Andrew Harrison

WAR OF ATHENA AND MALMOOS made light work of the Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks and WSB SA Derby respectively at Turffontein today. It was a rare international double with both horses completing their respective Triple Crowns on the same afternoon.

War Of Athena, a R30 000 yearling purchase for Mr R S Wentzel & Dr R E Waterman-Wentzel, collected a R1 million bonus for winning all three legs of the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara and Malmoos earned his connections a R3 million bonus for all three legs of the Triple Crown. Malmoos raced in the silks of the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum.

Both horses simply destroyed their opposition.

Muzi Yeni was sitting with a double handful at the top of the long Turffontein straight, but once he released the handbrake on Paul Matchett’s filly, she simply strode clear with Yeni looking both sides for opposition and celebrating victory 100 m out.

Malmoos delivered a similar performance as Mike de Kock’s charge shook off the opposition some 400m out and strode to the line with five lengths to spare that could have been extended to a lot more had rider Luke Ferraris asked for more.

Ferraris has enjoyed a phenomenal start to his professional career, winning the Gr1 Cape Town Met and now the Triple Crown at the tender age of 19.

Yeni had a lucrative payday as he steered Got The Greenlight to victory in the Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes.  Second in last year’s Vodacom Durban July, Joey Soma is sure to be looking to set the record straight come Hollywoodbets Greyville on the first Saturday in July.

Got The Greenlight had to fight hard for his win as the year-younger Copper Mountain, third to Malmoos in the Gr2 WSB Gauteng Guineas, pressed him all the way to the line, underlining the strong form of this year’s three-year-old crop.

Andrew Harrison

WITH Champion Season on the horizon, trainers will be warming up their better runners and the three features at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday could give some inkling as to what is in store over the next four months.

The Byerley Turk (Gr3) has a bit of a disappointing local flavour with Lezeanne Forbes’s Storm Chaser the only KZN-trained runner.

Copper Mountain is due to line up in the Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes at Turffontein on Saturday so it’s obvious that if he takes his chances there, he will not be at Scottsville the next day. If he does pitch up, he should give a line on what we can expect in the near future.

He comes off a tough assignment in the SA Classic but does appear to be better over this trip and gave the WSB Gauteng Guineas winner a hard race. He is up against some promising Western Cape visitors that include Speed Machine and Seeking The Stars while Stuart Pettigrew’s gelding Vars Vicky completed a hat-trick in a tough field last time out.

Vars Vicky has come well of late and got a big jump up the handicap for his last win. He is well weighted here and goes well this trip. Speed Machine was a comfortable winner last run and sprints well. His only attempt at this distance was disappointing which could be telling! He should see it out. Stone Cold has a difficult task at these weights but is in mustard form and is from a smart stable. Seeking The Stars tried to make all in the Cape Guineas but folded late under pressure. He is the best rated runner in the field and over a distance where he is unbeaten in two starts.

Princess Calla is rated way better than any of the opposition in the Umzimkhulu Stakes (Gr3) and even though she drops in trip after a tilt at the Cape Met she could prove a touch too classy even if short of a gallop. Keep The Lights On returns from a lengthy break but had promising form before that and if ready should be competitive. Caya Coco makes her local debut and has the prized scalp of Captain’s Ransom on her belt. If she can reproduce that run, she should also be competitive.

If Corne Spies’s filly Singforafa reproduces her SA Fillies Sprint effort, when pushing Celtic Sea and Run Fox Run to their limits, then this should be a formality. It’s never that easy though as Hawker Typhoon looks to be more than just useful but this race will tell. All three of her wins have come on this course. Mirage was a close-up second when favourite last start at Kenilworth. The blinkers go on. Vernichey has been a little disappointing since her Alan Robertson win but she took on a top field last run and can do better if finding her better form.

RACE  1: 6 CHIEF EXECUTIVE   13 VEGAS GOLD   11 FAUSTINO   12 ROWNTREE

Preview: Mostly first timers so watch the betting. CHIEF EXECUTIVE (6) started a short price on debut and the experience should give him an edge. VEGAS GOLD (13) was a distant fourth on debut but also found some market support and should come on from that. FAUSTINO (11) and ROWNTREE (12) may be worth following but the betting will be a more reliable guide. (Andrew Harrison: 6-13-11-12).

