Category Archives: IOS

Silver Mountain (Liesl King)

Mountain run a mystery

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Jockey Bernard Fayd’herbe said WSB Cape Guineas winner Silver Mountain “didn’t raise a gallop” in the Gr 2 Daisy Guineas on Friday night.

His brother Robert, who is taking care of Mike Bass’s SA Champions Season string at Summerveld, has also been left mystified as the star filly has pulled up 100% fine.

Silver Mountain (Liesl King)

Silver Mountain (Liesl King)

The diminutive Silvano filly lacked her normal zip and might not have enjoyed the going on the night, which appeared to be soft.

She finished a 5,5 length fifth having turned for home perfectly placed to pounce from a midfield position on the rail.

The stablemate from the Mike Bass yard Nightingale ran a cracker to finish second and will relish the extra trip of the Gr 1 Woolavington 2000.

Bernard was also aboard a fancied disappointment in the Gr 2 Canon Guineas, the Justin Snaith-trained Baritone, who was moving up well before running out of steam.

However, he reported to the stipendiary stewards the colt had “choked up in the latter stages.”

Meanwhile, some anomalies have already surfaced out of the new handicapping guidelines, which the handicappers had forced upon them despite being strongly opposed to some of the new restrictive measures.

For example, Nightingale could only be raised to a 92 merit rating due to the rule a Gr 2 runner up can only be raised a maximum of five points.

This means she would receive 3kg from Daisy Guineas fourth-placed Flying Ice in a handicap, despite having beaten her on Friday night by 3,5 lengths.

Another example is the Joey Soma-trained Fortissima, who is currently merit rated 82, despite having finished second in the Gr 2 R1 million SA Oaks.

By David Thiselton

Bela-Bela (Nkosi Hlophe)

Black Arthur or Bela-Bela

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Anthony Delpech was asked shortly after landing the Canon and Daisy Guineas double at Greyville on Friday night which of the two Justin Snaith-trained winners he would prefer to partner for the Vodacom Durban July.

Black Arthur was the answer, the main reason being the horse’s stamina reserves. He waxed lyrical about the classy colt and could not quite believe how far out of his ground he had come from. Later, Snaith said the answer to the aforementioned question lay in the betting. Black Arthur’s July odds were slashed from 50/1 to 12/1 last week and following his Guineas win he is now 33/10 favourite with Betting World.

Bela-Bela (Nkosi Hlophe)

Bela-Bela (Nkosi Hlophe)

Delpech had earlier called Bela-Bela a “special” filly, but was not sure she would get the 2200m July trip, although he felt against her own gender she would “get away” with the 2000m of the Gr 1 Woolavington.

Both horses have come out of their respective races superbly, according to Snaith.

He confirmed Bela-Bela would be going for the Woolavington, which has always been her aim.

However, Black Arthur is a typically immature son of Silvano and Snaith said, “He is high quality and we want to still have a horse for next season, so must be careful which route we take with him.”

It was the first time both Delpech and Snaith had achieved the Guineas double at the same meeting. However, Delpech had been confident of doing it. He had told his family in the morning how badly he had wanted to add this accolade to his CV and felt this could be the year.

Snaith went close to the Guineas double two years ago. In The Fast Lane was beaten in the fillies race at odds of 15/10, before Legislate won the Guineas at odds of 11/2.

This year it was Legislate who let the side down, running no sort of race in the IOS Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m, despite starting at odds of 11/10.

Snaith said the former Equus Horse a Of The Year had been far too “quiet” in the parade ring for his liking and the yard were still monitoring him yesterday, but nothing obvious had yet been detected.

By David Thiselton

snaith site

Three-year-olds impress

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Punters were treated to three thrilling feature races at Greyville Racecourse in Durban on Friday evening when South Africa’s Champion Season got off to a sparkling start of dancing and fireworks and outstanding performances by the three-year-olds.

The three Grade 2 races – The Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes, the Daisy Fillies Guineas and the Canon Guineas – set the stage for what could be one of the best seasons at the Theatre of Champions with the finest horses in the country in action.

