The biggest talking point at Scottsville yesterday was not so much the racing but trainer Paul Gadsby’s R40k fine imposed on Tuesday by the National Horseracing Authority after one of his grooms was caught on the on-course television camera kicking his charge in the stomach in the washing bay at Greyville some months back.

Paul Gadsby (Nkosi Hlophe)

Gadsby was spitting mad at the Ashburton training centre yesterday. “I wasn’t even on track at the time,” he said. “So how can I have control over a situation like that.”

The groom was subsequently disciplined and Gadsby assumed that that was the end of the matter.

There is, however, a NHA rule that states that a trainer is responsible for the behaviour of his staff, but trainers throughout the country, responding on WhatsApp, described the fine as lunacy, threatening drastic action.

Whether anything comes of their threats remains to be seen.

The meeting got off to a rough start with an objection lodged by Anton Marcus aboard the favourite Valcar against first-placed Flamboyant under apprentice Ashton Arries. The two came together at about the 200m mark with Flamboyant shifting onto Valcar then then following Valcar as the pair continued to shift in together without making contact.

Marcus was forced to object as with only three stipendiary stewards on duty, an objection by one of the stipendiary board would have left only two to deliberate the objection when the rule requires three.

After a lengthy deliberation, the objection was upheld.

Anton Marcus (Liesl King)

Owner Rick Nidd is a great fan of the stallion Ashaawes and he was repaid handsomely when Barinois obliged in the Track & Ball Gaming Maiden at only her second start. Owned in partnership with trainer Duncan Howells, Keagan de Melo rode a copybook race and his mount came through to win smoothly.

The stable was not so lucky next up as favourite Seattle Spell failed to fire with Ian Sturgeon extricating the well supported Just Positive from a tight situation to get up late to deny Angel Landing for Des Egdes. Just Positive raced in the silks of the late Andre van Vuuren who was a staunch supporter of the yard along with Mike Clutterbuck.

The Howells-trained Roman Emperor finally got his act together in the Itsarush.co.za Middle Stakes but it was a close-run thing. The gelding is not an easy ride but De Melo pinched an early lead and kept his mount hard to his task to hold a fast-finishing favourite Cape Fling, jockey Anthony Delpech having to endure some flavourful vitriol from a few of the favourite’s supporters around the second box.

But Dean Kannemeyer and Delpech had better luck on the rest of the card with Speed Of Africa and Orelia rounding off a successful afternoon for the yard.

By Andrew Harrison

Investec Cape Derby winner Edict Of Nantes could start his build-up towards the Vodacom Durban July in the Daisy Guineas at Greyville on May 7.

Edict Of Nantes (Liesl King)

Brett Crawford said: “I have nominated him for the race although it is not guaranteed that he will run. He has only had one grass gallop [in KZN] so he has a bit of work to do.”

The Mayfair Speculators colt has a terrible draw (18 out of 19) in the R600 000 Grade 2 but only Table Bay and Janoobi are rated higher.

Crawford then intends running Edict Of Nantes in the Daily News, a race he won with Jackson five years ago. He has yet to win the July but Angus was only beaten a head by Ipi Tombe in 2002 and Futura was little more than half a length-third to Legislate three years ago.

However only two Cape Derby winners have gone on to take the July this century – Dynasty in 2003 and Big City Life six years later.

By Michael Clower

Nicklaus has cost himself victory in the boardroom on more than one occasion and Duncan Howells will be looking for a change of fortune for his runner in the sixth at Greyville on Friday evening.

Nicklaus (Nkosi Hlophe)

Thirtytwo Squadron was the steward’s beneficiary four runs back and then it was the turn of Last Tiger who took the slightest of nudges but enough to convince the stewards that Nicklaus was at fault.

Keagan de Melo made sure that Nicklaus stayed away from trouble at his next start but Just Ask Me got first run and he was unable to haul him in before the line.

1400m on the Greyville poly is the gelding’s optimum trip and although he takes on a useful field he is due a change of fortune.

The Slade is no stranger to the poly track having shed his maiden on the course before being shipped off to Cape Town for the summer where he contested the Selangor Cup and the Politician Stakes. He was well beaten in both events but was not far off the winners. He strikes as a progressive gelding and Dean Kannemeyer’s runners have an enviable record on the poly track.

