Category Archives: VDJ

miracle rising nh

Miracle Rising on the up

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Paul Peter’s comments are always worth listening carefully to as he is one of the most transparent trainers in the country and of his team of five runners on Vodacom Durban July day he regards Miracle Rising as his best.

Judpot filly Miracle Rising ran in a few features while still a maiden, including the Gr 1 Alan Robertson over 1200m, and when stepped up to the 1400m last time at Scottsville she beat a well regarded sort in the Mike de Kock-trained Gain Ground. The latter then franked the form. She is now drawn five in the Gr 1 Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper over 1400m. Ian Sturgeon rides. Peter said, “She’s come on so much in work. She had a small niggle when she ran in the Allan Robertson, but she’s improved a lot since she won her maiden and I think at that price she’s definitely worth including in all exotics.”

Mogok Master (Nkosi Hlophe)

Mogok Master (Nkosi Hlophe)

Peter’s Mogok colt Mogok Master was most unlucky in the Listed Gatecrasher Stakes over 1400m last time out when his running was taken up when travelling well at the top of the straight, so he is better than his six length fifth suggests. He runs in the Gr 1 Durban Golden Horseshoe over 1400m from draw 18 with Sturgeon up and Peter said, “He’s a very nice horse. He is looking for a bit further. He’s come on a lot from that last run and is working exceptionally well, but with that bad draw he can end up in the back end of quartets.”

He runs Mod Barley in the tenth, a Compendium Insurance Brokers MR 104 Handicap over 1000m on the polytrack, and said, “He loves the poly even at work. He’s up in class but he’s a nice horse, he’s quite honest and I think he will run in the placings. Keagan de Melo knows him, he’s worked him, and he’s confident he will be right there.” He is drawn well and Peter confirmed that not only does he have plenty of early speed, but he should stay all the way to the line too as the Vaal 1200m course record holder.

He runs the talented three-year-old Dupont gelding Forest Fox in the Non-Black Type eThekwini Sprint over 1200m on the poly from a nice draw and said, “I just feel he doesn’t stay,  he just doesn’t finish his races, over a mile he moves up like a winner and then starts plodding. If he can produce his homework that field will never beat him, but he comes to the races and is a bit of a thief, he tries to get out of it. He was squeezed on the fence last time, but being Forest Fox he looks for any excuse and that was one of them.”

He runs the Just As Well gelding Just Africa in the KZN Yearling Sale Million over 1300m from draw eight and said, “He’s been working exceptionally well since we gelded him, he needed gelding, so put a line through his last run. If he gets the 1300m he will be a big runner, but it’s a 50/50 call whether he will. If it was a 1000m you could have your maximum on him, but I’m worried about 1300. He eats well and we have been able to put the work into him after his gelding. He’s fit.”

By David Thiselton

Lead Picture: Miracle Rising (Nkosi Hlophe)

VDJ betting now open: Jackpot ONE Leg 1 starts in race 5 – estimated pool R2,1million.

 

Glen Kotzen

Princess Royal the best of the bunch

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Glen Kotzen has a team of seven for Vodacom Durban July day, including three Gr 1 contenders, and he regards the yard’s Captain Al filly Princess Royal as their best runner.

Princess Royal, who is a half-sister to the Kotzen-trained four-time Gr 1-winning Equus Champion Princess Victoria, finished an unlucky one length second last time out in the Gr 1 Allan Robertson over 1200m at Scottsville when having to come around the field for a run. She is drawn six under stable jockey Greg Cheyne in Saturday’s Gr 1 Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper over 1400m and Kotzen said, “She was unlucky in the Allan Robertson, she had to check twice. But she is definitely better over further. She’s drawn six and with luck in running I think they are going to battle to beat her.”

Kotzen’s classy and versatile five-year-old Jet Master mare Jet Belle was badly hampered when finishing a 2,6 length sixth in the Gr 1 City Of Pietermaritzburg Sprint but she has a chance to make amends from draw 6 in the Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes over 1600m, which has attracted a star studded field. Kotzen said, “If it wasn’t for bad luck she would have had no luck at all in that last race and we had thought the race was there for the taking. But she’s doing well, she’s drawn well and she can turn it on. She is beautiful over a mile and I think the horse we have to beat is Carry On Alice.”

