The J&B Met has attracted a strong field, but five of the runners look a class above the rest and under the conditions, which are weight for age plus a Gr 1 penalty, the posted result will likely closely resemble the top of the bookmakers betting boards.

The race will also show whether the favourite Legal Eagle is something truly special.

The Greys Inn gelding’s only hiccup in his recent runs has been when hampered in the July. Nobody yet knows what his limit is, but a repeat of his best rated performances to date will be enough to win this race, which is over an ideal trip. He will be hard to beat from draw three with Anton Marcus up.

Last year’s winner Futura should find a good position from a draw of six before running all the way to the line.

Legislate reportedly needed his Queens Plate run, as did his stablemate Futura, and should be in the shake up. He has been targeted at this race from a long way out and is a Gr 1 Cape Derby winner over course and distance.

Captain America finished second to Legislate in that Derby, despite over racing, so could be a threat as he has learnt to settle since gelding. He ran on from a long way back in the Queens Plate for fourth after a slow start from a wide draw and is now well drawn.

Smart Call has been a revelation since coming from off the pace and the form of her impressive win in the Paddock Stakes was franked when Inara followed up by winning the Majorca Stakes.

Gold Onyx loves Cape Town and finished second in a weaker Met than this last year. His famed short run in can be very effective provided he finds a good spot in the running.

Light The Lights has come into his own since gelding and his good turn of foot will be a valuable weapon over a suitable trip.

Punta Arenas’ honest third and fifth-place finishes in the last two years were in weaker fields, but the evergreen seven-year-old has actually shown improvement since then and is reunited with Ian Sturgeon, who rode him to an unlucky second in the July.

Paterfamilias has proved this season why he has always been held in high regard and has a place chance, provided he can find a good spot in the running from a high draw.

Helderberg Blue is very well at present but will find it hard to repeat his third of last year in a stronger field.

King Of Pain made no impression when coming from off them in the Queen’s Plate and his recent form does not inspire any confidence. Perhaps his best chance would be a scenario where he leads in a slow run race, an eventuality which saw him beating a top class field to win the Gr 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge in 2014.

Master Sabina’s Summer Cup win came in his second run after a long layoff, so he could improve on it, but will need to under these tougher conditions and against better horses.

Mac De Lago stayed on for fifth from way back in the Summer Cup, but has a tough task at the weights.

Keambambuli has a hopeless task but might be used as the pacemaker.

Legal Eagle could take another step towards the Equus Horse Of The Year title by holding off the determined charge of Futura, and Legislate could finish third ahead of Smart Call and Captain America.

The Gr 1 weight for age Betting World Cape Flying Championship should also fall to a Sean Tarry-trained favourite, Carry On Alice, whose last run can be ignored. She has excellent early pace plus a devastating late kick and is officially 2kg better in at the weights than any other horse. The giant Brutal Force has come into his own since gelding, but Anton Marcus has chosen to ride Guinness, who is said to be back to his best. Trip Tease was scratched when bursting through the stalls on Queen’s Plate day, but will definitely be fit enough. If his starting woes don’t affect him he will be a big threat. Gulf Storm is interesting running in first-time blinkers over a trip short of his optimum. Daring Dave lost five lengths last time and still finished only 1,85 lengths behind Harry Lime in a strong Conditions Plate over course and distance, despite giving the latter 4,5kg. Harry Lime is on the up since gelding and could surprise.

The selection is Carry On Alice to beat Guiness with Trip Tease, Brutal Force and Harry Lime next best.

There are eight handicaps on the twelve race card, which makes it tough. However, an eye-catchingly good value price is the 12/1 a win and 22/10 for the first four about Silvan Star in race 5, a talented sort who was unlucky last time and could overcome a wide draw.
By David Thiselton
Picture: Legal Eagle (Liesl King)

KZN trainer Dennis Drier said “the Old Man is on track” when talking about his J&B Met contestant Punta Arenas yesterday. Meanwhile, he was bullish about the chances of Gr 1-winning sprinter Guinness, who runs in the Gr 1 Betting World Cape Flying Championships at the same meeting.