Ashton Arries is full value for his 4kg claim and can break a string of runners-up places for We’re Watching You for Michael Roberts and confirm the form behind Icy Spirit. At time of writing, Arries was four winners away from 20 and having his claim reduced to 2.5kg.

By Andrew Harrison

The Vaal Inside track has a low key eight race card tomorrow and the exotics could be the way to go. Low draws are favourable by trends in all races on this course.

In the first leg of the PA, the classy Querari colt Wonderwall looks hard to oppose. He has outstanding form, having finished second over 1000m on debut and then following up with a fine second in the R1 million Kuda Sprint over 1200m. He beat Barrack Street by five lengths in the Kuda and the latter has won a Listed and a Gr 3 sprint since returning to the Highveld. However, there are a couple of interesting first-timers in the field. These include the Australian-bred Naaher, who is by Lonhro out of Listed-winning and Gr 1-placed  sprinter.

Piere Strydom

The highest rated race on the card is the sixth, which is an Allowance Plate for fillies and mares over 1800m. The best weighted horse on official merit ratings is American Story. This long-striding galloper is 4,5kg better off with Pennington Sands for a 3,25 length beating last time they met, if apprentice claims are ignored. She has never run badly at the Vaal and as a handy sort carrying only 52kg in a small field she is selected to win over a trip she will relish. Against her is a wide draw. Pennington Sands has a touch of class, and considering her good turn of foot can afford to be dropped out from her wide draw. However, she does have a welter burden to carry. Inaninstant looked to be a horse who would reach the top class at one stage, but she then put in a number of lacklustre efforts. She showed some sign of a return to form last time, so can’t be ignored.

The seventh is an interesting MR 72 Handicap over 2000m. Porcupine Creek overcame a wide draw to win over 1800m last time, having won his maiden over the same trip. He is now drawn in pole position and is off just a two point higher mark, so can go close over a step up in trip he should handle. However, he will likely have his work cut out to keep Hamaan and Stunned at bay. Hamaan proved he was crying out for this sort of trip when running third in the Listed Derby Trial. This is a weaker field and he will likely be doing his best work late as he has a tricky draw to overcome. Stunned was unlucky in the Derby Trial but has some fine form in ordinary handicaps. He is distance suited and is off a still attractive merit rating. Those three could be enough to get punters through the Pick 6.

The most competitive race in the Pick 6 is the fifth race, the third leg. In this MR 79 Handicap over 1700m, the eight-year-old Baracah has been selected to win as he is drawn well over a suitable trip and has come down a couple of points in the merit ratings. He goes well for Piere Strydom, who has ridden him in his last three starts. However, Starret City won well last time in his third run after a rest and can progress further. Bold Viking is another one who can progress further, but Dawn Assault, Kanonkop, Trip To Rio, Cockade and Hieronymus are all capable of winning too.

In the last leg of the Pick 6, Don Christo has come into his own and Gavin Lerena stays aboard, so he can win yet again. However, the blinkers strike Side Show as well as Dragon’s Breath are both talented sorts, if not enigmatic, and have to be included.

By David Thiselton

Sean Tarry is almost unstoppable in his charge to a second National Trainer’s Championship and Newyorkstateofmind can add to his already burgeoning tally at Greyville tomorrow.

Newyorkstateofmind (Nkosi Hlophe)

The gelding took an age to shed his maiden but once that was behind him he was quick to reel off a further two victories. He has been campaigned relentlessly with at least one outing per month since October last year and although he lost a little of his form after his last win back in November, he is now showing a glimpse of his better form. He was third in a stronger handicap field at his last start and with Anthony Delpech taking over in the saddle Newyorkstateofmind can give Eddie Sweat a run for his money.

Eddie Sweat, named after the groom of the legendary Triple Crown winner Secretariat, has been out of the winner’s box for some time now and although the five-time winner is hardly in the league of ‘Big Red’, Frank Robinson has been patient and the gelding’s time could come again this afternoon.

It has been over two years since his last victory but the handicappers have finally relented and the gelding’s rating has been dropping rapidly from a high of 94 to 67 and to a point where he now looks competitive again. He is also showing signs of a return to form.