The yard run the Trippi colt Hip Hop Dancer in the Gr 1 Durban Golden Horseshoe over 1400m, and he is coming off a one length third to Star Chestnut over 1400m at Scottsville, where he over raced early. Kotzen said, “The jockey reported he was making a respiratory noise, so we scoped him, he had muck in his trachea and we put him onto a course of anti-biotics and backed off him. He’s definitely up to the task but it’s going to be tough because he’s had an interruption to his program and is drawn wide.”

They run Gone Baby Gone in the Gr 2 SABC Gold Vase over 3000m and Kotzen said, “He was touched off over 3200m in the Chairman’s at Kenlworth, but they went a crawl and sprinted for home. We’re not quite sure if he actually stays in this class off a decent pace. We are having another crack at it, he’s exceptionally well and we might change tactics and hold him back a bit to give him more chance.”

Kotzen runs “the dream filly” Royal Pleasure in the Non-Black Type KZN Yearling Sale Million over 1300m, where she is drawn 13, and he said, “She saw the course on Friday over 1300m, working with a Gr 1 horse, we thought he put up a tremendous gallop and saw out the distance.  We changed tactics in the Allan Robertson and held her up and they proved to be the wrong tactics, but she wasn’t disgraced in running fifth. She’s handicapped to win the race, she won’t have a problem with the draw because she’s quick out the gates and we think she will see out the trip.”

They run the progressive three-year-old Royal Air Force filly Cathy Specific in the second race, a MR 84 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1400m on the polytrack, and Kotzen said, “It’s a big weight for a three-year-old but she’s very classy, she’s a lovely filly, she’s working incredibly well.”

The yard’s talented three-year-old Jet Master colt Light The Lights runs in the Gr 3 tabGold 2200 from draw six under Piere Strydom. Kotzen has always believed he is looking for this trip and said, “His biggest problem is that he’s a colt, he would be a better horse if we gelded him, but with blinkers on his work has been spot on and maybe he is now concentrating instead of trying to get out of it. We are going to hopefully see a different horse at the track.”

By David Thiselton

Picture: Glen Kotzen

VDJ betting now open: Pick 6 starts in Race 4 – estimated pool R12million.

Same Jurisdiction (Nkosi Hlophe)

Same Jurisdiction to overcome her draw

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KZN Champion trainer Duncan Howells believes his star filly, Same Jurisdiction, only has the draw to beat in the Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes over 1600m on Vodacom Durban July day. He has other fair chances on the day too, despite having generally enjoyed no luck with barrier positions.

Same Jurisdiction ran on strongly in the Gr 2 Tibouchina Stakes over 1400m at Greyville last time out, also from a wide draw, to be beaten 0,5 lengths by Garden Province contender Hammie’s Hooker. However, she was carrying a 2kg Gr 1 penalty compared to Hammie’s 1kg Gr 2 penalty, so she will effectively be 1kg better off on Saturday in this weight for age race. Furthermore, Howells said she had needed that run and had “improved tenfold” since.

He said, “Her workouts have been exceptional and if she overcomes the draw she will win.”

Anton Marcus retains the ride and they jump from draw 14 in a classy field of 15.

Howells’ other Gr 1 contender on the day is the Elusive Fort filly Lauderdale who runs in the Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper over 1400m. Last time out over the course and distance she ran one wide in a handy position and found another gear halfway down the straight to fly home and be beaten just 0,35 lengths in the Listed Devon Air Stakes. However, the form of that race is not looking too good at present.

Howells said, “We fancied her to just about win last time (despite 12/1 odds). She is above average and is well in herself but has the draw to overcome.”

