Andrew Harrison

GENERAL FRANCO caused something of a furore on debut. Firstly, because some took exception to his name, ostensibly named after the not-much-loved fascist ruler of Spain. But more probable given his pedigree – by super sire Frankel out of a Kingmambo mare – the name was more pretentious than anything to do with the Spanish dictator.

Secondly, he won smartly on debut, smartly enough for the handicappers to slap him with a rating of 102!

He hasn’t won since! Second horse home that day, Three Two Charlie, went on to win next time out and subsequently the Sophomore Sprint but has not been out since February last year and no longer appears on the NHA data base.

Since debut, it has taken the handicappers nearly two years to drop General Franco’s merit rating to today’s more realistic 84, two points lower than when last he raced after earning an extra two pounds for his runner-up berth behind Spydas Corner.

His last run was his first on the poly and second run after a break. With that experience under his girth, Justin Snaith back in town and Anton Marcus in the irons, he may be worth another chance when he lines up in the seventh at Hollywoodbets Greyville today.

He takes on some quick horses in this 1200m dash and the likes of Mashari, Di Mazzio and Double Espresso will provide a searching test.

Mashari has a light weight and is never far back. His best recent form has been on the synthetic surface and from a good draw he should be right there. Louis Goosen’s soldier Di Mazzio does prefer a furlong shorter and benefitted from a strong pace when narrowly beaten last week. But he does look to be back to his best and he loves the poly. Double Espresso won well last run but although he is never far back, he took a stiff five-point hit in the handicap.

Punters face another tricky card.

The first is best ignored as they are mostly first timers. Of the two that have run, Uncomplicated made marked improvement at his second outing and rates the one to beat while Vegas Gold has been priced by Hollywoodbets as best of the debutantes.

Inherit The Rain is the bookies favourite in the second after two fair recent starts on the Highveld but his only win has been a work riders maiden. There could be better value about Doug Campbell’s runner Vunderbar. He has first-time blinkers and does appear to be better than his current form would suggest. The experiment with blinkers failed with Dandolo and Sean Veale’s arms were a couple of inches longer than at the start. The blinkers come off and he has his third run after a break. He had shown early ability and may be worth one more stab.

Tony Rivalland, who sends out Dandolo, could be in with a quick double as he saddles Cupid’s Song in the third. The gelding has a bit of a tricky draw at 10 but he did show some improvement in blinkers and has made steady recent progress. He looks the one to beat.

Of the others, Master Dancer is battling but is way better than his last effort and the poly is his best surface while Diedi made sudden improvement last run under apprentice Kyle Strydom. A repeat showing can see him into the money again.

Marcus teams up with Gavin van Zyl in the fourth with Shape Of You who was a beaten odds-on chance last run. But she has put in three promising efforts over ground and can make amends. Top Me Up Holly looks a threat after improving nicely second time out from a tricky draw. She has the best of it here and has first time blinkers. However, she returns from a lengthy break and may just need this. Miss Missouri has run her best races over course and distance. She almost certainly needed her last run from a wide draw and can do much better here.

In the fifth, Laurel Lane has made steady improvement and had the worst of the draw last time out. She has pulled a better draw here and should have a big chance in a weak field. Emerald Palace has the worst of the draw and has been a beaten favourite at her last four outings. She is certainly due a change of fortune and must have a strong chance. Kinskey’s Tune is not always reliable but has shown flashes of ability and at best can feature prominently. 

The sixth looks wide open. Karoo Lark has finished runner-up in his last three and is down in class from his last showing. He stays the trip well and should go close again. Justfortheepenny is overdue.  He is never far back and makes strong claims along with Sea Master who was much improved with the blinkers removed last outing. He’s in a tough one here but should still be highly competitive. Jackinapot was a recent maiden winner but has come good in blinkers.

The last is another tricky affair. Chattertons Keeper has not had a good draw in his last three but has been up there in all three. He has a better marble here and if holding form will go close again. Master Of Destiny has been dropping in the ratings and was not far back from a wide draw last run. With a better draw and a light weight, he must have a big chance. Carl Hewitson has a few hidden in the wings and Brazil Nut may be one of them. He has been taking on much stronger of late and has dropped five points in the ratings after his last race and takes on weaker. King’s Crusade looks useful and was an easy winner last run while Goodtime Guy took a hike in the handicap after his maiden win but does look progressive and cannot be ignored.