Punta Arenas appeared to be loving his gallop as usual at Kenilworth last Thursday and Drier confirmed he had been “very happy” with the evergreen Silvano gelding’s preparation.

He was not concerned about the seven-year-old’s draw of ten, as long as there was a “decent pace.” Draws of 13 and 11 respectively didn’t worry him in his last two attempts at the big race, in which he finished third and fifth respectively, and he always seems to enjoy his racing so there should be no concerns about over-racing if caught wide.

The often under estimated Ian Sturgeon is reunited with Punta Arenas, having ridden him to an unlucky second in the Vodacom Durban July towards the end of last season.

Drier’s four-year-old Seventh Rock gelding Guinness disappointed last time out over the 1000m course and distance of Saturday’s race, fading out to be beaten 4,75 lengths, despite starting 33/10 joint-favourite. Before that at Scottsville he had proved a “wind operation” to have been successful when winning impressively at Scottsville. Now, Drier believes the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion-winning speedster is “back to his best”.

He said, “He needed it last time and galloped at Kenilworth last week and both Anton Marcus, who rode him, and I were very happy. He is on track big time.”

Drier has had a fine run in this race in recent years, winning it with Val De Ra in 2012, finishing fourth and fifth with Chave De Oura and Torra Bay in 2013, and finishing a hair’s breadth second with Captain of All last year.

He believed the course was fair at the moment, with no draw bias, so was not concerned by Guiness’ draw of 12, which is similar to Captain Of All’s nine draw last year, which proved then to be on the “wrong side.”

Drier also runs Gr 2 Cape Merchants winner Triptique and felt the 1000m would be a touch far but added he was in good shape and would be “flying at them” at the finish.

Drier ran fourth in Saturday’s CTS Million Dollar with second favourite Seventh Plain and said, “No excuses, although the draw did us no favours. It was a great race and well done to the winners, it’s a very nice race to win.”

By David Thiselton
Picture: Punta Arenas (Nkosi Hlophe)

Turffontein has a seven race card on Tuesday night and some good exotic dividends can be expected as most events are competitive.

The first race is a Maiden Plate over 1000m. The first-timers The Witness by Mogok and Devious Xandre by Warm White Night are of interest due to the weakness of this field and not because there pedigrees make much appeal. Of those to have run Sea Knight has shown speed so should love this fast course and distance but he has bled on two occasions so can’t be relied on. Justash should beat the rest on form.  Time To Be Great should enjoy the step down in trip.

The second is a Maiden over 1400m. Vee Man was a touch unlucky last time out over 1160m when bumped at the start losing a length and still finishing a two length third. The form has worked out well and he should enjoy the step up in trip, although he does have a tricky draw. Captain Chips made a good debut and can be excused his last start over 1160m when not having a good start. However, his full brother is a sprinter and he now has to jump from a wide draw over a step up in trip. Champions Cup improved last time when a tongue tie was fitted and the distance should be suitable even though he stays further as he moved up well in that last race over 1800m. Druid’s Temple is by Oracy out of a Jet Master mare who won four sprint races. Red Dragon is by Warm White Night out of a National Emblem mare who won one race over 1400m.

The third is a Maiden Plate over 140om for fillies and mares and Tracy’s Legacy has had little luck with the draw and is drawn wide again but she has plenty of ability and if settling better than last time could use the long straight here to get up. Monarch Air will be out to make amends for her last start when an unlucky second on the Inside course 1450m. Inaninstant should improve over this trip being by Silvano, having stayed on over shorter on debut. She has a wide draw to overcome but Gavin Lerena is up.  Chinawhite was caught late over this trip at the Vaal last time but is another with a tricky draw. Love Tryst showed improvement last time in that same race when running on and could earn here despite a wide draw.

The fourth race is a Conditions Plate for fillies and mares over 1400m and the classy Kwinta is the one to beat over an ideal course and distance. However, Tiger’s Touch, who is out to land a hattrick from a good draw, won’t make it east as she is officially best treated at the weights and should stay the trip. Seventh Heart’s best win was over course and distance and she could earn.

