Tony Gollan is hoping the rivalry between jockeys Robbie Fradd and Jim Byrne will help him claw his way back to the lead in the Brisbane trainers’ premiership.

Gollan has won the past three Brisbane titles but has had a frustrating start to the season. He has had 21 seconds but a treble at Doomben on Saturday helped him lop two winners off Robert Heathcote’s lead.

Fradd rode two of Gollan’s winners: “It is good to have a bit of rivalry between Robbie and Jim for rides. It means they are both being kept on their toes and want to ride at their best,” Gollan said.

Fradd rode four winners on Saturday and moved to second place on the Brisbane jockeys premiership with 19 winners – six behind leader and fellow expat South African Jeff Lloyd.

“I have been riding trackwork at Eagle Farm and I am starting to get to know the horses I am riding. It’s hard work but it is paying off,” Fradd said.

Unfortunately, for Fradd he won’t be able to capitalise on his 10 metropolitan winners in the past fortnight after being suspended for nine days at Eagle farm last Monday.

In a day jokingly referred to as “Veterans Day” eight of the nine Doomben winners were ridden by five senior jockeys with a combined age of 245.

Apprentice Matt McGillivray was delighted when he got one for the younger brigade on Pepperano in the last race. “Finally one for the next generation,” he said .
– AAP

Mubtaahij ran several lengths below his best form in Saturday’s Gr1 Gold Cup over 2000m at Belmont, finishing fourth in a six horse field to Hoppertunity.

Mubtaahij was under pressure before the stretch and he faded out from the 400m mark while Bob Baffert’s five-year-old Hoppertunity forged to the lead late to secure a half-length victory in the $1 million contest. He was beaten 7,75-lengths.

“There wasn’t a whole lot of speed in the race other than Effinex. Everybody stayed sensible,” said Baffert assistant Jimmy Barnes. “The most important thing for ‘Hopper’ is that he was standing good and broke good and he was placed more forwardly in the race, especially on a slow pace, that’s probably why he was a little closer. We always thought in our minds that he would like these big turns here, and this big, deep track where he would have a chance to come from behind.”

Mubtaahij will return to Dubai following a US campaign that yielded a third in the Gr2 Suburban Handicap, a close second in the Gr1 Woodward and Saturday’s fourth place.

Meanwhile, More Than Ready filly Ektifaa (AUS) ran out a comfortable winner of a MR76 Handicap over 1450m at Turffontein on Saturday, two lengths clear under apprentice Callan Murray.

When the three-year-old won her Maiden two weeks ago, Mathew de Kock predicted that her confidence would make a difference going forward and Mike de Kock agreed on Sunday, saying: “She’s a progressive sort and she can step up from here.”

He added: “We’ll see what happens to her merit rating after this win, if it’s still within reason we’ll look for another handicap for her, but she looks good enough to compete at a higher level so there is also the Starling Stakes to consider on 5 November.”

Ektifaa was bred by Fairway Thoroughbreds, NSW, and races for Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai.

Mikedekockracing.com

Trainer Joey Ramsden is a prominent figure in Classic races in the Western Cape, consistently priming talented, well-bred stock to give off their best in these coveted events.

Based on excellent performances as juveniles last term, Newlands, Attenborough and Table Bay appear to be the main hopes from Ramsden’s Classic contingent this season. Right-hand man Ricardo Sobotker explained that these horses had only returned to full training about six weeks ago, after a spell chilling out on the farm.

Newlands could potentially be the best of them all, but was a particularly difficult customer, forcing a decision to geld him. “Newlands was becoming impossible to work with prior to gelding. Long range he could turn into a Derby horse,” Sobotker said.

Attenborough is a flashy son of Western Winter who has shown serious ability over sprints: “He ran a great race first time back when just needing it. It seems like we may keep him to sprints this season,” said Sobotker.

Table Bay, on the other hand, requires a test of stamina. At two, he won the Grade 3 Langerman in soft ground over 1500m before being put away. He returned after that spell to finish third in a 1400m handicap at Durbanville last week. “He really needed it – you could see the difference in fitness just four days later,” reported Sobotker.