David Thiselton

THE great Igugu made history ten years ago when becoming the first to land the Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara before going on to win the Vodacom Durban July and the filly who is attempting to emulate her, War Of Athena, has had a remarkably similar three-year-old career to date.

Another similarity between the 2010/2011 season and this one is the challenge issued by the Mike de Kock team to Justin Snaith to bring his best up to Johannesburg.

Igugu, an Australian-bred by Galileo, did not race as a two-year-old but won her first three starts as a three-year-old before suffering her first defeat in the Emperors Palace Ready To Run Cup over 1400m.

War Of Athena’s first and only defeat this season was also in the Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup.

Igugu then traveled to Cape Town and was beaten in the Grade 1 Cape Fillies Guineas by the Snaith-trained Ebony Flyer.

She had no luck in the running and later, after Igugu had despatched a Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas field with consummate ease, jockey Anthony Delpech issued a challenge to Ebony Flyer’s connections to bring her up to Johannesburg. 

Ebony Flyer’s owner Barry Irwin’s response was that the ball was in the court of Igugu to seek a rematch with Ebony Flyer. Some of his sentiments irked the De Kock camp and the embers of the great trainer’s rivalry with Snaith, and its accompanying banter, can probably be found in that incident. 

Igugu was never defeated in her home country again and is acknowledged as one of South Africa’s greatest ever female racehorses. 

She was not only the first to win the Triple Tiara but is also one of only four three-year-old fillies to win the July and one of only seven horses to win both the July and the Met.

She deserved better than her untimely passing on 24 November, 2016, particularly as it was only reported the following July after a writer stumbled across an entry in an Australian Stud Book.

The news of her passing came as a huge shock to Mike de Kock.

He said at the time, “it boggles my mind that it took the best part of a year for us to get to know about Igugu’s death when she’s the type of mare who’d deserve a state funeral! Igugu was a wonderful champion in all respects, a top mare with vast amounts of courage and a big favourite to all in the yard.”

Anthony Delpech rode Igugu eight times for seven wins and a second.

He recounted, “She was definitely the best filly I have ever ridden, She could do anything. She could lead or if the pace was fast you could sit in behind. But she was not an easy ride, she always used to take a hold. If there was no pace on over a mile she preferred to be let go like we did in the Ipi Tombe.”

Despite coming off a five month layoff in the Ipi Tombe she set a cracking pace and stretched clear in the straight to win by 5,3 lengths easing up.

Delpech continued, “But, if there was a fast pace she was able to quicken and there were not many over here who could go with her. She did have speed out of the gates as a three-year-old but by the end of her time here she had become more of a dour stayer, she had the stamina to outstay them.”

In 2009 Mick Goss’s Summerhill Stud bought Igugu for Aus$65,000 with the aim of pinhooking her at the Ready To Run Sale.

Igugu was knocked down for R1 million at the latter sale to popular owner Andre MacDonald with De Kock the underbidder.

Igugu left the sales venue as the property of MacDonald and a consortium called the Summerhill Stud syndicate.

MacDonald sent her to trainer Brett Webber.

However, she was only with Webber for three months before being transferred to the De Kock yard.

Delpech rode her for the first time in the Cape Fillies Guineas where she was caught wide and was unable to catch the top class Ebony Flyer, losing by 1,25 lengths.

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum bought out the Summerhill Syndicate’s share after that race and she won the Triple Tiara in his colours. All three legs were won by wide margins and she followed it with an equally easy win in the Grade 1 Woolavington 2000.

In the July, where she started 2/1 favourite, she used her early pace to take the lead. Delpech eased her back into third rounding the Drill Hall. She quickened off the false rail and held off the chargers to win by 0,90 lengths.

Five months later Igugu’s impressive victory in the Ipi Tombe chased away the opposition for the Grade 1 Paddock Stakes in Cape Town. 

However, she was scratched before travelling.

De Kock recalled, “She had a respiratory problem and an ongoing foot problem and that left us behind in our preparation for the Met. We ended up having to work her twice a day to catch up. She worked on the track in the morning and on the treadmill in the afternoon. There are not many horses that would have been able to take the work we gave her. But she was always willing to do whatever you asked her.”

