A competitive card faces punters in the inside track at Turffontein today with a number of riddles that they will have to solve.

The first leg of the PA is one such race. Although only six runners are due to line up, it is a useful field of fillies, all six in with chances.

Palace Of Dreams has some smart form but does look a tricky ride and Diego de Gouveia, back from a short stint in Mauritius, takes over from Callan Murray on Mike de Kock’s runner. Earmuffs suggest that Palace Of Dreams is a tricky ride and the fact that Murray has opted for stable companion Virtuosa, a maiden winner last outing, adds to the puzzle. Take into account that neither Murray nor De Gouveia can get anywhere near the 52.5kg required of the third De Kock runner, Mabella, and you have another piece to fit in.

Virtuosa was a very easy maiden winner after a string of good showings in the maidens and jockey bookings suggest that she is the preferred stable runner but Mabella was sent out an odds-on favourite last start but never threatened. Add Geoff Woodruff’s filly Wild Date into the mix, who is way better than her last showing, and you have an equation that even Sheldon Cooper of the Big Bang Theory would have trouble deciphering.

In the opening leg of the Pick 6 Gary Alexander appears to have a smart filly in Mount Laurel, unbeaten in three appearances and has improved with each start. Alexander has stepped her up gradually from 1000m on debut to 1200m and 1450m, winning easier every time. The extra furlong should suit. She could feature as your Pick 6 banker on a tricky card – at least you would know your fate early. Dangers are Youcanthurrylove, who has come good of late and Bohica whose last effort is best ignored. She has won over course and distance and can feature prominently.

From here on the going gets more difficult. There should not be much between Lone Survivor and Sea Air in the fourth but the latter is 1 kg worse off for a half-length beating. But Sea Air has recently been gelded and can come on from that showing and reveres the form. Captain Flynt has only been out of the money once in eight starts and with a light weight and a good draw, is not out of it.

Exion in the fifth can add to Paul Peter’s growing tally and young Luke Ferraris takes over from a suspended Warren Kennedy. Exion has been close up in all three starts, has drawn well and should make a bold bid. Crank It Up goes this trip for the first time which should suit and this is his third run after a break and should strip cherry-ripe. Blue Flute appeals as an upset chance.

The sixth is possibly a ‘field’ race for the exotics but Ikigai has shown up well in his to post maiden runs. He was finishing off nicely at his last start and Strydom should suit. Riverstown, Mawsool and Green Laser at top of a long list of possible winners.

Before the Dawn has yet to finish out of the money for Ashleigh Fortune and the daughter of Oratorio is re-united with apprentice Tajesh Jaglall who piloted her to her last two wins. Gallic Princess, Soul Of Wit and Tigermil are others to consider.

Miss Kalifa can round off the afternoon for Corne Spies. She came from a long way back for second She has been in fair form since her last win but the drop in trip is a concern. Rosalina has found market support at her last two and has a chance in a difficult race while Black Tie met much stronger last run. She had shown some promise before that. Add Cosmic Mist two your list and you have another tricky hurdle to jump.

By Andrew Harrison

From desperately dry to desperately wet within a week. The weather patterns in KZN are so changeable these days that a senior weather forecaster has admitted that even three-day forecasts can be dodgy.

Racing is scheduled for the turf at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday but punters are advised to keep an eye on the weather as a switch to the poly track is a distinct possibility should any more rain add to the 119mm recorded over the past week.

The wet will also have affected training schedules but the Summerveld poly track will have been in high demand this past week.

Mark Dixon holds three high cards for the Pinnacle Stakes that heads the programme where Silent Crusade can confirm that she is a contender for South Africa’s Champions Season that starts in May next year.

Dixon has gone easy on the daughter of Crusade, as she has only her ninth start in two seasons, but she has kicked off the current term on the right note, although Keagan de Melo may disagree.

Parting company with Silent Crusade at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last month will still be fresh in De Melo’s mind. It was a fearful fall and a miracle that he escaped serious injury.

De Melo was back on board the filly at her next start where he rode a cracking finish on the favourite. Tracking the pace, Silent Crusade shifted into top gear 400m out but didn’t look at all comfortable as she hung out and seemingly not too keen to go on with her effort. But De Melo kept hard at her and she gamely held off a charging phalanx headed by Generous Lady and Exclusive Quantity.

