David Thiselton

The highest rated race at the meeting on the Turffontein Inside track today is a MR 103 handicap for fillies and mares over 1200 meters and Just Be Lekker is the choice to win it.

Just Be Lekker has drawn widest of all but after two scratchings draw seven out of seven is not too problematic. The last time she went around the turn over 1200m she beat the useful Shipholia by 2.90 lengths in a Pinnacle Stakes event at Hollywoodbets Greyville and she was only receiving 1kg. She has won up to 1450 meters, so having a second run after rest the ring rustiness shouldn’t prevent her from staying all the way to the line. She has in fact shown good class up to 1600m, finishing fourth in the Gold Rush behind Rapidash, Coastal Commander and Tail Of The Comet. She will need some luck in running but is nevertheless tipped to prevail. 

Her stablemate, Little Ballerina, also has a lot of ability. She finished just 1.45 lengths behind none other than One Stripe over this trip in the Gr 3 Cape of Good Hope Nursery. She followed up with a Gr 2 win in the SA Fillies Nursery over 1160 meters. She ended last season with a 4.65 length fifth in the Debutante at Hollywoodbets Greyville, which was a touch disappointing and she hasn’t run since. However, if close to her best she should be involved from draw five of seven. 

Pointer is a talented sort who has drawn wide and will jump from six out of seven, but she is distance suited and should make her presence felt. Chrome Tourmaline has her third run after a layoff and on best form she has a chance. Hierkommiebokkie is quick and will likely make an attempt to lead from start to finish with a 4kg claimer up, although she might be at her best over 1400m.

 In the first leg of the Pick 6, Immediate Edge is a long-striding sort who came from midfield on debut to win going away over 1600m. He looks likely to enjoy the step up to 2000m and is drawn in pole with in form Ryan Munger up off a reasonable merit rating of 83, so he looks to be the one to side with. Beynac took six runs to get out of the maidens, but when stepped up to 1800 meters he won by seven lengths. He has been given a merit rating of 86 which will make it tough for him to beat Immediate Edge, whom he has to give 1,5kg, as he didn’t beat a vintage  field when winning. Quartermaine has been knocking on the door and has been facing some decent types, so he should be right there with a 4kg claimer up, although he does have a tough draw of nine out of nine. Diesel’s Shadow is a consistent sort and should be in the shake up again from a good draw of five with Gavin Lerena up. High Queue is a consistent sort and from draw two could also make his presence felt.

In the second leg of the Pick 6 over 2000 meters One Religion has been knocking on the door off her current mark and Gavin Lerena now gets the ride from draw six out of 11. Kadizora lost by a head to One Religion when they last met over this trip and is now 1.5kg better off which gives her a fine chance, but she has drawn widest of all, although in form Munger is up. Donna Mo has not been in good form lately, but she is better than that and can bounce back over a suitable course and distance off a merit rating that has come down a bit. Rosy Lemon has come down the merit ratings and looks to be off a competitive mark again, so could do well from a fair draw. Greenhouse did well when stepped up to 1800 meters last time and from a pole position draw should make her presence felt, although she is 1kg under sufferance.

The fifth race is an uninspiring event over 1600m and Carnelo could be the one to side with as he has been knocking on the door lately, although he was given a four-point raise for his good second last time. Futurewolff won by 7.1 lengths last time, but has been raised eight points. He does jump from pole position though and has a 2,5kg claimer up. Full Go is capable of finishing strongly, but is under sufferance and is only 2,5kg better off with Futurewolff for a 7.1 length beating. Tintamarre has been facing decent opposition without being disgraced and has a chance here. Vas Vegas is capable of being involved in this event over a trip, which might stretch him a bit, although he is older now and might be ready to take it on. Ombudsman can be involved if repeating his last start.

In the seventh over 1200m, Green Sapphire is talented and can score the hattrick despite being raised eight points for her last win. She could fight it out with Fastnet Filly who is knocking hard and has pole position.

In the eighth over 1200m, My One And Only was unlucky last time out when hampered and can make amends with a 4kg claimer up, but the draw of ten is a concern. Time For Charity was competitive off this mark last time, but also has a wide draw. There She Goes has some good recent form, but is another form horse with a wide draw. Heirloom enjoys this course and distance and has a fair draw. Waitforgreenlight is hard to ignore.