To compound matters she had to reside under vector protected quarantine conditions until race day.

She did not have her usual speed in the race and was left with a lot to do to catch Bravura. 

Only pure courage got her over the line.

Her Met effort must have told and was perhaps the reason she did not live up to expectations overseas.

Igugu had two foals, both British-breds by Dansili, and the last of them, a colt called El Misk, has won three races and had four seconds for John Gosden in ten starts.

Andrew Harrison

TOP RIDER Richard Fourie was back in town at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday – and so was Justin Snaith.

The Snaith yard is ultra professional and Justin is always working on how to out-fox the opposition – especially arch Highveld rival Mike de Kock!

After the win by Crown Towers in the fifth yesterday, Snaith outlined his plans for KZN indicating that he will use his KZN base to raid the Highveld’s more lucrative features and that his principal KZN-based owner Nick Jonsson will in future base the majority of his horses in his home province.

Crown Towers, racing in the Jonsson silks, may not be the ideal Highveld raider as Fourie alluded to the fact that the gelding had often been used as the hare for his more fancied stable companions and it was something of a tricky ride.

Crown Towers pulled Fourie through to the lead, going quicker and quicker when challenged early, but he kept finding to the line to win rather comfortably.

KZN racing has been under the spotlight in recent weeks for producing a few ‘bomb’ results, but in truth, the other racing centres are no better. The fact is that at this time of the year in KZN, Gold Circle always caters for the lower divisions, and given that most of these horses in the lower echelons are there, either because they have physical issues or simply because a case of the slows, makes things tricky for punters.

Lightly raced horses are often ones to keep an eye on, simply because their connections feel that their patience is worth the wait.

Blue Planet had only had two starts before yesterday and according to his trainer Carl Hewitson, had been a touch unlucky at his previous start. The market gave nothing away, and given that co-owners were the International Racing Club and Braam van Huyssteen, their punt was probably off-shore.

Champion Season looms

Just how good are Malmoos and War Of Athena? The pair made short work of the opposition in the WSB Classic and the Wilgerbosdrift Fillies Classic at Turffontein on Saturday and they both hardly raised a sweat.

While one does not want to take anything away from their feats, one needs to face reality in that the opposition was hardly top drawer.

Muzi Yeni had an armchair ride on Paul Machett’s filly and War Of Athena won as she should have. On that showing the Oaks and the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara is there for the taking unless something comes out of the woodwork.

The same can be said of Malmoos. Mike de Kock’s colt looked to be in a scrap a furlong out but once Luke Ferraris got him straightened up, it was just a matter of how far. He settles well and the WSB Derby should be a formality.

Hopefully both horses will be in KZN for South African Champions Season. Locally, we again look short on class but with the Western Cape trainers up to meet their up-country rivals on level playing fields, this could be a vintage year for three-year-olds with the cream, of what appears to be an outstanding crop, hunting the top awards.

David Thiselton

THERE was a gulf between the respective purchase prices of the Mike de Kock-trained Malmoos and the Paul Matchett-trained War Of Athena but their now closely related careers provide a fine opportunity to highlight what the oft misused racing term “value” really means. 

Both horses have just one 2450m hurdle between them and respective WSB Triple Crown and Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara glory after being given superb respective rides by Luke Ferraris and Muzi Yeni on Saturday in the Grade 1 WSB SA Classic and Grade 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic.

Ferraris is fast gaining a reputation for his ice cool big race temperament and Yeni displayed his understanding of pace when playing his part in the successful implementation of War Of Athena’s pre-race strategy.  

It is well documented that War Of Athena cost just R30,000.  

The only filly that now stands between her and the Equus Champion Three-year-old filly crown is Cape stalwart Captain’s Ransom.

War Of Athena’s pedigree runs deep too so she is already commanding big paddock value. 

However, she still has some way to go to match the value which Malmoos’ third dam Secret Pact represented. 

Varsfontein Stud broke a South Africa record price for a broodmare when they went to R750,000 to secure Secret Pact at a dispersal sale in 1998.

