Highveld trainer Joe Soma sends down two promising horses in gelding Orapa and colt Old Oak Tree for the Bloodstock South Africa Million Mile to be run at Scottsville on Sunday.

Orapa has been merit rated 83 after an impressive win second time out over 1400m at Turffontein where he came wide into the straight before cantering past the field effortlessly and winning by 3,25 lengths.

On debut over 1450m Orapa was backed in from 12/1 to 4/1 but it did not pan out too well for him and Old Oak Tree beat him by 3,1 lengths.

In his next start Old Oak Tree was caught wide so was not at all disgraced in finishing a six length fourth to the highly regarded Heavenly Blue. However, he has been accorded a merit rating of only 78.

Orapa, who is by Tiger Ridge out of the decent Fort Wood mare Loupe (who won three-in-a-row between 1160m and 1200m early in her career), has unfortunately drawn 18.

Soma said, “We rate him highly although it is still a big ask for a young horse who is still gathering experience. We are also a bit concerned about how well he will travel, as he has tended to be a naughty horse in the pens, and there is also the draw, although on the bright side with the new rules in place he should load last from that barrier position.”

Old Oak Tree, who is by champion freshman sire Gimethegreenlight out of Captain Al mare Ribbons For Thee, was a 12/1 shot when winning the 1450m maiden third time out from a handy position and Soma said his last start proved he is improving. He is drawn in barrier 10 and Andrew Fortune, who rode him in his last two starts, is up again.

Soma said, “When you have a jockey like Andrew Fortune, you always have a chance.”

Corné Orffer will ride Orapa for the first time as Aldo Domeyer, who won on him, is serving a suspension.

Soma concluded, “There is not much between them in work. We are not a stable who drills young horses and they could both have very nice futures ahead of them, so I hope they come through the race unscathed.”

David Thiselton

Sean Tarry can hardly separate his pair for Sunday’s Bloodstock SA Million Sprint over 1200m at  Scottsville, but said he would “only just” swing towards Bold Viking ahead of Side Show if he had to. He expected a better run from his Bloodstock SA Million Mile contender Kahula.

Bold Viking and Side Show met in a grass gallop this week and “there was not much in it”, but Tarry pointed out the conditions of the gallop had favoured Side Show.

Tarry added, “They are different types of horse, Bold Viking takes his time but has a very strong kick, while Side Show will be there the whole way as he has some toe. I think the tough Scottsville 1200m will suit Bold Viking.”

Bold Viking, a strong Black Minnaloushe colt who came from a seemingly beaten position to win going away by 1,2 lengths on debut over 1200m at the Vaal, will be ridden by Andrew Fortune from a middle draw, while Querari colt Side Show, who romped home by 5,25 lengths when stepped down to 1200m for the first time, will be ridden by Lyle Hewitson from a draw of 12 in the 16 horse field if the reserves come out.

Tarry said about the Kahal filly Kahula, who will be ridden by Hewitson from draw ten in the Mile, “She threw us a curve ball last time, it was a very disappointing run (in the Gr 1 Thekwini Stakes), but before that she hadn’t put a foot wrong.”

Her first three runs for a win and two thirds were over sprint distances, but being out of the Tarry-trained SA Oaks-winning Fort Wood mare Bedloe’s Island she should easily stay 1600m.

David Thiselton

Dennis Drier has a chance of landing both the R1 million Bloodstock SA Sprint over 1200m and the R1 million Bloodstock SA Mile at Scottsville on Sunday as he sends out two promising types in Hack Green and The High Life respectively.

Both Drier and stable jockey Sean Veale made no bones about how highly they regard Gimmethegreenlight colt Hack Green after he had powered home to win the Gr 2 Umkhomazi Stakes by three lengths from a wide draw over 1200m at Greyville on eLan Gold Cup day to remain unbeaten in two starts.

Assistant trainer Stuart Ferrie said, “He is a tough boy and is as well now as he was before the Umkhomazi.”

The Horse Chestnut filly, The High Life, caught the eye when running on strongly to win a Juvenile Plate over 1600m at Greyville on July 16.

She will be 3kg worse off on Sunday with Costa Da Sol for a mere short-head beating but does now have a draw advantage.

Furthermore, Ferrie said, “She has a tough task against the boys, but was still green last time and only got going in the last 100 metres. She is a nice filly and should go well.”

David Thiselton

Picture: Pocket Power and Mike Bass (Bass Racing)

Mike Bass was given a tremendous reception when he was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Racing Association’s Cape Racing and Breeding Awards dinner at the Lanzerac Hotel in Stellenbosch on Monday evening.