That was only her second outing since a break and given the weights and some further improvement she does rate the horse to beat.

Generous Lady will be in opposition again and she followed up that outing with a close-up seventh in a tough handicap against males, beaten under two lengths by GG’s Dynasty.

However, she is 0.5kg worse off with Silent Crusade and although she has the better draw, she does look held.

Michael Roberts, who shares a ring at Summerveld with Dixon, will know exactly what he is up against as he saddles Statute, the fill sister to Vodacom Durban July winner Legislate. The daughter of Dynasty is in good form of late and with a light weight should be competitive. The Dixon-trained She’s A Dream got it all together with a tongue-tie last start. She has ability and also has a light weight.  Apprentice Ashton Arries comes out of his time shortly and a win will boost his confidence before he faces the reality of free-lance riding.

 Anton Marcus is back in the hunt for the best rides after a lengthy spell on the sidelines and he was quickly on the phone to Duncan Howells for the ride on High Voltage in the first.

At first glance the form may looks a little patchy but if one takes into account that he has some useful feature company form and is still a maiden, Marcus appears to have picked another plum even though Howells is of the opinion that the 1000m may be a touch on the short side.

By Andrew Harrison

Aldo Domeyer has a real chance of starting what should be a rewarding day with victory in the first three races at Kenilworth tomorrow.

He starts off with Academic Gold for Andre Nel whose horses are in tremendous form and whose Cape Town strike rate of 15.9% is bettered only by Brett Crawford and Dennis Drier. 

The filly has already been backed from 3-1 to 19-10 favourite and she was unlucky not to win last time. She was beaten only a fifth of a length after becoming unbalanced when she and American Prayer bumped 100m out.

American Prayer finished 2.3 lengths farther back and it was her first run so she might well have come on enough to reverse the placings. She rates the main danger and is a big price at 7-1, particularly with Bernard Fayd’Herbe in the irons.

On Captain’s Side (13-2) is the highest-rated of the four that have been given a mark but Queen Of Quiet (28-10) has been knocking at the door and represents the blistering form of the Justin Snaith-Richard Fourie combination. Also worth noting is the Drier-trained 6-1 shot Two For Tea who finished first in a barrier trial at Scottsville and started odds-on when fourth on debut there. Newcomer Sing Out Loud does not seem particularly fancied at 17-2 and, being by Dynasty, she might need a bit further.

The next three of Domeyer’s rides are for his old boss Candice Bass-Robinson whose horses are taking time to hit their usual form this season but the stable has averaged almost a winner a meeting over the last six and many of the runners are beginning to have a should-win-next-time look about them.

That certainly applies to Turn It Up Harvey in the A Whole New World Maiden. This gelding has been second in his last two and is rated ten points clear of the three other rated runners. Unfortunately some punters have already had a bite at this particular cherry and he has gone from evens to 13-20.  Tillieangus (4-1) would need to have improved and the Nel-trained 11-2 newcomer Warrior Bling rates the danger.

Domeyer’s mount Joy Maisha is 17-10 favourite for the Ain’t Misbehaving Maiden (how refreshing to see a new approach with the race names) and her last run was better than the bare form might suggest because she was tightened for galloping room shortly after leaving the pens. According to the handicappers, who have taken the interference into account, the Argentinian-bred filly is no better than Snaith’s Whisky Tango and only half a kilo superior to her own stable companion Reef Knot. But Domeyer may make the difference.

Our old pal General Franco goes in the next after being dropped three points for that lacklustre effort in the Cape Classic. Some punters are still waiting for him to go off in front but here he looks too short at 4-1 and is best watched.

By Michael Clower

The World Sports Betting International Jockey Challenge, supported by Sun International and Air Mauritius, takes centre stage at Turffontein this weekend. The big names such as Dettori and Moore may be missing but the international team is made up of some tremendous riders who have proven themselves in the international arena.

Brazilian-born João Moreira was a relatively unknown when still riding in Singapore and part of the visiting International Team of that year, but rode tremendous races on some decidedly moderate horses to help the internationals to their first win. Any anyone who took notice will have made a bundle on Moreira in his first season in Hong Kong.

