Category Archives: Fillies

Silver Mountain (Liesl King)

Mountain run a mystery

Posted on by

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

Black Arthur new July favourite

Posted on by

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

Posted on by
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)

Silver Mountain (Kenilworth Racing)

Thumbs up Silver Mountain

Posted on by

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

Delpech on target

Posted on by

If Anthony Delpech had not become a jockey he could have found employment as an assassin – figuratively that is. He may have been aboard the 7-10 favourite for the Greyville opener but his plotting the demise of the opposition was as skilled and ruthless as any professional on a roof with a silenced rifle and given yesterday’s strike rate he would have earned a ‘silver baltjie’ had he been a guest of former president PW Botha.

Miss Minver (Nkosi Hlophe)

Miss Minver (Nkosi Hlophe)

All at sea on debut, Miss Minver had learnt little from the experience and in less capable hands would have blown the odds. But Delpech kept his mount together, trapped market rival Lil Gambler on the rail, got first run and coaxed his mount home.

“She needs more ground,” opined Dean Kannemeyer, a view shared by Delpech. “This was way, way too short. She wants a mile.”

The combination was wide of the mark in the second although it was not tactics but sheer ability on the day that saw Lee’s Star home for Dennis Drier and Sean Veale. Delpech had Rand Hedge challenging hard with a furlong to run but Lee’s Star, in the familiar Braam van Huyssteen silks and here shared by Greg Bortz, kept grinding to pull clear when it mattered.

Justin Snaith, sans the spikey hair of last season, opened his winter account with a double both courtesy of Delpech. Surprisingly Brooklyn Brawler’s name was not among nominations for the Gr2 Canon Guineas but that may change come the supplementary date. “A nice surprise … but where to now I don’t know,” smiled Snaith after the gelded son of Dynasty made things difficult for himself. He always looked to have his race won, a view confirmed by Delpech. “I was going a common half-pace with the favourite in front of me,” he confided but Brooklyn Brawler took exception to the infield TV screen and a fancy to the Greyville Braai Zone.  Fortunately he was well clear of Guineas entries Celtic Captain and Ole Gunnar.

Brooklyn Brawler (Nkosi Hlophe)

Brooklyn Brawler (Nkosi Hlophe)

Secret Seven, this time favourite, completed the Snaith stable double in the seventh but not quite according to plan as Delpech found himself in front. “You ride a race according to pace. I didn’t want to be in front but I didn’t want to fight her. If I had fought her we would have got beat.”

None of the field were entries for the Gr2 Daisy Fillies Guineas but again Snaith may be tempted given that Secret Seven finished second to the top rated Nightingale in what Delpech had earlier described as a false run race.

For the past few winters Alyson Wright has hosted a few Cape raiders and she was quick off the mark with Abound West who romped home in the third for owners Lammerskraal.

Ashburton-based Belinda Impey is never one for the spotlight but given the opportunity and the horses and she can get them home like the best of them. It was a close run thing for You Bolt and Sean Veale in the fourth but they got up in the last stride to touch off Roy’s Folly.

Auction King (Nkosi Hlophe)

Auction King (Nkosi Hlophe)

 

 

South Paw looked the safest bet on the card and after a scare at the top of the straight when the meat in a closing sandwich, Delpech punched him through to win comfortably for Chris Erasmus and Yellow Star Stud.

Apprentice Lyle Hewitson is likely to ride out his 4kg claim before month end as he rounded off the meeting for Paul Lafferty aboard Auction King. Two months as a professional and 18 winners will see him in a Mercedes sooner rather than later!

 

By Andrew Harrison

Mambo Mime (Nkosi Hlophe)

Mambo on to Guineas

Posted on by

Mambo Mime, winner of last Friday’s Byerley Turk, is set to return to Greyville for the Canon Guineas on May 6 while the fillies’ equivalent could be the target for Fromafar who sprang a 22-1 shock in the Umzimkhulu Stakes.

Mambo Mime (Nkosi Hlophe)

Mambo Mime (Nkosi Hlophe)

Dean Kannemeyer said yesterday: “The draw at Greyville is very important and hopefully Mambo Mime will draw well in the Guineas. If he draws badly I will have to discuss plans with Fieldspring Racing.

“He was in need of his previous run and I thought he would be tough to beat from his one draw on Friday but he is a big horse and I don’t believe I have him fully stripped yet.

“Fromafar won exceptionally well – I would have been thrilled if she had just finished in the first four – and I will enter her for the Canon Fillies Guineas. She and Mambo Mime are both on the up.”

The Mike Bass-trained Nightingale, ridden with exceptional confidence by Grant van Niekerk when coming from last to take the Oriental Restaurant Handicap, will be stepped up in class.

Candice Robinson said: “She will run in the Fillies Guineas and then go for the Woolavington on May 28. She is a very nice filly.”

Peninsula Handicap winner and J & B Met fourth Light The Lights, who had the Vodacom Durban July as his target, has been sold to Mike de Kock and is en route to Dubai.

The four-year-old’s former trainer Glen Kotzen said: “It was a shame in a way (to part with him) but they offered us the right money.”