Howells has three runners in the Gr 2 SABC Gold Vase over 3000m. Crime Victim comes off a facile win over 1950m in a Winter Challenge final at Scottsville. However, he is 0,5kg worse off with Solid Speed from a Greyville 2400m race in which the latter beat him by 2,25 lengths. He was slightly baulked in that race, before staying on strongly so should stay the trip despite his pedigree, suggesting he is not a certainty too. He has the advantage of a pole position draw and S’Manga Khumalo aboard so this resolute galloper could be a big runner.

Howells said, “All three of the runners will see out the trip. Crime Victim is exceptionally well and has improved a lot since his last outing. Beewithmee (drawn 6 Donovan Dillon rides) was a bit disappointing last time but stays well so we are taking our chances and he has improved in his workouts in the last couple of weeks. Roc N’ Rose (draw 13 Warren Kennedy rides) has a nice galloping weight and I think her last couple of races can be ignored due to the very slow pace in both. I think she is crying for this extra distance.”

Howells runs Right Approach three-year-old gelding Easy Lover from draw 11 out of 16 in the Listed Canon Business centre Handicap over 1600m and confirmed that as a horse who likes to find cover he is not the type that is suited to wide draws. He added, “He is well in himself and consistent, so as he is quite well weighted we are taking a chance. He is capable of running in the first four, but the draw could be his undoing. I think he is looking for a bit further now, but he is coming off a break and running fresh so should enjoy the 1600m.”

The yard run the Lateral filly Trini’s Colateral in the Non-Black Type KZN Yearling Sale Million over 1300m and Howells said, “She’s a nice filly but it’s difficult from the draw. It’s a once off race so we have to take our chances. She will enjoy the extra 100m and if she overcomes the draw she is set to run in the first four.”

By David Thiselton

Picture: Same Jurisdiction (Nkosi Hlophe)

VDJ betting now open: Pick 6 starts in Race 4 – estimated pool R12million.

 

Pine Princess (Nkosi Hlophe)

Support for Pine Princess

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The Mike de Kock-trained Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks winner and Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 runner up Pine Princess appeared to be one of the most backed horses for the July over the weekend.

One on course bookmaker at Greyville commented, “They haven’t stopped coming for her”, although others said they had not been affected by the move.

The filly has shortened with Betting World from 22/1 into 18/1.

The Mike Bass-trained Helderberg Blue and the Sean Tarry-trained Tamaanee also enjoyed support at long odds and both shortened from 50/1 into 40/1.

Joint-second favourites Majmu and Futura both drifted slightly from 4/1 to 9/2.

The Conglomerate, who was a single figure price after his impressive Gr 2 KRA Guineas win, has drifted continuously since then due to support for the like of Legal Eagle and French Navy, and he then landed the widest draw of 20 on Tuesday. He put in one of the most eyecatching gallops at Greyvillle on Thursday, but this didn’t stop him drifting again from 16/1 to 18/1.

Dynastic Power drifted out from 55/1 to 66/1 and Gold Onyx is now the biggest outsider, drifting from 66/1 to 75/1.

The favourite Legal Eagle remains firm at 5/2.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Pine Princess (Nkosi Hlophe)

VDJ betting now open: Pick 6 starts in Race 4 – estimated pool R12million.

Bass in a confident mood

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Mike Bass was bullish of his Vodacom Durban July chances after landing the exact draw he had wanted for his good looking gelding Helderberg Blue. He also has a strong hand in the Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes where he runs Hammie’s Hooker and Inara.

Bass envisaged that from a draw of eight, which is likely to be seven when the second reserve runner comes out, Helderberg Blue would be able to relax in the early stages, while the horses on the inside were rushing to hold their positions and the horses on the outside were unsettled as their jockeys attempted to slot them in.

His four-year-old Jet Master gelding ideally likes to be handy as he is capable of quickening from close to the pace and is then able to stay on resolutely. He has always been well regarded but is a nervous horse and as a youngster often used to run his race before the start.

However, the outstanding horsemanship of the three-times July-winning trainer and the care provided by his professional team have now converted him into a horse who, according to Bass, is now “almost normal.” Helderberg Blue’s new best friend is the recently retired Epic Tale, who accompanies him to the track every morning to keep him calm.