Given that the four challenge races are lowly handicaps, punters should be wary of the likely outcomes, but the riders will be giving it their all and with the internationals having nothing to go on besides the formbook and trainer’s instructions, their professionalism will be to the fore. There is the old maxim, of “good jockeys don’t need instructions and bad jockeys don’t listen anyway,” so we are in for a great afternoon’s entertainment.

The first leg of the International Jockey Challenge – good riders and not so good horses – could see the visitors off to a big start. Gelding appears to have been the key to Mike and Adam Azzie’s Al Borak who made good improvement first up after the unkindest cut of all. Although drawn wide, Haley Turner can get the internationals off to a flying start along with Fran Norton on What A Joker and International captain Rab Havlin on Jackman.

In the next leg, Starlight Express is a dangerous front runner and is much better drawn than in her last two and seasoned international Martin Dwyer rides for Geoff Woodruff. Local riders could come to the fore with Kirkconnels Lass. She does not have the best of the draw but S’Manga Khumalo has been riding like a man possessed of late. Seven Seas, with South African captain Muzi Yeni aboard, showed up well in his handicap debut when taking on stronger. He is lightly raced from a strong from a strong stable.

The third leg is a wide-open handicap. Bockscar is not the easiest ride but is having his third run after a lay-off and was doing his best work late last time out. The blinkers go on to an old soldier and Gavin Lerena can record the first win for the SA team. Biggest threat could come from the Fran Norton ridden Barron Rooney although this is a seriously difficult handicap to sort.

The final leg of the International Jockey Challenge is another puzzle but St John Gray looks to have a live contender for Haley Turner who is no stranger to the Turffontein winner’s circle. At Hand is in the right space, three runs after a lengthy break, and can get the better of the De Kock’s runner Hellofaride that obliged second time out. He should be progressive in a modest field but it is never easy first time out of the maidens.

The first two juvenile races of the current season make up the first two races on the card where the betting could prove your best guide, while the R1 million Monaco Sprint for maidens kick’s off the Pick 6 but wily trainer Mike de Kock appears to have saved a plum for the winner’s cheque and Battleoftrafalgar looks the ‘right one’.

By Andrew Harrison

Aldo Domeyer could be the jockey to follow at Kenilworth on Saturday particularly if – as expected – the extra sharpness he showed on his brief visit here in the Hong Kong close season in July is repeated.

The former Cape champion rides in seven of the eight races and his mounts include three Candice Bass-Robinson trained favourites – Turn It Up Harvey, Joy Maisha and Constable – as well as two second favourites.

Richard Fourie is also on three favourites – Queen Of Quiet, Sleeping Single, and Bayberry – and he rides for Justin Snaith in every one of the eight races. Bernard Fayd’Herbe also has a full card and, while Dynastic Light in race five is his only favourite, he also partners three second favourites.

Anton Marcus has taken five rides and, although none are favourite in the early betting, Proclaimer and Quintay are both second favourites. Quintay, trained by his nephew Adam, is the only non-Ridgemont-owned of the quintet.

By Michael Clower

There has been a recent changing of the guard at Dean Kannemeyer’s Summerveld satellite yard with long-time assistant Barbara Badenhorst, now Mrs Warren Kennedy, electing to sign up with her brother Wayne.

With seasoned trainer Alistair Gordon calling it a day at the end of the month to join Bloodstock South Africa on a full-time basis, Nicolette Roscoe, Gordon’s long-time assistant, has moved to fill Badenhorst’s shoes and Roscoe had a good first day at the office at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday.

The afternoon didn’t start to brightly as Warren Kennedy finally got the best out of the ever threatening Opensea in the card opener in which many thought was over a distance too short. But Opensea was not short of pace and making the running, Kennedy pinching a break at the top of the straight and Opensea kept firing to the line with the well-backed Lundy’s Lad not quite up to the challenge.

Keagan De Melo may have had to swallow the bitter pill of second in the first but in spite of escaping serious injury after an horrific fall at Scottsville last month, he has lost none of his ‘bottle’.