RACE 2: 9 LIVE MY LIFE   7 SHESAKINDA MAGIC   4 DANSE MILORD   2 NEW ORLEANS

Preview: LIVE MY LIFE (9) was deemed good enough to be taken to the Cape for his debut. After a promising debut she battled in the Cape Nursery. She can do much better here. SHESAKINDA MAGIC (7) was a modest second at her second start but that experience can count in her favour. DANSE MILORD (4) is seldom too far back but is fully exposed. NEW ORLEANS (2) and CARNEIAN BAY (1) can prove best of the first timers. (Andrew Harrison: 9-7-4-2).

RACE 3: 9 MR GONZALES   7 CONGO COMPAQ   6 THERAVADA   11 VITUS BEIRING

Preview: Difficult handicap. MR GONZALES (9) made major improvement when shedding his maiden last run after returning from a long break. He could follow up in spite of getting a hefty MR. CONGO COMPAQ (7) won well over course and distance last run although at long odds. He seems to have come to hand with a change of scenery. THERAVADA (6) has shown his best recent form on the poly but is better than his last effort. VITUS BEIRING (11) takes a drop in class and is way better than his last effort. (Andrew Harrison: 9-7-6-11).

RACE 4: 5 CONTRAIL   3 LEGISLATE’S DANCE 4 BAYVIEW EXPRESS   14 DOUBLE GEMINI

Preview: CONTRAIL (5) has some promising Highveld form and Alec Laird does not raid that often. Poor draw last run. Anton Marcus has deserted the rides on BAYVIEW EXPRESS (4) who disappointed last run when favourite and SECRET IS OURS (7) to ride LEGISLATE’S DANCE (3) who followed up his maiden win with a smart effort on the poly. DOUBLE GEMINI (14) has shown his best over further and does have a wide draw here but can surprise. (Andrew Harrison: 5-3-4-14).

RACE 5: 12 SINGFORAFA   10 HAWKER TYPGOON   11 MIRAGE   9 VERNICHEY

   10 Preview: SINGFORAFA (12) goes well this course and distance and she gets blinkers for the first time. At best she will go close. HAWKER TYPHOON (10) looks to be more than just useful but this race will tell. All three wins have come on this course. MIRAGE (11) was a close-up second when favourite last start at Kenilworth. The blinkers go on. VERNICHEY (9) has been a little disappointing since her Alan Robertson win but she took on a top field last run and can do better here. (Andrew Harrison: 12-10-11-9).

RACE 6: 2 CAYA COCO   5 KEEP THE LIGHTS ON   6 PRINCESS CALLA   4 SPICE MARKET

   Preview: Tricky race. PRINCESS CALLA (6) is the best weighted but she has been trying further and this is her first run back after a smart showing in the Cape Met. If she’s ready she may prove hard to beat. KEEP THE LIGHTS ON (5) returns from a lengthy break. She had promising form before that and if ready will be competitive. CAYA COCO (2) makes her local debut and has the scalp of Captain’s Ransom on her belt. SPICE MARKET (4) should battle at these weights but is fit and must have a chance. (Andrew Harrison: 2-5-6-4).

RACE 7: 3 COPPER MOUNTAIN   7 VARS VICKY   6 SPEED MACHINE   2 STONE COLD

Preview: COPPER MOUNTAIN (3) comes off a tough assignment in the SA Classic but does appear to be better over this trip. VARS VICKY (7) has come well of late and got a big jump up the handicap for his last win. He is well weighted here and goes well this trip. SPEED MACHINE (6) was a comfortable winner last run and sprints well. His only attempt at this distance was disappointing which could be telling! He should see it out. STONE COLD (2) has a difficult task at these weights but is in mustard form and is from a smart stable. (Andrew Harrison: 3-7-6-2).