Justin Snaith

Justin Snaith

The performances by the young horses are likely to see a change in the betting for the Vodacom Durban July and in the July Log and punters are likely to be scrambling to get the best odds possible on the likes of the filly Bela-Bela and the colts Black Arthur and New Predator that won their races impressively.

Trainer Justin Snaith and jockey Anthony Delpech clinched the Guineas double with Bela-Bela and Black Arthur to take the major honours on the evening but the performance of the three-year-old New Approach colt New Predator from the Johan Janse van Vuuren stable, that led throughout to win The Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes against a quality older field, was most impressive.

Janse van Vuuren decided to contest this race instead of the Canon Guineas because of a bad draw in the classic event and decided to take on the older horses after his superb third behind Legal Eagle in the Horse Chestnut.

Jockey Weichong Marwing, back from an injury-induced break, showed his outstanding tactical ability by taking the colt to the front from the break then controlling the pace before sending his mount for the judge.

As they headed for the line the Dennis Drier-trained Triptique put in a spirited challenge down the inside rail as course specialist Ice Machine from the Charles Laird stable made his customary flying finish from the back of the field down the centre. They were gallant efforts but to no avail and New Predator went on to win.

Diamond King, that made his run from the top of the straight, ran a gutsy fourth place with Legislate and The Conglomerate running below their known ability.

In the Daisy Fillies Guineas Silver Mountain from the Mike Bass stable was strongly fancied by punters to win but the daughter of Silvano failed to fill expectations with Our Destiny and Bella Sonata heading the early action ahead of Negroamaro and Killer Woman. Negroamaro took the lead in the straight but the Snaith filly Bela-Bela and Nightingale, stable mate to Silver Mountain, put in strong late runs to fill the first two places ahead of Negroamaro and denying trainer Janse van Vuuren a quick double. The Neil Bruss-trained Flying Ice ran well for fourth place.

Anthony Delpech (Liesl King)

Anthony Delpech (Liesl King)

Bela-Bela in particular had the pundits sitting up and taking notice as she stormed through from well off the pace to win with absolute authority.

Rabada from the Mike Azzie stable and the Snaith-trained Black Arthur disputed favouritism among punters for the Canon Guineas and they showed there may not be too much between them in filling the first two places.

Anton Marcus got Rabada quickly across from his outer draw to slot in behind Sylvester The Cat that set a blistering early pace with Black Arthur settled back in the pack. Rabada took the lead in the straight up the inside rail while Delpech brought Black Arthur down the centre of the track with the Silvano colt producing a powerful finish to snatch the victory. The early dash for position and the hot early pace may have had an effect on Rabada in the closing stages so his less than a length defeat was very good.

The Dean Kannemeyer-trained Mambo Mime ran on for third place ahead of Malak Al Moolook from the Sean Tarry stable.

There were some very smart three-year-olds in action on the night and many will no doubt have the Grade 1 Daily News 2000 and the Grade 1 Vodacom Durban July on their programmes which presents a mouth-watering picture of what racegoers can look forward to in the weeks and months ahead.

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Black Arthur new July favourite

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Black Arthur and stable companion Bela-Bela had bookmakers scrambling to change their odds display for the Vodacom Durban July after Justin Snaith’s charges turned in superb performances in the Gr2 Canon Guineas and G2 Daisy Fillies Guineas, and Friday evening at Greyville could prove a defining meeting in Africa’s Champion Season. All three features provided plenty of fodder for the formbook and any intrepid punters sitting with 12-1 about Black Arthur and 45-1 about Bela-Bela, may not be in the league of those who got the 5000-1 about Leicester City, but are entitled to be smug.

After stunning displays in the two Classics, Black Arthur displaced Legal Eagle (4-1) as anti-post favourite for the July – 3-1 on some boards but 7-2 still available – while Bela-Bela is now 14-1. Of Black Arthur Delpech said, “He’s the type of horse I would like to ride in the July,” the four-time July winning jockey confirming what all had just witnessed.