The Kannemeyer-trained Kapen Pride was well-back turning for home and apparently going nowhere in the fifth, but De Melo eased him off the heels of race favourite Noble Joshua, taking the gap between the favourite and race leader Pollard and punching hands-and-heels to a smart win yet narrow win.

De Melo had to work for his Kannemeyer crust in the seventh to get race favourite, Joseph Jagger home ahead of stable companion Slew City. Donovan Dillon appeared to have pinched a winning lead on the less fancied of the stable runners, but De Melo managed to extract a final burst down the ‘golden highway’ – outside of the Greyville poly track as Anton Marcus likes to refer to it – to catch Slew City in the shadow of the post.

Dennis Drier has kept faith in Escape Club and the five-year-old mare repaid in kind running as a smart winner of the sixth. Connect Me, going the trip for the first time, looked home-and-hosed inside the last furlong. But her rider seemed to get himself into a right tangle allowing Escape Club to live up to her name as she barrelled home down the ‘highway’ under stable rider Sean Veale.

Warren Kennedy is slowly but surely tightening his grip on his first national jockey’s title. At this early stage of the season he went into yesterday’s meeting 26 winner’s clear of nearest rival Greg Cheyne and extended that to 28 after he rode a clever race on Opensea in the card opener and a more comfortable win on odds-on favourite Down To Earth in the fourth.

By Andrew Harrison

African Warrior, ante-post favourite for both the Concorde Cup and the Cape Merchants at Kenilworth on Saturday week, will stick to his own age group in the mile race.

Dean Kannemeyer said yesterday: “African Warrior runs in the Concorde. I placed him well in Durban and then really exposed him for the first time in the Matchem. He was badly drawn but it was a fantastic run and I think his best performance so far, fifth behind horses like One World.

“He had good workout round the turn at Kenilworth before the first race last Saturday. Keagan de Melo rode him and he did pacework from the 1 400. He went well and I was pleased with him.

“I think he should get the mile of the Concorde, being by Vercingetorix out of a Jet Master mare. He is tough and sound and, although only small, he is as hard as a rock.”

Kannemeyer won the Concorde’s predecessor, the Selangor, six times in his first nine years as a trainer. “That was a long time ago – they still had black and white movies in those days,” he quipped but he also has Premiers Champion runner-up Liberty Hall, Seventh Gear and Sir Michael in the race.

“Seventh Gear will probably participate but, although I haven’t made a decision yet, it might come a little bit too soon for Liberty Hall. He had a slight travel sickness when he arrived back from Durban so we were a bit slow getting him going again and I gave him a run in a handicap up the straight on Tuesday last week.”

African Night Sky will have his first race since changing stables, and starting favourite for Justin Snaith in last year’s Vodacom Durban July, in the Cape Merchants. He then damaged a tendon, reportedly in transit from Durban, and this will be his first start for Kannemeyer.

The Milnerton trainer, who won the Merchants with 25-1 shock Honour The Guest 16 years ago, said: “We are trying to get African Night Sky ready for the Sun Met. He has had two grass gallops – he went to Durbanville and on Tuesday last week he did 800m pacework at Kenilworth. We will see how he comes out of the Merchants and take it from there.”

By Michael Clower

Anton Marcus makes the long trip to the Vaal tomorrow with one mission in mind – making sure that Hawwaam passes his test at the starting stalls.

Mike de Kock’s colt has always had temperament issues, boiling over in the paddock before the SA Derby and having to be scratched, and famously blowing his chances in the Vodacom Durban July after kicking the back gate and being withdrawn by the course vet.

De Kock said over the weekend that a lot of work has since gone into reschooling the colt and hopefully it will all pay off tomorrow.

Hawwaam contests a Pinnacle Plate over 1200m, a distance well short of his optimum trip, but he has suffered only a single reverse in a career spanning seven starts over distances from 1400m to 2000m.

The colt is a rare talent when his behaviour does not get the better of him and top class horses sprint and stay. Hawwaam should have too much class, even for a smart field of sprinters that are in opposition and the 2-1 offered by Track & Ball in the ante-post market look generous. De Kock, Marcus and a host of supporters will be relieved once the gates open and Hawwaam gets away on terms.

