Be Happy (Candiese Lenferna)

G G’s Dynasty takes to Scottsville

G G’s Dynasty is something of a Hollywoodbets Scottsville specialist. He arrived in KZN to join Brett Crawford’s Summerveld yard a maiden winner and seemingly having lost his way and his first local start did not give away much of what was to follow. But since then he has never been out of the first two in six starts, four of those wins, and three at Scottsville.

Be Happy (Candiese Lenferna)
Be Happy (Candiese Lenferna)

He was sent out a short-priced favourite for The White Horse Function Room Handicap yesterday and never looked like losing. Peter Muscutt, Crawford’s Summerveld assistant, said prerace that his only concern was that GG’s Dynasty was a small horse with a big weight but the gelding made light work of his burden, coming clear over the final 400m to win as he liked leaving Walterthepennyless and Williams Landlocked in a tussle for second with the former prevailing by a short head.

The Michael Roberts-trained filly Be Happy was another comfortable winner as Warren Kennedy punched her out hands-and-heels winning by an ever increasing 2.75 lengths. “I knew she had a big chance,” said Kennedy. “She finished just over two lengths behind Whizz of Odds and she is a smart filly who will probably be going for the features this season.”

Kennedy opened his afternoon’s account with Vernichey for Gareth van Zyl in the Maiden Juvenile Plate. The daughter of Vercingetorix put up a pleasing barrier trial and found mountains of support to start deep in the red. It was money not misplaced as she quickened away from her field to win as she liked. Ziva De Grace, who had the benefit of a race, matched strides in the early part but proved no match for the winner.

Favourite Explosive Beauty is proving to be something of a handful and blew her chances at the start of the third. It is seldom that Anton Marcus gets his mount left in the gate but Paul Lafferty’s filly gave her field start and although making up a lot of ground she could only manage fourth as apprentice Thabiso Gumede took full advantage of his 4kg claim to get the Louis Goosen-trained Uptotrix to reverse the form of their last meeting.

Calvin Habib is becoming a regular visitor to KZN and turned in a polished performance, producing Andre Nel’s runner Room At The Top with a well-timed finish to out-gun recent maiden winner Joseph Jagger and long-time leader and favourite Sea Sponge in the last few jumps.

Suzie Woo has been building for another win and replacement rider Gareth Wright made no mistakes as he kept Shane Humby’s mare fighting to the line; Bint El Malak and favourite Purple Persuasion both given every chance.

By Andrew Harrison

Eden Roc (Candiese Lenferna)

Sachdev could be the right answer

Sachdev at 7-1 could be the answer to a tricky-looking Cape Guineas at Kenilworth tomorrow when the appearance of Sun Met favourite Hawwaam in the Premier Trophy will be a major attraction.

Richard Fourie’s mount might not have the most obvious credentials – he flopped in the Cape Classic and was beaten in the Concorde Cup – but in fact those two performances hold the key to his chance here. His blood was found to be wrong – indicating an infection – after the Classic, so much so in fact that Justin Snaith had to ease off him and he lined up for the Concorde quite some way off peak fitness.

Eden Roc (Candiese Lenferna)
Eden Roc (Candiese Lenferna)

Yet he produced an explosive turn of foot and was only caught in the last stride by King Of Gems and the Concorde (together with its Selangor predecessor) is a good guide to the Guineas. With a better preparation, it’s not hard to see him turning the tables and even winning.

Snaith also has a strong contender in Captain Tatters who ran Silver Operator to a dwindling four-tenths of a length in the Cape Classic and looked the more likely of the pair to benefit from the extra furlong here. Yet he is a 15-2 chance and Silver Operator is 3-1 favourite, and badly drawn to boot.

Part of the reason is the reputation of his rider Anton Marcus and the five-time winning record of trainer Vaughan Marshall, but there is also the remarks they made in the immediate aftermath of the Classic. Marshall pointed out that it was the colt’s first run for seven weeks while Marcus said he should have sent the horse on sooner and that he will be far more effective on the summer course as well as suited to a bit further.

