As soon as the six visiting riders taking part in the Air Mauritius International Jockeys’ Challenge touched down at OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday, one of their first tasks was to locate a newspaper and scour the racecard.

The reading material would no doubt have come in handy for the short flight to Port Elizabeth where the first of two legs kicks off on Friday with Fairview prepared to host what promises to be a thrilling first day of a crack team of international riders against a strong South African team.

The second leg takes place at Turffontein Racecourse on Sunday.

The visitors will be captained by Frankie Dettori, who makes a return for the first time since 2009 and features the likes of Hayley Turner, Pat Cosgrave, Rab Havlin, Fergus Sweeney and Aurelien Lemaitre.

“Good to be back. I’ve tried to bring a winning team with me and try to win this year because your boys are hard to beat in your own backyard,” Dettori told Racing. It’s A Rush shortly after arriving in South Africa.

The South African team will be led by S’manga Khumalo with Muzi Yeni, Anthony Delpech, Aldo Domeyer, Grant van Niekerk and the in-form Gavin Lerena filling the remaining slots.

The South African team has a proud history in this competition having won six of the eight renewals.

One thing that most racegoers are hoping to see at either venue is Dettori’s trademark flying dismount and he’s promised to deliver should he manage to get into the winner’s box.

“If I win a race, of course you will. Hopefully we’ll get that straightened out,” Dettori said in reference to the fact that he’s still to get off the mark in two appearances in this competition. He featured in the inaugural event in 2008 and returned the following year.

“I heard I’ve got one favourite on Friday, not sure about Sunday but there’s time to get organised, get as much information as we can and get ready for the weekend.”

This weekend is also a chance for Turner to return to race-riding and the English jockey admitted that the lure of competing in this event was enough to draw her back.

“This is my third time now. I loved it last year, it was brilliant. That was my last ride before I retired and they asked me to come back this year and I couldn’t say no,” Turner said.

“I haven’t been on a winning team either. We are determined to win it this year. Apparently I’ve got some good rides. We’ve got a bit of time to do our homework and fingers crossed,” Turner, recently awarded an OBE by the Queen said before touching on the team format and the difference it makes as opposed to the usual status quo where it’s everyone for themselves.

“You’re a lot happier when you pull up if you don’t finish anywhere but one of your team members win. We all want to win but finishing second isn’t too bad if it’s one of your team members getting up ahead of you.”

Racing.It’s A Rush!

The Vaal Outside track stages a competitive nine race card tomorrow. High draws have been favourable by trends at this course.

The meeting heralds the return of the 111 merit-rated Brazuca, who runs in the second race, a Graduation Plate over 1400m. He has not been seen since running third to Legal Eagle and French Navy in the Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge over 2000m at the end of April. He deserved the rest having campaigned in Cape Town and in the Highveld classics. He should outclass this field as he has some speed and this should be an ideal trip for his return.

The best bet on the card could come in race three in the form of September Bloom. The Gitano Hernando filly is a decent looking sort and faces an uninspiring fillies and mares maiden field here over 1200m. In her last start over 1450m on the Turffontein Inside track she over raced early and was then stopped in her tracks when beginning a telling run. She still picked up well after that and the form has worked out well. She should relish this 1200m trip and from a fair draw of ten might be too classy here, despite having not raced since August. The obvious danger is At A Glance, but against her is a low draw.

The seventh race is a MR 92 Handicap over 1000m. Daspoort is six points higher than his highest winning mark, but has turned the corner and proved last time he was up to his current merit rating. He had a tough draw on that occasion and was also a bit hampered in the closing stages, but still managed to stay on for a one length third to the speedy Magic. He now has a plum draw on the outside rail and Piere Strydom rides. He is given  the nod for value bet on the card. Isphan is speedy and is off a competitive merit rating. He should make a bold bid, although he might end up giving Daspoort a nice tow and then be caught late. Seattle Singer would not be a surprise winner. She is a three-year-old filly running against the boys off a 94 merit rating, but has class and speed and done well against males at GR 1 level before. However, her draw is not as favourable as Daspoort’s and might cost her.

Another contender for best bet is Fieldmarshal Fenix, who runs in the eighth race, a MR 75 Handicap over 1000m. He has a nice stride on him and used it to lengthen in the closing stages of his debut over the quick 1160m Turffontein course. He is a four-year-old so started off as a 67 merit rating and was raised to a 70 after finishing second over 1450m. The form of his maiden over 1160m, in which he beat Refuge and Ronin Warrior, has worked out exceptionally well as they have gone on to win another five races between them. He has a fair draw and does not face an inspiring field. However, the slight concern is that he would probably prefer a touch further than 1000m.