Bass believes the decision to raise Helderberg Blue 12 points for his J&B Met third-place finish was ridiculous, but his charge has now come down three points and has snuck into the handicap with a nice galloping weight of 53,5kg. He will be 4,5kg better off for a 2,35 length beating by Futura in the Met, so has a chance on paper.

He showed improvement in his last start, when fourth in the Gr 3 Cup Trial over 1800m, and is not only two points lower now but will also peak at just the right time. Grant van Niekerk, who went within a hair’s breadth of victory on the outsider Smanjemanje in his July debut in 2012, has his third ride in the big race, having been an unlucky fifth on the filly In The Fast Lane last year.

Bass’ top class Trippi mare Hammie’s Hooker put up a career best performance in last year’s Garden Province Stakes, when getting within 0,75 lengths of the great Beach Beauty, with the rest of a top class field strung out like the washing. Bass said she had been an easier horse to train this year, as she had matured and was a lot stronger, so she should be able to repeat that run from last year. She has drawn in pole position this year, as opposed to last year’s tough barrier position of nine out of ten.

Furthermore, one of the main dangers, Same Jurisdiction, whom she beat last time out by 0,5 lengths when defending her crown in the Gr 2 Tibouchina Stakes over 1400m at Greyville, is drawn wide out in 14. On the downside Same Jurisdiction carried a Gr 1 penalty of 2kg in the Tibouchina, compared to Hammie’s Hooker’s Gr 2 penalty of 1kg, whereas the Garden Province is a pure weight for age race. Furthermore, Bass believes Hammies’ optimum trip is 1400m although he added that she was “fine” with 1600m. Regular pilot Bernard Fayd’Herbe holds the Trippi mare in high regard and knows her well.

Inara (Liesl King)

Inara (Liesl King)

Inara scoped a bit dirty after her disappointing fifth in the Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 and Bass also believed she was not “comfortable” over the 2000m trip. She followed up her victory in the Gr 1 Maine Chance Farms Paddock Stakes over 1800m with a win  in the Gr 1 Klawervlei Majorca Stakes over 1600m. She had earlier finished second to the mighty Majmu in one of the best form races of the season, the Gr 1 Avontuur Estate Cape Fillies Guineas, so 1600m does look to be her optimum trip. Bass said she was currently fine and would be competitive. She likely needed her run when staying on strongly for second in the Gr 2 KRA Fillies Guineas and should be at her peak now in her third run after a layoff. She has a fine turn of foot and is a big runner from draw seven under Van Niekerk.

The yard also run Mountain Master in the Gr 3 tabGold 2200 and Equity Kicker in the eTHekwini Sprint over 1200m on the polytrack.

Mountain Master is drawn wide but if repeating his fifth place finish in the Gr 2 Betting World 1900 he could have a chance, considering he is now two points lower in the merit ratings.

Equity Kicker was only 3,2 lengths back in the Gr 2 Post Merchants over 1200m, despite being about 3kg under sufferance. He is not well treated at the weights in the eThekwini either. However, he has a plum draw of six and has already proven, like most Trippis, that he enjoys the poly.

By David Thiselton

 

Gallops were a success

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Seventeen horses, including the two reserve runners for next Saturday’s Vodacom Durban July, were given little more than exercise gallops at Greyville this morning. The July gallops are a condition of entry and a large crowd turned out in some very balmy winter weather to watch their big race fancies in action. However, at this stage of their preparation most are fully wound up and not much can be read into the gallops although there were a few standouts.

Wylie Hall (Nkosi Hlophe)

Wylie Hall (Nkosi Hlophe)

Top weight Futura looked a picture in the paddock and although asked to do very little by big race rider Sean Cormack, he strode out beautifully and he looks fine tuned for next Saturday.