It’s worth noting that seven of the last ten Cape Guineas favourites have been beaten. That said, the race usually goes to one of the fancied runners and only twice in the last 17 years has the winner started at a bigger price than 5-1.

This year looks more open than usual. King Of Gems accelerated every bit as well as Sachdev in the Concorde and, although he started almost completely ignored at 55-1, there was no fluke about his victory. He has already been backed from 16-1 to 11-1.

His trainer Brett Crawford has his horses in top form and stable companion Macthief (13-1) was a close-up third in the Concorde despite clipping heels in the back straight. Interestingly Kilindini is the shortest priced of the stable’s trio at 10-1 despite being beaten at odds-on last time.

Sean Tarry saddles a quarter of the field (and he normally does all the saddling himself) including last Saturday’s big winner Pure State but Eden Roc is the highest rated and at 10-1 the shortest priced. He hasn’t quite hit top form this season but his trainer certainly has.

Merit ratings gained in Durban at two often don’t stand up elsewhere at three but it’s worth noting that African Warrior’s top-rated 115 was earned in the Matchem at Durbanville. Forget last time’s muscle-strained flop. The 13-2 shot is second favourite.

It’s almost impossible to see Hawwaam getting beaten. At least it would be if nobody told you what a terrible record favourites have in the Premier Trophy – all but two of the last 14 got stuffed. If you don’t fancy risking your money at 2-7 Twist Of Fate was only 1.6 lengths behind Hawwaam in the Daily News, he receives a kilo, is racing on home ground and his new trainer is on fire. You can get 13-2.

By Michael Clower

Tarry and De Kock face off

Sean Tarry and Mike de Kock look set for a field day at Turffontein tomorrow but with both trainers having multiple runners in all the races that they are contesting, it will be for punters to sort the pick of their runners.

De Kock saddles two runners in the opening leg of the Pick 6 with stable first-call rider Callan Murray possibly on the pick of the stable pair. Stage Dance has her third run after a break and has improved with each run. She should be spot on for this event. Victoria Page and Stage Dance both contested feature races last term with some success. Victoria Paige is the more consistent of the two but has not been out since July which could count against her. That said, Stage Dance is not the most reliable but is smart on her day.

Callan Murray
Callan Murray

Tarry saddles the filly Keep Smiling in the fifth and can put one over her male rivals given her light weight. She has hardly been out of the money in her nine starts and Tarry has engaged Warren Kennedy, the log-leading rider who can make the weight.

Spero Optima is lightly raced and followed up his maiden win with a good second and is the most likely danger while Owlinthetree found his best form last run but has to give lumps of weight to the filly.

Tarry holds another strong hand in the sixth. Montreal Mist just needed her last run and breaking through the font of the stalls before being re-loaded will not have helped. She had smart form before that and can get the better of stable companion Spiritofthegroove who has been trying further and may find this a tad short at this stage of her career. A Tarry trifecta is on the cards as Tropic Sun showed up well first run out of the maidens in useful company and cannot be discounted.

De Kock can return the compliment in the seventh where Vaseem may be the stable elect of his four runners. He was an end-to-end winner over a sprint last run but is his only attempt at ground he was galloped into. He looks ideally suited to this trip. Virtuosa won his last two and Alameery and Your Place Or Mine all look progressive while Al Borak is unbeaten since being gelded and will have his supporters.

Frosted Steel and Flying High look the principal contenders in the eighth. Frosted Steel has been in good form against stronger of late and looks the part while Flying High has been close-up in both starts since her maiden win and goes well over this trip. 

In the ninth, Curious does not have the best draw but was finishing off his race nicely at only his second outing and should improve on that effort. Akwaan has been consistent but now tries blinkers which could bring out the best while stable companion Ghalyoon had his saddle slip badly last run so that is best ignored. He has two useful efforts over this trip to his name and has drawn pole.