The opposition includes last season’s Gr1 Golden Horseshoe winner Chimichurri Run and should Hawwaam be caught out for what ever reason, Sean Tarry’s colt is there to pick up the pieces. He was on offer at 22-10 in the opening call with bookmakers obviously expecting him to give Hawwaam a race. Chimichurri Run has had the benefit of a pipe-opener, finishing under a length back to Prince Of Kahal in the Jo’burg Spring Challenge, so he will strip race-ready.

Rebel’s Champ (7-2) – is the only other runner in single figures – and Will Pays (12-1) are smart sprinters in their own right, but in spite of his lay-off and the 62kg on his back, Hawwaam should be difficult to beat, given that he does not blow the start.

Tarry gives three of his top runners their first run of the season in the International Jockey’s Challenge 16 November Pinnacle Stakes over 1400m. Celtic Sea, Return Flight and the mare Desert Rhythm are all smart performers but Celtic Sea looks the pick and will start at cramped odds.

She ended last season with wins in the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint over 1200m and Gr1 Garden Province Stakes over 1600m on Vodacom Durban July day.

Celtic Sea was beaten in her last race of the season but put up what was arguably her best showing. Making nearly all the running in the Gr1 Mercury Sprint, she was only reeled in two jumps from the line by top sprinter Kasimir.

With Lyle Hewitson plying his trade in Hong Kong, Gavin Lerena takes over in the saddle and should get off to a winning start given that she is 5-10 in the market.

Hawwaam and Celtic Sea will be anchors in many an exotic bet but if they fluff their lines, pay-outs will escalate accordingly.

The first three legs of the Pick 6 are maiden plates with 20-horse fields, a recipe for a coupe of upsets if ever there was one.

In the opening leg, Akwaan can feature in a weak field. He improved at his second start and the tongue-tie comes off. He is a weak 9-2 favourite and 12-1 shot City Dancer could prove better value. He was much improved second time out and Piere Strydom is riding well for this stable.

Willo’thewisp, Var Aglow and River Jordan are the only three runners quoted in single figures for the fourth and with the balance of the exposed runners showing modest form and a host of first timers, this trio could see you through this leg of the Pick 6.

Our Man From Havana and Banha Bridge, both 33-10, are vying for favouritism in the fifth, and look the pick. A threat could be Arnica Montana (12-1).  He has turned into something of a bookies favourite and faded out when tried over further last run. The blinkers go on and he may be worth another chance although he cannot be relied upon.

The sixth sees a small field line up over 2400m in what could be a tricky affair. Laconia has had plenty of chances but does stay the trip – finishing second three times – and is seldom far off them. She will never get a better chance although she shares favouritism with Miss Cap Mala, both 15-10.

Ring Of Fire (14-10) is at short odds to round off the meeting but it doesn’t look quite that straight forward. Silver Master, Scoop and Topmast and all upset.

By Andrew Harrison

Punters face a testing card at Hollywoodbets Greyville today. It’s one of those cards where it is all favourites or a few bombers – the trick is to find the bombers which is not always easy.

The early betting suggests that the opening leg of the PA should rest between Kildonan Bay and Alfonse Baby.

Kildonan Bay has shown up well in both starts to date and put in a smart effort on debut over course and distance. The blinkers go on and Doug Campbell’s homebred should be good enough to at least see you safely through the first leg of the exotic bet. Alfonse Baby will be a threat after making good improvement second time out over course and distance and is likely to come on a little more with the experience.

The first leg of the Pick 6 is a Qualified Maiden where Seen The Light looks the part. Shane Humby’s charge has only had three outings, two close-up leading into this race, and he should prove difficult to beat.

The first leg of the jackpot looks a little more competitive but Down To Earth has improved with every outing and was narrowly beaten over course and distance last time out. A repeat should see her close again. Queen Of Beauty was a well-beaten second at just her second start but should make further improvement and will be a contender. Of the balance, Blush Of Dawn is seldom too far back and jumps from the best draw and it is good to see Ant Mgudlwa back in the saddle after his fall at Scottsville. Silver Wisp has only had one start and was not too far back. She should come on lengths from that effort and can surprise.

