One of the most famous traditional moments in sport is the roar which greets the off of the opening race of the annual Cheltenham Festival, the Gr 1 Supreme Novices Hurdle.

Ruby Walsh (www.honestbettingreviews.com)

It will be heard today (Tuesday) at 15h30 South African time live on Tellytrack. The Festival is anticipated for months each season and there can be no other race meeting in the world which generates such excitement and emotion. The opening roar is like a pressure valve release to acknowledge the end of the talking and the beginning of four days of spectacular action.

The Supreme Novice’s Hurdle is one of the meetings most analysed races due to its position on the program. Ruby Walsh and his guv’nor Willie Mullins have each won this race a record six-times. Walsh has won five of the last seven renewals, four of them for Mullins.

This year Mullins has four of the fourteen entries in the two mile and half-a-furlong event. Walsh was yet to have committed to a ride by the time of going to press. However, Mullins expected him to choose Melon, a French-bred five-year-old gelding by Medicean.

Melon won one race on the flat over a mile-and-a-half and won his only hurdles race over two miles at Leopardstown by ten lengths and did it easily.

Tipster Lewis Jones said about Melon, “Mullins has been unusually bullish, going on record stating that he’s well ahead of stablemate Bunk Off Early in terms of homework, which backs up the Autumn vibes that this horse blitzes the gallops at Closutton.”

By David Thiselton

Brutal Force, who returned to winning form in the Vasco Food Trucks Pinnacle at Kenilworth 17 days ago, has been sent to Johannesburg to campaign in sprints there.

Joey Ramsden (Nkosi Hlophe)

Joey Ramsden said: “He won a nice race that day considering he had had a wind-op as well as a life-saving operation for colic, and I thought it was a good effort for a horse who can get up to 600kg.

“With him it’s just a question of freshening him up once he is fit but there are some good sprinters around this year whereas last year I thought that, with the exception of Red Ray, they were mostly moderate.”

The Milnerton trainer has also sent the well bred three-year-old Pillar Of Hercules, third the Sophomore Sprint two months ago, with Brutal Force as well as the filly Captain Gambler who took on the colts in the Investec Cape Derby and beat all except Edict Of Nantes and Zodiac Ruler.

Ramsden said: “She is going to have a crack at the (Wilgerbosdrift) SA Oaks. The Gauteng Fillies Guineas would have been too short for her and the Fillies Classic will probably be so too but the Oaks is her target.”

By Michael Clower

The KZN Breeders Club are always looking for innovative ways to encourage the purchase of KZN-bred horses and have come up with a new concept labelled “Levelling the playing fields”.

‘Levelling the playing fields’ is a R1 million incentive scheme for horses bred in the province and who have a gross merit rating of 78 or less, giving horses at the lower end of the handicap scale a chance of earning good money for their connections.

In a unique concept, trainers are invited to nominate ONE horse in their yard that meets all the criteria for participation.

General rules are that the horse nominated is KZN bred in terms of the rules of the KZN Breeders’ Club rules.

It must have a gross merit rating of 78 or less at the time of entry and has had a minimum of five runs at time of entry so their form is well exposed.

Races will be run over 1200m, 1400m, and 1600m with the final run over 1400m. All races will be on the turf and to win the series the horse will need to be versatile and sound.

A maximum of 30 horses will compete in each of rounds 1,2 and 3 with each round split into two groups of 15 horses – this will be done by ballot.

Riders will also be drawn by ballot and apprentice allowances may be claimed, including in the final.

Weights range between 63kg and 57kgs. MR’s 78 to 76 to carry 63kgs with 1kg off for every three merit rating points to bottom weight of 57kg for horses with ratings 60 and below.

Round 1 will see two races run over 1200m at Scottsville, followed by two races over 1400m at the same venue and two races over 1600m also at Scottsville. Each of these races will carry a R100 000 stake. The final over 1400m will be run at Greyville for a stake of R200 000.

Entry is free but will be restricted to 30 horses and eliminations will be from the lowest meriting rating upwards.

If a horse’s MR is raised above 78 after the series has begun, that horse will continue to be eligible for the entire series but will carry top weight of 63kgs.

An added incentive is that each of the owner, trainer and breeder will be eligible for a R50 000 bonus along with the jockey who accumulates the most points over the series.

Entries close at noon this Friday, March 17.

By Andrew Harrison

The Vaal has a nine race meeting tomorrow on the Classic Track and there look to be some fair opportunities for punters.