In the first race over 1000m Endizayo disappointed last time but can bounce back. Chilli Marmalade has the form to be involved. Panthera Uncia can go close if repeating any of her last two runs.

In the second over 1000m Pibe De Oro showed much ability over sprints and will appreciate the step down in trip, although the wide draw makes it tricky. Tana Maree improved second time out and can do again, although she has a tricky draw. Lady Of Arc showed good ability and has  a fair draw with Munger up, but she is returning from a six month layoff.

RACE 1     

1 ENDIZAYO 3 CHILLI MARMALADE 2 PANTHERA UNCIA

Preview: 1 ENDIZAYO disappointed last time but can bounce back. 3 CHILLI MARMALADE has the form to be involved. 2 PANTHERA UNCIA can go close if repeating her last two runs. (David Thiselton 1-3-2) 

RACE 2     

1 PIBE DE ORO  9 TANA MAREE 8 LADY OF ARC 3 ANTONIO GAUDI

Preview: 1 PIBE DE ORO showed much ability over sprints and will appreciate the step down in trip although the wide draw makes it tricky. 9 TANA MAREE improved second time out and can do again, although she has a tricky draw. 8 LADY OF ARC showed good ability and has  a fair draw with Munger up but she is returning from a six month layoff. 3 ANTONIO GAUDI has run some fair races but has not run since October although he does have a plum draw. (David Thiselton 11-9-8-3)

RACE 3     

6 IMMEDIATE EDGE 4 BEYNAC 1 QUATERMAIN 3 DIESEL’S SHADOW

Preview: 6 IMMEDIATE EDGE won well on debut and from pole position with Munger up could follow up over a trip which should suit and off a reasonable 83 merit rating. 4 BEYNAC won his maiden by seven lengths when stepped up to 1800m and should enjoy the further step up in trip. 1 QUATERMAIN has been right there lately and has a chance again. 3 DIESEL’S SHADOW is a consistent sort who should be in the shake up. (David Thiselton 16-4-1-3) 

RACE 4     

4 ONE RELIGION 5 KADIZORA 1 DONNA MO 6 ROSY LEMON

Preview: 4 ONE RELIGION has been knocking on the door and Lerena now rides over an ideal trip. 5 KADIZORA is always thereabouts and in form Ryan Munger rides over an ideal trip from a wide draw. 1 DONNA MO is better than her recent form suggests and has been given some relief by the handicapper. 6 ROSY LEMON is in fair form and could be in the shake up. (David Thiselton 14-5-1-6)

RACE 5     

8 CARNELO 2 FUTUREWOLFF 9 FULL GO 1 TINTAMARRE

Preview: 8 CARNELO ran a cracker last time over this trip and now has a better draw. 2 FUTUREWOLFF won well last time over 1800m but does have to overcome an eight point raise for that seven length win. 9 FULL GO has talent and is capable of finishing well but is under sufferance and is only 2,5kg better off with Futurewolff for a 7,10 length beating. 1 TINTAMARRE has been facing decent opposition without being disgraced and has a chance here. (David Thiselton 18-2-9-1)

RACE 6     

1 JUST BE LEKKER 2 LITTLE BALLERINA 9 POINTER 3 CHROME TOURMALINE

Preview: 1 JUST BE LEKKER has a lot of ability and is effective over this trip so can do well despite it being her second run after a layoff and having a wide draw. 2 LITTLE BALLERINA had some fine form last season and returns from a seven month layoff. 9 POINTER is a talented sprinter but has to overcome a wide draw. 3 CHROME TOURMALINE has Lerena up from a fair draw and could be in the shake up. (David Thiselton 11-2-9-3)

RACE 7     

4 GREEN SAPPHIRE 5 FASTNET FILLY 3 RIDE ON 9 GOLDEN MOMENT

Preview: 4 GREEN SAPPHIRE is talented and can score the hattrick despite being raised eight points for her last win.  5 FASTNET FILLY should make her presence felt from number one draw as she has hard-knocking Highveld form. 3 RIDE ON returns from a layoff but had fine form before the layoff, although she has a tough draw. 9 GOLDEN MOMENT comes back from a six month layoff but had shown plenty of ability. (David Thiselton 14-5-3-9)