Black Arthur, home-bred by Alec and Gillian Foster, was beaten favourite in the Investec Derby at the end of the Cape summer but arrived in KZN with a mighty reputation. Delpech has the pick of the Snaith rides for the Western Cape Champion trainer during his KZN campaign and it took a single gallop for Delpech to decide between Baritone, Derby winner It’s My Turn and Black Arthur.

Seemingly out-paced from the gate as Sylvester The Cat set a suicidal gallop in overcoming his wide draw, Delpech slotted him in on the rail behind a charging pack. “I thought it might be a touch short for him but they went very, very fast which was in his favour,” Delpech confirmed.

Black Arthur led in by Justin Snaith with Anthony Delpech up - Nkosi Hlophe

Black Arthur led in by Justin Snaith with Anthony Delpech up – Nkosi Hlophe

Aimed for home, Delpech threaded his mount through the traffic and once in space the son of Silvano sailed through to win as he liked in spite of the winning margin being less than a length.

Race favourite Rabada settled in behind Sylvester The Cat and looked destine to keep his clean sheet at Greyville in tact before Black Arthur mowed him down with the line in sight while third and fourth placed Mambo Mime and Ten Gun Salute also had their July odds trimmed after promising performances.

All four look destined to meet in the Daily News 2000 that at this stage is brewing into one of the races of the season.

If Delpech needed a dress rehearsal for Black Arthur he got it in on the grey Bela-Bela who turned in a similar display of galloping in the Daisy Fillies Guineas to give trainer and jockey a Classic double. Nearer last than first turning for home, Delpech also had to pick his way through traffic before accelerating away to win in commanding fashion. It was a display out of the top draw.

“I rode two very good horses tonight,” was Delpech’s parting shot.

Race favourite Silver Mountain never got going and it was left to stable companion Nightingale to carry the stable flag although Bela-Bela went past her like she was looking for parking.

Johan Janse van Vuuren commented before the race that Negroamaro was off her best form but it was not by far. “I think she’s still a bit soft. We skipped the Oaks to go for the Woolavington.” The grey was in contention half a furlong out but was run down by Bela-Bela and Nightingale.

But if Negroamara was underdone, Van Vuuren’s New Predator was “gaar” as they say in Afrikaans. The three-year-old blew away his rivals in the Gr2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes in a display that will have sent a chilled down Sean Tarry’s spine if indeed Legal Eagle has the Gr1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge on his agenda.

New Predator

New Predator

Although beaten four lengths by Legal Eagle in the Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes, New Predator was given a puzzling ride that afternoon as he was sent for home nearly 800m out, but he did show an exceptional turn of foot albeit off a slow pace.

The Greyville ‘mile’ with its short straight is right up New Predator’s alley and the switch in course could extend Tarry’s champion a tad more.

Disappointment was race favourite Legislate but Snaith was quick with an explanation. “Legislate didn’t saddle well. He walked around the ring with his head down and I know we were in trouble. But what can you do.”

Snaith will no doubt have the puzzled solved by this morning and have Legislate back on track to defend his Gold Challenge crown.

Triptique ran a cracker in second in his first venture beyond 1200m and could now be a candidate for the Gold Challenge while Ice Machine ran his usual game race, coming from last to third.

By Andrew Harrison

Betting on the R4,25 million Vodacom Durban July to be run over 2200m at Greyville on Saturday, July 2:

7-2 Black Arthur, 4-1 Legal Eagle, 11-2 Abashiri, 14-1 French Navy, Bela-Bela, The Conglomerate, 16-1 Brazuca, New Predator, 20-1 Rabada, Nightingale, 22-1 Mac De Lago, 25-1 Samurai Blade, Marinaresco, 33-1 Silver Mountain, Master Sabina, Deo Juvente, It’s My Turn, 40-1 Negroamaro, 50-1 Baritone, 55-1 Trophy Wife, 66-1 Inara, Dynastic Power, Ten Gun Salute, Mambo Mime, Saratoga Dancer, 7-1 Paterfamilias, 80-1 Olma, Prospect Strike, Punta Arenas, Romany Prince, Cape Speed, Master Switch, 100-1 and upwards others.

