Category Archives: Rising Sun

nicklaus brz

Nicklaus captures Winter Challenge mile

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Ashburton trainer Duncan Howells captured the R200,000 KZN Winter Challenge 1600 on Saturday with the Brazilian-bred five-year-old gelding Nicklaus, but the chances of his classy but luckless Mambo In Seattle gelding Saratoga Dancer making the final Vodacom Durban July field were dealt a blow as he endured more bad luck in the Gr 3 Cup Trial.

Glen Kotzen and Charles Laird won the other two Winter Challenge finals, while Dean Kannemeyer walked away with a handsome cheque for winning the series.

In the Cup Trial, a handicap over 1800m, Saratoga Dancer had to jump from the widest draw of all, but Muzi Yeni was able to find cover quickly near the back of the field after dropping him out. However, the slow fractions set by eventual winner Exit Here did him no favours as he was unable to use his sizeable stride. Then just as he was winding up into that stride in the straight towards the outside, The Conglomerate switched outward around a horse and leaned on Saratoga Dancer for much of the remainder of the straight, thereby affecting his momentum at a crucial stage.

Saratoga Dancer crossed the line fourth, beaten a head by The Conglomerate and 1,35 lengths by Exit Here. It is unlikely to be enough to warrant a July berth considering he ran off a relatively low 95 merit rating. However, the stipendiaries duly awarded him third place after Howells had objected.

Nicklaus (Nkosi Hlophe)

Nicklaus (Nkosi Hlophe)

Howells said he would still keep Saratoga Dancer in the July mix with the slim hope of being given the nod by the panel. He otherwise might go for the consolation race, the Gr 3 Delta airlines 2200, where the horse has once again drawn wide in 40 out of 48 nominations. Howells said all things considered Saratoga Dancer had run “an absolute cracker” on Saturday. He remains an eye catching horse and is definitely still one to follow.

Howells gained consolation when the Steven Chetty-owned 78 merit-rated Nicklaus won the Winter Challenge 1600 from a pole position draw. The 12/1 shot ran on well under Yeni to beat Royal Life by a whisker. He thereby spoilt a party as the latter had been backed in to 22/10 favouritism. Cat In Command was a further short-head back in a thrilling finish.

The KZN Winter Challenge 2000 was next up and also produced an exciting finish. Kotzen had been confident of success as his three-year-old Go Deputy gelding Rap Attack had run a good third to Royal Life over 1600m in his previous start after being dropped five points to a competitive merit rating of 80.

Rap Attack (Nkosi Hlophe)

Rap Attack (Nkosi Hlophe)

This was his first attempt at 2000m and he built up a big lead in the straight after quickening from a handy position. He held on from a flying Live On The Moon to win by 0,25 lengths, converting odds of 6/1. Kotzen felt it to be an encouraging run by the Brian “Buffalo Bill” Burnard-owned horse, because jockey Keagan De Melo, who rode a double on the day, had not expected him to quicken so well at the top of the straight and could only have learnt from the ride.

The Charles Laird-trained and Markus and Ingrid Jooste-owned three-year-old Kahal gelding Top Form led from the off in the Winter Challenge 1200. Challengers appeared from all quarters in the straight but he was kept going in master class style by Anton Marcus, who only used the stick after passing the 200m mark and chiefly in order to keep the horse on a straight course.

Top Form, winning for only the second time despite his lofty 86 merit rating, was a former rig, and felt it. Therefore, he could now progress further and Laird believes he will be even better on the poly.

Kannemeyer earned a cheque of R28,000 as his consistent Western Winter colt Canigao accumulated the most points, 33, during the series. Greg and Karen Anthony earned the second place cheque thanks to Poivre and Fantasy Art secured the third place cheque for trainer Tony Rivalland.

Kannemeyer also had a lot to be happy about earlier in the meeting. The CTS Premier Yearling Sale R3,7 million graduate Last Winter, chosen by Kannemeyer and his trusted bloodstock agent Jehan Malherbe, overcame a wide draw to win a 1200m Maiden Juvenile Plate by two lengths under Anthony Delpech on debut. Kannemeyer described the Western Winter colt as a beautifully balanced horse with a good temperament and a lot of class.

“He is starting to fill out nicely, but I might sit on him until the spring as he will make a nice three-year-old,” he said.

David Thiselton

 

Alexis (John Lewis)

Alexis loving Greyville

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Stalwart Cape trainer Brett Crawford seldom leaves KZN in the autumn without a Graded trophy in the bag and he secured his first big race victory of this year’s SA Champions Season on Saturday when the speedy four-year-old Dynasty filly Alexis proved her liking for Greyville by running on strongly under stable jockey Corne Orffer to win the Gr 2 Tibouchina Stakes over 1400m.