In the first race Plum British could be a fair bet. This three-year-old gelding has plenty of speed, not surprisingly being by Great Britain. He is better drawn than the pair who strike as the main dangers, Amber Flash and Flying Russian. The question is whether he will stay the extra 200m in this 1200m event and he is given the nod too as he is a robust sort who should have come on from his first two career outings.

September Bloom’s performance in race three will be of interest regarding the chances of Miss Turbo in race five over 1400m. Miss Turbo beat the former the last time they met over 1450m. September Bloom was unlucky there, but Miss Turbo has dropped to a competitive merit rating after not being disgraced against a promising sort last time and has a favourable draw with Gavin Lerena up.

David Thiselton

Winning Ways [Nov 14] presented by James Goodman and Paul Lafferty

Extended betting hours by Michelle Wing

Gavin Lerena rode the winners of all four legs of the Jackpot on Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile Day at Turffontein on Saturday.

The former champion jockey’s historic feat included victory in the main race of the day, the Charity Mile itself, aboard 7-2 favourite New Predator.

The four-year-old Australian import was trained by Johan Janse van Vuuren, who also had four winners on the day – including the last three legs of the Jackpot, all in the colours of the Wernars family.

There were multiples and co-incidences wherever one looked.

In the main race, the random draw for celebrity representatives saw Lerena and New Predator coupled with his cousin, the boxer Kevin Lerena. Also, the winning charity linked to New Predator was the sponsors’ own corporate responsibility initiative, the Peermont Educational Trust.

The trust claimed a cheque for R150,000 when the four-year-old cruised to triumph in the popular R1-million Grade 2 Charity Mile.

On a day of generosity and giving, the name New Predator didn’t seem to fit in. But a horse doesn’t know what it’s called and the colt carrying that moniker delivered a bounty of both cash and pleasure to a big crowd at Tuffontein on Saturday.

The general feel-good factor of the event wasn’t dampened by a 70-minute Highveld storm delay.

When the big race finally got under way, New Predator looked a class above in the preliminaries – a towering four-year-old son of 2008 Epsom Derby-winner New Approach, looking as fit as a fiddle.

Appearances didn’t lie. From the No 7 gate, Lerena had his charge right in behind the early sprint. Outsider Captain Aldo (66-1) set the early pace, with Mogok Magic, Romany Prince, Saratoga Dancer, New Predator and Champagne Haze and St Tropez in behind.

As they straightened, Cape Town raider St Tropez made a dash for glory, but it was short-lived as New Predator, Deo Juvente (22-1) and Saratoga Dancer (also 22-1) swept by.

In the final strides, New Predator always had the power to overcome his challengers and he passed the post 0.60 lengths ahead of Durban raider Saratoga Dancer, with Deo Juvente just 0.20 lengths behind that. Irish Pride (8-1) – also trained by Van Vuuren and owned by the Wernars, ran on well from far back into fourth.

Lerena commented: “He’s an amazing horse. He needed his last run; it put him in the zone and he was spot on today.”

After completing his Jackpot with a hair’s-breadth win on Doosra in Race 8, the R250,000 Grade 3 Graham Beck Stakes for three-year-olds, Lerena thanked his family profusely for their contribution to his stellar career.

His four winners were Chili Con Carne (15-1) in Race 5, the Ready To Run Cup; She’s A Giver (15-1), in Race 6, the Grade 3 Starling Stakes; New Predator (7-2) in the Charity Mile, and Doosra (13-10, favourite) in Race 8.

TABnews

Another leg of the KZN 3YO Series takes centre stage at Greyville today. Raced over 1600m in the memory of Angelina Paul, the race has attracted a small but quality field where the filly Dawn Calling could put one over the colts.

The race was originally scheduled for the Greyville turf, but as the grass has not fully recovered from its spring treatment the event was switched to the poly track. Duncan Howells then made the decision to send Roy’s Magic to contest the Gr3 Graham Beck Stakes instead leaving Dawn Calling to take her chances as she has already shown an affinity for the synthetic surface.

Dawn Calling recently made her seasonal debut in a 1200m sprint against some useful older fillies where she was not well in at the weights and over a trip that already appears to be well short of her optimum. However, she was all over a winner except at the line as Impala Lily got up to deny her victory.

Although taking on some smart males Dawn Calling is nicely in at these weights and will much prefer today’s trip. With the G1 Cape Fillies Guineas on the agenda, just how she fares will give some indication of her chances should she take her place in that race come early December.