RACE 8: 5 ALFONSA SPAGONI   3 MADAME PATRICE   4 JUSTAGUYTHING   1 WINTER WAVES

Preview: ALFONSA SPAGONI (5) is over his best course and distance and should finish in the money. MADAME PATRICE (3) takes on males but has been up against stronger company of late. JUSTAGUYTHING (4) got it all together last run and although taking a rise in class he does look capable of going close again. WINTER WAVES (1) has not been far back since shedding his maiden and has gone close on this course. (Andrew Harrison: 5-3-4-1).

RACE 9: 4 MOUNT GREYLOCK   12 DANDOLO   6 SO VAR   10 AVENIR

Preview: MOUNT GREYLOCK (4) looks to have some scope and won well at Kenilworth last time out. DONDOLO (12) took an eight-point drop in the handicap after his last run. He should have a big chance in this field. SO VAR (6) has made steady improvement of late and looks about ready now.  AVENIR (10) made steady improvement leading to his last win when starting favourite. Marcus stays with the ride. (Andrew Harrison: 4-12-6-10)

David Thiselton

THE South African racing public will be gripped by WSB SA Triple Crown and Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara fever by mid-afternoon today and most will be hoping to see both Malmoos and War Of Athena writing a new chapter history.

Malmoos’ connections will be confident he stays the 2450m trip of the Grade 1 WSB SA Derby as he is a full-brother to twice Grade 3 winner over 2400m Captain Splendid who had a similar handy running style as Malmoos and also had the ability to kick when  challenged. Malmoos is simply a classier and speedier version of Captain Splendid. Malmoss has fine gatespeed but will not want to be in the front as his comfortable pace up there will likely be too fast, so Luke Ferraris is going to have to rein him back. He did take quite a keen hold when he had to do this in the Grade 1 WSB SA Classic. He found cover quickly in the latter race but will he be as fortunate this time? 

Flying Carpet, who has plenty of substance and scope for improvement, took a while to settle when being dropped out to last in the SA Classic but he crossed the line a 2,75 length fourth and was finishing fastest of all. He has enough stamina in his pedigree and if he settles quicker he could be a threat. 

SA Classic runner up Second Base is rangy sort and although by Gimmethegreenlight his third dam is the Grade 1 Natal Oaks (2450m) winner Kiss of Peace. He relaxes well in the running and has a good turn of foot.  

Pamushana’s Pride steps up in class but is progressive and strikes as one who will enjoy the trip.

Bold Jazz has some stamina in his pedigree and stayed on well for fifth in the SA Classic.

The others look held on form although some might consider the Weiho Marwing coupling knowing how good he is at training stayers.

War of Athena just needs to stay to outclass the field in the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks field and she should do. Her sire Act Of War is by stamina influence Dynasty and was a Cape Derby (2000m) runner up. Furthermore, War Of Athena is a half-sister to a horse who has won over 2450m. The small filly will have the benefit of pacemaker again and a wide draw has not bothered her before as she relaxes well and has a tremendous turn of foot. 

SA Fillies Classic runner up Netta is well drawn and her sire Where’s That Tiger has produced SA Derby third-placed Samurai Blade and her damsire Indigo Magic is out of Lady Carla, who won the Epsom Oaks by nine lengths. 

Magical Flight did not have cover when handy in the SA Fillies Classic but stayed on well for third so she can place again if getting better cover. 

Sparkling Water was only a quarter-of-a-length behind the latter in the SA Classic and being by staina influence Silvano should be improving, although she has a tough draw. 

Ideal Jet looks the best of the rest having proved she stays and with further improvement to come being by Ideal World out of a Jet Master mare.

The Grade 1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m looks to be at the mercy of Got The Greenlight who showed how good he was in the Ilha Bela Hawaii Stakes last time when going close despite needing it badly. He relaxes well and has an exceptional turn of foot so a wide draw should not be of much bother.      

David Thiselton

THE big question facing the Mike de Kock-trained Malmoos ahead of his bid to join Horse Chestnut, Louis The King and Abashiri as a WSB SA Triple Crown winner is will he stay the 2450m trip of the Grade 1 WSB SA Derby?

And who among the opposition will be best suited to the stamina test?