Baritone (Nkosi Hlophe)

Baritone to step up

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Rabada (Nkosi Hlophe)

Rabada (Nkosi Hlophe)

The SA Champions Season kicks off with three Gr 2s at Greyville tonight and Justin Snaith should go close to landing a feature race treble.

In the Canon Guineas Baritone has to overcome a tricky draw. However, he looks to be an ever improving sort and should have come on from his Byerley Turk run, where he ran on strongly and only just failed. He came from a wide draw that night and was carrying 4kg more than the winner Mambo Mime. He should appreciate the 200m step up in trip.

His stable companion Black Arthur is highly regarded and the form of his Gr 3 Cartier Politician Stakes win has worked out well. Before that he beat Mambo Mime by 0,5 lengths over 1600m and the latter is now 5kg better off with him. This puts Baritone’s Byerley Turk effort into a good light on strict formlines. Mambo Mime is learning all the time and improving so could earn a cheque.

Rabada won a Gr 1 over course and distance as a two-year-old and has come on in leaps and bounds from his recent

victorious comeback from injury. His SA Triple Crown-winning yard is on a high and he is a big runner, despite a wide draw.

Prospect Strike finished just 0,75 lengths behind Rabada in the aforementioned Gr 1 and is coming off a 1,2 length defeat by the latter over 1400m. He should now be cherry ripe and will relish the step up to this trip. The downside is the very wide draw.

Muwaary was disappointing in the Gr 1 SA Classic, but the maestro trainer Mike de Kock is likely to have got to the bottom of it and this classy sort could bounce back.

Redcarpet Captain has had excuses for his last couple of starts, including over racing, and from a good draw with the blinkers off he could use his telling turn of foot from off the pace to run a good race.

It’s My Turn won the Investec Cape Derby in good style and should be staying on after being dropped out from a wide draw.

Exit Here’s last run can be ignored, as he hated the sloppy conditions on the poly after a torrential downpour, and he will relish the step up to 1600m from the 1400m of the Million Dollar where he ran a fine fifth considering the slow pace didn’t suit him.

Sylvester The Cat and Ten Gun Salute both have plenty of class and it would be no surprise to see them involved in the finish, although the former has a tough draw.

It's My Turn (Liesl King)

It’s My Turn (Liesl King)

Victorious Jay is better than his last start and could bounce back.

Malak Al Moolook could earn if repeating his Gauteng Guineas third place.

Royal Armour has to prove he is as good on turf as he is on the poly.

The selection is Baritone to beat Rabada and Black Arthur, with Mambo Mime and Redcarpet Captain next best.

The Daisy Guineas sees a much anticipated clash between Silver Mountain and Bela-Bela, who are both packed with class. Silver Mountain should be perfectly suited to Greyville with her zippiness and fine turn of foot.  Bela-Bela is much better than her Cape Fillies Guineas run, when well beaten by Silver Mountain. Her subsequent Paddock Stakes third proved how good she is and the best has probably not been seen of her yet, so a victory over Silver Mountain would not be a great surprise. Trainer Neil Bruss is bullish about the chances of Flying Ice, who will relish the step up in trip and who has been unlucky in her last two starts when finishing second in both. The Bella Sonata yard believe she is better than her form suggests and she has enjoyed a fine preparation. Shatoosh has a long stride and a fine turn of foot. She could be the dark horse. Intergalactic has a chance on her Empress Club Stakes run when a 1,4 length third to Inara. Fromafar raced wide when winning a feature here over 1400m last time, so can’t be written off.  Nightingale and Negroamara both have class but would both prefer a touch further. Alexa has a good draw for a change and is an interesting runner as one who made up a lot of ground from hopeless positions in the Gauteng Guineas and SA Fillies Classic. Our Destiny over raced with blinkers on and they are now off so she could earn if repeating her Cape Fillies Guineas runner up finish. Taffety Tart and Lala have the ability to earn but have tough draws. Killer Woman looks to have some class but will have to put her last poor run behind her.

The selection is Silver Mountain to beat Bela-Bela and Flying Ice with Shatoosh and Bella Sonata next best.