The Conglomerate was an enthusiastic worker on the poly and pulled Anton Marcus through nicely. The Aussie-bred colt has it all to do from 20 draw and apprentice Chad Schofield will be given a baptism of fire in what is often a rough race. However, Schofield will have two rides in preceding races to give him a feel for the track.

Mike de Kock’s two fillies, Majmu and Pine Princess, moved smoothly on the poly track and look in prime condition.

The Conglomerate (Nkosi Hlophe)

The Conglomerate (Nkosi Hlophe)

Mike Bass sent out Helderbeg Blue in cheek pieces for the first time as the gelding can be something of a handful. “I sent him out for a walk in them yesterday and he seemed Ok so we will see how he goes in them today.” The gelding worked up nicely alongside companion Night Trip in what was a pleasing bit of work.

Ice Machine was one of the few runners to be given a good workout. Donovan Dillion, who has his first ride in the race, sent Charles Laird’s runner from the 1400 m mark and worked the last 400m in a solid 21.51 seconds.

Wylie Hall moved smoothly under his big race rider Bernard Fayd’Herbe without being asked to extend and Weiho Marwing was all smiles after the gallop.

The fastest 400m to finish time was set by Marwing’s reserve runner Mac De Lago who clocked 21.34 secs under Fayd’Herbe. He also set the quickest 800m to finish time with stable companion Fulcrum in tow.

By Andrew Harrison

Pictures

  1. Halve The Deficit (Nkosi Hlophe)
  2. Wylie Hall (Nkosi Hlophe)
  3. The Conglomerate (Nkosi Hlophe)
The Conglomerate (Nkosi Hlophe)

Media Release: Vodacom Durban July Gallops

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The official July Gallops at Greyville in Durban today were once again a successful lead-up to the R3.5-million Vodacom Durban July in just over a week’s time and the one thing that stood out was that all 17 of the horses that galloped looked to be in top racing trim.

A good crowd gathered at the central Durban venue for the early morning exercise looking comforted in the chilly morning area by the hot coffee and sticky buns and enjoyed watching the magnificent animals put through their paces.

Very little was gleaned from the morning’s events as few of the big-race candidates were asked to do more than a moderate gallop and a few hardly did more than a canter. But there were some that were allowed to step up the pace and the quickest of them was the big-race second reserve Mac De Mago from the Wieho Marwing stable. The three-year-old colt, that finished second to The Conglomerate in the KRA Guineas, was allowed to really stretch his legs and posted the fastest time from both the 800m and 400m marks, stopping the clock for the final distance in 21.34 secs.

As presenter Kevin Shea remarked “I’d like to see him in the race.”

Also putting in good finishing times were the Charles Laird-trained Ice Machine that covered the final 400m on the turf in 21.51 secs. On the polytrack, the Mike de Kock filly Pine Princess clocked 21.6 secs and The Conglomerate was timed at 21.99 secs.

On individual looks, there was nothing to touch the star Dynasty colt Futura. He looked magnificent and while he was not asked to do much his mere presence and the way he went about his work left one with the impression that in spite of carrying top weight of 60kg – no winner of the race has carried more than 58kg since Monteith that shouldered 59kg in 1944 – he will still be a massive runner in this race.

Trainer Justin Snaith was not happy that the runners had been forced to gallop right on the outside of the track but appeared happy with his charge’s work while jockey Sean Cormack said it was a super gallop. Kevin Shea, now retired and a presenter at the meeting, was of the opinion that in spite of the weight, Futura would be a “massive runner”.

Trainer De Kock’s two fillies, Majmu and Pine Princess, both worked on the polytrack and he was happy with both of them. They were allowed to speed up and after Majmu’s work Shea said it gave one “goose bumps” just watching her beautiful action.

De Kock said in a brief interview after the gallops that the minor setback Majmu had experienced which led to her withdrawal from the Woolavington 2000 had not had any effect on the filly’s preparation and in fact might have been a good thing as she ran well when fresh.

Anthony Delpech let Pine Princess stretch out in the finishing straight and as she had appeared keen to get on with it early, she enjoyed really stretching her legs and put up a very good gallop.