By Michael Clower

Alexis (John Lewis)

Alexis kicks off Champions Season on a high

Posted on by

The Brett Crawford-trained Dynasty filly Alexis proved herself suited to a mile, despite her speed, when winning the Gr 2 KRA Fillies Guineas in fine fashion under Corne Orffer on Saturday and it was a second big race win in the space of five weeks for owner Delma Sherrell.

Crawford won this race last year in similar style with Maybe Yes and wasn’t tempted to go for the Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 on that occasion. However, he was leaving his options open with Alexis. Considering the way she won, settling well, quickening superbly and then running all the way to the line, she could possibly get the 2000m trip.

Second-placed Inara ran well in her comeback race and will come on for the effort and Ataab stayed on gamely for third, while One Fine Day was probably the hard luck story as she was too far back in a slow-paced race after missing the break.

Delma Sherrel now owns Alexis outright and also has a share, among others, in the Crawford-trained Captain America, who won the Gr 1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m at Turffontein on March 28.

Her son Lance, the former Springbok flyhalf who was selected for the tour to New Zealand in 1994 at the expense of subsequent World Cup hero Joel Stransky, represented her on course on Saturday and was full of smiles.

He revealed that being involved in horseracing was a continuation of a legacy left by his father, who owned the Gr 1 Cape Derby winner Impressive Style among others.

Lance spoke about the thrill of watching a family-owned horse win a big race. “It is more exhilarating than lining up a kick in a big game, it is proper goosebumps and it’s also very addictive!”

Crawford heaped praise on his assistant trainer Barry Donnelly who has being taking care of his Champions Season string at Summerveld.

– By David Thiselton

Alexis (Nkosi Hlophe)

Alexis rules in Fillies Guineas

Posted on by

Brett Crawford has made a cracking start to his KZN season, winning two of the three races his horses have contested so far. Gulf Storm won the In Full Flight Stakes at Scottsville last Sunday and Alexis gave Crawford his second consecutive Gr 2 KRA Fillies Guineas – Maybe Yes last year – when she powered away from the favourite Inara, jockey Corne Orffer punching the air in triumph.

Orffer has his mount settled midfield as Ataab pulled herself to the front ahead of Cathy Specific at a reasonable gallop. “I thought she might not see out the ‘mile’ but she switched off nicely,” said Orffer. “When I asked her she gave a very good kick.”

Inara, whose coat looked a little wintery in the paddock, took off together with Alexis as the field crossed the subway, but the latter showed a superior turn of foot and went on to win by two lengths. Inara ran on to snatch second ahead of Ataab who had stayed on resolutely.

In contrast to his jockey, Crawford was never in doubt about the filly’s stamina. “I was never worried about her seeing out the trip. Her debut run in Natal was very good and she had come on well from it.”

Where to now? “I’ll tell you tomorrow! I think ten furlongs may be a bit far (The Woolavington 2000). She’s only this big,” he said, indicating waist-high.

By Andrew Harrison

Picture: Alexis winning the Gr2 KRA Fillies Guineas (Nkosi Hlophe)

one fine day nh

It should be One Fine Day

Posted on by

The Champions Season’s opening meeting at Greyville tomorrow sees some of the country’s best horses clashing in three much anticipated Gr 2 races.

The current three-year-old fillies crop is possibly the best ever seen in this country, and the KRA Fillies Guineas looks to be the most exciting of the three races. The dual Gr 1-winner Inara will clash with two potentially brilliant milers in One Fine Day and Alexis, while the tough Trophy Wife and the promising Ataab will give an inkling of how strong the Johannesburg three-year-old classic form is.

One Fine Day quickened effortlessly in her last start over 1400m at Greyville and won with a bit in hand. She finished an excellent second against the boys over 1400m in last season’s Gr 1 Golden Horseshoe so clearly enjoys this track. This Trippi filly has struck as one that will get the 1600m. Her exceptional turn of foot will mean she can afford to be dropped out from her tricky draw, especially considering her stablemate Ataab looks capable of ensuring a good gallop.

Alexis switched inward and then outward again before finishing strongly in the 1400m race at Greyville won by One Fine Day. She is now 2kg better off for a 1,75 length beating and, furthermore, she needed that last run. This Dynasty filly has speed but also plenty of gears over shorter so should stay the trip. Her pedigree also suggests she will get the trip. She put in eyecatching work at Summerveld on Tuesday and has clearly come on a lot from that last run.

Inara finished runner up to Majmu in the best form race of the season, the Gr 1 Avontuur Estate Cape Fillies Guineas, and followed up by winning both the Gr 1 Maine Chance Paddock Stakes over 1800m and the Gr 1 Klawervlei Majorca Stakes over 1600m. She was given a deserved break after that but the yard said that this Trippi filly, who apparently shows nothing at home, would be “quite fit” and considering her form that would be enough to put her in with a big shout.

Trophy Wife is ever improving but at this level she might prefer a galloping track like Turffontein. She has had a grueling campaign but is tough.

Silver Class stayed on well to finish just a length behind One Fine Day over 1400m at Greyville last time out but the latter appeared to have a bit in hand. She could earn.