Crawford admitted 1400m was probably the small filly’s best trip. However, she gets a mile and will line up next in the Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes over 1600m on Vodacom Durban July day.

Alexis has now won three of her four starts at Greyville, including last season’s Gr 2 KRA Fillies Guineas, which proved her effectiveness over a mile. The Connemara Stud-bred filly is owned by Delma Sherrell, whose former Springbok rugby-playing son Lance has become very passionate about horseracing and made a rare non-appearance on course on Saturday.

The Mike Bass-trained pair Silver Mountain and Inara ran second and fourth respectively in the Tibouchina. Assistant trainer Robert Fayd’Herbe was pleased with both runs going into the Garden Province. They were split by the ever-improving Weiho Marwing-trained Sensible Lover, whose days of being sent out in big races at long prices are over, despite her still relatively lowly merit rating of 95. She is also an entry in the Garden Province.

The front-running Duncan Howells-trained Little Black Number was swamped late but earned a cheque for a gallant fifth place finish.

The Frank Robinson-trained Olma raced wide from a high draw and finished a 2,75 length sixth. However, Piere Strydom climbed off and immediately asked Robinson for the ride in the Garden Province, which the latter obviously jumped at.

In the Garden Province Alexis has drawn 15 of the 21 nominations, Silver Mountain has drawn five, Sensible Lover eight, Inara four and Olma thirteen.

Crawford’s charges have tended to need their first runs in KZN this season, so should all be watched from now on in.

He later sent out Big Cat in the Gr 2 Cup Trial, but this horse did not appear to be himself and ran last.

Big Cat’s passionate part-owners James Drew and Mike Fullard also have shares in Punta Arenas, who ran ninth in the Cup Trial for the Dennis Drier yard.

The pair had a rare winter last year in which they had no concerns about the perennial borderline Punta Arenas qualifying for the July, as he won the Cup Trial, before going on to finish an unlucky second in the big one. However, it a reversion to finger-nail chewing time again this year.

Drew was initially disappointed in Punta Arenas run on Saturday. However, he was later shocked to see he had only finished 2,65 lengths back, so then became hopeful again as the horse had carried topweight off his 107 merit rating and in his opinion had fulfilled the criteria of “showing his well-being.”

David Thiselton

Legal Eagle (Liesl King)

Mac on July mission

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Gr 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge winner Mac De Lago returned to trainer Weiho Marwing’s Ashburton yard after his victory at Greyville on Saturday and the latter will monitor how he comes out of the race before making the next move in his Vodacom Durban July preparation.

Marwing pulled off a fine training feat as the race, which Mac De Lago was awarded in the boardroom after going down by a short-head, was the horse’s return from a fourth place finish in the tough Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge run over 2000m at Turffontein on April 30.

The four-year-old Australian-bred Encosta De Lago gelding had travelled down from Johannesburg last Thursday and one of the decisions to be made will be whether the horse remains at Ashburton to train for the July or returns to Johannesburg.

The recently crowned champion workrider Sam Mosia will be there to ride him every day in routine work, no matter which training centre he is prepared out of.

Legal Eagle (Liesl King)

Legal Eagle (Liesl King)

Marwing said, “Sam is very loyal, he’s been working for me for the past ten to twelve years, he’s the only guy I really let ride Mac De Lago at home and he gets on with him like a house on fire.”

Also of importance to the progressive bay’s July chances will be the handicapper’s assessment of Saturday’s weight for age race.

Mac De Lago had previously run in ten Graded races without a win and this was without doubt the best performance of his career.

His merit rating will likely be raised significantly from its current mark of 107. The possible line horses are the next four in the running, 113-merit rated Trip To Heaven (short-head margin), 115-merit rated French Navy (beaten 1,8 lengths), 110-merit rated New Predator (beaten 3,8 lengths) and 109-merit rated Captain Aldo (beaten 5,8 lengths).
Marwing lodged the objection on Saturday after the stipendiary stewards had announced a steward’s enquiry.

If the stewards had not already made up their minds they would soon have been convinced by jockey Piere Strydom’s argument.

Strydom pointed out the two different types of horses which were involved, Trip To Heaven being a sprint-miler type and Mac De Lago a middle distance type who took a while to get going. He then asked for the official winning distance, which was a short-head, before asking for the tape to be rewound to about the 150m mark, which was the stage just before Trip To Heaven had received the first of two bumps from Mac De Lago. The margin before the bumps was shown to be about half-a-length, meaning Mac De Lago had been finishing the faster of the pair despite the interference, which had caused him to be carried a number of horse-widths inward.

Trip To Heaven’s trainer Sean Tarry also presented a good argument, saying Trip To Heaven had come from last under the hands and his jockey Grant Van Niekerk, due to the proximity of Mac De Lago, had been forced into riding his mount with the hands all the way to the line, while Mac De Lago in the meantime had been hard ridden. Both he and Van Niekerk also pointed out the first movement, however slight, was made by Mac De Lago towards Trip To Heaven (although they did not brush at that stage).

Siren's Call (left) and Trophy Wife

Trophy Wife (right) – (Nkosi Hlophe)

However, the stewards did not take long to announce the upheld verdict and the majority, including Marwing, believed they had made the correct decision. Elated part-owner Dylan Chinsammy was on course to receive the trophy on behalf of the connections, who also include Hassen Adams, CF Delport, Lawrence Pillay, TJ Smith and ODT Visser. It was Chinsammy’s second Gr 1 win, the first being with Ash Cloud, who won the SA Oaks for the Marwing yard in 2014.

Mac De Lago finished second in last season’s Gr 2 KRA Guineas and fifth from the widest draw of all in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000, so clearly loves the tight city course.

His Champions Challenge run looks very good, as the fifth placed horse Judicial was 4,3 lengths behind him. Mac De Lago was receiving 2kg from French Navy in the Champions Challenge and the latter beat him by 1,8 lengths. Before the running of the Gold Challenge, Mac Delago was set to receive 4kg from French Navy in the July, which would have given him a massive chance. However, his task will now be harder with the pending merit rated raise.

French Navy meanwhile ran a tremendous July preparation race in Saturday’s event and it should bring him spot on for the big one. He was running on strongest of all to finish a 1,8 length third. He will be very well weighted in the July, unless Legal Eagle is scratched before the publishing of the weights tomorrow (Tuesday).

The three scenarios from now in are: If Legal Eagle is scratched before the publishing of the weights, French Navy carries 60kg and July favourite Black Arthur carries 53,5kg; if Legal Eagle runs in the July, French Navy carries 57,5kg and Black Arthur carries 53kg; if Legal Eagle is scratched after the publishing of the weights, French Navy carries 60kg and Black Arthur carries 55,5kg.

Strydom was not sure yet where his July ride would come from. However, he is sure to be in demand. The master jockey has already ridden two Gr 1 winners since returning just three-and-a-half weeks ago from a three-and-a-half month layoff for a broken collar bone.

By David Thiselton

Mac De Lago (Nkosi Hlophe)

Rising Sun Gold Challenge Racemeeting Wrap

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The four-year-old Australian-bred gelding Mac De Lago cemented his place in the final field for the R4.25-million Vodacom Durban July in three weeks’ time when declared the winner of the R1-million, Grade 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge over 1 600m at Greyville on Saturday.

Touched off by a whisker at the line by the Trippi gelding Trip To Heaven, the gutsy son of Encosta De Lago from the Weiho Marwing stable would have been hard done by if his place in the big race had been in question had the result stood, but Marwing was quick to object against Trip To Heaven on the grounds of interference in the closing stages and the success of the move removed any possibility of that.

Mac De Lago was 16th on the latest July Log and in spite of his success being his first in 529 days, his fourth to Legal Eagle in the Grade 1 Premier’s Champion Challenge at Turffontein, where he stayed on at the end of the 2 000m trip, was strong enough form for the selection panel to consider him a possible inclusion. Saturday’s gutsy fight under Piere Strydom was evidence enough that he deserves his place in the field on July 2.

For racegoers, however, it might have been a very confusing race. Trainer Sean Tarry had reportedly stated that Trip To Heaven, that will be competing in the Grade 2 Post Merchants over 1 200m at Greyville this coming Friday, would go to the front if he broke well enough but in the race the four-year-old took station at the back of the field with stable companion Prospect Strike under Anthony Delpech going quickly to the front to set a good gallop.

In the straight, replacement rider Grant van Niekerk sent Trip To Heaven for home with a strong finish, joining issues with Mac De Lago. The two raced together in a bitter duel but Trip To Heaven shifted inwards onto Mac De Lago with the pair then racing neck and neck to the finish. There was just a whisker between them at the line but there had been contact and because of the close finish the stipes had little choice but to uphold the objection.

Tarry’s big race contender French Navy, that had raced midfield in the early stages, got fully into stride in the straight and ran on strongly for third place ahead of New Predator while Prospect Strike faded out to finish seventh.

The R250 000, Grade 3 Cup Trial was also not without incident and an objection was a feature of this result as well. All eyes had been on the two major July candidates The Conglomerate and Dynamic that both required a major showing to get a run in the country’s premier race. As it turned out, it was the outsider from the Charles Laird stable, Exit Here that stole the glory after a cunning ride by Weichong Marwing who dictated the pace at a slow tempo then fought off a challenge from Dynamic to take the honours.

The Conglomerate followed them across the line ahead of Saratoga Dancer but trainer Duncan Howells lodged an objection against The Conglomerate on the grounds of interference and intimidation in the closing stages and this objection was upheld reversing the order of third and fourth places.

The result of this race possibly put paid to the chances of The Conglomerate and Dynamic being considered for the Vodacom Durban July field.

The R400 000, Grade 2 Tibouchina Stakes over 1 400m was won by the Brett Crawford-trained Dynasty filly Alexis that gave credence to the racing saying of “horses for courses”. The filly under stable jockey Corne Orffer loves the Greyville track having won the KRA Fillies Guineas at the venue last year. Her record at Greyville now stands at three wins from four starts.

It was a race targeted by Crawford for the filly and she will now go for the Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Strakes on July day.

In the slow-run race Alexis finished strongly to snatch victory from the Mike Bass-trained Silver Mountain with another fast-finished Sensible Lover taking third place ahead of Inara.

There was a close finish to the Listed Gatecrasher Stakes with Laird snatching his first feature win of the day with the Silvano colt Palladium that got up to beat favourite Daffiq by about a head. The race was marred by a false start but Keagan de Melo allowed Palladium to settle at the rear of the field before putting in his flying finish to snatch victory.

The Listed Devon Air Stakes saw Weichong Marwing at his best as he drove the Judpot filly Maleficent through with a powerful finish to swoop past favourite Querari Falcon to win going away by more than three lengths.

By Richard McMillan

Rising Sun Gold Challenge Racemeeting Wrap

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The four-year-old Australian-bred gelding Mac De Lago cemented his place in the final field for the R4.25-million Vodacom Durban July in three weeks’ time when declared the winner of the R1-million, Grade 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge over 1 600m at Greyville on Saturday.

Touched off by a whisker at the line by the Trippi gelding Trip To Heaven, the gutsy son of Encosta De Lago from the Weiho Marwing stable would have been hard done by if his place in the big race had been in question had the result stood, but Marwing was quick to object against Trip To Heaven on the grounds of interference in the closing stages and the success of the move removed any possibility of that.

Mac De Lago was 16th on the latest July Log and in spite of his success being his first in 529 days, his fourth to Legal Eagle in the Grade 1 Premier’s Champion Challenge at Turffontein, where he stayed on at the end of the 2 000m trip, was strong enough form for the selection panel to consider him a possible inclusion. Saturday’s gutsy fight under Piere Strydom was evidence enough that he deserves his place in the field on July 2.

For racegoers, however, it might have been a very confusing race. Trainer Sean Tarry had reportedly stated that Trip To Heaven, that will be competing in the Grade 2 Post Merchants over 1 200m at Greyville this coming Friday, would go to the front if he broke well enough but in the race the four-year-old took station at the back of the field with stable companion Prospect Strike under Anthony Delpech going quickly to the front to set a good gallop.

In the straight, replacement rider Grant van Niekerk sent Trip To Heaven for home with a strong finish, joining issues with Mac De Lago. The two raced together in a bitter duel but Trip To Heaven shifted inwards onto Mac De Lago with the pair then racing neck and neck to the finish. There was just a whisker between them at the line but there had been contact and because of the close finish the stipes had little choice but to uphold the objection.

Tarry’s big race contender French Navy, that had raced midfield in the early stages, got fully into stride in the straight and ran on strongly for third place ahead of New Predator while Prospect Strike faded out to finish seventh.

The R250 000, Grade 3 Cup Trial was also not without incident and an objection was a feature of this result as well. All eyes had been on the two major July candidates The Conglomerate and Dynamic that both required a major showing to get a run in the country’s premier race. As it turned out, it was the outsider from the Charles Laird stable, Exit Here that stole the glory after a cunning ride by Weichong Marwing who dictated the pace at a slow tempo then fought off a challenge from Dynamic to take the honours.

The Conglomerate followed them across the line ahead of Saratoga Dancer but trainer Duncan Howells lodged an objection against The Conglomerate on the grounds of interference and intimidation in the closing stages and this objection was upheld reversing the order of third and fourth places.

The result of this race possibly put paid to the chances of The Conglomerate and Dynamic being considered for the Vodacom Durban July field.

The R400 000, Grade 2 Tibouchina Stakes over 1 400m was won by the Brett Crawford-trained Dynasty filly Alexis that gave credence to the racing saying of “horses for courses”. The filly under stable jockey Corne Orffer loves the Greyville track having won the KRA Fillies Guineas at the venue last year. Her record at Greyville now stands at three wins from four starts.

It was a race targeted by Crawford for the filly and she will now go for the Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Strakes on July day.

In the slow-run race Alexis finished strongly to snatch victory from the Mike Bass-trained Silver Mountain with another fast-finished Sensible Lover taking third place ahead of Inara.

There was a close finish to the Listed Gatecrasher Stakes with Laird snatching his first feature win of the day with the Silvano colt Palladium that got up to beat favourite Daffiq by about a head. The race was marred by a false start but Keagan de Melo allowed Palladium to settle at the rear of the field before putting in his flying finish to snatch victory.

The Listed Devon Air Stakes saw Weichong Marwing at his best as he drove the Judpot filly Maleficent through with a powerful finish to swoop past favourite Querari Falcon to win going away by more than three lengths.

By Richard McMillan

Alexis (Nkosi Hlophe)

Rising Sun Gold Challenge Racemeeting Wrap

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The four-year-old Australian-bred gelding Mac De Lago cemented his place in the final field for the R4.25-million Vodacom Durban July in three weeks’ time when declared the winner of the R1-million, Grade 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge over 1 600m at Greyville on Saturday.

Touched off by a whisker at the line by the Trippi gelding Trip To Heaven, the gutsy son of Encosta De Lago from the Weiho Marwing stable would have been hard done by if his place in the big race had been in question had the result stood, but Marwing was quick to object against Trip To Heaven on the grounds of interference in the closing stages and the success of the move removed any possibility of that.

Mac De Lago was 16th on the latest July Log and in spite of his success being his first in 529 days, his fourth to Legal Eagle in the Grade 1 Premier’s Champion Challenge at Turffontein, where he stayed on at the end of the 2 000m trip, was strong enough form for the selection panel to consider him a possible inclusion. Saturday’s gutsy fight under Piere Strydom was evidence enough that he deserves his place in the field on July 2.

For racegoers, however, it might have been a very confusing race. Trainer Sean Tarry had reportedly stated that Trip To Heaven, that will be competing in the Grade 2 Post Merchants over 1 200m at Greyville this coming Friday, would go to the front if he broke well enough but in the race the four-year-old took station at the back of the field with stable companion Prospect Strike under Anthony Delpech going quickly to the front to set a good gallop.

In the straight, replacement rider Grant van Niekerk sent Trip To Heaven for home with a strong finish, joining issues with Mac De Lago. The two raced together in a bitter duel but Trip To Heaven shifted inwards onto Mac De Lago with the pair then racing neck and neck to the finish. There was just a whisker between them at the line but there had been contact and because of the close finish the stipes had little choice but to uphold the objection.

Tarry’s big race contender French Navy, that had raced midfield in the early stages, got fully into stride in the straight and ran on strongly for third place ahead of New Predator while Prospect Strike faded out to finish seventh.

The R250 000, Grade 3 Cup Trial was also not without incident and an objection was a feature of this result as well. All eyes had been on the two major July candidates The Conglomerate and Dynamic that both required a major showing to get a run in the country’s premier race. As it turned out, it was the outsider from the Charles Laird stable, Exit Here that stole the glory after a cunning ride by Weichong Marwing who dictated the pace at a slow tempo then fought off a challenge from Dynamic to take the honours.

The Conglomerate followed them across the line ahead of Saratoga Dancer but trainer Duncan Howells lodged an objection against The Conglomerate on the grounds of interference and intimidation in the closing stages and this objection was upheld reversing the order of third and fourth places.

The result of this race possibly put paid to the chances of The Conglomerate and Dynamic being considered for the Vodacom Durban July field.

The R400 000, Grade 2 Tibouchina Stakes over 1 400m was won by the Brett Crawford-trained Dynasty filly Alexis that gave credence to the racing saying of “horses for courses”. The filly under stable jockey Corne Orffer loves the Greyville track having won the KRA Fillies Guineas at the venue last year. Her record at Greyville now stands at three wins from four starts.

It was a race targeted by Crawford for the filly and she will now go for the Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Strakes on July day.

In the slow-run race Alexis finished strongly to snatch victory from the Mike Bass-trained Silver Mountain with another fast-finished Sensible Lover taking third place ahead of Inara.

There was a close finish to the Listed Gatecrasher Stakes with Laird snatching his first feature win of the day with the Silvano colt Palladium that got up to beat favourite Daffiq by about a head. The race was marred by a false start but Keagan de Melo allowed Palladium to settle at the rear of the field before putting in his flying finish to snatch victory.

The Listed Devon Air Stakes saw Weichong Marwing at his best as he drove the Judpot filly Maleficent through with a powerful finish to swoop past favourite Querari Falcon to win going away by more than three lengths.

By Richard McMillan

Mac De Lago (Nkosi Hlophe)

‘Big Mac’ delivers

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Speaking prophetically on Friday, Weiho Marwing said “Big Mac” was in good order after arriving from his Turffontein satellite yard the day before. “Those Jo’burg races, especially at Turffontein, may have been too far. He always looked dangerous but didn’t finish of his race. I think the 1600 might be his game. We’ll see.”

Well it was close! “Big Mac” didn’t get home first in the Gr1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge at Greyville yesterday, but it took an objection from Marwing to get him there.

Trip To Heaven came from well back in the field to hit the front two furlongs out but Mac De Lago stuck to him like a burr. Under pressure, replacement rider Grant van Niekerk allowed Trip To Heaven to shift ground onto Mac De Lago and with the winning margin a piece-of-paper most agreed that the stewards made the correct decision to reverse the result.

Not a great way to win a Gr1 but it was some consolation for Marwing who two years back was on the wrong end of a steward’ protest in the Vodacom Durban July with Wylie Hall relegated to second behind Legislate.

Mac De Lago (Nkosi Hlophe)

Mac De Lago (Nkosi Hlophe)

In spite of being suspect over the distance, Mac De Lago will take his chances in the July.

“I thought the objection was clear-cut,” said Marwing. “I don’t know why the stipes didn’t object. You will have to ask them.”

“It was a great prep for the July. I think he will spark from here.”

French Navy, having his final race before the July, was doing his best work late finishing third and Sean Tarry will be more than happy with his showing in his lead-up to the country’s big one.

The notorious ‘Cape Crawl’ has taken hold in KZN this winter and there appears to be no antidote as both the G3 Cup Trial and the Gr2 Tibouchina Stakes caught the virus and the recent Gr1 Daily News 2000 was also not immune.

That said, there is no substitute for experience and internationally experienced Weichong Marwing played the field on the brake in the Cup Trial. Controlling the pace on rank outsider Exit Here he spoilt the chances of a few Vodacom Durban July hopefuls and cemented the chances of his mount making the final field as he kept Exit Here finding extra to hold Dynamic, the heavily supported The Conglomerate and Saratoga Dancer with a blanket covering the rest of the finishers.

Setting a sedate gallop Exit Here, beaten out of sight by current July anti-post favourite Black Arthur in the G2 Canon Guineas, responded to Marwing’s urgings to hold off the attentions of Dynamic who battled to quicken past his rival after being in close attendance throughout.

Chares Laird, not complimentary of his previous jockey bookings for Exit Here, confirmed that pace was the key and was critical of the

Exit Here (Nkosi Hlophe)

Exit Here (Nkosi Hlophe)

colt’s last two rides. “He’s a very gutsy horse and went the right pace. Weichong was able to ease him up a little bit. At the top of the straight he gave him a kick and it’s actually nice to know that it’s not his fault that he had two bad runs.”

Behind the first two, Anton Marcus aboard favourite The Conglomerate and Muzi Yeni on Saratoga Dancer had a barging match resulting in a successful objection by trainer Duncan Howells against The Conglomerate on the grounds of interference and intimidation over the final 350m resulting in the placings being reversed.

With both runners in the running for a place in the final July field this could prove a costly dust-up for both runners who could be relegated to contesting the July consolation.

Last year’s KRA Fillies Guineas winner Alexis has a shine for Greyville and she added a third victory at the track from just four starts. Putting in a telling finish in the Gr2 Tibouchina Stakes, Brett Crawford’s filly got up close home under stable rider Corne Orffer to edge out Silver Mountain and a fast-finishing Sensible Lover, defying odds of 20-1.

Favourite Inara, caught wide early in a race run at a dismally slow early pace, loomed dangerous for a few strides but was caught for finishing speed and plodded into fourth.

Crawford said, “For me this was a race that we pin-pointed so it’s mission accomplished”. Next up will be the Gr1 Garden Province Stakes on July day.

It was also mission accomplished for Charles Laird and owner Alesh Naidoo when Palladium finished with a rattle to catch favourite Daffiq in the Gatecrasher Stakes. The race was marred by a false start but did not faze the R1,7 million yearling buy who came from last under Keagan De Melo.

“We have a plan for July day,” said Laird. “We’re three-quarters of the way there.”