Jockey Donovan Dillon has worked hard since relocating to be aligned with Ramsden’s base in Cape Town and he shares some insights into his boss’ modus operandi.

“Joey likes to bring them along and aim for the Classics. There is no pressure now as he is still steadily improving their fitness levels,” said Dillon. “Among the fillies, Silver Captain and Captain Gambler are rated by the yard and it will also be interesting to see how classy juvenile Miranda Frost has developed after fluent wins earlier this year.”

A fickle filly, Miranda Frost has endured spells of ill health. Months ago, drastic action was needed with holes being drilled in her forehead to ease a lingering sinus infection. Then, on getting back into work recently, she promptly contracted another virus. Sobotker was relieved to convey the news that, “Miranda Frost is recovering – everything is good now and she will be aimed at the Fillies Guineas.”

TABNews

Captain America served notice that he will again be a force to reckon with in the top Cape races when bouncing back from a five-month plus absence to decisively give weight all round in the Matchem Stakes at Durbanville yesterday.

Corne Orffer had no problem tracking the pace-setting Blarney Bay or, for that matter, in sweeping past over 200m out and the authority with which the 22-10 favourite won was considerably understated by the 0.4 length winning margin.

Orffer said: “He was sort of stopping towards the end – he still needed it – but with his big heart he kept going and I was never in any doubt.”

Brett Crawford, winning his first Matchem, added: “He still has to tighten up but he was the class horse in the race. He’s been a champion for the yard and as a six-year-old he is just awesome. He now goes for the Green Point on December 3 followed by the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and the Sun Met.”

Stable companion Sail South finished an honourable fifth but he was top-rated at the weights, something that his trainer again cast doubts about – “This was his first time running off 110 and, while he ran a good race, I’m not convinced about his mark.”

Baritone finished best of all to take second and stablemate Heartland finished just behind the Crawford-trained 22-1 outsider Midnight Zone in fourth.

Justin Snaith, although undecided on plans, said: “Baritone had to come from a long way back and, while I thought I had done enough with Heartland, he still needed it.”

Captains Flame – Diana Stakes 2016 (Liesl King)

Captain’s Flame is booked for the Maine Chance Paddock Stakes and the Klawervlei Majorca after fully justifying Andre Nel’s confidence in the Diana Stakes. The Plattner four-year-old has only been beaten twice in seven outings and, while she started what proved a generous 5-1, Aldo Domeyer was able to lead over a furlong out to beat Goodtime Gal by three-quarters of a length.

Nel said: “I have always thought she was way above average. She needed this a bit and we will see how she is before deciding on where she goes before the Paddock Stakes.”

Alexis, the 5-2 favourite, was never at the races and managed only ninth of 13 leaving Crawford scratching his head in disbelief while Domeyer galloped his rivals into the ground in the Jockeys Chase for the fourth successive year. Richard Fourie and Donovan Dillon filled the minor placings. The race raised R34 000 for the Western Cape Equine Trust, according to new chairman Ken Truter.

Just Sensual, starting at 13-20 despite not having raced since her debut in February, won the opener in a manner suggesting she has a real future, coming away under Donovan Dillon with ears pricked and over three lengths clear.

Joey Ramsden said: “She hasn’t quite got her summer coat and she had a sticky draw yet she managed to do it nicely. There are a number of options for her.”

But Derek Brugman virtually ruled out including the Choice Carriers among them, saying: “It might not be the right race for her – and she may be more of a six furlong filly.”

Magic Trick, a Trippi daughter of the 2007 Empress Club winner Little Miss Magic, took a step nearer the Lanzerac Ready To Run after coming from way back to win the mile maiden for Candice Bass-Robinson, Drakenstein and Grant van Niekerk.

The handicappers, so often criticised, are entitled to take a bow after less than three-quarters of a length separated the first five in the Itsarush.co.za Handicap won by MJ Byleveld on the Vaughan Marshall-trained Mr Jay.