Ice Machine (Nkosi Hlophe)

Ice Machine (Nkosi Hlophe)

The IOS Drill Hall Stakes could be won by Ice Machine if things pan out right for him.

There does not look to be much hope of the good pace he will prefer and Legislate could in that case dictate from the front.

However,  Ice Machine is still tipped to fly up and touch off Legislate, with Night Trip, who seems to love Greyville, staying on for third. The dark horses are Saratoga Dancer, who has plenty of class and the best has not yet been of him, and Triptique, who has been doing very well but there is a question mark over the trip. New Predator also has to be given a lot of respect on his best form.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Baritone (Nkosi Hlophe)

Ice Machine (Nkosi Hlophe)

Ice Machine in a good place

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The Charles Laird-trained Ice Machine is a “happy horse” ahead of the defense of his Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes crown, which is to be run over 1400m at Greyville tomorrow night.

Ice Machine (Nkosi Hlophe)

Ice Machine (Nkosi Hlophe)

He will have to defeat the like of former Equus Horse Of The Year Legislate, but Laird’s assistant trainer Lorenzo Kariem said the brilliant Silvano gelding was in just as good a space as last year, when winning in impressive style by three lengths.

Kariem said, “In the Horse Chestnut he missed the break and they then cantered – he needs a good pace. He’s doing well but you do need luck in this race.”

Justin Snaith said about Legislate, “It is his first run back and he might need it a little, but he is doing well and is a good horse.”

Robert Fayd’Herbe said Night Trip seemed to love a right hand turn and if repeating his KZN form of last season could be in the money.

Sean Tarry said the evergreen Gold Onyx would be using the race as a preparation event.

Dennis Drier said, “Triptique is very, very well. It will be interesting to see whether he goes the 1400m trip and if he does he could be in the money. Punta Arenas has had a lovely little break on the farm and will need the run.”

The balance of the field is made up of classy horses like The Conglomerate, Saratoga Dancer and New Predator, as well as the two likely outsiders Diamond King and Mister Matchett.

By David Thiselton

Legislate (Liesl King)

Legislate tops the boards

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Legislate has been installed 14-10 favourite for tomorrow night’s Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes despite this being his first run since finishing sixth in the J & B Met.

World Sports Betting makes Horse Chestnut third New Predator second favourite at 2-1 with last year’s winner Ice Machine next on 11-2.

Silver Mountain will be ridden by Bernard Fayd’Herbe for the first time in the Daisy Fillies Guineas (Aldo Domeyer was on her in all her previous seven starts) and is 12-10 favourite. The Cape Fillies Guineas winner’s stable companion Nightingale, who is on a four-timer, is a 12-1 chance.

Paddock Stakes third Bela-Bela is second favourite at 4-1, half a point ahead of the SA Fillies Classic runner-up Negroamaro.

In the Canon Guineas it’s the Mike Azzie-trained Rabada who heads the market at 22-10 with Justin Snaith’s Politician scorer Black Arthur 9-2 second favourite and Prospect Strike next at 11-2. Cape Derby winner It’s My Turn is a 7-1 chance.

By Michael Clower

Picture: Legislate (Liesl King)

Rabada (Nkosi Hlophe)

Rabada draw only concern

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SA Triple Crown-winning trainer Mike Azzie felt Rabada would have been the horse to beat in tomorrow night’s Gr 2 Canon Guineas if it were not for his tough draw.

Rabada (Nkosi Hlophe)

Rabada (Nkosi Hlophe)

The ball now may be in the court of Justin Snaith, who has a powerful team of three, although they also face tricky draws.

Rabada travelled down to Summerveld yesterday and Azzie said, “Rabada had a great comeback win after being hurt in Cape Town and has come on in leaps and bounds.”

Snaith runs Baritone, Black Arthur and It’s My Turn, and said, “Baritone could have won last time (narrow second Byerley Turk with topweight) but for the draw, and is widely drawn again. Black Arthur is a horse everybody has to keep an eye on. Cape Derby winner It’s My Turn needs further and hasn’t got the pace to get up there from a wide draw, so will be dropped out and we will see how he runs on.”