They had shortlisted her from the Cheveley Stud draught at the 1992 Yearling Sales but held back as they were not convinced by Bush Telegraph as a sire and had questions about the family. 

However, her full-brother London News then set the tracks alight and their determination to not make the same mistake twice was behind the record price of 1998.

Secret Pact was destined to become one of the leading matriarchs in the South African stud book and that R750,000 now looks like small change.  

Varsfontein will reap the rewards of her influence for years to come. This was evident when Malmoos fetched R4,4 million at the 2019 National Yearling Sales and even that price can now be described as good value considering his racing class and his blue-blooded pedigree.   

He is a son of Champion Sire Captain Al and his stakes-winning dam Justthewayyouare is a half-sister to the successful stallion Master Of My Fate. 

Justthewayyouare and Master Of My Fate are the progeny of Secret Pact’s dual Grade 1-winning champion daughter Promisefrommyheart. 

Another of Secret Pact’s Grade 1-winning daughters, Covenant, is dam of the current three-year-old Erik The Red, who has already been retired to stud as a superb looking winner of six races in ten starts, including two Grade 2s and a Grade 3.

Another of her stakes-winning daughters, Secret Heart, produced the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf winner and sire Pluck.

Other bold black type descendants of Secret Pact include Captain Splendid, Ghaala, Due Diligence, Favorita, Hashtagyolo, Hack Green and the USA-bred Three Hearts.

Malmoos unfortunately faces an uncertain future with the recent announcement that his owner Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum will disband the Thoroughbred holdings of Shadwell Stud Australasia and sell off his star horses in Australia and South Africa over the next few months.  

The classy colt will surely still be with De Kock for his WSB Triple Crown bid in the Grade 1 WSB SA Derby on April 3.

However, the question is whether he will still be here for the SA Champions Season as he had Vodacom Durban July candidate stamped all over him in the manner of his victory on Saturday. 

Malmoos has fine gatespeed so from draw six out of ten was going to require some luck, considering the handy to front-running pair Shah Akbar and Bingwa were in the field.  

And so it proved because after initially being caught wide of Binga, who had waited for Shah Akbar to slot into the lead in front of him, Malmoos was provided with fortuitous cover by Dr Doolittle, who on the back of slow initial fractions pulled his way around the favourite into a position one wide and one back. 

In the straight Ferraris soon realised Dr Doolittle was going nowhere so switched Malmoos out at the 600m mark. He did so in the nick of time as he otherwise risked being boxed in by Catch Twentytwo. Gavin Lerena aboard the latter had also summed up the situation and had switched off Malmoos’s heels a split second earlier.

Meanwhile, Second Base was bursting through towards the inside.

Ferraris knew he had a lot of horse underneath him and let out just enough rein to join Second Base.

He remained cool until the 150m mark before drawing the stick. 

Malmoos then accelerated away to win by a cosy two lengths.

Runner up Second Base can also be pencilled in as a July candidate. 

Catch Twentytwo was beaten only 2,25 lengths but could not match the turn of foot of the first two and was only making inroads in the final 100m, so it is questionable whether he will enjoy Hollywoodbets Greyville.

The big Judpot colt Flying Carpet, a 2,75 length fourth, was eyecatching in looks and performance. Raymond Danielson had some difficulty in reining him back into last position and yet he still ran on exceptionally well in the straight.

Fifth-placed Bold Jazz also stayed on well.

War Of Athena’s connections, in planning their strategy, had a number of known factors in their favour, i.e. she was proven better than the field, she relaxes well in the running and she has a tremendous turn of foot. There was only one unknown factor, the 1800m distance. On pedigree she should easily stay that trip but they had no need to risk finding out and thus nullified the stamina question mark by setting relatively slow fractions in front with War Of Athena’s pacemaker Only The Brave. 

The small Act Of War filly used her turn of foot to maximum effect and won easing up by 1,80 lengths from the outsider Netta with Magical Flight a further 2,45 lengths back in third.  

Andrew Harrison

PUNTERS looking to cut down on expenses at Hollywoodbets Greyville today could have a couple of decent opportunities to ease the pressure on their wallets.

Jacob’s Ladder in the third can get the Pick 6 off to a winning start and Myhopesandreams in the seventh may face a more difficult task but should make a fist of it.