By Andrew Harrison

To take a bet go to www.tabgold.co.za or www.trackandball.co.za

In Jest (Candiese Lenferna)

Silva Magic to wave her wand

The 1000-piece puzzle was once a popular pastime that often took days to complete. Punters face a similar conundrum at Hollywoodbets Greyville this evening but do not have the luxury of time. They are faced with a tricky card but those that fit the right pieces should be handsomely rewarded.

The scratching of Cherry Road (cast in box) has robbed punters of a possible Pick 6 banker in the first leg but left the way open for Silva Magic who has come good since being put over ground and ran a cracker first up out of the maidens. In Jest franked the Cherry Road form by winning next time out albeit to weaker but she too should enjoy the extra.

In Jest (Candiese Lenferna)
In Jest (Candiese Lenferna)

The fifth is a difficult handicap over ground where any number of the runners have a winning chance. Gibraltar Green pulled up lame last outing so that run is best ignored as he was in good form before that. He has a light weight from a strong stable. Paybackthemoney put in a below par performance behind stable companion Merlin From Berlin last start but his best recent form has been over this trip. Just Cruised In has a big weight but takes on weaker as does Top Classman who enjoys the sting out of the ground. Merlin From Berlin took a hefty 12-point hit in the ratings for his recent victory and he could battle off his new mark. Je Ne Sais Quoi is a smart filly who should be at home over this extended trip and cannot be ignored in a wide open race.

The sixth is another tricky contest but Rocket Fire, although he has a big weight, has fair form to stronger in recent outings. He is down in the handicap with a good draw and is a must inclusion in all calculations. Truly Wicked has also dropped in the ratings and was not far back from a tough draw last time out. He jumps from pole here with Marcus up. Putchini made no show in his 100th start but his form before that was fairly solid albeit on the poly but does go well for this rider.

Yaas was as much improved in first time blinkers last time out and jumping from a wide draw. She has drawn on the other side of the track here and could prove the pick in another difficult affair. Sarabi has done little wrong of late and has useful form on the turf which is in her favour. Starlight and Spring Burst are others to consider.

Johan Janse van Vuuren travels his runners up and down from the Highveld between his Turffontein and Summerveld yards and Prince Of Venice tripped to the Vaal for his last outing where he took on a bit stronger than what he meets here. Marcus up is an added bonus.  

The last could rest between Dispicable and Horoscope Harry although they face plenty of opposition.

Dispicable has a tough draw but does seem to be late maturing and still on the up while Horoscope Harry has won his last two and looks to have some scope. He has also drawn well.

By Andrew Harrison

To take a bet go to www.tabgold.co.za or www.trackandball.co.za

One step closer to fair trade

The European Union (EU) has confirmed that an audit of South Africa’s export protocols will be conducted in the months of April/May 2020.

This follows a meeting on Tuesday between the EU, the South African Department of Agriculture’s Director of Animal Health, Dr Mpho Maja and Niki Kruger, Chief Director of Trade Negotiations, International Trade and Economic Development Division (ITED)

Adrian Todd, MD of South African Equine Health & Protocols (SAEHP), commented: “The EU will be sending a pre-audit questionnaire early in the New Year so that final preparations can be done. This is a most exciting development for all of us in the South African breeding and racing industries. It shows what can be done when the private and government sectors cooperate and work towards the same goal.”

Eight-times SA Champion trainer and SAEHP board member Mike de Kock was delighted and said: “With all the negative news we’ve had, this is the announcement of the year. I am excited for SA racing, the audit still has to be completed and there will be a few technical issues after that, but we’re as close now as we’ve been which is wonderful.

“This is a vital issue. Some of our industry’s biggest investors, like the Sheikhs of Dubai, have been getting impatient but now, at last, we have something tangible, light at the end of the tunnel. I have seen the ramifications of the prohibiting protocols on my own business with an internationally competitive Dubai string of 40 horses grinding to an almost complete halt. “Adrian Todd and his team at SAEHP have worked very hard and in the face of many obstacles to get us this far. They deserve compliments, along with Dr Maja who gave racing her preference and several others who have done sterling work behind the scenes.”