The Conglomerate from the Joey Ramsden stable put up an impressive gallop, quickening up well in the straight. He has a nice action and stretched out well and Ramsden said he was happy with the work. He added that colt had been given a gallop at Summerveld before going to Greyville and when asked about the 20 draw he said it did not trouble him and it may be in the colt’s favour.

Marwing’s principal runner in the race, Wylie Hall, impressed with the manner of his work. He led the gallop from companion Isobar with his head tucked in early and displaying an air of confidence. He just got on with the job and strode out beautifully in the straight and looked magnificent.

When Deputy Judd from the Mike Azzie stable strode out in his gallop it would have taken many back some 37 years to when the orange with black crossed sashes and orange sleeves colours he sported were carried by one of the greatest horses in South Africa racing, the mighty Politician. The three-year-old Judpot colt looked outstanding which is a hallmark of the Azzie stable and he worked like he knew he had a major mission to complete.

Azzie said afterwards that the colt was a very laid back individual but he had come on a lot since coming to KwaZulu-Natal and he was “In the play.”

Also working well was Power King from the Dean Kannemeyer stable. He worked with stayer Solid Speed and was kept under a tight hold but had a presence about him which suggested we could see a very special performance from him in the big one in 10 days’ time.

Punta Arenas appeared to work better than Dynamic Power for trainer Stan Elley but both showed they were in top form as did the other runners Helderberg Blue, Tamaanee, Gold Onyx, Halve The Deficit and Dynamic.

The big race favourite Legal Eagle worked with Sean Tarry stable companion French Navy in a recorded gallop on the Highveld along with the Geoff Woodruff-trained Tellina. All three appeared to be working well in the less than perfect film but little could be extracted from the exercise other than they looked fit and well.

Picture: The Conglomerate (Nkosi Hlophe)

futura nkosi hlophe gallop

Snaith confident

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Justin Snaith yesterday dismissed suggestions that second favourite Futura will have problems staying the trip under 60kg in a true-run Vodacom Durban July.

He said: “I have no doubts whatsoever about the horse’s stamina. Indeed if he wasn’t so good that he is in the July he would be running in the Gold Cup.”

The doubts were raised by Sporting Post editor Karel Miedema in last week’s paper when he said: “If I had to take a guess from the pedigree, and also considering Futura’s efforts to date, I’d say he could have a problem with stamina in a true-run 2 200m July carrying top weight.”

Miedema, one of the most knowledgeable people in South African racing, also made the point that Futura’s 120 merit rating has been gained in a succession of slow run races, adding: “Horses just do not improve as much as Futura’s jump from 106 to 120 suggests.

“Last year’s July was the second slowest in the last 20 years, this year’s Queen’s Plate the slowest and this year’s Met the third slowest.”

Snaith also has doubts about the ratings but not just concerning Futura, saying: “The ratings of horses in this country are so elevated it’s frightening. The handicappers seem to think we produce champion after champion every year.

“But I don’t think Futura is the only badly handicapped horse in the race. Majmu, off 55k and giving a Derby winner a kilo, is a big ask – indeed just as much of a big ask as Futura with 60kg.”

By Michael Clower

Picture: Futura (Nkosi Hlophe) 

futura gallop grey april

Don’t miss the July Gallops

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See all the stars in action at the annual Vodacom Durban July gallops at Greyville from 07:00 on Thursday morning, June 25.

A condition or entry for South Africa’s premier horserace is participation in the July Gallops where the big race contenders will gallop on their own or with a companion for the public to view their action and state of well-being. The gallops will be timed and a commentary given of each performance with the performance times broadcast on course.

After the gallops a discussion panel will be held at the course featuring prominent racing personalities and to counter the early morning chill buns and hot coffee will be served free of charge for those attending.

For those unable to attend the gallops it will be televised live on Tellytrack DSTV 239 from 7am.

For those wishing to watch the gallops in more comfort, a special breakfast at R65 per head will be available in the Durban View Room on the morning.

Contact Gail on 031 3141780 for more information.