Although Eddie Sweat can hardly be backed with any confidence Robinson looks to have picked the right race for him. He has seldom been far off the winner even though his losing streak stretches back 780 days he was staying on nicely in the soft ground at Scottsville last time out when three lengths behind Great Value.

He is well suited – like many of the older brigade – to the more forgiving and even poly track surface and although he takes on some fairly promising younger rivals, today could be his day.

Kept Secret (Nkosi Hlophe)

Belinda Impey survived a savage attack by a disgruntled former employee a fortnight back but her stable hands and her Ashburton colleagues stepped into the breech to help out while she was in hospital and she will be back to saddle her smart mare Kept Secret, winner of both her recent starts. In form apprentice Ashton Arries, aboard Newyorkstateofmind last time out, has stuck with Kept Secret and a winning hat-trick will be welcomed by all.

Seatops and Damali look pick of the younger brigade but Eddie Sweat could provide for a good priced winner in what looks to be another tricky card.

In the Lightning Shot Handicap, Mr Mcsteamy comes into this race holding his form and does his best over course and distance. He takes a slight drop in class and Anton Marcus is back aboard. Toonani was well supported in the market last time out but may have been short of a run after returning from a break. He should improve on that showing and looks a threat. Of the balance, Roy Royale is back over his best surface and is down in the ratings while All True Man improved last run and has his third start after a break.

Ideal Duel is a recent maiden winner but has improved with every outing, shedding her maiden at third time of asking. She appears to have some scope and meets little of note in the SA Racing App Handicap.

By Andrew Harrison

Piet Botha has come out of retirement and rides two horses for Glen Puller at Kenilworth on Saturday – Love To Fly in the Juvenile Plate and Jay Rock in the Racing Association Maiden.

Glen Puller

Botha, 40, said yesterday: “I resumed riding work on December 27. I wanted to ride one horse and see how it feels. I haven’t looked back since, and I aim to continue for as long as I stay fit and healthy. My weight is pretty good – I was 56kg when I stepped on the scales last Saturday.”

A bad fall at Summerveld in 2010 ended his career the first time round when a broken rib caused endless pain and led to his being medically boarded with supposedly-permanent nerve damage.

He rode two Grade 1 winners in Mauritius and has a string of Grade 2 and 3 winners in Cape Town to his credit including the Green Point and Matchem on Roman Charger, Peninsula Handicap (Dunford),  Chairman’s Cup (Selous trained by Puller), Odessa ( Joshua’s Princess), Sceptre (Joshlin) and J & B Reserve Stayers.

Since his retirement he has been concentrating on building up his coffee machine business.

By Michael Clower

Cape Town handicapper Ken Nicol, handed the retrenchment red card by the National Horseracing Authority, aims to stay in racing either as a handicapper overseas or as a journalist.

Ken Nicol (hamish NIVEN Photography)

He said yesterday: “I’ve been in racing for quite a while, firstly in computers and as a jockey’s agent. I also owned a couple of horses and spent five years with the Sporting Post before becoming a handicapper in 2010. Now I want to continue my involvement with the game.”

Nicol, 55, will be a serious loss to the local handicapping scene. He made a point of going into the parade ring before each race to study the horses, see which were fit and which weren’t, and which were playing up, showing signs of nerves or anything else that might stop them running up to their best. Those taking over his job from TV screens in their offices in Johannesburg and Durban won’t find this so easy.

By Michael Clower

The Vaal has an eight race meeting tomorrow and punters look to have some fair chances.

Gavin Lerena (Supplied)

The first over 1000m is full of intrigue as it sees a number of two-year-olds taking on older horses in a maiden. The first-timer two-year-old from the Johan Janse van Vuuren yard, Radiant Cut, is the only filly in the field but being by Var and a half-sister to the useful Gr 3-winning sprint-miler Brilliant Cut she should have a fine chance from a plum low draw. She only has to carry 54,5kg.

Imperial Past has the advantage of being a three-year-old who only has to give his male two-year-old rivals here 3kg as opposed to the 8,5kg he would have to give them if it were a weight for age race. He showed good pace over 1200m on debut and should have come on from the run. He was over racing early and was reported to have made a breathing noise, so should relish the step down in trip too.

Captain Kangaroo is an interesting two-year-old male here. He was well beaten on debut over 1160m, but he showed excellent early pace in a decent field and should come on from the run. Significantly, Gavin Lerena has stuck with him.