The fifth race is a Conditions Plate over 1000m and the talented Moofeed (Lerena) could get it right being quite well treated at the weights and as one who always stays all the way to the line.  Doing It For Dan keeps on winning and will be a tough nut to crack again over a suitable course and distance from a probable nice draw by trends. Unparallelled has won impressively over 1160m before and is interesting running fresh here after a long layoff as he is officially best in at the weights.  Ha Lucy is second best in at the weights and can’t be ignored over her ideal trip. Bad Boy Buddy Boy has plenty of pace and should be thereabouts.

The sixth is a Pinnacle Stakes race over 2450m and Flying The Flag could be interesting here as one who could turn out to be a dour stayer. Judicial has class and is interesting over this trip as one who is always staying on against the best over shorter and as officially the best treated horse at the weights. Storm Warning is a classy stayer and should be thereabouts. Arch Rival won well over course and distance last time out. The conditions of these race suit females and Marmalady is a consistent stayer so can’t be ignored but she faces Arch Rival on the same terms as when beaten 2,25 lengths last time.

The seventh is a MR 80 Handicap over 1400m and Kings Archer is drawn fairly over a trip he ran a fine race over last time. Gaisce Gold gets the ideal draw for his handy style and this is an ideal trip. My Treasure goes for a hattrick over the trip having been backed last time but the runner up in that last race was most unlucky so the bare form flatters him slightly. Cherokee Grey is drawn well and  is still improving and could earn having won his maiden in hard fought fashion last time out over this distance. Antonius Charm is course and distance suited and has Strydom up.

By David Thiselton
Picture: Gavin Lerena rides Moofeed at Turffontein tonight

Sean Tarry introduced an exceptional two-year-old in Cloth Of Gold at Kenilworth on Saturday and she now returns to Johannesburg to compete for some of the top juvenile prizes there.

The R2.2 million Captain Al half-sister to Silver Mountain may have beaten unknown quantities – four of the other five were also unraced – but she won with devastating ease, coming right away to score by six lengths.

S’Manga Khumalo said: “I think she is very special and there is more to come.”

Tarry (pictured) added: “I was a little anxious because she is no easy baby but, if we can just keep a lid on her temperament, I think she is the real deal. She is top class but she is a challenge because of that temperament.”

The winner is owned by a mixture of some of the biggest names in South Africa and Ireland with Messrs Jooste, Kantor and Van Niekerk being joined by classic-winning breeder Diane Nagle and Linda Shanahan whose husband Paul has long been one of the key men in Coolmore.

Joey Ramsden ,who trained the filly’s dam Our Table Mountain, did not have a winner but he still went home a happy man. He is to train Silver Coin, the R6 million colt who smashed the South African yearling record at the Convention Centre on Thursday evening. He was bought by Coolmore’s M.V. Magnier and Markus Jooste.

By Michael Clower

Durban – probably including a crack at the Daily News – is next on the agenda for Fred Crabbia’s It’s My Turn following his surprise win in Saturday’s Investec Cape Derby when hot favourite Black Arthur was beaten into fourth.

Justin Snaith, who also won the Derby with Russian Sage and Legislate, said: “He is definitely going to Durban  – he has improved so much – but I think Black Arthur’s win in the Politician took too much out of him. Two weeks between the two races is too close.”

The favourite’s rider Bernard Fayd’Herbe echoed similar sentiments, saying: “He was very green, jumping shadows down the back straight, but I thought I had him in a winning position. However the Politician took a bit too much out of him. It was too close.”

With Investec seemingly locked in with CTS, the chances of its race being moved back to Met day are about on a par with the rand recovering its old levels. The answer, surely, is to run the Politician a week earlier and find another race on Queen’s Plate day for Cartier to sponsor.