Hawwaam (JC Photographics)

Hawwaam at short odds

Hawwaam looks like starting one of the shortest priced favourites for Saturday’s Premier Trophy since subsequent Met winner Angus came home in front at 4-10 in 2003 – and he might even go off shorter than that. The latest Mike de Kock star is quoted at 1-3 with some bookmakers and Matthew de Kock reported yesterday that all went smoothly with the four-year-old’s introduction to the left-handed Kenilworth course.

The triple Group 1 winner worked over 1 200m with a companion and took to it “100 per cent.” De Kock jnr added: “This (the Premier) wasn’t part of our plans but, considering the hand we have been dealt, things have gone well so far.”

Hawwaam (JC Photographics)
Hawwaam (JC Photographics)

Rider Anton Marcus won this race on Pick Six for Charles Laird in 2007 and the ex-Joey Ramsden-trained Twist Of Fate has his first run for Marcus’s in-form nephew Adam. Craig Zackey’s mount is 8-1 third favourite with the Glen Kotzen-trained Eyes Wide Open (Morne Winnaar) a fraction shorter at 15-2.

Cape Classic winner Silver Operator (Vaughan Marshall-Anton Marcus) is as short as 28-10 for the Cape Guineas despite being drawn 14. African Warrior and Justin Snaith’s Concorde runner-up Sachdev are next on 13-2, Snaith’s Cape Classic second Captain Tatters on 15-2 with Eden Roc heading the Sean Tarry four on 10-1. A little surprisingly the Brett Crawford-trained King Of Gems, who beat Sachdev a neck in the Concorde, is as big as 16-1.

Ready To Win

Want to win the CTS Ready To Run and its big stake? Maybe you should ask the sales boss for advice on which horses to buy.  Wehann Smith backs his firm’s sale with his own money and his record is truly remarkable.

In addition to being part-owner of last Saturday’s winner Pure State, he also had a significant stake in the 2016 winner Safe Harbour and a share in Majestic Mozart who was second last year.

“I buy a few out of this sale every year,” he says, “and after the 2018 sale I went to Chris van Niekerk and asked him if I could buy a leg in Pure State. I own 25%.”

A False Start

Some punters have questioned the wisdom of calling a false start when a horse begins to rear as the starter presses the button, as happened in race two at Kenilworth last Saturday. A couple of the other horses were upset about being asked to load a second time and the eventual start – at least ten minutes after the first one – was a lot more ragged than the original one. The aggrieved punters maintained that it was a clear case of the transgressor benefitting and the innocent suffering – and that those who had their money on well-behaved horses lost out through no fault of theirs or of the horses they backed.

Senior stipendiary steward Ernie Rodrigues said: “There are no specific guidelines on this except the aim is that every horse should get a fair start. The decision lies with the starter and he has only a split second to decide whether or not to call a false start.

“Basically it’s a no-win situation and in some overseas countries the practice is to let them go (in similar situations) because they take the view that, if a horse’s bad behaviour was responsible for him being slowly away, he should not benefit.”

Perhaps consideration should be given to adopting this practice in South Africa.

By Michael Clower

Social Order (Candiese Lenferna)

Tarry to bring ‘Order’ to the Vaal

With 28 runners in the line-up, the WSB Grand Heritage very much represents the charge of the Light Brigade at the Battle of Balaclava in the 1854 Crimean War, sans the cannons and bullets.

That said, the jockeys will be out to dodge any bullets in the run down the Vaal 1475m straight and it will be every man for himself come the final 400m.

Social Order (Candiese Lenferna)
Social Order (Candiese Lenferna)

Sean Tarry has eight runners in the race, 10 if you add the reserves, but his best bet of a victory could come with Social Order. Tarry has an enviable record in feature events and always has long-term plans for his runners. Social Order put in a cracking effort behind stable companion Tierra Del Fuego in a strong Pinnacle Stakes last time out and although he carries joint top weight, he has earned it.