Michael Clower

On paper it didn’t look easy, on the race track Elusivenchantment made it look easy. Any doubts about her ability were put to bed emphatically in the Soccer 6 Open Handicap at Scottsville yesterday.

Writing on his website Duncan Howells expressed concern over the turnover in weight with many of yesterday’s opposition and whether she would be as effective over 1000m as she was over 1200m.

His fears proved unfound. Anton Marcus had her in the vanguard from the jump and when asked to quicken Elusivenchantment changed gear and went away from her field.

“Some say that weight doesn’t count in these races but you still have to carry the pudding,” said Marcus. “Duncan asked me to ride her but I said he should rather put a four-claimer up. I’m glad I listened. She’s a very smart filly.”

“I always said she would be better as a four-year-old. I think we are only now getting to the bottom of her,” Howells said. “But it’s hard to place a filly with a high merit rating and she is pretty restricted as far as handicaps go. I think we will have to take our chances and have a crack at one or two races in Jo’burg.”

Mike Miller has been quiet for some time now but the Summerveld trainer opened up with a double including an inspired gamble on the debutant Karatage in the All To Come Maiden Plate.

Miller said beforehand, “she is a very nice filly but if the going comes up soft, then I am really not too sure how she will act. In saying that, she is showing me very encouraging work.”

With the threatened rain holding off Karatage was heavily supported from 12-1 to 22-10 second favourite and Alec Forbes made no mistakes as she came clear of favourite Savanah Cat.

The stable landed a quick double as Sonar Active (9-1), responding to blinkers and a drop in trip, got the better of Venice In May and Prince Ponti.

Marcus has been in blistering form since his return from a three week break and scored a treble that could so easily have been a four-timer. He had to work hard for his riding fee to get Monte Christo home in a tight finish to the Track & Ball Gaming Handicap and Buffalo Soldier confirmed that he’s on the up when out-gunning stable companion Top Form in the Graduation Plate to give Charles Laird a double.

Marcus looked to have time his run to perfection on favourite Shine Up but his fears that the 2400m trip of the last may just be beyond his mounts capabilities proved correct as the heavily backed Sabre Charge came back at Shine Up to snatch what looked to be an unlikely victory 50m out.

Andrew Harrison

Churchill hardened as favourite for the 2000 Guineas after a typically hard-fought victory in the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes for trainer Aidan O’Brien and jockey Ryan Moore.

Moore said: “He was always going to win. He’s a very, very good colt. It wasn’t as evenly-run as it should have been, but this lad has got an awful lot in his favour.

“There’s not a lot he can’t do. When I ask him, he always finds. He’s definitely a Guineas horse. I think he’ll get better.”

O’Brien, bagging his 20th worldwide Group One Flat race of the year, was winning the Dewhurst for the fifth time.

He said: “They went a sensible pace. He settled in there and quickened down into the dip.

“It got a little bit messy after the two [furlong marker] but Ryan guided him through and produced him lovely, so we’re over the moon.

“Physically he’s a very imposing horse. He’s probably a more imposing two-year-old than we’ve ever trained. He has a great mind and relaxes and sleeps. He just does the minimum, which is brilliant. He’s a great traveller and the qualities are there in abundance.

“Anyone that has had anything to do with him gets that special feeling from him – that’s very special when that happens.

“We’ve always viewed him as a miler, but that’s not to say he won’t get further. He’s so relaxed and laid-back and when he came in (to the winner’s enclosure) he wasn’t even blowing. He’s very economical as a galloper – he saves everything.”

Sportinglife.com

“It’s a dream to ride a horse like this. He’s a machine!” enthused veteran jockey Andrew Fortune after steering Kangaroo Jack to victory in Saturday’s Grade 2 Joburg Spring Challenge at Turffontein.

Starting as even-money favourite, Gary Alexander’s four-year-old charge made light work of the 1450m contest, winning by two lengths going away to register his fifth win on the bounce and his sixth in 10 starts.