It’s My Turn started at 16-1 and apparently Piere Strydom felt even that was overstating it. He said: “I thought I’d got the ride on Black Arthur only to be told I hadn’t and I was riding Prince Of Wales who was then scratched. It’s My Turn’s merit rating is not even near the top horses but at the 200m mark I thought ‘I can’t believe this – I’m going to win.’”

Brazuca, a fast-finishing two length-second, would have been even closer had he had a clear run but his writing was on the wall from the moment he dawdled out of the pens. “I was off the bit the whole way,” reported JP van der Merwe.

Rabada, who on the book would have won, stayed in his box nursing 28 stitches in his near hind. Mike Azzie explained: “He went for a spin at Milnerton on Thursday, got loose, cracked into the tyres at the end of the gallop and cut his leg open”

Inara could also go to Durban after wearing down Same Jurisdiction to take the Klawervlei Majorca for the second successive year and despite Grant van Niekerk re-iterating: “She never felt the same filly in Durban.”

But Candice Robinson said: “She might go – it depends on what stables we get. Those we had last year were very dusty.”

Mike Bass, winning the race for the fifth time in 11 seasons and given a great reception, paid tribute to his daughter, saying: “Candice has done a great job getting Inara ready for this and today the filly was probably at her best.”

The first three ran in Gaynor Rupert’s colours and, although the starter reported that Same Jurisdiction stumbled shortly after leaving the pens, Anton Marcus said: “She had every conceivable chance.”

By Michael Clower
Picture: It’s My Turn (Liesl King)

Heavelon van der Hoven earned almost R630 000 for winning Saturday’s CTS Million Dollar on Illuminator but it will be the end of the year before the 23-year-old from Namibia can get his hands on it – and even then he won’t get it all.

Apprentices are credited with 7.5% of winning stakes but the Jockey Academy takes a cut (it is reluctant to say how much) and the rest goes into a trust account until the end of the apprenticeship. They can draw on it in the meantime but only for specific purposes and these require JA approval.

Van der Hoven completed his five years last month but, as he hadn’t ridden 50 winners (Saturday’s success was only his 23^rd), he signed on for a further year so that he can continue to claim and riding master Terrance Welch is now arranging for him to go countrywide to increase his opportunities.

Welch said yesterday: “This couldn’t have happened to a better kid. He works his butt off and keeps his weight down so that he can ride at 50kg.”

Van der Hoven asked Glen Puller for the ride at exercise on Saturday morning when he heard that Weichong Marwing had what proved to be the most expensive sore back in the country.

Puller said: “Illuminator is a difficult boy and Heavelon rides him all the time at home. He also rode him to win his first two starts.”

Ex-jockey Puller,54, has been training since 1989 and has 38 horses at Milnerton. His immediate problem, apart from on what to spend his percentage of the near R8.4 million winning stake, is whether to geld the winner who has been haemo-concentrating.

Puller said: “Gelding is what he needs and what he ought to have. It has always been on the cards but he might just be too good for that now. We won’t rush the decision.”

Francis Carruthers, backed by Puller’s advice, bought the Klawervlei-bred Trippi colt for R180 000 at the less fashionable March sale. Carruthers, boss of a company in the nuclear power industry, parted with 20% to Ian Robinson who had his own air-conditioning business before deciding to retire. He could have made a fortune in the present climate but he still collected over R1.3 million after deductions.

Contrary to expectation there were no reports of rough-riding – or fines or suspensions – and Aldo Domeyer, beaten only three-quarters of a length on 17-10 favourite Silver Mountain, reported: “She had every chance.”

However the stipes’ report suggests that Victorious Jay, a head away third, might have finished in front of her had he not been blocked and forced to switch just under two furlongs out.

By Michael Clower
Picture: Apprentice Heavelon van der Hoven

The Investec Day Of Dreams meeting held at Kenilworth yesterday could not have been better named as the young claiming apprentice Heavalon van der Hoven grabbed a chance opportunity with both hands by winning the inaugural running of the CTS Million Dollar aboard outsider Illuminator, who is trained by the relatively small yard Cape Town conditioner Glen Puller.