Real Princess is held in good regard and could still be anything.

Cathy Specific is a nice type capable of running on strongly and will have come on from her last start, but is in the deep end here.

Zante has Cathy Specific held on formlines but would prefer further.

Sensible Lover looks held by Trophy Wife and Ataab looks held by Inara. However, Ataab could play a valuable role as pacemaker.

Just Lucky looks outclassed here.

The selection is One Fine Day to beat Alexis with Inara, Real Princess and Trophy Wife next best.

The KRA Guineas is an intriguing affair, but the classy Heartland has gears which makes him suited to Greyville and he should now be coming into his own. However, his draw is a concern and so the surprise choice to beat him is Light The Lights. The best hasn’t been seen of this well regarded sort and from a good draw he could make amends for his last start over 1400m at Greyville when caught wide pulling for his head but still managing to stay on. He has come on from that run and has been working well.

Ultimate Dollar has an impressive stride and although the Daily News 2000 might be more down his alley he is well drawn here so should turn for home handy and he will build up more and more momentum down the straight so is tipped for third.

Anjaal finished a narrow third in a two-year-old Gr 1 over course and distance and looks to have turned the corner again after going off form, so he should be involved from a good draw.

Jayyed narrowly beat Anjaal in the aforementioned Gr 1, but has had to have a breathing operation and this is only his second run since.

Kingvoldt is 3kg better off with Heartland for a 0,75 length beating over 1400m at this course so must have a shout, although he does have a tricky draw.

Forest Fox is a talented sort and the yard now know that he needs to be left alone in the early stages before running on.

The Conglomerate is a progressive sort but might need the run and will prefer the distances of the Daily News and July.

Easy Lover ran on well over 1400m after being slow away last time and is now 2kg better off with Heartland for a 1,75 length beating. He has a wide draw so might have to come from near the back again.

Amazing Strike should be coming into his own but made a breathing noise last time and is widely drawn.

The selection is Light The Lights to beat Heartland with Ultimate Dollar, Anjaal and Kingvoldt next best.

Legislate runs very well fresh and the Gr 2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m will tell whether he is the same horse after his L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate failure, subsequent to which he was found to have had a serious lung infection. He should win if that incident caused no long term effect. King Of Pain is the other class horse in the race and a wide draw and having his second run after a rest shouldn’t stop him from going close. Ashton Park, Night Trip and Ze Kaiser are all effective over this trip and are tipped to follow the two big guns home.

–     By David Thiselton

Picture: One Fine Day (Nkosi Hlophe)

Light The Lights (Nkosi Hlophe)

Kotzen with double chances

Posted on by

Glen Kotzen has two further chances of success in Saturday’s KRA Guineas meeting at Greyville having started his Champions Season campaign in fine style at Scottsville on Sunday by winning both the Gr3 Strelitzia Stakes and the Gr 3 Poinsettia Stakes.

Kotzen runs the progressive Western Winter colt Light The Lights in the Gr 2 KRA Guineas and described him as “a proper horse”.

He said that Light The Lights had been “a bit above himself” in his Champions Season pipe opener over 1400m at Greyville, so it was not surprising that he fought for his head early when caught wide in a slow-paced race. However, he was seen to be doing pleasingly strong work late in the race. Kotzen added that Light The Lights had worked “very well” on Tuesday morning at Summerveld. He was looking forward to seeing how the colt would do from a good draw on Saturday as he has always regarded him as one who would come into his own in the latter part of the season. Light The Lights will follow the same path as the yard’s Vodacom Durban July winner of 2009, Big City Life, although he has big shoes to fill as Big City Life won both the KRA Guineas and the Gr 1 Daily News 2000, having arrived in KZN on the back of a win in the Gr 1 Cape Derby. Light The Lights looks fair value in the ante-post July market at 150/1 for a win and 30/1 for a place, although off a merit rating of 102 he will need a couple of big runs just to get into the big race.

Kotzen runs Cathy Specific in the Gr 2 KRA Fillies Guineas, a Royal Air Force filly who is part-owned by his son Kuyan. He said, “It is a tough ask as she is a bit out at the weights, but we will take our chances. She needed her first run here and ran a good race and has come on a lot from it.”

Cathy Specific won her debut over 1000m at Kenilworth on January 10 in impressive style after a slow start and she was then not disgraced in a competitive handicap over 1000m on J&B Met day when a 1,65 length fifth behind the useful Balkan. She followed up by finishing a 3,25 length fourth in the level weights Listed Breeders Guineas at Fairview on March 12 from a wide draw. In her Champions Season pipe opener at Greyville she produced her usual strong finish to win a fillies and mares Progress Plate over 1600m by a short-head. The runner up was the promising  Zante, who needs further and was flying late. Zante will have a 6kg weight swing in her favour on Saturday, so Cathy Specific will have to have improved a lot from that last run. Cathy Specific is only an 81 merit rating at present, but looks to be an unexposed, progressive sort who should rise above that figure in time. This is her first big test and she will have to prove well above average to feature in a classic race contested by some of the best fillies of a vintage crop.

– By David Thiselton

Picture: Light The Lights (Nkosi Hlophe)