Louis Goosen’s runner Jacob’s Ladder steps up in trip but has shown up well in two starts over a mile and he has been ten furlongs before. His pedigree suggests that he should stay the 2400m trip comfortably and rates the one to beat.

The opposition is a little thin but A Thousand Tunes and Do Re Mi, who made sudden improvement last time out, look possible threats.

Justin Snaith will be warming some runners up for the Highveld season that bleeds into South Africa’s Champion Season that officially starts on May 1.

Crown Towers will be warming up for a possible crack at the Champions Cup at the end of April and stable rider Richard Fourie has made the trip up from the Cape to give him a feeler in the fifth where he races over a trip that could be a touch short of his best. However, he is a strong front-runner and one hopes that the opposition will not be caught napping.

In the seventh, Myhopesandreams arrives with smart Cape form and goes well this trip and should make a bold bid. Shane Humby has his runners in a good space at present and Letaba tries a little further. He has smart form over shorter but goes very well over this trip and rates a strong chance. African Sunrise has been costly to follow but has been knocking at the door for some time now and is due a change of fortune. He had a tough draw last time out. Of the others, Banzai Pipeline takes a big drop in trip but shed his maiden over this distance and can be more effective here.

In the card opener, Austen has made steady improvement and was close-up second last time out. She has been around the turn and looks to be the one to beat. Moobheera comes out of a Sean Tarry dispersal and has her first run for Paul and Beth Gadsby. She found market support on debut at The Vaal and with Richard Fourie in town she is one to watch.

Soller has shown up nicely in two starts over further. She can do better over this shorter trip while Capriana has drawn wide but has shown some promise and can finish in the money.

In the second, Humby’s filly Star Act won well second time out and looks capable of further improvement but she does take on some seasoned opposition that includes Arianos Spinner who has shown consistent form on the poly but is distance suited and has a good draw. Matadoras Parade has been dropping in the ratings and can feature prominently.

The fifth is a tricky handicap. Mystic Master was a beaten favourite at his last two but was not far back. He has drawn well and should make a bold bid. Predator has drawn in Marriott Road and has it all to do from that draw but he has been in good form on the poly and must have a strong chance. Casimero has put in two sharp sprints and steps up in trip but his pedigree suggests that he should see this out comfortably. Protea Pride gets the services of Fourie and made good improvement at long odds last start for Corrine Bestel. From the best of the draw he can make further improvement.

The fifth is another competitive handicap but Priceless Ruler is well in here and although he has the widest draw, there are only seven runners. This is his optimum trip. Trip To Africa’s last two wins have come on the poly but he goes well over this distance and is nicely weighted. The cheek pieces have been exchanged for blinkers. Sniper Shot is struggling for his next win but has not been far back of late and will have a change of luck sooner rather than later. Include in everything.  Crown Towers may well be looking to warm up for bigger fish but his class can see them into the money. Not one to be ignored.

The sixth is wide open and it may prove prudent to include as many as possible in exotic perms. Aquae Solis took the step up in class in her stride last run and only got a two-point rise in the handicap. She goes this trip for the first time but the extra should suit. Fire Power is way better than her last start and she stays this trip well. Mike de Kock has not raided KZN for some time so she should be worth watching in the betting.

The last is a difficult maiden with many runners in form. Camora has only missed a place once in five starts and given his pedigree this should be right up his alley. Drogarati should also enjoy the extra, his last two being sprints. This is his third run after a break. My Lord And Master showed up well in a warm-up sprint after retuning from a break while Final Destiny shows some promise and should also benefit from a step up in trip.

David Thiselton

TURFFONTEIN STANDSIDE hosts the second leg of the WSB SA Triple Crown and Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara tomorrow and all eyes will be on Malmoos and War Of Athena, the two horses who are still eligible for those two prizes respectively.

Second Base, an impressive, long-striding gelding by Gimmethegrenlight, stayed on for fourth in the WSB Gauteng Guineas and from a good draw is selected to win the Grade 1 WSB SA Classic over an ideal course and distance. 

Malmoos is a worthy favourite but the question is whether the tricky draw of seven will work against this handy type. If he does get cover he is the one to beat as he has a resolute finish and a lot of heart.