Owners Francois Carruthers and Ian Robinson splashed out just R180,000 for the Klawervlei Stud-bred son of Trippi, who earned a cheque of over R8 million for yesterday’s race, or US$500,000 to be exact.

Weichong Marwing was originally declared to ride Illuminator but didn’t make the journey to Cape Town and Van der Hoven was declared as replacement.

The youngster was not allowed to claim his current 2,5kg apprentice allowance, but did not need it as he brought his mount to the outside from some way back in the running, thereby getting cover from the cross wind.

The 17/10 favourite from the Mike Bass yard, Silver Mountain, was handy behind a predictable furious pace and stayed on well, but she had no answer to Illuminator’s late surge. She still earned a cheque of US$200,000.

The Vaughan Marshall-trained Victorious Jay was in contention right until the end but had to settle for 3rd, 0,85 lengths behind the winner. She earned US$150,000.

The KZN-trained horses the Dennis Drier-trained Seventh Plain and the Charles Laird-trained Exit Here were beaten 2,85 lengths and 3,05 lengths in fourth and fifth, but the effort was still worthwhile as they earned cheques of $US100,000 and US$40,000 respectively.

Klawervlei earned a cheque of US$10,000 as vendors of the winner.

The big crowd were enthralled by the proceedings and the on course atmosphere was electric. With such dream beginnings this meeting looks set to become an institution in a  Cape Town January racing schedule which now matches any month of racing in the world.

Earlier, Justin Snaith and Dynasty did it in the Gr 1 R1 million Investec Cape Derby for the second time in three runnings and it was once again with an outsider. Two years ago Legislate was an unconsidered 28/1 when pouncing in the Derby and going on to be name Equus Horse Of The Year. This year the gelding It’s My Turn was brought home by Piere Strydom at odds of 16/1, although it was in a weaker field.

Snaith sent out the favourite for the Derby too, Black Arthur, whom Strydom had ridden to an impressive victory in the Gr 3 Politician Stakes over 1800m, when coming from last. However, stable jockey Bernard Fayd’Herbe was given the ride on Black Arthur for this Gr 1 event so the end result had a touch of irony to it. Black Arthur was surprisingly handy early as the front-running type Kemal Kavur set moderate fractions in front. Strydom was caught wide but admitted later the cross wind in the straight helped him as the horse he followed in the straight drifted to the outside and offered him valuable cover.

The strongly fancied Gr 1 Grand Parade Cape Guineas runner up Brazuca had to be pushed along at the back of the field most the way, but scythed through the field  in the straight. However, it was too late and he was beaten two lengths. Politician Stakes runner up Marinaresco reversed form with Black Arthur to claim third place. Black Arthur just got up for fourth at the expense of Kemal Kavur, who looked a possible winner until late in the race.

It’s My Turn was bred by Willem Engelbrecht and is owned by Fred Crabbia.

The Mike Bass-trained Inara retained her Gr 1 R1 million Klawervlei Majorca Stakes crown, having finished second last time out in her defence of the Gr 1 Maine Chance Farms Paddock Stakes title. Same Jurisdiction was all the rage, landing a good draw for a change over a suitable trip, and was backed in to 11/20, while Inara drifted out to 13/2.

Anton Marcus had Same Jurisdiction perfectly poised in a handy position. Inara was about eight lengths off the lead in midfield in a stretched out field. Same Jurisdiction was sent for home at the 400m and lengthened into the lead but Inara looked threatening on the outside and duly cut her down late to win by 0,75 lengths. Inara’s stablemate Lanner Falcon flew for third, although 3,25 lengths behind the winner, and the pacemaker Bichette stayed on for fourth ahead of Fear Not.

It was a notable trifecta for  Drakenstein Stud, because Inara by Trippi was bred and is owned by them, Same Jurisdiction is owned by them and Lanner Falcon was owned and bred by them.

By David Thiselton
Picture: Liesl King

The Glen Puller-trained Illuminator downed favorite Silver Mountain to win the inaugural CTS Million Dollar at Kenilworth racecourse yesterday.