Glen Kotzen saddles the mare Elusive Heart who has shown that she was not far off the best of her generation last season. There is not much of that stature in tomorrow’s contest although this is a handicap with a big field to boot.

She put in a tremendous effort first crack out of the box this term when second to accomplished sprinter Sunset Eyes in receipt of only 4kg. She has shown that she is effective up to a mile so if Stuart Randolph can track the pace and find a clear run to the line, she must be a big runner.

Another KZN raider is Desolate Road and Tony Rivalland has his gelding primed for this. Desolate Road made steady progress into his recent victory where he made most of the running to hold off The Master. He has drawn on the extreme outside of the field giving Mark Khan a box-seat view of the runners on his inside.

Both KZN runners are among the 33-1 supposed no-hopers.

Paul Peter and Warren Kennedy could team up with the stable cat and win this and Riverstown is the early favourite, although 6-1 odds in this line-up look decidedly skinny. Lightly raced, he has not finished out of the money in four starts. He was doing his best work late when beaten by Ikigai in a Graduation Plate last time out but not far behind him that day was Russian Beat who was giving him 2kg. They meet at level weights here and Russian Beat is double the odds.

Runners from the De Kock yard can never be discounted and Fired Up, second call at 7-1, will be looking to build on his last two wins but given recent trends, his inside draw, two off the paint, could prove a disadvantage with jockeys generally heading for the outside going at recent meetings.

By Andrew Harrison

African Warrior (Candiese Lenferna)

Kannemeyer bids for sixth Guineas

Umkhomazi Stakes winner African Warrior heads the 16 declared for the Cape Guineas at Kenilworth on Saturday – and Dean Kannmeyer is convinced that Keagan de Melo’s mount is fully recovered from the muscle problem that was found to be responsible for his flop when starting favourite in last month’s Concorde Cup.

Kannemeyer, who will be bidding for his sixth success in this Kenilworth classic, said yesterday: “He tweaked a muscle in his hindquarters and as a result he was slightly short behind but, after two or three sessions with the physio, he was 100% again. It never set him back in his fitness – he was only off for about five days – and he is back in tiptop shape. He had a good workout on the cinders on Monday and he is ready for his race on Saturday.”

African Warrior (Candiese Lenferna)
African Warrior (Candiese Lenferna)

African Warrior is the highest rated horse in the race but the one slight doubt the trainer has is whether he will get the trip. “On pedigree (by Vercingetorix out of a Jet Master mare) there is no reason why he shouldn’t but whether he will really get a genuine mile is a question mark at the back of my mind. He has a hell of a turn of foot.”

The gelding’s chance has been boosted by Sean Tarry’s decision not to run Dingaans winner Shango (the original favourite) and by Mike de Kock not declaring Frosted Gold who won the Graham Beck Stakes. De Kock has won the Cape Guineas five times but he will have no runner in Saturday’s race.

However Tarry, who has yet to win it, runs four headed by Durban Golden Horseshoe winner Eden Roc (Gavin Lerena) and including last Saturday’s CTS Ready To Run winner Pure State who has been raised 17 points for that valuable win. He will be ridden by jockey-of-the-moment Craig Zackey.

Brett Crawford, successful with Elusive Gold six years ago, has declared three including Concorde Cup winner King Of Gems (Aldo Domeyer) plus the two reserves. Justin Snaith, who won with Solo Traveller in 2010, also has three starters with Richard Fourie opting for Sachdev and Bernard Fayd’Herbe, hoping for Guineas victory number four, on Wild Coast.

Vaughan Marshall, whose five wins include two of the last three runnings, is represented by both Cape Classic winner Silver Operator (Anton Marcus) and Cane Lime ‘n Soda (M.J. Byleveld).