Malmoos is by speed influence Captain Al but is out of Fort Wood mare Justthewayyouare,  who is a half-sister to the sire Master Of My Fate. Justthewayyouare’s four wins included the Listed Spook Express Handicap over 2600m. Furthermore, Malmoos is a full-brother to Captain Splendid, who won two Grade 3s over 2400m. Malmoos has already joined Met winners Hill Fifty Four and One World, Paddock Stakes winner Emerald Cove and Champions Cup winner Captain America as a Captain Al Grade 1 winner over a middle distance. He will now be attempting to join Grade 1 SA Oaks (2450m) winner Pine Princess, Grade 2 Gold Circle Oaks (2400m) winner Disco Al and Listed Java Handicap (2450m) winner Fulcrum as a  Captain Al stakes winner over a staying trip. Pine Princess, Disco Al and Fulcrum are all out of Badger Land mares and Badger Land, like Fort Wood, was very much a stamina influence. This indicates that Captain Al relied on mares to bring stamina. Nevertheless, Malmoos has a chance of getting the trip on pedigree. 

Malmoos’s outstanding gatespeed might be to his detriment on Saturday. He hasn’t pulled in any of his races but did take a keen hold when reined back in the WSB SA Classic after breaking better than anything else. Reining him back in the slower-paced Derby could prove to be tougher and he would not want to lead as his natural cruising pace is higher than an ideal Derby pace.

The connections will be hoping to be done a favour by possible pace-setters Shah Akbar or Bingwa, although Malmoos will also need some luck slotting in from a tricky draw of 8.

The WSB SA Classic runner up Second Base is by miler-to-middle distance horse Gimmethegreenlight out of a Fort Wood mare whose only win was over 1400m. However, his third dam is Grade 1 Natal Oaks (2400m) winner Kiss Of Peace. Second Base is a long-strider who relaxes well and runs on, so he has a chance of staying.

Bingwa is by Pathfork, who won over 1400m but is sire of twice Grade 3-winning stayer Marchingontogether. Bingwa’s dam by Century Stand won from 1200m to 1600m and his best form has been over a mile, so there is a stamina doubt, although he has a nice stride and was staying on well after being swamped in the WSB Gauteng Guineas. 

Flying Carpet is by stamina influence Judpot out of a Kabool mare who won twice from 1950m to 2000m. There is a lot of middle distance influence in the pedigree and SA Derby runner up English Garden is in his family. Flying Carpet came from last in the SA Classic to run fourth, so if he settles better than last time while being dropped out from another wide draw he will be a contender. 

Bold Jazz is by VDJ winner Bold Silvano out of a Greys Inn mare who won up to 2000m. Summer Cup winner Ingleside is in his family. He ran on well for fifth in the SA Classic and has a chance of staying.   

Shah Akbar is by Querari who won up to 2000m and who has produced a stakes winner over 3200m. He is out of a Galileo maiden but this front-running type has been disappointing in his last three runs.

Kingsley’s Heart is by stamina influence Ideal World out of a Fahal mare who won over 1450m. The female line is mixed but VDJ winner Heavy Metal is in the family.  Kingsley’s Heart does not appear to have the class to win but trainer Weiho Marwing is known for his outstanding record in staying races. 

Pamushana’s Pride is by SA Triple Crown hero Louis The King out of a maiden mare by stamina influence Ideal World. He is a rangy, progressive sort who runs as if he will stay.

Fsquadron is by Master Of My Fate, who was shaping as a top class middle distance horse before his career was curtailed. FSquadron has won twice over 2000m and there is some stamina in the family of his Sail From Seattle dam but this is a big step up in class.

Validus is by stamina influence Dynasty out of a Jet Master mare who finished second in the Listed Oaks Trial and who placed three times over 2600m. However, he was beaten three lengths by FSquadron over 2000m last time and will only be 1,5kg better off.

Baymax is by stamina influence Elusive Fort and although his Right Approach dam only won up to 1600m his second dam by Caesour won over 2400m and produced the outstanding but ill-fated Mister Cricket. Baymax has a hard task with Pamushana’s Pride as he is 4kg worse off despite being beaten a head over 2000m.