RACE 8     

1 MY ONE AND ONLY 8 TIME FOR CHARITY 3 THERE SHE GOES 5 HEIRLOOM

Preview: 1 MY ONE AND ONLY was unlucky last time out when hampered and can make amends with a 4kg claimer up, but the draw is a concern. 8 TIME FOR CHARITY was competitive off this mark last time but also has a wide draw. 3 THERE SHE GOES has some good recent form but is another form horse with a wide draw. 5 HEIRLOOM enjoys this course and distance and has a fair draw. (David Thiselton 11-8-3-5)

GET A GRIP ON GEAR … a series on Racing Gear Join us as we check out Racing Gear, it’s role and how it can help a horse find the Winners Box. The ever-popular GARTH PULLER shares his valuable knowledge, starting with the most widely used of all, Sheepskin Noseband. Group 1 victors GIMME A PRINCE and RASCOVA, along with 6 other winners on the 12 race card on ‘Met day’, wore this noseband. We jump right in to find out more! #Hollywoodbets#goldcircle#CapeRacing#galloptv Garth Puller Racing Baker McVeigh 📷Image credits: Candiese Lenferna & Cape Racing / Chase Liebenberg 🎥Graphics and Cinematography: Dyllan Govender & Nkululeko Mbhele

Graeme Hawkins

Peter Muscutt and Richard Fourie teamed up with Jordash to win the opener, a Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies) over 1200m. The 2yo daughter of Soqrat found ante-post support during the week but was relatively friendless as race time approached and was allowed to drift to 6/1 in the face of strong demand for Whatastar. Paralegal made the early running ahead of Whatastar but Jordash was stalking the leaders and she moved through smoothly inside the final 200m to win going away.

The second race, a Class 3 Handicap (F&M) over 1200m, looked wide open and it came as no surprise to see a blanket finish with less than a length covering the first five across the line. Miss World (33/10) tried gamely to lead from start to finish but was collared in the final stride by Trip To Maputo (12/1) under a strong hands-and-heels ride by Gareth Wright. Babelicious (7/2) had every chance and took third spot narrowly ahead of Miss Marguerite and Artiste.

Candice Bass-Robinson completed a race-to-race double as Rahhabba (9/10) proved a popular winner of the third race, a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1200m. The debutante Miss William (33/1) showed good gate speed and disputed the early lead with Rahhabba, but over the final 200m the favourite, with Aldo Domeyer in the saddle, asserted her authority and forged clear to score by more than a length. Miss William stayed on nicely to fill the Exacta position with another newcomer Ruby Rex rounding off the Trifecta.

Domeyer made it two on the bounce as he picked up the ride on Flying Finley (11/10) in the fourth race, a Maiden Plate over 1000m. The sparingly raced 3yo son of Oratorio flew out the gates and was never sighted thereafter by his 11 rivals. Flying Finley had them well and truly strung out at the halfway stage and without being asked a serious question the Graham Hodges owned and bred gelding crossed the line three lengths clear of Heritage Ridge and Poetic Princess.

Beaten favourite in his last five starts, Landoftherisingsun has been frustrating to follow but yesterday Gavin Lerena opted for front-running tactics and under top weight of 61,5kgs the smart-looking son of Danon Platina spreadeagled the opposition in rampant fashion to win the fifth race, an Open Maiden over 1600m, by a very wide margin.

Please Be True, a chance ride for JP van der Merwe in the sixth race, a Class 4 Handicap over 1600m, snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, scoring a last-gasp victory over Boogified, who looked all over a winner until the final few metres. Please Be True was switched off towards the rear of the field and he then took some time to find his rhythm once heads were turned for home. But the 3yo son of One World finally hit top gear below the 200m marker and reeled in Boogified much to the relief of his legion of supporters. For Corne Orffer it was his second short-head defeat of the afternoon, having been beaten a similar margin on Miss World earlier. King’s Quest failed to fire and finished a disappointing fifth.