Copper Mountain gave a lot of cheek to Malmoos for a long time in the straight of the WSB Gauteng Guineas and will enjoy this trip -on pedigree.

Catch Twentytwo ran on strongly in the WSB Gauteng Guineas but does take quite a keen hold early and is drawn nine so those two factors combined are a concern. 

Bingwa was swamped in the WSB Gauteng Guineas but then stayed on as well as the four in front of him which makes him interesting from a plum draw of two over this step up in trip. 

Flying Carpet, if ridden more conservatively than last time, should stay on well and is a dark horse. 

Al Muthana will relish this course and distance as he takes an age to get going in the straight, so he is another possible surprise package.

Bold Jazz stays on steadily over shorter and on pedigree should relish this trip. 

Dr Doolittle can’t be ignored either as a typically progressive son of Ideal World who has easily won two open handicaps carrying topweight.

Kingsley’s Heart will enjoy this trip on pedigree but has not struck as being up to this class.

Shah Akbar has become disappointing and can’t be fancied.

They are selected in the order mentioned.

War Of Athena will be the most popular banker on the day as she is proven top class and will enjoy the step up in trip on pedigree. She has overcome tricky draws like this one before.  

Sparkling Water is unexposed and might turn out to be capable of giving War Of Athena a race. She is a big and classy daughter of Silvano out of the classy British-bred Dansili mare Espumanti and she should relish this course and distance.  

Miss Elegance stayed on strongly for third in the WSB Gauteng Fillies Guineas and this improving sort will also relish this trip on pedigree. 

In the Grade 2 Hawaii Stakes ExpressfromtheUS was not tuned up for his last start and can use his fine turn foot to good effect from a tricky draw. MK’S Pride is improving all the time and will be staying on strongly over his optimum trip. Lady Of Steel is full of class and bounced back last time so will be a threat over her optimum trip from draw three. Whorly Whorly has developed into a useful sort and he is also distance suited. Marygold has a lot of class and could pose a threat too. Cirillo won this race easily last year and drops in class, so must be included too.  

Andrew Harrison

THERE is something most satisfying when you watch a race with old campaigners giving it their all. They may not be top of the pile but they have earned their battle honours and those passionate about the sport and not desperate about the pay-outs appreciated their efforts.

Not the bing-bam-bang never to be seen again, Wayward (7yrs), Di Mazzio (7yrs) and Coldhardcash (5yrs), punctuated only by the lightly weighted Herecomestherain (3yrs), fought out a desperate finish to the second at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday with Wayward getting home two short-heads ahead of his rivals.

Ashburton-based trainer Shane Humby is not a ‘bing-bam-bang’ trainer but he gets the best out of what’s he’s got, even when it takes a little time.

Coldhardcash set a blistering early pace and in any lower rated handicap would have broken the hearts of his rivals, but Donovan Dillon and apprentice Kyle Strydom were always stalking the pace. Along with Herecomestherain, who came from near last, the pair took up arms inside the last furlong and in a desperate three-way tussle, with Dillon resorting to hands rather than the stick, Wayward edged them all out of it.

It was a Humby double in the fourth. With much of the expected opposition defecting for one or other reason, Command Control and Decorated looked the most likely pair to fight it out.

In short, it was no race. Command Control lived up to his name and strolled home to give Humby his second winner of the afternoon. Although it was an easy victory, eight lengths and gearing down, Humby was a little disappointed in that he would have liked a sterner test to see where his charge was placed in the handicap. This was only his sixth start and as a mature four-year-old there is scope for more.

The last developed into a two-way contest between Preferential and Diamonds And Pearls with the latter 2 kg better off at the weights and set to give the Humby stable a rare winning treble. But Diamonds And Pearls had the worst of the draw to contend with and that could well have been the difference between winning and losing in a tight race of this nature where a wide draw is almost equal to two points in the handicap.

Multiple Champion KZN trainer Dennis Drier always tries his luck in Cape Town during their season, whether he has the ammunition or not. This year was not one of his best but he his back in the saddle at Summerveld after the Cape sales. Local assistant Stuart Ferrie was on hand to saddle their ‘giant’ Spirit Of My Fate and, after trying to get the gelding to stay a little further, the “boss”, according to stable rider Sean Veale, said the shorter trip was the way to go. There is no substitute for experience in this sport!