The Kop is by versatile stallion Visionaire out of a Rambo Dancer mare who is a half-sister to Met winner Angus. He is a half-brother to SA Oaks third-placed Coby, but he also has a hard task reversing 2000m form with Pamushana’s Pride.

Midnight Caller, who is out of an unraced Captain Al mare, is by stamina influence Twice Over. Furthermore, he is a half-brother to Tyrus Express (Marchfield) who was a recent short-head runner up in the Listed Aquanaut Handicap over 2400m. Midnight Caller also has the Weiho Marwing factor on his side but is another one who is well held on 2000m form by Panushana’s Pride.

Blue Moon City’s form does not make great reading. However, his pedigree has stamina influences as he is by Marchfield out of a Victory Moon 1600m-1800m twice winner, who is a half-sister to the dam of Listed winner over 3200m Bondiblu.

Andrew Harrison

AFTER a lengthy break to prepare for Champions Season, its back to Hollywoodbets Scottsville today. The switch to the turf and the country’s defining season on the horizon always sees the reappearance of some of the better horses.

Better horses generally lead to good racing but not always easier for punters who face a demanding card.

The seventh heads the card and the 1100m dash has attracted a useful field where battle honours will be fully earned. Glen Kotzen’s gelding Light That Loose is on the up and both recent wins have come on this course with some cut in the ground. He romped home last start over the trip and as there has been some rain about he should be well suited to the going. Spydas Corner was not at his best without the blinkers last run and Duncan Howells was disappointed with that effort. The blinkers are back on today and he should give a better showing.  Filippo has come good in blinkers and was a comfortable winner in good company last time out when breaking the course record. He should be thereabouts again. Kayson has started favourite in his last four, disappointing in his last two. The straight course could see him back to best form.

But the list of possible winners does not stop there. Captain Oupie has been rested and gelded and may need this outing but is smart on his day. Wayward and Good Rhythm are others to consider.

Shane Humby is no fan of the poly so will have timed the preparation of his runners to coincide with the opening of the Scottsville track. But he has not made it easy.

Mr Fitz and Socrates are standout runner in the sixth and with top riders on both it’s a bit of a toss-up for punters.

The talented Mr Fitz gets the services of Lyle Hewitson but has the worst of the draw. However, has been close-up in his last two and should feature in a competitive handicap. Stable companion Socrates, Anton Marcus calling for the ride, seldom runs a bad race and was and was a touch unlucky to be narrowly beaten by the highly rated Guru’s Pride last outing. Stable jockey Keagan de Melo has shunned the ride on Williams Land, who gets blinkers for the first time, and rides Sir Michael who makes his local debut but has been racing over further. He is one to watch. 

Fanie Bronkhorst makes his first foray into KZN as a trainer and Coming In Hot could be an omen in the first but he will have to get past Gallic Chief who found market support on debut and was only caught late. That run should hold him in good stead. There are a number of first timers in the race so the betting is worth taking note off and Quiz Master has a blue-blood pedigree and with Marcus in the irons any market support must be respected.

Serino Moodley has picked up the ride on Civil Rights in the second after carded rider Ashton Arries took a heavy fall at Summerveld on Monday. Civil Rights won well second time of asking and looks to have some scope. Rock On Philly won well on debut and was well supported in the market while Aisling beat Civil Rights when the latter was making her debut and may not be able to confirm that form. Sea Of Tranquillity was on the moon on debut and is one to keep an eye on.

The third is a tricky race. Trumpet Voluntary ran well below expected last start but meets a weaker field here and should have a strong chance. Casimiro, Shamoosi and Grey Ocean are others to consider.

In the fifth Full Blast won well first run out of the maidens beating a useful field. He looks to have plenty of scope but will need to be at his best to beat a field packed with form. Al’s My Daddy is quick and showed signs of coming to hand when blinkered for the first time. With a four-claimer up he should be competitive. The fillies Diamonds And Pearls and Dancing Feather are both smart on their day and can put one over their male rivals.