It was at this function 12 months ago that the now-legendary trainer felt the beginnings of the freak illness that nearly cost him his life and led to the loss of part of his right leg as well as bringing forward his retirement.

His Marinaresco, winner of the Champions Cup and second in the Durban July, took the three-year-old colt award (despite being a gelding!) and his Cape Fillies Guineas winner Silver Mountain dead-heated with Bela-Bela for the fillies equivalent while stable jockey Grant van Niekerk was presented with the jockey of the year award.

John Slade, for many years manager of Maine Chance Farms and now breeding on his own account in the Karoo, was given the Special Service Industry award while the Mauritzfontein-bred Smart Call was named Horse of the Year.

Greg Cheyne (Liesl King)

Meanwhile, Greg Cheyne returns to action at Kenilworth on Saturday more than seven months after crushing his right foot in a freak pens accident.

Cheyne, 40, suffered seven fractures and two dislocations when his foot was mangled between the horse and the metalwork riding two-year-old Mount Keith at Kenilworth on December 27. He had four plates and a pin inserted in a lengthy operation at the Kingsbury Hospital 12 days later. He wore a surgical boot for three months.

He said yesterday: “I have been back riding work nearly five weeks and I am feeling ready to return to the racecourse.”

Cheyne also intends to ride at Fairview next week – he has a long and rewarding association with  Alan Greeff – and on Saturday he has rides in eight of the nine races.

Michael Clower

The well-worn phrase “horses for courses” seldom rings more true than when it comes to the Greyville poly track. There are horses that never take to the synthetic surface and others that improve lengths on their turf performances.

A trend that has become increasingly obvious is that the poly often gives new life to older horses with mileage on the clock and also to some whose legs find the often firmer turf surfaces more jarring. Tripandie, who runs in the fifth at Greyville on Wednesday, may not fall into either of these poly categories but there is no doubt that his form has improved since Dean Kannemeyer has kept him to the surface.

The gelding’s first three starts were on the turf, shedding his maiden down the Clairwood straight. Three months later he was down the field at Kenilworth and it was seven months before he saw a racecourse again, this time on the poly.

Things did not work out and he was eased out of the race by Anthony Delpech and was reported post-race to have been coughing and also lame.

Kannemeyer is nothing if not patient with his horses and after a 10-month break Tripandie was back on the poly. Since then it has been three wins on the bounce and a close-up second to Macduff over a ‘mile’ on Gold Cup day.

Tripandie appears to be at his best over today’s course and distance and with a plum draw at two to boot he looks the obvious choice.

Captain Chaos arrived in KZN from the Cape with something of a reputation but just why was not immediately evident as Mark Dixon battled to puzzle him out. Blinkers were a last resort but they had the desired effect and Captain Chaos romped home first up on the poly.

It was a win that came with some consequence however, as he was shunted seven pounds up the handicap which sees him lumbered with top weight this afternoon. He put in a good effort behind Redcarpet Captain last time out from a tricky draw and although he has pulled the same gate today he does face a marginally weaker field and looks a threat to Tripandie.

Met winning trainer Yogas Govender can start the Pick 6 ball rolling on what looks to be a tricky card when he saddles Tesla in the opening leg. The daughter of Visionaire has bumped two subsequent feature race winners in her two starts to date and looks to be up against weaker here.

On debut she was beaten just over a length by subsequent Gr2 The Debutante winner A Womens Way and then ran into Gr1 Thekwini winner Querari Falcon. There is nothing of that class in this event and she should be hard to beat given that she takes to the poly. Of the others Dundrum is lightly raced and has her third run after a break and looks set for a big showing while Momo raced green in a promising turf debut. She has a tricky draw but is set to improve. There should be little between Alesnado and Speedyjet although the latter has the better draw and a four-claimer aboard.

Roy Moodley was the leading KZN-based owner by stakes earned at the end of last season and he is already off the mark this term with Roy’s Rakara rounding off Saturday’s Greyville meeting. Dennis Drier saddles Roy’s Winter Patch for Moodley in the sixth and the gelding was a close-up eighth in the KZN Million Mile, four lengths back to Gr1 performers No Worries and Rabada. Prior to that he won two on the bounce. With a good draw and a four-claimer up he could be the one to beat. Bagger Vance may just have needed his last run and looks a threat if he can produce his best form while Tipo Tinto is another struggling for his next win but he has been dropping in the ratings and showed up nicely last time out and could be a surprise package.

Andrew Harrison

Greyville hosts nine races on the polytrack tomorrow and punters might be on the winning side, as they were on Saturday.