Noble Joshua bids for a fourth straight win in the fifth, a rare achievement in this day of merit rated handicaps. He took a 2kg penalty for his last win which could leave the way clear for Sea Dance who showed consistent form for Paul Peter and made a smart debut for his new yard. He is in receipt of 5.5kg from Noble Joshua and looks the pick of the pair.

Gary Rich has a small string but his horses are firing of late and Connect Me looks set for the sixth win of her career. She ran a smart race over a mile last time out and goes this trip for the first time. If she stays, she will be right there. Judging by the riding arrangements, Oratorina is the ‘right’ one of Gavin Van Zyl’s runners with Warren Kennedy aboard. However, she has not been out since April which is a bit of a concern whereas Sea Venture has had two warm-ups leading into this event and looks the pick of the pair. Dennis Drier sends out Escape Club who has taken time to come to hand following a lengthy lay-off. She is back over her best course and distance and the blinkers have been exchanged for a tongue-tie which could prove a key to an improved performance.

Joseph Jagger has made steady improvement since gelding and blinkers and although he takes to the poly for the first time, he could prove difficult to peg back in the seventh. Whateverittakes made good improvement at his second start and also makes his poly debut. But the trip will suit and he should show further improvement.  Just Dixit is the highest rated runner but disappointed at his last two and flattered to deceive before that. Leave him out at your peril.

Finally, Agent Murphy has his third run after a break and from a good draw looks well set for the eighth. Danger could come in the form of Captain Cobalt who was never in the hunt from a wide draw last outing but was close-up at his previous start. He has a bright chance in a tricky race. Juniper Lane and At The Opera are others to consider.

By Andrew Harrison

Anton Marcus has been snapped up by Ashley Fortune for dual winner Invidia in the R2.5 million CTS Ready To Run Stakes at Kenilworth on Saturday week. The Twice Over colt had the class to take third to Eden Roc in the Durban Golden Horseshoe and beat all except Singforafa on his return at the Vaal last month. He is 4-1 second favourite.

Mrs Fortune, who also runs Etched In Blue, dispatched her horses before the recent outbreak of African Horse Sickness was confirmed but it seems that this may not be as a serious a problem – at least so far as the Cape season is concerned – as it first appeared.

Sean Tarry, whose Ready To Run horses have not yet left home, said yesterday: “I think we will be fine and that we will get the horses there.”

The four-time champion trainer, who won last year’s race with the Marcus-ridden Cirillo, has six entries and expects to run all except the wide-drawn Shango and Ballon D’Or.

He has yet to finalise riding arrangements but Rock The Globe is the shortest-priced of the other four at 7-1 and is top-rated, a kilo ahead of Invidia. Favourite at 7-2 is Roi Querari (Richard Fourie) and Justin Snaith has also booked Bernard Fayd’Herbe for 10-1 shot Savvy and Robert Kathi for outsider Over The Odds.

Tarry has second top-rated Putontheredlight in Saturday week’s Concorde Cup and also in the Cape Merchants.

He said that he is leaning towards the former race, a mile Grade 2 which is essentially the old Selangor under a new title.

However Concorde Cup second favourite Silver Operator is drawn 23 out of 23 and will miss the race. Vaughan Marshall said that his Cape Classic winner will go straight for the Cape Guineas on December 21.

Incidentally Marshall reported yesterday that Black Knap, only third when starting favourite for last Saturday’s 1 800m handicap, was found to have muscular-related lameness behind. He got loose after unseating his rider during the canter past and bumped the rails.

Justin Snaith will gallop his Vodacom Durban July winner Do It Again at Kenilworth on Saturday morning. Champion sprinter Kasimir was galloped there last Saturday and went well.

Snaith said: “I am coming into the season later this time.

“It now goes on well into February so I am deliberately starting later with the horses.”

One World has been left on an unchanged rating of 127 after his win in the Cape Mile which means that he has something to find with Do It Again (136) and Rainbow Bridge (134) when they meet in the World Sports Betting Green Point Stakes on December 14.

As a Grade 2 winner he will receive only a kilo from the other two.

The conditions of the Cape Mile stipulated that the winner and placed horses could not be raised more than six points and this was applied both to runner-up More Magic (now 99) and third-placed Priceless Ruler (now 107).

By Michael Clower