Bravo Zulu wouldn’t be described as a scopey sort, but has some pace and was quite close to Laurent du Var last time and the latter went on to finish second in a Gr 3. The three-year-old Jet Sailor can earn on his best form, while the first-timer Brigtnumberten is speedily bred being by Eightfold Path out of a mare who won by 5,5 lengths on debut over 800m.

The Great Duchess has been chosen as the value bet of the day and she runs in race two, a maiden for fillies and mares over 1000m. She is a big, improved horse who will be staying on strongly from her unfavourable high draw. She is against her own gender here after running well in a mixed maiden field last time.

Sean Tarry (Nkosi Hlophe)

The best bet of the day, Guns And Roses, runs in race three over 1475m. She was slow away on debut over 1160m, but ran on strongly and the form has worked out well. She will enjoy the step up in trip on pedigree and is drawn on the right side in a moderate field. However, Sean Tarry has two first-timers, Miss Evolution and Gypsy Jazz, and considering the exceptional strike rate this yard has with first-timers, any money for them must be respected.

The rest of the races are handicaps, so will be more competitive.

In race five the topweight Whosethebossnow looks to possess class and should start coming into his own now. He is well drawn and should appreciate the step down to 1700m after disappointing over 2000m last time in the Listed Derby Trial. Blue Diamond Road will be a threat as he has a fair draw over a suitable trip and looks to be off an attractive merit rating at present. Those two have been chosen to be enough to get through the Pick 6.

The last race has been chosen as the other leg to go thin in the Pick 6 as three horses, Movie Show, Hashtag Strat and Lay Of The World look to have the speed, class and scope to be potential victors over a suitable 1000m trip.

By David Thiselton

Africa Rising and Copper Force gave early notice for South Africa’s Champion Season after finishing first and second respectively in the Gr 3 Byerley Turk at Greyville yesterday. The race – once called the Rupert Ellis Brown and run at Clairwood and a happy hunting ground for former champion trainer Terrance Millard – is the natural stepping stone into the Gr2 Daisy Guineas.

Africa Rising (Nkosi Hlophe)

Sean Tarry is so far ahead on the current national trainers’ log that he could turn in his licence today and still be crowned champion but he is far from done and added another feature to his already impressive record this term as Africa Rising cruised home under hands and heels from apprentice Lyle Hewitson from Copper Force and Buffalo Soldier with Kenny Trix staying on resolutely for fourth.

From his inside draw, Hewitson tracked the early pace on the heels of Copper Force who was the first to tackle the leaders in the home stretch. However, Anthony Delpech left an inviting opening up the inside fence and Hewitson took full advantage, punching Africa Rising through the gap to win going away.

Justin Snaith was on record as saying Copper Force was not fully primed for this event and Delpech geared him down once his chances had gone. Both Africa Rising and Copper Force look likely to come on from this showing and the Daisy Guineas should provide for a tighter contest between these two.

If Snaith was cautious about the chances of Copper Force he was bullish about Gimme Six in the Gr2 Umzimkhulu Stakes. “This is Gimme Six’s main target and she is properly ready,” he said earlier last week and it was bull’s eye. Delpech had her in the box seat throughout and brought the daughter of Gimmethegreenlight through smoothly to justify Snaith’s confidence.

Final Judgement was game in second but Richard Fourie had his hands full keeping her on a straight course while Sail had every chance. Dawn Calling had a tricky outside draw to overcome but was doing her best work late.

Apprentice Ashton Arries is four shy of losing his 4kg claim and is doing it in a hurry as he booted home a brace of winner for Paul Lafferty to take his total to 16. Sniper Shot benefitted from Arries’s claim to get the better of the first timer Procal Harem with favourite Sit Frenchie in third and Arries followed up on the Lafferty first timer Dark Moon Rising to relegate the luckless Indian Tractor to another runner-up berth.

Tiger Hill gave notice that he is a lively candidate for the big staying races over the next three months and even a crack at the Vodacom Durban July with an impressive performance in the KVN Shipping Handicap. In a race run at a cracking pace, Glen Kotzen’s runner kept plugging home under top weight with lightly weighted favourite Mr O’Neill caught way out of his ground and under the pump coming up the hill into the final bend.

By Andrew Harrison