weight Great Value landed the seventh and cut his rival’s lead to eight with two meetings to go to the end of the season but all the pressure was on in the first for the Ashburton trainer. Fiorella started at long odds but Howells feels that she has a big future. Unruly at the gate and unshipping Keagan de Melo before taking up her stall made the wait even more tense. “She’s a top filly,” said Howells. “She was ready to run four weeks ago but she has a hot temperament and I didn’t want to press her too hard.”

“She’s bred to go ten furlongs and barring accidents she should go on a long way from here.”

By Andrew Harrison