Heavalon Van Der Hoven (Liesl King)

The result was a dream for apprentice Heavelon Van Der Hoven, who picked up the winning ride on the colt after scheduled rider Weichong Marwing was stood down. Van Der Hoven, while still an apprentice, looked a likely choice to replace Marwing as he knows the colt (described by his trainer as difficult) well, and had ridden Illuminator to victory in his first two starts. The pair are now unbeaten in three starts.

Illuminator, coming off a second in the Listed Sophomore Sprint, was allowed to start a 16-1 chance, with World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas (SAF-I) favorite Silver Mountain being dispatched a 17-10 favorite for what was the richest horse race ever run on African soil.

The field spread out across the track with 400 meters to go, with early front runners dropping out of contention. Silver Mountain produced what looked a strong run down the center of the track, but further out, Illuminator was producing a fast late finish and got up to prevail by three parts of a length, with Silver Mountain just edging Victorious Jay for second prize of $200 000.

Fourth home was Seventh Plain, with last year’s champion now yet to win in three appearances as a 3-year-old.

Illuminator’s success was a memorable triumph for veteran Cape trainer Glen Puller, as well as his loyal and longstanding owners. Puller said of his choice to ride an apprentice, “He (Illuminator) is a difficult boy but Heavelon knows him well. I knew he would do his best work late on.”

For Heavelon Van Der Hoven it was truly a dream come true, with the young rider overcome after his win.

“After I found out about Weichong (being stood down), I quickly asked for the ride. I get on well with the horse and know him well,” Van Der Hoven said. “He was a bit sluggish out the gates, but I tracked Aldo (Domeyer on Silver Mountain) and felt confident coming for home. He is an amazing horse.”

Bred by last season’s champion breeders Klawervlei Stud, Illuminator will take his place in the record books as one of the great buys in South African history. He cost owners Francis Carruthers and Ian Robinson just R180 000 ($10,929) at the 2014 March Yearling Sale. Following Saturday’s win, he has earned more than R8,000,000 ($485,730).

A son of Trippi, Illuminator is out of the five-time winning Al Mufti mare Pacific Lights, a stakes-placed half sister to Allan Robertson Fillies Championship (SAF-I) winner Silver Arc.

The Million Dollar, which will be run in two $500,000 contests next year, formed part of three major features on Saturday’s Investec Day Of Dreams race card. The Day of Dreams, held for the first time this year, came about as a result of Cape Thoroughbred Sales and Investec Bank joining forces to put together the richest horse race event in African history.

It’s My Turn (Liesl King)

The first of the two other features saw 16-1 shot It’s My Turn cause an upset when the unheralded gelding won the Investec Cape Derby (SAF-I). Rated by the handicapper more than 20 pounds inferior to fancied runner Brazuca and eight pounds below stablemate Black Arthur, It’s My Turn appeared to have it all to do at the weights, but proved himself as a horse with a future over ground.

It’s My Turn, who was giving trainer Justin Snaith a third win in the Derby, was given a fine ride by former champion jockey Piere Strydom, who bought his mount with a late run up the outside while the majority of the field followed front runner Kemal Kavur down the inside.

Fred Crabbia’s It’s My Turn defeated recent group I winner Brazuca, who finished second, with Marinaresco third after being tricky in the parade. It’s My Turn’s stablemate, and favorite, Black Arthur, could only finish back in fourth. The winning jockey had ridden Black Arthur to victory in the Cartier Politician Stakes (SAF-III) only to subsequently to lose the ride.

Bred by Willem Engelbrecht Jr, It’s My Turn has now won twice in just five outings and earned more than R700 000 ($42,500) in stakes. His sire Dynasty, who won the Cape Derby back in 2003, has certainly left his mark on the Kenilworth classic, with It’s My Turn being his third son to win the race.

The third major race on the day, the Klawervlei Majorca Stakes (SAF-I), proved a triumph for Drakenstein Stud, who owned the first three past the post.