Muntahaa is selected as the best bet on the card. He runs in the third over 1700m and this good looking horse should relish the step up in trip from a good draw. In his last race over 1600m he had to be used up early to go handy from a wide draw and was then left flat footed at the business end. However, he was staying on nicely at the line. He now has a good draw in an uninspiring field and should outclass them.

Piere Strydom

The value bet of the day is Fish River Canyon in the last over 1500m. She over raced slightly when sent to the front from a wide draw over 1800m last time. However, she was soon in the box seat after others had gone around her. She then found a nice turn of foot to hit the front 400m out. However, she was run out of it late. By all accounts she should enjoy the step down in trip from a good draw off her competitive current merit rating.

In the first over 1000m De Nimes has generally had long gaps between runs, so has her issues, but she has talent. Last time she met a firecracker in Gratuity, but ran on well after a slow start. The lightly raced five-year-old by Fort Beluga should have come on from the run, so should confirm form with the main danger, Gotoluvher.

In the next over 1000m Twinkle Town is a nice looking type, who ran on well last time after a slow start over this trip. The only two concerns are her returning from a three month layoff and whether she can beat Street Life. The latter’s form on paper looks weaker, but she was not given a good ride last time over 1200m and could improve.

In the fourth race over 1700m, Half A Bar will be hard to beat if he settles. The zip he showed with first-time pacifiers on over 1400m last time is a slight concern over this further trip, because the headgear stays on. On the other hand he has pole position, which will give him every chance of finding cover. If settling he should mow them down as he has been thereabouts over 1600m and 1800m before, albeit without pacifiers.

In the fifth over 2000m, Arlington over raced over 1800m in his penultimate start with blinkers on. However, he still still finished quite close up, so considering his good turn of foot he is interesting here over 2000m with the blinkers now off and jumping from pole position.

My Treasure also makes some appeal from a good draw in the eighth over 1500m as he has turned the corner since blinkers were fitted. He can be excused his disappointing third last time as the saddle slipped. Piere Strydom has remained aboard, which is significant.

By David Thiselton

The Cape Town jockeys are supporting Alistair Cohen in his battle against cancer almost to a man with most of them sporting shaven heads at Kenilworth on Saturday.

“The biggest thing in this is to stay positive and we want to let Alistair know that our prayers are with him,” said Richard Fourie who appeared in the winner’s box without his helmet to underline his point.

Donovan Dillon (Supplied)

He won the last on the Glen Kotzen-trained Sylvanite but it was after his victory on Dawn Rising for his sponsor Drakenstein that he relayed the message. Justin Snaith also spoke of his support for the star commentator who would have been fascinated by how the Trippi filly has tested the trainer’s abilities to the limit.

“Her muscle-enzymes were too high and her blood showed bruising of the muscles,” he explained. “! decided to take a chance and cut out all the excess energy by changing her onto a low-energy diet. I felt I had to get her out of the maidens or I would have been obliged to suggest another trainer! But it worked and we put her down as a Pick Six banker on our website.”

Grant van Niekerk dominated much of the rest of the card with a double for his old boss plus the first in his new Plattner Racing stable jockey role. He was uncharacteristically short of breath after scoring on Sister Soozie, even though he was able to stop riding before the line.

“Jesus,” he exclaimed. “I’ve been in the gym and I thought I was fit but when you’ve been off for six weeks this is not an easy game. We jocks should get paid more!”

He led throughout on Come On Sonny and repeated the performance on the second Candice Bass-Robinson winner Oh Behave. “His first day back in Cape Town and he’s out like a bullet,” said the trainer, seemingly not at all convinced that the tactics were right. “I was a bit worried that he had gone too hard but the track is riding fast.”

Corne Orffer & Son (Supplied)

In truth the Oh Behave ride was vintage Van Niekerk, throwing convention to the winds and riding on instinct. From a furlong out, though, his advantage was dwindling all the way to the line with his pursuers bearing down on him with all the agonising inevitability of a man drowning in quicksand. But the jockey refused to admit defeat, kept asking for more and his mount dug into reserves that even he cannot have known he had and scraped home.

Smokey Affair, many people’s idea of the bet of the day (including the writer’s), totally failed to fire in the 1 400m handicap and was afterwards found to be coughing. Fourth was as closest as she could get to the one-eyed 18-1 shock Hanabi on whom Lucien Africa made all to reward Eric Sands’ Grooms Racing Trust (“They work very hard and they deserve it”).