Glen Kotzen put Green Point fourth Pack Leader into the Sun Met at yesterday’s R9 900 (plus VAT) supplementary entry stage while Snaith has already declared Do It Again (Fourie) and Bunker Hunt (Fayd’Herbe) for the February 1 showpiece

Pack Leader was one of the few Green Point runners whose rating has been changed by the handicappers. He went up two points to 116, Undercover Agent (fifth) was dropped three points to 127 while Head Honcho (seventh) came down by the same amount to 126. The winner Vardy was left unchanged on 128. Stable companion Missisippi Burning was raised 19 to a new mark of 116 for her triumph in the WSB Cape Fillies Guineas.

By Michael Clower

Coral Bay (Liesl King)

Croisette is packed with class

The Dennis Drier-trained Croisette, who made such a big impression when winning on debut, may be good enough to defy the first-time-out-of-the-maidens bogey in the 1 000m handicap at Kenilworth today.

She may not have beaten much on Guy Fawkes day – to many in racing better known as Lester Piggott’s birthday – but she won like a good horse, coming away in the final two furlongs to win in a canter.

Coral Bay (Liesl King)
Coral Bay (Liesl King)

“I rate her highly, I think she is very special and very classy,” enthused Sean Veale while Drier, never a man to confuse his geese for swans, added: “I think she could be something special.”

The handicappers have put this well bred filly – by Var, she is a half-sister to the SA Fillies Classic and SA Oaks winner Juxtapose – on a mark of 86, maybe a fraction higher than warranted by the bare form but not unreasonable considering the way she won.

Queen’s Club, for instance, was introduced to handicap company on a rating of 88 while Mon Cherie was rated 82 after winning her maiden. That said, My Wicked Ways and Yucatan were both put in on 76.

The bookmakers are taking no chances and have cut the selection from 12-10 to 17-20 but they are shrewd judges of form – they wouldn’t last long if they weren’t – and they also listen to the post-race comments.

Queen’s Club (6-1) and My Wicked Ways (7-1) look the main dangers. The former has top weight and started favourite last time but was seriously interfered with while the Glen Kotzen filly has gone up a hefty eight points for last time’s 30-1 shock success.

Cape Town two-year-old races have been difficult to call so far this season and it’s worth noting that Richard Fourie rode Stuck On You last time and now switches to newcomer Erik The Red in the first. However Pray For Rain has been backed from 3-1 to 17-10 and the Drier colt gets the vote.

Over The Way (3-1) has some strong form claims in the 1 400m maiden 35 minutes later but, as  she has already run 23 times without success, logic suggests we look elsewhere. Springisintheair (2-1) is a tentative choice to beat 22-10 second favourite The Vow and the reason for not going stronger is because she is drawn widest of all.

A handicap for maidens is something of a rarity. Peter Paul Rubens is favourite at 13-10 for race three and gets the vote to confirm last time’s placings with stable companion. Brooklyn’s Choice. The selection finished two lengths in front of Brooklyn’s Choice that day and is half a kilo better. Not surprisingly Fourie switches to him.

By Michael Clower

Vardy (Liesl King)

Vardy makes his ‘Point’

Vardy’s Sun Met price has been slashed from 16-1 to 5-1 third favourite in the wake of last Saturday’s World Sports Betting Green Point Stakes victory. Hawwaam still heads the market at 17-10 but Do It Again and Rainbow Bridge have eased to 4-1 and 13-2.

But, while there is no denying Vardy’s claims, there was so much bumping and barging that the Green Point would not have been out of place at the rugby stadium down the road at Newlands and in the weighing room afterwards there were more hard luck stories than in the bankruptcy courts.

Vardy (Liesl King)
Vardy (Liesl King)

Some of the trainers were particularly aggrieved at seeing weeks of carefully planned preparation sacrificed on an altar of interference. “It was a rough race, not what we wanted at all,” said Justin Snaith. “Do It Again was bumped round the turn and it bothered him so much that he didn’t want to run on and then he was checked again.”