Dean Kannemeyer runs the Byerley winner Mambo Mime, although he is now 4kg worse off with Baritone, and said, “He had a few issues last year and is learning and improving. He has a lot of potential and lost by half-a-length to Black Arthur over this trip in Cape Town when giving away 5kg and they fancy Black Arthur. It’s a strong race but he’s doing well.”

Exit Here (Nkosi Hlophe)

Exit Here (Nkosi Hlophe)

Charles Laird runs Exit Here and assistant trainer Lorenzo Kariem said his last run in  sloppy conditions on the poly can be ignored. He added, “He is doing very well, but it’s always a competitive race and you need luck.”

Sean Tarry has two runners and said, “Prospect Strike is the sort of horse who would have had a chance, but from the draw I can have no confidence. He is definitely looking for a mile. We probably stretched Malak El Moolook in his last two over 1800m, he will appreciate the step back to a mile, but he also has a tough draw.”

Gareth Van Zyl said the yard are having success addressing Redcarpet Captain’s haemo-concentration issues and added, “He had excuses for his last couple with bad draws and over racing and now from a good draw and with the blinkers off I make him a big runner.”

Other eye catching entries in the race are the Duncan Howells pair Sylvester The Cat and Ten Gun Salute and the Mike de Kock-trained Muwaary and the Vaughan Marshall-trained Victorious Jay, while the Lezeanne Forbes-trained Royal Armour will be attempting to reproduce some of his good polytrack form.

By David Thiselton

Silver Mountain (Kenilworth Racing)

Thumbs up Silver Mountain

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The Mike Bass-trained superstar filly Silver Mountain was given the thumbs up by jockey Bernard Fayd’Herbe after a workout on the sand at Summerveld yesterday and her big rival Bela-Bela has also been pleasing trainer Justin Snaith at Summerveld ahead of tomorrow night’s Gr 2 Daisy Guineas at Greyville.

However, another Cape horse, Flying Ice, “has as much chance as anything else” in the race and is at her peak according to trainer Neil Bruss.

Silver Mountain (Kenilworth Racing)

Silver Mountain (Kenilworth Racing)

Assistant trainer Robert Fayd’Herbe said about Silver Mountain “She is doing very well at home. She won’t be quite at her peak but is fit enough to run a good race first time back.”

He said about his other two participants in the race, “Nightingale in this type of company might find the trip just a touch too sharp, but is doing very well at home. Tafferty Tart has a bad draw but if she can overcome it and get a nice position within striking distance she can put in a good effort. She has finished third to Silver Mountain twice and is up to it.”

Bela-Bela was scratched on course before the Umzimkhulu after a float incident but Snaith said, in retrospect, this had been a blessing. “That run would have come too soon. She is high quality and the Paddock Stakes, where she finished third, has turned out to be the best form race of the entire Cape season. If she can overcome the draw she will be in the money.” However, Snaith said it would be difficult to predict how well any of his three-year-olds on the night would do as they were running under lights for the first time on a course which is new to them.

Bruss said Flying Ice would definitely appreciate the step up to 1600m and gave her a big shout. He said, “She is doing really well and all we got to hope for is a clear run up the straight.”

The Geoff Woodruff-trained Alexa arrived at Summerveld on Tuesday and he said, “She is bright and fit. She ran well in both the Gauteng Fillies Guineas and SA Fillies Classic from hopeless positions.  She can make up four lengths, but she can’t make up twenty-four, and she now has a decent draw in a feature for the first time.”

Glen Kotzen runs WSB Cape Fillies Guineas runner up Our Destiny and said, “She is the type of filly who looks around a lot so I don’t blame the jockeys for wanting blinkers on, but she over raced with them on for the first time in her KZN debut and fell in a hole, so they are now off. She is a lovely filly and is fit and well but has a tough draw.”