Howells will have a line on most of the field with Palladium, Highway Eightyfive, My Pal Al and The King Of Random all behind the Howells-trained Roy’s Magic at Scottsville last month.

It was a desperately close finish but Roy’s Magic came from off them to nail My Pal Al and Palladium on the line. On that showing there should be very little between My Pal Al and Palladium again today but both could find the filly too hot to handle.

Something of an unknown quantity is the Frank Robinson-trained Winter Is Coming. The colt took time to come to hand but once stepped out on the poly his form improved dramatically. His last run was super impressive as he put a maiden field to the sword, winning by eight lengths easing up. The handicappers were also impressed and he earned a 94 rating. Whether that rating is justified, we will know by this evening.

Olympic gold medallist Chad le Clos has been cleaning up at the World Champs and will be hoping that the horse named after him and which he also owns in partnership can do the same. Unbelievable Chad started his career in promising fashion but has since been disappointing. He has his third run after gelding in the seventh and with the stable in good form, Unbelievable Chad could get back on the winning trail.

Andrew Harrison

Mike de Kock’s comments for Chartity Mile race day Nov 5:

EMPERORS PALACE READY TO RUN CUP (1400m)

I think Act Of Loyalty is a very nice horse and I’m expecting him to run well. We have a lot to do at the ratings but I feel he is relatively unexposed. Coyote probably needs gelding. I thought he was a fair sort but he had a disappointing last run. It would be unrealistic to expect a place.

GRAHAM BECK STAKES 1400m 

Heavenly Blue is a smart sort. This is his minimum trip, he definitely wants further. This is a test in a way because I would like to see how he runs against his peers. He has won well, although he beat very little. He’s more of a Classic kind of horse. He’s had plenty work at home and he is a horse with a good attitude – very straightforward – but he needs to rise to the occasion. I would expect him to be in the top three.

HSH PRINCESS CHARLENE OF MONACO STARLING STAKES 1400m

Al Hawraa ran a cracker in a handicap last time and was probably a bit unlucky not to win. I expect her to run very well. If things go her way she should do well. Intriguing Lady ran well last time but she is going to have a tough time from No 16 draw. Red Pomegranate is a nice filly and she won a handicap very well against older fillies. If she was drawn well I would give her a big chance. If Callan (Murray) can get lucky from the draw she can run a big race.

YELLOWWOOD HANDICAP  1800m

Persian Rug has been disappointing. The form suggests she is not any better than she is showing and form doesn’t lie. We will try different tactics with her this time. We’ll sit her at the back and let her run on.

Race 2: HSH PRINCESS CHARLENE OF MONACO MAIDEN PLATE 1600m

Al Hamd is very well but probably wants further. He’s quite a nice little horse who will win his share of races.

RACE 4: JAVA HANDICAP 2450m

Whatever you for say for Kinaan you can say for the other two. He’s had two runs and he’s fairly fit. We’ve taken the blinkers off because he tended to over-race with them on. Kingmambo’s Legacy ran a cracker last time and I’m expecting a similar run. Piere Strydom called for the ride so I’m hoping having a man in the saddle who wants the ride, can make a difference. Smart Mart had a good prep run last time.

RACE 10: MR 91 HANDICAP 1600m

I thought Janoobi ran quite well last time. That 1450m was too short. I think this is more what he wants and even further. I expect him to run well. He’s still learning and will leave it up to Strydom. I won’t be giving him any instructions. Master’s Spirit is a bit of a frustrating horse. He’s definitely better than his form. I’ve been running him in sprints but on breeding he should go further so this is the first time we’re trying him over this distance.

Mikedekockracing.com

The Vaal has a low key nine race meeting on Thursday but punters will be looking to “fill their wallies” before Saturday’s much anticipated Peermont Emporor’s Palace Charity Mile meeting.

The highest class race on the day is the second, a Graduation Plate for fillies and mares over 1000m.

It is an intriguing race because the best weighted horse, Rebel To The Fore, faces the year younger Gr 1 runner up Seattle Singer. Rebel To The Fore was last seen in action at Greyville in July last year in the Gr 2 Debutante Stakes and caught the eye with a powerful finish after being dropped out to last from a high draw. She failed by just 0,5 lengths to catch the useful Cosmic Light and was two lengths clear of the rest, which included the like of Lala. She will likely be fit enough coming from the yard of champion trainer Sean Tarry. She is 4,5kg better off with Seattle Singer on official merit ratings. She showed enough speed to win over 1000m on debut and can do well over the trip again running fresh.