Brett Crawford added: “Undercover Agent suffered bad interference at the 1 000m mark and was nearly put over the fence.”

The jockeys, too, were complaining – “The winner ran right across me,” said Gavin Lerena who was squeezed so badly when Vardy hung in that he had to stop riding Rainbow Bridge for several strides. Had he finished second rather than third he might well have had grounds for an objection. His mount came back with an abrasion behind his left fore fetlock

The all-seeing replays in the boardroom showed Rainbow Bridge pulling hard early and Lerena tucking him in to get cover, causing Richard Fourie to ride Do It Again to hold his position. Undercover Agent, on the rails, also suffered. The stipes are to hold a further inquiry into this part of the race.

Vardy, when mounting his challenge, hung in badly just as he had done earlier in the year but this time the stipes were satisfied that Craig Zackey had done all he reasonably could to keep his mount on a straight course. However Adam Marcus was advised to “ensure that this horse does not behave similarly in future.” Easier said than done.

Marcus was convinced that the winner was nowhere near ready – and presumably his printed comments had a lot to do with the Var gelding drifting from 4-1 to 7-1. “To cruise past July, Queen’s Plate and Met winners was unbelievable,” he said. “The last two of those races are now the target but our over-riding priority is to ensure that he remains sound.”

The priorities for Mario Ferreira’s Missisippi Burning have yet to be decided. “She is very small and the way she won was incredible but we will now sit down and look at the programme,” said Marcus after the Rathmor-bred Captain Al filly had given the 30-year-old his first Grade 1 in the WSB Cape Fillies Guineas.

Zackey shone, securing a beautiful run mostly up the rails to hit the front 150m out on the 22-1 shot. However 2-1 favourite Kelpie managed only sixth and seemingly we over-estimated her ability. “Look at her rating (99) and bear in mind that is equivalent to the old 89,” said Anton Marcus. “I was happy with the run but she is very progressive and she will be better in time.”

Eric Sands’ view that Driving Miss Daisy and Larentina were unlucky in the Western Cape Fillies was borne out by them finishing second and fourth with Third Runway (winner of that race) third. There should be another day for all three.

Sean Tarry has six in Saturday’s Cape Guineas including Pure State who beat main home hope Rio Querari half a length in the CTS Ready To Run, fourth-placed Rock The Globe and Invisible (fifth).

The champion trainer, winning the race in Chris van Niekerk’s colours for the third time in four years, said: “It’s not my style to run horses in races only a week apart but they are in Cape Town and I’m certainly going to run one or two. I will see how they pull up.”

Piere Strydom, who made much of the running on the 16-1 winner, said that he needed to “fill up the bank account after all the meetings we’ve lost in Jo’burg.” Nine per cent of R1.25 million should help.

Run Fox Run, who impressively extended her unbeaten stretch to five in the WSB Southern Cross, seems likely to go straight for the Cape Flying Championship rather than take in the Cartier Sceptre three weeks earlier.

Brett Crawford said: “I have put a lot of thought into this. The Sceptre is only a Group 2 and she doesn’t need a race in between. Also it doesn’t make a lot of sense to go up to 1 200m and then come back to 1 000m. I will discuss it with the owners.”

Fellow Ridgemont star Front And Centre, who readily won the Pinnacle, goes for the Paddock Stakes and the Majorca. Seemingly her Durban form was all wrong – “She got into the habit of hanging there and it cost her the Woolavington while In the Garden Province she never raised a gallop,” said Crawford.

Winter Derby winner Dharma, who just held Crome Yellow in the Cape Summer Stayers despite Anthony Andrews’ slipping saddle, is being aimed at the Western Cape Stayers on Met day. Owned and bred by the jockey’s parents, the four-year-old is trained on behalf of her father by Lucinda Woodruff who is the girlfriend of Adam Marcus. Seemingly a match made, if not in heaven, at least in Milnerton!

By Michael Clower