Intergalactic (Nkosi Hlophe)

Intergalactic (Nkosi Hlophe)

Dean Kannemeyer runs shock Umzimkhulu winner Fromafar and she put in eye catching work with her normal low head carriage on the beach sand with a companion yesterday. Kannemeyer said, “She was caught wide the whole way last time, so won a very good race. She is fit and well and we will take our chances from a wide draw, but it’s a strong field and we will be thrilled to run a place.”

The Mike Azzie-trained Shahtoosh left Johannesburg for Durban yesterday morning. She looks is a long-striding horse with a nice turn of foot and he said she was unlucky to not still be unbeaten. He added, “She has done very well in the last ten days.”

Sean Tarry said about Intergalactic, “Her run in the Empress Club was good enough for her to have a chance here (1,4 length third to Inara), but Silver Mountain looks impossible to beat from that draw.”

Doug Campbell said about Lala, “The 14 was too short, she’s looking for a mile to 1800m and is doing well, so I’m hoping for a big run. The draw is a worry, but she will be dropped out. We had to look for a jockey replacement, so Sean Veale rides her for the first time.”

Gareth Van Zyl spoke on behalf Bella Sonata’s team, “She is better than her form suggests, because things didn’t go well for her in Jo’burg. It is the strongest fillies Guineas at Greyville for many years, but a big run can be expected on the back of her Umzimkhulu run as she was running on strongly. She will appreciate this step up in trip and is doing well.”

By David Thiselton

Ice Machine (Nkosi Hlophe)

Media Release: Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes Night Racemeeting

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A high class field headed by former Equus Champion Legislate and defending champion Ice Machine will line up in the Grade 2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes to be run at Greyville Racecourse this coming Friday evening.

Legislate, a former Vodacom Durban July winner, makes his Champions Season debut since finishing sixth in the J&B Met at Kenilworth back in January. Prior to that he was a close-up second to Legal Eagle in the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate. Legal Eagle scored a good victory in the R4-million Premier’s Champion Challenge run at Turffontein this past Saturday.BEERFEST

Just how Legislate fares in the Drill Hall will likely determine whether Justin Snaith supplements his charge for the Vodacom Durban July as his name was significantly absent from the initial list of 65 entries unveiled at the launch of South Africa’s Champions Season a fortnight ago.

The gallant seven-year-old Ice Machine returns to his favourite course and distance to defend his crown. It has been up and down to the Highveld this season for him but there is little doubt that Charles Laird’s runner is a different proposition over the Greyville 1400m.

Whilst Anton Marcus has been Ice Machine’s regular pilot, the former champion will forgo the ride to partner The Conglomerate for leading owners Ingrid and Markus Jooste. It will be a year to the day of The Conglomerate’s last victory that came in the Grade 2 Canon Guineas, one of two supporting features on this Friday’s card, where Marcus will ride likely favourite Rabada for the Jooste’s and trainer Michael Azzie.

Also in the Canon Guineas field are Investec Derby winner It’s My Turn and Baritone both from the Justin Snaith stable and the exciting pair of Sylvester The Cat and Ten Gun Salute from the Duncan Howells yard.

Top class filly Silver Mountain will bid for a Fillies Guineas double when she lines up in the Grade 2 Daisy Fillies Guineas, the second supporting feature on the evening. Winner of the World Sports Betting Fillies Guineas, she was a close-up fourth in the colts equivalent and most recently second in South Africa’s first million dollar race.

The meeting kicks off the three months of South Africa’s Champion Season and Greyville patrons will be treated to some high class racing come Friday night.

ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY

Apart from the thrilling horseracing there is lot’s on offer at the course with the Galloping Gourmet Beer Festival and happy hour from 6 to 7:30 pm in the Lightning Shot Bar.  It is also a great chance to catch an early evening bite at the adjacent Braai Zone, where the thrill and excitement of the night can be enjoyed right alongside the racetrack – a great meeting place for friends who gather and relish the evening’s atmosphere on the lawns.

Live entertainment this Friday evening will be provided by The Gee Jays and the popular KidZone with full supervision, fun and entertainment will be in operation throughout the racing so be sure to bring the kids along.

Lots of parking available and entrance to Greyville Racecourse is FREE.

By Andrew Harrison