The low draws are favourable on this course by trends, so her draw of four in a six horse field is tricky but she will likely be dropped in behind them. Seattle Singer is ultra-consistent and showed her class when finishing runner up, beaten three lengths, in the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion over 1200m against the boys. In her last start she was undone by a low draw on Grand Heritage day. She has speed, as she showed in that last start when only caught late, and has the plum draw of one here. She is the selection to win despite having a hard task on paper as she will be the more race fit of the two main protagonists.

Water Lily Lake hasn’t run since this year’s Debutante Stakes at Greyville. She was dropped out from a wide draw and stayed on fairly well to be beaten 4,45 lengths. She might appreciate the step down in trip, but doesn’t look to have quite the same class as her stablemate Rebel To The Fore. She is officially 6kg under sufferance with the latter, but should fill the last trifecta position as the other three runners are all hopelessly out at the weights.

The best bet on the card comes in the last race, a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1400m. The Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained Australian-bred High Chaparral filly Being Fabulous looked full of class when making her debut over 1200m on the Turffontein Inside track from a high draw. She was caught a bit out of her ground, but her long stride caught the eye in the run in and it would be no surprise to see her contesting the classics this season. She has a fair draw of seven and will relish this step up in trip. Gavin Lerena has stayed aboard.

The hard knocking Rouge Allure looks to be the main danger, but on visual appearances does not look as classy as the selection. The Mike de Kock-trained Western Winter filly Oh My Darling could also prove to be a classy sort in time. On debut over this trip on the Turffontein Inside track she was caught flat footed in the straight before staying on well for third against a decent field. That was not surprising as she is out of the Fort Wood filly Sweetie Pie, who won the Gr 2 Gold Circle Oaks over 2400m. She is likely to find this a touch sharp again, although she should be finishing strongly and could be a threat running fresh.

The seventh, a MR80 handicap over 1800m, is an intriguing MR 80 Handicap over 1800m. Analyse This ran in the Grand Heritage and the 1475m trip there always appeared to be too sharp. It was thus a surprise to see him hitting the front 400m out. However, he was run out of it. On pedigree he should actually be a speedster, but it is his action which suggests he will enjoy this trip. It will be interesting to see if he does get it and from a plum draw of two with Gavin Lerena up he is the selection to beat Bold Rex and Trip To Troy.

Bold Rex won last time out over 1600m in his second run after gelding. The Bold Silvano youngster won extending at the line so should love this rip, but a four points raise has taken him to an 89 merit rating, which is never easy for a young three-year-old to win off against older horses, even if the weight for age scale gives them due compensation. Trip To Troy was also given a four point raise for a running on win over 1600m and Strydom has remained aboard. However, it will be tough from a wide draw.

In the following race over 1400m Strydom has remained aboard Refuge, who is an up and coming sort with a touch of class. He gets a good draw, unlike last time. He is selected to carry topweight to victory, despite being a three-year-old against older horses, as he looks to be capable of progressing further.

The first race is an interesting one and Osculation, who ran well on Grand Heritage day, is selected to upset Claremorris, who had the run of the race from a good draw last time and now has a tricky draw.

The third is also a tough one, but the interesting horse is Grand Heritage winner Irish Pride’s half-sister Cathedral Country. This Trippi filly has the plum number one draw in the 1200m contest with Anthony Delpech up, so it would be no surprise to see getting off to a winning start.

David Thiselton

Horizon, the R5.2 million colt who smashed the South Africa auction record as a yearling, came good at the second time of asking in the mile maiden at Kenilworth yesterday.

This was a very different performance from his disappointing debut nine weeks ago and, backed from 15-2 to 4-1, he made smooth progress to lead 200m out before drawing away under hands and heels to beat odds-on favourite Crompton Court by a comfortable two and a half lengths.

Grant van Niekerk said: “We got a lot of negative comments after his first run but I know exactly how good this horse is and it will pay to follow him. He is going to go places.”

Candice Bass-Robinson added: “There was a lot of pressure when he ran first time but he is a Dynasty out of a full sister to Silvano so he was never going to be an early horse.

“He has got his own mind and is not all that keen on doing his work at home but over the last month or so he has put things together and I think he is going to be a really decent horse.”

Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion winner Always In Charge made a most satisfactory return in the Racing Association Graduation Plate. Vaughan Marshall had warned that the colt was only 80% and the 11-10 favourite looked beaten a furlong out when Attenborough seemed to be travelling by far the better.

But he found another gear when Anton Marcus gave him a couple of taps and surged clear 20m out to get the better of Orion Quest by three-quarters of a length with a weakening Attenborough a neck away third.

Michael Clower