The stipes inquired into the improved form after Fire Walker – backed from 35-1 to 13-1 – ploughed a lone path up the inside rails under Craig Bantam in the 1 000m maiden. Glen Puller explained that his horses had a virus when this one last ran on New Year’s Eve but first time blinkers were obviously a significant factor.

Joey Ramsden seemed to have as high an opinion of fourth-placed newcomer Dynasty’s Blossom as the winner Rose In Bloom in the two-year-old race although Donovan Dillon reckoned he had a fair bit more up his sleeve – “She won easier than the half-length margin would suggest. I had a lot in the tank.”

By Michael Clower

Top horses, no matter whether they develop into sprinters or stayers, generally show ability early and the Storm Bird Stakes may have thrown up a pair of exceptional two-year-olds. Alfolk and Barrack Street were the only two in the market for the Listed Storm Bird Stakes run at Turffontein yesterday although the betting did not accurately reflect the result.

Mike De Kock (Nkosi Hlophe)

Alfolk was the marginal favourite ahead of Barrack Street but the Sean Tarry yard is almost unstoppable when it comes to feature events of late and the half-brother to champion Jay Peg put one over his Mike de Kock-trained rival to run out a comfortable winner and put a disappointing last run behind him. Alfolk, an Australian-bred son of Lonrho is also bred to get a trip and was on his own in second. This pair, if living up to their pedigrees, should be worth following. Their next meeting may come in the Gr1 SA Nursery come the end of April but the pair should also be contenders for Champions Season.

Both were in contention come the 400m mark but Barrack Street showed a better turn of foot and quickly got the upper hand. Alfolk, unable to match strides, lost his action and gave the impression that he would prefer a sustained build-up rather than a dash for home.

The Listed Ruffian Stakes looked to be at the mercy of the Paul Matchett-trained Kissable, who after two victories and on all lines of form, looked nigh unbeatable. But stranger things have happened in racing and after showing tremendous early pace the light on the petrol gauge suddenly glowed red at the 400m mark and Kissable was quickly out of the door, trailing in last.

Sean Tarry (Nkosi Hlophe)

This left the back door open for the Barend Botes-trained Daring Diva with Andrew Fortune pouncing on his opportunity to sail home on the Gerald Kalil-owned and bred King Of Kings filly.

Fortune, who has been slapped with a 10-day ban and a R25k fine for deliberately waving his whip and striking a rival horse across the face last month, was at his sublime best as he tracked the hot favourite waiting to take advantage of any chink in her armour.

So when Kissable turned her cheek he was there with puckered lips.

A Tarry-trained runner was to the fore again in the next as Exquisite Touch snapped a run of indifferent recent form to get the better of a useful field in the Listed Bauhinia Handicap.

Piere Strydom looked to have timed his finish to perfection on top weight Joan Ranger as he hit the front with 50m to go but had an incredulous look on his face as S’Managa Khumalo bulleted home on his outside to snatch victory.

By Andrew Harrison

Sabre Charge can show that he is a horse for the big staying races scheduled for Champions Season when he lines up in a Pinnacle Stakes over 2400m at Scottsville tomorrow.

Duncan Howells has taken things slowly with the son of Golden Sword and Sabre Charge is lightly raced, having only his seventh outing. However, both of the gelding’s wins have come over course and distance and although not particularly well in at the weights, he is still getting a lot of pudding from top weight and likely favourite Mr Winsome whose both recent victories have come on this course.

Mr Winsome (Nkosi Hlophe)

Dean Kannemeyer’s runner has been in mustard form of late but does step out over the extra two furlongs for the first time while most of his obvious dangers are proven over the trip.

Howells is two-handed as he also saddles the filly Forbidden Jewel who ran a cracking race behind Sabre Charge over course and distance and is now better off in the weights and also only has 48.5kg on her back. Given that she stays the trip well she must come into the reckoning.

Pace, or the lack of it, is always a concern in races of this nature but Serissa is a confirmed front-runner and with Anton Marcus aboard, the opposition will need to be wide awake.

The Howells-trained Amazon King shows promise and steps up to a ‘mile’ for the first time in another Pinnacle Stakes event. Howells has high hopes for the gelding saying earlier in the week; “He steps up every time I run him. We will see if he stays a mile on Sunday and if he does he will go for the Daisy Guineas. Whatever happens he will go for the Byerley Turk.”

He will certainly be tested as Rikitikitana meets him on the same weight terms as their latest meeting where there was just a neck in it so there should not be much between the two again tomorrow. Of the balance, Caribbean Day was a game winner of his last start and has a chance again while the filly Trini’s Colateral has a handy weight and is useful.