Afterwards, both Fortune and Alexander suggested the son of Querari might soon be tried over 1600m to put him in line for some of the bigger prizes on offer later in the Highveld season.

“We’ve got to look at the mile,” said Alexander. “He’s very versatile; something special.”

Fortune said afterwards: “He’s an easy horse to ride. He tells me where he wants to be. And he just keeps getting better.”

TABNews

Captain America is the class act in the Matchem Stakes at Durbanville on Sunday. He is the only Grade 1 winner in the field and he is hot favourite – as short as 14-10 with World Sports Betting.

But be prepared for a surprise. Corne Orffer’s mount has been off since April and this is a poor race for favourites. True,  Act Of War 12 months ago and Capetown Noir in 2013 both won but they were exceptional animals who started odds-on and, those two apart, there hasn’t been a winning favourite in the Matchem since Play Catch 12 years ago.

No reservations from in-form Brett Crawford, though – “Both Captain America and Sail South have had a good preparation, they have been to Durbanville for a gallop and they have been working well.”

When you adjust the official ratings for the weights 5-1 shot Sail South comes out marginally the better but, significantly, their trainer doesn’t buy this at all. “Sail South’s 110 rating was gained on his last two wins in Durban and one of these was on the poly. He has yet to run off it and I’m not convinced whereas Captain America has proved his rating.”

All but two of the 11 runners are having their first races of the season and are therefore vulnerable and the vote, albeit a pretty tentative one, goes to 8-1 chance Heartland as the stable is on song and he was second 12 months ago. “He has only had one gallop but he will run a good race and (6-1) Baritone’s work has not been as good as Heartland’s,” says Justin Snaith whose third string Ultimate Dollar is as big as 11-1 despite having Andrew Fortune on his back.

It’s worth bearing in mind, though, that Baritone’s rider Greg Cheyne has been in blistering form since his return and he rode another treble here on Wednesday.

Rodney (backed from 8-1 to 6-1 yesterday morning) hasn’t a prayer on ratings – he comes out nearly seven lengths behind Captain America – but he has had a run and that can mean a huge amount. But the most appealing of all the bigger-priced horses is Blarney Bay at 12-1. This is his trip and the course is ideally-suited to his front-running style. Win or lose, one thing is certain – he will have put the fear of God into the opposition, and their connections, as he thunders towards the 200m marker three lengths clear.

Crawford may have yet to win the Matchem or the Diana but he has the favourite in the fillies race too. Alexis heads the market at 33-10 and, says her trainer, ”She is fit and well, and she loves to run fresh.”

Favourites have won five of the last seven but she might not head the market come race time if, as seems quite possible, the money comes for the impressive Stormsvlei Mile winner Captain’s Flame (4-1) who missed the Garden Province because she went down with a cough in Durban.

“We are not in this just to give her a run,” says Andre Nel making light of the filly’s lengthy absence. “Ours is the best horse in the race and I give her a big chance.”

It’s hard to go against that sort of confidence particularly as A Time To Dream, my original idea of the winner, is badly drawn. “She has done well and, even with draw, she will run a good race,” advises her trainer.

Finally Aldo Domeyer, who rides Captain’s Flame, is odds-on for the last. The Jockeys Chase has been extended to 400m in a bid to end his total domination of the event but this is the Frankel of jockey athletics and he looks a good thing.

Michael Clower

Kangaroo Jack was an unknown quantity going into the Gr2 POST Merchants at Greyville back in June. But he emerged circled in most form books after trouncing a strong line-up, that included Gr-1 winner Fly By Night (four-lengths back in second), despite being under sufferance at the weights. And he looks set to continue his upward curve in the Gr2 Joburg Spring Challenge over 1450m at the Turffontein inside track tomorrow.

The handicappers were somewhat impressed after the POST Merchants win and bumped him up six points to a 106 rating. But they more than doubled the hike (to 113) when Kangaroo Jack hacked up in the Gr3 Spring Spree Stakes on his seasonal debut last month.