Glen Kotzen saddled the Exacta in the seventh race, a Cape C Stakes over 2200m, as 6yo Chollima (16/1) made light of 64kgs under Ashton Arries to out-point his younger stable companion Bombers In The Sky. This was Chollima’s first visit to the winner’s enclosure in 1005 days and a fourth career victory for the 6yo son of Pathfork. Bombers In The Sky was not disgraced in defeat and the 3yo son of Lancaster Bomber looks a decent stayer in the making.

Hollywood Racing’s Jou Lekker Ding gave Gareth Wright his second winner on the day in the eighth race, a Class 4 Handicap (F&M) over 1400m. Trained by Vaughan Marshall, Jou Lekker Ding (10/1) locked horns with the favourite Sohot Sowhat inside the final 200m and gained the upper hand late to score narrowly. Sohot Sowhat conceded the winner 6,5kgs and was far from disgraced in defeat.

David Thiselton

Candice Bass Robinson has an impressive up-and-coming sprinter on her hands, the four-year-old Tenango, who on Saturday at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth made it three wins from four starts after coming back from a nine-month layoff. 

On Saturday, in a 1200-meter Class 3 handicap, Ian Longmore’s homebred Canford Cliffs gelding jumped from draw nine out of ten starters and sat off the pace early. Aldo Domeyer clearly had a double handful as the horse moved up into midfield during the race, although he was always nicely covered up.

Upon switching Tenango out for a run at the 400m mark the gelding took off and quickly put the field to bed, winning by two lengths under a tight hold.

The time told a story, too. It was just short of a second quicker than the previous race over the same course and distance won by Golden Destiny. 

Bass Robinson was asked whether Tenango would travel to KZN for the Gr 1 Golden Horse Sprint.

She said she was not sure at this stage, one of the reasons being she doubted his merit rating would be high enough for him to qualify.

He won off a 98 on Saturday and even with an expected few points raise it would not be high enough for him to be a definite inclusion in the Golden Horse field.

Last year the lowest merit rating to qualify for the big 1200m sprint at Hollywoodbets Scottsville was 104, so he will is a border line horse at present as his merit rating looks likely to go up six points to that same mark.

However, Bass-Robinson said she was thinking of running him in the Gr 2 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes, which is run over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on February 22.

If he runs well there he should book his place in the Golden Horse as his merit rating will likely get a sizeable hike if he finishes close up to the like of the 134 merit rated Gimme A Prince.

The risk is getting too high a merit rating.

Aldo Domeyer, who rode a treble on Saturday, said after Tenango’s win, “He has always shown us he is going to be a smart horse and I think the step up to the 1200m was right up his alley. I loved it that he switched off whenever I needed him to. The pace was fair but it did not really matter because whatever I asked him to do he did quite professionally. I think he is a decent little sprinter and he keeps on improving. We’re not sure how much more he will improve, but I think there is a feature race there, the way he turns it on and the length of time that he turns it on for is quite impressive. It’s nice we could build him up like we have up until now, but I think it’s time we pointed him in that direction now (features) as there is no reason we shouldn’t.”

Tenango’s nine month break was for a wind operation, which has clearly been a success.

Domeyer said with him being more mature and more relaxed his breathing now sounded as clear as a whistle.

Domeyer concluded by saying he did not think he had asked Tenango for top gear in the race, which augurs well for feature races to come.

Bass-Robinson said Tenango used to be quite an uptight horse before the breathing operation, but said his temperament had changed since the operation and he was now a “gentleman”.

Bass-Robinson’s other good four-year-old sprinter, Future Variety, might be taken to Johannesburg for the Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Computaform Sprint over 1000m at Turffontein on March 29. The Golden Horse might be on the cards for him too.

She said Rainbow Lorikeet would be one defeiite KZN campaigner, with the Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 being her chief target.

Scarlet Macaw, the Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas runner up, was also a possibility for KZN.

However, Candice admitted the three-year-old fillies looked a bit below par this season with the exception of her own Roccapina, whom had stepped up to 1600m for the Gr 1 Maine Chance Farms Majorca Stakes and run a fine third, having run a fine close up second in the Gr 2 Cartier Sceptre Stakes over 1200m before that.

Candice said Roccapina (One World) would not get more than a mile.

She is not sure yet whether Roccapina will be going to KZN yet for the Champions Season.

Her obvious targets if she did go would be the Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint and the Gr 1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes.