Category Archives: Rising Sun

Seventh Plain (Nkosi Hlophe)

Seventh Plain ‘doing well’

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Dennis Drier might still have three runners in the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint at Scottsville’s Festival Of Speed meeting on June 4, despite Triptique proving with his excellent running on third in the Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes on Friday he is more than just a sprinter.

Dual Gr 1 winner Seventh Plain was struck down by a “nasty virus” recently, but has recovered and is “doing well”. He might be back in time for the Tsogo Sun. He won the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Medallion over the same course and distance last year and the track and distance perfectly suits his style, in which he has good cruising speed and a powerful kick.

Triptique might go for both the Tsogo Sun Sprint and the Gr 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge. Jockey Sean Veale describes him as a honest horse and added, “He will easily stay a mile, he has been running like a horse who needs the mile.”

Meanwhile, Barbosa has come out of his excellent third in the Gr 1 WSB Computaform Sprint very well and should be a big runner in the Tsogo Sun, having escaped any raise to his existing 108 merit rating.

Triptique earned the maximum five point raise for his Drill Hall run, in accordance with the new handicapping guidelines for a second-placed horse in a Gr 2. He is now merit rated 106.

Seventh Plain (Nkosi Hlophe)

Seventh Plain (Nkosi Hlophe)

Seventh Plain could be well weighted in the Tsogo Sun off a 107 merit rating, having been dropped from a high of 110 due to three slightly disappointing runs in Cape Town. However, that campaign was geared around the CTS Million Dollar over 1400m and he is likely more comfortable over 1200m.

Furthermore, the last horse to do the Medallion/Tsogo Sun Sprint double was Delago Deluxe and he won the latter race off a 108 merit rating.

Both Drier and Veale confirmed Punta Arenas had needed the run in the Drill Hall, where he finished a 7,15 length eighth.

Drier will run him in the Gr 3 Cup Trial and then into the July, in which he was an unlucky runner up last year. However, his 18th position on the first July log makes him a borderline case for qualification.

Drier’s Gr 1-winning filly Chestnuts ‘N Pearls has had chips removed from her joints and reappears on 20th May in a Conditions Plate for fillies and mares over 1400m on the Greyville turf.

The useful middle distance filly Gathering Fame, who defended her Listed Jamaica Handicap crown at Kenilworth in January, also reappears on the 20th in the Listed KRA East Coast Cup over 2000m on the turf.

David Thiselton

legislate closeup lk site

Legislate’s last two races

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Anthony Delpech has landed the plum ride on Legislate in the Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes at Greyville on May 6.

The former champion will also be on the five-year-old when the 2014 Vodacom Durban July winner runs in the Rising Sun Gold Challenge on the same course five weeks later. These two races are the only chances that racegoers will have to see the horse before he is retired to stud.

Anthony Delpech (Nkosi Hlophe)

Anthony Delpech (Nkosi Hlophe)

Jonathan Snaith said yesterday: “He is having only two runs in Durban and he won’t even be nominated for the July. His preparation for the Drill Hall has gone smoothly but it will be his first race since the J & B Met and we are not expecting fireworks. The Gold Challenge is his main mission.”

Only four jockeys have ridden Legislate in public. Girish Goomany had the mount first time and  Muzi Yeni also rode him just once before Richard Fourie took over for 14 consecutive races, winning the Cape Derby, KRA Guineas, Daily News, July, Green Point and Gold Challenge. Piere Strydom rode him in the Queen’s Plate (second) and Met (sixth).

Michael Clower

Legislate – Liesl King

r futura

Futura retired to stud

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Futura has been retired to stand at Drakenstein Stud but fellow quadruple Grade 1 winner Legislate is to race in Durban before joining him before the end of the season. The Rising Sun Gold Challenge (June 11), which he won last year, is a possible objective.

The office of part-owner and stallion manager John Freeman issued  the details on Friday afternoon, saying that most of the shares had been sold overnight and adding: “The plan is to send Legislate to Durban for another attempt at Grade 1 glory in either or both of the two Grade 1 weight-for-age events there.”

Justin Snaith paid tribute to Futura, saying: “He was a very good and very impressive racehorse. He has everything a stallion needs, including temperament and soundness, and he is by a great sire.”

By Michael Clower

Picture: Futura (Nkosi Hlophe)

Dynastic Power (Nkosi Hlophe)

Elley duo on track for July

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Cape Trainer Stan Elley will have a final tilt at the Vodacom Durban July before retiring at the end of the season and is likely to be double-handed as Saturday’s Gr 3 Cup Trial winner Punta Arenas and his Gr 2 Betting World winner Dynastic Power are both still on course for the big race.

Punta Arenas pulled up well after his flying finish in the Cup Trial over 1800m at Greyville on Saturday under Ian Sturgeon, but Dynastic Power’s well below par effort in the same race was explained by him pulling up lame on one hindleg.

Elley said, “Puntas was hundred percent sound next morning but Dynastic Power had an issue with his stifle and I have no doubt it affected his performance. But I expect it to respond well to treatment and he will be back in full work in a day or two.”

Elley has a good record in the July. Small yards to have gained a place in the big race can be counted on one hand this century, yet Elley has done it twice. His Badger Land colt Red Badge ran third in both 2003 and 2004.

Passionate racing men Mike Fullard and James Drew were shareholders in Red Badge and own Punta Arenas in partnership with Butch Watson-Smith. Punta Arenas has already had two attempts at the July, finishing a 5,75 length 12th in 2013 and a 3,85 length 8th last year. This year there will be no biting of fingernails for the connections before the final field announcement and draw ceremony on June 23 as the six-year-old Silvano gelding’s win on Saturday secured him a place. However, they will be hoping their beloved galloper finally lands a good big race draw. He was drawn 17 and 13 in his first two July runs, while his respective third and fifth-placed finishes in the J&B Met were achieved from draws of 13 and 11.

Watson-Smith is also a shareholder in Dynastic Power together with John Kinsley, Braam van Huyssteen and Okkie Schoeman. The strapping four-year-old Dynasty gelding moved up powerfully around the final turn in the Betting World 1900 on May 15 before staying on strongly to win by a neck from Power King with Punta Arenas a further 1,25 lengths back in third. He was poised to strike from second place in the Cup Trial on Saturday but found nothing and finished 12,8 lengths back. However, Betting World 1900 winners are usually automatic July qualifiers. Dynastic Power’s other career Graded Stakes victory was in the Gr 3 Winter Derby over 2400m at Kenilworth, so he will have no problem staying the July 2200 trip.

Greg Cheyne, who won the July in 2009 on Big City Life, looks likely to remain aboard Dynastic Power and Ian Sturgeon, who finished second on Sushisan in the 2006 July, will continue his productive partnership with Punta Arenas.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Dynastic Power (Nkosi Hlophe)

justin snaith with legislate

Legislate out the July

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Saturday’s Gr 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge winner and reigning Equus Horse Of The Year Legislate will not defend his Vodacom Durban July crown, but might well still take part in one or two Champions Season Gr1s. The brilliant Justin Snaith-trained four-year-old Dynasty colt will be nominated for both the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint and the Gr 1 Champions Cup, which are both to be run at Greyville, on July 17 and July 25 respectively.

Meanwhile, the Snaith’s ruling July favourite Futura is “very much” on track for the big race and so is Saturday’s Gr 3 Cup Trial third-placed Dynamic.

The yard have pulled Legislate out of the July in his “best interests.” They had ruled him a doubtful starter at the beginning of May, as he expended a lot of energy after his scratching at the start of the Drill Hall Stakes on May 2, and the feeling at the time was that a tilt at both the Gold Challenge and the July would be too much to ask of him, especially as he would be asked to carry a big weight in the July. The yard have stuck to their guns despite Legislate having won Saturday’s Gold Challenge, which was always his chief Champions Season target.

Futura, winner of both the Gr 1 L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate and J&B Met, flew from last place in the Gold Challenge over 1600m on Saturday to finish 1,15 lengths back in fourth, while Dynamic likely boked his place in the July by staying on strongly for a 1,75 length third in Gr 3 Cup Trial over 1800m.

Jonathon Snaith said, “Futura has pulled up like a lion and Dynamic also pulled up well. I think Dynamic is a massive runner in the July with around 53kg on his back with Richard Fourie riding. He has run very well in three feature races in KZN, all from wide draws. After his Met run he was found to be sick with the same virus that affected Legislate. Bar that run his form has been unbelievable. He is a huge runner.”

By David Thiselton 

Picture: Justin Snaith and Legislate (Snaith Racing)

american pharoah gettyima

A historic weekend of racing

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There were a feast of racing accomplishments over the weekend, including Legislate’s successful return in the Gr 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge, but the highlight was no doubt American Pharoah becoming the 12th horse in history to win America’s Triple Crown.

“And the 37 year wait is over! American Pharoah has won the Triple Crown!”, roared the overwhelmed commentator and the massive crowd did not stop cheering for the big Bob Baffert-trained colt by PioneerOf The Nile, who hardly looked as if he had been in a race.

It was one of the rides of the century by Victor Espinoza. Usually a horse with stamina doubts will be given a chance by dropping it out, but instead Espinoza, despite a tardy start, took American Pharaoah straight to the front. The tall horse relaxed beautifully at a steady gallop. The Mike de Kock-trained Mubtaahij travelled well throughout behind him on the rail and was switched out to challenge around the final turn.

Meanwhile Frosted had slipped through down the inside and went with Amrican Pharaoah when he kicked for home. Mubtaahij fought on bravely but was no match for the front two. Meanwhile, the crowd’s roar dipped momentarily and millions of viewers around the world also held their breaths.

Could Frosted become the 14th horse in the last 37 years to spoil a Triple Crown party? And the answer was no as American Phraoah found extra and pulled clear. The roof of the grandstand virtually lifted off as he passed the line five lengths clear. There was then a six lengths gap back to Keen Ice, who beat Mubtaahij by a length.

The rest of the eight horse field were unsighted and a sign of American Pharoah’s greatness was that despite apparently ambling for most of the journey his time of 2 minutes 26,65 seconds was only 2,65 seconds slower than the immortal Secretariats 31 length romp in the Belmont Stakes in 1973. Affirmed was the last to have achieved the Triple Crown in 1978 and the year before that Seattle Slew did it. In the build up to American Pharoah’s bid Seattle Slew’s trainer Billy Turner commented, “The way he (American Pharoah) ran in the Preakness, it sure looked like it didn’t take anything out of him.”

It looked the same after Saturday’s history-making accomplishment. Most race fans like to think great horses have a certain showmanship about them and know they are good, but American Pharaoah’s demeanor throughout the wild cheering post race was one of nonchalance and he remained relaxed to the point of being almost half asleep. This horse looks to be a legend in the making and he will no doubt become a great asset to the Sport Of Kings.

At Greyville, Legislate showed once again that he loves to run fresh and that he also loves Greyville. Richard Fourie gave him an enterprising ride, taking him to the front and on course part-owners Dennis Evans and Jack and Nancy Mitchell would have been thrilled to see him back to his best. His kick at the top of the straight was enough to send him clear and he was then able to hang on from a brave Willow Magic, who showed his class in his first trip beyond a sprint since he had won the Dingaans 19 months ago.

The lung infection that blighted Legislate’s L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate run has clearly not had any long term effect and it will be no surprise to see him announced as a definite to defend his Vodacom Durban July crown, now that he has accomplished his main Champions Season goal. Bezanova showed his liking for Greyville again by finishing third. Futura made up a lot of ground from last in the steady-paced race to finish a 1,15 length fourth and should be spot on for the July.

Punta Arenas deservedly won the Gr 3 Cup Trial under the underrated jockey Ian Sturgeon, as he has had to contend with a plethora of wide draws in big races since landing his first graded success in the Gr 3 Winter Derby three years ago. The six-year-old Silvano gelding is an evergreen sort who always gives the impression he loves his racing. It was a fitting win for popular Cape trainer Stan Elley, his second Graded success in the space of a month at Greyville, as he had announced earlier in the week that he would retire from training at the end of this season.

Hammie’s Hooker has always appeared best at 1400m and she duly defended her crown in the Gr 2 Tibouchina over 1400m. She put up a career best effort in last season’s Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes over 1600m on July day when going close against the brilliant Beach Beauty, and will need to again because Same Jurisdiction ran a cracker in the Tibouchina, her comeback from a luckless Johannesburg campaign. Coming from near the back, she was doing her best work late.

The Neil Bruss-trained Go Deputy filly Flying Ice remained unbeaten when winning the Listed Devon Air Stakes under Weichong Marwing, beating a still green looking Almashooqa. This was a deserved win for owner Michelle Paterson, who now resides in Australia, as her first expensive purchase for Bruss, Savannah Air, turned out to be a “wobbler”. However, Paterson did not throw in the towel and her second purchase for him, a R10,000 Go Deputy called Bandana Girl, has won a race and she now has a lot to look forward to with Flying Ice.

The impressive 3,25 length winner of the Listed Gatecrasher Stakes Rabada provided  an exciting moment for KZN breeding as he is by the promising Summerhill Stud sire Brave Tin Soldier. Jockey Anton Marcus confirmed he was still green and would likely be even better as a three-year-old.

In Harare an incredible crowd of over 70,000 poured into Borrowdale for the Gr 2 Ok Grand Challenge, where the side attraction was a plethora of cars and other prizes being  given away. The St. John Gray-owned-trained-and-bred six-year-old Jam Alley gelding Yer-Maan became the second horse in two years to do the Gr 1 Castle Tankard-Ok Grand Challenge double, following Silvano filly Equina achieving it last year. Yer-Maan, ridden by Zimbabwean Champion jockey Quinton Riddle, will no doubt try and go one better by winning the Gr 3 Republic Cup in early July.

At Epsom Downs in the UK, Frankie Dettori won the world’s most famous race, the Epsom Derby, on the unbeaten John Gosden-trained Golden Horn, who quickened in emphatic style in the closing stages to win in the manner of a great horse. It was also a second Derby win for Gosden.

By David Thiselton 

Picture: American Pharoah winning the Gr1 Belmont Stakes (Getty)

legislate rising sun

Media Release: Legislate rises again

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The four-year-old Dynasty colt Legislate held on tenaciously to win the R1-million, Grade 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge at Greyville Racecourse on Saturday but there is still doubt whether last year’s Vodacom Durban July winner will line up to defend his crown in Africa’s Greatest Horseracing Event in a few weeks’ time.

For the Justin Snaith stable it was a plan that came together but not, one might think, without some tense moments when the Sean Tarry-trained Australian colt, Willow Magic, challenged strongly in the final dash to the line after tracking the champion for most of the race. There might even have been a few anxious seconds when stable mate and race favourite Futura unleashed his run down the outside of the field and was gaining with every stride.

Snaith had stated publicly before the race that the Rising Sun Gold Challenge was Legislate’s “mission” for Champions Season and warned after the event that his charge must still be considered a doubtful starter for the R3.5-million Vodacom Durban July which he won on an objection last year. He stated in his pre-race interview that the top horses had to be carefully managed because they were extremely valuable for stud and later said the decision to run Legislate in the July would be discussed early this week and a decision made and publicised possibly by midweek.

Jockey Richard Fourie deserved the credit for Legislate’s win, getting him out like lightning from the widest draw and sending him to the front to dictate the pace ahead of No Worries and Willow Magic with Futura rather sedately getting under way and settling in at the back of the field. In spite of the going being very much on top, the pace was not anything to write home about as the winning time of 96.11 secs was only .20 secs better than the average and well below the 92.99 secs course record. It was also considerably below the time of 94.14 secs the colt set when winning the KRA Guineas last year.

So Fourie confidently set the pace he wanted possibly bearing in mind that his mount was a little short of fitness which seemed to show in the final 200m of the race where only the colt’s guts kept him ahead of Willow Magic to win by three-quarters of a length.

Willow Magic under Piere Strydom ran a fantastic race being some 7kg on straight handicap out at the weights with the champion, and the Alec Laird-trained Bezrin gelding Bezanova produced one of his best efforts to take third place less than a length behind Legislate.

Then there was the run by Futura. Travelling at the back of the field some 10 lengths off the pace, Sean Cormack took him to the outside rail for his run when they hit the home straight giving Legislate eight or 10 lengths start. He produced the powerful finish he is known for and at the line was a mere 1.15 lengths behind his stable mate.

The only remaining question from this race is how the handicappers will deal with Willow Magic and Bezanova? Neither is a July candidate.

The training accolades for the meeting could go to Stan Elley who has declared that he would not renew his licence at the end of the season. His six-year-old Silvano gelding Punta Arenas, that ran a top race for third place behind stable companion Dynastic Power in the Betting World 1900, powered home with a strong finish to win the Grade 3 Cup Trial over 1 800m and in so doing leaving the July selection panel no choice but to confirm him as a runner in the big one on the fourth of July.

He did it from a wide draw and from near the back of the field to beat the Mogok gelding Wild One across the line by 1.25 lengths. The Mike de Kock-trained five-year-old was having his first race since running second to Wavin’ Flag in the Grade 1 eLan Property Group Gold Cup at the end of July last year.

He is not a Vodacom Durban July entry but both Dynamic and Helderberg Blue, that took third and fourth places, are. They were settled just outside the top 20 on the July Log and might have done enough to make the big race field.

The Grade 2 Tibouchina Stakes was won for the second year in success by the Mike Bass-trained Trippi mare Hammie’s Hooker. She is a top mare but could find a formidable opponent in the Jonssons Workwear Garden Province at Greyville on Vodacom Durban July in the Duncan Howells-trained Mambo In Seattle filly Same Jurisdiction.

The three-year-old was ridden from the back of the field by Anton Marcus who swept her to the outside rail for her home run and she produced a superb finishing run to fail by half a length. Maybe Yes from the Brett Crawford stable made the running and stayed on for third place ahead of Red Flame from the Neil Bruss stable that had earlier won the Listed Devon Air Stakes with the filly Flying Ice.

One of the most impressive performances on the day was that of the Brave Tin Soldier colt Rabada in the Gatecrasher Stakes which he won by 3.25 lengths. The two-year-old had won his first race in fine style for trainer Mike Azzie and in spite of looking quite green on Saturday, put the race to bed a long way from the finish.

r legislate site

Legislate back with a bang

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It was mission accomplished for Justin Snaith’s Equus Horse Of The Year Legislate at Greyville today as he took the bull by the horns in his Champions Season target, the Gr 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge over 1600m, and powered home under Richard Fourie after being taken to the front from a high draw.

Later, Stan Elley, who announced he would retire at the end of the season, landed a second Champions Season Graded race at Greyville when his reliable six-year-old Punta Arenas won the Gr 3 Cup Trial over 1800m under Ian Sturgeon.

The Cheveley Stud-bred Dynasty colt Legislate is now a four-time Gr 1 winner and his unplaced run in his previous outing five months ago in the L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate, after which he was found to have a serious lung infection, remains the only blip since he announced his arrival by winning last season’s Gr 1 Investec Cape Derby.

Snaith said the connections would decide early next week whether the star colt would defend his Vodacom Durban July crown.

The Gold Challenge result will likely affect the July betting, but will probably not have much impact on the choosing of the final big race field. The ruling July favourite Futura ran a good preparation, running on from last for a 1,15 length fourth.

The Sean Tarry-trained Willow Magic, a former Investec Dingaans winner, ran a cracker, staying on for a 0,75 length second, but he is not a July entry. Neither is the Alec Laird-trained Bezanova, who ran on strongly for a 0,9 length third, and neither is fifth-placed Night Trip.

Halve The Deficit did his chances of making the final field no harm, by finishing 2,15 lengths back in sixth. However, King Of Pain was once again below his best and his 4,9 length seventh was unlikely enough to force his way into the July field.

No Worries faded into a 5,4 length ninth. He was 11th on the second July log and his final field position appeared on the one hand to be under threat, as borderline cases Dynamic and Helderberg Blue later put their hands up by running third and fourth in the Cup Trial. But on the other hand a couple of other July log incumbents, Gold Onyx and Dynastic Power, were beaten over ten lengths in the Cup Trial.

Legislate’s part-owners Jack Mitchell and Dennis Evans were on course to accept the trophy.

The disappointment of the day was the scratching of Ice Machine, who was strongly fancied by many to win the Gold Challenge. He was found to be striding short upon arrival at the course.

Maine Chance Farms-bred Silvano gelding Punta Arenas had to overcome a wide draw in the Cup Trial and ran on strongly from near the back of the field to book his place in the July, winning by 1,25 lengths.

Wild One ran for the first time since his Gr 1 eLan Property Group Gold Cup second place at the end of last season and ran a cracker to finish second. Dynamic and Helderberg Blue ran well to be just 1,75 and 2,5 lengths back.  The favourite Kochka’s stride shortened in the final stages, having moved up well, and his three-length fifth might not be enough to climb into the July field.

The Mike Bass-trained Zanvliet Stud-bred Trippi mare Hammie’s Hooker defended her crown in a strong Gr 2 Tibouchina  field over 1400m. Her terrific turn of foot was enough to hold off the classy but luckless Same Jurisdiction, who ran on strongly from the back, to be beaten 0,5 lengths. Maybe Yes, Red Flame and Whatalady were next best.

Hammie’s Hooker doesn’t usually go down well to the start, but clearly thrives in KZN and appears to love Greyville.

In The Listed Gatecrasher Stakes over 1400m the Mike Azzie-trained Brave Tin Soldier colt Rabada showed a few signs of inexperience but still streaked clear to win impressively by 3,25 lengths under Anton Marcus. The long-striding Summerhill Stud-bred bay will appreciate further and is an exciting prospect for the future.

In the Listed Devon Air Stakes over 1400m the Neil Bruss-trained Go Deputy filly Flying Ice improved from her debut win over the same distance at Scottsville two weeks earlier to remain unbeaten under Weichong Marwing. The Lammerskraal-bred bay fended off the favourite Almashooqa bravely to win by a head.

The Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained Antonius Pius colt Belong To Me looked lean and mean before the running of the Non-Black Type Durban Dash over 1100m on the polytrack for three-year-olds and duly won well under Donavan Mansour after showing pace throughout.

The meeting once again attracted a huge, festive crowd to Greyville thanks to the marketing genius of Rising Sun’s CEO Vijay Maharaj.

In the UK today Frankie Dettori won the world’s most famous flat horserace, the Epsom Derby, on the unbeaten John Gosden-trained favourite Golden Horn.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Legislate winning the Rising Sun Gold Challenge at Greyville today (Nkosi Hlophe)

Futura (Nkosi Hlophe)

Futura to stamp his class

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It is tough to look past the brilliant Futura for the Gr 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge at Greyville on Saturday, but the Gr 3 Cup Trial, which provides a last gasp opportunity for horses to qualify for the Vodacom Durban July, is conversely a very open affair.

Sean Cormack rode Futura for the first time last month and interestingly he also first rode the brilliant Beach Beauty in the May of her four-year-old season. Futura and Beach Beauty are both by Dynasty and have many similarities, including fantastic temperament and tremendous acceleration, so it is easy to envision another great partnership developing.

Legislate at his best will be a serious threat. He is another progeny of Dynasty that has class and acceleration and he loves Greyville. Only the race will tell whether the serious lung infection that blighted his L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate chances has had any long term affect, but otherwise the layoff should not be a disadvantage as he has run well fresh before.

Willow Magic runs over 1600m for the first time since his commanding victory in the Investec Dingaans 19 months ago. He has class, will be suited to Greyville due to his speed and turn of foot, and has a plum draw of three.

Ice Machine beat the best when winning the Green Point over 1600m last season and he was equally brilliant when winning the Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m at Greyville last time out. He is not the soundest but is said to be moving well at present and at best will be finishing like a train.

King Of Pain also has the ability to put in a winning performance on his day, although he is none to reliable. He defends his crown here and the yard are hopeful that he has turned the corner as he has been doing well at Summerveld.

Bouclette Top has been given a new lease on life with blinkers and will have come on from his Drill Hall second. He could be the most dangerous outsider over a suitable trip especially if he settles better than he did in the Drill Hall. Trainer Alec Laird and jockey Weichong Marwing will be looking for a second Gr 1 surprise at Greyville in the space of a week.

The rest of the field , No Worries, Night Trip, Ze Kaiser, Ashton Park, Halve The Deficit and Bezanova, will not be disgraced in what should be a humdinger.

Futura is tipped to beat Legislate, Willow Magic, Ice Machine and Bouclette Top.

Kochka is the class act in the Gr 3 Cup Trial over 1800m and looks well weighted, so from a good draw over a suitable trip he can use his powerful finish to mow them down and book his place in the Vodacom.

Whiteline Fever only ran out of steam late in the Gr 2 Betting Word 1900 and is now better drawn over a slightly shorter trip and has come down two points in the merit ratings.

Dynamic ran a cracker in the Betting World 1900 and can do the same here in his third run after a rest.

Punta Arenas is a resolute galloper and is used to wide draws over this sort of trip.

Dynastic Power showed his class when winning the 1900 and it would be no surprise to see him follow up as that was his first run after a layoff.

Helderberg Blue can be a contender here if able to find a handy position, although he does look a touch high in the merit ratings.

Athina is a talented Gr 1 winner over this distance but has not had an ideal preparation.

Bold Inspiration can do better than he did in the 1900 if able to stride out at a decent gallop.

The Hangman’s has shown that he can be effective over middle distances, but finding necessary cover from draw nine will be tricky.

It Is Written could surprise if enjoying a more trouble free run than he did in the 1900.

Gold Onyx, Beewithme and Wild One are likely to need their runs.

They are selected in the order mentioned.

Same Jurisdicton sauntered home when running fresh in the Flamboyant Stakes over 1600m at Greyville and could do the same in the Gr 2 Tibouchina Stakes over 1400m. This is a lot tougher field, but she oozes class and can put the bad luck of her Highveld campaign behind her. One Fine Day is drawn in pole and if she jumps well her blistering turn of foot could carry her close. Hammie’s Hooker put up a career best performance in last season’s Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes over 1600m at Greyvillle and should run a cracker in preparation for the defence of her crown, although she hasn’t enjoyed as good a preparation as last year. Jet Aglow has been livened up by blinkers and it would be no surprise to see her winning. Maybe Yes loves to get on with it and won’t be easy to catch over her probable favourite trip. Red Flame has the class to feature and Ataab and Banbury can’t be written off either.

Lineker looks the one to beat in the Listed Gatecrasher Stakes over 1400m after his impressive display on debut over 1200 and he has drawn well in three.

Ninefold could get the better of Flying Fiona and Flying Ice in the Listed Devon Air Stakes over 1400m.

Afrikaburn has had two grass gallops so should be fit enough to win the Non-Black Type Durban Dash over 1100 on the polytrack.

The third race over 1200m on the poly could be won by Grey Light, who appears to love this surface and would have come on from her eyecatching last start.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Futura (Nkosi Hlophe)

Punta Arenas (Nkosi Hlophe)

Elley duo on track

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Cape trainer Stan Elley will be hoping to cement the July places of Dynastic Power and Punta Arenas at the big Rising Sun Meeting at Greyville on Saturday. Both are top 18 incumbents in the July log and both run in the Gr 3 Cup Trial over 1800m.

Elley was confident of a good Champions Season for Dynastic Power, as he had managed to run some good races during the Cape Summer without the yard ever having had him “quite right.” The classy gelding duly won the Gr 2 betting World 1900 in his first KZN outing when given his head rounding the final bend and sustaining a strong finish throughout the straight. Punta Arenas ran on strongly for third in the same race, which was also his Champions Season opening salvo.

Elley said, “They have both come through their preparations very well and I can’t fault either. We had to give Dynastic Power a little bit of a break after the 1900, he had an abscess on one hoof, but it hasn’t set him back because both of his serious workouts in the last ten days have been very good. Punta Arenas doesn’t take as much work and is looking really nice. They should get into the July as long as they don’t run shockers. All they need is luck in running.”

Dynastic Power is drawn ten as opposed to 12 in the 1900 and Greg Cheyne remains aboard.

Punta Arenas seldom draws well and this time has to contend with draw 12 in the thirteen horse field. Ian Sturgeon keeps the ride.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Punta Arenas (Nkosi Hlophe)