The first over 1000m looks to be at the mercy of At Variance, whose disappointing last run over course and distance might have been due to “second run after a rest” syndrome, while the spread out nature of the finish suggests the form of that race might turn out to be above average too. She has the beating of all the horses to have raced on form and is drawn in pole. None of the first-timers make special appeal. Flying Rock is from the powerful Dennis Drier yard and this R110,000 purchase is by Seventh Rock out of a Captain Al mare who won two 1000m races at Arlington.

In the second over 1400m Captain Of Rock was hampered in the straight last time over 1200m when backed and could improve, although being by Seventh Rock out of five-time-winning Captain Al sprinter Captain’s Emblem, there is a question whether he will enjoy this trip. The Irish-bred Cape Fling by High Chaparal is a half-brother to Let It Rip, who won her maiden by 4,75 lengths over 1600m on the Greyville poly, and he would not have to be special to beat this field. Gio Ponti’s Legacy has come talent and should be running on well after likely being dropped out from a wide draw. Secret Service has been knocking on the door in similar weak company and is drawn in pole over a trip which might be a touch sharp. Hearts R’ Pumping returns from a six month layoff and can go close if reproducing his best.

In the third over 1400m Avast drops in trip with the blinker now on and the most interesting point is Delpech retaining the ride, so this consistent sort should do well despite a wide draw. Mostada stayed on well over this trip at Scottsville last time from a similar barrier position to this one, so with further improvement in just her third career start she should go close.  Disrupt should relish the step up in trip and should be thereabouts from a good draw.

In the fourth over 1400m the improving Speedjet runs on well and should go close from a plum draw with a 4kg claimer up. Momo ran on well over this trip at Scottsville after being green and outpaced early. Tanami has a wide draw to overcome but could earn.

In the fifth over 1400m the talented Tripandie is drawn well over an ideal course and distance and should be flying home as usual. Budapest has class and is course and distance suited. Stolen Destiny loves this course and distance and is still competitive at age nine.

In the sixth over 1400m Tipo Tnto would have just about won last time over course and distance if not baulked for a run and off a one point lower mark will likely be running on well again with Delpech now aboard. Roy’s Winter Patch enjoys the course and distance and has a chance with a 4kg claimer up. Bizjet should be right there despite a wide draw, having not been disgraced lately against some fair sorts over course and distance and now one point down in the merit ratings.

In the seventh over 2000m Rio De La Plata has caught the eye as a promising sort and will relish this step up in trip. Qatar Springs has some class and he and Juddering Angel can do well from good draws over a suitable triple.

In the eighth over 2000m Silver Rose has caught the eye and was a touch unlucky last time when making late headway for second over 1950m at Scottsville, so is the one to beat here from a good draw. Frikkie is knocking on the door and is distance suited, well drawn and has Delpech up. Stablemate Koncealed looks likely to come into his own this season and should go close over a step up in trip he should relish with a 2,5kg claimer up, although  as a handy type his wide draw is a concern. Baracah is a frustrating sort to follow but should perhaps be given one more chance from pole position over an ideal trip and off a merit rating 41 points lower than his highest career mark. Strategic’s Pride and Texican can’t be ignored.

In the last over 2000m Black Flower went close over course and distance last time and Delpech is up from a good draw so she can confirm a narrow beating of Roy’s Monkey. Matresse is interesting as a newcomer in the Charles Laird as he was backed over 1700m at the Vaal in his disappointing penultimate start and was found to be not striding out after being bumped at the start.

David Thiselton

Tomorrow’s public holiday has an eight race card at Turffontein where punters look to have some fair opportunities.

In race one over 1800m, a workrider’s maiden, Thunder Applause ran a fair race from a handy position with first time blinkers on last time over 2600m and will be dangerous here over this drop in trip with the top workrider Ndlovu aboard. Champion workrider Sam Mosia is aboard Trippi gelding Payne’s Grey, who showed a fair turn of foot last time over 1600m before running on at one pace. His useful full brother Liquid Mercury won the Gr 3 Winter Derby over 2400m, as well as a handicap in Dubai over that distance, so on pedigree he should enjoy this step up in trip. William Grace needed his debut over 1600m and then pulled his way to the front with blinkers on last time over the same trip, so he could be surprise place getter here being by Dynasty out of a useful Jallad mare who won three-in-a-row early in her career from 1800-2000m. Uposeupay beat Payne’s Grey last time over 1600m by half-a-length when setting the pace from pole position. He now has a good draw again, while Payne’s Bay is drawn wide. Uposeupay has not been successful over more than a mile before but could do better this time as he has generally improved recently. Reminiscence ran on well from the back to finish second over 2000m last time, but the time of the race was slow.