In the sixth, Twice To Sydney has been close-up at her last two from wide draws. She is better off at the weights with the recently much improved Keep On Dancing and can turn the tables. Silver Maria comes off some useful Cape form that could prove a little stronger than currently rated.

In the last, Golden Trip makes her local debut in the seventh. She improved nicely second time out albeit in a work riders’ race. She meets little on note here. Diamond Girl makes her debut with stable rider Sean Veale jumping off Duchess Of Sussex.

David Thiselton

GODOLPHIN’S American-based homebred Mystic Guide, the impressive winner of Saturday night’s US$12 million Dubai World Cup,  has the great South African thoroughbred Hawaii in his pedigree.

Former Durban racing journalist Robbyn Ramsay was quick to pick this up and remark on it.

Mystic Guide is by Ghostzapper (Awesome Again) and Hawaii is the sire of the latter’s third dam Sailaway. 

Mystic Guide’s previous biggest win was last September in the Group 2 Jim Dandy over a mile and one furlong on Saratoga’s dirt track and he prepared for the World Cup by winning a Group 3 on the Oaklawn Park dirt over a mile and half-a-furlong.

On Saturday night under Luis Saez he was up with the pace and had the field beaten a long way out, displaying a good kick on the final turn and keeping up a relentless gallop all the way to the line. The Breeders Cup Classic will likely be his next big target. 

The 1964-born Hawaii, bred by Archie Dell at his Platberg Stud in the Karoo, was by Utrillo II (Italy). He was out of the matriarch Ethane, who was also dam of Hawaii’s famous half-brother William Penn, among others, and whose legacy has continued through the like of recent Equus Horse Of The Year Legal Eagle.

Hawaii, trained by George Azzie, was champion colt as a two-year-old and three-year-old. He won 15 of his 18 starts in South Africa before being sent to the USA, where he won six of ten starts and was named Champion Grass Horse in North America.  All three of his defeats in SA happened at Greyville, including in the 1968 July in which he started 6-4 favourite as a hitherto winner of all nine of his three-year-old starts. He could only manage a 2,05 length fourth in the July although he did carry a welter burden for a three-year-old in those days of 55.5kg and gave the five-year-old winner Chimboraa 7.5kg. However, he seemed invincible at all other tracks, which included Turffontein, Germiston, Clairwood and Milnerton. He started favourite for every race he contested, and on each occasion was ridden by Raymond Rhodes. 

Journalist Alan Breck’s assessment of him was, “Up to 9 furlongs Hawaii would take rank with Sea Cottage, but the fact that he failed in the only two races he contested, as a three-year-old, beyond that distance must cause him to be rated a little inferior in all-round ability.”

Hawaii developed more stamina with age and won up to 12 furlongs in the USA. 

He was syndicated for over a million dollars to the famed Claiborne Farm. 

He went on to sire Henbit, who raced in England and won the 1980 Epsom Derby. His other outstanding progeny were Hawaiian Sound who was second in the Epsom Derby and winner of the Benson & Hedges Gold Cup in 1978, and Hunza Dancer who was third in the 1975 Epsom Derby and went on to win the Manhattan Handicap and the American Handicap in 1977.  

This is the second recent big winner who has benefited from Hawaii’s influence. The 2018 USA Triple Crown hero Justify, who was by Scat Daddy out of a Ghostzapper mare, was inbred 5×6 to Hawaii.   

Andrew Harrison

IF anyone had tuned in to the Gold Circle Podcast last Thursday, they would have picked up that Duncan Howells had labelled yesterday’s Kings Cup as a race to win for Trip To Africa.

It all panned out well for Howells and rider Thabiso Gumede, always well supported by Howells, to get the young apprentice his first Back Type win.

Favourite Silver Operator was out of the back door early in the straight as Trip To Africa barrelled through up the centre of the Hollywoodbets Greyville straight to win rather comfortably.

A few days of heavy rain during the week had put the turf meeting under threat to a switch to the poly track, but all was good yesterday

Trip To Africa had a light weight but the manner of his win suggests that he does have a little more to come and the Drill Hall Stakes might be an ideal option.