Picture: Futura (Nkosi Hlophe)

Dennis Drier (Nkosi Hlophe)

Drier sending out his big guns

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Dennis Drier has a Vodacom Durban July day string of ten horses and two reserves and the master trainer is likely to turn them out in tip top condition.

His Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes contender Jet Aglow put is some decent work on the beach sand on Tuesday under stable jockey Sean Cormack and if repeating her best runs could be in the shake up, despite the race being packed with class. The yard were caught off guard by the blinkers sharpening her up so much in the Gr 1 City Of Pietermartzburg Sprint that she led them over a too sharp 1200m, before finishing a respectable fifth.

However, she then duly over raced in the Gr 2 Tibouchina over 1400m last time out and the blinkers have now been removed. She was an unlucky two length third in the Gr 1 Laurie Jaffe Empress Club Stakes over 1600m last season, when forced to go for home too early, and if repeating that sort of form could be a contender, although she does not have an easy draw of ten.

The jury are out on whether Drier’s  ultra impressive Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion winner Seventh Plain will stay the 1400m trip in the Gr 1 Golden Horseshoe, but they believe he will due to his very relaxed manner of running. He certainly wasn’t stopping at the line in the Medallion and from a plum draw of four he will be the horse to beat.

The yard are expecting their Horse Chestnut filly Chestnuts and Pearls to appreciate the step up in trip from 1200m to 1400m in the Gr 1 Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper. She was disadvantaged by a high draw in the Gr 1 Allan Roberston over 1200m at Scottsville last time, but will still have to show plenty of improvement to feature here, although there is always that possibility for two-year-olds. She is drawn well in seven.

The yard run Firewood in the first race on the poly over a suitable 1400m. They describe him as a “nice little horse who has to be competitive here.”  The form of his last race when a one length third to the promising Master James over 1600m on turf has worked out well and he could appreciate a return to the course and distance of his last win from a plum draw.

Their newly acquired stayer J’s Outsider had to come around horses from last in the Gr 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup over 2400m last time and didn’t go through with, but the yard said he had needed that run and had definitely improved since then. He won the Gr 2 Gold Bowl over 3200m at Turffontein before that so will appreciate the 3000m trip of the Gr 2 SABC Gold Vase on July day and is well drawn in three. However, he is 4,5kg worse off for a 2,5 length beating of Heart Of A Lion from the Gold Bowl, so will have a tougher task and the latter also proved his liking for Greyville last time when running on well for third in the Lonsdale.

Drier runs Barbosa and Balkan in the tenth race, a MR 104 handicap over 1000m on the polytrack and the yard are bullish about the chances of Barbosa, despite him having to carry topweight. Assistant trainer Stuart Ferrie said, “He ran a cracker last time (sixth in the Tsogo Sun Sprint) and has a big shout. He likes to race handy and should enjoy the poly.”

Balkan doesn’t have it easy up against the boys in her second run after a layoff. However, she was raised only two points for her win over 1000m on J&B Met day and the form of that race has worked out well.

Drier runs Generalissimo, Triptique and Beckedorf in the Non-Black Type Ethekwini Sprint over 1200m on the poly. Generalissimo put in some eyecatching work on the beach sand on Tuesday and should be spot on for this race.

He had to stand for an age in the stalls before the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint, which blunted his normally excellent gate speed, and before that he won in facile fashion over this course and distance. He is now six points higher in the merit ratings, but is the yard elect and Cormack rides from a fair draw.

Triptique is an imposing and impressive individual and was a touch unlucky last time out over 1000m on the poly, which was his first outing since winning three Kenilworth 1200m events in succession.

Ian Sturgeon rides from a tricky draw, but despite being six points higher since his last win he is not fully exposed and has a definite chance. Beckedorf is ten points lower in the merit ratings after two below par runs in Cape Town, so is quite an interesting contender. This is his first outing since, but the yard describe him as a “nice horse who is fit and well.”

By David Thiselton

Picture: Dennis Drier (Nkosi Hlophe)