David Thiselton

THE Grade 1 WSB SA Classic over 1800m has attracted a strong field of eleven and will serve as the latest round in the intriguing battle for supremacy among the three-year-old males.

Malmoos is the leading candidate on the Highveld in the race for Equus Champion three-year-old male as he is undefeated at home and in two out of province runs won the Grade 2 Concorde Stakes over 1600m and was unlucky when unplaced in the Grade 1 Cape Guineas.

On pedigree he should stay every inch of Saturday’s race over the tough Turffontein Standside track as he is a full-brother to Captain Splendid, whose two Grade 3 wins were in the East Cape Derby and the  Lonsdale Stirrup Cup, both over 2400m.

On running style he should also see it out as he ran handy in the WSB Gauteng Guineas and then emerged the victor of an eye to eye tussle in the straight with Copper Mountain and still had enough left to ensure the closing Catch Twentytwo could not catch him.

He excellent gatespeed helped him from pole position in the WSB Gauteng Guineas but possibly worked against him in the Cape Guineas from a wide draw as he ended up being caught outside of the frontrunning type Seeking The Stars. He will thus need some luck from a tricky draw of seven here and will hope the two known pacemakers Shah Akbar and Bingwa run alongside each other or a gap opens for him to slot in.     

Catch Twentytwo was staying on strongly for second in the WSB Gauteng Guineas and did not have as good a passage as Malmoos despite being drawn two so did well to finish just a quarter-of-a-length back. He is out of Argonaut one-time-winning sprinter Ignition Lady and is a half-brother to Fly Away who holds the course record for 1000m at The Vaal. However, he is by stamina influence Elusive Fort which gives him hope of staying the trip. He took a while to get going in the straight in the WSB Gauteng Guineas which suggested he was looking for 1800m but on the other hand he takes quite a keen hold early on and is drawn out in barrier position nine.

His stablemate Dr Doolittle is drawn widest of all. He should be up to this class as a typically progressive son of Ideal World’s who has twice carried topweight to victory in open handicaps over this trip, which is no mean feat for a three-year-old. He is one of three horses in this field who look suited to 1800m but were not suited by the muddling pace of the Grade 3 Sea Cottage over this trip. The other pair are the long-striding Al Muthana, who takes an age to get going in the straight, and Bold Jazz, who stays on steadily over shorter. Both of the latter have enough stamina on pedigree and could be outside contenders if they get a better pace.  

Copper Mountain stayed beside Malmoos doggedly for a long time in the straight in the WSB Gauteng Guineas and was being eased at the line so could have got closer than his 1,40 length third. On pedigree, being by Noble Tune out of a Fort Wood mare whose only win was over 2000m he should enjoy this trip and he has a fair draw of five although Raymond Danielson does not retain the ride. Callan Murray replaces him and Danielson is aboard Flying Carpet.

Copper Mountain’s stablemate Second Base, fourth in the WSB Gauteng Guines, has been at his impressive best over this trip and this progressive, big-actioned horse will have a fine chance from a good draw of four.

Flying Carpet is unfortunately drawn wide as he could have represented good value. He is way better than his last start, his first attempt at this trip, when caught wide and then being rushed around the field. He not surprisingly faded and this progressive horse could still be a surprise package if Danielson, who is no stranger to Grade 1 success, is able to get him covered up quickly. On pedigree he should relish this trip being by stamina influence Judpot out of a Kabool mare whose two wins were from 1950m to 2000m.     

Bingwa has some class but was exactly 2,50 lengths back in both the WSB Dingaans and WSB Gauteng Guineas which suggests he is held. One case that can be made for him is that having set the pace in the WSB Gauteng Guineas and being swamped he then proceeded to stay on as well as any of the four in front of him so he might be looking for this trip. He is by Pathfork and his dam by Century Stand won from 1200m to 1600m but there is some stamina further down the pedigree.

Shah Akbar has become disappointing after an easy win over the useful Nartje over this trip and will have to bounce back from two below par runs.

Kingsley’s Heart should enjoy the step up in trip on pedigree but he has not convinced he is this class.