Later, the Alec Laird-trained Maleficent booked her place in the Golden Slipper on July day in similar fashion in the Devon Air Stakes. Weichong Marwing was hard at work from the top of the straight and the filly only got rolling inside the final furlong to catch Querari Falcon to win going away with the balance well beaten.

Andrew Harrison

Ice Machine (Nkosi Hlophe)

Machine to crank it up

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The Gr 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge heads a top class card for one of KZN’s most enjoyable and well attended annual meetings and there is sure to be a festive on course atmosphere at Greyville today as well as plentiful entertainment, thanks to the usual joint efforts of Gold Circle and Rising Sun CEO Vijay Maharaj.

In the R1 million weight for age 1600m event, Ice Machine could finally land a deserved Gr 1. He ran on smartly in the Gr 2 Drill Hall Stakes to finish third to New Predator who had been allowed an easy lead. He now has the man who knows him best, Anton Marcus, back aboard. Ice Machine will want a good pace and it could well be quicker than the Drill Hall with Trip To Heaven in the field. However, this will depend on the latter breaking well, which is unlikely statistically as he has been slow away in his last five starts.

Triptique ran on fluently in the Drill Hall Stakes for second, dispelling fears he might only be a sprinter, and on both that effort and pedigree he should get the mile so has a chance from pole position.

New Predator has proved himself possibly the best three-year-old miler still in the country and if allowed to dictate as he did in the Drill Hall he has a big shout.

However, jockey Weichong Marwing has jumped ship to French Navy. This trip will likely be a touch sharp for French Navy and is also likely a preparation for the Vodacom Durban July, but he appears to enjoy Greyville and will be running on strongly.

Bezanova loves Greyville and finished a 0,9 length third last year despite being drawn wide. He now has a good draw and is the dark horse.

Mac De Lago would likely prefer further but has a strong finish and Piere Strydom is up. He’s likely to have been freshened up since the tough President’s Champions Challenge, where he finished a decent fourth, and the Weiho Marwing yard often do well with horses running fresh.

Prospect Strike is a another dark horse as he was caught wide in the Gr 2 Canon Guineas, yet still finished only 2,4 lengths behind July favourite Black Arthur.

Captain Aldo’s best career performance was when winning the slowly run Gr 2 Hawaii Stakes over 1400m and he had the like of Ice Machine and Trip To Heaven behind him. However, he has a tough task at the weights.

Trip To Heaven is a similar type to former stablemate Willow magic who finished second in this race last year, as he has plenty of speed but stays a mile. If breaking better than normal he could be a threat from the front in a race run as slowly as last year’s.

The selection is Ice Machine to beat Triptique with New Predator, French Navy and Bezanova next best.

Dynamic (Liesl King)

Dynamic (Liesl King)

The Gr 3 Cup Trial is a traditional July qualifier for borderline horses and is always a highly competitive affair.

However, Dynamic is off an attractive merit rating and is now drawn in pole as opposed to 14 when finishing third in the Gr 2 Betting World 1900. Big Cat should be cherry ripe having his third run in KZN and is likely the best value in the race as it is easy to imagine him making good late progress with his big stride, after having settled in the running from a good draw. It Is Written does tend to take a keen hold, but settled well from a good draw in the Betting World 1900 before staying on for fifth. He will appreciate the slight step down and now has the bang in form Anthony Delpech up from a fair draw of seven.

The Conglomerate has been disappointing but has been seen to stay on steadily in his last two races off moderate paces, so he can feature if getting the strong pace which saw him winning last season’s KRA Guineas. Master’s Eye is quirky and tends to look around, but over raced when the blinkers were tried last time. If he is able to concentrate he will be a big runner from a good draw under Piere Strydom. The classy Saratoga Dancer will be coming into his own and Greek Legend, Exit Here, Gold Onyx and Halve The Deficit are others who can’t be ignored if producing their best, while Deputy Jud could do well if finding a good position near the front.

They are selected in the order mentioned.

Silver Mountain (Liesl King)

Silver Mountain (Liesl King)

The Gr 2 Tibouchina over 1400m could be dominated by top class stablemates Inara and Silver Mountain.  Alexis, who love Greyville, could be the biggest danger. Olma is the dark horse as she is doing extremely well at Summerveld and loves this track, but her wide draw makes it tough. Cuvee Brut is a classy, distance suited sort who could upset.

In the Listed Gatecrasher Stakes, high-flying Vaughan Marshall has a chance with the classy Step Up, despite a wide draw. The maiden Side Show and impressive Aussie Austin could be the biggest dangers.