In race two over 1450m, a maiden plate for three-year-olds, Querari Viking finished second over 1600m last time and the form has worked out well, so he should do well fresh over this likely too sharp trip. The wide draw is a concern, but his class could pull him through. Zagazig will improve on his fair debut over 1600m being by Silvano and he has a good draw. Sabre Dance stayed on well over course and distance last time for third  and has a good draw again. Sail For Joy is knocking on the door and can earn again. Dromedaris has the form to earn too.

In race three over 1450m Public Protector will relish the step up to this trip and is likely looking for even further. She was slow away on debut over 1200m down the straight, but she was making up ground with long strides in the final stages for a fair fourth and is well drawn here. She will likely need to jump quicker than she did last time as this track is tight. Rose Water is knocking on the door and should be improving being by Silvano. Pearl Valley ran a good race over course and distance last time from a similar draw and Andrew Fortune is up. Countess Jemina moved up well over 1800m last time from a handy position before fading so might be interesting here over shorter, although she didn’t feature over this trip early in her career and has a wide draw here too. Danny’s Well should be improving.

The fourth race over 1200m William Nicol caught the eye as a horse who is coming into his own when winning over 1200m at the Vaal last time and has a good draw here, although he does have a five point higher mark to contend with and hasn’t run since the end of May. Hililyhililyhilo is a progressive and consistent sprinter who is distance suited and has a fair draw. Inspector Casey wasn’t disgraced against stronger in a handicap last time over this trip at the Vaal and is well drawn. Dolphin showed a return to form last time and can go close if reproducing his best run over course and distance. Cinema Scope’s best recent run was over course and distance and he is drawn in pole off a six point lower merit rating.

The fifth over 1600m has attracted a surprisingly weak field considering it’s a Novice Plate for fillies and mares. Sao Paulo looks like an improving sort and is well drawn over a suitable trip. Babbling Brook is a Western Winter half-sister to the useful Brooks-Club. She romped home when stepped up to 1600m in her third start and the form has worked out well. She does have a high draw to overcome and is not officially well in at the weights as a young three-year-old, but on a line through Pearl Valley looks to just have the beating on paper of Sao Paulo, but the latter is better drawn. Silvery Dream is the second best weighted horse and is distance suited but has a tricky draw. The officially best weighted horse is Fort Ember, but she hasn’t run since finishing a 2,75 length sixth in the Gr 1 Thekwini Stakes over a year ago and the form of that race has not worked out well. Spring Dance has become disappointing but on pedigree should enjoy this trip.

In the sixth over 1600m Dealer’s Charm, with Lyle Hewitson up, will relish the step up in trip having run on strongly from well back to win over 1450m on this track on debut and although he has a wide draw he should rise above his 66 merit rating. Triple Beat is better than his last start and is well drawn over a suitable trip. Ciao-Ciao went close over 1450m last time on July 3 after a long break and is well drawn over a suitable trip. Streetwear ran well first time out the maidens and handles this trip but he does have a tricky draw. Fangia and Scotland could earn.

In the seventh over 1800m American Tiger is unbeaten over course and distance and only two points higher than his win last time from a similar draw. Rain Shadow has been unlucky but is now drawn in pole and could be the main danger along with Shot.

In the last over 2200m Tricia Dupont didn’t enjoy the poly last time and should do well from pole position being just two points higher than her last course and distance win.  Tobesuretobesure could go close if not over racing in a likely pacemaking role. A P Chanel should go well with Fortune up from a good draw.

David Thiselton

Work is due to start at the end of October on eliminating Durbanville’s much-criticised ridge and furrow.

Manager Dean Diedericks said: “We are going to sort out the undulations but we also want to make the turn wider and give consideration to moving the rail around the turn.

“Our aim is to have the work finished by the end of March but whether we will be back racing at that stage depends on how the track recovers.”

In recent years the country course has managed to attract horses of the calibre of Variety Club, Capetown Noir and Act Of War for the Matchem Stakes – plus Ebony Flyer and Inara for the Diana – but many trainers have been reluctant to run good horses there for risk of damaging them on the ridge and furrow, particularly when the ground is firm.

Durbanville plays an important part in the training of horses at Milnerton and Philippi as it used for gallops every week, and closing the course for a minimum of five months will cause obvious problems.

However Diedericks said: “What we do about the gallops is still being debated but we are going to do the work in two phases – the back stretch and the rest. There is also the possibility of accommodating gallops at Kenilworth, perhaps keeping the winter course open during the summer for the purpose.”

Plans to build a polytrack at Durbanville have been abandoned. Most of the trainers were against it and, at a meeting to discuss the matter, only three voted in favour.

Michael Clower