The farm, whose resident sire Trippi dominated the feature race proceedings Saturday, bred and owns both the winner Inara and third-place Lanner Falcon. Drakenstein is part owner of runner-up and favorite Same Jurisdiction.

Inara, who was winning the Majorca Stakes for a second year in a row, provided the Bass yard with some consolation after Million favorite Silver Mountain could only manage second in the day’s rich feature.

Jockey Grant Van Niekerk, who picked up his first group I success aboard Inara when the pair landed the 2015 Maine Chance Farms Paddock Stakes, adores his winner, and said after partnering Inara to a late running, three parts of a length win on Saturday, “I love this filly, she always tries so hard. She has a big heart and is really special to me.”

Saturday’s win was a third group I victory for Inara, who stopped the clock in 1:39.68. She has now won six of 16 outings with the 4-year-old having banked over R2.6 million ($157,862).
By Sarah Whitelaw for Bloodhorse.com
Pictures: Liesl King

The Investec Day Of Dreams meeting at Kenilworth tomorrow will have a feverish atmosphere due to the running of by far the richest race in South African history, the CTS Million Dollar over 1400m, and to whet the appetite the meeting also features the Gr 1 R1 million Investec Cape Derby over 2000m and the Gr 1 R1 million Klawervlei Majorca Stakes over 1600m.

The Mike Bass-trained filly Silver Mountain was a touch unlucky not to have done the Cape Fillies and Cape Guineas double and on official merit rating is very well treated at the weights. She is brilliant and her good gate speed and electric turn of foot should make the 1400m trip ideal, especially from a plum draw of five. However, it would be a brave punter to take odds of even money about a small filly in a race where no quarter will be given.

Prince Of Thieves is officially 7kg out at the weights with Silver Mountain but impressed last time out over course and distance when turning it on effortlessly and cruising in by 3,75 lengths carrying 60kg off a 95 merit rating in a MR 86 Handicap against older horses. Bernard Fayd’Herbe has plenty of BMT and they will end up jumping from a middle draw of eight, which might be ideal in the hurly burly of such a race.

Exit Here has plenty of class and his pole position draw is ideal for his style in which he likes to be handy, although as one who stays further he will like the pace to be as fast as possible.

The pace could well be set by Swift Sarah from a plum draw of three as she has excellent gatespeed and early pace. Her only attempt at 1400m can be excused as nothing went right, but there is still a slight stamina doubt and her jockey might slow it up if reaching the front easily, so Anthony Delpech on Exit Here will likely have this in mind and might make it tough for Swift Sarah to get around him.

Sandwiched between them is another  front-running type, Hard Day’s Night, who will be ridden by master tactician Piere Strydom. What plan will this master of his craft have up his sleeve?

Another master Anton Marcus is aboard the best rated male in the race Seventh Plain, but didn’t dismiss riding Exit Here lightly. Seventh Plain has a wide draw to overcome but the maestro trainer Dennis Drier will have him spot on and the flat finish he produced in the R2,5 million Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes over this distance might be relegated to distant memory.

Redcarpet Captain looked a picture upon arrival in Cape Town and is ideally distance suited. He has a deceptively good turn of foot, so a fast paced race will work in his favour, allowing him to perhaps slot in from a wide draw before finishing strongly.

Ernie is another distance suited horse with a fine turn of foot, so he should be running on from a wide draw.

Victorious Jay ran on from off the pace when only 0,3 lengths behind Silver Mountain in the Cape Guineas and will likely have to do the same from a wide draw here.

Lunar Approach impressed over this trip at Turffontein and the form has worked out well so he is probably higher than his 96 merit rating suggests, although he will need luck from his draw.

Illuminator stays the trip and is drawn well under top jockey Weichong Marwing, but does have to reverse form with all of Hard Day’s Night, Ernie, Silver Mountain and , Victorious Jay and has a tough task at the weights maintaining form against Seventh Plain.

Melliflora is a courageous sort but the form of her best races might be a touch suspect.

Varumba has a tough task from the widest draw of all as one with a slight stamina doubt.

A Time To Dream has many lengths to find on Silver Mountain on Cape Fillies Guineas form but is likely improving being by Dynasty.