Some pundits are questioning the hike as possibly a bit harsh but of more significance was the manner of the comeback victory. The Spring Spree was run over 1200m on the Turffontein inside track and after jumping alertly from a middle draw, Kangaroo Jack travelled smoothly throughout before producing the same telling turn of foot that impressed us all at Greyville. Kangaroo Jack is obviously a horse on the upgrade, has produced his best runs to date on tight tracks and can continue his climb up the ratings at Turffontein tomorrow.

The opposition includes July-winner The Conglomerate, Daily News-winner Rabada and Gold Cup-winner Enaad. But like Kangaroo Jack’s stable companion, Champagne Haze, these top class performers are all being prepared for upcoming feature races over further ground. Whereas Kangaroo Jack’s plans hinge squarely on this performance.

Trainer Gary Alexander confirmed this earlier in the week speaking to TABnews: “We’ll decide where to go [with Kangaroo Jack] after the Spring Challenge. If Andrew Fortune hops off and says he’ll get a mile (1600m), we might target the HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes next year. If he says no, we’ll restrict him to sprints, like the Computaform Sprint (April).” Without any immediate targets in mind, Kangaroo Jack looks aimed at tomorrow’s race and well worth chancing as a banker in the carryover Pick 6 (estimated R3million pool).

The weights suggest that it will be difficult to stop Lazer Star from repeating in the Fillies and Mares Spring Challenge but there was a lot to like about Intergalactic’s last win and it could pay to follow the Sean Tarry-trained four-year-old.

Intergalactic was gutsy in fending off She’s A Dragon and Lazer Star over the same track and trip last time out. Tomorrow’s race conditions firmly favour Lazer Star but there could be more to come from Intergalactic who has shown ability in the past, most notably in finishing just 1,5 lengths behind Inara in the Gr 1 Garden Province Stakes at Greyville on July Day.

Like Lazer Star, Intergalactic has a strong record at the Turffontein inside track and these two could suffice in smaller Pick 6 perms.

Brendan Pather

St Tropez is expected to do better than his hot-shot stablemate The Conglomerate in this Saturday’s R400,000 Joburg Spring Challenge (Grade 2) at Turffontein.

The race, on the Inside track, is run at weight-for-age plus penalties for Grade 1 and 2 wins.

Alson Ndzilana, assistant trainer to Joey Ramsden, believes The Conglomerate will need a sharpener in his first run since scoring his historic win from the widest draw in the Vodacom Durban July.

Ndzilana says: “The 1450m of the Spring Challenge is sharp for him but this is a prep run – he’s going for the Emperors Palace Charity Mile early next month and his main aim is the SANSUI Summer Cup at the end of November.”

The Conglomerate has also not drawn well over a course and distance where many regard a low-number draw as essential. “I am concerned about the draw, but we’ll drop him out and I’m hoping to see him run on strongly at the end,” said the assistant trainer. “He should run a pretty good race.”

Donovan Dillon will be in the saddle instead of jockey Piere Strydom, who rode The Conglomerate in Durban July and who does not have a mount in the feature.

“Joey only likes using Piere when we’re expecting to do well,” explained Ndzilana.

Anton Marcus, who is in tip-top form since a three-week hiatus with five wins and six places from as many mounts in the last week, is the jockey booked for St Tropez.

The five-year-old Silvano gelding ran a fair race over this course and distance last month, when fourth behind Bulleting Home in a Pinnacle Stakes. He will sport blinkers for the first time “to sharpen him up a little bit because 1450m is not his trip”.

Added Ndzilana: “He’s also in Johannesburg to run in the Charity Mile and the Summer Cup and his prep is going nicely. He has a good draw on Saturday. I’m hoping for luck in running.”

Goodhope Racing’s third runner is Tabreek in a 1450m MR 80 Handicap. Take the hint – Strydom is riding him!

He won well over 1600m on the Inside track last time out and Ndzilana is hoping an eight-point hike in his merit rating will not impact too much on his future.

He also drew wide but with only nine runners in the field that should not be too much of an issue.

“He’ll run a very nice race,” said Ndzilana.

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