In the Devon Air Stakes, Querari Falcon impressed with the ease of her win over 1200m on debut. She should love this trip on pedigree. The penny dropped for Oriental Oak last time and her late burst caught the eye.  Call Me Winter is well bred and looks to be full of class, so it will be no surprise to see her defy topweight, although being a handy type means her wide draw is a distinct disadvantage.

David Thiselton

Weiho Marwing

Mac ready for action

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Trainer Weiho Marwing said his Gr 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge contender Mac De Lago was fit and well ahead of Saturday’s big race at Greyville, while St. John Gray also confirmed Captain Aldo to be in good shape.

Marwing said it had been a long hard season for Mac De Lago, so the yard had given him a relatively easy time in the aftermath of his decent fourth-place finish in the Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge over 2000m at Turffontein on April 30. However, he added the Australian-bred four-year-old Encosta De Lago gelding was now fit and well and Saturday’s race would offer the opportunity for him to have a good preparation race into  the Vodacom Durban July.

He pointed out Mac De Lago’s liking for Greyville and felt he had a good draw too (six in a field of nine), so was hoping for a “big run.” A further bonus is Piere Strydom aboard. The great jockey has already won a Grade 1 since returning from a protracted layoff for a broken collar bone.

At the Vaal on Thursday Strydom clinched his 5000th winner as a fully-fledged jockey. His 5000th winner as a rider was reached when winning the Gr 2 Selangor Cup aboard Act Of War in November 2014, but those wins included the ones he had achieved as an apprentice.

Mac De Lago won his opening two career races and has only competed in Graded company since. He has achieved seven cheques in ten runs at Graded level, which underlines his consistency, but he is yet to earn Bold Black type by winning one of them. The closest he has come was when finishing second over the Gold Challenge course and distance in the Gr 2 KRA Guineas, running on strongly from the back to finish two lengths behind The Conglomerate.

These days he might prefer middle distances, but is interesting running fresh tomorrow. On 107 he is the fifth highest merit rated horse in the race.

Captain Aldo, a five-year-old gelding by Captain Al, is merit rated 109 thanks to his Gr 2 Hawaii Stakes victory, where he beat the like of Ice Machine and Trip To Heaven over 1400m on the Turffontein Standside track. That was a slow run race and he converted odds of 16/1. However, he subsequently finished downfield in both the Gr 1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes and when carrying topweight in a Pinnacle Stakes race over 1450m on May 21. He is drawn eight with Bernard Fayd’Herbe up and Betting World have priced him up joint-biggest outsider on 25/1.

Gray won this race with crack mare Dancewiththedevil in 2011. However, he was not as confident this time and kept his comments short and sweet, “He is well but it’s going to be tough.”

David Thiselton

new predator aus

New Predator purring

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Drill Hall Stakes winner New Predator impressed Weichong Marwing at Ashburton this week ahead of the Gr 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge to be run at Greyville on Saturday, although the top jockey has jumped ship to French Navy.

Meanwhile, Triptique, has been doing well at Summerveld.

The Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained New Predator over raced behind a crawl in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 and did not find the necessary extra in the straight. However, before that he was dictating the pace himself in the Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m and, after kicking well at the top of the straight, the field was unable to catch him. As a horse with plenty of speed, he will likely prefer dropping back to the mile.

New Predator (Nkosi Hlophe)

New Predator (Nkosi Hlophe)

Marwing rode him in both those races. He also rode him in work at Ashburton earlier this week and described the workout as “exceptional”. Randall Simons will be aboard the 110 merit rated New Predator on Saturday from a plum draw of three, which will enable him to go to the front again. However, Sean Tarry has said Trip To Heaven will go to the front if he is able to jump well enough, so New Predator might not have the same easy lead he enjoyed in the Drill Hall Stakes.

Marwing was high in his praise of New Predator after his Drill Hall Stakes win. The Australian-bred New Approach colt’s record proves him to be possibly the best three-year-old miler in the country as he ran the subsequent Cape Guineas winner Noah From Goa to a head in the Dingaans and had subsequent Triple Crown hero Abashiri beaten by 3,1 lengths in that race, although that was Abashiri’s first run of the season and he hasn’t been beaten since.

Trainer Dennis Drier said Triptique was as well as the yard could possibly have him. He is a most interesting contender. The Drill Hall Stakes was his first attempt beyond sprints and he stayed on strongly from midfield to finish a 0,5 length second. He gave the impression the 1600m would be within his range and his pedigree also suggests it to be. He gets on well with stable jockey Sean Veale and jumps from pole position. He is the dark horse in the race and if he passes this acid test will have some exciting career prospects ahead of him. He could also lift the Drier yard out of a below par big race season by their high standards.

David Thiselton