Lunar Rush (Nkosi Hlophe)

Michael Roberts looks to have a promising runner in the form of Marriot who has shown promise in spite of only shedding his maiden last run. The form of his debut when second to Wynkelder has been franked and both of his runs have been over course and distance. Charles Laird is back in form and Good To Give has his third run after a break and looks a lively threat as he started favourite at his last two and can make amends. Also in the mix is Roy’s Air Force who has been knocking at the door and with a four-claiming apprentice up here he should be thereabouts again. If there is to be an upset it could come in the form of Restless Rogue who was in need of his last start and appears better than his form would suggest.

Apprentice Dylan Lerena is another member of the Lerena racing family and Howells has placed a lot of faith in the young rider who has still to record his first victory by giving him the ride on Lunar Rush in the seventh.

Lunar Rush is a talented filly having won her last two in good fashion and is a candidate for the big fillies sprints come Champions Season. The 4kg claim will have been in the back of Howell’s mind with stable rider Keagan de Melo aboard recent maiden winner Rainbowinthesky. Lightly raced and winning from a difficult draw, the stable companion to Lunar Rush looks to have some scope and this race could confirm that view with Respect At Bay and Hot Mambo both tried and tested.

Indian Tractor and Admiral’s Guest are the two most likely to fight out the last and can cut down on PA and Pick 6 expenses.

By Andrew Harrison

Nicklaus has been a frustrating horse to follow but can finally reward his supports at Greyville this evening. The Duncan Howells-trained gelding has developed an alarming habit of shifting ground under pressure which has twice cost him and his supporters in the boardroom so they will still be wary of a plunge when the gelding runs in the Michael Cocks & Associates Handicap.

Keagan De Melo (Nkosi Hlophe)

However, stable rider Keagan de Melo is now painfully aware of this trait, having been aboard when on the wrong end of the latest protest, and will no doubt have been issued specific instructions by Howells.

Nicklaus is something of a poly track specialist and has finished ‘first’ in his last two starts over the surface split by a disastrous showing in the soft at Scottsville in a race where five horses finished tailed off.

That said the gelding is in good form and can finally earn a fifth victory in the face of some useful opposition.

Charles Laird saddles three runners, best of which could be Main Submission that belied his long odds when a close-up second in a strong handicap under Lerato Mohapi. He is sure to be a lot shorter in the market tonight and will be a threat to Nicklaus.

Winter Auralius can add to Howells’s growing list of winners as he has his third run after a lengthy break when lining up in the CMH Honda Pinetown Handicap. Winter Auralius is the choice of De Melo ahead of top weighted stable companion Chicago Beat who finally got it all together to skate home by eight lengths when shedding his maiden over course and distance.

A major threat could come in the form of Roy’s Taxi. Kom Naidoo has called on the services of Anton Marcus with Anthony Delpech deserting to ride recent winner Napoli, but Roy’s Taxi has some useful recent form to stronger and from pole position will make Winter Auralius gallop to the line.

The game mare Kept Secret is long overdue and can finally get it right in the PMB Auto Sales Handicap. She is a victim of her consistency as the handicappers have been reluctant to drop her rating but two of her most obvious dangers, Sarabi and Hot Chilli, have had their four-claiming apprentices replaced by jockeys which could be to their detriment and give Kept Secret the edge.

Nicklaus (Nkosi Hlophe)

Turffontein-based Tony Nassif will be hoping that Icy Avalanche can go to the well once again when the gelding lines up in the Sealit Handicap, opening leg of the Pick 6 on the eight-race card. Icy Avalanche got a hefty nine-point shunt up the handicap for his last win but he has taken to the poly track, winning his last two races on the surface. His last run got a major boost when runner-up, Chrome Blue, got up in the dying strides to deny a strong handicap field at Scottsville on Wednesday. This being a lowly bottom division handicap, Nassif must fancy the chances of his runner.

Of the others, the ‘Roy’s’ could be in news again as Roy’s Sailor comes into the race off some consistent recent form but of concern is that Alyson Wright’s runner finished last of 12 when sent over tonight’s trip.

Charles Laird has had some recent health issues but he is firmly back in the saddle at his Summerveld yard and the results are showing. Laird sends out the lightly raced Variety Romp who steps u

p in trip and is sure to improve on his last run and could push Icy Avalanche to the wire.

But in all, punters are faced with a competitive card where exotic bet bankers are in short supply.

By Andrew Harrison