Jo’s Bond and Tar Heel have obvious stamina doubts, but their speed could be a factor if they are ridden cold and find suitable cover, and this will be easier for Tar Heel from his plum draw of 5.

The selection is Prince of Thieves to beat Silver Mountain with Redcarpet Captain, Exit Here and Seventh Plain next best.

The Cape Derby is competitive and an upset would be no surprise. However, Brazuca is a worthy favourite from pole position as he was staying on late when runner up in the Cape Guineas, so looks likely to stay the trip, and the form looks strong. Jet Air could be the dark horse as he stayed on well in the Cape Guineas too and is an outsider tipped to run second. Black Arthur has done nothing wrong and looks to be a horse on the up so he should go close from a good draw of five.

Marinaresco was close behind Black Arthur in the Politician and is preferred to Jet Air according to jockey arrangements. Eastern Charm should relish the trip and is interesting from a good draw with blinkers.

A high class field lines up for the Majorca, but everything points to the brilliant Same Jurisdiction as she gets a plum draw over an ideal trip and is said to be spot on, after not much went right for her in the Gr 1 Maine Chance Paddock Stakes over the a trip of 1800m that is a touch too far. Following her home could be the defending champion Inara, who has exceptional form over course and distance. Double Whammy is unfortunately widely drawn but will be at her peak over a suitable trip and could beat Lanner Falcon and Lohnromance into third, although two others to consider are Alexis and Eventual Angel.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Same Jurisdiction (Nkosi Hlophe)

Futura (pictured), one of the few at yesterday’s J & B Met gallops asked to exert himself in anything like earnest, impressed when partnered by big race jockey Bernard Fayd’Herbe.

Last year’s winner worked on his own at a good pace from halfway down the back straight and quickened up nicely in the last 300m.

Fayd’Herbe, bidding for his fourth Met win, said: “He had a workout and it was good one. I think he would have come on from his Queen’s Plate run and he will be ready for Saturday week.”

Craig du Plooy, who rides expected pacemaker Krambambuli,  deputised for Piere Strydom (in Dubai to ride Harry’s Son yesterday evening) on Legislate and was mightily impressed with the Durban July winner.

He said: “That was an outstanding gallop and the best he has ever been for me. They have got the horse at his best at the right time.”

Anton Marcus was aboard Legal Eagle when the Queen’s Plate winner went with last year’s runner-up Gold Onyx (S’Manga Khumalo). At least they hacked down to the six furlong marker together. Legal Eagle came back on his own, extending over the last 300m, and Gold Onyx followed about a furlong behind.

Sean Tarry said: “It was just going through the motions but it was exactly what Legal Eagle wanted and he seems to be moving well. I think Gold Onyx could again run into a place. He over-raced in the Queen’s Plate.”

Marcus added: “I don’t think you can read much into these gallops but I was happy with Legal Eagle.”

Smart Call (Met gallops) – Liesl King

So too was Corne Orffer with Captain America. The Horse Chestnut winner  did a solo spin at a workmanlike pace with his rider reporting: “That was a very good gallop and his wind is good.”

Most of the big names drew well, a notable exception being Master Sabina at 14, and the Sansui Summer Cup winner’s trainer Geoff Woodruff has had a double blow as Deo Juvente is unlikely to run after suffering a nasty cut on his left stifle.

Woodruff explained: “He went for a roll at Milnerton and buried in the sand was a piece of a broken glass bottle that cut into him.”

Master Sabina was ridden by Thomas van Rensburg in a spin over a mile. He wasn’t asked to do much – indeed he spent most of the time looking around at his new surroundings – despite quickening inside the final furlong.  Compere Neil Andrews was moved to comment: “He did as much as I do when I go to the gym!”

Smart Call, the only filly in the race, caught the eye when partnered by Marcus and convincingly drew away from As You Like (Orffer) in the final furlong with an understandably pleased Alec Laird remarking: “She was impressive.”

By Michael Clower
Pictures: Liesl King