Vaughan Marshall fired the first shot across the bows for South Africa’s Champion season, opening his account with Captain Of Stealth.

He may not be the best named horse in history – there is nothing stealth-like about the way he races. Captain Of Stealth stretches his rider’s arms from the jump, but in the polished hands of Anton Marcus, he kept firing to get the better of Cape Guineas winner Russian Rock in a much anticipated contest.

In spite of his tearaway tactics, Marcus was able to give his mount a breather coming up the hill and anticipating the challenge from Russian Rock, waited until the bait had been swallowed before kicking away to a smart win.

Of some concern to locals hoping for a glimmer in the Classics, it was four-year-old Ralph The Rascal that filled the shallow end of the purse.

“He always tries to get you off his back but in a race he’s a different horse” and ‘horse whisperer’ Mike Shaw, who has done work with the gelding, was on hand to lead Mystery Boy off to a well-earned shower after a facile win in the third.

Every horse has a history. It’s often tough on punters who wonder how a horse improves from one race to another, but they are not always privileged to what happens behind the scenes.

Mystery Boy is obviously a handful as Gareth van Zyl revealed post-race. “He’s got the blood and physically he’s a specimen too. He’s got what it takes. Bet he’s a handful and when he started, he got the better of us.”

“At his second start he turned it off, but we seemed to have found the ‘on’ switch, ” said van Zyl with fingers crossed.

Tony Nassif is ‘old school’ and one of the nicest people that you will ever meet. He is also one of the shrewdest trainers in the game. He does not have a big string, seven at his last count according to him, after Gypsy Magic put her opposition to the sword.

The filly had shown recent improvement and as Nassif explained post-race that she had had a few setbacks. Gypsy Magic cruised home in what had mapped out as a useful maiden field so she may well pay to follow.

David Thiselton 

THE Equus Horse Of The Year Summer Pudding continued her dominance of the Highveld on Saturday when beating two of her stable companions and three of the usual suspects with ease in the Grade 2 Colorado King Stakes over 2000m. The Paul Peter-trained Silvano filly’s racing style is ideally suited to the Standside track at Turffontein as she is able to relax in the running and has a high cruising speed and she can then pick off her rivals one by one in the long straight with her powerful and resolute finish.

However, it is unlikely that the Rainbow Bridges and Line Backers of South Africa are going to travel up to Johannesburg to take her on in her own backyard so the question remains whether she can perform to as high a level at away centres which all have tighter tracks. On current evidence a change in tactics is going to have to be employed if she is going to entrench her place among the greats by winning the  Vodacom Durban July.

She has only run away from home twice, winning the Grade 1 Woolavington 2000 at Hollywoodbets Greyville and finishing unplaced in the Grade 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes over 1800m. In the former race she looked in trouble at the top of the straight due to her lack of instant acceleration but after eventually finding topgear she hauled in her rivals in her normal resolute manner and won going away. In the Paddock Stakes she had a nice position in midfield behind a good pace but could only stay on at one pace while the horse she had sat behind in the running, Queen Supreme, accelerated away to a cosy victory.

That was undoubtedly the best field Summer Pudding has faced and she was beaten 4,95 lengths but there was also little doubt that she was not her usual self. She was duly found to have a nasal discharge and there was a lot of mucous in her airways. The horse she beat in the Woolavington by 0,90 lengths, Driving Miss Daisy, finished 2,75 lengths behind her in the Paddock Stakes which creates some leverage for her detractors.

However, Driving Miss Daisy was beaten 4,90 lengths by Running Brave over the same course and distance as the Woolavington when receiving 1,5kg from the latter in the subsequent Gold Bracelet and Summer Pudding gave Running Brave 2kg and a 2,50 length thrashing in the Summer Cup over the Turffontein Standside 2000m.

Anyway, Summer Pudding will be able to prove how good she is in her ideal conditions in the Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge over 2000m on Turffontein Standside on May 1 as she looks likely to face the Vodacom Durban July runner up and Equus Champion three-year-old male from last season Got The Greenlight.     Unlike her Got The Greenlight is ideally suited to tighter tracks like Hollywoodbets Greyville as he has superb acceleration and he then tends to idle after hitting the front, so the Champions Challenge is going to be an intriguing tactical affair.

That pair might also have to face the top class three-year-old Malmoos in that race, which will add to the intrigue. Summer Pudding’s worth as an Equus Horse Of The Year is not in doubt.

Her nine run unbeaten streak was the best such sequence since Bush Telegraph made it nine from nine when winning the 1987 Durban July and she was never in doubt of winning any of those starts.  However, the question is whether Summer Pudding will be viewed in history as a Turffontein specialist?  The seed of hope that might enable to do just as well at Hollywoodbets Greyville can be found in her comeback run this season,  when sitting in second place behind a genuine pace in a 1600m event at Turffontein Standside. There was no sign of her usual flat spot and she instead quickened well and had soon put the race to bed.  So, she is likely going to have to be in the lead or close to the pace to have a chance in the Vodacom Durban July, if that race is her ultimate target.

It just seems likely from current evidence that she will run out of straight in the July if she sits in midfield and then attempts to overhaul the like of Got The Greenlight, Malmoos and the big guns from the Cape in the short Hollywoodbets Greyville run in, especially considering she is going to be asked, as things stand, to carry 57.5kg.    

David Thiselton

EQUUS HORSE OF THE YEAR Summer Pudding makes her comeback at Turffontein Standside tomorrow and having previously proven she runs well after a layoff she should win the Grade 2 Colorado King Stakes over 2000m. 

Trainer Paul Peter said the four-year-old Silvano filly had enjoyed her break in Cape Town after running below par in the Grade 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes and was currently “exceptionally well.”

She has the whole field held on previous form with the exception of Portico whom she has never faced before but the latter is 8.5kg out at the weights with her so is unlikely to trouble her.

Zillzaal is a former Summer Cup winner over this course and distance and went way to fast in this year’s renewal when beaten 37 lengths by Summer Pudding. He signaled a returned to his best last time when running on strongly to win over the too sharp 1400m in a Progress Plate. He is usually in front or up with the pace and in this small field he will be dangerous as he might be able to dictate. However, under the conditions he has to give 2,5kg to Summer Pudding which makes him officially 8kg under sufferance with her.

Youcanthurrylove is distance suited and in good form and he could make up the trifecta.

Earlier the Grade 3 Protea Stakes over 1100m for two-year-olds should be an intriguing contest.

It is quite easy to predict how the race will pan out for the chief protagonists Under Your Spell and Heavens Girl who are drawn ten and eleven respectively in the eleven horse field. 

Heavens Girl led last time and was mowed down late by Under Your Spell over 1000m so she should be in the lead on the Standside rail with Under Your Spell sitting in her slipstream.

Heavens Girl has proven she stays 1200m before and is now 2kg better off with Under Your Spell for a 1,25 length beating. 

However, Under Your Spell should appreciate this step up in trip and is likely to mow her down late again.

They look to be the exacta pair.

Under Your Spell’s stable companion Social Image bumped a good one in Sheela last time over 1000m but before that she was a commanding winner over 1000m and should stay the extra 100m. Formlines also point to her as the most likely of the rest to chase the leading pair home.

The best of the day could be the up and coming sprinter Mind Reader who gets better and better as she strengthens. She runs in the fifth race, a MR91 Handicap over 1000m for fillies and mares. She started the season rated 69 and after four wins two seconds and two thirds is now rated 90. However, her transformation in the looks department suggests she is still ahead of the handicapper as she has become a powerhouse of a filly she has a big heart to match. All Of Me and Muleta look to be the chief dangers.

In the last race over 2000m Senescence makes appeal. Lyle Hewitson rode her last time and came into the straight over this trip on the tight Inside track with a double handful but could not find an immediate way through and after diving for the inside two others had stolen a march. Senescence was unable to catch them but it should be a different story on this galloping course with its long straight and she can make amends.

Last Song should also be hard to beat in the first race. She pulled a lot on debut over 1450m yet still stayed on well and only just got touched off. She looks to have a big engine and speed to burn so the 1160m trip should suit at this stage.